• Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo to be honored at Santa Barbara International Film Festival for their performance in The Artist

    The Santa Barbara International Film Festival, will honor Jean Dujardin and Bérénice Bejo with the Cinema Vanguard Award for their performances in the silent film The Artist at the 27th edition of the Festival which runs January 26 – February 5, 2012.

    The Cinema Vanguard Award was created in recognition of an actor who has forged his/her own path – taking artistic risks and making a significant and unique contribution to film. The award has previously been presented to Nicole Kidman, Christoph Waltz, Vera Farmiga, Stanley Tucci, Peter Sarsgaard, Kristin Scott Thomas and Ryan Gosling.

    Dujardin and Bejo are currently receiving wide praise for their lead performances in The Artist, directed by Michel Hazanavicius. In late 1920’s Hollywood, many actors witnessed the decline of their careers with the rise of the talking picture. This is just the case for silent film superstar George Valentin (Dujardin), who crosses paths with rising starlet Peppy Miller (Bérénice Bejo). Resistant to the conversion, Valentin is faced with the demise of his career while Miller embraces it and emerges a star. Through his performance, Dujardin offers a striking portrayal of the silent era male superstar, packed with the conviction and suave on par with the likes of Rudolph Valentino. No sooner does Peppy Miller enchant fictional audiences, than does Bejo with the real, through her pure charm and genuine charisma. Together Dujardin and Bejo’s masterful talent, make for one of the most compelling stories in film.

    Born in Rueil-Malmaison, France, Jean Dujardin got his break on the talent show Graines de Star in 1996 as part of the comedy group Nous C Nous. Following he went on to star as Jean ‘Loulou’ in the comedy television series Un Gars, Une Fille from 1999 to 2003. Continuing in the realm of comedy, Dujardin broke onto the big screen as aspiring surfer Brice Agostini in The Brice Man (2005). 2006 marked Dujardin’s first collaboration with Bejo through his role as Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath in the espionage film OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies. Dujardin reprised the role in 2009 for OSS 117: Lost in Rio.

    Bérénice Bejo was born in Buenos Aires and moved to France at the age of 3. Bejo got her start working in an assortment of French television shows. She landed her first recurring role as Sophie on the comedy series Un Et Un Font Six (1997-1999). American audiences were introduced to her when she appeared in 2001’s A Knight Tale as Christina. Bejo returned to French films acting in a number of films including her role as Larmina in OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006) alongside Jean Dujardin.

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  • No Staten Island Film Festival in 2012, Future Uncertain

    Blaming the economy – dwindling contributions and attendance, SI Live is reporting that unless someone steps and takes the rein from the current organizer, Staten Island Economic Development Corporation, the Staten Island Film Festival will not return next year.

    “The board made a decision…based on the shrinking funding for film festival, and the fact that we weren’t seeing the economic impact that other film festivals have on their areas, we thought it might be best not to host the festival,” said Cesar Claro, president of the SIEDC. “I think, what you’re going to see, if there is a need for it, and if people really want it, you will see smaller film festival type things popping up and it’s our hope that a group of committed young artists maybe can get something going. My advice out of the gate, knowing what I know about the lack of money that’s out there, would be start slow, start small.”

    In 2006, the festival raised $400,000 in corporate and private sponsorships, however, last year, in large part due to the economy, sponsorships were down to about $170,000. Organizers also mentioned that even though the films were free at last year’s festival, only about 5,000 people attended, down from more than 7,000 in previous years. Additionally, local businesses near the festival venues showing the films never got the economic boost that organizers expected.

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  • The Last Rites of Joe May Takes Top Awards at 2011 Best of the Midwest Awards

    [caption id="attachment_1975" align="alignnone"]The Last Rites of Joe May[/caption]

    The 2011 Best of the Midwest Awards, an annual ceremony that celebrates Chicago’s Midwest Independent Film Festival, were presented on Tuesday, December 6th in downtown Chicago. Hometown film, “The Last Rites of Joe May,” directed by Joe Maggio was the big winner, taking home the prizes for Best Feature, Best Actor for Dennis Farina and Best Actress for Meredith Droeger.

    “The Last Rites of Joe May, chronicles the last days in the life of Joe May, an aging, short money hustler who, despite a life of loss and failure, has always believed that a glorious destiny awaited him. Now in his sixties, his health failing and resources dwindling, Joe is presented with one last shot at greatness.

    The 2011 Best of the Midwest Award Winners are as followed….

    Best Feature
    “The Last Rites of Joe May,” directed by Joe Maggio

    Best Director
    Mike Diedrich, “Ballhawks”

    Best Actor
    Winner: Dennis Farina, “The Last Rites of Joe May”

    Best Actress
    Winner: Meredith Droeger, “The Last Rites of Joe May”

    Best Music Video
    Winner: “Call the Press and Send Their Best,” directed by Michael Starcevich and Mattew Achterberg.

    Best Short Film
    Winner: “A Certain Breed,” directed by Scott Smith

    Best Editing
    Winner: Randy Palmer, Jr. and Brooks Ruyle, “Ballhawks”

    Best Cinematography
    Winner: Joel Edwards, “Mumbai Golf”

    Best Screenplay
    Winner: Dean Peterson, “Incredibly Small”

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  • Go See “Khodorkovsky” in Theaters this weekend

    by Francesca Mccaffery

    Cyril Tuschi’s riveting new documentary “Khodorkovsky” focuses on the 2003 imprisonment of Russian oligarch, the billionaire, Mikhail Khodorkovsky, who at the time of his arrest at forty-two years old was the richest man in Russia.

    Brought to “court” on charges clearly trumped up and false (tax embezzlement and fraud), in a case that had the world watching and the proceedings of which even had then President George Bush deem wrongful and misguided, Khodorkovsky remains in prison in Siberia to this day. This documentary is the story rife with the country’s entire key political, economic and industry players, and it is a dense, richly woven web of intrigue, politics and clashing male egos.

