Photo by Yosuke Ota (@yosuke_ota) The argument has been around for decades: books vs. movies. Some say nothing compares to the intimacy of holding a novel, others swear by the thrill of a cinematic screen. But beyond personal taste, there's science, psychology, and raw numbers that reveal how differently we experience stories. This article pulls together data on reading and viewing, from brain scans to time-use surveys, to answer one question: what really happens when we trad...

The film industry is notoriously competitive, often feeling like a closed circle where connections matter as much as talent. For aspiring filmmakers, critics, programmers, and producers, breaking in can seem daunting. One of the most effective, yet often underestimated, gateways into this world is a film festival internship or volunteer position. It’s not just about getting free tickets; it’s about gaining invaluable experience, building a professional network, and proving ...

Satish Shah, Memories St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, has a reputation for holding among the best annual cultural fests from the city’s 100+ colleges. It is called Mahar, so named because it takes place during the monsoon. Malhar started in 1979, and, to the best of my knowledge, continues. The college was also associated with a group simply called Theatre Group, founded in 1941, by Sultan ‘Bobby’ Padamsee and his brother, Alyque Padamsee. Personalities like Satyadev Dub...

When publicist Elizabeth McCall reached out to cover the Cirque Ma’Ceo, and after checking their website, www.CirqueMaCeo.com, I knew we were up, my sons and I, for a magical and enchanting event. Cirque Ma’Ceo is a mesmerizing live production under an intimate 650-seat Big Top, and with a captivating mix of dressage, liberty ( a method where a horse and trainer communicate without physical restraints, like a halter or lead rope, fostering a deep bond and trust through body languag...

2025 HEARTLAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS Grand Prize for Narrative Feature ($20,000 Grand Prize) "Happy Birthday," directed by Sarah Goher (Egypt) Eight-year-old maid Toha goes to great lengths to ensure that her best friend Nelly, the daughter of her wealthy employer, has a successful birthday party in this poignant debut feature exploring classism in modern-day Cairo. Egypt&...

  BFD PRODUCTIONS & BELIEVE ENTERTAINMENT GROUP   Present   A TOMORROW FILMS PRODUCTION   A FILM BY J...

US PREMIERE Thursday, Oct 16, 5:15 PM ET at the Upstate Films (Saugerties): Orpheum Theatre 2   ADDITIONAL SCREENING Friday, Oct 17, 2:30 PM ET at the Rosendale Theatre CONCESSIONS, written and directed by Mas Bouzidi in his feature directorial debut, which will have its US Premiere at the Woodstock Film Festival on Thursday, October 16th.   The film stars Steven Ogg, Josh Hamilton, Lana Rockwell, Ivory Aqui...

“A Break In The Rain,” a new independent film directed by Don Scardino, will have its World Premiere at the 26th Annual Woodstock Film Festival on Wednesday, October 15, 2025. Filmed in Upstate New York in 2024, the cast features Michael O'Keefe, S. Epatha Merkerson, Emily Donahoe, Will Chase, Mary Beth Peil and Elizabeth A. Davis.  About A Break In The Rain: After 10 years on the road, Jake (Michael O’Keefe) returns home fo...

CIFF to Open with “Dead Man’s Wire” and Close with "Sentimental Value”   Spotlight Screenings include “Arco,” “Blue Moon,” “American Solitaire,” “Jay Kelly,” “The Choral,” “The Secret Agent,” “The Tale of Silyan” and “Train Dreams”   Coronado, CA (October 7, 2025)—The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) proudly announces its 2025 official&n...

  The Coronado Island Film Festival (CIFF) will return to the storied shores of Coronado, California, Wednesday, Nov. 5 through Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. Over five days, CIFF will present a slate of more than 80 films across narrative features, documentaries, short films, and Oscar-contending titles. In addition to screenings, attendees can enjoy thought provoking panels, engaging workshops, filmmaker Q&As, industry networking opportunities, and vibrant social events. CIFF...

Since its first festival in 2016, CIFF has become a destination for filmmakers and cinephiles alike, blending laid-back Southern California charm with sophisticated, awards-season programming. Just over the bridge from downtown San Diego, events are presented across beautiful venues throughout the pedestrian-friendly island, including the iconic Hotel del Coronado, a longtime Hollywood favorite and the festival’s presenting sponsor. Festival screenings, meanwhile, take place at the Village...

  FICCI FRAMES 2025, 04: Call for Balanced Regulation, Innovation and Digital Expansion, in Broadcasting Sector The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) Chairman, Anil Kumar Lahoti, has emphasised the need for balanced regulation and innovation to drive the next phase of growth in India’s broadcasting and media industry. He was speaking at the 25th edition of FICCI FRAMES in Mumbai. Lahoti noted that India’s Media & Entertainment (M&E) sector contributed ₹2....

  FICCI FRAMES 2025, 03: Landmark MoU signed between FICCI, IICT and Netflix The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) and the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) announced a landmark partnership with Netflix India to nurture India’s AVGC-XR (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics & Extended Reality) talent. The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Sanjay Jaju, Secretary, Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Government of India, a...

                                                                  FICCI FRAMES 2025, 02: India’s M&E industry grows ten-fold, from Rs. 25,000 crore in 2000, to about ₹2.5 lakh, in 2025 I missed it, but you get it. A report on the fireside chat between Maharashtra’s Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis, Supersta...

  FICCI FRAMES 2025, 01: A silver jubilee March, into October As it happened several times in the past, my participation and coverage of Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI)’s annual media convention, FRAMES, began with accreditation/registration blues. There was no reply to the online form submission. Assuming that it was too late now to consider going there, I was surprised to find a WhatsApp voice message on my phone, sent at 6.22 am and viewed at 9.20 a...

by Kate Elfatah, Critic, Indie Entertainment Media I recently had the opportunity to preview Bau: Artist at War, and I will admit to you that I was fully expecting this to be an intense, brutal Holocaust drama of the type that gets the waterworks flowing. In short, what I was not prepared for at all was a Holocaust drama with that sort of tone to end up being such a rarity as a powerful and important true story with heart, wit, and humanity that function as real and effective acts o...

Gravitas Ventures has announced the acquisition of the U.S. and Canada rights to Deny Gallagher’s debut feature film Americano, produced by New Jersey‑based Palomino Productions and starring Darren Weiss (Inside Man/Break)m alongside Rondell Sheridan (That’s So Raven). Americano will release on transactional VOD (TVOD) on September 30, 2025.       Americano follows Jack Armstro...

This year’s edition will feature a special appearance by two-time Academy Award winner and UNHCR Goodwill Ambassador Cate Blanchett, who will be participating in a series of festival events, including an “In Conversation” session moderated by media personality, Raya Abirached at the CineGouna Platform, in partnership with the Sawiris Foundation for Social Development, the festival impact partner, and UNHCR.   In keeping with its tradition, the 8th GFF will showca...

USA v RAJ, a gripping cinematic retelling of the harrowing real-life story of Dr. Raj Bothra, is set to begin production, with a global release slated for Summer 2026. Directed by acclaimed filmmaker and cinematographer Ravi K. Chandran, the film promises to uncover the shocking truth behind one of the largest false arrest and wrongful imprisonment scandals in modern American history. Based on the compelling book “USA v/s RAJ”, unveiled by notable film director Rame...