Doc Distro Lit Review: Deadline

Photograph of people standing before a waterfall
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
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.
Photograph of two people wearing suits
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
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
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.
Photograph of a person wearing a tie and jacket
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
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
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
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
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.