Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Tuesday 20 May 2025
Netflix hits big with Adolescence, Delhi court mandates OTT accessibility, actors debut at Cannes, Schmidt buys Jigsaw, and formats, archives, and anime reshape global media.
Today’s Highlights:
Delhi High Court Mandates Accessibility Features on OTT Releases – A landmark ruling now requires Indian OTT platforms to include audio descriptions and same-language captions at launch for all films and series.
Netflix’s Adolescence Becomes Global Hit – The British crime series directed by Philip Barantini becomes Netflix’s third most-watched English-language show, sparking debate over youth and justice.
Actors Debut as Directors in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard – Scarlett Johansson, Kristen Stewart, and Harris Dickinson premiere their first films at Cannes, with Dickinson’s Urchin attracting major distributor interest.
Wendy Schmidt Acquires Majority Stake in Jigsaw Productions – Wendy Schmidt partners with Alex Gibney to expand Jigsaw’s socially conscious storytelling after acquiring a controlling interest in the company.
Jonas Geirnaert’s How to Kill Your Sister Blends Comedy and Darkness at Canneseries – The Belgian director balances surreal humour and emotion in his Canneseries debut, drawing both laughter and tears from audiences.
FOX’s Extracted Reinvents Survival Reality Formats – Blending family dynamics and wilderness endurance, Extracted offers a fresh twist on survival TV and secures a second season.
Archive Licensing Costs Push Filmmakers Towards Reenactments – The high price of archival footage is prompting producers to recreate history, calling for scalable pricing to improve access.
June Squibb, 95, Has a Career Breakthrough Year – Squibb lands her first lead role in Thelma and voices a character in Inside Out 2, reaching new heights at age 95.
Tim Roth Explores Grief and Transformation in Poison – Reflecting on personal loss and artistic renewal, Roth opens up about how his latest role reshaped his approach to acting.
Yango Play and Crunchyroll Launch Anime Bundle in MENA – The partnership introduces a bundled anime streaming service to the Middle East and North Africa with Arabic subtitles and top titles.
Plus: Insights, Festivals & Markets, In Development, Deals, Renewals & Jobs with NBCUniversal, Netflix, BFI & Virgin Media Television in Sydney, London, Dublin & Madrid.
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INSIGHTS
Balancing Absurdity and Emotion: Jonas Geirnaert on How to Kill Your Sister
At the Canneseries premiere of How to Kill Your Sister, director Jonas Geirnaert reflected on the challenge of mixing comedy with dark themes. Though nervous, he was moved by the audience’s laughter and tears. The Belgian series brings a surreal twist to serious topics, and Geirnaert was relieved to see his emotional, yet humorous vision land as intended. Read More
Facing Rejection: A Writer’s Reality and Resilience
This week, we emailed all writers who submitted to our December Open Call with their results. While most responses were respectful, a small number included abusive language towards our team. We understand rejection is tough, but ask for kindness towards our staff. Former Scripted team member Paul Hunt, who spent over two decades honing his craft, reminds us that rejection is part of the journey—and resilience is key to becoming a better writer. Read More
Actors Turned Directors Shine in Cannes’ Un Certain Regard
It’s rare to launch a debut feature at Cannes, yet three actors did just that in this year’s Un Certain Regard: Scarlett Johansson with Eleanor the Great, Kristen Stewart’s The Chronology of Water, and Harris Dickinson’s Urchin, starring Frank Dillane. Urchin impressed early audiences, drawing key North American distributors. Dickinson, reflecting on the premiere, expressed gratitude for the warm reception and pride in delivering such a personal, powerful story. Read More
FOX’s Extracted Blends Survival, Strategy, and Family Drama
Premiering in February and already renewed for season two, Extracted pushes reality competition into new territory. Set in the Canadian wilderness, contestants endure harsh conditions—but it’s their families, watching from afar, who decide their fate. FOX’s Michael Thorn calls it a “high-stakes, cinematic survival competition” that stood out in a market dominated by familiar formats, offering a fresh mix of endurance, deception, and emotional stakes. Read More
Delhi High Court Mandates Accessibility Features on OTT Releases
The Delhi High Court has directed OTT platforms and film producers to include accessibility features like audio descriptions and same-language captions in several films, including The Buckingham Murderers, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, Shaitan, Article 370, and Kaluva. Justice Sachin Datta’s order extends to all future releases, requiring accessibility features at launch. The Court also urged the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to fast-track related guidelines. Read More
June Squibb, 95, Enjoys Landmark Year on Screen
