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May 16, 2008 IW NEWS | IFC Gets Assayas' Latest
IFC Films has acquired North American rights to Olivier Assayas' "Summer Hours," starring Juliette Binoche. The company is planning a 2009 release for the French drama which is screening this week in the Marche du Film here at the Cannes Film Festival. IFC's Arianna Bocco negotiated the deal with MK2 International's Matthieu Giblin. The film is described as following, "the divergent paths of three forty something siblings whose lives collide when their mother, heiress to her uncle's exceptional 19th century art collection, dies suddenly." [Eugene Hernandez]  [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] CANNES '08 | Fri PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
STRAIGHT TO THE (MARKETING) HEART
WHERE WORLDS COLLIDE
BEACH FARE
HUNGER STRIKE
Get the latest from the 2008 Cannes Film Festival in indieWIRE's special section. Celluloid Dreams in Darkness
Celluloid Dreams announced it will begin pre-production on "Hello Darkness," written and directed by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland, winner of the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival for "Quinceanera". The $15 million budgeted film is described as a kitchen-sink vampire film with a romantic twist. "Darkness" follows a young man who becomes a vampire (thus making him eternally young) and his swaying love interests between his confidant and a posh girl named Lucy. The film is now in casting and is planning on shooting in Newcastle, this fall 2008. [Jenny Sung/indieWIRE] [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] iW NEWS | Jaman.com Announces Worldwide Movie Channel
Jaman.com has announced the availability of instantly streamed movies in high-definition quality for free, worldwide. Films will play immediately in the browser, without the need to download. Jaman is launching streaming with 100 ad-supported titles from its collection of more than 3000 independent and international films. Viewers can choose to download the films without advertisements for $1.99 or with them for free. "This development changes the marketplace for long-form content," said Jaman founder Gaurav Dhillion in a statement. "By offering a free streaming media service along with our media service along with our current rental and ownership download options, we are anticipating the future of digital cinema." Among the initial available titles is 2005 Sundance winner "Shake Hands With The Devil" and mockumentary "My Date With Drew." [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] iW NEWS | Fortissimo Gets On Gibney's "Bus"
Fortissimo Films has acquired the worldwide rights (except the UK and US) to Jigsaw Film's new production, "Magic Bus." "Bus" will be directed by Alex Gibney, and chart the story of the infamous, LSD-fueled bus journey of avant-garde author Ken Kesey and his cohorts across America. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work with Alex Gibney and [the film's producer] Will Clarke on what no doubt will be a fascinating cinematic trip through the beginnings of the hippie and counter-culture movement that shook the US and the world set against the wonderful music that moved those times," said Fortissimo EVP Nicole Mackey in a statement. The film is partly financed and is being executive produced by Phoenix Wiley, and is expected to be completed next year. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] CANNES '08 | Fri AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
CANNES DAY 1 & 2 FILMS
"BLINDNESS" IS VISUALLY ARRESTING
A GREY CANNES (NOT JUST A WEATHER REPORT)
GUERILLA FILMMAKING...LITERALLY iW NEWS | Karlovy Vary To Open With "Guitar"
The 43rd Karlovy Vary International Film Festival will open on July 4, 2008, with the international premiere Amy Redford's "The Guitar." "Guitar," Redford's directorial debut, played at Sundance and follows the story of a woman who is diagnosed with terminal cancer, fired from her job and abandoned by her boyfriend all in the same morning. The festival will close with the world premiere of Tom Thurman's docu-portrait "Nick Nolte: No Exit." The film sternly analyzes actor Nolte, as well as interviewing Ben Stiller, Jacqueline Bisset, Patricia Arquette and Alan Rudolph. Nolte himself will attend the screening. The festival will additionally feature 40 World, International, and European premieres and over 200 Czech premieres. It runs through July 12,2008. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals ] iW NEWS | Student Academy Awards Announced
