The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) will shine the spotlight on actress and producer Kyra Sedgwick, and actor Bill Pullman, in it’s Signature Series, which features events that recognize distinguished artists of our time and honors them with an award and or intimate on-stage interview complemented by a feature presentation of their most recent film premiering at the fest.
For its 17th edition, WFF celebrates Kyra Sedgwick, who is attending the festival with her directorial debut and Canadian premiere of STORY OF A GIRL and as the Artist Spotlight and Luminary Award honoree. WFF will also honor acclaimed Bill Pullman, who is attending with the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN and as the Artist Tribute and Career Achievement Award honoree. Sedgwick and Pullman join this year’s Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch as well as actors Amanda Crew, Kevin Zegers, Rossif Sutherland and Shiva Negar who will be featured in a new Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent conversation to mark the centennial hosted by Canadian television and radio personality, George Stroumboulopoulos.
“WFF’s 2017 honorees represent notable talent at different stages of their careers. Some have created the most memorable stories and characters in recent decades and others have careers about to burst,” says Whistler Film Festival’s Director of Industry Programming, Angie Nolan. “It is such an honor to celebrate this diverse group of inspiring artists at all phases of their creative journey.”
Award winning actor Kyra Sedgwick has conquered stage, screen and television. Sedgwick is WFF’s Artist Spotlight honoree and will be receiving a Luminary Award, which recognizes a sublime artist whose body of work continues to inspire while shining a light on meaningful storytelling. Sedgwick has received multiple Golden Globe nominations (2007 win for THE CLOSER), Emmy nominations (2010 win for THE CLOSER), 7 SAG nominations as well as two Independent Spirit Award nominations, a Theater Award, Los Angeles Drama Desk Critics Circle Award and a Dramalogue Award. She is currently starring in and producing ABC’s limited series TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY. She recently appeared in THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, in which she co-stars opposite Woody Harrelson and Hailee Steinfeld, produced by James L. Brooks. Sedgwick is attending WFF with the Canadian premiere and her directorial debut, STORY OF A GIRL. The feature, which stars Ryann Shane alongside Sedgwick’s husband and daughter Kevin and Sosie Bacon, was originally produced for Lifetime and is based on a novel by Sara Zarr. With this film, Sedgwick tackles the very topical subject of online shaming and bullying with tact and sensitivity. A tale of personal courage and triumph, STORY OF A GIRL is a coming of age story about a young woman who finds the inner strength to overcome her past in order to become the author of her own future. Sedgwick displays a delicate sensitivity directing a young cast that has to deal with sensitive material at a time when stories like these are more important than ever.
Beloved American actor, Bill Pullman of stage, screen and television is WFF’s Tribute guest and the recipient of its’ 2017 Career Achievement Award. This award recognizes a formidable talent in film and television, whose longevity in storytelling and artistic achievement has culminated in a most prolific and inspiring career. Bill Pullman had his film debut in the 1986 film RUTHLESS PEOPLE and has since gone on to star in a multitude of films and television series where he created some of the most memorable characters in recent times. He is most known for his role as President Thomas J. Whitmore in INDEPENDENCE DAY as well as his role as Lone Starr in SPACEBALLS. Pullman can currently be seen on the hit USA television show, THE SINNER, which has been this summer’s highest rated show. Other notable film credits include: TROUBLE, WALKING OUT, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, THE EQUALIZER, SURVEILLANCE, THE COVE, BOTTLE SHOCK, SCARY MOVIE 4, THE GRUDGE, WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, THE LAST SEDUCTION, MR. JONES, MALICE, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, SINGLES, NEWSIES and LOST HIGHWAY. Additional television credits include 1600 PENN, TORCHWOOD and REVELATIONS. Current film releases include Fox’s BATTLE OF THE SEXES, appearing alongside Emma Stone and Steve Carrell, as well as Electric Entertainment’s LBJ in which he appears opposite Woody Harrelson. He is attending the Whistler Film Festival with A24’s western movie and the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN.
