Entertainment
New Details About Disney 100 Years of Wonder Revealed to Fans During D23 Expo
Last Updated on June 27, 2024 by Daily News Staff
From dazzling new movies and an immersive exhibit touring the world to amazing theme park spectaculars and collectible merchandise, fans and families will enjoy new entertainment, experiences, and events from every corner of The Walt Disney Company
Walt Disney Animation Studios’ Wish will delight audiences in November 2023
BURBANK, Calif. – New and exciting details about Disney 100 Years of Wonder were revealed this past weekend to fans during D23 Expo 2022 presented by Visa. Disney100 will be the largest cross-company global celebration in the 100-year history of The Walt Disney Company, and it will officially kick-off during Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest on ABC.
“Ten decades of creativity, innovation, and determination created The Walt Disney Company you know today—the most enduring and beloved name in entertainment,” said Disney CEO Bob Chapek during the opening ceremonies of D23 Expo. “It’s an awesome responsibility to lead Disney as we begin our second century of telling stories and creating magic that will endure for another 100 years.”
Guests at the Ultimate Disney Fan Event were the first to see Mickey Mouse in his shimmering new “platinum” outfit, designed to reflect the optimism and creativity of Disney as the company celebrates 100 years and looks toward the next century. And throughout the weekend, fans heard about incredible new entertainment, experiences, and events coming from every corner of The Walt Disney Company for the celebration. From Walt Disney Animation Studios’ 2023 release Wish and Disney100: The Exhibition, which will tour domestically and internationally beginning next year, to new spectaculars opening at Disneyland Resort, amazing collectible merchandise, and more, here’s a taste of what’s to come during Disney100:
The Walt Disney Studios
On Friday inside the 7,000-seat Hall D23, Jennifer Lee, chief creative officer of Walt Disney Animation Studios announced Wish, an epic original animated musical inspired by the studios’ legacy of films and features all-new songs by Grammy®-nominated artist Julia Michaels. The magical story, which looks ahead to the next 100 years for the studio and explores how the wishing star that so many Disney characters wished upon came to be, is set in Rosas, a fantasy kingdom where wishes literally can come true. Inspired by watercolor illustrations of fairytales that fascinated Walt Disney, the look of the film blends a timeless watercolor style with contemporary 3D CG animation. Attendees were introduced to 17-year-old Asha—a smart and driven optimist with a sharp wit whose impassioned plea to the stars calls down an actual star from the sky. Impossibly curious and a little ball of boundless energy, Star is a giant beacon for chaos. Filmmakers Chris Buck and Fawn Veerasunthorn and actor Alan Tudyk (the voice of Valentino the goat) joined Lee on stage before introducing the voice of Asha, recent Oscar® winner Ariana DeBose, who brought down the house singing “More for Us,” an all-new original song from the film, which hits theaters in 2023.
Plus, the Walt Disney Studios presentation of upcoming theatrical and streaming titles on Friday previewed a trio of new films from Disney Live Action that continue Disney’s 100-year celebration. These new films include The Little Mermaid, a live-action reimagining of the studio’s Oscar-winning animated musical classic, which opens exclusively in theaters nationwide May 26, 2023; Haunted Mansion, a ghostly adventure inspired by the classic theme park attraction, which hits theaters in 2023; and Peter Pan & Wendy, a reimagining of the 1953 animated classic, which premieres on Disney+ in 2023.
Fans in Hall D23 were among the first to see a brand-new Walt Disney Studios logo introduction in honor of Disney 100 Years of Wonder. The new Disney castle introduction features Tinker Bell flying over a riverside village and up a waterfall that leads to the iconic Disney castle, now platinum. Created by Disney Studios Content and Industrial Light & Magic and featuring an all-new arrangement of “When You Wish Upon a Star” by award-winning composer Christophe Beck (Frozen, WandaVision), the new introduction will first appear in theaters with Disney’s Strange World this Thanksgiving and will then play in front of all Disney theatrical and streaming releases throughout 2023.
