Exclusive: National Geographic is wading into one of psychology’s most debated studies from the past 50 years. The network has given a green light to The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking The Truth (wt), a three-part docuseries from Juliette Eisner, Alex Braverman and Muck Media, the producers behind Nat Geo’s Emmy-nominated Trafficked: Underworlds with Mariana van Zeller.
Led by Stanford psychology professor Dr. Phillip Zimbardo, the six-day Stanford Prison Experiment was Zimbardo’s attempt to understand the power of situation over human behavior. In 1971, Zimbardo paid two dozen college-aged participants to live in a mock prison, observing how randomly assigned “prisoner” and “guard” roles influenced behavior. What started out as a self-contained university experiment turned into a media spectacle that captured the imagination and attention of the world, defining our understanding of human nature and forever changing the course of psychology.
‘The Roots Of Evil’, 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, Discovery Channel...
Led by Stanford psychology professor Dr. Phillip Zimbardo, the six-day Stanford Prison Experiment was Zimbardo’s attempt to understand the power of situation over human behavior. In 1971, Zimbardo paid two dozen college-aged participants to live in a mock prison, observing how randomly assigned “prisoner” and “guard” roles influenced behavior. What started out as a self-contained university experiment turned into a media spectacle that captured the imagination and attention of the world, defining our understanding of human nature and forever changing the course of psychology.
‘The Roots Of Evil’, 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, Discovery Channel...
- 4/17/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Alliance for Women in Media Foundation (Awmf) has announced the 49th Annual Gracie Awards winners.
This year’s winners include Michelle Obama, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Glennon Doyle, Rachel Brosnahan, Maria Shriver, Gayle King, Angela Yee, and Nicole Kidman, among many others. Some of the shows honored include Yellowjackets and Only Murders in the Building, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and more.
“As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we honor the remarkable women storytellers whose courage and resilience continue to inspire us,” Becky Brooks, President of Awmf, said in a statement. “Their stories, strengths, and influence are actively shaping our present and future. The impact of women is undeniable, and we look forward to celebrating these powerful contributions and achievements at the upcoming Gracie Awards.”
The Gracies celebrate outstanding achievements in media dedicated to women, by women, and about women across diverse platforms in news and entertainment.
This year’s winners include Michelle Obama, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Glennon Doyle, Rachel Brosnahan, Maria Shriver, Gayle King, Angela Yee, and Nicole Kidman, among many others. Some of the shows honored include Yellowjackets and Only Murders in the Building, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and more.
“As Women’s History Month draws to a close, we honor the remarkable women storytellers whose courage and resilience continue to inspire us,” Becky Brooks, President of Awmf, said in a statement. “Their stories, strengths, and influence are actively shaping our present and future. The impact of women is undeniable, and we look forward to celebrating these powerful contributions and achievements at the upcoming Gracie Awards.”
The Gracies celebrate outstanding achievements in media dedicated to women, by women, and about women across diverse platforms in news and entertainment.
- 3/28/2024
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
National Geographic has greenlit “Sally,” a new documentary about Dr. Sally Ride, the first American woman to go to space in more than 40 years ago, the network announced Thursday at the Television Critics Association winter press tour.
From director director Cristina Costantini (“Science Fair”) and producers Dan Cogan (“Icarus”) and Lauren Cioffi (“Naomi Osaka”), the film will delve into the life of the groundbreaking astronaut and the sexism she faced as one of very few women in space exploration at the time. “Sally” (working title) will feature never-before-seen archival footage in space and on the ground, along with interviews with Ride’s fellow astronauts Anna Lee Fisher and Kathy Sullivan, friend (and one-time tennis opponent) Billie Jean King, and her life partner Tam O’Shaughnessy, the last of whom also serves as executive producer.
Ride made history as the first American woman and third woman overall to fly in space when the space shuttle Challenger,...
From director director Cristina Costantini (“Science Fair”) and producers Dan Cogan (“Icarus”) and Lauren Cioffi (“Naomi Osaka”), the film will delve into the life of the groundbreaking astronaut and the sexism she faced as one of very few women in space exploration at the time. “Sally” (working title) will feature never-before-seen archival footage in space and on the ground, along with interviews with Ride’s fellow astronauts Anna Lee Fisher and Kathy Sullivan, friend (and one-time tennis opponent) Billie Jean King, and her life partner Tam O’Shaughnessy, the last of whom also serves as executive producer.
Ride made history as the first American woman and third woman overall to fly in space when the space shuttle Challenger,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Nat Geo has ordered a trio of new projects.
The network has greenlit Pathological, a true-crime doc about conman Stéphane Bourgoin and Sally, a feature doc about space pioneer Sally Ride, while Anthony Mackie is taking Shark Beach over from Chris Hemsworth.
Pathological: Chasing A True-Crime Con Man follows the rise and fall of bestselling French author and serial killer expert Bourgoin, whose career was built on a foundation of lies. The series takes viewers through the dramatic twists and turns of Bourgoin’s life in front of and behind the camera and tracks his pursuit by a group of true-crime enthusiasts, whose passion for the genre turned them into amateur sleuths and seekers of truth.
Based on the New Yorker’s 2022 piece on Bourgoin from journalist Lauren Collins, the three-part series comes from filmmaker Ben Selkow. It is produced by The New Yorker Studios and The Circus producer Left/Right.
The network has greenlit Pathological, a true-crime doc about conman Stéphane Bourgoin and Sally, a feature doc about space pioneer Sally Ride, while Anthony Mackie is taking Shark Beach over from Chris Hemsworth.
Pathological: Chasing A True-Crime Con Man follows the rise and fall of bestselling French author and serial killer expert Bourgoin, whose career was built on a foundation of lies. The series takes viewers through the dramatic twists and turns of Bourgoin’s life in front of and behind the camera and tracks his pursuit by a group of true-crime enthusiasts, whose passion for the genre turned them into amateur sleuths and seekers of truth.
Based on the New Yorker’s 2022 piece on Bourgoin from journalist Lauren Collins, the three-part series comes from filmmaker Ben Selkow. It is produced by The New Yorker Studios and The Circus producer Left/Right.
- 2/8/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Chris Hemsworth will continue testing his phyical and mental boundaries for Nat Geo.
The Disney-owned company has renewed Limitless With Chris Hemsworth for a second season, which like the first will stream on Disney+. The formal pickup comes more than a year after the first season debuted in November 2022.
Nat Geo and Disney+ have also renewed A Real Bug’s Life, the (partially staged) nature series that uses the 1998 Pixar movie A Bug’s Life as its inspiration. That pickup was much quicker, coming two weeks after the series premiered. Nat Geo announced both pickups during its time at the Television Critics Association press tour on Thursday.
Season one of Limitless followed Hemsworth as he explored — using himself as a test subject — scientific developments in helping people live longer, healthier lives. Season two will focus on “a series of physical and mental obstaclesthat people across the world face daily: mental agility, pain,...
The Disney-owned company has renewed Limitless With Chris Hemsworth for a second season, which like the first will stream on Disney+. The formal pickup comes more than a year after the first season debuted in November 2022.
Nat Geo and Disney+ have also renewed A Real Bug’s Life, the (partially staged) nature series that uses the 1998 Pixar movie A Bug’s Life as its inspiration. That pickup was much quicker, coming two weeks after the series premiered. Nat Geo announced both pickups during its time at the Television Critics Association press tour on Thursday.
Season one of Limitless followed Hemsworth as he explored — using himself as a test subject — scientific developments in helping people live longer, healthier lives. Season two will focus on “a series of physical and mental obstaclesthat people across the world face daily: mental agility, pain,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“Limitless With Chris Hemsworth” has been renewed for a second season at National Geographic.
The news came during the network’s presentation at the Winter 2024 Television Critics Association Press Tour, during which “A Real Bug’s Life” was also renewed while greenlights were announced for a new “Shark Beach” special headlined by Anthony Mackie, a docuseries about Stéphane Bourgoin, and a documentary film about Sally Ride.
“Limitless” follows Chris Hemsworth as he attempts to find and demonstrate secrets to a living longer, healthier life. Season 1 featured the actor exploring topics like stress management and exposure to extreme temperatures, while Season 2 will see him continue the journey across Nepal, Italy, Australia and the U.K.
