"I feel happy. And sometimes I feel really scared." Goldwyn Films from the US has revealed their official US trailer for the indie film Aisha, an emotional drama about an immigration made by Irish filmmaker Frank Berry. This originally premiered in 2022 and opened in the UK back in 2022 as well, debuting on Sky Cinema. It only now has a May 2024 release date (also on VOD) after years in limbo. While caught for years in Ireland's immigration system, Aisha Osagie develops a close friendship with the former prisoner Conor Healy. This friendship soon looks to be short lived as Aisha's future in Ireland comes under threat. Letitia Wright (also seen in The Silent Twins and Wakanda Forever from 2022) stars as Aisha Osagie, with Josh O'Connor, Ruth McCabe, Emmet Byrne, Joanne Crawford, Geraldine McAlinden, Tara Flynn, Joseph Palmer, and Abdul Alshareef. The film has positive reviews across the board from most critics,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for Ghosted, Barry, White House Plumbers and a roundup of Coachella highlights.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret premiere
Stars Rachel McAdams and Abby Ryder Fortson walked the carpet alongside Judy Blume and writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig at the film’s L.A. premiere on Saturday.
Abby Ryder Fortson, Judy Blume and Rachel McAdams Amy Brooks, Julie Ansell, Judy Blume, Kelly Fremon Craig, James L. Brooks, Abby Ryder Fortson and Rachel McAdams
Barry premiere
Bill Hader unveiled the fourth and final season of his HBO series on Sunday in L.A., joined by costars Henry Winkler, Anthony Carrigan, Sarah Goldberg and Stephen Root.
Henry Winkler and Bill Hader Stephen Root, Michael Irby, Robert Wisdom, Bill Hader, HBO’s Amy Gravitt, Anthony Carrigan, Sarah Goldberg and Henry Winkler...
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret premiere
Stars Rachel McAdams and Abby Ryder Fortson walked the carpet alongside Judy Blume and writer-director Kelly Fremon Craig at the film’s L.A. premiere on Saturday.
Abby Ryder Fortson, Judy Blume and Rachel McAdams Amy Brooks, Julie Ansell, Judy Blume, Kelly Fremon Craig, James L. Brooks, Abby Ryder Fortson and Rachel McAdams
Barry premiere
Bill Hader unveiled the fourth and final season of his HBO series on Sunday in L.A., joined by costars Henry Winkler, Anthony Carrigan, Sarah Goldberg and Stephen Root.
Henry Winkler and Bill Hader Stephen Root, Michael Irby, Robert Wisdom, Bill Hader, HBO’s Amy Gravitt, Anthony Carrigan, Sarah Goldberg and Henry Winkler...
- 4/21/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"Why do you look so stressed?" Sky Cinema in the UK has revealed a trailer for Aisha, an emotional drama from Irish filmmaker Frank Berry. This is premiering soon at the London Film Festival after first showing at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year. While caught for years in Ireland's immigration system, Aisha Osagie develops a close friendship with former prisoner Conor Healy. This friendship soon looks to be short lived as Aisha's future in Ireland comes under threat. Letitia Wright (also seen in The Silent Twins and Wakanda Forever this year) stars as Aisha Osagie, with Josh O'Connor, Ruth McCabe, Emmet Byrne, Joanne Crawford, Geraldine McAlinden, Tara Flynn, Joseph Palmer, and Abdul Alshareef. I'm glad they make films like this because people really need to see how horrible most immigration systems are, and how they treat people so poorly, despite a belief it's the "right way". This looks like a very powerful film.
- 10/5/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Netflix has given a series order to The Diplomat, a political thriller drama created by Debora Cahn. Cahn will serve as executive producer and showrunner under a multi-year overall deal with the streamer for series and other projects.
In The Diplomat, whose order is for eight 50-minute episodes, in the midst of an international crisis, a career diplomat lands in a high-profile job she’s unsuited for, with tectonic implications for her marriage and her political future. Janice Williams also executive produces the series, which is slated to film in the UK.
At Netflix, Cahn is reuniting with the streamer’s VP and head of Drama Development, Jinny Howe. The two started their TV careers together, Cahn as a staff writer on The West Wing, rising through the ranks to producer, and Howe as a creative executive at the company behind the Emmy-winning series, John Wells Prods.
In The Diplomat, whose order is for eight 50-minute episodes, in the midst of an international crisis, a career diplomat lands in a high-profile job she’s unsuited for, with tectonic implications for her marriage and her political future. Janice Williams also executive produces the series, which is slated to film in the UK.
At Netflix, Cahn is reuniting with the streamer’s VP and head of Drama Development, Jinny Howe. The two started their TV careers together, Cahn as a staff writer on The West Wing, rising through the ranks to producer, and Howe as a creative executive at the company behind the Emmy-winning series, John Wells Prods.
- 1/26/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
A judge today shut down Netflix’s appeal in a long-running legal battle centered on the streamer poaching executives from Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. Netflix had claimed, in part, that Fox’s contracts were void because they violate California’s famed seven-year rule and severely restrict employee mobility. It had also claimed that Fox must show resulting harm.
But today, a three justice panel led by Judge Dorothy Kim rejected the Netflix appeal, writing in part:
Netflix’s assertions about the legal validity of the injunction are belied by the terms of that decree. The injunction does not restrain Fox employees from leaving Fox at any time, even during the fixed term of their agreement, subject only to a potential claim for breach of contract. By its express terms, the injunction restrains only Netflix; it proscribes only solicitation or inducement during the fixed term of an employee’s agreement.
But today, a three justice panel led by Judge Dorothy Kim rejected the Netflix appeal, writing in part:
Netflix’s assertions about the legal validity of the injunction are belied by the terms of that decree. The injunction does not restrain Fox employees from leaving Fox at any time, even during the fixed term of their agreement, subject only to a potential claim for breach of contract. By its express terms, the injunction restrains only Netflix; it proscribes only solicitation or inducement during the fixed term of an employee’s agreement.
