City Panama Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Anna Marie de la Fuente Panama’s award-winning Hypatia Films and Guatemala’s Jayro Bustamante, whose most recent film, “La Llorona,” made the Oscar international film shortlist, is partnering with Jonathan Keasey of Mind Riot Entertainment to make WWII drama “Down Wind.”The film marks a rare collaboration between two major Central American filmmakers and an American writer-producer. Bustamante will direct based on a screenplay by Keasey, who has also boarded as a producer.The drama’s lead production company, Hypatia Films, run by Pituka Ortega Heilbron and Marcela Heilbron, is an associate producer on Claire Denis’ Cannes competition contender “The Stars at Noon,” which was filmed in Panama and on which Hypatia provided production services.

Anna Marie de la Fuente With John Travolta, Gregory Nava and a host of other luminaries lighting it up, the 12thPanama International Film Festival wrapped Sunday on a high note, with general attendance exceeding expectations. Speaking at the closing ceremony held at the Canal Museum, Pituka Ortega-Heilbron, IFF Panama Board President, hailed this latest edition as a vibrant rebirth for the festival.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Calling all Latino filmmakers, John Travolta wants to work with you. Swinging by Panama to present his 1978 musical rom-com “Grease” at the 12th Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama), Travolta professed his great love for “Mexico, Central America, South America, all of its parts.” “There is an incredible humanity that prevails and is different from anywhere else in the world,” he told Variety. Surprised to hear that Robert de Niro had starred in the Argentine series “Nada,” Travolta exclaimed: “I would have loved that, I would have enjoyed being lured to South America to play a part for a while.” The closest he’s come to working with a Latino director was with Alfonso Cuarón, who produced the short film streaming on Disney+ “The Shepherd,” based on Frederick Forsyth’s 1975 novella, which follows a young Royal Air Force pilot flying home for Christmas across the North Sea.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Moved from its usual December berth last year, the 12th Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama) runs April 4-7, replete with new industry activities and double the number of films since its previous edition. True to its mandate to serve as a showcase for Central American and Caribbean cinema, the festival’s program this year includes a bevy of acclaimed films from the region, including two Panamanian Indigenous-themed features, “Bila Burba” and “God is a Woman.” Recent years has seen the growing international recognition of pics from the region, with Nelson Carlo de los Santos becoming the first Dominican – and first Latin American – filmmaker to snag the best director Silver Bear at the Berlinale for his drama, “Pepe.” Costa Rican director Antonella Sudasassi Furniss’ sophomore feature, “Memories of a Burning Body,” clinched the Audience Award for best fiction film in the Panorama section of the A-list German festival.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Running April 4-7, the IFF Panama brings to this year’s edition a rich mix of standout director driven titles from Europe, the Spanish-speaking world and beyond, spangled by highlights from Central America, including Panama: “Bila Burba,” (Duiren Wagua, Panama) Documentary. Wagua’s debut feature. The Gunadule nation’s ties with the Panamanian government were fraught with territorial and cultural disputes.

Anna Marie de la Fuente While a number of films have been made about Panama’s Indigenous communities, few are by native filmmakers themselves. To date, perhaps only three Indigenous Panamanian filmmakers have ventured into filmmaking. Duiren Wagua, whose documentary feature debut “Bila Burba” plays at this year’s 12th Panama International Film Festival (IFF Panama), running April 4-7, is hoping to change the status quo.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent “The Simple Life,” the sixth movie of Oscar-shortlisted Abner Benaim, and “The Coast,” the directorial feature debut of “The Gypsy Bride” star Nerea Barros, both make their market debut at next March’s Malaga Festival Fund & Co-Production Event (MAFF), one of the top forums for arthouse projects in the Spanish-speaking world. Proving the possibility to carve out an international film career based out of Panama, “The Simple Life” (“La Vida Simple”) marks the sixth feature from Benaim, Oscar shortlisted for “Plaza Catedral.” Marking a departure, “The Simple Life” looks like a more personal turn, about a film director, sans camera and crew, in Panama, compelled by unforeseen circumstances to live the very movie he’s longed to capture on film, suffering existential crisis.

