• 2012 IFFR presents 196 short films in Spectrum Shorts

    The International Film Festival Rotterdam has selected 196 short films from more than 3,500 submissions for its main programme Spectrum Shorts, which can be seen from Thursday 26 through Monday 30 January in LantarenVenster. This year, Spectrum Shorts encompasses no less than 42 world premières; many of these films that have been made by young filmmakers and video artists from all over the world. Short films can also be seen in the IFFR’s Tiger Awards Competition for Short Films; screening in advance of feature films; in the themed Signals programmes and during the Short Film Marathon on Saturday, 4 February.

    Spectrum Shorts, the IFFR’s short film programme this year is not quite as extensive as in previous years. This means that both festival audiences and the many filmmakers and film professionals that come to Rotterdam specially for this have more time to meet one another before and after the film screenings.

    The Shorts programme screens at a single festival location: LantarenVenster in the Kop van Zuid area of Rotterdam. From Thursday 26 January through Monday 30 January, the short films can be seen here in carefully compiled compilations. The IFFR short films selection committee was made up of Juliette Jansen, Erwin van ’t Hart, Sacha Bronwasser, Peter Taylor and Theus Zwakhals, and was headed by festival programmer Peter van Hoof.

    On the morning of Monday, 30 January, from 22.00 hours in Worm (Boomgaardsstraat 71, Rotterdam) the Shorts programme will conclude with the award of the Tiger Awards for Short Film. As well as the award itself, each of the three winners will receive an amount of 3,000 Euros.

    Spectrum Shorts has close ties to the rest of the festival. For example, this year six projects by filmmakers who have previously attended the festival or who are showing their work this year have been selected for CineMart. These include Christelle Lheureux (France), who returns with her mid-length film LA MALADIE BLANCHE; Benjamin Naishtat (Argentina, HISTORIA DEL MAL) and Gabriel Abrantes (Portugal, PALÁCIOS DE PENA). Their new film projects have been selected for CineMart.

    This year, Spectrum Shorts features a lot of brand new work, including 42 world premières, 41 international premières and 33 European premières, often by talented young filmmakers and video artists. In addition, the IFFR is now also showing new short works by experienced and world-famous filmmakers such as Nathaniel Dorsky (Filmmaker in Focus at the IFFR in 2011), Jay Rosenblatt, Pedro Costa, Amit Dutta, Henry Hills, Ben Russell and the latest films from former Tiger Awards winners Ben Rivers, Mati Diop and Lewis Klahr.

    The Dutch presence in the Spectrum Shorts programme is particularly strong this year, with the world premières of VEXED, the new project by Rotterdam’s own Telcosystems; 7 PEAKS by Anna Abrahams, the long-expected third part of her trilogy; LIGHTHOUSE by Wouter Venema; THICKER THAN PAINT THINNER by Babak Afrassiabi, TAMINO by Eveline Ketterings and THE BUNKER – THE HABITUATION – THE WAIT – THE LIGHT by Jonas Staal in which he gives an absorbing depiction of the worldview of Fleur Agema, a member of the Dutch parliament for the PVV (‘Freedom Party’). New works by Johan Rijpma (TAPE GENERATION); Esther Urlus (DEEP RED); Roderick Hietbrink (LIVING ROOM) and one of the artists from the Soundtrack City Rotterdam project, Katarina Zdjelar (RISE AGAIN), all also deserve special attention.

    Anyone who has missed the regular screenings of the short films during the first festival weekend will have another chance to see them on Saturday, 4 February, as all the highlights will be screened again (without intervals) in the Short Film Marathon, from 10 in the morning to 1 a.m.

    After the festival, every month, throughout the year, a new selection of short films will be shown online (for free) on the IFFR’s YouTube channel.

    The IFFR’s festival program consists of three main sections: Bright Future – idiosyncratic and adventurous new work by novice makers, including the Tiger Awards Competitions -, Spectrum and Spectrum Shorts – new and recent work by experienced film makers and artists who provide, in the opinion of the IFFR, an essential contribution to international film culture -, and Signals, a series of thematic programs and retrospectives offering insight in topical as well as timeless ideas within cinema.

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  • San Francisco Film Society Executive Director Bingham Ray Hospitalized at Sundance Film Festival

    San Francisco Film Society Executive Director Bingham Ray reportedly suffered a stroke while at the Sundance Film Festival and remains hospitalized.

    In a press release, the SFFS says The San Francisco Film Society regrets to announce that Executive Director Bingham Ray has been hospitalized while attending the Sundance Film Festival.

    “Our thoughts and prayers are with Bingham for a speedy and full recovery and our sympathies go out to his family and his many friends and colleagues at Sundance and throughout the independent film world,” said Pat McBaine, SFFS board president.

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  • Your Sister’s Sister to Open 2012 Seattle International Film Festival

    The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) announced Your Sister’s Sister as the opening film to be presented at the 2012 festival’s prestigious Opening Night Gala, Thursday, May 17, 2012.

    Your Sister’s Sister, written and directed by Seattle’s Lynn Shelton (Humpday) and starring Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and Mark Duplass, is SIFF’s first opening selection locally produced and shot by a Seattle filmmaker. SIFF takes place May 17 through June 10.

    “I am thrilled beyond measure that Your Sister’s Sister has been chosen to open the 2012 Seattle International Film Festival, and that it represents the first locally produced film to ever receive this honor,” said Shelton. “I hope the city will come raise a glass to our incredibly talented crew and to the entire Seattle film community, without which this film would never have been made. After a world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and a U.S. premiere at Sundance, our homecoming in May will be the sweetest celebration of them all.”

