The Screen Podcast

Osad

• 
  Could other festivals emulate Edinburgh’s ‘Trainspotting’ club night? 20.08.2026 43min

  Screen rounds up the key industry talking points from the late summer film festivals. First host Wendy Mitchell talks to Ben Dalton, senior UK and international reporter, about their time at the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF). The duo discuss how the event interacts with the Fringe, Claire Binns’ “interrogation” of BFI CEO Ben Roberts and why the festival’s Trainspotting event was a certified hit. Mitchell is then joined by Europe editor Tim Dams to get the lowdown on this year’s Locarno Film Festival, from how attendees coped in the heatwave to why it was another buzzy industry programme. Finally, Mitchell speaks to Screen’s senior UK and Ireland reporter Mona Tabbara from the ground in Sarajevo. She reveals some of the films impressing festivalgoers, and why Woody Harrelson was drinking Irish whiskey and singing Elvis on stage. The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday. Read more at www.screendaily.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  The future of horror: YouTubers, female filmmakers and UK hopes 13.08.2026 31min

  On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team delves into the future of horror films, from YouTubers to the rising talents from the UK and Ireland.  Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s reviews editor Nikki Baughan to discuss what the success of YouTuber horror films Backrooms and Obsession earlier this summer says about the future of the genre and why there is a lack of female filmmakers coming up through the social platform.The duo then discussed what has otherwise been a disappointing summer for horror releases and why upcoming festivals including Toronto and Venice might offer some hope. They also debate who the new horror talents are in the UK and Irish film industry.  The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.Read more at https://www.screendaily.com/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  From pre-sales to distribution: inside UK indie filmmaking with ’Sunny Dancer’ team 06.08.2026 46min

  On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team behind new UK indie Sunny Dancer reveal how they made the tricky jump to a second feature and discuss the film’s pre-sales, budget manoeuvres and festival launch. Filmmaker and producer George Jaques, a 2022 Screen Star Of Tomorrow, and producer Ken Petrie talk to Screen’s senior UK and international reporter Ben Dalton about making their new feature Sunny Dancer, which is set at a summer camp for teenage cancer survivors. The film made a significant number of pre-sales at Cannes 2024 via Embankment.Sunny Dancer is Jaques’ second feature following his 2023 debut Black Dog, a DIY indie made on a budget of £500,000. While Sunny Dancer was a big step up, Jaques discussed how he navigated budget limitations. Read Screen's review of the film here: https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/sunny-dancer-review-bella-ramsey-heads-confident-and-upbeat-uk-teen-drama/5213822.article The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  What should Isabel Davis’s priorities be as new head of BFI Filmmaking Funds? 30.07.2026 45min

  On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team delves into the appointment of Isabel Davis as the new head of the BFI Filmmaking Funds and what it means for the future of the UK independent film sector.First, Screen’s editor Matt Mueller checks in with senior UK and Ireland reporter Mona Tabbara, who spoke to the industry this week about the appointment.Mueller is then joined by producer Nicky Bentham of Neon Films, who is also co-chair of Pact’s Film Producers’ Group, to discuss what potential changes Davis could bring in. Finally, Wendy Mitchell speaks to producer and filmmaker Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor, who shares her thoughts on Davis’s international impact.The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.Read more on this story here: https://tinyurl.com/9vmx25hh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  First reactions to the Venice film festival lineup 23.07.2026 29min

  On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, the team delves into the lineup for the 2026 Venice Film Festival, which was announced earlier today. Host Wendy Mitchell is joined by Screen’s editor Matt Mueller and senior international critic Wendy Ide to discuss what themes emerged from this year’s programme, including the absence of Hollywood studios once again, the lengthy documentary section and the inclusion of just one woman in competition. Read more here: https://www.screendaily.com/news/venice-film-festival-reveals-2026-lineup/5218820.article Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  What the Karlovy Vary, Galway, Munich and Transilvania film festivals do best 16.07.2026 34min

  On this week’s episode of The Screen Podcast, we hear about why the early summer film festivals of Transilvania, Munich, Galway and Karlovy Vary are must-attend, fun and lively events for savvy international execs.First host Wendy Mitchell talks to senior UK and Ireland reporter Mona Tabbara about her time at the Transilvania and the Galway Film Fleadh. Mitchell is then joined by senior UK and international reporter Ben Dalton to get the lowdown on the Karlovy Vary film festival and share her own thoughts on the Munich International Film Festival, including why she declined to take part in the (in)famous rafting activity. The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.Read more on https://www.screendaily.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Komplizen, Razor heads talk German funding changes, streaming obligation 09.07.2026 42min

  Razor Film co-founder Roman Paul and Komplizen Film co-founder Janine Jackowski explain why the German film sector is undergoing a major transition.Host Wendy Mitchell talks to Jackowski and Paul about some of the challenges facing production in Germany at the moment and the advantages of European co-production.Paul co-founded Razor in 2002 with Gerhard Meixner, and their credits include Waltz With Bashir, The Perfect Candidate and Quo Vadis, Aida?.Jackowski founded Komplizen in 1999 alongside Maren Ade, with Jonas Dornbach joining as managing director and producer in 2010. Their output has included all of Ade’s films, plus Pablo Larrain’s Spencer and Marie Kreutzer’s recent Cannes Competition title Gentle Monster.Both companies are part of The Creatives, the alliance of nine international production companies, which is also discussed in the podcast.The Screen Podcast is produced by Ellie Calnan, with Wendy Mitchell serving as editorial director. New episodes every Thursday.Find out more at https://www.screendaily.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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.articleNetflix 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 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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.” Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.