Source: Vallastudio Films

Tide's Gift

Production has wrapped in Chile on Vallastudio Films' horror Tide's Gift from Patricio Valladares, the filmmaker behind last year's found-footage horror Invoking Yell and Hidden In The Woods.

Tide's Gift (Lo Que Trajo la Marea) shot in Cobquecura in the Nuble Region in southern Chile and follows two sisters who visit a beach after their mother's funeral, only for one of them to begin to act strangely after she is nearly swept away by a current.

Valladares wrote the screenplay and the producers are Vittorio Farfan, Sebastian Riestra, and Loris Curci. The film stars Maria Jesus Marcone from Invoking Yell from and Luna Martinez from Andres Finat's 2019 Chilean thriller Sumergida.

Valladares described the film as "an existential horror tale that will make you think twice before taking a trip to the beach" adding that the story explores themes of grief, family, and the unknown through a nihilistic lens.

Executive producers include Valladares, Vittorio Farfan, and Sebastian Riestra, in association with Loris Curci from Nightworld. The project is backed by private equity financing and is structured as a Chile-Italy co-production.

Tide's Gift is expected to play the film festival circuit next year and the producers are in talks with sales agents for representation.

• 'Twisters': Review

PARIS, July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - RUNWAY Web3: Re-Inventing the Runway is a new chapter in a series of revolutionary immersive experiences exploring the fashion runway show, the most spectacular looks of the great fashion designers and fashion houses. It is not a documentary from the past shown in the big screens, it is the real-live experience allowing us to embrace the imagination and see the present and the future of fashion.

These unforgettable experiences created by RUNWAY magazine brings together the industry's leading voices from the present, uniting them and leading them to the future. With a rich mixture of media and technology, the immersive experience of Re-Inventing the Runway reveals how new technology can bring so intimately the ultimate statement of a designer's vision to us, transforming the way we interact with the iconic styles of Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Fendi, Dolce & Gabbana, Valentino, Moncler, Jean Paul Gaultier, Prada, and Versace.

This immersive experience is a visionary approach to blending this vision with interactive, digital experiences. It is a celebration of the imagination and passion that has revolutionized how we experience fashion first hand. 

Re-Inventing the Runway is both visceral and insightful, with a 3D designed environment and 3D looks, graphics and sound design, all of which will evoke our world of imagination where iconic runways shift the cultural landscape, and where we are creators of it.

Within this immersive experience we can emerge with the imagination of a designer, experiencing the forms as if they were physically present. This feature not only brings the runway to us but also empowers us, as we are no longer passive observers, we are active figures. Re-Inventing the Runway is our environment to explore, dream, and discover, guided by the seamless interface of a truly revolutionary 3D fashion experience.

Gamifying Journalism

This innovative Web3 experience gamifies traditional media’s expert journalistic review. It transforms opinion, analyses, observations, photos and texts into a new form of media expression. This is a unique and interactive way to express opinions. Through this experience, RUNWAY magazine pioneers new storytelling methods.

Incorporating elements of gamification, the Re-Inventing the Runway experience educates us about the nuances of fashion design and trends through interactive participation. It’s a bold redefinition of the media's role in the fashion industry, turning passive observation into an engaging journey. This approach allows RUNWAY magazine to creatively present and transform visuals into an informative and expressive new format.

Re-Inventing the Runway is more than just a digital experience, it is the harbinger of the future of fashion media. By merging editorial content with virtual interaction, RUNWAY continues to lead the way in innovative, immersive journalism.

As we chart new courses in the vast seas of imagination and technology, this experience stands as a testament to the endless possibilities at the intersection of fashion, art, and digital landscapes. This revolutionary approach not only respects but revitalizes the traditional media format, inviting users worldwide to step into the future of fashion and beyond.

Re-Inventing the Runway's new chapter in a series of revolutionary immersive experiences by RUNWAY magazine will be released in September 2024. It'll be available on RUNWAY magazine digital at RUNWAYMAGAZINES.com and RUNWAYUNIVERSE.com - dedicated hosting for all Web3 experiences developed by RUNWAY magazine.

RUNWAY Web3 experiences are accessible on all computers, and are adapted for slow internet connection. All connections to the Web3 environments are private. These experiences are also adapted for mobile devices. Installation of an app is required. 

SINGAPORE, July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - AirDroid Business is excited to announce that its device management solution now fully supports Windows devices. This significant update provides enterprises with enhanced capabilities for bulk device deployment & configuration, policy & kiosk management, application management.

“Modern organizations rely heavily on endpoints, and as the number of Windows devices accessing corporate networks from our customers increases, it has become increasingly challenging for IT teams to manage and secure them effectively,” said Jack Guo, CTO at AirDroid Business. “We’ve designed our solution to reduce the number of tools businesses need and simplify their tech stack. IT teams need a comprehensive endpoint management solution that unifies every device to keep employees productive and minimize risk.”

• Policy Management

Policy management, which includes application blacklists and whitelists, password restrictions, device usage limits, browser configurations and more, has been significantly enhanced, enabling businesses to enforce and customize policies across Windows devices from a single dashboard. This ensures all devices comply with company standards and security protocols, reducing the risk of unauthorized access and data breaches. IT admins can tailor policies to fit specific business needs, ensuring each device operates within desired parameters while implementing stringent security measures to protect sensitive data and provent unauthorized device access.

• Kiosk Mode

AirDroid Business now includes Kiosk Mode for Windows devices, allowing businesses to lock down devices to a single application or a specific set of applications. This feature is particularly useful for environments like retail, hospitality, and education, where a controlled and secure user experience is paramount. Kiosk Mode ensures that devices are used solely for their intended purpose, enhancing security and reducing the risk of unauthorized use.

• Robust Application Management

The update includes robust application management tools, enabling businesses to manage and distribute apps across Windows devices effectively. This ensures productivity by keeping necessary applications available and up-to-date. Key benefits are efficient app distribution for quick deployment and updates, version control to prevent compatibility issues, and remote installation and updates to minimize downtime and reduce physical access needs.

AirDroid Business remains committed to providing comprehensive device management solutions that cater to the evolving needs of enterprises. By extending support to Windows devices, AirDroid Business continues to empower businesses with the tools they need to manage their device ecosystems efficiently and securely. This update underscores AirDroid Business's dedication to innovation and excellence in the realm of device management.

For more information about AirDroid Business and its new features, please visit www.airdroid.com/business.

About AirDroid Business

AirDroid Business, launched in 2018 by Sand Studio, is an enterprise-grade device management solution for attended and unattended Android & Windows devices. It is designed to improve the mobility and productivity of businesses of all sizes through remote access and control, device provisioning, policy application and management, kiosk mode, geofencing, and more.

E2M Acquires UnlimitedWP

SAN DIEGO, July 19, 2024 (Newswire.com) - E2M Solutions, a leading white-label partner for digital agencies, has acquired UnlimitedWP, a premier white-label WordPress development company. This acquisition positions E2M as the world's largest white-label WordPress development provider, enhancing services for both companies' clients.

Milestone Acquisition

This acquisition is a significant milestone for E2M and UnlimitedWP. E2M will integrate UnlimitedWP's team of 80+ professionals, expanding its workforce to nearly 300 employees and increasing the client base to over 300 agencies globally.

E2M, in business for over 12 years, aims to dominate the White-Label WordPress Development Outsourcing space, offering WordPress, SEO, content, and eCommerce services. Their team of over 100 developers has delivered over 5,000 projects to digital agencies, positioning E2M for market domination, especially in the USA.

"Ronik (founder of UnlimitedWP) and I have been friends for over eight years. Our shared passion for the agency ecosystem and commitment to helping agencies grow has always united us," said Manish Dudharejia, CEO of E2M Solutions. "Our core vision and mission are the same — supporting agencies to thrive — so we decided to join forces."

Strengthening Services and Innovation

UnlimitedWP's CEO, Ronik Patel, expressed his excitement about the merger. "This acquisition is transformative. By combining our strengths, we can offer an expanded suite of services and access to a greater talent pool. Our mission to help digital agencies grow will now be realized on a much larger scale."

Both companies are committed to leveraging AI to enhance service delivery and productivity. Integrating E2M's expertise in WordPress, SEO, Shopify, BigCommerce, UI/UX design, and content writing with UnlimitedWP's WordPress development capabilities will provide clients with comprehensive solutions.

Commitment to Clients and Team Members

The acquisition ensures seamless service continuation for existing clients, with no immediate changes to current services or support structures. Clients can expect enhanced capabilities and the same high level of service.

E2M Solutions is committed to a smooth integration process for all team members. The combined workforce will operate from three offices.

About E2M Solutions

E2M Solutions, based in Ahmedabad, India, has been the #1 white-label partner for digital agencies for over 12 years. Founded by Manish Dudharejia, E2M specializes in WordPress Development, SEO, content writing, and eCommerce Solutions. E2M leverages AI to enhance service delivery and productivity, focusing on delivering results that help agencies thrive and fostering long-term partnerships worldwide.

About UnlimitedWP

UnlimitedWP, founded by Ronik Patel in 2019, provides white-label WordPress development services to digital agencies. It emerged from JD Softtech, established in 2012, with a development center in Ahmedabad, India. UnlimitedWP focuses exclusively on white-label services for digital, design, and web agencies, serving over 100 clients with a dedicated team of 80+ professionals.

Dr. Michael Oanea

BOSTON, July 18, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Recent studies highlight stark inequities in early childhood intervention referrals: White children are frequently referred before developmental screening, whereas Black children often receive referrals only after a positive screening. Delayed access to services for non-White children increases the risk of long-term impairment, particularly in low-income or minority groups.

Whittier Street Health Center is proud to announce the launch of a groundbreaking community-based developmental screening program aimed at addressing these disparities in healthcare access among underserved pediatric patients. The initiative will provide essential early detection and intervention services directly within the communities that need them most, ensuring every child has the opportunity for healthy development and growth.

To help lead this program, WHSC is also pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Michael Oanea to its pediatric team. Oanea will play a pivotal role at WSHC in addressing these disparities as early intervention has been consistently linked to improved lifetime outcomes for children with developmental issues. Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDs), such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), often present during early development and can persist into adulthood if not properly diagnosed and managed.

"Launching community-based developmental screenings is a critical step in addressing the disparities in healthcare access that many minority and low-income families face. By bringing these services directly to the communities that need them, Whittier is making a tangible difference in the lives of these children and their families,” said Oanea.

"In launching this critical initiative, Whittier recognizes the profound need to address healthcare disparities among our most vulnerable communities,” said Frederica Williams, WSHC President and CEO. “We are proud to partner with Dr. Oanea as we pioneer a community-based approach to pediatric developmental screenings at Whittier. By bringing essential services directly to those in need, we aim to not only detect developmental issues early on but ensure every child has the opportunity to thrive."

Oanea is deeply committed to enhancing access to pediatric developmental screenings for the diverse patient populations served by WHSC. After earning his degree in genetics, Oanea attended medical school at the University of Oklahoma. He completed his pediatrics training at Stony Brook University, NY, followed by a specialized program in neurodevelopmental disabilities at Boston Children's Hospital.

This new program at WSHC aims to provide better universal surveillance for developmental delays and increased access to early intervention, helping bridge the gap in healthcare disparities for our community's children.

Source: GDH 559

Baz Poonpiriya

Bad Genius director Baz Poonpiriya and Thailand's GDH 559 have partnered to form strategic creative house Bask for global productions, partnering with Justin Lin as executive producer and Anita Gou as producer.

The new venture aims to offer a fresh perspective on Thai and Asian culture for global audiences. "Our mission is to support Asian filmmakers, giving a voice to those who are often overlooked and making sure they are heard and seen both behind and in front of the camera," Baz told Screen.

On its debut slate are a string of in-development projects with Thai filmmakers attached. The first two projects will be directed by Baz and co-developed, co-financed and co-produced separately by Anita Gou's US-based Kindred Spirit and Perfect Storm Entertainment, Justin Lin's vehicle behind the Fast & Furious franchise.

Gou is known as the producer of Lulu Wang's award-winning The Farewell and most recently served as producer of Taiwanese film Locust, which premiered at Cannes' Critics' Week in May.

One of the two Baz-directed projects will be set in Thailand and the other will be produced outside the country. While further details have yet to be revealed, Baz told Screen: "Both projects will focus on shedding light on the often unknown or unspoken issues within Asian cultures or the challenges faced by minorities around the world."

He added that he believes audiences now crave authentic storytelling. He said that audiences want stories that reflect the cultures and experiences of those who are living them. "With Bask, we celebrate cultural diversity and make sure that voices behind these stories are the ones guiding their portrayal, building a deeper connection and understanding among global audiences."

The new company will be spearheaded by Vanridee Pongsittisak, the renowned producer behind many GDH and GMM Tai Hub (GTH)'s box office success such as Pee Mak, Bad Genius, Love Destiny and recent breakout hit How To Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. She will oversee creative direction and script development along with Baz and will take part as producer in some of the projects.

Baz, also credited as Nattawut Poonpiriya in his films, was a TV commercial and music video director before making his 2012 feature debut Countdown for GTH. After garnering both critical and commercial success for his second feature, high school cheating thriller Bad Genius, which took $38m at the global box office, he directed One For The Road, which was produced by Hong Kong auteur Wong Kar Wai and won a special jury award for creative vision at Sundance in 2021.

Baz recently attended the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) for the premiere of GDH's Not Friends, the first film that he produced for other directors.

GDH, which unveiled a slate of 10 films earlier this week, will handle distribution in Thailand for Bask, while international sales will depend on the projects and partners.

• Billkin comedy 'Project Red' among 10-film slate of Thailand's GDH 559

Source: Courtesy of Max / James Lisle

'Tokyo Vice' season two

Wowow, Japan's leading premium pay TV broadcaster, has launched a production service arm in a bid to attract and support international productions filming in the country.

The launch of Wowbridge Bridge marks the first time a Japanese broadcaster has expanded into the international production services field and was driven by the company's work as a co-producer on Max crime drama series Tokyo Vice.

