Ricky Gervais, Special Correspondents[/caption]
The 2016 Tribeca Film Festival Talks line-up will include panels and conversations with some of the industry’s most critically and commercially successful filmmakers, artists, and executives.
The featured guests include J.J. Abrams, Andrea Arnold, Anthony Bourdain, Francis Ford Coppola, Katie Couric, Alfonso Cuarón, Jodie Foster, Ricky Gervais, Catherine Hardwicke, Donna Karan, Baz Luhrmann, Patti Smith, Joss Whedon, Olivia Wilde, Samantha Bee, and more. The Tribeca Talks program will run during the 15th edition of TFF, taking place April 13–24.
Tribeca Talks: Directors Series, intimate one-on-one discussions with acclaimed directors, this year includes Alfonso Cuarón, Jodie Foster with Julie Taymor, Joss Whedon in conversation with Mark Ruffalo, J.J. Abrams speaking with Chris Rock, Andrea Arnold, and Baz Luhrmann with Nelson George. New to this year’s Festival is Tribeca Talks: Storytellers, which features pioneering creators who work across mediums to tell their stories. Francis Ford Coppola, Idina Menzel and Patti Smith join previously announced participants Tom Hanks and Tina Fey for the program. Also debuting for 2016 is Tribeca Talks: Daring Women Summit Powered by the Li.st, a day of conversations with some of the most influential women in arts and technology who will share stories from their illustrious careers and unconventional paths to success, as well as their support and mentorship of other women in their respective fields. Participants include Google Entertainment Industry Educator in Chief Julie Ann Crommett, producer and actress Olivia Wilde, fashion designer Donna Karan, Fresh Off the Boat Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan, among others.
TFF also announced five additional feature films and two previously announced titles that will screen during the Festival as part of the Tribeca Talks: After the Movie series, which gives audiences a chance to listen to and participate in a conversation with filmmakers, actors, and influencers following screenings of their films. The program features the world premiere of Special Correspondents and a discussion with writer and director Ricky Gervais, actor Eric Bana, and additional cast, and the world premieres of documentaries I Voted? with writer/director Jason Grant Smith and executive producer Katie Couric, Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent with subject and chef Jeremiah Tower and executive producers Anthony Bourdain and Lydia Tenaglia, and Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe with the creators and subjects of the film. Equity will have its New York premiere, followed by a conversation with director, and winner of the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival’s Nora Ephron Prize Meera Menon. Also featured as part of Tribeca Talks: After the Movie series are the previously announced Contemporary Color, followed by a conversation with directors Bill and Turner Ross led by David Byrne, and Starring Austin Pendleton, featuring a panel with star and subject Austin Pendleton and actors from his career as an actor and director.
“Storytelling is an expansive medium with the power to advance conversations and issues long after the credits roll,” said Paula Weinstein, Executive Vice President, Tribeca Enterprises. “The Tribeca Talks series gives audiences the chance to continue those conversations as well as hear from legendary figures in film, music, and more.”
This year’s Tribeca Talks series offers audiences the opportunity to hear from some of the top storytellers in the world about their craft, recent and upcoming projects, and innovations across mediums. Additional programs include returning favorites “Tribeca Talks: Master Class,” conversations focusing on a specific sector of the filmmaking process and other special “Tribeca Talks” events including Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival conversations.
The full schedule for the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival Talks series follows:
Tribeca Talks: Directors Series, sponsored by Amazon Studios with media support from Entertainment Weekly
Some of the most distinctive directors discuss their careers and highlights, from Jodie Foster discussing her TV endeavors and the upcoming Money Monster, to Joss Whedon’s cult hits “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to the Avengers series, J.J. Abrams on Star Trek and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Andrea Arnold’s Red Road and Fish Tank, Alfonso Cuarón’s Y Tu Mamá También and Gravity, and Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming TV show “The Get Down” and stylistic Moulin Rouge.
J.J. Abrams with Chris Rock
Multi-faceted filmmaker J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, “Felicity”, “Lost”) will discuss the turns and triumphs of his career with comic actor and fellow filmmaker Chris Rock.
DATE: Friday, April 15
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Andrea Arnold
One of the freshest voices in cinema today, British filmmaker Andrea Arnold sits down for a conversation about her work from her debut feature Red Road to the highly acclaimed Fish Tank.
DATE: Monday, April 18
TIME: 2:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Joss Whedon with Mark Ruffalo
Joss Whedon, director of The Avenger films and creator of cult classics “Angel” and “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” will talk to esteemed actor and collaborator Mark Ruffalo about his distinguished career.
DATE: Monday, April 18
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Jodie Foster with Julie Taymor
Jodie Foster has culminated her experience as an actress into directing and will explore how she has forged a position as an esteemed filmmaker in both film and television through a conversation with filmmaker Julie Taymor
DATE: Wednesday, April 20
TIME: 5:30PM
LOCATION: Festival Hub
Baz Luhrmann with Nelson George
Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann has one of the most distinctly recognizable visual styles in cinema today and discusses creating work which merges both classic and modern worlds through films from The Great Gatsby to Moulin Rouge.
DATE: Saturday, April 23
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Alfonso Cuarón with TBD
From the indie hit Y Tu Mamá También to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Gravity Alfonso Cuaron and will discuss his ability to create truly unique cinematic worlds.
DATE: Wednesday, April 20th
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Tribeca Talks: Storytellers, sponsored by Dean & DeLuca with media support from Entertainment Weekly
Celebrating passionate creators with a desire to tell stories in a multitude of ways – these pioneers never stay in just one lane. From Patti Smith turning songwriting into novel writing; to Tom Hanks acting, producing and directing; Tina Fey, writing, acting, producing and creating shows, Idina Menzel performing in TV, film and originating roles in theaters as well as songwriting; and Francis Ford Coppola discussing his passion for food and wine in addition to filmmaking.
Patti Smith
From cultural music icon to novelist Patti Smith has always been ahead of the curve and never afraid to pull punches, she will converse on her career and force field of creativity.
DATE: Thursday, April 14
TIME: 3:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Idina Menzel
Idina Menzel has trail blazed a career in film, television and theater not only being there for the inception of stage shows and the roles she has made iconic, but also performed in a variety of mediums and showcased her abilities as a songwriter.
DATE: Monday, April 18
TIME: 4:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Tina Fey with Damian Holbrook
Known for developing smart comedy through her writing and performances in film and television, the former head writer of SNL has also created fan and critic favorite TV shows “30 Rock” and “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”
DATE: Tuesday, April 19
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Francis Ford Coppola with Jay McInerney
Francis Ford Coppola has given us some of the most memorable films on the big screen but is also a food and wine aficionado with a lifestyle brand. Francis Ford Coppola Presents encompasses a series of cafes as well as his winery in Sonoma County, CA.
DATE: Wednesday, April 20
TIME: 4:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Tom Hanks with John Oliver
In addition to being one of the most beloved actors, Tom Hanks has also produced and directed an astounding number of films and will discuss his passion for great stories. Political commentator and television host John Oliver leads a conversation with Hanks discussing his prolific career
DATE: Friday, April 22
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Tribeca Talks: After the Movie
Contemporary Color
In the summer of 2015, legendary musician David Byrne staged an unprecedented event at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center to celebrate the art of color guard—synchronized dance involving flags, rifles, and sabers—by pairing regional color guard teams with performers, including St Vincent, Nelly Furtado, and Ad-Rock. More than a concert film, Contemporary Color is a cinematic interpretation of this one of a kind live event, courtesy of visionary filmmakers Bill and Turner Ross.
After the movie: A conversation led by David Byrne with Bill and Turner Ross, with special appearances by color guarders.
DATE: Thursday, April 14
TIME: 9:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent (sponsored by CNN Films)
The Last Magnificent explores the exceptional, adventurous life of Jeremiah Tower, one of the most controversial, outrageous, and influential figures in the history of American gastronomy. Yet his name has largely been obliterated from history. Featuring interviews by Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain, Martha Stewart, and Ruth Reichl, this delicious documentary for the culinary set tells the story of the rise and fall of America’s first celebrity chef.
After the movie: Subject and Chef Jeremiah Tower and Executive Producers Anthony Bourdain and Lydia Tenaglia
DATE: Saturday, April 16
TIME: 3:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
I Voted?
How do you know that your vote is recorded as intended in an election? After South Carolina candidate Alvin Greene overwhelmingly won the Senate Primary despite having not campaigned, a pandora’s box of questions opened regarding the voting process – particularly in a digital age where we rely on computer systems to act with integrity despite the use outdated and unregulated technology.
After the movie: Writer Director Jason Grant Smith, Executive Producer Katie Couric and more.
DATE: Thursday, April 21st
TIME: 5:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Equity
High-powered Wall Street banker Naomi Bishop (Anna Gunn) has been passed over for a promotion again. If she can successfully launch her next high profile IPO, she’ll be back on top. To get the job done, she must bypass her ambitious assistant (Sarah Megan Thomas) and an aggressive US prosecutor (Alysia Reiner) watching her every move, in TFF Nora Ephron Prize winner and alumnus Meera Menon’s financial thriller. A Sony Pictures Classic release.
After the movie: Director Meera Menon, and other female directors discuss their experience in the industry.
DATE: Tuesday, April 19
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Starring Austin Pendleton
Austin Pendleton is that quintessential character actor you might recognize. We follow Austin as he reflects on his life and craft, while his A-list peers discuss his vast influence, dogged determination, and what it means to be an original in today’s celebrity-obsessed world.
After the movie: Star and subject Austin Pendleton discusses his career with fellow actors, including Olympia Dukakis, Peter Saarsgaard, George Morfogen, and Denis O’Hare.
DATE: Thursday, April 21
TIME: 2:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Special Correspondents
American politics and media are aptly satirized in this feature by firebrand comedian Ricky Gervais. A pretentious radio journalist and his ineffectual technician botch an assignment in South America, and decide to fabricate an on-the-scene report while hiding out in a New York City apartment. This scheme spirals out of their control when their escalating story becomes a national headline. A Netflix Original Film.
After the movie: A conversation with writer/director Ricky Gervais, actor Eric Bana, and additional cast
DATE: Friday, April 22
TIME: 8:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe
The most vitriolic debate in medical history takes a dramatic turn when senior scientist turned whistleblower, Dr. William Thompson of the Centers for Disease Control, turns over secret documents, data, and internal emails confirming what millions of devastated parents and “discredited” doctors have long-suspected – vaccines do cause autism.
After the movie: a conversation with creators and subjects of the film.
DATE: Sunday, April 24
TIME: 2:00PM
LOCATION: SVA2
Tribeca Talks: Daring Women Summit Powered by the Li.st
DATE: Wednesday, April 20
TIME: 10:30AM – 5PM
LOCATION: Festival Hub
This day of first-hand storytelling celebrates today’s most influential women in arts and technology who have risen to the top of their respective fields by eschewing traditional career trajectories in creating their own paths. Not only have these women broken ceilings to succeed for themselves, but most importantly they have created opportunities for other women along the way through direct support and mentorship, forging job opportunities for others and creating content where women can see themselves and the possibilities of what they themselves could become.
