Ask any independent producer and they’ll tell you: making movies is a piece of cake. Scouring the Earth for viable, quality material? Wrangling, gracefully, volatile talent egos? Raising stupid amounts of capital and wearily securing every stray element of physical production? Delegating responsibility, absorbing crew complaints and mallet-flattening nonstop whack-a-mole near-disasters? Shrewdly navigating distribution in a broken marketplace and finally—if you’re very lucky!—appropriately proportioning revenue shares under perpetual threat of litigation for the duration of your fleeting mortal existence? Like we said. Easy.
Just kidding. This is some of the hardest goddamn shit you’ll ever try to do. But for 30 years Film Independent has been doing all it can to support filmmakers across every discipline and career level. In theory, of course, producers are everyone else’s best resource—the adult in the room solving problems and providing steady leadership. But who watches the watchmen produces the producers?...
Just kidding. This is some of the hardest goddamn shit you’ll ever try to do. But for 30 years Film Independent has been doing all it can to support filmmakers across every discipline and career level. In theory, of course, producers are everyone else’s best resource—the adult in the room solving problems and providing steady leadership. But who watches the watchmen produces the producers?...
- 3/20/2024
- by Matt Warren
- Film Independent News & More
Catering directly to my interests, the Criterion Channel’s January lineup boasts two of my favorite things: James Gray and cats. In the former case it’s his first five features (itself a terrible reminder he only released five movies in 20 years); the latter shows felines the respect they deserve, from Kuroneko to The Long Goodbye, Tourneur’s Cat People and Mick Garris’ Sleepwalkers. Meanwhile, Ava Gardner, Bertrand Tavernier, Isabel Sandoval, Ken Russell, Juleen Compton, George Harrison’s HandMade Films, and the Sundance Film Festival get retrospectives.
Restorations of Soviet sci-fi trip Ikarie Xb 1, The Unknown, and The Music of Regret stream, as does the recent Plan 75. January’s Criterion Editions are Inside Llewyn Davis, Farewell Amor, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and (most intriguingly) the long-out-of-print The Man Who Fell to Earth, Blu-rays of which go for hundreds of dollars.
See the lineup below and learn more here.
Back By Popular Demand
The Graduate,...
Restorations of Soviet sci-fi trip Ikarie Xb 1, The Unknown, and The Music of Regret stream, as does the recent Plan 75. January’s Criterion Editions are Inside Llewyn Davis, Farewell Amor, The Incredible Shrinking Man, and (most intriguingly) the long-out-of-print The Man Who Fell to Earth, Blu-rays of which go for hundreds of dollars.
See the lineup below and learn more here.
Back By Popular Demand
The Graduate,...
- 12/12/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
Ketchup Entertainment announced today that they have acquired North American rights to the critically-acclaimed and award-winning Memory, written and directed by the internationally acclaimed filmmaker Michel Franco. The film stars Academy Award ® winner Jessica Chastain, Peter Sarsgaard, Brooke Timber, Merritt Wever, Elsie Fisher, Jessica Harper and Josh Charles. It premiered in Competition at the 80th Venice Film Festival earning an eight-minute standing ovation, with Sarsgaard going on to receive the Volpi Cup for Best Actor from the Jury. It also screened to great acclaim at the Toronto International Film Festival. The film is screening at AFI this Saturday, October 28th with Franco and Sarsgaard in attendance and will open theatrically this December.
Memory follows Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) a social worker who leads a simple and structured life until Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they...
Memory follows Sylvia (Jessica Chastain) a social worker who leads a simple and structured life until Saul (Peter Sarsgaard) follows her home from their high school reunion. Their surprise encounter will profoundly impact both of them as they...
- 10/30/2023
- by Kristyn Clarke
- Age of the Nerd
Sundance Institute on Thursday announced the eight participants selected for the fifth annual Momentum Fellowship, a program at the nonprofit designed to support and provide coaching to mid-career artists with a focus on career development.
Created to support storytellers from historically marginalized communities who have recently achieved a noteworthy accomplishment, such as a regarded feature film or series, Momentum provides fellows with a full-year program of deep, customized support around the goals they have identified for themselves to level up in their craft and career. The fellowship is a program of Women at Sundance with support from Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
The Momentum Fellowship includes an unrestricted artist grant; professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, supported by The Harnisch Foundation; connection to Elevate, Sundance’s professional development initiative; and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff. Additionally, as part of an ongoing partnership with Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team,...
Created to support storytellers from historically marginalized communities who have recently achieved a noteworthy accomplishment, such as a regarded feature film or series, Momentum provides fellows with a full-year program of deep, customized support around the goals they have identified for themselves to level up in their craft and career. The fellowship is a program of Women at Sundance with support from Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
The Momentum Fellowship includes an unrestricted artist grant; professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, supported by The Harnisch Foundation; connection to Elevate, Sundance’s professional development initiative; and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff. Additionally, as part of an ongoing partnership with Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team,...
- 3/2/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
First look at the feature, directed by Chris Andrews, revealed.
Bafta-winner Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott have been revealed as the stars of Bring Them Down, which is in the final stages of filming in Ireland for Mubi Production.
Paul Mescal and Tom Burke were previously attached to the project, which marks the feature debut of writer/director Chris Andrews, a Screen Star of Tomorrow in 2019. A first look at the film can be seen above.
The film also stars Colm Meaney, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready and Susan Lynch.
Abbott plays Michael, the last son of a shepherding family who lives with his ailing father,...
Bafta-winner Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott have been revealed as the stars of Bring Them Down, which is in the final stages of filming in Ireland for Mubi Production.
Paul Mescal and Tom Burke were previously attached to the project, which marks the feature debut of writer/director Chris Andrews, a Screen Star of Tomorrow in 2019. A first look at the film can be seen above.
The film also stars Colm Meaney, Nora-Jane Noone, Paul Ready and Susan Lynch.
Abbott plays Michael, the last son of a shepherding family who lives with his ailing father,...
- 2/23/2023
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Mubi has revealed the first look of “Bring Them Down,” starring Golden Globe nominee Christopher Abbott (“Catch-22”) and BAFTA winner and Oscar nominee Barry Keoghan (“The Banshees of Inisherin”).
The casting of Abbott and Keoghan replaces the previously announced cast of Tom Burke and Paul Mescal.
Principal photography is in its final stages in Ireland on the production, which is the feature directorial debut of Chris Andrews, following his award-winning short films “Stalker” (2019) and “Fire” (2015).
The film also stars Colm Meaney (“Gangs of London”), Nora-Jane Noone (“Wildfire”) Paul Ready (“Motherland”), and Susan Lynch (“Happy Valley”).
It follows Michael (Abbott), the last son of a shepherding family who lives with his ailing father, Ray (Meaney). Burdened by a terrible secret, Michael has isolated himself from the world. When a conflict with rival farmer Gary (Ready) and his son Jack (Keoghan) escalates, Michael is drawn into a devastating chain of events, forcing...
The casting of Abbott and Keoghan replaces the previously announced cast of Tom Burke and Paul Mescal.
Principal photography is in its final stages in Ireland on the production, which is the feature directorial debut of Chris Andrews, following his award-winning short films “Stalker” (2019) and “Fire” (2015).
The film also stars Colm Meaney (“Gangs of London”), Nora-Jane Noone (“Wildfire”) Paul Ready (“Motherland”), and Susan Lynch (“Happy Valley”).
It follows Michael (Abbott), the last son of a shepherding family who lives with his ailing father, Ray (Meaney). Burdened by a terrible secret, Michael has isolated himself from the world. When a conflict with rival farmer Gary (Ready) and his son Jack (Keoghan) escalates, Michael is drawn into a devastating chain of events, forcing...
- 2/23/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Mubi has recently wrapped production on Zia Anger’s feature film debut, My First Film, starring Odessa Young and Devon Ross.
The film is an adaptation of Anger’s critically acclaimed live cinema performance piece of the same name.
