Film Festival
A Spotlight on San Sebastian: New Talent at a Spanish Film Festival
San Sebastian International Film Festival, renowned for its intimacy among A-list festivals, now champions emerging talent. In the past four years, it's awarded the Golden Shell to rising directors with debuts or second features. This year, 11 films by first or second-time directors are in competition, and the festival sustains its support for new talent through programs like residencies, industry initiatives, and the Creative Investors' Conference.
Awards
Category Shake-Up: BAFTA Makes Some Changes Ahead of 2024 Awards
AFTA's 2024 TV awards bring significant changes. They introduced the Limited Drama category, merging Single Drama and Mini-Series due to declining entries. Nominee counts adapt to submission numbers, possibly leading to more mergers. Daytime category eligibility rules evolve, and all nominees must meet BFI's diversity standards.
International
All Eyes of Documentary: Amsterdam Festival Announces Non-Fiction Lineup
IDFA has revealed the first 50 titles for this year's festival, running from November 8-19. Highlights include a Wang Bing retrospective, showcasing modern Chinese cinema, an extensive selection of East and Southeast Asian films, and a celebration of 100 years of Kodak's 16mm film with 'Focus: 16 Worlds on 16.'
Music
U.S. Recorded Music Revenue Continues To Grow
In the latest mid-year report, RIAA revealed that the U.S. music industry hit an all-time high with $8.4 billion in total retail revenue, a 9.3% growth. Paid streaming, with 96 million subscribers, remains the primary revenue driver at 75%. However, the growth in new paid subscriptions is slowing, and physical vinyl sales are also declining.
Technology
Lighting Up Las Vegas: The Sphere and the Future of Entertainment
Las Vegas' $2.3 billion Sphere venue opens this month, offering a glimpse into the future of entertainment. It boasts the world's largest interior and exterior wraparound LED displays, hosting events like a U2 residency and the debut of an immersive movie by Darren Aronofsky, Postcard From Earth. The venue's advanced sound system delivers distinct audio experiences based on your seating location.
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