In today’s film news roundup, Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer, and Tim Roth are starring in the drama “Luce,” mob thriller “Clover” announces its cast, and AFM sees gains in attendance and screenings.

CASTINGS

Naomi Watts, Octavia Spencer, Tim Roth, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. are starring in the drama “Luce,” which has begun shooting in New York with Julius Onah directing.

“Luce” is the initial project from Dream Factory Group as a production company with financing from China and the U.S. with CEO Rob Feng and co-chairmen Amber Wang and Andrew Yang.

“Luce” is written by Onah and JC Lee from Lee’s play. John Baker, Onah, and Andrew Yang are producing. Rob Feng, Amber Wang, and are executive producers.

Harrison portrays an African teenager and former child soldier living in a suburb with Watts and Roth playing his parents. Spencer plays a teacher who becomes aware of his views on political violence. The news was first reported by Deadline Hollywood.

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Mark Webber, Nicole Elizabeth Berger, Jon Abrahams, Erika Christensen, Julia Jones, Jessica Szohr, and Jake Weber have joined Ron Perlman and Chazz Palminteri in the comedic mob thriller “Clover.”

Abrahams is directing the film from a script by Michael Testone. It’s a production of Virtuoso Films, produced by Richard Guay and set to shoot in Buffalo, N.Y., later this month.

Abrahams and Webber play brothers who must resort to extremes to pay off a debt to a local mob boss (Palminteri), only to find themselves in way over their heads when the unexpected involvement of a tough-as-nails 13-year-old girl (Berger) forces them to take to the streets in a desperate attempt to survive.

AFM GAINS

The 38th American Film Market has reported a 6% gain in attendance with 7,415 participants visiting the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica, Calif.

The market, which ended Nov. 8, also saw 1,476 buyers arrive from 71 countries with China and Taiwan each seeing growth of 35% more buyers.

Overall exhibitor participation was up 18% with 445 registered exhibiting companies, with the largest number of international exhibitors from the United Kingdom, France, South Korea, and China. AFM hosted screenings of 337 films – 40 more than last year – including 264 market premieres and 61 world premieres.

The AFM’s new LocationEXPO drew 61 film commissions and agencies.