Global TV, Film & Media Industry News Roundup, Monday 24 February 2025
Indie Spirit & Berlinale winners, Scorsese fights for Rome cinemas, YouTube leads streaming, Sean Baker calls for change, USC Scripter winners, TV procedurals evolve, Amazon MGM shake-up.
Today’s Highlights:
2025 Indie Spirit Awards Celebrate Diverse Cinema and Honour Independent Filmmakers—The Film Independent Spirit Awards honoured indie and Oscar-worthy films, with Sean Baker's “Anora” winning Best Film and Best Director. Sundance premieres and TV series like “Baby Reindeer” also took top prizes.
'Dreams' Wins Golden Bear at 75th Berlin Film Festival - Dag Johan Haugerud’s “Dreams” won the Berlinale Golden Bear, with Rose Byrne and Andrew Scott taking top acting honours and major awards going to Gabriel Mascaro, Huo Meng, Radu Jude, and Lucile Hadzihalilovic.
Martin Scorsese Leads Petition to Save Rome's Cultural Venues—Scorsese, Jane Campion, and Wes Anderson are fighting a proposed law that could turn 50 historic Roman cinemas into shopping centres. Over 500 filmmakers are urging Italy’s government to preserve these spaces.
YouTube Becomes the Most-Watched Streaming Platform on TV—YouTube now leads U.S. TV screen time, with 10.8% of viewing in January, surpassing Netflix and Disney. Its streaming hours rose 27% yearly, and quarterly ad revenue neared $10.5 billion.
Sean Baker Calls for Change in Indie Film Industry at Spirit Awards—After winning Best Director for "Anora," Sean Baker criticised the financial struggles of indie filmmakers and called for better pay structures and industry reforms to sustain theatrical independent films.
USC Libraries Announce 37th Scripter Award Winners - The Scripter Awards honoured top adaptations, with “Say Nothing” winning best TV adaptation over “Slow Horses” and Peter Straughan’s “Conclave” taking the film prize, reinforcing the event’s reputation as an Oscar predictor.
Erik Feig Discusses Picturestart’s Rise in Indie Film - Erik Feig’s Picturestart sold horror film "Together" for $15 million at Sundance, continuing its success after hits like "Theater Camp" and "Cha Cha Real Smooth" by making targeted, financially cautious indie bets.
TV Procedurals Evolve with Unique Concepts - Networks are refreshing procedural dramas with new angles, such as CBS’s “Watson” blending Sherlock Holmes with medicine and ABC’s “Doctor Odyssey” and NBC’s “The Hunting Party” offering unconventional storytelling.
Gerry Rich Resigns as Amazon MGM Theatrical Marketing Head - Amazon MGM’s theatrical marketing chief Gerry Rich, who oversaw films like "No Time to Die" and "Creed III," has stepped down following Amazon’s increasing control over the James Bond franchise.
Pernel Media Expands into Drama with 'The Au Pair' - French factual TV producer Pernel Media is entering scripted drama with “The Au Pair,” starring Ludmilla Makowski and David Suchet, exploring family secrets and shifting dynamics in the British countryside.
Plus: News, Insights, Festivals & Markets, Executive Moves, Opportunities & Jobs with Hanna-Barbera, ITV, North Road, A+E & Disney.
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NEWS
2025 Indie Spirit Awards Celebrate Diverse Cinema and Honor Independent Filmmakers
The Film Independent Spirit Awards spotlight both Oscar contenders and low-budget films, emphasising great cinema. “Anora” won Best Film, Best Director for Sean Baker, and Best Lead Performance for Mikey Madison. Sundance Film Festival premieres won big, including Maisy Stella, Sean Wang, and Shuchi Talati. Emma Stone's production company, Fruit Tree, received recognition. “Baby Reindeer” excelled in TV categories. The John Cassavetes Award was renamed in honour of Gena Rowlands, and Josh Welsh was honoured. Read More
USC Libraries Announce 37th Scripter Award Winners
The USC Libraries announced the winners for the 37th annual Scripter Award, celebrating the best film and TV adaptations. Notably, “Slow Horses” lost to Hulu’s “Say Nothing” in episodic series. Peter Straughan won for the film adaptation of “Conclave.” The event highlighted the predictive nature of the Scripter for Oscars, recalling “American Fiction's” previous success. Winners were announced at USC’s Town and Gown ballroom. Read More
INSIGHTS
Christopher Walken Breaks Free from Villain Roles with 'Severance'
Christopher Walken, known for his roles as oddballs and villains, embraces a new challenge as Burt Goodman in "Severance," a good-hearted character. With over 130 roles since childhood, Walken finds playing a nice man in a near-romantic situation refreshing. Speaking from Manhattan, Walken discusses the complexities of portraying two versions of Burt due to the severance procedure, offering a compelling mix of comedy and intrigue. Read More
Erik Feig Discusses Picturestart’s Rise in Indie Film
The 2025 Sundance Film Festival began with a $15 million sale of "Together," a body horror film by Michael Shanks starring Dave Franco and Alison Brie. Produced by Picturestart, it marks Erik Feig's fourth Sundance deal, following "Theater Camp," "Cha Cha Real Smooth," and "Am I OK?" Feig shares how Picturestart navigated the indie film scene during the Covid shutdown, emphasising modest financial bets and clear audiences. Read More
Sean Baker Calls for Change in Indie Film Industry at Spirit Awards
Sean Baker won Best Director for "Anora" at the Film Independent Spirit Awards and urged for changes in the indie film industry. He highlighted the financial struggles, declining revenue streams, and the need for higher upfront fees to sustain indie filmmakers. Baker emphasised the importance of artistic freedom and casting without box office constraints, advocating for a system that supports creatives in making personal films for theatrical release. Read More
Martin Scorsese Leads Petition to Save Rome's Cultural Venues
A new Italian law could turn Rome's cultural venues into shopping centres, including 50 movie theatres. Martin Scorsese and filmmakers like Jane Campion and Wes Anderson are petitioning against this transformation. Architect Renzo Piano's letter, endorsed by over 500 filmmakers, urges President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to preserve these spaces. Scorsese emphasises the cultural loss and calls for global support to save Rome's historic venues. Read More
Pernel Media Expands into Drama with 'The Au Pair'
French production company Pernel Media, known for factual TV, enters the drama space with "The Au Pair," starring Ludmilla Makowski and David Suchet. CEO Samuel Kissous explains the transition from drama docs to drama, emphasising organic, international stories. Suchet plays George, a diabetic man whose family dynamics shift with the arrival of au pair Sandrine. The show, written by Michael Foott and Andy Bayliss, explores family, trust, and hidden truths in the British countryside. Read More
TV Procedurals Evolve with Unique Concepts
Craig Sweeny created "Watson," a CBS series combining medical drama with Sherlock Holmes lore, starring Morris Chestnut. Networks are innovating procedurals with unique twists, such as ABC's "Doctor Odyssey" and NBC's "The Hunting Party." CBS's "Elsbeth" and "High Potential" feature quirky lead characters. Streaming platforms push traditional TV forward with unconventional series like "Poker Face" and "The Pitt." Read More
YouTube: The Dominant Player in Online Entertainment
Now 20 years old, YouTube has become the most-watched streamer on U.S. TV screens, accounting for 10.8% of television viewing in January. It surpassed Netflix, Disney, and Amazon in engagement. With streaming hours up 27% in 2024 and quarterly ad revenue reaching nearly $10.5 billion, YouTube's success continues to grow. Known for diverse content, YouTube is considered TV for many viewers, competing with platforms like TikTok. Read More
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