2014 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Winners[/caption]
The regular deadline to submit entries for the 2015 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition is Friday, April 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT. In November, as many as five $35,000 fellowships will be awarded to amateur screenwriters.
Deadlines and entry fees are as follows:
Regular deadline: April 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT; entry fee US$55
Final deadline: May 1, at 11:59 p.m. PT; entry fee US$75
Online applications and complete rules are available at www.oscars.org/nicholl.
For the first time, current entrants also may purchase, for an additional $40, review comments from at least two Nicholl readers for each submitted script. For details, visit www.oscars.org/nicholl.
Since 1986, 137 Nicholl fellowships have been awarded. Past fellows include writer-director Nikole Beckwith, whose feature “Stockholm, Pennsylvania” premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival; Pat Gilfillan, who wrote “Lila & Eve,” which also premiered at Sundance; Kurt Kuenne, who co-wrote and edited the documentary “Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard around the World,” which premiered at the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival; and Robert Edwards, the writer and director of “When I Live My Life Over Again,” which will debut this month at the Tribeca Film Festival. In addition, “Dear Eleanor,” written by Nicholl fellows Cecilia Contreras and Amy Garcia, and “London Has Fallen,” co-written by Nicholl fellow Creighton Rothenberger, are slated to be released later this year.
Former Nicholl fellows currently working in television include Andrew Marlowe, who created and executive produces the series “Castle,” and Terri Miller, a writer and executive producer on the show. Rebecca Sonnenshine is a writer and producer on “The Vampire Diaries.” Annmarie Morais is a writer and story editor on the Syfy series “Killjoys.”
Other notable fellows include Doug Atchison (“Akeelah and the Bee”), Destin Daniel Cretton (“Short Term 12”), Jeffrey Eugenides (Middlesex), Susannah Grant (“Erin Brockovich”) and Ehren Kruger (“Transformers: Age of Extinction”).
The Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition is open to any individual who has not earned a total of more than $25,000 from the sale or option of screenplays or teleplays, or received fellowships or prizes of more than $25,000 that include a “first look” clause, an option or any other quid pro quo involving the writer’s work. To enter, writers must submit a completed application online, upload one PDF copy of their original screenplay in English, and pay the required entry fee before the regular deadline at 11:59 p.m. PT on April 10, or the final deadline at 11:59 p.m. PT on May 1.
Fellowships are awarded with the understanding that the recipients will each complete a new feature-length screenplay during the fellowship year.
Last year’s competition drew a record 7,511 submissions.News
All the News.
All the News.
-
Deadline Approaching for 2015 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Competition
[caption id="attachment_7829" align="alignnone" width="960"] 2014 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Winners[/caption]
The regular deadline to submit entries for the 2015 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition is Friday, April 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT. In November, as many as five $35,000 fellowships will be awarded to amateur screenwriters.
Deadlines and entry fees are as follows:
Regular deadline: April 10, at 11:59 p.m. PT; entry fee US$55
Final deadline: May 1, at 11:59 p.m. PT; entry fee US$75
Online applications and complete rules are available at www.oscars.org/nicholl.
For the first time, current entrants also may purchase, for an additional $40, review comments from at least two Nicholl readers for each submitted script. For details, visit www.oscars.org/nicholl.
Since 1986, 137 Nicholl fellowships have been awarded. Past fellows include writer-director Nikole Beckwith, whose feature “Stockholm, Pennsylvania” premiered at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival; Pat Gilfillan, who wrote “Lila & Eve,” which also premiered at Sundance; Kurt Kuenne, who co-wrote and edited the documentary “Batkid Begins: The Wish Heard around the World,” which premiered at the 2015 Slamdance Film Festival; and Robert Edwards, the writer and director of “When I Live My Life Over Again,” which will debut this month at the Tribeca Film Festival. In addition, “Dear Eleanor,” written by Nicholl fellows Cecilia Contreras and Amy Garcia, and “London Has Fallen,” co-written by Nicholl fellow Creighton Rothenberger, are slated to be released later this year.
