Latest news with #FirstLook
Scottish Sun
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Tragic Liam Payne given heartbreaking tribute at start of Netflix's Building the Band – but there's bad news for fans
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) NETFLIX talent contest Building The Band kicks off with a special dedication to the memory of the late Liam Payne and his family. Before the competition starts, show host and Backstreet Boys singer AJ McLean, appears on screen to pay tribute to the One Direction star. 8 Netflix talent contest Building The Band kicks off with a special dedication to the memory of the late Liam Payne Credit: BackGrid Featuring as a guest judge on the programme was one of Liam's final projects before he tragically fell to his death from a hotel balcony in Argentina, aged just 31, in October last year. AJ says: 'When we came together to film Building The Band, we never imagined we'd soon be saying goodbye to our friend, Liam Payne. 'Liam is a guest judge in later episodes and through his presence we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. 'It is through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.' Building The Band, which features Nicole Scherzinger as the main judge and mentor, will begin to drop on the streaming giant next Wednesday after Liam's loved ones signed off on his scenes in the show. But fans hoping to see him straight away in the ten-part season will be disappointed as he will only appear from episode seven onwards alongside fellow guest judge Kelly Rowland. The first batch of four, hour-long episodes will land next week, followed by another three on July 16. The remaining three episodes will go out on July 23. It was a bittersweet moment for fans of Liam and One Direction last week when Netflix dropped the trailer for the show, and featured him extensively throughout. Filmed last August, he is seen coaching a wannabe band, telling them: 'You've got a lot of work to do vocally — I need to feel that connection between you guys.' In another moment, he seemingly refers to his own One Direction past when he comments on the show's selection process. Building the Band: First Look, Netflix It sees 50 musicians having to form six pop groups — choosing their bandmates through voice and compatibility alone, without seeing them. One Direction were formed on The X Factor in 2010, although the five bandmates got to meet each other before the group was put together. On Building The Band, Liam says: 'How these bands are put together is not normal — we were not put together that way.' Toff love with Downton back LADY Mary finds herself firmly in the spotlight in the final outing of Downton Abbey – only this time she's a figure of scandal. The toff, played by Michelle Dockery, is seen increasingly taking over the reins of the estate from her father, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville). 8 Lady Mary is a figure of scandal in the final outing of Downton Abbey 8 As a divorcee Lady Mary first has to navigate the prejudices of polite society But as divorcee she first has to navigate the prejudices of polite society, particularly a fellow aristocrat played by Joely Richardson. The action in the third and final film, out in September and subtitled The Grand Finale, takes us from the stately home to London's West End and a day out at the races. As the Downton estate faces an uncertain future, the Earl is seen in the trailer asking his wife what his dearly departed mother would have done in his situation. And he's heard saying: 'It's hard to accept that it's time to go.' I think we can all agree on that. 8 The toff, played by Michelle Dockery, is seen increasingly taking over the reins of the estate from her father, Earl of Grantham (Hugh Bonneville) A good Cause for gags WHEN Alan Carr and Daisy May Cooper stepped down from ITV quiz show Password, fans worried it might not deliver quite the same volume of laughs. But they need not stress, because I can reveal that Strictly Come Dancing funnyman Chris McCausland has stepped into the breach. 8 Chris McCausland has filled the void on ITV's Password Credit: PA Chris, who last year took home the glitterball trophy on the BBC One contest, will be one of the panel of celebrities that try to help out contestants. Just like his time on the Strictly dancefloor, Chris is guaranteed to combine being competitive with delivering plenty of giggles along the way. And contestants will be hoping that some of Chris's success will rub off on them. After all, the last final of Password had a jackpot of £10,000 up for grabs. In for a Laing one DISNEY+ is making a reality show with Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing and Sophie Habboo – who is expecting their first child – as they tackle parenthood. It says Jamie and Sophie: Raising Chelsea will take viewers on 'a no-holds-barred whirlwind journey of the next chapter in their lives.' Heatwave the pits for Luke LUKE HAMNETT, the