Exclusive: Iranian-American multidisciplinary producer James Shani launches creative studio, Rich Spirit, which will partner with Bipoc artists and filmmakers to produce a wide range of original projects from narrative films to documentaries, music videos, donate its services to nonprofits, execute commissioned work for brands, and fund early-stage founders in the technology and media space.
Shani previously held a position at Issa Rae’s ColorCreative, where he represented writers and directors.
By launching Rich Spirit, Shani is driven by independent art that converges with a conscientious global outlook, collaborating with filmmakers from different parts of the world. His mission is to support and resource artists that aim to transcend borders and resonate universally.
“Artists of all disciplines are society’s most important treasures to be supported and fostered,” shared Shani. “My main passion has always been independent cinema and I see us neglecting indie filmmakers more than ever before; these artists...
Shani previously held a position at Issa Rae’s ColorCreative, where he represented writers and directors.
By launching Rich Spirit, Shani is driven by independent art that converges with a conscientious global outlook, collaborating with filmmakers from different parts of the world. His mission is to support and resource artists that aim to transcend borders and resonate universally.
“Artists of all disciplines are society’s most important treasures to be supported and fostered,” shared Shani. “My main passion has always been independent cinema and I see us neglecting indie filmmakers more than ever before; these artists...
- 5/13/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Chai Yee-Wei’s “Wonderland” comes to the Singapore International Film Festival after debuting at the San Diego Asian Film Festival where it won the audience award.
Chai’s credits include “Blood Ties” (2009), “Twisted” (2011) and “That Girl in Pinafore” (2013), which premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival. “Wonderland” is his fifth feature. He is the founder of Singaporean post-production house Mocha Chai Laboratories.
Set in 1980s Singapore, “Wonderland” follows two middle-aged fathers – Loke, who owns a joss paper shop and lives with his daughter Eileen, and Tan, a lonely church pianist and recovering alcoholic-gambler. They become friends after Loke sells his house to fund Eileen’s studies abroad and moves next to Tan. Filled with regrets over his own estranged daughter, Tan offers to translate and transcribe the illiterate Loke’s correspondences with Eileen. When Tan learns about a tragedy, he constructs an elaborate lie to protect Loke from the truth.
Chai’s credits include “Blood Ties” (2009), “Twisted” (2011) and “That Girl in Pinafore” (2013), which premiered at the Shanghai International Film Festival. “Wonderland” is his fifth feature. He is the founder of Singaporean post-production house Mocha Chai Laboratories.
Set in 1980s Singapore, “Wonderland” follows two middle-aged fathers – Loke, who owns a joss paper shop and lives with his daughter Eileen, and Tan, a lonely church pianist and recovering alcoholic-gambler. They become friends after Loke sells his house to fund Eileen’s studies abroad and moves next to Tan. Filled with regrets over his own estranged daughter, Tan offers to translate and transcribe the illiterate Loke’s correspondences with Eileen. When Tan learns about a tragedy, he constructs an elaborate lie to protect Loke from the truth.
- 12/5/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
“Tiger Stripes”, the opening film of this year’s Singapore International Film Festival (Sgiff), was “kind of a joke that became something very, very close to me and ended up being this film,” Malaysian filmmaker, Amanda Nell Eu, said during Thursday night’s opening ceremony.
Speaking to a packed theatre before the screening, Eu said her inspiration had been puberty mixed with her sense of humor.
“I love playing with horror. I love playing with comedy and I was like, I want to make a film about a girl who literally turns into a monster because I felt like a monster as a kid,” she said. “ ‘Tiger Stripes’ is really a story that fights for the people who feel like they don’t fit in society.”
Opening the festival, Singapore filmmaker and Sgiff chairperson, Boo Junfeng, talked about the event’s “sense of community” and a “collective sense of purpose.
Speaking to a packed theatre before the screening, Eu said her inspiration had been puberty mixed with her sense of humor.
“I love playing with horror. I love playing with comedy and I was like, I want to make a film about a girl who literally turns into a monster because I felt like a monster as a kid,” she said. “ ‘Tiger Stripes’ is really a story that fights for the people who feel like they don’t fit in society.”
Opening the festival, Singapore filmmaker and Sgiff chairperson, Boo Junfeng, talked about the event’s “sense of community” and a “collective sense of purpose.
- 11/30/2023
- by Janine Stein
- Variety Film + TV
From Screenrant: The titles are aimed at global streaming audiences and are led by Hungry Souls, produced by Eric Khoo’s Zhao Wei Films. Three of the four series are supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (Imda) and its initiative to produce “streaming first” premium scripted series for global audiences.
