.lumen Wins CES 2026 Accessibility Award for AI Glasses Designed for the Blind

Posted on January 8, 2026 by admin

CES 2026 included a wide range of accessibility-focused technology, and .lumen was among the companies recognized for its work in that area.

The European deep-tech startup received the CTA Foundation Pitch Competition for Accessibility award, which comes with a $10,000 prize. The award was given for .lumen’s AI-powered glasses designed to help blind users move independently without relying on guide dogs, smartphones, or constant internet access.

The wearable uses computer vision and on-device AI to interpret surrounding space in real time. Instead of audio prompts, it guides users through a haptic feedback system, allowing for hands-free navigation in unfamiliar environments.

Founder and CEO Cornel Amariei noted that the project grew out of personal experience and long-term exposure to accessibility challenges. He also pointed to the gap between the number of visually impaired people worldwide and the limited availability of guide dogs.

In addition to the CTA Foundation award, .lumen was named a CES 2026 Innovation Award Honoree. The company also received recognition last year through a U.S. Army pitch competition.

Pantone Reveals Cloud Dancer as 2026 Color of the Year

Posted on December 4, 2025 by admin

Cloud Dancer, the Pantone color of the year for 2026.Pantone

Pantone has unveiled Cloud Dancer, a soft white neutral, as its official 2026 Color of the Year, marking a notable shift toward subtlety after years of saturated and expressive tones.

Described by the Pantone Color Institute as a “calming, aerated white” that embodies clarity, serenity, and creative renewal, Cloud Dancer reflects what the organization sees as a cultural move toward quiet focus and intentional simplicity. The shade is positioned as both versatile and expressive, able to harmonize with softened palettes or provide crisp contrast across fashion, interiors, product design, and digital spaces.

Pantone’s annual selection, launched in 1999, draws on global research across design, technology, culture, entertainment, and emerging visual trends. According to the Institute, Cloud Dancer represents a desire for a fresh start in a world negotiating rapid digital acceleration while seeking deeper human connection.

The announcement follows recent picks such as Mocha Mousse (2025), a warm, comforting brown, and Peach Fuzz (2024), a soft peach tone symbolizing gentleness and wellbeing.

As Pantone describes it, Cloud Dancer is a “pared-back, reflective white that encourages balance and creative expression”, a quiet statement hue chosen for a moment defined by transition.

Documentary Fantasy Hybrid ‘Adrianne & The Castle’ to Debut on VOD

Posted on November 23, 2025 by admin

A genre-blending portrait of love, grief, and artistic devotion, Adrianne & The Castle will be released on VOD beginning December 5, 2025. Directed by Shannon Walsh, the film follows Illinois artist Alan St-George as he continues work on Havencrest Castle, the elaborate, hand-built home he created with his late wife, Adrianne.

Part documentary and part musical fantasy, the film recounts the couple’s decades-long partnership, their shared creative world, and the ornate, theatrical environment they constructed together. After Adrianne’s passing in 2006, St-George continued their project, transforming the castle into both a memorial and an evolving work of art.

Walsh incorporates staged musical sequences and fantastical imagery alongside archival material and interviews, creating a tone often described as a real-life fairytale. The film explores St-George’s process, his coping with loss, and the way imagination shapes his ongoing tribute.

Adrianne & The Castle will be available on digital platforms starting December 5.

Jon Batiste Narrates The Theory of Spice, a Three-Part Documentary Series Exploring the Global Journey of Ginger, Cardamom, and Cinnamon

Posted on November 4, 2025 by admin

Grammy, Emmy, and Academy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste lends his voice to The Theory of Spice, a three-part short documentary series premiering December 5, 2025, on Documentary+. The visually stunning project travels through India, Sri Lanka, and Guatemala, revealing the human stories, traditions, and artistry behind three of the world’s most essential spices: ginger, cardamom, and cinnamon.

Directed by Gilly Barnes and produced by Straight From The Source Studios and The Yogi Foundation, the series blends breathtaking cinematography with original music by Grammy winner Gaby Moreno and narration from Batiste and Rizo. Each chapter uncovers how these ingredients shape communities and sustain cultures through resilience and ritual.

“I’m honored to lend my voice to this series because it’s more than a story about ingredients, it’s a story about people, culture, and connection,” said Batiste.

Documentary+ CEO Geoff Clark praised the series for its cinematic and emotional power, calling it “a masterful capture of the spirit and culture of extraordinary communities.”

