The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Wasteman” Stars David Jonssan & Tom Blyth
"Wasteman" is a 2025 British prison drama directed by Cal McMau, starring David Jonsson and Tom Blyth as desperate cellmates. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, where critics praised its gritty direction and powerful performances. Following the festival run, Sunrise Films released it nationwide, and the stars discussed their experience on the Next Best Picture podcast. The episode also promotes the Evergreen Podcasts Network and offers listeners a Patreon support option.
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Erupcja” Stars Jeremy O. Harris, Lena Góra, And Director Pete Ohs
Erupcja, a 2025 drama directed by Pete Ohs, debuted in the Centerpiece section of the Toronto International Film Festival and later screened at Film at Lincoln Center’s New Directors program. The film stars pop star Charli XCX, Polish actress Lena...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “The Christophers” Stars Ian McKellen & Michaela Coel
The Christophers, a 2025 black‑comedy directed by Steven Soderbergh and written by Ed Solomon, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival to strong critical acclaim, especially for its screenplay and the performances of Sir Ian McKellen and Michaela Coel. The film, now...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Mile End Kicks” Filmmaker Chandler Levack
Mile End Kicks, a 2025 Canadian romantic comedy written and directed by Chandler Levack, follows aspiring author Grace Pine (Barbie Ferreira) as she moves to Montreal, swaps a book project on Alanis Morissette’s Jagged Little Pill for a love triangle with members of...
The Un Certain Regard Jury For The 2026 Cannes Film Festival
Leïla Bekhti, the award‑winning French actress, will preside over the Un Certain Regard jury at the 79th Cannes Film Festival, which runs May 12‑23, 2026. She is joined by Senegalese producer Angèle Diabang, Lebanese composer Khaled Mouzanar, Italian director Laura Samani, and French...
CinemaCon 2026 Recap: Walt Disney Studios
Walt Disney Studios opened CinemaCon 2026 by reaffirming its box‑office dominance, noting it has been the #1 studio for nine of the past ten years. New CEO Josh D’Amaro’s recent appointment was barely mentioned, as Disney emphasized continuity for theater...
Alice Winocour Will Receive The 2026 Alpine Award At The Cannes Film Festival
French director Alice Winocour has been named the 2026 recipient of the newly created Alpine Award, which will be presented during the Directors’ Fortnight closing ceremony at the Cannes Film Festival on May 21. The Alpine Award, launched in 2025,...
Inside HBO Max’s 2026 Emmy Strategy: Ranking The Network’s Top Priorities This Awards Season
HBO Max is mapping a focused Emmy‑season strategy for 2026, prioritizing a handful of drama, comedy and limited‑series titles to sustain its historic dominance at the Primetime Emmys. In drama, "The Pitt" anchors the campaign, with "Task" and Zendaya’s "Euphoria"...
CinemaCon 2026 Recap: Universal Pictures & Focus Features
Universal Pictures used its CinemaCon 2026 stage to underline stability amid Hollywood upheaval, announcing a five‑week exclusive theatrical window for all 2026 releases and a seven‑week window for 2027. The studio unveiled a star‑studded slate—including Christopher Nolan’s IMAX‑ready "The Odyssey,"...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Blue Heron” Filmmaker Sophy Romvari
Sophy Romvari’s directorial debut, the drama “Blue Heron,” premiered at the 78th Locarno Film Festival and earned universal acclaim. The semi‑autobiographical story follows a Hungarian immigrant family on Vancouver Island in the late 1990s, focusing on the challenges faced by...
Questlove’s “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s The Weight Of The World)” Will Open The 2026 Tribeca...
The Tribeca Film Festival announced that HBO’s new documentary “Earth, Wind & Fire (To Be Celestial VS That’s the Weight of the World)” directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson will serve as the Opening Night film for its 25th anniversary in...
