Mandalit del Barco

Monica Castillo, freelance film critic and festival programmer, and Mandalit Del Barco, NPR Culture Desk correspondent, share their Sundance favorites. They discuss a Depression-era thriller with Ethan Hawke, a quiet romance starring Chris Pine, a powerful documentary about Harlem, and films about rebellious artists and queer archival work. Quick, lively festival highlights and top picks.

David Folkenflik, NPR media correspondent who tracks media ownership and industry impacts, and Mandalit Del Barco, NPR culture correspondent covering film, TV, and industry labor. They unpack the Ellison–Paramount/Warner deal. They discuss consolidation across franchises and news, debt and streaming costs, data advantages and political ties, and what this could mean for storytelling and workers.

Mandalit del Barco, an NPR correspondent focusing on the entertainment industry, and Alberto Menache, a motion capture artist and co-founder of NPCx, explore the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike against video game companies. They discuss the fight for protections against unauthorized AI replicas, emphasizing the importance of consent, transparency, and fair compensation. The conversation highlights the critical role of voice actors, the implications of generative AI on creativity, and the necessity for solidarity among performers in an evolving industry.