• The Tribe and New Planet Win Top Jury Awards at 2014 Milwaukee Film Festival

    The TribeThe Tribe 

    The 6th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival, announced its 2014 Jury Award Winners on Sunday. The Tribe directed by Miroslav Slaboshpitsky won the Herzfeld Competition Award along with $10,000 cash, and New Planet directed by James Tindell won the Cream City Cinema: Filmmaker-in-Residence along with $5,000 cash and $20,000 production package.

    Described as “An unforgettably daring cinematic act, ‘The Tribe’ immerses you in the world of a Ukrainian school for the deaf, creating a spellbinding effect unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. When Sergey arrives at school, he is immediately thrust into a teenaged cyclone of gang violence and prostitution where the only way to fit in is to become part of this debauched hierarchy. Told only through unsubtitled Ukrainian sign language, this audacious film has absolutely dazzled the festival circuit with its unsparing style and challenging subject matter, making it sure to be one of the most talked-about films of this year’s MFF.”

    http://youtu.be/ZeYO_EoHP0k

     

    In New Planet, two alien pilots attempt to reconnect after a crash landing on planet Earth.

    “The quality of the films presented at this year’s festival was the strongest ever,” shared Artistic and Executive Director Jonathan Jackson. “Our juries faced some incredibly tough choices and ultimately recognized additional films beyond the four official awards.”

    2014 MILWAUKEE FILM FESTIVAL JURY AWARDS

    Abele Catalyst Award
    Marianne Lubar 

    Herzfeld Competition Award ($10,000 cash)
    The Tribe (dir. Miroslav Slaboshpitsky)

    Cream City Cinema: Filmmaker-in-Residence ($5,000 cash and $20,000 production package)
    New Planet (dir. James Tindell)

    Cream City Cinema Special Jury Prize
    An Evening at Angelo’s (dir. Kara Mulrooney) 

    Shorter Is Better Award ($1,000 cash)
    Love. Love. Love. (dir. Sandhya Daisy Sundaram)

    Shorter Is Better Special Jury Prizes
    Through the Hawthorne (dirs. Anna Benner, Pia Borg, Gemma Burditt)
    The Last Days of Peter Bergmann (dir. Ciaran Cassid)

    Kids Choice Short Film Award
    Sweet Love (dir. Albert Jan van Rees)

    Kids Choice Special Jury Awards
    Wombo (dir. Daniel Acht)
    The Numberlys (dirs. William Joyce, Brandon Oldenburg)

    Pitch Us Your Doc! Contest Winner
    King of Strings (dir. Joel Van Haren)

    2014 MILWAUKEE FILM FESTIVAL JURY MEMBERS

    Herzfeld Competition Jury
    David Fear, Rolling Stone
    Theresa Scandiffio, Toronto International Film Festival
    Mike Maggiore, Film Forum

    Cream City Cinema Jury
    Sam Adams, IndieWire
    Justine Nagan, Kartemquin Films
    Jim Brunzell III, Twin Cities Daily Planet

    Shorter Is Better Jury
    Dan Doody, Seattle International Film Festival
    Jessica Farrell, Filmmaker
    Spencer Gillis, Filmmaker

    Rated K: For Kids Jury
    Octavia Grimes
    Piper Grimes
    Quinn Hammerlund
    Julian Singh
    Tommy Stehr
    Anna Weiss

    Pitch Us Your Doc! Contest Judges
    Kim Nguyen, War Witch
    Michael Raisler, Cinereach, Beasts of the Southern Wild
    Laurie Scheer, The Writer’s Advantage: A Toolkit for Mastering Your Genre

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  • The Little Tin Man is a “Warmhearted Film”

    the little tin man movie

    Herman (Aaron Beelner) is a dwarf actor who only gets gigs playing elves in Christmas commercials. In his day job, Herman works alongside his brother Gregg (Jeff Hiller) at an upscale New York City restaurant owned by their mother. However, when their mother dies she leaves the restaurant to Gregg – the only thing she gives to Herman is a directive that he must start taking his acting career more seriously. Frustrated by being cut out of his mother’s will and tired of playing roles that are solely defined by his stature, Herman is less than enthused when his agent calls him with news that has gotten Herman an audition for the role of the Mayor of Munchkinville in Martin Scorsese’s remake of the Wizard of Oz. Herman is convinced by his friend Miller (Kay Cannon), who is also a struggling actor and a waitress at the restaurant, to go on the audition but ask to read for the Tin Man instead. Because Herman wants to transcend stereotypes – and because he harbors an unrequited crush on Miller – Herman decides to go for it. What follows is Herman’s journey towards gaining respect as an actor for his talent rather than his size.

    The film itself seems to be against Herman, as evidenced by its calliope-heavy soundtrack that recalls circus music and an opening song that makes every “bigger man” and “little person” pun you can think of. Naturally, there are plenty of characters who are disrespectful and condescending toward Herman, so it isn’t a surprise when Herman becomes irritable with others, which Beelner plays off very well. Director Matthew Perkins effectively establishes how tough it can be to live at Herman’s size, demonstrating his real-life issues like trying to reach things on high supermarket shelves, and, from a more emotional standpoint, finding love.

    As interested as I was in Herman’s struggle, I was pulled out of the film a bit by some of the over-the-top supporting characters. Some of these smaller roles are played by actors who are really hamming it up (Eddie Dunn, who plays Herman’s agent Tyrone Valentine, really lays it on thick). The one exception is seeing Ed Burns favorite Michael McGlone show up in a small role as a lawyer, essentially reprising his slick character from the GEICO commercials he stars in, which was hilarious. It’s almost as if Perkins and co-writer Dugan Bridges weren’t confident with the material and thought the zaniness needed to be amped up. But instead of creating supporting characters, they’ve created supporting caricatures — but the story of The Little Tin Man is interesting enough so the film really doesn’t need these caricatures.

    I was waiting for a scene that really proved that Herman (the character, not actor Aaron Beelner) is a great actor, but it never really comes. It would’ve been an excellent addition to let audiences know what we’re missing out on when talented actors are denied roles based on the way they look. It’s particularly interesting to view The Little Tin Man in light of the recent career accomplishments of Emmy and Golden Globe award-winner Peter Dinklage (he’d be at home in just about any role in any Scorsese movie). I’m not sure if that informed the film in any way, but the real-life circumstances relate to the narrative.

    The Little Tin Man is a warmhearted film about an actor who tries his hardest to improve his place in the world despite his physical limitations. Even if some of the sillier supporting characters distract from that, it still fits the definition of an inspiring, character-driven comedy gem. If there’s hope for Herman, there’s hope for all of us.

    Film Review Rating 3 out of 5 : See it … It’s Good

    http://youtu.be/sZmwJ-RE_eM

    The Little Tin Man opens in NYC on October 3rd at Williamsburg Cinema in Brooklyn

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  • “VIRUNGA” “THE IRON MINISTRY” Among Camden International Film Festival and Points North 2014 winners

    VIRUNGAVIRUNGA

    The Camden International Film Festival announced the award winning films from its tenth edition, which marked the end of a four-day weekend that included the screening of over 70 films from dozens of countries, as well as the 6th Points North Documentary Forum.  This year’s Harrell Award for Best Documentary Feature went to CIFF’s Opening Night film VIRUNGA directed by Orlando von Einsiedel, who attended the festival to present his film and went on to accept the award via Skype. 

