• FREE Storyteller Live Showcase Added to 2013 Hollywood Black Film Festival

    2013 Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF)

    The 2013 Hollywood Black Film Festival (HBFF) will host a FREE live Storyteller Showcase that will take place Friday, October 4th at The W Hotel, 6250 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, CA 90028 in Great Rooms 1 & 2. The Showcase is open to the public.

    Since its inception in 1998, the Hollywood Black Film Festival has honored and encouraged scribes for their excellence in and dedication to the art of storytelling. HBFF celebrates how important the written word is to the mediums of film and television and gives recognition to those who put those words on the page.

    Helmed by HBFF staff member and blossoming actress Alexia Peebles, each year of the festival, writers from all over the globe submit their work to be considered for one of the 10 slots given to the Storyteller Semi-Finalists. Whether a feature, short, documentary, or written for television, countless scripts are read, critiqued, and scored by a jury panel comprised of working industry professionals to determine the best works to advance into the next phase of the competition. Next, the top 10 scripts are read and critiqued again to find out which three will become Storyteller Finalists. The ranking of those top three are announced at the Filmmakers and Storyteller Awards Presentation at the close of the festival.  

    The writers of the 10 semi-finalist scripts are given a personal invitation to the festival, where they receive exclusive, personalized attention from Storyteller’s mentor of 11 years, Harrison Reiner. He is an award-winning script-writer and valued staff member at CBS Television Studio’s Scripted Cable Series Division.

    “I have been working with Harrison for the past six years,” Alexia says, “and what I know for certain is that he is completely invested and dedicated. Harrison loves nothing more than mentoring. It’s such a big part of who he is. The Storyteller Semi-Finalists have always found their time with him invaluable.”

    The prize package for the three Storyteller Finalists includes the writer choosing a scene from their script to be performed by working LA actors before an audience in the new Storyteller Live Showcase. Formerly called the Storyteller Live Staged Reading, participants have included Obba Babbatunde, Loretta Devine, Jackee’ Harry, Tatiana Ali, and Kenny Lattimore in the night dedicated to HBFF Storytellers.

    This year’s performances are being cast and directed by noted director/ playwright, Patricia Cuffie-Jones, protégé of David E. Talbert. Patricia has made quite a name for herself with projects such as Love the One You’re With and Love’s Holiday. This will be her first collaboration with HBFF and she is excited about the new endeavor.  

    “I want to make the writers proud, give the audience an appetite for more, and give platform to some extraordinary talent,” she shares.

    “I look forward to staging these phenomenal stories, keeping true to the honesty and integrity in which it was written, and revealing to the audience the genuine heart and raw soul that lies within it”.

    Read more

  • Matt Porterfield’s I USED TO BE DARKER Opens in Baltimore, MD … Followed by National Release | TRAILER

    Matt Porterfield's I USED TO BE DARKER 

    Matt Porterfield’s I USED TO BE DARKER launches its national theatrical run this weekend in Baltimore at the Charles Theater.  I USED TO BE DARKER screened at the 2013 Maryland Film Festival,2013 Sundance Film Festival and the 2013 Berlin Film Festival and won Best Narrative Feature at the 2013 Atlanta Film Festival. The film will open in New York on October 4th and Los Angeles on October 11th, followed by a national release.  

    When Taryn (Deragh Campbell), a runaway from Northern Ireland, finds herself in trouble in Ocean City, MD, she seeks refuge with her aunt and uncle in Baltimore. But Kim and Bill (Ned Oldham and Kim Taylor) have problems of their own: they’re trying to handle the end of their marriage gracefully for the sake of their daughter Abby (Hannah Gross), just home from her first year of college. A story of family revelations, people finding each other and letting each other go, looking for love where they’ve found it before and, when that doesn’t work, figuring out where they might find it next.

    http://youtu.be/VC-XMmiaKMY

    Read more

  • Wisconsin Film Festival Sets 2014 Dates

    ,

    Wisconsin Film Festival will be April 3rd through April 10th 2014

    The next Wisconsin Film Festival will be April 3rd through April 10th 2014. 

    Read more

  • 10 Finalists for 2013 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting Competition

    ,

     Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition

    Nine individual screenwriters and one writing team have been selected as finalists for the 2013 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition.  Their scripts will now be read and judged by the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee, which may award as many as five of the prestigious $35,000 fellowships.

    This year’s finalists are (listed alphabetically by author):
         Scott Adams, Menlo Park, CA, “Slingshot”
         William Casey, Los Angeles, CA, “Smut”
         Frank DeJohn & David Alton Hedges, Santa Ynez, CA, “Legion”
         Brian Forrester, Studio City, CA, “Heart of the Monstyr”
         Noah Thomas Grossman, Los Angeles, CA, “The Cupid Code”
         Patty Jones, Vancouver, BC, Canada, “Joe Banks”
         Erin KLG, New York, NY, “Lost Children”
         Alan Roth, Suffern, NY, “Jersey City Story”
         Stephanie Shannon, Los Angeles, CA, “Queen of Hearts”
         Barbara Stepansky, Burbank, CA, “Sugar in My Veins”

    The finalists were selected from a record 7,251 scripts submitted for this year’s competition. 

    The 2013 Academy Nicholl Fellowships will be presented on Thursday, November 7, at a ceremony in Beverly Hills.