Eleven students from eight colleges and universities have been named winners in the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 35th Annual Student Academy Awards competition. They will participate in a week of industry-related activities and social events, culminating in the awards ceremony on June 7 at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. The winners in the "Alternative" category are "Circles of Confusion" (Phoebe Tooke, San Francisco State University), and "Viola: The Traveling Rooms of a Little Giant" (Shih-Ting Hung, University of Southern California); in the "Animation" category, Oscars went to "Simulacra" (Tatchapon Lertwirojkul, The School of Visual Arts), "The Visionary" (Evan Mayfield, Ringling College of Art and Design, Florida), and "Zoologic" (Nicole Mitchell, California Institute of the Arts); the "Documentary" category winners were "As We Forgive" (Laura Waters Hinson, American University, Washington, D.C.), "If a Body Meet a Body" (Brian Davis, University of Southern California), and "Unattached"( J.J. Adler, Columbia University); and in the "Narrative" category, winners were "A Day's Work" (Rajeev Dassani, University of Southern California), "Pitstop" (Melanie McGraw, University of Southern California), and "The State of Sunshine" (Z. Eric Yang, Florida State University). The "Honorary Foreign Film" award went to "On the Line (Auf der Strecke)" (Reto Caffi, Academy of Media Arts, Cologne, Germany). While the U.S. winners know they will each receive an award, their placement - Gold, Silver or Bronze - will not be revealed until the June 7 ceremony. In addition to a trophy, Gold Medal winners receive $5,000, Silver Medal winners receive $3,000 and Bronze Medal winners receive $2,000. The Honorary Foreign Film winner receives $1,000 in addition to a trophy. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ] May 15, 2008CANNES '08 | Thurs PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
MEETING MEREILLES
UNCERTAIN FUTURES FOR BOUNTY AT CANNES
CANNES CANDIDS
A TASTE OF CANNES
THE "BRAD"Y BUNCH
PROCEED WITH CAUTION
MOVIE TITANS ANNOUNCE FILM
FESTIVAL FASHION iW NEWS | Brooklyn Fest Announces "Cinergy-11"
The Brooklyn International Film Festival announced the line up for its 11th annual festivals, themed "Cinergy." The event will run from May 30, 2008 to June 8, 2008, with films showing at both the Brooklyn Lyceum Theater and the Brooklyn Heights Cinema. Highlights include the US Premiere of Paul Kirk's "Able Danger," Austin Chick's "August," Judson Pearce Morgan and Kelly Overton's "The Collective," Tao Ruspoli's "The Fix," and David Modigliani's "Crawford." The festival will award the winners with prizes totaling over $80,000 in film services, products and cash. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals ] CANNES '08 | Thurs AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
BOLLYWOOD IS SO LAST YEAR
WATCH OUT FOR THESE
THE FANTASTIC FOUR
OFFSETTING THE PRETENSE OF EUROPEAN ETIQUETTE May 14, 2008iW NEWS | Magnet Takes "Surveillance"
Magnet Releasing, the genre arm of Magnolia Pictures, announced that it has acquired the U.S. rights to Jennifer Lynch's "Surveillance." Starring Bill Pullman, Julia Ormand and Cheri Oteri, "Surveillance" is a thriller that details the aftermath of a violent killing. "'Surveillance' is a wild, wild trip, steered by Jennifer Lynch's incredibly accomplished directorial hand," said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles in a statement. The film is screening out of competition at Cannes on May 21, 2008. Magnet is planning a fall theatrical release. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions ] CANNES '08 | Wed PM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
CANNES FROM YOUR COMPUTER
CANNES IN A VAN
CANNES YOU GUESS?