Former Nicholl fellows currently working in television include Andrew Marlowe, who created and executive produces the series “Castle,” and Terri Miller, a writer and executive producer on the show. Rebecca Sonnenshine is a writer and producer on “The Vampire Diaries.” Annmarie Morais is a writer and story editor on the Syfy series “Killjoys.”
Other notable fellows include Doug Atchison (“Akeelah and the Bee”), Destin Daniel Cretton (“Short Term 12”), Jeffrey Eugenides (Middlesex), Susannah Grant (“Erin Brockovich”) and Ehren Kruger (“Transformers: Age of Extinction”).
The Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition is open to any individual who has not earned a total of more than $25,000 from the sale or option of screenplays or teleplays, or received fellowships or prizes of more than $25,000 that include a “first look” clause, an option or any other quid pro quo involving the writer’s work. To enter, writers must submit a completed application online, upload one PDF copy of their original screenplay in English, and pay the required entry fee before the regular deadline at 11:59 p.m. PT on April 10, or the final deadline at 11:59 p.m. PT on May 1.
Fellowships are awarded with the understanding that the recipients will each complete a new feature-length screenplay during the fellowship year.
Last year’s competition drew a record 7,511 submissions.
-
New Trailer for 2015 Sundance Hit DOPE
Check out the new official teaser trailer for DOPE, the hit movie out of the 2015 Sundance Film Festival, which opens in theaters on June 19, 2015. With a #dope soundtrack featuring four new original songs by Pharrell Williams,DOPE tells the story of Malcolm (Shameik Moore) who is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself.
Produced by Forest Whitaker, Executive Produced by Pharrell Williams and Co-Executive Produced by Sean Combs.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKGF8nNM2iI
CAST: SHAMEIK MOORE, TONY REVOLORI, KIERSEY CLEMONS, BLAKE ANDERSON, ZOE KRAVITZ, A$AP ROCKY, CHANEL IMAN, QUINCY BROWN
RELEASE DATE: June 19, 2015
DIRECTOR/WRITER: Rick Famuyiwa
PRODUCERS: Forest Whitaker, Nina Yang Bongiovi,
EXECUTIVE PRODUCERS: Pharrell Williams, Michael Y. Chow, Rick Famuyiwa and David Lonner
CO-EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: Sean Combs
CO-PRODUCERS: Mimi Valdes and Caron Veazy
-
Watch TRAILER for A GIRL LIKE HER Opens March 27
A new trailer has been released for A GIRL LIKE HER, directed by Amy S. Weber which opens in theaters March 27th. The film tells the story of high school sophomore Jessica Burns who is relentlessly harassed by her former friend Avery Keller.
16 year old Jessica Burns has a secret that she’s afraid to share with anyone – except her best friend, Brian Slater. For the past year she’s been victimized mentally and physically by another girl – her former friend, Avery Keller, one of South Brookdale High School’s most popular and beautiful students. What can you do when the world sees the image of a person but not the reality? But with Brian’s help and the use of a hidden digital camera, the evidence of Avery’s relentless harassment is captured and finally exposed, awakening the community to something it’s long denied and bringing both girls and their families face to face with the truth.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m_vg__L4Qyc
Director: Amy S. Weber
Writer: Amy S. Weber
Starring: Lexi Ainsworth, Jimmy Bennett, Hunter King, Linda Boston, Gino Borri, Paul Lang, Stephanie Cotton, Amy S. Weber, Mark Boyd, Michael Maurice, Christy Edwards, Sarah Kyrie Soraghan, Christy Engly, Rose Anne Nepa, and Luke Jaden.
-
NASTY BABY Starring Kristen Wiig to Get a 2015 Release
The Orchard will release Sebastian Silva’s award-winning film NASTY BABY, starring Silva, Kristen Wiig, Tunde Adebimpe, Reg E. Cathey and Alia Shawkat, which made its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.
