Variety

Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine has laid off 50% of its staff after the actress bought back her production company from Candle Media. Hello Sunshine will now focus primarily on film and television projects and the Reese’s Book Club brand, with the direct-to-consumer division being gutted. https://lnkd.in/gXnBjz4p

Joel Crawford, co-director of "Forgotten Island," reflects on the connections that fuel animation at the Savannah College of Art and Design Film Festival: “We geek out together and are inspired by each other’s work.” Watch the Conversation: https://lnkd.in/gs7UWWei

At Savannah College of Art and Design Film Festival, “Wildwood” director Travis Knight reflects on the value of the human touch and how Laika has blended art, science, technology and craftsmanship in stop-motion animation since “Coraline.” Watch the Conversation: https://lnkd.in/gs7UWWei

Skydance Corp., the new company formed from David Ellison’s massive Paramount-Warner Bros. Discovery merger, has established the leadership team overseeing financial operations across the business: Kevin Creighton, EVP, Corporate Finance & Treasury, will lead an expanded organization that includes corporate finance, treasury, strategic finance, as well as the FP&A and Content Finance & Strategy Centers of Excellence. Creighton will also continue to oversee investor relations on an interim basis while Skydance searches for a new head of IR. Fraser Woodford, EVP, Treasury at Warner Bros. Discovery, will stay through the end of March 2027 to “transition work” to Creighton’s organization and “help us find his successor.” Todd Davis, EVP, Head of Global Tax, will lead Skydance’s global tax function, managing tax strategy, planning and compliance across all businesses and jurisdictions. Kathy Gill-Charest, EVP, Controller & Chief Accounting Officer, will lead global controllership, including accounting, financial reporting and internal controls for all divisions. Sandy Pundmann, EVP & Chief Audit Risk Officer, will lead internal audit and risk with a focus on strengthening controls that protect the company. Simon Robinson, EVP & Chief Business Transformation Officer, will head up the “Integration Management Office,” coordinating integration efforts across the company “to help us combine our businesses smoothly and capture the full value of the transaction.” Business Unit CFOs (dual-reporting to Cinelli and their respective BU heads) Mark Badagliacca, EVP & CFO, Film, will lead finance for the film business. He will also lead the participations and residuals center of excellence (COE) and co-lead the production finance COE. Patrick Cavanaugh, EVP & CFO, Distribution, will lead finance for the distribution and affiliates business. Nitin Chawla, EVP & CFO, Global Content Sales, will lead finance for content licensing and home entertainment businesses. Adam Cohn, EVP & CFO of CNN, will lead finance for CNN news. Eric Gray, EVP & CFO, TV Studios, will lead finance for Skydance’s Television Studio businesses, as well as co-lead the production finance COE. Christine Hong, EVP & CFO of Advertising and Head of Revenue Operations, will lead finance for the ad business and will oversee revenue operations across the company. Kedar Nadkarni, EVP, CFO & Head of Strategy and Insights, Consumer Products and Publishing, will lead finance across consumer products, publishing and DC comics businesses. Ben Paul, EVP & CFO, Games & Experiences, will lead finance for the games and experiences businesses. Josh Walker, EVP & CFO, Streaming, will lead finance for the streaming business. Liz Wright, EVP & CFO, Skydance TV Segment will lead finance for the global television networks business. https://lnkd.in/eKxMDruz

Kathleen Kennedy will lead the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics: • Kennedy will replace Peter Rice, who recently joined Netflix as its new chief content officer • Rice will remain involved as an executive producer https://lnkd.in/eAmZGb2h

the LEGO Group has appointed Kelsey Gray Sherman as its first head of celebrity talent and brand first partnerships: • The new position “reflects the company’s growing focus on expanding the Lego brand’s presence across entertainment and culture.” • Sherman will shape the toy and media company’s approach to celebrity talent, identifying and building relationships with entertainers and brands in ways that go beyond traditional licensing and product collaborations. https://lnkd.in/e_TGtpBp

Lionsgate is forming a joint venture with Steven Paul, the entrepreneur and film producer who has personally lobbied President Donald Trump for a federal tax incentive for Hollywood. Paul’s SP Media will make a “significant” investment in new initiatives together with Lionsgate as well as produce independent feature films that the studio will distribute. https://lnkd.in/eTPgwNSH

Skydance is offering certain eligible employees voluntary buyout packages ahead of layoffs: “As we bring our teams together, we recognize that not everyone will see their future here, and we respect that,” co-CEOs David Ellison and Ynon Kreiz said in a memo to staffers Monday. “To give eligible employees the option to move on in a way that works for them, we are introducing a Voluntary Buyout (VBO) Program. Those who qualify will receive an individual communication with their personalized details and terms, and a window to decide whether to accept this one-time offer.” https://lnkd.in/eYy7_mG3

Paramount+ exec VP/head of originals Jane Wiseman is following her former boss Cindy Holland in exiting the streamer. As part of the change, HBO Max head of original programming Sarah Aubrey will also handle those duties at Paramount+. https://lnkd.in/g8jj3cXN