Variety Promotes Sales Veteran Dawn Allen to Senior VP of Film

Todd Gilchrist editor Producer Nina Yang Bongiovi admits her enthusiasm for being recognized for the profound social and cultural weight of her output. “Usually producers are kicked to the curb when a movie is released,” she says, laughing.

Princess Diana’s older sisters, Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale, were said to be present at Lilibet’s christening in California. The U.K.’s DailyMail reported that Prince Harry’s two aunts from his mother's side were among the 20–30 guests who attended the "intimate" ceremony and after-party at the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s mansion in Montecito.

Elizabeth Taylor Allen Media Group founder, chairman and CEO Byron Allen brought together Oscar night glitz and glamour for good with a little help from legendary singer Diana Ross Sunday night. It was a supreme affair for the philanthropic media mogul whose annual gala returned for a fifth year to the Beverly Wilshire to benefit Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. The host, standing beside his family, welcomed a bevy of luminaries to the lavish gathering, including Smokey Robinson, Vivica A. Fox, Jeff Ross, Garcelle Beauvais, Adam Carolla, Candy Spelling and Johnell Young to the event, which all started as a way for Allen to give back to the organization that rescued him as a child.

Ethan Shanfeld Hosting the 95th Oscars, Jimmy Kimmel did not miss an opportunity to take a dig at Matt Damon, asking Jessica Chastain in a comedic segment, “Was it difficult filming your movie ‘The Martian’ because your co-star Matt Damon can’t read and smells like dog medicine?” Chastain laughed and responded, “I didn’t really have a lot of scenes with him, so it was fine.” Kimmel and Damon’s infamous (and hilarious) feud dates back to the third season of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” in 2005, when Kimmel made an off-hand joke at the end of a show about booting Damon, an A-list guest who would never be cut for time. Soon, “I want to apologize to Matt Damon, we ran out of time” became a recurring bit on “Kimmel.”

Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment Writer Eva Longoria’s feature directorial debut, “Flamin’ Hot,” had audiences on fire at its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival on March 11 — while deftly navigating the controversy surrounding the film’s subject without ever addressing it by name. The movie is based on the life of former Frito-Lay executive Richard Montañez, played by Jesse Garcia (“Quinceañera,” “Narcos: Mexico”), who has said that he was responsible for inventing the Flamin’ Hot Cheetos brand when he was working as a janitor for the company.  Before “Flamin’ Hot” went into production in 2021, however, Montañez’s claims were disputed by a Los Angeles Times report in which Frito-Lay stated that an internal investigation turned up no evidence that “Richard was involved in any capacity in the Flamin’ Hot test market” in 1990. Instead, the Times’ story attributed a Frito-Lay factory in the Midwest with spearheading the Flamin’ Hot brand and credited Montañez for helping to bring to market the Flamin’ Hot Popcorn brand and a line of spicy products called Sabrositas.

Princess Lilibet's christening reportedly welcomed the late Princess Diana's sisters Lady Jane Fellowes and Lady Sarah McCorquodale earlier this month.This insight was provided by Marie Claire, while a spokesperson for Lilibet's royal parents Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced on International Women's Day: "I can confirm that Princess Lilibet Diana was christened on Friday, March 3 by the Bishop of Los Angeles, the Rev John Taylor." Harry, 38, has maintained a close relationship with his mother's siblings following her tragic death 26 years ago, with Jane, 66, even performing an emotional reading from the Song of Solomon at his wedding to Meghan, 41, back in 2018. An insider told PEOPLE that 20-30 guests attended the intimate Californian ceremony, including Meghan's mum Doria Ragland, Lilibet's godfather (and major Hollywood player) Tyler Perry, and an unnamed godmother.

Adam B. Vary Senior Entertainment Writer John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein have been to the SXSW Film Festival twice before — for 2013’s “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone,” which they wrote, and 2019’s “Stuber,” which they produced. But when the pair debut the action-comedy “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” as the opening film of the annual Austin event this Friday, it will be the first time they’ve done so as directors. They couldn’t be more excited. “It’s the perfect setting for this movie,” Goldstein says, sitting in the Paramount lot office he shares with Daley, for an interview with Variety about the release of their latest movie. “It feels like the quintessential South By film,” Daley adds. “It’s big and all-encompassing but there’s also something a little bit subversive about it.”

Peter Caranicas Deputy Editor Things are moving fast at Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard. The bicoastal law firm has announced a new co-head of its entertainment practice, new co-heads in the Los Angeles office, a partner promotion, and further development of its art law group.   Caitlin S. DiMotta (above right) has joined Frederick P. Bimbler (above left) in heading up the firm’s entertainment practice. Based in Los Angeles, DiMotta joined the firm in 2021 and works with clients in all areas of development and publishing in the television, literary, comic book/graphic novel, and motion picture industries.   With almost 30 years’ experience in entertainment law, Bimbler has long advised clients in the areas of motion picture, television, theater, and performance art. His portfolio includes clients on both coasts, and he will co-head management of the firm’s Los Angeles office with partner Sarah Conley Odenkirk.  

