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Claire Denis’ BASTARDS to be Released in the US on October 25 | TRAILER

Foreign Language Films

Sundance Selects will release acclaimed filmmaker Claire Denis’ BASTARDS in the US on October 25, 2013. The film, which made its world premiere in Un Certain Regard at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, will make its U.S. premiere next month at the 2013 New York Film Festival, following a North American Premiere at the 2013 Toronto International Film Festival.

BASTARDS follows Marco Silvestri, a captain on a container-ship who is called urgently back to Paris by his desperate sister Sandra. Sandra’s husband has committed suicide, the family business has gone under, her daughter has gone adrift – and she holds powerful businessman Edouard Laporte responsible. Determined to exact a terrible revenge for the violence done to his family, Marco moves into the building where Laporte’s mistress Raphaelle lives; but he can’t avoid Sandra’s secret manipulations… or the fact that he is falling in love with Raphaelle.

http://youtu.be/WY6RkbAt6D8
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Documentary on Broadway Hit ‘American Idiot’ to be Released in the Fall 2013 | TRAILER

Documentary

The documentary BROADWAY IDIOT chronicling the momentous collaboration between rock and roll icons, Green Day and the “Great White Way” to create American Idiot on Broadway will be released nationwide in theaters and on VOD October 18 with an exclusive theatrical engagement in New York starting October 11th.

From punk rock mosh pits and sold-out stadiums to the Great White Way, this electrifying documentary follows Green Day’s Billie Joe Armstrong as he works with Broadway producers to turn his mega-hit album, “American Idiot,” into a staged Broadway musical. The film goes behind the scenes to reveal the creative choices and challenges made by Grammy winner Billie Joe and Tony winning director Michael Mayer (Spring Awakening) to create the thrilling and one-of-a-kind musical experience. More than just a show, but a personal and transformative experience for Billie Joe, the film provides insider access to Billie’s journey from rock star to Broadway star, dress rehearsals, performances and more. BROADWAY IDIOT provides a unique window into the art of theater as rock stars and stage stars collide and create something never seen before.

Directed by three-time Emmy-winner Doug Hamilton and produced by Tony-winner Ira Pittelman (Spring Awakening) and starring Tony award-winning actor John Gallagher, Jr. (The Newsroom), BROADWAY IDIOT had its world premiere at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival and was the first documentary feature to open the 2013 Newport Beach Film Festival.

http://youtu.be/7BSPh6QhLYc
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Ron Howard’s Formula One Racing Drama “RUSH” to Open 9th Zurich Film Festival

Zurich Film Festival

RUSH directed by Ron Howard

The ninth Zurich Film Festival will open on Thursday, 26 September, 2013, with the Formula One racing drama RUSH from director Ron Howard. RUSH portrays the legendary rivalry between the two Formula One drivers Niki Lauda (Daniel Bruhl) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth).

The film is based on the 1976 season with Lauda and his infamous accident suffered at the Nürburgring. To the surprise of his fans and competitors, and driven by the ambition to win, Lauda was back after six weeks of the life-threatening incident, and to the top of the podium with the win.

Niki Lauda is played by Daniel Brühl (GOOD BYE, LENIN!, INGLOURIOUS BASTERDS, PURPLE, PURPLE) and James Hunt by Australian actor Chris Hemsworth (THOR, SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN). The supporting cast includes Alexandra Maria Lara whose movies include NAKED, THE FALL and THE READER.
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Filmmaker Mira Nair and Peter Bogdanovich to be Honored at 2013 Woodstock Film Festival

Woodstock Film Festival

Woodstock Film Festival to honor Mira Nair and Peter Bogdanovich

The Woodstock Film Festival (WFF) will recognize acclaimed filmmaker and activist Mira Nair as this year’s honorary recipient of the 3rd annual Meera Gandhi Giving Back Award, and acclaimed director, actor, producer, film historian and writer Peter Bogdanovich will receive the honorary Maverick Lifetime Achievement Award. In addition to accepting this honor, Bogdanovich will star in the film Cold Turkey by Will Slocombe, which will make its New York premiere at this year’s festival.

“I’m happy with the unexpected honor,” Nair says. “To have my work be recognized as one that is unafraid to show that the path to peace is complicated – that makes it more than a ‘normal’ award. I have to hope that films can have some way of entering our hearts and minds – after all, we have only one life, and if we close our eyes to the world, what is the point? I believe in peace, I strive for it. To achieve peace, we must learn to see the world through the eyes of the other.”

