• Morgan Freeman to receive the Cecil B DeMille award at the Golden Globes

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    Morgan Freeman will receive the Cecil B. DeMille award at the Golden Globes ceremony in January. The award is given every year by the HFPA for outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment.

    Freeman won a best actor Golden Globe in 1990 for Driving Miss Daisy and was nominated three more times, for The Shawshank Redemption, Million Dollar Baby, for which he won an Oscar, and Invictus.

    The Cecil B. DeMille was first given in 1952 to the filmmaker whose name it bears and other recipients have included Walt Disney, Joan Crawford, Robert Mitchum and, more recently, Warren Beatty, Anthony Hopkins, Steven Spielberg and Robert DeNiro among others.

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  • Oliver Platt and Edie Falco to cohosts Gotham Independent Film Awards

    Oliver Platt and Edie Falco will co-host the 21st annual Gotham Independent Film Awards ceremony scheduled to take place November 28th 2011 in New York.

    “We are absolutely thrilled to be co-hosting this year’s Gotham Awards,” Platt and Falco said in a joint statement. “We look forward to an evening that celebrates outstanding independent film-making, brave and bold voices against the backdrop of this incredible city.”

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  • Billy Crystal is the new host of the Oscars

    Billy Crystal will replace Eddie Murphy as the host of the 84th Academy Awards. The funny man announced in a tweet, “Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show.”

    This will mark Crystal’s ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.

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  • Brian Grazer is the new producer of 84th Academy Awards

    Academy President Tom Sherak announced today that Academy Award®-winner Brian Grazer will be the replacement for Brett Ratner as the producer of the 84th Academy Awards. This will be the first time Grazer has produced the Oscar® telecast.

    “Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extraordinary body of work,” said Sherak. “He will certainly bring his tremendous talent, creativity and relationships to the Oscars®.”

    “I am thrilled to welcome Brian Grazer as my partner and that we will be  collaborating to produce an outstanding show,” echoed co-producer Don Mischer.

    “It’s very gratifying to be part of a show that honors excellence in the medium to which I have devoted so much of my career,” said Grazer. “Don is a legend, and I am excited to work with him.”

    “I too am delighted that Brian will join Don in producing the Academy Awards and I am looking forward to our producers delivering the movie event of the year,” commented Academy CEO Dawn Hudson.

    Grazer has earned four Academy Award nominations. He won a Best Picture Oscar in 2001 for “A Beautiful Mind.” In 1984, Grazer was nominated in the writing category for “Splash,” and he received Best Picture nominations in 1995 and 2008 for “Apollo 13” and “Frost/Nixon,” respectively.  His other film credits include “Spies Like Us,” “Kindergarten Cop,” “The Nutty Professor,” “Liar Liar,” “8 Mile” and “Cinderella Man.”  His current projects include the about to be released “J. Edgar” and the just released “Tower Heist.”

    Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012.

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  • Eddie Murphy Quits as Host of 84th Academy Awards

    One day after Brett Ratner, quit as producer of the 84th Academy Awards, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak announced that Eddie Murphy has withdrawn as host of the 84th Academy Awards. “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well,” said Sherak.

    In the statement, Murphy said, “First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party’s decision with regard to a change of producers for this year’s Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I’m sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job.”

    Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012.

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  • Chinese film producer and director Zhang Yimou to be honored at Asia Pacific Screen Awards

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    Zhang Yimou

     

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  • Filmmakers behind Joe Frazier Film sad about his Passing

    [caption id="attachment_1816" align="alignnone"]Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears[/caption]

    Former heavyweight boxing champion Joe Frazier died at the age of 67 from liver cancer.

    The filmmakers behind the film, “Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears” issued a statement on their website, “It is with deep sadness that all of us involved with the film learned of Joe’s sad passing. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. We are truly grateful for the time Joe spent with us to share his story. We hope in turn that we can share it with the world.”

    Directed and produced by Mike Todd, “Joe Frazier: When the Smoke Clears” is described as the story of the real Joe Frazier.

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  • Aaron Eckhart, James Marsden, Jay and Mark Duplass honored at 2011 Savannah Film Festival

     

    [caption id="attachment_1812" align="alignnone"]Golden Globe-nominated actor Aaron Eckhart [/caption]

    The 14th annual Savannah Film Festival rounded out a full week of special screenings and award presentations by honoring Golden Globe-nominated actor Aaron Eckhart (“The Dark Knight,” “Erin Brockovich”), actor James Marsden (“27 Dresses,” “X-Men”) and the writing/directing brother team of Jay and Mark Duplass (“Cyrus,” “The Puffy Chair”) during the event’s closing weekend.

    Accepting the Outstanding Achievement in Film Award before a packed theater, Eckhart thoughtfully reflected on the driving motivation behind his career. “Early on in my career, I had the privilege to work with Morgan Freeman. Every word out of his mouth was perfect, and take after take was flawless. I asked Morgan, ‘How do you do it?’ and, without missing a beat, he turned and looked me in the eye and said, ‘Thirty years.’ I’m halfway there. After 30-plus movies, I continue to ask, ‘How do you do it?’ The perfect film role—perfection—that’s what drives me, and drives me crazy. Every role I’ve always wanted to be real so you, the audience, can have the most pleasurable experience. That’s why I continuously ask, ‘How do you do it?’”

     

    [caption id="attachment_1813" align="alignnone"]Actor James Marsden[/caption]


    Marsden received the Savannah Film Festival Spotlight Award, which is given to an outstanding young filmmaker. “I moved to L.A. when I was 19, and I’ve been doing this since then. I’ve been doing this for half my life, which just occurred to me today,” he said. “I want to be that guy in his 80’s that people say, ‘You would know him if you saw him. He’s been in everything.’ That’s the actor who’s brave enough to take risks. This award is special because it means I’m doing something right.”

    [caption id="attachment_1814" align="alignnone"]Jay Duplass accepted the SCAD Cinevation Award[/caption]


    Jay Duplass accepted the SCAD Cinevation Award prior to the screening of the Duplass’ new film “Jeff, Who Lives at Home.” Starring Jason Segel, Ed Helms, Judy Greer and Susan Sarandon, the film follows a man who looks to the universe to determine his path but, through a series of comedic and unexpected events, ends up crossing paths with his family in the strangest locations and circumstances. “I want to commend the festival on your excellent taste for choosing my brother and me for this award,” laughed Duplass. “We feel so lucky and it feels so surreal to receive this award.”

    Earlier in the week actress Ellen Barkin (“The Big Easy,” “Ocean’s Thirteen”) and actor Ray Liotta (“Goodfellas,” “Hannibal”) received Outstanding Achievement in Cinema Awards while actress Lily Tomlin (“9 to 5,” “All of Me”) and writer/director Oliver Stone (“Platoon,” “Wall Street”) were honored with Lifetime Achievement Awards.

     

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  • Brett Ratner No Longer Producing the Oscars After Homophobic Slur

    Brett Ratner has resigned as a producer of the 84th annual Academy Awards after reportedly using the homophobic F-word at an event on Sunday night. He reportedly said “Rehearsal is for f*gs,” in response to a question at the event.

    In a statement issued later today, the Academy said, This morning, Brett Ratner submitted his resignation as a producer of the 84th annual Academy Awards to Academy President Tom Sherak. Ratner then issued an open letter to the entertainment industry in which he explained his decision. “He did the right thing for the Academy and for himself,” Sherak said. “Words have meaning, and they have consequences. Brett is a good person, but his comments were unacceptable. We all hope this will be an opportunity to raise awareness about the harm that is caused by reckless and insensitive remarks, regardless of the intent.”


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  • Durban International Film Festival manager Nashen Moodley to head Sydney Film Festival

     

     

    Durban International Film Festival manager Nashen Moodley has been appointed as director of the Sydney Film Festival. Moodley will take up his new position in January. The Sydney Film Festival takes place from June 6 to 17, 2012 while the Durban International Film Festival runs from July 19 to 29, 2012.

    Announcing Moodley’s new appointment, Peter Rorvik, director of the CCA and the Durban International Film Festival, notes: “Nashen has established a reputation as an astute and world-respected film programmer, and whilst his departure is a great loss to DIFF, it is for Nashen a big step into the international arena, and deserved recognition of his skills. Of course he is not just a brilliant programmer, widely-acknowledged by the filmmaking community, but in his broader role as film festival manager he has contributed significantly to the growth and development of the Durban International Film Festival across the past decade. His expertise and understanding of film industry processes are an asset to any organization, and the CCA and DIFF congratulate Nashen on his appointment and wish him well for his future projects and adventures. Both the CCA and the city of Durban will miss this popular personality, and we will certainly maintain our relationship with him. ”

    Sydney Film Festival Chairman, Chris Freeland, said: “Nashen Moodley joins Sydney Film Festival at a time of great strength and growth. His strong international film festival connections and curatorial flair ensure that Sydney will continue to be presented the best films and filmmakers from around the world; whilst highlighting the great films and talent of the Australian film industry.”

    Nashen Moodley said: “Prior to joining DIFF, I was a regular attendee and the festival has been extremely important for me in my cinematic education. I have so enjoyed these past 11 years and, as I embark on this exciting new challenge, I am happy that DIFF is in a position of great strength and opportunity. It was been a great privilege and pleasure for me to work with Peter Rorvik and the dedicated Centre For Creative Arts team, and I wish them all the very best for the future. My intention is to remain closely connected to African cinema and filmmakers and I will remain a friend and keen supporter of DIFF.”

     

     

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  • Australian Film ‘Wedding Party’ Leads Winners of 2011 Bel-Air Film Festival

    [caption id="attachment_1806" align="alignnone"]Best Jury Feature Film Award and Best Feature Film Directing Award: Wedding Party[/caption]

    The Fourth Annual Bel-Air Film Festival was held in from October 12th-17th, and included screening 36 Feature, Documentary, Short, and Student Films.  “The 2011 Bel-Air Film Festival is proud to have showcased the work of filmmakers that have expressed their creativity and innovative spirits, and we are pleased to announce this year’s winners.” –Melody Storm, President of Bel-Air Film Festival.

    2011 Bel-Air Film Festival winning film includes:

    Best Audience Feature Film Award: My Father’s Will
    Written, directed, and produced by Fraydun Manocherian and starring actors Victor Alfieri and Ione Skye. The film is a story about a wealthy and successful businessman, Ferro Olivetti, enjoys the privileges and perks of his social stature, but on his father’s deathbed he promises to obey “his father’s will” and spend one month away from his identity and money.

    Best Audience Jury Documentary Award: Once I Was a Champion
    Written and directed by Gerard Roxburgh. The film debuts the story of Evan Tanner. Tanner was an adventure seeker, fighter, philosopher, writer and alcoholic died on September 8th, 2008 in the desert north of Brawley, California.

    Best Audience Short Film Award: Women
    Directed by Ashley Scott and George Mays and written by Ashley Scott. The film stars Kevin Scott Allen, Lena Biggerstaff, and Evyh Cerhus. “Women,” depicts the age-old dilemma of the feminine role is society. Set in a beautiful nether-France, two exquisite young ladies argue the merits of conforming to society’s idea of femininity versus what women might do if they made their own rules.

    Best Jury Feature Film Award and Best Feature Film Directing Award: Wedding Party
    Directed by Amanda Jane and written by Christine Bartlett. The film stars Josh Lawson, Isabel Lucas, and Steve Bisley. The Wedding party is a modern day love story taking place in Australia. The storyline reviews the struggles between a groom and his bride is a family of misfits and the love of his life

    Best Jury Screenwriting Award: Face to Face
    Written, directed, and produced by Michael Rymer and starring Vince Colosimo, Luke Ford, and Matthew Newton. The feature film is about a group of Australians from diverse backgrounds gather to decide the fate of a violent young man. An Australian ’12 Angry Men’, only there’s ten men, and four women.

    Best Jury Documentary Film Award and Best Jury Film Documentary Award: Beatboxing: The Fifth Element of Hip Hop
    Written and directed by Klaus Schneyder featuring artists Adam Matta, Archangel, Baba Israel, Morganics, Bee Low, Bellatrix and the Boxettes, Butterscotch, Click88, David Eaton, and DJ Shark. The documentary reviews how the late 70s youth culture evolved in the poorer parts of New York which combined several disciplines under the name of Hip Hop. Apart from the four classic elements of Graffiti writing, DJing, Breakdancing, and Rapping, the musical side of this culture was enhanced by a fifth element called, “Beatboxing.”

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  • A Little Closer Wins Top Jury Prize at 2011 Indie Memphis Film Festival

    [caption id="attachment_1804" align="alignnone"]A Little Closer by director Matthew Petock [/caption]

    The 14th Indie Memphis Film Festival ran November 3rd thru 6th, and wrapped on Sunday night with its awards ceremony.  A Little Closer by director Matthew Petock took the top Jury prize for best film. In the film, set in rural Virginia, Sheryl struggles to balance her work as a housekeeper and raising her two sons, fifteen year-old Marc and eleven year-old Stephen. Hoping to meet the love of her life and bring home a father for her boys, she frequents a depressing, weekly mixer for the towns aging singles set. Meanwhile, Marc is desperate to lose his virginity, and spends his days working at a used car lot. And his brother Stephen, in the throes of sexual discovery, becomes infatuated with his schoolteacher while struggling to win the approval of a group of peers who adamantly detest her.

    Heaven + Earth + Joe Davis, directed by Peter Sasowsky won the Jury award for Best Documentary.  The film takes the viewer with Joe Davis,a peg-legged artist and motorcycle mechanic from Mississippi, around the world and into the visual and philosophical landscape of his art.

    The complete list of winners:
    Audience Awards

    Narrative Feature – Jeff, Who Lives at Home, directed by Mark & Jay Duplass

    Documentary Feature – Undefeated, directed by Dan Lindsay & T.J. Martin

    Short Film – Home Game, directed by Suzannah Herbert

    Hometowner Film – Fresh Skweezed, directed by Ryan Parker & G.B. Shannon



    Duncan-Williams Scriptwriting Award (Jury: Craig Brewer, Daniel Waters)

    The Dish and the Spoon, written (& directed) by Alison Bagnall
    Includes $1,000 cash prize, presented by Duncan-Williams, Inc.


    Oxford American ‘Soul of Southern Film’ Award

    Lord Byron, directed by Zach Godshall
    Includes $1,000 cash prise, presented by the Editors of The Oxford American.


    Narrative Feature Jury Awards (Jury: Brian Newman, Daniel Waters)

    Best Narrative Feature
    A Little Closer, directed by Matthew Petock

    Nice Shoes Award
    Without, directed by Mark Jackson
    Includes $25,000 in color grading and finishing services at Nice Shoes, an artist-driven design, VFX and color grading studio in New York City


    Documentary Awards (Jury: Dorothy Henckel, Paul Rachman)

    Best Documentary Feature
    Heaven + Earth + Joe Davis, directed by Peter Sasowsky

    Best Documentary Short
    Come on Down and Pick Me Up, directed by Jonathan Bougher & Nicholas Corrao

    Special Documentary Jury Award for Feature
    This is What Love in Action Looks Like, directed by Morgan Jon Fox

    Special Documentary Jury Award for Short
    Kudzu Vine, directed by Josh Gibson


    Short Film Jury Awards (Jury: Mark Bell, Skizz Cyzyk, Christine Elise McCarthy)

    Best Narrative Short
    Pillow, directed by Joshua & Miles Miller

    Best Animated/Experimental Film
    The Bird Upstairs, directed by Christopher Jarvis

    Special Short Film Jury Award for Acting
    Ed Lowery (Pillow, Ballerina)

    Special Short Film Jury Award for Storytelling
    Two-Legged Rat Bastards, directed by Scott Weintrob


    Hometowner Jury Awards (Jury: Adam Donaghey, Eliza Hajek, Chris Parnell) 

    Best Hometowner Feature
    This is What Love in Action Looks Like, directed by Morgan Jon Fox
    Includes $1,000 cash prize, presented by the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission / Memphis ED

    Special Jury Award for Hometowner Feature
    Stepping: Beyond the Line, directed by Dee Garceau

    Best Hometowner Short
    Fresh Skweezed, directed by Ryan Parker & G.B. Shannon
    Includes $1,000 cash prize, presented by the Memphis & Shelby County Film and Television Commission / Memphis ED

    Special Hometowner Jury Award for Production Design
    John Gray, directed by Dan Baker & Chris Pollack

    Special Hometowner Jury Award for Animation
    Of Love and Sea Monsters, directed by Tiffany Baker, Jessie Kotis & Robbie Siskin


    Special Festival Award

    Ron Tibbett Excellence in Filmmaking Award
    Bad Fever, directed by Dustin Guy Defa

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