Glimmers of hope at Toronto Sep 13, 2008
First came a handful of small arthouse pickups, then a three-day lull, then pacts closed on consecutive days by Fox Searchlight for "The Wrestler," Summit for "The Hurt Locker" and IFC for "Che." ... "RocknRolla," Miramax's "Blindness" and Fox Searchlight's "Slumdog Millionaire." Brad and Jen reunited -- well, they were in the same city, at any rate -- and walked the red carpet (separately), as did Keira Knightley, Viggo Mortensen, Anne Hathaway and dozens more. (Variety)
Threatening Baby? Sep 11, 2008
Then they turned Danny Boyle s Oscar-bound Slumdog Millionaire over to partner Fox Searchlight after conceding they didn t know how to market it. They re stuck this fall releasing Towelhead, in which a 35-year-old man molests a 13-year-old girl on screen. (Fox News)
Get ready for a Wrestler Rourke comeback Sep 11, 2008
The Wrestler won top honors at the Venice Film Festival last weekend and was picked up for U.S. distribution at Toronto this week by Fox Searchlight, which plans to release it in December, the heart of Academy Awards season. Rourke, who turns 52 on Sept. 16, is getting solid Oscar buzz for The Wrestler. (MSNBC -- Politics)
Oscar suitors give TIFF a miss this year Sep 11, 2008
Also tomorrow, Fox Searchlight, a unit for Twentieth Century Fox, unveils the drama The Secret Life of Bees, starring young Dakota Fanning, but asked TV reporters to hold their interviews until October, just ahead of its release. Some early titles were winning fans but mostly for performances, including Greg Kinnear in Flash of Genius, Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler and Anne Hathaway in Rachel Getting Married. (Globe and Mail)
Oscar buzz for Anil Kapoor-starrer Sep 10, 2008
"Why are you here so early then? You don't have to buy tickets for the press shows.'I said it is not uncommon for journalists to turn up early for a much discussed film at the film festival -- in this case, the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF). By the time I reached,there were already more than 100 people in the line.By the time the film started, every seat at the 580-seat theatre was taken, and there were more than 50 reporters waiting outside. They were hoping to grab a seat in... (Rediff)
Despite appeal, some films going right to DVD Sep 9, 2008
News Corp.'s Fox Searchlight, which has had big indie hits with Juno and Little Miss Sunshine, has only six titles scheduled for release this year. (News Corp. also owns Dow Jones publisher of The Wall Street Journal. (AZCentral -- Entertainment)
It's never too early for talk of Oscars Sep 9, 2008
By Anthony Breznican, USA TODAY While fewer Oscar-pedigree films are making their debuts at the Toronto Film Festival this year, a couple of smaller movies are shaping up as sleepers, such as the offbeat Slumdog Millionaire, about a poor kid who becomes a sensation by winning big on a TV game show, and the Mickey Rourke drama The Wrestler, which was just snatched up in Toronto by Fox Searchlight on Monday after winning the top prize in Venice last week. Who's in. (USA Today)
Burn after reading Sep 6, 2008
gave away the biggest hit they might have had; nonetheless sharing the release with Fox Searchlight is smart because big Warner would have had no clue what to do with it ... " Among the women directors is Canada's Deepa Mehta, who also reaches for the mythic with her culture clash drama Heaven on Earth, starring Bollywood mega-star Preity Zinta as an Indian woman who comes to Canada for an arranged marriage. American director Gina Prince-Blythewood's The Secret Life of Bees, starring Queen... (Variety)
Glut of films hits Hollywood Sep 4, 2008
News Corp.'s Fox Searchlight, which has had big indie hits with "Juno" and "Little Miss Sunshine," has only six titles scheduled for release so far this year. (News Corp. also owns Dow Jones publisher of The Wall Street Journal. (Rensselaer Republican, IN)
Toronto Film Festival: Star power, fewer prizes? Sep 3, 2008
