Hollywood
Sundance awards announced before commencement of festival
NEW DELHI: Sundance Institute has announced the Science-in Film-Prizes that support the development and exhibition of new independent film projects that explore science and technology themes or that depict scientists, engineers and mathematicians in engaging and innovative ways.
The winning projects and grantees are: The Stanford Prison Experiment by director Kyle Patrick Alvarez, winner of the Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize; Jonathan Minard and Scott Rashap (Archive), winners of the Sundance Institute / Sloan Fellowship; and Jon Noble (Tyfus), Cutter Hodierne and John Hibey (Otzi), winners of the Sundance Institute / Sloan Commissioning Grants, presented through Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program.
The Stanford Prison Experiment, directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, will receive a $20,000 cash award from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Prize is selected by a jury of film and science professionals and presented to outstanding feature films focusing on science or technology as a theme, or depicting a scientist, engineer or mathematician as a major character.
Jonathan Minard and Scott Rashap will receive a $15,000 cash award from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
Through the Sundance Institute Feature Film Programme, the award grants $10,000 to an emerging producer of a film at the Sundance Film Festival. The award recognises bold vision and a commitment to continuing work as a creative producer in the independent space. Past award recipients include: Elisabeth Holm (Obvious Child), James Johnston & Toby Halbrooks (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) and Josh Penn & Dan Janvey (Beasts of the Southern Wild). The award was announced at the annual Producers Lunch at the Sundance Film Festival designed to celebrate producers across the Festival.
This year’s Short Film programme comprises 60 short films selected from 8,061 submissions.
The Short Film Grand Jury Prize is being awarded to World of Tomorrow / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Don Hertzfeldt) — A little girl is taken on a mind-bending tour of the distant future.
The Short Film Jury Award: U.S. Fiction is being presented to SMILF / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Frankie Shaw) — A young single mother struggles to balance her old life of freedom with her new one as mom. It all comes to a head during one particular nap-time when Bridgette invites an old friend over for a visit.
The Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction goes to Oh Lucy! / Japan, Singapore, U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Atsuko Hirayanagi) — Setsuko, a 55-year-old single so-called office lady in Tokyo, is given a blonde wig and a new identity, Lucy, by her young unconventional English-language teacher. “Lucy” awakens desires in Setsuko she never knew existed.
Hollywood
WBD sets April 23 vote on $110bn Paramount Skydance merger
Investor approval key step, but regulators loom over mega media deal
NEW YORK: Warner Bros. Discovery has set April 23 as the date for shareholders to vote on its proposed $110 billion merger with Paramount Skydance, marking a crucial step in one of the biggest media deals in recent years.
The all-cash transaction offers WBD shareholders $31 per share, a hefty 147 per cent premium to its unaffected stock price, signalling strong intent to push the deal across the finish line. The company’s board has unanimously backed the merger and is urging investors to vote in favour.
Even if shareholders give the green light, the deal is far from done. Regulators in the United States and Europe are expected to scrutinise the merger closely, weighing concerns around competition and potential price impacts for consumers.
To keep investors on side, WBD has built in a safety net. If the deal is not completed by September 30, shareholders will receive a quarterly “ticking fee” of $0.25 per share until closure.
The proposed merger would significantly reshape the media landscape, combining the assets of Warner Bros. Discovery with those linked to Paramount Global and Skydance Media. It would also cement the growing influence of David Ellison, who has been steering Skydance’s aggressive expansion strategy.
“The WBD Board has been guided by the singular principle of securing a transaction that maximises the value of our iconic assets and delivers as much certainty as possible to our shareholders,” said Warner Bros. Discovery board chair Samuel A. Di Piazza Jr.. “This historic transaction will expand consumer choice and create new opportunities for creative talent.”
Warner Bros. Discovery chief executive officer David Zaslav added that the company is working closely with its counterpart to close the deal and unlock value for stakeholders.
With investor backing likely but regulatory hurdles ahead, the proposed merger is shaping up to be a defining moment for the global entertainment industry, where scale, content and competition are increasingly intertwined.