    Mikhail Khodorkovsky was a rather mild-mannered science and engineering student with an “aura” about him, as fellow students and friends describe him. An avowed socialist, his attentions and ambition soon turn to capitalism when the Cold War began to melt down the country’s communist infra-structure, the U.S.S.R. was becoming Russia again, and soon became very interested in acting and behaving like a proper Western democracy.

    As Russian state assets were sold off, the then government, trying to keep the land, assets and industry primarily “Russian,” were forced to sell to the lowest Russian bidder, as funds were simply not accessible, impossible to find on any sort of reasonable scale, inside of mother Russia itself. Khodorkovsky and his friends had cleverly started a bank during this time. In 1995, they acquired the main Russian oil company, later to become Yukos, for the paltry sum of $330 million. The government, again, felt obliged to sell, at an auction, it was noted later, which had very little competition. With part of their original company’s manifesto stating, “Let capitalism be our compass,” Khodorkovsky and his team soon became major global players- meeting with heads of state, zipping around in private jets, and Khodorkovsky himself consulting the Russian government itself about how to form its newly democratic judicial system.

    The documentary is really quite fascinating, as it is at once dissecting a current event in Russia’s ever-changing economic-political history, and how it will establish itself in the global economy, as well as examining the will that comes to blows of two very different types of men: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and Mikhail Khodorkovsky himself.

    When the government learns that Yukos may soon be going partially public, could be bought and owned by outside investors, (read- the US! Exxon! Mobile!) Putin and his cabinet are clearly hysterically nervous about this: What would a westernized Russia look like? What would it mean? Most importantly, would they have the same control? As we stare at Putin’s face in the footage and photos, we wonder: Does he care about saving Russia, or simply his place in the world, his career, and place in society?

    It is due to Tuschi’s film, which is five years in the making, that we get the complete picture. As his interviews with young, hip Russians illustrate, the party line in Russia is still that Khodorkovsky stole from his own government, and is, basically, a pretty evil guy. But as Putin’s actions escalate, we can see it truly is not Russia or her people he is worried about. He is pissed off, and it we see it devolving into a strange, globally witnessed “mano-a-mano” confrontation.

    Tuschi actually became pen-pals of sorts with Khodorkovsky, and in voice-over the audience learns what a thoughtful, ambitious, and critical thinker Khodorkovsky is. He also seems steadfast in his views today, and Tuschi even gets the chance to interview him after he stand son trial for another bogus charge of stealing “350 million barrels of oil” from his own company. “You would have to circle the earth three times with a freight train to transport that much oil. Where would we have hidden it?” Khodorkovsky says, exasperated and almost cheerfully. “These charges are absurd.”

    Weaving these moments in with a stark, black and white animation to highlight specific flash-backs, it is absolutely fascinating to ponder his refusal to leave Russia as a genius mastermind chess move by Khodorkovsky. He has the will to not have only become the richest man in the world under forty at one time, certainly. But-by showing Russia itself and the rest of the world how corrupt their current Russian government really is, could he really get out of jail and end up running the country? We see a capitalist who is now a major human rights case, a man who is at first incensed by Putin’s smallness. Then, like the entrepreneur that he surely is, the viewer could also surmise that this man with the iron will to succeed could very well turn his catastrophe into a truly grand political opportunity.

    “It is difficult for a small-minded man to get over a slight.” to paraphrase Khodorkovsky in writing to Tuschi about Putin. This is a truly a wonderful documentary- expansive, glowing, exhausting, heart-rending and informative- and, like an animated political discussion in an your favorite coffee shop with new friends- it completely stays with you. Playing at the Film Forum in NYC until December 13th.

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  • RESTLESS CITY and the Winners of 8th Bahamas International Film Festival

    [caption id="attachment_1970" align="alignnone"]RESTLESS CITY[/caption]

    The 8th Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) awarded the film RESTLESS CITY with the New Visions prize, but the audience voted the Jamaican film BETTER MUS’ COME the Best Film at the now wrapped festival. Restless City, an official selection of the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, tells the story of an Africa immigrant surviving on the fringes of New York City where music is his passion, life is a hustle, and falling in love is his greatest risk.

    [caption id="attachment_1971" align="alignnone" width="550"]Better Mus Come[/caption]

    Better Mus’ Come set in 1970’s Jamaica, is a violent film that captures the deep rooted conflict at the heart of Jamaican politics.

    [caption id="attachment_920" align="alignnone"]MARATHON BOY[/caption]

    MARATHON BOY about the four-year-old boy in India famous for running long distance races and his relationship with his mentor-trainer was awarded the Spirit of Freedom: Documentary award.

    BIFF 2011 winners are:

    New Visions
    RESTLESS CITY (USA) / Director: Andrew Dosunmu

    First Look
    Best Feature: AMOS (The Bahamas)  / Director: Karen Arthur, Thomas Neuwirth

    Best Short: FIVE BONES (The Bahamas) / Director: Tyler Johnston

    *Honorable mention to TALL TALE OF AN ACCIDENTAL TOURIST (The Bahamas) / Director: Jason Evans

    Spirit of Freedom: Narrative
    VIPS (Brazil) / Director: Toniko Melo

    *Honorable mention to BETTER MUS’ COME (Jamaica) / Director: Storm Saulter

    Spirit of Freedom: Documentary
    MARATHON BOY (USA/UK/India) / Director: Gemma Atwal

    *Honorable mention to ZERO PERCENT (USA) / Director: Tim Skousen

    Short Film
    HOMECOMING (USA) / Director: Gursimran Sandhu

    2011 BIFF Audience Awards
    Best Narrative Feature: BETTER MUS’ COME (Jamaica) / Director: Storm Saulter

    Best Documentary: ON THE WINGS OF MEN (USA/The Bahamas) / Director: Calvin Dwight Harris

    Winning screenplay in BIFF’s Filmmakers’ Residency Program is Danea Cash’s screenplay MARCH ON.

