• ‘Son of Saul’ Wins Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film

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    For BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM, the Golden Globe is awarded to “Son of Saul” (Hungary), directed by László Nemes. (L-R) Actors Levente Molnar and Geza Rohrig, director Laszlo Nemes, producers Gabor Sipos and Gabor Rajna pose with the award backstage in the press room at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Son of Saul continues its streak as the best foreign film of 2015,  winning the Golden Globe for Best Foreign Film at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards.  Son Of Saul, the winner of Grand Prix at the Cannes, Film Festival is the directorial debut of Lászlo Nemes. October 1944, Auschwitz-Birkenau. Saul Ausländer is a Hungarian member of Sonderkommando – the Jewish prisoners’ unit isolated from the rest of the camp. They are in charge of taking other prisoners to gas chambers and burning corpses. While working in one of the crematoriums, Saul finds the body of a boy and is convinced it is his son. Shaking off his lethargy, he decides to secretly arrange a real Jewish funeral for the boy. While other members of Sonderkommando are planning to rebel and escape, Saul takes upon himself the impossible mission of saving the boy’s body from the flames. To this end, he makes his way through the concentration camp in search of a rabi who would perform the ritual. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwC9DsWyxQc The winners at the 73rd Golden Globe Awards Best motion picture, drama “The Revenant” Best motion picture, musical or comedy “The Martian” After winning the category of BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA for her role in "Room," actress Brie Larson poses backstage in the press room with her Golden Globe Award at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Best performance by an actress in a motion picture, drama Brie Larson, “Room” After winning the category of BEST PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A MOTION PICTURE – DRAMA for her role in “Room,” actress Brie Larson poses backstage in the press room with her Golden Globe Award at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA on Sunday, January 10, 2016. Best performance by an actress in a motion picture, musical or comedy Jennifer Lawrence, “Joy” Best performance by an actor in a motion picture, drama Leonardo DiCaprio, “The Revenant” Best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a motion picture Sylvester Stallone, “Creed” Best performance by actress in a supporting role in a motion picture Kate Winslet, “Steve Jobs” Best director, motion picture Alejandro González Iñárritu, “The Revenant” Best performance by an actor in a motion picture, musical or comedy Matt Damon, “The Martian” Best screenplay, motion picture Aaron Sorkin, “Steve Jobs” Best original score, motion picture Ennio Morricone, “The Hateful Eight” Best motion picture, animated “Inside Out” Best original song, motion picture “Writing’s on the Wall,” “Spectre” Best motion picture, foreign language “Son of Saul” Best television series, drama “Mr. Robot,” USA Best television series, musical or comedy “Mozart in the Jungle,” Amazon Video Best television limited series or motion picture made for television “Wolf Hall,” PBS Best performance by an actor in a television series, drama Jon Hamm, “Mad Men” Best performance by an actor in a television series, musical or comedy Gael García Bernal, “Mozart in the Jungle” Best performance by an actor in a leading role in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television Oscar Isaac, “Show Me a Hero” Best performance by an actor in a supporting role in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television Christian Slater, “Mr. Robot” Best performance by an actress in a TV series, drama Taraji P. Henson, “Empire” Best performance by an actress in a supporting role in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television Maura Tierney, “The Affair” Best performance by an actress in a leading role in a series, limited series or motion picture made for television Lady Gaga, “American Horror Story: Hotel” Best performance by an actress in a television series, musical or comedy Rachel Bloom, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend” image: For BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM, the Golden Globe is awarded to “Son of Saul” (Hungary), directed by László Nemes. (L-R) Actors Levente Molnar and Geza Rohrig, director Laszlo Nemes, producers Gabor Sipos and Gabor Rajna pose with the award backstage in the press room at the 73rd Annual Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, CA on Sunday, January 10, 2016.

