Latest news with #SonyPicturesStudios
Pink Villa
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Will Shemar Moore's Journey With SWAT End Soon? Here's What We Know About Spin-Off Plans
It's time for S.W.A.T. fans to rejoice because the show's spin-off starring Shemar Moore as Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson will see the light of day. The new show, by Sony Pictures Studios, is named S.W.A.T. Exiles, per Deadline. Moore reprising his iconic character only makes it more exciting. Along with him, a 200-person production team that helped create the original show for CBS will also get to keep their gig when the new project starts its production this summer in Los Angeles, per the report. The studio is reportedly planning to produce and distribute the 10-episode season worldwide by 'finding the right homes and partners for these new stories to reach the passionate S.W.A.T. fanbase and attract new viewers.' The showrunner hat for the spinoff will be donned by Jason Ning, according to the outlet. Additionally, along with starring in the venture, Moore will also executive produce it with Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film and James Scura. When it comes to the other cast members, there is no official announcement about who else will be featured in the show. The publication also mentioned the venture's logline that reads, 'After a high-profile mission goes sideways, Hondo is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental S.W.A.T. unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits.' It further read, 'Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city and saving the program that made him who he is.' For the unversed, the original S.W.A.T. series ended after its 8-season run on May 16 on CBS.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ryan Seacrest talks ‘Wheel of Fortune' future, honors Pat Sajak and Vanna White: ‘This show means something to people'
Ryan Seacrest wants his Emmy for hosting Wheel of Fortune and he's not afraid to ask for it. Six months after taking the reins from Pat Sajak, who spent over four decades behind the wheel from 1981 to 2024, Seacrest sat down with TV Academy members at the game show's iconic Sony Pictures Studios lot to discuss the future of the iconic game show. More from GoldDerby 'The Masked Singer' is skipping the fall season 'to regroup' 'Grotesquerie' star Niecy Nash-Betts on that shocking coma twist, and Travis Kelce's 'greedy' appetite TV Cinematography panel: 'Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire,' 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,' 'Étoile' "You have memories of your grandparents watching this show," Seacrest said. "Everybody who's here, and certainly every contestant who comes on, has a story to tell about when they first saw Wheel of Fortune. I remember having to mow lawns and bag grass — because you got paid extra to bag it — to buy a Zenith TV. My mom wouldn't let us watch TV at dinner time, so I bought the Zenith TV with the ears, put it on the butcher block in the kitchen, and that's when I began to watch Wheel of Fortune with my family while we had dinner." "This show means something to people," he continued. "It means something to families. I have fun with the job, but I take that responsibility very seriously." Following the discussion, Vanna White surprised attendees as she walked out in one of her signature gowns and asked, "Should we play a game?" Holding Seacrest's arm, she looked at him and said, "This is an incredible man. I am so happy to be working with you. We've known each other for over 20 years, but we've worked together over a year now — and it's such an honor. You make it so easy and you're doing such a great job. I adore you and enjoy working with you." After a couple of impromptu rounds with three lucky guest players, Seacrest and White invited everyone to join them for a cocktail and an up-close look at the famous wheel and letter board. The dynamic duo also stuck around for well over two hours, taking photos and chatting one-on-one with each person in attendance. In its 50th anniversary season, Wheel of Fortune still ranks No. 1 in its time slot across most of the country and reaches 22 million viewers each week. Seacrest took over hosting duties for Sajak on Sept. 9, 2024, but conversations about the transition began years prior. Sajak's letter-turning cohost White decided to remain on the show with Seacrest after working with Sajak since 1982. "When you look at what Pat and Vanna have built over the years — they are your friends! They're your companions. You feel like you know them," Seacrest said. "What they built being in peoples' living room every night is such a special thing." To fill Sajak's iconic shoes, Seacrest watched the duo tape their shows for a year, closely studying the rules and what made the game show work so