HELIOS FILM FESTIVAL JOINS FORCES WITH TENTSQUARE FOR FEMALE FILMMAKER CHALLENGE

The Helios Film Festival and TentSquare announced the launch of a “Female Filmmaker Challenge” as part of the film festival’s inaugural edition on October 9-11, 2015. Taking place in Cincinnati, the first year film festival celebrating independent filmmaking with an emphasis on shining a light on local film production, announced it’s first Call For Entries last month.

The "Female Filmmaker Challenge" will be open to female writers, directors, cinematographers and producers to submit a short film up to 15 minutes for a chance to win cash prizes, VIP badges to the 2015 Helios Film Festival and receive a spot on the "Women in Film" panel at the festival. The winner of the website’s contest will receive $500, 2 VIP filmmaker badges, and a spot on a “Women in Film” panel that will take place during the film festival. Choosing the winner of that contest will be actress/filmmaker Pollyanna McIntosh (LET US PREY, THE WOMAN), producer Kerry Fulton (JUSTIN AND THE KNIGHTS OF VALOR, ANA Y YO), and director/producer Sylvia Caminer (AN AFFAIR OF THE HEART, TANZANIA: A JOURNEY WITHIN). A staff-chosen winner will receive a $250 prize and a single VIP filmmaker badge.

Festival Director Lana Read said, “We could not be more excited to join forces with TentSquare to host this Female Filmmaker Challenge in our very first year. As filmmakers ourselves, Co-Director Ramsey Stoneburner and I are thrilled that the Helios Film Festival will immediately establish itself as a home for female directors and a film festival they can look to as a place dedicated to putting their work front and center.”

"Film history is rich with so many contributions made by female filmmakers," TentSquare’s Andrew van den Houten added, "and yet those creative voices are heard less often. The community is replete with talented women filmmakers and we're excited to see what they create."

The deadline for entries for the “Female Filmmaker Challenge” is August 28, 2015. The winner will be announced when the Helios Film Festival reveals the lineup of films for its first edition next month.

Application and entry details can be found at https://www.tentsquare.com/challenges/female-filmmaker-challenge-sfcs.

As previously announced, the Helios Film Festival is currently accepting entries through August 31, 2015.

The categories and submission information are on the web site at http://heliosfilmfestival.org.

Top critics Brett Ratner, Eric Kohn and Ann Hornaday at Key West Film Festival

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“Brett Ratner Florida Student Filmmaker Scholarship” Announced

The Key West Film Festival announced a new annual Critics Focus program in which the nation’s top film critics will be invited to curate spotlight selections. This year, Ann Hornaday, Chief Film Critic of The Washington Post, and Eric Kohn, Chief Film Critic of Indiewire, will attend and host audience Q&As with the talent from the films they have selected, which will be announced at a later date. Also announced today is the new annual Brett Ratner Florida Student Filmmaker Scholarship. The festival runs in Key West, Florida from November 18 to 22.
 
As part of the Critics Focus program, some of the nation’s most respected film critics will be invited to curate spotlight films at the festival. Participating critics will be will be invited to return to the festival, as new critics are invited to curate films each year.  The program further marks the Key West Film Festival as a new and vital stop on the fall festival circuit, and is designed to support film criticism while giving audiences greater context and perspective around films through public conversations guided by expert voices.

Program Director Michael Tuckman states, “We want to put a spotlight on film criticism, and support it. Because of the shifting media environment, there are fewer film critics today. Critics have historically supported films and film festivals, and at Key West we want to give back by building a more dynamic relationship between our curated films and the film criticism community, creating a forum for open discussion and the exchange of ideas between real audiences and top critics.”

Ann Hornaday comments, “I’m honored to be invited to participate in the Critics Choice program at this year’s Key West Film Festival. With film criticism facing a number of challenges in a rapidly changing media landscape, it’s gratifying to join a community of film lovers who value what critics can bring to the conversation.”

Eric Kohn, who also serves on the festival’s advisory board, says, “I’m thrilled to participate in the Key West Film Festival’s Critics Choice program to help provide more context for authentic moviegoers as they are given the chance to uncover great movies in a festival environment.  Over the past two years that I’ve had the pleasure of attending the Key West Film Festival, the one thing more impressive than the luxurious weather and beach conditions is the enthusiasm of the audiences at every screening. These aren’t jaded industry insiders, but delightful, colorful personalities from all walks of life who are genuinely excited to discover new movies. It’s this type of attitude that sustains the value of critics as tastemakers today.”

Local film critic for The Key West Citizen, Shirrel Rhoades, will also present a film and will lead a panel discussion of the attending critics.

The Key West Film Festival’s annual Brett Ratner Florida Student Filmmaker Scholarship will begin this year, with a $5000 scholarship award given to a Florida student filmmaker chosen from six participating Florida colleges and universities. Born and raised in Miami Beach, Ratner is one of Florida’s most cherished filmmakers and will present the award to the winning student at a special ceremony at the Festival. The scholarship is designed to put a spotlight on aspiring Florida filmmakers, giving their unique local vision and heritage a national stage.

Brett Ratner states, “I'm thrilled to be coming home to where I first started making films in order to support and recognize the next generation of Florida filmmakers at this vibrant festival.”

Festival Venues include the historic San Carlos Institute, where the campaign for Cuba’s independence from colonial powers was planned in 1892.  The Key West Film Festival has equipped the San Carlos with DCP technology, and it will host gala screenings.  Other screening venues include Eaton Street Theater, the Waterfront Brewery and additional venues to be named later. Host venues for social events include the Hemingway Home and Museum, the Waldorf Astoria Casa Marina, and the Southernmost Mansion.

For full program information, a schedule of events, and travel and lodging details, please visit: kwfilmfest.com

New York Comedy Festival Announces 2015 Lineup Featuring Judd Apatow, Trevor Noah, Bill Burr and More

12TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL WILL RUN NOVEMBER 10-15

• Citi Cardmember Presale Tickets Available August 11 - 16; Tickets Available at www.citiprivatepass.com
• Tickets Available to the General Public on August 17 at www.nycomedyfestival.com

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Marking its 12th year, the New York Comedy Festival (NYCF), presented in association with Comedy Central, announced its 2015 line-up today.  Expanding to six days and running from November 10 –15, the festival will feature some of comedy’s biggest stars performing in New York City’s most prestigious venues, including the Beacon Theatre, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM), Carnegie Hall, Carolines on Broadway, Madison Square Garden, The Theater at MSG, Town Hall and the 92nd Street Y.

Among the many highlights of this year’s festival include Judd Apatow and Friends at Carnegie Hall, Billy Crystal in conversation with David Steinberg at Town Hall, Bill Burr at Madison Square Garden, and Comedy Central’s new host of “The Daily Show” Trevor Noah at Town Hall.  This year’s returning festival veterans include Margaret Cho, Kathy Griffin, Gabriel Iglesias, Norm Macdonald, Bill Maher, Kumail Nanjiani, Patton Oswalt and Sarah Silverman, as well as first-time festival performers Nathan Fielder, John Leguizamo and Iliza Shlesinger.

This year’s NYCF will feature over 200 of the country’s most recognized and emerging comedians performing more than 60 shows throughout the city.  Additional shows will be announced in the fall.

“Our aspiration for the festival has always been bringing together talent from all over the comedy spectrum, featuring comedic greats and highlighting emerging talent in the industry. This year’s line-up is no exception,” said Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the New York Comedy Festival and Carolines on Broadway. “Throughout the years, the festival has become a staple in the comedy and New York City communities and we look forward to offering another week filled with big laughs.”

“Performing at Carnegie Hall is a dream come true,” said Judd Apatow. “Not for me but for some foreign twelve year old violinist. But I am sure it will be great!”

“Once again, Comedy Central and NYCF are excited to present a stellar line-up of comedic talent and shows,” said Steve Raizes, Senior Vice President, Comedy Central Consumer Products. “It’s a great opportunity for fans to experience the huge range and styles of comedy that take place in New York City.”

Over the past decade, the New York Comedy Festival has brought memorable performances to some of New York City’s most well-known venues with such talent as Aziz Ansari, Hannibal Buress, Louis C.K., Dane Cook, Whitney Cummings, Larry David, Jim Gaffigan, Ricky Gervais, Kevin Hart, Bill Maher, Joel McHale, Tracy Morgan, Tig Notaro, Patton Oswalt, Andy Samberg, and Amy Schumer, among others. The NYCF has also produced informative and entertaining panels including “Id Isn’t Always Pretty: An Evening with Broad City,” “An Evening with the Late Show with David Letterman Writers,” and “Clown Panties and Other Unpleasant Truths: An Evening With Inside Amy Schumer.”

Citi is the official card of the New York Comedy Festival.  Citi cardmembers will have access to purchase presale tickets to NYCF shows through Citi’s Private Pass program. The presale will run from August 11 at 10:00 AM EDT to August 16 at 10:00 PM EDT.  For complete presale details, visit www.citiprivatepass.com.

Tickets for all shows are available to the general public starting August 17 at 10:00 AM EDT.  Tickets can be purchased through the New York Comedy Festival website: www.nycomedyfestival.com.

The 2015 NYCF is presented in association with Comedy Central. Now in its 12th year, the festival is produced by Carolines on Broadway. Sponsors of the festival include Citi, the New York Post, Time Out New York, Variety and the Village Voice.

THE 2015 NEW YORK COMEDY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

(EVENTS CONFIRMED TO DATE AND ARE SUBJECT TO ADDITIONS)

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

A CONVERSATION WITH PATTON OSWALT – 7:30PM – 92ND STREET Y

MARGARET CHO – THERE’S NO I IN TEAM BUT THERE’S A CHO IN PSYCHO – 8PM – TOWN HALL

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 12

NATHAN FIELDER – NATHAN FOR YOU – SNEAK PEAK AND Q & A – 7:30PM – NYU SKIRBALL CENTER

NORM MACDONALD – 7:30 PM – CAROLINES ON BROADWAY (PERFORMING THROUGH SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15)

A CONVERSATION WITH BILLY CRYSTAL AND DAVID STEINBERG – 8PM – TOWN HALL

KATHY GRIFFIN: LIKE A BOSS – 8PM – CARNEGIE HALL

GABRIEL IGLESIAS PRESENTS: COMEDIANS OF STAND UP REVOLUTION – 8PM – BEACON THEATRE

KUMAIL NANJIANI – 10:00PM – NYU SKIRBALL CENTER

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 13

SARAH SILVERMAN AND FRIENDS – 8PM – BAM

ILIZA SHLESINGER – 8PM – NYU SKIRBALL CENTER

JOHN LEGUIZAMO IN CONVERSATION – 8PM – 92ND STREET Y

SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 14

JUDD APATOW AND FRIENDS — 7PM – CARNEGIE HALL

TREVOR NOAH – 7PM – TOWN HALL

AN EVENING WITH BILL MAHER – 8PM – THE THEATRE AT MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

BILL BURR: DOES ANYBODY REMEMBER LAUGHTER? — 8PM — MADISON SQUARE GARDEN

For more information, please visit:

Comedy Central (www.cc.com)

Save the World and Be A Global Citizen

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Where can you see Pearl Jam, Beyonce, Ed Sheeran, and Coldplay all in the same place? Global Citizen has you covered. The newly released lineup of the Global Citizen Festival, taking place September 26th, in the Great Lawn of Central Park, includes these headliners. Partners, Gucci and CHIME FOR CHANGE campaign are proud sponsors of the event. GlobalCitizen.org says that “the Festival is timed to coincide with the launch of the United Nations’ new Global Goals designed to fight inequality, protect our planet and end extreme poverty by 2030.”

So how do you get tickets to the star studded, do-good event? Sign up on GlobalCitizen.org to take action to end poverty. Once you've completed the action journey, you will be eligible for a ticket draw. For those not lucky enough to go, the festival will be streamed live from YouTube.com/GlobalCitizen. It's your time to be a part of changing the world. This means supporting the chance for every child to be able to attend school, every woman and girl being protected from violence, and diseases that can be prevented aren't altering the lives of others. Want a chance to be one of the 24,000 winners for this amazing event, sign up now!

(#NYAFF15) |NYAFF Announces 2015 Program and New Teaser Trailer | @subwaycinema

Opening Night film is the North American Premiere of Philip Yung’s crime-thriller Port of Call and Centerpiece Presentation is the North American Premiere of Sabu’sChasuke’s Journey

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Other notable films include the World Premiere of Fire Lee’s Robbery; the International Premiere of Anh Sang-hoon’s Empire of Lust; the North American Premieres of Chen Jiabin’s directorial debut A Fool and Lau Ho-leung’s Two Thumbs Up; and the U.S. Premiere of Daihachi Yoshida’s Pale Moon

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Special focus programs include Hong Kong Panorama; New Cinema from Japan (with a spotlight on director Daihachi Yoshida); Taiwan Cinema Now!; Myung Films: Pioneers and Women Behind the Camera in Korean Film; and The Last Men in Japanese Film, a joint Ken Takakura and Bunta Sugawara Tribute

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Welcome to the 14th edition of the New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF). We're back with over 50 new feature films from China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and South East Asia, featuring 1 World, 3 International, and 13 North American premieres, as well as an exceptional, all-star lineup of guests from all across Asia, including Hong Kong's superstar thesp Aaron Kwok, legendary director Ringo Lam, and Japan's rising star Shota Sometani.

The Film Society of Lincoln Center and Subway Cinema announced the lineup for the 2015 New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF), which will take place from June 26 to July 8 at the Film Society and July 9 to 11 at SVA Theatre (333 W. 23rd Street). The Closing Night selection will be announced at a later date. North America’s leading festival of popular Asian cinema will showcase 52 feature films, including 1 World Premiere, 3 International Premieres, 13 North American Premieres, 5 U.S. Premieres, and 14 films making their New York City debuts. The festival will be attended by 18 international filmmakers and celebrity guests traveling from Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and the U.S.

NYAFF’s Opening Night presentation will be the North American Premiere of Philip Yung’s Port of Call. The film centers on the brutal murder of a 16-year-old Hunan girl who moves to Hong Kong with her family and falls into prostitution. Winding through time and grounded by Christopher Doyle’s gauzy cinematography, the film follows both the story of the young girl’s descent into sex work and the grizzled detective (Aaron Kwok) who obsessively works to solve the murder. Kwok is astonishing here in a career-best performance, with all the tics and haggard body language of a man beaten down by the violence that threatens to drown him at every turn.

