The Square[/caption]
The Square written and directed by Ruben Östlund is the big winner at this year’s 2017 European Film Awards held today in Berlin, winning 6 major awards including Best Film, Best Comedy, Best Director and Best Director for Ruben Östlund; and Best Actor for Claes Bang.
Terry P.
VIMOOZ is for lovers of independent films + foreign film + documentary + film festivals. We love championing the little films.
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THE SQUARE Sweeps 2017 European Film Awards, Wins Best Film, Best Director
[caption id="attachment_22898" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The Square[/caption]
The Square written and directed by Ruben Östlund is the big winner at this year’s 2017 European Film Awards held today in Berlin, winning 6 major awards including Best Film, Best Comedy, Best Director and Best Director for Ruben Östlund; and Best Actor for Claes Bang.
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World Premiere of Emilio Estevez’s THE PUBLIC to Open 2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival | Trailer
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The Public[/caption]
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival will open with the worldwide premiere of The Public at the Arlington Theatre on Wednesday, January 31, 2018. The Public, written and directed by Emilio Estevez, stars Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone, Christian Slater, Taylor Schilling, Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Gabrielle Union, Jacob Vargas, Michael K. Williams, and Jeffrey Wright.
“I’ve long admired Emilio Estevez as an artist – actor – director. With the public – I feel he has done his most personal and fully realized work. the public speaks wonderfully about our current divided country – but it also does not preach – it keeps us cinematically immersed. I can honestly say this is the proudest choice for opening during my tenure at SBIFF. I cherish the friendship with Emilio and admire his accomplishment with the public,” stated Roger Durling, Executive Director of SBIFF.
The Public follows a group of homeless library patrons, who, after learning that emergency shelters are at capacity during a brutal Midwestern cold front, refuse to leave Cincinnati’s downtown public library at closing time.
In what begins as a nonviolent Occupy sit in and ragtag act of civil disobedience, quickly escalates into a stand-off with local riot police, a no-nonsense crisis negotiator, and a savvy DA with lofty political ambitions.
Amidst dropping temperatures and flaring tempers on both sides of the lockdown, uncertainty looms around how the situation can be resolved without resorting to violence, while law enforcement officials and local media spin the facts to serve their own political agendas.
This David versus Goliath story puts the spotlight on some of our nation’s most challenging issues: homelessness, mental illness, and drug addiction, and sets the drama inside one of our last bastions of democracy-in-action: your public library.
“I’m absolutely delighted, thrilled, and humbled to be chosen by Roger Durling for the great honor of kicking off SBIFF 2018 with the public. Roger’s long standing commitment of supporting independent filmmakers makes the Santa Barbara International Film Festival a vital showcase for artists. Once again, the festival will screen a wide and wonderful variety of distinguished films and our picture has indeed, found itself in some lovely company,” says Emilio Estevez.
The 33rd annual festival runs from Wednesday, January 31 through Saturday, February 10, 2018.
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Milwaukee Film Festival Announces 2018 Festival Dates
Celebrating a decade in the community, Milwaukee Film today announced that the 2018 Milwaukee Film Festival will take place from October 18 to November 1, 2018. The annual 15-day festival will include feature films, shorts programs, education screenings, post-film conversations, panels, and parties.
“We couldn’t have reached this incredible milestone without the warm embrace of the Milwaukee community,” states Jonathan Jackson, Executive and Artistic Director of Milwaukee Film. “Over the past ten years, we have strived to bring the best independent and international cinema to the city, and our amazing audience, members, donors, and sponsors have repaid us in kind, allowing for this period of unprecedented growth. We look forward to bringing the best in film to you for decades to come.”
Festival organizers hope the later dates will expand programming opportunities to gain access to premieres from such renowned festivals as the Toronto International Film Festival, Festival de Cannes, and Telluride Film Festival.
The Call for Entries for the 2018 Milwaukee Film Festival will open in January 2018.
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American Film Institute Announces AFI AWARDS 2017 – Top 10 Films of 2017
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The Florida Project[/caption]
The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the Official Selections of AFI AWARDS 2017, celebrating the year’s most outstanding 10 films and 10 television programsdeemed culturally and artistically significant.
In addition to the 20 honorees, AFI also recognizes THE VIETNAM WAR with an AFI Special Award.
AFI AWARDS is a coveted honor for its noncompetitive celebration of collaboration. Honorees are selected based on works that advance the art of the moving image, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America’s art form, inspire audiences and artists alike and make a mark on American society.
