Film

• The global media landscape is seeing a surge in vertical video, with Beijing implementing stricter standards for microdramas as the format accelerates. • Asia is dominating Netflix's non-English Top 10, highlighted by a 200% increase in viewership from Indonesia. • In leadership news, Lino Cayetano has been appointed to lead the Philippines' PTV, while two YouTube-native directors are gaining traction in North America.

Fines might be needed to deter travellers from grabbing hand luggage, says official from airlines body IataBusiness live – latest updatesAir passengers are increasingly putting lives at risk by filming emergencies and retrieving bags instead of evacuating planes, industry experts have said, with some suggesting fines could be needed.Passenger aircraft are designed to be fully evacuated in 90 seconds in an emergency – but people reaching for hand luggage can significantly increase that time, blocking exits and aisles as well as damaging slides or causing injury. Continue reading...

• Kane Parsons' horror film *Backrooms* has officially become the first A24 production to surpass $200 million at the global box office. • As of June 9, 2026, the film has overtaken *Marty Supreme* in total earnings, marking a significant commercial milestone for the studio. • This achievement highlights a growing trend of indie-led horror hits achieving mainstream blockbuster success.

• French producers have issued a formal warning to the Culture Minister regarding a new austerity push targeting public-broadcasting funding. • The industry warns that these budget cuts pose "deep risks" to the national production sector and could significantly diminish content diversity. • This conflict highlights the tension between government fiscal tightening and the need to sustain a competitive domestic media ecosystem.

• The Shanghai film festival has excluded all Japanese movies this week, signaling a potential unofficial boycott of Japanese cultural exports. • While China has already imposed official restrictions on trade and tourism with Japan since November, no formal ban on the cultural sector has been announced. • This development suggests that diplomatic tensions between the two nations are now extending into the arts, music, and cinema industries.

• The Globe and Mail has released its 2026 summer culture preview, featuring curated recommendations for film, television, music, and art exhibits. • Music highlights include a diverse range of genres from hip hop and country to "banjo-infused heavy punk," with reporter Josh O’Kane leading the coverage. • Major art exhibitions will feature a centenary celebration for landscape artist Takao Tanabe in British Columbia and circumpolar art displays in Ottawa.

• Bobby Deol's new film, *Bandar*, experienced a slow start at the box office on its opening day, June 5, 2026. • The movie is currently trailing behind the performance of another release, *Hai Jawani Toh Ishq Hona Hai*. • These early figures are critical as they determine the film's commercial viability and potential for longevity in a competitive market.

• The first working session between independent film distributors and international film agencies was held in Cannes, hosted by Europa Distribution and Marché du Film, to improve collaboration. • The session was part of the Sorrento Industry Days, which also included an Italy-Spain comparison on distribution and the CinemaHora Forum in Moldova to support new filmmakers. • Other notable events include the Europa Distribution Network Conference in Brussels and the upcoming launch of HBO Max in six European countries on 13 January.

• Iranian-French cartoonist and filmmaker Marjane Satrapi, renowned for her graphic novel and film *Persepolis*, has died at the age of 56. • Reports indicate she passed away from "sadness," occurring just over a year after the death of her husband. • Satrapi was a significant cultural figure who recently received the 2024 Princess of Asturias Foundation award in Spain for her contributions to communication and humanities.

• Director Wim Wenders has withdrawn his 1975 film *Wrong Move* due to a scene featuring a topless 13-year-old Nastassja Kinski. • Kinski has criticized the filmmaker, stating that Wenders "didn't protect" her during the production of the scene. • During a lifetime achievement honor at the German Film Awards on Friday, Wenders admitted he is struggling with whether to permanently remove the footage.

• The 2026 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival has announced its initial competition lineups and jury selections. • Featured world premieres include "Gæsten" (The Guest), a 99-minute Danish film directed by Mads Mengel, and "A Happy Family," a 120-minute Swiss production directed by Jan-Eric Mack. • These selections highlight the festival's commitment to showcasing new international cinema and diverse directorial voices from Europe.

German director says he recognises actor should have been better protected during filming of Wrong MoveGerman director Wim Wenders has withdrawn from circulation his 1975 film Wrong Move, because of a scene featuring a child actor topless who was 13 years old at the time of filming.“Streaming, TV and distribution partners have been instructed to no longer make the film publicly accessible,” the director said in a statement released on Wednesday. Continue reading...

• Director Martin Scorsese has officially endorsed the use of artificial intelligence in filmmaking, stating that cinema must remain open to evolution as a relatively young medium. • As part of this commitment, Scorsese has joined Black Forest Labs, an AI research company, in an advisory capacity to help guide the technology's application. • This move is significant as it signals a shift toward integrating AI tools into high-level cinematic production from one of the industry's most respected figures.

• Tom Hanks has revealed that *Toy Story 5* will explore the "terror" of modern technology as traditional toys struggle to remain relevant. • The plot centers on Woody, Buzz Lightyear, and their companions competing against a new tablet for the attention of children. • This narrative shift reflects the real-world transition from physical playthings to digital entertainment, adding a contemporary social layer to the franchise.