The Centerpiece Presentation will be the North American premiere of Sabu’s Chasuke’s Journey, which was in Competition at this year’s Berlin Film Festival. According to Variety, the film finds “Sabu in his most fun-loving element, stirring Okinawa’s magical folk art into a Capraesque yarn that flirts with ideas of fate and self-determination, but really just revels in a rich tapestry of human experience. [The film is also] full of whimsical twists and high-octane action.”

The lineup also includes the World Premiere of Fire Lee’s black comedy Robbery; the International Premiere of Anh Sang-hoon’s erotic period actioner Empire of Lust; the North American Premieres of Chen Jiabin’s directorial debut A Fool, Daihachi Yoshida’s fantasy-drama Pale Moon, Lau Ho-leung’s action-comedy Two Thumbs Up, and Nobuhiro Yamashita’s slacker/rock drama La La La at Rock Bottom (previously announced); and the U.S. premiere of Yee Chih-yen’s high-school noirMeeting Dr. Sun. Other exciting highlights include Kulikar Sotho’s gorgeous meditation on Cambodia’s tragic Khmer Rouge past and its impact on the present, The Last Reel; Ryuichi Hiroki’s ensemble love-and-sex drama Kabukicho Love Hotel; Boo Ji-young’s superb labor-rights underdog drama Cart; and Sion Sono’s berserk rap musical Tokyo Tribe.   

The 14th edition of the NYAFF will feature five focus programs: “Hong Kong Panorama”; “New Cinema from Japan”; “Taiwan Cinema Now!”; the previously announced “Myung Films: Pioneers and Women Behind the Camera in Korean Film”; and “The Last Men in Japanese Film,” a joint tribute to Ken Takakura and Bunta Sugawara, both of whom passed away last November.

Though the festival is traditionally rooted in genre film and faithful to popular cinema, NYAFF 2015 continues to feature ambitious pieces of realistic storytelling that delineate themes that unite, rather than isolate, the nations and their cinemas by suggesting what they have in common. The design of this year’s program is to look in both directions: the present and the controversial past, with the inclusion of a number of movies that cast an unblinking eye on the wounds of history (the Khmer Rouge inThe Last Reel or the Cultural Revolution in Red Amnesia). In an age when nationalism has taken firm root in many East Asian countries and political control has spread far and wide, denying cinema its freedom and jeopardizing the existence of some of the most established festivals, this year’s lineup also offers emotional morality tales (Little Big Master, Cart,Socialphobia) and films that speak truth to power (The Whistleblower,Solomon’s Perjury Part 1 & 2, A Fool).

Women come to the fore with both a program highlighting directors and producers currently working behind the scenes in the Korean peninsula, and films from Japan that offer superb female portraits: defiant, fierce… free. The festival also celebrates the beauty of Asian masculinity on screen, with a tribute to the two iconic Japanese actors who set the blueprint for Japanese manhood and cool, praised beyond the archipelago’s borders—Ken Takakura’s death was widely lamented on Weibo (China’s most popular social-media site) and even on state-run China Central Television (CCTV).

After eight successful years of partnership with Japan Society’s Japan Cuts: Festival of New Japanese Films, this year’s diverse selection of Japanese films have been fully integrated with the rest of the Festival’s program, and SVA Theatre’s Silas and Beatrice Theatres has been added to the list of venues. With three days of screenings at the SVA Theatre (June 9-11), we are able to bring downtown audiences the biggest and boldest of Asian cinema’s grand spectacles—sensory feasts that deserve to be experienced on the silver screen (such asBrotherhood of Blades, The Royal Tailor, The Taking of Tiger Mountain 3D, and Vengeance of an Assassin).

In addition, five bold focus programs highlight East Asia’s crucial role in today’s ever-changing world of film. And at a time when many major film festivals are more Eurocentric and West-dominated than ever, NYAFF continues to show that the life of cinema is out there.

HONG KONG PANORAMA

Hong Kong cinema’s renewed confidence of the past couple of years shows no signs of abating in 2015. While leading Hong Kong filmmakers continue to deliver blockbusters in Mainland China (such as Tsui Hark’sThe Taking of Tiger Mountain 3D), there’s now even more variety in Hong Kong–focused films, as they continue to look for inspiration in the heydey of 1980s and 1990s local cinema, as evidenced by the crime-thriller Port of Call, the pulpy action-comedy Two Thumbs Up, and the touching contemporary drama Little Big Master. The city of Hong Kong also remains a popular filming location, and is also providing inspiration to Asian-American filmmakers, as can be seen in Emily Ting’s romanceIt’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong. This focus will include Full Strike,Insanity, It’s Already Tomorrow in Hong Kong, Little Big Master, Port of Call, Robbery, The Taking of Tiger Mountain 3D, Two Thumbs Up, and retro screenings of City on Fire, Full Alert and Cold War.

Presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

MYUNG FILMS: PIONEERS AND WOMEN BEHIND THE CAMERA IN KOREAN FILM

Korean cinema has been known internationally primarily through the works of a small group of male directors (Hong Sangsoo, Kim Ki-duk, Park Chan-wook, Kim Jee-woon, and others), but one of its key film production companies, Myung Films, is led by a woman: producer Shim Jae-myung. Myung Films has spearheaded the transformation of the Korean film culture and industry in the late 1990s and early 2000s by establishing new genres and discovering new talent. We are proud to showcase a couple of their recent productions (Cart and Revivre), as well as some of their masterworks (The President’s Last Bang, The Isle, andWaikiki Brothers)as part of a greater focus on women who work behind the scenes. Shim Jae-myung will be in attendance and will be joined by top female directors Yim Soon-rye (The Whistleblower)and Boo Ji-young (Cart), who are known for their uncompromising films dealing with issues of social justice. For these women behind the camera, it’s not just about standing up against patriarchy, oppression, or power but about telling stories of real people and real lives—struggling, folding and sometimes collapsing—perhaps showing that the human condition might be best expressed by women.  

Presented with the support of the Korean Cultural Service New York.

Co-presented with The Korea Society.

NEW CINEMA FROM JAPAN

Japanese cinema continues to surprise with its consistent range and quality of adult stories and excels in its portrayals of female characters. This is certainly true of the works of award-winning filmmaker Daihachi Yoshida (Funuke, Show Some Love You Losers!, Pale Moon, Permanent Nobara). The imaginative genre exercises are also represented, and resplendently so with Sion Sono delivering the wild fun in spades with the hip-hop musical Tokyo Tribes, and the two-part crime mystery Solomon’s Perjury. This focus will consist of Chasuke’s Journey, Kabukicho Love Hotel, La La La at Rock Bottom, Solomon’s Perjury Part 1: Suspicion,Solomon’s Perjury Part 2: Judgement, Taksu, Tokyo Tribe, and a special spotlight on the award-winning filmmaker Daihachi Yoshida, consisting ofFunuke, Show Some Love You Losers!, Pale Moon, and Permanent Nobara.

Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

TAIWAN CINEMA NOW!

While Taiwan’s domestic film market is relatively small when compared to those of Mainland China, Japan, and South Korea, Taiwan’s creative talent continues to play a vital role in the context of Asian cinema by continuing to deliver smaller quirky local films with distinct Taiwanese flavor and strong appeal to local audiences and the international festival circuit, the latter of which will be highlighted in this focus. The films will include Café. Waiting. Love, Meeting Dr. Sun, Partners in Crime, andSecond Chance.

Presented with the support of the Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York.

THE LAST MEN IN JAPANESE FILM – A Ken Takakura/Bunta Sugawara Tribute

Japanese film legends Ken Takakura and Bunta Sugawara, both of whom passed away last November, will be the subject of the first joint tribute outside of Japan, which will feature the brand-new 2K remaster of Kinji Fukasaku’s 1973 classic Battles Without Honor and Humanity, screened for the first time in North America. Other titles will includeAbashiri Prison, Cops vs. Thugs, The Man Who Stole the Sun, Nihon Kyokaku-den (Tales of Chivalry in Japan), and Wolves, Pigs and Men—all made with honor and humor by civilized craftsmen, in sharp contrast to prefabricated conveyor-belts products that have conquered Japanese screens.

In the same way that the archetype of American masculinity was defined by the post–World War II generation of tough-guy actors (James Coburn, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood), “Ken-san” and “Bun-chan” have set the blueprint for what it meant to be a man in defeated postwar Japan. Their performances invented Japanese cool, decades before the government figured “cool” was a marketable concept for its soft power ambitions.

Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

Battles Without Honor and Humanity co-presented with Arrow Video.

The 2015 New York Asian Film Festival Award Honorees

Previously announced NYAFF award recipients include Hong Kong’s legendary director Ringo Lam (Lifetime Achievement Award), Hong Kong superstar actor-singer Aaron Kwok (Star Asia Award), and Japanese actor Shota Sometani (Screen International Rising Star Award).

Sponsors: The Kitano Hotel, Hotel Beacon, Møsefund Farm, Manhattan Portage, Well Go USA Entertainment, Arrow Video, China Lion Film Distribution, FlaskingtreeMarketing Group, Epic Proportions, Kirin, and Mizu Shochu; and our media partners: Screen International and Chopsticks NY.

Tickets: will go on sale on June 9 for Film Society Members and June 11 for general public, both at the box office and online.Discounts are available for Film Society members. Read more about the Film Society of Lincoln Center.

Screenings will be held at the Film Society of Lincoln Center's Walter Reade Theater (165 West 65th Street, between Amsterdam and Broadway), and SVA Theatre (333 West 23rd Street, between 8th and 9th Avenues).

Press Screening Schedule

Screening Venue:

Film Society of Lincoln Center

Walter Reade Theater, 165 West 65th Street, between Broadway and Amsterdam

Tuesday, June 9

10:00am PORT OF CALL (121 min)

Thursday, June 11

10:00am A FOOL (105 min)

12:00pm CART (103 min)

The 2015 New York Asian Film Festival Guests include:

Ringo Lam (CITY ON FIRE, FULL ALERT)

Aaron Kwok (PORT OF CALL)

Shota Sometani (KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL, TOKYO TRIBE)

Shim Jae-myung (CART, WAIKIKI BROTHERS)

Daihachi Yoshida(FUNUKE, SHOW SOME LOVE YOU LOSERS!, PALE MOON)

Ryuichi Hiroki (KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL)

Sabu (CHASUKE'S JOURNEY)

Yim Soon-rye (THE WHISTLEBLOWER, WAIKIKI BROTHERS)

Boo Ji-young (CART)

Philip Yung (PORT OF CALL)

Yee Chih-Yen (MEETING DR. SUN)

Lee Won-suk (THE ROYAL TAILOR)

Namewee (BANGLASIA)

Kulikar Sotho (THE LAST REEL)

Lau Ho-Leung (TWO THUMBS UP)

Emily Ting (IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG)

Jamie Chung (IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG)

Bryan Greenberg (IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG)

The 2015 New York Asian Film Festival lineup

OPENING NIGHT FILM

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

PORT OF CALL | 踏血尋梅

PHILIP YUNG, 2015 | CAST: AARON KWOK, MICHAEL NING, JESSIE LI

HONG KONG | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 121 MINUTES

A police detective (Aaron Kwok, in a career-defining role) tracks down the murderer of a young prostitute in this brutal thriller directed by Philip Yung and shot by master cinematographer Christopher Doyle.

Director Philip Yung and star Aaron Kwok will attend the screening. Aaron Kwok will be presented with Star Asia Award on June 26.

Presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

CENTERPIECE PRESENTATION

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

CHASUKE'S JOURNEY | 天の茶助

SABU, 2015 | CAST: KENICHI MATSUYAMA, ITO OHNO, REN OHSUGI, YUSUKE ISEYA

JAPAN | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 105 MINUTES

A celestial tea server descends to Okinawa in order to save a young girl, falls in with a gang of losers, enjoys ramen, finds unwarranted celebrity, and fights against predestination written by heavenly hacks who copy Hollywood blockbusters.

Director Sabu will attend the screening.

Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

CLOSING NIGHT FILM

To be announced

ABASHIRI PRISON | 網走番外地

TERUO ISHII, 1965 | CAST: KEN TAKAKURA, KOJI NANBARA, TETSURO TAMBA, TORU ABE

JAPAN | JAPANESE WITH LIVE ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: 35MM | 92 MINUTES

The first entry in Toei’s hugely successful Abashiri Prison yakuza film series, directed by Teruo Ishii, established Ken Takakura’s superstar status. If you want to understand Ken's enormous popularity, this is the film that started it all. In many ways, this is the invention of the Japanese man.

Print courtesy of Toei Co., Ltd.

Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

BANGLASIA 孟加拉殺手
NAMEWEE, 2015 | CAST: NIRAB HOSSAIN, SAIFUL APEK, NAMEWEE, ATIKAH SUHAIME

MALAYSIA | MALAY, ENGLISH, MANDARIN, AND HOKKIEN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 91 MINUTES

From the director of festival fave foodie flick Nasi Lemak 2.0 comes this wild and crazy Western full of musical numbers and humor so slaphappy it’ll leave your head spinning. It was banned in Malaysia for being too political, so we’re proud to screen it.

Director/actor/singer Namewee will attend the screening.

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE OF THE NEW DIGITAL REMASTER

BATTLES WITHOUT HONOR AND HUMANITY | 仁義なき戦い

KINJI FUKASAKU, 1973 | CAST: BUNTA SUGAWARA, HIROKI MATSUKATA, NOBUO KANEKO, KUNIE TANAKA, GORO IBUKI

JAPAN | JAPANESE WITH LIVE ENGLISH SUBTITLES | DCP | 99 MINUTES

Quite possibly the ultimate yakuza movie, Kinji Fukasaku’s dark, gritty classic stars Bunta Sugawara (in the role that made his career) as a former soldier who turns to organized crime and claws his way up the yakuza underworld in postwar Hiroshima.     .

Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

Co-presented with Arrow Video.

BROTHERHOOD OF BLADES | 繡春刀

LU YANG, 2014 | CAST: CHANG CHEN, CECILIA LIU, WANG QIANYUAN, ETHAN LI, NIE YUAN

CHINA | MANDARIN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DIGITAL PROJECTION | 106 MINUTES

One of the best Chinese period action films in recent memory, this overlooked blood-red gem is packed with superbly choreographed fight scenes, riveting drama, and performances to match.

Film courtesy of Well Go USA Entertainment.

