• Montclair Film Festival Announces Contest To Design 2014 Official Poster

    Montclair Film Festival (MFF)

    The Montclair Film Festival (MFF), in partnership with The Montclair Art Museum announced the launch of a contest to design the official poster for the 2014 Montclair Film Festival to be held April 28-May 4, 2014. The winning design will be seen on buses, lampposts, t-shirts, the web, catalogs and, of course, the big screen, as the centerpiece of a dynamic week of 80+ films and events that will comprise the third annual celebration of the art of filmmaking in Montclair. 

    Artwork can be submitted as digital file or as flat art.  Only original artwork will be considered. Image size should be no larger than 11” X 17”. The poster should include the words Montclair Film Festival 2014 and the dates April 28th-May 4th.

    Each entry should include artist’s full name, address, phone number, and a valid e-mail address.

    All entries must be postmarked/emailed by November 25th 2013. One winner will be chosen from all entries in early January by an independent panel of judges. The winner will receive two free tickets to the MFF Opening Night Gala and will be acknowledged on the MFF website.

    For more information, including mailing and email addresses for submission, go to http://montclairfilmfest.org/2014-mff-poster-contest/

    MFF Artistic Director Thom Powers said, “The poster is the focal point of the Festival and we’re excited to open up its design to the creative community who has supported us in our first two years in so many ways.”

    Added Michael Gillespie, Director of Marketing and Communications for the Montclair Art Museum, “We’re happy to join with the Montclair Film Festival in this poster competition.  The Festival, which champions local filmmakers, has become one of the premier cultural events in our area and this is another creative opportunity to showcase area talent.”

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  • NAACP Image Awards Moves to TV One

    NAACP Image Awards

    The NAACP Image Awards is moving to a new TV home.  Under a new five-year contract, TV One becomes the television home for the association’s awards show, beginning with the live airing of the “45th NAACP Image Awards” in February 2014.  The NAACP Image Awards describes itself as the nation’s premier event celebrating the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors. 

    TV One will air live broadcasts of the Image Awards and red carpet arrivals in 2014. In addition, the network will provide promotional support on TV One, Radio One and Reach Media, Interactive One, and via a multi-platform marketing campaign.  In addition, to elevate the historic organization’s initiatives, there will be dedicated coverage on News One Now, TV One’s new daily news and information program,

    “We are truly honored to be partnering with the NAACP and becoming the new home for the Image Awards,” said Liggins of TV One. “Today’s announcement is a game changer for TV One and our loyal viewers across the country. As we prepare to celebrate the 10th anniversary of TV One’s 2004 launch, I can think of no greater opportunity to thank this audience than by providing them with access to the preeminent awards show that showcases the incredible achievements of Black Americans and by creating an ongoing opportunity for dialogue around social justice issues on TV One.”

    There are many well-deserving actors, authors, directors, writers, performing artists, as well as television, motion picture, recording, and literary projects that are recognized during theNAACP Image Awards.  Submissions are now being accepted until Friday, November 15, 2013 – information is available at www.naacpimageawards.net.

    Nominations for the “45th NAACP Image Awards” will be announced next January.

     

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  • New Casting Directors Branch Elects Three To Academy Board Of Governors

    Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

    Three members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ newly created Casting Directors Branch have been elected to the Academy Board of Governors. The first-time governors are David Rubin, who is elected to a three-year term; Bernie Telsey, who is elected to a two-year term; and Lora Kennedy, who is elected to a one-year term.

    “The addition of these exceptional professionals to our Board is another positive step toward making our organization more inclusive and more reflective of the broader industry,” Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs said.  “We welcome them, their ideas and their insights wholeheartedly.”

    The Academy’s 17 branches are each represented by three governors, who may serve up to three consecutive three-year terms.  The addition of the Casting Directors Branch was approved by the Board in July of this year. 

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  • 2013 Manhattan Short Film Festival Winners, KIZMET DINER is Gold Medal Winner

    KIZMET DINERKIZMET DINER 

    KIZMET DINER, an 11-minute romantic love story directed by Mark Nunneley of England is the Gold Medal winner of the 16th annual Manhattan Short Film Festival. KIZMET DINER tells the tale of a singing waitress in a diner who finds the song that opens the heart of a disinterested customer. The Silver Medal went to PALE OF SETTLEMENT, directed by Jacob Sillman, an entry from the United States. Pale of Settlement chronicles the adventures of a 10-year-old boy trying to avoid conscription in the Russian army during the Crimean War.

    The Bronze Medal went to I AM A GREAT BIG BALL OF SADNESS, another USA entry adapted from the stage play by Ken Urban and directed by Chris Tyler. The film pushes past the veneer presented by three guests at a cocktail party.

    Reece Noi was voted Manhattan Short Best Actor for his portrayal of a young man coming to terms with the death of his mother in a terrorist bombing in the British short film FRIDAY.

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  • 76 Countries In Competition For 2013 Foreign Language Film Oscar

    Afghanistan, "WAJMA – AN AFGHAN LOVE STORY," Barmak Akram, directorAfghanistan, “WAJMA – AN AFGHAN LOVE STORY,” Barmak Akram, director

    A record 76 countries have submitted films for consideration in the Foreign Language Film category for the 86th Academy Awards®.  Moldova and Saudi Arabia are first-time entrants; Montenegro is submitting for the first time as an independent country.

    The 2013 submissions are:

