For many women, the golf course is more than a place for sport; it is a space for connection, travel, and creating memories. Yet, for years, the apparel available has often felt restrictive, leaning heavily into tradition rather than modern style. Alex and Teresa Vidger, the mother-daughter co-founders behind the lifestyle brand Live Kolibri, recognized this gap. Drawing from their own family history on the greens, they are launching LIVE golf, a collection designed to bring confidence, femininity, and high fashion to women's activewear. A Modern Take on a Family Tradition Growing up, the Vidger family spent countless mornings together at early tee times, traveling to various courses, and enjoying friendly competition. Golf was central to their bond. As they built Live Kolibri into a recognized name on runways from Miami Swim Week to New York and Los Angeles, they realized their next step was bringing their fashion sensibility back to the sport they loved. As a family-owned and women-owned business, Alex and Teresa function as best friends and creative partners. Their shared vision gave life to LIVE golf—a brand built to celebrate living life fully and making meaningful memories. A Collection Built for Movement The new collection immediately stands out from traditional options. LIVE golf offers chic, matching activewear sets featuring skirts and tanks, alongside lightweight zip-up jackets and stylish visors. Every piece is crafted from breathable, lightweight fabrics designed for comfort without sacrificing aesthetics. With fun colors, original prints, and flattering silhouettes, the clothing moves beautifully from the fairway to a post-game lunch or a weekend getaway. It is a fresh approach to resort and golf fashion that prioritizes both form and function. Culture, Community, and Sustainability To capture the bold, fun energy of the brand, LIVE golf enlisted television personality Kendra Wilkinson as the lead face of their launch campaign. Her confident, active lifestyle perfectly reflects the spirit of the collection. Joining her are models and personalities from popular reality series, including Temptation Island, adding to the modern, culture-driven identity of the brand. Live Kolibri already carries a strong reputation, having been featured in Forbes Magazine and stocked in boutique hotels internationally. They have also presented at major fashion events across Dallas and San Diego. As they introduce LIVE golf, their commitment to thoughtful design remains central. Sustainability is a significant focus, with the brand prioritizing responsible production practices and high-quality materials meant for longevity rather than fast fashion. For Alex and Teresa, the long-term vision is clear. They want to see LIVE golf in select pro shops, country clubs, and luxury resorts around the world, building a community of women who value wellness, travel, and style. They are not just creating apparel; they are inspiring women to step onto the course with confidence and unapologetic style. Discover the Collection, Visit www.livegolfs.com to explore the new LIVE golf line, and www.livekolibri.com to see more from Live Kolibri. Join the community and follow the journey on Instagram at @live.kolibri and TikTok at live_kolibi.

The Miss England Grand Final is officially returning to Athena Leicester on Tuesday 17th November 2026, marking an exciting homecoming after a 14-year absence. The decision follows the incredible success of Leicester performing arts student Grace Richardson, who captured both the prestigious Miss England Talent Award and the Miss England 2025 title in November 2025. Now preparing to represent England at the 75th Miss World in Vietnam, Grace will return to the city where her journey comes full circle as she crowns her successor. Athena has a proud place in Miss England history, having previously hosted the national final in 2006, 2007 and 2012. Since then the final has been held across England at Venues in Torquay, Southport , Birmingham , Newcastle and for the past two years Wolverhampton. This November, Grace will hand over her crown in spectacular style. Living out her dream of becoming a West End performer, she will appear alongside talented performers from the Ann Oliver School of Dance. To celebrate the return of the Miss England Final to Leicester, a special photoshoot with Anfice Photography was organised by Angie Beasley, Director of Miss England since 2002, during the West End Day Party at the Athena. Grace, dressed as a glamorous showgirl, was warmly welcomed onto the stage by the event's DJ and introduced Grace to the audience who wished her well in Miss World and post for a group photo ! "Grace received a wonderful reception from everyone at the West End Day Party event, her real dream is to perform on the West End stage ," said Angie Beasley. "She met two talented West End singers, Emily Olive Boyd and James Richard Turner at the event who wished Grace every success at the 75th Miss World in Vietnam. We are delighted to be returning to Athena after all these years." Grace will sing live at the Grand Final and dance alongside some of her fellow performing arts students making the evening a true celebration of talent, entertainment and Beauty with a Purpose , the ethos of the competition. Grace said “"I couldn't be more excited to be crowning my successor in Leicester! It means so much to bring the Miss England Grand Final back here after 14 years and to celebrate everything this incredible city has to offer. As a Musical Theatre performer who has grown up in Leicester, I'm especially proud that we'll also be showcasing some of the amazing students from The Ann Oliver Stage School. It's going to be a truly special night, and I can't wait to share it with everyone.". The Miss England 2026 Grand Final promises to be a spectacular red carpet event and one not to be missed. Booking tickets early is advisable and tickets can be purchased on this link - VIP TABLES with reception drink and dinner is limited https://buytickets.at/missenglandlimited/2237502

Photography: Daniele Longobardi Giuliano Squitieri turned a personal vision into reality by founding the Outdoor Film Festival in his hometown of San Valentino Torio. Rather than building his platform in an established cinematic capital, he chose to bring an international network directly to the community that shaped him. Over the past three years, the festival has grown into a space where global stars and local youth connect on the exact same level. Here, Squitieri shares his personal journey of building the event, navigating structural growth, and maintaining a strict focus on authentic human connection. Choosing to bring your international network back to San Valentino Torio instead of a massive cinematic capital was a deeply personal move. What specific emotional pull drew you home to launch the Outdoor Film Festival? "Coming back to San Valentino Torio was never a 'strategic choice' in the traditional sense - it was emotional before it was anything else," he explains. "There's a strong pull that comes from places that shaped you before you even understood what ambition was. I didn't want to build the Outdoor Film Festival in a place where cinema already dominates every corner of life. I wanted to build it where it felt almost impossible, but exactly for that reason, meaningful." He reflects further, "San Valentino Torio is home. It's identity, memory, and responsibility all at once. I felt the need to give something back to the place that gave me my first sense of community and imagination. Bringing an international network here wasn't about relocation - it was about translation: turning everything I had seen and learned abroad into something that could belong here." Observing a generation of young people feeling disconnected gave you the spark to build this platform. How has seeing them find community over the last three years validated that initial leap of faith? "What I've seen over these three years is that the feeling of disconnection was never the real story - lack of spaces was," he observes. "Young people don't lack ideas, energy, or ambition. They lack places where those things can actually meet other people and become something collective." He adds, "Watching them come to the Outdoor Film Festival and slowly shift from being spectators to being part of a community has been the clearest validation of the original intuition. It confirmed that the leap of faith wasn't about cinema at all - it was about belonging. And when you see people who felt invisible start recognizing themselves in a shared space, you understand that the project is doing exactly what it was meant to do." Welcoming global stars to a quiet town completely changes the local energy. What exactly goes through your mind when you stand on that hometown red carpet and witness this intersection of worlds? "Seeing the place where I grew up as a child suddenly become a stage for some of the most recognized names in the world is something that still feels almost unreal," he admits. "It's not pride in a loud sense - it's a very quiet shock. I remember what that town used to feel like, how small the world seemed back then, and then I look at it now and see cameras, artists, international guests walking the same streets." "In that moment, I