Film News Today — July 31, 2026
Oscar-Qualifying Bengaluru International Short Film Festival Expands to 10 Arenas, Adds AI and Dance Competitions (EXCLUSIVE) and more — today's film signal.
The world of film and entertainment is abuzz with exciting developments and challenges. On the festival front, the Bengaluru International Short Film Festival is making waves by expanding to 10 arenas and introducing new competitions in AI and dance, providing a platform for emerging talent to shine. Meanwhile, Element Pictures is bolstering its team with the appointment of Chris Duggan as its first head of communications and marketing, signaling the company's commitment to strategic growth.
As the industry evolves, established players are also navigating changes. Outfest, a staple LGBTQ+ film festival in LA, is rebuilding and faces questions about its future direction. In other news, Amazon's ad revenue surged 26% in Q2, driven in part by its investments in AI, highlighting the tech giant's growing influence in the entertainment landscape. These updates reflect the dynamic interplay between creativity, technology, and business that defines the film industry today.
Today's signal:
• Oscar-Qualifying Bengaluru International Short Film Festival Expands to 10 Arenas, Adds AI and Dance Competitions (EXCLUSIVE) (variety.com)
• Element Pictures Names Former Sky and HBO Publicist Chris Duggan as First Head of Communications and Marketing (EXCLUSIVE) (variety.com)
• Stephen Wilson Jr. Interpolates a Pixies Classic on a New Song Featuring Miranda Lambert (rollingstone.com)
• Man Detained in Nancy Guthrie Investigation to Sue for $2.5 Million, Says He Was Arrested at Gunpoint (rollingstone.com)
• As Outfest Rebuilds, What Will the Future of L.A.’s Staple LGBTQ+ Film Festival Look Like? (variety.com)
• Amazon Q2 Ad Revenue Up 26% as Tech Giant’s Profit Booms to $62.6 Billion on Anthropic Investments (variety.com)