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  • Nine New Films Added to Competition lineup of Berlin International Film Festival

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    Ejhdeha Vared Mishavad! (A Dragon Arrives!) Nine films have been added to the Competition lineup for the 2016 Berlin International Film Festival taking place February 11 to 21. The following films are to have their world or international premiere during the upcoming festival, and will compete for the Golden Bear and the Silver Bears. Cartas da guerra (Letters from War) Portugal By Ivo M. Ferreira (Na Escama do Dragão) With Miguel Nunes, Margarida Vila-Nova World premiere Ejhdeha Vared Mishavad! (A Dragon Arrives!)(pictured above) Iran By Mani Haghighi (Modest Reception, Men at Work) With Amir Jadidi, Homayoun Ghanizadeh, Ehsan Goudarzi, Kiana Tajammol International premiere Fuocoammare (Fire at Sea) – documentary Italy / France By Gianfranco Rosi (Sacro GRA, El Sicario – Room 164) World premiere Hele Sa Hiwagang Hapis (A Lullaby to the Sorrowful Mystery) Philippines / Singapore By Lav Diaz (From What Is Before, Norte, the End of History, Melancholia) With John Lloyd Cruz, Piolo Pascual, Hazel Orencio, Alessandra De Rossi, Joel Saracho, Susan Africa, Sid Lucero, Ely Buendia, Bernardo Bernardo, Angel Aquino, Cherie Gil World premiere Kollektivet (The Commune) Denmark / Sweden / Netherlands By Thomas Vinterberg (The Hunt, Submarino, It’s All About Love) With Trine Dyrholm, Ulrich Thomsen, Helene Reingaard Neumann, Marta Sofie Wallstrøm Hansen, Lars Ranthe, Fares Fares, Magnus Millang, Anne Gry Henningsen, Julie Agnete Vang International premiere L’avenir (Things to Come) France / Germany By Mia Hansen-Løve (Eden, Goodbye First Love, Father of My Children) With Isabelle Huppert, Roman Kolinka, Edith Scob, André Marcon World premiere Quand on a 17 ans (Being 17) France By André Téchiné (Les Témoins) With Sandrine Kiberlain, Kacey Mottet Klein, Corentin Fila, Alexis Loret World premiere Smrt u Sarajevu / Mort à Sarajevo (Death in Sarajevo) France / Bosnia and Herzegovina By Danis Tanović (An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker, No Man’s Land) With Jacques Weber, Snežana Vidović, Izudin Bajrović, Vedrana Seksan, Muhamed Hadžović, Faketa Salihbegović-Avdagić, Edin Avdagić World premiere Zjednoczone Stany Miłosci (United States of Love) Poland / Sweden By Tomasz Wasilewski (Floating Skyscrapers) With Julia Kijowska, Magdalena Cielecka, Dorota Kolak, Marta Nieradkiewicz, Łukasz Simlat, Andrzej Chyra, Tomek Tyndyk World premiere

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  • 3 Filmmakers Win 2016 Spirit Awards Filmmaker Grants

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    FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS The three winners of the 2016 Spirit Awards filmmaker grants were unveiled at the annual Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch hosted by Uzo Aduba and Rami Malek. This year marks the 31st edition of the awards show that celebrates the best of independent film. Winners for the remaining categories will be revealed at the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards in a tent at Santa Monica beach on Saturday, February 27. “This year’s recipients of the Spirit Award cash grants are so talented and we’re thrilled to be able to support them in this way,” said Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent. “Our hope is that these unrestricted grants will enable the filmmakers to continue to make great and daring work.” Mel Eslyn received the Piaget Producers Award. The award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The annual award, in its 19th year, includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Piaget for the 9th year. Finalists for the award were Darren Dean, Rebecca Green and Laura D. Smith. Felix Thompson, director of King Jack, received the Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award. The award recognizes talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition. The award is in its 22nd year and includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant funded by Kiehl’s Since 1851. Finalists for the award were Robert Machoian & Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck, directors of God Bless the Child, and Chloé Zhao, director of Songs My Brothers Taught Me. Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, director of Incorruptible, received the Truer Than Fiction Award. The award is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not received significant recognition. The award is in its 21st year and includes a $25,000 unrestricted grant. Finalists for the award were Mohammed Ali Naqvi and Hemal Trivedi, directors of Among the Believers, and Elizabeth Giamatti and Alex Sichel, directors of A Woman Like Me.

