A determined independent screenwriter working late at night, facing the challenge of submission fees for the prestigious Humanitas Prizes.

Humanitas Prizes 2026 Nominations: Entry Fees and Accessibility

While the Humanitas Prizes offer $10,000 cash awards to celebrate profound storytelling, submitting a feature film or teleplay costs $175, potentially creating a barrier for independent creators.

Tara CollinsJuly 14, 20263 min read

Portrait of veteran actor Peter Van Norden, known for his roles in 'Police Academy 2' and 'The Naked Gun 2½', who has passed away at the age of 75.

Film & TV

Veteran actor Peter Van Norden dies at 75

Peter Van Norden, the actor who brought memorable characters to life in 'Police Academy 2' and 'The Naked Gun 2½', died peacefully on Thursday morning in a Southern California hospice facility at 75,

Julian Mercer·July 12, 2026

A digital advertisement displayed on a screen, with an overlay of AI code, symbolizing Google's new AI ad labeling system and its reliance on advertiser disclosure.

Advertising

Google's AI Ad Labels Rely on Advertiser Self-Disclosure

On July 9, 2026, Google launched a 'How this ad was made' panel in My Ad Center, but these labels only appear if advertisers admit to using AI.

Leo Hartmann·July 12, 2026

A vintage library with a glowing tablet showing the Goodreads interface, symbolizing the platform's enduring influence on book discovery.

Books

Goodreads reveals top books on a static platform

Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, a 'tradwife' novel, became Goodreads' most read book this week, accumulating 511,583 ratings, according to Goodreads .

Amelia Frost·July 12, 2026

Books

What Event Hosts Can Expect When Booking Timothy F. Terrell for a Talk or Signing

Bringing an author to your community event can transform a simple gathering into a memorable experience, especially when the author’s message is one of profound resilience and hope. Timothy F. Terrell writes from a place…

Sponsored by Timothy F. Terrell·July 13, 2026

A dynamic montage of popular film and TV show artwork, symbolizing the vast array of new content arriving on streaming platforms in July 2026.

Film & TV

Films and TV Shows Coming to Streaming in July 2026

On July 1 alone, Netflix is unleashing a staggering array of over 40 films and television shows being added, a content deluge that could take a single viewer months to navigate, according to TheWrap.

Julian Mercer·July 11, 2026

A meticulously recreated street scene from 1969 Los Angeles, featuring vintage cars and era-specific signage, representing the work of production designer Barbara Ling.

Production

Barbara Ling, 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' Designer, Dies

For Quentin Tarantino's 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,' production designer Barbara Ling meticulously recreated 1969 Los Angeles with a 12-week prep period, ensuring every era-specific sign and vehic

Victor Ren·July 12, 2026

The historic Television City studio complex in Hollywood, California, under a dramatic sky, symbolizing a forced sale due to significant debt.

Film & TV

Lenders Initiate Forced Sale of Television City Over Debt

Lenders led by Deutsche Bank have initiated the forced sale of Hollywood's iconic Television City, just five years after Hackman Capital Partners acquired it for $750 million.

Julian Mercer·July 11, 2026

A busy film set in California under a bright sun, symbolizing the expansion of film tax credits and increased production activity.

Media Industry

California Expands Film Tax Credits to $750 Million

California's Film and Television Tax Credit program has nearly doubled to $750 million, now offering tax credits ranging from 35% to 45% for qualifying productions, according to Business Ca .

Leo Hartmann·July 10, 2026

Smartphone screen displaying a full-screen vertical video, symbolizing Netflix's shift to a vertical content feed in its mobile app.

Film & TV

Netflix's 2026 Vertical Pivot: Adapting to New Visual Language

By April 2026, Netflix will have fully deployed a mobile app redesign, replacing its iconic horizontal content rows with a full-screen vertical video feed.

Julian Mercer·July 11, 2026

Griffin Zucosky leading the new scripted TV division at Artists Equity, a company co-founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon.

Film & TV

Artists Equity Taps Griffin Zucosky to Lead New Scripted TV Division

Artists Equity, co-founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, is launching a new division for scripted television, according to TheWrap .

Julian Mercer·July 10, 2026

Smartphone displaying X's new video editor and recorder UI on iOS, highlighting its advanced features for content creators.

Content Creation

X launches new video editor and recorder UI for iOS

A single professionally edited video can cost anywhere from $50 to $50,000, yet X is now offering its users a free, in-app tool to create polished content directly on its platform.

Tara Collins·July 8, 2026

Digital artists earning revenue from their creations on Picsart, with content performance metrics visually represented as glowing rewards.

Content Creation

Picsart Launches Earn Program to Boost Creator Earnings

For the first time, digital artists on Picsart can earn revenue from their creations based purely on content performance, not follower count.

Tara Collins·July 10, 2026

Production

How to Overcome Wedding Day Jitters for your Photoshoot: Carissa Woo's Guide for SoCal Couples

Wedding photo anxiety is a common concern for couples planning their big day. The pressure to look perfect, hold the right pose, and smile naturally can feel overwhelming, turning what should be a joyful experience into …

Sponsored by Carissa Woo Photography & Video·July 13, 2026

The iconic Hollywood sign illuminated at dusk, with a film reel in the foreground, representing California's commitment to its film industry and expanding tax incentives.

Production

California Expands Film Tax Credits to $187 Million

Warner Bros. Pictures just received a staggering $42 million in tax incentives from California for an untitled film, part of a $187 million push to keep Hollywood productions within the state. This su

Victor Ren·July 9, 2026

A busy film set in New York City with actors and crew working, showcasing the surge in production and demand for talent.

Film & TV

New York City Film and TV Productions Seek Talent Amid Surge

Currently, 2,652 active roles are listed for film and TV productions in New York City, from stand-ins for a new Netflix series starring Oscar Isaac to promo shoots for NCIS.

Julian Mercer·July 9, 2026