HBO is in production on the first project in its multi-film deal with best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Ronan Farrow. Farrow will collaborate with Academy Award nominated directors Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady of Loki Films to investigate threats, intimidation and violence directed at journalists working to expose corruption and abuse by governments, corporations and other powerful interests. The film will follow subjects in the United States and internationally.
Showtime Documentary Films announced upcoming titles from its 2020 slate from preeminent documentarians, including LOVE FRAUD from Rachel Grady and Heidi Ewing, THE TRADE from Matthew Heineman, THE LONGEST WAR from Greg Barker, Alex Gansa and Howard Gordon, KINGDOM OF SILENCE from Alex Gibney, Rick Rowley and Lawrence Wright, and THE KINGMAKER from Lauren Greenfield.
The 2020 Athena Film Festival (AFF) will open on Thursday, February 27, with the New York premiere of “I Am Woman.” The film, directed by Unjoo Moon and written by Emma Jensen, stars Tilda Cobham-Hervey as singer-songwriter Helen Reddy, whose song “I Am Woman” became the anthem for the women’s movement in the 1970s.
The Oscar® qualifying New York International Children’s Film Festival (NYICFF), now in its 23rd year, runs February 21 through March 15, 2020, will present a slate of new animated, live action, and documentary features, alongside 10 short film collections, for audiences of all ages, with a dedicated focus for those aged 3-18. Tickets go on sale January 15 for Members and January 22 for the general public.
Judd Apatow’s The King of Staten Island, starring Pete Davidson will open the 2020 South by Southwest® (SXSW®) Conference and Festivals. In total, SXSW selected 102 features and episodics for the 27th edition of the SXSW Film Festival, running March 13 to 22, 2020 in Austin, Texas.
The 28th annual Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) will open with the film “HERO: Inspired by the Extraordinary Revolutionary Life and Times of Diplomat and Judge Ulric Cross,” directed by Caribbean filmmaker Frances-Anne Solomon.
Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom (Bhutan) directed by Pawo Choyning Dorji and Gay Chorus Deep South (USA), directed by David Charles Rodrigues are the winners of the Audience Awards at the 31st Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF).
Fernanda Valadez’s striking debut feature Identifying Features (Sin señas particulares), is set to have its world premiere in the World Dramatic Competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival taking place January 23 – February 2 in Park City, Utah.
Tapeworm, the feature film debut by Canadian filmmakers Milos Mitrovic and Fabian Velasco will have its US Premiere at the 2020 Slamdance Film Festival.
The Berlinale Short Film Competition of the 2020 Berlin Film Festival celebrates the artistic freedom of the short form with a wide range of topics and narrative styles showcasing 24 films from 18 countries.
Director Spike Lee will serve as President of the Jury at the 73rd edition of Cannes Film Festival, taking place from Tuesday, May 12 to Saturday May 23, 2020. The Official Selection and the composition of the Jury will be revealed in mid-April.
The nominations were announced for the 92nd Oscars® with indie films American Factory, For Sama, and the short film St. Louis Superman, among the films receiving nominations.