“At a time when the world seems defined by division, storytellers bring us together as one,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “AFI AWARDS is honored to celebrate this community of artists who challenge and inspire us, entertain and enlighten us — ultimately reminding us of our common heartbeat.”
Honorees will gather on January 5, 2018, for recognition at the annual AFI AWARDS private luncheon in Los Angeles, CA.
AFI MOVIES OF THE YEAR
THE BIG SICK CALL ME BY YOUR NAME DUNKIRK THE FLORIDA PROJECT GET OUT LADY BIRD THE POST THE SHAPE OF WATER THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI WONDER WOMANAFI TV PROGRAMS OF THE YEAR
BIG LITTLE LIES THE CROWN FEUD: BETTE AND JOAN GAME OF THRONES THE GOOD PLACE THE HANDMAID’S TALE INSECURE MASTER OF NONE STRANGER THINGS 2 THIS IS USAFI SPECIAL AWARD
THE VIETNAM WAR
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15 Documentary Feature Films Advance in Oscar Race
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Human Flow[/caption]
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has selected 15 films in the Documentary Feature category that will advance in the voting process for the 90th Academy Awards. One hundred seventy films were originally submitted in the category.
The Academy’s Documentary Branch will now select the five nominees from among the 15 titles.
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, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.
The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” Mitten Media, Motto Pictures, Kartemquin Educational Films
and WGBH/FRONTLINE
“Chasing Coral,” Exposure Labs in partnership with The Ocean Agency & View Into the Blue
in association with Argent Pictures & The Kendeda Fund
“City of Ghosts,” Our Time Projects and Jigsaw Productions
“Ex Libris – The New York Public Library,” Ex Libris Films
“Faces Places,” Ciné Tamaris
“Human Flow,” Participant Media and AC Films
“Icarus,” Netflix Documentary in association with Impact Partners, Diamond Docs, Chicago
Media Project and Alex Productions
“An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power,” Paramount Pictures and Participant Media
“Jane,” National Geographic Studios in association with Public Road Productions
“LA 92,” Lightbox
“Last Men in Aleppo,” Larm Film
“Long Strange Trip,” Double E Pictures, AOMA Sunshine Films and Sikelia
“One of Us,” Loki Films
“Strong Island,” Yanceville Films and Louverture Films
“Unrest,” Shella Films and Little by Little Films
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THE SHAPE OF WATER Leads with 14 Nominations for 23rd Critics’ Choice Awards
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Sally Hawkins and Octavia Spencer in the film THE SHAPE OF WATER.[/caption]
“The Shape of Water” leads the nominations for the 23rd Annual Critics’ Choice Awards with 14 nods including Best Picture, and Best Director for Guillermo del Toro. The winners will be revealed live at the star-studded Critics’ Choice Awards gala on Thursday, January 11, 2018 on the CW Network .
“Call Me By Your Name,” “Dunkirk,” “Lady Bird,” and “The Post” impressed with eight nominations each, and are all in the running for Best Picture and Best Director, among others. “Blade Runner 2049” earned seven nominations, followed by “The Big Sick” and “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” each with six, and “Get Out” and “I, Tonya” with five.
FILM NOMINATIONS FOR THE 23rd ANNUAL CRITICS’ CHOICE AWARDS
BEST PICTURE
The Big Sick Call Me by Your Name Darkest Hour Dunkirk The Florida Project Get Out Lady Bird The Post The Shape of Water Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriBEST ACTOR
Timothée Chalamet – Call Me by Your Name James Franco – The Disaster Artist Jake Gyllenhaal – Stronger Tom Hanks – The Post Daniel Kaluuya – Get Out Daniel Day-Lewis – Phantom Thread Gary Oldman – Darkest HourBEST ACTRESS
Jessica Chastain – Molly’s Game Sally Hawkins – The Shape of Water Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Margot Robbie – I, Tonya Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird Meryl Streep – The PostBEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
Willem Dafoe – The Florida Project Armie Hammer – Call Me By Your Name Richard Jenkins – The Shape of Water Sam Rockwell – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Patrick Stewart – Logan Michael Stuhlbarg – Call Me by Your NameBEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
