Latest news with #UniversalPicturesInternational
Daily Record
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Scots teen filmmaker wins top award at star-studded ceremony
Edward Ryan, 14, from, has been praised for his powerful short film More Than One Way To Go Homeat the Into Film Awards. A talented young filmmaker from Scotland has captured hearts across the UK with his own story to win a top prize at an annual star-studded film awards ceremony at Leicester Square. Edward Ryan, 14, from Sanquhar, in Dumfries and Galloway, took home the coveted Audience Award—voted for by the public and sponsored by Universal Pictures International—for his powerful short film More Than One Way To Go Home at the Into Film Awards. Edward's deeply personal film follows a young autistic girl who must navigate her way home alone after her brother leaves her behind—an emotional and thought-provoking story inspired by Edward's own experiences. Autistic himself, Edward drew on a distressing real-life incident in which he was bullied by an adult while filming in his community, forcing him to find a new and unfamiliar way home. The film which was written, directed, acted, editied and produced by Edward alone, was also nominated for Best Story, sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios. Speaking after the awards on Tuesday, Edward said: 'I put a lot of hard work and effort into this film but none of it would have been possible without the help of my friends and all the support from my parents and family. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. "Especially from my mum for entering me into this amazing competition. I would also like to thank the whole of my community in Sanquhar for their unwavering encouragement. I feel overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to have this opportunity and to receive this award.' The film has been praised for its emotional depth, sensitive storytelling, and powerful message about understanding and supporting autistic individuals. The award was presented by actor Andy Serkis and broadcaster Edith Bowman during Monday's glittering ceremony celebrating the best in young UK filmmaking. Edward first discovered a passion for filmmaking during lockdown. What began as stop-motion animations using Lego soon developed into short live-action films featuring friends and family. With a growing interest in cameras and editing software, Edward quickly became a skilled filmmaker and storyteller. His YouTube channel, Mr Porridge —named after his love of the breakfast dish—is run by his parents and showcases a wide range of content, from short films and reels to reviews and documentaries. His earlier work includes Forward to the Past, which premiered at a local community centre, and a documentary for arts hub A' the Airts, created when he was just 12. That project earned him the title of Young Community Champion at the Dumfries and Galloway Life Awards. Fiona Evans, CEO of Into Film, praised Edward and his fellow nominees, saying: 'These Awards are both a celebration of their talent and a clear statement of intent: that the UK film industry values, nurtures and believes in the voices of the next generation.' The Into Film Awards, sponsored by the UK film industry and supported by the BFI awarding National Lottery Good Cause funding, celebrate young people's creativity in film, showcasing and highlighting the wealth of tomorrow's creative talent.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Universal Swoops Into CineEurope With Fresh ‘Jurassic World Rebirth' & ‘Wicked: For Good' Clips; Touts Steven Spielberg & Christopher Nolan Projects
Hot off the nearly $200M global opening of its live-action How to Train Your Dragon, Universal kicked off its CineEurope presentation here in Barcelona today with a different sort of soaring beasts — showing exclusive clips from its upcoming Scarlett Johansson-starrer Jurassic World Rebirth. The Gareth Edwards-directed sci-fi adventure entry in the $6B+ grossing franchise starts rollout on July 2. And, of course, there was plenty of attention paid to Wicked: For Good, the sequel to Jon M. Chu's 2024 $750M global grossing fantasy musical. This included an illuminated green balloon descending from the rafters into the auditorium and an exclusive behind-the-scenes look that was introduced by Chu. More from Deadline 'Superman' Flies Into Barcelona With 30 Minutes Of Footage During Warner Bros' CineEurope Presentation Sony Unleashes Extended Footage Of '28 Years Later', Screens Scenes From Darren Aronofsky's Austin Butler-Starrer 'Caught Stealing' - CineEurope Lionsgate Shows Off Movie Magic With First 'Now You See Me: Now You Don't' Footage; Paul Feig Promises Pearl-Clutching Moments In 'The Housemaid' - CineEurope As is typical, Universal came to Barcelona with a packed slate. Veronica Kwan Vandenberg, President of International Distribution, Universal Pictures International, introduced the show, saying, 'We believe in celebrating the power of cinema and the unparalleled theatrical experience for all types of films, ranging from emotional dramas, to animated event films, daring action blockbusters, inventive horror films and charming romantic comedies.' Citing the upcoming slate from Universal, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and Focus Features, Kwan Vandenberg said, 'In the next two years, we will deliver you the biggest and most diverse slate of films of any studio with 27 wide releases this year, and our most exciting lineup yet for 2026, which will include films from two of the greatest directors of our time Steven Spielberg and Christopher Nolan, and three blockbuster animations.' Of the latter, DreamWorks Animation's August release, The Bad Guys 2 zoomed in with an extended exclusive look. Niels Swinkels, EVP & MD, Universal Pictures International noted that Spielberg has wrapped his untitled event film, and that Nolan is hard at work on his epic The Odyssey which is being entirely shot with Imax cameras. Swinkels and Julien Noble, President of International Marketing, Universal Pictures International later had some fun introducing live-action/animated adventure comedy Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie, the big-screen version of Netflix's immensely popular kids series. They showed off an extended trailer. It releases domestically on September 26. Other key titles touted were Bob Odenkirk sequel Nobody 2 and Blumhouse's Five Nights at Freddy's 2, the sequel to 2023's horror hit — which got a new teaser and starts offshore rollout on December 3; M3GAN 2.0, Soulm8te and Black Phone 2 footage was also screened. From Focus, CineEurope got an exclusive look at Yorgos Lanthimos' fall release, Bugonia starring Jesse Plemons and Emma Stone; and a new exclusive trailer for Focus threequel Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, whose first trailer dropped earlier this month and has more views than the combined total of the 2nd film's teaser and trailer. The U.S. and UK open on September 12. Best of Deadline 'The Buccaneers' Season 2 Soundtrack: From Griff To Sabrina Carpenter 2025 TV Series Renewals: Photo Gallery 2025-26 Awards Season Calendar: Dates For Tonys, Emmys, Oscars & More