Directed by Danny Boyle (Trainspotting), it was recently picked up by Fox Searchlight in a deal with Warner Bros. Fair warning, though. (USA Today -- Life)
WHERE'S OSCAR? Sep 3, 2008
Fox Searchlight Pictures. Slumdog Millionaire: Dev Patel, left, and Freida Pinto star in the tale of an Indian game-show winner. (USA Today -- Life)
For Toronto film festival, a pragmatic approach Sep 2, 2008
Other principal attractions are Joel and Ethan Coen's "Burn After Reading," the comic caper from Focus Features, with George Clooney and Brad Pitt among its stars, that had its premiere last week at the Venice Film Festival, and "The Secret Life of Bees," from Fox Searchlight, adapted and directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood from a Sue Monk Kidd novel. But a number of the big studios' Oscar bets are missing. (International Herald Tribune)
Industry Buzz Aug 17, 2008
Fox Searchlight has announced it will distribute "My Life in Ruins" next year. The romantic comedy stars Vardalos as a depressed single woman who goes to work as a travel guide to show a motley crew of tourists the charms of her native Greece. (San Francisco Chronicle -- Entertainment)
'Clone Wars' is fun though forgettable Aug 14, 2008
logo and theme music for the familiar 20th Century Fox searchlight and fanfare. While anything remotely "Star Wars" potentially is a welcome trek for hard-core fans, however, it will be a mixed thrill given that the saga returns to the big screen as a cartoon. (Carroll County Times, MD)
Disabilities groups call for a 'Tropic Thunder' boycott Aug 14, 2008
Berns noted that some people had objected to the use of the word "retarded" in "Napoleon Dynamite," a comedy released by Fox Searchlight and Paramount's MTV Films unit in 2004. "But there's really been nothing near this magnitude," Berns said. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Taking an a indie approach to distribution, too Jul 30, 2008
What remains is the slim chance of being picked up by one of the surviving "mini-majors" like Sony Classics, Fox Searchlight or the Universal-owned Focus Features, or finding themselves at the mercy of smaller distributors. While many are well regarded, most offer small cash advances (if any) in exchange for most of the rights (DVD, TV, international release), but don't usually spend the kind of money necessary to assure public awareness and ticket sales. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Hollywood Likely to Set a New All-Time Box Office Record in 2008 Jul 29, 2008
December 5 Juno (Fox Searchlight) - $143. 49M. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
A king of comedy and his heir hold court Jul 19, 2008
But Jason said his experience with Fox Searchlight, the studio that greenlit Juno, had been very positive. The consequences of the film's success, however, were unforeseen. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Why Reliance is going Hollywood Jul 5, 2008
The No. 2 movie in the US, The Happening, was co-produced by Fox Searchlight and Mumbai-based UTV Motion Pictures, which financed half of the film's $57 million budget. On May 18, a division of Reliance Big Entertainment, a unit of India's giant Reliance group of companies, signed deals (BusinessWeek, 5/12/08) to produce and develop movies with A-list actors Tom Hanks, George Clooney, Nicolas Cage, and Brad Pitt. (Economic Times)
Let's Review Jul 4, 2008
In the same article Goldstein praises Fox Searchlight (Juno, etc. for the way they handle their independent films. (Slate)
No Khan, Only Khandelwal Jun 15, 2008
"When the audience sees a film that has the logo of Fox Searchlight or Miramax for that matter, they know what to expect. Like Mira Nair's Namesake was made under the Fox Searchlight/UTV banner. This helps in attracting the target audience.". And audiences, then can look forward to more quality products in different segments. (Times of India)
Title fights Jun 8, 2008
Fox Searchlight Pictures' police thriller Street Kings, with a cast including Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker from a screenplay by James Ellroy, had been known as The Night Watchman until this year. Test-screening recruiters found that moviegoers thought it sounded like a story about a security guard. (Sydney Morning Herald)
