The Gulf Buys Big Into Paramount. What It Wants in Return
Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE’s sovereign wealth funds are committing roughly $24 billion to Paramount Skydance’s $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, pushing the combined foreign stake in the merged entity to about 21.6 percent—near the FCC’s 25 percent cap. The deal would place two major Hollywood studios and the news networks CNN and CBS under one umbrella, raising questions about editorial influence and data access. Lawmakers and human‑rights groups are urging a rigorous FCC review given the Gulf states’ contentious records on press freedom.
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Over Your Dead Body” Director Jorma Taccone
Jorma Taccone’s new action‑comedy‑thriller “Over Your Dead Body” debuted at the South by Southwest Film & TV Festival, drawing praise for its performances, stunt work, and dark humor. The movie is an English‑language remake of the 2021 film “The Trip,”...
$25,000 Documentary Film Grant For Emerging Filmmakers of Color (Deadline: May 4, 2026)
A $25,000 grant is available for emerging filmmakers of color creating their first or second feature-length documentary. The award targets projects that spotlight community stories and address pressing social issues. Applications close on May 4, 2026, and the funding aims...
Beautiful Mediocrity: Mulholland Falls at 30
*Mulholland Falls* turned 30 this year, a 1996 neo‑noir that assembled a high‑profile cast and veteran cinematographer Haskell Wexler but slipped into obscurity after a muted box‑office debut. Directed by Lee Tamahori, fresh from New Zealand success, and scripted by National...
Review: Bunnylovr
"Bunnylovr," the debut feature from writer‑director‑actor Katarina Zhu, follows Rebecca, a twenty‑something navigating gig‑economy side hustles such as personal assisting, selling foot pictures, and online chatting, culminating in a bizarre client‑gift of a bunny. The film paints a bleak portrait...
Coyote Vs. ACME Trailer Runs Off Precipice, Hovers, Drops
Warner Bros. quietly shelved the fully produced live‑action/animated comedy *Coyote vs. ACME* in 2023, citing a tax‑write‑off strategy. The decision sparked anger among the film’s cast, crew, and a vocal fan base eager for a Wile E. Coyote‑themed feature. After a year...
Thelma & Louise Take Centre Stage on Cannes 2026 Official Poster
The Cannes Film Festival unveiled its official poster for the 79th edition, featuring a black‑and‑white still of Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon from *Thelma & Louise*. The image marks the 35th anniversary of the film’s Cannes debut and uses the iconic...
‘Top Gun’ 40th Anniversary: Original Film and ‘Maverick’ Return to Cinemas for One-Week Event
Paramount Pictures is staging a one‑week theatrical event starting May 13 to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the 1986 blockbuster “Top Gun.” The original film will debut in immersive formats such as IMAX and premium large‑screen experiences, paired with a back‑to‑back...
‘Hit Point’ First Look: U Reveals Images for New Crime Thriller Starring Nick Blood & Saffron Hocking
U has unveiled first‑look images for its new six‑part police thriller “Hit Point,” starring Nick Blood and BAFTA‑nominated Saffron Hocking. The series follows detectives Leo and Bella as they plunge into West London’s criminal underworld, blending high‑stakes action, romance and...
James Gray’s New Film “Paper Tiger” To Be Added In Competition At The 2026 Cannes Film Festival
James Gray’s crime thriller “Paper Tiger,” starring Adam Driver, Scarlett Johansson and Miles Teller, has been added to the Palme d’Or competition at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. The film will premiere in competition and Neon has secured North American...
Evil Dead Continues to Be neither Evil nor Dead
The Evil Dead franchise, long celebrated for its campy horror aesthetic, continues to expand beyond its original film series into TV, video games, and even a brief stage musical. While the movies are not critically acclaimed, they maintain a dedicated fan...
Memories of the Yellow River (2023) by Shang Ji Short Film Review
"Memories of the Yellow River" debuted at the 2023 Beijing International Short Film Festival and later became the first Chinese magical‑realist short ever selected for the 46th Moscow International Film Festival in March 2024. The film earned the Jury Special...
Heartstopper Forever Sets July Release Date as Netflix Unveils First BTS Image
Netflix announced that the Heartstopper series will conclude with the feature‑length film *Heartstopper Forever* on July 17, 2026. The reveal, timed with the show’s fourth anniversary, included the first behind‑the‑scenes image and a retrospective video. The movie will follow Nick and Charlie as...