don't think about cinema or success," he notes. "I think about time. And about how something so ordinary in my memory has become a place where different worlds now meet." Crafting an annual event out of a raw idea requires incredible mental endurance. What was the absolute hardest personal hurdle you had to get past during your first year? "The hardest hurdle wasn't operational - it was internal," he shares. "In the first year, there is a constant tension between what you clearly see in your mind and what doesn't yet exist in reality. You're asking people to believe in something they cannot touch, in a place that isn't used to thinking on that scale. And at times, that gap becomes mentally exhausting." He recalls, "The real challenge was staying steady when everything around you suggests it might be easier to scale down, to make it 'more realistic.' I had to learn not to confuse early resistance with failure. What I had to overcome was the instinct to protect myself from disappointment - and instead keep building as if the idea was already real, even when nothing around me confirmed it yet." Overcoming unpredictable setbacks is a constant reality when running a major event. Looking back at the last three years, which specific challenge forced you to find a completely new approach? "One challenge that really forced a complete change of approach was the moment we realized that growth itself could become a risk," he explains. "In the second year, the scale of attention and expectations started increasing faster than the structure behind the festival. What worked when it was small - relationships, intuition, informal coordination - was no longer enough. A single delay or misalignment could affect the entire ecosystem." "That forced me to shift from building like a founder to thinking like an operator: more systems, more delegation, and more trust in people who could take ownership of entire pieces of the project," he points out. "It wasn't a creative challenge - it was a structural one. And it changed how I lead everything today." Human connection is clearly the core focus of your vision. How do you intentionally shape the atmosphere so the festival feels like a close gathering rather than a standard industry mixer? "For me, human connection is the most important thing," he emphasizes. "Big stars can come, and of course that's powerful, but what really matters to me are the young people who show up, take part, and sometimes leave with something that actually changes how they see themselves and their future. That's the real impact." He continues, "At the Outdoor Film Festival, I don't separate people into 'important guests' and 'audience.' I deliberately put everyone on the same level. An international guest and a student sitting in the crowd are part of the same space, the same conversation, the same energy. Because if there's hierarchy, you lose the point. The moment someone feels 'less important' in that space, the festival stops being what it's meant to be." Emerging creators now look at what you built as a direct guide. When they ask how to find a unique creative voice, what core truth do you share? "I always tell them this: I don't believe I've done anything 'special' in the sense of being out of reach," he states. "If I've managed to build what I've built, coming from a small town and starting with just an idea, then there's nothing that makes it impossible for anyone else to do something meaningful in their own way." "So I say it very clearly to young people: if I got here, you can do anything," he encourages. "The only real difference is whether you decide to start and keep going when it's still uncertain, uncomfortable, and invisible to others. And your voice - your real creative voice - comes out exactly in that process." Looking toward future editions, you have successfully connected your local community to global cinema. What is the single most important feeling you want every single guest to take home with them? "The single most important feeling I want every guest to take home is hope - and the sense that they can dare more than they thought possible," he says. "Not just inspiration in a vague sense, but real confidence: the idea that change is within reach, that their voice matters, and that this world is not something to observe from a distance, but something they can actively shape." He concludes, "If someone leaves the festival with more courage than when they arrived - with a bit more trust in themselves - then everything we built has meaning." Outdoor Film Festival website

Photography: Candace Ghai Markos Papadatos interviewed Katerina Papacostas about starring in the musical “Chess” on Broadway, where she is a part of the ensemble and she understudies Lea Michele, who plays Florence Vassy. First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” This quote applies to Katerina Papacostas. How has your experience been in “Chess”? My experience in Chess has been a profound, once-in-a-lifetime, once-in-a-career gift. To get to dance in this ensemble performing the legendary Lorin Latarro’s dance arrangements, and to step in and play one of the greatest female leads ever written, with epic music that has been beloved for forty years and has this incredible cult following, and to do it at the hands of this insane creative team with Michael Mayer, Benny and Bjorn from ABBA, Danny Strong... it’s truly surreal. The show also allows me to use every single tool in my toolbox. As a dancer, I’m operating at the highest level. As a singer, I get to employ every corner of my voice, from my classical opera training to a pop rock chest belt at the top of my range. To do all this in service of a female character who is both brilliant and messy, powerful and vulnerable, fierce and imperfect, and is also the center of the story is just a rare and precious opportunity that I don’t take for granted. It’s been a dream come true in every single way. What do you love most about understudying Lea Michele? It’s hard to say what I love most because there are so many things. As a leader of our cast, she is so grounded and generous, incredibly consistent and reliable at the helm, both in her performance and in her steadfast encouragement and faith in our piece and in us as a team. She never takes for granted the work of the ensemble, which does not go unnoticed. To have someone in that position acknowledge your contribution as an ensemble member means so much. When I went on for the first time, she sent me a beautiful bouquet of flowers and a really lovely note of encouragement. And then to watch her as a producer and as a leading lady help craft this character, making sure she is honest and grounded and real while still being strong and vulnerable, it’s been a privilege to witness. It’s her kindness, her intellect, her talent, and her leadership that make it such a pleasure to witness and work with her. Can you tell us about Broadway Bakes and Broadway Cares? Broadway Bakes is a beautiful effort by the amazing cookie company Schmackery’s, the official cookie of Broadway, to help raise money for Broadway Cares. This is an extraordinary organization that provides housing, financial support, healthcare access, advocacy, and a host of other incredible resources for our artistic community, both in New York and around the country. Broadway Bakes is a fundraiser where Broadway actors get to come work behind the counter and bring a little insanity and levity, offering selfies and chitchat to any and all patrons and fans who want to come hang out, buy some cookies, and donate to a fantastic cause. What motivates you each day as a performer? There are so many things that motivate me. There is the higher calling, the sense that we need to keep telling stories to mine the depths of the human experience and make sense of the silly, the absurd, the euphoria, and the profound grief. Not to be too existential, but art is a critical part of a functioning society, so I feel honored to participate in a small way in making that happen. Tapping back into childhood dreams and letting that desire keep me going is a huge factor. There are also the experiences from each role I’ve been fortunate to play helping remind me of how much I love getting to tell stories for a living and the richness of the community it brings. Eventually, you need to keep working. I was able to step away for a while and work full time as a software engineer, and I loved that work deeply but it just didn’t quite fill me all the way up. So you always have that little itch as an artist, that need to stimulate your curious mind, to tell a story and to use all of your faculties at once to do it. It’s a combination of all these things, and on the days when I can’t motivate myself and none of those work, I’m so lucky to have a massive army of friends and family at my back. This incredible community helps carry me forward and encourage me to keep going. What do your plans for the future include? There are a few different layers to my plans for the future. On the artistic side, I’d love to play more roles in New York, on tour, and on Broadway, and to do more TV and film. I also want to write more and continue developing work both on stage and screen. I really want to find a way to give back more consistently and regularly to our community. I’m