Tribeca® Digital Studios in partnership with American Express have co-produced a series of three short films that celebrate small businesses and the creators at the forefront of the entrepreneurial renaissance. Academy Award®-nominated filmmakers Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me), Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp), and Gini Reticker (Pray the Devil Back to Hell) have brought stories to life that explore the nature, shifts, and struggles of young business development; the pioneers, inventors, and dreamers at the helm of these ambitions; and the impact these ventures have on their communities.
The films debuted July 15 on a host of cable on-demand platforms in over 40 million homes including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, Cablevision, Cox and Brighthouse, Vimeo, interactive smart TV app American Express NOW, the American Express YouTube Channel, and American Express OPEN Forum, an online community for small businesses to inspire and help them grow.
The three films in the series are as follows:
Buffalo Returns, directed by Gini Reticker: In the face of a powerful recession, crippling unemployment and a housing crisis, a small, creative and energetic band of Native American businesspeople, with the help of the buffalo, rebuild their community through a growing business, Native American Natural Foods, the company behind Tanka energy bars. Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Gini Reticker weaves together beautiful imagery set to the pulse of the Sioux Nation to carefully tell the story of two entrepreneurs who use tradition and ingenuity to bring opportunity and hope to the people on the Pine Ridge Reservation. After nearly going extinct, the buffalo has returned, bringing a chance for prosperity to the Lakota people.
https://vimeo.com/127614041
A Dream Preferred, directed by Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing: The future of Taharka Brothers, purveyors of ice cream and social change, hinges on the success of a crowdfunding campaign. If successful, they will be able to grow their business by launching a “Food for Thought” ice cream truck, a literal vehicle for change. With a looming deadline, and what seems like an insurmountable goal:$28,000 in 29 days, Taharka Brothers takes to the streets to raise awareness, inspire, and turn out some supremely delicious ice cream – voted Best in Baltimore. Progress is slow and defeat starts to set in, until a pivotal phone call. Filmmakers Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing take us behind the scenes in a fun, yet poignant portrayal of young men from Baltimore’s toughest neighborhoods as they struggle with entrepreneurship, sharpen their business strategy and inspire their community. Baltimore has a positive and empowering story to tell. The Taharka Brothers’ ingenuity and character are an inspiration to all. When you fight for what you believe in, dreams happen.
https://vimeo.com/127608534
The Downtown Project, directed by Morgan Spurlock: Far from the bright lights and the resounding ka-ching of booming commerce on the Vegas strip is another side of Sin City; Downtown Vegas prides itself on hard work and the development of local businesses to inspire a growing entrepreneurial spirit within the community. A local initiative known as The Downtown Project champions small businesses by partnering with owners to make dreams happen and to bring a community out of the shadows.
https://vimeo.com/127608535
Unique businesses like EAT, an award winning restaurant owned by Chef Natalie Young, The Hydrant Park, a desert oasis for locals and their pets, Stitch Factory, a fashion and creative co-working studio, and Turntable Health, a physician’s group with a specialized focus on the medical needs of their neighbors, are some of Downtown Projects’ most notable successes that are helping to revitalize the Las Vegas community. The entrepreneurial momentum in downtown Las Vegas has many exciting people flocking to this once depressed area to follow their dreams and to be a part of something life-changing. Renowned filmmaker Morgan Spurlock follows this tantalizing journey through the unique characters finding prosperity in the most unlikely places. Their passion is infectious and, thanks to The Downtown Project, life is thriving again in downtown Vegas for the first time since the 1950’s.Films
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WATCH 3 Short Docs From Academy Nominated Directors on Awesome Small Businesses
Tribeca® Digital Studios in partnership with American Express have co-produced a series of three short films that celebrate small businesses and the creators at the forefront of the entrepreneurial renaissance. Academy Award®-nominated filmmakers Morgan Spurlock (Super Size Me), Heidi Ewing & Rachel Grady (Jesus Camp), and Gini Reticker (Pray the Devil Back to Hell) have brought stories to life that explore the nature, shifts, and struggles of young business development; the pioneers, inventors, and dreamers at the helm of these ambitions; and the impact these ventures have on their communities.
The films debuted July 15 on a host of cable on-demand platforms in over 40 million homes including Comcast, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, Cablevision, Cox and Brighthouse, Vimeo, interactive smart TV app American Express NOW, the American Express YouTube Channel, and American Express OPEN Forum, an online community for small businesses to inspire and help them grow.
