Terry P.

VIMOOZ is for lovers of independent films + foreign film + documentary + film festivals. We love championing the little films.

Russian film CHAGALL-MALEVICH Sets US Theatrical Release Date

After having screened at numerous international film festivals including Palm Springs, Montreal, Haifa, Moscow, Busan, and LA Jewish Film Festival, the Russian film CHAGALL-MALEVICH, directed by Alexander Mitta finally sets a U.S. theatrical release date. CHAGALL-MALEVICH will open at Cinema Village in New York on June 12 and at Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills and at Town Center 5 in Encino, CA on June 19. The artistic and political revolution of early 20th century Russia is mythologized in CHAGALL-MALEVICH, a magical period drama about the uneasy relationship between two artistic geniuses. Inspired by the memoirs of Marc Chagall and those of his contemporaries, the film blends fact and folklore to evoke the return of the iconic Jewish artist (portrayed by Leonid Bichevin “Cargo 200”) to his childhood home of Vitebsk. Having left behind immense success in Paris, Chagall returns to the Russian empire in 1917 in hope to marry the love of his life Bella Rosenfeld (Kristina Schneidermann); he produces copious paintings and establishes the Academy of Modern Art. A rivalry develops with abstract painter Kazimir Malevich (Anatoliy Belyy), invited to teach at the art school. As Bella rekindles a childhood friendship with military Red Commissar Naum (Semyon Shkalikov), Chagall competes for the affections of his muse and future wife. As the October Revolution sweeps across Russia, historical events intrude on personal struggles and upend the quiet provincial life in Vitebsk. Brimming with surrealistic imagery from the paintings of Chagall and Malevich (over 140 paintings were used in the film), this sumptuous melodrama marks veteran Russian filmmaker Alexander Mitta’s return after a decade-long hiatus. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Enaho11_x8Q
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2015 Portland Jewish Film Festival Film Lineup + Trailers

The 2015 Portland Jewish Film Festival will screen 18 feature films including: EAST JERUSALEM/WEST JERUSALEM (pictured above), a riveting documentary about Israeli musician David Broza and his efforts to bridge Israeli and Palestinian tensions through music, THE MYSTERY OF HAPPINESS, director Daniel Burman’s delightful hybridization of buddy movie, detective film, and romantic comedy tropes, the Opening Night selection MAGIC MEN, a road trip comedy that pairs an aging atheist Holocaust survivor with his estranged Hasidic rapper son, and DOUGH, a comedy set in a failing bakery where intergenerational and cross cultural solutions just might save the day.
The 23rd edition of the Portland Jewish Film Festival is produced by the Northwest Film Center and co-presented with the Institute for Judaic Studies and takes place June 14 to 28, 2015.
Complete Film listings: MAGIC MEN https://vimeo.com/68012664 THE MUSES OF ISAAC BASHEVIS SINGER (preceded by REVERENCE) https://youtu.be/MZfkOHfOkwE A PLACE IN HEAVEN https://youtu.be/TGcwONCKks0 TO LIFE https://youtu.be/8hYSCSHH7rM THE DOVE FLYER https://youtu.be/W_Uq68Ql9f8 DOUGH SECRETS OF WAR https://youtu.be/l4Oc187S7OU EAST JERUSALEM/WEST JERUSALEM https://youtu.be/VnVNgIW4ZPc ALMOST FRIENDS https://youtu.be/p_GBYHqPf58 A BORROWED IDENTITY (AKA DANCING ARABS) https://youtu.be/TW0Jjf3RrME THEODORE BIKEL: IN THE SHOES OF SHOLEM ALEICHEM https://vimeo.com/114923514 Trailer for SHOLEM ALEICHEM: LAUGHING IN THE DARKNESS https://youtu.be/-Z6cJ2_RLdA RAISE THE ROOF https://vimeo.com/107332820 THE MYSTERY OF HAPPINESS https://youtu.be/svx8CyZTkWg LET’S GO https://youtu.be/7wK_7PG7_4g RUN BOY RUN https://youtu.be/njjdP3gZ_pk THE ZIONIST IDEA 24 DAYS https://youtu.be/Sg4xo2pYRdI
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Poster and Trailer for “SUPERIOR” Director Edd Benda’s Feature Debut

Here is the poster and trailer for “Superior” the feature film debut from writer/director Edd Benda, and starring Paul Stanko and Thatcher Robinson, world premiering at the 2015 Dances With Films, in Los Angeles, California. During the height of the Vietnam War in 1969, Charlie is on his way to Michigan Tech University, and Derek is counting the days to his inevitable military draft eligibility. Before their futures take hold, the lifelong best friends embark on one final adventure: a 1300 mile bike ride along the shores of the gargantuan Lake Superior. With two-speed Schwinn bicycles and limited preparation, Charlie and Derek pedal through the massive northern backwoods of Michigan, Minnesota, and Canada. Along the way they face hunger, exhaustion, and the kind of people in the world who never wanted to be found. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKqTI68N7CM
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See POSTER and Watch TRAILER for A WALK IN THE WOODS starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte

“A Walk in the Woods” starring Robert Redford, Nick Nolte and Emma Thompson, which premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, has a new poster and trailer. The film is based on the bestseller by Bill Bryson, played by Redford. A Walk in the Woods is scheduled to open in theaters Labor Day weekend. In this new comedy adventure, celebrated travel writer, Bill Bryson (Academy Award winner Robert Redford), instead of retiring to enjoy his loving and beautiful wife (Academy Award winner Emma Thompson), and large and happy family, challenges himself to hike the Appalachian Trail – 2,200 miles of America’s most unspoiled, spectacular and rugged countryside from Georgia to Maine. The peace and tranquility he hopes to find, though, is anything but, once he agrees to being accompanied by the only person he can find willing to join him on the trek – his long lost and former friend Katz (Academy Award nominee Nick Nolte), a down-on-his-luck serial philanderer who, after a lifetime of relying on his charm and wits to keep one step ahead of the law – sees the trip as a way to sneak out of paying some debts and sneak into one last adventure before its too late. The trouble is, the two have a completely different definition of the word, “adventure”. Now they’re about to find out that when you push yourself to the edge, the real fun begins. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx1AMfC-F2g
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“Sleeping with Other People” to Open “I Am Michael” to Close Lineup for 2015 Provincetown International Film Festival

