Jonas Carpignano’s Mediterranea was voted by the audience, the winner of the NICE City of Florence Award at the New Italian Cinema, presented by the San Francisco Film Society in partnership with the New Italian Cinema Events of Florence, Italy; the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco; and the Consulate General of Italy, San Francisco.
“This is a real honor and I am happy that the film resonated so much with the audience in San Francisco,” said Carpignano. “I’m looking forward to sharing it in Florence. And of course, thanks so much to the San Francisco Film Society for their support of this film throughout its development.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaALVBbde_A
Director/Regia: Jonas Carpignano
Cast: Koudous Seihon, Alassane Sy, Adam Gnene, Vincenzina Siciliano, Ernest Zire, Mary Elisabeth Innocence, Mimma Papasergio, Annalisa Pagano, Joy Odundia, Davide Schipilliti, Zakaria Kbiri, Norina Ventre, Serigne “Chico” Baity Kane, Annalisa Spirli, Francesco Papasergio
Ayiva (Koudous Seihon) left his native Burkina Faso in search of a job that would allow him to provide for the needs of his daughter and sister. Taking advantage of his position in an organization smuggling with immigrants, he finds a way to leave behind the African continent. Ayiva tries to adapt to his new life in Italy, but the tension in the local community continues to grow and things get more dangerous for him. Determined not to give up, he tries to resist, but at a price…
The NICE City of Florence Award was decided by audience ballots from San Francisco screenings of films in competition. The festival also gave special recognition to Matteo Bini and Giorgio Pasotti’s I, Harlequin, to acknowledge the film’s extraordinary audience support and immense cultural value.
This year’s New Italian Cinema opened on November 11 with sold-out screenings of the Taviani brothers’ Wondrous Boccaccio and Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth, and closed on Sunday with Nanni Moretti’s Mia Madre. Notable filmmaker appearances included Matteo Bini, co-director of I, Harlequin (Io, Arlecchino); Marco Pontecorvo, director of Partly Cloudy with Sunny Spells (Tempo instabile con probabili schiarite); and Alessia Scarso, director of Italo (Italo barocco).-
Jonas Carpignano’s Mediterranea is Winner of NICE City of Florence Award at New Italian Cinema
Jonas Carpignano’s Mediterranea was voted by the audience, the winner of the NICE City of Florence Award at the New Italian Cinema, presented by the San Francisco Film Society in partnership with the New Italian Cinema Events of Florence, Italy; the Italian Cultural Institute of San Francisco; and the Consulate General of Italy, San Francisco.
“This is a real honor and I am happy that the film resonated so much with the audience in San Francisco,” said Carpignano. “I’m looking forward to sharing it in Florence. And of course, thanks so much to the San Francisco Film Society for their support of this film throughout its development.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qaALVBbde_A
Director/Regia: Jonas Carpignano
Cast: Koudous Seihon, Alassane Sy, Adam Gnene, Vincenzina Siciliano, Ernest Zire, Mary Elisabeth Innocence, Mimma Papasergio, Annalisa Pagano, Joy Odundia, Davide Schipilliti, Zakaria Kbiri, Norina Ventre, Serigne “Chico” Baity Kane, Annalisa Spirli, Francesco Papasergio
Ayiva (Koudous Seihon) left his native Burkina Faso in search of a job that would allow him to provide for the needs of his daughter and sister. Taking advantage of his position in an organization smuggling with immigrants, he finds a way to leave behind the African continent. Ayiva tries to adapt to his new life in Italy, but the tension in the local community continues to grow and things get more dangerous for him. Determined not to give up, he tries to resist, but at a price…
The NICE City of Florence Award was decided by audience ballots from San Francisco screenings of films in competition. The festival also gave special recognition to Matteo Bini and Giorgio Pasotti’s I, Harlequin, to acknowledge the film’s extraordinary audience support and immense cultural value.
