Laura Almantaitė • Festival director, BLON

Interview: Laura Almantaitė • Festival director, BLON

“We have become a boutique professional space where emerging creators can access industry veterans directly”

The head of the Lithuanian gathering spoke about its evolving mission of becoming an unmissable event for European animation, gaming and art professionals  

16/09 | BLON 2025

Kate O’Connor • Executive chair, Animation UK

Interview: Kate O’Connor • Executive chair, Animation UK

“We campaign hard to rejoin Creative Europe and talk to our government representatives often”

Our chat covered how collaboration with Cartoon has strengthened the UK’s European partnerships and showcased the strength of the country’s talent in continental markets  

16/09 | Cartoon 2025 | Cartoon Forum

The 18th ANIMASYROS takes audiences on a cosmic journey

The 18th ANIMASYROS takes audiences on a cosmic journey

The international animation gathering on the island of Syros embraces the theme of space, welcomes Bill Plympton, and expands its Agora and VR Lounge  

16/09 | Festivals | Awards | Greece

Europa Distribution explore how Nordic films are reaching global audiences in Haugesund

Europa Distribution explore how Nordic films are reaching global audiences in Haugesund

The festival’s New Nordic Films market hosted a panel focusing on the successful cases of Loveable and Dreams (Sex Love)  

16/09 | Haugesund 2025 | New Nordic Films

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Industry Reports

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming - Producers and distributors push for earlier collaboration and smart audience strategies - 03/09/2025

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 03/09/2025
Producers and distributors push for earlier collaboration and smart audience strategies
VENICE 2025: Participants in the event organised by Europa Distribution described the session as “a rare opportunity for frank, in-person exchange”

Market Trends
FOCUS
A busy summer festival season awaits the European film industry. Cineuropa will continue to keep its readers up to date with the latest news and market insights, covering the buzziest events, including Locarno, Venice, Sarajevo, Haugesund, Toronto, San Sebastián, Zurich and many others

Animation - Kate O’Connor • Executive chair, Animation UK - 16/09/2025

Animation – 16/09/2025
Kate O’Connor • Executive chair, Animation UK
Our chat covered how collaboration with Cartoon has strengthened the UK’s European partnerships and showcased the strength of the country’s talent in continental markets

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming - Europa Distribution explore how Nordic films are reaching global audiences in Haugesund - 16/09/2025

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 16/09/2025
Europa Distribution explore how Nordic films are reaching global audiences in Haugesund
The festival’s New Nordic Films market hosted a panel focusing on the successful cases of Loveable and Dreams (Sex Love)

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming - BLON saw panellists exploring the challenges of distributing animation - 15/09/2025

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 15/09/2025
BLON saw panellists exploring the challenges of distributing animation
The discussion highlighted how Lithuanian distributors are experimenting with theatrical releases, festivals, and educational platforms to reach new audiences

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming - Disney+ expands its partnerships via deals with the UK’s ITVX, Germany’s ZDF and Spain’s Atresmedia - 15/09/2025

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 15/09/2025
Disney+ expands its partnerships via deals with the UK’s ITVX, Germany’s ZDF and Spain’s Atresmedia
The new content-sharing agreements demonstrate the global streaming service’s increased interest in the audiences of national broadcasters

Green Industry Initiatives and Sustainability - The Nordic industry unites to adhere to ecological standard for film and TV productions - 12/09/2025

Green Industry Initiatives and Sustainability – 12/09/2025
The Nordic industry unites to adhere to ecological standard for film and TV productions
From 2026, all five Nordic film institutes will adopt the Nordic Ecological Standard (NES), a cross-border sustainability framework supported by 34 organisations across the region

Produce – Co-Produce... - Fondazione Prada launches €1.5 million film fund at Venice - 04/09/2025

Produce – Co-Produce... – 04/09/2025
Fondazione Prada launches €1.5 million film fund at Venice
VENICE 2025: The fund is aimed at supporting 10-12 features each year, including documentaries and animated works

SF Studios and REinvent International Sales board Erik Leijonborg’s Doctor Glas

SF Studios and REinvent International Sales board Erik Leijonborg’s Doctor Glas

A modern adaptation of Hjalmar Söderberg’s novel, the new psychological thriller stars Thea Sofie Loch Næss, Isac Calmroth and Christian Fandango  