Peter Caranicas Deputy Editor Things are moving fast at Cowan, DeBaets, Abrahams & Sheppard. The bicoastal law firm has announced a new co-head of its entertainment practice, new co-heads in the Los Angeles office, a partner promotion, and further development of its art law group.   Caitlin S. DiMotta (above right) has joined Frederick P. Bimbler (above left) in heading up the firm’s entertainment practice. Based in Los Angeles, DiMotta joined the firm in 2021 and works with clients in all areas of development and publishing in the television, literary, comic book/graphic novel, and motion picture industries.   With almost 30 years’ experience in entertainment law, Bimbler has long advised clients in the areas of motion picture, television, theater, and performance art. His portfolio includes clients on both coasts, and he will co-head management of the firm’s Los Angeles office with partner Sarah Conley Odenkirk.  

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s daughter, Lilibet Diana, was christened in an intimate ceremony in Montecito, California, where the family resides. The celebration for the 21-month-old, which was confirmed on Wednesday.

OK, we’re all in a good place. But we loved that that party ends and reality sets in,” said Michael Begler, one of two new executive producers/showrunners for this season (with his partner Jack Amiel).

Simon & Schuster has announced that it will cease distribution of The Book of Animal Secrets by Dr. David B. Agus amid allegations of plagiarism.

Monica Corcoran Variety will toast five Hollywood makeup artists known for setting red carpet beauty trends with staying power at the annual — and lively — Makeup Artistry Dinner on March 9 at Ardor Restaurant. But before the festivities, we sat down with each creator on Variety’s “Red Carpet Ready,” presented by Armani Beauty, to share behind-the-scenes moments, surprising inspirations and secret industry beauty tricks you won’t find on TikTok. Though each of our honored artists approaches the craft differently, Alex Babsky, Kathy Jeung, Kelsey Deenihan Fisher, Allan Avendaño and Cedric Jolivet all agree that collaborating with their celebrity clients is key. These pros create elegance with a perfectly winged cat eye and add oomph with a bold lip that stops the paparazzi in their tracks.

Damon Albarn has recalled his first encounter with The Specials’ Terry Hall in a new interview, calling the late star “the coolest human being on earth”.Hall died in December 2022 after being diagnosed with cancer months earlier. He was 63 years old.Speaking to Radio X, Albarn spoke about the first time he was in Hall’s presence.

Marc Malkin Senior Film Awards, Events & Lifestyle Editor ID PR vice president Alla Plotkin has left the company. Plotkin, whose clients have included Bette Midler, Sarah Paulson, Holland Taylor, Jake Gyllenhaal, Nicholas Braun, Michelle Williams, Titus Burgess and Jessica Williams, has not announced her next move. She had been with ID for almost 16 years. At the same time, ID PR announced that 20-year company veteran Rebecca Sides Capellan has been promoted to senior vice president. Her client list includes Lupita Nyong’o, Rachel Weisz, Natasha Lyonne, Lena Dunham, Cynthia Nixon and Broadway producer and theater owner Jordan Roth.

EXCLUSIVE: Ohio-based indie studio Good Deed Entertainment is teaming up with genre filmmaking team Dana Kippel and Ryan Jack Connell on their upcoming psychological thriller The Pink House.

Jeremy Allen White is a winner!

The stars of The Fabelmans are stepping out for the 2023 SAG Awards.

Adam Scott and the old gang are retying their iconic pink bow ties for a brand new season of the cult-favorite 2009 workplace comedy. Over a decade since season 2 aired, the raunchy catering crew will reunite for a six-episode revival on Friday, February 24.Created by John Enbom, Rob Thomas, Dan Etheridge and Paul Rudd, follows a ragtag team of Hollywood wannabes who moonlight as caterers. The series’ original ensemble cast featured plenty of now-familiar faces in comedy, including Scott, Ken Marino, Lizzy Caplan, Ryan Hansen, Martin Starr, Jane Lynch, and Megan Mullally.

Jennifer Garner isn't afraid to step outside her comfort zone for comedy. The actress joined the new third season of the cult comedy classic, and one particular episode called for her character to trip out on magic mushrooms — which was an experience she's not particular familiar with.«I haven't seen the episode,» Garner told ET's Will Marfuggi on the carpet at the Los Angeles premiere of 's third season on Wednesday. «It was terrifying — any time I have to play inebriated, or any altering anything — to me.