In addition to accepting the award, Nair will participate in the annual BMI-sponsored Music For Film chat at the festival along with Mychael Danna, the Academy-Award winning film composer who recently won Best Original Score for his work on Life of Pi. In the past, Danna has worked with Nair on her feature films Monsoon Wedding and Vanity Fair. Danna also worked with Nair on her segments in the 2009 film New York, I Love You. The discussion will be moderated by Doreen Ringer-Ross, the Vice President of Film/TV relations at BMI.

“I am particularly honored to receive the Woodstock Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award from an organization that promotes artists and culture, as these pertain to film,” said Bogdanovich. “The spirit of Woodstock couldn’t be closer to my own sensibilities and I am looking forward to returning to the area where I was born.”

One of Bogdanovich’s most recent starring roles is in Will Slocombe’s feature film and Official WFF 2013 Selection, Cold Turkey. The film tells of an eccentric Thanksgiving get-together for the Turner family, presided over by eminent scholar and patriarch, Poppy (Bogdanovich), which turns into a train wreck when his “insane” daughter Nina pays her first visit home after 15 years. A big messy dramedy, the film stars Bogdanovich and Cheryl Hines along with Ashton Holmes, Alicia Witt and Sonya Walger.

This year’s festival will take place from October 2-6 in Woodstock, NY and the neighboring towns of Kingston, Saugerties, Rhinebeck and Rosendale.
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Napa Valley Film Festival Unveils 10 Documentary Films and 10 Narrative Films Selected for 2013 Festival

Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF)

The Napa Valley Film Festival in Napa, California, to be held this year from November 13 – 17, 2013, announced the 10 films selected to take part in the NVFF 2013 Narrative Feature Competition and the 10 films selected for the NVFF 2013 Documentary Feature Competition Films. Beyond partaking in the Narrative Feature Competition, the directors of each films will be participating in the NVFF 2013 Artists-In-Residence Program.

NVFF 2013 Narrative Feature Competition Films:

HANK AND ASHA directed by James E. Duff
DARK AROUND THE STARS directed by Derrick Borte
THE BOUNCEBACK directed by Bryan Poyser
IN LIEU OF FLOWERS directed by William Savage
THE GIRL ON THE TRAIN directed by Larry Brand
PUTZEL directed Jason Chaet
MY BROTHER JACK directed by Stephen Dest
THE LITTLE TIN MAN directed by Matthew Perkins
DEAR SIDEWALK directed by Jake Oelman
ONE SMALL HITCH directed by John Burgess

NVFF 2013 Documentary Feature Competition Films:

THE SINGULARITY by Doug Wolens
ALICE WALKER: BEAUTY IN TRUTH by Pratibha Parmar
BRAVE MISS WORLD by Cecilia Peck
IF YOU BUILD IT by Patrick Creadon
LORD MONTAGU by Luke Korem
BIDDER 70 by Beth Gage
16 ACRES by Richard Hankin
THE FABULOUS ICE AGE by Keri Pickett
SOLE SURVIVOR by Ky Dickens
LAST WHITE KNIGHT by Paul Saltzman
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Oregon’s BendFilm Announces First Films; Opens with “THE TRUTH ABOUT EMANUEL”

BendFilm

THE TRUTH ABOUT EMANUEL

BendFilm, in Bend, Oregon, announced the first of the films selected for the fest’s ten year celebration. The 10th annual Festival will open with THE TRUTH ABOUT EMANUEL (previously known as EMANUEL AND THE TRUTH ABOUT FISHES). Written and directed by Francesca Gregorini, the character-driven, psychological, drama/thriller follows Emanuel (Kaya Scoledario) who becomes obsessed with her new, mysterious neighbor Linda (Jessica Biel). Emanuel offers to babysit Linda’s new baby and unwittingly enters her fragile world. But Emanuel will have to go to a place that she herself has never dared to enter to truly save Linda. Also stars Frances O’Connor and Alfred Molina. The short narrative A HOUSE, A HOME will precede EMANUEL on opening night. In Daniel Fickle’s film, a love, a death, and another death are reconciled in a subterranean world.