The 2015 Provincetown International Film Festival (PIFF) running June 17 to 21, 2015, in Provincetown, Massachusetts will open with Leslye Headland’s SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE (pictured above), and close with I AM MICHAEL, directed by Justin Kelly. Spotlight Films are James Ponsoldt’s THE END OF THE TOUR, Paul Weitz’s GRANDMA and Jeffrey Schwartz’s TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL. The Festival also unveiled its lineup of narrative and documentary features for its 17th edition. “The independent filmmaking community continues to produce remarkably high quality work, here and abroad, and our feature lineup is a testament to that!” said Connie White, Artistic Director of PIFF. “We are thrilled to welcome these new films and filmmakers to Provincetown in June, and we know that filmgoers will be engaged and entertained by these adventurous, thought-provoking and accomplished films.” The complete lineup of feature films is below. OPENING NIGHT SELECTION SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE – directed by Leslye Headland CLOSING NIGHT SELECTION I AM MICHAEL – directed by Justin Kelly SPOTLIGHT SELECTIONS THE END OF THE TOUR – directed by James Ponsoldt GRANDMA – directed by Paul Weitz TAB HUNTER CONFIDENTIAL – directed by Jeffrey Schwartz NARRATIVE FEATURES 99 HOMES – directed by Ramin Bahrani BEATBOX – directed by Andrew Dresher BREATHE – directed by Mélanie Laurent FRESNO – directed by Jamie Babbit FUNNY BUNNY – directed by Alison Bagnall LEARNING TO DRIVE – directed by Isabel Coixet A LITTLE CHAOS – directed by Alan Rickman MEET ME IN MONTENEGRO – directed by Alex Holdridge and Linnea Saasen NASTY BABY – directed by Sebastián Silva THE NEW GIRLFRIEND – directed by François Ozon PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS – directed by James C. Strouse RADIATOR – directed by Tom Browne THE SECOND MOTHER – directed by Anna Muylaert SHAUN THE SHEEP – directed by Mark Burton and Richard Starzak THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT – directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez THE SUMMER OF SANGAILE – directed by Alanté Kavaïté TANGERINE – directed by Sean Baker TEN THOUSAND SAINTS – directed by Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini THOSE PEOPLE – directed by Joey Kuhn TIRED MOONLIGHT – directed by Britni West WILDLIKE – directed by Frank Hall Green YOSEMITE – directed by Gabrielle Demeestere DOCUMENTARY FEATURES ALENTEJO, ALENTEJO – directed by Sérgio Tréfaut THE ARMOR OF LIGHT – directed by Abigail E. Disney BEST OF ENEMIES – directed by Robert Gordon and Morgan Neville THE BIRTH OF SAKÉ – directed by Erik Shirai CALL ME LUCKY – directed by Bobcat Goldthwait CITY OF GOLD – directed by Laura Gabbert CLAMBAKE – directed by Andrea Meyerson DANNY SAYS – directed by Brendan Toller DO I SOUND GAY? – directed by David Thorpe HARRY & SNOWMAN – directed by Ron Davis IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE – directed by Ricki Stern and Anne Sundberg LARRY KRAMER IN LOVE AND ANGER – directed by Jean Carlomusto LISTEN TO ME MARLON – directed by Stevan Riley LIVE FROM NEW YORK! – directed by Bao Nguyen LOVE BETWEEN THE COVERS – directed by Laurie Kahn-Leavitt OUT TO WIN – directed by Malcolm Ingram OUTERMOST RADIO – directed by Alan Chebot PACKED IN A TRUNK: THE LOST ART OF EDITH LAKE WILKINSON – directed by Michelle Boyaner PEGGY GUGGENHEIM: ART ADDICT – directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland THE STATE OF MARRIAGE – directed by Jeffrey Kaufman THE WOLFPACK – directed by Crystal Moselle
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2015 Brooklyn Film Festival Reveals Lineup, and World Premiere of Ryan Carmichael’s But Not For Me

The 18th edition of the Brooklyn Film Festival film lineup will comprise of 108 features and shorts from 26 countries spread over 5 continents and of these, 17 are world premieres and 30 US premieres, with Ryan Carmichael’s But Not For Me as the lone narrative feature world premiere. This New York City film stars Marcus Carl Franklin, Elena Urioste, Maria Vermeulen and Roger Guenveur Smith.

In addition to But Not For Me, BFF films with a NYC connection include Matthew Yeager’s US premiere Valedictorian, starring Brian Dell, Jennifer Prediger and Eleonore Hendricks; Onur Turkel’s Abby Singer/Songwriter , also starring Prediger, along with Turkel and Josephine Decker, Harvey Mitkas’ Devil Town, starring Lindsay Burdge, Alex Karpovsky, Lawrence Michael Levine, Jennifer Prediger (no, we’re not kidding), Sophia Takal, Brooke Bloom, Noah Gershman, Jen Kim, Alex Ross Perry and Caveh Zahedi; Alison Bagnall’s Funny Bunny, starring Kentucker Audley, Joslyn Jensen, Olly Alexander, Louis Cancelmi, Josephine Decker, Anna Margaret Hollyman, Grace Gonglewski, Caridad de la Luz and Nicholas Webber; Frank Hall Green’s Wildlike, starring Ella Purnell, Bruce Greenwood, Brian Geraghty, Teddy Kyle Smith, Nolan Gerard Funk, Ann Dowd, Diane Farr, Joshua Leonard, and Jack & Robert Schurman’s documentary Wild Home.

