Reuters: Eisner launches Internet video studio Vuguru

Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone, whose movies voiced the frustration of the Vietnam War generation, on Thursday unveiled a political ad calling for the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq. he 30-second television spot, sponsored by the MoveOn.org political action group and VoteVets.org, features a simple but impassioned plea by John Bruhns, a former infantry sergeant who fought in Iraq during the 2003 invasion and its aftermath. Jill Serjeant reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under People ]

AFP: Italy's Cinecitta, the grande dame of cinema, turns 70

Rome's legendary Cinecitta film studio, home of "Ben-Hur" and practically synonymous with Federico Fellini, has survived through thick and thin to mark 70 years since its founding by Mussolini. But Cinecitta has yet to recover from nearly two decades in the wilderness, despite recent US blockbusters such as "Gangs of New York" and "The Passion of the Christ." Katia Dolmadjian reports. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW NEWS | "3 Needles" & "Sand and Sorrow" to Bookend First IETFF in Monaco

22 films from 20 countries will participate in the inaugural International Emerging Talent Film Festival May 13 - 15 in the Principality of Monaco, ushering in an event that has been touted since Cannes '06. All features are by first time directors and none have distribution. Two world premieres, three European premieres and two French premieres are among the IETFF's 11 features. Highlights of the fest include its Global Film Program, Official Competition and the Global Film Expression. In addition, the IETFF will partner with the Natural Resources Defense Council in making the event one of the world's only "green" film fests. Thom Fitzgerald's three paneled look at the world AIDS crisis "3 Needles" will open the festival and will be the film's European debut. Paul Freedman's film on the travesty in Darfur, "Sand and Sorrow" narrated by George Clooney will close the fest. Also on the feature roster are: Lorne Thyssen's "A Tale of Two Generals"; Jon Barker's "Bunny Chow"; Tai-sik Kim's "Driving with My Wife's Lover"; Douglas Horn's "Entry Level"; Eva Pospisilova's "Marta"; Tania Hermida's "Que Tan Lejos"; Andre Baiz's "Satanas"; Arindam Mitra's "Shoonya"; Robert Franke's "Sovia"; Luc Damiba, Abdoulaye Diallo and Gideon Vink's "Tele Guerre"; and Joy Dietrich's "Tie a Yellow Ribbon." For more information and a list of shorts, visit the festival's website. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Bregman Signs First Look Pact at WIP

Anthony Bregman's production company, Likely Story, has signed a two-year first look deal with Warner Independent Pictures. Formed last year, the company is currently in post-production on "Carriers" and "The Sleep Dealer," both in conjunction with This Is That. The company is in pre-production on "Synedoche, New York" and is casting "It Is What It Is," which is expected to shoot this Summer. Among Bregman's previous credits are "The Ex," "Friends With Money," "Thumbsucker," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and "Lovely and Amazing." Before launching Likely Story, Bregman was a partner at This Is That and worked for many years at Good Machine. The deal was brokered by Bregman's reps at UTA and attorney Craig Emmanuel. [Eugene Hernandez] "Warner Independent is an exciting place right now," Bregman said in a statement, "Polly Cohen has pulled together a smart team with adventurous appetites. We share a passion for original storytelling by innovative artists. We can't wait to start working together." 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW NEWS | 2007 Cannes Classics Announced; Wayne, Olivier Among Those Feted

Cannes Classics, the festival program designed to highlight re-discovered cinema, restored prints and theatrical or DVD re-releases of classic films, has announced their program for the 60th Cannes Film Festival and as might be predicted, it's a doozy. The program is broken down in to three sections: 3 Events, 4 documentaries on filmmaking and screenings 10 restored films. The events include the launch of the World Cinema Foundation, a celebration of the centenary of John Wayne and a celebration of Laurence Olivier's directorial work on three Shakespeare plays. Films being screened include: "Hondo (3D)" (John Farrow, USA, 1953), "Rio Bravo" (Howard Hawks, USA, 1959), "Hamlet," "Henry V," Richard III" (Laurence Olivier, Great Britain, 1948, 1944, 1955), "Brando" (Leslie Greif and Mimi Friedman, USA, 2007), "Israel Why" (Claude Lanzmann, Italy-France, 1972), "Mikey and Nicky" (Elaine May, USA, 1976), "Escape From Yesterday" (Julien Duvivier, France, 1935), "The Garden of the Finzi Continis" (Vittorio de Sica, Italy, 1970), "Suspiria" (Dario Argento, Italy, 1977), "The Adventures of Prince Achmed" (Lotte Reiniger, Germany, 1926), "Dracula" (Terence Fisher, England, 1958) and "Yo Yo" (Pierre Etaix, no date or country listed). A full lineup can be found on the Cannes website. [Mark Rabinowitz] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Dreamachine Gets Broomfield's Latest