Post-Cannes update: Sony claims "Bashir" and "Tyson" May 30, 2008
It remains true that Miramax, Weinstein, Fox Searchlight, Paramount Vantage, Magnolia Pictures and other, smaller U.S. indie distributors stayed on the sidelines at Cannes, but then again there are several big apples waiting to fall from the tree. No U.S. buyers have emerged yet for Steven Soderbergh's two-part James Gray's or Charlie Kaufman's "Synecdoche, New York," but you've got to think all those companies are in the running, trying to stare each other down without launching a bidding war. (Salon)
Finding an audience for films on the sidelines May 26, 2008
He sold the $8 million project to Fox Searchlight for $10. 5 million, setting a festival price record that still holds. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
Firm seeks new way to market indie movies May 25, 2008
Sloss, 52, has handled the sale of such diamonds in the rough as "Little Miss Sunshine." He sold the $8 million project to Fox Searchlight for $10. 5 million, setting a festival price record that still holds. (Boston Globe)
A measure of caution as Cannes Film Festival opens May 14, 2008
Peter Rice, president of Fox Searchlight Pictures (distributor of the box office hits "Juno" and "Little Miss Sunshine"), wrote that economic uncertainty "increases the pressure to make smart acquisition choices because the marketplace is very unforgiving at present.". More Coverage. (International Herald Tribune -- Arts)
Buyers want no remorse at Cannes May 11, 2008
Miramax Films and Fox Searchlight are coming off a strong year, and can afford to gamble, although neither is starving for product. Focus Features paid $10 million for Hamlet 2 and may not be in the mood for another big buy, and Sony Pictures Classics is allergic to overspending. (Variety)
Cannes welcomes Charlie Kaufman May 9, 2008
Kaufman's "Synecdoche," which Sidney Kimmel Entertainment backed to the tune of $15 million, is one of three Cannes unveilings at the top of the Hollywood specialty distrib "to buy" list this year, along with Soderbergh's Che Guevara double feature and James Gray's "Two Lovers." Assuming that Kaufman's pic delivers the right mix of art and entertainment, the likes of Miramax, Focus and Fox Searchlight will be scrambling to acquire it from seller UTA.. That's because Kaufman is one of the rare... (Variety)
`Iron Man' alchemy translates to $98.6M opening weekend May 6, 2008
"Street Kings," Fox Searchlight, $708,142, 855 locations, $828 average, $25,133,327, four weeks ... "Young At Heart," Fox Searchlight, $315,357, 121 locations, $2,606 average, $925,669, four weeks ... Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Rogue Pictures are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.; Sony Pictures, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; DreamWorks, Paramount and Paramount Classics are divisions of Viacom Inc.; Disney's parent is The... (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Virginia Madsen added to 'Amelia' Apr 22, 2008
Virginia Madsen has signed on to co-star in the Amelia Earhart biopic "Amelia" for Avalon Pictures and Fox Searchlight ... "Amelia" marks Madsen's first project with Fox Searchlight since her "Sideways" turn. (Variety)
Smart People fails to score indie-flick success Apr 17, 2008
Most are products of independent production companies, but since major companies caught wind of the success of indie films, they wasted no time creating their own indie departments (for example, Fox Studios created "Fox Searchlight" to specialize in artsy films). Perhaps this would explain why Smart People, released April 11, follows the quirky film formula but doesn't feel satisfying. (The Cavalier Daily, VA)
'Prom Night' Carves Out $22.7M Debut Apr 15, 2008
