Hollywood
Entries invited for 16th Calgary International Film Festival
NEW DELHI: The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) has invited entries from filmmakers all over the world.
The 12-day showcase of up to 200 multi-genre films from Canada and over 40 other countries will be held from 23 September to 4 October. The entries close on 15 June.
The festival hosts gala events, screenings, award ceremonies and special presentations. A large number of participating filmmakers from around the world connect with the audience through post-screening question and answer periods, and through panels and film talks open to the general public.
Each year’s line-up is presented in series that group CIFF’s offerings into easily identifiable categories including Canadian, American and world cinema, documentaries, late shows, music on screen and shorts. A number of awards are selected by audiences and juries for outstanding films and performances.
In a release, CIFF said that it “exists to transform the way visual stories are shared and experienced. The aim is to discover and share the best and most remarkable, especially those that would not otherwise be seen.”
CIFF’s vision emphasizes discovery and it claimed to have been the platform for debutantes including new filmmakers, particularly championing and fostering Alberta’s own creative voices.
Films invited to the 2015 Festival are automatically considered for nomination in all Award categories for which they are eligible. Nominations are made on the basis of achievement in form and content in their category by a jury of industry experts and leading cultural figures from Canada.
The awards are: Discovery Award for Emerging Filmmakers (Feature films only – Documentary and Narrative categories) – Audience vote; Alberta Spirit (Shorts films only) – Jury award; Audience Choice Award (Feature & Short films – various categories).
Only films completed after 1 January, 2014 and not previously submitted to CIFF are eligible.
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.