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  • Spike Lee Documentary MICHAEL JACKSON’S JOURNEY FROM MOTOWN TO OFF THE WALL to Debut on Showtime

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    MICHAEL JACKSON'S JOURNEY FROM MOTOWN TO OFF THE WALL The Spike Lee documentary, MICHAEL JACKSON’S JOURNEY FROM MOTOWN TO OFF THE WALL, will make it’s television premiere on SHOWTIME on Friday, February 5th at 9 p.m. ET/PT. The documentary film which will World Premiere at the upcoming 2016 Sundance Film Festival, focuses on a rarely examined chapter of Jackson’s career as he evolves from the lead singer of Jackson 5 to a solo artist recording what will become his breakthrough, seminal 1979 pop record, Off The Wall. Audiences will travel with the global superstar as he strikes a new path with CBS Records, first with his brothers as The Jacksons and then stepping out on his own to create his own music with his own team. This illuminating portrait traces how an earnest, passionate, hard-working young man becomes the “King of Pop.” MICHAEL JACKSON’S JOURNEY FROM MOTOWN TO OFF THE WALL contains a wealth of footage, including material from Michael’s personal archive, and in his own words. The documentary also includes interviews with prominent entertainment and sports stars including Lee Daniels, The Weeknd, Pharrell Williams, Kobe Bryant, Misty Copeland, Mark Ronson, John Legend, Questlove, L.A. Reid, and more, as well as his parents Katherine and Joe Jackson, and his brothers Jackie and Marlon Jackson. Off The Wall created a whole new category in pop music. Written by Michael Jackson, the first single from Off The Wall, “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough,” earned Jackson his first Grammy(R) and was his first single to hit No. 1 in the U.S. and internationally as a solo artist. The album was an enormous commercial success; as of 2014 it is certified eight times platinum in the United States and has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling albums of all time. Off The Wall not only “invented pop music as we know it,” wrote Rolling Stone, it transcended music and entertainment altogether, becoming an important moment in African-American history.

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  • ‘Carol’ Leads Nominations for BAFTA Awards

