Film Festival Alliance Appoints Mallory Martin Its Next Executive Director
Film Festival Alliance (FFA) announced Mallory Martin as its new executive director, succeeding Barbara Twist. Martin was chosen from a pool of 250 candidates and will assume the role on March 9, 2026. She brings more than 15 years of festival leadership, most recently serving as artistic director of the Cleveland International Film Festival where she guided pandemic recovery and expanded programming to roughly 300 screenings per year. Martin also co‑founded rePRO Film, a platform championing reproductive‑justice storytelling, and vows to deepen advocacy, education, and collaboration for FFA’s 300‑plus member festivals.
Why UTA’s Agents Are Helping Its Top Crafts Clients Find Work Outside the Box
United Talent Agency’s Production Arts division is steering top crafts talent—cinematographers, production designers, costume artists—into non‑film projects such as hospitality design, international backlots, and publishing. Agents Pete Franciosa and Mike Rubi view these gigs as creative extensions that keep artists...
CinemaCon Isn’t Just for the Big Studios Anymore: Row K, Angel, and Studiocanal Are Getting Their Own Showcase
CinemaCon’s 2026 edition introduces a first‑ever Film Showcase, giving indie distributors Angel Studios, Row K Entertainment and Studiocanal a prime stage alongside traditional majors. The move reflects exhibitors’ growing appetite for non‑tentpole content to keep screens fresh. Angel Studios closed 2025...
Utopia Launches New Membership on Patreon, Complete with Online Screenings, Special Events, and More
Utopia, the independent studio and distributor, has launched the Utopia Screening Room, a Patreon‑based membership channel priced at $5 per month. The service provides subscribers with live online screenings, Q&A sessions with filmmakers, and 24‑hour access to recorded events. Its...
What to Expect From the SAG-AFTRA 2026 Contract Negotiations: AI, Residuals, Health and Pension Plans, and When to Expect a...
SAG‑AFTRA will reopen contract talks with the AMPTP on February 9, 2026, a month ahead of the current agreement’s June 30 expiration. The negotiations, now led by new union president Sean Astin and AMPTP chief Greg Hessinger, will focus on three hot‑button...