Dolores

  • DOLORES, THE JUDDGE, MINDING THE GAP Among 8 Documentary Films Winning Peabody Awards

    Minding the Gap
    Minding the Gap

    The Peabody Awards revealed the eight winning films released in 2018 in the Documentary category, including Dolores, profile of unsung activists Dolores Huerta; A Dangerous Son on the challenges faced by parents of children living with mental health issues; and Minding the Gap, on the healing skateboarding provides for three young men transitioning into adulthood.

    Read more


  • DOLORES, MINDING THE GAP, SHIRKERS Among Nominees for Peabody Awards

    Minding the Gap
    Minding the Gap

    The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors announced the 60 nominees that represent the most compelling and empowering stories released in broadcasting and digital media during 2018. Thirty winners selected from amongst these nominees will be announced beginning next week.

    Read more


  • Ashland Independent Film Festival to Honor B. Ruby Rich and THE INFILTRATORS Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra

    B. Ruby Rich and THE INFILTRATORS Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra
    B. Ruby Rich; THE INFILTRATORS Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra

    The Ashland Independent Film Festival (AIFF), scheduled for April 11 to 15, 2019, will present two special awards this year – the Pride Award to film critic B. Ruby Rich and the Rogue Award to artists Alex Rivera and Cristina Ibarra, directors of the Sundance NEXT Jury and Audience award winner, The Infiltrators.

    Read more


  • THE SHAPE OF WATER Leads Nominations for 19th Golden Trailer Awards

    [caption id="attachment_25167" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]The Shape Of Water Sally Hawkins and Octavia Spencer in the film THE SHAPE OF WATER.[/caption] The Shape of Water along with Hitman’s Bodyguard lead the nominations for the 19th annual Golden Trailer Awards competition that has emerged as the most recognized event devoted to the artistry of film marketers and companies that create movie trailers, commercials and posters worldwide. GTA 19 will take place on Thursday, May 31st at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles hosted by comedienne and actress Michelle Buteau (“The Tick,” “Broad City,” “Key & Peele”).

    19th Golden Trailer Awards Nominations

    Best Independent Trailer

    The Florida Project, “Trailer,” A24, Mark Woollen & Associates I, Tonya, “Haters,” Neon, Zealot Thoroughbreds, “Red Band Trailer,” Focus Features, Motive The Shape of Water, “Connection,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, MOCEAN Under the Silver Lake, “Trailer 1,” A24, Motive

    Best Documentary

    The China Hustle, “Trailer,” Magnolia, Zealot City of Ghosts, “Promise,” Amazon Studios, MOCEAN Icarus, “Distance,” Netflix, GrandSon Won’t You Be My Neighbor, “Trailer,” Focus Features, Mark Woollen & Associates Three Identical Strangers, “Reunited,” Neon, Zealot

    Best Drama

    All The Money In The World, “Power,” Sony Pictures, Project X|AV Darkest Hour, “Trailer,” Focus Features, Mark Woollen & Associates The Shape of Water, “Escape,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, MOCEAN Megan Leavey, “Mission,” Bleecker Street, Open Road Chappaquiddick, “Conspiracy,” Entertainment Studios, MOCEAN

    Best Comedy

    Game Night, “Welcome,” New Line Cinema, MOCEAN Uncle Drew, “Uncle Drew,” Lionsgate, Seismic Productions Sorry to Bother You, “Voice,” Annapurna Pictures, Trailer Park, Inc. Lady Bird, “Domestic Trailer #1,” A24 Films, Giaronomo Productions Gringo, “Friendly,” Amazon, GrandSon

    Best Horror

    A Quiet Place, “A Quiet Place | Teaser – Listen,” Paramount, Ignition Insidious: The Last Key, “Family,” Universal Pictures, Buddha Jones Mother!, “Puzzle,” Paramount Pictures, Buddha Jones A Quiet Place, “A Quiet Place,” Paramount, AV Squad Hereditary, “Hereditary,” A24, AV Squad

    Best Action

    Kingsman: The Golden Circle, “Team,” 20th Century Fox, Create Advertising Group Black Panther, “Crown,” Walt Disney Studios, Create Advertising Group Tomb Raider, “SURVIVOR,” Warner Bros., Ant Farm Avengers: Infinity War, “Millions,” Disney/Marvel, MOCEAN Rampage, “Battle,” Warner Bros., Aspect

    Best Animation / Family

    The Nutcracker and The Four Realms, “Clara,” Walt Disney Pictures, TRANSIT Peter Rabbit, “Home,” Sony Pictures, Create Advertising Group Ralph Breaks the Internet: Wreck It Ralph 2, “Wired Refresh,” Disney/Pixar, MOCEAN Isle Of Dogs, “Domestic Trailer #1,” Fox Searchlight, Giaronomo Productions Despicable Me 3, “Mojo,” Universal Pictures, Workshop Creative

    Best Fantasy Adventure

    Jumanji: Welcome To The Jungle, “New World,” Sony, TRANSIT Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, “Expelliarmus,” Warner Bros., Jax Thor: Ragnarok, “New Journey,” Disney/Marvel, MOCEAN Star Wars: The Last Jedi, “Rebellion Reborn DCM Trailer,” Walt Disney Studios / Lucasfilm, Tiny Hero Solo: A Star Wars Story, “Something,” Disney, Disney In-house

    Best Music

    The Greatest Showman, “Imagination,” 20th Century Fox, Wild Card All The Money In The World, “True Story,” Sony Pictures, Project X|AV Baby Driver, “Tekillyah,” Sony Pictures Entertainment, Trailer Park, Inc. Ocean’s 8, “7 People,” Warner Bros. Pictures, Trailer Park, Inc. Pacific Rim: Uprising, “Untouchable,” Universal Pictures, Inside Job

    Best Summer Blockbuster Trailer

    Ocean’s 8, “7 People,” Warner Bros., Trailer Park, Inc. Mission: Impossible – Fallout, “CHOICE,” Paramount Pictures, Ant Farm The Incredibles 2, “Illegal,” Disney, Trailer Park, Inc. Deadpool 2, “Comeback,” 20th Century Fox, MOCEAN Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, “Kingdom,” Universal Pictures, Inside Job

    Best Teaser

    Murder on the Orient Express, “Suspect,” 20th Century Fox, Wild Card Red Sparrow, “Program,” 20th Century Fox, Wild Card Deadpool 2, “Cable Red,” 20th Century Fox, MOCEAN Mortal Engines, “London,” Universal Pictures, Inside Job Avengers: Infinity War, “Balance,” Disney/Marvel, MOCEAN

    Best Thriller

    Annihilation, “Mission,” Paramount Pictures, Buddha Jones Unsane, “Believe,” Bleecker Street, Buddha Jones The Commuter, “The Commuter,” Lionsgate, AV Squad It Comes At Night, “It Comes at Night,” A24, AV Squad Sicario Day of the Soldado, “Win,” Sony Pictures Entertainment, MOCEAN

    Best Video Game Trailer

    Assassin’s Creed Origins, “Order of The Ancients,” Ubisoft, Sunny Side Up Creative Assassin’s Creed: Origins, “Legend,” Ubisoft, Buddha Jones Far Cry 5, “Story Trailer,” Ubisoft, Buddha Jones Call of Duty: WWII, “Call of Duty:WWII – Reveal Trailer,” Activision, gnet Outlast Series Switch Trailer, “Outlast Series Trailer for the Nintendo Switch,” Red Barrels, Altar Creative

    Golden Fleece

    Proud Mary, “Rolling, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Trailer Park, Inc. Flatliners, “Relax,” Sony Pictures & Columbia Pictures, Buddha Jones Death Wish, “Reaper,” MGM, Create Advertising Group The Meg, “Carnage,” Warner Bros., Trailer Park, Inc. Snowman, “Domestic Trailer #1,” Universal Studios, Giaronomo Productions

    Most Original Trailer

    Thoroughbreds, “Red Band Trailer,” Focus Features, Motive Baby Driver, “Tekillyah,” Sony Pictures Entertainment, Trailer Park, Inc. Deadpool 2, “Paintings – Bob Ross Trailer,” 20th Century Fox, MOCEAN/Big Picture Hereditary, “Hereditary,” A24, AV Squad Patti Cake$, “PATTI CAKE$ Lyric Video,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, Studio Cadre & Ruff Mercy

    Best Independent Trailer (for film budget shot under a million US)

    Still/Born, “Still/Born Trailer,” Vertical Entertainment, Jay Gartland Ghost House, “Ghost House Trailer,” Vertical Entertainment, Jay Gartland Gemini, “Trailer,” Neon, Mark Woollen & Associates MEAT, “COMPLEX,” M.P.I, Dhruv Kumar The Endless, “The Endless “Cult” Official Trailer,” Well Go USA Entertainment, Sequence Creative

    Best Motion/Title Graphics

    Baby Driver, “Tekillyah,” Sony Pictures Entertainment, Trailer Park, Inc. Ready Player One, “Hall H,” Warner Bros. , Buddha Jones THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME, “Bond”,” Lionsgate, Seismic Productions Thoroughbreds, “Twisted,” Focus Features, GrandSon Slice, “Line Rider,” A24, GrandSon

    Best Original Score

    Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, “Ignite,” Universal Pictures, Inside Job Avengers: Infinity War, “Millions,” Disney/Marvel, MOCEAN The Incredibles 2, “Illegal,” Disney, Trailer Park, Inc. Good Time, “Feelin It,” A24, GrandSon The Hitman’s Bodyguard, “Make New Friends,” Lionsgate, In House

    Best Romance

    Our Souls at Night, “Sunday Love Teaser,” Netflix, Mark Woollen & Associates Love, Simon, “Courage,” 20th Century Fox, TRANSIT Call Me By Your Name, “Call Me By Your Name,Theatrical Trailer,” Sony Pictures Classics, The Grossmyth Company Mamma Mia 2, “Memories,” Universal Pictures, Inside Job Adrift, “Bon Voyage,” STX Entertainment, Trailer Park, Inc.

    Best Sound Editing

    Baby Driver, “Heist,” Sony, Wild Card Baby Driver, “Tekillyah,” Sony Pictures Entertainment, Trailer Park, Inc. Mother!, “Puzzle,” Paramount Pictures, Buddha Jones Pacific Rim Uprising, “Pacific Rim Uprising,” Universal, AV Squad Star Wars: The Last Jedi, “Rebellion Reborn” DCM Trailer, Walt Disney Studios / Lucasfilm, Tiny Hero

    The Don LaFontane Award for Best Voice Over

    Micro Machines World Series Trailer, “Micro Machines World Series,” Deep Silver/Codemasters, YellowPike Media Mudbound, “Trailer,” Netflix, Mark Woollen & Associates Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Ninja Theory Mother!, “FEAR,” Paramount Pictures, Ant Farm The Hitman’s Bodyguard, “Bonus Sh*t!,” Lionsgate, Tiny Hero

    Trashiest Trailer

    Father Figures, “Every Dad,” Warner Bros., Create Advertising Group The Hitman’s Bodyguard, “Bonus Sh*t!,” Lionsgate,Tiny Hero The Little Hours, “The Little Hours,” Gunpowder & Sky, Jump Cut Creative Hitman’s Bodyguard, “Make New Friends”, Lionsgate, In House Sharknado 5: Global Swarming, “Stronger,” SyFy, AV Squad

    Best Foreign Action Trailer

    Salut – 7, “Salyut -7,” Eugeny Makharashvili, Butterfly Effect Beyond the edge, “Beyond the edge TRL,” KINODANZ, On/Off Production The Outsider, “Never Go Back,” Netflix, Jax Rubicon, “Trailer,” RFG, Most, Chechen Film, Alexandr Serzhantov The Villainess, “The Villainess, Official US Trailer,” Well Go USA Entertainment, Red Circle, Inc.

