Cannes Breakout Comedy ‘Jim Queen’ Closes Key Deals Ahead of Annecy Screening (EXCLUSIVE)
Film sales and finance outfit Global Constellation has closed a first raft of sales on Cannes breakout animated comedy “Jim Queen,” which will be screening at the Annecy Intl. Animation Film Festival.
Following its buzzy premiere in Cannes’ Midnight Screening slot, the film has sold to Italy (I Wonder Pictures), Benelux (O’Brother), Germany (Capelight Pictures), Switzerland (Praesens), Austria (Polyfilm), Spain (Filmin), Israel (Lev Cinema), Australia and New Zealand (Madman), Canada (Photon Films), Brazil (Pandora Filmes/Belas Artes Grupo), Mexico (Pimienta Films) and Taiwan (Creative Century), with additional territories, including the U.S., in negotiation.
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The Jokers Films released the film in French theaters on June 17, where it debuted at No. 3 at the box office, behind “Toy Story 5” and “Backrooms.” The film attracted over 16,000 admissions across 95 screens on its opening day and surpassed 54,000 admissions ($450,000 equivalent) during its first weekend of release.
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The film is directed by Marco Nguyen and Nicolas Athané, and produced by Bobbypills’ David Alric and Arthur Delabays.
Hailed by Variety’s Guy Lodge as a “hilarious adult animation on literal steroids” and “infectiously giddy,” the film sparked an enthusiastic audience reaction in Cannes with the Grand Théâtre Lumière “erupting in laughter, breaking into song, and ultimately delivering a raucous late-night standing ovation,” Global Constellation stated, inspiring Cannes director Thierry Frémaux to say: “ ‘Jim Queen’ was one of the most beautiful screenings in the festival’s history.”
A wild comedic ride through identity, fame and queer culture in crisis, the film tells the story of Jim, the ultimate Gym Queen, influencer and object of universal thirst, who reigns supreme on the Paris gay scene. But when a bizarre virus called Heterosis starts turning gay men straight, his reign ends overnight. Unfollowed, abandoned and stripped of status, Jim is left with just one unlikely ally: Lucien, a devoted scrawny twink with more loyalty than clout. Together, they plunge into the queer chaos of the Marais, chasing a rogue doctor rumored to have a cure.
Co-written with Simon Balteaux and Brice Chevillard, “Jim Queen” is produced by Bobbypills, one of Europe’s most cutting-edge adult animation studios. Bobbypills recently produced James Gunn’s “Creature Commandos,” the first television series and first official chapter of the DC Universe, DC Studios and Warner Bros. Animation. Their credits also include “Captain Laserhawk: A Blood Dragon Remix,” produced with Ubisoft Film & Television for Netflix, as well as the adult animated series “Crisis Jung” and “Vermin,” both now streaming on Netflix.
Nguyen and Athané, both Gobelins alumni, bring extensive experience across animated features, series and games, with key credits on acclaimed features including “The Summit of the Gods,” “Ernest & Celestine,” “The Big Bad Fox and Other Tales,” “The Swallows of Kabul,” “The Rabbi’s Cat” and “The Red Turtle.”
“Jim Queen” is co-produced by Umedia (“The Count of Monte Cristo,” “The Night of the Zoocalypse”), with the support of Eurimages (Council of Europe), Avance sur recettes (CNC), la région Nouvelle Aquitaine, le département de la Charente and la région Réunion.
It is executive produced by Moby and Lindsay Hicks for Little Walnut in the U.S., and Katarzyna Janiak and Jacek Świgost for Timeless Studios.
“Jim Queen” is one of three animated features represented by Global Constellation at Annecy this year, alongside Sébastien Laudenbach’s “Viva Carmen,” which is screening in competition following its premiere in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, and Reza Memari’s “The Last Whale Singer,” showing in the Annecy Presents section.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