Special events during the fest include the 11th annual KidsFilmFest 2015 on Saturday, May 30th at the Made in NY Media Center by IFP; the Filmmakers Party on June 3rd at Billet & Bellows; the BFF Exchange series of panels and a pitch session on June 6th; “The Illuminate Party,” also on June 6th, and the June 7th Awards Ceremony.

Main BFF venues are the Wythe Hotel and Windmill Studios in Greenpoint. Satellite locations include Nitehawk Cinema in Williamsburg, Made in New York Media Center By IFP in Dumbo, and BRIC House in Fort Greene.

The complete Feature lineup for the 2015 Brooklyn Film Festival is as follows. Winners of the various festival awards as chosen by the fest juries and Board of Directors receive a total of $50,000 in prizes and film services from festival sponsors Panavision NY, Abelcine, Xeno Lights, Media Services, Film Friends, Mik Cribben Steady-Cam, Cinecall Soundtracks and Windmill Studios.

Opening Night

Manson Family Vacation Director: J. Davis – Two brothers (Jay Duplass and Linas Phillips) reunite when the more free-spirited brother shows up at the other’s door with nothing but a backpack. Together, they get to know each other again while touring the sites of Charles Manson’s exploits and exploring Manson’s contemporary life. EAST COAST PREMIERE

Narrative Features

Abby Singer/Songwriter Director: Onur Tukel – Divorced stockbroker Jamie Block was once an indie-rock star. Going through a life crisis, he teams up with a filmmaker to make a series of music videos in this trippy, funny film. EAST COAST PREMIERE

But Not for Me Director: Ryan Carmichael – Will is a young writer working at an ad agency as a copywriter. Like many others his age, he is hiding his true passion for philosophy and music and holding back his true thoughts, until a relationship with a young woman inspires him. WORLD PREMIERE

Devil Town Director: Harvey Mitkas – A young woman enlists a shady detective to help her find her missing sister in this neo-noir with a cast of indie film favorites.

Eadweard Director: Kyle Rideout – A psychological biopic that explores the mind of Eadweard Muybridge, the godfather of cinema, who was also the last American to receive a justifiable homicide verdict after killing his wife’s lover. EAST COAST PREMIERE

Funny Bunny Director: Alison Bagnall – A young canvasser and a loner teenager who is estranged from his parents go on a journey to meet Ginger, the animal activist with whom the teen has developed an online relationship. EAST COAST PREMIERE

God Bless the Child Directors: Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck – In this beautifully realized observational narrative, Harper, the oldest of five siblings, must take care of her siblings. EAST COAST PREMIERE

Inferno Director: Vinko Moderndorfer – In this Slovenian realist drama, young working class family must deal with the struggles of unemployment while the global economy crumbles and local labor rebels. EAST COAST PREMIERE

Sweaty Betty Directors: Joe Frank and Zachary Reed – Two stories come out of the row houses on the border of Washington, D.C. — a pig, Ms. Charlotte, is carted around, vying for a chance to be a team mascot for the Washington Redskins; and two teenage best friends come into ownership of a dog that they attempt to sell. EAST COAST PREMIERE

Valedictorian Director: Matthew Yeager – Ben feels less and less in touch with his life in New York City, and over a year, he must confront the connections — or lack thereof — he feels with those he considers close. NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

Wildlike Director: Frank Hall Green – When teenage Mackenzie is sent to live with her uncle in Juneau, Alaska, she knows it’s not right for her. Shortly after arriving, she embarks on a journey headed south to find her mother.

Documentary Features

20 Years of Madness Director: Jeremy Royce – The founder of a mid-90’s Public Access TV show in Detroit reunites the cast twenty years later to make a new episode and discovers that his friends and former collaborators are struggling with the hard realities of adulthood.

Chameleon Director: Ryan Mullins – The elusive undercover journalist Anas Aremeyaw Anas is one of Ghana’s most popular figures. Though the charismatic investigator has named and shamed various high profile malfeasants, his identity remains hidden. U.S. PREMIERE

Deep Web Director: Alex Winter – Thirty-year-old entrepreneur Ross William Ulbricht has been convicted for operating the online black market Silk Road. This comprehensive documentary tracks the history of the site and the vigorously pursued case against Ulbricht.

Frame by Frame Directors: Alexandria Bombach and Mo Scarpelli – Photography was outlawed in Taliban-ruled Afghanistan; however, with the fall of the Taliban, photographers have been key documenters of the changing nation.

Help Us Find Sunil Tripathi Director: Neal Broffman – Four weeks after disappearing from his apartment as a student at Brown University, Sunil Tripathi was accused of being Suspect #2 in the Boston Marathon bombings. The false accusations disrupted his family, steadfastly working with his friends to find him.

I Am Thor Director: Ryan Wise – Jon Mikl Thor was a bodybuilder, steel gender, and rock star in the 70’s and 80’s who led the theatrical band THOR. Today, he seeks to reclaim his mantle as a high-energy rock star. EAST COAST PREMIERE

Paradiso Director: Omar A. Razzak – Projectionist Rafael works hard to tidy up and maintain Madrid’s last remaining adult movie theater, Duque de Alba. NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

Placebo Director: Abhay Kumar – One of the most competitive medical schools, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) has an acceptance rate of less than 0.1%. The high academic standards leave a harsh toll on the students. U.S. PREMIERE

We Were Rebels Directors: Katharina von Schroeder and Florian Schewe – Agel took up arms when he was ten to participate in the fight for an independent South Sudan. After leaving the conflict, Agel has returned to an independent South Sudan, where he is the captain of the national basketball team and worries over the young nation’s fragile democracy.