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

CAFÉ. WAITING. LOVE | 等一個人咖啡

CHIANG CHIN-LIN, 2014 | CAST: VIVIAN SUNG, BRUCE, MEGAN LAI, MARCUS CHANG

TAIWAN | MANDARIN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 120 MINUTES

Three years after his record-breaking debut, You Are the Apple of My Eye, writer-director Giddens Ko penned this irresistibly zany romantic comedy, based on his book of the same name—but this time with Chiang Chin-lin in the director’s seat.

Presented with the support of the Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York.

NEW YORK PREMIERE

CART | 카트

BOO JI-YOUNG, 2014 | CAST: YUM JUNG-AH, MOON JUNG-HEE, KIM YOUNG-AE, KIM KANG-WOO, HWANG JEONG-MIN, CHUN WOO-HEE

SOUTH KOREA | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 103 MINUTES

In this pro-union flick, the 99% rise up after a bunch of female employees at a chain retail giant (think Wal-Mart) get laid off via text message. When they decide to go on strike, management calls in the thugs...

Director Boo Ji-young and producer Shim Jae-myung will attend the screening.

Presented with the support of the Korean Cultural Service New York.

Co-presented with The Korea Society.

CITY ON FIRE | 龍虎風雲

RINGO LAM, 1987 | CAST: CHOW YUN-FAT, DANNY LEE, SUEN YUET, ROY CHEUNG

HONG KONG | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: 35mm | 100 MINUTES

Ringo Lam’s classic heist-gone-bad flick is the movie that made Chow Yun-fat (playing an undercover cop) a star and provided Quentin Tarantino with the basis for Reservoir Dogs. The film features heartbreak to spare for the little people trying to eke out a living at the end of a gun.

Director Ringo Lam will attend the screening and will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Print Courtesy of Academy Film Archive.

Presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

COLD WAR | 寒戰
LONGMAN LEUNG, SUNNY LUK, 2012 | CAST: AARON KWOK, TONY LEUNG KAR-FAI, ANDY LAU
HONG KONG | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | DCP | 102 MINUTES
Winner of nine Hong Kong Film Awards, including “Best Film,” Best Director,” “Best Screenplay,” “Best Actor,” and “Best New Performer,” COLD WAR was Hong Kong’s 2012 box office sensation. This cop thriller stars Aaron Kwok and Tony Leung Kar-Fai as two high-ranking officers whose rivalry leads to an intense power struggle over an explosive rescue operation.
Presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

COPS VS. THUGS | 県警対組織暴力
KINJI FUKASAKU, 1975 | CAST: BUNTA SUGAWARA, HIROKI MATSUKATA, KEN TAKAKURA, MIKIO NARITA, NOBUO KANEKO
JAPAN | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | 35MM | 100 MINUTES 
Bunta Sugawara plays a cop so corrupt he’s basically a member of the yakuza—delivering witnesses to his criminal buddies and looking the other way when they murder rivals. But now a war is breaking out and this bad lieutenant is going to have to choose sides.
Print courtesy of the Japan Foundation
Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

INTERNATIONAL PREMIERE

EMPIRE OF LUST | 순수의시대

AHN SANG-HOON, 2015 | CAST: SHIN HA-KYUN, JANG HYUK, KANG HANNA, KANG HA-NEUL

SOUTH KOREA | KOREAN WITH LIVE ENGLISH SUBTITLES | DCP | 113 MINUTES

A gorgeous period actioner set during the founding days of Joseon Dynasty in the early 14th century, Empire of Lust follows three men who engage in a power struggle within the palace walls, caught in the whirlwind of love, lust, greed, betrayal, and revenge.

Presented with the support of Korean Cultural Service New York.

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

A FOOL | 一個勺子

CHEN JIANBIN, 2014 | CAST: CHEN JIAN BIN, WANG XUEBING, JIN SHIJIA

CHINA | MANDARIN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 105 MINUTES

Chen Jianbin’s directorial debut is a harsh noir about an honest farmer’s efforts to help a young homeless man that instead set off a chain of disasters, serving as a reminder of man’s inhumanity when faced with greed.

China Lion Film Distribution (www.chinalionentertainment.com) has acquired North American rights to A Fool. The release date is yet to be announced. The film is expected to receive a Greater China release in late 2015.

FULL ALERT | 高度戒備

RINGO LAM, 1997 | CAST: LAU CHING-WAN, FRANCIS NG, AMANDA LEE, MONICA CHAN, JACK KAO

HONG KONG | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: 35MM | 98 MINUTES

Ringo Lam’s last great movie before his 12-year retirement is a dark, glittering gem of a police procedural that works both as a heist flick and as a tombstone for both pre-Handover Hong Kong and the action genre.

Presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

U.S. PREMIERE

FULL STRIKE | 全力扣殺

DEREK KWOK & HENRI WONG, 2015 | CAST: JOSIE HO, EKIN CHENG, RONALD CHENG, TSE KWAN-HO, ANDREW LAM, WILFRED LAU

HONG KONG/CHINA | CANTONESE, HAKKA, AND ENGLISH WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 108 MINUTES

Racquet sport becomes martial art when a down-and-out gang of has-beens form a badminton team to win back their self-respect in this hyperactive, totally surreal comedy from Derek Kwok, the co-director of Stephen Chow’s Journey to the West.

Presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

FUNUKE, SHOW SOME LOVE YOU LOSERS! | 腑抜けども、悲しみの愛を見せろ

DAIHACHI YOSHIDA, 2007 | CAST: ERIKA SATO, MASATOSHI NAGASE, HIROMI NAGASAKU

JAPAN | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: 35MM | 112 MINUTES

Seduction, persecution, prostitution, suicide, and more greet the Wago family’s three siblings who return home for their parent’s funeral after they’re killed while trying to save a kitten. Yoshida’s twisted, smart, and deftly handled first film is as black as a comedy can get, yet wrapped in a lighthearted exterior.

Director Daihachi Yoshida will attend the screening.

Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

INSANITY | 暴瘋語

DAVID LEE, 2014 | CAST: LAU CHING-WAN, HUANG XIAOMING, ALEX FONG, FIONA SIT, NINA PAW

HONG KONG | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 99 MINUTES

In this psychological thriller produced by Derek Yee (The Great Magician,One Night in Mongkok), a psychiatrist (Huang Xiaoming) is lured to the dark side of the mind by his patient and convicted murderer (Lau Ching-Wan).

Presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

THE ISLE | 섬

KIM KI-DUK, 2000 | CAST: CHO JAE-HYUN, SUH JUNG, PARK SEONG-HEE, JANG HANG-SEON

SOUTH KOREA | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: 35MM | 85 MINUTES

Kim Ki-duk helped put Korean cinema on the map with this art-house exploitation shocker about a cop on the run who winds up at a floating hotel owned by a woman who might be insane, or just really in love. You are not prepared.

Presented with the support of Korean Cultural Service New York.

NEW YORK PREMIERE

IT’S ALREADY TOMORROW IN HONG KONG

EMILY TING, 2014 | CAST: JAMIE CHUNG, BRYAN GREENBERG, RICHARD NG

HONG KONG/USA | ENGLISH | FORMAT: DCP | 78 MINUTES

This compelling walk-and-talk romance à laRichard Linklater, centered on two Hong Kong expats who randomly cross paths one night, is as much about the attraction between the leads as it is about the love of Hong Kong.

Director Emily Ting and actors Jamie Chung and Bryan Greenberg will attend the screening.

Presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

NEW YORK PREMIERE

KABUKICHO LOVE HOTEL | さよなら歌舞伎町

RYUICHI HIROKI, 2014 | CAST: SHOTA SOMETANI, ATSUKO MAEDA, LEE EUN-WOO, ROY (SON IL-KWON)

JAPAN | JAPANESE AND KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 136 MINUTES

Taking place over 24 hours in a Tokyo love hotel, this steamy and poignant character-driven ensemble drama from director Ryuichi Hiroki (Vibrator) looks at ordinary people as they experience life-changing events.

Director Ryuichi Hiroki and star Shota Sometani will attend the screening. Shota Sometani will be presented with the Screen International Rising Star Award.

Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

NORTH AMERICAN PREMIERE

LA LA LA AT ROCK BOTTOM | 味園ユニバース

NOBUHIRO YAMASHITA, 2015 | CAST: SUBARU SHIBUTANI, FUMI NIKAIDO, SARINA SUZUKI, KATSUMI KAWAHARA

JAPAN | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 103 MINUTES

From Nobuhiro Yamashita (director of Linda Linda Linda and Tamako in Moratorium) comes this romantic comedy about an amnesiac man who, as the memory of his criminal past slowly returns, tries to find redemption and love through rock music.

Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

NEW YORK PREMIERE

THE LAST REEL |ដុំហ្វីលចុងកាាយ

KULIKAR SOTHO, 2014 | CAST: MA RYNET, ROUS MONY, DY SAVETH, HUN SOPHY

CAMBODIA | KHMER WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 106 MINUTES

This gorgeous and engaging drama about a rebellious Cambodian girl determined to shoot the missing ending of a 40-year-old movie starring her mother is a meditation on Cambodia’s past and present, and the power of art.

Director Kulikar Sotho will attend the screening.    

LITTLE BIG MASTER | 五個小孩的校長

ADRIAN KWAN, 2015 | CAST: MIRIAM YEUNG, LOUIS KOO, WINNIE HO

HONG KONG/CHINA | CANTONESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 112 MINUTES

Hong Kong’s runaway box-office hit is a powerful drama based on the true story of a principal assigned to a failing rural kindergarten with only five students: if one of them drops out, the school closes.

Presented with the support of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office New York.

THE MAN WHO STOLE THE SUN | 太陽を盗んだ男

KAZUHIKO HASEGAWA, 1979 | CAST: BUNTA SUGAWARA, KENJI SAWADA

JAPAN | JAPANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: 35MM | 147 MINUTES

A ballsy satire about a high-school science teacher (rock-star Kenji Sawada) who builds an atomic bomb at home and uses it to try to get The Rolling Stones to play in Japan, all the while playing cat and mouse with a police detective sporting a buzz cut (Bunta Sugawara).

Print courtesy of the Kawakita Memorial Film Institute.

Presented with the support of Japan Foundation New York.

U.S. PREMIERE

MEETING DR. SUN | 行動代號孫中山

YEE CHIH-YEN, 2014 | CAST: ZHAN HUAI-TING, MATTHEW WEI, JOSEPH CHANG, BRYAN CHANG

TAIWAN | MANDARIN AND TAIWANESE WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 94 MINUTES

A deadpan high-school noir about two gangs of impoverished boys competing to steal a statue of Dr. Sun Yat-sen (the founding father of the Republic of China) so they can sell it as scrap metal. Schoolyard slapstick becomes a call for Taiwan’s youth to wake up.

Director Yee Chih-Yen will attend the screening.

Presented with the support of the Taipei Cultural Center of TECO in New York.

NEW YORK PREMIERE

MY LOVE, DON’T CROSS THAT RIVER | 님아, 그강을건너지마오

JIN MO-YOUNG, 2014 | CAST: JO BYEONG-MAN, KANG KYE-YEOL

KOREA | KOREAN WITH ENGLISH SUBTITLES | FORMAT: DCP | 85 MINUTES

Get Ready for ABFF! Check Out This Year's Exciting Line Up!

Closing night of New York Indian Film Festival

New York Indian Film Festival ended with the New York premiere of the film ‘My Big Fat Bride’ (Dum Laga Ke Haisha), a Yashraj production starring Ayushman Khurana, directed by Sharat Katariya. It’s a sweet romantic comedy, about a small town boy’s forced marriage to a bride of “not-his-choice”, because she’s “fat”, or he’s not “ready”. The film explores the conventional traditions around marriage and relationships, in India and also dwells in to people’s psyche around love and family. Even though the film is very predictable and clichéd and it’s still heartfelt, funny, light and fun. The performances of all the actors are on-the-spot, specially the debutant actress Bhumi Pednekar. The screening was followed by a discussion with the director, where he talked about upcoming releases of this film in US.

There were also wonderful performances by dancers of Bollywood Touch, Indian singer Falu. NYIFF2015 Awards ceremony followed right after, where ‘Labor of Love’ was the big winner with both Best Director and Best Film. Nawazuddin Siddiqui won the best actor for ‘Haraamkhor’ and best actress for Kalki Koechlin. After the award ceremony, the night moved on to the after-party with delicious dinner from Awadh Restaurant. Drinks flowed while the celebrities, filmmakers, actors, organizers, volunteers and everyone else enjoyed the night. There was also a beautiful dance performance by Anu Sahasrabudhe of Mudavis and a lovely fashion show of Indian attires. The closing night of the New York Indian Film Festival was truly joyful celebration of a wonderful event that celebrates Indian Independent films and cinema.

Vishal Bharadwaj to make Shakespearean Comedy trilogy?

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Vishal Bharadwaj (L) with Art Shrian (R)

Vishal Bharadwaj is a very simple man. With him, it’s “what you see, is what you get”. He’s soft spoken, modest and very down to earth. Not something you see a lot in a celebrity from entertainment world, who has 6 National Awards amongst many, and his movies have done multi-millions in business. He’s also very intelligent, a person who’s very clear as to what he wants and what kind of work he wants to do. With his Shakespearean Trilogy of Maqbool (Macbeth), Omkara (Othello) and Haider (Hamlet), he has wowed audience all over the globe. We got a chance to talk to him recently, here are the excerpts

Art Shrian: You have brought Shakespeare to everyday Indian in such an authentic, but still very Indian way. As a filmmaker, what motivates you to make such amazing films?

Vishal Bharadwaj: I always say a film actually represents inner being of a filmmaker, whatever he wants to say, whatever he wants to be. Director is one person who becomes completely emotionally naked. He’s commenting on social environment, whatever he sees and feels, the issues, issues with father, girlfriend, wife, sister, anything. He brings his inner being.

Art Shrian: Your movie also have been great hits and very successful financially. How important is that to you?

Vishal Bharadwaj: Financial aspect is important to the effect that you’re able to make your next film (laughs). If you make such a bad film that people lose their money, nobody is going to put their money on you next time. So it’s important at least to that extent.

Art Shrian: You tell great stories through your films. And you have constantly picked great stories from Shakespeare to Ruskin Bond; and made them even better through your films. What inspires you to accept an existing famous story and convert it into a film? Adaptation v/s original Writing...

