'THE SELFISH GIANT', 'CODE BLACK' Winners of 2013 Hamptons International Film Festival

‘THE SELFISH GIANT’, ‘CODE BLACK’ Winners of 2013 Hamptons International Film Festival

THE SELFISH GIANT, directed by Clio BarnardTHE SELFISH GIANT, directed by Clio Barnard

THE SELFISH GIANT, directed by Clio Barnard is the winner of the Golden Starfish Award for Best Narrative Feature Film at the 21st annual Hamptons International Film Festival. THE SELFISH GIANT is described as a contemporary fable about 13 year old Arbor (Conner Chapman) and his best friend Swifty (Shaun Thomas). Excluded from school and outsiders in their own neighborhood, the two boys meet Kitten (Sean Gilder), a local scrapdealer––the Selfish Giant. Arbor emulates Kitten, keen to impress him and make some money. However, Kitten favors Swifty, leaving Arbor feeling hurt and excluded and driving a wedge between the boys. The Golden Starfish Award for Best Documentary Feature Film went to CODE BLACK, directed by Ryan McGarry, M.D. CODE BLACK follows a group of young doctors as they grapple with the divide between their idealistic expectations and the realities of a heavily bureaucratic system.The 21st Annual Hamptons International Film Festival took place October 10 to 14, 2013.

2013 BendFilm Festival Winners; HIDE YOUR SMILING FACES Sweeps Major Awards

2013 BendFilm Festival Winners; HIDE YOUR SMILING FACES Sweeps Major Awards

HIDE YOUR SMILING FACES directed by Daniel Patrick CarboneHIDE YOUR SMILING FACES directed by Daniel Patrick Carbone

The feature film, HIDE YOUR SMILING FACES directed by Daniel Patrick Carbone, swept the 2013 BendFilm Festival, capturing numerous awards, including the “Best of Show” and the “Best Narrative Feature.”  Hide Your Smiling Faces depicts the young lives of two brothers as they abruptly come of age through the experience of a friend’s mysterious death. 

International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam Unveils 2013 Official Selections

International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam Unveils 2013 Official Selections

AI WEIWEI: THE FAKE CASE by Andreas JohnsenAI WEIWEI: THE FAKE CASE by Andreas Johnsen

The 26th International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam taking place from November 20 toDecember 1, 2013 , in Amsterdam, unveiled the 2013 official film selections. The program consists of 288 titles (selected from more than 3,000 submissions), of which 100 will have their world première during the festival. 15 films will compete this year in IDFA’s competition for feature-length documentaries.

Documentary MEDORA Sets November 2013 Release Date

Documentary MEDORA Sets November 2013 Release Date

documentary film MEDORA

The documentary film MEDORA which premiered at the 2013 SXSW Festival, will open in theaters on November 8 and on VOD on November 12.  MEDORA is directed by Andrew Cohn and Davy Rothbart, and focuses on the members of the Medora Hornets, a rural Indiana high school basketball team fighting to end their losing streak, as their dwindling town faces the threat of extinction. 

Milwaukee Film Festival Wraps; "THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER AND PETE" "EDDIE ADAMS: SAIGON ‘68" Win Audience Awards

Milwaukee Film Festival Wraps; “THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER AND PETE” “EDDIE ADAMS: SAIGON ‘68” Win Audience Awards

INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER AND PETE director George Tillman Jr, with wife Marcia and son Chase at the 2013 Milwaukee Film Festival.INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER AND PETE director George Tillman Jr, with wife Marcia and son Chase at the 2013 Milwaukee Film Festival.

The 5th Milwaukee Film Festival, wrapped its 15-day run Thursday night October 10th, with official Closing Night Film, BLOOD BROTHER. Immediately following the Closing Night film, ballots were tallied to determine the winners of the 2013 Milwaukee Film Festival Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig Audience Awards. The winners of this year’s Allan H. (Bud) and Suzanne L. Selig Audience Awards are Feature Film: THE INEVITABLE DEFEAT OF MISTER AND PETE directed by George Tillman Jr.; and Short Film: EDDIE ADAMS: SAIGON ‘68 directed by Douglas Sloan.

