iW VIDEO: Sundance's John Cooper on "Focus on Film"; Short Doc Maker Cynthia Wade, A Review of "Chicago 10", and More

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In today's issue of iW: VIDEO On The Scene at Park City, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming John Cooper talks about "Focus on Film" and having a cool job, Filmmaker Cynthia Wade discusses her short documentary "Freeheld," indieWIRE writer Anthony Kaufman reviews "Chicago 10," and more. Watch the large screen version here. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Park City, indieWIRE: VIdeo ]

LA Times: Roll Britannia: Inside an indie empire

In the London film world, there are no golf carts to jet around on, so Tim Bevan strode in and out of buildings, past fields of rabbit warren offices, through editing bays. This is the cobbled-together fiefdom of the once obscure, now powerful Working Title Films, which Bevan and his partner, Eric Fellner, 47, run. In the parlance of Hollywood, they're the Brian Grazers of England, the Jerry Bruckheimers of the British Empire, the producers at the top of the professional heap. Rachel Abramowitz reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

NY Times: Furor Over 12-Year-Old Actress's Rape Scene

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Dakota Fanning will turn 13 next month, and she has a short answer for anyone who questions her decision to play a 1950s girl who gyrates in her underwear, wakes up as her naked father climbs into her bed, demands that a prepubescent boy expose himself to her in exchange for a kiss and, finally, is raped by a teenager who lures her with tickets to an Elvis concert: She's growing up. Get used to it. Ms. Fanning is starring in "Hounddog," an independent film that is to have its premiere on Monday at the Sundance Film Festival. It has already won attention far out of proportion to its budget of less than $4 million. David M. Halbfinger reports. 
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Variety: "United 93" director turns to post-Iraq War for his next pix

After his movie "United 93" about the plane that crashed in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001, director Paul Greengrass is planning a film on the aftermath of the US-led 2003 invasion of Iraq. Greengrass is set to write and direct a Universal-distributed movie based on the book "Imperial Life in the Emerald City: Inside Iraq's Green Zone," written by The Washington Post's former Baghdad bureau chief, Rajiv Chandrasekaran, Variety reported. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Production ]

SF360: Indiefest announces lineup

As indie film meets ice cold in Utah, SF IndieFest's founder/director Jeff Ross announced the ninth edition of the Bay Area's indie showcase festival to an equally chilled SF Tuesday at the Roxie. Running February 8-20, the festival this year features a worldwide mix of more than 100 independent films and videos. The festival--which now draws crowds of 10,000---opens with David Lynch's much anticipated "Inland Empire." Miljenko Skoknic reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

The Guardian Interview: Sacha Baron Cohen

"It was exhausting," he recalls, slumped in the booth, fighting off a nagging cold. "I had to be that way all day and all night, because even if the tiniest detail had gone awry, it could've made them suspicious. I mean, even if I went to the bathroom, I had to make sure I went to the bathroom as Borat." As Sacha Baron Cohen finally becomes himself again, he tells Patrick Goldstein about the thrills, spills and smells of being Borat. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

SL Tribune: Sundance: Today's best bets

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"Ghosts of Abu Ghraib," "A Very British Gangster," and "The Ten" are among local paper the Salt Lake Tribune's best pics of Sundance for the first few days of the festival. The paper also lists its pics for "family friendly" fair and profiles a list of Sundance filmmakers in its coverage of the festival. 
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AP: Sundance docs draw drama from actors

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

The talking heads in some documentaries at the Sundance Film Festival are not just real people recollecting real events. Some are actors, recruited by the directors to help put human faces and voices to events lost in time, for which the filmmakers would have had to rely on static old photographs or artist sketches accompanied by narration to relate a story for which no video record exists. David Germain reports. 
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iW VIDEO: Brett Morgen and "Chicago 10"; Redford on Buzz, Park City iPOP Favorites and More

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

In the premiere issue of iW: VIDEO On The Scene at Park City, Filmmaker Brett Morgen talks about "Chicago 10," the opening night film at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, while Sundance Institute founder Robert Redford weighs in on Sundance as a festival vs. a market. Also, press and industry make guesses on what films will be acquired first, and we take a quick look back at some Park City iPOP favorites. Watch the large screen version here. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Park City, indieWIRE: VIdeo ]

