Doc Distro Lit Review: New York Times

Still of a man on the ground from the film "No Other Land"

Documentaries Ripped From the Headlines Are Becoming Harder to See

Several critically acclaimed documentary films addressing social issues are struggling to secure U.S. distribution deals despite international recognition and Oscar shortlist nominations.
Illustration of a red Netflix character

How Everyone Got Lost in Netflix’s Endless Library

Netflix’s growth was driven by strategic debt rather than venture capital. Earning the nickname “Debtflix” in the business press, the company operated by tech-sector rules, spending vast amounts of cash to acquire customers and expand its offerings, ultimately curating the expansive content library we enjoy today.
Woman in a black top gazing into the camera

White-Collar Workers Are Getting Squeezed. Even Oscar-Winning Producers.

The role of Hollywood producers has been severely diminished by industry shifts, with previously well-funded production companies now struggling to survive as studios cut deals, delay payments, and split producer fees among multiple parties.
Black and white photograph of two people, one smiling and looking upward and one looking seriously downward, sitting next to a lamp

Participant, Maker of Films with Social Conscience, Calls It Quits

Writer Brooks Barnes reports on the closure of Participant Media, a production company that focused on social issue dramas and successful documentaries like "An Inconvenient Truth," "The Cove," and "RBG."
Colorful illustration of a milk chocolate bar, bag of popcorn, box of candy, and soda cup all looking sad, sitting outside a movie theater

How Bad Can It Get for Hollywood?

Hollywood faces challenges in 2024 with disruptions from strikes and pandemic-related issues, prompting a shift to producing quick, self-contained films and a call for the industry to reconnect with an entrepreneurial spirit amid uncertainties about streaming services and declining movie genres.
Photograph of person walking

How David Zaslav Blew Up Hollywood

Writers Jonathan Mahler, James B. Stewart, and Benjamin Mullin detail David Zaslav's impact as CEO of Warner Brothers Discovery, including his strategies to cut costs following the merger and controversial decisions in programming and focusing funds.