Film Festivals

Local Philly Films in Greater Filmadelphia Lineup at 22nd Philadelphia Film Festival

McCanick

Six films highlighting the Philadelphia-area and local filmmakers, including the U.S. Premieres of both 1982 and MCCANICK starring Cory Monteith in his filnal role, will screen in the Greater Filmadelphia category at the upcoming 22nd Philadelphia Film Festival, which runs Thursday, October 17 to Sunday, October 27, 2013. The category also includes the Philadelphia premiere of LET THE FIRE BURN, as well as the Philadelphia premieres of THE DISCOVERERS, THE SUSPECT and TOWN HALL.

All films in the Greater Filmadelphia category are eligible for the Sharon Pinkenson Award for Best Local Feature.

Greater Filmadelphia line-up includes:

1982 – A mother’s drug addiction threatens to tear a family apart in this searing Philadelphia-based drama during the early days of the crack cocaine epidemic.

THE DISCOVERERS – Taking place primarily in the original setting of the Lewis and Clark expedition, The Discoverers is, at its heart, a family-reconciliation tale in which three generations of estranged relatives put aside their differences and past history to reconnect as a family and cope with loss.

MCCANICK – Gritty and suspenseful, McCanick is a tense action-drama about a volatile Philadelphia police officer determined to apprehend a recent parolee, who holds information about the cop’s past.

THE SUSPECT – An armed robbery, the appearance of an African-American man in an all-white Southern town and racial politics collide in The Suspect, an engaging thriller full of plot twists and surprises.

TOWN HALL – Documentarians Sierra Pettengill and Jamila Wignot provide an unadulterated, impartial look at the political and personal lives of two passionate Tea Party members.
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Twin Cities Film Fest Announces 2013 Lineup of Star Studded Award Contender Films

POLLYWOGS

Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) announced the lineup of films for their 2013 festival, to be held October 17 to 26, 2013. The festival will feature several Award contenders including NEBRASKA, the 2013 TCFF Opening Film and latest from filmmaker Alexander Payne; the TCFF Centerpiece THE ARMSTRONG LIE by Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney (“Taxi to the Dark Side”); and Gala Films MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM and AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.

TCFF lineup also features more than 20 world premieres of locally-produced features and short films including he critically-acclaimed POLLYWOGS, which was filmed in the north country by Minnesotan Karl Jacob. The horror film DELIVERY was created, scripted and directed by Minnesota natives Brian Netto and Adam Schindler.

TCFF will conclude on Saturday, October 26 with the Midwest Premiere of NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, featuring a performance by Emily Fradenburg. Fradenburg, based out of the Midwest and a well-known presence in the Twin Cities filmmaking community will be in attendance for the red carpet Premiere.

2013 TWIN CITIES FILM FEST SCHEDULE

October 17

7:00p.m.:  Nebraska, Alexander Payne, 110m

October 18

12:00 p.m.:  The Search for Simon, Martin Gooch, 96m

2:00 p.m.:  American Cycle, Baruh Benjamins and Fernando del Valle, 82m

4:30 p.m.: Gladiators: The Uncertain Future of American Football, Todd Trigsted, 90m

6:45 p.m.: Trust, Greed, Bullets & Bourbon, Scott Kawczynski, 85m

9:00 p.m.: We Are What We Are, Jim Mickle, 105m

October 19

10:30 p.m.: American Meat, Graham Meriwether, 88m

1:00 p.m.: Rain Man, Barry Levinson, 133m

4:00 p.m.: Forev, Molly Green & James Leffler, 88m

6:30 p.m.: Winter in the Blood, Alex & Andrew Smith, 98m

6:45 p.m.: Bahamian Son (Sneak Preview), Andrew Melby, 85m

9:00p.m.: Screwed, John Wynn, 96m

9:15 p.m.: Truth or Dare, Jessica Cameron, 80m

October 20

10:00 p.m.: Cafeteria Man, Richard Chisolm, 95m

12:15 p.m.: Brasslands, Meerkat Media Collective, 84m

2:30 p.m.: Farah Goes Bang, Meera Menon, 91m

5:00 p.m.: Family Shorts, Conor Holt, Sandra Capra, John Gigrich, Rob Walstead, Alexander Cooney, Alaina L. Lewis, John Gigrich, Kris Dunlap, Beth Vang, 79m

