The Tribeca Film Festival will provide exclusive, real time livestream access to must-see events and the biggest names in film, television, music, journalism and fashion at the 2018 festival. The real time access provides a window for festival goers at home or anywhere to be a part of the candid conversations with such stars as Evan Rachel Wood, Spike Lee, Thandie Newton, Alec Baldwin, Jamie Foxx, Paris Hilton, Nathan Lane, Christine Baranski, André Leon Tally, Antonio Banderas and James Marsden among many others.
Audiences from around the world will be able to join the star-studded cast of Westworld for a conversation about the anticipated new season and experience the conversation with the world’s most respected journalists following the gala closing night film The Fourth Estate. The 2018 Tribeca Film Festival will run from April 18-29 and is presented by AT&T.
The talks are available exclusively via Facebook Live on the Tribeca Film Festival Facebook page. The Tribeca Film Festival/Facebook Live schedule follows.
Thursday, April 19
6:00 PM: John Legend with Sara Bareilles (Tribeca Talks: Storytellers) – Join in a conversation when Sara Bareilles interviews celebrated singer, songwriter, actor, and producer, John Legend who has been releasing billboard hits since his debut album Get Lifted in 2004. He’s earned a total of ten Grammy Awards. John Legend also formed a film and television production company, Get Lifted, in 2014, and executive produced and starred in La La Land and the hit television show, Underground. He won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his song “Glory” in Selma. In addition to his work in music and film, Legend is also well known for his philanthropic work in education and criminal justice reform. He founded #FREEAMERICA, a campaign designed to change the national conversation of our country’s misguided policies and to make a change in America’s criminal justice system.
9:40 PM: Westworld (Tribeca TV) – Join the cast and creators for a conversation about Westworld, following the season two New York Premiere at Tribeca of the smash hit from HBO, as it continues on its dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Featured will be co-creators, showrunners, and directors Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, along with cast-members Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, and James Marsden.
Friday, April 20
6:30 PM: Rest In Power: The Trayvon Martin Story (Tribeca TV) – Join in the conversations about the world premiere of a new mini-series from Paramount Network looking at the life and legacy of Trayvon Martin. The new series, Executive Produced by Shawn JAY – Z Carter, presents the definitive look at one of the most talked-about, controversial events of the last decade. MSNBC’s host Joy Reid moderates a conversation with co-directors Julia Willoughby Nason and Jenner Furst, the parents of Trayvon Martin, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, executive producers Mike Gasparro and Chachi Senior, and a special guest.
9:20 PM: Genius: Picasso (Tribeca TV) – Antonio Banderas stars as Pablo Picasso in the world premiere of the second season of the National Geographic Series and headlines a candid conversation following the world premiere. Genius: Picasso explores the Spanish expatriate Pablo Picasso’s devotion to his craft, his contribution to modern art, and his turbulent personal life. Variety’s Cynthia Littleton moderates a conversation with showrunner Ken Biller, executive producers Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo, and cast-members Antonio Banderas, Alex Rich, Clémence Poésy, Poppy Delevingne, and Samantha Colley.
Saturday, April 21
6:00 PM: Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro (Tribeca Talks: Storytellers) – Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro will sit down to discuss Cooper’s career as an actor, producer and now director; from his early work in acclaimed comedies such as Wet Hot American Summer, Wedding Crashers and The Hangover trilogy, to his impactful dramatic turns in Silver Linings Playbook and American Sniper, which led to him becoming the tenth actor to receive an Academy Award nomination three years in a row. Most recently, Cooper has been working on his directorial debut, a modern adaptation of A Star is Born, which he also produced, co-wrote, and stars in alongside Lady Gaga. Cooper and De Niro have worked together on such films as Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, Joy and Limitless which was their first picture together.
Monday, April 23
6:00 PM: Jamie Foxx (Tribeca Talks: Storytellers) – Prolific actor, musician, and comedian Jamie Foxx is a Hollywood triple threat and the subject of this special Tribeca Talk. Perhaps his most iconic role as an actor, his portrayal of musician Ray Charles in the biopic Ray, landed him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA in 2005. The very same year, Foxx was nominated for a second Oscar for his acting in the film Collateral, making him only the second man in history to receive two acting Oscar nominations in the same year for two different roles. In addition to film, Foxx is a GRAMMY award-winning musician, producing four albums that have charted the top ten of the US Billboard 200. Recently, Foxx has taken on the dual role of host and executive producer for the game show Beat Shazam, which will have its second season premiere in May on FOX, and he will also be appearing in Robin Hood, scheduled for theatrical release in November.
9:30 PM: Every Act of Life (World Premiere, Special Screening) – Playwright Terrance McNally is the subject a new riveting documentary which presents a revealing portrait of the four-time Tony-winning playwright through his groundbreaking, six-decade career in the theater, fight for LGBTQ rights, and triumph over addiction. New York Magazine writer-at-large Frank Rich leads a conversation with McNally, director Jeff Kaufman, actor/director Joe Mantello, and actors Nathan Lane, F. Murray Abraham, Christine Baranski, and Chita Rivera.
Tuesday, April 24
8:45 PM: Alec Baldwin and Spike Lee (Tribeca Talks: Storytellers) – Alec Baldwin and Spike Lee, two of the industry’s most prolific storytellers, will sit down and discuss in great detail their passionate and reverential relationship to film: their favorite movies of all time, the films that have influenced them as creators, and the power of storytelling. Spike Lee is an Academy Award-winning director, producer, writer, actor and activist and NYU Grad Film Tenured Professor, best known for his groundbreaking and acclaimed films, Do The Right Thing, Malcolm X, 4 Little Girls, When The Levees Broke,25th Hour and Inside Man. Alec Baldwin is a critically acclaimed actor, writer, producer, and activist, most recognizable for his roles in Beetlejuice, The Hunt for Red October, Glengarry Glen Ross, 30 Rock, and Saturday Night Live. He is also the hosts of his podcast, Here’s the Thing, for WNYC radio and is the author of three books.
