The Napa Valley Asian American Film Festival returns for its second year, February 6–7, 2026, bringing together standout Asian and Asian American cinema in the heart of Wine Country. Expect a thoughtfully curated lineup of films, filmmaker Q&As and panels all anchored in a special theme spotlighting Asian American Women in Film, alongside cultural and culinary experiences with local and Asian-owned partners. Set against the backdrop of Napa, California, NVAAFF blends serious storytelling with a strong sense of place and community. Festival badges are now on sale, and it’s an ideal weekend for anyone interested in emerging voices, meaningful industry conversations and great food and wine along the way. Got a tip or story pitch? Email tips@theankler.com ICYMI from The AnklerThe Wakeup Apple rejects theatrical with ’26 🎥 slate Age of Cinemanesia: The Vanishing Afterlife of Movies Name five classic films from this decade. Matthew Frank is waiting The Bob Era Is Over. Meet Josh Richard Rushfield’s 5 takeaways on the new Disney CEO Ben Meiselas Built ‘MeidasTouch’ Into an Empire as TV News ‘Betrayed Their Audiences’ Now rivaling Joe Rogan, he talks to Natalie Jarvey about Don Lemon’s arrest and a culture of ‘fascism’ mainstream news won’t confront Warnings as SAG’s 5-Month Strike Clock Starts: ‘They’re Angry. And Feel Unheard’ Talent reps tell Ashley Cullins about the four issues that weren’t fixed last time — and how it could go sideways (again) Lachlan Murdoch and the Cold Calculations of Estrangement: Fox Before Family Author Gabriel Sherman on dynasty schism, the California Post and why ‘you’d have to be a psychopath not to feel sadness’ Heated Rivalry Effect: Bidding Wars and 7-Figure IP as Romance Sizzles Top agents talk to Elaine Low about prices, most-wanted authors, hot sub-genres — and an ‘insatiable’ audience TV in 3: Amazon TV After the Trainwreck; the WGA’s Next Demands Lesley Goldberg breaks down Peter Friedlander’s Prime Video reorg Shadow War for Warner Bros.: Advisors, Bankers, Out-of-Control Spin Doctors The who’s who behind each camp — and yes, Trumpworld is on speed dial, Claire Atkinson writes Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook and the Melania Trap There is no ‘I’m kinda Trump,’ writes Richard. You either are or you’re not The Oscars’ AI Lie: Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell Last year’s Brutalist controversy gave way to a landscape where the tech is rewarded — as long as it’s cloaked in prestige, writes Erik Barmack The Surprise Avatar Costume Design Nom, Years in the Making, in an AI Era Katey Rich talks to Deborah L. Scott about her ‘uphill’ battle to earn recognition The Most Competitive Oscar Races: Part Two A Sinners sweep? Four below-the-line contests could point the way, writes Katey. Plus, the balance of power shifts in international feature 🎬 Remembering Catherine O’Hara: ‘On the Mount Rushmore of Comic Actors’ 🎧 KPop Demon Hunters: Maggie Kang on Rumi’s Skateboard Origins More from Ankler MediaNew from Natalie Jarvey’s creator economy newsletter: The YouTuber With $7M in Ticket Pre-Sales for His Movie. How He Did It Brent Montgomery: Hollywood ‘Needs a Win.’ Microdramas Are the Answer Andy Lewis’ latest IP picks: A Heated Rivalry Hockey Romance Played Straight; a Housemaid-Era Thriller A Wild, Real-Life Spy Thriller & a Rollicking Slackers-in-Space Sci-Fi Adventure |



