By Alex Ritman
According To The variety MCGREGOR GETS LIFETIME HONOR
Ewan McGregor is set to be honored with an outstanding contribution to film and television award by BAFTA Scotland. Across a more than three-decade career, the actor — born in Perthshire — has become renowned for roles in “Trainspotting,” “Moulin Rouge!” “Brassed Off,” “Shallow Grave,” and the “Star Wars” franchise, among many. McGregor has been honored by BAFTA Scotland previously, winning awards for his roles in 1996’s “Trainspotting” and 2003’s “Young Adam.” The outstanding achievement honor will be award at the BAFTA Scotland Awards ceremony in Glasgow on Sunday 16 November.
“It’s so lovely to be thought of for this year’s BAFTA Scotland Special Award, and I am excited to go to the event and looking forward to meeting with my peers there,” said McGregor. “Who knows, a new collaboration could be born out of such a thing! Thank you, BAFTA Scotland.”Added Jude MacLaverty, director of BAFTA Scotland: “Ewan is a talented and much-loved Scottish actor who has captivated audiences here at home and globally over many decades. From his iconic performances to his advocacy and humanitarian work with UNICEF UK, Ewan has had a remarkable impact on and off-screen.”
AFM TEAMS WITH THE MARCHEThe American Film Market and Cannes’ Marche du Film are collaborating on both the Innovation Hub and AI-focussed programming at the upcoming 2025 AFM this November. The Marche’s successful innovation focus, Cannes Next, was reportedly the catalyst for the two markets to embrace this new initiative. The Innovation Hub will spotlight creative and business technology tools that support the development, financing, and production of content. Designed as both an exhibition and ideas forum, it will showcase companies at working within creativity, commerce, and technology, connecting AFM attendees with innovators from across tech, media, and entertainment. Two AI sessions as part of the collaboration will include speakers such as Adobe’s head of film and TV Darren Frankel, Scott Martin of Aspen IP Consulting and Lori McCreary, CEO of Revelations Entertainment.Elsewhere at the AFM, session will feature the producers of “Weapons” and execs from Blumhouse, Pressman Film and UTA.
WBD REJIGS TLCWarner Bros. Discovery is relaunching its TLC channel in the U.K. as free-to-air (FTA). The new-look TLC will launch with shows such as “The Big Bang Theory,” “Young Sheldon,” “Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage” and “Mike & Molly, with the new content representing WBD’s biggest order of scripted entertainment across their FTA linear. Alongside the acquisitions, a new slate of originals will include a relaunched version of Brit satire show “Mock the Week,” and “Zero Stars” fronted by comedians Roisin Conaty and Sara Pascoe.TLC will become free-to-air in January, by which time WBD’s U.K. FTA portfolio will consist of six channels with Quest, Quest Red, Food Network and DMAX, alongside TLC and Really. Meanwhile, HGTV is set to close in the U.K., with some of its shows — including “Celebrity IOU with the Property Brothers,” “Home Town” and “My Lottery Dream Home” — migrating to Really.