The 34th Edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival taking place from January 30 to February 9, 2019, will feature 63 world premieres and 59 U.S. premieres from 48 countries, along with tributes with the year’s top talent, panel discussions, and free community education and outreach programs. The 34th Festival Poster was unveiled, again created by Barbara Boros who has designed the SBIFF poster each year for 16 years, this year highlighting Butterfly Beach.
The Return of the Hero[/caption]
The 33rd Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival today announced the film line-up of more than 150 films for the 33rd annual event held from November 2 to 18, 2018.
This year’s honorees include OscarⓇ nominated filmmaker Gary Ross (Big, Seabiscuit) will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a tribute screening of his 1998 award-winning film, Pleasantville. Ross is also known for The Hunger Games (2012) and most recently Ocean’s 8 (2018). Transparent‘s Melora Hardin, will be presented with a Career Achievement Award at the World Premiere of Paul Osborne’s Cruel Hearts. Jeremy Piven, perhaps best known as Ari Gold on Entourage, will receive a Career Achievement Award Opening Night at the Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Screen 7 Recording legend, Connie Francis will attend FLiFF’s poolside retro screening of Where the Boys Are, and present former singing star Frank Loconto, of The Laine Brothers, with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Also receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, Inventor-Philantropist-Filmmaker, Maurice Kanbar, namesake of the Maurice Kanbar Insitute of Film & Television at NYU.
FLiFF kicks-off with the Opening Night Film with the East Coast Premiere of The Return of the Hero, a hilarious comedy starring OscarⓇ Winner, Jean Dujardin (The Artist) as the dashing Captain Neuville. Set in 1809 during the Napoleonic era, Neuville is called to the front, leaving his future bride heartbroken. Her sister decides to write letters on his behalf to cheer her up. But it all goes south when Neuville reappears.
For the Centerpiece Film and Party, Danish filmmaker Mads Brügger arrives from Copenhagen in time for the red carpet at the Southeast Premiere of his dark “odd couple” comedy, The Saint Bernard Syndicate, which charts two hapless Danes as they scheme to sell Saint Bernards to China’s middle class as status symbols. Attendees will also meet a couple Saint Bernards from the Florida St. Bernard Rescue.
FLiFF’s Closing Night Film is the Florida Premiere of Sharkwater Extinction. The thrilling and inspiring action-packed journey exposes the massive illegal shark fin industry and the political corruption behind it; a conspiracy that is leading to the extinction of sharks. Director, Rob Stewart, tragically lost his life while filming Sharkwater Extinction last year in the Florida Keys. Rob dedicated his life to saving our oceans. Special Guests are Rob’s parents and producers of the film, Brian and Sandy Stewart who will present the Rob Stewart Environmental Award to one of this year’s festival selections to Poisoning Paradise.
In addition to Sharkwater Extinction, there are three additional environmental films. The East Coast Premiere of Aldabra: Once Upon an Island, narrated by Pierce Brosnan, is a wonderfully entertaining 3D journey featuring heroes Elvi the Giant Tortoise, Buster the Robber Crab and other marine characters. The Florida Premiere of Poisoning Paradise, produced by Pierce Brosnan with wife and directors Keely Shaye Brosnan and Teresa Tico, reveals the devastating impact of pesticide poisoning on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai and exposes the collusion between federal and state legislators and the world’s largest biotech companies. The Southeast Premiere of Secrets of a Frozen Ocean follows 75 year old, Yngve Kristoffersen, a Norwegian scientist who sets out on a dangerous 18 month expedition in the Arctic to prove a theory of an asteroid that hit the Arctic Ocean millions of years ago and affects earth to this day.
FLiFF will host 4 Benefit Premieres. The Southeast Premiere of Intelligent Lives, a catalyst to transform the label of intellectual disability from a life sentence of isolation into a life of possibility for the most systematically segregated people in America. The award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib, will be in attendance. 100% of the proceeds will benefit United Community Options of South Florida, formerly United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida.
The Florida Premiere of The Land of High Mountains (Haiti), Will Agee’s inspiring true story of the only pediatric hospital in Haiti providing life-saving, healthcare to the most vulnerable families for over 30 years and the incredible people, both Haitian and foreign, who are working together to heal the children and to realize the dreams of a nation. 100% of the ticket revenue will benefit The Saint Damien Hospital Foundation. Filmmakers Special Guests are Will Agee, Olaf Hamelink, and Jennifer Rayno the Director, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital Fund will be in attendance.
The Florida Premiere of The Most Dangerous Year (USA) Vlada Knowlton’s story of a group of Washington State families with transgender kids who joined the fight, in 2016, against a wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation that swept the nation and their home state. The film is co-sponsored by OutShine Film Festival, a 501(c)3 organization who will receive 50% of the ticket sales.
The East Coast Premiere of Turning Point will benefit The Walk To End Alzheimers. Director James Keach, the brother of actor Stacy Keach, will attend. James also directed the Oscar nominated film Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.