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    Carol directed by Todd Haynes Carol along with Bridge of Spies lead the nominations for the 2016 BAFTA Awards with nine nominations. Carol is nominated for Best Film, Director for Todd Haynes, Adapted Screenplay, Cinematography, Production Design, Costume Design and Make Up & Hair. Cate Blanchett is nominated for Leading Actress and Rooney Mara is nominated for Supporting Actress. Other indie films with multiple nods include Brooklyn was nominated six times, and The Danish Girl and Ex Machina receive five nominations. Brooklyn is nominated for Outstanding British Film, Adapted Screenplay, Costume Design and Make Up & Hair, with two further nominations for Saoirse Ronan in Leading Actress and Julie Walters in Supporting Actress. The Danish Girl is nominated for Outstanding British Film, Costume Design and Make Up & Hair, with Leading Actor and Leading Actress nominations for Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander respectively. Ex Machina is nominated for Outstanding British Film and Special Visual Effects, with nominations for Alex Garland in Original Screenplay and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer. Alicia Vikander receives a further nomination for Supporting Actress. Amy receives nominations for Outstanding British Film and Documentary, along with Cartel Land, He Named Me Malala, Listen to Me Marlon and Sherpa. Theeb is nominated for Film Not in the English Language and Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer for Naji Abu Nowar (Writer/Director) and Rupert Lloyd (Producer). Also nominated for Film Not in the English Language are The Assassin, Force Majeure, Timbuktu and Wild Tales. The British Short Animation nominees are Edmond, Manoman and Prologue. The five nominations for British Short Film are Elephant, Mining Poems or Odes, Operator, Over and Samuel-613. The nominees for the EE Rising Star Award are Bel Powley, Brie Larson, Dakota Johnson, John Boyega and Taron Egerton. The EE British Academy Film Awards take place on Sunday 14 February at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London. The ceremony will be hosted by Stephen Fry. The complete list of nominations for 2016 BAFTA Awards Film | Outstanding British Film in 2016 The Danish Girl; Tom Hooper, Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Anne Harrison, Gail Mutrux, Lucinda Coxon Brooklyn; John Crowley, Finola Dwyer, Amanda Posey, Nick Hornby Ex Machina; Alex Garland, Andrew Macdonald, Allon Reich Amy; Asif Kapadia, James Gay-Rees 45 Years; Andrew Haigh, Tristan Goligher The Lobster; Yorgos Lanthimos, Ceci Dempsey, Ed Guiney, Lee Magiday, Efthimis Filippou Film | Documentary in 2016 Amy; Asif Kapadia, James Gay-Rees Listen to Me Marlon; Stevan Riley, John Battsek, George Chignell, R.J. Cutler He Named Me Malala; Davis Guggenheim, Walter Parkes, Laurie Macdonald Sherpa; Jennifer Peedom, Bridget Ikin, John Smithson Cartel Land; Matthew Heineman, Tom Yellin Film | Film Not in the English Language in 2016 The Assassin; Hou Hsiao-Hsien Theeb; Naji Abu Nowar, Rupert Lloyd Force Majeure; Ruben Östlund Timbuktu; Abderrahmane Sissako Wild Tales; Damián Szifron Film | British Short Film in 2016 Elephant; Nick Helm, Alex Moody, Esther Smith Mining Poems or Odes; Callum Rice, Jack Cocker Samuel-613; Billy Lumby, Cheyenne Conway Operator; Caroline Bartleet, Rebecca Morgan Over; Jörn Threlfall, Jeremy Bannister Film | Animated Film in 2016 Shaun the Sheep Movie; Mark Burton, Richard Starzak Minions; Pierre Coffin, Kyle Balda Inside Out; Pete Docter Film | British Short Animation in 2016 Manoman; Simon Cartwright, Kamilla Kristiane Hodol Prologue; Richard Williams, Imogen Sutton Edmond; Nina Gantz, Emilie Jouffroy Film | Director in 2016 Alejandro G. Iñárritu; The Revenant Adam McKay; The Big Short Steven Spielberg; Bridge of Spies Ridley Scott; The Martian Todd Haynes; Carol Film | Outstanding Debut By A British Writer, Director or Producer in 2016 Sean Mcallister, Elhum Shakerifar; A Syrian Love Story Naji Abu Nowar, Rupert Lloyd; Theeb Debbie Tucker Green; Second Coming Stephen Fingleton; The Survivalist Alex Garland; Ex Machina Film | Adapted Screenplay in 2016 The Big Short; Adam McKay, Charles Randolph Steve Jobs; Aaron Sorkin Brooklyn; Nick Hornby Carol; Phyllis Nagy Room; Emma Donoghue Film | Original Screenplay in 2016 Inside Out; Josh Cooley, Pete Docter, Meg Lefauve The Hateful Eight; Quentin Tarantino Ex Machina; Alex Garland Bridge of Spies; Matthew Charman, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen Spotlight; Tom McCarthy, Josh Singer Film | Leading Actor in 2016 Leonardo DiCaprio; The Revenant Eddie Redmayne; The Danish Girl Michael Fassbender; Steve Jobs Matt Damon; The Martian Bryan Cranston; Trumbo Film | Leading Actress in 2016 Maggie Smith; The Lady in the Van Alicia Vikander; The Danish Girl Cate Blanchett; Carol Brie Larson; Room Saoirse Ronan; Brooklyn Film | Supporting Actor in 2016 Idris Elba; Beasts of No Nation Christian Bale; The Big Short Mark Rylance; Bridge of Spies Benicio del Toro; Sicario Mark Ruffalo; Spotlight Film | Supporting Actress in 2016 Jennifer Jason Leigh; The Hateful Eight Alicia Vikander; Ex Machina Julie Walters; Brooklyn Kate Winslet; Steve Jobs Rooney Mara; Carol Film | EE Rising Star in 2016 Taron Egerton John Boyega Dakota Johnson Brie Larson Bel Powley Film | Make-Up And Hair in 2016 Brooklyn; Morna Ferguson, Lorraine Glynn Carol; Jerry Decarlo, Patricia Regan The Revenant; Sian Grigg, Duncan Jarman, Robert Pandini Mad Max: Fury Road; Lesley Vanderwalt, Damian Martin The Danish Girl; Jan Sewell Film | Original Music in 2016 The Hateful Eight; Ennio Morricone Bridge of Spies; Thomas Newman The Revenant; Ryuichi Sakamoto, Carsten Nicolai Star Wars: The Force Awakens; John Williams Sicario; Jóhann Jóhannsson Film | Cinematography in 2016 Mad Max: Fury Road; John Seale The Revenant; Emmanuel Lubezki Sicario; Roger Deakins Carol; Ed Lachman Bridge of Spies; Janusz Kaminski Film | Production Design in 2016 Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Rick Carter, Darren Gilford, Lee Sandales Bridge of Spies; Adam Stockhausen, Rena DeAngelo Mad Max: Fury Road; Colin Gibson, Lisa Thompson The Martian; Arthur Max, Celia Bobak Carol; Judy Becker, Heather Loeffler Film | Editing in 2016 The Big Short; Hank Corwin Mad Max: Fury Road; Margaret Sixel Bridge of Spies; Michael Kahn The Revenant; Stephen Mirrione The Martian; Pietro Scalia Film | Sound in 2016 The Revenant; Lon Bender, Chris Duesterdiek, Martin Hernandez, Frank A. Montaño, Jon Taylor, Randy Thom Mad Max: Fury Road; Scott Hecker, Chris Jenkins, Mark Mangini, Ben Osmo, Gregg Rudloff, David White Star Wars: The Force Awakens; David Acord, Andy Nelson, Christopher Scarabosio, Matthew Wood, Stuart Wilson Bridge of Spies; Drew Kunin, Richard Hymns, Andy Nelson, Gary Rydstrom The Martian; Paul Massey, Mac Ruth, Oliver Tarney, Mark Taylor Film | Special Visual Effects in 2016 Ant-Man; Jake Morrison, Greg Steele, Dan Sudick, Alex Wuttke Star Wars: The Force Awakens; Chris Corbould, Roger Guyett, Paul Kavanagh, Neal Scanlan Mad Max: Fury Road; Andrew Jackson, Dan Oliver, Tom Wood, Andy Williams The Martian; Chris Lawrence, Tim Ledbury, Richard Stammers, Steven Warner Ex Machina; Mark Ardington, Sara Bennett, Paul Norris, Andrew Whitehurst