NASTY BABY had its European premiere last week at the 2015 Berlin International Film Festival, where it was awarded the festival’s Teddy Award. The film was produced by Juan de Dios Larraín, Pablo Larraín, Charlie Dibe, David Hinojosa and Julia Oh, and executive produced by Silva, Christine Vachon, Peter Danner, Pape Boye, and Violaine Pichon. Shawkat served as a co-producer on the film. The Orchard will release the film later this year.
From acclaimed director and screenwriter Sebastián Silva (Crystal Fairy, Magic Magic, The Maid), NASTY BABY tells the story of a modern problem – a gay couple (played by Silva and Tunde Adebimpe) are trying to have a baby with their best friend (played by Kristen Wiig). Their plans are disrupted by growing harassment from a menacing neighborhood local known as ‘The Bishop’ (played by Reg E. Cathey). As their clashes become increasingly aggressive, it is only a matter of time before someone gets hurt.
-
BIRDMAN, CITIZENFOUR, IDA Among Winners of 87th Oscars
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is the big winner of the 87th Oscars winning four awards, including the top prizes for Best Picture and Best Director.
The Grand Budapest Hotel also walked away with four awards, all in the technical categories. CitizenFour won for Best Documentary and Ida won for Best Foreign Language Film.
The complete list of winners:
BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher and James W. Skotchdopole, ProducersPERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE
Julianne Moore in Still AlicePERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE
Eddie Redmayne in The Theory of EverythingACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING
Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
The Imitation Game
Written by Graham MooreORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Written by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Jr. & Armando BoACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SCORE)
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Alexandre DesplatACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SONG)
“Glory” from Selma
Music and Lyric by John Stephens and Lonnie LynnBEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE
CitizenFour
Laura Poitras, Mathilde Bonnefoy and Dirk WilutzkyACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING
Whiplash
Tom CrossACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)
Emmanuel LubezkiACHIEVEMENT IN PRODUCTION DESIGN
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Production Design: Adam Stockhausen; Set Decoration: Anna PinnockBEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR
Big Hero 6
Don Hall, Chris Williams and Roy ConliBEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM
Feast
Patrick Osborne and Kristina ReedACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS
Interstellar
Paul Franklin, Andrew Lockley, Ian Hunter and Scott FisherPERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
Patricia Arquette in BoyhoodACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING
American Sniper
Alan Robert Murray and Bub AsmanACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING
Whiplash
Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas CurleyBEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT
Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1
Ellen Goosenberg Kent and Dana PerryBEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM
The Phone Call
Mat Kirkby and James LucasBEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
Ida (Poland)ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Frances Hannon and Mark CoulierACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Milena CanoneroPERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE
J.K. Simmons in Whiplash
-
2015 Spirit Awards Winners – BIRDMAN Wins Best Film
Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is the big winner of 30th Film Independent Spirit Awards winning the awards for Best Feature, Best Male Lead and Best Cinematography.
Other winners include Boyhood which won Best Director and Best Supporting Female; Nightcrawler which won Best First Feature and Best Screenplay; Whiplash which won Best Supporting Male and Best Editing; Still Alice, which won Best Female Lead; Dear White People, which won Best First Screenplay; Land Ho!, which won the John Cassavetes Award; Ida, which won Best International Film and CITIZENFOUR, which won Best Documentary.
The 8th annual Robert Altman Award was given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast. Paul Thomas Anderson’s Inherent Vice received this award, along with casting director Cassandra Kulukundis and ensemble cast members Josh Brolin, Hong Chau, Martin Donovan, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, Joaquin Phoenix, Sasha Pieterse, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Serena Scott Thomas, Benicio del Toro, Katherine Waterston, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon and Michael Kenneth Williams.
