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Thousands Protest Israeli Siege of Gaza Near Venice Film Festival

Demonstrators hold a banner that reads "Genocide" during a march in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, during the Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (AP)
Demonstrators hold a banner that reads "Genocide" during a march in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, during the Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (AP)
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Thousands Protest Israeli Siege of Gaza Near Venice Film Festival

Demonstrators hold a banner that reads "Genocide" during a march in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, during the Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (AP)
Demonstrators hold a banner that reads "Genocide" during a march in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, during the Film Festival in Venice, Italy, Saturday, Aug. 30, 2025. (AP)

Thousands of people protested Saturday against Israel's siege of Gaza on the sidelines of the Venice Film Festival, seeking to move the spotlight from movie drama to real-world trauma.

Organized by left-wing political groups in northeast Italy, the demonstration began in the early evening a few kilometers from the festival where top Hollywood talent from George Clooney and Julia Roberts to Emma Stone have walked the red carpet in recent days.

The protesters, whose numbers AFP reporters estimated to be about three to four thousand, marched slowly to the entrance of the festival in the beachfront Lido district, waving Palestinian flags, as the Hollywood blockbuster "Frankenstein" was due to have its world premiere nearby.

"You are all an audience to genocide" read one sign.

Protesters said the film industry should use its public platform at Venice -- the world's oldest film festival whose movies often go on to Oscar glory -- to focus attention on Gaza.

"The entertainment industry has the advantage of being followed a lot, and so they should take a position on Gaza," Marco Ciotola, a 31-year-old computer scientist from Venice, told AFP at the rally.

"I don't say that everyone needs to say 'genocide', but at least everyone needs to take a position, because this is not a political situation. This is a human situation."

"We all know what is happening and it's not possible that it carries on," said Claudia Poggi, a teacher holding a Palestinian flag as people shouted "Stop the Genocide!" and "Free Palestine".

The Gaza war was one of the main talking points in the lead-up to the festival due to an open letter denouncing the Israeli government and calling on the festival to speak out against the war more forcefully.

The letter, drafted by a group called Venice4Palestine, has garnered more than 2,000 signatures from film professionals, including "Frankenstein" director Guillermo del Toro, according to organizers.

A similar initiative was organized at the Cannes Film Festival in May.

"The objective of the letter was to bring Gaza and Palestine to the core of the public conversation in Venice," Venice4Palestine co-founder and director Fabiomassimo Lozzi told AFP.

"We are amazed at the amount of reaction," he added.

"It was like people in our business were just waiting for someone to raise our voice."

On the same day just blocks away on the red carpet, "Frankenstein" stars Oscar Isaac and Jacob Elordi posed for the paparazzi and signed autographs.

The Netflix-produced film is one of 21 movies in the main competition vying for the festival's top prize, the Golden Lion.

On the red carpet Friday, Moroccan filmmaker Maryam Touzani held up a sign saying, "Stop the Genocide in Gaza." She told AFP it was "essential that we make our voices heard."

"I want every person to be able to speak out on this. And raise their voice. And make their voice heard," she said, calling what was going on in Gaza "an attack on humanity."

The festival has said it would not disinvite actors who have supported Israeli's actions in Gaza, as the collective had asked it to do for Israeli actor Gal Gador and Britain's Gerard Butler -- who regardless were not expected to attend the festival.

Venice4Palestine's Lozzi defended the proposed boycott.

"I believe that it's justified in the same way I believed about 40 years ago that it was justified boycotting artists who performed in South Africa at the height of the apartheid system," he said.

The controversy over Gaza is not expected to end soon. Next week will see the premiere of "The Voice of Hind Rajab", set in Gaza, by Tunisian director Kaouther Ben Hania, in the main competition.

Actors Brad Pitt and Joaquin Phoenix, and directors Alfonso Cuaron and Jonathan Glazer, have joined the movie as executive producers, according to film business news outlet Deadline.

It tells the true story of a six-year-old Palestinian girl killed in January 2024 by Israeli forces alongside six family members while trying to flee Gaza City.

Israel invaded Gaza nearly two years ago and has killed at least 63,025 Palestinians, most of them civilians, according to figures from the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza that the UN considers reliable.

The United Nations has declared a famine in the territory caused by Israel's blockade on the territory of nearly two million people.

