2021 OSCARS Nominations... and a few snubs!

Art Shrian Tiwari discusses with guest co-host and friend Lapacazo Sandoval (journalist, film critic for New York Amsterdam News, LA Sentinal, Essence Magazine, Rotten Tomatoes, etc, and his screenwriting partner), about the wonderful "colorful and flavorful" 93rd Oscars (Academy Awards 2021) nominations... and a few snubs (The White Tiger, Regina King, Kingsley Ben Adir, Spike Lee, Delroy Lindo).

93RD OSCARS® NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED

THE OSCARS SET TO AIR LIVE, APRIL 25, 2021, ON ABC

LOS ANGELES, CA – Actor-producer Priyanka Chopra Jonas and singer, songwriter and actor Nick Jonas announced the 93rd Oscars® nominations today (March 15), live from London, via a global live stream on Oscar.com, Oscars.org, the Academy’s digital platforms, an international satellite feed and broadcast media.

Chopra Jonas and Jonas announced the nominees in 23 categories at 5:19 a.m. PT. For a complete list of nominees, visit the official Oscars website, www.oscar.com.

Academy members from each of the 17 branches vote to determine the nominees in their respective categories – actors nominate actors, film editors nominate film editors, etc. In the Animated Feature Film and International Feature Film categories, nominees are selected by a vote of multi-branch screening committees. All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees.

Active members of the Academy are eligible to vote for the winners in all 23 categories beginning Thursday, April 15, through Tuesday, April 20.

To access the complete nominations press kit, visit www.oscars.org/press/press-kits.

The 93rd Oscars will be held on Sunday, April 25, 2021, at Union Station Los Angeles and the Dolby® Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center® in Hollywood, and will be televised live on ABC at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The Oscars also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.

Nominations for the 93rd Academy Awards:

Performance by an actor in a leading role

• Riz Ahmed in “Sound of Metal”

• Chadwick Boseman in “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”

• Anthony Hopkins in “The Father”

• Gary Oldman in “Mank”

• Steven Yeun in “Minari”

Performance by an actor in a supporting role

• Sacha Baron Cohen in “The Trial of the Chicago 7”

• Daniel Kaluuya in “Judas and the Black Messiah”

• Leslie Odom, Jr. in “One Night in Miami...”

• Paul Raci in “Sound of Metal”

• Lakeith Stanfield in “Judas and the Black Messiah”

Performance by an actress in a leading role

• Viola Davis in “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom”

• Andra Day in “The United States vs. Billie Holiday”

• Vanessa Kirby in “Pieces of a Woman”

• Frances McDormand in “Nomadland”

• Carey Mulligan in “Promising Young Woman”

Performance by an actress in a supporting role

• Maria Bakalova in “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”

• Glenn Close in “Hillbilly Elegy”

• Olivia Colman in “The Father”

• Amanda Seyfried in “Mank”

• Yuh-Jung Youn in “Minari”

Best animated feature film of the year

• “Onward” Dan Scanlon and Kori Rae

• “Over the Moon” Glen Keane, Gennie Rim and Peilin Chou

• “A Shaun the Sheep Movie: Farmageddon” Richard Phelan, Will Becher and Paul Kewley

• “Soul” Pete Docter and Dana Murray

• “Wolfwalkers” Tomm Moore, Ross Stewart, Paul Young and Stéphan Roelants

Achievement in cinematography

• “Judas and the Black Messiah” Sean Bobbitt

• “Mank” Erik Messerschmidt

• “News of the World” Dariusz Wolski

• “Nomadland” Joshua James Richards

• “The Trial of the Chicago 7” Phedon Papamichael

Achievement in costume design

• “Emma” Alexandra Byrne

• “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” Ann Roth

• “Mank” Trish Summerville

• “Mulan” Bina Daigeler

• “Pinocchio” Massimo Cantini Parrini

Achievement in directing

• “Another Round” Thomas Vinterberg

• “Mank” David Fincher

• “Minari” Lee Isaac Chung

• “Nomadland” Chloé Zhao

• “Promising Young Woman” Emerald Fennell

Best documentary feature

• “Collective” Alexander Nanau and Bianca Oana

• “Crip Camp” Nicole Newnham, Jim LeBrecht and Sara Bolder

• “The Mole Agent” Maite Alberdi and Marcela Santibáñez

• “My Octopus Teacher” Pippa Ehrlich, James Reed and Craig Foster

• “Time” Garrett Bradley, Lauren Domino and Kellen Quinn

Best documentary short subject

• “Colette” Anthony Giacchino and Alice Doyard

• “A Concerto Is a Conversation” Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers

• “Do Not Split” Anders Hammer and Charlotte Cook

• “Hunger Ward” Skye Fitzgerald and Michael Scheuerman

• “A Love Song for Latasha” Sophia Nahli Allison and Janice Duncan

Achievement in film editing

• “The Father” Yorgos Lamprinos

• “Nomadland” Chloé Zhao

• “Promising Young Woman” Frédéric Thoraval

• “Sound of Metal” Mikkel E. G. Nielsen

• “The Trial of the Chicago 7” Alan Baumgarten

Best international feature film of the year

• “Another Round” Denmark

• “Better Days” Hong Kong

• “Collective” Romania

• “The Man Who Sold His Skin” Tunisia

• “Quo Vadis, Aida?” Bosnia and Herzegovina

Achievement in makeup and hairstyling

• “Emma” Marese Langan, Laura Allen and Claudia Stolze

• “Hillbilly Elegy” Eryn Krueger Mekash, Matthew Mungle and Patricia Dehaney

• “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” Sergio Lopez-Rivera, Mia Neal and Jamika Wilson

• “Mank” Gigi Williams, Kimberley Spiteri and Colleen LaBaff

• “Pinocchio” Mark Coulier, Dalia Colli and Francesco Pegoretti

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original score)

• “Da 5 Bloods” Terence Blanchard

• “Mank” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross

• “Minari” Emile Mosseri

• “News of the World” James Newton Howard

• “Soul” Trent Reznor, Atticus Ross and Jon Batiste

Achievement in music written for motion pictures (Original song)

• “Fight For You” from “Judas and the Black Messiah”
  Music by H.E.R. and Dernst Emile II; Lyric by H.E.R. and Tiara Thomas

• “Hear My Voice” from “The Trial of the Chicago 7”
  Music by Daniel Pemberton; Lyric by Daniel Pemberton and Celeste Waite

• “Husavik” from “Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga”
  Music and Lyric by Savan Kotecha, Fat Max Gsus and Rickard Göransson

• “Io Sì (Seen)” from “The Life Ahead (La Vita Davanti a Se)”
  Music by Diane Warren; Lyric by Diane Warren and Laura Pausini

• “Speak Now” from “One Night in Miami...”
  Music and Lyric by Leslie Odom, Jr. and Sam Ashworth

Best motion picture of the year

• “The Father” David Parfitt, Jean-Louis Livi and Philippe Carcassonne, Producers

• “Judas and the Black Messiah” Shaka King, Charles D. King and Ryan Coogler, Producers

• “Mank” Ceán Chaffin, Eric Roth and Douglas Urbanski, Producers

• “Minari” Christina Oh, Producer

• “Nomadland” Frances McDormand, Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, Dan Janvey and Chloé Zhao, Producers

• “Promising Young Woman” Ben Browning, Ashley Fox, Emerald Fennell and Josey McNamara, Producers

• “Sound of Metal” Bert Hamelinck and Sacha Ben Harroche, Producers

• “The Trial of the Chicago 7” Marc Platt and Stuart Besser, Producers

Achievement in production design

• “The Father” Production Design: Peter Francis; Set Decoration: Cathy Featherstone

• “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” Production Design: Mark Ricker; Set Decoration: Karen O’Hara and Diana Stoughton

• “Mank” Production Design: Donald Graham Burt; Set Decoration: Jan Pascale

• “News of the World” Production Design: David Crank; Set Decoration: Elizabeth Keenan

• “Tenet” Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Kathy Lucas

Best animated short film

• “Burrow” Madeline Sharafian and Michael Capbarat

• “Genius Loci” Adrien Mérigeau and Amaury Ovise

• “If Anything Happens I Love You” Will McCormack and Michael Govier

• “Opera” Erick Oh

• “Yes-People” Gísli Darri Halldórsson and Arnar Gunnarsson

Best live action short film

• “Feeling Through” Doug Roland and Susan Ruzenski

• “The Letter Room” Elvira Lind and Sofia Sondervan

• “The Present” Farah Nabulsi

• “Two Distant Strangers” Travon Free and Martin Desmond Roe

• “White Eye” Tomer Shushan and Shira Hochman

Achievement in sound

• “Greyhound” Warren Shaw, Michael Minkler, Beau Borders and David Wyman

• “Mank” Ren Klyce, Jeremy Molod, David Parker, Nathan Nance and Drew Kunin

• “News of the World” Oliver Tarney, Mike Prestwood Smith, William Miller and John Pritchett

• “Soul” Ren Klyce, Coya Elliott and David Parker

• “Sound of Metal” Nicolas Becker, Jaime Baksht, Michelle Couttolenc, Carlos Cortés and Phillip Bladh

Achievement in visual effects

• “Love and Monsters” Matt Sloan, Genevieve Camilleri, Matt Everitt and Brian Cox

• “The Midnight Sky” Matthew Kasmir, Christopher Lawrence, Max Solomon and David Watkins

• “Mulan” Sean Faden, Anders Langlands, Seth Maury and Steve Ingram

• “The One and Only Ivan” Nick Davis, Greg Fisher, Ben Jones and Santiago Colomo Martinez

• “Tenet” Andrew Jackson, David Lee, Andrew Lockley and Scott Fisher

Adapted screenplay

• “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan” Screenplay by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Peter Baynham & Erica Rivinoja & Dan Mazer & Jena Friedman & Lee Kern; Story by Sacha Baron Cohen & Anthony Hines & Dan Swimer & Nina Pedrad

• “The Father” Screenplay by Christopher Hampton and Florian Zeller

• “Nomadland” Written for the screen by Chloé Zhao

• “One Night in Miami...” Screenplay by Kemp Powers

• “The White Tigers” Written for the screen by Ramin Bahrani

Original screenplay

• “Judas and the Black Messiah” Screenplay by Will Berson & Shaka King; Story by Will Berson & Shaka King and Kenny Lucas & Keith Lucas

• “Minari” Written by Lee Isaac Chung

• “Promising Young Woman” Written by Emerald Fennell

• “Sound of Metal” Screenplay by Darius Marder & Abraham Marder; Story by Darius Marder & Derek Cianfrance

• “The Trial of the Chicago 7” Written by Aaron Sorkin

# # #

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"Any time we get to connect filmmakers from different parts of the world is very exciting for me." | Chat w/ Maria Bozzi,

Now in its 15th year, the Film Independent Forum is the pre-eminent conference for independent filmmakers and content creators in Los Angeles. Off-the-record conversations with working filmmakers make this the must-attend spring event for filmmakers and industry professionals. If you are anywhere near production or close to entering the festival circuit, join your peers for a weekend of solution-driven strategies, success stories, and opportunities to connect one-on-one with working artists and industry pros.

"Our slate of keynotes, executives Ashok Amirtraj from Hyde Park, Elissa Federoff from NEON, and filmmakers Dawn Porter and Lulu Wang, speak to this moment in time, and to the fact that our industry is global and cinema a truly universal language," said Maria Raquel Bozzi, Senior Director of Education and International Initiatives. "Having a virtual, week-long Forum this year presents a great opportunity for broadening the scope to a global reach and serve many of the filmmakers and professionals we have been working with throughout our international programs."

 You can read an exclusive conversation with her below. You can also listen to an exclusive conversation between Art And Maria below.

Audio Block

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• What were the challenges in putting this together during this pandemic and how did you decide to still make it happen?

Well, the main challenge was to plan and time the event when things were really evolving every day.  Initially, we were on track to have the event April 30 to May 2, but right around the time when we were going to announce our initial programming (March 9) and go on sale, the country was shut down and we all went home and quarantined.  So, in the midst of all that uncertainty,  we postponed it to the end of July thinking by then we would be able to have an in person experience, but by late April it was clear to me that this scenario was highly optimistic, and since by then we had begun having a lot of virtual programming with some level of success, I figured it was best to begin planning for a virtual event rather than wait for things to clear up. And I am glad we did, since we seem to be at a worse place than we were four months ago in terms of the pandemic, and I think filmmakers are hungry for information and programming that allows them to somehow get a better understanding of how things are evolving and also how to continue to sharpen their tools while our industry is in a period of pause, reflection, and reinvention. And that is what the Forum in essence has always offered.

• How do you think this pandemic and surge of online interactions (like this forum) will help breakdown international boundaries?

Actually, I think that has been the silver lining of this crisis, at least for us.  We, at Film Independent have been working at an international level for the last five years, mainly through our Global Media Makers Program, our partnership with the State Department’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, but also with many partners throughout a total of 20 countries now.   As the pandemic hit, I was on my way to Dhaka, Bangladesh with three mentors to present a four-day workshop on Creative Producing and engage audiences there with the work of our Project Involve Fellows through a showcase of shorts created in the program. But I had to make the hard decision to cancel the workshop two days before it was about to start.  As you can imagine all parties involved were very disappointed. 

We also had a Screenwriting Residency for 12 filmmakers from the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia here in Los Angeles scheduled to begin in mid-April.  But very soon we realized and decided to give these experiences a try via an online platform. We were able to pivot really quickly and held these two programs online.  We were surprised by the level of intimate connection and camaraderie we accomplished between the filmmakers and the US mentors and our staff here.  We are currently presenting a Documentary Workshop for five universities and 106 students in Pakistan where we have been able to connect award winning filmmakers directly with these students.  These experiences have given us confidence that true connections around film can happen no matter what. So, it was really exciting and encouraging to learn that, since we know there is a lot of interest for the programming we have been offering throughout the years, we just did not have enough people to travel around the world to fulfill all that interest.  Now we know we can do it online with great results.  

These experiences had a great impact on the Forum.  It led us to reimagine the event at a global scale.  We know a lot of filmmaking communities around the world that we have been working with, so we thought, why not bring all these communities together through the Forum this year?  And that is exactly how the re-imagined Forum looks like. We have envisioned this event to be a coming together of many filmmakers around the world.  We have a lot of panels where people are convening to talk shop and compare notes about their practice and current experience during this global crisis across multiple time zones and that is really exciting!

• Is streaming the future? How do traditional independent studios/filmmakers compete with that or benefit from that? 

  I think streaming is the present and I can only imagine how much more sophisticated we will become using it as a tool.  However, I don’t think streaming will ever be the replacement of direct human interaction and live experiences.  I really hope that is not the case.  Streaming is a complement, an alternative and an option for whenever and wherever the direct interaction is not possible or doesn’t make logistical, economical, and environmental sense.  I hope that what streaming will do is to force us to ask ourselves the question, does this really require a trip? Or could we do this online? I think that is a question we should all have been asking ourselves a long time ago, if we don’t want our next global crisis to be the global warming crisis.