The festival released the name of three other narrative films selected, including the west coast premiere of THE COLD LANDS, written and directed by Tom Gilroy. When young Atticus (Silas Yelich)’s mother (Lili Taylor) dies unexpectedly, he flees into New York’s Catskill Mountains. Wandering the dense woods in shock, Atticus’ grasp on reality wears thin. When he meets Carter (Peter Scanavino), a scruffy drifter, they form a wary alliance, but both are unsure that depending on the other is the right decision.

BendFilm will feature the west coast premiere of Neil LaBute’s tense two-person drama SOME VELVET MORNING, starring Alice Eve and Stanley Tucci. Ex-lover Fred, whom Velvet has not seen in four years, unexpectedly surprises her at her apartment. With suitcase in tow, he enters with great expectation. As Fred unloads the reason for his resurfacing, the history and nature of their relationship is revealed. The weight of their reconnection becomes clear as tension mounts and their chemistry reaches its climax.

The three feature documentaries announced include BENDING STEEL, making its west coast premiere at BendFilm. Dave Carroll’s intimate documentary exploring the lost art of the old-time strongman and one man’s struggle to overcome limitations of body and mind follows the endearing and unassuming Chris Schoeck. While preparing to perform amazing and unique feats of strength publicly, Chris also struggles to overcome crippling fears and inhibitions. What unfolds is one man’s remarkable journey to find his place in the world.

Nicholas D. Wrathall writes and directs GORE VIDAL: THE UNITED STATES OF AMNESIA in its west coast premiere. It showcases Vidal’s rapier wit, keen intellect and well-known and eloquently expressed opinions, namely, his position that the radical right has triumphed over “traditional” humanist liberal values. In excerpts from Vidal’s many interviews made and clips acquired over half a century in the public eye, Vidal issues a chilling, cautionary warning to the America we’ve idealized and the other America we are becoming.

Inspired by a visit to the “World’s Oldest Man” Walter Breuning (who died in 2011 at 115 years of age), director Hunter Weeks and his wife, producer Sarah Elizabeth Hall, set out to meet the world’s oldest people–some of the last people born in the 1800s—in WALTER. Capturing the extraordinary lives of people 110 years or older, WALTER sheds light on what’s truly important in life. The film explores the stories of several living supercentenarians and connects with the inspiring lives of our elders and their lessons for living life right. WALTER is making its world premiere at BendFilm. Weeks says of his inclusion in the Festival: “Bend is the perfect place to launch WALTER for its world premiere. The people of Bend seem to have the right idea for living life well.” Weeks and Hall will appear in person at the premiere.

BendFilm has also announced its 2013 jury. “We’re continuing a traditional of excellence and breadth in our jury,” Schwartz says. “We’re ten times lucky in having had such terrific students, teachers, professionals and connoisseurs of film honor the best in BendFilm’s.” Selecting award-winning films this year will be: Neal Block; Miriam Cutler; Franklin Leonard; Darryl MacDonald; Maggie Mackay and Lisa Schwartzbaum.
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Whistler Film Festival Announces Upcoming Festival’s Highlights; Jason Priestley’s CAS & DYLAN to Kick Off Fest

Whistler Film Festival

Located in the spectacular Coast Mountains of British Columbia, and just two hours north of Vancouver, the 13th annual Whistler Film Festival will run December 4 to 8, 2013. The Whistler Film Festival will open with the Western Premiere of Jason Priestley’s “heart-warming and inspiring” road movie CAS & DYLAN, also starring Tatiana Maslany and Academy Award-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss. This story follows a couple of mismatched road travelers and the festival says that the film “will not leave a dry eye in the house.” CAS & DYLAN is one of six titles that will be competing for this year’s coveted Borsos award.

WFF’s closing night film is described as an outstanding documentary that transcends the traditional sports storyline to tell a true tale of courage and rehabilitation against all odds. The Canadian premiere of THE CRASH REEL, directed by Lucy Walker, highlights the life-long rivalry between two half-pipe snowboard legends, heading towards Olympic glory, until a near fatal crash results in major trauma for one of the childhood buddies, Kevin Pearce. Culled from over fifteen years of home movies and archival footage, the film can truly be described as a story of courage and acceptance that will inspire anyone who has ever had to fight back against adversity and physical trauma.

The Borsos Competition for Best Canadian Feature presented by the Directors Guild of Canada, British Columbia celebrates its 10th anniversary this year offering the second largest cash prize for a Canadian film in the country. Amongst the Borsos films confirmed at this time includes the North American premiere of PATCH TOWN. Expanded from an award-winning BravoFact short, Craig Goodwill’s first feature is a unique parable about a psychically damaged man who tries to escape with his wife and child from the drudgery of an oppressive society.

