Film

• 'Peaky Blinders' writer Steven Knight testified before the UK parliament’s Culture, Media, and Sports Committee on June 16th regarding the financial state of the domestic film industry. • Knight expressed support for a proposed "streamer levy," which would require US-based streaming giants to provide financial contributions to support UK production. • The proposal aims to address funding gaps in the local industry by leveraging the massive profits generated by global platforms operating within the UK.

• The Karlovy Vary Film Festival has announced the selected Central European projects for its Central Stage showcase and the Book-to-Screen program. • Featured projects include Tomáš Hodan’s “The Stones Are Rolling to Prague,” focusing on the 1990 Rolling Stones concert, and Tomáš Pavlíček’s comedy “A Few Branches Off,” which explores Czech cottage culture. • The selection highlights regional talent and cinematic adaptations, including work from filmmakers previously recognized at the Berlinale, Cannes, and Tallinn Black Nights.

• The European Film Academy has released the list of new members for 2026, featuring a diverse group of industry professionals from Norway. • New inductees include director Joachim Trier, director Håvard Bustnes, and various producers, editors, and actors such as Hege Hauff Hvattum and Janne Hjeltnes. • This expansion of membership strengthens the Academy's representation of European cinematic talent ahead of the 34th European Film Awards in Berlin.

• The Shanghai International Film Festival (SIFF) has launched its latest edition with a strategic focus on promoting emerging Chinese-language and regional filmmakers. • The event opened with the debut feature 'Afterpiece,' directed by first-time filmmaker Keane T.K. Wong, highlighting a diverse competition slate of new talent. • Managing director Chen Guo emphasized that talent development has become a defining strength of the festival, aiming to elevate the next generation of Asian cinema.

• Entertainment Weekly has released its latest "Must List," highlighting top pop culture recommendations for the week. • Featured picks include a new album from singer Olivia Rodrigo, Steven Spielberg's latest UFO-themed film titled "Disclosure Day," and the Prime Video series "Every Year After." • Editor-in-Chief Patrick Gomez shared a behind-the-scenes anecdote about shooting a cover for "Disclosure Day" and Spielberg's praise for co-directors Alison Wild and Kristen Harding.

• Director Steven Spielberg has explicitly denied fan theories that his upcoming film, *Disclosure Day*, is a sequel to his 1977 classic *Close Encounters of the Third Kind*. • In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Spielberg clarified that while both movies explore alien cover-ups, they feature different antagonists. • He noted that *Close Encounters* focuses on government secrecy, whereas *Disclosure Day* centers on a "deep state contracting company" responsible for the concealment.

• Madonna has released a new short film titled 'Confessions II,' which serves as both a reflection on her cultural legacy and a preview for her upcoming album. • Entertainment Weekly describes the project as her boldest and best work in years, highlighting its ability to ground her massive impact on pop culture in a tangible reality. • The film is significant because it examines the icon's lineage and artistic evolution, marking a creative high point in her recent canon.