iW NEWS | Urman Exits THINKFilm for Senator

THINKFilm president and co-founder Mark Urman is leaving the New York-based distributor to join Marco Weber's Senator Entertainment U.S. as president of his newly formed distribution company. He will start October 1. According to a release, the teaming with Urman "follows Weber's recent acquisition of all shares in U.S.-based Senator Entertainment Inc. in order to focus solely on the production of English language films and to establish this U.S. based distribution entity." Senator will be based in both New York and Los Angeles. Currently, Senator is prepping production for Gregor Jordan's thriller "Unthinkable," starring Samuel L. Jackson and Martin Weisz's "Clocktower." In addition to its production slate, Senator will acquire titles to add to its roster. The company recently purchased U.S. rights to crime epic "Public Eneny No. 1," starring Vincent Cassel and Gerard Depardieu. The film will have its gala world premiere screening at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival. "I believe this is the perfect time to launch a company of this shape and size," commented Urman in a statement. "And I'm thrilled to be joining Marco in this exciting new endeavor. We start with an exceptional line-up that combines commercial crossover films with classically niche-oriented ones, and we'll have the ability to alternate wide releases-- involving hundreds of prints--with prestige titles that expand from exclusive platforms." THINKFilm has recently been dogged by legal and financial troubles. There is no immediate word as to the company's next course. [Brian Brooks] 
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AFP | Japan's Takeshi Kitano brings "cruel art" to Venice

Japan's Takeshi Kitano on Thursday completed his trilogy on the creative process as he unveiled his "Achilles and the Tortoise at the Venice film festival. Gina Doggett reports. 
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Reuters | New film adds to intrigue of Puccini love life

A new film on Giacomo Puccini has uncovered letters and documents suggesting the composer may have a second living descendant, in a tangled tale of infidelity and vengeance befitting one of his operas. Silvia Aloisi reports. 
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AP | "The Burning Plain" debuts at Venice film festival

Guillermo Arriaga's directorial debut, "The Burning Plain" opens with a wide shot of a trailer ablaze in the New Mexico desert. While the landscape appears barren and exposed, it is concealing secrets that drive the story. Colleen Barry reports. 
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iW NEWS | IFC Films Conquers "Flame & Citron" for the U.S.

US rights to Ole Christian Madsen's Danish drama "Flame & Citron" have been acquired by IFC Films, the company announced Thursday afternoon. The film, which will have its world premiere this weekend at the Telluride Film Festival followed by a screening at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, stars Mads Mikkelsen ("After the Wedding") and Thure Lindhardt ("Into the Wild"). The film will be released in 2009 theatrically through IFC Films and on VOD through its day and date distribution platform. Arianna Bocco, Vice President of Production and Acquisitions for IFC Films negotiated the deal with Michael Weber from The Match Factory. Filmed in Germany, Copenhagen and Prague, the film is based on actual events and eye-witness accounts of two of the most active resistance fighters in the Holger Danske resistance group during World War II, Bent Faurschou-Hviid (known as Flame) and Jorgen Haagen Schmith (known as Citron). "This is truly dazzling filmmaking that delivers enough twists and turns to keep even the sharpest viewer on the edge of their seats," commented Jonathan Sehring, President of IFC Entertainment in a statement. "We're looking forward to bringing this film to an American audience." [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions ]

iW NEWS | Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire" Set for Searchlight/Warner Bros.

Fox Searchlight and Warner Bros. are partnering on Danny Boyle's "Slumdog Millionaire," the companies announced today. Searchlight is set to handle the marketing and distribution of the film, written by Simon Beaufoy and starring Dev Patel, Madhur Mittal, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor and Irrfan Khan. It is based on the best selling novel Q&A by Vikas Swarup. Set to have its world premiere at the upcoming Toronto International Film Festival, the movie will open on November 28th. Variety speculated today that the film will sneak this weekend in Telluride, but Searchlight declined to comment this afternoon. [Eugene Hernandez] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto ]

iW NEWS | Truly Indie Takes "Gun"

Greenwood Hill Productions has signed on with Truly Indie's self-distribution company to release its first feature film, "Dalton Trumbo's Johnny Got His Gun." The film, an adaptation of the 1982 award-winning play, takes place in the mind of an American soldier hit by an artillery shell on the last day of WWI. It stars Ben McKenzie ("Junebug"), and will have its World Premiere on September 22nd at the Paramount Theatre in Austin prior to beginning a rollout on September 26th. A portion of the film's proceeds will be donated to the Fallen Patriot Fund, a non-profit organization established to help families of U.S. military personnel who were killed or seriously injured in Iraq. [Peter Knegt] 
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iW NEWS | Finalists Selected For CFTPA Prize

The shortlist for the 3rd Annual CFTPA Feature Film Producer's Award were announced by last year's recipient and this year's jury chair, Niv Finhman. The award honors Canadian producers with work screening at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival. This year's nominees are Dean English ("Edison and Leo"), Jennifer Jonas ("Toronto Stories"), Barbara Shrier ("Un ete sans point ni coup sur"), Rob Merilees ("Stone of Destiny") and David Hamilton ("Heaven on Earth"). The winner receives a cheque for $10,000 at a special reception to mark the opening of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 4th. [Peter Knegt]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Honors, Toronto ]

iW NEWS | Feel Good Fest Announces Winners

Los Angeles-based Feel Good Film Festival announced the award winners for its inaugural film festival. Jim Pasternak's "Certifiably Jonathan" won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feel Good Feature Film and Michael Berry's "Mira" was named as the winner of the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feel Good Short Film. "Mira" also won the Audience Award for best short, while Christopher Watson's "The Rainbow Tribe" won the Audience Award for feature. Noah Edelson's "Hear, Boy!" won the Feel Good Screenplay Competition and Alyssa Suede won the Feel Good Original Song Competition for her song, "Falling From Mars.""Our first year exceeded everyone's most hopeful expectations from the number of great films we were able to program, the participation of the filmmakers, sponsors and vendors, to the tremendous audience support we had over the course of the weekend," said Festival Director Kristen Ridgway in a statement. [Peter Knegt] 
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iW NEWS | Academy Doc Deadline Approaches

Next Tuesday, September 2nd is the deadline for filmmakers to submit their short subject and feature documentaries to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences for consideration for the 81st Academy Awards. To be eligible, documentary features must have completed a seven-day commercial run in at least one theater in both Los Angeles County and in the Borough of Manhattan in New York, between September 1, 2007, and August 31, 2008. Documentary short subjects must have completed the same in either Los Angeles County or in the Borough of Manhattan in New York, between those dates. The 81st Academy Awards nominations will be announced on Thursday, January 22, 2009. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Awards Watch, Official Info ]

iW NEWS | "Haber" Best of the Fest

The Los Angeles Shorts Film Festival presented its "Best of the Fest" award over the weekend to writer-director Daniel Ragussis for his film "Haber," the story of Nobel Prize winner Fritz Haber. "I am honored to receive this prestigious award for a film that has consumed me personally and professionally," said the director of his win. As winner of the "Best of the Fest," the filmmakers received a $60,000 camera package and a qualification for an Academy Award nomination. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals, Honors ]

iW NEWS | Academy Awards $50,000 To Telluride

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has awarded a $50,000 grant to underwrite the Telluride Film Festival's Guest Director program. Slavoj Zizek, the Slovenian political philosopher and cultural critic, will preside as guest director of the Festival's 35th show when it kicks off this Friday, August 29th. "Making the world of film more accessible is central to the Academy's mission," said Academy President Sid Ganis in a statement. "Telluride's Guest Director program does just that by sharing the experience and vision of some of the world's foremost creative thinkers." The Academy's cultural and educational wing - the Academy Foundation - annually grants more than $1 million to film scholars, cultural organizations and film festivals throughout the U.S. and abroad. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

iW NEWS | Owens Named Nashville Artistic Director

The Nashville Film Festival has named Brian Owens as its Artistic Director. Owens joins the Festival as it gears up for its 40th anniversary on April 16-23, 2009. Owens was previously the artistic director of the Indianapolis International Film Festival, which he founded in 2003. "As founder of the Indianapolis International Film Festival, Brian has seen much success," said Sallie Mayne, Nashville Exectuive Director, in a statement. "Nashville Film Festival will benefit from his strong artistic vision, great industry contacts and his passion for film." [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Festivals ]

iW NEWS | "Blindness" and "Summerhood" Bookend 28th Atlantic Film Festival

Canadian/Brazilian co-production "Blindness" by Don McKellar will open the 28th Atlantic Film Festival in Halifax, NS September 11, ushering in the 10-day festival featuring 254 films. Also screening among AFF's eleven galas is local filmmaker Michael Melski's debut "Growing Up," Atom Egoyan's "Adoration," Jennifer Chambers Lynch's "Surveillance" and Cannes 2008 favorite "Une Conte de Noel" by Arnaud Desplechin. "The Book Lady," a documentary about Dolly Parton's campaign for children's literacy from Natasha Ryan and Brad Horvath is also on tap. Favorites making the festival cirucit rounds including "Patti Smith: Dream of Life" and "Otto: Or, Up with Dead People" are also on tap for this year's edition. Closing out the Atlantic Film Festival will be the Canadian premiere of "Summerhood" by Halifax filmmaker, Jacob Medjuck about a "pivotal summer" in the life of a nine year-old boy, including narration by John Cusack. "We are proud of the calibre of films, music, and industry sessions that we are bringing to Atlantic Canada in this, our biggest year yet," commented AFF executive director Gregor Ash in a statement. "The festival this year continues its tradition of being a unique cultural event in the country that showcases the vast talent of Atlantic Canada while bringing films from across the country and world to Halifax." For more information on the Atlantic Film Festival, visit their website. [Brian Brooks]] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Documentary, Festivals ]

iW NEWS | Jaman and Lionsgate Announce Deal

Jaman.com, has announced a deal to distribute a large collection of titles from Lionsgate. Under the terms of the deal, Jaman.com will showcase select Lionsgate titles on its site. A number of these titles will be available for free, ad-supported and instantly streamed in high-definition quality. This deal makes more than 100 of the movies from Lionsgate library available to Jaman's community of film fans. Among the titles are "Dogville," "Caramel," Gods and Monsters," "Teeth" and "Requiem For a Dream." "We are delighted to add these excellent Lionsgate films to our collection of quality movies," said Gaurav Dhillon, founder and CEO of Jaman, in a statement. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

iW NEWS | here! Takes "Queen"

here! Films has acquired North American distribution rights to Olaf de Fleur's "The Amazing Truth About Queen Raquela." The film has won multiple awards on the festival circuit, including the Teddy Award for Best Feature at the 2008 Berlin Film Festival. Sister company Regent Releasing will distribute the film for here! in select cities this Fall starting with New York and Los Angeles on September 26th. "We are thrilled to be working with such an innovative, emerging talent like Olaf de Fleur," said Mark Reinhart, West Coast General Manager and EVP, Distribution and Acquisitions, Regent, in a statement. "'Queen Raquela' is refreshing and inspirational in both content and form and we are excited to bring this festival favorite to a broad U.S. audience this fall." The acquisition was negotiated by Reinhart and Nate Bolotin from XYZ Films and Stefan Schaefer from Cicala Filmworks on behalf of Olaf de Fleur. [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Queer Cinema ]

iW NEWS | Fortissimo Acquires "Food"

Documentary coverage sponsored by SnagFilms.

Fortissimo Films has announced its acquisition of the documentary feature "Food, Inc.," which will have its world premiere at next week's Toronto International Film Festival. Produced and directed by Robert Kenner, the Participant Media-River Road Entertainment presentation draws upon Eric Schlosser and Michael Pollan's investigation into "the growth of big business and the ways in which it has impacted upon how and what we eat." The deal, for worldwide rights excluding North America, was brokered between Fortissimo's Senior Vice President, Sales and Acquisitions Winnie Lau, Participant Media's Executive Vice President, Business Affairs Jeff Ivers and River Road's Head of Business Affairs Deborah Zipser. "We are very pleased to be involved with a film which deals with such important subject matter with the intelligence it requires and clearly demonstrates the gravity of the situation the global community is facing," said Lau in a statement. "And we are of course excited to be working with such a talented and experienced group of filmmakers." [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Documentary ]

iW NEWS | "Pride," "Lucky" and "Genius" to Open 9th Woodstock Film Festival

The U.S. premiere of Gavin O'Connor's "Pride and Glory," Mike Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky" and Marc Abraham's "Flash of Genius" will launch the 2008 Woodstock Film Festival October 2nd. Screening at three locations in and near Woodstock, New York, the films are the official openers of the ninth annual event, which will screen 150 films, panels and concerts October 1 - 5. O'Connor's "Pride and Glory", starring Edward Norton and Colin Farrell is a cop drama screening in Woodstock, while Leigh's "Happy-Go-Lucky" about a free thinking schoolteacher living in North London will screen in nearby Rhinebeck, New York. Opening the WFF in Rosendale, New York is "Flash of Genius," based on the true story of college professor and part-time inventor Robert Kearns (Greg Kinnear), whose long battle with the U.S. automobile industry, came at a heavy price. "You might say we hit the trifecta of quality films with the diverse slate of our three opening selections, and we are especially pleased to be able to offer the U.S. premiere of 'Pride and Glory," commented WFF executive director and co-founder Meira Blaustein in a statement. "For the past several years we have been screening films in Rosendale as well as Woodstock and Rhinebeck, and we have developed a strong following there, so we are delighted to celebrate with a great opening film in Rosendale as well." [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Celluloid Takes Non-North American Rights to Venice's "Vegas" and "Valentino"

Venice '08 titles "Vegas: Based on a True Story" by Amir Naderi and "Valentino: The Last Emperor" by Matt Tyrnauer have been added to Celluloid Dreams' fall slate. "Vegas," which will screen September 1 at the Venice Film Festival centers on a family living on the outskirts of Las Vegas. Celluloid is handling rights outside North America which is being handled by Cinetic Media. "Valentino," about the couturier, will screen August 28 in Venice. Richard Klubeck of UTA is handling North American rights, while Celluloid will represent in the rest of the world. [Brian Brooks] 
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iW NEWS | Goldcrest Launches Production Arm

The Goldcrest Group has announced the formation of a new division, Goldcrest Features. The new company will integrate the production process for independent filmmakers from pre-production through post-production and delivery, all under one roof. Goldcrest Features' mission is to co-produce as many as seven films a year, with budgets ranging from $5 million to $15 million. The company is currently finishing the shoot of "The City of Your Final Destination" for Merchant Ivory Pictures. [Brian Brooks] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Biz ]

HR | "Juno" among finalists for Humanitas

The screenwriters of "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly," "Juno" and "Lars and the Real Girl" have been named finalists in the feature film category of the 2008 Humanitas Prize, which honors writing that explores the human condition. Hollywood Reporter reports. 
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AP | Clooney, Pitt to walk red carpet walk for charity

George Clooney and Brad Pitt will make two appearances at the Venice Film Festival this week. Colleen Barry reports. 
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iW NEWS | BAFTA/LA To Celebrate With "Never Apologize"

