CZECH REPUBLIC, HUNGARY, ROMANIA, SERBIA

2025 Critics Choice Awards: Celebrating 11 Nominations

The nominees for the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards have been announced for the 2025 film and television ceremony, and we are thrilled to share that five of our films and TV series have collectively picked up an impressive 11 nominations. We are incredibly proud and honoured to be part of these creative collaborations with our talented teams at Stillking (Prague), Pioneer Stillking (Budapest), Icon Stillking (Bucharest) and Stillking WIP (Belgrade).

 

NOSFERATU

Best Cinematography – Jarin Blaschke
Best Production Design – Craig Lathrop
Best Costume Design – Linda Muir
Best Hair and Makeup – Traci Loader, Suzanne Stokes-Munton, David White

 

MARIA

Best Actress – Angelina Jolie
Best Costume Design – Massimo Cantini Parrini

 

BETTER MAN

Best Visual Effects – Luke Millar, David Clayton, Keith Herft, Peter Stubbs

 

WE WERE THE LUCKY ONES

Best Limited Series
Best Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Made for Television – Logan Lerman

 

INTERVIEW WITH THE VAMPIRE

Best Drama Series
Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Sam Reid

 

 

HUNGARY, SERBIA

Golden Globe Nominations: Maria, Lee and Better Man

We are thrilled to share that three of our films – Maria, Lee, and Better Man – have each earned prestigious Golden Globe nominations, announced on December 9, 2024. These nominations are a true testament to the outstanding talent and artistry that brought these stories to life, and we couldn’t be prouder of our Pioneer Stillking and Stillking WIP teams behind these projects.

MARIA: Angelina Jolie earned a nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her portrayal of Maria Callas in Pablo Larraín’s Maria.

 

LEE: Kate Winslet earned a nomination for Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for her portrayal of Elizabeth ‘Lee’ Miller in Ellen Kuras’ Lee.


BETTER MAN: Robbie Williams, Freddy Wexler and Sacha Skarbek earned a nomination for Best Original Song in a Motion Picture for “Forbidden Road” from Michael Gracey’s Better Man.

 

Here’s to an unforgettable awards season, and our heartfelt congratulations to all the nominees!

HUNGARY

Kate Winslet Becomes Pioneering War Photographer Lee Miller in ‘Lee’

Mark your calendars! Our latest film, “Lee”, starring the Academy Award winner Kate Winslet, will be in UK & Irish cinemas from 13 September 2024 and in US theatres September 27.

“Lee” tells the remarkable story of Elizabeth ‘Lee’ Miller — a fashion model turned acclaimed war correspondent and photographer for Vogue during WWII. Determined to document the truth of the Nazi regime, and in spite of the odds stacked against female correspondents, Lee captured some of the most important images of World War II, but they came at an enormous personal price.

Directed by the acclaimed cinematographer and director Ellen Kuras, the stellar cast also includes Marion Cotillard, Andrea Riseborough and Andy Samberg.

Co-produced by Pioneer Stillking Films in Hungary for Roadside Attraction, don’t miss this captivating journey into history!

Video & Photo: Courtesy of Roadside Attraction

HUNGARY

Dune: Prophecy – The First Trailer for TV Prequel Series Released

We’re excited to share the first glimpse of Dune: Prophecy, our latest project produced by Pioneer Stillking Films in Budapest, Hungary for HBO Max.

The TV prequel to the recent Dune movies is inspired by the novel “Sisterhood of Dune”, written by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson. It follows two Harkonnen sisters, played by Emily Watson and Olivia Williams, as they combat forces that threaten the future of humankind and establish the fabled sect that will become known as the Bene Gesserit.

Co-produced by Ildiko Kemény and David Minkowski of Pioneer Stillking Films, the new original series Dune: Prophecy consists of six episodes and will be streaming this fall on HBO Max.

Video & Photo: Courtesy of HBO Max

HUNGARY

Unveiling Shardlake: A Tudor Mystery on Disney+

We are pleased to announce the release of “Shardlake,” a captivating drama, history, and mystery series that premiered on May 1st. Co-produced by Pioneer Stillking Films in Hungary, this adaptation of C.J. Sansom’s best-selling novels promises to immerse viewers in Tudor England.

Set during the dissolution of the monasteries in the Tudor era, “Shardlake” follows the journey of Matthew Shardlake, portrayed by Arthur Hughes, who is sent by Thomas Cromwell, played by Sean Bean, to investigate the death of a commissioner in the remote town of Scarnsea. Anthony Boyle and Ruby Ashbourne Serkis also star in this compelling narrative.

The series boasts meticulous attention to detail, from its authentic sets and costumes to its immersive storytelling. With a talented cast and a rich historical backdrop, “Shardlake” offers audiences a glimpse into the political intrigue and personal dramas of this turbulent period.

“The historical series blends murder mystery with Tudor trappings to make for an engrossing and welcome throwback.” – Radio Times

“This is a tightly-plotted, gorgeously atmospheric piece of television.” – The Evening Standard

“Shardlake, adapted by Stephen Butchard and directed by Justin Chadwick, is in pursuit of Tudor-era flavor and it is convincing in its depiction of such in the speechifying, the production design (by Nick Palmer), and the acting.” – Wall Street Journal

“Shardlake: murder mysteries don’t get more fantastically creepy than this.” – The Guardian

“One of the best TV shows to watch this May.” – BBC

Photos: Courtesy of Disney+

HUNGARY

Poor Things Win Four Oscars

Congratulations to the Academy Award-winning teams behind ‘Poor Things’, claiming four Oscars for its exceptional work. Emma Stone’s captivating portrayal of Bella Baxter earned her the Best Actress award, while Holly Waddington’s costume designs and the collaborative efforts of James Price, Shona Heath, and Zsuzsa Mihalek in production design were praised. Honouring other incredible talent behind the scenes, Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, and Josh Weston won themselves a golden statue for their makeup and hairstyling expertise, which further enhanced the film’s allure.

BEST ACTRESS: Emma Stone
BEST COSTUME DESIGN: Holly Waddington
BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN: James Price, Shona Heath & Zsuzsa Mihalek
BEST MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING: Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier & Josh Weston

 

Photos: Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures

HUNGARY

‘Maria’: First-Look Of Angelina Jolie As Opera Singer Maria Callas

Pablo Larraín (Jackie) has revealed two first photos of Angelina Jolie as Maria Callas in his new film that will explore the life of the legendary singer, often described as the original diva.

Based on true accounts, Maria will tell the tumultuous, beautiful and tragic story of the life of the world’s greatest female opera singer, relived and reimagined during her final days in 1970s Paris. Shoot is underway and taking place over eight weeks in Paris, Greece, Budapest and Milan.

Said Larraín today: “I am incredibly excited to start production on Maria, which I hope will bring Maria Callas’s remarkable life and work to audiences all around the world, thanks to the magnificent script by Steven Knight, the work of the entire cast and crew, and especially, Angelina’s brilliant work and extraordinary preparation.”

Jolie’s costumes in the film are based on original garments worn by Callas. The production has consulted with animal rights groups including PETA regarding the use of vintage fur items worn in the film from costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini’s archive collection. A conscious decision was made not to use or source any new fur.

 

 

The script, which was completed prior to the WGA strike, comes from Steven Knight (Peaky Blinders). Producers are Juan de Dios Larraín for Fabula, Jonas Dornbach for Komplizen Film and Lorenzo Mieli for The Apartment. Sales are handled by FilmNation Entertainment.