• How is international cinema and non-English films doing in the US? What does a possible future look like 

  Quoting Bong Joon Ho’s acceptance speech at the Oscars’ when he said: 'Once you overcome the one-inch tall barrier of subtitles, you will be introduced to so many more amazing film”—I think Parasite perhaps represents this rupture, this moment in time that marks the point where Americans are becoming more accepting of subtitles and more curious about world cinema.  Also, the different streaming platforms that have made it really easy for audiences to be more open to dip their toes into cinema that they might not be ready to commit to if they have to buy a ticket and pay for parking, and babysitter, etc. Once they start finding things they like online, they might begin to identify the filmmakers and national cinemas that they like, therefore would make the leap to buy a ticket when they come to a theater near them.

• What's next for Film Independent and you? Our international programs are really growing as a result of the current crisis.  

  We are busier than ever. We have multiple weekly programs, screenings and conversations on an ongoing basis. We are beginning to work with a multitude of education institutions, film festivals, and governments around the world, to create more and more virtual programs for their constituents.  Any time we get to connect filmmakers from different parts of the world is very exciting for me.

——

EDIT: Updated with audio/phone conversation on Jul 30, 2020.

The 2020 Film Independent Forum takes place online July 31- August 7. More details at the link below

http://www.mynewyorkeye.com/awards-and-festivals-news/film-independent-forum-keynotes-with-ashok-amritraj-elissa-federoff-dawn-porter-amp-lulu-wang

Film Independent Forum | Keynotes with Ashok Amritraj, Elissa Federoff, Dawn Porter & Lulu Wang

15TH ANNUAL FILM INDEPENDENT FORUM

KEYNOTES WITH ASHOK AMRITRAJ, ELISSA FEDEROFF, DAWN PORTER AND LULU WANG

 WEEK-LONG ONLINE GLOBAL EVENT JULY 31-AUGUST 7

LOS ANGELES, CA (June 30, 2020) — Today Film Independent announced keynotes, conversations and panelists for the 15th annual Film Independent Forum. This year’s edition features a US Filmmaker Keynote with Lulu Wang, The Farewell, a US Executive Keynote with Elissa Federoff, President of Distribution at NEON, a Documentary Keynote with Dawn Porter (John Lewis: Good Trouble, Gideon’s Army), and a Global Executive Keynote with Ashok Amritraj, Chairman and CEO of Hyde Park Entertainment Group. Traditionally a weekend event, the Forum has expanded to a full week-long event accessible online to global audiences the week of July 31 to August 7.

Panels at this year’s Forum range from financing, production and distribution of films to digital content across diverse platforms (film, TV, streaming, podcast), all within the frame of the current health crisis and social turning point, identifying the impact these have on our industry and exploring creative solutions in this unprecedented moment. The event is designed to inspire filmmakers to take charge of their film’s destiny and their careers as artists.

The program will also feature a series of special international conversations between Film Independent’s Global Media Makers Fellows and esteemed film and TV creators including Ramy Youssef (Ramy) with Egyptian filmmaker Ayten Amin (Souad, Cannes 2020); Alan Poul (The Eddy) with Egyptian filmmaker Amr Salama (Sheikh Jackson); and Feras Fayad (The Cave) with Nepali journalist/documentarian Subina Shrestha (Aljazeera).    

"Our slate of keynotes, executives Ashok Amirtraj from Hyde Park, Elissa Federoff from NEON, and filmmakers Dawn Porter and Lulu Wang, speak to this moment in time, and to the fact that our industry is global and cinema a truly universal language," said Maria Raquel Bozzi, Senior Director of Education and International Initiatives. "Having a virtual, week-long Forum this year presents a great opportunity for broadening the scope to a global reach and serve many of the filmmakers and professionals we have been working with throughout our international programs."

The 2020 Film Independent Forum is supported by Premier Sponsor SAGindie, and University Partner Loyola Marymount University School of Film and Television.

Additional Speakers Announced:

Ashok Amritraj, Hyde Park Entertainment

Justine Avera, ABI Insurance

Amra Bakšić Čamo, Sarajevo Film Festival

Paolo Bertolin, Venice International Film Festival 

Josh Braun, Submarine Entertainment

Effie Brown, Gamechanger Films

Linda Yvette Chavez, Creator, Gentefied

Karin Chien, dGenerate Films

Elsie Choi, Rideback TV Incubator

Wendy Cohen, Picture Motion

Eric D’Arbeloff, Roadside Attractions

Sarba Das, A24 Documentaries

Feras Fayyad, Director, The Cave

Elissa Federoff, NEON

Lillie Fleshler, Picture Motion

Isabelle Glachant, Producer, 11 Flowers

Anita Gou, Producer, The Farewell

Hanaa Issam, Doha Film Institute

Leena Khobragade, NFDC Film Bazaar

Lisa Kleiner Chanoff, Catapult Film Fund

Grace Lee, Director/Producer, And She Could be Next

Jennice Lee, Dexter Studios

Marvin Lemus, Creator, Gentefied

Wendy Lidell, Kino Lorber

Stephen Love, Jr., Made With Love Media

Julie Lynn, Producer, Albert Nobbs

Alix Madigan, Producer, Winter’s Bone, 1982

Paula Manzanedo Schmit, Film Finances Inc

Alan McAlex, Producer, Once Again

Jordana Meade, ITVS

Dana Merwin, International Documentary Association

Hajnal Molnar-Szakacs, Documentary Fund Sundance Institute

Jordan Morris, Bubble

Oualid Mouaness, Director, 1982

Ted Mundorff, Arclight Cinemas

Lorenza Muñoz, Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences

Derek Nguyen, The Population

Rosevelt Noble, Black Cultural Center, Vanderbilt University

Luis Ortiz, Latino Public Broadcasting

Shari Page, Half Initiative

Nina Parikh, Mississippi Film Office

Janet Pierson, SXSW

Dawn Porter, Director, John Lewis: Good Trouble

Alan Poul, Producer/Director, The Eddy

Anayansi Prado, Impacto Films

Peggy Rajski, Dean, School of Film and Television, Loyola Marymount University

Anu Rangachar, Mumbai Film Festival

Manori Ravindran, International Editor, Variety

Tim Redford, Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Festival

Brenda Robinson, Gamechanger Films

Alison Roney, BRON Studios

Michel Ruben, Dynamo

Marjan Safinia, Director/Producer, And She Could be Next

Amr Salama, Writer/Director, Sheikh Jackson

Myriam Sassine, Producer, 1982

Georges Schoucair, Abbout Productions

Subina Shrestha, Aljazeera

John Sloss, Cinetic

Avril Speaks, Producer, Jinn

Kelly Todd, Endeavor Content

Christopher Tricarico, Tricarico Chavez LLP

Dr. Daniel Uslan, UCLA Health

Gülin Üstün, Meetings on the Bridge Istanbul

Caroline von Kuhn, Catalyst Program, Sundance Institute

Lulu Wang, Writer/Director, The Farewell

David White, SAG-AFTRA

Ramy Youssef, Ramy

For a full schedule of events and to register, visit filmindependent.org/forum.

Conference passes are $49 for Film Independent Members and $99 the general public. Filmmaker Pro and Arts Circle Members receive complimentary passes. For more information about this year’s Film Independent Forum, to purchase a pass or become a Member, please visit filmindependent.org/forum.

About Film Independent Forum

Now in its 15th year, the Film Independent Forum is the pre-eminent conference for independent filmmakers and content creators in Los Angeles. Off-the-record conversations with working filmmakers make this the must-attend spring event for filmmakers and industry professionals. If you are anywhere near production or close to entering the festival circuit, join your peers for a weekend of solution-driven strategies, success stories, and opportunities to connect one-on-one with working artists and industry pros.

The 2020 Film Independent Forum takes place online July 31- August 7.

Conference passes are $49 for Film Independent Members, and $99 the general public. For more information about this year’s Film Independent Forum, to purchase a pass or become a Member, please visit filmindependent.org/forum.

About Film Independent

For over 38 years, Film Independent has helped filmmakers get their projects made and seen. The nonprofit’s mission is to champion creative independence in visual storytelling and support a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision.

In addition to producing the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the organization supports creative professionals with Artist Development programs, grants and labs, and signature mentorship program Project Involve fosters the careers of talented filmmakers from underrepresented communities. Weekly Education events and workshops (currently virtual) equip filmmakers of all ages and experience levels with tools and resources. International programs include Global Media Makers, a cultural exchange program that provides career-building opportunities for international film professionals. Film Independent Presents is a year-round program offering screenings, conversations and other unique cinematic experiences to Members in Los Angeles and beyond, also currently available online.

While working to make the entertainment industry more inclusive, Film Independent provides access to a network of like-minded artists. Filmmakers, film lovers, industry professionals and anyone passionate about visual storytelling can become a Member at filmindependent.org and connect with @FilmIndependent across social platforms.

30 DJs ACROSS THE GLOBE UNITE TO CELEBRATE BLACK LIVES WITH THE VIRTUAL RELEASE OF AS THEE DEBAUCHERY BALL AND 14 DAY'S OF #BEDEBAUCHEROUS #BLACKJOYMATTERS, VIRTUAL PARTY

Harlem, N.Y., June 5, 2020 — ImageNation’s Sōl Cinema Cafe is proud to announce the virtual theatrical release of the documentary, Thee Debauchery Ball, a film about a private, protected space where Black people can be free.  Starting June 12th on www.SolCinemaCafe.com, this celebrated film will be paired with #BeDebaucherous, 14 days of virtual after parties featuring more than 30 of the hottest house music DJ’s from across the globe. The Debauchery Ball  will be promoted through a grassroots coalition of DJs, film exhibitors, and cultural/lifestyle groups who share the belief that #BlackJoyMatters because #BlackLivesMatter. 

Directed by David Weathersby, Thee Debauchery Ball celebrates Chicago’s large and thriving Afrocentric house music scene. Awarded Best Film at the Southside Chicago Film Festival, Thee Debauchery Ball tells the story of a bi-annual event that pays reverence to the roots of house music culture, while expanding the scope and appreciation with innovative and unprecedented fetish-themed, body-positive parties held within safe spaces in the Black community. 

The #BeDebaucherous parties will run for 14 consecutive days, 9pm to 11pm, EST. Attendees will be encouraged to broadcast themselves dancing live in their homes, being debaucherous during this two-week soiree. A slate of DJ’s in from Pretoria, the capital of house music in South Africa, will join the party June 14 to 18, at 4pm EST.  

The Sol Cinema Cafe enlisted Rhythm & Soul Radio to invite many of the DJ’s including: Sundae Sermon’s DJ Stormin Norman (NYC), DJ Blackicon1 (NYC), The Legendary Chris Washington (NYC),  Salah Ananse (ATL), DJ Tony Soul (New Orleans), DJ Shani (Austin, TX), DJ Nimbus (Houston, TX), DJ Adam Cruz (NJ), Cales & Mr. Hyde (Colombia, South America), DJ P/Shift (NYC), DJ King JamesNYC, DJ M. Forde, Chicago’s original Thee Debauchery Ball DJs including DJ Big Will, Steve Maxwell, Chris Underwood, Craig Elliot, Rae Chardonnay,SolKat, Dave Maze, Jo de Presser, Ron Carroll, Gene Hunt, Vince Adams, DJ Craig Alexander and others. South Africa’s Husky Records added: DJ HK (6/14), DJ Jazzy Dee (6/15), DJ Positive K (6/16) and DJ Mac Lopez (6/18), at 4PM EST.  

“Thee Debauchery Ball, is a fun, interactive, sexy exploration of a Black subculture,” said Gregory Gates, Sol Cinema Cafe partner. “The film celebrates house music -- Black Chicago’s gift to the world -- and gives a glimpse into a scene that many would be surprised exists within Black America. It fits our mission to expand definitions of Black humanity.  Plus, we hope Thee Debauchery Ball will help relieve stress and offer some levity during a time of crisis and unrest.” 

ImageNation founder Moikgantsi Kgama and her partner Gregory Gates were in the midst of renovations to open the Sōl Cinema Cafe, a “click and mortar” business in New York City’s Central Harlem community, when the COVID-19 pandemic brought their plans to a halt.  

"Initially, we felt derailed by the pandemic. But we soon realized that the pause in construction gave us the space to focus on implementing the digital aspect of our business, and fundraising,” said Moikgantsi Kgama, founder of ImageNation and CEO of the Sōl Cinema Cafe. “We are currently raising $30,000 via Mainvest.com to complete the cinema. People can contribute as little as $100 and get a return on their investment. Every program we host is also an opportunity to talk about our investor opportunities.”  

Upcoming programs include:

Starting June 12 - Thee Debauchery Ball & #BeDebaucherous Parties

Film: VOD, www.SōlCinemaCafe.com

Parties: June 12  to June 25, 9pm to 11pm EST, @Sōl Cinema Cafe on Instagram

June 14 - Lunch Break: A Midday Conversation at the Sol Cinema Cafe

Thee Debauchery Ball: Celebrating Black Joy, Black Music, Black Freedom

12:30PM, ET, at FaceBook.com/SolCinemaCafe/Live

Guest Speakers - David Weathersby, filmmaker (Thee Debauchery Ball); Khari B. (creator of Thee Debauchery Ball); Erika Jones, DeBauchery Ball participant; Marko Nobles, Owner, Rhythm and Soul Radio; Hans “DJ HK” Kekana, Owner of South Africa’s Husky Records.

June 27 - Special Edition of Lunch Break: A Midday Conversation at the Sol Cinema Cafe

3:00PM, ET at FaceBook.com/SolCinemaCafe/Live

This is America: Is Violence An Infectious Disease?

This Is America: Is Gun Violence An Infectious Disease is a multi-city discussion on violence in America with policy makers, law enforcement and community leaders to be announced.

The goal of these online programs is to give patrons a taste of what they’ll experience at the Sol Cinema Cafe in Harlem, raise funds, and build a customer base for the Harlem-based venue. 

Fundraising

Funds are still being raised to complete renovations, pay rent arrears incurred to due COVID-19, and provide operating reserves for the Sōl Cinema Cafe. Supporters can invest as little as $100 and earn a revenue share of the business through Mainvest.com at https://mainvest.com/b/sol-cinema-cafe-new-york. Or, folks can participate 

in the seat-naming campaign at http://www.imagenation.us/name-a-seat. 

Sol Cinema Cafe

Designed to leverage both online and offline customers, the Sōl Cinema Cafe is a coffee shop by day, and cinema by night, complemented by a website that offers online ticket sales, advance concessions orders, virtual talkbacks, and streaming. 

