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Cannes Film Festival Announces 2016 Jury

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CANNES, FRANCE (FNN NEWS) – Cannes has always sought to adopt a universal and international approach, and in tune with this tradition, George Miller will be surrounded by eight luminaries of world cinema, from Iran, Denmark, United States, Italia, France, Canada and Hungary. The Jury will therefore include four women and four men around George Miller. Their task will be to decide between the 21 films in Competition in order to select the winners – to be announced on stage at the Closing Ceremony on Sunday 22nd May. The film awarded by the Palme d’or will be screened this same evening, in the presence of the Jury and the entire team of the winning film.
THE JURY
George MILLER – President
(Director, Writer, Producer – Australia)
Arnaud DESPLECHIN (Director, Writer – France)
Kirsten DUNST (Actress– United States)
Valeria GOLINO (Actress, Director, Writer, Producer – Italia)
Mads MIKKELSEN (Actor – Denmark)
László NEMES (Director, Writer – Hungaria)
Vanessa PARADIS (Actress, Singer – France)
Katayoon SHAHABI (Producer – Iran)
Donald SUTHERLAND (Actor – Canada)
Arnaud Desplechin, Director, Writer (France)
Arnaud Desplechin became an official competitor at Cannes with The Sentinel, his first feature film. He then made My Sex Life… or How I Got into an Argument, which introduced a new generation of actors. The artists in his films have regularly been awarded the most prestigious prizes, notably the 61st Festival de Cannes Prize for Catherine Deneuve in A Christmas Tale. In 2016, he won the César for Best Director for his film My Golden Days. He recently directed his first theatre play, August Strindberg’s The Father at the Comédie-Française, to great acclaim.
Kirsten Dunst, actress (United States)
Kirsten Dunst made her breakthrough performance at the age of 11 in Interview with the Vampire by Neil Jordan earning her a Golden Globe nomination. She played in Sofia Coppola’s independent film, Virgin Suicides, in theSpider-Man film series by Sam Raimi, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind by Michel Gondry, Marie Antoinetteby Sofia Coppola, On the Road by Walter Salles, Midnight Special by Jeff Nichols, and won the Best Actress Award at the 2011 Festival de Cannes for her performance in Lars von Trier’s Melancholia. She received a Golden Globe nomination for her role on the FX miniseries Fargo. She can next be seen in Kate & Laura Mulleavy’s Woodshock.
Valeria Golino, actress, director, producer, writer (Italy)
Early on in her career, Valeria Golino was awarded the Prize of Best Actress for her role in Francesco Maselli’sA Tale of Love at the Venice Film Festival and her career became international. She notably appeared in Barry Levinson’s Rain Man (1988), Emanuele Crialese’s Respiro (2002), Valeria Bruni Tedeschi’s Actrices (2007) and Paolo Virzì’s Human Capital (2013). In 2013, she directed her first film, Miele, screened at the Festival de Cannes in the Un Certain Regard selection, and received the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury. She recently appeared in Giuseppe M. Gaudino’s Per Amor Vostro, which won her the Best Actress Award at the Venice Film Festival. She is currently working on directing her next feature-length film.
Mads Mikkelsen, actor (Denmark)
Mads Mikkelsen rose to fame as an actor in the Nicolas Winding Refn’s Pusher film trilogy. He became widely known internationally for his role as the main antagonist Le Chiffre in the James Bond film, Casino Royale(2006). Other credits include Susanne Bier’s After the Wedding (2006), Nikolaj Arcel’s Royal Affair and his Festival de Cannes Best Actor Award-winning role in Thomas Vinterberg’s The Hunt (2012), Arnaud Des Pallières’s Michael Kohlhaas premiered in Cannes in Competition (2013). He will appear in Marvel’s 2016 film,Doctor Strange, and Disney’s 2016 Star Wars film, Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.
László Nemes, director, writer (Hungary)
László Nemes was born in Budapest, he became interested in filmmaking at an early age. After studying History, International Relations and Screenwriting, he worked as Béla Tarr’s assistant during the filming of The Man from London. His 2015 debut feature film, Son of Saul, was screened in Competition at the 2015 Festival de Cannes, where it won the Grand Prix. He is the first Hungarian director whose film has won a Golden Globe for Best Foreign Language Film. His film, Son of Saul, is the second Hungarian film to win the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Vanessa Paradis, Actress, Singer (France)
An actress and singer of great renown, Vanessa Paradis has pursued both careers internationally, be it recording albums, performing concerts or shooting films. She played notably in Girl on the Bridge by Patrice Leconte (1999), Heartbreaker by Pascal Chaumeil (2010), Café de Flore by Jean-Marc Vallée, Fading Gigolo by John Turturro. In music, she has notably collaborated with Serge Gainsbourg and Matthieu Chedid. Her most recent album, “Love Songs”, won her a 2014 Victoire de la Musique award.
Katayoon Shahabi, producer (Iran)
She worked as a film promoter in Farabi Cinema Foundation (FCF), before establishing in 1994 her own company, Sheherazad Media International (SMI), the most important private company active in the worldwide distribution of features, documentaries and co-production with foreign companies. SMI has introduced films from acclaimed directors to the world. In 2012, she launched her company, Noori Pictures too, with which Tales by Rakhshan Banietemad and Wednesday, May 9 were awarded in Venice in 2014 and Nahid by Ida Panahandeh in Un Certain Regard 2015.
Donald Sutherland, actor (Canada)
He is one of the most respected, prolific and versatile actors, with over one hundred and fifty film credits, including such classics as Robert Aldrich’s The Dirty Dozen, Robert Altman’s M*A*S*H, (Palme d’or 1970) Robert Redford’s Ordinary People, Bernardo Bertolucci’s 1900, Alan J. Pakula’s Klute, Federico Fellini’s Fellini’s Casanova, Oliver Stone’s JFK and Joe Wright’s Pride and Prejudice. Sutherland was ‘President Snow’ in the hugely popular The Hunger Games film series. Upcoming films include Milton’s Secret and Measure of a Man.