7:15 p.m.: Diamond on Vinyl, J.R. Hughto, 95m

9:30 p.m.: The Search for Simon, Martin Gooch, 96m

October 21

6:15 p.m.: MN’s Best Shorts BLOCK 1, Karl Warnke, Geoff George, Dan Delano, Vincent Gargiulo, Mason Makram, Daniel Stessen, Chars Bonin, 87m

8:45 p.m.: Ghost Light, John Gaspard, 85m

October 22

6:30 p.m.: The Armstrong Lie, Alex Gibney, 122m

9:30 p.m.: They Will Outlive Us All, Patrick Shearer, 73m

October 23

4:00 p.m.: Beyond Right and Wrong: Stories of Justice and Forgiveness,

6:15 p.m.: MN’s Best Shorts BLOCK 2, John Heimbuch, Brittany Gustafson, Kevin Horn, John Karsko, Peter Baehr, John Akre, John Gigrich, 82m

6:30 p.m.: The Liability, Craig Viveiros, 86m

8:30 p.m.: How I Live Now, Kevin Macdonald, 101m

9:00 p.m.: Casual Encounters, Will McCord, 79m

October 24

12:30 p.m.: MCTC shorts, MCTC Students, 60m

2:00 p.m.: Forty Years From Yesterday, Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, 77m

4:00 p.m.: The Big Noise, Dominic Pelosi, 80m

6:00 p.m.: The One Who Loves You, Katharyn Grant, 95m

6:30 p.m.: One Chance, David Frankel, 103 min

8:30 p.m.: The Appearing, Daric Gates, 92m

9:15 p.m.: Drunk Wedding, Nick Weiss, 75m

October 25

11:30 p.m.: Antarctica: A Year On Ice, Anthony Powell, 92m

1:45 p.m.: Gladiators: The Uncertain Future of American Football, Todd Trigsted, 90m

4:00 p.m.: Tapia, Eddie Alcazar, 82m

6:15 p.m.: Bloom Series, Jeet-Kei Leung, 120m

6:30 p.m.: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Justin Chadwick, 152m

9:00 p.m.: A Method, Paul von Stoetzel, 62m

9:45 p.m.: Delivery, Brian Netto, 87m

October 26

10:45 p.m.: Remote Area Medical, Jeff Reichert & Farihah Zaman, 83m

1:00 p.m.: Pollywogs, Karl Jacob and T. Arthur Cottam, 79m

3:00 p.m.: Last Vegas, Jon Turteltaub, 104m

5:45 p.m.: Wild Blue, Josh Hope, 100m

6:00 p.m.: August: Osage County, John Wells, 103m

8:30 p.m.: Nothing Without You, Xackery Irving, 95m
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2013 Camden International Film Festival Announces Winning Films; THE GENIUS OF MARIAN Wins Best Documentary

THE GENIUS OF MARIAN

The Camden International Film Festival wrapped its ninth edition, and announced the award winning films of the 2013 festival, with THE GENIUS OF MARIAN directed by Banker White and Anna Fitch winning the Harrell Award for Best Documentary Feature. THE GENIUS OF MARIAN is described as an intimate family portrait that explores the heartbreak of Alzheimer’s disease, the power of art and the meaning of family. THE GENIUS OF MARIAN follows Pam White in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease as her son, the filmmaker, documents her struggle to hang on to a sense of self.