The three films in the series are as follows:
Buffalo Returns, directed by Gini Reticker: In the face of a powerful recession, crippling unemployment and a housing crisis, a small, creative and energetic band of Native American businesspeople, with the help of the buffalo, rebuild their community through a growing business, Native American Natural Foods, the company behind Tanka energy bars. Acclaimed documentary filmmaker Gini Reticker weaves together beautiful imagery set to the pulse of the Sioux Nation to carefully tell the story of two entrepreneurs who use tradition and ingenuity to bring opportunity and hope to the people on the Pine Ridge Reservation. After nearly going extinct, the buffalo has returned, bringing a chance for prosperity to the Lakota people.
https://vimeo.com/127614041
A Dream Preferred, directed by Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing: The future of Taharka Brothers, purveyors of ice cream and social change, hinges on the success of a crowdfunding campaign. If successful, they will be able to grow their business by launching a “Food for Thought” ice cream truck, a literal vehicle for change. With a looming deadline, and what seems like an insurmountable goal:$28,000 in 29 days, Taharka Brothers takes to the streets to raise awareness, inspire, and turn out some supremely delicious ice cream – voted Best in Baltimore. Progress is slow and defeat starts to set in, until a pivotal phone call. Filmmakers Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing take us behind the scenes in a fun, yet poignant portrayal of young men from Baltimore’s toughest neighborhoods as they struggle with entrepreneurship, sharpen their business strategy and inspire their community. Baltimore has a positive and empowering story to tell. The Taharka Brothers’ ingenuity and character are an inspiration to all. When you fight for what you believe in, dreams happen.
https://vimeo.com/127608534
The Downtown Project, directed by Morgan Spurlock: Far from the bright lights and the resounding ka-ching of booming commerce on the Vegas strip is another side of Sin City; Downtown Vegas prides itself on hard work and the development of local businesses to inspire a growing entrepreneurial spirit within the community. A local initiative known as The Downtown Project champions small businesses by partnering with owners to make dreams happen and to bring a community out of the shadows.
https://vimeo.com/127608535
Unique businesses like EAT, an award winning restaurant owned by Chef Natalie Young, The Hydrant Park, a desert oasis for locals and their pets, Stitch Factory, a fashion and creative co-working studio, and Turntable Health, a physician’s group with a specialized focus on the medical needs of their neighbors, are some of Downtown Projects’ most notable successes that are helping to revitalize the Las Vegas community. The entrepreneurial momentum in downtown Las Vegas has many exciting people flocking to this once depressed area to follow their dreams and to be a part of something life-changing. Renowned filmmaker Morgan Spurlock follows this tantalizing journey through the unique characters finding prosperity in the most unlikely places. Their passion is infectious and, thanks to The Downtown Project, life is thriving again in downtown Vegas for the first time since the 1950’s.
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BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS Starring Fran Kranz and Pedro Pascal to Open September 4 | TRAILER
The hilarious, blood-spattered indie film BLOODSUCKING BASTARDS which World Premiere earlier this year as the opening night film of the Slamdance Film Festival 2015, will open in select theaters and VOD 0n September 4th.
Bloodsucking Bastards takes audiences on a hilarious, blood-spattered roller coaster ride in the most terrifying locale of all: the American workplace. The film stars Fran Kranz as Evan Sanders, a low-level, dutiful employee stuck in a boring job at a soul-killing every corporation. Evan’s the kind of guy who does all the work and gets none of the credit, but at least he gets to spend his days with his beautiful co-worker/girlfriend Amanda (Emma Fitzpatrick) and his slacker best friend Tim (Joey Kern), so he soldiers on in the hope of one day getting his coveted sales director position.
Unfortunately, it all falls apart in one fell swoop when Amanda breaks up with him and Evan’s boss Ted (Joel Murray) hands his promotion to his college nemesis Max (Pedro Pascal). And it isn’t just their sordid past Evan has to deal with. After his fellow officemates start going through disturbing changes (which, paradoxically, make them better employees) and bodies begin to pile up, Evan learns the horrible truth: Max is a vampire. And even worse… a vamp with a plan.
Evan must find a way to stop the evil brewing amidst the cubicles, expose Max as the bloodsucking bastard that he is, and save his pals before his life and career go from dead-end…to just dead.
Directed by Brian James O’Connell and penned by the popular comedy troupe Dr. God and Ryan Mitts, Bloodsucking Bastards recently made its world premiere as the opening night film at the Slamdance Film Festival 2015.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RSzV9oG07lo
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Skateboarding Film WE ARE BLOOD to Premiere in August 2015 | TRAILER
The skateboarding film WE ARE BLOOD will World Premiere on August 13, 2015 in Los Angeles in conjunction with the start of the Dew Tour L.A. stop.
