Rural Route Film Festival in Queens NYC Releases Full Line-Up for July 27 & Aug. 1-4

Rural Route Film Festival in Queens NYC Releases Full Line-Up for July 27 & Aug. 1-4

TALL AS THE BAOBAB TREETALL AS THE BAOBAB TREE

The Rural Route Film Festival is back for 2013 at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, New York City, and kicks off with a special July 27 environmental ‘Green’ screening of director Jared Fletcher’s  “SOURLANDS” and will close with a Sunday night shorts party on August 4. 

The film lineup for the 2013 Rural Route Film Festival includes some of what the festival describes as ‘the best-but-least-seen’ new indie features, such as a fairytale space romance on the Kazakh Steppe, a Chilean western, a touching Senegalese drama, and a documentary about sub-Himalayan sisters caught in the crunch of modern China. 

János Szász's THE NOTEBOOK Wins GRAND PRIX - CRYSTAL GLOBE at the 48th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

János Szász’s THE NOTEBOOK Wins GRAND PRIX – CRYSTAL GLOBE at the 48th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival

THE NOTEBOOK (LE GRAND CAHIER / A nagy füzet ) directed by János SzászTHE NOTEBOOK (LE GRAND CAHIER / A nagy füzet ) directed by János Szász

THE NOTEBOOK (LE GRAND CAHIER / A NAGY FÜZET ) directed by János Szász won the GRAND PRIX – CRYSTAL GLOBE at the 48th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival which took place from June 28th to July 6th in Czech Republic. THE NOTEBOOK is described as a fascinating and hard-hitting adaptation of the controversial first novel by Hungarian writer Agota Kristof about 13-year-old twins forced to spend the last years of the Second World War with their cruel grandmother somewhere near the Hungarian border. A FIELD IN ENGLAND directed by Ben Wheatley was awarded the SPECIAL JURY PRIZE. In the film, which takes place in England during the Civil War, a group of men flee from a raging battle but they are captured and forced to take part in a hunt for treasure supposedly buried somewhere in a field. But before they start digging, they gobble up some strange-looking mushrooms and then everything goes ‘crazy.’

"I WANT MY NAME BACK" Director Roger Paradiso Speaks on the Journey of the Sugar Hill Gang Rap Documentary

“I WANT MY NAME BACK” Director Roger Paradiso Speaks on the Journey of the Sugar Hill Gang Rap Documentary

I Want My Name Back Documentary - Sugar Hill Gang

Starring hip hop icons and pioneers, Wonder Mike and Master Gee I WANT MY NAME BACK highlights the rise and fall, road to redemption of these former members of the legendary Sugar Hill Gang. After releasing arguably the greatest Rap single and changing the face of Hip Hop history, they were the victim of identity theft as well copyright and trademark violations as a result of what is still today the highest selling song in the genre that so many have grown to love and support today. Achieving platinum status on all of their first three albums as a collective, one would assume that their legacy would have been solidified, both in theory and in financial reward. 30 years removed from the creation of Rappers Delight the duo have fought long and hard for their intellectual property and acknowledgement. The reality of their story is disheartening, yet very necessary in the education of artists and fans alike. Their battle against former label Sugar Hill Records, as well as the background to their rise, as documented by critically acclaimed director Roger Paradiso in conjunction with One Village Entertainment, a division of Image Entertainment, and part of Robert Johnson’s RLJ Entertainment is available via Video on Demand, as well as many other leading digital outlets including iTunes, Sony, Amazon and features the likes of Grandmaster Caz (The Cold Crush Brothers), Melle Mel (Grandmaster Flash), and Vinnie and Treach (Naughty by Nature).

LISTEN to Sneak Preview of Celine Dion's Track from "UNFINISHED SONG"

LISTEN to Sneak Preview of Celine Dion’s Track from “UNFINISHED SONG”

UNFINISHED SONG

A special sneak preview of the title track from the film, UNFINISHED SONG, performed by multi-platinum recording artist Celine Dion, with music and lyrics by iconic songwriter Diane Warren is now available for fans exclusively on CelineDion.com. The song will become available in its entirety on the site in coming weeks. UNFINISHED SONG is currently playing in theaters.

