Film News Today — September 19, 2026
Naomi Watts Believes Standards Have Changed for Older Women in the Industry: ‘Look at the Emmys Last Week… That’s Heartening to See’ and more — today's film signal.
The world of film is abuzz with exciting new releases, festivals, and conversations that are shaping the industry. One of the most encouraging trends is the increasing recognition of talent across age groups and demographics. Actress Naomi Watts recently spoke about the changing standards for older women in Hollywood, citing the Emmys as a heartening example of this shift. This comes as welcome news amidst a packed festival circuit, where events like Portugal's Queer Lisboa are celebrating milestones and showcasing a diverse range of films, from radical counterculture to family-friendly fare.
From the 30th anniversary celebrations of Queer Lisboa to the San Sebastian film festival, which is premiering new titles like 'The Blind Ants' and 'Morro', there's no shortage of innovative storytelling on display. Filmmakers like Rodrigo García Saiz and Igor Legarreta are pushing boundaries with their personal and visually stunning films. Meanwhile, established stars like Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek Pinault are teaming up for new projects that explore themes of pain, loss, and trauma. Even the intersection of film and music is getting attention, with Jamie XX recently playing live accompaniment to Doug Aitken's immersive 'Lightscape' show in New York. As the industry continues to evolve, it's clear that there's much to be excited about in the world of film.
Today's signal:
• Naomi Watts Believes Standards Have Changed for Older Women in the Industry: ‘Look at the Emmys Last Week… That’s Heartening to See’ (variety.com)
• Portugal’s Queer Lisboa Celebrates 30th Anniversary With Vast Showcase of Latest LGBTQ Titles, Dose of Radical 1970s Counterculture and Family Fare (variety.com)
• ‘It’s My Most Personal Film,’ Says Director Rodrigo García Saiz of His San Sebastian New Directors Title, ‘Morro’ (variety.com)
• World Premiering at San Sebastián, Igor Legarreta Describes His Third Film ‘The Blind Ants’ as a Coastal Western Set in the Basque Country (variety.com)
• Angelina Jolie and Salma Hayek Pinault on Their New Film ‘Without Blood’ and Spending ‘A Lot of Time Talking About Our Pain, Our Losses, Our Traumas’ (variety.com)
• Jamie XX Plays Live Accompaniment to Doug Aitken’s ‘Lightscape’ Show at the Shed in New York (variety.com)