Related Story Park Chan-wook On How A Language Barrier Became "Central Element" Of His Film – Contenders L.A. Related Story Mubi Founder Efe Çakarel Talks Strategy Behind 'Decision To Leave' Acquisition – Toronto Industry Talk Related Story Canadian Director Patricia Rozema's Early Films Enjoy Revival As Kino Lorber, Mubi Take Rights To 4K Restorations
The movie is a deeply personal examination of cinema, body, truth and storytelling, centering on a young filmmaker (Odessa Young) as she recounts the story of struggling to make her first feature. Fact bleeds into fiction, and the past, present, and future converge to create a modern myth that redefines and expands the very act of creation.
The film is an adaptation of Anger’s critically acclaimed live cinema performance piece of the same name.
Related Story Park Chan-wook On How A Language Barrier Became "Central Element" Of His Film – Contenders L.A. Related Story Mubi Founder Efe Çakarel Talks Strategy Behind 'Decision To Leave' Acquisition – Toronto Industry Talk Related Story Canadian Director Patricia Rozema's Early Films Enjoy Revival As Kino Lorber, Mubi Take Rights To 4K Restorations
The movie is a deeply personal examination of cinema, body, truth and storytelling, centering on a young filmmaker (Odessa Young) as she recounts the story of struggling to make her first feature. Fact bleeds into fiction, and the past, present, and future converge to create a modern myth that redefines and expands the very act of creation.
- 11/21/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
There’s one particular star whose career Brandon Perea says he’d love to emulate.
“I’m just a massive fan of her work for one, and the projects that she’s doing,” says the actor, who turned heads in Netflix’s The Oa, but really captured attention earlier this year as the bleached-haired tech salesman and UFO enthusiast Angel Torres in Jordan Peele’s sci-fi horror, Nope, his first major film role. “So to be able to mirror that in the slightest sense would be incredible.”
Thankfully for the 27-year-old, he’s already about to mirror one early element of Florence Pugh’s career.
Alongside perhaps Tom Holland and Letitia Wright (all three, coincidentally, now major elements in the MCU), Pugh — prior to her dramatic ascent — was a graduate of BAFTA’s Breakthrough program, the initiative set up by the British Academy...
There’s one particular star whose career Brandon Perea says he’d love to emulate.
“I’m just a massive fan of her work for one, and the projects that she’s doing,” says the actor, who turned heads in Netflix’s The Oa, but really captured attention earlier this year as the bleached-haired tech salesman and UFO enthusiast Angel Torres in Jordan Peele’s sci-fi horror, Nope, his first major film role. “So to be able to mirror that in the slightest sense would be incredible.”
Thankfully for the 27-year-old, he’s already about to mirror one early element of Florence Pugh’s career.
Alongside perhaps Tom Holland and Letitia Wright (all three, coincidentally, now major elements in the MCU), Pugh — prior to her dramatic ascent — was a graduate of BAFTA’s Breakthrough program, the initiative set up by the British Academy...
- 11/17/2022
- by Alex Ritman
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Archive
Netflix will be the first streamer in the world to have its series and films preserved in the British Film Institute (BFI) National Archive collection. Over the next five years, hundreds of Netflix U.K. productions deemed to be culturally significant and selected by BFI curators will be preserved in the BFI National Archive’s digital preservation infrastructure as part of the U.K.’s national collection of film, television and the moving image.
The first year of the partnership will include 146 hours of programming, across 26 titles including “Bridgerton,” “Top Boy,” “The Dig” and “Heartstopper.”
Anna Mallett, Netflix VP, production – Emea, U.K. and Apac, said: “This is a historic moment for us as Netflix becomes the first streamer to have its productions included in a national collection. Our mission has always been to bring joy to our members, and I’m delighted that our productions are representative of British...
Netflix will be the first streamer in the world to have its series and films preserved in the British Film Institute (BFI) National Archive collection. Over the next five years, hundreds of Netflix U.K. productions deemed to be culturally significant and selected by BFI curators will be preserved in the BFI National Archive’s digital preservation infrastructure as part of the U.K.’s national collection of film, television and the moving image.
The first year of the partnership will include 146 hours of programming, across 26 titles including “Bridgerton,” “Top Boy,” “The Dig” and “Heartstopper.”
Anna Mallett, Netflix VP, production – Emea, U.K. and Apac, said: “This is a historic moment for us as Netflix becomes the first streamer to have its productions included in a national collection. Our mission has always been to bring joy to our members, and I’m delighted that our productions are representative of British...
- 10/31/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix Shows To Be Preserved In BFI Archive
Netflix has become the first streamer to have its TV shows and films preserved in the BFI national archive collection. The likes of Bridgerton, Heartstopper an The Dig will be digitally preserved and shown to people for generations to come. A number of broadcasters and studios already have their projects preserved in the archive. The move comes as Netflix celebrates its 10th anniversary in the UK. Creative Industries Minister Julia Lopez visited the archive lsat week and praised how Netflix is “beginning to work with the BFI to protect content being made for digital channels.” Anna Mallett, Netflix Vice President, Production, Emea, UK and Apac, called the moment “historical.”
Channel 4 Indie Freedom Scripted To Adapt Lucy Holden Memoir
Channel 4-backed production company Freedom Scripted is adapting Lucy Holden’s memoir Lucid into a TV series. The Glasgow company, which recently became...
Netflix has become the first streamer to have its TV shows and films preserved in the BFI national archive collection. The likes of Bridgerton, Heartstopper an The Dig will be digitally preserved and shown to people for generations to come. A number of broadcasters and studios already have their projects preserved in the archive. The move comes as Netflix celebrates its 10th anniversary in the UK. Creative Industries Minister Julia Lopez visited the archive lsat week and praised how Netflix is “beginning to work with the BFI to protect content being made for digital channels.” Anna Mallett, Netflix Vice President, Production, Emea, UK and Apac, called the moment “historical.”
Channel 4 Indie Freedom Scripted To Adapt Lucy Holden Memoir
Channel 4-backed production company Freedom Scripted is adapting Lucy Holden’s memoir Lucid into a TV series. The Glasgow company, which recently became...
- 10/31/2022
- by Max Goldbart, Zac Ntim and Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
In June 2019, the gender-parity industry coalition ReFrame unveiled Rise, its two-year program to support the continuation of mid-level female directors’ careers. After a slight pandemic-affected delay, ReFrame Rise has now returned with its second cohort, which expands to include cinematographers.
Each woman will be matched with a career coach and a team of industry professionals to sponsor them (a relationship that involves a more committed level of participation than mentorship).
“We have learned firsthand the value of the sponsorship opportunity for women artists and look forward to supporting this next group as they level up and find sustainability in their careers,” Sundance Institute founding senior director of Artist Programs and ReFrame Leadership Council member Michelle Satter said in a statement. (ReFrame is a collaboration between the institute and Women in Film.)
“The numbers of women cinematographers hired on our industry’s largest projects...
In June 2019, the gender-parity industry coalition ReFrame unveiled Rise, its two-year program to support the continuation of mid-level female directors’ careers. After a slight pandemic-affected delay, ReFrame Rise has now returned with its second cohort, which expands to include cinematographers.
Each woman will be matched with a career coach and a team of industry professionals to sponsor them (a relationship that involves a more committed level of participation than mentorship).
“We have learned firsthand the value of the sponsorship opportunity for women artists and look forward to supporting this next group as they level up and find sustainability in their careers,” Sundance Institute founding senior director of Artist Programs and ReFrame Leadership Council member Michelle Satter said in a statement. (ReFrame is a collaboration between the institute and Women in Film.)
“The numbers of women cinematographers hired on our industry’s largest projects...
- 7/26/2022
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
First published June 18th, 2022, on Substack and Patreon.
Don’t spend hours scrolling the menus at Netflix, Prime Video, and other movie services. I point you to the best new films and hidden gems to stream.
Movies included here may be available on services other than those mentioned, and in other regions, too. JustWatch and Reelgood are great for finding which films are on what streamers; you can customize each site so that it shows you only those services you have access to.
