Tag: Entertainment-Variety

They’re here.

Steven Spielberg premiered a new trailer at CinemaCon on Wednesday for “Disclosure Day,” his return to summer blockbuster filmmaking after a decade mostly spent making personal dramas (“The Fabelmans”) and prestige fare (“West Side Story”). The film’s plot has been shrouded in secrecy, but it involves visitors from another planet and a vast government conspiracy to cover up their arrival. It’s a genre that has been good to Spielberg over the years, inspiring classics such as “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and hits like his remake of “War of the Worlds.”

Here he’s supported by a starry cast that includes Emily Blunt as a weather reporter with a connection to otherworldly visitors; Josh O’Connor as a man with evidence that we’ve made contact; and Colin Firth as a nefarious bureaucrat who will stop at nothing to keep our heroes from going public. Eve Hewson and Colman Domingo round out the ensemble. David Koepp, who penned “Jurassic Park,” wrote the script. Spielberg called the sci-fi premise “closer to truth” than you might think.

“I’ve been curious ever since I was a little kid with what was happening in the night sky,” Spielberg said.

He noted that there has been increasing evidence that unidentified flying objects are real, referencing a 2017 report in the New York Times on a secret Pentagon program to investigate these mysterious sightings.

“The world became more accepting of the fact that we probably are not alone,” Spielberg said. The director’s certainty that intelligent life is out there has only grown in the nearly 50 years between the release of “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” and “Disclosure Day.”

“I believe this movie is going to answer questions and this movie is going to cause a lot of people to ask a lot of questions,” Spielberg said. “All you need to get from beginning to end is a seat belt,” he added.

There was lots of that Spielbergian sweep on display in the footage that he presented on Wednesday. Blunt and O’Connor crash through a farm house while evading government agents and later climb onto a speeding train. As for the aliens, they are glimpsed fleetingly. A ship (is it a flying saucer?) starts to materialize out of an ink-black sky; a hand that is definitely not human reaches up to caress a face. But do they come in peace?

At CinemaCon, Motion Picture Association CEO Charlie Rivkin presented a visibly emotional Spielberg with a “one-time honor, the America 250 award,” which was followed by a conversation between Domingo and his “Disclosure Day” director. It marks Spielberg’s first visit to the exhibition industry trade show.

“I promise you this will not be my last,” Spielberg promised after receiving a standing ovation.

Spielberg wasn’t just in promotional mode. He came with advice about how to sustain an art form he loves. That started with a plea to keep movies in theaters longer before debuting them on home entertainment platforms. To that end, he praised Universal, the studio behind “Disclosure Day,” for its recent decision to increase the number of days its films are in cinemas from as few as 17 to 45.

“Audiences will find what they want to watch, whether the films are big or small, but studios need to help us by greatly expanding the exclusive windows like [Universal Entertainment chief] Donna Langley just did,” Spielberg said to loud applause. “Today I’ve got to be greedy. Do I hear 60 days? Do I hear 120 days?”

Spielberg stressed that studios like Universal need to keep investing in original films like “Disclosure Day” instead of reboots, sequels and spinoffs.

“If all we make is known, branded IP, we’re going to run out of gas,” Spielberg said. “There is nothing more important than giving the audience visual stories, and they can be in any form, but we need to tell more original stories.”

But will “Disclosure Day” prove that audiences want something new and different or will it struggle to draw crowds to a movie that isn’t based on a comic book or a video game? We’ll find out if Spielberg is right when it opens on June 12.

After opening new offices in Mexico, Brazil and Argentina this year, Netflix is now turning its attention to Colombia.

Francisco Ramos, Netflix’s VP of original content, Latin America, was at the 65th Cartagena Film Festival (FICCI) to present four key initiatives aimed at bolstering the country’s audiovisual industry and give a sneak peek of Season 2 of “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” the streamer’s most ambitious series in the region.

 “To us, telling stories in Colombia is just the beginning. We want the experience of producing on a large scale – as we’ve done with ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ – to leave a positive impression on the creative industry. Today, the goal is to continue driving this growth so that the local ecosystem becomes increasingly robust, competitive and sustainable,” said Ramos, noting that Netflix was marking its 15th anniversary in Latin America, where it produced three out of its first five original local language shows.

In an exclusive interview with Variety, he pointed out that while Colombia has shown immense potential, it remains vital that Netflix provide not just financial support, but also the resources to execute artistic and technical craftsmanship.

“Otherwise, there’s a risk of a bubble: lots of production without quality, ambition or proper execution. The talent exists and with the initiatives we’ve been doing — and the new ones we’re launching — we’re emphasizing the need for more people to develop their craft. This will allow not only more diverse stories but also a deeper understanding of Colombia’s complexity: multiple large cities, diverse cultures, Caribbean, Pacific, central regions, and borders with several countries. On the technical side, people have always had the knowledge, but lacked resources. Now, we provide the tools and opportunities to fully develop their expertise.”

“I really believe it’s crucial for talented people to feel they can succeed in their own country. I’d be concerned if talented Colombians felt that to succeed in any craft — production design, costume, makeup, VFX, cinematography or production — they had to leave the country. People should have the option, especially in such a culturally rich country like Colombia, to build their careers at home.”

The four new training initiatives are:

Opera Prima Lab Film & Series:

Developed in partnership with FICCI, it will focus on guiding emerging filmmakers who are developing their first feature film or series. Alongside Netflix, the program “offers specialized mentorship in storytelling, essential production tools, and access to the FICCI programming, aimed at continuing to build our capacity to tell our own stories,” said Mónica Moya, FICCI industry director.

“There are extraordinary new filmmakers emerging — when I say “small,” I mean their films are small in scale, not in vision. Many of these movies wouldn’t be made without incentives, so we’re building the infrastructure to give these filmmakers access to people who can help make their projects more extraordinary, unique and individual,” Ramos asserted.

“It’s interesting because some might think our efforts are self-serving, but many of these films may never even end up on Netflix — and that’s perfectly fine. These filmmakers or writers could later work on a show with us or bring a project to us. I genuinely feel that when a film gets made because of the resources and support we provide — even if we’re technically competitors — it validates the ecosystem we’re building,” he added.

Lab Macondo 3:

In partnership with the Colombian Film Academy, led by Cristina Umaña, actress and President of the Colombian Film Academy, the Lab builds on earlier editions focused on literary adaptation and production design. Now in its third iteration, it centers on executive production as the bridge between creative vision and project sustainability, with most of its 24 participants hailing from across Colombia’s regions.

“Developing the craft of production designers — similar to the way exceptional designers in Mexico are recognized globally — will be hugely beneficial here. For example, many art directors who worked on ‘One Hundred Years of Solitude’ with Bárbara Enríquez are now joining us and even our competitors as production designers, because they now understand and can bring this level of vision to a project,” Ramos noted.

Audiovisual Industry Provider Training Program: 80 companies will be participating in this initiative in partnership with local producers association ASOCINDE, which will focus on fortifying the capabilities of companies to develop and produce content, said its president Diego F. Ramírez. “Every link in the chain is essential for content to reach audiences across borders; that is why the program promotes the development of skills, services and logistical capabilities that enable us to take our productions further.”

BAMMERS: Developed alongside promotional entity Proimágenes Colombia as part of the Bogotá Audiovisual Market (BAM), the initiative backs a new generation of Latin American producers by providing them with tools and connections to develop projects with international appeal.

“Opportunities make the difference, and these training programs pave the way for them. Initiatives like BAMMERS provide access to international experts, allow for the sharing of experiences, and connect participants with producers currently active in the industry. It’s a unique opportunity — one that’s often found not in universities, but in real life — and this is the first step,” said Claudia Triana, executive director of Proimágenes.

This initiative builds on the momentum led by “One Hundred Years of Solitude,” which marked a milestone for Colombia’s industry, not only for its cultural significance but also for its economic impact. Injecting close to $60 million into the national economy, it was a gargantuan production that involved building the mythical village of Macondo, which spanned over 5,812,506 square feet and tapped thousands of local talent and resources.

The 65th Cartagena Film Festival runs April 14- 19.

Heretic has boarded international sales on “Forever Your Maternal Animal,” the new film from Valentina Maurel, set to premiere in Un Certain Regard at Cannes.

Benelux distribution is set with Cinéart, while JHR Films will release the film in France.

The film reunites Heretic with the director after the company represented her debut feature, Locarno competition title “I Have Electric Dreams.”

“Forever Your Maternal Animal” follows Elsa, who returns to Costa Rica after years of studying in Europe and reconnects with her younger sister, who has drifted into an increasingly elusive and introspective world, as their parents retreat into their own private preoccupations.

“The film lingers in the shifting space between closeness and estrangement, where reality dissolves into memory, desire and the quiet pull of what remains unspoken,” according to a statement.

Maurel, of Franco-Costa Rican origin and based in Costa Rica, holds a degree in filmmaking from INSAS in Brussels. Her graduation film “Paul Is Here” won first prize at the Cinéfondation selection of the Cannes Film Festival in 2017. Her short “Lucía en el limbo,” shot in Costa Rica, was selected for Critics’ Week at Cannes in 2019, screened at the Toronto Film Festival, and won first prize at the Guanajuato Film Festival. Her debut feature “I Have Electric Dreams” premiered in competition at the Locarno Film Festival in 2022.

