Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Monday 19 May 2025
AI reshapes film from dubbing to advertising; Elton John defends copyright; Cannes sees bold deals; Ethos champions fair pay; Saudi and France expand production power.
Today’s Highlights:
AI and the End of the Blockbuster? – Generative AI may make traditional blockbusters obsolete by lowering costs and redefining quality standards.
AI-Powered Dubbing Launches New Era of Global Cinema – Swedish sci-fi Watch the Skies debuts as the first feature to use AI-driven TrueSync dubbing, with more titles like Tatami and The Light to follow.
Netflix Debuts AI-Integrated Ads in Hit Shows – Netflix unveils in-show AI ads tailored to series like Stranger Things, aiming to boost ad-tier engagement as users hit 94 million.
Elton John Slams UK Government Over AI Copyright Exemption – Elton John criticises the UK’s decision to exempt AI companies from copyright laws, warning of damage to future artists’ income.
AI, Strikes, and Streamers Shape 2025 Cannes Acquisitions – With industry flux ongoing, Cannes sees strong buying activity led by MUBI’s $24M deal for Lynne Ramsay’s Die My Love.
Ethos Redefines Indie Film Pay Model with Equal Compensation – Filmmakers Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley launch Ethos, a transparent equal-pay model offering profit participation to all.
Saudi Arabia Accelerates Film Growth with Film AlUla – Film AlUla’s new studios and growing infrastructure mark Saudi Arabia’s rapid transformation into a global production hub.
France Remains Top Global Production Hub Despite Incentive Decline – Despite a dip in TRIP-approved projects, France still reached a record €3.2bn in domestic spending and VFX growth in 2024.
Oscar-Winner David Puttnam Launches Industry-Focused Film Courses – David Puttnam partners with Exeter University and Screen International to offer online courses tackling today’s film business challenges.
Ethan Coen Returns with Cannes Queer Crime Comedy – Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke debut Honey Don’t! at Cannes, a lesbian noir starring Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Cancellations & Jobs with Netflix, Paramount, Molinare, Audible, Lime & Starz in London, Liverpool & LA.
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INSIGHTS
AI-Powered Dubbing Revolutionises International Cinema
Swedish sci-fi film Watch The Skies debuted in U.S. theatres as the first full-length feature to use AI-driven immersive dubbing. Partnering with XYZ Films and AI startup Flawless, the film employs TrueSync, which adjusts mouth movements for seamless English dialogue. The original cast recorded their lines in English, ensuring compliance with SAG-AFTRA guidelines. Upcoming AI-dubbed releases include The Book of Solutions, Smugglers, Tatami, and The Light. Read More
Guy Ritchie’s Fountain of Youth Brings Swashbuckling Adventure to Apple TV+
Guy Ritchie’s latest film, Fountain of Youth, stars Natalie Portman, John Krasinski, Eiza González, and Domhnall Gleeson in a globe-trotting quest for immortality. Portman describes Ritchie’s unconventional directing style, where he rewrites scenes on set and even dictates new sounds for actors mid-shoot. The film, inspired by Indiana Jones and The Da Vinci Code, premieres May 23 on Apple TV+. Read More
Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden goes one-on-one with Jim Cramer
Disney Entertainment Co-Chair Dana Walden joins 'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer to discuss Disney's streaming strategy, quarterly results, growth opportunities, and more.
David Puttnam, University of Exeter and Screen International launch film business courses
The University of Exeter is teaming with Oscar-winning UK producer David Puttnam’s Atticus Education and Screen International to launch a series of online professional courses focusing on the realities of the contemporary film industry.
Elton John: I would take government to court over AI plans | BBC News
Sir Elton John has criticised the UK government’s decision to exempt AI firms from copyright laws, calling it “thievery on a high scale”. Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg, he expressed feeling “incredibly betrayed”, warning that the move could rob young artists of their legacy and income. The government rejected House of Lords proposals requiring AI companies to disclose their use of copyrighted material.