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Ananda Lewis: A Legacy of Empowerment and Advocacy

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Source: People.com

ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Ananda Lewis, the charismatic MTV VJ and talk show host, passed away on June 11, 2025, at the age of 52, after a courageous battle with stage 4 breast cancer. Her sister, Lakshmi Emory, confirmed the news, sharing that Ananda passed away peacefully in her Los Angeles home.

Born on March 21, 1973, in San Diego, California, Lewis rose to prominence in the late 1990s as a VJ on MTV, hosting shows like Total Request Live and Hot Zone. Her engaging personality and insightful interviews made her a beloved figure among viewers, and she earned accolades such as an NAACP Image Award for her work on BET’s Teen Summit.

Beyond her television career, Lewis was a passionate advocate for social issues. She launched The Ananda Lewis Show in 2001, addressing topics like domestic violence and breast cancer, aiming to provide a platform for meaningful conversations. Her commitment to authenticity and social impact resonated with many, and she continued to use her platform to inspire and educate.

In 2020, Lewis publicly disclosed her diagnosis of stage 3 breast cancer and later revealed that it had progressed to stage 4. Despite medical advice recommending a double mastectomy, she chose alternative treatments, later expressing some regret about that decision. Throughout her illness, Lewis remained vocal about cancer awareness, encouraging women to prioritize their health and live authentically.

Ananda Lewis leaves behind a legacy of empowerment, advocacy, and unwavering commitment to her values. Her influence extended beyond the entertainment industry, inspiring countless individuals to embrace authenticity and advocate for positive change.

Her passing marks the loss of a significant figure in entertainment who also became a voice for health advocacy. Her legacy includes a strong commitment to authenticity and social impact, and her estimated financial worth was around $8 million.

