Hollywood
Lunch Box among four Indian films competing for 7th Asia Pacific Screen Awards
NEW DELHI: ‘Goopy Gawaiyaa Bagha Bajaiyaa’ by Shilpa Ranade, the animation film which is opening the International Children’s Film Festival of India, is among the 39 films from 22 countries will compete in the 7th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) in Brisbane on 12 December.
A total of four Indian films including Ritesh Batra’s Lunch Box are among the nominated films for the awards.
The jury headed by Indian director Shyam Benegal, are South Korean director Kim Tae-yong,Sri Lankan actress Malini Fonseka, Turkish actor Tamer Levent, Swiss director Christoph Schaub and Hong Kong producer Albert Lee.
For the first time there are nominations from Bangladesh, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. They come within the event’s broad definition of “Asia Pacific” that includes 70 territories with a combined population of 4.5 billion.
Hany Abu-Assad’s Omar (pictured) from Palestine received the most nominations. It is shortlisted for Best Feature Film as well in addition to nominations for actor Adam Bakri and cinematographer Ehab Assal.
The country with the most nominations is Japan, with six nominations in five categories, including Best Feature Film for Kore-eda Hirokazu’s family drama Like Father, Like Son.
The five other Best Feature nominations are Bangladesh’s Television, Sri Lanka’s With You, Without You Oba nathuwa oba ekka, Australia’s The Turning Point and Iran’s The Past (Le Passé).
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.
