• “The House That Jack Built” Leads Winners and Awards of 2014 Phoenix Film Festival

    The House That Jack Built directed by Henry Barrial The House That Jack Built directed by Henry Barrial

    The House That Jack Built directed by Henry Barrial is the big winner of the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival, winning the awards for Best Picture, Best Director for Henry Barrial, and Best Screenplay posthumously went to Joseph Vasquez. According to the filmmakers, The House That Jack Built took nearly 20-years to complete. The script was written by Joseph Vasquez, whose life was cut short in 1995 when he died of AIDS after an extended struggle with severe Bi-polar disorder, a story documented in Entertainment Weekly.  

    in the film, Jack Maldonado is an ambitious young Latino man who, fueled by misguided nostalgia, buys a small apartment building in the Bronx and moves his boisterous family into the apartments to live rent-free. His parents, Carlos and Martha, sister Nadia, brother Richie and his wife Rosa, Grandmother / Abuela and cousins Hector and Manny, all under one roof. Tension builds quickly as Jack imposes his views on everyone around him, including his fiancée, Lily. All the while, he hides the fact that his corner store is a front for selling marijuana, but soon has to deal with new unwanted competitive forces. It’s only a matter of time before Jack’s family and ‘business’ lives collide in tragic fashion

    http://youtu.be/9ID7C6jBpC8

     

    The Joe Show, a documentary about America’s most controversial Sheriff, Joe Arpaio, and his ringmaster’s approach to media, politics and law enforcement, directed by Randy Murray won the award for Best Documentary.  The Cox Audience Award went to Life Inside Out directed by Jill D’Agnenica. The film tells the parallel stories of Laura, a devoted mother of three teenage boys, and her youngest son Shane, the family misfit. When Laura stumbles upon her long forgotten guitar, the former passion of her youthful life, and Shane begins to discover musical gifts of his own, their lives change in complex and unpredictable ways.

    Complete list of awards and winners of the 2014 Phoenix Film Festival.

    International Horror and Sci-Fi Film Fest Awards

    Best Sci-Fi  Short – The Developer
    Best Sci-Fi Feature – S.O.S: Save Our Skins
    Best Horror Short – The Carriage or Dracula and My Mother
    Best Horror Feature – Billy Club

    Short Film Awards

    Best Grade/High School Short – As Always
    College – Til Death
    Arizona – Long Way
    Best Arizona Short Documentary – For the Love of Dogs
    Short Documentary – Eugene
    Animated – Estefan
    Live Action – Ice

    World Cinema Awards

    World Cinema Short – Mr. Invisible
    World Cinema Documentary – The Aryans
    World Cinema Director – Petr Nikolaev, Godfather’s Story
    World Cinema Best Picture – When I Saw You
    World Cinema Audience Award Winner – The Aryans

    Foundation Awards

    Arizona Filmmakers of the Year – Josh Kasselman and Stephanie Lucas
    Volunteer of the Year – Marty Freetage

    Feature Film Awards

    Dan Harkins Breakthrough Filmmaker Award – Eddie Jemison and Sean Richardson – King of Herrings
    Special Achievement in Acting – Elias Koteas, Jake Squared
    Best Ensemble – Teddy Bears
    Best Director – Henry Barrial – The House That Jack Built
    Best Screenplay –  Joseph Vasquez – The House That Jack Built
    Best Documentary – The Joe Show
    Best Picture – The House That Jack Built
    Cox Audience Award – Life Inside Out 

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  • Sonoma International Film Festival Announce 2014 Award Winners; “Brahmin Bulls” Starring Mary Steenburgen Wins Best American Independent Feature

     Brahmin BullsBrahmin Bulls

    The Sonoma International Film Festival’s 17th edition which ran April 2 to 6, 2014, came to a close Sunday night and bestowed awards on the winning films and filmmakers. Brahmin Bulls directed by Mahesh Pailoor and starring Mary Steenburgen, Justin Bartha and Michael Lerner won the award for Best American Independent Feature. In the film, a disillusioned architect and his distant father come together after many years, but when a woman from the past resurfaces, old wounds threaten to break their new-found relationship.

    FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS:

    Best American Independent Feature: Brahmin Bulls
    Directed by Mahesh Pailoor

    A disillusioned architect and his distant father come together after many years, but when a woman from the past resurfaces, old wounds threaten to break their new-found relationship. The film stars Mary Steenburgen, Justin Bartha and Michael Lerner.

    Jury notes: Universal recognition of the father-son relationship told through the specificity of a cultural lens.

