• 72 Shorts Featuring Meryl Streep, Ethan Hawke, Natalie Portman on Lineup for Tribeca Film Festival

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    [caption id="attachment_11940" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Super Sex 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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    [caption id="attachment_11936" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Wallace-and-Gromit 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.

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  • WE LIKE IT LIKE THAT: THE STORY OF LATIN BOOGALOO Sets Release Date of March 15 | TRAILER

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    [caption id="attachment_11932" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]WE LIKE IT LIKE THAT WE LIKE IT LIKE THAT[/caption] Award-winning documentary WE LIKE IT LIKE THAT will be released on iTunes and VOD nationwide on March 15. Directed by Mathew Ramirez Warren, WE LIKE IT LIKE THAT tells the story of Latin boogaloo, a colorful expression of 1960s Latino soul, straight from the streets of New York City. From its origins to its recent resurgence, it’s the story of a sound that redefined a generation and was too funky to keep down. WE LIKE IT LIKE THAT explores this fascinating, though often overlooked, bridge in Latin music history, showcasing the musical style that was born in the barrios of NYC and would eventually spawn a generation of chart-topping music artists and a global music movement that is once again alive and well today. In the 1960s, a generation of musicians from East Harlem, the South Bronx and parts of Brooklyn fused Afro-Cuban music with R&B, jazz, funk and rock to create Latin boogaloo. It was a period of revolution and social awakening and young Latinos in search of their identity adopted Latin boogaloo as their soundtrack. Much of this music was released by Alegre, Cotique and Fania Records during the 1960s and 70s. But as salsa, a more traditional style of Latin music, grew in popularity by the 1970s, some say the Latin boogaloo was killed off, not by the fans, but by cultural and industry politics. By the 2000s, after decades of obscurity, the artists who made Latin boogaloo popular finally began to get the recognition they deserved, with the help of DJs and new bands such as DJ Turmix, The Boogaloo Assassins and Ray Lugo & the Boogaloo Destroyers, that pay tribute to the genre. The cast of musicians and their personal stories told in We Like it Like Thatare as vibrant and enduring as the unforgettable rhythms they created. Some of the notable artists include Joe Bataan, a former gang leader who spent several years in prison before starting a band and becoming known as the “King of Latin Soul” and continues to be one of the most popular and active Latin boogaloo luminaries working today; Ricardo Ray, a Juilliard trained piano player who along with his singer, Bobby Cruz, recorded the first known Latin boogaloo “Lookie, Lookie” and went on to enjoy international fame in Latin music; Johnny Colon, the influential multi-instrumentalist, composer and bandleader who was a key player in the boogaloo scene and behind the first major latin boogaloo hit, “Boogaloo Blues,” a controversial song at the time for its chorus “LSD’s got a hold on me;” Jimmy Sabater, the late singer and percussionist for the Joe Cuba Sextet who helped write “Bang Bang,” the first boogaloo song to break through as a national hit; Pete Rodriguez, the bandleader whose group created “I Like it Like That,” the biggest Latin boogaloo hit of the 1960s and a repeat chart topper when it was covered in the 1990s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c–UlUha8nY Additionally on March 11, “We Like It Like That: The Story of Latin Boogaloo Volume One” original motion picture soundtrack will be released digitally on Fania Records, featuring 14 classic latin boogaloo tracks from legendary music icons featured in the film such as Pete Rodriguez (“I Like It Like That”), Joe Bataan (“Ordinary Guy,” “Subway Joe”), Richie Ray (“Lookie Lookie”), Ray Barretto (“New York Soul”), Eddie Palmieri (“Azucar”), LeBron Brothers (“Summertime Blues”) and more.

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  • STRIKE A POSE, A Doc About Madonna’s TRUTH OR DARE Dancers to Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival

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    [caption id="attachment_11928" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]STRIKE A POSE STRIKE A POSE[/caption] Following the world premiere at the Berlin International Film Festival (Panorama section) STRIKE A POSE, a documentary about Madonna’s TRUTH OR DARE dancers, heads to Tribeca Film Festival for its North American premiere. In 1990, seven young male dancers – six gay, one straight – joined Madonna on her most controversial tour. On stage and in the iconic film Truth or Dare they showed the world how to express yourself. Now, 25 years later, they reveal the truth about life during and after the tour. Strike a Pose is a dramatic documentary about overcoming shame and finding the courage to be who you are. Wild, talented and barely twenty, the dancers set out on the trip of a lifetime. Their journey was captured in TRUTH OR DARE, one of the highest-grossing documentaries ever. As a self-proclaimed mother to her dancers Madonna used the film to take a stand on gay rights, freedom of expression and the fight against AIDS. Madonna’s flamboyant dancers became icons of sexual freedom. Although they were pivotal to Madonna’s message, the dancers weren’t living it. In fact, Gabriel wasn’t proud of being gay at all. After failing to persuade Madonna to cut out the kissing scene that would ‘out’ him to his family and friends, he filed a lawsuit against her. And Gabriel wasn’t the only one: Carlton – big, bold and the only dancer who was trusted to lift up the pop icon – was HIV-positive and almost collapsed under the secret that he was carrying on tour. A third dancer is still hiding an important part of himself and now finally wants to open up. For the first time they tell us how hard it has been to live the liberated life they were promoting on stage.

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  • 2016 Tribeca Film Festival announces Spotlight, Midnight, Special Screenings, Centerpiece, Work in Progress Films