Ananda Lewis’s impact on television and her dedication to social causes have left an indelible mark on the industry and the hearts of many.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

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Val Kilmer, Iconic ‘Top Gun’ Star, Dies at 65

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ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) –Val Kilmer, one of Hollywood’s most memorable actors, has passed away at the age of 65. Known for his dynamic range and unmistakable voice, Kilmer captivated audiences with his standout performances in a career that spanned over four decades.

A Career Full of Iconic Roles

Kilmer’s breakout role came in the 1980s with Top Gun (1986), where he portrayed the cocky and charming fighter pilot, Iceman. The film catapulted him into stardom alongside Tom Cruise, and it remains one of the most iconic films in Hollywood history. Kilmer’s portrayal of Iceman left an indelible mark on pop culture, with his line “I am dangerous” becoming an enduring catchphrase.

Beyond Top Gun, Kilmer’s career featured a diverse range of roles, from playing the suave rock star in The Doors (1991) to the legendary Batman in Batman Forever (1995). He brought depth to each of his characters, making them memorable even in smaller roles, such as his comedic turn in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (2005). His performances were often praised for their intensity, wit, and ability to disappear into his roles.

A Life Beyond the Screen

Kilmer’s life was marked by both triumph and personal struggles. Despite his fame, he was known for his private nature and his journey battling throat cancer. In recent years, Kilmer’s health struggles became widely known, as he had to undergo a series of surgeries that left him with a diminished ability to speak. However, he continued to embrace his craft and the fans who loved him, most recently appearing in Top Gun: Maverick (2022), a sequel to the film that first made him a star.

The documentary Val (2021) offered fans a rare, candid look into his life, showcasing not only his successes but also his personal battles and the deep affection he had for his craft. Through this film, Kilmer shared never-before-seen footage from his personal archive, allowing fans to see the man behind the roles.

A Legacy That Will Live On

Kilmer’s death marks the end of an era for Hollywood. He leaves behind a legacy of timeless performances that will continue to resonate with generations of fans. From the depths of his dramatic portrayals to the highs of his action-packed roles, Val Kilmer’s impact on cinema is undeniable. His unforgettable presence and voice, once a hallmark of his performances, will be greatly missed by fans and colleagues alike.

Val Kilmer is survived by his children and countless fans who cherished him throughout his illustrious career. His contributions to film will continue to inspire new audiences for years to come, reminding us of the power of storytelling and the ability of one man to shape the very fabric of cinema.

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Kareen Kennedy is the Assistant Editor for Florida National News
kareen.kennedy@floridanationalnews.com

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LPGA Pros Shutout Celebs at the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions “Break The Glass” Challenge

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Photo Credit: Mike Brodsky, Florida National News

ORLANDO, Fla. (Florida National News) – Some big names in sports, entertainment, and music can be found with golf clubs in hand at The Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions at Lake Nona Golf & Country Club, this weekend. About 50 celebrities will compete for a $500,000 purse, while LPGA Tour players try to grab their share of $2 million in prize money.

Today, LPGA pros Megan Khang, Alexa Pano, and Bailey Tardy took on celebrities Landon Donovan, Major League Soccer legend, Michael Peña, award-winning actor, and Kira Dixon, Reporter and Miss America 2015 in the annual “Break The Glass” challenge. The LPGA pros shutout the celebs 3-0. You can watch the action here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DFYsQKbyiAi/?igsh=YzZlNG9rNXhvbnRy. (And be sure to follow Florida National News on Instagram and Facebook.)

Lydia Ko returns to defend her title, after adding an Olympic gold medal and membership in the LPGA Hall of Fame to her resume since last year’s tournament. Actors Don Cheadle and Larry The Cable Guy, NBA stars Blake Griffin and Ray Allen, and Pro Football Hall of Famers Marcus Allen and Charles Woodson are just some of the celebs hitting the links Thursday, 1/30 through Sunday, 2/2. Tickets and more information are available online at http://www.HGVLPGA.com.

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