“If I’m called ‘icon’ one more time, I’m going to scream,” jokes June Squibb from her L.A. home. At 95, Squibb is enjoying a career high. Her first leading film role in Thelma grossed over $12 million globally, becoming Magnolia’s biggest hit ever. She also voices a character in Inside Out 2, now the highest-grossing animated film of all time—a dream run decades in the making. Read More
Wendy Schmidt Takes Majority Stake in Alex Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions
A lunch in Nantucket led to a major partnership between filmmaker Alex Gibney and philanthropist Wendy Schmidt. United by a shared belief in storytelling’s power to address societal challenges, the two recently announced Schmidt’s acquisition of a controlling interest in Gibney’s Jigsaw Productions. The move aims to expand the company’s impact-driven content and public interest journalism. “We just kind of hit it off,” says Schmidt. Read More
Tim Roth on Grief, Growth, and Rediscovering Joy in Acting
Relaxed in Galway, Tim Roth reflects on life and film with surprising warmth. Once calling acting a “nightmare,” he now admits, smiling, “I actually love it more and more.” Known for roles steeped in emotional darkness, Roth’s latest film Poison explores grief—an experience he faced personally after filming. “There’s no one way of grieving,” he says. “Everyone does it differently—otherwise there’d be a cure.” Read More
TV’s Lost Testing Ground
Once a launchpad for fresh talent and bold ideas, pilot season is now a relic of TV’s past. Networks once gambled on over 100 pilots each spring, giving writers, actors, and crews a real shot. But the shift to year-round, straight-to-series development has dulled the edge—fewer risks, fewer breakthroughs, and fewer chances for the next Family Guy to rise from the chaos. Read More
TV’s Obsession with Workplace Chaos
Modern TV increasingly portrays work as a relentless grind, with shows like Severance, The Bear, Hacks, and Industry exploring toxic workplaces, burnout, and moral dilemmas. Seth Rogen’s The Studio satirises Hollywood’s ruthless corporate culture, while classics like Law & Order and Grey’s Anatomy continue the tradition of workplace dramas. Read More
Yango Play Partners with Crunchyroll for Anime Subscription Bundle
Yango Play has partnered with Crunchyroll to offer a new subscription bundle, bringing ad-free anime streaming to viewers in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Subscribers can access hit titles like Tower of God, Solo Leveling, Fire Force, and The Rising of the Shield Hero, with Arabic subtitles and Japanese/English audio options. Read More
Stanley Tucci Explores Italy’s Culinary and Cultural Riches in Tucci in Italy
Stanley Tucci’s new Disney+ series, Tucci in Italy, takes viewers on a deeply personal journey through Italy’s landscapes, food, and history. Inspired by his childhood year in Florence, Tucci visits Lazio, Tuscany, and Sant’Ambrogio market, sharing meals and stories. The series builds on his CNN hit Searching for Italy, marking his evolution from actor to storyteller. Read More
CBBC’s Horrible Science Brings Comedy and Learning Together
CBBC and Lion Television have launched Horrible Science, a new sketch comedy series inspired by Nick Arnold and Tony De Saulles’ bestselling books. Executive producer Simon Welton, known for Horrible Histories, blends humour with fascinating science facts to engage young audiences. The show features Sir Isaac Newton on a rollercoaster, a T-Rex visiting the doctor, and guest appearances from Fred Sirieix and TikTok scientist Big Manny. Read More
CME’s Igor Draguzet Expands Factual Entertainment and Co-Productions
Igor Draguzet, Chief Content Officer at Central European Media Enterprises (CME), is leading efforts to expand factual entertainment and pursue international co-productions across six Central and Eastern European markets. His strategy blends innovation with familiarity, using a “something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue” framework for content development. Additionally, Draguzet is committed to talent development through the CME Content Academy. Read More
The Archive Licensing Dilemma: Cost vs. Accessibility
The high cost of archive licensing is pushing producers toward recreations, despite the existence of original footage. The industry’s boutique pricing model limits access, making historical content inaccessible for digital creators. A tiered, scalable pricing system—akin to Spotify for archives—could unlock value, ensuring wider use while maintaining revenue streams. Read More
Netflix’s Adolescence - Read the Script - Episode 3
The British crime drama Adolescence, created by Stephen Graham and Jack Thorne, has captivated audiences with its one-shot filming style and gripping story of a 13-year-old arrested for murder. Directed by Philip Barantini, the series has amassed 137.8 million views, making it Netflix’s third most-watched English-language show. Owen Cooper’s portrayal of Jamie Miller has sparked social and political discussions, with talks of a Season 2 already underway. Read More
Red Sea Film Foundation: Women in Cinema
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