Film Independent Camera Grant Accepts Applications Year-Round
Eligible Film Independent alumni and fellows can seek an ARRI or Blackmagic camera package at least 30 days before production.
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SPOTLIGHT NEWS
Film industry news for the people making what’s next.
Useful before urgent.
Spotlight News tracks the decisions, opportunities, tools, and production shifts that matter to working and emerging film professionals. We publish selectively, link to primary sources, separate reporting from analysis, and correct the record when new facts change a story.
Latest stories
MIFF Opens 2027 Submissions for Features, Shorts and XR
The first round closes October 31. Filmmakers need to protect Victoria premiere status and enter the correct category before paying.
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BFI Offers Up to £300,000 for International Co-Productions
Independent UK producers can apply by November 24 for non-recoupable international co-production grants, with Fast Track due October 27.
Read storyFrom Troy to The Odyssey: The Trojan Horse Idea Nolan Carried for 20 Years
Nolan’s unrealized Troy project, the move toward Batman Begins, and a Trojan Horse image he carried for over 20 years: what the interviews actually support.
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SAG-AFTRA Says Members Can No Longer Use Film Artists Associates
The agency surrendered its Los Angeles SAG-AFTRA franchise October 6; members should check representation contracts and residual-payment authorizations.
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IATSE's 2026 Videotape Agreement Increases Are Now in Effect
Covered Videotape Supplemental Agreement minimums rose 3.5% on October 4, with a separate October 14 step for qualifying unscripted programs.
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DGA Awards Deadline Is October 16 for First-Time Features and Documentaries
First-time theatrical feature and documentary entries for the 79th Annual DGA Awards are due October 16; other major categories close November 13.
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Film Independent Opens Five $100,000 Short-Film Productions About Aging
Five U.S. director-producer teams will receive $100,000 all-in short-film production budgets, with applications due October 26.
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Skydance Closes Warner Bros. Deal With New Film Commitments
The combined company faces five-year commitments on film output, independent releases, U.S. production spending, and workforce support.
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What Spotlight Drive Is Building—and Why Student Resources Stay Free
The live student library is free, public, and practical. Here is what students can use now—and what Spotlight Drive plans to build next.
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SAG-AFTRA Animation Vote Runs Through October 29: What the Deal Would Change
Eligible SAG-AFTRA animation performers have until October 29 to vote on a four-year deal with annual wage increases, AI terms, and residual changes.
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Sundance Merata Mita Fellowship Opens October 13 for Indigenous Women Filmmakers
The free international fellowship opens October 13 for Indigenous women working toward directing a feature film and closes November 3.
Read storyBrowse the recent archive
Stories remain dated reporting. Verify deadlines, eligibility and release availability with the original organization before acting. This compact archive covers up to 50 recent published stories; use the existing News pagination for older coverage.
October 2026
- — Film Independent Camera Grant Accepts Applications Year-Round
- — MIFF Opens 2027 Submissions for Features, Shorts and XR
- — BFI Offers Up to £300,000 for International Co-Productions
- — From Troy to The Odyssey: The Trojan Horse Idea Nolan Carried for 20 Years
- — SAG-AFTRA Says Members Can No Longer Use Film Artists Associates
- — IATSE's 2026 Videotape Agreement Increases Are Now in Effect
- — DGA Awards Deadline Is October 16 for First-Time Features and Documentaries
- — Film Independent Opens Five $100,000 Short-Film Productions About Aging
- — Skydance Closes Warner Bros. Deal With New Film Commitments
- — What Spotlight Drive Is Building—and Why Student Resources Stay Free
- — SAG-AFTRA Animation Vote Runs Through October 29: What the Deal Would Change
- — Sundance Merata Mita Fellowship Opens October 13 for Indigenous Women Filmmakers
- — Sundance’s $17,000 Episodic Sloan Grant Is Open Through December 14
- — imagineNATIVE Opens 2027 Festival Submissions for Indigenous Creators
- — Tribeca Opens 2027 Submissions Across Film, TV, Games and Podcasts
- — Sundance Graton Fellowship Offers Two $25,000 Grants
- — 2027 Spirit Awards Submissions Are Closed; Nominations Due December 2
- — NYC Filmmaker Listening Tour: Bronx Stop Is October 28
- — Sundance Doc Fund Awards More Than $1 Million to 19 Projects
- — Tribeca and AT&T Open $1.2 Million Untold Stories Film Prize
September 2026
- — Spotlight Creator Fund: What We Know So Far
- — 99th Oscars: Documentary Feature Deadline Is October 15
- — Bipartisan Bill Proposes 20% Federal Film and TV Production Credit
- — Film Independent Opens Five-Film Program With $100,000 Budgets
- — Introducing The Spotlight Challenge
- — AFI Conservatory Fall 2027 Applications Close December 1
- — SXSW 2027 Film and TV Submissions Are Closed—What Applicants Should Know
- — Premiere Pro Security Update Fixes Critical Vulnerability
- — Federal Film and TV Tax Credit Bill Introduced With 20% Base Incentive
- — Ukraine Signs Europe’s New Series Co-Production Convention
- — California Enacts Disclosure Rule for AI-Generated Performers in Ads
- — SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Deal on Animation Contracts