English director and producer, known for Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire
Venice Film Festival names NAZA, by Israeli directors Yuval Abraham and Rachel Szor, as the festival’s only documentary in competition. The film, shot at night from Tel Aviv rooftops, examines what the filmmakers describe as Israel’s calculated mass killing of Palestinian civilians in Gaza. It builds on reporting by +972, Local Call and The Guardian, with production by The Guardian and JW Films and executive producing by Jonathan Glazer. The festival runs 2–12 September.
The Independent reports that the 48-year-old New York-born actor is joining General Hospital as William Baines, joining a wave of casting changes. Debuts are set for Thursday, September 3, as the soap continues its long-running tale in Port Charles. The moves follow recent departures and recastings, including Jack Brennan’s kill-off and Ethan Lovett’s recasting.
Venice has faced criticism for including few female directors in its main competition. May el-Toukhys Woman Unknown was the lone woman-led feature in the initial lineup; festival organisers have since added the documentary NAZA. Jury president Maggie Gyllenhaal and programmers at London Film Festival have said structural barriers, especially financing, are limiting womens progression to larger films.