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  • Cinema Eye Honors to Honor Frederick Wiseman’s Documentary 1967 documentary, Titicut Follies

    [caption id="attachment_1968" align="alignnone" width="550"]Titicut Follies[/caption]

    The Cinema Eye Honors for Nonfiction Filmmaking will present the 2012 Legacy Award to the landmark 1967 documentary, Titicut Follies, a stark and graphic portrayal of the conditions that existed at the State Prison for the Criminally Insane at Bridgewater, Massachusetts.  Filmmaker Frederick Wiseman will accept the award on behalf of the film at this year’s Cinema Eye ceremony.

    “It’s hard for me to believe that Titicut Follies was shot forty-six years ago,” said Wiseman.  “I’m thrilled to receive the Cinema Eye Legacy Award but it is tough for me to deal with the implications.”

    The award will be presented on January 11, 2012 at the 5th Annual Cinema Eye Honors ceremony to be held at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, New York.  A Stranger Than Fiction screening of Titicut Follies will be held the following week, on January 17, at the IFC Center, on the eve of the opening of Wiseman’s latest film, Crazy Horse, which debuts at New York’s Film Forum on January 18, before rolling out to theaters nationwide.

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  • 2012 San Joaquin International Film Festival unveils Official Selections

     

    The 5th San Joaquin International Film Festival (SJIFF) annouced its official selections. The Festival will run in Stockton, California from January 12th-14th at the Stockton Empire Theatre (1825 Pacific Avenue), and January 15th at the Janet Leigh Theatre (3601 Pacific Avenue) on the campus of University of the Pacific. The Festival will launch on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 with the original Swiss comedy “The Sandman” with Director Peter Luisi in person, and will wrap on Sunday, January 15th with the American biographical documentary “Carol Channing: Larger than Life.”

    – From Founder-Director Sophoan Sorn: “Selections for 2012 come from master directors, auteurs and new talents of 16 countries, including winners from the European Film Awards, Festival de Cannes, the Goyas (Spain), the Ophirs (Israel) and the Student Academy Awards; while several films are running for the 2012 Oscars. We feel so proud to be a gateway and a unique opportunity for the people of San Joaquin to experience some of the best of recent World Cinema. Now in its fifth year, the San Joaquin International Film Festival has become an annual tradition for the community.”

    – From SJ Film Society Chairman Shane Williamson: “This year’s festival is filled with impressive films from across the globe which were carefully hand picked. The line-up showcases not only diverse subjects for broad audiences but impeccable award winning quality and films with relevant topics of our world today.”

    FEATURES

    “Amigo” – A village mayor caught in the murderous crossfire of the Philippine-American War, in a powerful drama of friendship, betrayal, romance and heartbreaking violence. Director John Sayles, The Philippines/USA, 124min.

    “Chico & Rita” – Havana, 1948. A passionate love story between a young jazz pianist called Chico and Rita, a singer with a bewitching voice. Directors Fernando Trueba, Javier Mariscal, Tono Errando, Spain/UK, 94min. Valley Premiere.

    “Le Havre” – When an African boy arrives by cargo ship in the French port city of Le Havre, an aging shoe shiner takes pity on the child and welcomes him into his home. Director Aki Kaurismäki, Finland/France, 93min. Centerpiece Film.

     

    [caption id="attachment_2238" align="alignnone"]My Wedding and Other Secrets[/caption]


    “My Wedding and Other Secrets” – A romantic comedy based on a true story of a New Zealand-born Chinese woman convincing her traditional Hong Kong parents to let her marry her Caucasian boyfriend. Director Roseanne Liang, New Zealand, 88min.

    “Remembrance” (“Die verlorene Zeit”) – A remarkable love story that blossomed amidst the terror of a German concentration camp in 1944 Poland. Director Anna Justice, Germany/Poland, 108min. Valley Premiere.

    “Restoration” (“Boker tov adon Fidelman”) – A triangle of fatherhood ties, a triangle of love. A drama about a family’s effort to save their antique restoration business. Director Yossi Madmony, Israel, 105min. Valley Premiere.

    “The Sandman” (“Der Sandmann”) – One fine morning, Benno finds sand in his bed. While he tries to ignore this at first, he soon must realize that he himself is loosing the sand… Director Peter Luisi (In Person), Switzerland, 88min. Opening Night Film. Valley Premiere.

    “Winter’s Daughter” (“Wintertochter”) A heartwarming film for the family about a young Polish girl who searches for her Russian sailor father. Director Johannes Schmid, Germany/Poland, 93min. Valley Premiere.

    DOCUMENTARIES

    “Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” – The Muppet Elmo is one of the most beloved characters among children across the globe. Meet the unlikely man behind the puppet – the heart and soul of Elmo – Kevin Clash. Director Constance Marks, USA, 80min. Centerpiece film.

    “Carol Channing: Larger than Life” – The story of legendary performer Carol Channing’s life is as colorful as the lipstick on her big, bright smile. Feel the magic and vivacity of the 90-year-old icon – both onstage and off…past and present. Director Dori Berinstein, USA, 84min. Closing Night film.

    [caption id="attachment_2239" align="alignnone"]Rice Field of Dreams[/caption]

    “Rice Field of Dreams” – The journey of Cambodia’s first national baseball team. Director Daron Ker, Cambodia/USA, 75min.

     


    SHORTS

    “Between Heaven and Earth” – Brothers Koroballa and Tiemogo try to escape the brutality of African life by sneaking into the landing section of a plane. York-Fabian Raabe, Germany/South Africa, 15min. Fiction short. Valley Premiere.

    “I Don’t Want to Go Back Alone” (“Eu Não Quero Voltar Sozinho”) – A 15 year-old blind teenager deals with the jealousy of his friend Giovana while figuring out the new feelings he’s having towards his new friend, Gabriel. Director Daniel Ribeiro, Brazil, 17min. Fiction short. Valley Premiere.

