Oscars to Move to YouTube in 2029 Under New Multiyear Deal

Posted on December 18, 2025 by admin

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has reached a multiyear agreement with YouTube that will make the platform the exclusive global home of the Oscars beginning in 2029. The deal will launch with the 101st Academy Awards and run through 2033, ending the ceremony’s decades-long run on ABC.

Under the agreement, the Oscars will stream live and free worldwide on YouTube, including red carpet coverage and behind-the-scenes programming. In the U.S., the ceremony will also be available to YouTube TV subscribers. ABC will continue to air the show through the 100th ceremony in 2028.

Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Lynette Howell Taylor said the move is aimed at expanding the show’s global reach, calling YouTube “the future home of the Oscars and our year-round Academy programming.”

The partnership marks a significant shift for Hollywood’s most prominent awards show as viewing habits continue to move toward digital platforms. In addition to the annual ceremony, the deal includes year-round Academy content on YouTube, including awards events and educational programming.

Slamdance Sets Alexandre Rockwell’s The Projectionist as Opening Night Film for 2026 Festival

Posted on December 10, 2025 by admin

The Slamdance Film Festival has named Alexandre Rockwell’s The Projectionist as the opening night film for its 32nd edition, marking the film’s world premiere. The artist-led festival returns to Los Angeles for a second year, running in person from February 19–25, 2026, with virtual screenings continuing through March 6 on the Slamdance Channel.

Produced by Quentin Tarantino and Jack Auen, The Projectionist centers on a reclusive cinema projectionist haunted by a wrongful conviction and personal loss, living in isolation inside a fading arthouse theater until his past resurfaces. The film stars Vondie Curtis-Hall, Karyn Parsons, Kasi Lemmons, David Proval, Kevin Corrigan, and Michael Buscemi.

The festival also announced a new partnership with independent studio Utopia, which will offer theatrical distribution to at least one 2026 Slamdance Grand Prize winner. Additional distribution and digital aggregation opportunities will be made available to competition films through Utopia’s platform.

Also screening in the festival’s Spotlight section is The Untitled Ruby Slippers Documentary, directed by Seth Gordon and Nikki Calabrese, a long-gestating project tied to Gordon’s early Slamdance roots.

Slamdance will once again host Market Monday on February 23, featuring panels and workshops focused on filmmaking, distribution, and audience development. The full festival lineup will be announced at a later date.

‘One Battle After Another’ Leads 2026 Golden Globe Nominations; ‘The White Lotus’ Tops TV as Globes Expand Into Podcasts

Posted on December 8, 2025 by admin

The 2026 Golden Globe nominations were unveiled Monday morning, and the race quickly narrowed around a handful of major contenders. Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another dominated the film side with nine nominations, the most of any title this year. Joachim Trier’s Sentimental Value followed with eight, while Ryan Coogler’s Sinners earned seven, and Chloé Zhao’s Hamnet collected six. Frankenstein and Wicked: For Good landed five apiece.

On television, HBO’s The White Lotus led with six nominations, edging out Netflix’s Adolescence, which received five. Only Murders in the Building and Severance each secured four, continuing their awards-season consistency.

The ceremony returns to the Beverly Hilton on Jan. 11, airing live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+, with Nikki Glaser hosting. Marlon Wayans and Skye P. Marshall announced the nominees from Los Angeles, including categories for film, television, stand-up comedy, and, for the first time, the best podcast award.

This year’s podcast lineup reflects the Globes’ push toward broader media recognition, while also avoiding the political and culture-war flashpoints that have defined the category elsewhere. Titles such as Armchair Expert, Call Her Daddy, Good Hang with Amy Poehler, The Mel Robbins Podcast, SmartLess, and NPR’s Up First made the inaugural shortlist.

On the distributor front, Neon led all film companies with 21 nominations, while Netflix dominated television with 22.

The Globes also continue building out their rebranding campaign, including the launch of “Golden Eve,” a primetime special honoring this year’s career-achievement recipients: Helen Mirren (Cecil B. DeMille Award) and Sarah Jessica Parker (Carol Burnett Award).

