They've gone to Idaho looking for answers

Plus: Working Directors Intensive; Nick Offerman shines in new film; California lures the movie makers

In Sun Valley we ask the big questions: t shirt, pullover, vest, or golf shirt?

Happy Thursday, friends.

It’s summer camp week for billionaires. The media moguls have touched down for their annual Sun Valley gathering — or as Buffett would say, they’ve gone to Idaho looking for answers to questions that bother them so:

• Can moguls find answers amid the Ponderosa pines?

• From navigating Trump to AI fears, here’s what’s on the minds of moguls

• A photo diary of the guests in their element

Whether you’re asking the existential questions this week or just trying to avoid an awkward run in, we’ve got the industry round up for you. Let’s dive in.

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Roll of Honor

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

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What to Watch This Weekend

Nick Offerman and Jacob Tremblay in Sovereign.

Outside the Law

• Sovereign. “Nick Offerman’s fierce turn as an anti-government extremist boosts a timely drama” (THR). Amanda Wing Yee Lee, Costume Designer. In theaters Friday.

• Amongst the Wolves. “Aiden Gillen is in ultraviolent mode as a sadistic gang boss, but it is co-writer Luke McQuillan who brings a careful nuance to this… tale of revenge” (Guardian). Jamal Green, Composer.

“There is an organic feel to Willie Nel’s tangible cinematography [in Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight]… As the film is widely from a child’s point of view, the camera reflects this perspective… akin to a playmate trying their best to keep up, and the audience is privy to peer through the eyes of this fabricated friend” (Collider).

Playing with Power Dynamics

• Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight. "There’s truth in the foundation of this film, truth that only this filmmaker could provide” (RogerEbert.com). Willie Nel, Cinematographer; Coco Van Oppens, Still Photographer. In theaters Friday.

• To a Land Unknown. “This Palestinian twist on Midnight Cowboy is full of masterful storytelling and wrenching humanity” (IndieWire). Thodoros Mihopoulos, Cinematographer; Konstantina Mardiki, Costume Designer; George Christopoulos, Music Supervisor; Jake Fielding, Sound Editor; Alexandra Koknat, Casting Director. In theaters Friday.

• Daniela Forever. “There’s something to be said about a love story that isn’t afraid to admit that one of the lovers isn’t the charming dreamboat he appears to be” (IndieWire). Jon Diez Dominguez, Cinematographer; Véronique Dessard, Visual Effects Producer. In theaters Friday.

What We’re Reading

• A Filmmaker hits pause — and becomes an entrepreneur and a mom. Check out this interview between two Portrait members: DP Vanessa Carr featured in producer Kathleen Lingo’s Substack.

• After historic tax break, is movie making coming back to California? Matt Belloni breaks down the bill.

• Video game actors contract ratified. SAG-AFTRA leaders talk about the 11-month strike’s turning point.

• David Zaslav, the savior of Turner Classic Movies? The WBD CEO oversaw brutal layoffs in June 2023, but has shown a true investment in the brand since.

On the Industry Circuit

• Working Directors Intensive in September September 26–27. We’re proud to partner with the Alliance of Women Directors on this brand new symposium. Tickets now available! Open to ALL directors. Join for two immersive days of panels, workshops, masterclasses, and mixers with top-tier filmmakers and industry leaders.

• LA Shorts kicks off next week. Let others know you’re attending on the Portrait app.

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Window of Opportunity 🔎

See more funding, deadlines, and jobs in the Portrait app

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Closing Soon: Summer Deadlines

• Sundance Doc Fund (7/14 deadline)

• TDE Short Film Fund (7/14 deadline)

• Almanack Screenwriters Colony (7/14 deadline)

• The Genre Films Manuscript Partnership (7/15 deadline)

• Inside Out ReFocus Fund (7/18 deadline)

• Sundance Documentary Fund (7/14 deadline)

• Terri Rogers Film Grant (7/22 deadline)

• Bronx Doc Center Fellowship (7/30 deadline)

• WBD Access Writers Program (7/30 deadline)

• Queer Art Mentorship (7/31 deadline)

• AXS Film Fund (7/31 deadline)

• Nostos Screenwriting Retreat (8/15 deadline)

• Film Independent Screenwriting Lab (8/25 deadline)

• Breaking Through The Lens Action Grant (8/25 deadline)

Select Jobs/Gigs Roundup

• Senior Vice President, Public Relations (FX), Disney

• Manager, Corporate Communications, Apple TV+

• Senior Manager, Content Strategy & Analysis, Sony

• Lead Writer, Synthesia

• Lead Artist, Game Studio, Netflix

• Director, Social Video Strategy, YouTube and TikTok, Amazon

• Producer, Professional Media, Morning Brew

• Channel Manager, Youtube, Warner Bros. Discovery

• Manager, Programming and Operations, CBS

• Copy Editor, LAist

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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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