not entirely sure yet what that looks like, but I’m hoping to find a way to meld my seven years of experience working in tech as a software engineer with my twenty years of performing experience into something I can genuinely offer back. I’ve taught in many different capacities and I’d love to do more of that. Creating opportunities for other artists I know and love to perform and share their work is also a priority. So it’s really some combination of service, community development, creating new work, and performing more roles both on stage and on screen while somehow still finding a work-life balance. How does it feel to be an artist in the digital age? It feels both liberating and extremely pressure-filled. The digital age gives us so many ways to produce our own work, present it, and demonstrate what we do to a wide audience. At the same time, there’s enormous pressure to create content, to be clickable, to go viral, and adhere to current trends. And I do worry sometimes that AI, TikTok, and social media in general have pulled us all toward the same, or very similar, taste levels, to one universal aesthetic. It doesn’t always reward newness, or keeping things strange and fresh. Even though there are beautiful breakout moments, the platforms can also be a strong deterrent against anything truly different, because there is such a dominant common look and feel in art, tone, comedy, and perspective. Finding that balance is the best way to participate as an artist. Come to the conversation with your digital tools, but come to it with a very strong opinion of your own. Whenever that balance tips too far in one direction, make sure you take time away so you can get back in touch with yourself as a person and as an artist. Just don’t become such a recluse that you reject all of the amazing opportunities it affords. What is your advice for young and aspiring performers? My advice is twofold. First, never stop learning, both as a technician and as a human being. Find ways to reflect on your own personal experience and how it makes you a special artist. Whenever the business starts to feel desperate, whenever it starts to feel like you’re not being seen, make sure you’re taking the time to see yourself. Because at the end of the day, you are the only one who can give yourself that high five. When you come back to your relationship with your own work, when you make sure that you like what you’re doing, that you think what you’re doing is funny and smart and good, the rest will fall into place. Second, find your people. Find your fellow creatives, and never stop looking for them. Find the ones who keep their feet on the ground and help keep yours there too, who don’t let the competitive nature of this business chip away at your humanity or your friendships. Don’t be afraid to offer compliments. Don’t be afraid to collaborate. Those relationships are what make this whole thing worth it. Your creative community is never, ever to be taken for granted or underestimated. Can you tell us about your Greek heritage? My dad was born in Greece in a little village about five and a half hours northwest of Athens called Arahova, not to be confused with the more famous Arahova known for its feta cheese. This is the much smaller version: Arahova Nafpaktias. He came to the States when he was nine or ten, and most of his siblings have since moved back. Growing up, I went to Greece every other summer. My mother is not Greek, she’s from Yonkers, New York, but she learned the language and reads and writes it, and she is considered an honorary Greek. My Greek heritage is incredibly important to me and a big part of my identity. I feel so lucky to have grown up with a rich sense of culture, a deep history, and a connection to the arts and theater - thank you, Thespis. It is a through line in my sense of self, in my creative work, and in my understanding of what it means to build community and family. It lives in my relationship to food, in how much I love cooking, and in how sacred I believe it is to commune, period. That is such a core tenet of Greek culture, and it’s been one of the most beautiful pieces of muscle memory my parents instilled in me by example. It has served me both in and out of my work in the arts. What does the word success mean to you? Success is such a complicated and sometimes daunting word, and honestly my definition changes daily. Sometimes success feels like a specific job I’m waiting to book, a callback I’m hoping for, or a specific award I someday hope to accept, and may or may not have practiced an acceptance speech for in the mirror. Just kidding. But ultimately, when success feels like a fully embodied experience, when I am doing work that I’m proud of, with people I care about and have the opportunity to show care for, and we get to share that work with those we love and respect both in our lives and in the industry, that’s when it feels real. When I’m able to maintain a rich life outside of my professional work and still show up for the people I care about beyond my professional existence, that is true success to me. This business will lure you into chasing the brass ring. When you come back down to your own opinion of your work, of yourself, and of the life you’re living as a whole, when all of those things feel full of kindness and community and creative stimulation, that is the true marker of success for me. To learn more about actress and singer Katerina Papacostas, follow her on Instagram and visit her official website.

Photography: Bastek Czernek Actress, screenwriter, and producer Charlotte Kirk has been keeping busy. Known for her starring roles in Compulsion, Duchess, and Exit Protocol, Kirk sat down to discuss her new movie Jackie the Stripper, her growing acting career, and the joys of new motherhood. Born in Kent, England, Kirk’s passion for acting began at age 11 after watching Gone with the Wind. After cutting her teeth in theatre and attending the prestigious Italia Conti School of Acting in London, she landed her breakout role in the 2015 sci-fi thriller Vice opposite Bruce Willis. Today, between acting, writing, and producing, she remains a strong advocate for animal rights. Taking on 'Jackie the Stripper' Kirk’s latest project, Jackie the Stripper, is a female-led grindhouse comedy action thriller. The plot follows Jackie and a band of vigilante assassins seeking revenge against an evil, male-dominated court, leading to deadly and hilarious consequences. "It was so much fun, and it’s not what you think it is," Kirk shared. "A lot of people think it’s about Jackie playing a stripper, but it isn’t. It’s basically a group of women who are in disguise as strippers to revenge their demons and their enemies, essentially." Working with director Michael Head again, whom she praised for his sarcastic British comedy style, Kirk noted the film’s self-awareness. "It doesn’t take itself too seriously. It knows what it is. I’m really excited. It’s coming out in theaters in the U.S. next month, and we are having the premiere here in July. It’s a very different project for me." The Joys of Motherhood Off-screen, Kirk recently welcomed her baby boy, Hunter. "Hunter is gorgeous. I love him more and more each day," she smiled. "It’s a blessing. It’s a whole new world. He is my first and he is staring at me right now like 'What’s going on, mommy?' With babies, you never know what to expect. There isn’t a guidebook to help you. You learn as you go, take things day by day, and you enjoy each day." Upcoming Horror and Romance Projects Fans can look forward to seeing Kirk in a variety of upcoming films. In the supernatural horror The Possession at Gladstone Manor, she stars alongside genre legends Lin Shaye, Jesse Metcalfe, and Barbara Crampton. "That was an awesome experience," she said. "I played the edgy, gothy girlfriend. That was a lot of fun, and I cannot wait to see the finished product." Stepping away from action and horror, Kirk is taking on romance in Don’t Forget Me Tomorrow opposite Britton Webb. "I wanted to do something different. I found this book and I fell in love with it," she explained. She is also preparing for a holiday release with Mistletoe & Wine starring Jason Isaacs. "Basically, the whole movie is improv; no scripts," she admitted. "Jason is such an amazing actor. You never knew what you were going to get each day." Future Plans and a Message to Fans Looking ahead, Kirk is gearing up to shoot Spiral Down this September, a thriller penned by Neil Marshall that she describes as "Seven meets Silence of the Lambs." To her dedicated followers, Kirk shared a message of gratitude: "I hope they are enjoying the different roles that I’m playing. I would like to know what they want to see from me next. As a creative myself, I love trying out different genres and playing different characters. In particular, my horror fans are so dedicated. Making a horror movie is just the funnest experience." As for Jackie the Stripper, she promises an entertaining ride. "This movie is like a popcorn film. It’s fun and I hope the fans get lots of laughs from it. I hope they get that escapism for an hour and a half where they just laugh and get absorbed into these insane, wild, eccentric characters." To keep up with Charlotte Kirk's latest projects, follow her on Instagram, IMDb.

