Hollywood
Carnaby finalises global ‘Heidi and the Magic Pool’ deal at AFM
NEW DELHI: Carnaby International has cleared much of the world’s film sales territories for its new entry into the durable global Heidi franchise with the family adventure Heidi And The Magic Pool.
In a deal with a major Hollywood Studio, the territories included in the one single deal are: the UK; Australia and New Zealand; France; Benelux; the Czech Republic; Bulgaria, Hungary, Poland; Greece; Portugal; Slovakia; Scandinavia; India, Israel, South Africa, Turkey; Hong Kong; Malaysia; Philippines; Singapore; Taiwan; Thailand; Vietnam; and all of Latin America. Sarra has also concluded deals with the Middle East (Gulf Film), Indonesia (PT Prima Cinema), Spain (Flins y Piniculas) and the countries of the former Yugoslavia (Discovery).
Carnaby head of international sales Tania Sarra said at the American Film Market, “The robust response shows just how wide Heidi’s appeal is worldwide.”
Written by Paul Watson, (IVCA Gold Award Winner, Assaulted Nuts, Puss In Boots), Heidi And The Magic Pool will be directed by BAFTA winner John Henderson (The Borrowers, Tales of the Riverbank, Loch Ness); and produced by Simon Wright (The Last of the Blonde Bombshells, Lucky Jim). Executive producers are Sean O’Kelly, Kirsty Bell and Andrew Loveday.
Carnaby has also announced an April 2015 start for the film, a UK-Hungarian co-production filming in both those countries. Heidi stars Bill Nighy (Pirates of the Caribbean, Underworld, Love Actually) Golden Globe nominee Anna Friel (Good People, Limitless, You Will Meet A Dark Stranger) and Greg Wise (Effie Gray, Walking on Sunshine, Sense and Sensibility). Carnaby are in discussions with Oscar winner Jim Broadbent (Iris, Moulin Rouge, Gangs of New York).
In this family-friendly tale, 12 year-old Heidi lives an idyllic life with her Grandpa in his remote mountain cabin. When the townsmen declare Grandpa an unsuitable guardian, Heidi must go to live as a companion to Clara – the daughter of a wealthy professor in the city. Heidi and Clara become instant friends, but the cruel Governess, who Heidi discovers is slowly poisoning Clara in order to marry the professor, spoils their fun. The girls manage to escape and seek refuge in a remote, ancient and mysterious grotto called the Magic Pool. With the Governess hunting the girls down, Heidi promises Clara they are safe, but fate has other plans.
With two world premieres, eight films in production, as well as its first-ever major television series, Carnaby International is attending its second American Film Market this November with a high profile, varied line-up of exciting titles—and a growing reputation for pulling in A-list talent.
Joint Carnaby co-CEOs Andrew Loveday and Sean O’Kelly, along with director of international sales Tania Sarra and head of acquisitions Alex Tate, are in Santa Monica for AFM this November.
Hollywood
Paramount eyes $24bn Gulf support to fund Warner Bros Discovery merger: Reports
Sovereign funds line up funding as media giants chase streaming scale
NEW YORK: Paramount Skydance is in talks to secure nearly $24 billion in equity commitments from Gulf sovereign wealth funds to support its planned takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a WSJ report.
The funding push comes as Paramount Skydance advances its proposed $110 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, which carries an equity valuation of $81 billion and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
At the heart of the financing plan are three major Gulf investors. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is expected to contribute roughly $10 billion, while the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based L’imad Holding are likely to make up the remainder.
Crucially, the proposed investments are structured as non-voting stakes. This means the Gulf backers would not have direct control in the combined entity, a move designed to ease regulatory concerns in the United States. Paramount executives reportedly do not expect the deal to trigger scrutiny from bodies such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or the Federal Communications Commission.
If completed, the merger would bring together a formidable portfolio of entertainment and news assets, including CNN and CBS. The combined entity aims to better compete in a fast-evolving media landscape where streaming platforms are steadily pulling audiences away from traditional television.
The deal reflects a broader shift in global media, where scale is increasingly seen as essential to survive the streaming wars. By pooling content libraries, technology and distribution, Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery are betting on size and synergy to drive future growth.
The involvement of deep-pocketed Gulf investors also underscores the growing role of sovereign wealth in shaping global media consolidation, particularly at a time when high-value deals demand equally large financial backing.
With shareholder votes and regulatory milestones still ahead, the proposed tie-up remains one of the most closely watched media deals of the year. If it clears the final hurdles, it could redraw the competitive map of the global entertainment industry.