CANNES '68 REVISITED IFC Brings "Pleasure" to North America
North American rights to Cannes Directors Fortnight closing feature, "The Pleasure of Being Robbed" by co-writer/director Joshua Safdie have been picked up by IFC Films, the New York-based distributor confirmed Wednesday afternoon. [Brian Brooks/indieWIRE] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] Elephant Eye Acquires Two
Elephant Eye Films have two new acquisitions: Director Nate Meyer's urban drama "Frat Girl," a follow-up to "Pretty In The Face," which is starting production, and Michael Jacob's "Audience of One," a documentary about a Pentecostal minister who receives a vision from God telling him to make a science fiction film, which won the Special Jury Award at South By Southwest and was a an official selection of New Directors/New Films. Based in New York, the principals of the newly formed Elephant Eye are Kim Jose, David Robinson and Vicky Wight. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] Rotterdam's Hubert Bals Fund Announces Recipients
The Rotterdam Film Festival's Hubert Bals Fund announced its financial contributions to 27 projects with filmmakers from 17 countries. The Fund's goal is to aid innovative talents closer to completing their projects and acting as a seal of approval to attract further investors. Of the 27 selected is Pablo Larrain's "Tony Manero," screening at the Director's Fortnight at Cannes, as well as Edwin's "The Blind Pig Who Wants to Fly" and Matias Meyer's second feature to follow his previous success "Wadley." Supporting digital film projects since 2006, Phillipines' Lav Diaz is also receiving support from the Fund, as are four other digital projects. For more information, please visit http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com. [Jenny Sung/IndieWIRE] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals ] Delpy's "Countess" Closes Pre-Sale
Director Julie Delpy's second feature directorial effort, "The Countess" has closed pre-sale agreements with the UK's Halcyon and France's Bac Films, Paris-based film sales company Celluloid Dreams announced Wednesday. "The Countess" is described as a "period thriller" about the notorious Countess Bathory, played by Delpy. [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Biz, Cannes ] CANNES '08 | Wed AM Roundup
indieWIRE offers a select take of Cannes 2008 news around the world.
BATTLE OF THE BADGES
BUYER'S LAMENT
THE STARS HIT CANNES
GET YOUR DRINK ON AT CANNES
VICKY CRISTINA BARCELONA TRAILER iW NEWS | IFP Selects Doc Lab Projects
On Thursday, organizers of IFP's Independent Filmmaker Lab announced the ten documentary projects selected to participate in the event. Created to support independent projects before they submit to film festivals, the program brings first-time feature filmmakers to leading industry mentors through its Documentary Lab in May and its Narrative Lab in June. The selected projects include Cambria Matlow and Morgan Robinson's "Burning in the Sun," Augusta Palmer's "The Hand of Fatima," Geralyn Pezanoski's "Mine: Taken By Katrina," Ngawang Choephel's "Ocean Song and Dance," Troy Word's "The Presence of Joseph Chaikin," Xavier Marrades Orga's "The Stranger's Land," Yolanda Pividal's "Tijuana, Nada Mas," Lorena Manriquez and Miguel Picker's "Ulises' Odyssey," Lee Storey's "Up With People," and Melis Birder's "The Visitors." Following the programs, excerpts from the films screen at IFP's Independent Film Week in New York City in September. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Documentary, Events ] May 13, 2008iW NEWS | Overture and Vantage Team For Moore
Paramount Vantage and Overture Films have announced that they will team to co-finance and distribute Michael Moore's next film, an as-yet-untitled follow-up to "Fahrenheit 9/11." Paramount Vantage will handle international distribution in all media and Overture will handle domestic distribution in all media. The former will launch the film into the international marketplace this week in Cannes. "It's great to be working again with [Overture CEO] Chris McGurk and [Paramount Film Group President] John Lesher," said Moore in a statement. "Both of them have been exceptional to work with in the past and I look forward to their assistance in this new project." Lesher previously represented Moore as one of his agents at Endeavor and was involved in "Fahrenheit 9/11," while McGurk oversaw the release of "Bowling For Columbine" while at MGM. "We are thrilled to be working with Michael again, said McGurk and Overture COO Danny Rosett jointly in a statement. "His fearless filmmaking has become an important catalyst for challenging mainstream thoughts and values regarding the important critical issues facing this country and the world." This is the first co-production between Paramount Vantage and Overture Films after making an exclusive international distribution deal made during Cannes 2007 that allowed Overture access to Vantage's international sales division as well as the distribution arm of Paramount Pictures International. The new Moore film is scheduled for release in 2009. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] NYT: Robert Rauschenberg, Titan of American Art, Is Dead at 82
