The Coral Doc Set For September Theatrical Bow In UK

EXCLUSIVE: Dreaming of You: The Making of The Coral will begin a run at select theaters in the UK on September 12. The doc, about the journey of the British rock band, is going out through Sony Music Vision and J6 Films, with previews beginning on September 5. The film premiered at the Sheffield Doc/Fest last month. Directed by James Slater and narrated by members of the Merseyside band, the film includes reconstruction, archive footage and animation to capture the The Coral’s rise in the early 2000s, when they were teenagers at the start of a journey building their own escapist universe. The band came up in the post-Britpop era with a brand of psychedelic rock ‘n’ roll, scoring hits such as ‘Dreaming of You’, ‘Pass it On’ and ‘In the Morning’. “If you’re going to tell the story of The Coral, then it would be about growing up. An adventure that led to an album,” said Nick Power of The Coral. “I wanted Dreaming of You to feel deeply immersive, transporting us directly back to Northwest England in the late ’90s and early 2000s,” said director Slater. “The film blends archive footage with GV’s and reconstructions shot on Mini DV, Hi-8, 16mm, and 8mm—authentic formats used by the band at the time. To reflect their creativity and vibrancy, I’ve infused the visuals with elements of 8-bit computer games, collage, and comic book animation. All of this is brought to life by the band’s incredible music and a layered sound design, drawing audiences fully into the spirit and atmosphere of that era.” Here’s a trailer.

‘Bluey‘ Producer Ludo Studio Set Netflix Film ‘Allen’

The Australian production house behind global kids smash Bluey has gone into production on a “heartwarming and nostalgic” film about friendship and adventure. Set against the backdrop of a coastal town, Allen (working title) is being made for Netflix, with Ludo Studio producing and Daley Pearson (Talk to Me) the creator. Pearson co-directs with Jeffrey Walker (The Artful Ddger), and also co-wrote the screenplay with Sophie Miller (Thou Shalt Not Steal). Pearson and Charlie Aspinwall are exec producers for Ludo, along with Miller. Sam Moor and Ross Allsop are the producers, and Lauren Brown is co-producer. Principal photography is underway in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, with the Queensland Government supporting production through Screen Queensland’s Production Attraction Strategy and the Post, Digital, and Visual Effects (PDV) Incentive. “Allen is really a story about love, family, and all those big and small moments from childhood that end up shaping who we are when we grow up.” said Pearson. Minyoung Kim, Netflix Vice President, Content APAC (ex-India), added: “The team at Ludo Studio are among Australia’s most exceptional storytellers, injecting this film with their characteristic relatability and wit. We are delighted to create a film that the entire family can enjoy, and the Queensland coast provides the perfect, heartwarming backdrop for this tale.”

Freddie Mercury‘s ‘Secret Daughter’ Explored In 5 Doc

Paramount Global’s UK network 5 has ordered a 90-minute doc, Freddie Mercury: A Secret Daughter, outlining evidence the late Queen singer fathered a child in the 1970s. The film’s presenter, Lesley-Ann Jones, will claim Mercury kept private journals and notebooks in which he recorded his life story, including a close relationship with his secret child. Jones has had access to the materials and extensive contact with the women who she understands to be Mercury’s daughter. The doc will reveal her story along with a new , personal take on Mercury’s early life in Zanzibar, his rock superstardom and tragic death in 1991 from complications of AIDS. British production house Honey Bee is the producer, with Sphere Abacus the international distributor. Exec producers are Ed Taylor and Ros Edwards and Suzy Davis is the producer. Freddie Mercury: A Secret Daughter will air later this year, coinciding with the launch on Jones’ new book, ‘Love Freddie’. “This new investigation by Freddie’s most well-known biographer gives new insight into one of the world’s most famous and iconic rock legends,” said Guy Davies, Consultant Editor for Commissioning at 5.

HallowScreamCon Confirms Vegas Venue

The first HallowScreamCon will be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) between October 1-4, 2026. The event as so far been three years in the planning as a multi-genre fan experience that spans film, TV, games, anime, comics, music, fashion, beauty, stunts, live performance, tattoo and tiki culture, and theatre. Beside a residency at the LVCC, additional satellite venues are being finalized and will be named over coming months, as HallowScreamCon seeks to grow into a citywide takeover each October. We’re excited to welcome this brand-new event to the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC),” said John Schreiber, Vice President of Business Sales for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which owns and operates the LVCC. “Las Vegas is a city fueled by entertainment and creative vision, making it the perfect setting for a convention that brings imagination to life.” Screen Masters International is producing the event, as we first reported in May.

ITV To Air ‘Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy’ In UK

The Peacock doc looking to the tragic death of Friends star Matthew Perry will air on ITV in the UK. The British network has struck a deal with Canada-based distributor Blue Ant Studios for Matthew Perry: A Hollywood Tragedy, and is planning a 9pm, August 18 transmission date. As we reported at the time, the doc went out on Peacock in February, and was one of the streamer’s most-watched shows in its premiere week. In the UK, it will play on the linear ITV channel and streamer ITVX. The story looks into the life of the Friends star, who passed away in October 2023 from an accidental overdose of ketamine. The doctor who supplied him, Dr. Salvador Plasencia, this week pled guilty to four counts of distribution after striking a deal with police. He is still facing up to 40 years in jail for the crimes. UK indie producer ITN Productions, which made the film, has since updated it to reflect developments involving Dr. Plasencia. The impact of Perry’s death and his relationship with fans are also explored, along with his rise to fame as Chandler Bing in Friends, interwoven with detail around his final harrowing days. “We’re pleased to bring this in-depth and fascinating film to ITVX, documenting the life of one of television’s best loved actors, Matthew Perry,” said Sasha Breslau, ITV Head of Content Acquisitions. “The film hears first hand from those who knew Matthew, as well as telling the story of his untimely passing with updated developments not seen before.” Breslau is set to move to HBO Max later this year, as reported yesterday.

BBC Studios Opens AI Lab

BBC Studios is launching an AI Creative Lab. The BBC’s commercial outfit said the new lab will support teams across scripted, unscripted, global productions, audio, and kids & family genres with new innovations. As part of the launch, BBC Studios is actively recruiting a specialist team of AI creatives, technologists, and producers. BBC Studios Productions boss Zai Bennett said: “As a global producer, we believe the future of British storytelling lies at the crossroads of creativity and technology. The AI Lab is about doing just that – creating new worlds, new formats, and new ways to tell stories that matter, and a space where our teams can push boundaries.” Earlier today, ITV boss Carolyn McCall said AI is being “integrated into everything we do.”