Lino DiSalvo's Mediawan Kids & Family Animated Feature ‘Twisted' Draws Buyers For Sola Media
The film has sold to the Baltics (ACME), CIS (MJM Group), Ex-Yugoslavia (MCF), Greece (Tanweer), Israel (Red Cape), Latin America (Imagem), Middle East (Selim Ramia), Mongolia (The Filmbridge), Poland (Kino Swiat), Portugal (Cinemundo), Spain (Flins y Pinículas), Turkey (Bir Film) and Ukraine (Green Light).
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Directed by Frozen Head of Animation DiSalvo, the animation is billed as one of the biggest animated features currently in production in France.
Delivery is slated for Q1 2027. French distributor Le Pacte is on board, alongside France 3 Cinéma and Paramount+ France.
Set in a picturesque alpine village in Italy, Twisted follows Angelina, a teenager who inadvertently disrupts her town's beloved festival and unleashes a wave of mischievous magical creatures—each one born from a lie she tells to cover her tracks.
To make things right, she embarks on a cross-country journey with the Badalisc, a reluctant, truth-telling folklore creature, in a heartfelt road-trip adventure about identity, community, and self-acceptance.
Further deals are currently in negotiation, with additional territory announcements expected in the coming weeks.
'The response to Twisted has been truly enthusiastic,' said Solveig Langeland, Managing Director at Stuttgart and Munich-based Sola Media.
'Buyers are drawn not only to the breathtaking Italian setting, but also to the film's timely and universal theme of truth versus lies and its consequences, all wrapped in a fun, heartfelt adventure. We're thrilled with the strong sales and excited by the global appeal the film is generating.'
Mediawan Kids & Family is out in force in Cannes this year as one of the producers on Sylvain Chomet's Marcel Pagnol biopic A Magnificent Life, with past high-profile credits including Miraculous – The Movie and The Little Prince.
Stuttgart and Munich-based Sola Media's Cannes Market slate also features The Pout-Pout Fish and Tafiti – Across the Desert, both set to screen in Cannes. The company also represents Captain Sabertooth and the Countess of Grel, which premieres in Annecy this June.
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Fox News
3 hours ago
- Fox News
Scott Wolf claims estranged wife planned 'false allegations' against him in contentious divorce proceedings
Scott Wolf is breaking his silence after announcing he filed for divorce from his estranged wife, Kelley Wolf. The 57-year-old "Party of Five" star told People he hopes to keep "this most difficult chapter of our family's lives" private, but he has chosen to speak out because "the well-being of my children is at stake" and keeping them safe "will always be my priority." "There are some significant challenges that are making our situation incredibly difficult and contentious, and it is tragic for all involved," he told the outlet. "I was informed of some deeply disturbing and entirely false allegations that were made about me by my estranged wife." Scott claimed that Kelley told him in a series of text messages that she planned to "make claims" against him which included "psychological abuse, child abuse, child endangerment, stealing with passports." "I am now choosing to come forward and share that she has described to me her plans to 'make claims' about me, although she also admitted, 'I do not believe they're true,' in order to gain an advantage in what she sees as a 'battle' in court, and in the court of public opinion," Scott said in his statement. "In order to protect my kids, I am providing the text messages she sent to me where she describes this plan, so there are no questions about her intentions, or the malicious intent behind her false allegations made and/or planned for the future." Scott said that also in the messages, Kelley wrote that she "was advised to make claims that are possible, even though I do not believe they're true nor would I ever say them to anyone." "When you accused me of all the things you put in the restraining order, you made me into a villain," the alleged text messages read, per People. "The only way I can fight back is to produce claims that are either the same as yours or greater." She allegedly explained that she was trying to "create more urgency to get the kids back. Or at least get back joint custody." She went on to make several of these claims in a July 26 911 call to the police, the outlet reported. A new agreement was reached in the estranged couple's divorce proceedings on July 15, which granted Scott temporary sole physical custody of their three children, Jackson, 16, Miller, 12, and Lucy, 11. Kelley was given supervised visitation. "Although her claims are completely baseless and incredibly dangerous, the worst part is that they are traumatic for our children," the actor said. "I hope that anyone who might speak publicly or report on such things, will consider this before spreading any further information from a clearly unreliable and completely compromised source." He continued, "I continue to ask for privacy and respect for our family, and give thanks all those who have shown their love and support." Per People, under the terms of the July 15 agreement, Kelley is allowed supervised visits with the children, as well as three phone or video calls with the kids a week, with the ultimate goal of the agreement being that Kelley will no longer need supervision. The former couple announced they were splitting after 21 years of marriage on June 10, with Kelley sharing on Instagram they "are moving forward with the dissolution of our marriage." Just days after announcing their divorce, Kelley was detained by police in Utah County and taken to the hospital, after she made "some comments to people that are concerning."
