#FIRSTLOOK: TEASER TRAILER FOR “COMPANION”

New Line Cinema—the studio that brought you “The Notebook”—and the unhinged creators of “Barbarian” cordially invite you to experience a new kind of love story. Warner Bros. Pictures Canada release COMPANION January 10, 2025.

Written and directed by Drew Hancock (“My Dead Ex,” “Suburgatory”), “Companion” stars Sophie Thatcher (“Yellowjackets,” “The Boogeyman”), Jack Quaid (“The Boys,” “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”), Lukas Gage (“Smile 2,” “Dead Boy Detectives”), Megan Suri (“Never Have I Ever,” “It Lives Inside”), Harvey Guillén (“What We Do in the Shadows,” “Blue Beetle”) and Rupert Friend (“High Desert,” “Asteroid City”). The film is produced by the filmmakers behind “Barbarian”—Raphael Margules, J.D. Lifshitz, Zach Cregger and Roy Lee. The executive producers are Tracy Rosenblum and Jamie Buckner.

The cinematographer is Eli Born (“The Boogeyman,” “Hellraiser”). The production designer is Scott Kuzio (“Dumb Money,” the “Fear Street” trilogy). The editors are Brett W. Bachman (“The Fall of the House of Usher,” “Pig”) and Josh Ethier (“Don’t Move,” “Orphan: First Kill”). The costume designer is Vanessa Porter (“The Toxic Avenger,” “Archive 81”). The composer is Hrishikesh Hirway (“Song Exploder,” “Everything Sucks!”). The music supervisor is Rob Lowry (“Do Revenge,” “Miracle Workers”). The casting is by Nancy Nayor (“Saw X,” “Barbarian”).

New Line Cinema presents A Boulderlight Pictures Production, In Association With Vertigo Entertainment/Subconscious: “Companion.” The film will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures,
in theatres January 10.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TEASER TRAILER FOR “BETTER MAN”

Right off its TIFF ’24 Premiere, we get a new Teaser Trailer and a new Featurette (WHY THE MONKEY??) for Robbie Williams’ fantastical Biopic-Musical, BETTER MAN! Paramount Pictures Canda release theatrically, this Christmas.

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of the greatest entertainers of all time. Under the visionary direction of Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film is uniquely told from Williams’ perspective, capturing his signature wit and indomitable spirit. It follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring.

Paramount Pictures and Sina Studios and Facing East Entertainment Present

A Lost Bandits / Footloose Production

In Association with Azure Centrum / Partizan Films / Rocket Science / RPW Productions / VicScreen

A Michael Gracey Film

BETTER MAN

EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS

Zhe Chen, Robbie Williams, Markus Barmettler,Philip Lee, Li-Wei Chu, Michael Loney, Thorsten Schumacher, Lars Sylvest, Mark Williams, Gregory Jankilevitsch, Klaudia Smieja, David Ravel, Domenic Benvenuto, Gianni Benvenuto, Zoran Stojkovic, Dean Hood, David Conley, Daniel Fluri, Adrian Grabe, Andres Kernen, Slava Vladimirov, Jared Underwood, Andrew Robinson

PRODUCED BY

Paul Currie, p.g.a., Michael Gracey, p.g.a., Coco Xiaolu Ma, Jules Daly, Craig McMahon

WRITTEN BY

Simon Gleeson, Oliver Cole, Michael Gracey

DIRECTED BY

Michael Gracey

#FIRSTLOOK: “WE LIVE IN TIME” NEW TRAILER AND RELEASE DATE

Hot off its warm reception at TIFF ’24, WE LIVE IN TIME gets an October 18, 2024 release in Canada via Sphere Films.

Today we also get a new Trailer:

We Live in Time will open theatrically across Canada on October 18, 2024.

The film had its World Premiere at the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.

Director: John Crowley
Writer: Nick Payne
Cast: Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh
Produced by: StudioCanal and SunnyMarch, with Benedict Cumberbatch as executive producer
Canadian distributor: Sphere Films

Synopsis: Almut (Florence Pugh) and Tobias (Andrew Garfield) are brought together in a surprise encounter that changes their lives. Through snapshots of their life together — falling for each other, building a home, becoming a family — a difficult truth is revealed that rocks its foundation. As they embark on a path challenged by the limits of time, they learn to cherish each moment of the unconventional route their love story has taken, in filmmaker John Crowley’s decade-spanning, deeply moving romance.

(Photo/video credit: Sphere Films)

#FOOD: LUCIE TO HOST CHARITY LUNCHEON WITH EGALE ON NATIONAL COMING OUT DAY

MICHELIN recommended fine dining French restaurant Lucie is proud to host it’s inaugural charity luncheon in partnership with Egale, Canada’s leading 2SLGBTQI human rights organization to celebrate National Coming Out Day on October 10, 2024.