Wednesday, April 25
10:00 PM: The Gospel According to André (World Premiere – Special Screening) – From the segregated South to the fashion capitals of the world, The Gospel According to André recounts fashion editor André Leon Talley’s storied life and career through intimate conversations, rich archival, and testimonials from fashion luminaries. Join in a conversation with director Kate Novack and subject André Leon Talley, producer Andrew Rossi, executive producer Roger Ross Williams and producer Josh Braun. Moderated by performer Sandra Bernhard.
Friday, April 27
9:35 PM: The American Meme (World Premiere – Special Screening) – Paris Hilton, the Fat Jew, Kirill Bichutsky, and Brittany Furlan have all used social media to achieve massive internet fame. But, is it worth it? Join in a conversation following the world premiere of the documentary The American Meme with director Bert Marcus, subjects Paris Hilton, Kirill Bichutsky, Brittany Furlan, The Fat Jew and Hailey Baldwin.
Saturday, April 28
2:00 PM: Writing & Showrunning for TV (Tribeca Talks: Master Class) American television writing duo, Robert and Michelle King, will sit down with The Daily Show Executive Producers Steve Bodow and Jennifer Flanz, to discuss what it takes to write and produce a compelling show and the grit required to churn out episodes that feel timely and fresh. The Kings are a Golden Globe Award and Emmy Award-nominated writing team. Their work on their two major hit series The Good Wife and The Good Fight touch on a wide range of issues, from political corruption to cyber-security — making their shows simultaneously gripping and true to life. Bodow and Flanz have collectively won over 20 Primetime Emmy Awards for The Daily Show’s hilariously cutting political satire, garnering remarkable success and notoriety for the show.
9:30 PM: The Fourth Estate (World Premiere, Closing Night) Join the filmmakers and journalists from The New York Times following the closing night film of the Tribeca Film Festival of Showtime’s The Fourth Estate. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Liz Garbus’ new documentary goes inside The New York Times to chronicle the inner workings of journalism and investigative reporting from the front line during the Trump administration’s first history-making year. Join the conversation with The New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet, Washington Bureau Chief Elisabeth Bumiller, White House Correspondent Julie Davis, Washington Investigative Correspondent Mark Mazzetti, director Liz Garbus, and producer Jenny Carchman.-
Tribeca Film Festival to LiveStream Events with Paris Hilton, Spike Lee, Thandie Newton, Alec Baldwin, Jamie Foxx
The Tribeca Film Festival will provide exclusive, real time livestream access to must-see events and the biggest names in film, television, music, journalism and fashion at the 2018 festival. The real time access provides a window for festival goers at home or anywhere to be a part of the candid conversations with such stars as Evan Rachel Wood, Spike Lee, Thandie Newton, Alec Baldwin, Jamie Foxx, Paris Hilton, Nathan Lane, Christine Baranski, André Leon Tally, Antonio Banderas and James Marsden among many others.
Audiences from around the world will be able to join the star-studded cast of Westworld for a conversation about the anticipated new season and experience the conversation with the world’s most respected journalists following the gala closing night film The Fourth Estate. The 2018 Tribeca Film Festival will run from April 18-29 and is presented by AT&T.
The talks are available exclusively via Facebook Live on the Tribeca Film Festival Facebook page. The Tribeca Film Festival/Facebook Live schedule follows.
Thursday, April 19
6:00 PM: John Legend with Sara Bareilles (Tribeca Talks: Storytellers) – Join in a conversation when Sara Bareilles interviews celebrated singer, songwriter, actor, and producer, John Legend who has been releasing billboard hits since his debut album Get Lifted in 2004. He’s earned a total of ten Grammy Awards. John Legend also formed a film and television production company, Get Lifted, in 2014, and executive produced and starred in La La Land and the hit television show, Underground. He won an Oscar and a Golden Globe for his song “Glory” in Selma. In addition to his work in music and film, Legend is also well known for his philanthropic work in education and criminal justice reform. He founded #FREEAMERICA, a campaign designed to change the national conversation of our country’s misguided policies and to make a change in America’s criminal justice system.
9:40 PM: Westworld (Tribeca TV) – Join the cast and creators for a conversation about Westworld, following the season two New York Premiere at Tribeca of the smash hit from HBO, as it continues on its dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Featured will be co-creators, showrunners, and directors Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy, along with cast-members Evan Rachel Wood, Thandie Newton, Jeffrey Wright, and James Marsden.
Friday, April 20
6:30 PM: Rest In Power: The Trayvon Martin Story (Tribeca TV) – Join in the conversations about the world premiere of a new mini-series from Paramount Network looking at the life and legacy of Trayvon Martin. The new series, Executive Produced by Shawn JAY – Z Carter, presents the definitive look at one of the most talked-about, controversial events of the last decade. MSNBC’s host Joy Reid moderates a conversation with co-directors Julia Willoughby Nason and Jenner Furst, the parents of Trayvon Martin, Sybrina Fulton and Tracy Martin, executive producers Mike Gasparro and Chachi Senior, and a special guest.
9:20 PM: Genius: Picasso (Tribeca TV) – Antonio Banderas stars as Pablo Picasso in the world premiere of the second season of the National Geographic Series and headlines a candid conversation following the world premiere. Genius: Picasso explores the Spanish expatriate Pablo Picasso’s devotion to his craft, his contribution to modern art, and his turbulent personal life. Variety’s Cynthia Littleton moderates a conversation with showrunner Ken Biller, executive producers Brian Grazer and Francie Calfo, and cast-members Antonio Banderas, Alex Rich, Clémence Poésy, Poppy Delevingne, and Samantha Colley.
