Pharrell, Trump, and Lorne Michaels walk into a theater
Bold new biopics this week; Why one $17M deal may be the last of its kind; Portrait as official networking app for fall fest season
Happy Thursday, friends.
We’re in the thick of fall festival season, with 1,000s of Portrait member films and industry attendees heading around the world from New York to London. Scroll down for all the details.
TOMORROW: We’re thrilled to be the official networking app for Heartland Film Festival — and official partners with Eventive to bring the full schedule to the app. Join the community on the app, and we’ll see you at opening night!
Grab a timeslot for your FREE headshot at the Opening Night Party. Dedicated signups only for Portrait members!
Let’s dive in to your work this week.
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Awards, and More. Say hello to featured members on the Portrait app.
What to Watch This Weekend
Bold New Biopics
Piece by Piece. “A movie documentary that uses only Lego pieces might seem an unconventional choice. When that documentary is about renowned musician-producer Pharrell Williams, it’s actually sort of on-brand” (AP). Roy Margalit, Lead Animator; Howard Baker, Animation Director, Writer. In Theaters.
The Apprentice. “The Apprentice encapsulates the American Dream, revealing all the ways in which it can be subverted into a nightmare” (EW). Brian Hill, Editor; Niamh Fagan, Philip Hunt, EPs; Fred Benenson, Co-EP; Niamh Carolan, Addyson Douglas, Cast; Matt Drake, ADR Mixer. In Theaters.
Saturday Night. “A love letter to the millions of global fans who have religiously tuned in to decompress and get their giggle on” (The Wrap). Adam Girardet, Asst. Costume Designer; Mychael Bates, Property Master; Hopper Stone, Still Photographer. In Theaters Friday.
Fresh Looks at Community and Coming of Age
Blink. “Succeeds as a film about the lengths that parents will go to give their children every possible ounce of joy in an indifferent world” (IndieWire). Edmund Stenson, Director; Miranda Yousef, Editor; Amit Dey, EP; Diane Becker, Producer; Madison Horton, Associate Producer; Ann Rogers, Co-Producer. In Theaters.
The Last of the Sea Women. Highlighting the traditional Korean fisherwomen who dive unaided by oxygen tanks and with “breathtaking underwater cinematography,” Sue Kim’s documentary “allows the poetic words of these women to remain the focus” (RogerEbert.com). Iris Ng, Cinematographer. Apple TV+.
Didi. “More than just the turbulence of growing pains; it’s also a period piece that understands the flattening effect the internet has on teenagers in particular” (The Atlantic). Sean Wang, Director; Sam Davis, DP; Gillian Mahar, UPM; Scott Wickman, Line Producer; Nick Mahar, Camera Op; Elizabeth Fox, Key Makeup; Giosuè Greco, Composer. Peacock.
Thrills and Shrieks and Body Takeovers
Disclaimer. “Cate Blanchett stars in the acclaimed director’s new TV series, a thriller about a woman whose life is upended by a mysterious novel” (NYT). Alessio Ciattini, Technical Manager; Mickael Leger, Compositing Supervisor; Peter Marsden, DIT; Cesar Puebla, Motion Graphics, Title Design. Apple TV+.
It’s What’s Inside. “An ingenious, wildly stylish new take on the body-swap movie, this deserves to be a Gen-Z cult classic” (Empire). Kevin Fletcher, DP; Jason Baum, Producer; Karl Lefevre, Art Director; Terry Watson, Production Designer; Gillian Zwick, Costume Designer; Mélé Egbe, Hair Dept. Head; Andrew Hewitt, Composer; Ime Etuk, Stunt Performer. Netflix.
What We’re Reading
IndieWire: Why the $17 million deal for It’s What’s Inside may be last of its kind
Deadline on indie market: “This is a business where you’re never going to be able to sit still”
Acquisitions this Week
Independent Lens acquires Minted. Nicholas Bruckman, Director, Writer; Shawn Hazelett, Writer, Producer; Christian Carvajal, Associate Producer; Gil Seltzer, Editor.
Watermelon Pictures acquires From Ground Zero. Laura Nikolov, Producer.
MUBI acquires Queer. Yannis Drakoulidis, Still Photographer.
On the Festival and Awards Circuit
Half Initiatives 2024 mentees announced. Congratulations to Portrait members Melody Cooper, Erin Lau, and Jhanvi Motla.
BFI, Heartland and Bend Film Festival kick off this week. Click through to see the 763 members with films and industry attendees.
Mill Valley, New York, and Hamptons Film Festival still going strong! Click through to see the 549 members with films and industry attendees.
Window of Opportunity 🔍
Check out more grants, deadlines, and jobs in the side menu of the Portrait app.
Closing Soon: October Deadlines
Have an opportunity to share? Post it on the app or fill out our form.
Moonshot Feature Accelerator (10/11 deadline + discount)
QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab (10/11 deadline)
Toronto Arts Council Program (10/15 deadline)
UC Berkeley Doc Fellowship (10/15 deadline)
JFI Filmmakers in Residence (10/18 deadline)
newportFILM Cinematography Lab (10/20 deadline)
Seriesfest Women Directing Mentorship (10/23 deadline + discount)
Squeaky Wheel Residency (10/25 deadline)
Indeed Rising Voices (10/27 deadline)
Video Consortium Storytelling Project (10/28 deadline)
Roy W Dean Fall Grant (10/31 deadline)
BRIC TV Pitch (10/31 deadline)
Select Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Have a job to share? Share it on the app or fill out our form.
Senior Keynote Producer, Apple.
Episodic Director, Sony Pictures Animation.
Senior Show Lighting Designer, Disney.
Associate Producer, Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.
Section Editor, Tech - CNN Business, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Animator, Electronic Arts.
Lead VFX Artist - Unannounced Game, Blizzard Entertainment.
Senior Manager, Business Development and Partnerships, Conde Nast.
Director, Community and Impact, Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
Producer/Editor, Moobie Brand, Barstool Sports.
End Credits: Portrait Love of the Week.
Until next week, friends. See you on the Portrait app.
Portrait is an invite-only network and professional platform for creative careers. Apply to join or nominate a friend.