The Next Best Picture Podcast

"Dreams" is a drama film produced, written, and directed by Michel Franco. It follows the secret affair of wealthy socialite Jennifer (Jessica Chastain) with Mexican ballet dancer and undocumented immigrant Fernando (Isaac Hernández). The supporting cast includes Rupert Friend, Marshall Bell, Eligio Meléndez, and Mercedes Hernández. The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Bear. Franco, Chastain and Hernández were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their experience and work on the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now playing in theaters from Greenwich Entertainment. Thank you, and enjoy!

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"Hamnet" is a biographical period film directed by Chloé Zhao, who co-wrote the screenplay with Maggie O'Farrell, based on O'Farrell's 2020 novel. The film dramatizes the family life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes, as they cope with the death of their 11-year-old son Hamnet. It stars Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal as Agnes and William, alongside Emily Watson, Joe Alwyn, and Noah Jupe in supporting roles. The film had its world premiere at the 52nd Telluride Film Festival and received glowing reviews, with Buckley's performance receiving particular praise. The film has received numerous accolades, including winning the Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama for Buckley at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, and eight nominations at the 98th Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director for Zhao, and Best Actress for Buckley. It was listed among the top ten films of 2025 by the American Film Institute. Zhao, Mescal, and composer Max Richter were all kind enough to spend some time speaking with Next Best Picture Owner & Editor In Chief Matt Neglia, while Ema Sasic got the chance to speak with Jacobi Jupe, production designer Fiona Crombie spoke with Dan Bayer, and Cody Dericks had the opportunity to chat with costume designer Malgosia Turzanska. Please be sure to check out the film, now playing in select theaters from Focus Features and available to watch from home. The film is up for your consideration for the 98th Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Casting, Best Costume Design, Best Production Design, and Best Original Score. Thank you, and enjoy!

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Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

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"Butcher's Stain" is a live-action short film, directed, written by, and starring Meyer Levinson-Blount, co-starring Omar Sameer and Rona Toledano. The film follows Samir, an Arab Israeli working in a supermarket in Tel Aviv, who is accused of tearing down hostage posters in the break room. He sets out to prove his innocence to keep this job that he desperately needs. Since its release, it has been nominated for the Oscar for Best Live Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Meyer Levinson-Blount was kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about his experience and work on the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is up for your consideration for this year's Academy Awards. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

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"Two People Exchanging Saliva" is a French-language short drama film written and directed by Natalie Musteata and Alexandre Singh. A United States-France co-production, it stars Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Luàna Bajrami, Aurélie Boquien, and Vicky Krieps. It premiered at the 51st Telluride Film Festival, where it received very positive reviews. It has been nominated for the Best Live Action Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Musteata and Singh were both kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their experience and work on the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to watch on YouTube via. The New Yorker, and is up for your consideration for this year's Academy Awards. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

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"The Devil Is Busy" is an American documentary short film, directed by Geeta Gandbhir and Christalyn Hampton, which follows an Atlanta abortion clinic besieged by protesters. Following its world premiere at Doc NYC, producer HBO Documentary Films released the film for streaming, and it has since been nominated for the Best Documentary Short Film at the 98th Academy Awards. Gandbhir and Hampton were both kind enough to spend some time speaking with us about their experience and work on the film, which you can listen to below. Please be sure to check out the film, which is now available to stream on HBO Max and is up for your consideration for this year's Academy Awards. Thank you, and enjoy!

Check out more on NextBestPicture.com

Please subscribe on...

Apple Podcasts - https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/negs-best-film-podcast/id1087678387?mt=2

Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/7IMIzpYehTqeUa1d9EC4jT

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWA7KiotcWmHiYYy6wJqwOw

And be sure to help support us on Patreon for as little as $1 a month at https://www.patreon.com/NextBestPicture and listen to this podcast ad-free
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