Big prize, diverse program pull in bizzers

'Avalon'The opening film at this year's edition of the Goteborg fest is "Avalon" from Swedish helmer Axel Petersen, a dark tale of how fast things can go wrong when fate takes a turn for the worse.The film, which picked up the critics award at Toronto last September, is among the eight Scandinavian and Nordic Films competing for the Dragon Award."Avalon" tells the story of Janne, a former club promoter whose ambitious plans to turn his life around by opening an exclusive nightclub go awry after a terrible accident for which he's to blame. His increasingly desperate attempts to extricate himself only exacerbate his downward spiral.The $140,000 award -- Goteborg's premier prize -- was increased tenfold last year, reflecting the value the festival places on attracting top-quality regional film and promoting talent.Past winners include Lisa Aschan, whose critically acclaimed study of the strange relationship between two teenage girls, "She Monkeys," had its world premiere in Goteborg before achieving success at other fests; and "Let the Right One In," the paranormal thriller that put the spotlight on helmer Tomas Alfredson -- whose interpretation of John le Carre's "Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy" has also been internationally popular.Big prize purse helps ensure that core competition programs are well subscribed.Fest sidebars that capture the artistic or political zeitgeist have proven to be hits with auds. This year they include a focus on Chinese documentaries, presented in association with the Rotterdam Film Festival; it will include talks by several Chinese documentary filmmakers about what it's like to work with film in China.There's also a seminar on Danish film. "The last few years have been excellent for Danish documentary films." says artistic director Marit Kapla. "It's in documentaries that much creative energy is focused." The seminar will also look at how Danish documentary directors are crossing over to feature films.Fest Traveler: Goteburg Film Festival A 'dragon' with a top fest too | Big prize, diverse program pull in bizzers | Arab spring in Sweden | Post and vfx thrive in northern climes Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

Abigail Spencer Joins Joss Whedon's 'In Your Eyes'

A "Mad Males" star may be the first actress aboard for that approaching Joss Whedon-written film "Inside Your Eyes." Meanwhile, a trio of large-title stars are lending their voices to "Madagascar 3," Chris Evans is thinking about joining Bong Joon-Ho's domestic debut and Idris Elba verifies his go back to the "Thor" franchise in "Thor 2." It's The month of january 17, and you are tuning into present day casting call. New Joss Whedon Film Lines Up "Mad Men's" Abigail Spencer Joss Whedon is an extremely busy guy. Among doing publish-production on "The Avengers" and editing his low-budget "Much Ado About Nothing" film, the "Firefly" creator has additionally found time for you to write a brand new supernatural romance known as "Inside Your Eyes." "Mad Males" star Abigail Spencer leaking the beans to Vulture that she is going to be starring within the movie, and it is beginning focus on it the following month. "I am so excited to get it done,Inch she stated. "It is the most romantic film within the good reputation for time." The film has been directed by Brin Hill. Large Stars Fall Into Line For "Madagascar 3" A brand new trio of stars is joining Dreamworks' "Madagascar" franchise. Entertainment Weekly is confirming that Bryan Cranston, Jessica Chastain and Martin Short will be voicing three new figures within the approaching movie, "Madagascar 3: Europe's Popular.Inch They will be playing Vitaly the Siberian tiger, Gia the jaguar and Stefano the ocean lion, correspondingly. The film also stars Ben Stiller, Jada Pinkett Cruz, Chris Rock and David Schwimmer. It's due in theaters on June 21. Chris Evans In Talks For "Snow Piercer" Chris Evans is within foretells star within the domestic debut from "The Host's" Bong Joon-Ho. Known as "Snow Piercer," the indie was compiled by Joon-ho and "Oldboy" director Park Chan-wook. Variety has got the news, and reviews that "Snow Piercer" informs the storyline of the train of vacationers battling to co-appear in a global covered in ice and snow. Production looks like it's likely to begin in March. Jeffrey Dean Morgan Hits "The Rut" Variety is confirming that Jeffrey Dean Morgan is joining Karyn Kusama's approaching indie "The Rut." He'll be became a member of by his "Texas Killing Fields" co-star Chloe Moretz within the movie, that is being referred to like a mix between "Winter's Bone" and "In to the Wild." Based on Variety, the storyline "follows a teenage girl who aims to win her fathers approval by surrounding herself with danger and adventure as she journeys in to the backwoods alone to search deer." Marvel Fans Rejoice: Idris Elba Has Returned For "Thor 2" Hot off his Golden Globes win, Idris Elba is preparing to obtain in armor for "Thor 2." He told MTV News around the Globes red-colored carpet that he'll "without a doubt" maintain "Thor 2." "We are doing the work again," he stated. Elba stated he's not met with director Alan Taylor yet to discuss the project. "Thor 2" is scheduled for theaters on November 15, 2013. See his comments within the video below. Inform us your ideas on present day Casting Get in touch with your comments ought to section below or on Twitter.