“2021 is a year for us here at Cj Enm Hk to expand our local language productions for the global streaming audience,” said Michael Jung, managing director of Cj Enm Hong Kong. “Apart from our existing production operation in Thailand, we also want to do more premium scripted content in Mandarin and Bahasa languages.”
The three Singaporean-led series were co-developed and co-created with local production partners and Cj Enm Hk is bringing a team of producers from Korea as creative consultants for each series.
Set against the cultural traditions of the Hungry Ghost Festival – aka the Lunar Seventh Month when restless,...
“2021 is a year for us here at Cj Enm Hk to expand our local language productions for the global streaming audience,” said Michael Jung, managing director of Cj Enm Hong Kong. “Apart from our existing production operation in Thailand, we also want to do more premium scripted content in Mandarin and Bahasa languages.”
The three Singaporean-led series were co-developed and co-created with local production partners and Cj Enm Hk is bringing a team of producers from Korea as creative consultants for each series.
Set against the cultural traditions of the Hungry Ghost Festival – aka the Lunar Seventh Month when restless,...
- 6/17/2021
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Titles led by ‘Hungry Souls’, produced by Eric Khoo’s Zhao Wei Films
Cj Enm Hong Kong is expanding its local language scripted slate with four Mandarin-language series in production.
The titles are aimed at global streaming audiences and are led by Hungry Souls, produced by Eric Khoo’s Zhao Wei Films. Three of the four series are supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (Imda) and its initiative to produce “streaming first” premium scripted series for global audiences.
“2021 is a year for us here at Cj Enm Hk to expand our local language productions for the global streaming audience,...
Cj Enm Hong Kong is expanding its local language scripted slate with four Mandarin-language series in production.
The titles are aimed at global streaming audiences and are led by Hungry Souls, produced by Eric Khoo’s Zhao Wei Films. Three of the four series are supported by the Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (Imda) and its initiative to produce “streaming first” premium scripted series for global audiences.
“2021 is a year for us here at Cj Enm Hk to expand our local language productions for the global streaming audience,...
- 6/4/2021
- by Jean Noh
- ScreenDaily
In her second documentary feature “Down a Dark Stairwell”, Ursula Liang tackles one of the most pressing matters in contemporary American society, that of unchecked police brutality against minorities.
“Down a Dark Stairwell” is screening at Human Rights Watch Film Festival
The film tells the story of the tragic event of the accidental death of Akai Gurley who was shot and killed by the Asian American police officer Peter Liang in November of 2014, while climbing down a dark flight of stairs in a housing project in Brooklyn, New York. Following a protest by the family and friends of the victim, Peter Liang becomes the first police officer in more than a decade to be fired and prosecuted for the accidental manslaughter of an innocent civilian.
While the black community sees a glimmer of hope for justice in the policeman’s trial and as a first step towards fixing the decades,...
“Down a Dark Stairwell” is screening at Human Rights Watch Film Festival
The film tells the story of the tragic event of the accidental death of Akai Gurley who was shot and killed by the Asian American police officer Peter Liang in November of 2014, while climbing down a dark flight of stairs in a housing project in Brooklyn, New York. Following a protest by the family and friends of the victim, Peter Liang becomes the first police officer in more than a decade to be fired and prosecuted for the accidental manslaughter of an innocent civilian.
While the black community sees a glimmer of hope for justice in the policeman’s trial and as a first step towards fixing the decades,...
- 6/13/2020
- by martin
- AsianMoviePulse
We're back with another edition of Horror Highlights! In today's installment, we have news of Dark Sky acquiring Before the Fire, details on the digital edition of the Etheria Film Festival, a look at the trailer for Two Heads Creek, and details on the We Summon the Darkness soundtrack release:
Dark Sky Films Acquires Before The Fire: "Dark Sky Films today announced it has acquired all North American distribution rights to the timely new pandemic thriller Before The Fire, the debut feature from director Charlie Buhler and written by and starring Jenna Lyng Adams of The Kominsky Method.
Nicola Goelzhaeuser, Mpi/Dark Sky's VP of Sales & Acquisitions, negotiated the deal for the Madfire Picturesproduction with John W. Bosher and Chris Charles of Throughline Films and Michelle Chang of Ramo Law on behalf of the filmmakers, including producer Kristen Murtha. Dark Sky plans to release the film in theaters and...
Dark Sky Films Acquires Before The Fire: "Dark Sky Films today announced it has acquired all North American distribution rights to the timely new pandemic thriller Before The Fire, the debut feature from director Charlie Buhler and written by and starring Jenna Lyng Adams of The Kominsky Method.
Nicola Goelzhaeuser, Mpi/Dark Sky's VP of Sales & Acquisitions, negotiated the deal for the Madfire Picturesproduction with John W. Bosher and Chris Charles of Throughline Films and Michelle Chang of Ramo Law on behalf of the filmmakers, including producer Kristen Murtha. Dark Sky plans to release the film in theaters and...