Wild Home Directors: Jack Schurman and Robert Schurman – Deep in the woods of Maine, Bob Miner, a Vietnam Veteran rehabilitates abused and abandoned animals. He and his wife have built a kingdom for lions, tigers, hyenas, kangaroos, black bears, and over 200 other species of animals that attracts a diverse set of visitors.
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WATCH the new NSFW DOPE Red Band Trailer

Check out the new NSFW DOPE red band trailer, the hit movie out of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, that opens in theaters on June 19, 2015. Directed by Rick Famuyiwa, Produced by Forest Whitaker, Executive Produced by Pharrell Williams and Co-Executive Produced by Sean Combs, DOPE tells the story of Malcolm played by Shameik Moore, who is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself. DOPE also stars Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoe Kravitz, A$AP Rocky , Chanel Iman and Quincy Brown. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUBpnslcHVA
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3 Film Premieres, Music in Film Nights Featuring Pras Michel and More Added to 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival

The 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival announced several additions to the 2015 Festival program, including Premiere section titles, Pras Michel and BT as part of the Music in Film Nights at the GRAMMY Museum, Tributes to Jonathan Demme and Rodrigo García, a Master Class with music video director Mathew Cullen, Diversity Speaks panels, the Los Angeles Times Young Hollywood Roundtable, and the Steed Symposium on cyber security. Three more titles were added to the Premieres section which features World Premieres of compelling new works from notable talent. Premieres (3) Consumed, dir. Daryl Wein, USA, World Premiere Consumed – USA (DIRECTOR Daryl Wein WRITERS Daryl Wein, Zoe Lister-Jones PRODUCERS Daryl Wein, Zoe Lister-Jones CAST Zoe Lister-Jones, Danny Glover,Victor Garber, Taylor Kinney, Anthony Edwards, Griffin Dunne, Kunal Nayyar, Beth Grant) Set in the complex world of genetically modified food, this dramatic thriller intertwines the stories of an organic farmer and a biotechnology CEO with the quest of a single mother working to uncover the cause of her son’s mysterious illness. World Premiere Frank and Cindy, dir. G.J. Echternkamp, USA, World Premiere Frank & Cindy – USA (DIRECTOR G.J. Echternkamp WRITER G.J. Echternkamp, Alex Holdridge PRODUCER Bill Perkins, John Pierce, Scoot McNairy, Bic Tran CAST Rene Russo, Oliver Platt, Johnny Simmons, Jane Levy, Marc Maron) In 1983, Cindy married a rock star, Frank. She imagined a life of glitz and glamor. But as life happened, Frank lost his mojo. Twenty years later, Cindy’s son, G.J., both appalled and amused by his parents’ behavior, picks up his video camera and aims it at them. In an attempt to mock his one-hit-wonder step-father, G.J. unintentionally creates a candid portrait of the pursuit of happiness – and love. World Premiere I am Thalente, dir. Natalie Johns, South Africa/USA, World Premiere I Am Thalente – South Africa/USA (DIRECTOR Natalie Johns WRITER Natalie Johns PRODUCERS Colin Kennedy, Oualid Mouaness, Salema Masekela, Jason Bergh, Julia Lebedev FEATURING Thalente Biyela, Tony Hawk, Kenny Anderson, Guy Mariano, Lance Mountain) One of the most promising young skaters in the world, Thalente Biyela, navigates growing up within the demands of professional skateboarding from the skate parks of Duban, South Africa to Venice, California. World Premiere On Thursday, June 11, as part of this year’s Music in Film Nights at the GRAMMY Museum, the Festival hosts an evening with Brian Transeau, better known as BT, one of the pioneers of modern American electronic music. He will play scores from Monster and Dark Places with live accompaniment and visuals. BT will also discuss his work from his classical roots to electronic music innovator. On Friday, June 12, the Festival welcomes Pras Michel and friends for an evening of performance and discussion in celebration of his documentarySweet Micky for President, with special guests who have used their art to champion causes close to their heart. As part of the Tributes section on Sunday, June 14 the Festival presents an evening with Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs,Philadelphia, Rachel Getting Married), moderated by Elvis Mitchell, titled Jonathan Demme: An American Iconoclast, to reminisce about seminal moments of his career and give us a special sneak-peek of his upcoming film Ricki and the Flash, starring Meryl Streep. On Tuesday, June 16, in celebration of this year’s Guest Director, Rodrigo García (Nine Lives, In Treatment, Albert Nobbs), the Festival will hold Two for One: An Evening with Guest Director Rodrigo Garcia and Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball, Beyond the Lights), an intimate conversation where they will compare notes about working with actors, women’s stories and the travails of independent filmmaking. An additional Festival Master Class has been announced. On Tuesday, June 16 acclaimed music video director Mathew Cullen will reflect on his journey as an artist while exploring the evolving art and science of storytelling. Hailed as one of the most imaginative music video and commercial directors of his generation, he will share some of his work, including a sneak peek of London Fields, his upcoming feature directorial debut. Cullen is an alumnus of Loyola Marymount University. The Master Class is sponsored by Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television. At the Diversity Speaks panels, taking place on Saturday, June 13 at the Conga Room at L.A. LIVE, content creators of color who embody innovation will discuss how they manage to combine their passions for storytelling, entrepreneurship and their cultural identities into success stories. In Prime Time: Adjusting the Color Spectrum on TV, the talent in front and behind the camera of some of today’s most celebrated TV shows engage in a dialogue to explore issues relating to race and cultural representation on the small screen. Panelists include: Kenya Barris, creator, Black-ish; Wendy Calhoun, writer, Empire; Andrea Navedo, actress, Jane the Virgin; Randall Park, actor, Fresh off the Boat; Our Lady J, writer, Transparent. Also part of Diversity Speaks is the Visions of Mandela panel, an exclusive premiere screening of a collection of films inspired by Nelson Mandela’s speeches, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers. Directors include Ramin Bahrani (Goodbye Solo, 99 Homes), Eva Weber (Black Out) and James Marsh (The Theory of Everything, Man on Wire), Mira Nair (Monsoon Wedding; New York, I Love You), Nabil Elderkin (Bouncing Cats) and Hank Willis Thomas (Question Bridge: Black Males). Diversity Speaks is sponsored by HBO and supported by Yvonne Huff and Jason Delane. On Sunday, June 14, the Los Angeles Times brings together a group of film’s rising stars in the Los Angeles Times Young Hollywood Roundtable. This lively discussion, moderated by reporter Amy Kaufman, will center on life in the industry and what it means to be thrust into the limelight. On Monday, June 15 the Festival presents the annual LMU Steed Symposium on Cyber Security: Is There A Safe Box in the Cloud? This event will include an entertaining and informative presentation by cyber security expert Ralph Echemendia, a screening of Implant, a short film created by Film Independent Fellow Casey Cooper Johnson, and a round table with cyber security experts, filmmakers and industry executives. The discussion will be moderated by KCRW¹s The Business host Kim Masters. The LMU Steed Symposium is funded by LMU Alumnus Michael Steed and is presented in partnership with Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television. Mr. Steed is a member of the university¹s board of trustees and Managing Director of Paladin Capital Partners Fund, LP, a private equity firm.
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2015 American Black Film Festival Unveils Lineup, Opens with DOPE