These creative minds refused to take no for an answer, taking on outsized risks, despite the conventional wisdom. These women in tech and entertainment are bold, they are driven by innovation, and they have reservoirs of expertise and life lessons to share.
Speakers include Producer and Actress Olivia Wilde, Fashion Designer Donna Karan, Full Frontal’s Samantha Bee, actress & activist Rosie Perez, The Li.st founder Rachel Sklar, HelloGiggles co-founder Sophia Rossi, Google Entertainment Industry Educator in Chief Julie Ann Crommett, ‘Fresh off the Boat’ Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan, actress Mya Taylor, PYPO Creator Stephanie Laing, Chief Content Officer for Refinery 29 Amy Emmerich, New York Public radio’s President & CEO Laura Walker, WNYC’s Death, Sex & Money Anna Sale, actress LaLa Anthony and many more.
Tribeca Talks: Master Class (Free event)
Dolby Master Class
Leading sound and music pioneers discuss the complexities of creating sound and music for film. Check website for panelists.
DATE: Friday, April 15
TIME: 3:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Prepping to Shoot with Catherine Hardwicke (sponsored by Nexxus New York Salon Care)
Twilight, Lords of Dogtown and Thirteen Director Catherine Hardwicke takes you inside preproduction – from creating a workable shot list to constructing lookbooks, shaping locations and building relationships with cast and crew alike – she offers tips and tricks as well as showcasing her personal work materials.
DATE: Sunday, April 17
TIME: 3:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Inside Casting
Esteemed Casting Director Ellen Lewis and Ellen Chenoweth have worked with some of the greatest directors including Martin Scorsese, Mike Nichols, Jim Jarmusch, the Coen Brothers, George Clooney and Stephen Spielberg. They will divulge the process of casting and discovering some of today’s most recognizable faces. Moderated by Bernard Telsey.
DATE: Saturday, April 23
TIME: 2:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Tribeca Talks – Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival Conversations, sponsored by Mohegan Sun
Elections and “Scandal”
Debuting their latest Elections short documentary A More Perfect Union, Nate Silver (FiveThirtyEight editor-in-chief), Micah Cohen (FiveThirtyEight politics editor) and guests discuss how the Rev. Wright revelations affected the 2008 Democratic primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, how the media handled the story, and what lessons the episode holds for the 2016 election.
DATE: Wednesday, April 20
TIME: 2:30PM
LOCATION: SVA2
· A More Perfect Union, directed by Eric Drath. (USA) – World Premiere. From the discovery of Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s inciting sermons to Obama’s ‘A More Perfect Union’ speech, this short film uses interviews, archives, and a timeline to illustrate the behind-the-scenes drama during a make-or-break moment in the 2008 presidential campaign.
O.J.: Made in America with Ezra Edelman and TheUndefeated.com
O.J. Simpson remains one of the most resonant figures in American history. Undefeated.com editor in chief Kevin Merida moderates a discussion with the film’s director Ezra Edelman, managing editor Raina Kelley and senior culture writer Kelley Carter about ESPN Films’ O.J.: Made in America and its attempt to make sense of both the racial context surrounding the trial 20 years ago, and a life and career still being debated today.
DATE: Sunday, April 24
TIME: 5:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Special “Tribeca Talks” Event
Free Like the Birds
Sophie Cruz, a six year old girl fights to keep her family together as the threat of deporting her parents looms over her. Determined to keep her family together she travels to Washington DC, breaks through police barricades, and talks to the Pope. A girl on a mission.
After the short film: An in depth conversation with prominent activists about immigration
DATE: Thursday, April 21
TIME: 8:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
From Film to Game
In the entertainment industry’s constantly changing landscape, the lines between mediums are starting to blur. We are witnessing the intersection of gaming and filmmaking to create a new form of storytelling that revitalizes traditional narratives.
Join BioShock’s Ken Levine, Her Story creator Sam Barlow, and filmmaker Will Gluck in a discussion about how content creators are bridging the gap between video games and TV to generate compelling experiences that put the viewer in the driver’s seat.
DATE: Monday, April 18
TIME: 8:00PM
LOCATION: Festival Hub-
Jodie Foster, Ricky Gervais, Francis Ford Coppola Among Tribeca Film Festival Talks Line-Up
[caption id="attachment_12000" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] Ricky Gervais, Special Correspondents[/caption]
The 2016 Tribeca Film Festival Talks line-up will include panels and conversations with some of the industry’s most critically and commercially successful filmmakers, artists, and executives.
The featured guests include J.J. Abrams, Andrea Arnold, Anthony Bourdain, Francis Ford Coppola, Katie Couric, Alfonso Cuarón, Jodie Foster, Ricky Gervais, Catherine Hardwicke, Donna Karan, Baz Luhrmann, Patti Smith, Joss Whedon, Olivia Wilde, Samantha Bee, and more. The Tribeca Talks program will run during the 15th edition of TFF, taking place April 13–24.
Tribeca Talks: Directors Series, intimate one-on-one discussions with acclaimed directors, this year includes Alfonso Cuarón, Jodie Foster with Julie Taymor, Joss Whedon in conversation with Mark Ruffalo, J.J. Abrams speaking with Chris Rock, Andrea Arnold, and Baz Luhrmann with Nelson George. New to this year’s Festival is Tribeca Talks: Storytellers, which features pioneering creators who work across mediums to tell their stories. Francis Ford Coppola, Idina Menzel and Patti Smith join previously announced participants Tom Hanks and Tina Fey for the program. Also debuting for 2016 is Tribeca Talks: Daring Women Summit Powered by the Li.st, a day of conversations with some of the most influential women in arts and technology who will share stories from their illustrious careers and unconventional paths to success, as well as their support and mentorship of other women in their respective fields. Participants include Google Entertainment Industry Educator in Chief Julie Ann Crommett, producer and actress Olivia Wilde, fashion designer Donna Karan, Fresh Off the Boat Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan, among others.
TFF also announced five additional feature films and two previously announced titles that will screen during the Festival as part of the Tribeca Talks: After the Movie series, which gives audiences a chance to listen to and participate in a conversation with filmmakers, actors, and influencers following screenings of their films. The program features the world premiere of Special Correspondents and a discussion with writer and director Ricky Gervais, actor Eric Bana, and additional cast, and the world premieres of documentaries I Voted? with writer/director Jason Grant Smith and executive producer Katie Couric, Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent with subject and chef Jeremiah Tower and executive producers Anthony Bourdain and Lydia Tenaglia, and Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe with the creators and subjects of the film. Equity will have its New York premiere, followed by a conversation with director, and winner of the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival’s Nora Ephron Prize Meera Menon. Also featured as part of Tribeca Talks: After the Movie series are the previously announced Contemporary Color, followed by a conversation with directors Bill and Turner Ross led by David Byrne, and Starring Austin Pendleton, featuring a panel with star and subject Austin Pendleton and actors from his career as an actor and director.
“Storytelling is an expansive medium with the power to advance conversations and issues long after the credits roll,” said Paula Weinstein, Executive Vice President, Tribeca Enterprises. “The Tribeca Talks series gives audiences the chance to continue those conversations as well as hear from legendary figures in film, music, and more.”
This year’s Tribeca Talks series offers audiences the opportunity to hear from some of the top storytellers in the world about their craft, recent and upcoming projects, and innovations across mediums. Additional programs include returning favorites “Tribeca Talks: Master Class,” conversations focusing on a specific sector of the filmmaking process and other special “Tribeca Talks” events including Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival conversations.
The full schedule for the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival Talks series follows:
Tribeca Talks: Directors Series, sponsored by Amazon Studios with media support from Entertainment Weekly
Some of the most distinctive directors discuss their careers and highlights, from Jodie Foster discussing her TV endeavors and the upcoming Money Monster, to Joss Whedon’s cult hits “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” to the Avengers series, J.J. Abrams on Star Trek and Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Andrea Arnold’s Red Road and Fish Tank, Alfonso Cuarón’s Y Tu Mamá También and Gravity, and Baz Luhrmann’s upcoming TV show “The Get Down” and stylistic Moulin Rouge.
J.J. Abrams with Chris Rock
Multi-faceted filmmaker J.J. Abrams (Star Trek, “Felicity”, “Lost”) will discuss the turns and triumphs of his career with comic actor and fellow filmmaker Chris Rock.
DATE: Friday, April 15
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Andrea Arnold
One of the freshest voices in cinema today, British filmmaker Andrea Arnold sits down for a conversation about her work from her debut feature Red Road to the highly acclaimed Fish Tank.
DATE: Monday, April 18
TIME: 2:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Joss Whedon with Mark Ruffalo
Joss Whedon, director of The Avenger films and creator of cult classics “Angel” and “Buffy: The Vampire Slayer,” will talk to esteemed actor and collaborator Mark Ruffalo about his distinguished career.
DATE: Monday, April 18
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Jodie Foster with Julie Taymor
Jodie Foster has culminated her experience as an actress into directing and will explore how she has forged a position as an esteemed filmmaker in both film and television through a conversation with filmmaker Julie Taymor
DATE: Wednesday, April 20
TIME: 5:30PM
LOCATION: Festival Hub
Baz Luhrmann with Nelson George
Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann has one of the most distinctly recognizable visual styles in cinema today and discusses creating work which merges both classic and modern worlds through films from The Great Gatsby to Moulin Rouge.
DATE: Saturday, April 23
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Alfonso Cuarón with TBD
From the indie hit Y Tu Mamá También to Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban and Gravity Alfonso Cuaron and will discuss his ability to create truly unique cinematic worlds.
DATE: Wednesday, April 20th
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Tribeca Talks: Storytellers, sponsored by Dean & DeLuca with media support from Entertainment Weekly
Celebrating passionate creators with a desire to tell stories in a multitude of ways – these pioneers never stay in just one lane. From Patti Smith turning songwriting into novel writing; to Tom Hanks acting, producing and directing; Tina Fey, writing, acting, producing and creating shows, Idina Menzel performing in TV, film and originating roles in theaters as well as songwriting; and Francis Ford Coppola discussing his passion for food and wine in addition to filmmaking.
Patti Smith
From cultural music icon to novelist Patti Smith has always been ahead of the curve and never afraid to pull punches, she will converse on her career and force field of creativity.
DATE: Thursday, April 14
TIME: 3:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Idina Menzel
Idina Menzel has trail blazed a career in film, television and theater not only being there for the inception of stage shows and the roles she has made iconic, but also performed in a variety of mediums and showcased her abilities as a songwriter.
DATE: Monday, April 18
TIME: 4:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Tina Fey with Damian Holbrook
Known for developing smart comedy through her writing and performances in film and television, the former head writer of SNL has also created fan and critic favorite TV shows “30 Rock” and “The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt.”
DATE: Tuesday, April 19
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Francis Ford Coppola with Jay McInerney
Francis Ford Coppola has given us some of the most memorable films on the big screen but is also a food and wine aficionado with a lifestyle brand. Francis Ford Coppola Presents encompasses a series of cafes as well as his winery in Sonoma County, CA.
