Category
Documentaries & Indie Cinema
Documentary films, true-crime series, and independent cinema from festival circuits and streaming platforms.
Curated by Karthik Menon · Contributing Writer — Documentaries, True Crime & Indie Cinema
22 May 2026
amfAR 32nd Cannes Gala Turns Up The Music With $20M Raised & Last Minute
Seventy-five degree warm weather and Lizzo were saving graces at the 32nd amfAR gala by the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc ocean in a luxe-auction that racked up a massive $20M, +18% from last year for the AIDS research org. Seriously though, had amfAR been held earlier in the week, form figure wearing fashion models […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
amfAR 32nd Cannes Gala Turns Up The Music With $20M Raised & Last Minute
Seventy-five degree warm weather and Lizzo were saving graces at the 32nd amfAR gala by the Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc ocean in a luxe-auction that racked up a massive $20M, +18% from last year for the AIDS research org. Seriously though, had amfAR been held earlier in the week, form figure wearing fashion models […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
Valeska Grisebach on Subverting the Western Genre in Cannes Palme d’Or Contender ‘The Dreamed Adventure’
At the start of German filmmaker Valeska Grisebach’s “The Dreamed Adventure,” a chiselled featured man rolls into a dusty border town, having been absent for years. It’s changed, but so too we find has he. It’s like the start of a Western. This is no coincidence, Grisebach tells Variety, ahead of the film’s world premiere […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
Oscar-Winning Producer Guneet Monga Kapoor on Genre Pivot, Women in Film India at Cannes: ‘I Am Ambitious, and I’m Not Scared About That Ambition’
A year after founding Women in Film India, Guneet Monga Kapoor – whose “The Elephant Whisperers” took the Academy Award for Best Documentary Short Film at the 2023 Oscars – was at Cannes with four scholarship recipients in tow and a producing slate that signals a deliberate move into genre cinema, women-led franchises and, eventually, […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
Tales From amfAR’s $20 Million Cannes Fundraising Gala, Featuring Rami Malek and Heidi Klum
...and Simon de Pury’s dearly departed broken auctioneer’s gavel.
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
Cannes Palm Dog Award Goes to Yuri, Chilean Rescue Dog and Star of ‘La Perra’
The Palm Dog, Cannes’ beloved, unofficial awards show celebrating the best canine performances across the official selection and various sidebars, has crowned its winner for 2026. For many attendees, the standard of films in this year’s Cannes hasn’t quite matched previous editions, and this was also reflected in the number of prestige four-legged roles seen […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
‘Rehearsals For A Revolution’ Wins L’Oeil D’Or Prize For Top Documentary At Cannes
Rehearsals for a Revolution, director Pegah Ahangarani’s film about decades of political repression in Iran, won the L’Oeil d’or Prize today, the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize for documentary. Accepting the award in the presence of Cannes Film Festival leader Thierry Frémaux, Ahangarani dedicted the award to the people of Iran. The jury, presided over […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
‘Low Expectations,’ Starring Singer-Songwriter Marie Ulven, Sells to Multiple Territories Following Premiere in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight (EXCLUSIVE)
Paris- and Berlin-based sales company Salaud Morisset has closed multiple international deals on Eivind Landsvik’s debut feature “Low Expectations,” starring Norwegian singer-songwriter Marie Ulven (also known as Girl in Red), following the film’s world premiere in Cannes Directors’ Fortnight. The film, which also stars Anders Danielsen Lie, has sold at the Cannes Market to Benelux […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
Emilia Fox To Dig Into True Crime At Deadline’s Reality TV Summit
Emilia Fox will join experts to discuss the truth about true crime shows in a session just added to Deadline’s Reality TV Summit at SXSW London on June 2. The summit explores the biggest trends shaping unscripted television, with the true crime session examining where the line lies between compelling storytelling and sensationalism. Titled ‘The […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
With ‘Clarissa,’ Two Nigerian Brothers Are Forging an Arthouse Alternative to Nollywood
Chuko and Arie Esiri's "Clarissa" is the second Nigerian film to ever play Cannes. With Neon as its global distributor, they pair tell IndieWire they hope to build a new Nigerian wave of cinema.