    The Jury, consisting of Susan Margolin (President, Docurama), Banker White (Filmmaker, THE GENIUS OF MARIAN) and Cecily Pingree(Filmmaker, BETTING THE FARM) awarded their Special Jury Mention to J.P. Sniadecki’s THE IRON MINISTRY which had its US Premiere at CIFF and continues on to play the New York Film Festival later this week.

    This year’s Emerging Cinematic Vision Award sponsored by Vimeo went to APPROACHING THE ELEPHANT directed by Amanda Rose Wilder. Wilder, along with producer Caitlin Mae Burke and subject Alex Khost were in attendance to accept the award. The Jury, consisting of Gabriele Caroti (Director, BAMCinematek), Lyda Kuth (Executive Director, LEF Foundation) and Sam Morrill (Creative Relations Lead, Vimeo) awarded the Special Jury Mention to Jean-Francois Caissy’s GUIDELINES.

    Maine-made WILD HOME directed by Jack Schurman and co-directed by Robert Schurman received not only a standing ovation at their World Premiere screening but also received the 2014 Audience Award and increased cash prize. Filmmakers were in attendance to accept this award.

    The Camden Cartel Award was given to Ciaran Cassidy’s THE LAST DAYS OF PETER BERGMANN and Honorable Mention went to Luke Lorentzen’s SANTA CRUZ DEL ISLOTE.

    Al Jazeera’s AJ+ channel  held their first ever AJ+ Pitch at CIFF, a Live Pitch offering five filmmakers the chance to pitch their short documentary concepts and works-in-progress to a panel of filmmakers and industry leaders for up to $10,000 cash and a commission from the AJ+ channel. The Jury included AJ+’s Jeff Seelbach, Tribeca Film Institute’s Ryan Harrington and filmmakers Margaret Brown and Rebecca Richman Cohen.

    Finalists included Jillian Schlesinger (EMOTIONAL ROBOT), Sierra Pettengill (HALL OF THE EVENING STAR), Ben Kalina (PLAN C FOR CIVILIZATION), Jayisha Patel (POWER GIRLS) and Jon Bougher (THAILAND’S FLOATING CITIES). AJ+commissioned three of these projects, awarding up to $10,000 each to Schlesinger’s EMOTIONAL ROBOT, Pettengill’s HALL OF THE EVENING STAR and Jayisha Patel’s POWER GIRLS.

    Last but not least, CIFF announced the winner of their expanded Points North Fellowship, with a day of training at Maine Media Workshop prior to the festival and the Pitch event to a panel of funders, broadcasters, on Saturday, September 27 at the Camden Opera House. 2014 documentary works-in-progress included Tony Gerber’s AMERICAN WARLORD, Adam Mazo and Ben Pender-Cudlip’s DAWNLAND, Amy Benson, Ramyata Limbu and Scott Squire’s THE GIRL WHO KNEW TOO MUCH, Pacho Velez’s THE REAGAN YEARS, Cassidy Friedman’s SOLEDAD, and Elisa Haradon and Gabriel Miller’s SWEETHEART DEAL. The 2014 Points North Pitch Award and Modulus Funishing Fund was granted to THE REAGAN YEARS, with director Pacho Velez and producer Sierra Pettengill receiving $1,000 cash prize from Documentary Educational Resources, three consultations with the Tribeca Film Institute and a discounted post-production package from Modulus Studios.

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  • “The Last 5 Years” and “The Humbling” to Open, and Jon Stewart’s “Rosewater” to Close 2014 Austin Film Festival

    The HumblingThe Humbling The US Premiere of Barry Levinson’s The Humbling will be the Opening Night Film of the 2014 Austin Film Festival on Thursday, October 23rd. Based on the Philip Roth novel, The Humbling follows an aged and addled actor (Al Pacino) and his affair with a much younger woman (Greta Gerwig).  Also kicking off AFF’s 21st anniversary, writer/director Richard LaGravenese will present the Jason Robert Brown musical adaptation of The Last 5 Years starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan. Jon Stewart and Maziar Bahari will present Stewart’s directorial debut, Rosewater, as the Closing Night Selection on October 30th. Rosewater is based on the New York Times best-selling memoir Then They Came for Me: A Family’s Story of Love, Captivity, and Survival, written by the BBC journalist Maziar Bahari. Edward Zwick will accept the Extraordinary Contribution to Film Award at the 2014 Austin Film Festival Awards Luncheon, held at the Austin Club on Saturday, October 25th. Previous honorees have included Jonathan Demme, Ron Howard, Danny Boyle, Oliver Stone, Sydney Pollack, John Lasseter, Frank Darabont, and Robert Rodriguez. Zwick’s directorial credits feature About Last Night, Courage Under Fire, The Siege, The Last Samurai, Blood Diamond, Defiance and Love & Other Drugs, and the Academy® Award winning films Glory and Legends of the Fall. Along with Marshall Herskovitz, Zwick created The Bedford Falls Company, and produced the critically acclaimed television series My So-Called Life, Relativity, the Emmy Award winning television series, thirtysomething, and the Emmy Award and Golden Globe award winning series Once and Again. Other producing credits include I Am Sam, Traffic, and Shakespeare in Love.Zwick most recently directed and produced Pawn Sacrifice starring Tobey Maguire, Liev Schreiber, and Peter Sarsgaard.Zwick will also be joined by frequent collaborator Winnie Holzman (creator of My So-Called Life) for a conversation on their work in television on Sunday, October 26th. Luke Wilson joins the 2014 Retrospective series, presenting The Pope of Greenwich Village. Austin Film Festival’s Retrospective series allow guest programmers to present works that have inspired their careers.  The Pope of Greenwich Village will be programmed alongside Wilson’s short film Satellite Beachwhich he wrote, directed, and starred inwith producers also in attendance. Scott Haze will present The Sound and the Fury, James Franco’s adaptation of the William Faulkner novel. Austin Film Festival’s annual staged script-reading will feature the comedy Flarsky, by Dan Sterling (writer The Office, Girls, The Interview) in a live event co-presented by The Black List on Sunday, October 26th.

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  • Tallgrass Film Festival Reveals 2014 Official Feature Film Selections

    tallgrass film festival 2014

    In addition to the previously announced Gala films, the 12th annual Tallgrass Film Festival has revealed its entire feature film lineup of 48 feature films, selected from over 1400 submissions. More than 30 visiting filmmakers and industry guests will attend the festival. The 12th annual Tallgrass Film Festival will take place October 15 through 19, 2004 in and around Wichita, Kansas.

