While Disneyland and Walt Disney World had initially planned to close through March in an effort to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus COVID-19 and comply with shelter-in-place guidelines, the U.S. 28 more words
via Disneyland and Walt Disney World Now Indefinitely Closed Amid Coronavirus Outbreak — Variety
Google and parent Alphabet are pitching in to help small businesses, health organizations and governments dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. The internet company has earmarked more than $800 million for coronavirus relief, about three-fourths of which ($610 million) is in the form of Google Ad credits to small and midsize businesses and governmental orgs, Alphabet…
via Google Commits $800 Million, Mostly in Ad Credits, to Coronavirus Relief Efforts — Variety
After “First Man,” Ryan Gosling is taking on another astronaut movie. The actor will produce and star in “Project Hail Mary” with MGM in negotiations to acquire the project, based on the upcoming Andy Weir novel. 22 more words
via Ryan Gosling to Star in Astronaut Movie ‘Project Hail Mary’ — Variety
Those hoping to escape to the beach this weekend after being pent up at home are out of luck. On Friday, Los Angeles County ordered the closure of beaches and hiking trails, hoping to avoid the crowds that could cause the spread of the coronavirus. 12 more words
via L.A. County Orders Closure of Beaches and Hiking Trails — Variety
WarnerMedia will pledge $100 million in relief to workers affected by wide production shutdowns in film and television, CEO John Stankey said in a Friday staff memo obtained by Variety. 28 more words
Hollywood’s creative guilds have been working overtime to keep residual checks going out to members during the coronavirus crisis. Even though most of the staff members of the Directors Guild of America, SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America West have been working remotely, the guilds have stepped up efforts to maintain the flow of…
via DGA, SAG-AFTRA, WGA Scramble to Keep Residuals Flowing During Coronavirus Pandemic — Variety
In today’s film news roundup, Canada’s largest LGBTQ film festival gets postponed, the commercial industry’s health plan addresses the coronavirus pandemic and Margaret Qualley’s “A Head Full of Ghosts” finds a home. 27 more words
via Film News Roundup: Inside Out Postpones LGBTQ Film Festival Due to Coronavirus — Variety
The Senate voted on Wednesday to approve a $2 trillion bill to cushion the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic, including hundreds of billions for companies and a massive expansion of unemployment benefits. 24 more words
via Senate Approves Massive $2 Trillion Coronavirus Stimulus Bill — Variety
U.S. unemployment claims last week hit a historic 3.28 million, the U.S. Department of Labor said Thursday, as the economic devastation of the coronavirus crisis continues to unfold. 30 more words
via U.S. Unemployment Claims Hit Record 3.28 Million Last Week Amid Coronavirus Pandemic — Variety
With U.S. theaters closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, Disney is releasing Harrison Ford’s “The Call of the Wild” early on digital on March 27. The studio also announced that “Downhill,” a black comedy from Searchlight starring Will Ferrell and Julia Louis Dreyfus, will also be available for an early digital release on March 27.…
via Harrison Ford’s ‘Call of the Wild’ Gets Early Digital Release — Variety
Festival Reviews 