    Best World Feature: Siddharth, directed by Richie Metha

    After sending away his 12-year-old son Siddharth for work, Mahendra (a chain-wallah who fixes broken zippers on the streets) is relieved his financial burdens will be alleviated. But when Siddharth fails to return home, Mahendra learns he may have been taken by child-traffickers. With little resources and no connections, he travels across India with the hope that whatever force arbitrarily took his child away will return him unharmed.

    Jury notes: Tremendous heart and humanity in a quickly changing time… classic storytelling with a fresh perspective.

    Honorable Mention: Everything Is Fine Here, directed by Pourya Azarbayjani

    An engaged girl is gang raped in a desert area of Teheran. In a strict conservative society the crime of the assailants is the catastrophe of the victim. Overwhelmed by rumors her life turns into a nightmare.

    Jury notes: A courageous approach to narrative storytelling.

    Best Documentary Feature: The Human Experiment, directed by Donald Hardy, Jr.

    Narrated and executive-produced by Oscar winner Sean Penn, the film documents how thousands of untested chemicals are in our products, our homes and in us. The film follows a band of unlikely activists who are fighting back. Ranging from a conservative businessman to a teenage radical, they are staking their lives on this battle to protect our health. They go head-to-head with the powerful and well-funded chemical industry to uncover a system that’s been hidden from consumers, where science is for sale and million-dollar PR campaigns keep dangerous products on the shelves.

    Jury notes: An important story that needed to be told, and equally entertaining.

    Best Narrative Short: Door God, directed by Yulin Liu

    On Chinese New Year, a little girl learns reality is not what it seems as she discovers how betrayal can be done out of love. A seven-year-old girl, Lingli, has been waiting two years for her mother to come home. When her family finally puts up the Door God on Chinese New Year, her mother finally returns, but brings irreversible change to Lingli and her family.

    Jury notes: A moving tale of a small girl and her father learning to exist following the mother’s abandonment… a story of hope and stoicism.

    Best Documentary Short: Happy Hands, directed by Honey Lauren

    In 1975 Saigonm, actress Tippi Hedren gave her time and heart on the South China Sea, bravely helping Vietnamese refugees and eventually becoming a fixture in the camp known as Hope Village. There, Miss Hedren personally conceived and provided the means for twenty of the first refugees to establish themselves as manicurists. Together, they brought beauty to the masses, and established a new industry that became a Vietnamese American Dream for a people whose language has no word to describe it.

    Jury notes: A revealing introduction of how South Vietnamese immigrants earned a living and gained a sense of self via an unlikely route — nail salons.

    AUDIENCE FAVORITE WINNERS

    The Stolman Audience Award of $1,000 for Best American Independent Feature:
    The Fourth Noble Truth, directed by Gary T. McDonald

    After being convicted of road rage, a playboy movie star is sentenced to individual mediation lessons with an enlightened Buddhist teacher.

    A³ Audience Award of $1000 for Best Documentary: Taking My Parents to Burning Man, directed by Joel Ashton McCarthy and Bryant H. Boesen

    Burning Man is a arts festival in the Nevada desert that is notorious for dust, destruction, and debauchery. Needless to say, it’s not your average place for a family vacation…that is until Bry decides to rip his parents from their day to day office jobs and throw them into an adventure of a lifetime.

    Audience Award of $1000 for Best World Feature: Butterfly’s Dream, directed by Yilmaz Erdogan

    In a small Turkish town, two young tuberculous poets try to survive while publishing their poems. As they both fall in love, their life would never be the same.

     via sonomaportal

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  • RADiUS-TWC to Work with Duplass Brothers on a “CREEP” Trilogy; Sets Release Date for “THE ONE I LOVE”

     CREEPCREEP

    RADiUS-TWC, a division of the Weinstein Company will partner with the Duplass Brothers and Blumhouse Productions on a CREEP trilogy after the film’s ‘highly praised and fear inducing” SXSW premiere.  CREEP stars Mark Duplass (SAFETY NOT GUARANTEED) who co-wrote the film with Patrick Brice, making his directorial debut. Produced by Jason Blum (PARANORMAL ACTIVITY, THE PURGE, INSIDIOUS and SINISTER franchises) and Duplass, CREEP is a unique two-man psychological thriller that upends expectations at every turn.  

    The One I LoveThe One I Love

    RADiUS is also distributing Duplass’ THE ONE I LOVE which the company acquired out of Sundance and plans to release on August 15.

    Synopsis is as follows: “Looking for work, Aaron (Brice) comes across a cryptic online ad: $1,000 for the day. Filming service. Discretion is appreciated.”

    Low on cash and full of naiveté he drives to a cabin in a remote mountain town where he meets Josef (Duplass), his cinematic subject for the day. Josef is sincere and the project seems heartfelt, so Aaron begins to film. But as the day goes on, it becomes clear that Josef may not be who he says.

