Ashland Independent Film Festival Gets A New Executive Director

Ashland Independent Film Festival Gets A New Executive Director

ashland independent film festival

The Ashland Independent Film Festival has selected the CFO of High Sierra Music, Inc., Berkeley, CA to its top job. David Margulies of Ashland will succeed Anne Ashbey as the festival’s new executive director. Pam Notch, president of the AIFF board, described Margulies as “intelligent, dynamic and resourceful, with proven successes in his field. Dave brings over 19 years of festival experience to AIFF. During his professional tenure, Dave has developed deep relationships with key sponsors and partners, garnered numerous in-kind donations and demonstrated his acumen in fundraising.”

Tribeca Film to Release Documentary on Hip-Hop Luminary, Nas "TIME IS ILLMATIC"

Tribeca Film to Release Documentary on Hip-Hop Luminary, Nas “TIME IS ILLMATIC”

TIME IS ILLMATIC 

Tribeca Film is acquiring North American rights to Time Is Illmatic, which had its world premiere as the opening night of the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival. The documentary is directed by multimedia artist, One9, written by Erik Parker, and produced by One9, Parker, and Anthony Saleh. It follows the trajectory of Nas’ 1994 landmark debut album, Illmatic — widely considered one of the most important and revolutionary albums in hip-hop. Tribeca Film is planning a simultaneous theatrical and VOD release in October along with performances by Nas in select cities. Additionally, educational youth screening series will complement the release.

Manfred Kirchheimer's Restored legendary NYC film "Stations Of The Elevated" to Premiere at BAMCinemaFest

Manfred Kirchheimer’s Restored legendary NYC film “Stations Of The Elevated” to Premiere at BAMCinemaFest

 Stations of the Elevated

APD’s Cinema Conservancy program announce the upcoming release of Stations of the Elevated (1981), a 45-minute independent documentary directed, produced and edited by Manfred Kirchheimer, in a new restoration. Shot over the course of 1977 on lush 16mm color reversal stock, the film weaves together vivid images of elevated subway trains crisscrossing New York City’s gritty urban landscape. With a complex soundtrack that combines the ambient sounds of the city with the music of Charles Mingus and Aretha Franklin, the film is an impressionistic portrait of and tribute to a New York that has long since disappeared. 

Academy Announces 2014 Student Academy Award Winners

Academy Announces 2014 Student Academy Award Winners

student academy awards-41st

Fifteen students have been selected as winners in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ 41st Student Academy Awards® competition.  They will arrive in Los Angeles for a week of industry activities that will culminate in the awards ceremony on Saturday, June 7, at 6 p.m., at the DGA Theater in Hollywood.  The medal placements – gold, silver and bronze – in the five award categories will be announced at the ceremony. 

The winners are (listed alphabetically by film title):

Filmmakers Raz Cunningham and Mel Hardy Talk About Their New Indie Comedy "Wander My Friends"

Filmmakers Raz Cunningham and Mel Hardy Talk About Their New Indie Comedy “Wander My Friends”

Wander My Friends

For indie filmmakers, getting your first feature film made is already a hurdle that oftentimes can seem insurmountable. But if you manage to run the gauntlet that is raising funds, finding the right cast, and shooting and editing the whole thing, how do you get people to actually see your pride and joy? Asking someone to click on a short YouTube video is easy, but convincing people to watch a much longer film – especially if they have to go to a theater – is tougher.

The filmmakers behind the indie comedy Wander My Friends are well on their way to overcoming that hurdle too. The movie recently had its first screening at the SENE Festival in Providence, Rhode Island to an overwhelming positive response. Written and directed by Raz Cunningham and produced by Mel Hardy (who also co-developed the story with Cunningham and star Josh Krebs), Wander My Friends is about three creators of a successful indie comic book who find themselves concerned that they will have to choose between making money from their creation and maintaining their artistic vision. In a lot of ways, it speaks to all creative types who have dreams of success but at the same time fear about losing control of their work.

Short Films Lineup Revealed for Rooftop Films 18th Annual Summer Series

Short Films Lineup Revealed for Rooftop Films 18th Annual Summer Series

Rat Pack RatRat Pack Rat

Rooftop Films returns for Opening Night with This Is What We Mean By Short Films, a selection of dynamic short films that encapsulates the adventurous spirit of our organization. Throughout the summer, Rooftop Films will screen dozens of movies from dozens of first time filmmakers, up and coming directors, and some tried and true indie favorites: Rose McGowan’s directorial debut “Dawn“, Rooftop Alum & Film Fund Grantee Todd Rohal’s Sundance Award Winning “Rat Pack Rat“, and the NY Premiere of Film Fund Grantee Lucy Walker’s “The Lion’s Mouth Opens“. 

Winners Announced for the USA Film Festival's 36th Annual National Short Film Competition

Winners Announced for the USA Film Festival’s 36th Annual National Short Film Competition

 One Armed ManOne Armed Man

The USA Film Festival announced the winners of the 36th Annual National Short Film & Video Competition. The awards program took place on Closing Night of the 44th Annual USA Film Festival in Dallas.  One Armed Man, directed byTim Guinee, won the First Place award for Fiction; Confusion Through Sand directed by Danny Madden won the First Place award for Animation and Not Anymore: A Story of Revolution directed by Matthew VanDyke won the First Place award for Non-Fiction.

More Films Added to 2014 Cannes Film Festival

More Films Added to 2014 Cannes Film Festival

White God by Kornél MundruczóWhite God by Kornél Mundruczó

Six more films have been added to the Official Selections of 2014 Cannes Film Festival taking place May 14th to May May 25th. Films include In The Name of my Daughter will screen in Out of Competition, and White God by Kornél Mundruczó will screen in Un Certain Regard section.