From the "Biz" Archives:
BIZ Articles Listed Alphabetically
NY Critics Crown "King" Top Film of '03; SF & Boston Critics Also Weigh In
"The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King" was named best picture of the year by the New York Film Critics Circle, the nation's leading critics organization. The New Line film, the third installment in the "Lord of the Rings" saga, is debuting in theaters on Tuesday night with special midnight screenings. "Lost In Translation," "American Splendor," and "The Secret Lives of Dentists" also figured prominently in balloting. Plus, San Francisco and Boston critics' groups also chime in. Eugene Hernandez reports. (December 16, 2003)
#1 Japanese Flick Learns English and Visits America
Miramax is planning to release an English language version of the Japanese animated film, "Princess Mononoke" in the United States. "Mononoke" is the highest grossing film ever in Japan, and the official entry for this year's Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. (February 03, 1998)
04's First Weekend Dominated by a "Monster"
Patty Jenkins' debut feature "Monster" has the makings of a solid movie, according to the iW: BOT of specialty titles. The film took the top spot over the weekend with an impressive per screen average in its still limited run. Sony Classics enters the new year on a high note, with three titles in the top ten including "The Fog of War," "The Company" and "The Triplets of Bellville," while "Secret Things," "Japanese Story" and "Millennium Mambo" kick off the first full weekend of 2004. Brian Brooks reports. (January 06, 2004)
14 Docs to Receive Grants from Sundance Institute
Twice a year, the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund awards grants to U.S. and international films which showcase many types of social and political awareness. The 14 recipients are chosen by a committee of industry professionals and human rights specialists. Ali Gitlow reports. (October 23, 2003)
14 Projects in Focus for Sundance Doc Fund
The Sundance Institute has announced the complete list of 14 projects that will receive funding from the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund for 2005. A total of $490,000 in grants will be distributed by the organization. Since its formation, the fund has provided more than $2 million to a total of 84 doc projects that, in the words of the Institute "focus on current human rights issues, freedom of expression, social justice, and civil liberties." Eugene Hernandez reports. (March 08, 2005)
1998 IDA Award Winners, Two Distributors Ink Output Pacts
Briefs include winners of the 1998 International Documentary Achievement Awards and two distributors, October and Stratoshpere, agree to cable output deals. (November 02, 1998)
1999 IFFCON Announces 60 Projects, Participants
The International Film Financing Conference (IFFCON) recently announced the 60 projects and filmmakers selected to participate in their sixth annual forum for independent films in development, IFFCON '99, running from January 15-17 in San Francisco. (December 11, 1998)
2002 IFP Market Lineup: Emerging Narrative
The lineup for the 2002 IFP Market Emerging Narrative section. (July 12, 2002)
2002 IFP Market Lineup: No Borders
The lineup for the 2002 IFP Market No Borders section. (July 05, 2002)
2002 IFP Market Lineup: Spotlight on Documentaries
The lineup for the 2002 IFP Market Spotlight on Documentaries section. (July 22, 2002)
2002 No Borders Slate; and Walsh's "Pipe Dream" Acquired
Thirty-six projects are set for the No Borders International Co-Production Market at this Fall's IFP Market taking place Sept. 27 - Oct. 4. And, Castle Hill Productions has acquired domestic theatrical rights to John C. Walsh's "Pipe Dream." (August 05, 2002)
2002 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL AWARD WINNERS
"Personal Velocity," "Daughter from Danang," and "Amandla! A Revolution in Four Part Harmony" are among the big winners announced at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. (January 20, 2002)
2003 IFP Independent Spirit Award Nominations
Nominations for the 2003 IFP Independent Spirit Awards were announced today in Los Angeles. (December 11, 2002)
"21 Grams" Leads Weekend Box Office With Stellar Debut
