Green Book[/caption]
The Twin Cities Film Fest announced its 2018 award winners Saturday evening and awarded Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book” the year’s Best Feature Film. “When Jeff Tried to Save the World,” a lighthearted drama that served as the official 2018 centerpiece, was one of the year’s most honored titles, named as a finalist in three separate categories (Best Feature Film, Indie Vision Breakthrough Performance, Indie Vision Debut Director). Star Jon Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite”) walked away with the year’s top performance award.
The festival’s top non-fiction award went to “Who Will Write Our History?,” Roberta Grossman’s harrowing account of the journalists, scholars and community leaders in the Warsaw Ghetto who risked everything to secretly document the daily atrocities committed against their Jewish neighbors. The film screened in partnership with the Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival.
The 2018 Audience Awards went to Barry Andersson’s “The Lumber Baron,” a period drama about the heir to a failing lumber business and the enduring rumors of a treasure left behind by his grandfather; Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler’s “United Skates,” a documentary about the art, economics and underground subculture of American roller skating; and “small town ROBOT,” a locally-produced short film about the acclaimed robotics team at Greenbush Middle River High School and their journey to a world championship to compete against 300 other teams from around the world.
Director Mark Taylor took home the Indie Vision — Debut Director trophy, for his drama “Saving Flora,” which had its U.S. premiere at the festival last week. Starring Jenna Ortega, David Arquette and Tom Arnold, the film’s story of one girl’s unbreakable bond with an elephant, and her mission to save the kind creature, marked the highlight of this year’s TCFF Changemaker Series. Several of the leading stars were in town to celebrate the debut.
“One of this year’s unforgettable highlights was ‘Saving Flora,’” said TCFF Executive Director Jatin Setia. “The passion of that filmmaking, the broader mission behind its story, and the electricity that was on full display that night in the movie theater, between the audience and the advocates and the visiting filmmakers….that’s everything that makes a film festival special. It’s not just watching a movie — it’s being part of a transcendent experience. It changes you as a person.”
Minnesota filmmaker C.J. Renner was honored with the Indie Vision — Breakthrough Achievement award for his direction of “American Tender,” a widely praised drama about a robbery, a double-cross and one memorable first date.
“C.J. Renner exemplifies the talent, commitment and energy to be found in the Minnesota filmmaking community,” said TCFF Managing Director Bill Cooper. “And ‘American Tender’ is exactly the kind of homegrown independent project that we’re so proud to celebrate and showcase here at TCFF. C.J. always surprises us, he’s going places, and we’re so thrilled that so many smart filmgoers from across the country discovered his talent right here at the festival this year.”
The 2018 Fun Is Good Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award went to Matt Hirst’s hilarious “12 Sips to Glory,” about one man’s epic orange soda taste test.
Twin Cities Film Fest
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Peter Farrelly’s GREEN BOOK Wins Best Feature Film at 2018 Twin Cities Film Fest
[caption id="attachment_31408" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Green Book[/caption]
The Twin Cities Film Fest announced its 2018 award winners Saturday evening and awarded Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book” the year’s Best Feature Film. “When Jeff Tried to Save the World,” a lighthearted drama that served as the official 2018 centerpiece, was one of the year’s most honored titles, named as a finalist in three separate categories (Best Feature Film, Indie Vision Breakthrough Performance, Indie Vision Debut Director). Star Jon Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite”) walked away with the year’s top performance award.
The festival’s top non-fiction award went to “Who Will Write Our History?,” Roberta Grossman’s harrowing account of the journalists, scholars and community leaders in the Warsaw Ghetto who risked everything to secretly document the daily atrocities committed against their Jewish neighbors. The film screened in partnership with the Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival.
The 2018 Audience Awards went to Barry Andersson’s “The Lumber Baron,” a period drama about the heir to a failing lumber business and the enduring rumors of a treasure left behind by his grandfather; Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler’s “United Skates,” a documentary about the art, economics and underground subculture of American roller skating; and “small town ROBOT,” a locally-produced short film about the acclaimed robotics team at Greenbush Middle River High School and their journey to a world championship to compete against 300 other teams from around the world.
