American actor, playwright, filmmaker known for The Social Network
At Venice, May el-Toukhy’s Woman Unknown has won the Golden Lion, while Lee Chang-dong’s Possible Love takes Silver Lion and Ilya Khrzhanovsky’s DAU wins best director. Gaza documentary NAZA earns a special jury prize. The festival also highlights ongoing questions about female directors’ representation in major competitions.
Minions & Monsters has opened strongly, topping North American box office with $36.4 million for the holiday weekend and $61.4 million over five days. Toy Story 5 follows with $31 million, while Young Washington debuts around $21 million. Supergirl trails, and overall weekend revenue is down year-on-year but up for the summer period vs 2025.
The latest from major studios shows a blend of high-profile talent and innovative storytelling as Minions & Monsters charts a path through 1920s Hollywood. The project explores non-verbal storytelling and behind-the-scenes animation work, while a star-studded cast positions the film for global release.
The Minions & Monsters franchise continues to ride high on box office success, with Coffin defending its bridge to cinema history while the latest film tests whether silent era nostalgia can translate into new, daring storytelling.
The Guardian, Independent, and related interviews reveal Finn Wolfhard reflecting on growing up in the spotlight, the enduring impact of Stand by Me, and the personal costs of fame as the Stranger Things star enters a new phase in music and public life.
Venice has announced its lineup with new titles and a slate that mirrors Cannes in its mix of international cinema and documentaries. TIFF has revealed more than 60 films for its gala and special presentations, signaling its role as a key market ahead of the fall awards race. The two festivals showcase a mix of traditional studio projects and bold indie filmmaking.