Former Weta Digital Staff’s VFX Startup Floating Rock Studios Secures Seed Funding (EXCLUSIVE)

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief Iranian action drama “World War III,” which won two awards at the recent Venice festival, will feature among the main competition titles at next month’s Tokyo International Film Festival. The festival will operate as an in-person event with foreign filmmakers, media and other guests in attendance from Oct. 24-Nov. 2, 2022. “World War III” is joined in the competition section by the world premiere of Milcho Manchevski’s “Kaymak,” Spanish director Carlos Vermut’s “Manticore” and Roberta Torre’s “The Fabulous Ones,” Michale Boganim’s “Tel Aviv Beirut,” and Youssef Chebbi’s debut film “Ashkal.”

Marta Balaga LevelK continues to terrify international distributors with Finnish horror “The Knocking,” directed by Max Seeck and Joonas Pajunen. The film has now been sold to over 70 countries, Variety has learned, with the company sealing further deals in Germany, Austria and Switzerland (Alamode Film), Latin America (Gussi), CIS (Capella Film), France (KMBO), Indonesia (PT. Falcon) and Taiwan (AV-Jet International Media). “We have been looking at many Nordic projects, especially the Finnish ones. We definitely see a shift in not just more genre projects emerging, but also in the subjects and the creativity,” says CEO Tine Klint.

K.J. Yossman U.K. talent agency YMU has announced it is expanding into gaming and sports marketing with the integration of Digital Sports Mgmt (DSM) into its sports division. YMU has acquired a majority stake in DSM, which was launched in 2016 by Rob Wadsworth and Tom Henderson. DSM has worked with clients including EA Sports, Sorare, Avery Dennison and Warner Bros, as well as representing gaming talent such as Danny Aarons, ShaunaGames, and AJ3. As part of the merger, YMU’s services will expand to include esports consultancy, sports marketing, sponsorship brokerage, licensing, and live production.“YMU and Digital Sport Mgmt’s partnership strengthens our position at the crossroads where sport, gaming, technology, and entertainment meet and interact,” Henderson and Wadsworth said in a statement. “Our collective expertise will enrich the services we provide our talent and brand clients and will allow us both to scale into new markets. YMU is the perfect partner to expedite our business plan globally and in turn extend the YMU Group’s premium services into the future.”

Future has sold his publishing catalog to Influence Media Partners, the company announced in a press release Tuesday afternoon. A source told Variety that the deal was finalized in the “high eight figures.” “I put everything into my music, and I wanted to make sure these were in good hands as I thought about the next chapter of these songs,” Future is quoted as saying in the release.

Khloe Kardashian choked back tears as she detailed her shock at learning her on/off boyfriend Tristan Thompson had been unfaithful yet again while they were expecting their second child together. In a new teaser trailer for the second season of The Kardashians - which will launch on Thursday - the reality star, 38, admitted it had a been 'a difficult time' as she tried to come to terms with another betrayal. In December last year the couple were secretly expecting a son via surrogate when it emerged that Tristan had cheated with fitness instructor Maralee Nichols - who was pregnant with his child. 'There is something I am ready to talk about...Tristan and I are having another baby,' she revealed He'd initially denied the child was his but later admitted to his infidelity in a statement published to Instagram in January, which included a direct apology to Khloe.

Eight-time Grammy nominee Avril Lavigne added a very luxurious accessory to her Halloween-hued ensemble at Nobu Malibu on Tuesday night.The Canadian pop-rocker toted a pumpkin orange Hermès Birkin bag - created 1984 in honor of Jane Birkin - which can cost between $5K-$500K.Avril - also wearing a black T-shirt, ripped jeans, and combat boots - will celebrate her 38th birthday on September 27. Counting down to October 31! Eight-time Grammy nominee Avril Lavigne added a very luxurious accessory to her Halloween-hued ensemble at Nobu Malibu on Tuesday nightLavigne - who's working on a movie based on her 2002 hit Sk8er Boi - beamed as she greeted an older blonde gal pal.She also dined with her DT Records label boss Travis Barker and his second wife, The Kardashians star Kourtney Kardashian. On Monday night, the Bois Lie singer shared an Instastory of herself recording her eighth studio album with the 46-year-old Grammy-nominated drummer, singer Yungblud, and producer John Feldmann.

Kim Kardashian solidified her pinup status as she treated her Instagram followers to a slideshow of sizzling snaps on Tuesday.For her glamour shots, the 41-year-old reality star flaunted her fit physique in a busty rhinestone halter top and matching high-waisted bottoms.The mother-of-four strolled towards the camera with a billowing black robe resting in the crook of her arms. Hot stuff! Kim Kardashian solidified her pinup status as she treated her Instagram followers to a slideshow of sizzling snaps on TuesdayShe gave her petite frame a boost by slipping her feet into a pair of classic black heels.Her bleached blonde hair was styled in a voluminous updo with her curtain bangs left out and curled to frame her face.

Nicky Hilton was among the stars at the Young Hearts Friends Fest: Ice Cream Social hosted by God's Love We Deliver at The Museum of Ice Cream in NYC on Tuesday.The 38-year-old socialite hit the red carpet in a stylish black and white tweed shift dress that showed off her enviably toned and tanned legs.She was joined at the event by her darling daughter Teddy, who she shares with husband James Rothschild, 37.  Yummy! Nicky Hilton was among the stars at the Young Hearts Friends Fest: Ice Cream Social hosted by God's Love We Deliver at The Museum of Ice Cream in NYC on Tuesday. She was joined at the event by her darling daughter Teddy, who she shares with husband James Rothschild, 37Hilton stood on tall black and white high heels, and her blonde locks fell down her chest in waves.She took a few bites from a small pink ice cream cup while her four-year-old daughter ran around the event space.

Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker returned to Los Angeles after New York Fashion Week, the happily married couple had dinner at one of their favorite spots.The 43-year-old Kardashian and 46-year-old Barker were spotted enjoying a late night dinner date at Nobu in Malibu on Tuesday evening.The couple - who tied the knot in Las Vegas after the Grammy Awards in April - were seen walking hand-in-hand into the restaurant.  Kourt and Trav: Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker returned to Los Angeles after New York Fashion Week, the happily married couple had dinner at one of their favorite spots Couple: The couple - who tied the knot in Las Vegas after the Grammy Awards in April - were seen walking hand-in-hand into the restaurantKourtney stepped out for the dinner date in a tight black crop top that showed off her toned stomach.She also wore a tight black full-length skirt, while carrying a small black purse as she got out of her black vehicle.  She completed her look with a pair of black heeled boots as she joined her husband for dinner.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefKakao Piccoma, a Japanese online animation firm, has reportedly pushed back its plans for a share listing on the Tokyo Stock Exchange, previously indicated for December this year. The company hopes that the delay will help it hold on to a $6 billion valuation.The company is jointly owned by Kakao, the Korean tech and messaging giant, and Kakao Entertainment, with shareholding respectively 73% and 18%. Piccoma raised finance last year though a private share sale that brought in Anchor Capital, valued it at JPY847 billion ($6.17 billion at current exchange rates).

A disgruntled father has slammed Manchester Airport as a 'ghastly place to travel from' after his daughter and wife suffered delays while travelling on separate flights from Manchester to Toronto.

Amazon is slated to debut the premiere two episodes of its new series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, days ahead of its premiere on Amazon Prime Video.The episodes will air at Cinemark theaters on August 31 in a collaboration with Amazon, with the series slated to premiere on September 2 on Amazon Prime Video, Variety reported Sunday.The theatrical screenings are a promotional event for members of the Cinemark Movie Rewards program. The latest: Amazon is slated to debut the premiere two episodes of its new series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, days ahead of its premiere on Amazon Prime VideoTickets opened up for availability Monday, and are accompanied by a snack voucher in the amount of $10.The screenings, which pay homage to the The Lord of the Rings film series, will take place in the range of 200 global locations, the outlet reported, including in the U.S.

