movies

New York Times Files New Lawsuit Against Pentagon Over Press Escort Policy

Published

3 months ago

May 18, 2026

The New York Times filed a new lawsuit against the Department of Defense and Secretary Pete Hegseth, this time challenging a policy that requires credentialed journalists to have an official escort when inside the Pentagon.

In the lawsuit, the Times’ attorneys wrote that the purpose of the policy “is to restrict journalists’ ability to do what they have always done: ask questions of government employees and gather information to report stories that take the public beyond official pronouncements.”

In March, shortly after a federal judge ruled that a previous set of Hegseth’s press restrictions were unconstitutional, the Pentagon implemented a new set of interim guidelines, including the one requiring press escorts. The judge, Paul Friedman, also struck down a number of those new restrictions, but they remain in place as the Pentagon pursues an appeal.

The Times’ attorneys wrote that the Pentagon’s restrictions were retaliatory, designed to punish news outlets for publishing stories that they disfavor.

“To report effectively on the Department, a reporter often must speak with over a dozen officials sitting in Public Affairs offices spread throughout the building,” the lawsuit stated. “For decades, the Pentagon’s press-access policies reflected this physical reality by allowing reporters unescorted access in unsecured corridors so that they can move from press office to press office and ask questions on short notice as events unfolded. The Interim Policy breaks sharply from that history and tradition.”

The Times lawsuit stated that for reporters to now ask “even one question,” they “must call or email for an appointment, wait for a response, get an escort, ask their question, and return to the library outside the Pentagon—only to repeat the process for the next source. Reporters must either forgo conversations or else spend hours chasing schedulers by phone and shuttling in and out of the building.”

A Pentagon spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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DreamLab Films Boards Satirical Iranian TIFF Title ‘Head to Head’

Published

3 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

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EXCLUSIVE: DreamLab Films has boarded sales on satirical Iranian picture Head to Head (Sar beh Sar) about a film production in which the male cast members are subjected to the strict dress rules applied to women in Iran, ahead of its world premiere at TIFF.

Blending dark comedy with sharp social observation, the Iran-Germany co-production marks Ghasideh Golmakani’s first feature after a string of internationally screened short films exploring gender, power and social taboos in Iran.

Set in contemporary Iran, Head to Head follows an acclaimed female writer-director who makes the radical choice to require men to wear skirts and headscarves for her latest film. As the men struggle with heat, restrictions, and wounded pride, tension swells and Bahar’s hopes for success are met with growing resistance.

The film stars Mehrnoosh Satari, Saeed Naderi, Ebrahim Azizi (It Was Just an Accident), Amir Hajimohammadi, Elaheh Farazmand and Lili Farhadpour (My Favorite Cake).

Golmakani also wrote and produced the feature, with David M. Lorenz serving as associate producer and Saba M. Rezaei as executive producer. Cinematography is by Amin Jafari, sound design by Alireza Alavian, production design by Melody Esmaeili and original music by Yoones Eskandari.

The director, who holds a PhD from the Sorbonne on Iranian women filmmakers before and after the Revolution, said the film grew out of years of reflecting on the place of women in Iranian cinema.

“Head to Head is rooted in years of observing the challenges women face in Iranian cinema. It is not only a reflection on the situation experienced by women, but also an invitation to male colleagues to reflect on what women have had and still have to endure in order to continue existing on the cinema screen,” she said

Paris-based DreamLab Films is handling worldwide sales and festival strategy.

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‘Sorry, I Didn’t Know’s Historic ITV Run Extends To Seventh Season

Published

9 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

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EXCLUSIVE: Sorry, I Didn’t Know is again extending its record-breaking run on ITV, and this time it appears to have set another high bar.

The British comedy panel show has been renewed for a seventh season, a decade after UK commercial network ITV first commissioned it from TriForce Productions. The re-order extends Sorry, I Didn’t Know‘s record as the longest-running show from a Black-led production company.

Reps for the show say today’s news means it has now also broken the record for the longest-running Black TV show in British history, passing classic Channel 4 sitcom Desmond’s, which ran for six seasons between 1989 and 1994, and BBC Two’s The Real McCoy, which ran on BBC Two between 1991 and 1996 for five seasons and a special ‘Best of’ clip series. Verifying such records is complicated, but both ITV and TriForce are certain it is the case.

Host Chizzy Akudolu will return for Season 7, which will hit screens later this year on ITV1 and streamer ITV. Team captains Richard Blackwood and Eddie Kadi will also return. The show sees Blackwood, Kadi and guests compete in a quiz on Black history. Akudolu was initially a team captain, but replaced Jimmy Akingbola as host for the sixth season.

Filming is taking place this summer in front of a live studio audience in London. Previous guest talent includes Adjoa Andoh, Susan Wokoma, Munya Chawawa, Stephen K Amos, Marcus Brigstocke, Angellica Bell, Richie Anderson, Oti Mabuse, Jordan Stephens, JB Gill, Babatunde Aléshé, Colin Jackson, Seann Walshe and Jamelia. No word on talent for Season 7 just yet.

“We’re so excited Chizzy is taking her place again as queen of the show,” said Fraser Ayers, exec producer for TriForce. “At 10 years and the seventh season, it’s an incredibly special one, and having been in every episode since the pilot in 2016 she’s the perfect host to shepherd us into this next chapter.

“With lots of surprises planned for this series, it’s going to be a special one. We thank ITV for the support they give us to keep making this ground-breaking show, as it seems like a little bit of knowledge, and a lot of laughs, is needed now more than ever.”

The Season 7 order came from ITV’s Director of Entertainment & Daytime Commissioning, Katie Rawcliffe and Entertainment Commissioner Gemma John-Lewis. Ayres, Minnie Ayres and Akingbola exec produce for TriForce. The series editor is Delia Williams.

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Keke Palmer, Jacob Tremblay, Jeremy Irons Projects Set for TIFF Market

Published

15 minutes ago

August 10, 2026

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TIFF on Monday unveiled its selection for its first-ever international financing and project market.

Among the highlights is an animated feature with an all-star voice cast, including Keke Palmer, Alan Cumming, Common, and Regina Hall attached; a collaboration between acclaimed Indian-Canadian director Deepa Mehta (Fire, Earth, Water) and Oscar-winning actor Jeremy Irons; and a drama headlined by Oscar-winner Marlee Matlin (CODA, Children of a Lesser God) and Jacob Tremblay (Room, Wonder).

The lineup also boasts a new documentary featuring Booker Prize winner Marlon James (Underground Railroad) and a host of projects from Toronto Film Fest alums, including filmmakers Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers, Shasha Nakhai, Karen Chapman, Darlene Naponse, and Tyler Hagan.

The 51 projects — 40 features, six series, and five innovative or immersive works — all looking for production and financing partners, will be presented at the inaugural TIFF industry market.

“The projects, the award-winning talent, and the enthusiasm amongst key decision makers all reflect the emphasis we’ve placed on closing the loop between the ideas and the investments that fuel our global industry,” said the head of the TIFF market, Charles Tremblay. “When projects find the right champions, opportunities become reality and exceptional stories continue to be developed, financed, produced, and shared with audiences across the globe.”

The projects represent a cross-section of genres, from dramas and documentaries to animation, with a global reach, featuring producers from Canada to Australia, Brazil to India, the U.S. to Zimbabwe.

After years of informal dealmaking in Toronto, TIFF will launch its first fully fledged content market at next month’s event. TIFF: The Market runs alongside the festival from Sept. 10-16.