Under the theme “Togetherness,” the 12th annual Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) takes place September 26 – October 1, 2023, showcasing 195 award-winning film premieres from the U.S. and 20 countries – from Spain to Israel, Germany to Japan – plus 30 national and international bands, the first annual Global Visionary Summit Cinema & Panel Series, signature community events, and the red carpet at various venues across Richmond.
Brooklyn Film Festival (BFF) announced the film lineup for its 26th edition, themed Human Times. The 2023 edition will show in competition 155 features and shorts from over 30 countries. 10 films will also play as part of one of the most successful BFF programs, now in its 19th year, kidsfilmfest.
Rock Steady Row – Winner of the Narrative Feature Award and the Audience Feature Award. l-r. Bomani Story (Writer) and Trevor Stevens (Dir.) of Rock Steady Row.. Photo credit: Lauren Desbrg/SLAMDANCE[/caption]
The 24th Slamdance Film Festival wrapped last weekend and presented prizes to the winners of this year’s Sparky Awards in the Audience, Jury, and Sponsored Categories. The festival also announced the recipients of three new awards: The Russo Brothers Fellowship, the CreativeFuture Innovation Award, and a curated Acting Award.
The Sparky Award for Best Narrative Feature went to Rock Steady Row, directed by Trevor Stevens and written by Bomani Story. “Rock Steady Row is a shining star in genre, young adult themes, and ‘save the day’ filmmaking. Done creatively in a comic book meets George Miller meets John Carpenter universe. Sharply directed by Trevor Stevens and written by Bomani Story. With strong ingenuity not commonly seen at this budget and experience level, Rock Steady Row stands tall,” said jurors.
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Mr. Fish: Cartooning From The Deep End
My Name Is Myeisha Winner of the Audience Beyond Feature Award. Actress Rhaechyl Walker was also honored with an Acting Award. l-r. Alex Hines, John Merchant, Rhaechyl Walker, Dee Dee Stephens of My Name Is Myeisha. Photo credit: Lauren Desberg/SLAMDANCE[/caption]
Awards were also given to festival favorites, voted on by Slamdance audiences. The Narrative Feature Audience Award was presented to Rock Steady Row, directed by Trevor Stevens. Freedom For The Wolf, directed by Rupert Russell, received the Documentary Feature Audience Award, The Beyond Feature Audience Award was awarded to My Name Is Myeisha, directed by Gus Krieger.
The festival also recognized the Audience Award runners-up in their respective feature categories: Charlie And Hannah’s Grand Night Out (Dir: Bert Scholiers), MexMan (Dir.: Josh Polon) and Funny Story (Dir.: Michael Gallagher).
A full list of winners is below:
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Award-winning writer/director Steven Shainberg builds upon the S&M roots of his indie film sensation, 2002’s extraordinary kink masterpiece Secretary with the disturbing sci-fi and horror storytelling of his new film, RUPTURE, opening in theaters and VOD on Friday, April 28.
Single mother Renee Morgan (Noomi Rapace, channeling both her Lisbeth Salander from The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo and Elizabeth Shaw from Prometheus) finds herself kidnapped by a mysterious organization and held in a sinister facility. She must fight for her independence from a terrifying, paternalistic system where she is now the subject of an underground experiment. Co-starring Peter Stomare, Michael Chiklis, Lesley Manville and Kerry Bishé in a transfigured underworld of nightmares. Scripted by Shainberg and Brian Nelson (Hard Candy), produced by Andrew Lazar (American Sniper) and featuring heart-pounding cinematography by Karim Hussain (Antiviral, We Are Still Here).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyapGzUetnw
2017 marks the 15th anniversary of the release of Steven Shainberg’s critically acclaimed “Secretary” starring James Spader and Maggie Gyllenhaal in the bold and darkly humorous love story. The film won the Special Jury Price for Originality at the Sundance Film Festival and garnered several other prestigious awards from the National Board of Review and the Independent Spirit Awards, in addition to being nominated for a Golden Globe. Additional directorial highlights include: “Fur: An Imaginary Portrait of Diane Arbus,” a fantastical love story about legendary photographer Diane Arbus. Set in New York City in 1958, the film stars Nicole Kidman and Robert Downey Jr. and was released by Picturehouse. Shainberg’s first feature, “Hit Me”, based upon a novel by Jim Thompson was released to strong critical raves for Elias Koteas’ performance as a high strung loser who gets drawn into a hotel robbery gone awry. “Hit Me”, which also starred William H. Macy and Cesar Award winning actress Laure Marsac, premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and screened at many international festivals.