Saturday, April 21
6:00 PM: Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro (Tribeca Talks: Storytellers) – Academy Award nominee Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro will sit down to discuss Cooper’s career as an actor, producer and now director; from his early work in acclaimed comedies such as Wet Hot American Summer, Wedding Crashers and The Hangover trilogy, to his impactful dramatic turns in Silver Linings Playbook and American Sniper, which led to him becoming the tenth actor to receive an Academy Award nomination three years in a row. Most recently, Cooper has been working on his directorial debut, a modern adaptation of A Star is Born, which he also produced, co-wrote, and stars in alongside Lady Gaga. Cooper and De Niro have worked together on such films as Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, Joy and Limitless which was their first picture together.
Monday, April 23
6:00 PM: Jamie Foxx (Tribeca Talks: Storytellers) – Prolific actor, musician, and comedian Jamie Foxx is a Hollywood triple threat and the subject of this special Tribeca Talk. Perhaps his most iconic role as an actor, his portrayal of musician Ray Charles in the biopic Ray, landed him an Academy Award, a Golden Globe, and a BAFTA in 2005. The very same year, Foxx was nominated for a second Oscar for his acting in the film Collateral, making him only the second man in history to receive two acting Oscar nominations in the same year for two different roles. In addition to film, Foxx is a GRAMMY award-winning musician, producing four albums that have charted the top ten of the US Billboard 200. Recently, Foxx has taken on the dual role of host and executive producer for the game show Beat Shazam, which will have its second season premiere in May on FOX, and he will also be appearing in Robin Hood, scheduled for theatrical release in November.
9:30 PM: Every Act of Life (World Premiere, Special Screening) – Playwright Terrance McNally is the subject a new riveting documentary which presents a revealing portrait of the four-time Tony-winning playwright through his groundbreaking, six-decade career in the theater, fight for LGBTQ rights, and triumph over addiction. New York Magazine writer-at-large Frank Rich leads a conversation with McNally, director Jeff Kaufman, actor/director Joe Mantello, and actors Nathan Lane, F. Murray Abraham, Christine Baranski, and Chita Rivera.
Tuesday, April 24
8:45 PM: Alec Baldwin and Spike Lee (Tribeca Talks: Storytellers) – Alec Baldwin and Spike Lee, two of the industry’s most prolific storytellers, will sit down and discuss in great detail their passionate and reverential relationship to film: their favorite movies of all time, the films that have influenced them as creators, and the power of storytelling. Spike Lee is an Academy Award-winning director, producer, writer, actor and activist and NYU Grad Film Tenured Professor, best known for his groundbreaking and acclaimed films, Do The Right Thing, Malcolm X, 4 Little Girls, When The Levees Broke,25th Hour and Inside Man. Alec Baldwin is a critically acclaimed actor, writer, producer, and activist, most recognizable for his roles in Beetlejuice, The Hunt for Red October, Glengarry Glen Ross, 30 Rock, and Saturday Night Live. He is also the hosts of his podcast, Here’s the Thing, for WNYC radio and is the author of three books.
Wednesday, April 25
10:00 PM: The Gospel According to André (World Premiere – Special Screening) – From the segregated South to the fashion capitals of the world, The Gospel According to André recounts fashion editor André Leon Talley’s storied life and career through intimate conversations, rich archival, and testimonials from fashion luminaries. Join in a conversation with director Kate Novack and subject André Leon Talley, producer Andrew Rossi, executive producer Roger Ross Williams and producer Josh Braun. Moderated by performer Sandra Bernhard.
Friday, April 27
9:35 PM: The American Meme (World Premiere – Special Screening) – Paris Hilton, the Fat Jew, Kirill Bichutsky, and Brittany Furlan have all used social media to achieve massive internet fame. But, is it worth it? Join in a conversation following the world premiere of the documentary The American Meme with director Bert Marcus, subjects Paris Hilton, Kirill Bichutsky, Brittany Furlan, The Fat Jew and Hailey Baldwin.
Saturday, April 28
2:00 PM: Writing & Showrunning for TV (Tribeca Talks: Master Class) American television writing duo, Robert and Michelle King, will sit down with The Daily Show Executive Producers Steve Bodow and Jennifer Flanz, to discuss what it takes to write and produce a compelling show and the grit required to churn out episodes that feel timely and fresh. The Kings are a Golden Globe Award and Emmy Award-nominated writing team. Their work on their two major hit series The Good Wife and The Good Fight touch on a wide range of issues, from political corruption to cyber-security — making their shows simultaneously gripping and true to life. Bodow and Flanz have collectively won over 20 Primetime Emmy Awards for The Daily Show’s hilariously cutting political satire, garnering remarkable success and notoriety for the show.
9:30 PM: The Fourth Estate (World Premiere, Closing Night) Join the filmmakers and journalists from The New York Times following the closing night film of the Tribeca Film Festival of Showtime’s The Fourth Estate. Oscar-nominated filmmaker Liz Garbus’ new documentary goes inside The New York Times to chronicle the inner workings of journalism and investigative reporting from the front line during the Trump administration’s first history-making year. Join the conversation with The New York Times Executive Editor Dean Baquet, Washington Bureau Chief Elisabeth Bumiller, White House Correspondent Julie Davis, Washington Investigative Correspondent Mark Mazzetti, director Liz Garbus, and producer Jenny Carchman.
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Isabel Coixet’s THE BOOKSHOP to Kick off 2018 Seattle International Film Festival
Isabel Coixet’s The Bookshop will kick off the 44th annual Seattle International Film Festival on Thursday, May 17, 2018. The 2018 Festival runs May 17 through June 10 at venues in Seattle and surrounding cities.