16/09 | Production | Funding | Sweden

Young Horizons Industry revs its engines

Young Horizons Industry revs its engines

This year’s programme will explore the future of theatrical releases, and audience trends among Gen Z and Gen Alpha; a rich slate of co-production meetings is also on the menu  

16/09 | Young Horizons Industry 2025

BLON saw panellists exploring the challenges of distributing animation

BLON saw panellists exploring the challenges of distributing animation

The discussion highlighted how Lithuanian distributors are experimenting with theatrical releases, festivals, and educational platforms to reach new audiences  

15/09 | BLON 2025

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Co-Production Podcast

Episode 79: Living Large (Czech Republic/Slovakia/France) - 30/08/2025

30/08/2025
Episode 79: Living Large (Czech Republic/Slovakia/France)
The producers of the film by Kristina Dufková are invited to speak about their collaboration and the financing of their movie, which has received Eurimages support

Episode 78: Ghost Trail (France/Germany/Belgium) - 12/08/2025

12/08/2025
Episode 78: Ghost Trail (France/Germany/Belgium)
The producers of the film by Jonathan Millet are invited to speak about their collaboration and the financing of their movie, which has received Eurimages support

Episode 77: The Flats (France/Ireland/UK/Belgium) - 22/07/2025

22/07/2025
Episode 77: The Flats (France/Ireland/UK/Belgium)
The producers of the film by Alessandra Celesia are invited to speak about their collaboration and the financing of their movie, which has received Eurimages support

Episode 76: The Girl with the Needle (Denmark/Poland/Sweden) - 08/05/2025

08/05/2025
Episode 76: The Girl with the Needle (Denmark/Poland/Sweden)
The producers of the film by Magnus von Horn are invited to speak about their collaboration and the financing of their movie, which has received Eurimages support

Episode 75: Vermiglio (Italy/France/Belgium) - 25/03/2025

25/03/2025
Episode 75: Vermiglio (Italy/France/Belgium)
The producers of the film by Maura Delpero are invited to speak about their collaboration and the financing of their movie, which has received Eurimages support

Episode 74: Crossing (Sweden/ Denmark/France/Turkey/Georgia) - 20/03/2025

20/03/2025
Episode 74: Crossing (Sweden/ Denmark/France/Turkey/Georgia)
The producers of the film by Levan Akin are invited to speak about their collaboration and the financing of their movie, which has received Eurimages support

Episode 73: Flow (Latvia/France/Belgium) - 10/12/2024

10/12/2024
Episode 73: Flow (Latvia/France/Belgium)
The producers of the film by Gints Zilbalodis are invited to speak about their collaboration and the financing of their movie, which has received Eurimages support

Episode 72: Wishing on a Star (Italy/Slovakia/Czech Republic/Austria/Croatia) - 28/11/2024

28/11/2024
Episode 72: Wishing on a Star (Italy/Slovakia/Czech Republic/Austria/Croatia)
The producers of the film by Peter Kerekes are invited to speak about their collaboration and the financing of their film, which has received Eurimages support

Series review: El centro

Series review: El centro

David Moreno’s new drama ventures into the ultra-secret world of state-funded spies, but the glut of characters, names and plotlines creates more confusion than interest  

15/09 | South Series 2025

The Sánchez-Cabezudo brothers begin filming Killing a Bear

The Sánchez-Cabezudo brothers begin filming Killing a Bear

The series, co-produced by Movistar Plus+ and Arte France, features a cast led by Eduard Fernández, María Rodríguez Soto, Miki Esparbé, Pol López, Nora Navas, and Àlex Monner  

15/09 | Production | Funding | Spain/France

Disney+ expands its partnerships via deals with the UK’s ITVX, Germany’s ZDF and Spain’s Atresmedia

Disney+ expands its partnerships via deals with the UK’s ITVX, Germany’s ZDF and Spain’s Atresmedia

The new content-sharing agreements demonstrate the global streaming service’s increased interest in the audiences of national broadcasters  

15/09 | Industry | Market | USA/UK/Germany/Spain

BLON wraps with winners spanning Lithuania, the Nordic countries, Ukraine and beyond

BLON wraps with winners spanning Lithuania, the Nordic countries, Ukraine and beyond

The Klaipėda-based gathering celebrating animation and gaming continued its mission to explore the intersections of storytelling, interactivity, and visual innovation  