Mary J. Blige – Mudbound Hong Chau – Downsizing Tiffany Haddish – Girls Trip Holly Hunter – The Big Sick Allison Janney – I, Tonya Laurie Metcalf – Lady Bird Octavia Spencer – The Shape of WaterBEST YOUNG ACTOR/ACTRESS
Mckenna Grace – Gifted Dafne Keen – Logan Brooklynn Prince – The Florida Project Millicent Simmonds – Wonderstruck Jacob Tremblay – WonderBEST ACTING ENSEMBLE
Dunkirk Lady Bird Mudbound The Post Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, MissouriBEST DIRECTOR
Guillermo del Toro – The Shape of Water Greta Gerwig – Lady Bird Martin McDonagh – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Christopher Nolan – Dunkirk Luca Guadagnino – Call Me By Your Name Jordan Peele – Get Out Steven Spielberg – The PostBEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Guillermo del Toro and Vanessa Taylor – The Shape of Water Greta Gerwig – Lady Bird Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani – The Big Sick Liz Hannah and Josh Singer – The Post Martin McDonagh – Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri Jordan Peele – Get OutBEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
James Ivory – Call Me by Your Name Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber – The Disaster Artist Dee Rees and Virgil Williams – Mudbound Aaron Sorkin – Molly’s Game Jack Thorne, Steve Conrad, Stephen Chbosky – WonderBEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Roger Deakins – Blade Runner 2049 Hoyte van Hoytema – Dunkirk Dan Laustsen – The Shape of Water Rachel Morrison – Mudbound Sayombhu Mukdeeprom – Call Me By Your NameBEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
Paul Denham Austerberry, Shane Vieau, Jeff Melvin – The Shape of Water Jim Clay, Rebecca Alleway – Murder on the Orient Express Nathan Crowley, Gary Fettis – Dunkirk Dennis Gassner, Alessandra Querzola – Blade Runner 2049 Sarah Greenwood, Katie Spencer – Beauty and the Beast Mark Tildesley, Véronique Melery – Phantom ThreadBEST EDITING
Michael Kahn, Sarah Broshar – The Post Paul Machliss, Jonathan Amos – Baby Driver Lee Smith – Dunkirk Joe Walker – Blade Runner 2049 Sidney Wolinsky – The Shape of WaterBEST COSTUME DESIGN
Renée April – Blade Runner 2049 Mark Bridges – Phantom Thread Jacqueline Durran – Beauty and the Beast Lindy Hemming – Wonder Woman Luis Sequeira – The Shape of WaterBEST HAIR AND MAKEUP
Beauty and the Beast Darkest Hour I, Tonya The Shape of Water WonderBEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Blade Runner 2049 Dunkirk The Shape of Water Thor: Ragnarok War for the Planet of the Apes Wonder WomanBEST ANIMATED FEATURE
The Breadwinner Coco Despicable Me 3 The LEGO Batman Movie Loving VincentBEST ACTION MOVIE
Baby Driver Logan Thor: Ragnarok War for the Planet of the Apes Wonder WomanBEST COMEDY
The Big Sick The Disaster Artist Girls Trip I, Tonya Lady BirdBEST ACTOR IN A COMEDY
Steve Carell – Battle of the Sexes James Franco – The Disaster Artist Chris Hemsworth – Thor: Ragnarok Kumail Nanjiani – The Big Sick Adam Sandler – The Meyerowitz Stories (New and Selected)BEST ACTRESS IN A COMEDY
Tiffany Haddish – Girls Trip Zoe Kazan – The Big Sick Margot Robbie – I, Tonya Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird Emma Stone – Battle of the SexesBEST SCI-FI OR HORROR MOVIE
Blade Runner 2049 Get Out It The Shape of WaterBEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM
BPM (Beats Per Minute) A Fantastic Woman First They Killed My Father In the Fade The Square ThelmaBEST SONG
Evermore – Beauty and the Beast Mystery of Love – Call Me By Your Name Remember Me – Coco Stand Up for Something – Marshall This Is Me – The Greatest ShowmanBEST SCORE
Alexandre Desplat – The Shape of Water Jonny Greenwood – Phantom Thread Dario Marianelli – Darkest Hour Benjamin Wallfisch and Hans Zimmer – Blade Runner 2049 John Williams – The Post Hans Zimmer – Dunkirk
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DARKEST HOUR Starring Gary Oldman Wins Whistler Film Festival’s Audience Award
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DARKEST HOUR[/caption]
Joe Wright’s DARKEST HOUR, starring Gary Oldman and Lily James is the winner of the 2017 Whistler Film Festival’s Audience Award. Endorsed by Winston Churchill’s estate, the film tells the story of Churchill’s refusal to engage in peace treaty negotiations with Nazi Germany during WWII, and his determination to fight on against incredible odds.