The Whistler Film Festival will host the Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch for the sixth consecutive year as the final event in its Signature Series program.
To celebrate Canada’s 150, WFF’s presents a new event, Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent featuring four Canadian actors to watch who are attending the fest with their latest films in conversation with George Stroumboulopoulos. The roster includes Rossif Sutherland (TRENCH 11), Kevin Zegers (SOMEONE ELSE’S WEDDING), Amanda Crew (JUGGERNAUT), and Shiva Negar (BECOMING BURLESQUE), all of which are WFF Alumni having attended previous fests except for Shiva Negar. The event will be hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos on December 2 at 1:30PM.Terry P.
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Whistler Film Festival Signature Series to Honor Kyra Sedgwick and Bill Pullman
The Whistler Film Festival (WFF) will shine the spotlight on actress and producer Kyra Sedgwick, and actor Bill Pullman, in it’s Signature Series, which features events that recognize distinguished artists of our time and honors them with an award and or intimate on-stage interview complemented by a feature presentation of their most recent film premiering at the fest.
For its 17th edition, WFF celebrates Kyra Sedgwick, who is attending the festival with her directorial debut and Canadian premiere of STORY OF A GIRL and as the Artist Spotlight and Luminary Award honoree. WFF will also honor acclaimed Bill Pullman, who is attending with the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN and as the Artist Tribute and Career Achievement Award honoree. Sedgwick and Pullman join this year’s Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch as well as actors Amanda Crew, Kevin Zegers, Rossif Sutherland and Shiva Negar who will be featured in a new Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent conversation to mark the centennial hosted by Canadian television and radio personality, George Stroumboulopoulos.
“WFF’s 2017 honorees represent notable talent at different stages of their careers. Some have created the most memorable stories and characters in recent decades and others have careers about to burst,” says Whistler Film Festival’s Director of Industry Programming, Angie Nolan. “It is such an honor to celebrate this diverse group of inspiring artists at all phases of their creative journey.”
Award winning actor Kyra Sedgwick has conquered stage, screen and television. Sedgwick is WFF’s Artist Spotlight honoree and will be receiving a Luminary Award, which recognizes a sublime artist whose body of work continues to inspire while shining a light on meaningful storytelling. Sedgwick has received multiple Golden Globe nominations (2007 win for THE CLOSER), Emmy nominations (2010 win for THE CLOSER), 7 SAG nominations as well as two Independent Spirit Award nominations, a Theater Award, Los Angeles Drama Desk Critics Circle Award and a Dramalogue Award. She is currently starring in and producing ABC’s limited series TEN DAYS IN THE VALLEY. She recently appeared in THE EDGE OF SEVENTEEN, written and directed by Kelly Fremon Craig, in which she co-stars opposite Woody Harrelson and Hailee Steinfeld, produced by James L. Brooks. Sedgwick is attending WFF with the Canadian premiere and her directorial debut, STORY OF A GIRL. The feature, which stars Ryann Shane alongside Sedgwick’s husband and daughter Kevin and Sosie Bacon, was originally produced for Lifetime and is based on a novel by Sara Zarr. With this film, Sedgwick tackles the very topical subject of online shaming and bullying with tact and sensitivity. A tale of personal courage and triumph, STORY OF A GIRL is a coming of age story about a young woman who finds the inner strength to overcome her past in order to become the author of her own future. Sedgwick displays a delicate sensitivity directing a young cast that has to deal with sensitive material at a time when stories like these are more important than ever.