The Harrell Award for Best Documentary Feature Special Jury Mention went to EXPEDITION TO THE END OF THE WORLD directed by Daniel Dencik. On a three-mast schooner packed with artists, scientists and ambitions worthy of Noah or Columbus, we set off for the end of the world: the rapidly melting massifs of North-East Greenland. An epic journey where the brave sailors on board encounter polar bear nightmares, Stone Age playgrounds and entirely new species.

This year’s Emerging Cinematic Vision Award went to BENDING STEEL directed by Dave Carroll. BENDING STEEL is a moving documentary, which follows Chris Schnoeck, an endearing yet unassuming man as he trains to become a professional oldtime strongman.

A Special Emerging Cinematic Vision Jury Mention went to LAST DREAMS by Estephan Wagner. LAST DREAMS follows three women during their last month of life. Through them we get an intimate and honest picture of what it means to be close to death – stories of solitude, reconciliation and love during the process of saying goodbye.

The Camden International Film Festival had two films tie for the 2013 Audience Award – Dave Carroll’s BENDING STEEL and Jillian Schlesinger’s MAIDENTRIP.

In addition to the award winning films, seven filmmakers took the stage of the Camden Opera House on Saturday, September 28 for the fourth annual Points North Pitch, part of CIFF’s Points North Documentary Forum that runs concurrently with the festival. The filmmakers pitched their documentary works-in-progress to a panel of funders broadcasters, distributors and producers. The 2013 Points North Pitch Award and Modulus Finishing Fund was given to Drew Xanthopoulos for THE SENSITIVES.

CIFF’s partnership with The New York Times brought filmmakers to pitch their ideas for an Op-Doc as part of Points North Documentary Forum on Sunday, September 29 at Union Hall in Rockport. The winning pitch receives the opportunity to produce an Op-Doc for The New York Times with a budget of $2,000 (USD). This year’s 2013 winner was PROJECT NODAK directed by Lewis Wilcox and James Christenson.
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Montclair Film Festival Announces 2014 Dates

The Montclair Film Festival (MFF), in New Jersey, will host its third annual festival from April 28 to May 4, 2014.

Submissions are now being accepted in all categories with all the information available on the MFF website.. There are four key deadlines for filmmakers to make note of:

Early-bird deadline: Dec. 20

Regular deadline: Jan. 31

Late deadline: Feb. 21

Withoutabox special deadline: Feb. 28
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Cannes Film Festival Sets 2014 Dates

The 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will be held May 14 to 25, 2014.
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2013 trinidad+tobago film festival Winners; MELAZA, FATAL ASSISTANCE, SONGS OF REDEMPTION Win Top Awards

MELAZA, directed by Carlos Lechuga

After screening a total of 142 films, the 2013 trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff), which began on September 17th and closed on October 1, 2013, announced the competition winners. The Cuban film MELAZA, directed by Carlos Lechuga is the winner of the Jury Prize for Best Feature; and the Jury Prize for Best Documentary was won by two films: FATAL ASSISTANCE – directed by Raoul Peck, and SONGS OF REDEMPTION, directed by Miquel Galofre and Amanda Sans.

ttff/13 competition winners are:

Jury Prize: Best Feature
MELAZA, directed by Carlos Lechuga
In the town of Melaza the sugarcane industry is at a standstill and work is hard to come by. Monica, receptionist at the sugar mill, still goes to the factory daily, although it has been shuttered for a year. Her husband, Aldo, teaches swimming in a pool with no water. To make extra money, they engage in a lucrative but illegal venture. When the police discover their scheme they charge the couple a hefty fine. To get out of their predicament, Monica and Aldo must consider doing the unthinkable.

*The jury awarded a special mention in this category to GOD LOVES THE FIGHTER directed by Damian Marcano
Charlie is a young man seeking to make ends meet on the streets of Port of Spain. Reluctantly, he takes a job from a gang leader as assistant to a drug courier. This is how he meets Dinah, a prostitute, who works for the fearsome Putao. Dinah convinces Charlie to escape with her, in a move that triggers serious consequences. Shot in an urgent and unflinchingly gritty style, God Loves the Fighter is an honest yet sympathetic tale of real life as lived in contemporary urban Trinidad.