    The Nicholl competition is open to any individual who has not earned more than $25,000 writing for film or television or received a fellowship prize that includes a “first look” clause, an option, or any other quid pro quo involving the writer’s work.  Entry scripts must be feature length and the original work of a sole author or of exactly two collaborative authors.  The scripts must have been written originally in English.  Adaptations and translated scripts are not eligible.  The earnings limit for 2013 is an increase from the $5,000 limit in previous years.

    Fellowships are awarded with the understanding that the recipients will each complete a feature-length screenplay during their fellowship year.  The Academy acquires no rights to the works of Nicholl fellows and does not involve itself commercially in any way with their completed scripts.

    The Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee, chaired by producer Gale Anne Hurd, is composed of writers Naomi Foner, Daniel Petrie Jr., Tom Rickman, Eric Roth, Dana Stevens and Robin Swicord; actor Eva Marie Saint; cinematographer John Bailey; costume designer Vicki Sanchez; producers Peter Samuelson and Robert W. Shapiro; marketing executive Buffy Shutt; and agent Ronald R. Mardigian.

    Since the program’s inception in 1985, 128 fellowships have been awarded.  Several past Nicholl fellows have recently added to their achievements.  Destin Daniel Cretton wrote and directed “Short Term 12” from his Nicholl Fellowship-winning script; the feature has received tremendous critical acclaim this year at screenings at international festivals and in theatrical release.  Creighton Rothenberger co-wrote “Olympus Has Fallen,” which opened in theaters this past March.  Several fellows currently have projects in post-production: Cecilia Contreras and Amy Garcia wrote “Dear Eleanor”; Anthony Jaswinski wrote “Random”; Karen Moncrieff wrote and directed “The Trials of Cate McCall”; and James Mottern directed “God Only Knows.”  Rebecca Sonnenshine is a writer and executive story editor on “The Vampire Diaries” on The CW.  Andrew Marlowe is a writer and executive producer, and Terri Edda Miller is a writer and consulting producer, on “Castle” on ABC. 

    Read more

  • 15 Finalists for 2014 Cinema Eye Honor for Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Short Filmmaking

    ,

     Black Out (UK) Directed by Eva WeberBlack Out (UK) Directed by Eva Weber

    Fifteen documentary short films have been named as finalists for the 2014 Cinema Eye Honor for Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Short Filmmaking. Nominees in the Short Film category will be announced along with this year’s feature film nominees in November. Awards will be presented at the 7th Annual Cinema Eye Honors in New York City in January.

    This year’s finalists includes a previous Cinema Eye winner and two filmmakers who were named to previous Shorts Lists:  Laura Poitras, named to this year’s list for her NY Times Op-Doc Death of a Prisoner, was named Outstanding Feature Director in 2011 for The Oath; Yuri Ancarani, on this year’s list for Da Vinci, was nominated in 2012 for Il Capo; and Sergio Oksman, on the 2014 list for A Story for the Modlins, was a finalist for the 2011 Honors for his film Notes on the Other.

    Eva Weber, on this year’s list for both Black Out and Reindeer, becomes the first filmmaker ever to have two films named as finalists in the same year in the history of Cinema Eye.  If both films were to be nominated, she’d become the first person ever to score two Cinema Eye nominations in the same category in the same year.

    The fifteen finalists are:

    Black Out (UK)
    Directed by Eva Weber

    Bradley Manning Had Secrets (UK)
    Directed by Adam Butcher

    Coffee Time (Elvakaffe) (Sweden)
    Directed by Maria Fredriksson

    Da Vinci (Italy)
    Directed by Yuri Ancarani

    Death of a Prisoner (USA)
    Directed by Laura Poitras

    I Kill (New Zealand)
    Directed by David White and Paul Wedel

    Magnetic Reconnection (Canada)
    Directed by Kyle Armstrong

    Marcel, King of Tervuren (USA)
    Directed by Tom Schroeder

    Nile Perch (USA)
    Directed by Josh Gibson

    Outlawed in Pakistan (Pakistan / USA)
    Directed by Habiba Nosheen and Hilke Schellmann

    Pouters (Scotland)
    Directed by Paul Fegan

    Reindeer (UK)
    Directed by Eva Weber

    The Roper (USA)
    Directed by Ewan McNicol and Anna Sandilands

    Slomo (USA)
    Directed by Josh Izenberg

    A Story for the Modlins (Spain)
    Directed by Sergio Oksman

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

    Read more

  • Director Steve McQueen Among Lineup for 2nd “FREE” NYFF LIVE talks at 51st NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL

    ,

    Steve McQueenSteve McQueen

    The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced today the details and participants for the second annual free-to-the-public NYFF LIVE series of filmmaker and film industry conversations at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center Amphitheater (144 W. 65th Street) and the Apple Store, SoHo (103 Prince Street).

    “Our goal with NYFF LIVE is to give anyone the opportunity to engage with the acclaimed international filmmakers and talent who will be in the city for the New York Film Festival,” said Eugene Hernandez, Director of Digital Strategy for the Film Society of Lincoln Center. “Making these talks free and open to the public, as well as delivering video from the conversations via our growing digital channels on YouTube and iTunes, is part of a broader strategy aimed at connecting with a wider audience of cinephiles around the world.”

