AFP: Iran set to upset Egypt with '34 Bullets for Pharoah'

An extremist Iranian Islamist group announced it was working on a film about the 1981 assassination of Egyptian president Anwar Sadat entitled "34 Bullets for the Pharoah." The documentary, produced by the "Committee for the Glorification of Martyrs for the World Islamic Movement," is certain to further upset Cairo -- with whom Tehran cut diplomatic ties after Sadat signed the 1979 Camp David peace accord with Israel. Agence France Presse reports. 
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$3.7 Million Grant Bolsters Heartland Fest

In the Indianapolis Business Journal, Scott Olson examines the state of the Heartland Film Festival, recent recipient of a $3.7 million grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. The grant is earmarked to bolster the event, expand its programs and create local and national partnerships:

Independent filmmakers visiting Indianapolis for the Heartland Film Festival often give the event glowing reviews. But after 14 years of screening and honoring such inspiring movies as "Remember the Titans," "The Rookie" and "Because of Winn-Dixie," organizers no longer want to rely simply on word of mouth to build a national reputation for the festival, which this year runs Oct. 13-21.

 
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Who's the hottest hottie?

In Toronto's National Post, J. Kelly Nestruck offers the play-by-play on the battle to be crowned "Hottest Hottie" at this year's Toronto International Film Festival. The face-off begins with hott brother and sister Jake Gyllenhaal and Maggie Gyllenhaal in a round one battle... Other contestands include Johnny Depp, Justin Timberlake and Eva Longoria. 
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Venice prepares for film fest with Asian flavour

Venice's Lido is a favorite venue for stars from Hollywood but as the red carpet is rolled out for this year's festival, the flavour is distinctly Asian, from a martial arts-themed opening to Japanese cartoons. And after a blunder-prone, overloaded 2004, organisers of the world's oldest cinema competition say they have a sleeker line-up which will appeal to art house film buffs and star-watchers alike. Clara Ferreira-Marques reports for Reuters. 
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Buyers Market or Marketers Dream?

Ian Mohr looks at upcoming festivals for Variety, in particular Toronto and Venice, exploring the increased focus on these fall fests as marketing launch pads for new fall films, perhaps at the expense of the events as markets for buying new movies. Mohr opens by noting, "Frustrated with the summer's ticket sales, studio marketers are marshalling their resources to mount a major assault on the Toronto Film Festival." And continues:

"The fall festival circuit used to engender more anxiety among acquisitions execs than marketers. But as studios concentrate more on their own productions and pre-buys rather than finished film fare, the acquisitions market at these events is losing its luster."

 
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Michael Almereyda Interview

Michael Almereyda talks to Rania Richardson at Downtown Express about his new documentary on photographer William Eggleston, "William Eggleston in the Real World," which will be featured at this year's Toronto Film Festival. 
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