Markos Papadatos interviewed actress, comedian, and TV host Melissa Peterman about the new indie horror film “Deadlocked: Dad of the Dead,” and being a part of the entertainment industry. The indie horror film “Deadlocked: Dad of the Dead” was recently released. “In all honesty, we filmed that so long ago,” she said. “I had worked on it for a couple of days. We weren’t sure what was going to happen with it, but I am so glad that people are finally getting a chance to watch it.” “I had an absolute blast on that project. The writer and director Casey Jackson was absolutely lovely to work with. It’s a zombie film,” she added. This indie horror film afforded Peterman the chance to reunite with her “Baby Daddy” co-star Derek Theler. “I think I’ve proven in my career that if I can work with people that I’ve worked with before that I love, I will do it again,” she said. “That goes for ‘Reba,’ ‘Young Sheldon,’ and for anybody on the show ‘Baby Daddy.’ I’ve been so lucky that I’ve worked with so many great people that I like. That is just the icing on the cake,” she said. “So, it was so much fun to watch Derek in a completely different genre than a multi-camera sitcom. Derek was able to take charge of this role in a different way, and I am really very proud of him,” she elaborated. ‘All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong’ on Hallmark Peterman found the Hallmark rom-com “All’s Fair in Love & Mahjong” to be “really fun.” “I had a really great time,” she admitted. “What I loved about it was there was also a great story about friendship between women, which I think is so great.” “That’s also a love story in our lives, our love story with our friends. We have these friends that are with us forever. So, I love that aspect of it,” she said. “Also, I think that Mahjong is one of the fastest growing games in the globe. My sister-in-laws are playing it, and so are my nieces are. It’s a very cool game and there are different versions,” she elaborated. Peterman on the digital age On being an actress and comedian in the digital age, now with streaming and social media being so prevalent, she said, “I don’t know if I’m as good at it as I should be. As far as my own social media, I should be doing more and probably getting a YouTube channel but it is what it is.” “I love the fact that I’m still on a network multi-cam show, ‘Happy Place,’ on NBC. We are going into Season 3. That gives me a little hope that there’s still space for TV and for television and for multi-cam and sitcoms,” she elaborated. “We have to be flexible and know that even though this show airs on NBC, of course, the next day it goes to Peacock. So, streaming is the way of the world,” she observed. “I think verticals are going to be the way of the world, so be in charge of your own content and get yourself out there. People get talent deals based on their social media. So I’ve got to get with the program,” she added. Peterman on being a part of the sitcom ‘Reba’ Peterman recalled her time on the sitcom “Reba,” where she played the role of Barbra Jean. “It was fantastic,” she exclaimed. “Why do you think I’m working with her again in ‘Happy’s Place’? It’s because we had such a great time the first time around.” Plans for the future Regarding her future plans, she shared, “I have a little time off. I’m going back to Minnesota to visit family. Then, I go back into production for Season 3 of ‘Happy’s Place’ in August. Those are all my plans at this point right now.” Serving as a judge on a Hallmark reality competition On being a part of “Finding Mr. Christmas” (hosted by Jonathan Bennett) on Hallmark, where she served as a judge and mentor, she exclaimed, “I loved it! It’s one of my favorites. I always have the best time ever. It’s like the dream job. All the guys this past year killed it on the show. Peterman on Craig Geoghan winning Season 2 of the Hallmark competition Peterman noted that she was “so happy” for Craig Geoghan for winning the second season of the Hallmark reality competition. “Craig is awesome. What I loved about him is that he could deliver comedy too. He had great chops. I’ve kept in touch with him,” she said. “I want to be his ‘Aunt Melissa’ and the same goes for all the guys on that show. Literally every single one of them was wonderful, and a contender,” she noted. When asked if she would like to see Craig Geoghan someday play football star Tom Brady in a biopic, Peterman responded, “Oh my gosh, Craig would be brilliant. He would be so great. They do look alike so much. When I had first met Craig, I asked myself ‘who does he remind me of?’ and the answer was Tom Brady. So, let’s throw that into the universe. Let’s manifest that.” Advice for young and aspiring actors and comedians For young and emerging actors and comedians, she said, “I would say to say ‘yes’ to a lot of things. If there’ a chance to go and do a table read for somebody or work on an independent project, say ‘yes.’ I said ‘yes’ to ‘Deadlocked: Dad of the Dead’ because I wanted to do something different.” “I wanted to do something in the horror genre,” she said. “Those are opportunities where you never know who you’re going to meet on each set. Just be in charge of your own destiny in a way.” “Right now, you have more power than ever to be producing, especially since people can make their own content on their phones. So, try to be in charge of that creative process on our own,” she elaborated. “Also, try to get good a self-taping because I’m horrible at it,” she said with a sweet laugh. Stage of her life On the title of the current chapter of her life, she revealed, “Second Act — Chances.” “I feel like I’m sort of in the middle,” she admitted. “I’ve had the prologue and I’ve had the first act. There has been an intermission. I feel I am starting my second act.” Peterman on ‘Titanique’ on Broadway Peterman shared that she recently saw the Broadway musical “Titanique” in New York, and that she thoroughly enjoyed it to the point where she would like to someday do her own short stint on that show. “I’m throwing my hat in the ring to do a fun little short run in ‘Titanique.’ I think that would be really fun, so I’m throwing it out there,” she said. Superpower of choice If she were to have any superpower, it would be “time travel.” “Even though I have no regrets, I would love to be able to go back at any point and spend days or hours in certain times of my own life,” she said. “I would also love to fly. That would be my second superpower, she added. Success Regarding her definition of success, Peterman said, “I think the word success meant something when you first started out in your career, and it changes as you get older. To me, success means working and doing what I love. I think that’s really important.” “Success also means to continually evolve. I think I’m really getting open to that,” she admitted. “Try to do something that scares you because if you are not doing that, then you are not really pushing yourself.” Message for her fans For her fans, Peterman expressed, “I would like to thank them. I think they’ve been so loyal to me and they’ve stuck by me for a long time and I really appreciate them.” “You wouldn’t get to do what you do if people didn’t watch you or like you. I love meeting fans. I have met so many really cool person through Instagram,” she said. “There is nothing that makes my day more when they tell me that my work helped them get through hard times and that I’ve made them laugh. That’s the best feeling in the world,” she elaborated. Closing thoughts on ‘Deadlocked: Dad of the Dead’ Peterman concluded about the new indie horror film, “Parenting is hard, especially during a zombie apocalypse.” To learn more about Melissa Peterman, follow her on Instagram.

Photography: Greg Gorman Markos Papadatos interviewed Sir Robert Wagner, who is a living legend in every sense of the word. He opened up about “Hart to Hart” and his illustrious career in film, stage, and television. “The important thing in life is not victory but combat; it is not to have vanquished but to have fought well,” said Pierre de Coubertin, French Educator who was primarily responsible for the revival of the Olympic Games in 1894. Robert Wagner embodies this wise quote. Wagner starred in over 100 films, and he has guest-starred in more than 150 television shows. Wagner on being a part of the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ Robert Wagner is an American actor best known for his work in film and television, which spans more than seven decades. He was born in the ‘30s, in Detroit, Michigan, and he rose to prominence in the ‘50s with a series of starring roles in Hollywood films before becoming a familiar television presence in subsequent decades. He is affectionately known as “RJ.” Wagner has appeared in numerous motion pictures throughout his career such as “A Kiss Before Dying,” “The Pink Panther,” and “Harper.” He is one of the last surviving leading men of the “Golden Age of Hollywood.” On being a part of the “Golden Age of Hollywood,” he said, “It’s an honor, and it’s a fortune and a blessing. I am just very fortunate.” ‘Hart to Hart’ Wagner achieved widespread television success as the star of the popular series “It Takes a Thief,” “Switch,” and “Hart to Hart,” the latter of which earned him enduring recognition as Jonathan Hart opposite actress Stefanie Powers as Jennifer Hart. Speaking of “Hart to Hart,” he described it as the role or project that has brought him the greatest sense of joy. “I would say ‘Hart to Hart’ has a lot to do with a sense of fulfillment,” he said. “I loved Jonathan’s attitude, and I like what he did,” Wagner admitted about what he enjoyed most about his iconic character. Earlier this year, Wagner reunited with his “Hart to Hart” co-star Stephanie Powers. “That was a nice shot,” he said, about the picture of them that he posted on his social media pages. “Stephanie was incredible to work with on ‘Hart to Hart,’ and she does great work with the William Holden Wildlife Foundation.” Wagner praised the exceptional writing of the mystery TV series “Hart to Hart.” “The writing on the show was excellent,” he exclaimed. “That was all Tom Mankiewicz and Mart Crowley. We had a lot of very good writers on the show.” ‘NCIS’ In the police procedural TV series “NCIS,” Wagner portrayed Anthony DiNozzo, Sr., the father of Tony DiNozzo (played by Michael Weatherly). “I loved ‘NCIS.’ I liked all the cast members, and it was such a wonderful way to kind of wind down my career while being on that show! ‘NCIS’ still has such a dedicated fan following,” he said. Changes and evolution of the entertainment business Wagner had worked in Hollywood across many different decades and eras. Regarding the changes in the entertainment industry that have surprised him the most, he observed, “The whole entertainment business has changed tremendously, you know. That is a tough question to answer. It’s the digital age now with streaming and social media.” “Streaming in itself is difficult,” he noted. “These days, there is too much content to the point where it’s oversaturated.” Key to longevity in acting and entertainment On the key to longevity in the acting and entertainment business, he shared, “Well, the roles have been good, and I've had some very lucky moments, you know? Those play a great deal in longevity.” Advice for young and emerging actors For young and aspiring actors, he said, “Get set for rejection, especially now because it’s the age of self-tapes. You don’t even go into an audition room anymore. The whole audition process has changed so much!” “I think I was very fortunate to be in the position that I was, and in the business at the time that I was,” he acknowledged. ‘Austin Powers’ trilogy In addition to his leading roles, Wagner introduced himself to new generations of audiences through recurring appearances in film and television projects, including the “Austin Powers” film series, in which he portrayed Number Two, who was the nefarious henchman of Dr. Evil, the nemesis of Mike Myers’ titular role. For Wagner, the “Austin Powers” trilogy was such a remarkable experience. “That was so great,” he admitted. “Should Mike Myers ever decide to do another one, I still have the eyepatch and I’m ready to put the patch on!” Wagner on turning 96 years young This past February, he turned 96 years old, which is quite the milestone. “Well, that felt great,” he exclaimed. “I am very happy. My wife, Jill, is so wonderful to me and my kids. I want to tell you that it’s a real pleasure.” Reflecting on his impressive body of acting work When asked to reflect on his impressive and lengthy body of acting work, he is proud of the following accomplishments: “Well, I think some of the relationships that I've sustained with some of the people that I've worked with has been a great deal. Let’s remember… it’s always entertainment.” Superpower of choice If Wagner were to have any superpower, he responded, “That’s a wonderful question. I think I would like the power to understand.” “I would like to understand more, you know?” he said. Wagner on visiting and filming in Greece Wagner had great words about the country of Greece. In the early ‘80s, he traveled to Athens, Greece, and to the Greek island of Rhodes to film on location for the “Hart to Hart” episodes titled "Passing Chance" and "Death Dig" respectively. “I’ve been to Greece, and I love it there so much! We had such a great time there… the food, the people, the mountains and the beaches. It was such a wonderful trip, and Greece is such a beautiful place,” he recalled about his experience in Greece. Speaking of Greece, he played the role of Greek sponge fisherman in the 1953 classic film “Beneath the 12-Mile Reef,” but ironically enough, that was not filmed in Greece. In reality, that movie was shot on location in Tarpon Springs, Florida, which is known as “Little Greece” in the United States. Wagner’s message for his fans For his dedicated fans and supporters, Wagner expressed, “I appreciate everything that the fans have done for me all these years. They have been with me for so long, and I love that the fact that my fans are multigenerational; that’s incredible.” “The fans have just been so great to me, so passionate, and they are so kind. I am forever indebted to them,” he added. Stage of his life Regarding the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “Gratitude.” Family Wagner has been happily married to his wife, Jill St. John (the inaugural Bond Girl in “Diamonds are Forever”) for well over 36 years. They reside in Aspen, Colorado. Family is of utmost importance to Wagner. He has three daughters, Katie, a television and media personality, Natasha, an actress and author, and Courtney, a jewelry designer, as well as his two grandchildren, Riley (Katie’s son) and Clover (Natasha’s daughter), and Josh Donen, his stepson. “7th Heaven” actor Barry Watson is his son-in-law (Natasha’s husband). “Barry is so great. He is such a wonderful young man, and I am very happy that he is in my life,” Wagner said. Success On his definition of success, he said, “Success has brought me a lot of happiness.” “I’ve had some wonderful moments, and I am very thankful for how my career has turned out,” he said. American track and field running icon Steve Prefontaine once said: “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” Robert Wagner best exemplifies this quote by the running legend. Wagner’s longevity in the entertainment industry has made him one of the most recognizable actors of his era, and rightfully so. Beyond his acting career, Wagner has authored memoirs reflecting on his experiences in Hollywood, and his relationships with many of the industry's most notable figures. His career remains distinguished by versatility, longevity, and his lasting contributions to the entertainment industry. Wagner will go down in history as one of the most significant actors that American cinema and television has ever known. For more information on iconic actor Robert Wagner, check out his official website, IMDb page, and follow him on Instagram.

Photography: David Dresser A group of Miss England 2025 award winners, joined by the reigning Miss England, Grace Richardson, recently came together on a rainy day in London for a stylish, vintage-inspired fashion photoshoot. They worked with renowned fashion photographer David Dresser and fashion icon Stuart Trevor. Dubbed the "Saint of All Saints," Trevor is currently building the world's first sustainable brand, STUART TREVOR. The day began with hair and makeup preparations by talented artists Mariia Magdau from London and Leah Tolan from Manchester, while Cristina Majer at Hair West Hampstead created the perfect finishing touches. The Miss England finalists then selected their favourite vintage-inspired outfits with help from celebrated fashion designer Stuart Trevor, whose work is famously associated with some of the world's biggest rock stars. The aim of the shoot was to present the contestants in a completely different light—moving away from the traditional beauty queen image of crowns and sashes, and instead embracing a more edgy, high-fashion editorial style. Judging by the stunning images captured throughout the day, the objective was certainly achieved. The contestants confidently modelled the unique vintage designs against the backdrop of some of London's most iconic locations, including Pall Mall, London Bridge, and other famous landmarks across the capital, which they travelled to on their own transport by bus. The experience was made possible thanks to City Sightseeing London, who transported the group around the city's famous sights aboard one of their sightseeing buses, creating the setting for a memorable fashion shoot. "The weather wasn't quite what we had hoped for as it rained for most of the day so that did limit us on the outdoor photos," said Miss England Director Angie Beasley. "But in true rock-and-roll style, the show must go on! The girls were fantastic and embraced the challenge, producing some incredible photographs despite the wet conditions". The photoshoot proved that Miss England contestants are not only beauty queens but versatile models capable of adapting to a variety of creative concepts. The result was a collection of striking images that perfectly combined vintage fashion, modern attitude, and the unmistakable energy of London. To enter the next Miss England or find out more, visit www.missengland.info