This year’s New Italian Cinema opened on November 11 with sold-out screenings of the Taviani brothers’ Wondrous Boccaccio and Paolo Sorrentino’s Youth, and closed on Sunday with Nanni Moretti’s Mia Madre. Notable filmmaker appearances included Matteo Bini, co-director of I, Harlequin (Io, Arlecchino); Marco Pontecorvo, director of Partly Cloudy with Sunny Spells (Tempo instabile con probabili schiarite); and Alessia Scarso, director of Italo (Italo barocco).
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4 FIlmmakers Win 2015 Lexus Short Films Series at Napa Valley Film Festival
Four filmmakers, Alexis Michalik, Byoung-Gon Moon, Damian Walshe-Howling and Pippa Bianco, are winners of the 2015 Lexus Short Films series, sponsored by Lexus and The Weinstein Company, at the Napa Valley Film Festival.
The four finalists will also receive promotional theatrical distribution for their short films, participate in a tour of top film festivals around the world and receive an at-home filmmaking and editing suite.
The Weinstein Company co-chairman Harvey Weinstein said, “The Lexus Short Films series has been a fantastic partnership to help discover young filmmakers while shining a light on the short film format. This year’s Lexus Short Films series provided an opportunity to reach aspiring filmmakers around the world looking to gain exposure and experience through the chance to work with Lexus and The Weinstein Company. We have been truly impressed by the number and quality of submissions received with more than 4,000 submissions from over 100 countries. We look forward to helping the finalists turn their visions into truly great films.”
Lexus Short Films Season 3 Winners
1. Alexis Michalik (France, Europe)
Alexis is an actor and filmmaker who has starred in several television movies and series, such as Petits meurtres en famille, Terre de lumière and Kaboul Kitchen and feature films directed by Billy Zane, Diane Kurys, Safy Nebou, Yann Samuel, Fernando Colomo, Danièle Thompson and Alexandre Arcady. Alexis is also known for acting successfully in theater in the comedy Le Dindon, staged by Thomas Le Douarec, and Ibsen and Strindberg’s Les Fleurs Gelées. He is the founder of the theater company Los Figaros and after directing two short films, Au Sol, in 2013 and Pim-Poum le petit Panda, in 2014, Alexis continues to pursue his writing career and will direct his first feature film Escort Boys.
2. Byoung-Gon Moon (South Korea, Asia)
Moon is a filmmaker who graduated from Chung-Ang University in Seoul and is known for directing the short film No More Coffee Break, which was selected for the short film competition at the 2008 International College Peace Film Festival. Moon’s short film, Finis Operis, was a part of the short film competition of the critic’s week at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival and in 2013, he directed his short film Safe, which was awarded the Palme d’Or at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.
3. Damian Walshe-Howling (Australia, Oceania)
Damian is an acclaimed actor and filmmaker best known for his latest short film, Suspended, which recently screened in the official competition at international film festivals including St Kilda, Flickerfest, Nashville and Locarno in Switzerland. He is also known for his 2007 debut short film The Bloody Sweet Hit. Damian has a passion for storytelling which has taken him all over the world in pursuit of culturally diverse stories and roles. He received an AFI Award for Best Supporting Actor in 2008 for his performance of Melbourne’s “Most Loved Murderer”, Andrew Benji Veniamin, in the original Underbelly series.
4. Pippa Bianco (United States of America, North America)
Pippa is a filmmaker who studied photography at Yale University and is currently writing and producing at Beyoncè’s Parkwood Entertainment, directing a commission for the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, and a writing credit on the upcoming film Bleed For This. Pippa started her career by working in independent film – assisting on Braden King’s Here (Sundance 2011) and Leslye Headland’s Bachelorette (Sundance 2012). Since then, Pippa’s films have been selected and won awards at numerous festivals including Telluride and SXSW. Pippa was also chosen as one of nine filmmakers for the American Film Institute’s Women’s Directors Program fellowship in 2014, where her short film submission, Share, won the 1st Prize in the Cinéfondation category at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Continuing her success with AFI, she is a Yaddo Filmmaker-in-Residence for the 2015-2016 term.