"21 Grams" from Focus Features was without a doubt the top specialty film this weekend. Alejandro González Iñárritu's Indiewood film, starring Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and Naomi Watts, earned more than $274,000 in its debut on eight screens, for an average of $34,307. That's the second highest opening weekend per screen average this year, next to Focus' grosses for "Lost In Translation" back in September. That film debuted with an average of more than $40,000. Eugene Hernandez dissects the numbers in indieWIRE's weekly box office report. (November 25, 2003)
22nd Atlantic Film Fest; TLA in "Love" and Palm Cash
A series of fall Canadian film festivals that launched with the Montreal World Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, continued last week in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with the 22nd Atlantic Film Festival; TLA Releasing recently acquired Ventura Pons' "Food of Love," and will open the film next month in New York City followed by a roll-out in other cities; And, Palm Pictures has secured a new round of funding from its long-time investor Avalon Capital Group as well as from Latin American media company Grupo Santo Domingo. (September 23, 2002)
23rd Asian Fest; Mexperimental Cinema; Avignon Fest Awards
The winners of the Avignon Festival in France, along with Mexperimental Cinema at the Guggenheim, and the 22nd Asian Film Fest in NYC. (June 30, 1999)
29 Projects On Tap for Tribeca Program Aimed at Supporting Filmmakers of Color
Tribeca All Access Connects has unveiled the 29 projects that will participate in this year's program, aimed at fostering relationships between U.S. based filmmakers of color and the film industry. This year, a new component will showcase unrepresented screenwriters, offering them the opportunity to join directors during the four days of meetings and event that will run concurrent with this year's Tribeca Film Festival (April 19 - May 1). Eugene Hernandez reports. (March 28, 2005)
4 Top Oscars Go To Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby"
In Los Angeles Sunday night, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented the 77th Academy Awards for the best films of 2004. While Martin Scorsese's Howard Hughes biopic "The Aviator" won the most Oscars, with five awards, it was Clint Eastwood's "Million Dollar Baby," the story of a prizefighter and her coach, which won the top awards of the evening. "Million Dollar" nabbed the Oscar for best picture, best director for Clint Eastwood, best actress for Hilary Swank, and best supporting actor for Morgan Freeman. Eugene Hernandez reports. (February 28, 2005)
45 Foreign Oscar Submissions Are a Mix of Festival Favorites and More Obscure Entries
Among the 45 countries that have submitted films for consideration for the 1998 Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award are one newcomer and two countries that have not submitted films in 20 years. In an announcement by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) President Robert Rehme, it was revealed that Kyrgyzstan has submitted Aktan Abdykalydov's "The Adopted Son," for that country's inaugural entry, while Lebanon and Morocco entered films for the first time in two decades. (November 30, 1998)
49 Countries Submit Films for Foreign Language Oscar Consideration
Forty-nine countries are vying for one of five Oscar nominations in the 2004 Foreign Language Film Award category. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Frank Pierson unveiled yesterday the complete list of films submitted for consideration this year. Eugene Hernandez reports. (October 22, 2004)
53rd Locarno Awards Chinese "Father," Fest Director Announces Departure
News from on the scene at the 53rd Locarno Film Festival, where the winners were announced and Festival Director announced his departure. (August 14, 2000)
55 Countries Submit Films for Foreign Language Oscar Consideration
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has announced the full list of films that have been submitted for Academy Award consideration in the Foreign Language Film Award category. The list, announced Monday by AMPAS president Frank Pierson, includes a record-breaking fifty-five submissions. The list tops last year's roster by one film. indieWIRE is publishing the full list of submissions today and will have analysis and an overview of the race for the foreign language film Oscar in Wednesday's World Cinema Column by Anthony Kaufman. Eugene Hernandez reports. (October 21, 2003)
56th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominations
Nominations for the 56th Annual Golden Globe Award Nominations (December 14, 1998)