DATE: Wednesday, April 20
TIME: 4:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 1
Tom Hanks with John Oliver
In addition to being one of the most beloved actors, Tom Hanks has also produced and directed an astounding number of films and will discuss his passion for great stories. Political commentator and television host John Oliver leads a conversation with Hanks discussing his prolific career
DATE: Friday, April 22
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Tribeca Talks: After the Movie
Contemporary Color
In the summer of 2015, legendary musician David Byrne staged an unprecedented event at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center to celebrate the art of color guard—synchronized dance involving flags, rifles, and sabers—by pairing regional color guard teams with performers, including St Vincent, Nelly Furtado, and Ad-Rock. More than a concert film, Contemporary Color is a cinematic interpretation of this one of a kind live event, courtesy of visionary filmmakers Bill and Turner Ross.
After the movie: A conversation led by David Byrne with Bill and Turner Ross, with special appearances by color guarders.
DATE: Thursday, April 14
TIME: 9:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Jeremiah Tower: The Last Magnificent (sponsored by CNN Films)
The Last Magnificent explores the exceptional, adventurous life of Jeremiah Tower, one of the most controversial, outrageous, and influential figures in the history of American gastronomy. Yet his name has largely been obliterated from history. Featuring interviews by Mario Batali, Anthony Bourdain, Martha Stewart, and Ruth Reichl, this delicious documentary for the culinary set tells the story of the rise and fall of America’s first celebrity chef.
After the movie: Subject and Chef Jeremiah Tower and Executive Producers Anthony Bourdain and Lydia Tenaglia
DATE: Saturday, April 16
TIME: 3:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
I Voted?
How do you know that your vote is recorded as intended in an election? After South Carolina candidate Alvin Greene overwhelmingly won the Senate Primary despite having not campaigned, a pandora’s box of questions opened regarding the voting process – particularly in a digital age where we rely on computer systems to act with integrity despite the use outdated and unregulated technology.
After the movie: Writer Director Jason Grant Smith, Executive Producer Katie Couric and more.
DATE: Thursday, April 21st
TIME: 5:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Equity
High-powered Wall Street banker Naomi Bishop (Anna Gunn) has been passed over for a promotion again. If she can successfully launch her next high profile IPO, she’ll be back on top. To get the job done, she must bypass her ambitious assistant (Sarah Megan Thomas) and an aggressive US prosecutor (Alysia Reiner) watching her every move, in TFF Nora Ephron Prize winner and alumnus Meera Menon’s financial thriller. A Sony Pictures Classic release.
After the movie: Director Meera Menon, and other female directors discuss their experience in the industry.
DATE: Tuesday, April 19
TIME: 6:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Starring Austin Pendleton
Austin Pendleton is that quintessential character actor you might recognize. We follow Austin as he reflects on his life and craft, while his A-list peers discuss his vast influence, dogged determination, and what it means to be an original in today’s celebrity-obsessed world.
After the movie: Star and subject Austin Pendleton discusses his career with fellow actors, including Olympia Dukakis, Peter Saarsgaard, George Morfogen, and Denis O’Hare.
DATE: Thursday, April 21
TIME: 2:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Special Correspondents
American politics and media are aptly satirized in this feature by firebrand comedian Ricky Gervais. A pretentious radio journalist and his ineffectual technician botch an assignment in South America, and decide to fabricate an on-the-scene report while hiding out in a New York City apartment. This scheme spirals out of their control when their escalating story becomes a national headline. A Netflix Original Film.
After the movie: A conversation with writer/director Ricky Gervais, actor Eric Bana, and additional cast
DATE: Friday, April 22
TIME: 8:00PM
LOCATION: John Zuccotti Theater @ BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center
Vaxxed: From Cover-Up to Catastrophe
The most vitriolic debate in medical history takes a dramatic turn when senior scientist turned whistleblower, Dr. William Thompson of the Centers for Disease Control, turns over secret documents, data, and internal emails confirming what millions of devastated parents and “discredited” doctors have long-suspected – vaccines do cause autism.
After the movie: a conversation with creators and subjects of the film.
DATE: Sunday, April 24
TIME: 2:00PM
LOCATION: SVA2
Tribeca Talks: Daring Women Summit Powered by the Li.st
DATE: Wednesday, April 20
TIME: 10:30AM – 5PM
LOCATION: Festival Hub
This day of first-hand storytelling celebrates today’s most influential women in arts and technology who have risen to the top of their respective fields by eschewing traditional career trajectories in creating their own paths. Not only have these women broken ceilings to succeed for themselves, but most importantly they have created opportunities for other women along the way through direct support and mentorship, forging job opportunities for others and creating content where women can see themselves and the possibilities of what they themselves could become.
These creative minds refused to take no for an answer, taking on outsized risks, despite the conventional wisdom. These women in tech and entertainment are bold, they are driven by innovation, and they have reservoirs of expertise and life lessons to share.
Speakers include Producer and Actress Olivia Wilde, Fashion Designer Donna Karan, Full Frontal’s Samantha Bee, actress & activist Rosie Perez, The Li.st founder Rachel Sklar, HelloGiggles co-founder Sophia Rossi, Google Entertainment Industry Educator in Chief Julie Ann Crommett, ‘Fresh off the Boat’ Showrunner Nahnatchka Khan, actress Mya Taylor, PYPO Creator Stephanie Laing, Chief Content Officer for Refinery 29 Amy Emmerich, New York Public radio’s President & CEO Laura Walker, WNYC’s Death, Sex & Money Anna Sale, actress LaLa Anthony and many more.
Tribeca Talks: Master Class (Free event)
Dolby Master Class
Leading sound and music pioneers discuss the complexities of creating sound and music for film. Check website for panelists.
DATE: Friday, April 15
TIME: 3:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Prepping to Shoot with Catherine Hardwicke (sponsored by Nexxus New York Salon Care)
Twilight, Lords of Dogtown and Thirteen Director Catherine Hardwicke takes you inside preproduction – from creating a workable shot list to constructing lookbooks, shaping locations and building relationships with cast and crew alike – she offers tips and tricks as well as showcasing her personal work materials.
DATE: Sunday, April 17
TIME: 3:00PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Inside Casting
Esteemed Casting Director Ellen Lewis and Ellen Chenoweth have worked with some of the greatest directors including Martin Scorsese, Mike Nichols, Jim Jarmusch, the Coen Brothers, George Clooney and Stephen Spielberg. They will divulge the process of casting and discovering some of today’s most recognizable faces. Moderated by Bernard Telsey.
DATE: Saturday, April 23
TIME: 2:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Tribeca Talks – Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival Conversations, sponsored by Mohegan Sun
Elections and “Scandal”
Debuting their latest Elections short documentary A More Perfect Union, Nate Silver (FiveThirtyEight editor-in-chief), Micah Cohen (FiveThirtyEight politics editor) and guests discuss how the Rev. Wright revelations affected the 2008 Democratic primary between Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton, how the media handled the story, and what lessons the episode holds for the 2016 election.
DATE: Wednesday, April 20
TIME: 2:30PM
LOCATION: SVA2
· A More Perfect Union, directed by Eric Drath. (USA) – World Premiere. From the discovery of Reverend Jeremiah Wright’s inciting sermons to Obama’s ‘A More Perfect Union’ speech, this short film uses interviews, archives, and a timeline to illustrate the behind-the-scenes drama during a make-or-break moment in the 2008 presidential campaign.
O.J.: Made in America with Ezra Edelman and TheUndefeated.com
O.J. Simpson remains one of the most resonant figures in American history. Undefeated.com editor in chief Kevin Merida moderates a discussion with the film’s director Ezra Edelman, managing editor Raina Kelley and senior culture writer Kelley Carter about ESPN Films’ O.J.: Made in America and its attempt to make sense of both the racial context surrounding the trial 20 years ago, and a life and career still being debated today.
DATE: Sunday, April 24
TIME: 5:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
Special “Tribeca Talks” Event
Free Like the Birds
Sophie Cruz, a six year old girl fights to keep her family together as the threat of deporting her parents looms over her. Determined to keep her family together she travels to Washington DC, breaks through police barricades, and talks to the Pope. A girl on a mission.
After the short film: An in depth conversation with prominent activists about immigration
DATE: Thursday, April 21
TIME: 8:30PM
LOCATION: SVA 2
From Film to Game
In the entertainment industry’s constantly changing landscape, the lines between mediums are starting to blur. We are witnessing the intersection of gaming and filmmaking to create a new form of storytelling that revitalizes traditional narratives.
Join BioShock’s Ken Levine, Her Story creator Sam Barlow, and filmmaker Will Gluck in a discussion about how content creators are bridging the gap between video games and TV to generate compelling experiences that put the viewer in the driver’s seat.
DATE: Monday, April 18
TIME: 8:00PM
LOCATION: Festival Hub
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FILMMAKERS: Submit Your Film to 2016 Whistler Film Festival
The 2016 Whistler Film Festival is seeking submissions for the 16th edition, which runs from November 30 to December 3, 2016.
The festival will feature up to 90 films comprised of about 45 features and 45 shorts. Canadian and International filmmakers are invited to submit films of all lengths and genres by the following deadlines:
Early Film Submissions Deadline: April 30 (discount on application)
Regular Film Deadline: June 30
Late Film Deadline: July 31
Extended Late Film Deadline: August 15
The Whistler Film Festival is also accepting applications for Screenwriters Lab.
Up to six writers from across Canada will be selected to participate in the WFF Praxis Screenwriters Lab, a joint feature script development program for Canadian screenwriter that aligns the Praxis Centre for Screenwriters’ flagship feature screenplay competition with WFF’s slate of project development programs and industry Summit.
New for 2016, the Screenwriters Lab will include two phases that take place in Whistler, British Columbia. Phase I will take place over five days from June 5 to 9 and includes four months of ongoing feedback and project development with advisors. Phase II includes a three-day follow up, pitch boot camp and scheduled market meetings from November 29 to December 3 during the Whistler Film Festival + Summit, one of Canada’s leading film festivals and industry gatherings.
Application deadline: April 15 , 2016
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Tisha Campbell-Martin, Naturi Naughton, Fran Burst Honored at Black Women Film Summit
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Fran Burst, Mikki Taylor, Naturi Naughton, Sheryl Gripper, Tisha Campbell-Martin at The Black Women Film Network[/caption]
Last week, the Black Women Film Network (BWFN) hosted the 2016 Black Women Film Summit, featuring the popular “Untold Stories Awards Luncheon.” Actress/singer Tisha Campbell-Martin (ABC’s “Dr. Ken”), actress/singer Naturi Naughton (“POWER”), ESSENCE editor-at-large Mikki Taylor and film director and producer Fran Burst were honored at the2016 Black Women Film Summit held at the Intercontinental Buckhead.
TV and radio personality Ebony Steele (“Coffee with America”) hosted the affair with music provided by DJ Salah Ananse. Scholarships were awarded to aspiring filmmakers Anita Salley and Martha Carswell. Additional luncheon attendees included comedian/writer Myra J, actress Charmin Lee and media personality Spirit.
The Summit that day also included the “Reel Sista Talk” and “Marketing Your Film to Hollywood” panel discussions featuring Haj Chenzira Pinnock, Mikki Taylor, Shante Bacon and Saptosa Foster.
