FILM BUSINESS Very Early Oscar Predictions: Live Action Short Film Shortlist for 2026 Academy Awards

The Academy’s Live Action Short category remains one of the industry’s strongest talent incubators, where emerging directors, ambitious craftspeople, and nimble producers collide with Hollywood’s spotlight. Voters tend to respond to crisp storytelling, emotional clarity, high production value on modest budgets, and shorts that feel complete. Cameos help, but resonance helps more. With that in mind, here’s how this year’s field is shaping up, based … Continue reading FILM BUSINESS Very Early Oscar Predictions: Live Action Short Film Shortlist for 2026 Academy Awards

From Pain to Purpose: The Quiet Power of RISE

Jessica J. Rowlands’ RISE is not only a monumental moment in Zimbabwean cinema—being the first film from the country selected for a premiere at the prestigious Tribeca Festival—but also a deeply moving piece of storytelling that resonates far beyond its local setting. Rooted in the true story of Tobias Mupfuti, a boxing coach who turned personal pain into collective purpose, RISE is a short film that punches far above … Continue reading From Pain to Purpose: The Quiet Power of RISE