Carlos Santana Documentary Coming From Director Rudy Valdez, Imagine, Sony Music Entertainment (EXCLUSIVE)

Owen Gleiberman Chief Film CriticFor reviewers, it’s become a cliché when writing about a soft-pedaled, fan-service pop-star documentary to refer to it as an infomercial. The cliché isn’t always wrong.

Wilson Chapman editorThe 21st edition of the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival opened with “Mija,” a Disney original documentary film about Doris Muñoz and Jacks Haupt, two daughters of undocumented immigrants navigating the music industry. For Isabel Castro, who makes her directorial debut with the film, opening the festival is a perfect reflection of the themes of her film.“The film is made for the community that LALIFF fosters,” Castro told Variety on the red carpet of the LALIFF opening.

Daniel Brühl and Macaulay Culkin have joined the cast of the Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia directed thriller, Rich Flu, which we told you about back at EFM with Rosamund Pike attached to star. Production is expected to start in the fall.

Shirley Halperin Executive Editor, MusicSony Music Group (SMG) chairman Rob Stringer touted a strong fiscal year (for the period between April 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021) and revealed plans to expand the company’s Legacy Unrecouped Balance Program in a briefing to the company’s senior executives and investors delivered on May 25.Speaking from New York, Stringer hailed what he described as “all-time high financial results,” resulting in record numbers in revenue, profits and margins, going on five consecutive years.During that time, SMG’s global roster from its frontline labels — namely Columbia, RCA and Epic — increased by over 30% and its creative staff by more than 85%. The investment in talent, on both the artist and executive side, has yielded tangible results in the form of global successes like the Kid Laroi, Maneskin, Doja Cat and Lil Nas X, who got mentioned during the presentation.

Thania Garcia Among the many topics discussed during the Power Marketers of the Music Industry panel at Variety‘s 2022 Entertainment Marketing Summit, clearly TikTok and the importance of fan relationships were at the front of the group’s minds. Moderated by Variety‘s Andrew Hampp, the panel sorted through the many questions surrounding the marketers who are behind some of today’s top and developing music acts.This year’s music marketing panelists included: Krystian Santini of RocNation; Corey Sheridan of TikTok North America; Kendra Ellis of Atlantic Records; Val Pensa of RCA Records; and Alissa Pollack, executive VP of global music marketing at iHeartMedia.Pollack opened the conversation by discussing the key to Doja Cat’s TikTok success: “Doja Cat’s gonna do what Doja Cat wants to do,” she said.

Kane Brown is channeling his inner cowboy for the music video for his hit single, «Like I Love Country Music.» ET's Cassie DiLaura joined Brown on-set, where he teased what fans can expect from the visual, which took him «way out of his comfort zone.»«It's gonna be some line dancing, cowboy hats, cowboy boots — something you never seen me in,» Brown shared. While the confession comes as a surprise, the 28-year-old country crooner said it's never been a part of his look.«We had when I was a kid,» Brown admitted. «It was funny, 'cause coming into the music industry, my roommate was like, 'Dude, it would be cool if you look completely different than every other country artist, so, that’s what we did.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaArclight Films and MEP Capital Management are teaming up to acquire and license all available media rights to the library of The Lotus Entertainment. That library consists of a mix of worldwide and foreign sales rights to 58 films released between 2005 to 2019, which earned more than $500 million at the global box office.

Lizzo is coming to HBO Max this fall, she announced at the Warner Bros. Discovery upfront on Wednesday, while unveiling the first teaser of the film. The doc will follow the singer, songwriter, rapper, flutist and actor from her humble beginnings to her history-making career in music and culture, as she balances the challenges of stardom.“Growing up I never dreamed I’d get to experience all of the things I’ve accomplished in my life, and I’m just getting started,” Lizzo said in a statement.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorA bright-red, child-size magical morphing creature is heading to Disney platforms.Disney Branded Television inked a deal with Moonbug Entertainment for 52 episodes of 7-minute CG series, “Morphle,” based on the YouTube short-form hit My Magic Pet Morphle. It’s the first partnership between Disney and Moonbug, whose properties include the CoComelon kids’ content juggernaut.The comedy adventure series is slated to debut in 2024 exclusively on Disney+ and Disney Junior globally, excluding China.

EXCLUSIVE: The single-camera teen comedy Wild Life from Imagine Kids+Family has received a pilot order at HBO Max with rising star Izabella Alvarez (Euphoria, The Casagrandes) set as the show’s lead.

and we also covered that this morning — right now I want to focus on something specific: The first footage of Gwendoline Christie as Lucifer Morningstar. (You know, the devil, Satan, ruler of hell, etc etc etc.)The clip comes hear the end as we see images of Lucifer standing in front of a crowd of demons in hell, then directly — and very friendly — addressing Dream of the Endless (Tom Sturridge) asking, “are you well?”You can skip directly to minute 1:35 if you want to watch it above right now, but for your convenience here are some screenshots:Very mild spoilers ahead.You don’t know if you haven’t read “The Sandman,” but for those who have, this is a pretty huge deal.