• The Karlovy Vary International Film Festival (KVIFF) has unveiled its 2026 competition titles for the Crystal Globe and Proxima categories. • The selection features 24 world premieres from filmmakers spanning five continents, including works from Mexico, Japan, Croatia, Italy, and the United Kingdom. • This lineup reinforces the festival's commitment to showcasing new cinematic voices and promoting unconventional storytelling approaches.

• The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival will take place from June 12-21, featuring a main competition lineup for the Golden Goblet Awards. • Actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai has been appointed to lead the main competition jury for this edition of the event. • In a historic first for the festival, all 12 titles selected for the main competition section will be debuting as world premieres.

• The 28th Shanghai International Film Festival has announced the official selection for its prestigious Golden Goblet competition. • The lineup features a diverse array of international titles, including "Hunter’s Moon" (India-Germany), "9 Temples to Heaven" (Thailand), and "No Good in Sight: A Story" (Kazakhstan). • The competition highlights several world premieres, such as "The Blind Girl and an Elephant" from Bangladesh-Germany and "About the Mother" from Turkey, alongside four Chinese entries.

• South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council (KOFIC) have launched a public-private committee to address theatrical windows for films. • The initiative aims to establish standardized timeframes between a movie's cinema release and its availability on streaming platforms. • This move is critical as the global screen industry grapples with streaming disruption and the need to protect traditional theatrical revenue models.

• The Shanghai International Film Festival announced the full nomination lineup for the 28th Golden Goblet Awards on May 30, 2026. • Multiple Chinese-language productions earned nominations across major categories, showcasing the competitive quality of regional filmmaking. • The nominations underscore the increasing influence and strength of Asian cinema within the global international film circuit.

Backrooms stunned industry observers by taking $81m in its first weekend, a record for studio A24Kane Parsons has become the youngest film-maker to open a film at number one at the North American box office for his directing debut Backrooms.Parsons, 20, is seven years younger than the previous record holder, Josh Trank, who was 27 when his debut Chronicle recorded a $22m opening in 2011. Backrooms stunned industry observers by taking $81m in its first weekend in North America – which was also a record for its studio, A24. Continue reading...

Stew Peas focuses on obeah, an enduring African magic practice in Jamaica banned by colonisers in the 1700sA new movie from award-winning Jamaican film-maker Sosiessia Nixon shines a spotlight on Jamaica’s enduring west African-based magic and spiritual healing tradition known as obeah.Nixon’s tense, feature-length suspense, Stew Peas, tells of the story of Jamaican detective Tessa, who is obsessed with an old murder case. Continue reading...

• A film critic highlighted standout titles from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, noting a decrease in traditional Hollywood spectacle compared to previous years. • Key recommendations include "All of a Sudden" by Japanese director Ryûsuke Hamaguchi and "Fjord," starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve. • "Fjord" depicts a conflict between religious conservatism and secular liberalism in Norway after an evangelical couple is accused of child abuse.

• South Korea's Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korean Film Council launched a public-private consultative body on Friday in Seoul. • The committee, consisting of 22 industry representatives, will discuss the implementation of a "holdback" system to establish mandatory waiting periods before films move from theaters to other platforms. • This initiative aims to protect the theatrical window and support the domestic cinema ecosystem against the rapid shift toward streaming services.

• The 22nd edition of the Biografilm festival will take place in Bologna from June 5-15, 2026, focusing on documentaries about memory, politics, and life stories. • The event will showcase 64 films from 34 different countries, featuring 16 world premieres and a significant number of European co-productions. • The festival opens with "Broken English," an unconventional portrait of British cultural icon Marianne Faithfull directed by Jane Pollard and Iain Forsyth.

• 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. • A highlighted entry is a new film from the director of "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days," starring Sebastian Stan and Renate Reinsve.

• Bollywood superstar Ranveer Singh is facing a boycott from an Indian film union following his decision to exit the upcoming movie Don 3. • The backlash stems from accusations that Singh disrespected the cultural significance of a specific scene, though the actor has since issued a formal apology. • This controversy follows a pattern of past friction, including Singh's involvement in a 2015 comedy roast that led to police complaints regarding obscenity.

• Actor Emma Thompson has condemned the "ludicrous" lack of representation for older women in cinema following a study by the Age Without Limits campaign. • The research revealed a stark gender and age imbalance in hit films, finding that more movies star men named Chris than women over the age of 60. • Thompson argues that the input of older women is systematically minimized and marginalized across media, employment, and public life.

• Al Jazeera Media Network won 12 awards at the 2026 New York Festivals TV Film Awards, announced during a virtual ceremony. • Al Jazeera Arabic received two Gold and one Bronze award for its documentary coverage of developments in Syria. • Al Jazeera English earned two Gold, two Silver, and five Bronze awards for human-interest stories across Palestine, India, China, Vietnam, and the Philippines.