Pooja Pillai is an entertainment journalist with Asian Media Group, where she covers cinema, pop culture, internet trends, and the politics of representation. Her work spans interviews, cultural features, and social commentary across digital platforms.
She began her reporting career as a news anchor, scripting and presenting stories for a regional newsroom. With a background in journalism and media studies, she has since built a body of work exploring how entertainment intersects with social and cultural shifts, particularly through a South Indian lens.
She brings both newsroom rigour and narrative curiosity to her work, and believes the best stories don’t just inform — they reveal what we didn’t know we needed to hear.
Demi Lovato is now a married woman. The 32-year-old singer and actor tied the knot with long-time partner Jordan "Jutes" Lutes over the weekend in California. The couple, who first met while working on her 2022 album Holy Fvck, kept things low-key but stylish, opting for a private ceremony surrounded by close friends and family.
Their love story began in the studio. Lutes co-wrote a few tracks on Demi’s album, including Substance and City of Angels, and the two started out as friends before things turned romantic months later. The connection deepened quickly. Lovato has often spoken about how supported and grounded she feels in the relationship.
Demi Lovato and Jordan Lutes share a sweet moment togetherInstagram/ddlovato
In December 2023, Lutes proposed with a custom diamond ring. While they took their time enjoying the engagement, the wedding planning stayed calm and pressure-free. “We weren’t in a rush,” Lutes had said in an interview last year. “We just wanted to enjoy being together and not stress about the wedding.”
For the big day, Lovato chose a custom Vivienne Westwood gown in pearl-white silk with a corset-style bodice, elegant and true to her style. She later changed into a second Westwood piece for the reception: a sleek column dress adorned with draped pearls. The couple held a rehearsal dinner the day before, where Lovato wore a different bridal look in a more relaxed setting.
Over the past few months, both Demi and Jordan have shared glimpses of their excitement online. On Valentine’s Day this year, Lovato posted, “I can’t wait to grow old with you and start a family.” The couple has always been open about the strength of their bond, with Lovato calling Lutes her “sweet angel” and “favourite person.”
While the guest list has been kept private, the event was photographed by Jose Villa, the same photographer who shot their engagement. For now, the couple plans to enjoy married life before thinking about the next steps, like starting a family.
Demi Lovato’s affectionate tribute to Jordan Lutes on Valentine’s DayInstagram/ddlovato
Lovato, who recently directed a documentary and is working on a new album, says she’s just soaking it all in. “Everything I do, I want to do with him,” she once said. And now, as husband and wife, they’ll get to do exactly that.
Forum brings UK and Chinese film professionals together to explore collaborations.
Emerging British-Asian talent gain mentorship and international exposure.
Small-scale dramas, kids’ shows, and adapting popular formats were the projects everyone was talking about.
Telling stories that feel real to their culture, yet can connect with anyone, is what makes them work worldwide.
Meeting three times a year keeps the UK and China talking, creating opportunities that last beyond one event.
The theatre was packed for the Third Shanghai–London Screen Industry Forum. Between panels and workshops, filmmakers, producers and executives discussed ideas and business cards and it felt more than just a summit. British-Asian filmmakers were meeting and greeting the Chinese industry in an attempt to explore genuine possibilities of working in China’s film market.
UK China film collaborations take off as Third Shanghai London Forum connects British Asian filmmakers with Chinese studios Instagram/ukchinafilm
What makes the forum important for British-Asian filmmakers?
For filmmakers whose films explore identity and belonging, this is a chance to show their work on an international stage, meet Chinese directors, talk co-productions and break cultural walls that normally feel unscalable. “It’s invaluable,” Abid Khan said after a panel, “because you can’t create globally if you don’t talk globally.”
And it’s not just established names. Young filmmakers were all around, pitching ideas and learning on the go. The forum gave them a chance to get noticed with mentoring, workshops, and live pitch sessions.
Which projects are catching international attention?
Micro-dramas are trending. Roy Lu of Linmon International says vertical content for apps is “where it’s at.” They’ve done US, Canada, Australia and next stop, Europe. YouTube is back in focus too, thanks to Rosemary Reed of POW TV Studios. Short attention spans and three-minute hits, she’s ready.
Children’s and sports shows are another hotspot. Jiella Esmat of 8Lions is developing Touch Grass, a football-themed children’s show. The logic is simple: sports and kids content unite families, like global glue.
Then there’s format adaptation. Lu also talked about Nothing But 30, a Chinese series with 7 billion streams. The plan is for an english version in London. Not a straight translation, but a cultural transformation. “‘30’ in London isn’t just words,” Lu says. “It’s a new story.”
Jason Zhang of Stellar Pictures says international audiences respond when culture isn’t just a background prop. Lanterns, flowers, rituals, they’re part of the plot. Cedric Behrel from Trinity CineAsia adds: you need context. Western audiences don’t know Journey to the West, so co-production helps them understand without diluting the story.
Economic sense matters too. Roy Lu stresses: pick your market, make it financially viable. Esmat likens ideal co-productions to a marriage: “Multicultural teams naturally think about what works globally and what doesn’t.”
The UK-China Film Collab’s Future Talent Programme is taking on eight students or recent grads this year. They’re getting the backstage access to international filmmaking that few ever see, including mentorship, festival organising and hands-on experience. Alumni are landing real jobs: accredited festival journalists, Beijing producers, curators at The National Gallery.
Adrian Wootton OBE reminded everyone: “We exist through partnerships, networks, and collaboration.” Yin Xin from Shanghai Media Group noted that tri-annual gathering: London, Shanghai, Hong Kong create an “intensive concentration” of ideas.
Actor-director Zhang Luyi said it best: cultural exchange isn’t telling your story to someone, it’s creating stories together.
The Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum is no longer just a talking shop. It’s a launchpad, a bridge. And for British-Asian filmmakers and emerging talent, it’s a chance to turn ideas into reality.
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