From Cannes Winners to Cult Classics, MUBI Unveils Packed May Line-Up
MUBI announced its May streaming slate, blending recent Cannes award winners, curated collections, and classic titles. The lineup spotlights Diego Céspedes’s Cannes‑winning debut “The Mysterious Gaze of the Flamingo,” Oliver Laxe’s Jury Prize film “Sirât,” and the concert documentary “Mitski:...
First Teaser and Poster for Supernatural Thriller THE REMEDY
Alex Kahuam’s new supernatural thriller The Remedy, written by Daniel Kuhlman, debuted its first teaser and poster ahead of a world premiere at SXSW London on June 3. The film stars Timothy Granaderos as Jason, a son caring for his ailing...
The Eight Best Episodes of Netflix’s “Untold” Series, Ranked
Netflix’s Untold documentary franchise, launched in 2021, has become a go‑to source for unconventional sports stories. A new ranking highlights eight standout episodes, from the gambling‑focused “Operation Flagrant Foul” to the mental‑health portrait in “Breaking Point.” The list praises films...
HBO Original Film "Miss You, Love You," Starring Allison Janney and Andrew Rannells, Debuts May 29
HBO will debut the original film "Miss You, Love You" on May 29, 2026, starring Academy Award winner Allison Janney and Tony‑nominated Andrew Rannells. The darkly comic drama follows a grieving widow forced to plan her husband’s funeral with her...
New Trailer and Poster for Sci-Fi Thriller AFFECTION, Starring Jessica Rothe
The trailer and poster for the sci‑fi thriller *Affection* have been released, showcasing Jessica Rothe as Ellie Carter, a woman battling amnesia and violent seizures. The film marks the feature‑directorial debut of writer‑director BT Meza and pairs Rothe with co‑stars Joseph Cross...
Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr Are IDIOTS - First Trailer and Poster
Macon Blair’s comedy *Idiots* drops its first trailer and poster, announcing a UK/ROI theatrical release on 18 August 2026. The film follows two inept escorts, played by Dave Franco and O’Shea Jackson Jr., tasked with delivering a wealthy teen to rehab, a premise...
Primavera (2025)
Primavera, directed by opera‑theater veteran Damiano Michieletto, adapts Tiziano Scarpa’s novel “Stabat Mater” into a visually striking Italian costume drama. Set in 18th‑century Venice, it follows orphaned teen Cecilia as she becomes a pupil of composer Antonio Vivaldi, intertwining her...
Films to Die For Review – Love Letter to Cinema Under the Guise of a Documentary
Films to Die For, directed by Lúcia Nagib, is a documentary that explores the late‑2000s panic over the “death of cinema” in Hollywood and the indie world. The film features interviews with Wim Wenders, Paulo Branco, Walter Salles and theorist Laura Mulvey, offering...
How EntertainLens Is Covering the New Wave of Chinese IP Going Global
Over the past eighteen months Chinese intellectual property—web‑novel adaptations, micro‑drama formats, and animated franchises—has moved from a niche trade topic to headline‑making acquisitions by Amazon, Netflix and others. EntertainLens, a Los‑Angeles‑based media platform, was created to fill the reporting gap,...
IFFLA Industry Days 2026 to Spotlight South Asian Talent and Strengthen Global Industry Connections
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) returns for its 2026 Industry Days, a two‑day program on April 24‑25 that links South Asian filmmakers with Hollywood studios, independent platforms, and financiers. The event features panels on hybrid distribution, animation,...
CinemaCon: Amazon MGM Promises More Prime Deliveries
At CinemaCon, Amazon MGM Studios used the stage to cement its claim as a major theatrical distributor, riding the momentum of "Project Hail Mary," which is poised to exceed $300 million domestically and $600 million worldwide. The studio highlighted its upcoming slate,...
EXCLUSIVE: New Film Independent President Juan Devis on His Story – and the Next Chapter
Film Independent announced veteran media executive Juan Devis as its new president, succeeding the late Josh Welsh. Devis, who grew up in Colombia and previously led KCET’s content and production unit, outlined a vision to evolve the nonprofit from a...
