movies

Brad Bird Considering ‘1906’ As TV Series Or Multi-Episode Project

Published

8 hours ago

July 24, 2026

Ray Gunn director Brad Bird has made several lasting films in his day, but he has yet to venture into television. He hasn’t ruled out the opportunity to make a miniseries with a project he has long pursued.

“Actually yeah, I have a project that, it’s hard to explain, but it would lend itself to multiple episodes ,” he said at the “Brad Bird: My Cinematic Journey” panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2026, moderated by Collider’s Steven Weintraub in Hall H. “It has to do with the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco.

This answer was prompted by Patton Oswalt via video message, in which the Ratatouille voice actor asked if a multi-episode form project was in Bird’s future. Oswalt also snuck in a quick “And also Ratatouille 2?”

“There’s a lotta b.s. on the Internet about the reasosn it didn’t happen,” Bird added of the long-stewing 1906, which he’s been wanting to make since 2007. “They said the budget went out of control or something like that. We never got that far.”

The Incredibles (2004) helmer likened the process to packing up supplies for a hot air balloon, and having to lighten the load in order for lift-off, losing his darlings in the process.

“The problem with it is, the more you research that time, the more amazing it is,” Bird continued. “And the stories that are happening are insane. The deeper I dug, the more stuff I [had to include.] I was like ‘This has to be in it!’ but it has to be big like a movie.

Still very interested in exploring the story, Bird wants it to balance the “detail of successive episodes” and the “size of a giant movie. When asked if it could span multiple seasons or remain a limited series, Bird responded that he envisions eight episodes.

The director was surprised by film score composer Michael Giacchino, whom he has worked with in The Incredibles, Ratatouille and Ray Gunn, midway through the panel. The Fantastic Four: The First Steps and Spider-Man: Brand New Day tried to get Bird to tease Incredibles 3 both by video message submission and right next to the director on the mic. Bird revealed no new updates besides his involvement writing the film and working with director Peter Sohn.

Hall H was also treated to the first seven minutes of Bird’s next animated film Ray Gunn, which played at Annecy. The spy noir film, which features the voices of Sam Rockwell, Scarlett Johansson and Tom Waits, arrives on Netflix Dec. 18.

movies

BBC Buys ‘Kabul’ Drama Series Starring Eric Dane About Afghanistan

Published

1 hour ago

July 24, 2026

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The BBC has acquired the upcoming series Kabul set against the backdrop of the terrifying real-life events in Afghanistan from 2021, one of the last shows to star the late Eric Dane.

The Mediawan drama for the European Alliance of broadcasters kicks off as American troops withdraw from Kabul and the Taliban enters the city. The Nazany family, like many civilians, is forced to flee, fearing retaliation. In this desperate and chaotic situation – shadowed by the looming threat of an attack by ISIS – French police officers, Italian diplomats, German military personnel, and American intelligence services must somehow coordinate to manage the influx of civilians.

Dane plays Martin. The supremely talented Euphoria and Grey’s Anatomy star died earlier this year. The international cast also includes Darina Al Joundi (The New Look), Shervin Alenabi (Tehran), Vassilis Koukalani (Kandahar), Hannah Abdoh, Jonathan Zaccaï (Le bureau des legends), Gianmarco Saurino (L’estate piu Calda) and Jeanne Goursaud (Pax Massilia).

The show, which lands on the BBC next month, is produced by Mediawan and sold by Mediawan Rights is for the European Alliance of broadcasters which comprises ZDF, Rai and France Télévisions. The BBC isn’t technically part of the Alliance but has previously been involved with shows like the adaptation of Around the World in 80 Days.

Nick Lee, Head of BBC Programme Acquisition, said: “Kabul is a tragedy of the highest stakes. A warzone story which is propelled by the real ticking clock of the evacuation that was just five years ago this summer. Global politics remain complex, but Kabul dramatises the biggest view of history through the smallest window of a human family.”

Kabul was directed by Kasia Adamik (No Escape) and Olga Chajdas (Imago) and written by Olivier Demangel (Class Act), Thomas Finkielkraut (Baron Noir) and Joey Lavy (The Shift). The series was produced by Fabienne Servan-Schreiber and Charlotte Ortiz at Cinétévé, Matthias Weber and Thibault Gast at 24 25 Films, and executive produced by Sandrine Paquot. Global sales are handled by Mediawan Rights.

movies

Edinburgh Film Festival Sets 2026 Industry Programme

Published

2 hours ago

July 24, 2026

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The Edinburgh Film Festival has confirmed the full lineup for the industry programme, which will run throughout the event’s 2026 edition, taking place from August 13 to 19.

The programme will begin on August 14 with the EIFF Industry Networking Brunch in partnership with Women in Film and Television. This will be followed by an EIFF Industry Talk with veteran indie producer Christine Vachon hosted by journalist, moderator and film festival consultant Wendy Mitchell. The Vachon session will be followed by an on-stage EIFF In Conversation session with legendary documentary filmmaker Ken Burns hosted by journalist Dave Calhoun.

