Hollywood
La Famille Belier to close Black Nights Festival in Estonia
NEW DELHI: The red carpet award ceremony of the 18th Black Nights Film Festival will close with the international premiere of La Famille Bélier by Eric Lartigau, a warmhearted comedy, on 28 November at the Nordea Concert Hall in Talinn, Estonia.
The awards for the best films, directors and actors will be announced at the gala with an exclusive film music concert by Lenna Kuurmaa, Tanel Padar and Mart Sander’s Bel Etage swing orchestra.
“La Famille Bélier” will be screened after the award ceremony as the international premiere.
“The film world has been looking forward to this film and we are honoured to be able to present its international premiere at our closing ceremony,” says festival director Tiina Lokk.
“La Famille Bélier” is the most anticipated French movie of this Christmas season,” comments Alexis Cassanet of SND.
The film programme of the Black Nights runs until 30th November. Three most popular films will have additional screenings:
29th November at 17:15 in Coca-Cola Plaza the Grand Prix awarded film.
29th November at 19:30 Coca-Cola Plaza “Warsaw 44”.
30th November at 21:15 Solaris “What We Do in the Shadows”
The International Film Producers’ Association has designated Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival as a non-specialised competitive festival. Black Nights Film Festival is the 15th international film festival to be inducted to that category by FIAPF. The most influential film festival of the European North Eastern region takes place from 14th to 30th November.
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.
