Reel Film Biz
Director: Roger M. Bobb
Starring: Garcelle Beauvais, Vaughn W. Hebron, Lela Rochon, Boris Kodjoe
World Premiere of Terry McMillian Presents: TEMPTED 2 LOVE on LIFETIME Premieres Saturday, January 31st
aotions simmer to the surface. Their attraction and love for each other will force them to decide once again what is best for their careers and relationship.
Director: Robert Sarkies
Writer: Fiona Samuel
Directed by Robert Sarkies
Written by Fiona Samuel
Run time: 2 hour 18 minutes
Country: New Zealand
Language: English
Melanie Lynskey stars in this David and Goliath drama based on actual events following the 2010 Pike River Mine disaster that took the lives of nearly 30 men working underground. A touchpoint in global culture at the time, two women—one who lost her son, the other her husband—would make it their mission to bring a negligent corporation to account, no matter the odds stacked against them.
Co-starring Robyn Malcolm and Lucy Lawless, the women would fight for years—through life's changes and challenges—to have their voices heard, culminating in a pivotal political moment for New Zealand as Jacinda Ardern found herself at the head of her party and poised to become Prime Minister.
PIKE RIVER arrives in the U.S. with an inspiring message of perseverance and hope brought to life by strong performances from Lynskey, Malcolm and the entire ensemble cast.
\(New York, NY) - Leading true crime network Investigation Discovery announced today the highly anticipated return of the Emmy nominated LOST WOMEN franchise and the new season of FEDS beginning next month. Octavia Spencer's Orit Entertainment, October Films, and ID come together again for LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA which focuses on the brutal murders of two Alaska Native women and the shocking investigation that led authorities to their sadistic killer. Over three gripping hours, LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA premieres on Wednesday, February 25 from 8-11pm ET on ID. On its heels is a new season of FEDS, offering unprecedented access inside America’s most elite crime fighting agency, the FBI, to bring the agency’s most dramatic cases to life. The immersive six-part second season of FEDS begins airing weekly on Wednesday, March 4 at 9/8c on ID. Both projects will be available to stream on HBO Max.
“Expanding the LOST WOMEN franchise allows us to shine a light on cases involving underrepresented women, and LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA confronts the devastating intersection of race and systemic failures that perpetuate violence against Indigenous women. Alongside this, FEDS gives us the chance to showcase the courage of FBI agents who often work covertly to bring justice for the victims. I’m honored to continue this partnership with ID and October Films to amplify these crucial stories and create bold, meaningful work,” said Executive Producer Octavia Spencer.
“Octavia brings a level of care to every story she touches,” said Jason Sarlanis, President of ID. “LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA helps expose a crisis impacting Indigenous women with sensitivity and cinematic power. And with FEDS, we are bringing viewers unprecedented access to the FBI’s most compelling investigations. We’re proud to continue building prestige true-crime storytelling together.”
As the LOST WOMEN franchise continues to provoke important conversations around society’s treatment of women, LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA offers an unsettling look into the murders of Veronica Abouchuk and Kathleen Jo Henry, killed in 2018 and 2019. They join a cacophony of Indigenous voices seemingly lost without trace in the remote Alaskan landscape, but through the courage of some unlikely heroes, the twisted crimes of a potential serial killer come to light. Over three episodes packed with surprising turns, LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA delivers intimate and unflinching access to the disturbing impact of a predator who turns a community into a personal hunting ground. But his arrest is only the beginning of a far deeper horror.
FEDS continues to offer unprecedented access to the FBI, featuring exclusive interviews with FBI agents and the previously untold stories of high-profile, dangerous and unusual cases as recounted by investigators, informants, undercover operatives and victims. The series unveils the brilliant tactics, tough judgment calls, and relentless dedication that make the FBI the world's most elite crime-fighting force. From a shocking kidnapping hoax to an elaborate baby-selling scheme, each episode offers front-row seats to the real-life drama and emotion of major investigations. The full season rundown is below:
City Under Fire
Premieres Wednesday, March 4 at 9/8c
In 2015, the East Coast experiences the first major terrorist attack since 9/11. The FBI carries out an intense 72-hour investigation with multiple bombings across New Jersey and New York. Now, they race to track down the bomber and save thousands.
Vanishing Act
Premieres Wednesday, March 11 at 9/8c
A 911 call comes in from the quiet luxury neighborhood of Ponte Vedra. A husband reports the kidnapping of his wife. The FBI races against time in the hope of locating the mom-of-two alive, but this case takes even the most experienced Agents by surprise.
