Film Festivals

Diane Keaton’s Darling Companion to open 2012 Santa Barbara International Film Festival

The World Premiere of the Sony Classics Pictures film Darling Companion, directed by Lawrence Kasdan and starring Diane Keaton, Kevin Kline, Dianne Wiest, Richard Jenkins, Sam Shepard, Mark Duplass, Elisabeth Moss, and Ayelet Zurer will open the 27th Santa Barbara International Film Festival (January 26-February 5, 2012).

“We are incredibly privileged to have the world premiere of a Lawrence Kasdan film. The highly anticipated Darling Companion is a fantastic film to kick off the festival,” remarked SBIFF Executive Director Roger Durling.

In DARLING COMPANION, Beth (Diane Keaton) saves a bedraggled lost dog from the side of the freeway on a wintry day in Denver. Struggling with her distracted, self-involved husband Joseph (Kevin Kline) and an empty nest at home, Beth forms a special bond with the rescued animal. When Joseph loses the dog after a wedding at their vacation home in the Rockies, the distraught Beth enlists the help of the few remaining guests and a mysterious young woman (Ayelet Zurer) in a frantic search. Each member of the search party is affected by the adventure, which takes them in unexpected directions – comic, harrowing, and sometimes deeply emotional.

In addition to Darling Companion, SBIFF will also feature a Lawrence Kasdan Retrospective in its 2012 program. Body Heat (1981), The Big Chill (1983), and Grand Canyon (1991) will be featured, as well as a Q&A with the filmmaker himself.

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CineMart 2012 presents 36 film projects

CineMart, the International Film Festival Rotterdam’s co-production market has selected 36 film projects (from 465 entries) which will be presented to approximately 850 potential co-financiers. Reputed filmmakers such as Kelly Reichardt, Ruben Östlund, Quintin Dupieux, Athina Rachel Tsangari and Úrszula Antoniak will launch their new projects. The selection further includes feature length débuts, a project from a director with a film in Tiger Awards Competition and films participating in the BOOST!-program, a collaboration with the Hubert Bals Fund and Binger Filmlab. The 29th Cinemart takes place from 29 January – February 1, 2012 in Rotterdam. (See full CineMart Selection 2012 below)

CineMart manager Jacobine van der Vloed about the 2012 selection:

“One of the starting points of the CineMart Selection 2012 was to focus, more than before, on the alliance between the IFFR, the Hubert Bals Fund and the CineMart. We have managed to do this: many filmmakers and producers get the unique opportunity to present their latest works in the festival programme and launch their projects at CineMart. Others, who saw their films screened at previous IFFR editions, now bring their new projects to CineMart. Some filmmakers return to CineMart a second or third time. In the end we have selected the projects that best tie in, on geographical, artistic and financial levels, with the need of the current market for independent filmmaking.

In close collaboration with Binger Filmlab, the relation between CineMart and the Hubert Bals Fund has been strengthened through the BOOST! initiative. In 2011, five film projects already supported by the Hubert Bals Fund for script and project development participated in the Binger Filmlab On Demand Programme and have now been selected for CineMart 2012.

The crossover trend between art house cinema and visual arts is strongly reflected in the CineMart Selection. To look into this development CineMart organizes a panel discussion among artists and museum or gallery representatives on 29 January 2012 in collaboration with Screen International and CPH:DOX. The Art:Film panel focuses on the blurring boundaries between art and film and explores several questions. What motivates artists to explore narrative cinema? What can projects that originate in the art world learn from existing film financing and distribution models and vice versa?”

New projects by Athina Rachel Tsangari, Quentin Dupieux, Alexei Popogrebski and Kelly Reichardt
Following her successful second feature ATTENBERG (2010), filmmaker and producer Athina Rachel Tsangari (Greece) presents her third feature length project DUNCHARON, together with producers HAOS Films and Faliro House Productions. Maharaja Films (France) and The Match Factory (Germany are connected to this project as co-producers.

French music producer and filmmaker Quentin Dupieux’s WRONG will see its world premiere at Sundance 2012. Dupieux, successful in 2010 with his comic horror film RUBBER, launches his new film project REALITÉ at CineMart 2012 along with producer Realitism Films.
Alexei Popogrebski, Russian filmmaker and screenwriter known for his HOW I ENDED THIS SUMMER (2010), will present his new 3D-film project LOST ROOMS, produced by Koktebel Film Company.

US-filmmaker Kelly Reichardt took home a Tiger Award from Rotterdam in 2006 for her second feature film OLD JOY. Her WENDY AND LUCY and MEEK’S CUTOFF were subsequently selected for Cannes and Venice. Reichardt launches her new project NIGHT MOVES in collaboration with producer filmscience.

Art:Film, projects by Knut Åsdam, Henry Coombes and others

No less than five film projects in the CineMart Selection 2012 are from visual artists. All five will also be making their fiction feature length débuts. Norwegian artist Knut Åsdam, an Artist in Focus during IFFR 2007, is preparing his KIRKENESK-MURMANSK with German producer Vitakuben. Scottish artist Henry Coombes makes his first film LITTLE DOG BOY, in collaboration with producer Broken Spectre. Siblings Carlos and Jason Sanchez, both photographers from Québec, work with producer micro_scope on A WORTHY COMPANION.

French artist and filmmaker Christelle Lheureux presents her first feature film project LE VENT DES OMBRES together with producer Independencia Productions; Lheureux’s short film LA MALADIE BLANCHE has been selected for the Tiger Awards Competition for Short Films 2012.

Back at CineMart: Ruben Östlund and Aktan Arym Kubat
In 2012, some filmmakers return to CineMart with their latest projects. After INVOLUNTARY and PLAY, both launched during previous CineMart editions, Ruben Östlund (Sweden) presents the project for his fourth feature TOURIST with producer Plattform Produktion.
Aktan Arym Kubat (Kyrgyzstan) brought THE LIGHT THIEF to CineMart in 2007 and now returns with his project CENTAUR, produced by A.S.A.P. Films.

From Rotterdam Lab to CineMart: Ritesh Batra
CineMart welcomes a project by two former participants of Rotterdam Lab, CineMart’s training programme for emerging producers organized in collaboration with its partners. The Indian project THE LUNCHBOX by Ritesh Batra and producer Guneet Monga from Anurag Kashyap Productions originates from their initial meetings at Rotterdam Lab 2011. Batra’s short film CAFÉ REGULAR, CAÏRO has been selected for IFFR 2012’s Spectrum: Shorts.

Young talent: Eduardo Nunes, Malcolm Murray, Gabriel Abrantes & Daniel Schmidt
The IFFR, CineMart and the Hubert Bals Fund aim to offer emerging filmmakers a platform to launch their films and film projects. Therefore the CineMart Selection 2012 includes several projects by strong talent at the beginning of their careers. SUDOESTE (SOUTHWEST), fiction feature début by Eduardo Nunes (Brazil), has been selected for the Tiger Awards Competition 2012. HAPPY DEATH, his second feature film project produced by Superfilmes, is part of CineMart 2012.