    Highlights will include several panels dedicated to documentary filmmakers including Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren, The Dog; Nancy Buirski, Afternoon of a Faun;How Democracy Works Now, Michael Camerini and Shari Robertson and Joaquim Pinto, What Now? Remind Me. As well as one on one conversations with agnès b., My Name is Hmmm…; Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, American Promise; Claire Denis, Bastards; Bruce Dern, Nebraska; Louis Garrel, Jealousy; Isabelle Huppert, Abuse of Weakness and Hirokazu Kore-eda, Like Father, Like Son.

    A special conversation will be hosted as part of NYFF Live, on October 3, about Story Creation and the Artistic Process with the 2013 Filmmaker in Residence Andrea Arnold, Director of Wuthering Heights, Fish Tank, Red Road; Henry Bean, WriterThe Believer, Basic Instinct 2, Internal Affairs; Naomi Foner, Writer Very Good Girls, Running on Empty; Larry Gross, WriterWe Don’t Live Here Anymore, True Crime, 48 Hrs and Tamara Jenkins, Director The Savages, Slums of Beverly Hills. 

    An exciting addition to the lineup will feature the composers responsible for a completely original and dynamic interactive musical score, for the recently released Grand Theft Auto V, adding a level of immersion and tension never heard before in the series. This is the result of many years work and Ivan Pavlovich, Music Supervisor for Rockstar Games, will be on hand with the game’s key composers, Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, and The Alchemist & Oh No to explain the many intricacies of such a mammoth project and its impact on this iconic piece of entertainment.

    In addition to the NYFF Live talks being free and open to the public on a space available basis, the talks will also be available online, at FilmLinc.com. The Film Society has drawn more than 1.7 million views on its popular YouTube channel alone (youtube.com/filmlinc) and the New York Film Festival content has proven to be very popular as many of the festival’s films make their way to theaters. This year we’ll again deliver video from the events to our digital platforms (YouTube, iTunes) and engage audiences via the Film Society’s active social media presence on Twitter and Facebook.

    Free tickets for NYFF Live Talks will be available at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (144 West 65th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam) box office on a first-come, first-served basis one hour prior to the conversations and screenings.Limit one complimentary ticket per person, subject to availability. 

     

    NYFF LIVE 
    Guests & Schedule

     
    Sunday, September 29 
    7:00pm        Motion Portraits Director Panel
    Directors Joaquim Pinto, What Now? Remind Me and Mitra Farahani, Fifi Howls from Happiness and Pacho Velez,Manakamana
    7:45pm         Director Hirokazu Kore-eda, Like Father, Like Son


    Monday September 30 
    TBA
     

    Tuesday October 1
    7:00pm        Emerging Artists: directors Joanna Hogg, Exhibition and Fernando Eimbcke, Club Sandwich
    8:00pm        Rockstar Games: The Music of Grand Theft Auto V
    Panelists: Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, The Alchemist & Oh No (Composers, Grand Theft Auto V) and Ivan Pavlovich (Music Supervisor for Rockstar Games)
     

    Wednesday October 2
    7:00pm        Actor Louis Garrel, Jealousy
     

    Thursday October 3
    4:30pm        Story Creation and the Artistic Process
    Filmmaker in Residence Panel includes director Andrea Arnold, Wuthering Heights, Fish Tank, Red Road; writer Henry Bean,The Believer, Basic Instinct 2, Internal Affairs; writer Naomi Foner, Very Good Girls, Running on Empty; writer Larry Gross,We Don’t Live Here Anymore, True Crime, 48 Hrs; director Tamara Jenkins, The Savages, Slums of Beverly Hills
    The Filmmaker in Residence initiative is being held in partnership with luxury brand Jaeger-LeCoultre.
     
    Friday October 4
    No NYFF Live Talks 
     

    Saturday October 5
    7:00pm        Director Claire Denis, Bastards
    PLEASE NOTE LOCATION: 
    The Furman Gallery, adjacent to the Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th Street)  
     

    Sunday October 6
    No NYFF Live Talks 
     

    Monday October 7
    5:00pm         Director Steve McQueen, 12 Years a Slave 
    PLEASE NOTE LOCATION: Apple Store Soho
    7:00pm        Actress Isabelle Huppert, Abuse of Weakness
    7:45pm         Spotlight on Documentary Filmmakers Panel
    Directors Allison Berg & Frank Keraudren, The Dog and Nancy Buirski Afternoon of a Faun: Tanaquil Le Clercq
                            Presented in Collaboration with New York Women in Film and Television.
     

    Tuesday October 8
    7:00pm        The Hero Adrift: A Conversation with Jonás Cuarón (Gravity), Chris Kentis (Open Water) and David Magee (Life of Pi)
    Presented in Collaboration with the Writers Guild of America, East
    7:45pm         Directors Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson, American Promise
     

    Wednesday October 9
    7:00pm        Director agnès b., My Name is Hmmm…
    7:45pm         How Democracy Works Now: directors Michael Camerini & Shari Robertson
     

    Thursday October 10
    7:00pm        Actor Bruce Dern, Nebraska 
    7:45pm         Panel of Short Filmmakers
     

    Friday October 11
    7:00pm        Producer David V. Picker, author of MUST, MAYBES, AND NEVERS Presented in collaboration with the Producers Guild of America East
     

    Saturday October 12
    TBA

    Read more

  • Full Lineup Unveiled for 22nd Philadelphia Film Festival; Closes With Jason Reitman’s LABOR DAY

    Jason Reitman's LABOR DAYJason Reitman’s LABOR DAY 

    The full film line-up was unveiled for the 22nd Philadelphia Film Festival, taking place from October 17 to October 27 throughout the Greater Philadelphia area. As earlier announced, the Festival will open on October 17th with J.C. Chandor’s, ALL IS LOST, starring Robert Redford, at the Perelman Theater. Jason Reitman’s LABOR DAY, will close the Festival on Friday, October 25th at the newly renovated Prince Music Theater.

