The Screen Podcast

The titles that had cinema owners buzzing at CineEurope 2026 02.07.2026 46min

In this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team delves into the talking points from European exhibition convention CineEurope, which took place in Barcelona last week (June 22-25). Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s box office and awards editor Charles Gant, who takes us through all the studio presentations at CineEurope, and picks out some of the key titles. He picks out Zach Cregger’s 'Resident Evil' as one of the intriguing projects on show, and explains what was said (or not said) about the Paramount-Warner Bros merger. For more on the stories mentioned this week, go to https://www.screendaily.com/ Read more of Charles' insights into CineEurope below https://www.screendaily.com/features/seven-talking-points-from-cineeurope-2026/5218143.article

Do film industry open letters make a difference? 25.06.2026 30min

In this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team debates why open letters have become so popular in the film industry and what kind of impact they can have. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s deputy editor Louise Tutt and Europe editor Tim Dams to discuss the latest in a growing trend of open letters - this time, two in support of Israeli-born filmmaker Nadav Lapid, who was forced to withdraw from the FID Marseille jury as part of a cultural boycott of Israel. Other film industry open letters in recent months covered topics such as Canal+ owner Vincent Bollore, the Berlinale’s stance on Gaza and the Paramount-Warner Bros Discovery deal. The trio then discussed the new deal between Netflix and France’s TF1, which will make TF1’s content available on the streaming service. The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday. For more on the stories mentioned this week, go to https://www.screendaily.com. France’s CNC responds to Nadav Lapid situation https://www.screendaily.com/news/frances-cnc-responds-to-nadav-lapid-situation-by-launching-a-support-service-for-filmmakers-and-festivals/5218009.article Netflix rolls out TF1 content in France https://www.screendaily.com/news/netflix-rolls-out-tf1-content-in-france-marking-streamers-first-tie-up-with-local-broadcaster/5217808.article

Aardman’s Peter Lord on his love of physical production in the age of AI 18.06.2026 36min

In this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, Aardman co-founder Peter Lord discusses 50 years of the historic UK animation company. Ahead of the Annecy film festival, senior international reporter Ben Dalton speaks to Lord about co-founding the Bristol-based company with David Sproxton over 50 years ago and their decision to become an employee-owned business in 2018. The animator, whose credits include Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run, also discussed AI and how much Aardman would embrace the new technology.

US producer John Sloss on building finance plans for indie projects 11.06.2026 28min

In this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, US producer John Sloss speaks to Wendy Mitchell about finance trends, working in Europe, and the restructuring of deal-making. Sloss is the founder and CEO of Cinetic Media and also a partner at the law firm Sloss Eckhouse Dasti Haynes LawCo. His credits include Richard Linklater’s Nouvelle Vague, Blue Moon, Boyhood and Before Sunrise series as well as Todd Haynes’s Velvet Underground, Wonderstruck and I’m Not There. Sloss has also worked on several Oscar winners, including Boys Don’t Cry and Green Book and sold films such as Napoleon Dynamite and Little Miss Sunshine. “The process of deal-making has gotten elongated, which isn’t necessarily a good thing for the people selling films,” Sloss said. “The people buying films are controlling the market a little more and tamping down the urgency that we used to try to create.”

Our critics’ hidden gems from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival 04.06.2026 44min

In this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, our senior critics share their hidden gems from the 2026 Cannes film festival. Host Wendy Mitchell speaks to Screen’s senior international critic Wendy Ide and senior US critic Tim Grierson to discuss the films from this year’s festival that didn’t come away with any prizes, and that they feel deserve more attention. The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.

Inside Cannes’ closing night; plus Norway’s Renate Reinsve and Marie Ulven 28.05.2026 43min

In this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team debriefs on Cannes Film Festival’s closing ceremony and awards; and chats to Norwegian actresses Renate Reinsve, star of Palme d’Or winner Fjord, and Marie Ulven, star of Directors’ Fortnight title Low Expectations. First, host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s France correspondent Rebecca Leffler to take us inside Cannes’ closing night activities, including the best speeches, in-the-room reactions and the afterparty. Then Mitchell speaks to Renate Reinsve and fellow Norwegian actor Marie Ulven on the ground in Cannes about their respective films in the festival. To download or subscribe to future episodes, search for ‘The Screen Podcast’, which is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Soundcloud and YouTube. The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.

