It’s been 25 years since Spy Kids first hit theaters, and the adventure still isn’t over! In this special interview, Alexa PenaVega (Carmen Cortez) and Daryl Sabara (Juni Cortez) look back at the legacy of the iconic family action film, share behind-the-scenes memories, and talk about what it’s like revisiting the Spy Kids universe decades later.

The duo also discuss working with visionary director Robert Rodriguez, how he is helping the Texas film industry, and how their friendship has evolved after all these years. From wild gadgets to unforgettable moments on set, Alexa and Daryl reflect on the impact Spy Kids has had on them—and on a whole generation that grew up with the Cortez family.

If you grew up with Spy Kids, this conversation is a nostalgic trip you won’t want to miss!

On Thursday, March 5th the Austin Film Society hosted the 26th annual 2026 Texas Film Awards at Troublemaker Studios in Austin, TX with guests attending including honorees Julian Schnabel, Sydney Chandler, Sonny Carl Davis and Robert Rodriguez, Elizabeth Avellán, Daryl Sabara, and Alexa PenaVega with the 25th Anniversary of Spy Kids into the Texas Hall of Fame.  Presenters included Kyle Chandler, Mike Blizzard, Richard Linklater, and Gabriel Luna.

In this exclusive interview, visionary filmmaker Minos Papas sits down to discuss his haunting new feature, MOTHERWITCH (2026) — a dark, atmospheric descent into folklore, motherhood, and psychological terror.

Papas opens up about the origins of the story, the symbolism behind the film’s chilling imagery, and the emotional core that drives MOTHERWITCH. We explore the creative process, on-set challenges, casting choices, visual style, and how Minos and his team reincarnated a lost Greek dialect from the 19th century to bring a level of authenticity to the project.

The film is currently playing at the European Film Market (EFM) and will later be showcased at Marché du film de Cannes in May.

Synopsis: Eleni, a painter in Cyprus in 1882, reaches into the shadows to resurrect her lost children, but instead summons the ancient Kalikantzari of Cypriot lore. She must now confront the storm of her grief and anger and lift the curse.

The trend of video game adaptations is once again gaining momentum in Hollywood. From Minecraft and Five Nights at Freddy’s to the latest Resident Evil installment—and now a film adaptation of the acclaimed indie horror game The Mortuary Assistant—studios are continuing to explore the storytelling potential of the gaming world.

I recently sat down with director Jeremiah Kipp to discuss the unique challenges of translating an interactive horror experience to the big screen, the creative collaboration with Willa Holland (Arrow), and what it was like working alongside the legendary creature performer Mark Steger to bring the film’s terrifying presence to life.

The Mortuary Assistant arrives in theaters on February 13 and will be available to stream on Shudder beginning March 27.

Synopsis: During her first overnight shift at the morgue, newly hired mortician Rebecca Owens falls victim to possession from a demonic entity.