• Local Philly Films in Greater Filmadelphia Lineup at 22nd Philadelphia Film Festival

    McCanickMcCanick

    Six films highlighting the Philadelphia-area and local filmmakers, including the U.S. Premieres of both 1982 and MCCANICK starring Cory Monteith in his filnal role, will screen in the Greater Filmadelphia category at the upcoming 22nd Philadelphia Film Festival, which runs Thursday, October 17 to Sunday, October 27, 2013.  The category also includes the Philadelphia premiere of LET THE FIRE BURN, as well as the Philadelphia premieres of THE DISCOVERERS, THE SUSPECT and TOWN HALL.  

     All films in the Greater Filmadelphia category are eligible for the Sharon Pinkenson Award for Best Local Feature. 

    Greater Filmadelphia line-up includes:

    1982 – A mother’s drug addiction threatens to tear a family apart in this searing Philadelphia-based drama during the early days of the crack cocaine epidemic.  

    THE DISCOVERERS – Taking place primarily in the original setting of the Lewis and Clark expedition, The Discoverers is, at its heart, a family-reconciliation tale in which three generations of estranged relatives put aside their differences and past history to reconnect as a family and cope with loss. 

    MCCANICK – Gritty and suspenseful, McCanick is a tense action-drama about a volatile Philadelphia police officer determined to apprehend a recent parolee, who holds information about the cop’s past.  

    THE SUSPECT – An armed robbery, the appearance of an African-American man in an all-white Southern town and racial politics collide in The Suspect, an engaging thriller full of plot twists and surprises. 

    TOWN HALL – Documentarians Sierra Pettengill and Jamila Wignot provide an unadulterated, impartial look at the political and personal lives of two passionate Tea Party members. 

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  • Award-Winning Indie BABYGIRL Set in The Bronx Opens at The Quad Cinema in NYC on Friday October 4th | TRAILER

    indie film BABYGIRL

    The award-winning indie film BABYGIRL will open at the Quad Cinema in New York City on Friday, October 4th, 2013. Directed by Macdara Vallely, BABYGIRL is a coming-of-age story which takes place in Latino community of the Bronx.  Macdara Vallely, who also wrote the film, based it on a real-life incident he witnessed on the 2 train in the Bronx.

    Set in the Bronx, BABYGIRL is about Lena (Yainis Ynoa), a fifteen-year old Nuyorican girl, who has watched her heart-broken single-mom (Rosa Arredondo) fall in love with one man after another.  When Victor (Flaco Navaja), the latest boyfriend, starts hitting on Lena, she sets out to expose him.   But the plan backfires, and Lena finds herself trapped in an impossible love-triangle.  The only way out is for her to stand up and confront some bitter home truths. BABYGIRL is the second feature by Irish director, Macdara Valley, who moved to Bronx, New York seven years ago. 

    http://youtu.be/ohaKTlsbP1E

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  • Twin Cities Film Fest Announces 2013 Lineup of Star Studded Award Contender Films

     POLLYWOGSPOLLYWOGS

    Twin Cities Film Fest (TCFF) announced the lineup of films for their 2013 festival, to be held October 17 to 26, 2013.  The festival will feature several Award contenders including NEBRASKA, the 2013 TCFF Opening Film and latest from filmmaker Alexander Payne; the  TCFF Centerpiece THE ARMSTRONG LIE by Oscar-winning documentarian Alex Gibney (“Taxi to the Dark Side”); and Gala Films MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM and AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY.  

    TCFF lineup also features more than 20 world premieres of locally-produced features and short films including he critically-acclaimed POLLYWOGS, which was filmed in the north country by Minnesotan Karl Jacob.  The horror film DELIVERY was created, scripted and directed by Minnesota natives Brian Netto and Adam Schindler. 

    TCFF will conclude on Saturday, October 26 with the Midwest Premiere of NOTHING WITHOUT YOU, featuring a performance by Emily Fradenburg.  Fradenburg, based out of the Midwest and a well-known presence in the Twin Cities filmmaking community will be in attendance for the red carpet Premiere.