Disney100: The Exhibition
At D23 Expo, it was announced that Disney100: The Exhibition will open on February 18, 2023, at The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Chicago, Illinois, and Kansas City, Missouri, set as the next two stops on the North American tour. The international unit of the exhibit will open on April 18 in Munich, Germany, with more cities to be announced in the coming months. The stunning key artwork for the exhibit was also revealed, which invites guests to step into their favorite stories using innovative and immersive technology throughout ten galleries in the 15,000-square-foot exhibit. The Walt Disney Archives is opening its vault of treasures, showcasing more than 250 of its “Crown Jewels,” rarely seen original artworks and artifacts, costumes and props, and other memorabilia. Disney has curated special behind-the-scenes glimpses into the creation of the company’s most popular characters, films, shows, and attractions—from Disneyland to Walt Disney World and beyond. The ten magnificent and imaginatively themed galleries, all featuring moving stories, unique interactive installations, and exciting background information, will take visitors on a journey through 100 years of The Walt Disney Company, celebrating the classics from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs to Strange World, as well as the latest members of the Disney family—Pixar, Star Wars, Marvel, and National Geographic.
Walt Disney Parks & Resorts
Disney Parks, Experiences and Products Chairman Josh D’Amaro provided guests at D23 Expo a first look at how Disney Parks around the world will mark Disney100. New décor, specialty food and beverages, character experiences and more will come to parks around the world, with the heart of the celebration rooted at Disneyland Resort:
- Two new nighttime spectaculars—World of Color – One and the new fireworks show Wondrous Journeys—will kick off in late January at Disneyland Resort. World of Color – One at Disney California Adventure will span the broad storytelling legacy of Disney’s first 100 years and tell a new story through Disney classics and new favorites. Wondrous Journeys at Disneyland Park will ignite the wonder in everyone and feature nods to all 60 Walt Disney Animation Studios films to date, taking viewers on a journey filled with artistry, music, storytelling, and heart. Special entertainment moments will also pop up across the resort, including the long-awaited return of the Magic Happens parade this spring.
- A brand-new nighttime spectacular will come to the World Showcase Lagoon at EPCOT in late 2023as part of the Disney100 celebration.
- Hong Kong Disneyland will also unveil a new statue of Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse near Cinderella’s Golden Carousel as part of Disney 100 Years of Wonder.
Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing
As The Walt Disney Company celebrates its 100th anniversary, Disney Consumer Products, Games and Publishing has several exciting new merchandise collections and collaborations to commemorate Disney 100 Years of Wonder. The first of these collections include:
- Disney100 Platinum Collection – D23 Expo attendees got a special preview of Disney’s Platinum Collection, including the debut of the first Disney100 ear hat and headband. Platinum is a rare, precious metal known to withstand the test of time, just like beloved Disney characters. This Platinum Collection of Disney100 products captures the “classically Disney” look while paving the way forward into a new century. Additional details about this collection debuting on shopDisney—including the introduction of new products—will be revealed later this year.
- Disney100 Decades Collection – As part of the Disney100 Celebration, Disney is introducing the Disney Decades collection, a merchandise line that celebrates classic stories and eras from the company’s history. Debuting early next year on shopDisney with products centered around the 1920s and Steamboat Willie, this ongoing series will celebrate a different decade and the beloved stories from them including Snow White from the 1930s, Pinocchio from the 1940s, and more.
- Disney100 Books from Disney Publishing: Fans looking to celebrate 100 years of Disney through its beloved tradition of storytelling can look forward to brand-new titles in 2023, including Walt Disney: An American Original, Commemorative Edition; The Official Walt Disney Quote Book; The Story of Disney: 100 Years of Wonder, by John Baxter, Bruce C. Steele and the Staff of the Walt Disney Archives; and People Behind the Disney Parks: Stories of Those Honored with a Window on Main Street, U.S.A. by Chuck Snyder with original art by Josey Tsao.
A Company-Wide Celebration
In addition to the above, more incredible experiences, content, and opportunities await guests including:
- Disney100.com: D23 Expo marked the debut of Disney100.com, a digital experience for all the magic in store for guests during the celebration. Right now, fans can get a sneak peek of the site, which will officially launch January 1, 2023.
- ABC News Studios will present a once-in-a-lifetime documentary event to commemorate the 100th anniversary of one of the world’s most beloved companies. Disney: 100 Years of Wonder will take viewers on a journey that started in 1923 and whose future is not yet written. Deciding that a linear chronological retelling beginning in 1923 was inadequate to truly capture the essence of the magic of The Walt Disney Company, the project will tell the story from the lens of the core values and philosophies of the company, which have acted as a guided path through our ever-changing world.