We Sell Babies
Premieres Wednesday, March 18 at 9/8c
The Always Hope adoption center, run by Tara Lynn Lee, falls under suspicion of multiple families who are all left heartbroken after their adoptions fall through. However, the FBI begins to uncover a heartbreaking multi-state scam like no other.
Inside Job
Premieres Wednesday, March 25 at 9/8c
In Connecticut, an employee arrives at his bank with a bomb strapped to him, claiming he will die if not given money. In Tennessee, more bank employees begin robbing their own banks, each claiming they have been held hostage and forced into the crime.
Gangbuster
Premieres Wednesday, April 1 at 9/8c
A series of unsolved shootings and murders across Southern Florida leave a community terrorized under the threat of an unknown gang. Rookie FBI Special Agent Jessica Box makes it her mission to identify and dismantle this deadly crew.
Hired to Kill
Premieres Wednesday, April 8 at 9/8c
Over two years, a killer shoots multiple people dead in Philadelphia, but the killer's identity and motive remain unclear. The FBI and a dedicated Task Force soon uncover that they are dealing with a real-life hitman who calls himself the Real John Wick.
LOST WOMEN OF ALASKA is executive produced by Octavia Spencer, Brian Clisham and Stephanie Kluft of Orit Entertainment, Matt Robins, Jos Cushing and Amy Lee-Jones of October Films, and Christina Douglas of Momentum Content. FEDS is executive produced by Octavia Spencer, Brian Clisham and Stephanie Kluft of Orit Entertainment and Matt Robins and Mike Warner of October Films.
To join the conversation and follow along with premieres on social, tag #LostWomenofAlaska or #FEDSonID and follow Investigation Discovery on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, X and YouTube for exclusive content.
About INVESTIGATION DISCOVERY (ID)
Investigation Discovery (ID) is the leading true crime network on television, delivering the highest-quality programming to nearly 60 million U.S. households. For exclusive digital content and bonus material, fans can follow ID on X, Instagram, Facebook, TikTok or YouTube. Investigation Discovery is owned by Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world’s most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, Max, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Film Group, Warner Bros. Television Group, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.
Contact
ID Press Team at IDPress@wbd.com
\Ginsberg Libby Press Team at GLTV@ginsberglibby.com
In New York Theaters, January 30th
Los Angeles and additional cities February 6th
WINNER, Palm Dog – Cannes Film Festival
Official Selection – Toronto International Film Festival
Official Selection – Busan International Film Festival
Official Selection – New York Film Festival
Official Selection – San Sebastián International Film Festival
Official Selection – Zurich Film Festival
Official Selection – Mill Valley Film Festival
Official Selection – Hamptons International Film Festival
Official Selection – BFI London Film Festival
Official Selection – AFI Fest
Los Angeles, CA – January 21, 2025 – American Cinema Editors (ACE) is proud to announce that two-time Oscar® winning filmmaker Ang Lee will be receiving the ACE Golden Eddie Filmmaker of the Year award at the 76th Annual ACE Eddie Awards taking place Friday, February 27, 2026 at UCLA’s Royce Hall, where winners will also be announced in 14 competitive categories recognizing the best film editing achievements of the year in film and television. Kim Larson, Managing Director and Head of YouTube’s Creator and Gaming team, will be accepting YouTube’s previously announced ACE Visionary Award, and Emmy winning editor/director Arthur Forney, ACE, and Oscar® nominated editor Robert Leighton will receive ACE Career Achievement awards.
Lee joins an impressive group of Golden Eddie award recipients including Jon M. Chu, John Waters, Gina Prince-Bythewood, Spike Lee, Quentin Tarantino, Kathleen Kennedy, Christopher Nolan, Lauren Shuler Donner, Guillermo del Toro, Steven Spielberg, Vince Gilligan, Alexander Payne, J.J. Abrams, Nancy Meyers, Martin Scorsese, Norman Jewison, Robert Zemeckis, George Lucas, and the Sundance Institute, among others.
“Ang Lee’s exploration of our most closely held emotions has ignited an international passion for cinema for over 30 years”, said ACE president, Sabrina Plisco, ACE. “The breadth of his filmography is unparalleled, ranging from the intimate and boundary-breaking romance of Brokeback Mountain, to the epic drama of Life of Pi and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, to even the pre-MCU Marvel film Hulk.”