    2013 TWIN CITIES FILM FEST SCHEDULE

    October 17           

    7:00p.m.:  Nebraska, Alexander Payne, 110m

    October 18           

    12:00 p.m.:  The Search for Simon, Martin Gooch, 96m

    2:00 p.m.:  American Cycle, Baruh Benjamins and Fernando del Valle, 82m

    4:30 p.m.: Gladiators: The Uncertain Future of American Football, Todd Trigsted, 90m

    6:45 p.m.: Trust, Greed, Bullets & Bourbon, Scott Kawczynski, 85m

    9:00 p.m.: We Are What We Are, Jim Mickle, 105m

    October 19           

    10:30 p.m.: American Meat, Graham Meriwether, 88m

    1:00 p.m.: Rain Man, Barry Levinson, 133m

    4:00 p.m.: Forev, Molly Green & James Leffler, 88m

    6:30 p.m.: Winter in the Blood, Alex & Andrew Smith, 98m

    6:45 p.m.: Bahamian Son (Sneak Preview), Andrew Melby, 85m

    9:00p.m.: Screwed, John Wynn, 96m

    9:15 p.m.: Truth or Dare, Jessica Cameron, 80m

    October 20           

    10:00 p.m.: Cafeteria Man, Richard Chisolm, 95m

    12:15 p.m.: Brasslands, Meerkat Media Collective, 84m

    2:30 p.m.: Farah Goes Bang, Meera Menon, 91m

    5:00 p.m.: Family Shorts, Conor Holt, Sandra Capra, John Gigrich, Rob Walstead, Alexander Cooney, Alaina L. Lewis, John Gigrich, Kris Dunlap, Beth Vang, 79m

    7:15 p.m.: Diamond on Vinyl, J.R. Hughto, 95m

    9:30 p.m.: The Search for Simon, Martin Gooch, 96m

    October 21           

    6:15 p.m.: MN’s Best Shorts BLOCK 1, Karl Warnke, Geoff George, Dan Delano, Vincent Gargiulo, Mason Makram, Daniel Stessen, Chars Bonin, 87m

    8:45 p.m.: Ghost Light, John Gaspard, 85m

    October 22           

    6:30 p.m.: The Armstrong Lie, Alex Gibney, 122m

    9:30 p.m.: They Will Outlive Us All, Patrick Shearer, 73m

    October 23           

    4:00 p.m.: Beyond Right and Wrong: Stories of Justice and Forgiveness,

    6:15 p.m.: MN’s Best Shorts BLOCK 2, John Heimbuch, Brittany Gustafson, Kevin Horn, John Karsko, Peter Baehr, John Akre, John Gigrich, 82m

    6:30 p.m.: The Liability, Craig Viveiros, 86m

    8:30 p.m.: How I Live Now, Kevin Macdonald, 101m

    9:00 p.m.: Casual Encounters, Will McCord, 79m

    October 24           

    12:30 p.m.: MCTC shorts, MCTC Students, 60m

    2:00 p.m.: Forty Years From Yesterday, Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, 77m

    4:00 p.m.: The Big Noise, Dominic Pelosi, 80m

    6:00 p.m.: The One Who Loves You, Katharyn Grant, 95m

    6:30 p.m.: One Chance, David Frankel, 103 min

    8:30 p.m.: The Appearing, Daric Gates, 92m

    9:15 p.m.: Drunk Wedding, Nick Weiss, 75m

    October 25           

    11:30 p.m.: Antarctica: A Year On Ice, Anthony Powell, 92m

    1:45 p.m.: Gladiators: The Uncertain Future of American Football, Todd Trigsted, 90m

    4:00 p.m.: Tapia, Eddie Alcazar, 82m

    6:15 p.m.: Bloom Series, Jeet-Kei Leung, 120m

    6:30 p.m.: Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Justin Chadwick, 152m

    9:00 p.m.: A Method, Paul von Stoetzel, 62m

    9:45 p.m.: Delivery, Brian Netto, 87m

    October 26           

    10:45 p.m.: Remote Area Medical, Jeff Reichert & Farihah Zaman, 83m

    1:00 p.m.: Pollywogs, Karl Jacob and T. Arthur Cottam, 79m

    3:00 p.m.: Last Vegas, Jon Turteltaub, 104m

    5:45 p.m.: Wild Blue, Josh Hope, 100m

    6:00 p.m.: August: Osage County, John Wells, 103m

    8:30 p.m.: Nothing Without You, Xackery Irving, 95m

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  • 2013 Camden International Film Festival Announces Winning Films; THE GENIUS OF MARIAN Wins Best Documentary

     THE GENIUS OF MARIANTHE GENIUS OF MARIAN

    The Camden International Film Festival wrapped its ninth edition, and announced the award winning films of the 2013 festival, with THE GENIUS OF MARIAN directed by Banker White and Anna Fitch winning the Harrell Award for Best Documentary Feature.  THE GENIUS OF MARIAN is described as an intimate family portrait that explores the heartbreak of Alzheimer’s disease, the power of art and the meaning of family. THE GENIUS OF MARIAN follows Pam White in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease as her son, the filmmaker, documents her struggle to hang on to a sense of self.

