Section

Film & TV

In-depth coverage of the latest film and television releases, industry trends, and creative talent.

Nicolas Cage as a 1930s noir private investigator with subtle superhero undertones, standing on a rain-soaked city street at night.

Top Streaming Picks to Watch This Week

This week, Nicolas Cage stars as a 1930s private investigator and former superhero in 'Spider-Noir,' streaming on MGM+ and Prime Video, exemplifying the rich, genre-bending narratives now available di

Julian Mercer· May 29· 4 min
A lone figure silhouetted against a flickering screen in a dimly lit room, representing the impact of independent horror films on modern storytelling.

Influential Indie Films Redefining Storytelling in 2026

The indie horror film 'Iron Lung,' directed by streamer Markiplier, grossed over $50 million on a $3 million budget, according to Inverse .

Julian Mercer· May 15· 3 min
Diverse filmmakers celebrating on a rooftop at dusk, discussing a film reel with a projector beam, symbolizing creative energy and anticipation for the festival.

New Jersey International Film Festival for Directors in 2026

From May 29 to June 7, 2026, the 31st Annual New Jersey International Film Festival will offer aspiring directors the chance to screen their work both virtually to a global audience and in-person at R

Julian Mercer· May 14· 3 min
The Mandalorian and Grogu stand together against a backdrop of stars, ready for their big-screen adventure in the upcoming 2026 Star Wars movie.

The Mandalorian and Grogu: Star Wars Movie in 2026

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu arrives in theaters on May 22, 2026, marking a significant cinematic return for the beloved Disney+ series.

Julian Mercer· May 6· 4 min
Emerging filmmakers collaborating excitedly around a laptop in a film studio, discussing their project with hopeful expressions.

Top Independent Film Festivals for Emerging Filmmakers

Many aspiring filmmakers spend over $1,000 annually on festival submission fees, yet the acceptance rate at top-tier events often hovers below 5%.

Julian Mercer· May 5· 4 min
A vintage film projector casting a spotlight on a reel of film in a dark, atmospheric cinema, symbolizing the dedication of indie filmmakers.

True/False Film Fest for Indie Filmmakers Under $100

The True/False Film Fest, charging up to $95 for feature film submissions, showcased 18 films supported by Sundance Institute Labs and the 2026 Sundance Film Festival.

Julian Mercer· May 3· 3 min
A dynamic visual of a film set nestled within the scenic Tennessee landscape, symbolizing its growing importance as a production hub.

Tennessee: An Emerging Film & TV Production Hub Beyond Hollywood 2026

In Tennessee, a qualified production credit can offset up to 50% of a company's franchise and excise tax liability, according to tnentertainment.

Julian Mercer· Apr 29· 3 min
Elegant attendees on a red carpet at a futuristic film premiere with a marquee displaying the year 2026.

Top 3 Films Critics Are Raving About for 2026

While 'April' might be making headlines this week, The Washington Post has already declared 'Arco,' 'The Testament of Ann Lee,' and 'No Other Choice' among the best films of 2026.

Julian Mercer· Apr 18· 3 min
A living room scene with a TV showcasing a variety of movie and TV show posters, representing the abundance of new streaming content.

Top 4 New Movies and TV Shows to Stream This Week

This week alone, over 50 premieres and finales are hitting streaming services, making it nearly impossible to keep track of everything without a guide.

Julian Mercer· Apr 13· 4 min
A mysterious, silhouetted figure in a dimly lit, abstract setting, representing the unique and unconventional storytelling of an indie film.

3 Underrated Indie Films With Unique Storytelling

Adrian Chiarella's 'Leviticus,' a queer horror movie about a demon, is already the most-hyped title at ND/NF 2026.

Julian Mercer· Apr 12· 3 min
An empty living room with a television displaying streaming logos, representing the decline of the traditional fall TV season.

Streaming's dominance diminishes fall TV season's relevance.

Last September, for the first time in over 70 years, no single broadcast network premiere drew more than 5 million live viewers, a stark contrast to the 20-30 million regularly achieved just two decad

Julian Mercer· Sep 7· 4 min
A deserted film set in Pittsburgh with the city skyline in the background, symbolizing the decline of the local film industry.

Pittsburgh film lull is costing the region millions, threatening indie futures.

In 2021, Pittsburgh's film industry injected a record $313 million into the local economy.

Julian Mercer· Aug 9· 4 min
An empty, dimly lit auditorium stage with a lone award statue, symbolizing the uncertain future of industry awards.

Industry Awards Face Uncertain Future in 2026

After briefly returning to an in-person ceremony in 2024, the Television Critics Association Awards will announce its 2026 winners via prerecorded social media videos, highlighting the precarious fina

Julian Mercer· Jun 20· 4 min
The Hollywood sign cracked, with a moving truck departing a studio lot, symbolizing the exodus of the film industry from Los Angeles.

Hollywood's Exodus: LA Lost 42,000 Film Jobs As Production Flees State

Bad Robot Productions, a name synonymous with modern blockbusters, sold its Santa Monica headquarters for $31 million in November.

Julian Mercer· Jun 17· 4 min
Cinematic scene showing a vintage film projector merging with holographic AI interfaces, symbolizing the future of filmmaking and creative integrity.

AI Will Reshape Film and TV Creative Integrity by 2026

Legendary director Martin Scorsese, a staunch advocate for cinematic preservation and traditional filmmaking, has partnered with AI startup Black Forest Labs, signaling a surprising embrace of technol

Julian Mercer· Jun 6· 4 min
A filmmaker directing a holographic AI actor on a futuristic film set, symbolizing the evolving relationship between AI and human creativity in cinema.

