Doc Distro Lit Review: Deadline

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Denmark Punching Above Its Weight to Become a Global Powerhouse in the Documentary World

Writer Matthew Carey reports that the documentary film industry is thriving in Denmark, where filmmakers find support from the Danish Film School, government-funded Danish Film Institute, and the documentary film festival CPH: DOX.
A collection of four film stills set behind the Margaret Mead Film Festival logo

Margaret Mead Film Festival Returns after Pandemic Hiatus, Countering Worrisome Trend in Festival Space

Writer Matthew Carey reports on the return of New York's Margaret Mead Film Festival, which celebrates documentary film from around the world—amid a landscape of struggling festivals.
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“An Inconvenient Truth” Director Davis Guggenheim Asks Who Will Replace the Social Impact Made by Participant’s Movies

Following the news of Participant Media shutting down, filmmaker and producer Davis Guggenheim discusses the company's focus on social impact—starting with a look at the origin of the documentary "An Inconvenient Truth."
Image of a stop sign with the message "Exit?" on it, next to a "Welcome to Park City" sign

End of an Indie Era? Sundance Could Leave Park City as Festival Opens Bids for New Location in 2027; Utah Resort Town Vows Fight to Keep It

Writers Dominic Patten and Anthony D'Alessandro report that the Sundance Film Festival will now consider bids from potential new locations, and from the incumbent location, for the festival after its contract with Park City expires following the 2026 program.
Image of Prime Video and Disney+ logos alongside a map with pushpins in various locations

Why the Streaming Giants Are Exiting Original Production in Southeast Asia & How Producers Plan to Bounce Back — Analysis

Writers Jesse Whittock and Sara Merican delve into the competitive landscape of the streaming industry in Southeast Asia, where Prime Video and Disney+ are retracting much of their presence in original productions, leaving Netflix as the main American streamer commissioning projects there.
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Angel Studios CEO Neal Harmon on Following “Sound of Freedom,” Learning from Failure and Letting the Audience Shape the Slate – Q&A

Deadline's Dade Hayes interviews Angel Studios CEO Neal Harmon, delving into the success of "Sound of Freedom," Angel's faith-based content, and the company's community-driven models for content creation and modification, as well as for theater ticket support—revealing a company working outside the Hollywood's system's approach to reaching audiences.
Image with the message "2023 A Look Back" and the logos of Disney+, HBO Max, Peacock, Paramount+, Netflix, Hulu, AppleTV+, and Prime Video

After the “Great Netflix Correction,” Streaming Looks to Find New Pragmatic Footing

In 2023, streaming platforms prioritized profitability, introduced advertising, and formed unique partnerships, facing challenges in content buzz, user interface, and pricing adjustments.
A24 and Max logos

HBO & Max Sign Exclusive Multiyear Pay One Agreement With A24

Writer Anthony D'Alessandro details the new arrangement between HBO, Max, and A24, in their exclusive multiyear pay-one output agreement, which grants HBO, Max, and Cinemax rights to A24's film releases after their theatrical run.
Photograph of person looking directly into the camera next to Plan B logo

Plan B Launches New Micro Budget Film Finance Initiative Led by Caddy Vanasirikul; First Pic Is Fernando Eimbcke’s “Olmo”

Writer Anthony D'Alessandro details a new micro-budget film initiative launched by production company Plan B Entertainment and led by veteran producer and acquisition/production executive Caddy Vanasirikul, that aims to help finance lower cost films.
Outfest logo

Outfest Postpones Legacy Awards & Pauses Other Programming, Initiates “Leaves” for Majority of Staff, Citing Severe Impact of “Financial Climate”

Matt Grobar reports that LGBTQIA+ organization Outfest has postponed its Legacy Awards ceremony to 2024, paused other programming, and initiated leaves for most staff due to financial challenges.
Photograph of four people behind the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers logo

2,000+ Top Producers Sign Petition to Drop Second “P” from AMPTP, Part of Larger Push to Address Inequities; Cathy Schulman, Jason Blum, Dede Gardner, Todd Garner among Signees

Writer Matt Grobar reports that more than 2,300 film and TV producers have signed a petition for the removal of the "P" from the AMPTP acronym for the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers, and conveys the opinions of several producers who aim to draw attention to the position of producers in a changing industry.