Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Wednesday 2 April 2025
AI disrupts animation; Mendes plans Beatles biopics; ITV buys Moonage; Hulu orders The Testaments; Channel 4 shifts strategy; indie struggles; Cannes, Vietnam, Severance, Adolescence thrive.
Today’s Highlights:
AI’s Role in Animation Industry Prompts Creative and Union Pushback – The Animation Guild enforces protections as AI tools reshape animation, sparking debate over job security and artistic integrity.
Sam Mendes announces cast for Beatles Biopics for Sony – Mendes will direct four separate Beatles films from each band member’s perspective, with a cast including Paul Mescal and Barry Keoghan.
Warp Films' ‘Adolescence’ Signals Creative Breakthrough – CEO Mark Herbert credits Netflix’s support for the success of Adolescence and anticipates further innovation with the BBC’s Reunion, spotlighting regional and bilingual storytelling.
ITV Studios Acquires Majority Stake in Moonage Pictures – ITV has acquired Moonage Pictures, expanding its scripted drama slate while allowing the company to remain creatively independent.
Hulu Greenlights ‘The Testaments’ with Star-Studded Cast – Hulu has ordered The Testaments, a Handmaid’s Tale sequel starring Ann Dowd and produced by Elisabeth Moss, with filming starting in April.
Channel 4 to Launch In-House Production Unit by 2026 – Channel 4 will begin producing content internally to diversify revenue and adapt to evolving viewer habits.
Alex Saks Highlights Financial Realities Facing Indie Filmmakers – Producer Alex Saks reveals that even acclaimed indie directors struggle to make a living from their films.
Canneseries 2025 to Feature J.J. Abrams' ‘Duster’ and Norman Reedus as Jury President – Canneseries will showcase Duster and The Walking Dead: Dead City, with Norman Reedus leading the competition jury.
Vietnam’s Film Industry Rebounds Through Local Blockbusters – Domestic hits like Bo Gia and Hai Phuong have revitalised Vietnam’s post-pandemic film market by outperforming international titles.
Jessica Lee Gagné Expands Role in ‘Severance’ and Signs with Sugar23 & CAA – Gagné has joined Sugar23 and CAA after directing and producing on Severance, where her visual style earned critical acclaim.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with Screen Australia, SXSW, Netflix, NBCUniversal & Crunchyroll in Sydney, London, LA, NYC & Amsterdam.
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INSIGHTS
Warp Films CEO Reflects on ‘Adolescence’ Success & BBC’s ‘Reunion’
Mark Herbert, CEO of Warp Films, discusses the breakout success of Adolescence, a one-shot Netflix drama, and the upcoming BBC thriller Reunion, a bilingual series blending English and British Sign Language. Known for pushing creative boundaries, Warp Films emphasises authenticity and emotional depth. Herbert credits Netflix’s trust in their vision and hopes that Adolescence’s impact will encourage more risk-taking in storytelling while highlighting the value of regional filmmaking. Read More
‘The Zweiflers’: A Family’s Past and Present Collide
Distributed by ZDF Studios, The Zweiflers follows Jewish patriarch Symcha, a Holocaust survivor preparing to sell his delicatessen, triggering deep familial conflicts. Created by showrunner David Hadda, the six-part drama is “emotionally autobiographical,” reflecting characters inspired by his upbringing in Frankfurt, Germany. As the Zweifler family confronts long-buried truths, the series explores identity, memory, and the emotional weight of history. Read More
Vietnam's Cinematic Resurgence Fueled by Local Blockbusters
Vietnam's cinema industry has experienced a robust recovery from the pandemic, primarily driven by the success of local blockbusters. Films such as Bo Gia (Dad, I'm Sorry) and Hai Phuong (Furie) have captivated domestic audiences, outperforming international releases. Read More
Bolivian Broadcaster Red Uno's Content Acquisition Strategy
Liliana Castillo, National Head of Programming and Broadcasting at Bolivia's Red Uno, outlines the network's content acquisition priorities. The broadcaster seeks telenovelas and game show formats that resonate with Latin American audiences. Red Uno also produces original formats to engage viewers and strengthen its programming lineup. Read More
Call for a Modern Equivalent of 'The Matrix' in Cinema
There’s a need for contemporary filmmakers to create a groundbreaking film akin to The Matrix for today's generation. Studios should strive for innovative storytelling and visual effects that challenge and captivate modern audiences, much like the 1999 classic. Read More
Miyazaki-Inspired AI Images Signal a Shift in Creative Authorship
OpenAI’s latest tool enables users to reimagine photos in the style of Studio Ghibli, sparking widespread engagement despite Miyazaki’s past criticism of AI-generated art. While paying subscribers flood social media with Ghibli-inspired results, the debate over originality versus automation intensifies. Read More
AI’s Growing Influence in Animation Sparks Debate on Industry Impact
As AI rapidly integrates into animation, the Animation Guild (TAG) has negotiated guardrails, ensuring AI tools don’t replace human artists. Some creatives call for stricter bans, while others embrace AI’s potential for cost control, as seen in The Electric State and House of David. With AI shaping workflows, Hollywood faces a pivotal moment—balancing innovation, job security, and evolving production landscapes amid global outsourcing concerns. Read More
Channel 4 Targets 2026 for In-House Production Expansion
Channel 4's Chief Executive, Alex Mahon, has announced that the broadcaster will commence in-house production of its own content starting in 2026. This marks a significant shift for Channel 4, which has traditionally relied on external independent production companies for its programming. The move aims to diversify the broadcaster's operations and revenue streams in response to evolving media consumption habits and financial challenges. Mahon indicated that the plan to establish an in-house production arm will be detailed over the next quarter, including the initiation of hiring processes. Read More
'Adolescence' Series Revitalises UK Drama Landscape
The recent success of the Netflix series "Adolescence" underscores the robust global appetite for British storytelling, suggesting that this enthusiasm presents significant opportunities for all sectors of the UK television industry. Read More
Strategies for Public Service Broadcasters to Engage Gen Z
Public Service Broadcasters (PSBs) can effectively engage Generation Z audiences by adapting to younger viewers' evolving media consumption habits, particularly by creating content tailored for social media platforms and advocating for broader regulatory measures to support these initiatives. Read More
Catherine O’Hara’s ‘The Studio’ Character Draws Parallels to Amy Pascal
In The Studio, Catherine O’Hara plays Patty Leigh, a former studio head navigating Hollywood politics after being ousted from Continental Pictures. While O’Hara has stated she didn’t base her portrayal on anyone specific, Seth Rogen confirmed that Patty’s character is inspired by Amy Pascal, the influential former Sony Pictures executive. Pascal, known for her bold industry decisions, mentored Rogen and Goldberg, shaping their understanding of Hollywood. Read More
Why Even the Most Successful Indie Filmmakers Can't Make Rent | Interview w/Producer Alex Saks
What does it say about the state of independent film when even the most celebrated indie filmmakers can't make rent? Alex Saks, producer of dozens of films like The Florida Project and Thoroughbreds, breaks down the financials of making an indie film in 2025 and why even Sean Baker and Brady Corbet struggle to support themselves on their films alone.
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