Independent Film

Daniel Sawka’s Immigration Drama ICEBOX to Debut on HBO in December

Director-writer Daniel Sawka’s feature debut Icebox tells the story of Óscar, played by Anthony Gonzalez (“Coco”), a 12-year-old Honduran boy who is forced to flee his home and seek asylum in the United States, only to find himself trapped in the U.S. immigration system. HBO Films has acquired the worldwide rights to the film, which will debut Friday, December 7 on HBO. Icebox which also stars Omar Leyva, Johnny Ortiz, Matthew Moreno, Jessica Juarez and Genesis Rodriguez, premiered in the Discovery section at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. As Óscar attempts to reach his uncle, Manuel (Leyva), in Arizona, he is apprehended by Border Patrol and placed in “the Icebox,” a detention facility where he joins scores of other migrant children being held without their families. Faced with a seemingly impenetrable immigration system, Óscar struggles to navigate a path to freedom, with a journalist (Rodriguez) and his uncle, himself a recent immigrant, as his only lifelines. “The narrative and characters in Icebox are inspired by so many personal stories that were told to me through years of research and outreach – stories that unfortunately have become all too prevalent in today’s world,” says Daniel Sawka. “I can’t think of a better partner than HBO Films with which to present this incredibly timely issue.” Filmed on location in New Mexico, the film was shot primarily in Spanish with English subtitles. Sawka originally wrote and directed Icebox as a short film for his 2016 American Film Institute MFA thesis project. This short was subsequently shortlisted for the 2018 Academy Awards(R), won the Grand Jury Award at AFI fest, and screened at Telluride Film Festival.
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AT&T Presents: Untold Stories Releases First Film NIGERIAN PRINCE on October 19 [Trailer]

[caption id="attachment_21867" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Nigerian Prince[/caption] AT&T Presents: Untold Stories, a film initiative created by AT&T and Tribeca, will release the program’s first-ever film – Nigerian Prince – to audiences nationwide on Friday, October, 19. Written and directed by newcomer Faraday Okoro, and filmed in Lagos, Nigeria, the film is a heist thriller about a Nigerian-American teenager sent to visit relatives in Nigeria against his will, later to join forces with his internet scammer cousin in an attempt to return to the United States on his own. Nigerian Prince follows two characters: Eze, a stubborn, first generation Nigerian-American teenager and his cousin, Pius, who is a desperate Nigerian Prince scammer. After Eze’s mother sends him to Nigeria against his will, Eze retaliates by teaming up with Pius to scam unsuspecting foreigners in order to earn money for a return ticket back to America. Executive produced by Spike Lee, the film stars Chinaza Uche and Antonio Bell. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n7_jlp1_MLg Kicking off the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, Okoro was one of five aspiring directors who participated in a live pitch to a panel of celebrity and industry judges that included AT&T’s chief brand officer Fiona Carter to win $1 million to make their film utilizing the Untold Stories program grant, mentorship and distribution commitments. Okoro’s film, Nigerian Prince, had its world premiere at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival to rave reviews and packed theaters in New York City. Now, delivering on the program’s promise to ensure that underserved artists’ work is not only created but seen, Nigerian Prince will be available to millions of movie enthusiasts in select theaters across the country as well as on DIRECTV, U-Verse and a range of on-demand platforms. “Untold Stories is the rare project that unites AT&T’s commitment to equality with our passion for delivering exhilarating new experiences for our customers. Like our friends at Tribeca, we appreciate quality storytelling that entertains, challenges and transports us to places we’ve never been with a creative vision we’ve never seen – that is Nigerian Prince,” said Fiona Carter, chief brand officer, AT&T Communications. “We are thrilled to help Faraday and his incredible team live their dream with the debut of this film, but we’re equally excited to bring a wonderful and completely unique film to a national audience.” “Programs like Untold Stories have the incredible power to introduce audiences to new storytellers and new ways of seeing the world,” said Jane Rosenthal, ceo and co-founder of Tribeca Enterprises/Tribeca Film Festival. “We’re proud to support Faraday Okoro’s globe-trotting, culture-crossing film Nigerian Prince as the first recipient of the Untold Stories grant, and we are eager to champion other emerging filmmakers as we continue to get untold stories heard with our friends at AT&T.” AT&T Presents: Untold Stories. An Inclusive Film Program in Collaboration with Tribeca was launched in 2017 to ensure that diverse storytellers always have a screen on which to shine. AT&T will provide funding up to $1 million for one talented filmmaker to create his or her film each year, and Tribeca will provide mentorship from seasoned industry professionals. AT&T will distribute the winning film across its video platforms. This film initiative is an alliance between AT&T and Tribeca along with Tribeca Film Institute and debuted at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival. Nigerian Prince is the first film produced under the program. In April of 2018, AT&T awarded its second $1 million to Untold Stories winners Sasie Sealy and Angela Cheng for their film, LUCKY GRANDMA. Like Nigerian Prince, it will also have its world premiere screening during the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival next April. Submissions are now open for Year 3 – and aspiring filmmakers are encouraged to submit scripts between now and Nov. 24, 2018, for their chance to compete for a $1 million grant to make their film as part of AT&T Presents: Untold Stories.
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Watch an Unrecognizable Nicole Kidman as LAPD Detective in Awards Buzz DESTROYER Trailer