“A Real Bug’s Life,” inspired by Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life,” is narrated by Awkwafina. Per its logline, Season 2 will feature “an all-new cast of insects including femme fatale firefly, bachelor luna moth, a real-life assassin bug,...
The news came during the network’s presentation at the Winter 2024 Television Critics Association Press Tour, during which “A Real Bug’s Life” was also renewed while greenlights were announced for a new “Shark Beach” special headlined by Anthony Mackie, a docuseries about Stéphane Bourgoin, and a documentary film about Sally Ride.
“Limitless” follows Chris Hemsworth as he attempts to find and demonstrate secrets to a living longer, healthier life. Season 1 featured the actor exploring topics like stress management and exposure to extreme temperatures, while Season 2 will see him continue the journey across Nepal, Italy, Australia and the U.K.
“A Real Bug’s Life,” inspired by Pixar’s “A Bug’s Life,” is narrated by Awkwafina. Per its logline, Season 2 will feature “an all-new cast of insects including femme fatale firefly, bachelor luna moth, a real-life assassin bug,...
- 2/8/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
A24 is backing a new documentary titled “Open Wide,” about an orthodontist whose controversial method of reshaping people’s jawlines went viral on TikTok for all the wrong reasons.
Sara Goldblatt directed “Open Wide,” which will be available to watch Jan. 23 on Netflix.
The documentary explores a father and son who are fighting to upend mainstream orthodontics. According to the official logline, “John Mew has waged a lonely war against the industry — and that teenage rite of passage, braces, for decades. With his son Mike now taking up the fight, the Mews’ fringe theories have turned into a full-blown online sensation. But even while mewing goes viral on TikTok and the Mews churn out content for their millions of followers, Mike is pursued by the British Orthodontic Society and threatened with expulsion by the very people who took away his father’s license.”
The father-son’s technique of “mewing,” which...
Sara Goldblatt directed “Open Wide,” which will be available to watch Jan. 23 on Netflix.
The documentary explores a father and son who are fighting to upend mainstream orthodontics. According to the official logline, “John Mew has waged a lonely war against the industry — and that teenage rite of passage, braces, for decades. With his son Mike now taking up the fight, the Mews’ fringe theories have turned into a full-blown online sensation. But even while mewing goes viral on TikTok and the Mews churn out content for their millions of followers, Mike is pursued by the British Orthodontic Society and threatened with expulsion by the very people who took away his father’s license.”
The father-son’s technique of “mewing,” which...
- 1/10/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy are pictured while on the campaign trail in San Antonio, Nov. 21, 1963.
National Geographic’s 2023 fall and winter programming kicks off with JFK: One Day in America, the second installment of the network’s One Day in America series. Nat Geo’s slate also includes documentaries narrated by Angela Bassett, Jeremy Renner, and Awkwafina, as well as Photographer – a series spotlighting the work of iconic photographers.
Additional winter programming includes the premieres of Science Fair: The Series and Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold. Returning series include Explorer: Lake of Fire, Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin, Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, and Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog.
JFK: One Day In America – Premieres Nov. 5 on National Geographic; Nov. 6 on Disney+ and Hulu
To commemorate six decades since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, the Emmy Award-winning, critically...
National Geographic’s 2023 fall and winter programming kicks off with JFK: One Day in America, the second installment of the network’s One Day in America series. Nat Geo’s slate also includes documentaries narrated by Angela Bassett, Jeremy Renner, and Awkwafina, as well as Photographer – a series spotlighting the work of iconic photographers.
Additional winter programming includes the premieres of Science Fair: The Series and Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold. Returning series include Explorer: Lake of Fire, Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin, Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, and Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog.
JFK: One Day In America – Premieres Nov. 5 on National Geographic; Nov. 6 on Disney+ and Hulu
To commemorate six decades since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, the Emmy Award-winning, critically...
- 10/18/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
National Geographic Trailers, Premiere Dates Include New Jeremy Renner, Awkwafina Series (Exclusive)
National Geographic has released trailers and announced premiere dates for key upcoming programs, including “Incredible Animal Journeys” (narrated by Jeremy Renner), “A Real Bug’s Life” (narrated by Awkwafina) and “Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold.”
The trailer for “Incredible Animal Journeys,” narrated by Jeremy Renner, features Renner giving a glimpse of his narration as zebras race over tall grasses and polar bears trudge across icy terrain. The series will follow the migrations of animals.
“Every day, countless animals travel across the globe through danger and doubt, perils and perseverance, through hardships and homecomings,” states Renner in the trailer. “Some journeys will last a lifetime. But they all begin with a first step.”
“Incredible Animal Journeys” will premiere Nov. 19 on National Geographic, to be followed by a Nov. 20 streaming debut on Disney+ and Hulu.
“A Real Bug’s Life” explores bug worlds, based on Disney and Pixar’s 1998 film “A Bug’s Life.” The trailer features bug-on-bug violence,...
The trailer for “Incredible Animal Journeys,” narrated by Jeremy Renner, features Renner giving a glimpse of his narration as zebras race over tall grasses and polar bears trudge across icy terrain. The series will follow the migrations of animals.
“Every day, countless animals travel across the globe through danger and doubt, perils and perseverance, through hardships and homecomings,” states Renner in the trailer. “Some journeys will last a lifetime. But they all begin with a first step.”
“Incredible Animal Journeys” will premiere Nov. 19 on National Geographic, to be followed by a Nov. 20 streaming debut on Disney+ and Hulu.
“A Real Bug’s Life” explores bug worlds, based on Disney and Pixar’s 1998 film “A Bug’s Life.” The trailer features bug-on-bug violence,...
- 10/18/2023
- by Valerie Wu
- Variety Film + TV
Muck Media, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning production company, has entered into a first-look deal with National Geographic to develop unscripted series and specials.
“I’m a huge admirer of the work that Muck Media does – journalistic, stylish, thought-provoking and contemporary,” Tom McDonald, executive vice president of National Geographic’s Global Factual and Unscripted Content division, said in a statement. “The team is also such a joy to work with – collaborative, audience-focused and full of ideas… It’s thrilling to be deepening our working relationship further with this first-look deal.”
The agreement expands upon the two parties existing partnership, which includes “Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller.” The docuseries, which is hosted by the Muck Media co-founder, was recently picked up for a fifth season ahead of its Season 4 premiere in January.
“National Geographic is synonymous with adventure, curiosity and exploration, which are at the core of Muck’s approach to storytelling,...
“I’m a huge admirer of the work that Muck Media does – journalistic, stylish, thought-provoking and contemporary,” Tom McDonald, executive vice president of National Geographic’s Global Factual and Unscripted Content division, said in a statement. “The team is also such a joy to work with – collaborative, audience-focused and full of ideas… It’s thrilling to be deepening our working relationship further with this first-look deal.”
The agreement expands upon the two parties existing partnership, which includes “Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller.” The docuseries, which is hosted by the Muck Media co-founder, was recently picked up for a fifth season ahead of its Season 4 premiere in January.
“National Geographic is synonymous with adventure, curiosity and exploration, which are at the core of Muck’s approach to storytelling,...
- 9/27/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Muck Media is expanding its relationship with National Geographic. The Emmy- and Peabody-winning production company has signed a first-look deal with the network for unscripted series and specials.
The deal comes on the heels of a fifth season pickup and ahead of the fourth season premiere of Muck’s Nat Geo series Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller, which is nominated for nine Emmys at tonight’s News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
Additionally, on Dec. 10, National Geographic will premiere Science Fair: The Series, a spinoff of the Sundance breakout and Emmy-winning feature documentary directed by Muck Media partners Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster. The series will be available next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
“National Geographic is synonymous with adventure, curiosity and exploration, which are at the core of Muck’s approach to storytelling,” said van Zeller, Muck Media’s co-founder and host of Trafficked. “From quirky teenagers studying science to black...
The deal comes on the heels of a fifth season pickup and ahead of the fourth season premiere of Muck’s Nat Geo series Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller, which is nominated for nine Emmys at tonight’s News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
Additionally, on Dec. 10, National Geographic will premiere Science Fair: The Series, a spinoff of the Sundance breakout and Emmy-winning feature documentary directed by Muck Media partners Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster. The series will be available next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
“National Geographic is synonymous with adventure, curiosity and exploration, which are at the core of Muck’s approach to storytelling,” said van Zeller, Muck Media’s co-founder and host of Trafficked. “From quirky teenagers studying science to black...
