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Lincoln Center Takes the LATINBEAT
A slew of American premieres from south of the U.S. border will once again be the spotlight of the Film Society of Lincoln Centerís LatinBeat, taking place at the Walter Reade Theater in Manhattan. Nineteen films from nine countries will screen this year. Additionally, the program will again salute a major Latin American artist with a mini-retrospective within the festival. This yearís spotlight will focus on Federico Luppi, who is widely considered Argentinaís greatest living actor. Brian Brooks reports. (August 22, 2005)
Toronto Adds Another Gala, Announces 21 non-English Films
More details of the 30th Toronto International Film Festival were announced Thursday. Twenty-one non English-language titles from 14 countries have been added to the line-up for the 30th Toronto International Film Festival, with ten world premieres, three international premieres, and eight North American premieres slated for the event taking place September 8-17. Also added is director Hermine Huntgeburth's world premiere, "The White Masai," which will be a Gala screening. Brian Brooks reports. (August 19, 2005)
NYFF '05 Sets Slate; "Caché" Closing And "Pluto" Centerpiece at Fest
The New York Film Festival returns for a 43rd edition this fall offering a program of 24 features on its roster, in addition to a number of special screenings. After opening with the previously announced "Good Night, And Good Luck" by George Clooney, the festival will continue through October 9, 2005 when it will close with Michael Haneke's "Caché" (Hidden), a hit at this year's Cannes Film Festival where it was acquired by Sony Pictures Classics. Neil Jordan's "Breakfast on Pluto," starring Cillian Murphy as an Irish transvestite who moves to London in search of a lost parent (also from Sony Classics) is this year's Centerpiece screening at the NYFF. Eugene Hernandez reports. (August 18, 2005)
"Nine Lives," "Fratricide" Among Numerous Winners At Locarno
With nearly as many categories as there are days in the festival, over a dozen winners for the Locarno International Film Festival were announced Saturday, August 13, heaping kudos and cash prizes on outstanding films and their makers. Among them was Rodrigo Garcia's "Nine Lives," which garnered three awards including the International Competition's Golden Leopard. Yilmaz Arslan's "Fratricide" was another festival favorite, picking up the Silver Leopard while Nobuhiro Suwa's "Un Couple Parfait" earned the Special Jury Prize. The International Federation Film Societies' Don Quixote award went to Joana Hadjithomas and Khalil Joreige for "A Perfect Day." (August 18, 2005)
Toronto Fest to Fete "Wallace & Gromit" in Gala; Reitman, Maysles, Anderson and Park Among Event's "Mavericks"
The 30th Toronto International Film Festival released more details of its September event, including the North American premiere of "Wallace & Gromit - The Curse of the Were-Rabbit," screening as a festival gala, and this year's participants in the fest's signature "Mavericks" series as well as other special programs. The 30th Toronto International Film Festival, presented by the Toronto International Film Festival Group, takes place in the Ontario capital September 8-17. Brian Brooks reports. (August 17, 2005)
"Firecracker" and "Live Freaky!" Bookend 12th Chicago Underground Film Festival
Twenty features and more than 130 shorts will fill the 12th annual Chicago Underground Film Festival beginning Thursday, August 18 at the Music Box Theatre through August 25. Opening the event is the Midwest debut of Steve Balderson's "Firecracker," set against the "stark beauty" of the Middle West. First-time director John Roecker's "Live Freaky! Die Freaky!" will close the festival, Brian Brooks reports. (August 16, 2005)
National Geographic to Showcase Indigenous and Minority- Culture Film at All Roads Film Festival in D.C. & L.A.
