SCANDINAVIAN STREAMING SURGE
SF Studios and Warner Bros. Discovery have entered a content partnership for the Nordic region. The deal grants WBD’s Max streaming service first-run rights to SF Studios’ local and international titles post-theatrical and transactional windows.
The agreement aims to bolster SF Studios’ investment in Nordic productions and expand audience reach through Max in the region.
Upcoming titles include Tarik Saleh’s “Eagles of the Republic” starring Fares Fares, Norwegian crime adaptation “The Nation’s Gambit,” and Mikkel Serup’s “Kingmaker,” a sequel to 2004’s “Kongekabale.” International films like “The Zone of Interest” and “Horizon – An American Saga” are also part of the deal, starting mid-July.
“The collaboration is an important step in SF Studios’ strategy to expand its licensing and distribution business in the Nordics and at the same time offer a strong line-up of Nordic and international films to consumers in the Nordic marketplace,” SF Studios said in a statement.
TOONZ TACKLES TINSELTOWN
Toonz Media Group, a global kids and family entertainment company, is expanding its live-action portfolio with an entry into the U.S. feature film market. The company has revealed plans to adapt William Hazelgrove‘s bestselling book “Real Santa” into a live-action feature film.
“Real Santa” follows unemployed engineer George Kronenfeldt as he attempts to prove Santa’s existence to his skeptical nine-year-old daughter. The story explores the lengths parents go to preserve childhood wonder.
Toonz, which launched its feature film division in 2023, will oversee all aspects of production from script to screen. The company plans to pitch the project at the upcoming American Film Market. The deal between Hazelgrove and Toonz was brokered by Allan Grafman, president and CEO of All Media Ventures. Grafman and Hazelgrove will serve as executive producers on the project.
TRANSGENDER TEENS’ TRIALS
Foton.Pictures and Superfilms‘ Emmy-nominated documentary “Changing the Game” is set for U.K. streaming release post-Olympics. Directed by Michael Barnett and produced by Alex Schmider and Clare Tucker, the film follows three transgender high school athletes navigating sports, personal lives and societal challenges.
The documentary features Sarah, a skier and policymaker; Andraya, a track star; and Mack Beggs, a Texas wrestling champion. It highlights their struggles with online harassment and threats.
“Changing the Game,” which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, won the GLAAD Media Award for Outstanding Documentary and audience awards at Outfest Los Angeles, Palm Springs International Film Festival and Frameline San Francisco International LGBTQ Film Festival. It was also nominated for Best Sports Documentary at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards and a Peabody Award.