Directed by Ty Evans, the feature length film stars professional street skateboarder and DEW® athlete Paul Rodriguez as he and other top skateboarders travel the world, pushing the limits of what’s possible on a skateboard and celebrating the unconditional bond created by the simple act of skateboarding. With staggering cinematography, state-of-the-art cameras and unique perspectives that lend to a cutting-edge, progressive skateboarding experience, WE ARE BLOOD takes viewers through Spain, Brazil, China and Dubai, thanks to the support of film sponsor XDubai, as well as on a classic road trip across the United States.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVus4Ua1EFQ
The world premiere of WE ARE BLOOD will be held at The Theatre at Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, on Saturday, August 15.
Following the Los Angeles premiere, WE ARE BLOOD will launch a screening tour across the United States and globally at select locations including:
Thursday, August 20 – New York, N.Y.
Monday, August 24 – Boston, Mass.
Tuesday, August 25 – Denver, Colo.
Wednesday, August 26 – Chicago, Ill.
Friday, August 28 – Amsterdam, Netherlands
Saturday, August 29 – Munich, Germany
Sunday, August 30 – Vienna, Austria
Tuesday, September 1 – Portland, Ore.
Wednesday, September 2 – San Francisco, Cali.
Thursday, September 3 – San Diego, Cali.
Friday, September 4 – Houston, Texas
Saturday, September 5 – Dallas, Texas
Thursday, September 10 – Sao Paulo, Brazil
The film will release worldwide in mid-August in Ultra HD 4K and HD on digital and other VOD and streaming platforms such as iTunes, Amazon Instant Play and MGO as well as on DVD and Blu-ray in Zumiez and other core skate shops.
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Award-Winning Documentary TASHI AND THE MONK Premieres on HBO on August 17th | TRAILER
The award-winning documentary TASHI AND THE MONK, directed by Andrew Hinton and Johnny Burke, and winner of the International Documentary Association’s 2014 Best Short Award, will premiere on HBO on August 17th. TASHI AND THE MONK provides a heartfelt and uplifting look into a unique children’s community in the Himalayan Mountains.
Trained under the Dalai Lama to share Tibetan Buddhism with the West, monk Lobsang Phuntsok felt compelled to leave his life in the United States to return to his home village in India to rescue children from suffering.
Since then he has created a unique community called Jhamtse Gatsal which provides a permanent home for 85 orphaned or abandoned children.
5 year-old Tashi is the community’s newest arrival. Her mother recently passed away and she’s been abandoned by her alcoholic father. Wild and troubled, Tashi is struggling to find her place amongst 84 new siblings. Can the community’s love and compassion transform Tashi’s alienation and tantrums into a capacity to make her first real friend?
https://vimeo.com/95827076
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TRAILER for Award Winning + Hilariously Funny FORT TILDEN
Orion Releasing has released the new official trailer for the hilariously funny FORT TILDEN, the debut feature film of directors Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, and the well deserved winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the 2014 SXSW Film Festival. Fort Tilden will open in theaters and on VOD on August 14th.
Amidst quarter-life crises, Allie struggles to prepare for the Peace Corps, while Harper awaits checks from her father to fund her artistic dreams. But the two friends quickly shun responsibilities for the day when a pair of good-looking guys invites them along for a carefree Fort Tilden afternoon. As the two young women board their bikes and embark on a lengthy journey to the beach, they quickly realize that, akin to their confusing, transitioning lives, they neither know where they’re going nor how they plan to get there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-MrQSx3blg
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THE MEND Starring Josh Lucas Sets Summer 2015 Release Date
THE MEND “the wonderfully strange and acidic debut comedy from writer / director John Magary” and starring Josh Lucas, Stephen Plunkett, Lucy Owen, Mickey Sumner and Austin Pendleton, will open in theaters in NYC on August 21st, and in LA on August 28th via Cinelicious.
Shot through with the wicked humor and anarchy of Bruce Robinson’s Withnail & I and Mike Leigh’s Naked, The Mend follows a mismatched yin-yang pair of NYC brothers, loose cannon Mat (Josh Lucas in a career-best performance) and put-upon Alan ( Stephen Plunkett) as they stagger dimly towards some understanding of love, women, masculinity and what it truly means to be a brother. Featuring a gorgeous, minimalist score by Michi Wiancko & Judd Greenstein and beautiful, fluid cinematography by Chris Teague (Obvious Child), the film unfolds as three stylistically distinct but interwoven acts, each with its own mesmerizing rhythm. With superb supporting performances by Mickey Sumner (Frances Ha) and Lucy Owen as the brothers’ sharp-tongued girlfriends.