The work of indigenous and other "under-represented minority-culture filmmakers and photographers from around the world" will be heralded at the upcoming All Roads Film Festival, taking place in Washington, D.C. and Los Angeles beginning in September. The four-day multimedia event will feature four evening programs in addition to panel discussions and other events. The event in Los Angeles will take place in conjunction with the American Cinematheque September 22-25 at the Egyptian Theatre, and in Washington, D.C. September 29 - October 2 at the National Geographic Society. (August 15, 2005)
Hartman's "No Picnic" Set for Spotlight at 3rd Howl Film Fest
Philip Hartman's "No Picnic," described as "a cinematic love letter to a pre-gentrification New York City," will be presented as part of the 3rd HOWL! Film Festival in New York City's East Village, a section of the upcoming HOWL! Festival of East Village Arts. A new print of Hartman's film, commemorating the 20th anniversary of the movie, will be included in the event and start a week-long run at the Two Boots Pioneer Theater on August 25th. Eugene Hernandez reports. (August 15, 2005)
29 Docs Set So Far for '05 Toronto International Film Fest
With less than a month to go before the 30th Toronto International Film Festival kicks off, organizers announced 29 documentaries to be included in the festival lineup. Among them are 13 world, two international and five North American premieres from 16 countries. Highlights include the world premieres of Sydney Pollack's "Sketches of Frank Gehry," Ashim Ahluwalia's "John & Jane" and Mariusz Pilis' and Marcin Mamon's "The Smell of Paradise." International premieres include Tomas Gislason's "Overcoming" and Christian Frei's "The Giant Buddhas." Vanessa Romo reports. (August 12, 2005)
iPOP at the New York Premiere of "Reel Paradise"
Wellspring had quite a fun party Monday night at the Tribeca Cinemas for its release of Steve James' doc "Reel Paradise," luring veterans and newcomers alike to the soiree, following a screening of the film. "Reel Paradise" documents indie film sage John Pierson and his family's Experience while living in a Fijian village, running a local movie theater showing films to the local population. We do have some famous faces aside from the Piersons, including director Kevin Smith, who executive-produced the film. Also included at the end of the iPOP are a few outtakes. Not something we plan to do all the time, but it's mid-August, so what the hell... (August 12, 2005)
Edinburgh Festival Preview; New Film MBA Program; "Scenes of a Sexual Nature"
The Edinburgh International Film Festival will kick off its 12-day event on August 17 with a particularly strong program of British film this year. The festival will open with Richard E. Grant's debut feature "Wah-Wah," and close with Nick Love's "The Business." Artistic Director Shane Danielsen points out a few more favorites in this year's program. In other news from across the pond, the Skillset supports a new network of U.K. film schools, including the world's first film MBA-program. And things heat up on Hampstead Heath with the production of the ensemble relationship drama "Scenes of a Sexual Nature." Wendy Mitchell reports in indieWIRE's monthly Dispatch from Europe. (August 11, 2005)
indieWIRE ANNOUNCEMENT: Emerging Pictures and indieWIRE Partner to Bring Undistributed Films To Cities Across The U.S.
indieWIRE has partnered with Emerging Pictures to take undistributed films to cities across the U.S. Using digital technology, Undiscovered Gems will bring six to ten films culled from indieWIRE's annual list of the best undistributed films to at least 12 cities nationwide. The official selection of films chosen for syndication will be announced this fall. (August 10, 2005)
Rhode Island Int'l Film Fest Set to Kick off 9th Edition
The Rhode Island International Film Festival will open its festival tonight in Providence with its traditional focus on shorts. Among the films slated for the opening night program is Alec Asten's "Billy Gilman: Making of the Videos," which will have its world premiere. Gilman will be among the attendees walking the red carpet as will many filmmakers from the other seven films slated to kick off the ninth annual event. Brian Brooks reports. (August 09, 2005)
Sarajevo Fest to Fete Greek/Turkish Films
Organizers of the Sarajevo Film Festival have unveiled their plans for their 11th event, taking place August 19-27 in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Two films from nearby Turkey and Greece will screen as gala presentations during the fest, including Yesim Ustaoglu's story about Ottoman Empire Greeks in 1916, in "Waiting for the Clouds" as well as Constantine Giannaris' "Hostage," the story of an Albanian who takes a bus hostage en route to Thessaloniki, Greece. Both films screened at this year's Berlinale Panorama. Brian Brooks reports. (August 08, 2005)
Stony Brook Awards Short "West Bank Story" its Grand Prize and Announces a Festival Buy
The Stony Brook Film Festival concluded its 10th edition last weekend, awarding a prize to its closing night film, "The Five of Us," and presenting its biggest award to a short film. The ten-day festival had over 15,000 attendees. For the second time in its decade-long span, Stony Brook awarded a short film, &uot;West Bank Story" by Ari Sandel, its Grand Prize. The prize is given when both the jury and audience give their highest marks to one particular film. Brian Brooks brings you the winners and more. (August 04, 2005)
Archambault's "Familia" to Kick-Off Canada First! Section; Fest Highlights Other Notable Canadian Titles for '05
The North American premiere of Louise Archambault's "Familia" will kick off the Toronto International Film Festival's Canada First! section this year, organizers announced Tuesday. Planners also revealed a number of notable Canadian films in various fest sections. Among the high profile Canadian titles are Gala presentations of Deepa Mehta's opening fest night film "Water," and two from the 2005 Cannes competition, David Cronenberg's "A History of Violence" and Atom Egoyan's "Where The Truth Lies." Joining the lineup are such notable films as Stula Gunnarsson's "Beowulf & Grendel" and Thom Fitzgerald's "Three Needles," according to organizers. Eugene Hernandez reports. (August 03, 2005)
Clooney's "Good Night" Set to Kick Off 43rd New York Film Festival
The 2005 New York Film Festival will kick off with the North American premiere of George Clooney's "Good Night, and Good Luck," according to Richard Peña, chairman of the New York Film Festival selection committee. David Strathairn stars as Edward R. Murrow and Clooney, who co-wrote the film with Grant Heslov, stars as CBS News producer Fred Friendly. The cast includes Robert Downey, Jr. and Patricia Clarkson as Joe and Shirley Wershba, Frank Langella as Bill Paley, Ray Wise as Don Hollenbeck, Grant Heslov as Don Hewitt, and Jeff Daniels as Ted Church. Eugene Hernandez reports. (August 02, 2005)
"3 Needles" to Pierce 25th Atlantic Film Festival Opening Night
Thom Fitzgerald's "3 Needles" will open the 25th Atlantic Film Festival, slated for September 15-24 in Halifax, Nova Scotia. This epic film about a worldwide epidemic spans three continents and features an ensemble cast. (August 02, 2005)
With A Record Eleven U.S. Titles, Venice Fest Sets 2005 Lineup
The 2005 Venice Film Festival, which will open on August 31st with Tsui Hark's "Seven Swords," will offer a record eleven films from the United States in its lineup, according to festival director Marco Mueller. The fest head unveiled the roster for the 62nd Venice fest Thursday morning, alongside Venice Biennale president David Croff, at a press conference in Rome, Italy. The fest will close on September 10th with a screening of Peter Ho-sun Chan's "Perhaps Love." Eugene Hernandez reports. (July 29, 2005)
"The Rising" Takes the Raj at 58th Locarno Fest
Locarno, Switzerland is the picturesque site for the first of the major August European festivals. The 58th Locarno International Film Festival will open with Indian director Ketan Mehta's story of India's first rebellion against foreign rule in the mid- 19th century "The Rising - Ballad of Mangal Pandey," preceded by short film "Village Football by Sainath Coundhury" (India). "Rising" star Aamir Khan ("Lagaan") will attend the screening. Brian Brooks reports. (July 28, 2005)
"When I'm 64," "Sevigne" "Guys & Balls," and "Girl Play" Take Philadelphia Gay Fest Accolades
The Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival concluded its two-week run last week, with a screening of Craig Lucas' "The Dying Gaul," preceded by the announcement of jury and audience competition winners. British director Jon Jones' "When I'm 64" won the jury prize for best feature (gay male), while Spanish director Marta Balletbo-Coll's "Sevigne" won the best feature prize in the 'lesbian' category. Brian Brooks reports. (July 28, 2005)
Toronto '05 Fest Lineup Grows, Organizers Highlight Crop of World Premieres Aimed at Buyers
With just six weeks to go until opening night, organizers of the Toronto International Film Festival are singling out a growing list of titles that are seen as anticipated world premieres. That is, in the words of the festival, "yet-to-be-seen films expected to attract attention from distributors, exhibitors, and other industry insiders." Among the world premieres officially added to the festival lineup Tuesday were Lorene Machado's "Bam Bam and Celeste," Keith Fulton and Louis Pepe's "Brothers of the Head," Danis Tanovic's "L'Enfer," David Ayer's "Harsh Times," Rowan Woods' "Little Fish," Joshua Stern's "Neverwas," Jeff Stanzler's "Sorry, Haters," Terry Gilliam's "Tideland," and Adam Rapp's "Winter Passing." Eugene Hernandez reports and talks with fest co-director Noah Cowan about the roster. (July 27, 2005)
Moving Forward, Looking Back: Outfest Wraps 23rd Year with Spotlight on Queer Film Preservation
Outfest 2005, which ran in Los Angeles from July 7-18, kicked off 12 nights of films and special events with a screening and after-party at the historic Orpheum Theater, the festival's traditional opening night venue. Making Outfest history, newly elected LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa launched the festivities, marking the first time in the fest's 23 years that a mayor has taken part. In another first, festival executive director Stephen Gutwillig took the stage to announce a brand new initiative called the Outfest Legacy Project. Jonny Leahan reports on the recently completed 2005 Outfest: Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival. (July 25, 2005)
iPOP at the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival
Outfest: The Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival took place July 7-18 throughout the Westside/Hollywood area, although most screenings were conveniently held at the Directors Guild of America building in West Hollywood. Newly elected L.A. Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa was a surprise guest opening night at the historic Orpheum in downtown Los Angeles, but San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom was also a show for a screening of "Pursuit of Equality," based on his granting marriage licenses last year. The star wattage continued throughout the fest. Brian Brooks and Eugene Hernandez report. (July 25, 2005)
New York Latino Film Festival to Open with Sundance Competition Feature "How the Garcia Girls Spent their Summer"
Georgina Riedel's Sundance '05 competition feature "How the Garcia Girls Spent their Summer" will open the sixth annual New York International Latino Film Festival featuring 70 domestic and international features, documentaries and short films from emerging Latino filmmakers. The festival, which is presented by HBO, will take place from July 26-31 and will include panels, educational forums and special cultural events. Brian Brooks reports. (July 22, 2005)
San Francisco Jewish Film Festival Celebrates Silver Anniversary with New Award; Opens with "Go for Zucker"
The San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, one of the oldest and largest events of its kind, opened its 25th edition last night with comedy "Go For Zucker! -- An Unorthodox Comedy" by director Dani Levy and will close August 8 with "Rashevski's Tango" directed by Sam Garbarski. Vanessa Romo reports. (July 22, 2005)
"Marilyn Hotchkiss" and "Five of Us" Bookend Stony Brooks Film Festival
The 10th annual Stony Brook Film Festival recently announced this year's line-up, which includes 21 features and 14 shorts. Opening the festival on July 21 will be the East Coast premiere of writer/director Randall Miller's "Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing & Charm School." The festival will take place at Stony Brook University's Staller Center for the Arts, Long Island, NY July 21-30. Ellen Keohane reports. (July 21, 2005)
Latin Invasion Lull: Where is the Year's Latin American Breakout?
"Amores Perros," "Y Tu Mama Tambien," "The Motorcycle Diaries" -- these recent Latin American cinema giants have forced the specialized movie business to pay attention to films from south of the border. Studios and independent companies have devoted time, energy, and entire divisions to match Latin American cinema with local audiences, hoping to capitalize on the growing Latino market. As Bob Berney, who released "Y Tu Mama" for IFC in 2002, says, "That's where the growth is in foreign films." And when Latinos make up the largest and fast-growing minority in the U.S., Berney adds, "Do you even call Spanish films 'foreign language'?" Anthony Kaufman reports. (July 21, 2005)
Toronto Fest Singles Out Black Cinema, Adds Group of Titles to '05 Roster
Organizers of the Toronto International Film Festival have announced a handful of titles that will join the lineup for the upcoming event, singling out a group of international black films. The move to highlight international black cinema follows a recent festival decision to phase out its Planet Africa sidebar; black cinema is being showcased across all festival section. (July 20, 2005)
Outfest Concludes with "Loggerheads," "Three of Hearts," and "Red Doors" Among Honorees
Capping what Outfest executive director Stephen Gutwillig called, "a 12-day celebration of same-sex celluloid," the Los Angeles Lesbian and Gay Film Festival presented its honors Sunday evening at the outdoor Ford Amphitheatre with a comical (and slightly long) ceremony spearheaded by an irreverent Kathy Griffin, drag-hostess "Mama," and other celeb presenters who took the stage to hand over the fest's "Outties" to filmmakersAmong the winners, director Tim Kirkman's three-part story, "Loggerheads" took the "OUTstanding" American Narrative Feature in the juried prizes. Brian Brooks reports. (July 19, 2005)
28th Asian American Film Fest Underway in New York City
The Asian American International Film Festival got a tidy kick- off on Friday (July 15th) with the help of international cinema star Maggie Cheung at the Opening Night screening of Olivier Assayas' award-winning film "Clean," followed by a gala reception. The 28th annual festival will continue through July 31, taking place in three locations (Asia Society, IFC Center and Cinema Arts Centre) and screening a number of films, including Michael Kang's Centerpiece, "The Motel." (July 18, 2005)
Lincoln Center Film Society Set For 2005 Scanners NY Video Festival
Re-branded this year as Scanners: the 2005 New York Video Festival, the Film Society of Lincoln Center will present the 12th edition of the event, formerly known simply as the New York Video Festival, July 27-31. The festival's line up includes an eclectic mix of offerings, including programs devoted to 2004 Turner Prize winner Jeremy Deller and a complete two-program retrospective of the video work of photographer Robert Frank. "Pink Films," a look at the Japanese video soft-porn industry, will get a viewing, with both a behind-the-scenes documentary and the U.S. premiere of a new work, with director in attendance. Brian Brooks reports. (July 18, 2005)
Karlovy Vary Turns 40 With An A-List Crowd But A Relaxed Vibe
The festival trailer for this year's Karlovy Vary International Film Festival declared "life begins at 40"; while this fest has shown liveliness in recent years, it's true that there was a special energy at the event this year. Karlovy Vary celebrated its 40th edition with a nine-day event that wrapped July 9. Even with more than 240 high-quality films showing and a series of important guests, the festival maintains its small, relaxed feel. Wendy Mitchell reports on the highlights from this Czech Republic festival. (July 14, 2005)
Dispatch From Europe: Robert Redford on Europe & Politics; Box- Office & Festival Updates
In this month's Dispatch from Europe, indieWIRE's Londo-based correspondent Wendy Mitchell reports about Robert Redford's recent visit to the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival in the Czech Republic, where he met with Vaclav Havel, reminisced about Watergate, and enjoyed some Pilsner Urquell. Also, a European box-office update and the Cambridge Film Festival celebrates its 25th year. (July 13, 2005)
Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival Screens World Premieres and "Barbarella"
Ron Oliver's thriller mystery "Third Man Out" starring Chad Allen opened the 2005 Philadelphia International Gay and Lesbian Film Festival last night, launching this year's event which will screen 160 features, documentaries and shorts from 26 countries. Eight world premieres are included on the roster in addition to special events mostly taking place from the festival's new residence at Broad Street's "Avenue of the Arts." Brian Brooks reports. (July 08, 2005)
"Cote D'Azur" Kicks Off Outfest Tonight in LA, Launching 10 Days of Queer Cinema in SoCal
Outfest, the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Film Festival will open its ten day event tomorrow night (Thursday) with the French comedy, "Cote d'Azur," from Olivier Ducastel and Jacques Martineau, at the historic Orpheum theater in downtown Los Angeles. The event, Southern California's largest film festival according to organizers, will feature 232 narrative and documentary shorts and features from 28 countries. Prior to the screening of "Cote d'Azur," director Gregg Araki ("Mysterious Skin," "Totally Fucked Up") will receive the festival's ninth annual Outfest Achievement Award. Brian Brooks reports. (July 07, 2005)
Docs Shine at 29th Annual Frameline LGBT Fest in S.F.