Also in limited release, Fox Searchlight's documentary "Young @ Heart" took in $52,312 at four theaters over the weekend and $63,606 since opening Wednesday ... Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Rogue Pictures are owned by NBC Universal, a unit of General Electric Co.; Sony Pictures, Sony Screen Gems and Sony Pictures Classics are units of Sony Corp.; DreamWorks, Paramount and Paramount Vantage are divisions of Viacom Inc.; Disney's parent is The Walt Disney Co.; Miramax is a division of... (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
'Prom Night' crowned box office winner Apr 14, 2008
The R-rated crime drama "Street Kings," a Fox Searchlight Pictures-Regency Enterprises co-production with an ensemble cast headed by Forest Whitaker and Keanu Reeves, opened at No. 2 this weekend with an estimated $12 million. The blackjack caper picture "21" continued to hold up well for Sony, ranking No. 3 with about $11 million in its third weekend, and Fox's family adventure "Nim's Island" was a solid fourth with $9 million in its second weekend. (Los Angeles Times)
It's "Prom Night" at the box office Apr 14, 2008
Also in limited release, Fox Searchlight s documentary Young @ Heart took in 52,312 at four theaters over the weekend and 63,606 since opening Wednesday. The film follows a chorus of elderly singers averaging about 80 who sing punk and pop songs by the Clash, Coldplay, the Talking Heads and other modern bands. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Movie Review Apr 11, 2008
For his first big studio gig (if you consider Fox Searchlight big), one would think he'd take on project that moves his career to the next level. Instead, the helmer falls back on safe and familiar territory. (IGN FilmForce)
"Young @ Heart": Rocking Music, Not Chairs Apr 8, 2008
From left, Dora Morrow and Stan Goldman in the Fox Searchlight documentary "Young @ Heart." (Fox Searchlight/Jeff Derose). (CBS) "Young @ Heart" starts out like a lot of other rockumentaries. (CBS News)
On The Money Apr 6, 2008
AGING BOOMERS SPARK OLD IDEA IN H'WOOD - New York Post. " And he's convinced these AARP-rated films can make money. "Overture does targeted movies at the right price, between 25-30 million apiece," he said, "so they don't have to gross 100 to 150 million to be very successful. (New York Post -- Business)
'Whos' on First at Box Office Again Mar 26, 2008
Released by Fox Searchlight and the Weinstein Co., the movie has taken in $3 ... "We thought this was a movie that could play as a commercial movie, not as an arthouse movie, to Spanish-language audiences," said Peter Rice, Fox Searchlight president ... Fox Searchlight and the Weinstein Co. plan to gradually roll "Under the Same Moon" out to more theaters in the coming weeks. (Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier)
Slow Easter at box office Mar 24, 2008
Released by News Corp.'s Fox Searchlight and closely held Weinstein Co., Under the Same Moon follows a 9-year-old Mexican boy who travels to America to find his mother, an illegal immigrant. Also opening in limited release was The Hammer, a comedy starring radio satirist Adam Carolla. (Globe and Mail)
'Meet the Browns' could get Easter boost at box office Mar 21, 2008
Weinstein Co. and Fox Searchlight Pictures have high hopes for "Under the Same Moon," which they bought in partnership at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival for $5 million. The immigration drama came out Wednesday at 266 theaters, mainly in Latino and art-house markets, in an effort to build word of mouth. (Los Angeles Times)
Under the Same Moon Hits Theaters Today! Mar 20, 2008
Though Under the Same Moon is mainly in Spanish, distributors Fox Searchlight and The Weinstein Co. hope it will become one of the rare foreign-languages films that also strikes a nerve with the broader English-language audiences, as did Italys Cinema Paradiso, Chinas Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or Frances Amelie ... Released by: Fox Searchlight Pictures and the Weinstein Company. (eFluxMedia)
First Look: Notorious Mar 19, 2008
B.I.G. actor gets into character. March 17, 2008 - Hip-hop fans anticipating the Notorious B.I.G. movie can now see the film's star, recently cast unknown actor Jamal Woolard, as he'll appear in the upcoming biopic. (IGN FilmForce)
