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The excellent selection available at this year’s Glasgow Shorts Film Festival, running in-person between the 22-26 March, is everything you would want from a short film festival, and then some. Spanning the personal, political, purely abstract, absurd and metafictional, this year offers a variety of open-hearted expressions, probing both the inner workings of the human experience and how it relates to the wider world.

While the larger selection is far more comprehensive than the small slice of films I had the chance to watch, both the Scottish Shorts and the International Films reflect a strong desire from the Glasgow Shorts programming committee to champion work that challenges, confounds and contradicts commonly-held notions while also never losing sight of highlighting strange and unique cinematic visions. Sifting through nearly 50 films, we have picked ten particularly strong shorts that we believe are definitely worth putting on your radar.

// Scottish Shorts // Outlets – Duncan Cowles...

Critics’ Week, the sidebar dedicated to first and second films running alongside the Cannes Film Festival, will be kicking off with Jesse Eisenberg’s feature debut “When You Finish Saving the World” and showcase four female-directed movies.

Selected out of 1100 submitted movies, the full roster includes 11 feature films, seven of which will compete and four will play as special screenings.

“When You Finish Saving the World,” which is headlined by Julianne Moore and Finn Wolfhard, revolves around the relationship between a politically-engaged mother and her fame-obsessed teenage son, who is also a burgeoning musician. The A24 movie is based on Eisenberg’s 2020 audio drama of the same name and was part of the Sundance 2022 selection.

“We already adored Eisenberg as an actor and discovered him as a true auteur with this film that’s both tender and contemporary and exposes a generational gap between a mother and her son,” said Ava Cahen,...

Big stars, big story, big production values, and a trailer that is so restrained it feels lifeless. Sorry, I don't mean to be unkind, but I've watched the new Waiting for the Barbarians trailer twice now, and I'm not sure what I'm missing, other than any kind of action and maybe more than a few words that are not soft-spoken and gently measured. Indeed, it may be that director Ciro Guerra's film plays out much better in its entirety, taken as a whole, rather than cut up into a short promotional video. After all, he made Embrace of the Serpent and Birds of Paradise, two spectacularly artistic dramatic films that are absolutely splendid in their visual storytelling -- though, not, to be honest, dramas that...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

Just months after taking office last fall, Hungarian film commissioner Csaba Káel laid out plans to revamp the country’s film and television industries, starting with an overhaul of the National Film Institute (formerly the Hungarian National Film Fund) at the beginning of the year. Plans are underway to boost content development and production and expand already formidable studio facilities in what is the second-biggest production hub in Europe, after the U.K.

Hungary offers a 30% rebate on qualifying spend for the production of feature films, short films, documentaries, animated films and TV series; the rebate can reach 37.5% through the addition of qualifying non-Hungarian costs. The government-backed National Film Institute is also providing robust support for local filmmakers with €50 million ($54 million) in production funding for 2020.

In the past year, Hungary has hosted such high-profile productions as Warner Bros. and Legendary Pictures’ sci-fi tentpole “Dune,” as well as the Netflix fantasy...

As much of Europe begins to ease restrictions imposed on business and travel to curb the spread of coronavirus, Hollywood studios are looking ahead to summer and early fall when production is expected to resume in Hungary and the Czech Republic, Central Europe’s biggest production hubs.

Executives at Mid Atlantic Films and Stillking Films, who have co-produced or serviced studio titles including Warner Bros. and Sony’s “Blade Runner 2049,” 20th Century Fox’s “The Martian,” Netflix’s “The King,” and Sony’s “Spider-Man: Far From Home,” are hopeful that international productions will soon return to the region as lockdown restrictions are lifted and economic activity gradually resumes.

“The shows that left are all starting to formulate calendars on the basis of expectations…that would allow them to move forward,” said Adam Goodman of Mid Atlantic in Budapest, who expects to begin prepping for his international clients in June...

Updated with latest: The coronavirus has hit the movie industry hard, with dozens of films around the world halting production or seeing their starts delayed as the outbreak continues to spread. Have a look at our list of impacted feature films.