    “The First Anders” (“Den Første Anders”) – A father tries to teach his artistic and troubled young son a valuable lesson, with a story spanning over one thousand years of Danish history and countless generations of the family Andersen. Director Kristian Ussing Andersen, Denmark, 9min. Fiction short. Northern California Premiere.

    “Kahanikar – The Storyteller” – Seven-year-old Nirmala attempts to grapple with the demons of her granddad’s dementia when he starts to forget the details of her favourite story. Director Nandita Jain, UK, 10min. Animated short. Northern California Premiere.

    “A Salton Soul” – June Eilers came to the Salton Sea when her father opened the Date Palm Beach resort in the Roaring Twenties. As the sea slowly begins to dry up, she reflects on a lifetime of priceless memories. Director Mike Agnew, Greg Balkin, Tim Kressin, USA, 13min. Documentary short. Northern California Premiere.

    “Tuba Atlantic” – Oskar is dying, and is ready to forgive his brother for a disagreement years ago. Will he reach his brother, who he believes live on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, before it is too late? Director Hallvar Witzø, Norway, 25min. Fiction short. Northern California Premiere.

    “The Vermeers” – Experience Jan Vermeer’s paintings (1632-1675) through the contemporary digital palette. Director Tal S. Shamir, USA, 5min. Experimental short. Northern California Premiere.

     

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  • IFC Films to Release PEACE, LOVE & MISUNDERSTANDING starring Jane Fonda

    IFC Films will release director Bruce Beresford’s dramatic comedy Peace, Love & Misunderstanding. The film boasts an all-star cast headlined by Academy Award® winner Jane Fonda, two-time Academy Award® nominee Catherine Keener, Kyle MacLachlan, Elizabeth Olsen, Chace Crawford, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Rosanna Arquette and Nat Wolff.

    Fonda makes her return to the screen working with Australian film veteran Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy, Tender Mercies, Mao’s Last Dancer). Together with a wonderful cast, they deliver a heartfelt and funny comedy about reunion and second chances. Diane is a conservative lawyer (Keener) who, after splitting with her husband, takes her two teenage children, Zoe (Olsen) and Jake (Wolff) to meet their estranged, eccentric grandmother Grace (Fonda), the epitome of the term “free spirit” who lives in Woodstock, NY. Her personality was always so immense Diane felt there was rarely any room for anyone else. The film playfully depicts a string of new beginnings founded in letting go of the past. Diane isn’t sure what she came to Woodstock for, but what she finds is an open offer of motherly solace, the chance to bond with her children and perhaps the opportunity to open her heart to someone new. She meets a carpenter/singer/songwriter named Jude (Morgan). He’s handsome, generous, impulsive, and really corny. He also clearly adores her. But is Diane ready for romance? Meanwhile her daughter also meets a local (Crawford) who she connects with.

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  • Washington DC Critics Pick The Artist as Best Film of 2011

    [caption id="attachment_1882" align="alignnone"]The Artist[/caption]

    The Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics Association (WAFCA) this morning announced their 2011 winners, and the winner of Best Film went to the black-and-white, silent film homage “The Artist.” Splitting Best Film and Best Director, Martin Scorsese won top directing honors for “Hugo.”

    Best Actor and Best Actress went to two former television stars, George Clooney (for his role as a grieving husband in “The Descendants”) and Michelle Williams (for channeling film icon Marilyn Monroe in “My Week with Marilyn”), respectively. Albert Brooks won Best Supporting Actor for his role as a cutthroat mobster in “Drive,” and Octavia Spencer won Best Supporting Actress for her role as an outspoken maid in “The Help.” The Best Acting Ensemble award went to the cast of the ribald comedy, “Bridesmaids.”

    “The Descendants,” about a man who discovers his comatose wife had been cheating on him, also won Best Adapted Screenplay, while “50/50,” about a young man’s challenge to overcome cancer, secured Best Original Screenplay.

    Best Animated Feature went to special effects juggernaut Industrial Light and Magic’s first animated film, “Rango;” Best Documentary went to Werner Herzog’s “Cave of Forgotten Dreams,” about the discovery of 30,000-year-old cave paintings in France; and Pedro Almod—var’s “The Skin I Live In” took home Best Foreign Language Film.

    Best Art Direction went to Production Designer icon Dante Ferretti and Set Decorator Francesca Lo Schiavo for “Hugo.” Emmanuel Lubezki won Best Cinematography for his work on Terrence Malick’s contemplative “The Tree of Life.” Ludovic Bource won Best Score for his omnipresent work in “The Artist.”

    The Washington, D.C. Area Film Critics Association is comprised of 43 DC-VA-MD-based film critics from television, radio, print and the Internet. Voting was conducted from December 2-4, 2011.

    THE 2011 WAFCA AWARD WINNERS: 

    Best Film:
    The Artist

    Best Director:
    Martin Scorsese (Hugo)

    Best Actor:
    George Clooney (The Descendants)

    Best Actress:
    Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)

    Best Supporting Actor:
    Albert Brooks (Drive)

    Best Supporting Actress:
    Octavia Spencer (The Help)

    Best Acting Ensemble:
    Bridesmaids

    Best Adapted Screenplay:
    Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash (The Descendants)

    Best Original Screenplay:
    Will Reiser (50/50)

    Best Animated Feature:
    Rango

    Best Documentary:
    Cave of Forgotten Dreams

    Best Foreign Language Film:
    The Skin I Live In

    Best Art Direction:
    Dante Ferretti, Production Designer, and Francesca Lo Schiavo, Set Decorator (Hugo)

    Best Cinematography:
    Emmanuel Lubezki (The Tree of Life)

    Best Score:
    Ludovic Bource (The Artist)


    The 2011 WAFCA AWARD NOMINEES Were:

    Best Film:
    The Artist
    The Descendants
    Drive
    Hugo
    Win Win

    Best Director:
    Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris)
    Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist)
    Alexander Payne (The Descendants)
    Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive)
    Martin Scorsese (Hugo)

    Best Actor:
    George Clooney (The Descendants)
    Jean Dujardin (The Artist)
    Michael Fassbender (Shame)
    Brad Pitt (Moneyball)
    Michael Shannon (Take Shelter)

    Best Actress:
    Viola Davis (The Help)
    Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene)
    Meryl Streep (The Iron Lady)
    Tilda Swinton (We Need to Talk About Kevin)
    Michelle Williams (My Week with Marilyn)

    Best Supporting Actor:
    Kenneth Branagh (My Week with Marilyn)
    Albert Brooks (Drive)
    John Hawkes (Martha Marcy May Marlene)
    Christopher Plummer (Beginners)
    Andy Serkis (Rise of the Planet of the Apes)

    Best Supporting Actress:
    Bérénice Bejo (The Artist)
    Melissa McCarthy (Bridesmaids)
    Carey Mulligan (Shame)
    Octavia Spencer (The Help)
    Shailene Woodley (The Descendants)

    Best Acting Ensemble:
    Bridesmaids
    Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2
    The Help
    Hugo
    Margin Call

    Best Adapted Screenplay:
    Alexander Payne and Nat Faxon & Jim Rash (The Descendants)
    Tate Taylor (The Help)
    John Logan (Hugo)
    Steven Zaillian and Aaron Sorkin (Moneyball)
    Bridget O’Connor & Peter Straughan (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy)

    Best Original Screenplay:
    Woody Allen (Midnight in Paris)
    Michel Hazanavicius (The Artist)
    Tom McCarthy (Win Win)
    Annie Mumolo & Kristen Wiig (Bridesmaids)
    Will Reiser (50/50)

    Best Animated Feature:
    The Adventures of Tintin
    Arthur Christmas
    Puss in Boots
    Rango
    Winnie the Pooh

    Best Documentary:
    Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey
    Buck
    Cave of Forgotten Dreams
    Into the Abyss: A Tale of Death, A Tale of Life
    Project Nim

    Best Foreign Language Film:
    13 Assassins
    Certified Copy
    I Saw the Devil
    Pina
    The Skin I Live In

    Best Art Direction:
    Lawrence Bennett, Production Designer, and Gregory S. Hooper, Art Director (The Artist)
    Stuart Craig, Production Designer, and Stephenie McMillan, Set Decorator (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2)
    Dante Ferretti, Production Designer, and Francesca Lo Schiavo, Set Decorator (Hugo)
    Jack Fisk, Production Designer, and Jeanette Scott, Set Decorator (The Tree of Life)
    Rick Carter, Production Designer, and Lee Sandales, Set Decorator (War Horse)

    Best Cinematography:
    Guillaume Schiffman (The Artist)
    Robert Richardson (Hugo)
    Manuel Alberto Claro (Melancholia)
    Emmanuel Lubezki (The Tree of Life)
    Janusz Kaminski (War Horse)

    Best Score:
    Ludovic Bource (The Artist)
    Cliff Martinez (Drive)
    Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo)
    Howard Shore (Hugo)
    John Williams (War Horse)

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  • Toronto International Film Festival unveils its 2011 top 10 Films

    [caption id="attachment_1963" align="alignnone" width="550"]Hobo With a Shotgun[/caption]

    Toronto International Film Festival unveiled the top 10 best features and top 10 best short films of 2011.  Canada’s Top Ten films are chosen from features, shorts, documentaries, animation and experimental films. Each film must have premiered at a major film festival or obtained a commercial theatrical release in Canada in 2011. The filmmaker must be a Canadian citizen or resident, and have a history of working in Canada or on Canadian-financed films.

    Monsieur Lazhar, Canada’s Canada’s official entry for Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award     and audience favorite film at the just wrapped Whistler Film Festival made the list, along with Edwin Boyd, about the mid-century Canadian bank robber, and Starbuck, about a sperm donor who learns he’s fathered more than 500 children.


    Canada’s Top Ten feature film selections for 2011 (in alphabetical order):

    Café de flore — Jean-Marc Vallée (Alliance Films)
    A Dangerous Method — David Cronenberg (Entertainment One)
    Edwin Boyd — Nathan Morlando (Entertainment One)
    Hobo With a Shotgun — Jason Eisener (Alliance Films)
    Keyhole — Guy Maddin (Entertainment One)  
    Marécages — Guy Édoin (Mongrel Media)
    Monsieur Lazhar — Philippe Falardeau (Entertainment One)
    Starbuck — Ken Scott (Entertainment One)
    Take This Waltz — Sarah Polley (Mongrel Media)
    Le Vendeur — Sébastien Pilote (Entertainment One)



    Canada’s Top Ten short film selections for 2011 (in alphabetical order):

    Choke — Michelle Latimer
    Doubles With Slight Pepper — Ian Harnarine
    The Fuse: Or How I Burned Simon Bolivar — Igor Drljaca
    Hope — Pedro Pires (Phi Group)
    No Words Came Down — Ryan Flowers and Lisa Pham
    Ora — Philippe Baylaucq (National Film Board of Canada)
    Rhonda’s Party — Ashley McKenzie
    La Ronde — Sophie Goyette (Locomotion Films)
    Trotteur — Arnaud Brisebois and Francis Leclerc (Phi Group and Cirrus Communications)
    We Ate the Children Last — Andrew Cividino

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  • Morgan Spurlock’s fanboy documentary COMIC-CON to be released

    Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Morgan Spurlock’s fanboy documentary COMIC-CON EPISODE IV – A FAN’S HOPE will be released theatrically in Spring 2012 in conjunction with a multi-city tour of the film by a partnership bewteen Wrekin Hill Entertainment and National Entertainment Collectibles Association (NECA), a movie merchandising company.

    COMIC-CON EPISODE IV – A FAN’S HOPE takes a behind-the-scenes look at this amazing cultural phenomenon where fans gather by the tens of thousands annually to attend the ultimate geek mecca in San Diego — a fringe comic book convention that has grown into the pop culture event of the year.

     

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  • Chico & Rita, Tintin Among Annie Nominees for Best Animated Films of 2011

    [caption id="attachment_1787" align="alignnone"]Chico & Rita[/caption]

    The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood announced the nominations and award recipients for the 39th Annual Annie Awards. Chico & Rita will compete along with A Cat in Paris, Arrugas,  Arthur Christmas, Cars 2, Kung Fu Panda 2, Puss In Boots, Rango, Rio, and Tintin for Best Animated Feature Film of 2011. Awards will be handed out at the 39th Annual Annie Awards scheduled for Saturday, February 4, 2012 at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles, California.

    PRODUCTION CATEGORIES___________________________

    Best Animated Feature

    A Cat in Paris – Folimage
    Arrugas (Wrinkles) – Perro Verde Films, S.L.
    Arthur Christmas – Sony Pictures Animation, Aardman Animations
    Cars 2 – Pixar Animation Studios
    Chico & Rita – Chico & Rita Distribution Limited
    Kung Fu Panda 2 – DreamWorks Animation
    Puss In Boots – DreamWorks Animation
    Rango – Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present A Blind Wink/GK Films Production
    Rio – Blue Sky Studios
    Tintin – Amblin Entertainment, Wingnut Films and Kennedy/Marshall

    Annie Award for Best Animated Special Production

    Adventure Time: Thank You – Cartoon Network Studios
    Batman: Year One – Warner Bros. Animation
    Ice Age: A Mammoth Christmas – Blue Sky Studios
    Kung Fu Panda – Secrets of the Masters – DreamWorks Animation
    Prey 2 – Blur Studio
    Star Tours – Industrial Light & Magic

    Best Animated Short Subject

    Adam and Dog – Minkyu Lee
    I Tawt I Taw A Puddy Tat – Warner Bros. Animation
    La Luna – Pixar Animation Studios
    (Notes on) Biology – Ornana Films
    Paths of Hate – Platige Image
    Sunday – National Film Board of Canada
    The Ballad of Nessie –Walt Disney Animation Studios
    The Girl and the Fox – Base14
    Wild Life – National Film Board of Canada

    Best Animated Television Commercial

    Audi “Hummingbird” – The Mill
    Geico “Foghorn” – Renegade Animation
    McDonald’s “Apple Tree”– Duck Studios/Kompost
    McDonald’s “Suzi Van Zoom” – Duck Studios/Kompost
    Norton “Stuff”– Psyop
    O2 “Niggles & Narks” –The Mill
    Statoil “Good Night” – Studio AKA
    “The Pirate” – Meindbender
    Twinings “Sea” – Psyop

    Best General Audience Animated TV Production

    Archer – FX Productions
    Green Lantern: The Animated Series – Warner Bros. Animation
    Hoops & YoYo Ruin Christmas – Hallmark
    MAD – Warner Bros. Animation
    Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole Season 2 – Starburns Industries, Inc.
    Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Star Wars: The Clone Wars – Lucasfilm Animation, Ltd.
    The Simpsons – Gracie Films

    Best Animated Television Production – Preschool

    Chuggington – Ludorum plc
    Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates – Disney Television Animation
    Disney Mickey Mouse Clubhouse – Disney Television Animation
    The WotWots Season 2 – Pukeko Pictures

    Best Animated Television Production – Children

    Fanboy and Chum Chum – Nickelodeon and Frederator
    Kung Fu Panda – Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation
    Penguins of Madagascar – Nickelodeon and DreamWorks Animation
    The Amazing World of Gumball – Cartoon Network in Association with Dandelion Studios, Boulder Media & Studio Soi

    Best Animated Video Game

    Bumpy Road – Simogo
    Catherine – Atlus
    Gears of War 3 – Epic Games
    Gesundheit – Konami Digital Entertainment
    Ghost Trick: “Phantom Detective” – Capcom
    Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet – Shadow Planet Productions, Gagne/Fuelcell
    Ratchet and Clank: All 4 One – Insomniac Games
    Rayman Origins – Ubisoft Montpellier
    Uncharted 3: Drake’s Deception – Naughty Dog



    INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT CATEGORIES___________________

    Animated Effects in an Animated Production

    Can Yuksel “Puss In Boots” – DreamWorks Animation
    Chase Cooper “Rango” – Industrial Light & Magic
    Dan Lund “Winnie The Pooh” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Dave Tidgwell “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation
    Eric Froemling “Cars 2” – Pixar Animation Studios
    Jason Mayer “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation
    Joel Aron “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” – Lucasfilm Animation, Ltd.
    Jon Reisch “Cars 2” – Pixar Animation Studios
    Kevin Romond “Tintin” – Amblin Entertainment, Wingnut Films and Kennedy/Marshall
    Willi Geiger “Rango” – Industrial Light & Magic

    Animated Effects in a Live Action Production

    Branko Grujcic “Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides”– Industrial Light & Magic
    Florent Andarra “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” – Industrial Light & Magic
    Gary Wu “Cowboys & Aliens”– Industrial Light & Magic
    Lee Uren “Cowboys & Aliens” – Industrial Light & Magic

    Character Animation in a Television Production

    Chad Sellers “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Michael Franceschi “Kung Fu Panda” – Nickelodeon
    Rebecca Wilson Bresee “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Sihanouk Mariona “Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole Season 2” – Starburns Industries, Inc.
    Tony Smeed “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” – Walt Disney Animation Studios

    Character Animation in a Feature Production

    Andreas Deja “Winnie The Pooh” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Dan Wagner “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation
    Jeff Gabor “Rio” – Blue Sky Studios
    Mark Henn “Winnie The Pooh” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Olivier Staphylas “Puss In Boots” – DreamWorks Animation
    Patrik Puhala “Rio” – Blue Sky Studios
    Pierre Perifel “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation

    Character Animation in a Live Action Production

    Andy Arnett “HOP” – Rhythm & Hues, Illumination Entertainment
    David Lowry “Paul” – Double Negative Visual Effects for Universal Productions/ Relativity Media/Working Title Films/Big Talk Productions
    Eric Reynolds “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” – 20th Century Fox
    Mike Hull “Paul” – Double Negative Visual Effects for Universal Productions/Relativity Media/Working Title Films/Big Talk Productions

    Character Design in a Television Production

    Bill Schwab “Prep & Landing” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Carl Raggio “Disney Kick Buttowski” – Disney Television Animation
    Chad Hurd “Archer” – FX Productions
    Chris Battle “Dan Vs.” – Starz Film Roman
    Eric Robles “Fanboy and Chum Chum” – Nickelodeon & Frederator
    Gordon Hammond “TUFF Puppy” – Nickelodeon
    Mike Dougherty “TUFF Puppy” – Nickelodeon
    Robert Ryan Cory “Secret Mountain Fort Awesome” – Cartoon Network Studios

    Character Design in a Feature Production

    Jay Shuster “Cars 2” – Pixar Animation Studios
    Mark “Crash” McCreery “Rango” – Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present A Blind Wink/GK Films Productions
    Patrick Mate “Puss In Boots” – DreamWorks Animation
    Peter de Seve “Arthur Christmas” – Sony Pictures Animation, Aardman Animations
    Sergio Pablos “Rio” – Blue Sky Studios

    Directing in a Television Production

    Brian Sheesley “Dan Vs.” – Starz Film Roman
    Chris Savino & Clay Morrow “Disney Kick Buttowski” – Disney Television Animation
    Dan Riba “Ben 10 Ultimate Alien” – Cartoon Network Studios
    Duke Johnson “Community” – 23 D Films, Inc.
    Gabe Swarr “Kung Fu Panda” – Nickelodeon
    Ken Bruce “TUFF Puppy” – Nickelodeon
    Kevin Deters & Stevie Wermers-Skelton “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice”– Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Matthew Nastuk “The Simpsons” – Gracie Films
    Mic Graves & Ben Bocquelet “The Amazing World of Gumball” – Cartoon Network Europe in association with Dandelion Studios, Boulder Media & Studio Soi
    Peter Hausner “Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu” – Wil Film
    Steve Loter, Christo Stamboliev, Shaun Cashman, David Knott “Penguins of Madagascar” – Nickelodeon and Technicolor
    Tony Craig “Hoops & YoYo Ruin Christmas” – Hallmark

    Directing in a Feature Production

    Carlos Saldahna “Rio” – Blue Sky Studios
    Chris Miller “Puss In Boots” – DreamWorks Animation
    Don Hall & Stephen Anderson “Winnie The Pooh” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Gore Verbinski “Rango” – Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present a Blind Wink/GK Films Productions
    Jennifer Yuh Nelson “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation
    Kelly Asbury “Gnomeo & Juliet” – Touchstone Pictures

    Music in a Television Production

    Adam Berry, Bob Schooley, Mark McCorkle “Penguins of Madagascar” – Nickelodeon and Technicolor
    Ben Locket “The Amazing World of Gumball” – Cartoon Network Europe in association with Dandelion Studios, Boulder Media & Studio Soi
    Frederik Wiedmann “Green Lantern The Animated Series” – Warner Bros. Animation
    Grace Potter, Michael Giacchino “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Joel McNeely, Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda “Pixie Hollow Games”– DisneyToon Studios
    Kevin Kliesch “Thundercats” – Warner Bros. Animation and Cartoon Network
    Shawn Patterson, Zeb Wells “Robot Chicken” – ShadowMachine and Stoopid Monkey in association with Adult Swim

    Music in a Feature Production

    Henry Jackman “Puss In Boots” – DreamWorks Animation
    John Williams “Tintin” – Amblin Entertainment, Wingnut Films and Kennedy/Marshall
    Mikael Mutti, Siedah Garrett, Carlinhos Brown, Sergio Mendes, John Powell, “Rio” – Blue Sky Studios
    Zooey Deschannel, Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Henry Jackman, Robert Lopez “Winnie The Pooh” – Walt Disney Animation Studios

    Production Design in a Television Production

    Mark Bodnar, Chris Tsirgiotis, Sue Mondt and Daniel Elson “Secret Mountain Fort Awesome” – Cartoon Network Studios
    Peter Martin “Hoops & YoYo Ruin Christmas” – Hallmark

    Production Design in a Feature Production

    Harley Jessup “Cars 2” – Pixar Animation Studios
    Paul Felix “Winnie The Pooh” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Raymond Zilbach “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation
    Tom Cardone, Kyle MacNaughton & Peter Chan “Rio” – Blue Sky Studios

    Storyboarding in a Television Production

    Barry W. Johnson “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Benton Connor “Regular Show” – Cartoon Network Studios
    Brian Kesinger “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Dave Thomas “TUFF Puppy” – Nickelodeon
    Fred Gonzalez “TUFF Puppy” – Nickelodeon
    Joe Mateo “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Justin Nichols “Fanboy & Chum Chum” – Nickelodeon & Frederator
    Katie Rice “Fanboy & Chum Chum”– Nickelodeon & Frederator
    Rebecca Sugar “Adventure Time” – Cartoon Network Studios

    Storyboarding in a Feature Production

    Bob Logan “Puss In Boots” – DreamWorks Animation
    Delia Gosman “Rango” – Paramount Pictures & Nickelodeon Movies present A Blind Wink/GK Films Production
    Gary Graham “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation
    Jeremy Spears “Winnie The Pooh” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    Josh Hayes “Rango” – Paramount Pictures & Nickelodeon Movies present A Blind Wink/GK Films Production
    Kris Pearn “Arthur Christmas” – Sony Pictures Animation, Aardman Animations
    Nelson Yokota “Gnomeo and Juliet” – Touchstone Pictures
    Philip Craven “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation
    Scott Morse “Cars 2” – Pixar Animation Studios

    Voice Acting in a Television Production

    Carlos Alazraqui as Denzel Crocker “Fairly OddParents” – Nickelodeon
    Dan Harmon as Jekyll “Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole Season 2” – Starburns Industries, Inc.
    Daran Norris as Cosmo “Fairly OddParents” – Nickelodeon
    Dee Bradley Baker as Clone Troopers “Star Wars: The Clone Wars”– Lucasfilm Animation, Ltd.
    Diedrich Bader as Batman “Batman: The Brave and the Bold” – Warner Bros. Animation
    H. Jon Benjamin as Sterling Archer “Archer” – FX Productions
    Jeff Bennett as Kowalski “Penguins of Madagascar” – Nickelodeon and Technicolor
    Jeff B. Davis as Victor Frankenstein “Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole Season 2” – Starburns Industries, Inc.
    Jessica Walter as Malory Archer “Archer” – FX Productions
    Judy Greer as Cheryl Tunt “Archer” – FX Productions
    Logan Grove as Gumball “The Amazing World of Gumball” – Cartoon Network Europe in association with Dandelion Studios, Boulder Media & Studio Soi
    Nika Futterman as Asajj Ventress “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” – Lucasfilm Animation, Ltd.
    Scott Adsit as the Creature “Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole Season 2” – Starburns Industries, Inc.
    Tara Strong as Timmy Turner “Fairly OddParents – Operation: Dinkleberg” – Nickelodeon

    Voice Acting in a Feature Production

    Ashley Jensen as Bryony “Arthur Christmas” – Sony Pictures Animation, Aardman Animations
    Bill Nighy as Grandsanta “Arthur Christmas” – Sony Pictures Animation, Aardman Animations
    Gary Oldman as Shen “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation
    James Hong as Mr. Ping “Kung Fu Panda 2” DreamWorks Animation
    Jemaine Clement as Nigel “Rio” – Blue Sky Studios
    Jim Cummings as Featherstone “Gnomeo and Juliet” – Touchstone Pictures
    Zach Galifianakis as Humpty Alexander Dumpty “Puss In Boots” – DreamWorks Animation

    Writing in a Television Production

    Blake Lemons, William Reiss, C.H. Greenblatt, Derek Evanick, Diana Lafyatis, Neil Graf “Disney Fish Hooks – Fish School Musical” – Disney Television Animation
    Carolyn Omine “The Simpsons -Treehouse of Horror XXII” – Gracie Films
    Dani MIchaeli, Sean Charmatz, Nate Cash, Luke Brookshier, Paul Tibbitt “SpongeBob SquarePants – Patrick’s Staycation” – Nickelodeon
    Josh Weinstein “Futurama – All The President’s Heads” – The Curiosity Company in association with 20th Century Fox Television
    Kevin Sullivan, Will Schifrin, Ray DeLaurentis “TUFF Puppy Thunder Dog” – Nickelodeon
    Matt Maiellaro, Dave Willis “Aqua Unit Patrol Squad 1 – The Creditor” – Williams Street Studios, Adult Swim
    Ray DeLaurentis, Will Schifrin, Kevin Sullivan “Fairly OddParents “Invasion of the Dads” – Nickelodeon
    Steve Wermers-Skelton, Kevin Deters “Prep & Landing: Naughty vs. Nice” – Walt Disney Animation Studios

    Writing in a Feature Production

    Andy Riley, Kevin Cecil, Mark Burton, Kathy Greenburg, Emily Cook, Rob Sprackling, John R. Smith, Kelly Asbury, Steve Hamilton “Gnomeo & Juliet” – Touchstone Pictures
    Brian Kesinger, Kendelle Hoyer, Don Dougherty, Clio Chang, Don Hall, Stephen Anderson “Winnie The Pooh” – Walt Disney Animation Studios
    John Logan, Gore Verbinski and James Byrkit “Rango” – Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present A Blind Wink/GK Films Productions
    Sarah Smith, Peter Baynham “Arthur Christmas” – Sony Pictures Animation, Aardman Animations
    Steve Moffat, Edgar Wright, Joe Cronish “Tintin”– Amblin Entertainment, Wingnut Films and Kennedy/Marshall

    Editing in Television Production

    Garret Elkins “Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole Season 2” – Starburn Industries, Inc.
    Hugo Morales, Davrick Waltjen, Adam Arnold “Kung Fu Panda” Nickelodeon
    Jason W.A. Tucker “Star Wars: The Clone Wars” – Lucasfilm Animation, Ltd.
    Paul D. Calder “Futurama” – The Curiosity Company in association with 20th Century Fox Television
    Ted Machold, Jeff Adams, Doug Tiano, Bob Tomlin “Penguins of Madagascar” – Nickelodeon and Technicolor

    Editing in a Feature Production

    Clare Knight, A.C.E. “Kung Fu Panda 2” – DreamWorks Animation
    Craig Wood, A.C.E. “Rango” – Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies present A Blind Wink/GK Films Productions
    Eric Dapkewicz “Puss In Boots” – DreamWorks Animation
    Michael Kahn “Tintin”– Amblin Entertainment, Wingnut Films and Kennedy/Marshall
    Stephen Schaffer, A.C.E. “Cars 2” – Pixar Animation Studios



    JURIED AWARDS__________________________________

    Winsor McCay Award —Walt Peregoy, Borge Ring, Ronald Searle

    June Foray — Art Leonardi

    Special Achievement — Depth Analysis

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