    The Festival will also include 5 centerpiece screenings, including AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, MANDELA: LONG WALK TO FREEDOM, NEBRASKA, PHILOMENA, and THE UNKNOWN KNOWN.

    The narrative features in competition this year are HARMONY LESSONS, directed by Emir Baigazin; ILO ILO directed by Anthony Chen; IN BLOOM, directed by Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Groß; A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE, directed by Boris Khlebnikov; MARY, QUEEN OF SCOTS, directed by Thomas Imbach; VIC + FLO SAW A BEAR, directed by Denis Côté; WE ARE THE BEST!, directed by Lukas Moodysson.

    The documentary features competing are 12 O’CLOCK BOYS, directed by Lotfy Nathan; CAUCUS, directed by AJ Schnack; GOD LOVES UGANDA, directed by Roger Ross Williams; HARRY DEAN STANTON: PARTLY FICTION, directed by Sophie Huber; THE KILL TEAM, directed by Dan Krauss; LA MAISON DE LA RADIO, directed by Nicolas Philibert; THE SHORT GAME, directed by Josh Greenbaum.

    22nd Philadelphia Film Festival Full Line-up

    Opening Night Film

    All is Lost, Director J.C. Chandor. USA, 2013.

    Closing Night Film

    Labor Day, Director Jason Reitman. USA, 2013

    Centerpiece Screenings

    August: Osage County, Director John Wells. USA, 2013.

    Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom, Director Justin Chadwick. UK, South Africa, 2013.

    Nebraska, Director Alexander Payne. USA, 2013. 

    Philomena, Director Stephen Frears. UK, 2013.

    The Unknown Known, Director Errol Morris. USA, 2013

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

    Days of Heaven, Director Terrence Malick, USA, 1978

    Philadelphia, Director Jonathan Demme. USA, 1993.

    The Visitor, Director Giulio Paradisi. USA, Italy, 1979.

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

    About Time, Director Richard Curtis. UK, 2013.

    Alan Partridge, Director Declan Lowney. UK, 2013.

    The Art of the Steal, Director Jonathan Sobol. Canada, 2013. US PREMIERE.

    The Congress, Director Ari Folman. Israel, Germany, Poland, France, Luxembourg, Belgium, 2013

    Last Vegas, Director Jon Turteltaub. USA, 2013. 

    Le Week-end, Director Roger Michell. UK, 2013. 

    Man of Tai Chi, Director Keanu Reeves. USA, China, 2012.

    The Motel Life, Directors Gabriel Polsky, Alan Polsky. USA, 2012.

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

    Blue is the Warmest Color, Director Abdellatif Kechiche. France, Belgium, Spain, 2013.

    Burning Bush, Director Agnieszka Holland. Czech Republic, 2013.

    The Immigrant, Director James Gray. USA, 2013.

    Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons, Director Stephen Chow. China, 2013.

    Like Father, Like Son, Director Hirokazu Kore-eda. Japan, 2013.

    Paradise: Hope, Director Ulrich Seidl. Austria, France, Germany, 2013.

    A Touch of Sin, Director Jia Zhang-ke. China, Japan, 2013. 

    Young & Beautiful, Director François Ozon. France, 2013.

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

    Before Snowfall, Director Hisham Zaman. Norway, Germany 2013.

    Bombay Talkies, Director Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap. India, 2013.

    Borgman, Director Alex van Warmerdam. The Netherlands, Belgium, Denmark, 2013.

    Cold Eyes, Director Cho Ui-seok, Kim Byung-seo. South Korean, 2013.

    Grigris, Director Mahamat-Saleh Haroun. Chad, France, 2013.

    Harmony Lessons, Director Emir Baigazin. Kazakhstan, Germany, France, 2013.

    Ilo Ilo, Director Anthony Chen. Singapore, 2013.

    Miele, Director Valeria Golino. Italy, France, 2013. 

    Mystery Road, Director Ivan Sen. Australia, 2013.

    Northwest, Director Michael Noer. Demark, 2013.

    Pioneer, Director Erik Skjoldbjærg. Norway, 2013.

    Ragnorak, Director Mikkel Brænne Sandemose. Norway, 2013.

    Rock the Casbah, Director Yariv Horowitz. Israel, France, 2013.

    The Rocket, Director Kim Mordaunt. Australia, 2013.

    The Selfish Giant, Director Clio Barnard. UK, 2013.

    Tasting Menu, Director Roger Gaul. Spain, Ireland, 2013. 

    Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?, Director Arvin Chen. Taiwan, 2013.

    The Wonders, Director Avi Nesher. Israel, 2013. US PREMIERE.

    Contemporary Francophone Cinema: The original language of cinema, French remains the dominant tongue in some the world’s funniest and most daring, sexy and unique films. Stop in for this celebration of films in French from all over the world. 

    Apaches, Director Thierry de Peretti. France, 2013.

