In this episode of Publisher's Verdict, Eric Mika, founder and publisher of The Film Verdict, sits down for a conversation with Dough Schwalbe, veteran co-producer and founder of The Co-Production Company, now part of the Superprod Group. Schwalbe has also worked with major studios like 20th Century Fox and DreamWorks, and helped bring to life some of the most beloved IP in family entertainment.

In this episode, he shares his insights on the evolving media landscape and the economic of co-production. And central to the conversation is a discussion on the responsibilities of children's content creators in the age of streaming and violent content, as well as whether it's still possible to combine social responsibility with commercial success.

Doug Schwalbe is founder of The Co-Production Company, a film and television financing and distribution company acquired by the Superprod Group in 2022, and also serves as President of Superprod USA. He has financed production for franchise IP such as Casper the Friendly Ghost, Lassie, and George of the Jungle, and managed the coproduction protfolios at HBO, 20th Century Fox, and DreamWorks, distributing such series as The Sopranos, The Simpsons, and more.

Publisher’s Verdict is a new series from TFV Network, where Eric Mika, Founder and Publisher of The Film Verdict, delves into the latest global developments, industry trends, and pressing issues shaping the world of film.

With over 30 years of industry experience, including roles as Publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, SVP at Nielsen Entertainment, and Head of Variety‘s international division, where he spearheaded its global expansion, Mika offers an insider’s take from an outside viewpoint. A true globalist, he has lived in Rome, London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles, and now splits his time between Los Angeles and Mexico, bringing a rare international perspective to the conversation.

Listen to more podcasts from the world of film at https://filmverdictnetwork.com/

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(00:58) A Return to International Co-Productions

(05:35) Flaws in the Netflix Distribution Model

(08:39) Is There to Much Violence in Kids' Programming?

(11:41) Do We Need More Regulation?

(14:54) Lack of Support for American Public Television

(17:02) The Supremacy of Major Studio Content on Streamers

(20:19) Brands in Film and Television

(21:30) The Need for Discussion About Kids' Programming

(29:09) Outro

From scratch DJ to graphic novelist to now animation director, Kid Koala joins us on the latest episode of the Showcast to discuss his moving and visual inventive directorial debut, the animated feature Space Cadet, screening at the 2025 Annecy Animation Film Festival. Based on his own graphic novel, the film is poignant tale of interstellar dreams, parental bonds, and "technological" tenderness, all told through a beautiful tactile animation style and an evocative original score. In this conversation, Kid Koala reflects on his early love for animation, the influence of silent cinema legends like Charlie Chaplin, and some of the deeply personal experiences that inspired the film. He also dives into the production process behind Space Cadet, from collaborating on the screenplay to learning the language of animation filmmaking.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(01:08) The Multifaceted Artistry of Kid Koala

(03:45) The Origins of "Space Cadet"

(04:43) Wordless Storytelling

(08:36) A Robot Guardian

(12:08) Making a Film to Remember

(14:21) Learning to Speak the Language of Animation

(18:08) Outro

A group of Polish resistance fighters desperately try escape Nazi forces via Warsaw's sewage system. Listen to a quick review of "Kanal," the 1957 film directed by Andrzej Wajda.

Welcome to "Cinephile Corner," a regular series where TFV's Matt Micucci dives into a randomly selected film, sharing his opinion on a wide range of classics and hidden gems in two minutes or less, in the name of insatiable cinephilia.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(00:24) Review

(01:25) Final Rating and Movie Recommendation

In this episode, Eric Mika, Founder and Publisher of The Film Verdict, sits down with award-winning filmmaker Hamzah Jamjoom, a leading voice in Saudi Arabia's emerging film industry.

Once a country with virtually no local film culture, Saudi Arabia is now witnessing a cinematic renaissance fueled by ambitious government initiatives and international interest. But as the industry grows, so do questions about its identity, direction, and global perception.

Drawing on Jamjoom's extensive first-hand experience, the latest episode of Publisher's Verdict features a conversation exploring the opportunities and challenges shaping Saudi cinema today, from navigating cultural authenticity and collaboration, to pushing back against Hollywood's long-standing stereotypes of Arab characters.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(04:12) The Emerging Film Industry of Saudi Arabia

(09:02) What distinguishes a Saudi film?

(12:47) Arab stereotypes in Hollywood

(20:01) "Running Dry"

(27:20) Authentic Saudi Stories

(30:19) Outro

A young Black man in Chicago becomes entangled in tragedy and violence after taking a job with a wealthy white family, exposing the brutal realities of systemic racism and poverty. Listen to a quick review of Native Son, the 1951 film directed by Pierre Chenal, based on an acclaimed novel by Richard Wright, who also stars in the movie.

Welcome to "Cinephile Corner," a regular series where TFV's Matt Micucci dives into a randomly selected film, sharing his opinion on a wide range of classics and hidden gems in two minutes or less, in the name of insatiable cinephilia.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(00:25) Review

(02:23) Outro

In this latest episode of The Showcast, TFV's Matt Micucci sits down for a conversation with acclaimed animation filmmaker Félix Dufour-Laperrière to explore his striking new film, Death Does Not Exist.

From the surrealist spark that ignited his passion for animation to the years-long journey of bringing a deeply personal, politically-charged tale to life, Dufour-Laperrière discusses the philosophical weight, artistic radicalism, and emotional contradictions that define his latest work.

