Life is busy. Corporate mergers, conspiracy theories, viral Coldplay concert canoodling. It can be tough to stay up-to-date on film industry news, profiles, analysis, and advice. That’s why we’ve curated some essential reads you may have missed over the past month. So take some time to catch up with this month’s good reads!
This Month’s Good Reads (July 2025)
No, Not That Film Festival in Queens. The Other One. (via Catalina Gonella for Gothamist)
Two fests. Same name. Mass confusion.
Resources: Will Any of These 200+ Companies Finance Your Movie? (via Ted Hope for Hope For Film)
There’s no harm in asking.
Let’s Help Cinema With These 4 Industry Shifts (via Sophie for That Final Scene)
It’s problem-solving time, people!
How Video Games Became the New Battleground for Actors and AI Protections (via Megan Farokhmanesh for Wired)
Voice actors have ended their 11-month strike against video game companies.
5 YouTube Hacks Every Indie Filmmaker Should Steal Today (via Elliot Grove for Raindance)
Like and subscribe! (And get your movie seen.)
The AI Making Indie Sci-Fi Budgets Possible (James Cameron’s Team Agrees) (via Erik Barmack for The Ankler)
How Tye Sheridan went from Ready Player One child actor to AI company founder.
This Math Tutor Keeps Popping Up in Wes Anderson Films (via Sopan Deb for The New York Times)
Meet the non-actor who found himself in Wes Anderson’s acting troupe.
As a Disabled Filmmaker, I Don’t Owe You Radical Transparency (via Reid Davenport for Talkhouse)
Assumptions, invasive questions, and the always daunting post-screening Q&As.
What to Wear on a Film Set (via Lisa Iannucci for Backstage)
Practical fashion tips for actors and crew!
2025’s New Indie Distributors (via Jon Reiss and Scott Macaulay for 8 Above)
Get to know some new distributors on the block that might be the next A24 or Neon.
How The Fantastic Four: First Steps Heals a 30-Year-Old Betrayal: “The Curse Is Broken” (via Anthony Breznican for Vanity Fair)
The stars of the never-released indie Fantastic Four have been brought back into the Marvel fold.
Hollywood Is Struggling. So Why Does Anyone Want to Buy a Movie Studio Now? (via Samantha Masunaga for Los Angeles Times)
The rich folks who are still vying for the movie mogul gig.
Who Killed the Spoof Movie? (via David Itzkoff for Slate)
Is the Mel Brooks-aissance upon us once again?
Videos worth watching
The lost art of ink & paint (via The Academy)
How ’bout you? Read anything good this month?
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If you’re an independent filmmaker or know of an independent film-related topic we should write about, email blogadmin@sagindie.org for consideration.