Jury Prize: Best Documentary
There was joint first prize: FATAL ASSISTANCE – directed by Raoul Peck / SONGS OF REDEMPTION, directed by Miquel Galofre and Amanda Sans

FATAL ASSISTANCE
Over three years after the earthquake that ravaged the country, conditions in Haiti remain far from acceptable. Why is this the case, despite billions of dollars in aid and the intervention of everyone from movie stars to former US presidents? This gripping documentary by Haiti’s most acclaimed filmmaker dissects the recovery effort and exposes its inner workings. In the process, it paints a damning picture of a country in thrall to a paternalistic aid system almost as invidious as any dictatorship.

SONGS OF REDEMPTION
At the general Penitentiary in Kingston, where inmates are serving sentences for crimes as serious as murder, a remarkable experiment is taking place. Through the progressive vision of the prison’s former superintendent, a rehabilitation scheme has been implemented that involves inmates creating and recording reggae music. Featuring riveting interviews and moving live performances, Songs of Redemption is an uplifting testament to the healing, even transformative power of music.

Jury Prize: Best Local Feature Film
GOD LOVES THE FIGHTER, directed by Damian Marcano

Jury Prize: Best Short
There was a joint first prize: PASSAGE – directed by Kareem Mortimer / PREVIOUS SCENES – directed by Aleksandra Maciuszek

Jury Prize: Best Local Short
AFTER MAS, directed by Karen Martinez

Best Caribbean Film by an International Director
3 KIDS, directed by Jonas D’Adesky
*The jury awarded two special mentions in this category: TULA: THE REVOLT, directed by Joeren Linders and THE STUART HALL PROJECT, directed by John Akomfrah

New Media Prize
Olivia McGilChrist

People’s Choice – Feature
GOD LOVES THE FIGHTER, directed by Damian Marcano

People’s Choice – Documentary
SONGS OF REDEMPTION, directed by Miquel Galofre and Amanda Sans

People’s Choice – Short
JAB IN THE DARK, directed by Robert McFarlane

RBC Focus Pitch prize
The Winner is Shakira Bourne

bpTT Student Award
The winner is Maryam Mohammed

bpTT Film in Development Award
The winner is Kevin Adams
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Revelation Perth International Film Festival Reveals 2014 Dates, Launches Trailer Contest

The Revelation Perth International Film Festival announces a new competition for its 2014 event. which runs July 3 to 13, 2014. The festival is inviting filmmakers, students, artists and cinematic visionaries to create the trailer for the 2014 festival.

According to the festival. the trailer which will be screened at Luna Palace Cinemas before and during the festival should be 45-60 second and represent the spirit of Revelation, it should speak to the audiences and most importantly it should be as unique and exciting as the films shown.

Three winners will be selected and each will receive a Revelation membership plus additional passes and privileges.

Entries for the Revelation Perth International Film Festival trailer competition close on 1 April 2014.

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OUT OF THE FURNACE, NEBRASKA, THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY Added to 2013 AFI FEST

Scott Cooper’s OUT OF THE FURNACE

Additional red carpet Centerpiece Galas were announced for this year’s 2013 AFI FEST, including the World Premiere of Scott Cooper’s OUT OF THE FURNACE; Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA; accompanied by a Tribute to Bruce Dern; and THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY, directed by and starring Ben Stiller. Stuart Cornfeld, an AFI Conservatory alumnus and recipient of the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal at the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony held last June, is one of the producers of THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY. All galas will be presented in the historic TCL Theatre.