Review: ZERO CHARISMA

Review: ZERO CHARISMA

 Zero Charisma

So much conflict comes out of the struggle for power, even regarding the smallest stakes possible.  ZERO CHARISMA is a film about struggles regarding what might seem like small stakes to an outside viewer, but to the characters involved it is literally an epic struggle between a “hero” and his nemesis.

New Indie Films, Documentaries in Theaters This Weekend Friday October 11, 2013

New Indie Films, Documentaries in Theaters This Weekend Friday October 11, 2013

New Indie Films, Documentaries in Theaters This Weekend Friday October 11, 2013

This weekend sees the release of two films that have probably the most unique behind-the-scenes stories of any indie films that have come out this year.  There are also a few other films that are receiving strong praise from critics now that we’re in the thick of festival season.  Though there are excellent studio films out now (including Captain Phillips, which is also coming out this weekend), these are indie releases you might not want to miss.

Martin Scorsese to Head Competition Jury at 2013 Marrakech International Film Festival

Martin Scorsese to Head Competition Jury at 2013 Marrakech International Film Festival

 Martin Scorsese

The 13th Marrakech International Film Festival will be held in Marrakech, Morocco, from November 29 to December 7, 2013. Martin Scorsese has been announced as President of the main Competition Jury for the festival. “I am very happy to be this year’s jury president at the Marrakech Film Festival and I would like to thank HRH, Prince Moulay Rachid, President of the Festival, for his gracious invitation. I have made two films in Morocco, during which time I came to admire the spirit of the Moroccan people and the beauty of their culture. I am eager to discover the movies coming from all around the world to this unique Festival.”

8 Doc Shorts Make Oscar's 2013 Shortlist

8 Doc Shorts Make Oscar’s 2013 Shortlist

THE LADY IN NUMBER 6: MUSIC SAVED MY LIFETHE LADY IN NUMBER 6: MUSIC SAVED MY LIFE

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that the field of Documentary Short Subject contenders for the 86th Academy Awards has been narrowed to eight films, of which three to five will earn Oscar nominations.

First Philadelphia International Children's Film Festival Announces Film Lineup; ZARAFA is Opening Night Film

First Philadelphia International Children’s Film Festival Announces Film Lineup; ZARAFA is Opening Night Film

ZARAFA directed by Rémi Bezançon, Jean-Christophe LieZARAFA directed by Rémi Bezançon, Jean-Christophe Lie

The first Philadelphia International Children’s Film Festival (PICFF), will run November 15 to 17, 2013 at the newly renovated PFS Theater at the Roxy, and will offer a variety of animated, live-action and experimental short and feature films from all around the world.  Opening night festival brings to Philadelphia the hand-animated film, ZARAFA, directed by Rémi Bezançon and Jean-Christophe Lie, based on the true story of the first giraffe to travel to France.  Closing the festival is THE ZIGZAG KID, directed by Vincent Bal, described as a whimsical and stylish detective caper.

REVIEW: BabyGirl

REVIEW: BabyGirl

BabyGirl

Growing pains may easily be one of the things that mostly all human beings can relate to. I can speak for myself assuredly when I say that life’s lessons come in all shape, sizes, and consequence.  For Lead actress Yainis Ynoa, better known as Lena AKA “Babygirl” it seems like they come all too frequently.  Already dealing with. being a 16-year-old latina in the Bronx which comes with many an obstacle economically, and socially there are expectations of her; her complex homelife is a constant theme throughout the film, documenting a relationship that seems like she is the parent most of the time.  Their bond is undying, of course, but their relation to each other is awkward at times, as you witness the responsibilities of the home and in guiding each other too often fall in the lap of Babygirl.