IFC First Take Acquires "Drama/Mex"

IFC Entertainment has acquired all North American rights to Gerardo Naranjo's Drama/Mex, which is slated to join IFC First Take, the day and date distribution banner which simulataneously premieres theatrically and on local cable's On Demand platform. Shot in the seedy tourist town of Acapulco, "Drama/Mex" is a film where the separate stories of a 15-year-old runaway, a suicidal old man and a young couple are connected at various points in time, creating an interwoven narrative. "'Drama/Mex' is a beautifully told story explored with fresh and provocative style," said IFC Entertainment President Jonathan Sehring in a prepared statement. "It represents the true independent spirit of filmmaking and fits beautifully into the First Take slate." [Porter Teegarden] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, World Cinema ]

H2O Motion Pictures to Expand International Operations

H2O Motion Pictures is launching an international sales and co-production arm to handle sales, marketing and financing for eight to twelve English language independent feature films per year, the company's principals Andras Hamori and Mark Horowitz announced Friday. The company, according to a release, "will build on Hamori and Horowitz's know-how and existing relationships with almost every European and North American 'soft finance' entity." The two previously worked together when they launched Alliance Pictures and Alliance Atlantis Pictures International respectively for the Canadian media giant Alliance Atlantis Entertainment. [Brian Brooks]  
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H'Wood Reporter: Slamdance an important talent showcase

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Slamdance Film Festival co-founder and president Peter Baxter knows all too well what goes into making a movie and trying to find an audience for it. Baxter currently is working with James Zalcman on "Wild in the Streets," a documentary about a rough English sport that was the precursor to soccer. Jae-Ha Kim reports. 
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NY Times: Sundance Dream Most Notable for an Absence

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Michael Roiff could be forgiven for seeming a little discombobulated on Tuesday night. A first-time producer with "Waitress," one of the higher-profile movies at the Sundance Film Festival here, he had just arrived and was knocking around a rented condominium, trying to figure out where everything was and how to get a flat-screen television to behave for another look at the film. But something more profound had him at loose ends. Adrienne Shelly, the writer, director and one of the stars of the film, was not there, and she was not coming. Ms. Shelly was murdered on Nov. 1 in her Greenwich Village office. David Carr reports. 
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H'Wood Reporter: Sundance waiting for heat as fest gets under way

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

The chaotic, snow-filled Sundance Film Festival has long been a test of endurance for members of the film industry, but this year many said it also will be a true test of their acquisition skills. No crowd-pleasing "Little Miss Sunshine" is expected. The two films with the biggest buzz, David Wain's Ten Commandments satire "The Ten" and James C. Strouse's family drama "Grace Is Gone," also are two of the biggest question marks. Will the star-filled cast of "Ten"--which includes Winona Ryder, Paul Rudd, Jessica Alba and Adam Brody-- create a bidding war...? Gregg Goldstein and Nicole Sperling report. 
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Experimental Work Given a New Venue at Sundance

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

Sundance has created a new venue for Experimental film. In addition to the New Frontier program, a venue called New Frontier on Main features site-specific film and video projects ranging from visual collages to live multimedia performances. "[Sundance festival Director Geoff Gilmore] and I had been talking for a while about the need for Sundance to develop more strongly and more muscularly an alternative programming that incorporated an underground aesthetic," said Sundance senior programmer Shari Frilot. "It dawned on us ... that this was a direction we should start really pointing our guns." Scott Renshaw reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Park City ]

Dinerstein Named to New Lakeshore Entertainment Post

David Dinerstein has been named president of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution of Lakeshore Entertainment, a newly created post, Lakeshore Chairman and CEO Tom Rosenberg announced Thursday. Dinerstein will be responsible for overseeing the worldwide marketing and distribution of Lakeshore's film slate as well as overseeing its international operations. As part of its evolution, Lakeshore will be taking what it describes as "a much more active role in the distribution of its films." Over the past 18 years, Dinerstein has held positions at Miramax and Fox Searchlight in addition to serving as co-president of Paramount Classics (with Ruthe Vitale, currently of First Look). Over the past year, Dinerstein has served as a consultant to the Yari Film Group. "David Dinerstein is a superb executive with an extraordinary track record, commented Rosenberg in a statement. "He is capable leveraging his strong relationships with the creative and business community and formulating unique ways to market our films. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

