Hollywood
Argentinean animation filmmaker feted at first Animation Day at Cannes
NEW DELHI: Animation producers, filmmakers and animation lovers shared news around their work while attending a panel discussion and a screening of their best films from Montreal International Animation Film Festival 2015 at the first Animation Day at the Cannes Film Festival.
The event was held at the Horyou Village located at the grounds of Le Grand Hotel Cannes.
Among the films screened were The Best Short Film Winner Aubade directed by Mauro Carraro (Switzerland), Castillo y el Armado, directed by Pedro Harres (Brazil) and Last Dance on the Main by Aristofanis Soulikias.
The Animation Day concluded with a reception to Maria Veronica Ramirez (Argentina), who had won the Best Feature Film Award for Anima Bueno Aires at MIAFF 2015 last month.
Argentinean delegates were present in large numbers at the reception.
MIAFF Director Laurie Gordon announced the creation of the Ryan Larkin Foundation, one of the festival’s initiatives, which was accompanied by the screening of a short clip from her film Spare Change.
Hollywood
David Zaslav could net up to $887m as Warner Bros Discovery sells up
Media mogul strikes gold as Paramount Skydance deal triggers massive windfall
NEW YORK: While the average office worker might hope for a nice clock and a round of applause upon leaving, David Zaslav is looking at a slightly more substantial parting gift. The chief executive officer of Warner Bros Discovery is positioned to receive a windfall of up to $887 million following the company’s blockbuster $110 billion sale to Paramount Skydance.
In a twist of corporate fate that feels scripted for the big screen, the deal marks the finale of a high-stakes bidding war. It comes after Netflix, once the frontrunner, decided to exit stage left and abandon its pursuit of the HBO Max parent company.
While most people receive a standard final paycheck, the filing released on Monday suggests Zaslav’s exit package is built a little differently. If the deal closes as expected in the third quarter of 2026, the numbers break down like this:
The cash out: A severance package of $34.2 million, covering his salary and bonuses.
The equity: $115.8 million in vested shares he already owns.
The future fortune: A massive $517.2 million in unvested share awards, essentially “future stock” that turns into real money the moment the ink dries on the merger.
Perhaps the most eye-catching figure is the $335 million earmarked for tax reimbursements. However, this particular pot of gold has an expiration date.
The company noted that these reimbursements are tied to specific tax-code rules that significantly decline as time passes. If the deal hits a snag and drags into 2027, that tax payout drops to zero. With hundreds of millions on the line, the chief executive officer likely has every incentive to ensure the closing process moves at double-speed.
