The world premiere of Everybody Wants Some has been selected as the Opening Night film of the 23rd edition of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Film Conference and Festival on March 11, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Set in the world of 1980s college life, Everybody Wants Some is a comedy, directed and written by Richard Linklater, that follows a group of college baseball players as they navigate their way through the freedoms and responsibilities of unsupervised adulthood. Get ready for the best weekend ever.
“We are so thrilled to premiere Richard’s latest work, which is really funny, instantly quotable, and filled will great new talent,” said Janet Pierson, head of SXSW Film. “Audiences are going to love this paean to competition and coming of age in the 80s.”
Everybody Wants Some features an ensemble cast of Will Brittain, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Anthony Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Blake Jenner, Glen Powell and Wyatt Russell. The film is written and directed by Richard Linklater and produced by and produced by Megan Ellison of Annapurna Pictures, Richard Linklater and Ginger Sledge. Paramount Pictures will release the film on April 15, 2016.VIMOOZ
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World Premiere of Richard Linklater’s EVERYBODY WANTS SOME to Open 2016 SXSW
The world premiere of Everybody Wants Some has been selected as the Opening Night film of the 23rd edition of the South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Film Conference and Festival on March 11, 2016 in Austin, Texas. Set in the world of 1980s college life, Everybody Wants Some is a comedy, directed and written by Richard Linklater, that follows a group of college baseball players as they navigate their way through the freedoms and responsibilities of unsupervised adulthood. Get ready for the best weekend ever.
“We are so thrilled to premiere Richard’s latest work, which is really funny, instantly quotable, and filled will great new talent,” said Janet Pierson, head of SXSW Film. “Audiences are going to love this paean to competition and coming of age in the 80s.”
Everybody Wants Some features an ensemble cast of Will Brittain, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Anthony Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Blake Jenner, Glen Powell and Wyatt Russell. The film is written and directed by Richard Linklater and produced by and produced by Megan Ellison of Annapurna Pictures, Richard Linklater and Ginger Sledge. Paramount Pictures will release the film on April 15, 2016.
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Guy Édoin’s “Ville-Marie” Starring Monica Bellucci at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival | TRAILER
Ville-Marie directed by Guy Édoin is screening in the Panorama section of the 19th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival running November 13 to 29, 2015.
Ville-Marie starring Monica Bellucci, Aliocha Schneider, Patrick Hivon and Pascale Bussières, had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival, an international premiere at the Rome Film Festival on October 20, and in addition to Tallinn will screen at the Windsor International Film Festival (3-8 November 2015) and the Festival international du cinéma francophone en Acadie (12-20 November 2015).
While filming in Montreal, a European actress (Monica Bellucci) tries to reconcile with her son (Aliocha
Schneider), who is a student in the city. But he witnesses a disturbing incident, reigniting his desire to learn who his father is. On his birthday, he is determined to get answers by confronting his mother. What he doesn’t know is that the film his mother is making was specifically designed to answer his questions. Meanwhile, a paramedic haunted by his past (Patrick Hivon) tries to hold himself together as a kindhearted nurse (Pascale Bussières) watches over him from a distance, while keeping a chaotic emergency room running. At Ville-Marie Hospital, these four lives will collide and change forever.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FB2WPgCyKlQ
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“Brooklyn” “The Champions” “Hitchcock/Truffaut” “Rams” “Krisha” Win Awards at 2015 Denver Film Festival
Brooklyn directed by John Crowley won the People’s Choice Award for Best Narrative Feature, and The Champions directed by Darcy Dennett won the People’s Choice Award for Best Documentary Feature at the 2015 Denver Film Festival (DFF) which ran from November 4-15 in Denver. Hitchcock/Truffaut directed by Kent Jones won the juried Maysles Brothers Award for Best Documentary Film, and Rams, directed by Grímur Hákonarson won the juried Krzysztof Kieślowski Award for Best Feature Film. Krisha directed by Trey Edward Shults (pictured above) won the American Independent Narrative Award.
“Beginning with our Opening Night presentation of Anomalisa to closing with Coming Through the Rye with so many unforgettable stories in between, the 38th Denver Film Festival certainly swept away audiences and welcomed filmmakers from around the world to share their impressive work,” said Denver Film Society Festival firector, Britta Erickson. “In one of our most successful festivals to date, it is a true honor to officially recognize the outstanding filmmaking this year’s award recipients have demonstrated.”