Todd Spangler NY Digital Editor Tyler “Ninja” Blevins is stepping away from the gaming keyboard — and getting into your earbuds with his first-ever podcast. The top gaming influencer will host twice-weekly podcast “AFK w/ Ninja,” set to premiere Sept. 12 across all major platforms.

yet another explosive fight on Sunday's episode of, and Jasmine shockingly told Gino that she filmed a sex tape with her ex-boyfriend, Dane, just one month ago. Gino said he was «done» with Jasmine and called her a «w**re.»Jasmine and Gino have not been getting along during his visit to Panama ahead of their marriage.

Jennifer Lopez. The multi-talented artist recently shared a snapshot that exudes relaxation, warmth, and effortless glamour.

Nick Vivarelli International Correspondent “God Is a Woman,” a doc by Swiss-Panamanian filmmaker Andrés Peyrot about Pierre Dominique Gaisseau’s 1975 journey to Panama to make a film on the island-dwelling Kuna people — whose women play a unique and sacred role — will open the Venice Film Festival’s Critics’ Week. The section’s out-of-competition opener reconstructs the legend of this film that was passed down from the elders to the new Kuna generation, but never made it to the screen. Gaisseau, a French explorer and filmmaker who won an Oscar in 1961 for the doc “The Sky Above, the Mud Below,” lived with the Kuna people on a Panamanian island for a year and filmed their most intimate ceremonies. He then promised to return with the film, but never did. He ran out of funding and a bank confiscated his reels, which Peyrot unearthed 50 years later.

Tim Chan If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Variety may receive an affiliate commission. Mexico and Panama face off for the 2023 Gold Cup trophy Sunday and while El Tri are the overwhelming favorites for the title, they could face some surprisingly stiff competition from a determined Panamanian team that took down the U.S. in the semifinals.

Made in Chelsea's Sophie Habboo, 29, has been forced to use a “pair of pants” to tie up her hair while on her honeymoon with her new husband Jamie Laing following their lost luggage fiasco. The reality star posted a few glimpses of their trip to her Instagram where she also revealed: “I'm wearing a pair of pants to tie my hair up because my makeup bag and wash bag were lost in @jamielaing's luggage and the one item I cannot find ANYWHERE is a hair tie #needsmust”. Sophie showed off her toned figure as she was seen in one snap sitting on a beach sofa while wearing a patterned bikini and a sun hat.

viewers were left in shock on Sunday's season 6 premiere episode, when one of Jasmine's exes was revealed — and he's nothing like Gino. ET spoke to Jasmine ahead of the premiere and she shared why it didn't work out with her handsome and successful ex, Dane, and Gino's «cute» reaction to him.Despite Jasmine and Gino's troubled romance on last season of — which included Jasmine discovering Gino had been on a sugar daddy website, him sending topless photos of her to his ex and producers having to step in when she physically attacked him — 35-year-old Jasmine and 53-year-old Gino are giving their relationship another try this season as Gino once again travels to Panama to see her.«Jasmine pushes me to my limits but there's not a lot I wouldn't do for her,» Gino told cameras.

Made in Chelsea's Sophie Habbo looked amazing on her honeymoon with co-star and now-husband Jamie Laing. In a photo shared by Jamie to his Instagram story, the 29 year old was glowing as she soaked up the sun in Panama while wearing only a geometric-patterned bikini top and a pair of denim blue shorts. He boasted that he was married to the beauty, writing: "Mrs Laing." The star's sun-kissed snap follows a disastrous start to their honeymoon after their luggage was lost as they flew from one country to another in a bid to get to South America.

Jamie Laing is without his honeymoon belongings after finally reaching Panama with new wife Sophie Habboo. Documenting their troubled travels via Instagram Stories this week, it began with the revelation that the pair had been prevented from making their connecting flight from Amsterdam to South America. "This is WILD..." the 34 year old previously wrote on his page.

