Ulrich Seidl Developing New Feature Distances - Production / Funding - Austria/Germany/France
Austrian auteur Ulrich Seidl is developing a new feature film titled *Distances*, which delves into dark tourism and the psychological isolation of its protagonist, Carl Schwert. The drama is a co‑production between Austria, Germany and France, backed by public funds from the Austrian Film Institute, Filmfonds Wien and Germany’s Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung. The cast features comedian Christoph Grissemann and actress Maria Hofstätter, with a screenplay co‑written by Seidl, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala. Production is slated for completion in 2027, positioning the film for the European festival circuit.
Arab Cinema Center Returns to the Marché Du Film with a Dynamic Program Driving Industry Dialogue
The Arab Cinema Center (ACC) is back at Cannes’ Marché du Film from May 14‑17, presenting a multi‑day program in partnership with MBC Studios. The lineup features panels on commercial Arab productions, women leadership, rising talent, innovative business models, and...
Chris Evans Joins Crime-Thriller My Darling California
Chris Evans has been added to the 1980‑set crime thriller *My Darling California*, replacing Josh Brolin who exited due to scheduling conflicts. The film, written and directed by Elijah Bynum, already boasts an Oscar‑winning ensemble including Jessica Chastain, Chris Pine, Don Cheadle and...
"Free Rider": French Producers' Unions Condemn France Télévisions' Deal with YouTube
Four leading French producers’ and distributors’ unions – AnimFrance, Sedpa, SPI and USPA – have issued a joint statement condemning France Télévisions' newly announced distribution agreement with YouTube. The deal permits the public broadcaster’s television content to be uploaded to...
Cannes 2026 Sets "Rendez-Vous" Masterclasses with Peter Jackson, Cate Blanchett, and Tilda Swinton
The Cannes Film Festival announced that its "Rendez‑vous" masterclass series will return for the 2026 edition, featuring public conversations with cinema luminaries Peter Jackson, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton. The sessions will run alongside the Official Selection, offering ticketed access...
"A Deeply Patriarchal Society": New Collectif 50/50 Report Reveals Massive Gender and Budget Gaps in French Film
The Collectif 50/50 released its third annual parity study, examining department‑head roles in 206 French feature films slated for 2025 release. Women occupied just 22 % of those senior positions, with female cinematographers falling to 18 % and female producers to 24 %. The...
"I Produce Films the Market Isn't Used To": Sister Productions Celebrates 15 Years with a Pivot to Animation
Sister Productions, the Gironde‑based indie studio founded by Julie Paratian, celebrates its 15th anniversary by launching a dedicated animation unit. The pivot follows a decade‑plus of backing unconventional film projects and reflects growing demand for niche animated content on European...
Interview: Vivien Vande Kerckhove • Distributor, O’Brother - “Our Mission Has Always Been to Shed Light on What Belgian Film...
O’Brother, a Belgian arthouse distributor founded in 2009, is set to release 22‑24 titles in 2026—more than double its 2017 output. The company has expanded its Benelux presence with a new Netherlands office, growing the core team from three to...
Once We Were Us (2025) Bi Kim Do-Young Film Review
South Korean director Kim Do‑young, fresh from the breakout hit “Kim Ji‑young, Born 1982,” helms the 2025 adaptation “Once We Were Us,” a remake of the 2018 Chinese romance “Us and Them.” The film follows former lovers Eun‑ho and Jeong‑won...
Nicolas Winding Refn’s Her Private Hell Is Heading to Cannes - Production / Funding - USA/Denmark
Nicolas Winding Refn’s long‑awaited feature *Her Private Hell* will debut out of competition at Cannes 2026, his first film in a decade. The futuristic thriller, co‑written with Esti Giordani, stars Sophie Thatcher and Charles Melton and was shot in Tokyo and Copenhagen....
Tommy Ng and Polly Yeung Interview
Directors Tommy Ng and Polly Yeung discuss their animated feature “Another World,” which captured the Golden Horse Award for Best Animated Feature and became Hong Kong’s highest‑grossing local animated film of 2025. The interview, conducted ahead of the film’s CAAMFest...