The 38th Denver Film Festival complete list of award winners:
PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARDS
Narrative Feature
Winner: Brooklyn
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ekxPFTZm1Y
Documentary Feature
Winner: The Champions
Short Film
Winner: The House is Innocent
Music Video
Winner: Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats – “S.O.B.”
JURIED AWARDS
The Maysles Brothers Award for Best Documentary Film
Winner: Hitchcock/Truffaut directed by Kent Jones (USA)
The jury stated: “One of the Maysles Brothers special gifts as filmmakers was that they allowed their stories to unfold in front of them with open minds and eyes, with a genuine love for their subjects and an empathy and compassion which gave all of their work beauty and authenticity.
“When watching the films in this year’s competition, we were looking for filmmaking which demonstrated a similar openness: a willingness to let a story be told in a manner that illuminates the human condition, yet executed with sure-handed direction in a visually compelling fashion. One film-one that on its face is simply about a book-created an enthralling tale about passion for both a subject (film and filmmaking) and friendship, one that grew out of eight days of elevated conversation about art, film and the creative process.
“In Hitchcock/Truffaut director Kent Jones uses archival footage, still photography, film clips and contemporary interviews to weave a beautiful portrait of two artists connected by the deepest talent and humanity-and humor! It is an cinematic manifestation of the interviews between Francois Truffaut and Alfred Hitchcock which achieves what Truffaut set out to do as a journalist-to remind everyone what a master of cinema Hitchcock truly was. The documentary is a deft and captivating piece of filmmaking that transcends the world of the cinephile and reveals two fascinating people who by the end feel like old friends.”
The Krzysztof Kieślowski Award for Best Feature Film
Winner: Rams, directed by Grímur Hákonarson (Iceland)
The jury stated: “For its evocative filming of landscapes, for placing us in the midst of a way of life coming to a devastating end, and for making a film that moves us from pure hate to pure love, we award the 2015 Kieślowski award to Rams.”
Special Jury Prize: Lamb, directed by Yared Zaleke (France)
The jury stated: “For its heartfelt, beautifully observed, visually ravishing and emotionally acute exploration of a young boy’s coming of age in a rural Ethiopian village, we award a Special Jury Prize to director Yared Zaleke’s Lamb.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKh2M2ooD3w
Special Ensemble Acting Jury Award: The Measure of a Man (France)
The jury stated: “For its pitch-perfect naturalism, its ability to find beauty in the otherwise mundane, and for its consistently arresting performances, we award a special Ensemble Acting Prize to The Measure of a Man.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH_yV3aPZHs
The American Independent Narrative Award
Winner: Krisha, directed by Trey Edward Shults (USA)
The jury stated: “A fraught suburban Thanksgiving is hardly new territory for cinema, but Krisha takes the concept to wildly dynamic and unusual places. Director Trey Edward Shults has created a fully formed, formally experimental portrait of authentic family dynamics that feels intimate and lived in. We’re so pleased to present the American Independent Narrative Award to Krisha.”
Special Jury Prize, Filmmaker to Watch: H., directed by Rania Attieh and Daniel Garcia
The jury stated: “Because days later we still can’t stop thinking about the audacious storytelling and bold vision of the transfixing H. and can’t wait to see what Rania Atteih and Daniel Garcia do next.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzTQZsSq404
The Liberty Global International Student Short Award
Winner: Disintegration, directed by Álvaro Martín (Spain)
The jury stated: “This was a difficult decision as every film in this category was unique and impressive, but the standout winner was Disintegration. Playing as a remarkable portrait of childhood while delving into topical social issues, Álvaro Martín created magic that is enjoyable and heartbreaking at the same time. We appreciate the risk he took in creating this film and look forward to see what he makes next.”
