• Deadline Approaching for 2015 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Competition

    [caption id="attachment_7829" align="alignnone" width="960"]Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting 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.

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  • Grindhouse-Style Feminist Thriller THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE on VOD May 1st

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    John Stuart Wildman’s THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE Gravitas Ventures will release John Stuart Wildman’s THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE on VOD, May 1st. The grindhouse-style feminist thriller will wrap up a successful year-long film festival run with an appearance at the Nashville Film Festival on Friday, April 16 as part of the fest’s Graveyard Shift lineup prior to the VOD date. The film is currently available for pre-order on iTunes. Featuring a screenplay by Justina Walford and Wildman, the film stars Farah White, Melodie Sisk, Brina Palencia, Samrat Chakrabarti, and Michelle “Belladonna” Sinclair and was produced by White, Wildman, Walford and Adam Dietrich. THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE made its world premiere at last year’s Dallas International Film Festival. THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE follows the fate of two brothers, Jacob and Kai, who, along with their friend Derek, go to a dance club to celebrate Kai’s birthday. After Derek convinces the other two to follow one of the dancers home, things take a tragic turn resulting in the young woman’s death. However, that is simply the beginning of the nightmare for the young men, because her roommates (Getty, Lin and Crystal) aren’t just fellow dancers, they are also cannibals with a fierce sense of home and family – and a taste for men. After Kai quickly falls victim to Getty and Lin and is on his way to becoming the centerpiece of that evening’s meal, Derek tries to figure out how to escape while Jacob discovers his survival may hinge on the twisted desire and whims of Crystal, the beautiful and sociopathic “baby” of the family. THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE marks the feature film directorial debut for Wildman, who is the Senior Publicist for the Film Society of Lincoln Center. The former Head of Press & Public Relations for the American Film Institute, as well as the PR Director for AFI FEST and the DALLAS International Film Festival, Wildman has headed the PR efforts for film festivals across the country and written for numerous film sites (Film Threat.com, Film Comment.com, etc.). THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE was executive produced by Ruth Mutch (INFINITELY POLAR BEAR, LITTLE ACCIDENTS), and co-executive produced by Debbi Berlin. The film was shot and produced in Dallas, Texas.

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  • Montclair Film Festival Unveils 2015 Competition Lineups and Main Slate

