Hollywood
Hong Kong Intl Film Fest to showcase 260 films from 56 countries
MUMBAI: Murmur of the Hearts by Sylvia Chang will be the opening film of the 39th International Film Festival opening on 23 March. The Festival will close on 6 April with Port of Call by Philip Yung. Both the films are to get their world premieres at the Festival.
The festival will screen 264 films from 56 countries, including 78 world or Asian premieres. While Chang’s film is about growing up and letting go in Taiwan, Yung is a compassionate look at the effect of crimes on the families of the criminals.
With Germany as the country of focus, there will be 13 films from that country including Victoria, which won the Silver Bear at the Berlinale for artistic contribution. The German programme is supported by the Goethe Institute in Hong Kong and German Films.
The Festival is supported by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society (HKIFFS), which is a charitable, non-profit and non-governmental organisation dedicated to the discovery and promotion of creativity in the art and culture of film. Through its year-round programmes, the mission of the Society is to strengthen global appreciation of Asian and Chinese film culture and to promote inspiring films from around the world, enriching the cultural life of Hong Kong.
Committed to the development of a vibrant film culture in Hong Kong and Asia, the Society organises two annual flagship events in March and April: the Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF) and the Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF).
The Hong Kong International Film & Television Market (FILMART), a concurrent event of the HKIFF, will be held along with the Festival. This will be held from 23 to 26 March.
Committed to discovering new talent, the Festival premieres the breadth of Chinese cinema and showcases Asian talents. As a lifestyle event, festival-goers can enjoy world-class films, attend seminars hosted by leading filmmakers from around the world, visit film exhibitions, join celebration parties, and more.
The Hong Kong – Asia Film Financing Forum (HAF) to be held from 23 to 25 March is widely recognised as the most important film-financing platform in Asia. The HAF brings Asian filmmakers with upcoming projects to Hong Kong to explore co-production opportunities with top financiers, producers, bankers, distributors and buyers. Attracting more than 1,000 filmmakers and guests from at least 35 countries and regions, around 30 projects are selected annually to participate in the three-day event.
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.