well. Six months before he started, producers gave Seacrest a small wheel he could travel with that allowed him to play in hotel conference rooms with random guests. "I wanted to come on day one as if I knew what I was doing," he said. Seacrest also revealed his relationship with the show's creator, Merv Griffin (who died in 2007), started 31 years ago. "When I was 19, I auditioned to host a game show called Click for kids on Saturday mornings," he said. "I got the job, and Merv was the first person to teach me the mindset of game. It was a different game — but the mindset of game and how to interact with contestants. He told me the story of how he created Wheel of Fortune on an airplane — it's basically Hangman — and that's why it's worked forever. It's a very simple game." "When I was working for Merv, he let me come and sit in meetings about Wheel of Fortune at the Beverly Hilton Hotel," he continued. "I had no idea I would eventually be sitting here. Merv is the one that taught me to be as focused on the business show business as the performance, which is why I produced a lot at the beginning of my career. He wasn't just the guy that was on camera, he was a force behind it. I found that so fascinating. He was so charming. He could get anybody to say yes to anything." When asked how his hosting gigs on American Idol and Live With Kelly and Ryan helped prepare him, Seacrest shared, "With American Idol, I have a chance to really connect with contestants and their families. I get to meet them early on. I'm interested in where they've come from. That's something that is part of this show. The one thing I forget about Wheel — that I'm often reminded of by our producer — I think we're live. I'm like, 'We have to start in one minute! What's going on?' And sometimes they're like, 'If anything happens we can fix it,' and I'm like, 'We can fix it?' I forget we're on tape. I like to not stop ever and try to do this as fast as possible." "Live With Kelly and Ryan was interesting because we would show up and we didn't discuss anything we were going to talk about beforehand," he continued. "You really get comfortable on national television just sitting and telling stories." The new Wheel host also revealed that his chemistry with White came naturally because they've been friends for over 20 years. "We first met through Merv Griffin and we sat together at Merv's funeral as well," he said. "We have remained friends over the years. When I first got the job, I tracked her down at a golf course and said, 'I want to make this as seamless for you as possible.' This crew is a well-oiled machine. You don't want to be the guy that slows things down. I wanted her, also, to feel comfortable. She has been a tremendous supporter and dear friend through all of this." Seacrest describes White as "very casual" in real life — far different from her glamorous persona on TV — and recounted how she hand-made him a quilt that he has in his home. "She's just a lovely person," he shared. "Have you ever met someone famous and they let you down? Shout their name! No — but you see her, you know she's a treasure, and when you meet her she's even better." "Wheel of Fortune is simple, it's never changed, and will always be a protected safe space for anybody to watch," he said about why the show has resonated with viewers for so long. "We're never going to have an uncomfortable puzzle. We're never going to have an uncomfortable conversation about something you've got to explain to your kids. This is a safe place for fun and it will always be that way. I think that's special." Wheel of Fortune has won seven Daytime Emmys, including Best Game Show in 2011. Last year, the show won its first Primetime Emmy for host Pat Sajak in his final year. SIGN UP for Gold Derby's free newsletter with latest predictions Best of GoldDerby 'Grotesquerie' star Niecy Nash-Betts on that shocking coma twist, and Travis Kelce's 'greedy' appetite TV Cinematography panel: 'Anne Rice's Interview With the Vampire,' 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy,' 'Étoile' 'Étoile' cinematographer M. David Mullen on reuniting with the Palladinos Click here to read the full article.
The Hindu
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Short film by students of KRNNIVSA shortlisted for Sony awards
URA, a short film by students of the K.R. Narayanan of National Institute of Visual Arts and Science, has been officially shortlisted in the student category of the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025. Directed by Sruthil Mathew, with cinematography by Muhammed Ashfaque, editing by Vipin Varghese and audiography by Vaisakh Sankar, URA is among 30 films shortlisted from over 11,750 submissions by 7,500 filmmakers across 158 countries. The winners will be announced at a grand awards ceremony on June 5, 2025 at Sony Pictures Studios, Culver City, California.