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    [caption id="attachment_11922" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Elvis & Nixon, Elvis & Nixon,[/caption] The 2016 Tribeca Film Festival also announced the feature films in the Spotlight, Midnight, and Special Screening sections. Also announced was the Centerpiece film and Works In Progress screenings. The 15th edition of TFF will take place from April 13 to April 24, 2016, in New York City. The Spotlight section features 36 films, consisting of 18 narratives and 18 documentaries. 25 films in the selection will have their world premiere at the Festival. The opening night Spotlight film is the world premiere of Bill Purple’s drama The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea starring Jason Sudeikis, Jessica Biel, and Maisie Williams. The Midnight section will open with the World Premiere of the highly anticipated horror anthology, Holidays, from some of today’s most visionary genre filmmakers. Midnight is comprised of six world premieres. The section features the best in genre cinema, encompassing a diverse range of thriller, horror, comedy, and action films. The Centerpiece film for this year’s Festival is the world premiere of the historical comedy Elvis & Nixon, directed by Liza Johnson and starring Kevin Spacey and Michael Shannon. The complete film selections for the Spotlight, Midnight, Centerpiece, and Special Screenings sections are as follows: CENTERPIECE Elvis & Nixon, directed by Liza Johnson, written by Joey Sagal, Hanala Sagal, and Cary Elwes. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. In 1970, a few days before Christmas, Elvis Presley showed up on the White House lawn seeking to be deputized into the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs by the President himself. Elvis & Nixon, starring Michael Shannon and Kevin Spacey respectively, imagines the comical details of this outlandish historical encounter. Featuring supporting performances from Alex Pettyfer, Johnny Knoxville, Colin Hanks, Evan Peters, and Sky Ferreira. An Amazon Studios/Bleecker Street release. SPOTLIGHT This year’s Spotlight is a family affair, with many films examining families large and small, natural and adopted, stable and struggling. The family of an elderly man, seeking an assisted suicide, rally around him in Youth in Oregon, while the once tight-knit families of Little Boxes and Family Fang try to recapture their intimacy after unexpected change. Fathers and sons clash in Phenom and Wolves, while the mothers and daughters of All We Had and The Meddler lean on each other when everything else seems to be falling apart. One family is threatened by the New York City legal system in Custody, while a new family is forged between lost souls in section opener The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Having once formed their own makeshift family on the road, the dancers of Madonna’s Blonde Ambition tour reunite for Strike a Pose and point to another theme of the section that emerges strongly in the documentary selections: the power of the arts and the journey of the artist. Whether it’s visual artists like Banksy and Chris Burden or the dancers of Reset and Strike a Pose; the comedians of The Last Laugh and Pistol Shrimps or the Asian-American rappers fighting for respect in Bad Rap; many films in this year’s selection highlight the versatile power of the arts to affect individuals and culture itself in myriad ways, perhaps none more strongly than Midsummer in Newtown, a resonant testament to the power of art to heal a community after tragedy. Opening Film The Devil and the Deep Blue Sea, directed by Bill Purple, written by Robbie Pickering & Bill Purple. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Henry (Jason Sudeikis) and Penny (Jessica Biel) are a New Orleans couple very much in love, until tragedy strikes and Henry is forced to rebuild. Quite literally, it turns out. After he befriends a tough street teen (Maisie Williams), he helps her construct the raft she’ll use to sail across the Atlantic in search of her long lost father. With Jason Sudeikis, Jessica Biel, Maisie Williams, Orlando Jones, Mary Steenburgen, and Paul Reiser. All We Had, directed by Katie Holmes, written by Josh Boone & Jill Killington. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Ruthie continually makes the best of her mother Rita’s hard luck. When their attempt at settling in a new town hits a stumbling block, even Ruthie struggles to keep it together. Based on Annie Weatherwax’s 2014 novel, Katie Holmes’s feature directorial debut is an enriching coming-of-age drama about a resilient mother and daughter who find strength in each other. With Stefania Owen, Katie Holmes, Luke Wilson, Richard Kind, Mark Consuelos, Judy Greer, and Eve Lindley. Bad Rap, directed and written by Salima Koroma. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Bad Rap follows the lives and careers of four Asian-American rappers trying to break into a world that often treats them as outsiders. Sharing dynamic live performance footage and revealing interviews, these artists will make the most skeptical critics into believers. With humor and insight, the film paints a portrait of artistic passion in the face of an unsung struggle. With Jonathan “Dumbfoundead” Park, Nora “Awkwafina” Lum, David “Rekstizzy” Lee, and Richard “Lyricks” Lee. The Banksy Job, directed and written by Ian Roderick Gray and Dylan Harvey. (U.K.) – World Premiere, Documentary. Simultaneously hilarious, wild, and bizarre The Banksy Job further illuminates the crazy world of street art and the peculiar relationships between the artists—in particular, Banksy and the artist known as AK47. An art world, mystery caper, The Banksy Job adds another whacky layer to the Banksy story that can’t be missed. Burden, directed by Timothy Marrinan and Richard Dewey. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Illustrated with performance, private videos, and recollections from those who knew him, this detailed and innovative documentary looks at the life of the always provocative artist Chris Burden, whose work consistently challenged ideas about the limits and nature of modern art, from his notorious performances in the 1970s to his later assemblages, installations, kinetic and static sculptures, and scientific models. Check It, directed by Dana Flor and Toby Oppenheimer. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Fed up with being abused and harassed on the brutal inner-city streets of Washington D.C., a group of gay and trans teens form a gang to fight back. This raw and intimate portrait follows four Check It members as they struggle to find a way out of gang life through an unlikely avenue: fashion. Command and Control, directed by Robert Kenner, written by Robert Kenner and Eric Schlosser. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. A high-stakes documentary thriller, Command and Control—based on Eric Schlosser’s 2013 book of the same name—explores the “human error” that led to an explosion at the Titan II nuclear site just outside Little Rock, Arkansas towards the end of the Cold War, and probes how mutually assured destruction might actually mean self-annihilation. Courted (L’Hermine), directed and written by Christian Vincent. (France) – North American Premiere, Narrative. When a feared judge of the French court, Xavier Racine (Fabrice Luchini), encounters a French-Danish juror, Ditte Lorensen-Coteret (Sidse Babett Knudsen), at a murder trial, their shared past is slowly uncovered. Understated and engaging, director Christian Vincent (Four Stars, Haute Cuisine) lets two narratives unfold, playing with notions of how we present ourselves and how we wish to be perceived. In French with subtitles. Custody, directed and written by James Lapine. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Legal and intimate family dynamics dovetail in Custody. Starring Viola Davis as an embattled family court judge with a fraught marriage of her own; Hayden Panettiere as a recent law-school grad flung into a custody case; and Catalina Sandino Moreno as the single mother at the center of the case who risks losing her two children over an ill-timed argument. With Tony Shalhoub, Raul Esparza, Dan Fogler, and Ellen Burstyn. Don’t Think Twice, directed by Mike Birbiglia. (USA) – New York Premiere, Narrative. Mike Birbiglia’s true-to-life second feature is set in the world of New York improv comedy, where the members of a tight-knit troupe are thrown into disarray when one of their ranks lands a coveted spot on a top TV show. Produced by Ira Glass and co-starring Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Kate Micucci, Chris Gethard and Mike Birbiglia. Team Foxcatcher, directed by Jon Greenhalgh. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Jon Greenhalgh’s Team Foxcatcher chronicles the paranoid, downward spiral of millionaire John E. DuPont that led to the tragic murder of olympic wrestler David Schultz. Never-before-seen home videos shot during Schultz’s time at Foxcatcher Farms shed light on the disturbing events and serve as a poignant memoir to the legacy of the champion wrestler, husband, and father. A Netflix release. Enlighten Us: The Rise and Fall of James Arthur Ray, directed by Jenny Carchman. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. The self-help industry is worth $11 billion dollars a year; it captivates those seeking happiness, release from suffering, and those longing for a path and a leader to follow. James Arthur Ray, for many, was that sort of leader. But when a sweat lodge ceremony goes horribly wrong, we learn from Ray and some of his followers that their spiritual path was fraught with danger and perhaps even greater suffering. The Family Fang, directed by Jason Bateman, written by David Lindsay-Abaire. (USA) – US Premiere, Narrative. Nicole Kidman and Jason Bateman are Annie and Baxter Fang, children of celebrated performance artists Caleb and Camille Fang (Christopher Walken and Maryann Plunkett). When the elder Fangs go missing under mysterious circumstances, the siblings are forced to unpack long-dormant and unresolved issues from their unorthodox childhoods as they search for their parents, in Bateman’s caustically funny and deeply felt sophomore feature. With Jason Butler Harner and Kathryn Hahn. A Starz release. A Hologram for the King, directed and written by Tom Tykwer. (USA, Germany) – World Premiere, Narrative. In Tom Tykwer’s wryly comic adaptation of Dave Eggers’ novel, Tom Hanks stars as a struggling American businessman who travels to Saudi Arabia to sell a new technology to the King, only to be challenged by endless Middle Eastern bureaucracy, a perpetually absent monarch, and a suspicious growth on his back. With Alexander Black, Sarita Choudhury, Sidse Babett Knudsen, Ben Whishaw, and Tom Skerritt. A Roadside Attractions release. Hunt for the Wilderpeople, directed and written by Taika Waititi. (New Zealand) – New York Premiere, Narrative. A spunky orphan and his gruff guardian are forced to flee after a series of misunderstandings send them both into the wilderness as mismatched fugitives. Starring Sam Neill and featuring a hysterically funny performance from newcomer Julian Dennison, director Taika Waititi (What We Do in the Shadows, and the upcoming Thor: Ragnarok) has crafted a truly touching adventure-comedy. An Orchard release. A Kind of Murder, directed by Andy Goddard, written by Susan Boyd. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. The Blunderer, written by Carol author Patricia Highsmith, gets a classic film noir treatment in A Kind of Murder, a ’60s-set Hitchcockian thriller that explores how we judge culpability in the death of another. Starring Patrick Wilson, Jessica Biel, and Vincent Kartheiser. The Last Laugh, directed by Ferne Pearlstein, written by Robert Edwards and Ferne Pearlstein. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. When is comedy not funny? Some would argue, when it’s about the Holocaust. Through interviews and performances featuring people on either side of the issue—including Mel Brooks, Sarah Silverman, Louis C.K., Joan Rivers, Chris Rock, and Abe Foxman—as well as a portrait of a resilient survivor, The Last Laugh offers an intelligent and hilarious survey of what is and is not off-limits in comedy, from the Holocaust and beyond. Lavender, directed by Ed Gass-Donnelly, written by Ed Gass-Donnelly and Colin Frizzel. (Canada) – World Premiere, Narrative. Abbie Cornish, Dermot Mulroney, and Justin Long star in this hallucinatory thriller about Jane, a photographer who suffers severe memory loss following a horrific car accident. Putting her life at risk, as well as those of her husband and daughter, she must piece together and confront the traumatic past that is haunting her. Life, Animated, directed by Roger Ross Williams, written by Roger Ross Williams and David Teague. (USA) – New York Premiere, Documentary. Oscar-winning director Roger Ross Williams tells the remarkable story of an autistic young man, unable to speak for much of his childhood, who regained his ability to communicate through a life-long commitment to Disney animated movies. Life, Animated is a moving illustration of the power of love and understanding to fix those things in life that appear irreparable. An Orchard release. Little Boxes, directed by Rob Meyer, written by Annie J Howell. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. It’s the summer before 6th grade, and Clark is the new-in-town biracial kid in a sea of white. Discovering that to be cool he needs to act ‘more black,’ he fumbles to meet expectations as rifts are exposed in his tight-knit family, his parents also striving to adjust. This poignant comedy about understanding identity is the second feature from TFF alumnus Rob Meyer. Executive Produced by Cary Fukunaga. With Melanie Lynskey, Nelsan Ellis, Armani Jackson, Oona Laurence, Janeane Garofalo, and Christine Taylor. Magnus, directed by Benjamin Ree, written by Linn-Jeanethe Kyed and Benjamin Ree. (Norway) – World Premiere, Documentary. Carlsen is known as the ‘Mozart of Chess’ because, unlike many chess grandmasters, he possesses innate ability, an unbelievable memory, and unrivaled creativity. Memorized moves and calculated probability can only carry a chess player so far; Magnus exploits this weakness in his opponents on his way to becoming the World Chess Champion. In English, Norwegian with subtitles. The Meddler, directed and written by Lorene Scafaria. (USA) – US Premiere, Narrative. Susan Sarandon delivers a magnetic performance as the doting, mother supreme Marnie Minervini, who crosses coasts to drop into the life of her screenwriter daughter Lori (Rose Byrne). Loosely autobiographical, Lorene Scafaria’s heartfelt comedy offers a wryly scripted defense of a woman struggling to cope with familial loss. Co-starring J.K. Simmons, Cecily Strong, Jerrod Carmichael, and Jason Ritter. A Sony Pictures Classic release. Midsummer in Newtown, directed by Lloyd Kramer. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Midsummer in Newtown is a testament to the transformative force of artistic expression to pierce through the shadow cast down by trauma. From auditions to opening night, we witness the children of Sandy Hook Elementary find their voice, build their self-confidence, and ultimately shine in a rock-pop version of A Midsummer’s Night Dream. Mr. Church, directed by Bruce Beresford, written by Susan McMartin. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. When a dying mother hires a talented cook (Eddie Murphy) to help take care of her young daughter, a lifelong friendship blooms. A tender coming-of-age family drama directed by the Oscar-nominated, Bruce Beresford (Driving Miss Daisy). With Britt Robertson, Xavier Samuel, Natascha McElhone, Lucy Fry My Blind Brother, directed and written by Sophie Goodhart. (USA) – New York Premiere, Narrative. In Sophie Goodhart’s utterly original romantic comedy, Robbie (Adam Scott) is a champion blind athlete and local sports hero whose brother Bill (Nick Kroll) is always overlooked, even though he runs every marathon by his side. When both fall for the same lady (Jenny Slate), Bill must decide if he will put himself second again, or finally stand up to his blind brother. With Zoe Kazan, Charlie Hewson, Maryann Nagel, and Greg Violand. My Scientology Movie, directed by John Dower, written by John Dower and Louis Theroux. (U.K.) – International Premiere, Documentary. BBC journalist Louis Theroux joins forces with director John Dower to explore the elusive Church of Scientology. With the help of a former high-ranking Scientologist, Theroux sets out to understand the furtive goings-on of the Church, armed with his irreverent humor and biting irony. National Bird, directed by Sonia Kennebeck. (USA) – International Premiere, Documentary. Sonia Kennebeck takes on the controversial tactic of drone warfare, and demands accountability through the personal accounts—recollections, traumas, and responses—of three American military veterans whose lives have been shaken by the roles they played in this controversial method of attack. Executive produced by Wim Wenders and Errol Morris. In Dari, English with subtitles. The Phenom, directed and written by Noah Buschel. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. When major-league rookie pitcher Hopper Gibson (Johnny Simmons) chokes on the mound, he’s sidelined to the minor leagues and prescribed sessions with an unorthodox sports psychologist (Paul Giamatti). In the process, long-dormant conflicts with his overbearing father (Ethan Hawke) are brought to light. The Phenom is a captivating psychological study of an individual caught up in the expectations of the big-league sports machine. Pistol Shrimps, directed and written by Brent Hodge. (USA, Canada) – World Premiere, Documentary. Sometimes girls just wanna have fun… and ball. Brent Hodge (A Brony Tale, TFF 2014) and Morgan Spurlock (Mansome, TFF 2012) introduce us to an eclectic group of women who play in an LA recreational basketball league, focusing on the Pistol Shrimps, a rag-tag group of actresses (including Aubrey Plaza, Parks and Recreation), comedians, musicians, and mothers who brought nationwide attention to the league that could. Reset (Relève), directed and written by Thierry Demaizière and Alban Teurlai. (France) – International Premiere, Documentary. Stunningly gorgeous and delicate in both subject and treatment, Reset depicts renowned choreographer and dancer Benjamin Millepied (also known for choreographing the dance sequences in Black Swan) as he attempts to rejuvenate the Paris Opera Ballet in his new position as director. With appearances by composer Nico Muhly, Opera alumna Aurélie Dupont, and designer Iris van Herpen, Reset is a delightfully aesthetic affair. In French with subtitles. Shadow World, directed by Johan Grimonprez. (USA, Belgium, Denmark) – World Premiere, Documentary. In this eye-popping montage of archival and news footage and interviews, Johan Grimonprez exposes the shadow world of the global arms trade, where corruption, lies, and greed drive covert relationships between politicians, industry executives, military and intelligence officials, and arms dealers. Their aim: to perpetuate war in order to generate more profit, no matter what the human cost. In Arabic, English, Spanish with subtitles. Strike a Pose, directed and written by Ester Gould and Reijer Zwaan. (Netherlands) – North American Premiere, Documentary. To the fans, they were the unforgettably talented men who supported the career of one of the world’s most beloved and controversial music artists: Madonna. Behind the scenes they were an impressionable group of young dancers whose lives were forever changed by her influence. Strike a Pose reunites the men 25 years later, providing the chance to learn about the emotional truth behind the glamorous facade. Vincent N Roxxy, directed and written by Gary Michael Schultz. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Vincent (Emile Hirsch) is a small town loner, and Roxxy (Zoë Kravitz) a rebellious punk rocker. When they find themselves on the run from the same dangerous criminals, their feelings for one another deepen, despite their dangerous circumstances. Soon, the star-crossed lovers discover violence is never far behind them, in Gary Michael Schultz’s alternately romantic and brutal drama. With Emory Cohen, Zoey Deutch, Jason Mitchell, Scott Mescudi. Win!, directed and written by Justin Webster. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. With inside access to the players, decision makers, and supporters who were central to the formation of New York City Football Club and its historic inaugural season, Win! offers a fascinating behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a Major League Soccer team from the ground up, in the country’s most competitive sports market. In English, Spanish with subtitles. Wolves, directed and written by Bart Freundlich. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Anthony Keller (Taylor John Smith), star of his NYC high school basketball team, is riding his way to Cornell on a sports scholarship. He can only maintain his popular jock facade for so long, as his troubled father Lee (Michael Shannon) has a gambling addiction that threatens to derail his dreams both on and off the court. Bart Freundlich’s powerfully directed drama co-stars Carla Gugino. Youth In Oregon, directed by Joel David Moore, written by Andrew Eisen. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Frank Langella, Billy Crudup, Christina Applegate, Mary Kay Place, and Josh Lucas star in this dramedy about an ailing man travelling to Oregon to be legally euthanized. Langella is superb, capturing the frustration, resolution, and desperation that swirl around so profound a decision. Actor-turned-director Joel David Moore creates a powerful affirmation on the search that finds value in the life you have. MIDNIGHT Always a thrill for the late night crowd, Tribeca Film Festival’s Midnight section features the best in horror, comedy, action, and camp. Opening Film Holidays, directed by Kevin Kolsch & Dennis Widmyer, Nicholas McCarthy, Gary Shore, Sarah Adina Smith, Anthony Scott Burns, Kevin Smith, Scott Stewart, and Adam Egypt Mortimer, written by Kevin Kolsch & Dennis Widmyer, Nicholas McCarthy, Gary Shore, Sarah Adina Smith, Anthony Scott Burns, Kevin Smith, and Scott Stewart. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Get in the holiday spirit with this horror anthology from some of today’s most visionary genre auteurs. From a very unholy Easter Bunny to a particularly macabre Valentine’s Day gift, Holidays is a full calendar year of festive stories, bringing out the most twisted and subversive sides of each seasonal celebration. With Seth Green, Clare Grant, Ruth Bradley, Sophie Traub, Jocelin Donahue, Harley, Morenstein, Lorenza Izzo, and Andrew Bowen. In the Virtual Arcade, the Festival is exhibiting Holidays: Christmas VR, which is tied to Christmas, a part of the Holidays anthology feature. Fear, Inc., directed by Vincent Masciale, written by Luke Barnett. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. In this referential horror-comedy thriller, horror junkie Joe Foster gets to live out his ultimate scary movie fantasy courtesy of Fear Inc., a company that specializes in giving you the fright of your life. But as lines blur between what is and is not part of the game, Joe’s dream comes true begins to look more like a nightmare. With Lucas Neff, Caitlin Stasey, Chris Marquette, Stephanie Drake, Mark Moses, and Abigail Breslin. Here Alone, directed by Rod Blackhurst, written by David Ebeltoft. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. A virus has ravaged human civilization, leaving two groups of survivors: those who have managed to avoid infection, and those driven to madness, violence, and an insatiable bloodlust. Living deep in the woods, Ann, Chris, and Olivia are forced to fend off the infected while foraging for supplies. But when a supply expedition goes terribly awry, one among their number must make a terrible choice. With Lucy Walters, Gina Piersanti, Adam David Thompson, and Shane West. King Cobra, directed and written by Justin Kelly. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. This ripped-from-the-headlines drama covers the early rise of gay porn headliner Sean Paul Lockhart (Garrett Clayton), aka Brent Corrigan, before his falling out with the producer (Christian Slater) who made him famous. When Sean decides he’d be better off a free agent, a cash-strapped pair of rival producers (James Franco and Keegan Allen) aim to cash in by any means possible. With Alicia Silverstone and Molly Ringwald Rebirth, directed and written by Karl Mueller. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Adam Goldberg, Pat Healy, Harry Hamlin and Nicky Whelan star as members of a mysterious self-help group (possibly a cult). Fran Kranz plays their newest recruit. Rebirth simultaneously satirizes the buddy comedy and embraces the thriller format, resulting in a film that is at one moment hilarious and at the next, deeply disturbing. A Netflix release Tiger Raid, directed by Simon Dixon, written by Simon Dixon, Mick Donnellan, Gareth Coulam Evans. (U.K.) – World Premiere, Narrative. Two mercenaries in Iraq speed through the dead of night, on their way to execute a covert mission. But as they near their objective, past misdeeds come violently to the surface, in this action-packed two-hander. With Sofia Boutella, Brian Gleeson, Damien Molony Special Event [caption id="attachment_11923" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]I'll Sleep When I'm Dead I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead[/caption] I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, directed by Justin Krook. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. From producers Matthew Weaver, Matt Colon, Happy Walters and David Gelb (Jiro Dreams of Sushi, TFF 2011) is an energetic, heart-pumping documentary about one of the most eminent DJs working today: Steve Aoki. In the lead-up to Aoki’s biggest show of his career, the doc examines the driving force behind his passion: Rocky Aoki, daredevil showman, Benihana founder, and Steve’s absent father. Following the film, there will be a conversation and performance with Steve Aoki at The Beacon Theatre. Special Screenings Don’t Look Down, directed by Daniel Gordon. (U.K.) – World Premiere, Documentary. In the late ’80s and early ’90s, daredevil entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson made an audacious attempt to cross the Atlantic and Pacific in the world’s largest hot air balloon. Don’t Look Down is a personal revelation; a dramatic tale of survival and drive. Branson recounts his experience with uncanny vividity, and reveals how baiting death forever changed him. Everybody Knows…Elizabeth Murray, directed by Kristi Zea. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. This tribute to the dynamic artist Elizabeth Murray, an intrinsic figure in New York’s contemporary art landscape from the 1970s until the early 2000s, highlights her struggle to balance personal and family ambition with artistic drive in a male-dominated art world. It also addresses her later battle with cancer, at the peak of her career. Screening in partnership with the Whitney Museum of American Art where the film will screen. The Man Who Knew Infinity, directed by Matthew Brown, written by Matthew Brown and Robert Kanigel. (U.K.) – New York Premiere, Narrative. In 1913, a self-taught mathematics prodigy Ramanujan (Dev Patel) traveled from his home in India to Trinity College in Cambridge to study with the esteemed professor GH Hardy (Jeremy Irons). Hardy fights for Ramanujan to be recognized as the two struggle with prejudice, illness, and culture on the road to perfecting the theorems that changed the course of history of math. In English, Tamil with subtitles. An IFC Films release. Following the screening there will be an in depth conversation with Dev Patel and the film’s creators. Presented in association with the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation/Tribeca Film Institute partnership, this Special Screening Event is co-sponsored by Bira 91. Geezer, directed and written by Lee Kirk. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Perry (Billie Joe Armstrong) is a happily married father of two living a comfortable but sedate life in the suburbs. On the occasion of his 40th birthday, he seeks to revisit his former life as the lead singer in a popular punk band though his middle-aged reality quickly (and hilariously) clashes with the indulgences of his youth. With Fred Armisen, Selma Blair, Judy Greer and Chris Messina. With a special live performance from Billie Joe Armstrong following the film. Maurizio Cattelan: Be Right Back, directed and written by Maura Axelrod. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. An art world upstart, provocative and elusive artist Maurizio Cattelan made his career on playful and subversive works that send up the artistic establishment, until a retrospective at the Guggenheim in 2011 finally solidified his place in the contemporary art canon. Axelrod’s equally playful profile leaves no stone unturned in trying to figure out: who is Maurizio Cattelan? In English, Italian with subtitles. Screening in partnership with the Guggenheim Museum where the film will screen. Pelé: Birth of a Legend, directed and written by Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. From the slums of Brazil to center stage at the world’s biggest sporting event, Pelé’s rise to become the youngest-ever World Cup winner, at the age of 17, was nothing short of a miracle. Full of laughs, life lessons, and heart, this inspiring biopic is perfect for introducing a new generation to the greatest soccer player of all time. With Vincent D’Onofrio, Rodrigo Santoro, Diego Boneta, Seu Jorge, Colm Meaney. An IFC Films release. Followed by a conversation with Pelé. SHOT! the Psycho-Spiritual Mantra of Rock, directed by Barnaby Clay. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. Legendary music photographer Mick Rock is best known for his iconic photographs of David Bowie, Lou Reed, Iggy Pop, Queen, and countless others. In a documentary as rock-n-roll as its subject, Mick Rock guides us through his psychedelic, shambolic first-hand experiences as the visual record-keeper of these myths and legends. With a special live music tribute following the screening. The Show of Shows: 100 Years of Vaudeville, Circuses and Carnivals, directed by Benedikt Erlingsson. (U.K., Iceland) – North American Premiere, Documentary. Benedikt Erlingsson brings us a world of imagination with a compendium of wonderful unseen archival footage of circus performers, cabaret acts, and fairground attractions. The films are set to a haunting electronic score composed by members of Sigur Rós in collaboration with Hilmar Örn Hilmarsson. Screening in partnership with MoMA PS1 where the film will screen inside the VW Dome. Work In Progress Ghostheads, directed and written by Brendan Mertens. (Canada, USA) – Work-In-Progress, Documentary. Join us for a special sneak preview screening of Brendan Mertens’ documentary exploring the many faces of Ghostbusters fandom and celebrating 30 years of one of cinema’s most iconic franchises. Featuring interviews with Dan Aykroyd, Ivan Reitman, Sigourney Weaver, and Paul Feig. Untitled Bill Nye Documentary, directed by David Alvarado and Jason Sussberg. (USA) – Work-In-Progress, Documentary. When it raised over $800,000 on Kickstarter, The Untitled Bill Nye Documentary broke the fundraising site’s records and instantly became one of the most anticipated upcoming documentaries. Join the filmmakers and the titular Science Guy as they preview exclusive scenes from their upcoming doc and discuss their process, collaboration, and fundraising strategy.  

