Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Weekend 8-9 March 2025
Lionsgate cuts staff; Neon wins Best Picture; Amazon tests AI captions; Set-jetting booms; Apple TV+ sells to ITVX; SXSW premieres; Michael Bay at SXSW; HBO shifts focus; Favreau revives Oswald
Today’s Highlights:
Lionsgate Television Implements Layoffs in Scripted Division – Lionsgate TV has laid off 6% of its scripted division workforce as it prepares for separation from Starz, following previous cuts in its Alternative Television unit and a reduction in production deals post-eOne acquisition.
Neon Wins Best Picture Oscar for Anora – Indie distributor Neon secured its second Best Picture Oscar with Anora, spending $18M on a strategic awards campaign that outpaced major competitors like Disney and Netflix.
Amazon Prime Video Testing AI-Translated Closed Captioning – Amazon is trialling AI-assisted closed captions to improve accessibility for non-English speakers, aiming to enhance subtitle accuracy while maintaining human oversight.
The Billion-Dollar Business of Set-Jetting – Tourism driven by film locations, such as The White Lotus, has surged into a multi-billion-dollar industry, with governments and studios capitalising on its economic impact.
Apple TV+ Sells Suspicion to ITVX in a Streaming First – Apple TV+ has licensed its thriller Suspicion to ITVX, marking its first content-sharing move with a competitor as part of a broader global expansion strategy.
SXSW 2025 Premieres Another Simple Favor, The Studio, and The Accountant 2—The SXSW Film & TV Festival will premiere high-profile films, including Another Simple Favor and The Accountant 2, and feature panels featuring top industry executives.
Michael Bay’s Parkour Documentary We Are Storror Debuts at SXSW—Michael Bay premieres his high-energy parkour documentary at SXSW 2025. The film criticises Hollywood’s stagnation while championing action-packed storytelling.
HBO’s All-Female Programming Team Talks TV Trends and Budgets – HBO executives reveal a shift toward ongoing series, fresh concepts, and budget-conscious innovation with upcoming projects like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms.
Jon Favreau to Direct Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Series for Disney+ – Jon Favreau is set to revive Oswald the Lucky Rabbit for Disney+, blending classic animation with modern storytelling to refresh the character.
Train to Busan Director Yeon Sang-ho Readies Gunche – Yeon Sang-ho is developing Gunche, a new zombie thriller that promises a fresh take on the genre with intense horror elements.
Plus: News, Insights, Executive Moves, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Cancellations, Opportunities & Jobs with Amazon, Disney, PBS, A+E, Netflix & WBD.
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NEWS
Lionsgate Television Implements Layoffs in Scripted Division
Lionsgate Television has laid off five employees from its scripted television division, affecting about 6% of its workforce. This follows a previous round of cuts in November 2024 in its Alternative Television unit. The layoffs come as Lionsgate prepares for its separation from Starz while continuing to produce series like Ghosts, Acapulco, and Yellowjackets. The company has also reduced production deals since the eOne acquisition. Read More
INSIGHTS
'The Leopard' Series Adaptation Premieres on Netflix
Netflix has released a six-part adaptation of Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa's novel The Leopard. Set in 1860s Sicily, the series explores the decline of the aristocratic Salina family amid Italy's unification. Directed by Tom Shankland and adapted by Richard Warlow, the drama features a predominantly Italian cast, including Kim Rossi Stuart as Prince Fabrizio Salina. Read More
Neon’s Bold Strategies Secure Second Best Picture Oscar With Indie Hit Anora
Neon secured its second Best Picture Oscar in five years for Anora with an unconventional marketing strategy. CEO Tom Quinn emphasised focusing on the film, filmmaker, and audience, hosting unique events like a pop-up merchandise sale and screenings for sex workers. Since its 2017 launch, Neon has beaten industry giants like Disney and Netflix, solidifying its reputation with disciplined risk management and calculated investments, spending $18M on Anora's awards campaign. Read More
ITV Unions Advocate for Reality TV Workers' Rights
Reality TV workers at ITV America, behind shows like Pawn Stars and The First 48, have been unionised for over a decade but still lack a first contract. The Writers Guild of America East is renewing efforts, delivering a petition signed by 500 members urging ITV to negotiate. ITV claims to bargain in good faith, but delays and disputes persist. Read More
