The Return of the Hero[/caption]
The 33rd Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival today announced the film line-up of more than 150 films for the 33rd annual event held from November 2 to 18, 2018.
This year’s honorees include OscarⓇ nominated filmmaker Gary Ross (Big, Seabiscuit) will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a tribute screening of his 1998 award-winning film, Pleasantville. Ross is also known for The Hunger Games (2012) and most recently Ocean’s 8 (2018). Transparent‘s Melora Hardin, will be presented with a Career Achievement Award at the World Premiere of Paul Osborne’s Cruel Hearts. Jeremy Piven, perhaps best known as Ari Gold on Entourage, will receive a Career Achievement Award Opening Night at the Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Screen 7 Recording legend, Connie Francis will attend FLiFF’s poolside retro screening of Where the Boys Are, and present former singing star Frank Loconto, of The Laine Brothers, with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Also receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, Inventor-Philantropist-Filmmaker, Maurice Kanbar, namesake of the Maurice Kanbar Insitute of Film & Television at NYU.
FLiFF kicks-off with the Opening Night Film with the East Coast Premiere of The Return of the Hero, a hilarious comedy starring OscarⓇ Winner, Jean Dujardin (The Artist) as the dashing Captain Neuville. Set in 1809 during the Napoleonic era, Neuville is called to the front, leaving his future bride heartbroken. Her sister decides to write letters on his behalf to cheer her up. But it all goes south when Neuville reappears.
For the Centerpiece Film and Party, Danish filmmaker Mads Brügger arrives from Copenhagen in time for the red carpet at the Southeast Premiere of his dark “odd couple” comedy, The Saint Bernard Syndicate, which charts two hapless Danes as they scheme to sell Saint Bernards to China’s middle class as status symbols. Attendees will also meet a couple Saint Bernards from the Florida St. Bernard Rescue.
FLiFF’s Closing Night Film is the Florida Premiere of Sharkwater Extinction. The thrilling and inspiring action-packed journey exposes the massive illegal shark fin industry and the political corruption behind it; a conspiracy that is leading to the extinction of sharks. Director, Rob Stewart, tragically lost his life while filming Sharkwater Extinction last year in the Florida Keys. Rob dedicated his life to saving our oceans. Special Guests are Rob’s parents and producers of the film, Brian and Sandy Stewart who will present the Rob Stewart Environmental Award to one of this year’s festival selections to Poisoning Paradise.
In addition to Sharkwater Extinction, there are three additional environmental films. The East Coast Premiere of Aldabra: Once Upon an Island, narrated by Pierce Brosnan, is a wonderfully entertaining 3D journey featuring heroes Elvi the Giant Tortoise, Buster the Robber Crab and other marine characters. The Florida Premiere of Poisoning Paradise, produced by Pierce Brosnan with wife and directors Keely Shaye Brosnan and Teresa Tico, reveals the devastating impact of pesticide poisoning on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai and exposes the collusion between federal and state legislators and the world’s largest biotech companies. The Southeast Premiere of Secrets of a Frozen Ocean follows 75 year old, Yngve Kristoffersen, a Norwegian scientist who sets out on a dangerous 18 month expedition in the Arctic to prove a theory of an asteroid that hit the Arctic Ocean millions of years ago and affects earth to this day.
FLiFF will host 4 Benefit Premieres. The Southeast Premiere of Intelligent Lives, a catalyst to transform the label of intellectual disability from a life sentence of isolation into a life of possibility for the most systematically segregated people in America. The award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib, will be in attendance. 100% of the proceeds will benefit United Community Options of South Florida, formerly United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida.
The Florida Premiere of The Land of High Mountains (Haiti), Will Agee’s inspiring true story of the only pediatric hospital in Haiti providing life-saving, healthcare to the most vulnerable families for over 30 years and the incredible people, both Haitian and foreign, who are working together to heal the children and to realize the dreams of a nation. 100% of the ticket revenue will benefit The Saint Damien Hospital Foundation. Filmmakers Special Guests are Will Agee, Olaf Hamelink, and Jennifer Rayno the Director, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital Fund will be in attendance.
The Florida Premiere of The Most Dangerous Year (USA) Vlada Knowlton’s story of a group of Washington State families with transgender kids who joined the fight, in 2016, against a wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation that swept the nation and their home state. The film is co-sponsored by OutShine Film Festival, a 501(c)3 organization who will receive 50% of the ticket sales.
The East Coast Premiere of Turning Point will benefit The Walk To End Alzheimers. Director James Keach, the brother of actor Stacy Keach, will attend. James also directed the Oscar nominated film Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.
World Premieres include: Cruel Hearts starring Transparent‘s Melora Hardin and Ocean’s Eleven’s Eddie Jemison in writer/director Paul Osborne’s thriller. Extraordinary: The Seeding, Jon Sample and Jack Roth’s riveting documentary of an alien hybrid program that may actually exist.
U.S. Premieres include: The Bromley Boys (UK) Steve Kelly’s funny yet touching coming-of-age football memoir. Diane is the Right Shape (France) stars Clotilde Hesme in Fabien Gorgeart’s dramedy about a surrogate mother for a gay couple. Eternal Winter (Hungary), Attila Szász true story of an unlikely romance in a Soviet labor camp. Just Believe (Italy), Alessandro Aronadio’s, comedy of a business owner who must establish his own religion to create a tax free operation. Les Ex (France), Maurice Barthélémy’s comedy about five couples who take stock of their past relationships. Marisa in The Woods (Spain), Antonio Morales’ dramedy stars Patricia Jordá as a woman who feels that she’s taken a supporting role in her own life. Quanto Basta (Italy), Francesco Falaschi’s warm comedy about a chef whose life is changed after assigned to teach cooking to students with Asperger’s syndrome.
East Coast Premieres include: The Unicorn, Robert Schwartzman’s (Dreamland) “cleverly crafted” three-some comedy. Hurley (USA), Derek Dodge’s documentary about racing legend Hurley Haywood speaks for the first time about being gay in the 1970’s macho world of motor sports. Meant to Be Broken, Jonathan Zuck’s dark comedy about an unlikely trio on a crazy law breaking journey that culminates in Miami. Rescue Under Fire (Spain), Adolfo Martínez Pérez’ action adventure based on the true story of Spanish troops attempting to rescue a U.S. helicopter crew in Afghanistan. Spitak (Armenia/Russia), Alexander Kott’s action-drama of a man searching for his family in the very epicenter of the earthquake. Volcano (Ukraine), Director Roman Bondarchuk’s surreal black comedy about a translator stranded in a strange, little Ukraine Steppes town.
Southeast Premieres include: Abdel and the Countess (France) Isabel Doval’s comedy about a widowed Countess who befriends a young man from the hood to help save her legacy. Born Just Now, Robert Adanto’s an intimate look at Belgrade-based artist Marta Jovanović. Driver (Israel) Yehonatan Indursky’s comic-drama about a sham artist and his daughter in an ultra-Orthodox community. Jumpman (Russian Federation), Ivan I. Tverdovsky’s thriller about a young man with a rare condition – he feels no pain. Letter from Masanjia (Canada – China) Leon Lee’s intense documentary of a political prisoner’s SOS letter that led to labor reform in China. Monger (Argentina), Jeff Zorrilla’s incredible journey into the world of sex tourism in Buenos Aires. Normandie Nue (France), Phillipe Le Guay’s (Women On The 6th Floor) comedy of a photo opportunity for a town of 300. The catch is… they all have to be naked. Once Upon a Time in November (Poland), Andrzej Jakimowski’s drama of a mother and son’s struggle to find a safe place in a homeless shelter. A Polar Year (Denmark) Samuel Collardey’s unique comedy, where actors play themselves in a recreated story. Parkland: Inside Building 12, Charlie Minn’s striking documentary told through interviews and real-life footage. Reinventing Rosalee, Dr. Lillian Glass’ inspiring documentary featuring her mom Rosalee a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor who lives life to the fullest. Sarah Q, John A. Gallagher’s dramedy of a small-town girl who moves to New York to become an actress. Smuggling Hendrix (Cypress) Marios Piperides award-winning comedic love story of a man on a mission to retrieve his dog from across the Turkish border. Song of Back and Neck, ‘The Office’ actor Paul Lieberstein’s comedic take on his history with back pain and curbed anger. The Unafraid, Anayansi Prado’s & Heather Courtney’s inspiring portrayal of the brave young people fighting back in difficult times.
Florida Premieres include: American First: The Legacy of a Raid (USA) Almudena Toral’s & Andrea Patiño Contreras’s documentary of the largest immigration worksite raid in U.S. History. The Art and Times of Frosty Myers (USA), Chris Stearns’ portrait of the sculptor best known for his 1969 “Moon Museum” and 1973 “The Wall” in SoHo. The Beginner (Germany), Alexandra Sell’s charmingly comic tale of a woman who attempts her dream of being a figure skater at age 58. Kent Jones’ award-winning Diane, starring Mary Kay Place in her most powerful performance of her career. Hatchback, Eric Sheffield’s quirky comedy of a journalist, that helps a mysterious girl find her long-lost dad. Cracking Aces (USA) H. James Gilmore documentary of the pioneering women of professional poker. Fiddlin’ (USA), Julie Simone takes us to the World’s Oldest Fiddler’s Convention. Hope’s Mission (Florida), Richard Jacksons’ documentary of a mother who risks everything to save her 3 children. Living on a Dollar a Day (USA), Thomas Nazario’s moving story of people around the world who survive on a dollar or less each day. Seeing Is Believing: Women Direct (USA) Cady McClain’s documentary includes interviews and clips from women directors. Snowbirds (Canada) from Joannie Lafrenière offers a glimpse into the French Canadian tourists who descend upon Hollywood, Florida each winter.Poisoning Paradise
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33rd Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival Announces Lineup of 150+ Films
[caption id="attachment_31825" align="aligncenter" width="1200"] The Return of the Hero[/caption]
The 33rd Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival today announced the film line-up of more than 150 films for the 33rd annual event held from November 2 to 18, 2018.
This year’s honorees include OscarⓇ nominated filmmaker Gary Ross (Big, Seabiscuit) will be presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a tribute screening of his 1998 award-winning film, Pleasantville. Ross is also known for The Hunger Games (2012) and most recently Ocean’s 8 (2018). Transparent‘s Melora Hardin, will be presented with a Career Achievement Award at the World Premiere of Paul Osborne’s Cruel Hearts. Jeremy Piven, perhaps best known as Ari Gold on Entourage, will receive a Career Achievement Award Opening Night at the Hard Rock Event Center at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. Screen 7 Recording legend, Connie Francis will attend FLiFF’s poolside retro screening of Where the Boys Are, and present former singing star Frank Loconto, of The Laine Brothers, with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Also receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award, Inventor-Philantropist-Filmmaker, Maurice Kanbar, namesake of the Maurice Kanbar Insitute of Film & Television at NYU.
