Film Festivals

CBGB Film Festival Announces 2013 Film Lineup; Kicks off With BROADWAY IDIOT and CBGB Film

BROADWAY IDIOT

The CBGB Film Festival taking place in New York City from Wednesday, October 9 to Sunday, October 13, 2013, announced the 2013 official film lineup of over 60 feature films and shorts. The fest will kick off with BROADWAY IDIOT, a documentary following Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong and the making of his Broadway bound American Idiot; and the US theatrical premiere of the feature film, CBGB.

THE 2013 CBGB FILM FESTIVAL LINE UP

BROADWAY IDIOT
U.S. Theatrical Premiere
Director: Doug Hamilton
Broadway Idiot follows Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong from a punk rock concert at Madison Square Garden to the opening of his musical American Idiot on Broadway – only ten blocks away, but worlds apart. A look behind the curtain into the crazy journey of turning the mega-hit album into a punk rock musical – and ultimately see how the world of theater transformed Billie Joe.

CBGB
U.S. Premiere
Director: Randall Miller
CBGB follows the story of Hilly Kristal’s New York club from its conceit as a venue for Country, Bluegrass and Blues (CBGB) to what it ultimately became: the birthplace of underground rock ‘n roll and punk. When Kristal had difficulty booking country bands in his club on the Bowery he opened his doors to other kinds of rock music. Kristal had one demand of the acts he booked; they could only play original music. No top 40’s, no covers. It was the credo he lived by, support the artist at whatever the cost. Hilly Kristal ironically became known as the godfather of punk giving a chance to such bands as Blondie, Television, Ramones, Talking Heads, Dead Boys and The Police. Cast includes Alan Rickman, Ashley Greene, Malin Akerman, Stana Katic, Rupert Grint, Johnny Galecki, Justin Bartha, Freddy Rodriguez, Ryan Hurst, Richard de Klerk, Ahna O’ Reilly, Donal Logue and Katherine DuBois,

EVERY EVERYTHING: THE MUSIC, LIFE & TIMES OF GRANT HART
World Premiere
Director: Gorman Bechard
A rock & roll “Fog of War” about Hüsker Dü’s legendary singer/songwriter Grant Hart. Director Bechard will be on hand to show clips from this unfinished film and discuss what the factors were that made him so interested in making this movie

THE STARCK PROJECT
World Premiere
Director: Michael Cain
A feature documentary set in 1980s, Bible Belt Dallas at the infamous STARCK Club. This world premiere includes appearances from the late Larry Hagman, Owen Wilson and this year’s CBGB Icon Award Winner Seymour Stein

THE DEATH AND RESURRECTION SHOW
World Premiere
Director: Shaun Pettigrew
A music documentary exploring the turbulent, controversial and often unbelievable 30 year history of British post punk industrial band Killing Joke.

THE ESG STORY
World Premiere
Director: Greg Harding
The E.S.G. Story gives the real story of the legendary post-punk/funk band from their beginnings in the projects of Bronx, New York in the early 80’s as a group of 3 sisters, encouraged by their Mother to make music, to current day where their passion to create genre-bending music still drives them to make albums and tour the world as a family. E.S.G. has been exciting the world with their music for over 33 years, and show no sign of stopping. Being shown as a work in progress with director Greg Harding in attendance.

GEEK USA
World Premiere
Director: Brandon Walz
Phil is a high school senior lacking in popularity. That all changes when his band wins a battle of the bands concert and turns him from an unknown geek to the most eligible bachelor for prom. At first, Phil’s newfound popularity is boost of self-esteem, but problems arise when three very attractive girls want him as their date to the prom. Filled with 90’s nostalgia and alternative rock, Geek USA is a throwback to heartfelt and hilarious teen comedies of a now very distinguished decade.

AUTOLUMINESCENT
US Premiere
Director: Richard Lowenstein
This documentary traces the life of Rowland S Howard, who appeared on the early Melbourne punk scene. A beautifully gaunt and gothic aristocrat, the unique distinctive fury of his guitar style shot him directly into the imagination of a generation. Narrated by Henry Rollinse

DUTCH INFLUENCE
US Premiere
Directors: Samuel Comazzi, Hatib el Khatib
The beat starts to rise, a sea of hands fills the air and the crowd surges. Welcome to the world’s most dynamic new music scene. Buckle up for an energetic ride as Armin van Buuren, Tiësto, Afrojack, Laidback Luke and other leaders in the House Dance movement invite us into their lives. Recognized by few in Holland, but at Miami Music Week they’re superstars who are rapidly redefining a genre and taking over the globe’s hottest clubs.

HEART OF BRUNO WIZARD
US Premiere
Director: Elisabeth Rasmussen
Bruno Wizard is a London punk musician who became an underground legend for his original performances and ‘mystery man’ status in the mid 70’s. He performed at the Roxy club alongside The Jam, Generation X and The Wire, and was part of the ‘Blitz kids’ scene, squatting with the Warren Street mafia. His loathing of the establishment and conventional music industry made him reject record company contracts and follow his own heart and principles at any cost.

LIVIN OUT ROCK N ROLL
US Premiere
Director: Paulo Sedarazzi
Livin out Rock n Roll is about the dirty disregarded history of the London 80s rock scene, the story of the Baby Teenage Idols as told by the people who somehow manage to survive it.

LOCKED IN A GARAGE BAND
US Premiere
Director: Jennifer Westcott
The feuding members of a high school rock band get locked in their garage for a day. With loyalties divided and betrayals revealed, six teens on the brink of adulthood re-examine what they thought living the rock ‘n roll dream was all about. Starring Scott Lyster, Andrew Jenkins, Ella Simon, Katelyn Wallace, Brittney Wilson and Luke Jennings, LOCKED IN A GARAGE BAND is the first feature film from Vancouver Island’s intrepid filmmaking sisters, Jennifer Westcott and Victoria Westcott. “Move over The Breakfast Club, there’s a new teen cult comedy in town.” Views from the Edge

PAUL KELLY, STORIES OF ME
US Premiere
Director: Ian Darling
PAUL KELLY, STORIES OF ME charts the lives, loves and losses of Paul Kelly, Australia’s most gifted contemporary singer-songwriter. Over 40 years, Paul Kelly has seen failure and success. And he has the songs to show for it.

PLEASE TO MEET ME
US Premiere
Director: Archie Borders
The lead singer of a seminal punk band reunites with his former partner to form a band for a single day. Starring Aimee Mann, John Doe, Loudon Wainwright.

ROMEO AND JULIET: A LOVE SONG
US Premiere
Director: Tim Van Dammen
A hip-hop operatic version of the Shakespeare classic comes to life in this brand new version of the timeless and tragic tale.

SVENGALI
US Premiere
Director: John Hardwick
Svengali tells the story of “Dixie” (Johnny Owen), a postman from South Wales, and a music fanatic. All his life he’s dreamed of discovering a great band and then one day, trawling through YouTube, he finds them…’The Premature Congratulations’. He hunts them down and offers them his management services. They are young, arrogant, sexy, and utterly magnificent. Co-starring Martin Freeman

THE MONTREAL UNDERGROUND
US Premiere
Director: Giuliano Bossa
This documentary examines the life and struggles of musicians in the DIY local scene of Montreal following different musicians and bands that are and have been keeping the scene alive for more than 25 years, and through it, the evolution of the city. The rise and fall of venues, of the music industry, of different genres, and the fight to continue making music against all odds.

BABE AND RICKY’S INN
East Coast Premiere
Director: Ramin Niami
The film chronicles the last days of one of the most unique and vibrant blues clubs in the world and based in LA.

BAD BRAINS: A BAND IN DC
East Coast Premiere
Director: Mandy Stein, Benjamin Logan
How four young men from Washington DC changed music forever.

BAYOU MAHARAJAH: THE TRAGIC GENIUS OF JAMES BOOKER
East Coast Premiere
Director: Lily Keber
Bayou Maharajah: The Tragic Genius of James Booker explores the life, times and music of piano legend James Booker, who Dr. John described as “the best black, gay, one-eyed junkie piano genius New Orleans has ever produced.”

BROTHERS HYPNOTIC
East Coast Premiere
Director: Reuben Atlas
Eight brothers, extraordinary brass musicians from Chicago’s South Side, test their brotherhood and their father’s legacy against mounting mainstream success.

CHURCHES, SALONS, BARS
East Coast Premiere
Director: Tyler Casey
Indie rock band Titanmoon makes an album in Fort Worth and Dallas, Texas, along with people from all over the globe.

¡CUATRO!
East Coast Premiere
Director: Tim Wheeler
A look at how Green Day’s three-album collection – ¡Uno!, ¡Dos! and ¡Tre! – came together as the trio went back to its roots.

DAVID BROMBERG UNSUNG TREASURE
East Coast Premiere
Director: Beth Kruvant
A look into the life of David Bromberg who is still playing his tunes in front of audiences around the world.

DON’T ASK ME QUESTIONS
East Coast Premiere
Director: Michael Gramaglia
Don’t Ask Me Questions is about the life and music career of Graham Parker and the Rumor. Featuring Bruce Springsteen, Paul Rudd, Judd Apatow and many others, the film follows the bands short career of international acclaim and their unlikely reunion 30 years after breaking up.

DON’T FOLLOW ME (I’M LOST)
East Coast Premiere
Director: William Miller
An intimate “fly on the wall” documentary about iconoclastic rocker Bobby Bare Jr., son of country music legend Bobby Bare, and his struggles dealing with the repercussions of a perpetual life on the road- the constant separation and the disconnect from loved ones back home.

FILMAGE: THE STORY OF THE DESCENDENTS/ALL
East Coast Premiere
Director: Matt Riggle, Deedee Lacour
The story of the influential punk band and their endless quest for pop, angst, love and coffee.

HOW TO GROW A BAND
East Coast Premiere
Director: Mark Matteo
Chris Thile is at a crossroads. His marriage has ended and his platinum- selling band, Nickel Creek, has gone on hiatus. But Thile, a prodigy who has defied expectations since he picked up the mandolin at age five, has a plan.

JUST LIKE BEING THERE
East Coast Premiere
Director: Scout Shannon
A documentary about cutting-edge poster artists like Daniel Danger and Jay Ryan who have breathed new life into the art form.

LAST FAST RIDE
East Coast Premiere
Director: Lily Scourtis Ayers
She was smart, beautiful and talented, and as lead singer of The Insaints, would-be rock star Marian Anderson reigns as one of the Bay Area’s most provocative and controversial lead singers of the ’90’s punk scene. Narrated by pop-culture icon Henry Rollins.

LOUDER THAN LOVE: THE GRANDE BALLROOM
East Coast Premiere
Director: Tony D’Annunzio
While the rest of the country was listening to the laid back sounds of the West Coast during the “Summer of Love” in 1967, Detroit was creating a sound that was “LOUDER THAN LOVE.” Featuring footage of such rock icons like Roger Daltrey, Alice Cooper, Ted Nugent, Wayne Kramer, James Williamson, Slash, Don Was, B.B King, Henry Rollins and many more tell the story of the Grande Ballroom and its effect on not only the Detroit Rock scene but on the World of Rock Music.

MY FATHER & THE MAN IN BLACK
East Coast Premiere
Director: Jonathan Holiff
Starring: Johnny Cash, Saul Holiff, June Carter
My Father and The Man In Black tells the inside story of “bad boy” Johnny Cash, his talented but troubled manager, Saul Holiff, and a son searching for his father in the shadow of a legend. Before there was Johnny and June, there was Johnny and Saul.

SACRIFICIAL YOUTH
East Coast Premiere
Director: Joe Losurdo
Sacrificial Youth is a Hardcore Punk musical that tells the story of TJ, a teenager caught at the crossroads of growing up and fight back.

STRUTTER
East Coast Premiere
Director: Allison Anders, Kurt Voss
An aspiring L.A. rocker loses both his band and his girl, but gains the friendship of his own local rock hero in this sweet and humanistic comedy.

THE LIBRARIAN & THE BANJO
East Coast Premiere
Director: Jim Carrier
The inspiring true story of a music librarian Dena Epstein who labored 25 years to document the musical contributions of African Slaves to the New World. Her work, now considered classic, shattered myths and stereotypes, proved that the banjo was a slave instrument, and sparked a remarkable revival of black string band music.

THE SCENE: AN EXPLORATION OF MUSIC IN TORONTO
East Coast Premiere
Director: Josh Jensen
A documentary film project that chronicles the lives of independent musicians as they build their careers in the Canadian music industry.

TROPICALIA
East Coast Premiere
Director: Marcelo Machado
Set Against the turbulent atmosphere of the 1960’s, Tropicalia is a feature length documentary exploring the Brazilian artistic movement known as Tropicalia, and the struggle its artists endured to protect their right to freely express revolutionary thought against the traditional Brazilian music of that time.

VIVA VIVA
East Coast Premiere
Director: Carolina Pfister
Steeped in the riotous music of urban chaos, meet two generations shaping a global culture of dissent. From the slums to the city center of San Paulo, Brazil, the punks invite us to open our eyes. Viva Viva!

LED ZEPPELIN PLAYED HERE
NY Premiere
Director: Jeff Krulik
Is it just an old fable that Led Zeppelin played the Wheaton Youth Center in Wheaton MD during their first historic tour in January 1969? Or did it really happen??????

NEVER RECORDS-YOU’RE NOT LISTENING
NYC Premiere
Director: Jason Wyche
A feature length documentary set in Northern Ireland by Jason Wyche about artist/musician Ted Riederer and his ongoing Never Records project. The documentary explores the power of art and music to unite, educate, and uplift a community.

GREENWICH VILLAGE; THE MUSIC THAT DEFINED A GENERATION
NY Premiere
Director: Laura Archibald
A feature-length documentary about the Greenwich Village music scene and how it sparked everlasting political, social and cultural changes. For the first time, the greatest singer-songwriters, authors and performers from Greenwich Village reflect on how they collectively became the voice of a generation. Through poignant interviews, rare archival footage and new live performances, GREENWICH VILLAGE: MUSIC THAT DEFINED A GENERATION tells a story about community, courage and most importantly – music.

WHO DO I THINK I AM
NY Premiere
Director: Nick Mead
Clarence Clemons goes on a spiritual journey across China. This production is a work in progress and part of the CBGB Film Forum series.
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Additional VIVRE SA VIE Screening for 2013 New York Film Festival

The 51st New York Film Festival which started September 27 and runs through October 13, 2013 has scheduled an additional screening of Jean-Luc Godard’s 1962 masterpiece VIVRE SA VIE on 35MM. The film was previously announced as part of the Jean-Luc Godard – The Spirit of the Forms three-week retrospective taking place from October 9 to October 30, 2013. The additional screening will take place on Friday, October 4, 2013, at 9PM at Alice Tully Hall.

Between 1955 and today, Godard has made 45 shorts, 11 medium-length films, 40 features, three television series, a handful of commercials, and several of his own trailers. Throughout every “period” of his working life—his early heyday with the French New Wave, his explicitly political films made in collaboration with Jean-Pierre Gorin in the aftermath of May ’68 in France, his collaborative television and video work in Switzerland during the 70s with Anne-Marie Miéville, his movement between film and video from the 80s onward—he has always continually ventured into new territory. Godard has never once retreated or backtracked. It’s been almost six decades since his first short, and he’s given us a body of work that is like a multiverse.

Here is Manny Farber’s description of one of Godard’s greatest films, Vivre sa vie, made with, and for, his wife Anna Karina: “The fall, brief rise, and death of a Joan of Sartre, a prostitute determined to be her own woman. The format is a condensed Dreiserian novel: Twelve near-uniform segments with chapter headings, the visual matter used to illustrate the captions and narrator’s comments. This is an extreme documentary, the most biting of his films, with sharp and drastic breaks in the continuity, grim but highly sensitive newsreel photography, a soundtrack taped in real bars and hotels as the film was shot and then left untouched. The unobtrusive acting inches along in little, scuttling steps, always in one direction, achieving a parched, memory-ridden beauty. A film of extraordinary purity.” Print courtesy of Janus Films.
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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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