    Spotlighted this year as one of Variety’s ‘10 Directors to Watch,’ Seattle-based Shelton has seen much success in the festival circuit, most recently with the world debut of Your Sister’s Sister in Toronto where it received acquisition by IFC Films. Shelton will also screen the film at Sundance this year, making her first return to the festival as a member of the U.S. Dramatic Competition jury, since her 2009 Humpday breakout.

    A year after his brother’s death, Jack (Mark Duplass) still see-saws between emotionally wobbly and outright volatile. When he makes a scene at a memorial party, Iris (Emily Blunt) intervenes with a plan: Jack must oil up his old bike and trek to her father’s cabin on an island on Puget Sound, where isolation will give his brain a chance to detangle. When Jack gets to the woods, however, he finds not solitude but Iris’ sister Hannah (Rosemarie DeWitt), herself nursing a wounded heart and a bottle of tequila. After several shots and some slurred commiseration, liquor isn’t the only fluid these two end up sharing. Their hangover descends in the form of Iris, who pulls up with a bag of groceries the next morning. [TIFF]

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  • Magnolia Pictures To Distribute THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES from Sundance Film Festival

    The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnolia Pictures announced today they have acquired North American distribution rights to THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, an outrageous, timely and moving film that premiered last night to a sold out crowd at the Eccles theater as this year’s opening night film at the Sundance film festival. Television and international rights are still available.

    From acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield (Thin, Kids + Money; named one of the top 25 most influential photographers of our time by American Photo), THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES is a prescient, wildly entertaining documentary about billionaires Jackie and David Siegel, who are constructing what will be the largest house in America—a 90,000 square foot behemoth modeled after the palace of Versailles. When the financial market collapses in 2008, their extravagant dreams are put on hold. David’s massive time-share business runs into difficulties, and the filmmaker is there to capture the Siegel’s truly uncanny turn of fortune. While delivering big laughs, THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES also manages to be a moving, clear-eyed snapshot of a unique and sobering moment in our history, as we are forced to reevaluate the sustainability of the American dream. THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES is an Evergreen Pictures production and its producers are Lauren Greenfield, Danielle Renfrew Behrens, Frank Evers and Dan Cogan.

    “THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES brilliantly encapsulates the salient issues of the American economic downturn, while also being one of the jaw-droppingly entertaining films I’ve seen in a very long time,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “Lauren Greenfield is an exceptionally talented filmmaker with a wonderfully humanistic touch, and she has found a truly magnetic, charismatic star in Jackie Siegel.”

    “I am really excited to be working with Magnolia, who we huddled with late into last night,” says Lauren Greenfield. “I feel like we have found a true kindred spirit, who cares as much about our film as we do. I am really looking forward to working with such a smart, impressive team.”

    Magnolia is planning a summer theatrical release for the film.

    The deal was negotiated for Magnolia by SVP of Acquisitions Dori Begley, with Submarine’s Josh Braun and David Koh. Domestic television and international rights are in active discussion.

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  • Sony Pictures Classics goes SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN at Sundance Film Festival

    Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired the rights in North America to Malik Bendjelloul’s directorial debut, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN.  The film is produced by Simon Chinn of Red Box Films (PROJECT NIM, MAN ON WIRE) and executive produced by John Battsek of Passion Pictures (THE TILLMAN STORY, ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER) in association with Canfield Pictures and The Documentary Company.  SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN had its world premiere last night as the Opening Night Film of the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Josh Braun and David Koh at Submarine Entertainment brokered the deal with Sony Pictures Classics, with Protagonist Pictures handling International Sales.

    This is SPC’s third film with executive producer John Battsek. Previous films include Academy Award® Winner ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER and MY KID COULD PAINT THAT.

    SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN tells the incredible story of Rodriguez, the greatest ’70s rock icon who never was. Discovered in a Detroit bar in the late ’60s by two celebrated producers struck by his soulful melodies and prophetic lyrics, they recorded an album which they believed would secure his reputation as the greatest recording artist of his generation. In fact, the album bombed and the singer disappeared into obscurity amid rumors of a gruesome on-stage suicide. But a bootleg recording found its way into apartheid South Africa and, over the next two decades, he became a phenomenon.  The film follows the story of two South African fans who set out to find out what really happened to their hero. Their investigation leads them to a story more extraordinary than any of the existing myths about the artist known as Rodriguez.

    “SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN is an incredible story that we can’t wait to share with American audiences.  We are thrilled to be distributing this film by talented new director Malik Bendjelloul and to be working again with our good friend producer John Battsek and Simon Chinn” states Sony Pictures Classics.

    Adds Producer Simon Chinn, “We are hugely excited that SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN has been acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Their passion for this film combined with their stellar track record makes them the perfect distributors for it.”

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  • TRIBE CALLED QUESTDocumentary and THE ARTIST Win 23rd Producers Guild of America Awards

    [caption id="attachment_1915" align="alignnone"]BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST[/caption]

    The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced this year’s winning motion picture and television productions, including the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures at the 23rd Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.

    In addition to the competitive awards, the PGA honored several individuals with tribute awards including Leslie Moonves (Milestone Award), Steven Spielberg (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures), Don Mischer (Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television), Stan Lee (Vanguard Award), and IN THE LAND OF BLOOD AND HONEY (The Stanley Kramer Award).