The Special Distinction Award, given to a film for its uniqueness of vision, honesty of direction and screenwriting, superb acting and overall filmmaking achievement, was given to Foxcatcher. The award was given to director/producer Bennett Miller, producers Anthony Bregman, Megan Ellison, Jon Kilik, writers E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman, actors Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum.
The 2015 Roger and Chaz Ebert Foundation Fellowship which includes a cash grant of $10,000 was awarded to Christina Choe. This annual award is given to a filmmaker currently participating in a Film Independent Artist Development program with the mission of diversity in mind. Choe, a participant in the 2015 Directing Lab, is currently in active pre-production on her first narrative feature film, Nancy.
The following is a complete list of the winners:
Best Feature: Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Producers: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. SkotchdopoleBest Director: Richard Linklater (IFC Films)
Best Screenplay: Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler (Open Road Films)
Best First Feature: Nightcrawler (Open Road Films)
Director: Dan Gilroy, Producers: Jennifer Fox, Tony Gilroy, Jake Gyllenhaal, David Lancaster, Michel LitvakBest First Screenplay: Justin Simien, Dear White People (Roadside Attractions/ Lionsgate)
John Cassavetes Award (For best feature made under $500,000): Land Ho! (Sony Pictures Classics)
Writers/Directors: Aaron Katz, Martha Stephens, Producers: Christina Jennings, Mynette Louie, Sara MurphyBest Supporting Female: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood (IFC Films)
Best Supporting Male: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash (Sony Pictures Classics)
Best Female Lead: Julianne Moore, Still Alice (Sony Pictures Classics)
Best Male Lead: Michael Keaton, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Robert Altman Award: Inherent Vice (Warner Bros.)
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, Casting Director: Cassandra Kulukundis, Ensemble Cast: Josh Brolin, Hong Chau, Martin Donovan, Jena Malone, Joanna Newsom, Joaquin Phoenix, Sasha Pieterse, Eric Roberts, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short, Serena Scott Thomas, Benicio del Toro, Katherine Waterston, Owen Wilson, Reese Witherspoon, Michael Kenneth WilliamsBest Cinematography: Emmanuel Lubezki, Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) (Fox Searchlight Pictures)
Best Editing:Tom Cross, Whiplash (Sony Pictures Classics)
Best International Film: Ida (Poland – Music Box Films)
Director: Pawel PawlikowskiBest Documentary: CITIZENFOUR (RADiUS-TWC / HBO Documentary Films / Participant Media)
Director: Laura Poitras; Producers: Mathilde Bonnefoy, Dirk WilutzkySpecial Distinction Award: Foxcatcher (Sony Pictures Classics)
Director/Producer: Bennett Miller, Producers: Anthony Bregman, Megan Ellison, Jon Kilik, Writers: E. Max Frye, Dan Futterman, Actors: Steve Carell, Mark Ruffalo, Channing Tatum
-
TIMBUKTU and Kristen Stewart Among César Awards Winners
Kristen Stewart in “Clouds of Sils Maria”Timbuktu swept the 40th annual César awards, the French Oscars, winning seven awards including best film, and actress Kristen Stewart became the first American actress to win an award.
