Changing Fortunes
Plus: Bob Odenkirk and David Cross at Tribeca, Big Tech’s upfront takeover, microdramas on the rise, and production’s uneasy plateau
Happy Thursday, friends.
As Tribeca draws near, we hope you’ll join us for a special brunch and reception.
On June 7th, alongside our partners at GreenSlate and Theorem Media, we’re hosting Bob Odenkirk and David Cross for a live recording of Angle on Producers with Carolina Groppa and a discussion of their film Bob and David Climb Machu Picchu.
Come for the discussion of the film and stay for the celebration of our 2026 Tribeca filmmakers! Spots are limited — RSVP here to reserve your spot.
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
Forms of Protest
Ask E. Jean. “The kaleidoscopic assortment of everything from intimate interviews and absolutely gobsmacking archival footage is informative and rich, allowing us to get to know Carroll as we also learn the worst bits of her life story” (IndieWire).
Everybody to Kenmure Street. “It’s an amazing story of a community triumph, showing how the nasty little habits of domineering policing can be countered by stubbornly British -- and in this case, specifically Scottish -- insistence on justice” (Guardian).
Delightful Debuts and Hopeful Satires
Tuner. “[Daniel] Roher’s winsome debut feels more like a throwback to well-written character-driven ’90s dramas like Good Will Hunting and Shine, or last year’s Thelma (which proves the endangered category ain’t dead yet)” (Variety).
I Love Boosters. “Watching it feels less like being transported into a different universe than putting on X-ray goggles to look at our own -- and finding, buried under all the frustration and despair, a joyful and unruly sense of hope” (THR).
This Week in the Disney Universe
Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu. “One of the movie’s strong points, absent its story deficiencies, is that, across its many wordless scenes, it’s at heart a solidly rousing, delightfully icky creature feature, in the vein of a supercharged Ray Harryhausen-meets-Guillermo del Toro joint” (LA Times).
Stolen Kingdom. “Whether you’re a fan of Disney or just curious about this underground subculture, Bailey and crew have entertainingly captured what it’s all about” (Film Threat).
What We’re Reading: Changing Fortunes
What Goes Up…
Big Tech ate the upfronts. Outsiders banging at the door no longer: this year, YouTube, Netflix and Amazon “seized the house.”
The $10 million 30-second spot. Next year’s Super Bowl ads are going for $10 million a pop… because nothing else can deliver mass attention anymore.
Microdramas want a little respect. Microdrama behemoth Holywater talks vertical video, its new investment round, and why the format is not just schlock for the scroll.
…Must Come Down
Reality TV gets rolled up. Sony bought a majority stake in 32 Flavors, the company behind Vanderpump Rules and The Valley.
Production stops the bleeding (maybe). U.S. film and TV spending held roughly even in Q1 after years of decline, helped by expanded state incentives. But everyone’s still fighting harder for a smaller pie.
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)
Islamic Scholarship Fund Film Grant (5/29 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)
Tribeca Through Her Lens (6/21 deadline)
Tubi x Black List Horror Initiative (6/30 deadline)
Sundance Doc Fund (7/15 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.
Senior Producer, New Show, Fortune
Senior Manager, Social Media & Content Production, LA Tourism
Director, Development (Social Content & Creator Partnerships), Conde Nast
Director, Show Delivery, Meow Wolf
Director, Brand Development, Game Show Group, Sony Pictures
Director, Social, Fanatics
AI Film Director, Plotsy
Manager, Organic Social & Influencers, A+E Global Media
Manager, Programming & Creative Development, Teen Vogue
Creative Producer, Conde Nast
End Credits: Portrait Post of the Week
Until next week, friends. See you on Portrait.