On Saturday, the Summit hosted a number of seminars and panels including a Kids Acting Workshop, a Comedy Class led by Myra J, a “Screenwriting 101” workshop and “The YBF: Young, Black & Filming” panel.
Additionally, authors James E. Chandler, Sr., Amber Saunders, Saunya M. Williams, Ph.D, and BWFN founder Sheryl Gripper showcased their titles at the Book Festival, while various black women filmmakers from around the country debuted their film shorts during the competitive Film Festival. At the end of the day, the winning films were announced:
Best of Festival
Masquerade
Meleisha Edwards, Writer/Producer
Best of Festival (Student Category)
Suga Water
Nakia Stephens, Writer/Producer
Audience Participation Award
Ms. Glo
Angela Edmond, Writer/Director
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Award-Winning Bulgarian Film VIKTORIA Sets U.S. Release Date | TRAILER
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VIKTORIA[/caption]
The Bulgarian film VIKTORIA, directed by Maya Vitkova will be released in the U.S. by Big World Pictures.
Official Selection at Sundance, Rotterdam, AFI Fest and a number of other prestigious film festivals, and winner of numerous awards, VIKTORIA will open at the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas in New York on April 29, with a national release to follow.
Maya Vitkova’s stunning debut feature VIKTORIA, follows three generations of women in the final years of the People’s Republic of Bulgaria and the early years of the transition to democracy. The film focuses on reluctant mother Boryana and her daughter, Viktoria, who in one of the film’s surreal, magical touches is born without an umbilical cord. Though unwanted by her mother, Viktoria is named the country’s Baby of the Decade, and is showered with gifts and attention until the disintegration of the East Bloc. Despite throwing their worlds off balance, the resulting political changes also allow for the possibility of reconciliation.
Maya Vitkova wrote, produced and directed VIKTORIA, making it both personal and universal, and demonstrating a precocious command of all elements of the filmmaking process. Especially impressive is the film’s visual sensibility and its command of a range of shifting tones, from absurdist humor to political allegory to deeply moving familial drama. VIKTORIA was coproduced by Cristi Puiu’s Mandragora.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BcZe6neFQA
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Ashland Independent Film Festival Unveils Lineup, Opens with HONEY BUDDIES
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Honey Buddies[/caption]
The 2016 Ashland Independent Film Festival will be celebrating its 15th anniversary this April by paying tribute to the roots of independent film.
AIFF will give special emphasis to the intersection of live performance and film, beginning with the opening night screening, and Pacific Northwest premiere of Honey Buddies. Filmed in Oregon, the Slamdance award-winning comedy stars Flula Borg as the relentlessly upbeat best man who convinces David Giuntoli (Grimm), after his fiancée dumps him at the altar, to take him on his Columbia River Gorge honeymoon, instead. Borg, an online musical sensation thanks to his YouTube music videos and his striking performance in the recent Pitch Perfect 2, will perform a live DJ set in the Ashland Armory following the screening.
The mainstay of the festival continues to be a rich assortment of documentary and narrative feature films and shorts, including many regional and several national premieres. Magali Noel’s Addicted to Sheep, Nick Hartanto and Sam Roden’s Traveler (which will be accompanied to the festival by its subject, photographer Nicholas Syracuse) and AIFF 2015 Audience Choice award winner Alexandria Bombach’s short film How We Choose are U.S. premieres. Ten feature films that opened at Sundance in January are receiving their regional premieres at AIFF, including Werner Herzog’s essay film on the Internet’s effect on society, Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World; Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise, Uncle Howard, Cameraperson, NUTS!, Hooligan Sparrow, Trapped, and The Fits, along with Sonita and Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You.
There are a number of films with regional connections, including two by rising Portland filmmaker Christopher LaMarca, whose films Boone and The Pearl (co-directed by Jessica Dimmock) just premiered at the South by Southwest (SXSW)and True/False Film Festivals. Boone is a sensory and unsentimental meditation on the lives of three young goat farmers living off the land in the Little Applegate Valley near Jacksonville, Ore. The Pearl delves into the experiences of older transgender women in the Pacific Northwest. The film will be accompanied by the filmmakers and two of their most striking subjects from Oregon, Krystal and Jodi, two sisters who were formerly brothers, and unaware of each other’s gender fluidity. Bastards y Diablos, about two half-brothers who go on a journey of self-discovery to Colombia, involved a crew based mostly out of Medford, Ore., including producer and co-star Dillon Porter.
For lovers of the “other” Ashland festival, there are two films that highlight Shakespeare on the 400th anniversary of his death. Julie Taymor’s A Midsummer’s Night Dream, a theater performance inventively filmed by Rodrigo Prieto, is being touted as a visually spectacular adaptation, and will be accompanied by a Skype conversation with Taymor. Bill is a Monty Pythonesque tale of William Shakespeare’s “lost years”. In addition, a program of short films will feature current and former Oregon Shakespeare Festival actors, including Anthony Heald in The Stairs; and David DeSantos and Stephanie Beatriz in Closure.
“It’s going to be an exciting and stimulating five days and nights,’ said Cathy Dombi, the festival’s executive director. “More than 50 visiting filmmakers and artists will attend the festival to engage in dialogues after screenings, with several artists accompanying their films with live music, art exhibits, and even virtual reality headgear for audiences to sample.”
In his Ashland debut, Richard Herskowitz, the new director of programming, will honor two key indie film institutions by paying tribute to Kartemquin Films and Women Make Movies, organizations that have built an infrastructure for indie filmmakers working outside the mainstream. Kartemquin co-founder and artistic director Gordon Quinn will be joined by filmmakers Joanna Rudnick and Maria Finitzo for three screenings honoring Karteqmquin on its 50th anniversary. Accomplished documentarians Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar of New Day Films will screen three of their latest short films and join Quinn for a TalkBack panel on Activist Film Collectives.
“Independent film’s social and cultural importance has been reaffirmed lately as Hollywood’s neglect of women’s and other minority voices has become painfully apparent,” said Herskowitz.
This year, 24 of the 39 independent feature films are directed or co-directed by women, and the subject of one of the festival’s three “TalkBack” panel discussions will be Women Make Indie Movies, moderated by Women Make Movies’ executive director Debra Zimmerman. Zimmerman will also introduce her company’s acclaimed new release Sonita, winner of the Grand Jury and Audience Prize for international documentaries at Sundance. Sonita is about an Iranian teenager who creates an underground rap song to protest her family’s plan to sell her as a bride.
This year’s Rogue Award will go to the esteemed directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (Detropia, Jesus Camp, The Boys of Baraka), who will screen their latest documentary, Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You, an homage to the 93-year-old American social activist and creator of the TV shows All in the Family, The Jeffersons, and Maude. Barbara Hammer, the pioneering director of queer cinema, will receive the festival’s Pride Award, supported by the Equity Foundation, and will present her latest film, Welcome to this House, on the life and poetry of Elizabeth Bishop.
Herskowitz is introducing a new section titled Beyond, devoted to films that challenge and reinvent storytelling conventions. A highlight of this section will be MA, the debut feature by dance world sensation Celia Rowlson-Hall, a transfixing, artfully wordless narrative in which Rowlson-Hall stars as a reincarnation of the Virgin Mary. Rowlson-Hall was featured on the cover of Dance Magazine in 2014 and named one of 25 “new faces of independent film” in 2015 by Filmmaker Magazine. She is the winner of the festival’s first-ever Juice Award, given to an emerging female film director, with support from Tangerine Entertainment and the Faerie Godmother Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation. Other Beyond titles include The Fits, collective:unconscious, and He Hated Pigeons.
At the TalkBack panel titled Transmedia & Virtual Reality Platforms for New Documentaries, filmmaker Helen de Michiel will present her latest transmedia projects, Lunch Love Community and Berkeley vs. Big Soda. Brad Lichtenstein will demo his virtual reality project, Across the Line, on the effect of anti-abortion protests on health centers and patients. Google VR headsets will be available for sampling after the panel. Vicki Callahan, a USC professor and an authority on digital culture and media strategies for social change, will moderate the discussion.
2016 AIFF FEATURE FILM SELECTIONS
FILM; DIRECTOR
Addicted to Sheep; Magali Pettier
Bastards y Diablos; A.D. Freese
Bill; Richard Bracewell
Birth of Saké, The; Erik Shirai
Boone; Christopher LaMarca
Cameraperson; Kirsten Johnson
Chicago Maternity Center Story, The; Jerry Blumenthal, Suzanne Davenport, Sharon Karp, Gordon Quinn, Jennifer Rohrer
collective:unconscious; Lily Baldwin, Frances Bodomo, Daniel Patrick Carbone, Josephine Decker, Lauren Wolkstein
Embers; Claire Carré
Fits, The; Anna Rose Holmer
Five Nights in Maine; Maris Curran
Gesture and a Word; Dave Davidson
He Hated Pigeons; Ingrid Veninger
Honey Buddies; Alex Simmons
Hooligan Sparrow; Nanfu Wang
Hunky Dory; Michael Curtis Johnson
In Pursuit of Silence; Patrick Shen
In the Game; Maria Finitzo
In Transit; Albert Maysles, Lynn True, Nelson Walker, Ben Wu, David Usui
Light Beneath Their Feet; Valerie Weiss
Lo and Behold: Reveries of the Connected World; Werner Herzog
Louder than Bombs; Joachim Trier
MA; Celia Rowlson Hall
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise; Bob Hercules & Rita Coburn Whack
Midsummer Night’s Dream; Julie Taymor
Neptune; Derek Kimball
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You; Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady
NUTS!; Penny Lane
Pearl, The; Jessica Dimmock and Christopher LaMarca
Secret Screening from Kartemquin Films; TBA
Seventh Fire, The; Jack Pettibone Riccobono
Sonita; Rokhsareh Ghaem Maghami
Three Hikers, The; Natalie Avital
Trapped; Dawn Porter
Traveler; Nick Hartanto and Sam Roden
Uncle Howard; Aaron Brookner
Voyagers Without Trace; Ian McCluskey
Welcome to This House; Barbara Hammer
Women He’s Undressed; Gillian Armstrong
Short Film Programs
After Hours Shorts
Animated Worlds with Mark Shapiro
Art Docs
Ashland Actors On Screen
CineSpace
Family Shorts: Kid Pix
Family Shorts: TweenScreen
Locals Only 1: Family Friendly
Locals Only 2: Woman to Man
Short Stories
Short Docs
TalkBack Panel Discussions
Activist Film Collectives: Kartemquin and New Day Films
Women Make Indie Movies
Transmedia and Virtual Reality Platforms for New Documentaries
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WEINER Documentary to Open Full Frame Documentary Film Festival
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WEINER, Josh Kriegman and Elyse Steinberg[/caption]
Weiner, following disgraced congressman Anthony Weiner’s 2013 campaign for mayor of New York City, will be the Opening Night Film of the 2016 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival.
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You, directed by Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady, will screen as the free Closing Night Film.
Four films : Unlocking the Cage by Chris Hegedus and DA Pennebaker, Two Trains Runnin’ by Sam Pollard, Raising Bertie by Margaret Byrne, and Presenting Princess Shaw by Ido Haar, will exhibit as Center Frame screenings.
