Bloomberg reports that Angry Birds, the popular video game that has conquered small screens and become the top-selling mobile app of all-time, is due to hit the big screen. The 3D animated is being developed, produced and backed by the game’s publisher, Espoo, Finland-based Rovio Entertainment Oy, and will be distributed by Sony Pictures Entertainment on July 1, 2016, the companies said. Read More

Dawn Chmielewski and Jessica Guynn of The LA Times today posted an interesting article on the evolving relationship between Facebook and the film industry suggesting that "Hollywood's friendship with Facebook is showing signs of strain.". Read More

Hong Kong – With nearly 20% of the world’s population and one of the fastest growing economies, China’s decision today to restrict internet video to state-run companies is sure to have a large impact on the strategic thinking of digital media content providers everywhere. The AP reports that the new regulations will begin on January 31, and were approved by the State Administration of Radio, Film, and Television, and the Ministry of Information Industry.

China – A combined frustration with the US’s arms sales to Taiwan, ongoing trade disputes, and the success of American films at the box office have led to a ban on Hollywood films by the Chinese government, The Independent reports. The ban might last until May.

But China’s State Administration of Radio Film & Television, which approves foreign films submitted to run in the country, denied the [...].

Hollywood loves to tell a story, and if you read the box office news this week you know that The Bourne Ultimatum set the August record for an opening weekend with its $70 million haul.  But which Hollywood news outlet kicked off the “Best Summer Ever” chant is uncertain, though the momentum picked up and became the mandatory addition to any reports of the latest box office results.  Initially I was charged with exploring the reasons for that success, beyond [...].

We hear the same message every day – America must increase its energy independence and stop global warming. Young people care, but how to get them to actually do something about it? The Center for American Progress Action Fund (CAPAF) has started an online campaign called “Project Phin.” The campaign website aims to get young people’s attention by using online videos featuring celebs like Matt Damon, Ben Allleck, Sarah Silverman, Jason Briggs, Joshua Jackson, Jennifer Garner, Jenny Wade and Tobin [...].

Francis Ford Coppola, one of the world's greatest filmmakers, is back with his first new film in 10 years, "Youth Without Youth" – a love story wrapped in a mystery, set in Europe before WWII. In the first interview he has given about his new film, Coppola also talks to the recently launched site Interviewing Hollywood about some of the issues that will be discussed in DMW's next conference The Millennials. Those issues involve – how do you communicate with [...].