IFC Midnight has acquired the horror film “A Banquet”, the feature debut from Ruth Paxton, whose award-winning short films have been exhibited and nominated in competition at numerous prominent film festivals worldwide. A Banquet is a visually arresting, slow-burning psychological horror that uses subtle supernatural elements to create tension within a family in the midst of a breakdown, exploiting the complicated bond between three generations of mothers and daughters.
Vertical released the trailer for If Not Now, When? directed by Meagan Good and Tamara Bass; and also starring Tamara Bass and Meagan Good along with Meagan Holder, Mekia Cox. The film opens in theaters, on demand and digital on January 8th, 2021
Revelation Perth International Film Festival announced the nominees of the inaugural WA Screen Culture Awards set to place on Sunday December 13 hosted by self-proclaimed ‘Australia’s 1st Attractive Comedian’, Elouise Eftos.
Havel by Slávek Horák, inspired by the life of Václav Havel, prominent Czech playwright, dissident, and president, was awarded the top prize for Best Feature Film at 2020 Rome Independent Film Festival. The film focuses on Havel’s transformation from successful – later banned – playwright of the late 60s into human rights fighter in the 70s, leading to his presidency in the late 80’s. A Special mention went to La Fortaleza by Jorge Thielen-Armand.
Magnolia Pictures released the trailer for “Crock of Gold: A Few Rounds with Shane MacGowan” the new Johnny Depp produced documentary on Irish musical icon, Shane MacGowan, exploring the wild and roving life of Ireland’s most beloved punk poet.
China has selected the volleyball drama Leap directed by Peter Ho-Sun Chen as the official entry in Best International Feature Film category at 93rd Academy Awards.
Actor Chadwick Boseman will receive a posthumous Actor Tribute, and Oscar, Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress Viola Davis will receive an Actress Tribute at the 30th Anniversary of the IFP Gotham Awards ceremony set for Monday, January 11, 2021. The awards show will be presented live from Cipriani Wall Street New York in a hybrid format featuring virtual interactive tables in order to follow health and safety protocols brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.
On the eve of the film’s release, MTV Documentary Films released the trailer for 76 DAYS – the documentary takes look at the struggles of the people of Wuhan, China, in the earliest days of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Sundance Institute today unveiled plans for the seven-day 2021 Sundance Film Festival, offered digitally via a custom-designed online platform (festival.sundance.org) alongside drive-ins, independent arthouses, and a network of local community partnerships. The online expression of the Sundance Film Festival will provide global access for storytellers and audiences alike to come together, experience artists new work, connect with one another, and participate in conversation. All films in the program will be available online in the United States, with certain films opting for global availability. The full talks and events program, as well as the New Frontier section for XR and emerging media, will be available globally. The Festival runs January 28 through February 3, 2021.
Production has commenced on All My Puny Sorrows, a dramatic feature film written and directed by Michael McGowan (Still Mine, One Week), adapted from the international award-winning and best-selling novel by Canadian author Miriam Toews.
On December 3rd, the RIFF – Rome Independent Film Festival online ends with the traditional Love & Pride Day – Il valore della diversità. For the third year, the whole day will be dedicated to the LGBTQ topic and, among others, the premiere of the out of competition film Asphalt Goddess by Julián Hernández (Mexico), winner of the Teddy Awards at the Berlin Film Festival in 2003 and 2009. Max, after becoming the lead singer of a rock band, returns to her shantytown. Once there, memories await her, but also news and truths that have remained silent for years.
Belarus has selected the WWII drama Persian Lessons (Persischstunden) directed by Vadim Perelman to represent the country in the best international feature film race at the 2021 Oscars.