    In Competition: Narrative Features

    Domestic Narratives:
    A IS FOR ALEX d. Alex Orr (USA, 2014, 74m)
    CHILD OF GOD d. James Franco (USA, 2013, 104m)
    THE DAVID DANCE d. Aprill Winney (USA, 2014, 108m)
    FIVE STAR d Keith Miller (USA, 2014, 83m)
    GONE DOGGY GONE d. Kasi Brown (USA, 2014, 89m)
    HALF BROTHER d. Anthony Grippa (USA, 2014, 75m
    KUMIKO, THE TREASURE HUNTER d. David Zellner (USA, 2014, 105m)
    THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE d. John Stuart Wildman (USA, 2014, 93m)
    LOVE LAND d. Joshua Tate (USA, 2014, 93m)
    MAN FROM RENO d. Dave Boyle (USA, 2014, 111m)
    PRETTY ROSEBUD d. Oscar Torre (USA, 2014, 82m)
    RUDDERLESS d. William H. Macy (USA, 2014, 105m)
    SUN BELT EXPRESS d. Evan Buxbaum (USA, 2014, 91m)

    World Narratives:
    THE DARK VALLEY (Das finstere Tal) d. Andreas Prochaska (Austria/Germany, 2014, 115m)
    LONGWAVE (Les grades ondes) d. Lionel Baler (Switzerland/France/Portugal, 2013, 85m)
    METRO MANILA d. Sean Ellis (UK/Philippines, 2013, 115m)
    MOOD INDIGO (L’ecume des jours) d. Michel Gondry (France/Belgium, 2013, 94m)
    THE SALVATION d. Kristian Levering (Denmark/UK/South Africa, 2014, 89m)
    TRAITORS d. Sean Gullette (Morocco/USA, 2013, 83m)
    WETLANDS (Feuchtgebiete) d. David Wnendt (Germany, 2013, 105m)

    In Competition: Documentary Features

    U.S. Documentaries:  
    ART AND CRAFT d. Sam Cullman, Jennifer Grossman (USA, 2014, 89m)
    BRAVE NEW WILD d. Oakley Anderson-Moore (USA, 2014, 76m)
    FIGHT CHURCH d. Daniel Judge, Brian Storkel (USA, 2014, 84m)
    GROWING CITIES d. Daniel Sussman (USA, 2013, 97m)
    JOHNNY WINTER: DOWN & DIRTY d. Greg Oliver (USA, 2014, 95m)
    THE KILL TEAM d. Dan Krauss (USA, 2013, 79m)
    THE LIFE AND MIND OF MARK DEFRIEST d. Gabriel London (USA, 2014, 92m)
    LIMITED PARTNERSHIP d. Thomas G. Miller (USA/Australia, 2014, 74m)
    LITTLE HOPE WAS ARSON d. Theo Love (USA, 2013, 71m)
    MAD AS HELL d. Andrew Napier (USA, 2014, 80m) – US Festival Premiere
    OIL & WATER d. Alan Robert Davis (USA, 2014, 76m)
    THE OVERNIGHTERS d. Jesse Moss (USA, 2014, 90m)
    QUEENS AND COWBOYS: A STRAIGHT YEAR ON THE GAY RODEO d. Matt Livadary (USA, 2014, 92m)
    SELF MEDICATED: A FILM ABOUT ART* d. Ethan H. Minsker (USA, 2014, 98m)
    SILENCED d. James Spione (USA, 2014, 95m)
    STRAY DOG d. Debra Granik (USA, 2014, 98m)

    World Documentaries:

    A LIFE IN DIRTY MOVIES d Wiktor Ericcson (Sweden, 2013, 80m)
    LIGHT FLY, FLY HIGH d. Beathe Hofseth, Susann Ostigaard (Netherlands/Norway/India, 2013, 80m)
    THE SUPREME PRICE d. Joanna Lipper (Nigeria/USA, 2014, 75m)

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  • MAGICAL GIRL Wins Top Awards for Best Film and Best Director at 2014 San Sebastian Festival

    MAGICAL GIRLMAGICAL GIRL

    MAGICAL GIRL, the new film from Carlos Vermut (Diamond Flash), won the GOLDEN SHELL FOR BEST FILM at the 62 San Sebastian Festival.  Director Carlos Vermut also took the award SILVER SHELL FOR BEST DIRECTOR.  MAGICAL GIRL is described as a tale of crossed destinies starring José Sacristán, Bárbara Lennie and Luis Bermejo. Alicia, an ailing child who dreams of the dress in the Japanese series Magical Girl Yukiko; Luis, her father, who will do anything he can to make her dream come true; Bárbara, a pretty young girl with psychological issues; and Damián, a teacher who has retired from everything except his stormy past. All will be trapped in a net of obscure blackmailing where instincts and reason spar with one another in a tragic struggle.

    62 San Sebastian Festival awards list 

    GOLDEN SHELL FOR BEST FILM
    MAGICAL GIRL
    CARLOS VERMUT (SPAIN – FRANCE)

    The new film from Carlos Vermut (Diamond Flash) is a tale of crossed destinies starring José Sacristán, Bárbara Lennie and Luis Bermejo. Alicia, an ailing child who dreams of the dress in the Japanese series Magical Girl Yukiko; Luis, her father, who will do anything he can to make her dream come true; Bárbara, a pretty young girl with psycholgical issues; and Damián, a teacher who has retired from everything except his stormy past. All will be trapped in a net of obscure blackmailing where instincts and reason spar with one another in a tragic struggle.

    SPECIAL JURY PRIZE
    VIE SAUVAGE / WILD LIFE
    CÉDRIC KAHN (FRANCE)

    The new film by French director Cédric Kahn focusses on Philippe Fournier, a man who lives with his 2 sons, having decided not to give them back to their mother after she won custody of the children. The children Okyesa and Tsali must grow up in the shadow, hunted by the police but always free and on the move.

    SILVER SHELL FOR BEST DIRECTOR – CARLOS VERMUT
    MAGICAL GIRL
    CARLOS VERMUT (SPAIN – FRANCE)

    The new film from Carlos Vermut (Diamond Flash) is a tale of crossed destinies starring José Sacristán, Bárbara Lennie and Luis Bermejo. Alicia, an ailing child who dreams of the dress in the Japanese series Magical Girl Yukiko; Luis, her father, who will do anything he can to make her dream come true; Bárbara, a pretty young girl with psycholgical issues; and Damián, a teacher who has retired from everything except his stormy past. All will be trapped in a net of obscure blackmailing where instincts and reason spar with one another in a tragic struggle.

    SILVER SHELL FOR BEST ACTRESS – PAPRIKA STEEN
    STILLE HJERTE / SILENT HEART
    BILLE AUGUST (DENMARK)

    The prestigious Danish filmmaker Bille August, winner of an Academy Award and two Palme d’Or in Cannes, returns with a highly personal drama. Three generations of a family gather over a weekend. The sisters Sanne and Heidi have accepted their terminally-ill mother’s desire to die before her disease worsens; but, as the weekend progresses, their mother’s decision becomes harder and harder to deal with, and old conflicts come to the surface.

    SILVER SHELL FOR BEST ACTOR – JAVIER GUTIÉRREZ
    LA ISLA MÍNIMA (MARSHLAND)
    ALBERTO RODRÍGUEZ (SPAIN)

    Alberto Rodríguez (Grupo 7) returns to film noir with this thriller starring Raúl Arévalo, Javier Gutiérrez and Antonio de la Torre. Two cops, ideologically miles apart, are reprimanded and sent as punishment to a remote town in the swamps to investigate the disappearance of two teenagers. There they will measure their wits against a savage killer in a community anchored to the past.

    JURY PRIZE FOR BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY – ALEX CATALÁN
    LA ISLA MÍNIMA (MARSHLAND)
    ALBERTO RODRÍGUEZ (SPAIN)

    Alberto Rodríguez (Grupo 7) returns to film noir with this thriller starring Raúl Arévalo, Javier Gutiérrez and Antonio de la Torre. Two cops, ideologically miles apart, are reprimanded and sent as punishment to a remote town in the swamps to investigate the disappearance of two teenagers. There they will measure their wits against a savage killer in a community anchored to the past.