Mid East Info
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Mid East Info
Sony Future Filmmaker Awards Announce Shortlist for 2025 Edition - Middle East Business News and Information
Dubai United Arab Emirates: The Sony Future Filmmaker Awards announce today the shortlist for the 2025 edition. Selected for their outstanding originality, the 30 shortlisted filmmakers across four categories – Fiction, Non-Fiction, Animation, and Student – are awarded the unique opportunity to attend a four-day immersive program behind-the-scenes at the Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City from June 2 – 5, 2025 , and culminating in the Awards ceremony on June 5, 2025 where the four category winners are revealed. Now in their third year, the Awards were established by Creo in partnership with Sony to nurture the filmmaking talent of tomorrow and to provide a portal into the industry for filmmakers from across the globe. Each year the shortlisted filmmakers are flown to Los Angeles for an extensive program of workshops, screenings and events, fostering talent through opportunities to expand filmmakers' networks and giving them direct experiences right in the heart of Hollywood. The 2025 shortlist was chosen from over 11,750 films submitted by more than 7,500 filmmakers across 158 countries and territories. The shortlist features a truly global panorama of filmmaking; with entries from Australia, Burundi, Chile, Colombia, Germany, India, Indonesia, Lebanon, Mexico, New Zealand, Nigeria, Portugal, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the United States. The selected works span a diverse array of stories, including a tense drama about an inmate firefighter battling parole denial amidst a historic blaze, a poignant tale of Chilean shellfish divers searching for answers about a missing relative under Pinochet's regime, an animated fable of a piglet and a wolf forging an unlikely friendship, an elderly fieldworker outshining her AI substitute, and a stirring exploration of Australia's First Nations using fire to renew the land. The 30 shortlisted filmmakers proceed to the next stage of judging from which the four category winners will be chosen by a panel of industry leaders which includes filmmaker and writer Minhal Baig ( We Grown Now, Hala, BoJack Horseman ); President of 3000 Pictures Elizabeth Gabler ( Where the Crawdads Sing , upcoming Klara and the Sun, Life of Pi ); Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Jason Reitman ( Saturday Night, Ghostbusters: Afterlife, Juno ); and award-winning theater, television and film director and Chair of the Jury Justin Chadwick ( Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, The Other Boleyn Girl, Shardlake ). Justin Chadwick , Chair of the Jury , says: ' These 30 filmmakers don't only tell stories—they create whole new cinematic worlds. From tales of defiance in the face of adversity, to stories of hope for our planet, the films that make up this year's shortlist have the power to transport their audiences. Chairing this jury for the third year, I am once again deeply impressed and encouraged as we look to the future of filmmaking through the eyes of these brilliant talents .' Taking centre stage at the Sony Pictures Studios' historic Scenic Arts Building, the Awards ceremony on June 5 is hosted by Emmy-award winner Denny Directo (Entertainment Tonight), unveiling the four category winners who are awarded with cash prizes and Sony Digital Imaging equipment. The ceremony follows an extensive four-day program for the shortlisted 30 filmmakers at the iconic Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, offering an exclusive opportunity to learn from and connect with both their peers and industry leaders. Peeling back the curtain on Hollywood's inner workings, through sessions led by Sony Pictures executives the filmmakers dive into everything from cinematography masterclasses, to navigating talent deals, demonstrations of cutting-edge tech, and learning about the art of soundtracking a story. The films and filmmakers shortlisted for the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025 are: FICTION The Fiction category rewards narrative-led submissions that convey an original fictional story or event. Miguel Angel Caballero & Luis Antonio Aldana (USA), The Ballad of Tita and the Machines – In an AI-driven future, an elderly fieldworker is forced to contend with her robot substitute, but when it fails to compete with her she draws the attention of its creators. Ethan Evans & Jess Bartlett (UK), Outside Noise – A woman's sleep app blurs reality and conjures a terrifying presence in her room. Alexis Gómez (México), Bumbumpapá – A father fights to preserve his daughter's innocence amid the darkness and uncertainty of war. Meng Han Hsieh (Taiwan) & Menna Morgan (UK), The Test – A woman taking her UK citizenship tests faces hostility and micro-aggressions, escaping into her imagination to express herself. Irene Lopez & Robin Asselmeyer (Sweden), Killing R – In an AI-integrated future a mother fantasizes about destroying her household clone. Linda Ludwig (Germany) & James Curle (UK), Under the Blue – A worn out police officer on a late shift is brought in to investigate a petty crime, finding more than meets the eye. Andrew McGee (UK), First Sight – Luna is finally ready to re-enter the world of dating, but her reliance on her smart contact lenses takes a dark turn. Rossana Montoya (Colombia), My Demon – As they race to the hospital for the imminent birth of their first child, Eva and