Section

Film & TV

In-depth coverage of the latest film and television releases, industry trends, and creative talent.

Los Angeles skyline at sunset with symbolic representations of film production and economic growth, highlighting the city's appeal for TV series.

Tracker's Los Angeles Move Promises Economic Boost

CBS's hit series "Tracker" is moving its entire production from Canada to Los Angeles for its fourth season, a relocation sweetened by a record $48 million California tax credit.

Julian Mercer· May 5· 2 min
Robert Greenblatt, a prominent TV executive, seals a new first-look deal with Universal Television, signifying a return to NBCUniversal.

Robert Greenblatt Signs Universal TV First-Look Deal Amid Dual Pacts

Just months after signing a first-look deal with Lionsgate Television, veteran executive Robert Greenblatt has inked a new pact with Universal TV, marking his return to NBCUniversal.

Julian Mercer· May 5· 2 min
Diverse group of filmmakers and actors collaborating in a studio, discussing storyboards and scripts, representing inclusive Hollywood storytelling.

CAA and GLAAD Relaunch Full Story Initiative for Inclusive Hollywood Storytelling

Films with a cast at least 30% non-white consistently outperform less diverse releases across all budget levels, delivering a $116 million average box office advantage for blockbusters, Variety report

Julian Mercer· Apr 30· 2 min
A vibrant scene at Deadline's Contenders Television event, showcasing the diversity of current TV series and the industry's competitive landscape.

Deadline Contenders TV event highlights key trends and upcoming projects

This weekend, 29 television series—from established hits like 'SNL' and 'The Boys' to newcomers 'Chad Powers' and 'Spider-Noir'—will vie for attention at Deadline's Contenders Television event .

Julian Mercer· Apr 26· 2 min
Jez Butterworth shakes hands with a Universal Pictures executive, symbolizing a new five-year film and TV deal set to begin in 2027.

Jez Butterworth signs five-year Universal film, TV deal for 2027

Jez Butterworth's series 'MobLand' launched as the streamer's biggest global hit in March 2025, drawing 2.

Julian Mercer· Apr 24· 2 min
Homer Simpson holding a giant donut in front of the Springfield Nuclear Power Plant, celebrating the confirmed release of The Simpsons Movie 2.

Simpsons Movie 2 Release Date Revealed for 2027

Twenty years after its predecessor, The Simpsons Movie 2 is set to receive approximately $21.

Julian Mercer· Apr 23· 2 min
A busy film production set in the scenic landscape of Northern Ireland, showcasing the region's thriving film and television industry.

NI film/TV production reports £477M boost (2022-2026)

Northern Ireland's film and television industry has reported delivering £477 million to the local economy for productions between 2022 and 2026, exceeding its target by £35 million, according to ITVX and The Irish News.

Julian Mercer· Apr 20· 2 min
A cinematic portrait of actress Hayden Panettiere, celebrating her iconic roles and enduring legacy in film and television.

Hayden Panettiere Dead at 36: Her Top 9 Iconic Roles

Hayden Panettiere, the actress who captivated millions as the 'unbreakable cheerleader' in 'Heroes' and earned two Golden Globe nominations by her mid-20s, has died at the age of 36, according to The

Julian Mercer· Aug 18· 4 min
An independent filmmaker overwhelmed by the sheer volume of film festival submission envelopes, symbolizing the challenging path to distribution and recognition.

How Does Film Festival Submission Distribution Work for Indies?

Film festivals generate significant economic value for their host regions, with Locarno estimating a 3-franc return for every Swiss franc invested, according to pmc .

Julian Mercer· Aug 13· 5 min
An indie filmmaker meticulously framing a shot, embodying the dedication and artistic vision required for visual storytelling in independent cinema.

What Are Visual Storytelling Techniques in Independent Filmmaking?

Conrad Hall, ASC, once intentionally overexposed his film negative by some 2 1/2 stops.

Julian Mercer· Aug 1· 7 min
An independent filmmaker strategizing film festival submissions, surrounded by paperwork and a world map, symbolizing the global reach and challenges of festival circuits.

How Film Festival Submission Strategies for Independent Filmmakers Work in 2026

Submitting a short film to Sundance can cost up to $95, a fee that multiplies quickly across multiple festivals and categories for independent filmmakers.

Julian Mercer· Jul 10· 5 min
Director and cinematographer collaborating on a scene, emphasizing the technical and artistic aspects of visual storytelling in film and TV.

What Are Visual Storytelling Principles in Film and TV?

The "empty shot"—a scene devoid of characters—appears simple, yet its definition and application remain contentious in academic research.

Julian Mercer· Jul 1· 5 min
Split screen comparing ad-free and ad-supported streaming interfaces, illustrating consumer choice in a value-driven market.

Hybrid Streaming Models Outpace SVOD Growth Amidst Consumer Value Search

By early 2026, the majority of entry-level streaming plans are projected to exceed $10/month, significantly altering consumer expectations for content access, according to spglobal .

Julian Mercer· Jun 20· 4 min
Split image contrasting an intimate artist-focused film festival gathering with a bustling market-driven film industry trade show.

What are market-driven vs artist-driven film festivals?

Last year, a major 'artist-driven' festival saw 80% of its selected films arrive with pre-secured distribution deals, blurring the lines of true discovery and challenging its foundational mission, acc

Julian Mercer· Jun 8· 5 min
Young people dancing energetically at a party, with a vintage record player in the foreground, symbolizing TikTok's revival of older music.

How TikTok's Algorithm Revives Older Music Content

In British TikTok posts this year, tunes more than five years old accounted for 19 out of the 50 top tracks, the highest proportion since TikTok started monitoring the trend in 2021, according to The Guardian.