TikToker pal of former Love Islander Maura Higgins, is fast becoming a star himself, with slots on the show's spin-off programme Aftersun. And now he has launched a podcast with his mum, Jan. 8 Luke Hamnett has launched a podcast with his mum Credit: Getty But it doesn't sound like the showbiz world has gone to his head yet. On the first episode of Live, Laugh, Luke, he said: 'I went to the TV Baftas and I wore this brown suit and a vest and it was so f***ing hot. At points I was getting a napkin and dabbing my pits.' On this week's episode, he told his powerful coming-out story to mark Pride month. Luke was horrifically bullied for his sexuality at school. He said: 'People's stories are very different. But it was the best thing that happened to me because it made me be my true self.' Traitors feel the tension LOTS of whispers are leaking out about the upcoming series of The Celebrity Traitors, which has already been filmed and looks set to air on BBC One in September. Apparently emotions run surprisingly high on the show, hosted once more by Claudia Winkleman, even though many of the stars are no strangers to taking part in telly contests. 8 Apparently emotions run surprisingly high on Claudia Winkleman's Celebrity Traitors Credit: PA Things start off friendly, with the contestants comfortable in each other's company having known one another for years. But tensions quickly rise as the competition intensifies. I can reveal that, behind the scenes, one of the celebrities was particularly cross about being voted off. Another actually bursts into tears when they are shown the door. And that person struggles to hold it together as they deliver their departing speech and inform the other contestants whether they are a traitor or not. I can tease that it's not the kind of star who is known for being a fragile soul, either. And the other competitors are rather surprised when they dissolve into tears. Literally counting down the weeks now . . . New job for Dob SHE is fresh from her turn as a ghostly Angie Watts in EastEnders 40th anniversary episode and playing a baddie in the most recent series of Doctor Who. Now Anita Dobson is preparing for Channel 5 drama Play For Today. 8 Anita Dobson is preparing for Channel 5 drama Play For Today Credit: Getty But it's meant facing something far more spooky than Albert Square or The Tardis – learning lines. Anita, who's been married to Queen legend Brian May for almost 25 years, told me: 'These days it's an absolute nightmare. It never gets better and the older you get the harder it gets. 'But if you've got a gut feeling about something and you've got a good team behind you, then you just have to put the work in.' At 76, hardworking Anita is putting us all to shame.
Business Wire
23-06-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ICE First Look at Mortgage Performance: Delinquencies Held Steady in May but Continue to Trend Higher on an Annual Basis
ATLANTA & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--ICE Mortgage Technology, neutral provider of a robust end-to-end mortgage platform and part of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE), today released its May 2025 ICE First Look, which shows that delinquencies and foreclosure activity continues to trend slightly higher on an annual basis despite some seasonal and disaster recovery related improvement. The ICE First Look reports on month-end delinquency, foreclosure and prepayment statistics sourced from its loan-level database, which covers a majority of the U.S. mortgage market. Key takeaways from this month's findings include: The national delinquency rate ticked down 2 basis points (bps) to 3.20% in May, though it is up 5.2% (16 bps) year over year (YoY). Serious delinquencies – loans 90+ days past due but not in foreclosure – improved seasonally for the fifth consecutive month but are still up 56K (14%) from the same time last year. Disaster-related delinquencies also improved, with those related to the 2024 hurricane season falling by nearly 5K (26%) month over month (MoM) and Los Angeles wildfire-related delinquencies falling by a more modest 9% MoM. For the third consecutive month, foreclosure starts, active foreclosures and foreclosure sales rose annually as VA foreclosure resumptions continue to make their way through the pipeline. Prepayment activity, as measured by single month mortality, inched up to 0.71%, the highest level since October 2024, driven by a seasonal rise in home sale-related prepayments. Prepayments were up 23.4% YoY. Data as of May 31, 2025 Total U.S. loan delinquency rate (loans 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure): 3.20% Month-over-month change: -0.52% Year-over-year change: 5.20% Total U.S. foreclosure pre-sale inventory rate: 0.38% Month-over-month change: -1.46% Year-over-year change: 6.29% Total U.S. foreclosure starts: 28,000 Month-over-month change -3.35% Year-over-year change: 16.73% Monthly prepayment rate (SMM): 