FLiFF kicks-off with the Opening Night Film with the East Coast Premiere of The Return of the Hero, a hilarious comedy starring OscarⓇ Winner, Jean Dujardin (The Artist) as the dashing Captain Neuville. Set in 1809 during the Napoleonic era, Neuville is called to the front, leaving his future bride heartbroken. Her sister decides to write letters on his behalf to cheer her up. But it all goes south when Neuville reappears.
For the Centerpiece Film and Party, Danish filmmaker Mads Brügger arrives from Copenhagen in time for the red carpet at the Southeast Premiere of his dark “odd couple” comedy, The Saint Bernard Syndicate, which charts two hapless Danes as they scheme to sell Saint Bernards to China’s middle class as status symbols. Attendees will also meet a couple Saint Bernards from the Florida St. Bernard Rescue.
FLiFF’s Closing Night Film is the Florida Premiere of Sharkwater Extinction. The thrilling and inspiring action-packed journey exposes the massive illegal shark fin industry and the political corruption behind it; a conspiracy that is leading to the extinction of sharks. Director, Rob Stewart, tragically lost his life while filming Sharkwater Extinction last year in the Florida Keys. Rob dedicated his life to saving our oceans. Special Guests are Rob’s parents and producers of the film, Brian and Sandy Stewart who will present the Rob Stewart Environmental Award to one of this year’s festival selections to Poisoning Paradise.
In addition to Sharkwater Extinction, there are three additional environmental films. The East Coast Premiere of Aldabra: Once Upon an Island, narrated by Pierce Brosnan, is a wonderfully entertaining 3D journey featuring heroes Elvi the Giant Tortoise, Buster the Robber Crab and other marine characters. The Florida Premiere of Poisoning Paradise, produced by Pierce Brosnan with wife and directors Keely Shaye Brosnan and Teresa Tico, reveals the devastating impact of pesticide poisoning on the Hawaiian Island of Kauai and exposes the collusion between federal and state legislators and the world’s largest biotech companies. The Southeast Premiere of Secrets of a Frozen Ocean follows 75 year old, Yngve Kristoffersen, a Norwegian scientist who sets out on a dangerous 18 month expedition in the Arctic to prove a theory of an asteroid that hit the Arctic Ocean millions of years ago and affects earth to this day.
FLiFF will host 4 Benefit Premieres. The Southeast Premiere of Intelligent Lives, a catalyst to transform the label of intellectual disability from a life sentence of isolation into a life of possibility for the most systematically segregated people in America. The award-winning filmmaker Dan Habib, will be in attendance. 100% of the proceeds will benefit United Community Options of South Florida, formerly United Cerebral Palsy of South Florida.
The Florida Premiere of The Land of High Mountains (Haiti), Will Agee’s inspiring true story of the only pediatric hospital in Haiti providing life-saving, healthcare to the most vulnerable families for over 30 years and the incredible people, both Haitian and foreign, who are working together to heal the children and to realize the dreams of a nation. 100% of the ticket revenue will benefit The Saint Damien Hospital Foundation. Filmmakers Special Guests are Will Agee, Olaf Hamelink, and Jennifer Rayno the Director, St. Damien Pediatric Hospital Fund will be in attendance.
The Florida Premiere of The Most Dangerous Year (USA) Vlada Knowlton’s story of a group of Washington State families with transgender kids who joined the fight, in 2016, against a wave of discriminatory anti-transgender legislation that swept the nation and their home state. The film is co-sponsored by OutShine Film Festival, a 501(c)3 organization who will receive 50% of the ticket sales.
The East Coast Premiere of Turning Point will benefit The Walk To End Alzheimers. Director James Keach, the brother of actor Stacy Keach, will attend. James also directed the Oscar nominated film Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.
World Premieres include: Cruel Hearts starring Transparent‘s Melora Hardin and Ocean’s Eleven’s Eddie Jemison in writer/director Paul Osborne’s thriller. Extraordinary: The Seeding, Jon Sample and Jack Roth’s riveting documentary of an alien hybrid program that may actually exist.
U.S. Premieres include: The Bromley Boys (UK) Steve Kelly’s funny yet touching coming-of-age football memoir. Diane is the Right Shape (France) stars Clotilde Hesme in Fabien Gorgeart’s dramedy about a surrogate mother for a gay couple. Eternal Winter (Hungary), Attila Szász true story of an unlikely romance in a Soviet labor camp. Just Believe (Italy), Alessandro Aronadio’s, comedy of a business owner who must establish his own religion to create a tax free operation. Les Ex (France), Maurice Barthélémy’s comedy about five couples who take stock of their past relationships. Marisa in The Woods (Spain), Antonio Morales’ dramedy stars Patricia Jordá as a woman who feels that she’s taken a supporting role in her own life. Quanto Basta (Italy), Francesco Falaschi’s warm comedy about a chef whose life is changed after assigned to teach cooking to students with Asperger’s syndrome.
East Coast Premieres include: The Unicorn, Robert Schwartzman’s (Dreamland) “cleverly crafted” three-some comedy. Hurley (USA), Derek Dodge’s documentary about racing legend Hurley Haywood speaks for the first time about being gay in the 1970’s macho world of motor sports. Meant to Be Broken, Jonathan Zuck’s dark comedy about an unlikely trio on a crazy law breaking journey that culminates in Miami. Rescue Under Fire (Spain), Adolfo Martínez Pérez’ action adventure based on the true story of Spanish troops attempting to rescue a U.S. helicopter crew in Afghanistan. Spitak (Armenia/Russia), Alexander Kott’s action-drama of a man searching for his family in the very epicenter of the earthquake. Volcano (Ukraine), Director Roman Bondarchuk’s surreal black comedy about a translator stranded in a strange, little Ukraine Steppes town.