Seth Rogen's 'The Studio' Trailer Released
The official trailer for The Studio, starring Seth Rogen, has been unveiled. The film offers a comedic behind-the-scenes look at the chaos within a dysfunctional movie studio. Read More
Amy Sherman-Palladino's 'Étoile' Set for Premiere
Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino’s new series Étoile premieres April 24 on Prime Video. Set in New York and Paris, the drama follows two ballet companies swapping their top stars to save their institutions. The eight-episode season stars Luke Kirby, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Lou de Laâge, among others. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, Étoile marks the Palladinos’ second ballet-centric series after Bunheads. Read More
Bong Joon Ho Reflects on ‘Mickey 17’ and Pre-Release Nerves
Six years after Parasite’s global success, Bong Joon Ho returns with Mickey 17, a sci-fi satire starring Robert Pattinson as a man who repeatedly dies and regenerates. Bong, who wrote, produced, and directed the film, admits he still feels anxious before a release, likening his nerves to Pattinson’s character’s fear of each new life. Speaking in New York alongside interpreter Sharon Choi, Bong joked, “I’m such a fucking nerdy film geek!” as he counted down to the film’s premiere. Read More
Michael Bay on His Parkour Documentary ‘We Are Storror’ and Hollywood’s Struggles
Michael Bay is back with We Are Storror, a high-energy parkour documentary debuting at SXSW 2025. Known for explosive blockbusters like The Rock and Transformers, Bay remains as irreverent as ever, calling Hollywood’s current state “dismal” and lamenting that “no one can greenlight anything anymore.” Still, he’s excited for his latest project, full of jaw-dropping stunts and high-octane action. “I burned down a house in Austin once!” he jokes. Read More
How Clearances Work Online Compared to TV Production
The use of archive material differs significantly between YouTube and traditional TV, often due to gaps in YouTube’s Content ID system. Clips under 30 seconds, unregistered IPs, or altered footage may bypass detection. Some creators rely on fair use or fair dealing, but legal interpretations vary by country, making copyright a grey area. While studios may tolerate clips as free marketing, copyright strikes remain a risk. Read More
Errol Morris Discusses Chaos: The Manson Murders
Filmmaker Errol Morris explores the mythology surrounding the Manson Family in his latest documentary, Chaos: The Manson Murders. He reflects on the lasting cultural fascination with the case and challenges the established narratives surrounding the crimes. The film aims to separate fact from fiction while examining the societal impact of the events. Read More
The Spies Among Us Documentary Premieres at SXSW
The Spies Among Us, a documentary about the surveillance operations of the Stasi in East Germany, premiered at SXSW. The film examines how the secret police controlled the population and draws parallels to modern privacy and state surveillance issues. Featuring interviews with former Stasi officers and citizens, it provides insight into the lasting impact of mass surveillance. Read More
Amanda Peet Returns to Film in Matthew Shear’s Directorial Debut ‘Fantasy Life’
Amanda Peet makes her big-screen comeback in Fantasy Life, her first film role in a decade, directed by Matthew Shear. Inspired by his own career anxieties, Shear wrote Peet a character that mirrors her real-life experience, including being mistaken for Lake Bell. The SXSW feature explores reinvention, personal struggles, and the next chapter in life for both actors and filmmakers. Read More
Emily Brundige Expands Goldie into an Apple TV+ Series
Emily Brundige’s 2019 short film Goldie has been adapted into a 13-episode animated series for Apple TV+, continuing its themes of celebrating differences and inclusivity. Featuring a voice cast led by Jessica McKenna, Dee Bradley Baker, and Amari McCoy, along with guest stars like Henry Winkler and “Weird Al” Yankovic, Goldie expands the adventures of its giant-hearted protagonist. Read More
The Billion-Dollar Business of Set-Jetting
Set-jetting, fueled by shows like The White Lotus, has become a multi-billion-dollar industry, driving tourism to filming locations such as Thailand, Sicily, and Maui. Social media amplifies the trend, with viral posts creating instant demand. Governments and studios capitalise on this cultural shift through marketing campaigns and immersive attractions. Policymakers are urged to embrace set-jetting’s long-term tourism potential, transforming productions into lasting economic assets beyond traditional tax incentives. Read More
Amanda Seyfried Talks Long Bright River and Mamma Mia 3