Jack Harlow isn't looking to shoot his shot with any ladies at this year's Billboard Music Awards.ET's Cassie DiLaura spoke with the «First Class» artist on the red carpet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, and the artist said he's just «chillin'» and enjoying his pre-show glory.The artist — who was named as the winner for Top Rap Song, alongside Lil Nas X, for their song “Industry Baby” — also opened up about his past online flirtations with Doja Cat -- most notably in an Instagram Live from 2020.«I've become cool with Doja. That was early in our friendship, now we know each other pretty well.

Billboard Music Awards are bringing some big names to the stage to present the show's top honors.On Friday, Billboard announced a slew of celeb presenters who've been tapped to grace this year's star-studded awards show, which takes place at Las Vegas' MGM Grand Garden Arena on May 15.The list includes some celebrated musical stars and entertainers, including Michael Bublé, Chloe Bailey and Giveon, Dixie D’Amelio, Liza Koshy, Heidi Klum and Dove Cameron.Also set to present is the young singer, and inaugural winner of the series AleXa.This year's Billboard Music Awards, hosted by Sean “Diddy'' Combs, will also feature some epic performances for a night of unforgettable music. Becky G will make her BBMAs performance debut, as will Megan Thee Stallion and Rauw AlejandroTop Country Female Artist nominee Miranda Lambert and fellow country star Elle King will also take the stage for a rollicking performance of their collab, «Drunk (And I Don’t Wanna Go Home),» a finalist for Top Rock Song.Travis Scott will also perform at this year's awards, marking his first awards show performance since the Astroworld tragedy six months ago in Houston, Texas. The full list of 2022 BBMAs finalists was announced last month, with The Weeknd landing nominations in 17 categories. It was also later announced that Mary J.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaFusion Entertainment has signed filmmaker Ira Sachs, actor Mya Taylor and writer-director-actor Jude Dry. The management company, which was founded this year by Chris Evans and Adam Kersh, hails the signings as an important step in bolstering their roster of LGBTQ+ talent.Kersh and Sachs have had a long association, having worked together for a decade. Kersh helped spearhead the publicity campaigns for the Sachs’ queer-positive NYC triptych “Keep the Lights On” (2012), “Love Is Strange” (2014), and “Little Men” (2016).

2022 Billboard Music Awards are going to be a Diddy party! On Sunday, the 52-year-old mogul is set to host music’s big night, and it’s going to be one to remember.“I thought it was time for me to get back outside, reintroduce myself to the world and throw music’s biggest night,” Diddy tells ET’s Kevin Frazier. “I’m one of the greatest hosts in the world. You know, I love entertaining.”For the awards show, Diddy is pulling inspiration from one of the world’s best showmen, and one of his biggest inspirations -- P.T.

Charlie Amter Disruptor Records may be known as the home of the Chainsmokers, but ever since New York-based label founder Adam Alpert turned the EDM duo’s success into a joint venture deal with Sony, the imprint is finding its legs outside of the world of electronic music. Most notably, the label has begun growing its own cadre of female singer-songwriters such as Dove Cameron, whose hit “Boyfriend” has lit up international terrestrial radio and streaming sites globally alike this year.Variety caught up with Alpert to talk about his label’s growing influence in the pop world, his philosophy on developing artists, the new Chainsmokers album (out Friday), the future of streaming, Alpert’s JV at Sony Music and more.

Todd Spangler NY Digital EditorReady to listen to an off-the-cuff tale from Adam McKay as you drift off to dreamland? Of course you are.In the forthcoming podcast “Bedtime Stories With Adam McKay” from Sony Music Entertainment, the filmmaker, writer and comedian will deliver an “immersive and lulling auditory experience” — one that McKay will make up on the spot, the company says. It’s part of Sony Music’s new original podcast slate, announced Wednesday as part of the IAB Podcast Upfronts.Each episode of “Bedtime Stories” will feature McKay delivering an improvised story, based on one word chosen at random by his producer, Harry Nelson.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaBlue Fox Entertainment has acquired the worldwide rights to “Jane,” a YA thriller starring “Riverdale’s” Madelaine Petsch.The cast also includes Grammy-nominated singer songwriter Chlöe Bailey, Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo, and model Chloe Yu. Blue Fox Entertainment will release “Jane” theatrically this fall, with the film debuting simultaneously on Creator+.

EXCLUSIVE: Luis Gnecco (The Two Popes), Claudia Ramírez (Nice Sunday) and Juan Manuel Bernal (Perfect Obedience) will lead the upcoming thriller Confessions, from Sony Pictures International Productions, Alameda Films and Zamora Films, which has wrapped production in Mexico. Also amongst the cast is Ana Claudia Talancón (The Crime of Padre Amaro), who will make a special appearance.