The 2015 American Black Film Festival (ABFF) taking place at the AMC Empire 25 in Times Square, New York City, June 11 to 14, 2015, unveiled its lineup of films, including documentaries, web originals, short films and narrative features. Film director Rick Famuyiwa’s critically acclaimed film, Dope, will open the 19th annual American Black Film Festival on Thursday, June 11, at the SVA Theatre. Dope is a coming-of-age comedy/drama for the post hip-hop generation; its main characters are obsessed with ‘90s hip-hop. Malcolm (Shameik Moore) is warily surviving life in “The Bottoms” in Los Angeles, while juggling college applications, academic interviews and SATs. His dream is to attend Harvard. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into a gritty adventure filled with offbeat characters and bad choices that could allow him to go from being a geek to being dope to ultimately being himself. Open Road Films will release the film nationwide on June 19, 2015. Dope stars Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Chanel Imanand Quincy Brown and is produced by Forest Whitaker and Nina Yang Bongiovi (Fruitvale Station). Pharrell Williams, Michael Y. Chow (Fruitvale Station), Rick Famuyiwa (The Wood, Brown Sugar) and David Lonner are executive producers.Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is co-executive producer, and Mimi Valdes and Caron Veazy are co-producers. The complete list of films selected for Spotlight, Narrative Features Competition, HBO Short Film Competition, ABFF Web Originals, and the ABFF Documentary Competition follows below: OPENING NIGHT FILM DOPE 2014 USA 115 MIN HD NY Premiere Sponsored by the Motion Picture Association of America Courtesy of Open Road Films Directed by: Rick Famuyiwa Written by: Rick Famuyiwa Produced by: Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi Executive Producers: Pharrell Williams, Michael Y. Chow, Rick Famuyiwa, David Lonner Co-Exec. Prod: Sean “P. Diddy” Combs. Co-Prods: Mimi Valdes, Caron Veazys Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Chanel Iman, Quincy Brown SPOTLIGHT SCREENINGS 2015 ABFF INDEPENDENT – Season 4 Premiere 2015 USA 35 MIN World Premiere ABFF Independent is a showcase of popular and award-winning films from the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) hosted by hip-hop artist, record producer and actor David Banner. AN UNEXPECTED HISTORY: THE STORY OF HENNESSY AND AFRICAN AMERICANS 2015 USA 49 MIN HD World Premiere Courtesy of Hennessy Directed by: Llewellyn Smith Produced by: Llewellyn Smith, Annie Stopford Featuring: Jason P. Chambers, PhD, Herbert P. Douglas Jr., Noel Hankin, Rhonda McDonald, Rodney Williams An Unexpected History celebrates Moët Hennessy’s hundred-year relationship with African American culture, as well as the role of African Americans in shaping the brand’s identity and success. The film recounts Hennessy’s historic role in bringing respect and opportunities to Black professionals and consumers, by focusing on the remarkable achievements of two of the brand’s most influential Black executives. BOYZ N THE HOOD + Q&A with director John Singleton to follow 1991 USA 108 MIN 35 mm Courtesy of Turner Classic Movies (TCM) Directed by: John SingletonWritten by: John Singleton Produced by: Steve Nicolaides Cast: Ice Cube, Cuba Gooding Jr., Laurence Fishburne, Morris Chestnut, Nia Long, Angela Bassett, Regina King John Singleton’s classic saga tells the story of a group of childhood friends growing up in a Los Angeles ghetto. BOXED IN + Q&A with actress and director Tasha Smith to follow 2014 USA 30 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Tasha Smith Written by: Tasha Smith Produced by: Tasha Smith, Kim Ogletree Cast: Walter Fauntleroy, Antonique Smith, Tyra Ferrell A Black man in NYC struggles with bipolar disorder, while his girlfriend and mother learn to deal with the pain of his manic episodes and struggle for mental survival. RUNAWAY ISLAND + Q&A with the director and cast to follow 2015 USA 85 MIN Estimated HD World Premiere Courtesy of TV One Directed by: Dianne Houston Written by: Christopher Brandt Produced by: Gingi Rochelle & Allison Wilmarth Cast: Lorraine Toussaint (Orange Is the New Black), Thomas Q. Jones (Being Mary Jane), Aisha Hinds (Star Trek Into Darkness), Leon Thomas (Victorious), A. Russell Andrews (Grey’s Anatomy, House of Payne),Erica Tazel (Justified), Melanie Liburd (CSI, Stalker). A pastor, an aging widow, and a socialite with cold feet visit a luxurious Gullah Sea Island resort to be rejuvenated by its holistic setting. NARRATIVE FEATURES FRENCH DIRTY 2015/USA/72min/HD/NY Premiere Directed by: Wade Allain-Marcus, Jesse Allain-Marcus Written by: Peter K. Hagen, Wade Allain-Marcus Produced by: Jason Wolf, Mel Jones Cast: Wade Allain-Marcus, Melina Lizette, Arjun Gupta After committing the carnal sin of sleeping with his best friend’s girlfriend, Vincent must deal with the consequences of his betrayal and hope that his bond with his brother-from-another-mother can withstand the blow GIRLFRIENDS’ GETAWAY 2 ** FEATURED ALUMNI SCREENING 2015/USA/84min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Roger M. Bobb Written by: Cas Sigers-Beedles Produced by: Roger M. Bobb, Angi Bones, Cas Sigers, Terri J. Vaughn Cast: Garcelle Beauvais, Terri J. Vaughn, Essence Atkins, Malinda Williams, Stephen Bishop, Khalil Kane Four girlfriends travel to Puerto Rico for a destination wedding and chaos ensues when the low-key wedding turns into a disaster. JOHN OF GOD THE MOVIE 2014/ Democratic Republic of Congo/86min/HD/North America Premiere Directed by: Selé M’Poko Written by: Selé M’Poko Produced by: Selé M’Poko, Alessia Michielan, Jo D. Jonz, Woody T. Richman, Pamela Lubell Cast: Jo D. Jonz, Jean Shaka Tshipamba, Moïse Ilunga John of God is the world’s greatest musician…in his own mind. KNUCKLEHEAD 2015/USA/81min/HD Directed by: Ben Bowman Written by: Bryan Abrams, Ben Bowman Produced by: Gbenga Akinnagbe, Ben Bowman Executive Producers: Jonathan Gray, Debra Azemar Cast: Gbenga Akinnagbe, Alfre Woodard, Amari Cheatom, Justin Myrick, Nikiya Mathis, Carla Duren Convinced prescription drugs will fix his mind, a mentally disabled man leaves Brooklyn for the first time to find the one doctor who he believes can cure him. LAST NIGHT 2014/USA/93min/HD/NY Premiere Directed by: Harold Jackson III Written by: Harold Jackson III Produced by: Harold Jackson III, Hope Taylor, Prince Levy Jr., Latecia Durham Cast: Judi Blair, Danny Gavigan, Benton Greene, Nedra McClyde, Nikkole Salter A woman’s last night alone before settling down is sidetracked by a chance meeting with an attractive stranger. SUPERMODEL *** FEATURED ALUMNI SCREENING 2015/USA/95min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Shawn Baker Written by: Shawn Baker, Datari Turner Produced by: Datari Turner Cast: Tyson Beckford, Sessilee Lopez, Datari Turner, Roger Guenveur Smith, Fat Joe, Toccara Jones, Angela Simmons, Marc John Jefferies, Tatyana Ali, Nichole Galicia, Melissa De Sousa, Don Benjamin, Cassandra Freeman, Tobias Truvillion, Julito McCullum, Adam Senn A young girl from the Brooklyn housing projects goes from the subway to the runway, becoming one of the most sought after models in the fashion industry. But in the high stakes world of fashion and beauty, things aren’t always as pretty and glamorous as they seem. THE GIRL IS IN TROUBLE *** FEATURED ALUMNI SCREENING 2015/USA/94min/35mm/NY Premiere Directed by: Julius Onah Written by: Mayuran Tiruchelvam, Julius Onah Produced by: Dana Offenbach, Ryan Silbert, Robert Profusek, Jen Gatien Cast: Columbus Short, Wilmer Valderrama, Alicja Bachelda, Jesse Spencer A Lower East Side bartender becomes entangled in a murder mystery involving a desperate woman, a missing drug dealer and the scion of a powerful investment firm. THE NIGHT BEFORE 2015/USA/86min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Kenny Young Written by: Kenny Young Produced by: Phil James, Lisa D. Washington, Kim Hardin Executive Producers: Angela White, Felicia James Cast: Colin Egglesfield, David Faustino, Fred Willard, Anna Hutchinson, Brian White, Gary Owen A “ladies man” must face his own fear of commitment while hosting his best friend’s bachelor party. THE SIN SEER 2015/USA/119min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Paul D. Hannah Written by: Paul D. Hannah Produced by: Paul D. Hannah, Angela White, Isaiah Washington Cast: Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Isaiah Washington, Salli