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“Pardon the Intrusion” “Keep in Touch” “Omo Child: The River and the Bush” Among Winners of 2015 Charleston International Film Festival
Pardon the Intrusion took home the award for Best Film at the 2015 Charleston International Film Festival. Keep in Touch took home the Jury Award for Best Feature, while The Parker Tribe and Omo Child: The River and the Bush (pictured above) won Jury Awards for Best Short and Best Documentary, respectively. Jeff Affrunti was awarded Best Screenplay for Survival of the Fittest.
The festival attendees echoed the jury’s choice for best documentary and recognized Girl on the Edge for Best Feature, If I Could Talk for Best Short, El Alpinista for Best Foreign Film, and Claire & The Keys for Best Animation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KUQqSWh_Nc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWGeOaHbr4w
The special honors of Best Actress and Best Actor went to Sterling Jerins for her role in Before the Bomb and Ben Condron for his performance in Hunter’s Fall.
Charleston IFF also presented a new award this year. The “Outstanding Supporter of the Arts” award—which will live on in perpetuity—was awarded to Mayor Joseph P. Riley for his incredible contributions to establishing and growing the arts scene in Charleston, ongoing support of the Film Festival, and service to the Charleston-area community as a whole. Mayor Riley’s son, Joe Riley III, accepted the award on his behalf.
Summer Peacher, Charleston IFF Co-Founder and Executive Director said, “We’re thrilled with how much the Festival has grown over the past eight years—from the highly competitive film selection process to the continued increase in event attendance. We’re so grateful to everyone who had a role in making this year an incredible success.”
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“I Promise You Anarchy,” “Room,” Ewan McGregor Among Award Winners of 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival
The 2015 Los Cabos International Film Festival presented its award prizes to the winning films of the two Official Selection competitions –México Primero and Competencia Los Cabos– and the ones participating in the Industry platforms –Cabos in Progress and Cabos Discovery. In addition, The Protagonist Award: Excellence in Acting was given to Ewan McGregor.
PARALLEL PRIZES
The Cabos Discovery CTT EXP & Rentals Award was presented to Paulina del Paso for her film A flor de piel (Skin Deep).
The Cabos in Progress Chemistry Award was presented by Chemistry Director Andrés Martínez to Sebastián Hiriart for Carroña (Carrion)
The Cabos in Progress FOX+ Award was presented to the film La habitación (The bedroom) directed by Carlos Carrera, Daniel Giménez Cacho, Carlos Bolado, Ernesto Contreras, Alfonso Pineda Ulloa, Alejandro Valle, Iván Ávila Dueñas and Natalia Beristáin.
In addition, the Producers Network Badge Award was given to Mayra Espinosa, producer of the film Calla (Keep Quiet), presented in the Cabos Discovery platform.
Among the parallel prizes awarded to the Official Selection competing films, the México Primero Art Kingdom Award was presented to Jack Zagha for his film Almacenados (Warehoused).
The México Primero FOX+ Award was given to Alejandra Márquez’ Semana Santa.
INDUSTRY AWARDS
Jessica Sanders’ Picking Cotton received the Cabos Discovery Award.
Ricardo Silva’s El Fracaso received the Cabos in Progress Award.
OFFICIAL SELECTION AWARDS
The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) presented its Best Mexican Film Award to Te prometo anarquía (I Promise You Anarchy), directed by Julio Hernández Cordón. (pictured above)
México Primero – Cinemex Award for the Best Film was presented to Julio Hernández Cordón for Te prometo anarquía (I Promise You Anarchy).
And the Competencia Los Cabos Cinemex Award winner was Lenny Abrahamson’s Room.
The Cinemex Audience Award was also given to Room, by Lenny Abrahamson.
THE 2015 PROTAGONIST AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN ACTING
The 2015 Protagonist Award for Excellence in Acting was given to Ewan McGregor.
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2015 Cork Film Festival Award Winners; TANGERINE Wins Best Film
Tangerine won the prize for best feature film, Gradam Spiorad na Féile / Spirit of the Festival Award at the 60th edition of the Cork Film Festival. Sean Baker’s feature is a twisted, high-energy Christmas tale, which casts an unflinching and comical eye on LA’s sex industry and trans community.
