Venice Film Festival ends with Golden Lion at stake after 'NAZA' draws record ovation

VENICE, Italy (AP) — The 83rd Venice Film Festival wraps up Saturday with the jury awards, including the Golden Lion. Maggie Gyllenhaal leads the jury, and it's up in the air whether the awards will favor Hollywood, international films, or current events. The documentary “NAZA” received a record 25-minute standing ovation. It explores the war in Gaza and systemic issues, making it a strong contender. Other films like “Wild Horse Nine” and “Possible Love” also impressed audiences. The jury, which includes filmmakers from various countries, will make the final decisions. Venice juries have surprised in the past, so anything is possible.

Trump wants the Smithsonian Institution to install George Washington statues and exhibit

President Donald Trump wants the Smithsonian Institution to install a colossal statue of George Washington outside the National Museum of American History. In late night social media posts Friday, he also asked for a special exhibit honoring Washington to run through Feb. 22, 2032, marking the 300th anniversary of Washington’s birth. He suggested replacing the current “Infinity” sculpture in front of the museum with a 30-foot statue of Washington. It’s unclear if Trump has the power to enforce these changes, as the Smithsonian operates outside the executive branch.

What's happening at TIFF: An 'Obsession' victory lap, MIA studios and a taxidermy musical

TORONTO (AP) — A year after Curry Barker first premiered “Obsession” at TIFF, the filmmaker and his star, Inde Navarrette, returned for a victory lap. At the midnight section of last year’s festival, “Obsession” first hit audiences, quickly prompting a bidding war. Focus Features landed the $750,000 indie horror film for about $15 million in what would become one of the most lucrative festival acquisitions ever. This year, “Obsession” grossed $512 million worldwide. Their return was partly strategic. Focus is now gearing up “Obsession” for an awards season campaign, running the film in many categories, including best picture and best actress for 25-year-old Navarrette.

‘CODA’ didn’t change Hollywood's attitude about disability. Siân Heder hopes ‘Being Heumann’ can

TORONTO (AP) — “CODA,” the first film featuring a largely deaf cast to triumph at the Oscars, marked a watershed moment for the film industry. But five years later, its director Siân Heder has seen any momentary embrace by Hollywood of the those with disabilities come and go. In “Being Heumann,” the opening night film of TIFF, Heder again strove for authenticity in a cast peopled with disabled actors. The film is about disability rights pioneer Judy Heumann and the 28-day sit-in she led with more than 100 other demonstrators in 1977. It's Heder’s attempt to not only pay tribute to the relentless, hardscrabble protest movement, but to challenge the way movies are made.

Rapper Lil Durk acquitted of murder-for-hire at Los Angeles trial

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A federal jury has found rapper Lil Durk not guilty of attempted murder for hire of rival rapper Quando Rondo. The shooting at a Los Angeles gas station resulted in the death of Rondo’s cousin. The jury deliberated for three days before acquitting Lil Durk of conspiracy and murder for hire. Supporters including Machine Gun Kelly and Ye attended the trial. Durk remains in custody pending a racketeering trial. Prosecutors alleged Durk paid to have Rondo killed after a member of Rondo’s entourage fatally shot rapper King Von in 2020. Durk's legal name is Durk Banks.

GOP and Democratic officials in Nashville unite over renaming airport for Dolly Parton

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — In Nashville, Tennessee, Republican and Democratic leaders are in an ugly partisan battle over who controls the city's airport, but they agree on one thing. It should be renamed to honor the state's favorite daughter, Dolly Parton. Parton, who passed away two weeks ago, has previously declined such honors. On Friday, the state-controlled Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority unanimously approved a motion to begin the renaming process. Nashville officials say a competing city-controlled authority is also in favor. Officials say the renaming process could take a year or more. Hurdles include working with Parton’s estate to determine how they might split profits from merchandise sales, among other things.

At the Venice Film Festival, grappling with the state of the world and crying with Oasis

VENICE, Italy (AP) — The Venice Film Festival this year focused more on global issues than Hollywood. Elon Musk appeared frequently in films often as a symbol of modern challenges. Movies like “NAZA” and “My Undesirable Friends: Part II—Exile” reflected on the wars in Gaza and Ukraine. The festival highlighted social consciousness and regret. Even in Hollywood projects. Rock stars Liam and Noel Gallagher stole the show by bringing nostalgia and emotion. Actors John Malkovich and Robert Pattinson gained Oscars buzz. Politics and artificial intelligence were hot topics with stars like George Clooney and Susan Sarandon sharing their views. Ellen Burstyn received the Golden Lion award and expressed deep gratitude.

Kenya's quest to host Africa Recording Academy hub gets boost from Grammy organizers

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenya’s quest to host an Africa Recording Academy headquarters has received a boost, with Recording Academy officials saying key milestones have been completed. Now, Kenyan mentee artists can travel to the United States to get acquainted with the international music business. Recording Academy President Panos A. Panay says Africa’s place in the global music industry is a project that could not be measured by a single launch date, but by the work being put into building a foundation. The Recording Academy, which organizes the Grammys, now wants to expand its presence in Africa by establishing an Africa Recording Academy headquarters, which Kenya will host.

Movie Review: 'Practical Magic 2' should have stuck with the original spell book

Nearly 30 years after “Practical Magic” came out, the film franchise is back with a sequel starring Sandra Bullock and Nicole Kidman in a reprisal of their roles as the Owens family witches. A new generation of Owens women sets out to undo the curse that has afflicted the family for generations. It makes any man who falls in love with them die tragically. Like the original, the sequel has charming and tender moments, largely thanks to its returning cast. But it falls short of reviving what made the first film so beloved. “Practical Magic 2” also features Dianne Wiest, Stockard Channing, Joey King, Maisie Williams and Lee Pace.

Oscar-winning Israeli filmmakers' documentary on Gaza war premieres at Venice Film Festival

VENICE, Italy (AP) — Israeli filmmakers Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor are premiering their documentary “NAZA” at the Venice Film Festival Thursday. The film features testimonies from 24 Israeli military insiders on the war in Gaza. It highlights what they say is the systemic killing of Palestinian civilians, with identities of the subjects obscured. The film explores surveillance and remote bombing operations by Israel's military. Abraham and Szor aim to shed light on these operations, focusing on what they call “a system of killing” rather than individual remorse. “NAZA” is competing for the Golden Lion award at the festival.