On the Imperfections of Motherhood: Daughter’s Daughter by Xi Huang
"Daughter’s Daughter," directed by Xi Huang, follows Ai as she confronts the tangled legacies of motherhood with her two daughters—adopted Emma and estranged Zuer—after a sudden tragedy. The film delves into Zuer’s IVF journey, her partner’s subtle presence, and the...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “I Swear” Star Robert Aramayo
"I Swear" is a 2025 British biographical drama directed by Kirk Jones that chronicles the life of John Davidson, a Scottish man with severe Tourette syndrome featured in the 1989 documentary “John’s Not Mad.” The film debuted at the Toronto...
We FINALLY Got Someone in Prada
Simone Ashley, playing Miranda Priestley’s new assistant Emily in “The Devil Wears Prada 2,” becomes the first cast member to wear Prada on screen. The sequel’s premiere featured a star‑studded lineup including Lady Gaga, Ciara, Kenneth Branagh, Justin Theroux and Broadway talent Helen J. Shen....
TriCoast's Nick Risher On Why Owning The Content Changes The Math
TriCoast Media, a film distributor with a 5,000‑title library and four FAST channels, has evolved into a supply‑side platform (SSP). By offering its content to publishers at a reduced revenue‑share rate, it can secure cheaper CPMs for backfill inventory. This...
Stray Cats by Jennie Kermode
Spanish indie thriller Luger marks director Bruno Martín’s first feature in 16 years and writer Santiago Taboada’s debut as a feature‑film screenwriter. The story follows two petty criminals, Rafa and Toni, whose uneasy friendship drives a gritty, low‑budget action narrative centered on a...
![‘Leviticus’ Review: Adrian Chiarella Conjures a Timely and Biblically Scary Gay Horror Story [A-]](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/a24a98b5801063d86fc5abb925f0a67a.webp)
‘Leviticus’ Review: Adrian Chiarella Conjures a Timely and Biblically Scary Gay Horror Story [A-]
Adrian Chiarella’s debut horror film Leviticus premiered at Sundance’s Midnight section, earning strong critical buzz and a heated seven‑figure acquisition by NEON. The Australian‑set thriller uses biblical motifs to critique homophobic interpretations of Leviticus and the trauma of conversion therapy. Starring Joe Bird...
Translating the Script to Budget FREE WEBINAR
Dear Producer is hosting a free two‑hour webinar on May 9, 2024, titled “How the Scope of the Script Defines the Budget.” Line Producer and DGA Production Manager Jennifer A. Haire will walk creative teams through script breakdowns, location scouting, scheduling, and...
2026 Cannes: Short Film and La Cinef Titles Announced
The 79th Cannes Film Festival will feature ten short films in competition, selected from 3,184 submissions representing 136 countries. The Short Film Palme d’or will be presented on May 23, concluding the festival’s May 12‑22 run. Parallel to the main event, La Cinef’s 29th...
The Short Films Lineup For The 2026 Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes Film Festival’s 2026 short film competition will feature ten titles chosen from a pool of 3,184 entries, representing 136 countries. The lineup spans a range of genres and includes works by emerging directors such as Hadrien Bels, Mathilde...
How Filmhouse Is Positioning Nollywood, and Its Own Business, Within the Global Cinema Landscape
Filmhouse Group is reshaping Nollywood by integrating exhibition, distribution and production under a vertically‑aligned model. The company has introduced world‑class cinema technology, including IMAX, and leverages Hollywood partnerships to sustain footfall while elevating local blockbusters that have crossed the $800,000...
The Involuntary Bankers: 3 Survival Strategies for French Producers Facing the 2026 TV Crisis
At the New French Fiction conference in Paris, consultant Jérôme Dutoit warned that French film and television producers will face a severe financing crunch by 2026 as traditional broadcasters shrink and streaming platforms dominate. He outlined three survival strategies: expanding...
Trench Warfare Meets Steampunk: BBC Snaps Up Canal+ WWI Drama "The Sentinels"
The BBC has bought the UK broadcast rights to Canal+’s ambitious World War I drama "The Sentinels," a series that fuses trench warfare with steampunk aesthetics. The eight‑part production, backed by a €70 million (≈$75 million) budget, follows a squad of super‑soldiers navigating...