Beloved American actor, Bill Pullman of stage, screen and television is WFF’s Tribute guest and the recipient of its’ 2017 Career Achievement Award. This award recognizes a formidable talent in film and television, whose longevity in storytelling and artistic achievement has culminated in a most prolific and inspiring career. Bill Pullman had his film debut in the 1986 film RUTHLESS PEOPLE and has since gone on to star in a multitude of films and television series where he created some of the most memorable characters in recent times. He is most known for his role as President Thomas J. Whitmore in INDEPENDENCE DAY as well as his role as Lone Starr in SPACEBALLS. Pullman can currently be seen on the hit USA television show, THE SINNER, which has been this summer’s highest rated show. Other notable film credits include: TROUBLE, WALKING OUT, INDEPENDENCE DAY: RESURGENCE, THE EQUALIZER, SURVEILLANCE, THE COVE, BOTTLE SHOCK, SCARY MOVIE 4, THE GRUDGE, WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING, THE LAST SEDUCTION, MR. JONES, MALICE, SLEEPLESS IN SEATTLE, A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, SINGLES, NEWSIES and LOST HIGHWAY. Additional television credits include 1600 PENN, TORCHWOOD and REVELATIONS. Current film releases include Fox’s BATTLE OF THE SEXES, appearing alongside Emma Stone and Steve Carrell, as well as Electric Entertainment’s LBJ in which he appears opposite Woody Harrelson. He is attending the Whistler Film Festival with A24’s western movie and the Canadian premiere of THE BALLAD OF LEFTY BROWN.
The Whistler Film Festival will host the Variety 10 Screenwriters to Watch for the sixth consecutive year as the final event in its Signature Series program.
To celebrate Canada’s 150, WFF’s presents a new event, Canada 150 Spotlight on Talent featuring four Canadian actors to watch who are attending the fest with their latest films in conversation with George Stroumboulopoulos. The roster includes Rossif Sutherland (TRENCH 11), Kevin Zegers (SOMEONE ELSE’S WEDDING), Amanda Crew (JUGGERNAUT), and Shiva Negar (BECOMING BURLESQUE), all of which are WFF Alumni having attended previous fests except for Shiva Negar. The event will be hosted by George Stroumboulopoulos on December 2 at 1:30PM.
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Greenwich Entertainment to Release Matt Tyrnauer’s Documentary SCOTTY AND THE SECRET HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD
Matt Tyrnauer’s documentary SCOTTY AND THE SECRET HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD which premiered to strong reviews and sold-out crowds at the Toronto International Film Festival in September will be released theatrically in April of 2018 by recently formed NYC-based distributor Greenwich Entertainment.
Best known for his acclaimed films VALENTINO: THE LAST EMPEROR and CITIZEN JANE: BATTLE FOR THE CITY, Tyrnauer’s latest film tells the story of Scotty Bowers, a World War II Marine combat veteran who became a legendary bi-sexual male hustler and all-purpose date-arranger for Hollywood movie stars from the 1940’s through the beginning of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980’s.
The film has been called “the juiciest documentary in years” (Vulture), “criminally entertaining” (Vanity Fair ), and a “resonant and funny portrait of a larger-than-life character” (The Film Stage).
At the age of 89, Bowers’ 2012 tell-all biography “Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars” (Grove Press) was a best-selling sensation, and offered a powerful counter-narrative of Hollywood, as well as a revised view of the intimate lives of many of the greatest names of Hollywood’s Golden Age. The cinema verite feature film contains a nuanced portrait of the now 94-year-old Bowers, and also contains fresh revelations, and a trove of newly discovered archival footage and photos of Bowers from the 40s, 50s and beyond. The film documents how Bowers became a confidante, aide de camp and lover to many of Hollywood’s greatest male–and female—stars. Out of a gas station in the shadow of the studio lots, he began connecting his band of friends from the military with those who had to hide their often complex true sexual identities from the public in the pre-Stonewall
era.
Prepare yourself for a different take on Cary Grant, Katherine Hepburn, Spencer Tracy, Lana Turner, Ava Gardner and many more icons from the Hollywood Golden Age. Bowers, with the vigor of someone decades younger is an unparalleled raconteur. Tyrnauer’s camera follows him over several months as he meets up with old colleagues—some of them from his L.A. Confidential-esque gas stations days–who corroborate his picaresque tales.