This year’s ACE Visionary Award recognizes Larson and YouTube’s profound impact on visual storytelling as a whole, the importance of digital content and spaces in the evolving media landscape, and ACE’s ongoing work to support creatives of all kinds across both traditional and digital spaces. The recognition is given in the spirit of previous honors bestowed upon pioneering companies such as Avid, and celebrates YouTube and Kim’s role in empowering a global generation of visual storytellers.
“Kim Larson was the natural choice to represent YouTube in our inaugural year recognizing creator content,” Plisco went on to say. “She has played a key role in the growth of digital entertainment, supports creators at the highest level, and helps elevate independent voices shaping modern storytelling.
“This year’s Career Achievement Award honorees are equally exemplary,” Plisco noted. “Arthur Forney, ACE, was the backbone of post-production at Dick Wolf’s Wolf Entertainment for more than 30 years, overseeing landmark series including Law & Order. Robert Leighton shepherded the editing room for American icon Rob Reiner across 15 films - including When Harry Met Sally, A Few Good Men, and This is Spinal Tap - shaping some of the most enduring works in modern cinema.”
Past recipients of the ACE Career Achievement Award are some of the best and most beloved editors in the industry, including Maysie Hoy, ACE, Paul Hirsch, ACE, Lynne Willingham, ACE, Don Zimmerman, ACE, Lillian Benson, ACE, Richard Chew, ACE, Alan Heim, ACE, Tina Hirsch, ACE, Thelma Schoonmaker, ACE, Janet Ashikaga, ACE, Craig McKay, ACE, Jerrold L. Ludwig, ACE, Mark Goldblatt, ACE, and Leon Ortiz-Gil, ACE, among many others.
Nominations for the 76th Annual ACE Eddie Awards will be announced January 27.
Rogers, the acclaimed costume designer for “And Just Like That…”, has been working on the HBO series costume design team since “Sex and the City” premiered in 1998. Most recently, Rogers designed the costumes for the fashion-forward, highly-anticipated film “The Devil Wears Prada 2”, starring Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway. She won an Emmy® Award and earned four Emmy® nominations for her work on “Sex and the City”, with an additional Emmy® nomination for “Ugly Betty”. Episodes of “And Just Like That…” and “Sex and the City” are now streaming on HBO Max.
“It is an honor to be recognized by SeriesFest,” said Molly Rogers. “When we started on ‘Sex and the City’ in 1998, we couldn’t anticipate how the audience would react to the costume design. It’s been such a joy to see the fandom for these characters and their fashion over the years.”
“We are so delighted to celebrate Molly Rogers and her costume design legacy at our second inaugural Fashion in Focus event,” said Randi Kleiner, CEO and Co-Founder of SeriesFest. “Rogers’ inspired and ground-breaking work has helped inform decades of mainstream fashion, and continues to entertain new generations of fans with her storytelling through costume.”
“Fashion in Focus”, hosted by SeriesFest, is an evening that celebrates costume design in the television industry. The event returns ahead of the festival’s 12th season, which will take place May 6 - May 10, 2026 in Denver, Colorado. The non-profit organization will host a wide array of programs including scripted, unscripted, and late night pilot competitions, exclusive screenings, series premieres, innovation talks, panels, workshops, and parties. Additional programming details will be announced soon.
Tickets for “Fashion In Focus” can be purchased at sffif.givesmart.com. Fashion in Focus is presented with generous support from sponsors Kérastase, the Lou Collective, Occasions Catering and Woods Jewelry. Festival badges granting access to SeriesFest are now available at seriesfest.com.
ABOUT MOLLY ROGERS
Molly Rogers is the EMMY® Award-winning costume designer behind such fashion cult favorites as AND JUST LIKE THAT…, SEX & THE CITY, and THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. She just completed her third season designing AND JUST LIKE THAT… and has just wrapped production on DEVIL WEARS PRADA 2. A longtime NYC style fixture, who started her career with the legendary Patricia Field in the ‘80s, she has dressed everyone from Carrie Bradshaw to Andy Sachs. Along with her leading ladies, Molly is a true NYC original with a talent for discovering unexpected fashion treasures.