Mr. Shota’s Last Business Trip by Lee Ju-Hyoung Trailer
The trailer for Lee Ju‑hyoung’s "Mr. Shota’s Last Business Trip" introduces a chance encounter between a Japanese executive and a Korean heart‑breaker in Enoshima, where they exchange unsent resignation and love letters. Their pact draws both men into each other’s emotional worlds,...
“IMPACT X Nightline: There’s Something About Fernando” Coming Soon To Hulu & Disney+
Disney announced a new documentary, “IMPACT x Nightline: There’s Something About Fernando,” debuting Thursday, April 30, 2026, on Hulu and Disney+ in the United States. The film follows Fernando Mendoza, the Indiana Hoosiers quarterback who led an undefeated season, won the Heisman...
Another World (2025) by Tommy Ng Kai Chung Film Review
Tommy Ng Kai‑chung’s debut *Another World* has been selected for the Annecy International Animation Film Festival and earned three Golden Horse Award nominations, marking a rare global spotlight for Hong Kong animation. The fantasy epic adapts a Japanese novel and...
Baazingg Khwatai by Siddhartha Sharma Trailer
"Baazingg Khwatai," a Hindi feature film directed by FTII alumnus Siddharth Shashta, blends folklore, psychological tension, and ritualistic horror. Set against the remote backdrops of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, the story follows Officer Tribhuvan as he uncovers a centuries‑old cult...
I've Seen All I Need To See - Jennie Kermode - 20313
British indie drama "I’ve Seen All I Need To See"—directed by Zeshaan Younus—offers a slow‑burn meditation on grief rather than a conventional thriller. The film relies on ambient sound, muted colour palettes and sparse dialogue to immerse viewers in the...
Searchlight Pictures Developing New Film “Lottery”
Disney’s Searchlight Pictures is developing a drama titled “Lottery,” centered on a young man with Down syndrome who wins the lottery and embarks on a road‑trip with a mysterious companion. The film stars Keke Palmer, who also serves as an...
Orphan (2025)
László Nemes’ new drama Orphan (2025) follows twelve‑year‑old Andor navigating post‑World War II Budapest under Soviet occupation. The film intertwines personal loss, hidden Jewish roots and the terror of the ÁVH secret police, while a grotesque butcher claims to be...
‘Sterling Point’ First Look Images and Premiere Date Revealed by Prime Video
Prime Video announced that its coming‑of‑age drama "Sterling Point" will launch globally on August 5, with all eight episodes released at once. Created and directed by filmmaker Megan Park, the series follows 17‑year‑old Annie Jacobson (Ella Rubin) as she inherits a...
The Devil Wears Prada 2 Review
The Devil Wears Prada 2 returns under director David Frankel, delivering the same sharp humor and fashion flair as the 2006 hit while tackling the modern crisis facing print media. Andy Sachs (Anne Hathaway) navigates a Runway that’s threatened by...
American Dream: The Timely Return Of An Oscar-Winning Documentary
Barbara Kopple’s documentary *American Dream* chronicles the 1985‑86 Hormel meat‑packing strike in Austin, Minnesota, highlighting workers’ battle against wage cuts despite the company’s $30 million annual profit. The Oscar‑winning film, shot in grainy 16 mm cinema‑vérité style, follows the strike’s human toll...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Hokum” Star Adam Scott & Filmmaker Damian McCarthy
The supernatural horror film "Hokum," written and directed by Damian McCarthy and starring Adam Scott, debuted at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival to strong critical acclaim. The story follows an author who travels to rural Ireland to...
Vanessa Kirby & Lewis Pullman To Lead Sci-Fi Film The Spacesuit
Vanessa Kirby and Lewis Pullman are set to star in Kitty Green’s sci‑fi thriller The Spacesuit, produced by HanWay Films. The film follows an astronaut forced to make a life‑or‑death decision after a mission‑critical incident. Kirby and her sister Juliet...
What Does It Mean to Be a 'Failed' Actor?
The author recounts a dismal screening of the indie film *Mother Mary* and uses the experience to explore feelings of inadequacy in the entertainment world. A brief, awkward encounter with singer‑songwriter Chappell Roan highlights the author’s yearning for validation from...
Criterion Venerates Three Essential Works of ’90s Black Cinema with “John Singleton’s Hood Trilogy”
The Criterion Collection has issued a deluxe box set of John Singleton’s three‑film “Hood Trilogy”—Boyz n the Hood (1991), Poetic Justice (1993) and Baby Boy (2001). All three titles are presented as 4K restorations on UHD discs with Dolby Vision...