The WFF Audience Award runner-ups were the Western Canadian premieres of I, TONYA, directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Margot Robbie, about disgraced figure skater Tonya Harding, followed by TULIPANI: LOVE, HONOUR, AND A BICYCLE, from Oscar Winner Mike Van Diem with the Netherlands, Italy, and Canada co-production. The WFF Audience Award is a non-cash prize presented to the highest-rated film as voted by the audience.
“We were very fortunate to open this year’s fest with the Western Canadian premiere of DARKEST HOUR, a film we are convinced will be a major contender in this year’s awards season race,” said Paul Gratton, WFF Director of Programming. “The festival took off from there, with many sold out screenings, packed and newsworthy industry sessions, and almost 400 guests who made a point of trekking out to Whistler to support their films and talk business with the high-level movers and shakers also in attendance. 2017 represented another step forward towards establishing the Whistler Film Festival as the coolest film fest in the world.”
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TIFF Unveils Top Ten Canadian Films of 2017 + Top Ten Film Festival Lineup
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Adventures in Public School[/caption]
TIFF is toasting the end of Canada’s sesquicentennial with its list of 2017’s best Canadian films for the 17th Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival. The stellar lineup champions emerging directors, including Sadaf Foroughi for her award-winning, Tehran-set drama Ava; Wayne Wapeemukwa’s City of Toronto Award for Best Canadian First Feature Film at TIFF, Luk’Luk’I; Kathleen Hepburn’s heartbreaking Never Steady, Never Still; Simon Lavoie’s striking The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond Of Matches; Kyle Rideout’s charming comedy Adventures in Public School; and, in another example Canada’s genre chops, Les Affamés, Robin Aubert’s unique take on the zombie allegory, which won the Canada Goose Award for Best Canadian Feature Film at TIFF. Social issues are also dealt with directly in Charles Officer’s lyrical documentary Unarmed Verses, winner of Hot Docs’ Best Canadian Feature Documentary prize, and Catherine Bainbridge’s electrifying crowd-pleaser RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World.
The festival’s popular In Conversation With… series will feature intimate onstage discussions with remarkable talent, including master filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin, who is also part of this year’s lineup with her latest feature, Our People Will Be Healed, a luminous, hopeful ode to the power of action-driven decolonization. The revered filmmaker, musician, and revolutionary artist has been a tireless advocate for Indigenous resistance and she continues to reinvigorate Canada’s Indigenous identities while advocating for truth and reconciliation in her latest feature. In Conversation With… Alanis Obomsawin is co-presented by The Directors Guild of Canada.
In addition, award-winning actor Evan Rachel Wood will discuss her career and role in the psychological thriller Allure, the highly anticipated feature debut from Montreal-based photographers Carlos and Jason Sanchez. Wood began her career as a child in the 1990s and went on to give acclaimed performances in Thirteen (2003) and The Wrestler (2008), before reaching new heights with HBO’s hit series Westworld (2016– ). She is a leading voice in the drive to create lasting change in the film industry, and her brilliant work in such Canadian independent features as Patricia Rozema’s Into the Forest (Canada’s Top Ten 2015) and this year’s Canada’s Top Ten selection Allure has cemented her status as one of the most versatile and adventurous actors working today.
The festival also offers audiences two special screenings: Phillip Borsos’ 1990 political saga Bethune: The Making of a Hero — starring Donald Sutherland as beloved Canadian hero Dr. Norman Bethune — as well as a Canadian Open Vault free screening of Daniel Cockburn’s TFCA Jay Scott Prize winner You Are Here (2010).
Filmgoers in Toronto will once again vote to crown the People’s Choice Award winner.
The Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival is complemented by the 2018 TIFF Industry Forum, a full day of programming on Friday, January 12 tailored exclusively for film professionals. The Forum opens with a special edition of Breakfast at TIFF that explores
programming ethics. In light of recent harassment allegations against prominent industry creatives, panellists will debate whether the art can ever truly be separated from the artist. Another session will celebrate the outstanding work of break-out feature directors and examine how the industry can best support them as they develop their second and third features. The Forum closes with a live onstage recording of the award-winning podcast TIFF Long Take, featuring Canadian film and television director Jeremy Podeswa. He is best known for directing the films The Five Senses (1999) and Fugitive Pieces (2007), and for his Emmy-nominated work on the HBO series Game of Thrones.
Established in 2001, the festival is one of the largest and longest-running showcases of Canadian film. From January 12 to 21, 2018 at TIFF Bell Lightbox in Toronto, the 10-day event boasts a rich offering of public screenings, Q&A sessions and a special Industry Forum, followed by a nationwide tour stopping in Vancouver, Montreal, Regina, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Ottawa and Saskatoon.