Written and directed by the acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Isabel Coixet (Learning to Drive, Elegy) and based on the bestselling novel by Penelope Fitzgerald, the film stars Emily Mortimer (Mary Poppins Returns, The Newsroom), Bill Nighy (The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Love Actually) and Patricia Clarkson (House of Cards, The Maze Runner). The film played as a Special Gala selection at the 2018 Berlin Film Festival and was the winner of three Goya Awards in Spain, including Best Film, Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The Bookshop is Coixet’s follow-up to the indie hit Learning to Drive and is set in a seaside village in England where a grieving widow (Mortimer) pursues her lifelong dream of opening a bookshop. As she introduces the townsfolk to the world’s best literature and stirs a cultural awakening, her efforts are ruthlessly opposed by a powerful local (Clarkson) causing a reclusive resident (Nighy) to join the fight to keep the bookshop open.
“The raw and delicate relationship between tradition and change comes head to head between the two woman characters,” said SIFF Artistic Director Beth Barrett. “It’s a gem of a film with incredible performances from the lead actresses, and a celebration of women who persist.”
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VR Experience VESTIGE Acquired by Other Set Ahead of World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival
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“Fractured memories within the black abyss.” From Vestige. Photo credit: Aaron Bradbury.[/caption]
VESTIGE, an emotional, complex, virtual reality documentary, that is set to world premiere at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, has been acquired by UK-based VR distributor and sales agent Other Set. The deal marks the second VR acquisition for the company who picked up ZIKR: A SUFI REVIVAL in a historic deal earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival. It is the third-ever sale of a virtual reality experience at a major film festival.
Other Set is Andy Whittaker’s latest venture and is a sales and distribution company, specializing in director-driven VR and immersive content from around the world. Other Set is focused on changing how users engage with crucial stories centered on social impact. Prior to Other Set, Andy founded Dogwoof the UK’s documentary powerhouse.
“VESTIGE allows the viewer to experience the healing that can be discovered on the other side of grief and loss. The experience showcases the unique power of the VR medium to connect audiences to Lisa’s very human story on a visceral, emotional level” said Andy Whittaker, founder Other Set.
Antoine Cayrol, producer of the experience and co-founder of AtlasV, said, “As a newly formed company, we’re working to re-focus VR storytelling towards a sustainable indie film production model. With the support of Other Set and our joint mission to share outstanding content we’re thrilled to be able to dive further into the future of distribution and bring the powerful story that is VESTIGE to a wider audience.”
VESTIGE is a 10 minute room-scale VR creative documentary that uses multi-narrative and volumetric live capture to take the viewer on a journey into the mind of Lisa as she remembers her lost love, Erik. Within an empty void, fragments of past memories appear of their life together. As we navigate the space to explore these moments, new memories are triggered revealing new pathways through the story. Over time the memories become entangled with a haunting vision and eventually lead us to the shocking moment of Erik’s death. Every viewing will reveal a different journey towards this moment, revealing the complex world of memory and grief.
Paul Mowbray, producer of the experience and director of NSC Creative, said, “Our studio has been creating immersive experiences across the globe for 18 years but this is our first room-scale VR piece. VESTIGE is really pushing the limits of what can be done with volumetric capture and multi-narrative storytelling right now. Aaron’s success as a leading VR Creator comes from a deep technical knowledge across multiple disciplines combined with a passion to connect with the audience in a profoundly emotional way.”
VESTIGE is directed by Aaron Bradbury and produced by Paul Mowbray, Antoine Cayrol and Jill Klekas Basmajian. The project was created in collaboration with NSC Creative, AtlasV, RYOT and funded through Kaleidoscope’s platform, and was supported by the French CNC. The film also features original music by Starkey.
The film is set for a Spring 2019 release and will be available for the Rift, Vive and Microsoft VR headsets through streaming platforms, Steam, Oculus, VivePort and Microsoft.
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Seattle International Film Festival to Feature 10 Films from Mainland China in 2018 China Stars Showcase
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People’s Republic of Desire[/caption]
The Seattle International Film Festival continues to feature the diverse artistic visions and cultural richness in Chinese cinema by showcasing 10 feature films from Mainland China in the third China Stars showcase. The 44th Seattle International Film Festival will feature films from five female directors and five first-time directors, with many of the filmmakers scheduled to attend.
The China Star Showcase features a range of films, like SXSW Grand Jury Award Documentary Feature Winner, People’s Republic of Desire, that looks into the universe of online idols that has people replacing their human connections for virtual ones, and director Cathy Yang’s debut feature, Dead Pigs, a comedic picture with quirky characters making their way in Shanghai.
The China Stars Celebration and Awards will be held on Friday, June 8 at the Pan Pacific Hotel, to raise greater awareness of the excellent filmmaking in contemporary Chinese cinema and to promote cross-cultural exchange with all Festival filmmakers.
China Stars films include:
People’s Republic of Desire
Director: Hao Wu | China 2018 | 95 min
Take a fascinating journey inside China’s digital idol-making universe, where individuals morph into improbable online celebrities, captivating millions of viewers and earning hundreds of thousands of dollars by soliciting donations in exchange for virtual connection. Winner of the documentary Grand Jury Prize at the SXSW Film Festival.
Angels Wear White
Director: Vivian Qu | China/France 2017 | 107 min
Writer-director Vivian Qu depicts how China’s corrupt system is stacked against women in this #MeToo potboiler that follows a young woman who witnesses a local official’s assault against two schoolgirls, leading to a complex aftermath of cover-ups and gas-lighting.
Girls Always Happy (North American Premiere)
Director: Mingming Yang | China 2018 | 117 min
In her bitingly funny feature debut, filmmaker Yang Mingming plays a young college graduate stuck living at home with her mother, where parent and child exchange increasingly sarcastic barbs about everything from marriage to money to table manners, without realizing that they are much more alike than they care to admit.