Hollyoaks viewers are convinced killer Joseph Holmes (Olly Rhodes) will commit murder again in upcoming scenes.Fans of the Channel 4 soap are aware that Joseph stabbed Saul Reeves (Chris Charles) to death last month.DeMarcus Westwood (Tomi Ade) is currently behind bars after being wrong accused of the horrendous crime.READ MORE: Hollyoaks Patrick Blake star now - new job, on-set injury and baffling soap exitHowever, fans are convinced that Joseph will kill his partner Vicky Grant (Anya Lawrence) in the near future, with some sharing their predictions online.One fan penned: "I think Joseph will kill Vicki when she tries to get away from him as he's so possessive."Another added: "Got a feeling Vicky will be killed by Joseph."A third person posted "I think Joseph is going to kill Vicky."Jospeh turns his attentions to another Hollyoaks residents next week when Vicky refuses to jump to his tune.He ends up sleeping with Serena Chen-Williams (Emma Lau) behind her back.Vicky often ends up on the receiving end of her boyfriend's tirade of abuse, much to the dismay of Scott Drinkwell (Ross Adams), who has repeatedly told his foster daughter that she deserves better."I'm so excited about joining Hollyoaks, it's been a great experience. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly," Olly said in a statement before joining the show.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau ChiefChinese animation film “New Gods: Yang Jian” was the top film at the mainland China box office over the latest weekend. “Minions: The Rise of Gru” opened in third place.“New Gods: Yang Jian” earned 19.8 million (RMB134 million) on its debut between Friday and Sunday, according to data from consultancy Artisan Gateway. It places ahead of previous winner “Moon Man” which slipped from first to second place with a $17.8 million (RMB121 million) fourth weekend.

Patrick Frater Asia Bureau Chief“Hunt,” the period political thriller directed by “Squid Game” star Lee Jung-jae, held top spot at the South Korea box office for the second weekend. “Nope” was the highest opener, landing in third spot.“Hunt,” made $5.68 million over the weekend, down 35% compared with its opening score a week earlier.

Plastic surgery, fillers and injectables are not just for the women in Hollywood. Joe Jonas recently said men should not be faced with a negative stigma if they decide to have work done.

Patrick Swayze's widow ahead of the 35th anniversary of one of his most beloved roles — Johnny Castle in .«It's really incredible,» Niemi says of the continued love for the movie, which was released in August 1987. «When Patrick was still alive, he would always say, 'I’m on my second generation of fans'… He'd get approached by young ladies who weren't even born when the movie came out.»«Any artist,» she continues, «for their work to live on like that and make such an impact in such a positive way, what more could you ask for?»As for the film's most iconic scenes — where Swayze's Johnny lifts Jennifer Grey's Baby — Niemi reveals that her late husband «had that down forever.»«Patrick loves going off and he was strong enough to do all that stuff,» she says, «so when they want to pull off a great lift, he says, 'I got one for you.'»Back in 2020, ET confirmed that Grey is on board to star in and executive produce a sequel to the beloved '80s flick, which Swayze was approached about in the wake of the original movie's success.«He would not do it again,» Niemi says.

John Lennon’s son Julian was shocked by his father being brought “back to life” during Sir Paul McCartney’s shows. Lennon has been digitally ‘resurrected’ using video and artificial intelligence to perform duets with Sir Paul, including one of the 1969 track ‘I’ve Got A Feeling’ at the singer’s Glastonbury headline slot this year. The stunt was masterminded by The Beatles documentary ‘Get Back’ filmmaker Peter Jackson, who used “machine learning technology” to isolate Lennon's vocals from old recordings and arrange them into a copy of a live performance.

couples are getting real about their sex lives in this exclusive clip from part two of this season's tell-all special airing Sunday on TLC. In the clip, Shaeeda shades Bilal for not getting her pregnant since she's made it no secret that she wants a child.In the clip, Emily and Kobe admit they've only had sex «four or five times» after she gave birth to their daughter, Scarlet, since Kobe is scared of another surprise pregnancy.Shaeeda then interjects, «I think you need to talk to Bilal because he knows how to not get a woman pregnant, so, he can probably give you some notes, OK? He could do it really good.»Bilal takes it in stride and calls her «Queen Shade.» After Patrick and Thaís note that their sex life is better now and «insane» since she got pregnant — and Kara, who's also pregnant, agrees — Shaeeda says that Bilal likes to «practice» but she hasn't seen any results.