Photo Courtesy of TYR Sport Markos Papadatos interviewed 12-time Olympic medalist Ryan Lochte about his new coaching gig at Missouri State University, where he will serve as an Assistant Swim Coach for the Men’s and Women’s Swimming and Diving Teams. He will work alongside Head Coach Dave Collins. This high-profile full-time position marks his transition from the pool deck to his first professional coaching position. His goal is to serve as a mentor for young student-athletes and help them build discipline and resilience, in an effort to become the best version of themselves. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt once said: “Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” This quote applies to Ryan Lochte, 41. Lochte is one of the most accomplished athletes in Olympic history, with 12 Olympic medals and a career defined by strong performances at the highest level. He is the second most decorated male swimmer in Olympic history. He won a total of 12 Olympic medals (six gold, three silver and three bronze) across four Summer Olympic Games (2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016). Coaching position at Missouri State University On his new coaching gig, Lochte exclaimed, “I am so excited. I always knew I was a good swimmer but when I started teaching and doing private lessons, I started seeing kids drop times dramatically thanks to the skills and techniques that they learned from my swim clinics. These kids have implemented these skills into their practice, and I just found a new niche for coaching.” “I have the same fire that I had when I was swimming competitively - and when I was trying to be the best - and now I want to become one of the best swimming coaches in the world,” he noted. “I think I'm just so fired up about this because I can help these young athletes chase after their dreams now, and that's what I love to do. I love helping other people out,” he elaborated. “It’s so awesome to be on the outside now looking in and watching swimming and just seeing the sport evolve from a different perspective. it's pretty cool,” he added. Photo Courtesy of TYR Sport Taking cues from his parents “Ironically enough, both of my parents have coached me. My mom was my first coach. She taught me about having good technique and pretty strokes. Then, my father wanted to sharpen my ‘pretty strokes’ with more hard work.” “Both of my parents, along with my coach Gregg Troy, who is the best coach in the world in my eyes… they all came together to form a ‘super coach’ and they taught me everything I needed to know to move forward,” he elaborated. “Now, I want to be the same inspiration to the youth over at Missouri State University. It’s so cool to be in this position that I am in now,” he added. Ryan Lochte - The International Swimming Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Lochte was officially inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame (ISHOF) on May 16th 2026. He was honored at the 61st annual Induction Ceremony in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he formally received his accolade alongside other icons in the sport, including his own coach Gregg Troy and fellow Olympic gold medalist Nathan Adrian. “I was so stocked to get inducted,” Lochte exclaimed. “I was so happy that Gregg Troy and Nathan Adrian were getting inducted as well.” “This was such good recognition for all the hard work that I’ve done throughout my entire life, and it has finally paid off,” he said. “The Swimming Hall of Fame ceremony was in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and I got to see the new pool, which is amazing! They really outdid themselves. It truly felt like a welcome home,” he expressed. “I've been going to that swimming pool since I was 11 years old and just to see them re-do it was pretty cool,” he noted. “Again, to share that induction ceremony with my father, as well as my coach Gregg Troy and my girlfriend Molly meant everything to me. It was simply a wonderful night,” Lochte added. Photo Courtesy of Molly Gillihan Life with his girlfriend Molly For Lochte, his loyal and supportive girlfriend Molly is the best thing that has ever happened to him. “Our life is just amazing,” he admitted. “I’m on Cloud 9 every day. I wake up happy every day because I look over at her each day. I see all of our kids… we have six kids, and we are like the Brady Bunch.” “Life lately is a blessing, and I am just so thankful for everything has happened to me,” he said. “All of the ups and downs in my entire life have led me to the person I am today, and it has all led me to this perfect life that I am living right now.” “Life with Molly has been so much fun and I cannot wait to move full-time to Missouri in the beginning of July,” he added. Lochte on Leon Marchand breaking his world record Frenchman Leon Marchard recently broke Lochte’s 14-year world record of 1:54.00 in the men's 200 meter individual medley (IM), which he set back on July 28, 2011. “I knew my record was going to get broken. I just didn't think it was going to get broken by that much (1:52.69). Leon is a phenom. He is going to be the face of swimming for the next couple of years, and it’s all good for the sport. That's why we have records. They are meant to be broken,” he explained. Photo Courtesy of Molly Gillihan Stage of his life On the title of the current chapter of his life, Lochte revealed, “Lochte 2.0.” “I am finally finding myself again,” he said. “It’s going to be epic at Missouri State University. I have found happiness and the confidence that I lost over the past nine years. I’ve found it and I owe it all to Molly because she has helped me find it, and she brought me back to life.” “So, everything that has happened in my life has been worth it. Now, there is only one way for me to go in my life, and that's up,” he underscored. Swim Clinics at Life Time in Garden City, New York Lochte has hosted "Legendary Swim Academy" clinics at the Life Time Athletic club in Garden City, New York, in partnership with his father, Coach Steven Lochte on two separate occasions. These multi-hour events were designed to teach aspiring swimmers of all ages proper stroke mechanics, starts, and flip turns (and all the four strokes). “The Life Time events in Garden City were amazing,” he said. “Oh my gosh. I love doing swimming clinics. I love doing coaching just because I love helping these younger generations out, and I'm a big kid myself. So, I can connect with these kids a lot better than other coaches do.” “I am able to speak to the youth in terms where they can really understand what I am teaching them and they can actually learn. I remember when I was in their shoes,” he said. “I love it when the parents of these students message me or DM me telling me that their kids dropped anywhere from four to six seconds in their swimming strokes simply because of the knowledge that they’ve gained in my clinics. To me, that is the greatest feeling in the world,” he elaborated. “That is really awesome and it reassures me that this is what I was meant to do. I just love giving back and I will continue to do so in any way that I can,” he added. Photo Courtesy of Molly Gillihan Visiting Athens, Greece with Michael Andrew in 2022 From December 2 to 4, 2022, Lochte visited Greece with fellow Olympic gold medalist Michael Andrew, and they hosted a swimming clinic in Athens at the OAKA Indoor Swimming Pool. “That was fun with so many memories being brought back,” he admitted. “When I first got there, it was really emotional because Athens was the first Olympics where I ever earned two medals for Team USA. I went to the exact same pool where I made my dreams come true.” “I just remembered looking behind the block that we won the gold medal in the 4 x 200 meter relay, and I was just overcome with memories. I remembered what Michael Phelps had told us back then before me and the other relay swimmers got on those blocks, and it really hit me. That was so awesome,” he recalled. “Then, I realized, ‘man, that was a long time ago, I’m old now’,” he said with a sweet laugh. “So, Athens, Greece, was where my Olympic career started, and everything took off from that point.” “Doing the swim clinic there nearly two decades later was awesome too, and the language barrier didn’t bother me at all. It was basically me just having fun with kids. Michael Andrew and I had a great time together,” Lochte said. “I really got to know Michael and his father, Peter, who was there too. Michael’s whole family is so nice and sweet. I hope we get to do more international swim clinics together,” he added. Photo Courtesy of Molly Gillihan Ryan Lochte holds Michael Andrew in the highest regards Speaking of Michael Andrew, Lochte holds him in the highest regards, and thanks him for constant respect and support. “While I didn’t make the U.S. Olympic team at the 2021 Olympic Trials, that was a very emotional time,” he noted, however, Lochte felt the love and support from two different Michaels in swimming (Michael Phelps and Michael Andrew) at that event. “Having Michael Phelps come down and give me a big hug and hearing him tell him that ‘the journey is not over’ meant a lot to me, especially since I thought it was over right there when I failed to make the Olympic team, but I’m happy I passed the baton on to the right hands… Michael Andrew’s hands. Both Michaels are both great guys,” Lochte elaborated. Ryan Lochte remembers legendary Olympic swimming coach Jon Urbanchek Lochte also fondly remembered his late swimming coach Jon Urbanchek who passed away in May of 2024. “I loved that guy,” Lochte said. “His famous words were: Keep it moving, move it! I learned so many great quotes from him… he was just awesome and an amazing swimming coach!” Message for his fans and supporters For his dedicated fans and supporters, Lochte expressed, “Thank you so much! It has been a roller coaster ride, and you guy have stuck with me, and you’ve never got off the ride.” “The fans have stuck with me through thick and thin… through a lot of ups and downs and I thank them wholeheartedly. I love my fans,” he concluded. To learn more about Olympic champion and Assistant University Swimming Coach Ryan Lochte, follow him on Instagram.