Director Mark Taylor took home the Indie Vision — Debut Director trophy, for his drama “Saving Flora,” which had its U.S. premiere at the festival last week. Starring Jenna Ortega, David Arquette and Tom Arnold, the film’s story of one girl’s unbreakable bond with an elephant, and her mission to save the kind creature, marked the highlight of this year’s TCFF Changemaker Series. Several of the leading stars were in town to celebrate the debut.
“One of this year’s unforgettable highlights was ‘Saving Flora,’” said TCFF Executive Director Jatin Setia. “The passion of that filmmaking, the broader mission behind its story, and the electricity that was on full display that night in the movie theater, between the audience and the advocates and the visiting filmmakers….that’s everything that makes a film festival special. It’s not just watching a movie — it’s being part of a transcendent experience. It changes you as a person.”
Minnesota filmmaker C.J. Renner was honored with the Indie Vision — Breakthrough Achievement award for his direction of “American Tender,” a widely praised drama about a robbery, a double-cross and one memorable first date.
“C.J. Renner exemplifies the talent, commitment and energy to be found in the Minnesota filmmaking community,” said TCFF Managing Director Bill Cooper. “And ‘American Tender’ is exactly the kind of homegrown independent project that we’re so proud to celebrate and showcase here at TCFF. C.J. always surprises us, he’s going places, and we’re so thrilled that so many smart filmgoers from across the country discovered his talent right here at the festival this year.”
The 2018 Fun Is Good Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award went to Matt Hirst’s hilarious “12 Sips to Glory,” about one man’s epic orange soda taste test.
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IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK, GREEN BOOK Among 2018 Award Finalists for Twin Cities Film Fest
[caption id="attachment_31277" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
If Beale Street Could Talk[/caption]
More than 30 finalists will compete for the top awards at the 2018 Twin Cities Film Fest, including among the top contenders for Best Feature Film are the new Barry Jenkins drama “If Beale Street Could Talk,” Peter Farrelly’s “Green Book,” which recently won the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, and two lauded Minnesota productions: Barry Andersson’s “The Lumber Baron” and David Buchanan’s “Black.”
Other notable 2018 finalists include Joel Edgerton’s harrowing drama “Boy Erased” and Marielle Heller’s thriller “Can You Ever Forgive Me?”, both nominated for this year’s Indie Vision Award for breakthrough performance, recognizing Lucas Hedges and Melissa McCarthy respectively. Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler’s documentary “United Skates,” selected as this year’s closing night film, received two nominations — for Best Documentary and Indie Vision Special Achievement, recognizing Tina Brown, Matthew Peterson and Dyana Winkler’s electrifying cinematography.
Rounding out this year’s Best Feature Film nominees were Kendall Goldberg’s comedy “When Jeff Tried to Save the World,” which also received nods for director Kendall Goldberg and lead actor Jon Heder, and Ben Zuckert’s drama “Noah Wise,” which received a second nomination for musical score.
Actor Bill Murray is serving as a special guest judge for this year’s Comedy Shorts Award. Murray will be choosing his favorite comedic short from the three finalists listed below.
This year’s TCFF slate, which continues to screen in St. Louis Park through Saturday evening, is comprised of more than 130 short and feature films. In addition to staff and audience awards, this year’s Changemaker Award is being bestowed to Rachel Mairose, founder and executive director of the animal rescue nonprofit Secondhand Hounds.