Robert Rauschenberg, the irrepressibly prolific American artist who time and again reshaped art in the 20th century, died Monday night. He was 82. Michael Kimmelman herereports. [permalink] [ filed under People ] AFP: Some like it hot! Cannes' caviar n' champ
The Cannes Film Festival opens officially to red-carpet glory on Wednesday but already the whining about the steep prices enforced for the yearly global invasion of stars and celluloid has begun. Pierre Pratabuy herereports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] May 12, 2008LAT | FIRST LOOK: Cannes colors "Blindness"
If eyes are the window to the soul, then Cannes Film Festival organizers' choice of "Blindness" as the opening night film promises a 24-frames-per-second allegory about the fragile state of civil society and the human spirit. Sheigh Crabtree reports with a trailer sneak peak. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] AFP: The year that shook Cannes
A year of revolt the world over, tumultuous 1968 also brought high drama to Cannes, the single time the film festival had to be cut short, with no one taking home a prize and no red-carpet finale. Claire Rosemberg herereports. [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] Reuters: Cannes pits Hollywood against obscure arthouse
Hollywood legends and obscure arthouse directors descend on Cannes from Wednesday for the world's biggest film festival that combines edgy cinema with A-list celebrities, glitzy parties and frenetic deal-making. Mike Collett-White [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] iW NEWS | Provincetown Celebrates 10 Years With Garcia Bernal
The 10th Annual Provincetown International Film Festival announced some of its programming and its annual honorary awards Monday, with Gael Garcia Bernal taking the Excellence in Acting Award and Jane Lynch receiving the Faith Hubley Memorial Award. As previously announced, Quentin Tarantino will be awarded the Filmmaker of The Edge Award. All previous winners of that award have been invited back to participate in the 10th anniversary celebration, including John Waters, Christine Vachon, Ted Hope, James Schamus, Gus Van Sant, Todd Haynes, Jim Jarmusch, Mary Harron, Gregg Araki and Todd Solondz. The festival will open with Madonna's "Filth and Wisdom" and close with Clark Gregg's "Choke." The centerpiece selections will be Alan Ball's "Towelhead" and James Marsh's "Man on Wire." [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals ] May 11, 2008iW NEWS | Weekend Estimates: "The Fall" Leads
While "Speed Racer" became the first major casualty of the summer blockbuster season, new specialty releases also failed to significantly impress this weekend, with Tarsem's "The Fall" leading the specialty-focused iW BOT, according to those films that submitted numbers to indieWIRE Box Office Tracking (iW BOT) estimates from Rentrak this afternoon. Roadside Attractions' "The Fall" grossed $80,188 from 9 screens for a decent $8,910 average. Other openers included Bruce Burgess's doc "Bloodline," which took in $6,200 from one screen for Cinema Libre. Fairing worse were two ThinkFilm openers, Bruce McDonald's Ellen Page starrer, "The Tracey Fragments," which grossed $3,330 on one screen, and Henry Bean's "Noise," starring Tim Robbins and Bridget Moynahan, which averaged just $2,025 on 2 screens. Among holdovers, Claude Lelouch's "Roman De Gare," distributed by IDP and Samuel Goldwyn, continued to pull good numbers, grossing $64,000 from 15 screens for a $4,267 average and a $333,582 cume. Last week's top two openers, "Mister Lonely" and "Son of Rambow," switched places this week, with "Rambow" averaging $3,833 from an expanded 36 screens, and "Lonely" just behind with a $3,600 average, about a fifth of its opening average. Finally, Spring's specialty breakout, Tom McCarthy's "The Visitor," expanded to 217 screens and maintained a healthy average of $3,521, taking its total to over $2.5 million. indieWIRE publishes its weekly box office column on Mondays and final weekend numbers for specialty and limited release films on Tuesdays. Get the latest in the indieWIRE Box Office section. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] iW NEWS | Edinburgh Film Fest Announces Slate