Discussions With Peter Jackson, Cate Blanchett & Tilda Swinton Added To The 2026 Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival 2026 will expand its Official Selection with a new discussion series featuring Sir Peter Jackson, Cate Blanchett and Tilda Swinton. Jackson will appear on May 13, the day after receiving an Honorary Palme d’Or, celebrating his $3 billion‑grossing...
Bong Joon-Ho Goes Animated With Ally In Neon Deal
Oscar‑winning director Bong Joon‑Ho is venturing into animation with his debut feature "Ally," which Neon has acquired for North American distribution. The film, slated for a 2027 release, will examine the relationship between humans and deep‑sea life while retaining Bong’s...
New Release Review - HERESY
Dutch folk‑horror "Heresy"—directed by Didier Konings and starring Anneke Sluiters—premiered on Shudder on May 1. The hour‑long feature, originally a TV anthology segment, reimagines the country’s "Witte Wieven" legends as a dark, allegorical forest. It follows Frieda, a barren village woman, whose...
A Violinist in Search of Her Friend
The Violinist, an animated feature from Singapore, will debut on the European film‑festival circuit in May 2026. Set against the backdrop of colonial Singapore, the Japanese occupation, and post‑war years, it follows Peranakan prodigy Fei as she matures into a...
Desert Warrior: Review
Desert Warrior, directed by Rupert Wyatt and starring Anthony Mackie, is a high‑budget historical epic set in the 7th‑century Arabian desert. Wyatt’s seasoned direction and sweeping cinematography give the film a grand, Western‑inflected feel, but the screenplay is hampered by...
The Case Against Paramount-WBD Keeps Getting Louder
The Ankler’s latest column highlights a growing chorus of industry voices opposing the Paramount‑Warner Bros. Discovery merger. While the deal appears to be moving forward, critics argue it could exacerbate concentration, limit creative competition, and hurt independent producers. The author...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – “Mother Mary”
The Next Best Picture Podcast released a preview episode reviewing David Lowery’s new film “Mother Mary,” starring Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, Hunter Schafer and FKA Twigs. The hosts—Nadia Dalimonte, Dan Bayer, Sara Clements, Larry Fried and Brendan Hodges—dissect the film’s ghost‑story structure, metaphor‑rich script...
50th San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival (Frameline50) Announces Opening Night, Centerpiece, and Pride Kickoff Films
Frameline, the nonprofit behind the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, announced its opening night, centerpiece, and Pride kickoff films for the 50th edition running June 17‑27. The lineup features D’Arcy Drollinger’s drag‑centric comedy “Lady Champagne,” Bryde O’Connor’s documentary “Barbara Forever” honoring...
Who’s the Bad Asian?
The Devil Wears Prada 2 introduces Helen J Shen as Jin Chao, an assistant to Miranda Priestly, sparking controversy over the character’s name, attire, and credentials. Asian‑American viewers argue the portrayal leans on stereotypical tropes, prompting criticism from major outlets like The...
The 2026 Tribeca Festival Talks, Reunions & Retrospectives Lineup
The Tribeca Festival’s 2026 lineup, celebrating its 25th anniversary, unveils a slate of one‑night Talks, Reunions, and Retrospectives that blend iconic film screenings with fresh world premieres. Bruce Springsteen will be honored with the Harry Belafonte Voices for Social Justice...
What Is Dyslexia? – Short Film Review
The animated short “What Is Dyslexia?” directed by Kyra Bartley reimagines dyslexia as a different way of thinking rather than a deficit. The film follows a girl named Lola who discovers a surreal rabbit‑hole world that highlights creativity, lateral thinking,...
‘Deportation, Inc.’: Investigating the Business of Migrant Detention
On May 7, SITU and Lawfare will host a free‑for‑members screening of the investigative series “Deportation, Inc.” at Brooklyn’s e‑flux room, with general admission at $20. The film examines how U.S. immigration enforcement has morphed into a multi‑billion‑dollar industry run by...