Southeast Premieres include: Abdel and the Countess (France) Isabel Doval’s comedy about a widowed Countess who befriends a young man from the hood to help save her legacy. Born Just Now, Robert Adanto’s an intimate look at Belgrade-based artist Marta Jovanović. Driver (Israel) Yehonatan Indursky’s comic-drama about a sham artist and his daughter in an ultra-Orthodox community. Jumpman (Russian Federation), Ivan I. Tverdovsky’s thriller about a young man with a rare condition – he feels no pain. Letter from Masanjia (Canada – China) Leon Lee’s intense documentary of a political prisoner’s SOS letter that led to labor reform in China. Monger (Argentina), Jeff Zorrilla’s incredible journey into the world of sex tourism in Buenos Aires. Normandie Nue (France), Phillipe Le Guay’s (Women On The 6th Floor) comedy of a photo opportunity for a town of 300. The catch is… they all have to be naked. Once Upon a Time in November (Poland), Andrzej Jakimowski’s drama of a mother and son’s struggle to find a safe place in a homeless shelter. A Polar Year (Denmark) Samuel Collardey’s unique comedy, where actors play themselves in a recreated story. Parkland: Inside Building 12, Charlie Minn’s striking documentary told through interviews and real-life footage. Reinventing Rosalee, Dr. Lillian Glass’ inspiring documentary featuring her mom Rosalee a 101-year-old Holocaust survivor who lives life to the fullest. Sarah Q, John A. Gallagher’s dramedy of a small-town girl who moves to New York to become an actress. Smuggling Hendrix (Cypress) Marios Piperides award-winning comedic love story of a man on a mission to retrieve his dog from across the Turkish border. Song of Back and Neck, ‘The Office’ actor Paul Lieberstein’s comedic take on his history with back pain and curbed anger. The Unafraid, Anayansi Prado’s & Heather Courtney’s inspiring portrayal of the brave young people fighting back in difficult times.
Florida Premieres include: American First: The Legacy of a Raid (USA) Almudena Toral’s & Andrea Patiño Contreras’s documentary of the largest immigration worksite raid in U.S. History. The Art and Times of Frosty Myers (USA), Chris Stearns’ portrait of the sculptor best known for his 1969 “Moon Museum” and 1973 “The Wall” in SoHo. The Beginner (Germany), Alexandra Sell’s charmingly comic tale of a woman who attempts her dream of being a figure skater at age 58. Kent Jones’ award-winning Diane, starring Mary Kay Place in her most powerful performance of her career. Hatchback, Eric Sheffield’s quirky comedy of a journalist, that helps a mysterious girl find her long-lost dad. Cracking Aces (USA) H. James Gilmore documentary of the pioneering women of professional poker. Fiddlin’ (USA), Julie Simone takes us to the World’s Oldest Fiddler’s Convention. Hope’s Mission (Florida), Richard Jacksons’ documentary of a mother who risks everything to save her 3 children. Living on a Dollar a Day (USA), Thomas Nazario’s moving story of people around the world who survive on a dollar or less each day. Seeing Is Believing: Women Direct (USA) Cady McClain’s documentary includes interviews and clips from women directors. Snowbirds (Canada) from Joannie Lafrenière offers a glimpse into the French Canadian tourists who descend upon Hollywood, Florida each winter.
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SOHO International Film Festival Opens Today in NYC, See Full 2018 Schedule
[caption id="attachment_30164" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
SNAPSHOTS[/caption]
The SOHO International Film Festival #SOHO9 returns to NYC today Thursday, June 14th through Thursday, June 21st at Village East Cinemas (189 2nd Avenue on 12th Street).
Some of the highlights at this year’s SIFFNYC include the NY Premiere of “Snapshots” from director Melanie Mayron, an LGBTQ Drama about a grandmother’s secret past colliding with her granddaughter’s secret future and her daughter’s angry present, starring Piper Laurie (“Carrie”) and Brooke Adams (“Monk”); “Diminuendo” from Director Adrian Stewart starring Richard Hatch (“Battlestar Galactica”) about filmmaker Haskell Edwards, who becomes obsessed with the lifelike robot created to mimic his actress girlfriend who committed suicide while directing her biopic; Documentary “Poisoning Paradise” from award-winning broadcast journalist turned documentary filmmaker Keely Brosnan (“Entertainment Tonight”) & Executive Produced by Pierce Brosnan (“James Bond”) follows the seemingly idyllic world of Native Hawaiians, whose communities are surrounded by experimental test sites for genetically engineered SEED corn and pesticides sprayed upwind of their homes, schools, hospitals, and shorelines; “Cabeza Madre (Mothers Head)”, a World Feature and Northeast Premiere from France & Cuba Directed by Edouard Salier and starring Clifton Collins Jr. (“Westworld”) in which Clifton Collins Jr. (“Star Trek”) plays John, an ordinary American guy who receives word that his estranged mother has passed away in her home country of Cuba and discovers that she was mixed up with a motley crew of criminals, and Documentary “Oh, Rick!” about award-winning actor, singer, comedian, lyricist, composer and teacher Rick Crom. On Father’s Day, Sunday, June 17th, what better way to celebrate than taking Dad to the movies?! The festival will be screening Short Films all day long with the NY Filmmaker Series, Broome Street Series, and Spring Street Series and so much more throughout the week!