    Best Foreign Animation Family Trailer

    In This Corner Of The World, “International Trailer,” Manga, Editpool Bilal, “Unite,” Vertical, Zealot Monster Hunt 2, “Adventure,” EDKO Films Ltd., Trailer Park, Inc. Here Comes the Grump, “Here Comes The Grump Trailer,” GFM Films, Zealot UK Kikoriki. Dejavu, “Kikoriki. Dejavu,” The Riki Group, Stanislav Ivanov

    Best Foreign Comedy Trailer

    The Death Of Stalin, “US Trailer,” IFC, Intermission Film The Square, “Trailer,” Magnolia Pictures, Mark Woollen & Associates THE PARTY, “Trailer 1,” Roadside Attractions, Big Science Film Swinging Safari, “Swinging Safari Trailer,” Becker Film Group, Zealot UK Blockbuster, “Blockbuster Trailer,” NETFLIX, Zealot UK

    Best Foreign Documentary Trailer

    Faces Places, “Trailer,” Cohen Media Group, Mark Woollen & Associates Charcoal Burner Nights, Zeitraum Film, Trailerhaus GmbH McLaren, “McLaren Trailer,” Gunpowder & Sky, Zealot UK Devil’s Freedom, “JUNKY SKULL,” ANIMAL DE LUZ, ART Kingdom Yellow is Forbidden, “Couture,” Madman/NZ Film Commission, AV Squad

    Best Foreign Drama Trailer

    One Percent, “Trailer,” See Pictures, Zealot The Eternal Feminine, “The Eternal Feminine,” Luxbox , Good Hands Peace Breaker first trailer, “Peace Breaker first trailer,” Nurostar Rubicon, “Trailer,” RFG, Most, Chechen Film, Alexandr Serzhantov A Fantastic Woman, “A Fantastic Woman Trailer,” Curzon Artificial Eye, Intermission Film

    Best Foreign Horror Trailer

    From A House On Willow Street, “From A House On Willow Street.” Fat Cigar, The First Order Ghost Stories, “Trailer,” Lionsgate UK, Intermission Film Killing Ground, “Trailer,” IFC, Zealot The Secret Of Marrowbone, eOne, SILK FACTORY Slumber, “Slumber Trailer,” Goldcrest Films, Zealot UK

    Best Foreign Independent Trailer

    BPM, “Trailer,” The Orchard, Mark Woollen & Associates Moka, “Driven,” Film Movement, PK Creative Edie, “Trailer,” Arrow Films, Editpool Double Lover, “Lust,” Cohen Media Group, AV Squad IN THE AISLES, Zorro Film GmbH, Requination/Niemiproduktion

    Best Foreign Music Trailer

    MY GENERATION, “My Generation – UK Trailer,” Lionsgate, SILK FACTORY Youth, “Youth,” Nurostar Witnesses, “Silent” Trailer,” RFG, ARK PICTURES, Alexandr Serzhantov Foundling, “Foundling “Trailer,” Amedia Production, 1tv, Andrei Solodovnikov Pope Francis: A Man of His Word, Universal Pictures International, Muniq Creative Agency

    Best Foreign Romance Trailer

    About Love. Adults Only, Stanislav Ivanov From the Land of the Moon, IFC, Zealot A Fantastic Woman, Sony Pictures Classic, The Grossmyth Company Submergence, Embankment Films, Zealot UK Breathe, Bleecker Street, Zealot UK

    Best Foreign Teaser

    Coach, Kinoslovo/DK Entertainment, Vadzim Khudabets The Whiskey Bandit Viszkis Film, Film Force Team, Peter Varsics Yardie, Studiocanal, Intermission Film Viy 2: The Mystery of the Dragon’s Seal, “Visit”, RFG, Alexandr Serzhantov Wings of the Empire, 3xmedia, 1tv, Andrei Solodovnikov

    Best Foreign Thriller Trailer

    Killing Ground, IFC, Zealot THE GIRL IN THE FOG, Studio Canal, Silk Factory Luna, Universum Film, Trailerhaus GmbH Beast, Altitude, Intermission Film Double Lover, “Lust” Cohen Media Group, AV Squad

    Most Original Foreign Trailer

    The Square, Magnolia Pictures, Mark Woollen & Associates Frontier, Studio “KIT,” Stanislav Ivanov Youth, Nurostar Ichi The Killer, Well Go USA Entertainment, Sequence Creative Jeannette, Luxbox, Good Hands

    Best Action TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Kingsman: The Golden Circle, “Poppy Dance,” 20th Century Fox, Trailer Park, Inc. Wonder Woman, “Together :60,” Warner Bros., Buddha Jones Black Panther, “Entourage :60,” Walt Disney Pictures, AV Squad Deadpool 2, “Save Me / Tea,” 20th Century Fox, Wild Card Tomb Raider, “:30 “Brilliant,” Warner Bros., Mob Scene Creative & Productions

    Best Animation / Family TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    The Greatest Showman, “World,” 20th Century Fox, Create Advertising Group Ferdinand, “Week Before Xmas,” 20th Century Fox Animation, MOCEAN Wonder, “TV60 “You Are A Wonder,” Lionsgate, Markus Wernig – Offramp Creative Inc. Isle Of Dogs, “:30TV “Sic Em,” Fox Searchlight, Giaronomo Productions Despicable Me 3, “Evil Mastermind,” Universal Pictures , Workshop Creative

    Best Comedy TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    The Hitman’s Bodyguard, “Mofo Count” :30,” Lionsgate, Outpost Media Thoroughbreds, “Society Story,”Focus Features, Buddha Jones The Disaster Artist, “Make Movie,” A24, GrandSon Daddy’s Home 2, “Let’s Hold Hands,” Paramount Ocean’s 8, “7 People Cutdown,” Warner Bros. Pictures, Trailer Park, Inc.

    Best Documentary TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Jim and Andy: The Great Beyond, “Andy,” Netflix, Mark Woollen & Associates I Am Not Your Negro, “PBS Independent Lens – I Am Not Your Negro,” ITVS RBG, “Truth,” Magnolia Pictures, Mark Woollen & Associates Faces Places, “Cutdown 30,” Cohen Media Group, Mark Woollen & Associates Icarus, “RIVETING,” Netflix, Ant Farm

    Best Drama TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    The 15:17 to Paris, “Departure,” Warner Bros., Wild Card Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, “Pointy,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, Motive The Shape of Water, “Tale of Love,” Fox Searchlight, Mark Woollen & Associates War for the Planet of the Apes, “Fear :30,” Fox, AV Squad Mudbound, “Beautiful,” Netflix, GrandSon

    Best Fantasy Adventure TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Thor: Ragnarok, “Thor: Ragnarok, “Mjolnir” Digital,” Disney, Aspect Ready Player One, “Fantasy,” Warner Bros., Buddha Jones Guardians Of The Galaxy 2, “OogaChaka,” Walt Disney Studios / Marvel, Tiny Hero Ready Player One, “Come With Me 60,” Warner Bros., Statement Advertising Jumanji, “Worlds Apart :60,” Sony Pictures, Big Picture

    Best Foreign TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Selfie, “Selfie TV Spot “Double,” Stanislav Ivanov The Square, “Museum,” Magnolia Pictures, Mark Woollen & Associates Okja, “Ready Action,” Netflix, Bond Youth, “Youth and Fire,” Nurostar Black Water, “Koch Media Film,” Muniq Creative Agency

    Best Graphics in a TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    War for the Planet of the Apes, “War / Letters,” 20th Century Fox, Wild Card Notes From The Field, “Graphic Tease,” HBO, Buddha Jones Get Out, “Poetic Review,” Universal Pictures, Inside Job THE SPY WHO DUMPED ME, “TSR BOND,” LIONSGATE, Seismic Productions Thoroughbreds, “Princess,” Focus Features, GrandSon

    Best Horror TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Alien: Covenant, “Born Neo,” 20th Century Fox, Wild Card IT, “:30TV “Friends,” Warner Bros., Aspect Mother!, “Experience,” Paramount Pictures, Buddha Jones A Quiet Place, “Survive,” Paramount Pictures, Project X/AV Insidious: The Last Key, “Invite :30,” Sony Pictures, AV Squad

    Best Independent TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Thoroughbreds, “Shall We,” Focus Features, Motive Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, “Just About Right,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, Motive Mudbound, “Land Cutdown,” Netflix, Mark Woollen & Associates The Killing of a Sacred Deer, “Me,” A24, GrandSon Lady Bird, “Playgirl,” A24, GrandSon

    Best Music TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Bright, “Heroes/Danger MGK” Trailer,” Netflix, AV Squad Life Itself, “Love,” Amazon Studios, Trailer Park, Inc. Tomb Raider, “Lara,” Warner Brothers, Cole Barager/ Deva Studios Ocean’s 8, “7 People Cutdown,” Warner Bros.,Trailer Park, Inc. Black Panther, “Women of Wakanda,” Walt Disney Studios / Marvel, Tiny Hero

    Best Original Score TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Phantom Thread, “Taste,” Focus Features, Buddha Jones Phantom Thread, “Dying to Wear,” Focus Features, Buddha Jones Phantom Thread, “Triumph Review :60,” Focus Features, Buddha Jones The Greatest Showman, “Different,” 20th Century Fox, Create Advertising Group

    Best Romance TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Phantom Thread, “Dream,” Focus Features, Mark Woollen & Associates Fifty Shades Freed, “BROUGHT TO LIFE,” Universal Pictures, Ant Farm Life Itself, “Love,” Amazon Studios, Trailer Park, Inc. Love, Simon, “Digital “Heart,” 20th Century Fox, Aspect The Shape of Water, “Princess Without a Voice,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Searchlight Marketing

    Best Sound Editing in a TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Atomic Blonde, “Begin,” Universal, Wild Card Baby Driver, “Hip-Hop,” Sony Pictures, Project X|AV Star Wars: The Last Jedi, “It’s Time,” Disney, Trailer Park, Inc. The Killing of a Sacred Deer, “Me,” A24, GrandSon Black Panther, “Team,” Walt Disney Studios / Marvel, Tiny Hero

    Best Summer Blockbuster TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Solo: A Star Wars Story, “So Low Super Bowl,” Disney, Disney In-house Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, “Miracle,” Universal Pictures, Inside Job Solo: A Star Wars Story, “45TV “Crew,” Disney, Aspect Deadpool 2, “Save Me / Tea,” 20th Century Fox, Wild Card Deadpool 2, “Selfless.” 20th Century Fox, Wild Card

    Best Thriller TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Dunkirk, “Dunkirk | TV 60 – Never Surrender,” Warner Bros, Ignition Annihilation, “Evolution :60,” Paramount Pictures, Buddha Jones Suburbicon, “Doors :60,” Paramount, AV Squad The Shape of Water, “Ticking Thriller,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, MOCEAN Unsane, “Never Safe,” Bleecker Street, Open Road

    Best Video Game TV Spot

    Overwatch, “Dare,” Blizzard Entertainment, Mark Woollen & Associates Call of Duty WW2, “Heroes,” Activision, Aspect Gran Turismo Sport, “GT Sport – Go Get It,” Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Creative Call of Duty: WWII, “Call of Duty: WWII Story Trailer,” Activision, gnet PUBG, “PUBG – Unknown Air,” PUBG Corp., gnet

    Best Voice Over TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    Atomic Blonde, “Modern Woman,” Universal, Wild Card Coco, “Coco – “You Know” – Christian Lanz,” Disney – Pixar, Create Advertising Insidious: The Last Key, “Welcome To New Mexico,” Sony, BOND Guardians Of The Galaxy 2, “Get it!,” Walt Disney Studios / Marvel, Tiny Hero The Hitman’s Bodyguard, “#1 Movie!,” Lionsgate, Tiny Hero

    Golden Fleece TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    The Mummy, “Thrill Kids,” Universal Pictures, Rogue Planet Fifty Shades Freed, “Happy Ending,” Universal Pictures,Trailer Park, Inc. Resident Evil: The Final Chapter, “Reviewing Evil with Chris Hardwick,” Screen Gems, Viacom Velocity Flatliners, “Relax :30,” Sony Pictures & Columbia Pictures, Buddha Jones The Dark Tower, “Battle,” Sony Pictures, Create Advertising Group

    Most Original TV Spot (for a Feature Film)

    The Hitman’s Bodyguard, “Mofo Count” :30,” Lionsgate, Outpost Media I, Tonya, “Mirror,” Neon, Zealot Kingsman: The Golden Circle, “Poppy Dance,” 20th Century Fox, Trailer Park, Inc. Insidious: The Last Key, “Welcome To New Mexico,” Sony, Bond The House, “Frank’s Place,” New Line Cinema, MOCEAN

    Best Action (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    Narcos: S3, “Succession,” Netflix, TRANSIT Jessica Jones S2, “Official Trailer “Control,” Netflix, Aspect Jack Ryan, “Brave – Super Bowl,” Amazon, Jax The Punisher, “The Punisher – Reflections,” Netflix, gnet Altered Carbon,”Altered Carbon – Last Night I Died Again,” Netflix, gnet

    Best Animation / Family (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    Big Mouth S1, “Official Trailer “Life,” Netflix, Aspect Bojack Horseman S4, “Official Trailer “Missing,” Netflix, Aspect Trollhunters, “Trailer,” Netflix, InSync PLUS Spirit Riding Free, Dreamworks Animation Television, Jamestown Productions Trollhunters Tales of Arcadia – Season 3, Dreamworks Animation Television, Outpost Media

    Best Comedy (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    American Vandal, “Conspiracy,” Netflix, Zealot Future Man, “Future Man | Trailer – Time Travel,” Hulu, Ignition Comrade Detective, “Comrades,” Amazon Studios, TRANSIT GLOW, “Become,” Netflix, Buddha Jones Hidden America: Season 2, “Travel,” Seeso, AV Squad

    Best Documentary/Reality (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    National Geographic, “One Strange Rock Trailer,” 2C Creative Wormwood, “Disappeared,” Netflix, Wild Card Rock and a Hard Place “Redemption” Trailer”, HBO, AV Squad Flint Town, “System,” Netflix, GrandSon Bobby Kennedy for President, “Change,” Netflix, Mob Scene Creative & Productions

    Best Drama (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    Ozark, “Last Resort – Trailer,” Netflix, Mark Woollen & Associates The Alienist, “Game,” TNT, Zealot Mr. Robot, “Democracy,” USA Network, Buddha Jones Dark, “Machine,” Netflix, Buddha Jones Westworld Season 2, “Locked Inside,” HBO, Jax

    Best Fantasy Adventure (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    Game of Thrones, “Legendary,” HBO, Editpool Stranger Things Season 2, “Darkness,” Netflix, Trailer Park, Inc. Legion – season 2, “Everything,” FX, Create Advertising Group The Tick, “Team,” Amazon Studios, Create Advertising Group Game of Thrones Season 7, “Survive,” HBO, Jax