- 12/3/2021
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has lost an appeal of a 2019 ruling that ordered the streaming service to stop poaching employees from Fox.
The streaming service has been battling Fox since 2016 over the practice of locking midlevel executives into fixed-term contracts. Netflix has argued that Fox’s contracts are illegal under California law, and that they unfairly restrict employee mobility. Netflix’s argument, had it succeeded, could have upended how Hollywood studios do business.
But on Thursday, a three-judge appellate panel upheld the injunction, finding that Fox’s contracts are a legitimate way to provide “stability and predictability” in its employment relationships.
The case began in late 2015, when Netflix hired Marcos Waltenberg, 20th Century Fox’s vice president of promotions, enticing him to leave by doubling his salary. A few months later, Netflix hired Tara Flynn, an executive at Fox21, also doubling her salary. Both were on two-year contracts at the time, and Fox...
The streaming service has been battling Fox since 2016 over the practice of locking midlevel executives into fixed-term contracts. Netflix has argued that Fox’s contracts are illegal under California law, and that they unfairly restrict employee mobility. Netflix’s argument, had it succeeded, could have upended how Hollywood studios do business.
But on Thursday, a three-judge appellate panel upheld the injunction, finding that Fox’s contracts are a legitimate way to provide “stability and predictability” in its employment relationships.
The case began in late 2015, when Netflix hired Marcos Waltenberg, 20th Century Fox’s vice president of promotions, enticing him to leave by doubling his salary. A few months later, Netflix hired Tara Flynn, an executive at Fox21, also doubling her salary. Both were on two-year contracts at the time, and Fox...
- 12/3/2021
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix may see fixed-term contracts for entertainment executives as a form of involuntary servitude, but on Thursday, the streamer experienced a tough legal loss when a California appeals court refused to accept that perspective and overturn an injunction that prevented Netflix from poaching executives at Disney’s Fox unit.
Fox sued back in September 2016 upon the defection of production executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg. Netflix responded with a countersuit alleging that the executives’ respective Fox employment contracts were unenforceable as an illegal non-compete. Netflix argued that Fox held all the leverage when negotiating extensions with its workers, and that ...
Fox sued back in September 2016 upon the defection of production executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg. Netflix responded with a countersuit alleging that the executives’ respective Fox employment contracts were unenforceable as an illegal non-compete. Netflix argued that Fox held all the leverage when negotiating extensions with its workers, and that ...
- 12/2/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Netflix may see fixed-term contracts for entertainment executives as a form of involuntary servitude, but on Thursday, the streamer experienced a tough legal loss when a California appeals court refused to accept that perspective and overturn an injunction that prevented Netflix from poaching executives at Disney’s Fox unit.
Fox sued back in September 2016 upon the defection of production executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg. Netflix responded with a countersuit alleging that the executives’ respective Fox employment contracts were unenforceable as an illegal non-compete. Netflix argued that Fox held all the leverage when negotiating extensions with its workers, and that ...
Fox sued back in September 2016 upon the defection of production executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg. Netflix responded with a countersuit alleging that the executives’ respective Fox employment contracts were unenforceable as an illegal non-compete. Netflix argued that Fox held all the leverage when negotiating extensions with its workers, and that ...
- 12/2/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The hybrid festival will showcase 11 world premieres.
Seán Breathnach’s Irish-language drama Foscadh, Ross Killeen’s music documentary Love Yourself Today and Graham Cantwell’s coming-of-age drama Who We Love are among several new Irish films making their world premiere at the hybrid Galway Film Fleadh which is running from July 20th to 25th.
The Fleadh will showcase 45 features, 11 of which are world premieres. The main physical venue will be an outdoor cinema in the city’s historic centre this year and many of the titles will also screen online along with the programme of industry events and filmmaker discussions.
Seán Breathnach’s Irish-language drama Foscadh, Ross Killeen’s music documentary Love Yourself Today and Graham Cantwell’s coming-of-age drama Who We Love are among several new Irish films making their world premiere at the hybrid Galway Film Fleadh which is running from July 20th to 25th.
The Fleadh will showcase 45 features, 11 of which are world premieres. The main physical venue will be an outdoor cinema in the city’s historic centre this year and many of the titles will also screen online along with the programme of industry events and filmmaker discussions.
- 7/8/2021
- by Esther McCarthy
- ScreenDaily
What a difference a global pandemic can make.
Almost nine months after coming up short in its long battle with Disney-owned Fox over snatching two executives back in 2016, Netflix is climbing back in the ring to start the whole thing up again with an appeal that kicked off tonight.
“This case is about Fox’s abusive behavior in its quest to curtail its employees’ freedom to seek new and better opportunities,” says the streamer in an opening brief submitted late Wednesday to the 2nd District Court of Appeal (Read It Here).
Citing a number of “key, threshold legal” errors with the December 2019 final ruling by Judge Marc Gross, the now very establishment Netflix is widening its scope to battle the “Hollywood establishment” and its “dim view of employee mobility” in the otherwise free-to-be me Golden State.
This all started back in September 2016, when Fox went after the streamer alleging it...
Almost nine months after coming up short in its long battle with Disney-owned Fox over snatching two executives back in 2016, Netflix is climbing back in the ring to start the whole thing up again with an appeal that kicked off tonight.
“This case is about Fox’s abusive behavior in its quest to curtail its employees’ freedom to seek new and better opportunities,” says the streamer in an opening brief submitted late Wednesday to the 2nd District Court of Appeal (Read It Here).
Citing a number of “key, threshold legal” errors with the December 2019 final ruling by Judge Marc Gross, the now very establishment Netflix is widening its scope to battle the “Hollywood establishment” and its “dim view of employee mobility” in the otherwise free-to-be me Golden State.