The programme will continue with an EIFF In Conversation event, hosted in partnership with BAFTA Scotland, with Scottish actor Ewan McGregor. The first day will end with an EIFF Industry Talk titled ‘The Business of Film Roadshow,’ which will see leading industry experts sharing insights about the business side of the sector, hosted by Mia Bays, Director of the BFI Filmmaking Fund.

The festival’s inaugural UK Film Conference begins on August 15. The event will start with an in-conversation session with British Film Institute CEO Ben Roberts and Clare Binns, who will discuss the future of independent film in the UK. The UK Film Conference continues with ‘Low Budget, High Ambition’, a session focusing on low-budget filmmaking and how UK producers are adapting to an ever-changing landscape.

That will be followed by the EIFF Industry session ‘Would This Get Made?’, an innovative concept where industry professionals will be quizzed on how they would approach the production of a range of projects from the past if they came across their desks in 2026. Speakers include producer Christine Vachon, Stefanie Fahrion (Film4), Alice Ojha (BBC Film), Laura Wilson (Altitude) and Simon Renshaw (Casarotto Ramsay & Associates). The session will be hosted by Wendy Mitchell.

The EIFF Industry Talk session ‘New Nightmares’ will conclude the UK Film Conference with speakers discussing the current state of genre work embracing its moment. Speakers include actor and filmmaker Max Minghella (The Handmaid’s Tale, Clayface) and filmmakers Prano Bailey- Bond (Censor), Chee Keong Cheung (Bad Day at the Office) and Joby Stephens (Abandoned). Hosted by horror content creator Chris Mayo (Big Fat Cult).

Elsewhere, Bruce Dern will take part in a career Q&A with film critic Guy Lodge and documentary filmmaker Paul Sng will host a session titled ‘Unmaking the Colonial Gaze in Cinema.’

Discussing this year’s industry lineup, EIFF CEO and Festival Director, Paul Ridd said: “We could not be prouder of this year’s Industry Programme at EIFF which offers up a diverse and starry range of guests, talks, lively discussions and networking opportunities for Scottish, UK and international folk looking to make connections and hear from some leading experts in their fields, all more accessible than ever before. Our inaugural UK Film Conference is something of the jewel in our crown, but there are so many more must-attend events elsewhere in the programme, all encompassing our fundamental mission to be the home of independent cinema in the UK.”

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Hong Kong Int’l Film Festival Appoints Fred Tsui As Executive Director

Published

3 hours ago

July 24, 2026

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Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS) has announced that veteran sales agent and producer Fred Tsui will succeed Albert Lee as executive director of the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society.

In his new role, commencing on September 23, Tsui will oversee the Hong Kong International Film Festival and its year-round activities, the Hong Kong-Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF), HAF Film Lab, Summer International Film Festival, and the HKIFF Cine Fan programme.

He will report to HKIFFS chairman Wilfred Wong and the Board of Directors.

Tsui has worked across nearly every sector of the film industry, from film sales, co-production and financing to distribution, exhibition, broadcasting and media management – building extensive international networks among filmmakers and industry execs.

In his most recent role, Tsui has established sales agency and festival consultancy company Moebius Entertainment, which recently picked up Venice Horizons title Big Little Things and Toronto Special Presentations title Happily Ever After.

Prior to Moebius, Tsui spent more than twenty years at Media Asia Film, where he served as General Manager and Head of International Sales & Co-Production, helping the studio expand internationally and position Hong Kong cinema on the world stage.

Earlier in his career, Tsui held senior management positions at PCCW and Asia Television, where he developed expertise in organisational leadership, media operations, strategic planning and content management.

Tsui also serves as a member of the Hong Kong Film Development Council and has been invited to serve on juries at leading international film festivals, including Hong Kong, Edinburgh, Jecheon, Tallinn, Seattle, Udine, Sitges, Sonoma and Skip City in Japan.

He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), Hong Kong Film Critics Society, and has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Independent Film & Television Alliance (IFTA) in the U.S., as well as the board of the MIA International Audiovisual Market in Rome.

“We are delighted to welcome Fred to HKIFFS,” said HKIFFS chairman Wilfred Wong. “Fred combines strategic leadership with an exceptional understanding of the international film landscape. Throughout his career, he has built bridges between Hong Kong cinema and the global marketplace while earning the trust and respect of filmmakers, festival directors and industry leaders worldwide.

“Just as importantly, he approaches cinema from the perspectives of an executive, a critic, a festival juror and a lifelong cinephile. We believe he is uniquely qualified to lead HKIFFS into its next chapter, further strengthening its role as one of Asia’s most important cultural institutions and international film platforms.”

Tsui said: “It is a tremendous honour to join HKIFFS, an institution that has played such a pivotal role in the cultural life of Hong Kong and in promoting Asian cinema internationally.

“Having worked with film festivals throughout my career—as a sales executive, producer, juror, critic and audience member – I have seen first-hand the unique role HKIFF plays in connecting filmmakers, the industry and audiences. I look forward to working with the Board, our partners and the HKIFFS team to build on the Society’s remarkable legacy while broadening its international reach, nurturing new talent, deepening audience engagement and ensuring Hong Kong remains at the forefront of global film culture.”