indieWIRE ANNOUNCMENT: The Latest from Sundance, Anytime at indieWIRE.com

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

With the Sundance Film Festival opening today, indieWIRE is kicking off what is perhaps its most ambitious coverage ever from Park City. Each year we try to do something a little different when we tackle Sundance, this year's plans include:
- Daily news, features, and iPOP pictures
- A new daily iW: Video podcast series
- Reviews of all 32 U.S. competition films
- Filmmaker diaries (including digital clips and photos)
- Interviews with 40 competition filmmakers
- A daily dispatch highlighting the latest coverage
Content will be published throughout the day (including weekends through January 28th) here at indieWIRE.com. Get the latest in our special Park City section. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Park City ]

Sundance Channel Makes TV Deal for Fox's "Flying"

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

Sundance Channel has annouced a deal for the U.S. TV rights to Jennifer Fox's "Flying: Confessions of a Free Woman," which is having its North American premiere at the Sundance Film Festival this week. The six-hour film, described as taking, "a personal documentary approach to being a woman in the 21st century," will air as a six-part series next year. The film is an Easy Films presentation in association with Zohe Film Productions and was is produced by Claus Ladegaard and Jennifer Fox. A founder of Zohe Films, Fox directed the ten-hour documentary series "An American Love Story," which debuted at Sundance in 1999 and later aired nationally on PBS. She was also executive producer of Brett Morgen and Nanette Burstein's "On The Ropes." The deal was negotiated by Sundance Channel SVP of Acquisitions, Program Planning & Scheduling Christian Vesper on behalf of Sundance Channel with filmmaker Jennifer Fox on behalf of the film. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Park City ]

Film Movement Announces the Promotion of Adley Gartenstein to President

Film Movement announced the reorganization of its executive staff today, with the promotion of Adley Gartenstein to president. This role was previously held by Stuart Litman in addition to CEO, but the company has decided to split these roles as they plan to "expand their partner theatres, subscriber base, and staff." "Adley's passion, dedication and instinct for the business have been essential to Film Movement's success to date, said Mr. Litman in a prepared statement. "He is the perfect person to help me lead this company through its next phase of growth." [Amy Bronson] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

INDUSTRY MOVES: Dinerstein Joins Lakeshore

Former Paramount Classics co-founder and co-president David Dinerstein has joined Lakeshore Entertainment as the new President of Worldwide Marketing and Distribution. In the words of an announcement, he will be, "responsible for overseeing the worldwide marketing and distribution of Lakeshore’s film slate as well as overseeing the international operations." Dinerstein recently served as a consultant on the Yari Film Group release of "The Illusionist." 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

Sarah Polley, Mos Def, Darren Aronofsky To Serve as Jury Members for 2007 Sundance Film Festival

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

Today the 2007 Sundance Film Festival announced the members of the six juries awarding prizes for the competition sections of the festival. For U.S. Dramatic Competiton jury members are Mos Def, Catherine Hardwicke, Dawn Hudson, Pamela Martin, and Sarah Polley; For U.S. Documentary Competition: Alan Berliner, Lewis Erskine, Lauren Greenfield, Julia Reichert, and Carlos Sandoval; For World Documentary: Raoul Peck, Juan Carlos Rulfo, and Elizabeth Weatherford; For American and International Shorts: Jared Hess, Daniela Michel, and Mark Rosenberg; and for the Alfred P. Sloan Prize: Darren Aronofsky, Ann Druyan, Dr. Brian Greene, Howard Suber, and John Underkoffler. "We are blessed to an enormously talented group of jurors this year, who include some of the most exceptional individuals in the independent film community both in here an abroad," said Geoffrey Gilmore, Director of the Sundance Film Festival in a prepared statement. "Ranging from influential directors, innovative editors, last year's award-winners and industry leaders, these jurists truly bring a variety of experience and perspective to the table." [James Israel] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Park City ]

Atopia Takes North American Rights to "The Short Life of Jose Antonio Gutierrez"