2018 Twin Cities Film Fest FINALISTS
Best Feature Film: “If Beale Street Could Talk,” directed by Barry Jenkins; “Black,” directed by David Buchanan; “Green Book,” directed by Peter Farrelly; “The Lumber Baron,” directed by Barry Andersson; “Noah Wise,” directed by Ben Zuckert; “When Jeff Tried to Save the World,” directed by Kendall Goldberg. Best Documentary: “93Queen,” directed by Paula Eiselt; “Finding Hygge,” directed by Rocky Walls; “Fire on the Hill,” directed by Brett Fallentine; “Time for Ilhan,” directed by Norah Shapiro; “United Skates,” directed by Tina Brown and Dyana Winkler; “Who Will Write Our History?” directed by Roberta Grossman. Best Short Film: “The American Wake,” directed by Kevin Quinn; “12 Sips to Glory,” directed by Matt Hirst; “Claire Means Well,” directed by Aaron Gervich; “Lunch Ladies,” directed by J.M. Logan; “Two Black Coffees,” directed by Michael Discoll; “Sexpert Franzen,” directed by Kaitlyn Busbee. Indie Vision — Breakthrough Performance: Adam Christian Clark (“Newly Single”); Jon Heder (“When Jeff Tried to Save the World”); Lucas Hedges (“Boy Erased”); Melissa McCarthy (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”); Toussaint Morrison (“Black”); Sophia Mitri Schloss (“Sadie”). Indie Vision — Debut Director: Erik Bloomquist (“Long Lost”); Kendall Goldberg (“When Jeff Tried to Save the World”); Jenna Laurenzo (“Lez Bomb”); James Ojala (“Strange Nature”); Mark Taylor (“Saving Flora”); Kulap Vilaysack (“Origin Story”). Indie Vision — Breakthrough Achievement: Sam Boyd (screenplay for “In a Relationship”); Tina Brown, Matthew Peterson and Dyana Winkler (cinematography for “United Skates”); Roxanne Paukner (art direction for “The Lumber Baron”); Vanessa Powers (animation for “Witch”); C.J. Renner (director of “American Tender”); Ben Zuckert (composer of “Noah Wise”). Comedic Shorts Award: “12 Sips to Glory;” “Deep Dish Apocalypse;” “Lunch Ladies.” 2018 TCFF Changemaker Award: Rachel Mairose, founder and executive director of Secondhand Hounds.
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2018 Twin Cities Film Fest Boasts Diverse and Inspiring Lineup, Opens with GREEN BOOK
[caption id="attachment_31408" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Green Book[/caption]
Twin Cities Film Fest today announced a diverse and inspiring lineup of films for their 2018 festival, to be held October 17 to 27. This year’s festival will officially open their ninth year with Peter Farrelly’s Green Book, which recently won the coveted People’s Choice Award this past week at the 2018 Toronto International Film Festival.
When Tony Lip (Mortensen), a bouncer from an Italian-American neighborhood in the Bronx, is hired to drive Dr. Don Shirley (Ali), a world-class Black pianist, on a concert tour from Manhattan to the Deep South, they must rely on “The Green Book” to guide them to the few establishments that were then safe for African-Americans. Confronted with racism, danger—as well as unexpected humanity and humor—they are forced to set aside differences to survive and thrive on the journey of a lifetime.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QkZxoko_HC0
Opening night festivities will also include a screening of Time for Ilhan, a documentary about State Representative and Federal House candidate, Ilhan Omar, who will be in attendance along with director Norah Shapiro and cinematographer Chris Newberry.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQ8uivoe36U
The Centerpiece Highlight on Friday, October 19 is the Newport Beach Film Festival hit comedy When Jeff Tried to Save the World starring Jon Heder (“Napoleon Dynamite). United Skates, a documentary about roller skating and a community’s battle to save an underground subculture will close out the festival on October 27.
Other visiting guests this year include David Arquette and Tom Arnold with the U.S. premiere of Saving Flora, the story of a 14-year-old girl who kidnaps an elephant from a circus to take it to a nature reserve, screening on October 22. Chef Andrew Zimmern will also be in attendance on Thursday, October 25 for the Midwest premiere of Chef Flynn, a documentary about a ten-year-old who transformed his living room into a supper club and achieved sudden fame.
TCFF will also feature Widows (20th Century Fox) a modern-day thriller from Steve McQueen starring Viola Davis and Liam Neeson, Can You Ever Forgive Me? (Fox Searchlight Pictures) starring Melissa McCarthy, Boy Erased (Focus Features) starring Joel Edgerton and Nicole Kidman and The Favourite (Fox Searchlight Pictures) starring Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.
