Lebanon Showbiz Latest News and Updates

Nightbirde — the late songstress and former Golden Buzzer recipient who was battling late-stage cancer when she auditioned for the show in 2021.«She said, 'We can't wait until life isn't hard anymore, before you decide to be happy,'» Nadim continued, recalling Nightbirde's emotional audition. «Seeing the Mayyas in  is the most beautiful feeling I've ever felt.»As the dancers hit the stage, they explained that their group's name means «The proud walk of a lioness» and recalled their reasons for auditioning.«Lebanon is a very beautiful country.

Universal/Amblin Entertainment’s Jurassic World Dominion is set to thrash past $500M worldwide today. The global total through Thursday is $493.2M. That includes $302.1M from the international box office and $191.1M domestic on the Colin Trevorrow-directed threequel.

Naman Ramachandran Shailaja Padindala’s Kannada-language film “Naanu Ladies” won best narrative feature and Pedro Peira’s English and Spanish-language film “LA QueenCianera” best documentary feature at the 2022 Kashish LGBTQ+ film festival in Mumbai.Gujarati-language shorts “Muhafiz” by Pradipta Ray and “Dal Bhat” by Nemil Shah” won best Indian narrative short and the Riyad Wadia Award for best emerging Indian filmmaker respectively. “Muhafiz” also won best screenplay for Ray and Ashutosh Pathak.Padindala said: “ ‘Naanu Ladies’ is a film attempting to identify cis-het culture [as it] weaves itself into the queerness of everyday life.

Naman Ramachandran The Walt Disney Company’s streamer Disney+ will be available in 42 new countries and 11 new territories this week following the launch on Tuesday in Greece, Turkey and countries in Central Eastern Europe, including Poland, Romania, Hungary, Czech Republic and Croatia. Tuesday’s series of launches follow the arrival of the service in South Africa on May 18 and across West Asia and North Africa on June 8.

Pixar’s upcoming Toy Story spin-off movie Lightyear has reportedly been banned in 14 countries, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, due to a scene that depicts a same-sex kiss.The scene depicting a lesbian space ranger named Alisha and her partner sharing a brief kiss had originally been cut by Disney, but was reinstated after Pixar animators penned an open letter criticising the company for censoring “overtly gay affection” in its films.As a result, the film will not be screened in cinemas across Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Egypt, Malaysia, Indonesia and more, Reuters has reported. Disney has yet to comment.The United Arab Emirates’ National Media Council announced via Twitter on Monday (June 13) that the film will not be licensed for screening in cinemas “due to its violation of the country’s media content standards”.The animated film "LIGHTYEAR" is not licensed to be shown in the cinemas of the #UAE.#UAE_BARQ_EN pic.twitter.com/tyeXxWHFe6— UAE BARQ (@UAE_BARQ_EN) June 13, 2022A Variety report also claims that the film was initially approved for release in the UAE, but had its license revoked after posts on social media accused the film of insulting Muslims and Islam.According to Variety, a source close to Malaysia’s Film Censorship Board had asked for edits to the film.

tweeted the order Monday saying the movie won’t run due to its “violation of the country’s media content standards.”Although there was no further explanation, fans believe the same-sex kiss between two female characters, one of whom is voiced by actress Uzo Aduba in the family-friendly movie, is what got it banned. Homosexuality is illegal in Saudi Arabia, and surrounding countries often take issue with LGBTQ+ movie content or characters.A source told the Wrap that “Lightyear” did not receive release certificates for Malaysia, Indonesia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan and Lebanon.The Media Regulatory Office announced that the animated film Lightyear, which is scheduled for release on 16th June, is not licensed for public screening in all cinemas in the UAE, due to its violation of the country’s media content standards.

tweet Monday that “Lightyear” would not open as planned on Thursday because the film had a “violation of the country’s media content standards.” The tweet included an image of Buzz Lightyear from the film with a “no” symbol over it in red. And in Malaysia, the country’s largest cinema chain GSC also tweeted an image of Buzz in the film saying “To infinity” but responded with the caption “No beyond.”An individual with knowledge of the film’s release plans indicated that “Lightyear” did not receive release certificates for Malaysia, Indonesia, Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Jordan and Lebanon.