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    Fidelio: Alice’s Journey (Fidelio: L’Odyssée d’Alice) The Montclair Film Festival (MFF) announced the festival’s inaugural competition lineups and main slate selections for the 4th annual Montclair Film Festival, May 1-10 in Montclair, NJ. This year’s festival features over 135 feature and short films, and for the first time will cover ten days, expanding from seven days in its first three years. For the first time, the festival will feature filmmaking awards, competitions and audience awards, all of which will be presented on Saturday, May 9th at the MFF’s inaugural Filmmaker Awards ceremony. Competitive categories include the Narrative Feature Competition, Documentary Feature Competition, Future/Now, honoring emerging low-budget American independent filmmaking, and the New Jersey Films Competition, which honors a selected group of films made by New Jersey artists. Audience Awards will be given in the Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, World Cinema, and Short film categories. The festival will also present two awards in honor of the late David Carr and Bruce Sinofsky, both Montclair residents. The David Carr Award for Truth in Non-Fiction Filmmaking will honor a filmmaker, selected by the festival, who utilizes journalistic techniques to explore important contemporary subjects. In conjunction with the Carr family, this award is established by the festival in memory of David Carr and will be presented by Mr. Carr’s friend and colleague Brian Stelter (CNN’s Reliable Sources). The Bruce Sinofsky Prize will be awarded to the winning film in the festival’s Documentary Feature competition, awarded by the festival’s Documentary Competition Jury.  In conjunction with the Sinofsky family, this award is established by the festival in memory of Bruce Sinofsky and will be presented by Mr. Sinofsky’s long time friend and collaborator Joe Berlinger (Paradise Lost I, II, and III). Both awards are established in perpetuity. “We are deeply humbled to honor the memory of our friends David Carr and Bruce Sinofsky at the festival, and we look forward to welcoming the filmmaking community to Montclair,”said MFF founder and Chairman Bob Feinberg. “This year’s program features films from around the world that address the diversity and sophistication of our audiences,”said MFF Executive Director Tom Hall. “We are incredibly proud to be able to bring this lineup of powerful, state of the art filmmaking to Montclair.” Narrative Feature Competition Fidelio: Alice’s Journey (Fidelio: L’Odyssée d’Alice), directed by Lucie Borleteau (France), The Fool (Durak), directed by Yury Bykov (Russia), Goodnight, Mommy (Ich Seh, Ich Seh), directed by Severin Fiala and Veronika Franz (Germany), Heaven Knows What, directed by Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie (USA),Margarita, With A Straw, directed by Shonali Bose (India), The Tribe (Plemya), directed by Miroslav Slaboshpitsky(Ukraine). Jurors: Thelma Adams (Critic), Eric Hynes (Reverse Shot), Stephen Whitty (Star Ledger, NJ.com) Documentary Feature Competition The Armor Of Light, directed by Abigail Disney (USA), Best Of Enemies, directed by Morgan Neville and Robert Gordon (USA), Deep Web, directed by Alex Winter (USA), Listen To Me, Marlon, directed by Stevan Riley (UK),Peace Officer, directed by Scott Christopherson and Brad Barber (USA), The Russian Woodpecker, directed by Chad Gracia (USA). Jurors: Logan Hill (Critic), Joe Neumaier (NY Daily News), Jordan Zakarian (Yahoo Movies) Future/Now Competition Edén, directed by Elise DuRant (USA, Mexico), God Bless The Child, directed by Robert Machoian and Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck (USA), Jackrabbit, directed by Carleton Ranney (USA), Lamb, directed by Ross Partridge (USA), Tears Of God, directed by Robert Hillyer Barnett (USA),Tired Moonlight, directed by Britni West (USA). Jurors: Jeremy Boxer (Creative Director, Film & Video, Vimeo), Eric Kohn (Deputy Editor, Chief Film Critic, Indiewire), Dan Schoenbrun (Film Outreach Lead, Kickstarter) New Jersey Films Competition Christmas, Again, directed by Charles Poekel (USA), The One That Got Away directed by John Block (USA), Some Kind Of Spark, directed by Ben Niles (USA), Stinking Heaven, directed by Nathan Silver (USA), Sunshine Superman, directed by Marah Strauch (USA), Thought Crimes, directed by Erin Lee Car (USA). Jurors: Georgette Gilmore (Baristanet), Christina Kotlar (Film Festival reViews), Lacey Schwartz (CEO, Truth Aid). The 2015 Montclair Film Festival   Feature Films   5 FLIGHTS UP Director: Richard Loncraine Producers: Charlie Peters, Lori McCreary, Curtis Burch, Tracy Mercer Cast:  Michael Cristofer, Diane Keaton, Morgan Freeman, Cynthia Nixon, Claire van der Boom, Korey Jackson, Carrie Preston, Sterling Jerins, Josh Pais, Miriam Shor, Alysia Reiner USA/92 Min   7 CHINESE BROTHERS Director: Bob Byington Producers: Molly Christie Benson, Seana Flanagan, Nancy Schafer CAST:  Jason Schwartzman, Olympia Dukakis, Tunde Adebimpe, Eleanore Pienta USA/76 Min   THE ARMOR OF LIGHT Director: Abigail Disney Producers: Eva Anisko, Kathleen Hughes USA/90 Min   BARGE Director: Ben Powell Producers: Ben Powell, Dave Schachter USA/71 Min   BEST OF ENEMIES Director: Morgan Neville, Robert Gordon Producers: Caryn Capotosto, Julie Goldman USA/88 Min   THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION Director: Stanley Nelson Producers: Laurens Grant USA/116 Min   BOULEVARD Director: Dito Montiel Producers: Monica Aguirre Diez Barroso, Mia Chang, Jeffrey Gelber, Ryan Belenzon Cast: Robin Williams, Kathy Baker, Roberto Aguire, Bob Odenkirk, Giles Matthey, Eleonore Hendricks USA/89 Min   BOY AND THE WORLD  (O MENINO E O MUNDO) Director: Alê Abreu Producers:  Tita Tessler, Fernanda Carvalho Brazil/80 Min   CALL ME LUCKY Director: Bobcat Goldthwait Producers: Charlie Fonville, Clinton Trucks Featuring:  Barry Crimmins, David Cross, Margaret Cho, Steven Wright, Patton Oswalt USA/107 Min   CEREMONY FOR THIS TIME (2015) with CEREMONY FOR OUR TIME (1995) Director: Daryl Ferrara Producers: Rick Kitts, Whitney Kitts, Thomas Lupfer, Daryl Ferrara, Kate Forsatz USA/58 Min   CHRISTMAS, AGAIN Director: Charles Poekel Producers: Charles Poekel Cast: Kentucker Audley, Hannah Gross USA/80 Min   CITY OF GOLD Director: Laura Gabbert Producers: Laura Gabbert, Holly Becker USA/91 Min   DANNY SAYS Director: Brendan Toller Producers: Pamela Lubell Featuring:  Danny Fields, Iggy Pop, Alice Cooper, Judy Collins, Jonathan Richman USA/103 Min   DEEP WEB Director:  Alex Winter Producers: Marc Schiller, Alex Winter, Glen Zipper USA/90 Min   THE DINNER (I NOSTRI RAGAZZI) Director: Ivano De Matteo Producers: Caldecott Chubb, Marco Poccioni, Marco Valsania Cast: Allessandro Gassman, Giovanna Mezzogiorno, Luigi Lo Cascio, Babora Bobulova, Rosabell Laurenti Sellers, Jacopo Olmo Antinori Italy/93 Min   (DIS)HONESTY – THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES Director: Yael Melamede Producers: Yael Melamede, Dan Ariely USA/90 Min   DO I SOUND GAY? Director: David Thorpe Producers: Howard Gertler, David Thorpe USA/77 Min   DREAM/KILLER Director: Andrew Jenks Producers:  Chip Rosenbloom, Andrew Jenks, Dylan Ratigan USA/106 Min   DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD: THE STORY OF THE NATIONAL LAMPOON Director: Doug Tirola Producers: John Battsek, Molly Thompson, Douglas Tirola, Susan Bedusa, Dirk Hoogstra USA/94 Min   EDÉN Director: Elise DuRant Producers: José Leandro Córdova Lucas Cast: Will Oldham, Diana Sedano, Paula María Landa Hartasánchez USA, Mexico/95 Min   FIDELIO: ALICE’S ODYSSEY (FIDELIO, L’ODYSSÉE D’ALICE) Director: Lucie Borleteau Producers: Marine Arrighi de Casanova Cast: Ariane Labed, Melvil Poupaud, Anders Danielsen Lie, Pascal Tagnati, Corneliu Dragomirescu, Jean-Louis Coulloc’h, Bogdan Zamfir France/95 Min   THE FOOL (DURAK) Director: Yury Bykov Producers: Alexey Uchitel, Kira Saksaganskaya Cast: Artem Bystrov, Nataliya Surkova, Boris Nevzorov, Kirill Polukhin, Darya Moroz, Yury Tsurilo, Irina Nizina, Alexander Korshunov Russia/116 Min   FROM THIS DAY FORWARD Director: Sharon Shattuck Producers: Martha Shane, Sharon Shattuck USA/75 Min   GIRLS SHOW Director: David Krantz Producers: Rebecca Atwood, Kyle Luker USA/73 Min   GOD BLESS THE CHILD Directors: Robert Machoian, Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck Producers: Laura Heberton, Robert John Thomas Cast: Harper Graham, Elias Graham, Arri Graham, Ezra Graham, Jonah Graham USA/94 Min   GOODNIGHT MOMMY (ICH SEH, ICH SEH) Directors: Severin Fiala, Veronika Franz Producer: Ulrich Seidl CAST:  Susanne Wuest, Lukas Scharz, Elias Scharz Germany/100 Min   HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT Director: Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie Producers: Oscar Boyson, Sebastian Bear-McClard Cast:  Arielle Holmes, Caleb Landry Jones, Buddy Duress, Necro, Eleonore Hendricks USA/95 Min   HELLO, MY NAME IS DORIS Director: Michael Showalter Producers: Daniela Taplin Lundberg, Riva Marker, Daniel Crown, Michael Showalter, Jordana Mollick, Kevin Mann Cast: Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Stephen Root, Jack Antonoff, Natasha Lyonne, Tyne Daly USA/ 95 Min   HOLBROOK/TWAIN: AN AMERICAN ODYSSEY Director: Scott Teems Producer: Laura D. Smith USA/95 Min   HOT TYPE: 150 YEARS OF THE NATION Director: Barbara Kopple Producers: Barbara Kopple, Suzanne Mitchell USA/92 Min   HOW TO DANCE IN OHIO Director: Alexandra Shiva Producers: Bari Pearlman USA/89 Min   HUNGRY HEARTS  (Il bambino indaco) Director: Saverio Costanzo Producers: Mario Gianani, Lorenzo Mieli Cast: Adam Driver, Alba Rohrwacher, Roberta Maxwell Italy, USA/109 Min   I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS Director: Brett Haley Producers: Rebecca Green, Laura D. Smith, and Brett Haley Cast:  Blythe Danner, Martin Starr, Sam Elliott, Malin Akerman, June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, Mary Kay Place USA/92 Min   IN MY FATHER’S HOUSE Director:  Ricki Stern, Annie Sundberg Producers: Ricki Stern, Annie Sundberg, Charles Miller Featuring: Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Donnie Smith, Brian Tillman USA/93 Min   IN THE NAME OF MY DAUGHTER (L’HOMME QU’ON AIMAIT TROP) Director:  André Téchiné Producers: Olivier Delbosc, Marc Missonnier, Guillaume Canet Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Guillaume Canet, Adèle Haenel, Judith Chemla, Jean Corso France/116 Min   JACKRABBIT Director:  Carleton Ranney Producers: Destin Douglas, Rebecca Rose Perkins, Joe Stankus Cast: Josh Caras, Ian Christopher Noel, Joslyn Jensen, Reed Birney USA/100 Min   JIMMY’S HALL Director:  Ken Loach Producer: Rebecca O’Brien Cast: Barry Ward, Francis Magee, Aileen Henry, Simone Kirby, Stella McGirl, Sorcha Fox, Martin Lucey, Mikel Murfi United Kingdom, Ireland, France/106 Min   THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER (HAGANENET) Director: Nadav Lapid Producers: Talia Kleinhendler, Osnat Handelsman-Keren, Caroline Benjo Cast: Sarit Larry, Avi Shnaidman, Lori Raz,  Hamuchtar Israel, France/120 Min   KURT COBAIN: MONTAGE OF HECK Director: Brett Morgen Executive Producers: Frances Bean Cobain, David Byrnes, Lawrence Mestel, Sheila Nevins Producers: Brett Morgen, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Sara Bernstein USA/132 Min   LAMB Director: Ross Partridge Producers: Mel Eslyn, Taylor Williams Cast: Ross Partridge, Oona Laurence, Jess Weixler, Tom Bower, Scoot McNairy USA/97 Min   THE LAST DIAMOND (LE DERNIER DIAMANT) Director: Eric Barbier Producers:   Farid Lahouassa, Aïssa Djabri Cast: Yvan Attal, Bérénice Bejo, Jean-François Stévenin, Antoine Basler, Jacques Spiesser France, Belgium, Luxembourg/109 Min   LISTEN TO ME MARLON Director: Stevan Riley Producers: John Battsek, RJ Cutler, George Chignell UK/102 Min   LOVE AND MERCY Director: Bill Pohlad Producers: Bill Pohlad, Claire Rudnick Polstein, John Wells Cast: John Cusack, Paul Dano, Elizabeth Banks, Paul Giamatti USA/120 Min   LOVE AT FIRST FIGHT (LES COMBETTANTS) Director: Thomas Cailley Producer: Pierre Guyard Cast: Adèle Haenel, Kévin Azaïs, Antoine Laurent France/98 Min   THE LOVE SONG OF R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER Director: Sam Green Producer: Sam Green Live Score Performance by Yo La Tengo USA/ 75 Min MANGLEHORN Director: David Gordon Green Producers: Lisa Muskat, David Gordon Green, Derrick Tseng, Molly Conners, Christopher Woodrow Cast:  Al Pacino, Holly Hunter, Harmony Korine, Chris Messina USA/97 Min   MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW Director:  Shonali Bose Producer: Gayatri Gulati Cast: Kalki Koechlin India/100 Min   MAVIS! Director: Jessica Edwards Producers: Jessica Edwards, Rachel Mills Featuring: Mavis Staples USA/ 85 Min   ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rajon Executive Producer: Nora Skinner Producers: Jeremy Dawson, Dan Fogelman, Steven M. Rales Cast: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke, Molly Shannon, Connie Britton, Nick Offerman USA/ 104 Min   MOST LIKELY TO SUCCEED Director: Greg Whiteley Producer: Adam Leibowitz USA/86 Min   THE NEW GIRLFRIEND (UNE NOUVELLE AMIE) DIRECTOR:   François Ozon PRODUCER:  Eric Altmayer, Nicolas Altmayer CAST:   Romain Duris, Anaïs Demoustier, Raphaël Personnaz France/109 Min   THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY Director: John Block Producers: John Block, Steve McCarthy USA/70 Min   OUT IN THE NIGHT Director: Blair Dorosh-Walther Producers: Giovanna Chesler, Mridu Chandra, Yoruba Richen USA/75 Min   PEACE OFFICER Director: Scott Christopherson, Brad Barber Producers: Scott Christopherson, Brad Barber, Dave Lawrence USA/109 Min   PEOPLE, PLACES, THINGS Director:  Jim Strouse Producers: Michael B. Clark, Alex Turtletaub Cast: Jemaine Clement, Regina Hall, Stephanie Allynne, Jessica Williams, Michael Chernus USA/86 Min   THE RUSSIAN WOODPECKER Director: Chad Gracia Producers: Mike Lerner, Ram Devineni USA/82 Min   THE SANDWICH NAZI Director: Lewis Bennett Producers: Calum MacLeod, Lewis Bennett, Benjamin Taft Canada/72 Min   SCENE OF THE CRIME (LE LIEU DU CRIME) (1986) Director: André Téchiné Producers: Alain Terzian Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Danielle Darrieux, Wadeck Stanczak, Nicolas Giraudi, Jean Bousquet, Philippe Landoulsi France/90 Min   THE SECOND MOTHER (QUE HORAS ELA VOLTA?) Director: Anna Muylaert Producers: Fabiano Gullane, Caio Gullane, Debora Ivanov, Anna Muylaert Cast: Regina Casé, Michel Joelsas, Camila Márdila, Karine Teles, Lourenço Mutarelli Brazil/110 Min   SEX AND BROADCASTING Director: Tim K. Smith Producers: Caitlin Mae Burke, Tim K. Smith USA/78 Min   SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE Director: Leslye Headland Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell, Adam McKay, Sidney Kimmel Cast: Alison Brie,  Adam Scott,  Amanda Peet, Jason Mantzoukas, Natasha Lyonne, Jason Sudeikis USA/101 Min   SLOW WEST Director: John Maclean Producers: Iain Canning, Emile Sherman, Conor McCaughan, Rachel Gardner Cast:  Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Fassbender, Ben Mendelsohn, Caren Pistorius, Rory McCann United Kingdom, New Zealand/84 Min   SOME KIND OF SPARK Director: Ben Niles Producer: Ben Niles USA/90 Min   STINKING HEAVEN Director: Nathan Silver Producer: Rachel Wolther Cast: Hannah Gross, Deragh Campbell, Keith Poulson, Eléonore Hendricks, Tallie Medel, Henri Douvry, Jason Giampietro, Jason Grisell, Eileen Kearney, Larry Novak USA/70 Min   SUNSHINE SUPERMAN Director: Marah Strauch Producers: Eric Bruggemann, Marah Strauch, Lars Loge USA/101 Min   TEARS OF GOD Director: Robert Hillyer Barnett Producers: Diamando Proimos CAST:  Kate Lyn Sheil, Samuel T. Herring, Lindsay Burdge, Kira Pearson, Audrey Speicher, Amara Gyulai, Michael Crabtree USA/67 Min   (T)ERROR Directors:  Lyric R. Cabral, David Felix Sutcliffe Producers: Christopher St. John, Lyric R. Cabral, David Felix Sutcliffe USA/83 Min   THOUGHT CRIMES Director: Erin Lee Carr Producers: Andrew Rossi USA/81 Min   TIME OUT OF MIND Director: Oren Moverman Producers: Richard Gere, Lawrence Inglee, Caroline Kaplan, Edward Walson, Miranda Bailey, Bill Pohlad Cast: Richard Gere, Ben Vereen, Jena Malone,  Steve Buscemi USA/117 Min   TIRED MOONLIGHT Director: Britni West Producers: Britni West Cast: Liz Randall, Paul Dickinson,Hillary Berg, Rainleigh Vick,  Alex Karpovsky, Charles Smith, Nick Stockton USA/76 Min   TOP SPIN Director: Mina T. Son, Sara Newens Producers: Mina T. Son, Sara Newens USA/81 Min   THE TRIBE (PLEMYA) Director: Miroslav Slaboshpitsky Producers: Miroslav Slaboshpitsky Cast: Grigoriy Fesenko, Yana Novikova, Rosa Babiy, Alexander Dsiadevich Ukraine/130 Min   UNEXPECTED Director: Kris Swanberg Producer: Andrea Roa Starring: Cobie Smulders, Gail Bean, Anders Holm, Elizabeth McGovern USA/ 85 Min   VERY SEMI-SERIOUS Director: Leah Wolchok Producers: Davina Pardo, Leah Wolchok USA/79 Min   WELCOME TO LEITH Directors:  Michael Beach Nichols, Christopher K. Walker Producers:  Michael Beach Nichols, Christopher K. Walker, Jenner Furst, Joey Carey, Joshua Woltermann USA/86 Min   WESTERN Director: Bill Ross, Turner Ross Producers: Michael Gottwald USA/93 Min   WHAT HAPPENED, MISS SIMONE ? Director: Liz Garbus Producers: Amy Hobby, Liz Garbus, Justin Wilkes, Jayson Jackson, Lisa Nishimura, Adam Del Deo USA/104 Min   WIND ON THE MOON Director: Yi Seung-jun Producer: Min-chul Kim South Korea/100 Min   X+Y Director: Morgan Matthews Producers: Laura Hastings-Smith, David M. Thompson, Ed Rubin Cast: Asa Butterfield, Rafe Spall, Sally Hawkins UK/111 Min   SHORT FILMS A.D. 1163, THE END OF CHIVALRY Director: Jake Mahaffy US/New Zealand/3 Min   ADJUST-A-DREAM Director: Jonathan Wysocki USA/6 Min   THE ANNIVERSARY Director: Henry Chaisson USA/8 Min   BLACK CARD Director: Pete Chatmon USA/14 Min   CAST IN INDIA Director: Natasha Raheja USA/26 Min   THE CHARITY STRIPE Director: Aaron Hodgins Davis USA/17 Min   CINDY SHERMAN: “UNTITLED FILM STILLS” Director: Douglas Sloan USA/4 Min   COACH Director: Ben Adler France/14 Min   COMIC BOOK HEAVEN Director: E.J. McLeavey-Fisher USA/12 Min   CROOKED CANDY Director: Andrew Rodgers USA/6 Min   DANIEL IN THE LION’S DENS Director: Joseph Robert Redl USA/14 Min   DOWN IN FLAMES: THE TRUE STORT OF TONY “VOLCANO” VALENCI Director: William J. Stribling USA/29 Min   THE EMISSARY Director: Rudy Dobrev USA /13 Min   EXIT ROAD Director: Yuri Alves USA/13 Min   FALLING TO PIECES Directors: Chris Connolly, Vivian Connolly USA/18 Min   THE FACE OF UKRAINE: CASTING OKSANA BAIUL Director: Kitty Green Ukraine/Australia/7 Min   GEORGE AND THE VACCUMM Director: Chadd Harbold USA/6 Min   GONE IN THE DARK Director: Steven Moreno USA/16 Min   JUSTINE Director: Eric Shahinian USA/6 Min   LATTER-GAY SAINTS Director: Brittany Knotts USA/20 Min   THE MANY SAD FATES OF MR. TOLEDANO Director: Joshua Seftel USA/25 Min   MESHING Director: John Kim USA/8 Min   THE MISADVENTURES OF LANDON Director: Jon Milano USA/17 Min   MUCK Director: Bruce Smolanoff USA/14 Min   MYRNA THE MONSTER Director: Ian Samuels USA/14 Min   NUGGET Director: Sarah Salovaara USA/10 Min   PILL Director: Amelia Arnold USA/21 Min   PRE- PRE SCHOOL Director: Troy Hall USA/Canada/8 Min   ROOTLESS Director: Xue Yu China/ 26 Min   SATURDAY Director: Mike Forshaw UK/15 Min   SPEARHUNTER Directors: Adam Roffman, Luke Poling USA/14 Min   SPECIAL FEATURES Director: James N. Kienitz Wilkins USA/12 Min   TILL DARK Director: Quinn Shephard USA/12 Min   UNMAPPABLE Director: Diane Hodson, Jasmine Luoma USA/ 23 Min  

