Middle East: American film school set up shop abroad -- Film education is still relatively new in the Middle East, where previous generations had to travel to the U.S. for their schooling (such as Jordan-born AFI graduate Amin Matalqa, who directed his country's first Oscar submission, "Captain Abu Raed").

Middle East: Forward-thinking training outfits get technical -- While most Middle Eastern training orgs concentrate on teaching the rudimentary basics of filmmaking, a few forward-thinkers are offering technical-based training to help build skills in the local industry to meet international standards.

Film Reviews: "20 Sigarette" recounts the incredible experience of an assistant director on a film shot in Iraq.

Film Reviews: The animated docu genre has another impressive entry in "Little Voices."

Film Reviews: "Reign of Assassins" is a delightful martial-arts romp that occasionally lacks clarity, finesse.

Film Reviews: Outside Asia, "The Child's Eye" looks destined to be eyeballed mostly by cultists.

Film Festivals: Gallic sales company scores deals for 'Benda Bilili!' -- Paris-based sales company Funny Balloons announces slew of major territory deals on "Benda Bilili!"

International News: August, Rapace tubthump Critics' Week player -- Two generations of Swedish female talent swept onto the Lido Sunday.

International News: Pyramide inks deals for Italy, other territories -- Nanni Moretti's Sacher Film acquires Italian rights to "Angele et Tony."

International News: Epic propaganda pic follows success of 'Republic' -- Work begun on "The Founding of a Party" to mark 90th anniversary of Communist Party's foundation.

Business News: Restructure follows exit of international sales exec -- Cinetic Media is reformatting international biz, Cinetic Media partner Bart Walker said Sunday.

Venice Film Festival: Italo shingle Fandango options late journo's 'A Man' -- Oriana Fallaci, the late, great Italian journalist, is getting the cinematic treatment.

Venice Show Dailies: Italian cinema and Indian filmmakers share history, talent -- Italy and India share a film history dating back 89 years.

Scout & About: Dubai: Wealthy emirate seeks to become production destination -- If you build it they will come. This motto appears to have worked in a number of ways for Dubai, a city synonymous with growth and prosperity.

Weekly: How European cinema is learning to live without the U.S. -- Since Ecosse Films started developing its new adaptation of Emily Bronte's "Wuthering Heights" a few years back, Natalie Portman, Abbie Cornish and Gemma Arterton have been touted at various times for the lead role.

International News: Director says financing has collapsed -- Gilliam's "The Man Who Killed Don Quixote" has experienced more than the "hiccup" reported in August.

Weekend B.O.: Clooney starrer takes in $12.9 mil to win weekend -- The holiday weekend is shaping up to be a patriotic affair.

Film Reviews: Danny Boyle pits man against nature in the most elemental of struggles.

Film Reviews: Passion without oomph doesn't go very far, and neither will Carlo Mazzacurati's unexciting laffer.

Spotlight: Hong Kong & China: Closer filmmaking ties help H.K. connect with spike in Mainland moviegoing -- Hong Kong's film biz is booming, and driving the industry are revenues from across the border in Mainland China.