Dive into the latest entertainment news featuring Lego’s exciting first live-action musical, thrilling indie films, and the launch of the Bournemouth International Film Festival.
Lego Live-Action TV Musical
The Lego Group has appointed director and producer Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) as the executive producer for its inaugural live-action TV project: a Lego Friends musical special, set in the enchanting world of Heartlake City. Filming is scheduled to commence in London this August, with a release anticipated in 2026. The storyline follows a girl who constructs a vibrant world from Lego bricks, only to be magically transported to Heartlake City. Ortega expressed his excitement, stating: “I don’t know who’s more excited – my family or me. We are a Lego-loving household, and receiving this invitation from the Lego Group to join them in their first live-action musical is an absolute honor. Additionally, collaborating with the talented team at Final Pixel, leaders in virtual production, fills me with joy, and I am thrilled to have my longtime creative partner, Paul Becker, alongside.”
Roel Reiné Thriller
Indie Rebel Entertainment has completed principal photography on the survival thriller Love Hate Hunt Kill, directed by Roel Reiné (Black Sails). The film narrates the story of Luna (Kimi Alexander), who believes she’s embarking on a romantic getaway with her charming fiancé Alex (James Oliver Wheatley) in the desert. However, as secrets unravel and their relationship deteriorates, the couple’s journey takes a dark turn. Soon, a masked hunter emerges from the wasteland, stalking them in a sadistic game. Simultaneously, the world watches in trepidation as a comet—possibly an alien probe—approaches Earth. According to producers, this low-budget indie utilized a minimal crew, compact high-end cameras, and filming in harsh environments. It is also reported to incorporate visual effects created through AI tools in post-production.
Compañía de Cine Acquisition
EXCLUSIVE: Compañía de Cine, the Buenos Aires and Montevideo-based sales agency, has acquired the international sales rights for Fernlicht (Headlights), which will have its world premiere in the First Film Competition at the 36th edition of FIDMarseille, taking place from July 8–13, 2025. Johanna Schorn Kalinsky’s film, in collaboration with Sebastian Ladwig, stars Marie Bloching in the lead role of Alex, a Berlin coke taxi driver whose journey through memory and grief unfolds across four car rides in four seasons. The film is a co-production between Nabis and Grandfilm.
Freestyle Comedy Pickup
EXCLUSIVE: Freestyle Digital Media, the digital film distribution division of Byron Allen’s Allen Media Group, has acquired VOD rights to the coming-of-age comedy Magnetosphere, which will be available later this month. Set in 1997, as the Hale-Bopp comet passes by Earth, teenager Maggie Campion harbors a secret. She possesses the ability to see sounds and hear colors, experiencing the world in a unique, heightened way. Written and directed by Nicola Rose, the film was produced by Tierney Boorboor, Rebeka Herron, and Drew Martin. The cast features Shayelin Martin, Patrick McKenna, Colin Mochrie, Steven He, Debra McGrath, Tara Strong, Tania Webb, Mikayla Kong, and Zooey Schneider.
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Bournemouth Festival
In the UK, the Bournemouth International Film Festival (BIFF) is set to debut on October 3rd-4th, 2025, at the Hilton Bournemouth. According to organizers, the event “will showcase films from a diverse array of talent, including many first-time filmmakers. With the festival’s theme centered on ’empowerment’, the goal is to highlight new talent and serve as a springboard for creative careers.” Festival director Steve McCarten stated, “This is a festival built on empowerment. We aim to elevate new voices, not just through screenings but through meaningful industry connections and knowledge-sharing. We’re proud to provide a space that’s accessible, affordable, and focused on impact.”