- 9/27/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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
If you happened to grow up in a particular section of Brooklyn in the ‘70s and played a game called Hot Peas and Butter with neighborhood kids, you might still have the welts to show for it.
As the Oscar-contending animated short The Originals reveals, that old time-y outdoor game involved the “winner” getting to smack other kids with a belt.
“Most of our games came with pain,” one of the characters in the true story remembers, with a certain fondness. The audio for the film comes from the reminiscences of a group of pals who have known each other “from when we were infants” in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn: Matteo Ruggiero, Carmine Ruggiero, Anthony DeMaio, Sal Alioto and Matteo Alioto. The short was directed by Cristina Costantini and Alfie Koetter, a young couple who used to live in a building in Carroll Gardens owned by Matty “Square” Ruggiero.
“We got...
As the Oscar-contending animated short The Originals reveals, that old time-y outdoor game involved the “winner” getting to smack other kids with a belt.
“Most of our games came with pain,” one of the characters in the true story remembers, with a certain fondness. The audio for the film comes from the reminiscences of a group of pals who have known each other “from when we were infants” in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn: Matteo Ruggiero, Carmine Ruggiero, Anthony DeMaio, Sal Alioto and Matteo Alioto. The short was directed by Cristina Costantini and Alfie Koetter, a young couple who used to live in a building in Carroll Gardens owned by Matty “Square” Ruggiero.
“We got...
- 12/15/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Muck Media announced today it is adapting bestselling Mexican memoir El Fixer for the big screen, the company’s first foray into narrative-scripted content.
Journalist Miguel Ángel Vega’s book chronicles “his journey from aspiring filmmaker to guiding foreign journalists working for some of the world’s most recognizable media brands into the darkest corners of the drug war over the last decade.” It’s an inherently risky business, because outsiders in need of a fixer want to “go where the action is,” not necessarily understanding the mortal danger they face.
As a description of the book put it, “Many North American, German, English, and French journalists are interested in covering the ups and downs of organized crime in Mexico, but the first problem is how to establish contact with drug bosses, huachicoleros, kidnappers, with some leader or another of organized crime. There’s no easy way to do this,...
Journalist Miguel Ángel Vega’s book chronicles “his journey from aspiring filmmaker to guiding foreign journalists working for some of the world’s most recognizable media brands into the darkest corners of the drug war over the last decade.” It’s an inherently risky business, because outsiders in need of a fixer want to “go where the action is,” not necessarily understanding the mortal danger they face.
As a description of the book put it, “Many North American, German, English, and French journalists are interested in covering the ups and downs of organized crime in Mexico, but the first problem is how to establish contact with drug bosses, huachicoleros, kidnappers, with some leader or another of organized crime. There’s no easy way to do this,...
- 12/5/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Though it’s been consistently overshadowed by more dramatic breaking news stories, few issues have dealt 21st-century U.S. society such a crippling blow as the opioid crisis. There have been documentaries about afflicted communities, irresponsible pharmaceutical manufacturers and misguided or corrupt prescribing physicians, as well as fictive depictions and bestselling print exposés like Patrick Redden Keefe’s “Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty.” But it’s hard to think of a prior chronicle quite so luridly indicting as “American Pain.”
A serious muckrake after the relatively softball exercise of 2018 crowdpleaser “Science Fair” (which was co-directed with Cristina Costantini), Darren Foster’s second feature draws on his long-term opioid-related TV reporting to paint a particularly horrible kind of all-American success story. Its principal figures are twin South Florida brothers whose ruthless exploitation of weak regulation and an addiction epidemic made them, for a time, the nation’s single largest “pill mill.
A serious muckrake after the relatively softball exercise of 2018 crowdpleaser “Science Fair” (which was co-directed with Cristina Costantini), Darren Foster’s second feature draws on his long-term opioid-related TV reporting to paint a particularly horrible kind of all-American success story. Its principal figures are twin South Florida brothers whose ruthless exploitation of weak regulation and an addiction epidemic made them, for a time, the nation’s single largest “pill mill.
- 6/28/2022
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
The trailer for “Menudo: Forever Young,” the HBO Max docuseries about the titular Latin American boy band, has been released.
Directed by filmmakers Angel Manuel Soto and Kristofer Ríos, the four-part docuseries follows the rise of Menudo, a Puerto Rican musical group formed in 1977 by producer Edgardo Díaz that became one of the most popular boy bands in history, selling 20 million records worldwide during the 1980s. The series chronicles the group’s meteoric rise in the ’80s, and the fall it suffered during the ’90s, after sexual abuse allegations against Díaz surfaced. Over a dozen former members of the band were interviewed for the docuseries to discuss the exploitation they experienced while performing for the group.
“Menudo: Forever Young” is executive produced by Soto, Cristina Costantini and Jeff Plunkett of Muck Media, Alex Fumero of Trojan Horse, Bryn Mooser and Justin Lacob of Xtr. Rios co-executive produces with Maura Anderson.
Directed by filmmakers Angel Manuel Soto and Kristofer Ríos, the four-part docuseries follows the rise of Menudo, a Puerto Rican musical group formed in 1977 by producer Edgardo Díaz that became one of the most popular boy bands in history, selling 20 million records worldwide during the 1980s. The series chronicles the group’s meteoric rise in the ’80s, and the fall it suffered during the ’90s, after sexual abuse allegations against Díaz surfaced. Over a dozen former members of the band were interviewed for the docuseries to discuss the exploitation they experienced while performing for the group.
“Menudo: Forever Young” is executive produced by Soto, Cristina Costantini and Jeff Plunkett of Muck Media, Alex Fumero of Trojan Horse, Bryn Mooser and Justin Lacob of Xtr. Rios co-executive produces with Maura Anderson.
- 6/9/2022
- by Carson Burton, Wilson Chapman and Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
The world is Nat Geo’s playground with the network’s newly announced slate of unscripted content.
Ahead of Disney’s upfront presentation on Tuesday in New York City, National Geographic on Monday announced a new slate of six personality-driven series aimed to showcase various aspects of culture from around the world. The new shows will feature notable personalities Derek Hough, Kristen Kish, Jeff Jenkins, Indy Srinath and Christian Cooper — as well as high school competitors of a global science fair competition.
Renowned dancer Derek Hough will guide viewers around the world on an exploration of dance history and trends in the new show “Dance the World With Derek Hough.” In each episode, Hough will team up with a celebrity guest to embark on a journey to uncover the global cultural traditions that shape dance. Grant Kahler is executive producer and showrunner on the series. For National Geographic, Betsy Forhan is executive producer,...
Ahead of Disney’s upfront presentation on Tuesday in New York City, National Geographic on Monday announced a new slate of six personality-driven series aimed to showcase various aspects of culture from around the world. The new shows will feature notable personalities Derek Hough, Kristen Kish, Jeff Jenkins, Indy Srinath and Christian Cooper — as well as high school competitors of a global science fair competition.
Renowned dancer Derek Hough will guide viewers around the world on an exploration of dance history and trends in the new show “Dance the World With Derek Hough.” In each episode, Hough will team up with a celebrity guest to embark on a journey to uncover the global cultural traditions that shape dance. Grant Kahler is executive producer and showrunner on the series. For National Geographic, Betsy Forhan is executive producer,...
- 5/16/2022
- by Carson Burton
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Emmy-nominated filmmakers Alex Fumero and Kareem Tabsch are partnering to form the production company Trojan Horse. The company will be based in Los Angeles and Miami.
Deadline recently announced their latest project under the banner for Onyx, the limited docuseries Gigante, in collaboration with Don Francisco.
Producing unscripted and scripted feature films, series, and podcasts, Trojan Horse recently co-produced the four-part docuseries Menudo: Forever Young, directed by Angel Manuel Soto and Kristofer Rios. The series is set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival ahead of its June 23 release on HBO Max. Fumero executive produced the project.
Trojan Horse also produced the podcast Crumbs with Sonoro for iHeartMedia.