The festival will tour select films to major cities across the country including stops at Vancouver’s The Cinematheque (January 12 to 21), Montreal’s PHI Centre (January 12 to 21), Winnipeg Film Group’s Cinematheque (January 12 to February 24), Edmonton’s Metro Cinema (January 26 to February 4), Ottawa’s National Gallery of Canada (March 15 to 17), Regina’s RPL Film Theatre (April 12 to 15) and Saskatoon’s PAVED Arts in collaboration with the Roxy Theatre (dates TBC).
Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival features
Adventures in Public School, Kyle Rideout* .Opening Night Film. Allure Carlos Sanchez, Jason Sanchez Ava Sadaf Foroughi Les Affamés Robin Aubert The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches Simon Lavoie Luk’Luk’I Wayne Wapeemukwa Never Steady, Never Still Kathleen Hepburn Our People Will Be Healed Alanis Obomsawin RUMBLE: The Indians Who Rocked the World Catherine Bainbridge Unarmed Verses Charles OfficerCanada’s Top Ten Film Festival shorts
The Argument (with annotations) Daniel Cockburn The Botanist Maude Plante-Husaruk, Maxime Lacoste-Lebuis The Crying Conch Vincent Toi The Drop In Naledi Jackson Flood Amanda Strong Milk Heather Young Pre-Drink Marc-Antoine Lemire Rupture Yassmina Karajah The Tesla World Light Matthew Rankin Threads Torill KoveCanada’s Top Ten Film Festival student shorts
Away Home Jana Stackhouse (Ryerson) Blindsided Flytrap Productions (Sheridan College) Hold My Hand Alexandre Lefebvre (Cinéma à l’Université du Québec à Montréal) If You Fall Tisha Deb Pillai (Emily Carr University of Art + Design: Animation) Leila Aziz Zoromba (Concordia University) Meddy Ted Sakowsky (York University) Mustard Seed Lina Roessler (York University) Nana Ali Kellner (Sheridan College) Quarters FIG House (Sheridan College) Waiting for Lou Katerine Martineau (Concordia University)
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VIDEO: Watch LGBTQ Musical Drama SATURDAY CHURCH Trailer, Opens in Theaters on Jan. 12
Here is the new trailer for LGBTQ musical drama Saturday Church, about a 14-year-old shy and effeminate boy, who finds himself becoming the“man of the house” after the death of his father. The film starring Luka Kain, winner-Best Actor at OUTFEST 2017 will open in theaters, on demand and on all digital platforms on January 12th, 2018.
Saturday Church, written and directed by Damon Cardasis, tells the story of 14-year-old Ulysses, a shy and effeminate boy, who finds himself coping with new responsibilities as “man of the house” after the death of his father. Living alongside his mother, younger brother, and conservative aunt, Ulysses is also struggling with questions about his gender identity. He finds an escape by creating a world of fantasy filled with dance and music. Ulysses’ journey takes a turn for the better when he encounters a vibrant transgender community, who take him to “Saturday Church,” a program for LGBTQ youth. Ulysses manages to keep his two worlds apart; appeasing his aunt and discovering his passion for the NYC ball scene, and voguing, until his double life is revealed. Ulysses must find the courage to be who he truly is, all while risking losing those he cares about most.
The film stars Luka Kain, Margot Bingham, Regina Taylor, Marquis Rodriguez, MJ Rodriguez, Indya Moore, Alexia Garcia, Kate Bornstein, and Jaylin Fletcher.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAra4mxDRYs
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Nominations Announced for 45th Annie Awards, LOVING VINCENT, THE BREADWINNER and More…
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Loving Vincent[/caption]
The nominations were announced today for the 45th Annie Awards recognizing the year’s best in the field of animation. Best Animated Feature-Independent, spotlighting features with a much smaller distribution footprint than major studio releases, include: In This Corner of the World, Loving Vincent, Napping Princess, The Big Bad Fox & Other Tales and The Breadwinner.
The Annie Awards cover 36 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Feature-Independent, Special Productions, Commercials, Short Subjects, Student Films and Outstanding Individual Achievements, as well as the honorary Juried Awards.
The winners will be announced at a black tie ceremony on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at UCLA’s Royce Hall.