    The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures:

    THE ARTIST
    Producer: Thomas Langmann

    The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures:

    THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN
    Producers: Peter Jackson, Kathleen Kennedy, Steven Spielberg

    The Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures:

    BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST
    Producers: Debra Koffler, Frank Mele, Edward Parks, Michael Rapaport

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  • Becoming Chaz and Gun Hill Road Among 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards Nominees

    [caption id="attachment_758" align="alignnone" width="550"]Gun Hill Road[/caption]

    GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, announced the nominees for the 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards. Nominees include Gun Hill Road, Pariah and Becoming Chaz.

    The 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards will be held in New York on March 24, Los Angeles on April 21, and San Francisco on June 2.

    OUTSTANDING FILM – WIDE RELEASE
    Albert Nobbs
    Beginners
    J. Edgar

    OUTSTANDING FILM – LIMITED RELEASE
    Circumstance
    Gun Hill Road
    Pariah
    Tomboy
    Weekend

    OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY
    Becoming Chaz
    The Strange History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
    Two Spirits
    We Were Here
    The World’s Worst Place to be Gay?

    Outstanding Drama Series
    Degrassi TeenNick
    Grey’s Anatomy ABC
    Pretty Little Liars ABC Family
    Shameless Showtime
    Torchwood: Miracle Day Starz

    Outstanding Comedy Series
    Exes and Ohs Logo
    Glee Fox
    Happy Endings ABC
    Modern Family ABC
    The Big C Showtime

    Outstanding Individual Episode (in a series without a regular LGBT character)
    “Acceptance” Man Up! ABC
    “Beards” Hot in Cleveland TV Land
    “Prom” Drop Dead Diva Lifetime
    “Recruited” NCIS CBS
    “The Boy Has Style” Are We There Yet? TBS

    Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series
    Cinema Verite HBO

    Outstanding Documentary
    Becoming Chaz OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network
    The Strange History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell HBO
    The World’s Worst Place to be Gay? Logo
    Two Spirits PBS
    We Were Here Red Flag Releasing

    Outstanding Reality Program
    Dancing with the Stars ABC
    Girls Who Like Boys Who Like Boys Sundance Channel
    The Glee Project Oxygen
    The Real L Word Showtime
    The Voice NBC

    Outstanding Talk Show Episode
    “Chaz Bono” Late Show with David Letterman CBS
    “Children & Teens Caught in the Wrong Bodies” Anderson syndicated
    “Coming Out on the Oprah Show: 25 Years of Unforgettable Guests” The Oprah Winfrey Show syndicated
    “The Wedding of Scott Cronick & David Gorshein” Conan TBS
    “Zach Wahls” The Ellen DeGeneres Show syndicated

    Outstanding Daily Drama
    All My Children ABC
    Days of Our Lives NBC

    Outstanding TV Journalism – News Magazine
    “Day One” The Rachel Maddow Show MSNBC
    “Finding Home” In the Life PBS
    “GLBT in Texas” Spotlight DFW KXAS TV-5 [Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas]
    “The ‘Sissy Boy’ Experiments” Anderson Cooper 360 CNN
    “They Call it Corrective Rape” World’s Untold Stories CNN

    Outstanding TV Journalism Segment
    “Battle Against Bullying” ABC World News With Diane Sawyer ABC
    “Children of LGBT Parents” MSNBC News Live MSNBC
    “Gay Dads Adopt 12 Kids” Good Morning America ABC
    “Kye Allums” Outside the Lines ESPN
    “Split by Potential Deportation” CNN Newsroom CNN

    Outstanding Newspaper Article
    “AIDS @ 30” (series) Windy City Times [Chicago, Ill.]
    “Coming Out to America” by Melanie Asmar, Westword [Denver, Colo.]
    “Even on Religious Campuses, Students Fight for Gay Identity” by Erik Eckholm, The New York Times
    “Led by the Child Who Simply Knew” by Bella English, The Boston Globe
    “Local Lesbian Couple Navigates Life’s Daily Challenges as Parents” by Najla Amundson, The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead [Fargo, N.D.]

    Outstanding Newspaper Columnist
    Alfred Doblin The Record [Bergen, N.J.]
    Craig Wilson USA Today
    Frank Bruni The New York Times
    Maureen Dowd The New York Times
    Peg McEntee The Salt Lake Tribune

    Outstanding Newspaper Overall Coverage
    Pioneer Press [St. Paul, Minn.]
    The Boston Globe
    The New York Times
    The Oregonian [Portland, Ore.]
    The Salt Lake Tribune

    Outstanding Magazine Article
    “15th Anniversary of the Passage of the Defense of Marriage Act” (series) by Chris Geidner, Metro Weekly
    “Black & Gay in Corporate America” by Carolyn M. Brown, Black Enterprise
    “Making It Work” by Rod McCullom, Ebony
    “The Secret I Don’t Want to Keep Anymore” by Janet Mock as told to Kierna Mayo, Marie Claire
    “Transitions” by Eliza Gray, The New Republic

    Outstanding Magazine Overall Coverage
    Entertainment Weekly
    People
    The Advocate/Out
    Time
    US Weekly

