Film Festivals

German Currents: Film Festival Los Angeles Lineup for October 4 – 7, Opens with MEASURING THE WORLD

MEASURING THE WORLD (DIE VERMESSUNG DER WELT)

German Currents: Festival of German Film is back for the seventh annual showcase at the American Cinematheque’s Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. German Currents will present a varied selection of current German cinema; including features, documentaries, short films, as well as a family/youth film. The festival will open with the US Premiere of MEASURING THE WORLD (DIE VERMESSUNG DER WELT) directed by Detlev Buck on Friday, October 4th, 2013, continuing through Monday, October 7th, 2013.

GALA OPENING NIGHT – US PREMIERE

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, AT 7:30 PM EGYPTIAN THEATRE

MEASURING THE WORLD (DIE VERMESSUNG DER WELT)
Directed by Detlev Buck

Two of the greatest minds of the 19th century, mathematician Carl Friederich Gauss (Florian David Fritz) and scientist Alexander von Humboldt (Albrecht Abraham Schuch), dedicate their studies to measuring and comprehending the world they live in. Based on Daniel Kehlmann’s best-selling novel of the same name, this visually stunning epic is a playful re-imagining of the great men’s lives. Humboldt, a man with a passion for global exploration, is contrasted with Gauss, a man who experiences his world through mathematical theories and figures. Humboldt, aided by his colleague, Aimé Bonpland, travels the globe physically engaging the world he wishes to understand, applying modern, scientific thinking to comparatively unknown regions. Though he remains in the same destitute community for much of his life, Gauss’ interior journey of mathematical discovery proves to be just as rich and visually stunning as Humboldt’s adventures in remote areas of the world. Fact and fiction are mixed, often to humorous effect, to chronicle the findings of two very different men who nevertheless sought the same answers. MEASURING THE WORLD was nominated for two German Film Awards in 2013, and the film has won Best Costume Design and Best Make-up Design awards at the 2013 Austrian Film Awards.

Germany / Austria (2012), 123 min. In German, French, Spanish with English Subtitles

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5, AT 7:30 PM EGYPTIAN THEATRE

DOUBLE FEATURE

OH BOY
Directed by Jan Ole Gerster

Jan Ole Gerster’s wry and vibrant feature debut Oh Boy, which swept the 2013 German Film Awards, paints a day in the life of Niko, a twenty-something college dropout going nowhere fast. Niko lives for the moment as he drifts through the streets of Berlin, curiously observing everyone around him and oblivious to his growing status as an outsider. Then on one fateful day, through a series of absurdly amusing encounters, everything changes: his girlfriend rebuffs him, his father cuts off his allowance, and a strange psychiatrist dubiously confirms his ’emotional imbalance’. Meanwhile, a former classmate insists she bears no hard feelings toward him for his grade-school taunts when she was “Roly Poly Julia,” but it becomes increasingly apparent that she has unfinished business with him. Unable to ignore the consequences of his passivity any longer, Niko finally concludes that he has to engage with life. Shot in timeless black and white and enriched with a snappy jazz soundtrack, this slacker dramedy is a love letter to Berlin and the Generation Y experience.

In Person: Director Jan Ole Gerster
Germany (2012), 85 min. In German with English subtitles
US Distributor: Music Box Films



SATURDAY, OCTOBER 5 AT 9:30 PM EGYPTIAN THEATRE

DOUBLE FEATURE – L.A. PREMIERE

BEERLAND
Directed by Matt Sweetwood

Matt Sweetwood hails from the Midwest. Though he has lived in Germany for over ten years, the people and their culture remain a mystery to him. He undertakes a last-ditch attempt to figure the place out: by exploring the heart of German culture, their beer. If he delves into their rites and rituals, explores all the contradictions and stereotypes, will that make him, finally, a part of them? The infinite variety of beers, breweries and beer fests, the age-old history of beer, is more overwhelming than the American ever imagined. The trail of his research leads him to places far off the beaten tourist path, light-years away from the Oktoberfest. He encounters people whose dialect he barely understands. Amazingly, he finds that a country as small a Germany is subdivided into a thousand different tongues and customs, with beer as the common thread. He discovers a land full of oddities and contradictions. The Germans are deathly serious and silly at the same time, tradition-bound and weirdly visionary. Ultimately, he forms a real bond with them, finding friends where he least expected them.

In Person: Director Matt Sweetwood
Germany (2012), 85 min. In German and English with English Subtitles

KINDERMATINEE

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 – 2:00 PM EGYPTIAN THEATRE

THE ADVENTURES OF HUCK FINN (DIE ABENTEUER DES HUCK FINN)
Directed by Hermine Huntgeburth

A lively German language adaptation of Mark Twain’s classic satire.  Huck Finn, having found treasure with his best friend Tom Sawyer, is now chafing in the shoes and starched shirts that come with his new wealthy lifestyle. He’d like nothing more than to kick off his shoes and run wild along the river. He gets his chance when his drunken father (August Diehl) arrives and demands a share of Huck’s money. Huck decides to escape downriver and he brings along Jim, the house slave who has recently discovered that he will be handed over to a slave trader. The two travel the Mississippi River on a makeshift raft, hoping to outrun Huck’s violent father and find a place where Jim can be accepted as a free man. Twain’s timeless adventure is exuberantly brought to the screen in a film that can be enjoyed by the whole family.

Germany (2012), 101 min. In German with English Subtitles

FILM WORKSHOPS

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 – 1:00 – 1:50 PM & 4:00 – 4:50 PM

Join the Echo Park Film Center for an afternoon of cinematic exploration and education with the EPFC “Filmcicle” in the courtyard of the Egyptian Theatre. The “Filmcicle” is a bicycle powered cinema and school on 3 wheels. Using traditional analog motion picture film we encourage audience members – young and old – to spend some time with us creating cinematic wonder.

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6 AT 5:00 PM EGYPTIAN THEATRE

DOUBLE FEATURE – US PREMIERE

GOLD
Directed by Thomas Arslan; starring NIna Hoss

Official selection (competition) at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival, GOLD is a Western about seven German immigrants who set out in search of gold in the backwoods of British Columbia during the Klondike Gold Rush in 1898. Each have their motives: an older couple seeking security, a father (Lars Rudolph) hoping to help his impoverished family, an unpleasant newspaperman (Uwe Bohm) chronicling the journey, and a mysterious packer (Marko Mandic) with a past to outrun. The last to join is Emily Mayer (Nina Hoss), a metropolitan woman whose delicate demeanor masks a steely determination to survive. Assembled by a deceptively confident businessman of questionable motives, the settlers must travel through a relatively uncharted stretch of Canadian wilderness to reach their goal, the gold fields of Dawson. As the path grows more treacherous, betrayals come to light and desperate choices are made. Following in the footsteps of McCabe and Mrs. Miller and Meek’s Cutoff, Gold is an epic that offers an unconventional take on the well-worn Western genre.