7th Art Acquisition; New York Underground Online; Chicago Kids Winners
Seventh Art Acquires "The Waiting Game, The New York Underground Film Festival Streams their Best of, The Chicago International Chidren's Film Festival Announces Winners. (November 2, 1999)
7th Art and Dubai's Nomads Land Films to Release "Art of Flight" Internationally
Guerilla documentary, "The Art of Flight" by Davin Anders Hutchins has received an international deal, with both Dubai-based Nomads Land Films and 7th Art Releasing, the companies announced Tuesday night. The guerilla documentary, which was shot secretly in Egypt, traces the personal tales of refugees fleeing Sudan's civil war seeking refuge in Egypt. Brian Brooks reports. (April 07, 2005)
"9 Songs" and "Last Days" Debut Well; "Penguins" March to Heavy Seven-figures Again
Warner Independent Pictures' "March of the Penguins" spawned another impressive weekend in theaters, expanding into hundreds of additional venues throughout the country, although the film relinquished its perch at the head of the specialty pack of films, as ranked on a per screen average. Tartan Films' sexy "9 Songs" laid claim to the top spot, opening in one theater, while Picturehouse's "Last Days" placed second, opening at a dozen locations. IFC Films' "The Edukators" opened to moderate numbers, while THINKFilms' "Murderball" gained momentum in an expansion. "March of the Penguins," however, continued to take the lion's share of the overall box office, padding what would have otherwise been a ho-hum weekend. Brian Brooks reports. (July 27, 2005)
9th NY Video Fest Uploads with 30 Artists
Onome Ekeh previews New York's Video Festival which kicks off tonight at Lincoln Center with Trent Harris' "Beaver Trilogy." (Tune into indieWIRE on Monday for an interview with Harris) (July 21, 2000)
A Busy Party Week, Doc Distribution Deals, and Job News From Wellspring and THINKFilm
It was a party-filled week for the indie film world, with soirees for "Lilya 4-Ever," "Better Luck Tomorrow," and the Gen Art opening night film, "Kiss the Bride." Plus, job news at Wellspring, THINKFilm, and Unifrance. And a few acquisitions, including Andrew Jarecki's acclaimed doc "Capturing the Friedmans." Wendy Mitchell and Eugene Hernandez report, with help from Brian Brooks. (April 04, 2003)
A Deal for "Hebrew Hammer"; Microfilms Gets "Horns & Halos" & More From Toronto and Beyond
As the film world winds down from Toronto madness, there are a few items that were announced during the festival: ContentFilm sold "The Hebrew Hammer" to Comedy Central and Cowboy Pictures, and Canadian DVD distributor Microfilms will launch with the release of the doc "Horns & Halos." Plus news from the IFP Gotham Awards and the Woodstock Film Festival. Wendy Mitchell reports in this week's installment of indieWIRE: BUZZ. (September 12, 2003)
A Director For "Falls"; NY Critics Add Two; Film Four Goes Cheap; Lions Gate Deals With Uni
Briefs include Geoffrey Wright's new film "Cherry Falls", additions to the New York Film Critics Circle, Film Four's experimental division, and Lions Gate hooks up with Universal Video. (October 26, 1998)
A Doc for Dubya & Co.; More Premieres in Montreal; Blackout Films & More
If Republican National Convention delegates set some free time from Madison Square Garden, the team at Roadside Attractions is hosting a special film screening for them of Jim DeSeve's "Tying the Knot," an award-winning doc about marriage equality. In other news this week, the Montreal World Film Festival has added five new features, including the world premiere of John Duigan's "Head in the Clouds." Plus, indieWIRE's baby boom, Slamdance's teleplay competition, a Blackout Film Festival, Chicago Indiefest's winner, Kodak's convention hours, and industry moves at THINKFilm, Samuel Goldwyn, Showtime, and AMPAS. Wendy Mitchell reports in this week's indieWIRE: BUZZ. (August 13, 2004)
A Dozen Indies Open; AFI Screenwriting Confab
With a dozen indie and specialty films opening this weekend, indieWIRE considers whether we've reached a breaking point. Meanwhile, Andrea Meyer reports from the AFI Festival in Los Angeles. (October 27, 2000)
A Dozen Projects Set for Sundance's January Script Lab
Twelve projects have been selected for the Sundance Institute's January Screenwriters Lab, to be held January 14-19, 2005 at Sundance Village in Utah. The five-day lab gives writers a chance to work with established writers to develop projects. Eugene Hernandez reports. (December 15, 2004)