Vishal Bharadwaj: It’s a very selfish reason for me. If you judge your work very honestly and if you don’t live in fool’s paradise, then you know if something is better than what you can write originally. I chose those stories which I think are great, timeless, entertaining, juicy, and great characters. To write something like Macbeth will take me 400 yrs.

Art Shrian: Well, I’m sure if Shakespeare was around, he’ll love your adaptations of his work. Specially Maqbool and making Lady Macbeth and Macbeth as unmarried lovers, it just adds such a depth to the characters and the story. But now there is lot of expectations from you and your films. So, do you feel a burden while doing these Shakespearean adaptations?

Vishal Bharadwaj: No, I don’t feel any such burden; the burden is within my own work. I remain honest with my inner feelings, and I know if I’m honest, everything will be taken care of.

Art Shrian: So talking about your latest adaptation Haider, it was amazing how you brought such a complicated story into today’s world. Making such complex characters alive, including the ghost, and in a beautiful setting of Kashmir. It does not seem like a Shakespearean adaptation at all, it’s so relevant and current. But there was also some controversy around the film and its agenda. Did you want to make any kind of statement with the film or was it just your honest adaptation of Hamlet?

Vishal Bharadwaj: I never want to make a statement; I just want to make my honest films. The only film I tried to make a statement with, was “Matroo ki Bijli Ka Mandola”; about condition of farmers and people trying to take their lands and making ugly concrete jungle of multiplexes and malls. That was my most political movie. In Haider, I was trying to explore human conditions of a particular area, where people have gone through a lot, area which has seen violence for more than 25 yrs. So what happens to a family, or a common man, whose roots are not clear on either side? There was lot of controversy, but I’m not part of it. I filmed or showed nothing that was not true. I just made my honest film.

Art Shrian: I think I’ll have to watch it a second time, with less bias (laughing). So, any plans on adapting the funny and comedic side of Shakespeare? I would love to see that and can take credit for that suggestion (laughing).

Vishal Bharadwaj: In the near future, there’s no plan. But definitely after 1 or 2 films I would love to do such comedies. A trilogy of Shakespearean comedy would be great (with a big smile!).

Art Shrian: That will be amazing, can’t wait to see that. Thanks a lot Vishal for making such wonderful films, and we all look forward to continuing to enjoy your work. All the best!

New York Indian Film Festival opens with “Margarita With A STRAW”

Actress Kalki Koechelin

Hansal Mehta,

The 15th New York Indian Film Festival opened at the iconic Paris Theater this year. The lineup of Indian and international celebrities was amazing. From celebrated Indian filmmakers like Vishal Bharadwaj, Hansal Mehta, Shonali Bose, Dev Benegal amongst many; to famous actors like Kalki Koechlin, Mohan Agashe amongst many others; the red carpet was beaming with excellent talent and glamor.

Opening night of the Indian Film Festival at the Paris theater in Midtown began with history in the making. The feature for the night was Margarita With A Straw. It set a new standard for Indian cinema, and brought a seldom heard voice to world cinema; giving us a glimpse of an intimate portrait of love, sex and disability. The story is about Laila (Kalki Koechelin) an outgoing wheelchair bound teenager with cerebral palsy who is absolutely determined to have a normal life despite her challenges, and ends up on embarking on a journey of self-discovery and sexual awakening as she moves from India to New York City to attend NYU. Her growth cause friction in her family, and as secretes begin to spill she learns she’s not the only one in her family that’s struggling.

Here is the official trailer for Margarita With A Straw, starring Kalki Koechlin. This is a tale about a young rebellious woman who embarks on a breathtaking journey of self-discovery. In Cinemas Now!

Kalki Koechelin, Shonali Bose and Sayani Gupta (L-R)

Vishal Bharadwaj (L) and Art Shrian (R)

Simply put it was an actor’s film; it could have not been achieved without the performance of a lifetime by actress Kalki Koechelin. While the themes are universal, the experience is nothing but, yet the film is completely relatable because of the nature of love. The awkwardness, shyness, rejections; it reminds us, we are all just human after all. The same urges, needs, wants, desires, confusions and fears are what guide us all despite physical appearances.  Don’t be surprised if you’re moved and brought to tears by this wonderful film that became a vessel to explore the depths of the writer/director Shonali Bose’s own experiences in love and loss. It’s what gives it a certain genuine charm that would have otherwise been missing.

NYIFF 2015 Official Trailer Promo by NY Dreams Production (www.NYDREAMS.com)

The screening was followed by Q&A with the director & cast of the film. Shonali shared her passion about this subject and her relation to this subject through her own family member who lived with cerebral palsy, which inspired her to make this movie. Kalki talked about the process as an actor to prepare for such a role, where she not only did deep research on the subject but practiced being Laila for over 6 months, before she got in front of the camera. Shonali also shared her struggle to get the movie through Indian censors, asking for over 10 cuts, until she went to review committee which let it pass with only 1 cut and an “A” certificate. The movie has been a sleeper hit doing great business in India and wide recognition worldwide.

To learn more about New York Indian Film Festival 2015, check links below:
http://www.mynewyorkeye.com/awards-and-festivals-news/new-york-indian-film-festival-2015-celebrating-the-best-of-indian-south-asian-cinema
http://www.iaac.us/NYIFF2015/

New York Indian FIlm Festival 2015 | Celebrating the best of Indian & South Asian cinema

NYIFF 2015

The New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF), the country’s most prestigious, longest-running South Asian film festival, announces its movie award categories, esteemed panel of jurors and CLOSING NIGHT FILM. The six-day festival (May 4 to 9) will showcase more than 30 shorts, documentaries and feature films, along with special events, networking parties and Q&A sessions with directors, actors and producers. For the entire festival schedule & locations, please go HERE. To purchase tickets for the gala, buy festival passes or score individual screening tickets, please go HERE.
   
NYIFF 2015 Award Categories & Nominees Are (Drum Roll, please…):

Best Picture

1. City Lights
2. My Big Fat Bride
3. Gour Hari Dastaan
4. Labour of Love
5. Margarita, with a Straw
6. Saari Raat

Best Actor

1. Ayushmann Khurrana (My Big Fat Bride)
2. Dulal Sarkar (Chotoder Chobi)
3. Rajkumar Rao (City Lights)
4. Vikram Gokhale (Siddhant)
5. Vinay Pathak (Gour Hari Dastaan)
6. Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Haraamkhor) 

Best Short

1. Bloody Moustache
2. Hechki
3. Nayantara's Necklace
4. Seek & Hide
5. Zor

Best Screenplay

1. Chauranga
2. Choteder Chobi
3. Haraamkhor
4. Labour of Love
5. Margarita, with a Straw

Best Director

1. Aditya Vikram Sengupta (Labour of Love)
2. Ananth Mahadevan (Gour Hari Dastaan)
3. Aparna Sen (Saari Raat)
4. Hansal Mehta (City Lights)
5. Sharat Katariya (My Big Fat Bride)
6. Shonali Bose (Margarita, with a Straw) 

Best Actress

1. Bhumi Pednekar (My Big Fat Bride)
2. Debalina Roy (Chotoder Chobi)
3. Kalki Koechlin (Margarita, with a Straw)
4. Konkana Sen (Gour Hari Dastan)
5. Konkana Sen (Saari Raat)
6. Tannishtha Chatterjee (Rough Book)

Best Documentary

1. A Moment of Misgiving
2. Being Bhaijaan
3. Daughters of Mother India
4. Meet the Patels
5. Placebo

 Best Child Actor

1. Archit Dewadhar (Siddhant)
2. J. Vignesh & Ramesh (Kaakaa Muttai)
3. Shameem Khan (Yeh Hai Bakrapur)
4. Shrirang Mahajan (Elizabeth Ekadashi)
5. Soham Maitra & Riddhi Sen (Chauranga)

***Winners in each category will be announced at the closing night awards ceremony on Saturday, May 9 AFTER the closing night film, which will be Yash Raj Films’ MY BIG FAT BRIDE, directed by Sharat Katariya and starring Ayushmann Khuranna & Bhumi Pednakar. It’s a heartfelt story about a mismatched couple trying to find themselves and each other between their own complexes and dysfunctional, yet endearing, families. 

NYIFF 2015’s Panel of Jurors Includes (in alphabetical order, by last name):

• Parag Amladi
• Ashish Avikunthak
• Dev Benegal
• Tejaswini Ganti
• Udayan Gupta
• Le Frances Hui
• Poorna Jagannathan
• Joseph Mathew
• Myrna Moncayo-Iyengar
• Claus Mueller
• Muriel (Mike) Peters
• Zenobia Shroff
• Nilita Vachani

For a complete bio and more information on each juror, please go HERE.

Photo Credits: NYIFF 2015

Photo Credits: NYIFF 2015

Photo Credits: NYIFF 2015

Photo Credits: NYIFF 2015

Photo Credits: NYIFF 2015

About the Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC):

The Indo-American Arts Council is a registered 501(c) 3 not-for-profit, secular service and resource arts organization charged with the mission of promoting and building the awareness, creation, production, exhibition, publication and performance of Indian and cross-cultural art forms in North America. The IAAC supports all artistic disciplines in the classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India. We work cooperatively with colleagues around the United States to broaden our collective audiences and to create a network for shared information, resources and funding. Our focus is to work with artists and arts organizations in North America as well as to facilitate artists and arts organizations from India to exhibit, perform and produce their works here. 

About the New York Indian Film Festival (NYIFF):
The New York Indian Film Festival (originally the IAAC Film Festival) opened their doors in 2001 following the devastation of the September 11attacks on New York City. This festival creates an awareness and better understanding of the people and stories from the Indian Diaspora by bringing the most acclaimed feature films, documentaries, and shorts from that region to America's biggest and most remarkable city. Merchant-Ivory's Shakespearewalla was the festival's Opening Night, while Mira Nair's 'Monsoon Wedding' closed IAAC’s first film festival before its worldwide theatrical release. Since then, the festival has provided first-looks at many acclaimed films, including Deepa Mehta's Oscar-nominated 'Water,' and 'Midnight's Children', Nair's 'The Namesake,' and 'The Reluctant Fundamentalist' and the New York Premiere of Danny Boyle's 'Slumdog Millionaire' which won eight Oscars including Best Picture. Some of the artists who support the festival include Mira Nair, Salman Rushdie, Madhur Jaffrey, Padma Lakshmi, Shabana Azmi, Rishi Kapoor & Neetu Singh Kapoor, Shashi Tharoor, Sarita Chaudhury, Sakina Jaffrey, Anurag Kashyap, Shyam Benegal, Mani Ratnam, Aparna Sen, the late filmmakers Ismail Merchant and Rituparno Ghosh. NYIFF's 15th anniversary will include premiere film screenings, discussions, industry panels, nightly networking parties, special events, an awards ceremony, and red carpet galas. The festival will run May 4th to 9th at a variety of prestigious New York City venues, including the Skirball Center for Performing Arts, the Paris Theatre and the Village East Cinemas. For the latest news, updates and information about The 15th Annual New York Indian Film Festival, presented by The Indo-American Arts Council, please visit www.iaac.us.

2015 TONY AWARD NOMINATIONS ANNOUNCED | #TonyAwards

logo courtesy of the American Theatre Wing

The American Theatre Wing’s Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards  are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing

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logo courtesy of the Broadway League

Tony Award Winners Kristin Chenoweth & Alan Cumming to Host 69thAnnual Tony Awards LIVE on CBS, Sunday, June 7th from Radio City Music Hall

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Mary Louise Parker by Gage Skidmore

Bruce Willis by Gage Skidmore

Nominations in 24 competitive categories for the American Theatre Wing’s 69th Annual Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards® were announced today by Emmy, Golden Globe and Tony Award-winning Actress Mary-Louise Parker, who will be starring in the upcoming Manhattan Theatre Club production of HEISENBERG this May, and Emmy and Golden Globe Winner Bruce Willis, who will make his Broadway debut next season in the new play MISERY, at the Tony Award Nominations ceremony sponsored by IBM.  The nominees were selected by an independent committee of 38 theatre professionals appointed by the Tony Awards Administration Committee.  The 2015 Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing.  (The list of nominations follows.)

Tony Award winners Kristin Chenoweth and Alan Cumming will host the 2015 Tony Awards which will be broadcast LIVE from Radio City Music Hall on CBS, on Sunday, June 7th, 8:00 – 11:00 p.m. (ET/PT time delay).

Kristin Chenoweth

Emmy and Tony Award winning actress and singer, Kristin Chenoweth is  currently appearing on Broadway, playing the glamorous film star, Lily Garland, in the Roundabout Theatre Company’s On the Twentieth Century,which received rave reviews. She may be most remembered by Broadway lovers everywhere for her origination of the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, which earned her a Tony Award Nomination, and her Tony-winning performance in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. Chenoweth co-starred in the film The Boy Next Door and she starred as a poisonous frog named Gabi in the hit animated film Rio 2. She can be seen in the indie teen drama entitled Hard Sell and the Disney Channel’s live-action original movie Descendants, in which she will play the classic Sleeping Beauty villain Maleficent. Chenoweth received an Emmy Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series for her work on the ABC series Pushing Daisies.  Chenoweth was nominated for two Emmy Awards for her role on Fox’s hit comedy, Glee. She has also appeared on hit shows such as The West Wing, The Good Wifeand American Idol. Other stage credits include Epic Proportions; Promises, Promises; Love Loss and What I Wore, Scapin; Steel Pier; Apple Tree; Music in the Air; Stairway to Paradise and others.  Chenoweth has also performed to sold-out crowds around the world – with performances at Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City, London’s Royal Albert Hall, Australia’s Sydney Opera House, and the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles in which she was also inducted into their Hall of Fame.  She will continue touring later this year. Chenoweth hosted the PBS Arts Fall Festival, featuring her own concert, Kristin Chenoweth: Coming Home, where she performed a career-spanning concert in her hometown of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The concert was released as a live CD and DVD, and aired as a PBS television. It’s no secret that Kristin wears her heart on her sleeve when it comes to her love of theater, which was the catalyst for her charity partnership with the Broken Arrow Performing Arts Center (BA PAC) Foundation in her home town in Oklahoma. Chenoweth is an inductee into the Oklahoma Hall of Fame, as well as the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. This year, Chenoweth will be receiving a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of live performances on stage or in the theatre. Chenoweth wrote a candid, comedic chronicle of her life, A Little Bit Wicked which debuted at # 12 on the New York Times Hardcover Non-Fiction Best Seller List.