Following the world premiere of his first fiction feature BAD POSTURE during IFFR 2011, CineMart 2012 includes US-filmmaker Malcolm Murray’s second feature project TOKYO CANNONBALL RISING SUN, produced by THIS.

Gabriel Abrantes and Daniel Schmidt (both US) are selected with their fiction feature début project TRISTES MONROES and present their short PALACES OF PITY in IFFR 2012’s Spectrum: Shorts.

The full CineMart Selection 2012, alphabetically by film project title:

Apprentice, by Boo Junfeng, production companies: Zhao Wei Films, Peanut Pictures (Singapore)
Between Ten and Twelve, by Peter Hoogendoorn, production companies: Keren Cogan Productions, Phanta Vision Film International (The Netherlands)
Cannibal, by Manuel Martín Cuenca, production company: La Loma Blanca P.C. (Spain)
Centaur, by Aktan Arym Kubat, production companies: A.S.A.P. Films, Pallas Film GmbH, Oy Art Film Producing Company (France, Germany, Kyrgyzstan)
Duncharon, by Athina Rachel Tsangari, production companies: Haos Films, Faliro House Productions, Maharaja Films, The Match Factory GmbH (Greece, France, Germany)
Estiuejants, Els, by Lluis Galter, production company: Paco Poch Cinema, S. L. (Spain)
Groenlandia, by José Luis Torres Leiva, production company: Jirafa Films (Chile)
Happy Death, A, by Eduardo Nunes, production company: Superfilmes, 3 Tabela Filmes (Brazil)
History of Fear, by Benjamin Naishtat, production company: Rei Cine (Argentina)
Hungry Mouth, by Argyris Papadimitropoulos, production company: Stefi Productions (Greece)
Invisibles, The, by Mushon Salmona, production company: Transfax Film Production Ltd (Israel)
Jojo Rabbit, by Taika Waititi, production companies: Defender Films, Unison Films (New Zealand, US)
Kirkenes – Murmansk, by Knut Åsdam, production company: Vitakuben GmbH (Germany)
Little Dog Boy, by Henry Coombes, production company: Brocken Spectre (United Kingdom)
Lost Rooms, by Alexei Popogrebsky, production company: Koktebel Film Company (Russia)
Lunchbox, The, by Ritesh Batra, production company: Anurag Kashyap Productions Pvt Ltd, Cine Mosaic (India, US)
Night Moves, by Kelly Reichardt, production company: filmscience (US)
Nude Area, by Úrszula Antoniak, production company: Topkapi Films, Pandora Film Produktion GmbH (The Netherlands, Germany)
Our Sun, by Joost van Ginkel, production company: PRPL, producer: Els Vandevorst (The Netherlands)
Realité, by Quentin Dupieux, production company: Realitism Films (France)
Revolution Will Not Be Tweeted, The, by David Dusa, production company: SCIAPODE, Kamoli Films (France, Denmark, Sweden)
Service for People, by Jang Cheol-soo, production company: Bidangil Pictures, Finecut Co, Ltd. (South-Korea)
Snow in Paradise, by Andrew Hulme, production company: Ipso Facto Films (United Kingdom)
Through My Veins, by Florin Serban, production company: FANTASCOPE (Romania)
Tokyo Cannonball Rising Sun, by Malcolm Murray, production companies: THIS, Nappinati Films Ltd., Armian Pictures (US)
Turist, by Ruben Östlund, production companies: Plattform Produktion, Essential Filmproduktion, Coproduction Office (Sweden, Germany, Denmark)
Tristes Monroes, by Gabriel Abrantes & Daniel Schmidt, production companies: A Mutual Respect Productions, Filmes do Tejo II, Les Films du Bélier (Portugal, France)
Vent des ombres, Le, by Christelle Lheureux, production companies: Independencia Productions, Kick the Machine (France, Thailand)
We Are Sisyphos, by Peter Brunner, production company: Golden Girls Filmproduktion & Filmservices GmbH, LEV Pictures (Austria, The Netherlands)
White Buffalo, The, by Aditya Assarat, production company: Pop Pictures Co. Ltd. (Thailand)
Worthy Companion, A, by Carlos Sanchez & Jason Sanchez, production company: micro_scope (Canada)

BOOST!

Djin, by Hawa Essuman, production company: Ginger Ink Films (Kenya)
Dólares de arena, Los, by Laura Amelia Guzmán & Israel Cárdenas, production companies: Aurora Dominicana, Athénaïse (Dominican Republic, Mexico, France)
Humidity, by Nikola Ljuca, production companies: Dart Film, zischlermann filmproduktion GbR (Serbia, Germany)
Jomo, by Kivu Ruhorahoza, production companies: POV Productions, Camera Club (Rwanda, Australia)
Midfielder, by Adrián Biniez, production companies: Morocha Films, Mutante Cine, Pandora Film Produktion GmbH, Topkapi Films (Argentina, Uruguay, Germany, The Netherlands)
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Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) to honor Gary Oldman with the International Star Award

[caption id="attachment_2062" align="alignnone"]Gary Oldman in Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy[/caption]

The 23rd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF), which runs January 5-16, 2012, will present Gary Oldman with the International Star Award. The International Star Award recognizes an actor or actress who has achieved both critical and commercial international recognition throughout their body of work.

Oldman is currently starring in Focus Features’ Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, directed by Tomas Alfredson and based on the novel by John le Carré.

“Gary Oldman is a performer whose ability to portray the most extreme of characters is a testament to the enormity of his talent,” said Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “In Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, as the embodiment of John le Carré’s classic spymaster George Smiley, he combines cunning, pathos, and cold determination when he is brought out of retirement to ferret out a double agent during the Cold War. To this consummate talent who consistently challenges audiences to anticipate the unexpected when he performs, the Palm Springs International Film Festival is honored to present the 2012 International Star Award to Gary Oldman.”

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Mississippi’s Oxford Film Festival Release 2012 Film Lineup

[caption id="attachment_2060" align="alignnone"]Butterfly Rising[/caption]

The Oxford Film Festival announced the selections for its 2012 Festival scheduled to run February 9-12, 2012. The festival will screen 11 feature films (narrative and documentary), and over 50 shorts (narrative, documentary, experimental, animated), including music videos.

Narrative Feature

Butterfly Rising (Mississippi), Dir: Tanya Wright, When her brother dies, singer Lilah Belle sets out to escape her grief and embarks on a road trip, but not before coaxing the new-to-town, most scandalous woman in Artesia– Rose Johnson– to go with her. These two broken souls steal a vintage truck and head out on the open road to a fated encounter with the mythical, magical ‘Lazarus of the Butterflies’. What occurs with the strange Butterfly Man transforms their destinies and binds the women together– forever. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

Cellmates (formerly White Knight) (California), Dir. Jesse Baget, Leroy Lowe, grand dragon of the Texas Ku Klux Klan confronts everything he’s been taught to hate when he’s sentenced to three years of hard labor on a prison work farm, where Warden Merville, dead set on rehabilitating Leroy, chooses Emilio, a Hispanic field worker, to be his cellmate. REGIONAL Premiere.