When you rent or purchase a film through the Prime Video and Apple links here, I get a small affiliate fee that helps support my work. Please use them if you can! (Affiliate fees do not increase your cost.)
both sides of the pond
Pride Month continues! A wonderful way to commemorate the not-yet-completed, very-much-ongoing battle for dignity and respect for all the downtrodden, oppressed, and marginalized...
Don’t spend hours scrolling the menus at Netflix, Prime Video, and other movie services. I point you to the best new films and hidden gems to stream.
Movies included here may be available on services other than those mentioned, and in other regions, too. JustWatch and Reelgood are great for finding which films are on what streamers; you can customize each site so that it shows you only those services you have access to.
When you rent or purchase a film through the Prime Video and Apple links here, I get a small affiliate fee that helps support my work. Please use them if you can! (Affiliate fees do not increase your cost.)
both sides of the pond
Pride Month continues! A wonderful way to commemorate the not-yet-completed, very-much-ongoing battle for dignity and respect for all the downtrodden, oppressed, and marginalized...
- 7/17/2022
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
New Release Wall
“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” (Lionsgate) could very easily have been a one-joke movie, but Nicolas Cage playing a less successful and more venal version of himself is just the launching point for a clever and engaging film about fame, the movies and male bonding. When “Cage” accepts a gig to appear at the birthday of a nefarious Spanish billionaire (a hilarious Pedro Pascal), it’s one surprise after another both for our hero and for the audience.
Also available:
“Ambulance” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment): Michael Bay puts the robots away for this heart-thumping caper starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
“The Bad Guys” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment): Animated anthropomorphic villains seek some redemption in this Dreamworks comedy.
“The Contractor” (Paramount Home Entertainment): Chris Pine stars as a desperate veteran who gets tied up with an underground paramilitary force.
“Eraser: Reborn” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment...
“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent” (Lionsgate) could very easily have been a one-joke movie, but Nicolas Cage playing a less successful and more venal version of himself is just the launching point for a clever and engaging film about fame, the movies and male bonding. When “Cage” accepts a gig to appear at the birthday of a nefarious Spanish billionaire (a hilarious Pedro Pascal), it’s one surprise after another both for our hero and for the audience.
Also available:
“Ambulance” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment): Michael Bay puts the robots away for this heart-thumping caper starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
“The Bad Guys” (Universal Pictures Home Entertainment): Animated anthropomorphic villains seek some redemption in this Dreamworks comedy.
“The Contractor” (Paramount Home Entertainment): Chris Pine stars as a desperate veteran who gets tied up with an underground paramilitary force.
“Eraser: Reborn” (Warner Bros. Home Entertainment...
- 6/17/2022
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Marking her first feature since she won a Best Actress Oscar for The Eyes Of Tammy Faye, Jessica Chastain and Dopesick and The Batman star Peter Sarsgaard have just wrapped on Michel Franco’s (New Order) new film, which we can reveal is called Memory.
Plot details are being kept under lock and key but the English-language project is rumoured to revolve around a New York City staycation. Also starring are Merritt Wever (Birdman), Josh Charles (Dead Poets Society), Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade), and Jessica Harper (Suspiria).
The project marks Franco’s second American-set film after 2015’s Chronic, and marks the fifth collaboration between the filmmaker and cinematographer Yves Cape. Pic wrapped shooting in New York last Friday.
Franco, a festival-favourite, won the Venice Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize for recent feature New Order. Four of his films have played at Cannes, three winning prizes.
The film is produced...
Plot details are being kept under lock and key but the English-language project is rumoured to revolve around a New York City staycation. Also starring are Merritt Wever (Birdman), Josh Charles (Dead Poets Society), Elsie Fisher (Eighth Grade), and Jessica Harper (Suspiria).
The project marks Franco’s second American-set film after 2015’s Chronic, and marks the fifth collaboration between the filmmaker and cinematographer Yves Cape. Pic wrapped shooting in New York last Friday.
Franco, a festival-favourite, won the Venice Silver Lion Grand Jury Prize for recent feature New Order. Four of his films have played at Cannes, three winning prizes.
The film is produced...
- 5/23/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The summer is known for big studio blockbusters, but for many fans of The Criterion Collection, releases are in store for something special in June as they’ve announced six additions are coming in glorious 4K Uhd.
Criterion presents a group of films that includes Joachim Trier’s charming Oscar contender, “The Worst Person in the World”; Hong Kong master Stanley Kwan’s romantic ghost story, “Rouge”; Ekwa Msangi’s remarkable debut feature debut, “Farewell Amor”; and “Shaft,” the blaxploitation action-hero classic from Gordon Parks that helped launched serious black-led action films, now on 4K Uhd.
Continue reading Criterion Adds ‘Shaft,’ ‘Pink Flamingos,’ ‘Worst Person In The World’ & More Titles In June at The Playlist.
Criterion presents a group of films that includes Joachim Trier’s charming Oscar contender, “The Worst Person in the World”; Hong Kong master Stanley Kwan’s romantic ghost story, “Rouge”; Ekwa Msangi’s remarkable debut feature debut, “Farewell Amor”; and “Shaft,” the blaxploitation action-hero classic from Gordon Parks that helped launched serious black-led action films, now on 4K Uhd.
Continue reading Criterion Adds ‘Shaft,’ ‘Pink Flamingos,’ ‘Worst Person In The World’ & More Titles In June at The Playlist.
- 3/17/2022
- by Christopher Marc
- The Playlist
The Sundance Institute has selected Minhal Baig, Marion Hill, Ciara Lacy, Billy Luther, Chanelle Aponte Pearson, Mariem Pérez Riera, Jamila Wignot and Iman Zawahry for its fourth Momentum Fellowship, supporting professional development for mid-career artists from historically marginalized communities as they explore and develop their creative practice.
The eight fellows selected will participate in a full-year program tailored for each by Sundance Institute staffers, receiving access to unrestricted grant funding, as well as industry mentorship and meetings, a writing intensive, and professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, with support from The Harnisch Foundation. Additionally, as part of the Sundance Institute’s ongoing partnership with NBCUniversal, the studio will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative. The two-year, at-will initiative, led by Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team, provides access to NBCUniversal’s creative executives and producers to...
The eight fellows selected will participate in a full-year program tailored for each by Sundance Institute staffers, receiving access to unrestricted grant funding, as well as industry mentorship and meetings, a writing intensive, and professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company, with support from The Harnisch Foundation. Additionally, as part of the Sundance Institute’s ongoing partnership with NBCUniversal, the studio will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative. The two-year, at-will initiative, led by Universal’s Global Talent Development & Inclusion team, provides access to NBCUniversal’s creative executives and producers to...
- 3/8/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Alex Camilleri, Lizzie Shapiro and Jessica Beshir have received Film Independent’s $25,000 Spirit Awards cash grants for emerging filmmakers. The announcements were made by Ekwa Msangi (“Farewell Amor”), Gerry Kim (“I’m No Longer Here”) and Elegance Bratton (“Pier Kids”), who received the grants last year.
Camilleri, director of “Luzzu,” received the Someone to Watch Award. The prize is in its 28th year and recognizes talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition. Finalists for the award were Michael Sarnoski, director of “Pig,” and Gillian Wallace Horvat, director of “I Blame Society.”
Shapiro, producer of “Shiva Baby,” received the Producers Award. The award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award is in its 25th year. Finalists included Brad Becker-Parton, who produced “Italian Studies,” and Pin-Chun Liu, who produced “Test Pattern.”
Beshir, director of “Faya Dayi,...
Camilleri, director of “Luzzu,” received the Someone to Watch Award. The prize is in its 28th year and recognizes talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition. Finalists for the award were Michael Sarnoski, director of “Pig,” and Gillian Wallace Horvat, director of “I Blame Society.”
Shapiro, producer of “Shiva Baby,” received the Producers Award. The award honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality, independent films. The award is in its 25th year. Finalists included Brad Becker-Parton, who produced “Italian Studies,” and Pin-Chun Liu, who produced “Test Pattern.”
Beshir, director of “Faya Dayi,...
- 2/10/2022
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
Marvel stars Brie Larson and Jeremy Renner are moving in to the unscripted space.
Disney+ has ordered two non-scripted series exec produced by the Avengers: Endgame stars.
Larson is exec producing Growing Up, a series about adolescence, while Renner is behind Rennervations.
Growing Up is a hybrid docu-series that explores the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of adolescence through ten compelling coming of age stories.
The series uses narrative, experimental, and documentary filmmaking to follow one casted individual, ages 18-22, as they tell their story. They represent a wide range of lived experiences with narratives that offer a look at teenage-hood and the diverse social, familial, and internal obstacles young people face on their path to self-discovery and acceptance.
Each 30-minute episode features one young person and their experience growing up.
It comes from Culture House, the production company OWN on Onyx’s The Hair Tales.
Larson will exec produce and direct and episode.
Disney+ has ordered two non-scripted series exec produced by the Avengers: Endgame stars.
Larson is exec producing Growing Up, a series about adolescence, while Renner is behind Rennervations.
Growing Up is a hybrid docu-series that explores the challenges, triumphs, and complexities of adolescence through ten compelling coming of age stories.
The series uses narrative, experimental, and documentary filmmaking to follow one casted individual, ages 18-22, as they tell their story. They represent a wide range of lived experiences with narratives that offer a look at teenage-hood and the diverse social, familial, and internal obstacles young people face on their path to self-discovery and acceptance.
Each 30-minute episode features one young person and their experience growing up.
It comes from Culture House, the production company OWN on Onyx’s The Hair Tales.
Larson will exec produce and direct and episode.
- 2/7/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney Plus has ordered two unscripted series from actors in the Marvel universe: Brie Larson is behind “Growing Up,” a docuseries that looks at ten different coming-of-age tales. “Rennervations,” from Jeremy Renner, is a four-part series that follows Renner as he travels to world to help communities by “reimagining unique purpose-built vehicles.”
The news was announced on Monday by Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis, along with new development for Disney Plus, Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Davis revealed the news during the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour. It was the first TCA presentation by Davis, who took over the job in September.
“Growing Up” will feature episodes directed by Larson, Yara Shahidi, Sydney Freeland, Elegance Bratton, Ashley Eakin, Ekwa Msangi, Smriti Mundhra, Rudy Valdez, Bernardo Ruiz, Kishori Rajan and Nicole Galovski “The series uses narrative, experimental, and documentary filmmaking to follow one casted individual, ages 18-22, as they tell their story,...
The news was announced on Monday by Disney Branded Television president Ayo Davis, along with new development for Disney Plus, Disney Channel and Disney Junior. Davis revealed the news during the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour. It was the first TCA presentation by Davis, who took over the job in September.
“Growing Up” will feature episodes directed by Larson, Yara Shahidi, Sydney Freeland, Elegance Bratton, Ashley Eakin, Ekwa Msangi, Smriti Mundhra, Rudy Valdez, Bernardo Ruiz, Kishori Rajan and Nicole Galovski “The series uses narrative, experimental, and documentary filmmaking to follow one casted individual, ages 18-22, as they tell their story,...
- 2/7/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor Robert Lasardo is making his feature directorial debut with the crime thriller American Trash, starring in the pic currently in production in Los Angeles, alongside Costas Mandylor and Lorelei Linklater.
Set amidst a social crisis in the decaying world of Los Angeles, American Trash watches as the city freefalls into environmental ruin, chaos and a complete drug epidemic. Milles Carpis (Lasardo) leans on the support of some new age hippie friends as they guide him away from violence when the woman he loves (Linklater) is murdered, subsequently turning to Detective Anderson (Mandylor) for help in his search for her killer.
Diana Ramos-Santiago Carter, Josh Webber and Jerry G. Angelo are producing the film scripted by Lasardo.Lasardo is represented by Dtla Entertainment Group; Mandylor by Global Creatives Agency and Anthem Entertainment; and Linklater by Linda McAlister Talent and The Green Room.
Set amidst a social crisis in the decaying world of Los Angeles, American Trash watches as the city freefalls into environmental ruin, chaos and a complete drug epidemic. Milles Carpis (Lasardo) leans on the support of some new age hippie friends as they guide him away from violence when the woman he loves (Linklater) is murdered, subsequently turning to Detective Anderson (Mandylor) for help in his search for her killer.
Diana Ramos-Santiago Carter, Josh Webber and Jerry G. Angelo are producing the film scripted by Lasardo.Lasardo is represented by Dtla Entertainment Group; Mandylor by Global Creatives Agency and Anthem Entertainment; and Linklater by Linda McAlister Talent and The Green Room.
- 1/28/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Africa’s biggest film festival unfolded in Burkina Faso from October 16 to 23.
Finnish-Somali filmmaker Khadar Ayderus Ahmed’s The Gravedigger’s Wife scooped the top prize at the 27th edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (Fespaco) in Burkina Faso over the weekend.
The largest film festival in Africa, the biannual event normally takes place end-February, start-March but was pushed to October 16-23 this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its top prize is the $36,000 Golden Stallion of Yennenga (Étalon de Yennenga) award. The prizes are named after legendary warrior princess Yennenga, who is considered the mother...
Finnish-Somali filmmaker Khadar Ayderus Ahmed’s The Gravedigger’s Wife scooped the top prize at the 27th edition of the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (Fespaco) in Burkina Faso over the weekend.
The largest film festival in Africa, the biannual event normally takes place end-February, start-March but was pushed to October 16-23 this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Its top prize is the $36,000 Golden Stallion of Yennenga (Étalon de Yennenga) award. The prizes are named after legendary warrior princess Yennenga, who is considered the mother...
- 10/25/2021
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Arthouse streamer and distributor Mubi is launching a U.S. in-theater offering this month letting members see one film a week that it selects at participating cinemas starting in New York City. It said Mubi Go will roll out nationwide in selected markets with LA next in early 2022.
Mubi Go (available in the U.K. and India) will launch Oct. 29 with Netflix’s Passing, directed by Rebecca Hall, that premiered at Sundance and screened at the New York Film Festival. Subscribers can get a free ticket during the film’s theatrical engagement at the Paris Theater and IFC Center ahead of its Nov. 10 streaming release on Netflix.
Adapted from the 1929 novel by Nella Larsen, Passing is the story of two Black women, Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson) and Clare Kendry (Ruth Negga), who can pass as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line during the height of the Harlem Renaissance.
Mubi Go (available in the U.K. and India) will launch Oct. 29 with Netflix’s Passing, directed by Rebecca Hall, that premiered at Sundance and screened at the New York Film Festival. Subscribers can get a free ticket during the film’s theatrical engagement at the Paris Theater and IFC Center ahead of its Nov. 10 streaming release on Netflix.
Adapted from the 1929 novel by Nella Larsen, Passing is the story of two Black women, Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson) and Clare Kendry (Ruth Negga), who can pass as white but choose to live on opposite sides of the color line during the height of the Harlem Renaissance.
- 10/19/2021
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Multi-platform media company Macro, which focuses on representing the voice and perspectives of Black people and people of color, has promoted two key executives.
CEO Charles D. King has named Poppy Hanks as EVP, film production and development, and Greta Talia Fuentes as VP, film production and development.
Hanks is widely known for her work with a range of writers and directors. She produced Justin Chon’s Blue Bayou, Esteban Arango’s Blast Beat and Alan Yang’s Tigertail, and will next produce Cleopatra Jones for Warner Bros. Pictures.
She executive produced the six-time Academy Award nominated Judas and The Black Messiah, directed by Shaka King, Ekwa Msangi’s Farewell Amor, Angel Kristi Williams’ Really Love, Boots Riley’s Sorry To Bother You, Dan Gilroy’s Roman J. Israel, Esq., Steven Caple Jr.’s The Land, and the multi-Oscar nominated Mudbound that was directed by Dee Rees and sold to...
CEO Charles D. King has named Poppy Hanks as EVP, film production and development, and Greta Talia Fuentes as VP, film production and development.
Hanks is widely known for her work with a range of writers and directors. She produced Justin Chon’s Blue Bayou, Esteban Arango’s Blast Beat and Alan Yang’s Tigertail, and will next produce Cleopatra Jones for Warner Bros. Pictures.
She executive produced the six-time Academy Award nominated Judas and The Black Messiah, directed by Shaka King, Ekwa Msangi’s Farewell Amor, Angel Kristi Williams’ Really Love, Boots Riley’s Sorry To Bother You, Dan Gilroy’s Roman J. Israel, Esq., Steven Caple Jr.’s The Land, and the multi-Oscar nominated Mudbound that was directed by Dee Rees and sold to...
- 9/2/2021
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Macro founder and CEO Charles D. King announced promotions for film production and development executives Poppy Hanks and Greta Talia Fuentes.
Both longtime Macro employees, Hanks has been elevated to executive vice president of film production and development, while Fuentes has been upped to VP at the multi-platform media company.
“Poppy and Greta were members of the original team when I launched Macro six years ago, so there really aren’t enough words to describe my joy in announcing these promotions today,” King said, in a statement announcing the promotions.
“Poppy’s talent for story and her discerning eye have helped hone many of our award-winning films and she has been a trusted friend and colleague for two decades,” King continued. “Greta has grown into a true force in this business, with her strong relationships with artists and her keen ability to identify, package and develop projects all over town.
Both longtime Macro employees, Hanks has been elevated to executive vice president of film production and development, while Fuentes has been upped to VP at the multi-platform media company.
“Poppy and Greta were members of the original team when I launched Macro six years ago, so there really aren’t enough words to describe my joy in announcing these promotions today,” King said, in a statement announcing the promotions.
“Poppy’s talent for story and her discerning eye have helped hone many of our award-winning films and she has been a trusted friend and colleague for two decades,” King continued. “Greta has grown into a true force in this business, with her strong relationships with artists and her keen ability to identify, package and develop projects all over town.
- 9/2/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Wavelength has a simple mantra — “tell great fucking stories” — but its intentions go much deeper than that. Founded in 2015 by Jenifer Westphal, the scrappy six-year-old company has been making waves with its mostly women executives developing a diverse slate of films that combine social relevance with compelling characters, while prioritizing first-time women directors and filmmakers of color.
At a time when Hollywood continues to struggle to find diverse talent behind the camera, companies like Wavelength provide essential case studies for how to lean into inclusivity from the earliest stages of the development process. Since its founding in 2015, Wavelength has produced over 30 feature films, curating a roster of award-winning, buzz-worthy titles including Sundance fare like Ekwa Msangi’s “Farewell Amor,” Jordana Spiro’s “Night Comes On,” and Tayarisha Poe’s “Selah and the Spades,” as well as high profile documentaries including Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” which...
At a time when Hollywood continues to struggle to find diverse talent behind the camera, companies like Wavelength provide essential case studies for how to lean into inclusivity from the earliest stages of the development process. Since its founding in 2015, Wavelength has produced over 30 feature films, curating a roster of award-winning, buzz-worthy titles including Sundance fare like Ekwa Msangi’s “Farewell Amor,” Jordana Spiro’s “Night Comes On,” and Tayarisha Poe’s “Selah and the Spades,” as well as high profile documentaries including Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor,” which...
- 6/24/2021
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Michael Lieberman, formerly head of publicity at Metrograph, has been hired as Director of Communications, U.S., at Mubi. He will be based at the New York offices of the global film distributor, producer and curated film streaming service.
In his new role, Lieberman will lead all communications for the U.S. including publicity for Mubi releases, working alongside Global Director of Communications Sophie Rhatigan, U.S. Director of Marketing Corey Wilson, VP Global Marketing Lilly Riber, U.S. Director of Distribution Chris Mason Wells and Global Distribution boss Jon Barrenechea.
At Metrograph, Lieberman helped oversee the launch of the Metrograph cinema in 2015, Metrograph Pictures in 2019 and Metrograph Digital last year. He also promoted programming like retrospectives of Brian De Palma, Maggie Cheung and Gena Rowlands/John Cassavetes, and theatrical releases of A Bigger Splash and Downtown 81 among others.
He previously held publicity positions at Susan Norget Film Promotion and Film Presence.
In his new role, Lieberman will lead all communications for the U.S. including publicity for Mubi releases, working alongside Global Director of Communications Sophie Rhatigan, U.S. Director of Marketing Corey Wilson, VP Global Marketing Lilly Riber, U.S. Director of Distribution Chris Mason Wells and Global Distribution boss Jon Barrenechea.
At Metrograph, Lieberman helped oversee the launch of the Metrograph cinema in 2015, Metrograph Pictures in 2019 and Metrograph Digital last year. He also promoted programming like retrospectives of Brian De Palma, Maggie Cheung and Gena Rowlands/John Cassavetes, and theatrical releases of A Bigger Splash and Downtown 81 among others.
He previously held publicity positions at Susan Norget Film Promotion and Film Presence.
- 5/24/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Minari, Sound Of Metal deliver best supporting actor prizes.
Nomadland was named best feature and Chloe Zhao best director while Carey Mulligan and Riz Ahmed took lead acting honours at the virtual 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Thursday night (April 22).
Searchlight Pictures’ Nomadland won four prizes on the night including Joshua James Richards for cinematography, and editing for Zhao, who was one of four women nominated in the directing category and has enjoyed a magnificent awards season.
Amazon Studios’ Sound Of Metal earned three awards for Ahmed, supporting actor Paul Raci, and first feature for Darius Marder.
Focus Features’ Promising...
Nomadland was named best feature and Chloe Zhao best director while Carey Mulligan and Riz Ahmed took lead acting honours at the virtual 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Thursday night (April 22).
Searchlight Pictures’ Nomadland won four prizes on the night including Joshua James Richards for cinematography, and editing for Zhao, who was one of four women nominated in the directing category and has enjoyed a magnificent awards season.
Amazon Studios’ Sound Of Metal earned three awards for Ahmed, supporting actor Paul Raci, and first feature for Darius Marder.
Focus Features’ Promising...
- 4/23/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Spirit Awards 2021 Winners List: ‘Nomadland,’ ‘I May Destroy You,’ Riz Ahmed, Carey Mulligan Win Big
“Mank” is the big leader at the 2021 Oscars with 10 nominations, but that wasn’t the case at the 36th Film Independent Spirit Awards. The nomination leader at this ceremony was Eliza Hittman’s acclaimed “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” which the Academy shut out from the Oscars. The same goes for other beloved Spirit Award nominees like “First Cow,” “Miss Juneteenth,” and “The Assistant.” In other words, the Indie Spirit Awards were a breath of fresh air in this elongated awards season where underdog indie contenders finally get their due in the spotlight.
“Minari” also preformed strong at the Indie Spirits, earning six nominations to match its six Oscar nominations. Fellow Oscar nominees “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” each picked up five Spirit Award nominations. Netflix was the most nominated studio with 16 nominations, followed by Focus Features with 10 and A24 with 9.
“Nomadland” was the big winner, taking home the prizes...
“Minari” also preformed strong at the Indie Spirits, earning six nominations to match its six Oscar nominations. Fellow Oscar nominees “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” each picked up five Spirit Award nominations. Netflix was the most nominated studio with 16 nominations, followed by Focus Features with 10 and A24 with 9.
“Nomadland” was the big winner, taking home the prizes...
- 4/23/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Searchlight’s Nomadland won the marquee Best Feature category on Thursday to cap the 36th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards, the final big awards show ahead of Sunday’s Oscars. The Chloé Zhao film, a frontrunner all movie-awards season, won a leading four trophies tonight in the virtual ceremony, including Director and Editing for Zhao and Cinematography for Joshua James Richards.
