Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 14-15 June 2025
Meta’s AI leap, Netflix exits, ABC cuts, CEE demand, and Banff’s big themes mark a shifting media world; Glickman, Hamilton, Annecy and MPSE shape the future of storytelling.
Today’s Highlights:
Meta’s $14.3 Billion AI Investment and Lab Launch – Zuckerberg’s launch of the “Superintelligence” lab and massive investment in AI signals a transformative shift for the entire tech and media ecosystem.
Jon Glickman on AI and Hollywood’s Future – The Miramax CEO’s balanced view on AI’s potential to disrupt and democratise content creation reflects the central issue facing the global entertainment industry.
AI Banned from MPSE Awards – MPSE’s precedent-setting ban on AI-generated work marks a pivotal moment in the creative sector’s response to generative technology.
Netflix ANZ Content Team Shrinks – Major executive departures suggest a slowdown in local commissions and raise concerns about Australia’s position in Netflix’s global content strategy.
Banff 2025 Festival Highlights Industry Trends – As a barometer of the international screen sector, Banff’s themes (AI ethics, Indigenous storytelling, global collaboration) reflect shifting priorities.
Annecy Animation Festival’s Gender Equity Push – With new residencies and major announcements from Disney and Pixar, Annecy reinforces global efforts to elevate women in animation.
ABC Job Cuts and Industry Backlash – National broadcaster layoffs and strategy changes impact journalism, podcasting, and scripted output, prompting union and public concern.
Rising Demand for Central & Eastern European Content – The 11% rise in demand signals a diversification of global TV consumption and new opportunities for regional players.
Lewis Hamilton’s Advocacy and Film Debut – Hamilton’s blend of activism and entertainment sets a high-profile example of athlete-driven social impact in the screen industry.
UK Animation Sector Energised by New Tax Relief Measures – New UK tax credits and rate reliefs are hailed as game-changers for animation and independent film, boosting production and co-production potential through 2034.
Plus: Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals, Events & Jobs with Disney, MUBI, Banijay, NBCUniversal, Netflix, IMAX, Starz & Amazon MGM in Sydney, London & LA.
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Streamers: Netflix, Apple, Viaplay, SkyShowTime, Amazon Prime, Marquee TV, Paramount Television International, MTV Entertainment Group, BET, Cineverse.
Broadcasters: NBC Universal, France Televisions, Sky, ABC, Channel 4, ITV, A+E Networks, CBC, TV2, SVT, ARTE, RTBF, SBS Play, TCL FFalcon, RTL, TVNZ, SRF, Kanal D, UKTV, Ceská Televize.
Producers: Fifth Season, Sony Pictures Television, Banijay, Fremantle, Endemol Shine, Gaumont, Pathé, Warner Bros Television Productions, Universal Pictures International Australasia, UFA Fiction, Vivendi, Entertainment One, BBC Studios, Warner Bros Discovery, Talpa Studios, Keshet, Tiger Aspect, Wild Bunch TV, Red Planet Pictures, Go Quest Media, Eureka Productions, The Ink Factory, Nordisk Film, Reel One Entertainment, Bunya Productions, Beach House Pictures, Beyond, The Global Agency, Esha Bargate Productions, blue Entertainment, Paper Plane Productions, Paprika Studios, Playmaker, Off the Fence, Goalpost Pictures, Spin Master, Stand By Me, Halcyon Studios, DPG Media, Envision, Rive Gauche, Blue Ant Media, Squareone, Great Southern Studios, Collective Media Group, New Dominion Pictures, RAW TV, Optomen, Magpie Pictures, KOJO, ShinAwiL, WildBrain, Nine Daughters, Amazon/MGM Studios, October Films, Legendary Entertainment, Bad Wolf, Mediapro, Bron.
Also: Aarhus Series Festival, The Wit, Norwegian Film Commission, New Zealand Film Commission, IMDA, MIA, Getty Images, Ottawa Film Office, Simkins, Harbottle & Lewis, Screen Brussels, Sheffield DocFest, FilmChain, Documentary Business, Zero Gravity Management, SXSW, MEA, DOC, Attraction Distribution, Kaplan Stahler Agency, Passion Distribution, Audible, Screen Queensland, Canada Media Fund, My Smash Media, Artists First, Grey Seal Media, Screenforce Finland.