Films showing include the dramatic thriller “Block Island” (U.S. Premiere) from Director Tony Glazer staring Jeff Kober (“The Walking Dead”) and Matty Cardarople (“Stranger Things”) about a group of college kids who miss the ferry to their graduation party on Block Island, then fall prey to a local fishing boat captain and his sadistic first mate; “The Visit” from Writer/Director Romina Schwedler staring Academy Award Nominee June Squibb (“Nebraska”); “Artemis & The Astronaut” from Writer/Director Alice L. Lee staring Lynn Cohen (“The Hunger Games”) ; “Sam Did It” Written/Directed by and Starring Dominic Burgess as Sam, who loves his job working in a morgue almost as much as he loves his celebrity idol – Alfred Molina (“Spider-Man”) and the Documentary “Poisoning Paradise” from filmmaker Keely Brosnan & Executive Produced by Pierce Brosnan (“James Bond”) which follows the seemingly idyllic world of Native Hawaiians, whose communities are surrounded by experimental test sites for genetically engineered seed corn and pesticides sprayed upwind of their homes, schools, hospitals, and shorelines.
The foreign films category includes actors Tomasz Kot (“Teatr Telewizji”) and Lech Mackiewicz (“Na Dobre i Na Złe”) in “Bikini Blue”, Northeast Premiere from Poland from Writer/Director Jarek Marszewski; “Just A Fling”, a World Feature and U.S. Premiere from France starring Fanny Valette (“Spiral”) and Amaury de Crayencour (“Le Bureau des Légends”) from Writer/Director Gorune Aprikian; “Never Saw It Coming” a World Feature and U.S. Premiere from Canada from Director Gail Harvey starring Katie Boland (“Reign”), Emily Hampshire (“Mother!”), and Eric Roberts (“The Dark Knight”), and “Cabeza Madre (Mothers Head)”, a World Feature and Northeast Premiere from France & Cuba Directed by Edouard Salier and starring Clifton Collins Jr. (“Westworld”).
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Napa Valley Film Festival Unveils 2017 Lineup, Opens with THE UPSIDE
[caption id="attachment_24918" align="aligncenter" width="1200"]
The Upside[/caption]
The seventh annual Napa Valley Film Festival (NVFF) returns this fall with its five-day festival showcasing the year’s best new independent films from November 8 to 12, 2017. The festival’s official opening night film is The Weinstein Company’s The Upside, directed by Neil Berger and starring Bryan Cranston, Nicole Kidman and Kevin Hart. Closing the festival will be the Molly’s Game, directed by Aaron Sorkin and starring Jessica Chastain, Kevin Costner and Idris Elba in the true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game and became an FBI target.
This year’s line-up of Celebrity Tributes that salute the highest levels of cinematic achievement includes Charles Krug Legendary Filmmaker Nancy Meyers (It’s Complicated, The Intern), Raymond Vineyards Trailblazer Michael Shannon (The Current War, The Shape of Water), and Spotlight Tribute honoree Michael Stuhlbarg (Call Me By Your Name; The Shape of Water). New this year, The Jameson Animal Rescue Ranch Humanitarian Tribute will be presented to Nikki Reed (Twilight, Ian Somerhalder Foundation) and Ian Somerhalder (The Vampire Diaries, Ian Somerhalder Foundation). The Celebrity Tributes program will take place on Thursday, November 9 at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville and will include video highlight reels and intimate on-stage conversations with Access Hollywood’s Natalie Morales.
In addition to the Celebrity Tributes program, Will Ferrell (Anchorman; Daddy’s Home 2) will be honored with the Caldwell Vineyards Maverick Tribute on Friday, November 10, and the first annual Rising Star Showcase at Materra | Cunat Vineyards on Saturday, November 11 will honor a handful of young talent including Ana de Armas (War Dogs; Blade Runner 2049), Odeya Rush, (Lady Bird, Goosebumps), Austin Stowell (Battle of the Sexes, Bridge of Spies), Gregg Sulkin (Runaways, Faking It) and Alex Wolff (My Friend Dahmer; Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle).
NVFF will kick off with their Sneak Preview Night on Tuesday, November 7 with a special presentation of Fox Searchlight Pictures’ The Shape of Water. The film, directed by Guillermo del Toro and starring Sally Hawkins, Michael Shannon, Octavia Spencer and Michael Stuhlbarg, is an other-worldly tale of Elisa whose life is changed forever when she and a co-worker Zelda discover a secret classified experiment at the hidden high-security government laboratory where they work.
The festival will also play host to an incredible selection of films, including many of this year’s award-contenders, such as:
78/52 – (IFC) An unprecedented look at the iconic shower scene in Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho (1960), the “man behind the curtain,” and the screen murder that profoundly changed the course of world cinema. Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe.
Call Me By Your Name – (Sony Pictures Classics) In 1983, the son of an American professor is enamored by the graduate student who comes to study and live with his family in their northern Italian home. Together, they share an unforgettable summer full of music, food, and romance that will forever change them. Directed by Luca Guadagnino and starring Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer and Michael Stuhlbarg. Michael Stuhlbarg is expected to attend.
Chappaquiddick – (Entertainment Studios) Ted Kennedy’s life and political career become derailed in the aftermath of a fatal car accident in 1969 that claims the life of a young campaign strategist, Mary Jo Kopechne. Directed by John Curran and starring Jason Clarke, Bruce Dern, Ed Helms and Kate Mara.