“We’re both bilingual, bicultural, first-generation Americans. Like us, there are millions more who coexist across various cultures and communities and whose stories are important, compelling, entertaining, and ready to be embraced by mainstream audiences. We’re excited to bring those stories to audiences everywhere,...
Deadline recently announced their latest project under the banner for Onyx, the limited docuseries Gigante, in collaboration with Don Francisco.
Producing unscripted and scripted feature films, series, and podcasts, Trojan Horse recently co-produced the four-part docuseries Menudo: Forever Young, directed by Angel Manuel Soto and Kristofer Rios. The series is set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival ahead of its June 23 release on HBO Max. Fumero executive produced the project.
Trojan Horse also produced the podcast Crumbs with Sonoro for iHeartMedia.
“We’re both bilingual, bicultural, first-generation Americans. Like us, there are millions more who coexist across various cultures and communities and whose stories are important, compelling, entertaining, and ready to be embraced by mainstream audiences. We’re excited to bring those stories to audiences everywhere,...
- 5/16/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Ahead of Disney’s TV upfront presentation on Tuesday, National Geographic announced its next slate of nonfiction programming, doubling down on its recent streak of personality-driven shows with five new series led by “Dance the World” starring “Dancing With The Stars” legend Derek Hough.
“Dance the World” will see Hough team up with a celebrity guest to explore the cultural roots behind some of the world’s most famous dances, with each episode ending with a performance of that dance routine.
Other projects announced include chef Kristen Kish’s “Restaurants at the End of the World,” urban gardener Indy Srinath’s “Farming Is Life,” Christian Cooper’s avian nature series “Extraordinary Birder,” and an untitled travel series starring blogger Jeff Jenkins.
National Geographic also announced a new series based on the Emmy and SXSW Audience Award-winning documentary “Science Fair,” which will see directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster return to...
“Dance the World” will see Hough team up with a celebrity guest to explore the cultural roots behind some of the world’s most famous dances, with each episode ending with a performance of that dance routine.
Other projects announced include chef Kristen Kish’s “Restaurants at the End of the World,” urban gardener Indy Srinath’s “Farming Is Life,” Christian Cooper’s avian nature series “Extraordinary Birder,” and an untitled travel series starring blogger Jeff Jenkins.
National Geographic also announced a new series based on the Emmy and SXSW Audience Award-winning documentary “Science Fair,” which will see directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster return to...
- 5/16/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
HBO Max will release Menudo: Forever Young, a new documentary about the Latin American boy band from filmmakers Angel Manuel Soto (Charm City Kings) and Kristofer Ríos (Havana Skate Days), on June 23. The premiere will follow the project’s debut at the 2022 Tribeca Festival on June 11.
Menudo was formed by producer Edgardo Diaz in 1977 with 5 original members: Ricky Melendez, brothers Carlos and Oscar Meléndez, and the Sallaberry brothers, Fernando and Nefty. The group changed members often mostly after the pre-teen and early teenage boys aged out around age 15 or 16. Two of its most famous members include Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa (as Robbi Rosa).
Diaz, who served as the band’s manager, was accused of sexual abuse by multiple members beginning in 1991. He denied the allegations that same year on El Show De Cristina, a popular talk show at the time hosted by Cristina Saralegui.
Menudo disbanded in 2009 though reunion...
Menudo was formed by producer Edgardo Diaz in 1977 with 5 original members: Ricky Melendez, brothers Carlos and Oscar Meléndez, and the Sallaberry brothers, Fernando and Nefty. The group changed members often mostly after the pre-teen and early teenage boys aged out around age 15 or 16. Two of its most famous members include Ricky Martin and Draco Rosa (as Robbi Rosa).
Diaz, who served as the band’s manager, was accused of sexual abuse by multiple members beginning in 1991. He denied the allegations that same year on El Show De Cristina, a popular talk show at the time hosted by Cristina Saralegui.
Menudo disbanded in 2009 though reunion...
- 4/21/2022
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Anonymous Content is aggressively bolstering its unscripted television slate with a slew of new projects including music, sports, cooking, dating and documentary series.
The company has unveiled an unscripted and non-fiction development slate featuring seven projects. It comes after the hire of former NBCUniversal exec Jessica Grimshaw as SVP of Unscripted Films, Television and Podcasts last April.
Projects include The Balloon World Cup, based on a real-life contest organized by Barcelona legend Gerard Piqué, medical scam series Death Brokers, Deepfake Dating, an adaptation of food book Gastro Obscura, Lance Bangs’ music series I Don’t Belong Here, Billie Jd Porter’s It’s Different for Girls and a project about Factitious Disease Disorder (full details below).
Dawn Olmstead, David Levine and Grimshaw will executive produce the projects for Anonymous Content.
“We’re working with a world class group of directors, producers and journalists to develop unscripted projects around compelling characters,...
The company has unveiled an unscripted and non-fiction development slate featuring seven projects. It comes after the hire of former NBCUniversal exec Jessica Grimshaw as SVP of Unscripted Films, Television and Podcasts last April.
Projects include The Balloon World Cup, based on a real-life contest organized by Barcelona legend Gerard Piqué, medical scam series Death Brokers, Deepfake Dating, an adaptation of food book Gastro Obscura, Lance Bangs’ music series I Don’t Belong Here, Billie Jd Porter’s It’s Different for Girls and a project about Factitious Disease Disorder (full details below).
Dawn Olmstead, David Levine and Grimshaw will executive produce the projects for Anonymous Content.
“We’re working with a world class group of directors, producers and journalists to develop unscripted projects around compelling characters,...
- 4/20/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The feature film “Freda” and short film “You Can Always Come Home,” both family dramas, earned top prizes at the 39th edition of Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival. Presented in a hybrid format this year, with both in-theater and virtual presentations, the 2022 Festival ran from March 4-13.
Making its U.S. premiere at this year’s Festival, “Freda,” directed by Géssica Généus, earned the top award for her first feature set in Haiti, the $25,000 Knight Marimbas Award. The winning film was selected by jury members Damon D’Oliveria, April Dobbins and Rubén Peralta Rigaud. Of the film, the jury noted, “this film resonated with all of us for its strong, female-centered narrative, and its exceptional performances from emerging actors. We couldn’t stop thinking about this world and these characters, and we appreciated being immersed in a place that we don’t often see onscreen – portrayed in such a realistic,...
Making its U.S. premiere at this year’s Festival, “Freda,” directed by Géssica Généus, earned the top award for her first feature set in Haiti, the $25,000 Knight Marimbas Award. The winning film was selected by jury members Damon D’Oliveria, April Dobbins and Rubén Peralta Rigaud. Of the film, the jury noted, “this film resonated with all of us for its strong, female-centered narrative, and its exceptional performances from emerging actors. We couldn’t stop thinking about this world and these characters, and we appreciated being immersed in a place that we don’t often see onscreen – portrayed in such a realistic,...
- 3/13/2022
- by Malina Saval
- Variety Film + TV
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
The Imagen Foundation has announced nominations for the 36th annual Imagen Awards, honoring film and TV shows that celebrate Latino talent. In the best feature film field, Netflix landed two: “Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado” and “Ya No Estoy Aqui” / “I’m No Longer Here.” The streamer also received TV drama nods for “Quién Mató a Sara?” / “Who Killed Sara?” and “Selena: The Series,” as well as a comedy nom for “Mr. Iglesias.”
Helen Hernandez, president of the Imagen Foundation, announced the nominations on Monday. The Imagen Awards will be streamed on PBSSoCal.org and Kcet.org on Sunday, October 10, at 5 p.m. Pt.
“The Imagen Foundation continues to be proud of being the only awards ceremony that honors Latino talent and contributions within the television, film, and streaming platforms,” Hernandez said. “This year we hit another milestone, having increased to 350 submissions for consideration, a record since last year.
Helen Hernandez, president of the Imagen Foundation, announced the nominations on Monday. The Imagen Awards will be streamed on PBSSoCal.org and Kcet.org on Sunday, October 10, at 5 p.m. Pt.
“The Imagen Foundation continues to be proud of being the only awards ceremony that honors Latino talent and contributions within the television, film, and streaming platforms,” Hernandez said. “This year we hit another milestone, having increased to 350 submissions for consideration, a record since last year.