Breathtaking scenery from the Far North is showcased in the Western Premiere of UVANGA from the producers of Atarjuanat – The Fast Runner. Co-directed by Marie-Helene Cousineau and Madeline Piujuq Ivalu, UVANGA tells the story of a single mother who returns to Nunavut with her son, so that he can discover his roots and learn about his deceased father. Other confirmed titles include the World Premiere of AFTERPARTY diredted by Michelle Ouellette, this is a film that captures the vital energy and spirit of young people today. SEX AFTER KIDS is another BC premiere that features an ensemble cast in a sex comedy, featuring the likes of Jay Brazeau, Mimi Kuzyk, Katie Boland and Kristin Booth, to name but a few.

The Canadian Premiere of METH HEAD is described as director Jane Clark’s very human but brutally realistic descent into addiction hell, featuring a searing and courageous performance by former child star Lukas Haas (Witness, Testament), whose character resorts to turning tricks to support his out-of-control habit. Similarly, the Canadian Premiere of JIMMY P. (Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian) features a mesmerizing performance by Benicio Del Toro as a First Nations war vet suffering from a head trauma injury, mistakenly assumed to be a form of mental illness by the medical establishment not used to administering medicine to First Nations people. Directed by Arnaud Desplechin, with Mathieu Almaric as the therapist, this film premiered at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Other highlights include the Western theatrical premiere of Barry Avrich’s FILTHY GORGEOUS: THE EXTRAORDINARY WORLD OF BOB GUCCIONE, a surprising and ultimately sympathetic exposé of the private life of the man who founded Penthouse and produced the infamous Caligula, still the most expensive XXX movie ever made. Finally, as part of the China Canada Gateway for Film, the festival will screen the Chinese box office blockbuster FINDING MR. RIGHT one of the top grossing Chinese films of all time. This contemporary romantic comedy directed by Xiao Lu Xue was largely shot in the Vancouver area with an all-star Chinese cast.
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Cannes Film Festival Palme D’Or Winner “BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR” to be Released in the US on October 25 , Rated NC-17 | TRAILER

Foreign Language Films

Sundance Selects will release Abdellatif Kechiche’s 2013 Cannes Film Festival Palme D’Or Winner BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR with the MPAA rating of NC-17 in the United States, as opposed to trimming the film or releasing the film Unrated. Starring Lea Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos, the film is being rated NC-17 for “explicit sexual content.” Sundance Selects will release the film in theaters beginning on October 25, 2013, on the heels of screening as part of the 2013 New York Film Festival.

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR centers on a 15-year-old girl named Adèle (Exarchopoulos) who is climbing to adulthood and dreams of experiencing her first love. A handsome male classmate falls for her hard, but an unsettling erotic reverie upsets the romance before it begins. Adèle imagines that the mysterious, blue-haired girl she encountered in the street slips into her bed and possesses her with an overwhelming pleasure. That blue-haired girl is a confident older art student named Emma (Seydoux), who will soon enter Adèle’s life for real, making way for an intense and complicated love story that spans a decade and is touchingly universal in its depiction.

An NC-17 rated motion picture is one that, in the view of the Rating Board, most parents would consider patently too adult for their children 17 and under. No children under the age of 17 and under can be admitted into theaters to see the film. The rating signals that the content is appropriate only for an adult audience. An NC-17 rating can be based on violence, sex, aberrational behavior, drug abuse or any other element that most parents would consider too strong and therefore off-limits for viewing by their children. The film received a rating of “12″ by the French Ministry of Culture, which indicates the film is unsuitable only for children younger than 12 years of age in that country.

When BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOR won the Palme D’Or at this year’s Cannes film festival, Jury president Steven Spielberg called the film “a great love story that made all of us feel privileged to be a fly on the wall, to see this story of deep love and deep heartbreak evolve from the beginning. We didn’t think about how it was going to play, we just were really happy that someone had the courage to tell this story the way he did…The issue of gay marriage is one that many brave states in America are resolving in a way that suits all of us that are in favor of gay marriage. But I think actually this film carries a very strong message, a very positive message.”

http://youtu.be/LW1UfYdtcHg
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REVIEW: Sparrows Dance

Film Reviews

The clock is ticking; the days are passing, as she sits behind closed doors, paralyzed by fear.

