Webby award nominations

    The teams behind President Barack Obama’s 2012 social media election campaign and Justin Bieber’s fragrance launch were among the nominees on April 9 for the annual Webby Awards, which honor excellence on the Internet.

    Tom Hanks, Lady Gaga, Tiger Woods, Alec Baldwin and Charlize Theron were among many other celebrities in attendance.

    The annual Webby Awards honor websites, online video and social media as well as apps and interactive Internet advertising.

    Cinemas pull ‘Django Unchained’

    The screening of U.S. director Quentin Tarantino’s latest film, “Django Unchained,” on the Chinese mainland was suddenly suspended* on its opening day on April 11.

    All mainland cinemas received a notice from the movie’s mainland distribution companies, China Film Group and Huaxia Film Distribution Co., at about 10 a.m. on April 11, saying the movie screening was suspended due to “technical problems.” The notice didn’t say when the movie would be shown.

    French cultural festival opens

    People in Shenzhen will be treated to 32 French movies, an acrobatic* show and a modern dance performance in May and June, as part of a French cultural festival held in 22 cities around the country.

    In Shenzhen, movies including “Amour” and “Thérèse Desqueyroux” will be shown at Phoenix Cinema in Luohu District from May 13 to 19. On May 8, the acrobatic show “Linéa” by Compagnie Sens Dessus Dessous will be performed at Phoenix Cinema. And local people will have the opportunity to enjoy a modern dance by Compagnie Kafig at Shenzhen Children’s Palace in Futian District on June 7.

    ‘Cold War’ wins big

    “Cold War” won nine statuettes out of 19 competition categories at the 32nd Hong Kong Film Awards.

    “Cold War” was the highest grossing local production in Hong Kong last year, taking in US$5.4 million at the Hong Kong box office. Best actor went to Tony Leung Ka-fai for his role as a deputy police commissioner in “Cold War.”

    Singer-turned-actress Miriam Yeung was named best actress for the first time for her performance in the romantic comedy sequel “Love in the Buff.”(SD-Agencies)