In addition to their regular programming this year, TCFF will collaborate with the Jewish Film Festival and the Northstar Science Film Festival, showing a slate of thought provoking films while launching a brand new initiative, TCFF Tech. TCFF Tech is a one-of-a-kind 3-day event spotlighting the impact of technology on social issues, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
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2017 Twin Cities Film Fest Awards – “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” Wins Best Film
[caption id="attachment_23572" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri[/caption]
The Twin Cities Film Fest announced its 2017 award winners Saturday evening, and named Martin McDonagh’s “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” as the year’s Best Feature Film. “The Bachelors,” a father-son drama starring J.K. Simmons, was named a finalist in several categories and walked away with the Indie Vision Breakthrough Award for Simmons’ teenage co-star Josh Wiggins.
The festival’s top non-fiction awards went to documentaries spotlighting the great migrations of refugees now underway around the globe. Ai Weiwei’s “Human Flow,” was named Best Documentary; Amanda Bailly’s “8 Borders, 8 Days” won the 2017 Non-Fiction Indie Vision Award.
The 2017 Audience Awards went to “Instructions for Living,” a drama co-starring and co-written by Minnesota native Morgan Owens; “Coyote,” a documentary about the life and disappearance of acclaimed sailor Mike Plant who grew up in the state; and ‘Hearts Want,” a sweeping short romance directed by Twin Cities filmmaker Jason P. Schumacher.
Minnesota native Lea Thompson returned home to the state to open the festival with her comedic directorial debut “The Year of Spectacular Men.” The film is written by her daughter Madelyn Deutch, who stars in the comedy opposite her sister Zoe. At Saturday evening’s award ceremony, Madelyn was named this year’s Indie Vision Breakthrough Artist for narrative filmmaking.
“The creativity of Madelyn’s script, the strength of her performance, and the uniqueness of Lea’s first film, set the tone for the entire festival,” says Jatin Setia, Twin Cities Film Fest’s executive director. “We billed this year as the ‘Year of Spectacular Women,’ in part because we were captivated by these memorable female-driven films we were seeing on the festival circuit and also in recognition of the fact that over 50 percent of all our titles this year were directed/produced by women. Madelyn’s award is just the tip of the iceberg, in terms of the female talent we celebrated this year.”
On the festival’s closing day, TCFF also honored actress, and Minnesota native, Rachael Leigh Cook with the festival’s coveted North Star Award.
2017 Twin Cities Film Fest Award Winners
Best Feature Film: “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” directed by Martin McDonagh. Best Documentary: “Human Flow,” directed by Ai Weiwei Best Short Film: “Cat Killer,” directed by Wes Jones. Audience Award, Narrative: “Instructions For Living,” directed by Sarah Heinss (Runner-Up: “Aquarians,” directed by Michael M. McGuire) Audience Award, Non-Fiction: “Coyote,” directed by Thomas Simmons (Runner-Up: “Victor’s Last Class,” directed by Brendan Brandt) Audience Award, Short Film: “Hearts Want,” directed by Jason P. Schumacher (Runner-Up: “Wet Dreams: One Woman’s Chance at Touching Gold,” directed by Darren Coyle) Indie Vision Breakthrough Award — Narrative: Madelyn Deutch (screenplay, “The Year of Spectacular Men”) Indie Vision Breakthrough Award — Non-Fiction: “8 Borders, 8 Days,” directed by Amanda Bailly Indie Vision Breakthrough Award – Best Performance: Josh Wiggins (“The Bachelors” and “Walking Out”) Fun Is Good Bill Murray Comedic Shorts Award: “Lady Lillian,” directed by Amber Johnson North Star Award for Excellence: Rachael Leigh Cook TCFF 2017 Changemaker Award: Lexi Reed Holtum, executive director and lobbyist of the Steve Rummler Hope Network, for her work advocating on behalf of Steve’s Law and the 2015 state funding that enabled first responders to have the resources they need to implement the law. Holtum was also responsible for the creation of the network’s Overdose Prevention Program, fostering partnerships between hospitals, treatment and sober living facilities, and communities to reduce opioid overdose deaths.
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ROOM, THANK YOU FOR PLAYING, TOO LATE, BROOKLYN, Win Top Awards at 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest
The 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest unveiled its award winners Saturday night at a ceremony held in downtown St. Louis Park. “Room,” directed by Lenny Abrahamson (pictured above), took home the trophy for best feature film; 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest the festival’s official closing night documentary directed by David Osit and Malika Zouhali-Worrall, won best documentary; and “Skunk,” a short film by Annie Silverstein, won the 2015 award for best short.
For the 2015 audience award, John Crowley’s “Brooklyn” took home the feature film trophy (honorable mentions included : “The Dust Storm,” directed by Ryan Lacen & Anthony Baldino; “The Polar Bear Club,” directed by Brett Wayne Price; and “Shut In,” directed by Adam Schindler). Sarah Smith’s “D.Asian” took the top audience prize for short films (honorable mentions included Adam Burke’s “Boardroom,” Matthew G. Anderson’s “The Caper” and Bruce Southerland’s “The Last Vanish”)
The festival culminated with two “Indie Vision” awards, recognizing standout independent productions released over the last year that broke new creative ground. The 2015 Indie Vision Breakthrough Film Award went to the Dennis Hauck thriller “Too Late,” in recognition of its immersive storytelling techniques. (The film was composed of five unbroken and carefully choreographed 20-minute “acts”) The 2015 Indie Vision Breakthrough Performance Award went to Rosa Salazar, actress in the notable Charles Hood romance “Night Owls,” in recognition of a raw, brilliant and pitch-perfect character arc and a performance that required hitting notes across the emotional spectrum.
Here’s the full slate of 2015 Twin Cities Film Fest award winners, as well as honorable mentions:
Best Feature Film
Winner: “Room,” directed by Lenny Abrahamson.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C6fZ-fwDws
Honorable Mentions: “It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong,” directed by Emily Ting; “Brooklyn,” directed by John Crowley; and “The Quiet Hour,” directed by Stephanie Joalland.
Best Documentary
Winner: “Thank You For Playing,” directed by David Osit and Malika Zouhali-Worrall.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dX_JKePEFiw
Honorable Mentions: “Man Vs. Snake: The Long and Twisted Tale of Nibbler, directed by Tim Kinzy and Andrew Seklir; “A New High,” directed by Samuel Miron and Stephen Scott Scarpulla; and “Out in the Cold,” directed by J.D. O’Brien.
Best Short Film
Winner: “Skunk,” directed by Annie Silverstein.
Honorable Mentions: “D.Asian,” directed by Sarah Smith; “Even the Walls,” directed by Sarah Kuck and Saman Maydani; and “Myrna the Monster,” directed by Ian Samuels.
Audience Award, Feature Film
Winner: “Brooklyn,” directed by John Crowley.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPfmVEvhO70
Honorable Mentions: “Dust Storm,” directed by Ryan Lacen & Anthony Baldino; “The Polar Bear Club,” directed by Brett Wayne Price; “Shut In,” directed by Adam Schindler.
Audience Award, Short Film
Winner: “D.Asian,” directed by Sarah Smith.
Honorable Mentions: “Boardroom,” directed by Adam Burke; “The Caper,” directed by Matthew G. Anderson; and “The Last Vanish,” directed by Bruce Southerland
Indie Vision, Breakthrough Film
Winner: “Too Late,” directed by Dennis Hauck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=670uTzhVMF4
Honorable Mentions: “Anomalisa,” directed by Duke Johnson and Charlie Kaufman; “Thugs: The Musical,” directed by Greg Bro; and “Out in the Cold,” directed by J.D. O’Brien
Indie Vision, Breakthrough Performance
Winner: Rosa Salazar, “Night Owls.”
Honorable Mentions: Brie Larson, “Room;” Saoirse Ronan, “Brooklyn;” Nathan Tymoshuk, “Snail Mail” and “The Writer.”
2015 Changemaker Award: Dr. Heather Huseby, executive director of YouthLink.
2015 Northstar Award for Excellence: John Hawkes.
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Jason Reitman Directed Dramedy “Men, Women & Children” to Open Twin Cities Film Fest
Men, Women & ChildrenTwin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) announced what they describe as a captivating and thrilling lineup of films for their 2014 festival, to be held October 16-25 at Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON at The Shops at West End in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Festival begins with the Jason Reitman directed dramedy Men, Women & Children, which will open the festival Thursday night. Minnesotan filmmakers will again be featured among award contenders, including 2014 TCFF Centerpiece film Hunger in America produced by Minneapolis’ own Tim VandeSteeg and narrated by James Denton. VandeSteeg and Denton will appear at the special benefit with partial proceeds being donated to the St. Louis Park Foodshelf, an organization battling hunger in the Twin Cities Community.
Other highly anticipated films include the hit comedy from the Los Angeles Film Festival, The Last Time You Had Fun starring Demetri Martin and Eliza Coupe; V/H/S: Viral, the third film in the hit found footage horror trilogy; and The Heart Machine, the haunting and intricate romantic mystery that had audiences at South by Southwest talking.
The final days of the festival will feature two critically-acclaimed films, The Imitation Game on October 24 and Wild onOctober 25. The Imitation Game stars Benedict Cummerbatch as Alan Turing, the genius British mathematician, logician, cryptologist and computer scientist who led the charge to crack the German Enigma Code that helped the Allies win WWII. The film recently took home the top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, immediately positioning it as an awards season frontrunner. Wild, based on the NY Times bestselling book by Minnesota native Cheryl Strayed, stars Reese Witherspoon.
Closing the festival will be Time Lapse, the ingenious and tantalizing story about a camera that takes photos 24 hours in the future which has already won the coveted audience award at the Fantaspoa International Film Festival.
2014 TWIN CITIES FILM FEST SCHEDULE
October 16
7:30PM: Men, Women & Children
October 17
1:00PM: The Immortalists
3:00PM: Big Significant Things
5:15PM: Father-Like Son
7:30PM: The Last Time You Had Fun
9:30PM: V/H/S: ViralOctober 18
10:00AM: One Good Year
12:00PM: These Hopeless Savages
2:00PM: Old Fashioned
4:45PM: 3 Nights in the Desert
6:00PM: BFFs
7:00PM: The Heart Machine
8:30PM: The Well
9:00PM: House of MansonOctober 19
10:30AM: Born to Fly
12:30PM: A Family Affair (Shorts Block)
3:00PM: The Young Kieslowski
6:00PM: Wild Canaries
8:30PM: Just Before I GoOctober 20
6:00PM: Evil, Enemies, and Aliens (Shorts Block)
8:45PM: The Transylvania TVOctober 21
6:00PM: To Say Goodbye
8:45PM: SolitudeOctober 22
12:30PM: Flying Paper
2:15PM: Father-Like Son
4:30PM: Old Fashioned
6:00PM: Hunger In America
7:00PM: Comet
8:30PM: The Control Group
9:30PM: The WellOctober 23
11:30AM: Hoop Dreams
3:00PM: The Immortalists
5:00PM: Where the Trail Ends
5:45PM: The World Around Us (Shorts Block)
7:00PM: Stray Dog
8:30PM: Kumiko: The Treasure Hunter
9:30PM: Strike OneOctober 24
11:00AM: The Syndrome
2:30PM: Big Significant Things
4:30PM: The Heart Machine
6:00PM: Lust, Love & Loss (Shorts Block)
6:30PM: Breaking Free From The Life
8:30PM: The Imitation Game
9:00PM: The Last Time You Had FunOctober 25
10:00AM: The Syndrome
12:30PM: Women in Charge (Shorts Block)
3:00PM: Scouts Honor
5:30PM: Ink & Steel
6:00PM: Wild
8:30PM: Time Lapse
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Twin Cities Film Fest Announces 2014 Dates
The 5th Annual Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) will be held October 16th – 25th in St. Louis Park, Minnesota. The Shops at West End and Showplace ICON Theatre & Lobby Lounge will once again be the exclusive venues for this year’s festival.
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AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, DELIVERY, MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM Among Winners of 2013 Twin Cities Film Fest
Indie Vision Award: DELIVERY directed by Brian NettoThe 2013 Twin Cities Film Fest which ran October 17 to 26, singled out eight films for awards at this year’s festival, including AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts, which walked away with the festival’s coveted Best Feature Film award and the indie horror film DELIVERY won the festival’s inaugural “Indie Vision Award.” The festival audience voted MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, starring Idris Elba, the TCFF Audience Award (feature), and the Mason Makram short THE FIRST DATE with the TCFF Audience Award (short).
The complete list of 2013 winners:
Best Feature Film: AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY (dir. John Wells)
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwestern house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name made its Broadway debut in December 2007 after premiering at Chicago’s legendary Steppenwolf Theatre earlier that year. It continued with a successful international run and was the winner of five Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Play. AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is directed by John Wells (THE COMPANY MEN) and features an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Nicholson, Sam Shepard and Misty Upham.Best Documentary:ANTARCTICA: A YEAR ON ICE (dir. Anthony Powell)
A visually stunning chronicle of what it is like to live in Antarctica for a full year, including winters isolated from the rest of the world, while enduring months of unending darkness in the coldest place on Earth.Best Short Film:HOT AND BOTHERED (dir. Jake Greene)
Desperate singles get all tangled up when a compulsive internet dater loses track of her accounts.Audience Award (Feature):MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM (dir. Justin Chadwick)
MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM is based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society. Idris Elba (PROMETHEUS) stars as Nelson Mandela, Naomie Harris (SKYFALL) stars as Winnie Mandela, with Justin Chadwick (THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL) directing.Audience Award (Short):THE FIRST DATE (dir. Mason Makram)
Indie Vision Award: DELIVERY (dir. Brian Netto)
In this unnerving chiller, Kyle and Rachel Massy are a young couple who have agreed to document their first pregnancy for a reality show. During the production, a series of unexplained phenomena start plaguing the couple, eventually derailing the production of the show. Rachel, growing increasingly paranoid, starts to believe that there might be something seriously wrong with their unborn bundle of joy.Told through the show’s un-aired footage and interviews from friends, family and production members, Brian Netto’s savvy debut feature injects the found footage genre with a fresh perspective and enough eeriness to keep you on the edge of your seat.
TCFF Breakthrough Achievement Award: Emily Fradenburgh, actress, NOTHING WITHOUT YOU (dir. Xackery Irving)
Twin Cities Community Change Maker Award: Sankara Frazier, Executive Director and Founder, Circle of Discipline
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WINTER IN THE BLOOD, NEBRASKA Among Finalists for 2013 Twin Cities Film Fest Awards
WINTER IN THE BLOODThe Twin Cities Film Fest announced 16 finalists for its coveted slate of awards. The festival, which continues to screen films through Saturday evening at Kerasotes Showplace ICON Theatres, will announce its seven award winners at a Closing Night Gala following the Saturday screening of “NOTHING WITHOUT YOU” – a thriller that features local actress Emily Fradenburgh in a performance deemed “one of the most impressive I’ve ever seen” by TCFF Artistic Director Steve Snyder.
The 2013 TCFF Awards Finalists include the critically-acclaimed, Cannes award-winning drama NEBRASKA, directed by Alexander Payne; the Alex Gibney documentary THE ARMSTRONG LIE; and the star-studded AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, which earned standing ovations at the Toronto International Film Festival and stars Julia Roberts and Meryl Streep. Each winner will be bestowed with a one-of-a-kind Renter’s Warehouse TCFF Statue.
The finalists for the 2013 TCFF Best Feature Film Award include WINTER IN THE BLOOD, NEBRASKA, MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM and AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.
Finalists for the 2013 TCFF Indie Vision Award include DELIVERY , POLLYWOGS, WILD BLUE and NOTHING WITHOUT YOU .
Finalists for the 2013 TCFF Best Short Film Award include THE AVENUE, HOT AND BOTHERED, FRAY and HONEYMOON SUITE.
Finalists for the 2013 TCFF Best Documentary Award include THE ARMSTRONG LIE, ANTARCTICA: A YEAR ON ICE, REMOTE AREA MEDICAL and TAPIA..
The festival will announce three additional Renter’s Warehouse Statues Saturday evening: The 2013 TCFF Breakthrough Achievement Award, 2013 TCFF Audience Award (Feature) and 2013 TCFF Audience Award (Short).