World Premieres include: Cruel Hearts starring Transparent‘s Melora Hardin and Ocean’s Eleven’s Eddie Jemison in writer/director Paul Osborne’s thriller. Extraordinary: The Seeding, Jon Sample and Jack Roth’s riveting documentary of an alien hybrid program that may actually exist.
U.S. Premieres include: The Bromley Boys (UK) Steve Kelly’s funny yet touching coming-of-age football memoir. Diane is the Right Shape (France) stars Clotilde Hesme in Fabien Gorgeart’s dramedy about a surrogate mother for a gay couple. Eternal Winter (Hungary), Attila Szász true story of an unlikely romance in a Soviet labor camp. Just Believe (Italy), Alessandro Aronadio’s, comedy of a business owner who must establish his own religion to create a tax free operation. Les Ex (France), Maurice Barthélémy’s comedy about five couples who take stock of their past relationships. Marisa in The Woods (Spain), Antonio Morales’ dramedy stars Patricia Jordá as a woman who feels that she’s taken a supporting role in her own life. Quanto Basta (Italy), Francesco Falaschi’s warm comedy about a chef whose life is changed after assigned to teach cooking to students with Asperger’s syndrome.
East Coast Premieres include: The Unicorn, Robert Schwartzman’s (Dreamland) “cleverly crafted” three-some comedy. Hurley (USA), Derek Dodge’s documentary about racing legend Hurley Haywood speaks for the first time about being gay in the 1970’s macho world of motor sports. Meant to Be Broken, Jonathan Zuck’s dark comedy about an unlikely trio on a crazy law breaking journey that culminates in Miami. Rescue Under Fire (Spain), Adolfo Martínez Pérez’ action adventure based on the true story of Spanish troops attempting to rescue a U.S. helicopter crew in Afghanistan. Spitak (Armenia/Russia), Alexander Kott’s action-drama of a man searching for his family in the very epicenter of the earthquake. Volcano (Ukraine), Director Roman Bondarchuk’s surreal black comedy about a translator stranded in a strange, little Ukraine Steppes town.
Southeast Premieres include: Abdel and the Countess (France) Isabel Doval’s comedy about a widowed Countess who befriends a young man from the hood to help save her legacy. Born Just Now, Robert Adanto’s an intimate look at Belgrade-based artist Marta Jovanović. Driver (Israel) Yehonatan Indursky’s comic-drama about a sham artist and his daughter in an ultra-Orthodox community. Jumpman (Russian Federation), Ivan I. Tverdovsky’s thriller about a young man with a rare condition – he feels no pain. Letter from Masanjia (Canada – China) Leon Lee’s intense documentary of a political prisoner’s SOS letter that led to labor reform in China. Monger (Argentina), Jeff Zorrilla’s incredible journey into the world of sex tourism in Buenos Aires. Normandie Nue (France), Phillipe Le Guay’s (Women On The 6th Floor) comedy of a photo opportunity for a town of 300. The catch is… they all have to be naked. Once Upon a Time in November (Poland), Andrzej Jakimowski’s drama of a mother and son’s struggle to find a safe place in a homeless shelter. A Polar Year (Denmark) Samuel Collardey’s unique comedy, where actors play themselves in a recreated story. Parkland: Inside Building 12, Charlie Minn’s striking documentary told through interviews and real-life footage. Reinventing Rosalee, Dr. Lillian Glass’ inspiring documentary featuring her mom Rosalee a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor who lives life to the fullest. Sarah Q, John A. Gallagher’s dramedy of a small-town girl who moves to New York to become an actress. Smuggling Hendrix (Cypress) Marios Piperides award-winning comedic love story of a man on a mission to retrieve his dog from across the Turkish border. Song of Back and Neck, ‘The Office’ actor Paul Lieberstein’s comedic take on his history with back pain and curbed anger. The Unafraid, Anayansi Prado’s & Heather Courtney’s inspiring portrayal of the brave young people fighting back in difficult times.
Florida Premieres include: American First: The Legacy of a Raid (USA) Almudena Toral’s & Andrea Patiño Contreras’s documentary of the largest immigration worksite raid in U.S. History. The Art and Times of Frosty Myers (USA), Chris Stearns’ portrait of the sculptor best known for his 1969 “Moon Museum” and 1973 “The Wall” in SoHo. The Beginner (Germany), Alexandra Sell’s charmingly comic tale of a woman who attempts her dream of being a figure skater at age 58. Kent Jones’ award-winning Diane, starring Mary Kay Place in her most powerful performance of her career. Hatchback, Eric Sheffield’s quirky comedy of a journalist, that helps a mysterious girl find her long-lost dad. Cracking Aces (USA) H. James Gilmore documentary of the pioneering women of professional poker. Fiddlin’ (USA), Julie Simone takes us to the World’s Oldest Fiddler’s Convention. Hope’s Mission (Florida), Richard Jacksons’ documentary of a mother who risks everything to save her 3 children. Living on a Dollar a Day (USA), Thomas Nazario’s moving story of people around the world who survive on a dollar or less each day. Seeing Is Believing: Women Direct (USA) Cady McClain’s documentary includes interviews and clips from women directors. Snowbirds (Canada) from Joannie Lafrenière offers a glimpse into the French Canadian tourists who descend upon Hollywood, Florida each winter.