Jacobo clash over their relationship. Florine & Kim Nüesch (Switzerland), Marriage Unplugged – A couple's sex robot experiment exposes hidden fractures in their marriage. Robin Takao D'Oench (USA), Fireline – An inmate firefighter who has been denied parole battles a wildfire while yearning to return home. NON-FICTION The Non-Fiction category awards short films that are predominantly factual in content. These can include archive footage, documentary footage, reenactments and animation. César Flores Correa (México), A Field That No Longer Smells of Flowers – In the municipality of Villa Guerrero in Mexico flower growers and their families grapple with the impact of the toxic chemicals used to cultivate the flowers. Will Hewitt & Austen McCowan (UK), Have You Seen The Beast? – The filmmakers probe a mysterious big cat sighting in Wales through a series of eerie local testimonies. Kieran Hodges (New Zealand) & Eduardo Vento (Portugal), Justice Brothers – Young surfers in Ghana help to empower local women through a surf school. Juliet Klottrup (UK), Travelling Home – An English Romany Traveller reflects on his heritage and the annual pilgrimage to Appleby Fair. Annabel Moodie (UK), Friends on the Outside – An incarcerated man finds solace in foraging and connecting to nature. Loic Niyonkuru & Floriane Kaneza (Burundi), Before 16 – A woman recounts her experiences raising her child after a traumatic assault at age 16. Stefan Pollak (UK), ALT Jay – A disabled man's passion for CrossFit helps break barriers and create community with support from his identical twin. Kirsten Slemint (Australia), Burnt Country – First Nations wisdom, 65,000 years in the making, uses fire to fight fire and offers lessons for Australia's ecological future. Riah Taipodia (India), Khiew Ranei (Black Clay ) – A 9-year-old inherits her village's pottery tradition, passed down through generations and carefully preserved. Shaquille Zaki Nathandra & Quina Qaumitaquna Mirxela (Indonesia), Tanah Kitai (Our Land) – Borneo's Iban youth fight to preserve their land and identity against encroaching loss. ANIMATION The Animation category embraces filmmakers using stop-motion, motion graphics, computer animation, drawn-on-film, rotoscoping, experimental animation, and additional available techniques. Rich Farris (UK), From The Top – Robin grapples with letting go of her drum kit and her passion. Case Jernigan (USA), Noggin – Through a deeply personal narrative, the filmmaker builds 'a memory palace of love and ink' exploring life with multiple sclerosis. Santiago O'Ryan & José Navarro (Chile), Hermanos Casablanca (Casablanca Brothers) – At the height of the Pinochet dictatorship, two divers agree to help an army official in the hope of receiving information on their missing sister in return. Fadi Syriani & Jana Wehbe (Lebanon), The Day Vladimir Died – In Beirut, the day-to-day life of an elderly man is punctuated by grief and mourning both for lost friends and for a city undergoing rapid change. Leo Wright (UK), The Big Bad Wolf – Set in an industrial pig society, a wolf and a pig form an unlikely friendship, defying prejudices and the cautionary words of the age-old parable. STUDENT The Student category rewards filmmakers studying a film course at a registered institution at a diploma or degree level worldwide. Luis J. Arellano (México), Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica. Long Journey Till Dawn – After the death of her young daughter, a grieving mother kidnaps a baby, confronting the darkness within herself. Muhammed Ashfaque (India), K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts, URA – In Bethlehem, the unexpected arrival of Maria, a pregnant nun, into an isolated convent run by a community of elderly nuns sets off a chain of events. Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz & Gus Murray (USA), American Film Institute, When Big People Lie – Eight-year-old Elvis witnesses a dramatic family shift when his mother arranges a green card marriage. Hayder Hoozeer (UK) & Franz Böhm (Germany), The National Film & Television School, Rock Paper Scissors – Based on a true story, a father and son in a warzone hospital face life-or-death choices as their hideout becomes increasingly compromised. Faith Olaewe & Doyinsola Ajayi (Nigeria), EbonyLife Creative Academy, Angel in the Stone – Shalewa, a reclusive autistic teenager, uses her metalworking skills to save her family from ruin. FUTURE FORMAT Also announced today is the winner and shortlist from this year's Future Format competition, which champions a new generation of aspiring filmmakers by welcoming short films shot exclusively on a smartphone. The winner of this year's Future Format competition is Bijan Gashti (Islamic Republic of Iran) for Select/Or , exploring the tension between control and free will when individuals are left with a single instruction. As part of his prize, Gashti receives Sony Digital Imaging equipment and is invited to join the four-day immersive program at the Sony Pictures Studios in June. The shortlisted filmmakers for the Future Format competition are Joni Astin Ariadi (Indonesia) with Sleeping Monster , and Siwei Yu (China Mainland) with Love is the End . The four category winners of the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards 2025 will be announced on 5 June 2025. 