The war was sparked by the October 2023 attack by Hamas on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on Israeli figures.

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Entertainment

Paramount Skydance Sues Warner Bros for Details on Netflix Deal

Paramount and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. (Reuters)
Paramount and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. (Reuters)
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Paramount Skydance Sues Warner Bros for Details on Netflix Deal

Paramount and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. (Reuters)
Paramount and Warner Bros logos are seen in this illustration taken December 8, 2025. (Reuters)

Paramount Skydance on Monday sued Warner Bros Discovery for more information on a rival $82.7 billion deal with Netflix, escalating a battle to take control of one of the most storied Hollywood studios.

The David Ellison-led company also said it plans to nominate directors to Warner Bros Discovery's board, in one of its most aggressive steps yet to convince shareholders that its hostile $30-per-share cash bid is superior to the $27.75-per-share cash-and-stock offer from Netflix.

The CBS parent and Netflix have been in a heated battle for Warner Bros, its prized film and television studios, and its extensive content library that ‌includes "Harry Potter" and ‌the DC Comics universe.

In a letter to ‌shareholders, ⁠Paramount also ‌said it would propose an amendment to Warner Bros' bylaws that would require shareholder approval for any separation of the media giant's cable TV business - which is key to the Netflix deal.

Paramount said last week the value of the cable spinoff was virtually worthless and reiterated its amended $108.4 billion bid after another rejection from the Warner Bros board.

The amended offer ⁠had included $40 billion in equity personally guaranteed by Oracle's co-founder Larry Ellison, the father of ‌Paramount CEO David Ellison, and $54 billion in ‍debt.

"WBD has provided increasingly novel ‍reasons for avoiding a transaction with Paramount, but what it has ‍never said, because it cannot, is that the Netflix transaction is financially superior to our actual offer," Paramount wrote in a letter to Warner Bros shareholders.

"Unless the WBD board of directors decides to exercise its right to engage with us under the Netflix merger agreement, this will likely come down to your vote at a shareholder meeting."

Netflix ⁠and Warner Bros did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Shares of Warner Bros were down 1.5% in early trading, while Netflix ticked up 0.8% and Paramount 0.3%.

Paramount's argument - one it is using to sway investors - is that its all-cash offer for the whole of Warner Bros offers more certainty than the deal with Netflix for the studios and streaming assets and will more easily clear regulatory hurdles.

The sour performance of Versant, the Comcast cable spinoff, has also given fresh ammunition to Paramount's campaign to convince Warner Bros shareholders its offer is better.

Paramount's tender ‌offer will expire on January 21, but the company can extend it.

Entertainment

‘Hamnet’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ Take Top Honors at Golden Globes

(L-R) British actors Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe, Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, Irish actors Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and British actor Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
(L-R) British actors Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe, Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, Irish actors Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and British actor Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
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‘Hamnet’ and ‘One Battle After Another’ Take Top Honors at Golden Globes

(L-R) British actors Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe, Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, Irish actors Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and British actor Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 11 January 2026. (EPA)
(L-R) British actors Joe Alwyn, Noah Jupe, Chinese filmmaker Chloe Zhao, Irish actors Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, and British actor Jacobi Jupe pose in the press room with the award for best motion picture - drama for "Hamnet" during the 83rd annual Golden Globe Awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, USA, 11 January 2026. (EPA)

Paul Thomas Anderson’s ragtag revolutionary saga “One Battle After Another” took top honors at Sunday’s 83rd Golden Globes in the comedy category, while Chloé Zhao's Shakespeare drama “Hamnet” pulled off an upset over “Sinners” to win best film, drama.

“One Battle After Another” won best film, comedy, supporting female actor for Teyana Taylor and best director and best screenplay for Anderson. He became just the second filmmaker to sweep director, screenplay and film, as a producer, at the Globes. Only Oliver Stone, for “Born on the Fourth of July,” managed the same feat.

In an awards ceremony that went almost entirely as expected, the night's final award was the most surprising. While “One Battle After Another” has been the clear front-runner this awards season, most have pegged Ryan Coogler's Jim Crow-era vampire thriller as its closest competition.

But “Hamnet,” a speculative drama about William and Agnes Shakespeare based on Maggie O’Farrell's bestseller, won in the dramatic category shortly after its star, Jessie Buckley, won best female actor in a drama.