Crown Heights – (Amazon Studios) When Colin Warner is wrongfully convicted of murder, his best friend Carl King devotes his life to proving Colin’s innocence. Directed by Matt Ruskin and starring Nnamdi Asomugha and Lakeith Stanfield. Nnamdi Asomugha is expected to attend.
The Current War – (The Weinstein Company) The dramatic story of the cutthroat race between electricity titans Thomas Edison and George Westinghouse to determine whose electrical system would power the modern world. Directed by Alfonso Gomez-Rejon and starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Holland, Nicholas Hoult, Michael Shannon and Katherine Waterston. Michael Shannon is expected to attend.
Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool – (Sony Pictures Classics) A romance sparks between a young actor and a Hollywood leading lady. Directed by Paul McGuigan and starring Jamie Bell and Annette Bening.
I, Tonya – (Neon) Competitive ice skater Tonya Harding rises among the ranks at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, but her future in the sport is thrown into doubt when her ex-husband intervenes. Directed by Craig Gillespie and starring Allison Janney, Margot Robbie and Sebastian Stan.
LA 92 – (NatGeo) A look at the events that led up to the 1992 uprising in Los Angeles following the Rodney King beating by the police. Directed by Daniel Lindsay and T.J. Martin.
The Leisure Seeker – (Sony Pictures Classics) A runaway couple go on an unforgettable journey in the faithful old RV they call The Leisure Seeker, traveling from Boston to The Ernest Hemingway Home in Key West. They recapture their passion for life and their love for each other on a road trip that provides revelation and surprise right up to the very end. Directed by Paolo Virzì and starring Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland.
The rest of the NVFF film line-up is as follows:
Core Competitions
Narrative Features:
American Folk, Directed by David Heinz The Boy Downstairs, Directed by Sophie Brooks The House of Tomorrow, Directed by Peter Livolsi I Can I Will I Did, Directed by Nadine Truong People You May Know, Directed by Shewin Shilati The Sounding, Directed by Catherine Eaton Stuck, Directed by Michael Berry Tater Tot & Patton, Directed by Andrew Kightlinger The Year of Spectacular Men, Directed by Lea ThompsonDocumentary Features:
ACORN and the Firestorm, Directed by Reuben Atlas and Samuel D. Pollard Catching Sight of Thelma & Louise, Directed by Jennifer Townsend Coyote, Directed by Thomas Simmons A Fine Line, Directed by Joanna James The Gateway Bug, Directed by Johanna B. Kelly Laddie: The Man Behind the Movies, Directed by Amanda Ladd-Jones Mighty Ground, Directed by Delila Vallot Skid Row Marathon, Directed by Mark Hayes The Untold Tales of Armistead Maupin, Directed by Jennifer M. KrootThe Lounge
Features:
Amanda & Jack Go Glamping, Directed by Brandon Dickerson Class Rank, Directed by Eric Stoltz Coup d’etat, Directed by Lisa Addario and Joe Syracuse Entanglement, Directed by Jason James A Happening of Monumental Proportions, Directed by Judy Greer Izzy Gets the F*ck Across Town, Directed by Christian Papierniak Life Hack, Directed by Sloan Copeland Quest, Directed by Santiago Rizzo The Relationtrip, Directed by Renée Felice Smith and C.A. GabrielSpecial Presentations
40 Years in the Making – The Magic Music Movie, Directed by Lee Aronsohn The Ataxian, Directed by Zack Bennett and Kevin Schlanser Back to Burgundy, Directed by Cédric Klapisch Bernard and Huey, Directed by Dan Mirvish Breakable You, Directed by Andrew Wagner California Typewriter, Directed by Doug Nichol Constructing Albert, Directed by Laura Collado and Jim Loomis Dog Years, Directed by Adam Rifkin Don’t Shoot the Zebra Pony, Directed by Kathryn Lauritzen Ella Brennan: Commanding the Table, Directed by Leslie Iwerks Fermented, Directed by Jon Cianfrani Food Evolution, Directed by Scott Hamilton Kennedy Happening: A Clean Energy Revolution, Directed by Jamie Redford Liyana, Directed by Aaron Kopp and Amanda Kopp Man In Red Bandana, Directed by Matthew Weiss Michelin Stars: Tales from the Kitchen, Directed by Rasmus Dinesen New Chefs on the Block, Directed by Dustin Harrison-Atlas Poisoning Paradise, Directed by Keely Shaye Brosnan Rebels On Pointe, Directed by Bobbi Jo Hart Served Like a Girl, Directed by Lysa Heslov Taming Wild: A Girl and a Mustang, Directed by Elsa Sinclair To the Edge of the Sky, Directed by Todd Wider and Jedd Wider Wasted! The Story of Food Waste, Directed by Anna Chai, Nari Kye
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2017 San Diego International Film Festival Unveils Lineup + Sir Patrick Stewart to Receive Award
Actor Sir Patrick Stewart will be the recipient of the Gregory Peck Award for Excellence in Cinema at the 2017 San Diego International Film Festival (SDiFF). The awards will be presented October 5th at The VARIETY Night of the Stars Tribute.
“Patrick Stewart has captivated audiences for years with spectacular performances, from Star Trek to his career defining performance in Logan earlier this year, as well as his Emmy and Golden Globe-nominated performance as Captain Ahab in Moby Dick, a role which Mr. Peck made famous more than 40 years earlier. We couldn’t be more excited to honor him this year with the Gregory Peck Award,” said Tonya Mantooth, Executive and Artistic Director of the San Diego International Film Festival.