Richardson-Whitfield, C. Thomas Howell, Michael Ironside, Richard Brooks A woman becomes trapped in a murderous web deception and uses her gift of discernment to discover the truth. WHAT LOVE WILL MAKE YOU DO 2015/USA/95min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Lisa Haynes Written by: Lisa Haynes Produced by: Lisa Haynes, Andre Congo, Justin Bones, Darrin Dewitt Henson, Brad James, Ty Johnston, Victoria Rowell Cast: Darrin Dewitt Henson, Judi Blair, Victoria Rowell, Darryl Booker, Sir Brodie, Carl Anthony Payne II, Brad James An attorney from a prestigious law firm falls in love with a beautiful woman of his dreams, but later discovers her father is seeking revenge against him over a court case gone terribly wrong. HBO® SHORT FILM COMPETITION BLACK CARD 2015/USA/14min/HD/New York Premiere Directed by: Pete Chatmon Written by: Tony Patrick Produced by: Christina DeHaven, Tony Patrick, Dorian Missick, Dylan Verrechia, ELEW Executive Producer: Pete Chatmon Cast: Dorian Missick, Simone Missick, Hisham Tawfiq, Stephen Hill, Erika Myers, Malikha Mallette, April Matthis, Valence Thomas In a culture requiring an ID card and commitment to the code, an African American couple is about to find out just how far the boundaries can be pushed…. CHAINING DAY 2014/USA/11min/HD/New York Premiere Directed by: Dominic Haxton Written by: Chris Bailey Produced by: Chris Bailey Cast: Dusan Brown, Shawn Kenneth A young boy commits an accidental murder, which causes a stir in the community and forces him to choose between his loyalty to the gang he belongs to OR saving what’s left of his innocence by turning himself into the police. FIRST DATE, LAST DATE 2015/USA/7min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Derege Harding Written by: E.V. Anderson Produced by: Derege Harding Cast: Andrea Bordeaux, Daniel Hall Soul mates Sara and Michael carry on their first date as the world comes to an end. JOY 2015/USA/15min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Solomon Onita Jr. Written by: Solomon Onita Jr. Produced by: Elsie Dortelus, Terrence J. Grant, Solomon Onita Jr. Cast: Sope Aluko, Bayo Akinfemi, Hannah Tarver, Georgina E. Okon, Brooke-Monaé Westbrook A Nigerian middle-aged woman living in America struggles to convince her traditionalist husband not to circumcise their ten-year-old daughter. STANHOPE 2015/USA/18min/HD/World Premiere Directed by: Solvan Naim Written by: Solvan Naim Produced by: Solvan Naim, Akshay Bhansali Cast: Malik Lockett, Johnnie Mae, Rob Morgan, Nedra McClyde, Simeon Buresch Stanhope is a drama about a teenage inner-city kid from Brooklyn who gets caught up in a web of violence as a paid assassin. ABFF WEB ORIGINALS – GROUP 1 #JOSH 2014 USA 15:35 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Edson Jean, Nick Katz Written by: Episode-1 Joshua Jean-Baptiste; Episode-2 Mimi Davila, Marckenson Charles, Maria Corina Ramirez; Episode-3 Joshua Jean-Baptiste, Mimi Davila, Maria Corina Ramirez Produced by: Edson Jean, Nick Katz, Barry Katz Cast: Joshua Jean Baptiste, Edson Jean, Shira Abergel, Marckenson Charles A naive, chaste acting student (Josh) seeks guidance from his immoral problematic roommate in hopes to become a leading man. ACKEE & SALTFISH 2015 UNITED KINGDOM 16:21 MIN HD Directed by: Cecile Emeke Written by: Cecile Emeke Produced by: Cecile Emeke, Abraham Popoola Cast: Michelle Tiwo, Vanessa Babirye Everyday moments are never mundane with these two hilarious best friends in Ackee & Saltfish. ESCORTS 2015 USA 21:37 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Dave Patten Written by: Dave Patten, Josh West. Produced by: Dave Patten, Alexx Ray, Chris Bauer Executive Producer: David Ricks Cast: Dave Patten, David Ricks, Alexx Ray, Richard Amezcua Pragmatic hipster Jay Miller’s successful small business of selling sex to his collegiate peers becomes infinitely more difficult when one of his employees dies while “working.” ALL ABOUT THE MCKENZIES 2014 UNITED KINGDOM 20:51 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Samuell Benta Written by: Samuell Benta Produced by: Samuell Benta Cast: Samuell Benta, Jason Pennycooke, Ria Horsford, Frankie Clarence, Destinee Tombling, Sheldon Nicolls, Fenella James All about comedy, all about drama, it’s All About The McKenzies. BLACK ACTRESS SERIES – SEASON TWO 2015 USA 23:34 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: William Alexander Runnels Written by: Episode 1-Andrea Lewis; Episode 2-Andrea Lewis, Austin Hall; Episode 3 – Andrea Lewis Produced by: Andrea Lewis, Brian Walker, Tatyana Ali, Essence Atkins, Brad Kaaya, Carol Desousa Cast: Andrea Lewis, Allison Edwards-Crewe, Rob Vincent The life of an actress who wants to be more than just Black. ABFF WEB ORIGINALS – GROUP II DOWNTOWN GIRLS 2014 USA 17:35 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Emebeit Beyene & Chandra Russell Written by: Jessica Lamour Produced by: Jacques Lamour, Emebeit Beyene, Crystal Boyd, Chandra Russell Cast: Emebeit Beyene, Crystal Boyd, Chivonne Michelle, Chandra Russell To raise money to launch their own business, four girls turn their Lower East Side apartment into a lucrative nightclub. DOCKET 32357 2014 USA 24:11 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Randy Wilkins Written by: Eljon Wardally Produced by: Jessica Karen Brown, Juan Caceres Cast: Tara Gadomski, Ashley Denise Robinson A successful businesswoman and a grieving housewife struggle to overcome loneliness in the face of a shared tragedy. Q’S ONE NIGHT STANDS 2014 USA 17 MIN HD World Premiere Directed by: Terrence L. Moore Written by: Terrence L. Moore Produced by: Michael Galvan Executive Producers: Terrence L. Moore, Jenny Cadenillas, Uana Coccoloni Cast: Kee Seymore, Susana Victoria Perez, Joshua Windley, Kajuana Shuford, Dominic Marcus, Gayle Samuels A comedy about a guy so fed up with traditional dating he commits to having only one-night stands. THE INCREDIBLE LIFE OF DARRELL 2015 USA 14:31 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Darrell Lake Written by: Darrell Lake Produced by: Darrell Lake Cast: Darrell Lake, Tru Collins, Joy Regullano, Larry Karman, Justin Bryant Rapp, Pete George The spectacularly mundane adventures of an incredible average Joe in small town Wakooki, Arizona. AMERICAN KOKO 2015 USA 24 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Diarra Kilpatrick & Miles Orion Feld Written by: Diarra Kilpatrick Produced by: Anna Micayla Feld Cast: Diarra Kilpatrick, Terrence Colby Clemons, Miles Orion Feld, Elaine Kao, Cedric Sanders Employees of the “Everyone’s a Little Racist (EAR) Agency” do their best to tackle every race problem that comes through their door, but for lead agent Akosua Miller, the biggest case of all may be her own… ABFF DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION The following films compete for the Best Documentary award. One winner will be announced during the “Best of the ABFF” awards ceremony, Sunday, June 14. ALTHEA 2014 USA 77 MIN HD Directed by: Rex Miller Produced by: Nancy Buirski, Elisabeth Haviland James, Rex Miller Executive Producers: John Amos, Billie Jean King, William Ackman Principal Subject(s): Billie Jean King, Nick Bollettieri, David Dinkins, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe Althea Gibson, a truant from the rough streets of Harlem, emerged as a most unlikely queen of the highly segregated tennis world of the 1950s. AN AMERICAN ASCENT 2015 USA 64 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Andy Adkins, George Potter Written by: Andy Adkins, James Mills Produced by: George Potter, Andy Adkins Principal Subject(s): Stephen Shobe, Erica Wynn, Tyrhee Moore, Scott Briscoe, Billy Long, Rosemary Saal, Ryan Mitchell, Stephen DeBerry, Adina Scott, James Kagambi, Robby Rechord, Madhu Chikkaraju, Aaron Devine, Jon Krakauer, Conrad Anker An American Ascent documents the first African American expedition to tackle North America’s highest mountain, Denali, while shedding light on the complex relationship many African Americans have with the outdoors. NAT KING COLE – AFRAID OF THE DARK 2014 UNITED KINGDOM 94 MIN HD New York Premiere Directed by: Jon Brewer Produced by: Jon Brewer Principal Subject(s): Maria Cole, Natalie Cole, Tony Bennett, Harry Belafonte, Johnny Mathis and more… A poignant authorized feature documentary on the life and legacy of Nat King Cole. via Indiewire
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The Orchard to Release Joachim Trier’s drama Louder Than Bombs from 2015 Cannes