Sol Cinema is founded by the creators of ImageNation, an innovative Harlem-based non-profit created to develop cinemas and audiences for independent films and music. ImageNation has hosted film screenings, live music performances and other cultural events for more than 200,000 people worldwide since its inception. A founding partner of ARRAY, a national film distribution collective established by Ava DuVernay, ImageNation has presented internationally in South Africa, Scotland and Canada and domestically at Harvard University, MASS MOCA, Lincoln Center and in Dallas, TX, Los Angeles, CA, Baltimore, MD, Chicago, Ill, Indianapolis, IN, and Washington DC. Programs have featured appearances by luminaries such as Spike Lee, Lee Daniels, Ava DuVernay, Stanley Nelson, Ruby Dee, Erykah Badu, Chuck D, Raoul Peck, India. Arie and many others.

#BlackJoyMatters, #BlackLivesMatters, #UnitedWeDance, #BeDebaucherous

The 2020 Brooklyn Film Festival announces winners of its 23rd edition: TURNING POINT

Brooklyn Film Festival’s 23rd Edition: TURNING POINT Announces Award Winners 

INTO THE STORM Wins The Grand Chameleon Award

Best Narrative Feature - OUR OWN

Best Documentary Feature - INTO THE STORM

Brooklyn, NY (June 8, 2020) – Brooklyn Film Festival’s 23rd edition: TURNING POINT (aka Relearn How to be Human), which in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic began showing films for free online on Friday, May 29th and wrapped up Sunday, June 7th,  announced the winners of the festival’s awards over the course of the day on Saturday, June 6th, with the Audience Awards and The Grand Chameleon Award announced on Sunday afternoon, bestowing a total of 30 awards to this year’s festival filmmakers. Winners were determined by three groups: 1) The external panels of judges, 2) The festival, and 3) The Audience. Through the resources of industry-related sponsors, selected filmmakers are sharing a total of $50,000 in cash, products and services. Over the course of the 10-day festival, there were a total of 21,000+ new registered users and 36,000+ views of the films, as data collected from Vimeo, the festival’s video server, showed. To learn more about the BFF selection process and check the full awards breakdown: visit our website.

INTO THE STORM directed by Adam Brown picked up the coveted best of fest Grand Chameleon Award. Jeanne Leblanc’s OUR OWN won Best Narrative Feature and Adam Brown’s INTO THE STORM also took home the award for Best Documentary Feature.

“The 2020 BFF has been for me, without a doubt, the most important event up to date organized by the Brooklyn Film Festival. Our outreach this year has been second to none to our previous 22 editions. 124 countries have been following the festival in numbers that we could have only dreamt about in the past.  I have the clear feeling that BFF has entered a brand new stage and the greatest thing of all is that we have achieved this by doing something tangibly good. We envisioned, created, and then delivered a well-organized film festival to people who are going through a very difficult moment in their lives. And the idea to offer such a show free of charge has been one of the most rewarding actions I have ever been involved in,” said Marco Ursino, Brooklyn Film Festival Executive Director. 

Award packages include prizes from Sobre Vista Resort, AbelCine, Xeno Lights, Be Electric, WNET, MPE, Final Draft, Lentini Communications, Media Services, Noble Jewelry, The Pod Hotel, Papapietro Perry Winery and Brooklyn Film Society.

And the winners are:

GRAND CHAMELEON AWARD - Dir. Adam Brown for the Documentary Feature INTO THE STORM 

Best Narrative Feature - Dir. Jeanne Leblanc for the film OUR OWN

Jury Statement: In this category’s strong competition, the jury found that OUR OWN distinguished itself with its unwavering gaze at difficult issues and its formal control. Director Jeanne Leblanc captures the disconnect between the apparently ordinary households of a suburban neighborhood and the ugliness beneath the surface, problems that extend well beyond the film’s original sin. Its admirable qualities include courageous performances and a refusal to resolve itself in a conventionally reassuring way.

Best Documentary Feature - Dir. Adam Brown for the film INTO THE STORM

Jury Statement: The judges were thoroughly inspired by Jhonny’s story in INTO THE STORM. Thanks to the filmmakers’ excellent access, we felt that we were right there alongside him, experiencing the various ups and downs inherent to an athlete’s journey. We also applaud the excellent cinematography which superbly caught both Jhonny’s moves on the surfboard and stunning views of the ocean.

Best Narrative Short -Dir. Georgi M. Unkovski for the film STICKER

Jury Statement: STICKER is a rare achievement. One in which the filmmakers manage to perfectly balance humor and humanity, parental love and outlaw determination, inside a masterfully made film. It infuses us with joy as it impresses us with its technical skill.

Best Documentary Short - Dir. Malcolm Rizzuto and and Spencer Garrison for the film EAT WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY

Jury Statement: The Jury found EAT WHEN YOU’RE HUNGRY extremely creative and strikingly funny. As an autobiographical tale on the immigrant experience from a unique perspective, it felt fresh and innovative. Presented through lively animation that details the complex – but also loving – story behind the relationship between a young man and his grandmother, we thoroughly enjoyed this film and encourage the filmmakers to keep creating.

Best Animation - Dir. Zige Zhang for the film KING OF THE HOUSE

Jury Statement: The Animation we selected as winner of the category is KING OF THE HOUSE. Zige Zhang’s exquisitely illustrated and pacy tale shines the spotlight on inequality. She nudges us to see that our shared humanity holds the key.

Best Experimental - Dir. Garry Stewart for the film THE CIRCADIAN CYCLE

Jury Statement: The jury is pleased to name THE CIRCADIAN CYCLE as the BFF 2020 winner for Best Experimental Short  for its combination of striking cinematography, intriguing choreography, resonant score and conceptual depth. As the film shifts from vast wild landscapes to intimate explorations of the human form, it unites dance and the natural world in an eloquent expression of life’s rhythms.

Spirit Awards

Narrative Feature - Dir. Kenya Márquez for the film SUFFOCATION

Documentary Feature - Dir. Hasan Oswald for the film HIGHER LOVE

Narrative Short - Dir. Alex Wu for the film IDOL

Documentary Short - Dir. Jessica Colquhoun for the film SUNDAYS AT THE TRIPLE NICKEL

Experimental - Dir. Kevin McGloughlin for the film SUITE AFTER THE FURIES 

Animation - Dir. Tom Hardiman for the film PITCH BLACK PANACEA 

Best Brooklyn Project - Dir. Mojo Lorwin for the film SUMMER IN THE CITY

Audience Awards

Narrative Feature - MACABRE directed by Marcos Prado

Documentary Feature - INTO THE STORM directed by Adam Brown

Narrative Short - THE PRESENT directed by Farah Nabulsi

Documentary Short - THEY directed by Louisa Rechenbach

Experimental - INHUMAN LOVE  directed by Adam Hayes and Nick Hayes

Animation - WADE directed by Upamanyu Bhattacharyya and Kalp Sanghvi

KidsFilmFest - CRAMMING directed by Dan Perlman

Certificates of Achievement

Best New Director Award - Hasan Oswald for the film HIGHER LOVE

Best Producer Award - Rodrigo Ríos Legaspi for the film BEFORE OBLIVION 

Best Screenplay Award - Morgan Ingari for the film MILKWATER  

Best Cinematography Award - Vincent Biron for I'LL END UP IN JAIL

Best Editing Award - Maciej Bruno Sosnowski for the film ROTTEN EARS

Best Style Award - Ashley Eakin for the film SINGLE

Best Original Score Award - Composer Xiao Zhuang Ma for the film THE JOURNEY OF MURDER

Best Actor Female - Susana Alcantara for the film WOMAN WITHOUT A CHILD

Best Actor Male – Kyle Chen for the film IDOL

About Brooklyn Film Festival (BFF) :

The organizers of the Brooklyn Film Festival have been staging International, competitive film events since 1998. BFF's mission is to provide a public forum in Brooklyn in order to advance public interest in films and the independent production of films, to draw worldwide attention to Brooklyn as a center for cinema, to encourage the rights of all Brooklyn residents to access and experience the power of independent filmmaking, and to promote artistic excellence and the creative freedom of artists without censure. BFF, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.

For more info about the festival and the 2020 winners please visit: https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/winners 

BFF Social Media Links: http://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/follow/.

MONTCLAIR FILM ANNOUNCES THE LAUNCH OF "THE MARK URMAN AWARD FUND"

ALL PROCEEDS WILL FUND THE ANNUAL MARK URMAN AWARD FOR FICTION FILMMAKING, SUPPORTING FIRST AND SECOND TIME AMERICAN INDEPENDENT FILMMAKERS
FUND IS LAUNCHED WITH THE SUPPORT OF DEBORAH DAVIS AND 
THE FAMILY + FRIENDS OF THE URMAN FAMILY

Montclair Film, New Jersey’s leading non-profit film organization, today announced the launch of the Mark Urman Award Fund, in honor of the late film distributor Mark Urman. The Fund has been established with Mark’s wife Deborah Davis and the family and close friends of the Urman family to fund a cash prize for the Montclair Film Festival’s Mark Urman Award For Fiction Filmmaking, offering direct financial support to the winning filmmaker of the annual Montclair Film Festival’s Future/Now Competition, a juried competition of five films made by first and second time American Independent filmmakers. 

“Montclair Film is deeply honored to be working with Mark Urman’s family, friends, and colleagues to award filmmakers with funding that will provide crucial support for their creative work,” said Montclair Film Executive Director Tom Hall. “Having known and worked with Mark since his days at ThinkFILM, I hope that this program will help filmmakers in an enduring way that honors Mark’s profound legacy in our industry.”

Montclair Film is proud to announce the creation of this Fund upon the approach of what would have been Mark’s 67th birthday on November 24th. The fund is launching with $30,000 in initial donations made in Mark’s memory and Montclair Film will spend the next several weeks fundraising to raise additional support that will ensure the Fund is active for the next ten years and beyond.

“Mark’s passion for film – old, new, and everything in-between – inspired him every day.  Our family is thrilled that Montclair Film’s Mark Urman Award will benefit a new generation of filmmakers,” said Deborah Davis.

The amount of the annual cash prize will be announced upon the completion of the initial funding cycle and prior to the close of submissions on January 17, 2020 for the 9th annual Montclair Film Festival (May 1-10, 2020). In addition to the cash prize, the filmmaker awarded the Mark Urman Award for Fiction Filmmaking will enjoy a film production package of in-kind goods and services.

The inaugural cash prize will be awarded at the annual Filmmaker Awards Reception, taking place May 9, 2020 at the Montclair Film Festival. Tax-deductible contributions to the Fund may be made directly at bit.ly/MarkUrmanAwardFund  and will be restricted to providing direct financial support to the filmmaker who wins the Mark Urman Award For Fiction Filmmaking at the annual Montclair Film Festival.

Mark was an early advocate of the Montclair Film Festival, which was founded in 2010, and an original member of the organization’s volunteer Artistic Committee of industry professionals. His encouragement and support of the festival helped to build a strong foundation that paved the way for Montclair Film’s long-term success. The Fund will support Mark’s enduring legacy as a champion of great cinema in all of its forms while providing fiscal encouragement to filmmakers to continue to produce new, ambitious films. 

"It's impossible to overstate the effect Mark Urman had on my career, and life,” said the writer and director Bill Condon.  “He decided to take on my film GODS AND MONSTERS when every other distributor had turned it down, and handled the release with all the talent, sensitivity, and sheer love of movies that he brought to countless other projects.  He was hands down the best film executive I ever worked with. Not only is he missed - it turns out he is irreplaceable."

As the home for the Mark Urman Award For Fiction Filmmaking, the Montclair Film Festival’s Future/Now Competition celebrates American, low-budget independent filmmaking by first or second time feature film directors who are creating innovative, challenging films. Past winners of the competition are MICKEY AND THE BEAR by Annabelle Attanasio (2019), WE THE ANIMALS by Jeremiah Zagar (2018), BEACH RATS by Eliza Hittman (2017), THE FITS bu Anna Rose Holmer (2016), and EDEN by Elise DuRant (2015). Four of the five past winners of this competition are women directors.

ABOUT MONTCLAIR FILM 

Montclair Film, a non-profit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization connects filmmakers from around the region and world with audiences by presenting films and year-round programs that engage, educate, and entertain through the power of visual storytelling. The ninth annual Montclair Film Festival will take place from May 1-10, 2020. Our programs are made possible by funds from the New Jersey Department of State, Division of Travel and Tourism, as well as the New Jersey State Council on the Arts, a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts. We are grateful for generous support from Investors Bank; Audible; Craig Newmark Philanthropies; Hackensack Meridian Health, Mountainside Medical Center; The Bravitas Group; The Nature Conservancy; Ashenfelter, Slous, Trembulak, McDonough, Golia & Trevenen, LLP; Chubb; Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage; William H. Connolly & Co.; the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey, and others.

For information about Montclair Film, visit www.MontclairFilm.org.

Toyota Motor North America Presents its Second Series of South Asian Film Festivals in New York City This Fall

After the roaring success of the 5th annual Dallas-Fort Worth South Asian Film Festival (DFW SAFF), Toyota Motor North America presents its second film festival in the United States, the New York City South Asian Film Festival (NYC SAFF), gearing up to make its debut in mid-November at various venues around Chelsea in Manhattan.

"Cultural diversity is something we celebrate every day at Toyota,” said Vinay Shahani, vice president, integrated marketing operations, Toyota Motor North America. “After the success of our partnership with DFW SAFF, we look forward to continuing the celebration of storytelling at the first-ever NYC SAFF, and we hope that festival-goers are inspired by the films."

Produced by JINGO Media, a NYC and Dallas-based events and public relations company, the inaugural, three-day festival boasts world, U.S. and New York City premieres of more than 25 shorts, documentaries and feature films focused on the unique stories of the South Asian Diaspora and those of our brothers and sisters back home. JINGO Media is also the parent company of DFW SAFF, which was conceptualized and created in 2015.

"We are so proud to create yet ANOTHER platform for world-class independent cinema from India, Nepal, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Afghanistan and the Maldives," said Jitin Hingorani, CEO/Principal of JINGO Media, a public relations company that launched in New York City in 2010. "We're coming full circle with this festival because Manhattan is where it all began for us almost 10 years ago. We are certain that the community-at-large will embrace us and celebrate our joyous homecoming."

NYC SAFF has also partnered with The India Center Foundation (ICF), a New York City-based nonprofit organization dedicated to the study of the Indian subcontinent, the promotion of its cultural life and the unique relationship between India and the United States. "To partner with NYC SAFF means that ICF is reaching the audience we wish to serve: contemporary, aware, woke desis and lovers of Indian and Diasporic creativity and storytelling. As a filmmaker whose film was so lovingly received at DFW SAFF, I know we are working with a staff who is dedicated and eager to give New Yorkers the film experience they deserve when it comes to screening South Asian cinema. We are looking forward to partnering on great conversations and panels around the films we see together," said Priya Giri Desai, Founding Director of ICF.

NYC SAFF's exclusive music partner is JioSaavn (founded in 2007 as Saavn), the online music streaming service and a digital distributor of Bollywood, English and other regional Indian music across the world.

“Music has always been an integral part of South Asian culture. We have all experienced a range of it in classical Indian cinema to contemporary Bollywood to regional films to completely new and independent genres. We look forward to the next generation of visual arts conceived in the South Asian Diaspora, and that's why JioSaavn is proud to partner with NYC SAFF and ICF to help create more awareness of their artists' creative work and engaging stories," said Vinodh Bhat, Co-Founder, President, and Chief Strategy Officer.