“In our film Bob Wells says to Fern that you’ve come to the right place to connect with your tribe, your community and independent film you are our community,” producer Mollye Asher said during the Nomadland team’s acceptance speech. Added fellow producer Dan Janvey: “We couldn’t have done it without all the hearts and hands of our fellow collaborators, our fellow filmmakers, who were the Nomadland Company, so to all of you we accept this on your behalf.”
The marquee indie-focused awards show hosted by...
“In our film Bob Wells says to Fern that you’ve come to the right place to connect with your tribe, your community and independent film you are our community,” producer Mollye Asher said during the Nomadland team’s acceptance speech. Added fellow producer Dan Janvey: “We couldn’t have done it without all the hearts and hands of our fellow collaborators, our fellow filmmakers, who were the Nomadland Company, so to all of you we accept this on your behalf.”
The marquee indie-focused awards show hosted by...
- 4/23/2021
- by Patrick Hipes and Antonia Blyth
- Deadline Film + TV
The last major awards show before the Oscars has finally arrived, the 36th Independent Spirit Awards. The virtual ceremony aired Thursday, April 22 on IFC at 7 p.m. Pt/10 p.m. Et and was hosted by “Saturday Night Live” star Melissa Villaseñor. The Spirit Awards celebrated the best in indie filmmaking for the 2020 calendar year, and this year they invited TV shows to the party, too. Don’t forget, only American-made fare with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration. Winners were chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who signed up for membership.
Heading into the ceremony, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” was the nominations leader with seven overall bids. “Minari” came in right behind it with six noms, followed by “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” (the Oscar front-runner) with five bids each. On the TV side, both “Little America” and...
Heading into the ceremony, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” was the nominations leader with seven overall bids. “Minari” came in right behind it with six noms, followed by “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” (the Oscar front-runner) with five bids each. On the TV side, both “Little America” and...
- 4/23/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards are finally upon us, after the nominations were announced three months ago, and the ceremony is taking place just a few days ahead of the Academy Awards. This year, the Spirit Awards won’t be held midday in a hangar in Santa Monica, but will instead live-stream on IFC on Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. Pt/10:00 p.m. Et. In addition to the linear broadcast, the Spirit Awards will also stream simultaneously on AMC+. Following the broadcast, the full awards ceremony will be made available on demand across AMC+ and IFC platforms starting Friday, April 23. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by “Saturday Night Love” comedian Melissa Villaseñor.
If you’re cord cutter who doesn’t have cable, you can watch IFC live with one of these streaming services, many of which offer a free trial: Philo, fuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV,...
If you’re cord cutter who doesn’t have cable, you can watch IFC live with one of these streaming services, many of which offer a free trial: Philo, fuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV,...
- 4/21/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The 36th Film Independent Spirit Awards are set to take place this week as a welcome reprieve to this elongated Oscar season. Unlike the Academy Awards, where David Fincher’s “Mank” reigns supreme with 10 nominations, the 2021 Indie Spirit Awards are dominated by Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” which was shut out of the Oscar nominations. “Never Rarely” boasts seven Spirit Award nominations this year, including Best Feature and Best Director.
Unlike the Oscars, the Spirit Awards also boast a Best First Feature category to honor the greatest directorial debuts of the last year. The 2021 nominees in this category are “I Carry You With Me,” “The 40 Year Old Version,” “Sound of Metal,” “Miss Juneteenth,” and “Nine Days.” Only “Sound of Metal” broke into the Oscars among these nominees.
As always, the budget cutoff for films to be eligible for the Spirit Awards is $22.5 million. For this reason, several high...
Unlike the Oscars, the Spirit Awards also boast a Best First Feature category to honor the greatest directorial debuts of the last year. The 2021 nominees in this category are “I Carry You With Me,” “The 40 Year Old Version,” “Sound of Metal,” “Miss Juneteenth,” and “Nine Days.” Only “Sound of Metal” broke into the Oscars among these nominees.
As always, the budget cutoff for films to be eligible for the Spirit Awards is $22.5 million. For this reason, several high...
- 4/19/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards are going virtual and have partnered with virtual venue Looped to make the awards show a virtual interactive experience for attendees.
In place of its signature beach tent, virtual guests will watch this year’s ceremony from inside an online equivalent. The 36th annual Spirit Awards telecast will air on April 22, and “Saturday Night Live’s” Melissa Villaseñor will serve as the show’s host.
As part of the fully interactive experience, a cocktail hour will begin at 9:00 p.m. Et / 6:00 p.m. Pt with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Nina West serving as the main stage DJ. The annual Spirit Awards after party will be reimagined as a virtual karaoke party.
Before heading to private Spirit Awards viewing suites, the virtual show will kick off with a curated, pre-show cocktail hour for all guests, featuring a main stage DJ set.
Attendees will have...
In place of its signature beach tent, virtual guests will watch this year’s ceremony from inside an online equivalent. The 36th annual Spirit Awards telecast will air on April 22, and “Saturday Night Live’s” Melissa Villaseñor will serve as the show’s host.
As part of the fully interactive experience, a cocktail hour will begin at 9:00 p.m. Et / 6:00 p.m. Pt with “RuPaul’s Drag Race” alum Nina West serving as the main stage DJ. The annual Spirit Awards after party will be reimagined as a virtual karaoke party.
Before heading to private Spirit Awards viewing suites, the virtual show will kick off with a curated, pre-show cocktail hour for all guests, featuring a main stage DJ set.
Attendees will have...
- 4/8/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Chi alum Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine has been tapped for a heavily recurring role opposite Manuel Garcia-Rulfo in The Lincoln Lawyer, Netflix’s drama series based on Michael Connelly bestselling novels, from David E. Kelley and A+E Studios.
Written and executive produced by Kelley and showrunner Ted Humphrey, The Lincoln Lawyer revolves around Mickey Haller (Garcia-Rulfo), an iconoclastic idealist, who runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car as he takes on cases big and small across the expansive city of Los Angeles.
Ntare will play Detective Raymond Griggs. A character created specifically for the series, Griggs is an intense and tenacious LAPD Detective investigating the murder of Jerry Vincent, a defense attorney whose cases Mickey Haller (Garcia-Rulfo) has taken over. While Griggs is initially an antagonist to Mickey, the two men eventually develop a wary working relationship as they each try...
Written and executive produced by Kelley and showrunner Ted Humphrey, The Lincoln Lawyer revolves around Mickey Haller (Garcia-Rulfo), an iconoclastic idealist, who runs his law practice out of the back seat of his Lincoln Town Car as he takes on cases big and small across the expansive city of Los Angeles.
Ntare will play Detective Raymond Griggs. A character created specifically for the series, Griggs is an intense and tenacious LAPD Detective investigating the murder of Jerry Vincent, a defense attorney whose cases Mickey Haller (Garcia-Rulfo) has taken over. While Griggs is initially an antagonist to Mickey, the two men eventually develop a wary working relationship as they each try...
- 4/5/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Previous winner Shaka King named honourary chair for this year’s Spirit Awards.
Film Independent has revealed the winners of its three emerging filmmaker awards, each of which comes with a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant.
Ekwa Msangi, director of 2020 Sundance competition entry Farewell Amor, gets the Someone to Watch Award for so far under-recognised “filmmakers of singular vision.” Other finalists for the award were David Midell, director of The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, and Bull director Annie Silverstein.
Gerry Kim, one of the producers of Mexican drama I’m No Longer Here, shortlisted for this year’s international film Oscar, wins the...
Film Independent has revealed the winners of its three emerging filmmaker awards, each of which comes with a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant.
Ekwa Msangi, director of 2020 Sundance competition entry Farewell Amor, gets the Someone to Watch Award for so far under-recognised “filmmakers of singular vision.” Other finalists for the award were David Midell, director of The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, and Bull director Annie Silverstein.
Gerry Kim, one of the producers of Mexican drama I’m No Longer Here, shortlisted for this year’s international film Oscar, wins the...
- 3/16/2021
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Judas and the Black Messiah director Shaka King on Tuesday was named honorary chair of the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which are set to air April 22 on IFC and AMC+.