    Outstanding Digital Journalism Article
    “Adam and Pete: Love in a Time of War” by Max J. Rosenthal, HuffingtonPost.com
    “Black and Transgender: A Double Burden” by Kellee Terrell, TheRoot.com
    “Soldier Leaves Legacy Much Larger Than ‘He Was Gay'” by Wayne Drash, CNN.com
    “The Rainbow Struggle” (series) GlobalPost.com
    “What are Little Boys Made Of” by Jim Burroway, BoxTurtleBulletin.com

    Outstanding Digital Journalism – Multimedia
    “Breaking Boundaries” by Eliza Gray, Joe Heroun and Margy Slattery, TheNewRepublic.com
    “Coming Out” by Sarah Kramer and Nicole Bengiveno, NYTimes.com
    “Glamorous Gay Dance Scene a ‘Family Affair'” by Brooke Sopelsa, Drew Katchen and David Britt-Friedman, MSNBC.com
    “Injustice at Every Turn” ITLMedia.org
    “Transgender: A Special Report” (series) TimesUnion.com [Albany, N.Y.]

    Outstanding Blog
    Bilerico Project
    Mombian
    New Civil Rights Movement
    Rod 2.0
    Towleroad

    Outstanding Music Artist
    Beverly McClellan, Fear Nothing Oarfin Records
    Girl in a Coma, Exits & All the Rest Blackheart Records
    Hunx and His Punx, Too Young to Be in Love Hardly Art
    Lady Gaga, Born This Way Interscope Records
    MEN, Talk About Body IAMSOUND Records

    Outstanding Comic Book
    Avengers: The Children’s Crusade by Allan Heinberg, Marvel
    Batwoman by J.H. Williams III and W. Haden Blackman, DC Comics
    Secret Six by Gail Simone, DC Comics
    Veronica Presents: Kevin Keller by Dan Parent, Archie Comics
    X-Factor by Peter David, Marvel Comics

    Outstanding Los Angeles Theater
    Bonded by Donald Jolly
    House of the Rising Son by Tom Jacobson
    Killer Queen: The Story of Paco the Pink Pounder by Peter Griggs
    No Word in Guyanese for Me by Wendy Graf
    Who’s Your Daddy? by Johnny O’Callaghan

    Outstanding New York Theater: Broadway and Off-Broadway
    Maple & Vine by Jordan Harrison
    Priscilla Queen of the Desert: The Musical by Stephan Elliott and Allan Scott
    Sons of the Prophet by Stephen Karam
    The Intelligent Homosexual’s Guide to Capitalism and Socialism with a Key to the Scriptures by Tony Kushner
    Unnatural Acts: Harvard’s Secret Court of 1920 conceived by Tony Speciale

    Outstanding New York Theater: Off-Off Broadway
    She Kills Monsters by Qui Nguyen
    Southern Comfort book and lyrics by Dan Collins, music by Julianne Wick Davis
    The Dog and Pony Show (Bring Your Own Pony) by Holly Hughes
    The Escape Artist book by John Kelly, songs by John Kelly & Carol Lipnik
    The Momentum by Boo Killebrew, Geoffrey Decas O’Donnell & Jordan Seavey

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  • The First Grader and Pariah Among 43rd NAACP Image Awards Nominees

    [caption id="attachment_2100" align="alignnone"]The First Grader[/caption]

    The NAACP Image Awards, which celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts announced the nominees for the 43rd edition. Nominees include Pariah, The First Grader and A Separation. Winners will be announced during a live telecast on NBC Friday, February 17, 2012.

    MOTION PICTURE

    Outstanding Motion Picture
    “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
    “Pariah” (Focus Features)
    “The First Grader” (National Geographic Entertainment)
    “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
    “Tower Heist” (Universal Pictures)

    Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
    Eddie Murphy – “Tower Heist” (Universal Pictures)
    Laurence Fishburne – “Contagion” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
    Laz Alonso – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
    Oliver Litondo – “The First Grader” (National Geographic Entertainment)
    Vin Diesel – “Fast Five” (Universal Pictures)

    Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
    Adepero Oduye – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
    Emma Stone – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
    Paula Patton – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
    Viola Davis – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
    Zoë Saldana – “Colombiana” (TriStar Pictures)

    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
    Anthony Mackie – “The Adjustment Bureau” (Universal Pictures)
    Charles Parnell – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
    Don Cheadle – “The Guard” (Sony Pictures Classics)
    Jeffrey Wright – “The Ides of March” (Columbia Pictures)
    Mike Epps – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)

    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
    Bryce Dallas Howard – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
    Cicely Tyson – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
    Kim Wayans – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
    Maya Rudolph – “Bridesmaids” (Universal Pictures)
    Octavia Spencer – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

    Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
    “I Will Follow” (AFFRM)
    “Kinyarwanda” (AFFRM)
    “MOOZ-lum” (AFFRM)
    “Pariah” (Focus Features)
    “The First Grader” (National Geographic Entertainment)

    Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture
    “A Separation” (Sony Pictures Classics)
    “Attack the Block” (Screen Gems)
    “In the Land of Blood and Honey” (FilmDistrict)
    “Le Havre” (Janus Films)
    “Life, Above All” (Sony Pictures Classics)

    DOCUMENTARY

    Outstanding Documentary – (Theatrical or Television)
    “Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest” (Sony Pictures Classics)
    “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” (Submarine Deluxe)
    “Sing Your Song” (HBO Documentary Films)
    “The Rescuers” (Michael King Productions)
    “Thunder Soul” (Roadside Attractions)