The inaugural NYC SAFF will take place from November 15 to 17, 2019. The opening night film, red carpet and VIP party will be held the Altman Building (135 W 18th, between 6th and 7th). The film screenings on Saturday and Sunday will be at the AMC 34th Street (between 8th and 9th). Centerpiece party will be held at Tailor Public House (505 8th Avenue), and the closing night festivities and awards ceremony take place at the brand new Rumi Event Space (229 W 28th, between 8th and 9th). The entire festival lineup and schedule will be be unveiled in mid-October at www.nycsaff.com.

Reel Sisters Honors Pioneering Cultural Icon/Activist/Author Nana Camille Yarbrough with Trailblazing Filmmakers Sandra Guzmán and Leslie Harris (Just Another Girl on the IRT)

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On Friday, Oct. 11, 6:00 pm, Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series will honor award-winning performance artist, author and cultural activist Camille Yarbrough with our distinguished Reel Sisters Hattie McDaniel Award for her outstanding contributions to film, television, literature and performing arts over six decades. The Reel Sisters Trailblazer Award will be presented to Sandra Guzman, producer and lead interviewer of Toni Morrison: Pieces I Am, and pioneering filmmaker Leslie Harris, director of the classic film Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. Oscar-nominated actress Rosie Perez will present Ms. Guzmán with the Trailblazer Award. Cash prizes will also be presented to our award-winning filmmakers. Tickets: $35 ($30 - Bring A Pal discount for 2+ tickets).

Reel Sisters will celebrate the evening with a screening of Toni Morrison: Pieces I Am. Following the film, Malaika Adero, former VP/Senior Editor of Atria (Simon & Schuster), will moderate a conversation with Sandra Guzman and artist/scholar/cultural worker OlaRonke Akinmowo, founder of The Free Black Women's Library.

Award-winning producer/actress Andrea Lewis (Degrassi: The Next Generation), our 2019 festival curator, will serve as our esteemed Mistress of Ceremonies for an exciting evening of fun, film and networking!

"We are proud to honor our sheroe Nana Camille Yarbrough with Sandra Guzmán and Leslie Harris for their compassionate leadership in paving the way for women in the arts and film world," said Reel Sisters Founder Carolyn A. Butts. "Reel Sisters' theme  for 2019 is #IGotYourBack and our honorees are women whose careers are founded on giving back and helping other artists and organizations in our community. We hope their lives will continue inspiring philanthropy and collective progress."

Reel Sisters honors film professionals for their outstanding contributions in film and role in supporting women artists. Previous Reel Sisters award winners include JT Takagi (Third World Newsreel), Terence Nance (HBO's Random Acts of Flyness),  Tamara Tunie, Nicole Beharie, Cathy Hughes, Naturi Naughton, Issa Rae, Ebony Jo-Ann, Jessica Williams, Margot B., Neema Barnette, Julie Dash, Michelle Materre, Pearl Bowser, Shola Lynch, Lonette McKee, Mahen Bonetti, Mable Haddock, Moikgantsi Kgama, Irene Cara, Madeline Anderson and Kojo Ade.

About Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series

Founded by African Voices magazine and LIU Brooklyn Campus, Reel Sisters is the first Academy Qualifying Film Festival devoted to women of color. Since 1997, Reel Sisters has showcased over 3,540 films produced, directed and written by women filmmakers in every genre. Reel Sisters attracts more than 2,271 film lovers from across the nation and globe including California, Chicago, Florida to as far away as Britain, Germany, Africa, and India. The festival screens over 40 films each year.  Reel Sisters also provides scholarships to emerging women filmmakers and offers other resources for women filmmakers.

The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival is supported, in part, by Council members Laurie Cumbo (35 C.D.) and Farah Louis (45 C.D.), New York State Council on the Arts, Brooklyn Arts Council and ALOFT Hotel.

Reel Sisters Hattie McDaniel Honoree 

Camille Yarbrough is an award-winning performance artist, author, and cultural activist. With a career that spans over sixty years, several continents, countless awards, and accolades, Nana Camille has earned legendary status. She continues to inspire audiences today via Ancestor House, a local, long-running television show of sixteen years, her popular music album (also entitled Ancestor House), and performances and lectures focusing on poetry, music, Black art, spirituality, and culture.

She began her career as a dancer, singer, and actress touring with the Katherine Dunham Company. During this period she honed her performance and producing gifts and immersed herself in an independent study of African people throughout the Diaspora. Yarbrough was enstooled in New York by Abladei, Inc. (Ghanaian) as Naa Kuokor Agyman 1, founder of the Stool House of Harriet Tubman and was given the honorary title of “Nana.”

Camille Yarbrough has been presented with the Lorraine Hansberry Award by the Goodman Theater in Chicago, the Unity Award in Media by Lincoln University of Missouri, the Parents Choice Award, and accolades from the National Endowment of the Arts.

Her article, "Today I Feel Like I Am Somebody," was published in the drama section of The New York Times. Her three part article, "Black Dance In America," was published in The Black Collegian, while her photo essay, "Female Style And Beauty in Ancient Africa” was published in Black Women in Antiquity, edited by Ivan Van Sertima. She has written four critically acclaimed books for children. Her album The Iron Pot Cooker was critically acclaimed and from it, her song “Take Yo' Praise” was sampled by Fat Boy Slim and became an international hit. Camille Yarbrough was a faculty member of the Black Studies Department at City College in New York for twelve years.

REEL SISTERS TRAILBLAZER AWARD HONOREES

Reel Sisters Trailblazer Honorees

Sandra Guzmán is an Emmy-award winning journalist and documentarian whose work explores American identity at the intersection of culture, gender, race, sexuality, spirituality, and ethnicity. Sandra was the last journalist to interview Nobel Laureate Toni Morrison for the acclaimed American Masters film, Toni Morrison: The Pieces I Am.

Sandra’s work in documentary explores American identity — The Women’s List, The Latino List, and The Boomer List — and has aired on Netflix, HBO, and PBS for the American Masters portfolio. She was Associate Editor at the New York Post, where she created and edited a dozen feature sections focusing on New York’s religious, racial, and ethnic communities. Sandra is the former editor of Latina magazine and author of The New Latina’s Bible, a non-fiction book examining critical issues of contemporary Latinx women.

She is a frequent contributor to NBC News and writes thought pieces for CNN and other platforms.

Leslie Harris, an award-winning writer/director/producer, is currently working on several features including a sequel to Just Another Girl on the I.R.T., and a documentary based on her experiences as one of the first African-American women to finance, produce and sell a feature directly to a major studio through her own production company. Just Another Girl on the I.R.T. was released in 1993 on over 200 screens in the US and 20 countries worldwide. The feature won the Sundance Film Festival’s Special Jury Prize and was an official selection at the Tokyo, Toronto, and Deauville film festivals. Leslie is the recipient of the IFP Gotham Open Palm Award, AFI Filmmaker Award, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and New York State Council on the Arts. She wrote, directed and produced the award-winning short Bessie Coleman’s Dream to Fly for Showtime Networks. Coleman was the first African-American to receive a pilot’s license, two years before Amelia Earhart. Leslie’s new feature, I Love Cinema, a satire about sex, race and the alt-right media, is still looking for financing.

Mistress of Ceremonies

Andrea Lewis’ artistic talents emerged at age 5 and even before celebrating her 16th birthday, this Toronto born, Entertainer had already acted alongside Hollywood heavyweights such as Diahann Carroll in The Natalie Cole Story and Wesley Snipes and Dr. Maya Angelou in her directorial debut, the critically acclaimed Down in the Delta. After wrapping up on the Disney movie Cadet Kelly alongside Hilary Duff, Lewis soon spent 6 seasons on the hit show Degrassi: The Next Generation and became known around the world as "Hazel" as millions of North Americans tuned in each week to watch Andrea in the award-winning drama, which is ranked No. 1 in Canada and the US. Lewis has garnered international attention from Degrassi, which landed her in the pages of Teen People, New York Times and Entertainment Weekly magazines. Taking her career to another level Lewis started Jungle Wild Productions, where she created the hit web series’ “Black Actress” written by and starring Lewis and the fan favorite relationship drama “Beyond Complicated” both seasons can be watched at youtube.com/AndreaLewisChannel.

Awards Presenter

An Oscar-, Golden Globe- and Emmy-nominated actress and choreographer, Rosie Perez has been a cultural mainstay since her breakout performances in such classic films as Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing, Ron Shelton’s White Men Can’t Jump and Peter Weir’s Fearless. 

Perez will next be seen in The Last Thing He Wanted, opposite Anne Hathaway and Ben Affleck for Netflix and “Birds of Prey,” opposite Margot Robbie for Warner Brothers.

Her other film credits include: Bergman’s It Could Happen to You, Untamed Heart and The Take, in which she was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award.

Perez has also made her mark on the stage. She received strong reviews for her performance in “The Ritz” and made her Broadway debut in the hit revival of Terence McNally’s “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune.” Perez returned to Broadway in 2015 for the highly successful “Fish in the Dark” with Larry David.

Throughout her career, Perez has been a vocal activist for a number of causes and serves as the Artistic Board Chair for Urban Arts Partnership. She details her childhood upbringing and career in her book, “Handbook for an Unpredictable Life: How I Survived Sister Renata and My Crazy Mother, and Still Came Out Smiling (with Great Hair).”

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Follow on: http://reelsisters.com/

'The Irishman', Martin Scorsese's masterpiece with many never befores! #NYFF

There has been a lot of buzz about Scorsese’s upcoming masterpiece THE IRISHMAN, which was the opening night film at the 57th New York Film Festival. And the film is worth all the buzz and anticipation with every thing you may expect from Scorcese and along with many never befores - first time Scorcese and Al Pacino work together and some amazing de-ageing of multiple actors.

The film is produced and directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Steven Zaillian, based on the 2004 memoir I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. The film stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci as Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran, Jimmy Hoffa, and Russell Bufalino, respectively, and follows Sheeran as he recounts his alleged jobs as a hitman for the Bufalino crime family. It is the ninth feature collaboration between De Niro and Scorsese and their first since 1995's Casino; the fourth film to star both De Niro and Pacino (following The Godfather Part II, Heat, and Righteous Kill); the fifth to star both De Niro and Pesci (following Raging Bull, Once Upon a Time in America, Goodfellas, and Casino); the first to star both Pacino and Pesci; and the first time Pacino has been directed by Scorsese.

Scorcese presented the film at the festival, you can check out the video below.

Here’s what’s good about the film:

• After watching the film, you realize why Scorcese decided to go with the daunting process of de-ageing. No one else could have done what these actors have done in the film. No one!

• An amazing perfomance by Robert De Niro. Many of his recent films haven’t been able to use his talents appropriately. This one does. There’s humor, there’s drama, there’s action and there’s pain. AN Oscar worthy performance from a great actor, which this film really benefits from .

• Al Pacino is back! Similar to De Niro, Pacino hasn’t had much great work in recent years. This role was made for him. He brings so much charisma and power to his Hoffa. The role has everything that we love about Al Pacino, and he brings it fully.

• Same goes for Joe Pesci. He’s menacing, he’s charming, he’s funny, he’s amazing. So good to see him back.

• It’s a good story of a man struggling with keeping up with his family, friends, and loyalty to his work. It’s a a great character study done masterfully.

• The visuals are just amazing. The film is visually stunning.

Not-so-good:

• It’s long. At 3.5 hrs, it is long. It’s entertaining, but long. Only Scorcese would be allowed to do this, so there’s that.

• The de-ageing, although valuable, is still not 100% at every place. Some scenes, specially in the beginning, do seem off-ish.

Overall, it’s a wonderful and must-watch film. It’s also worth watching in a theater, if you can. If not, then definitely watch it once it’s on Netflix on Nov 1, 2019.

Chat w/ Jennifer Sharp, director of 'Una Great Movie' | Brooklyn FilmFest

UNA GREAT MOVIE playing at Brooklyn Film Festival 2019, is a beautiful movie about a black American woman traveling to Mexico, slowly becomes a romantic comedy with an all-white cast. A quirky cerebral look into commercialism and greed, juxtaposed with a heartwarming movie that challenges stereotypes. Una Great Movie uses comedy to reflect on relevant contemporary issues. It is fun and humorous with a unique storytelling style that incorporates a professional cast mixed with local Mexican non-actors.

We talked to the director and writer of the film Jennifer Sharp. Here are the excerpts

- What made you make this film?

The initial inspiration was based on a small town in Mexico that I found in 1999 while traveling with a friend. I loved the town and the people and was inspired to make a movie there.  I wanted to share the magic of that place and how it felt as a black woman in Mexico. For the next 16 years I tried relentlessly to get the movie made, during which time the script transformed over and over again. Finally becoming what it is now, which actually mixes my true experiences in Hollywood trying to get the movie made, with the beautiful Mexican story that I had been wanting to make for years.

- What was the biggest challenges in making this film? How did you overcome them?

The biggest challenge (out of many) would be producing a movie in Mexico and having to find an entire crew in a country, where I knew absolutely nothing about the film industry. I had many situations where I had to speak fluent Spanish, and I wasn't sure if I could handle those situations. But mother is the necessity of invention for sure, and when I needed to up my Spanish speaking skills to have an hour long meeting with the mayor of the town, I just did it. The brain is pretty amazing!

- What film and filmmakers inspire you?

Charlie Kaufman is a genius and his movie Synechdoche, although it had little commercial success, I believe is the truest portrayal of life I have ever seen in a movie.

- How has been your experience at BFF?

I am super impressed with the quality of every movie I have seen so far at the Brooklyn film Festival and I'm excited to spend the week seeing more and meeting more filmmakers. The staff are welcoming and excited about the event and supportive. It's been a wonderful experience and has been a great way to kick off my festival experience. I love their commitment to the theme this year of highlighting diverse and creative films that are against the norm.

- What's your most favorite and least favorite thing about New York?

I love the energy here and the ability to get anywhere in the city without driving. I live in LA, so it hinders the lifestyle trying to avoid traffic or not driving after you go out to a party. New York is more accessible with the city at your disposal!

My least favorite thing is the amount of people and lack of nature. Yes, there are parks, but I like cities with more green spaces all around without having to go to a public park.

Chat w/ Julian Shaw, Director of 'Use Me' | Brooklyn Film Festival

Use Me had its WORLD PREMIERE Sunday, June 02 at Brooklyn Film Festival. It’s a gripping thriller film about an ambitious documentary filmmaker discovers the darkest parts of himself when he turns his camera on a beautiful woman who humiliates men for money.

We had a chat with the director and star of the film, Julian Shaw. Here are the excerpts.

- What made you make a film of such "taboo" subject?

