Insights

The release of Medieval III: Total War has strategy fans buzzing, and for good reason. This long-awaited entry promises the classic Total War experience—big battles, deep strategy, and rich historical detail—updated with modern visuals and new gameplay systems. If you’ve been itching to return to medieval warfare with a fresh coat of paint (and a lot more depth), this launch is a pretty big moment. In this post, you’ll find a clear breakdown of everything worth knowing about

Looking at everything the International Film Festival Rotterdam has announced for 2026, it’s hard not to feel that this edition marks a clear shift in energy. IFFR has always taken pride in supporting new voices and experimental filmmaking, but this year’s combination of The Future Is NOW and Cinema Regained gives the festival a structure that connects emerging creators with a re-examined film past. This is a festival trying to create a full spectrum of cinema, from the earli

The announcement of the The Future Is NOW programme at IFFR 2026 has already sparked excitement, and it’s easy to see why. The festival is dedicating a major section to six decades of women’s cinema, tying into the 60th anniversary of the National Organization for Women. This alone signals a bold statement: that feminist filmmaking, women-led storytelling and female-driven animation deserve a central space on one of the world’s biggest cinema stages. The Future Is NOW treats

Film history often feels settled. We believe we know the key names, the canonical titles, the “great” films. But with the Cinema Regained section at IFFR 2026, that assumption gets gently disrupted. The International Film Festival Rotterdam has announced that Cinema Regained will return this time shining a light on restored works, archival rediscoveries and films that invite us to rethink what cinema’s past could have been. What makes Cinema Regained such a compelling part o

Behind every major museum acquisition, there’s usually a long list of supporters who helped make it happen — and Dobson’s self-portrait is no exception. The painting is now part of the national collection thanks to an impressive network of funders and foundations who stepped in to ensure it wouldn’t disappear into a private collection. The National Lottery Heritage Fund played a major role, alongside support from Art Fund, the Deborah Loeb Brice Foundation, and contributions

Animals Everywhere! may look like a fun digital trail on the surface — and it is — but it’s also a key part of something much bigger happening at the Horniman. The project sits within the museum’s wider Nature + Love programme, an ambitious plan to help people connect more deeply with nature, right in the heart of south London. Thanks to support from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, the Gardens are gradually being reshaped with new family-friendly spaces, updated landscapi

The Horniman Museum and Gardens is set to introduce one of London’s most innovative outdoor attractions with the launch of Animals Everywhere!, a fully web-based augmented reality trail arriving in late Spring 2026. Developed in partnership with Smartify, the global leader in digital visitor engagement, the new AR experience will transform the Horniman’s 16 acres into an interactive world of virtual wildlife. Designed to be free, family-friendly and accessible, the trail give

The 2025 Ivors Classical Awards were more than a ceremony — they were a celebration of what makes British music thrilling today. Hosted at London’s BFI Southbank, the evening honored both giants and rising stars, from Anne Dudley to Luke Mombrea, and Anoushka Shankar to Debbie Wiseman. Nine Ivor Novello Awards were presented across six categories, each judged anonymously by a panel of 30 composers — a peer recognition that carries a weight all its own. Highlights included Orb

Emerging composer Luke Mombrea demonstrated to the audience why contemporary classical music resonates as the pulse of the present. His acclaimed chamber piece, Black Gold , transports listeners to the 1928 Santa Fe Springs oil fires, transforming a historical event into an immersive auditory experience. Commissioned by the London Symphony Orchestra, the composition merges live instruments with electronics, crafting a tense and visceral soundscape. The judges lauded its “rich

The Innovation Award at last night’s Ivors Classical Awards seemed almost destined for Anoushka Shankar. She epitomizes musical curiosity, serving as a bridge between the Indian classical tradition and modern expression. For Shankar, the sitar is more than just an instrument; it is a storyteller. Through her collaborations with Herbie Hancock, Jacob Collier, and Sting, she illustrates that music transcends borders. From Anna Karenina to the BBC adaptation of A Suitable Boy ,

It was a historic moment when Debbie Wiseman received the first-ever Outstanding Contribution to Screen Composition Award. For years, Wiseman's music has subtly influenced the emotional tone of British film and television. From the haunting sadness of Wolf Hall to the whimsical allure of Tom’s Midnight Garden , her compositions are both graceful and deeply moving. Her influence extends well beyond film and TV. Wiseman has composed music for royal events, including the Corona

The highlight of last night’s Ivors Classical Awards was undoubtedly Anne Dudley’s induction as the 33rd Fellow of The Ivors Academy. Saying she deserves this honor almost seems inadequate. Dudley’s career has been marked by bold creativity, from pioneering sampling techniques with Art of Noise in the 1980s to composing memorable film scores such as The Full Monty and Poldark . What sets Dudley apart is her seamless transition between different musical realms. She thrives i

The Ninja Gaiden series has long been associated with intense combat, precision, and challenging difficulty. As Ninja Gaiden 4 approaches, fans anticipate a daring evolution that respects the series’ origins while ushering it into a new era. Initial signs indicate that the game will maintain the franchise’s signature fast-paced, combo-focused combat, highlighting skill, timing, and strategic use of weapons and ninjutsu. However, there is a distinct effort to update the exper

Halo has been a fundamental part of Xbox’s identity for many years. In 2025, the franchise is making bold moves that indicate both creative reinvention and strategic ambition. Leading the charge is Halo: Campaign Evolved , a complete remake of the original Halo: Combat Evolved scheduled for 2026. Developed in Unreal Engine 5, the remake offers more than just updated visuals: it introduces a three-mission prequel arc, enhanced AI, environmental enhancements, new weapons, and

Fallout Day 2025 arrived with much celebration but few genuine surprises. This year, Bethesda focused heavily on nostalgia, highlighting anniversary releases and expansions instead of revealing the much-anticipated next step in the series. The main announcement was the Fallout 4: Anniversary Edition , scheduled for a November release. This comprehensive version includes all downloadable content and over a hundred Creation Club items, along with a new “Creations” menu that mak

The distinction between handheld gaming devices and gaming laptops has never been more subtle—or more competitive. Previously, serious gamers opted for high-powered laptops for portable performance, while handhelds were mainly for casual gaming. Nowadays, devices like the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, and Lenovo Legion Go are changing that story. Handhelds now provide desktop-level graphics, customizable controls, and access to complete PC game libraries. Their convenience is cl