The Edinburgh International Film Festival announced its programming for its 62nd edition this week. This year the Festival, which runs from 18 - 29 June, will host fifteen World premieres including the previously announced Opening Night Gala, John Maybury's "The Edge of Love," while the Closing Night Gala will be the World premiere of "Faithheart," a comedy by Vito Rocco. The Festival will showcase 142 feature-length films from 29 countries, including 15 World premieres. Highlights include new Pixar release "Wall-E" screening as the Family Gala; Shane Meadows' "Somers Town" and Duane Hopkins' "Better Things" both in the British Gala section; Brad Anderson's "Transsiberian" and Isabel Coixet's "Elegy" both screening in the Gala section. The festival runs June 18-29, 2007. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals ] May 9, 2008iW NEWS | Lionsgate To Release "W"
Lionsgate has announced that it has acquired all North American distribution rights to Oliver Stone's anticipated George W. Bush biopic, "W." Lionsgate will also distribute the film in the U.K., Australia and New Zealand. "W" stars Josh Brolin as the current president, Elizabeth Banks as his wife Laura, James Cromwell and Ellen Burstyn as his parents and former first couple, Thandie Newton as Condoleezza Rice, Jeffrey Wright as Colin Powell, Scott Glenn as Donald Rumsfeld and Ioan Gruffud as Tony Blair. The film begins production on May 12, 2008 in Louisiana, and Lionsgate will released the film on October 17, 2008, just a few weeks before the presidential election. "The impact of George W. Bush's presidency will be felt for many years to come," said Oliver Stone in a statement." Despite a meteoric, almost illogical rise to power, and a tremendous influence on the world, we don't really know much about Mr. Bush beyond the controlled images we've been allowed to see on TV. This movie's taking a bold stab at looking behind that curtain. I'm real pleased that Lionsgate has the independence necessary to bring this provocative story to an American audience." [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions ] iW NEWS | Participant Media and Pangea Day Announce Winners
Participant Media, as part of its involvement with Pangea Day, a global event showcasing short films from around the world on May 10, 2008, has announced the five films whose filmmakers will receive $5,000 grants in the "Outstanding Filmmakers Awards Program." One winner from each continent was announced at a filmmakers retreat in Santa Monica Thursday night: From Africa, Dara Kell and Christopher Nizza's "Dear Mandela;" from Asia/Australia, Zeina Aboul Hosn's "I Remember Lebanon;" from Europe, Saleyha Ashan's "My Mother's Daughter;" from North America, Ari Kushnir's "Moving Windmills;" from South America, Jaoquin Baldwin's "Papiroflexia." In addition, Participant is sponsoring the "Filmmaker Development Grant Program," in which all 34 filmmakers whose films will be broadcast on television and/or posted on the Pangea Day website are eligible to submit a treatment for a feature film or documentary. These filmmakers will also compete for the grand prize of $20,000 to continue the development of the treatment and a non-binding first look deal with Participant for the treatment. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Honors ] REUTERS | Canadian Finances Film Over Internet
Aspiring Canadian filmmaker Casey Walker launched a website earlier this year to raise C$1 million to finance his film "Free for all.. But you." He's doing so by selling frames of his film over the Internet for C$10 a piece. And as Reuters reports, investors will in return receive a credit in his movie, advertising rights on his site and a cut of the profits if the film makes money. So far Walker has raised C$170,000. [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] iW NEWS | Costantin Films Sets "Pandorum"
Costantin FIlm and Impact Pictures announced that Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster are in final negotiations to join "Pandorum," a science-fiction thriller set aboard an "abandoned pioneer space vessel." The film, to be directed by Christian Alvart will be financed by Constatin under its joint venture deal with Impact, and will be released in North America by Overture Films. Summit Entertainment is handling foreign sales for Constantin Film and will introduce the project to buyers at the upcoming Cannes Film Festival. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] iW NEWS | Golden Trailer Awards Announced