INSIGHTS
Leticia Dolera on Puberty, Directing & Acting
With Pubertat, Leticia Dolera explores themes of family, sexual assault, and the age of criminal responsibility, all within a Catalonian cultural setting. A director, writer, and actor, Dolera reflects on juggling her roles, especially when acting in her own projects, which demand little sleep but full creative control. She admits directing and acting share top priority, each offering different freedoms and challenges. Read More
Waleed Aly Reflects on The Project’s End and TV’s Bigger Crisis
The deeper crisis in traditional media is plummeting ad revenues, tech-driven data monopolies, and a regulatory void. While ratings may be stabilising, Aly warns that the unchecked rise of platforms like Meta and the looming commercialisation of AI threaten democracy, mental health, and truth itself, raising urgent questions about the future of public discourse. Read More
Warren Ellis Confronts Chaos and Compassion in Ellis Park
In Ellis Park, Warren Ellis, a Dirty Three violinist and longtime collaborator of Nick Cave, reluctantly becomes the subject of a raw, unfiltered documentary by Justin Kurzel. What began as a film about his Sumatran wildlife sanctuary evolved into a deeply personal portrait of addiction, trauma, and redemption. Despite trying to pull the film, Ellis ultimately came to embrace its message: that hope, like life, is fragile yet essential. Read More
Miramax CEO Jon Glickman on AI, Gatekeepers, and Hollywood’s Next Chapter
Jon Glickman describes Hollywood’s current moment as a “radical transition period”, likening it to past industry shifts like the arrival of talkies or home entertainment. While acknowledging the risks AI poses to intellectual property (IP), he views it as a tool for democratising storytelling, enabling new voices to bypass entrenched gatekeepers, much like SoundCloud did for the music industry. Glickman remains optimistic about the industry's resilience and creative renewal. Read More
Top Mentors Join Antenna Documentary Rough Cut Lab
Emmy winner Caitlin Mae Burke and Stray director Elizabeth Lo join Simon Price as mentors for Antenna’s Rough Cut Lab. Now in its sixth year, the program supports 3–4 creative teams with guidance on storytelling, editing, marketing, and festival strategy for feature-length docs. Burke leads production at Sandbox Films, while Lo brings festival experience from Venice, Sundance, TIFF, and Tribeca. Read More
Lewis Hamilton: Racing Driver, Producer & Advocate
Formula 1 star Lewis Hamilton juggles roles as entrepreneur, designer, investor, and producer through Dawn Apollo Films. Ahead of his first feature, F1 the Movie (June 5), he met with UK PM Kier Starmer to push for education reform—a cause close to him. Backed by research from his nonprofit Mission 44, Hamilton advocates for fairer school expulsion policies and greater STEM access for underrepresented youth. Read More
Neil Druckmann & Ksenia Sereda on Crafting a Cinematic Moment In 'The Last Of Us'
Riz Ahmed Breaks Rules in Thriller Relay
Oscar winner Riz Ahmed returns to the action-thriller genre in David Mackenzie’s Relay, which premiered at TIFF 2024 and was picked up by Bleecker Street. He plays a secretive “fixer” who brokers deals between corrupt elites and whistleblowers, using a relay service to hide his identity. But when a desperate client (Lily James) seeks his help, he risks everything by breaking his own strict rules. Read More
ABC Job Cuts Condemned by Media Alliance
The Media, Entertainment & Arts Alliance has criticised ABC’s decision to cut around 40 jobs and end 10 fixed contracts. Managing Director Hugh Marks announced the move, citing a need to focus on core content, expand high-value journalism, and produce original podcasts and metropolitan audio. He acknowledged the cuts as strategic but difficult, aimed at boosting ABC’s TV output and overall ambition. Read More
MPSE Bans AI-Generated Work from Awards
The Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) has barred any project using generative AI from its Golden Reel Awards, becoming the first Hollywood group to take such a stance. While supporting tech that aids creativity, MPSE emphasised that AI’s legal and ethical standards remain unclear. “What we choose to promote as award-worthy points to how much we value the human endeavour of artistic creation,” the group stated. Read More
Marc Maron Grieves and Grows in Are We Good?
In Are We Good?, premiering at Tribeca on June 14, Marc Maron opens up about grief, creativity, and healing following the loss of his partner, Lynn Shelton. Directed by Steven Feinartz, the documentary follows Maron as he crafts his 2023 special From Bleak to Dark, offering rare insight into the man behind the mic and his journey to process pain through performance. Read More
‘Fight Night’, ‘Poker Face’ & ‘The Traitors’ Costume Designers On Pushing Boundaries and Aesthetics
Booming U.S. Productions, But UK Crews Still Struggle
Despite the influx of major U.S. productions, such as Marvel films, a Harry Potter series, and Greta Gerwig’s Narnia adaptation, many UK entertainment workers remain unemployed. While these projects use British soundstages and hire local talent, the inconsistent production schedules, reliance on freelance labour, and limited long-term contracts leave many industry professionals without steady work, exposing a gap between headline-making productions and sustainable employment. Read More
Yorgos Zois’ Arcadia Sweeps Iris Awards
Yorgos Zois’ Arcadia claimed best film, director, and screenplay at the Hellenic Film Academy’s Iris Awards. The Greek-Bulgarian co-production follows a couple visiting a remote resort to identify a friend’s body. Premiering in Berlinale’s Encounters section, the film went on to win best director at Sarajevo. Produced by Maria Drandaki, Antigoni Rota, Veselka Kiryakova, and Babak Anvari, it was backed by the Greek Film Centre, Ekkomed, and Ert. Read More
Lauren Greenfield’s Social Studies Explores Teen Life in the Social Media Age
Filmmaker Lauren Greenfield spent a year documenting L.A. teens’ unfiltered use of phones, revealing the pressures, pitfalls, and connections shaped by social media. In a June 8 conversation with Thom Powers, Greenfield and subjects Sydney Shear, Dominic Brown, and Jonathan Gelfond discussed cyberbullying, generational divides, and the impact of digital life on adolescence.
