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Risk mitigation and casual nihilism were the main themes at the 2026 European Film Market
Despite the clement weather, everyone feels like they are on thin ice in Berlin (with cold hearts).
Feb 16
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Stephen Follows
21
1
My YouTube channel is live!
After waiting almost exactly 21 years after launch to see how it worked out, I think it's time I join this thing called YouTube.
Feb 9
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Stephen Follows
31
4
What Berlin’s market programme says about the film industry in 2026
I reviewed 20 years of EFM sessions to understand the industry’s recurring discussions and to see what 2026 has in store. Plus, I look at whether the…
Feb 6
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Stephen Follows
17
1
2
Does the timing of reviews predict whether a film is any good?
I tracked the timing of 175,902 critic reviews across 10,766 films to see what it signals before the opening weekend.
Feb 4
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Stephen Follows
28
6
2
What makes people never want to rewatch a great film?
Looking at the data behind which films appear on user-generated lists of 'Movies which are awesome, but I don't ever want to watch again' reveals what…
Feb 2
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Stephen Follows
39
9
2
January 2026
A bigger market is emerging for independent films worldwide
Audience habits, localisation workflows, and global rights deals are moving in the same direction, and the combined effect is larger than most people…
Jan 29
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Stephen Follows
30
1
4
Do famous actors earn more on Cameo than less famous ones?
An unnecessarily deep dive into the world of actors on Cameo. Who’s joining, what they charge, when they work, how fans respond, and which familiar…
Jan 26
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Stephen Follows
21
1
1
What modern movie franchises can learn from the enduring success of The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings remains rewatchable because it's accessible to all, feels whole, remains timeless, and is perfectly crafted to make cinema love…
Jan 19
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Stephen Follows
28
4
7
How many films employ an Intimacy Coordinator?
Intimacy Coordinators went from almost nowhere to mainstream in a few years. I crunch the numbers of the number of films which hire them, the genres…
Jan 15
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Stephen Follows
19
7
1
How the film industry's new shape is an amazing opportunity for filmmakers
The market has stabilised enough to act on. Here are 14 shifts over the past five years that make it easier to plan, build momentum, and maintain…
Jan 12
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Stephen Follows
50
6
9
Why the film business is considerably riskier than it used to be
From cinema habits to corporate consolidation, a decade of structural shifts has made film success harder to achieve and harder to measure.
Jan 5
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Stephen Follows
47
1
3
December 2025
How much do Oscar nominations help films in theatres?
Tracking over 11 million screenings over three years to look at the effect of receiving a 'Best Picture' nomination.
Dec 29, 2025
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Stephen Follows
23
1
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