The show's executive producer, Kayo Washio, who serves as Wowow's head of US operations and chief producer for international co-productions, acquisitions and distribution, was instrumental in coordinating and managing a wide array of production services. Washio will expand her role and oversee the team at Wowow Bridge, relocating to Los Angeles to run the group and work closely with US companies.

The outfit will provide a range of services to support the production of film, television, commercials, music videos, and other media projects and service international producers.

Key service offerings include location scouting and management, including location permitting and local compliance; budgeting and financial management; crew and talent hiring (above and below the line); equipment rental, including transportation and setup; logistics coordination; legal and administrative support, reducing risks for those not familiar with Japan; and post-production services.

"In the eyes of the global entertainment community, shooting in Japan can be complicated. We understand this, and we are here to assist," said Washio. In February, Japan extended the first official location production incentives scheme for a second consecutive year. Projects that spend at least JPY500m ($3.2m) on production costs in Japan or whose total production costs exceed JPY1bn ($6.35m) are eligible, with reimbursements covering up to 50% of qualifying expenditure in the country.

Washio added: "I named the new venture Wowow Bridge because Japan is an island, but I hope we'll be the bridge for overseas production and Japan. We will help international productions to make it easier to come to Japan."

Japanese producer Aki Isoyama signs five-year deal with Netflix

Source: Elizabeth Bay Productions

Dennis Davidson, Grant Hill

Dennis Davidson's UK and US-based Elizabeth Bay Productions (EBP) is partnering with Atlanta-based finance platform FilmHedge, to back the fledgling company's film and TV production slate. Chandler Heinz Laun will oversee EBP's creative package and individual project funding plans. Prior to FilmHedge, Laun worked at ICM Partners.

EBP has been building its development slate in close collaboration with UK-based sales agent WestEnd Films, with which it has signed a first-look deal.

UK-based Davidson, founder of publicity agency DDA, is the head of EBP. US-based Grant Hill, who has regularly worked with the Wachowskis and Terrence Malick, and was named as a producer on the re-started production of Alec Baldwin's

Rust in February 2023, is part of the EBP management team, serving as executive producer/producer.Rounding out the team are two Los Angeles-based executives, head of business development, Eugin Koh, and head of strategy and operations, Clayton Heinz.

EBP film projects in the works include

The Dimona Affair, a whistleblower story set in Israel that is inspired by true events, written and directed by Fred Schepisi, and starring Jeff Wilbusch. Producers are Schepisi, Wilbusch, Simon Moseley and EBP's Davidson."There's a lack of leadership across the global cinema ecosystem," says indie champion Ted Hope

Source: Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images for Film AlUla copy

Morad Mostafa

Morad Mostafa's Aisha Can't Fly Away is among seven projects selected for the Final Cut in Venice lab for work-in-progress titles from Africa and the Middle East.

The film, which is gearing up to shoot this summer, tells the story of a Somali woman who cares for her elderly parents while witnessing the tensions between the different groups who make up her city's African society.

Scroll down for the full list of projects

It will be a feature debut for Egyptian filmmaker Mostafa, who was selected as a Screen Arab Star of Tomorrow last year.

Aisha Can't Fly Away is an Egypt-Tunisia-Saudi Arabia-Qatar-France co-production, and has previously been through the Doha Film Institute's Qumra lab.

Also selected for Final Cut in Venice is Ancestral Visions of the Future, the new docufiction feature from Mosotho filmmaker Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese, whose This Is Not a Burial, It's a Resurrection played at Venice in 2019. Mosese's new film is adapted from a performance art work interrogating collective identities of the pan-African community.

The Final Cut in Venice lab will run from September 1-3 as part of the Venice Production Bridge industry offering at the 81^st Venice International Film Festival (August 28-September 7). The first two days are devoted to the screenings, with the third day for one-to-one meetings between the project teams and accredited professionals.

Work-in-progress copies of the seven selected films will play to producers, buyers, distributors, post-production companies and festival programmers.

The Biennale di Venezia will present a EUR5,000 prize to the best film in post-production, while over EUR100,000 of independent prizes from commercial partners is available for the selected films.

Final Cut in Venice is open to films from all African countries, and Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine and Syria.

Final Cut in Venice 2024 selection

Fiction

Aisha Can't Fly Away (Egy-Tun-Saudi-Qat-Fr) dir. Morad Mostafa

In This Darkness I See You (Leb-Fr-Qat-Saudi) dir. Nadim Tabet

My Father's Secret (Egy-Nor-Saudi-Qat-Fr) dir. Mohamed Siam

The Prophet (Moz-S Afr). Ique LangaDocufiction

Ancestral Visions of the Future

(Fr-Ger-Les) dir. Lemohang Jeremiah MoseseYour Daughter

(Egy) dir. Sara ShazliDocumentary

Those Who Watch Over

(Bel-Fr-Qat) dir. Karima SaidiTeresa moneo takes over Netflix UK movie role; Bradley Quirk leaves (exclusive)

Source: Netflix

Teresa Moneo

Teresa Moneo, formerly director, international original film at Netflix, has taken over the UK original film remit at Netflix as part of a restructure of the London-based UK film team that has seen Bradley Quirk leave the US streamer.

In her previous role, Moneo oversaw award-winning non-English language films including JA Bayona's Society Of The Snow and Paolo Sorrentino's The Hand Of God,

Moneo, now director of UK film, reports to Anne Mensah, vice president of content, along with Mona Qureshi, director, UK series. The changes to the UK Film team follow the April appointment of Los Angeles-based Dan Lin, who took over from Scott Stuber as chairman of Netflix Film.

Source: Screen International

Bradley Quirk

Quirk was hired in July 2023 to oversee Netflix's UK film slate, working as manager, Netflix UK. His appointment was a part of a reshuffle which saw Fiona Lamptey, director of UK features, leave in May 2023. The Breakout initiative that Creative UK ran for emerging filmmakers had also been closed. It did not give the green light to any of its six projects. Ben Taylor's

Joy

, starring James Norton and Bill Nighy, and produced by Finola dwyer's Wildgaze Films and Amanda Posey’s Wildgaze Films will be released by Netflix UK in the near future. The film is about Louise Brown, the first baby to be born through IVF. Additionally, Tom Harper's untitled Peaky Blinders

film, starring Cillian Murphy, goes into production later this year in the UK. Moneo, a respected director who has worked for companies such as Pathe Productions, Focus Features and Netflix, joined the company in 2019 and began working with David Kosse. Kosse left the company on September 20, 2022. Quirk was most recently a development producer for Tanya Segatchian's Brightstar Film & TV, which is owned by John Woodward and Tanya Segatchian. He was previously at Altitude in 2014 as head creative across film, TV and digital where he managed his own slate. He executive produced the Horrible Histories

feature and developed

The Ipcress File TV series.Edinburgh 2024 world premieres include 'Lollipop', 'The Radleys' and AI doll documentary 'Smiles And Kisses You'

"The Lord Of The Rings - The Rings Of Power"

Amazon MGM Studios bought the UK's Bray Film Studios, in Berkshire. This is the home of the second series on the streamer’s large production

The Lord Of The Rings - The Rings Of Power. This marks the company's very first studio purchase in the UK. It also has a long-term lease with Shepperton Studios. In the US, Amazon owns The Culver Studios in Culver City, California.The second season of Prime Video's

Citadel

starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas will start shooting at Bray in September."This vote of confidence by Amazon MGM Studios will ensure that one of our leading film studios continues to play a crucial role in our first-class screen industries," said the UK's new culture secretary Lisa Nandy. "It will deliver a major investment in skills and infrastructure to enhance our status as Europe's top filmmaking destination."Twenty-six miles out of London, Bray Film Studios comprises 53,600 square feet and includes five sound stages, 77,400 square feet of workshops, 39,400 square feet of office space, 182,900 square feet of backlot, and 156,000 square feet of parking space. Other recent productions to shoot at the studio include

The King's Man

, Rocketman and BBC series Dracula.2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland: latest updates

Source: Screen file

[Clockwise from top left:] Kate Gardiner, Elizabeth Karlsen, Moses Nyachae, Alex Hamilton, Harriet Finney, Zygi Kamasa

Screen International has unveiled the first six high-profile industry speakers for its 'The Future of UK Film' summit, to be held on September 24, 2024, in London at BFI Southbank.

• Buy tickets here

They include Alex Hamilton, CEO at Studiocanal UK, whose recent successful UK releases include Back To Black, and Wicked Little Letters; Bafta-winning producer Elizabeth Karlsen, co-founder of Number 9 Films, the company behind Living, Collette and Carol; and Harriet Finney, deputy CEO of the British Film Institute.

Also participating are Kate Gardiner, marketing director at Searchlight Pictures, EMEA (Rye Lane, All Of Us Strangers, Poor Things); Zygi Kamasa, founder and CEO at UK theatrical producer and distributor True Brit Entertainment and formerly CEO of Lionsgate UK; and Moses Nyachae, partner, film and TV team at chartered accountant Saffery.

More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The high-level conference will bring together leading industry executives to debate how the UK independent film sector can build on its strengths to become a fully thriving, equitable and sustainable industry.

The Super Early Bird ticket offer of PS175+VAT ends this Friday (July 12). The Early Bird price of PS215+VAT will be available until Friday August 6.

The conference will aim to give attendees the insight and industry intelligence to:

• navigate the new Independent Film Tax Credit and matching it with international incentives;
• discover what kinds of stories and packages private financiers are looking to support and talent agents are hoping to put in front of their clients;
• learn from distributors who have guided UK indie films to box office success;
• understand how innovations such as AI and virtual production are going to impact and enhance the industry;
• discover the benefits of bringing fresh and diverse voices into the industry.

Visit here to find out more about the event. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Scott Benfold.

Source: Beau Grealy, Michael Wharley

Sam Worthington, Gugu Mbatha-Raw

Sam Worthington, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Elham Ehsas and Honor Swinton-Byrne have joined the cast of thriller Fuze, with Sky Cinema boarding to release the film theatrically in UK-Ireland.

They join the already announced cast of Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Theo James, as filming starts in London this week.

Hell Or High Water filmmaker David Mackenzie directs the feature, his first to shoot in London, and also produces alongside Gillian Berrie for Sigma Films, and Sebastien Raybaud and Callum Grant for Anton.

The thriller centres around construction workers who discover an unexploded Second World War bomb in London, forcing an evacuation.

Anton will finance the entire film. UTA Independent Film Group, WME Independent and Anton will co-represent the US rights.

MONTREAL, May 10, 2024 (Newswire.com) - KonnectAi, a leader in AI visual inspection systems and a flagship technology offering from Electrical Components International (ECI), announces that it will attend the American Society for Quality’s World Conference on Quality & Improvement (WCQI) at the San Diego Convention Center on May 12-15, 2024.  

Built by manufacturers for manufacturers, KonnectAi is an AI inspection application that helps lower the barrier to entry for manufacturers wanting to integrate AI technology into their business. Its technology strengthens capabilities for the workplace without the need to replace humans—providing manufacturers of all shapes and sizes with simple, easy-to-use technology so manufacturers can grow their business and scale AI use.   

The ASQ WCQI 2024 conference brings together thousands of professionals in manufacturing, consulting, health care, government, education, and aerospace, and features customized schedules, allowing attendees to learn how to fortify essential quality methodologies within their teams and meet challenges with sustainable solutions.  

KonnectAi’s Chris Chambers, Director of Business Development, and Brian Butters, Production Integration Partner, will attend the conference to meet with quality control professionals, reinforce the organization’s quality mission and introduce the groundbreaking technology to conference participants. 

“The utilization of artificial intelligence is something businesses should not fear, but instead, embrace these technologies for their accuracy, efficiency, and ability to enhance the workplace,” said Chambers. “Our goal is not to replace people with AI but to give people the most advanced tools and technology to be successful. KonnectAi lowers the barrier to entry for manufacturers to integrate AI technologies to their quality inspections.”

Data from KonnectAi inspections performed shows:  

• 95% reduction in inspection time for hard-to-inspect items
• 80% reduction in inspection time for new employees
• 60% increase in confidence for new employees
• 80% reduction of workmanship defects
• 100% increase in employee satisfaction performing inspections
• 70% reduction of stress for new employees performing inspections 

KonnectAi uses AI to inspect products and ensure quality by placing a product under a camera lens for an image and sending an alert if a defect is detected. The next step sees an inspector retrieving images taken and using the product’s serial number to trace back any inspection and ensure the products leave the facility in acceptable condition. In one sample case, the technology reduces the time of a sample inspection from 90 seconds to five seconds.   

“We are excited to present our technology to the leaders in manufacturing and showcase all of its capabilities,” Butters said. “The ASQ conference is the pinnacle of quality and manufacturing, and KonnectAi’s technology and AI inspection tool is poised to alter the manufacturing business.”

In the competitive landscape of manufacturing, KonnectAi helps rise above familiar challenges and unlock growth through its key features:

• State-of-the-art AI algorithms analyze images with unmatched precision, enhancing productivity, optimizing operations, and reducing inefficiencies, resulting in the highest quality safety and traceability.  
• Simple solution that offers the benefits of AI without the complexity, cost, and resources.
• Real-time data and actionable insights enable manufacturers to engage in agile decision-making, spot trends, respond swiftly to customer demands, and make informed decisions that propel the business forward.  
• Resource optimization data that allows manufacturers to allocate much-needed workforce resources elsewhere while lowering operational costs.  

For more information, please visit https://konnectai.ai.

About KonnectAi KonnectAi is a leading innovator in Artificial Intelligence (AI) for manufacturing. Specializing in AI-powered inspection systems, we provide advanced tools that enhance quality control, increase profitability, and ensure complete traceability for manufacturers. Our commitment to simplicity and control transforms complex visual inspection tasks into efficient, streamlined processes. As we push the boundaries of production technology, KonnectAi is dedicated to addressing the most pressing challenges faced by manufacturers today.

