CHARTS: Merit, Festivals & “Politics”
The chart below provides a clear visual representation of the prioritized factors in decision-making processes within film festivals and funding organizations, explaining how and why film quality output has been degrading over the years. Dominating t
Bectu list of alleged failures to properly observe obligations to members (UK) – December 2023
Bectu (Broadcasting, Entertainment, Communications and Theatre Union) has been made aware of alleged failures to properly observe obligations to members by the companies and individuals set out below. All members are advised in their own interest to
Maia Films: A Cloak Covering Spectrecom Films
Maia Films, a company seemingly born from the ashes of the alleged notorious Spectrecom Films, carries a heavy inheritance. Whispers of late payments and unpaid invoices haunt both companies, with the specter of Andrew Greener, the individual who ste
CASE STUDY: Cannes and Festival Sponsorships
As mentioned in our article addressing the BFI London Film Festival we have highlighted a significant issue: in 2021, 19 films funded by the BFI dominated the lineup, severely limiting opportunities for independent filmmakers. This situation undersco
London Film Festival Conflicts of Interest, BFI as a Monopoly
London, UK – The BFI London Film Festival (LFF), a renowned annual event, is facing critical scrutiny over potential conflicts of interest. This concern stems primarily from its close relationship with the British Film Institute (BFI), which si
Golden Lion at Venice – Chazelle’s prior work with Stone adds a layer to the discussion
At the Venice Film Festival, “Poor Things,” directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and starring Emma Stone, won the prestigious Golden Lion award. The film, based on Alasdair Gray’s novel, centers on Bella Baxter, a character brought back to
CASE STUDY: The Concentration of Power, Influence & Control in the European Industry
In the past decade and a half, the European film industry has witnessed the emergence of several key organizations, ostensibly designed as tools to support the film industry and filmmakers. However, a closer examination reveals a more complex narrati
Venice, Locarno programmers, Varicoloured distribution company possible conflict of interest
Carla Vulpiani, a programmer specializing in short films at the Venice Film Festival, and Enrico Vannucci, holding a similar role at the Locarno Film Festival, are both involved in running VariColoured, a company that promotes and sells short films.
Wim Vanacker & Vassilis Kekatos – a two way relationship dating back to 2018
Thanks to readers contribution, and in an update to Conflict of Interest Taints 2019 Cannes Palme d’Or Award, it has been revealed that the relationship between Cannes’ Selection Committee Wim Vanacker, the 2019 Palme d’Or winner Vassil
Dual Role as Glasgow Short Film Festival Programmer & at a Short Films Distribution Company
Sanne Jehoul’s concurrent positions as Programme Director at the Glasgow Short Film Festival, Scotland’s premier short film event and a BAFTA Qualifying event, and as a member of the team at Square Eyes, a Vienna-based festival distributi
Anita Lee, Chief Programmer, Executive Producer on Three of Five TIFF selected features in Canadian Category
In 2022, at the Toronto Film Festival, a notable instance raised concerns about nepotism within the festival, particularly in the documentary film category. Out of five films featured, three — ‘The Colour of Ink’, ‘To Kill a Tiger