“Scotty is a classic American type: fun, happy-go-lucky, eager to please, big-hearted and literally up for anything – a “greatest generation” guy who was also perhaps was one of the great sexual athletes of his day. Matt captures the still-spry, and now 94-year-old Scotty brilliantly and uses his story as a jumping off place to evoke a secret bygone Hollywood and the pressure on that era’s film stars to conform publicly, at least, to the unvarying standard of monogamous heterosexuality,” said Greenwich co-managing director Ed Arentz. “We’re thrilled to have it as one of our inaugural releases.”
Tyrnauer, also a journalist (former editor-at-large of Vanity Fair) long heard about Bowers and his gas station in the course of reporting stores about the hidden history of Los Angeles. Eventually, he discovered that the elusive Scotty was still alive and living in Laurel Canyon. “From the moment I met Scotty, I felt he was one of the most extraordinary characters I’d ever come across. He’s one of the last living links to a very different time in Hollywood—and the rest of the world–when same-sexuality was an unmentionable taboo, punishable by prison sentences. Scotty allowed people to live more authentic lives by arranging liaisons for people who, by great necessity, had to hide their true identities to shield themselves from dire consequences,” Tyrnauer said. “I’m really looking forward to collaborating with Ed and the team at Greenwich Entertainment to share Scotty’s story and get this film seen by audiences across North America.”
SCOTTY AND THE SECRET HISTORY OF HOLLYWOOD had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, recently had its international premiere at the Rome Film Festival, and its U.S. premiere Saturday at DOC NYC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FExFEVQyAw
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Anna Jadowska WILD ROSES Wins Stockholm Impact Award at Stockholm Film Festival
One of the world’s biggest cash prizes for film – the Stockholm Impact Award at Stockholm Film Festival went to Anna Jadowska for her film Wild Roses. Jadowska won the prize worth one million SEK and the award designed by the Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.
Ana Jadowska won “For the sensitive depiction of a mother who refuses to abandon her true self, for the portrait of a revolting child that questions an utterly conservative society, for the visually exquisite style that contrasts with a world plunged in prejudice and moral coercion, the Stockholm Impact Award goes to Anna Jadowska for Wild Roses, a metaphor for human resilience.”
“Thank you so much for this award, I’m very honored. A special thanks to the Stockholm International Film Festival, the festival director, organizers, the city, of Stockholm and members of the jury. I had a long and difficult journey with this movie and to receive this award means a lot to me since it will give me the opportunity to do another film” says winning director Anna Jadowska.
Director Anna Jadowska presents a powerful story about a woman facing the difficulties of following her own desires in a small, conservative and gossip-filled village. With striking forest imagery that beautifully captures light drizzling through branches, the film is an exceptional portrayal of a woman and her environment. While examining the plights of women in a conservative society, however, Wild Roses is also a touching depiction of the relationship between mother and daughter.
The other nominated movies and directors were:
Cardinals by Grayson Moore & Aidan Shipley
The Last Verse by Ying-Ting Tseng
My Pure Land by Sarman Masud
Searing Summer by Ebrahim Irajzad
The section Stockholm Impact Award is a collaboration between the Stockholm International Film Festival and the City of Stockholm with the purpose to highlight the possibility of film to create change and debate through the depiction of contemporary subjects. The prize amount of one million SEK will help the winner in the development of new film projects.
Last year the director Wayne Roberts (USA) won the award for Katie Says Goodbye.
2015 the director Leena Yadav (India) won the award for Parched.
Photo: Anna Jadowska – Wild Roses, (pictured center) 2017 Stockholm Impact Award Winner
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SKID ROW MARATHON and STUCK Win Top Prizes at Napa Valley Film Festival
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Skid Row Marathon[/caption]
The 7th Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) announced this year’s juried and audience award winners at the Uptown Theatre in Napa on Saturday, November 11, 2017. The Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature went to Stuck, and Skid Row Marathon snagged both the Jury and Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature .
“We applaud our award winners and thank all of this year’s filmmakers for sharing their beautiful stories with us,” said Festival Co-Founder and Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. “It has been a tough road getting to this year’s festival, but what a perfect way to celebrate great storytelling in all its forms and to showcase the strength and resilience of our Napa Valley community.”
2017 Napa Valley Film Festival Juried Awards
Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature: Stuck. Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature: Skid Row Marathon. Jury Award for Best Screenplay: The House of Tomorrow. Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast: The Boy Downstairs. Jury Award for Best Narrative Short: The Dam. Jury Award for Best Documentary Short: The Tables. Jury Award for Best Lounge Feature: Quest. Jury Award for Best Lounge Short: The Arrival. Special Jury Award – For Depth and Grace in Documentary Filmmaking: The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin. Special Jury Award – Best Breakout Performance in a Lounge Feature Film: Mackenzie Davis for her work in the film Izzy Gets the Fuck Across Town.2017 Napa Valley Film Festival Audience Awards
Audience Award for Favorite Actor: Gregory Kasyan for his work in the film Quest. Audience Award for Favorite Actress: Olivia Holt for her work in the film Class Rank. Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Feature: Skid Row Marathon. Honorable Mention goes to 40 years in the Making: The Magic Music Movie Audience Award for Favorite Documentary Short: Make It Work: The Idea. Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Feature: Quest. Honorable Mention goes to Stuck. Audience Award for Favorite Narrative Short: The Final Show Honorable Mentions go to Life Boat and Brothers. Audience Award for Favorite Short Feature: Taming Wild: A Girl and a Mustang.
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26 Animated Feature Films Submitted for 90th Academy Awards
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Loving Vincent[/caption]
Twenty-six features have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 90th Academy Awards. Films submitted in the Animated Feature Film category also may qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture.
Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. The 90th Oscars® will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood.
The submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are:
The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales
Birdboy: The Forgotten Children
The Boss Baby
The Breadwinner
Captain Underpants The First Epic Movie
Cars 3
Cinderella the Cat
Coco
Despicable Me 3
The Emoji Movie
Ethel & Ernest
Ferdinand
The Girl without Hands
In This Corner of the World
The Lego Batman Movie
The Lego Ninjago Movie
Loving Vincent
Mary and the Witch’s Flower
Moomins and the Winter Wonderland
My Entire High School Sinking into the Sea
Napping Princess
A Silent Voice
Smurfs: The Lost Village
The Star
Sword Art Online: The Movie – Ordinal Scale
Window Horses The Poetic Persian Epiphany of Rosie Ming
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Sundance Selects will Release Rachel Dretzin’s Documentary FAR FROM THE TREE
Ahead of its world premiere today, November 10, at DOC NYC, Sundance Selects has acquired Rachel Dretzin’s documentary Far From the Tree, for a theatrical release in Summer 2018.
Based on the award-winning book by acclaimed author Andrew Solomon, Far From the Tree is an inspiring look at the difficulties and rewards of both raising and being a child whose life is vastly different from that of his or her parents. Directed and produced by Emmy®Award-winner Dretzin, the film follows several families as they cope with the challenges presented by Down syndrome, dwarfism, autism and even having a child in prison. The film shares their intimate stories with touching candor, and in doing so reveals basic truths about all parents and all children, truths of acceptance and love that feel especially urgent at this historic moment.
Solomon commented on the news, saying: “I was delighted to find in Rachel Dretzin a filmmaker who could translate my book into a gorgeous and compelling film, and now I’m thrilled that the film has found in Sundance Selects a distributor who shares our vision. This will be the perfect path for this deeply moving film to meet its audience.”
Dretzin added: “Sundance Selects has a fantastic track record and their plans for the film are very much in sync with what we had hoped for. It’s a delight and an honor to have them on board.”