Germany (2013), 101 min. In German with English Subtitles

SUNDAY, OCTOBER 6, AT 7:00 PM EGYPTIAN THEATRE

DOUBLE FEATURE – NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

LAYLA FOURIE
Directed by Pia Marais

Winner of the Jury Special Mention at the 2013 Berlin International Film Festival, LAYLA FROURIE is a film about Layla, who is a single mother living with her son in Johannesburg and getting by with casual work. After training as a polygraph operator she manages to secure a job with a company specialising in lie detectors and security. On her way to her new workplace she is involved in an accident which will fundamentally change her life. Layla becomes entangled in a web of lies and deceit. The truth could lead to the loss of her son.  For her third feature film Pia Marais – who has lived in Berlin for many years – returned to South Africa where she grew up to make this classic thriller. She uses the genre to take a look at a country which still bears the scars of apartheid. In this way, everyday life in South Africa enhances the tension in the screenplay which she co-wrote with Horst Markgraf. Almost casually, Layla Fourie develops into a political thriller which takes the audience into the paranoia, fear and mistrust of a society that is still profoundly affected by racial conflict.

Germany (2013), 108 min. In English

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 AT 7:30 PM EGYPTIAN THEATRE

DOUBLE FEATURE – L.A. PREMIERE

THE SHINE OF THE DAY (DER GLANZ DES TAGES)
Directed by Tizza Covi & Rainer Frimmel

Philip (Philip Hochmair) is is a young and successful actor working for the most important theatres in Vienna and Hamburg with a committed and single-minded approach to his craft. During a season in which he is busy with a production of Buchner’s Woyzeck, Philip is visited by the elderly Walter (Walter Saabel), who introduces himself as the uncle he’s never met. Walter is a former circus artist and the two men soon bond over stories of their careers. These two entertainers, both at different stages in their lives, learn from each other’s experiences. As his conversations with Walter grow more philosophical, Philip slowly emerges from his once isolated lifestyle. He is even inspired to enlist Walter’s assistance in helping a Moldavian neighbor with an immigration issue. The actors, though not related, essentially play themselves and the largely improvised script was developed around their personal experiences. The result is a rare onscreen friendship that feels warm and sincere. Co-directors Tizza Covi and Rainer Frimmel draw on their documentary filmmaking background to create a naturalistic atmosphere in which these performances can flourish.

Austria (2012), 101 min. In German with English Subtitles

MONDAY, OCTOBER 7 AT 9:15 PM EGYPTIAN THEATRE

DOUBLE FEATURE

MORE THAN HONEY
Directed by Markus Imhoof

Winner of multiple awards, including 2013 German Film Award (Lola) for Best Documentary film, MORE THAN HONEY, directed by Oscar-nominated director Markus Imhoof (THE BOAT IS FULL) tackles the vexing issue of why bees, worldwide, are facing extinction. With the tenacity of a man out to solve a world-class mystery, he investigates this global phenomenon, from California to Switzerland, China and Australia. Exquisite macro-photography of the bees (reminiscent of MICROCOSMOS) in flight and in their hives reveals a fascinating, complex world in crisis. Writes Eric Kohn in Indiewire: “Imhoof captures the breeding of queen bees in minute detail, ventures to a laboratory to witness a bee brainscan, and discovers the dangerous prospects of a hive facing the infection of mites. In this latter case, the camera’s magnifying power renders the infection in sci-fi terms, as if we’ve stumbled into a discarded scene from David Cronenberg’s THE FLY.” This is a strange and strangely moving film that raises questions of species survival in cosmic as well as apiary terms.

Switzerland/Germany/Austria (2012), 90 min. In English and German w/English subtitles
US Distributor: Kino Lorber
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“DISTURBER OF THE PEACE” Documentary on Civil Rights Activist Malcolm Boyd at 2013 Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs Gay & Lesbian Film Festival

DISTURBER OF THE PEACE, a new (in progress) feature-length documentary on the remarkable life of Malcolm Boyd, directed by Andrew Thomas, will screen at this year’s Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs Gay & Lesbian Film Festival on Saturday, September 21, 2013. The documentary film traces Malcolm Boyd’s life from Hollywood producer to Priest – targeted for violence as a Civil Rights activist – arrested for protesting the Vietnam War inside the halls of the Pentagon, and now a Gay Elder who stills rattles the sensibilities of church and state.

At ninety, the Reverend Canon Malcolm Boyd has seen a lot of history being made. Truth be told though, he’s made quite a bit of it himself! Born in 1923, Malcolm Boyd lived in Manhattan as a child, but through a series of events, he ended up in California as a young adult. In the 1940’s, he worked in Hollywood’s bustling motion picture and television industry, eventually partnering with the legendary Mary Pickford in the production company, PRB, Inc.

In 1951, Boyd departed Hollywood and entered an Episcopal seminary, and in 1954, he was ordained. His early work in the American Civil Rights Movement, as a Freedom-Rider, and as a protester of the Vietnam War, earned him national attention. In 1965, Boyd published his first book, “Are You Running with Me, Jesus?” The book was a huge success, capturing world attention, selling more than one million copies, being translated into most languages including Chinese, and ultimately propelling Boyd into the national spotlight. In 1971, when LOOK magazine ran a cover story, entitled “Ten Prominent Americans Give You Their Personal Key to Peace of Mind,” Malcolm Boyd was included, and shared the cover with the likes of Duke Ellington, Walter Cronkite, Joan Baez, Bill Moyers, and Margaret Mead.

In 1977, long before it was considered “acceptable,” Malcolm Boyd came out publicly, both as a gay man, and as a gay priest. He also immersed himself in the emerging LGBT Civil Rights movement, beginning thirty-five years as a defender of LGBT rights. His dedication to LGBT Civil Rights, and all the causes he has championed over the years, promptedSouth African Archbishop and Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu to write of Boyd: “He was ahead of his time, being a white civil rights prophet on behalf of people of color, protesting against tyranny and war, asserting God’s inclusivity for all people, including gays, and offering prayers in actions as well as words.”

Malcolm Boyd, and his partner, writer Mark Thompson, met more than thirty years ago, and, throughout that time, have worked diligently as LGBT activists, and as writers. Boyd has authored more than thirty books, edited six others, and currently writes for the Huffington Post. Thompson is the author of eight books on gay history and culture, including the internationally acclaimed trilogy Gay Spirit, Gay Soul and Gay Body. He started his writing career at The Advocate in 1975, where he worked the next two decades as a reporter, photographer and, eventually, as Senior Editor.

Malcolm Boyd and Mark Thompson got married in Los Angeles earlier this year, shortly after Boyd’s 90th birthday.
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Sheffield Doc/Fest Sets 2014 Dates

BLACKFISH director Gabriela Cowperthwaite on the Doc/Fest bus

Sheffield Doc/Fest 2014 will be a SIX day festival, kicking off on Saturday 7 June with a Special Gala Opening Night, followed by five packed days of sessions, screenings, marketplace and networking receptions, right through until Thursday 12 June, 2014.

image via Blackfish the Film
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8th Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival to Screen Nearly 100 Films

The 8th annual Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival (PFAF) will be held from September 27th-29th, 2013, at the International House Philadelphia’s Ibrahim Theater at 3701 Chestnut St., Philadelphia and various venues throughout University City. This year’s festival is expected to screen nearly 100 short & feature length films, including several World and U.S. Premieres. Last year, PFAF welcomed to Philadelphia over 2,000 filmmakers and attendees from as far as Denmark and Colombia.

