newslide
Dubai set to become online creation hub
Dubai is set to join the world’s leading ‘content creation’ hubs following the revelation at Diff 2016 that YouTube is set to open a YouTube Space in Dubai Studio City. What is a YouTube Space, I hear you ask. According to Jamal Al Sharif, head of Dubai Film Commission and Dubai Studio City, it is everything the UAE needs to become a leading light in the world’s TV and movie production industries. “It will have everything from studios and cameras to green screens and editing,” says Sharif. “This is the future. Filmmakers will be able to simply come in and make their films. Dubai will be the 10th YouTube space in the world, following established content creation points such as New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo and Mumbai. Sharif adds that this is not an attempt to withdraw from recent successes in tempting movie shoots to the emirate. “The thing is, we can be talking to a big Hollywood movie and arranging the requirements for maybe three or four years,” he explains. “We’re in talks with a number of Hollywood producers right now. But the day-to-day earnings, the bread and butter, comes from these short-form, low budget films, so we have to work with the two. We will still be looking to bring the bigger productions in, but we can’t rely on them every week.” – The National staff
newslide
Golden Globes nominations in
The Golden Globes are known for making some surprising nominations, and this year is no exception. Surprise nominations for the 74th annual Golden Globe Awards, which were announced this week in Beverly Hills, California, include Ryan Reynolds’ naughty superhero Deadpool – a film also nominated for best comedy – and Jonah Hill for his portrayal of a bro arms dealer in War Dogs. January’s ceremony will leave out several top names, including directors Clint Eastwood’s Sully, Martin Scorsese’s Silence and Warren Beatty’s Rules Don’t Apply. Passing on Sully also means no nomination for Tom Hanks. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association nominated Jessica Chastain for her fourth Globe since 2012 for Miss Sloane, a film that failed to connect with audiences and many critics, and also opened the Dubai International Film Festival last Wednesday.
La La Land, an ambitious musical about two dreamers falling in love in Hollywood, and the intimate coming of age drama Moonlight led nominations, underscoring their front-runner status in the long road to the Oscars. La La Land scored seven nominations in all, including for Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling in the comedy/musical acting categories, while writer-director Damien Chazelle received nods for best director and best screenplay. Moonlight, the tale of an impoverished black boy in Miami struggling with his sexuality, scored six nods. – AP
newslide
Fox News becomes less right wing … or doesn’t
John Roberts is taking over as chief White House correspondent for Fox News Channel, the network announced Monday. He will begin his new duties on Inauguration Day. Roberts, who joined Fox News in 2011, served as senior national correspondent. He then reported on the Republican presidential primary and eventually President-elect Donald Trump’s campaign. Prior to that, he was co-anchor of CNN’s American Morning and its senior national correspondent. He spent 14 years with CBS News, where he was chief White House correspondent, among other assignments. Fox News’ White House position was previously filled by Ed Henry until his suspension in May after a magazine story detailed an extramarital affair he was allegedly having with a Las Vegas woman described as a hostess. Henry now serves as chief national correspondent. – AP
newslide
Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis spotted in Dubai
Hollywood star couple Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis recently made their first public outing in Dubai after welcoming their second child. The famous duo were all smiles and seen holding hands while walking in Dubai on December 9, reports people.com. The former That ‘70s Show co-stars, who have daughter Wyatt Isabelle, welcomed their son Dimitri on November 30.
newslide
FF8 releases new trailer
Fans of the Fast and Furious racing film franchise got a taste of the latest installment of the popular series with an action-packed trailer for the upcoming The Fate of the Furious film. The eighth Fast and Furious movie appears to promise plenty of fast cars, chases and explosions as lead character Dominic Toretto, played by Vin Diesel, goes rogue. The film also stars Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Jason Statham and Oscar winner Charlize Theron. The Fate of the Furious is scheduled for release in April 2017. – Reuters