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  • Josh Braun to Receive 2015 Advocate Award at Full Frame Documentary Film Festival

    fullframe_documentary_film_festival Josh Braun, co-president of Submarine Entertainment will be presented with the 2015 Advocate Award at the upcoming Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. Full Frame’s Director, Deirdre Haj, presents the Full Frame Advocate Award in recognition of individuals who have supported the documentary medium and the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival. Braun will receive this honor at the festival’s Awards Barbecue on Sunday, April 12. Previous recipients of the Advocate Award are Jim Goodmon and Michael Goodmon, Triangle, philanthropists and developers; Molly Thompson, President of A&E IndieFilms; and longtime Full Frame advisor Wyndham Robertson. Braun is the co-president of Submarine, a hybrid sales and production company which he and his twin brother, Dan, formed in 2001. Recent films sold by Submarine include the Oscar®-winning documentariesCitizenfour, 20 Feet from Stardom, Searching for Sugar Man, and Man on Wire. Other titles includeSunshine Superman, The Wolfpack, Dior and I, Best of Enemies, 3 ½ Minutes, Battered Bastards of Baseball, The Unknown Known, Finding Vivian Maier, Blackfish, Dirty Wars, Queen of Versailles, Tabloid,Page One: Inside the New York Times, Cave of Forgotten Dreams, Bill Cunningham New York, Food, Inc.,Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work, Valentino: The Last Emperor, and many others. Braun has executive produced numerous documentaries including The Unknown Known, Patrolman P, Seamless, Gramercy Park Hotel, Cat Dancers, Billionaire, Easy Riders Raging Bulls, Kill Your Idols, Page One: Inside the New York Times, and Ivory Tower.    “When one thinks of an advocate for documentary film, many professionals come to mind, but the tireless sales agent rarely comes first,” said Full Frame Director Deirdre Haj. “Josh is a genius at promoting documentaries that have become household names, award winners and game changers. He is in many ways responsible for the popularity the genre enjoys. For this we honor him with this year’s Advocate Award.” Braun is committed to finding films that instill in him a passionate response. He states, “I tell the younger guys in our office, the starting point is that you love it, and it excites you. If that is true then it is likely that other people will feel the same way. Some films are obvious, you know they will play well, but others…you have to go with your instincts.” Laura Poitras, director of Citizenfour, said, “I am deeply grateful to Josh and his work on Citizenfour. He was able to navigate our complex distribution plans and keep everything under the radar. We asked him to break many rules, which he did gracefully. He is a great advocate for cinema and filmmakers.” “Braun is an expert advisor of documentary filmmakers, advocating for their work and fairly representing them so they enjoy commercial success,” said Haj. “Some of these films anyone could have sold,” Braun added. “It is the films where how we intervened mattered, that is where I derive the most satisfaction.” The 18th Annual Full Frame Documentary Film Festival will be held April 9-12, 2015, in Durham, N.C., with Duke University as the presenting sponsor.

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  • CAT SHOW and AMERICA RECYCLED Win Top Awards at American Documentary Film Festival

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    [caption id="attachment_7813" align="alignnone" width="640"]cat_show_documentary CAT SHOW[/caption]   The 4th annual edition of The American Documentary Film Festival (AMDocs) called it a wrap on Monday, March 30, 2015, with its signature Closing Night Mystery Screening and Film Festival Awards Presentation. Director Peter Bogdanovich was the recipient of the 2015 Filmmaker Who Makes a Difference Award, Dr. Ronni Sanlo (the subject of the film, LETTER TO ANITA) was the recipient of the 2015 Rozene Supple Humanitarian Award, and the film,SPARTANS, was the recipient of the 2015 Robert Drew Verite Award. Three film projects were awarded American Documentary Film Fund Grants this year, including POW WOW, PERSONHOOD, and THE TROUBLE WITH RAY. Each year, The American Documentary Film Fund provides up to $50,000 in grants to independent American filmmakers. Applicants must provide detailed story outlines and budgets for their works in progress or new projects. Filmmakers screen a five (5) minute preview of their film projects before an industry panel of judges and take part in a ten minute Q&A about their projects. This year’s Film Awards were also announced as follows: 2015 Best Foreign Feature Documentary: CAT SHOW (U.K./Australia), 2015 Best Foreign Short Documentary: HONEY ON WOUNDS (Romania),2015 Best Animated Short(s): DEATH & THE MAIDEN (Israel/Germany) and THE LOST MARINER(Netherlands/Canada),  2015 Best American Feature Documentary: AMERICA RECYCLED, and 2015 Best American Short Documentary: SEEING THE FULL SOUNDING.

