Heavyweights

Stars Align for San Quentin Film Festival: Industry Heavyweights Join Incarcerated Filmmakers in Unique Jury for Second Annual Event

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San Quentin, California — The San Quentin Film Festival is gearing up for its second annual event, building on its historic debut as the first film festival ever held within a prison. This year, a distinguished industry jury has been announced, featuring prominent figures including Vanessa Williams, Esai Morales, Jesse Williams, and Celine Song. The jury will evaluate both narrative and documentary short films created by filmmakers who are currently or formerly incarcerated. In addition, there will be pitch competitions highlighting the best screenplay and documentary proposals from writers still serving time. Among this year’s … Read more

Maine’s Packaging EPR Law Faces Controversial Amendments: A Battle Between Environmental Advocates and Industry Heavyweights

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Augusta, Maine – Maine, recognized as a pioneer in extending Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging, is set to amend its original legislation through the introduction of a new bill, LD 1423. While the state enacted the first EPR law in the United States back in 2021, the proposed changes now face pushback from environmental groups who worry that the revisions could detract from the law’s intended benefits. The Natural Resources Council of Maine, an organization that played a significant role in the original law’s passage, expressed strong dissent during recent legislative hearings. Officials described … Read more

Sarah Jessica Parker to Judge 2025 Booker Prize, Joins Panel with Literary Heavyweights

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LONDON — In an unexpected crossover between Hollywood and the literary world, Sarah Jessica Parker, famous for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in “Sex and the City,” has been named a judge for the 2025 Booker Prize. The announcement, made Tuesday by the competition organizers, highlighted an eclectic panel that also includes notable figures from around the globe. The panel will be led by Roddy Doyle, an esteemed Irish novelist whose book “Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha” clinched the Booker Prize in 1993. Joining him and Parker will be Nigerian author Ayobami Adebayo, British writer … Read more