- 8/2/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The Imagen Awards on Monday revealed nominations for its 36th edition, honoring Latino talent and contributions for the year across TV, film and streaming. Winners will be revealed October 10 in a ceremony on PBSSoCal.org and Kcet.org.
Netflix’s Selena: The Series, Starz’s Vida and FX’s Pose are among the top nominees overall, with Selena scoring a leading seven noms including in the Best Primetime Show – Drama category. That race also features Pose and fellow FX series Mayans M.C., USA Network’s Queen of the South, NBC’s This Is Us, HBO Max’s Veneno and Netflix’s Who Killed Sara?
Vida, which aired its third and final season in 2020, had six noms and was joined in the Best Primetime Show – Comedy race by Televisa’s ¿Quién es la Máscara?, Hulu’s Love, Victor, Netflix’s Mr. Iglesias, HBO Max’s Genera+ion and NBC’s Superstore.
Netflix’s Selena: The Series, Starz’s Vida and FX’s Pose are among the top nominees overall, with Selena scoring a leading seven noms including in the Best Primetime Show – Drama category. That race also features Pose and fellow FX series Mayans M.C., USA Network’s Queen of the South, NBC’s This Is Us, HBO Max’s Veneno and Netflix’s Who Killed Sara?
Vida, which aired its third and final season in 2020, had six noms and was joined in the Best Primetime Show – Comedy race by Televisa’s ¿Quién es la Máscara?, Hulu’s Love, Victor, Netflix’s Mr. Iglesias, HBO Max’s Genera+ion and NBC’s Superstore.
- 8/2/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Seven filmmakers’ projects will each receive $45,000 as part of the inaugural Original Voices Fellowships launched by NBCU Academy and NBC News Studios.
The recipients also will receive a one-year fellowship to support their feature-length nonfiction film projects. That includes access to archive research, mentorships, story and edit consultations and distribution strategy expertise. They also will get marketing and publicity guidance and production resources.
NBCU Academy was launched as part of NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde’s Fifty Percent Challenge Initiative, with the goal of an employee base of 50% women and 50% people of color.
The recipients include:
Bloodthicker, directed by Zac Manuel and produced by Chris Haney: The documentary, filmed over four years, is about three childhood friends, all young musicians, navigating adulthood while living in the shadows of their famous fathers.
Hummingbirds, directed by Silvia Castaños, Estefania Contreras, Miguel Drake McLaughlin, Diane Ng, Ana Rodriguez-Falco, Jillian Schlesinger, and produced by Leslie Benavides,...
The recipients also will receive a one-year fellowship to support their feature-length nonfiction film projects. That includes access to archive research, mentorships, story and edit consultations and distribution strategy expertise. They also will get marketing and publicity guidance and production resources.
NBCU Academy was launched as part of NBCUniversal News Group Chairman Cesar Conde’s Fifty Percent Challenge Initiative, with the goal of an employee base of 50% women and 50% people of color.
The recipients include:
Bloodthicker, directed by Zac Manuel and produced by Chris Haney: The documentary, filmed over four years, is about three childhood friends, all young musicians, navigating adulthood while living in the shadows of their famous fathers.
Hummingbirds, directed by Silvia Castaños, Estefania Contreras, Miguel Drake McLaughlin, Diane Ng, Ana Rodriguez-Falco, Jillian Schlesinger, and produced by Leslie Benavides,...
- 6/16/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Labs organised by Michelle Satter, director Ilyse McKimmie, and N. Bird Runningwater.
Sundance Institute on Monday (May 10) named the artists and projects selected for the first group of the upcoming signature summer Labs including 12 fellows for the Directors and Screenwriters Labs and nine participating in the Native Lab. One fellow will participate in both Labs.
Directors Lab (June 1-July 2) fellows and projects are: Erica Tremblay (co-writer/director) and Miciana Alise (co-writer) with Fancy Dance; Cris Gris (director) and Mary Ann Anane (Writer) with forward; Tracy Droz Tragos (writer/director) with The Macrobiotic Toker; Diego Céspedes (writer/director) with The Mysterious...
Sundance Institute on Monday (May 10) named the artists and projects selected for the first group of the upcoming signature summer Labs including 12 fellows for the Directors and Screenwriters Labs and nine participating in the Native Lab. One fellow will participate in both Labs.
Directors Lab (June 1-July 2) fellows and projects are: Erica Tremblay (co-writer/director) and Miciana Alise (co-writer) with Fancy Dance; Cris Gris (director) and Mary Ann Anane (Writer) with forward; Tracy Droz Tragos (writer/director) with The Macrobiotic Toker; Diego Céspedes (writer/director) with The Mysterious...
- 5/10/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” swept the Latino Entertainment Film Awards on Sunday, taking home four awards, including best picture, director, cinematography and editing.
The awards, which are voted on and presented by the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association, also honored Oscar-nominated actor Rosie Perez with the Rita Moreno Lifetime Achievement Award and the Latino Activism Award. In a pre-taped speech, Perez thanked the Leja and spoke about her work as an activist.
“It’s weird getting an award for it to be quite honest – because I don’t do it for that. I do it just to help make the world a better place for everyone,” Perez said.
“The Prom” and “Hamilton” star Ariana DeBose was given the Latino Breakout Award. “I believe fervently in representation and I’m really proud to be even be a small part of the expansion of how we are viewed in this entertainment industry. We are a vast,...
The awards, which are voted on and presented by the Latino Entertainment Journalists Association, also honored Oscar-nominated actor Rosie Perez with the Rita Moreno Lifetime Achievement Award and the Latino Activism Award. In a pre-taped speech, Perez thanked the Leja and spoke about her work as an activist.
“It’s weird getting an award for it to be quite honest – because I don’t do it for that. I do it just to help make the world a better place for everyone,” Perez said.
“The Prom” and “Hamilton” star Ariana DeBose was given the Latino Breakout Award. “I believe fervently in representation and I’m really proud to be even be a small part of the expansion of how we are viewed in this entertainment industry. We are a vast,...
- 3/7/2021
- by Ellise Shafer
- Variety Film + TV
In the documentary Own the Room, five students from “disparate corners of the planet” take their “budding business ventures to Macau, China, to compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards.” It’s the latest from Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster, the team behind the documentary Science Fair. Own the Room hails from National Geographic Documentary Films, and is headed to Disney+ […]
The post ‘Own the Room’ Trailer: Five Students Compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Own the Room’ Trailer: Five Students Compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards appeared first on /Film.
- 2/13/2021
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
"You have a story that deserves to be heard." National Geographic + Disney have debuted an official trailer for an inspiring new documentary film titled Own the Room, debuting streaming on Disney+ in March for everyone to watch. This is the second feature from the award-winning filmmakers behind the doc Science Fair, which premiered at Sundance in 2018. National Geographic Documentary Films' Own the Room doc follows five young star students on their journey to win one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for student entrepreneurs. Santosh is from a small farming town in Nepal; Alondra works the register at her family’s bakery in Puerto Rico; Henry is a programming wiz from Nairobi; Jason is a marketing machine from Greece; and Daniela, an immigrant fleeing the crisis in Venezuela. This looks like a very uplifting and encouraging portrait of perseverance, passion, and hard work as these people take on the world.
- 2/8/2021
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Exclusive: The filmmakers behind Science Fair are prepping a feature doc about student entrepreneurs for Disney+.
The streamer has ordered Own the Room from directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster and National Geographic Documentary Films.
The film follows five young students on their journey to win one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for fledgling entrepreneurs in Macau, China.
Launching on March 12, the doc follows the five students as they compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. Santosh is from a small farming town in Nepal; Alondra works the register at her family’s bakery in Puerto Rico; Henry is a programming wiz from Nairobi; Jason is a marketing machine from Greece; and Daniela, an immigrant fleeing the crisis in Venezuela, is taking on the chemical industry from her lab at NYU.
It marks Costantini and Foster’s latest collaboration with National Geographic Documentary Films and Disney+; Science Fair,...
The streamer has ordered Own the Room from directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster and National Geographic Documentary Films.
The film follows five young students on their journey to win one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for fledgling entrepreneurs in Macau, China.