    RADiUS, who acquired worldwide rights to the trilogy, is planning to release CREEP later this year.

    According to RADiUS co-presidents Tom Quinn and Jason Janego: “We jumped at the opportunity to work with Mark again and Jason’s involvement was icing on the cake.   CREEP is wry and unnerving with a shock ending that one has come to expect from Blumhouse.  The film played through the roof at SXSW and it was abundantly clear that audiences have a huge appetite for these characters.”

    Mark Duplass echoes the sentiment: “I’m a huge fan of the renegade tactics of Blumhouse and RADiUS, and I couldn’t be more psyched to partner with them on this utterly insane new franchise.”

    Jason Blum goes on to say:  “Mark and Patrick made a smart, fresh and terrifying film and we are excited to partner with RADiUS-TWC on sharing it with audiences while we continue to expand the CREEP world.”

     

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  • VIDEO | Poster and Watch Trailer for Jon Favreau’s Chef Starring Sofia Vergara, John Leguizamo, Scarlett Johansson

    chef movie-poster

    Check out the first poster and trailer for CHEF written and directed by John Favreau and released in theaters on May 9, 2014.  Favreau wrote, directed and stars in the comedy film that also features Sofia Vergara, Scarlett Johansson, John Leguizamo,Bobby Cannavale, Dustin Hoffman and Robert Downey Jr. Favreau plays Carl, a chef who loses his job and decides to launch a food truck business, while attempting to reunite his estranged family. 

    If you want to catch the film before then, Chef, which had its World Premiere at the SXSW Film Festival, also screens as part of the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival and is the opening night film of the Montclair Film Festival.

    http://youtu.be/mLuixZwiIdU

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  • Indie Pop Band ‘of Montreal’ Documentary “THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL” Acquired by Oscilloscope Laboratories for Late 2014 Release

     Jason Miller’s THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL

    Oscilloscope Laboratories has acquired worldwide rights to Jason Miller’s THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL, described as an intimate, enlightening portrait of the endlessly versatile indie pop band of Montreal. The film, which is currently in post-production and is set to bow later this year, is the result of a passionate fanbase that brought the project to life through a successful Kickstarter campaign that resulted in nearly $100,000 in pledges.

    THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL is a personal, accessible look at an artist – frontman Kevin Barnes – whose pursuit to make transcendent music at all costs drives him to value art over human relationships. As he struggles with all of those around him, family and bandmates alike, he’s forced to reconsider the future of the band, begging the question – is this really worth it?

    About the acquisition, O-scope’s Dan Berger and David Laub said, “As fans of of Montreal, we have been excited by this project since we first became aware of it via Kickstarter. We were exceptionally pleased when THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL turned out to be an incredibly well-made, relatable film and are extremely excited to come on board at this early stage to unleash it upon the masses.”

    Filmmaker Jason Miller said, “I’m not sure if they actually liked the whole film, or just the scene with Kevin Barnes’ penis flapping around, but either way, I’m thrilled to release my first film with the infamous Oscilloscope Laboratories!”

    of Montreal frontman Kevin Barnes said, “It is difficult for me to be totally objective about the documentary, but I feel that it is a fairly unflinching and honest portrait of my life in music over the last twenty years.”

    ‘THE PAST IS A GROTESQUE ANIMAL’ was produced and edited by Jason Miller and Andrew Napier (producer of the 2013 Academy Award®-winning short film ‘Curfew’), executive produced by Matt Lunsford and Seth Hubbard of Polyvinyl Records and is a production of Shrine. 

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  • Ashland Independent Film Festival Announces 2014 Award Winners; ‘The Case Against 8’ Sweeps Awards for Best Documentary

