reported by Brian Scott, CyberScreenwriter.com

IMAX Corporation and Warner Bros. Pictures today announced that Superman Returns, directed by Bryan Singer, will become the world's first live-action Hollywood feature to be converted from 2D to IMAX(R) 3D. IMAX Corporation will use its proprietary 2D to 3D conversion technology to convert approximately 20 minutes of the film into An IMAX 3D Experience(R), the most immersive cinematic 3D in the world.

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reported by Sam Kirkman, CyberScreenwriter.com

Disease, kidnap and ransom, and terrorism risks pose the greatest threat to global filmmaking, according to the 2006 Risks in Global Filmmaking Map published today by Aon/Albert G. Ruben, the world's leading insurance broker for the entertainment industry. The map, which measures crime and corruption, terrorism, kidnap and ransom, disease, and medical care risk, analyzes more than 200 countries and assigns an overall country risk rating to each.

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reported by David Hillsboro, CyberScreenwriter.com

In its first year, the Georgia Entertainment Industry Investment Act has helped the state attract several high-profile film projects that are bringing jobs and economic benefits to communities around Georgia. The total budgets of the two feature films and three television pilots have already exceed all of last year's total feature and television project budgets.

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reported by Brian Scott, CyberScreenwriter.com

Paramount Pictures is seeking one pair of identical twin boys aged 9-11 to play the lead roles in "The Spiderwick Chronicles," a new fantasy film based on the best-selling series of books. No acting experience is necessary. Interested twins and their families can log on to www.SpiderwickCasting.com to learn more details about how to submit an audition tape. The film will begin production in summer 2006.

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reported by Dan Wilson, CyberScreenwriter.com

Lionsgate Toronto, the leading independent filmed entertainment studio, and Sam Nazarian's Los Angeles-based Element Films have signed a three-year pact calling for Element to develop, self-finance and produce three motion pictures a year for wide release by Lionsgate, it was jointly announced by Nazarian and Peter Block, Lionsgate President of Acquisitions and Co-Productions.

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reported by Dana Horton, CyberScreenwriter.com

Big Screen Entertainment has signed Bryan Callen to the cast of BSEG's feature film, "The Mirror." Bryan's previous credits include co-starring in the Kirstie Alley show "Fat Actress," HBO's "Sex and the City" and "Oz," as well as being an original cast member of "Mad TV." Bryan's feature films include the mega hits "Bad Santa" and "Old School."

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reported by Jason Miller, CyberScreenwriter.com

Fox Searchlight Pictures President of Production, Claudia Lewis, announced today that Zola Mashariki has been promoted to Vice President of Production, reporting to Lewis.

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reported by Sarah Cooley, CyberScreenwriter.com

Gaiam will release the made for TV biopic C.S. Lewis: Beyond Narnia on DVD, available March 28th, 2006. This movie chronicles the life of the Oxford professor who penned the beloved fantasy tales. Filmed on location in England, it examines Lewis' life, work, friendship with J.R.R. Tolkien and the children who Lewis took in that were the inspiration for the main Narnia characters.

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reported by Tanner Shorer, CyberScreenwriter.com

When the ninth annual Finger Lakes Environmental Film Festival (FLEFF) opens at Ithaca College on March 30, it will offer 65 screenings and over 100 public events-more than twice as many offerings as last year.

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reported by David Miller, CyberScreenwriter.com

Filming has begun on the comedy "Evan Almighty", starring Golden Globe Award winner Steve Carell ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin", NBC's "The Office"), Academy Award(R) winner Morgan Freeman ("Million Dollar Baby", "Bruce Almighty") and Lauren Graham ("Bad Santa", "Gilmore Girls").

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reported by Tim Garrison, CyberScreenwriter.com

It is not common for Indian movies or Indian American movies to get the kind of worldwide distribution that this film is getting.

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reported by John Goldstein, CyberScreenwriter.com

HBO Films will sponsor a new Writers Lab, to be hosted by the Film Life and HBO American Black Festival (ABFF), during its 10th anniversary celebration in South Beach, July 19-23. The HBO Writers Lab is a mentoring program designed to provide career guidance for emerging screenwriters by offering practical insights into what to expect from script writing as a profession.

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reported by Fran Dee, CyberScreenwriter.com

Lionsgate Toronto, a leading independent filmed entertainment studio, is keeping its Tyler Perry juggernaut rolling by acquiring worldwide rights to his next picture DADDY'S LITTLE GIRL.