Dick Night (California), Dir. Andy Viner, Rachel hasn’t been out of the house since being left at the altar two months ago, but some rebound sex tonight and she’ll be over Mark for good… if she can just deal with these vampires. MISSISSIPPI PREMIERE.

Frontman (UK), Dir. Ben Hyland, When the former frontman of ‘Stanley and the Knives’ suddenly dies his old friends and band mates are forced back together after twenty-five years apart. Cracks soon start to appear in their relationships and it becomes clear why they split up in the first place. Frontman is a musical journey of five strangers, becoming friends for the second time. REGIONAL Premiere.

How to Cheat (California), Dir. Amber Sealey, Mark’s decided to do something bad.. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

Documentary Feature

Happy (California, non-competition), Dir. Roko Belic. A look at the search for happiness.

Holy Rollers: The True Story of Card Counting Christians (Washington), Dir. Bryan Storkel, Holy Rollers follows the rise of the Churchteam, arguably the largest and most well funded blackjack team in America. In their short existence, they have taken millions from casinos. But since every team member is a Christian and some are pastors, there is a constant battle to answer this question: How can you be Christian and play blackjack for a living? In their first year, the team took $1.6 million from casinos, but slowly the teams success starts to fall apart. They haven’t closed a bankroll in over six months and the team is down $450,000. The investors are getting nervous and something has to change. In addition , questions start being raised as to whether someone from the team might be stealing from the bankroll. Is it possible? Of course. But do they trust the players on the team? Absolutely. Maybe. REGIONAL Premiere.

Patriot Guard Riders, (Washington) Dir. Ellen Frick; Another American Soldier Has Died. Who cares? The suffering of soldiers and their families is largely invisible to most Americans. But not to these Americans. ‘Patriot Guard Riders’ is a documentary about a 200,000 strong motorcycle group who attend military funerals to honor the fallen, and to protect grieving families from the Westboro Baptist Church, who descends on the funerals and harasses them. REGIONAL PREMIERE.

Rhino Resurrected, (California), Dir. Keith Shapiro; Against all odds, a beloved and historic record store is brought back to life for two eventful weeks. Can a vibrant community re-emerge in today’s transformed music world? REGIONAL PREMIERE

Showtime (Mississippi), Dir. Ben Guest; This film follows four friends from rural Mississippi on their quest to win a state championship in basketball. Loss. Struggle. Friendship. Love. WORLD PREMIERE.

This is What Love in Action Looks Like (Tennessee), Dir. Morgan Jon Fox, ’This is What Love In Action Looks Like’ documents the widely controversial and inspirational story of what The New York Times referred to as ‘A modern day message in a bottle.’ MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

Animated Short
Spirit of the Bluebird (Canada), Dir. Xstine Cook
Birdboy (Spain), Dir. Pedro Rivero
Dance in B minor (UK), Dir. Myria Christophini
Dwellings, Dir. Aaron Wendel
Entanglement, Dir. Renae Radford
5 Minutes Each (Canada), Dir. Vojin Vasovic
Gilded Age Gladiator, Dir. Brad Lambert
The Owl Who Had a Wish Tangled to Its Foot, Dir. Burak Niyazi Kurt
Documentary Short

Awaken the Dragon (Tennessee), Dir. Laura Zdan, A short documentary exploring the unknown world of dragon boating, the world’s largest flat water racing canoes, propelled by a crew of 20 plus a drummer and a steers person. The film allows the audience to travel to three areas of the United States to discover the hidden sport to absorb the gripping visuals, sounds, and feelings that come with dragon boat racing. REGIONAL PREMIERE.

Back in Oxford (Mississippi), Dir. Jordan Berger; A student documentary exploring the underground rap culture in Oxford, MS. An interesting view of this small town, told through a lens many people are not familiar with. WORLD PREMIERE

The Beacon (Mississippi), Dir. Camilla Ann Aikin; The Beacon is the story of a 52 year old diner, an Oxford, Mississippi institution. It is a place full of colorful characters and stories, fiercely loyal customers and employees, and deep ties to the South’s complicated past. WORLD PREMIERE.

Cardboard Titanics (Alabama), Dir. Sam Frazier, Delusional people build, row, and race boats made solely of cardboard and duct tape in an insane effort to recapture the American dream.

Irma (Nebraska), Dir. Charles Fairbanks, Irma is an intimate musical portrait of Irma Gonzalez, the former world champion of women’s professional wrestling. Filmed in Ciudad Nezahualcoyotl – a notorious district of Mexico City – Irma contradicts everything we have come to expect from stories reported from Mexico. Featuring music written and performed by Ms. Gonzalez, Irma’s story surges with love and deceit, masculine strength, feminine charms, and an extraordinary sense of humor. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

The New Debutantes (Oregon), Dir. Jarratt Taylor; Ms. Pat knows growing up isn’t easy. She hopes her class in social etiquette gives kids the skills to make it. WORLD PREMIERE.

On the Porch with T-Model Ford (Mississippi),Dir. Tyler Keith, Tyler Keith interviews T-Model Ford about his life and music on a porch before a show in Mississippi. WORLD PREMIERE.

Proud Larry’s In Between the Scenes (Mississippi), Dir. Zachary Scott Thompson. Proud Larry’s is a great window into the Oxford Scene’s past and in its future. This short film highlights past memories of Oxford music scene veterans as well as those who are shaping the scene today. The music featured is provided by Oxford’s own Balance. WORLD PREMIERE.

Saint (California), Dir. John Rory Fraser, One man’s quest to re-masculate Jesus. WORLD PREMIERE.

Sonny (UK), Dir. Sophie Smith, The historic Mississippi River town of Helena in the Arkansas Delta, has been the home of the longest running blues radio show in the world. The King Biscuit Time blues show, which began in 1941 has featured ‘Sunshine’ Sonny Payne as the DJ since 1951… WORLD PREMIERE.

To Live and Die in Avoyelles Parish (Mississippi), Dir. Joe York. The latest documentary from the Southern Foodways Alliance details a different hog-roasting celebration: the Cochon de Lait Festival. The annual Mother’s Day tradition sees some 30-odd hogs hoisted up on metal racks that resemble giant coat hangers and cooked for several hours near a roaring blaze. The results, named for the suckling pigs that often are used in the recipe, are tender white flesh encased in the crispy skin known as “cracklin.’”

Training Wheels (Tennessee), Dir. Sarah Fleming, At the age of 6, after a devastating encounter with a pile of garbage, Tommy decided that learning how to ride a bicycle just wasn’t worth it. Now, fifteen years later, 21-year-old Tommy Kha is rethinking that decision. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

William Tyler: Behold the Spirit (Tennessee), Dir. Zack Wilson; William Tyler invites you to explore his music through his own thoughts, words, and images. WORLD PREMIERE.

Year of Our Lord on Thacker Mountain Radio (Mississippi), Dir. Thad Lee,T.R. Pearson speaks about the book he made with Langdon Clay about Lucas McCarty and the Moorhead Trinity House of Prayer. The book is Year Of Our Lord. Lucas and the church choir perform after Pearson’s tale of how and why the book was made. WORLD PREMIERE.

Yokna (Mississippi), Dir. Gretchen Wood; Yokna looks at the sustainable agriculture movement in Oxford, MS by focusing on Yokna Bottoms Farm six miles south of town. Through documenting the farm’s second Spring growing season, the film shows how the farm and community have a reciprocating influence on each other. WORLD PREMIERE.
Experimental Short
Dear Father
Dumbo Sketch #1
Knot
The Lady in the Boxcar (Mississippi)
Landscape of the Mind
Only in Dreams
Plural
Saskatchewan
Soundtrack (Spain)
Texas Hill Country
Voicemail (New York)
Mississippi Music Videos
Fall Apart / The Cooters (dir: Thad Lee)
The Road Less Traveled / Jake Wood (dir: Daniel Lee Perea)
Positions in Space / Ash W. (dir: Ashley W.)

Full lineup will be announced at a later date.
Narrative Short

After-School Special (California), Dir. Jacob Chase. A man and a woman have an awkward encounter at an indoor playground in this Neil LaBute penned slice-of-life starring Sarah Paulson and Wes Bentley. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

Ballerina (Arkansas), Dir. Bryan Stafford, Frank Gross seems to be a man who has it all: a quiet home in the suburbs, a good job, a daughter that loves him. Then, on a day much like today, there comes a knock at a door and his orderly world slides sideways into the darkness beyond what we know. Ballerina is a provocative, thoughtful drama about love, time, what we can prevent, and what we can’t no matter how much we might want to. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

Bathing and the Single Girl (California). Dir. Christine Elise McCarthy. A raw & irreverent comedic look at the unspoken horrors of dating – and bathing with – younger men. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

The Best Day (Mississippi), Dir. Coop Cooper, On the day of her 10th birthday, happy-go-lucky Jenny discovers she and her family are pawns in a cruel experiment that repeats over and over… and Daddy likes things just the way they are.

Expiration Date (Mississippi), Dir. Felicity Flesher, A young student is forever changed when an expired cup of ramen noodles enters his life.

Fatakra (New York), Dir. Soham Mehta. Sparks fly as a family reunites. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

The Fall of Henry (Mississippi), Dir. Glenn Payne, One bad night, one misstep begins a confrontation between two people with their own perspectives about how and why things went badly. As the encounter goes on, every motive and sense of responsibility comes under scrutiny. When something goes wrong, is there really blame to be assigned? And how far back can it go? Look closely.

Fresh Skweezed (Tennessee), Dir. Ryan Parker, Maggie, a street smart 11 year old, is stifled by a shaky home-life and constant torment from the neighborhood bully. With a fair share of moxie and a talent for the hustle, this little spitfire is fighting for more than just stability in her turbulent surroundings. Her life’s turned sour and she has no choice but to make a stand. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

Gypsy Heart (Mississippi), Dir. Daniel Lee Perea, A mysterious hitch-hiker get picked up by a man on a road trip. But what can you ever really know about a stranger? WORLD PREMIERE.

Hellion (Texas), Dir. Kat Candler, Little seven-year old, Petey, falls prey to his older brothers’ hellion ways. REGIONAL PREMIERE. (World Premiere at Sundance in January).

Humble Circumstances (Mississippi), Dir. Ethan Milner; Three long distance friends are looking to reunite on a camping trip but need a few more supplies. A young woman, a gas station attendant, is looking to close her store for the night but is held up by a would-be thief. Through a winding unfolding of events their worlds collide and will inevitably end in blood shed.

Illumination (Mississippi), Dir. Michael Williams, Alex, a flawed family man, is forced to endure a personal journey of enlightenment under extraordinary circumstances.

The Last Payphone in Los Angeles (California), Dirs. Tim Harms, T. Lynn Mikeska; A day in the life of a busy Los Angeles payphone. WORLD PREMIERE.

Man at the Door (Mississippi), Dir. Alan Arrivée; When a middle class white woman, who has recently separated from her husband and moved to Chicago, goes downstairs to her apartment lobby with a UPS slip in hand, she finds an illegal Mexican laborer at her doorstep, bleeding from a stab wound and begging to be let in. The decision she makes forces her to face the dangers of the city and its seemingly alien inhabitants.

Ms. Marvel’s Day Off (Georgia), Dir. Ruckus Skye. What does a super hero do when they’re not working? MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

The Ninth Floor (Mississippi), Dir. Jordan Berger, Alex Embers, a despondent young man experiences reoccurring dreams about an imaginary lover in the midst of WWII. Alex feels he must help her. When his dreams and reality become intertwined, he is faced with the decision of leaving the meaningless world he has always known for a chance to save the only girl he has ever loved.

Old Oak (Mississippi) Dir.Kevin M. Jones; Set in 1956, Old Oak tells the story of the last meal of a Death Row inmate. He asks for and is granted special permission to be escorted to his favorite diner for the occasion. Honey, the 10-year old daughter of the waitress, observes closely and narrates the story as the evening unfolds. USA Premiere.

The Orderly (Arkansas). Dir. Daniel Campbell. THE ORDERLY is a comedy set in the early 1950s about a timid orderly that finds himself late for his first day of work and his first assignment: transporting two psychiatric patients to another facility 8 hours away, with only 6 hours to get them there. With each minute and mile that passes, Norville desperately struggles to keep his own sanity along this tense, bizarre and chaotic ride. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

Red Moon (California) Dir: Jimmy Marble; Red Moon chronicles the life and times of famed submarine commander, Alexei Ovechkin, Russian hero and hapless werewolf. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

Terrebonne (New York, filmed partially in Mississippi), Dir. Jeremy Craig, Set on the imperiled coast of Louisiana, Terrebonne is the meditative story of a brother and sister who encounter unexpected trouble when they venture deep into the swamp in search of the mythic ivory-billed woodpecker. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

The Birthday Present (Arkansas). Dir. Sean Bridgers and Ffish. It’s Joey’s birthday. Her busy parents leave her a present she is sure to like. MISSISSIPPI Premiere.

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Daughters of the Dust and Reality Bites to screen at 2012 Sundance Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_2047" align="alignnone"]Daughters of the Dust[/caption]

Daughters of the Dust (1991) and Reality Bites (1994) have been selected for the From the Collection screenings at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Both titles are part of The Sundance Collection at UCLA (The Collection), a film preservation program designed to archive work that has been supported by a Sundance Institute program. The Festival takes place January 19 through 29 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

Daughters of the Dust / U.S.A., 1991 (Director and screenwriter: Julie Dash) – Set in the early 1900s, the Pazants family prepares to migrate from their Sea Island home to the mainland, leaving their land and legacy behind. Daughters of the Dust was the first dramatic feature film to explore the traditions of the Gullah, the descendants of African slaves who once worked the plantations and later inhabited the many islands dotting the South Carolina and Georgia coastlines. It is a story about the struggle between tradition and progress.Cast: Adisa Anderson, Alva Rogers, Barbara O, Cheryl L. Bruce, Cora Lee Day, Kaycee Moore, Tommy Hicks, Trula Hoosier. Daughters of the Dust screened at the 1991 Sundance Film Festival, where it earned the Excellence in Cinematography Award.

Reality Bites / U.S.A., 1994 (Director: Ben Stiller, Screenwriter: Helen Childress) – Recent college graduate Lelaina Pierce is making a video about her circle of friends. Along the way, she must choose whether to give her heart to Michael, a charming, but materialistic, video executive, or her grungy, but too cool, friend, Troy. When Michael declares his love for Lelaina, the pressure is on Troy to decide whether to drop his mask of indifference and risk rejection, or play it safe and risk losing the love of his life. The feature-film directorial debut for Ben Stiller, Reality Bites was the film about young adults of the nineties that we were all waiting for. Cast: Ben Stiller, Ethan Hawke, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, Winona Ryder. Reality Bites screened at the 1994 Sundance Film Festival.

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Christopher Plummer to be honored by Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Academy Award® nominee Christopher Plummer will receive the Santa Barbara International Film Festival’s highest honor, the Modern Master Award.

The Modern Master Award is the highest honor presented by SBIFF. Established in 1995, it was created to honor an individual who has enriched our culture through his/her multi-faceted accomplishments in the motion picture industry. Past recipients include Michael Douglas, Jodie Foster, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Diane Keaton, Sean Penn, Jeff Bridges, Peter Jackson, George Clooney, Will Smith, Cate Blanchett, Clint Eastwood, James Cameron, and Christopher Nolan.

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14 Films Selected for Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus competitions at 2012 Berlin International Film Festival

This is early, but fourteen films have been selected for the international program in the Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus competitions at the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival to be held February 9 thru 19, 2012.

Generation Kplus:

Kauwboy (Netherlands, by Boudewijn Koole) – A young jackdaw falls out of its nest straight into Jojo’s hands. The 10-year-old feels great empathy for the baby bird, which has no mother and is looking for a loving father just as he is. World premiere

Die Kinder vom Napf (The Children from the Napf, Switzerland, by Alice Schmid; documentary) – They take an aerial cable car to school and when class is out they work in the fields. The cycle of the four seasons, a wolf in the woods and 50 mountain farm children in the “Wild West” of Lucerne Canton. International premiere

Lotte ja kuukivi saladus (Lotte and the Moonstone Secret, Estonia/Latvia, by Janno Põldma and Heiki Ernits; Berlinale 2007: Leiutajateküla Lotte/Lotte from Gadgetville) – In this animated film for young children, magical moonstones lure Lotte, the great inventor’s daughter, away on a fantastic road trip. International premiere

The Mirror Never Lies (Indonesia, by Kamila Andini) – Pakis, a young girl, is still convinced her father will return from fishing the oceans. The azure waters of Wakatobi archipelago mirror her wistful longing for him. European premiere

Nono (Philippines, by Rommel Tolentino) – Toto is poor, lives in the slums and has a harelip. His patchwork family sees nothing abnormal in Toto’s desire for normality, despite everything. European premiere

Patatje Oorlog (Taking Chances, Netherlands, by Nicole van Kilsdonk) – For nine-year-old Kiek, a distant war has become a wrenching reality ever since her father disappeared on a medical rescue mission. Though Kiek still believes his chances of returning home in one piece are good. International premiere

Generation 14plus:

Electrick Children (USA, by Rebecca Thomas) – Pregnant by music? Rachel, a young Mormon girl, believes in immaculate conception, while her fundamentally religious family regards her condition as an intolerable transgression. The search for the child’s origins is a revelation for the 15-year-old. Starring Rory Culkin, Billy Zane. World premiere

Joven & Alocada (Young & Wild, Chile, by Marialy Rivas; Berlinale 2011: Blokes/Blocks) –Attempts to enjoy all kinds of sex lead to Daniela’s parents punishing her, yet it’s her way of seeking self-fulfilment. She is torn between an Evangelical upbringing and her rebellious, inquisitive nature. European premiere

Kronjuvelerna (The Crown Jewels, Sweden, by Ella Lemhagen; Berlinale 2000: Tsatsiki, Morsan och Polisen/Tsatsiki, Mum And The Policeman) – Is Richard, the factory owner’s son, really a murderer? And how do you know if a child has a heart of gold? A fabulously convoluted criminal case. Starring Bill Skarsgård (Shooting Star 2012), Alicia Vikander (Shooting Star 2011). International premiere

Magi I Luften (Love Is In The Air, Denmark/Sweden, by Simon Staho) – To love the wrong person and find the right one, all in one fateful night. A musical that is just as eccentric as these teenagers’ attitude towards life. International premiere

Mustafa’s Sweet Dreams (Greece/Great Britain, by Angelos Abazoglou) – Mustafa wants to become Turkey’s best baklava baker. This docufiction follows its protagonist from the town of Gaziantep to the bakeries of Istanbul. To make Mustafa’s dream come true, more ingredients are needed than just drive and discipline. World premiere

Orchim LeRega (Off White Lies, Israel/France, by Maya Kenig) – During the Second Lebanon War many refugees found shelter with families in southern Israel. Libby’s resourceful father jumps at the chance to save face in her eyes. European premiere

Un Mundo Secreto (A Secret World, Mexico, by Gabriel Mariño) – The last day of school is the first day of Maria’s long journey. Her trip across Mexico is not the usual backpacker’s holiday. In danger, Maria sets out to pursue her most intimate dreams. World premiere

Wandeukyi (Punch, Republic of Korea, by Han Lee) – Wan-deuk hates his teacher Dong-Ju more than anyone. And because his teacher lives directly next door, Wan-deuk has to put up with his cruelties at home as well. In fact the teacher only wants to toughen him up for life’s hardships. European premiere

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Brad Pitt to be honored with Desert Palm Achievement Actor Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_2037" align="alignnone"]Brad Pitt in Moneyball[/caption]

The 23rd annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present two-time Academy Award® nominee Brad Pitt with the Desert Palm Achievement Actor Award for his lead role in Moneyball and his supporting role in The Tree of Life.

“Brad Pitt consistently mesmerizes audiences with the depth and versatility of his performances. He has the rare ability to interpret and capture the most complicated facets of human nature, infusing his roles with strength and emotion,” said Harold Matzner, Chairman of the Palm Springs International Film Festival. “In The Tree of Life, he portrays a father whose sensitive son tries to make sense of their relationship and understand the wrongs of a difficult childhood. In Moneyball, he faces failure head on and draws upon his dormant, though fierce competitive nature to become a standout in the world of major league baseball management. To Brad Pitt, the Palm Springs International Film Festival is once again privileged to present you with an award to honor your extraordinary talent, this time the 2012 Desert Palm Achievement Award for Acting.”

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Palestinian film, Habibi, Wins Top Prizes at 2011 Dubai International Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_2035" align="alignnone"]Habibi[/caption]

“Habibi,” a story of forbidden love, and the first fiction feature set in Gaza in over 15 years was the big winner at the 2011 Dubai International Film Festival. Habibi received the awards for Muhr Arab Feature – Best Film :Susan Youssef (Director), Muhr Arab Feature – Best Actress :Maisa Abd Elhadi (Actor / Actress), Muhr Arab Feature – Best Editor :Susan Youssef (Editor, FIPRESCI Arab Feature :Susan Youssef (Director), and Muhr Arab Feature – Best Editor :Man Kit Lam (Editor).

The film is described as a modern re-telling of the legendary tragic romance ‘Majnun Layla’, which was set in seventh century Arabia, when a poet named Qays fell in love with Layla. Driven by the intensity of his passion, Qays was known as ‘Majnun Layla’, which translates as ‘madman for Layla’. In the contemporary setting, two students in the West Bank are forced to return home to Gaza, where their love defies tradition. To reach his lover, Qays graffiti’s poetry across town.

The complete list of winners of the 2011 Dubai International Film Festival

Muhr Arab Feature

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Film
HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
Director: Susan Youssef
Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

Muhr Arab Feature – Special Jury Prize
AL JUMA AL AKHEIRA (The LAST FRIDAY)
Director: Yahya Al Abdallah
Jordan, United Arab Emirates

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Actor
AL JUMA AL AKHEIRA (The LAST FRIDAY)
Actor / Actress: Ali Suliman
Jordan, United Arab Emirates

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Actress
HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
Actor / Actress: Maisa Abd Elhadi
Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Scriptwriter
SHI GHADI OU SHI JAY (BOILING DREAMS)
Scriptwriter: Hakim Belabbes
Morocco

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Editor
HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
Editor: Susan Youssef
Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Editor
HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
Editor: Man Kit Lam
Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Cinematographer
SHI GHADI OU SHI JAY (BOILING DREAMS)
Cinematographer: Raphael Bauche
Morocco

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Composer
AL JUMA AL AKHEIRA (The LAST FRIDAY)
Composer: Trio Jubran
Jordan, United Arab Emirates

Muhr Arab Feature – Best Composer
AL JUMA AL AKHEIRA (The LAST FRIDAY)
Composer: Trio Jubran
Jordan, United Arab Emirates

Muhr Arab Documentary

Muhr Arab Documentary – First Prize
SECTOR ZERO (SECTOR ZERO)
Director: Nadim Mishlawi
Lebanon, United Arab Emirates

Muhr Arab Documentary – Special Jury Prize
HALABJA – THE LOST CHILDREN (HALABJA – THE LOST CHILDREN)
Director: Akram Hidou
Germany, Iraq, Syria

Muhr Arab Documentary – Second Prize
ICI, ON NOIE LES ALGERIENS – 17 OCTOBRE 1961 (HERE WE DROWN ALGERIANS – OCTOBER 17TH, 1961)
Director: Yasmina Adi
France

Muhr Arab Documentary – Special Mention
LA KHAOUFA BAADA AL’YAOUM (NO MORE FEAR)
Director: Mourad Ben Cheikh
Tunisia

Muhr Arab Short

Muhr Arabic Shorts – First Prize
SUR LA ROUTE DU PARADIS (THE ROAD TO PARADISE)
Director: Uda Benyamina
France

Muhr Arab Short – Special Jury Prize
BRÛLEURS (BURNERS)
Director: Farid Bentoumi ,Farid Bentoumi
France

Muhr Arab Short – Second Prize
ARD AL ABTAL (LAND OF THE HEROES)
Director: Sahim Omar Kalifa
Iraq

Muhr Arab Short – Special Mention
MAKAN YOUA’AD (A PLACE TO GO)
Director: Wajdi Elian
Lebanon

Muhr Arab Short – Special Mention
ZAFIR (BREATHE OUT)
Director: Omar El Zohairy
Egypt

Muhr Emirati

Muhr Emirati – First Prize
AMAL (AMAL)
Director: Nujoom Al Ghanem
United Arab Emirates

Muhr Emirati – Special Jury Prize
CHILDREN (CHILDREN)
Director: Mohammad Fikree
United Arab Emirates

Muhr Emirati – Second Prize
AKHIR DECEMBER (END OF DECEMBER)
Director: Hamad Al Hammadi
United Arab Emirates

Muhr Emirati – Special Mention
LONDON IN A HEADSCARF (LONDON IN A HEADSCARF)
Director: Mariam Al Serkal ,Mariam Al Serkal
United Kingdom

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Film
TATSUMI (TATSUMI)
Director: Eric Khoo
Singapore

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Special Jury Prize
BIR ZAMANLAR ANADOLU’DA (ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA)
Director: Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Turkey

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Actor
KITSUTSUKI TO AME (The WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN)
Japan

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Actress
TÂM H?N M? (MOTHER’S SOUL)
Vietnam

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Scriptwriter
KITSUTSUKI TO AME (The WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN)
Scriptwriter: Shuichi Okita
Japan

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Editor
KITSUTSUKI TO AME (The WOODSMAN AND THE RAIN)
Editor: Takashi Sato
Japan

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Composer
TATSUMI (TATSUMI)
Composer: Christopher Khoo
Singapore

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Best Cinematographer
BIR ZAMANLAR ANADOLU’DA (ONCE UPON A TIME IN ANATOLIA)
Cinematographer: Gökhan Tiryaki
Turkey

Muhr AsiaAfrica Feature – Special Mention
NIKINI VASSA (AUGUST DRIZZLE)
Actor / Actress: Chandani Senevirathne
Sri Lanka

Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentary

Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentaries – First Prize
IN FILM NIST (THIS IS NOT A FILM)
Director: Jafar Panahi
Iran

Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentaries – Special Jury Prize
NEGERI DI BAWAH KABUT (THE LAND BENEATH THE FOG)
Director: Shalahuddin Siregar
Indonesia

Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentaries – Second Prize
ENDING NOTE (DEATH OF A JAPANESE SALESMAN)
Director: Mami Sunada
Japan

Muhr AsiaAfrica Documentary – Special Mention
JAI BHIM COMRADE (JAI BHIM COMRADE)
Director: Anand Patwardhan
India

Muhr AsiaAfrica Short

Muhr AsiaAfrica Shorts – First Prize
MO-DEON PAE-MIL-LI (MODERN FAMILY)
South Korea

Muhr AsiaAfrica Shorts – Special Jury Prize
TINYE SO (TINYE SO)
Director: Daouda Coulibaly
Mali

Muhr AsiaAfrica Shorts – Second Prize
MEHFUZ (SAFE)
Director: Rohit Pandey
India

FIPRESCI

FIPRESCI Arab Feature
HABIBI RASAK KHARBAN (HABIBI)
Director: Susan Youssef
Palestine, U.S.A., Netherlands, United Arab Emirates

FIPRESCI Arab Documentary
MARCEDES (MARCEDES)
Director: Hady Zaccak
Lebanon

FIPRESCI Arab Short
SUR LA ROUTE DU PARADIS (THE ROAD TO PARADISE)
Director: Uda Benyamina
France

Human Rights Film Network

HRFN
SHOJI TO TAKAO (SHOJI & TAKAO)
Director: Yoko Ide
Japan

People Choice Awards

Du Peoples choice awards
ALS DER WEIHNACHTSMANN VOM HIMMEL FIEL (WHEN SANTA FELL TO EARTH)
Director: Oliver Dieckmann
Germany

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2012 Slamdance Film Festival Announces Films in Competition

The 2012 Slamdance Film Festival that runs concurrently with the 2012 Sundance Film Festival from January 20 to 26, in Park City, Utah, announced its lineup. The festival oft billed as “by filmmakers, for filmmakers” lineup includes 18 feature-length competition films, ten narratives and eight documentaries, most of them World Premieres.

The complete Slamdance Feature Film Competition lineup:

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION PROGRAM, PRESENTED BY KODAK:
BINDLESTIFFS – Director: Andrew Edison, Screenwriters: Andrew Edison, Luke Loftin. (USA) World Premiere
Three smart-mouthed high school virgins, suspended from school on a graffiti charge, flee to the inner city to live out the plot of The Catcher in the Rye.
Cast: Andrew Edison, Luke Loftin, John Karna

Comforting Skin – Director: Derek Franson, Screenwriter: Derek Franson. (Canada) US Premiere
A lonely young woman’s desperate need for emotional and physical companionship draws her into a surreal and ultimately destructive relationship with a shifting and whispering tattoo she has willed to life on her skin.
Cast: Jane Sowerby, Tygh Runyan, Victoria Bidewell

Doppelgänger Paul (or A Film About How Much I Hate Myself) – Director: Dylan Akio Smith, Kris Elgstrand, Screenwriter: Kris Elgstrand. (Canada) US Premiere
The unlikely relationship of two lonely men whose connection sets off a chain of events resulting in the loss of a thumb, the theft of a manuscript, and two appearances on a popular morning talk show.
Cast: Brad Dryborough, Tygh Runyan

Faith, Love and Whiskey – Director: Kristina Nikolova, Screenwriters: Kristina Nikolova, Paul Dalio. (Bulgaria) World Premiere
A young Bulgarian woman, engaged to a well-off American, panics and runs back home, reuniting with her drifter friends and the wild life of her past and falling in love with her passionate but alcoholic best friend.
Cast: Ana Stojanovska, Valeri Yordanov, John Keabler, Lidia Indjova, Yavor Baharov

Heavy Girls – Director: Axel Ranisch, Screenwriters: Axel Ranisch, Heiko Pinkowski, Peter Trabner. (Germany) US Premiere
Sven lives with his elderly mother; Daniel is her caregiver. When she wanders off, their misadventure to find her leads them to discover their confusing affection for each other.
Cast: Heiko Pinkowski, Peter Trabner, Ruth Bickelhaupt

OK, Good – Director: Daniel Martinico, Screenwriters: Hugo Armstrong, Daniel Martinico. (USA) World Premiere
A series of demoralizing auditions and a cultish movement workshop push a struggling actor over the edge.
Cast: Hugo Armstrong

Roller Town – Director: Andrew Bush, Screenwriters: Andrew Bush, Mark Little, Scott Vrooman. (Canada) US Premiere
At the peak of disco-mania, three friends try and stop a local crime syndicate from turning their beloved roller rink into a video arcade.
Cast: Kayla Lorette, Mark Little, Scott Vrooman

The Sound of Small Things – Director/Screenwriter: Peter McLarnan. (USA) World Premiere
Sam and Cara’s attempt to navigate their young marriage is complicated by miscommunication, suspicion and her deafness.
Cast: Cara Krippner, Sam Hoolihan

Sundowning – Director/Screenwriter: Frank Rinaldi. (Singapore/USA) World Premiere
A story about the relationship between a young woman who has lost her memory and her mysterious caregiver.
Cast: Shannon Fitzpatrick, Susan Chau

Welcome to Pine Hill – Director/Screenwriter: Keith Miller. (USA) World Premiere
A reformed drug dealer, now a claims adjuster by day and bouncer by night, receives earthshattering news that compels him to return to his past and seek transcendence beyond the Brooklyn concrete.
Cast: Shannon Harper, Mary Meyers, David Williams

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION PROGRAM:
Buffalo Girls – Director: Todd Kellstein. (Thailand/USA) World Premiere
Two eight year old girls fight in rural Thailand’s underground child boxing economy to earn money to support their families.

Danland – Director: Alexandra Berger, Screenwriters: Ann Husaini, Alexandra Berger. (USA) World Premiere
Amateur porn producer Dan Leal, aka ‘Porno Dan,’ searches for intimacy despite his industry and in spite of himself.

The First Season – Director: Rudd Simmons. (USA) World Premiere
To achieve their version of the American dream, the Van Amburg family struggle as they fight against relentless toil, financial ruin and the harsh reality of dairy farming.

Getting Up – Director: Caskey Ebeling, Screenwriter: Tempt. (USA) World Premiere
After being diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease and rendered almost completely paralyzed, Tony “Tempt” Quan, a legendary L.A. graffiti artist, regains his voice through technology that reads the movement of his eyes and enables him to create art and write once again.

I Want My Name Back – Director: Roger Paradiso. (USA) Utah Premiere
Thirty years after the historic recording of the iconic mega-hit “Rapper’s Delight,” Master Gee & Wonder Mike come back to reclaim their identities and rightful place in Hip Hop history.

Kelly – Director: James Stenson. (USA) World Premiere
Having fled a provincial past, a young, transgender prostitute searches for love and acceptance in a landscape of broken Hollywood Dreams.

No Ashes, No Phoenix – Director/Screenwriter: Jens Pfeifer. (Germany) World Premiere
A locker room expose about young basketball players in Hagen, Germany who face their fears of losing and challenge enormous odds to succeed.