Beyond the screenings, this year’s PFAF continues to host educational workshops on everything from screenwriting to film funding, and from finding representation to working with the Screen Actors Guild (SAG). Other events include nightly parties, including Friday Fright Night, a pre-Halloween celebration of costumes and effects makeup, along with the red-carpet Awards Show on Sunday, September 29th. PFAF also acts as the World Premiere for the 24 entries to this year’s 21-Day Filmmaking Competition, which this year features filmmaking Teams from around the country and as far as Hong Kong.

2013 Philadelphia Film & Animation Festival Official Selections
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THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE To Close BET Urbanworld Film Festival; Larenz Tate to Serve as Fest Ambassador

Jennifer Hudson as “Gloria,” the troubled mother of son Mister (Skylan Brooks) in THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE

Actor Larenz Tate – star of the BET original movie GUN HILL – will serve as festival ambassador for the upcoming 17th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival presented by BET Networks, which runs September 18 to 22, 2013 at midtown Manhattan’s AMC 34th Street. George Tillman’s THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE will be the official Closing Night Film on September 21, 2013.

Known for iconic performances in Love Jones, Menace II Society, Dead Presidents and Why Do Fools Fall in Love?, Tate will attend the Gun Hill screening on Friday,September 20 at 8:00pm. Directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood, the film centers around a pair of identical twins on opposite sides of life: Trane, a cop, and Bird, a con (both played by Tate). On one fateful night, Trane is killed. Bird assumes his identity and begins his own search for redemption.

“I’m honored to not only have my new BET project, ‘Gun Hill,’ premiering here, but to also be festival ambassador of this year’s Urbanworld Film Festival,” said Tate. “This festival is a celebration of multicultural art and its diverse and innovative contributors. I look forward to working with the Urbanworld team and enjoying some great films!”

Directed by Tillman and written by Michael Starrbury, the festival’s Closing Night Film THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE stars Skylan Brooks, Ethan Dizon, Jordin Sparks, Golden Globe® and Emmy® Award winner Jeffrey Wright, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Anthony Mackie and Academy Award® and Golden Globe® winner Jennifer Hudson. Jana Edelbaum, Rachel Cohen, and Bob Teitel produced the film with Alicia Keys, Susan Lewis, Clay Floren, Aimee Shieh, Julio Depietro, Keith Kjarval, Mary Vernieu, and Amy Nauiokas executive producing.

THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER & PETE is a beautifully observed and tremendously moving film about salvation through friendship and the way transformation sometimes can happen just by holding on long enough. During a sweltering summer in New York City, 13-year-old Mister’s (Skylan Brooks) hard-living mother (Jennifer Hudson) is apprehended by the police, leaving the boy and nine-year-old Pete (Ethan Dizon) alone to forage for food while dodging child protective services and the destructive scenarios of the Brooklyn projects. Faced with more than any child can be expected to bear, the resourceful Mister nevertheless feels he is an unstoppable force against seemingly unmovable obstacles. But what really keeps the pair in the survival game is much more Mister’s vulnerability than his larger-than-life attitude.

Urbanworld also announced the official jurors for this year’s festival, award category sponsors and prizes.

NARRATIVE FEATURES JURORS
Dori Begley – Senior Vice President, Magnolia Pictures
Nikkole Denson-Randolph – Vice President – Specialty & Alternative Content, AMC Theatres
Zola B. Mashariki – Senior Vice President, Production, Fox Searchlight Pictures
Valerie Meraz – Vice President, Program Acquisitions, Turner Entertainment Networks
Maria Zuckerman – Vice President, HBO Films

NARRATIVE SHORTS JURORS

Andre Des Rochers – Partner, Gray Krauss Stratford Des Rochers LLP
Kelly Edwards – VP, Talent Development, HBO
Smokey D. Fontaine – Chief Content & Creative Officer, Interactive One
Niija Kuykendall – Vice President, Production Warner Bros. Pictures
Frida Torresblanco – Award Winning Producer

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES JURORS

Jacqueline Glover – Vice President, Documentary Films, HBO
Shola Lynch – Award-Winning Filmmaker
Tricia Rose – Professor of Africana Studies, Brown University

SCREENPLAY JURORS

Scott Budnick – President, Green Hat Films
Franklin Leonard – Founder, The Black List
Christopher Mack – Vice President, Warner Bros. Television Workshop, Warner Bros. Entertainment
Constance Orlando – Vice President, Original Programming, BET Networks
Heather Morris Washington – Manager, Emerging Writers Fellowship Program, Universal Pictures

TELEPLAY JURORS

Roger Bobb – President & CEO, Bobbcat Films
Nkechi Okoro Carroll – Writer
Erica Montolfo-Bura – Executive Producer

FESTIVAL PRIZES

Best Narrative Feature – Presented by Fox Audience Strategy – $5,000 Cash Prize
Best Documentary Feature
Best Narrative Short – Presented by HBO – $5,000 Cash Prize
Best Screenplay – Presented by BET Networks – $5,000 Cash Prize
Best Teleplay – Presented by BET Networks – $5,000 Cash Prize
Audience Awards for Best Feature & Best Short

Final Schedule Released for 2013 Buffalo Intl Film Fest; incl. “WHEN DERIN FALLS” “BRANDONWOOD”

WHEN DERIN FALLS

The Buffalo International Film Festival announced the schedule of events for the upcoming 7th annual film festival scheduled to take place October 3rd to 6th, 2013. The festival lineup includes the North American Premiere of “WHEN DERIN FALLS,” as well as numerous Western New York Premieres of Documentaries, Feature Films and short subjects. Local highlights include screenings of two feature films one, “BRANDONWOOD,” a World Premiere, and other shorts and documentaries filmed in Buffalo, N.Y. There is a four-film tribute to the Mexican star María Félix, and special guest appearances from eight of the filmmakers whose work is featured in this year’s festival, including Charlene Amoia, a recurring character on “How I Met Your Mother.”

September 20, 2013 is a special tribute to Buffalo Curtain Up!
The Buffalo Film Festival proper runs from October 3-6, 2013

BUFFALO CURTAIN UP! TRIBUTE

Fri, Sept. 20, 8 p.m-10:30 p.m. – Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” – Celebrating Buffalo Curtain Up! is a HD video of the New York Philharmonic production of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company” starring Stephen Colbert. Directed by Lonny Price and written by George Furth, the story follows five couples and their friend Robert (Neil Patrick Harris), the perpetual bachelor, as they explore the true meaning of being in a relationship through a series of vignettes. Winner of the 1971 Tony Award for Best Musical, Harris leads an all-star cast which includes Patti LuPone, Martha Plimpton, and, of course, Stephen Colbert. The screening is preceded by a catered dinner supplied by My Tomato Pie

October 3, 2013 Buffalo Film Festival Begins.

