• Montclair Film Festival Gets Education Director

    2015 Montclair Film Festival (MFF) in Montclair, NJ

    The Montclair Film Festival (MFF) in Montclair, NJ announced the appointment of Sue Hollenberg as Education Director of MFF. This newly created position will serve to launch and manage the MFF’s year-round film and media education initiatives and community partnerships.

    “We are thrilled to welcome Sue to our team,” said MFF Executive Director Tom Hall. “As we look to launch our education department to reach throughout our community and beyond, Sue provides expertise in the development and implementation of world class programs. Education is a critical area of importance for our organization, and Sue’s work at the intersection of film production and education will be vital to our success.”

    Hollenberg, an Emmy award winning producer (Word World for PBS,) joins the festival having served on the MFF Education Committee for the past year. She has an MS in Neuroscience and Education from the Teacher’s College at Columbia University, and has been developing education programs for PBS Kids, The US Department of Education and Scholastic for over 25 years. Her work with at-risk students and development of core curriculum for public school students has been an important part of her career.

    “I am incredibly excited to join the wonderful team at the Montclair Film Festival,” Hollenberg said. “The MFF is uniquely positioned to bring together diverse and talented educators, media professionals, and community organizations to harness the educational power of the moving image.”  

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  • 2015 Berlin Film Fest Winner TAXI to be Released in the US

    taxi jafar panahi

    Jafar Panahi’s Taxi, winner of the Golden Bear and the Fipresci International Critic’s Prize at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival is headed to the US. Kino Lorber will release the film in theaters in the Fall.

    In the film, a yellow cab is driving through the vibrant and colorful streets of Tehran. Very diverse passengers enter the taxi, each candidly expressing their views while being interviewed by the driver who is no one else but the director Jafar Panahi himself. His camera placed on the dashboard of his mobile film studio captures the spirit of Iranian society through this comedic and dramatic drive… 

    Panahi is an award-winning filmmaker, with his debut film The White Balloon winning the Caméra d’Or at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival, The Mirror won the Golden Leopard at the 1997 Locarno International Film Festival, The Circle won the Golden Lion at the 2000 Venice Film Festival, and the Offside earned him the Silver Bear for best director at the 2006 Berlin Film Festival.

    Panahi was sentenced to a six-year jail sentence in 2010 and a 20-year ban on directing any movies, writing screenplays, giving any form of interview with Iranian or foreign media, or from leaving the country except for medical treatment or going to Hajj pilgrimage.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl0UJLTtWjE

     

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l83idpxvl-I

     via: variety

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  • Award Winning MAY ALLAH BLESS FRANCE! To Be Released in US

    May Allah Bless France! Celebrated rapper and spoken word artist Abd Al Malik directorial debut, May Allah Bless France!, a candid account of his early life and artistic awakening that earned him the FIPRESCI Discovery Prize at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival, will be released in the U.S. in the Fall by Strand Releasing. May Allah Bless France! will screen at the upcoming 2015 Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Rendez-Vous with French Cinema series, taking place March 6 – 15. Born Régis Fayette-Mikano to Congolese immigrants, Abd Al Malik grew up in Strasbourg’s housing projects, participating in petty crimes that cost the lives of his friends. He found release in writing and performance, converting to Sufism at age 24 and penning the memoir that informed this adaptation. Marc Zinga ably inhabits the role of young Régis, movingly limning his journey to redemption. Shot in black and white, the film visually and thematically recalls Mathieu Kassovitz’s seminal urban crime drama La Haine. Nominated for two César Awards including Best Debut Feature. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCDoTuxw_Ec

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  • DREAMCATCHER Sets Showtime Network Premiere Date

    DREAMCATCHER documentary

    DREAMCATCHER, an inspirational portrait of Chicago’s Brenda Myers-Powell whose Dreamcatcher Foundation fights to end human trafficking and prevent the sexual exploitation of at-risk youth, will premiere on the Showtime network on March 27th at 9 pm ET/PT. 

    Dreamcatcher, directed by Kim Longinotto, had its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival as part of the World Cinema Documentary section, where it won the World Cinema Directing Award.

    The film focusses on Brenda Myers-Powell, a former Chicago prostitute who helps women and teenage girls break the cycle of sexual abuse and exploitation. The film lays bare the hidden violence that devastates the lives of young women, their families and the communities where they live. Armed with an overwhelming personality and unflinching focus, Brenda establishes The Dreamcatcher Foundation, which helps women and girls acquire the tools they need to leave the sex industry. 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRR3ZM6DQ28

    via indiewire

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  • Documentary GLEN CAMPBELL…I’LL BE ME to Premiere on CNN

    GLEN CAMPBELL…I'LL BE ME

    The critically-acclaimed feature documentary GLEN CAMPBELL…I’LL BE ME from PCH Films is headed to CNN, and will premiere on the network in June, and then encore in November of 2015.