“Far From the Tree is an inspiring and irresistibly moving journey into the differences that make us who we are. It builds on Andrew Solomon’s landmark book to paint a complex and universal portrait of acceptance with an empathy and scale that only true cinema can do,” said Jonathan Sehring and Lisa Schwartz, co-Presidents of Sundance Selects/IFC Films.
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Documentary THE SECRET LIFE OF LANCE LETSCHER Will Premiere on Ovation [TRAILER]
The documentary The Secret Life of Lance Letscher, is a deeply personal and psychological portrait of internationally-renowned collage artist Lance Letscher, told through biographical memories of trauma and triumph. Featuring interviews with collectors, fellow artists, art critics and friends, the film provides a doorway into Letscher’s unique artistry and his brilliant mind. The critically acclaimed documentary from director Sandra Adair, will debut on Ovation, America’s only arts network, as the “Artists and Icons” movie of the week on Sunday, November 19, 2017 at 7pm ET / 4pm PT.
The Secret Life of Lance Letscher, includes images of more than a hundred of his intricate and complex collages, sculptures and installations. Letscher is internationally famous for taking bits of old books, magazines, newspaper clippings, old letters, catalogues, posters, album covers and other found objects from flea markets and junk yards across Texas and assembling them into startlingly intricate art. He has exhibited extensively across the U.S. and abroad including Austin, Houston, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, as well as in London, Brussels, Munich and Barcelona and his works are represented in the collections of the Austin Museum of Art, Austin and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
The documentary film is directed, produced and edited by Sandra Adair, A.C.E. Adair is an Academy Award-nominated feature film editor (Boyhood) and is making her directorial debut with The Secret Life of Lance Letscher.
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VIDEO: Watch New Trailer for Uplifting Family Romance FOREVER MY GIRL
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Forever My Girl[/caption]
A new trailer is here for the uplifting family romance Forever My Girl which will be released wide in theaters on January 19, 2018.
Forever My Girl tells the story of music super-star Liam Page (Alex Roe) who left his bride, Josie (Jessica Rothe), at the altar choosing fame and fortune instead. However, Liam never got over Josie, his one true love, nor did he ever forget his Southern roots in the small community where he was born and raised. When he unexpectedly returns to his hometown for the funeral of his high school best friend, Liam is suddenly faced with the consequences of all that he left behind.
Written and directed by Bethany Ashton Wolf based upon the novel by Heidi McLaughlin, the film stars Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe, Abby Ryder Fortson, Travis Tritt, Judith Hoag and John Benjamin Hickey.
https://youtu.be/5iEOQn8UUHI
Executive Music Producer Brett Boyett assembled some of the biggest and most respected names in country music to perform the film’s original songs including white-hot CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Lauren Alaina performing WINGS OF AN ANGEL. Alaina also performs a duet with Phillip Sweet, member of four-time CMA-nominated Little Big Town, titled ENOUGH. The film’s star Alex Roe performs four original songs including DON’T WATER DOWN MY WHISKEY, ENOUGH, SMOKIN’ AND CRYIN’ and FINALLY HOME (with co-star Abby Ryder Fortson). In addition, co-star and award-winning singer/songwriter Travis Tritt performs SLOWING DOWN with additional contributions made by Josh Turner, Dan Tyminski, Destin Bennett and Canaan Smith.