I'm attracted to provocative subject matter, and I personally enjoy the world of BDSM, but my goal wasn't just to titillate the audience - that is only entertaining for so long. I was drawn to the extreme emotional states that are involved in fantasy roleplay, and also the potential for such extreme fantasies to go terribly wrong when brought into reality. I discovered Ceara Lynch online and became fascinated by her. I pitched a documentary to her but after meeting up in Portland and filming some documentary material with her I realised she had the capacity and x factor to be the center of a fictionalized movie. I had made two documentaries already and I was ready to take on a new challenge. She was equally game. 

- What was the biggest challenges in making this film? How did you overcome them?

I'm a New Zealand-born Australian, so one of the biggest logistical hurdles was moving across the world to Portland to make the movie! It has been the biggest adventure in my life, and I fell in love along the way - they have been the best years of my life but also the hardest. Like all filmmakers, funding is challenging. The creative side of it is one thing but even a very intimate movie can cost a million bucks. Directing myself to a performance that I found acceptable was definitely challenging and I drew on my collaborators like Portland-based co-producer AJ Gordon to be honest and make sure I was getting what I needed out of myself. You don't want to get to the edit room and hate your leading man - even if it's you! Ceara is a born performer but not a trained actor, so we also had to find our own language and shorthand which was a little different to how I directed working actors like Joe Reitman and Jazlyn Yoder.

- What did you learn/discover about this world while making this film?

That domination and submission are two sides of the same coin.

- What film and filmmakers inspire you?

Nightcrawler did a great job of exploring a seedy netherworld in a truthful way. I also like protagonists who may not be 'likeable' but are compelling. I could have made my character more likeable to be honest, but it felt blander. I really decided to embrace the ambiguity of all these characters. Looked at various films that blend fact and fiction formally - Man Bites Dog, The Girlfriend Experience. My producer Jonathon Green encouraged me to revisit the 80s Scorsese movie After Hours - a great example of the 'one way trip to hell' downward spiral narrative. My favorite filmmakers do not make films in my style - part of growing is moving past influence and finding your own voice. I feel I'm now starting to do that after making films since I was a teenager.

- How has been your experience at BFF?

Amazing vibe, hot crowds - and come on... what other city would you rather have your World Premiere?

- What's your most favorite and least favorite thing about New York?

There's always something to do. I saw Bryan Cranston in Network on Broadway last night. Seeing Colbert live on Tuesday. Walked to the Guggenheim yesterday. There is no other city on earth with such a plethora of options at your disposal. My least favorite thing is also related to my favorite thing... sometimes the relentless pace can be exhausting. I make sure to take time out to meditate and do yoga to recharge.

——

Use Me BBF page with trailer & tickets: https://www.brooklynfilmfestival.org/film-detail?fid=2050

Use Me on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/usememovie/ 

Use Me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/usememovie

Use Me on Insta: https://www.instagram.com/usememovie/

INAUGURAL ROM COM FEST ANNOUNCES EVENT & FILM LINEUP FOR 2019 FESTIVAL

THE LOS ANGELES-BASED EXPERIENTIAL FILM FILM FESTIVAL,
TAKING PLACE JUNE 20-23, SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON THE ROM COM GENRE

Rom Com Fest, a new Los Angeles based film festival which celebrates love through film and experiences, announced the lineup for its inaugural festival which will take place June 20-23, 2019. The lineup includes special themed screenings of iconic romantic comedies, as well as a competition lineup of new romantic comedies, and a number of unique themed events and activities. The program was announced today by the festival’s Founder and Executive Director Miraya Berke.

The experiential festival is a reimagining of a traditional film festival - pairing rosé and desserts with films, encouraging that its audiences show up dressed in themed attire, and holding memorable events and activities that bring together those that love and/or create romantic comedy films. Rom Com Fest will take place primarily at the Downtown Independent Theater in Los Angeles, with select events at other venues.

Highlights of the festival include a special curated screening and fireside chat with actress Rachel Bloom (CW’s “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”) on her favorite classic rom com film NEVER BEEN KISSED, as well as anniversary screenings including 10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU, featuring a special Q&A with the film’s writers Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith and Karen McCullah (writers of LEGALLY BLONDE, SHE’S THE MAN), as well as a screening of BRIDE WARS, featuring a special Q&A with the film’s writers, both of whom are also acclaimed actresses known for memorable roles in romantic comedies and TV shows - June Diane Raphael (LONG SHOT, Netflix’s “Grace and Frankie”) and Casey Wilson (Showtime’s “Black Monday”).

The festival will also hold the west coast premiere of actor Joseph Cross’ directorial debut SUMMER NIGHT (starring Lana Condor, Analeigh Tipton, Victoria Justice, Justin Chatwin and Ellar Coltrane).

Special event highlights during the festival include a Mortified live comedy show, a live read of the winner of the Rom Com Fest screenplay competition (presented by Scriptd), as well as a live taping of WhoHaha’s “Dirty Girl” Podcast - a company co-founded by producer/actress Elizabeth Banks.

The festival was organized and curated by its Founder and Executive Director, Miraya Berke. Berke is a female entrepreneur, the founder of Pop Productions event boutique studio (whose mission is to create events that spark joy & delight), and the founder of Dessert Goals, the popular dessert festival that is held in New York and Los Angeles. With a background in events and partnerships and a personal love of romantic comedies, Berke is passionate about the romantic comedy genre and its legitimization in the eyes of film fans, filmmakers, and critics, in addition to the pure enjoyment of the films themselves. Rom Com Fest aims to showcase empowering and realistic stories that have dynamic female characters.

“We all need something uplifting to escape to. Routinely dismissed by film critics as a lesser genre artistically, romantic comedies are universally beloved and are a true art form, being some of the most classic and beautiful films that we know today.” said Berke. “I’m thrilled to be able to bring the Los Angeles community together to experience these films in a new, fun and creative atmosphere.”

The festival will present both jury prizes and an audience award prize (presented by Frolic, The fastest growing entertainment media brand for the modern Romance fan) to its competition lineup for features and short films.

Badges and individual screening/event tickets are on sale as of today (May 7th) online at www.romcomfest.com. Tickets range from $12.00 to $15.00 USD per ticket, and you can save by bring a date/best friend, with a “party of two” paired discount.

Follow @RomComFest on Instagram for updates.

The full lineup of Rom Com Fest 2019 includes:

CLASSIC & ANNIVERSARY SCREENINGS

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU (20TH ANNIVERSARY), directed by Gil Junger / written by Karen McCullah & Kirsten Smith (1999) - A pretty, popular teenager can't go out on a date until her ill-tempered older sister does. With Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, Joseph Gordon-Levitt. CLOSING NIGHT FILM.

Q&A to follow with the film’s writers Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith and Karen McCullah, followed by a “10 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT YOU” love letter writing pop up craft activity.

BRIDE WARS (10TH ANNIVERSARY), directed by Gary Winick / written by Casey Wilson & June Diane Raphael and Greg DePaul (2009) - Two best friends become rivals when they schedule their respective weddings on the same day. With Anne Hathaway, Kate Hudson and Chris Pratt.

Q&A to follow with the film’s writers - actresses June Diane Raphael and Casey Wilson. Bridal party theme - attendees are encouraged to dress in white, those dressed up will receive complimentary ring pops and wedding-themed dessert.

HIS GIRL FRIDAY, written and directed by Howard Hawks (1940) - A newspaper editor uses every trick in the book to keep his ace reporter ex-wife from remarrying. With Cary Grant, Rosalind Russell and Ralph Bellamy.

Complimentary My Mo Mochi Ice Cream will be served before the screening, along with a Rom Com Fest themed compliment card craft. The Los Angeles Women's Film Collective will discuss the future of romantic comedies following the screening.

HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK, directed by Kevin Rodney Sullivan / written by Terry McMillan & Ron Bass (1998) - Stella is a highly successful, forty-something San Francisco stock broker who is persuaded by her colorful New York girlfriend Delilah to take a well deserved, first-class vacation to Jamaica. As she soaks in the beauty of the island, she encounters a strapping, young islander, Winston Shakespeare. His pursuits for her turn into a hot and steamy romance that forces Stella to take personal inventory of her life and try to find a balance between her desire for love and companionship, and the responsibilities of mother and corporate executive.  With Angela Bassett, Taye Diggs, Regina King and Whoopi Goldberg.

Pajama-party themed late night screening - attendees are encouraged to wear their PJs and will receive a complimentary bottle of CBD gummies, courtesy of Not Pot. Screening presented by Not Pot.

NEVER BEEN KISSED (20TH ANNIVERSARY), directed by Raja Gosnell / written by Abby Kohn & Marc Silverstein (1999) - A newspaper reporter enrolls in high school as part of research for a story. With Drew Barrymore and David Arquette.

Special screening curated by actress Rachel Bloom. A fireside chat with Bloom and Festival Director Miraya Berke will follow the screening. A conversational Heart Lapel Pin craft activity hosted by Makers Mess will also proceed the screening.

FEATURE FILMS IN COMPETITION

IN REALITY, written and directed by Ann Lupo (USA) - Despite boasting rich friendships and a creative job, young filmmaker Ann is consumed by the fantasy of finding true love. Just when she thinks she’s found it, she is friend-zoned and the disappointment of rejection shoots her down a deep rabbit hole of unrequited love. Looking for a way to climb out, Ann picks up a camera and sets her sights inward. She confronts multiple characters within her conscious, from a maniacal game show host to a glamorous cabaret performer, that guide her through her investigation of the relationship and her own neuroses. Blending docu-style interview with comedy, drama and hyperbolic fantasies, Ann creates an elaborate, eccentric world that manages to be as intensely relatable as it is one of a kind. With Ann Lupo, Miles G. Jackson and Kimiko Glenn.

1920s era themed screening - attendees are encouraged to wear flapper attire to celebrate the 20s. Q&A to follow with Ann Lupo - the film’s writer, director, producer and star.

ONE BEDROOM, written and directed by Darien Sills-Evans (USA) - Breaking up is easy.  Moving out is hard. Especially when there's a New York City apartment involved. After five years of ups and downs, an African American 30-something couple in a gentrifying neighborhood spend their final afternoon in Brooklyn arguing, reminiscing and then eventually deciding if they're moving out together or in separate directions. With Darien Sills-Evans, Stephen Hill and Devin Nelson.

Complimentary My Mo Mochi Ice Cream will be served before the screening, along with a Tealight Candle making craft activity, hosted by Makers Mess. Q&A to follow with Darien Sills-Evans - the film’s writer, director, producer and star.

SUMMER NIGHT, directed by Joseph Cross / written by Jordan Jolliff and Joseph Cross (USA) - In a small town, a young, tight-knit group of friends fall in and out of love over the course of one intoxicating, music-filled summer night. With Justin Chatwin, Analeigh Tipton, Victoria Justice, Lana Condor, and Ellar Coltrane. OPENING NIGHT FILM.

Dessert Goals Fest pop up featuring summer themed treats and music trivia activity to proceed the screening.

TRACKS, directed by Jamie Patterson / written by Jamie Patterson, Chris Willoughby, April Pearson and Finn Bruce (UK) - A young couple try to save their failing relationship by interrailing around Europe together. Things don't quite go to plan and they find themselves in all sorts of awkward situations. With April Pearson, Skye Lourie and Chris Willoughby.

Dessert Goals Fest pop up to proceed the screening, along with a travel journal craft hosted by Makers Mess.

TWO IN THE BUSH, directed by Laura Madalinski / written by Kelly Haas and  Laura Madalinski (USA) - After losing her job, Emily arrives home early from work to find her girlfriend in the throes of passion with someone else. In an instant, her entire life is turned upside down. Moving in with her best friend, Emily lands a new gig working for a dominatrix, and promptly falls for her new boss, and her boss’s boyfriend. In this wise and witty look at the world of bisexuality, polyamory, and dungeons, filmmaker Laura Madalinski asks us to consider what risks are worth taking for love. With Sarah Mitchell, Travis Delgado and Caitlin Aase.

Short film GIRL FRIEND will play before the feature film.

Complimentary Chameleon Cold Brew Coffee to be served before the screening.

SHORT FILMS IN COMPETITION

Complimentary My Mochi Ice Cream to be served before the screening, along with craft activities hosted by Makers Mess. Q&A to follow screenings, with select filmmakers in attendance.

A JAMAIS, POUR TOUJOURS, written and directed by Louis St-Pierre (Canada) - Marianne and Maxime are meant for each other. They fit like pieces of a puzzle, understand and love one another, but...

ALMOST CHARMING, written and directed by Taylor Carnes (USA) - Inspired by the Pixar style, 'Almost Charming' is a modern-day fairytale told through pantomime and music. The story follows Beth, a young woman working as a children's party princess, on her journey to get the attention of her real-life prince charming.

ANXIETY’S WILMA, written and directed by Alexandra Kyle (USA) - A short romantic comedy about a young woman and her anxiety. With Martin Starr and Alexandra Kyle.

GIRL FRIEND, written and directed by Laura Holliday (USA) - A neurotic young woman attempts to be cool and go with the flow when she learns that the guy she is dating doesn't believe in monogamy.
*Plays before TWO IN THE BUSH

ON SECOND THOUGHT, written and directed by Nora Jobling (USA) - A New York couple looks back on their relationship from the day they met to the day they split. Seeing the same moments from both perspectives, On Second Thought ponders how love can beat the odds when love is 50/50 and hindsight is 20/20.

REKINDLED, directed by Erin Brown Thomas / written by Kelly Vrooman (USA) - After a string of failed relationships, successful career woman Kate gets the chance via a magical Groupon to rekindle romance with the love of her life -- her high school boyfriend. But as she soon discovers, the 40% discount is there for a reason…

THE CURSE, written and directed by Dave Berenato (USA) - While at a Halloween party preparing for the online hookup of a lifetime, things get a little weird after Kyle bumps into a witch in the bathroom.

THE NOODLE MAN, directed by Pati Valadez / written by Jan Epstein Schwaid (USA) - A struggling actor turned street food noodle cook lies about his career in an attempt to win over the girl next door.

SPECIAL EVENTS

MORTIFIED LIVE COMEDY SHOW
Enjoy this special love-fueled edition of the MORTIFIED live comedy show. Witness adults sharing the embarrassing things they wrote as kids, in front of total strangers. Awkward crushes, painful first kisses and more. Now in its 16th year, MORTIFIED produces stage shows in 20 cities worldwide, TV and film projects (Netflix, Sundance), books, as well as a podcast.

SCRIPTD LIVE TABLE READ
In partnership with Scriptd, a story platform and script database that connects screenwriters with fans and the industry to find/promote/actualize the next big script, The Rom Com Fest screenplay competition, which received over seventy submissions in 2019, will do a live read of the winning script. Cast to be announced.

WHOHAHA’S “DIRTY GIRL” LIVE PODCAST TAPING
In partnership with Elizabeth Bank’s company WhoHaha, a creative community and digital content studio that celebrates and elevates women in comedy, Rom Com Fest will be hosting a special live podcast taping of Dirty Girl. Dirty Girl is feminist, body & sex positive podcast and tells the stories of funny, brave women who like to get dirty. The one hour live podcast will feature women sharing stories of their love life that relate to rom coms.