    JURY PRIZE FOR BEST SCREENPLAY – DENNIS LEHANE
    THE DROP
    MICHAËL R. ROSKAM (USA)

    In his Hollywood debut, Belgian filmmaker Michaël R. Roskam (Bullhead) adapts a novel by Dennis Lehane in a film starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace and James Gandolfini in his last role for the cinema.The Drop takes an inside look at organized crime’s use of local New York City bars as money-laundering “drops”. When lonely Brooklyn bartender Bob Saginowski uncovers a drop of a different sort in the form of a battered pit bull puppy that he rescues from certain death, he comes into contact with Nadia, a mysterious woman hiding a dark past. 

    KUTXA-NEW DIRECTORS AWARD
    UROK / THE LESSON
    KRISTINA GROZEVA, PETAR VALCHANOV (BULGARIA – GREECE)

    In a small Bulgarian town, Nadezhda, a young teacher, tries to find out which of her students is stealing in class, so that she can teach them the difference between right and wrong. But when she finds herself in debt to moneylenders, will she know the right road to take? What happens when an honest person turns into a criminal?

    SPECIAL MENTION
    MODRIS
    JURIS KURSIETIS (LATVIA – GREECE – GERMANY)

     Unable to deal with her teenage son, the boy’s mother turns him in for a small crime. But a teenager’s life cannot handle police probation. Based on true events.

    HORIZONTES AWARD
    GÜEROS
    ALONSO RUIZPALACIOS (MEXICO)

    A road movie and coming of age comedy which pays homage to the French new wave, winner of Panorama’s First Feature Award in Berlin Film Festival and of Best Cinematography Award and Special Jury Mention in Tribeca Festival. Since the teenager Tomás is clearly too much of a handful for his mother, she packs him off to stay with his big brother who is studying in Mexico City.Tomás has brought a cassette along with him; the tape is part of his father’s legacy and contains the music of Epigmenio Cruz. When the trio learns that their idol is in hospital fading fast and alone, they set off in their rusty heap of a car to pay their last respects to this one-time rock star.

    SPECIAL MENTION
    CIENCIAS NATURALES (NATURAL SCIENCES)
    MATÍAS LUCCHESI (ARGENTINA – FRANCE)

    Presented in the Generation section of the Berlin Festival and winner of the Award for Best Ibero-American Film at the Guadalajara Festival, the first film by Matías Luchesi revolves around a girl who, starting to become a woman, feels the profound need to discover her true identity. She does not know who her father is and she is determined to find him.

    GENTE DE BIEN
    FRANCO LOLLI (FRANCE – COLOMBIA)

    The feature film debut of Franco Lolli, following several short films to have won awards at several festivals, was presented in the Critics’ Week at Cannes. Ten year-old Eric finds himself almost overnight living with Gabriel, his father, who he barely knows. Maria Isabel, the woman Gabriel works for as a carpenter, decides to help and invites them both to the country to spend Christmas with her and her family. However, she fails to foresee all the consequences of taking the child under her wing.

    IRIZAR BASQUE FILM AWARD
    NEGOCIADOR (NEGOTIATOR)
    BORJA COBEAGA (SPAIN)

    Borja Cobeaga’s new comedy stars Manu Aranguren, a Basque politician who acts as a mediator for the Spanish government in its negotiations with ETA. Far from being a solemn, calculated occasion, unexpected occurrences, slip-ups or misunderstandings soon kick in to influence the dialogue. Ramón Barea, Carlos Areces and Josean Bengoetxea headline the cast. 

    TVE – ANOTHER LOOK AWARD
    BANDE DE FILLES (GIRLHOOD)
    CÉLINE SCIAMMA (FRANCE)

    Céline Sciamma (Tomboy) presented this film at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes. Oppressed by her family setting, dead-end school prospects and the boys law in the neighborhood, Marieme starts a new life after meeting a group of 3 free-spirited girls. She changes her name, her dress code, and quits school to be accepted in the gang, hoping that this will be a way to freedom.

    SPECIAL MENTION
    GETT, THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM
    RONIT ELKABETZ, SHLOMI ELKABETZ (ISRAEL – FRANCE – GERMANY)

    Civil marriages don’t exist in Israel; only religious law is legitimate, under which divorce is only possible with the husband’s full consent. A film about a woman’s struggle to obtain what she considers to be a right. Presented at the Directors’ Fortnight in Cannes.

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  • World Premiere of A MOST VIOLENT YEAR Starring Jessica Chastain to Open 2014 AFI Fest

    A MOST VIOLENT YEAR

     A MOST VIOLENT YEAR, distributed by A24, will have its World Premiere on Thursday, November 6, as the Opening Night Gala of AFI FEST 2014.  The film is written and directed by Academy Award® nominee J.C. Chandor and stars Oscar Isaac, Academy Award® nominees Jessica Chastain and Albert Brooks as well as David Oyelowo, Alessandro Nivola, Elyes Gabel and Catalina Sandino Moreno.

    Set in 1981, during one of the most crime-ridden winters in New York City’s history, A MOST VIOLENT YEAR follows the lives of Abel and Anna Morales (Isaac and Chastain) as they attempt to capitalize on the American Dream, while the rampant violence, decay, and corruption of the day drag them in and threaten to destroy all they have built.

    ”J.C. Chandor has put together a remarkable crime drama, which is also an immersive period piece and morality tale that resonates on an emotional level.  Chandor is a talented director who takes risks with every film that he makes and A MOST VIOLENT YEAR is no exception.  It is a great film with which to open the festival and begin the audience’s eight-day journey through a landscape of extraordinary contemporary cinema,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, Director, AFI FEST.

    AFI FEST will take place November 6 through 13 in Hollywood, California, at the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres, the Egyptian Theatre and the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.  

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  • 2014 Philadelphia Film Festival Film Line-Up; Opens with “Birdman” and Closes with “Wild”

    BirdmanBirdman

    The 23rd Philadelphia Film Festival, taking place from October 16 – October 26, 2014, throughout the Greater Philadelphia area will open with BirdmanAlejandro González Iñárritu’s much anticipated new feature starring Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Naomi Watts and Emma Stone. The Closing Night Celebration will take place on Friday, October 24th with Wild, Jean-Marc Vallée’s critical hit out of the 2014 Toronto Film Festival starring Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern and Gabby Hoffman. The festival will continue through the weekend, wrapping up with second screenings of Jury Competition films and festival favorites on Sunday, October 26th.   The 11-day Philadelphia Film Festival will locally premiere over 100 feature length and short films.

    23rd Philadelphia Film Festival Full Line-up

    Opening Night Film

    Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Director Alejandro González Iñárritu.  2014, USA.

    Closing Night Film

    Wild, Director Jean-Marc Vallee. 2014, USA. 

    Centerpiece Screenings

    The Good Lie, Director Philippe Falardeau. 2014, USA.

    The Imitation Game, Director Morten Tyldum. 2014, USA, UK.

    Laggies, Director Lynn Shelton. 2013, USA.

    St. Vincent, Director Theodore Melfi. 2014, USA.  

    American IndependentsPresented by the Lincoln Motor Company: Featuring powerful new voices in American cinema, these fresh, gritty films explore a variety of subjects through the filmmaker’s uncompromising vision. All films in this series are a part of the “PFF On Us” free ticketing program.

