The Biggest Film Releases This Holiday
Plus: Sundance party-bound; Oscar shortlists; Legal news spoiling Xmas in Hollywood
Happy Holidays, friends.
This is your last Portrait newsletter of 2024.
In the last 365 days, the Portrait community has grown nearly 5X… and somehow over a whopping 60% of you still open this newsletter each week. Thank you for coming on the journey with us.
We’ve got lots in the works for you in 2025… starting with Sundance. We’ve got exciting events and opportunities in the works with Level Forward, the United Lounge, Eventive, Switchboard, Adobe, and more. Let us know if you’re attending or have a film in the fest here. We’d love to invite you to everything and/or promote your work.
Now one more time with feeling…
Let’s dive in to what’s happening in in the last weeks of the year.
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Awards, and More. Say hello to featured members on the Portrait app.
What to Watch Over The Holiday
Profiles Exploring The Path to Greatness
The Brutalist. “Similar in tone to such Paul Thomas Anderson films as There Will Be Blood, [Brady] Corbet’s often-staggering movie casts an unsentimental look at the price of greatness” (WSJ). Thomas Pierce; Kelly Peck, EPs; Kristina Erdely, Casting Director; Máté Ternyik, Colorist; Virág Tyekvicska, Art Director; Emma Kate Wood, Asst. Costume Designer; Bence Szemerey, Still Photographer; Botond Csizmadia, 2nd Unit Sound Mixer; Hermina Fátyol, Cast. In Theaters Friday.
A Complete Unknown. “[James] Mangold’s film fluidly captures the intersection of art and fame with solid performances, unshowy direction, and organic editing” (RogerEbert.com). Elijah Wald, Writer; Regina Graves, Set Decorator; Douglas Luka, VFX Supervisor; Michael Jortner, Property Master; Kaela Dobson, Addl. Makeup Artist. In Theaters Christmas Day.
Chance, Course-Changing Encounters
The Room Next Door. “Stunning in all elements of design and performance… another wonderful entry among [Pedro] Almodóvar’s filmography” (AV Club). Edu Grau, DP; Eudald Magri, Key Asst. Costume Supervisor; Daniel Maldonado, Asst. Property Master: New York; Inma Azorin, Hair Supervisor. In Theaters Friday.
Babygirl. “[Nicole] Kidman in a fearless turn… This is a sexy, darkly funny, and bold piece of work” (IndieWire). Liz Niles, EP; Damien Vandercruyssen, Colorist; David Franzo, Senior Color Artist; Cayanne Merrill, Production Coordinator; James Reyes, Sup. Digital Intermediate Producer; Rochelle Brown, Account Executive. In Theaters Christmas Day.
Epic Adaptations of Classic Tales
Nosferatu. “[Robert] Eggers’ retelling suffocates like a coffin, right up to its chilling final shot. Lily-Rose Depp is full-bloodedly committed, and Bill Skarsgård’s fiend gorges with terrible fury” (Empire). Maya Kvetny, European Casting; Samuel Cox, Wig Maker; Chloe Henderson, Special Make Up Fx Sculptor/Mouldmaker; Alex Stylianou, ADR Mixer. In Theaters Christmas Day.
The Count of Monte Cristo. Sandrine Denis, Makeup Artist. “A stunning, emotionally satisfying adventure tale, built on rock-solid source material” (Variety). In Theaters Friday.
What We’re Reading: Naughty and Nice Edition
Coal in Your Stocking: Legal developments likely to spoil Christmas in Hollywood: Trump’s new D.E.I. antagonist + a bipartisan bill that could cause real headaches for the streamers.
Gift of Great Work: National Film Registry adds 25 titles for 2024.
On the Good List? ‘Clean, ethically sourced’ AI video model to launch in early 2025 targeting Hollywood clients.
Christmas Day Runup: ‘Sonic the Hedgehog 3’ to Outrun ‘Mufasa’ at Domestic Box Office but ‘Lion King’ Prequel Will Rule Globally. Chris Rodgers, Colorist, Mufasa.
New Year, New Trends: 2025 Telly Awards Video Trend Report
From our partners at the Tellys: this new report synthesizes insight from their judging council and industry partners for brand, social and traditional video production in 2025. Enter the Tellys before their final deadline on February 21.
Jingle All the Way… to Awards + Acquisitions
Critics Choice nominations announced. See 37 nominated Portrait teams in the app.
Oscars Shortlists announces 10 categories. See 82 shortlisted Portrait teams in the app. And check out the start of the prognostications.
PBS acquires Slumlord Millionaire for VOCES. Ellen Martinez, Director; Sarah Garrahan, Editor; Nicole Tsien, Producer; Vanessa Carr, Mustafa Rony Zeno, DPs; Katy Jarzebowski, Composer; Kevin Peters, Re-Recording Mixer; Toby Shimin, Consulting Editor; Julia Pontecorvo, Supervising Producer; Ryan Billia, Sound Effects Editor.
On the Festival Circuit: 2025 Kicks Off
Berlinale announces first wave of titles. Click “I’m attending” in the Portrait app!
ATX Film Festival announces programming. Click I’m attending in the app.
Palm Springs Film Festival kicks off January 2nd. Click I’m attending in the app.
Window of Opportunity 🔍
Optimist’s FYC Doc Club January 8th: Frida. Optimist invites Portrait members to watch the screening and join the discussion with director and Portrait member Carla Gutiérrez. Use this screening link and code K5G65GMP to watch. RSVP here.
And say hi to the Frida team on Portrait: Carla Gutierrez, Director, Editor; Loren Hammonds, Katia Maguire, Alexandra Johnes, Producers; Rebecca Teitel, Co-EP; David Teague, Supervising Editor; Adrián Gutiérrez, Archival Producer, Co-Producer; Victor Hernandez Stumpfhauser, Composer; Paula Ospina, Asst. Editor, Post-production Coordinator; Antonio Bribiesca, Director Of Lab Services; Carlos Rojas, Addl. Editor.
Closing Soon: December/January Deadlines
Have an opportunity to share? Post it on the app or fill out our form.
Sundance Cultural Impact Residency (12/20 deadline)
Cascadia Script Studio (12/24 deadline)
Bitchitra Fellowship (12/30 deadline)
Screencraft Film Fund (12/31 deadline)
Amplify x New Voice Awards (1/9 deadline)
LEF Moving Image Fund (1/17 deadline)
Diane Weyermann Fellowship (1/21 deadline)
Stowe Feature Campus (1/27 deadline + discount)
Select Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Have a job to share? Share it on the app or fill out our form.
Director, CBS Saturday Morning, Paramount.
Lead Creative Producer, Movies, Creative Content Production, Prime Video & Amazon MGM Studios.
VP, Product Management, FOX.
VP Global Content Management - Pipeline Planning, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Adjunct Professor of Film and Television Production - Producing, University of Southern California.
Director, Production & Acquisition Deliverables Governance, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Director of Fund Development, Women In Film.
End Credits: Portrait Post of the Week
Until the new year, friends. Wishing you a happy, restful holiday.
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.