Film & AI in the spotlight: BIFAN opens its 30th edition with a record 321 films from 50 countries, plus major anniversary honors for stars including Hong Kong’s Josie Ho, Fan Bingbing and Isabelle Huppert—showing how genre cinema is getting taken seriously again. Lore & labor in creative tech: “Dimension 20” lore keeper Skye Smith is profiled as the human glue behind sprawling tabletop worlds—proof that even in AI-era storytelling, someone still has to keep the facts straight. Street art vs. community memory: A beloved Fin DAC mural in Adelaide was quietly removed, sparking protection calls and a debate over how “ephemeral” public art really is when it becomes part of local identity. AI marketing reality check: Australia’s ACAM says agentic AI is moving faster than marketers’ understanding—most orgs aren’t using it beyond pilots, even as executives expect it to free up time for creative work. Design meets algorithm dreams: At Decorex Africa, an AI-generated “soft life” creature from Midjourney is turned into a touchable sculpture—raising questions about authorship, craft, and what we value when machines help make the look. Arts funding & access: Ghana’s Creative Arts Agency launches “Ghana Arts Farm” to connect artists with investors, while New Zealand’s Kāpiti Coast opens Creative Communities Scheme applications for community-led projects. Public art for everyday life: Seattle unveils “On the Fence,” a site-specific mural along protected bike lanes—turning a long corridor into a playful, landscape-minded storybook. Music & culture on the move: Heineken’s “Summer of Soccer” campaign translates soccer jargon for U.S. fans with billboards and volunteer events, betting culture can be taught through everyday language.