Things are happening fast, but we will update this regularly so keep checking back.

Amazon

Birds of Paradise, from Amazon Studios and Anonymous Content, has halted production in Budapest. Sarah Adina Smith wrote and is directing the film, based on the novel Bright Burning Stars by A.K. Small.

Disney

Filming on James Cameron and 20th Century Studios’ Avatar sequels has been suspended in New Zealand. Lightstorm Entertainment...

Though it’s yet to launch in the UK and other parts of Europe, Disney+ has already proven itself to be a major player in North America – thanks in large part to its suite of digital content, which ranges from Marvel Studios to Star Wars and everything in between.

And much like its online peers, Disney+ is still to roll out a fresh wave of content for April 2020, beginning with Doctor Dolittle on April 1st – not to be confused with the recent remake starring McU mainstay Robert Downey Jr.

What’s more, April marks Earth Month, so you can expect plenty of eco-friendly documentaries to air via National Geographic. Indeed, it’s fair to say that the Disney+ lineup has fast become one of the most diverse on the market. From new episodes of Star Wars: The Clone Wars to age-old classics like Doctor Dolittle, there’s really something for everyone.

Similar to strategies outlined in Sun Tzu's "The Art Of War", the spread of the deadly Wuhan virus has hit the film and TV industry hard, forcing productions to shut down for the safety of cast and crew, including Warners "The Batman", Netflix "Red Notice" and a whole lot more:

NBCUniversal suspended production on all 35 of its shows across syndication and broadcast, including "Chicago" and "Law & Order: Svu".

Disney Television Studios stopped "Grey's Anatomy", "Genius" and TV pilots.

Disney also shut down James Cameron's "Avatar" sequels, shooting in New Zealand.

WarnerMedia stopped "Euphoria", "Righteous Gemstones" and "Snowpiercer".

Amazon shut down "Lord of The Rings" and "Birds of Paradise" .

Netflix shut down "The Witcher" and "The Harder They Fall", starring Idris Elba who tested positive for the coronavirus.

Sony has shut down the musical feature "Cinderella", "Uncharted" and "The Nightingale".

Paramount shut down "Mission Impossible 7".

Warner Bros...

On March 12, writer-director-actress Amy Seimetz debuted her new indie film “She Dies Tomorrow” at an oddly subdued Soho House in West Hollywood. Star Kate Lyn Sheil was on hand; she portrays Amy, an anxious first-time homeowner who tells her artist friend (Jane Adams) that she is going to die the next day.

This private screening was meant to replace the film’s canceled SXSW premiere, but things have changed. Seimetz is plugging onward, seeking a buyer. “Everything’s very contagious right now,” she told the small gathering after the screening, offering guests wine but no cheese platter. “I apologize, but you should thank me.”

It’s a very strange time. Screenwriters are turning back to spec scripts. Agents are digging into unread screenplays, since there’s no urgency to drive projects into production. Studios and streamers shut down movies, series and pilot production, from Coronavirus patient Tom Hanks’ Elvis Presley...

On March 12, writer-director-actress Amy Seimetz debuted her new indie film “She Dies Tomorrow” at an oddly subdued Soho House in West Hollywood. Star Kate Lyn Sheil was on hand; she portrays Amy, an anxious first-time homeowner who tells her artist friend (Jane Adams) that she is going to die the next day.

This private screening was meant to replace the film’s canceled SXSW premiere, but things have changed. Seimetz is plugging onward, seeking a buyer. “Everything’s very contagious right now,” she told the small gathering after the screening, offering guests wine but no cheese platter. “I apologize, but you should thank me.”

More from IndieWireJohn Oliver Slams Trump's 'Catastrophic' Coronavirus Response: 'Listen to Cdc, Not President'Coronavirus Cancellations: Every Film, TV Show, and Event Affected by the Outbreak

It’s a very strange time. Screenwriters are turning back to spec scripts. Agents are digging into unread screenplays, since there...

“Bosch” is coming to an end.

Amazon renewed the Titus Welliver-led series, based on the best-selling books by Michael Connelly, for a seventh and final season Thursday.

