CANNES

HK makes impact at festival

The world's most famous film festival wraps up today and Terence Malick's Tree Of Life is favoured to win the grand prize, the Palme d'Or. Although no Chinese films were in competition, Hong Kong's presence was still felt. Director Johnnie To Kei-fung and producer Nansun Shi were on the jury panel, headed by Robert De Niro (pictured). Peter Chan Ho-sun announced his film Wu Xia, screened out of competition last week, could be released in the US this autumn.

CHICAGO

A-listers grace Oprah finale

Oprah Winfrey ended her 25-year run on television last Tuesday, as many big names joined the taping of her final show in Chicago. With 13,000 fans in attendance, she was serenaded by Beyonce, Stevie Wonder and Aretha Franklin, then greeted by Tom Cruise, Tom Hanks, Madonna and Michael Jordan. The final Oprah Winfrey Show airs in the US on May 25.

NEW YORK

Wall-to-wall Gaga for album push

She recently gained her 10-millionth follower on Twitter and was named the fifth most powerful person in the world according to Time. Lady Gaga will next dominate media the old-school way with a performance (and interview) on The Late Show with David Letterman tomorrow (US time), the same day her highly anticipated album Born This Way is released.

AUSTRALIA

Twins promote Barrier Reef

The slow, but steady, return of Hong Kong pop duo Twins - on hiatus since 2008 after member Gillian Chung Yan-tung was implicated in the Edison Chen photo scandal - is taking place in the Lucky Country. where Chung and Charlene Choi Cheuk-yin are starring in a marketing campaign by the nation's tourism board for the Great Barrier Reef and Cairns.

BEIJING

Electro fest powers up

The third INTRO (Ideas Need To Reach Out) Electronic Music Festival started this weekend with 80-plus artists, including US rave pioneer Josh Wink (pictured), DJ Sodeyama from Japan, and Paris' Okain and Paul Ritch.