“MOTHER MARY”
David Lowery’s new film “Mother Mary” pairs Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel in a gothic‑styled drama about a fallen pop star seeking redemption through a former costume designer. The movie blends moody visuals with original synth‑pop tracks penned by Jack...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Normal” Star Bob Odenkirk And Director Ben Wheatley
"Normal" is a 2025 American action film directed by Ben Wheatley, written by Derek Kolstad and co‑created with star Bob Odenkirk, who also leads the cast alongside Henry Winkler and Lena Headey. The movie premiered in the Midnight Madness slot...
The Contenders, Underdogs, And The Frontrunner For Outstanding Comedy Series At The 2026 Emmys
With Apple’s hit "The Studio" ineligible for the 2026 Emmys, the Outstanding Comedy Series race is wide open. Season 5 of "Hacks" emerges as the frontrunner, having dominated most winter precursors despite a modest awards haul. "The Comeback" could pull an...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Bunnylovr” Filmmaker And Star Katarina Zhu
The Next Best Picture Podcast features an interview with Katarina Zhu, writer‑director‑star of the 2025 drama "Bunnylovr." The film, Zhu’s directorial debut, follows a Chinese‑American cam girl entangled in a toxic client relationship while reconciling with her dying father. It...
The 2026 Cannes Film Festival Critics’ Week Lineup
The 65th Cannes Critics’ Week unveiled eleven films, opening with Phuong Mai Nguyen’s animated debut “In Waves,” the first animated feature ever to lead the section. The competition mixes first‑time directors with sophomore efforts, including Blerta Basholli’s highly anticipated “Dua”...
Trailer – “The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping”
Lionsgate has unveiled the trailer for “The Hunger Games: Sunrise On The Reaping,” a prequel set 24 years before the original series. The film, starring Joseph Zada, Elle Fanning, Ralph Fiennes and other notable actors, is slated for a November...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – “You, Me & Tuscany”
The Next Best Picture Podcast’s latest episode reviews the romantic comedy “You, Me & Tuscany,” starring Halle Bailey and Regé‑Jean Page. The film, directed by Kat Coiro, follows a young cook who squats in a deserted Tuscan villa and becomes entangled with the...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “The Stranger” Filmmaker François Ozon
François Ozon’s adaptation of Albert Camus’s novel “The Stranger” premiered in competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival, where it vied for the Golden Lion. The 2025 drama stars Benjamin Voisin as Meursault, with Rebecca Marder, Pierre Lottin, Swann...
“THRASH”
Tommy Wirkola’s new film “Thrash” pairs a Category 5 hurricane with shark attacks in a South Carolina coastal town, starring Phoebe Dynevor, Whitney Peak and Djimon Hounsou. The movie leans heavily on atmospheric sound design and murky underwater cinematography to generate...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Faces Of Death” Filmmakers Daniel Goldhaber & Isa Mazzei
The Next Best Picture Podcast released an interview with Daniel Goldhaber and Isa Mazzei about their 2026 horror remake "Faces Of Death." The film, a modern take on the 1978 classic, debuted at Chicago’s Beyond Fest with a 35mm screening...
“BUNNYLOVR”
Bunnylovr, written, directed, and head‑lined by Katarina Zhu, follows a cam girl named Rebecca as she juggles a predatory client, a strained relationship with her dying father, and the search for personal meaning. The 86‑minute indie drama leans on hazy,...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Exit 8” Filmmaker Genki Kawamura
Japanese director Genki Kawamura’s psychological‑horror film "Exit 8" debuted at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival’s Midnight Screenings, drawing widespread critical praise. The movie adapts Kotake Create’s 2023 video game and has already posted strong overseas box‑office numbers. Kawamura discussed the...
Final Predictions For The 2026 Cannes Film Festival Lineup
The 79th Cannes Film Festival will take place May 12‑23, 2026, with the official lineup to be revealed tomorrow. Festival director Thierry Frémaux has assembled a slate that blends established auteurs—Lars von Trier, Pedro Almodóvar, Ryusuke Hamaguchi—and emerging voices from around the...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – “The Drama”
The Next Best Picture Podcast released a preview episode reviewing Kristoffer Borgli’s dark romantic comedy “The Drama,” starring Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Alana Haim and others. The hosts—Ema Sasic, Dan Bayer, Lauren LaMagna and Larry Fried—discuss the film’s A24‑crafted marketing, the shocking...