Episode 88: Sirāt (Spain/France) - The Co-Production Podcast
The 88th episode of the Co‑production Podcast, released on April 28, 2026, brings together producers Xavi Font (Filmes Da Ermida, Spain) and Mani Mortazavi (4 à 4 Productions, France) to discuss the Eurimages‑supported co‑production of Óliver Laxe’s film *Sirāt*. They...
Prime Video’s Lush, Ambitious “The House of the Spirits” Does Right By Isabel Allende’s Masterpiece
Prime Video has released an eight‑episode, Spanish‑language adaptation of Isabel Allende’s seminal magical‑realism novel, “The House of the Spirits.” The series, shot with lavish production design, follows four generations of the Trueba family amid political upheaval in an unnamed Latin...
Chris Pine & Emma Stone Hook up for Rom-Com ‘The Catch’
Chris Pine and Emma Stone have been cast as the leads of the upcoming romantic comedy “The Catch,” directed by Dave McCary. The film will focus on an intimate, character‑driven romance that relies on sharp dialogue and the chemistry of...
Jason Statham & David Ayer Reunite for Action Thriller ‘John Doe’
Jason Statham is set to star in and co‑produce the upcoming action thriller “John Doe,” reuniting with director David Ayer. The film, scripted by veteran screenwriter Zak Penn, follows an amnesiac “Man With No Name” hunted by his creators. Production...
‘Jackass: Best and Last’ Trailer – Johnny Knoxville Returns for Final Stunt-Filled Farewell
Paramount Pictures released the first trailer for “Jackass: Best and Last,” the franchise’s announced final installment. The teaser showcases a mix of brand‑new, high‑risk stunts and a rapid montage of classic moments that defined the series. Veteran performers Johnny Knoxville,...
Eclipse Series 48: Kinuyo Tanaka Directs
The Criterion Collection’s Eclipse Series 48 spotlights the six surviving directorial works of Kinuyo Tanaka, a pioneering Japanese actress‑turned‑director. All titles have been newly restored in 4K, offering both monochrome and colour presentations that showcase her minimalist visual style. The set...
Communiqué 115: The Economics of a Microdrama
African media groups are moving from speculation to market formation in the microdrama space. EbonyLife entered the segment with the series *Love Me Twice* on its own streaming service, while Toribox prepares to launch Africa’s first dedicated microdrama platform. Production...
Clouds Move with Great Speed Scoops the Top Prize at goEast - goEast 2026 – Awards
The 26th goEast – Festival of Central and Eastern European Film concluded in Wiesbaden, showcasing 76 titles and welcoming over 120 international guests. Ukrainian soldier‑filmmaker Roman Ostrovskyi’s debut documentary *Clouds Move with Great Speed* captured the top Golden Lily award,...
Loco Films Boasts Two Strong Assets in the Cannes Showcases - Cannes 2026 – Marché Du Film
French sales agency Loco Films is banking on two first‑feature films at Cannes 2026. Aina Clotet’s drama *Alive* will debut in Critics’ Week, while Avril Besson’s romantic comedy *Marvelous Mornings* lands in the Official Selection Special Screening. Both titles are being pitched at...
New Release Review - I’VE SEEN ALL I NEED TO SEE
Indie thriller "I’ve Seen All I Need to See," directed by Zeshaan Younus, opens in UK cinemas on May 1. The story follows aspiring actress Parker who returns to her desert hometown after her sister’s death, but the film delivers a...
The Shrinking Set: 6 Hard Truths About the French Production Crisis
The French audiovisual sector faces a deepening crisis, highlighted by a roundtable hosted by the Assistant Directors & Associates (ARA) on April 27. Industry leaders from the CNC, Ficam and other bodies warned that production budgets have shrunk dramatically, shooting...
One Billion Views and Counting: How Digital Publisher 'Brut' Is Rethinking Cannes for Gen Z
Since 2022, digital‑first outlet Brut has been the official producer and broadcaster of Cannes Film Festival’s online coverage, turning the traditionally elite event into a billion‑view digital experience. By repurposing red‑carpet moments into short‑form videos optimized for TikTok, Instagram Reels...
Review: Club Heaven - Visions Du Réel 2026
Dutch filmmaker Jona Honer debuts with *Club Heaven*, selected for the Burning Lights competition at Visions du Réel 2026. The documentary‑style feature immerses viewers in Play House, a massive electronic‑music club in Chengdu, China, using thermal‑imaging and silent cinematography. It...