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  • Films Featuring Tony Robbins, Pee-Wee Herman, Added to Lineup for 2016 SXSW Film Festival

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    Pee-wee’s Big Holiday Films featuring the return of Pee-wee, and an intimate behind-the-scenes experience with Tony Robbins, are among six newly added titles to the lineup for the 2016 SXSW Film Festival. SXSW Film 2016 will feature nine days of innovative and entertaining film screenings and five days of inspiring panels, hands-on workshops from March 11 to 19, 2016 New films added to lineup for 2016 SXSW FILM FESTIVAL Beware the Slenderman Director: Irene Taylor Brodsky In this horrifyingly modern fairytale lurks an online Boogeyman and two 12-year-old girls who would kill for him. The entrance to the internet quickly leads to its darkest basement. How responsible are our children for what they find there? (World Premiere) Chevalier (Greece) Director: Athina Rachel Tsangari, Screenwriters: Efthimis Filippou, Athina Rachel Tsangari Six men on a fishing trip on a luxury yacht decide to play a game to compete. Things will be compared. Things will be measured. Songs will be butchered, blood will be tested. Friends will become rivals and rivals will become hungry. Cast: Yorgos Kentros, Panos Koronis, Vangelis Mourikis, Makis Papadimitriou, Yorgos Pirpassopoulos, Sakis Rouvas. Midnight Special Director/Screenwriter: Jeff Nichols A father goes on the run to protect his young son and uncover the truth behind the boy’s special powers in the sci-fi thriller Midnight Special, a film as supernatural as it is intimately human. Cast: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Jaeden Lieberher, Sam Shepard. (North American Premiere) Pee-wee’s Big Holiday Director: John Lee, Screenwriters: Paul Reubens, Paul Rust In Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, a fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday in this epic story of friendship and destiny. Cast: Paul Reubens, Joe Manganiello, Jessica Pohly, Alia Shawkat, Stephanie Beatriz. (World Premiere) Preacher Directors: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Screenwriter: Sam Catlin Preacher is a supernatural, twisted and darkly comedic drama that follows a West Texas preacher named Jesse Custer, who – along with his ex-girlfriend Tulip and an Irish vagabond named Cassidy – is thrust into a crazy world, much bigger than he is. Cast: Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Joseph Gilgun, Ian Colletti, W. Earl Brown, Lucy Griffiths. (World Premiere) Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru Director: Joe Berlinger Granted unprecedented access, Berlinger captures renowned life and business strategist Tony Robbins behind the scenes of his mega seminar Date with Destiny, pulling back the curtain on this life-altering and controversial event, the zealous participants and the man himself. (World Premiere)

