Irish Film & TV Academy Names Rising Star Nominees
The Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) and Screen Ireland (Fís Éireann) have unveiled the four Rising Star nominees ahead of the IFTA Awards Ceremony on February 14 in Dublin. They are Say Nothing and Masters of the Air actor Anthony Boyle, writer/director Aislinn Clarke (Fréwaka, The Devil’s Doorway), Clinton Liberty (House of the Dragon, Holding) and Alisha Weir (Abigail, Wicked Little Letters). “These four Healy talented Rising Stars represent the new wave of Irish professionals who are leading our homegrown industry on the world stage,” said Áine Moriarty, CEO of IFTA. Previous winners include Saoirse Ronan, Michael Fassbender, Nicola Coughlan, Domhnall Gleeson and Jamie Dornan. The Awards will take place at the Dublin Royal Convention Centre, with more details of the event set to follow. Screen Ireland Coimisiún na Meán.
‘Night Agent’s Kylo Freeman Signs With Ignite Elite Artists
EXCLUSIVE: Night Agent, New Amsterdam and The Blacklist actor Kylo Freeman has signed with talent management company Ignite Elite Artists. The British-born New York-based Freeman is known for performances in films such as Under My Skin along with series regular roles in U.S. network TV shows and work in theater at The Stella Adler Acting Studio. They founded LGBTQ consumer and media brand For Them and production company Boycott Entertainment, which focuses on underrepresented behind-the-camera talent. Kylo Freeman is also represented by Stefanie Talent and Entertainment and the Daniel Hoff Agency.
Alan Titchmarsh Tends To Gardening Channel
The Christmas trees and their baubles are down for another year, but horticultural legend Alan Titchmarsh wants to keep the world green-fingered throughout the year. The gardener and broadcaster is launching a digital channel. Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh will launch in April as a venture with UK-based producer Middlechild Productions and will see sharing his horticultural knowledge in a series of videos designed for new and experienced gardeners. The content — including ‘how-to’ videos, informative tips and masterclasses — will publish simultaneously to Titchmarsh’s YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok accounts. “I’d never have guessed that I would become a 75-year-old influencer and be hosting on the world’s biggest streaming platform,” said Titchmarsh. “I’ve been gardening for more than 60 years, and this is the perfect place to pass on that knowledge to an international audience of all ages. Middlechild’s David Sumnall and Matt Young will exec-produce the channel’s content.
AGC Ups Emily Knight To Senior Development Role
AGC Unwritten has promoted Emily Knight to Senior Vice President of Development. The unscripted arm of Stuart Ford’s AGC Studios hired former Expectation and Maverick TV exec Knight in 2022, and has now handed her oversight of all development. AGC Unwritten has developed projects for the likes of Prime Video, Netflix, A&E, TLC and Food Network, and says it has an unannounced project for Netflix. Its has also partnered with the likes of Banijay, Leonine and Mentorn Media, and is launching new formats at NATPE and Realscreen. “Emily’s been invaluable partner for the past two years and I’m thrilled to continue to work with her,” said Joel Zimmer, AGC Unwritten President. “She’s a creative force with great relationships here and abroad and I have no doubt she’ll continue to propel Unwritten’s success.” Unwritten is currently in post-production on director Matt Tyrnauer’s documentary feature, Nobu, and partnered with Matt Heineman’s Our Time Productions on feature doc Transition.
Berlinale To Honor German Film Expert Rainer Rother
The Berlinale is set to honor German film expert Rainer Rother, who is the Artistic Director of Germany’s Deutsche Kinemathek film archive and a long-time collaborator of the festival. Rother will receive the festival’s Berlinale Camera at a special event also featuring a screening of Christian Petzold’s thriller Yella, which won Nina Hoss the Silver Bear for Best Actress when it premiered in competition at the 2007 edition of the festival. “We are honouring Rainer Rother for his many years of work in the service of preserving cinematic history and as a bridge builder between history and contemporary cinema,” said Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle. Under his leadership, the Deutsche Kinemathek has successfully made the living heritage of cinematic art accessible, created the conditions for digitisation and developed strategies to open it up to new audiences. We would especially like to thank Rainer Rother for his work as a passionate curator who has inspired countless visitors to the Berlinale with his work.” Rother has been Artistic Director of the Deutsche Kinemathek and head of the Berlinale Retrospective since April 2006. He is also responsible for Berlinale Classics.