Season 6 is set to premiere later this year.

Also Read: Diana Silvers, Kristine Froseth to Star in 'Birds of Paradise' at Amazon

Here is the description for Season 7:

“Drawing from the novels The Concrete Blonde and The Burning Room, the seventh and final season of ‘Bosch’ will have Harry Bosch and Jerry Edgar (Jamie Hector) pursuing two separate but perilous murder investigations that will take them to the highest levels of white collar crime and the deadly depths of the street level drug trade.”

“I’m proud of what we have accomplished with ‘Bosch’ and look forward to completing the story in season 7. It’s bittersweet, but all good things come to an end and I am happy that...

Diana Silvers (“Booksmart”) and Kristine Froseth (“Sierra Burgess Is a Loser”) will star in the ballet drama “Birds of Paradise” by writer and director Sarah Adina Smith (“Buster’s Mal Heart”).

Amazon Studios and Anonymous Content have started principal photography on the feature, which is currently shooting in Budapest. Anonymous Content’s Trevor Adley and Dara Gordon are producing alongside Jonako Donley at Everything Is Everything.

“Birds of Paradise” is based on the novel “Bright Burning Stars” from A.K. Small, and is set in a prestigious ballet school in Paris, where a new girl (Silvers) befriends a grieving prodigy (Froseth). The dancers must compete for the school’s biggest prize, to receive a contract to join the Parisian Opera’s ballet company.

Also Read: Sam Claflin to Star Opposite Riley Keough in 'Daisy Jones & the Six' at Amazon

“Sarah is a talented, visionary filmmaker who we’re...

“Birds of Paradise,” a new drama from the director of the buzzy indie “Buster’s Mal Heart,” has been set at Amazon Studios with producer Anonymous Content.

Currently shooting in Budapest, the feature is directed by Sarah Adina Smith, who hails from Amazon’s streaming series “Hanna.” Smith also adapted the screenplay, from the A.K. Smalls novel “Bright Burning Stars.”

Actors Kristine Froseth and Diana Silvers star as two dancers at an elite Parisian ballet academy who connect in a time of stress and tragedy. Trevor Adley and Dara Gordon are producing for Anonymous, with Jonako Donley from Everything is Everything. Froseth and Silvers join the ranks of the dance academy in competing for a contract to join the company of the Opéra national de Paris, and find their bond and bodies tested in the race for the top spot.

“Sarah is a talented, visionary filmmaker who we’re so...

At a loss for what to watch this week? From new DVDs and Blu-rays, to what's streaming on Netflix, we've got you covered.

New on DVD and Blu-ray

"Jurassic World"

Welcome to Jurassic World -- which is finally out on DVD and Blu-ray on October 20. The Chris Pratt blockbuster includes several special features in both versions, including deleted scenes, a behind-the-scenes featurette on the making of the movie called "Dinosaurs Roam Once Again," and a featurette where Pratt and director Colin Trevorrow interview each other. The Blu-ray alone includes four other in-depth bonus features.

"Back to the Future 30th Anniversary Trilogy"

Great Scott, this is heavy -- literally, because it includes all three films and more than two hours of bonus content. This is the perfect gift for the Marty McFly fan in your life. There's also a special "The Complete Adventures" set that includes the trilogy and the animated...

Denise Richards and Francia Raisa have new reps as Abrams Artists Agency has inked them both. Richards most recently starred on the ABC Family series Twisted, and her recent TV credits also include Lifetime telepic Fatal Acquittal, Anger Management, 30 Rock, Blue Mountain State and Kickin’ It. She also has appeared in such features as Scary Movie 3, The World Is Not Enough and Wild Things. She continues to be managed by Link.

Raisa was a regular on ABC Family’s The Secret Life Of The American Teenager throughout its five-season run and appeared in the telefilms A Snow Globe Christmas and Christmas Bounty. Other TV gigs include The Mindy Project, CSI and In Plain Sight. She next appears in the Lifetime series Un-Real and the features Dirty Lies and Beyond Paradise. She continues to be managed by Untitled.