Amanda Seyfried discusses her upcoming roles, including Long Bright River and a potential third instalment of Mamma Mia! In an interview, she reflects on her career, evolving acting choices, and the challenges of her role in The Housemaid. Read More
First Look at Amy Wang’s Slanted
Amy Wang’s Slanted, premiering at SXSW, stars Shirley Chen as Joan Huang, a Chinese American teen who undergoes experimental surgery to become white in pursuit of Prom Queen. Mckenna Grace plays her transformed self. The satirical body horror film explores race, identity, and self-acceptance. Co-starring Maitreyi Ramakrishnan and Vivian Wu, Slanted marks Wang’s feature debut, blending sharp social commentary with a chilling narrative. Read More
Apple TV+ Sells Suspicion to ITVX in Streaming First
Apple TV+ has sold its original thriller Suspicion to ITVX, marking the first time the platform has licensed a show to a competitor. Starring Uma Thurman, the series is an English adaptation of False Flag. This move reflects Apple’s strategy to expand its global reach and test content-sharing models. While Suspicion remains on Apple TV+ in the UK, its ITVX debut date is yet to be announced. Read More
Amazon Prime Testing AI-Translated Closed Captioning
Amazon Prime Video is trialling AI-assisted closed caption translation to improve accessibility for non-English-speaking viewers. The system aims to generate more accurate multilingual subtitles while incorporating human oversight to maintain quality. This initiative reflects Amazon’s broader effort to enhance its international content strategy. Read More
Paul W.S. Anderson on In the Lost Lands Adaptation
Paul W.S. Anderson’s In the Lost Lands marks the filmmaker’s first fantasy feature. Starring Dave Bautista and Milla Jovovich, the medieval tale explores the dark consequences of wish-granting through Gray Alys, a complex character portrayed by Jovovich. Known for blending genres, Anderson ventures into a parable of ambition and sacrifice, bringing Martin’s vivid, mystical world to life. Read More
Iceland’s Growing Appeal as a Filming Destination
Andri Ómarsson, CEO of Iceland’s largest TV production company, Glassriver, highlights how smaller markets like Iceland thrive through adaptability and collaboration. With over 30 projects in development, Glassriver embraces co-productions, leveraging Iceland’s landscapes, tax incentives, and talent to deliver globally resonant series like Black Sands. Ómarsson urges larger markets to value flexibility, trust, and optimism, emphasising that challenges can drive creativity and innovation in a shifting global TV industry. Read More
Philip Barantini’s Approach to Immersive Storytelling
Philip Barantini discusses his upcoming Netflix series Adolescence, a real-time crime drama co-created with Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne. The series follows 13-year-old Jamie Miller, arrested for murder, and the impact on his family. Starring Graham, Ashley Walters, and Erin Doherty, it employs a one-shot technique to heighten realism. Barantini aims to immerse viewers in social issues like knife crime and toxic masculinity. Adolescence premieres on March 13 on Netflix. Read More
Daniel Pearl Calls for Reset in Commissioner-Indie Relationships
A year into his role as creative director at Lion TV, Daniel Pearl reflects on his transition from commissioning to production, highlighting the evolving relationship between producers and commissioners. He calls for greater collaboration and transparency to navigate budget constraints and shifting industry demands. Pearl also discusses Lion TV’s future, focusing on ambitious factual entertainment and premium documentaries. Read More
Nicola Shindler: Delivering Big Audiences Is ‘Empowering’
Nicola Shindler, executive producer of Fool Me Once and CEO of Quay Street Productions, discussed her recent streaming successes at the Wonder Women Live event in Manchester. Speaking on International Women’s Day, she highlighted the empowerment that comes from reaching large audiences and the evolving content distribution landscape. The event, hosted by Wonder Women CIC, focused on advancing women in leadership roles in television and the creative industries. Read More
HBO’s All-Female Programming Team Talks TV Trends and Budget Breakthroughs
HBO and Max’s programming team, led by six women with nearly 140 years of combined experience, highlights shifts in TV production. They seek ongoing series over limited ones, prefer fresh concepts over genre repeats, and challenge budgets without compromising quality. Their Emmy-winning slate includes The White Lotus and The Last of Us. Upcoming projects like A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms showcase cost-effective innovation. Read More
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