Ioanna Stais, Heretic’s head of sales and acquisitions, commented: “Valentina (Maurel) is a unique voice in contemporary cinema, and we are proud to continue our journey with her on ‘Forever Your Maternal Animal.’ Having been with her since ‘I Have Electric Dreams,’ we deeply value her artistic vision and the emotional precision she brings to every frame. This new film further confirms her as a filmmaker of exceptional sensitivity and strength, and we are thrilled to bring it to international audiences.”

Stephan Depotter, co-CEO of Cinéart, commented: “Valentina Maurel demonstrates her exceptional talent once again with ‘Forever Your Maternal Animal.’ I greatly admire the way her direction brings out such authentic and nuanced performances from the cast. I was particularly impressed by Maurel’s ability to communicate complex emotions and themes with remarkable subtlety — often conveying so much with just one look or a single frame.”

Jane Roger, co-founder of Paris-based arthouse distributor JHR Films, added: “Together with my partner Arnaud Dommerc, we were immediately struck by how ‘Forever Your Maternal Animal’ confirms Valentina Maurel as a singular voice on family and desire – at once clear-eyed and deeply sensitive. We are delighted to bring this new film to French audiences.”

“Forever Your Maternal Animal” is produced by Wrong Men and Geko Films in co-production with Pimienta. The film is produced by Benoît Roland and Grégoire Debailly with co-producer Nicolás Celis. The production is a collaboration between Belgium, France and Mexico.

Prime Video has committed to seven Filipino Prime Original series through its first-ever local slate event in the Philippines, forging content partnerships with networks ABS-CBN and GMA across genres spanning political thriller, family drama, psychological suspense, romance, crime and comedy.

The late also covers licensed Filipino films and a raft of Korean series running through Q4 2026.

Now streaming since March 20, crime drama “The Silent Noise” – produced by ABS-CBN Studios – centers on Eli, a deaf 10-year-old in the coastal town of Escondido who tries to make sense of his teacher’s sudden death as police investigation turns suspicion toward his own family. Angelica Panganiban and Zanjoe Marudo lead the cast, alongside Zaijian Jaranilla, Mutya Orquia, Joem Bascon, Mylene Dizon and KD Omalin.

The first new original out of the gate is romance “Love Is Never Gone,” set for May 8. Produced by Dreamscape Entertainment and ABS-CBN Studios, the series stars Joshua Garcia and Ivana Alawi as two people from different circumstances whose lives collide unexpectedly in Morocco, with their bond tested by distance, personal history and the choices each must make. Jameson Blake, Jane Oineza, Michael de Mesa, Epy Quizon and Dina Bonnevie also feature.

Psychological drama “The Loyalty Game” follows in July, with Janine Gutierrez, Jericho Rosales and Sofia Andres starring in a story of a seemingly solid couple whose relationship buckles when a third party enters their lives and pushes the limits of trust in ways none of them anticipated. The series is produced by Star Creatives and ABS-CBN Studios.

September brings two titles. Family drama “Honor Thy Mother” – produced by ABS-CBN Studios and GMA – reunites Sharon Cuneta and Barbie Forteza as a mother and daughter who, after years apart, find themselves on opposite sides of a bitter contest for what each believes is rightfully hers. Old wounds resurface as they weigh whether to confront the past together or let it drive them further apart. John Estrada, Tonton Gutierrez, Khalil Ramos and Mercedes Cabral also star.

Cross-cultural drama “Kopino,” produced by Dreamscape Entertainment and ABS-CBN Studios and arriving in November, follows a woman who becomes drawn into the lives of Kopino children – Korean-Filipino children often abandoned by their foreign fathers – and the man connected to their history. The series explores themes of identity, accountability and the long reach of choices made across borders. Paulo Avelino, Kim Chiu and Jo Byeong Kyu star.

Political thriller “Behind Closed Doors,” produced by GMA and set for release later in the year, casts Marian Rivera as a radio announcer whose secret relationship with the Philippine President – portrayed by Dingdong Dantes in a special participation – is exposed when she becomes the prime suspect in his assassination. Jillian Ward plays his daughter. Comedy competition series “LOL: Last One Laughing Philippines” also returns for a second season with Vice Ganda as host; premiere date and cast are to be confirmed.