- Disney Music Group and Deutsche Grammophon will release Lang Lang: The Disney Book on Septembers 16, 2022 celebrating 100 years of Disney with iconic melodies reimagined for the piano.
- In 2023, Disney Music Group will release a vinyl compilation highlighting the Company’s musical moments across film, television and the Parks.
- And much, much more to be announced in the coming weeks and months, including —content that will span the company’s portfolio of must-watch linear television channels, including ABC, Disney Channel, ESPN, Freeform, FX, and National Geographic, as well as the ABC owned-stations—and streaming platforms—Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+
Fans can post about the celebration using #Disney100.
Source: Disney
https://stmdailynews.com/category/entertainment
Breaking News
Dolly Parton Dies at 80, Leaving Behind an Extraordinary American Legacy
Dolly Parton, the legendary singer, songwriter, actress, entrepreneur and philanthropist, has died at 80. We look back at the remarkable journey that took her from rural Tennessee to becoming one of America’s most beloved cultural icons.
Last Updated on August 25, 2026 by Daily News Staff
Country music legend, songwriter, actress and philanthropist Dolly Parton has died at the age of 80, bringing to a close one of the most remarkable careers in American entertainment.
Dolly Parton Dies at 80
Dolly Parton, whose unmistakable voice, songwriting talent, humor and generosity made her an American cultural icon far beyond the world of country music, died Tuesday, August 25, 2026, in Nashville.
Parton died at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center following a brief battle with cancer, according to her publicist. She was surrounded by loved ones. The specific type of cancer has not been publicly disclosed.
For millions of fans around the world, the news marks the loss of an entertainer who seemed almost timeless.
From the Tennessee Mountains to Stardom
Born Dolly Rebecca Parton on January 19, 1946, in Sevier County, Tennessee, Parton grew up as one of 12 children in a family with little money.
Those beginnings would become an important part of both her identity and her music.
Rather than distancing herself from her Appalachian upbringing after becoming famous, Parton repeatedly returned to those experiences in her songwriting. Songs such as “Coat of Many Colors” transformed childhood memories into stories about poverty, family, dignity and love.
After moving to Nashville, Parton eventually became a nationally known performer, including through her partnership with Porter Wagoner.
But it was her ability to write songs that helped establish her as one of the defining artists of her generation.
Her catalog would eventually include classics such as “Jolene,” “I Will Always Love You,” “Coat of Many Colors,” “Here You Come Again” and “9 to 5.”
“I Will Always Love You,” originally written and recorded by Parton in the 1970s, would find an entirely new audience when Whitney Houston recorded a soaring version for the 1992 film The Bodyguard.
More Than a Country Singer
Calling Dolly Parton simply a country music star never quite captured the full scope of her career.
She crossed into pop music, television and Hollywood while maintaining her country roots.
Her starring role alongside Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin in the 1980 comedy 9 to 5 helped turn her into a major movie star. The film’s title song became another Parton classic and an enduring anthem about the frustrations of working life.
Parton later appeared in films including The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas, Steel Magnolias and Straight Talk.
She also became an extraordinarily successful businesswoman.
Her association with Dollywood, the Tennessee theme park bearing her name, helped transform the attraction into one of the state’s best-known tourist destinations while bringing jobs and investment to the region where she grew up.
A Legacy Built Around Giving
Parton’s impact may ultimately be measured by more than records sold, awards won or movies made.
Through the Dolly Parton Imagination Library, founded in 1995, free books have been provided to children from birth to age five.
What began as a literacy program serving children in Parton’s home county in Tennessee grew into an international effort distributing books to children in the United States and several other countries.
Parton also contributed to disaster relief, education and medical research. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she donated $1 million to Vanderbilt University Medical Center research that helped support development of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine.
Her philanthropy became almost as recognizable as her music.
An Artist Who Crossed Generations
Perhaps one of Parton’s most unusual achievements was her ability to remain relevant without abandoning the personality that made her famous.
Parents who grew up hearing Dolly Parton records introduced her music to their children and grandchildren. Country fans embraced her, but so did rock musicians, pop artists, actors and audiences who might rarely listen to country music.
Her enormous blonde hair, rhinestones and colorful outfits became instantly recognizable, and Parton frequently made herself the punchline of jokes about her appearance before anyone else had the opportunity.
Behind that carefully cultivated public image was a songwriter responsible for thousands of compositions and a businesswoman who maintained considerable control over her work.
Even late in her career, Parton continued exploring new musical territory. Her 2023 album Rockstar featured collaborations with major figures from rock and pop music and demonstrated yet again her ability to move between genres.
Tributes Pour In
News of Parton’s death quickly prompted tributes from across entertainment and public life.
Musicians, actors, friends and admirers remembered not only her extraordinary career but also the kindness and generosity for which she had become known.
The reaction reflects something that made Parton unusual among celebrities of her stature: she became a figure whose appeal extended across generations, regions and many of the cultural divisions of American life.
Her husband, Carl Dean, died in March 2025 at the age of 82. The famously private Dean and Parton had been married for nearly 60 years.
The Music Remains
Dolly Parton’s career is difficult to summarize because it was never confined to one thing.
She was a country singer who became a pop star.
A songwriter who became a movie star.
A girl who grew up poor in the mountains of Tennessee and became a highly successful entrepreneur.
And a celebrity who turned much of her wealth and fame toward helping children she would never meet.
Dolly Parton died at 80, but the songs, stories and institutions she created will continue long after her passing.
For generations of listeners, hearing the opening guitar of “Jolene,” the tenderness of “Coat of Many Colors,” or the unmistakable opening of “9 to 5” will immediately bring her back.
And perhaps that is one of the greatest legacies a songwriter can leave behind.
STM Daily News will publish a more comprehensive look at Dolly Parton’s extraordinary life, career and lasting cultural impact in the coming days.
Sources:
Associated Press — Dolly Parton dies at 80
Reuters — Dolly Parton dies at 80
Related Links:
Official Dolly Parton Website
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
health and wellness
Millions of mobile gamers prize stress relief over winning
Mobile Gamers Prize Stress: In the school’s car pickup line, five minutes before it starts moving. In the doctor’s office waiting room for an appointment that you’ve been heavily anticipating. In bed, just before going to sleep. In these transitional moments, many people reach for their phones — not to scroll, but to play.
Millions of mobile gamers prize stress relief over winning
(Sheeka Sanahori) In the school’s car pickup line, five minutes before it starts moving. In the doctor’s office waiting room for an appointment that you’ve been heavily anticipating. In bed, just before going to sleep. In these transitional moments, many people reach for their phones — not to scroll, but to play.
According to a June 2026 survey of more than 128,000 KashKick mobile gamers, playing a mobile game is more than a way to pass the time. Stress relief and relaxation are the top reasons respondents play, beating out entertainment and fun. As KashKick reports, for many people, this means mobile games are less a simple distraction and more a coping mechanism for the daily stress of life.
A quick reset for life’s transitional moments
Most respondents identify as women, and 60% live in households that earn less than $50,000 per year. In the ranking of their reasons for playing, stress relief and relaxation topped the list, with boredom relief, entertainment and fun close behind.
The ranking reads less like a profile of a gaming hobby and more like a profile of a coping behavior.
More than half of the respondents play games daily or multiple times a day. When they reach for a mobile game, about 53% of the time it’s for a short session—usually 30 minutes or less. Where and when people play tells its own story: 58% play in bed before going to sleep and 40% play in the bathroom. These are private, solitary moments, not the times people typically plan entertainment into their day.
Coping with stress by gaming
To understand why respondents play games for stress relief more than for fun, it helps to look at who they are. Among those surveyed, 19% say they’re unemployed or looking for work, and 60% live in lower-income households. There are likely some areas of their life where they must make every dollar stretch to cover the things they need.
The survey findings coincide with research from the American Psychological Association’s 2025 Stress in America report. According to the report, 18% of men and 22% of women under age 65 rate their stress level at eight or higher on a scale of one to 10. Although the KashKick survey didn’t measure stress, respondents are mostly women and fall within the age and income groups the APA found to carry the most stress.
The APA’s report also describes loneliness as a major strain for Americans. The KashKick survey didn’t measure feelings of isolation, but 55% prefer to play alone, and 60% rarely or never discuss their gameplay with friends or family.
