Screen

• 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.

Academic says laptops have ‘completely overtaken’ traditional note-taking and research other states should ‘absolutely’ follow the state’s leadFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastVictorian secondary school students will spend less time on screens and more time using pen and paper under a national-first plan to limit classroom device use to two hours a day.The Victorian government on Monday announced that all state secondary schools will be required to incorporate planned device-free learning time in their teaching programs from term 1, 2027. This could include “using whiteboards or paper, group debates, practical experiments or performances instead”, the government said. Continue reading...

• The New Zealand government is investigating new regulations for international streaming services to protect local broadcasters and content creators from financial devastation. • Proposed measures include implementing a levy on platforms, establishing local content quotas, or requiring direct investment into New Zealand-based productions. • Screen Producers NZ president Irene Gardiner noted that similar schemes were recently adopted in Australia, following precedents set by Canada, France, Switzerland, Spain, and Denmark.

• The Screen Producers Australia (SPA) is urging the Australian government to implement terms-of-trade protections to curb the market dominance of global streaming giants over independent producers. • Key recommendations include a comprehensive review of the national export strategy, as Australia currently imports eight dollars of cultural products for every single dollar it exports. • The SPA is also calling for modernized co-production agreements and the immediate legislation of two previously announced Producer Offset reforms.

• Health experts and epidemiologists will monitor U.S. wastewater and social media for disease-causing microorganisms during the upcoming World Cup. • By detecting pathogens in sewage, officials can identify potential outbreaks early and alert medical clinicians to specific symptoms to prevent misdiagnosis. • This proactive surveillance is designed to protect both international soccer fans and the general public from severe illnesses during the high-traffic event.

• The Screen Producers Australia (SPA) is urging the Australian government to implement terms-of-trade protections to curb the market dominance of global streaming giants over independent producers. • Key recommendations include a comprehensive review of the national export strategy to address a significant trade imbalance, where Australia imports eight dollars of cultural products for every dollar exported. • The SPA is also calling for modernized co-production agreements and the immediate legislation of two previously announced Producer Offset reforms.

• The FDA has officially approved the use of bemotrizinol, a highly effective sunscreen ingredient that has been widely utilized in European and Asian markets for years. • The decision follows long-term pressure from skincare advocates and sunscreen enthusiasts who pushed for the U.S. to adopt the ingredient to improve sun protection standards. • This move matters because bemotrizinol is known for its superior photostability and broad-spectrum coverage, offering better protection against UV rays than many current FDA-approved filters.