0.71% Month-over-month change: 1.00% Year-over-year change: 23.38% Foreclosure sales: 7,000 Month-over-month change: 8,15% Year-over-year change: 11,37% Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 1,744,000 Month-over-month change: -8,000 Year-over-year change: 110,000 Number of properties that are 90 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 466,000 Month-over-month change: -10,000 Year-over-year change: 56,000 Number of properties in foreclosure pre-sale inventory: 206,000 Month-over-month change: -3,000 Year-over-year change: 15,000 Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due or in foreclosure: 1,951,000 Month-over-month change: -11,000 Year-over-year change: 125,000 The company will provide a more in-depth review of this data in its monthly Mortgage Monitor report, which includes an analysis of data supplemented by detailed charts and graphs that reflect trend and point-in-time observations. The Mortgage Monitor report will be available online at by July 7, 2025. For more information about gaining access to ICE's loan-level database, please send an email to ICE-MortgageMonitor@ About the ICE First Look ICE maintains the nation's leading repository of loan-level residential mortgage data and performance information – which covers the majority of the U.S. market – including tens of millions of loans across the spectrum of credit products and more than 230 million historical records. In addition, the company maintains a robust public property records databases that covers 99.9% of the U.S. population and households from more than 3,100 counties. ICE's research experts carefully analyze this data to produce the First Look, a monthly summary of month-end delinquency, foreclosure and prepayment statistics. About Intercontinental Exchange Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds and operates digital networks that connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes helping our customers access mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and efficiency. ICE's futures, equity, and options exchanges – including the New York Stock Exchange – and clearing houses help people invest, raise capital and manage risk. We offer some of the world's largest markets to trade and clear energy and environmental products. Our fixed income, data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers streamline processes and capitalize on opportunities. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming U.S. housing finance, from initial consumer engagement through loan production, closing, registration and the long-term servicing relationship. Together, ICE transforms, streamlines and automates industries to connect our customers to opportunity. Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading 'Key Information Documents (KIDS).' Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 – Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2025. Category: Mortgage Technology ICE-CORP
Business Wire
23-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
ICE First Look at Mortgage Performance: Foreclosure Activity Edges Higher Following Recent Record Lows
ATLANTA & NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a leading global provider of technology and data, today released its April 2025 First Look, which shows U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgages progressing through the foreclosure pipeline following the recent moratorium expiration. The ICE First Look reports on month-end delinquency, foreclosure and prepayment statistics sourced from its loan-level database, which covers a majority of the U.S. mortgage market. Key takeaways from this month's findings include: The national delinquency rate ticked up 1 basis point (bp) to 3.22% in April and is up a modest 13 bps (4.1%) from the same time last year. Still, delinquencies remain below pre-pandemic levels. Serious delinquencies – loans 90+ days past due but not in foreclosure – improved seasonally but rose 14% from April 2024 marking the sixth consecutive month of 10%+ annual increases. While foreclosure activity remains muted, foreclosure starts (+13%), sales (+9%), and active inventory (+4%) all rose on an annual basis for the second consecutive month. April's 6,500 foreclosure sales marked the largest single-month volume in 15 months, with VA sales, which account for the bulk of the recent rise, hitting their highest level since 2019. Prepayment activity, measured in single month mortality, jumped to 0.71%, the highest level since October. This rise was driven by stronger home sale and refinance-related prepayments, which grew +19.0% over the previous month and +34.9% over the previous year. Data as of Apr. 30, 2025 Total U.S. loan delinquency rate (loans 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure): 3.22% Month-over-month change: 0.28% Year-over-year change: 4.10% Total U.S. foreclosure pre-sale inventory rate: 0.38% Month-over-month change: -1.71% Year-over-year change: 3.74% Total U.S. foreclosure starts: 29,000 Month-over-month change -12.38% Year-over-year change: 12.96% Monthly prepayment rate (SMM): 0.71% Month-over-month change: 19.01% Year-over-year change: 34.92% Foreclosure sales: 6,500 Month-over-month change: 6.42% Year-over-year change: 9.43% Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 1,752,000 Month-over-month change: 8,000 Year-over-year change: 94,000 Number of properties that are 90 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 476,000 Month-over-month change: -18,000 Year-over-year change: 59,000 Number of properties in foreclosure pre-sale inventory: 209,000 Month-over-month change: -3,000 Year-over-year change: 11,000 Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due or in foreclosure: 1,961,000 Month-over-month change: 5,000 Year-over-year change: 105,000 Top 5 States by Non-Current* Percentage Louisiana: 7.60% Mississippi: 7.37% Alabama: 5.53% Indiana: 5.01% Arkansas: 4.98% Expand Bottom 5 States by Non-Current* Percentage Oregon: 2.19% Montana: 2.08% Idaho: 2.02% Colorado: 2.00% Washington: 1.94% Expand Top 5 States by 90+ Days Delinquent Percentage Mississippi: 1.93% Louisiana: 1.93% Alabama: 1.49% Florida: 1.30% Georgia: 1.30% Expand Top 5 States by 12-Month Change in Non-Current* Percentage New York: -9.09% Hawaii: -6.47% Maine: -6.19% Wyoming: -4.92% North Dakota: -3.39% Expand Bottom 5 States by 12-Month Change in Non-Current* Percentage Florida: 12.13% Colorado: 10.90% Arizona: 8.58% Georgia: 8.58% Michigan: 8.01% Expand *Non-current totals combine foreclosures and delinquencies as a percent of active loans in that state. Notes: 1) Totals are extrapolated based on ICE's loan-level database of mortgage assets. 2) All whole numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand, except foreclosure starts and sales, which are rounded to the nearest hundred. Expand The company will provide a more in-depth review of this data in its monthly Mortgage Monitor report, which includes an analysis of data supplemented by detailed charts and graphs that reflect trend and point-in-time observations. The Mortgage Monitor report will be available online at on June 2, 2025. For more information about gaining access to ICE's loan-level database, please send an email to ICE-MortgageMonitor@ About the ICE First Look ICE maintains the nation's leading repository of loan-level residential mortgage data and performance information – which covers the majority of the U.S. market – including tens of millions of loans across the spectrum of credit products and more than 230 million historical records. In addition, the company maintains a robust public property records databases that covers 99.9% of the U.S. population and households from more than 3,100 counties. ICE's research experts carefully analyze this data to produce the First Look, a monthly summary of month-end delinquency, foreclosure and prepayment statistics. About Intercontinental Exchange Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds and operates digital networks that connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes helping our customers access mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and efficiency. ICE's futures, equity, and options exchanges – including the New York Stock Exchange – and clearing houses help people invest, raise capital and manage risk. We offer some of the world's largest markets to trade and clear energy and environmental products. Our fixed income, data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers streamline processes and capitalize on opportunities. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming U.S. housing finance, from initial consumer engagement through loan production, closing, registration and the long-term servicing relationship. Together, ICE transforms, streamlines and automates industries to connect our customers to opportunity. Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading 'Key Information Documents (KIDS).' Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 – Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2025. Category: Mortgage Technology ICE-CORP Source: Intercontinental Exchange
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
ICE First Look at Mortgage Performance: Delinquencies Improved Seasonally in March but Continue to Trend Modestly Higher