15/09 | BLON 2025

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Photogalleries

Venice 2025 – Photogalleries - 27/08/2025

27/08/2025
Venice 2025 – Photogalleries
The global film community is back on the Lido for the 82nd Venice Film Festival, unspooling from 27 August-6 September. Discover the festival highlights and the international stars walking the red carpet in our exclusive photo galleries

Cannes 2025 – Photogalleries - 13/05/2025

13/05/2025
Cannes 2025 – Photogalleries
The international film industry is gathering again on the Croisette for a packed edition of the Cannes Film Festival and its Marché du Film, unspooling from 13-24 May. Discover the festival highlights in our exclusive photo galleries

Berlinale 2025 – Photogalleries - 13/02/2025

13/02/2025
Berlinale 2025 – Photogalleries
The Berlin International Film Festival returns for its 75th edition, the first under the direction of Tricia Tuttle, from 13-23 February. Check out the festival highlights in our exclusive photogalleries

San Sebastian 2024 – Photogalleries - 23/09/2024

23/09/2024
San Sebastian 2024 – Photogalleries
The San Sebastián International Film Festival cements its position on the global festival circuit with its 72st edition, which is unspooling from 20-28 September. Check out our exclusive photo galleries

Venice 2024 – Photogalleries - 27/08/2024

27/08/2024
Venice 2024 – Photogalleries
After the media storm triggered by last year's SAG-AFTRA strike, the global film community is back on the Lido for the 81st Venice Film Festival, unspooling from 28 August-7 September. Discover the festival highlights and the international stars walking the red carpet in our exclusive photo galleries

Cannes 2024 – Photogalleries - 14/05/2024

14/05/2024
Cannes 2024 – Photogalleries
The international film industry is gathering again on the Croisette for a packed edition of the Cannes Film Festival and its Marché du Film, unspooling from 14-25 May. Discover the festival highlights in our exclusive photo galleries

Berlinale 2024 – Photogalleries - 15/02/2024

15/02/2024
Berlinale 2024 – Photogalleries
The Berlin International Film Festival returns for its 74th edition, the last under the direction of Carlo Chatrian and Mariette Rissenbeek, from 15-25 February. Check out the festival highlights in our exclusive photogalleries

San Sebastián 2023 – Photogalleries - 25/09/2023

25/09/2023
San Sebastián 2023 – Photogalleries
The San Sebastián International Film Festival cements its position on the global festival circuit with its 71st edition, which is unspooling from 22-30 September. Check out our exclusive photo galleries

EXCLUSIVE: First details of mystery series Who’s Burning Now?, set to be pitched at Seriesly Berlin

EXCLUSIVE: First details of mystery series Who’s Burning Now?, set to be pitched at Seriesly Berlin

UFA is in talks with the team behind the 8x45-minute show, helmed by Wero Rodowicz and Maria Neheimer, which promises to blend supernatural drama with Alpine folklore  

15/09 | Production | Funding | Germany/Switzerland

Sébastien Bardet shooting rural thriller Les crocs

Sébastien Bardet shooting rural thriller Les crocs

Félix Moati, Alice Belaïdi, Manuel Guillot, David Ayala and Marie Gillain are all starring in the filmmaker’s first feature, produced by Latika and Pictor Production and sold by WTFilms  

15/09 | Production | Funding | France

Review: Amoeba

Review: Amoeba

Siyou Tan’s perceptive debut feature finds four Singaporean high-schoolers battling against social conformity by forming a girl gang  

15/09 | Toronto 2025 | Discovery

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Reviews

Franz - by Agnieszka Holland

Franz
by Agnieszka Holland
Agnieszka Holland directs a non-traditional biopic of Kafka and attempts to reckon with his legacy beyond buzzwords in this film led by a restless Idan Weiss

Two Pianos - by Arnaud Desplechin

Two Pianos
by Arnaud Desplechin
François Civil dazzles in Arnaud Desplechin’s excellent, sombre and tormented melodrama where the past and the present come together and collide

The Currents - by Milagros Mumenthaler

The Currents
by Milagros Mumenthaler
Milagros Mumenthaler composes a symphonic third feature hinging on mental health and motherhood, which remains with you long after the credits roll

As We Breathe - by Seyhmus Altun

As We Breathe
by Seyhmus Altun
Turkish filmmaker Seyhmus Altun’s debut feature chronicles a smouldering fire within a family, and the subconscious attempts of a father and daughter to prevent it from blazing

