SINGAPORE — Aurora Media, a Singapore-based entertainment incubation, investment and management outfit, has signed a multi film development and production financing agreement with Los Angeles-based global sales and marketing agency Kathy Morgan International (KMI). The deal was announced during ScreenSingapore 2016 on Thursday.
The deal matches Aurora’s recently started $30 million content fund, Aurora Media Capital, with KMI’s slate of international projects. The agreement sees KMI president Kathy Morgan join Aurora’s advisory board. Aurora will serve as executive producer on a roster of upcoming projects with KMI.
First up under the deal is “Stano,” an underdog story about a young rising baseball star who lands in prison after an accident, and when he returns to society he must fight to reclaim his career, his friendships, and his love. Veteran filmmaker John G. Avildsen, winner of the best director Oscar for “Rocky,” will direct. William Chartoff, the producer of “Rocky Balboa” and “Creed” will produce. The film is in pre-production with principal photography set to commence in Spring 2017.
The slate will include financing on OmniLab Media’s remake of “Storm Boy,” a reimagining of the award-winning 1976 Australian film where an Australian boy takes care of a nest of pelicans and forms a close bond with one of them. Produced by Omnilab’s production arm Ambience Entertainment, the project has received production investment funding from Screen Australia, the South Australian Government, and the South Australian Film Corporation. Shawn Seet (“Mystery of a Hanson Cab”) will direct, with production due to commence in Spring 2017.
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The deal also includes Hong Kong-set creature feature “Mogwai” to be directed by Alejandro Suarez Lozano (“The Fisherman”,) co-written by him with Gary Young (“Harry Brown”.) The project is in development with a view to commencing production in the third quarter of 2017.
“We are thrilled to be starting this collaboration with Aurora Media, one of the most exciting players in Asia right now. They are at the forefront of innovation in the rapidly changing international media landscape. Their imagination, work ethic and excellent taste in material is inspiring and we are proud to work with them to develop and produce films for the worldwide market place,” said Kathy Morgan, founder and CEO of KMI.
“Part of our strategy at Aurora is to work with top entertainment minds in different territories globally and to bring on board their acumen and experience in identifying key projects that works for our growth strategy. We’re glad to work with Kathy Morgan on building a diverse portfolio of projects with worldwide appeal,” said Justin Deimen, Aurora’s group managing partner and head of investments.
KMI has handled sales and financing for more than 100 feature films during its 25 year history, including the currently in production, “Monumental” starring Jeremy Irons, directed by Brett Simon, and the multiple-award winning “The Danish Girl.”
ScreenSingapore runs concurrently with the Asia TV Forum & Market. Both are part of the Singapore Media Festival.
