Introducing The Spotlight Challenge
One secret challenge. Any genre. Any camera. Solo or with a team. Spotlight Drive is building a filmmaking event around one goal: finish the movie.
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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
AFI Conservatory Fall 2027 Applications Close December 1
Applications are open across six disciplines. Every required item—not just the online form—must arrive by the December 1 deadline.
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SXSW 2027 Film and TV Submissions Are Closed—What Applicants Should Know
The October 1 final deadline has passed. Submitters should preserve their confirmation, keep screening links active, and expect a decision by February 9.
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Premiere Pro Security Update Fixes Critical Vulnerability
Adobe says the issue affects older Premiere builds on Windows and macOS. Fixed versions are available, and the company reports no known exploitation in the wild.
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Federal Film and TV Tax Credit Bill Introduced With 20% Base Incentive
The bipartisan proposal would cover qualified U.S. production labor, post-production, and visual effects, with possible bonuses for independent productions and other q...
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Ukraine Signs Europe’s New Series Co-Production Convention
Ukraine became the 12th signatory to Europe’s Lille Convention for international series co-production, but the treaty is not yet in force.
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California Enacts Disclosure Rule for AI-Generated Performers in Ads
California enacted SB 1050, requiring clear disclosure when covered ads prominently use synthetic performers while preserving important limits and exemptions.
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SAG-AFTRA Reaches Tentative Deal on Animation Contracts
SAG-AFTRA and the AMPTP reached a tentative animation-contract agreement. Terms remain confidential pending board review and member ratification.
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