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts/Los Angeles (BAFTA/LA) will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the BAFTA/LA Heritage Archive with a special screening of "Malcolm McDowell, Never Apologize" at the Skirball Center on Friday, September 5, 2008. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with McDowell. The documentary is McDowell's recollection of director Lindsay Anderson, and is directed by Mike Kaplan. Founded ten years ago with a grant in the name of British director, Alexander "Sandy" Mackendrick, the Heritage Archive has compiled over 70 interviews that, said BAFTA/LA in a statement, "preserve the wit and wisdom of Britain's finest talents both in front of and behind the camera for BAFTA members worldwide, scholars and future generations of film lovers." [Peter Knegt]  
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iW NEWS | Laemmle Music Hall To Join Emerging Cinemas

It was announced that the Laemmle Music Hall is joining the Emerging Cinemas Network, whic is made up of independent theaters and cultural institutions that are tied together through the use of Emerging's digital cinema system. The Music Hall is the first location for Emerging Cinemas in southern California, and the 50th location in the United States. Initial programming at the Music Hall will be the current season of La Scala Operas, which Emerging Pictures distributes exclusively in the U.S. and other territories. Other upcoming programming offered through Emerging includes the just completed Salzburg Festival, ballets from the Bolshoi, and a wide range of independent films, documentaries and foreign language films. "We've been highly selective in finding a location in Los Angeles that is the right match for our audience, and with the Music Hall, we've found it," said Barry Rebo, Chairman of Emerging Pictures, in a statement. "The reputation for quality that has been fostered at Laemmle Theaters over the years is the perfect environment for our cultural offerings." [Peter Knegt] 
[permalink]   [ filed under Industry Moves ]

iW NEWS | Visit Films Acquires "Adela"

Visit Films has announced its worldwide acquisition of Toronto International Film Festival title "Adela." Screening it Toronto's Contemporary World Cinema section, the film is directed by Filipino Adolfo Alix Jr.. It tells the story of a former radio personality who is celebrating her 80th birthday in the slums of Manila. "This film marks a significant move forward for Visit," said Visit Films partner Sylvain Tron in a statement. "We have acquired a top tier international project from a director whose first film was the Filipino entry for the Academy Awards Foreign Language category. The film is deeply poetic and addresses the basic need to survive amidst the chaos of life." The Toronto International Film Festival runs September 4-13, 2008. [Peter Knegt]  
[permalink]   [ filed under Acquisitions, Toronto, World Cinema ]

iW NEWS | Weekend Estimates: "Water" Leads, "Hamlet" So-So

Box Office coverage presented by Rentrak Theatrical

According to indieWIRE Box Office Tracking (iW BOT) estimates from Rentrak this afternoon, Tia Lessin and Carl Deal's Sundance winner, "Trouble the Water," looks to lead the iW BOT, averaging $9,427 from 3 screens for a $28,281 total. That total was overwhelmingly from the Zeitgeist release's IFC Center engagement, were it grossed $21,501. Another Sundance alum, Andrew Fleming's "Hamlet 2," opened below rather huge expectations. Opening on 103 screens before a wide release next weekend, the Focus Features release grossed a mild $435,294, averaging $4,226. Another opener, Patrick Creadon's "I.O.U.S.A.," debuted on 18 screens and also found a soft $3,460 average, though certainly expectations were far lighter than "Hamlet." The national debt-doc grossed $62,278 in total for Roadside Attractions ("Momma's Man," this weekend's other notable opener, has yet to submit estimates). Among holdovers, two Penelope Cruz starrers, "Elegy," and "Vicky Cristina Barcelona," held on very nicely. "Elegy" expanded from 6 to 92 screens for IDP/Samuel Goldwyn Films and held on to a promising $5,458 average, while "Barcelona" continued to show strength on its static 692 screens, taking in a another $3,003,000. Dropping just 20%, it brings the Woody Allen film to a $8,569,474 total after 10 days. indieWIRE will publish its weekly box office column Monday night and final weekend numbers for specialty and limited release films on Tuesday. Get the latest in the indieWIRE Box Office section. [Peter Knegt]  
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