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reported by Jessica C. Marlin, CyberScreenwriter.com

Red Scream Films LLC has signed a production-distribution deal with Captures Entertainment. Both companies are based in western New York.

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reported by Steven Parcell, CyberScreenwriter.com

The Motion Picture Group, Inc. has purchased an option to its first screenplay "AUTOBAHN," a high octane action thriller set in Europe against the backdrop of the Alps.

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by John Gaskin

Can a creative pitch alone get your script produced? Pitching the script is an art that is much talked about, put into college curriculums and lauded by the Pop Culture. But, there's a big factor missing from creative pitches. It's fundamental; but broadly ignored by key creative people.

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reported by William S. Buckley, Jr., CyberScreenwriter.com

The producers of Capture the Flag, Synthetic Truth Disk Jockey and 3 Can Keep a Secret, Ballistic Entertainment, has been picked up for domestic and international distribution by Maxim Media International/Brain Damage Films.

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reported by Sam Kirkman, CyberScreenwriter.com

Keri Putnam has been named president of production for Miramax Films, by company president Daniel Battsek. Putnam will oversee the day-to-day development and production of the studio's annual slate of films. She is based in Los Angeles and will report directly to Battsek.

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reported by Brian Madore, CyberScreenwriter.com

UCLA Extension congratulates Gavin Hood, who won this year?s Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film for Tsotsi.

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reported by Donna Abrams, CyberScreenwriter.com

Whether you?re looking to relocate or just scouting the perfect city for your next shoot, MovieMaker Magazine?s sixth annual survey of hot spots for indie moviemakers can help plan your next move.

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contributed by Paul Kyriazi, Feature Film Director

I get this question a lot and have a serious opinion about it:

The most important thing is to always keep your shingle hanging out, saying "I am a freelance director." Never say, "Ah I gave that up." Even if you have other jobs, never tear up your business card.

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reported by Brian Scott, CyberScreenwriter.com

In a move that could increase the representation of Latino films at next year?s Oscars, ?Viva Tu Cine! plans to bring 10 to 15 new films to US theatres as part of its 2006 edition, making it the largest year-round Latino film program in the country. The program, which began in Los Angeles in 2004, is now expanding nationally to New York and other key markets, and is set to begin May 5, 2006.

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reported by Lorraine Howard, CyberScreenwriter.com

Kelly LeBrock, well-known star of such films as "Weird Science" and "The Woman in Red," has signed on to star in Big Screen Entertainment Group's latest film, "The Mirror."

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reported by Dana Horton, CyberScreenwriter.com

Hollywood-based Bandit Films, a division of Auteur Filmworks, Inc., has optioned the Holloway House action/adventure novel Spinning Target: Iceman 5 by Joe Nazel, and plans to put it on the big screen with a screen adaptation by Bandit Films founder and CEO Darrin Monroe.

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reported by Tony Blic, CyberScreenwriter.com

As Tinseltown celebrates "The 78th Annual Academy Awards" this Sunday, one of the first Black photographers ever allowed to photograph the Academy Awards is also being honored by his friends as the "star" of a new documentary film currently under production.

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reported by Tony Blic, CyberScreenwriter.com

"Wake Up, Herbert," a feature-length movie which began shooting in the Austin area in November and wrapped final scenes in late February, begins post-production work this month. The indie film, now in search of a distributor, is set to premiere at the Alamo Drafthouse on April 9 and be ready for the festival circuit by early summer.

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reported by Dan Wilson, CyberScreenwriter.com

Local writer and director Mabel Valdiviezo will show the rough cut of her short film "Soledad Is Gone Forever" at the Nalipsters on View screening on March 11, part of the NALIP (National Association of Latino Independent Producers) film conference. Attending the event at the Long Beach Hyatt Regency Hotel are lead actress Carla Sanchez and Haiku Films Managing Director Cesar V. Teague.

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reported by Jessica C. Marlin, CyberScreenwriter.com

This year's Oscar contenders feature some of the best artistic movies in years, but most of the early red carpet hype is surrounding one film, says a Purdue University film expert.

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reported by Donna Abrams, CyberScreenwriter.com

Eight-time Academy Award(R)-winning composer Alan Menken ("The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame") has signed a non-exclusive, multi-picture deal with Walt Disney/Touchstone Pictures to score non-animated films and compose for live-action projects.

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