A Drop in Submissions as Sundance Announces Core Narrative and Dramatic Lineups; Gilmore and Cooper Discuss Choices
It's not going to be easy to top Sundance 2001, the year many attendees hailed as a high point in the Park City festival's recent history. With dramatic competition entries like "In the Bedroom" (now a solid Oscar contender), "Memento" (the year's indie box-office hit) and "Donnie Darko" (a critical breakthrough) having unspooled in the snow last year, it's going to take a near miracle to reach the same cinematic heights in 2002. And, always a highlight of the Sundance Film Festival, this year's documentaries would appear to offer the same promising roundup of reel life drama and discovery that Park City attendees have come to expect. (November 27, 2001)
A "Florida" Deal; Herzog's Next Films; Sunn Pictures Returns & More
News this week includes a deal for the election doc "Everywhere But Florida," yet another title change for "Mar Adentro," Avant-Garde preservation grants, the New York Film Critics Circle's awards dates, the return of Sunn Pictures, and more. Wendy Mitchell reports in her farewell BUZZ column for indieWIRE. (August 27, 2004)
A French New Wave: The Blockbuster; But Will Art Films Survive?
Audrey Tautou smiles impishly on the poster for "Amelie" for good reason: this crowd-pleaser sits atop the crest of a new wave in French cinema, the blockbuster. Sure, you can still find dozens of smaller, more thought-provoking movies on Parisian screens, but increasingly, these titles are being overshadowed by homegrown heavy-hitters: actioners including "Crimson Rivers" and "Brotherhood of the Wolf," comedies like "The Closet" and "Sexy Boys," and studio franchises, including "Asterix and Obelix," "Would I Lie to You" and "Taxi." French films saw a 400 percent increase at the U.S. box office from 2000 to 2001, and likewise are faring well on their home turf, with February's domestic market share reaching a record-breaking 66 percent. But what will this new fascination with blockbusters mean to the tradition of intellectualism and artistry of the French art film? In his bi-weekly World Cinema Report, Anthony Kaufman goes Gallic to examine the future of French cinema and preview the line-up at the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Rendez-Vous with French Cinema series, which opens this Friday. (March 06, 2002)
A Holiday at the Box office for "Respiro," "Winged Migration," "Cremaster," "Espagnole" and "Spellbound"
Sony Pictures Classics released "Respiro" over the 4-day holiday weekend, topping the indieWIRE per screen average chart in its debut. Memorial Day weekend brought in expected larger audiences, increasing per screen averages for many specialty films already in release. "Winged Migration," "The Cremaster Cycle" "L'Auberge Espagnole" and "Spellbound" padded their averages from the previous week, rounding out the top tier on the box office chart. (May 28, 2003)
A Kinder, Gentler $undance
Whatever the reasons, this year's Sundance is being remembered as the year that the crowds of hangers-on stayed home and the year that acquisitions executives got busy. There were fewer parties, smaller crowds and more deals. While the Festival had the distinct feeling of a slightly scaled back affair, IndieWood and independent distributors were spending millions on some of this year's hotter films. (January 22, 2002)
A Letter from Courtney Love's Lawyers Regarding a Screening of "Kurt and Courtney"
The following letter was sent by FAX from Michael Chodos to the management of the Roxie Theater in San Francisco, regarding the venue's scheduled screening of Nick Broomfield's film, "Kurt and Courtney." (March 02, 1998)
A Look at the Huge Toronto Film Festival (Again); And the Buzzin' Tidbits From Toronto and Elsewhere
It goes without saying (and yet we say it every year), there are an intimidating number of movies that screen at the annual Toronto International Film Festival; Echo Lake Productions, the production and financing company headed by Doug Mankoff, has announced plans for a new initiative aimed at giving international filmmakers the opportunity to direct English-language pictures; And, with summer officially over, indieWIRE's weekly BUZZ column now moves to its regular slot on Fridays with the inside happenings as Toronto begins. (September 06, 2002)
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