The team pick out 10 major film industry storylines that are set to play out next year, recommend unsung British titles for Bafta voters, and look back at the Red Sea Film Festival. Screen contributing editor Wendy Mitchell is joined by editor-in-chief Matt Mueller and deputy editor Louise Tutt look at hot 2026 topics, including potential changes to major UK bodies, streamer levies, how studios are working with AI, and the Warner Bros Discovery takeover. They also discuss how Gen Z audiences are returning to cinemas, the major changes coming to the Creative Europe programme, renewal at some of the world’s biggest festival, and the potential impact of chaotic global politics. Wendy is also joined by Screen's senior international reporter Ben Dalton to discuss his latest trip to Red Sea International Film Festival, which included serious star-power, interesting parties, and flooding.

In this extra edition of The Screen Podcast, we go in-depth on the Warner Bros sale with M&A expert Kim Chua, who sheds light on the views of shareholders and potential regulatory hurdles. Chua, a partner at OC&C Strategy Consultants, was speaking to Screen’s Americas editor Jeremy Kay. They discuss the different motivations behind the rival bids from Netflix and Paramount Skydance, and why many shareholders might see the Netflix bid as “more risky”.

On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team recommends some under-the-radar titles for awards voters to look out for; and go on a whistle-stop tour of the latest film festivals. First, Screen contributing editor Wendy Mitchell, editor Matt Mueller and deputy editor Louise Tutt are joined by awards and box office editor Charles Gant to recommend documentaries and non English-language titles that Bafta and Ampas voters might have missed. Next, they discuss the winners from the Bifa and the Gotham awards which saw Harry Lighton's Pillion and Akinola Davies Jr.'s My Father's Shadow pick up prizes on both sides of the pond. Then, Wendy checks in on the festivals in Doha, Tokyo and Tallinn with Screen reporters Ben Dalton, Mike Rosser and Ellie Calnan. The Screen Podcast is produced and hosted by Wendy Mitchell and edited by Ellie Calnan. New episodes every other Thursday.

In this bonus episode of The Screen Podcast, we speak to director Imran Hamdulay and star Keenan Arrison about crime thriller The Heart Is A Muscle, which has been selected by South Africa as its Oscars submission. Hamdulay, making his feature directing debut, told Screen’s senior US critic Tim Grierson how he tried to portray the poverty-stricken Cape Flats region of Cape Town in a more nuanced way than other films, even turning to the area’s local gang leaders for help.

In this bonus episode of The Screen Podcast, we speak to Agnieszka Holland and Idan Weiss about Kafka biopic Franz, which has been selected by Poland as its Oscars submission. Weiss, starring in his first ever feature film project, told Screen how Holland instructed him to look for inspiration from tennis great Rafael Nadal for how to play the iconic author. Weiss is nominated for a European Film Award for Franz, which will be released in the US by Cohen Media Group, and is sold internationally by Films Boutique. It premiered this year in Toronto as a special presentation.

On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team discuss the hits, misses and surprises at the global box office this year, before we look back on the American Film Market, which finished last weekend. Screen contributing editor Wendy Mitchell, deputy editor Louise Tutt and awards and box office editor Charles Gant examine whether it’s been an encouraging few months for original IP in cinemas. The team also look at the growing global success of anime titles, some strong local hits in France, and soft debuts for two UK filmmakers; Gurinder Chadha’s Christmas Karma and Edgar Wright’s The Running Man. Next, Screen’s Americas editor Jeremy Kay rounds up the talking points from this year’s AFM, which was back in Los Angeles at the Fairmont Hotel following a poorly-received sojourn in Las Vegas last year. Kay rounds up the buzzy packages, vibes on the ground, and why Screen staff were loving driverless taxis.

On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team discusses the emerging narratives in this year’s awards race, before FilmNation Entertainment CEO Glen Basner shares his insights ahead of the American Film Market (AFM). First, Screen contributing editor Wendy Mitchell, editor-in-chief Matt Mueller and deputy editor Louise Tutt are joined by awards and box office editor Charles Gant to discuss the early shape of the awards race. They debate whether big studio films are at a disadvantage, whether Wicked: For Good can pull off a Lord Of The Rings: The Return Of The King-style victory lap, and the leading country contenders in the best international feature race. Next, Screen’s Americas editor Jeremy Kay is joined by FilmNation Entertainment CEO and founder Glen Basner ahead of the AFM in Los Angeles to hear the sales veteran’s thoughts on the current marketplace, why Southeast Asia is proving to be a tricky market right now, and whether next year’s TIFF: The Market will be useful for international buyers and sellers.