It was a banner night for Warner Bros., the studio behind “One Battle After Another” and “Sinners.” Warner Bros. Discovery has agreed to be sold to Netflix in an $83 billion deal. Paramount Skydance has appealed to shareholders with its own rival offer.

In his speech after winning best director, Anderson praised Warner co-chief Michael DeLuca. “He said he wanted to run a studio one day and let filmmakers make whatever they want,” said Anderson. “That’s how you get ‘Sinners.’ That’s how you get a ‘Weapons.' That’s how you get ‘One Battle After Another.’”

The final awards brought to, or near, the stage a handful of the most talented filmmakers together in Anderson, Zhao and Coogler — plus Steven Spielberg, a producer of “Hamnet.” Regardless of who won what, it was a heartening moment of solidarity between them, with a shared sense of purpose. Zhao fondly recalled being at Sundance Labs with Coogler when they were each starting out.

“As students, let’s keep our hearts open and let’s keep seeing each other and allowing each other to be seen,” said Zhao, while Coogler smiled from the front row.

“Sinners” won for best score and cinematic and box-office achievement. The win for box office and cinematic achievement, over franchise films like “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” was notable for Coogler's film, a movie that some reports labeled a qualified success on its release.

Yet “Sinners” ultimately grossed $278 million domestically and $368 million worldwide, making it highest grossing original film in 15 years.

“I just want to thank the audience for showing up,” said Coogler. “It’s means the world.”

Coming off years of scandal and subsequent rehabilitation, the Globes and host Nikki Glaser put on a star-studded ceremony that saw wins for the streaming sensation “KPop Demon Hunters” (best animated film, song), a meta triumph for Seth Rogen’s “The Studio” and an inaugural award for podcasting that went to Amy Poehler’s “Good Hang.”

Many of the Oscar favorites won. Timothee Chalamet won his first Golden Globe, for “Marty Supreme,” after four previous nominations. The 30-year-old is poised to win his first Oscar. Fellow nominees like Leonardo DiCaprio and George Clooney stood to applaud his win.

“My dad instilled in me a spirit of gratitude growing up: Always be grateful for what you have,” said Chalamet. “It’s allowed me to leave this ceremony in the past empty handed, my head held high, grateful just to be here. I’d be lying if I didn’t say those moments didn’t make this moment that much sweeter.”

Glaser comes out swinging

The Globes, held at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, got underway with a pointedly political opening from host Nikki Glaser and an early award for the night’s favorite, “One Battle After Another.” Emceeing the show for the second straight year, Glaser kicked off the show with self-aware satire.

“Yes, the Golden Globes, without a doubt the most important thing happening in the world right now,” she said.

In a winning, rapid-fire opening monologue that landed some punch lines on the usual subjects — the age of Leonardo DiCaprio’s dates, Kevin Hart’s height — Glaser also dove right into some of her most topical material.

For the on-the-block Warner Bros., Glaser started the bidding at $5. Referencing the Epstein files, she suggested best editing should go to the Justice Dept. The “most editing,” however, she suggested deserved to go to Bari Weiss’ new CBS News — a dig at the Paramount Skydance-owned network airing the Globes.

Political tension and industrywide uncertainty were the prevailing moods heading into Sunday’s awards. Hollywood is coming off a disappointing box-office year and now anxiously awaits the fate of one of its most storied studios, Warner Bros.

The Globes, formerly presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, have no overlap or direct correlation with the Academy Awards. After being sold in 2023 to Todd Boehly’s Eldridge Industries and Dick Clark Productions, a part of Penske Media, the Globes are voted on by around 400 people. The Oscars are voted on by more than 10,500 professionals.

But in the fluctuating undulations of awards season, a good speech at the Globes can boost an Oscar campaign. Winners Sunday included Rose Byrne (“If I Had Legs I'd Kick You”) for best female actor in a comedy or musical, and Wagner Moura, the Brazilian star of “The Secret Agent,” for best male actor in a drama. Kleber Mendonça Filho's period political thriller also won best international film.

“I think if trauma can be passed along generations, values can do,” Moura said. “So this to the ones who are sticking with their values in difficult moments.”

Other winners Sunday included the supporting actor front-runner, Stellan Skarsgård who won for the Norwegian family drama “Sentimental Value.” It was the first major Hollywood movie award for the 74-year-old, a respected veteran actor who drew a standing ovation.