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  • THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT Sets July 17th Release Date

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    THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT directed by Kyle Patrick Alvarez, based on the real-life research of Dr. Zimbardo, on the psychology of imprisonment, will open in theaters via IFC Films on July 17th. It is the summer of 1971. Dr. Philip Zimbardo launches a study on the psychology of imprisonment. Twenty-four male undergraduates are randomly assigned to be either a guard or a prisoner. Set in a simulated jail, the project unfolds. The participants rapidly embody their roles—the guards become power-hungry and sadistic, while the prisoners, subject to degradation, strategize as underdogs. It soon becomes clear that, as Zimbardo and team monitor the escalation of action through surveillance cameras, they are not fully aware of how they, too, have become part of the experiment. Based on the real-life research of Dr. Zimbardo (who was a consultant on the film), THE STANFORD PRISON EXPERIMENT is a dramatic period piece that remains relevant over 40 years later. Along with an impressive cast, including Billy Crudup as Zimbardo, Kyle Patrick Alvarez (C.O.G., 2013 Sundance Film Festival) delivers an intense, visceral film about the role of power that plays to both chilling and exhilarating effect. Features an excellent roster of young talent, including Ezra Miller, Tye Sheridan, Olivia Thirlby, Michael Anganaro, Logan Miller, Thomas Mann, Keir Gilchrist, Johnny Simmons, Moises Arias, Jack Kilmer, Chris Sheffield, Ki Hong Lee, and James Frechville, to name a few.

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  • Comedian Tig Notaro Documentary Kicks Off Film Lineup for 2015 Hot Docs

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    [caption id="attachment_7799" align="alignnone" width="1500"]Comedian Tig Notaro Documentary TIG Comedian Tig Notaro Documentary TIG[/caption]   210 documentaries from 44 countries will be featured at the upcoming 22nd edition of Hot Docs, taking place April 23 to May 3, 2015.  The Festival will opens with the international premiere of directors Kristina Goolsby and Ashley York’s TIG (USA, 2014, 95 min), described as a testament to comedian Tig Notaro’s defiant spirit and incredible humor in the face of adversity. This year’s Scotiabank Big Ideas Series will welcome such notable subjects as: Grammy-nominated comedian Tig Notaro (TIG); charismatic former Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador Danny Williams, subject of (DANNY); director Alex Winter, WIRED senior writer Andy Greenberg and the parents of subject Ross Ulbricht (DEEP WEB); Ex-Fugee Pras Michel (SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT); and Olympic Gold Medal–winning hockey player Charline Labonté, former Major League Baseball player Billy Bean and American college football player Conner Mertens (OUT TO WIN). Hot Docs announce DocX, a new program that celebrates innovative documentary storytelling through new technologies and original experiences, will feature a one-night-only participatory live performance of Katerina Cizek’s HIGHRISE: UNIVERSE WITHIN, LIVE. Festival audiences will also have the opportunity to experience the DocX Virtual Reality Showcase, a free exhibit at the Isabel Bader Theatre, available to view from Friday, April 24 to Friday, May 1, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. In addition to the opening night international premiere of Kristina Goolsby and Ashley York’s TIG, a testament to comedian Tig Notaro’s defiant spirit and incredible humour in the face of adversity, other notable films in the Special Presentations program include: Andreas Koefoed’s THE ARMS DROP, which follows a British arms dealer’s hunt for the MI5 agent who betrayed him; Violeta Ayala’s THE BOLIVIAN CASE, a sensational exposé about three teenage girls caught smuggling cocaine; Jessica Edwards’ MAVIS!, a powerful film rich with songs and stories from music legend and civil rights icon Mavis Staples; Nick Berardini’s TOM SWIFT AND HIS ELECTRIC RIFLE, an investigative look at the allegedly non-lethal TASER gun; Matthias Bittner’s WAR OF LIES, a riveting account about the effects of misinformation about weapons of mass destruction; and Bill Ross IV and Turner Ross’ WESTERN, a subtle portrait of the ever-growing divide between two towns straddling the US-Mexico border. In the competitive Canadian Spectrum program, notable films include: Charles Wilkinson’s HAIDA GWAII: ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, a look at a sustainable and healing community at risk from a proposed oil tanker route; Shelly Saywell’s LOWDOWN TRACKS, which tells the stories of five transient musicians on Toronto’s streets; Su Rynard’s THE MESSENGER, which highlights ever-worsening environmental devastation through the alarming disappearance of songbirds; Rama Rau’s NO PLACE TO HIDE: THE REHTAEH PARSONS STORY, an alarming account of the effects of cyber-bullying; and André-Line Beauparlant’s PINOCCHIO, a deeply personal portrait of the struggle to trust someone who feels no obligation to the truth. In the competitive International Spectrum program, notable films include: Malin Andersson’s BLOOD SISTERS, the story of twin sisters bound by trauma; Karen Guthrie’s THE CLOSER WE GET, a sharply focused snapshot of strained family dynamics; Ramyata Limbu, Amy Benson and Scott Squire’s DRAWING THE TIGER, a powerful portrait of a studious daughter carrying her family’s hopes for a brighter future; and Ross Sutherland’s STAND BY FOR TAPE BACK-UP, a poetic and humourous meditation on memory and loss. In the World Showcase program, notable films include: Yael Melamede’s (DIS)HONESTY—THE TRUTH ABOUT LIES, a fascinating and insightful study on honesty; Monika Pawluczuk’s END OF THE WORLD, a revealing look at personal struggles as the Mayan doomsday prophecy looms in the night; Maya Newell’s GAYBY BABY, a moving and honest film about the lives of children of same-sex parents; Scott Christopherson and Brad Barber’s PEACE OFFICER, a timely investigation of the controversies behind recent police shootings and the militarization of American law enforcement; and Gillian Laub’s SOUTHERN RITES, a complex look at race relations and the true pace of progress in America. The Made In India program includes: Spandan Banerjee’s ENGLISH INDIA, a look at a country coming to terms with its own identity as it shakes off the weight of its colonial past; Parvez Sharma’s A SINNER IN MECCA, a fascinating personal essay on a gay Muslim’s inner-most struggles, and Anuj Adlakha and Farha Alam’s THE SUPERSTARS OF KOTI, a coming-of-age tale about three boys united as “chosen ones.” The Next program includes: Luke Meyer’s BREAKING A MONSTER, a behind-the-scenes look at the tension between being a kid amidst the overwhelming demands of the music industry machine; and David Shapiro’s MISSING PEOPLE, an engrossing examination of the effects of violence on the psyche. The Nightvision program includes: Bryan Carberry and Clay Tweel’s FINDERS KEEPERS, a stranger-than-fiction tale of a human foot inadvertently bought at an auction; and Rodney Ascher’s THE NIGHTMARE, a real-life horror film about the mysterious phenomenon of sleep paralysis. The Show Me the Funny program includes: Howie Mandel, Reed Grinsell and Steve Sunshine’s COMMITTED, an inspiring look at the hard road to success; and Bao Nguyen’s LIVE FROM NEW YORK!, the story of SNL’s enduring brand of television magic as told by the show’s countless alumni. The Screen on Screen program includes: Florian Heinzen-Ziob and Georg Heinzen’s ORIGINAL COPY, a delightful ode to Mumbai’s last one-of-a-kind film poster painter; Jeremy Coon and Tim Skousen’s RAIDERS!, the story of two friends painstakingly remaking Raiders of the Lost Ark; and Alex Sichel and Elizabeth Giamatti’s A WOMAN LIKE ME, a funny and moving documentary-drama hybrid about the filmmaker’s tumultuous journey with terminal cancer. The Redux program will highlight six films that deserve another outing on the big screen. Additionally, Hot Docs will present two retrospective programs: Focus On Carole Laganière, a mid-career retrospective of the filmmaker’s work; and the Outstanding Achievement Award Retrospective, honouring the influential work of Chilean documentary filmmaker Patricio Guzmán. Also a premier documentary conference and market, Hot Docs will be welcoming over 2,000 industry delegates who will partake in a wide array of industry events and services, including conferences sessions, receptions and parties, Hot Docs Deal Maker, The Doc Shop and the Hot Docs Forum, April 29 and 30.

