Hollywood
‘Pseudonym’ to premiere at Houston International Film Fest
NEW DELHI: Pseudonym is all set to get its North American premiere at the 48th annual Houston International Film Festival next month.
The festival will be held from 10 to 19 April at AMC Studio 30 on Dunvale. Festivities include the Opening Night Champagne Gala Premiere, Daily Film Screenings, nine Master Classes, the Grand Awards Gala and Cocktail Reception with the filmmakers, plus the Closing Day events (Houston Yacht Club Consular Regatta/Barbecue and VIP NASA/Space Center Houston Tour).
The festival will feature 50 award-winning independent films, 111 short films and 550 independent filmmakers from around the globe.
Founded in 1961, World Fest-Houston is the oldest Independent Film Festival in the world and third oldest in the United States. This annual event has evolved into a competitive independent international film festival showcasing the rising stars of tomorrow.
Pseudonym is a thriller directed by Thierry Sebban and stars Simon Abkarian, Igor Skreblin, Perrine Tourneux, and Thierry Sebban. It has original soundtrack composed by Nicolas Baby and has been produced by La Petite Reine, Diabolo Films and Lorette Productions
According to the storyline, Alex is a divorced father, a stressed executive. But he is breaking this routine to meet a beautiful young stranger who contacted him via the internet. But this blind date will flip him into a downward spiral and disrupt forever the course of his life.
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.
