HR: Full steam ahead for Oscar telecast

With the threat of picketing writers having passed, Oscar organizers on Thursday unveiled presenters and performers for their upcoming telecast. Host Jon Stewart and his writing team are expected to arrive in Hollywood on Saturday for some intensive Oscar prep before the February 24 ceremony. Gregg Kilday and Paul J. Gough report. 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Biz ]

Reuters: Hollywood epic and UK comedy vie for Berlin honors

Dark Hollywood epic "There Will Be Blood," already awash with prizes and nominated for eight Oscars, takes on a light-hearted low-budget British comedy for top honors at the Berlin International Film Festival this year. Mike Collett-White reports. 
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iW NEWS | Breillat's "Mistress" to Open 51st San Francisco Fest

French director Catherine Breillat's latest, "The Last Mistress" will open the 51st San Francisco International Film Festival in the city's historic Castro Theatre, organizers unveiled. The film is a "candid exploration of female sexuality with a smartly crafted period drama starring the Asia Argento." ""The festival has had a great relationship with Catherine Breillat and we are delighted to have her film as the opener," commented Graham Leggat, executive director of the San Francisco Film Society in a statement. "Her previous two films, 'Brief Crossing' (SFIFF 2002) and 'Sex is Comedy' (SFIFF 2003), were both shown to great success." SFIFF takes place April 24 - May 8. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | ShoWest To Honor Bodrov

Sergei Bodrov will receive the ShoWest International Achievement Award in Filmmaking during the annual event in Las Vegas from March 10-13, 2008. Bodrov, nominated for an Academy Award for his film "Mongol," will be honored at ShoWest's International Day Luncheon on Monday, March 10th at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas. "An award-winning filmmaker, Bodrov has been a leading figure in Russian and world cinema for over two decades," said ShoWest's co-managing director Mitch Neuhauser in a statement. [Peter Knegt]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors ]

USAT | Is the tug of war over high-def DVD format over?

Sony has apparently won the battle between their Blu-ray and Toshiba's HD DVD formats. Best Buy, Wal-Mart and Netflix are all abandoning HD DVD, in favor of Blu-ray. The move came after Warner Bros. dropped Blu-Ray, after the same move was made by Disney, Fox, Lionsgate and Sony. USA Today reports the news. 
[permalink]   [ filed under New Media & Technology ]

iW NEWS | "Queen Raquela" Wins Top Teddy Prize

Olaf de Fleur's "The Amazing Truth about Queen Raquela" won the Teddy Award for best feature film at the 2008 Berlin International Film Festival tonight in Germany, with Tanaz Eshagian's doc, "Be Like Others" winning both the jury prize and the Siegessaeule Reader's Choice Award. The prize for best documentary went to David Assmann and Ayat Najafi's "Football Under Cover." "This year's documentaries overwhelmingly won the hearts of the Teddy Jury by approaching challenging and thought-provoking subjects in an accessible and effective manner," said the jury, in a statement, "The most cinematic and gripping of them all subtly and humorously tackles gender-roles in sports in Islamic society." Felipe Sholl's "Ta" won the Teddy for best short film. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Berlin, Documentary, Honors ]

iW NEWS | Oscars Announce Presenters, Performers

Academy Awards producer Gil Cates and Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Sid Ganis announced the presenters and performers of this year's February 24th telecast Thursday. Included are all four of last year's acting winners, Alan Arkin, Jennifer Hudson, Helen Mirren and Forest Whitaker, as well as a long list of others including Amy Adams, Jessica Alba, Cate Blanchett, Josh Brolin, Steve Carell, George Clooney, Penelope Cruz, Miley Cyrus, Patrick Dempsey, Cameron Diaz, Colin Farrell, Harrison Ford, Jennifer Garner, Tom Hanks, Anne Hathaway, Katherine Heigl, Jonah Hill, Dwayne Johnson, Nicole Kidman, James McAvoy, Queen Latifah, Seth Rogen, Martin Scorsese, Hilary Swank, John Travolta, Denzel Washington and Renee Zellweger. Additionally, Amy Adams will perform the song "Happy Working Song" from "Enchanted." The other two songs will be performed by Kristen Chenoweth and Marlon Saunders ("That's How You Know") and Jon McLaughlin ("So Close"). "Once's Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova will perform their song "Falling Slowly," while Jamia Simone Nash will perform "Raise it Up" from "August Rush." Jon Stewart and his team of writers Hal Kanter, Buz Kohan, Jon Macks and Bruce Vilanch, are currently working on the show itself, which airs one week from this upcoming Sunday. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Biz ]