We Are Legion: The Story of the Hacktivists – Director/Screenwriter: Brian Knappenberger. (USA) World Premiere
An intimate look inside the world of Anonymous, the radical “hacktivist” collective that has redefined civil disobedience for the digital age.

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Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt and Cast of Young Adult to be honored at Palm Springs International Film Festival

[caption id="attachment_2022" align="alignnone"]Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt in Young Adult[/caption]

The film Young Adult will be honored with the Vanguard Award, for its outstanding creative ensemble, at the 23rd Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF). Cast members from the film including Charlize Theron and Patton Oswalt, director Jason Reitman and screenwriter Diablo Cody will attend to accept the award. The Festival runs January 5-16.

This is the second Vanguard Award for Cody and Reitman, who first received the honor in 2008 for Juno. Reitman recently garnered the 2010 PSIFF Best Director Award for Up in the Air, and Theron previously earned the 2006 Desert Palm Achievement Actress Award for North Country.

“What is more bittersweet than realizing that your glory days, particularly those in high school, when everything was possible, may truly be a thing of the past,” said Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “In Young Adult, a writer of teen literature gets a major reality check when her plan to reclaim a former high school sweetheart goes awry, but leads her to forge an unlikely bond with a former classmate who is similarly time warp-challenged. It is a particular pleasure for the Palm Springs International Film Festival to present the 2012 Vanguard Award to Young Adult, a truly unique and utterly enjoyable film. The filmmakers and cast represent the some of the best and most exciting filmmaking work of the year and have delivered a biting black comedy as deeply poignant as it is funny. It’s a pleasure to welcome for an ‘encore’ the film’s screenwriter Diablo Cody, director Jason Reitman and accomplished star Charlize Theron, all previous winners at the Festival, who continue to demonstrate the scope of their cinematic talents.”

About Young Adult
Mavis Gary is a writer of teen literature who returns to her small hometown to reclaim her happily married high school sweetheart. When returning home proves more difficult than she thought, Mavis forms an unusual bond with a former classmate who hasn’t quite gotten over high school, either. The film stars Charlize Theron, Patton Oswalt, Patrick Wilson, Elizabeth Reaser and Jill Eikenberry.

Young Adult features the team behind Juno – Academy Award®-winning screenwriter Diablo Cody and Academy Award®-nominated director Jason Reitman. Paramount Pictures released the film in select theatres on December 9 and will open wide on December 16.

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Sundance Film Festival to travel to 9 cities

The Sundance Institute announced the films from the 2012 Sundance Film Festival that will screen in independent theaters in nine different cities around the country as part of Sundance Film Festival USA. On January 26, the second Thursday of the Sundance Film Festival, nine filmmakers will each travel from Utah to one of the following cities: Ann Arbor, MI; Boston, MA; Brooklyn, NY; Chicago, IL; Houston, TX; Nashville, TN; Orlando, FL; San Francisco, CA; and Tucson, AZ.

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival takes place January 19 through 29 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

The 2012 Sundance Film Festival USA program:

Ann Arbor, MI – The Michigan Theatre www.michtheater.org

For A Good Time, Call… / U.S.A. (Director: Jamie Travis, Screenwriters: Katie Anne Naylon & Lauren Anne Miller) — Lauren and Katie move in together after a loss of a relationship and a loss of a rent controlled home, respectively. When Lauren learns what Katie does for a living the two enter into a wildly unconventional business venture. Cast: Ari Graynor, Lauren Anne Miller, Justin Long, Mark Webber, James Wolk.

Boston, MA – Coolidge Corner Theatre www.coolidge.org

Celeste and Jesse Forever / U.S.A. (Director: Lee Toland Krieger, Screenwriters: Rashida Jones, Will McCormack) — Celeste and Jesse met in high school, married young, and at 30, decide to get divorced but remain best friends while pursuing other relationships. Cast: Rashida Jones, Andy Samberg, Ari Graynor, Chris Messina, Elijah Wood, Emma Roberts.

Brooklyn, NY – BAM www.bam.org

Robot and Frank / U.S.A. (Director: Jake Schreier, Screenwriter: Christopher Ford) — A curmudgeonly older dad’s grown kids install a robot as his caretaker. Cast: Frank Langella, Susan Sarandon, James Marsden, Liv Tyler.

Chicago, IL – Music Box Theatre www.musicboxtheatre.com

2 Days in New York / France (Director: Julie Delpy, Screenwriters: Julie Delpy, Alexia Landeau) — Marion has broken up with Jack and now lives in New York with their child. A visit from her family, the different cultural background of her new boyfriend, an ex-boyfriend who her sister is now dating, and her upcoming photo exhibition make for an explosive mix. Cast: Julie Delpy, Chris Rock, Albert Delpy, Alexia Landeau, Alex Nahon.

Houston, TX – Sundance Cinemas Houston www.sundancecinemas.com

Bachelorette / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Leslye Headland) — Ten years after high school, three women reunite on the eve of their friend’s New York City wedding. A bachelorette party unfolds into a wild night of drugs, alcohol, men, and strippers that threatens to destroy the wedding and sends the girls on a comedic odyssey to fix the damage. As the girls race to save a friendship and a wedding, they ride a thin line between jealousy and loyalty in what might be the most important night of their lives. Cast: Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Lizzy Caplan, James Marsden, Adam Scott, Kyle Bornheimer.

Nashville, TN – Belcourt Theatre www.belcourt.org

West of Memphis / U.S.A. (Director: Amy Berg) — Three teenage boys are incarcerated for the murders of three 8-year-old boys in West Memphis, Arkansas. 19 years later, new evidence calls into question the convictions and raises issues of judicial, prosecutorial and jury misconduct – showing that the first casualty of a corrupt justice system is the truth.

Orlando, FL – Enzian Theater www.enzian.org

Arbitrage / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Nicholas Jarecki) — A hedge-fund magnate is in over his head, desperately trying to complete the sale of his trading empire before the depths of his fraud are revealed. An unexpected, bloody error forces him to turn to the most unlikely corner for help. Cast: Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon, Tim Roth, Brit Marling, Nate Parker.

San Francisco, CA – Sundance Kabuki Cinemas www.sundancecinemas.com

Liberal Arts / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Josh Radnor) — Bookish and newly single Jesse Fisher returns to his alma mater for his favorite professor’s retirement dinner. A chance meeting with Zibby – a precocious classical music-loving sophomore – awakens in him long-dormant feelings of possibility and connection. Cast: Josh Radnor, Elizabeth Olsen, Richard Jenkins, Allison Janney, John Magaro, Elizabeth Reaser.

Tucson, AZ – The Loft www.loftcinema.com

GOATS / U.S.A. (Director: Christopher Neil, Screenwriter: Mark Jude Poirier) — Ellis leaves his unconventional desert home to attend the disciplined and structured Gates Academy. There, he re-connects with his estranged father and for the first time questions the family dynamics. Cast: David Duchovny, Vera Farmiga, Graham Phillips, Justin Kirk, Ty Burrell.

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