Special Jury Prize for Outstanding Directing: The Fantastic Love of Beeboy and Flowergirl, directed by Clemens Roth (Germany)
The jury stated: “From striking visuals to creative storytelling, Clemens Roth masterfully created a compelling world that beautifully mixed fantasy and reality in The Fantastic Love of Beeboy and Flowergirl.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=80rXZWjx9tA
The Spike Lee Student Filmmaker Award
Winner: Oasis, directed by Sara Lafleur-Vetter (USA)
The jury stated: “Oasis is an informative and gripping documentary that takes a closer look at the health care system that left behind those who can’t take care of themselves and one doctor who continues to fight on their behalf. We hope director Sara Lafleur-Vetter continues to bring awareness to this community through the power of film.”
Feature Screenplay Award
Winner: Memory by John Benge
Short Screenplay Award
Winner: Symposium by Tom Grady
Denver Film Festival Awards
John Cassavetes Award: John Turturro
Maria & Tommaso Maglione Italian Filmmaker Award: Nanni Moretti (Mia Madre, Italy)
Reel Social Club Indie Spirit Award: Benjamin Dickinson (Creative Control, USA)
Rising Star Award presented by Rise Above Colorado: Alex Wolff (Coming Through the Rye, USA)
Stan Brakhage Vision Award: Nathaniel Dorsky
True Grit Award: Decay
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MADONNA, CROCODILE GENNADIY, AHI KA Win Awards at 2015 Hawaii International Film Festival
The 2015 Hawaii International Film Festival (HIFF) announced their Jury winners; the Halekulani Golden Orchid for Best Narrative Feature was awarded to director Shin Su-won (South Korea) for the film, MADONNA, and the Best Documentary Feature Award was awarded to CROCODILE GENNADIY, directed by Steve Hoover.
“Storytelling from a woman’s perspective, marginalized individuals given a voice, revealing the harsh and violent reality in contemporary society’s in a well-written script with beautiful execution. Aesthetics and cinematography lends itself to quality filmmaking, with a solid cast. Even though the film reflects one particular society, the theme was universal and impactful. The winner go the Halekulani Golden Orchid Award for Best Narrative Feature goes to MADONNA directed by Shin Su-won.” – HIFF 2015 Narrative Feature Jury.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FNKWhslzt8Y
“CROCODILE GENNADIY is extraordinary: it tells a story with a compelling protagonist, a Ukranian pastor who rehabilitates drug addicted teens against a backdrop of a country in crisis. The film is a wonderful example of dramatic storytelling using all the cinematic tools – superb cinematography, inspired editing, provocative score – to tell a story of a man of uncommon moral conviction. We congratulate director Steve Hooper and his team for this outstanding achievement.” – HIFF 2015 Documentary Jury.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCQ9Uw3Paug
The Best Short Film Award was won by AHI KA, directed by Richard Curtis (New Zealand). “AHI KA exhibits breathtaking imagery that instilled nostalgia and complex emotion. Its main actress delivers a haunting performance, portraying a kind of beauty that invokes the ghosts of our past. Lastly, the film makes a powerful statement and sheds light on a story we feel needs to be shared. Like fire that passes from generation to generation, the film has the power to perpetuate dialogue about sensitive topics that no place on earth is exempt from.” – HIFF 2015 Short Film Jury
The festival honored actress Ryoko Hirosue with the Career Achievement Award. Her current film, HANA’S MISO SOUP had its world premiere at this year’s festival. Actor Tadanobu Asano was honored with the Maverick Award for his bold performances on screen, working with the top directors around the world for over twenty years. Actor Ha Jung Woo, from South Korea, was honored with the Renaissance Award for his profound career as an actor as director.
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New York Films to Shine at 2015 African Diaspora International Film Festival
The 2015 African Diaspora International Film Festival is to be held in Manhattan, New York City from November 27 to December 13 at MIST Harlem, Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas and Teachers College, Columbia University with the presentation of more than 50 films, including 26 US and NY Premieres. As part of its 23rd edition, the festival will screen a selection of films Made in New York and/or directed by New York based filmmakers.
ADIFF 2015 FILMS MADE IN NEW YORK
“The Bicycle” by James Richards is a Queens set family film that takes a child and an adult on a journey through the many worlds that make up their community thus connecting them in a way neither could have imagined.
“Cu-Bop: Cuba – New York Music Documentary” by Shinichi Takahashi follows the gifted young Cuban pianist Axel Tosca who lives in New York City, and performs as the leader of (U)NITY, a band which fuses Afro-Cuban culture with modern jazz and hip-hop.
