International Insider: BAFTA Fallout; London TV Screenings; Berlin Crisis

We’re coming to the end of another whirlwind week in international film and TV, Insiders, and that’s not just because Paramount has won the battle for Warner Bros. Discovery. Jesse Whittock leading you through. Sign up to the newsletter here.

BAFTA Fallout

A shocking week: It was supposed to be celebratory, but turned into a nightmare. The BAFTA Film Awards were held on Sunday night in London with Robert Aramayo upsetting the Hollywood stars in town to win Best Leading Actor for his portrayal of John Davidson, a campaigner with Tourette Syndrome, in I Swear. The glory was quickly overshadowed when Davidson, who was in the audience, was heard involuntarily using the N-word a number of times, once when Michael B. Jordan and Delroy Lindo were on stage presenting an award. As it’s been stressed a number of times, Davidson cannot stop his outbursts and they are delivered without malice. In fact, he has spent most of his life attempting to explain his condition and campaign, hence the film. However, it’s equally true the word cut deep and was hurtful to many Black people in the audience. The issue blew up spectacularly as the BBC failed to edit the words out of its BAFTA broadcast, which runs with a two-hour delay. (A later speech including the words “free Palestine” was edited.) It’s kinda unfathomable how it happened, and that the slur was still audible the following morning on the BBC iPlayer. The BBC and BAFTA are now both formally reviewing the situation. There have been so many updates emerging that you’re best off clicking here for a full run down of our top-class reporting. In the midst of the issue, which remains live, Baz Bamigboye wrote this important piece about the implications of Sunday night’s events and how it could become a teachable moment. I implore you to read it.

London TV Screenings, Volume 6

If you’re bored of London, you’re bored of life: After the BAFTA incident, the action remained in London, where a big international content week took place. The London TV Screenings, now into their sixth year, were back bigger than ever with more than 40 individual events running, from behemoth distributors to boutiques. Alongside the Screenings was the second MIP London event at the Savoy Hotel. We’ve had exclusives on acquisitions deals, interviews with the likes of Minnie Driver and chatted with dozens and dozens of buyers, sellers and producers on and off the record in the UK capital this week. With the weather being unseasonably warm, buyers were in fine spirits and there is a sense the international TV acquisitions market is heating up, too. We also reported from MIP London, where the likes of Goalhanger boss Tony Pastor, conservationist and presenter Chris Packham and Sidemen Entertainment chief Victor Bengtsson were speaking. The London TV Screenings end today, right around the time this newsletter hits your inbox, in fact. Find all our coverage here.

Tuttle Tussle

Berlin crisis mode: Last week, Tricia Tuttle admitted to feeling “teary” after an emotionally-charged Berlin Film Festival. She can’t be feeling much better this week, which has been a bruising one for her and the fest. The situation emerged when several pro-Palestinian speeches at the closing ceremony were accused of being “antisemitic” and “unacceptable.” A report in German tabloid Bild then followed, claiming Tuttle had been removed from her post after just two years in the role. However, it soon became clear no decision over her future had been taken at a crisis meeting at Germany’s Ministry of Culture yesterday morning. Tuttle, a widely-respected festival programmer, certainly has the support of the industry, as Zac yesterday broke the news that professionals from across the board signed an open letter protesting her potential firing. Tilda Swinton and Sean Baker were among those who put their name to the letter. Euro film bodies, contractors and festival staff also came out in support. We’ll keep you posted as this one develops.

The Essentials

🌶️ Hot One: Cameras are finally set to roll on BBC and A24’s adaption of Kaliane Bradley‘s hit novel ‘The Ministry of Time.’

🌶️ Another One: Media Res has struck a first-look distribution deal with Fifth Season and set Swedish series Summer of 1985 as their debut project.

🔥 Fiery third: Sumerian Pictures followed up its Sundance acquisition of Josephine with another from the fest: Off-beat comedy The Incomer.

👉🏼 Chosen: Old Boy and No Other Choice director Park Chan-wook has been named as president of the jury for the 79th Cannes Film Festival, running from May 12-23.  

👩🏻‍⚕️ Doctor, doctor: Suranne Jones will be back for a third and final season of BBC drama Doctor Foster.

🤝 Done deal: Vivendi-owned Studiocanal has acquired a 51% stake in top indie Italian distributor Lucky Red.

🎤 The Deadline Interview: Diana spoke with Glasgow Film Festival Industry Manager Samantha Bennett about the upcoming fest (March 2-6).

🎥 Behind the Lens: The Voice of Hind Rajab filmmaker Kaouther Ben Hania joined Pete Hammond for a chat about her Oscar-nominated Gaza film.

🍿 Box office: Maoyan Research Institute reported that the Chinese New Year rang up $842.3M (RMB 5.75 billion) for the period of February 15-23, with total admissions at 120 million.

International Insider was written by Jesse Whittock and edited by Max Goldbart.