Inside the Filmmaker Toolkit Podcast: Conversations on Craft, Challenges, and the Future of Indie Film
The Filmmaker Toolkit podcast offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative and logistical hurdles faced by filmmakers, blending candid interviews with industry veterans and emerging voices alike.
Box Office
Netflix Breaks Silence on Box Office Performance—Starting with 'La Bola Negra'After years of avoiding theatrical reporting, Netflix is finally shedding light on its box office numbers, beginning with a limited release of 'La Bola Negra.' This marks a strategic shift for the streamer in how it presents its cinematic efforts.
Criticism
Reviving Community Cinema: How the Rockaway Film Festival Is Reimagining the Future of Film CultureIn a landscape where traditional cinemas shutter and remote locations become ‘cinema deserts,’ the Rockaway Film Festival exemplifies a grassroots effort to keep the cinematic experience alive and local.
News
Austin Film Society Unveils New John H. McCall Theater with 'Paper Tiger' and RestorationsAustin Film Society’s latest addition, the John H. McCall Theater, will premiere with a weekend of restored classics and the debut of James Gray’s 'Paper Tiger,' featuring a Q&A with Gray and Richard Linklater.
Criticism
‘The Lowdown’ Season 2: Ethan Hawke and Betty Gilpin Shine in a Gritty, Charismatic MysterySterlin Harjo’s second season deepens its noir roots, with Hawke and Gilpin delivering compelling performances that elevate the series’ dark, layered storytelling.
Film
Liam Neeson's Longtime Stunt Double Turns Director for 'The Mongoose'After nearly three decades doubling for Liam Neeson, stunt performer Mark Vanselow makes his directorial debut with the action-thriller 'The Mongoose,' blending his deep familiarity with Neeson’s style into a fresh genre vehicle.
Criticism
‘Whalefall’ review: Austin Abrams grapples with daddy issues inside a killer whale’s bellyA brutal underwater survival thriller that dives into trauma as much as it does into visceral body horror, ‘Whalefall’ balances emotional baggage with jaw-dropping effects.
News
‘Josephine’ Trailer Shows Channing Tatum and Gemma Chan Confronting the Aftermath of ViolenceBeth de Araújo’s second feature explores the ripple effects of trauma on parents and children, with a tense new trailer highlighting the emotional stakes.
Awards
DOC NYC 2026 Short List Signals Oscar Predictions with ‘You Can See Everything,’ ‘14th,’ and ‘Musk’The influential DOC NYC 2026 Short List spotlights films likely to shape this year's Oscar race, with documentaries like ‘You Can See Everything,’ ‘14th,’ and ‘Musk’ leading the charge.
Box Office
‘The History of Concrete’ Cracks $2 Million at Box Office, Cementing Its Status as a Cult Indie DocJohn Wilson’s offbeat exploration of urbanism and architecture continues to defy expectations, surpassing $2 million in just over three weeks, thanks to its quirky appeal and critical acclaim.
Film
‘The Flying Ace’ Turns 100, Reviving a Black Disabled Actor’s LegacyA centennial celebration of the 1926 silent film ‘The Flying Ace’ spotlights its groundbreaking portrayal of a Black disabled character, challenging Hollywood’s historic neglect of intersectional representation.
Festivals
ABFF Goes Big Screen: The American Black Film Festival Launches ABFF97 for Indie DistributionBuilding on three decades of discovering emerging talent, ABFF is venturing into theatrical distribution with ABFF97, partnering with AMC to bring select independent films to major U.S. markets.
Film
Building a 'Friday the 13th' Prequel: Blood, Paranoia, and Linda Cardellini’s Pamela VoorheesA new 'Friday the 13th' series digs into Pamela Voorhees’s origins, blending old-school paranoia with fresh horror. Linda Cardellini leads a cast that promises a reimagining rooted in 1970s fears.
Film
Esmé Creed-Miles Brings Fresh Spirit to 'Sense and Sensibility' as a New Marianne DashwoodThe latest adaptation of Jane Austen's beloved novel features a new Marianne, played by breakout star Esmé Creed-Miles, who brings a punk-rock edge and fresh energy to the classic role.
News
Paul Thomas Anderson Captures Cameron Winter’s Carnegie Hall Debut in 35mm TrailerA new trailer offers a first look at the concert film documenting Geese frontman Cameron Winter’s intimate Carnegie Hall performance, directed by Paul Thomas Anderson in striking 35mm.
Film
‘Avatar’ Reboots and New Projects: The Franchise Finds Its Future Beyond ‘The Last Airbender’While countless new ‘Avatar’ projects flood the market, the most compelling one is distancing itself from the original series’ legacy, signaling a fresh direction for the franchise.
Awards
Hollywood’s Netflix Moment: From Skepticism to Strategic EmbraceAs Netflix’s Oscar prospects shift, industry attitudes are softening—yet the studio’s journey remains complex and contested.
‘Animals’ and the Drone Dilemma: When Spectacle Turns Flat