Thurs. Oct 3, 7 p.m-9 p.m.- OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION and SCREENING: “Les aventures extraordinaires d’Adèle Blanc-Sec (The Extraordinary Adventures of Adele Blanc-Sec)” – Westqern New York Premiere — The opening night film and party features a live-action adventure set in the early part of the 20th century focused on a popular novelist and her dealings with would-be suitors, the cops, monsters, and other distractions. Written and directed by Luc Besson from classic comic books written by Jacques Tardi. In French with English sub-titles. Pre-screening reception is catered by Coco’s French Restaurant.

Thurs., Oct 3, 9 p.m.-11 p.m. – “Aayna Ka Bayna” – Western New York premiere of the fabulous Indian dance musical directed by Samit Kakkad. In English and Marathi with English Subtitles

Thurs., Oct 3, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Free screening of “La Bandida (The Bandit)”- A tribute to María Félix, the leading lady of the Golden Age of Mexican cinema. Directed by Roberto Rodriguez, “La Bandida” is a melodrama representing the last vestiges of Mexico’s Golden Age of Cinema. The free screening is hosted by Casa de Arte, located at 141 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo N.Y. 14201. In Color. In Spanish with English Subtitles

Friday, Oct. 4, 4 p.m-6 p.m – “Made in Buffalo Shorts” – A collection of short films created in Buffalo, N.Y. directed by Chris Walczyk and Jerry Theresanathan, Schott Mawhiney, Jerry Thres, Christian de Rezendes, Christian de Rezendes, John M. Scherer, Brianna Blank, Katie Egan, and Darren Canham.

Fri, Oct. 4, 6 p.m.-8:30 p.m. –“La Cucaracha (The Cockroach)” – The second film in the festival’s tribute to María Félix. A 1959 drama about the Mexican revolution is directed, produced and written by Ismael Rodriguez. An opening reception begins at 6 p.m. with the free screening to follow at 7 p.m. at Casa de Arte. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Fri Oct 4, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. – “Persistence of Vision” – The Western New York premiere Directed by Kevin Schreck. A gripping documentary about the visionary animator Richard Williams (‘Who Framed Roger Rabbit’) and the untold story of the greatest animated film never made: The Thief and the Cobbler (which will be shown, restored, on Saturday, October 5 at 4PM).

Fri Oct 4, 9 pm-10:45 pm – “Brandonwood” – World Premiere of a romantic thriller filmed in Buffalo, N.Y. following four years in the lives of a young couple, from the reckless highs of new love to the lows of circumstances they cannot change. The film is produced, written, directed, a by John Fink with Tilke Wood serving as co-producer. The director will be present for a question and answer session after the screening, followed by a Cast & Crew Party. Accompanied by a witty Made in Buffalo Short, “Captive,” directed by Chris Walczyk and Jerry Theresanathan.

Sat., Oct 5, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. – “Comfort Zone – A WNY Climate Change Documentary” – Western New York Premiere — “Comfort Zone” brings the global issue of climate change to a local and personal level in Upstate New York asking what does climate change mean in a place where it’s not an obvious threat, where people might like it to be a little warmer? The documentary is produced by Kate Kressmann-Kehoe, Sean Donnelly, and Dave Danesh. The UK animated short, “Jamón” and a short film (by Buffalo Film Makers), “Broken Wings” which follows reporter Cliff Collins as he meets and interviews his childhood hero, The Sparrow, accompany this screening.

Sat., Oct. 5, 12 p.m.-2 p.m. – “The Long Bike Back” – Western New York Premiere Directed by Buffalo native Julia Wrona, this documentary follows Pearson Constantino on his quest to bike across America advocating for improved bicycle infrastructure, legislation and road sharing. His journey is all the more inspiring because it is attempted after a devastating accident which, despite wearing a helmet, left Pearson with serious and permanent injuries. Wrona will be present after the screening for a question and answer session. The short film “She” will precede the feature introduced in-person by Buffalo actress Charlene Amoia who appears on “How I Met Your Mother.”

Sat., Oct. 5, 2 p.m.-4 p.m. – “Prestidigitation for Kids: Magic Camp” – A Western New York premiere documentary directed by Emmy-nominated Judd Ehlrich, takes audiences on a journey to the real-life Hogwarts: Tannen’s Magic Camp, the oldest and most prestigious training ground for young magicians. In honor of Buffalo Gene Gordon Magic Ring 12.

Sat., Oct. 5, 4 p.m.-6 p.m. – “The Thief and the Cobbler – Recobbled” – New York State Premiere. The original 1993 film was directed by three-time Academy Award nominated Richard Williams and written by Williams and Margaret French with such familiar actors such as Vincent Price, Sean Connery, and Hilary Pritchard lending their voices to the cast of characters. Garrett Gilchrist, an independent film-maker with a passion for animation, has spent many years attempting to rebuild the original director’s cut of one of animation’s greatest might-have-been epic films. Mr. Gilchrist will be present in-person for a Q&A with the audience. The short film “She” will precede the feature introduced in-person by Buffalo actress Charlene Amoia who appears on “How I Met Your Mother.”

Sat., Oct. 5-6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – “El Rapto”– Another free screening paying tribute to María Félix hosted by the festival’s friends at Casa de Arte, The 1964 dramatic film directed by Emilio “El Indio” Fernández stars Félix as the tenacious beauty Aurora who seduces the municipal authorities so that she can purchase the estate of missing local named Ricardo played by Jorge Negrete. Her elaborate ruse is complicated when Ricardo eventually returns home. In Spanish with English Subtitles.

Sat., Oct. 5, 7 p.m.-9 p.m. – “Red Light Revolution” – Western New York Premiere – A witty, laugh-out-loud, adults-only comedy from Beijing, China, directed by Sam Voutas, focuses on an unlucky man who opens an adult shop to make ends meet, sparking a sexual revolution in his conservative neighborhood. In Mandarin Chinese with English Subtitles.

Sat., Oct. 5, 9 p.m.-11 p.m. – “Buffalo Boys” – Western New York Premiere Filmed in Western New York and inspired by a true story, this feature film tells the story of Ian, a 15-year-old entangled in family secrets, drugs, love, friendship and a plot to murder a 67 year-old woman. Co-written by Raymond Guarnieri and Elana Lott and directed by Guarnieri who will also be on hand for a question and answer session after the screening. Followed by Cast and Crew Party. The screening is nearly sold out.

Sun., Oct. 6, 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m. – “When Derin Falls” – Written and directed Çagatay Tosun, audiences will play witness to the unchild-like world of 7-year-old Derin after the loss of her mother. This is the North American Premiere of this fine Turkish drama. In Turkish with English Subtitles. This screening is accompanied by the short film, “Riddle of the Black Cat,” an animated short based on the tales of Edgar Alan Poe.