Oscars: Academy Bans AI-Generated Performances; AI-Assisted Films Honored

Two films honored at the Oscars used AI technology to alter voices, a subtle integration that reveals a shifting landscape for human performers.

Julian Mercer· Jun 5· 4 min
What Is Vegas Pizza? Unpacking the Chaos and Comedy in This Unique Series

What Is Vegas Pizza? Unpacking the Chaos and Comedy in This Unique Series

Vegas Pizza is a chaotic, character-driven indie series set in a Las Vegas pizza shop, blending humor and tension to capture the daily hustle. This article explores what makes the show unique, its rise in indie streaming, and how it differs from traditional workplace comedies.

Sponsored· May 28· 4 min
A desolate Hollywood studio lot dominated by IP-based movie posters, with a single, struggling seedling representing an original idea.

Hollywood's IP Reliance: Draining Creativity, Making Originals Rare

Nine of the top ten movies at the U.

Julian Mercer· May 11· 3 min
A diverse group of students and teachers working together collaboratively in a bright, engaging classroom environment, emphasizing community over individual heroism.

Portrayals of teachers in 2026 film and television get the 'hero' narrative wrong.

In 2026, the Sundance Film Festival will feature 'Jane Elliott Against the World', a documentary about the educator whose 1968 'Blue Eyes/Brown Eyes' exercise exposed the raw mechanics of prejudice, a

Julian Mercer· May 2· 3 min
A desolate Hollywood landscape under a dark sky, with the iconic sign casting a long shadow, symbolizing the decline of original storytelling due to franchise dominance.

Hollywood's Original Storytelling Dries Up Amid IP Dominance

Of the top 66 movies earning at least $100 million domestically in the last three years, 47 (71 percent) belonged to an established franchise, according to Observer and Parrot Analytics .

Julian Mercer· Apr 26· 3 min
A symbolic image depicting television's growing cultural dominance over film, with viewers captivated by a screen while a film audience disperses.

Television's Narrative Dominance Set to Eclipse Film

In 2023, HBO's 'Succession' finale captivated 2.

Julian Mercer· Apr 26· 3 min
A symbolic image of money flowing into a film camera with minimal return, representing the low economic yield of New York's film incentives.

New York Film Incentives Generate Only 31 Cents Per Dollar

For every dollar New York pays producers through its film credit, the state generates only 31 cents in direct and indirect revenues, a stark financial reality for taxpayers.

Julian Mercer· Apr 17· 3 min
A robotic hand manipulating a holographic voice waveform on a film set, symbolizing AI's growing influence and ethical challenges in filmmaking.

AI voice alteration used in Oscar-winning films signals ethical cliff edge.

Two films honored at the Oscars, 'Emilia Perez' and 'The Brutalist,' quietly utilized AI technology for elements like voice alteration and accent fine-tuning.

Julian Mercer· Apr 11· 4 min
A cinematic split image contrasting silent film era visuals with modern sound film production, illustrating the evolution of visual storytelling in filmmaking.

What Are Visual Storytelling Principles in Filmmaking?

The average cost of a film nearly doubled between 1927 and 1929, not for grander visual effects, but primarily due to the industry's rapid transition to 'talkies', according to Filmustage .

Julian Mercer· Sep 7· 4 min
A lively street scene at an indie film festival, showcasing attendees, film posters, and a cinema entrance, symbolizing the event's cultural and economic vitality.

What is the economic and cultural impact of indie film festivals?

For every Swiss franc invested in the Locarno film festival, the region sees a return of three: a striking economic multiplier.

Julian Mercer· Sep 6· 4 min
An independent filmmaker gazes at a sky of film reels, contemplating the challenging path to a film festival and career success.

What is the film festival impact on independent filmmaker careers in 2026?

Sundance, a beacon for independent cinema, accepted only 57 films from over 11,000 submissions for its 2025 festival, according to Shorescripts .

Julian Mercer· Aug 23· 4 min
A visual representation of adapting novels into films, showing books transforming into a movie set with a director's chair and camera.

How to Adapt Novels for Screenwriting and Directing: A 2026 Guide

In 2013 and 2014, not a single one of the top 10 highest-grossing movies was an original screenplay, marking a profound shift towards adaptations that has only accelerated since, according to Talevent

Julian Mercer· Aug 11· 4 min
A wide, cinematic shot of a desolate landscape with a solitary figure in the distance, emphasizing emptiness and mood.

Empty Shots in Film & TV: Visual Composition Explained

In the intricate world of film analysis, a shot that appears to show nothing at all is, paradoxically, a fiercely debated concept central to how audiences perceive space and emotion.

Julian Mercer· Aug 2· 3 min
A silhouetted showrunner on a busy TV production set at night, embodying the immense pressure and multifaceted responsibilities of their role.

What is a showrunner's role in TV production?

The biggest challenge for a Showrunner is time, as the job is too big and there are not enough hours in the day, according to John Wells Productions .

Julian Mercer· Jul 31· 4 min
Independent filmmakers strategizing their film festival submissions, surrounded by documents and film equipment, embodying hope and determination.

How to Navigate the Film Festival Circuit

Submitting a single feature film to a top-tier festival like Sundance can cost up to $125 just for the late submission fee, a substantial investment before any consideration.

Julian Mercer· Jul 17· 3 min