    The Case Against 8The Case Against 8 The  Ashland Independent Film Festival  announced the 2014 juried and audience award winning films at an Awards Celebration gala at the Historic Ashland Armory.  The festival’s opening night film, The Case Against 8, directed by Ben Cotner and Ryan White, took home the Les Blank Award for Best Feature Length Documentary, given by the festival’s jurors, as well the Rogue Creamery Audience Award for Best Documentary, voted on by the audience. The film offers a behind-the-scenes look at the historic case to overturn California’s ban on same-sex marriage. The filmmakers and two of the plaintiffs attended the festival and participated in a lively Q&A with audiences following the screening of the film. 2014 Audience Award Winners Obvious Child won the Varsity Audience Award for Best Feature. Brooklyn Farmer received the Audience Award for Best Short Film: Documentary and Young Americans took home the Audience Award for Best Short Film: Narrative. The Audience Family Choice Award went to Macropolis. 2014 Juried Award Winners Hank and Asha, directed by James E. Duff received the festival’s jury award for Best Narrative Feature film. Bluebird received an Honorable Mention in the category. New for AIFF14, the jury award for Best Editing: Feature Length Documentary went to Marmato, directed by Mark Grieco. Bluebird won jury prize for Best Acting Ensemble, with Hank and Asha receiving an honorable mention.Before I Disappear received the Gerald Hirschfeld A.S.C. Award for Best Cinematography and Drunktown’s Finest received an Honorable Mention. Hirschfeld was the 2007 A.S.C President’s Award Honoree and Director of Photography for films such as Young Frankenstein and My Favorite Year. Best Short Documentary went to Rougarouing. The juried award for Best Short Film went to Yearbook.Verbatim received an Honorable Mention in the Best Short Film category. The 2014 Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to two-time Academy Award® winning Director Barbara Kopple. Kopple received an Oscar® in 1977 for Harlan County USA, which screened at the Festival, and again in 1991 for American Dream. Kopple’s many award-winning films include Shut Up and Sing; Woodstock: Now and Then; and Wild Man Blues. Kopple’s latest documentary, Running from Crazy, also screened at the Festival.  The film examines the personal journey of writer, model and actress Mariel Hemingway, the granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway, as she strives for a greater understanding of her complex family history. Earlier in the week, the AIFF presented a 2014 Rogue Award to Ty Burrell. Ty has appeared in blockbuster hits such as Black Hawk Down (2001), Dawn of the Dead (2004), and The Incredible Hulk (2008) and is the voice of Mr. Peabody in the upcoming Mr. Peabody & Sherman. Most know him as the funniest father on television, Phil Dunphy. But Ashland audiences got to know the man behind Phil, the Emmy Award® winning performer who grew up in Ashland, during A Conversation with Ty Burrell held on Saturday, April 5 at the Historic Ashland Armory. Ty and his childhood friend, Miles Inada, Professor of Art and Emerging Media at Southern Oregon University, engaged in an insightful and thoroughly entertaining discussion. Putting the spotlight on a filmmaker making a unique contribution to independent film, the AIFF presented Mark Monroe with a 2014 Rogue Award.  Monroe is the writing talent behind the Academy Award® winning film The Cove and the eye-opening Chasing Ice (AIFF12). Monroe was presented with his Rogue Award after the screening of his most recent film, Mission Blue.  Mission Blue is about legendary oceanographer, marine biologist, and environmentalist Sylvia Earle and her campaign to create a global network of protected marine sanctuaries. Monroe was also featured on the filmmaker TalkBack panel, Not the Same Old Story, examining the critical role of writing for documentary films.

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  • Full Frame Documentary Film Festival Announces 2014 Award Winners; “Evolution of a Criminal” Wins Grand Jury Award

    Evolution of A CriminalEvolution of A Criminal

    The 2014 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival award winners were announced this afternoon at the festival’s annual Awards Barbecue. The Reva and David Logan Grand Jury Award was presented to Evolution of a Criminal, directed by Darius Clark Monroe. Ten years after robbing a bank as teenager, filmmaker Darius Clark Monroe returns home and turns the camera on himself — to tell the story of what happened and look at the fallout from his actions.

    Jury members Shola Lynch, Robb Moss, and Christine O’Malley stated: “For its mix of autobiographical storytelling and inventive use of recreations, for its ability to disrupt what has become a familiar narrative, we award the Grand Jury Award to Evolution of a Criminal.”

    White EarthWhite Earth

    The Full Frame Jury Award for Best Short was given to White Earth, directed by J. Christian Jensen. Against the backdrop of an ethereal North Dakota winter, three children and their immigrant mother describe scenes of isolation and exertion — the impact of the oil boom to their everyday lives.

    Jury members Brian McGinn, Rick Prelinger, and Toby Shimin stated: “Short filmmaking is the art of working within the constraints of limited resources. For its elegant images of an environmentally precarious practice, its enigmatic and often surprising characters, and its vivid depiction of a place undergoing rapid transition, we recognize White Earth with the Jury Award for Best Short.”

    The Hand That FeedsThe Hand That Feeds

    The Hand That Feeds, directed by Rachel Lears and Robin Blotnick, received the Full Frame Audience Award for Feature. The film, a moving story of a bitter labor dispute, follows a group of New York City restaurant workers who stand up for their rights, despite the threat of job loss and deportation.

    http://youtu.be/Hs2KiBiPU6w

    The Silly Bastard Next to the Bed, directed by Scott Calonico, received the Full Frame Audience Award Short. The film is a humorous retelling of how JFK handled a scandal over some pricey bedroom furniture during the last summer of his presidency.