The Academy Sets Dates For The 99th And 100th Oscar Ceremonies
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that the 99th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 14, 2027, and the centennial 100th ceremony will take place on Sunday, March 5, 2028. Both events will be broadcast live...
“BEAST”
The Australian‑produced film “Beast” follows former MMA star Patton James, played by Daniel MacPherson, as he returns to the cage to rescue his brother and faces ONE Championship champion Xavier Grau. Directed by Tyler Atkins and co‑written by David Frigerio and Russell Crowe,...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – “The Super Mario Galaxy Movie”
The Next Best Picture Podcast released a new episode reviewing "The Super Mario Galaxy Movie," the sequel to the 2023 hit. Hosts Josh Parham, Giovanni Lago, and Daniel Howat discuss the returning creative team, a star‑studded voice cast, and the...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “The Blue Trail” Filmmaker Gabriel Mascaro
"The Blue Trail," a dystopian drama directed by Gabriel Mascaro, follows 77‑year‑old Tereza as she rebels against a government mandate to relocate the elderly, embarking on a perilous Amazon trek. The film premiered in competition at the 75th Berlin International...
Can “Project Hail Mary” Bring Ryan Gosling His Fourth Oscar Nomination?
Ryan Gosling’s upcoming sci‑fi drama Project Hail Mary is being touted as a potential catalyst for his fourth Academy Award nomination, this time for Best Actor. The article highlights a striking pattern: Gosling has earned Best Actor nods in years...
How Many 2026 Blockbuster Films Will Be Nominated For Best Picture This Year?
The piece analyzes Best Picture nominations since the category expanded in 2009, noting an average of 1.7 blockbuster‑budget films per year and a historical high of four. It lists seven 2026 high‑budget titles—Project Hail Mary, The Odyssey, Disclosure Day, Digger,...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Fantasy Life” Filmmaker And Star Matthew Shear
“Fantasy Life,” Matthew Shear’s directorial debut, premiered at SXSW 2025 and earned praise for its writing, direction, and Amanda Peet’s performance. The comedy, featuring an ensemble cast that includes Alessandro Nivola and Judd Hirsch, is now in theatrical release through Greenwich Entertainment. Shear...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interviews With “Our Hero, Balthazar” Stars & Filmmakers
The Next Best Picture Podcast released an episode featuring interviews with the cast and creators of the dark comedy‑drama “Our Hero, Balthazar.” The film, directed by Oscar Boyson in his debut, premiered at the 2025 Tribeca Festival and earned praise...
Camila Morrone Elevates “Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen,” But Predictable Storytelling Undercuts Its Stylish Horror
Netflix’s limited‑series horror "Something Very Bad Is Going To Happen" stars Camila Morrone as a pre‑wedding psychologist haunted by family secrets. The show dazzles with inventive POV shots, found‑footage inserts, and moody lighting, but its narrative stalls after a strong...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice” Filmmaker BenDavid Grabinski
BenDavid Grabinski discussed his debut sci‑fi action comedy "Mike & Nick & Nick & Alice" on the Next Best Picture Podcast. The film, starring Vince Vaughn, James Marsden, Eiza González, Keith David and Jimmy Tatro, debuted at SXSW 2026 and...
The Oscars Are Coming to L.A. LIVE: The Academy Partners With AEG For A Ten Year Run At The Peacock...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has signed a ten‑year partnership with AEG, moving the Oscars to L.A. LIVE’s Peacock Theater beginning with the 101st ceremony in 2029 and running through 2039. AEG will overhaul the venue’s stage, sound,...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Pretty Lethal” Director Vicky Jewson
The Next Best Picture Podcast released an interview with director Vicky Jewson about her action‑thriller "Pretty Lethal." The film follows a stranded ballet troupe battling armed gangsters, debuted at SXSW 2026, and stars Iris Apatow, Lana Condor, Millicent Simmonds, Maddie...