B.I.G. Revealed! Mar 19, 2008
The film is slated for a January 2009 release, through Fox Searchlight Pictures. These pictures released today are no doubt the first of many, as this highly anticipated project rolls into production. (Suite101.com)
Studios zooming in on Latino moviegoers Mar 19, 2008
Though Under the Same Moon is mainly in Spanish, distributors Fox Searchlight and The Weinstein Co. hope it will become one of the rare foreign-language films that also strikes a nerve with the broader English-language audiences, as did Italy's Cinema Paradiso, China's Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon or France's Amelie ... But Under the Same Moon was picked up at the 2007 Sundance Festival precisely because it has potential broad appeal, says Nancy Utley of Fox Searchlight ... Fox Searchlight... (USA Today -- Life)
Hollywood and India partner up Mar 15, 2008
"Many of these companies have been looking at India for quite a while. But there is only so far you can go with Hollywood content. Indian audiences want local," says Siddharth Kapur, director of UTV Motion Pictures, a company that has worked with Fox Searchlight, Disney and Will Smith's Overbrook Entertainment on various film productions. . (Variety)
Notorious BIG movie finds its big star Mar 7, 2008
Fox Searchlight has hired Jamal Woolard, a Brooklyn-based rapper, to play late rap icon Biggie Smalls, a.k.a. the Notorious B.I.G., in its upcoming biopic "Notorious.". Derek Luke, Angela Bassett and Anthony Mackie also have been cast in the movie, the art-house studio said. (Reuters)
Majors vow to reclaim Oscar spotlight Mar 3, 2008
Fox Searchlight has The Secret Life of Bees (Dakota Fanning, Queen Latifah). MGM-UA has Valkyrie, teaming Bryan Singer and Tom Cruise. (Variety)
Canadian awards show ignores Juno Feb 29, 2008
Because L.A.-based Mandate Pictures developed and financed Juno and Fox Searchlight released the comedy, the Genies considers the film American and thus ineligible for competition. Canadas film awards really falls down the rabbit hole into Wonderland when you consider that Eastern Promises, a British film about a Russian mob family in London, and directed by hired-gun Canadian David Cronenberg, will contend for best Canadian film at the Genies. (MSNBC -- News)
Box Office Analysis, Feb. 25: 'Vantage Point' Secures Top Spot Feb 29, 2008
No. 8: Juno (Fox Searchlight, PG-13). BOX OFFICE TOP 10. (Hanford Sentinal, CA)
News Analysis In Los Angeles, Oscar Statues Become a Popular Export Feb 26, 2008
Daniel Battsek, chief executive of Miramax, and Peter Rice, president of Fox Searchlight, are both British and both in the thick of things ... And Fox Searchlight may not have won the ultimate prize, but in each of the last two years it came up with movies and that have made a lot of money and were also around for the Oscar dance. (New York Times)
Oscar party circuit Feb 26, 2008
Oddly, Paramount Vantage and Fox Searchlight hosted pre-Oscar celebrations at the same weeks-old restaurant, STK on La Cienega ... By contrast, Friday night's TSC Fox Searchlight affair was an intimate sit-down dinner party ... After just eight weeks in release, Juno is the first Fox Searchlight movie to cross the magic $100 million milestone. (Variety)
A wall of publicists surrounds Hollywood Feb 25, 2008
At Fox Searchlight Pictures, founded in 1994 by 20th Century Fox, fully a third of the company's executive roster, as reported by Baseline Studio-Systems, a data provider owned by The New York Times Company, is assigned to publicity or promotions ... Adriene Bowles stands guard for James Schamus, chief executive of Universal's Focus Features division, and commands a crew of picture publicists to match the gang over at Fox Searchlight. (International Herald Tribune -- Technology)
"Vantage Point" Has No. 1 Box Office View Feb 25, 2008
