Hollywood
‘Revolution’ wins top award at annual 40Fathoms Festival
NEW DELHI: ‘Revolution’, a true-life adventure of filmmaker Rob Stewart has 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.
‘Revolution’ is a follow-up to Stewart’s acclaimed Sharkwater (36 festival wins) and continues his remarkable journey; one that will take him through 15 countries over four years, and where he will discover that it is not only sharks that are in grave danger – it is humanity itself.
In an effort to uncover the truth and find the secret to saving the ecosystems we depend on for survival, Stewart embarks on a life-threatening adventure. From the coral reefs in Papua New Guinea and deforestation in Madagascar to the largest and most destructive environmental project in history in Alberta, Canada, he reveals that all of our actions are interconnected and that environmental degradation, species loss, ocean acidification, pollution and food/water scarcity are reducing the Earth’s ability to house humans.
Travelling the globe to meet with the dedicated individuals and organisations working on a solution, Stewart finds encouragement and hope, pointing to the revolutions of the past and how we’ve evolved and changed our course in times of necessity. If people were informed about what was really going on, they would fight for their future – and the future of other generations. From the evolution of our species to the revolution to save it, Stewart and his team take viewers on a groundbreaking mission into the greatest war ever waged. Startling, beautiful, and provocative,
‘Revolution’ inspires audiences from across the globe to start a revolution and change the world forever. The film has been produced, directed and photographed by Rob Stewart himself.
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.