Nino - by Pauline Loquès

Nino
by Pauline Loquès
CANNES 2025: Following the footsteps of a young man wandering around Paris in the throes of a revelation, Pauline Loquès paints a moving portrait of the modern urban world

Adam's Sake - by Laura Wandel

Adam's Sake
by Laura Wandel
CANNES 2025: After her highly acclaimed debut feature, Laura Wandel has made a name for herself with this visceral portrait of a nurse struggling against the powerlessness of the institution

The Captive - by Alejandro Amenábar

The Captive
by Alejandro Amenábar
Alejandro Amenábar tells the story of Miguel de Cervantes’ five years in captivity through a bold historical retcon with a queer twist

Yes - by Nadav Lapid

Yes
by Nadav Lapid
CANNES 2025: Nadav Lapid valiantly attempts to take Israel’s temperature after 7 October but can only say so much from his soapbox

To the Victory! takes home Toronto’s Platform Award, whilst Hamnet is the People’s Choice champion

To the Victory! takes home Toronto’s Platform Award, whilst Hamnet is the People’s Choice champion

Valentyn Vasyanovych’s near-future look at Ukraine has won the festival’s primary competitive section, with Chloé Zhao’s Shakespearean tragedy gaining the most awards momentum  

15/09 | Toronto 2025 | Awards

Filming is underway on Prendiamoci una pausa

Filming is underway on Prendiamoci una pausa

Telling the stories of three couples, Christian Marazziti’s new movie delves into little-explored moment in romantic relationships: taking a break  

15/09 | Production | Funding | Italy/Poland/Spain

Review: The Captive

Review: The Captive

Alejandro Amenábar tells the story of Miguel de Cervantes’ five years in captivity through a bold historical retcon with a queer twist  

15/09 | Toronto 2025 | Special Presentations

Interviews

Nastia Korkia • Director of Short Summer

Nastia Korkia • Director of Short Summer
VENICE 2025: The director of Russian heritage talks about her feature debut, in which a little girl who is spending a quiet summer with her grandparents feels the echoes of war

Kaouther Ben Hania • Director of The Voice of Hind Rajab

Kaouther Ben Hania • Director of The Voice of Hind Rajab
VENICE 2025: After her lengthy standing ovation, the Tunisian director talks to us about her one-room-shot reconstruction of the events surrounding the titular girl’s death

Jim Jarmusch • Director of Father Mother Sister Brother

Jim Jarmusch • Director of Father Mother Sister Brother
VENICE 2025: The US director shares some thoughts on his stories, his work and his love for cinema, veering off at times into some minute detail

Teona Strugar Mitevska • Director of Mother

Teona Strugar Mitevska • Director of Mother
VENICE 2025: We met up with the Macedonian-born, Belgian-based filmmaker to talk about her new film, an anti-biopic of Mother Teresa

François Ozon • Director of The Stranger

François Ozon • Director of The Stranger
VENICE 2025: The French filmmaker discusses his adaptation of Albert Camus's famous novel, how he approached the opacity of the main character and contextualised the colonial era

Valérie Donzelli • Director of At Work

Valérie Donzelli • Director of At Work
VENICE 2025: Freedom doesn’t come cheap in the French director’s new feature, but it’s still worth all the trouble

Pascal Diot • Head, Venice Production Bridge

Pascal Diot • Head, Venice Production Bridge
The seasoned industry figure unpacks this year’s Lido-based offering for producers and creative professionals, unspooling from 28 August-3 September

Laura Almantaitė • Festival director, BLON

Laura Almantaitė • Festival director, BLON
The head of the Lithuanian gathering spoke about its evolving mission of becoming an unmissable event for European animation, gaming and art professionals

Review: Franz

Review: Franz

Agnieszka Holland directs a non-traditional biopic of Kafka and attempts to reckon with his legacy beyond buzzwords in this film led by a restless Idan Weiss  

15/09 | Toronto 2025 | Special Presentations

Review: Laundry

Review: Laundry

Durban-born director Zamo Mkhwanazi makes a splash with her debut feature, a historical coming-of-age tale set in 1960s Apartheid-era Johannesburg  