Joachim Trier’s drama Louder Than Bombs, an official selection of this year’s, 2015 Cannes Film Festival, is set for release in the U.S. via The Orchard. Louder Than Bombs is Trier’s follow-up to Reprise and Oslo, and August 31st. The film stars Golden Globe winner Gabriel Byrne (Miller’s Crossing, The Usual Suspects), Academy Award® nominee Jesse Eisenberg (The Social Network), and Isabelle Huppert (two-time Best Actress Cannes winner: in 1978 for Violette and 2001 for The Piano Teacher). The ensemble cast is rounded out by the Academy Award® nominated actors Amy Ryan (Gone Baby Gone) and David Strathairn (Good Night, And Good Luck) and newcomerDevin Druid. Louder Than Bombs was co-written by Eskil Vogt. The pair collaborated on Trier’s two previous, critically heralded features. Three years after the death of his wife, acclaimed photographer Isabelle Reed (Huppert), Gene (Byrne) keeps everyday life going with his shy teenage son, Conrad (Druid). A planned exhibition of Isabelle’s photographs prompts Gene’s older son, Jonah (Eisenberg), to return to the house he grew up in – and for the first time in a very long time, the father and the two brothers are living under the same roof. Underneath the affection and friction that is a part of restored family life between these three, we feel the striking loss that marks each of them. At the same time, the three have markedly different memories of their wife and mother. The film observes these three men as they find ways to live together and reconcile themselves both to the loss of – and each other’s sense of – the exceptional woman who influenced their lives so profoundly. Grief, mixed with surprising humor, informs all that happens – as each of these three men take meaningful steps forward both as individuals and as a renewed but forever changed family. Director Joachim Trier stated, “I’m thrilled to be working with a company as innovative and forward thinking as The Orchard in bringing our film to North American audiences. We shot the film in the U.S., so it’s particularly meaningful to have found this great partner for our release.”
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Cannes Award Winning Film THE MEASURE OF A MAN to BE Released in the U.S.