As the world's oldest and largest queer film festival, the San Francisco International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Film Festival, remains a remarkably dynamic event. With screenings in the highly trafficked queer Castro neighborhood and multi-ethnic Mission District, people watching is never boring while waiting for a screening. Multiple lines, exiting and entering patrons, passersby, onlookers, and Frameline's signature crowds (queens, kings, daddies and dykes) means the festival has the tendency to generate a lot of infectious energy. Karl Beck reports on this year's San Francisco International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Film Festival. (July 07, 2005)
Rural Route Film Fest Set for 3rd Annual Event and Tour
The third annual Rural Route Film Festival, running from July 21-24 in New York City, recently announced this year's line-up, which includes six feature length films and more than two dozen shorts. Jim Jarmusch's 1995 film, "Dead Man" will open the open the festival on July 21. Starring Johnny Depp as an accountant on the run after killing a man, the surreal, black-and-white western first premiered at Cannes ten years ago. Following the screening, the Brooklyn-based "freak folk" band Akron/Family will perform. The festival, which highlights films about rural people or places, will take place at the Anthology Film Archives at 32 Second Ave. in the East Village. Following its New York Debut, the festival will hit the road, traveling to various cities throughout the U.S. and Europe. Ellen Keohane reports. (July 05, 2005)
Frameline29 Announces Winners: "Transamerica" and "Blood, Sweat" Are Pride of Fest
San Francisco's Frameline29, the world's largest and oldest Lesbian Gay Bisexual and Transgender international film festival, announced audience winners "Transamerica" directed by Duncan Tucker, Sasha Aickin's "Blood, Sweat, and Glitter" and Jen Gilomen's "In My Youth -- Stories of Youth With LGBT Families" at the festival's closing night "Pride Sunday" party on June 27, 2005. Other films honored included "Gypo," directed by Jan Dunn, earning this year's Levi's First Feature Award and Elle Flanders' "Zero Degrees of Separation" picking up the Michael J. Berg Documentary Award. Vanessa Romo reports. (June 30, 2005)
Real Films for Real People: 2005 L.A. Film Fest Chooses Diversity Over Monotony for 11th Consecutive Year
When people think about Los Angeles and the movie business, the first word that comes to mind might be "premiere" or "paparazzi," but it's almost never "diversity." Yet somehow, amid a sea of mega- budget pictures about evil aliens or friendly witches, the 2005 Los Angeles Film Festival has once again managed to offer up a summer slew of genuine films for moviegoers from all walks of life. Presented by Film Independent, or FIND (formerly IFP/LA), LAFF not only offered a slate of over 260 films from around the world, but also assembled an array of panels and special events packed into a ten-day festival, which ran from June 16-26. Jonny Leahan reports. (June 30, 2005)
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