This all started back in September 2016, when Fox went after the streamer alleging it...
- 9/3/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix filed an appeal on Tuesday in the Fox employee-poaching lawsuit, arguing that Hollywood’s traditional employment arrangements impede mobility and must be disrupted.
A Santa Monica Superior Court judge ordered Netflix last December to stop poaching Fox employees, finding that the streaming service had flagrantly induced employees to break their fixed-term contracts.
In an appeal to the 2nd District Court of Appeal, Netflix argues that it is taking on the “Hollywood establishment” by challenging the “unwritten rules” against competing for talent.
“The Hollywood establishment… takes a dim view of employee mobility,” the filing states, invoking battles over personal services contracts under the old studio system. “The studios have long done their best to maintain their hold on talent, as reflected by decades of litigation over these restraints.”
Fox sued Netflix in 2016, after the streaming service hired Marcos Waltenberg, 20th Century Fox’s vice president of promotions, and Tara Flynn,...
A Santa Monica Superior Court judge ordered Netflix last December to stop poaching Fox employees, finding that the streaming service had flagrantly induced employees to break their fixed-term contracts.
In an appeal to the 2nd District Court of Appeal, Netflix argues that it is taking on the “Hollywood establishment” by challenging the “unwritten rules” against competing for talent.
“The Hollywood establishment… takes a dim view of employee mobility,” the filing states, invoking battles over personal services contracts under the old studio system. “The studios have long done their best to maintain their hold on talent, as reflected by decades of litigation over these restraints.”
Fox sued Netflix in 2016, after the streaming service hired Marcos Waltenberg, 20th Century Fox’s vice president of promotions, and Tara Flynn,...
- 9/3/2020
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Entertainment One UK has launched the first trailer for the animated animal adventure ‘Two By Two: Overboard’.
Noah’s ark drifts on the open seas, with best friends Finny and Leah on board. But, after weeks with no land in sight, food stocks are running low. The fragile peace between carnivores and herbivores could break any second.
After a series of unfortunate events, the kids find themselves inadvertently washed overboard – along with the last of the food supplies! Leah and fellow castaway, their new friend Jelly, are marooned on a remote island. While Finny wakes in a strange colony filled with oddly familiar creatures living in harmony – under the threat of a menacing volcano!
In a race against time, tide and terrifying tremors, Finny must rescue his friends, reunite with his family and save a whole colony from total destruction.
Directed by Toby Genkel & Sean McCormack, the animation features a...
Noah’s ark drifts on the open seas, with best friends Finny and Leah on board. But, after weeks with no land in sight, food stocks are running low. The fragile peace between carnivores and herbivores could break any second.
After a series of unfortunate events, the kids find themselves inadvertently washed overboard – along with the last of the food supplies! Leah and fellow castaway, their new friend Jelly, are marooned on a remote island. While Finny wakes in a strange colony filled with oddly familiar creatures living in harmony – under the threat of a menacing volcano!
In a race against time, tide and terrifying tremors, Finny must rescue his friends, reunite with his family and save a whole colony from total destruction.
Directed by Toby Genkel & Sean McCormack, the animation features a...
- 8/13/2020
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Two weeks after a Los Angeles Superior Court judge ruled 20th Century Fox was entitled to injunctive relief in its long-running executive-poaching lawsuit against Netflix, Fox has agreed to drop two claims of tortious interference.
The agreement makes it more likely than ever that the rivals will not go to trial over the dispute that began in 2016. That trial-date start for now remains scheduled for January 27, as Netflix previously said it planned to appeal Judge Marc Gross’ original December 10 ruling.
In a joint stipulation order (read it here) filed earlier this week by the companies’ respective lawyers, the filing notes that despite the two dropped claims “Netflix is not precluded from arguing that the Court’s finding of triable issues of fact as to damages under Claim 1 and Claim 2 bars summary adjudication for Fox on Claim 3,” which remains, claims unlawful and unfair business practices under California law.
Fox, now owned by Disney,...
The agreement makes it more likely than ever that the rivals will not go to trial over the dispute that began in 2016. That trial-date start for now remains scheduled for January 27, as Netflix previously said it planned to appeal Judge Marc Gross’ original December 10 ruling.
In a joint stipulation order (read it here) filed earlier this week by the companies’ respective lawyers, the filing notes that despite the two dropped claims “Netflix is not precluded from arguing that the Court’s finding of triable issues of fact as to damages under Claim 1 and Claim 2 bars summary adjudication for Fox on Claim 3,” which remains, claims unlawful and unfair business practices under California law.
Fox, now owned by Disney,...
- 12/26/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney's Fox unit has dropped two interference claims against Netflix. The move, made official in court papers filed Dec. 24, represents something other than a Christmas gift for the streamer whose recruitment of entertainment executives under contract set off a high-stakes legal battle. Instead, Fox's dropped claims all but guarantees there will be no trial in January. The two companies are likely to move to the appellate stage sooner rather than later.
Fox sued back in September 2016 upon the flight of production executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg. Netflix responded with a countersuit alleging that the executives'...
Fox sued back in September 2016 upon the flight of production executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg. Netflix responded with a countersuit alleging that the executives'...
- 12/26/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
A Los Angeles court has handed Netflix an injunction barring the streamer from continuing to poach employees from Fox.
The ruling came down on Tuesday according to Variety, and comes two weeks after Judge Marc Gross issued a tentative ruling indicating his stance on the case, bringing to an end the roughly three-year suit the now Disney-owned Fox brought against Netflix.
Gross wrote in his 57-page filing on Tuesday that Fox is entitled to injunctive relief, as follows: “Netflix shall not solicit employees who are subject to valid Fixed-Term Employment Agreements with Fox or induce such employees to breach their valid Fixed-Term Employment Agreements with Fox.”