Below is the full list of nominees:

Here’s the full list of nominees.

Motion picture – Drama
“Sinners”
“It Was Just an Accident”
“Sentimental Value”
“Frankenstein”
“Hamnet”
“The Secret Agent”

Motion picture – Musical or comedy
“One Battle After Another”
“No Other Choice”
“Marty Supreme”
“Blue Moon”
“Bugonia”
“Nouvelle Vague”

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“One Battle After Another” Dominates National Board of Review Awards

Posted on December 6, 2025 by admin

Paul Thomas Anderson’s One Battle After Another continued its awards-season surge, leading the 2025 National Board of Review honors with five major wins, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor for Leonardo DiCaprio, Best Supporting Actor for Benicio Del Toro, and Breakthrough Performance for Chase Infiniti.

The strong showing follows the film’s recent victories at both the Gotham Awards and the New York Film Critics Circle, positioning the Warner Bros. title as one of this season’s most formidable contenders.

Rose Byrne was named Best Actress for If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, continuing her streak across multiple critics groups. Other notable winners included Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for Sentimental Value, Ryan Coogler for Sinners (Best Original Screenplay), and Clint Bentley & Greg Kwedar for Train Dreams (Best Adapted Screenplay).

NBR also recognized Arco as Best Animated Feature, It Was Just an Accident as Best International Film, and Cover-Up as Best Documentary. Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning earned the group’s stunt artistry honor, while Sinners cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw received Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography.

As usual, the organization released additional top-ten lists spanning films, international selections, documentaries, and independent features, which continue to serve as an early barometer of industry consensus.

The winners will be celebrated at the NBR’s annual gala on January 13, 2026, in New York City.

AFI Announces 2025 Honorees Across Film and Television

Posted on December 5, 2025 by admin

The American Film Institute has unveiled its selections for the 2025 AFI Awards, recognizing ten films and ten television programs that the organization deems the year’s most significant artistic achievements. One additional project, It Was Just an Accident, received the annual Special Award, given to works outside AFI’s standard eligibility.

This year’s film lineup spans major studio releases, acclaimed auteurs, and international literary adaptations, with titles including Avatar: Fire and Ash, Bugonia, Frankenstein, Hamnet, Jay Kelly, Marty Supreme, One Battle After Another, Sinners, Train Dreams, and Wicked: For Good.

On the television side, the honorees reflect a broad mix of prestige drama, genre storytelling, and serialized world-building. The 2025 selections include Adolescence, Andor, Death by Lightning, The Diplomat, The Lowdown, The Pitt, Pluribus, Severance, The Studio, and Task.

AFI President and CEO Bob Gazzale emphasized the awards’ long-standing focus on celebrating collective achievement rather than competition. Honorees will be recognized at AFI’s annual luncheon on January 9, 2026, a gathering known for bringing filmmakers and television creators together in an informal, industry-wide celebration of the year’s work.

The AFI Awards have become a consistent bellwether for awards-season momentum, often overlapping significantly with later Oscar and Emmy nominations.

Short Documentary The Hemingway Offers an Unfiltered Look at Life With ALS

Posted on November 19, 2025 by admin

A new short documentary titled The Hemingway is drawing attention on the festival circuit for its candid, darkly humorous portrayal of life with ALS. The nine-minute film centers on Patrick Sean O’Brien, who lives with near-total paralysis but maintains an active, sharply observant internal monologue.

The film uses Patrick’s private thoughts as a narrative device, contrasting the difficult physical realities of ALS with his blunt, often funny inner commentary on daily routines, relationships, and moments of vulnerability. The result is a portrait that blends honesty and irreverence, avoiding sentimentality while highlighting the emotional complexities of the disease.

The Hemingway features O’Brien alongside J.R. Reed, Scott Murphy, Rose Julien, and Paula Mackael. It was written by O’Brien, directed by O’Brien and Evan Mathis, and edited by Doug Pray.

O’Brien, known for the autobiographical documentary TransFatty Lives, continues to create work despite living with advanced ALS, while Mathis brings a background in Emmy-winning creative direction.