Best Animated Feature
CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS: THE FIRST EPIC MOVIE Production Company: DreamWorks Animation CARS 3 Production Company: Pixar Animation Studios COCO Production Company: Pixar Animation Studios DESPICABLE ME 3 Production Company: Illumination THE BOSS BABY Production Company: DreamWorks AnimationBest Animated Feature-Independent
IN THIS CORNER OF THE WORLD Production Company: Taro Maki, GENCO, Inc. and Masao Maruyama, MAPPA Co., Ltd LOVING VINCENT Production Company: BreakThru Films, Production Company Trademark Films, Co-Production Company NAPPING PRINCESS Production Company: Nippon TV THE BIG BAD FOX & OTHER TALES Production Company: Folivari / Panique! / Studiocanal THE BREADWINNER Production Company: Cartoon Saloon / Aircraft Pictures / Melusine ProductionsBest Animated Short Subject
DEAR BASKETBALL Production Company: Glen Keane Productions, Kobe Studios, Believe Entertainment Group HEDGEHOG’S HOME Production Company: National Film Board of Canada, Bonobostudio NEGATIVE SPACE Production Company: IKKI Films / Manuel Cam Studio SCAVENGERS Production Company: Titmouse, Inc. // Adult Swim SON OF JAGUAR Production Company: Google Spotlight Stories, Reel FXBest Animated Special Production
IMAGINARY FRIEND SOCIETY “FEELING SAD” Production Company: Hornet OLAF’S FROZEN ADVENTURE Production Company: Walt Disney Animation Studios PIG: THE DAM KEEPER POEMS Production Company: Tonko House, Inc. REVOLTING RHYMES Production Company: Magic Light Pictures TANGLED BEFORE EVER AFTER Production Company: Walt Disney Television AnimationBest Animated Television/Broadcast Commercial
BISCOTTI. UNA STORIA BUONA Production Company: Hornet JUNE Production Company: Broad Reach Pictures/Chromosphere/Lyft LEAGUE OF LEGENDS ‘LEGENDS NEVER DIE’ Production Company: Passion Animation Studios PLEASE THE CHEESE Production Company: Psyop SAINSBURY’S ‘THE GREATEST GIFT’ Production Company: Passion Animation StudiosBest Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Preschool Children
MICKEY AND THE ROADSTER RACERS Episode: Goofy Gas! Production Company: Walt Disney Television Animation OCTONAUTS Episode: Operation Deep Freeze Production Company: Vampire Squid Productions Limited, a Silvergate Media company, in association with Brown Bag Films PEG + CAT, THE MARIACHI PROBLEM Episode: 220B, The Mariachi Problem Production Company: The Fred Rogers Company/ 100 Chickens Productions THE STINKY & DIRTY SHOW Episode: HaHaHigher / The Waiting Game Production Company: Amazon Studios THROUGH THE WOODS Episode: A Snowy Morning Production Company: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, The Fred Rogers Company, PIP Animation ServicesBest Animated Television/Broadcast Production For Children
BUDDY THUNDERSTRUCK Episode: To Protect and Swerve / Robo Truck of the Future Production Company: Stoopid Buddy and American Greetings for Netflix LOST IN OZ Episode: The Pearl of Pingaree Production Company: Amazon Studios NIKO AND THE SWORD OF LIGHT Episode: From the Cliffs of Catastrophe to the Pools of Destiny Production Company: Amazon Studios TANGLED: THE SERIES – Episode: Queen for a Day Production Company: Walt Disney Television Animation WE BARE BEARS Episode: Panda’s Art Production Company: Cartoon Network Animation StudiosBest General Audience Animated Television/Broadcast Production
BIG MOUTH Episode: Am I Gay? Production Company: Netflix BOJACK HORSEMAN Episode: Stupid Piece of Sh*t Production Company: Tornante Productions, LLC for Netflix RICK AND MORTY Episode: 303 – “Pickle Rick” Production Company: Williams Street Productions ROBOT CHICKEN Episode: Freshly Baked: The Robot Chicken Santa Claus Pot Cookie Freakout Special: Special Edition Production Company: Stoopid Buddy Stoodios SAMURAI JACK Episode: XCIII Production Company: Adult SwimBest Student Film
CRADLE Studio Company: Devon Manney Students: Devon Manney ELSEWHERE Studio Company: Junyi Xiao Students: Junyi Xiao GOOD NIGHT, EVERYBUDS! Studio Company: Filmakademie Baden-Wuerttemberg GmbH Students: Director: Benedikt Hummel, Sound Design & Mix: Lena Beck, Music: Andreas Pfeiffer, Producer: Stefan Michel ONCE A HERO Studio Company: XiaLi Students: Xia Li POLES APART Studio Company: Paloma Baeza Students: Director: Paloma Baeza, Producer: Ser En Low, All Student Crew
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“CALL ME BY YOUR NAME,” “FACES PLACES,” “BPM,” “LOVELESS” Win 2017 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Honors
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Call Me By Your Name[/caption]
The Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) voted Call Me By Your Name the Best Picture of 2017, along with Best Actor for Timothée Chalamet, and Best Director for Luca Guadagnino – a tie win with Guillermo del Toro for The Shape of Water. Best Documentary went to the Faces Places, and Best Foreign-Language Film was a tie win for BPM AND Loveless.