    Featuring the Grammy Award®-winning and Academy Award®-nominated song, “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” sung by Glen Campbell himself, the heartbreakingly beautiful, funny, inspiring film directed by James Keach and produced by Trevor Albert and Keach follows the long goodbye that is Alzheimer’s disease as Campbell, and his family, struggle with the diagnosis and progression of the illness through his poignant “Goodbye Tour” in 2011 to 2012.

    Director/producer James Keach said, “Here’s a guy, an iconic musician, who was faced with having to hang up his guitar, his career over, but instead, he says, ‘I ain’t done yet. I’m going out to show what this disease is,’ because he wants to change the conversation. If that ain’t a hero, I don’t know what is.”

    In 2011, Campbell set out on an unprecedented tour across America. Having just been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, Glen Campbell went public about his diagnosis, and together with his wife Kim, launched the Goodbye Tour. Originally planned for a five week run, his health – and popular demand – enabled the tour to expand to 151 spectacular sold out shows over the next year and a half. The Campbell family also together lobbied Congress for more funding for a cure. The film documents this amazing journey as Campbell and his family and friends attempt to navigate the wildly unpredictable nature of Campbell’s progressing disease using love, laughter, and music.

    The five-time Grammy Award®-winning artist sold more than 50 million albums in a singular career that includes extraordinary vocals and music like “Gentle on My Mind,” “Southern Nights,” and “Rhinestone Cowboy.” Campbell also artistically collaborated with Elvis Presley, Stevie Wonder, Frank Sinatra, the Beach Boys, and so many others, using his renowned perfect pitch and flawless guitar skills to help usher country music into the mainstream. Artists including Bruce Springsteen, Blake Shelton, Paul McCartney, The Edge, Kathy Mattea, Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, and many others including President Bill Clinton, contribute their memories of Campbell to the film.

    Recent CNN Films broadcast premieres include WHITEY: United States of America v James J. Bulger, directed by Joe Berlinger; IVORY TOWER, an exploration of the value of a traditional college education, directed by Andrew Rossi; DINOSAUR 13, about paleontologist Peter Larson’s multi-year odyssey to bring his history-making find of the Tyrannosaurus rex “Sue” to the world, directed by Todd Miller; and LIFE ITSELF, a biographical profile of renowned, Pulitzer prize-winning film critic, Roger Ebert, directed by Steve James.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LAtgraWN5-I

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  • NASTY BABY Starring Kristen Wiig to Get a 2015 Release

    NASTY BABY Starring Kristen Wiig

    The Orchard  will release Sebastian Silva’s award-winning film NASTY BABY, starring Silva, Kristen Wiig, Tunde Adebimpe, Reg E. Cathey and Alia Shawkat, which made its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

    NASTY BABY had its European premiere last week at the  2015 Berlin International Film Festival, where it was awarded the festival’s Teddy Award. The film was produced by Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín, Charlie Dibe, David Hinojosa and Julia Oh, and executive produced by Silva, Christine Vachon, Peter Danner, Pape Boye, and Violaine Pichon. Shawkat served as a co-producer on the film.  The Orchard will release the film later this year.

    From acclaimed director and screenwriter Sebastián Silva (Crystal Fairy, Magic Magic, The Maid), NASTY BABY tells the story of a modern problem – a gay couple (played by Silva and Tunde Adebimpe) are trying to have a baby with their best friend (played by Kristen Wiig). Their plans are disrupted by growing harassment from a menacing neighborhood local known as ‘The Bishop’ (played by Reg E. Cathey). As their clashes become increasingly aggressive, it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.

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  • Watch TRAILER for A BRAVE HEART: The Lizzie Velasquez Story

    A BRAVE HEART: The Lizzie Velasquez Story

    A BRAVE HEART: The Lizzie Velasquez Story, the documentary following the inspiring journey of 25 year old, 58 pound Lizzie from cyber-bullying victim to anti-bullying activist, has released the official trailer.

    Directed by first-time filmmaker Sara Hirsh Bordo, A BRAVE HEART: The Lizzie Velasquez Story is set to premiere at the upcoming SXSW Film Festival.

    Born with a rare syndrome that prevents her from gaining weight, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Velasquez was first bullied as a child in school for looking different and, later online, as a teenager when she discovered a YouTube video labeling her “The World’s Ugliest Woman.” The film chronicles unheard stories and details of Lizzie’s physical and emotional journey up to her multi-million viewed TEDx talk, and follows her pursuit from a motivational speaker to Capitol Hill as she lobbies for the first federal anti-bullying bill.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQXPFURgcfw

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  • BIRDMAN, CITIZENFOUR, IDA Among Winners of 87th Oscars

    birdman oscar 2015

    Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is the big winner of the 87th Oscars winning four awards, including the top prizes for Best Picture and Best Director.

