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
Paramount seeks FCC nod for foreign-backed $110 billion WBD deal
Gulf funds back merger as foreign stake nears 50 per cent, control stays with Ellison
NEW YORK: Paramount Global has approached the Federal Communications Commission seeking approval for foreign investments tied to its proposed $110 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, marking another key step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
According to regulatory filings made public this week, the investment backing the deal includes major Gulf sovereign funds such as the Public Investment Fund, the Qatar Investment Authority and L’imad Holding Company. Together, foreign investors are expected to hold just under 50 per cent of Paramount’s equity once the transaction is complete.
Despite the sizeable international backing, Paramount has made it clear that voting control will remain with the family of chief executive David Ellison, ensuring the company stays firmly under US control as required by broadcasting rules.
A company spokesperson described the FCC filing as routine for transactions involving foreign capital and stressed that it does not impact the closing of the deal. Under US law, any significant foreign ownership in broadcast licence holders must undergo regulatory review.
The merger itself has already cleared a major hurdle, with Warner Bros. Discovery shareholders approving the deal on 23 April. The transaction values the company at $31 per share, a 147 per cent premium to its earlier trading price, reflecting strong strategic intent behind the tie-up.
If completed, the combined entity will bring together a vast portfolio including Warner Bros. film studios, HBO Max, and networks such as CNN, TNT and Discovery Channel. The deal is currently expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
However, scrutiny is intensifying. The US Department of Justice has issued subpoenas seeking details on the merger’s potential impact on cinema competition, streaming services and content licensing. Reviews are also anticipated in international markets, including the United Kingdom.
There is also a financial safety net built into the agreement. If regulators ultimately block the deal, Paramount would face a $7 billion break-up fee. Additionally, the company has taken on $2.8 billion in obligations previously owed by Warner Bros. Discovery to Netflix following an earlier terminated arrangement.
Paramount maintains that easing foreign ownership barriers will unlock fresh capital and strengthen its ability to compete in a rapidly evolving media landscape. For now, the spotlight remains on regulators, whose decision will determine whether this global media consolidation moves from script to screen.