    Ernest & Celestine, Director Stéphane Aubier, Vincent Patar, Benjamin Renner. France 2012.

    La Maison de la Radio, Director Nicolas Philibert. France, 2013.

    Mary, Queen of Scots, Director Thomas Imbach. Switzerland, France, 2013. US PREMIERE.

    Puppy Love, Director Delphine Lehericey, Belgium, Switzerland, France, Luxembourg, 2013. US PREMIERE.

    Sarah Prefers To Run, Director Chloé Robichaud. Canada, 2013.

    Stranger By the Lake, Director Alain Guiraudie. France, 2013.

    Vic + Flo Saw a Bear, Director Denis Côté. Canada, 2013.

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

    The German Doctor, Director Lucía Puenzo. Argentina, France, Spain, Norway, 2013.

    Gloria, Director Sebastián Lelio. Chile, Spain, 2013.

    La Jaula de Oro, Director Diego Quemada-Díez. Mexico, Spain, 2013.

    Tanta Agua, Directors Ana Guevara, Leticia Jorge, Uruguay, 2013.

    Eastern European Cinema: From the rural towns of Russia to the war-torn streets of Georgia, these films highlight all the brilliant story-telling that the eastern part of Europe has to offer.

    Honeymoon, Director Jan Hřebejk, Czech Republic, Slovakia, 2013.

    In Bloom, Director Nana Ekvtimishvili, Simon Groß. Georgia, Germany, France, 2013.

    A Long and Happy Life, Director Boris Khlebnikov. Russia, 2013.

    The Major, Director Yury Bykov. Russia, 2013.

    Mother, I Love You, Director Janis Nords. Latvia, 2013.

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

    12 O’Clock Boys, Director Lotfy Nathan. USA 2013.

    Awful Nice, Director Todd Sklar. USA, 2013.

    Blue Highway, Director Kyle Smith, USA, 2013. SNEAK PREVIEW.

    Coherence, Director James Ward Byrkit. USA, 2013.

    Mother of George, Director Andrew Dosunmu. USA, 2013.

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

    1982, Director Tommy Oliver. USA, 2013. US PREMIERE.

    The Discoverers, Director Justin Schwarz. USA, 2013.

    Let the Fire Burn, Director Jason Osder. USA, 2013.

    McCanick, Director Josh C. Waller. USA, 2013. US PREMIERE. 

    The Suspect, Director Stuart Connelly. USA, 2013.

    Town Hall, Director Sierra Pettengill, Jamila Wignot. USA, 2013.

    Documentary Showcase: Comprising the best in documentary filmmaking, these compelling films feature everything from stirring character studies to fascinating looks at current global issues. Category Sponsored by Dolfinger-McMahon Foundation.  

    Caucus, Director AJ Schnack. USA, 2013.

    Documented, Director Jose Antonio Vargas, Ann Lupo. USA, 2013.

    God Loves Uganda, Director Roger Ross Williams. USA, 2013.

    The Kill Team, Director Dan Krauss. USA, 2013.

    Remote Area Medical, Director Jeff Reichert, Farihah Zaman. USA, 2013.

    The Short Game, Director Josh Greenbaum. USA, 2013.

    We Cause Scenes: The Rise of Improv Everywhere, Director Matt Adams. USA, 2013.

    Sight and Soundtrack: Featuring rockumentaries, musician biopics and films that are centered on the unifying power of music. 

    The Broken Circle Breakdown, Director Felix van Groeningen. Belgium, 2012.

    Elaine Strich: Shoot Me, Director Chiemi Karasawa. USA, 2013.

    Grand Piano, Director Eugenio Mira. USA, 2013.

    The Great Hip Hop Hoax, Director Jeanie Finlay. UK, 2013.

    One Chance, Director David Frankel. UK, 2013.

    We Are the Best!, Director Lukas Moodysson. Sweden, Denmark, 2013.

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

    Big Bad Wolves, Director Navot Papushado, Aharon Keshales. Israel, 2013.

    Blue Ruin, Director Jeremy Saulnier. USA, 2013.

    Cheap Thrills, Director E. L. Katz. USA, 2013.

    Nothing Bad Can Happen, Director Katrin Gebbe. Germany, 2013.

    R100, Director Hitoshi Matsumoto. Japan, 2013.

    The Sacrament, Director Ti West. USA, 2013.

    Why Don’t You Play in Hell? , Director Sion Sono. Japan, 2013.

    Short Films

    Alaska is a Drag, Director Shaz Bennet. USA, 2013.

    Cicada Princess, Director Mauricio Baiocchi. USA, 2011.

    The Captain, Director Nash Edgerton, Spencer Susser. Australia, USA, 2012.

    The Cub, Director Riley Stearns. USA, 2012.

    Eating Lunch, Director Sanna Lenken. Sweden, 2012.

    ECHO, Director Merlin Flügel. Germany, 2012.

    The Event, Director Julie Pott. USA, UK, 2012.

    Fear of Flying, Director Conor Finnegan. Ireland, 2012.

    Fort Greene, Director Jordan Thomas. USA, 2012.

    The Globe Collector, Director Summer DeRoche. Australia, 2012.

    In Hanford, Director Chris Mars. USA, 2012.

    Lapse, Director Jahaira Torres. USA, 2013.

    Marcel, King of Tervuren, Director Tom Schroeder, 2012.