David Lee Roth returned to the stage this week with the all-star cover band Royal Machines for a one-off live performance of Van Halen‘s ‘Panama’.The show was a corporate event for Home Depot sales managers that took place at the Michelob Ultra Arena at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas earlier this week.“Are we having a good time so far?” asked Roth as he led the group through a lively cover of ‘Panama’ including his signature ad-libs. Roth was not the only rock icon to grace the stage that night. Throughout their set, Royal Machine were also joined by Billy Idol, Linda Perry and Run DMC’s Darryl McDaniels.The singer announced his retirement back in 2021. “I am throwing in the shoes.

Paris Saint-Germain forward and Argentina captain Lionel Messi scored his 100th international goal to enter an exclusive club alongside former Manchester United striker Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday night.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Seattle-based MindRiot Entertainment is teaming up with Panama’s Hypatia Films, an associate producer of Claire Denis’ Cannes Grand Prix winner “Stars at Noon,” on the groundbreaking documentary, “In Search of Atlantis,” based on the findings of Seattle native Dr. Jason Rubin who has used deductive reasoning, the writings of philosopher Plato and the most advanced satellite sonar imagery to pinpoint the location of the fabled lost island of Atlantis.  According to MindRiot co-founder and chief creative officer Jonathan Keasey, Dr. Rubin passed on other Hollywood suitors as he liked MindRiot’s approach to the content and the fact that it had marshalled the support of multiple universities, including deep sea explorer Don Walsh, the honorary president of the Explorers Club, and even European authorities, given the maritime jurisdiction of Rubin’s site in the Atlantic Ocean.

Angelique Jackson Byron Allen’s Black news and entertainment media platform theGrio will present a 90-minute session at the 2022 National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) convention and career fair, with a focus on the recently-launched theGrio Black Podcast Network (TGBPN) and the Allen Media Group’s acquisition of Black News Channel.The annual NABJ convention, held in collaboration with the National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ), begins Aug. 3 in Las Vegas, NV, with theGrio making its presentation on Fri.

The first time Joe Alwyn came to the Cannes Film Festival in 2018, he walked away with the Trophée Chopard. Now he is back to help director Claire Denis compete for the Palme d’Or with Stars at Noon, based on the novel by Denis Johnson. Alwyn stars in the romantic thriller as a mysterious businessman in Nicaragua who falls in love with an American journalist, played by Margaret Qualley. In addition to Stars at Noon, Alwyn also stars in the BBC Three/Hulu series Conversations with Friends directed by Lenny Abrahamson and based on the Sally Rooney novel, which premiered May 15.

Marc Anthony and Nadia Ferreira will become husband and wife! The Miss Universe Paraguay took to social media to share snaps of her engagement party and the impressive diamond ring the salsa singer gave her.Ferreira has celebrated her 23rd birthday surrounded by family, friends, and her soon-to-be husband. The model, whose official birth date is May 10, partied having champagne in a private jet and then kept it festive with dinner and enjoying seafood and fresh fruit on Marc’s yacht the following day.Marc Anthony’s big surprise for his girlfriend Nadia Ferreira’s 23rd birthdayMarc Anthony cancels concert in Panama due to an injuryTake a look inside the spectacular residence of Marc Anthony in the Dominican RepublicThe engagement comes a week after the musician had an accident right after a concert in Panama.

Pa’ Alla Voy tour, Marc Anthony had to cancel one of his concerts. The Grammy Award-winning performer canceled his appearance in Panama following an injury.

Anne Darwin may have claimed she was coerced into helping her husband fake his own death in a canoe, but a series of racy emails between the pair prove they were both planning their new future together in Panama.

While Anne Darwin was entirely devoted to her husband, John Darwin was a narcissistic cheater.