“I was not prepared for this because I, of course, thought I was too old,” said Skarsgård.

‘The Studio' and 'Adolesence' win

In the television awards, “The Pitt” took best drama series, while Noah Wyle won, too, brushing past his former “ER”-star Clooney on the way to the stage. Netflix’s “Adolescence” won four awards: best limited series, and acting awards for Erin Doherty, Stephen Graham and 16-year-old Owen Cooper.

Other winners included Rhea Seehorn for “Pluribus” and Jean Smart for “Hacks.”

But the most comically poignant award of the night went to “The Studio,” the best comedy series winner. Seth Rogen’s Hollywood satire memorably included an episode devoted to drama around a night at the Globes. (Sample line: “I remember when the red carpet of the Golden Globes actually stood for something.”)

Rogen also won best male actor in a comedy. “This is so weird,” Rogen said, chuckling. “We just pretended to do this. And now it’s happening.”

Entertainment

Hollywood Stars Gather for an All-Winners Celebration at the American Film Institute Awards

Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role in "The Revenant" at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California January 30, 2016.(Reuters)
Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role in "The Revenant" at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California January 30, 2016.(Reuters)
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Hollywood Stars Gather for an All-Winners Celebration at the American Film Institute Awards

Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role in "The Revenant" at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California January 30, 2016.(Reuters)
Leonardo DiCaprio takes the stage to accept the award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role for his role in "The Revenant" at the 22nd Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California January 30, 2016.(Reuters)

If the American Film Institute Awards stands for anything, it's that everyone in the room - from Leonardo DiCaprio and Ryan Coogler to Timothée Chalamet and Ariana Grande - leaves feeling like a winner.

That spirit was on full display Friday as the AFI Awards gathered its 2026 honorees for an invitation-only luncheon in Beverly Hills, where the institute once again celebrated the collaborative nature of film and television by honoring creative teams - in front of and behind the camera.

Inside the ballroom, there were no acceptance speeches in the traditional sense and no suspense over envelopes. Instead, AFI's ceremony unfolded as a series of thoughtfully written tributes: eloquent rationales for each honored film and television program, followed by brief clips designed to place the year's work within a broader cultural and artistic context.

AFI President Bob Gazzale spoke in front of star-filled room, ensuring there were no losers with only shared recognition.

The room reflected that mood. Filmmaker Steven Spielberg was spotted chatting with Coogler, whose wife and "Sinners" producer, Zinzi Coogler, stood beside him. Meanwhile, Michael B. Jordan worked the room, trading hugs and handshakes with fellow honorees and guests including "Bugonia" star Jesse Plemons and "Task" actor Mark Ruffalo. Filmmakers James Cameron and Guillermo del Toro greeted each other.

Nearby, DiCaprio stood side by side with Netflix co-CEO Ted Sarandos and actors Benicio del Toro and Edward James Olmos. Chase Infiniti looked on from her table, gazing toward her "One Battle After Another" co-stars before the program kicked off.

On the red carpet, with "Death by Lightning" actor Nick Offerman beside him, George Clooney shared laughs with a photographer, adding to the easygoing tone that carried throughout the afternoon. After the event, Infiniti and Jordan reunited for a hug and a brief catch-up, a quiet moment that underscored the camaraderie in the room.

Films honored include "Avatar: Fire and Ash,Bugonia,Frankenstein,Hamnet,Jay Kelly,Marty Supreme,One Battle After Another,Sinners,Train Dreams" and "Wicked: For Good."

Television shows recognized were "Adolescence,Andor,Death by Lightning,The Diplomat,The Lowdown,The Pitt,Severance,The Studio" and "Task."

Closing the ceremony was Carol Burnett, who delivered AFI's annual benediction, celebrating the honorees' achievements while reflecting on her own lifelong love of cinema and television.

"I've never lost the deep respect and love that I have for all the stories we tell through cinema and television and by all of those behind and in front of the camera," Burnett said. "Creative collaboration has always remained at the heart of our work, and AFI brings us all together. The world is a better place for having heard your voices."

The luncheon also featured AFI's signature March of Time video montage, a sweeping look at cinematic and television milestones from decades past, situating this year's honorees within the evolving history of the medium.