Canadian Networks Prioritise U.S. Formats Despite Local Push
Amid growing calls to support Canadian-made content, major broadcasters such as Bell Media, Corus, Rogers, and CBC are leaning into U.S. formats and partnerships for the upcoming TV season. At last week’s Toronto upfronts, networks showcased stars, red carpets, and unified ad sales strategies, highlighting a continued reliance on American programming, even as national sentiment pushes for more substantial support of homegrown media. Read More
Animated Adventure In Your Dreams Explores Sibling Bonds
Directed by Alex Woo and Erik Benson, In Your Dreams follows siblings Stevie and Elliot as they journey through a dream world to find the Sandman and wish for a perfect family. Voiced by Jolie Hoang-Rappaport and Elias Janssen, the duo encounters bizarre dreamscapes, including Baloney Tony (Craig Robinson), zombie breakfast foods, and the queen of nightmares, in this whimsical tale of teamwork and self-discovery. Read More
Laurent Bouzereau’s Music by John Williams Celebrates a Timeless Maestro
Director Laurent Bouzereau explores John Williams’ legendary career in Music by John Williams, now streaming on Disney+. The documentary explores Williams’ classical influences, his ability to reinvent himself for new generations, and his profound impact on the history of film music. Bouzereau, a lifelong admirer, describes the film as his way of thanking Williams for scoring his childhood.
Alan Cumming Rewrites the Rules as The Traitors Host
Alan Cumming’s playful, eccentric hosting has made The Traitors a breakout hit for Peacock, with viewership up 67% in Season 3 and three 2024 Emmy wins, dethroning RuPaul. Donning whimsical outfits and reveling in drama, Cumming brings theatrical flair to the party-game-inspired format. “I’ve always just given things a go,” he says from Scotland. “What’s the worst that can happen? I get fired?” Read More
Amanda Peet Redefines the Divorcée in Your Friends & Neighbors
Amanda Peet challenges the “sad divorcée” cliché as Mel, ex-wife to Jon Hamm’s Coop, in Apple TV+’s Your Friends & Neighbors. She highlights the importance of knowing your creator, having read Jonathan Tropper’s novels This Is Where I Leave You and Everything Changes, which explore similar themes of divorce, midlife, and anxiety. Peet’s performance brings depth and nuance to a role often oversimplified. Read More
Paul Feig’s Another Simple Favor Delivers Twists, Glamour, and Chaos
Director Paul Feig reunites Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively in Another Simple Favor, a wild sequel set against the backdrop of Emily’s extravagant wedding in Capri. Feig, inspired by an opulent Italian wedding he saw in Vogue, embraced the film’s over-the-top twists, with Awkwafina calling it “insane.
CEE Content Sees Global Demand Surge
Audience demand for Central and Eastern European content is rising, with Poland, Romania, and Czechia leading the way. At Content Warsaw, Parrot Analytics revealed an 11% year-on-year increase in international demand for CEE TV content in Q1 2025 compared to Q1 2024. This growth underscores the region’s growing global influence, as media companies increasingly employ data-driven strategies to harness the value of local storytelling. Read More
Watch Dakota Johnson and Pedro Pascal Spark in ‘Materialists’ | Anatomy of a Scene
Scott Z. Burns Tests AI’s Limits in New Podcast
In the polarised debate over AI in Hollywood, writer/director Scott Z. Burns takes a middle path with What Could Go Wrong?, a new Audible podcast. An AI sceptic, Burns explores whether tools like ChatGPT can aid his screenplay for a Contagion sequel. While some hype AI and others reject it outright, Burns offers a grounded, firsthand look at its creative potential and its limitations. Read More
Gender Imbalance Persists in French Film Crews
Despite policy support and festival successes, men continue to dominate behind-the-scenes roles in French cinema. A 2024 study by Collectif 50/50, analysing 220 film releases, found little progress in female representation in key crew positions compared to 2023, highlighting ongoing challenges in achieving true gender parity in the industry. Read More
Writers Roundtable: Seth Rogen, Jen Statsky, Craig Mazin, Lauren LeFranc & More
Debora Cahn ("The Diplomat") joins R. Scott Gemmill ("The Pitt"), Lauren LeFranc ("The Penguin"), Craig Mazin ("The Last of Us"), Seth Rogen ("The Studio") and Jen Statsky ("Hacks") on the L.A. Times Writers Roundtable.
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