Hollywood
Studio 100 signs a deal with Universum Film
MUMBAI: Germany-based Studio 100 Media has signed up a deal with Universum Film for the distribution of the upcoming Maya the Bee, Vic the Viking, Heidi and Blinky Bill films in the German-speaking territories.
The first feature-length animation to premiere will be Maya the Bee – Movie, which is co-produced by Studio 100 Media and Buzz Studios. The film will release in September 2014 in German theatres.
Studio 100 Film, Studio 100 Media’s newly launched movie division, will handle the global cinematic film sales for all four titles.
Set against the backdrop of a longstanding hatred between bees and hornets, Maya is born into a hive where conformity rules. Her attempts to fit in and “be a bee” immediately bring her into conflict with the narrow-minded Queen’s Royal Advisor. When Maya stumbles onto the Advisor’s plot to steal the Queen’s royal jelly, she is forced to embark on a journey with her best friend Willi.
Hollywood
Disney chair confident CEO Josh D’Amaro will ‘rise to the occasion’ in Trump–Kimmel row
Board backs new chief as ABC controversy tests leadership early on
NEW YORK: The Walt Disney Company has placed the responsibility of handling the escalating dispute between Donald Trump and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel squarely on its new chief executive, Josh D’Amaro.
Speaking at a business conference in Oslo, Disney chair James Gorman said it would be up to the CEO and his team to determine the company’s response to the controversy surrounding Jimmy Kimmel Live!. He noted that such challenges are not uncommon for large corporations and require careful handling at the leadership level.
The row intensified after both Donald Trump and Melania Trump publicly called for Kimmel’s dismissal following remarks made on his show. The comments, which referenced the First Lady, sparked backlash in the days leading up to a security incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
Kimmel addressed the issue on-air, clarifying that his joke was intended as a reference to the couple’s age difference and not an incitement to violence. He also expressed sympathy for those affected by the incident and reiterated his stance against violent rhetoric.
Despite mounting pressure, Gorman refrained from offering specific guidance on the future of the show or the host. Instead, he voiced confidence in D’Amaro’s leadership, describing him as “world class” and capable of navigating the situation effectively.
The episode presents an early and high-profile test for D’Amaro, who stepped into the top role just last month. How Disney balances editorial independence, public sentiment and political pressure will likely shape not just the outcome of this controversy, but also the tone of its leadership in the months ahead.