UK / Ukranian documentary The Russian Woodpecker was selected as the winner of the inaugural Gradam na Féile do Scannáin Faisnéise / Award for Cinematic Documentary. Described as an original and terrifying look at the legacy of the Soviet Union, it was directed by Chad Gracia. This new award, which carries a €1,000 prize, was chosen by a jury chaired by Claire Aguilar, Sheffield DocFest’s Director of Programming and Industry Engagement.
Irish short film Love is a Sting is in with a chance of Oscars® glory, after being selected as the Grand Prix Irish short film winner. Vincent Gallagher’s film will go forward to the Academy Awards® longlist in the Live Action Short Film / Animated Short Film category. The Cork Film Festival achieved the status of Academy Award® Qualifying Festival last year.
The film follows struggling writer Harold Finch, played by Séan T. Ó Meallaigh, who has an unexpected house guest in the form of Anabel – a hyper-intelligent mosquito who has literally been the fly on the wall throughout history. She is determined to communicate to Harold even if it kills her.
The Finland/Denmark-made short film Listen, was chosen as the winner of the Grand Prix International and will also go forward to the Oscars ®longlist. Listen takes place in a Copenhagen police station where a woman wearing a burqa is filing a complaint for domestic violence but her translator is unwilling to report her story.
Jonas Carpignano’s acclaimed Mediterranea – a gripping and humanizing film about the refugee crisis – was chosen as the Cork nomination to the European Parliament’s LUX Film Prize.
Romanian feature film Aferim! – Radu Jude’s Berlin Film Festival’s Silver Bear winner – won the Youth Jury Award. Naomi Kawase’s drama An – about a 75 year old Japanese woman who starts work as an assistant in a pastry kiosk – was selected as the winner of the Audience Award.
Complete list of 2015 Cork Film Festival Award Winners
Grand Prix Irish
Love is a Sting (Ireland)
Grand Prix International
Listen (Finland/Denmark)
Cork Short Award
The Great Wide Open (Cork)
Gradam Spiorad na Féile/Spirit of the Festival Award
Tangerine (US)
Gradam na Féile do Scannáin Faisnéise/Award for Cinematic Documentary
The Russian Woodpecker (UK/Ukraine)
European Parliament LUX Film Prize
Mediterranea (US)
Youth Jury Award
Aferim! ( Romania)
Cork Film Festival Nomination for the 2016 European Film Academy
90 Degrees North (Germany)
Audience Award
An – Red Bean Paste (Japan/France/Germany)
Irish Music Video Award
Bob Gallagher for Girl Band’s Paul
International Music Video Award
Eric Teidt for Simon Fagan’s Lost to the Deep
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Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams “SPOTLIGHT” To Receive 2016 American Riviera Award at Santa Barbara International Film Festival
Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo and Rachel McAdams will be honored with the 2016 American Riviera Award at the 31st edition of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival , which runs from February 3 to February 13, 2016. This is the first time the award will be given to three honorees, who will be fêted with a Tribute celebrating their careers, culminating with their powerhouse collaboration in Tom McCarthy’s blisteringly true drama “Spotlight.” The film recently opened to critical acclaim. The Tribute will take place during the festival’s run at the historic Arlington Theatre.
The American Riviera Award was established to recognize actors who have made a significant contribution to American Cinema. Keaton, Ruffalo and McAdams will join a prestigious group of past recipients, including last year’s honorees Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke (2015), Robert Redford (2014), Quentin Tarantino (2013) and Martin Scorsese (2012), Annette Bening (2011), Sandra Bullock (2010), Mickey Rourke (2009), Tommy Lee Jones (2008), Forrest Whitaker (2007), Philip Seymour Hoffman (2006), Kevin Bacon (2005) and Diane Lane (2004).
“Michael, Mark and Rachel are three of the finest actors in the business.” stated Festival Director Roger Durling, “They are artists in the truest sense of the word who continue to surprise and inspire audiences with their talent,” adding, “their recent turn in Spotlight demonstrates their skills both harmoniously as an ensemble and individually, it is an honor to celebrate their work with the American Riviera Award.”