    Afghanistan, “Wajma – An Afghan Love Story,” Barmak Akram, director; 
    Albania, “Agon,” Robert Budina, director; 
    Argentina, “The German Doctor,” Lucía Puenzo, director;
    Australia, “The Rocket,” Kim Mordaunt, director; 
    Austria, “The Wall,” Julian Pölsler, director; 
    Azerbaijan, “Steppe Man,” Shamil Aliyev, director; 
    Bangladesh, “Television,” Mostofa Sarwar Farooki, director; 
    Belgium, “The Broken Circle Breakdown,” Felix van Groeningen, director; 
    Bosnia and Herzegovina, “An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker,” Danis Tanovic, director; 
    Brazil, “Neighboring Sounds,” Kleber Mendonça Filho, director; 
    Bulgaria, “The Color of the Chameleon,” Emil Hristov, director; 
    Cambodia, “The Missing Picture,” Rithy Panh, director; 
    Canada, “Gabrielle,” Louise Archambault, director; 
    Chad, “GriGris,” Mahamat-Saleh Haroun, director; 
    Chile, “Gloria,” Sebastián Lelio, director; 
    China, “Back to 1942,” Feng Xiaogang, director; 
    Colombia, “La Playa DC,” Juan Andrés Arango, director; 
    Croatia, “Halima’s Path,” Arsen Anton Ostojic, director; 
    Czech Republic, “The Don Juans,” Jiri Menzel, director;
    Denmark, “The Hunt,” Thomas Vinterberg, director; 
    Dominican Republic, “Quien Manda?” Ronni Castillo, director; 
    Ecuador, “The Porcelain Horse,” Javier Andrade, director; 
    Egypt, “Winter of Discontent,” Ibrahim El Batout, director; 
    Estonia, “Free Range,” Veiko Ounpuu, director; 
    Finland, “Disciple,” Ulrika Bengts, director; 
    France, “Renoir,” Gilles Bourdos, director; 
    Georgia, “In Bloom,” Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Gross, directors; 
    Germany, “Two Lives,” Georg Maas, director; 
    Greece, “Boy Eating the Bird’s Food,” Ektoras Lygizos, director; 
    Hong Kong, “The Grandmaster,” Wong Kar-wai, director; 
    Hungary, “The Notebook,” Janos Szasz, director; 
    Iceland, “Of Horses and Men,” Benedikt Erlingsson, director; 
    India, “The Good Road,” Gyan Correa, director; 
    Indonesia, “Sang Kiai,” Rako Prijanto, director; 
    Iran, “The Past,” Asghar Farhadi, director; 
    Israel, “Bethlehem,” Yuval Adler, director; 
    Italy, “The Great Beauty,” Paolo Sorrentino, director; 
    Japan, “The Great Passage,” Ishii Yuya, director; 
    Kazakhstan, “Shal,” Yermek Tursunov, director; 
    Latvia, “Mother, I Love You,” Janis Nords, director; 
    Lebanon, “Blind Intersections,” Lara Saba, director; 
    Lithuania, “Conversations on Serious Topics,” Giedre Beinoriute, director; 
    Luxembourg, “Blind Spot,” Christophe Wagner, director; 
    Mexico, “Heli,” Amat Escalante, director; 
    Moldova, “All God’s Children,” Adrian Popovici, director; 
    Montenegro, “Ace of Spades – Bad Destiny,” Drasko Djurovic, director; 
    Morocco, “Horses of God,” Nabil Ayouch, director; 
    Nepal, “Soongava: Dance of the Orchids,” Subarna Thapa, director; 
    Netherlands, “Borgman,” Alex van Warmerdam, director; 
    New Zealand, “White Lies,” Dana Rotberg, director; 
    Norway, “I Am Yours,” Iram Haq, director; 
    Pakistan, “Zinda Bhaag,” Meenu Gaur and Farjad Nabi, directors; 
    Palestine, “Omar,” Hany Abu-Assad, director; 
    Peru, “The Cleaner,” Adrian Saba, director; 
    Philippines, “Transit,” Hannah Espia, director; 
    Poland, “Walesa. Man of Hope,” Andrzej Wajda, director; 
    Portugal, “Lines of Wellington,” Valeria Sarmiento, director; 
    Romania, “Child’s Pose,” Calin Peter Netzer, director; 
    Russia, “Stalingrad,” Fedor Bondarchuk, director; 
    Saudi Arabia, “Wadjda,” Haifaa Al Mansour, director; 
    Serbia, “Circles,” Srdan Golubovic, director; 
    Singapore, “Ilo Ilo,” Anthony Chen, director; 
    Slovak Republic, “My Dog Killer,” Mira Fornay, director; 
    Slovenia, “Class Enemy,” Rok Bicek, director; 
    South Africa, “Four Corners,” Ian Gabriel, director; 
    South Korea, “Juvenile Offender,” Kang Yi-kwan, director; 
    Spain, “15 Years Plus a Day,” Gracia Querejeta, director; 
    Sweden, “Eat Sleep Die,” Gabriela Pichler, director; 
    Switzerland, “More than Honey,” Markus Imhoof, director; 
    Taiwan, “Soul,” Chung Mong-Hong, director; 
    Thailand, “Countdown,” Nattawut Poonpiriya, director; 
    Turkey, “The Butterfly’s Dream,” Yilmaz Erdogan, director; 
    Ukraine, “Paradjanov,” Serge Avedikian and Olena Fetisova, directors; 
    United Kingdom, “Metro Manila,” Sean Ellis, director; 
    Uruguay, “Anina,” Alfredo Soderguit, director; 
    Venezuela, “Breach in the Silence,” Luis Alejandro Rodríguez and Andrés Eduardo Rodríguez, directors.

    The 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

    Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, March 2, 2014, at the Dolby Theatre® at Hollywood & Highland Center® and televised live on the ABC Television Network.  The presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

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  • Spanish Thriller OPEN GRAVE Gets U.S. Release December 2013

    Sharlto Copley and Erin Richards in "OPEN GRAVE", a Tribeca Film release

    Tribeca Film will release Spanish director Gonzalo López-Gallego’s “mind-bending thriller” OPEN GRAVE starring Sharlto Copley (District 9, Elysium), Joseph Morgan (“The Vampire Diaries,”” The Originals”), Josie Ho (“Contagion”), and Thomas Kretschmann (Valkyrie, Wanted) in the US.  OPEN GRAVE will premiere at the prestigious international genre festival, Sitges Film Festival, in Spain this month, before a December day and date release in the U.S.

    The high-concept OPEN GRAVE follows a man (Copley) who wakes up in a pit of dead bodies with no memory of who he is or how he got there. Fleeing the scene, he breaks into a nearby house and is met at gunpoint by a group of terrified strangers, all suffering from memory loss. Suspicion gives way to violence as the group starts to piece together clues about their identities, but when they uncover a threat that’s more vicious than each other, they are forced to figure out what brought them all together — before it’s too late.

    The film will be released day and date this December on cable/telco and satellite video-on-demand platforms, as well as iTunes, Amazon Watch Instantly, VUDU, Playstation, and Google Play, followed by a theatrical release in major markets.

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  • CHASING SHAKESPEARE Starring Danny Glover to Open African Diaspora International Film Festival | TRAILER

    CHASING SHAKESPEARE, directed by Norry Niven and starring Danny Glover and Graham Greene

    CHASING SHAKESPEARE, directed by Norry Niven and starring Danny Glover and Graham Greene, will open the 21st edition of the African Diaspora International Film Festival on November 29th, as a New York Premiere.

    CHASING SHAKESPEARE is described as a beautiful and enchanting love story about a young Native American woman’s search for her destiny and her widower husband’s attempts to reunite with her after her death. Based on a screenplay by James Bird,Chasing Shakespeare recounts the beginning, end and rebirth of a love affair between William and Venus in rural Arkansas. 

    http://youtu.be/0igUrymyWDY

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  • Milwaukee Film Festival Announces 2013 Jury Award Winners; WAR WITCH directed by Kim Nguyen Wins Top Award

     WAR WITCH directed by Kim NguyenWAR WITCH directed by Kim Nguyen

     The 5th Annual Milwaukee Film Festival announced the 2013 Jury Award Winners, for both the Competition and Cream City Cinema Programs, including a Filmmaker-in-Residence Award. WAR WITCH directed by Kim Nguyen is the winner of the Herzfeld Competition Award.  WAR WITCH, described as an inspiring tale of resistance, follows Komona, who at 14 is taken captive by armed rebels and trained to become a child soldier, perpetrating unspeakable acts of violence for her captors. Quickly ascending through the ranks due to her otherworldly sense for approaching danger, Komona finds love in the least likely place with a fellow soldier named Magician, and together they plot their escape.

    2013 MILWAUKEE FILM FESTIVAL JURY AWARDS

    The Herzfeld Competition Award Winner
    WAR WITCH (dir. Kim Nguyen)

    Special Competition Jury Prize
    12 O’CLOCK BOYS (dir. Lotfy Nathan)

    Cream City Cinema: Filmmaker-in-Residence
    Michael T. Vollman, BEFORE YOU

    Special Cream City Cinema Jury Prize
    HABIBEH (THICKER THAN PAINT) (dir. Maryam Sepehri)

    Special Cream City Cinema Jury Prize, Acting
    Logan Lark, WHEN THE KING TILTS

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  • THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM Among Winners of 2013 Woodstock Film Festival

    THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, directed by Andrew MudgeTHE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, directed by Andrew Mudge

    The 14th annual Woodstock Film Festival which began Wednesday, October 2nd, and close on Sunday, October 6th, 2013, held its closing Maverick Awards Gala on Saturday night. THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, directed by Andrew Mudge won the Maverick Award for Best Feature Narrative, and AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY: THE EVOLUTION OF GRACE LEE BOGGS, directed by Grace Lee won the Maverick Award for Best Feature Documentary. The festival also presented director Peter Bogdanovich with the Honorary Maverick Lifetime Achievement Award and the Meera Gandhi Giving Back Award was presented to acclaimed filmmaker and activist Mira Nair.

    The Maverick Award for Best Feature Narrative was presented to: 
    THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, directed by Andrew Mudge 

    Atang leaves the hustle of Johannesburg to return to his ancestral land of Lesotho, where he must bury his estranged father in the remote, mountainous village where he was born. Stirred by memories of his youth, he falls in love with his childhood friend, Dineo, now a radiant young school teacher. Through her, Atang is drawn toward the mystical beauty and hardships of the people and land he had forgotten.

    Honorable Mention was presented to WINTER IN THE BLOOD, directed by Alex and Andrew Smith

    The Maverick Award for Best Feature Documentary was presented to:
    AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY: THE EVOLUTION OF GRACE LEE BOGGS, directed by Grace Lee

    AMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY: THE EVOLUTION OF GRACE LEE BOGGS, directed by Grace LeeAMERICAN REVOLUTIONARY: THE EVOLUTION OF GRACE LEE BOGGS, directed by Grace Lee

    Grace Lee Boggs is a 98-year-old Chinese American woman in Detroit whose vision of revolution may surprise you.  A writer, activist, and philosopher rooted for more than 70 years in the African American movement, she has devoted her life to an evolving revolution that encompasses the contradictions of America’s past and its potentially radical future.

    Honorable Mention was presented to MAGICAL UNIVERSE, directed by Jeremy Workman

    The Maverick Award for Best Animation was presented to: 
    FERAL, directed by Daniel Sousa

    FERAL, directed by Daniel SousaFERAL, directed by Daniel Sousa

    Combining the traditional techniques of sand animation with digital processing, A TANGLED TALE, is the story of a wild boy, found in the woods by a solitary hunter and brought back to civilization. Alienated by a strange new environment, the boy tries to adapt by using the same strategies that kept him safe in the forest.

    Honorable Mention was presented to A TANGLED TALE, directed by Corrie Francis Parks

    The Diane Seligman Award for Best Short Narrative was presented to
    THE EARTH, THE WAY I LEFT IT, directed by Jeff Pinilla

    The Diane Seligman Award for Best Student Short Film was presented to 
    ABOVE THE SEA, directed by Keola Racela;
    Honorable Mention was presented to LATE SPRING, directed by Zachery Kerschberg

    The Diane Seligman Award for Best Short Documentary was presented to 
    POUSTINIA, directed by Kristian Berg
    Honorable Mention was presented to THE BEAST AND THE ANGEL, directed by Shira Piven

    The Haskell Wexler Award for Best Cinematography was presented to 
    THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, cinematography by Carlos Carvalho

    James Lyons Award for Best Editing of a Feature Narrative was presented to 
    THE FORGOTTEN KINGDOM, directed and edited by Andrew Mudge

    James Lyons Award for Best Editing of a Feature Documentary was presented to 
    THE MANOR, directed by Shawney Cohen and edited by Seth Poulin

    Honorary Maverick Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to 
    Peter Bogdanovich (The Last Picture Show, Paper Moon)

    Meera Gandhi Giving Back Award was presented to 
    Mira Nair (Salaam Bombay!, Monsoon Wedding, Vanity Fair)

    Tangerine Entertainment Juice Award for Best Female Feature Director was presented to 
    Stacie Passon, director of CONCUSSION

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  • 9th Zurich Film Festival Winners; LA JAULA DE ORO, RENT A FAMILY INC., FINSTERWALDE WORLD, NEULAND Wins Golden Eye Awards

    2013 zurich film festival winning films LA JAULA DE ORO, RENT A FAMILY INC, FINSTERWALDE WORLD , NEULAND, 2013 Zurich Film Festival, Golden Eye for Best Film 

    The 9th Zurich Film Festival awarded its main prize, the Golden Eye for Best Film in the International Feature Film Competition to to LA JAULA DE ORO by Diego Quemada-Diez (Mexico); Golden Eye for Best Film at the International Documentary Film Competition to LEJ EN FAMILY A / S (RENT A FAMILY INC.) by Kaspar Astrup Schroeder (Denmark); Golden Eye for Best Film in the German-Language Feature Film Competition to FINSTERWALDE WORLD by Frauke Finsterwalder (Germany), and Golden Eye for Best Film in the Documentary Competition Germany, Austria, Switzerland to NEULAND by Anna Thommen (Switzerland).

    The Critics ‘Prize goes to FINSTERWALDE WORLD by Frauke Finsterwalder (Germany), the Audience Award goes to JOURNEY TO JAH by Noël Dernesch and Moritz Springer (Germany), and the first time awarded Audience Award of the Section ZFF for children’ given the young audience to BELIEVE by David Schein man (UK).

    The Golden Eye for Best Film in the International Feature Film Competition to: 
    LA JAULA DE ORO by Diego Quemada-Diez (Mexico) 

    LA JAULA DE ORO by Diego Quemada-DiezLA JAULA DE ORO by Diego Quemada-Diez

    “Everything is better in the north”. Juan has decided to leave his impoverished home in Guatemala City and set off on the difficult journey to California with Sara and Samuel, two chance acquaintances. Sara not only cuts off her hair for the trip, but also bandages her youthful breasts and changes her name to Osvaldo. While traveling, the teenagers meet the Indio Chauk, who doesn’t speak Spanish. While Sara takes care of the forlorn boy, Juan sees the paperless child as a new threat to their travel plans, but a ride on the perilous “death train” through Mexico soon has the refugees bonding – until their paths suddenly and unexpectedly separate. Director Diego Quemada-Díez’s well-researched debut follows the infamous Central American migratory path with a group of young amateur actors, who were promptly and rightly awarded the A Certain Talent Prize after the world-premiere screening in Cannes.

    A special mention goes to: 
    the actor Michael B. Jordan FRUITVALE STATION Ryan Coogler (USA)

    The Golden Eye for Best Film at the International Documentary Film Competition to: 
    LEJ EN FAMILY A / S by Kaspar Astrup Schroeder (Denmark) 

    LEJ EN FAMILY A / S by Kaspar Astrup SchroederLEJ EN FAMILY A / S by Kaspar Astrup Schroeder

    On the surface, Ryuichi Ichinokawa leads an ordinary family life. With his own home in a Tokyo suburb, this mid-forties business man lives together with his wife, two children and a Chihuahua. He has various jobs to help him pay the bills – including one that he created himself. Clients of his company, “I Want to Cheer You Up Ltd”, can rent a husband, friend, father, bridesmaid or relatives by the dozen from him. Be it at a wedding, birthday or funeral, Ryuichi and his employees take on any role in order to cast a better light upon their clients. While he is able to embody the perfect husband or the understanding father in his professional life, his ability to fill these roles at home is somewhat lacking. His family knows nothing of his unusual activities, and while his pubescent son sleeps in the marital bed, Ryuichi spends his nights sleeping on the floor in the children’s room. Will he ever realize that in order to help others, he must first help himself?

    A special mention goes to: 
    THESE BIRDS WALK by Omar Mullick and Bassam Tariq (Pakistan)

    THESE BIRDS WALK by Omar Mullick and Bassam TariqTHESE BIRDS WALK by Omar Mullick and Bassam Tariq

    Karachi, Pakistan. The Edhi Home takes in homeless children regardless of whether they have run away from home or been driven out by neglect. For the last sixty years, Abdul Sattar Edhi, the founder of this social institution, has personally cared for the weakest members of society. He provides kids such as 9-year-old Omar with shelter, schooling and love, until, with the help of ambulance driver Asad – himself a former street child – he manages to find his way back to his parents. Filmed over three years, the camera follows Omar and other kids torn between a yearning for freedom and a desire to return home.

    The Golden Eye for Best Film in the German-Language Feature Film Competition to: 
    FINSTERWALDE WORLD by Frauke Finsterwalder (Germany) 

    FINSTERWALDE WORLD by Frauke FinsterwalderFINSTERWALDE WORLD by Frauke Finsterwalder

    A journey through a surreal Germany: A police officer in a bear costume. A female documentary filmmaker who is unable to find an interesting story. A pedicurist who carefully sets aside the hard skin removed from the feet of his aged female patient. A rich couple that refuses to sit in a German-built car. A history student uninterested in a class visit to a concentration camp. A wild man training a raven in the woods. In this anthology film, all are bound by family ties or a moment of coincidence in a country where the sun always shines and everybody is beautiful, polite, successful or happy. That is until they reveal their darker side, and we discover that the step from idyll to inferno is a short one. FINSTERWORLD is an ironic antithesis of the Heimatfilm and full of malicious observations and sharp-tongued remarks. Not even the name of its director Frauke Finsterwalder remains unscathed. Rarely has German cinema produced so much black humor in one fell swoop.

    A special mention goes to: 
    THE WOMAN, THE DARING by Marc Rensing (Germany)

    The Golden Eye for Best Film in the Documentary Competition Germany, Austria, Switzerland to: 
    NEULAND by Anna Thommen (Switzerland) 

    NEULAND by Anna ThommenNEULAND by Anna Thommen

    An unusual scene is witnessed on Basel’s Kasernenareal during the summer of 2010: Dozens of young people are seen standing around in groups trying to follow the talk given by their teacher Mr Zingg. They arrived in Switzerland by plane, train, bus and rubber boat from Afghanistan, Cameroon, Serbia and Venezuela, and today is their first day in an integrated class. Hopes are high that they will connect with their teacher, as it is his job over the next two years to teach them the basics and idiosyncrasies of Swiss culture. Above all, Mr Zingg’s function is to prepare these adolescents, traumatized by the severe turns of fate handed to them, for occupational integration into society. As the end of school draws nearer, each of the young immigrants is faced with the same painful question: Is there a place for me in this country? The filmmaker Anna Thommen followed the students of the Basel Integration Class for two years to create her first feature-length documentary film.

    A special mention goes to: 
    Nan Goldin – I REMEMBER YOUR FACE by Sabine Lidl (Germany)

    The critic of the price Swiss Association of Film Journalists and film journalists (SVFJ) to: 
    FINSTERWALDE WORLD by Frauke Finsterwalder (Germany)

    Audience Award 
    The Audience Award goes to: 
    JOURNEY TO JAH by Noël Dernesch and Moritz Springer (Germany)

    Audience Children’s Movies 
    The Audience Award goes to children’s films: 
    BELIEVE by David Schein Man (UK)

    Treatment-price competition 
    The first prize, awarded for the best treatment goes to the British living in Switzerland for the project STÜRM Dave Tucker – TILL I’M DEAD OR FREE.  

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  • 2013 Brazilian Film and TV Festival of Toronto to Screen Over 40 Films, Opens with THE INVISIBLE COLLECTION

    THE INVISIBLE COLLECTION by Bernard AttalTHE INVISIBLE COLLECTION by Bernard Attal

    The 2013 BRAFFTV – Brazilian Film and TV Festival of Toronto taking place October 16th to October 20th, will feature a line-up of more than 40 films among features, documentaries, animation and shorts with the best recent Brazilian film productions from all genres including drama, comedy, documentary, thriller, children, and ethnographic films. The festival will open on October 16th with the Canadian premiere of the feature THE INVISIBLE COLLECTION by Bernard Attal and the short ENVIRONMENT OF FREEDOM by Pedro Barbosa and Mariana Martins.

    The Competitive Program continues from October 17th to October 20th with 32 films (14 features  and 18 short/mid-length films)  competing for the Golden Maple Award. The Festival closes with the North-American premiere of the documentary MEETING SEBASTIÃO SALGADO directed by Betse de Paula depicting the life and work of one of the most celebrated photographers in the world, Sebastião Salgado.

    BRAFFTV’s Schedule

    OPENING NIGHT at TIFF Bell Lightbox
    October 16th at 7pm

    THE INVISIBLE COLLECTION (A COLEÇÃO INVÍSIVEL)
    Fiction / 89’ / 2012
    Directed by: Bernard Attal

    BRAFFTV’s opening film in 2013 is the award-winning drama, The Invisible Collection. It follows a young man named Beto, played by Vladimir Brichta, as he travels to rural Brazil in search of a rare art collection belonging to an eccentric ex-millionaire. During Beto’s travels, he learns about the subjectivity of beauty and the relativity of privilege. In doing so, he undergoes a personal transformation. The film offers the viewer a fresh perspective on life in Brazil and Bernard Attal’s extraordinary cinematography depicts the incredible beauty of the city of Salvador as well as the damaged forests of Brazil’s cocoa region. The themes of this film include the stark contrast between city life and country life, class differences in Brazil and the massive collapse of the country’s cocoa industry in the 1970s. Additionally, this film is the last work of renowned Brazilian actor Walmor Chagas. Director Bernard Attal built this amazing story of richness and decay based on the documentary “The Magnificent”, winner of best documentary at BRAFFTV 2011. Canadian premiere.

    ENVIRONMENT OF FREEDOM (ÂMBITO DE LIBERDADE)
    screened with THE INVISIBLE COLLECTION
    Documentary / 1’10” / 2013
    Directed by Pedro Barbosa and Mariana Martins

    A drawing teacher teaches that, in reality, the fear is fought with freedom. North American premiere

    FILM PROGRAM AT CARLTON CINEMA

    All films have English subtitles 

    FIRST DAY OF ANY YEAR (PRIMEIRO DIA DE UM ANO QUALQUER)
    Thursday, October 17th at 7 pm
    Fiction / 81’ / 2012
    Directed by Domingos Oliveira

    First Day of Any Year is a touching and funny comedy, a panoramic film where the many characters are seeking a meaning for life. The movie begins at sunrise and ends with the last ray of sun hiding behind the mountains during the first day of the year in a posh house on the outskirts of Rio. Many characters pass along, all in crisis, facing the most varied finitudes and limitations, ending by realizing: life goes on and the world will not end. The director Domingos de Oliveira is the narrator of the film and remind us Ingmar Bergman and Woody Allen’s films. And, such as these two filmmakers Domingos de Oliveira prolific career as an author, director, actor, producer, singer, thinker – with more than one hundred and thirty titles extends from Theatre to Film and TV. His first film, All the Women of the World (1967) is considered the best Brazilian comedies of all times.  North American premiere

    THEY KILLED MY BROTHER (MATARAM MEU IRMÃO)
    Thursday, October 17th at 9 pm
    Documentary / 77’ / 2013
    Directed by: Cristiano Burlan

    In 2001, on the night of October 5, Rafael Burlan was murdered with 7 shots in his back, in Capao Redondo, neighborhood of Sao Paulo. The documentary seeks to rebuild through reports from relatives and friends what was the murder and its consequences in the tragic fate of this family. North American premiere.

    XAPIRI
    Friday, October 19th at 5:30 pm
    Documentary / Experimental / 54’ / 2012
    Directed by Leandro Lima, Gisela Motta, Laymert Garcia dos Santos, Stella Senra and Bruce Albert

    Xapiri is a yanomami word for shamans, as well the spiritual men (xapiri thëpë) as the auxiliary spirits (xapiri pë). It is an experimental film on yanomami shamanism recorded in the Watoricki village, Amazon, during two shamans’s meetings at the Watoriki Village in March 2011 and April 2012. The film takes into account two different concepts of image: the yanomami’s and ours. Therefore, it does not set out to explain shamanism, its methods or procedures, but to allow different cultures to visualize and feel the way in which the shamans “embody” the spirits, their bodies and voices. North American premiere

    CINE HOLLIÚDY
    Friday, October 18th at 7 pm
    Fiction / 100’ / 2012
    Directed by: Halder Gomes

    The massive arrival of television in the countryside of Brazil, in the ’70s, puts in jeopardy the small movie theaters businesses. Francisgleydisson is the owner of Cine Holliudy, and he must be extremely creative to keep his passion for cinema alive. A Brazilian way of showing its passion for the 7Th art, even in the remotes areas. Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso and Fellini’s Amacord are close references to this current success of Brazilian cinema spoken in local slang. So far the film has only been screened in the state of Ceara, and has has more public than Titanic and other Hollywood blockbusters. A box office hit surprise and an homage to cinema lovers of B films. Canadian premiere.

    MARGARET MEE AND THE MOONFLOWER (MARGARET MEE E A FLOR DA LUA)
    Friday, October 18th at 7:30 pm
    Documentary /  78′ / 2012
    Directed by: Malu de Martino

    Margaret Mee and the Moonflower is a documentary about the life and work of the botanical illustrator, Margaret Mee, a pioneer and a visionary, one of the most important artists of the twentieth century. Through her diaries, interviews and narratives, the film reveals a tireless advocate for the preservation of Brazilian flora, whose love of nature and whose art provide a constant reminder of the need to preserve our environment. Canadian premiere.