Photography: Kay Kasem Making an independent film is, at its core, an act of survival. It requires answering the midnight phone call when the funding inevitably collapses and finding the nerve to shoot the jungle scene at sunrise anyway. Emmy-nominated producer Daemon Hillin knows this rhythm in his bones. Operating in the spaces between the beaches of Venice and the streets of Bangkok, the Hillin Entertainment CEO has willed forty features into existence. He operates as a rarity in this business: a man who takes absolute responsibility for his art and the investors who back his vision. For a younger generation seeking a path forward, Hillin offers a stark, clear blueprint. You face the fire, you do not blink, and you keep building. Daemon Hillin with Jonathan Rhys Meyers The Gravity of Anthony Hopkins Right now, the industry is watching one specific film. When Hillin calls a film special, the claim carries weight. Eyes in the Trees is a sci-fi psychological thriller, a modern update of H.G. Wells’ The Island of Dr. Moreau shot deep in the jungles of Southeast Asia. At the center of the frame is Anthony Hopkins. Securing an Academy Award winner of his stature changes the fundamental math of a production. Hopkins is highly selective. When he signs a contract, the global financing community stops to pay attention. "Anthony Hopkins doesn’t just make the film better. He makes the film possible. That’s the part people outside this business don’t understand about what A-list talent actually does for your capital stack." - Daemon Hillin An actor of this caliber acts as a universal green light for foreign sales agents, distributors, and co-production partners. While Hillin has closed deals across multiple markets for decades, the financial structure supporting Eyes in the Trees represents a massive step forward in his career. Left to right: Merrick Stoller, Simon William and Daemon Hillin The Anatomy of Trust This structure relies on absolute trust. Hillin points directly to Joe Simpson and Simon Williams at Ashland Hill Media Finance. Their London and Santa Monica-based firm has rapidly deployed heavy capital across many films, establishing themselves as heavyweights in debt and gap financing. Hillin credits them as genuine partners who understand the independent market at its marrow. He gives equal credit to Landon Gorman at BGG Capital, citing his involvement as the final key to locking the funding in place. Finding good capital partners is rare, and Hillin knows when to value them. Financiers trust him because of the strict fiscal discipline required to handle this level of investment. He builds packages designed to turn a profit. The surrounding cast guarantees global traction. Directed by Timothy Woodward Jr., the film features Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ashley Greene, Thomas Kretschmann, and Praya Lundberg. By shooting in Southeast Asia, Hillin secured production incentives and co-production opportunities that simply cannot be faked on a backlot. The Hack and the Holdout The independent film business is brutal, and sometimes, it fights back. While Eyes in the Trees was in active production, a hacker breached their servers. Operating under the moniker “Korean Zombie,” the attacker stole precious minutes of footage. It was every single scene Anthony Hopkins had filmed in Los Angeles under a legitimate SAG-AFTRA strike waiver. The demand arrived fast. The hacker wanted an exorbitant amount in cryptocurrency within days. If Hillin refused, the footage would be dumped online and emailed directly to foreign buyers, an act designed to intentionally tank the film’s distribution prospects. Hillin did not flinch. He refused to pay. Daemon Hillin with Patrick McLain He immediately contacted the FBI and the Santa Monica Police Department. He called his political contacts, reaching out to Senator Benjamin Allen, Assembly member Rick Chaves, and Congressman Ted Lieu. Most importantly, he picked up the phone and called his investors directly. In a moment of intense pressure, he chose radical transparency over fear. He broke his own story to the press, refusing to let a hacker control the narrative. He stated publicly that they stand by their decision not to pay the extortionist, reinforcing that as indie filmmakers, they are resilient and will deliver an amazing film. The hacker leaked screenshots online, but the production kept moving. Hillin stated this was not his first time dealing with extortion. His response remains identical every time: document it, report it, and keep working. For his investors, it was absolute proof of his unshakable stability. For the younger generation, it was a definitive lesson in how a real leader acts when the walls close in. Beyond the Frame Away from the daily fires of production, Hillin lives quietly. He surfs at dawn and splits his time between California and Thailand. Thailand became the place where he saved his own routine. After getting sober, he spent time in Thai temples. He took full accountability for his past mistakes and began the grueling work of putting himself back together — tools he now shares in his journal for others walking the same path. The journal is not filled with empty theories. It is a direct distillation of the exact mental tools Hillin used to reconstruct after addiction. Every prompt comes from a moment where he had to make a hard choice. You can follow Daemon Hillin on Instagram, IMDb.

Festival director and producer Tiziana Rocca opens up about bridging the worlds of Italian cinema and Hollywood, championing emerging female voices, and the vulnerable journey of bringing deeply personal stories to the screen. You have brought Italian cinema to Los Angeles through Filming Italy. Securing a Walk of Fame star for Franco Nero was an unforgettable milestone. When you stand on Hollywood Boulevard, what thoughts come to mind about the journey that bridged these two cinematic worlds? "Standing on Hollywood Boulevard, reflecting on the honor bestowed upon Franco Nero, is to see a journey materialized—one built over time through continuous dialogue between Italian cinema and the international industry," Rocca observed. "Bringing Italian cinema to Los Angeles with Filming Italy meant creating a real, not symbolic, bridge between two worlds that feed off each other," she added, her tone grounded in deep gratitude. "Moments like the Walk of Fame star do not signify an arrival but rather a responsibility: to continue giving space and visibility to our cinematic culture abroad." Tiziana Rocca and Martin Scorsese Honoring legends like Franco Nero and Giancarlo Giannini is a beautiful act of cultural preservation. Looking back at your own beginnings, who was the first person to recognize your potential and give you the confidence to become a champion for other artists? "Throughout my journey, many encounters have been decisive, but often trust arises from small gestures rather than a single name," she shared thoughtfully. "I was fortunate to work with professionals who recognized my organizational commitment and cultural vision from the start. Fieldwork at festivals and productions was a continuous school." Emphasizing her current mission, she noted, "Today, I feel the duty to pass that trust on to new talents, as a natural continuation of my professional story." Acknowledging the steep climb required in her field, she pointed out, "There is also the challenge of being a woman in a male-dominated environment. Being a female director—such as at the Taormina Film Festival—is always a challenge, requiring triple the effort. Female festival directors are rare, which inspired my project to promote women within festivals. This is reflected in giving space to first-time female directors, as well as actresses and screenwriters." A core part of your mission at festivals like Taormina is giving equal visibility to female filmmakers and young talent. When you watch the shorts from this new generation, what unique emotional threads give you hope for the future of storytelling? "Every year at the Filming Italy Sardegna Festival, we see shorts and works that speak a very direct language, often free of artifice," she said with evident pride. "This gives me hope: a narrative sincerity unafraid of fragility. The work with new generations and support for female directors and students shows that diversity of perspective is not only an ethical value but also a creative one. The future of cinema lies in the ability to listen to these voices." She firmly believes in moving forward, adding, "There is also a fundamental need to advance continuously. It is essential to keep pace with technological and cultural advancements and to consider young people, who represent the festival audiences. We have many students both in Sardinia and Taormina, and organizing sessions for them means offering hope for the future in such a complex world." "Festivals also have an ethical and social value of sharing, as we strive to have guests share their emotions, passion, and achievements with the students, often through their professional stories," she explained. "Last year, Martin Scorsese held a one-and-a-half-hour seminar, giving hope and confidence to all the young people. The message was clear: from nothing, if you commit and believe in what you do, you can achieve results. This is hope for the future." Tiziana Rocca and Monica Bellucci Your recent film, Judas’ Gospel, tackles an intense story of love and betrayal from a highly unconventional perspective. Producing such heavy material takes an emotional toll. How did you and your husband, director Giulio Base, find harmony on set while capturing such raw human vulnerability? "Producing such an intense film means entering a complex emotional territory, but collaborating with Giulio Base allowed us to find a precise balance between instinct and control," Rocca reflected. "On set, the key was mutual trust: sharing a vision without overlapping, letting the direction guide the creative part while production maintained the structure. Judas is not only the guilty one but also the victim, and this emerges in the film," she detailed. Michael Douglas and Tiziana Rocca The film takes major creative risks, alternating between color and black and white to show opposing forces. As the producer guiding this specific visual language, what was your immediate reaction upon seeing the final cut through that unique thirty-two-millimeter lens? "The choice to alternate black and white with color is one of the project’s strongest elements," she noted. "Seeing the final edit shot on film gave a very powerful, almost physical visual impact. As a producer, the moment of the final viewing is always delicate: moving from idea to reality. In this case, the feeling was of a coherent language where form and content support each other." Expanding on the thematic weight, she explained, "This is not a film that seeks to provide answers: it is a heartbreaking confession. Judas becomes a fundamental instrument for the fulfillment of the Scriptures, but for this to happen, he must transform into one of the most evil men of all time. Perhaps also one of the most generous: he gives his life. He betrays his master, condemning himself to eternal damnation until what is written is fulfilled. Of all the apostles, he will be the only one to die with Jesus." Because you are usually the one organizing massive events like Taormina and Sardegna, you often play the host. How does it feel to step onto the exact opposite side of that equation, presenting your own deeply personal productions to an audience of your peers? "Those who organize festivals like Taormina or Filming Italy Sardegna are often used to creating spaces for others," she admitted. "Presenting one’s own project changes the perspective completely: one becomes more exposed but also more aware. It is a passage that requires detachment from the organizational role and a return to the more personal dimension of storytelling." À la Recherche captures a beautiful nostalgia and a deeply personal search for lost time. Does guiding a piece so rooted in the past change the way you value your own present moments in this industry? "Working on a piece tied to memory inevitably changes how one observes the present," Rocca said softly. "One becomes more attentive to details and moments often taken for granted. In such a rapidly moving audiovisual sector, focusing on the theme of time also means questioning what truly remains: relationships, images, emotions that survive daily work," she concluded.