    The Center for Documentary Studies Filmmaker Award was given to Evolution of a Criminal, directed by Darius Clark Monroe. Provided by the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University, this award honors a documentary artist whose work is a potential catalyst for education and change. Representatives from the Center for Documentary Studies juried the prize: Randy Benson, Wesley Hogan, Katie Hyde, Lynn McKnight, Dan Partridge, Elena Rue, Teka Selman, and April Walton.

    Return to HomsReturn to Homs

    Return to Homs, directed by Talal Derki, was awarded the Charles E. Guggenheim Emerging Artist Award. The film takes viewers to the frontlines of the Syrian Civil War as two friends who are determined to defend their city abandon peaceful resistance and take up arms, heading straight for the heart of the warzone. Provided by the Charles E. Guggenheim family, this prize honors a first-time documentary feature director. Zak Piper, Roger Ross Williams, and Martha Shane juried this award.

    The OvernightersThe Overnighters

    The Overnighters, directed by Jesse Moss, received the Full Frame Inspiration Award. The film deals with a pastor in an oil boomtown who opens his doors to desperate and disillusioned jobseekers, and the unintended consequences that result from his good intentioned actions. Sponsored by the Hartley Film Foundation, this award is presented to the film that best exemplifies the value and relevance of world religions and spirituality. Sarah Masters, Jason Osder, and Dawn Porter juried this award.

    Santa Cruz del IsloteSanta Cruz del Islote

    The Full Frame President’s Award was presented to Santa Cruz del Islote, directed by Luke Lorentzen. The film is about the remote island of Santa Cruz del Islote, one of the most densely populated on the planet, where a community struggles to main its way of life as resources and opportunities dwindle. Sponsored by Duke University, representatives on behalf of the President’s Office juried the prize.

    Private ViolencePrivate Violence

    Private Violence, directed by Cynthia Hill, won the Kathleen Bryan Edwards Award for Human Rights. This urgent and inspiring film confronts the question, “Why didn’t you leave?” through two women’s complex stories of survival, while exploring the way we talk about and deal with domestic violence as a society. Provided by the Julian Price Foundation, this award is presented to a film that addresses a significant human rights issue in the United States. Representatives from the Kathleen Bryan Edwards family juried the prize: Anne Arwood, Laura Edwards, Clay Farland, Margaret Griffin, and Pricey Harrison.

    The Great InvisibleThe Great Invisible

    The Nicholas School Environmental Award was presented to The Great Invisible, directed by Margaret Brown. The film is a chilling investigation of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, told through the stories of people still experiencing its after effects — from oil executives to Gulf Coast residents — long after the media moved on. The Nicholas School Environmental Award honors the film that best depicts the conflict between our drive to improve living standards through development and modernization, and the imperative to preserve both the natural environment that sustains us and the heritages that define us. Representatives from the Nicholas School of the Environment juried the prize: Lisa Campbell, Erin Espelie, Cindy Horn, Rebecca Patton, and Tom Rankin.

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  • VIDEO | Watch Trailer for Award Winning Matthew Shepard Doc MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE

    MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE

    Watch the trailer for the Matthew Shepard documentary, MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE, winner of the Audience Choice Award For Best Film at the 38th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF).  MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE follows director Michele Josue, a close friend of Matt’s, as she travels to pivotal locations in Shepard’s life, interviewing other friends and family members, and gaining insight into the beautiful life and devastating loss of Matthew Shepard.

    Fifteen years ago, on the night of October 6, 1998, two men lured Matthew Shepard, a gay freshman at the University of Wyoming, from a bar in Laramie, WY. He was kidnapped and driven to a field where he was tortured and tethered to a fence and left to die. Never regaining consciousness, Matthew succumbed to the severe injuries from the attack and died on October 12, 1998.

    The murder of Matthew Shepard was a devastating tragedy that made countless headlines around the world. As people denounced the hatred and senseless violence that caused Matthew’s death, a much-needed dialogue about hate crimes and intolerance against the LGBT community began and continues to this day. His tragic story brought the reality of inequality and vicious, irrational contempt into the public consciousness and set the stage for the landmark Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law in 2009. via official film site

    http://youtu.be/aVe1mP0qugk

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  • Documentary About Matthew Shepard Wins Top Award at 38th Cleveland International Film Festival

    MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINEMATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE

    A personal documentary about 21-year-old college student, Matthew Shepard, who was murdered in 1998 because he was gay, won the Audience Choice Award For Best Film at the 38th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF).  The film, MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE, directed by Matthew Shepard’s childhood friend Michele Josue, also won the Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition. The film takes you on a journey to learn about Matt Shepard’s charismatic personality, which is documented through family photos, vacation videos, and even his personal diary entries. Some of the film’s most compelling scenes are with Matt’s parents, Judy and Dennis. 