North American rights to 2006 Sundance Film Festival doc "The Short Life of Jose Antonio Gutierrez" by Heidi Specogn as been acquired by Montreal-based Atopia Distribution. The film will be released in the U.S. and Canada in March with a DVD release to follow in early summer, according to the company. Marine Lance Cpl. Jose Antonio Gutierrez was one of the 300,000 soldiers the U.S. military sent to war in Iraq in March, 2003. A few hours after the war began, his picture was broadcast all over the world: he was the first American soldier to be killed in Iraq. He was also a so-called 'green-card soldier' - one of approximately 32,000 non-U.S. citizens fighting in the ranks of the U.S. armed forces, who would receive U.S. citizenship as compensation for their sacrifice. In other Atopia news, all DVD releases in the U.S. will be handled by Caroline Distribution, while Morningstar Entertainment will handle DVD in Canada. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

Screen Media Launches Theatrical Distribution Division

DVD distribution outfit Screen Media will open a theatrical distribution wing, the company announced Wednesday, aiming to deliver six titles to screens per year. In the past year the company tested the waters by releasing Stephen Woolley's "Stoned" for limited release in 14 cities, as well as "Disaster! The Movie," which rolled out in more than 20 college markets. Making it official for 2007, the company's new theatrical unit will be run by Screen Media's president Robert Baruc, while Suzanne Blech, SVP of Acquisitions will oversee finding new films for the division. Screen Media's first release will be SXSW '06 film "Bickford Shmeckler's Cool Ideas," which will open in May. "This is a natural progression from our strong work releasing independent films on DVD," commented Baruc in a statement. "We've got a wonderful, committed team in place and couldn't be happier to launch this side of the business for 2007." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

Israel Film Festival to Honor Sony's Amy Pascal

The 22nd annual Israel Film Festival will honor Amy Pascal, co-chair of Sony Pictures Entertainment at the fest's opening night's awards gala in Beverly Hills March 6, the event's executive director Meir Fenigstein announced Wednesday. "Amy's achievements within the film industry as well as her continued support of Israel, make her an ideal recipient for the Visionary Award," Fenigstein said. "She is a champion within the film community, has been embraced by The Consul General of Israel, Ehud Danoch, and we are looking forward to honoring her." The Los Angeles edition of the Israel Film Festival takes place March 7 - 22, with Miami and New York taking place in April, May and June. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

IMDB Censors "Shortbus" Listing

The Internet Movie Database (IMDB) has apparently blocked a listing for John Cameron Mitchell's "Shortbus" from searches on its popular website. As journalist and blogger Mark Rabinowitz noted in The Rabbi Report, the site is, "preventing certain films from coming up in the regular results of a search of the database," including access to the listings of actors. In a follow-up post, Rabinowitz noted that John Cameron Mitchell responded saying that IMDB plans to remove an adult label from the film.  
[permalink]   [ filed under New Media & Technology ]

A&E IndieFilms Makes Deal for Bar-Lev's "Kid"

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

North American TV rights to Amir Bar-Lev's "My Kid Could Paint That" have been acquired by A&E IndieFilms. Described as a "unique hybrid deal," the preemtive pact, announced days before the film's debut at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival, includes a rights acquisition and an equity investment, with A&E on board as a partner with the filmmakers, according to an announcement. They will jointly go into Sundance seeking a theatrical deal for the film, just as they pursued pacts for recent docs ("Jesus Camp" with Magnolia Pictures and "Murderball" with ThinkFilm.) The documentary explores the story of acclaimed 4-year old artist Marla Olmstead, seller of hundreds of thousands of dollars of paintings before, in the words of the announcement, "her father was accused of secretly having a hand in the work." In a statement, EVP and General Manager of A&E Network Bob DeBitetto said, "We love the film and believe it has great potential to break out. It's a perfect fit for A&E IndieFilms and our strategy to invest in feature documentaries at every stage and bring them to audiences in theaters, on video and, of course, on television." Submarine and CAA brokered the deal on behalf of the filmmakers, while DeBitetto, Robert Sharenow, and Molly Thompson negotiated for A&E. In a statement, Bar-Lev (who produced and directed the doc) praised A&E IndieFilms' recent docs and added, "This deal will allow me to pay back my parents, my friends, my parents' friends, and my Aunt Nell--a turn of events that I'm sure none of them ever expected. I'm looking forward to holding my head high at future holidays and family events." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Park City ]