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Ethan Coen's ‘Honey Don't!' With Margaret Qualley, Chris Evans and Aubrey Plaza Sets August Theatrical Release
Honey, do go to the theater: Ethan Coen's dark comedy 'Honey Don't!' has landed an Aug. 22 wide U.S. theatrical release from Focus Features. The film, which stars Margaret Qualley, Aubrey Plaza and Chris Evans, is about Honey O'Donahue, a small-town private investigator who delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church. Charlie Day and Billy Eichner also star in the project, with a script by Coen and Tricia Cooke. 'Honey Don't!' is produced by Working Title and will have its world premiere at the 78th edition of the Cannes Film Festival. Universal Pictures International is handling international distribution. 'I tend to want to defuse things before they even happen,' Qualley, who previously worked with Coen and Cooke on 'Drive-Away Dolls, told i-D of 'Honey Don't!' earlier this month. 'Honey, she's like honey — she's skillful, she's smooth, she is slipping in and out undetected.' 'No girl needs to be taught how to be a detective,' she continued. 'Women know what's happening even when they don't know what's happening. I remember in my early twenties, especially, my investigative skills on Instagram were really out of control. It's a combination of tools, craft and gut instinct.' Producers on the film include Coen, Cooke, Robert Graf, Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner. More to come… Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in April 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Iron Maiden to Celebrate 50th Anniversary With New Documentary
As Iron Maiden celebrate their 50th anniversary in 2025, a new documentary about the metal greats is slated to be released later this year. Distribution of the film in the United States is still up in the air, though Universal Pictures International has secured the global rights for the film. It's set to hit theaters internationally this fall, though there's no exact date yet. More from Rolling Stone Iron Maiden's Bruce Dickinson Finishes 13th in Fencing Competition See Iron Maiden Honor Nicko McBrain at Drummer's Final Concert Iron Maiden Drummer Nicko McBrain Announces Retirement From Touring Directed by Malcolm Venville, the as-yet-untitled film will dig into Iron Maiden's remarkable 50-year history and legacy, telling the story from the perspective of both band and fans (including famous ones like Javier Bardem, Lars Ulrich, and Gene Simmons). The film will also feature interviews with key members from throughout the band's run, including the last interview with original vocalist Paul Di'Anno, who died last year. On top of all that, the doc will boast a plethora of rare archival footage and new animated sequences featuring Iron Maiden's mascot, Eddie. Iron Maiden will further celebrate their half-century anniversary on their Run for Your Lives World tour, which is slated to kick off with a massive European run that starts in May and wraps in August. No additional dates have been announced yet, but the tour is expected to continue into 2026. The trek will be Iron Maiden's first without longtime drummer Nicko McBrain, who announced his retirement from the road last year. McBrain has since been replaced by Simon Dawson, a session drummer, who's also spent years playing with Iron Maiden bassist Steve Harris in the group British Lion. Best of Rolling Stone The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Universal Names Former eOne Exec Kezia Williams as New U.K. Head
Kezia Williams is set to join Universal Pictures International as its managing director for the U.K. and Ireland. Williams will report to Paul Higginson, executive Vice President, EMEA for Universal Pictures International and will manage day-to-day operations in the territory when she joins at the end of February. She replaces former Universal Pictures UK MD Rob Huber, who left the company at the end of 2024. More from Variety Comcast Chief on TV Division's Future and Cable Channel Spinoff: 'We're Running a Broadcast-Plus-Streaming Strategy' Comcast's Q4 Profit Boosted by 'Wicked,' Peacock 'Suits LA' Trailer: 'Suits' Returns 6 Years After Finale in West Coast Spinoff Starring Stephen Amell With more than 20 years of experience in distribution and marketing, Kezia was most recently at Entertainment One, initially as head of marketing & distribution and then as managing director, overseeing the company's U.K. film business and leading integrated, event-driven campaigns to record-breaking results, including '1917,' 'The BFG,' 'The Girl on the Train' and 'Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves.' This appointment marks Williams return to Universal, having previously spent five years on the U.K. Marketing team, where she contributed to the successful launch of 'Despicable Me' in 2010 before serving as deputy marketing director for Warner Bros U.K. for more than three years. 'I am confident that Kezia will be an invaluable leader for our UK and Ireland teams, bringing fresh approaches backed by decades of experience to garner operational excellence,' said Higginson. 'Her leadership, coupled with the exceptional talent and management in place in the UK and across the region, will further our positioning in the market as we gear up for our full slate of films for 2025 and beyond.' Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week Grammy Predictions, From Beyoncé to Kendrick Lamar: Who Will Win? Who Should Win? What's Coming to Netflix in February 2025