    The winners and awards of the the 38th Cleveland International Film Festival (CIFF):

    Roxanne T. Mueller Audience Choice Award For Best Film
    Sponsored by the Callahan Foundation
    MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE, Directed by Michele Josue
    $5,000 cash prize 

    George Gund III Memorial Central and Eastern Competition
    Presented with generous support from the George Gund Foundation
    LIFE FEELS GOOD, Directed by Maciej Pieprzyca (Poland)
    $10,000 cash prize

    Nesnadny + Schwartz Documentary Competition 
    Sponsored by Nesnadny + Schwartz
    THE SARNOS: A LIFE IN DIRTY MOVIES, Directed by Wiktor Ericsson
    $7,500 cash prize

    Greg Gund Memorial Standing Up Competition 
    Presented with generous support from the George Gund Foundation
    MATT SHEPARD IS A FRIEND OF MINE, Directed by Michele Josue
    $5,000 cash prize

    American Independents Competition 
    Presented with the generous support of Alan and Marta Glazen
    A BIRDER’S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING, Directed by Rob Meyer
    $5,000 cash prize 

    Local Heroes Competition
    Presented with the generous support of Mike and Nicki Cancelliere
    THE SAX MAN, Directed by Joe Siebert
    $5,000 cash prize

    Global Health Competition
    THE STARFISH THROWERS, Directed by Jesse Roesler
    $5,000 cash prize

    Music Movies Competition
    THE WINDING STREAM, Directed by Beth Harrington
    Presented with the generous support of Jules and Fran Belkin
    $5,000 cash prize

    ReelWomenDirect Award for Excellence in Directing by a Woman
    Presented with the generous support of Deborah Bachman Ratner
    Claudia Pinto Emperador (for THE LONGEST DISTANCE)
    $7,500 cash prize

    Audience Choice Award for Best Short Subject
    Sponsored by Howard Hanna
    FOOL’S DAY, Directed by Cody Blue Snider
    $1,000 Cash Prize

    Best Animated Short Award*
    Sponsored by Reminger Co., L.P.A
    THE NUMBERLYS, Directed by Brandon Oldenburg & William Joyce
    $1,000 cash prize

    Best Live Action Short Award*
    Sponsored by Anne Bloomberg and Alan Gordon Lipson & Judy Harris
    FOR THE BIRDS, Directed by Tara Atashgah
    $1,000 cash prize

    *These award winners will qualify for consideration in the Short Films category of the annual Academy Awards®.

    http://youtu.be/qL1vhqsWwyQ

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  • Polish Film “The Girl from the Wardrobe”, Swedish documentary “No Burqas Behind Bars” Win Top Awards at 13th Rome Independent Film Festival

     The Girl From The Wardrobe The Girl From The Wardrobe

    The Polish film, The Girl From The Wardrobe (Dziewczyna Z Szafy) from first-time director Bodo Kox, won the award for Best International Feature Film at the 13th Rome Independent Film Festival which ran March 16th to 23rd 2014.  The film is about two brothers who strike up a friendship with their mysterious next-door neighbor. The Swedish documentary, No Burqas Behind Bars, by Nima Sarvestani won the award for Best International Documentary.  This documentary takes viewers inside one of the world’s most restricted environments: an Afghan women’s prison. Through the prisoners’ own stories we explore how ‘moral crimes’ are used to control women. 

    Best International Feature Film:
    The Girl From The Wardrobe    , by Bodo Kox, Poland, 2013

    Best Italian Feature Film:
    Sogni di gloria, by Patrizio Gioffredi (collettivo John Snellinberg) – Italy, 2013

    Best New Vision Best Italian Feature Film:
    Ci vorrebbe un miracolo, by Davide Minnella – Italy, 2014

    Best International Documentary:

    No Burqas Behind Bars, by Nima Sarvestani No Burqas Behind Bars, by Nima Sarvestani

    No Burqas Behind Bars, by Nima Sarvestani – Sweden, 2013

    Best Italian Documentary:
    Happy Goodyear    , by Laura Pesino & Elena Ganelli – Italy, 2014
    ** Honorable Mention:
    Iriria – Niña Terra    , by Carmelo Camilli – Italy, 2013

    Best International Short Film:
    9 Meter    , by Anders Walter – Danimarca, 2013

    Best Italian Short Film:
    L’impresa, by Davide Labanti – Italy, 2013
    **Honorable Mention:
    Sassiwood,     by Antonio Andrisani, Vito Cea – Italy, 2013