About Electrical Components International (ECI)  Founded in 1953, Electrical Components International (ECI) is one of the world’s leading suppliers of electrical distribution systems, control box assemblies, and other critical engineered components for diversified markets. With 25,000 employees and 40 global manufacturing locations, ECI is the trusted partner to market leaders with 500+ customers. ECI powers smart, connected, and electrified solutions that enable the most advanced technologies to solve the most complex challenges.

.locker Bitcoin-Powered TLD

NEW YORK, July 2, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Orange Domains, the partnership connecting onchain utility with domains from Trust Machines, Tucows (NASDAQ: TCX), DISH, an EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS) company, and Hiro Systems, has launched its first top-level domain (TLD), .locker. Offering a true Web3-connected solution to its users, .locker will unleash new opportunities for global domain owners while still providing traditional web domain functionality.

As a two-part solution, .locker provides both a Web2 domain name and corresponding digital identity, meaning that it is a TLD solution that bridges Web2 domains with Web3 digital identities, tying them to the same user. It is for Web3-curious and Web3-ready users who want the full functionality of their domain name — such as website and email capabilities — and a corresponding Web3 digital identity to use for specific applications like decentralized finance, managing crypto assets, and Web3 social networks.

Those who purchase a .locker domain will enjoy all the benefits they have come to expect from premium TLDs, as well as new Web3 interoperability with Bitcoin to trade, hold, and manage their digital assets. The .locker solution will function similarly to an NFT, secured by Bitcoin, enabling anyone to build a website, send an email, secure finances, art, contracts, and more from one single solution.

“Treating the Web3 digital identity as a domain name and adopting the Web2 process of mapping it to users, removes the friction for audiences to explore the growing Bitcoin blockchain ecosystem in a seamless manner,” said Don Ruiz, General Manager for Orange Domains, who formerly helped launch .blog for Automattic Inc. in 2016. “The feedback from the domain name community has been extremely positive with our approach.” 

The .locker domain’s initial launch phase is exclusively for trademark holders registered in the Trademark Clearing House before opening to early access and the general public in September. .locker domains and Web3 digital identity can be renewed at the user's registrar of record where their domain is currently managed. 

“As one of the first public companies to accept Bitcoin as payment, as early as 2014, DISH, an EchoStar company, has always been a leader in innovation within its business and industry,” said Max Orcutt, Office of Innovation, EchoStar. “EchoStar continues to look for new ways to explore the rapidly changing world of connectivity, including our first-of-its-kind cloud-native Open RAN 5G network and within the DePIN and Web3 connectivity space.” 

From freelance designers to writers and small businesses, .locker provides a solution that connects customer acquisition through payments and security for domain owners.  

Orange Domains is grateful to ICANN for its efficient process, and many domain registrars are eager to offer .locker to their users.

To explore the possibilities of .locker, Bitcoin, and Web3 technology or to be part of a community that is shaping the future of decentralized innovation, visit my.locker.

About Orange Domains

Orange Domains is an innovative partnership launched by Trust Machines, Tucows, DISH, and Hiro Systems offering true Web3-connected solutions to its users to increase the overall use-case potential of owning a traditional web domain. This collaboration between best-in-class web domain operators and Bitcoin Web3 natives aims to bring Web3 utility to traditional domains. Our unique solutions, beginning with .locker, unlock endless possibilities for Web3 use cases, applications, and ownership alongside traditional DNS functionality. For more information, visit our website.

About Tucows

Tucows helps connect more people to the benefit of internet access through domain services, communications service technology, and fiber-optic internet infrastructure. Tucows Domains (https://tucowsdomains.com) manages approximately 25 million domain names and millions of value-added services through a global reseller network of over 35,000 web hosts and ISPs. Hover (https://hover.com) makes it easy for individuals and small businesses to manage their domain names and email addresses. More information can be found on Tucows’ corporate website (https://tucows.com). Ting (https://ting.com) delivers fixed fiber internet access with outstanding customer support. Wavelo (https://wavelo.com) is a telecommunications software suite for service providers that simplifies the management of mobile and internet network access; provisioning, billing and subscription; developer tools; and more. 

Tucows, Ting, Wavelo, and Hover are registered trademarks of Tucows Inc. or its subsidiaries.

About DISH, an EchoStar Company

EchoStar Corporation (Nasdaq: SATS) is a premier provider of technology, networking services, television entertainment and connectivity, offering consumer, enterprise, operator, and government solutions worldwide under its EchoStar®, Boost Mobile®, Sling TV, DISH TV, Hughes®, Hughesnet®, HughesON™, and JUPITER™ brands. In Europe, EchoStar operates under its EchoStar Mobile Limited subsidiary and in Australia, the company operates as EchoStar Global Australia. For more information, visit www.echostar.com and follow EchoStar on X (Twitter) and LinkedIn.

About Hiro Systems

Hiro builds developer tools that bring Web3 to Bitcoin. Hiro’s suite of tools unlocks the full potential of Bitcoin through smart contracts, digital assets, and decentralized applications. For more information, please visit https://www.hiro.so.

AmmoSquared Migrates to American Cloud

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., July 2, 2024 (Newswire.com) - AmmoSquared, the innovative platform for ammunition ownership, has migrated its platform and all essential data from its offshore hosting provider to American Cloud (AC).

This decision now allows AmmoSquared to choose a cloud provider that aligns with its company values – including being Pro-America, Pro-Freedom, and Pro-Personal Responsibility.

 AmmoSquared simplifies the process of building up a secure stockpile of ammunition via its industry-disrupting web app. Customers can set up custom autobuys of nearly 70 different calibers, accumulating ammo automatically online. Physical ammunition is stockpiled in a secure, climate-controlled warehouse that is deliverable on demand or automatically.

AmmoSquared’s revolutionary approach to ammunition ownership transforms it into a valuable, inflation-proof commodity that can be managed without any of the hassles of storing physical ammunition.

In 2021, AmmoSquared found themselves forced into hosting offshore due to increased risk of off-boarding by Big Tech cloud companies.

“We considered ourselves digital nomads needing to host offshore because there were no pro-Second Amendment hosting companies located in the U.S. Now, thanks to American Cloud, there is,” said Dan Morton, CEO, AmmoSquared.

This migration allows AmmoSquared to speed up its innovative feature development for its 40,000+ customers. A key part of the decision to select AC was its modern virtualization platform, which simplifies IT infrastructure.

AmmoSquared also opted to leverage American Cloud’s managed services which allows the AmmoSquared development team to focus on feature development for their platform while AC’s managed services provide control over the virtual environment.

“United States cloud providers, and big tech, decided to stop serving organizations that either their leadership, employees or customers disagreed with. That didn’t sit right with us, especially when it comes to providing services for industries that allow us to be uniquely free in the United States of America,” said Aron Wagner, CEO, American Cloud. “We started American Cloud, so companies like AmmoSquared, can benefit from the power of modern cloud computing without sacrificing their values or putting their data at risk of cancellation. From the dirt to the building to the servers to the software everything is owned in-house, so when we say cancel-proof cloud, we mean it.”

###

About AmmoSquared:

AmmoSquared Inc. was started with a clear goal: Simplify Ammunition Ownership. Our customers accumulate ammunition online in an “ammo bank account,” we call it the AMMO² account, which is then backed with physical ammunition. Ammo is secured and insured in our climate-controlled warehouse but also accessible for immediate delivery. Ammo can be purchased via an autobuy or one-time then shipped on demand or exchanged for other calibers when needs change. Our revolutionary approach transforms ammunition into a valuable, inflation-proof commodity that can be accumulated over time and managed online without any of the risk or hassle of storing physical ammunition.

About American Cloud:

At American Cloud, our mission is to empower businesses of all sizes to achieve their full potential through the use of innovative cloud computing. We strive to promote a free and open internet for everyone. We strongly believe that a free and open internet is essential for innovation, economic growth, and free societies. We are committed to providing our clients with the highest level of service, support, and security, so that they can focus on their business without fear of cancellation. We aim to be the premier choice for businesses looking to harness the power of the cloud while also supporting the principles of a free and open internet. We endeavor to make it simple and inexpensive for our clients to employ the best tools and technologies available to better succeed in an increasingly competitive marketplace.

See Media Room

Derek

ALLEN, Texas, July 3, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Copilot Networks, a leading innovator in the United States’ broadband infrastructure development, is thrilled to announce the appointment of Derek Koecher as Senior Advisor. Derek’s vast industry background, spanning product development, fiber optics, and high-stakes negotiations, brings a wealth of expertise to Copilot Networks’ ambitious growth plans.

Guided by CEO Aasim Ahmad, Copilot Networks has assembled a specialized team focused on transforming the nation’s broadband network infrastructure. Derek’s extensive experience in telecommunications, including pioneering Fiber to the Cell Tower and Fiber to the Home strategies, and carve outs of local and national fiber networks, as well as Towers, will be instrumental in advancing Copilot Networks’ mission.

“I am delighted to join Copilot Networks, a trailblazer in shaping the future of broadband infrastructure in the United States,” said Derek Koecher. “I look forward to contributing my expertise to Aasim and his exceptional team as we work together to achieve unprecedented success.”

Key Contributions:

• Telecommunications Expertise: Derek has held significant leadership roles at Fortune 100 companies like Verizon and CenturyLink, where he played a critical role in facilitating over $100 billion in deal value through complex transactions and strategic carve-outs.
• Fiber Technology Pioneer: Derek was instrumental in developing and implementing the Fiber to the Home and tower strategies. These groundbreaking initiatives have had a lasting impact on the telecommunications landscape, enhancing network reliability and capacity.
• Product Development: With a deep understanding of product strategy and market needs, Derek has successfully led the launch of innovative telecom products that have driven significant revenue growth and market expansion.
• Strategic Negotiations: Derek’s adept negotiation skills have enabled the successful closure of high-value transactions, including multi-billion dollar carve-outs to private equity firms. His ability to navigate complex deal structures and achieve favorable outcomes for all parties involved is a testament to his strategic acumen.

“Derek’s addition to our team marks a significant milestone for Copilot Networks,” said Aasim Ahmad, CEO of Copilot Networks. “His vast industry knowledge, particularly in fiber technology and strategic negotiations, will be invaluable as we continue to build and enhance broadband networks across the country. We are confident that Derek’s vision and expertise will drive our efforts to new heights.”

About Copilot Networks

Copilot Networks is dedicated to developing state-of-the-art broadband networks that form the backbone of the nation’s digital infrastructure. With a focus on innovation and excellence, Copilot Networks is committed to delivering high-speed, reliable internet connectivity to communities across the United States, enabling economic growth and bridging the digital divide.

For more information, please visit https://www.copilotnet.com

SAN FRANCISCO, July 3, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Robust Intelligence, the AI application security company, today announced that it has joined the Nutanix partner program to bring businesses a single, secure solution to begin their AI transformation journey. The Robust Intelligence platform and Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box™ together will serve as a single foundation to create, validate, and protect generative AI applications with automated testing and uniquely tailored guardrails.

Despite the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, enterprises are only just beginning to embrace the technology. The novelty and complexity of AI make it uniquely different from traditional software. Many organizations are looking for a straightforward solution to help build, deploy, and secure AI applications that are truly enterprise-ready.

In August 2023, Nutanix announced their GPT-in-a-Box turnkey solution for organizations wanting to implement generative pre-trained transformer (GPT) capabilities while maintaining control over their data and applications. It offered an elegant solution to the complexity, scaling, and data security challenges that enterprises face when adopting generative AI applications.

Now, Robust Intelligence is partnering with Nutanix to ensure the safety and security of generative applications. The Robust Intelligence platform can tie to any iteration of GPT-in-a-Box, including GPT-in-a-Box 2.0, currently under development. Robust Intelligence programmatically identifies vulnerabilities of models through automated testing, then creates custom guardrails that protect against these risks in real-time. Nutanix GPT-in-a-Box customers will be able to automate their AI security posture while satisfying the requirements of engineering, security, and compliance teams.

“There are a number of complex challenges associated with developing, deploying, and protecting enterprise AI applications. We introduced the GPT-in-a-Box to provide our customers with a turnkey solution promising an easier route to generative AI adoption,” said Gregory Lehrer, Vice President, Business Development and Ecosystems at Nutanix. “By partnering with Robust Intelligence, we’re helping our customers seamlessly achieve end-to-end security coverage for AI applications and comply with all of their security and privacy requirements.”

With Robust Intelligence and GPT-in-a-Box, Nutanix customers can ensure AI is secure throughout the entire pipeline, from development to production, in just minutes.

“Nutanix is trusted by thousands of enterprises to simplify their technology infrastructure. The introduction of GPT-in-a-Box extends these benefits to help customers jumpstart AI initiatives,” explained Yaron Singer, Chief Executive Officer and co-founder of Robust Intelligence. “As Nutanix partners, we want to provide businesses using GPT-in-a-Box with an easy and effective solution that ensures the safety and security of AI applications built with the stack.”

More information about the Robust Intelligence platform is available on the company’s website. Existing Nutanix customers can get started with Robust Intelligence by reaching out to their Nutanix account representative.

TALLINN, Estonia, July 4, 2024 (Newswire.com) - AmigoChat.io – an innovative AI-powered friend – today announced the launch of its advanced conversational platform, designed to provide quick and efficient answers. AmigoChat.io offers users more flexibility, diverse conversational capabilities, and a unique sense of humor that sets it apart from other AI chatbots, such as ChatGPT.

AmigoChat.io aims to move beyond lifeless robots and stand out by offering a warm, engaging experience, making conversations feel more human and enjoyable. This personal touch is what sets AmigoChat.io apart, ensuring that users get the information they need through pleasant and lively interactions.

AmigoChat.io is designed to be your all-in-one AI friend, a versatile companion that can help with a wide range of tasks. Whether you’re searching for professional support with your job, or want to unwind with some fun, engaging, and pleasant conversation, this tool is designed to meet your needs. As a learning tool, AmigoChat.io can be used to discover more about serious topics, to delve deeper into your personal interests, or to bounce ideas off. Perhaps you’re planning a trip or want to know more about a hobby. With text, audio, image, and additional media capabilities, the AmigoChat.io service goes well beyond similar alternatives to answer your queries.

