Biografilm to showcase documentaries revolving around memory, politics and life stories - Cineuropa

• Former Great British Bake Off judge Dame Prue Leith spoke to crowds at the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye. • During the "My Life in Books" series, the celebrity restaurateur discussed the literature that shaped her and recalled boldly questioning the Michelin Guide about why she had not been awarded a star.

• Netflix and other streaming platforms have criticized a German proposal that would require them to reinvest a portion of their locally generated revenue into domestic film and television production. • The plan aims to bolster the German creative industry, mirroring similar regulatory frameworks already implemented in other European nations such as France, Denmark, and Sweden.

• Streaming platforms, including Netflix, have criticized the German government's plan to impose compulsory production levies to boost local film content, labeling the move as "protectionist." • The proposed legislation would require streaming services to reinvest between 8% and 12% of their revenue into local productions, placing Germany's rate between Spain/Denmark (5%) and France (20%).

• France leads all EU countries in the number of citizens challenging social media companies' content moderation decisions over the past year. • According to a new report, France recorded 4,400 challenges, followed by Belgium and Italy, while other nations like Spain (3,000) and Germany (1,800) trailed behind.

• Two women have accused the Channel 4 reality show *Married at First Sight UK* of fostering a "toxic" culture after alleging they were raped during filming. • Participant Soraya Spiers, who spoke publicly, described the production environment as being "toxic from the top down" with an unhealthy focus on sex.

• Filipino fans are increasingly engaging in "seichi junrei" (anime pilgrimages), driving a significant surge in travel to real-world destinations across Asia that inspired popular series. • Data from Trip.com reveals a 155% year-on-year increase in searches for anime- and comic-related travel in the Philippines for 2026.

• Major Indian streaming platforms, including JioStar and Amazon, are heavily investing in "microdramas"—short, vertically shot melodramas designed for quick consumption. • These bite-sized shows have evolved from simple filler content into a core strategic tool for discovering new stories and testing potential future franchises.

• Local media intellectual property (IP) is increasingly being integrated into Asian theme attractions through strategic collaborations and self-developed projects. • The trend is driven by the rapid growth of Asia's creative industries, where online games and streaming platforms have surpassed traditional film, television, and publishing in vibrancy.

• Critics Jacob Stolworthy and Patrick Smith have released a curated list of the eight best movies screened at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival. • The selection features a diverse range of genres, including a metaphysical drama, a monster movie, and a sweeping epic positioned as a strong awards contender.

• The Nordic streaming market has grown to over 27 million paid subscriptions, an increase of approximately 3.5 million since spring 2025. • Roughly 80% of these new subscriptions are ad-supported, signaling a significant shift in consumer preference toward cheaper, ad-funded tiers.

• Italian broadcaster Rai has released the full televoting results for the first Semi-Final and the Grand Final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2026. • The data provides a detailed look at how Italian viewers voted during the competition held in Vienna, which ultimately saw Bulgaria emerge as the winner.