In addition to the award for Best Film, Abderrahmane Sissako’s Timbuktu, also won the honors for Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Music, Best Cinematography, Best Editing and Best Sound. Timbuktu is also nominated for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zvfxY83Usbs
Kristen Stewart, won the Best Supporting Actress award for her performance in the film Clouds of Sils Maria.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Dht__ajVD4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbVHlm7RcDs
Complete list of winners
Best Film
Timbuktu, dir: Abderrahmane SissakoBest Actress
Adèle Haenel, Les CombattantsBest Adapted Screenplay
Cyril Gely, Volker Schlöndorff – DiplomatieBest Actor
Pierre Niney, Yves Saint LaurentBest Foreign Film
Mommy, dir Xavier DolanBest Director
Abderrahmane Sissako, TimbuktuBest Supporting Actress
Kristen Stewart, Clouds Of Sils MariaBest Short Film
La Femme De Rio, dirs: Emma Luchini, Nicolas ReyBest Documentary
Salt Of The Earth, dirs: Wim Wenders, Juliano Ribeiro SalgadoBest Editing
Nadia Ben Rachid, TimbuktuBest Set Design
Thierry Flamand, La Belle Et La BêteBest Original Screenplay
Abderrahmane Sissako, Kessen Tall – TimbuktuBest Costumes
Anaïs Romand, Saint-LaurentBest Newcomer (Male)
Kevin Azaïs, Les CombattantsBest Animated Film
Minuscule – La Vallée Des Fourmis Perdues, dirs: Thomas Szabo and Hélène GiraudBest Animated Short
Les Petits Cailloux, dir: Chloé MazloBest Score
Amine Bouhafa, TimbuktuBest Supporting Actor
Reda Kateb, HippocrateBest Debut Feature
Les Combattants, dir: Thomas Cailley, prod: Pierre GuyardBest Cinematography
Sofian El Fani, TimbuktuBest Sound
Philippe Welsh, Roman Dymny, Thierry Delor – TimbuktuBest Newcomer (Female)
Louane Emera, La Famille Bélier
-
Willie Nelson to Star in WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME
Willie NelsonProduction is set to begin next month on Lian Lunson’s film WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME, starring country music icon Willie Nelson, the legendary Charlotte Rampling, and newcomer Sophie Lowe.
The film is being produced by Lunson’s Horse Pictures, Molly Mayeux, and Terence Berry, and executive produced by Cave Pictures’ Dale Brown and Mark Rodgers. Fabrica de Cine has also joined the producing roster with Gaston Pavlovich coming on as a producer and Matthew Malek as an executive producer. Fabrica de Cine and Cave Pictures are also behind the Martin Scorsese epic SILENCE, currently shooting. Also executive producing WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME are Lunson’s longtime collaborators Bono and Wim Wenders.
The film is set to film at Nelson’s private ranch in Spicewood, Texas, which is affectionately known as “Luck.” Luck was originally built for the film THE RED HEADED STRANGER in the mid 1980’s.
Set in a magically surreal world, WAITING FOR THE
MIRACLE TO COME tells the story of a young woman whose quest for gold takes her on a far more rewarding journey than she could have ever imagined. Following the death of her father, aspiring trapeze artist Adeline Winter (Sophie Lowe) discovers a cryptic letter he once wrote directing her to a goldmine in a remote California desert. Upon arriving in a mysterious town, she finds herself at the gates of “The Beautiful Place,” a house occupied by retired vaudeville stars Jimmy and Dixie Riggs (Nelson and Rampling).
As she gets to know this mysteriously eccentric couple, Adeline discovers that her father’s posthumous words were directing her to a reward far more valuable than gold.
Lunson shared, “I wrote this script for Willie Nelson, his presence and stillness as an actor is unlike anyone else. And growing up I always wanted to be Charlotte Rampling so bringing these two Icons together on screen is a dream come true for me.”
The script for WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME was written by Lunson. The film will also feature an original song penned by Bono and performed by Nelson, a legendary collaboration in the making.
Lunson and Nelson worked together previously on the documentary film, WILLIE NELSON: DOWN HOME. She previously produced, wrote, and directed the celebrated documentary LEONARD COHEN: I’M YOUR MAN, a chronicle the legendary singer-songwriter, with performances by those musicians he has influenced. The title of WAITING FOR THE MIRACLE TO COME is, in fact, an homage to the Leonard Cohen song.
Fresh off his latest album, Band of Brothers, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Country chart, Grammy-winner Nelson was also nominated for an Oscar for “Best Original Song” for “On the Road Again,” was featured in the film HONEYSUCKLE ROSE (1980), in which he also starred.