    The Harrell Award for Best Documentary Feature Special Jury Mention went to EXPEDITION TO THE END OF THE WORLD directed by Daniel Dencik. On a three-mast schooner packed with artists, scientists and ambitions worthy of Noah or Columbus, we set off for the end of the world: the rapidly melting massifs of North-East Greenland. An epic journey where the brave sailors on board encounter polar bear nightmares, Stone Age playgrounds and entirely new species.

    This year’s Emerging Cinematic Vision Award went to BENDING STEEL directed by Dave Carroll.  BENDING STEEL is a moving documentary, which follows Chris Schnoeck, an endearing yet unassuming man as he trains to become a professional oldtime strongman. 

    A Special Emerging Cinematic Vision Jury Mention went to LAST DREAMS by Estephan Wagner. LAST DREAMS follows three women during their last month of life. Through them we get an intimate and honest picture of what it means to be close to death – stories of solitude, reconciliation and love during the process of saying goodbye. 

    The Camden International Film Festival had two films tie for the 2013 Audience Award – Dave Carroll’s BENDING STEEL and Jillian Schlesinger’s MAIDENTRIP.

    In addition to the award winning films, seven filmmakers took the stage of the Camden Opera House on Saturday, September 28 for the fourth annual Points North Pitch, part of CIFF’s Points North Documentary Forum that runs concurrently with the festival. The filmmakers pitched their documentary works-in-progress to a panel of funders broadcasters, distributors and producers. The 2013 Points North Pitch Award and Modulus Finishing Fund was given to Drew Xanthopoulos for THE SENSITIVES. 

    CIFF’s partnership with The New York Times brought filmmakers to pitch their ideas for an Op-Doc as part of Points North Documentary Forum on Sunday, September 29 at Union Hall in Rockport. The winning pitch receives the opportunity to produce an Op-Doc for The New York Times with a budget of $2,000 (USD). This year’s 2013 winner was PROJECT NODAK directed by Lewis Wilcox and James Christenson.  

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  • SOME VELVET MORNING Starring Stanley Tucci Gets a December 2013 Release Date

    SOME VELVET MORNING starring Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci and Alice Eve

    Tribeca Film will release Neil LaBute’s relationship drama SOME VELVET MORNING starring Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci and Alice Eve. The film, which had its World Premiere at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival will be released in theaters on December 13, 2013

    Some Velvet Morning introduces us to Fred (Stanley Tucci) who arrives at the doorstep of his beautiful young mistress Velvet (Alice Eve) after four years apart, claiming to have finally left his wife. But when she rejects his attempts to rekindle their romance, his persistence evolves into obsession — and a dark history between the former lovers comes into focus. 

    Some Velvet Morning will be released beginning December 10, 2013 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 beginning on December 13, 2013.

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  • Montclair Film Festival Announces 2014 Dates

    Montclair Film Festival

    The Montclair Film Festival (MFF), in New Jersey, will host its third annual festival from April 28 to May 4, 2014.

    Submissions are now being accepted in all categories with all the information available on the MFF website.. There are four key deadlines for filmmakers to make note of:

    Early-bird deadline: Dec. 20

    Regular deadline: Jan. 31

    Late deadline: Feb. 21

    Withoutabox special deadline: Feb. 28

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  • Weinstein Company to Release Benefit Concert Documentary 12-12-12

    benefit concert documentary 12-12-12

    The Weinstein Company (TWC) will be releasing their benefit concert documentary 12-12-12 in New York and Los Angeles theaters on Friday, November 1st. The documentary which recently held its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival, is a behind the scenes look at the show, which took place at New York’s Madison Square Garden on December 12, 2012. All box office profits from the documentary’s theatrical run will go to the Robin Hood Sandy Relief Fund which supports organizations helping victims in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut.

    Spearheaded by TWC Co-Chairman Harvey Weinstein, Madison Square Garden Executive Chairman Jim Dolan, and Clear Channel Entertainment President John Sykes, the concert featured performances by some of the music industry’s most iconic acts: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Billy Joel, Alicia Keys, Paul McCartney, Dave Grohl, Roger Waters, Eddie Vedder, Chris Martin, Michael Stipe, Adam Sandler, Eric Clapton, Jon Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Kanye West and included involvement from entertainment and media such as Billy Crystal, Susan Sarandon, Paul Shaffer, Brian Williams, Kristen Stewart, Jon Stewart, Chelsea Clinton, Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Colbert, Sean Combs, Olivia Wilde, Steve Buscemi, Chris Rock, Seth Meyers, Jake Gyllenhaal, Blake Lively, Katie Holmes, Jason Sudekis, Jamie Foxx, Quentin Tarantino, and Christoph Waltz.