Filmmakers and subjects from the films will participate in extended conversations after the Center Frame screenings. Special guests include Steven Wise from Unlocking the Cage; David Dennis, co-director of Mississippi Freedom Summer, from Two Trains Runnin’; Reginald Askew, Davonte Harrell, David Perry, and Vivian Saunders from Raising Bertie; and Samantha Montgomery from Presenting Princess Shaw.
Full Frame 2016 will feature two free outdoor screenings in addition to the Closing Night Film, continuing its tradition of showing free films Friday and Saturday nights. (Dis)Honesty – The Truth About Lies and Iris will screen outdoors at Durham Central Park.
The 2016 Garrett Scott Documentary Development Grant, now in its tenth year, has been awarded to Jonathan Olshefski for Quest: The Fury and the Sound and to Matt Yoka for Whirlybird. Grant organizers will join the filmmakers in presenting short excerpts from their works-in-progress prior to a screening of The Peacemaker by 2014 grant recipient James Demo. The grant is awarded in honor of filmmaker Garrett Scott, who made a distinctive mark in the documentary genre during his brief career. It recognizes first-time filmmakers who, like Scott, bring a unique vision to the content and style of their documentary films.
Opening Night Film of the 2016 Full Frame Documentary Film Festival at Carolina Theatre’s Fletcher Hall
OPENING NIGHT FILM – Thursday, April 7, at 7:40pm
Weiner (Directors: Josh Kriegman, Elyse Steinberg)
With unparalleled access to the candidate, Weiner follows disgraced congressman Anthony Weiner’s 2013 campaign for mayor of New York City and intensely navigates new political scandal as it unfolds.
Center Frame Screenings at Carolina Theatre’s Fletcher Hall
CENTER FRAME – Friday, April 8, at 1:30pm
Unlocking the Cage (Directors: Chris Hegedus, DA Pennebaker)
Having devoted his career to fighting for greater legal rights for nonhuman animals, attorney Steven Wise and his colleagues at the Nonhuman Rights Project launch a history-making lawsuit arguing for captive chimpanzees’ right to personhood.
CENTER FRAME – Friday, April 8, at 8:00pm
Two Trains Runnin’ (Director: Sam Pollard)
Featuring artful animation and performances by Gary Clark Jr. and Lucinda Williams, this story of the search for two forgotten blues singers takes us to Mississippi during the height of the civil rights movement. World Premiere
CENTER FRAME – Saturday, April 9, at 4:30pm
Raising Bertie (Director: Margaret Byrne)
In this intimate portrait of coming of age, three young men in rural Bertie County, North Carolina, persevere against poverty, discrimination, and unemployment. World Premiere
CENTER FRAME – Saturday, April 9, at 8:00 pm
Presenting Princess Shaw (Director: Ido Haar)
Video blogger and aspiring singer Samantha Montgomery is unaware she has a follower and fan in the form of an enigmatic Israeli composer, whose unforgettable YouTube mashups might just help Samantha achieve her dreams.
FREE CLOSING NIGHT FILM
Sunday, April 10, at 8:00pm – Carolina Theatre’s Fletcher Hall (Ticket Required)
Norman Lear: Just Another Version of You (Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady)
The legendary, influential king of 1970s sitcoms reflects on his life, his work, and the profound shift in national consciousness fomented by his groundbreaking television shows.
FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING
Friday, April 8, at 8:30pm – Durham Central Park
(Dis)Honesty – The Truth About Lies (Director: Yael Melamede)
Personal stories of dishonesty are interwoven with insights by behavioral economics expert Dan Ariely in this enlightening study of the human tendency to lie.
FREE OUTDOOR SCREENING
Saturday, April 9, at 8:30pm – Durham Central Park
Iris (Director: Albert Maysles)
The late, legendary Albert Maysles documents 93-year-old fashion icon Iris Apfel in this charming celebration of style, wit, and individuality.
Garrett Scott Documentary Development Grant
Saturday, April 9, at 4:20pm – Cinema 3
Quest: The Fury and the Sound (Director: Jonathan Olshefski)
A longitudinal portrait of an African American family who, despite being victimized by gun violence, continue to embrace their community.
Whirlybird (Director: Matt Yoka)
Bob Tur revolutionized the news industry from the Los Angeles sky and defined our recorded memory of the city.
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Women Texas Film Festival Announces Call For Entries For Fest’s Debut
The Women Texas Film Festival announced a Call for Entries for the inaugural edition of the film festival which will take place at the Texas Theater in Dallas, Texas on August 19 to 21, 2016.
Led by Executive Director Justina Walford, WTFF will screen films, television, and virtual reality projects that have women in at least one key creative role “behind the camera”: Writer, Producer, Director, Cinematographer, Editor, or Composer. WTFF will also organize a host of activities for the festival focused on the craft and artistry of filmmaking by women, including moderated Q&As with filmmakers, panel discussions, networking events, and a red carpet gala.
A filmmaker and playwright, Walford, co-wrote and co-produced last year’s critically acclaimed film, THE LADIES OF THE HOUSE, which was shot in Dallas, Texas. Upon relocating to Dallas from New York City late last year, she discovered that the city, and in fact, the state did not have a film festival dedicated to screening and celebrating the work of female filmmakers in all forms (narrative features, feature length documentaries, shorts, experimental, television, and virtual reality, etc.).
Walford said, “We saw a need to create another home for the work of female filmmakers, so the Women Texas Film Festival will be just that – a three-day fest to celebrate the work of women in that creative space, to give another opportunity to meet and network with other filmmakers and industry professionals here in the great production town of Dallas, Texas, and to offer something concrete for the many talented women behind the camera to point to each year.”
For more info and to submit via Film Freeway
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Les Cowboys Featuring John C. Reilly to Open June 24th
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LES COWBOYS[/caption]
LES COWBOYS directed by Thomas Bidegain, and starring Finnegan Oldfield, featuring John C. Reilly will be released theatrically on June 24th, opening in NY at Lincoln Plaza.
The debut feature from celebrated French screenwriter Thomas Bidegain (DHEEPAN, RUST AND BONE, A PROPHET), LES COWBOYS is a haunting tale of a young woman’s disappearance—and a father’s all-consuming quest to bring her back to safety.
Set amidst a sub-culture of Western enthusiasts in rural France, Alain (François Damiens) attends a cowboy fair with his wife (Agathe Dronne) and children—sixteen-year-old daughter, Kelly (Iliana Zabeth), and young son, Kid (Finnegan Oldfield). When Kelly disappears amidst the chaos of the festivities, Alain’s initial fear quickly turns to anger and disbelief as it becomes increasingly clear that his daughter has willingly abandoned her life to begin anew as a Muslim with her boyfriend. Convinced that she was coerced, Alain devotes what’s left of his broken existence to finding her, eventually bestowing the responsibility of the search onto his son.
A fresh take on John Ford’s classic, THE SEARCHERS, the sixteen-year pursuit takes the two men across personal and international borders, becoming bigger than they could have ever imagined. Lensed by veteran cinematographer Arnaud Potier (5 TO 7, BREATHE, STOCKHOLM, PENNSYLVANIA), LES COWBOYS transports the classic iconography of the Western genre to striking contemporary landscapes—from the hillsides of France to the deserts of Pakistan.
A long-time collaborator of filmmaker Jaques Audiard, Bidegain has established himself as one of France’s most talented and prolific screenwriters, penning the scripts for Audiard’s aforementioned RUST AND BONE, A PROPHET, and DHEEPAN. Bidegain also wrote Bertrand Bonello’s SAINT LAURENT, which went on to be the French Foreign Language Oscar submission for 2014.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPdGgmXTZjo
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Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver to Celebrate 40th Anniversary at Tribeca Film Festival
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Taxi Driver[/caption]
Martin Scorsese’s powerful psychological thriller Taxi Driver will celebrate its 40th Anniversary on April 21 at the upcoming 15th edition of the Tribeca Film Festival (TFF).
Starring Robert DeNiro, Jodie Foster, Albert Brooks, Leonard Harris, Peter Boyle, and Cybill Shepherd, Directed by Martin Scorsese, written by Paul Schrader and produced by Michael Phillips and Julia Phillips, the 1976 film was nominated for four Academy Awards®, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Robert De Niro; and two Golden Globes. One of TIME Magazines “all-TIME 100 Movies,” Taxi Driver was called “a brilliant nightmare,” by the Chicago Sun-Times and praised by the Village Voice as “a phenomenon from another day and age.”
Following the anniversary screening at the Beacon Theatre, Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, and Paul Schrader will take part in a special conversation moderated by Kent Jones.
The 2016 Tribeca Film Festival will take place April 13 to 24.
“Taxi Driver is one of the most brilliantly disturbing movies ever made, and why I chose to go into film. It’s had an indelible impact on pop culture, and its performances rank among the most memorable in cinema,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder, Tribeca Film Festival, and Executive Chair, Tribeca Enterprises. “It’s a great honor to have the original cast at the Festival and to present this masterpiece to a new generation.”
“It’s odd to think that four decades have passed since we shot Taxi Driver on the streets of a very different New York City. It was made in a surge of energy, starting with Paul’s one-of-a-kind script, and I was working with an extraordinary group of artistic collaborators as anyone could ever hope for—Jodie, who was 13 years old at the time, and Bob gave the picture something precious, dangerous, and altogether remarkable. I’m honored to take part in the celebration of the film’s 40th anniversary at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival,” said Martin Scorsese.
“It’s a great honor for TFF to revisit Taxi Driver. I’m very proud to have worked on this film with Marty, Jodie, Harvey, Cybill, Paul, Michael and Julia as well as the extraordinary cast and crew. I remain equally proud today,” said Robert De Niro, Festival co-founder.
An alienated and quiet loner, taxi driver Travis Bickle (Robert De Niro) works the night shift in Manhattan. After failing to land a date with Betsy (Cybill Shepherd), a beautiful campaign aide for presidential candidate Palentine (Leonard Harris), an encounter with a 12- year old prostitute, Iris (Jodie Foster), and her pimp, Sport (Harvey Keitel), convinces Travis that the world is a rotten place. And as his frustration mounts, he assembles a cache of guns and then learns how to use them…with deadly accuracy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUxD4-dEzn0
Sony Pictures digitally restored and re-mastered Taxi Driver to 4K from the original negative, which was shown in a limited theatrical release.
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20 Films to Compete for Golden Gate Awards at San Francisco International Film Festival
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The Demons[/caption]
The 2016 San Francisco International Film Festival taking place April 21 to May 5, announced the films in competition for the Golden Gate Awards (GGA).
SFFS Executive Director Noah Cowan said “With more than a thousand new films from around the world hitting the major festival circuit each year, inevitably some great films get overlooked and some important voices go unheard. The Golden Gate Awards are here to celebrate these artists and their work, providing an additional chance for international exposure and recognition.”
The GGA New Directors Prize winner will receive a cash prize of $10,000, the GGA Documentary Feature winner will receive $10,000 and the GGA Bay Area Documentary Feature winner will receive $5,000.
2016 GGA NEW DIRECTORS PRIZE (NARRATIVE FEATURE) COMPETITION
As I Open My Eyes, Leyla Bouzid, Tunisia/France/Belgium
Her family assumes that Farah, a high-achieving student in Tunis, will continue her studies, but she just wants to sing. When her mom hears that she’s performing politically provocative material with a group of male friends, a powerful story unfolds of female independence that stands in the face of conservative Muslim beliefs.
The Demons, Philippe Lesage, Canada
Documentary filmmaker Philippe Lesage’s narrative debut is an exquisitely observed portrait of a delicate 10-year-old Quebec boy grappling with the insecurities and confusion of impending adolescence. The fragility of innocence is foregrounded through minor humiliations and petty cruelties that unfold in pastel, sun-soaked locations. Infused with an unsettling air of ambiguity and dread that portends terrible crimes to follow, this restrained and coolly beautiful film is an unforgettable portrait a child forced to confront the dangers of growing up.
From Afar, Lorenzo Vigas, Venezuela/Mexico
When a middle-aged single man, who cruises his Caracas neighborhood for rough trade, takes a tough young boy into his home, a gritty exploration ensues as these two angry men negotiate a relationship that resides somewhere between lover and friend and a paternal father/son dynamic. Winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival, Lorenzo Vigas’s debut feature is a tour-de-force exploration of a relationship’s darker side.
Home Care, Slávek Horák, Czech Republic/Slovakia
Dedicated home-care nurse Vlasta (Karlovy Vary winner Alena Mihulová) traipses around the south Moravia countryside on bus and foot tending to (and bantering with) patients too infirm or elderly to travel. When she herself is diagnosed with a serious illness, she turns to alternative therapies and the company of women healers. The Czech Republic’s Oscar submission for Best Foreign Language Film is a rueful, touching mix of realism, absurdity, irony and daring gallows humor.
Mountain, Yaelle Kayam, Israel/Denmark
Yaelle Kayam’s debut feature is strikingly shot against the tombstones of Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives, where an Orthodox woman’s longing for her husband’s love sets in motion a transformational journey into a nocturnal world of pimps and prostitutes. A mesmerizing performance by Shani Klein keeps viewers riveted to a character study that is by turns tender and startling.
Neither Heaven nor Earth, Clément Cogitore, France/Belgium
In this suspenseful war film that uses fear of the dark to great effect, a French army contingent operating in Afghanistan is beset by mysterious disappearances. While Captain Antarès (Jérémie Renier) initially and understandably blames local villagers for the loss of his men, the real cause could be something supernatural, a force that implies the profound wrongness of these men being on soil that doesn’t belong to them.
Thirst, Svetla Tsotsorkova, Bulgaria
When water becomes scarce due to drought, a laundress living in rural southwest Bulgaria with her husband and son invites a dowser and his spirited daughter onto their property to search for hidden springs. Wonderfully atmospheric, the film gracefully depicts how the teenaged girl’s combative nature and the oppressive heat surrounding them all upset the family’s balance, for good and bad.
Thithi, Raam Reddy, India/USA
In a small South Indian village, a cantankerous centenarian keels over and dies, setting the stage for a capricious comedy of errors among three generations of dissimilar sons. Conflict, confusion, corruption and a series of ill-conceived actions all come to a head at the funeral celebration (the titular thithi). With its charming cast of non-professional actors — both human and ovine — director Raam Reddy’s feature film offers a playful portrait of intergenerational conflicts and differences.
Very Big Shot, Mir-Jean Bou Chaaya, Lebanon/Qatar
Two brothers are bitten by the movie bug when they conceive an idea to smuggle drugs in empty film canisters in this often hilarious satire of politics and filmmaking. With an easily manipulated director on board, their controversial storyline involving forbidden love catches the eye of local authorities and their original plan takes a backseat to their cinematic ambitions.
2016 GOLDEN GATE AWARDS DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION
Cameraperson, Kirsten Johnson, USA
Simultaneously an astute observation of nonfiction filmmaking’s dilemmas, and a wonderfully creative autobiographical collage, Cameraperson is a must-see for all documentary enthusiasts. Acclaimed cinematographer Kirsten Johnson, who has lensed such acclaimed films as Citizenfour, Very Semi-Serious and Darfur Now, assembles moments from 25 years of location shoots — including a birthing clinic in Nigeria, a Bosnian farm, a detention center in Yemen and a boxing ring in Brooklyn — and stiches together an illuminating, emotional patchwork memoir.
Dead Slow Ahead, Mauro Herce, Spain/France
We are embedded on a massive cargo freighter as it chugs slowly across the vast Atlantic ocean in this haunting, meditative and expansively ambient film. Humanized by the melancholy of a hard-working crew as they struggle against the elements, Mauro Herce’s insightful and poetic cinematography emphasizes the smallness of human experience against the crushing and mighty mechanical grind of the ship, and the unknowable vastness of the open sea.
haveababy, Amanda Micheli, USA
Amanda Micheli’s stirring and suspenseful documentary follows several aspiring parents who desperately want to have a baby but are struggling with infertility and the high cost of treatments. They place themselves in the hands of Las Vegas doctor Gregory Sher and his annual contest offering a prize of a free round of in-vitro fertilization treatments — with no guarantee of pregnancy. A rollercoaster of hope and despair awaits them all.
The Joneses, Moby Longinotto, USA/UK
Filmmaker Moby Longinotto’s fascinating, thoroughly candid documentary invites audiences to pull up a chair at the never-dull family table in a Mississippi trailer park home. Everything is on the menu: dashed dreams, seething resentments, sexual awakenings and dollops of unconditional love. Overseeing all the tumult is unflappable, 73-year-old transgender matriarch Jheri Jones, whose dedicated ministrations keep her family going.
National Bird, Sonia Kennebeck, USA
Executive produced by Wim Wenders and Errol Morris, this elegant and chilling documentary provides a glimpse of what the US government doesn’t want you to know about drone warfare by focusing on three veterans whose service experience caused them to question the usage of drones in overseas combat.
Notes on Blindness, Peter Middleton, James Spinney, UK/France
A taped journal that theologian John Hull kept after the onset of blindness in 1980 forms the basis of this elegant and moving depiction of struggle and transcendence. Hull’s own voice provides the audio, though an actor plays the deceased writer, as he learns to negotiate his condition and endures a crisis of faith. Sublime sound design further enhances this evocative documentary, making manifest Hull’s discovery that the loss of one sense leads to the sharpening of others.
NUTS!, Penny Lane, USA
Penny Lane’s documentary — comprised of archival material, animated sequences and the occasional talking head — blooms into an incredible almanac of early 20th-century quackery and innovation as she focuses on JR Brinkley, an early broadcasting baron, direct-mail pioneer and an evangelical proponent of goat-testicle implants. An empire built on spurious claims and fear mongering seems unstoppable — until an obscure regional newspaper dares to question its foundations.
The Return, Kelly Duane de la Vega, Katie Galloway, USA
After California voters reversed the state’s Three Strikes law, thousands of inmates became suddenly eligible for resentencing and release. This provocative and touching documentary chronicles what happened next. Filmmakers Kelly Duane De la Vega and Katie Galloway (Better this World, SFIFF 2011) focus on the journeys of the newly free and their families, as well as the Stanford-based lawyers working on behalf of nonviolent offenders, illuminating the multifaceted struggle behind every transition from incarceration to freedom.
Salero, Mike Plunkett, USA/Bolivia
Moises Chambi Yucra and his family stand at the crossroads of time. For generations, they have has made a humble living harvesting salt from Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni, the world’s largest salt flat, but beneath Uyuni sit massive amounts of lithium, a mineral instrumental in powering smartphones and electric vehicles. With stunning cinematography that captures both the vibrancy and the solitude of the land and life, director Mike Plunkett captures the final days of an age-old way of life.
Under the Sun, Vitaly Mansky, Russia/Latvia/Germany/Czech Republic/North Korea
Shot with the permission and supervision of North Korean authorities, Russian director Vitaly Mansky’s film turns a propaganda effort into a deep-cover documentary about life inside one of the world’s most repressive nations. Its subjects — a young girl in Pyongyang and her family — rigorously stick to the ideological script, but by keeping the camera rolling between takes of their carefully staged “real life,” Mansky reveals the grinding gears of the totalitarian message machine.
A Young Patriot, Du Haibin, China/USA/France
Du Haibin’s insightful documentary captures five years in the life of a young Maoist zealot in northern China and provides an unforgettable portrait of China in transition. As the tumult of the country’s recent history unfolds, cracks in the armor of Zhao’s patriotism appear on multiple fronts. Communist Party corruption scandals, the rise of capitalism and the inhumane treatment of his family due to a reclamation project erode his bright optimism.
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72 Shorts Featuring Meryl Streep, Ethan Hawke, Natalie Portman on Lineup for Tribeca Film Festival
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Super Sex[/caption]
72 short films, including an animation curated by Whoopi Goldberg have been selected to screen at the upcoming 2016 Tribeca Film Festival taking place April 13 to 24.
A special evening of short films with a musical performance will serve as the Festival Hub film program opener on April 15 where Michael Rapaport will debut his short documentary Hard Lovin’ Woman which explores the sacrifices acclaimed actress, Juliette Lewis, makes to pursue her first love, music. The rock band, Juliette and the Licks, will perform following the screening. It will be preceded by the short on artist Bradley Theodore, Becoming: Bradley Theodore, directed by Matt Pizzano.
Whoopi Goldberg, a friend of TFF since its inception 15 years ago who has served as a member of the esteemed jury for the Festival, also curates an animated shorts programs aptly titled Whoopi’s Shorts.
Several TFF Alumni directors return as part of the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival short film program including Dan Krauss (Oscar Nominated for his last Tribeca Short The Death of Kevin Carter and winner of Tribeca Best Documentary for The Kill Team) premieres the short Extremis, André Øvredal (2010 mockumentary Trollhunter) brings The Tunnel and writer/director Neil LaBute (2013 feature film Some Velvet Morning and short BFF) this year brings his short The Mulberry Bush.
This year’s selection features exceptional talent on both sides of the camera. Meryl Streep narrated the short documentary, Auschwitz. Danny DeVito directs his daughter Lucy in the short Curmudgeons produced by his son Jake. Matthew Modine, also a TFF Alumni, directs his daughter Ruby, Ed Asner, Kevin Nealon and Elizabeth Perkins in the short Super Sex. The short Starring Austin Pendleton directed by Gene Gallerano and David H. Holmes features Austin Pendleton, Meryl Streep, Olympia Dukakis, Ethan Hawke, and Natalie Portman. Sandra Oh stars in The Scarecrow, Michael Cera and Andrea Riseborough star in That Dog, and Zosia Mamet, Jane Krakowski and Steve Buscemi star in Mildred and The Dying Parlor. Director Patrick Osborne, who won the 2015 Oscar for Best Animated Short Feast, will make his Festival debut this year with his short Pearl.
Recipients of the Tribeca Film Festival’s Best Narrative Short and Best Documentary Short Awards will qualify for consideration in the Short Films category of the Annual Academy Awards® provided the film complies with the Academy rules.
