Hollywood
Global short film festival for protection of Hindu temples
NEW DELHI: Texas based Global Hindu Heritage Foundation (GHHF) has called for short films on preservation of old temples in India as part of its ‘Save Temples Organisation.’
The Board of Directors of GHHF and its brand ambassador and well-known Ghazal singer Ghazal Srinivas told a press meet in Texas earlier this week that the aim of the ‘Save Temples International Short Film Festival’ is to protect, preserve and promote the great temples located all over the world.
The first ‘Save Temple International Short and Documentary Film Festival’ will be conducted at Prasad Labs in Hyderabad from 22 to 24 August. The 40 short films and documentaries short-listed in this festival would be screened in film festivals to be conducted all over the world.
The best film will win a prize money of Rs 100,000, while the second and third best film will receive Rs 75,000 and Rs 50,000 respectively. 10 other films will also be selected to receive Jury Awards.
The festival is part of the movement initiated to protect the ancient Hindu dharma in all over the world, for revival of all the dilapidated temples, to protect the holy cow, vedas and vedangas, and also to encourage those who are learning the vedas.
The short films should reveal the facets of some ancient truths, the traditional heritage to the knowledge of future generations. They should not criticise other religions and life styles. They can tell the richness of ancient dharma, present the moral and dharmic values of Hindu religion and should be intended to explain the great practices of Hindu dharma to all the mankind through this short films and documentaries. The viewers of these movies should be motivated to work for the protection of temples.
The short films and documentaries can be made for duration of 10 to 12 minutes. They can be made in any Indian language, but should have English sub-titles. Only films prepared after 2010 are eligible for this event. Films which already got awards in any earlier film festival should not be sent as entries for this film festival. Only films made in HD format (1920X1080) and properly edited can be a part of this film festival.
The entries sent for the competition would be examined by the Jury members and film festival committees and 40 best entries would be short-listed out of them. They would be screened before the renowned personalities at film festivals to be conducted in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, Tirupati, etc.
The films can be on protection of Hindu temples; the ancient Hindu religion; Vedas and its glory; Protection of cows; Mass feeding (Annadanam); Propagation of Hindu Bhakti; The epics, Puranas and other holy scriptures of Hindu religion; The protection of temple lands, ornaments and other assets; The duties of Priests (Archakas); The Aarti of holy rivers; and The Sevadal of temples, etc.
The Save Temples organisation holds all the rights over the short film or documentary selected in this competition. The short films and documentaries not selected in this event would be uploaded into Save Temples – YouTube channel.
Hollywood
Disney to cut 1,000 jobs in major restructuring drive
Layoffs span ESPN, studios and tech as company pivots to growth
MUMBAI: The magic isn’t disappearing but it is being reorganised. The Walt Disney Company has announced plans to cut around 1,000 jobs as part of a sweeping restructuring effort aimed at sharpening its edge in an increasingly unpredictable entertainment landscape. The move, led by CEO Josh D’Amaro, reflects a broader internal reset as the company rethinks how it operates, allocates resources and competes in a fast-evolving industry. In a memo to employees, D’Amaro acknowledged the difficulty of the decision but framed it as a necessary step to ensure Disney remains “efficient, innovative, and responsive” to rapid shifts in consumer behaviour and technology.
The layoffs will span multiple divisions, including marketing, film and television studios, ESPN, technology teams and corporate functions. Notifications have already begun, signalling that the restructuring is not a distant plan but an active transition underway.
Importantly, the company has clarified that the cuts are not performance-driven. Instead, they form part of a wider transformation strategy aimed at building a leaner, more agile organisation, one better equipped to respond to streaming dynamics, digital disruption and evolving audience expectations.
The timing is telling. The global entertainment industry is in the middle of a structural shift, with traditional television revenues under pressure and box office returns becoming increasingly volatile. Meanwhile, streaming platforms and digital-first competitors continue to redraw the rules of engagement, forcing legacy players to rethink scale, speed and storytelling formats.
For Disney, long synonymous with blockbuster franchises and timeless storytelling, the pivot is both strategic and symbolic. The company is doubling down on technology, direct-to-consumer services and content ecosystems that align with modern viewing habits, where audiences expect immediacy, personalisation and cross-platform experiences.
Even as the restructuring unfolds, D’Amaro struck a note of optimism, reiterating Disney’s commitment to creativity and long-term growth. Support measures for affected employees are expected as part of the transition, though details remain limited.
In essence, this is less about cutting back and more about reshaping forward. As Disney redraws its organisational map, the message is clear, in today’s entertainment world, even the most magical kingdoms must evolve or risk being left behind.
