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iW BOT | Slow and Steady, "Volver" and "The Queen" Solid; "Babel" Slows in Expansion

Sony Pictures Classics' decision to patiently hold Pedro Almodovar's red-hot "Volver" at five New York and Los Angeles theaters for a second weekend proved it's no one-weekend-wonder, in case there was any doubt. Its per-theater-average dip on this week's indieWIRE Box Office Tracking report (iWBOT)...

REVIEW | Obscure Object: The Brothers Quay's "The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes"

The degree to which you're able to fully invest in the Brothers Quay's new full-length "The Piano Tuner of Earthquakes" may well depend on your relationship to their earlier works. Quay regulars will probably look past the general opacity of "Piano Tuner"'s narrative, which is simple in its arc but ...

Dame Helen Mirren to be Honored at 22nd Santa Barbara International Film Festival

Dame Helen Mirren will be honored with a tribute and receive the award for "Outstanding Performance of the Year" for her role in "The Queen" at the upcoming 22nd annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, the event announced Tuesday. The event will take place Friday, January 26th during the 22nd SBIFF, which takes place January 25 - February 4. "It is an honor to celebrate Dame Helen Mirren's performance in this role," commented SBIFF executive director Roger Durling in a statement. "She beautifully captured the conflict this woman felt in a time of personal tragedy and public loss. The way she was able to balance power and vulnerabil...

Bujalski Fans of the World Unite

Adrienne Shelly Foundation Fosters Women Filmmakers

Starz Launches Film Studio: Overture Films

Starz, LLC has announced the creation of Overture Films, a company described in an announcement Monday as "a new motion picture studio." The new production and distribution outfit will be headed by CEO Chris McGurk and COO Danny Rosett, both formerly of MGM. A unit of Liberty Media's premium movie service and production/distribution arm, Overture will produce, acquire and release 8 - 12 feature films per year, with a mandate to, "produce quality films that take creative risks and break new ground." Based in Los Angeles with releases set to start in the middle of next year, Overture will begin with a slate that is made up of 60% productions an...

Foundation to Help Women Filmmakers Established in Memory of Adrienne Shelly

The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the memory of writer/director/actress Adrienne Shelly, is being founded by her husband, Andy Ostroy. Plans include a Womens' Filmmaking Scholarship Fund, with a particular emphasis on awarding film school scholarships and helping women make the transition from acting to directing. "I know what Adrienne would want most would be to help women get a chance to pursue their dream," commented Ostroy in a statement. More initiatives from the foundation will be announced at a later date. Those wanting to contribute can send checks made out to The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, via B...

Janet Pierson and Dana Harris Start (Not-Quite-Film) Blogs