Egale, the beneficiary for this special luncheon, has a mission to create a world where all 2SLGBTQI individuals can live freely and authentically, without fear of discrimination or violence. With anti-2SLGBTQI discourse on the rise, it is more crucial than ever to create safe and welcoming environments for those who are coming out. Through its comprehensive approach, Egale has become a vital resource for advocacy, education, and support within Canada and beyond. 

At Lucie, the internal culture has always fostered an open and diverse environment with both leaders helming both front and back of house, being proud members of the 2SLGBTQI community. 

Lucie’s general manager Yoann Beaubouchez believes his venture into the fine dining world as a member of the 2SLGBTQI community taught him  resilience, strength, and self-discovery. Starting out in France, he faced a challenging  environment, working in an industry dominated by straight men where acceptance was hard to come by. The constant judgment and bullying could have broken many, but instead, it fueled his determination. 

“I worked harder, not only to prove my worth but to show that being different didn’t make me less valuable. My skills and work ethic eventually spoke for themselves. Taking control of my destiny, I left France to explore the world, seeking a place where I could truly thrive,” says Yoann Beaubouchez, General Manager at Lucie. 

“Canada became that place, and crossing paths with Yannick Bigourdan changed everything. His open-mindedness and trust gave me the chance to take on a leadership role as the general manager at Lucie. For the first time, I could excel by being my authentic self, achieving remarkable success. Now, I use my voice to inspire younger generations, sharing the message that believing in yourself and embracing your uniqueness can turn those very qualities into the strongest asset in life. In a world that can make people feel ashamed for being different, my story stands as a testament to the power of self-acceptance and determination in making dreams come true.”

(pictured left to right: Yoann Beaubouchez, Arnaud Bloquel)

Like Beaubouchez, Executive chef at Lucie, Arnaud Bloquel faced similar discrimination and hardships in the fine dining world. 

“In the world of gastronomy, the kitchen is a place where the flames of passion and creativity intertwine. But for some, those flames also conceal deeper truths. It was a space where I had to hide a part of myself: my homosexuality. In my early days, the work was intense, driven by the sound of knives and pans. We focused on the plate, but behind it all, another battle raged: the fear of being judged, of being different in a world that could sometimes be harsh and intolerant,” says Executive chef at Lucie, Arnaud Bloquel.

Conversations among colleagues were often laced with questionable jokes, and Bloquel confesses he would  laugh along, hoping to stay under the radar. 

“There were moments when the loneliness weighed heavier than the long hours in the kitchen. At the end of service, when everyone would go out, sharing stories about their love lives, I stayed behind, not daring to reveal that I was living a different reality. I often wondered how long I could keep going like this, torn between the heat of the kitchen and the fire burning within me, the fire of my truth. Then one day, I decided to stop hiding. It was a difficult but liberating moment. Coming out wasn’t easy. The fear of rejection was very real, but I knew I could no longer hide behind the stove without being true to myself. The first time I spoke was to my mother because I needed her support, and I could no longer lie to her or to myself. Then came the time to tell the rest of my family, who supported me. That moment was a turning point. Gradually, I found the strength to speak up. The journey wasn’t without its challenges, but the kitchen became a place where I could be authentic, where my dishes and I were finally in harmony. Today, I’m proud of who I am. In the kitchen, as in life, there is no perfect recipe, but there is one truth: to accept oneself and live freely. Coming out was the beginning of a new freedom, both personally and professionally. This is a story that highlights the challenges, but also the liberation and acceptance that come after difficult moments,” says Bloquel.  

Egale’s annual Coming Out Together campaign is about encouraging adults to ‘come out’ as supportive, affirming and safe people in the lives of 2SLGBTQI youth. Through this campaign, Egale calls on everyone to do three simple tasks: Pledge, Attend, and Learn. 

Pledge to be an affirming adult for 2SLGBTQI youth: participants who take the pledge receive an automated email with a checklist of tangible actions including links to resources, social shareables, the affirming adults webinar invite and more.

Attend a free webinar on affirming adults for 2SLGBTQI youth: Egale offers a free, interactive webinar which explores the vital role that all adults can take up in promoting environments where 2SLGBTQI youth can thrive. The webinar considers key characteristics of what being affirming means and provides practical strategies and support resources. Participants will also have an opportunity to exchange promising tips and tools with one another. Those interested will be able to register HERE when this year’s link goes live.

Learn how to navigate the coming out journey with resources: Coming out is often a task that requires an immense amount of bravery, vulnerability, and honesty. Using Egale’s resources for both adults and youth when navigating the coming out journey can be a helpful tool. 