Dead Pigs
Director: Cathy Yan | China/USA 2018 | 130 min
Five Shanghai residents—a haggard pig farmer, a stubborn salon owner, a deceptive busboy, a foreign architect, and a brittle rich girl—find their lives converging amidst the backdrop of a mysterious river of dead swine (a real-life event) in Chinese-American director Cathy Yan’s effervescent cinematic mosaic.
The Taste of Betel Nut (North American Premiere)
Director: Jia Hu | Mainland China/Hong Kong 2017 | 84 min
A polyamorous male couple live a thrillingly free life among the surfers on the tropical coast of Hainan Island until they decide to test the limitations of a restrictive society, and their own sexuality, by becoming romantically entangled with a beautiful young girl.
Wrath of Silence (North American Premiere)
Director: Yukun Xin | China 2017 | 119 min
In this Western-inspired crime thriller set in the Chinese countryside, a laboring family man whose brutal past led to biting his own tongue off in a fight, sets out on a mission of stunningly choreographed violence after his son is kidnapped by a crossbow-wielding, meat-obsessed gangster (Jiang Wu, A Touch of Sin).
Susu (US Premiere)
Director: Yixi Sun | China/United Kingdom 2017 | 106 min
Two Chinese students find themselves in the midst of a chilling gothic tale after they take a weekend job transcribing the archives of a famous Chinese opera star, which sends them to a secluded 16th-century mansion in the British countryside whose strange occupants are hiding gruesome family secrets.
Love Education (North American Premiere)
Director: Sylvia Chang | Mainland China/Taiwan 2017 | 122 min
Taiwanese actress and director Sylvia Chang (Murmur of the Hearts) explores a multi-generational story of love and womanhood in a profound and bittersweet journey that begins when a woman makes a plan to relocate her father’s grave, revealing the romances and betrayals of the past and present.
The Widowed Witch (North American Premiere)
Director: Chengjie Cai | China 2018 | 118 min
A third-time widow who falls on especially hard times is declared cursed, but turns superstition to her advantage by travelling the wintry landscape of rural China and offering supernatural advice, in this modern tale of mysticism told with mordant humor and starkly beautiful cinematography.
The Silk and the Flame (US Premiere)
Director: Jordan Schiele | China/USA 2018 | 100 min
As a teenager, Yao moved from his small village in central China to Beijing, where he embraced life as a gay man. Now approaching middle age, he returns to visit his traditionalist family in this intimate and bittersweet true story told in evocative black and white.
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Hola México Film Festival Unveils 10th Anniversary Film Lineup, to Open with ‘A Ti Te Quería Encontrar’
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Erick Elias and Eréndira Ibarra in A Ti Te Queria Encontrar[/caption]
Hola Mexico Film Festival billed as the largest Mexican film festival outside of Mexico, unveiled the official 10th anniversary film lineup which includes 23 Mexican films. The HOLA Mexico Film Festival presented by DishLATINO takes place June 1 – June 9, 2018 and showcases the best of recent Mexican cinema featuring Latin actors, directors and film production companies.
“As Mexican films continue to break barriers in the US and globally, I am humbled and honored to be celebrating the festivals 10th anniversary this year. The lineup we have put together is beautifully rich and diverse and we are delighted that Los Angeles movie lovers will have the opportunity to experience a bit of Mexican culture and heritage on the big screen,” said Samuel Douek, HOLA Mexico Film Festival presented by DishLATINO Founder & Director.
Films will be available at several theaters in Los Angeles including Regal Cinemas at LA Live: A Barco Innovation Center, Cinépolis, Montalban Theatre, and La Plaza De Cultura y Artes in Downtown Los Angeles.
The 2018 lineup includes:
OPENING NIGHT AT REGAL L.A. LIVE: A BARCO INNOVATION CENTER (JUNE 1, 2018):
A Ti Te Quería Encontrar from Javier Colinas
CLOSING NIGHT SCREENING AND CONCERT AT LA PLAZA DE CULTURA Y ARTES (JUNE 9, 2018):
Sacudete Las Penas from Andres Ibañez Diaz Infante
10TH ANNIVERSARY ROOFTOP SCREENINGS AT MONTELBAN THEATRE ROOFTOP CINEMA CLUB:
Amores Perros from Alejandro G Iñarritu Y Tu Mama Tabien from Alfonso Cuaron Pan’s Labyrinth from Guillermo Del ToroHOLA NIÑOS:
Ana y Bruno from Carlos CarreraDOCUMENTAL:
Rush Hr from Luciana Kaplan Los Ojos Del Mar from José Alvarez Tesoros from María Novaro Truenos De San Juan from Santiago MazaMEXICO AHORA:
Me Gusta Pero Me Asusta from Beto Gómez A Ti Te Queria Encontrar from Javier Colinas Sacudete Las Penas from Andres Ibañez Diaz Infante American Curious from Gabylu Lara Ni Tu Ni Yo from Noé Santillán-López Los Adioses from Natalia Beristain Bruma from Max Zunino Tiempo Compartido from Sebastian Hofman Oso Polar from Marcelo Tobar X500 from Juan Andrés Arango La Gran Promesa from Jorge Ramírez Suárez Fuera de Lugar from Anwar SafaNUEVAS VOCES:
Distancias Cortas from Alejandro Guzmán AlvarezNOCTURNO:
Vuelven from Issa López Mexico Barbaro 2 from Diego Cohen, Christian Cueva, Ricardo Farias, Michelle Garza, Carlos Meléndez, Lex Ortega, Abraham Sánchez, Sergio Tello, and Fernando Urdapilleta
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Michael Moore Names New Traverse City Film Festival Executive Director + Announces 2018 Dates
The Founder & President of the Traverse City Film Festival (TCFF), Michael Moore, has named former Sundance Institute staff member and Michigan native Joseph Beyer as the new Executive Director of the festival. Moore also announced that the upcoming 14th edition of the festival, will take place July 31 to August 5, 2018, along the beautiful shores of Lake Michigan’s Grand Traverse Bay Traverse City, Michigan.
Traverse City Film Festival is one of the most popular events in Michigan, and the 2018 program is expected to bring more than 100,000 admissions from around the world.
On the announcement of his new pick and local partner as Executive Director Moore said, “Joe brings a unique combination of experience, creativity, and passion to this position. We are lucky to have one of the people many of us have admired at the Sundance festival for many years. I’m looking forward to working with Joe as we continue to make Traverse City a premiere destination for people from all over who value outstanding independent films and everything they bring to our lives.”
Beyer has relocated from Los Angeles, where he served the Sundance Institute for more than 14 years, most recently as Director of Digital Initiatives, leading strategy, creative development, and operation of digital content, social media, and special Institute projects including the launch of the #ArtistServices distribution think tank, the Short Film Challenge with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the first-ever collaboration with Kickstarter, which raised millions of dollars for filmmakers and their projects.
In 2016 he joined The Redford Center as Director of Marketing and Distribution and previously worked at Warner Bros. and the MPRM agency in an early career almost exclusively devoted to film festivals and connecting audiences to new work. He was born and raised in West Michigan and spent summers in Leland during his youth. He can name all five Great Lakes.He will report directly to Moore and the festival’s esteemed Board of Directors. He has already begun working with staff veterans Susan Fisher and Meg Weichman, who have been managing the organization since previous executive director Deb Lake’s departure late last year.
On Sunday evening, April 22, Moore will introduce Beyer to the Traverse City community at a special event to raise funds for the State Theatre. In addition to a conversation on stage, Beyer will present a special sneak preview screening of one of the top documentaries from this year’s Sundance Film Festival. On that day, it will be Moore’s birthday so everyone in attendance will get cake.
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2018 Fantasia International Film Festival Reveals First 2 Films [Trailers] + Official Poster
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Caleb Emery, Cory Grüter-Andrew, Judah Lewis and Graham Verchere appear in Summer of ’84 by Francois Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann Whissell[/caption]
The Fantasia International Film Festival returns July 12 to August 1, 2018, to celebrate its 22nd edition; and confirmed the first two features from Quebec filmmakers. Talented Montreal illustrator Donald Caron, who has crafted emblematic imagery for the event since 2011, has designed the whimsical poster for the festival’s 2018 edition.
First up, Fantasia will showcase the Canadian Premiere of RKSS’s acclaimed Sundance smash SUMMER OF ’84 as a gala Opening Weekend event. The sophomore film from the adored Quebec filmmaking trio of François Simard, Anouk Whissell, and Yoann-Karl Whissel, follows up their celebrated 2015 feature debut TURBO KID (itself born out of Frontieres, Fantasia’s International Co-Production Market). , A tense, gripping thriller set in mid-80s suburbia, SUMMER OF ’84 stars Mad Men’s Rich Sommer and stylistically displays an entirely different approach from what RKSS have done to date.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6B46J7fY4PY
“François, Anouk, and Yoann are absolute family to us here,” said Fantasia Co-Director Mitch Davis. “In many ways, they’re a spearhead of a generation for Quebec fantastic filmmakers who grew up at Fantasia and are now stunning the world. We’ve been showing their work since 2008 and we’re thrilled to be presenting SUMMER OF ’84’s Canadian Premiere. We adore everything that it represents, while showing RKSS’ striking versatility as storytellers and marking their first time directing a third party screenplay. They’ve knocked it hard out of the park. There’s nothing they can’t do.”
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MONTREAL DEAD END[/caption]
Fantasia 2018 will also showcase the North American premiere of the omnibus feature MONTREAL DEAD END, hot off a roaring World Premiere in Belgium this past weekend at the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival. Directed by no fewer than 18 emerging filmmakers, including Rémi Fréchette, Eve Dufaud, Jimmy Pettigrew, and Priscillia Piccoli, MONTREAL DEAD END is more than a film – it is the manifesto of a rising generation of filmmakers who loudly and proudly shout their love and their desire to make cutting-edge genre cinema in Quebec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTCyFl0Xlyc
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Ava DuVernay, Kristen Stewart, Denis Villeneuve Among Jury Selected for 71st Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival today unveiled the jury, under the presidency of Cate Blanchett, who will adjudicate the films in competition at the upcoming 71st edition of the Festival taking place May 8 to 19, 2018.The jury includes Australian actress, producer, Cate Blanchett – President, and members: Chinese Actor, Chang Chen; American writer, director, producer, Ava DuVernay; French director, writer, producer, Robert Guédiguian; Burundian songwriter, composer, singer, Khadja Nin; French actress, Léa Seydoux; American actress, Kristen Stewart; Canadian director, writer, Denis Villeneuve; and Russian director, writer, Andrey Zvyagintsev.
The Jury will reveal the winners on Saturday, May 19 during the Closing Ceremony.
