Hollywood
Malaysia-Singapore co-production gets funds at Golden Horse in Taipei
NEW DELHI: The Malaysia-Singapore co-production The Era of Farewell has won the Grand Prize at the Golden Horse Film Project Promotion (FPP) in Taipei. Based on the novel by Li Zi Shu, Era is the multi-generational tale of a gang boss’s wife who fights for her own independence. Director Adric Chong receives a NT$1 million (US$32,300) cash prize.
Juror Lee Lieh said that although Chong’s original treatment was problematic, he was awarded based on the strength of his short films and a revised synopsis. The film, budgeted at US$1.6 million, has yet to secure any financing. Three films won two prizes: Midi Z’s The Road to Mandalay, Maisy Choi’s Have a Nice Trip and Kuo Cheng-chui’s For?t Debussy.
Mandalay, about illegal immigrants in Bangkok, won two prizes: The Pixelfly Digital Award and the inaugural Taipei New Horizon Screenplay Award, valued at NT$400,000 (US$12,900). It has raised US$100,000 of its US$750,000 budget.
Trip, about four elderly relatives visiting Japan, won The Hualien International Most Potential and Creative Award, valued at NT$300,000 (US$9,700), and the Modern Cinema Laboratory Award. Budgeted at US$1.85 million, it is produced by Hong Kong’s Amy Chin and Stanley Kwan.
France-Taiwan co-production Debussy, about a mother and daughter who flee into a forest to escape a media scandal — won the CNC Cash Award and the TMPC Award. The CNC prize, valued at €10,000 (US$12,500) is for projects that have potential as French co-productions.
Jenny Lu’s UK-Taiwan co-production The Receptionist won the Central Pictures Corporation Award for post-production. 2 Love Stories about Liang Liang, which has no director officially attached, won the CPC’s award for pre-production.
Both Debussy and Receptionist are also recipients of government production subsidies that were announced by Taiwan’s Ministry of Culture in July. Farewell the Good Old Days is set to be directed by Hong Kong’s Kevin CHU Ka-wang and Judy CHU — the duo behind indie drama I Sell Love — picked up the Moneff Award. The film will be Judy Chu’s directorial debut.
Singapore’s A Small Place won the 3H Sound Studio Award. Packages from Daddy won the LAPCC Award. Notes of a Desolate Man, based on a novel by Chu Tien-wen, won the Arrow Award.
Hollywood
Paramount eyes $24bn Gulf support to fund Warner Bros Discovery merger: Reports
Sovereign funds line up funding as media giants chase streaming scale
NEW YORK: Paramount Skydance is in talks to secure nearly $24 billion in equity commitments from Gulf sovereign wealth funds to support its planned takeover of Warner Bros. Discovery, according to a WSJ report.
The funding push comes as Paramount Skydance advances its proposed $110 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery, which carries an equity valuation of $81 billion and is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
At the heart of the financing plan are three major Gulf investors. Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is expected to contribute roughly $10 billion, while the Qatar Investment Authority and Abu Dhabi-based L’imad Holding are likely to make up the remainder.
Crucially, the proposed investments are structured as non-voting stakes. This means the Gulf backers would not have direct control in the combined entity, a move designed to ease regulatory concerns in the United States. Paramount executives reportedly do not expect the deal to trigger scrutiny from bodies such as the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States or the Federal Communications Commission.
If completed, the merger would bring together a formidable portfolio of entertainment and news assets, including CNN and CBS. The combined entity aims to better compete in a fast-evolving media landscape where streaming platforms are steadily pulling audiences away from traditional television.
The deal reflects a broader shift in global media, where scale is increasingly seen as essential to survive the streaming wars. By pooling content libraries, technology and distribution, Paramount Skydance and Warner Bros. Discovery are betting on size and synergy to drive future growth.
The involvement of deep-pocketed Gulf investors also underscores the growing role of sovereign wealth in shaping global media consolidation, particularly at a time when high-value deals demand equally large financial backing.
With shareholder votes and regulatory milestones still ahead, the proposed tie-up remains one of the most closely watched media deals of the year. If it clears the final hurdles, it could redraw the competitive map of the global entertainment industry.