Thursday night at the Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles, the 9th Annual Golden Trailer Awards were handed out in a ceremony hosted by comedian Sinbad. The upcoming "The Dark Knight" won best action trailer, while "Iron Man" won the best overall for summer 2008. "In Bruges" was named the most original, while "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and "The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford" won for best music and best voice-over, respectively. "No Country For Old Men" was awarded the best dramatic trailer, "Where In The World Is Osama Bin Laden?" best documentary, and "Day Night Day Night" for best independent. The awards will be televised on May 26, 2008 on MyNetworkTV, which will include the winner of the publicly voted "trailer of the year." All other winners were deciphered by a jury that included Joss Whedon, Jonathan D. Krane, Morgan Spurlock, Eli Roth, Gary Meyet and Claudia Puig. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Awards Watch, Honors ] May 8, 2008iW NEWS | Warner Bros. Shuts Picturehouse and Warner Independent
Warner Bros. President and COO Alan Horn has announced the closure of studio specialty divisions Picturehouse and Warner Independent Pictures today. The news follows the recent move to severely scale back New Line Cinema and incorporate it into the WB studio apparatus, cutting hundreds of jobs at the company. "With New Line now a key part of Warner Bros., we're able to handle films across the entire spectrum of genres and budgets without overlapping production, marketing and distribution infrastructures, Horn said, continuing, "We're confident that the spirit of independent filmmaking and the opportunity to find and give a voice to new talent will continue to have a presence at Warner Bros." The complete press release from Warner Bros. is available now via indieWIRE Insider. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] iW NEWS | Palm Pictures Croons to "Patti Smith"
North American rights to photographer Steven Sebring's directorial debut, "Patti Smith: Dream of Life," which premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival have been acquired by Palm Pictures. The deal, which encompasses North American theatrical, non-theatrical and home video and VOD distribution rights, was announced by Jan Korbelin, managing partner of Palm Pictures. The agreement was negotiated by Pierre Menahem, on behalf of Celluloid Dreams. Palm is currently planning a late summer 2008 theatrical release, followed by the DVD release in the early 2009. The doc is a portrait of poet, artist, punk pioneer and activist Patti Smith. "Palm Pictures has long been dedicated to bringing audiences the best in music films." commented Korbelin in a statement. "Patti Smith is a cultural pioneer whose energy and powerful vision redefined the world of music." [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions ] iW NEWS | Oberhausen Shorts Fest Announces Winners
The 54th International Short Film Festival Oberhausen was held May 1-6, 2008 in Oberhausen, Germany, and handed out awards Tuesday night at the Lichtburg Filmpalast. The Grand Prize of the City of Oberhausen, handed out by the international jury and worth 7,500 euros, went to Australian Dennis Tupicoff's "Chainsaw," for "its masterful synthesis of social commentary, formal experimentation, and its exploration of bareback riding both within the rodeo arena and beyond." The two Principal Prizes, worth 3,500 euros each, went to Romanian Radu Jude's "Alexandra" and Russian Alina Rudnitskaya's "Kak stat stervoi" ("Vixen Academy"). The Jury of the Minister President of North Rhine-Westphalia gave its prize for regional work to Belgian director Alexia Bonta's "Parlez-moi d'amou" ("Tell Me About Love"), while the FIPRESCI Prize (International Critic's Prize) went to Russian Pavel Medvedev's "Nezrimoe" ("The Unseen"). [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals ] iW NEWS | Cinema Guild Takes "Myths"
The Cinema Guild announced its acquisition of the U.S. distribution rights to Margaret Brown's second feature film, "The Order of Myths." "Myths," a documentary which looks at race in America through the Mardi Gras celebration in Mobile, Alabama, will open in New York and Los Angeles in July and August, followed by a national release. "With 'The Order of Myths,' Margaret has made an incredibly engaging film, a beautifully-composed, thoughtful investigation into our nation's history and its lingering effect on one community," said Ryan Krivoshey, Director of Distrubution for The Cinema Guild. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions ] iW NEWS | 24 frames Acquires "Partes Usadas"