The Hemingway is currently screening at festivals worldwide.

SAG-AFTRA Concludes 2025 National Convention in Los Angeles

Posted on October 27, 2025 by admin

SAG-AFTRA’s 2025 National Convention concluded in Los Angeles on Sunday after three days of discussions, elections, and resolutions under the theme “Connect, Engage, Empower.”

President Sean Astin highlighted member participation and unity as the union prepares for continued change across the entertainment industry. Delegates debated 22 member-authored resolutions and passed 17, setting priorities for the next two years.

National Executive Director Duncan Crabtree-Ireland addressed major legislative and contract developments, including progress on the federal NO FAKES Act, expanded A.I. protections, and the new Interactive Media Agreement, which followed a year-long strike.

Newly re-elected Executive Vice President Linda Powell and Secretary-Treasurer Michelle Hurd also delivered remarks, emphasizing collaboration, mentorship, and optimism about the union’s future amid industry transformation.

The next SAG-AFTRA National Convention will take place in 2027.

Spike Lee, Ryan Coogler, Tessa Thompson Among Honorees for Critics Choice’s Celebration of Black Cinema & Television

Posted on October 21, 2025 by admin

The Critics Choice Association has announced honorees for its 8th Annual Celebration of Black Cinema & Television, taking place December 9 in Los Angeles. Jay Pharoah returns as host, and STARZ is back as official media partner, with the ceremony airing in early 2026.

Spike Lee will receive the Career Achievement Award for his four-decade career, most recently Highest 2 Lowest. David Alan Grier earns the Vanguard Award for his acclaimed work across stage and screen, including St. Denis Medical. Ryan Coogler will be honored with the Director Award for Sinners, his record-breaking IMAX 70 mm feature for Warner Bros.

Reginald Hudlin and Shola Lynch take the Documentary Award for Apple TV’s Number One on the Call Sheet. Janelle James wins the Comedy Award for Abbott Elementary. Tessa Thompson, Sterling K. Brown, and Jurnee Smollett are recognized for Hedda, Paradise, and Smoke, respectively.

The Ensemble Award goes to Regina Hall, Teyana Taylor, and Chase Infiniti for One Battle After Another. Damson Idris earns Supporting Actor – Film for F1, and Skye P. Marshall wins Supporting Actress – Series for Matlock, receiving STARZ’s #TakeTheLead honor. Tenika Davis (Spartacus: House of Ashur) is named Breakthrough Performer, and Naya Desir-Johnson (Sarah’s Oil) takes Rising Star.

Singer-songwriter Aiyana-Lee will perform her song from Highest 2 Lowest. “It’s truly an honor to continue our tradition of celebrating excellence in Black cinema and television,” said executive producer Shawn Edwards.

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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Ben Kalina’s “Plan C for Civilization” to World Premiere at DOC NYC

Posted on October 19, 2025 by admin

Award-winning filmmaker Ben Kalina (Shored Up, Can We Cool the Planet?) returns with Plan C for Civilization, a riveting new documentary that confronts one of the most controversial ideas in climate science: solar geoengineering. The film will make its world premiere at DOC NYC on Thursday, November 13 (6:30 p.m.) and Saturday, November 15 (1:00 p.m.) at Village East by Angelika, with an online screening available from November 14 to 30.

In Plan C for Civilization, physicist David Keith explores whether reflecting sunlight back into space could cool the planet and buy humanity time against climate catastrophe. But his early experiments spark fierce global debate, inspiring rogue start-ups like Make Sunsets, whose DIY launches raise urgent questions about science, ethics, and control in a warming world.

Kalina captures this unfolding tension across continents, examining the promise and peril of manipulating Earth’s atmosphere as climate solutions falter. “If we value the ecosystems and humanity of this planet,” Kalina says, “how could we ignore any tool with so much power to cool the planet, quickly?”

Produced by Mangrove Media, the film continues Kalina’s exploration of humanity’s uneasy relationship with nature, following his acclaimed documentaries on climate and coastal resilience.