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  • “The Assassin” “Death By Death” “The Birth of Saké” Among Winners of Palm Springs International Film Festival

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    Hou Hsiao-Hsien the assassin The 27th Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) held from January 1 to 11, 2016, announced this year’s juried award winners. The Oscar shortlisted The Assassin (Taiwan), directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien won the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year. In 9th-century China, during a time of political unrest, a beautiful woman, trained in the arts of swordsmanship, is sent to her home province on a lethal mission. The jury presented the award, “As one of the best films of a master director, and an example of the martial arts genre which is elevated into the realm of art by its superb visual style.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bqNyl72eBw FIPRESCI Prize for the Best Actor of the Year in a Foreign Language Film went to Sigurður Sigurjónsson and Theodór Júlíusson from Rams (Iceland), directed by Grimur Hakonarson, and the FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actress of the Year in a Foreign Language Film went to Alena Mihulová from Home Care (Czech Republic), directed by Slávek Horák. The New Voices/New Visions competition included 12 new international talents making their feature film debut at the Festival, with the additional criteria that the films selected are currently without U.S. distribution and are US premieres. The winner of the New Voices/New Visions award is Death By Death (Belgium/France), directed by Xavier Seron. The film is a tale about the relationship of anxious, part-time actor Michel and his ailing, overly attached mother, who has been told that she is living on borrowed time, but has no intention of dying. A special jury mention goes to Thithi (India/US). The Birth of Saké (Japan), directed by Erik Shirai, received The John Schlesinger Award, which is presented to a first-time documentary filmmaker. The film is about a beautiful and immersive portrait of life at the 144-year old Yoshida Brewery, a producer of world class sake. With changing times ahead and new regime led by the 6th generation heir, this is a rarified look at the personal and professional intensity needed to create a revered product and the artisans behind it. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xOcLBK5Oay4 The HP Bridging the Borders Award is presented by Cinema Without Borders and Hewlett Packard, which honors the film that is most successful in exemplifying art that promotes bringing the people of our world closer together. Umrika (India), directed by Prashant Nair, received the award. The film traces the journey from mountain village innocence to big city experience of young Rama, who follows in his older brother’s footsteps to discover if he made it to the USA, or came to a sticky end in Mumbai. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFP3XkhfCeI The complete list of award winners are: FIPRESCI Prize for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year The Assassin (Taiwan), directed by Hou Hsiao-hsien FIPRESCI Prize for the Best Actor of the Year in a Foreign Language Film Sigurður Sigurjónsson and Theodór Júlíusson from Rams (Iceland) FIPRESCI Prize for Best Actress of the Year in a Foreign Language Film Alena Mihulová from Home Care (Czech Republic) New Voices/New Visions Award Winner: Death By Death (Belgium/France), directed by Xavier Seron Special Mention: Thithi (India/US), directed by Raam Reddy The John Schlesinger Award The Birth of Saké (Japan), directed by Erik Shirai HP Bridging the Borders Award Umrika (India), directed by Prashant Nair

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  • Kate McKinnon and Kumail Nanjiani to Co-Host Spirit Awards

