Read...

...books, newspapers, our newsletter, a Q&A with Ary Zara!

Aug 01, 2025

Becoming a good reader is a mix of discipline and joy. Here are some playful and engaging ways to boost your reading game:

1. Set Up a Reading Ritual

Create a cozy reading corner, or make a special tea/coffee or snack for your reading time. The moment you sit down with your book can become a small ritual you look forward to daily.

2. Choose Books You’re Excited About

You don't have to follow what everyone else is reading. Go for what excites you! Read fantasy, thrillers, or even comic books—whatever makes you curious. If a book doesn’t grab your attention, don’t force it. Put it down and try something new. Life is too short!

3. Create a “Reading Playlist”

Music can enhance the experience, listen to calm music or ambient sounds to match the mood of the book. Want to feel like you're in a historical drama? Try classical music. If you're reading fantasy, maybe some epic movie soundtracks will help.

4. Treat It Like a Game

Gamify your reading. Set goals like “read 30 minutes a day” or “finish this book by the weekend.” You can also join a reading challenge and see how many books you can check off in a year.

5. Use Audiobooks or Podcasts

Audiobooks are a great way to read while multitasking. If you don't like straight-up audiobooks, listen to literary podcasts or even summaries that explore different genres.

6. Join a Book Club

Or start your own! Reading with others brings an extra layer of excitement when you have lively discussions about the plot twists, character arcs, or even literary techniques.

7. Treat Yourself to New Books

Reward yourself with new books or a fun bookish item (like bookmarks or reading lamps) when you finish a book.

8. Marginalia: Interact with the Text

Annotate or underline passages you love, don’t understand, or want to revisit. Writing in the margins can make the reading process much more interactive. Also, it’s fun to look back at your notes later and see what resonated with you!

What are you reading right now?

2- We delve into the mind of ARY ZARA, the director behind the acclaimed "An Avocado Pit," exploring what it means to be a "cultural provoker" in Portugal and the driving forces behind impactful storytelling. As one of the upcoming speakers at DISC 2025, Ary Zara offers insights into his creative journey, focused on empowerment and social change.

RFI: You consider yourself a cultural provoker, what does that mean in a country like Portugal? I believe it means that I'm able to see the structure set for artists, which keeps us locked in a system that works as a gatekeeper to our autonomy. I try to think and develop alternatives that can empower artists and myself, so that we can move from a stage of surviving or struggling to living and enjoying. It's idealistic to change the system, so my proposals try to co-exist side to side. It's also part of my strategy to make visible how art can be a tool for social intervention and a fundamental instrument for mental health.

RFI: When filming a story you wrote, what is important to keep in mind?
Without a doubt, it's important to never forget why it's being done. The "why" can change from story to story, but for me, it has always been bigger than myself. I'm on a path to tell stories that can positively impact society. I'm trying to build an archive for the future, for upcoming trans generations who I hope can grow up with a more positive view of existence, and for the cis population, to offer them new ways of seeing us.

RFI: "An Avocado Pit" has touched audiences around the world, what advice would you give up-and-coming movie directors as they're about to shoot their first short film? It can take years to write, fund, and shoot a short film, and it can involve a significant amount of public money. Therefore, it's important to truly believe in what one is doing and the impact the film can have on the audience. Cinema is an art form that involves many people who dedicate their time to projects and pour their hearts into them. Ultimately, it should be a great experience that provides an opportunity to learn and grow throughout the creative process till the end.

Ary Zara will be one of the speakers at DISC 2025 in Cascais, Portugal.

3- DISC 2025 RETURNS TO CASCAIS WITH STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP AVAILABLE

The Disrupt Industry Screenwriting Conference (DISC) returns to Cascais, Portugal, from November 7–9, 2025, bringing together screenwriters, filmmakers, and creatives from around the globe for three days of inspiration, connection, and industry insight.

Registration is now open at www.disrupt-industry.org.

To make DISC more accessible to emerging talent, a limited number of Student Admission Passes are available. These passes cover the standard registration fee (190 euros) and will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Interested students must submit a brief application and pay a 10-euro application fee.

In addition, students traveling from outside Cascais may apply for scholarship support to help offset travel costs.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to engage with visionary artists, learn from industry leaders, and become part of a vibrant creative community.

For questions, please contact Gaye Humphrey, DISC Event Manager, at DISC@rfi-online.com

4- Newly Confirmed Speaker for DISC 2025!

DISC 2025 CONFIRMED SPEAKER: DIOGO CAMÕES

Diogo Camões is a casting director and the director-general of the Portuguese Academy of Cinema. Born in Lisbon, he studied film direction at ESTC (Portugal), completed an internship at ECAM (Spain), and received the INOV-ART Scholarship from the Portuguese Ministry of Culture.

His work as a casting director includes feature films such as Operation Autumn by Bruno de Almeida, Diamantino by Gabriel Abrantes & Daniel Schmidt, Légua by João Miller & Filipa Reis, and On Falling by Laura Carreira, as well as several series and short films.

Since joining the Portuguese Academy of Cinema in 2016, Diogo has served as creative director and producer of numerous initiatives — including two partnerships with Netflix: one promoting Portuguese films helmed by women, and the other, Pitch Me!, dedicated to empowering underrepresented communities in developing feature film and series projects.

As of 2023, Diogo was appointed director-general of the Portuguese Academy of Cinema and, in 2024, was elected to the Board of FACE – the Federation of Film Academies from Europe — while continuing his career as a casting director.

Guided by an unwavering sense of purpose and advocacy for equity and social justice, Diogo believes in the transformative power of film to catalyze meaningful change—an ethos that shapes every collaboration and community he engages with.

5- WHAT TO LISTEN TO WHILE WRITING: GLORIA LYNNE

Gloria Lynne's music is a captivating blend of jazz, pop, and R&B, delivered with a voice that is at once powerful, soulful, and incredibly nuanced. Her ability to effortlessly shift between a brassy, assertive tone and a hushed, intimate delivery creates a dynamic listening experience that is both engaging and remarkably soothing. The arrangements often feature lush orchestras or tight jazz combos, providing a rich, textured backdrop for her expressive vocals.

For those engaged in work that requires concentration, such as writing or analytical tasks, Gloria Lynne's music offers an ideal sonic companion. The absence of jarring shifts or overly aggressive instrumentation means her music can gently accompany your workflow, rather than competing for your attention, making it an excellent choice for enhancing productivity and fostering a pleasant working environment.

6- A MUST-WATCH: HACKS

If you’re not watching Hacks yet, you’re missing one of television’s sharpest and most emotionally layered comedies.With its biting humor and unexpected tenderness, the series stars Jean Smart as Deborah Vance, a legendary stand-up comic fighting to stay relevant, and Hannah Einbinder as Ava Daniels, a disgraced young writer trying to revive her career. Together, their clashing personalities and evolving partnership fuel a story that’s as hilarious as it is heartfelt.

With five seasons now under its belt—including a recently premiered fourth season in April 2025 and a fifth renewal already confirmed, Hacks continues to receive critical acclaim. It has racked up multiple Primetime Emmy Awards, including three wins for Smart’s magnetic performance, as well as honors for writing, directing, and two Golden Globes for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy. Blending dark comedy with emotional depth, the show explores the price of reinvention, the complexities of mentorship, and the unlikely ways connection can spark creativity.