Also Read: Golden Globes Nominees by the Numbers: Netflix Rules in Both TV and Film
The court’s decision on Tuesday takes major steps in holding up the validity of fixed-term employment agreements, which have been standard practice in the industry. A win...
The ruling came down on Tuesday according to Variety, and comes two weeks after Judge Marc Gross issued a tentative ruling indicating his stance on the case, bringing to an end the roughly three-year suit the now Disney-owned Fox brought against Netflix.
Gross wrote in his 57-page filing on Tuesday that Fox is entitled to injunctive relief, as follows: “Netflix shall not solicit employees who are subject to valid Fixed-Term Employment Agreements with Fox or induce such employees to breach their valid Fixed-Term Employment Agreements with Fox.”
Also Read: Golden Globes Nominees by the Numbers: Netflix Rules in Both TV and Film
The court’s decision on Tuesday takes major steps in holding up the validity of fixed-term employment agreements, which have been standard practice in the industry. A win...
- 12/11/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Updated, 3:29 Pm: Fox won’t be getting its $1 in damages in the long-running executive-poaching battle with Netflix, but the streamer won’t be snagging any more employees of the now Disney-owned studio or maybe anyone else.
Two weeks after Judge Marc Gross issued a tentative ruling that seemed to snap off Netflix’s attempt to challenge industry employment contracts, the Los Angeles Superior Court official made it official Tuesday with a final ruling affirming the tentative.
The court finds Fox is entitled to injunctive relief, as follows: Netflix shall not solicit employees who are subject to valid Fixed-Term Employment Agreements with Fox or induce such employees to breach their valid Fixed-Term Employment Agreements with Fox,” said Gross, as clear as day, in today’s 57-page ruling.
“Today’s ruling by the Court brings to an end years of unlawful practices by Netflix,” said Fox lead lawyer Daniel Petrocelli.
Two weeks after Judge Marc Gross issued a tentative ruling that seemed to snap off Netflix’s attempt to challenge industry employment contracts, the Los Angeles Superior Court official made it official Tuesday with a final ruling affirming the tentative.
The court finds Fox is entitled to injunctive relief, as follows: Netflix shall not solicit employees who are subject to valid Fixed-Term Employment Agreements with Fox or induce such employees to breach their valid Fixed-Term Employment Agreements with Fox,” said Gross, as clear as day, in today’s 57-page ruling.
“Today’s ruling by the Court brings to an end years of unlawful practices by Netflix,” said Fox lead lawyer Daniel Petrocelli.
- 12/10/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix may have taken a pounding last month in its ongoing fight with now Disney-owned Fox over the alleged poaching of two executives, but the streamer has come out swinging to keep key contracts with top-tier talent out of the legal ring and public eye.
“This litigation concerns the interference with and enforceability of Fox’s exclusive employment agreements with its business executives that contain a specified term,” the Reed Hastings-run company said in an objection filed last week (read it here) and made pubic late yesterday. “It does not concern Netflix contracts at all, and it certainly does not concern Netflix’s (or any company’s) ‘above-the-line’ talent agreements.”
“Netflix’s above-the-line talent agreements are not even remotely similar to Fox’s agreements,” the home of Stranger Things. The Crown and more states.
“They are not employment agreements, they do not require the individuals to work exclusively for Netflix,...
“This litigation concerns the interference with and enforceability of Fox’s exclusive employment agreements with its business executives that contain a specified term,” the Reed Hastings-run company said in an objection filed last week (read it here) and made pubic late yesterday. “It does not concern Netflix contracts at all, and it certainly does not concern Netflix’s (or any company’s) ‘above-the-line’ talent agreements.”
“Netflix’s above-the-line talent agreements are not even remotely similar to Fox’s agreements,” the home of Stranger Things. The Crown and more states.
“They are not employment agreements, they do not require the individuals to work exclusively for Netflix,...
- 7/23/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
(Updated With Tentative Ruling Being Made Final) Turns out that Netflix’s invoking Olivia de Havilland in its long legal tussle with Fox and now Disney over snagging executives a few years back and pushing back against employment contracts did the streamer about as much good as the two-time Oscar winner’s unsuccessful feud with FX over Feud.
“This court does not believe the overall legislative intent behind Labor Code §2855(a) would be served by the blanket ruling Netflix seeks, one that would prohibit all employees under contract in any business or context from engaging in continuous employment with the same employer for more than seven years,” a tentative decision from a Los Angeles Superior Court judge wrote Wednesday.
Coming just before a hearing in Santa Monica this morning, the left hook by Judge Marc Gross slams the always wide-swinging argument by the Reed Hastings-run company that the agreements...
“This court does not believe the overall legislative intent behind Labor Code §2855(a) would be served by the blanket ruling Netflix seeks, one that would prohibit all employees under contract in any business or context from engaging in continuous employment with the same employer for more than seven years,” a tentative decision from a Los Angeles Superior Court judge wrote Wednesday.
Coming just before a hearing in Santa Monica this morning, the left hook by Judge Marc Gross slams the always wide-swinging argument by the Reed Hastings-run company that the agreements...
- 6/5/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
There are many reasons to pay attention to the legal fight between 21st Century Fox and Netflix over the flight of entertainment executives under contracts. One barely considered: The battle has a shot at totally disrupting professional sports.
Consider, for example, Fox's latest brief in the case that began when Netflix recruited programming executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg, and Fox sued.
Netflix is putting forward the theory on cross-claims that Fox's use of restrictive fixed-term employment agreements for Flynn and Waltenberg amounts to an illegal system that restrains employee mobility, depresses compensation for workers and ...
Consider, for example, Fox's latest brief in the case that began when Netflix recruited programming executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg, and Fox sued.