“Egale Canada is deeply grateful to the leadership at Lucie for promoting inclusion this National Coming Out Day and for supporting our continued work to fight for 2SLGBTQI rights while combatting discrimination,” says executive director of Egale Canada, Helen Kennedy.  

Donations to Egale go towards their ongoing research, education, awareness and legal advocacy initiatives to help create a world without homophobia, transphobia, biphobia and all other forms of oppression so that everyone can achieve their full potential, free from hatred and bias. 

Co-hosted by restaurateur Yannick Bigourdan, owner of Lucie and entrepreneur Chad Rogers, partner at Crestview Strategy, this noteworthy luncheon marks a cultural shift in the right direction. 

Co-host Yannick Bigourdan says, “This special event is a big opportunity for the entire team at Lucie and myself to support chef Arnaud and our general manager Yoann in their desire to share their stories. Both are leaders in the fine dining industry while belonging to the LGBTQ community, which can be difficult.” 

Bigourdan’s co-host, Chad Rogers, is a leading partner of Crestview Strategy, a public affairs agency. Named one of the ‘Top 100 Lobbyists’ in Canada by The Hill Times Magazine, Rogers is a sought-after media commentator, a recipient of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal for public service and an Honourary Consul of the Republic of Kosovo in Canada. A member of the community himself, Rogers often lobbies for 2SLGBTQI issues. 

To support and celebrate National Coming Out Day, donations can be made to Egale HERE with the option to do so in memory of a loved one. Egale welcomes all to host third-party fundraisers, buy from the Egale Marketplace or even bequeath a gift. 

#NEWMUSIC: TEDDY SWIMS ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL “I’VE TRIED EVERYTHING BUT THERAPY” TOUR DATES

2024 breakout superstar Teddy Swims has announced the second part of his debut album, I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2), arriving January 24, 2025. Pre-order/pre-save HERE. It follows the massive success of Part 1, which includes his global smash hits “Lose Control” and “The Door.” The news arrives on the heels of his acclaimed new single, “Bad Dreams.”

Swims also announces the continuation of his I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy tour with an extensive run of dates across North America in 2025, in addition to his recently announced and sold out arena shows across Europe. Kicking off in Hollywood, FL on May 9, the tour includes stops at Radio City Music Hall in New York, Cadence Bank Amphitheatre in Atlanta, Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville, Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado, and more before wrapping up at The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles on September 9. See the full list of dates below.

Fan presale goes live tomorrow, October 2 at 8am local time, with public on-sale beginning on Thursday, October 3 at 9am local time.

American Express is providing access to Amex Presale Tickets™ for select markets, available for Card Members to purchase before the general public beginning Tuesday, October 1 at 11 am ET (while supplies last) – this is one of the many entertainment benefits American Express Card Members can access across the arts, theater, sports and music through Amex Experiences™. Terms apply.

Click HERE for tickets and more details.

Swims recently released his new single “Bad Dreams” — via Warner Records and watch the video:

The new track debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 this week, giving him three songs on the chart, in addition to hitting #1 on the UK airplay charts.

It builds on the momentum of his global smash hit “Lose Control,” which he performed last month on the MTV VMAs, along with his recent charting single “The Door” and a rendition of Rihanna’s “Stay.” He was nominated for four awards at the show, including Best New Artist, Song of the Year, Best Alternative, and PUSH Performance of the Year.

2024 has been a whirlwind for Swims, who celebrated the success of his multi-Platinum chart-conquering hit “Lose Control” from I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1). In addition to claiming the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song has amassed over 2.3 billion global streams, reached #1 on five radio formats (Top 40, Hot AC, AC, R&B, and Rhythm), and was recently inducted into Spotify’s “Billions Club.”

Putting in real work for years, a quiet, yet steady grind brought Swims to the forefront of popular culture as a tried-and-true star without comparison. Teddy started to gain notoriety after posting covers online in 2019 — such as Michael Jackson’s “Rock With You” and Shania Twain’s “You’re Still The One” — gaining hundreds of millions of views, leading to his signing to Warner Records in 2020. He tirelessly honed his voice and songwriting across EPs such as Unlearning [2021], Tough Love [2022], and Sleep Is Exhausting [2022]. He showcased his sky-high range by collaborating with artists such as Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, X Ambassadors, Thomas Rhett, ILLENIUM, Tiësto, Armin Van Buuren, and Matoma. He made a statement with I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 1) in 2023, and wrapped up a prolific run by releasing a Live Version of the album alongside his band Freak Freely at the top of 2024.

