Film News Today — September 1, 2026

The film industry is buzzing with exciting news from around the world. The London Film Festival is gearing up to host a star-studded lineup of talent, with Andrew Scott, Cynthia Erivo, Jesse Eisenberg, and Sofia Coppola among those set to take part in Screen Talks. Meanwhile, over in Asia, the Busan International Film Festival has announced its lineup of galas and Asian Cinema Competition titles, featuring an impressive guest list that includes Isabelle Huppert, Maggie Gyllenhaal, and Michelle Yeoh.

In other news, deal-making is underway at film festivals around the globe. SND has acquired Toronto-bound title 'Alice: Pioneer of Cinema', starring Bérénice Bejo, ahead of Unifrance's Rendez-Vous in Le Havre. Martfilms has also come on board to support Mariana Rondón's 'Looking for Sam', the follow-up to her hit film 'Bad Hair'. On the business side, AMC Theatres is launching its own indie distribution label, Leawood Films, with a team of veteran Hollywood execs set to advise. And in a boost for the US film industry, Donald Trump has endorsed a tax incentive to keep production in Hollywood, tweeting his support for the initiative.

Today's signal:
• London Film Festival Sets Screen Talks With Andrew Scott, Cynthia Erivo, Jesse Eisenberg, Sofia Coppola and More (variety.com)
• SND Swoops on Toronto-Bound Bérénice Bejo Starrer  ‘Alice: Pioneer of Cinema’ Ahead of Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre (EXCLUSIVE) (variety.com)
• Isabelle Huppert, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Kore-Eda Hirokazu, Fan Bingbing, Michelle Yeoh on Guest List as Busan Unveils Galas, Asian Cinema Competition (variety.com)
• Mexico’s Martfilms Boards ‘Looking for Sam,’ Mariana Rondón’s Follow-Up to ‘Bad Hair’ (EXCLUSIVE) (variety.com)
• Trump Endorses U.S. Tax Incentive to Keep Hollywood Production: ‘Let’s Get This Done!’ (variety.com)
• AMC Theatres Launches Indie Distribution Label Leawood Films; Veteran Hollywood Execs to Advise (variety.com)