Rampling has been making waves in film since the 1960s and has worked with such luminary directors as Woody Allen (in STARDUST MEMORIES), Sidney Lumet (in THE VERDICT) and more recently with François Ozon (in SWIMMING POOL). She has received rave reviews for her latest film 45 YEARS which premiered last week in competition at the 2015 Berlin Film Festival, and for which she received the Best Actress award.
Lowe is an up-and-coming actress, who made her feature length film debut as the titular main character in BEAUTIFUL KATE and also recently starred in Anne Fontaine’s ADORE.
-
Mo’Nique & Isaiah Washington’s BLACKBIRD Sets Release Date
The urban coming-of-age film BLACKBIRD starring Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique and Isaiah Washington, will open in theaters in the U.S. on April 24, 2015.
Based on the novel by the same name by Larry Duplechan, the film is directed by Patrik-Ian Polk (Noah’s Arc, The Skinny), which he also co-wrote with Rikki Beadle Blair (Stonewall). The film stars Academy Award winning actress and comedian Mo’Nique (Precious), Isaiah Washington (Grey’s Anatomy, Blue Caprice, The 100), Terrell Tilford (Single Ladies, Guiding Light), D. Woods (MTV’s Danity Kane), Gary L. Gray(The Cosby Show, Bring It On: All Or Nothing),Torrey Laamar, Kevin Allesee, Nikki Jane and introduces breakthrough talent Julian Walker.
BLACKBIRD is described as a personal, controversial, and inspiring story that introduces two up-and coming actors – Julian Walker and Kevin Allesee. BLACKBIRD tells the story of seventeen-year-old Randy (Julian Walker), a devout Christian who tries very hard to be a good person. Since his father (Isaiah Washington) left, Randy takes care of his emotionally disturbed mother (Mo’Nique), sings lead in the church choir and is the kind of friend all of his classmates can depend on. As strong as he seems on the outside, Randy is hiding a secret inner struggle – a denial of his true self. It is not until he opens himself up to love that he discovers that becoming a man means accepting who you really are.
In February 2014, ‘Blackbird’ began its very successful film festival run as the closing night gala screening for Los Angeles’ Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) where it won the Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature Film. Other notable festival appearances include Newfest at Lincoln Center in New York City, Out On Film in Atlanta, Reeling in Chicago, Outfest Fusion in Los Angeles, The Seattle LGBT Film Festival, ReelQ in Pittsburgh, Outflix in Memphis, Long Beach QFilms, New York’s American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and The Tampa International LGBT Film Festival. ‘Blackbird’ also sold out the twelve-hundred-seat historic Castro Theatre in San Francisco at Frameline Film Festival, the country’s oldest LGBT film fest.
Internationally, ‘Blackbird’ had successful screenings at festivals in Barcelona, Melbourne, Copenhagen and Amsterdam with forthcoming appearances in Canada, England and Italy. Multiple festival juries and audiences have rewarded ‘Blackbird’ with ‘Best Feature’ honors: Outflix Memphis, Atlanta’s Out On Film, Reeling in Chicago and the Crossroads Film Festival in Polk’s native Mississippi. Additionally, the film received honors for Best Ensemble Cast, Best Director & Best Actor (Julian Walker) at Atlanta’s Out On Film and the Diversity Award at the Barcelona LGTIB Film Festival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GJ-HwLGkz2E
-
Award Winning Indie Film THE WIDOWERS on VOD February 18th
Jonathan Scott Chinn’s directorial debut, THE WIDOWERS, described as a powerful and hilarious film about grief, loneliness, and loss, will be available on VOD February 18.
A true independent film, THE WIDOWERS was self-financed from personal savings and depended on the contributions of its actors, crew, and craftsmen. Its core film team, along with a 60% female crew, tell a personal story of loss and explore what happens after the dramatic impact of death has subsided, and the loss has become a new norm.
