Hollywood
American supernatural thriller Voices from the Stone acquired by 13 Films
NEW DELHI: The supernatural thriller Voice from the Stone starring Emilia Clarke which is being produced by Dean Zanuck (Road To Perdition, Get Low fame) and Stefano Gallini-Durante (White Shadow, En La Caliente) and will be directed by Eric D. Howell has been acquired by leading international sales and finance company 13 Films.
13 Films president Tannaz Anisi announced this at the ongoing American Film Market. However, the film’s producers will retain rights for the United States.
Veteran sales agent Anisi will also be the executive producer of the project which is set to start principal photography in November in Italy.
Marton Csokas has also joined the cast alongside Clarke.
“I was immediately drawn to the unique and haunting script of Voice from the Stone and
am thrilled to be partnering with established producers Dean Zanuck and Stefani Gallini-Durante on the project. The beautiful and talented Emilia Clarke is the perfect actress to bring life and freshness to the role of Verena,” said Anisi.
Written by Andrew Shaw and based on the Italian novel La Voce Della Pietra by Silvio Raffo, Voice from the Stone marks Eric D. Howell’s feature film directorial debut.
Voice from the Stone is the haunting story of Verena (Clarke), a solemn nurse drawn to aid a young boy named Jakob who has fallen silent since the untimely death of his mother nearly a year ago. Living with his father (Csokas) in a massive stone manor in Tuscany, Jakob not only refuses to speak, he seems to be under the spell of a malevolent force trapped within the stone walls. As Verena’s relationship with the father and son grow, she becomes ensnared and consumed by Malvina’s severe force. If she is to save the boy, and free herself, she must face the phantom hidden inside the stone.
13 Films’ full slate at AFM also includes the romantic comedy Take Care starring Leslie Bibb and Thomas Sadoski, which made its market premiere yesterday and will be released theatrically in the US by Phase 4 Films on 5 December, crime thriller Manhattan Nocturne starring Oscar winner Adrien Brody, Yvonne Strahovski and Campbell Scott set to start shooting in December and Very Good Girls with Dakota Fanning, Elizabeth Olsen, Peter Sarsgaard and Demi Moore, which was released earlier this year by Tribeca Films.
Hollywood
Disney sells out ad slots for 98th Oscars broadcast
Strong demand for live events turns the Academy Awards into a global, multi-platform marketing moment
NEW YORK: Hollywood’s biggest night has also become one of advertising’s hottest tickets. Disney has sold out all advertising inventory for the 98th Oscars, underscoring the growing demand from brands eager to ride the cultural wave of major live events.
The sell-out marks the sixth consecutive live tentpole success for Disney Advertising. The streak includes last year’s 97th Oscars, the 59th Annual CMA Awards, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest, signalling strong appetite among marketers for moments that bring audiences together in real time.
For advertisers, the Oscars are no longer just a single night of glitz and gold statues. Disney’s “Content Everywhere” strategy has expanded the awards show into a sprawling, multi-platform brand playground spanning linear television, streaming, social media and digital content.
“Live continues to be one of the most powerful ways for brands to connect with engaged audiences at scale, and the Oscars represent the very best of culture, creativity and community,” said Disney Advertising SVP, entertainment and streaming solutions John Campbell. He added that the company has reshaped the show’s commercial potential into a connected experience that stretches well beyond the broadcast.
Brands such as Mazda, Pfizer and Volkswagen of America are tapping into Disney’s wider ecosystem, appearing across original content segments including Know Your Movies on Hulu and Critically Acclaimed on Disney+. Partnerships also extend to social media through TikTok Pulse Premiere and to custom brand storytelling created by Disney CreativeWorks.
The result is what Disney calls the “Oscars Everywhere” approach. Rather than a few high-profile ad breaks, advertisers now find themselves woven through a series of moments before, during and after the ceremony.
These include On The Red Carpet at The Oscars, a live pre-show syndicated across major local markets and streamed nationwide, and the After the Oscars Show, which keeps the conversation going once the final award has been handed out.
This year’s sponsors include Rolex, returning for its ninth year, and Burger King, which joins the Oscars advertiser roster for the first time. Other brands in the mix include Disney Cruise Line, Dunkin’, Eli Lilly and Company, Eucerin, Intuit TurboTax, L’Oréal, McDonald’s, Microsoft, Miebo, Paris Baguette, Peacock, Starbucks, State Farm, Toyota and Verizon.
The 98th Oscars will take place on March 15, 2026, at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The ceremony will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, reaching audiences in more than 200 territories worldwide.