Recently formed film company Dreamachine has announced the acquisition of the international sales and distribution rights to Nick Broomfield's upcoming drama "Battle For Haditha," currently shooting on location in Jordan. The film is a dramatic reenactment of an incident that took place in Iraq in 2005 in which a group of US Marines retaliated for a roadside bombing by engaging in a house to house search which resulted in the deaths of 24 Iraqis, many of them women and children. The film is completely improvised and the unknown cast, including Iraqis and former US Marines, is working from a treatment written by Broomfield and his co-producer Anna Telford. Broomfield's credits include "Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer" (with Joan Churchill), "Kurt and Courtney" and "Monster in a Box" (written by and starring Spalding Gray). Dreamachine was created last month by the merger of international sales company Celluloid Dreams and UK-based HanWay Films. [Mark Rabinowitz] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

iW NEWS | 19th NewFest Stays Young With "Dorian Gray" Opener; "Save Me" To Close

NewFest: The 19th Annual New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, & Transgender Film Festival will kick off this year's event with Duncan Roy 's latest version of the classic Oscar Wilde novel, the "Picture of Dorian Gray," starring "7th Heaven"'s David Gallagher. Closing the fest will be the New York City premiere of Robert Cary 's drama "Save Me," which stars Chad Allen, Robert Gant and Judith Light. In a prepared statement, NewFest Artistic Director Basil Tsiokos remarked on the pleasures of bringing the festival's films to New York audiences for the first time, adding "as we approach the second decade of the festival, I am thrilled to present one of our best line-ups to date." Centerpiece films of the event will include Jamie Babbit 's "Itty Bitty Titty Committee" which stars Melonie Diaz, Nicole Vicius, Carly Pope, Daniela Sea, Melanie Mayron, and Leslie Grossman and Caspar Andreas ' "A Four Letter Word." NewFest will take place from May 31 - June 10 and will be hosted at the AMC Loews 34th Street Theater. The full program, schedule, and ticketing information will be available soon on the NewFest website. [Mark Rabinowitz] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Queer Cinema ]

iW NEWS | GreeneStreet Acquires Suspense Novel The Contortionist's Handbook

GreeneStreet Films (GSF), the prolific New York-based financing and production company founded by John Penotti and Fisher Stevens, has optioned Craig Clevenger 's 2002 suspense novel The Contortionist's Handbook through its deal with Sriram Das, who will produce, along with GSF. The novel centers on a master forger and fugitive who constantly changes identities in order to stay ahead of the law. When he meets a woman and falls in love, he teaches her his skills so she's able to come with him when he next has to run, only to find out that she is not who he thinks she is. In an announcement, Penotti remarked on the next step of the process: "We look forward to finding the perfect writer and director to do justice to this riveting, psychological thriller." Melanie Shanley, GreeneStreet's Director of Development, will oversee the project. Upcoming GSF releases include MGM 's "Wedding Daze" (starring Jason Biggs and Isla Fisher) and The Weinstein Company release "Awake" (Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Lena Olin and Terrence Howard). [Mark Rabinowitz] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

iW NEWS | Rockefeller Funds $750,000 for 22 Artists

Renew Media has announced the roster of twenty-two artists who are receiving Media Arts fellowships funded by the Rockefeller Foundation. Twenty film, video, and new media artists will receive $35,000, while two emerging film/video artists will each receive $10,000. Announcing the recipients at a Tribeca Film Festival ceremony last night in New York City, Renew (formerly known as National Video Resources) also toasted the 20 year program which has presented some $12 million to 500 artists since it was formed by Rockefeller. Film and Media fellows chosen to receive support this year include: Natalia Almada, Jonathan Caouette, Nathaniel Dorsky, Rob Epstein, Marina Goldovskaya, Ken Jacobs, So Yong Kim, Won Ju Lim, Larry Blackhorse Low, Jake Mahaffy, Heather Rae, Godfrey Reggio, Kelly Reichardt, David Russo, Hank Willis Thomas, and Chel White. New Media Fellows include: Jon Haddock, Kenneth Tin-Kin Hung, Chico Macmurtrie, Cat Mazza, Richard Pell, and Kurt Ralske. In a statement, Renew Media executive director Brian Newman said, "Often, the Fellowship award represents the crucial 'first money' given in support of a project. We look forward to seeing the continued success of the artists awarded Fellowships tonight." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

iW NEWS | New Yorker Picks Up All U.S. Rights To Jia Zhang-Ke's "Still Life"

