Cannes does the math
Plus: YouTube’s TV flex, Netflix’s impact pitch, Paramount’s merger case, and Hollywood’s disappearing backbone
Happy Thursday, friends.
Cannes kicked off this week with fewer studio tentpoles, a packed but cautious market, a major Japanese presence, and plenty of AI anxiety hovering just off the carpet.
A few pieces worth reading:
Cannes opens without much Hollywood. Studios are getting selective about what they bring to the Croisette… or sitting this one out entirely.
The market is crowded, but smaller. Record attendance, tighter budgets, and buyers circling more modestly scaled films.
AI arrives on the Riviera. From Academy rules to casting guidelines, Cannes is already doubling as a policy lab for the next phase of filmmaking.
Japan is everywhere. This year’s country of honor is also a reminder that Cannes’ center of gravity keeps getting more global.
So yes, Cannes is back, but this year, the real story may be what everyone is trying to sell, protect, finance, or reinvent once they get inside the room.
Let’s dive in.
Roll of Honor
Premieres, awards, and more. See Portrait members behind this week’s work here.
What to Watch This Weekend
Dark, pointed, and perilous
Obsession. “A deliriously pointed cautionary tale about the perils of getting what you want, and an instant contender for classic midnight-movie status” (Daily Beast).
Is God Is. “The aura of Greek tragedy and the darkest heart of neo-noir. Its soul is an unapologetic howl of Black female rage” (Boston Globe).
Falling in and falling out
Magic Hour. “For a film about letting go, much of Magic Hour is bound to stick” (Variety).
Drivers Ed. “Good-natured coming-of-age story about first love and a first road trip with friends” (RogerEbert.com).
The young and the restless
LifeHack. “The internet is the closest thing these teenage cyberthieves have to a real life, and [Ronan] Corrigan’s dopamine onslaught of a film is an authentic portrait of the most alive they’ve ever been” (IndieWire).
Decorado. “A cartoon for the depressed and unemployed that evokes sweetness and existential absurdity alike” (AV Club).
What We’re Reading: Kenny Rogers Edition
Know when to hold ’em (up to the spotlight)
The upfronts are now a platform war... YouTube’s showcase reminds us: everyone wants to define “TV” to include whatever they happen to sell.
… And Netflix wants credit. Ahead of its upfront, Netflix touts its $325 billion global impact.
Know when to fold ’em (or argue you might)
The merger defense gets blunt. Paramount Skydance argues it needs Warner Bros. Discovery to catch Netflix, Disney, and Amazon.
Know when to walk away (with Byron Allen’s money)
Digital media, bargain-bin edition. Byron Allen is buying BuzzFeed and HuffPost.
Know when to run (alas)
“This is a complete decimation.” Why family businesses that built Hollywood are closing.
On the Circuit: Summer Festivals
See a fest missing in the app that you’d like added? Send a note to support@onportrait.com. More festivals and industry lists in the Portrait app!
See who’s attending SIFF - May 7th - 17th
See who’s attending Cannes - May 12th - 23rd
See who’s attending Vienna Shorts - May 27 - 31
See who’s attending American Black Film Fest - May 26 - 31
See who’s attending Tribeca - June 3 - 14
See who’s attending Raindance - June 17 - 26
See who’s attending Nantucket - June 17 - 22
See who’s attending Karlovy Vary - July 3 - 11
See who’s attending Indy Shorts - July 21 - 26
Window of Opportunity 🔎
Closing Soon: Summer Deadlines
Have an opportunity to share? Post it on the app or fill out our form.
Workshop: How to Create A Distribution and Marketing Strategy – Now! with Jon Reiss. Get a $50 discount with portrait50 (Now - May 21)
The Short Film Fund by Unsolicited Scripts (5/15 deadline)
SFFILM RAININ Grant (5/22 deadline)
SFFILM Sloan Stories of Science Fund (5/22 deadline)
The Black List Annual Labs (6/1 deadline)
Music on Film Grant (6/1 deadline)
BRIClab (6/5 deadline)
Final Draft Screenwriting Contest (6/8 deadline)
Film Independent Fast Track 2025 (6/8 deadline)
Queer Art Illuminations Grant (7/2 deadline)
Select Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Have a job to share? Share it on the app or fill out our form.
General Manager/Head of Live Events, Tribeca Enterprises
VP, Global Programming, Sotheby’s Institute of Art
Social Content Lead, Tinder
Director, Partnerships Content, Red Ventures
VP of Brand Partnerships, MrBeast
Senior Producer, Vanity Fair Video
End Credits: Portrait Post of the Week
Until next week, friends. See you on Portrait.