The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival scheduled for April 14-17, 2011, in Durham, North Carolina has announced the 10 selections for the 2011 Thematic Program, “One Foot in the Archives.” Archivist and filmmaker Rick Prelinger has curated a series of programs that showcase the role of archival material in the construction of documentaries.
The incredible true story of Ultimate Fighting Championship gladiator Matt “The Hammer” Hamill, by first-time feature film director Oren Kaplan, has won the 2011 Miami International Film Festival’s Audience Award.
The film, starring hearing-impaired actor Russell Harvard, whose credits include TV shows Fringe and CSI: NY and the Oscar-winning feature film There Will Be Blood, won accolades for breaking new ground in the cinematic treatment of the deaf and hearing-impaired while also depicting the physical and emotional tests Hamill faces to pursue his dreams.
The DALLAS International Film Festival revealed the full schedule of features and shorts that will be screened throughout the festival’s 11-day run (March 31- April 10, 2010); and also announced that Academy Award nominee Steve James will be the first documentary filmmaker in the festival’s history to receive the DALLAS Star Award.
The Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by American Express, announced its feature film selections in the Spotlight and Cinemania sections, as well as Special Screenings and the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival lineup. The 10th edition of the Festival will take place from April 20 to May 1, 2011, in lower Manhattan, New York.
Queen To Play (Joueuse) is the first feature from filmmaker Caroline Bottaro, which stars Kevin Kline and the incandescent Sandrine Bonnaire.
Sony Pictures Classics has picked up the Michael Rapaport’s documentary BEATS, RHYMES & LIFE: THE TRAVELS OF A TRIBE CALLED QUEST about the rap group group A Tribe Called Quest which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. The documentary film had generated some controversy when Q-Tip, a member of the group, expressed his non-support for the film. However, early reviews of the film from the Sundance Film Festival were fairly positive. No release date was announced
Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF) announced the full line-up and schedule for the 14th annual Bermuda International Film Festival taking place this month, March 18 – 24, 2011. This year’s event will centred in Hamilton, with screenings taking place at Speciality Cinema & Grill and Liberty Theatre.
The Full Frame Documentary Film Festival announced the World Premiere of “The Loving Story,” directed and produced by Nancy Buirski, Full Frame’s founder. Buirski helmed the Festival from 1998 through 2007. “The Loving Story” will be featured as a Center Frame program at the 2011 Festival and will be presented outside of competition.
HBO has picked up the U.S. TV rights for, SING YOUR SONG, filmmaker Susanne Rostock (“The Long Way Home,”) documentary on the life of Harry Belafonte. The documentary will debut in Fall 2011, exclusively on HBO.
Opening the Indo-American Arts Council’s 11th New York Indian Film Festival which runs May 4 to May 8 in Manhattan, New York, will be the North American premiere of Disney’s family comedy DO DOONI CHAAR starring the legendary husband-wife acting couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. The Habib Faisal-directed film marks the Hollywood studio’s first live-action production in India. It is a heart-warming comedy about the dreams and challenges of a middle-class family who take a chaotic journey to fulfill their dream of owning a car discovering the true meaning of family along the way. Special guests Kapoor, Singh, and Faisal will all be attending the red carpet premiere.
The 20th annual Florida Film Festival, sponsored by Full Sail University, will take place April 8 through 17, 2011, and this year’s lineup features more than 160 films from 25 countries with 43 female directors.
The 2011 Canadian International Film Festival (CIFF) returns to Vancouver to screen indie films including over 25 international productions, including 8 Canadian films. The festival will be held Saturday, April 2, to Sunday April 3, 2011, at Edgewater Casino’s Stadium Club Theatre.