2017 Los Angeles Film Critics Association Awards
BEST PICTURE
“CALL ME BY YOUR NAME” RUNNER-UP: “THE FLORIDA PROJECT”BEST DIRECTOR
GUILLERMO DEL TORO, “THE SHAPE OF WATER” AND LUCA GUADAGNINO, “CALL ME BY YOUR NAME” (TIE)BEST ACTOR
TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET “CALL ME BY YOUR NAME” RUNNER-UP: JAMES FRANCO (“THE DISASTER ARTIST“)BEST ACTRESS
SALLY HAWKINS “THE SHAPE OF WATER” RUNNER-UP: FRANCES MCDORMAND (“THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI“)BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR
WILLEM DAFOE “THE FLORIDA PROJECT” RUNNER-UP: SAM ROCKWELL (“THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI “)BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS
LAURIE METCALF “LADY BIRD” RUNNER-UP: MARY J. BLIGE (” MUDBOUND“)BEST SCREENPLAY
JORDAN PEELE “GET OUT” RUNNER-UP: MARTIN MCDONAGH (“THREE BILLBOARDS OUTSIDE EBBING, MISSOURI“)BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN
DENNIS GASSNER “BLADE RUNNER” RUNNER-UP: PAUL D. AUSTERBERRY (“THE SHAPE OF WATER“)BEST EDITING
LEE SMITH “DUNKIRK” RUNNER-UP: TATIANA S. RIEGEL (“I TONYA“)BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
DAN LAUSTSEN “THE SHAPE OF WATER” RUNNER-UP: ROGER DEAKINS (“BLADE RUNNER“)BEST MUSIC SCORE
JONNY GREENWOOD “PHANTOM THREAD” RUNNER-UP: ALEXANDRE DESPLAT (“THE SHAPE OF WATER“)BEST FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM
“BPM” AND “LOVELESS” (TIE)BEST DOCUMENTARY / NON-FICTION FILM
“FACES PLACES” RUNNER-UP: “JANE”BEST ANIMATION
“THE BREADWINNER” RUNNER-UP: “COCO”NEW GENERATION
GRETA GERWIGDOUGLAS EDWARDS INDEPENDENT / EXPERIMENTAL FILM / VIDEO
LEE ANNE SCHMITT “PURGE THIS LAND”CAREER ACHIEVEMENT
MAX VON SYDOW
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2017 Whistler Film Festival Awards: ALL YOU CAN EAT BUDDHA and WORTHY COMPANION Tie for Best Canadian Film
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All You Can Eat Buddha[/caption]
Ian Lagarde’s first feature ALL YOU CAN EAT BUDDHA, and Jason and Carlos Sanchez’s A WORTHY COMPANION tied to win the Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature Film at the 2017 Whistler Film Festival. The jury states “each in their own way convey unique visions and creative storytelling the jury believes have made and will make powerful contributions to the world of cinema.”
A WORTHY COMPANION takes a fresh and new perspective that explores the complexity and humanity within the predator, victim relationship. This film questions how we perpetuate manipulative power dynamics between adult and child through the inner struggle of our female protagonists. ALL YOU CAN EAT BUDDHA is a movie that pushes the boundaries of image and sound and proposes an unusual, and assured cinematic narrative that juxtaposes dream and reality in a lost paradise.
In addition, the jury awarded Ian Lagarde with the Best Borsos Director Award presented by the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia.
Evan Rachel Wood, star of the Canadian film A WORTHY COMPANION, was the recipient of this year’s Best Performance in a Borsos Competition Film Award. The jury noted that “Evan gives a brave, raw nuance performance that explores the grey areas between predator and victim”.
The Borsos Award for Best Screenplay went to Grayson Moore, writer and co-director of CARDINALS, which presents a fresh take on the psychological drama that unfolds with the unpredictability of a great novel.