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Twin Cities Film Fest Announces 2013 Lineup of Star Studded Award Contender Films
POLLYWOGSTwin 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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NEBRASKA, MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM Among Films to Screen at 2013 Twin Cities Film Fest
NEBRASKATwin Cities Film Fest (TCFF), scheduled to run this year from October 17 – October 26, 2013, revealed some of the films from the 2013 lineup. In addition to A-list studio headlines, TCFF will also host the Midwest and World Premieres of dozens of independent projects, many that were filmed on the ground in Minnesota. Films include NEBRASKA, ONE CHANCE, MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM and AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.
NEBRASKA – After receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail, a cantankerous father (Bruce Dern) thinks he’s struck it rich, and wrangles his son (Will Forte) into taking a road trip to claim the fortune. Shot in black and white across four states, Nebraska tells the stories of family life in the heartland of America. NEBRASKA is written by Bob Nelson and directed by Alexander Payne.
ONE CHANCE – From the director of The Devil Wears Prada, ONE CHANCE is the remarkable and inspirational true story of Paul Potts, a shy, bullied shop assistant by day and an amateur opera singer by night. Paul became an instant YouTube phenomenon after being chosen by Simon Cowell for ‘Britain’s Got Talent.’ Wowing audiences worldwide with his phenomenal voice, Paul went on to win ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ and the hearts of millions. Fresh from celebrating his Tony Award-winning Broadway run in ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’, BAFTA winner James Corden (THE HISTORY BOYS) stars as Paul Potts and is supported by an acclaimed ensemble cast that includes Julie Walters (MAMMA MIA!, CALENDAR GIRLS, BILLY ELLIOT), Mackenzie Crook (THE PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN), Colm Meaney (GET HIM TO THE GREEK), Jemima Rooper (KINKY BOOTS) and rising star Alexandra Roach (THE IRON LADY). Directed by David Frankel (THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA, MARLEY & ME, HOPE SPRINGS) and written by Justin Zackham (THE BUCKET LIST), ONE CHANCE is produced by Mike Menchel, Brad Weston, Kris Thykier (KICK-ASS, THE DEBT, I GIVE IT A YEAR), Simon Cowell, and executive produced by Bob and Harvey Weinstein.
MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM is based on South African President Nelson Mandela’s autobiography of the same name, which chronicles his early life, coming of age, education and 27 years in prison before becoming President and working to rebuild the country’s once segregated society. Idris Elba (PROMETHEUS) stars as Nelson Mandela, Naomie Harris (SKYFALL) stars as Winnie Mandela, with Justin Chadwick (THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL) directing.
AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name made its Broadway debut in December 2007 after premiering at Chicago’s legendary Steppenwolf Theatre earlier that year. It continued with a successful international run and was the winner of five Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Play. AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is directed by John Wells (THE COMPANY MEN) and features an all-star cast, including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Sam Shepard and Misty Upham.
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Twin Cities Film Fest Unveils Lineup of Films for 2012 with Toronto Film Fest Winner Silver Linings Playbook as Centerpiece
[caption id="attachment_2869" align="alignnone" width="1024"]
SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK FROM DAVID O. RUSSELL. [/caption]Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) announced the lineup of films for their 2012 festival, to be held October 12-20 at Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON at The Shops at West End.
In addition to A Place at The Table which will open the festival Friday night and host director Lori Silverbush, Twin Cities Film Fest will also feature 2012 TCFF Centerpiece film and Toronto International Film Festival Audience Favorite Silver Linings Playbook from David O. Russell. Other films include David Chase’s feature directing debut Not Fade Away, Nobody Walks, Dustin Hoffman’s Quartet, A Late Quartet starring Phillip Seymour Hoffman and critical darling The Sessions, with Minnesota’s own John Hawkes.
Twin Cities Film Fest will debut the Minnesota Feature film The Rhymesayers European Tour, which gives the audience a never before seen view into the lives and music of the Twin Cities’ Rhymesayers record label and family.The festival will conclude on Saturday, October 20 with Lumpy, starring Justin Long, Jess Weixler and Addison Timlin. Lumpy was filmed in Minnesota. Cast and crew, including Director Ted Koland and actress Addison Timlin, will be in attendance.
TCFF will feature a total of 60 films, including a special screening of E.T.” The Extra-Terrestrial.