Dmitry Ratner, CEO of AmigoChat.io, stated, "We couldn't be more excited to launch AmigoChat.io! Our aim was to develop an AI companion that’s not just smart, but also fun. Whether you're looking for quick, accurate answers for work-related tasks or engaging conversations, AmigoChat.io has you covered. It's like having a knowledgeable, entertaining friend by your side, ready to assist with both your professional needs and your downtime chats."

AmigoChat.io is available on a variety of platforms, making it easily accessible to users regardless of device preference. Telegram offers a direct line to AmigoChat.io in your favorite, ultra-secure, and encrypted messaging app. Alternatively, if you’re a WhatsApp user, you can add AmigoChat.io as a contact and start an engaging dialogue right away. Desktop users can download AmigoChat.io on Windows, MacOS, Linux, Debian, and Ubuntu. Another option is to download the AmigoChat.io app from the iOS App Store or Google Play Store. If you’re looking for a chat without needing any specific application, the tool is accessible directly through the AmigoChat.io website. 

AmigoChat.io is committed to continuous innovation and enhancement. As the platform learns from each interaction, it becomes smarter and more responsive, ensuring that users always have access to the most advanced conversational AI technology available.

Source: Thomas Laisne, Madeline Mulqueen

Steve Coogan and Eanna Hardwicke

Steve Coogan and Eanna Hardwicke are set to star in Saipan, about the infamous 2002 World Cup dispute between Ireland soccer manager Mick McCarthy and captain Roy Keane.

The project is scheduled to begin production in Ireland and Saipan later this summer.

It is directed by Lisa Barros D'Sa and Glenn Leyburn, whose credits include Ordinary Love, from a script by Dead Man's Shoes co-writer Paul Fraser.

It follows the relationship between the footballing star (Hardwicke) and manager (Coogan) during the buildup to the 2002 Japan World Cup, chronicling their infamous dispute which divided a nation.

The incident sparked a controversy over who should be blamed. Keane didn't play for Ireland again until after McCarthy had stepped down as manager in 2004.

Wildcard and Vertigo Releasing have acquired UK and Ireland rights, and are scheduling a theatrical release for Summer 2025.

Producers are Trevor Birney and Oliver Butler for Fine Point Films and Macdara Kelleher and John Keville for Wild Atlantic Pictures. It is produced in association with Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen and Fine Point Films.

Source: Subject's own

Arlene De Cruz

The UK's Children's Production Support Hub (CPSH) has launched a register of chaperones and tutors to help film and TV productions hire these roles without agents charging illegal commission.

The Hub describes Industry Standard Chaperones and Tutors (ISCAT) as "the first UK register of professional chaperones and tutors with robust standards".

Film and TV productions can access the register for free, and contact members directly to hire them for work. The register has 107 professionals accredited, with a further 36 in process.

ISCAT is recognised by UK industry bodies including Pact, Directors UK and training provider All Spring Media.

It aims to reduce the practice of agents charging commissions for sourcing work for chaperones and tutors. Agents are allowed to represent chaperones and tutors, with productions regularly making use of them when working with children.

However, by UK law, agencies are not allowed to charge fees for this work. ISCAT will enable chaperones and teachers to secure work directly on productions while still having the option of legitimately acquiring work through agencies. De Cruz has been a chaperone for over 12 years and runs her own company, Chaperones and Tutors Limited. She launched the Professional Chaperones and Tutors branch of Bectu in 2017.

"Productions find it very difficult to access chaperones via the local authority or any other platform without going through an agent," said De Cruz. They are unwittingly facilitating the illegal practices of agents taking a commission. It's time to change."

To be able to work on UK film or television productions, tutors and chaperones must hold two certificates: the NSPCC's Protecting Children in entertainment and the Practical Accredited Regulated Training (PART) for children certificate. All names listed on the ISCAT register must have passed these steps, ensuring that productions can choose from fully qualified professionals. All names listed on the ISCAT register must have passed these steps, ensuring that productions can choose from fully qualified professionals.

"Standardising training is absolutely crucial to safeguarding the children that we invite to work alongside us on our productions," said De Cruz.

The CPSH is a free resource for productions, providing guides and services on child licensing, performance hours, council spot checks, safer recruitment advice, education and teachers, aggregating tutor hours and scheduling, safeguarding and child protection, intimacy and close contact, and advice on working with young people between the ages of 16-18.

Quiet On Set

• feature film to inspect class division in UK film industry (exclusive)

Source: Netflix

The Eternaut

Netflix Argentina executives have been promoting the upcoming slate featuring new work from Ricardo Darin, Santiago Mitre, and Juan Jose Campanella including series adaptations of two of the most iconic graphic novels and comic strips in Latin America.

Leading the new productions at the Made In Argentina showcase unveiled to industry members in Buenos Aires on Monday night was 27 Nights (27 Noches), Daniel Hendler's adaptation of the family drama novel by Natalia Zito inspired by actual events.

Mitre, who wrote and directed the 2023 Oscar-nominated Argentina, 1985, will serve as producer on 27 Nights.

Campanella, the writer-director of The Secret In Their Eyes which won the 2010 best foreign language film Oscar as it was then known, is creating the animated series Mafalda based on the hugely popular comic strip of the same name by Argentinian artist Quino.

The Oscar winner will direct, produce, and showrun the project, an original Netflix production with Mundoloco CGI.

Daniel Burman, whose comedy drama Transmitzvah was a Cannes beach screening this year, is directing new series The Curses (Las Maldiciones), a political drama based on the novel of the same name by Claudia Pineiro and starring Leonardo Sbaraglia and Gustavo Bassani.

Rounding out the new productions is the feature Telltale Heart (Corazon Delator) from Marcos Carnevale, the writer-director of 2005 Argentinian hit Elsa And Fred who has in recent years become a prolific Netflix collaborator and enjoyed success this year with Goyo. Benjamin Vicuna and Julieta Diaz will lead the cast.

Scheduled to arrive on the platform after theatrical releases are Transmitzvah;Federico Luis's Cannes Critics' Week grand prix winner Simon Of The Mountain; Agustina Macri's Miss Carbon; and Benjamin Avila's The Woman In The Line (La Mujer de la Fila).

Upcoming films include Diego Lerman's (TIFF 2022 entry The Substitute) San Sebastian selection The Man Who Loved Flying Saucers (El Hombre Que Amaba Los Platos Voladores); Martino Zaidelis's family comedy Camp With Mom (Campamento Con Mama); The Fantastic Sisters (Las Hermanas Fantasticas) directed by Fabiana Tiscornia; and I Cannot Live Without You (No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti) starring popular entertainer Adrian Suar.

New series scheduled for 2025 include The Eternaut starring Riccardo Darin in the adaptation of Hector German Oesterheld's acclaimed 1950s politically charged Argentinian sci-fi graphic novel El Eternauta.

Bruno Stagnaro created the show and wrote it with Ariel Staltari. Argentina's K&S Films is the production company.

Netflix Argentina is also lining up Angel Di Maria: Break The Wall (Angel Di Maria: Romper La Pared) a series about the celebrated national team and Paris St Germain striker who played his last game for Argentina this summer when they won the Copa America.

• Open Doors preview: how Locarno is championing filmmakers from Latin America and the Caribbean

Source: Anthony Harvey/Shutterstock/Belfast Film Festival

Kenneth Branagh, Jodie Comer

Kenneth Branagh's The Last Disturbance Of Madeline Hynde starring Jodie Comer has begun filming in the UK.

Branagh has written the screenplay for the film, which is described by the production as a "contemporary psychological thriller" with the plot still under wraps.

The film is independently financed and produced by Branagh who reunites with Belfast producers Tamar Thomas, Laura Berwick and Becca Kovacik. Other producers include Matthew Jenkins, who produced Branagh's Death On The Nile and Murder On The Orient Express, and Maximum Effort's Ashley Fox and Johnny Pariseau.

Comer recently wrapped production in the UK on Danny Boyle's 28 Years Later while Branagh's last two features (2023's A Haunting In Venice and 2022's Death On The Nile) were Agatha Christie adaptations which also shot in the UK.

• 2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland: latest updates

Source: Courtesy of 42mp

Ralph Fiennes

Nicholas Hytner's The Choral headlined by Ralph Fiennes, Paul Andrew Williams' The Nest starring Andrea Riseborough and Jan Komasa's Jeremy Thomas-produced Good Boy are among the projects backed by the Yorkshire Content Fund and in production across the summer.

The Yorkshire Content Fund, administered by Screen Yorkshire, has been supporting local production since 2012. It was initially set up with funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which was awarded through the now-defunct regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward.

Following the demise of the regional development agency structure in 2012, the Yorkshire Content Fund continued to support production in Yorkshire by recouping on previous investments. The fund has not received additional funding since a second round ERDF funding was awarded in 2014. The fund has no set annual funding allocation, as it is dependent on the success of past investments. Screen Yorkshire has declined to announce the level of investment in individual productions; in total, however, the fund has invested PS24m, an average of PS1.7m per year, with projects eligible for up to PS500,000.

The Choral,

written by Alan Bennett, is set in Yorkshire in 1916, where the chorus master and most of the men of the ambitious local choral society have volunteered for the front line of the First World War. The choral society recruits local teenagers, as the next generation contend with their imminent conscription.Jim Broadbent and Simon Russell Beale also star, and Hytner is producing with Kevin Loader and Damian Jones. Shooting commenced in May.

Production is due to start shortly on Williams' feature

The Nest, which tells the story of two women who are neighbours and who strike up an unusual and questionable reliance on one another.Good Boy

, which Thomas is producing with Poland's Ewa Piaskowska and Jerzy Skolimowski, follows a football hooligan as he is kidnapped by a middle-class family seemingly intent on reinventing him. The feature's UK shoot took place in Leeds in July, with filming also taking place in Warsaw.A fourth project to receive new investment is

Reunion, a thriller TV series written by Sheffield-born deaf writer William Mager in which a deaf man is determined to unravel the truth behind the events that led him to prison. Matthew Gurney, Lara Peake Anne-Marie Duff Eddie Marsan and Rose Ayling Ellis star. Warp Films produces for the BBC, with filming ongoing in and around Sheffield.Caroline Cooper Charles, chief executive of Screen Yorkshire, said: "Yorkshire is enjoying an incredible summer of filming activity, and we are delighted that the Yorkshire Content Fund has been instrumental in attracting four such high-profile projects to the region.... With a recent industry survey pointing to high levels of unemployment, we need to do everything we can to support our local workforce by attracting production to the region.

"These latest titles, along with the BBC series

Virdee, which is also supported by the Content Fund and recently concluded production in Bradford, emphasise the important positive economic impact we can bring to the Yorkshire economy."Previous projects supported by the fund include films

A Bunch Of Amateurs, The Duke, Dad's Army and Ali & Ava and TV series All Creatures Great And Small, Peaky Blinders and Ackley Bridge.2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland: latest updates

Source: Gokce Ozer / AFE / FRP

(l-r) Khairiyah Abu Laban, Engy Wegdan, Nermin Mohsen

Fledgling Saudi production company Alamiya Filmed Entertainment (AFE) has partnered with Dubai-based Front Row Productions to make female-led road trip comedy feature My Treat (Mahmool Makfool).

Directed by Egypt's Karim Abu Zeid, filming is set to begin this September in Riyadh and Istanbul, and is billed as the first time a major Saudi feature has shot in Turkey. The film will be released in the Middle East in 2025. The cast includes Engy Wegdan (

H Dabor

), Khairiyah Abulaban (AlHamour HA), and Nermin Mhsen (The Blue Whale). Producers are in negotiations with a leading actor to play the Turkish star at the centre of the comedy.Turkish content is extremely popular in the Arabic-speaking region due to shared history and cultural similarities. Turkey has also managed to build tourism around the industry, which is mainly targeted at a female-skewed GCC fanbase who travel on celebrity spotting and home tour trips.The screenplay is from Saudi-Palestinian writer Noha Saadi from an original story by Wesam Kattan, the CEO of AFE who said the project has been "almost three years in the making".

Co-produced by AFE and Front Row, the companies said the project marked the beginning of a new partnership between the two outfits.

AFE was established in May 2023 after leading Saudi live events and media company Alamiya acquired Lyra Pictures, co-founded by Kattan, who was part of the Viacom team that launched MTV Arabia.

Front Row Productions is the joint venture production arm of Front Row Filmed Entertainment in partnership with MENA Sony distributor Empire Entertainment.

In a joint statement, Front Row Productions CEO's Gianluca Chakra and Mario Junior Haddad said: "The Saudi cinema industry has been experiencing significant growth, as evidenced by the successes of films like

Sattar

, Mandoob, Shabab El Bomb, and AlHamour H.A., which have frequently outperformed Western studio blockbusters."Alongside this trend, Turkish dramas have already garnered a strong following in the Arab world. A potential strategy for uniting Arab audiences and achieving even greater success could involve blending elements of Saudi and Arab cinema with the popular Turkish style, creating an intriguing formula that respects and incorporates the cultural nuances of all three regions."This approach has the potential to resonate with diverse audiences and bridge cultural gaps, offering a fresh and engaging viewing experience for viewers in the Middle East and beyond."

