"The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences has narrowed the documentary short-subject Oscar race to eight films. After rounds of screenings, members of the docu branch chose "The Blood of Yingzhou District," "Dear Talula," "The Diary of Immaculee," "Phoenix Dance," "Recycled Life," "Rehearsing a Dream," "A Revolving Door" and "Two Hands." Three to five pics will go on to earn Academy Award nominations, the short list announced next month..." (full details)
"Three Mexicans who spent nine months drifting across the Pacific Ocean in a flimsy fishing boat eating raw fish and sea birds are to be paid at least $3.8 million to turn their story into a movie. The three -- all fishermen who said they were too poor to afford a better boat or modern fishing tackle -- have signed a contract to sell their story to an Atlanta-based company. The company negotiated 8-year exclusive rights to market the story to film companies, book publishers and merchandisers..." (full details)
"Universal Pictures has acquired "Secret Agent Men," a buddy action comedy pitch to be developed as a directing vehicle for John Hamburg ("Along Came Polly"). Hamburg hatched the idea and developed the story with Scott Turpel and Kyle Pennekamp ("Summer School", "Duck for President") who will write the script whilst Hamburg directs "The Troubleshooter" for Universal..." (full details)