ATLANTA & NEW YORK, April 24, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE:ICE), a leading global provider of technology and data, today released its March 2025 First Look, which reveals that while delinquency rates edged up slightly year over year (YoY), they remain below pre-pandemic levels. The ICE First Look reports on month-end delinquency, foreclosure and prepayment statistics sourced from its loan-level database, which covers a majority of the U.S. mortgage market. Key takeaways from this month's findings include: The national delinquency rate decreased seasonally by -32 basis points (bps) to 3.21%, up 1 bps from the same time last year and only 29 bps above the 2.92% record low set in March 2023. While serious delinquencies (SDQs) also improved seasonally, they are up 14% (+60K) YoY, with the rise driven entirely by FHA delinquencies, which increased by +63K YoY. Higher SDQs, along with the lifting of a VA foreclosure moratorium, fueled a modest bump in foreclosure inventory and sales, which both rose annually for the first time in nearly two years. Disaster events, such as hurricanes and wildfires, have led to YoY delinquency increases across several states, including Florida (+44 bps), South Carolina (+17 bps), Georgia (+14 bps) and California (+10 bps). Monthly prepayment activity, measured by single-month mortality, jumped to 0.59% – a +30.4% increase over February and the highest level of prepayment activity since November. Data as of Mar. 31, 2025Total U.S. loan delinquency rate (loans 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure): 3.21%Month-over-month change: -8.94%Year-over-year change: 0.41% Total U.S. foreclosure pre-sale inventory rate: 0.39%Month-over-month change: 0.81%Year-over-year change: 2.05% Total U.S. foreclosure starts: 33,000Month-over-month change 0.05%Year-over-year change: 27.84% Monthly prepayment rate (SMM): 0.59%Month-over-month change: 30.35%Year-over-year change: 22.88% Foreclosure sales: 6,100Month-over-month change: 8.89Year-over-year change: 4.42% Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 1,744,000Month-over-month change: -169,000Year-over-year change: 33,000 Number of properties that are 90 or more days past due, but not in foreclosure: 495,000Month-over-month change: -33,000Year-over-year change: 60,000 Number of properties in foreclosure pre-sale inventory: 213,000Month-over-month change: 2,000Year-over-year change: 7,000 Number of properties that are 30 or more days past due or in foreclosure: 1,957,000Month-over-month change: -167,000Year-over-year change: 40,000 Top 5 States by Non-Current* Percentage Louisiana: 7.52% Mississippi: 7.27% Alabama: 5.56% Indiana: 5.00% Arkansas: 4.90% Bottom 5 States by Non-Current* Percentage Oregon: 2.21% Montana: 2.12% Colorado: 2.01% Idaho: 1.42% Washington: 1.37% Top 5 States by 90+ Days Delinquent Percentage Louisiana: 2.02% Mississippi: 2.02% Alabama: 1.51% Florida: 1.57% Georgia: 1.47% Top 5 States by 12-Month Change in Non-Current* Percentage New York: -13.46% North Dakota: -9.39% Hawaii: -9.20% Rhode Island: -7.17% Massachusetts: -5.89% Bottom 5 States by 12-Month Change in Non-Current* Percentage Florida: 10.36% Colorado: 6.70% California: 4.98% Arizona: 4.58% Delaware: 3.98% *Non-current totals combine foreclosures and delinquencies as a percent of active loans in that state. Notes: 1) Totals are extrapolated based on ICE's loan-level database of mortgage assets. 2) All whole numbers are rounded to the nearest thousand, except foreclosure starts and sales, which are rounded to the nearest hundred. The company will provide a more in-depth review of this data in its monthly Mortgage Monitor report, which includes an analysis of data supplemented by detailed charts and graphs that reflect trend and point-in-time observations. The Mortgage Monitor report will be available online at by May 5, 2025. For more information about gaining access to ICE's loan-level database, please send an email to ICE-MortgageMonitor@ About Intercontinental Exchange Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. (NYSE: ICE) is a Fortune 500 company that designs, builds and operates digital networks that connect people to opportunity. We provide financial technology and data services across major asset classes helping our customers access mission-critical workflow tools that increase transparency and efficiency. ICE's futures, equity, and options exchanges – including the New York Stock Exchange – and clearing houses help people invest, raise capital and manage risk. We offer some of the world's largest markets to trade and clear energy and environmental products. Our fixed income, data services and execution capabilities provide information, analytics and platforms that help our customers streamline processes and capitalize on opportunities. At ICE Mortgage Technology, we are transforming U.S. housing finance, from initial consumer engagement through loan production, closing, registration and the long-term servicing relationship. Together, ICE transforms, streamlines and automates industries to connect our customers to opportunity. Trademarks of ICE and/or its affiliates include Intercontinental Exchange, ICE, ICE block design, NYSE and New York Stock Exchange. Information regarding additional trademarks and intellectual property rights of Intercontinental Exchange, Inc. and/or its affiliates is located here. Key Information Documents for certain products covered by the EU Packaged Retail and Insurance-based Investment Products Regulation can be accessed on the relevant exchange website under the heading "Key Information Documents (KIDS)." Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 – Statements in this press release regarding ICE's business that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties. For a discussion of additional risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see ICE's Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filings, including, but not limited to, the risk factors ICE's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on February 6, 2025. Category: Mortgage Technology ICE-CORP Source: Intercontinental Exchange View source version on Contacts ICE Media Contact Johnna +1 404-798-1155 media@ ICE Investor Contact: Katia +1 (678) 981-3882 investors@ Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Canada Focus Unveiled for Locarno Pro's First Look Initiative
First Look, the works-in-progress initiative of the Locarno Film Festival's Locarno Pro program, will put the spotlight on Canadian cinema this year. First Look has emerged as a key post-production platform for international arthouse projects. Over the years, it has supported films from such countries as Spain, the U.K., Colombia, Mexico, Chile, Brazil, Israel, Poland, the Baltic states, Portugal, Serbia, Switzerland, and Germany. Its 14th edition, in collaboration with Telefilm Canada, will take place during the 78th Locarno Film Festival, which runs Aug. 6-16. Taking place Aug. 8-10, First Look will showcase six Canadian films currently in post-production. The selected projects will be presented by their producers to an audience of global industry professionals, including sales agents, buyers, festival programmers, and representatives from post-production funding organizations. Producers will also have the opportunity to feature their projects in the festival's Online Digital Library, accessible exclusively for accredited industry participants. More from The Hollywood Reporter Wild, Weird and Bloody: The Berlinale Shines a Light on Forgotten German Genre Films of the '70s Berlin: Shark-Meets-Serial Killer Movie 'Dangerous Animals' Sells Wide (Exclusive) Kahlil Joseph Brings 'BLKNWS' to Berlin: "It's Always Been in Flux - It Was Never Meant to Be Static" 'This year's focus highlights Canada's rich tradition of cinematic excellence and its long-standing connection with the Locarno Film Festival,' organizers said. 'Last year alone featured three Canadian productions in the festival's Pardi di Domani strand. They were Gender Reveal by Mo Matton, Like What Would Sorrow Look (Chou He Zhuang) by Hao Zhou, and Days Before the Death of Nicky (Jours avant la mort de Nicky) by Denis Côté. In 2023, Quebec screenwriter, actor and director Eric K. Boulianne received the Pardi di Domani best direction award for Making Babies (Faire un enfant), plus the festival welcomed Canadian filmmaker Matthew Rankin as part of the Pardi di Domani jury. 'It is absolutely thrilling to dedicate this year's First Look to Canadian film productions,' said Giona A. Nazzaro, artistic director of the Locarno Film Festival. 'This is something we have been working on for quite some time now; more and more Canadian filmmakers are on the cutting edge in their formal explorations of the possibilities of media. Locarno has always been close to Canadian artists and I'm sure that this First Look will open the doors to a whole new generation and perception of Canadian filmmaking in all its rich diversity of tradition and languages and forms.' Markus Duffner, director of Locarno Pro, added: 'This initiative remains a cornerstone of our mission to support the final stages of promising films and help propel the international careers of emerging filmmakers forward. Our enduring collaboration with Telefilm Canada reinforces our commitment to helping Canadian production companies make a meaningful impact on the global stage.' Julie Roy, executive director and CEO of Telefilm Canada, said about the First Look focus on Canada: 'Our country has a prime opportunity to showcase and export its bold storytelling and artistic innovation on the global stage at Locarno Film Festival. We rely on the strength of our relationships with film festivals like Locarno to spotlight Canadian talent and their films for international advantages while expanding collaborations and creating new opportunities.' Producers can apply through Locarno Pro until April 19. To be eligible for selection, they must provide a rough cut of at least 60 minutes at any stage in the post-production process. The principal production company for the film must be Canadian. As is tradition, a jury of international festival directors and curators will award several prizes. The selection, along with the jury members, will be unveiled in July. Best of The Hollywood Reporter The Best Anti-Fascist Films of All Time Dinosaurs, Zombies and More 'Wicked': The Most Anticipated Movies of 2025 From 'A Complete Unknown' to 'Selena' to 'Ray': 33 Notable Music Biopics