Annapurna Pictures released the official trailer and poster for Destroyer starring an unrecognizable Nicole Kidman as an LAPD detective. Destroyer which is receiving rave reviews and considerable awards buzz, opens in theaters in New York and Los Angeles on December 25 before expanding in January. Destroyer follows the moral and existential odyssey of LAPD detective Erin Bell who, as a young cop, was placed undercover with a gang in the California desert with tragic results. When the leader of that gang re-emerges many years later, she must work her way back through the remaining members and into her own history with them to finally reckon with the demons that destroyed her past. The film is directed by Karyn Kusama, and also stars Sebastian Stan, Toby Kebbell, Tatiana Maslany, Bradley Whitford, Jade Pettyjohn, and Scoot McNairy.
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Gravitas Ventures to Release Adam Christian Clark’s Relationship Drama NEWLY SINGLE [Trailer]

Adam Christian Clark’s darkly comedic relationship drama Newly Single starring Adam Christian Clark (“Caroline and Jackie”), Jennifer Kim (“Mozart in the Jungle”), Molly C. Quinn (“Castle”), and Anna Jacoby-Heron (“Stranger Things”) was today acquired by Gravitas Ventures for release in the US. Newly Single had its festival World Premiere at Tallinn Black Nights Festival in late 2017 and it also just played at CPH-PIX Film Festival in September. Gravitas Ventures will release the film this December 7, 2018. American filmmaker Adam Christian Clark directs and stars in this jet black comedy centered around the Los Angeles dating scene, as a self-obsessed filmmaker finds himself on the market once again. The film is a darkly funny and sometimes brutal exercise. While the film is reminiscent of great American cinema of the 1970’s with a somewhat staccato structure made up of disparate moments, this is still a thoroughly modern affair replete with some graphic sexuality and an often harsh takedown on modern views of dating. “We are immensely proud that Gravitas will be releasing Adam Christian Clark’s sophomore effort out into the marketplace. Adam is a powerful storyteller with a unique vision, and the type of filmmaker we try to empower here at Divide/Conquer,” said Adam Hendricks on behalf of the producers. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_uUhnjg0oQ
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Watch New Trailer for Indie Film ReRUN Starring Christopher Lloyd

