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Unions
Tentative Deal: Animation Guild and Hollwood Studios Reach Agreement
The Animation Guild reached a tentative three-year deal with studios and streamers after months of tough negotiations. The agreement includes wage increases, health and pension funding, remote work provisions, and AI consultation measures—addressing concerns over AI's potential to impact 29% of animation jobs.
Film Festival
Berlin Get Bigger: Film Festival Adds New Venues
The Berlin Film Festival is revitalizing its Potsdamer Platz hub with two new venues: the Stage Bluemax Theater, hosting premieres and a new first-feature competition, and Berlinale HUB75, offering networking events and free talks.
Tax Incentives
Production in Demark: Country Launches Tax Program
Denmark has approved a $17.5 million annual tax incentive to attract international film and TV productions. Launching in 2026, the program aims to strengthen its creative industry and boost local jobs, addressing a competitive gap with other European nations.
Television
Streaming Data and TV Ratings: Nielsen Combines Data
The Media Rating Council approved Nielsen's use of streaming platforms' first-party data in TV ratings, boosting audience numbers for live events like sports. Early results, such as an 8% rise in Thursday Night Football viewership, suggest the new "panel plus big data" approach could attract more advertisers.
Industry
Boosting Independent Films: Production Company Secures Credit
Neon secured a $200 million credit facility from Comerica Bank to expand film acquisition, production, and distribution. With hits like Longlegs and Anora and a strong upcoming slate, Neon aims to compete with rivals like A24 and enter new markets.
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