    Necromonica, Director Kyle Bogart, Cliff Borgart. 2013.

    Oh Willy…, Director Marc James Roels, Emma de Swaef. Belgium, France, The Netherlands, 2012.

    Old Man, Director Leah Shore. USA, 2012.

    Papel Picado, Director Javier Barboza. USA, 2012.

    Reindeer, Director Eva Weber. UK, 2011.

    The Roper, Director Ewan McNicol. USA, 2012.

    RPG OKC, Director Emily Carmichael. USA, 2012.

    Safe, Director Byoung-Gon Moon. South Korea, 2013.

    Shadow of a Cloud, Director Radu Jude. Romania, 2013.

    Social Butterfly, Director Lauren Wolkstein. France, USA 2013.

    Tin, Director Brandon Lake. USA, 2013.

    Vladimir Putin in Deep Concentration, Director Dana O’Keefe, Sasha Kliment. USA, 2013.

    When the Zombies Come, Director Jon Hurst. USA, 2012. 

    Read more

  • Ari Folman’s THE CONGRESS to Open Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival | TRAILER

     THE CONGRESS, directed by Ari Folman

    THE CONGRESS, directed by Ari Folman (Academy Award-nominated Waltz With Bashir), will be featured as the opening film at the ninth Giant Incandescent Resonating Animation Festival (GIRAF) in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. A science- fiction parable about identity and celebrity that blends live action sequences with fantastic hand-crafted animations, The Congress stars Robin Wright as herself, and also features Harvey Keitel, Jonn Hamm and Paul Giamati.

    In addition to the screenings and parties, GIRAF also brings artists at the forefront of the global animation community to attend the festival and share their expertise with local artists and audiences. This year, there will be two international animators providing workshops at the festival — Peter Burr and Mikey Please. Burr, a video artist who also runs underground video label Cartoon XPrez, will be presenting Special Effect, a live television show inspired by Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1971 film Stalker, and featuring contributions from 18 animators, including Calgary’s Chad Van Gaalen. Please is the acclaimed British stop-motion animator whose Marilyn Miller recently received the McLaren Award at the Edinburgh Film Festival. His thesis film was the BAFTA-winning and Academy Award-shortlisted The Eagleman Stag.

    GIRAF will launch its 2013 festival on Wednesday, November 6th at the Globe Cinema; and continue through Sunday, November 10, offering five days of hands-on workshops, parties, and screenings, with five feature film presentations, two international shorts packages, a spotlight on France, a Canadian shorts package, a late night pack, an artist spotlight and our annual Log Driver’s Waltz party at the Jubilee Auditorium. The festival has  increased the programming from 35 shorts last year to 85 this year, and will host the world premiere of Disney veteran Steve Moore’s latest short, CHIEF, YOUR BUTT’S ON FIRE!

    http://youtu.be/oSf2QfipsGk 

    Read more

  • Panel Discussions Tied to Release of Grand Theft Auto V Added to New York Film Festival

     Grand Theft Auto V (GTAV)

     The Film Society of Lincoln Center (FSLC) and Rockstar Games will present panel discussions from September 29 to October 1 tied to the recent release of Grand Theft Auto V (GTAV) during the 51st New York Film Festival as part of its NYFF Convergence program, as well as an exclusive concert with live performances of the original score from composers Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, The Alchemist & Oh No.

    Panel presentations will include; Visit Los Santos and Blaine County: The World of Grand Theft Auto V, where audiences will hear members of the Rockstar Games creative team discussing the storytelling and game development of GTAV; and The Music of Grand Theft Auto V, which will feature the game’s composers during a special edition of NYFF LIVE, a free-to-the-public event where they will discuss the challenges and process involved with scoring an interactive game. 

    Live From Los Santos: The Music of Grand Theft Auto V is an exclusive concert event in which the audience will be invited to step inside the world of GTAV with a once-in-a-lifetime musical performance by the renowned artists and producers performing the score for the game with support from over 20 additional supporting musicians, while images of Los Santos and Blaine County, the setting of GTAV roll by on a massive screen. 

    “These NYFF Convergence events aim to examine GTAV from multiple angles, giving our audience multiple ways to explore what has already become one of the most compelling works in the genre,” says NYFF Convergence Programmer Matt Bolish. “The heart and soul of NYFF Convergence is storytelling and Rockstar Games has proven with GTAV that they are simply the best when it comes to creating narrative, cinematic experiences in games.”

    NYFF Convergence is the second edition of the crowning event for the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s year round programming commitment to transmedia presented at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center and the Walter Reade Theater with panels, workshops and “immersive experiences” being presented from Saturday, September 28 through Tuesday, October 1. Focusing on the intersection of technology and storytelling, NYFF Convergence offers audiences and creators the unique opportunity to experience a curated selection of some of the most exciting immersive storytelling projects being produced today.

    Grand Theft Auto V, the latest in the critically acclaimed blockbuster open world series, released on Tuesday, September 17 to rave reviews. The New York Times said “(Grand Theft Auto V) remains the most immersive spectacle in the interactive entertainment” and that the game is the “best plotted, most playable, character-driven, fictionally coherent entry” in the history of the series.

    GTAV is also the first title in the series to have an original interactive score composed in a special collaboration of Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, and renowned hip-hop producers The Alchemist & Oh No.
    Tickets for The Rockstar Experience will go on sale at 10am on Friday, September 27:  $125 Concert Plus (Full Experience includes concert + afterparty with DJ & open bar); $40 Concert Only. 