Elsa Keslassy International CorrespondentCharades has closed a raft of deals on “Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be,” an animated feature which world premiered at Cannes in the Special Screenings section and will go on to compete at Annecy festival. Directed by Benjamin Massoubre and Amandine Fredon, “Little Nicholas: Happy as Can Be” is based on author René Goscinny and New Yorker cartoonist Jean-Jacques Sempé’s popular children books from the 1960’s which have been translated into than 30 languages.

Shakira confirms her dad William Mebarak is back home after his accident. Last week the singer and songwriter took to social media to clarify why she was in an ambulance.“Guys, I’m getting a lot of concern that I was recently seen in an ambulance in Barcelona. I just wanted to let you know that those photos are from last weekend (the 28th) when my dad, unfortunately, had a bad fall, and I accompanied him in an ambulance to the hospital where he is recovering now,” she tweeted.Shakira also shared a photo kissing her New York City-born Lebanese dad.

Shakira and Gerard Pique have split ways, the singer has been all over the headlines. While the mom of 2 is healing from the breakup, you can’t help but wonder who she is leaning on for support.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentKino Lorber has acquired North American rights to first-time Lebanese director Mounia Akl’s timely drama “Costa Brava, Lebanon,” which launched positively last year from Venice.“Costa Brava” provides an acerbic take on Lebanon’s waste management crisis and its turbulent political landscape and combines the country’s strife with the global climate crisis. The darkly comic drama pairs Oscar-nominated Lebanese star and filmmaker Nadine Labaki (“Capernaum”) and Palestinian actor Saleh Bakri (“The Band’s Visit”) as a couple who has moved from Beirut to live idyllically in the mountains, until one day the government decides to build a garbage landfill right beside their house.

Jem Aswad Senior Music EditorSinger Elissa, soprano Hiba Tawaji, composer Oussama Rahbani, trumpetist Ibrahim Maalouf and more than 50 musicians performed at the “Night of Hope” at Lebanon’s Forum de Beirut on Sunday night in the largest concert to be held in the country’s capital since the devastating explosion in August of 2020 that killed more than 200 people, left an estimated 300,000 homeless and caused more than $15 billion in damage. The Forum de Beirut was also destroyed by the blast, but has been rebuilt.The concert paid tribute to the families of the explosion’s victims in a brief video, and patriotic songs were performed as part of a broader call to unite the country, which has seen its economy devasted in recent years.

Basketball is the last thing on Steve Kerr‘s mind.

It’s hard to know where to start with the story of Adnan Dehaini and the family business that he runs with his wife of 33 years, Faten, and his son Hussein. Perhaps that his place, the unassuming Tyros on Tiviot Dale, just by the Cash Converters and the mobility scooter shop, is named in honour of his storied hometown, the ancient port city of Tyre in Lebanon - Tyros is the Phoenician name for it - over 4000 years old and one of the oldest cities in the world. It gets a name check in the Bible.

It’s early days at the Cannes Film Festival, so awards prognostication might seem a little premature, but still, it’s hard to imagine that the phenomenal performance given by Swedish-Lebanese actor Fares Fares in Tarik Saleh’s searing political thriller Boy from Heaven will go entirely unnoticed by this year’s jury. Topping the work he did in Saleh’s 2017 Sundance hit The Nile Hilton Incident, Fares commands the screen from the moment he arrives, playing a character whose disheveled appearance conceals a ruthless efficiency, a laser-focused mind and an entirely pragmatic concept of morality.