Auds mob 'Rob,' don't look for 'The Finder'

CBS' debut of 'Rob' came a remarkable 13.5 million audiences Thursday.CBS folded to victory on Thursday behind an enormous showing by ''The Large Bang Theory,'' a remarkable start for Take advantage of Schneider comedy ''Rob'' and season levels for ''Person of great interest.'' It had been slow going though for Fox's ''Bones'' spinoff ''The Finder,'' and NBC did not see much improvement using its refurbished selection. Based on preliminary national estimations from Nielsen, ''The Large Bang Theory'' was easily Thursday's No. 1 program using its first original episode from the year (5.2/15 in 18-49, 15.9 million audiences overall), accumulating among its best scores of year. It had been then ''Rob'' (4.1/11 in 18-49, 13.5 million audiences overall), which worked out much better than any regular comedy CBS has attempted within the half-hour during the last two seasons (''Bleep My Father States,'' ''Rules of Engagement'' and ''How to become a Gentleman'') , winning its half-hour effortlessly and logging the net's best showing in the timeframe because the before ''Survivor'' broadcast around the evening, in May 2010. A more powerful lead-in also assisted 9 p.m. drama ''Person of Interest'' (3.2/8 in 18-49, 14.7 million audiences overall), which hit series levels in demos in addition to total audiences, arriving inside a tick of ''Grey's Anatomy'' in grown ups 25-54 and easily winning it is time period in males 18-49 and 25-54. And also at 10, ''The Mentalist'' (2.7/7 in 18-49, 13.4 million audiences overall) figures to put second because of its hour to MTV's ''Jersey Shore'' in 18-49 while winning in 25-54 and total audiences. CBS won the evening in 18-49 (by 2 shares) and 25-54 (by 3 shares) additionally to some dominant showing as a whole audiences. Runner-up ABC predictably saw its amounts decline from a week ago if this faced mostly repeat competition, beginning having a third-place showing for ''Wipeout'' (2.2/6 in 18-49, 7.a million audiences overall). At 9, ''Grey's Anatomy'' (3.8/9 in 18-49, 10.six million audiences overall) was lower about 15% from the season a lot of the prior week but continued to be the night's No. 1 drama in grown ups 18-49. And also at 10, ''Private Practice'' went second one of the tv stations (2.4/6 in 18-49, 6.7 million audiences overall). At Fox, ''Bones'' slid lower to eight o'clock and placed third (2.4/6 in 18-49, 8.six million audiences overall), however the internet finished a distant 4th one of the tv stations at 9 o'clock using the debut of ''The Finder'' (1.7/4 in 18-49, 5.5 million audiences overall) the 1.7 is all about half what ''Bones'' did if this opened up its season within the timeslot in November. Beginning in a few days, ''American Idol'' will lead into ''The Finder.'' NBC shuffled its selection however the outcome was nothing special. ''30 Rock'' began its season having a 1.8/5 in 18-49 and 4.six million audiences overall , its cheapest-ranked premiere up to now, although it did outshine the final eight original instances of ''Community'' to air within the Thursday 8 o'clock slot for that internet. It had been then ''Parks and Recreation'' (1.9/5 in 18-49, 4.a million audiences overall), which capped its two newest originals and shipped its biggest overall audience since early October but was well behind CBS' ''Rob.'' ''The Office'' was consistent with its December shipping (2.9/7 in 18-49, 5.9 million audiences overall), placing third in 18-49, and ''Up All Night'' gone to live in its new evening having a 2./5 in 18-49, 4.3 million audiences overall) , up a tick versus. its last original episode on Wednesday and topping the final three instances of ''Whitney'' within the Thursday 9:30 p.m. timeslot. And capping the evening was ''The Firm'' (1./3 in 18-49, 4.two million audiences overall), which does not turn to be a noticable difference over ''Prime Suspect.'' CW saw ''The Vampire Diaries'' (1.2/3 in 18-49, 2.8 million audiences overall) fall off from the strong return a week ago, but ''The Secret Circle'' (.8/2 in 18-49, 2.a million audiences overall) equaled its showing from a week ago despite harder drama competition this time around around. Preliminary 18-49 earnings for that evening: CBS, 3.5/9 ABC, 2.8/7 Fox, 2./5 Univision, 1.3/3 CW, 1./3. As a whole audiences: CBS, 14.3 million ABC, 8.a million Fox, 7. million NBC, 4.5 million Univision, 3.a million CW, 2.4 million. Contact Ron Kissell at ron.kissell@variety.com