Julian Mercer
Film Editor
Julian Mercer is a Film Editor at Film and Pen, specializing in film and television analysis, with a keen focus on the art of storytelling. Before joining Film and Pen, Julian contributed to several independent film journals, where he honed his skills in dissecting complex narratives and appreciating the nuances of cinematic language. He is particularly known for his series of essays on the use of color in neo-noir films and his deep dives into the works of groundbreaking television auteurs. Julian approaches every piece with a blend of scholarly rigor and a deep love for the medium, making his insights both informative and engaging.
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Latest Articles
Tony Leung Chairs 28th Shanghai Film Festival Jury
All 12 films vying for the Golden Goblet at the 28th Shanghai International Film Festival are world premieres, setting an unprecedented bar for the jury led by cinematic icon Tony Leung Chiu-wai.
Jun 12, 2026 · 3 min read
Emily Watson to Receive Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award
British actress Emily Watson will not only chair the jury at the 32nd Sarajevo Film Festival but will also be honored with the prestigious Honorary Heart of Sarajevo award, though the festival's exact
Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Australian screen producers demand new rules from streaming giants
New Australian children's programming on commercial free-to-air television has plummeted from 391 hours pre-deregulation to just 48 hours in 2024.
Jun 11, 2026 · 3 min read
Jennifer Lopez testifies about 'I'm Still Here'
Jennifer Lopez openly wept, revealing profound personal healing, after watching the film 'I'm Still Here' with her family during her divorce from Ben Affleck.
Jun 11, 2026 · 2 min read
Miriam Margolyes Receives Raindance Icon Award, Plans Feature Film
Despite her belief that awards can make people 'smug,' Miriam Margolyes will gratefully accept the Raindance Icon Award on June 17, simultaneously revealing active plans to expand the Oscar-nominated
Jun 10, 2026 · 2 min read
Filmmaking MasterClasses for Aspiring Directors
To learn about staging and efficiency, Steven Spielberg's "Raiders of the Lost Ark" plays with no sound in one MasterClass lesson.
Jun 10, 2026 · 5 min read
London Indian Film Festival 2026 Unveils Aamir Khan's 'Lagaan' Anniversary
Aamir Khan, one of India's most celebrated actors, will close the 17th London Indian Film Festival with a conversation at BFI Southbank on July 16.
Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read
Platner Leads Collins Slightly in Maine Senate Race Polls
In a surprising turn for Maine's U.
Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read
Young European filmmakers to showcase work at Karlovy Vary 2026
Finnish filmmaker Helmi Donner's short film 'The Lightning Rod' achieved selection for La Cinef at Cannes, a prestigious section for film school shorts.
Jun 9, 2026 · 3 min read
MIFFest Honors Director Lee Chang-dong with Lifetime Achievement Award
At its upcoming 9th edition, the Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) will bestow its Lifetime Achievement Award upon South Korean master Lee Chang-dong.
Jun 9, 2026 · 2 min read
Minor content creator protections are fragmented, lack equity.
In Utah, a minor content creator can now demand the removal of their childhood videos after turning eighteen, a groundbreaking right that remains largely unavailable to young digital stars in most oth
Jun 9, 2026 · 4 min read
Top 7 LGBTQ+ TV Shows and Films Streaming for Pride 2026
For Pride Month 2026, streaming services are notably quiet on new scripted shows and films featuring lesbian, bisexual, queer women, or trans characters.
Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read
Monte-Carlo TV Festival Previews New Documentaries and Series
Joshua Seftel, head of the Monte-Carlo TV Festival's Documentary and News jury, posits that AI's rise will paradoxically fuel a deeper global craving for reality and truth in filmmaking, according to
Jun 8, 2026 · 3 min read
New Jersey Expands Film Tax Credits, Boosting Industry Investment
In the first quarter of 2026 alone, New Jersey saw a 37% year-over-year surge in production spending, reaching $211 million, as its expanded film tax credit program rapidly transforms the state into a
Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read
What are market-driven vs artist-driven film festivals?
Last year, a major 'artist-driven' festival saw 80% of its selected films arrive with pre-secured distribution deals, blurring the lines of true discovery and challenging its foundational mission, acc
Jun 8, 2026 · 5 min read
Best Steven Spielberg TV Series Ranked by Impact
At its peak, Steven Spielberg's executive-produced series ER commanded 30 million viewers, making it the highest-rated drama of the 1990s.
Jun 8, 2026 · 4 min read
How TikTok's Algorithm Revives Older Music Content
In British TikTok posts this year, tunes more than five years old accounted for 19 out of the 50 top tracks, the highest proportion since TikTok started monitoring the trend in 2021, according to The Guardian.
Jun 8, 2026 · 5 min read
AI in filmmaking poses ethical dilemmas for human creativity in 2026.
At Utopai Studios, founder Jie Yang showed a Hollywood director a trailer generated by AI for a film that hadn't even been completed.
Jun 7, 2026 · 2 min read
The Evolution of Digital Storytelling: Economic & Tech Shifts
Starting in 2025, new US trade tariffs will make the digital tools used to create online stories — from servers to software — significantly more expensive.
Jun 7, 2026 · 3 min read
What is the role of a film director in visual storytelling?
A single individual, the film director, has the final say on the vast majority of decisions made during a film's production, from the initial script interpretation to the final cut, according to Studi
Jun 7, 2026 · 4 min read