Spotlight tells the astonishing story of the Boston Globe’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “Spotlight” team of investigative journalists, who in 2002 shocked the city and the world by exposing the Catholic Church’s systematic cover-up of widespread pedophilia perpetrated by more than 70 local priests.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgnrwwiIDlI
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Actor/Artist Common is 2016 Celebrity Ambassador of American Black Film Festival
Award-winning actor and artist, Common, has been selected as the 2016 celebrity ambassador of the American Black Film Festival (ABFF). The ABFF will celebrate its 20th year with an exciting lineup of film screenings and an expanded schedule of networking opportunities and events, including “A Conversation with Common.” The highly anticipated festival is the nation’s largest gathering of Black film and television enthusiasts.
Along with his award-winning music career, Common has garnered accolades in film, including his 2015 Academy Award, 2015 Critic’s Choice Award and the 2015 Golden Globe Award for Best Original Song for “Glory” from the film Selma, as well as the 2015 NAACP Image Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. Common has also appeared in American Gangster, Wanted, Terminator Salvation, Date Night, Just Wright, Luv, Now You See Me and Run All Night. He is among Hollywood’s most sought after leading men, and can be seen in the upcoming films, Barbershop 3, John Wick 2 and Suicide Squad. Common initially gained wide public attention as one of hip-hop’s most poetic and respected lyricists. Over his illustrious music career, Common has recorded ten studio albums, which has earned him multiple Grammy Awards.
“I’m very grateful and honored to be the ambassador for the 20th anniversary of the ABFF. The ABFF celebrates and brings together the many different voices in Black film today and I’m proud to be a part of the conversation,”? says Common.
“There is no artist I respect and admire more than Common. He is immensely talented and has proven that an artist today can achieve the highest level of commercial success without compromising his conscience and responsibility to community. Our organization could not be more pleased to have him join us for the festival’s monumental year,” says ABFF Founder Jeff Friday.
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Saoirse Ronan ‘BROOKLYN’ to Receive International Star Award at Palm Springs International Film Festival
The 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Saoirse Ronan with the International Star Award at the upcoming Festival running January 1 to 11, 2016.
“From her unforgettable roles in Atonement, The Lovely Bones, Hanna and The Grand Budapest Hotel, we have seen Saoirse Ronan grow from a young girl to the accomplished actress she is today,” said Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “In John Crowley’s new film Brooklyn, Ronan gives a mesmerizing performance as a young woman from Ireland who is offered the chance of a new life in New York. In this role, Ronan embodies the grace and depth of a classic Hollywood screen star. The Palm Springs International Film Festival is honored to present the 2016 International Star Award to Saoirse Ronan.”
Past International Star Award honorees include BAFTA and Academy Award winning actors Javier Bardem and Helen Mirren.
Brooklyn tells the profoundly moving story of Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan), a young Irish immigrant navigating her way through 1950s Brooklyn. Lured by the promise of America, Eilis departs Ireland and the comfort of her mother’s home for the shores of New York City. The initial shackles of homesickness quickly diminish as a fresh romance sweeps Eilis into the intoxicating charm of love. But soon, her new vivacity is disrupted by her past, and she must choose between two countries and the lives that exist within. The film is directed by John Crowley from a screenplay by Nick Hornby based on the novel by Colm Tóibín and stars Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson and Emory Cohen, with Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ekxPFTZm1Y
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Actors Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Carlyle to be Honored at 2015 Whistler Film Festival
Actors Kiefer Sutherland and Robert Carlyle will be honored at the upcoming 15th anniversary 2015 Whistler Film Festival taking place December 2 to 6, 2015.
British-born Canadian actor, film producer, and film director Kiefer Sutherland will be honored with the WFF 2015 Trailblazer in Acting Award presented to an actor who “has carved a unique and inspiring path for themselves in film and who continues to engage audiences with meaningful and impactful work,” followed by the Western Canadian Premiere of his latest film FORSAKEN. Sutherland joins forces with ‘24’ director Jon Cassar on FORSAKEN starring opposite his father Donald Sutherland and Demi Moore, receiving its Western Canadian premiere at the fest and set to release in February 2016.
