The much reputed Bentonville Film Festival is scheduled from May 5th – 9th 2015. The recent news from the corner is regarding the unveil of special events in the inaugural function. Eminent personalities like Bruce Dern and Robert De Niro will be attending the function.
Bruce Dern, renowned American actor known for his films like ‘Nebraska’, ‘Silent Running’ and ‘Coming Home’ will attend the event to present the award for BFF’s feature film screenplay competition.
Robert De Niro, on the other hand, will headline an intimate discussion series to complement the screening of ‘Remembering the Artist’ directed by Perri Pletz.
Other highlights of the festival includes, ‘Geena and Friends’ and it will feature some of the greatest dialogues in the cinema history. The program will also feature Rosie O’Donnell who will also take part in a special discussion on female celebrities who run their own production houses. This segment is named, ‘In Control of Her Own Destiny’.
“While it hasn’t been long since we launched the festival, the reception we’ve received has been overwhelming. I’m inspired by the level of commitment pledged by a wide variety of major sponsors and by so many of my colleagues in the industry. Their participation is a real testament to the cause and it means a great deal to everyone involved in elevating the presence of women and minorities in the film industry”, said Davis.
The UK LGBT BFI Flare has begun on March 19th and it will run through March 29th 2015. The British Council has announced that five short films from this festival will be made available to audiences all around the world through the BFI player, the online video service of British Film Institute.
These five films will be promoted through the British Council’s network in more than 50 countries. Some of the regions which will be included in this network includes, United States of America, India, Middle East, Israel, Poland and Turkey.
Please read down to know more about the films which got selection for this special screening.
Chance: This short film is directed by Jake Graf, and it will be premiered at the BFI Glare. This short film showcases an entirely different arena of old gay love, which has not explored in the entertainment sector never ever before.
Morning is Broken: This Simon Anderson directorial showcases a gay story in the backdrop of English Countryside.
An Afternoon: The sensitive theme of nascent sexuality is discussed in Soren Green‘s new short. The film showcases the story of Mathias and Frederick, two friends who spends an afternoon together. This afternoon is quite special for Mathias, as he has decided to unveil his love towards Frederick.
True Wheel: Nora Mandray‘s documentary features the life of Fender Bender, a transgender who made it big in his life.
Code Academy: This short film is directed by Nisha Ganatra, the director of Transparent, the Golden Globe winning TV Series.
BFI Flare opened yesterday with the screening of ‘I am Michael’ which starred James Franco and Zachary Quinto.
The 17th edition of the most popular RiverRun International Film Festival is scheduled from April 16th – 26th 2015. The recent news from the corner is regarding the unveil of full lineup of movies which will be screened in this year’s festival. The festival will screen 165 films in total, out of this number, 74 are features from 35 countries.
‘Reality‘ directed by Quentin Dupieux and ‘Fresh Dressed‘, a hip hop documentary directed by Sasha Jenkins will open the festival. David Gordon Green’s ‘Manglehorn‘ will close this year’s festival.
The narrative competition section in the festival will screen 10 films which includes, ‘Five Star’ directed by Keith Miller, Jessica Hausner’s ‘Amour Fou’ and ‘Still The Water’ directed by Naomi Kawase.
Joshua Oppenheimer’s ‘The Look of Silence’ and Nick Broomfield’s ‘Tales of the Grim Sleeper’ will be screened in the documentary section.
A six film spot light on Black American Cinema from 1971 – 1991 will screen movies like, ‘Boyz N the Hood’ directed by John Singleton, Gordon Park’s ‘Shaft’ and ‘She’s Gotta Have it’ crafted by Spike Lee.
“In our increasingly digital world, many of the films we watch are streamed over the internet to our homes and devices. Precious few independent films get the chance for a traditional theatrical release, instead relying almost entirely on the jumbled VOD landscape to build an audience. But that’s where regional film festivals like RiverRun can play a major role”, said Andrew Rogers, RiverRun Film Festival executive director.
“We’re pushing boundaries, highlighting new forms and providing a platform for filmmakers to connect directly with their audiences”, added Rogers.
‘Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine’, the documentary directed by Alex Gibney portrays the personal and professional life of late Apple CEO, Steve Jobs. The recent news from the corner is regarding the bagging of North American rights of this film.
Magnolia Pictures has reportedly procured the rights of this documentary in North America. The company has grabbed the theatrical, VoD and Home Entertainment rights of this documentary. The television broadcast rights has been given to CNN Films.
