AWN Headline News

Walden Media and the Walt Disney Co. have hired ZATHURA lead Josh Hutcherson as the lead in the film adaptation of BRIDGE TO TERABITHIA, reports VARIETY. The film will begin production later this month in New Zealand.

Klasky Csupos Gabor Csupo will make his live-action directing debut on the film, which is based on Katherine Paterson's famed novel. The story follows a sad boy who befriends an outsider, who together create the world called Terabithia, which is filled with giants, trolls and other magical beings.

The Awards Entry Deadline for both Promax/BDA Europe and Arabia Awards has been extended by one week from Friday, Jan. 20, 2006, to Friday, Jan. 27.

This is the final deadline and will not be extended further. Entries and Marketing Objectives must be submitted online. Entrees will not be able to edit the marketing objectives after this date. Tapes must be sent direct to the Promax/BDA offices. Payment must be received either directly. Entries, tapes and payment must reach us by 27th January 2006.

Mandate Pictures have secured the film rights to comicbook series THE GHOULY BOYS, reports the trades. Benderspink, who produced A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE, will produce the film.

First published in 2004 by Slave Labor Graphics Publishing, the comic was created, written and illustrated by the artist known as Christopher. The story follows four young monsters a wolf boy, a kid zombie, a young sea monster and a third-generation boogie man who dont fit in with the "normal" kids.

Writer-director Timur Bekmambetov, whose NIGHT WATCH series is a sensation in Russia, has inked a one-year, first-look deal with Rogue Pictures for English-language flicks, reports VARIETY. The second film in his horror/sci-fi series, DAY WATCH, was released on New Years Day and has already become the highest grossing film in Russian history. The first film in the series, NIGHT WATCH, is set to hit theaters in the States Feb. 17, 2006, from Fox Searchlight.

Tribeca Underground Film Festival 2006New York, New York, USAMay 2-7, 2006Deadline: March 1, 2006

The Tribeca Underground Film Festival showcases works in all genres and visual forms with a length ranging from 3 to 30 minutes. For 2006, the event is opening of a new category for spec commercials running time 30 sec to 3 minutes, internationally aired or non aired. For additional information, visit www.TribecaUndergroundFilmFestival.org.

Crossroads Film Festival 2006Jackson, Mississippi, USAMarch 30 April 2, 2006Deadline: January 20, 2006

The Crossroads Film Society presents the 7th annual Crossroads Film Festival with entries from Mississippi and around the world. More than 50 films, which range from two minutes to two hours, will be shown at Parkway Place Regal Cinema in Flowood, Mississippi.

With production starting Jan. 23, 2006, New Line has hired Virginia Madsen to replace Elisabeth Shue in the thriller THE NUMBER 23, which also stars Jim Carrey, reports VARIETY. The film is being directed by Joel Schumacher and also stars Danny Huston and Rhona Mitra. Contrafilms Beau Flynn and Tripp Vinson are producing from a screenplay by Fernley Phillips.

The story follows a man who becomes obsessed with a book, featuring the number 23 throughout, which seems to mirror his life, except that it ends with a murder.