    Best Foreign (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    The Pack (Wataha) “Season 2 Heartbeat Teaser,” HBO Europe Dark: S1, “Tick Tock,” Netflix, TRANSIT Dark, “Machine,” Netflix, Buddha Jones O Mecanismo, “Greed,” Netflix, BOND YOU ARE WANTED S2 FOR AMAZON PRIME VIDEO, Amazon Prime Video, Pantaleon Films GmbH, Warner Bros. Entertainment GmbH, BDA Creative GmbH

    Best Graphics (in a TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    Comrade Detective, “Comrades,” Amazon Studios, TRANSIT Real Time with Bill Maher, “Open Our Eyes,” HBO, Buddha Jones Rotten The Future, “Netflix,” Buddha Jones Lady Dynamite, “Fancy Guest,” Netflix, GrandSon The Punisher, “The Punisher – Reflections,” Netflix, gnet

    Best Horror / Thriller (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    Ash vs. Evil Dead (Season 3), “Supernatural,” Starz, Zealot Westworld, “New Chaos,” HBO, Motive Rellik, “What You Deserve,” Cinemax, Buddha Jones The Walking Dead Season 8B, “Nightmare,” AMC Network, Giaronomo Productions The Alienist, “Monster,” TNT, Trailer Park

    Best Music (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    Ozark, Netflix, Mark Woollen & Associates Stranger Things Season 2, “Darkness,” Netflix, Trailer Park, Inc. The Defenders, “Quartet,” Netflix, MOCEAN Impulse, “Impulse Teaser,” YouTube, Trailer Park The Crown, “For You,” Netflix, GrandSon

    Best Opening Title Sequence or Closing Credit Sequence for a feature film

    Wonder Woman, “Wonder Woman Main-On-End Titles,” Warner Bros, Greenhaus GFX Insidious – The Last Key, “The Last Key – Main-On-End Titles,” Blum House, Greenhaus GFX DC, “DC Logo,” Warner Bros., Buddha Jones Proud Mary, “Opening Title GFX,” Screen Gems, Seismic Productions Game Night, “Game Night,” New Line Cinema, Aspect

    Best Original Score (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    Blood Drive, “Master Collection,” SyFy, Buddha Jones Fox League X Briggs- “HERE,” Fox Sports Creative Westworld Season 2, “Locked Inside,” HBO, Jax Westworld Season 2, “Beautiful World – Super Bowl,” HBO, Jax

    Best Promo for a OTO or Special (i.e. Oscars, CMAs or Super Bowl)

    NBC Sports: Championship Season, Agency: 2C Creative ESPN: Curry/Lonzo Game Promo, 2C Creative Jonestown: The Women Behind the Massacre, “Deadliest,” A&E, The Shop The OSCARS, “The Oscars 2018 Jimmy Returns,” ABC Entertainment Marketing + Black Label Content

    Best Promo for a TV Network

    2017 PBS Previews Campaign, “2017 PBS Previews Campaign: Drama,” PBS Stan Lee, “Stan the Man,” Disney/Marvel & Netflix, MOCEAN HBO Documentary, “Trailer,” HBO, Create Advertising Group HBO “Game of Thrones” Image, HBO, Trailer Park truTV, “truTV onair refresh,” truTV, TruTV

    Best Sound Editing (in a TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    The Pack (Wataha) “Season 2 Heartbeat Teaser,” HBO Europe Stranger Things Season 2, “Darkness,” Netflix, Trailer Park, Inc. Dark, “Machine,” Netflix, Buddha Jones The Punisher, “Family Man,” Netflix, MOCEAN Westworld S2, “30TV “Revenge,” HBO, Aspect

    Best Voice Over (in a TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    Ozark, “Last Resort Cutdown,” Netflix, Mark Woollen & Associates Ozark, “Money,” Netflix, Mark Woollen & Associates Comrade Detective, “Comrades,” Amazon Studios, TRANSIT GRAND PRIX DRIVER, “Series Trailer,” Amazon Studios, Tiny Hero

    Most Original (TV Spot / Trailer / Teaser for a series)

    American Vandal, “Conspiracy,” Netflix, Zealot Comrade Detective, “Comrades,” Amazon Studios, TRANSIT The Innocents, “Changes Everything,” Netflix, Trailer Park, Inc. The Crown 2, “The Crown Trailer,” Netflix, Intermission Film Altered Carbon, “Live Forever” Date Announce,” Netflix, gnet

    Best Action Poster

    Wonder Woman, “Wonder Woman, One-Sheet,” Warner Bros., BOND Thor: Ragnarok, “Thor: Ragnarok, One-Sheet,” Walt Disney Studios, BOND Wonder Woman, “Wonder Woman One Sheet,” Warner Bros., P+A Tomb Raider, “Tomb Raider Ice Pick,” Warner Bros., WORKS ADV

    Best Animation / Family Movie Poster

    Peter Rabbit, “Peter Rabbit One Sheet,” Sony Pictures Entertainment, WORKS ADV

    Best Billboard

    Wonder Woman, “Wonder Woman,” Warner Bros., “Concept Arts” Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, Billboard,” Sony, BOND Love, Simon, “Love, Simon LA Billboard 20th Century Fox,” WORKS ADV Black Panther, “Arclight Motion Billboard,” Walt Disney Motion Pictures, The M Factor

    Best Comedy Poster

    Game Over, Man! Digital Finish, Netflix, Ignition Life of the Party, Warner Bros. Pictures, Cold Open A Futile and Stupid Gesture,Netflix, Leroy & Rose Super Troopers 2, “Payoff Poster 2,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, Midnight Oil

    Best Comedy Poster for a TV Show / TV Series

    Baskets S3 One-Sheet, FX Networks, Ignition Vice Principals One-Sheet, “Vice Principals One-Sheet,” HBO, Ignition Hap & Leonard: Mucho Mojo, SundanceTV, The Refinery The Mick, “Season 2,” Fox, Leroy & Rose

    Best Documentary / Reality Poster for a TV Show or TV Series

    Wormwood One-Sheet, Netflix, Ignition Mind Field – Season 2, YouTube Red, Cold Open Daughters of Destiny, Netflix, Concept Arts Adam Ruins Everything, “Adam Ruins the Rest Room,” truTV, TruTV

    Best Documentary Poster

    DOLORES, PBS, POV Studio 54, AE Films, Concept Arts Lenny, HBO, Cold Open Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond, Netflix, BOND

    Best Drama / Action TV Series Poster

    Ozark, Netflix, The Refinery Handmaids Tale, Hulu, Leroy & Rose The Americans: Season 6, FX, P+A American Gods, Starz, BOND

    Best Drama Poster

    Mudbound, Netflix, The Refinery Realive, Syfy Films, The Refinery Dunkirk, “Bus Shelter,” Warner Bros., Concept Arts Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, Fox Searchlight, BOND

    Best Fantasy / Adventure Poster

    Blade Runner 2049, Warner Bros., WORKS ADV Ready Player One, “Payoff,” Warner Brothers, BOND Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Walt Disney Studios, BOND The Shape of Water, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Midnight Oil, Digital Finishing by Daniel Clark Creative

    Best Foreign Poster

    Das Schweigende Klassenzimmer, “Silence speaks volumes,” The Dream Factory The Death of Stalin, AllCity Media Euphoria, Great Point Media, Coffee & Cigarettes Birthmarked, Aqute Media, Champ & Pepper

    Best Horror / Thriller TV Series Poster

    The Strain Digital Finish, FX Networks, Ignition Dark, Netflix, The Refinery American Horror Story: Cult, FX, BOND Fight of the Living Dead: Paradise Calls, YouTube Red, Cold Open

    Best Horror Poster

    The Cured, IFC Films, InSync PLUS Insidious: The Last Key, “Scream,” Universal Pictures, Concept Arts Winchester, CBS Films, Cold Open Slender Man, “Teaser,” Screen Gems, P+A

    Best Independent Poster

    Okja, Netflix, BOND Thelma, The Orchard, P+A The Little Hours, GUNPOWDER & SKY, Jump Cut Creative The Endless, Well Go USA Entertainment, Jump Cut Creative

    Best International Poster

    Downsizing One-Sheet, Paramount, Ignition Winchester – International Poster (Spain), CBS Films, Cold Open Wonder Woman, “Walking,” Warner Bros., WORKS ADV A Wrinkle in Time, “International (Germany),” Walt Disney Pictures, Cold Open

    Best Motion Poster

    Peter Rabbit, Sony Pictures Entertainment, WORKS ADV Dunkirk, “Destroyer,” Warner Bros., Concept Arts Isle Of Dogs, “Wild Post,”Fox Searchlight Pictures, BLT Communications, LLC Isle Of Dogs, “Sneezing,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, BLT Communications, LLC

    Best pre-show Theatrical Advertising for a Brand

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, “The Sprint Disruption,” Screenvision Media, 40 Foot Solutions Cinemark XD, “Magic,” Cinemark, MOCEAN A Quiet Theater, “A Quiet Theater,” Paramount Pictures, M3 Creative SHUDDER, “EVOKE,” SHUDDER, HEART SLEEVE CREATIVE Gogol, ‘Gogol asks to turn off phones in cinemas,” TV-3

    Best Radio / Audio Spot

    The Cloverfield Paradox, “Stop,” Netflix, Buddha Jones Kingsman: The Golden Circle, “Summer,” 20th Century Fox, Create Advertising Group The Hitman’s Bodyguard, “RADIO :30 SAM VS RYAN,” NEW LINE, Seismic Productions The Shape of Water, “Score Radio,” Fox Searchlight, Mark Woollen & Associates Black Panther, “Just Getting Started,” Walt Disney Studios / Marvel, Tiny Hero

    Best Summer Blockbuster Poster

    Rampage, New Line Cinema, Concept Arts Skyscraper, Universal Pictures, Concept Arts Wonder Woman, Warner Brothers, BOND Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Walt Disney Studios, BOND

    Best Teaser Poster

    Ocean’s 8, Warner Bros., WORKS ADV Game Night, Warner Brothers, Leroy & Rose All The Money In the World, Sony Pictures, P+A Super Troopers 2, Fox Searchlight Pictures, Midnight Oil

    Best Thriller Poster

    The New Mutants, 20th Century Fox, Ignition Flatliners, Sony, Concept Arts Annabelle: Creation, “Tea Party,” New Line Cinema, Concept Arts You Were Never Really Here, Amazon Studios, P+A

    Best Trailer for Book or Novel

    The Bad Seed, HarperCollins Publishers Everless, HarperCollins Publishers Tattoo, The 8 Percent The Butchering Art, Light Arcade The Sheriff’s Catch (Part 1 of The Sassana Stone Pentalogy), “Unbound,” James Vella-Bardon

    Best TrailerByte for a Feature Film

    Flatliners, “What Could Go Wrong,” Sony, BOND Thoroughbreds, “Alibi,” Focus Features, GrandSon The Greatest Showman, “Singalong Social Campaign,” 20th Century Fox, Create Advertising Super Troopers 2, “Super Troopers 2, Cologne Commercial,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Searchlight Marketing Peter Rabbit, “Bring The Fight,” Sony Pictures Entertainment, Workshop Creative

    Best TrailerByte for a TV Series/Streaming Series

    Ballers: Season 3, HBO, AV Squad GAME OF THRONES, “Season 7 Social Carousel,” HBO, Silk Factory Westworld S2, “Digital “Out There,” HBO, Aspect The Long Road Home, National Geographic, InSync PLUS Truth or Dare, “:10 Do or Die,” Universal Pictures Intl, The Picture Production Company

    Best Video Game Poster

    Civilization VI, 2K Games, Inc., Ignition Uncharted, “10th Anniversary Poster,” Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Creative Horizon Zero Dawn The Frozen Wilds, Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Creative Shadow of the Colossus, “Hero,” Sony Interactive Entertainment, PlayStation Creative

    Best Viral Campaign

    Bright, “Digital Campaign,” Netflix, InSync PLUS Impractical Jokers, “Surprise and Delight,” truTV, Fooji Gogol.Origins, “The first audience talks about the film Gogol. Origins,” TV-3, TV-3 Good Time, “Social Campaign,” A24, GrandSon The Disaster Artist, “The Tommy Award,” A24, GrandSon

    Best Wildposts (Teaser Campaign)

    Justice League, “Justice League,” Warner Bros., The Refinery Blade Runner 2049, “Blade Runner 2049 11up,” Warner Bros., Concept Arts Love, Simon, “Love Letter Wildposts,” 20th Century Fox, WORKS ADV Black Panther, “Character Series,” Marvel Studios, Art Machine

    Most Innovative Advertising (for a TV Series / Streaming Series)

    Altered Carbon, “Psychasec Campaign,” Netflix, gnet Westworld 2, “Loops,” HBO, HBO (Internal) The Long Road Home, “National Geographic,” InSync PLUS F Is For Family (Season 2), “Social Campaign,” Netflix, InSync PLUS Impractical Jokers, “Block Party,” truTV, Brand Connections

    Most Innovative Advertising for a Brand / Product

    Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2, “Sprint Disruption,” Screenvision Studios, 40 Foot Solutions Citizen Graduation Gift, Screenvision Studios, 40 Foot Solutions Coco, “Celebration Family Digital,” Disney, Trailer Park, Inc. Oculus “Step into Rift” Brand Anthem, Oculus, space.camp