Scottish born Robert Carlyle will be honored with the WFF 2015 Maverick Award. WFF will celebrate the “exciting and versatile actor whose bold choices have led to the creation of some of the most dynamic, memorable, and beloved characters of our time.” The Whistler Film Festival will screen his feature film directorial debut THE LEGEND OF BARNEY THOMSON, which is receiving its North American premiere at the festival.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RG1i5T1XU-Q
Other notable talent confirmed with films premiering at the fest include: actor Rossif Sutherland (RIVER), actors Bruce Greenwood and David Cubitt (REHEARSAL), actors Katharine Isabelle, Tommie-Amber Pirie and Ennis Esmer (HOW TO PLAN AN ORGY IN A SMALL TOWN), director/writer Sandy Wilson and producer Peter O’Brian (MY AMERICAN COUSIN), actors Aleks Paunovic, Stefanie von Pfetten, Marie Avgeropoulos, and Colin Cunningham (NUMB), actor Fred Ewanuick (PATTERSON’S WAGER), actor Sage Brocklebank (SUSPENSION), actors Gabrielle Rose and Camille Sullivan (THE BIRDWATCHER), actors Enrico Colantoni and Krista Bridges (THE COLOSSAL FAILURE OF THE MODERN RELATIONSHIP), actor Paul Savoie (THE DIARY OF AN OLD MAN), director and founder of the Toronto Film Critics Association Brian D. Johnson (AL PURDY WAS HERE), and award-winning directors Philippe Lesage (THE DEMONS) and Ricardo Trogi (THE MIRAGE).
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LAND AND SHADE, JAMES WHITE, MA, MUSTANG Among Winning Films at AFI FEST 2015
AFI FEST 2015 revealed the feature and short films receiving the Jury and Audience Awards. The New Auteurs Grand Jury Award was presented to LAND AND SHADE (pictured above), while DISORDER received a Special Jury Mention for Direction, and DESDE ALLÁ received a Special Jury Mention for Screenplay. This year’s Audience Award recipients in the New Auteurs, World Cinema and Breakthrough sections included MUSTANG, JAMES WHITE and MA.
The complete list of award winners of AFI FEST 2015
NEW AUTEURS AWARDS
New Auteurs Grand Jury Award: LAND AND SHADE (DIR César Augusto Acevedo)
Jury Statement: “For its visual eloquence, formal rigor and emotional power, the New Auteurs Grand Jury Award goes to LAND AND SHADE. Its observations of economic exploitation and environmental degradation are as incisive as its characters are fully realized. Writer/director César Augusto Acevedo’s debut feature is an indelible portrait of a family in rural Colombia, told with unwavering compassion and Bressonian grace.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UG3citOqODI
Special Jury Mention for Direction: DISORDER (DIR Alice Winocour)
Jury Statement: “For the taut and muscular direction of her viscerally entertaining thriller DISORDER, the jury recognizes writer/director Alice Winocour with a Special Jury Mention. Through precise execution of her material, Winocour subverts expectations commonly associated with genre films to deliver a bracing experience that stuns and surprises.”
Special Jury Mention for Screenplay: DESDE ALLÁ (DIR/SCR Lorenzo Vigas)
Jury Statement: “A tense, sensitive and unpredictable exploration of an improbable but emotionally believable relationship, the screenplay for DESDE ALLÁ merits a Special Jury Mention for its heartbreaking characters and its keen insights into the prejudices, alienation, social divides and desperate need for control that allow love to both bloom and wither.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGxY3tu9mDg
GRAND JURY AWARDS, LIVE ACTION AND ANIMATED SHORT
Grand Jury winners in the Shorts categories are eligible for Academy Award® consideration.
Grand Jury Award for Live Action Short: BOYS (DIR Isabella Carbonell)
Jury Statement: “This film tackles the abominable with courage, confidence and dignity. It shows us humanity in the places where we would least expect to find it.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woFhYCviwBw
Grand Jury Award for Animated Short: WORLD OF TOMORROW (DIR Don Hertzfeldt)
Jury Statement: “Funny. Scary. Heartbreaking. Original. And beautiful. This film hit us all hard.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdV1uFwtCpo
Live Action Short Special Mention for Innovative Storytelling: RATE ME (DIR Fyzal Boulifa)
Jury Statement: “This film pushes the boundaries not only of filmmaking technique but also social convention.”