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  • 24 DAYS, Based on True events of Kidnapping of a Jewish Man in Paris, Sets US Release Date

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    24 DAYS, Based on True events of Kidnapping of a Jewish Man in Paris, Sets US Release Date 24 DAYS, winner of the Lia Award at the 2014 Jerusalem Film Festival and winner of the Audience Award at the 2014 Boston Jewish Film Festival, will open at the Quad Cinema in New York and at the Laemmle Music Hall in Los Angeles, as well as other cities on April 24th. The film will also be available through iTunes on the same day. Directed and produced by Alexandre Arcady, and based on a memoir written by the victim’s mother, the film chronicles the agonizing 24 days during which Ilan Halimi, a young Jewish cell-phone salesman, was held captive in Paris by a group of African and North African immigrants later known as the “Gang of Barbarians,” while his desperate family was subjected to blackmail. The events of Ilan Halimi’s kidnapping and murder sent shock waves through France and brought into focus the dangerous wave of anti-Semitism that is sweeping through France, a country that is home to Europe’s largest Jewish community. Friday January 20, 2006, 23-year old Ilan Halimi, targeted solely because he was Jewish, was kidnapped and taken to an apartment in the Bagneux neighborhood of Paris. There, he was held captive and tortured for three weeks before being dumped in a woodlot by his captors. Found motionless and naked by the railroad tracks at Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, he wouldn’t survive his ordeal. In this film, Ruth Halimi, Ilan’s mother, revisits those 24 nightmarish days. 24 days in which she and her ex-husband Didier received nearly 700 calls, ransom demands that never ceased to change, insults, threats, photos of their tortured son… 24 days of anguish for a family waiting in silence and fear, hoping the Police could save their son. But Police Headquarters didn’t know who was responsible for his kidnapping. No one recognized in time the anti-Semitic hatred of his abductors, or that Ilan would lose his life. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg4xo2pYRdI&feature=youtu.be

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  • TIME OUT OF MIND to Open and I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS to Close Sarasota Film Festival

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    [caption id="attachment_7624" align="alignnone" width="750"]TIME OUT OF MIND to Open and I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS to Close Sarasota Film Festival Director Brett Haley’s I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS, starring Blythe Danner, Martin Starr and Sam Elliott[/caption] Director Oren Moverman’s TIME OUT OF MIND, starring Richard Gere, Jena Malone, and Ben Vereen, will open the 17th Sarasota Film Festival on Friday, April 10th at 6:30PM at the Sarasota Opera House. Moverman will attend the festival and receive the Hearts and Minds of Independent Film Award. Director Brett Haley’s I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS, starring Blythe Danner, Martin Starr and Sam Elliott, will screen as the Closing Night film on Saturday, April 18th at 7:00PM at the Sarasota Opera House. Haley will be in attendance along with Danner, who will receive the festival’s Impact Award. “We’re excited to have these two films to open and close our 17th installment,” said Mark Famiglio, President of the Sarasota Film Festival. “Opening with a very dramatic performance by Richard Gere and closing with the elegant and clever Blythe Danner, the festival will have both touching and inspiring moments for all.” “I’m thrilled to be able to showcase these two significant films for my first year at the festival,” said Michael Dunaway, Director of Programming. “They place the Sarasota Film Festival in a competitive spotlight and tastefully frame our diverse lineup.” TIME OUT OF MIND, produced by Richard Gere, Lawrence Inglee, Caroline Kaplan, Edward Watson, Miranda Bailey andBill Pohlad, and directed by Oren Moverman, follows a seemingly normal homeless man (Gere) on the streets of New York as he struggles to find stability and restore his relationship with his estranged daughter (Malone). IFC Films will be releasingTIME OUT OF MIND in September. Closing night film I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS, directed by Brett Haley, stars Ms. Danner as a widow who’s settled into her life and her age, until a series of events propel her into a renewed engagement with the people and the world around her. The film also stars Martin Starr, Sam Elliott, Malin Akerman, June Squibb, Rhea Perlman, and Mary Kay Place.  The film was written by Brett Haley and Marc Basch and produced by Rebecca Green, Laura D. Smith and Brett Haley. Bleecker Street will be releasing I’LL SEE YOU IN MY DREAMS in May.

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  • Tsai Ming-liang’s Cult Classic REBELS OF THE NEON GOD to finally Get US Release

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    Tsai Ming-liang’s Cult Classic REBELS OF THE NEON GOD to finally Get US Release Tsai Ming-liang’s cult classic REBELS OF THE NEON GOD finally gets US Theatrical release; the film will open at the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the Quad Cinema in New York on April 10 and at the Nuart in Los Angeles on June 12. A national release will follow. Coinciding with the release of REBELS OF THE NEON GOD is a major eighteen-film retrospective of Tsai Ming-liang, featuring many rare 35mm prints, that will take place at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, NY from April 10–26, 2015. Tsai Ming-liang emerged on the world cinema scene in 1992 with his groundbreaking first feature, REBELS OF THE NEON GOD. His debut already includes a handful of elements familiar to fans of subsequent work: a deceptively spare style often branded “minimalist”; actor Lee Kang-sheng as the silent and sullen Hsiao-kang; copious amounts of water, whether pouring from the sky or bubbling up from a clogged drain; and enough urban anomie to ensure that even the subtle humor in evidence is tinged with pathos. The loosely structured plot involves Hsiao-kang, a despondent cram school student, who becomes obsessed with young petty thief Ah-tze, after Ah-tze smashes the rearview mirror of a taxi driven by Hsiao-kang’s father. Hsiao-kang stalks Ah-tze and his buddy Ah-ping as they hang out in the film’s iconic arcade (featuring a telling poster of James Dean on the wall) and other locales around Taipei, and ultimately takes his revenge. REBELS OF THE NEON GOD is a remarkably impressive first film that hints at the promise of its director: a talent confirmed by Tsai’s equally stunning second feature, VIVE L’AMOUR (Golden Lion, Venice), and continuing to his most recent film, STRAY DOGS, which ranked high on many “best of” lists last year.  Though showing such diverse influences as the French New Wave, Wong Kar-wai’s early films—and, yes, REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE—Tsai’s film is most remarkable for introducing his startlingly unique vision to world cinema. https://vimeo.com/121043079

