Life is busy. And while the government might be shut down, the film industry news, profiles, analysis, and advice keeps on rolling. 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 (October 2025)
Sundance Won’t Save Filmmakers, But Communities Might (via Dana Harris-Bridson for IndieWire)
An argument to seek out audiences, not distributors.
Frownland to Vineland: Paul Grimstad on Playing Howard “Billy Goat” Sommerville in One Battle After Another (via Luke Rathborne for Screen Slate)
A chat with the renaissance man and sometimes-actor who went from micro-budget Safdie film to Paul Thomas Anderson’s newest opus.
The Prop and the Production Designer (via Javier Irazuzta for Mubi Notebook)
Production designers from The Lost Daughter, Shiva Baby, Aftersun, and more talk about a notable prop from their films.
Why My Oscar Follow-Up Is Premiering on YouTube (via Courtney Marsh for IndieWire)
The director of Oscar-nominated Chau, Beyond the Lines explains why she’s releasing her new film for free.
Dear Tilly Norwood: Some Blunt Advice, Actress to “Actress,” From Betty Gilpin (via Betty Gilpin for The Hollywood Reporter)
An Emmy-nominated actor’s advice to an AI publicity scheme actor.
Ronan Day-Lewis on Bringing Daniel Day-Lewis Back to Cinema with Anemone (via Luke Hicks for The Film Stage)
When your father is the greatest actor of his generation, you call in the big favor.
Hollywood Script Readers Fear They Could be Replaced by AI. They Set Up a Test to See Who Gives Better Feedback (via Gene Maddaus for Variety)
Yes, the robot will read your screenplay.
Jafar Panahi’s Cinematic Rebellions (via Roxana Hadadi for Vulture)
The Iranian director’s path from political prisoner to Palme d’Or winner.
Eternalisms of the Nervous System: Ken Jacobs (1933–2025) (via Lukas Brasiskis for e-flux Notes)
An appreciation of the avant-garde career of the late experimental filmmaker.
How (Not) To Monetize A Movie (via Adam Kritzer for Dear Producer)
What happens when your film’s distributor goes out of business.
Warner Bros. Discovery Explores Sale in Potential Industry Shake-Up (via Joe Flint and Lauren Thomas for The Wall Street Journal)
Another legacy Hollywood studio is on the chopping block.
Friends of This L.A. Teen Will Soon Find Out His Big Secret: He’s Co-Starring in Bugonia (via Mary McNamara for Los Angeles Times)
How autistic actor Aidan Delbis landed his big-screen break.
5 Things to Do Before Signing a Distribution Deal (via Jo Light for No Film School)
And don’t forget to read the contract!
A Rake’s Progress: Abel Ferrara’s Addiction to Filmmaking (via Nick Pinkerton for Harper’s Magazine)
Reviewing the high and low times of the Bad Lieutenant director’s career.
The Metrograph Interview: Clint Eastwood (via Nick Pinkerton for The Metrograph)
A rare career-spanning chat with the 94-year-old actor/director.
In case you were ignoring us (aka blatant self-promotion)
Filmmaker Interview: actor/producer Rachel Bailit and actor/director John Lacy of Everyone Asked About You
We spoke with the creators of the new indie showbiz drama.
The 2025 Gotham Awards Nominees
Awards Season is here! See which indie films, filmmakers, and performers are up for this year’s NYC prize.
Videos worth watching
SORA and AI slop: The scariest movie you’ll watch this Halloween (via Casey Neistat)
How ’bout you? Read anything good this month?
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