Emmys '25: Loopholes, Cameos, and Late Night, Oh My
Plus: Celebrating Andrea Gibson; Rian Johnson's next Knives Out heads to TIFF; Summer means Short Fests
Happy Thursday, friends.
Congratulations to all the Portrait members with Emmy nominations this week. Let’s do a little awards redux:
The trendlines. How the awards campaign has changed… and how late night TV has adapted.
The power of cameo. The Studio breaks Ted Lasso Emmy record. Plus — this year’s surprises and snubs.
The diversity report card. Worst Emmy showing for actors of color in 5 years. Despite historic noms.
The loopholes. Snubbed by Oscars, redeemed by Emmys. A quirky rule that revives docs.
Whether you’re following the awards race closely or not at all, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in.
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Awards, and More. Say hi to featured Portrait members on the Portrait app.
What to Watch: Powerhouse Indie Releases
Lives in Court and on Trial
Life After. “Made with a personal fervor… [the film] outlines a horrific vision of merciless mercy killings in which disabled people would gain the right to die because society hardly recognizes their right to live (The New Yorker). Reid Davenport, Director; Lyntoria Newton, Colleen Cassingham, Morgan Hulquist, Producers; Amber Fares, Roberto Drilea, Cinematography; Daniel Chalfen, Lois Vossen, Anya Rous, Ruth Ann Harnisch, James Costa, EPs; Jennifer Petrucelli, Archival; David Teague, Editor; Shuling Yong, Genna Edwards, Sound; Sarah Mosses, Acquisitions. In Select Theaters Friday.
Heightened Scrutiny. “Sam Feder’s intimate film spreads out its purview to better understand how the nation took a hard turn against trans people” (AV Club). Sam Feder, Director; Mariam Dwedar, DP; Whitney Shefte, Lauren Mendoza; Additional Camera; Amy Scholder; Jake Casey, Charlotte Cook, James Costa, Danielle Benedict, Producers; Jonathan Sanford, Music; Ruth Ann Harnisch, EP. In Select Theaters Friday.
Haunting Narratives
No Sleep Till. “[The film] does a particularly fine job of portraying an eerie kind of climate adaptation, one in which people acquiesce to their fate in the face of the elements” (THR). Elizabeth Woodward, EP; Taylor Rowley, Music Supervisor. In Select Theaters Friday.
Unicorns. “Come for a wordless seduction, stay for the complexities of parenthood, drag queens and family loyalties that deserve more of your time” (Empire).” Jenny Halper, Producer; Iain Kitching, Editor; Silvia Bellitto, Script Supervisor; Rajal Pitroda, Production; David Bowtle-McMillan, Sound. In Select Theaters Friday.
Cultural Legacies
Shari & Lamb Chop. “A documentary ode to her trailblazing career as a children’s entertainer”(IndieWire). Lisa D'Apolito, Director; Anne Etheridge, DP; Douglas Warner, Producer; Miriam Cutler, Composer; Caitlin Gold, EP. In Select Theaters Friday.
House of Aama: Threads of Legacy. “The film delves into their creative process and spiritual approach to fashion, anchored in personal archives, Black folklore, and storytelling” (PBS). Jamal Ademola, Director; EmmoLei Sankofa, Composer. Streaming on PBS.
What We’re Reading
Celebrating Andrea Gibson: One of the year’s best documentaries will now be released with a heartbreaking coda.
WeSorry: WeTransfer clarifies it won't use your files to train AI amid backlash.
Way to Go, Krypto: James Gunn’s Superman leads to 500% surge in dog adoption interest
On the Festival & Awards Circuit
TIFF adds Rian Johnson’s third Knives Out and more. See who’s attending on Portrait.
LA Shorts kicks off this week. Congrats to all the Portrait members with films at the fest. Let others know you’re attending.
Indy Shorts kicks off next week. We’re proud to be Indy Shorts’ official partner! See the full schedule in the Portrait app.
Window of Opportunity 🔎
See more funding, deadlines, and jobs in the Portrait app
Closing Soon: Summer Deadlines
Inside Out ReFocus Fund (7/18 deadline)
Sundance Documentary Fund (7/14 deadline)
Terri Rogers Film Grant (7/22 deadline)
Fix It In Post Fund (7/30 deadline)
Bronx Doc Center Fellowship (7/30 deadline)
WBD Access Writers Program (7/30 deadline)
Queer Art Mentorship (7/31 deadline)
AXS Film Fund (7/31 deadline)
Nostos Screenwriting Retreat (8/15 deadline)
Film Independent Screenwriting Lab (8/25 deadline)
Breaking Through The Lens Action Grant (8/25 deadline)
Select Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Senior Vice President, Current – Scripted Programming, Fox Entertainment
Director, CBS, Paramount
Senior Digital / Social Producer (Expression of Interest), Disney
Senior VFX Artist (Project Hire), That's No Moon
Senior Producer, Jam City
Senior Video Editor, Prime Video
Manager, Production, IMAX
Managing Editor, Paramount
Producer, All Things Considered, NPR
Content Producer, Little Dot Studios
Research Editor, NBC Sports
End Credits: Portrait Post of the Week
Until next week, friends. See you on Portrait.
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