Ning Hao’s Chinese comedy The Movie Emperor will kick off the film lineup for this year’s 23rd edition of Asian Film Festival of Dallas (AFFD) taking place July 25-28, 2024. AFFD’s Centerpiece film will be Marc Marriott’s fish-out-of-water tale Tokyo Cowboy, and the Closing Night film is Soi Cheang’s Hong Kong action-adventure film Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In.
One of the most beloved modern Indian director, SS Rajamouli, whose works include Academy Award winning ‘RRR’ and one of India’s most expensive film ‘Baahubali’ is getting a Netflix documentary honoring his works and creative process. Netflix, Applause Entertainment, and Film Companion Studios partner for an upcoming biographical documentary feature titled Modern Masters: SS Rajamouli, which premieres on August 2. Through an immersive journey and interview with Rajamouli, behind-the-scenes footage, and captivating narratives, this collaboration endeavors to encapsulate the filmmaker’s creative universe, showcasing his profound influence on Indian and international cinema, his enduring legacy, and his innovative contributions to filmmaking.
Ron Howard’s Eden and Anderson .Paak’s K-POPS are among five World Premiere titles in the Gala program and the Special Presentation program of the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.
The 41st Munich International Film Festival (Filmfest München) presented the awards in the five international competitions (CineCoPro, CineMasters, CineVision, CineRebels, and CineKindl), the FIPRESCI Prize, the Young Jury Award, and the three Audience Awards, with the most lucrative prize, the 100,000-euro CineCoPro Award, going to the film “To a Land Unknown” by Mahdi Fleifel.
The 58th Karlovy Vary IFF presented awards for the best films at the closing ceremony with A Sudden Glimpse to Deeper Things directed by Mark Cousins winning the Grand Prix – Crystal Globe. The documentary is an essayistic portrait of a British artist, with deep insights into the world of gender, climate, and creativity. “What a festival, what a hall, what a shock! My film is also about shock, about the transformation of artist Wilhelmina Barns-Graham after she climbed a Swiss glacier in 1949. It’s about a woman who lived her life to the fullest,” said Mark Cousins.
The Venice Classics program of the 81st Venice International Film Festival of La Biennale di Venezia will present the world premiere screenings of 18 film restorations of masterpieces completed over the past year from film libraries, cultural institution and productions around the world.
Originally released 35 years ago back in 1988, Oscar Schmitz’s ‘Mapantsula’ was a landmark in South African cinema. Film Movement revealed the release date for a remastered version of the film, restored in 4K from the original 35mm negative and will release in conjuction with the film’s 35th anniversary.
Ivy Vale’s coming of age musical Out of My Comfort Zone will open this year’s 8th edition of Festival of Cinema NYC, the Queens-based film festival, running from August 2-11, 2024. The festival returns to the Regal UA Midway in Forest Hills with additional venues this year including the Queens Public Library at Forest Hills, Yant Tattoo Studios – the Official Filmmaker Lounge and special presentations at the Queens Center Mall in Rego Park. The festival closes with the world premiere of Delfine Paolini’s A Wonderful Way with Dragons.
After premiering at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival, punk rock supergroup OFF! revealed the trailer for ‘Free LSD’, the science fiction comedy film which promotes the group’s farewell album with the same name (which debuted at #20 on the Billboard Album Sales Chart). The film was written and directed by OFF!’s guitarist Dimitri Coats.
Entertainment Squad revealed the trailer for ‘Peak Season’, the romantic comedy that premiered last year at 2023 SXSW Film Festival. Stated as a love letter from Jackson Hole from director Steven Kanter & Henry Loevner, ‘Peak Season’ tells the story of a couple struggling with their relationship after a third party enters the picture.
Fantasia International Film Festival celebrating its 28th edition from July 18 through August 4, 2024, will close with the World Premiere of André Forcier’s Ababouiné. Ababouiné takes us back to the 1950s, when the Catholic Church ruled over Quebec with an iron fist, and as a rowdy group of kids goes to war against the church. In his latest masterpiece, André Forcier (Au Clair De La Lune, A Wind From Wyoming) revisits a dark period of Quebec’s history through an often shocking – yet undeniably and absurdly funny – lens. With a deft hand, Forcier navigates the historical abuses of the church and the hope of a society on the brink of change – with sensitivity, humour, and a lot of heart. Starring in the film are Rémy Girard, Gaston Lepage, Pascale Montpetit, Éric Bruneau, and Mylène Mackay.
Dark Sky Films revealed the official trailer for ‘Booger’, writer/director Mary Dauterman’s feature film debut. The film premiered at last year’s Fantasia Film Festival and gained critical acclaim for its bold and captivating depiction of grief.