OPENING NIGHT PARTY
Thursday, June 20th at Kim Sing Theater - the opening Night Party will feature Dessert Goals vendors, local food partners including authentic Street Pad Thai, Brooklinen bedding photo activations and a Bubbly Bar. The opening night party will be open to badge holders and industry.

CLOSING NIGHT PARTY
Sunday, June 23 at 9:30pm at The Ace Hotel Rooftop - the closing night party will be open to badge holders, industry, as well as the public.

DESSERTS (DESSERT GOALS POP UP)
The perfect pair to any rom com is a sweet treat. A selection of Dessert Goals vendors from NYC and LA will be available for sale throughout the festival including: Twisted, Two Chicks In The Mix, Stuffed Cookies, Jessie's Nutty Cups, Amborella Organics, Cake Bams, Squish Marshmallows & more.

LOBBY ACTIVITIES
Engage with activities in the theater lobby throughout the weekend before film screenings start. Activities will include love letter writing, crafts with Makers Mess & more. Connect with a community of other rom com lovers and pass on the importance of love. 

Firelight Media Documentary Lab Announces National Open Call for 2019

The Documentary Lab, An Incubator Program for Diverse Filmmakers, Marks Its 10th Anniversary in 2019

Firelight Media announced the 2019 Open Call for submissions to the 10th year of its Documentary Lab program. The Documentary Lab, launched by Firelight co-founder Stanley Nelson in 2009, is an 18-month fellowship supporting filmmakers of color with mentorship from prominent non-fiction leaders, film funding resources, professional development workshops and networking opportunities. The deadline for all submissions is June 17, 2019.

“A lot has changed since we first started the Documentary Lab ten years ago. Documentaries have become popular, the number of distribution platforms have doubled, and almost everyone agrees that we are experiencing the golden age of documentaries,” says Firelight Vice President and Documentary Lab Director Loira Limbal. “Yet, there are still structural barriers for filmmakers of color to enter into the field. Ten years later we remain steadfast in our belief in the importance of people of color being able to tell their own stories. The Documentary Lab Open Call is an exciting time for us at Firelight because it puts us in direct contact with hundreds of emerging filmmakers of color from all over the U.S. telling nuanced and complex stories informed by their own lived experiences.”

With this anniversary, Firelight’s Documentary Lab moves into its second decade of important work in amplifying underrepresented voices while celebrating key milestones of growth. Unrivaled in its representation of filmmakers of color, the Documentary Lab nurtures an inclusive network of talented unique storytellers to receive ongoing support from conception to completion. Considering the challenges for emerging diverse filmmakers Firelight Media also offers the Next Step Media Fund – a grant supporting fellows in the final phase of production with up to $25,000 towards necessary travel, shooting, editing, and more.

"For 18 months, Firelight offered project support with a level of intention and commitment that allowed me to mostly move calmly through the filmmaking process knowing that I had some of the best talents in the industry to turn to for advice, feedback, and resources when facing challenges great and small,” said Doc Lab alum Jackie Olive on her experience making her film Always in Season.

Previous notable fellows and films include Jason DaSilva’s When I Walk (2013) which won a Jury Award at Hot Docs and went on to win an Emmy Award in 2015; Malika Zouhali-Worrall’s Thank You for Playing (2015) which won two Emmys after receiving the Tribeca Jury Award for Best Documentary Feature; and Sabaah Folayan and Damon Davis’s Whose Streets (2017) which was nominated for Peabody, Gotham and Critics’ Choice Awards.

It’s already been a landmark year for Firelight Media’s Documentary Lab, starting with its presence at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival where two of its fellows world premiered films – Jeffrey Palmer’s Words from a Bear and Jackie Olive’s Always in Season which won the Special Jury Award for Moral Urgency. Stanley Nelson also debuted Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool there, his 10th feature to premiere at Sundance – a record for a documentarian. Most recently Doc Lab fellow Yu Gu premiered her documentary feature A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival.

Principal funding for the Documentary Lab has been provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with additional support from the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, the Wyncote Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the NY State Council on the Arts.

To find out more about the Documentary Lab application process and eligibility requirements please visit:

• http://www.firelightmedia.tv/doc-lab-open-call

Alia Shawkat Joins Lucid Dreams Productions, THE KEY | TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL 2019

The Key, a mysterious virtual reality journey from Lucid Dreams Productions’ director Celine Tricart and producer Gloria Bradbury today announced that they have tapped Alia Shawkat to narrate the experience. Shawkat, best known for her roles on Arrested Development and Search Party, will be the voice to carry audience members through the experience that presents the viewer with moments of intense choice to unlock the mystery of the key.

The Key will world premiere at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival as a juried selection in the Immersive Storyscapes category. The interactive virtual reality experience shares a journey through dreams, where Shawkat will guide viewers through four different environments as they face challenging moments prompting them to make difficult and dangerous decisions as they make their way to safety.

“We are thrilled to be working with Alia on “The Key”. With her high attention to detail, she brings the voice we needed to complete this project. Finding the exact quantity of information you need to communicate in a VR experience is tricky. Alia’s voice provides the emotion to balance out the intricate details I’m communicating with the script,” said director Celine Tricart.

“Alia’s background is a great fit for the project and we are impressed by the type of artist she is, well rounded and present. With VR, sound is an important part of the experience, and Alia will deliver the nuances we envision. As someone who strives to empower change for more social fairness and justice, it is clear that the theme of our story resonates with her. Celine and I believe in the beauty and strength of diversity and Alia represents all that.” said producer, Gloria Bradbury.

The Key invites its audience to pursue their own journey into darkness making their way to light. A room-scale interactive experience, The Key holds a special message that is not revealed until the end, when the twists and turns selected by the viewer uncover the past that necessitated making so many difficult and delicate decisions under pressure.

The Key is created and directed by Celine Tricart and produced by Gloria Bradbury, made in partnership with the Oculus VR for Good Creators Lab. The experience will world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in the Immersive Virtual Arcade with screening beginning Friday, April 26th through Saturday, May 4th. Tickets to experience The Key can be purchased on the festival website HERE.

ABOUT LUCID DREAMS PRODUCTIONS

Lucid Dreams Productions is a production company specializing in new technologies and the future of storytelling. Celine Tricart co-directed and produced Maria Bello’s “Sun Ladies” VR experience about the women Yazidi fighting ISIS in Iraq which world premiered at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival and screened at SXSW, HotDocs, Cannes NEXT, Beijing Film Festival and more. For the project, Tricart traveled through ISIS-held territory to meet the women soldiers at the border between Iraq and Syria and record their stories. “Sun Ladies” won Best VR Documentary at the World VR Forum and a Lumiere Award for Best 360 Film. In 2019, Tricart premieres “The Key”, her first room-scale interactive VR experience as part of the Storyscapes competition at the Tribeca Film Festival.

ABOUT OCULUS CREATORS LAB

Creators Lab from Oculus pairs rising filmmakers with nonprofits to use the power of VR to tell stories and help people around the world better understand each other. Through VR, we aim to bring greater awareness to challenges people face around the globe. Now it its third year, Creators Lab projects have debuted around the world with premieres at festivals such as Tribeca Film Festival, SXSW Film Festival, Sheffield Doc Fest, and Venice International Film Festival. Creators Lab is part of Oculus VR for Good, a broader initiative dedicated to harnessing the power of VR to drive positive social change.

DON MISCHER PRODUCTIONS AND DONE+DUSTED TO PRODUCE “71ST PRIMETIME EMMY® AWARDS” AIRING SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, LIVE ON FOX

Don Mischer Productions and Done+Dusted will co-produce the 71st PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS®, airing LIVE coast-to-coast from the Microsoft Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on Sunday, Sept. 22 (8:00-11:00 PM ET live/5:00-8:00 PM PT live) on FOX.

“This marks the first Emmy Awards for FOX Entertainment as a new company, and we are taking a fresh direction by bringing together the two best, most inventive and most disruptive production companies to join forces on the show,” said Rob Wade, President of Alternative Entertainment and Specials, FOX Entertainment.  “Don Mischer Productions and Done+Dusted both brought incredible ideas to the table, and we are lucky enough to have the two teams collaborate on this television event.”

Frank Scherma, Television Academy Chairman and CEO, added, “Television is in a period of unprecedented growth and has emerged as the world’s premier entertainment choice across a multitude of spectacular platforms. As a consequence, the Emmy telecast has tremendous significance and should reflect the innovation and inventiveness that television embodies. Don Mischer Productions and Done+Dusted are the resources to help fuel that transformation.”

“We love producing the Emmys and celebrating the best television of the year,” said Don Mischer, Charlie Haykel and Juliane Hare of Don Mischer Productions. “We’ve known Done+Dusted’s Hamish Hamilton and Ian Stewart for many years and have admired their work for quite some time. So, when our friends at FOX proposed this unconventional marriage, we also thought what better way for us to have the opportunity to learn and steal all of D+D’s masterful production secrets.”

“With the total respect felt by all of us at Done+Dusted for all the great people at Don Mischer Productions, this felt like the perfect opportunity to put partisan production aside and work together to see if we can find ways to develop a new-look Emmys on new-look FOX,” said Done+Dusted President Ian Stewart.  “Not to mention it gives us a chance to learn and steal all of Don and the team’s masterful production secrets.”

Nominations for the 71st PRIMETIME EMMY AWARDS will be announced the morning of Tuesday, July 16.

For more information and updates on the 71st EMMY AWARDS, go to TelevisionAcademy.com/Emmys and follow @TelevisionAcad on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr and Snapchat.  

About Don Mischer Productions

Don Mischer Productions (DMP) is an internationally acclaimed production company for television and live events. Led by Don Mischer, Charlie Haykel and Juliane Hare, DMP has consistently produced programs that share the best of the human experience, whether it be the work of our most acclaimed artists or the celebration of our greatest international events. DMP is always at the forefront of their craft, with an eye to innovate and advance the art form. 

Some of their marquee productions include the Academy Awards; Super Bowl halftime shows (Prince, The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney and Bruce Springsteen, among others); We Are One: The Obama Inaugural Celebration at the Lincoln Memorial; The Emmy Awards; The Billboard Music Awards;  and the Opening Ceremonies of both the Winter and Summer Olympic Games.  Other productions include Seth Rogen’s Hilarity For Charity; Rock The Troops with Dwayne Johnson; and the Breakthrough Prize.

About Done+Dusted

Done+Dusted has devised and produced broadcast content, events and experiences, in every corner of the globe. Based in LA and London, D+D has built a global reputation for producing spectacular experiences on behalf of nations, broadcasters, brands, artists, gamers, leaders and educators.  

D+D’s credits include the Emmys, the London Olympics and Paralympics Opening and Closing Ceremonies, the UAE National Day Celebrations, the British Fashion Awards, the BAFTA Television Awards and the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. Along the way, they have collaborated with many of the most successful artists on the planet in film, television, music and sport. 

On April 1, 2019, D+D turned 21 – if you need them, they have gone to the pub because they are finally old enough to drink. 

About the Television Academy

The Television Academy seeks to expand the horizons of television excellence. Through the programs, publications and events of the Academy and its Foundation, it strives to empower storytellers who shape the evolving television space. And it celebrates those who have excelled by recognizing their achievements through accolades and awards, including television's most coveted prize, the Emmy Award. For more information, please visit TelevisionAcademy.com.

About FOX Entertainment

FOX Entertainment, a unit of the newly formed FOX Corporation, is home to some of the highest-rated and most acclaimed series on television, including the season’s #1 new show, THE MASKED SINGER, and 9-1-1, EMPIRE, LAST MAN STANDING, THE ORVILLE, THE RESIDENT, THE PASSAGE, LETHAL WEAPON, GOTHAM, STAR, THE GIFTED, THE COOL KIDS, REL, PROVEN INNOCENT, THE SIMPSONS, FAMILY GUY, BOB’S BURGERS, HELL’S KITCHEN, MASTERCHEF, MASTERCHEF JUNIOR, BEAT SHAZAM, SO YOU THINK YOU CAN DANCE, GORDON RAMSAY’S 24 HOURS TO HELL AND BACK and MENTAL SAMURAI; as well as upcoming series PARADISE HOTEL, SPIN THE WHEEL and 90210. FOX airs 15 hours of primetime programming a week, as well as major sports events. Through the FOX NOW app, FOX viewers can watch full episodes of their favorite FOX shows on a variety of digital platforms, while enjoying enhanced interactive and social capabilities around those shows. Download the FOX NOW app at www.fox.com/foxnow.  To watch primetime programming live on the web, visit www.fox.com/live. “Like” FOX on Facebook at www.facebook.com/FOXTV and follow the network on Twitter @FOXTV. For additional information about FOX, please visit www.fox.com.

Firelight Media Documentary Lab Announces Groundwork Initiative in Puerto Rico April 12-14, 2019

2019 Marks the 10th Anniversary of Firelight’s Doc Lab - An Incubator for Diverse Filmmakers

Firelight Media has announced program details for its Documentary Lab’s Groundwork initiative in San Juan, Puerto Rico taking place April 12-14, 2019. The Doc Lab, launched by Firelight co-founders Stanley Nelson and Marcia Smith in 2009, is an 18-month fellowship that supports filmmakers of color with mentorship from prominent leaders in the industry, film funding, professional development workshops and networking opportunities. The Groundwork Day Lab, which launched in 2017, is a regional lab initiative that supports diverse, early career documentary filmmakers living and working in underrepresented regions of the U.S. Co-produced with local partners, Groundwork is designed to connect budding local filmmakers with industry leaders and to help position budding local filmmakers with bigger opportunities at a national scale.

Groundwork Puerto Rico will be co-produced with AdocPR (Association of Puerto Rican Documentary Filmmakers) and Sistema TV-WMTJ (a PBS member station located in San Juan). The weekend’s program will begin on Friday with a public screening of The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution at the Ana G. Méndez University Theatre, followed by a Q&A with director and executive producer Stanley Nelson, moderated by Dr. Marta Moreno Vega, Founder of The Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute. The weekend will also include workshops, work-in-progress screenings and feedback sessions for the nominated local filmmakers, which will be led in Spanish by Firelight Vice President and Doc Lab Director, Loira Limbal.

“We are thrilled to partner with AdocPR and Sistema TV to support filmmakers living and creating in Puerto Rico during such a critical time,” said Loira Limbal, Firelight’s Vice President and Documentary Lab Director. “Puerto Rico is facing unprecedented challenges due to the economic crisis and Hurricane Maria and these filmmakers are essential to the recovery process.”

It’s already been a landmark year for Firelight Media, starting with its presence at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival where Stanley Nelson premiered Miles Davis: Birth of the Cool, his 10th feature to premiere at the fest (a record for a documentarian), along with two Doc Lab fellows’ film premieres – Jeffrey Palmer’s Words from a Bear and Jackie Olive’s Always in Season which won the Special Jury Award for Moral Urgency (US Documentary). Miles Davis will continue to screen at film festivals throughout the spring and Nelson’s next film BOSS: The Black Experience in Business airs April 23 on PBS. 