ORIGINAL SONGS / Performers
ALWAYS AND FOREVER / Canaan Smith
BACK FROM GONE / Josh Turner
CAN’T TAME A FIRE / Dan Tyminski
DON’T WATER DOWN MY WHISKEY / Alex Roe
ENOUGH / Lauren Alaina & Phillip Sweet
FINALLY HOME / Alex Roe with Abby Ryder Fortson
SLOWING DOWN / Travis Tritt
SMOKIN’ AND CRYIN’ / Alex Roe
SOLID GROUND / Brett Boyett
WHO NEEDS MEXICO / Canaan Smith
WILD AND FREE / Destin Bennett
WINGS OF AN ANGEL / Lauren Alaina
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Austin Film Festival Announces 2017 Audience Award Winners . COMING TO MY SENSES Wins Courage Award
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Coming to My Senses[/caption]
The Austin Film Festival announced its 2017 Hiscox Audience and Courage Award Winners. The 2017 Hiscox Courage Award went to Coming to My Senses, directed by Dominic Gill. Coming to My Senses is a documentary feature that follows Aaron Baker, a man who faces insurmountable odds and learns to walk again after breaking his neck in a motocross accident, leaving him paralyzed from the neck down. Voted on by the audience, the Hiscox Courage Award is presented to the work that best embodies the virtue of courage and to the filmmaker who best embraced the risk to share the story.
2017 Austin Film Festival Hiscox Audience Award winners
Narrative Feature: Beauty Mark, written by Harris Doran Documentary Feature (tie): Transformer, directed by Michael Del Monte Documentary Feature (tie): Mr. Fish: Cartooning from the Deep End, directed by Pablo Bryant Dark Matters Feature: The Landing, written by David Dodson and Mark Dodson Comedy Vanguard Feature: Don’t Talk to Irene, written by Pat Mills Narrative Short: So Much Yellow, written by Erica Milsom Documentary Short: So Damn Glad, directed by Justin Lubke Animated Short: Negative Space, written by Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata Narrative Student Short: Towards the Sun, written by Elie Choufany and Monica Santis Scripted Digital Series: Cleaner Daze, created by Tess Sweet and Daniel Gambelin Marquee Feature: Mudbound, written by Dee Rees and Virgil Williams Marquee Television: The Deuce (S1E08: “My Name is Ruby”), written by George Pelecanos and David Simon
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SUN DOGS and RESISTANCE IS LIFE Win Top Awards at Savannah Film Festival
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Sun Dogs[/caption]
Sun Dogs and Resistance is Life won the top prizes at the 20th anniversary SCAD Savannah Film Festival. Eleven awards were handed out to the competition films winners during a celebratory luncheon, held at the historic Olde Pink House.
2017 SCAD Savannah Film Festival Award Winners
Narrative and Documentary Features
Best Narrative Feature: Sun Dogs (USA) – Intellectually limited from an accident at birth, Ned Chipley has failed four times to join the Marines. He teams up with a young runaway and the two surveil a group of young men they mistake as terrorists. The pair’s misadventures lead to the unexpected discovery that sometimes the greatest purpose in life can present itself in the most unlikely of places. Director: Jennifer Morrison Best Director: Ian Hunt Duffy, Gridlock (Ireland) – During a traffic jam on a country road, a little girl goes missing from one of the cars. Her father desperately forms a search party to find her, and soon everyone is a suspect. Director Ian Hunt Duffy Best Documentary Feature: Resistance is Life (Syria/Turkey/USA) – From a refugee camp on the Turkish–Syrian border, 8-year-old Evlin characterizes the resilience of her homeland’s resistance against jihadists. Her heroes, the Kurdish female fighters, are defending the city of Kobane against ISIS militants. Evlin takes us on a journey that introduces many different faces of the resistance, provides a unique look at the spirit behind the first major victory against ISIS and shows us that hope and resilience prevail even in the most tragic circumstances. Director: Apo W. Bazidi Special Jury Award: Best Family Documentary: Through the Windmill (USA)- Explore the history of miniature golf in the U.S., and how these unique, family-friendly roadside attractions have evolved over the last 100 years. Hear from the talented people who design, build and operate them in interviews with top designers, players and historians. Director Amanda Kulkoski Best Editing: Five Minutes (USA) – A progressive elementary school’s parenting class takes an unexpected and dramatic turn. Director Justine BatemanProfessional Shorts