“We’ve seen Filipino audiences embrace global Prime Video hits like ‘The Boys’ and ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty,’ which shows the appetite for premium storytelling,” said David Simonsen, director of Prime Video Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand. “Now we’re bringing that same commitment to quality with local originals featuring Filipino talent.”

Chaitanya Divan, head of content acquisition at Prime Video Southeast Asia, added: “Working closely with ABS-CBN and GMA, we’re supporting local storytellers to bring their visions to life – stories that speak to our local Filipino audiences while showcasing the incredible Filipino talents.”

Licensed Filipino film additions include GMA Pictures comedy “Samahan ng mga Makasalanan,” due in April, starring David Licauco, Sanya Lopez and Joel Torre; horror anthology “Gabi ng Lagim” (June), framed through the storytelling of Jessica Soho and featuring Arthur Acuna, Elijah Canlas and Jillian Ward; legal drama sequel “Bar Boys: After School” (July), with Carlo Aquino, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda and Kean Cipriano; and queer drama “Open Endings” (July), with Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Janella Salvador, Klea Pineda and Leanne Mamonong. The Bayaniverse historical trilogy – “Quezon” (May), “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral” – rounds out the licensed film slate, with “Quezon” starring Jericho Rosales as Manuel L. Quezon in a dramatization of the future president’s political ascent through the American occupation era.

On the Korean side, the broader 2026 lineup opens April 17 with “Absolute Value of Romance,” in which high school student Yeo Eui-ju moonlights as a web novelist whose new teachers become unlikely inspiration; it stars Kim Hyang Gi alongside Cha Hak-yeon and Kim Jae-hyun, and is produced by Coupang Play, Mediacorp, Good Wave Inc. and Borderless Film. Workplace romance “See You at Work Tomorrow!” (June), adapted from a Kakao Webtoon and starring Seo In-guk and Park Ji-hyun, follows a burnt-out product planner who has sworn off relationships until her most dreaded colleague changes course. Produced by Studio Dragon and Kross Pictures.

Titles also include “A Love Other Than Yours” (September), in which Seo Kangjun and Ahn Eun-jin play a couple a decade into their relationship who make a dangerous pact to confront temptation when new romantic interests enter both their lives, with Lee Joo Ahn and Jo Aram also starring, produced by Unichem; “Final Table” (working title, coming soon), with Ahn Hyo-seop as a chef based abroad who enters a high-profile Korean culinary competition representing the restaurant Familia, produced by SLL, B.A. Entertainment and DZoongFilm; and “Nine to Six” (Q4), in which Park Min Young plays a driven legal team deputy manager whose orderly career is upended when she finds herself drawn to both a warm-hearted junior colleague Han Sun-woo (Yook Sung Jae) and the seemingly flawless General Manager Park Hyun-tae (Go Soo), produced by Samhwa Networks.

Further Korean titles include spy romance “Love in Disguise” (October), with Yim Siwan and Seorina, produced by CJ ENM Studios and Pitapat Studio; historical action series “Sacred Jewel,” set during the 13th-century Mongol invasions and starring Ahn Bo-hyun, Lee Sung-min and Claudia Kim, produced by SLL and Celltrion Entertainment; and supernatural rom-com “Human X Gumiho,” with Gianna Jun as a 2,000-year-old gumiho disguised as a top actress opposite Ji Chang Wook, produced by HighZium Studio and Contents Planner. Anime additions include “The Ghost in the Shell” and “From Old Country Bumpkin to Master Swordman Season 2.”

Prime Video is available in the Philippines at PHP149 ($2.49) per month.

Vietnamese romantic drama “Meet Me at the Eclipse” (Hẹn Em Ngày Nhật Thực) will open theatrically across North America on May 8, distributed worldwide by Mockingbird Pictures, following a dominant run at the Vietnamese local box office that has seen it clear $4 million and climb into the record books.

Directed by Lê Thiện Viễn and produced by Lý Minh Thắng under Cánh Đồng Film, the film opened in Vietnam on March 27 and has held the top spot on the national chart for three consecutive weeks. It now ranks as the second highest-grossing original screenplay romance in Vietnamese box office history, behind only “Mai,” the 2024 hit directed by Trấn Thành.

The film uses a 1995 solar eclipse as its central metaphor, tracing the journey of a woman who discovers a cache of unsent love letters and travels back to her rural hometown, where a reunion with her first love forces a reckoning with the past she never fully closed. The theatrical strategy for North America is being overseen by Thanh Tran of Mockingbird Pictures, with engagements confirmed at AMC, Regal Cinemas, and Cinemark locations.