Kino Lorber will release in the U.S. and Canada, Stephane Brizé’s (Mademoiselle Chambon) THE MEASURE OF A MAN, starring Vincent Lindon (Mademoiselle Chambon, Bastards, Friday Night, La Moustache), winner of the Best Actor award at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. The film was directed by Mr. Brizé and co-written by Brizé and Olivier Gorce. This is Stephane Brizé’s sixth feature film. The film, stars Vincent Lindon as a working-class man struggling with unemployment and then, facing a difficult moral choice as a security guard in a supermarket, Brizé supports his lead with a brilliantly directed cast of non-professional performers playing dramatized versions of themselves. Kino Lorber, which released Stephane Brizé’s Mademoiselle Chambon in the United States to both critical acclaim and box office success (grossing over $530,000 in theaters alone), is planning to release the film in theatres in the fall of 2015, after prestigious North American festival dates. Home media and digital releases will follow in 2016. Richard Lorber comments: “Cannes brought us the gift to work again with Stephane Brizé and Vincent Lindon, after our great success with their Mademoiselle Chambon. With THE MEASURE OF A MAN’s hugely deserved Best Actor honor, we’re keen to share this gift with North American audiences. This deeply moving performance and uniquely framed tale delivers a profound new humanistic insight into questions of economic justice.”
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#DopeMovie Starring Zoë Kravitz, Rapper A$AP Rocky at 2015 Cannes Film Festival

Front row (left to right): Actors Chanel Iman, Shameik Moore / Second row (left to right): Executive Producer Pharrell Williams, Actors Zoë Kravitz, Quincy Brown, Amin Joseph, Director Rick Famuyiwa, Actors A$AP Rocky, Tony Revolori and Kiersey Clemons celebrate Open Road Films’ DOPE in Cannes. DOPE was the closing night film of the Directors’ Fortnight, screening on the evening of May 22nd. DOPE will be released in the United States on June 19, 2015. #DopeMovie. Executive Producer Pharrell Williams and actress Zoë Kravitz celebrate Open Road Films’ DOPE in Cannes.
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