    Most Innovative Advertising for a Feature Film

    Bright, “Social Campaign,” Netflix, InSync PLUS The Babysitter, “Social Campaign,” Netflix, InSync PLUS A Quiet Place, “A Quiet Theater,” Paramount Pictures, M3 Creative A Ghost Story, “A Ghost Pie,” A24, GrandSon Coco, Walt Disney Motion Pictures, The M Factor

    Most Innovative Advertising for a Video Game

    Space Pirate Trainer, I-Illusions, kertgartner.com Call of Duty: WW2, “Brotherhood,” Activision, Aspect Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, “Accolades Trailer,” Ninja Theory Oculus “Step into Rift” Brand Anthem, Oculus, space.camp Clash Royale, “Flash Royale,” Supercell, gnet

    Most Original Poster

    The Vietnam War: A Film by Ken Burns & Lynn Novick, “Reflections,” PBS Okja, Netflix, BOND Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Walt Disney Studios, BOND The Shape of Water, “Embrace Art,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, Midnight Oil, Digital Finishing by Daniel Clark Creative

    Best Film Festival Trailer

    Palm Springs International Film Festival, Palm Springs International Film Society, Stampede Studios Online Film Festival 2017, PBS Kamloops Film Festival 2018, Josh Sunderman BOFA Film Festival, Rhino Post Production BFI Bergman Season, BFI, The Picture Production Company

    Best Film Festival Poster

    Online Film Festival 2017, PBS Battle of the Sexes, “Telluride Poster,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Searchlight Marketing Battle of the Sexes, “Toronto Film Festival Poster,” Fox Searchlight Pictures, Fox Searchlight Marketing

    Read more


  • THE FLORIDA PROJECT, FACES PLACES, BPM Among 2017 San Francisco Film Critics Circle Winners

    Faces Places
    Faces Places

    THE FLORIDA PROJECT, Sean Baker’s coming-of-age film about little rascals growing up in the shadow of Disney World, was named Best Picture of 2017 by San Francisco Film Critics Circle

    Read more


  • BRIMSTONE AND GLORY , CITY OF GHOSTS and STRONG ISLAND Lead Cinema Eye Honors Nominations

    [caption id="attachment_24386" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Brimstone and Glory Brimstone & Glory[/caption] Three films – Viktor Jakovleski’s Brimstone & Glory, Matthew Heineman’s City of Ghosts and Yance Ford’s Strong Island – lead the 2018 Cinema Eye Honors nominations with 4 apiece. Five films received three nominations: Yuri Ancarani’s The Challenge, Jeff Orlowski’s Chasing Coral, Agnès Varda and JR’s Faces Places, Brett Morgen’s Jane and Jonathan Olshefski’s Quest. City of Ghosts, Faces Places, Quest and Strong Island are joined in the Outstanding Nonfiction Feature category by Frederick Weisman’s Ex Libris: The New York Public Library and Feras Fayyad’s Last Men in Aleppo. Kitty Green (Casting Jon Benet) joins the aforementioned Yuri Ancarani, Yance Ford, Matthew Heineman, Agnés Varda and JR, and Frederick Wiseman as a nominee in the Outstanding Achievement in Direction category. With his nomination, Frederick Wiseman becomes the first filmmaker in Cinema Eye history to be nominated three times for Outstanding Direction, having been previously nominated for La Danse – The Paris Opera Ballet and In Jackson Heights. He also received Cinema Eye’s 2012 Legacy Award for his 1967 classic Titicut Follies. Agnès Varda won the Outstanding Direction Award in 2010 for The Beaches of Agnés. Outstanding Direction nominees Kitty Green and Yuri Ancarani were both previously nominated for Outstanding Nonfiction Short, Green in 2016 for The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiul and Ancarani was nominated twice for Il Capo (2012) and Da Vinci (2014). Chasing Coral received three nominations, including a nod for Outstanding Cinematography for director Jeff Orlowski, an Honor he won in 2013 for Chasing Ice. Stefan Nadelman, nominated for his Graphic Design work on the Grateful Dead documentary Long Strange Trip, won the same award in 2016 for Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck. Ten films were nominated for the annual Audience Choice Prize, which includes many of the year’s most popular and talked about nonfiction films, notably Brett Morgen’s Jane, Ceyda Torun’s Kedi, Amanda Lipitz’ Step, Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis’ Whose Streets? and Gethin Aldous and Jairus McLeary’s The Work. The winner in this category is voted on by the general public. This year’s Broadcast Nonfiction Filmmaking category includes a number of notable filmmakers, among them a previous Cinema Eye winner and a nominee. Fisher Stevens, a winner for Outstanding Production and Feature for The Cove (2010), is nominated this year with his co-director Alexis Bloom for Bright Lights: Starring Carrie FIsher and Debbie Reynolds (HBO). Ryan White, who was nominated for Production in 2015 for The Case Against 8, is up this year for his Netflix series The Keepers. Oscar nominee Ava DuVernay received her first Cinema Eye nomination for her Netflix film 13th, while veteran filmmaker Kristi Jacobson gets her first nod for the HBO feature doc  Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison. This year’s winners will be announced at the 2018 Honors Awards Ceremony on Thursday, January 11, 2018 at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, Queens. The ceremony will be hosted, for the third consecutive year, by award-winning nonfiction filmmaker Steve James (The Interrupters, Life Itself, Hoop Dreams), who is a Cinema Eye nominee this year for his latest film, Abacus: Small Enough to Jail.

    2018 Cinema Eye Honors Award Nominations

    Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking

    City of Ghosts  Directed and Produced by Matthew Heineman Ex Libris: The New York Public Library  Directed and Produced by Frederick Wiseman Faces Places Directed by Agnès Varda and JR (Director) | Produced by Rosalie Varda Last Men in Aleppo  Directed by Feras Fayyad | Produced by Kareem Abeed, Stefan Kloos and Søren Steen Jespersen Quest  Directed by Jonathan Olshefski | Produced by Sabrina Schmidt Gordon Strong Island  Directed by Yance Ford | Produced by Joslyn Barnes and Yance Ford

    Outstanding Achievement in Direction

    Kitty Green | Casting JonBenet Matthew Heineman | City of Ghosts Yuri Ancarani | The Challenge Frederick Wiseman | Ex Libris: The New York Public Library Agnès Varda and JR | Faces Places Yance Ford | Strong Island

    Outstanding Achievement in Editing

    Bill Morrison | Dawson City: Frozen Time Joe Beshenkovsky | Jane TJ Martin | LA92 Keith Fraase and John Walter | Long Strange Trip Lindsay Utz | Quest Francisco Bello, Daniel Garber and David Barker | The Reagan Show

    Outstanding Achievement in Production

    Nominees to be Determined | Brimstone and Glory Matthew Heineman | City of Ghosts Heino Deckert, Ai Weiwei and Chin-Chin Yap | Human Flow Kareem Abeed, Stefan Kloos and Søren Steen Jespersen | Last Men in Aleppo Brenda Coughlin, Yoni Golijov and Laura Poitras | Risk

    Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography

    Tobias von dem Borne | Brimstone and Glory Yuri Ancarani, Luca Nervegna and Jonathan Ricquebourg | The Challenge Andrew Ackerman and Jeff Orlowski | Chasing Coral TBD | Human Flow Rodrigo Trejo Villanueva | Machines

    Outstanding Achievement in Original Music Score

    Dan Romer and Benh Zeitlin | Brimstone and Glory Francesco Fantini and Lorenzo Senni | The Challenge Alex Somers | Dawson City: Frozen Time Philip Glass | Jane Dan Deacon | Rat Film Hildur Gudnadóttir and Craig Sutherland | Strong Island

    Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design or Animation

    Chad Herschberger | 78/52: Hitchcock’s Shower Scene Matt Schultz and Shawna Schultz | Chasing Coral Grant Nellessen | Citizen Jane: Battle for the City Daniel Gies and Emily Paige | Let There Be Light Stefan Nadelman | Long Strange Trip

    Audience Choice Prize

    Abacus: Small Enough to Jail |Directed by Steve James City of Ghosts | Directed by Matthew Heineman Chasing Coral | Directed by Jeff Orlowski Faces Places | Directed by Agnès Varda and JR Jane | Directed by Brett Morgen Kedi | Directed by Ceyda Torun Quest | Directed by Jonathan Olshefski Step | Directed by Amanda Lipitz Whose Streets? | Directed by Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis The Work | Directed by Gethin Aldous and Jairus McLeary

    Outstanding Achievement in a Debut Feature Film

    Viktor Jakovleski | Brimstone and Glory Anna Zamecka | Communion Rahul Jain | Machines Theo Anthony | Rat Film Yance Ford | Strong Island

    Outstanding Achievement in Broadcast Nonfiction Filmmaking

    13th  Directed by Ava DuVernay | Produced by Ava DuVernay & Howard Barish | For Netflix: Executive Producers Ben Cotner, Adam Del Deo and Lisa Nishimura Abortion: Stories Women Tell Directed and Produced by Tracy Droz Tragos | For HBO Documentary Films: Executive Producer Sheila Nevins, Senior Producer Sara Bernstein Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds  Directed by Alexis Bloom & Fisher Stevens | Produced by Alexis Bloom, Fisher Stevens, Julie Nives & Todd Fisher | For HBO Documentary Films: Executive Producer Sheila Nevins, Senior Producer Nancy Abraham Five Came Back  Directed by Laurent Bouzereau | Produced by John Battsek & Laurent Bouzereau | For Netflix: Executive Producers Ben Cotner, Adam Del Deo and Lisa Nishimura The Keepers  Directed by Ryan White | For Netflix: Executive Producers Ben Cotner, Jason Springarn-Koff and Lisa Nishimura Solitary: Inside Red Onion State Prison  Directed and Produced by Kristi Jacobson | Produced by Katie Mitchell and Julie Goldman | For HBO Documentary Films: Executive Producer Sheila Nevins, Senior Producer Nancy Abraham

    Spotlight Award

    Donkeyote | Directed by Chico Pereira An Insignificant Man | Directed by Khushboo Ranka and Vinay Shukla Lots of Kids, a Monkey and a Castle | Directed by Gustavo Salmerón Plastic China | Directed by Jiuliang Wang Stranger in Paradise | Directed by Guido Hendrikx Taste of Cement | Directed by Ziad Kalthoum

    Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Short Filmmaking

    Edith+Eddie | Directed by Laura Checkoway Heroin(e) | Directed by Elaine McMillion Sheldon Little Potato | Directed by Wes Hurley and Nathan M. Miller Polonaise | Directed by Agnieszka Elbanowska The Rabbit Hunt | Directed by Patrick Bresnan Ten Meter Tower | Directed by Maximilien Van Aertryck & Axel Danielson

    The Unforgettables | Non-competitive Honor

    Chanterelle Sung, Hwei Lin Sung, Jill Sung, Thomas Sung & Vera Sung |Abacus: Small Enough to Jail Bobbi Jene Smith | Bobbi Jene Abdalaziz Alhamza, Hamoud Almousa and Mohamad Almusari | For City of Ghosts Ola Kaczanowska | Communion Dolores Huerta | Dolores Dina Buno and Scott Levin | Dina Agnès Varda | Faces Places Daje Shelton | For Ahkeem Dr. Grigory Rodchenkov | Icarus Dr. Jane Goodall | Jane Jim Carrey | Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond Christine’a Rainey, Christopher “Quest” Rainey, PJ Rainey and William Withers | Quest Yance Ford | Strong Island Jennifer Brea | Unrest Brian, Charles, Chris, Dark Cloud, Kiki and Vegas | The Work

    Read more


  • 170 Documentary Feature Films Submitted for 90th Academy Awards

    [caption id="attachment_25315" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Gaga: Five Foot Two Gaga: Five Foot Two[/caption] One hundred seventy features have been submitted for consideration in the Documentary Feature category for the 90th Academy Awards. A shortlist of 15 films will be announced in December. Films submitted in the Documentary Feature category may also qualify for Academy Awards in other categories, including Best Picture, provided they meet the requirements for those categories. Nominations for the 90th Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2018. The 90th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 4, 2018, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center in Hollywood, and will be televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide. The submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are: Abacus: Small Enough to Jail Aida’s Secrets Al Di Qua All the Rage All These Sleepless Nights AlphaGo The American Media and the Second Assassination of President John F. Kennedy And the Winner Isn’t Angels Within Architects of Denial Arthur Miller: Writer Atomic Homefront The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography Bang! The Bert Berns Story Bending the Arc Big Sonia Bill Nye: Science Guy Birthright: A War Story Bobbi Jene Bombshell: The Hedy Lamarr Story Born in China Born to Lead: The Sal Aunese Story Boston Brimstone & Glory Bronx Gothic Burden California Typewriter Can’t Stop, Won’t Stop: A Bad Boy Story Casting JonBenet Chasing Coral Chasing Trane Chavela Citizen Jane: Battle for the City City of Ghosts Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives Cries from Syria Cruel & Unusual Cuba and the Cameraman Dawson City: Frozen Time Dealt The Death and Life of Marsha P. Johnson Destination Unknown Dina Dolores Dream Big: Engineering Our World A Dying King: The Shah of Iran Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis (Our Friends) Earth: One Amazing Day 11/8/16 Elian Embargo Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars Escapes Everybody Knows… Elizabeth Murray Ex Libris – The New York Public Library Extraordinary Ordinary People Faces Places The Farthest The Final Year Finding Oscar 500 Years Food Evolution For Ahkeem The Force The Freedom to Marry From the Ashes Gaga: Five Foot Two A German Life Get Me Roger Stone Gilbert God Knows Where I Am Good Fortune A Gray State Hare Krishna! The Mantra, the Movement and the Swami Who Started It All Harold and Lillian: A Hollywood Love Story Hearing Is Believing Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and the Rise of ISIS Human Flow I Am Another You I Am Evidence I Am Jane Doe I Called Him Morgan Icarus If You’re Not in the Obit, Eat Breakfast The Incomparable Rose Hartman An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power Intent to Destroy Jane Jeremiah Tower The Last Magnificent Jim & Andy: The Great Beyond – Featuring a Very Special, Contractually Obligated Mention of Tony Clifton Joan Didion: The Center Will Not Hold Joshua: Teenager vs. Superpower Karl Marx City Kedi Keep Quiet Kiki LA 92 The Last Dalai Lama? The Last Laugh Last Men in Aleppo Legion of Brothers Let It Fall: Los Angeles 1982 – 1992 Let’s Play Two Letters from Baghdad Long Strange Trip Look & See Machines Man in Red Bandana Mr. Gaga: A True Story of Love and Dance Motherland Mully My Scientology Movie Naples ’44 Neary’s – The Dream at the End of the Rainbow Night School No Greater Love No Stone Unturned Nobody Speak: Trials of the Free Press Nowhere to Hide Obit Oklahoma City One of Us The Paris Opera The Pathological Optimist Prosperity The Pulitzer at 100 Quest Rancher, Farmer, Fisherman The Rape of Recy Taylor The Reagan Show Restless Creature: Wendy Whelan Risk A River Below Rocky Ros Muc Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World Santoalla School Life Score: A Film Music Documentary Served Like a Girl The Settlers 78/52 Shadowman Shot! The Psycho Spiritual Mantra of Rock Sidemen: Long Road to Glory The Skyjacker’s Tale Sled Dogs Soufra Spettacolo Step Stopping Traffic: The Movement to End Sex-Trafficking Strong Island Surviving Peace Swim Team Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton Take My Nose… Please! They Call Us Monsters 32 Pills: My Sister’s Suicide This Is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous Tickling Giants Trophy Twenty Two Unrest Vince Giordano – There’s a Future in the Past Voyeur Wait for Your Laugh Wasted! The Story of Food Waste Water & Power: A California Heist Whitney. Can I Be Me Whose Streets? The Work

    Read more


  • Street Cats of Istanbul Documentary KEDI, Leads 2nd Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards Nominations

    [caption id="attachment_20047" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Kedi Kedi[/caption] Kedi, a beautiful documentary about the street cats of Istanbul, leads the nominations for the second annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, with nominations for Best Documentary, Best First Documentary, Most Innovative Documentary, Best Director for Ceyda Torun, and Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary for The Cats of Istanbul. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKq7UqplcL8 California Typewriter, Chasing Coral, City of Ghosts, Cries From Syria,  and  Dawson City: Frozen Time,  followed with three nominations each; and  Abacus: Small Enough to Jail and  An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power  receiving two nominations each. The second annual awards ceremony takes place November 2 in Brooklyn.  Academy Award and seven-time Emmy nominated filmmaker Joe Berlinger will receive the Critics’ Choice Impact Award.

    Second Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards Nominations

    BEST DOCUMENTARY

    Abacus: Small Enough to Jail – Director: Steve James (PBS / Blue Ice Films, Mitten Media, Motto Pictures, Kartemquin Films Production) Beware the Slenderman – Director: Irene Taylor Brodsky (HBO, Warner Bros. Television Distribution / HBO Documentary Films, Vermilion Films) Bright Lights: Starring Carrie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds – Directors: Alexis Bloom, Fisher Stevens (HBO / Bloomfish Pictures, HBO Documentary Films, Insurgent Docs, RatPac Documentary Films) California Typewriter – Director: Doug Nichol (Gravitas Ventures / American Buffalo Pictures) Chasing Coral – Director: Jeff Orlowski (Netflix / Exposure Labs) City of Ghosts – Director: Matthew Heineman (Amazon Studios, A&E IndieFilms, IFC Films / Our Time Projects) Cries From Syria – Director: Evgeny Afineevsky (HBO / Afineevsky – Tolmor Production, Cinepost Barrandov, Levy Entertainment Group, Studio Malibu) Dawson City: Frozen Time – Director: Bill Morrison (Kino Lorber / Hypnotic Pictures, Picture Palace Pictures) Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis – Director: Colin Hanks (HBO / Live Nation Productions, Company Name) Ex Libris: The New York Public Library – Director: Frederick Wiseman (Zipporah Films) Faces Places – Directors: Agnès Varda & JR (Cohen Media Group / Ciné Tamaris, Social Animals, Rouge International, Arte France Cinéma, Arches Films) Jane – Director: Brett Morgen (National Geographic Documentary Films / National Geographic Studios, Public Road Productions) Kedi – Director: Ceyda Torun (Oscilloscope Laboratories, YouTube Red / Termite Films) One of Us – Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady (Netflix / Loki Films) Spettacolo – Directors: Jeff Malmberg, Chris Shellen (Grasshopper Film / Open Face) Strong Island – Director: Yance Ford (Netflix / Yanceville Films, Louverture Films)

    BEST DIRECTOR

    Evgeny Afineevsky – Cries from Syria (HBO / Afineevsky – Tolmor Production, Cinepost Barrandov, Levy Entertainment Group, Studio Malibu) Amir Bar-Lev – Long Strange Trip (Amazon / Amazon Studios, Double E Pictures, Sikelia Productions, AOMA Sunshine Films) Matthew Heineman – City of Ghosts (Amazon Studios, A&E IndieFilms, IFC Films / Our Time Projects) Bill Morrison – Dawson City: Frozen Time (Kino Lorber / Hypnotic Pictures, Picture Palace Pictures) Doug Nichol – California Typewriter (Gravitas Ventures / American Buffalo Pictures) Jeff Orlowski – Chasing Coral (Netflix / Exposure Labs) Irene Taylor Brodsky – Beware the Slenderman (HBO, Warner Bros. Television Distribution / HBO Documentary Films, Vermilion Films) Ceyda Torun – Kedi (Oscilloscope Laboratories, YouTube Red / Termite Films) Agnès Varda & JR – Faces Places (Cohen Media Group / Ciné Tamaris, Social Animals, Rouge International, Arte France Cinéma, Arches Films) Frederick Wiseman – Ex Libris: The New York Public Library (Zipporah Films)

    BEST FIRST DOCUMENTARY

    California Typewriter – Director: Doug Nichol (Gravitas Ventures / American Buffalo Pictures) Kedi – Director: Ceyda Torun (Oscilloscope Laboratories, YouTube Red / Termite Films) Nowhere to Hide – Director: Zaradasht Ahmed (East Village Entertainment / Ten Thousand Images) Step – Director: Amanda Lipitz (Fox Searchlight / Impact Partners, Stick Figure Productions) Strong Island – Director: Yance Ford (Netflix / Yanceville Films, Louverture Films) Whose Streets? – Director: Sabaah Folayan, Co-Director: Damon Davis (Magnolia Pictures)

    BEST POLITICAL DOCUMENTARY

    11/8/16 – Directors: Duane Andersen, Don Argott & Sheena M. Joyce, Yung Chang, Garth Donovan, Petra Epperlein & Michael Tucker, Vikram Gandhi, Raul Gasteazoro, Jamie Goncalves, Andrew Beck Grace, Alma Har’el, Daniel Junge, Alison Klayman, Ciara Lacy, Martha Shane, Elaine McMillion Sheldon, Bassam Tariq (The Orchard / Cinetic Media) Abacus: Small Enough to Jail – Director: Steve James (PBS / Blue Ice Films, Mitten Media, Motto Pictures, Kartemquin Films Production) An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power – Directors: Bonni Cohen, Jon Shenk (Paramount / Actual Films, Participant Media) City of Ghosts – Director: Matthew Heineman (Amazon Studios, A&E IndieFilms, IFC Films / Our Time Projects) Dolores – Director: Peter Bratt (PBS Distribution / 5 Stick Films) The Reagan Show – Directors: Sierra Pettengill, Pacho Velez (Gravitas Ventures, CNN Films)

    BEST SPORTS DOCUMENTARY

    AlphaGo – Director: Greg Kohs (Submarine Entertainment / Moxie Pictures, Reel As Dirt) Disgraced – Director: Pat Kondelis (Showtime Networks / Bat Bridge Entertainment) Icarus – Director: Bryan Fogel (Netflix / Alex Productions, Diamond Docs, Impact Partners) Speed Sisters – Director: Amber Fares (First Run Features) Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton – Director: Rory Kennedy (Sundance Selects / Moxie Firecracker Films) Trophy – Directors: Christina Clusiau, Shaul Schwarz (CNN Films, The Orchard / Candescent Films, Pulse Films, Reel Peak Films)

    BEST MUSIC DOCUMENTARY

    Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of our Lives – Director: Chris Perkel (Apple Music / IM Global, Scott Free Productions) Contemporary Color – Directors: Bill Ross IV, Turner Ross (Oscilloscope / The Department of Motion Pictures, Public Domain, Todo Mundo) Eagles of Death Metal: Nos Amis – Director: Colin Hanks (HBO / Live Nation Productions, Company Name) I Called Him Morgan – Director: Kasper Collin (FilmRise, Submarine Entertainment / Kasper Collin Produktion, Sveriges Television, Film i Väst) Long Strange Trip – Director: Amir Bar-Lev (Amazon / Amazon Studios, Double E Pictures, Sikelia Productions, AOMA Sunshine Films) Rumble: The Indians Who Rocked the World – Director: Catherine Bainbridge, Co-Director: Alfonso Maiorana (Kino Lorber / ARTE G.E.I.E, Rezolution Pictures)

    MOST COMPELLING LIVING SUBJECT OF A DOCUMENTARY

    The Cats of Istanbul – Kedi (Oscilloscope Laboratories, YouTube Red / Termite Films) Etty – One of Us (Netflix / Loki Films) Al Gore – An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (Paramount / Actual Films, Participant Media) Laird Hamilton – Take Every Wave: The Life of Laird Hamilton (Sundance Selects / Moxie Firecracker Films) Dolores Huerta – Dolores (PBS / 5 Stick Films) Gigi Lazzarato – This is Everything: Gigi Gorgeous (YouTube Red / SelectNext, Cabin Creek Films) The Sung Family – Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (PBS / Blue Ice Films, Mitten Media, Motto Pictures, Kartemquin Films Production)

    MOST INNOVATIVE DOCUMENTARY

    78/52 – Director: Alexandre O. Philippe (IFC Midnight / ARTE, Exhibit A Pictures, Milkhaus, Screen Division, Sensorshot Productions) Casting JonBenet – Director: Kitty Green (Netflix / Forensic Films, Symbolic Exchange, Meridian Entertainment) Dawson City: Frozen Time – Director: Bill Morrison (Kino Lorber / Hypnotic Pictures, Picture Palace Pictures) Karl Marx City – Directors: Petra Epperlein, Michael Tucker (Bond/360 / Pepper & Bones) Kedi – Director: Ceyda Torun (Oscilloscope Laboratories, YouTube Red / Termite Films) Last Men in Aleppo – Director: Firas Fayyad, Co-Director: Steen Johannessen (Grasshopper Film / Aleppo Media Center, Larm Film)

    BEST SONG IN A DOCUMENTARY

    An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power – “Truth to Power” – OneRepublic (Paramount / Actual Films, Participant Media) Chasing Coral – “Tell Me How Long” – Kristen Bell (Netflix / Exposure Labs) Cries From Syria – “Prayers for This World” – Cher (HBO / Afineevsky – Tolmor Production, Cinepost Barrandov, Levy Entertainment Group, Studio Malibu) Dina – “Best I Can” – Michael Cera featuring Sharon Van Etten (The Orchard / Cinereach, El Peligro, Killer Films) Served Like a Girl – “Dancing Through the Wreckage” – Pat Benatar (Entertainment Studios, Freestyle Digital Media) Step – “Jump” – Cynthia Erivo (Fox Searchlight / Impact Partners, Stick Figure Productions)

    BEST LIMITED DOCUMENTARY SERIES (TV/STREAMING)

    The Defiant Ones (HBO) Five Came Back (Netflix / Amblin Television, IACF Productions, Netflix, Passion Pictures, Rock Paper Scissors Entertainment) The Keepers (Netflix / Film 45, Tripod Media) The Nineties (CNN / CNN, Playtone, Herzog & Company) Planet Earth II (BBC America, AMC, SundanceTV / BBC Natural History Unit, BBC America, ZDF, Tencent, France Télévisions) The Vietnam War (PBS / Florentine Films, WETA-TV Washington)

    BEST ONGOING DOCUMENTARY SERIES (TV/STREAMING)

    30 for 30 (ESPN / ESPN Films) American Masters (PBS / WNET New York City) Frontline (PBS / WGBH-TV Boston) Independent Lens (PBS / Independent Television Service, Inc.) POV (PBS / American Documentary, Inc.) VICE (HBO / VICE Media)

    Read more


  • New Orleans Film Festival Debuts “Change Makers” Strand – Featuring Stories of Social Activism and Advocacy

    [caption id="attachment_24557" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]Small Town Rage by  Raydra Hall and David Hylan; Small Town Rage[/caption] The 2017 New Orleans Film Festival will debut a new strand, titled “Change Makers” that brings to the forefront stories of social activism and advocacy. From farm workers’ union activists in the 60s, to the front lines of AIDS activism in the 80s and recent protests against Confederate monuments, Change Makers will feature nine feature-length documentary films and ten documentary short films. Additional strands in the festival include the return of Caribbean Cinema in its third incarnation. This strand of five feature films and ten short films recognizes the historical and cultural ties between the Caribbean and New Orleans—oftentimes called the northernmost Caribbean city—and showcases the vibrant and varied landscapes and cultures of the Caribbean and Caribbean Diaspora, featuring stories from Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, and Haiti. Longtime festival-goers will remember previous film strands OUTakes, which spotlighted LGBTQ content, and keeping{SCORE}, which focused on music-themed films. While these strands will not be formally part of this year’s festival, the content reflected in both strands will continue to be folded into the programming in important ways.

    Change-Makers Films

    ACORN and the Firestorm USA | 2017 | 84 mins DIR: Reuben Atlas & Sam Pollard; PRD: Reuben Atlas, Sam Pollard; DP: Natalie Kingston, Frank Larson, Spencer Chumbley, Naiti Gamez; ED: Francisco Bello, Paul Greenhouse Before it was associated with all things wrong with liberalism during the fateful 2008 election, the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now wielded more power than just about any anti-poverty community rights group in American history. ACORN and the Firestorm chronicles the dramatic rise and ignominious fall of this agent of social change, as a video smear campaign from a proto-alt-right, Breitbart-backed activist takes down the group and its New Orleans-based founder Wade Rathke. Directors Reuben Atlas and NOFF alum Sam Pollard have created a work that feels like both a time capsule and a warning shot, a potent lesson in the power of media and a harrowing blueprint for our current era of alternative facts and fake news. -NS Small Town Rage USA | 2016 | 98 mins DIR: Raydra Hall & David Hylan; PRD: Raydra Hall, David Hylan; ED: Clint McCommon Narrated by Lance Bass, is an independent documentary examining the work and influence of ACT UP Shreveport in the conservative Deep South. During the early years of the AIDS pandemic, ACT UP Shreveport sought to change the way the government and the medical community handled the crisis through the same attention-grabbing protest tactics that were so successful in cities such as New York and San Francisco. As their individual stories will attest, their actions may not have made them popular, but their courage did lead to changes in the way local hospitals, government agencies, and even the public at large responded to the AIDS epidemic. The Organizer United States, Canada, Honduras, India, UK | 2017 | 101 mins DIR: Nick Taylor; PRD: Joey Carey; WRI: Nick Taylor; DP: Joey Carey; ED: Nick Taylor The Organizer charts the life, times, and philosophy of controversial community organizer Wade Rathke. As the founder and Chief Organizer of ACORN, the largest organization of low and moderate-income people in US history, Rathke grew the organization from a small group of welfare mothers in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1970 to a 500,000 member-strong political force some 30+ years later. With the sweep of an American epic, the film moves from the Vietnam War and Civil Rights movement up to the precarious present day for low-income communities. Sick to Death! USA, Belgium | 2016 | 86 mins DIR: Maggie Hadleigh-West; PRD: Elizabeth Dunnebacke, Catherine Reirson; WRI: Maggie Hadleigh-West; ED: Ilko Davidov, Kim Connell, David Bear One of the most commonly misdiagnosed afflictions for women in the US is thyroid disease. The thyroid has a hand in nearly every major function in the body, making symptoms difficult to pin down, as they are comprised of common issues such as fatigue, weight gain, dry skin, and depression. Through director Maggie Hadleigh-West’s own medical journey, Sick to Death investigates the political and medical reasons thyroid disease is so often looked over and the serious health complications that can occur when left untreated. Using personal video, interviews with medical professionals and women who grapple with thyroid problems every day, Maggie seeks answers that have the potential to better her own life and those of the women around her. -AL Tell Them We Are Rising USA | 2017 | 90 mins DIR: Stanley Nelson; PRD: Cyndee Readdean, Marco Williams, Stacey L. Holman; WRI: Marcia Smith; ED: Kim Miille A haven for Black intellectuals, artists and revolutionaries—and path of promise toward the American dream—Black colleges and universities have educated the architects of freedom movements and cultivated leaders in every field. They have been unapologetically Black for more than 150 years. For the first time ever, their story is told. Directed by award-winning documentary filmmaker Stanley Nelson, Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities examines the impact Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) have had on American history, culture, and national identity. On Our Watch USA | 2017 | 59 mins DIR: Jonathan Evans; PRD: Bruno Steiner; WRI: Jonathan Evans, Caroline Taylor; DP: Ryan Martin; ED: Jonathan Evans This documentary presents the problem of coastal land loss in Southern Louisiana with honesty, directness, and urgency. The film features interviews with activists, professors, and community leaders who demonstrate how we got here and where we are going. The effects of sea rise and erosion in the wetlands touch down on numerous industries and influence the lives of residents throughout the Delta, including New Orleans. Solutions have been placed on the table, but they are underfunded, and civic engagement on a small scale appears to be the only route to sustainability on a larger one. But even that might be wishful thinking. Nothing Without Us USA | 2016 | 70 mins DIR: Harriet Hirshorn; PRD: Harriet Hirshorn; WRI: Hilary Brougher; DP: Nadia Hallgren; ED: Mary Patierno Since the early 90s, AIDS has largely been painted as affecting mainly white, gay males. Rich with stories, facts, and moments of hope, Nothing Without Us brings light to those who this narrative passes over. Viewers are brought to locations as close as New Orleans, LA and Oakland, CA and as far as Nigeria, Burundi, and Spain to meet the women who stand on the front lines in the fight for equal rights and medical protection against AIDS. These women have banded together in organizations to bring medication, counseling, and—perhaps most importantly—attention to the women of color that are most afflicted by the ongoing crisis. The fight may not be over, but Nothing Without Us is threaded with the hope an end is possible. Quest USA | 2017 | 105 mins DIR: Jonathan Olshefski; PRD: Sabrina Schmidt Gordon; DP: Jonathan Olshefski; ED: Lindsay Utz Christopher and Christine’a Rainey (known as Quest and Ma to their friends and visitors to their recording studio) are an ordinary couple straining under the weight of economic hardship and a violent corner of North Philadelphia. But in the hands of director Jonathan Olshefski, they take on near-mythic status, pulling and loving their family through devastating illness, wrenching violence and the tumultuous Obama years. Intimate but never invasive, Quest is an empathetic look at coming of age, black love, poverty, race and family that takes its place among verité greats of any era. Richly illuminating a decade in the life of an extraordinary family, Quest emerges as a song of determined resilience in a time of deep uncertainty. Dolores USA | 2017 | 95 mins DIR: Peter Bratt; PRD: Brian Benson; WRI: Peter Bratt, Jessica Congdon; DP: Jesse Dana; ED: Jessica Congdon Dolores Huerta is among the most important, yet least known, activists in American history. An equal partner in co-founding the first farm workers unions with Cesar Chavez, her enormous contributions have gone largely unrecognized. Dolores tirelessly led the fight for racial and labor justice alongside Chavez, becoming one of the most defiant feminists of the twentieth century—and she continues the fight to this day, at 87. With intimate and unprecedented access to this intensely private mother to eleven, the film reveals the raw, personal stakes involved in committing one’s life to social change. Our 100 Days Created through a collaboration between Firelight Media and Field of Vision, this collection of seven documentary short films explores threats to U.S. democracy and the stories of its most vulnerable communities in the current highly polarized political climate, all made by filmmakers of color. The Magnifying Glass Funded through a grant from Artless Media, these three documentary short films from Louisiana-based filmmakers look at social injustices within the communities that the filmmakers are part of, with a focus on racial justice. More than Monuments This program of three short documentary films focuses on the removal of Confederate monuments in New Orleans. Films include: Divided City – World Premiere dir. Andrea B. Scott and Katie Mitchell | 2017 | 30 mins New Orleanians see history differently in this short documentary that examines the gap between those who see their city’s legacy of white supremacy and those who choose to ignore it. Interviews with members of the Monumental Task Committee and the Sons of Confederate Silent Parade or the Soul Rebels Vs. Robert E. Lee – North American Premiere dir. William Cordova | 2017 | 10 mins The Soul Rebels, one of New Orleans’ most revered brass bands, confronts the legacy of slavery in a powerful rooftop performance across from Robert E. Lee’s statue in this moving short film. Goodbye Old Glory – World Premiere dir. Jordan Haro | 2017 | 17 mins Mid-City’s statue of Jefferson Davis, former president of the Confederacy, serves as the battleground for the argument over the removal of the Confederate monuments. During the course of one night, those who seek to defend their ancestors’ effigies stand, scream, and salute with flags and rifles. Meeting them with emotional response, protesters denounce them as outsiders and racists whose perspective is outmoded. In this contentious stand-off, Louisianans camp out with hot trays of food and lawn chairs, and while they argue over history, passions intensify and violence looms large.

    Caribbean Films

    Samba’ Dominican Republic | 2017 | 90 mins DIR: Laura Amelia Guzman, Israel Cardenas; PRD: Ettore D’Alessandro, Carolina Encarnación; WIR: Ettore D’Alessandro; DP: Andrei Bowden Schwartz; ED: Andrea Kleinman After doing time in a United States prison, Cisco returns home to the Dominican Republic to find his alcoholic mother is in delicate health conditions. The only way for him to get some money is to fight on the streets. When Nichi, a former Italian boxing promise, sees Cisco during a fight, he decides he is a diamond in the rough to be polished to get out of the debt caused by Nichi’s gambling addiction. During the training process he discovers there is atonement for both of them in the game. They have to make it to the final match and make the dream inside the ring come true. Serenade for Haiti USA | 2016 | 110 mins DIR: Owsley Brown; PRD: Christy McGill; DP: Marcel Cabrera; ED: Gina Leibrecht For his third feature, director Owsley Brown spins a gorgeous and soulful symphony of a city, Port-au-Prince, sprung to life through the performances and words of the students and teachers at Sainte Trinité Music School. Beginning three years before the devastating earthquake of January 2010 that left 300,000 dead and 1.5 million homeless, music’s saving grace takes on new meaning in the aftermath of the horror that leaves the school in ruins. Serenade for Haiti never wallows in sorrow, though: it’s a visual feast and celebration of a musical and cultural heritage whose fingerprints can be found all over New Orleans. -NS Play the Devil Trinidad & Tobago, The Bahamas, USA | 2016 | 89 mins DIR: Maria Govan; PRD: Maria Govan, Abigail Hadeed, Jonathon Grey, Chris Mortimer; WIR: Maria Govan; DP: James Wall; ED: Thomas A. Kreuger Dancing deftly between the confusion and possibilities of youth, Play the Devil offers a story of Gregory, a teenager on the cusp of graduation in the town of Paramin, Trinidad. He is torn between meeting the expectations of his family by studying medicine abroad and his passion to study the world’s beauty through photography. Amid this choice and the return of his father—a recovering addict—his artistic spirit catches the attention of an affluent businessman who attempts to foster Greg’s talent until the relationship goes too far. Tender moments intertwine with the lush cliff sides and vistas of Trinidad and Tobago, toppling one into the next until a choice with dire consequences is made during the year’s Carnival festivities. Coming and Going Haiti and USA | 34 mins | DIR: Annie Huntington & Clay Thomas A young translator from a small Haitian city considers his future.  Should he stay in the community where he grew up, or join the exodus abroad in search of other opportunities? Adolescencia Puerto Rico and USA | 10 mins | DIR: José Fernando Rodriguez Comprised of Hi8 videos, Adolescencia presents a portrait of a teenage boy in 2002 Puerto Rico who films odd and unusual movie vignettes by himself – and tries to get a girl’s attention in the process. Days of Wholesome Joy Cuba | 18 mins | DIR: Claudia Muñiz Zayda has taken care of her grandma afflicted with dementia for a long time, but on the eve of her birthday Zayda tries to get back her previous life. Cuban Shorts Parade DIR: Kira Akerman Jazz students from New Orleans travel to Cuba on a cultural exchange and collaborate on a parade, celebrating open borders. Connection (Conectifai) DIR: Horizoe Garcia A portrait of a park in Havana where, thanks to public Wi-Fi, a new kind of meeting place has arisen. Charlie DIR: Kadri Koop Four decades after hijacking a plane to Cuba to avoid charges of killing a state trooper, a former black power militant reflects on his past in a letter to his nine-year-old Cuban son. Manuel DIR: Gabriela Cavanagh By the train tracks in Havana, Cuba, 87-year-old Manuel brews an aphrodisiac juice called pru. Forever, Comandante (Hasta Siempre, Comandante) DIR: Faisal Attrache Living in the shadow of the revolutionary generation’s unrelenting Cuban ideals, Ernesto, a 14 year old barber, wants to get a tattoo despite his father’s adamant objection to it. Fighting Cuba’s Boxing Ban DIR: Ora DeKornfeld In Cuba, where women are banned from competitive boxing, a thirteen-year-old girl steps into the ring. Prince of Smoke DIR: Matthew Gelb Cuban tobacco farmer and artisanal cigar maker, Hirochi Robaina, follows in his legendary grandfather’s footsteps as he fights to preserve a 171-year old family legacy.

    Read more


  • 2017 Milwaukee Film Festival Unveils Cine Sin Fronteras Lineup, WOODPECKERS, CHAVELA and More

    WOODPECKERS (CARPINTEROS) The Cine Sin Fronteras program returns to the 2017 Milwaukee Film Festival for the second year, showcasing the rich and vibrant Latinx diaspora from around the world.  This year’s program includes seven feature films and the new shorts program CSF Shorts: Menos es Más. The films come from eight different countries and include Carpinteros (Woodpeckers), the first Dominican film to screen at the Sundance Film Festival; Chavela, a portrait documentary chronicling the dramatic career of legendary singer Chavela Vargas; and Dolores, a documentary exploring the extraordinary life of one of America’s most important labor activist. The 2017 Milwaukee Film Festival will take place at the Landmark Oriental Theatre, Landmark Downer Theatre, Fox-Bay Cinema Grill, Times Cinema, and Avalon Theater from September 28th to October 12th.

    2017 Milwaukee Film Festival Cine Sin Fronteras

    Carpinteros (Woodpeckers) (Dominican Republic / 2017 / Director: José María Cabral) A love story unlike any other – prisoners in the Dominican Republic’s Najayo prison, separated by concrete, barbed wire, and hundreds of yards, falling for one another without ever speaking a word between them. Dubbed ‘woodpeckers’ for the created language of hand signals that allows men and women to bridge this physical divide (100% real, by the way), star-crossed lovers Julian and Yanelly pursue love despite guards, worsening conditions, and a murderous ex that remains on the inside. Verite grit combines with sensual performances to make Carpinteros a pulse-pounding romantic delight. https://vimeo.com/198679519   Chavela (USA / 2017 / Directors: Catherine Gund, Daresha Kyi) If you’ve yet to acquaint yourself with the iconoclastic, stereotype-defying career of singer Chavela Vargas, prepare yourself for a documentary that ensures you will never forget her journey from fame to alcohol-fueled obscurity and back again. Taking the masculine world of Mexico’s ranchera music by storm with her unmistakable voice (fiercely passionate and deeply moving) while challenging gender norms with her mode of dress and stage presentation (with partners such as Frida Kahlo), Chavela’s singular personality is given proper tribute by this riveting and soulful portrait. https://vimeo.com/202123182   CSF Shorts: Menos es Más El Buzo (México / 2015 / Director: Esteban Arrangoiz) Hermanas En Ruedas (USA / 2017 / Director: Amberly Alene Ellis) Leche (USA / 2015 / Director: Gabriella A. Moses) La Madre Buena (México / 2016 / Director: Sarah Clift) El Maquinador (Argentina / 2015 / Director: Pablo Latorre) Otro Corto (Puerto Rico / 2016 / Director: Heixan Robles) Undesirables (USA / 2016 / Director: Angela Rosales Challis) Divinas Divas (Brazil / 2016 / Director: Leandra Leal) In 1960’s Brazil, the iconic first generation of drag queens took the stage at the Rival Theatre, one of the only venues that gave shelter to these performers, many of whom became famous the world over. 50 years later, eight of these magnificent drag performers are returning to the Rival for a cabaret curtain call, a celebration of those that helped challenge gender norms and smash gender roles in a repressive society, in this ravishing documentary filled with show-stopping performance and tender insight. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDetz7OSTjA Dolores (USA / 2017 / Director: Peter Bratt) Trailer: http://bit.ly/2w3zYRD Dolores Huerta is the most important activist in American history that you’ve never heard of. An equal partner alongside Cesar Chavez in organizing the first farmworkers unions (eventually becoming the UFW), Huerta fought ceaselessly to protect the rights of jornaleros, mujeres, and all whom those in power would seek to exploit. Even at the age of 87, she remains a stridently feminist, uncompromising firebrand. Combining archival footage with unprecedented intimate access, Dolores finally gives this titan of American activism the tribute she so richly deserves.
    Esteban (Cuba / 2016 / Director: Jonal Cosculluela) Nine-year-old Esteban ekes out an existence with his single mother on the streets of Havana, but he dreams of a brighter future thanks to his natural affinity for music. When a cantankerous old piano instructor makes his way into the young boy’s life, Esteban looks to seize this opportunity even if it means going against his mother’s wishes. A winning portrait of perseverance with an absurdly charming performance at its center, Esteban is a story for anyone who believes in the power of music to change one’s life. https://youtu.be/cYwCngfWZQ8 Extra Terrestres (Puerto Rico / Venezuela / 2016 / Director: Carla Cavina) Teresa, returning to her Puerto Rican home after seven years away studying astrophysics, has picked the worst possible time to come out by revealing her impending nuptials to her traditional family: Their poultry business is under attack from unscrupulous government officials and rival companies, while her sister struggles to reign in her precocious young son’s constant experimentation around the house. Cosmic interludes combine with intimate family drama to form a winning portrait of life and love that is literally out of this world. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-8V4cB-D-k El Sueño de Mara’akame (Mara’akame’s Dream) (México / 2016 / Directors: Federico Cecchetti) While Nieri, a young native Huichol, sees his impending trip to Mexico City with his father as an opportunity to perform alongside friends in their beloved rock band, his dad has other ideas – he’s a Mara’akame, a Huichol shaman, and cultural tradition stipulates Nieri to undergo a spiritual journey in order to follow in his footsteps. Once in the big city, Nieri must settle the struggle between modernity and indigeneity in order to find himself in this eye-opening glimpse into the Huichol traditions. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w72f67Zn9U

    Read more


  • AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, SAMI BLOOD, and LANE 1974 Win Top Awards at Seattle International Film Festival

    [caption id="attachment_22701" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, directed by Rodrigo Grande AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, directed by Rodrigo Grande[/caption] The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) today announced the winners of the 2017 Golden Space Needle Audience and Competition Awards.  At The End Of The Tunnel, directed by Rodrigo Grande was voted winner of the Golden Space Needle Award – Best Film, along with Best Director for Rodrigo Grande; Dolores, directed by Peter Bratt won the Golden Space Needle Award – Best Documentary. The awards were presented at a ceremony and breakfast held at the Space Needle. The 25-day Festival, which began May 18, featured 400 films representing 80 countries, including 36 World premieres (14 features, 22 shorts), 34 North American premieres (22 features, 12 shorts), 20 US Premieres (11 features, 9 shorts), and 750 Festival screenings and events. Interim Artistic Director Beth Barrett said, “This year at SIFF, we celebrated extraordinary cinema from 80 countries over a marathon 25 days bringing to our audiences more than 750 screenings and events and introducing them to over 350 filmmakers and industry guests. Executive Director Sarah Wilke and I were thrilled to present Anjelica Huston with the Festival’s Outstanding Achievement Award in Acting before screening the World Premiere of her newest film Trouble, as well as welcoming Sam Elliott back to the the Festival for a special screening of his film, The Hero. We had an incredible lineup of local films, and our documentary film selection continues to be among the best in the country. We also launched a new program, the SIFF New Works-in-Progress Forum, where we screened two narrative and two documentary features in the midst of their creative process to the Seattle audience of industry and festival attendees, as well as continuing our exploration of the intersections between cinema and VR/360.”

    SIFF 2017 GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AUDIENCE AWARDS

    SIFF celebrates its films and filmmakers with the Golden Space Needle Audience Awards. Selected by Festival audiences, awards are given in six categories: Best Film, Best Documentary, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Short Film. This year, over 82,000 ballots were submitted. GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST FILM AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, directed by Rodrigo Grande (Spain/Argentina 2016) First runner-up: KING’S CHOICE, directed by Erik Poppe (Norway 2016) Second runner-up: I, DANIEL BLAKE, directed by Ken Loach (United Kingdom/France/Belgium 2016) Third runner-up: PATTI CAKE$, directed by Geremy Jasper (USA 2017) Fourth runner-up: LANE 1974, directed by SJ Chiro (USA 2017) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST DOCUMENTARY DOLORES, directed by Peter Bratt (USA 2017) First runner-up: CHASING CORAL, directed by Jeff Orlowski (USA 2017) Second runner-up: STEP, directed by Amanda Lipitz (USA 2017) Third runner-up: CITY OF GHOSTS, directed by Matthew Heineman (USA 2017) Fourth runner-up: DIRTBAG: THE LEGEND OF FRED BECKEY, directed by Dave O’Leske (USA 2017) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST DIRECTOR Rodrigo Grande, AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL (Spain/Argentina 2016) First runner-up: Justin Chon, GOOK (USA 2017) Second runner-up: Philippe van Leeuw, IN SYRIA (Lebanon/France/Belgium 2017) Third runner-up: Mani Haghighi, A DRAGON ARRIVES! (Iran 2016) Fourth runner-up: Hirokazu Kore-eda, AFTER THE STORM (Japan 2016) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST ACTOR David Johns, I, DANIEL BLAKE (United Kingdom/France/Belgium 2016) First runner-up: Leonardo Sbaraglia, AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL (Spain/Argentina 2016) Second runner-up: Timothy Spall, THE JOURNEY (United Kingdom 2016) Third runner-up: Fares Fares, THE NILE HILTON INCIDENT (Sweden/Denmark/Germany 2017) Fourth runner-up: Bogusław Linda, AFTERIMAGE (Poland 2016) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST ACTRESS Lene Cecilia Sparrok, SAMI BLOOD (SAMEBLOD) (Sweden/Norway/Denmark 2016) First runner-up: Elina Vaska, MELLOW MUD (Latvia 2016) Second runner-up: Danielle MacDonald, PATTI CAKE$ (USA 2017) Third runner-up: Sophia Mitri-Schloss, LANE 1974 (USA 2017) Fourth runner-up: Simone Baker, GOOK (USA 2017) GOLDEN SPACE NEEDLE AWARD – BEST SHORT FILM DEFEND THE SACRED, directed by Kyle Bell (USA 2016) First runner-up: LITTLE POTATO, directed by Wes Hurley, Nathan M. Miller (USA 2017) Second runner-up: THE GENEVA CONVENTION, directed by Benoit Martin (France 2016) Third runner-up: FLUFFY, directed by Lee Filipovski (Serbia/Montenegro/Canada 2016) Fourth runner-up: THE CLEANSING HOUR, directed by Damien LeVeck (USA 2016) LENA SHARPE AWARD FOR PERSISTENCE OF VISION Presented by Women in Film Seattle Amanda Lipitz, STEP (USA 2017) This award is given to the female director’s film that receives the most votes in public balloting at the Festival. Lena Sharpe was co-founder and managing director of Seattle’s Festival of Films by Women Directors and a KCTS-TV associate who died in a plane crash while on assignment. As a tribute to her efforts in bringing the work of women filmmakers to prominence, SIFF created this special award and asked Women in Film Seattle to bestow it.

    SIFF 2017 COMPETITION AWARDS

    SIFF confers five juried competition awards: SIFF Official Competition, Ibero-American Competition, New Directors Competition, New American Cinema Competition (FIPRESCI Prize), and Documentary Competition. The winners in each juried competition receives $5,000 in cash. SIFF 2017 OFFICIAL COMPETITION WINNER GRAND JURY PRIZE SAMI BLOOD (SAMEBLOD) (d: Amanda Kernell, Sweden/Norway/Denmark  2016) JURY STATEMENT: After viewing this excellent selection of eight outstanding, diverse films from eight different countries, we faced the challenging task of choosing a winner. For its beautifully nuanced and spare portrayal of the struggle to discover who you are, both because of and in spite of where you are from, featuring a stunning and expressive central performance and lush cinematography of a rarely seen culture, we present the Grand Jury Prize to Sami Blood. SPECIAL JURY MENTION MY HAPPY FAMILY (d: Nana Ekvtimishvili, Simon Gross, Georgia/Germany/France 2017) JURY STATEMENT: For their deft handling of a large ensemble cast, for their approach to a subversively feminist story within a patriarchal culture, and for their ability to capture emotional chaos with depth, grace, and resonance, we present a Special Jury Mention for Excellence in Direction to Nana Ekvtimishvili and Simon Gross for My Happy Family. 2017 Entries: 7 Minutes (d. Michele Placido, Italy/France/Switzerland 2016, North American Premiere) Bad Influence (d: Claudia Huaiquimilla, Chile 2016) Beach Rats (d: Eliza Hittman, USA 2017) Have A Nice Day (d: LIU Jian, China/Hong Kong 2017, North American Premiere) Hedi (d: Mohamed Ben Attia, Tunisia/Belgium/France/Qatar/UAE 2016) My Happy Family (d: Nana Ekvtimishvili, Simon Gross, Georgia/Germany/France 2017) Sami Blood (Sameblod) (d: Amanda Kernell, Sweden/Norway/Denmark 2016) Zoology (d: Ivan I. Tverdovsky, Russia/France/Germany 2016) SIFF 2017 IBERO-AMERICAN COMPETITION WINNER GRAND JURY PRIZE THE WINTER (EL INVIERNO) (d: Emiliano Torres, Argentina/France 2016) JURY STATEMENT: A complex and multi-layered first feature that bends the Western genre to create a remarkable film that is as much about the relationship between two men, as it is about Man’s relationship to the landscape. SPECIAL JURY MENTION DEVIL’S FREEDOM (LA LIBERTAD DEL DIABLO) (d: Everardo González, Mexico 2017) JURY STATEMENT: A timely and urgent film on the ongoing Mexican drug war, that presents the many faces of violence without presenting any actual faces. The SIFF Ibero-American Competition aims to highlight the strength, creativity, and influence of storytelling in the region. The Ibero-American Competition is for films having their Seattle premiere during the Festival and without US distribution. 2017 Entries: Chameleon (d: Jorge Riquelme Serrano, Chile 2016, North American Premiere) Devil’s Freedom (La Libertad Del Diablo) (d: Everardo González, Mexico 2017, US Premiere) May God Save Us (d: Rodrigo Sorogoyen, Spain 2016) Pendular (d: Julia Murat, Brazil/Argentina/France 2017) Santa & Andres (d: Carlos Lechuga, Cuba/Colombia/France 2016) Two Irenes (d: Fabio Meira, Brazil 2017, North American Premiere) The Winter (El Invierno) (d: Emiliano Torres, Argentina/France 2016) Woodpeckers (d: José María Cabral, Dominican Republic 2017) SIFF 2017 NEW DIRECTORS COMPETITION WINNER GRAND JURY PRIZE BOUNDARIES (PAYS) (d: Chloé Robichaud, Canada (Québec) 2016) JURY STATEMENT: For its fully-fleshed portrayal of women and the dilemmas of their public and private lives and its absurdist feel for political process, we award the Grand Jury Prize to the French–Canadian film Boundaries. SPECIAL JURY MENTION THE INLAND ROAD (d: Jackie Van Beek, New Zealand 2017) JURY STATEMENT: We also single out Gloria Popata for her arresting debut as a troubled native New Zealander in the film The Inland Road. 2017 Entries: Anishoara (d: Ana-Felicia Scutelnicu, Germany 2016) Boundaries (Pays) (d: Chloé Robichaud, Canada (Québec) 2016) Diamond Island (d: Davy Chou, France 2016) The Inland Road (d: Jackie Van Beek, New Zealand 2017, North American Premiere) I Was A Dreamer (d: Michele Vannucci, Italy 2016, North American Premiere) Kati Kati (d: Mbithi Masya, Kenya 2016) The Man (d: Charlotte Sieling, Denmark 2017) Paris Prestige (d: Hamé Bourokba, Ekoué Labitey, France 2016) Quit Staring at My Plate (d: Hana Jušić, Croatia 2016) Struggle for Life (d: Antonin Peretjatko, Belgium 2016) SIFF 2017 NEW AMERICAN CINEMA COMPETITION WINNER GRAND JURY PRIZE LANE 1974 (d: SJ Chiro, USA 2017) JURY STATEMENT: A tough-minded, but tender look at the underside of 1970s counterculture life. 2017 Entries: American Folk (d: David Heinz, USA 2017) Columbus (d: Kogonada, USA 2017) Dara Ju (d: Anthony Onah, USA/Nigeria 2017) The Feels (d: Jenée Lamarque, USA 2017, World Premiere) In The Radiant City (d: Rachel Lambert, USA 2016) The Landing (d: Mark Dodson, David Dodson, USA 2016) Lane 1974 (d: SJ Chiro, USA 2017) Say You Will (d: Nick Naveda, USA 2017, World Premiere) SIFF 2017 DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION WINNER GRAND JURY PRIZE BECOMING WHO I WAS (d: Chang-Yong Moon, Jin Jeon, South Korea 2016) JURY STATEMENT: We admired the filmmaker’s skill and commitment to capturing the relationship between the two subjects in this artfully crafted documentary. For a film that beautifully tells the story of a truly incredible emotional and spiritual journey, the jury awards the grand prize for documentary filmmaking to Becoming Who I Was. SPECIAL JURY MENTION WHAT LIES UPSTREAM (d: Cullen Hoback, USA 2017) JURY STATEMENT: For filmmaker Cullen Hoback’s journalistic integrity in revealing the unseemly collusion between public servants and lobbyists that lead to the poisoning of West Virginia’s water supply, we give a special jury mention to What Lies Upstream. Unscripted and uncut, the world is a resource of unexpected, informative, and altogether exciting storytelling. Documentary filmmakers have for years brought untold stories to life and introduced us to a vast number of fascinating topics we may never have known existed. The SIFF Documentary Jury members were Kathy McDonald (Documentary Magazine), Ryland Aldrich (producer, L.A. Times, Folk Hero & Funny Guy), and Shane Smith (Hot Docs). 2017 Entries: Becoming Who I Was (d: Chang-Yong Moon, Jin Jeon, South Korea 2016, US Premiere) Close Relations (d: Vitaly Mansky, Germany/Latvia/Estonia/Ukraine 2016, US Premiere) The Farthest (d: Emer Reynolds, Ireland 2017) Ghost Hunting (d: Raed Andoni, Palestine/France/Switzerland 2016, US Premiere) The Reagan Show (d: Pacho Velez, Sierra Pattengill, USA 2017) Roberto Bolle ― The Art Of Dance (d: Francesca Pedroni, Italy 2016, North American Premiere) Those Who Remain (d: Eliane Raheb, Lebanon/UAE 2016, North American Premiere) What Lies Upstream (d: Cullen Hoback, USA 2017) Winnie (d: Pascale Lamche, France/Netherlands/South Africa 2017) SIFF 2017 FUTUREWAVE AND YOUTH JURY AWARDS SIFF presents FutureWave Shorts during ShortsFest Weekend. These inspiring original short films represent some of the best short filmmaking from around the world. In addition SIFF presents films throughout the Festival curated for youth in our Films4Families and FutureWave feature programs. YOUTH JURY AWARD FOR BEST FUTUREWAVE FEATURE PATTI CAKE$ (USA 2017), directed by Geremy Jasper JURY STATEMENT: For the unique, compelling characters and incredible music in this story of transformation. YOUTH JURY AWARD FOR BEST FILMS4FAMILIES FEATURE SWALLOWS AND AMAZONS (United Kingdom 2016), directed by Philippa Lowthorpe JURY STATEMENT: For its relatable story and characters, production design that captured the essence of an era, and combination of action, humor, and mystery. FUTUREWAVE SHORTS WAVEMAKER AWARD (GRAND PRIZE) The winner will be awarded a $1000 cash prize presented by Amazon.com BATTLES (BATAILLES) (Canada (Quebec) 2016), directed by Karen Pinette Fontaine JURY STATEMENT: For its richly composed visuals and poetic journey of self that takes the viewer from a hollow party atmosphere to a seemingly empty space that becomes filled with the narrator’s culture that is thriving within her. FUTUREWAVE SHORTS AUDIENCE AWARD FAMILY SHADOWS (USA 2016), directed by Laura Malatos FUTUREWAVE SHORTS PRODIGY CAMP SCHOLARSHIP The winners each will be awarded a $1250 partial scholarship to the 2017 Prodigy Camp. THE PETITION (USA, 2016), directed by Riley Goodwin and Kibiriti Majuto SIFF 2017 SHORT FILM JURY AWARDS All short films shown at the Festival are eligible for both the Golden Space Needle Audience Award and Jury Award Shorts Competition. Jurors will choose winners in the Live Action, Animation, and Documentary categories. Each jury winner will receive $2,500 and winners in each of the three categories may also qualify to enter their respective films in the Short Film category of the Academy Awards®. LIVE ACTION GRAND JURY PRIZE WOMEN&WINE (KVINNER&CAVA) (Norway, 2017), directed by Liv Karin Dahlstrøm JURY STATEMENT: For its honest depiction of friendship that, over a short period of time, authentically runs the spectrum from silly and beautiful to awkward and heartbreaking, we give the Jury Award for Best Live Action Short to Women&Wine, directed by Liv Karin Dahlstrøm. SPECIAL JURY MENTION NOTHING EVER REALLY ENDS (INGENTING TAR NOENSINNE SLUTT) (Norway, 2017), directed by Jakob Rørvik JURY STATEMENT: For its exceptional craftsmanship in all areas of the filmmaking process we decided that Nothing Ever Really Ends could not go unmentioned. From the writing and directing to the editing and acting this film unfolds effortlessly. And all in the service of an incredibly entertaining and relatable story. SPECIAL JURY MENTION FANNY (Norway, 2017), directed by Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel JURY STATEMENT: We’d also like to recognize a filmmaker who impressed us with an intimate and frank film about sexuality and loneliness. For his unique vision, heartbreaking honesty, and nuanced direction in the film Fanny, we’d like to award Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel a special jury award for emerging director. DOCUMENTARY GRAND JURY PRIZE REFUGEE (USA, 2016), directed by Joyce Chen and Emily Moore JURY STATEMENT: For many refugees, getting to the United States is only the first step of a decades-long journey. Refugee is the moving and powerful story of a mother of five, Aicha Diop, whose journey to obtain asylum encapsulates the hope of life in America, as well as its harsh political realities. SPECIAL JURY MENTION WAITING FOR HASSANA (Nigeria, 2017), directed by Ifunanya Maduka JURY STATEMENT: By bringing to light one young girl’s traumatic experience, this important documentary gives a voice to all 276 teenage girls whose lives were violently interrupted by Boko Haram in 2014. This film is a necessary reminder that an issue doesn’t vanish when its hashtag stops trending. ANIMATION GRAND JURY PRIZE PUSSY (CIPKA) (Poland, 2016), directed by Renata Gasiorowska JURY STATEMENT: A witty and whimsical animated short about a girl and her body, Pussy quickly takes the audience on a wild ride through female sex positivity. SPECIAL JURY MENTION THE HEAD VANISHES (France, 2016), directed by Franck Dion JURY STATEMENT: Through its beautiful animation and unique perspective, The Head Vanishes poignantly captures the exceptional challenges, the hopeful glimmers, the peaceful moments, and the continual struggles of dealing with a mentally ill parent. SHORT FILM JURIES FOR SIFF 2017 LIVE ACTION: Ina Pira (Vimeo), Lacey Leavitt (producer, Laggies, Safety Not Guaranteed) and Tony Fulgham (commercial director and independent filmmaker) DOCUMENTARY AND ANIMATION: Anna Sampers (Milwaukee FIlm), Nancy Chang (Reel Grrls) and David Chen (Slashfilm) SIFF 2017 360/VIRTUAL REALITY COMPETITION SIFF 360/VR AWARD Sponsored by Pixvana WE WHO REMAIN (USA, 2017) by Emblematic Group / Trevor Snapp and Sam Wolson JURY STATEMENT: We are pleased to present the SIFF 360/VR Award, sponsored by Pixvana, to We Who Remain, a film that intimately brings the viewer inside the heart of a forgotten conflict in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan. Fusing elegant storytelling with sharp technical skill, the film weaves together narratives from a student, rebel soldier, journalist, and mother who have chosen to remain and relentlessly struggle to bring peace back to their land. SIFF is proud to be awarding this new cutting edge work and providing the winner with a $500 prize and the opportunity for the awarded film to be distributed globally through Pixvana’s SPIN Studio platform. The SIFF 360/VR Award jury is comprised of Julia Fryett, Kate Becker, and Sarah Wilke. SIFF 2017 CHINA STARS AWARDS The Seattle International Film Festival is pleased to have presented the following awards at the China Stars Award Ceremony on Friday, June 9th at the Pan Pacific Hotel. CHINA STARS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD Qin Yi  (The Beautiful Kokonor Lake) CHINA STARS EMERGING TALENT Liang Dong  (The Door) CHINA STARS EMERGING ACTOR Yi Li Ha Mu. M (The Beautiful Kokonor Lake) SIFF 2017 CATALYST SCREENPLAY COMPETITION The Catalyst Screenplay Competition is a platform aimed at offering up-and-coming writers the opportunity to gain industry exposure through SIFF. This year, the Finalist and Grand Prize scripts were juried by script supervisor Emily Zulauf (Inside Out) and producer Brent Stiefel (Obvious Child). The winning script, The Tiger & the Protected, received a live read by SAG-AFTRA actors on Saturday, June 10. Grand Prize Winner The Tiger & the Protected by Jeff Scott Finalists I Can Change by Amy Lowe Starbin Keeper of the Cup by Larry Shulruff This Close by Marc Messenger Semi-Finalists Beasts Undiscovered by Jeremy Dehn and Catherine Dale Catherine’s Cross by Millie West Ladies by Natalie Nicole Dressel A Promise Kept by Linda Sunshine Until the End of the Ninth by Beth Bollinger The Zuckermans by Ethan Mermelstein

    Read more


  • SOME FREAKS, THE EREMITES, DOG YEARS Win Top Feature Film Prizes at 2017 Nashville Film Festival

    SOME FREAKS directed by Ian MacAllister McDonald
    SOME FREAKS directed by Ian MacAllister McDonald

    Some Freaks, The Eremites, Dog Years, Revengeance, The Nest, A Closer Walk With Thee are the winners of the top prizes in feature filmmaking at the 2017 Nashville Film Festival.  

    Read more