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Jah'Mila makes hopeful appeal for change at East Coast Music Awards

Jah'Mila makes hopeful appeal for change at East Coast Music Awards

Yahoo09-05-2025

Reggae musician Jah'Mila delivered a powerful speech at the East Coast Music Awards, offering a hopeful appeal for collaboration and change after her win for R&B/Soul release of the year. The Halifax-based singer noted that her winning song, "Never Fail," is neither R&B nor soul and said she is excited for the work that will result in a reggae song being honoured in a more fitting category. (May 9, 2025)

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Montreal Grand Prix fans stuck paying turbocharged prices for accommodation
Montreal Grand Prix fans stuck paying turbocharged prices for accommodation

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Montreal Grand Prix fans stuck paying turbocharged prices for accommodation

MONTREAL — Paula Wadden has been a huge Formula One fan ever since she got hooked on the Netflix show "Drive to Survive" a few years ago. But the Halifax-area health-care worker says watching the Grand Prix in Montreal this weekend comes with high-octane prices. Advertisement The Montreal hotel where she's spending the first part of the week doubles in price for the weekend. Instead, she'll spend the weekend at a hotel outside the city, near the airport, for about $600 a night. "The tickets (prices) are OK, it's the accommodation and the means that are getting expensive," she said Tuesday in Old Montreal. "I don't know how the average Joe can afford it." Wadden said the trip, which she's taking with her daughter and her daughter's partner, will cost $6,000 to $7,000. And that's despite the switch in hotels and the decision to save money by driving the 12 hours from Halifax rather than flying. While looking up hotels online, she said she saw even more eye-watering hotel prices ranging between $1,200 to more than $2,000 a night, as well as $4,000-per night Airbnbs. Advertisement The Grand Prix is Montreal's biggest tourist event, expected to attract some 350,000 visitors and generate $162 million for the city, according to the head of Tourisme Montreal. Yves Lalumière estimates average hotel room prices on Grand Prix weekend at $600 to $800 per night — although some wealthy CEOs will pay $8,000 for a suite. "This year's prices will probably stabilize quite a bit, maybe a two to three per cent increase over the previous year," he said in an interview. "But the last five years I've seen an increase year after year, and a substantial increase as well." A ticket package for the three race days starts at $360, according to the Canadian Grand Prix website — though well-off fans can pay much more. 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Bitton said he brought in the car as a gift to fans after last year's Grand Prix, which was marred by mishaps on and off the track that left a bad taste in some fans' mouths. Those issues included traffic headaches, flooding from rain, fans turned away from a practice session they were led to believe was cancelled, and restaurants ordered to suddenly close their patios on one of the busiest evenings of the year. "I'm trying to give back because last year was so tough," Bitton said. Advertisement While Grand Prix fans are generally well-off, Bitton also worries about rising prices, especially now that the city has imposed tougher new rules on short-term rentals for primary residences. Next year, the Grand Prix will be held from May 22 to 24, which is outside the June-to-September window in which primary residence rentals are allowed. "A lot of the fans love to flock here because of the heritage and they love this place," Bitton said. 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Denise Beevor and Mark Omerod, from West Sussex in England, say they're spending 'a small fortune' for a 10-day trip that includes Sunday's race as well as stops in Quebec City and Mont-Tremblant. "I think, particularly since COVID, it's important to have things to look forward to and to take memories away with you, and you can't replace that," Beevor said. "Possessions come and go, memories don't." Advertisement The CEO of the greater Montreal hotels association said the occupancy this weekend is expected to be around 90 per cent, similar to last year. Dominique Villeneuve said the industry was prepared to meet the demands of Grand Prix weekend "enthusiastically and with the same professionalism that characterizes our industry." This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 12, 2025. Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press

Spain's Secuoya Studios Enters France with ‘No Second Chance' Producer Sydney Gallonde (EXCLUSIVE)
Spain's Secuoya Studios Enters France with ‘No Second Chance' Producer Sydney Gallonde (EXCLUSIVE)

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Spain's Secuoya Studios Enters France with ‘No Second Chance' Producer Sydney Gallonde (EXCLUSIVE)

Secuoya Studios, the Madrid-based film and TV studio behind 'Shades' and 'Arcadia,' is set to enter France through a multi-year production and development deal with Sydney Gallonde, the indie French producer of Harlan Coben's hit series 'No Second Chance' and 'Just One Look.' Under this new deal, Gallonde will grant Secuoya Studios first-look rights to his upcoming premium projects telling French stories and narratives aimed at the global market. Aside from Coben's series, Gallonde also worked on 'French Riviera,' the series adapted from Guillaume Musso's bestseller, and has collaborated with MGM, Amazon, and NBCUniversal, among others. More from Variety Oscar-Nominated Doc 'La Corona' to Be Adapted as Scripted Feature (EXCLUSIVE) Spanish TV Ambition Plays Out Over Berlin Secuoya Studios Expands International Reach With New BlackBox Multimedia Partnership in the U.K. Beyond literary adaptations, Sydney also produced socially driven projects, such as 'Le Colosse aux pieds d'argile' starring Éric Cantona, which won the Golden Nymph for Best Film at the Monte Carlo TV Festival, among others. This new production deal with Gallonde is part of Secuoya Studios's plan to produce 30% ofits content in languages other than Spanish and generate revenues from international titles. Earlier this year, the company made its first foray into the U.K. market through a first-look development and production partnership with London-based BlackBox Multimedia. 'The French market, with its strong creative identity and international influence, is a strategic priority for us as we expand across Europe. It is a pleasure to join forces with Sydney Gallonde to bring to life original and exciting stories in French, with the potential to connect with global audiences,' said Brendan Fitzgerald, Secuoya Studios CEO. 'His deep French and international experience give us an essential global perspective to enrich our projects,' Fitzgerald continued. Gallonde, who is a self-starter and has a strong track record in scripted series, said he's convinced that 'French narratives now have a truly universal reach.' 'This partnership with Secuoya Studios allows me to open wider doors to the international market, without ever compromising the emotional and cultural depth of our stories,' continued Gallonde, adding he strives 'to create content that resonates across cultures, highlights underrepresented voices, and sparks meaningful conversations.'Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar

‘Edmond and Lucy' Returns With Season 2 From MIAM! Animation: Feature Adaptation in Development
‘Edmond and Lucy' Returns With Season 2 From MIAM! Animation: Feature Adaptation in Development

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‘Edmond and Lucy' Returns With Season 2 From MIAM! Animation: Feature Adaptation in Development

Paris-based MIAM! Animation is bringing back its popular preschool series 'Edmond and Lucy' for a second season. Following the success of Season 1, which has been sold in over 150 countries and won the 2023 Unifrance Export Award for best-selling French animated series of the year , the new season will consist of 26 episodes, each 12 minutes long. The CG-animated series is based on the books by Astrid Desbordes and Marc Boutavant, published by Nathan. It follows the adventures of Edmond the squirrel and Lucy the bear cub, who live in a majestic tree in the heart of a large forest. The show blends humor, nature, and friendship, and stands out for its commitment to ecological values and digital innovation. More from Variety Netflix Shares 'Stranger Things: Tales From '85,' 'In Your Dreams' First Looks in Annecy Annecy Has It Bad For 'The Bad Guys 2' as DreamWorks Animation Previews Footage for the Very First Time: 'Bigger, Better and Badder' 'Steven Universe: Lars of the Stars' Unveiled in Annecy: Studios Sneak Peek New 'Regular Show,' 'Foster's,' 'Adventure Time,' 'Gumball' Series Season 2's greenlight was announced at Annecy on Wednesday during a France Télévisions press conference. Valérie Expert, CEO and producer at MIAM! Animation, shared her enthusiasm regarding the renewal, saying: 'We're delighted to announce a second season of 'Edmond and Lucy.' The success of the first season confirmed the show's ability to resonate with families worldwide. We're proud to bring more stories that inspire curiosity and respect for nature.' The new season is co-produced with France Télévisions, supported by the Région Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the Département de la Charente. MIAM! Animation also announced the development of a feature film and a digital platform that will extend the 'Edmond and Lucy' experience beyond television. The animation for Season 2 is being produced at MIAM's studio in Angoulême, reinforcing the region's reputation as a hub for animation. Season 2 of 'Edmund and Lucy' is set to premiere later this year. Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week

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