“Shelter” by Paul Bettany and starring Jennifer Connelly and Anthony McKie tackles drug addiction and homelessness in the streets of Manhattan.
“The Challenger” by Kent Moran, featuring Michael Clarke Duncan in his last role, is a boxing drama set in the Bronx.
“Lift Every Voice” by Dallas Alexis is about a teacher who was able to get her students motivated and interested into the New York State/City High School Regents Exams by incorporating RAP and HIP-HOP into her lectures.
ADIFF 2015 FILMS MADE BY NEW YORK BASED FILMMAKERS
Stanley Nelson will present his latest documentary “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” (pictured above) about the rise and fall of the Black Panther Party during the 1960s and beyond
Sabrina Schmidt Gordon will present her documentary “BaddDDD Sonia Sanchez” about the legendary poet, playwright, activist and seminal figure in the 1960s Black Arts Movement
Carol Bash will present her documentary “Mary Lou Williams: The Lady Who Swings The Band” about the pianist and composer who helped shape the sound of 20th century America with her innovative style.
Jordi Torrens will present “Invisible Heroes: African American in the Spanish Civil War” which tells the remarkable story of African Americans who fought as volunteers in Spain for democracy and for civil rights that were denied to them in their own country
Melissa Lefkowitz and Dorian Carli-Jones will present their film “China Remix” a short documentary that explores the Chinese city Guangzhou’s burgeoning African entertainment industry.
Geeta Gandbhir will present her documentary ”A Journey Of A Thousand Miles: Peacekeepers” which follows three women in an all female, predominantly Muslim unit of police officers sent to post-earthquake Haiti as UN Peacekeepers for one year.
James Richards, director of “The Bicycle” and Dallas Alexis, director of “Lift Every Voice” are also New York based filmmakers.
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4 FIlmmakers Win 2015 Lexus Short Films Series at Napa Valley Film Festival
Four filmmakers, Alexis Michalik, Byoung-Gon Moon, Damian Walshe-Howling and Pippa Bianco, are winners of the 2015 Lexus Short Films series, sponsored by Lexus and The Weinstein Company, at the Napa Valley Film Festival.
The four finalists will also receive promotional theatrical distribution for their short films, participate in a tour of top film festivals around the world and receive an at-home filmmaking and editing suite.
The Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said, “The Lexus Short Films series has been a fantastic partnership to help discover young filmmakers while shining a light on the short film format. This year’s Lexus Short Films series provided an opportunity to reach aspiring filmmakers around the world looking to gain exposure and experience through the chance to work with Lexus and The Weinstein Company. We have been truly impressed by the number and quality of submissions received with more than 4,000 submissions from over 100 countries. We look forward to helping the finalists turn their visions into truly great films.”
Lexus Short Films Season 3 Winners
1. Alexis Michalik (France, Europe)
Alexis is an actor and filmmaker who has starred in several television movies and series, such as Petits meurtres en famille, Terre de lumière and Kaboul Kitchen and feature films directed by Billy Zane, Diane Kurys, Safy Nebou, Yann Samuel, Fernando Colomo, Danièle Thompson and Alexandre Arcady. Alexis is also known for acting successfully in theater in the comedy Le Dindon, staged by Thomas Le Douarec, and Ibsen and Strindberg’s Les Fleurs Gelées. He is the founder of the theater company Los Figaros and after directing two short films, Au Sol, in 2013 and Pim-Poum le petit Panda, in 2014, Alexis continues to pursue his writing career and will direct his first feature film Escort Boys.
2. Byoung-Gon Moon (South Korea, Asia)
Moon is a filmmaker who graduated from Chung-Ang University in Seoul and is known for directing the short film No More Coffee Break, which was selected for the short film competition at the 2008 International College Peace Film Festival. Moon’s short film, Finis Operis, was a part of the short film competition of the critic’s week at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and in 2013, he directed his short film Safe, which was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
3. Damian Walshe-Howling (Australia, Oceania)
Damian is an acclaimed actor and filmmaker best known for his latest short film, Suspended, which recently screened in the official competition at international film festivals including St Kilda, Flickerfest, Nashville and Locarno in Switzerland. He is also known for his 2007 debut short film The Bloody Sweet Hit. Damian has a passion for storytelling which has taken him all over the world in pursuit of culturally diverse stories and roles. He received an AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2008 for his performance of Melbourne’s “Most Loved Murderer”, Andrew Benji Veniamin, in the original Underbelly series.