    EVENT DESCRIPTIONS

    GRAND THEFT AUTO V PANEL: 
    Visit Los Santos and Blaine County: The World of Grand Theft Auto V
    Grand Theft Auto V, the latest blockbuster videogame from Rockstar Games, is a highly detailed and satirical reimagining of modern day Southern California, from the bustling metropolis of Los Santos to the surrounding countryside, rivers, mountains, lakes and beaches of Blaine County. Join us as we take a look at a presentation of the game-world and talk with some of the creative team at Rockstar Games about Grand Theft Auto V’s formation from a series of ambitious ideas to complete ‘virtual’ reality.
    Sunday, September 29 at 3:30PM at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center (144 West 65th Street)


    CONCERT INFORMATION:
    The Film Society of Lincoln Center & Rockstar Games Present:
    Live From Los Santos: The Music of Grand Theft Auto V
    Grand Theft Auto V comprises an entire universe filled not only with action, but with sound, thanks to the dynamic score from composers Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, and The Alchemist & Oh No. For one night only, this talented group of artists, along with more than 20 supporting musicians will come together to perform the game’s score, live to a very limited audience at the Church of St. Paul the Apostle.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hear this incredible collaboration perform the score, combined with art and game visuals to offer a completely unique and immersive live experience.
    Monday, September 30 at 9:00PM (Doors open at 8:00PM)
    The Church of St. Paul the Apostle (405 W 59th Street)
    $40 for concert, $125 for concert + After Party

    AFTER PARTY (included with ticket):
    Grand Theft Auto V: A Celebration
    Join us after the concert at a very special event to celebrate the music of Grand Theft Auto V at Le Poisson Rouge, featuring DJ sets from Flying Lotus, host of the in-game radio station, FlyLo FM, and Gilles Peterson who hosts Worldwide FM.
    Le Poisson Rouge (158 Bleecker Street) 

     
    NYFF LIVE: FREE MUSIC PANEL:
    The Music of Grand Theft Auto V
    For the first time in the series, Grand Theft Auto V features a completely original and dynamic interactive musical score, adding a level of immersion and tension never heard before in a Grand Theft Auto game. This exciting addition to the game series is the result of many years work and Ivan Pavlovich, Music Supervisor for Rockstar Games, will be on hand with the game’s key composers, Tangerine Dream, Woody Jackson, and Alchemist & Oh No to explain the many intricacies of such a mammoth project and its impact on this iconic piece of entertainment
    Tuesday, October 1 at 8:00PM at the Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center Amphitheater (144 West 65th Street)

    Read more

  • New Indie Films, Documentaries in Theaters This Weekend Friday September 27

    New Indie Films, Documentaries in Theaters This Weekend Friday September 27

    We’re almost in October, so that means we can look forward to indie horror films trying to squeeze themselves onto the release schedule.  We get two this week, along with a pair of interesting documentaries and some other indie and foreign releases.  As always, check your local art house theaters to see when these might be coming to your area.

    WE ARE WHAT WE ARE

    WE ARE WHAT WE ARE

    A horrific family drama from director Jim Mickle (he directed the sci-fi/horror films Stake Land and Mulberry Street), We Are What We Are is about a family that keeps to itself because it adheres to traditions that modern society would doubtlessly reject. However, life begans to change for the daughters of the family when a storm hits their town and it becomes harder to keep family secrets to themselves.  So far, reviews have been very positive for this one.

    AS I LAY DYING

    AS I LAY DYING

    Perhaps the most humorous aspect of this adaptation of William Faulkner’s classic 1930 novel – which has never been previously adapted – is that it was recently re-released with James Franco’s photo on the cover to coincide with the film’s release.  Franco not only stars but also wrote the screenplay and directed the film.  It’s gotten so-so reviews from critics so far after debuting at this year’s Cannes, so perhaps Franco bit off more than he can chew at this point of his career.

    INEQUALITY FOR ALL (Documentary)

    Inequality For All

    In the wake of the economic recession that started in 2008, one of the results of the “recovery” is that the economic gap is getting wider.  In other words, the mega-rich are getting richer and the middle class are getting poorer or, at best, seeing little economic growth.  Inequality For All follows Robert Reich, who served as the U.S. Secretary of Labor under Bill Clinton, as he looks at the problems caused by this economic disparity.  It won a Special Jury Prize at this year’s Sundance, where it premiered to rave reviews.

    THE CITIZEN

    The Citizen

    Despite playing at a number of film festivals, few reviews on The Citizen have come out yet.  But it’s undoubtedly harrowing material about an Arab immigrant who arrives in New York City on September 10, 2001.  Based on a true story and co-written/directed by first time feature filmmaker Sam Kadi, this drama can be difficult to stomach at times for those who remember the fearful aftermath of the worst terrorist attack in U.S. history.

    OUT IN THE DARK

    Out in the Dark

    Similar to last weekend’s Zaytoun, Out in the Dark is about the unlikely relationship between an Israeli and a Palestinian.  However, where this film differs is that it isn’t about the friendship between a man  and a boy, this is about the hidden forbidden romance between two men.  It has won a number of awards at international film festivals after premiering at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival, though some critics have called it a bit predictable.