     The Grand Budapest Hotel also walked away with four awards, all in the technical categories. CitizenFour won for Best Documentary and Ida won for Best Foreign Language Film.

    The complete list of winners:

    BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
    Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
    Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher and James W. Skotchdopole, Producers

    PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
    Julianne Moore in Still Alice

    PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
    Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of Everything

    ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
    Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

    ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
    The Imitation Game
    Written by Graham Moore

    ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
    Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
    Written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando Bo

    ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SCORE)
    The Grand Budapest Hotel
    Alexandre Desplat

    ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SONG)
    “Glory” from Selma
    Music and Lyric by John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn

    BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
    CitizenFour
    Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk Wilutzky

    ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
    Whiplash
    Tom Cross

    ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
    Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
    Emmanuel Lubezki

    ACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
    The Grand Budapest Hotel
    Production Design: Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration: Anna Pinnock

    BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
    Big Hero 6
    Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy Conli

    BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
    Feast
    Patrick Osborne and Kristina Reed

    ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
    Interstellar
    Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott Fisher

    PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
    Patricia Arquette in Boyhood

    ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
    American Sniper
    Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman

    ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
    Whiplash
    Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley

    BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
    Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1
    Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Dana Perry

    BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
    The Phone Call
    Mat Kirkby and James Lucas

    BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
    Ida (Poland)

    ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
    The Grand Budapest Hotel
    Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier

    ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
    The Grand Budapest Hotel
    Milena Canonero

    PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
    J.K. Simmons in Whiplash

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  • 2015 Spirit Awards Winners – BIRDMAN Wins Best Film

    Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

    Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is the big winner of 30th Film Independent Spirit Awards winning the awards for Best Feature, Best Male Lead and Best Cinematography.

    Other winners include Boyhood which won Best Director and Best Supporting Female; Nightcrawler which won Best First Feature and Best Screenplay; Whiplash which won Best Supporting Male and Best Editing; Still Alice, which won Best Female Lead; Dear White People, which won Best First Screenplay; Land Ho!, which won the John Cassavetes Award; Ida, which won Best International Film and CITIZENFOUR, which won Best Documentary.

    The 8th annual Robert Altman Award was given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice received this award, along with casting director Cassandra Kulukundis and ensemble cast members Josh Brolin, Hong Chau, Martin Donovan, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, Joaquin Phoenix, Sasha Pieterse, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Serena Scott Thomas, Benicio del Toro, Katherine Waterston, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon and Michael Kenneth Williams.

    The Special Distinction Award, given to a film for its uniqueness of vision, honesty of direction and screenwriting, superb acting and overall filmmaking achievement, was given to Foxcatcher. The award was given to director/producer Bennett Miller, producers Anthony Bregman, Megan Ellison, Jon Kilik, writers E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman, actors Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum.

    The 2015 Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation Fellowship which includes a cash grant of $10,000 was awarded to Christina Choe. This annual award is given to a filmmaker currently participating in a Film Independent Artist Development program with the mission of diversity in mind. Choe, a participant in the 2015 Directing Lab, is currently in active pre-production on her first narrative feature film, Nancy.

    The following is a complete list of the winners:

    Best Feature: Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
    Producers: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole

    Best Director: Richard Linklater (IFC Films)

    Best Screenplay: Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler (Open Road Films)

    Best First Feature: Nightcrawler (Open Road Films)
    Director: Dan Gilroy, Producers: Jennifer Fox, Tony Gilroy, Jake Gyllenhaal, David Lancaster, Michel Litvak

    Best First Screenplay: Justin Simien, Dear White People (Roadside Attractions/ Lionsgate)

    John Cassavetes Award (For best feature made under $500,000): Land Ho! (Sony Pictures Classics)
    Writers/Directors: Aaron Katz, Martha Stephens, Producers: Christina Jennings, Mynette Louie, Sara Murphy

    Best Supporting Female: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood (IFC Films)

    Best Supporting Male: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash (Sony Pictures Classics)

    Best Female Lead: Julianne Moore, Still Alice (Sony Pictures Classics)

    Best Male Lead: Michael Keaton, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

    Robert Altman Award: Inherent Vice (Warner Bros.)
    Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, Casting Director: Cassandra Kulukundis, Ensemble Cast: Josh Brolin, Hong Chau, Martin Donovan, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, Joaquin Phoenix, Sasha Pieterse, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Serena Scott Thomas, Benicio del Toro, Katherine Waterston, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Kenneth Williams