Launching on March 12, the doc follows the five students as they compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. Santosh is from a small farming town in Nepal; Alondra works the register at her family’s bakery in Puerto Rico; Henry is a programming wiz from Nairobi; Jason is a marketing machine from Greece; and Daniela, an immigrant fleeing the crisis in Venezuela, is taking on the chemical industry from her lab at NYU.
It marks Costantini and Foster’s latest collaboration with National Geographic Documentary Films and Disney+; Science Fair,...
- 2/8/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
NBC News announced that its NBCU Academy and NBC News Studios would launch a fellowship program to award six filmmakers $270,000 in grants each year to create feature length documentaries.
The program, Original Voices, will allocate $45,000 each to fund the documentary projects, in all stages of production, that will highlight social issues and identities. The fellows will get access to NBC News Studios and expertise in areas like story and editing, marketing and festival distribution. They also will be able to consult and partner with journalists and executives at NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and Telemundo.
NBC News Studios said that it identified 50 filmmakers to apply for the fellowships, with an emphasis on diversity, including Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous and tribal populations, LGBTQ+, women or people with disabilities. No distribution rights are attached for NBC.
Winners will be announced at the end of February 2021. Three documentary filmmakers will...
The program, Original Voices, will allocate $45,000 each to fund the documentary projects, in all stages of production, that will highlight social issues and identities. The fellows will get access to NBC News Studios and expertise in areas like story and editing, marketing and festival distribution. They also will be able to consult and partner with journalists and executives at NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC and Telemundo.
NBC News Studios said that it identified 50 filmmakers to apply for the fellowships, with an emphasis on diversity, including Latino, Asian American and Pacific Islander, Black, Indigenous and tribal populations, LGBTQ+, women or people with disabilities. No distribution rights are attached for NBC.
Winners will be announced at the end of February 2021. Three documentary filmmakers will...
- 2/2/2021
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
In a year of pandemic, social unrest and political polarization, one Oscar-contending documentary arrived to lift people’s spirits, not just in the U.S. but around the world.
Mucho Mucho Amor tells the story of a beloved cultural icon, Walter Mercado, an astrologer who delivered daily horoscopes on television to avid fans in his native Puerto Rico, throughout Latin America, and other parts of the globe.
“Walter was huge,” says Cristina Costantini, who directed the Netflix documentary with Kareem Tabsch. “One hundred twenty million people a day would tune in to watch Walter, which is like a Super Bowl audience every single day. Part of the reason that we wanted to make this movie is just to honor this incredible legacy.”
From his debut in 1969, what set Mercado apart was his arresting appearance: He blurred gender lines, adorned in elaborate capes and jewelry, his hair blow-dried into a nimbus of cotton candy.
Mucho Mucho Amor tells the story of a beloved cultural icon, Walter Mercado, an astrologer who delivered daily horoscopes on television to avid fans in his native Puerto Rico, throughout Latin America, and other parts of the globe.
“Walter was huge,” says Cristina Costantini, who directed the Netflix documentary with Kareem Tabsch. “One hundred twenty million people a day would tune in to watch Walter, which is like a Super Bowl audience every single day. Part of the reason that we wanted to make this movie is just to honor this incredible legacy.”
From his debut in 1969, what set Mercado apart was his arresting appearance: He blurred gender lines, adorned in elaborate capes and jewelry, his hair blow-dried into a nimbus of cotton candy.
- 1/27/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Celebrated Lab graduates include Chloé Zhao, Radha Blank, Eliza Hittman.
Fifteen emerging storytellers from Chile, India, Kenya, Tunisia and the US have been selected to participate in Sundance Institute’s January Screenwriters Lab starting today (January 11).
The fellows will develop 12 original projects in collaboration with creative advisors from the industry, under the leadership of Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program founding director Michelle Satter.
The projects and fellow/s include: Black Comic-Con (USA), Natasha Rothwell (writer/director); The Catch Rishi Chandna (writer/director); Chariot (USA), Alyssa Loh; Fancy Dance (USA), Erica Tremblay (co-writer/director), Miciana Alise (co-writer) ; forward (USA), Mary Ann Anane...
Fifteen emerging storytellers from Chile, India, Kenya, Tunisia and the US have been selected to participate in Sundance Institute’s January Screenwriters Lab starting today (January 11).
The fellows will develop 12 original projects in collaboration with creative advisors from the industry, under the leadership of Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Program founding director Michelle Satter.
The projects and fellow/s include: Black Comic-Con (USA), Natasha Rothwell (writer/director); The Catch Rishi Chandna (writer/director); Chariot (USA), Alyssa Loh; Fancy Dance (USA), Erica Tremblay (co-writer/director), Miciana Alise (co-writer) ; forward (USA), Mary Ann Anane...
- 1/11/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The numbers told an exciting story: For the first time ever, five major tentpole feature films directed by women were set to be released in a single calendar year: Cate Shortland’s “Black Widow,” Chloé Zhao’s “Eternals,” “Cathy Yan’s “Birds of Prey,” Patty Jenkins’ “Wonder Woman 1984,” and Niki Caro’s “Mulan.” The year 2020 was going to show real progress and provide a sign of different things to come, aided by a push for visibility that had so far alluded even the industry’s most well-known female filmmakers. The five films on the schedule — four of which were tied to the biggest active franchises of the moment — were only part of a bigger picture.
You know what happened next: a pandemic.
Its impact shut down whole countries and has claimed over a million lives to date. For the movies, the changes were swift and brutal: postponed and canceled projects,...
You know what happened next: a pandemic.
Its impact shut down whole countries and has claimed over a million lives to date. For the movies, the changes were swift and brutal: postponed and canceled projects,...
- 12/18/2020
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Programme offers funding, coaching and support to filmmakers from under-represented groups.
The Sundance Institute has revealed the eight filmmakers who will make up the third class of the Momentum Fellowship.
The Fellowship is the Institute’s full-year programme of creative and professional support for mid-career fiction and documentary writers and directors from under-represented communities.
The fellowships will provide unrestricted grant funding, industry mentorship, professional coaching, writing workshops, industry meetings in the spring of next year and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff.
The 2021 Fellows are: Cristina Costantini, whose documentary Mucho Mucho Amor premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and...
The Sundance Institute has revealed the eight filmmakers who will make up the third class of the Momentum Fellowship.
The Fellowship is the Institute’s full-year programme of creative and professional support for mid-career fiction and documentary writers and directors from under-represented communities.
The fellowships will provide unrestricted grant funding, industry mentorship, professional coaching, writing workshops, industry meetings in the spring of next year and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff.
The 2021 Fellows are: Cristina Costantini, whose documentary Mucho Mucho Amor premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and...
- 11/24/2020
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Sundance Institute has named the talented group of filmmakers that have been selected for the third class of Momentum Fellows.
The full-year program is a new collaboration with NBCUniversal that gives customized creative and professional support for mid-career writers and directors from underrepresented communities who are poised to take the next step in their careers in fiction and documentary filmmaking. This year’s fellows include Cristina Costantini, Natalie Erika James, Shalini Kantayya, Loira Limbal, Ekwa Msangi, Edson Oda, Jacqueline Olive and Angel Kristi Williams.
The fellowship includes unrestricted grant funding, industry mentorship, professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company supported by The Harnisch Foundation, writing workshops and industry meetings in Spring 2021, and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff.
Additionally, the FilmTwo Fellowship has merged into the Momentum Fellowship, and NBCUniversal will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative.
The full-year program is a new collaboration with NBCUniversal that gives customized creative and professional support for mid-career writers and directors from underrepresented communities who are poised to take the next step in their careers in fiction and documentary filmmaking. This year’s fellows include Cristina Costantini, Natalie Erika James, Shalini Kantayya, Loira Limbal, Ekwa Msangi, Edson Oda, Jacqueline Olive and Angel Kristi Williams.
The fellowship includes unrestricted grant funding, industry mentorship, professional coaching offered by Renee Freedman & Company supported by The Harnisch Foundation, writing workshops and industry meetings in Spring 2021, and bespoke year-round support from Sundance Institute staff.
Additionally, the FilmTwo Fellowship has merged into the Momentum Fellowship, and NBCUniversal will provide an opportunity for select Momentum fellows working on fiction projects to participate in the Universal Directors Initiative.