Netflix is putting forward the theory on cross-claims that Fox's use of restrictive fixed-term employment agreements for Flynn and Waltenberg amounts to an illegal system that restrains employee mobility, depresses compensation for workers and ...
- 5/15/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Quitting a job is always a big decision, but few resignations have the potential to impact an entire industry as deeply as the one handed in by Tara Flynn on Aug. 17, 2016.
In the six years leading up to that day, Flynn worked at Fox 21, a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox, where she ran point as a creative executive on some of the studio's most lauded television shows, including Showtime's Homeland and FX's The Americans. Although she achieved great successes during her tenure, a few things irked her. For instance, back in 2012, she was offered her first ...
In the six years leading up to that day, Flynn worked at Fox 21, a subsidiary of 21st Century Fox, where she ran point as a creative executive on some of the studio's most lauded television shows, including Showtime's Homeland and FX's The Americans. Although she achieved great successes during her tenure, a few things irked her. For instance, back in 2012, she was offered her first ...
- 2/28/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
There is a good chance the nearly three-year-old legal war between Fox and Netflix over executive poaching by the streaming service will still go to trial in May. However, if new motions see the case tossed beforehand and there is no trial, the studio still owned by Rupert Murdoch says it will seeking damages of “only $1 for this cause of action with this motion.”
The “motion” is a somewhat redacted summary judgment filing that 20th Century Fox Film Corporation and Fox 21 dropped in the court docket late Friday to hit back at the similar motion Netflix fired off earlier that day.
“‘Disrupting’ Fox’s contracts by inducing their breach is unlawful in this state, as Netflix well knows,” the often colorfully worded 27-page motion from Fox outside lawyers Daniel Petrocelli, Molly Lens and David Marroso of O’Melveny & Myers Llp says near the top (read it here).
“Having no real defense,...
The “motion” is a somewhat redacted summary judgment filing that 20th Century Fox Film Corporation and Fox 21 dropped in the court docket late Friday to hit back at the similar motion Netflix fired off earlier that day.
“‘Disrupting’ Fox’s contracts by inducing their breach is unlawful in this state, as Netflix well knows,” the often colorfully worded 27-page motion from Fox outside lawyers Daniel Petrocelli, Molly Lens and David Marroso of O’Melveny & Myers Llp says near the top (read it here).
“Having no real defense,...
- 2/4/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
(Updated 6:15 Pm Pt with Fox statement) Fox and Netflix’s long legal dust-up over the streamer’s snatching of two executives almost three years ago is heating up as the former attempts to get the upcoming trial pushed back and the sparring latter wants to draw Rupert Murdoch’s New Fox and almost every other studio in town into the damning action.
“No longer content — or able — to lock in the stars, Fox seeks to lock into place for years at a time the innumerable marketing, accounting, production, and other business executives who conduct its daily business, using onerous, one-sided contract terms and baseless threats,” declares the Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe Llp represented Reed Hastings run streamer in a filing today (read it here). “But in doing so, Fox has indisputably violated long-standing California public policy that protects employee mobility and prizes free and fair competition, including competition for skilled...
“No longer content — or able — to lock in the stars, Fox seeks to lock into place for years at a time the innumerable marketing, accounting, production, and other business executives who conduct its daily business, using onerous, one-sided contract terms and baseless threats,” declares the Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe Llp represented Reed Hastings run streamer in a filing today (read it here). “But in doing so, Fox has indisputably violated long-standing California public policy that protects employee mobility and prizes free and fair competition, including competition for skilled...
- 2/1/2019
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
On Jan. 22, the announcement officially came that Netflix was joining the Motion Picture Association of America. Just a day later, the streaming giant had a bit of a gift for some of its fellow members — subpoenas to Disney, Paramount Pictures, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros plus DreamWorks Animation and Lions Gate Entertainment. Netflix demanded business records in connection with its ongoing fight to free executives from the shackles of fixed-term contracts.
The dispute dates to the defections of Tara Flynn, a former development executive at Fox 21 TV Studios who left for Netflix in September 2016, and Marcos Waltenberg, a ...
The dispute dates to the defections of Tara Flynn, a former development executive at Fox 21 TV Studios who left for Netflix in September 2016, and Marcos Waltenberg, a ...
On Jan. 22, the announcement officially came that Netflix was joining the Motion Picture Association of America. Just a day later, the streaming giant had a bit of a gift for some of its fellow members — subpoenas to Disney, Paramount Pictures, NBCUniversal, Warner Bros plus DreamWorks Animation and Lions Gate Entertainment. Netflix demanded business records in connection with its ongoing fight to free executives from the shackles of fixed-term contracts.
The dispute dates to the defections of Tara Flynn, a former development executive at Fox 21 TV Studios who left for Netflix in September 2016, and Marcos Waltenberg, a ...
The dispute dates to the defections of Tara Flynn, a former development executive at Fox 21 TV Studios who left for Netflix in September 2016, and Marcos Waltenberg, a ...
I’d say, stop me if you’ve heard this one before, but that would take all the urgency and disruption out of Netflix’s latest hiring legal dust-up.
Two years ago, Fox took the well-paying streamer to court for poaching two executives still under contract and now Viacom are making the same move over Momita SenGupta joining Netflix as VP of physical production for original series.
“Netflix was aware that Sengupta was under a term Employment Agreement with Viacom,” the October 5 filing in L.A. Superior Court and now before Judge Richard Rico states (read it here). “Despite that fact, and flouting well-settled law that applies to all who do business in California, Netflix engaged in an illegal course of dealing designed to tortiously induce Sengupta to breach her Employment Agreement with Viacom so that she could commence employment with Netflix immediately,” it adds of the former Evp in Viacom’s Production Management,...
Two years ago, Fox took the well-paying streamer to court for poaching two executives still under contract and now Viacom are making the same move over Momita SenGupta joining Netflix as VP of physical production for original series.
“Netflix was aware that Sengupta was under a term Employment Agreement with Viacom,” the October 5 filing in L.A. Superior Court and now before Judge Richard Rico states (read it here). “Despite that fact, and flouting well-settled law that applies to all who do business in California, Netflix engaged in an illegal course of dealing designed to tortiously induce Sengupta to breach her Employment Agreement with Viacom so that she could commence employment with Netflix immediately,” it adds of the former Evp in Viacom’s Production Management,...
- 10/16/2018
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix is being sued by Viacom over its hiring practices after the streaming giant hired an employee that was still under contract with the company.
Last week, Netflix hired 10-year Viacom vet Momita SenGupta as VP of physical production for its original series. Now, Viacom has said that Netflix “sought her out and knowingly and deliberately induced her to breach her employment contract,” in a suit filed on Oct. 5 in L.A. Superior Court.
SenGupta’s contract wasn’t set to expire until April 2020.
Also Read: Netflix Q3 Earnings Preview: Can 'Ozark,' 'Black Panther' Drive International Growth?
“Netflix has signaled that it has no intention of complying with the law, and that its illegal attempts to induce Viacom employees to break their contracts without consequence will not be limited to SenGupta,” Viacom attorney Anthony J. Oncidi, wrote in the suit. “Netflix’s tortious interference with an enforceable...
Last week, Netflix hired 10-year Viacom vet Momita SenGupta as VP of physical production for its original series. Now, Viacom has said that Netflix “sought her out and knowingly and deliberately induced her to breach her employment contract,” in a suit filed on Oct. 5 in L.A. Superior Court.
SenGupta’s contract wasn’t set to expire until April 2020.
Also Read: Netflix Q3 Earnings Preview: Can 'Ozark,' 'Black Panther' Drive International Growth?
“Netflix has signaled that it has no intention of complying with the law, and that its illegal attempts to induce Viacom employees to break their contracts without consequence will not be limited to SenGupta,” Viacom attorney Anthony J. Oncidi, wrote in the suit. “Netflix’s tortious interference with an enforceable...
- 10/16/2018
- by Tim Baysinger
- The Wrap
Viacom is joining the battle against Netflix’s hiring practices, filing a suit that accuses the streaming service of poaching a TV production executive.
Netflix announced last week that it had hired Momita SenGupta as vice president of physical production for its original series. SenGupta had worked for 10 years at Viacom, most recently overseeing physical production at Comedy Central, Spike, MTV, and VH1.
In the suit filed on Oct. 5 in L.A. Superior Court, Viacom alleges that Netflix induced SenGupta to breach her contract, which was not set to expire until April 21, 2020.
“Netflix has signaled that it has no intention of complying with the law, and that its illegal attempts to induce Viacom employees to break their contracts without consequence will not be limited to SenGupta,” Viacom attorney Anthony J. Oncidi alleged. “Netflix’s tortious interference with an enforceable term employment agreement is neither trailblazing nor innovative — rather, it’s...
Netflix announced last week that it had hired Momita SenGupta as vice president of physical production for its original series. SenGupta had worked for 10 years at Viacom, most recently overseeing physical production at Comedy Central, Spike, MTV, and VH1.
In the suit filed on Oct. 5 in L.A. Superior Court, Viacom alleges that Netflix induced SenGupta to breach her contract, which was not set to expire until April 21, 2020.
“Netflix has signaled that it has no intention of complying with the law, and that its illegal attempts to induce Viacom employees to break their contracts without consequence will not be limited to SenGupta,” Viacom attorney Anthony J. Oncidi alleged. “Netflix’s tortious interference with an enforceable term employment agreement is neither trailblazing nor innovative — rather, it’s...
- 10/16/2018
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Almost two years after Fox took Netflix to court for poaching two executives still under contract, the streaming service and the still Rupert Murdoch owned studio have a trial date for next year.
In a hearing this morning out at the Santa Monica courthouse, a L.A. Superior Court Judge Gerald Rosenberg decided that the parties would go into the potentially final stretch of their potentially highly influential dust-up on June 17, 2019.
This is just the latest turn in a case that has been full of twists and a number of steps back for Fox’s efforts to demand the enforceability of employment agreements in California. On a hiring spree the past few years as content, distribution and marketing demands have surged, even when subscribers haven’t always, the Reed Hastings run Netflix has basically insisted that such contracts are unfairly restrictive and invalid.
If the streaming service prevails in this case at trial,...
In a hearing this morning out at the Santa Monica courthouse, a L.A. Superior Court Judge Gerald Rosenberg decided that the parties would go into the potentially final stretch of their potentially highly influential dust-up on June 17, 2019.
This is just the latest turn in a case that has been full of twists and a number of steps back for Fox’s efforts to demand the enforceability of employment agreements in California. On a hiring spree the past few years as content, distribution and marketing demands have surged, even when subscribers haven’t always, the Reed Hastings run Netflix has basically insisted that such contracts are unfairly restrictive and invalid.
If the streaming service prevails in this case at trial,...
- 7/24/2018
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The California Court of Appeal today rejected Fox’s legal efforts to have the courts throw out Netflix’s long-running lawsuit challenging its employment contracts on free speech grounds.
Back in September 2016, Fox sued Netflix claiming it had illegally poached two of its executives and encouraged them to break their employment contracts. Netflix responded with a counter-suit soon after, arguing that Fox engaged in unlawful and anti-competitive business practices by locking its employees into restrictive fixed-term employment agreements that limit their job mobility.
The studio sought to have Netflix’s complaint thrown out as a free speech violation: arguing that the streaming service’s litigation hinged on protected communications with Fox’s lawyers as well as with its former employees, Tara Flynn and Marcos Waltenberg.
The Los Angeles Superior Court trial court denied Fox’s anti-slapp motion, finding Netflix’s suit hinged on restrictive employment agreements, not on threats from its lawyers to sue Netflix for poaching its employees. The state Court of Appeal agreed with the lower court’s ruling. (read it here.)
“The acts that supply the elements of Netflix’s claims are Fox’s alleged business practices of utilizing fixed-term agreements with allegedly unlawful and restrictive clauses and selectively determining which employees will be allowed to terminate those contracts early,” the appeals court judges found. “Netflix does not allege the cease and desist letter (or eventual filing of Fox’s complaint) supports any of its claims for liability.”
In the elongated court war on many fronts, Netflix issued a statement Friday applauding this latest decision.
“We appreciate the court’s careful consideration of the arguments and are pleased to see that the decision fully supports Netflix,” the company said in a statement. “Fox has prevented Netflix from litigating its challenge to Fox’s illegal employment practices, and this decision puts an end to that delay. This is an important case and we are encouraged that it now can move forward.”
Fox declined comment.
Today’s ruling has no bearing on the underlying suit, which was filed two years ago. The outcome of Netflix’s legal challenge to the enforceability of these agreements in California is especially relevant now, as Fox has agreed to sell much of its television and film business to The Walt Disney Co.
The combination of the two media companies is bound to displace studio employees — Btig analyst Rich Greenfield estimated as that 5,000 or more jobs could be at stake. Some might want to jump before the axe falls.
Back in September 2016, Fox sued Netflix claiming it had illegally poached two of its executives and encouraged them to break their employment contracts. Netflix responded with a counter-suit soon after, arguing that Fox engaged in unlawful and anti-competitive business practices by locking its employees into restrictive fixed-term employment agreements that limit their job mobility.
The studio sought to have Netflix’s complaint thrown out as a free speech violation: arguing that the streaming service’s litigation hinged on protected communications with Fox’s lawyers as well as with its former employees, Tara Flynn and Marcos Waltenberg.
The Los Angeles Superior Court trial court denied Fox’s anti-slapp motion, finding Netflix’s suit hinged on restrictive employment agreements, not on threats from its lawyers to sue Netflix for poaching its employees. The state Court of Appeal agreed with the lower court’s ruling. (read it here.)
“The acts that supply the elements of Netflix’s claims are Fox’s alleged business practices of utilizing fixed-term agreements with allegedly unlawful and restrictive clauses and selectively determining which employees will be allowed to terminate those contracts early,” the appeals court judges found. “Netflix does not allege the cease and desist letter (or eventual filing of Fox’s complaint) supports any of its claims for liability.”
In the elongated court war on many fronts, Netflix issued a statement Friday applauding this latest decision.
“We appreciate the court’s careful consideration of the arguments and are pleased to see that the decision fully supports Netflix,” the company said in a statement. “Fox has prevented Netflix from litigating its challenge to Fox’s illegal employment practices, and this decision puts an end to that delay. This is an important case and we are encouraged that it now can move forward.”
Fox declined comment.
Today’s ruling has no bearing on the underlying suit, which was filed two years ago. The outcome of Netflix’s legal challenge to the enforceability of these agreements in California is especially relevant now, as Fox has agreed to sell much of its television and film business to The Walt Disney Co.
The combination of the two media companies is bound to displace studio employees — Btig analyst Rich Greenfield estimated as that 5,000 or more jobs could be at stake. Some might want to jump before the axe falls.
- 6/29/2018
- by Dawn C. Chmielewski and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
A three-judge panel on Friday rejected an appeal from 20th Century Fox, allowing rival Netflix to proceed with a lawsuit that seeks to invalidate Fox’s fixed-term employment agreements.
The high-stakes case could establish whether studios can prevent their employees from leaving before their contracts expire. Fox accuses Netflix of poaching two employees, Marcos Waltenberg and Tara Flynn, in 2016. Netflix countersued, arguing that Fox should not be able to keep the employees against their will.
Attorneys for Fox asked a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to throw out the Netflix countersuit, arguing that it concerned protected speech under the California anti-slapp statute. The judge rejected the motion, causing Fox to appeal.
On Friday, a three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s ruling, deciding that the Netflix countersuit is not barred by the anti-slapp statute.
“In our independent judgment, Netflix’s cross-claims do not...
The high-stakes case could establish whether studios can prevent their employees from leaving before their contracts expire. Fox accuses Netflix of poaching two employees, Marcos Waltenberg and Tara Flynn, in 2016. Netflix countersued, arguing that Fox should not be able to keep the employees against their will.
Attorneys for Fox asked a Los Angeles Superior Court judge to throw out the Netflix countersuit, arguing that it concerned protected speech under the California anti-slapp statute. The judge rejected the motion, causing Fox to appeal.
On Friday, a three-judge panel of the 2nd District Court of Appeal upheld the lower court’s ruling, deciding that the Netflix countersuit is not barred by the anti-slapp statute.
“In our independent judgment, Netflix’s cross-claims do not...
- 6/29/2018
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix has successfully turned a fight over the poaching of two entertainment executives into an ambitious challenge to Hollywood's longstanding practice of using fixed-term employment contracts. On Friday, a California appeals court affirmed a trial judge's decision to allow the streaming giant to move forward on counterclaims against 20th Century Fox Film Corporation.
The dispute emanates from the defections of Tara Flynn, a former development executive at Fox 21 TV Studios who left for Netflix in September 2016, and Marcos Waltenberg, a former Fox film marketing exec who joined Netflix earlier that year.
Fox sued Netflix alleging a "...
The dispute emanates from the defections of Tara Flynn, a former development executive at Fox 21 TV Studios who left for Netflix in September 2016, and Marcos Waltenberg, a former Fox film marketing exec who joined Netflix earlier that year.
Fox sued Netflix alleging a "...
- 6/29/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Attorneys for Netflix and Fox traded arguments on Tuesday in a high-stakes case involving the alleged poaching of two Fox employees.
The case revolves around the key question of whether 20th Century Fox, or any studio, can hold its employees to fixed-term contracts. Two Fox employees, Marcos Waltenberg and Tara Flynn, left for jobs with the streaming giant in 2016. It is not uncommon for employees to leave before their contracts are up, but Fox chose to sue Netflix to combat what it saw as poaching. Netflix has countered that Fox’s contracts illegally bind employees to the company in a practice akin to slavery.
The potential consequences of the case are far-reaching, and so the case has been aggressively litigated on both sides. Netflix filed a countersuit, seeking to have Fox’s agreements deemed unenforceable. Fox then filed a motion to strike the countersuit under California’s anti-slapp statute, which protects public debate,...
The case revolves around the key question of whether 20th Century Fox, or any studio, can hold its employees to fixed-term contracts. Two Fox employees, Marcos Waltenberg and Tara Flynn, left for jobs with the streaming giant in 2016. It is not uncommon for employees to leave before their contracts are up, but Fox chose to sue Netflix to combat what it saw as poaching. Netflix has countered that Fox’s contracts illegally bind employees to the company in a practice akin to slavery.
The potential consequences of the case are far-reaching, and so the case has been aggressively litigated on both sides. Netflix filed a countersuit, seeking to have Fox’s agreements deemed unenforceable. Fox then filed a motion to strike the countersuit under California’s anti-slapp statute, which protects public debate,...
- 4/11/2018
- by Gene Maddaus
- Variety Film + TV
Executive-poaching in Hollywood isn't a topic that often gets litigated, and a dispute between Fox and Netflix is primed to become even more provocative. In advance of a court hearing on Thursday, a Los Angeles Superior Court judge has issued a tentative order denying Fox's attempt to stop Netflix from boldly challenging fixed-term employment agreements.
The lawsuit began in September when Fox sued over Netflix's poaching of programming executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg.
That brought counterclaims from Netflix over Fox's employment agreements. Netflix claims that Fox is bullying employees with "take it or leave it" deals...
The lawsuit began in September when Fox sued over Netflix's poaching of programming executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg.
That brought counterclaims from Netflix over Fox's employment agreements. Netflix claims that Fox is bullying employees with "take it or leave it" deals...
- 1/18/2017
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Netflix is mounting what could be a groundbreaking challenge to fixed-term employment agreements. Even 21st Century Fox acknowledges what Netflix is doing is "audacious." In a motion submitted in court on Wednesday, Fox is asking a judge to put a stop on Netflix's efforts to have its employment agreements deemed invalid. The content giant contends Netflix is impermissibly basing counterclaims premised on Fox's own lawsuit over the way two of its executives were poached.
Fox filed suit in September with the allegation that Netflix had induced programming executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg to breach their contracts. The...
Fox filed suit in September with the allegation that Netflix had induced programming executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg to breach their contracts. The...
- 12/7/2016
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
"Did we just hire Roger Ailes?" That was a joke flying around Netflix's Beverly Hills offices Sept. 16 when 21st Century Fox filed a surprise lawsuit accusing the company of improperly poaching Fox employees. Many at Netflix were caught off guard by the suit, which blamed the streaming giant for inducing breaches of contract by Tara Flynn, a development executive at Fox 21 TV Studios who left for Netflix in early September, and Marcos Waltenberg, a Fox film marketing exec who defected earlier this year. Netflix, flush with its $40 billion market cap, has been on a hiring spree, and the
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- 9/29/2016
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
21st Century Fox is accusing Netflix in a lawsuit of running a "brazen campaign to unlawfully target, recruit, and poach valuable Fox executives by illegally inducing them to break their employment contracts with Fox to work at Netflix." Fox is now seeking an injunction from a Los Angeles Superior Court judge that prohibits Netflix from interfering with its contracts with executives. The lawsuit follows Netflix' hiring of programming executive Tara Flynn and marketing executive Marcos Waltenberg. According to the complaint, Flynn had an employment agreement with Fox that began in 2013, ran for two years, and gave Fox the
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- 9/16/2016
- by Eriq Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
As its original portfolio continues to expand at a breakneck speed, Netflix has added another development executive to its Original Series team. Tara Flynn has joined the internet network where she will be working primarily on drama series, reporting to Peter Friedlander. (Netflix executives oversee both development and current series.) Flynn comes to Netflix from Fox 21 TV Studios where she was VP Creative Affairs. Her last day was Friday. Flynn was promoted to VP last…...
- 9/8/2016
- Deadline TV
This spectacularly ill-conceived movie is what happens when a cheap ripoff cannot even rise to the level of crass Hollywood junk. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
The story of Noah’s ark is rather bizarre in its original incarnation, but what this cheap European animated film does with it is almost beyond comprehension. And not in a good way.
Not everyone is gonna get a berth on the ark — ya gotta be on the list, like it’s a hot nightclub or something — and Nestrians Dave (the voice of Dermot Magennis) and his son, Finny (the voice of Callum Maloney), don’t rate. What the heck are Nestrians? Imagine stuffed carnival prizes designed by a kindergartner come to annoying life. (Finny, who has no fins, is constantly threatening to hug anyone who will stand still.
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
The story of Noah’s ark is rather bizarre in its original incarnation, but what this cheap European animated film does with it is almost beyond comprehension. And not in a good way.
Not everyone is gonna get a berth on the ark — ya gotta be on the list, like it’s a hot nightclub or something — and Nestrians Dave (the voice of Dermot Magennis) and his son, Finny (the voice of Callum Maloney), don’t rate. What the heck are Nestrians? Imagine stuffed carnival prizes designed by a kindergartner come to annoying life. (Finny, who has no fins, is constantly threatening to hug anyone who will stand still.
- 5/1/2015
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
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