15/09 | Toronto 2025 | Discovery

European titles submitted for the Oscars race

European titles submitted for the Oscars race

European countries reveal their titles submitted for the Best International Feature Film Award at the 2026 Academy Awards  

12/09 | Oscars 2026

Trailers/Teasers/Clips

Franz - by Agnieszka Holland

Franz
by Agnieszka Holland
Toronto 2025 - Special Presentation
San Sebastián 2025 - Competition

As We Breathe - by Seyhmus Altun

As We Breathe
by Seyhmus Altun
Toronto 2025 - Discovery
San Sebastián 2025 - New Directors

Two Pianos - by Arnaud Desplechin

Two Pianos
by Arnaud Desplechin
Toronto 2025 - Gala Presentations
San Sebastián 2025 - Competition

The Currents - by Milagros Mumenthaler

The Currents
by Milagros Mumenthaler
Toronto 2025 - Platform
San Sebastián 2025 - Competition

Sirât - by Oliver Laxe

Sirât
by Oliver Laxe
Cannes 2025 - Jury Prize
French and Belgian releases September 10, Polish release September 19

Nino - by Pauline Loquès

Nino
by Pauline Loquès
Cannes 2025 - Critics’ Week Rising Star Award
Toronto 2025 - Platform
French release September 17

The Ice Tower - by Lucile Hadzihalilovic

The Ice Tower
by Lucile Hadzihalilovic
Berlinale 2025 - Silver Bear for an Outstanding Artistic Contribution
French release September 17

Adam's Sake - by Laura Wandel

Adam's Sake
by Laura Wandel
Cannes 2025 - Critics’ Week
French release September 17

Europa International: Standing together for Europe’s sales agents

Europa International: Standing together for Europe’s sales agents

The first article of this monthly series profiles the organisation’s efforts to serve as a space where competitors can unite around shared challenges and the goal of professional development  

12/09 | European Networks

Serial Killer gears up for its eighth edition

Serial Killer gears up for its eighth edition

The television festival brings fresh series from the CEE region, with industry sessions homing in on streaming, co-productions and evolving audience behaviour  

12/09 | Festivals | Awards | Czech Republic

Miguel del Arco directs his second film, Los relatos

Miguel del Arco directs his second film, Los relatos

Juan Diego Botto, Marta Etura and Ainara Elejalde star in a drama about gender violence, with international sales managed by Sideral  

12/09 | Production | Funding | Spain/Romania

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Reviews

Sirât - by Oliver Laxe

Sirât
by Oliver Laxe
CANNES 2025: Óliver Laxe launches a very high intensity artistic bomb, deeply immersed in the initiatory desert journey of a stupefying blended family

To The Victory! - by Valentyn Vasyanovych

To The Victory!
by Valentyn Vasyanovych
Valentyn Vasyanovych reimagines the future of Ukraine, full of both bleakness and bravery

Hen - by György Pálfi

Hen
by György Pálfi
György Pálfi pulls off an audacious film revolving around the misadventures of a chicken and holding up a mirror to the far-from-squeaky-clean human world

Forastera - by Lucía Aleñar Iglesias

Forastera
by Lucía Aleñar Iglesias
The feature debut by Lucía Aleñar Iglesias offers a rare, nuanced look at grief and growing up

Three Goodbyes - by Isabel Coixet

Three Goodbyes
by Isabel Coixet
Isabel Coixet adapts Michela Murgia’s bestselling novel Tre Ciotole into a contemplative, if uneven, drama about love and loss

Industry Reports

Animation – 16/09/2025

Kate O’Connor • Executive chair, Animation UK

Our chat covered how collaboration with Cartoon has strengthened the UK’s European partnerships and showcased the strength of the country’s talent in continental markets

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 16/09/2025

Europa Distribution explore how Nordic films are reaching global audiences in Haugesund

The festival’s New Nordic Films market hosted a panel focusing on the successful cases of Loveable and Dreams (Sex Love)

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 15/09/2025

BLON saw panellists exploring the challenges of distributing animation

The discussion highlighted how Lithuanian distributors are experimenting with theatrical releases, festivals, and educational platforms to reach new audiences

Distribution, Exhibition and Streaming – 15/09/2025

Disney+ expands its partnerships via deals with the UK’s ITVX, Germany’s ZDF and Spain’s Atresmedia

The new content-sharing agreements demonstrate the global streaming service’s increased interest in the audiences of national broadcasters

Film Reviews

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