A brave Scots nurse volunteering in Ukraine has told how he witnessed the wreckage of a Russian tank with its gun still pointing directly at a hospital.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentMoroccan director Maryam Touzani, whose is sophomore feature, “The Blue Caftan,” unspools in Un Certain Regard, has never been afraid to tackle topics that shatter her country’s social conventions.She’s made a doc about Morocco’s female prostitutes that sparked plenty of attention and a short about the exploitation of children as domestic workers. Her first feature, “Adam,” looked at the plight of single mothers (it also screened in Un Certain Regard).In “Blue Caftan” Touzani turns her gaze on the concealed homosexuality of a married man in Morocco where, in accordance with Islamic laws and customs, same-sex sexual activity is illegal and can be punished with imprisonment.

Eurovision Song Contest has returned for another year, bringing with it more musical drama and excitement. So far this year, Russia has been banned from the contest, while Latvia has been stamped with a censorship order and the UK afforded a rare shot at first place in the bookies. Every year, the show is presented by showbiz stalwarts from the hosting nation – and this year is no exception.

EXCLUSIVE: LA-based Tricycle Logic has set a U.S. theatrical release for Lebanese director Oualid Mouaness’ debut feature, 1982. The coming-of-age drama premiered at the 2019 Toronto Film Festival where it won the NETPAC Award. It will release domestically beginning June 10 at the Quad Cinema in New York and on June 24 will expand to Los Angeles with a national rollout to follow throughout the summer. 
The New York date coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Lebanon war on June 6. (Check out the trailer below.)

The wedding of the year is set to take place at the lavish Mar-a-lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida on Nov. 12.  Tiffany Trump, the youngest daughter of former President Donald Trump, is reportedly set to tie the knot this fall with Lebanese businessman Michael Boulos, according to Page Six.  More than 500 guests will attend the affair overseen by Trump and his ex-wife, Marla Maples, the outlet reported.Tiffany is the couple’s only child.

Amal Clooney looked typically stylish as she headed out for dinner in Manhattan, New York, on Wednesday evening.The 44 year old British–Lebanese barrister, who married Hollywood actor George Clooney in 2014, was joined by her equally glamorous mother Baria Alamuddin for the night out on the town. Showing off her style credentials, Amal wowed in an eye-catching silver diamante top that she teamed with a pair of dark blue ankle-grazing jeans that were frayed at the hem. Amal wore a chic, black blazer atop her ensemble, and she accessorised with a dazzling pair of drop silver earrings while her long glossy blowdry framed her striking features.

EastEnders star Tracy-Ann Oberman has issued an apology and paid ‘substantial’ damages to an academic who she falsely accused of anti-Semitism. The actress, who played Chrissie Watts on the BBC One soap, tweeted last year, suggesting that Dr Phillip Proudfoot had a ‘Jew blocklist’ on Twitter. Dr Proudfoot, however, had used a Twitter blockchain, a tool which is often used to deter trolls on the social media platform.

EXCLUSIVE: Sirens, a rock doc about Beirut all-female thrash metal band Slave to Sirens, will get a theatrical run after Oscilloscope Laboratories bought the North American rights.

Joyland,” which is set to be the first Pakistan-made film in Official Selection at the Cannes Film Festival. Sales duties will be shared with WME Independent, which is is representing North American rights.The tale of sexual revolution sees a happily patriarchal joint family yearn for the birth of a baby boy to continue the family line, while their youngest son secretly joins an erotic dance theatre and falls for an ambitious transsexual starlet.The film is the feature debut of writer and director Saim Sadiq, whose previous short film “Darling” won the Orizzonti Best Short Film award at the 2019 Venice Film Festival and was acquired for worldwide distribution by Focus Features.

Survivor fans are mourning a beloved cast member.

Ralph Kiser, a farmer from Lebanon, Virginia who competed against two of the biggest villains in the history of the CBS franchise has died, according to multiple reports. He was 56.

Facebook post on Wednesday: “I have some unfortunate news for the ‘Survivor’ community. Ralph Kiser passed away unexpectedly from a heart attack this morning.  His brother Gilbert messaged me this morning to let the ‘Survivor’ community know.”Kiser applied for “Survivor” several times before being cast on 2010’s “Redemption Island,” which combined past contestants with new players. “I’ve wanted to be on the show for years and knew one day I’d get my chance.