Live Action Short Special Mention for Nonfiction Filmmaking: The Reagan Shorts — RONALD REAGAN LIGHTS THE LIGHTS, RONALD REAGAN PARDONS A TURKEY, MARYLAND PUBLIC TELEVISION INTERVIEWS THE REAGANS (DIR Pacho Velez)
Jury Statement: “By selecting and editing these gems from years worth of archival footage, these shorts shine a light on the marriage of politics and performance.”
Animated Short Special Jury Mention for Screenwriting: TEETH (DIRS Tom Brown, Daniel Gray)
Jury Statement: “This film has many merits, but we were struck most by its sharp wit, character and spirit.”
Animated Short Special Jury Mention for Creative Vision: MANOMAN (DIR Simon Cartwright)
Jury Statement: “This film creates a world unlike any we’ve seen before. It was a privilege to have been invited in.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LTcRhCejC-4
AUDIENCE AWARDS
World Cinema Audience Award: LANDFILL HARMONIC (DIRS Brad Allgood, Graham Townsley, Juliana Penaranda-Loftus)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCjbd21fYV8
New Auteurs Audience Award: MUSTANG (DIR Deniz Gamze Ergüven)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU9JAN8LtIk
American Independents Audience Award: JAMES WHITE (DIR Josh Mond)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1aVC6LJ3uc
Breakthrough Audience Award: MA (DIR Celia Rowlson-Hall)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pl6DrZCxid4
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CENSORED VOICES Wins Inaugural Bob Simon Award at the Other Israel Film Festival
Censored Voices is the winner of the inaugural Bob Simon Award at the 9th Annual Other Israel Film Festival. The award honors the legendary journalist’s intrepid reporting on Israel and the Middle East, and presented to the film that best captures Simon’s courageous spirit.
Already a winner of the Ophir Award, Israel’s equivalent of the Academy Awards, for Best Documentary, Censored Voices presents, for the first time ever, the uncensored recordings of intimate conversations between Israeli soldiers and renowned author Amos Oz immediately following the 1967 Six Day War in which Israel captured Jerusalem, Gaza and the West Bank. The film will be released theatrically via Music Box Films on November 20.
Journalist Bob Simon was a long-time friend and supporter of the Festival. The award was created to honor his spirit and legacy of ethical reporting.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oB8EFlf4-M
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SOUND OF REDEMPTION: THE FRANK MORGAN STORY About Sax Player Frank Morgan Sets December Release Date | TRAILER
SOUND OF REDEMPTION: THE FRANK MORGAN STORY, a feature documentary about gifted alto sax player and Charlie Parker’s protégé, Frank Morgan, will open in New York at The IFC Center on December 2nd, and in Los Angeles at Laemmle on December 18th.
Directed by N.C. Heikin, SOUND OF REDEMPTION: THE FRANK MORGAN STORY is packed with music.
Morgan fell hard into heroin and got to be almost as good a conman and thief as he was a musician in order to feed his habit. The habit cost him 30 years of his life in and out of prison, most of it at San Quentin, where he performed in a big band with fellow junkie jazz musicians that grew famous in the Bay Area. To bring the past into present, director NC Heikin and writer Michael Connelly (THE LINCOLN LAWYER) brought an all-star band together into the “Q” for a concert. This hyper-emotional event forms the backbone of this riveting film.
Filmmaker NC Heikin began her career at La Mama Experimental Theatre Club in New York and went on to work on and off Broadway as an actress, singer and director. She has written screenplays for Disney and Paramount as well as French TV networks. In 2004, she made her directing debut with her prize-winning short, mañana. Her first documentary, Kimjongilia, about North Korean refugees, premiered at Sundance, won the One World Brussels Best Film 2010, and has been seen all over the world. Heikin’s stage play, LATE, is in casting for a premiere in Paris next season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRRITxoJtQk