Author: CWB News Department

The Lithuanian Film Tax Incentive came into effect in January 2014 as a new policy measure to foster local and foreign film production in Lithuania. Recently, it has been extended until 31 December 2028. The Lithuanian Film Tax Incentive provides an opportunity to save money on film production budgets through a private investment scheme. The key information relating to the incentive is as follows: you can save up to 30% of your film production budget, and it is available for the production of feature films, TV dramas, documentaries and animated films, including domestically produced, co-produced or commissioned films (produced under the service…

Whether it’s in books by Kafka and Turgenev, in films such as Tim Burton’s Big Fish or Andrej Zvjagincev’s Russian masterpiece The Return, or even embodied by Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader in the Star Wars saga, the difficulties we have when it comes to talking about and talking with our fathers is one of the most revisited taboos in film and literature, whether resulting from generational differences and varying expectations, authoritarian or distant paternal figures, or personal or historical trauma which hinders dialogue. Ado Hasanovic – an Italian-Bosnian director renowned for his short films which have won awards around the world – has made…

The nominations for the 97th Academy Awards were announced Thursday and it was a big morning for “Emilia Pérez,” “The Brutalist” and “Wicked.” After acknowledgement of the impact of ongoing wildfires in Los Angeles by Academy leadership, Bowen Yang and Rachel Sennott revealed the nominees for the film industry’s top prize, previewing the race that will play out in the weeks to come, culminating at the March ceremony. “Emilia Pérez” led with 13 nominations, followed by “The Brutalist” and “Wicked” with 10 each. Musical “Emilia Pérez” has seen success in spite of some controversy. The movie’s four Golden Globe wins did some…

The score for Jesse Eisenberg’s latest film is made up almost entirely of music by the Polish composer Frédéric Chopin. A Real Pain follows cousins David (Eisenberg) and Benji (Kieran Culkin) on a Holocaust tour around Poland to explore the horrors of their family history. The choice of Chopin’s music, which runs as an undercurrent throughout the film, perfectly centres the picture in post-war Poland, giving rhythm to the narrative, and a simple elegance to the mood. “My entire soundtrack for my film is Chopin, Frederic Chopin, the classical composer,” Eisenberg told Billboard at the Golden Globes, where he received two nominations for Best…

The 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival, which is set to take place Feb. 4-15, one day longer than previous editions, in recognition of its milestone anniversary, has released its full program. The lineup — listed in full at the bottom of this post — is comprised of films from 60 countries. Thirty-three will be world premieres and 74 will be U.S. premieres. The U.S. premiere of Jane Austen Wrecked My Life will kick off the fest on Feb. 4, and the U.S. premiere of A Missing Part will close it on Feb. 15. This year’s fest will be dedicated to and raise financial support for…

The Berlinale Series Market is set to reconvene from 16-19 February, at CinemaxX at Potsdamer Platz and Gropius Bau, as part of the European Film Market (EFM). Celebrated as a boutique hub for serial content from across the globe, this year’s market will feature the Berlinale Series Market Selects label, a flagship selection spotlighting shows with significant market potential. The programme also includes the Co-Pro Series Pitches, organised by the Berlinale Co-Production Market (see the news), alongside an engaging line-up of international showcases and a comprehensive conference schedule. Spain, the 2025 EFM Country in Focus (see the news), will present four series projects in development during the market,…

Resilience is an act of quiet bravery. In its silence, revolutions are born. The stories honored in SIMA’s 2025 shortlist stand as powerful testaments to that truth. With narratives spanning 37 countries, these films do more than document our world; they celebrate the extraordinary resolve of individuals and communities who rise, despite the weight of uncertainty, to forge a path toward hope. The SIMA 2025 Finalists are now eligible for entry into SIMA’s global traveling series, Cinema Across Borders, and their award-winning education platform, SIMA Academy, which reaches over 140,000 students around the globe. Now moving on to the final…

The Golden Globes® hosted its red carpet rollout for the 82nd Annual Golden Globes® on Thursday, January 2 at The Beverly Hilton. Attendees included comedian, actress and first-time Golden Globes® host Nikki Glaser along with producers and executives including Glenn Weiss (Showrunner, Executive Producer, and Director), Ricky Kirshner (Showrunner and Executive Producer), Helen Hoehne (Golden Globes President), and Barry Adelman (Executive Producer). The event included remarks by Golden Globes President Helen Hoehne and Golden Globes Host Nikki Glaser. Attendees got a preview of the stage design and mock up of seat card placements. Please note that seat card placements are subject to change. The 82nd Annual Golden Globes®, the first…

In the Shadow of the Cypress (Iran) has been shortlisted for the Brst Short Animation OSCAR, this beatiful film is also a nominee for an Annie Awards. In the Shadow of the Cypress directed and produced by Barfak Studio founders Shirin Sohani and Hossein Molayemi. Originally titled Dar Saaye Sarv, the 2D piece centers on a former captain who struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder while trying to be a caring father to his daughter. https://youtu.be/LVzZ3CVanPk?si=qVQMjD7dn-dM6HdL Other short animated films, shortlisted for the Oscar 2025 are: “Au Revoir Mon Monde” “A Bear Named Wojtek” “Beautiful Men” “Bottle George” “A Crab in…

Launched in 1990, the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is a premier presenter of world cinema located in the beautiful Coachella Valley at the base of Mt. San Jacinto in southern California. The Festival brings together a sophisticated and diverse audience, including industry, film aficionados from across the country and filmmakers from around the world. The 36th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is scheduled to be held physically from January 2 – 13, 2025. The annual star-studded Film Awards, honoring the best and brightest performances of the year, is scheduled for January 3, 2025. PSIFF is organized by…