Trailer – “Forgotten Island”
Universal Pictures and DreamWorks Animation have dropped the first trailer for the upcoming animated feature “Forgotten Island,” slated for a theatrical debut on September 25, 2026. The film follows two Filipino‑American teens who stumble through a portal onto Nakali, an...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Late Shift” Filmmaker Petra Volpe
Swiss director Petra Volpe’s drama “Late Shift,” starring Leonie Benesch, debuted in the Berlinale Special Gala at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival and earned critical praise. The film was selected as Switzerland’s official entry for Best International Feature Film...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – “Project Hail Mary”
The Next Best Picture Podcast breaks down the new sci‑fi/comedy film Project Hail Mary, directed by Phil Lord and Chris Miller and starring Ryan Gosling. Based on Andy Weir’s 2021 novel and scripted by Drew Goddard, the movie leverages a built‑in...
“WISHFUL THINKING”
"Wishful Thinking" is a romantic dramedy where a couple’s emotions literally alter their environment, sparked by a self‑help seminar. Lewis Pullman and Maya Hawke lead as Charlie, a musician, and Julie, a game developer, navigating love, ambition, and supernatural consequences....
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Dead Lover” Filmmaker & Star Grace Glowicki
Grace Glowicki’s 2025 Canadian comedy "Dead Lover" debuted at Sundance’s Midnight program, earning praise for its direction, writing, and technical design. Inspired by Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, the film follows a woman attempting to resurrect her dead lover, blending dark humor...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Two Prosecutors” Filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa
Ukrainian filmmaker Sergei Loznitsa’s 2025 historical drama “Two Prosecutors” debuted in the main competition of the 78th Cannes Film Festival. The film, starring Aleksandr Kuznetsov and Aleksandr Filippenko, follows a young Soviet prosecutor seeking justice during Stalin’s Great Purge. It...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come” Directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler...
Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come, the direct sequel to the 2019 hit, debuted at the 2026 South by Southwest Film & TV Festival to generally positive reviews. Directors Matt Bettinelli‑Olpin and Tyler Gillett of Radio Silence discussed the...
“THEY WILL KILL YOU”
They Will Kill You is a 94‑minute indie horror‑action film directed by Kirill Sokolov, starring Zazie Beetz as Asia Reeves, a former inmate turned housekeeper in a New York high‑rise haunted by a satanic cult. The story follows her brutal,...
“FORBIDDEN FRUITS”
"Forbidden Fruits" is Meredith Alloway’s debut feature that follows Apple (Lili Reinhart) and her witch‑cult sisters Cherry and Fig as they dominate a Texas mall’s luxury department store. The film mixes horror, dark comedy and 2000s femme‑focused aesthetics, with newcomer...
“SENDER”
Russell Goldman’s debut feature "Sender" premiered at SXSW, starring Britt Lower, Jamie Lee Curtis and Rhea Seehorn in a psychological thriller about mysterious delivery packages. Despite a buzz‑worthy cast and a premise that taps into e‑commerce paranoia, the film falters...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Our Immediate Reactions To The 98th Academy Awards
The Next Best Picture Podcast released a preview episode delivering immediate reactions to the 98th Academy Awards. The hosts highlighted standout moments such as Autumn Durald Arkapaw becoming the first female winner of Best Cinematography, a rare tie, and memorable...
“IMPOSTERS”
Imposters, writer‑director Caleb Phillips’ feature debut, is a sci‑fi thriller that follows a grieving mother who retrieves her missing infant from a mysterious cave, only to raise doubts about his identity. Starring Jessica Rothe and Charlie Barnett, the film juxtaposes...
“MANHOOD”
The documentary “Manhood,” directed by Daniel Lombroso, follows Dallas entrepreneur Bill Moore and his PhalloFill penile enlargement service as it becomes a niche parallel to Botox. It profiles three men—Ruben Ramirez, David Smith, and a third unnamed subject—who undergo the...