    Best Student Short Film:
    Deserted    , by Yoav Hornung – Israele, 2013
    **Honorable Mention:
    For The Birds    , by Tara Atashgah – USA/Iran, 2013

    Best Animation Short Film:
    Wind Of Share    , by Pierre Mousquet and Jérôme Cauwe – France/Belgium, 2013

    Best experimental film:
    Street Views, by Annie Berman – USA, 2013
    **Honorable Mention:
    Maria’s City, by Dania Reymond – France, 2013

    Best Screenplay for Short Film
    Malatempora Night    , by Valerio Vestoso

    Best Award for Feature Film Screenplay
    Santo Vito    , by David Fratini

     

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  • VIDEO| Watch Trailer for Indie Comedy BEGIN AGAIN Starring Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo and Singer Adam Levine

    BEGIN AGAIN

    The trailer has been released for John Carney’s comedy, BEGIN AGAIN (formerly Can A Song Save Your Life?),  announced as the closing night film of this year’s Tribeca Film Festival and a recent addition to the lineup for this year’s San Francisco International Film Festival. The film, starring Keira Knightley, Mark Ruffalo, Hailee Steinfeld, and Adam Levine, originally premiered at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival when it was known as Can A Song Save Your Life?.

    From writer-director John Carney (Once), BEGIN AGAIN is a soul-stirring comedy about what happens when lost souls meet and make beautiful music together. Gretta (Keira Knightley) and her long-time boyfriend Dave (Adam Levine) are college sweethearts and songwriting partners who decamp for New York when he lands a deal with a major label. But the trappings of his new-found fame soon tempt Dave to stray, and a reeling, lovelorn Gretta is left on her own. Her world takes a turn for the better when Dan (Mark Ruffalo), a disgraced record-label exec, stumbles upon her performing on an East Village stage and is immediately captivated by her raw talent. From this chance encounter emerges an enchanting portrait of a mutually transformative collaboration, set to the soundtrack of a summer in New York City. The film will be released by The Weinstein Company in July.

     http://youtu.be/CwLuDO_Cxfc

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  • Martial Arts Film THE GRANDMASTER is the Big Winner, with 7 Awards, at 8th Asian Film Awards

     Asian Film Awards 2014

    The 8th Asian Film Awards (AFA) was held last month in Macau, and Mr  Wong Kar Wai’s martial arts film, THE GRANDMASTER, which topped the AFA nominees’ list with 11 nominations out of 14 categories, scooped up the awards for Best Film, Best Director, Best Cinematographer, Best Production Designer, Best Composer and Best Costume Designer, while Zhang Zi yi was also crowned the Best Actress for her performance in the movie.

    Indian actor Irrfan Khan with THE LUNCHBOX won Best Actor, and the film also claimed the Best Screenwriter. The incredible acting skills of HUANG Bo and YEO Yann Yann earned them Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress awards for their roles in NO MAN’S LAND and ILO ILO, while JIANG Shuying from SO YOUNG won for Best Newcomer. The 8th Asian Film Awards Academy conferred the Life-Time Achievement Award on Taiwanese celebrated director Hou Hsiao-hsien for his contribution to the film industry.

    The full list of nominees and winners of 8th Asian Film Awards (AFA):

    Best Film

    No Man’s Land (Mainland China)

     THE GRANDMASTERTHE GRANDMASTER

    THE GRANDMASTER (Hong Kong/Mainland China)  – WINNER
    The Great Passage (Japan)
    The Lunchbox (India)
    Snowpiercer (South Korea/U.S./France)
    Stray Dogs (Taiwan)

    Best Director

    Bong Joon-ho, Snowpiercer (South Korea/U.S./France)
    Anthony Chen, Ilo Ilo (Singapore)
    Hirokazu Koreeda, Like Father, Like Son (Japan)
    Tsai Ming-liang, Stray Dogs (Taiwan)

    Wong Kar-wai, THE GRANDMASTERWong Kar-wai, THE GRANDMASTER

    Wong Kar-wai, THE GRANDMASTER (Hong Kong/Mainland China)  – WINNER

    Best Actor

    Masaharu Fukuyama, Like Father, Like Son (Japan)

    Irrfan Khan, THE LUNCHBOXIrrfan Khan, THE LUNCHBOX

    Irrfan Khan, THE LUNCHBOX (India)  – WINNER
    Lee Kang-sheng, Stray Dogs (Taiwan)
    Tony Leung, The Grandmaster (Hong Kong/Mainland China)
    Song Kang-ho, The Attorney (South Korea)

    Best Actress

    Eugene Domingo, Barber’s Tales (The Philippines)
    Han Hyo-joo, Cold Eyes (South Korea)
    Paw Hee-ching, Rigor Mortis (Hong Kong)
    Maki Yoko, The Ravine of Goodbye (Japan)

