International
GI Joe sequel to be released in India ahead of Hollywood
New Delhi: In keeping with the new trend of releasing Hollywood films simultaneously or ahead of their release in the United States, ‘GI Joe: Rise of the Cobra’ will be releasing in India on 27 March, ahead of its international release.
The highly awaited muscle fest is a follow-up to the 2009 film which had grossed over $300 million worldwide.
Director Jon M. Chu’s high octane action fiesta stars an ensemble cast of biggies such as Bruce Willis, Channing Tatum and Dwayne Johnson.
One of the most revered action and fitness figures of all time, Bruce Willis takes over as the original G.I.Joe – Joe Colton.
Interestingly, Willis agreed to do the role because of a childhood fascination.
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“When I was a kid, I used to play with a GI Joe action figure. So to do this movie is a big honour for me,” he says “I always dreamt of being Joe growing up so to at least share a moment in a movie with him was a lot of fun. I felt like a big kid.”
International
Council of Europe to unveil new TV and streaming co-production convention
Series Mania Forum to host landmark signing to boost global TV collaboration
LILLE: The small screen is getting a big policy push. At this year’s Series Mania Forum in Lille, Alain Berset will take centre stage to chair the opening ceremony for a new international convention aimed at reshaping how television and streaming series are co-produced across borders.
Set for March 26 at the Théâtre Marie Curie in Lille Grand Palais, the signing marks the debut of the first legal framework dedicated specifically to the independent co-production of series. In an industry where stories travel faster than ever, the move aims to make collaboration smoother, fairer and more transparent.
Backed by the Council of Europe, the convention is designed to strengthen cultural ties, give independent producers a firmer footing, and bring greater clarity to deals in a rapidly evolving content landscape. With streaming platforms fuelling a surge in global storytelling, the timing feels deliberate.
Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset, underscored the cultural heft of series today, noting how they carry voices and viewpoints across borders. He called on member states and countries beyond Europe to sign on, framing the initiative as a way to turn culture into a tool for cooperation and democratic exchange.
For Series Mania founder and general director Laurence Herszberg, hosting the signing is both symbolic and strategic. She described the convention as a step that could widen the range of stories reaching audiences, staying true to the forum’s long-standing mission of championing diverse storytelling.
The ceremony will unfold alongside the Lille Dialogues, a high-level summit that gathers policymakers and industry leaders to debate the future of Europe’s audiovisual sector. Berset is also set to deliver the opening address there, adding political weight to a week already rich in creative ambition.
In short, as screens multiply and borders blur, Europe is putting a framework in place to ensure that storytelling keeps pace, collaboratively and coherently.