Cannes day 10: Three key talking points from the market 21.05.2026 26min

In the final episode of The Screen Podcast at Cannes, the team rounds up the key talking points from the market, including the major deals and the Dogma filmmaking boom. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s editor-in-chief Matt Mueller and deputy editor Louise Tutt to discuss all the biggest deals from the Cannes market and what it says about the health of the industry. Then, they delve into the Dogma initiatives that were announced at this year’s festival, including German and UK iterations.

Cannes day 9: French industry mood and the best parties so far 19.05.2026 20min

In the ninth episode of The Screen Podcast at Cannes, the team delves into the latest from the French film industry and the festival’s best parties so far. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s UK and international reporter Ben Dalton and France correspondent Rebecca Leffler to discuss the mood of the French film industry, particularly in the wake of Canal+ CEO Maxime Saada’s statement that he would blacklist everyone who signed an open letter criticising main shareholder Vincent Bollore. Then, the trio debates the best parties, the best dogs and what highlights are still to come at the festival.

Cannes day 8: How is the Competition shaping up? Plus parallel sections gems 19.05.2026 22min

In the eighth episode of The Screen Podcast at Cannes, two of our critics pick their favourite films from the festival so far. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen critics Johnathan Romney and Lee Marshall, who each spotlight a film from the Competition and parallel sections so far. Plus, they discuss what themes are emerging from the festival and whether it has been a strong year for the Competition.

Cannes day 7: Genre films shine, market buzz for ‘Club Kid’ and ‘A Man Of His Time’ 18.05.2026 18min

In the seventh episode of The Screen Podcast at Cannes, the team spotlights genre titles and discusses the films causing market buzz. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s reviews editor Nikki Baughan and Americas editor Jeremy Kay to discuss the genre highlights from the programme, the buyers circling 'Club Kid' and 'A Man Of His Time' as well as new distributor Cineverse.

Cannes day 6: Competition highlights so far and the year of Sandra Huller? 17.05.2026 19min

In the sixth episode of The Screen Podcast at Cannes, host Matt Mueller is joined by Tim Grierson, our senior US critic, to discuss the current state of the Cannes Competition, including his highlights and lowlights, and why this could be the year of Sandra Huller.

Cannes day 5: Mixed picture for Asia, plus talent talks politics and AI 16.05.2026 18min

In the fifth episode of The Screen Podcast at Cannes, the team explores Asia’s presence and what themes are emerging from the press conferences. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s Asia editor Michael Rosser and reporter and video producer Ellie Calnan to discuss the Asian films making noise in both the festival and the market. They also delve into the weighty topics being tackled at press conferences, from politics to AI.

Cannes day 4: The future of Creative Europe and the history of Screen’s jury grid 15.05.2026 23min

The team delves into the future of Creative Europe and the history of Screen’s jury grid. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s head of digital, Orlando Parffit, and Europe editor Tim Dams to discuss the end of Creative Europe’s Media programme and why over 4,500 filmmakers, actors and industry folk have signed an open letter calling for more support for cinema from the EU. The trio also delves into the history of Screen’s iconic jury grid, from record-breaking scores to the reason behind the four-star system.

Cannes day 3: UK sellers make a comeback and the private equity boom 14.05.2026 20min

In the second episode of The Screen Podcast at Cannes, the team takes a look at the UK’s presence in the market and the private equity boom. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s editor-in-chief Matt Mueller and senior UK and Ireland reporter Mona Tabbara to debate whether UK sales agents are making a comeback and why the programme is not so light on UK presence as it first appears. The trio also discusses the increase in private equity options following the launch of the Cannes Marche’s Investors’ Circle back in 2023.

