The 44th edition of Hong Kong International Film Festival (HKIFF44) which was cancelled last month following the recent spike in COVID-19 infected cases in Hong Kong revealed what would have been the complete line-up of films. The 14-day festival was due to start from August 18.
Healing From Hate: Battle for the Soul of a Nation is the new documentary from filmmaker Peter Hutchison (Requiem for the American Dream) that examines the root cause of hate group activity and following efforts by former extremists to de-radicalize white nationalists. The film, an official selection of DOC NYC and Big Sky Documentary Film Festival, opens September 4, 2020 in Los Angeles – Laemmle Theaters via virtual cinema.
Dark Sky Films released the trailer for Luz: The Flower Evil, directed and written by Juan Diego Escobar Alzate, that will be available via Digital + VOD on September 15th. Described as equally mystical and terrifying, Luz: The Flower Evil is a fantasy folk horror film where tranquility belies a simmering evil.
The music-themed family drama Be The Light directed and produced by Malcolm J. Goodwin, will be available to rent and own on DVD and digital platforms through Freestyle Digital Media on September 11, 2020.
Film at Lincoln Center announced the 25 films that comprise the Main Slate of the 58th New York Film Festival, taking place September 17 – October 11, 2020.
Sydney’s leading festival for cult and underground film, the Sydney Underground Film Festival (SUFF), is back for its 14th year from Thursday September 10 – Sunday September 20, 2020, all taking place entirely online
Cinema Guild acquired Matías Piñeiro’s Isabella which made its world premiere earlier this year at the 70th Berlin International Film Festival, where it won a special jury mention in the Encounters section. Cinema Guild plans to release the film theatrically in 2021.
Samuel Goldwyn Films will release John Sheedy’s feature flim debut, the coming-of-age dramedy H is for Happiness on September 18, 2020.
Gustavo Sánchez makes his documentary feature directorial debut with I Hate New York, an engrossing film that follows four of the most iconic artists and activists of the city’s legendary and bygone underground scene: Amanda Lepore, Chloe Dzubilo, Sophia Lamar, and T De Long. A favorite at numerous international film festivals, including San Sebastian, Raindance, Thessaloniki, and NewFest: New York’s LGBTQ Film Festival, I Hate New York premieres Tuesday, September 1st on digital platforms.
The animated film The Power of Hope will be in Shorts By The Sea in September and features a song by 13-year-old filmmaker Kalia Love Jones and co- writer Grammy-nominated producer Ben Franklin. Kalia Love Jones will be featured in Univision’s Primios Juventud on Thursday, August 13th at 7pm. Watch the exclusive behind the scenes music video shoot footage for the song in The Power of Hope.
The Book of Vision, directed by Carlo S. Hinterman, and executive produced by filmmaker Terrence Malick, will officially open the 35th edition of the Venice International Film Critics’ Week, the sidebar section organized by the Union of Italian Film Critics (SNCCI) within the 77th Venice International Film Festival.
Academy Award–winning actor Sir Anthony Hopkins will receive a TIFF Tribute Actor Award; director Chloé Zhao will receive the TIFF Ebert Director Award; and Academy Award–nominated filmmaker Mira Nair will be honored with the Jeff Skoll Award in Impact Media at the TIFF Tribute Award Gala as part of the 2020 Toronto International Film Festival.