Our team pick out the hidden gems from the Autumn film festivals, and reflect on this year's starry edition of the BFI London Film Festival. International reporter Ben Dalton joins editor Wendy Mitchell, editor-in-chief Matt Mueller and deputy editor Louise Tutt to discuss how the LFF has become a major stop on the awards circuit, with the likes of George Clooney, Julia Roberts and Steven Spielberg among the many celebrities to walk its read carpet. Then Screen's reviews editor Nikki Baughan and senior international critic Wendy Ide pick out some of the smaller films from the likes of Venice, Toronto, Edinburgh and London that that those in the industry should seek out.

The team look at the challenges facing UK producers, Trump’s latest tariff threat and this year’s Bafta and Oscars rule changes. Hosted by Wendy Mitchell with Matt Mueller, Louise Tutt and Charles Gant.

The Screen Podcast delves into the thorny future of Creative Europe in its latest episode, before James McAvoy reminisces about being picked as a Screen Star of Tomorrow, and we assess the industry chatter around next year’s TIFF Market.

The Screen team discusses Mubi’s ongoing funding controversy before delving into Venice Film Festival’s starry guests, hidden gems and Gaza focus. First, Screen contributing editor Wendy Mitchell, editor Matt Mueller and deputy editor Lousie Tutt break down the controversy surrounding Mubi’s $100m investment from venture capital firm Sequoia. Then, Wendy is joined by senior international reporter Ben Dalton to discuss Venice Film Festival’s return to star-studded status, what deals - if any - will emerge for unrepresented titles, and how the war in Gaza took the spotlight. Finally, Screen’s senior critic Wendy Ide jumps in with her thoughts on Venice’s Golden Lion Winner before revealing her competition highlights and hidden gems. The Screen Podcast is produced and hosted by Wendy Mitchell and edited by Ellie Calnan. New episodes every other Thursday. www.screendaily.com Facebook - / screendaily Instagram - @screendaily Twitter - @screendaily

With the Bafta results shaking up the awards race once more, many of the key categories still remain much up in the air according to Screen’s awards-season experts. In our latest Screen Awards Podcast for the 2024/25 race, Screen’s editor-in-chief Matt Mueller and box office editor Charles Gant are joined by Vue International CEO Time Richards to break down the Bafta winners and what it means for the final stretch of awards season.

Screen’s editor-in-chief Matt Mueller, executive editor, reviews and new talent Fionnuala Halligan, deputy editor Louise Tutt and awards and box office editor Charles Gant survey the Oscar and Bafta nominations. As well as the frontrunners, categories where nominees are gathering late momentum are also highlighted.

Screen's awards experts pick out the surprises from this year's Oscar shortlists, and reveal their 2025 top five titles. Featuring Screen’s editor-in-chief Matt Mueller, executive editor, reviews and new talent Fionnuala Halligan, and awards and box-office editor Charles Gant, and deputy editor Louise Tutt.

Early awards indicators suggest Emilia Perez is the one to beat, according to Screen International’s awards experts. Screen’s editor-in-chief Matt Mueller, awards and box office editor Charles Gant, and executive editor Fionnuala Halligan, assess the first wave of awards and unpick Bafta’s “British only” contenders.

​There are early favourites in this season’s Oscar and Bafta actor races, but several categories look highly competitive, according to Screen’s awards experts. Screen’s editor-in-chief Matt Mueller, awards and box-office editor Charles Gant, and Americas editor Jeremy Kay, deep dive into the acting categories.

This year's international feature race throws up some “big questions for the Academy”, according to Screen International’s awards experts. Matt Mueller, Fionnuala Halligan, and Charles Gant asses the titles competing in Ampas’ international feature and Bafta’s best film not in the English language categories.

'Emilia Perez', 'The Substance', 'Anora' and 'Nosferatu' could be major contenders in a wide-open race, say Screen's awards experts. The first Screen Awards Podcast for the 2024/25 race. Hosted by Matt Mueller alongside Fionnuala Halligan and Charles Gant.

In the second Screen Awards Podcast for the 2023/24 race, our experts look at which titles are gaining momentum following the Golden Globe nominations and the European Film Awards, and go in-depth on the process – including costs – involved in submitting a film for Bafta consideration. Screen’s editor Matt Mueller, executive editor, reviews and new talent Fionnuala Halligan, and awards and box-office editor Charles Gant also discuss why it’s been a good few weeks for 'Anatomy Of A Fall' and Hayao Miyazaki’s box office hit 'The Boy And The Heron'.

In the first Screen Awards Podcast for the 2023/24 race, Screen’s editor Matt Mueller, executive editor, reviews and new talent Fionnuala Halligan, and awards and box-office editor Charles Gant assess the early UK and international frontrunners.