Alan Cumming

Alan Cumming is an actor and activist beyond eclectic and according to the New York Times ‘a bawdy countercultural sprite’; Time Magazine named him one of the most fun people in show business; He plays political maverick Eli Gold on CBS’s The Good Wife, for which he received Golden Globe, Emmy, SAG and Satellite award nominations and earlier this year finished his Tony Award-winning role of the Emcee in the Broadway musicalCabaret. Last season, he performed a sensational one man production of Macbeth at the Barrymore Theater. Alan’s diverse career has found him performing at venues around the globe including the Sydney Opera House; making back to back films with Stanley Kubrick and The Spice Girls; directing and starring in a musical condom commercial; creating voices of a Smurf, a goat and Hitler; entering upside down and suspended by his ankles in a Greek tragedy (in the National Theatre of Scotland's The Bacchae); and recording an award-winning album of songs (plus a dance remix).  Alan is also Host of PBS’s Masterpiece Mystery and appears opposite Lisa Kudrow in Showtime's Web Therapy. Alan has written for The New York Times, Newsweek, Harper’s Bazaar, Out, has a bi-monthly column for Globe and Mail, and two books; Tommy’s Tale and his New York Times Best-Selling memoir, Not My Father's Son. A tireless champion for LGBT civil rights and HIV/AIDS, Alan serves on the Board of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and works closely with amfAR, The Trevor Project and the Ali Forney Center to name but a few. In 2009, Alan was made an OBE in the Queen's Honors List and by his homeland, Scotland, for which he was a vocal supporter of the YES for independence campaign, he has been awarded the Great Scot and Icon of Scotland awards, as well as recently having his portrait unveiled at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery as seen on the finale of Portrait Artist of the Year.

Tommy Tune

As previously announced, the 2015 Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre will be presented to Tommy Tune and the Isabelle Stevenson Award will be presented to Stephen Schwartz.  The 2015 Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre will be presented to Scenic Artist Arnold Abramson; press agent Adrian Bryan-Brown; and theatre technician Gene O’Donovan.  This year the Tony Award Administration Committee will present a Special Tony Award to John Cameron Mitchell.

Stephen Schwartz

Each year, the Tony Awards Administration Committee presents a Tony Award to a regional theatre on the recommendation of the American Theatre Critics Association. The 2015 Regional Theatre Award will be presented to Cleveland Play House.

The 2014-2015 Tony Award Nominating Committee consists of Douglas Aibel, Arin Arbus, Ira Bernstein, Susan Birkenhead, Ben Cameron, Mary Schmidt Campbell, Veronica Claypool, Paul Cremo, John Darnton, Jacqueline Z. Davis, Rick Elice, Harvey Evans, Paul Gallo, Kent Gash, Liza Gennaro, Jenny Gersten, Wendall K. Harrington, Philip Himberg, Jack Hofsiss, Julie Hughes, Stephen Karam, Corby Kummer, Dick Latessa, Kate Levin, Reynold Levy, Sara Lukinson, Patricia Marx, Jim McLaughlin, Roger Morgan, Katherine Oliver, Christian Parker, Ravi S. Rajan, Nigel Redden, Arlene Shuler, Linda Shelton, Wynn Thomas, Robin Wagner and Preston Whiteway.

The Antoinette Perry “Tony” Awards are bestowed annually on theatre professionals for distinguished achievement. The Tony is one of the most coveted awards in the entertainment industry and the annual telecast is considered one of the most prestigious programs on television. 

The 2015 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. At The Broadway League, Robert E. Wankel is Chairman and Charlotte St. Martin is Executive Director. At the American Theater Wing, William Ivey Long  is Chairman and Heather A. Hitchens is President. 

For the CBS broadcast, Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss/White Cherry Entertainment are Executive Producers.  Weiss also serves as Director.

IBM, the official information technology partner of the Tony Awards, develops, designs, and hosts the official Tony Awards digital experience across platforms, including www.TonyAwards.com. Carnegie Mellon University is the first-ever, exclusive higher education partner of the Tony Awards. United Airlines is the official airline of the Tony Awards. Paramount Hotel is the official hotel partner of the Tonys.  City National Bank is the official bank of the Tony Awards. Porsche Cars North America, Inc., manufacturer of exclusive sports cars, is celebrating dynamic performance as the official sports car of the Tony Awards.  La Crema, known for elegant Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, is the official wine of the Tony Awards. USA TODAY is the official media partner of the Tony Awards. PEOPLE is the official magazine partner of the Tony Awards. Clear Channel Spectacolor is an official media partner of the Tony Awards and co-producer of the Tonys Simulcast in Times Square. The Hollywood Reporter is an official media partner of The Tony Awards.

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Nominations for the 2015 American Theatre Wing’s Tony Awards®
Presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing

Best Play

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Author: Simon Stephens 
Producers: Stuart Thompson, Tim Levy for NT America, Warner Bros. Theatre Ventures, Nick Starr & Chris Harper for NT Productions, Bob Boyett, Roger Berlind, Scott M. Delman, Roy Furman, Glass Half Full Productions, Ruth Hendel, Jon B. Platt, Prime Number Group, Scott Rudin, Triple Play Broadway, The Shubert Organization, The National Theatre

Disgraced

Author: Ayad Akhtar 
Producers: The Araca Group, Lincoln Center Theater, Jenifer Evans, Amanda Watkins, Richard Winkler, Rodger Hess, Stephanie P. McClelland, Tulchin/Bartner Productions, Jessica Genick, Jonathan Reinis, Carl Levin/Ashley De Simone/TNTDynaMite Productions, Alden Bergson/Rachel Weinstein, Greenleaf Productions, Darren DeVerna/Jere Harris, The Shubert Organization, The David Merrick Arts Foundation

Hand to God

Author: Robert Askins 
Producers: Kevin McCollum, Broadway Global Ventures, CMC, Morris Berchard, Mariano V. Tolentino, Jr., Stephanie Kramer, LAMS Productions, DeSimone/Winkler, Joan Raffe & Jhett Tolentino, Timothy Laczynski, Lily Fan, Ayal Miodovnik, Jam Theatricals, Ensemble Studio Theatre, MCC Theater

Wolf Hall Parts One & Two

Co-Authors: Hilary Mantel and Mike Poulton 
Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Matthew Byam Shaw, Nia Janis & Nick Salmon for Playfull Productions UK, Carole Shorenstein Hays, Jam Theatricals, Ron Kastner, Kyodo Tokyo, Inc., Tulchin Bartner Productions, WLE MSG, Jane Bergère, Scott M. Delman, Rebecca Gold, Just for Laughs Theatricals, Kit Seidel, Triple Play Productions, Gabrielle Palitz, Georgia Gatti, Jessica Genick, Will Trice, The Shubert Organization, The Royal Shakespeare Company

Best Musical

An American in Paris

Producers: Stuart Oken, Van Kaplan, Roy Furman, Stephanie McClelland, Darren Bagert, Carole L. Haber, James Nederlander, Five Cent Productions, Michael Leavitt, Apples and Oranges Studios/Dominion Pictures, Roger Berlind/Arch Road, Simone Genatt Haft/Marc Routh, Triptyk Studios/Spencer Ross, Ed Walson/Peter May, Adam Zotovich/Celia Atkin, Eugene Beard/Julie Boardman/Kalish-Weinstein, Stuart Ditsky/Jim Herbert/Sandy Robertson, Suzanne Friedman/Independent Presenters Network/Wonderful Productions, The Leonore S. Gershwin 1987 Trust/Jenkins-Taylor/Proctors, Harriet Newman Leve/Jane Dubin/Sarabeth Grossman, Caiola Productions/Jennifer Isaacson/Raise the Curtain, Elephant Eye Theatrical & Pittsburgh CLO, Théâtre du Châtelet

Fun Home

Producers: Fox Theatricals, Barbara Whitman, Carole Shorenstein Hays, Tom Casserly, Paula Marie Black, Latitude Link, Terry Schnuck/Jack Lane, The Forstalls, Nathan Vernon, Mint Theatrical, Elizabeth Armstrong, Jam Theatricals, Delman Whitney, Kristin Caskey & Mike Isaacson, The Public Theater, Oskar Eustis, Patrick Willingham

Something Rotten!

Producers: Kevin McCollum, Broadway Global Ventures, CMC, Mastro/Goodman, Jerry & Ronald Frankel, Morris Berchard, Kyodo Tokyo Inc., Wendy Federman, Barbara Freitag, LAMS Productions, Winkler/DeSimone, Timothy Laczynski, Dan Markley, Harris/Karmazin, Jam Theatricals, Robert Greenblatt, Jujamcyn Theaters

The Visit

Producers: Tom Kirdahy, Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Tom Smedes, Hugh Hayes, Peter Stern, Judith Ann Abrams, Rich Affannato, Hunter Arnold, Carl Daikeler, Ken Davenport, Bharat Mitra & Bhavani Lev, Peter May, Ted Snowdon, Bruno Wang Productions, Taylor Cleghorn, Sandi Moran, Mark Lee & Ed Filipowski, Blodgett Calvin Family, Gabrielle Palitz/Weatherby & Fishman LLC, Marguerite Hoffman/Jeremy Youett, Carlos Arana, Veenerick & Katherine Vos Van Liempt, 42nd.Club/Silva Theatrical, Kate Cannova/Terry Loftis, The Shubert Organization, Williamstown Theatre Festival

Best Revival of a Play

The Elephant Man

Producers: James L. Nederlander, Terry Allen Kramer, Catherine Adler, Roger Berlind, Caiola Productions, Patrick Catullo, Roy Furman, Larry Hirschhorn, Jeffrey Finn Productions, Van Kaplan, Edward M. Kaufmann, Hal Luftig, Arielle Tepper Madover, Peter May, Stephanie P. McClelland, The Shubert Organization, Douglas Smith, Jonathan M. Tisch, WLE MSG, LLC., Scott & Brian Zeilinger, Williamstown Theatre Festival

Skylight

Producers: Robert Fox, Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, Roger Berlind, William Berlind, Roy Furman, Jon B. Platt, The Shubert Organization, Stephanie P. McClelland, Catherine Adler, Jay Alix & Una Jackman, Scott M. Delman, Heni Koenigsberg, Spring Sirkin, Stuart Thompson, True Love Productions, The Araca Group, Carlos Arana, David Mirvish, Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson

This Is Our Youth

Producers: Scott Rudin, Eli Bush, Roger Berlind, William Berlind, Jon B. Platt, Roy Furman, The Shubert Organization, Ruth Hendel, Scott M. Delman, Stephanie P. McClelland, Sonia Friedman, Tulchin Bartner, The Araca Group, Heni Koenigsberg, Daryl Roth, Joan Raffe & Jhett Tolentino, Catherine & Fred Adler, Joey Parnes, Sue Wagner, John Johnson, Steppenwolf Theatre Company

You Can’t Take It with You

Producers: Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Jam Theatricals, Dominion Pictures, Gutterman & Winkler, Daryl Roth, Terry Schnuck, Jane Bergère, Caiola Productions, Rebecca Gold, Laruffa & Hinderliter, Larry Magid, Gabrielle Palitz, Spisto & Kierstead, SunnySpot Productions, Venuworks Theatricals, Jessica Genick, Will Trice, Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy, Sydney Beers

Best Revival of a Musical

The King and I

Producers: Lincoln Center Theater, André Bishop, Adam Siegel, Hattie K. Jutagir, Ambassador Theatre Group

On the Town

Producers: Howard and Janet Kagan, Severn Partners Entertainment, Bruce Robert Harris and Jack W. Batman, Paula Marie Black, Nigel Lythgoe, Michael J. Moritz,, Jr., Mahoney/Alden/Badway, Ambassador Theatre Group, Margie and Bryan Weingarten, Kim Schall, Michael Rubenstein, Terry/Louise/Chris Lingner, Brunish & Trinchero, Stephanie Rosenberg, Laruffa & Hinderliter, Rubinstein/Handleman, Lizbeth Bintz, Riki Kane Larimer, 24 Hour Adventure Production, A&A Gordon, Matt Ross/Ben Feldman/Pamela Cooper, Barrington Stage Company

On the Twentieth Century

Producers: Roundabout Theatre Company, Todd Haimes, Harold Wolpert, Julia C. Levy, Sydney Beers

Best Book of a Musical

An American in Paris

Craig Lucas

Fun Home

Lisa Kron

Something Rotten!

Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell

The Visit

Terrence McNally

Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theatre

Fun Home

Music: Jeanine Tesori 
Lyrics: Lisa Kron

The Last Ship

Music & Lyrics: Sting

Something Rotten!

Music & Lyrics: Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick

The Visit

Music: John Kander 
Lyrics: Fred Ebb

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play

Steven Boyer, Hand to God
Bradley Cooper, The Elephant Man
Ben Miles, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Bill Nighy, Skylight
Alex Sharp, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Play

Geneva Carr, Hand to God
Helen Mirren, The Audience
Elisabeth Moss, The Heidi Chronicles
Carey Mulligan, Skylight
Ruth Wilson, Constellations

Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical

Michael Cerveris, Fun Home
Robert Fairchild, An American in Paris
Brian d’Arcy James, Something Rotten!
Ken Watanabe, The King and I
Tony Yazbeck, On the Town

Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical

Kristin Chenoweth, On the Twentieth Century
Leanne Cope, An American in Paris
Beth Malone, Fun Home
Kelli O’Hara, The King and I
Chita Rivera, The Visit

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Play

Matthew Beard, Skylight
K. Todd Freeman, Airline Highway
Richard McCabe, The Audience
Alessandro Nivola, The Elephant Man
Nathaniel Parker, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Micah Stock, It’s Only a Play

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Play

Annaleigh Ashford, You Can’t Take It with You
Patricia Clarkson, The Elephant Man
Lydia Leonard, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Sarah Stiles, Hand to God
Julie White, Airline Highway

Best Performance by an Actor in a Featured Role in a Musical

Christian Borle, Something Rotten!
Andy Karl, On the Twentieth Century
Brad Oscar, Something Rotten!
Brandon Uranowitz, An American in Paris
Max von Essen, An American in Paris

Best Performance by an Actress in a Featured Role in a Musical

Victoria Clark, Gigi
Judy Kuhn, Fun Home
Sydney Lucas, Fun Home
Ruthie Ann Miles, The King and I
Emily Skeggs, Fun Home

Best Scenic Design of a Play

Bunny Christie and Finn Ross, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Bob Crowley, Skylight
Christopher Oram, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
David Rockwell, You Can’t Take It with You

Best Scenic Design of a Musical

Bob Crowley and 59 Productions, An American in Paris
David Rockwell, On the Twentieth Century
Michael Yeargan, The King and I
David Zinn, Fun Home

Best Costume Design of a Play

Bob Crowley, The Audience
Jane Greenwood, You Can’t Take It with You
Christopher Oram, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
David Zinn, Airline Highway

Best Costume Design of a Musical

Gregg Barnes, Something Rotten!
Bob Crowley, An American in Paris
William Ivey Long, On the Twentieth Century
Catherine Zuber, The King and I

Best Lighting Design of a Play

Paule Constable, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Paule Constable and David Plater, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Natasha Katz, Skylight
Japhy Weideman, Airline Highway

Best Lighting Design of a Musical

Donald Holder, The King and I
Natasha Katz, An American in Paris
Ben Stanton, Fun Home
Japhy Weideman, The Visit 

Best Direction of a Play

Stephen Daldry, Skylight
Marianne Elliott, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Scott Ellis, You Can’t Take It with You
Jeremy Herrin, Wolf Hall Parts One & Two
Moritz von Stuelpnagel, Hand to God

Best Direction of a Musical

Sam Gold, Fun Home
Casey Nicholaw, Something Rotten!
John Rando, On the Town
Bartlett Sher, The King and I
Christopher Wheeldon, An American in Paris

Best Choreography

Joshua Bergasse, On the Town
Christopher Gattelli, The King and I
Scott Graham & Steven Hoggett for Frantic Assembly, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Casey Nicholaw, Something Rotten!
Christopher Wheeldon, An American in Paris

Best Orchestrations

Christopher Austin, Don Sebesky, Bill Elliott, An American in Paris
John Clancy, Fun Home
Larry Hochman, Something Rotten!
Rob Mathes, The Last Ship

* * *

Recipients of Awards and Honors in Non-competitive Categories

Special Tony Award for Lifetime Achievement in the Theatre

Tommy Tune

Special Tony Award

John Cameron Mitchell

Regional Theatre Tony Award

Cleveland Play House, Cleveland, Ohio

Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award

Stephen Schwartz

Tony Honors for Excellence in the Theatre

Arnold Abramson

Adrian Bryan-Brown

Gene O’Donovan

* * *

Tony Nominations by Production

An American in Paris - 12

Fun Home - 12

Something Rotten! - 10

The King and I - 9

Wolf Hall Parts One & Two - 8

Skylight - 7

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time - 6

Hand to God - 5

On the Twentieth Century - 5

The Visit - 5

You Can’t Take It with You - 5

Airline Highway - 4

The Elephant Man - 4

On the Town - 4

The Audience - 3

The Last Ship - 2

Constellations - 1

Disgraced - 1

Gigi - 1

The Heidi Chronicles - 1

It’s Only a Play - 1

This Is Our Youth - 1

#TonyAwards
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EVA LONGORIA’S VERSUS !GO SEBASTION GO!

This past weekend, Tribeca Talks ESPN Sports Film Festival brought Eva Longoria and Retta to showcase their films and to share their passion towards supporting the cause of diversity. Both of these ladies are not just phenomenal actors but also great filmmakers as well. And they are also social activist supporting cause of diversity and social justice.

That’s the motivation behind Eva’s project “Go Sebastian Go” which she both executive produced and directed. The film is about 11 year old Sebastien de la Cruz whose rendition of the national anthem before Game three of the 2013 NBA Finals kindled a blaze of racist tweets. Many of them started branding him 'illegal' and ridiculed his outfit and asked him to “go back”. Sebastian - who was born and raised in San Antonio - was the subject of hate-fueled abuse on social media because he was dressed in his favorite mariachi costume, and for his proud display of his Mexican heritage. Following the national controversy on the night of his performance, he was invited the next day to perform again. However his reception this time was far more supportive and positive. And Eva was one of his biggest cheerleaders on that day. She immediately tweeted: 'As a Mexican-American, I am so proud of Sebastien De La Cruz, a great symbol of what America is today!'

Sebastien said of his critics: 'With the racist remarks, it was just people - how they were raised. My father and my mama told me you should never judge people by how they look.' And he said, “Only 3 things are important in my life, my parents, god and mariachi”. How many 11 year olds have their top priorities clear!"

Eva is well known for her philanthropy work, and her faith in supporting Hispanic community triggered her to make this film. She also talked about her passion towards supporting diversity in America. And the need of more woman in entertainment business, not just as actors, but producers, writers, directors and all kind of roles. To give the world women’s perspective on different subjects, which only women can do! Retta chorused the same thoughts and her strong feelings were also expressed by her upcoming documentary film about famous French-American Ice skater of 70s, Surya Bonaly.

ESPN is going to bring many more wonderful stories soon and we’ll keep you all posted.

https://tribecafilm.com/festival/events/tribeca-talks-espn-sports-film-festival-conversations-go-sebastien-go

@TRIBECAFILMFEST | 2015 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL® ANNOUNCES ATTENDANCE #TFF2015 #TFF

It was a real big year for Tribeca, as the Festival’s 14th edition welcomed over 138,000 movie-goers over 12 days of screenings and panels with a total attendance of over 467,000!!

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The 2015 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), co-founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal and Craig Hatkoff, and presented by AT&T, announced that during the Festival’s 14th edition more than 467,000 people attended screenings, panels, virtual reality experiences and free community events – including the Tribeca Drive-In series, Family Festival Street Fair, Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day, the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards, and programming housed at TFF's inaugural downtown creative hub, Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios.

From April 15 through 26, the Festival hosted 492 screenings and panels. A total of 101 features, 60 short films and five immersive storytelling projects from 38 countries were screened for more than 138,000 movie-goers and panel attendees over the course of the 12-day Festival. For the second year, thanks to AT&T, an entire day of film screening tickets were free through “Film for All Friday,” where over 10,000 tickets were claimed for the screenings on Friday, April 24th.

“This year, thanks to our new Festival hub at Spring Studios, we have been able to connect more deeply than ever before with audiences seeing films, attending talks, and experiencing the cultural and technological innovations at the forefront of storytelling,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder, Tribeca Film Festival. “Bringing these audiences together with filmmakers and great stories is the reason we do what we do.”

The free community events returned with the Tribeca Drive-In® movie series on the waterfront plaza at Brookfield Place, co-sponsored by AT&T and hosted by Brookfield Place. The program featured a 30th anniversary screening of Clue, a 60th anniversary screening of the Disney classic Lady and the Tramp, and the world premiere of A Faster Horse, a documentary celebrating the 50thanniversary of the Ford Mustang. More than 7,500 visitors came out for the free, outdoor films and participated in games and activities, including a Murder Mansion photo booth, Italian love song sing-alongs, face painting, and interactive car-themes simulations. 

Festival organizers and Lieutenant C. Ficalora of the NYPD First Precinct estimated that a crowd of 300,000 enjoyed the signature Tribeca Family Festival Street Fair and Tribeca/ESPN Sports Day, sponsored by Mohegan Sun, on Saturday, April 25, which included Games for Change Public Arcade, interactive sports experiences with NY teams including The New York Knicks, New York Rangers and New York Liberty, live performances from The Rockettes and the casts of Broadway shows including Wicked, Kinky Boots, On The Town, and much more.

Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios, the new creative hub and gathering place for festivalgoers in the heart of Tribeca, welcomed nearly 20,000 people throughout the 12 day festival. The space hosted Storyscapes, a juried section showcasing groundbreaking exhibits in technology and interactive storytelling presented in collaboration with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin, DEF CON’s renowned hacking conference, Oculus™ Story Studio’s virtual reality experience, Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Sinatra at 100: Film & Music—a special evening of film and music with the Lincoln Motor Company in celebration of Frank Sinatra’s centennial, and talks with artists and industry leaders including A$AP Rocky, Google’s Astro Teller, Stanford’s Jeremy Bailenson, AOL’s Tim Armstrong and more.

The Beacon Theatre housed four of the Festival’s special events. Events included Opening Night, presented by AT&T, the world premiere of the documentary Live From New York!, celebrating the 40th anniversary of “Saturday Night Live” and followed by a performance by Chris “Ludacris” Bridges; an American Express Card Member exclusive screening of Mary J. Blige: The London Sessions, a documentary chronicling the artist as she writes, records, and curates one of her most experimental albums to date, followed by a performance by Blige; a reunion of the five surviving members of Monty Python followed by a  special screening of Monty Python and The Holy Grail; and the Festival’s Closing Night, co-sponsored by Infor and Roberto Coin, a remastered 25th anniversary screening  of Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas with a discussion with cast members Robert De Niro, Lorraine Bracco, Ray Liotta and Paul Sorvino led by Jon Stewart.

2015 Tribeca Film Festival anecdotes:

• Nearly 1000 industry delegates were in attendance from 40 countries including Argentina, Bulgaria, India, Israel, Kosovo, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Sweden, and the United Arab Emirates.
• There were 34 Tribeca Talks conversations at the festival, 16 of which were turned into live podcasts from WNYC http://www.wnyc.org/shows/tribecafilm
• Over 780 one-on-one meetings were scheduled at Tribeca Film Institute's Network Market, one-on-one industry meetings designed to allow filmmakers to network with film industry executives, potential investors, development executives, producers and agents. Additionally, over 125 industry/decision makers attended.
• The Festival presented 20 virtual reality projects from Chris Milk, Oculus™ Story Studio, Stanford Virtual Human Interaction Lab, Penrose, Nonny de la Pena and two projects in Storyscapes: “The Enemy” and “Machine To Be Another”
• The Festival celebrated the powerful connection between music and film, featuring a centennial tribute to the man who exemplified that pairing: Frank Sinatra. Tony Bennett, Ne-Yo and Alice Smith, Brandon Flowers, Lea Delaria, and Savion Glover honored his influence following a special screening of On the Town. In addition, multi-hyphenate rapper-actor Chris “Ludacris” Bridges helped open TFF, Mary J. Blige brought down the house at The Beacon Theatre with her powerful set, and Sarah McLachlan gave an exclusive performance at IWC Schaffhausen’s “For the Love of Cinema” gala dinner.
• Music continued throughout the 12 days when The Song of Lahore's Sachal Jazz Ensemble performed their innovative rendition of Dave Brubeck's "Take Five" after each screening in front of rapturous audiences, receiving multiple standing ovations. Che "Rhymefest" Smith performed after screenings of his filmIn My Father's House, then answered questions standing side by side with his recovering dad, still on the upswing, while during the Shorts program NY Daily Grind – the subway performers "Showtime" from the short "We Live This" performed for the audience and singers from "Better to Live" sang a song about NYC acapella.
• On an emotional and celebratory evening, the Maysles family attended the world premiere of Albert's last film, In Transit. Other friends there included Jerry Torre (the caretaker from Grey Gardens a.k.a. "the marble faun"). The documentary received a Special Jury Mention for its essentially American character and for being emblematic of the career of an "all-time master."
• The Monty Python reunion with John Oliver at the Beacon Theatre was uproarious, as expected, with the Pythons paying homage to their famous coconut scene when they arrived for the red carpet with toy coconuts to give to media and fans. 
• The subjects of The Wolfpack went to the closing night anniversary screening of GoodFellas dressed as GoodFellas.
• Olivia Wilde and Jason Sudeikis were TFF’s unofficial king and queen, with two projects each premiering at Tribeca, including Meadowland, Body Team 12,Tumbledown and Sleeping With Other People.
• Hundreds of locks and seals were ethically picked and tampered with in the DEF CON villages at Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios, teaching attendees from age five to 73 to look at media and the world around them in a different way.
• Audience Award winning director Patrick O'Brien of TransFatty Lives rapped Rapper's Delight at his Q&A through his voice machine.  Everyone was cracking up and his team had to stop him so the Q&A could continue.
• At the premiere of A Ballerina’s Tale, sponsored by Under Armour, dancer Misty Copeland received a standing ovation and was overcome with emotion when discussing her TIME cover at the Q&A afterwards which featured questions from an admiring audience, including some young aspiring ballet dancers. 
• DJ Z-Trip's performance of Speedy was called "the future of silent film" by many in attendance at the one-night-only event at Spring Studios.
• At the Orion: The Man Who Would be King screening, the audience was full of Orion lookalikes wearing paper cutout masks passed out by the filmmakers. People were still wearing them at the karaoke party afterwards.
• Wrestlers from Bodyslam: Revenge of the Banana arrived in costume, showed off their outrageous moves at the Q&A.
• Twenty-eight Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Award honorees received awards at a packed house at BMCC Tribeca PAC.
• Approximately 1,350 public school students attended screening events at Tribeca Film Festival, through Tribeca Film Institute programs including Tribeca Teaches, Youth Screening Series and Our City, My Story.
• And Festival Director Genna Terranova welcomed baby Gia Terranova Quintela, 7lbs 15 oz, on April 13, just in time for TFF!

About the Tribeca Film Festival

The Tribeca Film Festival helps filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enabling the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema. It is well known for being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established directors.

Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001, following the attacks on the World Trade Center, to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture, the Festival brings the industry and community together around storytelling.

The Tribeca Film Festival has screened more than 1,600 films from more than 80 countries since its first edition in 2002. Since inception, it has attracted an international audience of more than 4.9 million attendees, and has generated an estimated $900 million in economic activity for New York City.

About the 2015 Festival Sponsors

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, aiming to make this the most interactive film festival in the country, where visitors experience the Festival in ways they never imagined.

The Tribeca Film Festival is pleased to announce its Signature Sponsors: Accenture, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, American Express, Bloomberg, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), Brookfield Place, ESPN, IWC Schaffhausen, The Lincoln Motor Company, NBC 4 New York, NCM Media Networks, The New York Times, Santander, United Airlines, and VDKA® 6100. The Festival welcomes new Signature Sponsor: Spring Studiosand Thompson Hotels.

@TRIBECAFILMFEST | Screening of Monty Python and the Holy Grail

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TFF-5 Pythons-Beacon Theatre

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Friday, April 24, 2015, Beacon Theatre, NYC.- The 5 Pythons John Cleese, 75, Eric Idle, 72, Terry Jones, 73, Terry Gilliam, 74, and Michael Palin, 71 are reunited to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their comedy classics “Monty Python and The Holy Grail,” “Life of Brian” and their latest documentary “The Meaning of Life.”