The news comes a day after King and Judas picked up a pair of Oscar nominations — for Best Picture on which King was a producer and Best Original Screenplay for the script he co-wrote with Will Berson, Kenneth Lucas and Keith Lucas.
As part of his duties, King announced winners of three $25,000 Spirit Awards cash grants for emerging filmmakers: the Someone To Watch Award, the Producers Award and the Truer Than Fiction Award.
Ekwa Msangi, director of Farewell Amor, received the Someone to Watch Award, given to “filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition.” King won the same award in 2014 for his film Newlyweeds.
Gerry Kim received the Producers Award and Pier Kids director Elegance Bratton...
The news comes a day after King and Judas picked up a pair of Oscar nominations — for Best Picture on which King was a producer and Best Original Screenplay for the script he co-wrote with Will Berson, Kenneth Lucas and Keith Lucas.
As part of his duties, King announced winners of three $25,000 Spirit Awards cash grants for emerging filmmakers: the Someone To Watch Award, the Producers Award and the Truer Than Fiction Award.
Ekwa Msangi, director of Farewell Amor, received the Someone to Watch Award, given to “filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition.” King won the same award in 2014 for his film Newlyweeds.
Gerry Kim received the Producers Award and Pier Kids director Elegance Bratton...
- 3/16/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“Judas and the Black Messiah” director Shaka King has been named the honorary chair of the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, the nonprofit arts organization Film Independent announced on Tuesday. In a video posted on the Spirit Awards website, King launched his tenure in the job by revealing the winners of three cash grants worth a total of $75,000 to emerging filmmakers.
“Farewell Amor” director Ekwa Msangi received the Someone to Watch Award, which, according to Film Independent, goes to “talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition.” The other nominees in the category were “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain” director David Midell and “Bull” director Annie Silverstein. King won this award himself in 2014 after making his feature debut, “Newlyweeds.”
Gerry Kim, the producer of this year’s Mexican Oscar entry, “I’m No Longer Here,” was named recipient of the Producers Award, which salutes “emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources,...
“Farewell Amor” director Ekwa Msangi received the Someone to Watch Award, which, according to Film Independent, goes to “talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition.” The other nominees in the category were “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain” director David Midell and “Bull” director Annie Silverstein. King won this award himself in 2014 after making his feature debut, “Newlyweeds.”
Gerry Kim, the producer of this year’s Mexican Oscar entry, “I’m No Longer Here,” was named recipient of the Producers Award, which salutes “emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Oscar ballots will be in the hands of AMPAS voters on March 5, and they’ll have until March 10 to turn them in. All the predicting, theorizing and prognosticating have led to this crucial six-day period when the nearly 10,000 Academy members make their choices among the year’s achievements. As we head into this critical period, in a year defined by a global pandemic that has changed the way we look at cinema, we’re still reminded that movies are well worth celebrating.
Streamers provided access to some of the best films of 2020. This year, no matter what AMPAS ends up selecting as its nominees for the 93rd Academy Awards, most films will be widely available for consumers to watch before the ceremony. Cinema continues to evolve, and we can’t stop what’s coming. As with any true cinephile, my choices for what touched me from this extended eligibility are personally mine.
Streamers provided access to some of the best films of 2020. This year, no matter what AMPAS ends up selecting as its nominees for the 93rd Academy Awards, most films will be widely available for consumers to watch before the ceremony. Cinema continues to evolve, and we can’t stop what’s coming. As with any true cinephile, my choices for what touched me from this extended eligibility are personally mine.
- 3/4/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars from Film Awards Editor Clayton Davis. Following Academy Awards history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar predictions are updated regularly with the current year's contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. Eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and will be displayed next to revision date.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Oscars Predictions:
Best Production Design
Updated: Mar. 4, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The Art Directors Guild gave momentum to “Mulan,” “Promising Young Woman” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” in the production design race. The usual suspects such as “Mank, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and...
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Collective
Draft>>>Pre Season>>>Regular Season>>>Post Season
2021 Oscars Predictions:
Best Production Design
Updated: Mar. 4, 2021
Awards Prediction Commentary: The Art Directors Guild gave momentum to “Mulan,” “Promising Young Woman” and “The Trial of the Chicago 7” in the production design race. The usual suspects such as “Mank, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and...
- 3/4/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Arthouse streamer Mubi has made three hires to its U.S. and UK teams.
Corey Wilson has joined as Director of Marketing, U.S; Chris Mason Wells joins as Director of Distribution, U.S.; and Natalie Ralph has been hired as Director of Distribution, UK.
Wilson joins from Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, where he served as Director of Brand Partnerships and Sponsorship. There he developed and expanded national studio and entertainment partnerships for the company. Prior to Alamo Drafthouse, he helped develop and lead digital marketing strategies at NBCUniversal-owned Fandango.
New York-based Mason Wells joins from U.S. distributor Kino Lorber, where he served as Director of Theatrical Sales. Previously Wells was Director of Programming for the Quad Cinema in New York, and has curated film series for the IFC Center, Anthology Film Archives, and Bam.
Based in London, Ralph joins after six years at Studiocanal UK, where she...
Corey Wilson has joined as Director of Marketing, U.S; Chris Mason Wells joins as Director of Distribution, U.S.; and Natalie Ralph has been hired as Director of Distribution, UK.
Wilson joins from Alamo Drafthouse Cinema, where he served as Director of Brand Partnerships and Sponsorship. There he developed and expanded national studio and entertainment partnerships for the company. Prior to Alamo Drafthouse, he helped develop and lead digital marketing strategies at NBCUniversal-owned Fandango.
New York-based Mason Wells joins from U.S. distributor Kino Lorber, where he served as Director of Theatrical Sales. Previously Wells was Director of Programming for the Quad Cinema in New York, and has curated film series for the IFC Center, Anthology Film Archives, and Bam.
Based in London, Ralph joins after six years at Studiocanal UK, where she...
- 3/2/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Leading Black filmmakers, producers and writers opened up about what inspired them to enter cinema and the importance of capturing the Black diasporic experience on screen during a virtual panel co-hosted by the American Cinematheque and the African American Film Critics Association.
In celebration of Black History Month, the “Black Identity Through Cinema” panel featured Cynthia Erivo, Philippe Lacôte, Franklin Leonard, Ekwa Msangi and Euzhan Palcy, as well as Shaka King and Kemp Powers, both of whom were named Variety’s 2020 “Screenwriters to Watch.” The conversation, moderated by Aafca president Gil Robertson, explored the diversity of Black identity in film and how the panelists’ works delve into core themes of freedom and justice in relation to their own personal identities.
The panelists discussed how the lack of Black creatives in front of and behind the camera and the first Black-led films they saw, such as “The Color Purple” for Erivo...
In celebration of Black History Month, the “Black Identity Through Cinema” panel featured Cynthia Erivo, Philippe Lacôte, Franklin Leonard, Ekwa Msangi and Euzhan Palcy, as well as Shaka King and Kemp Powers, both of whom were named Variety’s 2020 “Screenwriters to Watch.” The conversation, moderated by Aafca president Gil Robertson, explored the diversity of Black identity in film and how the panelists’ works delve into core themes of freedom and justice in relation to their own personal identities.
The panelists discussed how the lack of Black creatives in front of and behind the camera and the first Black-led films they saw, such as “The Color Purple” for Erivo...
- 2/20/2021
- by Natalie Oganesyan
- Variety Film + TV
Wavelength Productions and The Black TV & Film Collective (Btfc) has revealed their jury selection of six fellows for the inaugural year for The Black Producers Fellowship.
The fellowship, which kicked off in October 2020, awards a $25K production grant to each of the six emerging producers so that they can develop, produce and deliver short narrative films inspired by the Black experience of education in America. In addition to the grant, each participant will receive in-kind support and career mentorship as they pursue their projects with programming and operational support provided by Cinereach.
“We are honored to work with the Black TV & Film Collective to bring to the forefront important narratives highlighting the Black experience in American schools. I was deeply moved by both the compelling personal stories submitted for the grant, and the quality of talent associated with them,” said Wavelength’s Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer Jenifer Westphal.
The fellowship, which kicked off in October 2020, awards a $25K production grant to each of the six emerging producers so that they can develop, produce and deliver short narrative films inspired by the Black experience of education in America. In addition to the grant, each participant will receive in-kind support and career mentorship as they pursue their projects with programming and operational support provided by Cinereach.
“We are honored to work with the Black TV & Film Collective to bring to the forefront important narratives highlighting the Black experience in American schools. I was deeply moved by both the compelling personal stories submitted for the grant, and the quality of talent associated with them,” said Wavelength’s Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer Jenifer Westphal.
- 2/18/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The awards season’s narrative has been the “year of the women,” as female filmmakers, screenwriters and artisans have been making strong cases for nominations at the Oscars in categories like best picture and director. The Writers Guild of America Awards, however, might have missed the memo, only nominating four women over two films: Emerald Fennell for “Promising Young Woman” and Jena Friedman, Erica Rivinoja and Nina Pedrad, three co-writers from “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm.”
In the three categories for original, adapted and documentary feature, 31 total screenwriters were nominated, four of which are women, and three come from the same feature film.
Many high-profile contenders were not eligible for recognition, including “Nomadland” (Chloé Zhao) and “Pieces of a Woman” (Kata Wéber), along with independent darlings like “The Assistant” (Kitty Green), “Farewell Amor” (Ekwa Msangi) and “Herself” (Clare Dunne). Despite this fact, there were still many to choose from.
Nina Pedrad, sister...
In the three categories for original, adapted and documentary feature, 31 total screenwriters were nominated, four of which are women, and three come from the same feature film.
Many high-profile contenders were not eligible for recognition, including “Nomadland” (Chloé Zhao) and “Pieces of a Woman” (Kata Wéber), along with independent darlings like “The Assistant” (Kitty Green), “Farewell Amor” (Ekwa Msangi) and “Herself” (Clare Dunne). Despite this fact, there were still many to choose from.
Nina Pedrad, sister...
- 2/16/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The Writers Guild of America Awards announced their nominations where big boosts were given to films like “Judas and the Black Messiah” from Shaka King, “Palm Springs” from Max Barbakow and “The White Tiger” from Ramin Bahrani.
Missing from the lineup, that was eligible, are “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” in the original screenplay category and “First Cow” and “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” in the adapted.
The full list of nominations is below:
Original Screenplay
“Judas and the Black Messiah” (Warner Bros) – Screenplay by Will Berson & Shaka King, Story by Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenny Lucas & Keith Lucas “Palm Springs” (Hulu/Neon) – Screenplay by Andy Siara, Story by Andy Siara & Max Barbakow “Promising Young Woman” (Focus Features) – Written by Emerald Fennell “Sound of Metal” (Amazon Studios) – Screenplay by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder, Story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix) – Written by Aaron Sorkin...
Missing from the lineup, that was eligible, are “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” in the original screenplay category and “First Cow” and “I’m Thinking of Ending Things” in the adapted.
The full list of nominations is below:
Original Screenplay
“Judas and the Black Messiah” (Warner Bros) – Screenplay by Will Berson & Shaka King, Story by Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenny Lucas & Keith Lucas “Palm Springs” (Hulu/Neon) – Screenplay by Andy Siara, Story by Andy Siara & Max Barbakow “Promising Young Woman” (Focus Features) – Written by Emerald Fennell “Sound of Metal” (Amazon Studios) – Screenplay by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder, Story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance “The Trial of the Chicago 7” (Netflix) – Written by Aaron Sorkin...
- 2/16/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Filmmaker Ekwa Msangi says her drama feature, Farewell Amor, is about assumptions and expectations, and learning to accept the truth.
The film is about Angolan immigrant Walter who, after 17 years, is joined in the US by his wife and teen daughter. They are now absolute strangers who share a one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment. The film captures how they struggle to overcome the emotional distance.
"For me, ‘Farewell Amor' is a look at saying goodbye to the love that they thought they had, that they thought they knew, and saying goodbye to the people that they thought they were, and they thought they knew in order to make space for what is actually there," Msangi told Ians.
"That is the journey that we go on with these characters, in them shedding the assumptions and expectations and imaginations of themselves," she added.
Msangi's film tries being a universal immigrant story that takes...
The film is about Angolan immigrant Walter who, after 17 years, is joined in the US by his wife and teen daughter. They are now absolute strangers who share a one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment. The film captures how they struggle to overcome the emotional distance.
"For me, ‘Farewell Amor' is a look at saying goodbye to the love that they thought they had, that they thought they knew, and saying goodbye to the people that they thought they were, and they thought they knew in order to make space for what is actually there," Msangi told Ians.
"That is the journey that we go on with these characters, in them shedding the assumptions and expectations and imaginations of themselves," she added.
Msangi's film tries being a universal immigrant story that takes...
- 1/31/2021
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
Minari earns six nods including feature, director, two for supporting actress.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
- 1/26/2021
- ScreenDaily
Minari earns six nods including feature, director, two for supporting actress.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
- 1/26/2021
- ScreenDaily
“First Cow,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Minari,” “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” and “Nomadland” scored Best Feature Film nominations for the 2021 Independent Spirit Awards, with “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” leading the pack with seven nominations. “Minari” had six film nominations, and “Nomandland” wound up with five.
And for the first time Film Independent recognized the best in TV. “A Teacher,” “I May Destroy You,” “Little America,” “Small Axe” and “Unorthodox” all landed nominations for Best New Scripted Series. “Unorthodox” and “Little America” each scored three nominations.
Nominations for the 36th annual ceremony were announced Tuesday via Film Independent’s website and YouTube channel by Laverne Cox, Barry Jenkins and Olivia Wilde.
Though the awards are generally held the Saturday afternoon before the Oscars ceremony, the show has been moved up to a primetime slot on Thursday, April 22 and will air on IFC that will also be simulcast on AMC+ and...
And for the first time Film Independent recognized the best in TV. “A Teacher,” “I May Destroy You,” “Little America,” “Small Axe” and “Unorthodox” all landed nominations for Best New Scripted Series. “Unorthodox” and “Little America” each scored three nominations.
Nominations for the 36th annual ceremony were announced Tuesday via Film Independent’s website and YouTube channel by Laverne Cox, Barry Jenkins and Olivia Wilde.
Though the awards are generally held the Saturday afternoon before the Oscars ceremony, the show has been moved up to a primetime slot on Thursday, April 22 and will air on IFC that will also be simulcast on AMC+ and...
- 1/26/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The 2021 Independent Spirit Awards nominations were announced Tuesday, January 26. So who made the cut at these kudos, which celebrate the best in American independent films? Scroll down to see the full list of nominees for the 2021 Indie Spirits. Remember, only American-made movies with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration.
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors.
Winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
These awards have come to be a significant preview of the Oscars as the motion picture academy embraces more independent films. Five of the last 10 Spirit champs for Best Feature went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors.
Winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
These awards have come to be a significant preview of the Oscars as the motion picture academy embraces more independent films. Five of the last 10 Spirit champs for Best Feature went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
- 1/26/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
For the streaming premiere of Farewell Amor, director Ekwa Msangi and artist and filmmaker John Akomfrah held a filmed conversation discussing her film debut. Below is a lightly edited transcript of that conversation. Farewell Amor is exclusively showing on Mubi in the UK and other countries starting on December 18, 2020 in the Debuts series.John Akomfrah: I'm very, very lucky to have next to me Ekwa Msangi, who is both a director—the director—and an ally. Am I okay to say "director and ally"?Ekwa Msangi: Yeah, I should hopefully say so! Akomfrah: When we met [ten years ago], one of the things I was convinced about, from literally our first conversation, was that you wanted to make projects about the African experience in New York, where you were at the time.Msangi: Yeah, so Farewell Amor is a project that's been sort of stewing in my mind for a long time,...
- 1/24/2021
- MUBI
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