SF360: Telluride in transition

Changing horses in midstream is never recommended, but sometimes it's unavoidable. That's the case with the one-of-a-kind Telluride Film Festival, founded in 1975 by Bill and Stella Pence, Tom Luddy and James Card. An intimate four-day buffet of tributes, premieres, restorations, and revivals laid out in the Colorado mountains, Telluride is an oasis for film lovers. The deal-making, gossip, and financial chitchat endemic to Cannes, Toronto, Berlin, and Sundance are absent and art (and the art of the anecdote) take center stage. At the end of last year's conclave, however, the Pences announced their retirement and handed their share of the reins to exhibition veteran Gary Meyer. The fest subsequently consolidated its headquarters in Berkeley and enters a new era as the curtains go up Friday on the 34th annual bash. What changes lie in store? Michael Fox reports. 
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VV: Crowded House

It's Friday night, and the ticket-holder line stretches around the block. Latecomers can forget it; the 8 p.m. show is sold out. The lobby's abuzz, as vintage-clad hipsters, film students, and cineastes just off their day jobs rush to buy organic popcorn, Jacques Torres chocolate bars, and David Lynch's "Signature Cup" espresso before the show. It's a familiar scene at Manhattan's art-house theaters. But this snapshot of exuberant cine-mania belies gloomier truths about the current state of New York's art-house marketplace. Anthony Kaufman reports. 
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AFP: Michael Douglas in the spotlight at Deauville film fest

One of Hollywood's most versatile actors, Michael Douglas, takes center stage at the Deauville Film Festival opening Friday that also brings George Clooney, Matt Damon, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to the French beach resort. The 33rd annual festival of American cinema will pay tribute to Douglas whose latest film "King of California" by director Mike Cahill will open the 10-day event. More than 120 films will be screened during the festival, half of which are part of a new "American Nights" programme of classics that will be shown around the clock, including westerns, comedies, gangster moves and erotic films. Dominique Aubin reports. 
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AFP: Venice film festival unveils Ang Lee's steamy spy thriller

The Venice Film Festival on Thursday was set to unveil Taiwanese director Ang Lee's steamy spy thriller "Se, Jie" (Lust, Caution) as its 75th anniversary celebration got into full swing. Wednesday's opening gala of the festival, which runs until September 8, saw the world premiere of British psychological drama "Atonement" with Keira Knightley and James McAvoy. Gina Doggett reports. 
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iW NEWS | Rezo On Board Sayles' "Honeydripper"

Rezo Films has signed on to handle international rights for John Sayles' "Honeydripper," which will debut at next week's Toronto International Film Festival. The film, described in an announcement as "a rock n’roll fable about a 1950s juke joint owner down on his luck until the legendary 'Guitar Sam' comes to town," stars Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Stacy Keach, Mary Steenburgen, Yaya DaCosta and Sean Patrick Thomas. The film will also screen in competition at the San Sebastian Film Festival and is set for a U.S. Oscar-qualifying run in December via Emerging Pictures, but the company is also leaving the door open to U.S. offers. [Eugene Hernandez] 
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HR: Roadside takes "Bella" on U.S. trip

In its first acquisition since a recent partnership with Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions has acquired all U.S. rights to "Bella," winner of the People's Choice Award at last year's Toronto International Film Festival. Gregg Goldstein reports. 
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Herwitz' Company to Remake "Live-In Maid"

Andrew Herwitz of The Film Sales Company announced that his company has acquired English language remake rights to Jorge Gaggero's "Live-In Maid." Rodrigo Garcia attached to write and direct the film, marking the first production for Herwitz' five year old company, which is currently handling distribution of the Spanish-language film. Production is expected to begin next year. [Eugene Hernandez] 
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iW NEWS | "Lions for Lambs" to Open 2007 AFI Fest

