The Russian Film Week in New York kicks off the New Year with an online edition that brings the latest in Russian cinema to US audiences from January 23-29, 2021. Last year’s edition expanded the event’s program to audiences in Boston, Washington DC, Seattle, Chicago, Denver and Palo Alto with next year’s online edition opening up fresh Russian films to nationwide viewers.
Casey Feigh took home the Best Film Grand Prize for his comedic short Beginner’s Luck at the 5th annual Hollywood Comedy Shorts Film Festival. The comedic short stars Lauren Lapkus (The Wrong Missy), Matthew Gray Gubler (Criminal Minds), Ego Nwodim (Saturday Night Live), and Mary Holland (Happiest Season). Patrick Norman won Best Feature Script for his screenplay Derby Dolls.
A Glitch in the Matrix, the mind-bending new sci-fi documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Rodney Ascher (Room 237, The Nightmare) that offers viewers a red or blue pill before entering the funhouse of simulation theory has been acquired by Magnolia Pictures ahead of the world premiere at 2021 Sundance Film Festival.
Due to the current COVID-19 situation, the 71st Berlin International Film Festival has developed a new festival format for 2021. The industry platforms European Film Market, Berlinale Co-Production Market, Berlinale Talents and the World Cinema Fund will kick off the 71st Berlinale in March with an online offer. In June, there will be a summer event with numerous film screenings for the public audiences – in cinemas as well as open air.
Ahead of the world premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival in the Midnight section, a teaser trailer debuted for “Knocking” from director Frida Kempff, and starring Cecilia Milocco.
Stony Brook Film Festival hosted its LIVE Virtual Awards Ceremony for the 2020 festival and The Subject directed by Lanie Zipoy and written by Chisa Hutchinson, won the Jury Award for Best Feature. The Subject tells the story of a successful documentary filmmaker haunted by his last film, which captured the murder of his Subject, a black teen in Harlem; a timely film that explores the relationship between an artist and their subject and addresses the harsh reality of race and class among the privileged. The film features Jason Biggs, Aunjanue Ellis, Anabelle Acosta, Carra Patterson, Nile Bullock, and Caleb Eberhardt,
The Jewish Museum and Film at Lincoln Center will present the virtual 2021 New York Jewish Film Festival (NYJFF) virtually from January 13 through 26 showcasing 17 features and seven shorts.
Sundance announced today the independent films selected for Feature Film, Short Film, Indie Series and New Frontier categories for the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. The Festival will take place digitally via a feature-rich, Sundance-built online platform and in person on Satellite Screens across the country (public health permitting) from January 28-February 3, 2021.
Revelation Perth International Film Festival closed its 23rd annual edition with the inaugural WA Screen Culture Awards. The critically acclaimed award-winning short film Judas Collar, which made the Oscar’s Best Live Action Short Film Category Long List last year, took home five awards (and every one of their nominations).
The 5th annual edition of the Hollywood Comedy Shorts Film Festival (HCSFF) will feature over 30 screenplays in competition as well as 130 comedic short films in various forms like Rom Coms, Dark Comedy, Web Series, Horror Comedy, Cringe, Spoof, among others. From the organizers behind the Oscar-Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival, HCSFF will be virtual on Bitpix from December 11-18, 2020 and include screenings, filmmaker Q&As, panels, and a virtual awards gala.
Comedian/actor George López (No Man’s Land) will be honored at this year’s 2020 GuadaLAjara Film Festival in Los Angeles, with the Arbol de la Vida Lifetime Achievement Award for “his commitment to creating a more inclusive industry through the amplification of Latino voices in the U.S.” Past recipients include Gregory Nava, Patricia Riggen, and Kate Del Castillo. The award will be presented to López by Director Conor Allyn and co-star Jake Allyn (No Man’s Land) on Thursday, December 10th.
The UK premiere of director Lee Isaac Chung’s Minari, starring Steven Yeun, will open 2021 Glasgow Film Festival (GFF) on Wednesday February 24. The award-winning autobiographical drama won the US Dramatic Grand Jury Prize and US Dramatic Audience Award at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.