International Insider: Saudi Retreat; Scaling Up In Spain; Lunch With Jeff Pope
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund is reportedly ending its financial support for LIV Golf, casting uncertainty over the future of the controversial golf tour despite organizers seeking new long-term partners. Meanwhile, Spanish indie production company AF Films, led by Frank Ariza, is expanding its operations with international projects and infrastructure in the Canary Islands. In the UK, screenwriter Jeff Pope discussed his career and the evolving media landscape in a rare on-record interview with the press.
- ▪Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund is halting funding for LIV Golf, raising doubts about the tour’s sustainability.
- ▪LIV Golf organizers claim they are actively seeking secure long-term financial partners to continue operations.
- ▪AF Films, founded by Frank Ariza, has grown from an indie studio to a production and distribution company with soundstages in the Canary Islands.
- ▪AF Films has projects featuring Antonio Banderas and Millicent Simmonds, and a documentary on St. Peter’s tomb with Chris Pratt.
- ▪Jeff Pope, an Oscar-nominated screenwriter known for 'Philomena' and 'Believe Me,' recently gave a rare 90-minute interview to UK press.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
A LIV tournament outside of Miami, FL Eric Espada/Getty Images Good afternoon Insiders, welcome welcome. Busy week and we’ve got the rundown for you below. Max Goldbart here penning the newsletter. Sign up here. Saudi Retreat Vertical Less washing: The actions of nations like Saudi Arabia led terms such as “sportswashing” and “culturewashing” to enter the lexicon, but now the Gulf state appears to be in something of a funding retreat. Reports that Saudi Arabia‘s Public Investment Fund (PIF) will stop financing the LIV Golf Tour shook up the world of sport earlier this week, and these reports were effectively confirmed yesterday afternoon.
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