Created in honor of famed actor and San Diego area native Gregory Peck, with the support of his family, this award is given to an individual whose work has made a profound impact on the art of cinema. Launched in 2014, the first recipient of the award was Alan Arkin, with Annette Bening receiving the award last year.
The festival, now in its 16th year, will run from October 4th through October 8th in San Diego, California, and feature a lineup of 117 films total, 10 Narrative Spotlight Competition films, 18 Narrative Competition films, 12 Documentary Competition films, 5 Documentary Spotlight Competition films, and 72 Short films.
2017 San Diego International Film Festival Line-up
Narrative Spotlight Films
The Ballad of Lefty Brown, Dir. Jared Moshe, USA, West Coast Premiere Breathe, Dir. Andy Serkis, USA, West Coast Premiere Thelma, Dir. Joachim Trier, Norway, United States Premiere Dismissed, Dir. Benjamin Arfmann, USA, World Premiere Dog Years, Dir. Adam Rifkin, USA, West Coast Premiere The Divine Order, Dir. Petra Volpe, Switzerland, Southern California Premiere Juvenile, Dir. Bradley Buecker, USA, West Coast Premiere The Bachelors, Dir. Kurt Voelker, USA, San Diego Premiere Thumper, Dir. Jordan Ross, USA, California Premiere My Friend Dahmer, Dir. Marc Meyers, USA, San Diego PremiereNarrative Competition
Selling Isobel, Dir. Rudolf Buitendach, Sweden/USA, World Premiere Butterfly Caught, Dir. Manny Rodriguez Jr., USA, World Premiere The Lonely Italian, Dir. Lee Farber, USA, World Premiere Juggernaut, Dir. Daniel DiMarco, Canada, North American Premiere Otherlife, Dir. Ben C. Lucas, Australia, North American Premiere Storm Letters of Fire, Dir. Dennis Bots, Netherlands, North American Premiere Room for Rent, Dir. Matt Atkinson, Canada, United States Premiere Under the Rose, Dir. Josue Ramos, Spain, United States Premiere A Prominent Patient, Dir. Julius Sevcik, Czech Republic, Slovakia, United States Premiere Life Hack, Dir. Sloan Copeland, USA, West Coast Premiere Heart, Baby!, Dir. Angela Shelton, USA, San Diego Premiere Hard Surfaces, Dir. Zach Brown, USA, San Diego Premiere The Price, Dir. Anthony Onah, USA, West Coast Premiere Scent of Rain and Lightening, Dir. Blake Robbins, USA, California Premiere GUN, Dir. Sam Upton, USA, Southern California Premiere Entanglement, Dir. Jason James, Canada, San Diego Premiere And Then There Was Eve, Dir. Savannah Bloch, USA, San Diego Premiere 20 Weeks, Dir. Leena Pendharkar, USA, San Diego PremiereSpotlight Documentary Films
The Last Animals, Dir. Kate Brooks, UK/USA, California Premiere Apache Warrior, Dir. David Salzberg & Christian Tureaud, USA, World Premiere WASTED! Story of Food Waste, Dir. Anna Chia & Nari Kye, USA, San Diego Premiere Behind the Curtain: Todrick Hall, Dir. Katherine Fairfax Wright, USA, Southern California Premiere Resistance is Life, Dir. Apo W. Bazidi, USA/Turkey, San Diego PremiereDocumentary Competition
Becoming Who I Was, Dir. Moon Chang-Yong & Jeon Jin, South Korea, California Premiere 42 Grams, Dir. Jack C. Newell, USA, California Premiere Herd, Dir. Stefan Morel, Canada, California Premiere Blind Spot; Moments Unseen, Dir. Stefan Morel, Canada, California Premiere Down the Fence, Dir. MJ Isakson, USA, Southern California Premiere Spirit of Discovery, Dir. Eliana Alvarez Martinez, USA, World Premiere RiverBlue: Can Fashion Save the Planet?, Dir. David McIlvride & Roger Williams, Canada, San Diego Premiere Poisoning Paradise, Dir. Keely Shaye Brosnan & Teresa Tico, USA, San Diego Premiere Legion of Brothers, Dir. Greg Barker, USA, California Premiere Mankiller, Dir. Valerie Red-Horse Mohl, USA, San Diego Premiere The Lavender Scare, Dir. Josh Howard, USA, Southern California Premiere Hell on Earth: The Fall of Syria and Rise of Isis, Dir. Sebastian Junger & Nick Quested, USA, San Diego PremiereShorts Competition