- 5/27/2020
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Exclusive: Specter Pictures, a new genre label of La-based producer David Brown’s company Clear Horizon, is coming to the Efm with The Undertaker’s Wife, starring Shannyn Sossamon (Sinister 2) and John Brotherton (Fuller House).
The supernatural horror-thriller follows a family’s attempted fresh start when they move into a historic funeral home in the Deep South.
First-time feature filmmaker Chad Darnell is writing and directing. David Brown (After The Wedding) is producing for Specter Pictures and Todd Lundbohm is producing for 828 Productions with financing from 828 Media Capital. Mandra Pictures will also produce.
Linc Hand and Ashley Fink are also co-starring. Shoot is currently underway in Los Angeles with production wrapping this week. Clear Horizon is selling worldwide rights in Berlin.
Specter Pictures recently wrapped production on Chasing Nightmares, starring Michelle Randolph, Anne Heche and Graham McTavish. Clear Horizon is working on putting together A War Of Their...
The supernatural horror-thriller follows a family’s attempted fresh start when they move into a historic funeral home in the Deep South.
First-time feature filmmaker Chad Darnell is writing and directing. David Brown (After The Wedding) is producing for Specter Pictures and Todd Lundbohm is producing for 828 Productions with financing from 828 Media Capital. Mandra Pictures will also produce.
Linc Hand and Ashley Fink are also co-starring. Shoot is currently underway in Los Angeles with production wrapping this week. Clear Horizon is selling worldwide rights in Berlin.
Specter Pictures recently wrapped production on Chasing Nightmares, starring Michelle Randolph, Anne Heche and Graham McTavish. Clear Horizon is working on putting together A War Of Their...
- 2/19/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Oscar and Palme d’Or-winning Danish director Bille August (Pelle The Conqueror) is teaming up with U.S. producer David Brown’s fledgling outfit Clear Horizon on historical drama A War Of Their Own about two of the first women to serve as ambulance drivers on the front lines during WWI. Clear Horizon will co-produce and handle world sales at the Afm.
The film is inspired by the remarkable story of British women Mairi Chisholm and Elsie Knocker, who became nurses and ambulance drivers during World War One. The duo won numerous medals for bravery and saved many soldiers on the Western Front in Belgium. Chisolm first got the job as ambulance driver when she was spotted making hair-pin bends on her motorbike in London as a courier. After the war, despite failing health as a result of her exploits on the front, she briefly took up car racing.
The film is inspired by the remarkable story of British women Mairi Chisholm and Elsie Knocker, who became nurses and ambulance drivers during World War One. The duo won numerous medals for bravery and saved many soldiers on the Western Front in Belgium. Chisolm first got the job as ambulance driver when she was spotted making hair-pin bends on her motorbike in London as a courier. After the war, despite failing health as a result of her exploits on the front, she briefly took up car racing.
- 10/22/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Gavin Jasper Aug 2, 2019
The latest Mortal Kombat 11 Dlc is a classic character. Check out Nightwolf weaponizing his spirit animals.
We’re a month or so into Mortal Kombat 11’s Kombat Pack 1 Dlc right now. So far we’ve been given Shang Tsung and they’ve announced two returning characters (Nightwolf and Sindel), one guest character (Spawn), and have been vague about two more on the way (probably Ash Williams and the T-800). With Evo 2019 kicking off this weekend, it's no surprise we're finally getting our first look at Nightwolf!
Video of Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack – Official Nightwolf Gameplay Trailer
That Fatality is pretty cool and all, but why would you ever want to end your match with anything but that howl win pose?
Nightwolf first appeared in Mortal Kombat 3 as one of Raiden’s chosen few who were mystically protected from Shao Kahn’s invasion. The character was introduced as...
The latest Mortal Kombat 11 Dlc is a classic character. Check out Nightwolf weaponizing his spirit animals.
We’re a month or so into Mortal Kombat 11’s Kombat Pack 1 Dlc right now. So far we’ve been given Shang Tsung and they’ve announced two returning characters (Nightwolf and Sindel), one guest character (Spawn), and have been vague about two more on the way (probably Ash Williams and the T-800). With Evo 2019 kicking off this weekend, it's no surprise we're finally getting our first look at Nightwolf!
Video of Mortal Kombat 11 Kombat Pack – Official Nightwolf Gameplay Trailer
That Fatality is pretty cool and all, but why would you ever want to end your match with anything but that howl win pose?
Nightwolf first appeared in Mortal Kombat 3 as one of Raiden’s chosen few who were mystically protected from Shao Kahn’s invasion. The character was introduced as...
- 8/2/2019
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Fledgling La-based sales and production outfit Clear Horizon has appointed former Cmg, Epic Pictures and Bleiberg sales exec Giulia Prenna as president of sales and production.
As we revealed during Cannes, the company has been launched by independent producer David Brown, an executive producer on Sundance opener After The Wedding. Reporting to Brown, Prenna will lead the sales push at upcoming festivals and markets including Tiff and Afm.
Clear Horizon’s production and sales slate includes coming-of-age comedy-drama Gringa, which will be directed by E.J. Foerster and star Steve Zahn. The company has also acquired all rights to The Collector franchise, with the next project being The Collected, the third in the genre trilogy. The film is currently in pre-production with Clear Horizon producing and repping world sales.
Prior to joining the company, Prenna was a sales and acquisitions consultant at Cinema Management Group. In 2018 she won the Best...
As we revealed during Cannes, the company has been launched by independent producer David Brown, an executive producer on Sundance opener After The Wedding. Reporting to Brown, Prenna will lead the sales push at upcoming festivals and markets including Tiff and Afm.
Clear Horizon’s production and sales slate includes coming-of-age comedy-drama Gringa, which will be directed by E.J. Foerster and star Steve Zahn. The company has also acquired all rights to The Collector franchise, with the next project being The Collected, the third in the genre trilogy. The film is currently in pre-production with Clear Horizon producing and repping world sales.
Prior to joining the company, Prenna was a sales and acquisitions consultant at Cinema Management Group. In 2018 she won the Best...
- 7/10/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Independent producer David Brown, an executive on Sundance opener After The Wedding, has formed international sales and production venture Clear Horizon.
The new banner has acquired world rights to The Collector horror franchise, with The Collected, the third film in the trilogy, being the first project out the door. Franchise director Marcus Dunstan is returning for the third film, as will leads Josh Stewart and Emma Fitzpatrick, who are reprising their roles from the previous two. Pic was written by Dunstan and Patrick Melton and is produced by Brown and Brett Forbes. It is due to go in front of cameras this September, with Brown and his sales team presenting the film to buyers in Cannes this week.
The first two films, The Collector and The Collection, were released on more than 1400 screens theatrically. The rights were acquired from Ld Entertainment. Dunstan and Melton are also the writers of Saw IV,...
The new banner has acquired world rights to The Collector horror franchise, with The Collected, the third film in the trilogy, being the first project out the door. Franchise director Marcus Dunstan is returning for the third film, as will leads Josh Stewart and Emma Fitzpatrick, who are reprising their roles from the previous two. Pic was written by Dunstan and Patrick Melton and is produced by Brown and Brett Forbes. It is due to go in front of cameras this September, with Brown and his sales team presenting the film to buyers in Cannes this week.
The first two films, The Collector and The Collection, were released on more than 1400 screens theatrically. The rights were acquired from Ld Entertainment. Dunstan and Melton are also the writers of Saw IV,...
- 5/15/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Company also on board for Us DVD/VOD launch of Niels Arden Oplev’s Speed Walking.
Breaking Glass has acquired international sales rights to Larry Clark’s Marfa Girl 2 after picking up North American distribution rights.
The film centres on a family living in Marfa, Texas, who attempt to pull themselves back together after a tragedy, and is a sequel to Clark’s 2012 drama Marfa Girl.
Adam Mediano, Drake Burnette, Mercedes Maxwell, Indigo Rael, and Jeremy St. James are among the cast.
“After making Marfa. Girl, my fans inundated me with requests for a follow up – so I made it,...
Breaking Glass has acquired international sales rights to Larry Clark’s Marfa Girl 2 after picking up North American distribution rights.
The film centres on a family living in Marfa, Texas, who attempt to pull themselves back together after a tragedy, and is a sequel to Clark’s 2012 drama Marfa Girl.
Adam Mediano, Drake Burnette, Mercedes Maxwell, Indigo Rael, and Jeremy St. James are among the cast.
“After making Marfa. Girl, my fans inundated me with requests for a follow up – so I made it,...
- 7/10/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
"Kindle Food" is an occasional column about the various books and other materials that made us reconsider our long-standing refusal to make the jump to the digital world with our books. It's safe to say Wednesday the 9th was not a great travel day. There's no point in running down the entire list of woes, but by the time I made it to Toronto, I was positively ruined. There's only one thing that made the day bearable. One of the things I love about the Kindle is pre-ordering books when they're super-cheap and then totally forgetting I did it. It's a genuine surprise to me when I open the Kindle and there's some new book that I am thrilled about reading. The most recent surprise was the new Jack Reacher novel, "Make Me," and I intentionally set it aside until I was on the plane and on my way to Toronto.
- 9/21/2015
- by Drew McWeeny
- Hitfix
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