4. Pippa Bianco (United States of America, North America)
Pippa is a filmmaker who studied photography at Yale University and is currently writing and producing at Beyoncè’s Parkwood Entertainment, directing a commission for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and a writing credit on the upcoming film Bleed For This. Pippa started her career by working in independent film – assisting on Braden King’s Here (Sundance 2011) and Leslye Headland’s Bachelorette (Sundance 2012). Since then, Pippa’s films have been selected and won awards at numerous festivals including Telluride and SXSW. Pippa was also chosen as one of nine filmmakers for the American Film Institute’s Women’s Directors Program fellowship in 2014, where her short film submission, Share, won the 1st Prize in the Cinéfondation category at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Continuing her success with AFI, she is a Yaddo Filmmaker-in-Residence for the 2015-2016 term.
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“Pardon the Intrusion” “Keep in Touch” “Omo Child: The River and the Bush” Among Winners of 2015 Charleston International Film Festival
Pardon the Intrusion took home the award for Best Film at the 2015 Charleston International Film Festival. Keep in Touch took home the Jury Award for Best Feature, while The Parker Tribe and Omo Child: The River and the Bush (pictured above) won Jury Awards for Best Short and Best Documentary, respectively. Jeff Affrunti was awarded Best Screenplay for Survival of the Fittest.
The festival attendees echoed the jury’s choice for best documentary and recognized Girl on the Edge for Best Feature, If I Could Talk for Best Short, El Alpinista for Best Foreign Film, and Claire & The Keys for Best Animation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KUQqSWh_Nc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWGeOaHbr4w
The special honors of Best Actress and Best Actor went to Sterling Jerins for her role in Before the Bomb and Ben Condron for his performance in Hunter’s Fall.
Charleston IFF also presented a new award this year. The “Outstanding Supporter of the Arts” award—which will live on in perpetuity—was awarded to Mayor Joseph P. Riley for his incredible contributions to establishing and growing the arts scene in Charleston, ongoing support of the Film Festival, and service to the Charleston-area community as a whole. Mayor Riley’s son, Joe Riley III, accepted the award on his behalf.
Summer Peacher, Charleston IFF Co-Founder and Executive Director said, “We’re thrilled with how much the Festival has grown over the past eight years—from the highly competitive film selection process to the continued increase in event attendance. We’re so grateful to everyone who had a role in making this year an incredible success.”
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“I Promise You Anarchy,” “Room,” Ewan McGregor Among Award Winners of 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival
The 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival presented its award prizes to the winning films of the two Official Selection competitions –México Primero and Competencia Los Cabos– and the ones participating in the Industry platforms –Cabos in Progress and Cabos Discovery. In addition, The Protagonist Award: Excellence in Acting was given to Ewan McGregor.
PARALLEL PRIZES
The Cabos Discovery CTT EXP & Rentals Award was presented to Paulina del Paso for her film A flor de piel (Skin Deep).
The Cabos in Progress Chemistry Award was presented by Chemistry Director Andrés Martínez to Sebastián Hiriart for Carroña (Carrion)
The Cabos in Progress FOX+ Award was presented to the film La habitación (The bedroom) directed by Carlos Carrera, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Carlos Bolado, Ernesto Contreras, Alfonso Pineda Ulloa, Alejandro Valle, Iván Ávila Dueñas and Natalia Beristáin.
In addition, the Producers Network Badge Award was given to Mayra Espinosa, producer of the film Calla (Keep Quiet), presented in the Cabos Discovery platform.
Among the parallel prizes awarded to the Official Selection competing films, the México Primero Art Kingdom Award was presented to Jack Zagha for his film Almacenados (Warehoused).
The México Primero FOX+ Award was given to Alejandra Márquez’ Semana Santa.
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Jessica Sanders’ Picking Cotton received the Cabos Discovery Award.
Ricardo Silva’s El Fracaso received the Cabos in Progress Award.
