Entertainment examines the election
Plus: groundbreaking film audience research; acclaimed adaptations hit theaters; AFM + Critics Choice Awards
It’s Thursday, friends, but everyone’s talking about Tuesday — and what it means for the creative industries. A quick roundup:
Variety: Behind the scenes at The Daily Show on Election Night
Deadline: Hollywood reacts to Donald Trump (rolling updates)
The Information: How Trump Used Influencers to Win Over Voters
LA Times: How Trump’s Second Presidency Could Bring Drama to Hollywood
Ready for a reprieve? Read on for some excellent new films that “function as a reminder that everyone within them has the power to do good—even if it feels inconsequential, and especially if it feels like a risk” — plus major new research into today’s audience, the latest from AFM, and more.
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Awards, and More. Say hello to featured members on the Portrait app.
What to Watch This Weekend
In Theaters: Powerful Adaptations
Small Things Like These: Adapting Author Claire Keegan. “A profound performance by [Cillian] Murphy – perhaps even more so in fewer words than Oppenheimer – as Bill’s anger burns with tragic urgency” (Time Out). Maureen Hughes, Casting Director. In Theaters Friday.
The Piano Lesson: Adapting Playwright August Wilson. “In [Danielle] Deadwyler, we get a leading lady who smolders even when silent, finding layers even the author couldn’t have anticipated” (Variety). Chardae Adams, Art Director; Malik Ali, Cast; Taylor Morgan, UPM; Andrea Mona Bowman, Wig & Hair Designer / Hair Department Head; Para Malden, Makeup Department Head. In Theaters and on Netflix Friday.
Bird: Riffing on Ken Loach’s Kes. “Barry Keoghan is arguably the most electric actor working today, and he absolutely ignites Bird.” (Daily Beast). Luc-Antoine Robert, Post-Production Coordinator: Sound. In Theaters Friday.
Starring Jerry as Himself: Adapting Jerry’s True Story. “Scripted non-fiction drama with a hybrid twist as Jerry recreates his own story… [the film] offers something new for true crime” (POV). Jonathan Hsu, Producer; Anthony Raffaele, Colorist. In Theaters.
Streaming This Week: Powerful Shorts and Limited Series
The Day of the Jackal. “Credit to [Eddie] Redmayne and writer Ronan Bennett who’ve not only created a compelling anti-hero but also ancillary characters whose fate matters.” (RogerEbert.com). Simon Gill, Boom Operator: London Unit. Peacock.
Motorcycle Mary. The untold story of legendary motorsports pioneer Mary McGee, on ESPN+. Haley Watson, Director; Ben Proudfoot, EP; Stephen Derluguian, Colorist; Katya Richardson, Composer; Cody Wilson, Editor; Rachel Greenwald, Producer. ESPN+.
Season 2 of IF/Then Presents. Check out the 12 shorts featured on Criterion from our partners at If/Then, “dedicated to supporting documentary storytellers whose voices have long been marginalized within the film industry.” Merrill Sterritt, Directors of IF/THEN Shorts; Christine Chung, IF/Then Shorts Coordinator. Criterion Channel.
What We’re Reading
Massive audience waiting for indie films, according to major study
Netflix Unscripted execs Damla Dogan and Todd Hurvitz exit in reshuffle
On the Industry Circuit
Critics Choice Awards are Sunday. Connect with nominated teams in the app.
American Film Market kicked off on Tuesday “with a new attitude.” Click through to connect with others on the ground on the Portrait app.
2024 British Independent Film Award Nominations announced — Connect with nominated teams in the Portrait app.
2024 European Film Awards Nominations announced — Connect with nominated teams in the app.
BFI London Film Festival brings in highest in-person audience in 10 years & award winners announced — Connect with winning teams in the app.
Urbanworld Film Festival kicked off yesterday. Say hi to others in the app!
Acquisitions This Week
Archstone Entertainment boards You Gotta Believe. Houston Hill, Producer; Allen Gilmer, EP.
Voltage Pictures acquires Monsters. Glenise Mullins, Writer, Director.
Window of Opportunity 🔍
Just in time for the fall festival application season: Jon Reiss from 8Above will be hosting Everything You Wanted to Know About Film Festivals - And Aren’t Afraid to Ask with DC/Dox Co-Founder Sky Sitney. This event, the first in a monthly series of ask-me-anythings with industry experts will be co-presented with the Film Festival Alliance who are celebrating the release of their Film Festival Directory on Nov 1. The session will be on Zoom - Friday November 8th at 10am PT/1pm ET. RSVP here.
Closing Soon: November Deadlines
Have an opportunity to share? Post it on the app or fill out our form.
Nantucket Screenplay Competition (11/7 deadline)
Catapult Research Grant (11/13 deadline)
To.Get.Her Finishing Fund (11/14 deadline)
WAVE Grant (11/15 deadline)
Miller / Packan Film Fund (11/15 deadline)
Pitch for Good Summit Showdown (11/15 deadline)
Moonshot Feature Accelerator (11/15 deadline + discount)
Artemis Rising Fellowship (11/15 deadline)
DGA Awards (11/18 deadline)
WIM Activate Impact Initiative (11/20 deadline)
Antigravity Academy Screenwriters (11/22 deadline)
Black List Cassian Elwes Fellowship (11/22 deadline)
CAPE New Writers Fellowship (11/25 deadline)
2025 Stowe Story Labs Narrative Labs Application: Special Discounted Offer (deadline 11/26)
Stowe Producers Lab (12/2 deadline)
Select Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Have a job to share? Share it on the app or fill out our form.
Head of Development, Changing Lives Productions LLC.
Senior Manager, International Strategy (Disney Entertainment Television), Disney.
Vice President, Community Engagement & Development – KABC, Disney.
Vice President Production, PGA Tour.
Media Supervisor, Strategy, Publicis Groupe.
Art Director, MullenLowe U.S.
Senior News Editor, The Cut, Vox Media, LLC.
Associate Producer, Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.
Sports Producer, Apple.
Manager, Production Management, Creative Services, Amazon MGM Studios.
Multiplatform Partnerships Specialist (Disney Entertainment), Disney.
Photo Editor - 5 Month Contract, Bloomberg.
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End Credits: Portrait Post of the Week.
Until next week, friends. See you on the Portrait app.
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