New Yorker Films has acquired US theatrical, Home video, broadcast and cable TV rights to Jia Zhang-Ke's 2006 Venice Film Festival Golden Lion winner, Still Life. The film is currently screening in the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival's world narrative feature competition and will have a national release following its theatrical bow in New York in the fall of 2007. According to a statement by the director, the film "represents a reality that has been overlooked by us. Although time has left deep marks on it, it still remains silent and holds the secrets of life. [Mark Rabinowitz]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, World Cinema ]

iW NEWS | "Steel City" Is Truly Indie

"Steel City" Is Truly Indie Truly Indie, Mark Cuban and Todd Wagner 's self-distribution initiative will handle the US theatrical release of Brian Jun 's drama, "Steel City." The film will bow on May 25th in New York with a roll out to additional cities to follow. The film stars "Ugly Betty" herself, America Ferrera and Thomas Guiry from "The Black Donnelys," as well as John Heard and Raymond J. Barry ("Little Children") who received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for his performance. The story revolves around a Midwestern family and their attempts to save themselves amidst abandonment, alcoholism, infidelity and the threat of prison. In a release Kelly Sanders, executive director of Truly Indie says of the film: "'Steel City' is an astonishing debut of the kind of film that finds complex emotional truths in even the simplest exchanges," adding "it also has some of the finest performances of any recent independent film I’ve seen." "Steel City" was produced by Rusty Gray, Ryan Harper and Jun. [Mark Rabinowitz] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

iW News: Warner Independent to Take "11th Hour" to North America

Warner Independent Pictures will release Leila Conners-Petersen and Nadia Conners' "The 11th Hour" in North America, while Warner Bros. Pictures International will handle the Leonardo DiCaprio-produced doc internationally. The film will have its world premiere at the upcoming Festival de Cannes, and is slated for an Autumn 2007 theatrical release. Sue Kroll, President, Marketing, Veronika Kwan-Rubinek, President, Distribution, Warner Bros. Pictures International, and Polly Cohen, President Warner Independent Pictures jointly made the announcement Tuesday. According to Warner, the film explores "how humanity has arrived at this moment--how we live, how we impact the earth's ecosystems, and what we can do to change our course." "11th Hour," which DiCaptio narrates, features ongoing dialogues with experts from all over the world, including former Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, scientist Stephen Hawking, former head of the CIA R. James Woolsey and sustainable design experts William McDonough and Bruce Mau among others. "Having worked with Leonardo in the past, I know how much he cares about bringing issues of the environment to the forefront of our consciousness," said Cohen in a statement. "We're pleased to join with Warner Bros. Pictures International in helping to get this message out." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW News: SXSWclick Call for Submissions

The SXSW Film Conference & Festival is accepting entries through June 15 for its 4th annual SXSWclick online media fest. To be eligible for the SXSWclick event, shorts must be under 10 minutes in length and can be submitted on DVD. Full rules and regulations for the fest are available on the official website. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Events ]

Open Casting for "Kit Kittredge"

Open casting calls at American Girl Place retail stores in Los Angeles (May 7), Chicago (May 8) and New York (May 14) will seek "young aspiring actresses, ages 8-12," to take on roles in "Kit Kittredge: An American Girl Mystery" the first theatrical adaptation of an American Girl story, it was announced today by Bob Berney, president of Picturehouse, and Colin Callender, president, HBO Films. Academy Award nominee Abigail Breslin ("Little Miss Sunshine") will star as Kit Kittredge in the film. Further information on the casting calls, along with applications and release forms, can be found at American Girl's website, www.Americangirl.com. The film, which begins shooting this summer, will be released by Picturehouse on July 2, 2008. [Brian Brooks]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Production ]

iW NEWS | Lakeshore Bolsters Sales/Distribution Arm

Ahead of the upcoming Cannes market, Lakeshore Entertainment has announced a restructuring and expansion of its international sales and distribution arm. Key promotions were announced by Chairman and CEO Tom Rosenberg and new president of worldwide marketing and distribution David Dinerstein, who also announced the hiring of Jonathan Deckter as SVP of International Sales. He will join Elisabeth Costa de Beauregard Rose, promoted to SVP of International Sales -- both are reporting to Dinerstein. Lakeshore marketing exec Robert Burke has been promoted to EVP of Worldwide Marketing and Virginia Longmuir has been promoted to EVP of International Business and Legal Affairs. Decker was previously president of sales and distribution at Arclight Films International, while Costa de Beauregard Rose is an eight year veteran of Lakeshore. "This is a pivotal time in Lakeshore's development as a company," said Tom Rosenberg, in a statement. "With eight features currently in various stages of production, 2007 is our most prolific year to date and we have an incredibly strong sales and marketing team under David [Dinerstein] going in to Cannes 2007." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Cannes, Industry Moves ]

iW NEWS | EMI Makes UK Deal for "We Are Together"