OFFICIAL SELECTION AWARDS
The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) presented its Best Mexican Film Award to Te prometo anarquía (I Promise You Anarchy), directed by Julio Hernández Cordón. (pictured above)
México Primero – Cinemex Award for the Best Film was presented to Julio Hernández Cordón for Te prometo anarquía (I Promise You Anarchy).
And the Competencia Los Cabos Cinemex Award winner was Lenny Abrahamson’s Room.
The Cinemex Audience Award was also given to Room, by Lenny Abrahamson.
THE 2015 PROTAGONIST AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ACTING
The 2015 Protagonist Award for Excellence in Acting was given to Ewan McGregor.
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2015 Cork Film Festival Award Winners; TANGERINE Wins Best Film
Tangerine won the prize for best feature film, Gradam Spiorad na Féile / Spirit of the Festival Award at the 60th edition of the Cork Film Festival. Sean Baker’s feature is a twisted, high-energy Christmas tale, which casts an unflinching and comical eye on LA’s sex industry and trans community.
UK / Ukranian documentary The Russian Woodpecker was selected as the winner of the inaugural Gradam na Féile do Scannáin Faisnéise / Award for Cinematic Documentary. Described as an original and terrifying look at the legacy of the Soviet Union, it was directed by Chad Gracia. This new award, which carries a €1,000 prize, was chosen by a jury chaired by Claire Aguilar, Sheffield DocFest’s Director of Programming and Industry Engagement.
Irish short film Love is a Sting is in with a chance of Oscars® glory, after being selected as the Grand Prix Irish short film winner. Vincent Gallagher’s film will go forward to the Academy Awards® longlist in the Live Action Short Film / Animated Short Film category. The Cork Film Festival achieved the status of Academy Award® Qualifying Festival last year.
The film follows struggling writer Harold Finch, played by Séan T. Ó Meallaigh, who has an unexpected house guest in the form of Anabel – a hyper-intelligent mosquito who has literally been the fly on the wall throughout history. She is determined to communicate to Harold even if it kills her.
The Finland/Denmark-made short film Listen, was chosen as the winner of the Grand Prix International and will also go forward to the Oscars ®longlist. Listen takes place in a Copenhagen police station where a woman wearing a burqa is filing a complaint for domestic violence but her translator is unwilling to report her story.
Jonas Carpignano’s acclaimed Mediterranea – a gripping and humanizing film about the refugee crisis – was chosen as the Cork nomination to the European Parliament’s LUX Film Prize.
Romanian feature film Aferim! – Radu Jude’s Berlin Film Festival’s Silver Bear winner – won the Youth Jury Award. Naomi Kawase’s drama An – about a 75 year old Japanese woman who starts work as an assistant in a pastry kiosk – was selected as the winner of the Audience Award.
Complete list of 2015 Cork Film Festival Award Winners
Grand Prix Irish
Love is a Sting (Ireland)
Grand Prix International
Listen (Finland/Denmark)
Cork Short Award
The Great Wide Open (Cork)
Gradam Spiorad na Féile/Spirit of the Festival Award
Tangerine (US)
Gradam na Féile do Scannáin Faisnéise/Award for Cinematic Documentary
The Russian Woodpecker (UK/Ukraine)
European Parliament LUX Film Prize
Mediterranea (US)
Youth Jury Award
Aferim! ( Romania)
Cork Film Festival Nomination for the 2016 European Film Academy
90 Degrees North (Germany)
Audience Award
An – Red Bean Paste (Japan/France/Germany)
Irish Music Video Award
Bob Gallagher for Girl Band’s Paul
International Music Video Award
Eric Teidt for Simon Fagan’s Lost to the Deep
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Actor/Artist Common is 2016 Celebrity Ambassador of American Black Film Festival
Award-winning actor and artist, Common, has been selected as the 2016 celebrity ambassador of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). The ABFF will celebrate its 20th year with an exciting lineup of film screenings and an expanded schedule of networking opportunities and events, including “A Conversation with Common.” The highly anticipated festival is the nation’s largest gathering of Black film and television enthusiasts.