    A LONG JOURNEY (UMA LONGA VIAGEM)
    Friday, October 18th at 9 pm
    Documentary / 95’ / 2011
    Directed by Lucia Murat

    The awarded-winner documentarian Lucia Murat continues in this film to portray her struggles and fights against the military dictatorship in Brazil during the sixties and seventies. However, this time, she  follows the long journey of her brother, Heitor, who was sent to London by his family, while she was incarcerated and tortured by the militaries. In London, Heitor dives head on into the “Swinging London” and, just like the European and American youth of the time period, he experiments the mystic allure of India and travels all over the world smuggling drugs and searching for a meaning to his life.  Best Documentary in Malaga Festiva and Paulinia Festival, Best Film in Gramado Festival. North American premiere.

    TRUST ME (CONFIA EM MIM)
    Fiction / 85’ / 2013
    Friday, October 18th at 9:30 pm
    Directed by: Michel Tikhomiroff

    In the thriller Trust Me, Fernanda Machado (Elite Squad) plays Mari, a talented chef, who works hard to save money and open her own restaurant. Until the day she finds Caio, played by famous TV actor Mateus Solano. A charming investor,  he comes up with the money for her dreams to come true. However, things are not always what they seem to be and they find themselves in the midst of lies, corruption, and theft.  World premiere.

    TAINÁ – AN AMAZON LEGEND (TAINÁ – A ORIGEM)
    Saturday, October 19th at 3:30pm
    Fiction / 83’ / 2011
    Directed by: Rosane Svartman

    Friendship, adventure and magic are the main ingredients of the feature Taina – an amazon legend. The film is 100% shot in the Amazon Rainforest, with strong and charming images of people and animals in their real environment. It tells the story of Tainá, a 5 years old orphan Indian girl who dreams of becoming a warrior and discovering her true origin. As a girl, Tainá shouldn’t fight. However, she has her mother’s heritage, who was the last of the Amazon’s lady warriors. With the help of Laurinha, a smart city girl, and Gobí, a nerdy indian. They learn to overcome their mutual differences while going through their eventful journey. Taina confronts biopirates ancestral enemy of her family, Jurupari, the incarnation of Evil, who wants to destroy the Forest while revealing her origin’s mystery. Canadian premiere

    CHESHIRE CAT – THE MANY LIVES OF JOSÉ LEWGOY (EU EU EU JOSÉ LEWGOY)
    Saturday, October 19th at 5pm
    Documentary / 94’/ 2011
    Directed by: Claudio Kahns

    The film depicts the history of one of the most important actors of television and cinema while revealing one of the most egocentric, biting and fascinating characters of Brazilian culture. Jose Lewgoy, who studied drama at Yale, drew a respectful international career filming with the most celebrated filmmakers and actors of this generation. He went from independent French movies in the beginning of his career to Werner Herzog’s Fitzcarraldo, and many other productions for TV and theatres. Lewgoy travelled through decisive moments in the development of the Brazilian cultural movement. Very well documented with footages from all over the world, the narrative is conducted in a non-chronological sequence. His personal recordings unveil the dreams behind the persona, the sweet and sour sides. The movie shows decisive moments with interviews from friends, movie directors and professional colleagues (like Millôr Fernandes, Werner Herzog and Tônia Carrero).  Canadian premiere.

    HELIO OITICICA
    Saturday, October 19th at 5:30pm
    Documentary / 94’ / 2012
    Directed by: Cesar Oiticica Filho

    The film allows a unique immersion in the thoughts, the trajectory and the intimacy of Hélio Oiticica, one of the greatest artists Brazil has ever produced. The narration is made by the artist himself who conducts us through one of Brazilian culture’s most fertile periods of time. Helio Oiticica and the filmmaker Julio Bressane make a docufilm from historic tapes, or as named by Haroldo de Campos, Heliotapes: cassete tapes Oiticica exchanges and sends to his artist and writer friends. The documentary is a collection of these tapes, movies made by Oiticica himself and others who filmed him in his works. All these creating this delirium ambulatorium in which the artist tells us about his life in a kaleidoscope of the 1960’s and 1970’s culture, finally enabling us to be presented to Hélio Oiticica by himself. North American premiere.

    ETERNAL AMAZON (AMAZÔNIA ETERNA)
    Saturday, October 19th at 7 pm
    Documentary / 88′ / 2012
    Directed by: Belisario Franca

    The Amazon rainforest is a living laboratory for sustainable experiments that unveil new relationships between human beings, corporations and this natural heritage. It is there that new guidelines are being drawn up for a new global economic model: the green economy. But how much are the services really worth? And who should profit from them? At a time when the world is discussing the impact of human actions on the environment, Eternal Amazon presents a critical analysis of how the world’s largest tropical rainforest is understood and appreciated. The documentary reveals successful initiatives, exploring possibilities with specialists and plunging into a sensorial journey through the daily lives of Amazon rainforest dwellers.  North American  premiere.

    BUDDIES (COLEGAS)
    Saturday, October 19th at 7:30pm
    Fiction / 103’ / 2012
    Directed by: Marcelo Galvão

    Buddies is a road movie that shows the simple things in life in a poetic light through the eyes of three young people with Down syndrome, who love movies and work at the video library of the institution where they have always lived in. One day, inspired by the movie “Thelma & Louise”, they decide to run away using the gardener’s old car to have a freedom experience. They travel to uncommon places in search for three simple wishes: Stalone wants to see the sea, Aninha looks for a husband and Marcio needs to fly. During this search, they embark on several adventures as if life was just a children’s play. Canadian premiere

    WORLD’S WEST END (A OESTE DO FIM DO MUNDO)
    Saturday, October 19th at 9 pm
    Fiction / 102” / 2013
    Directed by: Paulo Nascimento

    When nothing else remains, it might not be the end, but the beginning. Argentina. An old gas station lost in the outskirts of the old transcontinental highway is Leon’s haven. A man of few words, gestures and no friends, his solitude is only broken by the occasional truck that stops by to refuel and by the humorous visits made by the sarcastic Silas, a biker who looks like a retired hippie.  With the unexpected and mysterious arrival of Ana both men’s routines are thrown off-balance. At the foot of the towering Andes, well-hidden secrets come to light, reopening wounds and changing forever the characters’ lives. North-American premiere

    MARCELO YUKA: FOLLOW THE SIGNS (MARCELO YUKA NO CAMINHO DAS SETAS)
    Saturday, October 19th at 9:30pm
    Documentary / 95’ / 2011
    Directed by: Daniela Broitman

    A musician with a social message, Yuka was at the height of his success as the songwriter, drummer and leader of O Rappa – one of the lead Brazilian pop-rock bands in the nineties. But in 2000, nine gunshots during a robbery in Rio de Janeiro put him in a wheelchair at age 34. This documentary accompanies Yuka’s transformation since then, revealing his irreverence and complexity as an artist and activist. While searching for physical, mental and spiritual health, Yuka takes risks with new sounds and becomes in one of the main voices of social justice and peace in Brazil.  North American premiere.