Sun., Oct. 6, 2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m – “Dear Mr. Watterson” – Western New York Premiere. A documentary directed by Joel Allen Schroeder explores the world of the famous Sunday comic strip, “Calvin & Hobbes” and its creator Bill Watterson.

Sun., Oct. 6, 4:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. – “Made in Buffalo Documentaries” –

Directed by Diedie Weng, “Ming Day and Night” details chef, artist, and Buffalo-resident Sam Lam and how his career and passion for art has impacted his life. Filmmaker and star will be present for Q&A.

“East Side: A Community of Hope,” produced by Erik Taheri and Rich Lunghino, examines faith-based initiatives being undertaken to revitalize the once-thriving neighborhood of Buffalo. Filmakers will be present for Q&A

“Where the Crow Will Be Forever,” is produced by Keith R. Burich, Ph.D., Ashley Fike, and Lauren Mosier and explores the history of the Crow tribe, life on the reservation and why the Crow have chosen to stay.

Sun., Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – “Long Live TOY: Defending Children’s Theater in the Nickel City” – Closing Night Film & Awards Announcements – Western New York Premiere — A documentary film profiling the Theatre of Youth children’s theater company located in Buffalo, N.Y. during their 40thseason. The devoted artistic members attempt to stay focused on producing innovative and artistically exciting children theater against the backdrop of unforeseen local county funding cuts. Buffalo-born director Mary Beth Murray and her husband Austin Mcloughlin will be present for a question and answer session after the film screening. The short film, “She,” about a how a dog changes a woman’s life, stars Buffalo-born actress Charlene Amoia will accompany the screening which is about how a rescue dog changed a woman’s life. Well-known actress Amoia will also be live, in-person, to speak with the audience after the screening. This screening will be held at the Allendale Theater, located at 203 Allen St., Buffalo, N.Y. 14201. Special reception catered by Quaker Bonnet Eatery.

Sun., Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – “Harlem Street Singer” – Western New York Premiere A documentary illuminating the little-known story of Reverend Gary Davis, the great American ragtime, blues and gospel guitarist. Directed by Simeon Hutner & Trevor Laurence, the film traces the blind master guitarist’s journey from the tobacco warehouses of the rural south to the streets of Harlem and onto the 1960s folk music scene.

Sun., Oct. 6, 6:30 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – “Doña Barbara” – The final free screening paying tribute to María Félix hosted by Casa de Arte, located at 141 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, N.Y. 14201. The 1943 Mexican drama stars Félix as a young woman who is raped and her would-be lover killed by a group of brutal seamen. She settles on the arid plains as a cattle trader, ruthlessly building an empire out of violence and cold-hearted determination. However, when a wealthy lawyer, played by Julián Soler, arrives to sell his family’s ranch, her hatred towards men and him wane, but she must compete for his attraction with her own daughter. In Spanish with English Subtitles

SPECIAL POST-FESTIVAL EVENT

Sun., Oct. 27, 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m. – “Fourth Annual House on Haunted Hill with EMERGO! and SPOOK SHOW: Frankenstein’s Monster LIVE in Person!” –Do you dare to attend this terrifying screening at the haunted 19th Century Lancaster Opera House? The sell-out success of the 2010 Buffalo Film Society Classic Film Series returns for a fourth year recreating William Castle’s original theatrical release including EMERGO! The amazing new wonder where ghosts fly right into the audience! The Lancaster Opera House is located at 21 Central Ave., Lancaster, N.Y. 14086.

New Films, Panels and Parties Announced for Hollywood Black Film Festival

Filmmaker and screenwriter winners of the 2012 Hollywood Black Film Festival

Tanya Kersey, Executive Director, announced the 2013 season of The Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) with an inspiring line up of films, panels, panelists and festivities over a four day period. HBFF happens October 2-6, 2013 and will be hosted at the Montalban Theater, 1615 Vine Street, Hollywood, CA and The W Hotel, 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028.

Some of this year’s highlights include: Film Diaspora Sidebar, launching independent films and filmmakers from the Diaspora outside of the U.S. and Canada. Happening Thursday, October 3 from 11am-8pm, 11 films from eight countries – Burkina Faso, Cameroon, England, Haiti, Madagascar, New Zealand, Nigeria and South Africa.

Twinkie Byrd’s Monologue Slam is back on Saturday, October 5 at 7pm , a panel of celebrity judges will participate in a lively Q&A discussion about all things acting. Also returning is Live Storyteller Staged Reading on Friday, Oct 4 at 7pm, featuring a live staged reading from the finalist scripts in the festival’s storyteller competition.

Recognized as the premiere Black film festival in Hollywood showcasing the best independent films from Black filmmakers, HBFF leads with innovation by delivering top-shelf panels designed to empower filmmakers and expose Black film to diverse audiences right in the heart of the movie capital.

“This year marks a pivotal moment in our history as we celebrate the artistry of Black film from coast-to-coast and worldwide,” said Kersey. “This year it’s our goal to expose the masses to dynamic Black film, while educating people on best practices for getting film financing, creating stories and tapping into the power players doing the deals through our informative Infotainment Conference panels and workshops.”

HBFF 2013 Schedule (Subject to Change)

Wednesday, October 2, 2013

12 noon 3pm Registration (The W Hollywood) 8:00pm Opening Night Film (Montalban Theatre) 10:30pm Opening Night After Party (TBA)

Thursday, October 3, 2013

9am 5pm Registration (The W Hollywood)

9am 6pm Infotainment Conference (The W Hollywood Great Room 1 & 2 unless otherwise noted)

9:00am 10:00am  The Impact of Science Fiction on New Technology Project Stargazer (The W Hollywood, Great Room 3) A panel of NASA scientists and engineers will discuss how science fiction has influenced the reality of advanced engineering and technology solutions, as well as how these solutions to real world space science challenges have given birth to products that address everyday societal needs. We will address current and future space missions and ways to inspire and excite audiences about the future of space exploration.

10:00am 11:00am  Developing Science Fiction inspired by Space Science Facts Project Stargazer (The W Hollywood, Great Room 3) This will be a dynamic and interactive discussion between NASA engineers/scientists and writers/filmmakers to inspire new ways of portraying science fiction while uncovering the realities of space science facts. The goal is to further the collaboration between an industry that is charged with telling visual stories and an organization responsible for undertaking the pursuit of hard science and space exploration. The two groups will meet to focus collectively on uncovering material useful to both the scientific and filmmaking communities, with an emphasis on a quality information exchange that is accurate, compelling, and innovative.

10:00am  The Ins & Outs of Navigating a Film Festival This discussion will give filmmakers the necessary information to successfully navigate film festivals in order to maximize your time, make career changing connections, and gain visibility for your project.

11:15am  Turning the Tide: A Hollywood Success Story This panel will talk to artists who had momentum in their careers and they used that momentum to create a success story. Panelists will share their stories of struggle to triumph. Come learn what it takes to take your career from aspiring to true Hollywood story.

12:30pm  Shooting Abroad This panel will discuss opportunities for U.S. filmmakers to go overseas and make their movies, coproductions, financing, etc. Learn what you need to know to film overseas, and how is it different. Find out what shooting abroad can offer in terms of locations, financial instruments and incentives, cast and crew, infrastructure and coproducing. With the right preparation and local partners, filming overseas can be the experience of a lifetime.

2:00pm  Brown Bag Lunch: Social Media Strategies to Expand Your Brand Discover opportunities to reach new audiences and promote your projects on your own. In this handson session, entertainment industry professionals will finally learn the difference between Web 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, which tools to use, and critically, when and how to use them. From blogs to wikis to widgets, find out how to navigate social media to expand your entertainment brand.

3:30pm  A Conversation with Writer/Director …

5:00pm  Crowdfunding Master Class: How to Build a Successful Crowdfunding Campaign Learn how to set up a successful crowdfunding campaign and shape the perfect message to get your project funded. Hear from content creators who have successfully funded their projects through crowdfunding, and learn about the latest news and developments & legal issues in the crowdfunding space.

11am11pm Film Screenings (Montalban Theatre) 11am5pm Film Diaspora Sidebar

11:15am 1pm  Project Stargazer SemiFinalists Workshop (closed door by invitation only) (The W Hollywood, Great Room 3)

1:30 5:30pm Storyteller SemiFinalists Workshop (closed door by invitation only) (The W Hollywood, Great Room 3)

57pm HBFF Happy Hour (The W Hollywood Living Room) 10pm Evening Event

Friday, October 4, 2013

9am 7pm Registration (The W Hollywood)

9am 1pm  Project Stargazer Pitch Development Workshop for SemiFinalists (closed door by invitation only) (The W Hollywood, Great Room 3)

In this closedsession workshop, Project Stargazer semifinalists will further developed their scifi pitches with an eye to working up a strong narrative throughline, affecting characters, character arcs, subplot, and a sense of what the story is about most, i.e. what the writer is trying to communicate most in telling the story being told. The goal of the workshop is to prepare Project Stargazer semifinalists to give their best pitch possible during the Project Stargazer Pitch Panel.

10am 6pm Infotainment Conference (The W Hollywood Great Room 1 & 2 unless otherwise noted)

10:00am  Produce & Distribute Films on any Budget Independent film financing and distribution of a film can be tricky. You can pitch a film project, but you must also be able to dance to music of the investor. It’s their stage, and they don’t like indie filmmakers looking for funding. Come find out how the availability of commercial distribution opportunities for films at any budget level is changing as the industry embraces an explosion of new and unconventional resources for financing, producing and distributing independent films.

11:15am  Creating Content for the New Digital Hollywood This panel will explore the ever evolving development, distribution and marketing of content and show you how you can take advantage of new opportunities as digital content options are spreading across new platforms such as the web (Internet TV), phones and tablets, and audiences evolve how they watch content. New programming options created by YouTube, Google, Netflix, Amazon and Yahoo, to name just a few, have changed the strategy for producing content and the way it is monetized.

12:30pm  Pitching Yourself & Your Project (followed by Speed Networking Session) You need to be prepared to talk about you and your project at any time or place. In this workshop, you’ll develop and sharpen your pitch, polish your presentation skills, and learn how to clearly convey your passion and the marketability of your film, TV or new media project. Then you’ll have an opportunity to use what you just learned while getting mentorship from top executives, producers and artists in the industry.

1:15pm  The Creative Process This panel discussion will help filmmakers understand the creative process and how to tackle the daunting task of making a feature film. How do producers and industry gatekeepers decide to take on a project? How do you assemble the right team? How to polish a script? How do actors interpret the story? The questions can be endless for a new filmmaker. This panel serves to answer some of those questions with practical answers.

2:45pm  Out of This World: Writing & Producing SciFi Project Stargazer Do you have an idea for a movie that is worlds away or light years ahead of its time? This panel will show you how to flesh out your futuristic hero, create detailed new worlds, weave your fiction from the laws of physics and the universe, and transcend the typical science fiction story to write a really special script. A good scifi movie relies on both a high concept idea and the emotions of a human story to make it enduring. Learn how to turn your idea into a working screenplay that crafts a visual narrative and tells a compelling story then bring it all together in post to create an epiclooking film that is visually stunning and keeps moviegoers on the edge of their seats. Explore the technologies, visual special effects and green screen techniques that increase the production value of your scifi film. This panel will feature writers, directors, designers, producers and distributors discussing the essential creative elements and business issues around getting scifi films off the ground.

4:15pm  Making Money through the Film Distribution Pipeline This session will address the many ways filmmakers can make money with their films through the distribution pipeline.

5:30pm  A Conversation w/Producer …

11am11pm Film Screenings (Montalban Theatre)

1:30 5:30pm Storyteller Finalists Workshop (closed door by invitation only)

(The W Hollywood, Great Room 3) 57pm HBFF Happy Hour (The W Hollywood Living Room) 7pm Storyteller Live Staged Reading (The W Hollywood Great Room 1 & 2) 10pm Evening Event (TBD)

Saturday, October 5, 2013

9am 7pm Registration (The W Hollywood)

10am 6pm Infotainment Conference  (The W Hollywood Great Room 1 & 2 unless otherwise noted)

10:00am  Distributing and Marketing Independent Films

11:15am  Screenwriting Workshop Sponsored by Writers Bootcamp

12:30pm  The Directors Chair Sponsored by Directors Guild of America This session will give us an inside view into the life of a director and their personal stories. What does a director do? How do you get into the directors chair? How do you become a member of the DGA?

1:45pm  Becoming a Powerbroker and the Deals That Made Them! Some of Hollywood’s top legal minds, agents and managers will discuss a broad range of topics from how they became powerbrokers to how to get one of them on your team.

3:00pm  Acting Out Directors discuss their films and careers, the industry, and the building blocks needed to successfully develop a directing career.

36pm  Project Stargazer Pitch Panel  (The W Hollywood Great Room 3)  Watch the ten (10) Project Stargazer semifinalists compete for three (3) spots in HBFF’s Project Stargazer 2014 Lab as they pitch their scifi projects to a stellar panel of judges from the entertainment industry and scientific community. Get valuable tips from seasoned writers, producers, and executives as they provide insight and feedback to the Stargazer hopefuls on how to craft a captivating pitch, one that engages listeners so that they want to read the script.

4:00pm  Masters Class: Producers Prospective  All projects face the same basic challenges – from developing material, finding the money, building strong collaborative teams, and ultimately, taking the project from script to screen. This is a roundtable discussion with seasoned and successful film and television producers and production executives who share their experience and offer concrete advice on producing for film and television.

5:15pm  A Conversation With …

7pm  Twinkie Byrd’s Monologue Slam  A panel of celebrity judges will participate in a lively Q&A discussion about all things acting career development, audition tips & techniques, and much more. Following the panel discussion, the 11 contest finalists will perform their monologue in front of a panel of celebrity judges and a live audience. The panel will also give each actor feedback on their performance.

11am 11pm Film Screenings (Montalban Theatre) 57pm HBFF Happy Hour (The W Hollywood Living Room) 10pm Evening Event (TBD)

Sunday, October 6, 2013

10am4pm Registration (The W Hollywood) 11am4pm Infotainment Conference (The W Hollywood Great Room)

11:00am  A Conversation With …

2:00 pm Pitchathon

Sponsored by Mozzell Entertainment

The first half the Pitchathon features studio development executives, producers and distributors sharing their insights and tips on how to successfully pitch a completed film, finished script and/or ideas. In the second half you’ll have a chance to actually pitch your projects and get valuable feedback and creative input from industry pros who are “in the know.”

11am 11pm Film Screenings (Montalban Theatre)  6pm Closing Night Film & Filmmaker Awards (Montalban Theatre) 8:30pm Wrap Party(Montalban Theatre Atrium)

“KILL YOUR DARLINGS” to Open, “12 YEARS A SLAVE” to Close 2013 Hamptons International Film Festival

KILL YOUR DARLINGS

The 21st Hamptons International Film Festival which takes place this year from October 10th – 14th, 2013, will open with John Krokidas’ KILL YOUR DARLINGS and close with Steve McQueen’s much buzzed 12 YEARS A SLAVE. Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA, starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte has been selected as the Festival’s Sunday Centerpiece film.

KILL YOUR DARLINGS will be the Opening Night film at Guild Hall in East Hampton on Thursday, October 10th. Director and Co-Writer John Krokidas along with actor Dane DeHaan will be in attendance for the premiere. Based on true events, KILL YOUR DARLINGS recounts the pivotal year that changed Allen Ginsberg’s life forever and provided the spark for him to start his creative revolution. The Sony Pictures Classics film will open in theaters October 16, 2013.

NEBRASKA

Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA, starring Bruce Dern and Will Forte, is the Festival’s Sunday Centerpiece film, playing at Guild Hall. After receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail, a cantankerous father (Dern) thinks he’s struck it rich, and wrangles his son (Forte) into taking a road trip to claim the fortune. Shot in black and white across four states, Nebraska tells the stories of family life in the heartland of America. Paramount Vantage will be releasing the film on November 22, 2013.

12 YEARS A SLAVE

12 YEARS A SLAVE is HIFF’s Closing Night Film premiering Monday evening. Directed by Steve McQueen, the film is based on an incredible true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist, played by Brad Pitt, forever alters his life. The film will play at Guild Hall and FOX Searchlight Pictures will release it theatrically on October 18, 2013.

Milwaukee Film Festival Announces 2013 Panels Line-up; incl. Sundance Institute ShortsLab

The Milwaukee Film Festival, announced the topics and speakers for its 2013 Panels series. This year’s line-up includes four panel discussions, one lecture built around our Passport: Germany program, and the Milwaukee debut of the Sundance Institute ShortsLab. This special workshop comes to Milwaukee for the first time, and digs into the world of short filmmaking, including how and why programmers select films and how filmmakers transition from shorts to features.

“Bringing the Sundance Institute ShortsLab to Milwaukee happened because of a trip I made to the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year,” explained Artistic & Executive Director Jonathan Jackson. “It provides an opportunity for aspiring directors to hear about all aspects of short filmmaking firsthand from the leading directors and programmers in the field.”

Scheduled to appear at the first ever ShortsLab Milwaukee are acclaimed filmmakers David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints;Pioneer, MFF 2011), Ry Russo-Young (You Wont Miss Me, MFF 2009), and Calvin Lee Reeder (The Rambler, MFF 2013), as well as the Sundance Film Festival’s Short Film Programmer Mike Plante. ShortsLab is free to UWM students, and $100 for the general public.

In addition to the Sundance Institute ShortsLab, this year’s Panels line-up will feature two other panels for filmmakers, including the Work-In-Progress Forum and the brand new Filmmaker, Meet Entrepreneur panel, where three Milwaukee filmmakers will interview three Milwaukee entrepreneurs to find out how to apply business practices and an entrepreneurial spirit to their filmmaking.

For the general public, two panels extending from films being screened at this year’s festival include Representing Race, andMKE At Risk: Transgender Youth Awareness.

All panel events will be held in the back room at Colectivo Coffee (2211 N. Prospect Ave.) and are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted.

PANELS LINE-UP:

SUNDANCE INSTITUTE SHORTSLAB
SATURDAY, OCT. 5 | 10 AM – 3:30 PM | UWM UNION
UWM students register for FREE
General public: $100

Join us as the Sundance Institute’s acclaimed workshop comes to Milwaukee for the first time. Co-presented with the Production Club at UWM and the UWM Student Association, this all-day workshop will dig into the world of short filmmaking, including how and why programmers select films and how filmmakers transition from shorts to features.

SPEAKERS SCHEDULED TO APPEAR:
David Lowery, Ry Russo-Young, Mike Plante, Calvin Lee Reeder

REPRESENTING RACE
SATURDAY, SEPT. 28 | 3 PM
Join this panel discussing concerns and questions that arise when representing race issues on-screen in contemporary film.

MODERATOR
Dr. Donte McFadden, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
PANELISTS
Eugene Kane, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Nathaniel Kohn, Producer; Bayou Maharajah
Grace Lee | Director; American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs
T.J. McKay Martin, Director; Undefeated (MFF 2011), Academy Award Winner

PASSPORT: GERMANY
SUNDAY, SEPT. 29 | 1 PM
As part of our Passport: Germany program, this lecture will discuss current trends and concerns in German cinema.

SPEAKER Dr. Sara Hall, University of Illinois-Chicago

MKE AT RISK: TRANSGENDER YOUTH AWARENESS
SUNDAY, SEPT. 29 | 4 PM
Following the matinee screening of Valentine Road at the Oriental Theatre, this panel will consider LGBT and transgender youth awareness and advocacy in Milwaukee.

WELCOME Paul Fairchild, Cream City Foundation
MODERATOR Mitch Teich, WUWM’s Lake Effect
PANELISTS
michael munson & Loree Cook-Daniels, FORGE
Tina Owen, Alliance School
Syd Robinson, ACLU of Wisconsin
Additional panelists TBA

WORK-IN-PROGRESS FORUM
SUNDAY, OCT. 6 | 2 PM
A lively and informative sneak peek at several in-progress films from Wisconsin filmmakers.

MODERATOR Jeff Reichert, Director; Remote Area Medical; VP of Theatrical Marketing, Cinedigm, and editor; Reverse Shot
PANELISTS
Pat Buckley and Manny Marquez, Serenity Prayer
Jeff Gendelman, The Surface
Cris Siqueira, Monga*Ape Girl
Chris James Thompson, Guantánamo Lawyers
Rubin Whitmore II and Xavier Ruffin, Mad Black Men

FILMMAKER, MEET ENTREPRENEUR
SUNDAY, OCT. 6 | 4 PM
In recent years, Milwaukee has witnessed a more organized and energetic effort toward supporting local startups and the entrepreneurial spirit at large. We tasked three local filmmakers with interviewing three successful business professionals, to find out how film professionals can use the language of business to turn their artistic and technical successes into financial successes as well.

WELCOME David Sengkhammee
FILMMAKERS Susan Kerns, Brad Lichtenstein, Kurt Raether
ENTREPRENEURS Kelly Fitzsimmons, Andy Nunemaker, Michael Drescher

image via Facebook

“VISITORS” “MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM” Among New Films Added to 2013 New Orleans Film Festival

MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM

New Orleans Film Festival has added 5 more films to the 2013 lineup including the US premiere of the new film VISITORS from acclaimed director Godfrey Reggio. Other new films include NEBRASKA, AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, and KILL YOUR DARLINGS. The 24th annual New Orleans Film Festival will take place October 10-17, 2013.

VISITORS, the U.S. premiere of acclaimed director Godfrey Reggio’s newest film. Best known for his celebrated Qatsi trilogy (including Koyaanisqatsi, Powaqqatsi, and Naqoyqatsi), Reggio, a New Orleans native, shot some of the film in the New Orleans area. Similar to the Qatsi films, Visitors has no dialogue but features a rich score composed by his collaborator Philip Glass.

NEBRASKA, the latest picture from Oscar-winning filmmaker Alexander Payne (Sideways, The Descendants). Nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival (where Bruce Dern won the Best Actor Award), Nebraska is about a father (Dern) and son (Will Forte) who trek from Montana to Nebraska to claim prize money.

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, the film version of Tracy Letts’s Pulitzer Prize–winning play of the same name. The film features an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, and Juliette Lewis.

MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, based on the 1994 book Long Walk to Freedom from former South African president Nelson Mandela. Fresh from its premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, Mandela stars Idris Elba, who is already creating awards buzz around his powerful performance.

KILL YOUR DARLINGS, about a little-known homicide involving Beat poet Allen Ginsberg, Jack Kerouac, and William Burroughs. The film, directed by first-time feature director John Krokidas, stars Daniel Radcliffe as Ginsberg and also features Elizabeth Olsen, Michael C. Hall, Ben Foster, David Cross, and Jennifer Jason Leigh. The film premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival and will be released theatrically following the New Orleans Film Festival.

Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Film Festival To Screen New Anti-Bullying Documentary TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL | TRAILER

Cinema Diverse: The Palm Springs Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will screen Gary Takesian’s new anti-bullying documentary, TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL. The screening, which was made possible by actress and activist Katharine “Kat” Kramer, the daughter of legendary producer/director, Stanley Kramer, will include a special video introduction by Ms. Kramer and actress Lily Tomlin, who also narrates the film. The screening will take place at 11:30am on Sunday, September 22nd, at Camelot Theatres.

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN WELL is designed to advance the conversation about how we as a society must respond to homophobia, bullying and violence, leading to a greater acceptance of, and respect for, those who identify as LGBT. The film presents the issues surrounding homophobia in a multi-segment format that engenders group discussion. The topics unfold through one-on-one interviews with students, teachers, parents and leaders in the LGBT support and ally communities.

“Few contemporary social issues generate as much passion, misunderstanding and resistance as homosexuality,” says filmmaker, Gary Takesian. “Deeply held homophobic beliefs, passed on from one generation to the next, pose ongoing challenges to the peaceful coexistence of today’s young people. This is especially problematic in our schools when it comes to the treatment of LGBT students by their straight-identifying peers, and by the adults who teach, counsel and supervise them.”

http://youtu.be/kdcDwlqEh-Q

NYFF Adds ENOUGH SAID Director Nicole Holofcener as Final FREE SUMMER TALK | TRAILER

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today a final addition to the very popular free-to-the-public Summer Talks lineup, with Nicole Holofcener on September 17 at 7PM, to discuss her new film ENOUGH SAID. With Opening Night for the 51st New York Film Festival less than three weeks away, on September 27, FSLC also announced details forThe New York Film Festival at 50, a panel discussion with Joanne Koch, Kent Jones and Richard Peña at the Jacob Burns Film Center (364 Manville Road, Pleasantville, New York) on Wednesday, September 11 at 7:30PM. Visit Filmlinc.com for more information.

ENOUGH SAID director Nicole Holofcener

On Tuesday, September 17 at 7PM, Nicole Holofcener will join NYFF Director of Programming Kent Jones for a free Summer Talks event in the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center Amphitheater. Holofcener, who previously wrote and directed WALKING AND TALKING, LOVELY & AMAZING, FRIENDS WITH MONEY and PLEASE GIVE, will discuss her upcoming film ENOUGH SAID, and also show clips. The Summer Talks series began in May with BEFORE MIDNIGHT director Richard Linklater and actors Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke and has since welcomed an impressive list of talented filmmakers including Sofia Coppola (THE BLING RING), Ryan Coogler (FRUITVALE STATION), Nicolas Winding Refn (ONLY GOD FORGIVES), Lee Daniels (LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER), David Gordon Green (PRINCE AVALANCHE), Brian De Palma (PASSION) and many more. Visit Filmlinc.com/holofcener for more information.

ENOUGH SAID is about a divorced and single parent, Eva (Julia Louis Dreyfus) who spends her days enjoying work as a masseuse but dreading her daughter’s impending departure for college. She meets Albert (James Gandolfini) – a sweet, funny and like-minded man also facing an empty nest. As their romance quickly blossoms, Eva befriends Marianne (Catherine Keener), her new massage client. Marianne is a beautiful poet who seems “almost perfect” except for one prominent quality: she rags on her ex-husband way too much. Suddenly, Eva finds herself doubting her own relationship with Albert as she learns the truth about Marianne’s Ex. ENOUGH SAID is a sharp, insightful comedy that humorously explores the mess that often comes with getting involved again. The Fox Searchlight Pictures release is opening in NY and LA on September 18.

On Wednesday, September 11, The Jacob Burns Film Center celebrates NYFF with The New York Film Festival at 50, a panel discussion with Joanne Koch, Kent Jones and Richard Peña, moderated by Steve Apkon. A touchstone of the US film scene since 1963, the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s New York Film Festival has long served as a guide to the masterworks of cinema and a forum for the artists who create them. Apkon will discuss the history of the film festival with three of the people who’ve been instrumental in the programming and presentation of NYFF for many years: Joanne Koch (Executive Director of FSLC 1971 – 2003), Richard Peña (FSLC & NYFF Program Director 1988 – 2012) and Kent Jones (current NYFF Program Director), all contributors to the lavish new book New York Film Festival Gold: A 50th Anniversary Celebration. A special limited number of autographed copies of the book will be available for purchase that evening, signed by director Pedro Almodóvar and Richard Peña.

The 340-page coffee table book features recollections by esteemed critics and scholars who recount their personal involvement with the festival. Also included are hundreds of rare stills and behind-the-scenes shots with over 130 filmmakers, reproductions of all 50 NYFF posters and a complete listing of all the films and events that have been featured in the festival for the past 50 years. The NYFF 50th Anniversary collector’s book can also be purchased at FilmLinc.com and on Amazon.

http://youtu.be/xOdX1Pb9aoU