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  • Orlando Magic Documentary This Magic Moment Opens Lineup for Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival.

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    [caption id="attachment_11920" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]This Magic Moment, This Magic Moment,[/caption] The 2016 Tribeca Film Festival announced the feature film lineup for the 10th annual Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival. The tenth annual Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival will open on April 14 with a Gala screening and world premiere of the documentary This Magic Moment chronicling the 1990s Orlando Magic dynasty headlined by superstars Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway. Seven feature films will screen as part of the Festival, the premiere outlet to showcase independent films that focus on sports and competition. The film will premiere on ESPN that night with live simulcast from the Tribeca red carpet, with special guests including Shaquille O’Neal. Jeff and Michael Zimbalest return to the Tribeca Film Festival with the World Premiere of their inspiring biopic Pele: Birth of a Legend, about Pele’s rise from the slums of Brazil to become the youngest ever World Cup winner at the age of 17 (Pele will be in attendance). Other films explore a new soccer franchise in New York, a famous chess player, a Native American girls highschool lacrosse team, and an LA recreational basketball league, made up of actresses, comedians, musicians, and mothers. Gala: This Magic Moment, co-directed by Erin Leyden and Gentry Kirby. (USA) – World Premiere. Documentary. In the mid-1990s, Orlando was the epicenter of excitement in the NBA. The young franchise, led by mega-stars Shaquille O’Neal and Penny Hardaway, beat Michael Jordan and the mighty Bulls en route to the 1995 NBA Finals. They lost to the Rockets that year but it was clear this team from Orlando was a dynasty in the making. But the Magic’s moment on top was never fully realized – a classic “what-could-have-been” story, where success came fast and big and then ‘poof’, the magic was gone. Feature films: El Clásico, directed by Halkawt Mustafa, written by Anders Fagerholt and Halkawt Mustafa. (Norway, Iraqi Kurdistan Region) – North American Premiere Keepers of the Game, directed by Judd Ehrlich. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary Magnus, directed by Benjamin Ree, written by Linn-Jeanethe Kyed and Benjamin Ree. (Norway) – World Premiere, Documentary. My Blind Brother, directed and written by Sophie Goodhart. (USA) – New York Premiere, Narrative. Pelé: Birth of a Legend, directed and written by Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Pistol Shrimps, directed and written by Brent Hodge. (USA, Canada) – World Premiere, Documentary. Win!, directed and written by Justin Webster. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. All of this year’s Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival films will screen throughout the day as ‘Sports Saturday’ on Saturday, April 23 at Regal Battery Park Stadium 11. The films will also screen throughout the Festival, prior to this date.