Since launching in 2020, Front Row Productions has made features such as an Arabic adaptation of Italian hit

Perfect Strangers

, which performed strongly after its debut on Netflix in January 2022, and is in post-production on The Sand Castle, a mystery thriller directed by Matty Brown and starring Nadine Labaki. It has been shooting Jordanian crime thriller Boomah this summer, directed by Zaid Abu Hamdan and starring Rakeen Saad, and is planning a feature film and TV series based around Sally Hafez, a Lebanese woman who received international attention after storming a bank in 2022.Korean thriller 'Revolver' starring Cannes award-winner Jeon Do-yeon lands global deals (exclusive)

Bloodsucking DARKNESS

. However, the US outfit now also plans to adapt Ito's

The Mystery Of The Haunted House Part 1

and Part 2 and has partnered with Singapore-based TTLE to help realise the projects.Bloodsucking Darkness follows a girl with an eating disorder who vomits blood and is stalked by vampire bats, while The Mystery Of The Haunted House revolves around two friends who must escape a ghostly home and its demented proprietor. The tales originate from the

Smashed: Junji Ito Story Collection.All three projects are set to be live-action features and will go into creative development after this summer, with production planned for 2025 and 2026.Ito will serve as producer alongside Armen Aghaeian, Tara Ansley, and Abhi Goel of Fangoria Studios, Yasu Kutami and Tsubasa Yamaguchi of Amuse Group USA and Aditya Chand and Jay Van Hoy of TTLE. Indie producer Carlos Aguirre, who brokered the deal, will serve as executive producer.Chand, the chairman and CEO of TTLE who founded the company last year, said the features would "push the boundaries of what East-West collaboration can achieve in the modern age".The Ito films are positioned as the first projects in a larger co-development and co-production deal between TTLE and Fangoria. Van Hoy, who joined TTLE as chief producing officer in early 2018, will be a major player with the company. The producer is known for Robert Eggers' horror features

The Witch

and

The Lighthouse

as well as Andrea Arnold's American Honey.Ito is one of Japan's most prominent manga artists both locally and internationally, where he is known for horror manga such as Tomie and Uzumaki

, both of which have been adapted into films in Japan. He has won multiple Eisner Awards - one of the most prestigious awards for the comic industry. Many of his manga have also been adapted as animation productions, including Adult Swim/Toonami's upcoming Uzumaki miniseries, which debuts September 28.Fangoria Studios was launched by horror brand and magazine Fangoria following Fangoria's acquisition by Ansely and Goel in 2021. Korean thriller "Revolver" starring Cannes Award-winner Jeon Do Yeon lands global deals. Exclusive.

Source: Sigma / Bohemia Media / Screen file

[Clockwise from top left:] Phil Hunt, Gillian Berrie, Mark Lane, Judith Chan

Head Gear Film CEO Phil Hunt, Sigma Films producer Gillian Berrie, Coutts' executive director in media banking Judith Chan and Tea Shop Productions' Mark Lane are the latest high-profile speakers joining the line-up for Screen International's 'The Future of UK Film' summit, to be held on September 24, 2024, at BFI Southbank, London.

• Buy tickets here

Hunt's leading film financier Head Gear has invested in recent titles including How To Have Sex, Talk To Me and Fisherman's Friends: One And All while its upcoming slate features Alice Lowe's Timestalker and Rebecca Lenkiewicz's Hot Milk. Hunt also founded UK sales agent Bankside Films and distribution outfit Bohemia Media.

Glasgow-based production company Sigma Films was set up by Berrie in 1996 together with director David Mackenzie and his younger actor brother, Alastair Mackenzie. Currently in production on David Mackenzie's Fuze starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson, the company's previous credits range from Jonathan Glazer's Under The Skin to Netflix's Outlaw King and, more recently, the Taron Egerton-starrer Tetris.

At leading private banking giant Coutts, Chan heads the business development team in its media division, specialising in structuring film and television debt transactions. With over 25 years of experience in media financing, Chan has previously worked at an LA-based investment bank and Ingenious Media.

Lane has a busy slate in the works via Tea Shop, which he co-runs with Leonora Darby. They have recently completed production on Rowan Athale’s Naseem Hamed Biopic Giant 11001010starring Pierce Brosnan, Amir El-Masry and John Maclean’s Tornado 11001010starring Tim Roth, Jack Lowden and John Maclean. Other titles include Fall 201, and 47 Meters Down: The Wreck. Shudder's The cycle is also upcoming. The summit is sponsored by UK Global Screen Fund. The summit is sponsored by UK Global Screen Fund.The Early Bird price of PS215+VAT will be available until Friday August 16.

The conference will aim to give attendees the insight and industry intelligence to:

navigate the new Independent Film Tax Credit and matching it with international incentives;

discover what kinds of stories and packages private financiers are looking to support and talent agents are hoping to put in front of their clients;

learn from distributors who have guided UK indie films to box office success;

understand how innovations such as AI and virtual production are going to impact and enhance the industry;

• discover the benefits of bringing fresh and diverse voices into the industry.
• Visit here to find out more about the event. For sponsorship opportunities, contact Scott Benfold.

'Judas' Gospel'

Source: Calabria Film Commission

Giulio Base's religious drama Judas' Gospel, which stars Rupert Everett, Paz Vega, John Savage and Abel Ferrara, has started filming in Italy.

The film sees Judas, about to die, reflect on his life and his relationship with Jesus and the disciples.

Vincenzo Galluzzo, Darko Peric and Tomasz Kot round out the cast, with filming set to last for four weeks in Calabria, Italy.

Base, who is the artistic director of Turin Film Festival, has film credits including 2018's The Anarchist Banker.

His wife, Tiziana Rocca, who heads up Agnus Dei Production, produces. Minerva Pictures and Agresywna Banda also produce in association with Rai Cinema.

• 'Hamnet' starring Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley begins filming in Wales

Rapid Tee Golf Launch

PALM BEACH, Fla., July 3, 2024 (Newswire.com) - RapidTee Golf, an innovative tech startup dedicated to transforming the golfer’s tee time booking experience, is thrilled to announce the launch of its groundbreaking platform. Available today, rapidteetgolf.com offers golfers a seamless and efficient way to browse, book, and be notified of tee times at top local courses across the country.

"Our mission is to simplify and enrich the golfer's experience," said Dan Claroni, President and CTO of RapidTee Golf. "We’ve focused on creating an intuitive, user-friendly interface that addresses the common pain points many golfers face. Our platform's personalized preferences and real-time notification system is a game-changer, allowing frequent golfers to stay updated on tee time availability without constantly checking for last-minute cancellations."

Key features of the RapidTee Golf platform include:

• Comprehensive Tee-Time Access: Users can explore tee times across a wide range of golf courses nationwide all in one place, eliminating the need to visit multiple websites.
• Real-Time Notifications: Subscribers can set preferences and receive instant alerts at their desired courses, ensuring they never miss out on a tee time.
• Exclusive Community Engagement: The platform fosters a vibrant community of golf enthusiasts, offering features like exclusive access to regional and national events, discounts on golf apparel and equipment, exclusive giveaways, and more.

To celebrate the launch, RapidTee Golf is offering a special discount for early subscribers who sign up before July 8, 2024. For more information about RapidTee Golf, and its launch promotion, please visit rapidteegolf.com.

About RapidTee Golf: 

RapidTee Golf is a Florida-based golf-tech startup dedicated to revolutionizing the way golfers book tee times. As an all-in-one tee-time booking platform, RapidTee Golf simplifies and enhances the golfer’s experience by providing seamless access to top courses and real-time notifications. Committed to fostering a dynamic community of enthusiasts, RapidTee Golf stands out as a leader in golf technology and innovation, ensuring that golfers will never be left without a tee time.

Media Contact: Gabe Nabers, Head of Partnerships, marketing@rapidteegolf.com

Source: Lisa Miller, Umer Mushir

James McMillan, Sadia Ashraf

Production on a feature film adaptation of Soniah Kamal's novel Unmarriageable is scheduled to begin in Pakistan in 2025.

US outfits Travelling Picture Show Company (TPSC) and Rising Tides have partnered with Pakistan's Hum Network on the production.

Sadia Ashraf wrote the script and will direct alongside James McMillan, whose credits as a cinematographer include Avengers: Endgameand A Quiet Place: Part One. It is a rare Western production that films entirely in Pakistan. Unmarriageable

is produced by Carissa Buffel and Luisa Iskin from TPSC and Sadia Ashraf and Shahla Khan from Rising Tides. Executive producers are Sultana Siddiqui, Badar Ikram and Kamal from Hum Network. The novel is a literary adaptation of

Pride And Prejudice and transposes the themes of Jane Austen's novel to modern-day Pakistan following the Binat family, whose five daughters navigate modern life while dealing with the complexities of South Asian courtship.TPSC's credits include Sony's

Freud's Last Session, Universal's A Walk Among The Tombstones and A24's The Blackcoat's Daughter.Founded by Ashraf, Rising Tides Films focuses on female-driven narratives and untold diverse stories. The company has recently released the animated short

Tomorrowand developed around 20 film and TV projects from cultures that are typically underrepresented onscreen.Hum is Pakistan's 24-hour entertainment television channel founded by Sultana Saiddiqui and duraid Qureshi. HumTV has been producing hundreds of TV shows with 700 hours of programming per year for the past 18 years.

Source: Charlie Gray / Pip / Michael Shelford

James Norton, Anthony Boyle, Louis Partridge

Masters Of The Air star Anthony Boyle will lead the cast for Netflix series House Of Guinness from Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight.

Set in 19th-century Dublin, Boyle, Louis Partridge, Emily Fairn and Fionn O'Shea play the four grown up children of legendary brewer Sir Benjamin Guinness.

The eight-part series has begun production and is produced by Banijay-owned Kudos (This Town). Knight wrote and executive produced the project. Akl was a Screen Arab Star of Tomorrow in 2016. Akl was selected as Screen's Arab Star of Tomorrow for 2016. Akl was selected as selected for Screen's Arab Star of Tomorrow in 2016.

Anne Mensah, Netflix vice president of UK content said: "Steve Knight's scripts read like pages torn out of a classic novel, spinning the story of the four heirs to the Guinness fortune, and how their lives and loves are changed by it overnight."

Disney's 'The Fantastic Four' gearing up to shoot at UK's Pinewood Studios

Source: Eamonn M. McCormack / Getty Images for Film AlUla copy

Morad Mostafa

The Berlinale's World Cinema Fund (WCF) has backed 10 feature projects in its 40^th session, at a total of EUR260,000 (PS218,479).

The latest funding pot has awarded eight production and two distribution grants, to projects from Algeria, Argentina, Brazil, Cameroon, Egypt, Iran, Lesotho, Nepal and Sudan.

Scroll down for the full list of projects

Aisha Can't Fly Away, the debut feature of Egyptian filmmaker Morad Mostafa, received EUR25,000. Mostafa participated in the 2024 Berlinale Talents, was named a Screen Arab Star of Tomorrow in 2023, and will take part in the Final Cut in Venice lab with his project in September after shooting this summer.

The film tells the story of a Somali woman who cares for her elderly parents while witnessing the tensions between the different groups who make up her city's African society.

The production awards consist of six WCF titles and two WCF Europe titles, one of which is Ancestral Visions Of The Future, by This Is Not A Burial, It's A Resurrection director Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese.

Two films received distribution awards for a German cinema release: Mohamed Kordofani's Sudanese feature Goodbye Julia, which debuted at Cannes 2023, and Ali Ahmadzadeh's Iranian-German title Critical Zone, a Locarno 2023 premiere.

The titles were chosen from 195 submitted projects from 55 countries, by a jury consisting of Spanish producer Marta Andreu, German filmmaker Ayse Polat, German-Egyptian curator Viola Shafik, and WCF head Vincenzo Bugno.

WCF 2024 funding

Production funding

WCF

I'm Coming For You (Cam-Ger) dir. Cyrielle Raingou - EUR40,000

Red Mist Descending (Iran-Ger) dir. Rakhsan Banietemad - EUR40,000

La Libertad doble (Arg-Ger) dir. Lisandro Alonso - EUR30,000

Aisha Can't Fly Away (Egy) dir. Morad Mostafa - EUR25,000

A Margem do Rio (Braz) dirs. Matheus Farias, Enock Carvalho - EUR30,000

You Don't Die Two Times (Alg) dir. Ager Oueslati - EUR25,000

WCF Europe

Ancestral Visions of the Future (Les-Fr-Ger) dir. Lemohang Jeremiah Mosese EUR30,000

The sky is mine (Nep Nor) dir. Deepak Rauniyar - EUR25,000

Distribution funding for German release

Goodbye Julia (Sud-Egy-Ger-Fr-Swe-S Arabia) dir. Mohamed Kordofani - EUR7,000

Critical Zone (Ir-Ger) dir. Ali Ahmadzadeh - EUR8,000

• Swedish film & TV bodies criticise "first-come, first-served" government funding process

Source: Neon Films / Richard Chambury / Lionsgate

Nicky Bentham, Marie-Claire Benson, Jane Epstein

Neon Films producer Nicky Bentham, Lionsgate UK head Marie-Claire Benson and Independent Talent's Jane Epstein have joined the high-profile speaker line-up for Screen International's 'The Future of UK Film' summit, to be held on September 24, 2024, in London at BFI Southbank.

• Buy tickets here

Bentham's credits include Roger Michell's 2020 title The Duke, starring Jim Broadbent and Helen Mirren, and the upcoming Brides, the feature directorial debut of Nadia Falls.

As executive vice president and head of Lionsgate's UK motion picture group, Benson steers a slate that has included Oscar- and Bafta-winner Anatomy Of A Fall, and Rose Glass's Love Lies Bleeding, a pre-buy at script stage. Lionsgate's upcoming UK releases include TIFF title Penguin Lessons, starring Steve Coogan, and John Maclean's survival thriller Tornado.

Leading talent agent Esptein of the Independent Talent Group represents some of the UK's most bankable acting stars including Jodie Comer, Gillian Anderson, Bill Nighy, Sophie Turner, Rachel Weisz and Keeley Hawes. Speakers previously announced include Elizabeth Karlsen, Alex Hamilton (Studiocanal UK), Zygi kamasa (True Brit Films), Sebastien Raymondbaud (Anton), Matt Wilkinson(Stigma Films), Julia Stuart(Sky Original), Harriet Finney(BFI), Moses Nyachae ("Saffery") and Kate Gardiner ("Searchlight"). The summit is sponsored by UK Global Screen Fund.

The Early Bird price of PS215+VAT will be available until Friday August 16.

The conference will aim to give attendees the insight and industry intelligence to:

navigate the new Independent Film Tax Credit and match it with international incentives;

discover what kinds of stories and packages private financiers are looking to support, as well as talent agents hoping to put in front of their clients;

learn from distributor

The summit is sponsored by UK Global Screen Fund.