Beyond the Blockbuster: How Belgian Cinemas Are Rewriting the Playbook in 2026
Belgian cinema operators are overhauling the exhibition model in 2026 as dwindling box‑office receipts and rising operating costs force consolidation and innovation. Two major chains merged, cutting the number of independent operators by nearly half, while the government introduced a...
Symphony at the Cinema: The Multi-Million Euro Business of French Film Concerts
The French film‑concert sector has evolved into a multi‑million‑euro industry, pulling in roughly €30 million (about $32.5 million) in 2023. Live orchestras and choirs synchronize their performances with blockbuster screenings, commanding average ticket prices of €45 ($49). Market leader CineConcerts alone staged...
Beyond the Feed: Why French Creators Are Trading Social Media for Cinema Seats
French creators are increasingly abandoning short‑form social platforms for the cinema screen, a trend accelerated by the Union of Influence Trades and Content Creators (UMICC) since its launch in early 2023. The guild now counts roughly 12,000 members, many of...
Belle Époque Noir: "Paris Police 1910" Battles Global Giants with French Funding
Belle Époque Noir’s third instalment, Paris Police 1910, debuts on April 27, wrapping Fabien Nury’s acclaimed trilogy set in gritty Belle Époque Paris. The series is financed primarily through French public‑media grants, roughly €5 million (about $5.4 million). Its producers position the high‑budget historical drama as...
Fortress Europe? Industry Giants Demand Safeguards for New EU Media Budget
On April 20, a coalition of 17 leading European audiovisual groups, including the European Producers Club, urged the European Commission to embed safeguards in the EU's new €2.5 billion (≈$2.7 billion) media budget. The alliance seeks rules that protect European content, ensure...
Anne Hathaway Is MOTHER MARY - Final Trailer
David Lowery returns with the musical thriller "Mother Mary," starring Anne Hathaway as an iconic pop star on the brink of a comeback. The film, set for UK and ROI release on April 24, pairs Hathaway with Michaela Coel, who...
TOP GUN and MAVERICK Return to Cinemas - New Trailer and Posters
Disney is re‑launching the 1986 classic Top Gun and its 2022 sequel Top Gun: Maverick in UK and ROI cinemas for a limited one‑week run starting May 13, marking the original film’s 40th anniversary. New trailers and posters have been released to promote the...
Karlovy Vary Celebrates Its 80th Anniversary with Tributes, Retrospectives
The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival celebrates its 80th edition from July 3‑11, reuniting its founding twin towns for a one‑day preview in Mariánské Lázně. The program features two exhibitions, a redesign of the Hotel Thermal Grand Hall, and The No Barriers charity...
Richard Gadd’s “Half Man” Is A Ferocious Dissection Of Brotherly Trauma
HBO’s six‑part limited series “Half Man,” created and written by Richard Gadd, follows the volatile bond between Niall (Jamie Bell) and Ruben (Gadd) from 1980s Scotland to a present‑day wedding. The show uses brutal visual language and a haunting score...
“MICHAEL”
The upcoming film "Michael" is the first authorized Michael Jackson biopic, produced with the blessing of the singer’s estate and directed by Antoine Fuqua. Starring Jaafar Jackson as the adult Michael, the 127‑minute drama follows the early years of the...
‘Super Troopers 3’ Trailer: Broken Lizard Returns with Wedding Chaos and Crime-Fighting Comedy
Searchlight Pictures released the first trailer for “Super Troopers 3,” marking the long‑awaited return of Broken Lizard’s cult comedy franchise after more than a decade. The sequel follows the misfit troopers as they juggle a chaotic wedding and a new drug‑ring...
Nine Lessons From Almost 100 Film Distribution Case Studies
The HopeForFilm Thursday Takeover distilled nearly 100 self‑distribution case studies into nine recurring lessons. The data span four decades—from Spike Lee’s 1986 debut to the 2024 documentary Union—and budgets ranging from $2,000 to $2.5 million. Filmmakers detailed every step of their...
New to Prime Video - CLICKBAIT
Prime Video UK adds the thriller *Clickbait* (titled *American Sweatshop* in the U.S.), directed by Uta Briesewitz and led by Lili Reinhart. The film follows Daisy, a content‑moderator who discovers a disturbing, seemingly real murder video on a You‑Tube‑style platform and battles...