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    Kate McKinnon Kate McKinnon (pictured above on Saturday Night Live, Ghostbusters, Sisters) and Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley, The Big Sick, My Name is Doris) will co-host the 2016 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The 31st annual awards ceremony will be held as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica on Saturday, February 27 with the premiere broadcast airing live exclusively on IFC at 2:00 pm PT / 5:00 pm ET. The multiple Emmy nominee Kate McKinnon currently stars on the 41st season of Saturday Night Live, having joined the cast in April 2012. McKinnon received 2014 and 2015 Emmy nominations for ‘Outstanding Supporting Actress’ in a Comedy Series for her work on SNL. McKinnon can be been seen in the upcoming films Ghostbusters and Masterminds. In addition, she has lent her voice to the upcoming feature film Angry Birds and animated series including The Simpsons and Family Guy. Kumail Nanjiani Kumail Nanjiani is an actor, writer and comedian currently starring as ‘Dinesh’ on the critically acclaimed HBO comedy series Silicon Valley, which won the TV Critics Choice Award for ‘Best Comedy Series’ last year and has received several Emmy and Golden Globes nominations. Soon he will be playing the lead role in The Big Sick, a film he co-wrote with his wife Emily V. Gordon, produced by Judd Apatow and Barry Mendel and directed by Michael Showalter. Nanjiani’s many memorable comedic roles include the films The Five-Year Engagement (also produced by Apatow), Sex Tape and Hot Tub Time Machine 2. He will next be seen in the upcoming films Hello, My Name Is Doris, Central Intelligence, Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and Fist Fight. Additionally, Uzo Aduba (Orange Is the New Black, The Wiz Live!, American Pastoral) and Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, The Master, Short Term 12) will co-host the Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominee Brunch on Saturday, January 9 at BOA restaurant in West Hollywood where they will announce Film Independent’s grant winners for 2016.

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  • Duplass Brothers’ Animated Series ANIMALS to Debut on HBO | TRAILER

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    ANIMALS, Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano ANIMALS, the independently produced and animated series, which made its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival will debut exclusively on HBO Friday, February 5th @ 11:30PM ET/PT. ANIMALS features the Voices of Rob Corddry, Mark Duplass, Nick Kroll, Jason Mantzoukas, Molly Shannon. Created by Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano and produced by Duplass Brothers Television, ANIMALS. focuses on the downtrodden creatures native to Earth’s least-habitable environment: New York City. Whether it’s lovelorn rats, gender-questioning pigeons or aging bedbugs in the midst of a midlife crisis, the awkward small talk, moral ambiguity and existential woes of non-human urbanites prove startlingly similar to our own. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lN5hzUo5ccY

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  • ‘Amy’ ‘The Look of Silence’ ‘Brooklyn’ Among Nominees for Producers Guild Awards

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    Amy Winehouse documentary The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced the nominations for the 27th Annual Producers Guild Awards. All 2016 Producers Guild Award winners will be announced on Saturday, January 23, 2016. This year, the Producers Guild will also present special honors to Jim Gianopulos (Milestone Award), Shonda Rhimes (Norman Lear Achievement Award in Television), David Heyman (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures), THE HUNTING GROUND (Stanley Kramer Award), and Industrial Light & Magic (Visionary Vanguard Award). The theatrical motion picture nominees are: The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: The Big Short Producers: Brad Pitt & Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner Bridge of Spies Producers: Steven Spielberg, Marc Platt, Kristie Macosko Krieger Brooklyn Producers: Finola Dwyer & Amanda Posey https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15syDwC000k Ex Machina This film is in the process of being vetted for producer eligibility https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEcB7T-C0g8 Mad Max: Fury Road Producers: Doug Mitchell & George Miller The Martian Producers: Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Mark Huffam The Revenant Producers: Arnon Milchan, Steve Golin, Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Mary Parent, Keith Redmon Sicario Producers: Basil Iwanyk, Edward L. McDonnell, Molly Smith Spotlight Producers: Michael Sugar & Steve Golin, Nicole Rocklin, Blye Pagon Faust https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgnrwwiIDlI Straight Outta Compton Producers: Ice Cube & Matt Alvarez, F. Gary Gray, Dr. Dre, Scott Bernstein The Award for Outstanding Producer of Animated Theatrical Motion Pictures: Anomalisa Producers: Rosa Tran, Duke Johnson, Charlie Kaufman The Good Dinosaur Producer: Denise Ream Inside Out Producer: Jonas Rivera Minions Producers: Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy The Peanuts Movie Producers: Craig Schulz, Michael J. Travers The Award for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Theatrical Motion Pictures: Amy Producer: James Gay-Rees https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2yCIwmNuLE The Hunting Ground Producer: Amy Ziering https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBNHGi36nlM The Look of Silence Producer: Signe Byrge Sørensen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp1xT302VcY Meru Producers: Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, Jimmy Chin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1pZ1GzXPEO8 Something Better to Come Producers: Sigrid Dyekjær, Hanna Polak https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhx9Vzx3AcI

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  • JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY Documentary to World Premiere at Sundance Film Fest and Debut on HBO

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    JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY Brian Oakes’ documentary JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY, about the life, death and legacy of journalist James Foley, who was murdered by ISIS in 2014, will have its world premiere in the U.S. Documentary Competition of the upcoming Sundance Film Festival, and will debut Saturday, February 6 on HBO. On Thanksgiving Day 2012, American photojournalist James “Jim” Foley was kidnapped in Syria and went missing for two years before the infamous video of his public execution sent shockwaves and introduced much of the world to ISIS. JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY, by close childhood friend Brian Oakes, tells the story of his life through intimate interviews with his family, friends and fellow journalists – while fellow hostages reveal never-before-heard details of his captivity with a chilling immediacy that builds suspense. Made with unparalleled access, JIM: THE JAMES FOLEY STORY is a harrowing chronicle of bravery, compassion and pain at the dawn of America’s war with ISIS. “I made this film to carry on the stories that Jim needed us to know,” says director Brian Oakes. “It’s important that we understand the significant role of today’s conflict journalists and why they risk their lives to tell the world how bad it can be.” The film will include the original song “The Empty Chair,” by Academy Award(R)-nominated artists J. Ralph and Sting.

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  • National Society of Film Critics Picks ‘Spotlight’ As Best Film of 2015; ‘Amy’ ‘Timbuktu’ Win Awards

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    Spotlight Starring Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, Brian d’Arcy James and Stanley Tucci The National Society of Film Critics chose Spotlight directed by Tom McCarthy, as Best Picture of the Year 2015. Timbuktu directed by Abderrahmane Sissako won the award for Best Foreign Language Film and Amy directed by Asif Kapadia won the award for Best Non-Fiction Film. Film Heritage Awards were given to the Film Society of Lincoln Center and the programmers Jake Perlin and Michelle Materre, for the series Tell It Like It Is: Black Independents in New York, 1968-1986; the Criterion Collection and L’Immagine Ritrovata for the restoration and packaging of the reconstructed version of The Apu Trilogy by Satyajit Ray; and Association Chaplin for supervising the digital restoration of Charlie Chaplin’s Essanay Films The Special Citation for a film awaiting American distribution went to One Floor Below, a Romanian film directed by Radu Muntean. The complete list of 2015 National Society of Film Critics award winners BEST ACTOR: Michael B. Jordan (Creed) BEST ACTRESS: Charlotte Rampling (45 Years) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tg5cpiX18TA BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR: Mark Rylance (Bridge of Spies) BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Kristen Stewart (Clouds of Sils Maria) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbVHlm7RcDs BEST SCREENPLAY: Spotlight (Josh Singer and Tom McCarthy) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgnrwwiIDlI CINEMATOGRAPHY: Carol (Ed Lachman) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4z7Px68ywk PICTURE: Spotlight (Tom McCarthy) DIRECTOR: Todd Haynes (Carol) FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM: Timbuktu (Abderrahmane Sissako) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f7YeoB5bSBY BEST NON-FICTION FILM: Amy (Asif Kapadia) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2yCIwmNuLE

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