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  • Eye in the Sky Starring Helen Mirren Kicks Off Lineup for Gasparilla International Film Festival

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    [caption id="attachment_11912" align="aligncenter" width="1000"]Eye in the Sky Eye in the Sky[/caption] The 2016 Gasparilla International Film Festival today unveiled the 10th year Anniversary edition film lineup. Opening the festival is Eye in the Sky directed by Gavin Hood and starring Helen Mirren; and closing night film is Everybody Wants Some directed by Richard Linklater. OPENING NIGHT FILM (NARRATIVE): Eye in the Sky (UK): Complications arise when a lieutenant general and a colonel order a drone missile strike to take out a group of terrorists in Nairobi, Kenya. Cast: Alan Rickman, Helen Mirren, Aaron Paul. Director Gavin Hood scheduled to attend. CLOSING NIGHT FILM (NARRATIVE): Everybody Wants Some (USA): A group of college baseball players navigate their way through the freedoms and responsibilities of unsupervised adulthood. Director & Screenwriter Richard Linklater NARRATIVE FEATURES: Precious Cargo (World Premiere): After a botched heist, Eddie, a murderous crime boss, hunts down the seductive thief Karen, who failed him. In order to win back Eddie’s trust, Karen recruits her ex-lover and premier thief Jack. Starring Bruce Willis, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, Claire Forlani. Directed by Max Adams. Ma Ma (SPAIN. USA Premiere): A woman recently diagnosed with cancer forms an unexpected bond with a soccer scout (Luis Tosar) whose wife has been gravely injured in a car accident. Cast: Academy Award winner Penélope Cruz. Directed by Julio Medem. Love and Friendship (FRA/NETHERLANDS. Florida Premiere): In the 18th century, the seductive and manipulative Lady Susan uses devious tactics to win the heart of the eligible Reginald De Courcy. Cast: Kate Beckinsale, Chloe Sevigny. Directed by Chloe Sevigny. The Daughter (AUS. Florida Premiere): In an unnamed, present-day logging town that has seen better times, Henry Neilson, a well-to-do mill owner, announces to his employees that the economy has forced him to close. Cast: Geoffrey Rush, Miranda Otto, Odessa Young and Sam Neill. Directed by Simon Stone. The Debt (USA. Florida Premiere): A hedge fund honcho puts through the deal of a lifetime: the redemption of a billion-dollar debt owed by the Peruvian government to its citizens. The quick buck soon turns into a nightmare. Cast: Stephen Dorff, Alberto Ammann, Carlos Bardem, and David Strathairn. Directed by: Barney Elliott. The Adderall Diaries (USA. Florida Premiere): Thriller based on a “true-crime memoir” book of the same name by Stephen Elliott, based on the Hans Reiser murder case. Cast: James Franco, Ed Harris and Amber Heard. Written and directed by Pamela Romanowsky. One More Time (USA. Florida Premiere): Beautiful aspiring rock star Jude is stuck in a rut—relegated to recording commercial jingles and lost in a series of one night stands. Cast: Amber Heard, Kelli Garner and Christopher Walker. Director Robert Edwards scheduled to attend. A Beautiful Now (USA. Florida Premiere): As a beautiful dancer balances reality and fantasy, she asks her friends to help her figure out the passions and relationships that have shaped her identity. Cast: Abigail Spencer, Cheyenne Jackson, Collette Wolfe. Directed by Daniela Amavia. Puerto Ricans in Paris (USA. Florida Premiere): Two Puerto Rican NYPD detectives head to Paris to track down a stolen handbag. Cast: Luiz Guzman, Rosie Perez, Rosario Dawson. Directed by Ian Edelman. DOCUMENTARIES: Hano! A Century in the Bleachers (Florida Premiere): Meet Arnold Hano, 93, legendary sportswriter and social activist. Baseball fan, war veteran and storyteller emeritus: few have lived and chronicled the American experience as extensively. Director Jon Leonoudakis scheduled to attend. SMART (Florida Premiere): Groundbreaking feature-length documentary about a group of highly trained, adrenaline-fueled professionals who risk life and limb to rescue animals. They’re Los Angeles’ Specialized Mobile Animal Rescue Team! Director Justin Zimmerman scheduled to attend. Hair I Go Again (World Premiere): Facing a mid-life crossroads, two longtime friends risk everything as they set out to fulfill their dreams of achieving rock & roll stardom. Director Steve McClure scheduled to attend. No Greater Love (Florida Premiere): U.S. Army Chaplain Justin Roberts goes on missions with the legendary NO SLACK battalion in Afghanistan in 2010-2011 armed with only a camera. Director Justin Roberts scheduled to attend. CUBAN SIDEBAR: Films focusing on Cuba Craving Cuba (World Premiere): A Cuban-American woman seeks to understand her true identity. Directed by Zuzy Martin Lynch and Rick Lynch. The Forbidden Shore (World Premiere): The amazing diversity of contemporary Cuban music is gorgeously explored in Ron Chapman’s third documentary feature. Chapman captures the full gamut of what’s happening now in Cuba, both the most exciting artists and the distinct musical scenes they move in. Director Ron Chapman scheduled to attend. Havana Motor Club (Florida Premiere): Reforms have offered opportunity in Cuba, but the children of the Revolution are unsure of the best route forward. For a half-dozen drag racers, this means last-minute changes to their beloved American muscle cars as they prepare for the first sanctioned race in Cuba since 1960. Director Bent-Jorgen Perlmutt scheduled to attend. FLORIDA FOCUS: World premiere of independent films made in Florida Waiting on Mary: A struggling actor, traumatized by a brutal divorce, assumes the personality of a colonial character he played at a failed amusement park as a way of retreating from his pain. Directed by Corey Horton. Bear With Us: A modern farce about a guy who attempts to propose to his girlfriend in the most romantic way possible, but his plan falls apart when a ravenous bear stumbles on their charming cabin in the woods. Directed by William J. Stribling. Dooder And the Lighthouse: Dooder Parker is eighty-six and full of life. When the historic lighthouse in his hometown becomes doomed to fall into the Gulf, his recounting of local history evolves into a reflection on his love for his wife. Stories intertwine to paint a portrait of a vanishing way of life. Directed by Clayton and Lisa Long. In addition to feature length films, GIFF will present over 70 short films. Short film blocks include: “LOL”: Comedic short films “Films on a Mission”: Short films focusing on a specific cause “Thrill Ride”: Thriller, action, and horror short films “Love is In the Air”: Romantic short films “ Films in Motion”: Short films related to music “Save the Drama”: Drama short films “Films 101”: College made short films “High School Film Showcase”: GIFF’s high school filmmaking competition Sponsored by Suncoast Credit Union