• The Early Bird price of PS215+VAT will be available until Friday August 16.
• The conference will aim to give attendees the insight and industry intelligence to:
• navigate the new Independent Film Tax Credit and matching it with international incentives;
• discover what kinds of stories and packages private financiers are looking to support and talent agents are hoping to put in front of their clients;
• learn from distributors who have guided UK indie films to box office success;

understand how innovations such as AI and virtual production are going to impact and enhance the industry;

discover the benefits of bringing fresh and diverse voices into the industry.

Source: Netflix

Ashley Walters and Stephen Graham

Philip Barantini's four-part drama series Adolescence (working title) starring and co-created by Stephen Graham, with Ashley Walters and Erin Doherty, has begun filming in the UK for Netflix.

The series is about a family dealing with the aftermath after their 13-year-old son is charged with murdering a teenage girl. Each episode is filmed in one continuous shot and unfolds in real time.

Adolescence is produced by Warp Films, Graham's Matriarch Productions and Plan B. Graham wrote and created the show alongside Bafta-winning writer Jack Thorne best known for The Swimmers, His Dark Materials and Enola Holmes.

Other cast include Owen Cooper as the 13-year-old boy, Faye Marsay, Christine Tremarco, Mark Stanley, Jo Hartley and newcomer Amelie Pease.

• 2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland: latest updates

Source: Cannes

'The Girl With The Needle'

Sweden's major film and TV organisations have signed a letter to the government calling for an urgent change to the "first-come, first-served" funding process, which they claim saw all funds allocated in one minute in the latest funding round.

The letter, signed by representatives of eight organisations including Film i Vast, SVT and the Swedish Film Distributors Association, asks for the government "to promptly implement a change in the application process for support for audiovisual production (production incentives)."

Scroll down for the full letter

The criticism regards Section 11 of Sweden's production incentive regulations, which were introduced in 2022. The letter states that applications will be processed in the order they are received. The organisations claim that with a budget of 100m SEK (PS7.2m), that the cap is reached immediately after each funding round, preventing a fair consideration of each project. The application period for receiving support has been shortened each time. The latest announcement

clearly shows that the funds ran out in 1 minute and 7 second, leaving a margin of 327 microseconds for the next applicant. The letter suggests that the current rule be supplemented with a "weighting principle" that would allow applications to be ranked based on predetermined criteria that serve the incentive. The letter suggests complementing the current rule with a "weighting principle" through which "applications received on the same day are ranked based on certain predetermined criteria that serve the purpose of the incentive."[50m SEK in March 2024]The amount of production finance available is also a problem, according to Film i Vast CEO Mikael Fellenius, who recommends it be increased from 100m SEK to 300-400m.

"A larger budget will not only eliminate the issue mentioned in our letter, but also be more attractive to international production coming to Sweden," Fellenius told

Screen

.The organisations are yet to receive a response to their letter, although the minister has said the government will look at the issue during the investigation presented next year. The next government funding round for Swedish film and TV will likely be in October 2024.Productions supported by Film i Vast recently include Magnus von Horn's Cannes 2024 title

The Girl With The Needle

and Erik Poppe's upcoming Quisling, which will debut at Toronto.Letter to Minister of Culture Parisa LiljestrandWe, the undersigned, represent Swedish producers, co-producers, commissioners, and distributors. Together, we fund the majority of drama series and films produced in Sweden. With this letter, we wish to express our collective desire for the government to promptly implement a change in the application process for support for audiovisual production (production incentives).

It was very positive when Sweden, two years ago, as one of the last countries in Europe, introduced production incentives for film and TV. According to Regulation (2022:1386) on state support for the production of audiovisual works, the purpose of the incentive is to "increase the number of audiovisual works wholly or partially produced in Sweden," with socio-economic effects such as economic growth, increased employment, regional development, exposure of Sweden, positive effects on tourism, etc., both by enabling large Swedish productions that would otherwise be filmed abroad to be brought home and by attracting foreign productions.

We perceive that the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth (Tillvaxtverket), in implementing the incentive, has been responsive to the industry's functioning and needs. The application process has been praised as being simple and not overly complicated. In the first two years, we can state that 25 Swedish productions with a total budget of over 1.7 billion SEK have received the incentive and were filmed in Sweden.

However, the rule in Section 11 of the Regulation, which states that applications for support should be processed in the order they are received (the so-called first-come, first-served principle), has posed significant challenges, given that the budget is limited to 100 million SEK.

The background to the introduction of production incentives in Sweden is that in 2017, after a declaration by the Swedish Parliament, supported by all parties, the government tasked Tillvaxtverket with investigating the issue. The "More Film Productions in Sweden" (2017) investigation recommended that Sweden introduce production incentives urgently and that the state allocate 300 million SEK annually for this purpose. Tillvaxtverket noted, among other things, that a too-low amount in the state budget could lead to the cap being reached "at the beginning of the year" and warned that the system would then risk becoming unpredictable.

With hindsight, we can state that the current budget of 100 million SEK has resulted in a significant over-subscription of the support at each application opportunity. The principle of first-come-first-served has rewarded those who are quick to fill out the application. Each time, the application period for receiving support has been shortened. The funds in the most recent announcement ran out at 1 minute and 7 second, leaving a margin of 327 microseconds for the next applicant. The production incentive is now a part of the film study that the government launched at the start of the year. We believe that the first application rounds show that the application pressure is high and that the budget for the production incentive needs to be reviewed.

However, the film investigation will not be presented until February 28, 2025, which means that new film policy will not be in place until at the earliest 2026 or 2027. If no changes are made before then, the current application procedure will apply for another three to five application opportunities, which we do not find satisfactory.

Therefore, we appeal for the government to urgently enable a temporary solution that can apply until new film policy is in place. One solution would be to supplement the first-come-first-served rule with a simple weighting system, whereby applications received the same day will be ranked according to predetermined criteria. This will serve the incentive. We believe Tillvaxtverket is the best place to develop a rule of this kind, given its expertise in the area. We are happy to assist in this work.

Sincerely,

Eva Hamilton, chairman, Film&TV-Producenterna

Sandra Warg, CEO, Filmpool Nord

Mikael Fellenius, CEO, Film i Vast

Ralf Ivarsson, CEO, Film i Skane

Kristina Colliander, CEO, Film Stockholm

Pia Grunler, chairperson, Sweden's Film Distributors Association

Eva Beckman, program director, SVT

Fredrik Arefalk, channel and content director, TV4

Venice Horizons sidebar unveils juries, opening film

Source: Raw

Sam Gordon

Raw has bolstered its features and scripted department with the addition of former Brouhaha Entertainment development producer and BBC Film exec Sam Gordon as producer/executive producer.

Gordon joins the UK The Tinder Swindler production company at a time of growth in its scripted and features output, with upcoming feature film Crime 101 for Amazon MGM Studios being co-produced with Working Title. The indie was also behind feature docs Three Identical Strangers and The Imposter plus Michael Pearce's Telluride premiere Encounter and Euros Lyn's Sundance title Dream Horse.

He moves from his role as development producer at Brouhaha Entertainment, which he joined in 2021. While there he worked on Cannes 2023 premiere Firebrand and co-produced Cannes 2024 competition title Motel Destino. Prior to Brouhaha, he was head of development at Pride producer Calamity Films and also held development roles at Baby Cow and then-BBC Films, working on feature films including Philomena. Judy and Benediction.

In the new role, he will work with All3Media-backed Raw's head of scripted TV Sara Murray, filmmakers Bart Layton and Tim Wardle and its senior creative team. He will report directly to chief executive Joely Fether, and chief creative officer Dimitry doganis.

An earlier version of this article appeared on Broadcast's sister website.

• UK's Global Screen Fund supports "Bird", "Santosh", and 'Sister Midnight" in the latest funding round

"The Lord Of The Rings : The Rings Of Power"

Amazon Prime Video bought the UK's Bray Film Studios, in Berkshire. This is the home of the second series on the streamer’s large-scale production

The Lord Of The Rings : The Rings Of Power. This marks the company's very first studio purchase in the UK. It also has a long-term lease with Shepperton Studios. In the US, Amazon owns The Culver Studios in Culver City, California.The second season of Prime Video's

Citadel

starring Richard Madden and Priyanka Chopra Jonas will start shooting at Bray in September."This vote of confidence by Amazon MGM Studios will ensure that one of our leading film studios continues to play a crucial role in our first-class screen industries," said the UK's new culture secretary Lisa Nandy. "It will deliver a major investment in skills and infrastructure to enhance our status as Europe's top filmmaking destination."Twenty-six miles out of London, Bray Film Studios comprises 53,600 square feet and includes five sound stages, 77,400 square feet of workshops, 39,400 square feet of office space, 182,900 square feet of backlot, and 156,000 square feet of parking space. Other recent productions to shoot at the studio include

The King's Man

, Rocketman and BBC series Dracula.2024 film and high-end TV productions shooting in the UK and Ireland: latest updates

B2B Negocios and Suplos Logos

MEXICO CITY, June 25, 2024 (Newswire.com) -  B2B Negocios, originally from Mexico with activities in Brazil and Central America, and Suplos, originally from Colombia with a subsidiary in Peru and operations in other countries, are pleased to announce a strategic alliance. This alliance aims to establish the combined entity as the premier provider of procurement services for large corporations born in the Latin American region.

Together, B2B Negocios and Suplos will offer an extensive suite of services, including:

• Requisition services
• Electronic quoting
• Purchase orders processing
• Warehouse receipts
• Invoice receipt
• Supplier validation
• Electronic catalogs
• Financing of the commercial process in the industry
• Contracts and invoice information
• Payments between large corporate buyers and thousands of suppliers

The companies' platform is trusted by leading corporations such as Colgate-Palmolive, Kellogg's, Saint-Gobain, Ecopetrol, Kimberly-Clark, OXXO, and over 100 other major corporations. These clients, along with more than 60,000 active suppliers, rely on the platform for their procurement needs.

"By leveraging our extensive procurement data and advanced technology, this partnership with Suplos enables us to provide unparalleled solutions to the real challenges faced by large corporations in Latin America. Together, we are positioned to streamline procurement processes, increase efficiency, and deliver significant value to our clients." – Gabriel Rosales, President of B2B Negocios

The consolidation of operations between B2B Negocios and Suplos brings the following impressive metrics:

• Combined sales: Approximately $10 million
• EBITDA: Over $2.5 million
• Workforce: More than 200 employees
• Transactions processed annually: 5 million
• Transaction value: Over $15 billion
• Negotiations facilitated between suppliers and buyers: Over $40 billion annually

"Our alliance with B2B Negocios is a strategic move to harness our combined expertise and industry data to tackle procurement inefficiencies head-on. This collaboration will enhance our ability to offer comprehensive and innovative solutions, ultimately transforming procurement services for our clients." – Daniel Obregon, co-founder of Suplos

Both companies are recognized among the top three most relevant players in their respective markets. Their corporate offices and regional influence highlight their commitment to providing exceptional procurement solutions across Latin America.

The impact of this commercial alliance extends beyond enhanced competitiveness. It signifies a step towards offering complimentary services to corporate clients across various markets, while also optimizing internal commercial and marketing teams to better serve current and future customers. This alliance may also pave the way for the integration of other companies in the region into this growing consortium.

About B2B Negocios

B2B Negocios is a leading provider of procurement services in Mexico, Brazil, and Central America. The company is dedicated to delivering innovative and efficient procurement solutions to large corporations.

About Suplos

Suplos, based in Colombia with a subsidiary in Peru, specializes in procurement services and has a strong presence across multiple Latin American countries. The company is committed to enhancing the procurement process for its clients through advanced technology and robust service offerings.

Loti AI App

SEATTLE, June 27, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Loti AI, a leader in online protection solutions for public figures, is proud to announce the successful completion of its seed fundraising round, raising a total of $5.15 million. This round was led by FUSE, with participation from Bling Capital, K5 Tokyo Black, Ensemble, and AlphaEdison.

Loti AI is building the safety infrastructure for the generative AI revolution, ensuring individuals and brands can harness AI as they see fit while protecting from misuses of their identity. Loti's Watchtower product is designed to help remove deepfakes and impersonator accounts, ensuring the integrity and authenticity of online identities. Additionally, Loti's Enforce product ensures that likenesses are used according to contract, providing a robust solution for protecting personal and professional image rights. With its sophisticated takedown system, Loti AI can find and remove unauthorized content with 95% effectiveness within one day, offering unparalleled online protection to clients.

“We are thrilled to have found the right partners to help us go to market,” said Luke Arrigoni, CEO of Loti AI. “Their support will enable us to expand our offerings and continue to develop innovative solutions to tackle the growing challenges of deepfake and impersonation threats, as well as other unauthorized uses of personal images and voices.”

About Loti

Loti AI protects public figures from online threats, specializing in deepfake and impersonation detection. Founded in 2022, we offer Watchtower for content removal and Enforce for likeness protection. For more information, please visit GoLoti.com.

About FUSE

FUSE is an early stage venture capital firm focused on backing early stage technology businesses founded in Seattle and the broader Pacific Northwest. FUSE manages over $420M across two early stage venture firms and has made over 35 investments since being founded in 2020.

About Bling Capital

Bling Capital is an early stage venture fund founded in 2018 by Ben Ling, a former product executive at Google, Facebook, and YouTube. Since inception, Bling Capital has backed over 100 companies that have collectively raised over $2B. Bling Capital offers a unique Product Council of 100+ top executives as resources to its portfolio companies. We are honored to have been featured by TechCrunch as “The VCs that Founders Love the Most” and Ben Ling was recently ranked #5 on the 2024 Forbes Midas Seed List. 

SEATTLE, June 27, 2024 (Newswire.com) - MOFT is excited to launch the Snap Flow Notepad & Stand, an all-in-one focus tool designed for smartphones, on Kickstarter. In the first 24 hours, it has reached 400% of its funding goal.This minimalist, origami-inspired design integrates a notepad, pocket organizer, built-in stand, and foldable pen, crafted to enhance your ability to quickly capture, organize, and focus on your ideas anywhere.