    Big Significant Things, Director Bryan Reisberg. 2014, USA.

    Glass Chin, DirectorNoah Buschel. 2014,   USA.

    Imperial Dreams, Director Malik Vitthal. 2014, USA.

    Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter, Director David Zellner. 2014, USA.

    Man From Reno, Director Dave Boyle. 2014, USA, Japan. 

    The Mirage, Director Kyle Roper. 2014 USA

    Wild Canaries, Director Lawrence, Michael Levine. 2014, USA           .

    Cinema Down, From the land that brought us Mad Max, Moulin Rouge! and Driving Miss Daisy comes brave new work from veteran and budding Australian voices alike.

    52 Tuesdays, Director Sophie Hyde. 2013, Australia.

    Charlie’s Country, Director     Rolf de Heer. 2014, Australia.

    The Infinite Man, Director Hugh Sullivan. 2013, Australia    .

    The Mule, Director Angus Sampson, Tony Mahony. 2014, Australia. 

    Documentary ShowcasePresented by 500 Walnut: Comprising the best in documentary filmmaking, these compelling films feature everything from stirring character studies to fascinating looks at current global issues.

    Art and Craft , Director Sam Cullman, Jennifer Grausman, co-directed by Mark Becker. 2014, USA.

    Ballet 422, Director Jody Lee Lipes . 2014,  USA.

    The Great Invisible,Director Margaret Brown. 2014, USA.

    I Am Big Bird: The Carroll Spinney Story, Director Chad Walker, Dave LaMattina. 2014, USA.

    The Immortalists, Director David Alvarado, Jason Sussberg. 2014, USA.

    Mudbloods, Director Farzad Sangari. 2014, USA .

    The Overnighters, Director Jesse Moss. 2013, USA.

    Point and Shoot, Director Marshall Curry. 2014, USA.

    This Time Next Year,Director Jeff Reichert, Farihah Zaman. 2014, USA.

    From the VaultsFilm history comes alive as it was meant to be seen – on the big screen. Come see old favorites bigger than life once again.

    Blue Velvet, Director David Lynch . 1986,USA.

    Capote, Director Bennett Miller. 2005, USA.

    Mulholland Drive, DirectorDavid Lynch.2001, USA.

    The Straight Story, DirectorDavid Lynch.  1999, USA.

    To Have and Have Not, Director Howard Hawks. 1944,USA.

    Wild at Heart, Director David Lynch. 1990, USA.

    The Graveyard ShiftHorror, action, suspense, and the downright weird, these films will keep you awake during the graveyard shift.

    A Hard Day, Director Seong-hun Kim. 2014, South Korea.

    Housebound, Director Gerard Johnstone. 2014, New Zealand.

    In Order of Disappearance, Director Hans Petter Moland. 2014, Norway.

    It Follows, Director David Robert Mitchell. 2014,USA.

    Revenge of the Green Dragons, Director Andrew Lau, Andrew Loo.2013, USA.

    V/H/S: Viral, Director Marcel Sarmiento, Nacho Vigalondo, Justin Benson, Aaron Moorhead, Gregg Bishop. 2014, USA, Spain.  

    Greater FilmadelphiaPresented by Philadelphia Gas Works: Featuring work from some of our finest homegrown filmmakers, this category brings our city and its talent to the big screen.

    Crescendo! The Power of Music, Director Jamie Bernstein. 2014, USA.

    Happy Valley, Director Amir Bar-Lev. 2014, USA.

    Listen Up Philip, Director Alex Ross Perry.2014, USA.

    Love and Terror on the Howling Plains of Nowhere, Director Dave Jannetta. 2014,  USA.

    Teacher of the Year, Director Jason Strouse. 2014, USA.

    Tomorrow We Disappear, Director Jimmy Goldblum, Adam Weber. 2014, USA.

    Masters of CinemaPresented by Comcast: These new films exemplify the masterful work of world-renowned filmmakers as they continue to thrill and inspire audiences with cutting-edge features.

    Clouds of Sils Maria, Director Olivier Assayas. 2014, France, USA.

    Goodbye to Language 3D, Director Jean-Luc Godard. 2014, France.

    Mommy, Director Xavier Dolan. 2014, Canada.

    Two Days, One Night, Director Luc Dardenne, Jean-Pierre Dardenne. 2013, Belgium, France.

    Winter Sleep, Director Nuri Bilge Ceylan. 2014, Turkey, France, Germany.

    New French FilmsThe birthplace of cinema, France continues to produce some of the best movies in the world with films that are funny, daring, sexy and uniquely French.

    Breathe, Director Mélanie Laurent. 2014, France.

    Girlhood, Director Céline Sciamma. 2014, France.

    Hippocrates, Director Thomas Lilti. 2014, France.

    Love at First Fight, Director Thomas Cailley. 2014, France.

    This Is My Land, Director Tamara Erde. 2014, France.

    Sight and SoundtrackPresented by Sweat Fitness: Featuring rockumentaries, musician biopics and films that are centered on the unifying power of music.

    Beyond the Lights, Director Gina Prince-Bythewood. 2014, USA.

    Deep City: The Birth of the Miami Sound, Director Dennis Scholl, Marlon Johnson, Chad Tingle. 2014, USA.

    The Last Five Years, Director Richard LaGravenese. 2014, USA.

    Someone You Love, Director Pernille Fischer Christensen. 2014, Denmark, Sweden.

    Song One, Director Kate Barker-Froyland. 2014, USA.

    Traitors, Director Sean Gullette. 2013, Morocco.

    Tu Dors Nicole, Director Stéphane Lafleur. 2014, Canada.

    Spanish Language StoriesPresented by Southwest Airlines: Offering gripping stories and unique perspectives, these Spanish-language films explore a multitude of subjects ranging from the culturally specific to the universal.

    10,000 Km, Director Carlos Marques-Marcet. 2014, Spain, USA.

    Güeros, Director Alonso Ruizpalacios. 2014, Mexico.

    Los Ángeles, Director Damian John Harper. 2014, Mexico, Germany.

    Manos Sucias, Director Josef Wladyka. 2014, USA, Colombia.

    SpotlightsPresented by Philadelphia Magazine: Highly-anticipated movies from some of the biggest names in the industry, these films shine a spotlight on top talent from around the world.

    Big Hero 6, Director Don Hall, Chris Williams. 2014, USA.

    Creep, Director Patrick Brice. 2014, USA.

    Escobar: Paradise Lost, Director Andrea Di Stefano. 2014, France, Spain, Belgium.

    Faults, Director Riley Stearns. 2014, USA.

    Gabriel, Director Lou Howe. 2014,USA.

    Life Partners, Director Susanna Fogel. 2014, USA.

    Love, Rosie, Director Christian Ditter. 2014, UK, Germany.

    World NarrativesPresented by 6ABC: Explore the world through film with this diverse selection of international cinema that features distinct perspectives and images from around the globe.

    Beloved Sisters, Director Dominik Graf. 2014, Germany, Austria.

    Cracks in Concrete, Director Umut Dağ. 2014, Austria.

    The Duke of Burgundy, Director Peter Strickland. 2014,UK.

    Force Majeure, Director Ruben Östlund. 2014, Sweden.

    Gett, the Trial of Viviane Amsalem, Director Ronit Elkabetz, Shlomi, Elkabetz. 2014,  Israel, France, Germany.

    Human Capital, Director Paolo Virzì. 2014, Italy.

    Run, Director  Philippe Lacôte. 2014, Ivory Coast, France.

    Stations of the Cross, Director Dietrich Brüggemann. 2014, Germany, France.

    The Tale of Princess Kaguya, Director Isao Takahata. 2014, Japan.

    Titli, Director Kanu Behl. 2014, India.

    The Tribe, Director Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy. 2014, Ukraine.

    Villa Touma, Director Suha Arraf. 2014, Palestine     .

    The Way He Looks, Director Daniel Ribeiro. 2014, Brazil.

    When Animals Dream, Director Jonas Alexander Arnby. 2014, Denmark.

    Xenia,  Director Panos H. Koutras.2014, Greece, France, Belgium.

    Short Films

    12 Years of DFA: Too Old To Be New, Too New To Be Classic, Director Max Joseph. 2013, USA.

    130919 * A Portrait of Marina Abramović, Director Matthu Placek. 2013, USA.

    8 Bullets, Director Frank Ternier. 2014, France.

    After School, Director Guillaume Renusson. 2014, France.

    Astigmatismo, Director Nicolai Troshinsky. 2014, Spain.

    The Chaperone, Director Fraser Munden, Neil Rathbone. 2013, Canada.

    Chevette 83, Director Luis Oliva, 2013, Canada

    The Cut, Director Geneviève Dulude-De Celles. 2013, Canada.

    High Ground, Director Geoff Bailey. 2013, USA.

    Inside the Mind of Colin Furze, Director David Beazley. 2014, UK.

    Marilyn Myller, Director Mikey Please. 2013, USA, UK.

    Me + Her, Director Joseph Oxford. 2014, USA.

    The Obvious Child, Director Stephen Irwin. 2013, UK.

    Port Nasty, Director    Rob Zywietz. 2014, UK.

    Tim and Susan Have Matching Handguns, Director Joe Callander. 2013, USA.

    A Town Called Panic: The Christmas Log, Director Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar. 2014, France, Belgium.

    The Video Dating Tape of Desmondo Ray, Aged 33 & 3/4, Director Steve Baker. 2013, Australia.

    Watch Out, Director Joshua Stewart. 2014, USA

    The Way, Director Max Ksjonda. 2012, Ukraine.

    Yearbook, DirectorBernardo Britto. 2013, USA. 

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  • Cinema Eye Honors Names 2015 “Shorts List” 10 Finalists for 2015 Outstanding Nonfiction Short Film Award

    The Lion’s Mouth OpensThe Lion’s Mouth Opens

    Ten nonfiction short films were announced as finalists for the 2015 Cinema Eye Honors, the 8th edition of the largest annual celebration for and recognition of the nonfiction film artform and the creators of those films.  Among the notable films and filmmakers on this year’s Shorts List is Lucy Walker’s The Lion’s Mouth Opens. Walker won the 2014 Cinema Eye Honor for Outstanding Nonfiction Film on Television for The Crash Reel. She is a two-time Academy Award nominee for Waste Land and The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom.

    The announcement of the annual Cinema Eye Shorts List was made on the opening day of the 2014 Camden International Film Festival (CIFF), a key festival partner of the Cinema Eye Honors. For the first time, all ten films, which are among the most acclaimed short documentaries of the year, screened at the 10th Annual Camden International Film Festival.  

    It’s the third year that the CEH Shorts List has been announced in Camden and the first year that all ten films on the list will screen at the festival.  This January will mark the sixth year that CIFF hosts their annual reception on the eve of Cinema Eye’s award ceremony.  A key part of Cinema Eye Week, a multi-day event held in New York City in January, the CIFF reception has become the largest single event for nonfiction film in the city and an important kickoff for the new year in the documentary community.

    Other notable films and filmmakers on this year’s Shorts List:

    Steven Bognar’s Foundry Night Shift. Bognar was a 2010 Academy Award nominee for The Last Truck: Closing of a GM Plant and a 2007 Primetime Emmy Award winner for A Lion in The House.

    Deborah Stratman’s Hacked Circuit. Stratman was a 2010 Cinema Eye nominee for Outstanding Cinematography for her film O’er the Land and was named to the 2012 Shorts List for Ray’s Birds.

    From the ten finalists on this year’s Shorts List, five films will be named as nominees for the Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Short Filmmaking Award.  Nominees in that category and nearly a dozen feature film categories will be announced on Wednesday, November 12 in Copenhagen, Denmark at an event at CPH:DOX.  Awards will be presented during Cinema Eye Week in New York City in January 2015.

    This year’s ten finalists are:

    Foundry Night Shift (United States) Directed by Steven Bognar

    Hacked Circuit (United States) Directed by Deborah Stratman

    Joanna (Poland) Directed by Aneta Kopacz

    The Lion’s Mouth Opens (United States) Directed by Lucy Walker

    Notes on Blindness (United Kingdom) Directed by Peter Middleton and James Spinney

    One Year Lease (United States) Directed by Brian Bolster

    The Queen (Argentina) Directed by Manuel Abramovich

    Santa Cruz del Islote (United States) Directed by Luke Lorentzen

    Unlocking the Truth (United States) Directed by Luke Meyer

    Vegas (United Kingdom) Directed by Lukasz Konopa

    Finalists for the Short Filmmaking award were determined in voting by top short film/documentary programmers from international film festivals.  Members of this year’s Short Film Nominations Committee included: Karen Cirillo (True/False Film Festival), Charlotte Cook (Hot Docs), Hussain Currimbhoy (formerly of Sheffield Doc/Fest), Cara Cusumano (Tribeca), Ben Fowlie (Camden International Film Festival), Claudette Godfrey (SXSW), Doug Jones (formerly of the Los Angeles Film Festival), Ted Mott (Full Frame), Veton Nurkollari (Dokufest Kosovo), Rachel Rosen (San Francisco), Sky Sitney (formerly of AFI Docs) and Kim Yutani (Sundance).

    This is the fifth year that Cinema Eye has presented an award for Nonfiction Short Filmmaking.  Previous winners in the category include The Poodle Trainer (directed by Vance Malone, 2011), Diary (Tim Hetherington, 2012), Goodbye Mandima (Kwa Heri Mandima) (Robert-Jan Lacombe, 2013) and A Story for the Modlins (Sergio Oksman, 2014).

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  • Jason Reitman Directed Dramedy “Men, Women & Children” to Open Twin Cities Film Fest

    Men, Women & ChildrenMen, Women & Children

    Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) announced what they describe as a captivating and thrilling lineup of films for their 2014 festival, to be held October 16-25 at Kerasotes ShowPlace ICON at The Shops at West End in Minneapolis, Minnesota.  The Festival begins with the Jason Reitman directed dramedy Men, Women & Children, which will open the festival Thursday night. Minnesotan filmmakers will again be featured among award contenders, including 2014 TCFF Centerpiece film Hunger in America produced by Minneapolis’ own Tim VandeSteeg and narrated by James Denton.  VandeSteeg and Denton will appear at the special benefit with partial proceeds being donated to ­­­­the St. Louis Park Foodshelf, an organization battling hunger in the Twin Cities Community. 

    Other highly anticipated films include the hit comedy from the Los Angeles Film Festival, The Last Time You Had Fun starring Demetri Martin and Eliza Coupe; V/H/S: Viral, the third film in the hit found footage horror trilogy; and The Heart Machine, the haunting and intricate romantic mystery that had audiences at South by Southwest talking.

    The final days of the festival will feature two critically-acclaimed films, The Imitation Game on October 24 and Wild onOctober 25.  The Imitation Game stars Benedict Cummerbatch as Alan Turing, the genius British mathematician, logician, cryptologist and computer scientist who led the charge to crack the German Enigma Code that helped the Allies win WWII.  The film recently took home the top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, immediately positioning it as an awards season frontrunner.  Wild, based on the NY Times bestselling book by Minnesota native Cheryl Strayed, stars Reese Witherspoon. 

    Closing the festival will be Time Lapse, the ingenious and tantalizing story about a camera that takes photos 24 hours in the future which has already won the coveted audience award at the Fantaspoa International Film Festival.

    2014 TWIN CITIES FILM FEST SCHEDULE

    October 16                       

    7:30PM: Men, Women & Children

    October 17

    1:00PM:  The Immortalists
    3:00PM: Big Significant Things
    5:15PM: Father-Like Son
    7:30PM: The Last Time You Had Fun
    9:30PM: V/H/S: Viral

    October 18                       

    10:00AM: One Good Year
    12:00PM: These Hopeless Savages
    2:00PM: Old Fashioned
    4:45PM: 3 Nights in the Desert
    6:00PM: BFFs
    7:00PM: The Heart Machine
    8:30PM: The Well
    9:00PM: House of Manson

    October 19                       

    10:30AM: Born to Fly
    12:30PM: A Family Affair (Shorts Block)
    3:00PM:  The Young Kieslowski
    6:00PM:  Wild Canaries
    8:30PM: Just Before I Go

    October 20                       

    6:00PM: Evil, Enemies, and Aliens (Shorts Block)
    8:45PM: The Transylvania TV

    October 21           

    6:00PM: To Say Goodbye
    8:45PM: Solitude

    October 22                       

    12:30PM:  Flying Paper
    2:15PM: Father-Like Son
    4:30PM:  Old Fashioned
    6:00PM:  Hunger In America                               
    7:00PM: Comet
    8:30PM:  The Control Group
    9:30PM:  The Well

    October 23                       

    11:30AM: Hoop Dreams
    3:00PM: The Immortalists
    5:00PM: Where the Trail Ends
    5:45PM: The World Around Us (Shorts Block)
    7:00PM: Stray Dog
    8:30PM: Kumiko: The Treasure Hunter
    9:30PM:  Strike One

    October 24                       

    11:00AM: The Syndrome
    2:30PM: Big Significant Things
    4:30PM: The Heart Machine
    6:00PM:  Lust, Love & Loss (Shorts Block)
    6:30PM:  Breaking Free From The Life
    8:30PM:  The Imitation Game
    9:00PM:  The Last Time You Had Fun

    October 25                       

    10:00AM: The Syndrome
    12:30PM:  Women in Charge (Shorts Block)
    3:00PM:  Scouts Honor
    5:30PM:  Ink & Steel
    6:00PM:  Wild
    8:30PM:  Time Lapse

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  • Q Cinema, Fort Worth’s Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival Unveils 2014 Lineup; Opens with Romantic Comedy “The 10 Year Plan”

    The 10 Year Plan

    Q Cinema, Fort Worth’s Gay & Lesbian International Film Festival and one of the longest running Gay & Lesbian Film Festivals in the country released the line-up for the 16th film festival, Q Cinema’s Sweet Sixteen, October 9 through 12 at Fort Worth’s own Rose Marine Theater.  The Opening Night Centerpiece is The 10 Year Plan directed by JC Calciano, described as a classic romantic comedy that tells the story of Myles and Brody – two friends who make a pact to be together if neither finds love in ten years’ time.  The Closing Night Centerpiece is the Southwest Premier of My Guys  that follows Georgette(Kendall Savage), a 29 year-old, full-figured waitress who has not one, but four BFFs who happen to be gay men. 

    The line-up is as follows:

    Thursday, October 9 

    6:30 PM, CLUB KING. CLUB KING combines Diaz’s personal reflections with candid interviews and archival footage from the East and West Coast’s hottest queens (including Jackie Beat), go-go boys, and singers like Justin Vivian Bond, resulting in a dizzyingly wild ride. Director Jon Bush, 2013, USA, 65 min.

    8 PM, Opening Night Centerpiece: The 10 Year Plan. A classic romantic comedy that tells the story of Myles and Brody – two friends who make a pact to be together if neither finds love in ten years’ time. This film has not only several sexy new leading men (one of which, Michael Adam Hamilton, will be present at the screening along with the director) but also has cameos from the hugely popular webseries Steam Room Stories. Several of the guys (Ben Palacios, Chris Reid, Adam Bucci, Skyler Seymour, Cedric Jonathan, Josh Wise and Jesse Welch) make special appearances in the film as their steam room characters.Director: JC Calciano, 2014, USA, 92 min. Preceded by the short film: Me Tube, 2014, Germany, 4 min. Calciano and Michael Hamilton in attendance

    10 PM, Sweet Sixteen Opening Night Party: Tiaras & Tinis, Rose Marine Theater Main Gallery

    Friday, October 10

    6:00 PM, Bridegoom. On May 7, 2012, the anniversary of Tom’s death, after a year of documenting his own grief, Shane decided to make a video tribute to his partner entitled “It Could Happen To You.” This film, posted on YouTube, received over 3.4 million views and has been translated into over 20 different languages. The impact of Shane’s YouTube video and the raw nerve it touched, tells us this is an important story that needs to be told.

    With the incredible support from influential people like Brad and George Takei and Neil Patrick Harris, Bridegroom was successfully funded on July 19, 2012 by over 6,500 people on Kickstarter.com becoming the most funded documentary in the history of crowd funding, and released in the fall of 2013. No admission. Sponsored by Movies that Matter.

    7 PM, Pre-screening & autograph reception with Del Shores. Do you own any Sordid Lives memorabilia you would like signed by Del Shores? Bring it! You will also have the opportunity to purchase DVD & BluRay sets of his works to be personally autographed.

    8 PM, Friday Night Centerpiece: Del Shores: Naked. Sordid. Reality. Del Shores, creator of the cult franchise Sordid Lives, filmed his hilarious, most successful standup tour to date once again at The Rose Room in Dallas, TX. Del will be hosting with new material, then a screening of the DVD will follow.

    This was Shores’ third national tour & in DEL SHORES NAKED.SORDID.REALITY. He shares more sordid stories about his Texas family, reads letters he’s written to the haters (including Newt and Kirk Cameron), acts out scenes from your favorite reality shows (including Hoarders and The Real Housewives) and yes, he will address his new, unexpected, single life.

    Del says, “Look, I’ve had a rough few months, okay. I’m bitter and mean and don’t give a shit, so no telling what I’ll say this time!” Shores warns. Written & performed by Del Shores, 84 min.

    10 PM, After-party, location TBD and catering provided by City Kitchen Catering Fine Foods.

    Saturday, October 11

    1 PM, Family Ties Shorts Program, Total Run time 83 minThis shorts compilation highlights five very different films that expose a wide range of family dynamics and relationships that will leave you astounded. This is an emotional roller coaster representing many family ties. These five films include:

    Texas Premier A Last Farewell, A portrait of an aging author who must tackle the impossible: finding peace in the wake of a devastating loss. Dir. Casper Andreas, 2014, Sweden, English subtitles, 13 min.

