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From the "Biz" Archives:
by Eugene Hernandez /indieWIRE
>> NYFF 2000: "George Washington" Celebrates in NYC
(indieWIRE/ 10.2.00) -- Getting a review in The New York Times can be a major
benefit to screening at the New York Film Festival -- the newspaper reviews
all of the feature films showcased during the annual event. The impact of a
rave review was felt Friday when the festival screened David Gordon Green's
"George Washington."
Calling the film a "dream of a movie," Times critic Elvis Mitchell compares
the writing to that of Faulkner, touts the talent of the cast and calls
cinematographer Tim Orr "a a star," saying that "this may be the
best-photographed film of the year." As a tribute, Mitchell adds, "The last
time a director captured this kind of life so well on screen was when Spike
Lee made "She's Gotta Have It."
Not surprisingly, all involved were buzzing about the review Friday when the
film debuted at Lincoln Center (it screened again yesterday).
Filmmaker Green told indieWIRE that the moment was a high point for him, one
that he clearly was thrilled to share with the kids in his cast (thanks to
the folks at the Newport Film Festival who flew in the actors). The movie
was a big winner at this year's Newport fest and has had a stellar festival
run since debuting in Berlin back in February. Earlier this month, the film
won the acclaimed Discovery Prize which showcases the work of a first-time
filmmaker.
Cast and crew celebrated Friday night during distributor Cowboy Booking's
post-screening party at O'Neals on West 64th Street. Among the attendees
were director Green, D.P. Tim Orr, cast members Donald Holden, Curtis CottonIII, Eddie Rouse, Candace Evanofski, Damien Jewan Lee and Will Janowitz, Noah Cowan & John Vanco from Cowboy Booking, and Christine Schomer & Nancy Donahoe from the Newport Film Festival.
Actor Damien Lee spoke told indieWIRE that the acclaim the movie has found
in New York has been boost to his own acting career. While still in high
school in North Carolina and working on stage, the actor is currently
considering colleges and determined to purse an acting career. "Its hard,"
Lee admitted, chatting with indieWIRE at the party, "But anything that's
worth something is hard."
The film will open on October 27th at The Screening Room and the Lincoln
Plaza Cinemas in Manhattan (indieWIRE will publish an interview with
filmmaker Green and cinematographer Tim Orr at that time). [Eugene Hernandez]
[Pictures from the "George Washington" party will be published today on
indieWIRE.com.]
>> Cork Festival Hightlights Short Films Among 2000 Lineup
(indieWIRE/ 10.2.00) -- The 45h Cork Film Festival, running October 15 - 22,
200 in Cork, Ireland, has unveiled a new prize fund for this short film
competition. The event will bestow a fund of £57,000 -- organizers claim
this is the largest such fund in Europe. Prizes include awards for best
international short, best Irish short, best first short by an Irish
filmmaker, and other prizes. More than 100 shorts will screen at the event,
according to organizers.
"These awards will give us a greater means to reward and acknowledge
excellence," commented Festival Manager Rory Concannon in a prepared
statement. "Our prize fund is now the largest in Europe and this is a
terrific boost to filmmakers in Ireland and internationally."
Among the features set to screen at the Festival are Gerard Stembridge's
"About Adam," the world premiere of Nick Grasso's "Peaches," Lars von Trier's "Dancer in the Dark," Woody Allen's "Small Time Crooks," Liv Ullman's "Faithless," Wong Kar-wai's "In the Mood for Love," and Terence Davies' "The House of Mirth."
The festival will also showcase an array of documentaries, a focus on The
Brothers Quay, a showcase of work by Aardman Animations and a documentary master class with Peter Wintonick.
[For more information, visit:
www.corkfilmfest.org.]
>> AFI DV Fest to Showcase Only Sony Digital Work
(indieWIRE/ 10.2.00) -- A new film festival of digital video (DV) movies has
been created by the American Film Institute (AFI), with a catch, movies must
be made using Sony equipment.
The new event, which will present winning films at the NAB Convention in Las
Vegas in April, is set to include movies in five categories: fiction, documentary, experimental, creative events coverage and performance coverage.
However, as the festival is sponsored by Sony Electronics, submissions must
have used a Sony product in the creation of the production. A grand prize
winner will receive $50,000 in equipment from Sony and screen at the 2001
AFI Fest. Four other winners will receive $5,000 worth of equipment or a
Sony training class.
"Digital video has become a huge boost to the creative process and it is
appropriate to recognize new standards of excellence as they emerge,"
commented AFI Co-Director and COO James Hindman.
[Entries must be received by February 9, 2001, for more information, visit:
www.dvcamfest.com.]
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