    COMPLETE FEIJOADA (FEIJOADA COMPLETA)
    Thursday, October 17th at 7 pm, screened with First Day of Any Year
    Fiction / 20’/ 2012
    Directed by Angelo Defanti

    This story is not about Pedro. Pedro is a good guy, even when asleep, and he is friendly to everybody. This story could be about Pedro, but instead, it is about Carol, his wife, and how she is fed up with so much goodness. Based on the short story by Luis Fernando Verissimo, inspired on the song by Chico Buarque. Canadian premiere

    SORRY
    Thursday, October 17th at 7pm screened with First Day of Any Year
    Fiction / 2’20” / 2013
    Directed by: Rodrigo Pesavento and Ian Ruschel

    Flesh, Blood & Apologies. This surprisingly and dark humouristic film is a creative collective from the group The Wolfpack. North American premiere

    IRON CRIB (BERÇO DE FERRO)
    Thursday, October 17th at 9 pm screened with They Killed My Brother
    Documentary / 16’12 / 20132
    Directed by Rafaela Galindo

    The documentary reveals the reality of women living in “Colônia Penal Feminina do Bom Pastor” (a female prison), where mothers and children narrow their bonds for a short period of six months. North American premiere. Director in attendance

    MAUÁ SURROUNDINGS (MAUÁ, LUZ AO REDOR)
    Thursday, October 18th at 9 pm screened with THEY KILLED MY BROTHER
    Documentary / 5’ / 2012
    Directed by Juliana Vicente

    In downtown of São Paulo, the Mauá Community is now threatened to be evicted. The documentary presents the struggle, arrival, dreams and destination of the people who do not want to return to their homeless condition.  North American premiere

    SANÃ
    Friday, October 18th at 5:30pm screened with XAPIRI
    Documentary / 18’ / 2013
    Directed by: Marcos Pimentel

    In the beautiful scenery of the scorching dunes of Maranhão state, an albino boy and his searches amidst the immense landscape of sand and sea. Best Short Documentary at All is True Festival.  North American premiere. 

    QUINHA
    Friday, October 18th at 7pm screened with CINE HOLLIÚDY
    Fiction / 19’ / 2012
    Directed by: Caroline Oliveira

    A little girl, Quinha, and her mother, Rosa, head out through the Northeast region of Brazil to go to Quinha’s baptism. During this journey, both women search for their own miracles: Quinha looks for signs of magic, while Rosa hopes for her estranged husband’s return. Despite a few unexpected bumps in the road, they both manage to find small moments of salvation along the way. North American premiere

    INVISIBLE PICTURE (RETRATO INVISÍVEL)
    Friday, October 18th at 7:30 pm screened with MARGARET MEE AND THE MOONFLOWER
    Fiction / 20’/ 2012
    Directed by Denise Soares

    Young Monica has a busy day-to-day life taking care of her grandfather, who is in a vegetative state. Her routine is shaken by the unexpected visit of her friend Lara, who will unveil secrets unknown even to Monica. North American premiere

    THE STORY OF THE BOYS WHO WALKED AT NIGHT (A HISTÓRIA DOS MENINOS QUE ANDAVAM DE NOITE)
    Friday, October 18th at 9 pm screened with A Long Journey
    Fiction / 16’ / 2013
    Directed by: Flavio Barone

    Diego is forced to spend the holiday with his second disabled cousin, Vicente, what seems boring. That changes into a journey of adventure and friendship when he discover the secrets that inhabit the shadows of the farm. North American premiere

    SUASSUNA (SUASSUNA, A PELEJA DO SONHO COM A INJUSTIÇA)
    Friday, October 18th  at 9:30 pm screened with TRUST ME
    Documentary / 8’/ 2013
    Directed by Filipe Gontijo and O. Silva

    The life and thoughts of a libertarian writer, Ariano Suassuna, one of the most popular authors in Brazil. The animation is inspired by the rhymes and illustrations etched into wood a common art form from Brazil’s hinterland, where the writer came from. North American premiere

    BOY AT FIVE (MENINO DO CINCO)
    Friday, October 18th at 9:30 pm screened with TRUST ME
    Fiction / 20′ / 2012
    Directed by: Marcelo Matos de Oliveira and Wallace Nogueira

    Richard finally finds a friend, but he can’t be of his friend. Best Short Film, Best Actor at Gramado Festival,  North American premiere. 

    THE ADVENTURES OF TECA (AVENTURAS DA TECA)
    Saturday, October 18th at 3:30 pm screened with TAINA- AN AMAZON LEGEND
    Animation /3’ / 2012
    Directed by: Lucia Araujo

    Animated skits about friendship and family.  North American premiere. 

    THIS IS KAREN JONZ
    Saturday, October 19th at 5 pm screened with CHESHIRE CAT – THE MANY LIVES OF JOSÉ LEWGOY
    Documentary / 8´15´´/ 2012
    Directed by: Alex Kundera

    The life of a Brazilian girl who lives by doing only what she likes. North American premiere

    CONFETTI (CONFETE)
    Saturday, October 19th at 5:30 pm screened with HELIO OITICICA
    Documentary / 18’ / 2011
    Directed by: Mariana Kaufman and Jo Serfaty

    Confetti follows the wistful path of these tiny specks of paper through Rio de Janeiro’s street carnival: from manufacturing to the celebrations exploding in the streets, and to the trash bins, where it all ends on Ash Wednesday. ‘Confetti’ accompanies the of masses of human bodies, suspended in time by the pulsing colors and sounds one of the world’s largest street carnivals. Canadian premiere

    LULLABY (ACALANTO)
    Saturday, October 19th at 7 pm screened with ETERNAL AMAZON
    Fiction / 23′ / 2013
    Directed by: Arturo Saboia