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  • WATCH Video Clips from Black & White Indie Drama I FALL DOWN

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    [caption id="attachment_11904" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]I Fall Down I Fall Down[/caption] The ultra low-budget indie feature film I Fall Down is now available on iTunes in North America and Ireland. The Prairie Gothic drama was shot over two and a half years around Edmonton, Alberta. Writer/Director Christopher White harkens back to the tragic silent monster movies from cinema’s golden age, like The Phantom of the Opera and The Hunchback of Notre Dame. “In those films, the ‘monsters’ are nothing more than mistreated, unloved freaks,” he explains. “It’s not just the imagery that I borrowed, its their humanity and the audience’s empathy for these outcasts”. He credits the black-and-white reversal film for defining the tone and mood of the picture. “There’s a grit to the image, it pops, fizzles and it isn’t perfect. You get changing shades of grey which mirror the characters’ conflicts and relationships.” Starring Emma Houghton and Tom Antoni, I Fall Down tells the story of Annessa (Houghton), a lonely teenage girl with a troubled past, hoping to leave her life behind. After a failed suicide attempt she meets Charlie (Antoni), a disfigured, child-like man who lives alone in a woodland shack. Although their mutual loneliness draws them together, their lives begin spiralling out of control when confronted by an intolerant world and Charlie’s own violent, primal nature. The film debuted at the 2015 Macabre Faire Film Festival (Hauppauge, NY) followed by the inaugural Censured in Canada Film Festival (Toronto, ON). Critics have hailed it as a “modern Gothic story” and “an adult fairy tale”, praising Houghton for her captivating performance. She earned a Best Actress nomination at the 2014 Rosie Awards Gala alongside five other nominations for the picture, including Best Cinematography (David Baron) and Best Dramatic Production. https://youtu.be/wYdUpJ2yjTg   https://youtu.be/kGmKl0XvXok   https://youtu.be/ZgNbWZFLjsg   https://youtu.be/ulnMS7ZCTno   https://youtu.be/PXd7sDEDIFE

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  • Complete Lineup Revealed for 2016 ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival | TRAILERS

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    [caption id="attachment_11895" align="aligncenter" width="1280"]A BLIND HERO: THE LOVE OF OTTO WEIDT Dir. Kai Christensen A BLIND HERO: THE LOVE OF OTTO WEIDT, Kai Christensen[/caption] The official line-up is revealed for the 2016 ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival taking place in a record number of venues across New York from March 10 to 16,2016. The festival will include its largest slate of films featuring U.S. and New York premieres of acclaimed movies from around the world. The festival will kick off with a special Opening Night Gala with the New York premiere of the light-hearted, award-winning film Margarita with a Straw. The film is based on a true story of a young Indian woman with Cerebral Palsy who moves to NY to attend NYU and is exposed to a new world. This edgy yet joyful film captures the spirit of ReelAbilities as an accessible story that presents people with disabilities in an engaging and fresh manner. Started by JCC Manhattan in 2007, ReelAbilities is the largest festival in the country dedicated to presenting award-winning films made by and about people with different disabilities – physical, developmental and psychological. The full film lineup for JCC Manhattan’s 8th Annual ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival is as follows: FEATURES 2E: TWICE EXCEPTIONAL Dir. Thomas Ropelewsky (54 min, USA, Documentary) An honest, up-close look at what it’s like to be – or to be the parent or teacher of — a gifted young person coming to terms with a learning difference. This documentary follows the personal journeys of a group of high school students who have been identified as “twice exceptional” – gifted or highly gifted individuals with learning disabilities or differences. Featuring thought-provoking interviews with students, parents, teachers, psychologists and therapists, 2e: Twice Exceptional is essential viewing for anyone interested in understanding where our next generation of “outliers” — geniuses, mavericks, and dreamers — may come from. Short blurb: An honest, up-close look at a group of high school students identified as “twice exceptional”—highly gifted individuals with learning disabilities or differences. 2E indicates where our next generation of “outliers”—geniuses, mavericks, and dreamers—may come from and what it’s like to be their parent or teacher. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFenn8BFExM A BLIND HERO: THE LOVE OF OTTO WEIDT Dir. Kai Christensen (89 min, Germany, Narrative) The heroic story of unsung hero Otto Weidt, who saved dozens of Jews from the Nazi death camps. Owner of a Berlin brush and broom factory, Otto Weidt uses his skills to outwit the Nazis and protect his staff, most of whom are Jewish and blind. When his secretary is deported to Auschwitz, Weidt, nearly blind himself, embarks on a journey to free her. A gripping true story of a courageous man, A Blind Hero relies almost exclusively on eyewitness accounts and the memories of those whom Weidt saved. Short blurb: The story of the heroic Otto Weidt, who saved dozens of Jews from the Nazi death camps. Weidt, a broom factory owner, cunningly outwits the Nazis to protect his staff, most of whom are Jewish and blind. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgQ2uZNhV10 DO YOU DREAM IN COLOR? Dir. Abigail Fuller & Sarah Ivy (76 min, USA, Documentary) The poignant coming of age story of Connor, Nick, Sarah and Carina, who navigate the growing pains of high school, but, unlike most teens, they face another challenge – they are blind. Do You Dream in Color? captures their journeys as they strive to achieve their goals: to be a sponsored skateboarder, to travel the world, to become a rock star and to be the first in one’s family to graduate high school. Through their personal stories we learn of the experience of being blind and how these fearless teenagers navigate through it. Short blurb: Four teens who are blind navigate high school and strive to achieve their goals: to be a sponsored skateboarder, to travel the world, to become a rock star, and to be the first in one’s family to graduate high school. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fEpw9AEbHYI ENTER THE FAUN Dir. Tamar Rogoff & Daisy Wright (67 min, USA, Documentary) The unlikely collaboration between a veteran choreographer and a young actor with cerebral palsy delivers astonishing proof that each and every body is capable of miraculous transformation. As Tamar Rogoff trains Gregg Mozgala to dance in her performance, they discover that her lack of formal medical training and his fears and physical limitations are the impetus for her choreography and their unprecedented discoveries. Enter The Faun is the story of a joyous, obsessed journey towards opening night. It challenges the boundaries of medicine and art, as well as the limitations associated with disability. Short blurb: As a veteran choreographer trains a young actor with cerebral palsy to dance in her performance, they discover that her lack of formal medical training and his fears and physical limitations provide the impetus for unprecedented transformation. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cg4CjqnyY3k GABE Dir. Luke Terrell (72 min, USA, Documentary) Gabe Weil is a 27 year old born with the most severe form of muscular dystrophy. For his entire life, Gabe had been told he would be lucky to live past 25. But recently, he learned he was misdiagnosed, and may live well into his 50’s. Although this news was overwhelmingly positive, it presented a surprising obstacle. Gabe did not have any long-term goals. He was forced to rethink his life from scratch. This radical shift in consciousness propelled him to set new goals, continue facing reality, and manifest more dreams. Short Blurb: Gabe was born with muscular dystrophy. For his entire life, he was told he would be lucky to live past 25. Upon learning he was misdiagnosed and could live well into his 50s, Gabe is forced to rethink his life from scratch. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0DZ8cFC9UM HAPPY 40TH Dir. Madoka Raine (100 min, USA, Narrative) This beautifully acted ensemble film features four women coming together to celebrate the birthday of a friend, who has remained a recluse ever since a car accident with her husband left her in a wheelchair . Over the course of the weekend, much wine is consumed, intimacies are shared, and an unthinkable betrayal forces the group of friends and lovers to re-evaluate long-held beliefs and assumptions. Happy 40th pokes and prods at fragile relationships to reveal uncomfortable truths about the secrets we keep from each other and from ourselves. Short blurb: Four women celebrate a friend’s birthday for the first time since a car accident left her in a wheelchair. Over the course of a weekend, intimacies are shared and an unthinkable betrayal forces the group of friends and lovers to re-evaluate long-held assumptions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eqr25l7O52Y IN HARMONY Dir. Denis Dercourt (90 min., France, Narrative) Marc is an equestrian stuntman. After a serious accident which traumatically injures him, he loses all hope of ever getting back on a horse. Florence works for an insurance company and is in charge of Marc’s case. Although they have nothing in common, Marc and Florence’s brief interaction will impact them in more ways than they can imagine. In Harmony is a poignant and inspiring story about the passion of a man for his horse, and his nearly impossible return to happiness after a dramatic fall. Set in the breathtaking landscape of Brittany and featuring impeccable acting throughout, the film is a vibrant life lesson. Short blurb: After a serious riding accident, Marc loses all hope of ever getting back on a horse. Florence, who works for an insurance company, is placed in charge of his case. Their brief interaction will impact them in more ways than they can imagine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUGTwhKZBRQ MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW Dir. Shonali Bose & Nilesh Maniyar (97 min, India, Narrative) A funky, stereotype-busting coming-of-age tale about a Punjabi teenage girl with cerebral palsy, based on a true story. Laila, an aspiring writer and secret rebel in a wheelchair, is accepted to New York University and leaves India for Manhattan. After a chance encounter with a fiery female activist, Laila starts to grow emotionally and explore this new world and its liberal sexualities. Tackling subject matter rarely explored with lightheartedness, this TIFF award-winning drama is a beautiful, bold and brave portrait of love, identity and sexuality. Margarita, With a Straw is joyous cinema bound to win your heart. Short blurb: A funky, joyous, coming-of-age tale. Laila, a Punjabi girl with cerebral palsy, is an aspiring writer who leaves India for a coveted spot at New York University, where she is exposed to and explores a new world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=od7_rZSU9S8 PATRICK’S DAY Dir. Terry McMahon (98 min, Ireland, Narrative) Patrick is a warm young man living with schizophrenia. Medication and his mother’s fierce protection means he is no threat to himself or anyone else — until St. Patrick’s Day, when he meets Karen, a suicidal flight attendant who has no idea the intimacy she shares with Patrick might reintroduce her to life. This audacious love story provocatively explores issues ranging from the right to intimacy to the question of when parental love becomes a destructive force. Short blurb: An audacious and provocative love story. Patrick is a warm young man living with schizophrenia. His mother’s fierce protection means he is no threat to himself or anyone else — until St. Patrick’s Day, when he falls in love. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lS43DO_z2is STILTS AND SPOKES Dir. Jack Winch (91 min, USA, Documentary) A heart-felt, entertaining and comedic documentary. After Jay Cramer falls off a rock boulder climbing and breaks his neck, he rebounds from injury – which has left him quadriplegic — to win the Los Angeles Funniest Comic competition. While in rehab, he meets a world class double above-the-knee amputee sprinter, Katy Sullivan, and falls head over heels for her. Both fall in love and go on to inspire millions. Short blurb: After falling off a boulder while climbing and breaking his neck, Jay Cramer rebounds from injury to win the Los Angeles Funniest Comic competition. While in rehab, he meets and falls in love with Katy Sullivan, a world-class double above-the-knee amputee sprinter. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMLGy8BjrtY THAT WHICH IS POSSIBLE Dir. Michael Gitlin (84 min, USA, Documentary) A community of painters, sculptors, musicians and writers make work at the Living Museum, an art-space on the grounds of a large state-run psychiatric facility in Queens. Shot over the course of two years and structured across the arc of a day, the film observes with an intimate lens and unspools like a musical, both bracing and tender. It explores the liberation and healing that creativity can offer those drawn together by shared struggle. It points to a more humane and holistic approach to mental illness, and to the joy of transforming society itself. Short blurb: A community of painters, sculptors, musicians, and writers create works at the Living Museum, an art space on the grounds of a large state-run psychiatric facility in Queens. That Which Is Possible explores creativity as a more humane and holistic approach to mental illness https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KW7vr9MLlcA TRUE SMILE Dir. Juan Rayos (82 min, Spain, Documentary) An astonishing journey seen through the eyes of 26-year-old Sergio Aznárez Rosado, who was born both blind and autistic who lives a life packed with adventure. Over the course of 30 days, Sergio embarks on a 1,300-kilometer tandem bike ride with his brother, Juan Manuel, who pilots the bicycle. Together, they traverse desert and high mountains, starting in Cuenca in central Spain and finishing in one of the most remote villages in Morocco’s Atlas Mountains. This documentary immerses us in Sergio’s seemingly unreachable world, helping us to perceive the world through his eyes. Short blurb: An astonishing journey of two brothers—Sergio, who is blind and has autism, and his brother, Juan—who embark on a 1,300-kilometer tandem bike ride from Spain to Morocco. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AINsuaM7gHU THE VOICE OF THE VOICELESS Dir. Maximon Monihan (109 min, USA, Narrative) A radically different vision of filmmaking. This silent film follows Olga, a teenager with hearing impairment who is lured from Central America to New York City under the false promise of attending a Christian sign language school. Once she arrives, Olga finds herself a slave to an international criminal syndicate. Forced to sell “I am deaf” trinkets on the subway, Olga is trapped inside a nightmare that will not end – and we, the audience, are trapped with her. Based on a true story, The Voice of the Voiceless shatters our ideas about film, storytelling, and sound. Short blurb: Olga, along with others from Mexico and Guatemala, is brought to New York under the false promise of being offered a scholarship at a sign language school. Upon arrival, they discover they are being held hostage by a cartel, and are forced to sell paper towels on the New York City Subway. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=leAPsqibj4o SHORT FILMS: A GRAND PURSUIT Dir. Will Strathmann 2015, 23 min, USA, Documentary Vasu Sojitra is the first leg amputee to attempt climbing the Grand Teton mountains without using a prosthetic leg. BIRTHDAY Dir. Chris King 2015, 16 min, USA, Narrative A severely wounded Marine returns home to his wife after months of surgery and rehabilitation. BUMBLEBEES Dir. Jenna Kanell 2015, 4 min, USA, Narrative Despite being told as a child he would never walk or speak, Vance accomplished the impossible. But now he has a new challenge: dating. CHIMES FOR TYLER Dir. Stephen Panaggio 2014, 8 min, USA, Documentary A boy with autism can distinguish wind chimes by sound. GLIMPSE OF HEAVEN Dir. Diego Robles 2012, 12 min, USA, Narrative A blind veteran changes his outlook on life after meeting a young girl. GOOD BEER Dir. Tony Borden 2015, 7 min, USA, Narrative Shannon and David meet online and go on a revealing first date. I DON’T CARE Dir. Caroline Giammetta 2014, 14 min, UK, Narrative A mother-to-be faces the possibility of having a child with Down syndrome. JESSE Dir. Adam Goldhammer 2013, 14 min, Canada, Narrative After her parents are killed, 22-year-old Kelly is the sole caregiver for her older brother Jesse who has autism. LITTLE HERO Dir. Marcus A. McDougald & Jennifer Medvin 2015, 10 min, USA, Documentary A 6-year-old boy with autism is seen through his twin sister’s eyes. MACROPOLIS Dir. Joel Simon 2012, 7 min, UK, Narrative Two toys made at a factory are thrown out, and together attempt to be put on a store shelf. MARINA’S OCEAN Dir. Cássio Pereira dos Santos 2014, 16 min, Brazil, Narrative A teen with Down syndrome visits the sea for the first time. THE MOBILE STRIPPER Dir. Shirlyn Wong 2014, 14 min, USA, Narrative What begins as a ride to the gas station by a man with Parkinson’s develops into an unforeseen adventure. PERFECT Dir. Karim Ayari 2013, 12 min, USA, Narrative Julius meets with his psychologist after what he considered to be a disastrous first date due to his involuntary tics. SOLILOQUY Dir. Heidi Latsky 2015, 14 min, USA, Documentary An illuminating and moving close-up of a diverse group of performers of Heidi Latsky Dance. STILL RUNNING Dir. Wayne de Lange & Sven Harding 2014, 5 min, USA, Documentary Following a cycling accident which left him paralysed, Pieter du Preez becomes the first ever C6 quadriplegic to complete an Iron Man triathlon. STRINGS Dir. Pedro Solís García 2013, 11 min, Spain, Narrative María’s routine at school is altered by the arrival of a child who soon becomes her best friend. SUPER SOUNDS Dir. Stephen de Villiers 2014, 12 min, USA, Documentary A serendipitous encounter between a young girl and a boy with superhero aspirations. TAKE ME Dir. Anaïs Barbeau-Lavalette & André Turpin 2014, 10 min, Canada, Narrative A nurse confronts his principles when he’s asked to aid two patients in assisted sex. THE TALES OF THE GOLDEN SAND Dir. Fred & Samuel Guillaume 2015, 23 min, France, Narrative The mythical tale of the sweet town of Merryville, where an unexpected intruder disrupts the daily calm. WELCOME TO THE LAST BOOKSTORE Dir. Chad Howitt 2015, 11 min, USA, Documentary A day in the life of a bookstore owner—a father, husband, small business owner, and paraplegic—showing the store’s magnetic appeal to the community.