Swims shows no signs of slowing down as he gears up for a record-breaking 2025, with the release of I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2) and his biggest global tour to date—including performances at Lollapalooza in Chile, Argentina and Brazil—on the horizon.

May 9 Hollywood, FL Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel

May 10 Jacksonville, FL Daily’s Place
May 12 Orange Beach, AL The Amphitheater at the Wharf

May 14 Wilmington, NC Live Oak Bank Pavilion at Riverfront Park

May 15 Charlotte, NC Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre

May 17 Raleigh, NC Red Hat Amphitheater

May 18 Philadelphia, PA Mann Center for the Performing Arts

May 20 Cleveland, OH Jacobs Pavilion

May 21 Sterling Heights, MI Michigan Lottery Hill Amphitheatre at Freedom Hill

May 23 Toronto, ON Coca-Cola Coliseum

May 24 Laval, QC Place Bell

May 27 New York, NY Radio City Music Hall

May 30 Boston, MA Suffolk Downs

June 1 Washington, DC The Anthem

June 4 Richmond, VA Virginia Credit Union LIVE!

June 6 Pittsburgh, PA Stage AE – Outdoors

June 7 Cincinnati, OH The ICON Festival Stage at Smale Park

June 9 Indianapolis, IN Everwise Amphitheater at White River State Park

June 11 Minneapolis, MN The Armory

June 13 Chicago, IL Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island

July 31 San Diego, CA Sycuan Stage at Gallagher Square Petco Park

Aug 1 Las Vegas, NV Bakkt Theater at Planet Hollywood

Aug 3 Phoenix, AZ Arizona Financial Theatre

Aug 6 Austin, TX Moody Amphitheater

Aug 7 Irving, TX The Pavilion at Toyota Music Factory

Aug 9 Houston, TX 713 Music Hall

Aug 10 New Orleans, LA Champions Square

Aug 12 Atlanta, GA Cadence Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park

Aug 15 Birmingham, AL Birmingham Amphitheater

Aug 16 Southaven, MS BankPlus Amphitheater at Snowden Grove

Aug 18 Huntsville, AL The Orion Amphitheater

Aug 20 Nashville, TN Ascend Amphitheater

Aug 23 Kansas City, MO Starlight Theatre

Aug 24 Oklahoma City, OK Zoo Amphitheatre

Aug 26 Morrison, CO Red Rocks Amphitheatre

Aug 28 Sandy, UT America First Field Plaza

Aug 30 Vancouver, BC Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Centre

Aug 31 Seattle, WA WaMu Theater

Sep 3 Troutdale, OR Edgefield Concerts on the Lawn

Sep 5 Berkeley, CA Greek Theatre

Sep 6 South Lake Tahoe, NV Harveys Lake Tahoe Outdoor Arena

Sep 9 Los Angeles, CA Greek Theatre

Additional Teddy Swims Tour Dates:

2024

Oct 2 Greensboro, NC Piedmont Hall

Oct 3 Knoxville, TN Tennessee Theatre

Oct 5 Austin, TX Austin City Limits Festival

Oct 6 Fayetteville, AR JJ’s Live

Oct 8 Savannah, GA Johnny Mercer Theater

Oct 10 Tampa, FL Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Hard Rock

Oct 12 Austin, TX Austin City Limits Festival

Oct 13 Durant, OK Choctaw Grand Theater

Oct 15 Lubbock, TX The Buddy Holly Hall of Performing Arts and

Sciences

Oct 16 El Paso, TX Abraham Chavez Theatre

Oct 18 Flagstaff, AZ Pepsi Amphitheater

Oct 19 Valley Center, CA Harrah’s Resort Southern California

Oct 21 Anaheim, CA House of Blues Anaheim

Oct 22 Anaheim, CA House of Blues Anaheim

Nov 4 Paris, France Salle Pleyel

Nov 5 Basel, Switzerland Event Halle Basel

Nov 11 London, UK Eventim Apollo

Dec 5 Abu Dhabi, UAE Eithad park

2025

Feb 11 Düsseldorf, Germany Mitsubishi Electric Halle

Feb 13 Antwerp, Belgium Lotto Arena

Feb 14 Hamburg, Germany Sporthalle

Feb 16 Oslo, Norway Oslo Spektrum Arena

Feb 18 Stockholm , Sweden Avicii Arena

Feb 19 Copenhagen, Denmark Royal Arena

Feb 22 Amsterdam, Netherlands Ziggo Dome

Feb 23 Berlin, Germany Velodrom

Feb 25 Zurich, Switzerland The Hall

Feb 27 Paris, France Zénith Paris – La Villette

Mar 3 Birmingham, UK Utilita Arena Birmingham

Mar 4 Birmingham, UK Utilita Arena Birmingham

Mar 6 London, UK OVO Arena Wembley

Mar 7 London, UK OVO Arena Wembley

Mar 9 Glasgow, UK OVO Hydro

Mar 10 Manchester, UK Co-op Live

Mar 12 Dublin, Ireland 3Arena

Mar 13 Dublin, Ireland 3Arena

Mar 16 Manchester, UK Co-op Live

Mar 22 San Isidro, Argentina Lollapalooza Argentina 2025

Mar 23 Santiago, Chile Lollapalooza Chile 2025

Mar 27 Bogotà, Colombia Festival Estéreo Picnic 2025

Mar 29 São Paulo, Brazil Lollapalooza Brasil 2025

Jun 22 Newport, UK Isle of Wight Festival 2025

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “ELTON JOHN: NEVER TOO LATE”

Disney+ debuted the official trailer for the upcoming original documentary “Elton John: Never Too Late.” With iconic concert footage from his career, the trailer features Elton John as he reflects on his extraordinary rise to success, the personal challenges he faced, and how his family has changed him. The original documentary will premiere December 13, 2024 on Disney+. 

The original documentary from Disney Branded Television is produced by Rocket Entertainment and This Machine Filmworks (a part of Sony Pictures Television). Directors Cutler and Furnish also serve as producers alongside Trevor Smith. Elise Pearlstein, Mark Blatty, Luke Lloyd Davies, Rachael Paley, Jane Cha Cutler and John Battsek serve as executive producers.

Elton John’s final North American concert, the Emmy®-winning “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium,” is available to stream now on Disney+.

SOCIAL MEDIA

X: @DisneyPlusCA

Instagram: @DisneyPlusCA

Facebook: @DisneyPlusCA

Hashtag: #DisneyPlus

ABOUT DISNEY+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In Canada, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from Disney, Disney+ offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

ABOUT DISNEY BRANDED TELEVISION

Disney Branded Television encompasses the creative storytellers and production and content marketing teams responsible for Disney-branded television series, movies and other programming spanning live-action, animated and unscripted formats. The group fuels the Disney+ streaming platform and Disney Channel, Disney XD and Disney Junior linear networks with content geared toward kids, tweens, teens and families, with stories that are imaginative, aspirational and reflective of their world and experiences.

ABOUT THIS MACHINE

This Machine (a part of Sony Pictures Television) was founded in 2020 and has quickly established itself as one of the premier producers of documentary film and television in the world. Headed by Award-winning filmmaker and non-fiction pioneer R.J. Cutler, This Machine is a filmmaker-driven company that explores the times in which we live through non-fiction storytelling in all media.

Recent This Machine projects include the PGA Award-nominated theatrical documentary The Disappearance of Shere Hite (IFC), the Emmy-nominated hit documentary series Big Vape (Netflix), the HBO feature doc South to Black Power, the award-winning docuseries Murf the Surf (MGM), the celebrated history of women of color in the fashion industry, Supreme Models (YouTube Originals) and the feature documentary Anthem (Disney+). This Machine is also behind the Academy Award-shortlisted Billie Eilish: The World’s A Little Blurry, the multi-award winning BELUSHI, and the cult-hit Dear… (Apple TV). Upcoming projects include the feature documentaries Elton John: Never Too Late (Disney+), Martha (Netflix), and Lee Soo Man: The King of K-Pop (Amazon Prime Video).

This Machine’s team includes Oscar-nominated, Emmy-winning producer and executive Elise Pearlstein, Cutler’s long-time producing partner Trevor Smith, COO Mark Blatty, and our development team of Sally Rosen Phillips and Alisa Cacho-Sousa.

This Machine’s team has decades of experience creating the highest quality and most popular non-fiction films and series, as well as scripted series, feature films, and podcasts.

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW DOCUMENTARY “MUSIC BY JOHN WILLIAMS” COMING TO DISNEY+

“Music by John Williams” from Lucasfilm Ltd, Amblin Documentaries, and Imagine Documentaries, which offers a fascinating and insightful look at the prolific life and career of legendary composer John Williams, will premiere on Disney+ on November 1, 2024. The documentary will also open the 38th edition of AFI Fest on October 23. The trailer and key art for the all-new documentary are available now.

From his early days as a jazz pianist to his 54 Oscar® nominations and five wins, the documentary takes an in-depth look at Williams’ countless contributions to film, including many iconic franchises, as well as his music for the concert stage and his impact on popular culture. The film features interviews with artists and filmmakers whose lives have been touched by his timeless music. Directed by award-winning filmmaker and best-selling author Laurent Bouzereau, the documentary is produced by Steven Spielberg, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Darryl Frank, Justin Falvey, Sara Bernstein, Justin Wilkes, Meredith Kaulfers, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, Laurent Bouzereau, with Markus Keith and Michael Rosenberg serving as executive producers.

Facebook: @DisneyPlusCA

X: @DisneyPlusCA

Instagram: @disneyplusca

Hashtag: #DisneyPlus; #DisneyStudios

ABOUT DISNEY+

Disney+ is the dedicated streaming home for movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, and National Geographic, along with The Simpsons and much more. In Canada, it also includes the general entertainment content brand, Star. The flagship direct-to-consumer streaming service from The Walt Disney Company, Disney+ offers an ever-growing collection of exclusive originals, including feature-length films, documentaries, live-action and animated series, and short-form content. With unprecedented access to Disney’s long history of incredible film and television entertainment, Disney+ is also the exclusive streaming home for the newest releases from The Walt Disney Studios. For more, visit disneyplus.com, or find the Disney+ app on most mobile and connected TV devices.

#FIRSTLOOK: CBC ANNOUNCE FALL 2024 PODCAST SLATE

CBC, the #1 Canadian podcaster, is launching a new fall slate of original podcasts, featuring new and timely investigations and in-depth looks at pop culture figures and events. CBC’s entire podcast collection can be found on CBC Listen and everywhere podcasts are available. Select titles can also be streamed on YouTube.

PERSONAL BEST (Season 3, 6 episodes)

Listen to the first four episodes now on CBC Listen and everywhere podcasts are available

Cult classic Personal Best is returning! Named ‘best podcast’ by Vulture, Apple, TIME and more, this is the podcast that celebrates small ambitions, half-wins and the quiet satisfaction of getting less bad at things. Each week, funny guys Rob Norman and Andrew Norton help ordinary people work through the little things they’d never bring to a life coach — like having the courage to dine alone at a fancy restaurant or getting less awkward at handshakes.

SPLIT SCREEN: THRILL SEEKERS (6 episodes)

Listen to the first two episodes now on CBC Listen and everywhere podcasts are available

A TV crew offers 12 ordinary people the chance to take part in the adventure of a lifetime. But there’s a catch: the audience knows everything but the contestants are kept in the dark. As the cameras roll, no questions are allowed. The contestants just have to do as they’re told. SPLIT SCREEN: THRILL SEEKERS is a new six-part series that explores the impact of a mysterious reality show that caused a massive ripple effect in the lives of those who took part. Hosted by Love + Radio’s Nick van der Kolk, listeners will hear from former contestants, crew and set designers to find out what happened behind the scenes of this reality TV experiment.

CELINE: UNDERSTOOD (4 episodes)

Launches Tuesday, October 15

Celine Dion is having a moment. It’s not her first, and millions of fans are hoping it won’t be her last. While Celine’s international stardom seems obvious now, it was all so unlikely. In this new season of UNDERSTOOD, host and Celine expert Thomas Leblanc explores the surprising cultural, political and business alchemy that created one of the most enduring superstars the planet has ever seen. CELINE is the latest season of UNDERSTOOD, a podcast that takes listeners out of the daily news cycle and inside the events, places and cultural places you want to know more about.

UNCOVER: BAD RESULTS (6 episodes)

Launches Monday, October 28
They needed certainty. They got chaos. For over a decade, countless people from at least five different countries put their trust in a Toronto company offering prenatal paternity tests. Their clinic promised “99% accuracy” — their results were anything but. Hosts Jorge Barrera and Rachel Houlihan talk to people whose lives were torn apart by these bad results, tracking the trail of shattered families, acrimonious court cases and interrupted childhoods. BAD RESULTS is the latest season of CBC’s hit true crime podcast UNCOVER.

SOMEONE KNOWS SOMETHING: THE CHRISTINE HARRON CASE (Season 9, 5 episodes)

Launches Wednesday, November 6

Christine Harron, a book-loving teenager from Hanover, Ontario, leaves for school in the spring of 1993 and is never seen again. A suspect emerges, confessing to her murder, but the case falls apart and Christine’s family are left without answers. In Season 9 of the award-winning podcast SOMEONE KNOWS SOMETHING, David Ridgen, along with Christine’s mother, reopen the investigation and come face to face with the man who said he killed Chrissy.

PERSONALLY: SHORT SIGHTED (5 episodes)

Launches Tuesday, November 19

SHORT SIGHTED uses innovative audio to explain vision loss to a sighted audience. Hosted by Graham Isador (VICE, GQ) and scored by Christopher Ross-Ewart (Yale School of Drama), the show combines personal storytelling, humour, journalistic interviews, and experimental sound design to immerse audiences in the surprising and frustrating world of visual impairment. Each episode of SHORT SIGHTED uses a story about Graham’s vision loss as a jumping-off point for larger conversations about accessibility and blindness. SHORT SIGHTED is the latest season of CBC’s new memoir podcast, PERSONALLY.

In addition to the aforementioned titles, CBC’s ongoing podcasts include: COMMOTION WITH ELAMIN ABDELMAHMOUD, CRIME STORY, THE DOSE, FRONT BURNER, Q WITH TOM POWER, SICKBOY and more.

CBC offers a richly diverse collection of award-winning podcasts that engage, enlighten and entertain. CBC is the #1 Canadian podcaster, reaching more Canadians than any other podcast publisher with millions of downloads each month and more than 45 series in genres such as true crime, comedy, human interest and audio fiction.

#FIRSTLOOK: “THE LIGHT BEFORE THE SUN” TO PREMIERE AT 2024 HAMILTON FILM FESTIVAL

Notable Indigenous director Michael Greyeyes takes the helm of this 33-minute mid-length feature film, written by three-time Canadian Comedy Award winning Rob Baker, based on a story created by Jamie Thomas King (AMC’s MAD MEN, Showtime’s THE TUDORS), Tamara Podemski (Amazon/Prime Video’s OUTER RANGE, FX’s RESERVATION DOGS) and Rob Baker. Premiere takes places at the Hamilton Film Festival October 26, 2024.

Produced by Tamara Podemski and executive produced by Jamie Thomas King.

THE LIGHT BEFORE THE SUN stars:
Jamie Thomas King (AMC’s MAD MEN, Showtime’s THE TUDORS)
Rick Roberts (CTV/NBC’s TRANSPLANT, ABC’s DESIGNATED SURVIVOR)
Tony Nappo (Paramount+’s STAR TREK: DISCOVERY, CBC’s STRAYS)
Jennifer Podemski (Crave’s DON’T EVEN, FX’s RESERVATION DOGS)
Rose Napoli (JUMP,DARLING, MAX’s TITANS)
Rob Baker (CBC’s BARONESS VON SKETCH SHOW, Netflix’s GINNY & GEORGIA)
Karen LeBlanc (CBS/Paramount +’s FIRE COUNTRY, Netflix’s GINNY & GEORGIA).

THE LIGHT BEFORE THE SUN is about famed self-help guru Daniel Wolf (Jamie Thomas King) returning home to an empty house after an international book tour and then his estranged friend Freddie (Rick Roberts) arrives on the scene. They spiral into a drug-induced contemplation of the human condition, as Daniel attempts to reconcile his body of work, the demand of his followers, and his unrelenting quest for enlightenment.

Screeners and Interviews are available upon request.

Connect with BLACKBIRD PRODUCTIONS
Instagram: @blackbirdprodinc
Facebook: Blackbird Productions
Website: blackbirdproductions.ca

ABOUT BLACKBIRD PRODUCTIONS INC.
Fuelled by their mutual desire to expand Tamara and Jamie’s vision as storytellers, BLACKBIRD PRODUCTIONS is an opportunity for this husband and wife team to claim their space behind the camera as producers, writers and content creators. With a mission to educate, empower and entertain, BLACKBIRD PRODUCTIONS is passionate about provocative, socially conscious stories of resilience and the capacity of the human spirit.

THE LIGHT BEFORE THE SUN (LONG SYNOPSIS)
Struggling to find his footing after coming off an international book tour, celebrated self-help guru Daniel Wolf returns home to an empty house. With his family snowed in hundreds of miles away and without his support systems in place, he does everything he can to keep himself from calling the one person who could relieve his anxieties, but also lead him down a rabbit hole. When estranged friend Freddie arrives on the scene, Daniel succumbs to the desperate need for reassurance, liberation and intimacy. As the two friends spiral into a drug-induced contemplation of the human condition, Daniel attempts to reconcile his body of work, the demand of his followers, and his unrelenting quest for enlightenment. Set within the world of the human potential movement, Daniel’s descent reveals the intricate web of mental health, addiction and celebrity culture. In this journey of self-discovery, Daniel must decide if he’s willing to lose everything and finally step into his most authentic self.

ABOUT TAMARA PODEMSKI
Tamara Podemski is an Anishinaabe (First Nations) and Ashkenazi (Jewish) multi-disciplinary performer whose work has spanned over three decades on stage and screen. She is best known for her acting roles in DANCE ME OUTSIDE, THE REZ (CBC), READY OR NOT (Global), RESERVATION DOGS (FX) and the Broadway company of RENT. In 2007, Tamara won the Special Jury Prize for Acting at the Sundance Film Festival for her role in Sterlin Harjo’s FOUR SHEETS TO THE WIND, which also garnered her a Film Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

Tamara stepped behind the camera in 2018, writing two seasons of the Indigenous documentary series FUTURE HISTORY(APTN), earning her a Canadian Screen Award nomination for Best Factual Writing. The following year, she joined the Indspire Awards (CBC) as writer and researcher for this nationally-televised variety program, which was nominated for a Canadian Screen Award for Best Biography Series.