Independent distributor 24 frames announced that it has acquired the North American rights to Mexican film "Partes Usadas, which was distributed in Mexico through Canana Films, founded by Gael Garcia Bernal and Diego Luna. The first feature of writer-director Aaron Fernandez, the film follows a 14 year old boy ad his shady uncle who are saving up to illegally immigrate to Chicago. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions ] iW NEWS | IFP Minnesota Announces Grant
IFP Minnesota, in partnership with ETS Pictures and Twin Cities-based production community, announced the "Fresh Filmmakers Production Grant," intended to assist new narrative filmmakers in Minnesota and Western Wisconsin. The first of its kind for the region, the grant will facilitate the production of one short narrative film directed by a filmmaker who has been making films for no more than five years. The grant is to honor the memory of Dennis O'Rourke, who was a friend to the regional film community for over thirty years before his death in 2006. The application deadline for the grant is August 19, 2008. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] iW NEWS | Seattle To Honor Kingsley
Sir Ben Kingsley has been named the recipient of the 2008 Golden Space Needle for Outstanding Achievement in Acting at the 34th Seattle International Film Festival. The award will be given at a tribute event at the Egyptian Theatre in Seattle on May, 25, 2008, and will be followed by the North American premiere of Isabel Coixet's "Elegy," which Kingsley stars in. After the screening, Kingsley will take the stage again for an interview moderated by David Poland. Three other Kingsley films, a special screening of "Sexy Beast" and two Seattle premieres, Jonathan Levine's "The Wackness" and Brad Anderson's "Transsiberian" will also play during the festival, which runs from May 22 through June 15. [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Honors ] iW NEWS | Fortissimo Set with "Subaru"
Hong Kong director Lee Chi-Ngai is directing "Dance Subaru," adapted from Masahito Soda's popular Japanese comic book. The producers of the project, which has just completed production and will be introduced at the upcoming Cannes Market, are Bill Kong ("House of Flying Daggers"), Masato Matsuura from Avex Entertainment Inc. and Ryuhei Chiba, co-CEO of Avex. [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Movies ] iW NEWS | Salmona Wins New Director's Prize in San Francisco
iAt the San Francisco International Film Festival yesterday, Mushon Salmona's "Vasermil" won the New Director's Award, while Yung Chang's "Up The Yangtze" won the prize for best documentary feature. Dawn Logsdon's "Faubourg Treme: The Untold Story of Black New Orleans" won the Bay Area Documentary Feature prize and Todd Herman's "Cabinet" won the Bay Area short prize and the New Visions prize. Christina A. Voros' "The Ladies" won the documentary short prize and Jean-Bernard Marlin & Benoit Rambourg "Thick Skinned" won the narrative short award, Chris Lavis & Maciek Szczerbowski won the animated short film prize for "Madame Tutli-Putli." [Eugene Hernandez] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals ] May 7, 2008iW NEWS | Cannes Classics Set For Fifth Year
The Cannes Film Festival will spotlight classic films on rediscovered or restored masterworks or films that have been re-released in theaters or DVD with the Cannes Classics 2008 program. Presented at the Palais des Festival, the Cinema de la Plage and the La Licorne Theatre, the program includes a tribute to Manoel de Oliveira for his 100th birthday, featuring a screening of one of his first films, 1931's "Douro, Faina Fluvial," as well as Wong Kar Wai presenting "Ashes of Time Redux." Overall, the program features dozens of films, including a new or restored prints of Marcel Ophuls' 1955 film "Lola Montes," Vijay Anand's 1965 film "Guide," Paul Newman's 1972 film "Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds," Bruce Weber's 1988 film "Let's Get Lost," Alejandro Jodorowsky's 1989 film "Santa Sangre," Jean Cocteau's 1949 film "Orphee," James Toback's 1977 film "Fingers," Lester James Peries' 1965 film "Gamperaliya," and Ben Maddow, Syndey Meyers and Joseph Strick's 1960 collaboration "The Savage Eye." Two new films will also be presented in the Documentaries About Cinema section: James Cressanthis's "No Subtitles Necessary: Laszlo & Vilmos," which follows the journey and friendship of Hungarian directors Laszlo Kovacs and Vilmos Zsigmond, and Richard Schickel's documentary about the history of Warner Brothers, "You Must Remember This," which will be accompanied by 10 screenings of classic Warner films, including a one-off "Looney Tunes." [Peter Knegt] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] iW NEWS | Critics Week Takes on "Poverty"
