The first virtual edition of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF), now in its 24th year, will feature a robust slate of speakers including Stacey Abrams, Kenya Barris, Mary J. Blige, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Gabrielle Union and Lena Waithe, as well as panels ranging from the business of Hollywood to spotlights on new films and television series. The festival will offer a mix of live and on demand content from August 21st to 30th at abff.com.
Stage Mother, the new comedy-drama film starring Oscar-nominated Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook, Animal Kingdom), Adrian Grenier (Entourage, The Devil Wears Prada) and Emmy-Nominated Lucy Liu (Charlie’s Angels, Elementary, Ally McBeal), will kick-off the virtual 22nd edition of the OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival on Thursday, August 20.
The new short film by Luca Guadagnino, Fiori, Fiori, Fiori!, and the independent film, Run Hide Fight, written and directed by Kyle Rankin, with Isabel May, Thomas Jane, and Radha Mitchell, have been added to the Out of Competition line-up of the 77th Venice International Film Festival. The festival is scheduled to take place from September 2 to 12 2020 at the Lido di Venezia.
The first official trailer debuted today for Come True, the dark sci-fi thriller from Canadian filmmaker, visual effects artist and musician Anthony Scott Burns (Our House, Holidays Father’s Day segment). The film will world premiere on August 30th as part of upcoming Fantasia International Film Festival, running August 20th – September 2nd digitally.
The 19th New York Asian Film Festival will be a special virtual edition from August 28 to September 12, 2020. The festival continues to highlight women both behind and in front of the camera, and features a specific FOCUS on women filmmakers: Women Transforming Film, starting with The Opening Film – the North American Premiere of The Girl and the Gun (Babae at Baril), directed by Rae Red, led by a superb performance by actress Janine Gutierrez.
Valentina, the debut feature by Brazilian writer-director Cássio Pereira dos Santos, will have its world premiere at the Outfest Los Angeles LGBTQ Film Festival, taking place August 20-30, followed by a screening at OUTshine LGBTQ+ Film Festival in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, on August 29. A hopeful and inspiring reflection of the real life hardships faced by a young woman seeking to embrace who she is, Valentina also marks the film debut of influential Brazilian trans YouTuber Thiessa Woinbackk, in the title role.
This year’s 2020 Stony Brook Film Festival, will be offered virtually and over an extended 3 months. The Festival will showcase 24 new and independent films, all available to view online from September 10, 2020 through December 15, 2020.
Danish actor Mads Mikkelsen (“Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,” “Polar,” “Arctic”) will receive the Honorary Heart of Sarajevo Award of the 26th Sarajevo Film Festival. The Award is given for outstanding contribution to the art of film. At the festival Mikkelsen will hold a Masterclass that the festival public will be able to watch online, via ondemand.sff.ba.
Just like the Tribeca Film Festival, the Sundance Film Festival is making big changes for 2021 including plans to change the dates and shorten the event.
The 20th anniversary edition of the Tribeca Film Festival, will take place in June 2021, reflecting shifting calendars and efforts to ensure the Festival moves forward in the safest environment. The Festival will return to New York City on June 9 to 20, 2021.
Fantasia Film Festival announced the third wave of new feature films for its 24th edition, along with a Lifetime Achievement Award for writer/director/musician John Carpenter.
