‘Content is Our Weapon’: Ukraine’s TV Industry Presents United Front at MipTV

Doug Liman, the Bourne franchise producer and director of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, among others, is in Ukraine to help document the war with Russia, he told GMA this morning.

Ukrainian media companies have launched a $20M fund to help sustain the embattled nation’s ailing TV industry and are seeking investment from the biggest global networks and streamers.

Video: Khloé Kardashian admits Tristan Thompson isn't 'the guy' for her (Cover Video)Billy Ray Cyrus and Tish Cyrus break silence on divorceKim Kardashian packs on PDA with Pete DavidsonQueen Elizabeth II felt 'very tired and exhausted' during Covid-19 battleBritney Spears pregnant with third childElon Musk will no longer join Twitter's BboardWalker Scobell lands lead role in Disney+ 'Percy Jackson' seriesKylie Jenner and Travis Scott still haven't named their sonIN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Chris Rock won't talk about the Oscars slap 'until I get paid'IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Julian Lennon performs Imagine for first time to raise funds for Ukrainian refugeesSam Elliott apologises for controversial comments about The Power of the DogEddie Redmayne and Jessie Buckley triumph at Olivier AwardsOzzy Osbourne finishes work on new albumSe anuncian las nominaciones a los 'Billboard Music Awards' 2022Julian Lennon performs Imagine for first time to raise funds for Ukrainian refugeesJack White marries girlfriend onstage during concertNatWest Thrive with Marcus Rashford programme kicks off this Easter The singer, who took Rocky to meet her family in Barbados that Christmas, admitted they weren't actively planning to have a baby when she fell pregnant. "I wouldn't say planning. But certainly not planning against it," she stated.

EXCLUSIVE: The Cannes Film Festival and Marché will host a ‘Ukraine Day’ on Saturday 21 May to support the country’s beleaguered film industry.

In a repeat of 2017, France’s 2022 presidential election is now down to the same two candidates: the incumbent Emmanuel Macron and far right leader Marine Le Pen. In first round voting which took place on Sunday, centrist Macron emerged with 27.6% of the votes while Le Pen managed 23.4%. This is a bigger showing for Le Pen and her National Rally party (formerly National Front) than five years ago. The determining second round vote will be held on April 24.

Manori Ravindran International EditorStaff at Ukraine’s top studio, Film.UA, didn’t think much of the abandoned bomb shelter on site. A vestige from past conflicts, the sealed shelter remained unused next to the company’s extensive wardrobe department for years. But at the outbreak of war, the space was hurriedly reopened to host at least 90 Ukrainians taking cover from Russian air raids.Located on the outskirts of Kyiv, Film.UA — one of the largest production players in Eastern Europe — had been celebrating the premiere of one of its major film projects, “The Big Picnic,” the night before Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on Feb.

Lise Pedersen Swiss-based sales and distribution agency Lightdox has acquired world rights for “How to Save a Dead Friend,” the debut doc by Russian filmmaker Marusya Syroechkovskaya. Lightdox provided Variety exclusive access to the film’s trailer ahead of the film’s world premiere at Swiss doc film fest Visions du Réel next week.

Meghan Markle is paying tribute to her “dear friend” Oli Juste who recently passed away.

Reed Exhibition has confirmed that Mipcom will return in a super-sized format in October. Lucy Smith, the director of Mipcom and MipTV, said during a press conference held on Wednesday that the “majority of our major exhibitors at what was our last normal Mipcom in 2019 have already confirmed that they will not only be back, but in full force for 2022 – in the Palais and beyond.”The executive also pointed out Mipcom will expand on its industry showcase aimed at creators, showrunners and producers, which took place alongside MipTV and Canneseries.

EXCLUSIVE: The Masked Singer creator Wonwoo Park is developing a Eurovision Song Contest-style format that will “bring people together regardless of nationality” and has addressed the Fox Masked Singer Rudy Giuliani controversy for the first time, stating it wouldn’t have happened in Korea.

Grammy Awards have finally announced the names of its guest presenters. Joni Mitchell and Dua Lipa Grammys 2022This year’s award show, hosted by Trevor Noah, has invited a diverse roster of musicians, artists, and actors to present the awards, including Joni Mitchell, Megan Thee Stallion, and Questlove.

Wayne Rooney is adamant Harry Maguire should start for England at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after jumping in to defend the Manchester United captain.

Google is notifying publishers that they needs to tread carefully when producing content that “exploits, dismisses, or condones” the war in Ukraine.

Cynthia Littleton Business EditorThe battlegrounds in the streaming wars are shifting fast, just as real-life battle lines are being dug out in Eastern Europe.Russia has drawn near-universal condemnation because of its unprovoked attack on its neighbor Ukraine, launching a war with the country. The conflict has also rattled world markets and made investors nervous about geopolitical instability as the entertainment industry is banking more than ever before on the value of building platforms with global reach.

Former Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand believes his old club should turn to Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel to become their next permanent manager, insisting he would "be the one."

Some of the world’s biggest stars are standing together to make a difference.

Naman Ramachandran Vice Distribution has struck a content partnership deal with French media group M6 to bring over 100 hours of premium Vice content to the TV network’s AVOD platform, 6play.The lineup of Vice shows set to roll on 6play comprises the fourth season of the hit psycho-analytical documentary franchise “Thérapie,” the acclaimed documentary “Real par Soul Sisters” and the street food series “Au Camion.” Some Vice franchises are also part of the deal, notably “Dark Side of the 90s,” “Rise Up” and “The Story Of,” as well as award-winning content such as “Gaycation,” “The Trixie” and “Katya Show” and “What Would Diplo Do?”“Vice produces and distributes premium content that resonates with young audiences around the world,” said Bea Hegedus, Vice global head of distribution. Vice Distribution launched in 2020 with a catalogue of over 1,000 of programming.