    WRITING

    Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
    Arthur Harris – “Reed Between the Lines” – Let’s Talk About Ms. Helen’s Son Part 1 (BET)
    Prentice Penny – “Happy Endings” – The Girl with the David Tattoo (ABC)
    Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil – “The Game” – Parachutes….Beach Chairs (BET)
    Vali Chandrasekaran – “30 Rock” – It’s Never Too Late For Now (NBC)
    Vince Cheung, Ben Montanio – “Wizards of Waverly Place” – Wizards vs. Angels (Disney Channel)

    Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
    Cheo Hodari Coker – “SouthLAnd” – Punching Water (TNT)
    Janine Sherman Barrois – “Criminal Minds” – The Bittersweet Science (CBS)
    Lolis Eric Elie – “Treme” – Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues? (HBO)
    Pam Veasey – “Ringer” – Oh Gawd, There’s Two of Them? (The CW)
    Zoanne Clack – “Grey’s Anatomy” – I Will Survive (ABC)

    Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
    Alrick Brown – “Kinyarwanda” (AFFRM)
    Ann Peacock – “The First Grader” (National Geographic Entertainment)
    Dee Rees – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
    Elizabeth Hunter, Arlene Gibbs – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
    Tate Taylor – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

    DIRECTING

    Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
    Jay Chandrasekhar – “Happy Endings” – The Girl with the David Tattoo (ABC)
    Kevin Hooks – “Drop Dead Diva” – Mother’s Day (Lifetime)
    Leonard R. Garner Jr. – “Rules of Engagement” – The Set Up (CBS)
    Miguel Arteta – “How to Make It in America” – Mofongo (HBO)
    Salim Akil – “The Game” – Parachutes/Beach Chairs (BET)

    Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
    Ernest Dickerson – “Treme” – Do Watcha Wanna (HBO)
    Ken Whittingham – “Parenthood” – Opening Night (NBC)
    Kevin Sullivan – “NCIS” – Tell-All (CBS)
    Paris Barclay – “Sons of Anarchy” – Out (FX Network)
    Seith Mann – “Dexter” – Get Gellar (Showtime)

    Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
    Alrick Brown – “Kinyarwanda” (AFFRM)
    Angelina Jolie – “In the Land of Blood and Honey” (FilmDistrict)
    Dee Rees – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
    Salim Akil – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
    Tate Taylor – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)  

    TELEVISION CATEGORIES

    Outstanding Comedy Series
    “Love That Girl!” (TV One)
    “Modern Family” (ABC)
    “Reed Between the Lines” (BET)
    “The Game” (BET)
    “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS)

    Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
    Dulé Hill – “Psych” (USA Network)
    Malcolm-Jamal Warner – “Reed Between the Lines” (BET)
    Phil Morris – “Love That Girl!” (TV One)
    Pooch Hall – “The Game” (BET)
    Terry Crews – “Are We There Yet?” (TBS)

    Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
    Tatyana Ali – “Love That Girl!” (TV One)
    Tia Mowry-Hardrict – “The Game” (BET)
    Tracee Ellis Ross – “Reed Between the Lines” (BET)
    Vanessa Williams – “Desperate Housewives” (ABC)
    Wendy Raquel Robinson – “The Game” (BET)

    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
    Craig Robinson – “The Office” (NBC)
    Damon Wayans, Jr. – “Happy Endings” (ABC)
    J.B. Smoove – “Curb Your Enthusiasm” (HBO)
    Nick Cannon – “Up All Night” (NBC)
    Tracy Morgan – “30 Rock” (NBC)

    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
    Amber Riley – “Glee” (FOX)
    Gabourey Sidibe – “The Big C” (Showtime)
    Keshia Knight Pulliam – “Tyler Perry’s House of Payne” (TBS)
    Maya Rudolph – “Up All Night” (NBC)
    Sofia Vergara – “Modern Family” (ABC)

    Outstanding Drama Series
    “Boardwalk Empire” (HBO)
    “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
    “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC)
    “The Good Wife” (CBS)
    “Treme” (HBO)

    Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
    Andre Braugher – “Men of A Certain Age” (TNT)
    Hill Harper – “CSI: NY” (CBS)
    L.L. Cool J – “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS)
    Taye Diggs – “Private Practice” (ABC)
    Wendell Pierce – “Treme” (HBO)

    Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
    Chandra Wilson – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
    Khandi Alexander – “Treme” (HBO)
    Regina King – “SouthLAnd” (TNT)
    Sandra Oh – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
    Taraji P. Henson – “Person of Interest” (CBS)

    Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
    Corey Reynolds – “The Closer” (TNT)
    Ice T – “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC)
    James Pickens, Jr. – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)
    Nelsan Ellis – “True Blood” (HBO)
    Omar Epps – “House M.D.” (FOX)

    Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
    Alfre Woodard – “Memphis Beat” (TNT)
    Anika Noni Rose – “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” (NBC)
    Archie Panjabi – “The Good Wife” (CBS)
    Diahann Carroll – “White Collar” (USA Network)
    Loretta Devine – “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC)

    Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
    “Five” (Lifetime Movie Network)
    “Hallmark Hall of Fame, Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith” (ABC)
    “Luther” (BBC America)
    “The Least Among You” (Showtime)
    “Thurgood” (HBO)

    Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
    Esai Morales – “We Have Your Husband” (Lifetime)
    Idris Elba – “Luther” (BBC America)
    Laurence Fishburne – “Thurgood” (HBO)
    Louis Gossett, Jr. – “The Least Among You” (Showtime)
    Samuel L. Jackson – “The Sunset Limited ” (HBO)

    Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
    Anika Noni Rose – “Hallmark Hall of Fame, Mitch Albom’s Have a Little Faith” (ABC)
    Jenifer Lewis – “Five” (Lifetime Movie Network)
    Rosario Dawson – “Five” (Lifetime Movie Network)
    Taraji P. Henson – “Taken From Me: The Tiffany Rubin Story” (Lifetime)
    Tracee Ellis Ross – “Five” (Lifetime Movie Network)

    Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
    Aaron D. Spears – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)
    Bryton James – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
    Emerson Brooks – “All My Children” (ABC)
    James Reynolds – “Days of Our Lives” (NBC)
    Texas Battle – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)

    Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
    Christel Khalil – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
    Julia Pace Mitchell – “The Young & the Restless” (CBS)
    Tatyana Ali – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
    Tonya Lee Williams – “The Young and the Restless” (CBS)
    Yvette Freeman – “The Bold and the Beautiful” (CBS)

    Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special)
    “BET News Exclusive: The President Answers Black America” (BET)
    “Judge Mathis” (Syndicated)
    “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel” (HBO)
    “Unsung” (TV One)
    “Washington Watch with Roland Martin” (TV One)

    Outstanding Talk Series
    “Anderson” (Syndicated)
    “Oprah’s Lifeclass” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
    “The Doctors” (Syndicated)
    “The View” (ABC)
    “The Wendy Williams Show” (Syndicated)

    Outstanding Reality Series
    “All-American Muslim” (TLC)
    “American Idol” (FOX)
    “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC)
    “Sunday Best” (BET)
    “Tia & Tamera” (Style Network)

    Outstanding Variety Series or Special
    “2011 BET Awards” (BET)
    “Black Girls Rock!” (BET)
    “Oprah Presents: Master Class” (OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network)
    “Prince! Behind the Symbol” (The Africa Channel)
    “UNCF An Evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan” (BET)

    Outstanding Children’s Program
    “A.N.T. Farm” (Disney Channel)
    “Dora The Explorer” (Nickelodeon)
    “Go, Diego! Go!” (Nickelodeon)
    “I Can Be President: A Kid’s-Eye View” (HBO)
    “My Family Tree” (Disney Channel)

    Outstanding Performance in a Youth/ Children’s Program – (Series or Special)
    China Anne McClain – “A.N.T. Farm” (Disney Channel)
    Keke Palmer – “True Jackson, VP” (Nickelodeon)
    Lance Robertson – “Yo Gabba Gabba” (Nickelodeon)
    Leon Thomas III – “Victorious” (Nickelodeon)
    Zendaya Coleman – “Shake It Up” (Disney Channel)

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  • The Artist and A Separation Win at the 32nd London Film Critics Circle Awards

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    [caption id="attachment_2283" align="alignnone" width="549"]A Separation[/caption]

    The Artist and A Separation were the big winners at the 32nd London Film Critics’ Circle Awards with each taking home three awards.

    Silent film THE ARTIST received Film of the Year, Director of the Year and Actor of the Year. Director Michel Hazanavicius and actor Jean Dujardin were both at the event to collect their awards.

    Asghar Farhadi’s Berlin winner A SEPARATION also took home three awards winning Foreign Language Film of the Year, Screenwriter of the Year for Asghar Farhadi and Supporting Actress of the Year for Sareh Bayat.

    THE IRON LADY took home two awards, Meryl Streep tying the award for Actress of the Year and Olivia Colman winning The Moët & Chandon Award: British Actress of the Year for her performances in THE IRON LADY and TYRANNOSAUR, collecting the award in person. Anna Paquin was the other recipient of the Actress of the Year award for her performance in Kenneth Lonergan’s drama MARGARET.

    Kenneth Branagh collected his Supporting Actor of the Year award for his turn as Laurence Olivier in MY WEEK WITH MARILYN. Michael Fassbender collected the British Actor of the Year award for his performances as Carl Jung in A DANGEROUS METHOD and as a sex addict in SHAME.

    Director Lynne Ramsay was present to collect The Attenborough Award: British Film of the Year for WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT KEVIN. Asif Kapadia collected his Documentary of the Year award for SENNA. Andrew Haigh collected The Virgin Atlantic Award: Breakthrough British Film-maker for WEEKEND. Craig Roberts collected the Young British Performer of the Year for his lead role in SUBMARINE. Maria Djurkovic was present to receive The Sky 3D Award for Technical Achievement for her production design in TINKER TAILOR SOLDIER SPY.