Netflix is partnering with the Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC) to support five Arab women filmmakers. The pact will see the streamer provide a one-time grant of $250,000 to female producers and directors in the Arab world through the Netflix Fund for Creative Equity which aims to help create new opportunities for underrepresented communities within the entertainment industry.

Lebanese Taverna is offering a customizable Easter spread for the whole family to-go.The Easter Family Menu includes a choice among the following, all served on a bed of fragrant spiced rice with toasted nuts: American Leg of Lamb with three-herb sauce, feeding up to 10 ($180), Riz Bel Djaje, or braised chicken with yogurt salad for up to 8 ($145), Ouzi, or braised lamb loin with yogurt salad for up to 8 ($165), or Organic Whole Chicken, served with garlic, lemon, and gravy ($40).Easter Sides, all served in portions for up to 10 and priced at ($45), include Arnabeet, or fried cauliflower bites with tahini and pomegranate reduction, Roasted Za’atar Potatoes, Bulghur Pilaffor, Mujardara with lentil, rice pilaf, and friend onions, or Arugula, Beet & Orange Salad with pine nuts, feta, and lemon vinaigrette.Easter Desserts include a Middle Eastern Pastry Pack of Baklava, Maamoul, and Barazek ($29), 12 pieces of Baklava ($18), or 6 pieces of the traditional Lebanese Easter pastries called Mammoul, with semolina short crust and assorted fillings of dates ($18).Orders must be placed before 6 p.m. on Friday, April 15, and picked up at specific times on Sunday, April 17.

Film Independent today announced the names of the 30 filmmakers, from 11 nations, selected to participate in its 2022 Global Media Makers LA Residency, taking place in person this month.

refugees’ lives and the intricacies of Mina’s relationships, examines the many angles of a timely and vital subject, and probes the life-changing choices humans are forced to make,” according to a statement issued Tuesday by award judges. “The exquisite language suspends time and investigates the intricacies of seeking refuge, both from geopolitical disruptions and from one’s own patterns of life.”Alameddine, a Lebanese American whose other works include the National Book Award finalist “An Unnecessary Woman,” will receive $15,000.

The search for Cassie Carli has come to a heartbreaking end.

The Real Housewives of Dubai” will premiere on June 1 at 9 p.m. ET, Bravo announced Friday.

 has officially arrived! Well, the first promo for  has anyway. breakout star Caroline Stanbury is back on Bravo as one of the six 'Wives fans are sure to fall for when  premieres this summer. She's joined by Nina Ali, Chanel Ayan, Caroline Brooks, Dr.

Nick Vivarelli International CorrespondentItalian TV host Alessandro Cattelan will be among the three MCs of the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest, along with Italy’s Grammy-wining singer Laura Pausini and Lebanese/British pop star Mika. In addition to preparing for the biggest night for music in Europe, he recently made his debut on Netflix with one-man show “One Simple Question.” In the show, Cattelan embarks on a road trip in pursuit of a seemingly simple answer to a question from his daughter, Nina: “Daddy, how do you find happiness?” The quirky six-episode series, which dropped in 190 countries on March 18, sees the showman display his trademark deadpan humor as he searches for happiness through interviews and set-pieces with celebrity guests ranging from retired Italian soccer star Roberto Baggio, who is a practicing Buddhist, and Oscar-nominated director Paolo Sorrentino (“The Hand of God”), to a couple who are amateur porn stars and former Google X exec Mo Gawdat, author of a book titled “Solve for Happy.” Cattelan, who cut his teeth working for MTV and subsequently hosted the talent show “The X Factor” on Sky in Italy, talked to Variety about making the leap into the global streaming arena ahead of his gig for Eurovision, for which his main aspiration is “to make people laugh.” A dozen years ago I had an idea for a show where I would go on a road trip around the U.S.

The 8th Annual Women’s Voices Now Film Festival: The Rights and Roles of Women: Redefining Our Shared Reality is in the books and the winning films have been selected by our jury: