All articles tagged with #open letter
Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada says he will no longer work with hundreds of cinema professionals who signed an open letter opposing owner Vincent Bolloré’s growing control of Canal+, Studiocanal, and other media, effectively blacklisting signatories such as Juliette Binoche and Adèle Haenel as Bolloré’s media empire expands; the letter warned of a fascist takeover and the risk to French cinema’s independence.
Actor Mark Ruffalo said on a recent podcast that he believes he’s already on a Paramount-Skydance banned list for speaking out against the Warner Bros. merger, noting that he spoke out with an open letter and a New York Times op-ed and arguing that courage to challenge industry deals can spur others despite fear of retaliation.
Hollywood’s Paramount-Warner Bros. merger has become a public skirmish marked by a stalled negotiation with Netflix, a growing list of A‑list insiders signing an open letter opposing the deal, and Paramount’s new CEO David Ellison drawing attention for missing and then reappearing at industry events—sparking concern that consolidation could curb production and diverse storytelling in the industry.
At CinemaCon, producers Jerry Bruckheimer and Emma Thomas explained they haven’t signed the open letter opposing Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery’s merger, saying they weren’t asked and that the deal is already moving forward; Bruckheimer argued the merger could still spur movie production, while Thomas cautioned against disruption and questioned consolidation’s logic as the letter gains thousands of signatures; the $110 billion deal awaits regulatory review and a late-2026 close, with California officials scrutinizing actions.
Florence Pugh and Pedro Pascal joined more than 2,000 Hollywood insiders in signing an open letter opposing the Paramount-Warner merger, arguing it would harm competition, independence, and diversity in the industry; the letter, published by the New York Times and BlocktheMerger.com, lists notable signatories and follows Paramount's public defense of the deal.
More than 1,400 actors, directors and filmmakers signed an open letter opposing the $111 billion Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery merger, warning it would reduce competition, limit opportunities for creators, and cost jobs; Paramount Skydance argues the deal would boost output and maintain competitive, independent avenues as regulators weigh approval.
More than 1,000 industry figures signed an open letter opposing Paramount’s proposed merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, warning the deal could threaten the sustainability of the creative community by undermining independence, diversity, and competition. Signatories include JJ Abrams, Damon Lindelof, David Fincher, Denis Villeneuve, Adam McKay, Ben Stiller, Bryan Cranston, Lily Gladstone, Emma Thompson, Jason Bateman and Lin-Manuel Miranda, among others. The letter—organized by the Committee for the First Amendment and allied groups—calls for thoughtful regulation and highlights ongoing investigations by state attorneys general; Paramount has not commented.
Over 1,000 Hollywood figures sign an open letter opposing Paramount’s plan to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery, arguing the deal would further concentrate the media landscape, reduce opportunities for creators, raise costs, and limit audience choice; regulators, including California Attorney General Rob Bonta, are weighing action to block it.
Author Andy Weir apologized publicly to Star Trek executive Alex Kurtzman after remarks on the Critical Drinker podcast criticizing Star Trek shows and stating his pitch to Paramount was rejected; he called the comments disrespectful, said they were taken out of context, and offered to discuss the matter in real time, stressing he respects Kurtzman.
More than 80 current and former Berlinale participants, including Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, signed an open letter urging the festival to condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza, accusing Berlinale of censoring artists and calling for support of Palestinian rights. The missive cites Wim Wenders’ comments on politics and notes a broader pattern of festival boycotts, with other signatories including prominent filmmakers and actors.
An open letter signed by 81 Berlinale alumni, including Tilda Swinton and Javier Bardem, accuses the Berlin Film Festival of censoring artists who oppose Israel’s actions in Gaza and urges Berlinale to condemn the violence and defend artistic free expression. The letter points to a broader industry trend toward cultural boycotts of Israel and thousands of film workers who have refused to work with Israeli institutions. Berlinale director Tricia Tuttle defended free speech, while jury president Wim Wenders’ remark that filmmaking is the “opposite of politics” sparked backlash, fueling ongoing debate about politics in the festival. The signatories urge Berlinale to publicly oppose Israel’s actions and uphold artists’ right to speak on Palestinian rights.
More than 80 current and former participants, including Javier Bardem, Tilda Swinton and Adam McKay, signed an open letter condemning Berlinale for its silence on Gaza and urging the festival to oppose Israel's actions, arguing that art and politics are inseparable; the move follows Wim Wenders' remark that filmmakers should stay out of politics and Berlinale's defense of artists' right to speak.
More than 80 current and former Berlinale participants sign an open letter condemning the festival for silence on Gaza and censoring artists who spoke out, urging Berlinale to oppose Israel’s actions and defend free speech. Signatories include Tilda Swinton, Javier Bardem, Adam McKay, Mike Leigh, Nan Goldin and others, arguing that filmmaking cannot be separated from politics. The letter situates Berlinale within a growing movement of festivals and industry workers supporting a cultural boycott of Israel and calls for the festival to publicly condemn what it calls genocide and crimes against Palestinians.
More than 100 artists and cultural figures signed an open letter in support of UN Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese, defending her Gaza remarks and urging that “force” not be the law, while criticizing censorship and calls for resignation.
Sharon Osbourne has been invited by Birmingham’s Conservative group to stand in the upcoming local elections after she hinted on social media that she might return to the city. Party leader Councillor Robert Alden published an open letter inviting her to stand to help “clean up Birmingham” and boost the council’s finances and services, with supporters touting her profile as a campaigning figure who could raise the city’s international profile.