    The winners in full:

    FILM OF THE YEAR
    The Artist

    TOP 10 FILMS
    1. The Artist
    2. A Separation
    3. Drive
    4. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
    5. The Tree of Life
    6. We Need to Talk About Kevin
    7. Melancholia
    8. Shame
    9. Margaret
    10. The Descendants

    The Attenborough Award:
    BRITISH FILM OF THE YEAR
    We Need to Talk About Kevin

    FOREIGN-LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR
    A Separation

    DOCUMENTARY OF THE YEAR
    Senna

    DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
    Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist

    SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR
    Asghar Farhadi – A Separation

    The Virgin Atlantic Award:
    BREAKTHROUGH BRITISH FILM-MAKER
    Andrew Haigh – Weekend

    ACTOR OF THE YEAR
    Jean Dujardin – The Artist

    ACTRESS OF THE YEAR (TIE)
    Anna Paquin – Margaret and
    Meryl Streep – The Iron Lady

    SUPPORTING ACTOR OF THE YEAR
    Kenneth Branagh – My Week With Marilyn

    SUPPORTING ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
    Sareh Bayat – A Separation

    BRITISH ACTOR OF THE YEAR
    Michael Fassbender – A Dangerous Method, Shame

    The Moët & Chandon Award:
    BRITISH ACTRESS OF THE YEAR
    Olivia Colman – The Iron Lady (Fox/Pathé), Tyrannosaur

    YOUNG BRITISH PERFORMER OF THE YEAR
    Craig Roberts – Submarine

    The Sky 3D Award:
    TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT
    Maria Djurkovic, production design – Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

    The Dilys Powell Award:
    EXCELLENCE IN FILM
    Nicolas Roeg

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  • The Artist and Melancholia Among 14th Costume Designers Guild Award nominees

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    [caption id="attachment_1938" align="alignnone"]Melancholia[/caption]

    The 14th Costume Designers Guild Award nominees were announced and films making the list included The Descendants, Melancholia and The Artist. The Costume Designers Guild Award ceremony will be held on Tuesday, February 21st, 2012 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California

    NOMINEES OF THE 14TH ANNUAL COSTUME DESIGNERS GUILD AWARDS

    Excellence in Contemporary Film:
    “Bridesmaids” – Leesa Evans and Christine Wada
    “The Descendants” – Wendy Chuck
    “Drive” – Erin Benach
    “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo” – Trish Summerville
    “Melancholia” – Manon Rasmussen

    Excellence in Period Film:
    “The Artist” – Mark Bridges
    “Jane Eyre ” – Michael O’Connor
    “The Help” – Sharen Davis
    “Hugo” – Sandy Powell
    “W.E.” – Arianne Phillips

    Excellence in Fantasy Film:
    “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt. 2” – Jany Temime
    “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides” – Penny Rose
    “Red Riding Hood” – Cindy Evans
    “Thor” – Alexandra Byrne
    “X-Men: First Class” – Sammy Sheldon 

     

    Outstanding Made for Television Movie or Miniseries:
    “Downton Abbey” – Susannah Buxton
    “The Kennedys” – Christopher Hargadon
    “Mildred Pierce” – Ann Roth

    Outstanding Contemporary Television Series:
    “Glee” – Lou Eyrich and Jennifer Eve
    “Modern Family” – Alix Friedberg
    “Revenge” – Jill Ohanneson
    “Saturday Night Live” – Tom Broecker and Eric Justian
    “Sons of Anarchy” – Kelli Jones

    Outstanding Period/Fantasy Television Series:
    “Boardwalk Empire” – John A. Dunn and Lisa Padovani
    “The Borgias” – Gabriella Pescucci
    “Game of Thrones” – Michele Clapton
    “Once Upon Time” – Eduardo Castro
    “Pan Am (Series)” – Ane Crabtree

    Excellence in Commercial Costume Design:
    Carl’s Jr.: “Miss Turkey” – Francine Lecoultre
    Dos Equis: “The Most Interesting Man in the World” – Julie Vogel
    Swiffer: “Country Dirt Cowgirl” – Roseanne Fiedler

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  • Italian actor and director Nanni Moretti to be President of the Jury of the 65th Festival de Cannes

    Nanni Moretti will be President of the Jury of the 65th Festival de Cannes to be held from May 16 to 27, 2012.

    Accepting the invitation, the Italian actor and director said: “This is a real joy, an honour and a tremendous responsibility to preside over the jury of the most prestigious festival of cinematography in the world, a festival that is held in a country where film has always been treated with interest and respect.

    As a director, I was always very moved when my films were presented at the Festival de Cannes. I also have very happy memories of my experience as a jury member during the fiftieth anniversary season, and of the attentiveness and passion that went into the jury’s viewing and discussion of all the films.

    As a spectator, fortunately I still have the same curiosity that I had in my youth and so it is a great privilege for me to embark on this voyage into the world of contemporary international film.”

    Nanni Moretti has presented six films at the Festival de Cannes, including last year’s Habemus Papam (We Have a Pope).

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  • 42nd Berlinale Unveils Films in Main Program

    [caption id="attachment_2280" align="alignnone"]Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (The Woman in the Septic Tank) [/caption]

    The 42nd Berlinale Forum will be showing 38 films in its main program, including 26 world premieres and 8 international premieres.

    Ann-Kristin Reyels’ film Formentera follows a young couple on holiday who run into the ’68 ideals of their parents’ generation and come to realise the extent to which their own ideas about life diverge from one another. Sleepless Knights by Stefan Butzmühlen and Cristina Diz is also set in Spain, telling a story of gay love in the provinces and presenting the co-existence of different generations as an alternative to urban dislocation.

    Beziehungsweisen (Negotiating Love) by Calle Overweg also explores the complicated set of compromises involved with living together on a daily basis, blending documentary means and staging techniques to observe different clients attending couples’ therapy. What Is Love by Ruth Mader tackles a similar theme, tracing the various different manifestations of love in five vignettes from the Austrian provinces.

