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Georg Szalai

Global Business Editor

Georg Szalai joined The Hollywood Reporter in 2001 as a business reporter in New York, was named business editor in 2003 and also became New York bureau chief in 2005. He has been based in London since 2012, working with THR's global team as international business editor and, since 2023, as global business editor. Despite being THR’s resident Austrian, he has (as of mid-2023) never met Arnold Schwarzenegger. Georg has covered such major Hollywood deals as Disney's acquisition of large parts of Fox, the merger that created Warner Bros. Discovery, Comcast's takeover of Sky and various music catalog sales. He also enjoys following such entertainment business and finance topics as Netflix and the evolving streaming business, CEO pay, and earnings reports, plus has attended film festivals from Berlin and Cannes to Tokyo.

More from Georg Szalai

Ukraine War in Karlovy Vary Focus as Oleh Sentsov Meets Czech President Before ‘Real’ World Premiere

World politics took center stage in the Czech spa town of Karlovy Vary on Sunday. Ukrainian filmmaker Oleh Sentsov world premiered his documentary Real from the trenches of the Ukraine War at the 58th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival. But beforehand, he met with Czech president Petr Pavel who expressed the Czech Republic’s support for […]

Viggo Mortensen on Respecting Audiences, How Scripts Are Key “Unless I’m Broke,” New ‘LOTR’ Films

Viggo Mortensen seems tireless. On Friday night, he opened the 58th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) in the Czech Republic with his feminist western The Dead Don’t Hurt after being honored with the fest’s President’s Award. On Saturday, he discussed the film at a press conference and introduced another screening in […]

Orson Welles to Steven Soderbergh: Karlovy Vary Curators on Hollywood’s “Kafkaesque” Cinema

When it comes to celebrated Czech writer Franz Kafka, filmmakers the world over have long been inspired to either adapt his work outright or make movies that are decidedly “Kafkaesque,” filled with the kind of angst, alienation and absurdity the made the novelist one of the most prominent and distinctive figures in 20th century literature. […]

KVIFF’s Master of Ceremonies Creates Memorable Events and Drops Performers Onto Trampolines

Attendees of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) tend to rave about the lineup of stars attending, the celebratory, even party, atmosphere that takes over the picturesque Czech spa town during the event – and those action-packed opening ceremonies. Past years have seen the likes of ice skaters, horses, flames, and bloodbaths getting the […]

‘Trans Memoria’ Director Victoria Verseau on How the Film “Saved Me” and Everyone Is in “Transition”

Swedish artist Victoria Verseau, born in 1988 and based in Stockholm, explores themes such as body, memory, identity and social structures via a range a media, from sculptures and installations to performance art and short films. “The works are often based on her personal experiences of being trans and a new woman,” her website highlights. […]

Bohemian Baristas and Bakers: Coffeeshops to Keep Karlovy Vary Film Fest Attendees Fueled

Even the most seasoned film festival goers need a bit of a break in between a busy schedule of competition and special screenings in dark cinemas every now and then. In Karlovy Vary, you may actually spot one of the celebrities who have flocked to the Czech spa town over the years while fueling up […]

Viggo Mortensen, With Czech Skills, and Aliens Help Open Karlovy Vary Fest With a Bang

Viggo Mortenson, jury member Geoffrey Rush, and jury president and independent film veteran Christine Vachon were among the big names strutting down the red carpet on Friday evening for the gala opening ceremony of the 58th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) in the Czech Republic. The black-tie opening event saw Mortensen collect the KVIFF […]

Benicio del Toro Trailer for Karlovy Vary Film Fest Debuts at Opening Ceremony

Benicio del Toro has had enough of schmoozing, small talk and pretending to laugh at people’s jokes in this year’s black-and-white trailer for the 2024 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF), which was unveiled, as has become tradition, on Friday evening as part of the opening night festivities of the 58th edition of the fest in […]

Party Vibes, Scenic Views, Grand Hotels and Spas: Fun Karlovy Vary Ideas When Not Seeing Fest Films

The 58th edition of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) is ready to bring film buffs and industry folks a selection of movie world premieres and some of the highlights from the film fest circuit. But no trip to the famous Czech spa resort would be complete without a bit of Bohemian hospitality, food and drink, […]

Many Hollywood Stocks Are Now “Show Me” Bets for Wall Street Investors

TikTok and artificial intelligence are on the rise. Cord-cutting is slashing linear TV profits. The advertising market has major question marks. Management teams across Hollywood, put on notice by Wall Street for streaming profitability, are hunting for more cost cuts and possible mergers and asset sales to optimize asset portfolios. Hard times for media and […]

Kosheen Singer Sian Evans Feels “More Creative in My 50s,” Runs a B&B and Opens Karlovy Vary 2024

British electronic music band Kosheen had its big breakthrough hit in 2001 with “Hide U,” which expresses a desire to keep a loved one safe from harm and still feels topical in the age of social media trolling. Its blend of drum and bass, trip-hop and other electronic music genres found a fan base in […]

SkyShowtime Strikes Prime Video Channels Deal in Four Markets

SkyShowtime, the European streaming joint venture of Comcast and Paramount Global, will become available through Prime Video Channels for the first time across four markets, namely Spain, the Netherlands, Poland and Sweden. The partnership kicks off starting in July. “This deal enables us to expand our reach in some of our key markets, giving Amazon customers […]

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