iW NEWS | Texas Film Hall of Fame Announces Honorees

The Austin Film Society announced that Mike Judge will receive the Ann Richards Award at the 8th annual Texas Film Hall of Fame Awards on March 7, 2009. The Ann Richards Award recognizes someone who breaks creative barriers and forges new paths. Austin-based Judge, director of "Office Space" and creator of television series "Beavis and Butt-head" and "King of the Hill" will share the stage with actress Morgan Fairchild, who will be inducted into the Texas Film Hall of Fame that night. Dan Rather will emcee the event. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors ]

iW NEWS | Bardem Named Honorary Chair For Spirits

Film Independent announced that Javier Bardem will serve as the Honorary Chair at the 2008 Spirit Awards, to be held on February 23, 2008 in Santa Monica. As Honorary Chair, Bardem will be a presenter at the ceremony, which is being hosted this year by Rainn Wilson. Bardem, who won a Spirit Award for "Before Night Falls," joins a list of previous chairs that includes last year's co-chairs Maggie Gyllenhaal and Terrence Howard, as well as Halle Berry, Ang Lee, Martin Scorcese, Nicole Kidman and Jodie Foster. Honorary Chairs are selected for their outstanding achievements in film as well as their commitment to Film Independent's overall mission to celebrate the wide spectrum of independent filmmaking. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

iW NEWS | Hirsch ShoWest Male Star of Tomorrow

ShoWest has named Emile Hirsch their Male Star of Tomorrow. Hirsch will be presented with the award at ShoWest's closing night ceremony on Thursday, March 13, at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas. [Peter Knegt] 
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iW NEWS | Writers Officially End Strike

"The strike is over. Our membership has voted, and writers can go back to work," declared Patric M. Verrone, WGAW president in Los Angeles hours ago. The membership of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) voted to end their their 100-day strike that began on Nov. 5. According to the guild, 3,775 writers voted, with 92.5% casting ballots in favor of ending the strike. "This was not a strike we wanted, but one we had to conduct in order to win jurisdiction and establish appropriate residuals for writing in new media and on the Internet," Verrone continued in the statement. "Those advances now give us a foothold in the digital age. Rather than being shut out of the future of content creation and delivery, writers will lead the way as TV migrates to the Internet and platforms for new media are developed." Next up, the writers will vote February 25th on ratifying the tentative three-year contract with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. "This is a day of relief and optimism for everyone in the entertainment industry," said studio heads in a statement. "We can now all get back to work, with the assurance that we have concluded two groundbreaking labor agreements – with our directors and our writers -- that establish a partnership through which our business can grow and prosper in the new digital age." The statement came from Peter Chernin, Chairman and CEO of the Fox Group, Brad Grey of Chairman & CEO, Paramount Pictures Corp, Robert A. Iger of President & CEO, The Walt Disney Company, Michael Lynton, Chairman & CEO of Sony Pictures Entertainment, Barry M. Meyer, Chairman & CEO of Warner Bros., Leslie Moonves, President & CEO of CBS Corp., Harry Sloan, Chairman & CEO of MGM, and Jeff Zucker, President & CEO of NBC Universal. [Eugene Hernandez] 
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iW NEWS | TIFFG Announces Co-Directors of Learning

The Toronto International Film Festival Group announced the appointments of Allen Braude and Elizabeth Muskala as Co-Directors of Learning. Braude and Muskala will helm the Sprockets Toronto International Film Festival for Children and oversee Youth Learning and Special Delivery, and Adult Learning and Reel Talk. We are excited to take on this collaborative role with Sprockets to spearhead the Youth and Adult Learning initiatives," said Braude in a statement. The 11th annual Sprockets runs from April 12 to April 18, 2008, and includes a Family Programme for ages three and up, on-site activities and a week-long School Programme for students in Grades 1 to 12. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

AP: Writers voting on ending strike

Writers Guild of America members are voting in New York and Los Angeles on whether to end their 3-month strike. Michael Winship, president of the Writers Guild of America, East, says he is confident that Tuesday's vote would put the entertainment industry back to work as soon as Wednesday. Lynn Elber reports. 
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EFM NEWS | Seventh Art Takes "Two Lives" for North America

Seventh Art Releasing has picked up North American rights to French feature "Two Lives Plus One" at the European Film Market, a Seventh Art spokesperson told indieWIRE Tuesday. The deal was negotiated by Udy Epstein and Matt Henderson for Seventh Art and Sebastien Chesneau from Paris-based Rezo. The company plans a fall roll out after screening it in upcoming North American film festivals. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Berlin ]

iW NEWS | Strand Resurrects "Otto" for the U.S.

Strand Releasing has acquired U.S. rights to Bruce LaBruce's "Otto; Or, Up with Dead People," Maximum Films has announced. The deal for the film, which had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival and is having its European debut in Berlin Tuesday night, was negotiated by Jon Gerrans of Strand Releasing and Charlotte Mickie of Maximum Films International. Jey Crisfar portrays Otto, a young zombie who rises from the dead and hitches a ride to Berlin where he comes to reside at an amusement park and is discovered by a filmmaker who is completing her epic political porno movie. Millivres, meanwhile, has acquired all rights for the UK. Strand plans a fall 2008 release. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Berlin ]

iW NEWS | here! Acquires "Trevor"

here! Films, the theatrical distribution and worldwide sales division of here! Networks, has announced that it has acquired the United States and Canadian distribution rights to the film "Holding Trevor" from Stray Films LLC. The film, the directorial debut of Rosser Goodman, has so far has played at the gay film festivals Outfest 2007, Frameline 2007, and the 2007 Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. It will be released theatrically in May 2008. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Queer Cinema ]

iW BOT UPDATE | "In Bruges" Opens Atop Chart

"In Bruges," Focus Features' hit men comedy, was atop the iW BOT in its opening weekend, according to final numbers posted this afternoon at indieWIRE.com. The film enjoyed a debut of $457,227 from 28 locations, averaging a promising $16,330. Israeli film "The Band's Visit," Spanish-language experimental film "The Silence Before Bach," filmmaker Cristian Mungiu's abortion drama,"4 Months 3 Weeks and 2 Days," and 2006 Venice winner "Still Life" rounded out the top 5. This week's indieWIRE box office article was posted yesterday. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

INSIDE WORD in Berlin | Miramax Making Deal for Mike Leigh's Latest?

"Happy" deal closing... Word on the festival circuit overnight, via a pair of competitors, has Miramax Films in the running to acquire Mike Leigh's Berlin International Film Festival entry, "Happy-Go-Lucky." The film, which was screened early for select buyers last week in Berlin, has its official premiere today (Tuesday) at the Berlinale. Trade reports in Screen and the Hollywood Reporter this morning reiterated the buzz, but reached late yesterday a Miramax spokesperson said talk of a pact was, "Still premature." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Berlin ]

iW NEWS | SXSW '08 Adds Films, Panels

Eva Norvind's "Born Without" and Everardo Gonzalez' "The Old Thieves" have been added to the roster for the upcoming SXSW Film Conference and Festival, screening in the event's new "Global Doc Days" section that will showcase programming from various international film organizations. The section will also include docs from Canada, Norway, and China. Also added to the SXSW lineup are panels featuring Billy Bob Thornton & Dwight Yoakam (In conversation on March 11), separate conversations with Helen Hunt and Stanley Nelson (both on March 9th), and an acting workshop with Jeffrey Tambor on the same day. The event is also adding "Drugs, Politics, and Race: A 'Harold & Kumar' Panel" and "What the Writers' Strike Taught Us" on March 8th. SXSW will run from March 7 - 16 in Austin, TX. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, SXSW ]

iW NEWS | IFC Acquires "Capacity"

IFC Entertainment announced that it has acquired all North American rights to Terry Kinney's comedy "Diminished Capacity," which recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival "Terry is such a respected and multitalented artist whose work throughout the years on stage and on screen has entertained and inspired critics and audiences alike," said IFC Entertainment President Jonathan Sehring in a statement. "'Diminished Capacity' combines an all-star cast whose comedic timing and sympathetic characters create the perfect formula for a unique cinematic experience." "Capacity" stars Matthew Broderick, Alan Alda and Virginia Madsen. [Peter Knegt]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

iW NEWS | Maximum Takes International "Water"

Sundance Film Festival Grand Jury prize-winner "Trouble The Water" has been picked up by Toronto-based Maximum Films International for all rights outside North America. The documentary, directed by Tia Lessin and Carl Deal, details the lives of aspiring rap artist Kim and her streetwise husband Scott as they are trapped in New Orleans by floodwaters."Maximum is fortunate to have acquired this award-winning and inspirational film, and to be able to work with such talented filmmakers as Tia Lessin and Carl Deal," said Maximum's Managing Director Charlotte Mickie. "We were incredibly moved by 'Trouble The Water''s inspiring message and the uplifting true story and courage of Kim and Scott Roberts." [Peter Knegt]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Documentary ]

iW NEWS | Benten Films Acquires "Free Will"

Benton Films, the first DVD label run by film critics, has acquired the North American DVD rights to Bavaria Film International's award winning 2006 drama "The Free Will." Directed by Matthias Glasner, the film won the Silver Bear for Outstanding Artistic Contribution at the 2006 Berlinale, as well as Best Actor awards for Jurgen Vogel at both the Tribeca Film Festival and Chicago International Film Festival. "We're honored to have acquired such a prestigious title," said Andrew Grant, President of Benten Films. "The Free Will" will be released on June 24, 2008. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, World Cinema ]

iW NEWS | Filmcatcher Announces Digital Deal

Filmcatcher.com has announced a deal with The Global Film Initiative and its distribution partner, First Run Features, to make GFI's films available on Filmcatcher. "At FilmCatcher, we want our visitors to discover worthy new talent and films," said Alan Klingenstein, co-founder of FilmCatcher, in a statement. "Working with Global Film Initiative, we'll be able to see the best filmmakers from emerging markets around the world, and bring them to our audience, so it's a perfect match." GFI provides funding to filmmakers in various developing countries. Four films, both given grants and distributed by Global Film have represented their countries at the Academy Awards in the Foreign Film Competition category. [Peter Knegt]  
[permalink]   [ filed under New Media & Technology, World Cinema ]

iW NEWS | Locarno Announces Moretti Retrospective

The 61st Locarno International Film Festival announced a retrospective for Italian filmmaker, actor and producer Nanni Moretti. Locarno has a tradition of retrospectives that follow the work of contemporary auteurs that alternate with substantial historical monographs and more thematic programmes. Following Youssef Chahine, Abbas Kiarostami, Marco Bellocchio, Joe Dante, and Aki Kaurismaki, 2008 will spotlight Moretti. The festival runs from August 6-16, 2008. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, World Cinema ]

iW NEWS | SPC Announces "12" Pact

Sony Pictures Classics has annonuced a deal for North American rights to Nikita Mikhalkov's "12," an Oscar nomineed in the best foreign language film category this year. The courtroom drama is loosely adapted from Sidney Lumet's "12 Angry Men." SPC also released Mikhalkov's Oscar-winner, "Burnt By The Sun." [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Berlin, World Cinema ]

iW NEWS | "Atonement" Wins BAFTA's Best Film Award

Joe Wright's "Atonement" was awarded best film at the Orange British Academy Film Awards in London Sunday night. Though the film also picked up an award for best production design, it was not the leader in terms of total awards. "La Vie En Rose" led an unusually spread out group of winners, taking awards for best actress (Marion Cotillard), best makeup, best music and best costume design. Following "Rose" was Joel and Ethan Coen's "No Country For Old Men," which won three awards for best director, best supporting actor (Javier Bardem) and best cinematography (Roger Deakins). Other notable winners were Daniel Day-Lewis for best actor for his performance in "There Will Be Blood," surprise winner Tilda Swinton for best supporting actress in "Michael Clayton and "Juno"'s Diablo Cody for best original screenplay. And despite winning best film overall, "Atonement" lost the best british film award to "This Is England." For a complete list of winners, please visit BAFTA's website. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ]

iW NEWS | Weekend Estimates: "In Bruges" Leads, "Hottie" a Nottie

According to indieWIRE Box Office Tracking (iW BOT) estimates from Rentrak, Martin McDonagh's Sundance opener, "In Bruges," looks to lead the iW BOT this weekend, taking in $471,200 from 28 screens. The Focus Features release averaged $16,829 per theatre, leading the weekend's other new entry, Eran Kolirin's "The Band's Visit," which averaged $10,083 from its 7 theatres. Holdovers "4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days" and "Caramel" managed well, with IFC's "Months" taking in $129,297 on 21 screens for a $6,157 average, and Roadside Attraction's "Caramel" averaging $4,574 on 18 screens. Way at the bottom of the chart was another Sundance-related film (while the film never actually screened there, its star was there shamelessly promoting it as if it were), Paris Hilton's "The Hottie and the Nottie." Opening on 111 screens, the critically lambasted film averaged a truly pathetic $225 per theatre, narrowly beating December's similarly ridiculed Jessica Simpson project, "Blonde Ambition," which averaged $165 per theatre in its opening weekend (though it went on to reach a $260 average the following weekend). indieWIRE publishes its weekly box office column on Mondays and final weekend numbers for specialty and limited release films on Tuesdays. Get the latest in the indieWIRE Box Office section. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW NEWS | WMI Continues Selling "Young @ Heart"

William Morris Independent is touting its work on agency clients director Stephen Walker and producer Sally George, selling their popular doc, "Young @ Heart." After brokering a North American deal with Fox Searchlight back in June at the Los Angeles Film Festival, WMI broke with its tradition of working with overseas sales agents to sell the film to Jean Labadie's Le Pacte in France, Rialto in Australia/New Zealand, Senator Films in Germany, and Pix/Avex Group in Japan. The film, initially conceived for Channel Four in the UK, was re-tooled for theaters. It showcases an aging chorus of crowd-pleasers who sing The Clash and Coldplay. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Documentary ]