    An illiterate lady seeks to soothe the missing of her son asking for a friend to read several times the same unique and old letter sent by her son ten years ago. Through these readings, a great friendship and complicity were born between them. Cannes Court Métrage  2013. North American premiere

    PATIO
    Saturday, October 19th at  9 pm screened with WORLD’S WEST END
    Documentary / 17’ / 2013
    Directed by: Ali Muritiba

    In a prison yard they play football and talk about freedom. Best Short Film at It’s All True Film  Festival. Cannes Critic’s Week 2013. North American premiere

    THE PACKAGE (O PACOTE)
    Saturday, October 19th at 9:30 pm screened with MARCELO YUKA: FOLLOW THE SIGNS
    Fiction / 18’ / 2013
    Directed by: Rafael Aidar

    In the outskirts of Sao Paulo, the young Leandro starts in a new school. In the classroom, he meets Jefferson who introduces him to his new group of friends. As the days go by, the boys hit it off and grow more intimate until they decide to be together as a couple. Their relationship is at stake when Jefferson informs Leandro that he is HIV-positive. Facing the news, Leandro must decide whether they continue in this romantic relationship or not. Nominated do the Teddy Award: 63º Berlin International Film Festival. Canadian premiere.

    Special Program (Non Competitive) 

    FOREIGN EYES

    MOACIR
    Sunday, October 20th at 4pm
    Argentina / Documentary / 75’ / 2011
    Directed by Tomas Lipgot

    Moacir is a Brazilian man who has been living in Argentina for 25 years. He is semi-illiterate and, despite his lack of any formal musical education, possesses an amazing talent for singing. At the age of 65 and with a diagnosis of paranoid schizophrenia, Moacir seemed to be just another case of a helpless patient. However, after 15 years of being hospitalized, he is granted his freedom and leaves the Borda Psychiatric Hospital. This story follows Moacir’s passionate endeavor to fulfill his greatest desire: to make a record of his songs, which have been lost for more than 25 years. This is a tale riddled with stridency, music, dance, confrontations, chaos, humor and charm. North American premiere

    KID’S SESSION

    Brazilian films for small kids. In Portuguese.

    DETECTIVES OF THE BLUE BUILDING (DETETIVES DO PRÉDIO AZUL)
    Saturday, October 19th at 2pm
    Fiction / 26’/ 2013
    Directed by: André Pellenz

    Three friends Tom, Mila and CapimIn live in an old blue building. They are neighbours. Every afternoon they get together and try to solve the problems of the building. North American premiere

    HAUNTED TALES (HISTÓRIAS ASSOMBRADAS)
    Saturday, October 19th at 2pm
    Animation / 15’/ 2005
    Directed by: Victor-Hugo Borges

    Three short stories your grandma never told you….. because you would have wet your bed…North American premiere

    THE OTHER DOLL
    Saturday, October 19th at 2pm
    Animation / 10’ / 2013
    Directed by: Humberto Avelar

    An enchanted world where magic creatures live in harmony with real people, this special series is adapted from the fantastic works of Monteiro Lobato, one of Brazil’s greatest writers. North American premiere

    BRAH-ZOO-KAH 
    Three films produced by Brazilians living abroad.

    GARIBOUS
    Saturday, October 19th  at 2:30pm
    Burkina Fasso / Documentary / 47’/ 2013
    Directed by Denis Franco Goedelt

    Recounts the lives of over 1 million children between 5 to 17 years living in West Africa in a situation analogous-slavery. The documentary aims to present this social phenomenon in Burkina Faso, showing the public why these children named Garibous or Talibes live inhumanely, without any right. North American premiere

    HEALERS
    Saturday, October 19th  at 2:30pm
    Canada / Documentary / 30’/ 2013
    Directed by Gabi Veras

    Healers tells the story of a woman known as Dona Josefa who has been a healthcare worker, midwife, and community leader for over 50 years. Director in Attendance

    FOOD FOR ALL
    Saturday, October 19th  at 2:30pm
    Canada / Documentary / 23’21” / 2012
    Directed by Marcelo Paolinelli

    Food for All investigates the alternative food system created by one of Brazil’s largest cities, Belo Horizonte, which in 1993 declared that food was a basic right of citizenship. The film explores captivating stories of people whose lives were transformed by Belo’s inspiring “food with dignity” programs. Director in Attendance

    CLOSING SCREENING AND AWARDS CEREMONY

    MEETING SEBASTIÃO SALGADO
    Sunday, October 20th at 5:30 pm
    Documentary / 75’ / 2013
    Directed by Betse de Paula

    Sebastiao Salgado is one of the world’s most famous photographers. Betse de Paula’s pleasingly informal film about the photographer is very much a family affair–almost a home movie.  No photographer in recent years has more selflessly travelled the world in search of beauty and sublimity. North American Premiere

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  • LABOR DAY and THE SACRAMENT Added to 49th Chicago International Film Festival Lineup

     Ti West’s THE SACRAMENT starring Amy Seimetz and Joe SwanbergTi West’s THE SACRAMENT starring Amy Seimetz and Joe Swanberg

    Jason Reitman’s LABOR DAY starring Kate Winslet, Josh Broslin and Tobey Maguire and Ti West’s THE SACRAMENT starring Amy Seimetz and Joe Swanberg have been added to the the 49th Chicago International Film Festival lineup. The festival runs ths year from October 10 to 24, 2013.

    THE SACRAMENT USA (Director: Ti West) – A chilling new thriller from acclaimed genre auteur Ti West (House Of The Devil) and producer Eli Roth, The Sacrament follows three reporters to remote Christian commune Eden Parish, where the residents’ sunny disposition hides dark secrets. When the Parish turns menacing, the reporters find themselves helpless in the middle of nowhere. Brilliantly written and acted by a fantastic cast of indie film all-stars, The Sacrament pushes at the boundaries of the “found-footage” format to create a different kind of horror movie.

    LABOR DAYLABOR DAY

    LABOR DAY USA (Director: Jason Reitman) – Labor Day centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his reclusive mother Adele (Kate Winslet) while confronting all the pangs of adolescence. On a back-to-school shopping trip, Henry and his mother encounter Frank Chambers (Josh Brolin), a man both intimidating and clearly in need of help, who convinces them to take him into their home and later is revealed to be an escaped convict.  The events of this long Labor Day weekend will shape them for the rest of their lives.

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