In 2020, Tamara was tasked with bringing the quirky character of Alison Trent to life on CORONER (CBC), a role that won her a Canadian Screen Award for Best Supporting Actress (2021), an ACTRA Award for Outstanding Performance (2021), as well as another Canadian Screen Award for Best Guest Star (2022). She then went on to star opposite Phoebe Waller-Bridge in RUN (HBO) and then opposite Josh Brolin for two seasons as Sheriff Joy in OUTER RANGE (Amazon/Prime Video).

After years of experience in both Canadian and US markets, Tamara claimed her space as a producer in 2023, launching Blackbird Productions with her husband Jamie Thomas King. From its passion for provocative and diverse storytelling to its engagement of healthy workplace processes and practices, Blackbird is committed to amplifying the conversation of mental health and trauma recovery, while providing safe spaces for dialogue and discourse through all levels of production.

As an Indigenous storyteller, Tamara continues to advocate for authentic representation, inclusion in-front and behind the camera, as well as challenge the colonial narrative pervasive in the entertainment industry.

ABOUT JAMIE THOMAS KING
Jamie Thomas King is a English-American actor born and raised in London, England, where he began his training with the National Youth Theatre and later received a scholarship to the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA). His big break came when he starred in the Royal National Theatre’s production of Sir Alan Bennett’s “The History Boys”, directed by Sir Nicholas Hytner, followed by a UK tour and a transfer to the West End’s Wyndham Theatre.

For the next twenty years, Jamie moved between film and television, with characters like Guy Mackendrick in the multiple Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning series MAD MEN (AMC), and Sir Thomas Wyatt in two seasons of the historical drama THE TUDORS (Showtime). From popular network shows like PRIVATE PRACTICE (ABC), ELEMENTARY (CBS), CALL THE MIDWIFE (BBC) and MURDOCH MYSTERIES (CBC) to Oscar and BAFTA-winning films like Mike Leigh’s MR. TURNER and Tomas Alfredson’s TINKER, TAILER, SOLDIER, SPY. Jamie established himself as an international screen actor, but never forgot his theatre roots. In 2015, Jamie returned to the stage to join the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford, starring in John Ford’s “Love’s Sacrifice”.

In 2016, following the death of his son Benjamin due to medical error, Jamie took a hiatus from his career to focus on the Coroner’s Inquest. Calling upon everything he learned during the five-year lawsuit, Jamie joined forces with patient safety advocates around the world in their mission to improve global healthcare practices, eventually teaching workshops, offering keynote addresses and creating a Foundation in memory of his son.

Returning to the industry, and following in the path of his late mother, acclaimed screenwriter Laura Lamson, Jamie wrote his first screenplay. After reading OBE Recipient James Titcombe’s memoir Joshua’s Story: Uncovering the Morecambe Bay Maternity Scandal. He secured the rights to the book and adapted it for the screen.

In 2023, Jamie partnered with his wife Tamara Podemski to create Blackbird Productions, subsequently acting as EP and star of their first project, The Light Before the Sun will world premiere at the Hamilton Film Festival in October 2024.

#FIRSTLOOK: “SING MY SONG” SPECIAL SCREENING OCTOBER 9, 2024

SING MY SONG explores this question by following Barbara “Kayee” Lee, an award-winning broadcast journalist and community advocate, on her decade-long journey to try to find an answer to this question. Lee’s pursuit of her musical dream intertwines with encounters with fellow Asian American and Asian Canadian singer-songwriters including the Far East Movement, Alfa Garcia, Kevin So and Umi Hsu. This feature-length documentary challenges the Model Minority Myth, unraveling its dual nature – celebrated for excellence in classical music yet sidelined as not “cool enough for mainstream popularity.

Asian Vancouver-based Barbara Kayee Lee’s documentary feature SING MY SONG will have a special event screening on October 9, 2024, at 7 pm at the Scotiabank Theatre Toronto as a FREE PUBLIC SCREENING, first come first serve and RSVP via Eventbrite: https://tinyurl.com/singmysong24

Following this special event screening, SING MY SONG will stream worldwide via the SVOD platform Asian American Movies (AAM.tv) on Friday October 11, 2024.

Asian American Movies (AAM.tv) is a global niché streamer focusing on diasporic Asian Pacific Islander content, available on IOS, Android and the Roku Channel.