    World Premier Coming Out, A look at one girl’s story of coming at out, her mother’s reaction and how playing basketball eases her struggles.Dir. Allysa Defonte, 2014, USA

    US Premier Blut, Reis, und Tranen (Blood, Rice & Tears), Tim is 38 and works as a taxi driver, which gives him enough flexibility to take care of his father who suffers from Alzheimer. But does it leave him room for a true romance? Dir. Johannes Rosenstein 2014, Germany, English subtitles, 31 min.

    Texas Premier Darkness, A family dispute gradually reveals the source of a male dominated family’s anxieties – a daughter who chooses to dress, and express, as a boy. Going out into the night, she sets off on a journey to find love, and eventually herself, in the colorful underground nightspots of East London. Dir. Simon Savory, 2013, UK, 7 min.

    Southwest Premier Electric Indigo, A different look at education, sexuality and human values. Dir. Jean-Julian Collette, 2013, France, 24 min.

    3 PM, Queens & Cowboys: A Straight Year on the Gay Rodeo. The film tells the story of five members of the International Gay Rodeo Association including Dallas’s own, Wade Earp, a descendant of cowboy legend Wyatt Earp. Roping and riding across North America, they buck tradition & bust every stereotype in the book. Director: Matt Livardy, 2014, USA, 92 min. Wade Earp in attendance.

    Preceded by the short film: US Premier 

    Another Way Out Three generations of LGBT Canadians talk about their life journeys. Stark black & white visuals highlight these candid, eloquent self-portraits. Dir: Simone Stock, 2013, Canada, 4 min. Simone Stock, Anna Gutmanis & Georgia Wilder will be in attendance and available for Q&A after the screening.

    6 PM, Tru Love, An evocative love story about the intersecting lives of three women.  When love finds you, rules and roles don’t apply.

    Preceded by Secrets & Toys. A surprise visit, a bumbling bestie, and many years of tight-lipped deception causes EVERYONE’S secrets to hit the fan. Dir. Quentin Lee, 2014, USA, 12 min.

    8 PM, Centerpiece Film: Southwest Premier Crazy Bitches. A group of ex Alpha Kappa Phi Sorority girls and a fab gay guy plan a getaway birthday weekend for their friend, Alice. Escaping to a remote ranch the group settles in for several days of gossip, girl time and grub. Writer/Director/Producer: Jane Clark, 2014, USA 97 min. Clark and actor Cathy DuBuono will be in attendance & available for Q&A after the screening.

    Preceded by Narcissist, Sometimes one must experience darkness to find a true authentic light. Writer/Director/Producer Eric Casaccio, 2014, USA, 17 min. Casaccio will be in attendance & available for Q&A after the screening.

    10:30 PM, VIP Reception & After-Party: Hosted by Flowers on the Square and Louis Lambert. Special guests in attendance: Jane Clark, Cathy DuBuono, Eric Casaccio, Anna Gutmanis, Georgia Wilder & Joseph Antaki. Admission for those with Sponsor and All-Access Passes. A limited number of tickets will be available for purchase at the box office during the festival.

    Sunday, October 12

    2:30 PM, End of Season Sale, Contraplano (Plan B) & Foreign Relations

    Southwest Premier End of Season Sale Two ageing men meet on the street on a rainy night. The city no longer awaits them. They both like men, but their sexual identity is entirely different: one likes words without flesh, the other likes flesh without words. Dir. Eli Glazer, 2014, Israel, English subtitles, 35 min. US Premier

    Contraplano (Plan B) In an apartment, two guys have a meeting. Apparently, it’s a romantic dinner. Apparently, it’s all about illusion. Between ‘me’ and ‘another one’, there’s the paradox: how to care for a relationship in a world designed for individuals? Dir. Gus Stevaux, 2013, Brazil, English subtitles, 15 min. Nudity

    Foreign Relations, Touring in Europe, shy Tom meets a sexy, but ambiguous Greek & flirty tour guide. Dir Reid Waterer, 2014, USA, 25 min.

    4PM BFFs. Two friends, one lie, five couples and the three days that could change everything. Kat and Samantha have been best friends for years. When Samantha convinces a reluctant Kat to take advantage of a couple’s weekend retreat by pretending to be lovers, they’re hoping for some time by the pool and maybe a few good stories. How hard could it be? Instead, they find themselves immersed in an intensive workshop with real couples who are fighting to save their relationships. As the “Closer to Closeness” weekend progresses, Kat and Samantha are made to face their own shortcomings and, by default, begin to believe their own cover story. When the lines of friendship begin to blur, they are faced with asking themselves: could it actually be there is something there or has this weekend just worked a Jedi mind trick on them? Director: Dir. Andrew Putschoegl, 2014, USA, 90 min

    Preceded by the short film: Cortometraje (Speechless), Dir. Christina Barnuevo, 2012, English subtitles, 14 min.

    6 PM Closing Night Centerpiece: Southwest Premier My Guys Meet Georgette(Kendall Savage), a 29 year-old, full-figured waitress who has not one, but four BFFs who happen to be gay men. As the only woman in this entourage, Georgette relishes being the center of attention and knowing her ‘Guys’ always have her back…especially when dealing with her redneck family, nosy neighbor and boss from hell.  But wait, Georgette’s life is about to get way more complicated. Director: Joseph Antaki, 2014, Canada, 81 min. Sexual situations.

    Preceded by the short film: World Premiere We Are Fine, No words are needed in this visually stimulating film. Dir. Simon Savory, 2014, UK/Australia, 5 min.

    7:30 PM Awards & Closing Night Party, Rose Marine Theater Main Gallery

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  • Oscar Winning Director Volker Schlöndorff’s DIPLOMACY Sets US Release Dates

     diplomacy

    Volker Schlöndorff’s DIPLOMACY, starring “two of France’s greatest actors,” Niels Arestrup and André Dussollier, will open at the Film Forum in New York on Wednesday, October 15, and at the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles on November 7. A national release will follow.  

    As the Allies march toward Paris in the summer of 1944, Hitler gives orders that the French capital should not fall into enemy hands, or if it does, then ‘only as a field of rubble’. The person assigned to carry out this barbaric act is Wehrmacht commander of Greater Paris, General Dietrich von Choltitz, who already has mines planted on the Eiffel Tower, in the Louvre and Notre Dame and on the bridges over the Seine. Nothing should be left as a reminder of the city’s former glory. However, at dawn on 25 August, Swedish Consul General Raoul Nordling steals into German headquarters through a secret underground tunnel and there starts a tension-filled game of cat and mouse as Nordling tries to persuade Choltitz to abandon his plan .

    In this riveting adaptation of the stage success by Cyril Gély, the great Volker Schlöndorff (Academy Award winner THE TIN DRUM) has created a psychologically elaborate game of political manners between two highly contrasting characters. While Choltitz entrenches himself behind his duty to obey unquestioningly all military orders, Nordling tries everything he can to appeal to reason and humanity and prevent the senseless destruction of the beloved ‘City of Light.’

    http://youtu.be/Y6y5DiGBQdQ

    Photo credits: Niels Arestrup as General Dietrich von Choltitz and André Dussollier as Consul Raoul Nordling in DIPLOMACY. A film by Volker Schlöndorff. A Zeitgeist Films release.
    Photo: Jérôme Prébois

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