Jiro Dreams of Sushi[/caption]
The world’s largest culinary film festival, Devour! The Food Film Fest (Devour!) will present 74 food-and beverage-focused films from 21 countries, running the gamut from eye-opening feature length documentaries to quirky and engaging short flicks at the eighth edition. Devour’s 2018 programming centers around this year’s overall theme of “The Power of Food and Film to Transform”.
“Film is a powerful medium that can help shine a spotlight on important issues, spark conversations, inspire others and promote meaningful change,” said Devour! Managing Director Lia Rinaldo. “We are experiencing a cultural shift where many of us are rejecting the status quo and looking to transform our lives. As a result, the culinary industry, among others, is going through this period of upheaval and transition, which we strived to reflect in this year’s slate of inspiring and impactful films that explore topics from food waste, sustainability, food security, environmental impact, gender equality, discrimination and politics, to name a few.”
The 2018 lineup includes 28 thought-provoking feature films including eOne’s Jiro Dreams of Sushi about 85-year-old sushi chef Jiro Ono, the proprietor of a three-star Michelin sushi restaurant inauspiciously located in a Tokyo subway station. The film will open the festival on Wednesday, October 24 and was personally selected by 2018 Festival Guest Curator Sam Kass, the former White House Chef for the Obama family and a healthy food activist. Each year, the festival’s opening guest presents their favorite food film of all time; the only retro title in the program.
Film highlights include the Thursday night gala film André – The Voice of Wine about André Tchelistchef, the godfather of California winemaking, directed by his nephew Mark Tchelistchef who will be in attendance; the Canadian premiere of returning filmmaker Gab Taraboulsy’s feature length biopic Funke, chronicling Chef Evan Funke as he sets up one of the hottest restaurants in Los Angeles, Felix Trattoria; the world premiere of the Canadian documentary Six Primrose, which chronicles the dramatic impact of accessing healthy food on the community of Dartmouth, NS; and the inspiring documentary Charged: The Eduardo Garcia Story, chronicling Chef Eduardo’s recovery following a freak accident. Chef Eduardo Garcia is attending the Festival as a featured chef and will participate in the Celebrity Chef Dinner on Friday, October 26, alongside other top chefs still to be announced.
Devour! will screen several films that document the success of women and the challenges they face in the male-dominated culinary industry. A Fine Line, directed by Joanna James, explores why only six per cent of head chefs and restaurant owners are women and documents the rise of some of the most celebrated women in the industry including the World’s Best Female Chef and Devour! alumna Dominique Crenn and Emmy Award-winning TV Host Lidia Bastianich. Canadian Director Maya Gallus’ The Heat: A Kitchen (R)evolution profiles seven female chefs facing daunting professional obstacles, harassment and toxic environments. Thirty-six per cent of this year’s film program is directed by women.
The Festival will close with a feature drama from prominent Nova Scotia director Thom Fitzgerald. Splinters is an intimate drama about sexual identity, family and life in small-town Nova Scotia, filmed on an apple farm in the Annapolis Valley, mere minutes from the film fest’s location. This year’s program marks the festival’s largest program of Canadian content on screen at 32 percent of the films, including 17 per cent from Atlantic Canada.
Devour! will showcase 45 short films, including David Ma’s Hollywood-inspired recipe video series filmed in the aesthetic style of famous filmmakers: What if Alfonso Cuaron Made Pancakes?, What if Michael Bay Made Waffles?, What If Quentin Tarantino Made Spaghetti & Meatballs and What If Wes Anderson Made S’mores?. Additional programming includes six visually stunning films about Nova Scotia from the award-winning team behind the The Perennial Plate, and selections from returning filmmaker Kevin Kossowan’s James Beard Award Nominated Canadian series, From the Wild: Bay of Fundy and From the Wild: Devour! Edition.
A highlight of the festival program is the return of the Devour Road Show Celebrity Chef Dinner on Saturday, October 27, where a special program of five short films will be screened right in the barrel cellar of Lightfoot & Wolfville Winery, with chefs pulling their inspiration for their dishes right from the films.
All films are eligible for the Devour! Golden Tine Awards in five categories–Best Short Documentary, Best Short Drama, Best Feature Documentary, Best Feature Drama and Best Animation–chosen by an esteemed jury: Anita Stewart (Founder of Food Day Canada), Greg Rubidge (Syndicado Film Sales) and Dan Clapson (Eat North). The Awards Brunch will take place on Sunday, October 28 at Lightfoot & Wolfville Winery.
The 2018 Festival film screenings are: