The latest cover of prestigious US magazine Vanity Fair features an annual photograph of Hollywood's elite -- with a twist.

In the provocative Lebanese film "The Insult," a minor conflict over a gutter between two ordinary men in Beirut spirals and escalates to the level of national significance with the stability of the country hanging in the balance.

The film, from director Ziad Doueiri ("West Beirut," ''The Attack"), on Tuesday became Lebanon's first foreign language Oscar contender. It's also, somewhat fittingly, caused a fair amount of controversy internationally, being banned in countries like Jordan.

Ambassador of the European Union to Lebanon Christina Lassen on Wednesday opened the 24th edition of the European Film Festival 24 at Cinema Metropolis Empire Sofil, in the presence of Minister of Culture Ghattas Khoury and of political and diplomatic figures, as well as culture, media and social personalities.

“It is the 24th time we host this festival here in Lebanon which we – in all modesty – think has become an essential part of the cultural calendar here,” Lassen said in a speech.

Harvey Weinstein's accusers were finally heard because the US producer's power was "on the wane," US-British actress Rachel Weisz told the Evening Standard in an interview published Thursday.

Israeli Culture Minister Miri Regev has welcomed the failure of her country's controversial candidate for the Oscars to win a nomination, having called the film "Foxtrot" an insult to the military.

Elton John was set to make an announcement Wednesday about his next move, teasing fans by saying: "I've finally decided where my future lies."

Slayer, whose lugubrious, occult-infused music helped create the genre of thrash metal, on Tuesday announced that the group was retiring after a final tour.

Movies from Lebanon, Chile, Russia, Hungary and Sweden are competing in the Academy Awards race for best foreign-language film.

Five nominees announced Tuesday include Lebanese filmmaker Ziad Doueiri's forceful "The Insult"; Chilean director Sebastian Lelio's drama with a transgender heroine, "A Fantastic Woman"; and Russian director Andrey Zvyagintsev's stark divorce story "Loveless."

Fantasy romance "The Shape of Water" topped the Oscars nominations list on Tuesday with 13 nods, as the Academy also gave a rare nomination to a woman in the directing category.

Guillermo del Toro's Cold War-set fairy tale scored nods for best picture, best director, best actress for its star Sally Hawkins, and supporting acting nominations for Richard Jenkins and Octavia Spencer.

Two months after legendary designer Azzedine Alaia's sudden death plunged the fashion world into mourning, an exhibition in homage to the "King of Cling" opens Monday in his studios in Paris.