Shorts in front of feature films: Lucky Me, Dir. Thomas Morgan, USA, World Premiere The Horse Whisperer, Dir. Richard Mullane, UK, United States Premiere The Velvet Abstract, Dir. James Hughes, UK, San Diego Premiere Shorts: American Indian Stories: Waabooz, Dir. Molly Katagiri, USA, San Diego Premiere Five Dollars, Dir. Ty Coughenour, USA, San Diego Premiere In the Beginning was Water and Sky, Dir. Ryan Ward, USA, San Diego Premiere Lost Face, Dir. Sean Meehan, Australia/Canada, San Diego Premiere Neemkomok’, Dir. Douglas Cushnie, USA, San Diego Premiere The Gift, Joel Edgerton, USA/Australia, California Premiere Shorts: For Shorts & Giggles: The Bouquet, Dir. Julien Segard & Romain Carciofo, France, San Diego Premiere Ostoja Will Move Your Piano, Dir. Sandra Mitrovic, Serbia, West Coast Premiere Annie Waits, Dir. Marnie Paxton-Harris, UK, San Diego Premiere A Ghost Named George, Dir. Harrison Macks, USA, World Premiere Dollar King, Dir. Drew Pollins, USA, Southern California Premiere The Heist, Dir. Luke Harris, USA, Southern California Premiere Love me Madly, Dir. Emre Okten, USA, World Premiere Shorts: A Stranger in Stranger Land: Picture Wheel, Dir. David O’Donnell, USA/Australia, San Diego Premiere Wyrm, Dir. Christopher Winterbauer, USA, North American Premiere Albedo Absolute, Dir. Vlad Marsavin, USA, Southern California Premiere Time Flies When I am Having Fun, Dir. Johan Tappert, Sweden, West Coast Premiere Cautionary Tales, Dir.Christopher Barrett & Luke Taylor, UK, North American Premiere See You Yesterday, Dir. Stefon Bristol, USA, Southern California Premiere Fairy Tales Anonymous, Dir. Jacob Lundgaard Andersen, USA, San Diego Premier Shorts: Illusion: Gridlock, Dir. Ian Hunt Duffy, Ireland, Southern California Premiere Cul-de-sac, Dir. Damon Russell, USA, San Diego Premiere The Obituary, Dir. Jonathan Thompson, USA, Southern California Premiere Standby, Dir. Daumoun Khakpour & Travis Pulchinski, Canada, United States Premiere The Peculiar Abilities of Mr. Mahler, Dir. Paul Philipp, Germany, California Premiere Frederick, Dir. Ty Coughenour, USA, San Diego Premiere Shorts: Independent Animation: The Wall, Dir.Nick Baker & Tristan Klein, Australia, West Coast Premiere Green Light, Dir. Seongmin Kim, South Korea, Southern California Premiere Tanguito Argentino, Dir. Joaquin Braga, Argentina,Southern California Premiere Wishing Box, Dir. Wenli Zhang & Nan Li, USA, San Diego Premiere Hope, Dir. Michael Scherrer, Switzerland, Southern California Premiere First Bloom, Dir. Tingting Liu, China, San Diego Premiere Revelation: City of Haze, Dir. Mao Qichao, China, San Diego Premiere Karma, Dir. Zhaoyu Zhou, USA, World Premiere Shorts: Heart of a Soldier: Orion, Dir. Spencer Currie, USA, San Diego Premiere Corpsman, Dir. Amanda Larsh, USA, World Premiere One Halloween, Dir. Rebecca Murga, USA, World Premiere Tango on the Balcony, Dir. Minos Papas, USA/Cyprus, Southern California Premiere Wandering Soul, Dir. Josh Tanner, Australia, San Diego Premiere Shorts: Twisted Humor: The Dog with the Woman, Dir. Phoebe Arnstein & Stephen Ledger-Lomas, UK, World Premiere A Done Deal, Dir. Pierre-Marc Drouin and Simon Lamarre-Ledoux, Canada, West Coast Premiere Eat and Drink, Dir. Jaime Figueroa, Spain, North American Premiere Nicole’s Cage, Dir. Josef Brandl, Germany, Southern California Premiere Unleaved Bread, Dir. Wilfried Méance, France, Southern California Premiere Shorts: On Pins and Needles: Will Wilson, Dir. David C. Herman, USA, San Diego Premiere Morning Has Broken, Dir. Olga Chajdas, Poland, United States Premiere Icarus, Dir. Tom Teller, USA, Southern California Premiere Warm Springs, Dir. Sean Wang, USA, San Diego Premiere Game, Dir. Joy Webster, Canada, United States Premiere Standby, Dir. Daumoun Khakpour & Travis Pulchinski, Canada, United States Premiere Shorts: When Worlds Collide: Lost Dogs, Dir. Cullan Bruce, USA, San Diego Premiere The Foster Portfolio, Dir. Danielle Katvan, USA, San Diego Premiere The Transfer, Dir. Michael Grudsky, Germany/Israel, San Diego Premiere Pickle, Dir. Grant Moore, USA, San Diego Premiere Brainstorm, Dir. Christophe Clin, Belgium, San Diego Premiere Temporary, Dir. Milena Govich, USA, San Diego Premiere Shorts: Global Consciousness: Shine, Dir. Barrett Lewis, Daniel Andreani & Austin Bousley, USA, World Premiere Witnesses, Dir. David Koch, France, California Premiere All of Us, Dir. Katja Benrath, Germany/ Kenya, United States Premiere Ravage, Dir. Leon Lee, Canada, West Coast Premiere Citizen, Dir. Robert Bracker, USA, West Coast Premiere The Fare, Dir. Santiago Paladines, Equador/USA, San Diego Premiere Shorts: Student Track: I Have to Kill my Professor, Dir. Jonathan Pickett, USA, World Premiere Dated, Dir. Daniel Lachman, USA, California Premiere Uncle Tommy, Dir. Tan Shi Ying, Singapore, World Premiere Hurt People, Dir. Gabriel Gaurano, Jayden Gillespie & Navin Bose, USA, World Premiere Dibashram, Dir. Weilee Yap, Singapore, World Premiere Head Above Water, Dir. Eric Shahinian, USA, West Coast Premiere Chicken Beauty Pageant, Dir. Nurul Amirah, Singapore, World Premiere
