Hollywood
Takahata gets Honorary award at Annecy Animation FilmFest in France
NEW DELHI: Renowned animator Isao Takahata has been given the honorary award at the Annecy Festival in France to celebrate his career and contribution to animation.
An acclaimed filmmaker has created a number of master works including Grave of the Fireflies, Pompoko and My Neighbours the Yamadas.
Along with Hayao Miyazaki and the Tokuma Shoten company, he also founded studio Ghibli, producer of international successes as Princess Mononoke, Spirited Away and The Wind Rises.
Festival Artistic Director Marcel Jean said at the conclusion earlier this week: “Filmmaker of an exceptional scale, Mr Takahata is also a great humanist whose work has become a reference for those who believe in the greatness of animation as a cinematic art form.”
His latest film, The Tale of the Princess Kaguya, was screened in his presence at the Festival opening ceremony.
The Haras Theatre in quaint centre ville Annecy was a buzz as the final prizes and special mentions were announced to a full house of festival goers and industry insiders.
The other award winners were:
1. Award for originality and humour Kod fotografa
Director: Vatroslav MIMICA
Country: Croatia
2. Award for originality and humour
Krava na mjesecu
Director: Dusan VUKOTIC
Country: Croatia
3. Grand Prix
Lev a písnicka
Director: Bretislav POJAR
Country: Czech Republic
4. International Critics’ Award
Moonbird
Director: John HUBLEY, Faith ELLIOT
Country: United States
5. Award for social interest and graphic research
O misto na slunci
Director: Frantisek VYSTRCIL
Country: Czech Republic
6. Award for musical score and sound effects
Osvetnik
Director: Dusan VUKOTIC
Country: Croatia
7. Children’s film Award
Petya i krasnaya shapochka
Director: Boris STEPANTSEV
Country: Russia
8. Award for its humanitarian theme and graphical research
Pozor!
Director: Jiri BRDECKA
Country: Czech Republic
9. Award for aesthetic research
Prelude pour voix, orchestre et caméra
Director: ARCADY
Country: France
10. Award for poetry and popular art
Vlyublennoe oblako
Director: Roman KATCHANOV, Anatole KARANOVITCH
Country: Russia
Hollywood
Paramount Skydance secures financing for Warner Bros Discovery deal
Debt syndication and new loans push $111 billion merger closer to close
WASHINGTON: Paramount Skydance has taken a major step towards its planned acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery, securing fresh financing and completing the syndication of its bridge loan facility.
In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, the company confirmed that the bridge facility has now been distributed among a group of 18 banks, reducing total commitments to $49 billion from an earlier $54 billion. The move spreads risk across lenders and signals growing confidence in one of the year’s largest media deals.
Alongside this, the company has finalised permanent financing arrangements, including $5 billion in senior term loans and a $5 billion revolving credit facility. A previously planned $3.5 billion credit line has been dropped as part of the restructuring.
The loans are secured against key assets, including Paramount Global, Skydance Media and Warner Bros post-merger, underlining the scale and complexity of the transaction.
The financing push follows a competitive bidding process earlier this year, which saw interest from players such as Netflix before Paramount Skydance emerged as the frontrunner. The deal, valued at $111 billion, is expected to close in the third quarter, subject to regulatory approvals.
Adding to the momentum, the company has also secured significant equity backing, including investments from Middle Eastern funds, with support from billionaire Larry Ellison, who has guaranteed the equity portion of the transaction.
Commenting on the development, Paramount Skydance chief strategy officer Andy Gordon said, “Our successful debt syndication and new debt facilities represent another important milestone towards the completion of our acquisition of Warner Bros Discovery.”
Once completed, the combined entity is expected to carry net debt of just under $80 billion, reflecting the sheer scale of the merger.
As Hollywood continues to consolidate in the streaming era, this deal could reshape the competitive landscape, with Paramount Skydance betting big on scale, content and financial muscle to take on global rivals.