2018 Cannes Film Festival Jury
Chang Chen – Chinese Actor Chang Chen made his film debut in the late Edward Yang’s A Brighter Summer Day. He rose to fame in the Ang Lee’s Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon in 2000. His film credits include Wong Kar Wai’s Happy Together (1997), 2046 (2004), The Grandmaster (2013), Hou Hsiao-hsien’s Three Times (2005) and The Assassin (2015), Tian Zhuangzhuang’s The Go Master (2006) John Woo’s Red Cliff (2008-2009), The Last Supper directed by Lu Chuan (2012). In 2017, he returned for Yang Lu’s film Brotherhood of Blades II and recently played in Forever young by Fangfang Li. Ava DuVernay – American Writer, Director, Producer Nominated for the Academy Award and Golden Globe and winner of the BAFTA and EMMY, Ava DuVernay is a writer, director, producer and film distributor known for the historical drama Selma (2014), the criminal justice documentary 13TH (2016) and the recent Disney’s cinematic adaptation of the classic children’s novel A wrinkle in Time. Winner of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival’s Best Director Prize for her film Middle of Nowhere, DuVernay amplifies the work of people of color and women directors through her film collective ARRAY. Robert Guédiguian – French Director, writer, producer The work of Robert Guédiguian, an activist filmmaker, celebrates the city of Marseille where he grew up. Acclaimed by critics when he first started directing in the 80s, he met public success with Marius and Jeannette, which won the Prix Louis-Delluc in 1997. His film credits include Marie-Jo et ses deux amours (2002) Le Promeneur du Champ de Mars (2004), Le Voyage en Arménie (2007), Lady Jane (2008), L’armée du crime (2009), The Snows of Kilimanjaro (2011). His latest film in date, The House by the Sea (2017), received enthusiastic response from critics and audience. Khadja Nin – Burundian Songwriter, composer, singer Youngest of a family of eight Khadja Nin studied music at an early age, before leaving Africa to go to Europe. Her albums are a mix of occidental popmusic, African and afro-cuban rhythms. She gained wide recognition and success with « Sambolera Mayi Son ». “Ya…” (“From me to you”) is a wonderful tribute to Mandela and the video of her song “Mama” was directed by Jeanne Moreau. International Artist, she became a Unicef and ACP Observatory on Migration Good Will Ambassador. She was awarded the Prize “Prix de l’Action Feminine” by the African Women’s League in 2016. She has been committed to support ordinary heroes. Léa Seydoux – French Actress Rising to fame with Christophe Honoré’s The Beautiful Person in 2008, Léa Seydoux is an award-winning actress, notably the Palme d’or for Abdelatif Kechiche’s Blue is the Warmest Colour in 2013. She successfully alternates between author and mainstream films. Her film credits include Rebecca Zlotowski’s Dear Prudence and Grand Central, Benoît Jacquot’s Farewell, My Queen and Diary of a Chambermaid, Bertrand Bonello’s Saint Laurent, Sam Mendes’ Spectre, Yorgos Lanthimos’ The Lobster and Xavier Dolan’s It’s Only the End of the World. Kristen Stewart – American Actress Kristen Stewart has been playing roles since an early age and received widespread recognition in 2008 for The Twilight Saga film series (2008–12). Her film credit includes Snow White and the Huntsman (2012), Equals by Drake Doremus (2015), Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ang Lee (2016), and several Festival de Cannes Selections On the Road by Walter Salles (2012), Clouds of Sils Maria (2014) and Personal Shopper (2016) both by Olivier Assayas (2014) as well as Café Society by Woody Allen. She directed her first short film Come Swim in 2017. Denis Villeneuve – Canadian director, writer Internationally renowned and recently two-time Academy Award winner for Blade Runner 2049, Denis Villeneuve made his debut at the National Film Board of Canada in the early 90’s. His first feature, Un 32 août sur terre (1998) was invited to Cannes. He returned there with Next Floor (2008), Polytechnique (2009) and the Oscar nominated Sicario (2015). In 2010 Incendies was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the Academy Awards. In 2017, Arrival was nominated for 8 Oscars and 9 BAFTAs, including best movie and best director. Andreï Zvyagintsev – Russian Director, writer Multi-award winning filmmaker Andreï Zvyagintsev has already become one of the most respected directors in Russian and international cinema. He directed his first feature film in 2003 The Return which won him a Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. He has continued to write and direct award-winning feature films The Banishment (2007), Elena (2011) and Leviathan (2014). His most recent film Loveless won the Jury Prize at the Festival de Cannes 2017, and was among the nominees at the Golden Globe and 90th Academy Awards.
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2018 Cine Las Americas International Film Festival to Open with EL ÚLTIMO TRAJE (THE LAST SUIT) [ Complete Lineup ]
EL ÚLTIMO TRAJE (THE LAST SUIT) This year’s twenty-first Cine Las Americas International Film Festival (CLAIFF21) will kick off on Wednesday, May 2nd, with the drama/comedy EL ÚLTIMO TRAJE (THE LAST SUIT), directed by Pablo Solarz and starring Miguel Ángel Solá.
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Rooftop Films Announces 2018 Dates for Opening Night and New York Non Fiction Screenings
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Niki Lindroth Von Bahr’s “The Burden”[/caption]
Rooftop Films today announced the dates for Opening Night of the 2018 Summer Series, and their annual New York Non-Fiction program. Both events will feature live music, a short film program, and a complimentary after-party, and will take place outdoors at the newest Rooftop Films venue, The Green-Wood Cemetery.
Founded in 1838, the Cemetery has had a long affiliation with film that goes back to the industry’s earliest days; it is the final resting place for several stars of silent films including William S. Hart and Florence La Badie. Green-Wood is a National Historic Landmark, which spread out across 478 acres of idyllic landscape, and hosts over 200 public programs a year.
Both screenings are part of the Rooftop Films Summer Series, presented by Sundance TV. Now embarking on its 22nd season, the Summer Series is an annual summer-long outdoor film festival that features more than 45 screenings of ground-breaking, new, independent feature-length and short films.
SHOW DETAILS:
Opening Night: This is What We Mean by Short Films
Saturday, May 19, 2018
At Green-Wood Cemetery
For 22 years, Rooftop Films has kicked off the Summer Series with an explosive program of amazing new short films from all over the world–films that express the power of new beginnings, highly entertaining films that tear apart tired old structures and display the creative potential of the cinematic form. This year’s opening program will include Rooftop Filmmakers Fund grantee Niki Lindroth Von Bahr’s award-winning short film, “The Burden,” a darkly comical musical that reminds us that every apocalypse can also be a tempting liberator.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7zhJR1VVD8
New York Non-Fiction
Saturday, June 30, 2018
At Green-Wood Cemetery
500 25th Street. Greenwood, Brooklyn
One of Rooftop’s oldest traditions is our New York Non Fiction program, an annual collection of fantastic new short documentaries made by and about New Yorkers. These films aren’t about celebrities and tabloid scandals—these are the fascinating tales of the people you see every day on the train, at the bodega, in the gym, and at school.
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9 Documentaries Win Peabody Awards, ‘America ReFramed: Deej’ ‘Chasing Coral’ ‘Indivisible’
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America ReFramed: Deej[/caption]
The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors has selected nine winners in the Documentary category for programs released in 2017. The honorees, part of the annual Peabody 30, include stories that give insight to the lingering grief of communities after mass shootings, the impact of climate change on Earth’s oceans, and young activists fighting for a path to citizenship. The Peabody Awards are based at the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia.
Peabody Award winners, including Carol Burnett, recipient of the first-ever Peabody Career Achievement Award presented by Mercedes-Benz, will be celebrated on Saturday, May 19 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York. Hasan Minhaj, comedian, writer and senior correspondent on Comedy Central’s “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah,” will serve as host. The presenting sponsor is Mercedes-Benz, the official automobile of the 77th Annual Peabody Awards Ceremony. Supporting sponsor is The Coca-Cola Co. Variety is the exclusive media partner.
2017 Documentary Winners
America ReFramed: Deej A bold step forward in inclusive filmmaking that allows David James (Deej) Savarese, a nonspeaking young man with autism, to tell his own story, focusing on accomplishment and possibility, not limits and barriers. Chasing Coral This surprisingly emotional film expertly documents, through time-lapse underwater photographs, the effects of climate change on the rapid decimation of the world’s coral reefs, events known as coral bleaching that affected 29 percent of the shallow-water coral in the Great Barrier Reef in 2016 alone. Indivisible An urgent, intimate portrait of heartbreak and determination, disappointment and victory as three young Dreamers navigate confusing immigration policy, bad faith on the part of politicians, and the emotional trauma of family separation. Last Men in Aleppo Masterful storytelling by civilian filmmakers at the heart of the Syrian crisis as they follow the volunteer group the White Helmets, who provide emergency services to traumatized residents in the rebel-occupied areas of the city of Aleppo. Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise A vivid portrait of Maya Angelou, who, while best known as one of America’s leading writers, also blazed a brave and original life as a performer, actress, and activist integral to the civil rights movement and the celebration of African-American experience. Newtown Testimonials from survivors of the deadliest mass shooting of schoolchildren in American history document a traumatized community fractured by grief but driven toward a sense of purpose. Oklahoma City Essential viewing that draws a line from armed standoffs at Ruby Ridge and Waco to the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995, to tell the story of both the worst act of domestic terrorism in U.S. history and the rise of anti-government hatred and white militancy. The Islands and the Whales An exquisitely photographed documentary that explores the inextricable links between oceans poisoned by coal burning power plants and the direct impact they have on people of the remote Faroe Islands in the North Atlantic Ocean, who struggle between maintaining their traditional way of life and the long-term health repercussions of mercury poisoning. TIME: The Kalief Browder Story Powerful miniseries illuminating the greatest flaws of our criminal justice system through the tragic events and death of a young African-American who spent three years on Rikers Island without being convicted of a crime.
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THE CAREGIVER and VILLAGE ROCKSTARS Win Grand Jury Prizes at 2018 Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles [Complete List of Winners]
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Village Rockstars[/caption]
The 16th Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) came to an end on Sunday evening with Rima Das’ Village Rockstars winning the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature. In awarding the Grand Prize, the narrative jury stated: “This film explores gender expectations in a gentle manner. It blends beautiful cinematography with naturalistic performances in a fun and uplifting coming-of age story. Working as a one woman army, this director created an unforgettable portrait of childhood.” Village Rockstars, one of the most lauded Indian films on the festival circuit, also just took home four top awards at the National Film Awards in India, including Best Feature Film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=frFAeVALgE0
A special jury mention was made for Sushama Deshpande’s performance in Ajji. The jury stated: “Taking on difficult characters is always a challenge for an actor. It takes courage to humanize and portray a role that breaks the stereotypes. This actress demonstrated undeniable talent and commitment to deliver an authentic and grounded performance.”
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Short was presented to The Caregiver, directed by Ruthy Pribar. Regarding the Grand Jury Prize for Best Short, the jury awarded, “a film that we loved for its elegant representation of the nuances between compassion and survival, and for its understated yet decisive storytelling.”
A special jury mention was made for Counterfeit Kunkoo, which the jury called “an incredible short film about apartment hunting in Mumbai that not only manages to be well-paced, gripping and bold but also a heart-wrenching perspective into gender inequality in metropolitan India.”
The audiences at this year’s IFFLA chose Take Off directed by Mahesh Narayanan as their favorite narrative feature film of the festival. Lovesick, directed by Priya Giri Desai and Ann S. Kim took the Audience Award for Best Documentary, and An Essay of the Rain directed by Nagraj Manjule was chosen as Best Short.
GRAND JURY AWARDS
Best Feature: Village Rockstars, directed by Rima Das Features Special Mention: Sushama Deshpande’s lead performance in Ajji Best Short Film: The Caregiver, directed by Ruthy Pribar Short Film Special Mention: Counterfeit Kunkoo, directed by Reema SenguptaAUDIENCE CHOICE AWARDS
Best Feature (Narrative): Take Off, directed by Mahesh Narayanan Best Documentary: Lovesick, directed by Priya Giri Desai and Ann S. Kim Best Short: An Essay of the Rain, directed by Nagraj Manjule