2025 SHORTLIST FICTION Miguel Angel Caballero & Luis Antonio Aldana (USA), The Ballad of Tita and the Machines Ethan Evans & Jess Bartlett (UK), Outside Noise Alexis Gómez (México), Bumbumpapá Meng Han Hsieh (Taiwan) & Menna Morgan (UK), The Test Irene Lopez & Robin Asselmeyer (Sweden), Killing R Linda Ludwig (Germany) & James Curle (UK), Under The Blue Andrew McGee (UK), First Sight Rossana Montoya (Colombia), My Demon Florine & Kim Nüesch (Switzerland), Marriage Unplugged Robin Takao D'Oench (USA), Fireline NON-FICTION César Flores Correa (México), A Field That No Longer Smells of Flowers Will Hewitt & Austen McCowan (UK), Have You Seen The Beast? Kieran Hodges (New Zealand) & Eduardo Vento (Portugal), Justice Brothers Juliet Klottrup (UK), Travelling Home Annabel Moodie (UK), Friends on the Outside Loic Niyonkuru & Floriane Kaneza (Burundi), Before 16 Stefan Pollak (UK), ALT Jay Kirsten Slemint (Australia), Burnt Country Riah Taipodia (India), Khiew Ranei (Black Clay) Shaquille Zaki Nathandra & Quina Qaumitaquna Mirxela (Indonesia), Tanah Kitai (Our Land) ANIMATION Rich Farris (UK), From The Top Case Jernigan (USA), Noggin Santiago O'Ryan & José Navarro (Chile), Hermanos Casablanca (Casablanca Brothers) Fadi Syriani & Jana Wehbe (Lebanon), The Day Vladimir Died Leo Wright (UK), The Big Bad Wolf STUDENT Luis J. Arellano (México), Long Journey Till Dawn Centro de Capacitación Cinematográfica Muhammed Ashfaque (India), URA K R Narayanan National Institute of Visual Science and Arts Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz & Gus Murray (USA), When Big People Lie American Film Institute Hayder Hoozeer (UK) & Franz Böhm (Germany), Rock Paper Scissors The National Film & Television School Faith Olaewe & Doyinsola Ajayi (Nigeria), Angel in the Stone EbonyLife Creative Academy FUTURE FORMAT Winner Bijan Gashti (Islamic Republic of Iran), Select/Or Shortlist Joni Astin Ariadi (Indonesia), Sleeping Monster Siwei Yu (China Mainland), Love is the End Established by Creo and sponsored by Sony, the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards is a major annual awards program for short films devoted to supporting and elevating independent filmmakers and creators from across the globe. Set apart by its exceptional prize, the Awards provide successful filmmakers with invaluable opportunities in the form of a trip to Los Angeles and to the historic Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City, California, where they gain exclusive access to experts and unparalleled insight into the inner workings of the industry. Winners additionally receive cash prizes and a range of Sony Digital Imaging equipment. Free to enter, the Awards comprise four categories: Fiction, Non-Fiction, Student and Animation, and are judged by a panel of leading figures. By supporting talents in film, video and storytelling, the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards provides a gateway for the development of creative excellence. Creo initiates and organizes events and programming across three key strands: photography, film and contemporary art. Since 2007 Creo's mission has been to develop meaningful opportunities for creatives and to expand the reach of its cultural activities. Its flagship projects include the Sony World Photography Awards, Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, PHOTOFAIRS and Photo London. Working in partnership with Angus Montgomery Arts (AMA), Creo helps deliver the group's ventures, comprising some of the world's leading art fairs. Taking its name from the Latin for 'I create,' it is in this spirit that Creo sets out to empower and give agency to creative voices. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Group Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production, acquisition, and distribution; television production acquisition, and distribution; television networks; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; and development of new entertainment products, services and technologies. Sony Pictures Television operates dozens of wholly-owned or joint-venture production companies around the world. SPE's Motion Picture Group production organizations include Columbia Pictures, Screen Gems, TriStar Pictures, 3000 Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation, Stage 6 Films, AFFIRM Films, Sony Pictures International Productions, and Sony Pictures Classics. About Sony Corporation Sony Corporation is a wholly owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation and responsible for the Electronics Products & Solutions (EP&S) business in the Sony Group. With the vision of 'continuing to deliver Kando and Anshin to people and society across the world through the pursuit of technology and new challenges,' Sony will create products and services in areas such as home entertainment & sound, imaging, and mobile communications. * Both Japanese words, Kando means emotion and Anshin has various meanings such as peace of mind, reassurance, reliability, and trust. About Sony Middle East and Africa Sony Middle East and Africa FZE is a 100% subsidiary of Sony Corporation and is the regional headquarters for the Middle East and Africa regions. The company is engaged in the business of Sony Consumer Electronics, Mobile Electronics (Car Audio), broadcasting and professional products and Computer Entertainment (PlayStation) products in more than 40 countries in the region. Apart from stock operations in the Jebel Ali Free Zone Establishment in Dubai, Sony Middle East and Africa leads execution of various logistics, sales, marketing, advertising and customer services activities through its business partners. 353 accredited third-party service centres reinforce Sony's presence in key markets in the region.