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  • Montclair Film Festival Announces 2015 Conversation Series

    [caption id="attachment_7618" align="alignnone" width="1000"]Montclair Film Festival Announces 2015 Conversation Series Richard Gere, starring in Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind[/caption] The Montclair Film Festival (MFF) announced the 2015 Conversation Series, presented by Audible, Inc., the world’s largest seller and producer of downloadable audiobooks and other spoken-word content. The Conversation Series takes audiences inside the creative process, featuring immersive discussions with leading voices in film and other creative storytelling mediums. 2015 marks the second year of collaboration between Audible and the MFF, with the organizations partnering to host the Audible Listening Lounge, the festival’s home for conversations, special events, and unique community programs. On Saturday, May 2nd, Richard Gere, producer and star of Oren Moverman’s Time Out Of Mind, joins Stephen Colbert at the historic Wellmont Theater for a discussion about this very special film and the passion that informs his work. May 9th, Academy Award® winning director Jonathan Demme joins AMC Networks Executive Vice President of Original Programming Joel Stillerman for an intimate discussion of Demme’s wide-ranging filmmaking career. The Conversation Series also features discussions with two-time Academy Award® winning director Barbara Kopple (Hot Type: 150 Years of The Nation), Emmy-winning MacArthur Fellow Stanley Nelson (The Black Panthers: Vanguard Of the Revolution), producer/ director Abigail Disney (The Armor Of Light), documentary producer John Battsek (Drunk Stoned Brilliant Dead, Listen To Me Marlon), actor Patrick Wilson, journalist and producer Jonathan Alter, and many more. The series will also focus on creative storytelling, including a live recording of Michael Ian Black’s interview with Bobcat Goldthwait (Call Me Lucky) for his Audible original audio series How To Be Amazing; a live recording of David Crabb’s Stories in Session, Audible’s new storytelling series; and Meant To Be Spoken, a panel that explores the process behind creating original content for audio featuring author John Scalzi (Old Man’s War), actress and audio narrator Barbara Rosenblat (Orange is the New Black), and Audible producer Kat Lambrix. Tickets for all Montclair Film Festival films go on sale on Wednesday, April 8th for Members and Sponsors, with public sales beginning Monday April 13th. The full 2015 MFF program will be announced on Thursday, April 2nd. Tickets for all events are available by visiting www.montclairfilmfest.org. The 2015 Montclair Film Festival takes place May 1-10, in Montclair, NJ. The 2015 Montclair Film Festival Conversation Series Presented by Audible Hunger & Homelessness in Montclair A Community Conversation Saturday, May 2nd 10:00 AM The Audible Listening Lounge Moderated by: Steve Adubato, Emmy Award winning broadcaster (WNET/ NJTV) and Author It’s not as hard as you would think to end up without a roof over your head.  In fact, many people are one step away from financial misfortune that could leave them homeless.  Partners for Health Foundation presents this conversation to talk about our neighbors in need and how we can collaboratively address hunger and homelessness.  Using MFF’s screening of TIME OUT OF MIND starring Richard Gere as a platform for dialogue, this discussion explores local issues and potential solutions. Black Voices In Film Saturday, May 2nd 12:00 PM The Audible Listening Lounge Moderated by: Professor Sultan Sharrief (Writer/ Director, BILAL’S STAND) Conventional wisdom has held films featuring black actors or focusing on black themes aren’t commercially viable.  Recent successes in black themed film, from both Hollywood and Independent productions, have proven such thinking wrong, but have also revealed some issues.  This conversation looks at the current state of black film to highlight what has worked, and to discuss the implications of how black issues have been defined and depicted in film. With: Pete Chatmon (Writer/ Director, BLACK CARD) Curtis John (Programmer, New Voices In Black Film) Lacey Schwartz (Director, LITTLE WHITE LIE) In Conversation With Richard Gere Saturday, May 2nd 2:00 PM The Wellmont Moderated by: Stephen Colbert Actor, activist, and humanitarian, Richard Gere has established himself as one of America’s leading screen artists. From his breakout performance in AMERICAN GIGOLO to his defining roles in AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN and PRETTY WOMAN, to his award winning performance in CHICAGO, Richard Gere has created iconic characters that have shaped the cinema. In his latest film TIME OUT OF MIND, Gere gives a deeply human performance as George, a homeless man struggling with life on the streets and a system that offers no comfort. In this conversation, Richard Gere joins Stephen Colbert for a career-spanning discussion of his passions and work, both on and off the screen. In Conversation With Stanley Nelson Saturday, May 2nd 2:00 PM The Audible Listening Lounge Stanley Nelson (THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION) is an Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, MacArthur “genius” Fellow, and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was awarded the National Humanities Medal by President Obama in August 2014.  Nelson is the director of twelve documentary features, including FREEDOM SUMMER (2014), FREEDOM RIDERS (2009), JONESTOWN: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF THE PEOPLE’S TEMPLE (2006), and THE MURDER OF EMMETT TILL (2003). Join Stanley Nelson in this conversation examining his films and his extraordinary career as one of our leading documentarians. In Conversation With Patrick Wilson & Friends Sunday, May 3rd 1:00 PM The Montclair Art Museum Patrick Wilson is one of our most versatile actors, with roles ranging from the cinema to Broadway to television. In 2014, Patrick hosted one of the MFF’s most beloved panels, interviewing his friend and colleague Christian Borle. This year, Patrick returns to the festival with another surprise guest in what promises to be an in-depth look at the craft of performance. Join us for what promises to be an unscripted, provocative conversation! In Conversation With Barbara Kopple Sunday, May 3rd 3:00 PM The Montclair Art Museum Barbara Kopple is one of the leading lights in non-fiction filmmaking. Having learned the craft of filmmaking under the tutelage of Albert and David Maysles, Kopple went on to make her feature film debut with HARLAN COUNTY, U.S.A. (1976), for which she won her first Oscar®. Her second film AMERICAN DREAM (1980) won her a second Academy Award®, with Kopple going on to create unforgettable films like WILD MAN BLUES (1997), SHUT UP & SING (2006), RUNNING FROM CRAZY (2013), and HOT TYPE: 150 YEARS OF THE NATION, playing this year’s MFF. In Conversation With Jonathan Alter Sunday, May 3rd 7:30 PM The Audible Listening Lounge Jonathan Alter is an award-winning author, reporter, columnist and television analyst. He is the author of three New York Times bestsellers, and spent 28 years at Newsweek, where he was a longtime senior editor and columnist and wrote more than 50 cover stories. He has also written for the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Atlantic, the New Yorker, Vanity Fair, the New Republic, and other publications. Since 1996, Alter has been an analyst and contributing correspondent for NBC News and MSNBC. Alter also produced the scripted series ALPHA HOUSE for Amazon.com, and will discuss his wide-ranging career in this conversation. Audible Presents How To Be Amazing with Michael Ian Black Special Guest: Bobcat Goldthwait Sunday, May 3rd 7:30 PM The Montclair Art Museum In this live taping of the latest episode of Audible’s original audio series HOW TO BE AMAZING, host Michael Ian Black talks with comedian, actor, and filmmaker Bobcat Goldthwait, whose new documentary about stand-up comic Barry Crimmins, CALL ME LUCKY, is screening at the Montclair Film Festival this year. Among the fascinating personalities Black has interviewed in previous episodes of the show are Amy Schumer, Kevin Smith, Elizabeth Gilbert, Bob Odenkirk, and Tavi Gevinson. In Conversation With John Battsek Monday, May 4th 7:30 PM The Audible Listening Lounge Since conceiving and producing Academy Award®-winning ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER in 1999, John Battsek has been involved in the creation of over thirty documentaries, including SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN (Academy Award® 2013), THE IMPOSTER (BAFTA winner 2013); RESTREPO (2011) SERGIO  (2010); MANHUNT (2013), HILLSBOROUGH (2014) and THE TILLMAN STORY (2011). Battsek has been nominated three times for a PGA Award and was the recipient of 2013 prestigious Grierson Trustees Award for Outstanding Contribution to Documentary. His latest films, Stevan Riley’s LISTEN TO ME MARLON and Douglas Tirola’s riotous DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD play this year’s MFF. Join us for a look at the work of this pioneering producer and the films that have defined his incredible career. In Conversation With Montclair Filmmakers 7:30 PM The Audible Listening Lounge Meet 2015’s crop of homegrown talent!  The Made in Montclair panel features several filmmakers from this year’s line-up who are from our community. Join us as we meet local artists and learn about their films, process, and how living and working in Montclair has shaped their perspectives on filmmaking. With: Director, Daryl Ferrara (CEREMONY FOR OUR TIME) Director, Charles Poekel (CHRISTMAS AGAIN) Director, John Block (THE ONE THAT GOT AWAY) Director/Cameraman, Steve McCarthy (WARMING OCEANS) Audible Presents Meant To Be Spoken Wednesday, May 6th 7:30 PM The Audible Listening Lounge As audio continues to come into its own as a challenging and exciting storytelling medium, artists and creators of all stripes are flocking to the form. Audible invites you to an informal chat about this emerging art form with author John Scalzi (Old Man’s War), actress and audio narrator, Barbara Rosenblat (ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK), and Audible producer, Kat Lambrix. They’ll discuss writing works that are meant to be performed, creating character with voice, and other considerations of this innovative storytelling medium. In Conversation With Abigail Disney Saturday, May 9th 12:00 PM The Audible Listening Lounge Abigail E. Disney is a filmmaker, philanthropist and the CEO and president of Fork Films. Disney’s longtime passion for women’s issues and peace building culminated in producing her first film, PRAY THE DEVIL BACK TO HELL, which screened in Montclair in 2011. She then executive produced the five-part PBS series, WOMEN, WAR & PEACE.  Since then, she has produced numerous acclaimed social-issue films, including 1971 (2014), CITIZEN KOCH (2013), FAMILY AFFAIR (2010), HOT GIRLS WANTED (2015), INVISIBLE WAR (2012 Academy Award® Nominee). Her directorial debut, THE ARMOR OF LIGHT, plays this year’s MFF. In Conversation With The National Lampoon Saturday, May 9th 2:00 PM The Audible Listening Lounge National Lampoon was one of the definitive satirical voices of the 1970’s and 80’s, a groundbreaking publication that was one of the original multiplatform content creators. With the infamous magazine, the National Lampoon Radio Hour, and in the production of classic films like ANIMAL HOUSE (1978) and VACATION (1983), National Lampoon made an unforgettable mark on American comedy. This panel, held in conjunction with the MFF screenings of Doug Tirola’s DRUNK STONED BRILLIANT DEAD, will feature a group of original National Lampoonwriters in an irreverent conversation about the stories behind the late, beloved publication. In Conversation With Jonathan Demme Saturday, May 9th 2:00 PM MKA Upper School Jonathan Demme is an Academy Award® winning director, documentarian and producer. Best known for his masterpieces THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS (1991) and PHILADELPHIA (1993), Demme’s legendary career spans four decades, beginning with the exploitation hit CAGED HEAT (1974), through to his storied work on the beloved MELVIN AND HOWARD (1980), STOP MAKING SENSE (1984), SOMETHING WILD (1986), and SWIMMING TO CAMBODIA (1987). Jonathan Demme remains one of our most vital and important directors, and will join AMC’s Joel Stillerman for a conversation that will explore his creative process and career as one of this generation’s defining filmmakers. Audible Presents Stories in Session Sunday, May 10th 2:00 PM The Montclair Art Museum The power of narrative comes to life in master storyteller and storytelling coach David Crabb’s new original series for Audible, Stories in Session. At this special live event that promises to push buttons and boundaries, two special guests armed only with a microphone will share true stories from their own lives, after which David will conduct a brief interview with each performer to get the story behind the story.

