Global Showbiz Briefs: Iran Reopens Its House Of Cinema; Channel 4 Hires Nick Lee; More

Iran Reopens Its Film Industry Body After 20 Months
Iran has reopened the House of Cinema, its main film industry guild. The move comes nearly two years after it was closed, the BBC reported, citing state news agency Irna. Per the report, Deputy Culture Minister Hojatollah Ayoubi said the decision indicates new President Hassan Rouhani’s support for films. The January 2012 closure of the body was decried by prominent filmmakers, including Oscar nominee Asghar Farhadi (A Separation). At a reopening ceremony, Ayoubi reportedly said, “When a cultural issue — like the one about the House of Cinema — becomes a political one, that is (because) the situation was not managed properly.”

Channel 4 Taps Nick Lee As Acquired Series Manager
Channel 4 has appointed Nick Lee as Acquired Series Manager. The newly created position is part of the program acquisition department of the UK broadcaster. Lee will be responsible for the creation and rollout of strategy for acquired series across Channel 4’s portfolio and 4oD. Lee was formerly with NBCUniversal, where he was Acquisitions Manager for TV series, feature documentaries and special-interest programs. He is also a former ITV and BBC exec.

ITV Studios Global Sells Hundreds Of Hours To Norway’s NRK
ITV Studios Global Entertainment has sold a 317-hour package of drama and factual entertainment titles to Norwegian broadcaster NRK. The deal includes the latest series of ITVSGE crime franchises: Agatha Christie’s Poirot, Agatha Christie’s Marple and Vera. It also features some of ITVSGE’s new factual entertainment titles including Inside Claridges and Baby Makers: The Fertility Clinic.

French, Palestinians Ink Co-Production Deal
France has signed a co-production agreement with Palestine. Over the past 15 years, a number of Palestinian titles have been funded by France’s Fonds Sud Cinema and the Cinemas du Monde programs that are administered by film body the CNC. The accord is designed to facilitate the financing of bilateral co-productions, to encourage common initiatives in film education, aid with distribution and to promote the exchange of savoir faire between professionals.

Zurich Film Festival Finalizes Lineup
The Zurich Film Festival has set its lineup of 122 films, including 16 world premieres. The ninth edition of the festival runs September 26-October 6. Harvey Weinstein has been added to the proceedings to deliver a mastercalss. The competition roster includes Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station, Rune Denstad Langlo’s Jag Etter Vind, Justine Triet’s La Bataille De Solferino, Diego Quemada-Diez’s La Jaula de Oro, Aaron Fernandez’s Las Horas Muertas, Valeria Golino’s Miele, Fernando Coimbra’s O Lobo Atras Da Porta, Peter Landesman’s Parkland, Tomasz Wasilewski’s Plynace Wiezowce, Delphine Lehericey’s Puppy Love, Uebrto Pasolini’s Still Life and Petra Volpe’s Traumland. More information is here.