- 11/23/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The National Association of Latino Independent Producers has announced the winners of this year’s Latino Media Fest Awards.
Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Friday afternoon.
“Pose” was named best Latinx TV show. Co-creator, writer, producer and director Steven Canals will accept the honor on the series’ behalf.
Netflix’s Walter Mercado documentary “Mucho Mucho Amor” picked up the trophy for best Latinx Film. The doc’s co-directors Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabash will offer remarks along with their producer Alex Fumero.
Best Latinx director was awarded to Flavio Alves for “The Garden Left Behind.”
The jury award went to the short “By the River” from filmmaker Sofia Camargo.
Longtime journalist and president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Claudia Puig is the recipient of the excellence in entertainment journalism award.
Comedian and writer Al Madrigal will host the awards ceremony, starting at 2 p.m.
Winners will be announced at a virtual ceremony on Friday afternoon.
“Pose” was named best Latinx TV show. Co-creator, writer, producer and director Steven Canals will accept the honor on the series’ behalf.
Netflix’s Walter Mercado documentary “Mucho Mucho Amor” picked up the trophy for best Latinx Film. The doc’s co-directors Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabash will offer remarks along with their producer Alex Fumero.
Best Latinx director was awarded to Flavio Alves for “The Garden Left Behind.”
The jury award went to the short “By the River” from filmmaker Sofia Camargo.
Longtime journalist and president of the Los Angeles Film Critics Association Claudia Puig is the recipient of the excellence in entertainment journalism award.
Comedian and writer Al Madrigal will host the awards ceremony, starting at 2 p.m.
- 10/16/2020
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Monday, Oct. 5 Filipina Music Drama ‘Yellow Rose’ Backed by Gold House
Cultural movement Gold House is supporting the Filipina music drama “Yellow Rose” through its #GoldOpen campaign, which backed “Parasite,” “The Farewell,” “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Just Mercy.”
The Sony release, which opens Oct. 9, centers on an undocumented Filipina teen from a small Texas town who fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer while having to decide between staying with her family or leaving the only home she has known.
The film, directed by Diana Paragas in her narrative feature debut, stars Eva Noblezada and Lea Salonga. Events include a live Twitter watch party on Oct. 8 and a streamed Q&a on Oct. 9 with the “Yellow Rose” cast and Paragas director moderated by Jazz Tangcay of Variety. The campaign also includes efforts to celebrate Filipino American history and Filipino storytellers through Cinema Sala and the Filipino American Historical Society.
Cultural movement Gold House is supporting the Filipina music drama “Yellow Rose” through its #GoldOpen campaign, which backed “Parasite,” “The Farewell,” “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Just Mercy.”
The Sony release, which opens Oct. 9, centers on an undocumented Filipina teen from a small Texas town who fights to pursue her dreams as a country music performer while having to decide between staying with her family or leaving the only home she has known.
The film, directed by Diana Paragas in her narrative feature debut, stars Eva Noblezada and Lea Salonga. Events include a live Twitter watch party on Oct. 8 and a streamed Q&a on Oct. 9 with the “Yellow Rose” cast and Paragas director moderated by Jazz Tangcay of Variety. The campaign also includes efforts to celebrate Filipino American history and Filipino storytellers through Cinema Sala and the Filipino American Historical Society.
- 10/6/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
By Glenn Dunks
When we look back at our 2020 times stuck indoors for endless hours, I wonder what people will remember. Among the much more high profile television series and surprise album drops, I suspect one title many will find themselves reaching for in their memories is Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado. I have to admit to being entirely oblivious to the focus of Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch's documentary except a well-timed ‘appearance’ on RuPaul’s Drag Race just a week before the film premiered on Netflix. Unless I caught him on an episode of Sally Jessy Raphael, I guess.
What I discovered—and what I imagine is what will allow for fond remembrance of the movie once we are long out of isolation hubs—was something so very sweetly tender. A film that’s every bit as fabulous as the elaborate, bejewelled cloaks and...
When we look back at our 2020 times stuck indoors for endless hours, I wonder what people will remember. Among the much more high profile television series and surprise album drops, I suspect one title many will find themselves reaching for in their memories is Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado. I have to admit to being entirely oblivious to the focus of Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch's documentary except a well-timed ‘appearance’ on RuPaul’s Drag Race just a week before the film premiered on Netflix. Unless I caught him on an episode of Sally Jessy Raphael, I guess.
What I discovered—and what I imagine is what will allow for fond remembrance of the movie once we are long out of isolation hubs—was something so very sweetly tender. A film that’s every bit as fabulous as the elaborate, bejewelled cloaks and...
- 8/12/2020
- by Glenn Dunks
- FilmExperience
Walter Mercado gave almost half the world their daily horoscopes, drawing 120 million Latinx viewers to their televisions every evening. Each of the astrologer’s fans got a personal reading which resonated with them, even though they shared their sign’s message with millions of others. Walter didn’t even have to consult his ephemeris. Mucho Mucho Amor, which can be streamed on Netflix, is named after Walter’s signature closing. Co-directed by Cristina Costantini (Science Fair) and Kareem Tabsch (The Last Resort), and produced by Alex Fumero (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson), it is a loving look at the beloved and revolutionary performer.
Walter was one of the first mainstream androgynous Latin American figures and has become an LGBT icon, the Liberace of astrologers. He was also one of the first astrologers since Jeane Dixon to bring the ancient art to modern audiences. Before Marianne Williamson became...
Walter was one of the first mainstream androgynous Latin American figures and has become an LGBT icon, the Liberace of astrologers. He was also one of the first astrologers since Jeane Dixon to bring the ancient art to modern audiences. Before Marianne Williamson became...
- 7/13/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
This unusual summer movie season continues this weekend with a particularly diverse batch of high profile releases hitting a variety of streaming platforms, along with the flow of independent and foreign films continuing to premiere on video-on-demand services.
The romantic comedy “Palm Springs” made headlines when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Hulu and Neon purchased rights to the comedy for $17,500,000.69, breaking the record for the biggest sale at the festival by just $0.69. Though Neon had originally planned a theatrical release, the movie will only be at a few drive-in theaters nationwide. However, it is available to stream for anyone with a Hulu subscription. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti star as two wedding guests caught in a time loop, repeating the same day again and again.
Tom Hanks has also veered into the streaming realm with “Greyhound,” a WWII naval thriller which Hanks wrote and stars in.
The romantic comedy “Palm Springs” made headlines when it premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January. Hulu and Neon purchased rights to the comedy for $17,500,000.69, breaking the record for the biggest sale at the festival by just $0.69. Though Neon had originally planned a theatrical release, the movie will only be at a few drive-in theaters nationwide. However, it is available to stream for anyone with a Hulu subscription. Andy Samberg and Cristin Milioti star as two wedding guests caught in a time loop, repeating the same day again and again.
Tom Hanks has also veered into the streaming realm with “Greyhound,” a WWII naval thriller which Hanks wrote and stars in.
- 7/10/2020
- by J. Kim Murphy
- Variety Film + TV
With a seemingly endless amount of streaming options—not only the titles at our disposal, but services themselves–each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit platforms. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
The Beach House (Jeffrey A. Brown)
There’s a lot to like about Jeffrey A. Brown’s feature directorial debut The Beach House, from its gorgeous production design to its ruminations on mankind’s fragility when compared with Mother Nature’s hardier offerings (despite our penchant for believing we hold dominion over Her). It’s therefore easy to appreciate the reason Emily (Liana Liberato), Randall (Noah Le Gros), Mitch (Jake Weber), and Jane (Maryanne Nagel) have arrived at a site that may end up being their tomb because we’re quick to ignore the baked-in irony too. This was supposed to be an escape from life’s struggles—a...
The Beach House (Jeffrey A. Brown)
There’s a lot to like about Jeffrey A. Brown’s feature directorial debut The Beach House, from its gorgeous production design to its ruminations on mankind’s fragility when compared with Mother Nature’s hardier offerings (despite our penchant for believing we hold dominion over Her). It’s therefore easy to appreciate the reason Emily (Liana Liberato), Randall (Noah Le Gros), Mitch (Jake Weber), and Jane (Maryanne Nagel) have arrived at a site that may end up being their tomb because we’re quick to ignore the baked-in irony too. This was supposed to be an escape from life’s struggles—a...
- 7/10/2020
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Walter Mercado signed off every one of his wildly popular televised astrology readings with a vital and uplifting message, one which resonates just as much today: “Reciban de mi siempre mucho paz, pero sobre todo mucho mucho mucho amor.” May you receive from me always, peace, lots of peace, but above all, lots and lots of love.
The late Puerto Rican actor and dancer was the first and most widely televised astrologer in the world, gracing TV screens and radio stations in every Spanish-speaking market for nearly four decades beginning in the 1970s. He disappeared from public view amidst an arduous legal battle over the rights to his name and previous work, retreating to a fortress-like villa in San Juan. His outsized personality, dazzling capes, and uplifting message of love earned him the arduous devotion of millions of fans the world over. Mercado passed away in 2019, but his spirit endures,...
The late Puerto Rican actor and dancer was the first and most widely televised astrologer in the world, gracing TV screens and radio stations in every Spanish-speaking market for nearly four decades beginning in the 1970s. He disappeared from public view amidst an arduous legal battle over the rights to his name and previous work, retreating to a fortress-like villa in San Juan. His outsized personality, dazzling capes, and uplifting message of love earned him the arduous devotion of millions of fans the world over. Mercado passed away in 2019, but his spirit endures,...
- 7/9/2020
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
“Through Walter Mercado’s existence we have greater acceptance for people around us.” – Lin-Manuel Miranda
Querido Walter,
Although you’re gone from the physical realm where once we co-existed, I’m writing to thank you for leaving us behind so much of your knowledge, beauty, and grace in Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado, and for allowing directors Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch to distill your message of love and acceptance into a documentary that’s so entertaining, intimate, and enlightening.
I grew up one block away from the Church of Los Dolores in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, a baroque structure completed in the 18th century. As a little boy, I often accompanied my great-grandmother to mass, and remember being fascinated by the opulence. Saints with pale faces and broken-hearted expressions who were always decked in extravagant robes and capes, with crystal and gold-leaf finishes. I was always drawn to the central altar,...
Querido Walter,
Although you’re gone from the physical realm where once we co-existed, I’m writing to thank you for leaving us behind so much of your knowledge, beauty, and grace in Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado, and for allowing directors Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch to distill your message of love and acceptance into a documentary that’s so entertaining, intimate, and enlightening.
I grew up one block away from the Church of Los Dolores in Tegucigalpa, Honduras, a baroque structure completed in the 18th century. As a little boy, I often accompanied my great-grandmother to mass, and remember being fascinated by the opulence. Saints with pale faces and broken-hearted expressions who were always decked in extravagant robes and capes, with crystal and gold-leaf finishes. I was always drawn to the central altar,...
- 7/9/2020
- by Jose Solís
- The Film Stage
The co-directors and producer of a new Netflix documentary about the life of iconic television astrologer Walter Mercado are hoping to adapt the film into a scripted biopic.
Cristina Costantini, who directed “Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado” with Kareem Tabsch, tells Variety that they asked Mercado who he wanted to play him. “I suggested Gael García Bernal and he said, ‘Too old,’” Costantini said. “So we said, ‘Well, who would you have play you?’ And he said, ‘Who is that boy from “Call Me by Your Name?”’ And we said, ‘Timothée Chalamet?’ And he said, ‘Yes, this would be a good opportunity for him.’ I just love that he picked this child.”
Producer Alex Fumero said, laughing, “There might be some representation issues but Walter will always choose youth and beauty over anything else, including Latino representation.”
Mercado’s career began in 1969 when he began reading horoscopes...
Cristina Costantini, who directed “Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado” with Kareem Tabsch, tells Variety that they asked Mercado who he wanted to play him. “I suggested Gael García Bernal and he said, ‘Too old,’” Costantini said. “So we said, ‘Well, who would you have play you?’ And he said, ‘Who is that boy from “Call Me by Your Name?”’ And we said, ‘Timothée Chalamet?’ And he said, ‘Yes, this would be a good opportunity for him.’ I just love that he picked this child.”
Producer Alex Fumero said, laughing, “There might be some representation issues but Walter will always choose youth and beauty over anything else, including Latino representation.”
Mercado’s career began in 1969 when he began reading horoscopes...
- 7/9/2020
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Premiering at Sundance back in the pre-pandemic festival days Mucho Mucho Amor is a much-needed uplift in these trying times. Co-directed and produced by Cristina Costantini (Science Fair) and Kareem Tabsch (The Last Resort), and produced by Alex Fumero (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson), the doc, which hits Netflix today, is a fascinating odyssey into the beautifully eccentric world of Walter Mercado. Combining the fashion sense of Liberace with the relentless positivity of Tammy Faye Bakker, the Puerto Rican astrologer, psychic and defiantly nonbinary pioneer spent decades spreading his mantra of “mucho mucho amor” to an audience […]...
- 7/8/2020
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Premiering at Sundance back in the pre-pandemic festival days Mucho Mucho Amor is a much-needed uplift in these trying times. Co-directed and produced by Cristina Costantini (Science Fair) and Kareem Tabsch (The Last Resort), and produced by Alex Fumero (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson), the doc, which hits Netflix today, is a fascinating odyssey into the beautifully eccentric world of Walter Mercado. Combining the fashion sense of Liberace with the relentless positivity of Tammy Faye Bakker, the Puerto Rican astrologer, psychic and defiantly nonbinary pioneer spent decades spreading his mantra of “mucho mucho amor” to an audience […]...
- 7/8/2020
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Documentary “Mucho Mucho Amor,” from Latinx filmmakers Cristina Costantini (“Science Fair”) and Kareem Tabsch (“The Last Resort”), focuses on the legacy of Walter Mercado, the iconic gender-nonconforming Hispanic astrologer who disappeared from the public eye, choosing to live off the grid in Puerto Rico, before resurfacing to prepare for the opening of a late-in-life exhibition at the HistoryMiami Museum.
Cinematographer Peter Alton had worked with Costantini on “Science Fair” and was her first choice to capture Mercado’s intimate moments for the doc, now streaming on Netflix, as the octogenarian grapples with aging and how he wants to be remembered during what prove to be the final two years of his life.
What was your awareness of who Mercado was? It was pretty minimal. I think I had seen him on TV in the ’90s. Sort of like on the Psychic Network.
What was the challenge in filming him so intimately?...
Cinematographer Peter Alton had worked with Costantini on “Science Fair” and was her first choice to capture Mercado’s intimate moments for the doc, now streaming on Netflix, as the octogenarian grapples with aging and how he wants to be remembered during what prove to be the final two years of his life.
What was your awareness of who Mercado was? It was pretty minimal. I think I had seen him on TV in the ’90s. Sort of like on the Psychic Network.
What was the challenge in filming him so intimately?...
- 7/8/2020
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
A beloved astrologer’s spiritual and sexual influence is lovingly recounted in Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado.
“Love is the essence of everything,” we read in the first Mucho Mucho Amor trailer, and the new Netflix Original Documentary has nothing but love for the iconic astrologer Walter Mercado. Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado will hit the streamer globally on July 8.
The documentary was directed by Cristina Costantini (Science Fair) and Kareem Tabsch (The Last Resort), and produced by Alex Fumero (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson). They got “unprecedented access to Walter during his post-fame seclusion” and were invited into “his home and interior world,” according to the press release. The documentary captures the psychic entertainer’s final two years, “when the pioneering icon grappled with aging and his legacy, as he prepared for one last star-studded spectacle.”
During his long career,...
“Love is the essence of everything,” we read in the first Mucho Mucho Amor trailer, and the new Netflix Original Documentary has nothing but love for the iconic astrologer Walter Mercado. Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado will hit the streamer globally on July 8.
The documentary was directed by Cristina Costantini (Science Fair) and Kareem Tabsch (The Last Resort), and produced by Alex Fumero (I Think You Should Leave with Tim Robinson). They got “unprecedented access to Walter during his post-fame seclusion” and were invited into “his home and interior world,” according to the press release. The documentary captures the psychic entertainer’s final two years, “when the pioneering icon grappled with aging and his legacy, as he prepared for one last star-studded spectacle.”
During his long career,...
- 6/30/2020
- by John Saavedra
- Den of Geek
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