Photography: Jonathan Mariande Markos Papadatos sat down with Emmy winner Timothy Woodward Jr. to discuss his latest cinematic endeavors, his time at the Cannes Film Festival, and the lessons he has learned throughout his journey. What are some of your latest films that you'd like to talk about? First of all, let me say thank you, Markos - it's always a pleasure to sit down and talk with you. As far as projects go, I've been fortunate to work on several recently that I'm really proud of. One of the biggest is Eyes in the Trees, a retelling of The Island of Dr. Moreau, where I had the opportunity to direct Anthony Hopkins alongside an incredible cast. It was an ambitious project both creatively and visually, and working with actors of that caliber pushes you to refine your own work as a director. I also recently completed Foster, starring James Franco, Ron Perlman, Dash Mihok, Rhys Coiro, and Natalie Burn, among others. It's a gripping action thriller set in the 1980s that focuses on human relationships, trauma, and redemption. I'm always drawn to stories that feel emotionally honest while still being cinematic and entertaining - and I love a good period piece. Getting to step back into the '80s and recreate that era was a really special experience. How was the Cannes Film Festival for you? Cannes was an incredible experience. Seeing Foster gain attention there this year was genuinely exciting, especially because the film is such a character-driven, emotional story. Having the opportunity to present the project and screen the film felt surreal - a real reminder of just how global filmmaking is. There's something unique about being at Cannes. You're surrounded by filmmakers, actors, producers, and distributors from every corner of the world, all united by the same passion for cinema. The screenings, meetings, and conversations throughout the festival create an energy that's truly hard to describe unless you've experienced it yourself. To think that just one year earlier Natalie and I were walking those same streets, quietly hoping this film would come together - and then to be standing there watching it screen with the cast, the audience responding the way they did - that's the kind of moment you make films for. Where do you see yourself in the next five years? Creatively, I want to keep challenging myself and taking on larger-scale projects - and honestly, directing a franchise is something I'm very excited about pursuing. There's something compelling about building a world that spans multiple films and getting to go deeper with characters and story over time. That's a real goal for me. On a personal level, what matters most is that Natalie is happy and that her career continues to grow and flourish - watching her succeed means as much to me as anything I accomplish myself. I also hope that by then our family has expanded. That would mean everything. My wife and I have a number of exciting projects we're currently developing together, and I think the best work is still ahead of us. The goal is to keep evolving, keep collaborating with talented people, and keep making films that audiences genuinely connect with. What is your advice for young and emerging filmmakers? The biggest thing I'd say is to focus on mastering your craft and be patient with yourself. Filmmaking is not an overnight career - it takes years of learning, failing, improving, and continuing to push forward. Don't wait for permission to create. We live in a time where technology has made filmmaking more accessible than ever before, and what matters most is developing your own voice and point of view. Make your film. Just do it. And finally, treat people with respect. This industry is built on relationships and collaboration. Talent matters, but professionalism and integrity matter just as much. Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you? Several moments have shaped me, but one major turning point was directing and showrunning Studio City. Winning an Emmy and receiving multiple nominations for that series was incredibly meaningful - it represented years of hard work and persistence finally paying off. But what made it truly hit home was thinking about the people watching from home. My grandmother, sitting in her living room in South Carolina, and my mom - both watching me accept that Emmy during the CBS primetime broadcast. These are two women who had watched me chase this dream for years, through all the uncertainty and sacrifice that comes with this career - and in that moment, they got to see it validated on the biggest stage. That image stays with me. It's a reminder of where I come from and why I do this. These last two films have also been really defining. Working with someone as iconic and legendary as Anthony Hopkins is just - wow. He is a true master of his craft, and also one of the kindest people I've encountered in this industry. And Foster was its own kind of adventure. We had enormous action sequences every day, we filmed inside an actual circus, and we got to fully recreate the '80s. Every film teaches you something new about yourself as a director, and those two back-to-back were an extraordinary education. How does it feel to be a filmmaker in the digital age? It's exciting because there are more opportunities than ever for filmmakers to reach audiences around the world. The barriers to entry are much lower than they used to be, which has opened real doors for talented storytellers who might not have had them before. At the same time, audiences today are flooded with content, so authenticity matters more than ever. Technology can enhance filmmaking, but emotional truth is still what connects people to a story - and that will never change. What's it like working with Academy Award nominee James Franco? It has been amazing. And there's actually a funny story that sets the stage for it. Natalie and I were at Cannes last year - James had just accepted the role in Foster but we hadn't finalized all of his paperwork yet. We were walking through the festival talking on the phone with some distributors when James came walking past us at a fast clip. Nat and I debated whether to go up and say hello, but we ultimately decided not to - we didn't want to catch him off guard. Fast forward a year, and we just left Cannes having screened Foster starring James Franco, with James Franco in attendance. Pretty full-circle moment. James is an incredibly intelligent and instinctive actor. What I appreciated most was how collaborative and creatively engaged he was throughout the entire process. He comes to set very prepared, but he also leaves room for discovery in scenes, which creates a fascinating dynamic as a director. He also worked on the screenplay with us, and we hit it off from the start. The whole experience felt organic and alive - the kind of character-driven filmmaking that defined the best of classic Los Angeles cinema. What would you like to say to your fans and supporters? First and foremost - thank you. I never take support for granted, because filmmaking is such a collaborative art form, and audiences are a huge part of why we do this. I'm incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported the films, watched the projects, and followed this journey over the years. The fact that people continue connecting with these stories means everything to me. I'm excited for what's ahead, and I promise to keep pushing myself creatively - and to keep making films that entertain, challenge, and hopefully inspire. To learn more about Emmy winner Timothy Woodward Jr., follow him on Instagram.