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  • Monty Python Terry Jones’ Doc BOOM BUST BOOM About 2008 Economic Crash Opens March 11 | TRAILER

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    [caption id="attachment_11892" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]BOOM BUST BOOM BOOM BUST BOOM[/caption] Monty Python Terry Jones’ new feature documentary BOOM BUST BOOM investigates the worldwide economic crash of 2008, and how we can avoid another global collapse in the future. BOOM BUST BOOM will open theatrically on March 11 in New York (Village East Cinema), followed by release on iTunes and On Demand on March 15. Analyzing the direct link between the unstable financial system and our reliance on mainstream economics, the film puts a spotlight on the mistakes of the past some politicians and central bankers would like us to forget. A mix of live action, animation, puppetry and song, the film charts the ancient cycle of boom and bust and offers the world a solution. BOOM BUST BOOM features high profile advocates for change such as John Cusack, journalists Paul Mason and John Cassidy plus leading experts including the Chief Economist of the Bank of England, Andy Haldane, and Nobel Prize winners Daniel Kahneman, Robert Shiller and Paul Krugman. The documentary is a result of a meeting between writer, director, historian and Python Jones and economics professor and entrepreneur Theo Kocken, BOOM BUST BOOM is co-written by Jones and Kocken and co-directed by Jones with son Bill Jones and Ben Timlett, AKA Bill & Ben Productions. Inspired by the film, students from Rethinking Economics (who also appear in BOOM BUST BOOM) announce a brand new current affairs and education website, launching in late March. Economy will be a rich mix of new and diverse content with a global perspective from comedy pieces and live event video to vox-pops, innovative social content, explainers, commentary plus art & illustration. With support from BOOM BUST BOOM executive producers Cardano Education, Economy is on a mission to change the way we think about economics and make it more relevant to people’s lives. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7XtnZDNXCKM

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  • MAGNET to Release Sundance Shocker Film THE EYES OF MY MOTHER

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    [caption id="attachment_11889" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]THE EYES OF MY MOTHER THE EYES OF MY MOTHER[/caption] THE EYES OF MY MOTHER, the “hauntingly beautiful and shockingly original” debut from filmmaker Nicolas Pesce, has been acquired by Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, for release. The film fuses classic horror ingredients with gothic black-and-white imagery and was called the “discovery of this year’s Sundance” by Indiewire’s Eric Kohn. It also features a breakout performance from newcomer Kika Magalhaes. Magnet is planning a 2016 theatrical release. In the film Magalhaes plays Francisca, a young woman who has been unfazed by death from an early age. Francisca’ mother, a former surgeon, imbued her with a thorough understanding of the human anatomy. When tragedy shatters the family’s idyllic life in the countryside, Francisca’s deep trauma gradually awakens some unique curiosities. As she grows up, her desire to connect with the world around her takes a distinctly dark form. The film was rapturously received by critics at Sundance. “It contains some of the most memorable, almost poetic visual compositions in a very long time” wrote Roger Ebert.com critic, Brian Tallerico. Variety was equally enthusiastic, calling the film “a Sundance standout” and “an impressive, highly original horror fable” while Vulture dubbed it “a slick, simmering nightmare.” Eric Kohn added that “Francisca is a movie monster for the ages.” “Nicolas Pesce has crafted an auspicious and unforgettable debut that immediately establishes him as one of the most exciting genre filmmakers to watch today,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles. “This is the kind of film Magnet was started for.” “I’m very excited for the film to have found a home with Magnet,” said Nicolas Pesce. “They’re responsible for releasing so many of the movies that inspired me, so to be included in this family is incredible. The life they’ve given to both foreign and domestic genre films is unparalleled, so for THE EYES OF MY MOTHER to be released through them is a dream come true.” THE EYES OF MY MOTHER was produced by Jacob Wasserman, Schuyler Weiss, and Max Born and executive produced by Borderline Films’ Antonio Campos, Sean Durkin and Josh Mond under their new Borderline Presents label. Filmmaker Nicolas Pesce recently signed with United Talent Agency and Washington Square Films, while lead actress Kika Magalhaes was snatched up by Anonymous Content.

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  • Powerful Doc THEY WILL HAVE TO KILL US FIRST: MALIAN MUSIC IN EXILE Gets U.S. Release Date | TRAILER

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    [caption id="attachment_11886" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]They Will Have To Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile They Will Have To Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile[/caption] Timed to Music Freedom Day 2016, BBC Worldwide North America will release Johanna Schwartz’s “timely and powerful” feature documentary They Will Have To Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile. They Will Have To Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile will open theatrically on March 4 in New York (Village East Cinema) and April 1 in Los Angeles (Laemmle Santa Monica Theater) with additional markets to follow. Music is the beating heart of Malian culture, but when Islamic jihadists took control of northern Mali in 2012, they enforced one of the harshest interpretations of sharia law by banning all forms of music. Radio stations were destroyed, instruments burned, and Mali’s musicians faced torture, even death. Overnight, the country’s revered musicians were forced into hiding or exile, where most remain — even now. But rather than laying down their instruments, these courageous artists fought back, standing up for their freedoms and using music as a weapon against the ongoing violence that has ravaged their homeland. They Will Have To Kill Us First is director Schwartz’s debut feature, and follows Songhoy Blues andmusicians Kharia Arby, Fadimata “Disco” Walet Oumar,and Moussa Sidi as they each deal with the unfathomable situation in different ways. Telling the story of the uprising of Touareg separatists, revealing footage of the jihadists, and capturing life at refugee camps where both money and hope are scarce, Schwartz and her indefatigable, mainly female, crew chart the perilous journeys to war-ravaged cities, as some of Mali’s most talented musicians set up and perform at the first public concert in Timbuktu since the music ban. Co-written by Schwartz and Andy Morgan, renowned journalist and former manager of Grammy® Award winning band Tinariwen, They Will Have To Kill Us First is produced by Sarah Mosses of Together Films and executive produced by Andre Singer (The Act of Killing) alongside Stephen Hendel, Victoria Steventon, OKAY Africa and Knitting Factory Entertainment. They Will Have To Kill Us First: Malian Music in Exile, features an original score by Nick Zinner (Yeah Yeah Yeahs), and a commissioned soundtrack featuring Songhoy Blues, Kharia Arby, Fadimata “Disco” Walet Oumar, Moussa Sidi and many more to be released on March 4 timed to the film’s release and Music Freedom Day 2016. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TX7ybW6nAQ

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