He also dives into the film's unique hard-drawn aesthetic, its balance of fairytale and tragedy, and the implications of AI for independent animated cinema. Recorded just after the film's premiere and ahead of its screening at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, this is an intimate podcast conversation about art, activism, and animation as a living process.

In Death Does Not Exist, a group of young activists launch an armed attack that ends in failure. One of them, Hélène, leaves her comrades behind. As she grapples with guilt and disillusionment, she is visited by a former ally, an apparition that forces her to confront the tangled truths of belief, betrayal, love, and resistance.

Showcast is a series of candid podcast conversations from the world of film, hosted by TFV's Matt Micucci.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(01:11) Embracing the Power of Animation

(04:13) A Faustian Pact

(07:42) Activism: Contradictions and Paradoxes

(10:01) Playing with Abstraction

(13:37) The Rise of AI in Animation

(17:09) Animation as a Living Process

(19:10) Cannes Film Festival Experience

(20:49) Outro

In this episode of Publisher's Verdict, Eric Mika, Founder and Publisher of The Film Verdict, sits down with Chris Fenton, veteran Hollywood producer and executive renowned for his deep experience bridging the U.S. and Chinese film industries. Drawing from firsthand insights, they examine how Hollywood played a pivotal role in shaping China's modern film industry, only to find itself increasingly sidelined. The conversation also delves into the current state of the U.S.-China film relations, the influence of trade policies, and the potential ramifications of the Trump Film Tariffs.

Chris Fenton is a veteran Hollywood executive who produced and oversaw 24 films totaling $2 billion in global box office and packaged over 60 more. Former President of DMG Entertainment Motion Picture Group, he has led international operations and partnerships with Marvel, Hasbro, and Valiant. His memoir, Feeding the Dragon, details his experience navigating the U.S.-China film industry.

Publisher’s Verdict is a new series from TFV Network, where Eric Mika, Founder and Publisher of The Film Verdict, delves into the latest global developments, industry trends, and pressing issues shaping the world of film.

With over 30 years of industry experience, including roles as Publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, SVP at Nielsen Entertainment, and Head of Variety‘s international division, where he spearheaded its global expansion, Mika offers an insider’s take from an outside viewpoint. A true globalist, he has lived in Rome, London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles, and now splits his time between Los Angeles and Mexico, bringing a rare international perspective to the conversation.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(01:53) Working in China in the Early 2000s

(04:13) Is China Fair to Hollywood?

(06:33) How Hollywood Built Modern China's Film Empire

(11:06) Trump Film Tariffs

(16:04) Concerning Issues in Filmmaking Today

(20:28) American Film Needs a Smarter National Strategy

(26:47) Outro

A quick audio review of "Inglourious Basterds," the 2009 film directed by Quentin Tarantino.

Welcome to "Cinephile Corner," a regular series where TFV's Matt Micucci dives into a randomly selected film, sharing his opinion on a wide range of classics and hidden gems in two minutes or less, in the name of insatiable cinephilia.

CHAPTERS

(00:00) Intro

(00:27) Review

(02:05) Final Rating and Movie Recommendation

Eric Mika, Founder and Publisher of The Film Verdict, sits down for a conversation with Torsten Neumann, director of the Oldenburg Film Festival, for an unfiltered conversation about what truly makes a festival "unique" in a sea of thousands. From Oldenburg's radical, filmmaker-first approach to the commercialization and politicization of major film festivals, Neumann shares why Oldenburg has become a rare haven for independent cinema, and shares his take on other topics, including his penchant for provocation and the current state film markets.

The Oldenburg Film Festival, held annually in Germany, is renowned for championing independent cinema, showcasing daring storytelling and emerging global talent. The 23rd edition of the festival is set to take place on September 10-14, 2025.

Publisher’s Verdict is a new series from TFV Network, where Eric Mika, Founder and Publisher of The Film Verdict, delves into the latest global developments, industry trends, and pressing issues shaping the world of film.

With over 30 years of industry experience, including roles as Publisher of The Hollywood Reporter, SVP at Nielsen Entertainment, and Head of Variety‘s international division, where he spearheaded its global expansion, Mika offers an insider’s take from an outside viewpoint. A true globalist, he has lived in Rome, London, Paris, New York, and Los Angeles, and now splits his time between Los Angeles and Mexico, bringing a rare international perspective to the conversation.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:54) Oldenburg: A Unique Festival

(04:36) Are Film Festivals Still Important for Filmmakers?#

(06:50) Berlinale: A Political Agenda Festival?

(12:08) A Provocative Ad Campaign

(13:55) More Films, Less Red Carpet

(16:35) Has the Quality of Film Markets Declined?

(20:49) The Value of the Oldenburg Film Festival

In this episode of TFV on Point, we turn our attention to three films that premiered in the program of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival:

• Case 137, directed by Dominik Moll;
• Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning, directed by Christopher McQuarrie;
• Enzo, directed by Robin Campillo and Laurent Cantet.

To read the full reviews of these films and other titles presented at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, visit The Film Verdict.

TFV on Point is a podcast series turning reviews from TFV's leading industry film critics into brief audio broadcasts. The show is hosted by Sarah Vianney.

CHAPTERS:

(00:00) Intro

(00:27) Case 137

(01:20) Mission: Impossible - The Final Reckoning

(02:32) Enzo

(03:32) Outro