The Oscars Tackle Controversy
Plus: Telly Awards Trend Report; Marvel's Latest Bet; Berlinale and Big Sky Kick Off
Happy Thursday, friends.
Our partners at the Telly Awards have released their 2025 Trends Report. Filmmakers are taking the best parts of known formats and rearranging them into something entirely different. A few noteworthy insights:
75% of respondents agree: your social videos should be less than 1 minute long.
Of the over 80% of respondents who work with brands, 40% of them are doing embedded brand stories like short docs, scripted series or lifestyle pieces.
75% of respondents report making work focused on social impact in the last year.
Tired of reading and want to know what to watch instead? We got you. Let’s dive in.
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Awards, and More. Say hi to featured Portrait members on the Portrait app.
What to Watch This Weekend
Family Feuds and Fun
Ex-Husbands. “Fans of these actors should be pleased, and Ex-Husbands goes down easily” (Deadline). Michael Taylor, Editor; Ben Mercer, Associate Editor; Melanie Akoka, DP 2nd Unit; Laura D'Augello, Accountant. In Theaters Friday.
Paddington in Peru. “An exuberant gift of family fun that takes our bear home to Peru for new adventures” (ABC News). John Sorapure, Second Unit Director; Diego Garcia, Art Director; Catherine Grieves, Music Supervisor; Kris Vankay, Special Effects; Mark Willsher, Music Editor; Chris Lyons, Special Effects; Samuel Cox, Wig Maker; Tanya Marar, Camera Operator. In Theaters Friday.
Millers In Marriage. “Left the film thinking deeply about my own life” (rogerebert.com). Liz Niles, EP; Jamie Buckner, Production Manager; Janet Gaynor, Editor; William Rexer, DP; Jason Singleton, Production Designer; Rosemary Lepre Forman, Costume Designer; Ian Cymore, Re-Recording Mixer. In Theaters Feb 21.
Sci-Fi, Super Heroes, and Nighttime Therapy Sessions
Omni Loop. “Requires patience but then amply rewards it” (The Hollywood Reporter). Caity Birmingham, Production Designer; Audrey Waple, Prop Master; Chantelle Adams, Set Decorator; Ava Benjamin Shorr, Cinematographer. Hulu.
Captain America Brave New World. “Mackie's slyly dogged Captain America has less superpower than his predecessor, and so does this movie. But in its prosaic earthbound way it escapes superhero fatigue” (Variety). Elena Sanchez, Stunts. In Theaters Friday.
And check out this fun new short with Richard Kind: Night Session. “Robbery morphs into a makeshift therapy session” (IndyShorts). Ballard C. Boyd, Director; Clara Peterson, Producer / AD; Margaret Mahlock, Production Design; Keenan Johnson, AP / Script Supervisor. YouTube, Omeleto.
What We’re Reading: Oscar Implosion Edition
The Brutalist (Variety)
Oscar Talk
Oscars consider requiring films to disclose AI use after The Brutalist and Emilia Pérez controversies.
Prognostications from the Content Giants… and Tools for Film Independence
Amazon MGM Studios plans international distribution division.
From film funding to distribution, this partnership gives you control: “Anyone Can Do This.” Congrats to Emily Best, Seed & Spark, and Christie Marchese, Kinema.
On the Festival & Awards Circuit
Critic’s Choice announced its winners. See over 50 winning filmmakers in the Portrait app.
PGA award winners announced. Say congratulations to Portrait members Alex Coco (Anora) and Ian Bonhôte (Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story).
Berlinale kicks off today. Check out 78 members with films and over 50 attendees in the app.
Big Sky kicks off tomorrow. Say hi to the 270 members with films in the app.
BAFTA Awards this weekend. See 110 nominated members in the app.
Acquisitions and Deals of the Week
Greenwich Entertainment acquires Janis Ian: Breaking Silence. Varda Bar-Kar, Director; Alessandra Pasquino, Producer; Matthew Wilder, DP; Michael Kantor, EP; Ryan Larkin, Editor.
Netflix in talks to acquire The Perfect Neighbor. Geeta Gandbhir, Director; Sam Bisbee, Producer; Anthony Rhoads, Motion Graphics; Viridiana Lieberman, Editor; Danielle Massie, Associate Producer; Reuben Rogak, Assistant Editor; Giuseppe Cappello, Dialogue Editor / Sound Effects Editor.
Amy Schumer to open SeriesFest. Randi Kleiner, Founder, SeriesFest.
Candle Media’s Hello Sunshine partners with IF/THEN on stem slate. Kendall Ostrow, Candle Media.
Window of Opportunity 🔎
See more funding, deadlines, and jobs in the Portrait app
You’re invited to the Lumen Awards. Join our partner The Impact Lounge as they celebrate pre-Oscars season with a social impact brunch & awards celebration on February 26 at Hotel Casa Del Mar in Santa Monica.
With GoFundMe as their fundraising partner, the Lumen Awards honor inspiring filmmakers and change makers, including representatives from XPRIZE, Portrait Creative Network (that’s us!), WalkGood LA, Stay In LA, John Mills, CEO of WatchDuty, and Lucy Walker, director of Bring Your Own Brigade.
Closing Soon: February Deadlines
Have an opportunity to share? Post it on the app or fill out our form.
New Voices Filmmaker Grant (2/13 deadline)
Shifting Voices Film Fund (2/14 deadline)
Sundance Ignite Fellowship (2/14 deadline)
Imaginar Producers Residency (2/14 extended deadline)
Princess Grace Awards (2/15 deadline)
Asian Women Giving Circle (2/21 deadline)
The Telly Awards (2/21 Deadline)
A-Doc Impact Fellowship (2/28 deadline)
Stowe Writers' Retreats (3/3 deadline + discount)
Select Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Have a job to share? Share it on the app or fill out our form.
Director of Membership, A24.
Vice President, Distribution, Sony Pictures.
SVP, Video Editorial, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Senior Video Producer, SVP - Marketing, Blackstone Group.
SVP, Visual Effects, Sony Pictures.
Senior Vice President, Partnerships and Licensing, Sirius XM.
Director, Editorial, PlayStation Global.
Assistant Director of Football Video, The University of Iowa.
Senior Producer, BBC.
Dick Clark Productions: Vice President, Production, Penske Media Corp.
Dick Clark Productions: EVP, Partnerships, Penske Media Corp.
EVP Development, NEON Rated.
Development Producer, NowThis.
End Credits: Portrait Post 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.