Malina Saval: Last News

Malina Saval Associate Editor, Features Static and Ben El, the pop music duo from Israel whose success in their home country led to a rich deal with Saban Music Group (via Virgin), has called it quits after seven years together. Backed by American-Israeli entertainment mogul Haim Saban, the group hit the ground running in 2018 with the English-language version of “Tudo Bom,” a bouncy Reggaeton track featuring J. Balvin. “Dear Friends – this was not an easy decision, however the duo known as Static and Ben El has decided to part ways,” the pair posted on Aug. 25 in a joint statement on their social media account.  “We also wanted to thank you for being so supportive and for helping us to live our dreams,” they continued. “Of course — the shows already scheduled will still take place. We love you very much, see you in our new incarnation.” 

Carson Burton Variety has announced this year’s list of 10 Screenwriters to Watch. The selected screenwriters will be honored at the 45th annual Mill Valley Film Festival with a dinner on Oct. 15. Andrea Berloff, the writer behind upcoming film “The Mother,” will also be honored with the Creative Impact in Screenwriting Award. The annual 10 Screenwriters to Watch program celebrates breakthrough screenwriters, actors, directors, comics, animators, producers and cinematographers in the industry. Some of the screenwriters are being honored for films that have already been released and received critical acclaim, including “Fire Island” or “Good Luck to You, Leo Grande.” Others, including the Brendan Fraser film “The Whale,” have yet to see wide release but are highly anticipated.

Malina Saval Associate Editor, FeaturesWhen a global pandemic strikes and you’re a stand-up comic whose livelihood and art form depends upon performing in-person in front of audiences, you look to other creative outlets, and short-term professional endeavors, to survive – to even just get through the day.For comedian Matteo Lane, that diversion was in the form of the ubiquitous video game Fortnite.“My friends and I just decided, we’re gonna get Fortnite and it genuinely saved my life,” said Lane with a throaty laugh. “I never laughed that hard because there’s a bunch of gays playing Fornite.

Malina Saval Associate Editor, FeaturesAs our driver approaches the Wiltern Theatre from a jam-packed stretch of Wilshire Boulevard, Nick Nuciforo, partner and head of comedy touring at UTA, keeps his eyes locked on the line snaking out from the theater’s front entrance. It’s an early May evening, cool and breezy, and the marquee pulsates with electric blue and red. The words “Netflix Is a Joke: The Festival” stretch wide across the sign, with “Chelsea Handler,” the night’s sold-out act, in black lettering.