Analog Companion for Your PhoneThe Snap Flow offers a tactile way to swiftly capture thoughts and deepen focus, turning ideas into actions. Its pen and paper encourage instinctive note-taking, boosting organization, efficiency, and creativity. Acting as a distraction-free zone, it shields users from digital interruptions, enhancing mindfulness and focus. Compatible with the MagSafe System, the Snap Flow seamlessly integrates into daily routines, facilitating frequent, thoughtful interactions in the digital world. 

“Flow isn’t just about staying in the zone; it’s about smoothly moving from inspiration to creation to action. The Snap Flow iscrafted to also physically flow with you to support this journey, adapting to your changing environments and needs with its minimalist yet comprehensive design.”-Julianna He, Founder of MOFT

Innovative Tri-Fold Design of the Invisible PenThe Invisible Pen features a globally patented tri-fold design for immediate and seamless use. It unfolds flat for magnetic attachment and offers smooth, satisfying handwriting, enabling thoughts to flow freely.

3-Zone Design for Dynamic ActionsThe Snap Flow features three zones—Canvas, Storage, and Reminder Board Stand—that facilitate a simple three-step creation loop: Capture, Organize, and Focus. The Canvas zone allows for quick idea capture and focused work without distractions. The Storage zone keeps thoughts well-organized and accessible. The Reminder Board Stand tracks progress and daily activities, turning any mobile device into an efficient workspace.

“As a serial entrepreneur always on the go, I needed a focus tool to manage daily information overload and translate important details into actionable results without relying on an app. The intuitive nature of using pen and paper fosters deep thought and requires no learning curve. I can easily jot down thoughts and ideas, making it perfect for both planned activities and spontaneous moments of inspiration” - He

Focus-to-Action LoopThe Snap Flow provides a personal focus space that facilitates seamless transition from creative inspiration to decisive action. It supports a continuous loop of focus and productivity, allowing for shifts from idea generation to deep work throughout the day. With its MagSafe compatibility, it offers flexibility and agility, serving as a mobile focus system anywhere.

Key Features

• 4-in-1 Tool: Pen, Paper, Organizer, and Stand
• Foldable Invisible Pen, globally patented tri-fold design
• MagSafe-compatible, secure snap attachment
• Built-in Phone Stand, unfolds into a daily reminder
• Dual layer organization, prioritize top-level actions and importance

Key Benefits

• Instant on-the-go EDC
• Focus-enhancing design
• Enhanced organization and retrieval
• Tactile note-taking experience
• Eco-friendly MOVAS^TM vegan leather
• 6 vibrant colors

Kickstarter pre-order $39 and launching August 1 on moft.usfor $49.

Medi Kit: Link

Panoramic Health Logo

TEMPE, Ariz., June 27, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Today, Panoramic Health, the largest integrated nephrology provider group, is proud to announce that it has achieved HITRUST CSF® certification, underscoring the company's commitment to maintaining the highest standards of information security and privacy. This certification validates Panoramic Health's adherence to the rigorous requirements of the HITRUST Common Security Framework (CSF), a globally recognized standard for managing information security.

HITRUST certification represents the gold standard for information security, demonstrating compliance with the HITRUST CSF's comprehensive set of security and privacy requirements. This certification encompasses more than 40 standards and regulations, including HIPAA, HITECH, PCI, GDPR, NIST, ISO, and various state-specific regulations, ensuring a robust and comprehensive approach to data protection.

"We are incredibly proud to have achieved HITRUST certification after undergoing a thorough third-party assessment of our controls, policies, and procedures over the past year," said Sampath Narayanan, Chief Information Officer of Panoramic Health. "This milestone is a testament to our unwavering commitment to protecting sensitive data and maintaining the trust of our partner practices, their patients, our employees, and customers. It reflects the hard work and dedication of our teams who have meticulously worked to meet the highest security standards."

Achieving HITRUST certification highlights Panoramic Health's dedication to comprehensive risk management, robust security controls, regulatory compliance, and third-party vendor risk management. It demonstrates Panoramic Health's proactive approach to managing information security risks and reinforces its reputation as a secure and reliable platform for prospective clients, including payers, pharmaceutical organizations, clinical research organizations, and medical practices.

As Panoramic Health continues to prioritize security and compliance, it remains steadfast in its mission to provide a safe and secure environment for all stakeholders. The HITRUST certification reinforces Panoramic Health's commitment to protecting data and maintaining the highest standards of trust and security. For more information, visit our website. 

About Panoramic Health

Panoramic Health is kidney care’s leading integrated provider group, with 600 aligned providers across 13 states serving more than 300,000 patients. We are committed to improving outcomes for patients by slowing disease progression and improving quality of life, keeping patients healthier, longer at home, and out of the hospital. At the core of our success lies the deep integration with partner nephrologists and the distinctive capabilities of our physician-led, comprehensive clinical care model. Through partnerships with practices, providers, and payers, we work to advance the usage of clinical best practices and cutting-edge data analytics to improve outcomes across a continuum of reimbursement models. Panoramic Health's clinical research division, Panoramic Science, collaborates with sponsors and clinical research organizations to pioneer cutting-edge treatments for patients with kidney disease. 

For more information, please contact media@panoramichealth.com.

LYON TOWNSHIP, Mich., June 27, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Ilmor Marine, a leader in advanced marine propulsion systems, announces a multi-million-dollar investment in a new state-of-the-art technology and manufacturing facility in Lyon Township, Michigan. This significant development underscores Ilmor's commitment to innovation and excellence in marine propulsion and system technology.

The new facility, slated to open in the first quarter of 2025, will house all Ilmor Marine operations, including high-tech manufacturing, engineering, and customer support personnel. This investment represents a major milestone for Ilmor Marine, positioning the company at the forefront of industry advancements and enabling the development of cutting-edge marine propulsion systems.

"Our new manufacturing and technology center is continued evidence of Ilmor's investment in the future of advanced marine propulsion. Since the inception of our marine business, Ilmor has always been dedicated to driving technical advancements and providing our customers with the highest quality marine propulsion systems," said Paul Ray, President at Ilmor. "By centralizing all our operations in Michigan, we will strengthen our manufacturing capabilities, increase and improve our engineering capabilities and help to deliver continuously improving customer support."

The new Lyon Township facility will feature advanced manufacturing technologies and engineering resources, designed to support the development of next-generation marine propulsion systems. Over the next few years, Ilmor Marine operations in Lyon Township are expected to grow, contributing to the local economy and creating high-quality jobs in the region.

"We are excited about the opportunities this new facility will bring," added Mike Lindberg, Vice President at Ilmor Marine. "As we continue to expand our operations, we remain committed to pushing the boundaries of marine technology and setting new standards for the industry."

Ilmor Marine's investment in this new facility reflects the company's strategic vision for growth and innovation, ensuring its leadership position in the marine propulsion industry. The state-of-the-art facility will not only enhance Ilmor's production capabilities but also provide a collaborative environment for engineering and customer support teams to thrive.

About Ilmor:

Ilmor is a globally recognized provider of elite-level racing engines and marine propulsion systems. Ilmor delivers innovative solutions, precision design and manufacturing, and the highest levels of customer support for each one of its products. Today, Ilmor employs more than 130 engineering, assembly, and support personnel and has expanded into several other racing circuits, including NASCAR, ARCA, and other elite racing series worldwide. Ilmor marine propulsion systems are widely utilized across the marine industry, providing the power behind several leading brands. Ilmor customers count on their engines to look like no other, sound like no other, and outperform all others.

TRUMBULL, Conn., June 28, 2024 (Newswire.com) - samrecover®, a medical device company and creator of the sam® wearable ultrasound unit for soft tissue healing, along with LnUP, is sponsoring a free youth football camp hosted by NFL running back Derrick Gore on June 29 in Syracuse, N.Y. samrecover® is proud to support the community’s young athletes by providing bags, water bottles, mini footballs and other gear.  

The youth football camp, at Nottingham High School, is open to children ages 6 to 18 and will provide elite skills training and mentorship at no cost. The event is part of samrecover®’s commitment to strengthen its engagement with communities and foster the benefits of healthy and active lifestyles.  

“We are thrilled to support this camp and contribute to the growth and development of young athletes,” said George Lewis, founder and CEO of samrecover®. “Our support reflects our commitment to the community and the positive impact of sports.”   

Gore understands the importance of positive role models in sports and having organizations contribute to a community. “This is the community I grew up in. With limited resources here, I want to give back and share the knowledge I’ve gained,” he said. “A camp like this gives youth a positive outlet. It helped me as a kid, and I want today’s youth to have that same opportunity.”  

Football players at the college and professional level use the sam® wearable ultrasound device to help them stay on the practice and playing fields. Because players run and change directions at high speed, they can be susceptible to soft tissue injuries to limbs and joints.  

Multiple studies by respected sports medicine experts at Ohio State University, Duke University and other institutions have found that treatment with the sam® device improves injury healing, reducing pain and speeding recovery of tendons and ligaments, joints and large muscle groups.  

The sam® sustained acoustic medicine system works by increasing blood vessel diameters to improve blood flow. That increases oxygenated hemoglobin at the therapy site and removes cytokine enzymes and cellular waste for more rapid soft tissue healing.  

Now with hundreds of thousands of successful treatments, the sam® wearable ultrasound unit is the only FDA-cleared, long-duration ultrasound device for prescription home use. Sustained acoustic medicine has been proven effective in more than 40 peer-reviewed publications and 20 Level 1-5 clinical studies.  

For more information, please visit https://samrecover.com/.  

About samrecover®  samrecover® is a product from ZetrOZ Systems, a leading healing innovation in sports medicine and developer of wearable bioelectronic devices to deliver sustained acoustic medicine (sam®). Researched and funded by the federal government, ZetrOZ is built on the proprietary medical technology of 46 patents and is the exclusive manufacturer and developer of the sam® product line, designed to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions. 

is an umbrella contract that covers 50,000 workers at the 13 West Coast studio Locals of IATSE. IATSE will make summaries of the two agreements available to members in the next few days. The full ASA Memorandum of Agreement will follow within about two weeks. The union stated that the ASA tentative contract includes "significant improvements", including scale wage rate increases over successive years of 7%, 4% and 3.5%.

AGILE Network Logo

KANSAS CITY, Mo., June 25, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Research nonprofit Leanlab Education launched the American Group of Innovative Learning Environments (AGILE) Network at ISTELive24 with members from learning environments across the country, including school systems, teachers, and non-traditional learning environments. Comprised of education communities on the cutting edge of innovation, the AGILE Network works to accelerate the pace of education research and development (R&D), while elevating historically underrepresented educator and student perspectives. 

By leveraging a centralized infrastructure that facilitates “matching” between R&D opportunities—development of emerging technologies and research studies—and participating schools and educators, the AGILE Network aims to become a critical piece of American education R&D infrastructure, designed to keep pace with rapid development cycles in the private sector. 

Member schools and educators influence the development and evaluation of emerging education solutions, including curriculum and technology—addressing a well-documented evidence shortage in the market. Studies in the 2024-2025 school year will cover topics including generative AI, literacy, assessment, and mathematical reasoning. 

The AGILE Network represents the diversity of learning experiences in the United States, welcoming public districts, charter schools, independent schools, non-traditional environments like micro-schools, and individual educators. To combat existing inequities in education R&D, members have been intentionally assembled to prioritize historically marginalized learner communities. Twenty learning environments are joining the 2024-2025 cohort, including:

• Academy for Integrated Arts (Missouri)
• Allegiance STEAM Academy (California)
• Astra Nova Schools (National)
• Catalyst Schools (Illinois)
• Distinctive Schools (Illinois)
• Ednovate (California)
• Limestone Community School (Kansas)
• Milpitas Unified School District (California)
• Oak Ridge Schools (Tennessee)
• Prisma Online School (National)

Of the new network, Leanlab Education Founder and CEO Katie Boody Adorno shared, “The AGILE Network will reduce barriers to engage school communities in the co-development and co-design of emerging technologies with researchers. By systematically elevating school community perspectives, we believe we will accelerate the pace of breakthroughs in the field of teaching and learning.”

Following the kickoff convening, Kevin Nham from Ednovate remarked, “I’m looking forward to partnering with edtech companies to develop tools that will truly impact student achievement.” Catalyst Schools’ Nick Tomasso added, “I’m excited about opportunities to grow in my own practice by collaborating with like-minded educators.”

The AGILE Network is a collective action initiative and builds on a decade of Leanlab Education’s leadership bringing together learning communities and education technology companies to co-design, co-develop, and study education innovations. The AGILE Network framework was developed through a planning grant with InnovateEDU and the Center for Education Market Dynamics (CEMD) and is based on the guiding Tenets and Principles published by the Global Edtech Trialing Network. 

Advanced Education Research and Development Fund (AERDF), the world’s first Advanced Inclusive R&D organization dedicated to scientific discovery and invention for PreK-12 education, is a founding partner, contributing essential R&D infrastructure expertise, resources, and advanced R&D projects currently seeking breakthroughs in reading, executive function and math, and assessment. “The AGILE Network serves a critical need to enable education R&D to actually be inclusive and done with educators,” said Chris Liang-Vergara, Chief Learning Officer at AERDF.

Digital Promise and ISTE are contributing network partners, nominating qualifying educators and school districts, and supporting inclusive innovation convenings. Initial funding was provided by the Siegel Family Endowment and Walton Family Foundation, among others. Education, nonprofit, and supporting partners are expected to increase following the pilot year of the network. 

Visit leanlabeducation.org/schools for more information. 

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“Digital Promise is committed to partnering with school districts and communities to co-design and co-research innovative solutions that address the strengths and needs of historically and systematically excluded learners. We’re excited to expand this work as founding partners in the AGILE Network.” - Jenny Bradbury, Digital Promise

"I am excited for ISTE to support more educators in having the value of their experience realized and recognized by edtech vendors and researchers. By reducing the barrier and time for R&D, we can foster a more collaborative, inclusive, and impactful innovation process. With ISTE's own research team contributing to and benefiting from the network, we are poised to create more effective solutions that truly stand to elevate the sector as a whole." - Tal Havivi, ISTE

“Market data is a critical input to decision making, contributing to informed research priorities and the measurement of scaling solutions. CEMD is pleased to support the development of the AGILE Network and committed to providing network leaders with market insights that give context to edtech materials and support informed decision making.“ - Lora Kaiser, Center for Education Market Dynamics

About Leanlab Education  

Leanlab Education is a nonprofit organization that specializes in codesign research between education technology companies and K12 learning communities. Leanlab CEO Katie Boody Adorno is a co-founder of the Global EdTech Trialing Network.