Participant Appoints John Schreiber to Newly Created EVP Post; Will Work on "Chicago 10"

John Schreiber is joining Participant Productions in the newly created position of EVP, Social Action and Advocacy, it was announced today by the company's CEO, Jim Berk. Schreiber's first assignment in his new position will be Brett Morgen's "Chicago 10," a documentary about the antiwar protests at the 1968 Chicago Democratic convention and its aftermath. The film will screen this coming Thursday night in Park City, UT as the opening feature of the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. "An Emmy and Tony Award winning producer with extensive experience across media platforms, John Schreiber has spent his career creating entertainment properties where cause related and social action initiatives have always played an integral part," commented Berk in a statement. "Participant provides John with the perfect opportunity to leverage his expertise and passion to expand our social action and advocacy campaigns."[Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

Berlin Fest to Fete Fassbinder with Gala Screening of Restored Classic

To mark the 25th anniversary of the death of Germany's most successful post-war director, Ranier Werner Fassbinder, the Berlinale, taking place February 8-18, will host a restored for cinema gala of "Berlin Alexanderplatz," which the festival describes as "one of the finest of his artistic accomplishments: the tragic story of Franz Biberkopf, based on an Alfred Doblin novel." The premiere--screening in two parts on February 9--will be attended by the stars Gunter Lamprecht, Hanna Schygulla, Barbara Sukowa, Gottfried John and also Doblin's grandson, Stefan Doblin. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Berlin, Festivals, World Cinema ]

Nine Films Vying Foreign Language Oscar

Nine films have been named to a "short list" of titles vying for an Oscar nomination in the race for a best foreign language Academy Award, according to an announcement today from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Selected from the roster of 61 films submitted for consideration, the list includes: Rachid Bouchareb's "Days of Glory," (Algeria), Deepa Mehta's "Water" (Canada), Susanne Bier's "After the Wedding" (Denmark), Daniele Thompson's "Avenue Montaigne" (France), Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's "The Lives of Others" (Germany), Guillermo del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" (Mexico), Paul Verhoeven's "Black Book" (The Netherlands), Pedro Almodovar's "Volver" (Spain), and Fredi M. Murer's "Vitus," (Switzerland). The Oscar nominations, chosen by committees screening the films this weekend in New York and Los Angeles, will be announced on Tuesday, January 23, 2007. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

SXSW Fest Accepting "Grindhouse" Trailer Submissions.

The South by Southwest Film Festival (SXSW) is putting out a call to filmmakers who would like to submit their best "grindhouse trailer," in recognition of the April release of Robert Rodriguez and Quentin Tarantino's "Grindhouse." A sample of the best submissions will be judged by Rodriguez himself, and presented during SXSW, on March 11, 2007. The deadline is February 12. For more information, visit the SXSW website. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

Buttignol To Receive Hot Docs Honors

Rudy Buttignol, a key figure in the Canadian and international documentary communities, will be honored with the inaugural Hot Docs Outstanding Industry Achievement Award, the festival announced Tuesday. Hot Docs will take place April 19 - 29 in Toronto. "I can think of no better person to receive the inaugural Award," commented Chris McDonald, executive director of Hot Docs in a statement. "Rudy's impact on the Canadian film and television industry has been immeasurable. He has great instincts, impeccable taste and a big heart." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

64th Golden Globe Award Winners

The 64th Golden Globe Awards were presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association tonight in Los Angeles.

64th Golden Globes, Motion Picture Winners:

Drama: "Babel" (Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu)
Musical or Comedy: "Dreamgirls" (Bill Condon)
Director: Martin Scorsese ("The Departed")
Actress (Drama): Helen Mirren ("The Queen")
Actor (Drama): Forest Whitaker ("The Last King of Scotland")
Actress (Musical or Comedy): Meryl Streep ("The Devil Wears Prada")
Actor (Musical or Comedy): Sasha Baron Cohen ("Borat: Cultural Learnings of America for Make Benefit Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan")
Supporting Actress: Jennifer Hudson ("Dreamgirls")
Supporting Actor: Eddie Murphy ("Dreamgirls")
Foreign Language Film: "Letters from Iwo Jima" (Clint Eastwood)
Screenplay:Peter Morgan ("The Queen")
Animated Film:"Cars" (John Lasseter, Joe Ranft)
Original Score: Alexandre Desplat ("The Painted Veil")
Original Song: "The Song of the Heart" ("Happy Feet")