AI Threatens the Blockbuster Era
Generative AI could upend Hollywood by allowing anyone with a laptop to create movie-quality content at a fraction of the cost. This tech may make expensive blockbusters obsolete, reshaping the definition of "quality" and dismantling the long-held belief that great entertainment requires vast resources. Read More
Ethan Coen Goes Solo with Queer Crime Capers
After parting ways with brother Joel, Ethan Coen teamed up with wife and editor Tricia Cooke to make Drive-Away Dolls and now Honey Don’t!, a lesbian noir comedy premiering at Cannes. Starring Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza, the film blends Coen-style absurdity with queer flair. Coen and Cooke, who share an unconventional marriage, call it their “queer big dumb movie.” Honey Don’t! hits U.S. theatres August 22. Read More
Edko and Lighthouse Bet Big on Arthouse and Animation
Hong Kong’s Edko Films, fresh off the success of Oscar-winner Flow, is doubling down on elevated arthouse and animation, with GM Mandy Lam eyeing strong titles at the market. Edko has a history with Palme d’Or hits like Titane and Triangle of Sadness. Singapore’s Lighthouse Film Distribution also made bold blind offers, trusting past collaborations. Both companies previously acquired Flow, signalling confidence in their curatorial instincts. Read More
Saudi Film Scene Thrives as Film AlUla Gains Momentum
Just six years after cinemas reopened in Saudi Arabia, the kingdom now boasts over 800 screens and a booming film industry. Zaid Shaker, acting executive director of Film AlUla, is leading efforts to support production in the historic region. With new soundstages, a large backlot, and growing infrastructure, Shaker says “the pieces are falling into place” as Saudi Arabia cements its place on the global film map. Read More
Earl Cave Embraces Chaos in Kristen Stewart’s Bold Cannes Debut
Earl Cave, son of musician Nick Cave, stars in The Chronology of Water, Kristen Stewart’s daring directorial debut premiering at Cannes. “If people walk out screaming, that’s a good sign,” Cave tells The Hollywood Reporter, calling the film “bold and outrageous.” With his striking resemblance to his father and a fearless approach to storytelling, Cave is ready to shake up audiences on the Croissette. Read More
Sylvain Chomet Gives Voice to Cinema Pioneer Marcel Pagnol
French animation master Sylvain Chomet (The Triplets of Belleville) shifts from silence to speech in A Magnificent Life, an animated biopic of Marcel Pagnol. Known for revolutionising film dialogue and championing regional realism, Pagnol’s legacy shaped European cinema and France’s national film industry. Chomet, long drawn to quiet storytelling, now revives one of cinema’s most influential voices. Sony Pictures Classics will release the film in the U.S. Read More
Netflix Unveils AI-Driven Ads That Blend with Its Shows
Netflix is developing AI-powered ads that seamlessly merge with the look and feel of its shows, like Stranger Things or Bridgerton. Unveiled at its Upfront event, the new format can appear mid-stream or during pause screens, featuring overlays or calls to action. Set to roll out by year’s end, this innovation comes as Netflix’s ad-supported tier hits 94 million users, more than double last year’s figure. Read More
Dogma 25: New Nordic Filmmakers Revive Manifesto Cinema
Thirty years after Dogma 95 shook up arthouse cinema, a new wave of Danish directors is launching Dogma 25 to reclaim artistic integrity. May el-Toukhy, Milad Alami, Annika Berg, Isabella Eklöf, and Jesper Just are spearheading the movement, pushing back against industry pressures with a manifesto-driven approach. Like their predecessors, they aim to challenge conventions and reignite bold, uncompromising storytelling. Read More
U.S. Streamers Shift Focus from Global Expansion to Strategic Markets
Major U.S. streaming platforms are reassessing international expansion, prioritising revenue growth over subscriber numbers. Executives like David Zaslav and Bob Iger have emphasised the need to balance local content investment, as price sensitivity and broadband reliability vary across regions. Once focused on rapid global growth, Disney is now adapting its strategy to target high-value markets. Read More
Diane Kruger and Fatih Akin’s Cannes Connection Sparked Career Highs
Diane Kruger and director Fatih Akin met in Cannes in 2012, when she, a longtime fan, approached him at his film’s afterparty. Five years later, Akin sent her In the Fade, a revenge thriller that became a defining role for Kruger. The film premiered at Cannes in 2017, earning her the Best Actress prize and global acclaim for both. “It was the role of my life,” says Kruger. Read More
L.A. Production Workers Rebound After Wildfire Devastation
Hopes for a 2025 recovery in L.A.’s film industry was dashed when two catastrophic wildfires struck in January, causing $250 billion in damage. Already weakened by years of runaway production, pandemic fallout, and dual strikes, local crews faced yet another blow. But instead of collapsing, the disaster sparked a renewed determination across the community to rebuild and reclaim California’s place in film and TV production. Read More
Ethos: A Game-Changer for Independent Filmmaking
Oscar-nominated duo Greg Kwedar and Clint Bentley are transforming indie film with Ethos, an equal-pay initiative that offers cast, crew, and investors transparent, standardised compensation and a share in profits. Starting with equal rates, Ethos fosters a partnership mindset, promising backend returns even if there’s no profit, empowering everyone involved while cutting costs. Their past films include Transpecos, Jockey, and Sing Sing, with Train Dreams next. Read More
Mirrors No. 3
Miroirs No. 3, directed by Christian Petzold, will world premiere in Directors’ Fortnight at Cannes on May 17. This is Petzold’s fourth film with German star Paula Beer, following Transit (2018), Undine (2020), and Afire (2023). The Match Factory secured multiple international deals just before Cannes. Beer, known for roles in François Ozon’s Frantz and Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s Never Look Away, won the Silver Bear and European Film Award for Best Actress for Undine. Read More
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