Overall, the survey identifies a group of people who have found a routine, low-cost approach to cope with stress. They’re not necessarily there to get the highest score. They’re playing a mobile game to help them navigate a day that, with all of life’s to-dos and challenges, could quickly feel overwhelming.
Methodology
The KashKick Gaming Habits Survey was fielded from June 8, 2026, through Aug. 10, 2026, among KashKick members in the United States who play mobile games. The Gaming Habits Survey was available to all members on KashKick’s Surveys page post-profile completion. The survey received 128,218 total responses, with question-level response counts ranging from approximately 109,793 to 128,218 depending on attrition. All findings describe KashKick mobile gamers and should not be interpreted as representative of U.S. mobile gamers overall. Industry and stress context references publicly available data from the American Psychological Association, Statista, and Newzoo.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
KashKick
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Entertainment
BronzeLens Film Festival Returns to Atlanta for Two Weekends of Global, Diverse Storytelling
BronzeLens Film Festival Brings International Lineup to Atlanta Across Two Weekends
Atlanta becomes a hub for filmmakers and film lovers this month as the BronzeLens Film Festival marks its 17th annual celebration of cinema. Running August 21–23 and August 27–30, 2026, the festival brings together industry leaders, emerging creators, and audiences for two weekends centered on one idea: diverse storytelling deserves the biggest possible stage.
Founded to elevate underrepresented voices in film, BronzeLens says its 2026 lineup continues that mission with more than 150 Official Selections. The slate spans projects connected to creators and stories from across the globe, including Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Ghana, Guadeloupe, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, South Africa, The Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Festival organizers note that every film in the program is either produced by creators of color or focuses on stories about people of color.
Opening Night spotlight: “Love Patrick: Nothing is Impossible”
This year’s Opening Night feature is Love Patrick: Nothing is Impossible, directed by the Horne Brothers. The documentary chronicles the life and legacy of fashion designer Patrick Kelly, whose work and vision helped reshape how Black creativity and style were seen on a global stage.
For audiences, it’s a fitting kickoff: a story about artistry, identity, and ambition—exactly the kind of conversation-starter BronzeLens aims to put in front of the public.
A festival built for films—and the conversations after
BronzeLens founder and executive producer Kathleen Bertrand says the festival’s purpose goes beyond screenings.
“We believe the true magic of film happens both on the screen and in the conversations it inspires,” Bertrand said. “Our mission is to champion outstanding filmmaking while creating dynamic opportunities for filmmakers, creators, talent, and audiences to connect, collaborate, and help shape the future of storytelling.”
That emphasis on community and connection has helped BronzeLens become a key cultural event in Atlanta’s film ecosystem—one that continues to grow in reach as the industry increasingly looks for authentic, globally resonant stories.
Notable names tied to the 2026 Official Selections
This year’s Official Selections are associated with a wide range of acclaimed artists, including:
- Academy Award® winner Viola Davis, narrator of The Ebony Canal: A Story of Black Maternal & Infant Health
- Academy Award® winner Jordan Peele, producer of Spilled Milk
- Emmy Award winner Loretta Devine, co-star in Black Seeds Continue to Grow
- Golden Globe nominee Blair Underwood, producer and co-star in The Listeners
- Grammy Award-winning artist T.I., featured in The Birth of Trap Music and director of Da’Partments 2
- Ambyr Michelle, co-star in Escape Room
- The late Erica Ash, starring in The Making of a Classic
- Lauren E. Banks in Channels
Where it’s happening
Festival headquarters will be located at The Tara Atlanta, 2345 Cheshire Bridge Road NE.
For the full schedule, the complete list of Official Selections, and ticket information, visit www.BronzeLens.com. The official hashtag is #BronzeLens2026.
If you’re looking for a late-summer event that blends culture, craft, and community—BronzeLens is positioning itself as one of the film festivals where the industry (and the audience) will be paying attention.
Source
- PRNewswire press release: “The World Will Be Watching as BronzeLens Celebrates Its 17th Annual Film Festival”(BronzeLens Film Festival), published Aug. 7, 2026
Related links
- BronzeLens Film Festival (schedule, Official Selections, tickets): www.BronzeLens.com
- Official hashtag: #BronzeLens2026
- Festival HQ venue info: The Tara Atlanta, 2345 Cheshire Bridge Road NE, Atlanta
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