1 million and was tied at No. 7 with "Juno." The Fox Searchlight pregnancy comedy has rung up $130 million since opening 12 weeks ago. Paramount Vantage's oil saga "There Will Be Blood" moved up two slots to No. 10 with $2. (CBS News -- Early Show)
Hollywood abuzz with Oscar preparations Feb 23, 2008
Fox Searchlight was set to fete its nominees including "Juno" director Jason Reitman, screenwriter Diablo Cody and star Ellen Page with a dinner Friday at the same new hotspot. The festivities continue Saturday with Jeffrey Katzenberg's annual "Night Before" party, which benefits the Motion Picture & Television Fund and typically draws an A-list crowd. (Yahoo News)
Modest films, niche marketing reshape box office, Oscars Feb 22, 2008
Film: Juno Studio: Fox Searchlight Gross receipts (in millions): $125 ... While so-called "big Fox" focuses on X-Men spinoffs and family crowd-pleasers such as Alvin and the Chipmunks, offshoot Fox Searchlight is dedicated to releasing more sophisticated fare: Juno; the Irish street-musician film Once; and past Oscar contenders such as Little Miss Sunshine, The Last King of Scotland and Sideways ... "The Oscars are the absolute gold standard. Because it's such a small, elite group of films that... (USA Today -- Life)
Madonna, Moore to fill party gap Feb 22, 2008
Warners and Fox Searchlight will be having dinners for their respective contenders. AMPAS hosts a reception for the foreign-language nominees at the Academy. (Variety)
Oscar will love Old Men Feb 20, 2008
(Besides, Juno distributor Fox Searchlight is owned by News Corp., and Atonement was released by Focus Features, part of the NBC/Universal family, so when we say theyre indie movies, we arent suggesting that they were made with credit cards and borrowed film stock. Ditto No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood, both collaborations between Miramax and Paramount Vantage. (MSNBC -- News)
Countdown to Oscar Feb 19, 2008
Fox Searchlight co-financed Juno with indie company Mandate Pictures. Why should the average moviegoer care how a film was financed. (Globe and Mail -- Entertainment)
Transcript: Forbes.com Buzz Feb 19, 2008
The Fox Searchlight indie has quickly become this year's Little Miss Sunshine. In addition to its sardonic yet heart-warming storyline, it's created big stars of its talent. (Forbes -- Business)
Underdogs take slow path to Oscar honors Feb 18, 2008
Fox Searchlight had intended to release Juno in the spring, but after Torontos raucous screenings, it rethought its strategy. That convinced Searchlight: Dont wait for this movie; lets figure out a way to put it out in the fall, Smith says. (MSNBC -- News)
'Jumper' leads box office Feb 18, 2008
Palm Beach Post - News from The Associated Press. Feb 17, 11:16 PM EST. (The Palm Beach Post)
Does anyone care about the Oscars? Feb 16, 2008
Though the Hollywood studios would be pleased if mainstream blockbusters were nominated, they're just as happy with the low-budget "indie" films that earn awards -- since, for the most part, they all have their own "indie" branches, such as Fox Searchlight and Paramount Vantage, says Notre Dame film professor Jim Collins. (One of these indie branches, Warner Independent Pictures, is a unit of Time Warner, as is its parent Warner Bros. (CNN -- Showbiz)
Viewpoint graduates behind Oscar-nominated 'Juno' Feb 14, 2008
The Fox Searchlight feature film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role ( Ellen Page), Best Achievement in Directing ( Jason Reitman), and Best Original Screenplay ( Diablo Cody) ... Dubiecki is a producing partner with director Reitman at their production company, Hard C, which is housed at Fox Searchlight. (Los Angeles Daily News)
Juno star brings quirky charm to Oscars Feb 12, 2008
Fox Searchlight PicturesEllen Page stars in Juno as a pregnant teenager in search of the perfect family to adopt her unborn baby. . (MSNBC -- News)
Before Oscar falls, catch up with Bardem's other films Feb 6, 2008
The Dancer Upstairs: Bardem's police investigator does a delicate dance with Laura Morante. The Sea Inside: Bardem and Belen Rueda take on the issue of a person's right to die. (USA Today -- Life)
