Oscars, Spy Shows, Funding. Oh My.

Plus: Where were the deals and drama of Sundance?

Jan 30, 2025

Happy Thursday, friends — and thank you to everyone who joined us over Sundance opening weekend. Now’s a great time to jump into our rolodex of attendees on the Portrait app to see who you met.

Looking beyond Park City: Congrats to the 179+ Portrait members whose films received 110+ Oscar nominations this week! Say hi and check out the members behind the films on the Portrait app.

Let’s dive into everything else the industry’s been up to this week

Roll of Honor

Premieres, Awards, and More. Say hi to featured Portrait members on the Portrait app.

What to Watch This Weekend

Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid Companion TOUT — Sophie Thatcher and Jack Quaid in “deliciously smart comedic thriller” *Companion* (Entertainment Weekly).

In Theaters: Stars and Sex Bots Breaking Free

Companion. “[Drew] Hancock's feature directorial debut is a hell of an invigorating revenge fantasy, made all the more satisfying by its own winking self-awareness” (EW). Atika Chohan, Writer; Jamie Buckner, EP, UPM; Ben Zales, Music Editor; Alexis Vail, 2nd AD; Adam Ridley, Paulina Sussman, EP’s; Joshua Cole, Brett Bachman, Editors; Hailei Call, Key Hair Stylist; Jeremy Selenfriend, Prosthetic Makeup Designer. In Theaters.
Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story. “Devoted, and with good reason, to finding the essence of Liza Minnelli in her relationship to live audiences. We see her drink in their energy like air, then give it back to them as a heavenly glow” (Variety). Wolfgang Held, DP; Dori Berinstein, Co-Executive Producer. In Theaters.

The Night Agent Season 2 Netflix Review — *The Night Agent*

Streaming: The Spy Show Renaissance Continues

The Night Agent. “Raises the stakes and reinvents itself In season two… a severe upgrade” (RogerEbert.com). Patrick Burn, Location Manager; Dylan Scanlon, Double: Peter Sutherland. Netflix.
Paradise. “A twisty thriller that still puts feelings first” (Variety). Rafael Cabrera, Actor. Hulu.

Basel Adra in No Other Land — *No Other Land.*

Oscar Nominees Newly in Theaters and Streaming

No Other Land. “Co-directed by a collective of Israeli and Palestinian filmmakers, this must-see documentary offers a ground-level view of an occupation in action” (IndieWire). Bård Harazi Farbu, Re-recording mixer, Sound designer; Morten Fagelund, Sound Effects Editor; Julius Pollux Rothlaender, Composer; Bianca Rudolph, Senior Colorist. Limited Release.
The Wild Robot. “You’re going to have all the feels. Surrender… it might even be the best movie of the year” (AP). Kris Bowers, Composer; Justin Weg, Animator; Christian Olan-Geddes, VFX Artist; Shir Baron, Animator; DeVaughn Watts, Music Editor. Peacock.

One of the long-form stories in Switchboard’s inaugural issue.

What We’re Reading

Newly Launched: Switchboard Magazine. Switchboard, the new long-form nonfiction publication from Portrait member Celia Aniskovich, is officially live! We’re honored to be on Switchboard’s advisory board and excited for what's to come. Read the inaugural issue now.
Box Office: Mel Gibson’s Flight Risk leads quiet weekend with decent $12M Opening. Johnny Derango, DP; Douglas Dresser, Production Supervisor; Alan Tyler, Composer: Addl. Music, Title Music.

Sundance News and Gossip

Sundance freezes over: where were the deals and drama that gave the festival its sizzle?
Rabbit Hole and Jay Ellis announce ‘Creative Spirit’ filmmaking contest
Sundance 2025 films sold so far. Congrats to Portrait films with acquisitions!

First Round of Academy Analysis Paralysis

On the Festival Circuit

Sundance Short Film Program award winners announced. See winning teams in the app.
GLAAD Award Nominations announced. See Portrait members behind nominated films in the app.

International Film Festival Rotterdam kicks off this weekend - click “I’m Attending” in the app.
Santa Barbara International Film Festival kicks off next Tuesday - click “I’m Attending” in the app.