‘Safe House’ To Open Göteborg; Matthew Jacobs Signs With Ignite Elite Artists; Lionsgate, Bell & Point Grey Team For Scripted; Rare TV CEO Stepping Down — Global Briefs

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December 19, 2024 1:08am

‘Safe House’ To Open Göteborg Film Festival

Eirik Svensson‘s Safe House (Før Mørket) will kick of the 48th Göteburg Film Festival on January 24, 2025. The film’s screenplay, written by Harald Rosenløw Eeg and Lars Gudmestad, is based on real events from the autobiography ‘Det Finnes Ingen de Andre – Det er Bare Oss” by Lindis Hurum, Secretary General of Doctors Without Borders in Norway. It’s set during the civil war in the Central African Republic in 2013, when on Christmas Eve, a desperate Muslim man seeks refuge at a field hospital, while a threatening Christian militia gathers outside, demanding his life. Norwegian aid worker Linn (Kristine Kujath Thorp) faces a series of moral dilemmas as she strives to protect the man without endangering her colleagues’ safety. Alexander Karim, Bibi Tanga, Mattis Hermann Nyquist, Tracy Gotoas, and Alma Pöysti are also among the cast. Safe — which is from Fantefilm and co-produced with Film i Väst, Cinenic Film, Nordisk Film and ReelMedia — is competing in the Nordic Competition at Götenburg and will also be available online through the festival’s digital platform.

Matthew Jacobs Signs With Ignite Elite Artists

EXCLUSIVE: Matthew Jacobs has signed with Ignite Elite Artists for management in the UK. The writer, actor and director is known for roles in Bernard Rose’s Traveling Light and in feature doc Doctor Who Am I. He has a supporting role in Al Pacino’s King Lear film Lear Rex. He has also acted in Adam McKay’s Academy Award-nominated Vice and was co-0lead in Boxing Day back in 2012. Jacobs is a writer on the likes of The Emperor’s New Groove, The Adventures of Young Indiana Jones and Doctor Who. Independent Talent Group represents Matthew Jacobs as literary agent in the UK.

Canadian Scripted Project In Works From Lionsgate, Point Grey & Bell

Lionsgate, Point Grey Pictures and Canada’s Bell Media are teaming on a Canadian scripted series. The move will be Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg’s outfit Point Grey’s first Canadian scripted project as it attempts to push into the territory. It comes via Lionsgate’s first look with Point Grey, which will see comedy series The Studio launch soon on Apple TV+. In addition to this deal, Lionsgate and Bell Media have a separate co-development agreement to produce comedy and drama television series for the global market. “Point Grey has always redefined the possibilities of premium scripted storytelling,” said Lionsgate Television Group Chair & Chief Creative Officer Kevin Beggs. “Their contributions will turbocharge our partnership with Bell Media and strengthen our ability to make great content for audiences in Canada and around the world.”

Rare TV CEO Alexander Gardiner Stepping Down

Alexander Gardiner is stepping back from Rare TV. The CEO of the Digging for Britain producer said he is prioritizing his health and family. Gardiner has taken up a non-exec chair role, replacing Graham Coxell, and a CEO will be appointed early next year. Gardiner joined Rare from Channel 4 in 2019 and has been behind the likes of Digging for Britain, Expert Witness and the Airport franchise. He said: “My career so far has been a rollercoaster ride, working with great people in exciting locations on fascinating projects. I can’t think of anything that offers the rich variety that working in television provides. It’s been a tough decision to step down as CEO of Rare TV but I leave behind a great team and an industry facing multiple challenges.” He added that while he remains “optimistic about the future,” he “worries about the fragile economy for freelancers… When hugely talented and experienced producers and directors are reduced to working as Ocado delivery drivers, how can we hope to attract the brightest and the best into television?”