Bruce Beresfold’s ‘Ouverture’ Kicks Off Australia Shoot

Australian director Bruce Beresford’s comedy-drama Ouverture has begun shooting in and around the West Australian city of Perth. Luke Bracey (Elvis, Hacksaw Ridge, stars a successful stage designer who returns to his small Australian hometown to say goodbye to his dying mother, with other cast members including Bryan Brown, Susie Porter and Celia Massingham. Oscar-nominated director Beresford, known for titles such as Driving Miss Daisy, Mao’s Last Dancer, and Ladies in Black, said of the project: “When writing this story my aim was to create an involving story, with a range of characters supplying considerable humor.” The start of shoot was announced by lead production company Ambience Entertainment as well as key backers Screen Australia and Screenwest. “Bruce Beresford has built a career by creating distinctive Australian stories that connect with audiences and travel the world. With Overture, Bruce has created a moving family drama set against the spectacular backdrop of Western Australia. I can’t wait to see this talented cast and crew bring this authentic story to life,” said Screen Australia COO Grainne Brunsdon.

Jane Seymour Returns For Fourth ‘Harry Wild’

Jane Seymour will once again don her amateur detective’s coat for a fourth season of Acorn TV, ZDF and Dynamic Television’s series Harry Wild. Seymour, who is an exec producer on the show, and Rohan Nedd will reprise their roles, with production underway in Dublin, Ireland. Season four will begin a year after the previous run ended, with the Wild/Reid Detective Agency welcoming an unexpected guest: Harry’s son Charlie Wild (Kevin Ryan). Also among the cast is Rose O’Neill, who plays a former wild child turned nun. Samantha Mumba and Paul Tylak also reprise their roles. Dynamic Television is the producer, with Acorn Media Enterprises co-producing alongside Germany’s ZDF. David Logan is the creator and writer, with Jo Spain also writing. Robin Quinn is the director, and executive producers are Logan, Spain, Seymour, Daniel March, Klaus Zimmermann, James Gibb, David McLoughlin, Mackin and Bea Tammer. Frank Seyberth and Claus Wunn executive produce for ZDF.

Titan OS Partners With Autentic To Launch Six New FAST Channels.

Barcelona-based technology company Titan OS has partnered with German media company Autentic – a joint venture between Patrick Hörl and Jan Mojto’s Beta Film, to launch six new FAST Channels. The channels – named as Autentic History, Autentic Travel, Terra Mater WILD, Adventure Earth, SPIEGEL TV Konflikte, and Curiosity Now — will play feature documentaries in either German or English tailored to the markets of  UK, Ireland, DACH, the Nordics, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, and Finland. “With so many streaming entertainment options, the key to engaging viewers is the ability to deliver localized content that is relevant to each audience and market,” said Judith Diaz, Content Partnerships Director at Titan OS. Autentic MD Hörl said working with TITAN OS would help the company accelerate the growth of its reach in large FAST territories. Titan OS currently runs on Philips TVs across Europe and will soon be running on JVC devices.

Poland’s TVP Remaking Banijay Variety Show

Polish network TVP will become the first in the world to remake Banijay Italia’s variety show Boomerissima. Endemol Shine Poland has begun filming a local remake, with presenter, actor and singer Barbara Kurdej-Szatan hosting. Boomerissima, which will be known locally as Cudowne Lata in Poland, pits generations against each other with celebrities from different eras competing as they bid to refute stereotypes and determine whether things were better in the past. A studio audience decides who wins. Banijay Italia first made the show for Rai 2 in Italy and has run to two seasons to date.