Hollywood
‘Pseudonym’ to premiere at Houston International Film Fest
NEW DELHI: Pseudonym is all set to get its North American premiere at the 48th annual Houston International Film Festival next month.
The festival will be held from 10 to 19 April at AMC Studio 30 on Dunvale. Festivities include the Opening Night Champagne Gala Premiere, Daily Film Screenings, nine Master Classes, the Grand Awards Gala and Cocktail Reception with the filmmakers, plus the Closing Day events (Houston Yacht Club Consular Regatta/Barbecue and VIP NASA/Space Center Houston Tour).
The festival will feature 50 award-winning independent films, 111 short films and 550 independent filmmakers from around the globe.
Founded in 1961, World Fest-Houston is the oldest Independent Film Festival in the world and third oldest in the United States. This annual event has evolved into a competitive independent international film festival showcasing the rising stars of tomorrow.
Pseudonym is a thriller directed by Thierry Sebban and stars Simon Abkarian, Igor Skreblin, Perrine Tourneux, and Thierry Sebban. It has original soundtrack composed by Nicolas Baby and has been produced by La Petite Reine, Diabolo Films and Lorette Productions
According to the storyline, Alex is a divorced father, a stressed executive. But he is breaking this routine to meet a beautiful young stranger who contacted him via the internet. But this blind date will flip him into a downward spiral and disrupt forever the course of his life.
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.