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
Thai Director Sompot Chidgasornpongse on ‘9 Temples to Heaven,’ His Debut Feature at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight
Sompot Chidgasornpongse spent more than two decades as assistant director to Apichatpong Weerasethakul, working on films including “Tropical Malady,” “Syndromes and a Century,” “Cemetery of Splendour” and “Memoria.” Now he is at Cannes with a feature of his own: “9 Temples to Heaven,” an ensemble drama about a Thai family’s one-day pilgrimage to nine temples, […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
Thai Director Sompot Chidgasornpongse on ‘9 Temples to Heaven,’ His Debut Feature at Cannes Directors’ Fortnight
Sompot Chidgasornpongse spent more than two decades as assistant director to Apichatpong Weerasethakul, working on films including “Tropical Malady,” “Syndromes and a Century,” “Cemetery of Splendour” and “Memoria.” Now he is at Cannes with a feature of his own: “9 Temples to Heaven,” an ensemble drama about a Thai family’s one-day pilgrimage to nine temples, […]
By Karthik Menon
22 May 2026
Hamaguchi Ryusuke on Cannes Palme d’Or Contender ‘All of a Sudden’: ‘What I Was Moved By Was What Was in the Book Itself’
Hamaguchi Ryusuke watched the standing ovation after the Cannes premiere of “All of a Sudden” with a degree of caution. He is not, he says, someone who takes ovations entirely at face value. “I also know that a standing ovation is kind of a tradition here,” he tells Variety. “I don’t know how seriously I’m […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Penélope Cruz’s ‘La Bola Negra’ Lands 20-Minute Ovation From Overjoyed Audience At Cannes
La Bola Negra, starring Penélope Cruz, debuted this evening in Cannes and landed a 20-minute ovation in the Grand Théâtre Lumière. The overwhelming reception to the pic, directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, comes very near the Cannes record for an ovation in a premiere, set by another Spanish film, Guillermo del Toro’s Pan’s […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Ben Affleck Joins Hulu's New Docuseries Hunting Whitey Bulger
Ben Affleck is joining an upcoming Hulu series based on a notorious crime boss, as new details reveal the Academy Award winner's unique role.
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Winners: Clio Bernard’s ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning’ Scoops People’s Choice Audience Award
UK director Clio Bernard has clinched the People’s Choice Audience Award at parallel Cannes section Directors’ Fortnight. Starring Anthony Boyle, Joe Cole, Jay Lycurgo, Daryl McCormack and Lola Petticrew and adapted from the book of the same name by Keiran Goddard, I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning. It follows childhood friends Patrick, Shiv, Rian, Oli, and […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Cannes Directors’ Fortnight: Clio Barnard’s ‘I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning’ Wins People’s Choice Audience Award
Cannes Directors’ Fortnight has served some compensation for a scant presence of U.K. filmmakers in major sections at those year’s festival, awarding the highest profile among them, Clio Barnard, the section’s only official prize: the Directors’ Fortnight People Choice Award – an effective Audience Award – for “I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning.” In a […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Victorian Psycho (Cannes) Review: Maika Monroe once again impresses
Maika Monroe delivers a deliciously deranged performance in the stylish Victorian horror satire Victorian Psycho. The post Victorian Psycho (Cannes) Review: Maika Monroe once again impresses appeared first on JoBlo.
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Ben Affleck To Narrate Whitey Bulger Docuseries For Hulu
EXCLUSIVE: Hulu is hunting legendary mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger in a new docuseries narrated by Ben Affleck. The streamer has ordered three-part docuseries Hunting Whitey Bulger (w/t) as part of its growing empire of true-crime titles. Bulger has been the subject and inspiration for a number of major Hollywood movies including Jack Nicholson starrer […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Ben Affleck To Narrate Whitey Bulger Docuseries For Hulu
EXCLUSIVE: Hulu is hunting legendary mob boss James “Whitey” Bulger in a new docuseries narrated by Ben Affleck. The streamer has ordered three-part docuseries Hunting Whitey Bulger (w/t) as part of its growing empire of true-crime titles. Bulger has been the subject and inspiration for a number of major Hollywood movies including Jack Nicholson starrer […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
French Thriller ‘Too Many Beasts’ Wins Europa Cinemas Label Award at Cannes
Sarah Arnold's debut feature takes the prize in the Directors' Fortnight section, with the jury praising the film's genre-bending originality.
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
French Thriller ‘Too Many Beasts’ Wins Europa Cinemas Label Award at Cannes
Sarah Arnold's debut feature takes the prize in the Directors' Fortnight section, with the jury praising the film's genre-bending originality.
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Cannes Directors’ Fortnight Prizes: Sarah Arnold’s Debut ‘Too Many Beasts ’ Wins the Best European Film Award
Hailed by critics as “grippingly offbeat,” “as extravagant as it irresistible” and “impactful and very funny,” French director Sarah Arnold’s Too Many Beasts” (“L’Espèce explosive”) has scooped this year’s Europa Cinemas Label for best European film at the 2026 Cannes Festival’s Directors’ Fortnight. One of three Directors’ Fortnight prizes set to be announced May 21, […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
SPC Buys Animated Feature ‘Iron Boy’ Out of Cannes
Louis Clichy’s hand-painted animated feature, about an 11-year-old boy in rural France, premiered in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section.
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
‘Victorian Psycho’ Scares Up 7-Minute Standing Ovation At Cannes; Filmmaker Zachary Wigon Dedicates Pic To Late A.D.
