Hollywood
‘Miss South Pacific: Beauty and the Sea’ to open Mokpo Ocean Film Fest
NEW DELHI: An American made documentary by Mary Lambert, Miss South Pacific: Beauty and the Sea will open the first edition of the aquatic-themed Mokpo Ocean Film Festival in South Korea.
A total of 29 ocean-themed features and short films will be screened at the Festival to be held for four days from 31 July to 3 August in the coastal city of Mokpo. Festival organisers say it will be Asia’s first ocean-themed film festival although similar festivals take place in San Francisco, Hawaii, Vancouver and South Africa.
Festival co-director Yoo In-taek said such an event would help develop awareness of maritime affairs. “Mokpo is a working port city, not a holiday resort for the privileged. We feel proud and honoured to be hosting such an event where people make their living directly from the sea,” said In-taek, who is also a renowned film producer.
South Korea has seen a surge of film festival launches in the past few years. A mountain-themed film fest is tentatively scheduled to debut in Ulju in summer 2015.
Late last month, Revolution – a true-life adventure of filmmaker Rob Stewart – had won the top award at the 40Fathoms Film Festival which is a cinematic celebration of Earth’s Oceans.
Using the power of film and imagery, 40Fathoms Film Festival raises public awareness about issues facing the oceans today and provides people with the tools to make a difference.
The 40Fathoms Film Festival was conceived by the South African Shark Conservancy (SASC) to celebrate World Oceans Day. It showcases underwater filmmaking talent and emphasises marine conservation concerns and success stories on a regional and global scale. 40Fathoms was held at Hermanus in South Africa – a historic coastal village just 1.5 hours from Cape Town.
Hollywood
Disney unifies streaming, film, TV and games under Dana Walden
Debra O’Connell to chair Disney Entertainment Television in new setup
LOS ANGELES: The Walt Disney Company is pressing play on a more tightly woven future. As audiences hop between cinema screens, streaming apps and game worlds, the media giant is stitching its storytelling arms into one coordinated machine under Dana Walden.
Set to take charge as president and chief creative officer on March 18, Walden will oversee a newly unified Disney Entertainment structure that brings together streaming, film, television and the company’s fast-expanding games and digital business. She will report directly to incoming chief executive officer Josh D’Amaro.
The thinking is simple. Whether viewers are watching on Disney+, heading to the cinema or diving into a game, Disney wants the experience to feel like chapters of the same story. Walden summed it up as strengthening the emotional thread between Disney’s characters and its audiences, wherever they choose to engage.
The leadership reshuffle reads like a carefully cast ensemble. Alan Bergman continues as chairman of Disney Entertainment, studios, steering film production, marketing and distribution while sharing oversight of direct to consumer.
Streaming gets a dual command. Joe Earley and Adam Smith step in as co-presidents of direct to consumer, jointly handling strategy and financial performance across Disney+ and Hulu. Earley will also guide content strategy, while Smith retains his role as chief product and technology officer across Disney Entertainment and ESPN.
A new chair enters the frame with Debra O’Connell taking on the role of chairman, Disney Entertainment Television. She will oversee an expansive slate that includes ABC Entertainment, National Geographic and Hulu Originals, while continuing to supervise ABC News and owned stations.
Gaming, once a side quest, is now a central storyline. Sean Shoptaw, executive vice president, games and digital entertainment, moves into the Disney Entertainment fold. His remit includes partnerships such as the collaboration with Epic Games, aimed at building a Disney universe linked to Fortnite.
Elsewhere, John Landgraf remains chairman of FX, reporting to Walden, while Asad Ayaz continues as chief marketing and brand officer, reporting to both D’Amaro and Walden.
The message behind the reshuffle is clear. Disney is no longer thinking in silos of screens but in stories that travel. And with Walden at the creative helm, the company is betting that a single, seamless narrative can keep audiences hooked, whether they are watching, scrolling or playing.