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  • 25th Anniversary of Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas to Close 2015 Tribeca Film Festival

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    25th Anniversary of Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas to Close 2015 Tribeca Film Festival The 25th Anniversary of Martin Scorsese’s gangster film GoodFellas—remastered from a 4k scan of the original camera negative, supervised by Scorsese—will close the 14th Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Lorraine Bracco, Ray Liotta and Paul Sorvino, the film was praised by The New York Times as “breathless and brilliant” and “both the most politically serious and most evilly entertaining movie yet made about organized crime.” In honor of the 25th Anniversary celebration, the film’s creators and cast members will reunite at TFF for a conversation following the film with Jon Stewart where they will discuss the acclaimed 1990 Academy Award-nominated classic based on the true-crime bestseller “Wiseguy” by Nicholas Pileggi. Closing night, co-sponsored by Infor and Roberto Coin, will take place at The Beacon Theatre. “While TFF’s mission is centered around new stories and voices, we also seek to honor the creators and films that have shaped the cultural landscape,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder, Tribeca Film Festival.  “GoodFellas is one of those pictures with an honest and stylized portrayal of the gangster lifestyle that has inspired a generation of filmmakers and television directors across genres. We are proud to celebrate its 25th anniversary at our closing night and introduce new audiences to one of Marty’s masterpieces.” Martin Scorsese said, “I was so excited to learn that this picture, now 25 years old, would be closing this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. Excited and moved. It was an adventure to get it on screen—we wanted to make a movie that was true to Nick Pileggi’s book and to the life of Henry Hill and his friends, which means that we broke some rules and took some risks. So it’s heartening to know that GoodFellas has come to mean so much to so many people. It’s wonderful to see one of your pictures revived and re-seen, but to see it closing Tribeca, a festival of new movies, means the world to me.” “I was most proud of this film 25 years ago, and equally proud of it now. I’m very happy that it is our closing night film,” said Robert De Niro, co-founder, Tribeca Film Festival. GoodFellas explores the criminal life like no other movie.  Following the rise and fall of a trio of gangsters over 30 years, it’s an electrifying, fact-inspired tale of living and dying. The film earned six Academy Award® nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director and was named 1990s Best Film by the New York, Los Angeles and National Society of Film Critics.  In 2000, GoodFellas was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry by the US Library of Congress. On May 5, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment (WBHE) will release GoodFellas 25th Anniversary on Blu-rayTM and Digital HD which will include a new documentary. “Scorsese’s GoodFellas” featuring interviews with Robert De Niro, Leonardo DiCaprio, Harvey Keitel, Ray Liotta and more.

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