2016 Tribeca Film Festival Shorts Program:
Festival Hub Opening Night:
Performance by Juliette Lewis and the Licks following the screening.
Hard Lovin’ Woman, directed by Michael Rapaport. (USA) – World Premiere. In this heavy-hitting rock documentary, director Michael Rapaport explores the sacrifices acclaimed actress Juliette Lewis makes to pursue her first love, music. Bucking industry politics and critics, self doubt, and physical injury, Lewis leads us on a deeply personal journey through her own authentic, independent, and raw sonic world.
Becoming: Bradley Theodore, directed by Matt Pizzano. (USA) – World Premiere. Two years ago, artist Bradley Theodore didn’t know how to paint; he was also suffering through the darkest moments of his life. This story is a testament to how one’s life can be turned around through sheer dedication to self-teaching and self-promotion.
California Dreaming
Tribeca becomes bi-coastal with their first program of stories about an L.A. kind of life.
The Duke: Based on the Memoir “I’m The Duke” by J.P. Duke, directed by Max Barbakow, written by Derek J. Pastuszek and Andy Siara. (USA) – New York Premiere. Mired in a concussed haze, an ex-NFL linebacker struggles to adjust to life off the field on Super Bowl Sunday.
The Board, directed by David Shane, written by Scott Organ, David Shane. (USA) – World Premiere. A socially-challenged high school kid tests his ultimate system for making a successful first-time call to his crush.
The Chauffeur, directed and written by Brian Burton. (USA) – World Premiere. Donald is an artist. Donald is musician. Donald is an actor. But Donald lives in Los Angeles… so to everyone else, Donald is the chauffeur.
Girl Band, directed and written by Kerry Furrh, Cailin Lowry, and Olivia Mitchell. (USA) – World Premiere. It’s a beautiful morning in the middle of fucking nowhere. Four best friends/bandmates are packed and ready to make their long-anticipated road-trip move to Los Angeles, but their hometown keeps getting in the way.
That Dog, directed and written by Nick Thorburn. (USA) – US Premiere. A dark comedy of errors unfolds as two interloping idiots inadvertently wreak havoc on the lives of others.
Super Sex, directed and written by Matthew Modine. (USA) – World Premiere. It’s always hard to find something for a dad (Ed Asner) who has everything. He says he just wants to be loved. So, his children (Kevin Nealon and Elizabeth Perkins) provide it in a way they never before imagined—Super Sex!
First Impressions
Looks are deceiving as we traverse the globe in search of the truth.
Operator, directed by Ben Hakim, written by Lior Zalmanson. (Israel) – International Premiere. A single mom works as a human drone operator, killing people on a daily basis in order to make a living. How much of it all does she take home? In Hebrew with subtitles.
One Good Pitch, directed by Parker Hill, written by Parker Hill and Evan Ari Kelman. (USA) – World Premiere. After some time apart, Andrew hopes that a game of catch will help him reconnect with his father.
Winds of Furnace (Aire quemado), directed and written by Yamil Alberto Mojica Quintana. (Mexico) – World Premiere. In a half-urbanized community in the Mexican tropics, Santiago and his friends, Antonio and Miguel, are having a fun afternoon sharing jokes, pranks, and dreams as they straddle the boundary between childhood and adult life. In Spanish with subtitles.
Balcony, directed and written by Toby Fell-Holden. (U.K.) – North American Premiere. In a neighborhood rife with racial tension, a local girl falls for a recent arrival who is the victim of prejudice and shame. In Dari, English with subtitles.
Catch a Monster (Coger Un Monstruo), directed and written by Michael Y. Lei. (Bolivia, USA) – World Premiere. A lonely boy finds himself trapped in a dark fantasy come alive in the streets of La Paz, Bolivia. In Spanish with subtitles.
Shok, directed and written by Jamie Donoughue. (Kosovo, U.K.) – New York Premiere. The friendship of two boys is tested to its limits as they battle for survival during the war in Kosovo. Based on true events. In Albanian, Serbian with subtitles.
Learning Curve
Poignant or profound life lessons are embodied in these shorts from here and abroad.
Nkosi Coiffure, directed and written by Frederike Migom. (Belgium) – US Premiere. After fighting with her boyfriend on the street, in Brussels’ African neighbourhood, Eva escapes into a hair salon. The women in the salon initially support her, seeing a woman in distress. But, when they find out what the fight was about, opinions differ. In Flemish, French, Lingala with subtitles.
Game Night, directed and written by Joel Fendelman. (USA) – World Premiere. When a lonely taxi driver happens upon a football field, he falls into a memory of his past.
Ping Pong Coach (乒乓), directed by Yi Liu, written by Chieh Yang. (Taiwan R.O.C., USA) – World Premiere. Fifteen-year-old, Tsi-An has fallen in love with her ping pong coach, who happens to be her best friend’s father. She asks for private lessons with the hope of getting close to him. In Mandarin with subtitles.
A Teachable Moment, directed and written by Jason Jeffrey. (Canada) – World Premiere. Henry lies at the side of the road, bleeding out from a gunshot wound. A young mother with a bizarre sense of what’s appropriate uses his final moments as a teachable lesson for her 6-year-old son.
Pronouns, directed and written by Michael Paulucci. (USA) – New York Premiere. A teenager from Chicago decides to reveal their true identity during a spoken word performance.
Semele, directed and written by Myrsini Aristidou. (Cyprus) – New York Premiere. A school note becomes just the right excuse for Semele to visit her father at his workplace. In Greek with subtitles.
The Scarecrow, directed by Phillip Rhys, written by Phillip William Brock. (USA, England) – New York Premiere. A recently divorced man confronts the rocky shores of loneliness after spending a day with his adolescent son and an encounter with his ex-wife.
New York Now
Home-grown New York shorts rooted firmly in the present.
A Subway Story, directed by Eugene Kolb. (USA) – World Premiere. Two people recount their first meeting on the New York City subway.
Mildred and the Dying Parlor, directed by Alex Gayner, written by Ilan Ulmer. (USA) – World Premiere. Mildred’s parents run a dying parlor out of their home. Today’s client is not who she expects.
You Can Go, directed by Christine Turner, written by Daniel Solé. (USA) – World Premiere. A high school administrator talks down a troubled student.
The Mulberry Bush, directed and written by Neil LaBute. (USA) – World Premiere. Two men sit next to each other on an autumn day in Central Park. They make small talk about the weather and the joys of summer. When the conversation turns personal, however, it becomes clear that this is no random encounter, and they are headed toward a startling confrontation.
Father’s Day, directed by Kiki Lambden Stout, written by Elizabeth Canavan. (USA) – World Premiere. A mother abandons her family on Father’s Day, forcing the family to come face-to-face with her devastating disease.
Wannabe, directed and written by Matthew Manson. (USA) – World Premiere. NYC, 1991. During a time of tremendous racial strife, a neurotic Jewish boy must win over his crush by first impressing her skeptical Jamaican family.
Curmudgeons, directed by Danny DeVito, written by Joshua Conkel. (USA) – World Premiere. A pair of senior citizens have a relationship that shocks both their families in this potty mouthed, but endearing, comedy.
New York Then
These documentary shorts include both human stories and New York’s past.
Taylor and Ultra on the 60s, The Factory and Being a Warhol Superstar, directed by Brian Bayerl, written by Brian Bayerl and Michael Huter. (USA) – World Premiere. Warhol Superstar Ultra Violet (Isabelle Colin Dufresne) and Lower East Side Icon Taylor Mead (Poet/Actor/Artist) share their stories of Manhattan in the 1960s.
Dead Ringer, directed by Alex Kliment, Michael Tucker, and Dana O’Keefe, written by Alex Kliment. (USA) – World Premiere. There are only four outdoor phone booths left in all of New York City—this is a late night conversation with one of them.
Mulberry, directed and written by Paul Stone. (USA) – World Premiere. This cinematic portrait of Little Italy explores how a working class neighborhood of tenement buildings transformed into the third most expensive zip code in the United States. Part funny, part sad, the film investigates how gentrification and rent control are affecting the neighborhood’s long-term residents.
The Carousel, directed and written by Jonathan Napolitano. (USA) – World Premiere. In the small town of Binghamton, New York there spins a 1925 carousel that once inspired Rod Serling and has since become a portal into the Twilight Zone.
Starring Austin Pendleton, directed by Gene Gallerano and David H. Holmes. (USA) – World Premiere. The most famous actor you’ve never heard of; Austin Pendleton reflects on his life and craft while his A-list peers discuss his vast influence and what it means to be an original in a celebrity-obsessed world. Includes interviews with Philip Seymour Hoffman, Meryl Streep, Natalie Portman, Olympia Dukakis, and Maggie Gyllenhaal.
Joe’s Violin, directed by Kahane Cooperman. (USA) – World Premiere. A 91-year-old Holocaust survivor donates his violin to an instrument drive, changing the life of a 12-year-old schoolgirl from the Bronx and unexpectedly, his own.
Past Imperfect
These documentary shorts address historical and timely issues with clarity, creativity and contemplation.
We All We Got, directed and written by Carlos Javier Ortiz. (USA) – New York Premiere. In the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and the country’s recent focus on youth violence, police brutality, and marginalized communities, We All We Got is an elegy of urban America, and an intimate portrait of the people affected by violence in Chicago.
Auschwitz, directed by James Moll, written by Lorna Graham. (USA, Poland) – North American Premiere. Auschwitz is synonymous with the Holocaust, but it’s also a place on the map with a surprising history preceding World War II. Narrated by Meryl Streep, this short documentary tells the story of Auschwitz, from its construction to its infamy.
Extremis, directed by Dan Krauss. (USA) – World Premiere. A purely observational non-fiction film that takes viewers into the ethically murky world of end-of-life decision making in a public hospital.
I Was a Winner (Jag var en vinnare), directed by Jonas Odell, written by Jonas Odell and Richard Dinter. (Sweden) – International Premiere. Told through a mix of documentary interviews and animation, I Was a Winner shares three very different stories on the subject of computer game addiction. In Swedish with subtitles.
We Are, directed by Joshua Shelov and Jay Bulger, written by Joshua Shelov. (USA) – World Premiere. We Are chronicles Penn State’s path from the 2011 scandal to the design of their new campus statue. Sculptor Jonathan Cramer drew inspiration for its creation from the 1948 PSU football team that overcame racial adversity with the mantra ‘We Are Penn State.’
Ocean Stories: Wyland, directed and written by Patrick Creadon and Greg Goggin. (USA) – World Premiere. Energetic, charismatic, and creative, Wyland is best known for his 100 life-size whale murals found on walls and buildings around the world. The extent of Wyland’s public artwork, his galleries, and his community service projects have made him one of the most recognized artists in the world.
Pressure Points
The weight of the world rests heavily on the shoulders of these international characters.
Cherokee, directed and written by Jem Rankin. (Australia) – International Premiere. An uncooperative ex, an argumentative landlord, and a broken front door; Linda’s life is just peachy. Her daughter Shelley escapes their dreary reality through a fascination with Native Americans, but subconsciously assumes Linda’s anger.