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Bollywood Film BROTHERS…BLOOD AGAINST BLOOD Starring Akshay Kumar Opens Worldwide August 14 | TRAILER
Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar returns with his latest film BROTHERS…BLOOD AGAINST BLOOD which opens in theaters worldwide on August 14 in time for India’s Independence Day holiday weekend. The Mixed Martial Arts saga will release in over 100 theaters across the U.S. including the AMC Empire in NYC.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQO8LZ1Vh74
Gary Fernandes (Jackie Shroff), a former alcoholic and street-fighter, returns home after serving a prison sentence of 10 long years to find that the wounds of the past still haunt his family. His two sons, David (Akshay Kumar) and Monty (Siddharth Malhotra), who had parted ways as kids, are grown men now, but are still bitterly estranged. Gary himself carries the burden of his guilt. His elder son, David is an ex-fighter turned school teacher. He and his wife Jenny work hard to make ends meet and to provide the best they can for their ailing daughter Poopoo. Troubled financial circumstances drive a desperate David to return to the world of street fighting.
Meanwhile, Monty struggles with his lonely complex existence. An alcoholic, he is active in the world of street fighting, but lacks focus and determination. He strongly yearns for the acceptance, love and respect of his family. As the story unfolds, we see the journey of these three men, as they seek to find redemption and healing. Meanwhile, the arrival of ‘Right to Fight’ is announced in India — the biggest international event in mixed martial arts history. Both brothers, at the crossroads of their lives, end up enlisting to fight in this ‘Winner-takes-all’ event. And it is here after an age of estrangement, unknown to the two siblings, they finally stand to face off with each other and against their personal demons, in the ultimate final battle. It is said, that when a deep injury is done to us, we can never recover until we forgive. With twists and turns, pouring emotions and edge-of-the-seat action, will this final battle between the two brothers repair old wounds?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obHPQU0C1oo
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SNEAKERHEADZ Documentary to Hit Theaters on Friday, August 7 | TRAILER
The documentary SNEAKERHEADZ, directed by David T. Friendly (Academy Award nominated producer of LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE) and Mick Partridge (SEVEN DAYS IN UTOPIA, DECODING ANNIE PARKER, MERCY),which examines the cultural influence of sneaker collecting, will open in theaters on August 7 – opening at Village East Cinemas in NYC on Friday, August 7 with a national release to follow.
To Rock or Stock? Sneakerheads will do almost anything to get their hands on a unique pair of kicks, going to such extreme lengths as hiding in trash cans to score a pair of Retro Jordan 11s to camping for days in sub zero temperatures for the latest Nike Foamposites. How did sneakers become as prized as collectable art? From the shores of Cali to the congested streets of Tokyo, SNEAKERHEADZ examines the cultural influence of sneaker collecting around the world and delves into a subculture whose proud members don’t just want to admire art, they want to wear it.
https://vimeo.com/130269223
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SXSW Award Winning Comedy FORT TILDEN Sets Release Date of August 14 | TRAILER
FORT TILDEN, the debut feature film of directors Sarah-Violet Bliss and Charles Rogers, and starring Bridey Elliott and Clare McNulty, will open theatrically in New York and Los Angeles on August 14. FORT TILDEN, a comedy about two friends, Allie and Harper and their needlessly difficult journey to the beach, was the winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the 2014 South By Southwest Film Festival.
Amidst quarter-life crises, Allie struggles to prepare for the Peace Corps, while Harper awaits checks from her father to fund her artistic dreams. But the two friends quickly shun responsibilities for the day when a pair of good-looking guys invite them along for a carefree Fort Tilden afternoon. As the two young women board their bikes and embark on a lengthy journey to the beach, they quickly realize that, akin to their confusing, transitioning lives, they neither know where they’re going nor how they plan to get there. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ac47LnsiCM4
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A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY Sets Release Date of September 25 | TRAILER
The documentary A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY which premiered at this year’s SXSW Film Festival where it won the Audience Award, will be released on Friday, September 25th via Cinedigm.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BFG-bfgSHuY
A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY follows the inspiring journey of 26-year-old, 63-pound Lizzie from cyberbullying victim to anti-bullying activist. Born with a rare syndrome that prevents her from gaining weight, Elizabeth “Lizzie” Velasquez was first bullied as a child in school for looking different. As a teenager, she was bullied even more prominently online when she discovered a YouTube video labeling her “The World’s Ugliest Woman.” The film chronicles unheard stories and details of Lizzie’s physical and emotional journey up to her multi-million viewed TEDxAustinWomen talk and follows her evolution as motivational speaker and activist as she lobbies Congress for the first federal anti-bullying bill; the Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA). The film features private moments with Lizzie’s family including her parents, Rita and Lupe, and siblings Chris and Marina Velasquez. Also appearing in the doc are Anti-bullying advocate and Founder of the Megan Meier Foundation, Tina Meier, anti-bullying expert Dr. Bob Faris and Congresswomen Linda Sanchez, author of SSIA. “This movie shines a light on my personal journey, but we have always felt that this truly is EVERYONE’S story. We’ve heard from so many people from all over the world who have been bullied in their own ways and we want to offer hope and show what’s possible when you get on other side of bullying,” said Lizzie Velasquez. “I’ve been so touched by everyone who has shared their stories with us and we wanted to make sure that anyone who wanted to see the movie could do so. My hope is that we can then all come together to inspire change, take the high road and create a more positive environment,” said director / producer Sara Hirsh Bordo. Bordo produced the inaugural TEDxAustinWomen event, under her Women Rising banner, where Velasquez’s “How Do You Define Yourself?” talk was given. TEDxAusitnWomen ultimately became the #1 TEDWomen event of 2013 and Velasquez’s talk has been viewed over 10 million times combined with both English and Spanish versions. Bordo and Women Rising then went on to produce “A BRAVE HEART: THE LIZZIE VELASQUEZ STORY,” which Bordo also directed.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0L00A4rD60
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Magnolia Pictures to Release DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL LAMPOON | TRAILER
Douglas Tirola’s Sundance and Tribeca hit DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL LAMPOON, has been acquired by Magnolia Pictures for release in the US. DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL LAMPOON is an inside look at the rise and fall of the legendary humor magazine that launched dozens of careers and broke as many taboos.
From the 1970s thru the 1990s, there was no hipper, more outrageous comedy in print than The National Lampoon, the groundbreaking humor magazine that pushed the limits of taste and acceptability. Parodying everything from politics, religion, entertainment and the whole of American lifestyle, the Lampoon eventually went on to branch into successful radio shows, record albums, live stage revues and movies, including Animal House and National Lampoon’s Vacation. The publication launched the careers of many who would become mainstays in American humor, in TV, film and elsewhere.
“We’re so proud of the film Doug made – it immerses you in a world that is so rich with creative genius it is stunning but the dramatic story of the magazine’s founders is deeply emotional too,” said Molly Thompson, Senior Vice President, Feature Films, A+E Studios.
Eamonn Bowles, President of Magnolia Pictures, said “With DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD, Doug Tirola establishes himself as one of our most thoughtful and entertaining documentarians, giving us a fresh, inventive look at an outrageous American institution.”
Douglas Tirola said, “It’s an honor to be distributed by Magnolia Pictures which has released some of the great documentaries of the past decade. They have a smart vision for our film with an understanding of how we used the documentary form to tell a broad narrative story. They also bring a sense of humor to the process which is a perfect fit for a movie called, DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL LAMPOON.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azwS8VMVwf4
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QUEEN OF EARTH Starring Elisabeth Moss Sets Release Date of August 26th
IFC Films will release QUEEN OF EARTH, directed by Alex Ross Perry and starring Elisabeth Moss and Katherine Waterston, on August 26th in New York with a national rollout to follow.
Catherine (Elisabeth Moss) has entered a particularly dark period in her life: her father, a famous artist whose affairs she managed, has recently died, and on the heels of his death she’s dumped by her boyfriend James (Kentucker Audley). Looking to recuperate, Catherine heads out to her best friend Virginia’s (Katherine Waterston) lake house for some much needed relaxation. However, once Catherine arrives relaxation proves impossible to find, as she is overcome with memories of time spent at the same house with James the year before. As Catherine reaches out to Virginia with attempts at connection, Virginia begins spending increasing amounts of time with a local love interest, Rich (Patrick Fugit), and fissures in the relationship between the two women begin to appear, sending Catherine into a downward spiral of delusion and madness. A bracing, eerie look at the deep bonds of friendship and the horrific effects of such bonds being frayed, Queen of Earth is a thrilling examination of a deeply complex relationship between two miserable women.