New Strictly hosts clarify roles and deny roving presenter reports

Disney is expected to lay off thousands of employees in its biggest round of job cuts this year, according to Variety. The cuts at a major entertainment company signal continued cost-cutting across the media industry and will affect a large number of workers.

Triin Tramberg has become artistic director of the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival as it marks its 30th edition. She said the festival must remain bold, unpredictable and accessible. The appointment matters as Estonia’s flagship film event balances international industry profile with audience appeal.

Mohammad Rasoulof cited Jafar Panahi’s new prison sentence as he and O Mipo received Tokyo’s Kurosawa Akira Award. Rasoulof said Iranian cinema continues to face repression, highlighting the crackdown on Iranian filmmakers and international solidarity with them.

Judi Dench said in a Variety interview that Daniel Craig came up with the idea to kill off her character, M, in the James Bond film Skyfall. She discussed her time in the franchise and Craig’s role in the decision. The anecdote offers a behind-the-scenes detail about a major film series.

Versant reported a decline in third-quarter profit even as its non-TV operations showed improvement. The results highlight how weakness in traditional television can offset growth elsewhere in the media company's portfolio.