Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, the Chadian auteur, is vying for the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival with his film "Soumsoum," while Catherine Laga'aia, the star of the upcoming live-action "Moana," is set to lead the Australian thriller "Crashout," according to Variety. The news was announced on February 14, 2026. Meanwhile, American Olympic champion Jordan Stolz secured a double-Olympic win in speed skating, setting a new Olympic record in the 500-meter race.
Haroun, who gained international recognition with his docudrama "Bye Bye Africa" in 1999, feels it is his "duty" to bring his native Chad to the forefront of the film industry, as reported by Variety. The film "Soumsoum" is a contender at the Berlin Film Festival.
Laga'aia's casting in "Crashout" was unveiled at the Berlin's European Film Market, as stated in Variety. The film is a Gen-Z thriller.
In speed skating, Stolz, after winning the 1000-meter race, secured another victory in the 500-meter event at the Milano Speed Skating Stadium. He finished the race in 33.77 seconds, setting a new Olympic record, .11 seconds ahead of Dutch speedskater Jenning de Boo, according to Time. Stolz's coach, Bob Corby, reminded him before the race that even if his start lagged, the race would be won on the backstretch, urging him to "burn, like you've never burned before."
In other news, Filipinana director Rafael Manuel discussed comparisons to HBO's "The White Lotus" and the influence of Jia Zhangke, as reported by Variety. The director spent seven or eight years developing his debut feature about a teenage girl working at an elite Manila country club.
Additionally, Vox reported that the most extensive military campaign of President Donald Trump's second term is one he rarely discusses.
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