Best Animated Short: Follow Your Heart (USA) – In a world where people’s hearts are detached from their bodies and are like pets, Mary loses “Skip,” only to rediscover herself and learn what it means to follow your heart. Director Rob O’Neill Best Narrative Short: The Silent Child (UK) – In rural England, a profoundly deaf four-year-old girl named Libby lives in a world of silence until a caring social worker teaches her the gift of communication. Director Chris Overton Special Jury Award: Stop Motion Animation Poles Apart (UK) – An unlikely meeting occurs between Nanuk, a tough female polar bear, and Aklak, an enthusiastic male grizzly bear, brought together by their changing habitats. Director Paloma BaezaStudent Awards
Best Student Short: It’s Just a Gun (USA) – When a young boy finds a .38 caliber Smith & Wesson revolver, it sets in motion a series of events that will change him forever. Director: Brain Robau Special Jury Award: Poles Apart (USA) – An unlikely meeting occurs between Nanuk, a tough female polar bear, and Aklak, an enthusiastic male grizzly bear, brought together by their changing habitats. Director Paloma Baeza Silver Screen Society Award (Best Short Film by a SCAD Student): I Have Something to Tell You (USA) – Adrain Chesser, a fine-art photographer, uses his work to cope with his HIV/AIDS diagnosis in this acclaimed portrait series. Director Dumaine Babcock and Ben Joyner Best Student Animation: Icky (Iran) – In a world of people with a Rubik’s cube head, there is one kid who is different than the others. Director Parastoo Cardgar
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A TAXI DRIVER Wins Best Picture + Top Awards at Asian World Film Festival
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A Taxi Driver[/caption]
The 3rd Asian World Film Festival came to a close with George Takei’s Allegiance: The Broadway Musical on the Big Screen. A Taxi Driver was the top film of the 2017 Festival, winning the award for Best Picture, along with a Special Mention to actress Kang-ho Song for her performance in the film. The film was also awarded Dr. Kim’s ‘He Can Do She Can Do’ Award.
The AWFF Jury Awards
Snow Leopard Best Picture: A Taxi Driver (Dir: Jang Joon, Republic of Korea) Snow Leopard Best Actor: Actor and director, Aktan Arym Kubat in Centaur, (Kyrgyzstan) Snow Leopard Best Actress: Anoma Janadari in Burning Birds (Dir: Sanjeewa Pushpaumara, Sri Lanka). A Special Mention was given to Kang-ho Song in A Taxi Driver. Snow Leopard Special Jury Award: Mad World (Dir: Wong Chun, Hong Kong). Snow Leopard Audience Award was given to Ayla: The Daughter of War (Dir: Can Ulkay, Turkey). Snow Leopard Best New Director Award was awarded to two winners: Scary Mother Dir: Ana Urushadze (Georgia); and How Victor “The Garlic” Took Alexey “The Stud” To The Nursing Home Dir: Alexander Hant (Russia).Other awards
Dr. Kim’s ‘He Can Do She Can Do’ Award, and cash prize of $10,000 was awarded to A Taxi Driver (Dir: Jang Hoon,Republic of Korea). The Snow Leopard Rising Star Award was presented to Sreymoch Sareum for her role in First They Killed My Father. The film’s director, producer and co-screenwriter Angelina Jolie and co-screenwriter and executive producer, Loung Ong, accepted the award on Sreymoch’s behalf at a special screening of the film . The Spirit Award for Dedication and Passion was given to Vietnamese actress Ha Phuong; and the Murray Weissman Poster Art Award was given to Little Gandhi (Dir: Sam Kadi, Syria; designer: Brian A. Metcalf). Little Gandhi is Syria’s 2017 Foreign Language Film Oscar contender. George Takei was honored with the Snow Leopard Lifetime Achievement Award for his activism work within the LBGTQ community.
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59th Nordic Film Days Lübeck Award Winners – THE CHARMER Wins NDR Film Prize
The Charmer (Charmøren), the feature debut of director Milad Alami from Denmark is the winner of the NDR Film Prize at the 59th Nordic Film Days Lübeck.