    DARK TOUCH

    Dark Touch

    Dark Touch is a horror film about the evil of child abuse and how a frightened, abused child uses her telekinesis to get revenge on those who seek to harm her… and even help her.  I saw it at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival, and it honestly was one of the most unpleasant experiences I’ve ever had watching a movie — and I don’t mean that in a good way.  Not for the faint of heart, or maybe anyone with a heart at all.

    MUSCLE SHOALS (Documentaries)

    muscle-shoals

    Muscle Shoals, Alabama might be the music industry’s best-kept secret.  After all, who would ever expect that some of the most soulful music ever,  recorded was done in two small recording studios in a tiny town in Alabama?  This documentary talks to some of music’s biggest legends as they tell the story of how FAME Studios became one of the most successful recording studios in the history of rock music.  I’ve seen dozens of music documentaries, and this is one of my recent favorites.

    Other notable weekend indie, foreign & documentary releases:

    ON THE JOB

    MORNING

    THERESE

    Read more

  • Review: MUSCLE SHOALS

    MUSCLE SHOALS

    As a huge music fan who nevertheless can’t play a note, I always enjoy watching documentaries about behind the scenes details about the music business and how the greatest records of all time were recorded.  While there are hundreds of music documentaries, many are fairly pedestrian and focus on household names who have sold millions of records and whose stories are already well-known.  The stars of MUSCLE SHOALS, a documentary about two prolific recording studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, certainly have had that “sold millions of records” part down since the 1960s, but their lives have been anything but open books.

    If you ever wondered what Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Ronnie Van Zant meant by the lines “In Muscle Shoals they got the Swampers/And they’ve been known to pick a song or two” in Sweet Home Alabama, the documentary MUSCLE SHOALS has the answer.  The town of Muscle Shoals, Alabama became a somewhat unlikely major hub of soul, R&B and rock music beginning in the early 1960s with FAME Studios, which was founded by native Rick Hall.  Hall is a seemingly ancient producer who overcame a life full of tragedy to turn his town into a recoding juggernaut.  The list of world-famous musicians who recorded major hit songs in Muscle Shoals is nearly endless, with many of them commenting on their work in the town in the documentary, including Aretha Franklin, Percy Sledge, Wilson Pickett, Gregg Allman, and The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards and Mick Jagger.

    Aretha Franklin in Muscle Shoals

    So what’s the reason why an out-of-the-way studio became such a mecca for great music?  The documentary offers many explanations about the environment, but the true reason is that the house musicians for FAME Studios developed a powerful sound that has been impossible to find anywhere else in the decades since.  It’s the kind of music that gives you chills if you sit down and really absorb it.  The documentary goes into depth about these musicians, particularly because the group of white guys behind the instruments seem to be the furthest thing from “soul” musicians on the planet.

    Because of this, the documentary serves as a spectacular journey through American R&B and soul music of the 1960s and 1970s.  Naturally the documentary focuses on the hey-day of Muscle Shoals, and there’s little said about the records made here since aside from recent footage of Alicia Keys recording a Bob Dylan song that Dylan originally recorded here (and oddly U2’s Bono appears numerous times in the documentary though he never recorded music here).  However, it’s an incredible ride. In particular, I’m impressed by the participation of world-famous musicians as “talking heads” – Keith Richards, one of my all-time idols, is particularly hysterical as usual – rather than relying on “music journalists” to tell second-hand stories as so many documentaries do.

    The only aspect of worry is that first-time director Greg “Freddy” Camalier has set an extremely high bar for himself.  I don’t know how he’ll ever be able to follow up this supremely entertaining and informative documentary with his next film.  However, after seeing Muscle Shoals I know I’ll be in line to see what he does next.

    Review Rating: 4 out of 5 : See it …… It’s Very Good

    http://youtu.be/mmM–aUROQc

    Read more

  • Polish Communist-Era Drama “IDA” to Get U.S. Release in 2014 | TRAILER

    IDA

    Pawel Pawlikowski’s Polish Communist-era drama IDA, which has been playing to audiences at film festivals in Telluride and Toronto will be released in the US next year 2014 by Music Box Films. IDA tells the story of a young orphaned novice nun exposed to a past and a family she never knew existed.

    Best known for his breakthrough The Last Resort and BAFTA-award winning My Summer of Love, IDA marks the first film for the Polish-born, British filmmaker, set in his homeland.  IDA won the International Critics’ Prize (FIPRESCI Prize) in Toronto as well as the won the top prize at Poland’s recent Gdynia Film Festival along with Best Actress (Agata Kulesza) and Cinematography (Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski). Music Box plans a winter/spring North American festival campaign followed by a late second quarter 2014 theatrical release.

    In 1962 Poland, Anna (newcomer Agata Trzebuchowska), an eighteen-year-old orphan raised in the convent, is preparing to become a nun when the Mother Superior insists she first visit her one remaining living relative. The sheltered and innocent Anna soon finds herself in the presence of her aunt Wanda (Kulesza), a worldly and world-wearyCommunist Party insider, who informs Anna that her real name is Ida, she isJewish and her parents were murdered during the Nazi occupation. This revelation triggers a heart wrenching journey for the two women into the countryside, to the family house and into the secrets of the repressed past as it evokes the legacy of the Holocaust and the realities of postwar Communism.

    http://youtu.be/MRzbCZtiWYc 

    Read more