Stonestreet Studios released the new trailer for the independent film ReRun starring Christopher Lloyd of Back to the Future, Who Framed Roger Rabbit. ReRun, directed by Alyssa Rallo Bennett and written by Gary O. Bennett of Stonestreet Studios, premiered last week ]at the Woodstock Film Festival. In a modern day twist on ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’, George Benson, played by Christopher Lloyd is haunted by tragedy, the loss of Violet, the ‘wayward girl’ who he had a soft heart for, due to an accident he may have been able to prevent. Humoring what he thinks is the youthful imagination of his grandson, George stumbles into an invisible portal hiding in his closet. Falling ‘to the other side’ into his younger body, he is able to face his conflicts and troubles with new light along with a temptation to try to change the past or possibly re-envision it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCblxZMNOv8
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Indie Film WEIGHTLESS Starring Johnny Knoxville Sets November Release Date

Alessandro Nivola, Julianne Nicholson, and Johnny Knoxville star in Weightless, described as the haunting drama of a man, living on the margins of society, who suddenly finds himself responsible for a ten year-old son whom he hasn’t seen since infancy. An alienated loner who can barely take care of himself, he struggles to forge a relationship with this lonely, at-risk child. Weightless will open theatrically in New York (Village East) and Los Angeles (Arena Cinelounge Sunset ) on Friday, November 9. Canadian director Jaron Albertin is a celebrated talent in the video and commercial world. In 2015, year he won the most prestigious award for advertising, the Palm d’Or at Cannes for his directorial work on Under Armour’s I Will What I Want campaign with Gisele Bündchen. His other numerous accolades include a Bronze Cannes Lion and additional Cannes Lion Shortlist, a prestigious D&AD Yellow Pencil (and additional Pencil nomination), Gold and Bronze Clio Awards, an AICP Award, and the PLUG Award for Music Video of the Year. Weightless, co-written by BAFTA and Tony winning writer/playwright Enda Walsh (Once, Hunger) is his feature film directorial debut.
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Funny and Moving PRIVATE LIFE Opens in Theaters + Netflix on October 5 [Trailer]

Private Life, the new film from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Tamara Jenkins that had its world premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival will be heading to theaters on Friday. The critically acclaimed film will be released in 21 theaters and on Netflix on October 5th Private Life is the bracingly funny and moving story of Richard (Academy Award-nominee Paul Giamatti) and Rachel (Kathryn Hahn), a couple in the throes of infertility who try to maintain their marriage as they descend deeper and deeper into the insular world of assisted reproduction and domestic adoption. After the emotional and economic upheaval of in vitro fertilization, they’re at the end of their middle-aged rope, but when Sadie (breakout newcomer Kayli Carter), a recent college drop out, re-enters their life, things begin to look up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1orjA9Z8g4
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Award-Winning Comedy ROOM FOR RENT Drops Official Trailer + Sets Release Date

Gunpowder & Sky has dropped the official trailer for the award-winning comedy Room for Rent directed by Matthew Atkinson, which will be available November 2nd on all major VOD platforms including Amazon Video, FandangoNOW, Google Play, iTunes, Microsoft Movies & TV, PlayStation, Redbox on Demand and VUDU. The film won Best Feature at both the L.A Comedy Film Festival and the Chicago Comedy Film Festival, as well as the Special Jury Award for feature film at the Canadian Film Fest. Starring Brett Gelman (“Fleabag”, Lemon, “Stranger Things”, A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas and HBO’s upcoming series “Camping”) as Carl Lemay and Mark Little (“Space Riders: Division Earth,” VRV’s “Gary and his Demons”) as Mitch Baldwin, Room For Rent follows broke, 32-year-old ex-lottery winner Baldwin in his quest to convince his parents to rent out their spare room to save the family from downsizing. What he gets is mysterious, creepy border Carl Lemay, who clearly has a hidden agenda about his presence in Baldwin’s life. As Carl upsets Mitch’s way of life, a battle of wits turns into all-out war involving deception, humiliation, spying and revenge. Mark McKinney (“Superstore,” “SNL,” “The Kids in the Hall”), Carla Gallo (“Neighbors,” “Bones”), Stephnie Weir (“Crazy Ex-Girlfriend,” “Mad TV”), and Patrick J. Adams (“Suits”) round out the cast.