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Yahoo
From straight comfort to queer chaos—and why I'd do it again
"Oh, we knew all along," a phrase I've heard more times than I can count since my grand unveiling at the ripe age of 48. People love saying that. One might have hoped someone would have nudged me a tad sooner. I realize that our journey is ours, but it might have been nice to have someone say, "Hey, are you sure you should be marrying that woman?" But alas, hindsight is 20/20. The universe, it seems, had its own script for me. I always knew I was different, but "feeling" gay remained elusive. Countless opportunities for exploration passed me by; I never took them. Instead, I built a fortress of comfort with my high school sweetheart, eventually leading to marriage. It was love, but not the love. the chaotic unraveling that followed was never the intention. Still, in retrospect, detonation was the only way to wake me up. Thank you, universe—I get it now. Leaving my marriage was a descent into darkness. After living as a straight man for 48 years, my life felt quite comfortable. I believed I was fulfilled and had everything I needed. I was a successful, independent creative in the entertainment industry, with a wife, a cute house, dogs, and a fancy car, and I was well-traveled. Yet, I was numb—a state that no amount of success, accolades, or possessions could fill. There was an emptiness within me, an ache that remained unfulfilled. But the moment I kissed my "queer catalyst," an invisible weight lifted. I had never been so happy in my life. The encounter blindsided me, shattering a comfortable existence in an instant. Suddenly, everything changed—the lights switched on. I saw myself for the first time. A few days later, I separated from my wife, still grappling with confusion and unsure of what this new excitement meant. Is this what "feeling gay" is? Rik and MaximillianCourtesy Author Living your truth is the key. Easy to say, incredibly hard to do. This explains my three decades in a relationship that, while loving, wasn't honest. 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She practically tackled Rik when I brought him home for the first time during COVID. It was magical for me, making me feel like I was exactly where I needed to be. Uncle Michael, the family's shining star, apparently always knew I was gay. I was very close to him, and I'm not gonna lie, I wish he had sat me down for a heart-to-heart. His deterioration from AIDS was shocking; my heart was broken. But now, as a proud gay man, that pain resonates on a much deeper level. On his deathbed, surrounded by family, I had a chance for a private moment with him. Looking back, this would have been the perfect "hey kid, you're gay" moment, but that didn't happen. Instead of some profound revelation, my only real memory was me asking him to come back and haunt me. That's what you get from a closeted 23-year-old obsessed with horror. Still, thank you, Uncle Michael, for paving the way for me to be honest, to love my man, to hold his hand, and to be proud of who I am, just like you were. Mom and MaximillianCourtesy Author I was extremely excited for 2020, just three months into embracing my new gay identity, and I was anxious to get out there! Being met with a global pandemic when you feel like a racehorse that was just let out of the gate was very frustrating. I had finally reached the promised land, and now I was shut in the house. I soon realized that this was a great time to learn about who I was becoming—or more accurately, discovering who I was all along. The thought of getting on a dating app was utterly foreign to me, but I figured if I couldn't meet people in person, chatting was the next best thing. Two months into the pandemic, I met Rik, and it was magical. With everyday distractions on hold, I fully immersed myself in the brightly colored hues of queer love. Now, five years later, life is playful, filled with laughter and music, mutual admiration, great food, even greater sex, along with shared humor and even shared underwear. Our love is fun, joyful, and real. If that "gay racehorse" was allowed to run wild, we may have never met. The pandemic was a great reminder that what might seem like a roadblock is, in fact, a detour sign. I listened to those signs, and I hit the gay lottery! This joy I now feel only shines because I emerged from profound pain. My elation is hard-earned, forged through loss—the deaths of my two fathers, my brother, my grandparents, my uncle, my incredible gay champion grandma, and countless other family members. I made choices that led to further loss, creating boundaries with unhealthy love—strained relationships with my birth family, the loss of my childhood love, then wife and best friend, and groups of friends that took sides in the divorce. It's been a lot. But what you do with it all, that's "the work." Doing the work with the help of my warrior of a mother, my North Star, who adopted me at 3 months old, was the gift of my life. photo collage, Rik and MaximillianCourtesy Author Here I stand, proud and fulfilled, living authentically. I'm now in love with an incredible man, splitting our time between Los Angeles and the beautiful island of Maui on this new adventure. The harsh sounds brought me to a sweeter symphony, and shedding a comfortable life revealed the raw beauty and relentless power of reinvention. I embraced honesty, trusted the universe, and worked my ass off for this life. I am proud and grateful. I choose aloha, a queer life, and always saying hello to fellow gays in the wild. is dedicated to featuring a wide range of inspiring personal stories and impactful opinions from the LGBTQ+ community and its allies. Visit to learn more about submission guidelines. Views expressed in Voices stories are those of the guest writers, columnists, and editors, and do not directly represent the views of Out or our parent company, equalpride. This article originally appeared on Out: From straight comfort to queer chaos—and why I'd do it again Solve the daily Crossword
Chicago Tribune
7 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Blind models work the runway at fashion show for the visually impaired
Brenda Nicholson waited in the Nordstrom fitting room, listening intently as the staff described the colors, textures and cut of the outfits hanging on a rack. She typically gravitates toward clothing with pops of color, but this time Nicholson selected a gold, mesh-embroidered dress that cut down to her ankles. She chose the outfit based on the staff's vivid description and the way it felt when she touched the material. When a partially blind model's eyes can't help, she must rely on her other senses — touch and hearing, in this case — to help ready her for the runway. Nicholson was one of 10 visually impaired models who walked in the Beautiful Lives Fashion Show earlier this month at the CD Peacock Mansion in Oak Brook. The inaugural event celebrated the idea that everyone can enjoy clothing — even if they experience it in a different way than most. 'Good fashion feels like the textures that send tingling sensations through your fingers,' said Beautiful Lives Project co-founder Bryce Weiler, who has been blind since birth. 'Textures mean something.' The show's models were students at the Chicago-based Illinois Center of Rehabilitation and Education-Wood, which offers vocational and life skills training for blind and visually impaired adults. Students can receive instruction on everything from cooking and computers to reading braille and crossing eight-lane streets. The event gave many participants their first exposure to modeling — something several said they had never considered. 'Is the runway ready for me?' model Monty Rogers, who lost his sight more than three years ago, asked his fellow models. Rogers said he has always had a sense of style. Prior to selecting his runway outfit, he wore a patterned kilt with 'pride colors' and knee-high socks. A former telephone engineer and photographer, Rogers motioned to his outfit: 'I still have aesthetics,' he said. Rogers, who feels almost all his clothes before buying, selected jeans and a striped, navy blue sweater with a soft jacket. The sweater's collar, lifted and distinct from the sweater's main material, framed his neck, which was accessorized with a thin chain. 'I'm blind as hell and I'm still a fashionista,' he said. In a 'vacation vibe' salmon shirt with khaki pants, Lawrence Lacy made his runway debut alongside experienced model Jennifer Cruz, the reigning Mrs. Illinois International 2025. Moments before walking, Lacy, who's blind, gave Cruz tips on one aspect of runway modeling that she had never encountered: how to be his guide. On a daily basis, Lacy said he uses the application 'Be My Eyes,' to assist in planning outfits. The app helps users who are blind or have low vision by providing visual descriptions of daily tasks such as navigating unfamiliar surroundings and explaining the color of an object. From his clothing needs, Lacy uses the 'Be My Eyes' to match outfits to a hanger, including specifics, 'like the color (patches) on his socks,' he said. Prior to the show, runway walkers filled out surveys, describing the styles, textures, feelings and colors they wanted to showcase most. The show's organizer, 16–year-old Aria Holtzman, then worked with the Nordstrom staff to select outfits that matched the model's personal style. 'A lot of models wanted patterns,' Holtzman said. Holtzman also accessorized the outfits with shoes and jewelry, borrowed from CD Peacock, to complete the looks. The Hinsdale teen, who is beginning her junior year at Culver Academies in Indiana, came up with the idea for the show after attending a summer camp at Vogue's New York office. She came home inspired to make fashion accessible for everyone regardless of their abilities or medical conditions. With the support of her father — CD Peacock Chairman Steven Holtzman — she teamed up with Weiler and the Beautiful Lives Project. Along with Beautiful Lives Project co-founders Weiler and Michael Gudino, Holtzman worked with CD Peacock interior designers to make sure the event space resembled a runway and was clear of obstacles that could prove difficult for models and spectators as they moved around the mansion's first floor. She also ensured the 6-foot-wide runway was wide enough for both the models and their escorts. With just 39 days to put on the show, Holtzman wrote the script and served as the evening's emcee. She also encouraged the models to make their own personalized introductions before they headed down the runway. After Holtzman introduced Lacy, he took the microphone and offered a short message of appreciation. He thanked the ICRE-W program and the Beautiful Lives Project for 'transforming me into the person you see before you.' 'Just know that anything that you love, that gets a little help, you can be a part of,' he told the audience. Rogers, during his runway walk, sang a rendition of 'Feeling Good' to the spectators' delight. 'Monty lives his life knowing that the only thing he can't do is see, ' Holtzman told the audience. But Roger wasn't the only model with a talent to display. Nicholson, who lives in downstate Bellview, was the night's last model, concluding her walk with a dance to Rebirth Brass Band's 'Do Whatcha Wanna.' Before her stepping onto the runway, organizers reminded her of the song's six-minute duration, 'I can do it,' she said without hesitation. Nicholson substituted her white cane for a translucent umbrella as the music played. The audience rhythmically clapped to keep the beat. Although the music was cut off by applause before the full song could end, Nicholson said she 'was born dancing to this.' She could do it in her sleep, she said. The models kept their Nordstrom clothing, which had been purchased for them by the Holtzman family. Although this is the first fashion show the Beautiful Lives Project participated in, Weiler said he hopes for other opportunities like it. 'We are surrounded by people who want to help (others) live out their dreams,' he said. 'To help you to find employment, and to say that there are no barriers that can hold someone back with a disability.'