• @TribecaFilmFest | @MontyPython: The Meaning of LIVE (4/4) #TFF2015

I for one have never been a HUGE fan of Monty Python, unlike many others. I have not seen lot of there work either. I watched the HOLY GRAIL last year, and wasn’t super impressed. It was funny, it was good, but I didn’t find it amazing. But how could I say NO to an opportunity to watch these legends LIVE at Tribeca Film Festival’s American Express Card Member exclusive world premiere of Monty Python: The Meaning of Live. And I have to say, it was amazing, it was awesome!

What makes Monty Python so great? What makes them a phenomenon? What makes them a legend? This is a documentary film, which does give you a feeling that you understand these questions better. You see them, like you may not have seen them ever before. And I don’t just mean older. I mean, as people with true passion for what they do, love for comedy and performing art and zeal to break barriers and do that has or was never done. And they did it like no one else probably ever could. There’s a moment in this film, when they show Mike Myers appearing on stage for there last show at O2. When asked who’s his best & most favorite ever in comedy, with tears he says, Monty Python, no one even comes closer. And you believe that for yourself. And for more, you’ll have to watch it for yourself.

This wonderful event was even made more special by their presence and Q&A at the end. I got to see that these people are not just funny and brilliant when it’s scripted; they are genuinely amazing in person as well. While watching the movie, I heard some huge laughter next to me. And I turned to see, that person sitting 2 seats from me was none other than John Cleese himself, truly enjoying watching this documentary for the first time. And there were the 2 other Pythons Eric Idle and Michael Palin. It was quite an honor to enjoy this wonderful film siting besides these true legends. Now it’s time for me to go back and watch all of Monty Python from beginning, till end… while hoping that these legends live on and it never ends!

While perhaps best known for its eminently quotable films, Monty Python has performed its signature, surreal humor in live shows since the group’s earliest days. Dive into the history of Python’s stage work and the genesis of some of its most well-known pieces as they prepare for their last-ever live show. Monty Python: the Meaning of Life is a hilarious and illuminating survey of the process behind the Python.

FILM INFORMATION

Year: 2014

Length: 94 minutes

Language: English

Country: U.K.

Premiere: International

CAST & CREDITS

Director: Roger Graef, James Rogan

Producer: Jim Beach, Holly Gilliam, Lindsey Jex

Editor: Simon Barker, David Atkinson

Executive Producer: Lucy Ansbro

Cast: Terry Gilliam, John Cleese, Eric Idle, Terry Jones, Michael Palin, with Graham Chapman 

https://tribecafilm.com/filmguide/monty-python-the-meaning-of-live-2015

http://www.montypython.com/news_tff2015arrivals/141

@TribecaFilmFest | 2015 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES THE AUDIENCE AWARD WINNERS #TFF2015 #TFF

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(Charlie Plummer) escapes on his bike in early morning, Photo Credit: Brandon Roots

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Lainey (Alison Brie) and Jake (Jason Sudeikis) in Leslye Hedlund’s film SLEEPING WITH OTHER PEOPLE

SPONSORED BY AT&T, KING JACK AND TRANSFATTY LIVES

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The 2015 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF) announced the winners of the two Audience Awards, sponsored by AT&T, tonight at its wrap party sponsored by Vice in New York City. Two awards – one for narrative and one for documentary – were given to the audience choices for the best films. King Jack, directed by Felix Thompson, was chosen to receive the Narrative award and TransFatty Lives, directed by Patrick O’Brien, was chosen for the Documentary award. Each award comes with a cash prize of $25,000. Additionally as part of the Tribeca Film Festival Artists Awards program, King Jack receives “Rockets Over the Delta” (Mass MoCA #218) courtesy of Stephen Hannock and TransFattyLives receives ”Taliban Relief Painting” courtesy of Piers Secunda.

“The awards go to two powerful and charming stories of young men facing their deepest fears and overcoming their own challenges,” said Genna Terranova, Festival Director, Tribeca Film Festival. “These fiction and non-fiction stories of triumph and resilience clearly resonated with audiences this year.”

The runners-up were Song of Lahore, directed by Andy Schocken and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, for the documentary audience award and Sleeping With Other People, directed by Leslye Headland, for the narrative audience award. Throughout the Festival, which kicked off on April 15, audiences were able to vote by completing nomination ballots upon exiting screenings of TFF films. Films in the World Narrative Competition, World Documentary Competition, Viewpoints, Spotlight, and Midnight sections were eligible.

Audience award winners and runners-up will screen, Sunday April 26 at Regal Battery Park Stadium 11, along with the winners selected by the TFF Jury.

• King Jack at 3:15 p.m. and 9:15 p.m.
• TransFatty Lives at 3:30 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.
• Sleeping With Other People at 8:45 p.m.
• Song of Lahore at 2:45 p.m.

ABOUT THE AUDIENCE AWARD WINNING FILMS AND RUNNERS-UP:

King Jack, directed and written by Felix Thompson. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Growing up in a rural town filled with violent delinquents, Jack has learned to do what it takes to survive, despite having an oblivious mother and no father. After his aunt falls ill and a younger cousin comes to stay with him, the hardened 15-year-old discovers the importance of friendship, family, and looking for happiness even in the most desolate of circumstances.

TransFatty Lives, directed by Patrick O’Brien, co-written by Patrick O'Brien, Scott Crowningshield, Lasse Jarvi, Doug Pray. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary.Director Patrick O’Brien is TransFatty, the onetime NYC deejay and Internet meme-making superstar. In 2005, O’Brien began to document his life after being diagnosed with ALS and given only two to five years to live. TransFatty Lives is a brazen and illustrative account of what it's like to live when you find out you are going to die.

Song of Lahore, directed by Andy Schocken and Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy. (USA, Pakistan) – World Premiere, Documentary. Until the late 1970s, the Pakistani city of Lahore was world-renowned for its music. Following the Islamization of Pakistan, many artists struggled to continue their life's work. Song of Lahore turns the spotlight on a group of stalwart musicians that kept playing and ultimately attracted listeners from around the world. In English, Punjabi, and Urdu with subtitles.

Sleeping With Other People, directed and written by Leslye Headland. (USA) – New York Premiere, Narrative. Jason Sudeikis and Alison Brie star as two romantic failures whose years of serial infidelity and self-sabotage have led them to swear that their relationship will remain strictly platonic.  But can love still bloom while you’re sleeping with other people? Writer/director Leslye Headland’s (Bachelorette) sexy romantic comedy co-stars Amanda Peet, Adam Scott, and Natasha Lyonne. An IFC Films Release

Connect with Tribeca: Follow us on Twitter @TribecaFilmFest and on Instagram @tribecaand join the conversation by using the hashtag #TribecaTogether or #TFF2015.

About the Tribeca Film Festival

The Tribeca Film Festival helps filmmakers reach the broadest possible audience, enabling the international film community and general public to experience the power of cinema. It is well known for being a diverse international film festival that supports emerging and established directors.

Founded by Robert De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff in 2001, following the attacks on the World Trade Center, to spur the economic and cultural revitalization of the lower Manhattan district through an annual celebration of film, music and culture, the Festival brings the industry and community together around storytelling. 

The Tribeca Film Festival has screened more than 1,600 films from more than 80 countries since its first edition in 2002. Since inception, it has attracted an international audience of more than 4.9 million attendees, and has generated an estimated $900 million in economic activity for New York City. 

About the 2015 Festival Sponsors

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, aiming to make this the most interactive film festival in the country, where visitors experience the Festival in ways they never imagined.

The Tribeca Film Festival is pleased to announce its Signature Sponsors: Accenture, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, American Express, Bloomberg, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin, Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), Brookfield Place, ESPN, IWC Schaffhausen, The Lincoln Motor Company, NBC 4 New York, NCM Media Networks, The New York Times, Santander, United Airlines, and VDKA® 6100. The Festival welcomes new Signature Sponsor: Spring Studios and Thompson Hotels.

@TribecaFilmFest | Ava DuVernay & Q-Tip – Tribeca Talks #TFF2015 #TFF

Qtip and Director Ava DuVernay

Ava DuVernay and the myNewYorkeye reporter, Natalie Friedman

Ava DuVernay and myNewYorkeye reporter, Natalie Friedman

Ava was just as I predicted her to be. Her aura projected nothing but warm, sweet, yet sharp and confident, a strong and empowering woman.  I am so glad I attended this Q & A. Musician Q-Tip held the discussion and questions on Wednesday, April 22 in the SVA Theatre. First, Q-Tip touched on Ava’s accomplishments. One that sends chills down my spine and a slight proud tear to my eye: Ava is the first African American woman to be nominated for a Golden Globe award for her film Selma. Next, Ava spoke of her directing style on set, goals with her projects, and even touched on her writing style. I always love to hear about how industry deals with deadlines, pressures, and being under a network “umbrella.”  It still looks like Ava has her creative drive in full force. She touched on her passion for all mediums of expression and love for the camera AND the actor: whether that be a film, tv show, commercial, or even music video.  I am excited to watch where Ava’s journey continues, she’s unstoppable.

@TribecaFilmFest | Inside Amy Schumer – Tribeca Talks

Amy Schumer

Natalie Friedman at Tribeca Talks

Insides Amy Schumer? It really goes there? Yes! Amy Schumer and her team of her hit TV show on Comedy Central “Inside Amy Schumer” discussed the hard work put into the show on April 19th. The third season of the show premiered on April 21, and just two days before was renewed into it’s fourth season! What an exciting time for everyone involved in the show.  Amy, Director, producer, writer, and her sister were part of the panel at Tribeca Talks. First, it began with showing sneak-peak scenes from the show. The show touches on everything from pop-culture, to issues in society, of course with a comedic light with the goal to shine line and eliminate the issues.  After the screening, Amy and the panel held a Q & A, and answered questions from the audience.  The panel discussed everything from the learning process from season 1 to season 3 and getting into a rhythm, to the joys of collaboration among the numerous writers of the show.  The thing that struck me as impressive: they had such a “go for it”, “why not?” attitude with trying new sketches and scenes with the show. See for yourself on Comedy Central, Tuesdays at  10:30/9:30c. Oh, and if you haven’t already, check out her music video “Milk Milk Lemonade.” What? I know.

@TribecaFilmFest | 2015 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS #TFF2015 #TFF

VIRGIN MOUNTAIN, DEMOCRATS, MEN GO TO BATTLE, UNCERTAIN WIN TOP AWARDS IN JURIED WORLD COMPETITIONS; DOOR INTO THE DARK WINS THE BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® STORYSCAPES AWARD

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SWORN VIRGIN WINS THIRD ANNUAL NORA EPHRON PRIZE

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FESTIVAL AWARDS $175,000 IN CASH PRIZES

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Last afternoon, I got an email in my inbox from Lapacazo with an invite for the Tribeca Film Awards party, announcing the winners of its competition categories. Well, how could we say no? We canceled whatever else was on our calendars and arrived at TFF’s creative hub, Tribeca Film Festival at Spring Studios. With a very intimate cocktail party preceding the award show, environment was abuzz with enthusiasm, joy and free booze. I caught up with Lapacazo who was chatting with Marco Kalantari and Danny Shayler from wonderful short film from the festival Shaman. And soon after the hilarious Michael Rapaport was on stage, who was hosting this wonderful event.

The winners of the narrative and documentary competition were awarded from the World Narrative and World Documentary sections of the official Festival lineup, which consists of 12 narrative and 12 documentary films from 19 countries. Best New Director prizes were awarded to first-time directors in the narrative and documentary categories, from a pool of 26 feature films. It was also announced that, beginning this year, the new name of the Best New Documentary Director Award going forward will be called The Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award, which was awarded tonight by Philip Maysles and Sara Maysles, the beloved filmmaker’s children.

Awards were also given for the best narrative, best documentary, and student visionary films in the short film competition.

In addition, the Festival announced The BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Storyscapes Award, created in collaboration with BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin, and the Nora Ephron Prize, sponsored by Coach.

This year’s Festival included 101 features, 60 short films, five immersive storytelling projects from 38 countries.

The winners of the Audience Awards, sponsored by AT&T, which are determined by audience votes throughout the Festival, will be announced on April 25.

“We are proud to honor the winning filmmakers, artists, and creators tonight,” said Jane Rosenthal, co-founder, Tribeca Film Festival. “Their stories have inspired all of us—and our audiences. We thank them for sharing their work at Tribeca.”

Screenings of the award–winning films will take place throughout the final day of the Festival: Sunday, April 26, at various venues. Specific times and ticketing information are available at www.tribecafilm.com/festival.

In addition to cash awards and in-kind services provided by sponsors including AKA, AT&T, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin, Citrin Cooperman, Coach, Inc., Company 3, CreativeFuture, The Walt Disney Studios, Freixenet, Paul Hastings LLP, Netflix, Shutterstock, and Soundtrack Film and Television–New York. The Festival presented the winners with original pieces of art created by eight contemporary artists: Daniel Arsham, Robert Bordo, Elizabeth Colomba, Stephen Hannock, Prune Nourry, Jean Pagliuso, Clifford Ross, and Piers Secunda.

The winners, awards, and comments from the jury who selected the recipients are as follows:

WORLD NARRATIVE COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

The jurors for the 2015 World Narrative Competition sponsored by AKA, were Paul Attanasio, Sophie Barthes, Whoopi Goldberg, Dylan McDermott, and Burr Steers.

         The Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature – Virgin Mountain, written and directed by Dagur Kári [Iceland, Denmark]. Winner receives $25,000, sponsored by AT&T, and the art award “Ash Eroded Film Reel” by Daniel Arsham. The award was given by Robert De Niro and Jane Rosenthal joined by Marissa Shorenstein, President, AT&T New York

                Jury Comment: “With its mixture of humor and pathos, this film captured our hearts.                Beyond the deceptively small frame of a mismatched love story, the film deals with the    issues of bigotry, loneliness, bullying, mental illness, and ultimately the triumph of the            human spirit and the meaning of love.”

         Best Actor in a Narrative Feature Film –Gunnar Jónsson as Fúsi in Virgin Mountain (Iceland, Denmark). Winner receives $2,500 sponsored by Citrin Cooperman. The award was given by Dylan McDermott and Arnie Hermann, lead partner, Entertainment Practice of the firmCitrin Cooperman.

                Jury Comment: “The film was aided in no small measure by a performer whose mixture of     comedy and sadness evokes Chaplin and Keaton, with a complete lack of tricks, pretense, or             condescension. This performer relies instead on subtlety, timing, and naked honesty,   creating an indelible portrait of a man fighting to be seen in a world that judges him by his     appearance.

         Best Actress in a Narrative Feature Film – Hannah Murray as Sara in Bridgend (Denmark). Winner receives $2,500 sponsored by Citrin Cooperman. The award was given by Sophie Barthes and Diana Mahiques, Business Development Manager, Citrin Cooperman.

Jury Comment: “An actress who captured the hopelessness of a lost generation. With bravery and guilelessness, this young actress led us in a descent into a world gone mad, as well as a journey into the protagonist’s own inner darkness.”

         Best Cinematography – Cinematography by Magnus Jønck for Bridgend (Denmark). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Shutterstock. The award was given by Sophie Barthes and Derick Rhodes, Footage Marketing, Shutterstock.

Jury Comment: “Soulful and searing images, a daring use of composition and light, and an evocative sense of place.

         Best Screenplay – Virgin Mountain written by Dagur Kári (Iceland, Denmark). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Freixenet. The award was given by Dylan McDermott and Tom Burnet President, Freixenet USA.

Jury Comment: “The writer of this film is also the director, and is credited as one of the editors, and also performed the music, and runs the director’s program at the National Film School of Denmark, leading us to wonder when he has time to go to the bathroom. His intricately designed, beautifully observed, and bravely conceived screenplay consistently defies expectations, avoids sentimentality, and never strikes a false note.

●      Best Narrative Editing – Bridgend edited by Oliver Bugge Coutté (Denmark). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Soundtrack Film and Television-New York, and $50,000 in post-production services provided by Company 3. The award was given by Sophie Barthes and Rob Cavicchio, owner Soundtrack NY.

Jury Comment: “Impeccable rhythms and expert balancing of many divergent narratives.”

WORLD DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

The jurors for the 2015 World Documentary Competition sponsored by Santander Bank, N.A., were Diego Bunuel, Tine Fischer, David Gelb, Joshua Rothkopf, and Gloria Steinem.

         Best Documentary Feature – Democrats, directed by Camilla Nielsson (Denmark). Winner receives $25,000, sponsored by Netflix, and the art award “Immersion (From the Holy River Series)” by Prune Nourry. The award was given by Gloria Steinem.

Jury Comments: “For its choice of an important, universal subject; for filming in conditions where simply to be present is a triumph; and for prioritizing dignity, courage, and our common struggle for humanity, we give this year’s Best Documentary Feature award to Camilla Nielsson for Democrats.”

Special Jury Mention: In Transit , directed by Albert Maysles, Nelson Walker, Lynn True, David Usui, and Ben Wu. (U.S.A)

         Best Documentary Editing – Palio, edited by Valerio Bonelli (U.K., Italy). Winner receives $5,000.  The award was given by Diego Bunuel.

Jury Comments: “This film viscerally transported us into an event and turned life into art. For subtly placing us behind the scenes; and for general technical excellence, this year’s award for Best Editing in a Documentary goes to editor Valerio Bonelli for Palio.”

BEST NEW NARRATIVE DIRECTOR COMPETITION:

The jurors for the 2015 Best New Narrative Director Competition were Mark Boal, Minnie Driver, Don Hertzfeldt, Cobie Smulders, and Joana Vicente.

         Best New Narrative Director – Zachary Treitz director of Men Go To Battle (U.S.A). Winner receives $25,000 sponsored by The Walt Disney Studios, $50,000 in post-production services provided by Company 3, and the art award “Trees II” by Clifford Ross. The award was given by Don Hertzfeldt and Joana Vicente.

Jury Comments: “Zachary Treitz presented us with a combination of approaches not all that easy to put together: a unique and sincere vision, alongside off-beat humor, alongside historical and emotional authenticity.”

                Special Jury Mention: Stephen Fingleton for The Survivalist (Northern Ireland, U.K.).

BEST NEW DOCUMENTARY DIRECTOR COMPETITION:

The jurors for the 2015 Best New Documentary Director Competition were Rachel Boynton, Lola Kirke, Will Patton, Alison Pill, and Michael Rapaport.

         Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award – Ewan McNicol and Anna Sandilands for Uncertain (U.S.A). Winner receives $25,000 sponsored by Netflix, and the art award “Athena” by Elizabeth Colomba. The award was given by Alison Pill along with Philip Maysles and Sara Maysles.

Jury Comment: “This year we recognize a beautiful character study that explores violent natures, redemption, and what it takes to tame the self. A perfect balance of simplicity and mystery, this American story examines humanity, and how it can unwittingly destroy not just landscapes but livelihoods.”

                Special Jury Mention: Erik Shirai for The Birth of Saké(U.S.A).

SHORT FILM COMPETITION CATEGORIES:

The 2015 Best Narrative Short Competition jurors were Hank Azaria, Mamie Gummer, André Holland, Arian Moayed, Sheila Nevins, and Dan Silver.

         Best Narrative Short – Listen, directed by Hamy Ramezan and Rungano Nyoni (Finland, Denmark). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Paul Hastings, LLP, and the art award “Caw (42)” by Robert Bordo. The award was given by Sharon Badal, Director of Short Film Programming and Initiatives Tribeca Enterprises, and Luke P. Iovine, III, Partner at Paul Hastings, LLP.

                Jury Comments: “This year’s winner for Best Narrative Short was emotionally compelling      and by far the most affecting of the pieces we screened, with the filmmakers displaying a                 clear emotional connection with the narrative. To say that we had a healthy debate is an      understatement.”

                Special Jury Mention:  Statistical Analysis of Your Failing Relationship directed by Miles Jay              (U.S.A, Canada).

The 2015 Best Documentary and Student Visionary Award jurors were Steve Buscemi, Debi Mazar, Katherine Oliver, Theo Rossi, and Vanessa Williams.

         Best Documentary Short – Body Team 12 directed by David Darg (Liberia). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by AKA, complimentary time in a.cinema, AKA's private screening room, and the art award “Black #19” by Jean Pagliuso. The award was given by Steve Buscemi, Debi Mazar, and Theo Rossi.

Jury Comments: “The winning film is a spiritual and inspiring story of personal courage and commitment. The filmmaking team takes us on a fearless journey that restores our faith in humanity and inspires viewers to be optimistic despite facing the most extreme challenges.”

Special Jury Mention: We Live This directed by James Burns (U.S.A).

         Student Visionary Award – Catwalk directed by Ninja Thyberg (Sweden). Winner receives $5,000 sponsored by Creative Future. The award was given by Steve Buscemi, Debi Mazar,  Theo Rossi, and Brett Williams, director, Creative Community and Youth Outreach, CreativeFuture.

Jury Comments: “An effective look at peer influence not peer pressure.  A creative explanation of what young people are experiencing as a result of social media threads and trends. Beautifully shot, and cast with a profound message that promotes individuality and vulnerability amongst the girls and parents, this year’s Student Visionary Award goes to Ninja Thyberg for her film Catwalk.”

Special Jury Mention: Kingdom of Garbage, directed by Yasir Kareem (Iraq, U.K.).

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® STORYSCAPES AWARD

The 2015 BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Storyscapes Award, which recognizes groundbreaking approaches in storytelling and technology, jurors were Andrew Golis, Shari Frilot, and Charlie Phillips.

●      BOMBAY SAPPHIRE ® Storyscapes Award: Door Into the Dark created by Amy Rose and May Abdalla at Anagram (U.K.). Winner receives $10,000, presented by BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Gin. The award was given by Andrew Golis, Shari Frilot, and Maria Dao, Brand Manager of House of Bombay Gin.

Jury Comments: “In an overwhelming media environment in which we struggle for control, we recognize a work that viscerally reconnects us with the value of letting go. It offers a meticulously crafted storyworld that allows us to cerebrally, emotionally, and quite literally leave our baggage behind and step into the void. In that void we become disoriented, take risks, make choices and find ourselves again, changed. Ambitious, simple, and profound, this work marks a fresh and promising direction for the field of immersive theater. It evoked a euphoria that stayed with us long after we left it.”

THE NORA EPHRON PRIZE

The 2015 Nora Ephron Prize jurors were Rachael Harris, Kevin Corrigan, Katja Blichfeld, Christine Lahti and Talya Lavie.

         The Nora Ephron Prize: Sworn Virgin, directed by Laura Bispuri and written by Francesca Manieri and Bispuri (Albania, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, Switzerland). Winner receives $25,000, sponsored by Coach. The award was given by Rachael Harris, Kevin Corrigan, Katja Blichfeld, Christine Lahti, Talya Lavie, and Iana dos Reis Nunes, vice president of public relations for Coach.

Jury Comments: “We are awarding a film that is exquisite in its broadness and its intimacy, with a truly original story that touches on gender identity and oppression in a way that members of this jury have rarely seen before. The film constantly surprised us and made us question our own positions through a confident, passionate, and beautifully nuanced vision that showed a real respect for the audience.”

Special Jury Mention: Being 14 directed and written by Hélène Zimmer (France).

FULL LIST OF ELIGIBLE 2015 TFF FILMS IN EACH CATEGORY OF COMPETITION:

World Narrative Feature Competition:

         Founders Award for Best Narrative Feature: 12 films

         Best Actress in a Narrative Feature:  13 actresses

         Best Actor in a Narrative Feature: 14 actors

         Best Cinematography in a Narrative Feature:  12 films

         Best Screenplay for a Narrative Feature:  12 films

         Best Editing in a Narrative Feature: 12 films

World Documentary Feature Competition:

         Best Documentary Feature: 12 films

         Best Editing in a Documentary Film:  12 filmmakers

New Director Competition includes first time directors across all feature sections with films making their North American, International, or World Premiere

         Best New Narrative Director: directors selected from 14 films

         Albert Maysles New Documentary Director Award: directors selected from 12 films

Short Films in Competition:

         Best Narrative Short: 28 films

         Best Documentary Short: 21 films

         Student Visionary Award: 11 films

Storyscapes Projects in Competition:

         BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® Storyscapes Award: 5 projects

Nora Ephron Prize:

         Awarded to a female director or screenwriter. Selected from 12 eligible films, with seven female writer-directors, three female writers, and two female directors

EDITORS BACKGROUND ON FILMS RECEIVING HONORS:

Narrative Films

Bridgend, directed by Jeppe Rønde, co-written by Jeppe Rønde, Torben Bech, and Peter Asmussen. (Denmark) – North American Premiere, Narrative. Sara (Hannah Murray) and her dad arrive in a town haunted by a spate of teenage suicides. When she falls in love with Jamie (Josh O’Connor), she becomes prey to the depression that threatens to engulf them all. Jeppe Rønde's debut is based on the real-life Welsh county borough of Bridgend, which has recorded at least 79 suicides since 2007.

Democrats, directed and written by Camilla Nielsson. (Denmark). – North American Premiere, Documentary. In the wake of Robert Mugabe’s highly criticized 2008 presidential win, a constitutional committee was created in an effort to transition Zimbabwe away from authoritarian leadership. With unprecedented access to the two political rivals overseeing the committee, this riveting, firsthand account of a country’s fraught first steps towards democracy plays at once like an intimate political thriller and unlikely buddy film.In English, Shona with subtitles.

Men Go to Battle, directed and written by Zachary Treitz, co-written by Kate Lyn Sheil. (USA) – World Premiere, Narrative. Kentucky, 1861. Francis and Henry Mellon depend on each other to keep their unkempt estate afloat as winter encroaches. After Francis takes a casual fight too far, Henry ventures off in the night, leaving each of them to struggle through the wartime on their own.

Sworn Virgin (Vergine Giurata), directed and written by Laura Bispuri, co-written by Francesca Manieri. (Albania, Germany, Italy, Kosovo, Switzerland) – North American Premiere, Narrative. As a young woman living within the confines of a Northern Albanian village, Hana longs to escape the shackles of womanhood, and live her life as a man. To do so she must take an oath to eternally remain a virgin. Years later, as Mark, she leaves home for the first time to confront a new set of circumstances, leading her to contemplate the possibility of undoing her vow. In Albanian, Italian with subtitles.

Uncertain, co-directed and co-written by Ewan McNicol and Anna Sandilands. (USA) – World Premiere, Documentary. An aquatic weed threatens the lake of the small American border town of Uncertain, Texas, and consequently the livelihoods of those who live there. As some of the men in town attempt to figure out their future, they confront a past that haunts them.

Virgin Mountain, directed and written by Dagur Kári. (Iceland, Denmark) – North American Premiere, Narrative. Fúsi is a mammoth of a man who at 43-years-old is still living at home with his mother. Shy and awkward, he hasn’t quite learned how to socialize with others, leaving him as an untouchable inexperienced virgin. That is until his family pushes him to join a dance class, where he meets the equally innocent but playful Sjöfn. In Icelandic with subtitles.

STORYSCAPES

Door Into the Dark

Project Creators: Anagram

"This is a labyrinth.” Find out what it means to be lost in an age of infinite information.

Using groundbreaking locative technology, this immersive documentary combines captivating storytelling with a visceral physical experience: feel your way into the dark—blindfolded, shoeless, and alone— along a taut length of rope that leads to a vivid aural world of real people who have been profoundly lost. Your encounter with these characters takes you deep into their sensations, risks, and illusions. To find your way into the light you must surrender to the unknown.

SHORT FILMS

Body Team 12, directed and written by David Darg, co-written by Bryn Mooser. (Liberia) - World Premiere, Documentary. Body Team 12 a team is tasked with arguably the most dangerous and gruesome job in the world: collecting the dead at the height of the Ebola outbreak.

Catwalk, directed by Ninja Thyberg, written by Ninja Thyberg. (Sweden) - North American Premiere, Narrative. Nine-year-old Ella’s classmates are playing in the schoolyard in full adult dress-up, and she wants to be part of that world in Catwalk.

Listen, directed by Hamy Ramezan, Rungano Nyoni, written by Hamy Ramezan, Rungano Nyoni. (Finland, Denmark) - New York Premiere, Narrative. In Listen a foreign woman in a burqa brings her young son to a police station to file a complaint against her abusive husband, but the translator assigned to her seems unwilling to convey the true meaning of her words.

For more information on all of the films in the 2015 Tribeca Film Festival, please visit tribecafilm.com/festival.