Bleecker Street’s horror thriller Victorian Psycho provided an oasis of fun in a sea of serious pics during the wind-down at Cannes, earning a seven-minute standing ovation on Thursday afternoon. The pic, which is playing in Un Certain Regard, is directed by Bronxville, NY born Zachary Wigon and follows an eccentric young governess in 1858, […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Louis Clichy’s Hand-Drawn ‘Iron Boy’ Picked Up by Sony Pictures Classics Out of Cannes
The former Pixar animator's solo debut premiered in the Un Certain Regard section this week The post Louis Clichy’s Hand-Drawn ‘Iron Boy’ Picked Up by Sony Pictures Classics Out of Cannes appeared first on TheWrap.
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Murdered Babies, Axes Buried in Heads and a Monstrous Maika Monroe: ‘Victorian Psycho’ Shocks Cannes Into 5
Over the last week, Cannes served up a fair share of European arthouse and even a splash of insane live-action CGI monster action (that’ll be “Hope”). On Thursday, it was the turn of bloody horror to have its moment at the festival. “Victorian Psycho,” Zachary Wigon’s gothic thriller starring Maika Monroe as a possessed woman […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Louis Clichy’s Hand-Drawn ‘Iron Boy’ Picked Up by Sony Pictures Classics Out of Cannes
The former Pixar animator's solo debut premiered in the Un Certain Regard section this week The post Louis Clichy’s Hand-Drawn ‘Iron Boy’ Picked Up by Sony Pictures Classics Out of Cannes appeared first on TheWrap.
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Diamond (Cannes) Review: Andy Garcia’s noir riff is low-key but not without charm
Andy Garcia writes, directs and stars in this riff on forties film noir. The post Diamond (Cannes) Review: Andy Garcia’s noir riff is low-key but not without charm appeared first on JoBlo.
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Watch Four of the Most Important Film Festival Directors Discuss the Future of the Circuit at Cannes
The leaders of the Sundance, Berlin, Telluride, and New York film festivals discussed the future of the industry at The American Pavilion at Cannes, presented by United for Business.
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
‘The Birthday Party’ Clip: First Look At Monica Bellucci In Cannes Palme D’Or Contender Unveiled
EXCLUSIVE: Monica Bellucci hits Cannes Film Festival this year in Léa Mysius’ Palme d’Or contender The Birthday Party (Histoires De La Nuit) and Deadline can reveal a first look of the star in the dark thriller, which closes the main competition program on Friday. Adapted from Laurent Mauvignier’s eponymous best-selling, the picture revolves around Thomas, […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Grief Doc ‘The Last Note’ Acquired by HG Distribution as Fusee Launches Three-Doc Slate at Cannes Film Market (EXCLUSIVE)
Fusee Films entered documentary territory in a major way at the Cannes Film Market, unveiling co-production commitments to three non-fiction projects spanning Vietnam, the Philippines, Canada, Belgium, and France. Leading the slate is “The Last Note,” which has already secured international sales representation through Quebec-based HG Distribution ahead of its release. The Canadian film is […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
Grief Doc ‘The Last Note’ Acquired by HG Distribution as Fusee Launches Three-Doc Slate at Cannes Film Market (EXCLUSIVE)
Fusee Films entered documentary territory in a major way at the Cannes Film Market, unveiling co-production commitments to three non-fiction projects spanning Vietnam, the Philippines, Canada, Belgium, and France. Leading the slate is “The Last Note,” which has already secured international sales representation through Quebec-based HG Distribution ahead of its release. The Canadian film is […]
By Karthik Menon
21 May 2026
In Just 7 Days, Netflix's True Crime Hit Surges Past 12 Million Views Worldwide
Netflix's latest true crime offering, The Crash, has emerged as a major new hit for the streamer. Find out more.
By Karthik Menon
20 May 2026
Michael Jackson: The Verdict: The trailer for Netflix’s 3-part documentary dissects the King of Pop’s trial and complex legacy
Netflix's trailer for the new documentary, Michael Jackson: The Verdict, investigates the King of Pop's trial like never before. The post Michael Jackson: The Verdict: The trailer for Netflix’s 3-part documentary dissects the King of Pop’s trial and complex legacy appeared first on JoBlo.
By Karthik Menon
20 May 2026
Cannes Day 9: Miles Teller Dings Press Coverage, Almodóvar Gets Political
Plus: Judith Godrèche tells TheWrap how she tackled a sexual assault story from a feminist lens The post Cannes Day 9: Miles Teller Dings Press Coverage, Almodóvar Gets Political appeared first on TheWrap.
By Karthik Menon
20 May 2026
‘Michael’ Avoided Michael Jackson’s Molestation Charges, But This Netflix Docuseries Sure Doesn’t
'Michael Jackson: The Verdict' goes way further than Antoine Fuqua.
By Karthik Menon
20 May 2026
Watch Hulu’s ‘Murdaugh: Death in the Family’ Team Dissect the Art of Building a True Crime Tragedy
Star Patricia Arquette, makeup department head Addison Foreman, and series co-creators Erin Lee Carr and Michael D. Fuller discuss the layered craft behind their haunting Southern drama.
By Karthik Menon