Along with his award-winning music career, Common has garnered accolades in film, including his 2015 Academy Award, 2015 Critic’s Choice Award and the 2015 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for “Glory” from the film Selma, as well as the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. Common has also appeared in American Gangster, Wanted, Terminator Salvation, Date Night, Just Wright, Luv, Now You See Me and Run All Night. He is among Hollywood’s most sought after leading men, and can be seen in the upcoming films, Barbershop 3, John Wick 2 and Suicide Squad. Common initially gained wide public attention as one of hip-hop’s most poetic and respected lyricists. Over his illustrious music career, Common has recorded ten studio albums, which has earned him multiple Grammy Awards.
“I’m very grateful and honored to be the ambassador for the 20th anniversary of the ABFF. The ABFF celebrates and brings together the many different voices in Black film today and I’m proud to be a part of the conversation,”? says Common.
“There is no artist I respect and admire more than Common. He is immensely talented and has proven that an artist today can achieve the highest level of commercial success without compromising his conscience and responsibility to community. Our organization could not be more pleased to have him join us for the festival’s monumental year,” says ABFF Founder Jeff Friday.
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Saoirse Ronan ‘BROOKLYN’ to Receive International Star Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival
The 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Saoirse Ronan with the International Star Award at the upcoming Festival running January 1 to 11, 2016.
“From her unforgettable roles in Atonement, The Lovely Bones, Hanna and The Grand Budapest Hotel, we have seen Saoirse Ronan grow from a young girl to the accomplished actress she is today,” said Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “In John Crowley’s new film Brooklyn, Ronan gives a mesmerizing performance as a young woman from Ireland who is offered the chance of a new life in New York. In this role, Ronan embodies the grace and depth of a classic Hollywood screen star. The Palm Springs International Film Festival is honored to present the 2016 International Star Award to Saoirse Ronan.”
Past International Star Award honorees include BAFTA and Academy Award winning actors Javier Bardem and Helen Mirren.
Brooklyn tells the profoundly moving story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother’s home for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish as a fresh romance sweeps Eilis into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her new vivacity is disrupted by her past, and she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. The film is directed by John Crowley from a screenplay by Nick Hornby based on the novel by Colm Tóibín and stars Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson and Emory Cohen, with Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ekxPFTZm1Y
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Actors Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Carlyle to be Honored at 2015 Whistler Film Festival
Actors Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Carlyle will be honored at the upcoming 15th anniversary 2015 Whistler Film Festival taking place December 2 to 6, 2015.
British-born Canadian actor, film producer, and film director Kiefer Sutherland will be honored with the WFF 2015 Trailblazer in Acting Award presented to an actor who “has carved a unique and inspiring path for themselves in film and who continues to engage audiences with meaningful and impactful work,” followed by the Western Canadian Premiere of his latest film FORSAKEN. Sutherland joins forces with ‘24’ director Jon Cassar on FORSAKEN starring opposite his father Donald Sutherland and Demi Moore, receiving its Western Canadian premiere at the fest and set to release in February 2016.
Scottish born Robert Carlyle will be honored with the WFF 2015 Maverick Award. WFF will celebrate the “exciting and versatile actor whose bold choices have led to the creation of some of the most dynamic, memorable, and beloved characters of our time.” The Whistler Film Festival will screen his feature film directorial debut THE LEGEND OF BARNEY THOMSON, which is receiving its North American premiere at the festival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG1i5T1XU-Q
Other notable talent confirmed with films premiering at the fest include: actor Rossif Sutherland (RIVER), actors Bruce Greenwood and David Cubitt (REHEARSAL), actors Katharine Isabelle, Tommie-Amber Pirie and Ennis Esmer (HOW TO PLAN AN ORGY IN A SMALL TOWN), director/writer Sandy Wilson and producer Peter O’Brian (MY AMERICAN COUSIN), actors Aleks Paunovic, Stefanie von Pfetten, Marie Avgeropoulos, and Colin Cunningham (NUMB), actor Fred Ewanuick (PATTERSON’S WAGER), actor Sage Brocklebank (SUSPENSION), actors Gabrielle Rose and Camille Sullivan (THE BIRDWATCHER), actors Enrico Colantoni and Krista Bridges (THE COLOSSAL FAILURE OF THE MODERN RELATIONSHIP), actor Paul Savoie (THE DIARY OF AN OLD MAN), director and founder of the Toronto Film Critics Association Brian D. Johnson (AL PURDY WAS HERE), and award-winning directors Philippe Lesage (THE DEMONS) and Ricardo Trogi (THE MIRAGE).