Geena Davis’s BFFoundation (BFF) announced the dates for the 2021 Bentonville Film Festival and have officially opened submissions. The festival that amplifies the voices of diverse storytellers will take place on August 3-8, 2021 in Bentonville, Arkansas.
Searchlight Pictures released the first teaser trailer for the Sundance award winning documentary Summer of Soul (…Or, When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised) directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson. In his acclaimed debut as a filmmaker, Questlove presents a powerful documentary on the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival.
Nomadland won best picture at the 93rd Academy Awards, along with best director for China-born Chloe Zhao – making her second woman and the first woman of color to win best director; and best actress went to Frances McDormand. This is the third win for McDormand, previously a winner for Fargo and Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri.
Lionsgate dropped the new official trailer for the dark psychological thriller Siberia directed by Abel Ferrara (Bad Lieutenant) and starring Willem Defoe in his sixth collaboration with Ferrara. The film also stars Ferrara’s wife – Cristina Chiriac and Ferrara’s daughter – Anna Chiria, along with Dounia Sichov and Simon McBurney.
Warped Dimension, the live streamed online film festival, returns for its second edition from May 7th through May 9th, 2021, showcasing Independent films from the genres of Science Fiction, Fantasy, Action/Adventure, Horror, Thriller/Suspense, Warped Comedy, Animation, Slasher/Splatter, and Art/Experimental–as well as Music Videos and Documentaries with related content. 6Features and 39Short Films will be streamed over the three days of the fest.
Dark Star Pictures released the official trailer for the horror film sequel Dementia Part II, lensed in black and white by directors Matt Mercer and Mike Testin; and starring Matt Mercer, Graham Skipper, Najarra Townsend, and Suzanne Voss.
Sony Pictures Classics acquired Pedro Almodóvar’s latest film Parallel Mothers (Madres paralelas) starring Penélope Cruz, Aitana Sánchez Gijón, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Julieta Serrano and Rossy de Palma. Shooting began last month in Madrid.
The immersive, new eight-part music docuseries “1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything,” exploring the musicians and soundtracks that shaped the culture and politics of 1971 will premiere May 21 on Apple TV+.
Focus Features will release the new documentary Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain from filmmaker Morgan Neville in theaters on Friday, July 16, 2021. The film will have its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on Friday, June 11, 2021.
The Independent Film Festival Boston (IFFBoston) announced the full lineup of films that will screen at the 2021 festival set to take place virtually online from May 6th – May 16, 2021. “Summer of Soul” directed by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson will open the festival on Thursday May 6th and “How It Ends” directed by Zoe Lister-Jones and Darryl Wein will close the festival on Sunday, May 16th.
Indie films Nomadland, Sound of Metal, Promising Young Woman, Crip Camp, Minari, Palm Springs, Quo Vadis, Aida?, and Residue won awards at the 36th Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Sheffield DocFest 2021 will open with the European premiere of Summer of Soul (…Or When The Revolution Could Not Be Televised), by Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson, and close with the world premiere of The Story of Looking, the latest film by Mark Cousins.