The Venice Classics program of the 81st Venice International Film Festival of La Biennale di Venezia will present the world premiere screenings of 18 film restorations of masterpieces completed over the past year from film libraries, cultural institution and productions around the world.
Originally released 35 years ago back in 1988, Oscar Schmitz’s ‘Mapantsula’ was a landmark in South African cinema. Film Movement revealed the release date for a remastered version of the film, restored in 4K from the original 35mm negative and will release in conjuction with the film’s 35th anniversary.
Ivy Vale’s coming of age musical Out of My Comfort Zone will open this year’s 8th edition of Festival of Cinema NYC, the Queens-based film festival, running from August 2-11, 2024. The festival returns to the Regal UA Midway in Forest Hills with additional venues this year including the Queens Public Library at Forest Hills, Yant Tattoo Studios – the Official Filmmaker Lounge and special presentations at the Queens Center Mall in Rego Park. The festival closes with the world premiere of Delfine Paolini’s A Wonderful Way with Dragons.
After premiering at the 2023 Slamdance Film Festival, punk rock supergroup OFF! revealed the trailer for ‘Free LSD’, the science fiction comedy film which promotes the group’s farewell album with the same name (which debuted at #20 on the Billboard Album Sales Chart). The film was written and directed by OFF!’s guitarist Dimitri Coats.
Entertainment Squad revealed the trailer for ‘Peak Season’, the romantic comedy that premiered last year at 2023 SXSW Film Festival. Stated as a love letter from Jackson Hole from director Steven Kanter & Henry Loevner, ‘Peak Season’ tells the story of a couple struggling with their relationship after a third party enters the picture.
Fantasia International Film Festival celebrating its 28th edition from July 18 through August 4, 2024, will close with the World Premiere of André Forcier’s Ababouiné. Ababouiné takes us back to the 1950s, when the Catholic Church ruled over Quebec with an iron fist, and as a rowdy group of kids goes to war against the church. In his latest masterpiece, André Forcier (Au Clair De La Lune, A Wind From Wyoming) revisits a dark period of Quebec’s history through an often shocking – yet undeniably and absurdly funny – lens. With a deft hand, Forcier navigates the historical abuses of the church and the hope of a society on the brink of change – with sensitivity, humour, and a lot of heart. Starring in the film are Rémy Girard, Gaston Lepage, Pascale Montpetit, Éric Bruneau, and Mylène Mackay.
Dark Sky Films revealed the official trailer for ‘Booger’, writer/director Mary Dauterman’s feature film debut. The film premiered at last year’s Fantasia Film Festival and gained critical acclaim for its bold and captivating depiction of grief.
Lionsgate revealed the trailer for ‘1992’, the action-crime thriller film starrin Tyrese Gibson and the late Ray Liotta in one of his final film roles. Produced by hip-hop legend Snoop Dogg (Death Row Pictures), the film also stars Clé Bennett, Dylan Arnold, Christopher A’mmanuel, Michael Beasley, Ori Pfeffer, Tosin Morohunfola, Oleg Taktarov, with Scott Eastwood.
Actress and producer Cate Blanchett will be honored at the 2024 TIFF Tribute Awards as the recipient of the TIFF Share Her Journey Groundbreaker Award. Blanchett will also participate in an In Conversation With… event, offering audiences an intimate look into the two-time Academy Award winner’s illustrious career. The 49th Toronto International Film Festival takes place September 5–15, 2024.
The world premiere of Tim Burton’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, the long-awaited sequel to his award-winning film Beetlejuice, is the Opening Film, Out of Competition, of the 81st Venice International Film Festival taking place August 28 to September 7, 2024.
Popularly known in India as ‘King Khan’ – the emperor (‘Baadshah’) of Bollywood, superstar actor and producer Shah Rukh Khan will be awarded the career achievement award, the prestigious Pardo alla Carriera Ascona-Locarno Tourism, at the 77th edition of the Locarno Film Festival. The Award will pay tribute to his remarkable career in Indian cinema consisting of more than 100 films in a breathtaking multitude of genres.
After premiering at last year’s SXSW Festival and gaining critical acclaim, Luke Gilford’s directorial debut ‘National Anthem’ is finally approaching its theatrical release. ‘National Anthem’, which was inspired by Gilford’s monograph titled ‘National Anthem: America’s Queer Rodeo’, tells the story of a young man in rural New Mexico joining a community of queer ranchers and rodeo performers.