A day earlier, on May 7, the film will also open theatrically in Australia and New Zealand. Mockingbird is in advanced negotiations for releases in China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea, with dates yet to be confirmed for those territories.

Phong Duong, business director of Mockingbird Pictures, noted: “Our ambition is to position Vietnamese and Southeast Asian cinema as a sustained presence on the global stage – not through isolated breakout titles, but by building a long-term ecosystem where local stories can travel, resonate, and thrive across international markets.”

Over the past decade, Mockingbird Pictures has built a substantial distribution operation in Vietnam, putting out more than 60 films in cinemas each year while maintaining a digital slate of over 100 titles annually across streaming platforms, among them Netflix. The company has increasingly extended that reach into international sales, with a growing focus on cross-border theatrical releases.

Cannes is set to welcome a Japan IP market at this year’s festival.

Cannes market, the film festival’s business hub, is collaborating with Tokyo International Film Festival Content Market (TIFFCOM) on the strategic gathering, which will run from May 15 to 17.

The news comes as Japan readies to take the spotlight at this year’s market after being named the 2026 Country of Honor.

The Japan IP market, which will take place on the Art Explora catamaran at Cannes’ Vieux-Port, is set to be a high-level networking platform for international companies to meet with their Japanese counterparts and discuss a selection of leading IP across cinema, animation and publishing originating from Japan. There will be opportunities to set up one-on-one business meetings, pitch sessions and a curated program of presentations and conferences.

The event will also include a focus on the relationship between France Japan, highlighting the creative and industrial partnership between the two countries.

Among IP holders set to attend are Amuse Creative Studio, Kadokawa Corporation, Nihon Bungeisha, Nippon Animation, Shochiku, Shufu To Seikatsu Sha and Toei Company.

Keynote seminar “The Future of Japanese IP in Global Adaptations,” presented by “One Piece” exec producer and Filosophia CEO Tetsu Fujimura, is set for May 15 at 10am. Pitch sessions will take place on May 16 and one-to-one meetings throughout the three days of the IP market. Pre-registration is required.

“We are thrilled to demonstrate how the Country of Honour program can create new opportunities for collaboration, and the launch of the Japan IP Market with TIFFCOM is a perfect illustration,” says Marché du Film exec director Guillaume Esmiol. “Japan is renowned as the birthplace of some of the world’s most powerful IP, from manga and anime to novels, remakes and video games. This new initiative will create further opportunities to foster international collaborations. At the same time, it reinforces the growing importance of the IP market at the Marché du Film, which has been a key strategic focus for several years.”

TIFFCOM CEO Yasushi Shiina said: “The Japan IP Market is an important step for Japanese intellectual property on the global stage. We are very pleased to launch this platform with the Marché du Film, especially with Japan as Country of Honour this year. This is the ideal environment to highlight and showcase the extraordinary adaptability and creativity of Japanese content across multiple formats and markets. By bringing together key players from Japan and around the world in Cannes, we aim to create new opportunities for business and international growth.”

Warner Bros. added a slew of titles to its release calendar in 2027 and beyond, including a “Weapons” prequel about Aunt Gladys and the Margot Robbie-led “Ocean’s” prequel.

New additions to the schedule are “The Revenge of La Llorona” (April 9, 2027), “Ocean’s” prequel (June 25, 2027), “Evil Dead Wrath” (April 7, 2028), “Gladys” (Sept. 8, 2028), “Final Destination 7” (May 12, 2028),  Zach Cregger’s next thriller “The Flood” (Aug. 11, 2028) and an untitled Baz Luhrmann film about Joan of Arc (Nov. 22, 2028).

Warner Bros. announced the news at CinemaCon, the annual gathering of movie theater owners that’s currently taking place in Las Vegas. Warner Bros. is in the process of being sold to Paramount Skydance, which means that production timelines may be altered, and release dates could shift around if the merger goes through. However, Paramount’s CEO, David Ellison, has pledged to release 30 films a year once the two media giants become one, meaning they’ll need a lot of new material to fill out their theatrical slates.

Mike De Luca noted the overall box office is down from pre-pandemic years because the number of major studio releases has declined by 23%. “You don’t need a crystal ball to wonder what admissions might look like that missing volume was made up for and restored,” he said.

Warner Bros., meanwhile, has increased its output since De Luca and Pam Abdy took over as co-chairs in 2022. The studio released six films that year and was able to bump up that number to 11 in 2025. The bosses said they plan to unveil 14 movies in 2026 and 18 movies in 2027.

“Look, we know they’re not all going to work,” Abdy acknowledged from the stage. “There’s no version of this business that’s risk-free. But our job is to step up, make bets and own it when it doesn’t work.”