As Jake (Richard Lovejoy) finds himself unable to put his life back together after the death of his wife, his best friend signs the two of them up for a grief counseling retreat in upstate New York. There they meet an odd ensemble of fellow mourners. Desperate to feel something again, Jake pushes back against the charade of group therapy sessions and useless bonding exercises. However, he soon discovers that the last remnants of his old life are beginning to crumble, and a new beginning is on the horizon.
THE WIDOWERS is the winner of Best Narrative Feature, Best Director, Best Ensemble at Chain NYC Film Festival.
{vimeo}46152726{/vimeo}
-
Trailer Released for WILD CANARIES Starring Jason Ritter
The trailer is released for WILD CANARIES, written and directed by Lawrence Michael Levine, about a newly engaged couple who investigates signs of foul play, when their elderly neighbor suddenly drops dead.
Starring Jason Ritter,Alia Shawkat, Sophia Takal, Lawrence Michael Levine, Kevin Corrigan, and Annie Parisse, WILD CANARIES will open in theaters on February 25th.
Barri and Noah, a newly engaged Brooklyn couple, are disheartened by the death of their elderly downstairs neighbor, Sylvia. Though Noah sees nothing unusual about the old woman’s death, Barri suspects foul play and sets out to investigate, enlisting her roommate Jean to join her on a reconnaissance mission to trail a possible suspect. Tensions mount, however, when the investigation uncovers unsettling secrets throughout the building—including in their own apartment — and suddenly everyone seems like a reasonable suspect. A freshly comedic take on classic film noir, WILD CANARIES brings a unique sensibility to a high-stakes murder mystery.
-
Force Majeure is Big Winner at Swedens’s Guldbagge Awards
Force Majeure (Turist)Ruben Östlund’s Force Majeure (Turist), Sweden’s submission for Academy Award nomination as Best Foreign-Language Feature, is the big winner of Sweden’s 2015 Guldbagge Awards.
Force Majeure won six awards including Best Film, and Best Director plus Best Screenplay for Ruben Östlund.
Best Film
Force majeure / Turist
Producers: Erik Hemmendorff, Marie Kjellson and Philippe BoberBest Director
Ruben Östlund
for Force majeure / TuristBest Actress in a Leading Role
Saga Becker
for her role as Sebastian/ Ellie in Something Must Break / Nånting måste gå sönderBest Actor in a Leading Role
Sverrir Gudnason
for his role as Kristian in Blowfly Park / FlugparkenBest Actress in a Supporting Role
Anita Wall for her role as Frida in Home / HemmaBest Actor in a Supporting Role
Kristofer Hivju
for his role as Mats in Force majeure / TuristBest Screenplay
Ruben Östlund
for his script for Force majeure / Turist
Best Cinematography
Fredrik Wenzel
for his cinematography in Force majeure / TuristBest Editing
Jacob Secher Schulsinger and Ruben Östlund
for editing Force majeure / TuristBest Costume
Cilla Rörby
for the costumes in GentlemenBest Sound
Andreas Franck
for the sound in The Quiet RoarBest Makeup
Anna-Carin Lock and Anja Dahl
for makeup in GentlemenBest Music
Mattias Bärjed and Jonas Kullhammar
for the music in GentlemenBest Set Design
Ulf Jonsson, Nicklas Nilsson, Sandra Parment, Isabel Sjöstrand and Julia Tegström
for the set design in A Pigeon Sat on a Branch Reflecting on Existence / En duva satt på en gren och funderade på tillvaron
Best Foreign Language Film
Deux jours, une nuit / Två dagar, en natt
Directors: Jean-Pierre Dardenne and Luc DardenneBest Short Film
Still Born
Director: Åsa SandzénBest Documentary Film
Concerning Violence / Om våld
Director: Göran Hugo OlssonBest Achievement
Mats Holmgren
Lifetime Achievement Award
Liv UllmannGullspira
Rose-Marie Strand, Folkets BioThe Audience Award
The Last Chance / Micke & Veronica, producer: Lena Rehnberg