Julian Mercer· Jun 8· 5 min
A family interacting with a holographic TV screen displaying a branching narrative, showcasing the rise of interactive storytelling in home entertainment.

Viewers Want Control: Interactive Storytelling Transforms Film in 2026

A recent YouTube job posting for a UX Designer explicitly calls for harnessing 'the power of real-time interaction' for its TV presence.

Julian Mercer· Apr 20· 3 min
Cinematic representation of virtual reality and artificial intelligence merging for future visual storytelling, with abstract data and immersive environments.

Visual Storytelling in 2026: Principles for VR and AI

An unedited virtual reality movie can elicit the highest visual attention, measured at a total display fixation duration (TDF) of 18,953.

Julian Mercer· Apr 17· 5 min
Filmmaker working late on a laptop, surrounded by film equipment, applying for the NEH Media Projects grant with new federal requirements.

What Are NEH Media Projects Grants for Filmmakers?

While the NEH Media Projects grant technically offers a minimum award of just $1, applicants for awards issued after October 1, 2024, must navigate significant revisions to federal administrative requ

Julian Mercer· Apr 16· 7 min
A film set with a red 'X' over money bags and a broken Oscar statue, illustrating the financial pitfalls of film incentives.

US state film incentives generate revenue loss despite awards allure

Twenty-three US states independently evaluated their film and TV production incentive programs through 2018, and every single one concluded that the incentives were strongly revenue negative, accordin

Julian Mercer· Apr 15· 4 min
A diverse team of TV professionals collaborating in a futuristic control room, led by a decisive showrunner, illustrating the complex creative leadership in modern television production.

What is the role and responsibilities of a television showrunner in 2026?

On a TV set, the director, often seen as the ultimate creative voice in film, answers directly to a single individual: the showrunner.

Julian Mercer· Apr 15· 5 min
Screenwriter's hands typing on a vintage typewriter at a desk, surrounded by script pages and a coffee mug, in a dimly lit room.

How to Write Compelling Dialogue for Screenplays: A Complete Guide

In the 2026 film 'Don't Worry Darling,' lead character Alice speaks only 33% of the total dialogue, yet achieves an impressive 93% narrative centrality, proving that compelling dialogue for screenplay

Julian Mercer· Apr 14· 7 min
A split image showing the evolution of film scoring, from a vintage theater pianist to a modern composer in a high-tech studio with digital audio workstations and virtual orchestras.

The Sonic Screen: Charting the Evolution of Film Scoring Technology and Composer Techniques

Film scoring is the invisible character guiding our emotional journey through cinema. This article charts the dramatic evolution of film scoring technology and composer techniques, revealing how tools have changed storytelling.

Julian Mercer· Apr 6· 7 min
A determined independent filmmaker, illuminated by a screen showing a film festival schedule, strategizing their path through the complex film festival ecosystem.

How the Independent Film Festival Ecosystem Works: A Complete Guide

The film festival circuit can feel like a labyrinth of costly fees and rejection notices. This guide breaks down the independent film festival ecosystem, providing a strategic roadmap from submission to selection.

Julian Mercer· Apr 4· 8 min
A young filmmaker in Edinburgh at dusk, holding a script with Edinburgh Castle in the background, symbolizing the pursuit of cinematic dreams.

Edinburgh International Film Festival for Emerging Filmmakers in 2026

The Edinburgh International Film Festival's Sean Connery Prize alone offers a staggering £50,000 to a winning filmmaker, a sum that could transform an independent production.

Julian Mercer· Jul 9· 3 min
A film crew on a virtual production stage with a detailed digital environment displayed on a massive LED volume screen.

Top 5 TV Series Mastering Virtual Production

In 2019, The Mandalorian cut location shoots by 50% using a massive LED volume, fundamentally changing how high-budget television series are made, according to Nola .

Julian Mercer· Jul 8· 3 min
Split screen image: a modern 'Little House on the Prairie' homestead scene and a 'Legally Blonde' prequel courtroom scene, representing July 2026 streaming releases in Australia.

Top 6 New Streaming Releases Australia July 2026: Little House Returns

In July 2026, Netflix launches a 'Little House on the Prairie' remake on July 9, the same day Prime Video debuts 'Elle', a 'Legally Blonde' prequel.

Julian Mercer· Jul 2· 4 min
A vintage film reel in a spotlight contrasted with a modern streaming interface, representing the evolution of film classics.

What Defines a Film Classic in the Streaming Age?

For five consecutive decades, Orson Welles' Citizen Kane held the top spot in a prestigious critical poll, a feat unmatched by any modern film or streaming series.

Julian Mercer· Jun 28· 4 min
A digital representation of a streaming service interface with a countdown timer and fading movie posters, symbolizing content removal.

Top Movies and TV Shows Leaving Netflix in July 2026

Netflix will remove titles from its streaming service in July 2026, including fan-favorite horror franchises like Saw and Hostel.

Julian Mercer· Jun 27· 4 min
Helen Hunt's career montage, showcasing her iconic roles from early TV appearances to acclaimed film performances, highlighting her versatility and enduring talent.

Top 6 Best Helen Hunt Film and TV Roles

At just nine years old, Helen Hunt debuted on The Mary Tyler Moore Show , a formative moment foreshadowing a decades-long career.

Julian Mercer· Jun 16· 3 min
Diverse group of LGBTQ+ people joyfully watching screens, celebrating Pride Month with meaningful TV shows and films.

Top 7 LGBTQ+ TV Shows and Films Streaming for Pride 2026

For Pride Month 2026, streaming services are notably quiet on new scripted shows and films featuring lesbian, bisexual, queer women, or trans characters.

Julian Mercer· Jun 8· 4 min