CARMEL-BY-THE-SEA, Calif., June 25, 2024 (Newswire.com) - In a groundbreaking move aimed at enhancing athlete performance, USTA Northern California (USTA NorCal) announces its partnership with 2Mynds, a pioneering mental fitness training startup. This collaboration seeks to redefine the approach to mental health challenges prevalent among high-performance tennis athletes.

The 2Mynds Mental Fitness Training Platform represents a paradigm shift by seamlessly integrating exercise physiology with psychology, moving from traditional therapy-based approaches to a more proactive training-focused model. Despite possessing the requisite skills, many athletes struggle to maintain performance under pressure. 2Mynds addresses this by introducing progressive mental workouts akin to physical training routines, ensuring athletes are equipped to excel in competitive environments.

“We’re excited to partner with 2Mynds,” says Beth Workeneh, Senior Manager of Junior Competition at USTA NorCal. “Their innovative approach complements our commitment to support athletes both on and off the court. By making mental fitness training more accessible and normalized, we’re empowering our tennis community to excel under pressure and achieve their full potential.”

Leon Bax, Ph.D., Founder & CEO of 2Mynds, expresses gratitude for the partnership with USTA NorCal, emphasizing the importance of mental fitness training for athletes. "This is a wonderful collaboration for us as it allows us to support a community of tennis players of all ages and levels, even coaches and officials. Our goal is not only to enhance performance but also to provide individuals and teams with the resources they need for their emotional well-being during the more challenging moments in life," says Bax.

As USTA NorCal continues its commitment to fostering athlete development, the partnership with 2Mynds marks a significant step towards prioritizing mental fitness training alongside physical aspects. Athletes and coaches will be able to make use of the USTA NorCal discount and periodic special offers to access the resources of 2Mynds' Flow 255® platform. To experience the transformative power of the 2Mynds platform, which was designed to optimize performance and well-being, USTA NorCal members can sign up for one month of free platform access and get an exclusive discount code provided by USTA NorCal to continue using 2Mynds’ resources. If you are a USTA NorCal member and would like to utilize the discount code, reach out to the 2Mynds team at hello@2mynds.com.

About USTA NorCal: USTA Northern California is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and developing the growth of tennis throughout Northern California and Northwest Nevada. Our mission is to build an active tennis community, welcoming players of all ages, and skill levels. USTA NorCal offers a variety of resources to support the growth of the sport. For more information on USTA NorCal, visit https://www.usta.com/norcal/.

About 2Mynds: 2Mynds is a leading mental fitness training startup with the mission to help individuals and organizations thrive at life. Founded by Leon Bax, Ph.D., 2Mynds offers innovative mental fitness solutions to athletes through their Flow 255® platform. For more information about 2Mynds, please visit https://www.2mynds.com/.

sam Pain Reduction Over Time

TRUMBULL, Conn., June 26, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Nearly one out of four Americans (23.3%) suffer from chronic low back pain. A new study finds that low-intensity continuous ultrasound, such as ZetrOZ Systems’ sustained acoustic medicine (sam®) technology, alleviates the symptoms of chronic lower back pain and reduces the need for pain medication.

The study, presented at last month’s 2024 Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine, examined the effect of low-intensity continuous ultrasound on chronic low back pain and how it can alleviate symptoms of chronic low back pain (CLBP) during a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.  

The researchers¹ found that having daily low-intensity continuous ultrasound (LICUS) treatment significantly eases clinical symptoms of chronic lower back pain compared to placebo treatment. LICUS is considered a safe and non-invasive therapeutic option for patients with CLBP.  

“We’re pleased to see another study affirming how our sam® wearable ultrasound unit accelerates tissue healing and relieves pain, especially for people who suffer from low back pain,” George K. Lewis, Ph.D., founder and CEO of ZetrOZ Systems. “Our sam® devices have a proven track record of treating soft tissue injury successfully and helping people feel less pain and be more active.”   

The study included 65 patients (26 men, 39 women, average age 47) who had been suffering from CBLP for over three months. They were assigned to a LICUS or placebo treatment with baseline pain levels and medication usage recorded over two weeks before treatment.  

Participants underwent a daily four-hour lower lumbar region treatment with either active or placebo treatment for eight weeks. They maintained daily diaries and reported biweekly pain levels on the numeric rating scale (NRS), global rating of change (GROC), medication reduction, physical activity, and functionality.   

The LICUS-treated group demonstrated significant reductions in pain levels (2.30-3.15 NRS scale) at specific intervals over eight weeks over the placebo method. The pain reduction was considerable in the first two weeks and decreased gradually over the next six weeks. After eight weeks, the LICUS-treated group had a reduction of 2.57 points on the NRS scale and a 3.48 GROC score improvement with a much lower difference of 22.5% in daily medication use of morphine (15.2 mg equivalent dosage).  

The researchers concluded: “Daily LICUS treatment significantly alleviates clinical symptoms of CLBP relative to placebo treatment. LICUS is a safe and non-invasive therapeutic option for patients with CLBP.”   

The new study is the latest body of research documenting the effectiveness of ZetrOZ's sustained acoustic medicine technology in treating these types of conditions, documented in 42 peer-reviewed publications and 20 Level 1-5 clinical studies and thousands of patients treated with sam® every day. The sam® line of devices is cleared by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration for treating conditions such as knee osteoarthritis, patellar and shoulder tendinopathy, and chronic back pain.   

To learn more, please visit https://zetroz.com. For more information on ZetrOZ Systems, please visit www.samrecover.com.   

1) Jason Krystofiak1, Ralph Ortiz2, Thomas Motyka3, Stephine Petterson4, Kevin Plancher5. 1RWJ Barnabas Health, Livingston, NJ. 2 Cayuga Medical Center, Ithaca, NY. 3Campbell University, Buies Creek, NC. 4Orthopedic Foundation, Stamford, CT. 5 Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY. (Sponsor: Amy Valasek, FACSM)

About ZetrOZ Systems   ZetrOZ Systems is leading healing innovations in sports medicine, developing wearable bioelectronic devices to deliver sustained acoustic medicine (sam®). Researched and funded by the federal government, ZetrOZ is built on the proprietary medical technology of 46 patents and is the exclusive manufacturer and developer of the sam® product line, designed to treat acute and chronic musculoskeletal conditions.  

Cable Matters Thunderbolt 5 cable

SOUTHBOROUGH, Mass., June 27, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Cable Matters®, a leader in providing top-tier connectivity solutions, today announced the launch of its groundbreaking Thunderbolt™ 5 cable manufactured by Lintes Technology Co., Ltd. The cable is available in 3 different lengths: 1 foot, 1.6 feet and 3.3 feet. This latest innovation delivers unparalleled performance, supporting up to 80 Gbps of bi-directional data transfer and up to 120 Gbps of video bandwidth, a substantial leap from the previous Thunderbolt 4 technology.

The new Thunderbolt 5 cable by Cable Matters represents a significant advancement in connectivity technology, offering increased bandwidth and power delivery capabilities. The Bandwidth Boost technology enables the cable to transmit up to 120 Gbps for the best display experience, providing up to 3 times increase over Thunderbolt 4's maximum bandwidth. This enhancement is particularly beneficial for demanding applications such as high-resolution video streaming, extensive data transfer, and high-speed gaming.

The introduction of the Thunderbolt 5 cable aligns with the needs of modern users who require robust, high-performance connectivity solutions. "The Thunderbolt 5 cable not only supports the fastest data transfer rates but also ensures compatibility with a wide range of devices thanks to its backward compatibility with Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and DisplayPort 2.1 standards," said Jeff Jiang, President of Cable Matters.

Jason Ziller, vice-president and general manager of the Client Connectivity Division at Intel, expressed enthusiasm about the new cable, stating, "The Thunderbolt 5 technology is a game-changer in the realm of connectivity and significantly enhances the user experience by providing more speed, power, and flexibility. It's an exciting advancement that underscores Cable Matters and Intel’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of what's possible in technology."

Consumers can expect the Thunderbolt 5 cable to support multiple 6K or 8K displays, offer enhanced charging capabilities up to 240W, and maintain high-speed connections over longer distances without degradation. Gamers can take advantage of a 540Hz refresh rate on a single display, or connect up to three 4K 144Hz displays. The Cable Matters Thunderbolt 5 cable is not only a technological leap forward but also a testament to the company's commitment to innovation and quality.

About Cable Matters

Cable Matters, with headquarters in Southborough, Massachusetts, offers a complete line of cables, adapters, docking stations and networking products for home, office, and data center. Cable Matters offers first-class quality products, backed by exceptional customer service, at an affordable price. 

Established in 2009, Cable Matters serves markets in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Australia, and Japan.

Cable Matters® is a registered trademark of Cable Matters Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Thunderbolt and the Thunderbolt logo are trademarks of Intel Corporation or its subsidiaries in the U.S. and/or other countries.

Media Contact:Sarah WhitePhone: 508-460-1560Email: press@cablematters.com

SAN FRANCISCO, June 25, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Robust Intelligence, the AI application security company, announced it would be partnering with Pinecone to integrate with Canopy, their open-source framework which simplifies the development of retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) applications.

Retrieval-augmented generation is one of the leading techniques developers employ to enrich their AI applications with more contextually relevant information by connecting LLMs to vector databases. Nevertheless, developing and securing a RAG application can be challenging. There are several complex components as well as potential safety and security risks to manage. Common examples of these risks include data exfiltration and injection attacks, data poisoning, and sensitive information leakage.

Pinecone announced the release of Canopy in late 2023 as an easy answer to the complexities of RAG application development. It includes components for data embedding, query optimization, context retrieval, and more. It works with the Pinecone vector database and enables developers to have a production-ready RAG application running in less than an hour.

Robust Intelligence can now be integrated with Canopy, to provide an additional layer of protection for Pinecone's secure vector database, helping ensure the integrity of RAG applications.

Once you connect the Robust Intelligence platform and enable security scanning, uploads to the vector database are examined for risks such as poisoned data and indirect prompt injections. Each time data is uploaded to the database, it will automatically initiate a new security scan. Malicious data is flagged and intercepted, ensuring that adversaries can’t use RAG applications as footholds to exfiltrate personal data, distribute harmful content, and execute broader, more damaging campaigns.

“Pinecone’s mission is to build enterprise-grade, knowledgeable AI for developers to put into production,” said Elan Dekel, Vice President of Product at Pinecone. “We launched Canopy to further enable developers to quickly and easily build GenAI applications using retrieval-augmented generation. Working with like-minded partners such as Robust Intelligence helps build on these efforts by giving customers a seamless and powerful solution for securing their RAG applications built with Pinecone and the Canopy framework.”

This shift-left approach to AI security helps developers identify and mitigate potential vulnerabilities earlier in the process. It also facilitates more proactive communication with other AI stakeholders. For example, security and compliance teams can verify that RAG applications have rigorous measures in place to prevent compromise.

“Pinecone is a pioneer in the AI space with its vector database trusted by some of the world’s foremost enterprises,” said Yaron Singer, CEO of Robust Intelligence. “As more organizations develop and deploy RAG applications, it’s important that they have measures in place to protect against their risks—especially when they are connected to increasingly sensitive data. We’re partnering with Pinecone to make security a frictionless part of RAG application development.”

Developers can follow, contribute to, and leverage the Canopy framework today by visiting the Canopy repo. Those looking for more information about the Robust Intelligence platform can visit the company website.

About Robust Intelligence

Robust Intelligence enables enterprises to secure their AI transformation with an automated solution to protect against security and safety threats. The company’s platform includes an engine for detecting and assessing model vulnerabilities, as well as recommending and enforcing the necessary guardrails to mitigate threats to AI applications in production. This enables organizations to meet AI safety and security standards with a single integration, including those from NIST, MITRE ATLAS, and OWASP. Robust Intelligence is backed by Sequoia and Tiger Global and trusted by leading companies including JPMorgan Chase, ADP, Expedia, IBM, and the US Department of Defense to unblock the enterprise AI mission.

PHOENIX, June 26, 2024 (Newswire.com) - Technologies like cloud, software containers, IoT, and mobile devices require more addresses than IPv4 can provide. Organizations feeling the effects of IPv4 address scarcity cannot rely on IPv4 indefinitely. With the OMB’s M-21-07 memorandum mandate that all federal agencies migrate at least 80% of all IP-enabled assets to IPv6-only environments by the end of the fiscal year 2025, the need for IPv6 is becoming more apparent. HexaBuild is sharing its IPv6 deployment experience and IPv6 training in a set of educational videos and workshops to support this mandate.

In this first of three technical demonstration sessions, we will show how to configure IPv6 on an Infoblox NIOS system and establish IPv6 DNS and DHCPv6 services. This includes: 

• How to configure IPv6 on the interfaces of the Infoblox appliance and activate that address for the DNS and DHCPv6 services.  
• How to configure IPv6 networks within the appliance configuration interface.
• How to configure an authoritative forward-lookup zone and show how dual-protocol or IPv6-only hosts can be manually configured with AAAA records and their complementary reverse-mapping PTR records.
• How to configure a network and range for DHCPv6 and how dynamic DNS can be used for dual-protocol hosts.

This first webinar will be available on Wednesday, July 17 at 10AM Pacific time (1PM Eastern). It will be released as part of a free educational series of events hosted by Carahsoft. The registration link is open to anyone who would like to attend this free IPv6 Workshop.

Two more IPv6 configuration webinars will be released before the end of the year. The second webinar will review IPv6 address planning and IPv6 Address Management (IPAM) configuration. The third webinar will cover how to configure IPv6-only network environments and hosts using Infoblox.