 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

"The Queen" Leads With 10 BAFTA Nominations

Nominations for the Orange British Academy Film Awards were announced Friday with "The Queen" receiving a total of 10 nominations, "Casino Royale" earning 9 and "Pan's Labyrinth" nabbing 8. Nominated for best film this year are Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu's "Babel," Martin Scorsese's "The Departed," Kevin Macdonald's "The Last King of Scotland," Jonathan Dayton & Valerie Faris' "Little Miss Sunshine," and Stephen Frears' "The Queen." Meanwhile, nominated for the Alexandra Korda Award for Outstanding British Film of the Year are Martin Campbell's "Casino Royale," Kevin Macdonald's "The Last King of Scotland," Patrick Marber's "Notes on a Scandal," Stephen Frears' "The Queen," and Paul Greengrass' "United 93." Get the complete list of nominees via Movie City News. "Babel" received 7 nominations, while "The Departed," "Little Miss Sunshine" and "United 93" all have 6 nominations each and with 5 nominations are "The Last King of Scotland," "The Devil Wears Prada" and "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

"Pan's" Wins Prize in Palm Springs

Guillermo Del Toro's "Pan's Labyrinth" from Mexico won the prize for best foreign language film at the 2007 Palm Springs International Film Festival, which wrapped up last night in the Southern California desert town. Rafi Pitts' "It's Winter" from Iran won the grand jury prize in the New Voices/New Visions competition, with a special jury mention going to Veronica Chen's "Agua" from Argentina. In audience award ballotting, Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck's "The Lives of Others" won the prize for narrative feature and Lucy Walker's UK doc "Blindsight" won the prize for best documentary. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Festivals ]

INDUSTRY MOVES: Driessen and Mackey Promoted at Fortissimo

Nelleke Driessen has been named sole Managing Director at Fortissimo Films, based in the company's Amsterdam office (she was previously co-mangaging director) and Nicole Mackey has been elevated to EVP of International Sales (she was previously SVP of International Sales). As part of an ongoing expansion, Fortissimo recently announced the opening of offices in both Paris and New York. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

Berlinale Adds Competition Titles for '07 Fest

Eight films have been added to the roster of titles screening in the Competition section for the upcoming Berlinale (February 8 - 18, 2007), the Berlin International Film Festival. On the list are Stefan Ruzowitzky's German-Austrian co-production "Die Faelscher" (The Counterfeiter), Jacques Rivette's "Ne touchez pas la hache" (Don't Touch the Axe) and Andre Techine's "Les Temoins" (The Witnesses) from France, Gregory Nava's "Bordertown" from the U.S. (starring Jennifer Lopez, Antonio Banderas, Maya Zapata, and Martin Sheen), Saverio Costanzo's "Memoria di me (In Memory of Myself) from Italy and, from the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic, Jiri Menzel's "Obsluhoval jsem anglickeho krale" (I Served the King of England). Out of competition films added to the lineup include Clint Eastwood's "Flags of Our Fathers" and "The Walker" from festival jury president Paul Schrader. In a statement, festival director Dieter Kosslick said in a statement, "We have succeeded in getting films by important directors of international cinema to come to Berlin. We are equally delighted by the work of young filmmakers, whose stories and ways of telling them we think is important to present to a big audience." 
[permalink]   [ filed under Berlin, Festivals ]

Sundance Fest on iTunes

Park City coverage sponsored by BE KIND REWIND.

Sundance Institute and Sundance Channel have announced a deal to distribute short films from the upcoming Sundance Film Festival via iTunes. Launching on January 22, 2007, the shorts will be priced at 1.99 (US) each with a portion of the receipts going to the filmmakers. Free podcasts from the fest will also be available for free via iTunes during the event. Additionally, beginning January 18 (and continuing through April 18) the festival website will again offer free downloads of select short films. In a statement, Institute head Robert Redford said, "I have felt, from the earliest days, that if people really care about independent film, they should pay particular attention to short filmmakers, who are the best indicators of what is coming down the creative pike." [The complete press release is available on indieWIRE's Park City Diaries blog.] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Park City ]