    Present-day nomads form the focus of two films in this year’s program: Habiter / Construire (Living / Building) by Clémence Ancelin, which documents a road construction project in Chad and the effect it has on the local desert population, and Hiver nomade (Winter Nomads) by Manuel von Stürler, a portrait of two shepherds in French-speaking Switzerland in the depths of winter.

    The Jordanian film Al Juma Al Akheira (The Last Friday) by Yahya Alabdallah tells the story of a taxi driver in Amman who is forced to bring some level of order into his failed existence. The documentary Bagrut Lochamim (Soldier / Citizen) confronts us with the uncompromising views of young Israelis about their Arab compatriots and neighbours. Mani Haghighi’s Paziraie Sadeh (Modest Reception) is an intelligent provocation in which a rich couple distributes plastic bags full of money in the Iranian provinces – a handout aimed purely at degradation.

    Rodrigo Plá’s moving Uruguayan film La demora (The Wait) tells the story of a woman driven by her desperate situation to abandon her senile father. Mariano Luque’s directorial debut Salsipuedes is a visionary look at domestic violence that serves as a calling card for the new generation of young filmmakers working in Córdoba in Northern Argentina. For its part, the documentary Escuela normal (Normal School) by Celina Murga observes a secondary school in Buenos Aires where the pupils imitate the political structures of the adult world.

    American independent cinema also has a strong presence in this year’s Forum program. David Zellner’s fairytale-like Kid-Thing explores the day-to-day life and fantasies of a neglected little girl. Brian M. Cassidy and Melanie Shatzky’s Francine follows a shy woman (played by Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo) recently released from jail and her overwhelming affinity for animals. And So Yong Kim’s For Ellen shows the final attempts made by a neglectful rock-musician (played by Paul Dano) to build a relationship with his young daughter.

    Three films from Japan deal with the tsunami of 11 March 2011 and the meltdown at Fukushima nuclear power station. In No Man’s Zone (Mujin chitai), Fujiwara Toshi advances like a Tarkowskian Stalker into the contaminated zone around the nuclear reactors and evokes images of an invisible apocalypse. Iwai Shunji discusses the political, economic and social situation of a country in a state of dependence in friends after 3.11. And Funahashi Atsushi’s Nuclear Nation creates a portrait of a mayor without a town, who is desperately trying to keep together a community scattered across different emergency shelters in the Tokyo suburbs and is brought to question old certainties in the process.

    Main Program

    Al Juma Al Akheira (The Last Friday) by Yahya Alabdallah, Jordan/United Arab Emirates – IP

    Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (The Woman in the Septic Tank) byMarlon N. Rivera, The Philippines Avalon by Axel Petersén, Sweden

    Bagrut Lochamim (Soldier / Citizen) by Silvina Landsmann, Israel – WP

    Bestiaire by Denis Côté, Canada/France

    Beziehungsweisen (Negotiating Love) by Calle Overweg, Germany – WP

    La demora (The Wait) by Rodrigo Plá, Uruguay/Mexico/France – WP

    Escuela normal (Normal School) by Celina Murga, Argentina – WP

    Espoir voyage by Michel K. Zongo, France/Burkina Faso – IP

    For Ellen by So Yong Kim, USA – IP

    Formentera by Ann-Kristin Reyels, Germany – WP

    Francine by Brian M. Cassidy/Melanie Shatzky, USA/Canada – WP

    friends after 3.11 by Iwai Shunji, Japan – IP

    Habiter / Construire (Living / Building) by Clémence Ancelin, France – WP

    Hemel by Sacha Polak, The Netherlands/Spain – WP

    Hiver nomade (Winter Nomads) by Manuel von Stürler, Switzerland – WP

    Jaurès by Vincent Dieutre, France – WP

    Kashi (Choked) by Kim Joong-hyun, Republic of Korea – IP

    Kazoku no kuni (Our Homeland) by Yang Yonghi, Japan – WP

    Kid-Thing by David Zellner, USA – IP

    Koi ni itaru yamai (The End of Puberty) by Kimura Shoko, Japan – IP

    Die Lage (Condition) by Thomas Heise, Germany – WP

    No Man’s Zone (Mujin chitai) by Fujiwara Toshi, Japan/France – IP

    Nuclear Nation by Funahashi Atsushi, Japan – WP

    Parabeton – Pier Luigi Nervi und römischer Beton (Parabeton – Pier Luigi Nervi and Roman Concrete) by Heinz Emigholz, Germany – WP

    Paziraie Sadeh (Modest Reception) by Mani Haghighi, Iran – WP

    Príliš mladá noc (A Night Too Young) by Olmo Omerzu, Czech Republic/Slovenia – WP

    Revision by Philip Scheffner, Germany – WP

    Salsipuedes by Mariano Luque, Argentina – WP

    Sekret (Secret) by Przemyslaw Wojcieszek, Poland – WP

    Sleepless Knights by Stefan Butzmühlen/Cristina Diz, Germany – WP

    Le sommeil d’or (Golden Slumbers) by Davy Chou, France/Cambodia

    Spanien (Spain) by Anja Salomonowitz, Austria – WP

    Tepenin Ardi (Beyond the Hill) by Emin Alper, Turkey/Greece – WP

    Tiens moi droite (Keep Me Upright) by Zoé Chantre, France – WP

    Toata lumea din familia noastra (Everybody in Our Family) by Radu Jude, Romania/The Netherlands – WP

    What Is Love by Ruth Mader, Austria – WP

    Zavtra (Tomorrow) by Andrey Gryazev, Russia – WP

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