Best Cinematography in a Borsos Film went to cinematographer Sara Mishara for A WORTHY COMPANION, with an honorable mention to Nicolas Bolduc for HOCHELAGA, LAND OF SOULS. The jury wanted to acknowledge the work of a director of photography that managed to create a rich and detailed visual universe through a very subtle crafting of the light.
The World Documentary Award was presented to THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ANDRÉ directed by Kate Novack. The jury stated: “The winner of the world documentary award delivers a fascinating portrait of a larger-than-life personality, but admirably escapes the trappings of simple biography by revealing how a towering, influential figure still thrives in an imperfect world.”
The jury also gave an honourable mention to Alan Zweig, director of THERE IS A HOUSE HERE, which is a film that explores the harsh realities of a fractured community and yet it discovers, in fact, that society can gather together and create a strong and supportive community for those in perpetual need.
The Best Mountain Culture Film Award went to DEPTH PERCEPTION directed by Chip Taylor and Chris Murphy. The jury stated that “DEPTH PERCEPTION was a clever and awesome representation of mountain culture, pure entertainment. It was able to tie in the full ‘story’ with a simple well thought out concept. Beautifully shot with exceptional snowboarding. The writing had the perfect balance of edge, accessibility, and meaning. It was able to transport the judges to a place of imagination just outside of realism but staying grounded in themes of the sport, environmentalism, and spiritualism.”
The $1,000 Canadian ShortWork Award went to WE FORGOT TO BREAK UP, directed by Chandler Levack. The jury stated that “this cinematically stunning short film delivers at every turn. It’s beautifully written with wonderfully naturalistic dialogue, it’s poetic, stylish and superbly performed, most notably by our lead. Captivating from start to finish, this first time director is extremely deserving of this recognition.” The jury has given an honorable mention to CYPHER by Lawrence Le Lam.
The International ShortWork Award went to FEAR US WOMEN directed by David Darg. The jury stated: “Compelling from the opening minute, this honest and raw documentary is an unflinching look at the fearless women on the battle front in Syria. It’s a gritty and honest story with an amazing message – one that needs to be told.”
The $500 ShortWork Student Award went to FLOATING LIGHT, directed by Natalie Murao. The jury stated: “The future of BC filmmaking is in very good hands. This was a very impressive lineup of student shorts, so to standout amongst this group is a major accomplishment. For its impressive performances, dreamy aesthetic, and for the assuredness and subtly in its directorial vision, the jury is pleased to give this award to a stunningly accomplished and inventive film that uses a quiet voice to speak loudly. This is a filmmaker with an extremely bright future.”
The MPPIA Short Film Award was awarded to Veronika Kurz for 20 Minutes to Life. The award consists of a $15,000 cash award plus up to $100,000 in services. The completed project will have its world premiere screening at the 2018 Whistler Film Festival.
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists presented this year’s EDA Award for Best Female-directed Feature to Eisha Marjara’s VENUS, a film that tells the tale of a woman in transition. The jury stated: “VENUS is both a touching drama about the hardship of transition and how it affects family, friendships, and relationships but it’s also a really lovely and reaffirming story of love and the strength of friends and family. And we enthusiastically applaud the brilliant performance from Debargo Sanyal, who moved us to new understanding. Brava Majara and Sanyal.”
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists presented the EDA Award for Best Female-Directed Short Film to Sharren Lee’s THE THINGS YOU THINK I’M THINKING. The jury stated: “At its center is a person you don’t often get to see on the screen: Sean, a burn survivor and amputee who re-enters the world of dating. In a bar, he meets with Caleb, an able-bodied and appealing man who appears to take a romantic interest in him. And while, despite having no hands, Sean has managed to master getting around with great agility and some panache, his next roadblock is himself and being able to overcome his fears, insecurities, and trust issues — something that’s probably familiar to all of us. Ultimately, at the heart of the film are two people looking to make a human connection. And we found that we connect with them, too.”
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists presented a Special Jury EDA Award to Kyra Sedgwick for her directorial debut STORY OF A GIRL. The jury stated: “A well balanced, timely and beautifully crafted film about a teenage girl dealing with the fallout of modern-day bullying. Anchored by a wonderful lead performance from Ryann Shane and memorable turns from Kevin Bacon and Sosie. We take special pleasure and pride in presenting the EDA Award to Kyra because as a young actress she actually played the granddaughter of the Eda for whom the awards are named, activist actress Eda Reiss Merin, the mother of AWFJ president, Jennifer Merin. We look forward to seeing more from Kyra!”