International
Malibu Fest honors Director Mary Lambert
NEW DELHI: Renowned director Mary Lambert has been honoured with a Cinematic Environmentalist Award at the 12th Annual Malibu International Film Festival during its Opening Night directly after the screening of her documentary Miss South Pacific: Beauty and the Sea.
The film not only follows the 2009-2010 Miss South Pacific Pageant, but also tells the story of various Pacific Island countries and how they have been affected by climate change.
While Lambert first gained attention as a director in the music video world, she is best known for her work in features (Pet Sematary, Pet Sematary 2, Siesta) and has directed a wide range of television projects for major networks.
Lambert accepted in hopes of spreading her film‘s message – one that, according to Lambert, needs to be heard.
Fellow environmental activists and personal friends Pierce and Keely Brosnan presented the Award.
Miss South Pacific kicked off the Opening Night of the Festival with a screening at Malibu Cinemas. After the presentation of Lambert‘s Award, the evening continued with an introduction by Pierce Brosnan for the romantic comedy feature Kissing Strangers directed by David Katz (Film and Television Producer, Malibu Film Festival Founder).
The Opening Night Films were sponsored by Keely Brosnan, Pierce Brosnan, Kym Gold, Babakul, Dianne Burnett, the Joan Valentine Foundation, Kanner Sisters Productions, and Marty Katz Productions.
International
Council of Europe to unveil new TV and streaming co-production convention
Series Mania Forum to host landmark signing to boost global TV collaboration
LILLE: The small screen is getting a big policy push. At this year’s Series Mania Forum in Lille, Alain Berset will take centre stage to chair the opening ceremony for a new international convention aimed at reshaping how television and streaming series are co-produced across borders.
Set for March 26 at the Théâtre Marie Curie in Lille Grand Palais, the signing marks the debut of the first legal framework dedicated specifically to the independent co-production of series. In an industry where stories travel faster than ever, the move aims to make collaboration smoother, fairer and more transparent.
Backed by the Council of Europe, the convention is designed to strengthen cultural ties, give independent producers a firmer footing, and bring greater clarity to deals in a rapidly evolving content landscape. With streaming platforms fuelling a surge in global storytelling, the timing feels deliberate.
Council of Europe secretary general Alain Berset, underscored the cultural heft of series today, noting how they carry voices and viewpoints across borders. He called on member states and countries beyond Europe to sign on, framing the initiative as a way to turn culture into a tool for cooperation and democratic exchange.
For Series Mania founder and general director Laurence Herszberg, hosting the signing is both symbolic and strategic. She described the convention as a step that could widen the range of stories reaching audiences, staying true to the forum’s long-standing mission of championing diverse storytelling.
The ceremony will unfold alongside the Lille Dialogues, a high-level summit that gathers policymakers and industry leaders to debate the future of Europe’s audiovisual sector. Berset is also set to deliver the opening address there, adding political weight to a week already rich in creative ambition.
In short, as screens multiply and borders blur, Europe is putting a framework in place to ensure that storytelling keeps pace, collaboratively and coherently.