Robert Redford's "Lions for Lambs" will open the 2007 AFI Los Angeles International Film Festival at the ArcLight Hollywood Cinerama Dome Theatre on Thursday, November 1st organizers announced Wednesday. The United Artists release, starring Redford, Meryl Streep and Tom Cruise, will have its North American premiere at the event. The film marks the first production from the new United Artists, which was reborn last year through a new partnership between Tom Cruise, Paula Wagner and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. "Lions" is described as a "powerful and gripping story that digs behind the news, the politics and a nation divided to explore the human consequences of a complicated war." "We are incredibly proud that AFI has chosen 'Lions for Lambs' for its Opening Night Gala," commented Wagner, UA's CEO in a statement. "We think it's an exciting film and an important film, and this is the perfect way to introduce it to the public." [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Red Envelope and New Line Home Entertainment to Spawn "The Business of Being Born"

North American rights to Abby Epstein's "The Business of Being Born" have been acquired by Red Envelope Entertainment and New Line Home Entertainment, the companies announced Wednesday. Red Envelope Entertainment head Bahman Naraghi saw the doc, produced by former talk show host Ricki Lake, during the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival. Red Envelope plans a theatrical release in "key U.S. cities" in October, followed by the film's Netflix launch. New Line Home Entertainment is planning a traditional DVD launch in the first quarter of 2008, according to Kevin Kasha, SVP of acquisitions and programming at the company. Compelled to find answers after the stressful delivery of her first child, Lake recruited filmmaker Epstein to "explore and question the way American women have babies," according to a joint release. The film’s fundamental question is, "should most births be viewed as a natural life process, or should every delivery be treated as a potential medical emergency? As Epstein uncovers some surprising answers, her own pregnancy adds a very personal dimension." The acquisition was negotiated by Naraghi, Kasha and Guy Stodel of New Line with Josh Braun of Submarine representing the filmmakers. Legal affairs were handled by REE’s Thomas Zadra, head of business and legal affairs, and Victoria Cook of Manhattan law firm FKKS, who represented the filmmakers. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | "Foul" Wins Top Prize at Palm Springs Shorts Fest

British director Simon Ellis' short about a weak father encountering a gang of teen thugs, "Soft" won the "Best of Festival Award" at the 2007 Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. The $2,000 prize also includes eligibility for Oscar consideration. Dee Rees' "Pariah" took the festival's "Future Filmmaker Award ($2,000 and "showbiz software package"). The fest's "Panavision Grand Jury Award went to Moon Molson's "Pop Foul," which also won a Student Academy Award. The Panavision prize includes a package valued at $60,000 and two days studio time from Casablanca Studios in Palm Springs. In announced audience prizes, the award for live action short went to "I Hate Musicals" by Stewart Schill, while Cyntia Wade and Laurel Hester's "Freeheld" took best doc short. And best animation short went to Zeth Willie's "The Needful Head." PSIFSF screened 332 shorts with 73 world premieres from 40 countries during the fest in the California desert community August 23 - 29. For more information including other award winners, visit their website. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Chinese and Japanese Films to Bookend Pusan Film Fest

Chinese director Feng Xiaogang's "Assembly" and Japanese anime "Evagelion 1.0: You Are (Not) Alone" by Hideaki Anno and Kazuya Tsurumaki will bookend the upcoming 12th Pusan International Film Festival, taking place October 4 - 12 in South Korea. Feng's ("The Banquet") "Assembly" is described as "a human drama of a soldier who devotes his entire life to redeeming the honor of his fellow soldiers who are declared missing in action." Adapted for the cinema from a 1995 television animation series entitled "Neon Genesis Evangelion," which itself eventually went to theaters in 1997 with "unprecedented" box office success in Japan, "Evangelion 1.0" is "re-born" according to organizers. The latest installment, which will have its international premiere in Pusan, contains what is described as a "new ending and new interpretation" from the original. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | 48th Thessaloniki Fest to Showcase New Spanish Cinema