    The unprecedented gathering of talent who turned up on stage and behind the scenes of the concert helped to raise over $50 million in one night for the Robin Hood Hurricane Sandy Relief Fund. The Concert for Sandy Relief, was nominated for a 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Award.

    In a joint statement the producers of the concert, Jim Dolan, Harvey Weinstein and John Sykes said: “12-12-12 was one of the most remarkable events Madison Square Garden has hosted in its 134-year history. The music and entertainment communities came together in such an immediate and powerful way, and made a legitimate difference to those in the tri-state who were so severely impacted by the storm. The concert was historic, it might even go down as one of the greatest line ups of all time, but if you thought the concert was wild, wait until you see what happened backstage that night. This film takes you behind the walls of Madison Square Garden and into the production areas and dressing rooms of the biggest recording artists in the world to see firsthand how a massive event like 12-12-12 was created. .  We’re thrilled audiences will be able to relive this historic event on the big screen.”

    TWC will also hold a New York premiere screening of the film on October 28th, the eve of the one-year anniversary when Hurricane Sandy wreaked havoc on the Tri-State area. The screening will take place at New York City’s iconic Ziegfeld Theater, which was generously donated by Bow Tie Cinemas, and will be attended by people affected by the storm as well as many of the performers featured in the film.

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  • Cannes Film Festival Sets 2014 Dates

    Cannes Film Festival

    The 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival will be held May 14 to 25, 2014.

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  • 2013 trinidad+tobago film festival Winners; MELAZA, FATAL ASSISTANCE, SONGS OF REDEMPTION Win Top Awards

     MELAZA, directed by Carlos LechugaMELAZA, directed by Carlos Lechuga

    After screening a total of 142 films, the 2013 trinidad+tobago film festival (ttff), which began on September 17th and closed on October 1, 2013, announced the competition winners. The Cuban film MELAZA, directed by Carlos Lechuga is the winner of the Jury Prize for Best Feature; and the Jury Prize for Best Documentary was won by two films: FATAL ASSISTANCE – directed by Raoul Peck, and SONGS OF REDEMPTION, directed by Miquel Galofre and Amanda Sans.

    ttff/13 competition winners are:

    Jury Prize: Best Feature
    MELAZA, directed by Carlos Lechuga
    In the town of Melaza the sugarcane industry is at a standstill and work is hard to come by. Monica, receptionist at the sugar mill, still goes to the factory daily, although it has been shuttered for a year. Her husband, Aldo, teaches swimming in a pool with no water. To make extra money, they engage in a lucrative but illegal venture. When the police discover their scheme they charge the couple a hefty fine. To get out of their predicament, Monica and Aldo must consider doing the unthinkable.

    *The jury awarded a special mention in this category to GOD LOVES THE FIGHTER directed by Damian Marcano
    Charlie is a young man seeking to make ends meet on the streets of Port of Spain. Reluctantly, he takes a job from a gang leader as assistant to a drug courier. This is how he meets Dinah, a prostitute, who works for the fearsome Putao. Dinah convinces Charlie to escape with her, in a move that triggers serious consequences. Shot in an urgent and unflinchingly gritty style, God Loves the Fighter is an honest yet sympathetic tale of real life as lived in contemporary urban Trinidad.

    Jury Prize: Best Documentary
    There was joint first prize: FATAL ASSISTANCE – directed by Raoul Peck / SONGS OF REDEMPTION, directed by Miquel Galofre and Amanda Sans

    FATAL ASSISTANCE
    Over three years after the earthquake that ravaged the country, conditions in Haiti remain far from acceptable. Why is this the case, despite billions of dollars in aid and the intervention of everyone from movie stars to former US presidents? This gripping documentary by Haiti’s most acclaimed filmmaker dissects the recovery effort and exposes its inner workings. In the process, it paints a damning picture of a country in thrall to a paternalistic aid system almost as invidious as any dictatorship.

    SONGS OF REDEMPTION
    At the general Penitentiary in Kingston, where inmates are serving sentences for crimes as serious as murder, a remarkable experiment is taking place. Through the progressive vision of the prison’s former superintendent, a rehabilitation scheme has been implemented that involves inmates creating and recording reggae music. Featuring riveting interviews and moving live performances, Songs of Redemption is an uplifting testament to the healing, even transformative power of music.

    Jury Prize: Best Local Feature Film
    GOD LOVES THE FIGHTER, directed by Damian Marcano

    Jury Prize: Best Short
    There was a joint first prize: PASSAGE – directed by Kareem Mortimer / PREVIOUS SCENES – directed by Aleksandra Maciuszek

    Jury Prize: Best Local Short
    AFTER MAS, directed by Karen Martinez

    Best Caribbean Film by an International Director
    3 KIDS, directed by Jonas D’Adesky
    *The jury awarded two special mentions in this category: TULA: THE REVOLT, directed by Joeren Linders and THE STUART HALL PROJECT, directed by John Akomfrah

    New Media Prize
    Olivia McGilChrist

    People’s Choice – Feature
    GOD LOVES THE FIGHTER, directed by Damian Marcano

    People’s Choice – Documentary
    SONGS OF REDEMPTION, directed by Miquel Galofre and Amanda Sans

    People’s Choice – Short
    JAB IN THE DARK, directed by Robert McFarlane

    RBC Focus Pitch prize
    The Winner is Shakira Bourne

    bpTT Student Award
    The winner is Maryam Mohammed

    bpTT Film in Development Award
    The winner is Kevin Adams

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  • Revelation Perth International Film Festival Reveals 2014 Dates, Launches Trailer Contest

     

    Revelation Perth International Film Festival

    The Revelation Perth International Film Festival announces a new competition for its 2014 event. which runs July 3 to 13, 2014. The festival is inviting filmmakers, students, artists and cinematic visionaries to create the trailer for the 2014 festival.

    According to the festival. the trailer which will be screened at Luna Palace Cinemas before and during the festival should be 45-60 second and represent the spirit of Revelation, it should speak to the audiences and most importantly it should be as unique and exciting as the films shown.

    Three winners will be selected and each will receive a Revelation membership plus additional passes and privileges.

    Entries for the Revelation Perth International Film Festival trailer competition close on 1 April 2014. 

     

     

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  • OUT OF THE FURNACE, NEBRASKA, THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY Added to 2013 AFI FEST

    Scott Cooper’s OUT OF THE FURNACEScott Cooper’s OUT OF THE FURNACE

    Additional red carpet Centerpiece Galas were announced for this year’s 2013 AFI FEST, including the World Premiere of Scott Cooper’s OUT OF THE FURNACE; Alexander Payne’s NEBRASKA; accompanied by a Tribute to Bruce Dern; and THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY, directed by and starring Ben Stiller. Stuart Cornfeld, an AFI Conservatory alumnus and recipient of the Franklin J. Schaffner Alumni Medal at the AFI Life Achievement Award ceremony held last June, is one of the producers of THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY. All galas will be presented in the historic TCL Theatre.

    As previously announced, the North American Premiere of SAVING MR. BANKS (DIR John Lee Hancock) is the Opening Night Gala and INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS (DIR Ethan Coen, Joel Coen) is the Closing Night Gala. The Guest Artistic Director is Agnès Varda. The previously announced FOXCATCHER Premiere is no longer part of the AFI FEST program, due to the shift of the film’s release date to 2014.

    “Our Centerpiece Galas reflect the diverse cinematic experience at AFI FEST, from our smaller independent films to larger studio releases. We are thrilled to have the World Premiere of OUT OF THE FURNACE; to honor the legendary Bruce Dern for his outstanding career and his brilliant performance in NEBRASKA; and to take the audience on a journey with THE SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY,” said Jacqueline Lyanga, AFI FEST Festival Director. Commenting on the news that the previously announced Premiere of FOXCATCHER would move to next year, Lyanga added, “AFI will be proud to celebrate FOXCATCHER when Bennett Miller and his talented team are ready to share it with the world.”

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  • WHITE REINDEER Gets A Fall 2013 Release Date | TRAILER

     WHITE REINDEER

    IFC Films will release Zach Clark’s WHITE REINDEER in the US, with a theatrical release and digital premiere set for December 6, 2013.  In the film, which stars Anna Margaret Hollyman, Laura Lemar-Goldsborough, Lydia Johnson, Joe Swanberg, and Christopher Doubek, a shell-shocked real estate agent grapples with personal tragedy while fumbling to let loose among strip clubs, department stores, and swinging new neighbors during one sad, strange December in suburban Virginia. 

    http://youtu.be/8qyzpGdu_v8

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