    Zhang Ziyi, THE GRANDMASTERZhang Ziyi, THE GRANDMASTER

    Zhang Ziyi, THE GRANDMASTER (Hong Kong/Mainland China)  – WINNER

    Best Newcomer

    Choi Hon-yick, The Way We Dance (Hong Kong)
    Im Si-wan, The Attorney (South Korea)

    Jiang Shuying, SO YOUNGJiang Shuying, SO YOUNG

    Jiang Shuying, SO YOUNG (Mainland China)  – WINNER
    Misaki Kinoshita, The Backwater (Japan)
    Keita Ninomiya, Like Father, Like Son (Japan)

    Best Supporting Actor

    Mark Chao, So Young (Mainland China)

    Huang Bo, NO MAN’S LANDHuang Bo, NO MAN’S LAND

    Huang Bo, NO MAN’S LAND (Mainland China)  – WINNER
    Jung Woo-sung, Cold Eyes (South Korea)
    Joe Odagiri, The Great Passage (Japan)
    Satoshi Tsumabuki, Tokyo Family (Japan)

    Best Supporting Actress

    Yu Aoi, Tokyo Family (Japan)
    Mavis Fan, Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? (Taiwan)
    Kim Young-ae, The Attorney (South Korea)
    Fumi Nikaido, Why Don’t You Play in Hell? (Japan)

    Yeo Yann Yann, ILO ILOYeo Yann Yann, ILO ILO

    Yeo Yann Yann, ILO ILO (Singapore)  – WINNER

    Best Screenwriter

    Ritesh Batra, THE LUNCHBOX (India)  – WINNER
    Bong Joon-ho, Kelly Masterson, Snowpiercer (South Korea/U.S./France)
    Li Qiang, So Young (Mainland China)
    Kensaku Watanabe, The Great Passage (Japan)
    Wong Kar-wai, Zou Jingzhi, Xu Haofeng, The Grandmaster (Hong Kong/Mainland China)

    Best Cinematographer

    Kim Byung-seo, Yeo Kyung-bo, Cold Eyes (South Korea)
    Liao Pen-jung, Shong Woon-chong, Lu Qing-xin, Stray Dogs (Taiwan)
    Philippe Le Sourd, THE GRANDMASTER (Hong Kong/Mainland China)  – WINNER
    Man-ching Ng, Rigor Mortis (Hong Kong)
    Aziz Zhambakiyev, Harmony Lessons (Kazakhstan/Germany/France)

    Best Production Designer

    William Chang, Alfred Yau Wai-ming, THE GRANDMASTER (Hong Kong/Mainland China)  – WINNER
    Hao Yi, No Man’s Land (Mainland China)
    Hisao Inagaki, Why Don’t You Play in Hell? (Japan)
    Ken Mak, Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (Mainland China/ Hong Kong)
    Ondrej Nekvasil, Snowpiercer (South Korea/U.S./France)

    Best Composer

    Zeke Khaseli, Yudhi Arfan, What They Don’t Talk About When They Talk About Love (Indonesia)
    Ehsaan Noorani, Shankar Mahadevan, Loy Mendonsa, Run Milkha Run (India)
    Shigeru Umebayashi, Nathaniel Mechaly, THE GRANDMASTER (Hong Kong/Mainland China)  – WINNER

    Best Editor

    William Chang, Benjamin Courtines, Poon Hung-yiu, THE GRANDMASTER (Hong Kong/Mainland China)
    Du Yuan, No Man’s Land (Mainland China)
    Junichi Ito, Why Don’t You Play in Hell? (Japan)
    David M. Richardson, Rigor Mortis (Hong Kong)
    Shin Min-kyung, Cold Eyes (South Korea)  – WINNER

    Best Visual Effects

    Shuji Asano, Real (Japan)
    Pierre Buffin, The Grandmaster (Hong Kong/Mainland China)
    Enoch Chan, Rigor Mortis (Hong Kong)

    MR. GOMR. GO

    Jung Sung-jin, MR. GO (South Korea/Mainland China)  – WINNER
    Kim Wook, Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (Mainland China/ Hong Kong)

    Best Costume Designer

    William Chang, THE GRANDMASTER (Hong Kong/Mainland China)  – WINNER
    Catherine George, Snowpiercer (South Korea/U.S./France)
    Lee Pik-kwan, Bruce Yu, Young Detective Dee: Rise of the Sea Dragon (Mainland China/ Hong Kong)
    Shim Hyun-sub, The Face Reader (South Korea)

    main image via 8th Asian Film Awards

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