SPARROWS DANCE, directed by Noah Buschel, explores the life of a former actress (Marin Ireland) who has been sequestered in her apartment for a year. Her daily existence is plagued by fear. This fear serves to clog her life, until she meets Wes the plumber (Paul Sparks).

She is a young woman who wanders from room to room, existing in total fear. She has many crutches used to stave off her ‘fear of’. Her days are spent in utter isolation; her existence is one of self-imposed exile. Each day passes with her engaging in simple routines: sleeping, eating, exercising and watching T.V. Her daily sustenance is conveyed to her door. It is through this door that she communicates with the outside world.

She lives vicariously through the lives of the people in the old movies. While scarfing down a wrap, she watches an old movie in which the male character cheats on his wife. She has a forlorn expression on her face. A look that says: ‘I am right to be in a state of solitude.’

She also witnesses a crime in progress from her window and she dials 911. She acts, while the other witnesses look on in fear. It shows that in spite of her phobia her humanity shines forth.

One day her toilet overflows, water is everywhere and the neighbor alerts her to the problem by banging on her door. Her reaction to this intrusion is to withdraw under her bedcovers. Eventually, she utters a response: “I’ll take care of it.” She contacts a plumbing company and they agree to send a plumber. She struggles with this and requests that service be provided via phone. In the end, she is forced to give in.

Wes, the plumber, is intelligent, confident, and empathetic. He enters her solitary life and gently attempts to prod her out of her shell. Soon, he has her dancing, smiling and sharing her fears. She is swept off her feet. Wes encourages her to venture forth onto the stage of life. She is overcome with immense fear at his prodding. She wrestles with her phobia and lashes out at Wes.

Will she vanquish her fears? Only time will tell…

The director/writer, Noah Buschel, is brilliant in his portrayal of agoraphobia. The music is effectively interspersed throughout the film. The lighting techniques implemented are truly commendable. It is a sensitive and captivating portrayal of this phobia.

http://youtu.be/pWuq198T15k
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BET’s Urbanworld Film Festival Announce Lineup, Opens with David E. Talbert’s BAGGAGE CLAIM

Urbanworld Film Festival

David E. Talbert’s BAGGAGE CLAIM

The 17th Urbanworld Film Festival taking place September 18-22, 2013 in midtown Manhattan New York City, announced its 2013 lineup. The festival will open on September 19 with David E. Talbert’s BAGGAGE CLAIM, a romantic comedy starring Paula Patton, Taye Diggs, Boris Kodjoe,Tremaine Neverson, Adam Brody, Jenifer Lewis, Ned Beatty, Lauren London,Tia Mowry, La La Anthony , Christina Milian, Affion Crockett, Terrence J, Rickey Smiley, Thomas Miles and Academy Award-nominee Djimon Hounsou.

Additional highlights of Urbanworld 2013 include: GUN HILL (directed by Reggie Bythewood and starring Larenz Tate, Emayatzy Corinealdi and Aisha Hinds), a gritty Cain and Abel drama set and shot in New York City. the black western THEY DIE BY DAWN (starring Erykah Badu, Rosario Dawson, Idris Elba, Giancarlo Esposito, Jesse Williams, Michael Kenneth Williams, and Isaiah Washington); and the documentary FINDING THE FUNK (starring George Clinton, Bootsy Collins, D’Angela, Sheila E., Sly Stone and Questlove).

Urbanworld also announced the launch of Urbanworld Underground, a platform designed to highlight maverick content creators who are transcending conventional filmmaking with innovation in their storytelling. In addition to Jeymes Samuel’s THEY DIE BY DAWN, Urbanworld Underground will feature Kahlil Joseph’s What Matters Most Shorts Block, which includes “BLACK UP,” “UNTIL THE QUIET COMES,” “THE MODEL (Parts 1 & 2),” and “WILDCAT.”

URBANWORLD 2013 FILM SLATE

OPENING NIGHT FILM

BAGGAGE CLAIM – Directed by David E. Talbert

CLOSING NIGHT FILM

THE BEST MAN – Directed by Malcolm D. Lee

SPOTLIGHTS

GUN HILL – Directed by Reggie Rock Bythewood (NY Premiere)

BOARDWALK EMPIRE – Season 4, Episode 3 – Created by Terence Winter

FINDING THE FUNK – Directed by Nelson George

URBANWORLD UNDERGROUND

What Matters Most Shorts Block – Directed by Kahlil Joseph

Black Up

Until The Quiet Comes

The Model part 1

The Model part 2

Wildcat

THEY DIE BY DAWN – Directed by Jeymes Samuel (NY Premiere)

NARRATIVE FEATURES

AN AMERICAN IN HOLLYWOOD – Directed by Sai Varadan (World Premiere)

CALLOUSED HANDS – Directed by Jesse Quinones (NY Premiere)

FULL CIRCLE – Directed by Solvan Naim

HOME AGAIN – Directed by Sudz Sutherland (NY Premiere)

KNOCKAROUND KIDS – Directed by John Oluwole Adekoje (NY Premiere)

SABLE FABLE – Directed by Stephen Jackson (NY Premiere)

THE LAST LETTER – Directed by Paul D. Hannah (World Premiere)

THE VOLUNTEER – Directed by Vicky Wight (NY Premiere)

THE MAGIC CITY -– Directed by R. Malcolm Jones (NY Premiere)

THINGS NEVER SAID – Directed by Charles Murray (NY Premiere)

DOCUMENTARY FEATURES

A LOVELY DAY – Directed by Kerri Gawryn (NY Premiere)

AMERICAN BEATBOXER – Directed by Manauvaskar Kublall

BROTHERS HYPNOTIC – Directed by Reuben Atlas

CHILDREN OF THE WIND – Directed by Daphne Schmon (NY Premiere)

IN SEARCH OF THE BLACK KNIGHT – Directed by Tamarat Makonnen (NY Premiere)

LITTLE BALLERS – Directed by Crystal McCrary (NY Premiere)

THE NEW BLACK – Directed by Yoruba Richen (NY Premiere)

THE NEW PUBLIC – Directed by Jyllian Gunther

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

“Colored My Mind” – Directed by Nia Hill (NY Premiere)

“NAILgasm: The Nail Art Documentary” – Directed by Ayla Montgomery (World Premiere)

NARRATIVE SHORTS

“A Different Tree” – Directed by Steven Caple Jr. (NY Premiere)

“Amateur” – Directed by Ryan Koo (NY Premiere)

“Baghdad Messi” – Directed by Sahim Omar Kalifa (US Premiere)

“Boneshaker” – Directed by Frances Bodomo

“Chance Encounter” – Directed by Eric Richardson-Hagans (NY Premiere)

“Crescendo” – Directed by Alonso Alvarez

“El Doctor” – Directed by Heather de Michele

“El Invento” – Directed by Giovanni Granada (NY Premiere)

“Five Years” – Directed by Durier Ryan

“Fly On Out” – Directed by Robert Kolodny (World Premiere)

“Free Lunch” – Directed by Ricky Horne (NY Premiere)

“Journeyman” – Directed by Sarah Jenkins

“Juaritos” – Directed by H. F. Crum

“La Hora Senalada” – Directed by Ivan Mazza (NY Premiere)

“Last Remarks” – Directed by Umar Riaz (NY Premiere)

‘Little Black Boy Wonder” – Directed by Mo McCrae (NY Premiere)

“LU” – Directed by Korstiaan Vandiver

“Nameless” – Directed by Jacquin Deleon (NY Premiere)

“Ojala” – Directed by Ryan Velasquez (NY Premiere)

“Prospect” – Directed by Derrick Perry

“Rosita Lopez for President” – Directed by Rachel Goldberg (NY Premiere)

“Say Yes” – Directed by Ava DuVernay (NY Premiere)

“Sweet Honey Chile'” – Directed by Talibah Newman

“The Bash” – Directed by Tyson FitzGerald (NY Premiere)

“The Grown-Ups” – Directed by Kaliya Warren

“The Painter” – Directed by Kevin Cooper (NY Premiere)

“The Rebel Prince” – Directed by Fabian Davis (NY Premiere)

“Traces of Joy” – Directed by Jeff Tran and Louis Yeum (US Premiere)

“Twenty Bucks” – Directed by Jesus Beltran (NY Premiere)

SCREENPLAY FINALISTS

BLACK CAKE – Written by Pauline Gray

THE GOOD SOLDIER – Written by Tiana Idoni-Matthews

THE GUNNERY – Written by Randy Wilkins

PASSENGERS – Written by Anthony Onah

YEAR OF OUR LORD – Written by Darius Clark Monroe

TELEPLAY FINALISTS

DIARY OF A RETAIL GIRL- Written by Racheal Benjamin

MEL & MISSY- Written by Allison Bonner Shillingford

MIRACLE JONES – Written by Charmain Johnson

BROS BEFORE HOES- Written by Benjamin Cory Jones

LIVE BIG – Written by Tasimika Paxton
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MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival Announced the 10 Finalist Films to Screen at 2013 Festival

Manhattan Short Film Festival

DO I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING

MANHATTAN SHORT announced the ten films to screen in the 16th Annual MANHATTAN SHORT Film Festival to take place in over 300 cinemas across six continents from Friday September 27 to Sunday October 6, 2013.

# 30 (8.53)
A talented young actress audtions for the role of Hamlet and not even Shakespeare could anticpate the result. Directed by Timothy Wilde (Australia)

DO I HAVE TO TAKE CARE OF EVERYTHING (6.35)
A comedy about a chaotic morning in a family with kids and a mother who is determined that it’s best to take care of everything herself. Directed by Selma Vilhunen (Finland)

FRIDAY (17.30)
A young man plots revenge after losing his mother in a terrorist bombing in London. Directed by Seb Edwards (England)

NO COMMENT (3.41)
A girl has two unexpected encounters with men in the Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris. Directed by Alexandra Naoum (France)

IRISH FOLK FURNITURE (8.19)
An animated documentary about repair and recycling in rural Ireland. Directed by Tony Donaghue (Ireland)

BLACK METAL (9:00)
The lead singer of a Black Metal band confronts the effects of his violent lyrics. Directed by Kat Candler (USA)

FACES FROM PLACES (9:00)
Portraits of Moscow, Pakistan, and Quebec as seen through the eyes of a traveling illustrator with a flair for adventure. Created By Bastien Dubois (France)

I AM A GREAT BIG BALL OF SADNESS (8:36)
At a swanky, rooftop party in New York City, three guests try to get past their cocktail smiles Pakistan, and Quebec as seen through the eyes of a traveling illustrator with a flair for adventure. From the short play written By Ken Urban (USA)

KIZMET DINER (9:00)
A singing waitress in a diner finds the song that opens the heart of a disinterested customer. Directed ByMark Nunnely (England)

PALE OF SETTLEMENT (17:58)
Based on a true events, The Pale of Settlement, tells the story of a 10 year old Jewish boy, Moische, who must escape forced conscription into the Russian Army during the Crimean War. Directed By Jacob Sillman (USA)

Special Mention

DRONE Directed By Daniel Jewel,
INVISIBLEDirected By James Breen,
JACOBO Directed By David Del Aguila.
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“CONCRETE NIGHT”, “HEART OF A LION” Among Films Selected for 2nd Finnish Film Affair

Finnish Film Affair

CONCRETE NIGHT

The second Finnish Film Affair, an initiative of Finland’s Helsinki International Film Festival – Love & Anarchy, will be held this year from September 24 to 26, 2013. A total of almost 30 new films will be screened, Including two Toronto International Film Festival-bound films: CONCRETE NIGHT by veteran Finnish filmmaker Pirjo Honkasalo and HEART OF A LION by Dome Karukoski. CONCRETE NIGHT is described as a dreamlike odyssey of young Simo who, over the course of a night in the humid and stunning Helsinki, follows his criminal older brother through a series of fateful events. HEART OF A LION is an intense drama about neo-nazi Teppo (Peter Franzén) who tries to position himself as a stepfather for the colored son of the woman he has fallen passionately in love with (Sari, played by Laura Birn).

Other festival films include the documentaries BLOOD ENGLISH, SWEDISH HEART by Mika Ronkainen, recently selected by Variety as One of Ten Euro Directors To Watch (Karlovy Vary) and ALCAN HIGHWAY by Alex Salmenperä (Hot Docs). This year’s works-in-progress include a wide range of genres, from the latest offering of Finland’s most successful animation franchise, the Moomins ON THE RIVIERA to the youth drama KORSO (Best Pitch Holland Film Meeting 2012) and the doc WIND catchers (IDFA Forum 2011), about street artists in a Brazilian favela who start to get attention from the European art world.

The Finnish Film Affair program and line-up is now available online.
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