Company
XYZ Films spreads beyond L.A.
When “The Raid” nabbed the People’s Choice Award in the Midnight Madness section in Toronto earlier this year, it marked a turning point for XYZ Films. Not only did it firmly put the boutique L.A.-based production and sales outfit on the global map, but the reception for the Indonesian actioner from Welsh helmer Gareth Huw Evans also validated XYZ’s strategy: local-language pics that resonate with an international audience.
XYZ Films Expands Team
Former Fox and Davis Entertainment exec Kyle Franke has been hired by XYZ Films as head of development.
At the L.A.-based production and sales company, Franke will be in charge of acquiring and developing new projects with a focus on finding material that originates outside the U.S. Hire highlights XYZ’s efforts to increase its home-grown productions while also expanding its film sales operation — both of which will incorporate international interests. Read Full Article
XYZ spells expansion into local-language productions
LA-based XYZ Films has announced the expansion of its efforts to include local-language film production with a slate of projects that includes emerging markets where Hollywood producers are teaming with local production crews to capitalize on a fertile landscape.
As part of the initiative, XYZ Films is executive producing “The Raid,” currently shooting in Indonesia by director Gareth Evans. This follows the company’s work as executive producers on “Greetings to the Devil,” a Spanish-language production in Colombia directed by the Orozco brothers and starring “Carlos’” Edgar Ramirez. Read Full Article
XYZ Films and Celluloid Dreams Combine for Celluloid Nightmares
Horror lovers will be pleased to know that there’s another new distribution imprint coming — one with the goal of bringing new horror from around the globe to DVD and Blu-ray.
Twitch’s Todd Brown works for XYZ Films and broke the news yesterday that his employers will be teaming up with Celluloid Dreams to create a new label devoted to dark and Read Full Article
Selena Gomez forms production co.
Selena Gomez has formed July Moon Prods. and has partnered with XYZ Films to finance the development of at least two films for the Disney tween star to topline and produce.
Deal is comparable to a first-look studio deal that allows Gomez to option articles, hire screenwriters and tie additional talent to packages that can then be shopped to studios.
In August, XYZ inked a similar deal with Time Inc. and Read Full Article
Time Inc. partners with XYZ Films to produce in-house films
Time Inc. Studios, together with management-production company the Collective and XYZ Films, will produce features and documentaries based on articles published in Time Inc. publications such as Time, Sports Illustrated, Fortune and Life.
The company has identified its first project, optioning the April 14 Sports Illustrated article “Breaking the Bank.” Written by L. Jon Wertheim, the feature covers the alleged criminal exploits of Ultimate Fighting Championship competitor “Lightning” Lee Murray, who is Read Full Article