This Week's Handful of Must-See Headlines

Film Festivals

Closing the Gap: More Screentime for Female Filmmakers at Festivals
A recent study by Martha M. Lauzen on female representation at major U.S. film festivals reveals a notable shift. Female filmmakers now outnumbered their male counterparts at this year's Tribeca Film Festival, marking a significant change from the previous 11-to-1 ratio. The study covered 20 prominent festivals, including Atlanta, New York, Slamdance, Sundance, Tribeca, and SXSW.

DEI

Streaming and Searching for Representation: Nielsen Reports on Hispanic Viewership
Nielsen's data on the U.S. Hispanic community reveals their significant TV viewership, with 27.3% using TV connected devices (CTV) in Q1 2023, outpacing the general population. Additionally, 50.7% of Hispanic audiences primarily consume streaming content, compared to 38.7% of all U.S. viewers. Despite diverse streaming options, Nielsen reports that Hispanics are 19% more likely than the general population to express a desire for better representation on TV.

Incentives

Production in the Pacific: Japan Creates New Film Incentives Program
Japan's Visual Industry Promotion Organization (VIPO) and Japan Film Commission are introducing an incentives program to support international productions filming in Japan. The program will cover up to 50% of eligible Japanese expenses, with a maximum cap of $6.8 million. Eligible productions include large-scale overseas TV and film projects shot in Japan, with funding determined by a committee based on application details and the number of applicants.

Streaming

Better, Faster, Stronger: New Program To Streamline FAST Distribution
At the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) in Amsterdam, Gracenote, a Nielsen company, unveiled its FAST Program to streamline the distribution of Free Ad-Supported Streaming (FAST) channels. The program offers data enrichment, standardized metadata, and content IDs, speeding up FAST channel launches. The FAST sector is booming, with global revenue expected to hit $18 billion by 2028.

International

Nordic Training Program: Fostering the Next Generation of Talent
The Finnish Film Affair presents its annual Nordic Flair training program, shifting its focus to emerging Nordic actors. From September 20 to 22, this workshop offers tools, networking, and international career opportunities. Sessions cover résumé building, self-taping skills, and connections with casting directors and agents.

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