The 48th Thessaloniki International Film Festival will spotlight new Spanish cinema, with a focus on films produced from 2003 - 2007, according to organizers. Eighteen films will screen in the section with filmmakers in attendance, including Javier Bardem who will travel to the festival with "Invisibles," which he produced. Among the other titles slated are "Te Doy Mis Ojos" (2003) by Iciar Bollain, "Crimen Perfecto" (2004) by Alex de la Iglesia, "La Vida Secreta de las Palabras" (2005) by Isabel Coixet and "Honor de Caballeria" (2006) by Albert Serra. In addition to "Invisibles," other 2007 selections will include Juan Antonio Bayona's "El Orfanato," Jaime Rosales' "La Soledad," Rafa Cortes' "Yo," and "La Noche de los Girasoles" by Jorge Sanchez Cabezudo. The Thessaloniki International Film Festival will take place in the Greek port November 17 - 26. For more information, visit the festival's website. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Tropfest@Tribeca to Screen 16 Shorts

Tropfest@Tribeca announced details for its upcoming event taking place September 23 at the World Financial Center in New York with sixteen short films from four countries slated. The films are eligible for the Target Filmmaker Award worth $10,000. Australian born actress Rose Byrne ("Troy"), actor/director Griffin Dunne ("After Hours") and Academy Award-nominated director Bennett Miller ("Capote") will serve as jurors. The films are: Matthew Kehoe's "August," Adam Schram's "Autumn Meadow," Chris Cassidy's "Bird Strikes," James Wright III's "Black Tears," Bob Sentipal's "The Closet," Josiah Signor's "Homecoming," Alexander Poe's "I Graduated, But...," Joanna Chejade-Bloom and Kiki Allgeier's "I Remain the Same," Ben Thompson's "Lemon and Lime," Kathleen Johnsen's "Morning," Blinda King's "The Picnic," Mike Tenaglia's "Slices Only," Daniel Knight's "Snookered," Stephen Franciosa, Jr's "Super Slice," Jonathon Emmerling's "The Switch," and Dana Bower's "Take Me." Tropfest@Tribeca is free to the public and based on Australia's Tropfest, the world's largest short film festival. For more information, visit their website. [Brian Brooks] 
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VAR | Premieres Multiply as Festivals Flower

"With so many festivals crowded into the fall calendar, and new events emerging every year, the small pool of sought-after films is being siphoned in every direction," writes Ali Jaafar, in Variety. "Bigger titles are increasingly doing double-, and even triple-duty, hopping from one fest to another for ever-less-meaningful 'premieres'." 
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Reuters: Venice festival explores the dark side

The Venice Film Festival gets serious this year with competition films about the Iraq war and its impact on U.S. society, police brutality in Egypt, big corporation corruption and the mafia in Italy. There are 22 movies vying for the coveted Golden Lion award at the end of the 11-day celebration of cinema, famous for red carpet glamour, late night parties on the canals of Venice and critical kudos of being part of the world's oldest film contest. Director Marco Mueller has assembled a Hollywood-heavy line up for this year's festival, which opens on Wednesday with "Atonement," the screen adaptation of Ian McEwan's acclaimed novel starring Keira Knightley. Mike Collett-White reports. 
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Reuters: Iran president has "no objection" to Stone film

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said on Tuesday he had no objection in principle if Oscar-winning director Oliver Stone wanted to make a film about him. Western media reports have said the U.S. director, who has made films about former U.S. presidents John F. Kennedy and Richard Nixon, wants to produce a film about Ahmadinejad, a virulent critic of U.S. policy in the Middle East. Reuters reports. 
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INDUSTRY MOVES | Kramer, Wyatt in Top Spots at Withoutabox

Fred Kramer has been promoted to president and Trina Wyatt has been named COO at Withoutabox, the company's co-founder and CEO David Straus announced on Monday.  
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iW NEWS | "Counterfeiters" Is Austria's Oscar Pick

Stefan Ruzowitzky's "The Counterfeiters" has been chosen as Austria's official entry for the 2008 Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award. The film, which debuted earlier this year at the Berlin International Film Festival, will be released next year by Sony Pictures Classics and is set to screen next week at the Toronto International Film Festival. [Eugene Hernandez] 
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LAT: Starbucks movie promotions disappoint bean counters

