Lego Live-Action TV Musical
The Lego Group has set director and producer Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) as executive producer for its first-ever live-action TV project: a Lego Friends musical special, set in the world of Heartlake City. Filming is set to begin in London this August with release due in 2026. The storyline follows a girl who constructs a world out of Lego bricks, only to be magically transported to Heart Lake City. Ortega said: “I don’t know who’s more excited – my family or me. We are a Lego loving household, and receiving this invitation from the Lego Group to join them in their first live-action musical is an absolute honor. Also being able to produce alongside the wonderful team at Final Pixel, leaders in virtual production has me overjoyed, and I am thrilled to have my longtime creative partner, Paul Becker, alongside.”
Roel Reiné Thriller
Indie Rebel Entertainment has wrapped principal photography on survival thriller Love Hate Hunt Kill, helmed by director Roel Reiné (Black Sails). The film charts the story of Luna (Kimi Alexander), who thinks she’s embarking on a romantic escape with her charming fiancé Alex (James Oliver Wheatley) into the desert. But as secrets surface and their relationship unravels, the couple’s trip turns sinister. Soon, a masked hunter emerges from the wasteland, stalking them in a sadistic game. Meanwhile, the world watches in fear as a comet–possibly an alien probe—draws closer to Earth. According to producers, the low-budget indie comprised minimal crew, compact high-end cameras, and shooting in harsh environments. It is also said to incorporate visual effects created through AI tools in post-production.
Compañía de Cine Acquisition
EXCLUSIVE: Compañía de Cine, the Buenos Aires and Montevideo-based sales agency, has picked up the international sales rights for Fernlicht (Headlights), which will have its world premiere in the First Film Competition at the 36th edition of FIDMarseille, taking place from July 8–13, 2025. Johanna Schorn Kalinsky’s film, a collaboration with Sebastian Ladwig, stars Marie Bloching in the lead role of Alex, a Berlin coke taxi driver whose journey through memory and grief unfolds across four car rides in four seasons. The film is a co-production between Nabis and Grandfilm.
Freestyle Comedy Pickup
EXCLUSIVE: Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has picked up VOD rights to the coming-of-age comedy Magnetosphere, which will be available later this month. Set in 1997, the Hale-Bopp comet is passing by Earth, and teenager Maggie Campion has a secret. She can see sounds and hear colors, and she experiences the world in a heightened, special way. Written and directed by Nicola Rose, pic was produced by Tierney Boorboor, Rebeka Herron, and Drew Martin. The featured cast includes Shayelin Martin, Patrick McKenna, Colin Mochrie, Steven He, Debra McGrath, Tara Strong, Tania Webb, Mikayla Kong and Zooey Schneider.
Bournemouth Festival
In the UK, the Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF) is set to run for the first time on the 3rd-4th October 2025 at the Hilton Bournemouth. According to organizers, the event “will feature films from an array of talent, including many first-time filmmakers. With the theme of the festival being ’empowerment’, the aim is to showcase new talent and act as a springboard for creative careers.” “This is a festival built on empowerment,” said festival director Steve McCarten. We want to elevate new voices, not just through screenings but through meaningful industry connection and knowledge-sharing. We’re proud to offer a space that’s accessible, affordable, and focused on impact.”