Philippe Diaz's "The End of Poverty?" has been added to Critics Week as part of the fest's "Cinema & Politics" day on May 19. Narrated by Martin Sheen, Diaz's ("Now & Later") doc explores whether the "true causes of povery today" stem from a deliberate orchestration since colonial times in which wealthy nations exploit the poor. Filmed in high definition in countries in Europe, Africa and South America, the film features economists, politicians and people engaged in social movements. Following its screening, Diaz and figures from the film will participate in a panel discussion. [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Cannes, Festivals ] iW NEWS | Locarno to Honor Producer Christine Vachon at Fest
Producer Christine Vachon of Killer Films will be awarded the Raimondo Rezzonico Prize at the 61st Locarno International Film Festival, taking place August 6 - 16. Through her production company, founded in 1995, Vachon has helped launch the careers of filmmakers such as Larry Clark ("Kids," 1995) and John Cameron Mitchell ("Hedwig and the Angry Inch," 2001) in addition to working with established directors such as Robert Altman ("The Company," 2003) and John Waters ("A Dirty Shame," 2004). "Locarno is celebrating an exceptional producer, who has made a decisive contribution to independent American cinema over the last fifteen years," commented Locarno's artistic director Frederic Maire in a statement. The award began in 2002 in memory of the man who was president of the Locarno Festival for almost twenty years. [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals ] NYT: Sundance Is Sold to Cablevision for $496 Million
The twelve-year-old channel, available in nearly 30 million homes, is currently a joint venture of NBC Universal, CBS Corporation and Robert Redford. Mr. Redford, the actor, director and producer, will remain with the network. Brian Stelter reports. [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] iW NEWS | Fortissimo Takes Non-North American Rights to Madonna's "I Am"
Director Nathan Rissman's "I Am Because We Are," produced, written and narrated by Madonna, has been acquired by Fortissimo Films. The doc will have its international premiere during Cannes where it will be presented as part of amfAR's annual "Cinema Against AIDS" event. The film spotlights the camera on Malawi an African country of twelve million people ravaged by the AIDS epidemic -- an epidemic that has left more than one million children as orphans. The film also examines global and individual solutions to solve the crisis of this small nation. Fortissimo's SVP, Sales & Acquisitions, Winnie Lau negotiated the deal, which includes all rights outside North America, with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) which represents the film. Madonna will be in Cannes May 22 as a co-chair of "Cinema Against AIDS." "I Am Because We Are" had its world premiere at the recent Tribeca Film Festival. [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions ] LAT | Independent Picturehouse's fate at Warner Bros. is cloudy
Considering the fate of Picturehouse and Warner Independent, the LA Times' Rachel Abramowitz notes, "For the last few weeks, Warner Bros. has been in talks with Picturehouse head Bob Berney about taking over as co-president with Warner Independent President Polly Cohen of some merged entity, though talks appear to have bogged down over the exact parameters of such a venture, according to various inside sources." [permalink] [ filed under Biz ] VAR | Sony Classics Gets Egoyan's Cannes Entry
Sony Pictures Classics has acquired "domestic and select international rights" to Atom Egoyan's Cannes Film Festival competition entry, "Adoration," according to Variety. [permalink] [ filed under Acquisitions, Cannes ] May 6, 2008iW NEWS | "Tru Loved" and "World" to Bookend 20th NewFest
Stewart Wade's romantic comedy "Tru Loved" will open the 20th NewFest: The New York Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Film Festival, taking place June 5 - 15. Closing the event is Tom Gustafson's "Were the World Mine." "Especially in a milestone year such as this, we want to bring NYC an even better LGBT film festival than the year before," commented NewFest artistic director Basil Tsiokos in a statement. "Along with an extremely strong lineup of films and panels, we're offering a few brand new special additions to our programming. This year introduces the John Outcalt NewFest Lounge where audiences and filmmakers alike can relax between screenings." The NewFest Lounge will be located at the HK Lounge on Ninth Avenue at 39th Street in Manhattan. [Brian Brooks] [permalink] [ filed under Festivals, Queer Cinema ]
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