    Best Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

    Best Editing:Tom Cross, Whiplash (Sony Pictures Classics)

    Best International Film: Ida (Poland – Music Box Films)
    Director: Pawel Pawlikowski

    Best Documentary: CITIZENFOUR (RADiUS-TWC / HBO Documentary Films / Participant Media)
    Director: Laura Poitras; Producers: Mathilde Bonnefoy, Dirk Wilutzky

    Special Distinction Award: Foxcatcher (Sony Pictures Classics)
    Director/Producer: Bennett Miller, Producers: Anthony Bregman, Megan Ellison, Jon Kilik, Writers: E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman, Actors: Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum

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  • TIMBUKTU and Kristen Stewart Among César Awards Winners

    Kristen Stewart in "Clouds of Sils Maria"Kristen Stewart in “Clouds of Sils Maria”

    Timbuktu swept the 40th annual César awards, the French Oscars, winning seven awards including best film, and actress Kristen Stewart became the first American actress to win an award.

    In addition to the award for Best Film, Abderrahmane Sissako’s Timbuktu, also won the honors for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Music, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Sound. Timbuktu is also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvfxY83Usbs

    Kristen Stewart, won the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in the film Clouds of Sils Maria.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dht__ajVD4

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbVHlm7RcDs

    Complete list of winners

    Best Film
    Timbuktu, dir: Abderrahmane Sissako

    Best Actress
    Adèle Haenel, Les Combattants

    Best Adapted Screenplay
    Cyril Gely, Volker Schlöndorff – Diplomatie

    Best Actor
    Pierre Niney, Yves Saint Laurent

    Best Foreign Film
    Mommy, dir Xavier Dolan

    Best Director
    Abderrahmane Sissako, Timbuktu

    Best Supporting Actress
    Kristen Stewart, Clouds Of Sils Maria

    Best Short Film
    La Femme De Rio, dirs: Emma Luchini, Nicolas Rey

    Best Documentary
    Salt Of The Earth, dirs: Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro Salgado

    Best Editing
    Nadia Ben Rachid, Timbuktu

    Best Set Design
    Thierry Flamand, La Belle Et La Bête

    Best Original Screenplay
    Abderrahmane Sissako, Kessen Tall – Timbuktu

    Best Costumes
    Anaïs Romand, Saint-Laurent

    Best Newcomer (Male)
    Kevin Azaïs, Les Combattants

    Best Animated Film
    Minuscule – La Vallée Des Fourmis Perdues, dirs: Thomas Szabo and Hélène Giraud

    Best Animated Short
    Les Petits Cailloux, dir: Chloé Mazlo

    Best Score
    Amine Bouhafa, Timbuktu

    Best Supporting Actor
    Reda Kateb, Hippocrate

    Best Debut Feature
    Les Combattants, dir: Thomas Cailley, prod: Pierre Guyard

    Best Cinematography
    Sofian El Fani, Timbuktu

    Best Sound
    Philippe Welsh, Roman Dymny, Thierry Delor – Timbuktu

    Best Newcomer (Female)
    Louane Emera, La Famille Bélier

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  • Alex Gibney’s Controversial Scientology Doc to Debut on HBO

    going clear scientology prison of belief

    GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF, directed by Oscar® winner Alex Gibney which premiered at Sundance Film Festival, will debut in prime time Sunday, March 29, exclusively on HBO.

    The film can also be seen the next night, Monday, March 30 at 9:00 p.m. 

    Based on the book by Pulitzer Prize winner Lawrence Wright, GOING CLEAR,profiles eight former members of the Church of Scientology, whose most prominent adherents include A-list Hollywood celebrities, shining a light on how the church cultivates true believers, detailing their experiences and what they are willing to do in the name of religion.

    One of the most talked about films at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, this powerful documentary highlights the Church’s origins, from its roots in the mind of founder L. Ron Hubbard to its rise in popularity in Hollywood and beyond. The heart of GOING CLEAR is a series of shocking revelations by former insiders, including high-ranking and recognizable members such as acclaimed screenwriter Paul Haggis (“Crash”), who describe the systematic history of abuse and betrayal by Church officials, including the current leadership of the Church. GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF is a provocative tale of ego, exploitation and lust for power.

    GOING CLEAR: SCIENTOLOGY AND THE PRISON OF BELIEF was written and directed by Alex Gibney; based on the book by Lawrence Wright; producers, Alex Gibney, Kristen Vaurio and Lawrence Wright; editor, Andy Grieve; director of photography, Samuel Painter. For HBO; supervising producer, Sara Bernstein; executive producer, Sheila Nevins.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zllYkNu1sl4

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