Molly’s style direction and design work has been lauded in fashion, lifestyle and entertainment press globally. She is featured in the Season 1 HBO MAX “AND JUST LIKE THAT…DOCUMENTARY”, and stars in the HBO MAX “BEHIND THE LOOK”, an episodic series about the AJLT costume department during Season 3. Her brand collaborations include FASHIONPHILE, GENESIS, EBAY, SOHO HOUSE, SAKS, STREETS AHEAD, CADILLAC, THRED UP, and THE WILLIE GARSON FUND. When not in NYC working on a production, Molly loves her seaside home in Florida. Find Molly @andjustlikethatcostumes @mgrmgm
ABOUT SERIESFEST
SeriesFest, a non-profit organization, champions and empowers artists at the forefront of episodic storytelling by providing year-round opportunities for creators and industry professionals to connect, collaborate, and share stories, which inspire and impact global audiences. Each spring, SeriesFest culminates in a highly-curated and celebrated Denver-based festival and marketplace. Dedicated to showcasing innovative episodic content, the annual festival includes in-competition independent pilot screenings, panels, workshops, live reads, parties and network television premieres. Follow @SeriesFest on Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.
Publicity Contact: Ginsberg / Libby, GLSF@ginsberglibby.com
For General Inquiries: info@seriesfest.com
E-Newsletter Sign-up: HERE
Karine Jean-Pierre is ready to take the stage.
The former White House press secretary for President Joe Biden is stepping into a new kind of spotlight as the host of this year’s 17th annual African American Film Critics Awards, revealed exclusively to Variety.
Jean-Pierre, 51, joins an impressive roster of earlier AAFCA emcees, following last year’s Amber Ruffin, the comedian who led the film ceremony, and “American Idol” Season 6 winner Jordin Sparks, who hosted the organization’s 2025 television honors. The ceremony, celebrating achievements in filmmaking, will take place Feb. 8 in Los Angeles.
Honorees this year include Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson and director Ryan Coogler, alongside animated feature breakout “KPop Demon Hunters.” Winners are selected by more than 100 members of the African American Film Critics Association.
Jean-Pierre is no stranger to making history. She served as the 35th White House press secretary from 2022 to 2025, becoming the first Black person and the first openly LGBTQ individual to hold the role. Hosting the awards marks a notable shift in trajectory for the veteran political adviser, and one she does not take lightly.
“I don’t want it to be about me,” Jean-Pierre tells Variety. “I’m playing a tiny part here. My job is to honor, celebrate and lift the brilliant artists who are being recognized.”
Jean-Pierre has long admired AAFCA’s mission and leadership, making it “an easy yes” to accept the hosting gig. “The AAFCA Awards have spent 17 years celebrating extraordinary contributions in film, and I am just so in awe of Gil Robertson and the team,” she says. “The mission is to honor storytellers who explore the many faces of humanity through diverse perspectives. Why not help lift that up?”
Despite being one of the most recognizable communicators in American politics, Jean-Pierre is adamant that the evening will remain focused on the artists. “One of the things I learned in the press comms world is don’t make yourself the news,” she says. “I want it to be light, enjoyable, smooth and let the stars shine.”
With politics touching nearly every facet of daily life, Jean-Pierre’s post-White House career has differed from her predecessors. One would have expected her to pivot into cable news or become a political pundit, a common next step for former press secretaries. When asked about whether that absence was a conscious choice, Jean-Pierre is direct, describing her career as one that has never been about following a prescribed route.
“I’ve always seen myself as someone who does things differently,” she says. “I don’t follow a set path or look at the people before me and copy their trajectory — that’s just never been who I am. I like to do things my own way and ask myself, ‘How can I make an impact? How can I be different?’”
Among those she’s excited to meet are several of the night’s honorees, particularly the cast and filmmakers behind “Sinners,” which she calls “one of the most brilliant pieces of work I’ve seen in a long time.”
“I’ve never met Michael B. Jordan,” she says with excitement. “And Ryan Coogler — just touching him would be amazing. He’s so incredibly brilliant.”
Jean-Pierre, who recently published her memoir “Independent,” says hosting aligns with a broader desire to tell stories beyond the political arena. While she plans to remain engaged in civic discourse after two decades in politics, she views this next chapter as an opportunity to expand her impact through storytelling and mentorship.
After spending 20 years in politics, Jean-Pierre says her focus is now on lifting up communities she cares about. Most recently, she acquired the rights to the stories of Alice Dunnigan and Ethel Payne, the first two Black women to serve in the White House press corps, and wants Hollywood to tell their stories. “The women asked presidents questions and were often ignored by the boys’ club, and yet so few people know their names,” Jean-Pierre says with passion. “I recently acquired their books, and I want to help bring their stories to life.”
In November 2023, while still serving as press secretary, she honored their legacy by dedicating the White House lectern in their names.
Her next career chapter, she says, will focus on telling stories that matter — potentially as a producer and writer — while continuing to mentor young people and develop new writing projects.
“My career has always been a zigzag,” she says. “I move toward what excites me and what feels meaningful, and that’s how I want to continue doing things: my way.”
Still, Jean-Pierre acknowledges that hosting an awards ceremony during a moment of political and cultural turbulence carries added weight.
“We need this right now,” she asserts. “We need an opportunity and a space to celebrate ourselves — to be seen in this way, and for little boys and girls in our community to see us in this way.”
As conversations around diversity and inclusion remain fraught, Jean-Pierre views events like the AAFCA Awards as essential.
“We cannot let our stories die. We must continue to be bold and tell those stories. There is real value in telling our journeys so that generations to come can see how brilliant we are.”
Gil Robertson, AAFCA president and co-founder, said he is “elated” to welcome Jean-Pierre into the organization’s family.
“She’s current, credible and brilliant,” Robertson says. “She has a background in journalism and has occupied positions at the very center of popular events. We love her energy and her vibe, and it’s what people expect from us — smart hosts who are part of the conversation.”
As Jean-Pierre prepares to take the stage, her approach stays rooted in service, just as it was behind the White House podium.
“My message is to continue to hold each other,” she says. “Telling our stories is more important now than it has ever been before.”
Director: Ric Roman Waugh
Writer: Ward Parry
Starring: Jason Statham, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Bill Nighy, Naomi Ackie, Daniel Mays
Run time: 1 hour 47 minutes
Genre: Action, Thriller
Rating: R
Countries: United Kingdom, United States
Language English
Director Ric Roman Waugh’s SHELTER follows Mason (Jason Statman) an assasin in his earlier life in confronted with defending a girl who has helped him against his former group.
Distributor: Black Bear Pictures
Producers: Jason Statham, John Friedberg, Brendon Boyea, Jon Berg, Greg Silverman
Production Companies: Black Bear Pictures, Punch Palace Productions, Cinemachine, Stampede Ventures
Cinematographer: Martin Ahlgren
Music: David Buckley
Nia DaCosta Redefines Horror
A powerful new chapter in the 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple universe—told through a bold, singular voice.
From visionary director Nia DaCosta, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple expands the world first imagined by Danny Boyle and Alex Garland—then turns it inside out. This next chapter pushes beyond survival, exploring power, fear, and the unsettling truth that humanity itself can be the greatest threat.
Nia DaCosta continues to reshape the horror landscape with a perspective that is both fearless and culturally resonant. 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple reflects her distinct approach to storytelling—layered, provocative, and unafraid to confront what lies beneath the surface. Her work doesn’t just revisit a franchise; it redefines it.
Film Overview
In a continuation of the epic story, Dr. Kelson (Ralph Fiennes) makes a discovery that could change the world as they know it. Meanwhile, Spike (Alfie Williams) finds himself trapped in a nightmare following a chilling encounter with Jimmy Crystal (Jack O’Connell). In 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, the infected are no longer the only danger—the inhumanity of survivors proves even more terrifying.
Release dates: January 19, 2026 at the Regal Cinemas and January 23, 2026, in the United States
Director: Timur Bekmambetov
Writer: Marco van Belle
Starring: Chris Pratt, Rebecca Ferguson, Kali Reis, Annabelle Wallis, Chris Sullivan, Kylie Rogers
Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
Rating: PG-13
Run time: 1 hour 40 minutes
Country: United States
Language: English
Director Timur Bekmambetov’s "Mercy "tells the story of Detective Chris Raven, which takes place in the not too distant futures as he defends himself and tries to prove his innocence in the death of his wife. His faith is in the hands of an AI judge.
Distributors: Amazon MGM Studios in the United States and Canada, and Sony Pictures International
Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Atlas Entertainment, Bazelevs Company
Producers: Charles Roven, Robert Amidon, Timur Bekmambetov, Majd Nassif
Cinematographer: Khalid Mohtaseb
Editor: Austin Keeling, Lam T. Nguyen
Music: Ramin Djawadi