The polar bears of "Arctic Tale" have gotten a chilly reception in movie theaters despite Starbucks Corp.'s serving up promotional materials in thousands of its stores. The Paramount Classics documentary, co-financed by National Geographic Films, has failed to draw the crowds that flocked to other recent environmental movies such as Oscar-winners "March of the Penguins" and "An Inconvenient Truth." Costing less than $5 million to produce, the film has grossed roughly $600,000 domestically since its release July 25. Although the coffee giant has broadened its reach as a cultural tastemaker through music and book sales, "Arctic Tale" is another example of the green mermaid's golden touch failing to transfer to movies. Starbucks' first move into film promotion, Lions Gate's "Akeelah and the Bee," did not live up to expectations. Josh Friedman and Lorenza Munoz report.  
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iW NEWS | Cinema Guild Takes U.S. Rights for "The Unforeseen"

U.S. rights to Laura Dunn's Sundance '07 feature "The Unforeseen" have been picked up by The Cinema Guild, the group's president Philip Hobel announced Monday. Ryan Krivoshey, the company's director of distribution negotiated the deal with with Josh Braun of Submarine Entertainment and Roger Kass of RingTheJing Entertainment on behalf of the filmmakers. Cinema Guild plans a fall '07 roll out in New York and Los Angeles, followed by a national release. The film centers around a Texas farm boy who becomes a developer who threatens to transform the pristine hill country into large-scale subdivisions, threatening a fragile limestone aquifer. "The Unforeseen" is described by Cinema Guild as "a grand meditation on the destruction of the American landscape in exchange for fleeting notions of progress and convenience." "Without a single shot of a polar ice cap, 'The Unforeseen' offers a frank, clear-eyed, and nuanced assessment of man's impact on the environment," commented Ryan Krivoshey, "Laura Dunn has directed an extraordinarily timely and important film, and we are very excited to bring it to theaters." [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Toronto Fest Names Bell Lightbox

In announcing the new name for its home and headquarters as Bell Lightbox, the Toronto International Film Festival Group (TIFFG) said Monday that it has raised a total of $137 million towards the $196 million campaign to fund the new building, an endowment and ongoing operating money. TIFFG said Monday that the new facility in downtown Toronto is expected to open in late '09 or early 2010. [Eugene Hernandez] 
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iW NEWS | Celluloid Gets Miike's "Western"

Takashi Miike's "Sukiyaki Western Django" has been acquired by Celluloid Dreams. The film, screening in competition in Venice in the Midnight Madness section in Toronto, is described by the company as an homage to the spaghetti western. The company is handling worldwide sales for the film, excluding Asia (which is being handled by Sedic International). [Eugene Hernandez] 
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iW NEWS | "A Man's Fear of God" Takes Top Prize at Sarajevo Fest

Turkish director Ozer Kiziltan's "A Man's Fear of God" (Takva) has won best film at the Sarajevo Film Festival Saturday night, taking the 25,000 euro "Heart of Sarajevo" Award, while local filmmaker Teona Strugar-Mitevska's "I'm from Titov Veles" received a special jury prize. Namik Kabil's "Interrogation" received best doc and Andrey Paounov received the Human Rights Award for "The mosquito problem and other stories." Best actor went to Sasa Petrovic for SFF's opening night film, "It's Hard to be Nice" by Srdan Vuletic, and "Egg" (director Semih Kaplanoglu) star Saadet Islil Aksoy won best actress. The prize for best short went to "The Waves" by Adrian Sitaru. [Brian Brooks] 
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"Control" and "Together" Win Top Prizes in Edinburgh

Anton Corbijn's "Control" won the Michael Powell Award for Best New British Feature Film at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland (and actor Sam Riley won an award for best performance in a British film), while Paul Taylor's documentary "We Are Together" won the audience award at the 2007 festival. The prize for best documentary went to Jennifer Venditti's "Billy the Kid," and Pernille Rose Gronkjaer's "The Monastery: Mr Vig and the Nun" was singled out with a special commendation after jurors had trouble picking a single winner in the category. Other prize winners include Lucia Puenzo winning the new directors award for "XXY." Short film winners include James Griffiths' "The One and Only Herb McGwyer Plays Wallis Island" (best British short), Simon Ellis' "Soft" (short film Prix UIP), Yasmin Fedda's "Breadmakers" (short Scottish doc prize), and "Over the Hill" (new British animation award). [Eugene Hernandez] 
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