As previously announced, the North American Premiere of SAVING MR. BANKS (DIR John Lee Hancock) is the Opening Night Gala and INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (DIR Ethan Coen, Joel Coen) is the Closing Night Gala. The Guest Artistic Director is Agnès Varda. The previously announced FOXCATCHER Premiere is no longer part of the AFI FEST program, due to the shift of the film’s release date to 2014.

“Our Centerpiece Galas reflect the diverse cinematic experience at AFI FEST, from our smaller independent films to larger studio releases. We are thrilled to have the World Premiere of OUT OF THE FURNACE; to honor the legendary Bruce Dern for his outstanding career and his brilliant performance in NEBRASKA; and to take the audience on a journey with THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, AFI FEST Festival Director. Commenting on the news that the previously announced Premiere of FOXCATCHER would move to next year, Lyanga added, “AFI will be proud to celebrate FOXCATCHER when Bennett Miller and his talented team are ready to share it with the world.”
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WINNIE MANDELA to Open 2013 Hollywood Black Film Festival | TRAILER

WINNIE MANDELA

WINNIE MANDELA has been selected as the Opening Night Film of the 2013 Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) on Wednesday, October 2, 2013. Starring Academy Award winner Jennifer Hudson (Dreamgirls) and Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard (Hustle & Flow), Winnie Mandela is described as an epic story of love, sacrifice and courage.

Moving from a remote tribal village to the sprawling metropolis of Johannesburg, South Africa, a proud young Winnie (Jennifer Hudson) soon found love with a rising political star, Nelson Mandela (Terrence Howard). When Nelson was imprisoned for protesting the brutal Apartheid government, Winnie worked tirelessly to win his freedom and to carry on his message of peace and equality. Her struggle to keep the Mandela dream alive was rewarded by years of persecution and imprisonment, including 18 months of solitary confinement. Throughout, her resolve to fight for her freedom, her family and her country never wavered. Her leadership and unconquerable spirit caught the attention of the world and earned her the name “the mother of the nation.”

http://youtu.be/HqNhuoguiFE
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BLUE Ocean Film Festival Sets Location and Dates for 2014 Festival

BLUE Ocean Film Festival (BLUE) has selected St. Petersburg, Florida, as the location for the next biennial festival to be held November 3 to 9, 2014. The announcement was made on the same day that BLUE announced a strategic partnership with the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, to host a BLUE Ocean Film Festival event every other year in Monaco, beginning in 2015.

“We chose St. Petersburg as a place to grow BLUE, for several reasons. The incredibly beautiful marina and downtown area will provide the intimate environment that has become a trademark for BLUE, with access to state-of-the-art facilities for showcasing our films and hosting signature events. Just as important is the enthusiasm of the local business community and the world-class institutional partnerships we have developed that will help us grow our education outreach programs. Of course, St. Petersburg’s location on the Gulf of Mexico, was a major factor in our decision,” explains Debbie Kinder, CEO and Executive Director of BLUE.

At the heart of BLUE Ocean Film Festival is an international film competition and festival that screens over 100 of the world’s ocean films in more than 20 award categories. A Conservation Summit and Film/Media Industry Conference held during the Festival draws leaders and luminaries from the marine conservation, film and art worlds. Film screenings and conservation events are open to the public, along with memorable social events that provide an intimate environment for networking with filmmakers and scientists.
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Winners of 2013 Guam International Film Festival; BREAKAWAY Wins Grand Jury Award

BREAKAWAY (ALAGWA) (Philippines, Dir: Ian Lorenos)

The Guam International Film Festival (GIFF) announced the Grand Jury Award Winners of their 2013 Festival. BREAKAWAY (ALAGWA) directed by Ian Lorenos about the truly harrowing account of a 9-year-old boy who goes missing and the anguish of his single dad who embarks on a desperate search for him, won the Grand Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature. THE ILLNESS AND THE ODYSSEY directed by Berry Minott won the Grand Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature. This film is described as an epic, medical mystery “whodunit”, which tracks the decades long pursuit of scientists competing with each other to find the cause of a mysterious neurological disease affecting the native Chamorro population on the island of Guam. The stakes are high because the answer will lead to cures for Alzheimer’s and other related diseases.

The following is a list of Winners in the respective categories for competition in the Guam International Film Festival:

GRAND JURY AWARD – BEST NARRATIVE FEATURE
BREAKAWAY (ALAGWA) (Philippines, Dir: Ian Lorenos)

GRAND JURY AWARD – BEST NARRATIVE SHORT:
HSU JI BEHIND THE SCREEN (France, Dir: Thomas Rio)

GRAND JURY AWARD – BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE:
THE ILLNESS AND THE ODYSSEY (Guam, US, Dir: Berry Minott)

GRAND JURY AWARD – BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT:
STRAIGHT WITH YOU (Netherlands, Dir: Daan Bol)

BEST MADE IN THE MARIANAS:
THE ILLNESS AND THE ODYSSEY (Guam, US, Dir: Berry Minott)

ACHIEVEMENT IN ACTING:
JERICHO ROSALES FOR ‘BREAKAWAY (ALAGWA)’ (Philippines, Dir: Ian Lorenos)

BEST OF FESTIVAL:
A2-B-C (Japan, Dir: Ian Thomas Ash)

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD:
ZORI (Marshall Islands, Dirs: Jack Niedenthal, Suzanne Chutaro)
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FREE Storyteller Live Showcase Added to 2013 Hollywood Black Film Festival

The 2013 Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) will host a FREE live Storyteller Showcase that will take place Friday, October 4th at The W Hotel, 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 in Great Rooms 1 & 2. The Showcase is open to the public.

Since its inception in 1998, the Hollywood Black Film Festival has honored and encouraged scribes for their excellence in and dedication to the art of storytelling. HBFF celebrates how important the written word is to the mediums of film and television and gives recognition to those who put those words on the page.

Helmed by HBFF staff member and blossoming actress Alexia Peebles, each year of the festival, writers from all over the globe submit their work to be considered for one of the 10 slots given to the Storyteller Semi-Finalists. Whether a feature, short, documentary, or written for television, countless scripts are read, critiqued, and scored by a jury panel comprised of working industry professionals to determine the best works to advance into the next phase of the competition. Next, the top 10 scripts are read and critiqued again to find out which three will become Storyteller Finalists. The ranking of those top three are announced at the Filmmakers and Storyteller Awards Presentation at the close of the festival.

The writers of the 10 semi-finalist scripts are given a personal invitation to the festival, where they receive exclusive, personalized attention from Storyteller’s mentor of 11 years, Harrison Reiner. He is an award-winning script-writer and valued staff member at CBS Television Studio’s Scripted Cable Series Division.

“I have been working with Harrison for the past six years,” Alexia says, “and what I know for certain is that he is completely invested and dedicated. Harrison loves nothing more than mentoring. It’s such a big part of who he is. The Storyteller Semi-Finalists have always found their time with him invaluable.”

The prize package for the three Storyteller Finalists includes the writer choosing a scene from their script to be performed by working LA actors before an audience in the new Storyteller Live Showcase. Formerly called the Storyteller Live Staged Reading, participants have included Obba Babbatunde, Loretta Devine, Jackee’ Harry, Tatiana Ali, and Kenny Lattimore in the night dedicated to HBFF Storytellers.

This year’s performances are being cast and directed by noted director/ playwright, Patricia Cuffie-Jones, protégé of David E. Talbert. Patricia has made quite a name for herself with projects such as Love the One You’re With and Love’s Holiday. This will be her first collaboration with HBFF and she is excited about the new endeavor.

“I want to make the writers proud, give the audience an appetite for more, and give platform to some extraordinary talent,” she shares.

“I look forward to staging these phenomenal stories, keeping true to the honesty and integrity in which it was written, and revealing to the audience the genuine heart and raw soul that lies within it”.
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