John and Anne Darwin's 'fake death' scheme has been thrust back into the spotlight over recent weeks, with ITV's new series, The Thief, His Wife and The Canoe, focusing on the couple's story staring on Sunday 17 April. John, 71, a former teacher and prison officer, disappeared in March 2002 after heading out in his canoe at Seaton Carew beach near Hartlepool.

An unearthed interview reveals how Anne Darwin regrets lying to her sons over her and John Darwin's 'fake death' plan.

Canoe fraudster Anne Darwin's life now is very different to the exotic time she and her husband John spent in Panama.

Joe Leydon Film Critic“Panama,” the latest offering from The Mel Gibson Movie of the Month Club, is the sort of instantly disposable action-thriller that wears its cynicism on its sleeve while laboring to grab attention with quick-cut visuals. Those combine with more gratuitous nudity than you can shake a stick at — without, it should be noted, any sticks — to goose a narrative that is tediously predictable when not borderline incoherent.

It’s not I’m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here — but it sure is close. CBS on Wednesday debuted Beyond the Edge, a new reality show from Renegade (Naked and Afraid) that drops nine celebrities into the jungles of Panama to compete in challenges while earning cash for their charities (and personal pocketbooks).

Jodie Sweetin, former Bachelor Colton Underwood and “Real Housewives of New York City”‘s Eboni K. Williams are testing their limits.

Jodie Sweetin, former Bachelor Colton Underwood and 's Eboni K. Williams are testing their limits.The trio are just one-third of the celebrity competitors on CBS' new reality competition series, which was announced Wednesday evening during the premiere of  The series, premiering Wednesday, March 16, follows nine celebrities as they trade «their worlds of luxury to live in the dangerous jungles of Panama, where they face off in epic adventures and endure the most brutal conditions, as they push themselves to go beyond their comfort zone.» It will also be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.Sweetin, Underwood and Williams will be joined by country singers Lauren Alaina and Craig Morgan, Super Bowl champion Ray Lewis, NBA champion Metta World Peace, supermodel Paulina Porizkova and NFL legend Mike Singletary.

Michael Schneider Variety Editor at LargeCBS is finally confirming its celebrity-driven, “Survivor”-style reality series “Beyond the Edge,” which premieres March 16 at 9 p.m. ET. News of the show first leaked in December, including a list of most of the nine stars who had signed on to participate and compete in Panama.The nine celebrities in “Beyond the Edge” are country singer Lauren Alaina, Super Bowl MVP Ray Lewis, country artist Craig Morgan, NBA champion Metta World Peace, supermodel Paulina Porizkova, NFL legend Mike Singletary, actress Jodie Sweetin (“Full House,” “Fuller House”) and television personalities Colton Underwood (“The Bachelor”) and Eboni K.

Naman Ramachandran In a new series, Variety catches up with the directors of the films shortlisted for the International Feature Oscar to discuss their road to the awards, what they’ve learned so far, and what’s taken them off guard.Two of Abner Benaim’s films, documentaries “Invasion” (2014) and “Ruben Blades Is Not My Name” (2018), were Panamanian entries to the Oscars, but his “Plaza Catedral” is the first time a film from the country has been shortlisted. The film, which portrays a violent society with a gulf between the rich and poor, won major awards at the Guadalajara and Panama film festivals.

Panama makes its debut on the International Feature Oscar shortlist with the character-driven thriller Plaza Catedral. This contender from Abner Benaim (Ruben Blades Is Not My Name) is a taut two-hander between a grieving mother and a young street hustler, with a sobering message about corruption and violence. Samuel Goldwyn Films recently acquired the title.

Anna Marie de la Fuente Mexico’s Tatiana Huezo and Abner Benaim of Panama, whose respective dramas, “Prayers for the Stolen” and “Plaza Catedral,” made the coveted shortlist in the Oscars’ international feature category, have quite a few things in common. Both have mainly worked in documentary filmmaking, although in the case of Benaim, he made a hit comedy in 2009, “Chance,” before focusing on nonfiction films.Neither are strangers to the Oscar experience.