American actress and filmmaker
The Royal Shakespeare Company has premiered The Mad King, a Game of Thrones prequel at Stratford-upon-Avon. The 225-minute epic imagines events teased in George R.R. Martin’s books, with a 36-strong cast and immersive staging. Reviews are mixed, with praise for spectacle and some critics noting pacing and theatrical limitations compared with the TV series.
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.