Days after its North American premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, Paul Taylor's documentary "We Are Together" (Thina Simunye) has been acquired in a UK distribution deal with EMI that includes a theatrical, DVD and soundtrack release. The new film about the Children of Agape choir from South Africa, has stirred Tribeca festival audiences, as indieWIRE reported earlier today, drawing musicians Bono and Alicia Keys to a recent fest screening and party. A Rise Films production in association with The Channel 4 British Documentary Foundation and HBO Documentary Films, "We Are Together"'s deal was brokered by Annie Roney of ro*co films international and Teddy Leifer of Rise Films with Stefan Demetriou representing EMI Music UK. "'We Are Together' (Thina Simunye) is not only a powerful, important and uplifting film, but it also reminds us of the significance of music in all our lives," said Demetriou in a statement. "We are extremely proud to be involved with this film. Everytime the film screens in a theatre, the atmosphere is incredible. The premiere at Tribeca on Thursday evening was particularly special, and we knew then we had to be a part of this wonderful film." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, New York ]

iW VIDEO | Julie Delpy and "2 Days in Paris"

At the Apple Store Soho for an Apple and indieWIRE Filmmaker Talk during the Tribeca Film Festival, Julie Delpy talks about her new movie, "2 Days in Paris" (which had its North American premiere at the festival) and discusses Richard Linklater (with whom she made "Before Sunrise" and "Before Sunset") and also talks about an upcoming project. 
[permalink]   [ filed under New York, indieWIRE: VIdeo ]

iW NEWS | Here! Gets Tribeca Title, "Vivere"

Here! Films has announced a North American deal for Angelina Maccarone's German drama, "Vivere," screening at the Tribeca Film Festival. Here's sister company, Regent Releasing will handle the theatrical release of the movie, in a deal brokered with Media Luna Entertainment. Produced by Anita Elsani, the film stars Hannelore Elsner, Esther Zimmering, and Kim Schnitzer. It is described as the story of "three women on the run, each trying to save each other, and in the process, save themselves." "This touching and visually stunning drama with its twisting plotlines and thought-provoking story is sure to keep viewers both enthralled and entertained," said Here! VP Mark Reinhart, in a statement. [Eugene Hernandez]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, New York ]

iW ANNOUNCEMENT | Apple and indieWIRE Daily Filmmaker Chats Continues: Mary Harron, Ed Burns, John Canemaker

Apple and indieWIRE are proud to present Filmmaker Talks at the Apple Store SoHo during the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. Get a peek behind the scenes from some of the industry's leading filmmakers as well as emerging directors. Mary Harron - Monday, April 30, 4:00 p.m. Filmmaker Mary Harron, screenwriter and director of "American Psycho," talks about how she adapts novels into screenplays--most notably her current script based on Rachel Klein's novel, "The Moth Diaries." Edward Burns - Tuesday, May 1, 4:00 p.m. Join actor and filmmaker Edward Burns for a discussion on independent filmmaking, including his latest film, "Purple Violets." John Canemaker - Wednesday, May 2, 4:00 p.m. Oscar-winning animator John Canemaker shares how he brought personal and difficult subject matter to the screen through his animated film "The Moon and the Son: An Imagined Conversation." For the full lineup and more details, please visit here. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Events, New York ]

iW NEWS | Fortissimo Gets Tarr's "Man From London"

Fortissimo Films has acquired worldwide rights (outside of Germany, France and Hungary) to Bela Tarr's Cannes '07 competition entry "The Man From London" in a deal with TT Filmmuhely, 13 Production, Black Forest Films GmbH, Von Vietinghoff Filmproduction and Cinema Soleil. The film, Tarr's first feature in seven years, is described as "the story of Maloin, a man whose life is unexpectedly changed forever when he witnesses a murder." It stars Tilda Swinton, Miroslav Krobot, Janos Derzsi, Miklos Jancso, Erika Bok, Agi Szirtes, and Istvan Lenart. "As one of the most visionary directors in the world, we have been following the works of Bela Tarr for a long time," said Fortissimo's Wouter Barendrecht, in a statement. "With 'The Man From London', we are very proud to be bringing to the world this long-awaited masterwork." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Cannes ]

iW NEWS | Tribeca Fest Presents All Access Awards

Saturday night at the Tribeca Film Festival the Tribeca All Access Awards were presented. Ben Rekhi received the narrative section prize for his new screenplay, "Waste" (co-written by John Campo), described as the story of "a widowed NYC sanitation worker who must negotiate his relationship with his son after he becomes a key figure in a labor dispute." The documentary section prize went to Dee Rees for her work-in-progress, "Eventual Salvation," described as following "an 80-year-old grandmother who returns to Liberia to rebuild her life and community after years of civil war." Finally, the screenwriting section award went to Marilyn Fu for "The Sisterhood of Night," adapted from a short story by Steven Millhauser. Caryn Waechter is attached to direct the project. Honorable mentiones were presented to Jae-Ho Chang and Tara Autovino's "Ultimate Christian Wrestling" (documentary) and Roberto Marinas' "Last Road Home" (screenplay). [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors, New York ]