The Theory of Spice marks the first original commission by The Yogi Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Yogi Tea, which supports global grower communities and creative storytelling rooted in reciprocity and care. The series will stream on Documentary+ and partner platforms across 70 countries beginning December 5 at 8 PM EST.

Rosamund Pike and Matthew Rhys Star in Babak Anvari’s Psychological Thriller “Hallow Road”

Posted on October 23, 2025 by admin

Golden Globe and Emmy winner Rosamund Pike (Saltburn, Gone Girl) and Emmy and Critics Choice Award winner Matthew Rhys (The Americans) lead the cast of “Hallow Road,” the latest feature from writer-director Babak Anvari (Under the Shadow, I Came By). The film opens exclusively in AMC theaters on October 31 as part of a Halloween Double Feature presentation alongside Vincent Must Die.

Premiering at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival in March, Hallow Road has since screened at major international festivals including Brussels, Melbourne, Munich, Leiden, New Horizons, and Neuchâtel, earning early acclaim for its unnerving atmosphere and emotional precision.

The psychological thriller follows parents (Pike and Rhys) who receive a late-night call from their daughter after she accidentally strikes another young woman while driving her father’s car. As they race to protect their family and contain the fallout, the night unravels into a series of chilling revelations that expose deeper secrets, and the fear that they may not be the only ones on Hallow Road.

Produced by Ian Henry, Lucan Toh, Aram Tertzakian, Nate Bolotin, and Richard Bolger, the film marks another step in Anvari’s exploration of guilt, dread, and human fragility through genre storytelling. The filmmaker, also attached to Paramount’s upcoming Cloverfield project, continues his distinctive blend of grounded realism and supernatural unease.

Picturehouse Acquires ‘The King of Color,’ Documentary on Pantone Creator Lawrence Herbert

Posted on October 22, 2025 by admin

Picturehouse has acquired all North American distribution rights to The King of Color, a new documentary from director Patrick Creadon (Wordplay, Hesburgh) that explores the life and legacy of Lawrence Herbert, the creator of the Pantone Matching System. The film will premiere October 24 at AFI Fest before opening in limited theatrical release on December 12.

At 96, Herbert remains one of the most influential yet underrecognized figures in modern design. His invention of the Pantone Matching System (PMS) transformed the way artists, manufacturers, and brands communicate color across industries worldwide. The film features an in-depth interview with Herbert, offering a rare look into the mind that standardized color itself.

“Pantone is a language that connects artists, designers, and brands across the globe,” said Bob Berney, CEO of Picturehouse. “We’re proud to bring The King of Color to audiences everywhere and to honor Larry Herbert’s legacy of innovation and influence. Patrick Creadon has crafted a film that is as vibrant and inspiring as its subject.”

Creadon, best known for his acclaimed documentary Wordplay (a Sundance breakout), is known for illuminating the creative forces behind seemingly everyday phenomena. His directing credits also include If You Build It, ESPN’s 30 for 30: Catholics vs. Convicts, Hesburgh, and Ski Bum: The Warren Miller Story.

The King of Color traces Herbert’s journey from Depression-era Brooklyn to global innovation, spotlighting how one man’s vision turned color from a subjective art into a universal language that bridges creativity and commerce.

SAG-AFTRA, OpenAI, and Bryan Cranston Collaborate on Voice and Likeness Protections in Sora 2

Posted on October 20, 2025 by admin

SAG-AFTRA, OpenAI, and actor Bryan Cranston have reached a collaborative agreement to strengthen voice and likeness protections in OpenAI’s generative video model Sora 2, following early reports that Cranston’s likeness was generated without authorization during the model’s invite-only release.

The collaboration also includes the Association of Talent Agents (ATA), United Talent Agency (UTA), and Creative Artists Agency (CAA), all uniting to ensure performers’ rights are safeguarded in the era of synthetic media.

OpenAI confirmed it has reinforced its opt-in protocol, requiring explicit consent for any replication of a performer’s voice or likeness. The company also pledged to respond swiftly to any complaints or misuse, aligning its framework with the principles of the pending NO FAKES Act, federal legislation aimed at preventing unauthorized digital replication.

“I was deeply concerned not just for myself, but for all performers whose work and identity can be misused in this way,” Cranston said. “I am grateful to OpenAI for strengthening its guardrails and respecting our right to manage replication of our voice and likeness.”
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