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Watch Beautiful Trailer + Poster for Barry Jenkins’ IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK

Annapurna Pictures has released the official trailer for If Beale Street Could Talk, Academy Award-winning writer/director Barry Jenkins’ first film since the Best Picture Oscar-winning Moonlight. If Beale Street Could Talk is his adaptation of James Baldwin’s novel – the first English-language feature film based on the work of the author, to whom the movie is dedicated. The film starring KiKi Layne, Stephan James, Regina King, Colman Domingo, Teyonah Parris, Brian Tyree Henry, Michael Beach, Ed Skrein, Diego Luna, Dave Franco, and Pedro Pascal opens in select theaters on November 30. Set in early-1970s Harlem, If Beale Street Could Talk is a timeless and moving love story of both a couple’s unbreakable bond and the African-American family’s empowering embrace, as told through the eyes of 19-year-old Tish Rivers (screen newcomer KiKi Layne). A daughter and wife-to-be, Tish vividly recalls the passion, respect and trust that have connected her and her artist fiancé Alonzo Hunt, who goes by the nickname Fonny (Stephan James). Friends since childhood, the devoted couple dream of a future together but their plans are derailed when Fonny is arrested for a crime he did not commit. Through the unique intimacy and power of cinema, If Beale Street Could Talk honors the author’s prescient words and imagery, charting the emotional currents navigated in an unforgiving and racially biased world as the filmmaker poetically crosses time frames to show how love and humanity endure.

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Watch Susan Sarandon Struggle to Rescue her Son from Terrorists in VIPER CLUB Trailer

[caption id="attachment_31775" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Susan Sarandon and Edie Falco in VIPER CLUB. Courtesy of YouTube Premium and Roadside Attractions[/caption] YouTube and Roadside Attractions today dropped the trailer for Viper Club starring Susan Sarandon as ER nurse Helen Sterling who struggles to free her grown son, a journalist captured by terrorists in the Middle East. After hitting walls with the FBI and State agencies, she discovers a clandestine community of journalists, advocates, and philanthropists who might be able to help. The film directed by Maryam Keshavarz also stars Matt Bomer and Edie Falco, and will be released in theaters on October 26, 2018. At her job, veteran emergency room nurse Helen Sterling (Susan Sarandon) is unflappable: she can navigate crises at her hospital with strength and grace. On the inside, though, she’s starting to fall apart. Her son, a freelance journalist named Andy (Julian Morris), has vanished while covering a war zone in the Middle East, and she’s just gotten word from the kidnappers making demands she doesn’t even begin to know how to meet. Helen first seeks help from the FBI, who demands she tell no one, and warns her it’s illegal to pay terrorist organizations. The State Department is even less help. When she is contacted with a ransom demand for twenty million dollars, her government handlers tell her to stall the terrorists with negotiations, even though they seem to have no plan to rescue Andy. Unable to share any of her ordeal with her colleagues at work, Helen finds herself connecting with a young patient critically injured in a mass shooting, and the hesitant new resident, Dr. Rahimi (Amir Malaklou), a recent immigrant from Iran. She’s plagued by memories of her lifelong connection to her son, a relationship fraught with Andy’s perpetual need for independence and adventure far away from the sheltered life his mother built for him. Andy’s ex-girlfriend, Iraqi-American reporter Sheila (Sheila Vand) brings Helen a morsel of hope: a secret fraternity of international journalists called the Viper Club might be able to help. Sheila puts Helen in contact with photojournalist Sam (Matt Bomer) and with Charlotte Spencer (Edie Falco), a wealthy New Yorker whose son also was kidnapped by terrorists. Helen grows close to Andy’s network of friends and colleagues and starts to understand the man her son has become. Desperate, determined, and disenchanted with bureaucracy, Helen must decide whether to follow the rules of ineffective government officials or to join with her newfound community to get Andy back at all costs.

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Filmmaker Megan Griffiths to Independently Release Her Acclaimed Indie Drama SADIE [Trailer]

Filmmaker Megan Griffiths will independently release her acclaimed drama Sadie which premiered at SXSW in March and features a breakout turn by newcomer Sophia Mitri Schloss in the title role. Melanie Lynskey, John Gallagher Jr., Tony Hale, Danielle Books and Keith L. Williams co-star, and the film features a score by Pearl Jam’s Mike McCready. Working with creative distribution strategist Mia Bruno, the film which won the Gryphon Jury Award at the 2018 Giffoni Film Festival in Italy, will begin its roll-out in New York and Los Angeles on October 12th. Sadie is the powerful, unsettling and darkly funny story of a young girl (Sophia Mitri Schloss) who will stop at nothing to preserve her father’s place on the home front. Sadie is the daughter of a soldier and she models herself after his military example. When her mom, Rae (Melanie Lynskey), begins dating a new man, Cyrus (John Gallagher Jr.), Sadie vows to come between them, whatever it takes. Cyrus becomes the enemy, and if she’s learned anything from the world she inhabits, it’s that the enemy deserves no mercy. Sadie was written and directed by Griffiths, director of film festival hits Lucky Them (Toronto 2013, starring Toni Collette and Johnny Depp), Eden (winner of the 2012 SXSW Audience Award), and The Off Hours (Sundance 2011). Griffiths is also an established television director, helming episodes of Animal Kingdom, Graves, and Room 104 (for which she was nominated for a GLAAD Award). She is currently in development on a project with Philip Fleishman and Steven Soderbergh. Sadie was produced by Lacey Leavitt and Jennessa West, co-produced by Jonathan Caso and executive produced by Eliza Shelden. The project was supported by the Sundance Institute (Creative Producing Lab) and IFP (No Borders/IFP Week). Variety said in their review, “Equal parts coming-of-age story and slow-burn thriller, writer-director Megan Griffiths’ quietly absorbing and methodically disquieting drama is a genuine rarity.” Walking away from more traditional distribution deals, Griffiths and company chose to pursue their own creative distribution model to ensure that Sadie would be released with specificity and care and that no stone would be left unturned in efforts to connect with communities and reach an audience. They will build a theatrical and TVOD release to lead into their Amazon SVOD release, which they opted into as part of the Amazon Festival Stars program. In an attempt to benefit other filmmakers by de-mystifying independent film distribution, the filmmaking team plans to be fully transparent about their experiences, including an ongoing blog on the subject hosted on the film’s official site SadieFilm.com. “This film is incredibly meaningful to me, and it’s been so empowering to create a strategy that will allow us to connect more directly with our audience and engage on the film’s themes around youth and violence,” said Griffiths. “Sadie was made to start a conversation, and the larger the audience, the more powerful that conversation can be.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Kwn_GrQnQM
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Watch Ramaa Mosley’s Gripping PTSD Thriller LOST CHILD Trailer + Poster

Lost Child by Ramaa Mosley stars Hunger Games and True Detective alum Leven Rambin and follows an army veteran, Fern, who returns home in order to look for her brother, only to discover an abandoned boy lurking in the woods behind her childhood home. After taking in the boy, she searches for clues to his identity, and discovers the local folklore about a malevolent, life-draining spirit that comes in the form of a child. The film opens in theaters on September 14, 2018. Ramaa Mosley is a Director/Writer who made her first film at the age of 16 years old winning the prestigious United Nation’s Global 500 Award. Over the past twenty years, Mosley has directed feature films and hundreds of of award winning commercials building a career directing action and genuine human stories. Mosley directed her debut feature film, based on the original comic book she co-wrote, titled The Brass Teapot starring Juno Temple which premiered at TIFF and was distributed by Magnolia pictures in 2013. It was nominated for the International Critics’ Award (FIPRESCI) and a Saturn Award. Lost Child is written/directed by Ramaa Mosley (The Brass Teapot) along with producer/writer Tim Macy. Mosley was recently named as part of NBC’s inaugural class for its new “Female Forward” directors initiative which will provide female directors a pipeline into scripted television. She has been paired with the hit show “Blindspot”.
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