Paris & LA-Based ‘Coda’ Producer Vendôme Pictures Launches Doc Division & Hires Former Amazon France & Velvet Film Duo

Formula 1 has hired former Universal and Studiocanal executive Isabelle Stewart as Head of Original Content.

EXCLUSIVE:Shelved producer Counterfeit Pictures has hired long-serving Just For Laughs comedy expert Zoe Rabnett.

Variety examines the Oscar selection process in an array of international markets to see what works, what’s broken and what needs fixing. Despite being over-represented in competition lineups at major festivals like Cannes and Venice, France has had a cursed track record in the international feature film race, and has been overshadowed by smaller countries like Denmark in recent years. The French haven’t been able to claim an Oscar victory in the category since 1993 with Regis Wargnier’s win for “Indochine.” In the past 15 years, only four French films submitted have landed a nomination: Ladj Ly’s “Les Miserables” in 2020, Deniz Gamze Ergüven’s Turkish-language film “Mustang” in 2016, Jacques Audiard’s “A Prophet” starring Tahar Rahim in 2010 and Laurent Cantet’s Palme d’Or-winning “The Class” in 2008. Ironically, some French-language films repping other countries in the international feature race have been more successful, such as Michael Haneke’s “Amour,” which was submitted by Austria in 2013 and won. In the upcoming race, France is vying for a nomination with Alice Diop’s Venice Golden Lion-winning “Saint Omer,” a politically minded feature debut based on the real-life trial of Fabienne Kabou, a Senegalese immigrant accused of murdering her 15-month-old baby. This year’s Oscar committee, which included the likes of Audiard (“A Prophet”), Philippe Rousselet (“CODA”) and Hengameh Panahi (“Persepolis”), was bitterly split between “Saint Omer,” acquired by Neon’s Super label after Toronto, and “One Fine Morning,” Mia Hansen-Løve’s romance drama starring Lea Seydoux, which was picked up by Sony Pictures Classics in Cannes. The heated deliberations ended with a vote, as it almost always does.

ITV Studios has acquired a majority stake in Australian producer Lingo Pictures — marking its first acquisition in the country.

BBC Studios Science Unit Names First Creative Director

EXCLUSIVE: Other Angle Pictures has picked up international rights to the stacked ensemble erotic horror Alone At Night (previously known as 18 & Over).

EXCLUSIVE: Two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank (Million Dollar Baby) is set to star in and executive-produce Nar, a character-driven action-thriller, which WME International is launching for world sales ahead of next week’s AFM in LA.

K.J. Yossman Fremantle-owned Element Pictures, the production house behind projects including “Normal People” and “The Favourite,” have appointed Christopher Aird as their new creative director. Aird, who comes from Two Brothers Pictures, where he was head of drama, was appointed by Element founders and co-CEOs Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe. He will take up the position, based at Element’s London office, in Jan. 2023 where he will be responsible for managing the development and production slate across both television and film. He will also executive produce selected projects and manage the editorial team.

Normal People producer Element Pictures has made its first signature hire since being acquired by Fremantle, signing up Fleabag indie Two Brothers Pictures drama boss Christopher Aird as Creative Director.

Netflix has found Mike Moon’s replacement on the adult animation side.

Paris Hilton says a part of her has "gone" amid the search for her missing dog. The 41-year-old heiress offered a $10,000 reward for the return of her six-year-old chihuahua Diamond Baby after the pooch went missing from her Hollywood Hills home on 14 September and has now issued a plea directly to the dognapper, begging them to give her "baby" back. Speaking in a video posted to TikTok, she said: "Please give me back my baby; she’s my everything.

and may be the two foremost members of one of America's most famous families (I'd put the Jacksons just below the Kennedys in terms of national importance), but it's surprisingly rare to catch them hanging out together.  But while Janet is, well, to the rest of us, she's still an aunt to Paris. And aunts love to take any opportunity to post their nieces. Ms.

Imagine just hopping on TikTok one day and finding out that someone ROBBED you years ago?! Well, that is exactly what happened to Paris Hilton!

BBC Studios has taken full control of Firebird Pictures, the British drama indie behind Prime Video’s Wilderness and BBC One’s Wahala.

Eva Longoria is a woman of many talents. In Paris Fashion Week, she showed off her modeling skills, walking the runway in a stunning Ellie Saab sequined dress.Eva Longoria and Alejandra Pelayo talk tequila and their mission to empower Mexican womenEva Longoria and Dania Ramirez team up to amplify Dominican activism in their new podcastLongoria’s dress was short and glittery, the right mix of elegant and fun.

Erykah Badu shows up in an eye catching look for the Thom Browne Womenswear Spring/Summer 2023 show during Paris Fashion Week on Monday (October 3) in Paris, France.

Bella Hadid steps out for the Miu Miu dinner and Aftershow Party held at Gigi Paris Tuesday (October 4) in Paris, France.

EXCLUSIVE: Skybound Entertainment, the company founded by The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman, is staffing up.