This year also marks the 10th Anniversary of Firelight’s Documentary Lab and since its inception over 70 filmmakers have gone through the program and more than $650,000 in grants has been spent on 40 documentary projects. More than just a workshop, the Documentary Lab is unrivaled in its representation of diverse filmmakers, creating an exclusive network of talented unique storytellers that receive ongoing support from a project’s conception to its completion.

In all, high profile accolades for past Doc Lab films include over 30 broadcast/distribution deals with POV, Independent Lens, WORLD, OWN, Netflix, and Discovery ID; one Peabody award and several nominations, four Emmy wins and several nominations, and 13 world premieres at Sundance or Tribeca Film Festivals. Documentary Lab alumni include: Dawn Porter (Spies of Mississippi), Deborah Esquenazi (Southwest of Salem: The Story of the San Antonio Four), and Lyric Cabral ((T)error). Recent Doc Lab fellow Yu Gu will premiere her documentary feature A Woman’s Work: The NFL’s Cheerleader Problem later this month at the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival.

Principal funding for the Documentary Lab has been provided by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting with additional support from the MacArthur Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the Open Society Foundations, the Wyncote Foundation, the Nathan Cummings Foundation, and the NY State Council on the Arts.

To find out more about Firelight’s Documentary Lab and Groundwork Initiative please visit: http://www.firelightmedia.tv/documentary-lab.

ABOUT FIRELIGHT MEDIA

Firelight Media was born in 2000 to address the deficit of films made by and about diverse communities, particularly people of color. Founded and led by MacArthur “genius” Fellow Stanley Nelson and award-winning writer and philanthropy executive Marcia Smith in Harlem, NY, the organization has gone on to produce over 25 hours of primetime programming for public television, receive every major broadcast award, and have its first theatrical release (The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution).

Through its Documentary Lab and Impact Producer Fellowship, Firelight is dedicated to developing talented documentary filmmakers that advance underrepresented stories, moving them from the margins to the forefront of mainstream media through high quality, powerful productions.

TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL(R) TO CLOSE WITH WORLD PREMIERE OF DANNY BOYLE’S YESTERDAY

GALAS TO INCLUDE SPECIAL SCREENINGS HONORING THE 40th ANNIVERSARY OF APOCALYPSE NOW AND THE 30 YEARS SINCE SAY ANYTHING… BECAME A CULT CLASSIC

Galas Include World Premiere of ‘Between Me and My Mind’ featuring

Phish’s Trey Anastasio with special music performance 

Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival World Premiere of ‘The Good, The Bad, The Hungry’

The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, announced today that Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle’s Yesterday, from Universal Pictures and Working Title, will world premiere as the closing night selection of the Festival’s 18th edition. Tribeca also announced this year’s Gala Anniversaries, including a never-before-seen restored version of Francis Ford Coppola’s cinematic masterpiece, Apocalypse Now, and the 30th anniversary and cast reunion of the iconic ‘80s coming-of-age film Say Anything… There will be additional Galas with the world premiere of Between Me and My Mind about Phish lead singer Trey Anastasio, followed by a special musical performance by the Trey Anastasio Band at the Beacon Theatre, as well as Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival opener The Good, The Bad, The Hungry. Tickets for events at the Beacon Theatre go on sale March 19 at 11:00AM ET; Single tickets for all other Festival events go on sale March 26 at 11:00AM ET. The Tribeca Film Festival takes place from April 24 - May 5, 2019.

The previously announced 25th anniversary of Reality Bites will now bring together director Ben Stiller, writer Helen Childress, with cast including Ethan Hawke, Winona Ryder, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, and more surprise guests from the film. These film anniversaries and reunions are completed by the 35th anniversary of This Is Spinal Tap. In addition, Tribeca will give audiences a chance to see Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977) on the big screen with a free family event on ‘Star Wars Day’ - May the 4th Be with You.

This year’s Closing Night film will continue Tribeca’s tradition of showcasing great storytelling with acclaimed director Danny Boyle’s highly anticipated film, Yesterday. The rock-n-roll comedy, with a screenplay by Oscar-nominated screenwriter Richard Curtis, follows Jack Malik (Himesh Patel, BBC’s Eastenders), a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie (Lily James, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again). Then, after a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed … and he finds himself with a very complicated problem, indeed. The film stars Himesh Patel, Lily James, Kate McKinnon, and Ed Sheeran.

“This isn’t a time travel movie but it feels like introducing the Beatles music to America for the first time-again,” Danny Boyle says. “Absolutely delighted that our film has been chosen to be the closing film of the Tribeca Film Festival. A great honor in a great city.”

Tribeca will celebrate the 40th anniversary of Francis Ford Coppola’s renowned film Apocalypse Now as a Gala presentation at the Beacon Theatre. For the first time ever, audiences will see Apocalypse Now: Final Cut, remastered in 4K Ultra HD with Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos® from a 4K scan of the original negative.

“Restoring Apocalypse Now: Final Cut forty years later has been a tremendous undertaking and joy that I am thrilled to be able to share with the world for the first time at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival. The audience will be able to see, hear and feel this film how I always hoped it could be—from the first ‘bang’ to the final whimper,” said Francis Ford Coppola.

Director Cameron Crowe and executive producer James L. Brooks and the Say Anything… cast will be on hand to discuss the film - and that iconic boombox scene - following a special screening marking its 30th anniversary.

Cameron Crowe said, “Can’t believe it’s been 30 years since we made Say Anything…The movie grew out of many inspiring conversations with James L. Brooks, and a quest to bring a new kind of romantic couple to the screen. Out of those many afternoons came the script, the opportunity to direct my own screenplay, and the great adventure of working with these wonderful actors, among them John Mahoney, Lili Taylor, Joan and John Cusack, and Ione Skye. And, of course, Eric Stoltz as The Rooster. We also had the gift of Peter Gabriel allowing us to use his extremely personal song, “In Your Eyes.” No other song ever worked coming out of that boombox. Big thanks to Paula Weinstein and the Tribeca Film Festival for bringing us together for this Anniversary Screening, and a chance to watch the movie again on the big screen with old friends and a brand-new audience.”

“This year, we are bringing some of the most iconic storytellers of our time back to the ‘big screen’ for our audiences by creating events and reunions for beloved films,” said Tribeca EVP Paula Weinstein.

Tickets go on sale Tuesday, March 19 at 11:00 AM ET for the events at the Beacon Theatre: Apocalypse Now: Final Cut, This is Spinal Tap, Between Me and My Mind.

Tickets for Reality Bites, Say Anything..., and The Good, The Bad, The Hungry go on sale Tuesday, March 26 at 11:00 AM ET.

The film selections for Closing Night, Galas, Anniversary selections and the Tribeca/ESPN Sports Film Festival Gala are as follows:

CLOSING NIGHT

Yesterday, directed by Danny Boyle, screenplay by Richard Curtis, story by Jack Barth and Richard Curtis, produced by Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Bernie Bellew, Matthew James Wilkinson, Richard Curtis, Danny Boyle. (UK) - World Premiere.

Yesterday, everyone knew The Beatles. Today, only Jack remembers their songs. He’s about to become a very big deal. From Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire, Trainspotting, 28 Days Later) and Richard Curtis, the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually and Notting Hill, comes a rock-n-roll comedy about music, dreams, friendship, and the long and winding road that leads to the love of your life.

Jack Malik (Himesh Patel, BBC’s Eastenders) is a struggling singer-songwriter in a tiny English seaside town whose dreams of fame are rapidly fading, despite the fierce devotion and support of his childhood best friend, Ellie (Lily James, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again). Then, after a freak bus accident during a mysterious global blackout, Jack wakes up to discover that The Beatles have never existed … and he finds himself with a very complicated problem, indeed.

Performing songs by the greatest band in history to a world that has never heard them, and with a little help from his steel-hearted American agent, Debra (Emmy winner Kate McKinnon), Jack’s fame explodes. But as his star rises, he risks losing Ellie — the one person who always believed in him. With the door between his old life and his new closing, Jack will need to get back to where he once belonged and prove that all you need is love. A Universal Pictures release.

DATE:  Saturday, May 4

TIME:  6:00 PM

LOCATION:  BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center

GALA

Between Me and My Mind, directed by Steven Cantor. Produced by Jamie Schutz. (USA) - World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Driven by a constant need to create, Phish frontman Trey Anastasio takes on new projects, including some of his most personal music to date as well as Phish’s ambitious New Year’s Eve show at Madison Square Garden

●        After the Premiere Screening: a special performance by Trey Anastasio Band

DATE: Friday, April 26

TIME: 8:00 PM

LOCATION:  Beacon Theatre

ANNIVERSARIES

Apocalypse Now - 40th Anniversary & Restoration

Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now will celebrate its 40th Anniversary at the Festival with a screening of a new, never-before-seen restored version of the film, entitled Apocalypse Now: Final Cut. Remastered from the original negative in 4K Ultra HD, the film will be brought to life with Dolby Vision® and Dolby Atmos®, delivering spectacular colors and highlights that are up to 40 times brighter and blacks that are 10 times darker, and Dolby Atmos, producing moving audio that flows all around you with breathtaking realism. The Beacon Theatre will also be outfitted for this exclusive occasion with Meyer VLFC (Very Low Frequency Control), a ground-breaking loudspeaker system engineered to output audio frequencies below the limits of human hearing, giving the audience a truly visceral experience.

Nominated for eight Academy Awards®, Francis Ford Coppola’s stunning vision of the heart of darkness in all of us remains a classic and compelling Vietnam War epic. Martin Sheen stars as Army Captain Willard, a troubled man sent on a dangerous and mesmerizing odyssey into Cambodia to assassinate a renegade American Colonel named Kurtz (Marlon Brando), who has succumbed to the horrors of war and barricaded himself in a remote outpost. [Released August 15, 1979]

●       After the Screening: An evening with Francis Ford Coppola who will reflect on the film and discuss its elaborate restoration.

DATE:  Sunday, April 28

TIME:  5:00 PM

LOCATION: Beacon Theatre

Say Anything... - 30th Anniversary

Thirty years ago, Cameron Crowe shifted the landscape of romantic comedies with his remarkable and deeply felt debut that chronicled, with tender and warm-hearted authenticity, a vivid tale of first love. Charting the blooming romance between recent high-school graduates Lloyd (John Cusack) and Diane (Ione Sky), Crowe gave audiences one of cinema’s most indelible and enduring romantic movie moments: a lovesick boy, standing outside a girl’s window, asking her to love him with the help of Peter Gabriel and a boombox. Three decades later, Say Anything... continues to give off the affectionate, enveloping glow of first love. [Released April 1, 1989]

●       After the Screening: A conversation with director Cameron Crowe, executive producer James L. Brooks, and cast members John Cusack and Ione Skye.

DATE:  Tuesday, April 30

TIME: 8:00 PM

LOCATION:  BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center

Reality Bites - 25th Anniversary 

Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke star in Ben Stiller’s 1994 feature film directorial debut, the iconic comedy-drama that defined a generation of independent moviegoing-and-moviegoers with its achingly-relatable portrait of early 90’s disaffected youth struggling to live and love amid the brutal reality of (almost) adulthood.

In the film, written by Helen Childress, Lelaina Pierce (Ryder) navigates her post-college disillusionment by turning the camera on her friends: the free-spirited Vickie (Janeane Garofalo); Sammy (Steve Zahn), struggling to come out to his conservative parents; and the passionate but direction-less Troy (Hawke), with whom Lelaina is romantically-entwined until video executive Michael (Stiller, who co-stars) arrives with the promise of both budding romance and the chance for Lelaina to cash in on her dreams—but at what expense?

Reality Bites may have been for and about Generation X, but has proven itself a timeless, decades-spanning classic. [Released February 18, 1994]

●       After the Screening: A conversation reuniting director Ben Stiller, writer Helen Childress, actors Ethan Hawke, Winona Ryder, Janeane Garofalo, Steve Zahn, producer Michael Shamberg, and executive producer Stacey Sher.

DATE:  Saturday, May 4

TIME:  2:00 PM

LOCATION:  BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center

This Is Spinal Tap - 35th Anniversary

Spinal Tap is the loudest band in England and they’re making a comeback with a North American tour promoting their new album “Smell the Glove.” Marty DiBergi (Rob Reiner) sets out to make a documentary of the legendary rock band’s exploits on the road, featuring front men Nigel Tufnel (Christopher Guest) and David St. Hubbins (Michael McKean) and bassist Derek Smalls (Harry Shearer), bearing witness to the highs and lows of what makes a musician into a rock star. [Released March 2, 1984]

●       After the Screening: This Is Spinal Tap stars and creators Christopher Guest, Michael McKean, Harry Shearer, and Rob Reiner, will pay tribute to the band with a special musical performance and a conversation to follow.

DATE:  Saturday, April 27

TIME:  8:00 PM

LOCATION:  Beacon Theatre 

13TH ANNUAL TRIBECA/ESPN SPORTS FILM FESTIVAL GALA

The Good, The Bad, The Hungry, directed by Nicole Lucas Haimes. (USA) - World Premiere, Feature Documentary. Fortitude. Honor. Tradition. Two rivals address the years of animosity that defined their careers and their shared dream of achieving greatness on the world’s biggest stage: the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest. An ESPN Films release.

DATE:  Friday, April 26

TIME: 6:00 PM

LOCATION: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center 

STAR WARS TRIBECA FAMILY DAY

Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

Nineteen years after the formation of the Empire, Luke Skywalker is thrust into the struggle of the Rebel Alliance when he meets Obi-Wan Kenobi, who has lived for years in seclusion on the desert planet of Tatooine. Obi-Wan begins Luke's Jedi training as Luke joins him on a daring mission to rescue the beautiful Rebel leader Princess Leia from the clutches of the evil Empire. Although Obi-Wan sacrifices himself in a lightsaber duel with Darth Vader, his former apprentice, Luke proves that the Force is with him by destroying the Empire's dreaded Death Star.

This is a first-come-first-serve free family event. Costumes are welcomed. May the 4th be with you.

DATE:  Saturday, May 4

TIME:  10:00 AM

LOCATION: BMCC Tribeca Performing Arts Center 

Passes and Tickets for the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival

Advance selection ticket packages are now on sale. All packages can be purchased online at tribecafilm.com/festival/tickets, or by telephone at (646) 502-5296 or toll-free at (866) 941-FEST (3378).

Also available for purchase now is The Hudson Pass, an all-access pass to screenings and talks taking place at BMCC, Regal Battery Park Stadium, Village East Cinema, and SVA theaters as well as full access to all events at the Festival Hub at Spring Studios, which includes VR and Immersive projects, Movies Plus screenings and access to festival lounges.

Single tickets cost $24.00 for evening and weekend screenings, $12.00 for weekday matinee screenings, $30.00 for Tribeca TV and Movies Plus $40.00 for Tribeca Talks panels and $40.00 for Tribeca Immersive. Single ticket sales begin Tuesday, March 26 and can be purchased online through our film guide or through the call center.