Cannes day 2: Where are the US studios? 13.05.2026 22min

In the second episode of The Screen Podcast at Cannes, the team delves into the market from the US and French perspectives. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s Americas editor Jeremy Kay and France correspondent Rebecca Leffler to discuss the lack of films from Hollywood studios and the shake-up in US distribution. They also delve into why the French sales agents are dominating the market more than ever. The Screen Podcast will be running daily episodes during the festival, dropping each morning at 7:30am CET.

Cannes day 1: Buyers and sellers arrive early, Thierry Fremaux tackles politics 12.05.2026 19min

In the first episode of The Screen Podcast at Cannes, the team previews the market and festival. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s deputy editor Louise Tutt and UK and international reporter Ben Dalton to discuss the opening of the Cannes market and why buyers and sellers are arriving earlier every year. The trio also delves into Thierry Fremaux’s press conference which tackled politics, gender parity, and Oscar rule changes. The Screen Podcast will be running daily episodes during the festival, dropping each morning at 7:30am CET.

Mk2’s Fionnuala Jamison on 2026 Cannes slate, what buyers want, and the new Todd Haynes film 07.05.2026 40min

Fionnuala Jamison, managing director at French sales and production powerhouse mk2 Films, speaks to Screen’s editor-in-chief Matt Mueller ahead of the Cannes Film Festival. In the interview, Jamison discusses her ambitions for mk2’s Cannes festival and market slate, and her views on what the market is looking for. She also talks about mk2’s multi-year financing deal with investment fund manager IPR.VC, which kicked off in 2024; working with Justine Triet again on Fonda, the writer/director’s follow-up to Anatomy Of A Fall; and reviving Todd Haynes’ 1930s-set gay love story De Noche, which originally starred Joaquin Phoenix before he quit unexpectedly shortly before production.

Tempesta’s Carlo Cresto-Dina on why film producers need more support and recognition 30.04.2026 43min

On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, Italian-UK producer Carlo Cresto-Dina advocates for protecting the role of film producers, who he says are essential for managing “complex creative processes.” Cresto-Dina, founder of the Italy- and UK-based Tempesta, is best known for producing Alice Rohrwacher’s features: Corpo Celeste. The Wonders, Happy as Lazzaro and La Chimera. His other credits include Cathy Brady’s Wildfire, Margherita Vicario’s Gloria!, Michela Cescon’s Blue Eyes, and Leonardo Di Costanzo’s Ariaferma. He is also an experienced co-producer. In the full podcast interview, Cresto-Dina also talks about how to “sniff” new talent - like helping Rohrwacher get her debut feature Corpo Celeste off the ground even before she had directed shorts. The Screen Podcast is hosted by Wendy Mitchell and produced by Ellie Calnan. New episodes are out every Thursday.

How to navigate Cannes: meetings, screenings and crashing parties 23.04.2026 42min

Industry experts share their tips for navigating the Cannes Film Festival. Joining host Wendy Mitchell are Picturehouse Cinemas and Picturehouse Entertainment creative director Clare Binns, TrustNordisk managing director Susan Wendt, and Frederic Boyer, artistic director at both Tribeca Film Festival in New York and France’s Les Arcs Film Festival. The quartet of Cannes veterans discuss how they tackle meetings, and why sometimes turning them down is better for everyone. The experts also get into the dos and don’ts of getting party invitee, and reveal their survival tips for getting through the festival. The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan. New episodes every Thursday.

Our Cannes insider on Critics’ Week and Directors' Fortnight lineups 16.04.2026 33min

In this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, our team go in-depth on the Cannes parallel sections that were unveiled earlier this week. Screen’s France correspondent and Cannes expert Rebecca Leffler joins host Wendy Mitchell to offer her insight into the Critics’ Week and Directors’ Fortnight selections, having spoken to the heads of both sections this year. Our team also discuss Thierry Fremaux’s official selection, and what this says about the French film industry, and Leffler shares some of her Cannes survival tips.