Melbourne International Film Festival Announces Complete 2013 Film Lineup

Melbourne International Film Festival Announces Complete 2013 Film Lineup

ALL IS LOST - JC ChandorALL IS LOST directed by JC Chandor, starring Robert Redford

The Melbourne International Film Festival announced the full list of films to screen at the upcoming festival scheduled to run from 25 July – 11 August, 2013. As announced earlier, the festival will open with Pedro Almodóvar’s I’M SO EXCITED!; and the festival will close with the Australian Premiere of ALL IS LOST – JC Chandor’s follow-up to the Oscar nominated Margin Call sees Robert Redford shine in his most physically demanding, powerful performance ever. This year the Festival is marking its halfway point with a special world premiere Centerpiece Gala screening of Tim Winton’s THE TURNING, a film adaptation of Tim Winton’s bestselling novel The Turning, which consists of 17 chapters – each featuring a different director and cast.

Thriller "A SINGLE SHOT' Gets A U.S. Release Date

Thriller “A SINGLE SHOT’ Gets A U.S. Release Date

single-shotA SINGLE SHOT starring Sam Rockwell, Photo Credit: Bob Akester Courtesy of Tribeca Film

“A SINGLE SHOT” directed by David M. Rosenthal (Janie Jones), which had its world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival, followed by a North American premiere at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival will be released in the US by Tribeca Film and Well Go USA Entertainment. “A SINGLE SHOT” will be released this summer beginning August 20th on cable video-on-demand platforms, as well as iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, VUDU, and Google Play, followed by a theatrical release in major markets nationwide on September 20, 2013.

Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival Reveals Lineup of Films for 2013

Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival Reveals Lineup of Films for 2013

AuroraAurora

The Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival (CCI-IFF) running concurrently with the Comic-Con International in San Diego unveiled the lineup of films for 2013. The CCI-IFF celebrates independent film, and this year’s schedule including more international films, with submissions from Australia, Canada, Israel, and Spain, in addition to the United States. Now in its 14th year, the CCI-IFF is a juried event – the 2013 judges are: Geoff Boucher, Alex DeMille, and Kathy Najimy. 

"COUNTERFEIT CULTURE" "HUMMINGBIRDS-JEWELED MESSENGERS" Among Grand Prix Best of Festival Winners at 2013 US International Film & Video Festival

“COUNTERFEIT CULTURE” “HUMMINGBIRDS-JEWELED MESSENGERS” Among Grand Prix Best of Festival Winners at 2013 US International Film & Video Festival

COUNTERFEIT CULTURECOUNTERFEIT CULTURE

Three films received the Grand Prix-Best of Festival designation at the 2013 US International Film & Video Festival; “SWEET TOKYO” was chosen Best of Festival-Corporate, “HUMMINGBIRDS-JEWELED MESSENGERS” was selected Best of Festival – Documentary, and Best of Festival – Entertainment went to “STARS.” The documentary “COUNTERFEIT CULTURE” was selected for the One World Award, which recognizes a production that fosters international cooperation and global understanding.

Frameline Film Festival Audience Selects "REACHING FOR THE MOON" "THE NEW BLACK" "DIK" as Best Films of 2013 Festival

Frameline Film Festival Audience Selects “REACHING FOR THE MOON” “THE NEW BLACK” “DIK” as Best Films of 2013 Festival

REACHING FOR THE MOON directed by Bruno BarretoREACHING FOR THE MOON directed by Bruno Barreto

Frameline film festival’s audience selected REACHING FOR THE MOON, directed by Bruno Barreto as the Best Feature Film, and THE NEW BLACK, directed by Yoruba Richen as the Best Documentary Film of the 2013 festival. DIK, directed by Christopher Stollery was selected as the Best Short Film. Since 1984 the audience at the the world’s longest running LGBT film festival has been responsible for selecting the Best Feature Film, Best Documentary Film and Best Short Film of the Festival.

REACHING FOR THE MOON, directed by Bruno Barreto tells the story of poet Elizabeth Bishop and her life-changing relationship with the wealthy—and very butch—architect Lota de Macedo Soares. THE NEW BLACK, directed by Yoruba Richen which also received an Honorable Mention, Outstanding Documentary, gives  an inside look at efforts within African American communities and churches across the country to address—and then do something about—same-sex equality.