Tickets for events at The Beacon Theatre are available for purchase online starting March 19.

Packages and passes are now available for purchase on the 2019 Tribeca Film Festival App, on:

●       iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tribeca-festival/id1208189515?mt=8

●       Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tff2017.android 

About the Tribeca Film Festival:

The Tribeca Film Festival, presented by AT&T, brings visionaries and diverse audiences together to celebrate storytelling in all its forms, including film, TV, VR, gaming, music, and online work. With strong roots in independent film, Tribeca is a platform for creative expression and immersive entertainment. The Festival champions emerging and established voices; discovers award-winning filmmakers and creators; curates innovative experiences; and introduces new technology and ideas through premieres, exhibitions, talks, and live performances.

The Festival was founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001 to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of lower Manhattan following the attacks on the World Trade Center. Now in its 18th year, the Festival has evolved into a destination for creativity that reimagines the cinematic experience and explores how art can unite communities. The 18th annual edition will take place April 24 - May 5, 2019. www.tribecafilm.com/festival

Hashtag: #Tribeca2019
Twitter: @Tribeca
Instagram: @tribeca
Facebook: facebook.com/Tribeca

About 2019 Tribeca Film Festival Partners:

As Presenting Sponsor of the Tribeca Film Festival, AT&T is committed to supporting the Festival and the art of filmmaking through access and innovation, while expanding opportunities to diverse creators around the globe. AT&T helps millions connect to their passions – no matter where they are. This year, AT&T and Tribeca will once again collaborate to give the world access to stories from underrepresented filmmakers that deserve to be seen. “AT&T Presents Untold Stories” is an inclusive film program in collaboration with Tribeca - a multi-year, multi-tier alliance between AT&T and Tribeca along with the year-round nonprofit Tribeca Film Institute.

The Tribeca Film Festival is pleased to announce its 2019 Partners: 23andMe, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Bai Beverages, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), BVLGARI, CHANEL, Diageo, ESPN, IMDb, Kia, Merck, Montefiore, National CineMedia (NCM), Nespresso, New York Magazine, NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Prime Video Direct, P&G, PwC, Spring Studios New York, Squarespace, and Status Sparkling Wine.

ANIMATED FEATURE FILM, PIERRE THE PIGEON-HAWK TAKES FLIGHT

Star studded cast includes Nick Cannon, Jennifer Coolidge, Kenan Thompson, E.G. Daily and Whoopi Goldberg

LOS ANGELES (March 12, 2019) – Exodus Film Group announced today they will partner with Nick Cannon and his Ncredible Entertainment banner to produce a full-length animated feature, Pierre The Pigeon-Hawk.  Exodus’ John D. Eraklis is set to direct. Nick Cannon (“Wild ‘n Out”, “The Masked Singer”) will voice the lead character, oversee the music and produce under his Ncredible Entertainment banner with Michael Goldman serving as Executive Producer.  Academy Award Winner Whoopi Goldberg (Ghost, Sister Act, The Lion King) will voice Nick’s mother in the film while Jennifer Coolidge (Best in Show, Legally Blonde) will voice his aunt.  Kenan Thompson (“SNL”, The Grinch) voices Sniff- A hilarious, street-savvy, smooth talking city squirrel and E.G. Daily (“The Rugrats”, The Emoji Movie) is also featured.  The film is being produced and financed by Ciaran Crampton and Chase Muratore of NYC based, Sugar Water Entertainment.  Exodus will provide production services and handling sales. 

Set in NYC, Pierre The Pigeon-Hawk is a musically driven animated comedy that promotes diversity, inclusion, and community.  Born as a product of forbidden love between a hawk and a pigeon…Pierre is rejected by both the pigeon and hawk communities.  Dejected and confused, Pierre sets out on a mission to find out where he belongs.  During his adventure, he unites with a band of unlikely friends including a bear that has recently escaped from the Central Park Zoo, an owl whose genius is outweighed only by his madness, and a pair of rag tag, pop-cultured city squirrels with attitude.  Amidst a journey of self-discovery, Pierre finds the courage to inspire animals from all backgrounds to change their ways and open their minds to a new way of thinking.  It will take a hybrid bird to unite a hybrid world.

Cannon said, “It’s always such a pleasure working with friends and combining forces with industry veterans to create fun content for all ages.”

Sugar Water Entertainment’s Ciaran Crampton said, “We couldn’t be more excited to be working with John and Nick and their seasoned teams at Exodus and Ncredible to bring this comedic, powerful and timely tale to life. This film will use music, laughter and terrific visual images to create thought provoking emotions that will be shared by audiences young and old.”

Cannon currently hosts and executive produces Fox’s record-breaking series “The Masked Singer,” and made regular appearances on hit comedies including “30 Rock,” “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” “Chappelle’s Show,” as well as hosting eight seasons of NBC’s “America’s Got Talent.” Film credits include Spile Lee’s Chi-Raq, Drumline, Bobby,and Men in Black II, among others.

Cannon is represented by CAA, Michael Goldman and Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcanowill. Goldberg is repped by WME; Coolidge is repped by UTA; Thompson is repped by UTA, Michael Goldman and Del, Shaw, Moonves, Tanaka, Finkelstein & Lezcano and Daily is repped by Innovative Artists.

Exodus Film Group is a boutique production company based in Venice Beach, California. Exodus develops and produces a wide range of projects in both animation and live-action for all media. Exodus’ past productions include the animated features, "Igor", "The Hero of Color City", and "Bunyan & Babe”.

Founded by Nick Cannon in 2009, Ncredible Entertainment has quickly become a powerhouse brand in the entertainment industry. Ncredible Entertainment continues to demonstrate the kind of intuitive feel for cross-promoted multimedia initiatives that thrives in today’s 2.0 creative environment. Under this banner, he produces numerous TV and film projects, including Nickelodeon’s Make It Pop, TeenNick Top 10, and React To That. The rapid growth of Ncredible Entertainment has established projects in TV, Film, Music, along with Products & Services and a growing Management division. 

SR Socially Relevant™ Film Festival NY 2019 Opens Friday 3/15 with 'The Merger' US Premiere

This is the SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York sixth edition official trailer - 60 second version - for the festival that takes place March 15-21, 2019.

• The Merger, Cinema Australia 2018 Audience Award winner, has US Premiere at SRFF
• Refugee-focused opening night program also includes It Will Be Chaos Doc

[NEW YORK, NY] SR Socially Relevant Film Festival 2019(SRFF 2019) marks its Sixth Edition opening night with Mark Grentell's critically acclaimed feature film, The Merger. The Australian production follows a struggling football club that recruits local refugees, finding new players and new purpose. The Merger, a US premiere, shows at Cinema Village on March 15, 2019, at 7:00 pm. Tickets via Eventcombo.

The film, adapted from Damian Callinan's solo stage production, is the winner of the Cinema Australia 2018 Audience Award. The uplifting comedy tells a story of a small town that is waging an ideological battle over inclusiveness versus xenophobia. As bonds are formed and memories are made with the new members, the quirky club shows the town how much good can come from helping others. Watch the trailer here.

Also showing on opening night is the NY premiere of Lorena Luciano and Filippo Piscopo's documentary, It Will Be Chaos, with a following Q&A. In the film we are introduced to the Eritrean refugee, Aregai, as he guides us through Italy's faltering immigration system. After the evening's screenings, SRFF 2019 will host an after party at Le Midi Bar & Restaurant, a limited number of tickets are available here.

SR Socially Relevant™ Film Festival NY 's 6th edition is scheduled to run March 15-21, 2019, at Cinema Village and neighboring venues. Watch the festival trailer here (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n29IoJOXZsg).

Highlights of SRFF 2019 include a documentary feature film on 2018 Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege, called The Man Who Mends Women directed by Thierry Michel, followed by a panel on Women and Children in Conflict Zones, presided over by UN UnderSecretary General special representative for Sexual Violence, Pramila Patten, and with the participation of other distinguished panelists CSW chair Susan O'Malley, The Children of Panzi director Cathleen de Kerchove and more. The film screening is preceded by a reception.
The narrative film slate offers six titles, the documentary feature slate has 14 films, and there are 32 shorts that complete the balance of 52 highly select films on offer. Industry workshops, panels and networking opportunities, not to forget parties and happy hours, make SRFF 2019 another unforgettable year.

Visit www.ratedsrfilms.org for schedule, synopses, bios, and sponsors.

ABOUT SR SOCIALLY RELEVANT FILM FESTIVAL NY
SR Socially Relevant ™ Film Festival New York is a 501(c) 3 non-profit film festival founded by actress Nora Armani. The Mission of the SR Film Festival is to shine the spotlight on filmmakers who tell compelling, socially relevant™, human interest stories dealing with social issues. SR™ believes in the power of cinema in raising awareness and promoting positive social change. Submissions re-open May 2019.
The mission of SRFF is the promotion of films and filmmakers that deal with socially relevant film content. In its first five years, the festival has successfully served as a platform for 287 films from 35 countries, has offered industry panels covering such topics as distribution, storytelling, diversity casting, funding, marketing, low budget filmmaking, filming in New York, and scriptwriting, and has presented over 40 awards to deserving talented filmmakers from all over the world and has helped them reach larger audiences year after year. SRFF believes that positive social change can happen through the impact of Socially Relevant™ films on people.

HE BETTER ANGELS SOCIETY, THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS AND THE CRIMSON LION/LAVINE FAMILY FOUNDATION ANNOUNCE THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS LAVINE/KEN BURNS PRIZE FOR FILM

Annual Award to Recognize Exemplary Accomplishment in Historical Documentaries Next Generation Angels Prize for Young Filmmakers to be Presented in Partnership with National History Day

The Better Angels Society, the Library of Congress, and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation today announced the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, an annual award to recognize exemplary accomplishment in historical documentaries.

The award, which will be presented each fall at a gala at the Library of Congress, will recognize a filmmaker whose documentary uses original research and compelling narrative to tell stories that touch on some aspect of American history.  More information about the award and requirements for submission can be found at: www.thebetterangelssociety.org.  The winner will receive a $200,000 finishing grant to help with the final production of the film. The submission deadline for the inaugural prize is June 1.

“I’ve been very fortunate to spend my career focused on our country’s history,” said Ken Burns.  “While each film is different, they all ask the same question about who we are as a people.  History is of course fraught with complexity and is often divisive. But somehow by confronting this history together, and the many stories that make it up, we become closer.  I’m honored and humbled to join the Library of Congress, The Better Angels andJeannie and Jonathan Lavine and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation to help other filmmakers working in this space share their stories.  By supporting their work, and diverse stories and voices, I’m hopeful we can engage new generations of Americans in understanding our past.” 

“Documentary film is one of the most engaging media for bringing our nation’s history to life,” said Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress. “As Ken has demonstrated prolifically and beautifully through his work over the years, piecing together historic photographs, manuscripts, music, oral histories and other primary source materials into a narrative moving image can capture our hearts and minds like nothing else. The Library is a treasure trove of these materials, and I hope this new prize elevates awareness of the Library as an inspirational national resource among documentary filmmakers of the present and the future. We are honored to join The Better Angels, Ken and the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation to launch this award.”

“We believe an understanding of history is critical to a healthy and functioning democracy,” noted Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine.  “We are exceptionally proud of the support we have provided Ken and his team.  We are equally excited about building on this work and creating a new program in partnership with our colleagues at The Better Angels Society and the Library of Congress. This prize will recognize other filmmakers working in this space and the stories that they can share with the millions of Americans who have learned about America’s past from the extraordinary work of Ken Burns.”  Jeannie Lavine works on several national boards, including The Better Angels Society’s Board of Directors. Jonathan Lavine is the Co-Managing Partner of Bain Capital and a Co-Chair of the Trustees of Columbia University. 

Interested filmmakers are invited to apply for the award through the website at:

www.thebetterangelssociety.org.

To be eligible for the award, films must meet the following criteria:

1. The project must be a late stage documentary film with a running time of 60 minutes or more.

2. The subject matter of the film must be American history.

3. The applicant must have previously produced or directed at least one long-form documentary for broadcast or online distribution.

4. The applicant must submit 20 minutes of a rough or fine cut AND a script of a full-length rough or fine cut at time of submission of application. (Note: Upon request, applicant will need to be able to provide a full-length rough or fine cut for review.)

5. Industrial, promotional, branded content or instructional films are not eligible.

In addition to the Library of Congress Lavine/Ken Burns Prize for Film, The Better Angels will partner with National History Day, to award the Next Generation Angels Awards recognizing six individual documentary filmmakers in the junior and senior divisions.  These include an award named in memory of Anne Harrington, a colleague who handled outreach and education for Burns’s films who passed away in 2018.  Finalists will be recognized at the National History Day National Contest held each June at the University of Maryland, College Park, and will return for special programming to honor them and showcase their work in the fall. Winners will be invited to attend the Library of Congress award gala in Washington, D.C. as well.  More information about the award is also available at: www.thebetterangelssociety.org

About Ken Burns

Ken Burns has been making documentary films for over forty years.  Since the Academy Award nominated Brooklyn Bridge in 1981, Ken has gone on to direct and produce some of the most acclaimed historical documentaries ever made, including The Civil War; Baseball; Jazz; The Statue of Liberty; Huey Long; Lewis & Clark: The Journey of the Corps of Discovery; Frank Lloyd Wright; Mark Twain; Unforgivable Blackness:  The Rise and Fall of Jack Johnson; The War; The National Parks:  America’s Best Idea; The Roosevelts:  An Intimate History; Jackie Robinson; Defying the Nazis:  The Sharps’ War; The Vietnam War, and, most recently, The Mayo Clinic:  Faith - Hope - Science.  Ken’s films have been honored with dozens of major awards, including sixteen Emmy Awards, two Grammy Awards and two Oscar nominations; and in September of 2008, at the News & Documentary Emmy Awards, Ken was honored by the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences with a Lifetime Achievement Award.

About The Better Angels Society

The Better Angels Society is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating Americans about their history through documentary film. Their mission is to educate, engage and provoke thoughtful discussion among people of every political persuasion and ideology. They work to ensure historically significant films are completed, broadcast, promoted, and shared in ways that reach and inform as many people as possible through robust educational and civic outreach. The Society is currently raising funds for films in production and planned over the next ten years.

The Better Angels Society is also working to ensure that the next generation of documentary filmmakers, inspired by Ken Burns and his team, receive the education, mentoring, training, and support they need to continue his legacy.

About The Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation

Jeannie and Jonathan Lavine established the Crimson Lion/Lavine Family Foundation to focus a significant portion of their philanthropic efforts toward leveling the playing field for individuals and families. The Foundation works to address pressing social challenges in the areas of education, community and public service, health and welfare, discrimination and poverty. The Foundation supports the multi-disciplinary efforts of organizations that serve to strengthen society through research, innovation, public policy, direct service and advocacy.

About the Library of Congress

The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States—and extensive materials from around the world—both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office.  Explore collections, reference services and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov, access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.