“I am delighted to partner with Magnolia on this film. Given our long history together, I look forward to premiering The Man in the Machine to audiences looking for a greater understanding of the celebrated tech icon”, said Gibney.
‘Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine’ had its world premiere at SXSW on March 15, 2015, where it was well received by both critics and audiences. The documentary showcased the different stages of Steve Job‘s life. The realistic yet entertaining style of film making adopted by Alex Gibeny was praised by the audiences during the premiere.
“Once again Alex Gibney takes on an iconic figure and masterfully reveals the complexities and motivations behind the Steve Jobs facade that has inspired the world”, said Eamonn Bowles, Magnolia President.
Doha Film Institute‘s Qumra Meeting is going on this week, and the inaugural meeting of this event has already completed. As per earlier reports, top industry professionals and emerging filmmakers who are attending the event have already given a thumbs up for this program.
The program can be matched with any other International film events, and it comprises of inspirational master-classes, seminars, constructive works-in-progress screenings and hands-on ones-on-ones with some of the eminent filmmakers in the globe.
Some of the noted personalities who are attending the event includes, Toronto International Film Festival artistic director Cameron Bailey, Mike Downey Film and Music Entertainment F&ME CEO, Jason Kilot and Ryan Kampe. All these personalities are heavily impressed with the Qumra Meeting, and they praised the event with open hearts.
Jason Kilot of Open City Films told that the event is really successful, and he added that he love the formula of the festival. “I love this formula. I think it’s really successful. I’ve been to all the events – in Rotterdam, Berlin and in New York during independent film week – and I think they all have strengths and weaknesses but what I find here is that the creators have been incredibly intelligent in keeping the event small and contained, the works in progress were extraordinarily impressive. There were a couple of projects I was immediately interested in”, said Jason Kilot.
Gael Garcia Barnel, renowned actor told that it is a very refreshing event, and it is his pleasure to attend such an event which is dedicated to true film development.
“This is an amazing experience for any filmmaker just to get to meet all these top professionals and filmmakers, whatever your experience or nationality”, said aspiring Saudi Arabian filmmaker Haifaa Al Mansour.
Renowned French director, screenwriter and actor will be honored at the Beaune International Film Festival. The festival will pay tribute to Tavernier with a career homage. Yesterday, the Venice Film Festival too announced to give a Golden Lifetime achievement award to the acclaimed filmmaker. BAFTA- and Cesar-winner will also serve as a guest director of the Venice Festival’s classic program.
The Beaune Film Festival will run through March 25th – 29th 2015. Daniel Thompson, renowned writer and director will head the jury’s panel this year.
Beaune Film Festival is a film event which is mainly concentrating on screening thriller movies. Earlier in 2007, Tavernier’s first English language film, ‘In The Mist’ won its grand prize from the Beaune International Festival. The film starred Tommy Lee Jones and John Goodman in the lead roles.
Bertrand Tavernier started his career as a film critic, and later he established himself as a screenwriter and director. ‘The Clockmaker of St.Paul’ which he made in 1974 won the prestigious Louis Delluc prize and the ‘Silver Bear’ in Berlin.
The director won the Best Director Award at the Canne’s Film Festival for ‘A Sunday in the Country’ in 1984.
‘Still Alice’ was a top hit in the Academy Award red carpet, and the performance in this film fetched Julianne Moore the Oscars for ‘Best Actress’. During the award function, Richard Glatzer, the co director of the movie was in a room in the at Good Samaritan Hospital in Los Angeles with his husband, Wash Westmoreland. He was too weak to attend the function, as he was battling ALS for four years. As per latest updates, Richard Glatzer has died on Tuesday, in Los Angeles of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
The news of his death has been confirmed by his husband, Wash Westmoreland. He was aged 63. Apart from Wash Westoreland, Glatzer is survived by his sister, Joan Kodner, and a daughter Ruby Smith.
“I am devastated. Richard was my soulmate, my collaborator, my life. A true artist and a brilliant man”, wrote Westmoreland in his Twitter account.
Glatzer and Westmoreland had a relation which lasted for 20 years. They first met at a party in 1995, and then they started living together in Echo Park. They made four movies together, and it includes, ‘The Flufffer’, ‘Quinceañera’, ‘The Last Robin Hood’ and ‘Still Alice’.
“He put his heart and soul into that film, and the fact that it touched so many people was a constant joy to him”, said Westmoreland in a statement issued on Wednesday.
Richard Glatzer was born Jan. 28, 1952, in Flushing. The passion towards films compelled him to move to Los Angeles. He made his first independent movie in 1993, ‘The Grief’. The companionship with Westmoreland bought about benign changes in his life, and finally, his movie reached the red carpet of Oscars.
The much reputed Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles has played a crucial role in proclaiming the presence of Indian Films in the United States of America. The 13th edition of this festival is scheduled from April 8th – 12th at ArcLight, Hollywood.
The 2015 festival will screen 25 films, and it includes, four world premieres, seven North American premieres and two US premieres.
Shlok Sharma’s debut feature ‘Haraamkhor‘ will open this festival. The screening will mark the world premiere of this movie. Nagesh Kukunoor‘s ‘Dhanak‘ will close the festival.
Some other noted movies which are getting screened includes, ‘One Crazy Thing‘ directed by Amit Gupta, ‘Tigers’ crafted by Danis Tanovic, Umesh Agarwal’s documentary based on A R Rahman‘s life ‘Jai Ho’, Kanu Behl’s ‘Titli’ and ‘Miss India America‘ directed Ravi Kapoor.
Several noted personalities will attend this year’s event, and some of the noted one are Nagesh Kukunoor, Kanu Behl, Amit Gupta, Hannah Simone, Meera Simhan and Guneet Monga.
“Many of the films at this year’s IFFLA look at contemporary youth from diverse backgrounds, united in their creative ways of overcoming life’s situations. The palpable energy of youth spirit runs throughout our film lineup, and these stories take you on an adventurous journey”, said Jasmine Jaisinghani, Artistic Director of Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.
Elia Suleiman, renowned Palestinian filmmaker is not a personality who believes in making umpteen numbers of movies in his career. Instead, he love to make some hand picked class movies which will stay in the minds of audiences forever. His latest film was ‘The Time That Remains‘ which graced the screens on 2009. The film won the Black Pearl prize for best Middle Eastern narrative film at the Middle Eastern Film Festival in Abu Dhabi and it also grabbed the the Critics’ Prize from the Argentinean Film Critics Association at Mar del Plata International Film Festival.
The recent news about Elia Suleiman is regarding his new movie which he is planning to make. After a gap of six years, the acclaimed filmmaker is all set to make his next movie, and the director has confirmed that he has finished the script work of the movie.
“It’s a voyage that will be crossing countries. It’s the first film I will do that doesn’t take Palestine as a microcosm of the world”, said Elia Suleiman about his new movie.
As per Elia, he is not a filmmaker who loves to do many films. The filmmaker likes to interact with his current scenarios, and he hates making mere images. He always tries to respond to the ambiance of the moment in which he is living.
“The older I grow, the less self-assured I am. I’m so full of doubt. I’m throwing myself into a situation I don’t know. I’m risking it big time but what the heck, I don’t want to make ‘just another film”, said Elia Suleiman in a recent interview given to Screen daily.
Cannes Film Festival is one of the most reputed film events in the International Film Festival circuit. The 2015 edition of this festival is scheduled from May 13th – 24th. The recent news from the corner is regarding the unveil of this year’s Cinefoundation Atelier selection. This list of 15 movies comprises of 15 in-development projects from new directors.
These 15 movies hail from 14 different countries all across the globe. With the help of Ateliar selection, the producers and directors of these movies will get a chance to meet with potential funding partners and financiers during the event.
The Cinefoundation Ateliar program was initially introduced in the year 2005. From then, the program has hosted 156 projects, and out of this list, 103 movies got a theatrical release. More than 40 films are in their pre production stage.
Please scroll down to find the full list of selected movies.
Butterfly Diaries, Paula Un Mi Kim (Brazil)
The Road to Mandalay, Midi Z (Burma)
The Contestant, Carlos Osuna (Colombia)
Compte tes blessures, Morgan Simon (France)
Pari, Siamak Etemadi (Greece/Iran)
Out, György Kristóf, (Hungary/Slovakia)
Twin Flower, Laura Luchetti (Italy)
Our Madness, João Viana (Portugal/Angola)
Borders, Ionuţ Piturescu (Romania)
Popeye, Kirsten Tan (Singapore)
The Tree, Louw Venter (South Africa)
Lands of Loneliness, Meritxell Colell (Spain)
The Mother, Alberto Morais (Spain)
Soundless Dance, Pradeepan Raveendran (Sri Lanka)
Hilal, Feza, and other Planets, Kutluğ Ataman (Turkey)