Should the government have the power to override a woman’s constitutional rights during pregnancy? That question is examined in PERSONHOOD, Jo Ardinger’s feature documentary directorial debut. This urgent and timely film explores the criminalization and targeting of pregnant women as seen through the eyes of a young mother swept up in dangerous new laws.
The mystery sci-fi/thriller The Fare released the new trailer ahead of the film’s November release. The sophomore feature from D.C. Hamilton stars Gino Anthony Pesi (Shades of Blue) and screenwriter Brinna Kelly, who reteams with Hamilton following their work on his directorial debut The Midnight Man (2016).
Rezo, a new film that mixes documentary storytelling and animation, directed by Leo Gabriadze will open October 18 at Laemmle Music Hall in Los Angeles. The film will also have special event screenings at Laemmle Monica in Santa Monica, Laemmle Glendale and Laemmle Town Center in Encino.
DOC NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, announced the full lineup for its expanded tenth anniversary edition, running November 6-15 at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village and Chelsea’s SVA Theatre and Cinépolis Chelsea. The 2019 festival includes 136 feature-length documentaries among over 300 films and events overall, making this landmark year DOC NYC’s biggest edition yet.
The Napa Valley Film Festival returns this fall with its five-day festival showcasing the year’s best new independent films from November 13 to 17, 2019.
John Travolta will receive the Lead Acting Award at the 14th Rome Film Fest for his performance in The Fanatic directed by Fred Durst, front man of Limp Bizkit. The two-time Academy Award nominee, Golden Globe and Emmy winner will receive the award on Tuesday, October 22, in the Sala Sinopoli at the Auditorium Parco della Musica, during the Close Encounter at which the actor will meet with Fest audiences.
The 8th Annual Portland Film Festival, will screen more than 100 independent films, with more than half directed by women, from October 14 to 20, 2019 at the Hi-Lo Hotel in downtown Portland.
The 20th annual Woodstock Film Festival came to a close with the annual Maverick Awards Ceremony where the top jury prizes went to Swallow, by Carlo Mirabella-Davis for Best Narrative Feature, and 17 Blocks, directed by Davy Rothbart for Best Documentary Feature. The Ultra Indie Award went to Seneca, directed by Jason Chaet.
Renée Zellweger will receive the American Riviera Award at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in January 2020. Zellweger will be recognized for her many attributes to the art of film over the years, and most recently, her work as Judy Garland in LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions’ JUDY. The tribute will take place at the historic Arlington Theatre during the 35th Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Gabriela Calvache’s debut feature La Mala Noche (The Longest Night), has been selected as Ecuador’s candidate in the International Feature Film competition at the 92nd edition of the Academy Awards®.
The psychological thriller The Dark Place, directed by Jody Wheeler, will hit the big screen in New York on October 18 to 24, and L.A on November 9.
Little Joe, the English-language debut of rising director Jessica Hausner (Lourdes, Amour Fou) is an unsettling sci-fi feature about a mysterious new flower which emits a scent that induces happiness. The film world-premiered in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival, where its star Emily Beecham won the Best Actress award. Little Joe also stars Ben Whishaw (Mary Poppins Returns, A Very English Scandal).