UFA’s Nico Hofmann Steps Down As CEO Of German Production Powerhouse, Becomes Chair

Ed Meza @edmezavar Zurich Avenue, headed by producers and former Zurich Film Festival execs Karl Spoerri and Viviana Vezzani, has quickly amassed an impressive slate of projects since launching last year, including Annette Bening starrer “Nyad.” Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s film, which chronicles the attempt by 64-year-old swimmer Diana Nyad to swim from Cuba to Florida, unspools at the Zurich Film Festival. Zurich Avenue co-developed the Netflix film, which was produced by Black Bear Pictures and Mad Chance.

K.J. Yossman Disney EMEA’s longtime leading counsel Peter Wiley has stepped down after 27 years. More to come…

Joe Otterson TV Reporter Amy Israel, the head of scripted at Showtime, is stepping down, Variety has learned. Israel’s formal title is executive vice president of global programming. She will remain with Showtime through the end of the year in a transitional role.

Ed Meza @edmezavar The Zurich Film Festival boasts a strong lineup of international films, among them Bradley Cooper’s “Maestro,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” and Emerald Fennell’s “Saltburn,” and high-profile guests that include Jessica Chastain, Diane Kruger, Ethan Hawke, Todd Haynes and Wim Wenders. The ZFF this year screens a record number of world and European premieres — 52 from a total of 148. Another 52 films are debut works.

Nicola Roberts has opened up on the heartbreaking loss of Sarah Harding, almost two years on from her death. The Girls Aloud star died in September 2021 from breast cancer and two years on from the star’s death, her bandmate Nicola has opened up on the grief she feels. Fighting back tears on Good Morning Britain, Nicola shared how she feels that Sarah’s death is “not really that real” to her, as she imagines she’s still out there enjoying life.

Warner Bros Discovery has confirmed it plans a major expansion of its Leavesden studio lot, with the UK location set to become the epicenter of DC Studios production.

Tatiana Siegel At a posh party held at a downtown Manhattan brownstone on Wednesday night, notable journalists like Carl Bernstein and the New York Times’ op-ed columnist Michelle Goldberg converged to toast Michael Wolff’s upcoming book, “The Fall: The End of Fox News and the Murdoch Dynasty.” The timing couldn’t have been more apt given that the author foretold what would happen hours later with Rupert Murdoch’s surprise announcement that he was stepping down from the head of Fox Corp. and News Corp. “It is unsustainable,” Wolff said of the Murdoch era that relied on the Donald Trump ratings juggernaut.

Rupert Murdoch, the 92-year-old Australian media magnate whose creation of Fox News made him a force in American politics, is stepping down as leader of both Fox’s parent company and his News Corp. media holdings.

Media tycoon Rupert Murdoch is step down as chairman of his Fox and News Corp businesses, the firms said in a statement.

Rupert Murdoch, whose sheer force of will allowed him to build a media empire that influenced the course of national politics in the U.S., U.K. and Australia, will step down as the titular head of the companies he controls, Fox Corp. and News Corp.– a move that could raise new questions about the fates of both assets.

Rupert Murdoch is stepping down.

Sky CEO Dana Strong has said she is “optimistic” that the company’s UK unit can keep hold of HBO content when its deal with Warner Bros. Discovery comes up for renewal in 2026.

Bero Beyer is to step down as CEO of the Netherlands Film Fund.

Ashton Kutcher takes another hit!

After being hit with criticism for writing letters of support for rapist Danny Masterson, Ashton Kutcher has stepped down from the anti-child sex abuse organisation he co-founded.The actor, 45, and his wife Mila Kunis recently apologised for writing letters to attest Danny's character. Danny was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on Thursday 7 September following his conviction for two counts of rape.

Ashton Kutcher has stepped down as Chairman of the Board of Thorn, a group that fights child sex abuse that he co-founded over a decade ago with then-wife Demi Moore.

EXCLUSIVE: After nearly 16 years on the Culver City, CA lot, Steve Bersch, President of Screen Gems, is departing Sony when his contract ends on Dec. 1.

at a beer hall in Düsseldorf, Germany.While the couple is in Europe for the Invictus Games, they stopped by to have some fun for a “low-key” night on the town.Body language expert Judi James explained to the Mirror how Harry seemed “bashful” yet happy to celebrate his big day at the Schumacher restaurant.The former actress, 42, and Harry brought their aides along for the night and treated them to some authentic German nosh.The couple then posed for snapshots with fans and restaurant staff.“After a day spent canoodling his wife, Harry’s birthday boy pose here makes him look a little more bashful as he lines up for a group shot in the restaurant,” James noted about the photos.“There are two clear sides to Harry here: there’s the rather macho, raised hand, clamping shake that he’s performing with a man who presumably owns the restaurant, and then the loving arm that he has placed around his wife’s back,” she added.The expert went on to reveal that Harry’s smile is more “low-key” at the eatery compared to during the games, as he has “no display of teeth” at his birthday bash.This suggests that the prince was a “no fuss please birthday boy.” But Markle’s body language tells a different story.According to James, “Meghan looks more confident,” as she is standing “slightly in front with a dazzling social smile while Harry tucks in more behind her.”Harry and the “Suits” alum have spent this week at the Invictus Games staying close to one another and showing off massive PDA — and James doesn’t think they will stop anytime soon.Waiter Frank Wackers told the DailyMail that Harry drank six beers last night while Markle had just one.

Warner Bros. Discovery Germany boss Hannes Heyelmann has become the latest to exit from Gerhard Zeiler’s international team.

Eccho Rights’ co-founder Fredrik af Malmborg has stepped down from his CEO role.