For Your Own Safety (Zu Ihrer eigenen Sicherheit), directed and written by Florian Heinzen-Ziob. (Germany) – World Premiere. Jonas works at the hand baggage screening at an airport. He is obsessed with preventing the next terrorist attack. But neither his colleagues, nor his boss appreciate his commitment… In German with subtitles.
Jahar, directed by Henry Hayes, written by Zolan Kanno-Youngs and Henry Hayes. (USA) – World Premiere. In the days after the Boston Marathon bombing, a young man must come to terms with the fact that one of his friends is involved.
Madam Black, directed by Ivan Barge, written by Matt Harris. (New Zealand) – New York Premiere. When a glamour photographer runs over a child’s pet, he’s forced to fabricate a story about its disappearance.
Hold On (Houvast), directed by Charlotte Scott-Wilson, written by Charlotte Scott-Wilson and Marielot van der Slikke. (Netherlands) – World Premiere. A young cellist has to overcome her fears in order to keep her position in an orchestra. In Dutch with subtitles.
Shooting an Elephant, directed by Juan Pablo Rothie, written by Alec Sokolow. (Venezuela, USA, U.K., Nepal) – New York Premiere. Adapted from George Orwell’s autobiography—a young British imperial policeman in Burma is given the no-win mission of handling a rogue work elephant, only to find that the role he is destined to play is that of public executioner.
Rock and a Hard Place
In this music-driven documentary shorts program we start out gently and ramp up to high-energy rock & roll.
Northbound (Mot nord), directed and written by Jørn Nyseth Ranum. (Norway) – North American Premiere. This film shows the first attempt to bring skateboarding to the frozen sandy beaches in northern Norway. Join four of Norway’s best skaters in this poetic and playful encounter with the Arctic winter. In Norwegian with subtitles.
Pearl, directed and written by Patrick Osborne. (USA) – World Premiere. Pearl follows a father and daughter on the road together; tracing his struggles to make it as a musician and parent, and her coming-of-age and musical journey to fulfillment.
Homeland (Hemland), directed and written by Sara Broos. (Sweden) – North American Premiere. A young woman escapes the war in Syria and ends up in the forest in Sweden. Listening to music is a way for her to survive and bring her back, in dreams and memories, to her homeland. This is a film about the power of music and the meaning of the word homeland. In Arabic, English, Swedish with subtitles.
Gift of Gab, directed and written by Michael Jacobs. (USA) – World Premiere. Gift of Gab is a portrait of iconic artist Timothy Parker, from the seminal hip hop group Blackalicious, whose battle with kidney disease ends up fuelling the creation of their first album in 10 years.
Let’s Dance: Bowie Down Under, directed by Rubika Shah, written by Ed Gibbs and Rubika Shah. (U.K., Australia) – North American Premiere. The remarkable, forgotten story behind ‘Let’s Dance,’ David Bowie’s biggest hit record.
Hard Lovin’ Woman, directed by Michael Rapaport. (USA) – World Premiere. In this heavy-hitting rock documentary, director Michael Rapaport explores the sacrifices acclaimed actress Juliette Lewis makes to pursue her first love, music. Bucking industry politics and critics, self doubt, and physical injury, Lewis leads us on a deeply personal journey through her own authentic, independent, and raw sonic world.
Warped Speed
We tip our hat to the 50th Anniversary of Star Trek with our very first sci-fi shorts program that will definitely beam you up.
Curve, directed and written by Tim Egan. (Australia) – World Premiere. Clinging to a smooth, curved surface high above a sentient abyss, a girl tries to cover the few feet back to safety without losing purchase and falling to her death.
The Tunnel (Tunnelen), directed and written by André Øvredal. (Norway) – World Premiere. In an overpopulated future, a family travels home from the beach in heavy traffic; between them and the gigantic city in which they live, is a tunnel with a horrifying purpose. In Norwegian with subtitles.
The Last Journey of the Enigmatic Paul WR (Le Dernier voyage de l’énigmatique Paul WR), directed and written by Romain Quirot. (France) – World Premiere. The red moon threatens our existence on earth. Our only hope is the enigmatic Paul W.R., the most talented astronaut of his generation. But a few hours before the start of the Great Mission, Paul disappears. In French with subtitles.
Never Happened, directed and written by Mark Slutsky. (Canada) – International Premiere. After a pair of colleagues have an affair on a business trip they decide it might be for the best if it just never happened.
Future Boyfriend, directed by Ben Rock, written by A. Vincent Ularich. (USA) – World Premiere. Stuart and Kaylie are enjoying their third date until Stuart reveals a secret that threatens to derail their relationship. Is he telling the truth, or is it just science fiction?
Reality +, directed and written by Coralie Fargeat. (France) – New York Premiere. The brain chip ‘Reality+’ acts on your sensory perceptions and allows you to see yourself with a perfect physique.
All the people equipped with the chip can see your new appearance and you can see theirs. But, the chip is only active for 12h a day… In French with subtitles.
Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival SPORTS SHORTS
Skaters, ballers, and boxers populate this nonfiction program that celebrates the power of a great sports story.
Porzingod, directed and written by Conor Byrne. (USA) – World Premiere. A prayer for the New York Knicks.
Gonzo @ the Derby, directed by Michael D. Ratner. (USA) – World Premiere. In 1970, writer Hunter S. Thompson and illustrator Ralph Steadman covered the Kentucky Derby for Scanlan’s Monthly. The resulting article, ‘The Kentucky Derby Is Decadent and Depraved,’ marked the beginnings of gonzo journalism. Gonzo @ the Derby looks at the article and the lasting impact on media and sports journalism.
The Boxer (El Púgil), directed and written by Angel Manuel Soto. (Puerto Rico) – World Premiere. El Púgil (The Boxer) narrates the rags to riches story of the super feather underdog Angel ‘Tito’ Acosta ‘El Púgil,’ a young Puerto Rican boxer from the slums of Barrio Obrero, Puerto Rico and his ordeal to becoming World Champion. In Spanish with subtitles.
A.C. Green: Iron Virgin, directed by Isaac Feder. (USA) – World Premiere. A.C. Green, Showtime Laker and reigning Iron Man of the NBA, doing the dirty work every night for 1,192 straight games—more consecutive games than any player in NBA history. But, it wasn’t just his durability that separated AC from his NBA brethren: he was a proud virgin, who was saving himself for marriage.
The Best Last Best Plane Ride Ever, directed by James Blagden. (USA) – World Premiere. In October of 1986, the NY Mets beat the Houston Astros in the NLCS in one of the most dramatic series of the decade. This film recreates their post-game airplane celebration: three hours of unbridled chaos resulting in an airplane interior that was almost completely destroyed.
Skateboarding’s First Wave, directed by Don Burgess, written by Ed Buhr. (USA) – New York Premiere. A look at the early days of skateboarding culture in Southern California, and the group of kids that would shape its role in media and society.
2 Fists Up, directed by Spike Lee. (USA) – World Premiere. An examination of how the Black Lives Matter movement sparked activism at the University of Missouri, its football team, and across the rest of The United States.
Whoopi’s Shorts
This animated shorts program, curated by Whoopi Goldberg, showcases imaginative storytelling and captivating craft from around the world. This program is suggested for those 14 and older.
The Orchestra, directed by Mikey Hill, written by Mikey Hill & Jennifer Smith. (Australia) – New York Premiere. In a world filled with beautiful music, Vernon always seems to strike the wrong note.
The Loneliest Stoplight, directed and written by Bill Plympton. (USA) – New York Premiere. The life and times of a neglected stoplight.
Lucens, directed and written by Marcel Barelli. (Switzerland) – US Premiere. The story of the first 100%, made-in-Switzerland nuclear power plant… and also the last. In French with subtitles.
Fear, directed by Dawn Dreyer, Andrea Love. (USA) – World Premiere. Dr. Zenglo Chen was four when his parents disappeared, victims of the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Through Zenglo’s own words and exquisitely crafted hand drawn and stop motion animation, Fear considers the tension between fear and safety; faith and psychology; Chinese and American; and acceptance and healing.
Violet, directed by Maurice Joyce, written by Mark Hodkinson. (Ireland) – New York Premiere. Violet is a cautionary tale of a young girl who despises her reflection.
The Short Story of a Fox and a Mouse, directed and written by Camille Chaix, Hugo Jean, Juliette Jourdan, Marie Pillier, Kevin Roger. (France) – US Premiere. A lonesome fox hunts a mouse, when two owls interfere with the hunt, their relationship evolves.
I am a Pencil (Je suis un Crayon), directed and written by Joe D’Arcy. (Australia, France, Denmark) – New York Premiere. Je suis un Crayon was inspired by the three million people who marched in support of unity, peace, and freedom of expression after the Charlie Hebdo massacre. The pencil (like the artist) has an innate drive to create and will always express, irrespective of whether it is granted permission.
Shiny, directed and written by Daniel Cloud Campos, Spencer Susser. (USA) – New York Premiere. A damsel in distress gets undressed when a man from the Mid-West puts to rest a world that’s obsessed with the priceless, also known as the shiny.
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Aardman Animations to Receive Award at San Francisco International Film Festival
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Wallace-and-Gromit[/caption]
The pioneering studio Aardman will be presented with the Golden Gate Persistence of Vision Award at the 59th San Francisco International Film Festival taking place April 21 to May 5, 2016.
Co-founder and Creative Director Peter Lord will accept the award and participate in an in-depth onstage conversation about the work of the beloved animation studio on the occasion of its 40th anniversary. A screening featuring a selection of Aardman’s short films will provide audiences a chance to see key works from the studio’s rich catalogue.
“We’ve been fans of the work of Aardman at the Festival for quite a while so it is a great thrill to be able to recognize them on their 40th anniversary,” said SFFS Director of Programming Rachel Rosen. “This program will be a great opportunity to perhaps discover some unheralded gems from the studio’s history and to be delighted again by favorite classics.”
Established in 1997, the Persistence of Vision Award each year honors the achievement of a filmmaker or institution whose main body of work is outside the realm of narrative feature filmmaking, crafting documentaries, short films, television, animated, experimental or multiplatform work.
Co-founded by Peter Lord and David Sproxton in the 1970s, Aardman has grown from the two friends’ kitchen-table experimentation to one of the world’s leading model animation studios, with 11 Oscar nominations and four wins. Creating animation that appeals to both adult and family audiences in work that ranges from documentary to madcap adventure, Aardman has produced a stream of stop-motion marvels from Creature Comforts to Wallace & Gromit and Shaun the Sheep. Along with directing and producing his own stellar work, Lord and Aardman have encouraged and nurtured the careers of many talented new directors. The studio recently debuted their latest short film, Special Delivery, via Google’s 360 film initiative “Spotlight Stories.”
As a director, Peter Lord has been nominated for two Academy Awards and has been honored along with Sproxton with a Special BAFTA Award. He has helped create numerous series for television; music videos, including one for Nina Simone’s “My Baby Just Cares for Me”; and television commercials. With Nick Park, he co-directed Aardman’s first feature, Chicken Run, a critical and commercial success, and produced the studio’s first CGI feature, Flushed Away, in collaboration with DreamWorks. Lord also most recently directed Aardman’s stop-motion adventure on the high seas The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists with Sony Pictures Animation.