Noah Cowan has been appointed Executive Director of the San Francisco Film Society (SFFS), effective March 3. Cowan joins SFFS after five years as Artistic Director of TIFF Bell Lightbox, the landmark cinema museum space in Toronto and home of the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
When it opens in Palm Springs, California, on March 27th, 2014, the American Documentary Film Festival and Film Fund will begin a five five day schedule of over 120 documentary films from around the world. That schedule includes a record number of theatrical premieres – fifteen World Premieres, twenty-five North American Premieres and twenty US premieres.
THE SQUARE, a riveting documentary nominated for an Oscar this year, actually takes the audience into the turbulent, vibrant center of the Egyptian Revolution. THE SQUARE, directed by Jehane Noujaim, is an astonishing document of Egypt’s uprising, and a remarkable exercise in the power of witness.
The film begins in 2011 with the very first protests in the streets of Cairo and in Tahrir Square, and focuses on three unlikely comrades in arms: Khalid Abdalla is an Egyptian movie star, famous both in the US and abroad (he starred in such films as The Kite Runner), who gave up his busy actor’s life in London to join in the Revolution, becoming its unofficial spokesperson in the process; Ahmed Hassan -a smiling, self-deprecating young man- filled with both committed enthusiasm and undisguised joy at being a part of something much larger than himself; and Magdy Ashour , who is both conflicted by and compelled by the Revolution: A man who is “with” the Muslim Brotherhood, only to flip sides in 2011 and siding with those in Tahrir Square. His journey, as he mustmake decisions based on both his faith and the financial care of his family, only highlight the extraordinary complexities which currently plague so muchofMiddle Eastern politics today.
The Los Angeles Film Festival unveiled the Festival’s 20th Anniversary commemorative poster, designed by iconic American artist Ed Ruscha, based on his 1962 painting “Large Trademark With Eight Spotlights.” The Festival opens Wednesday, June 11, and runs through Thursday, June 19 2014. It will include world premieres of American and international features, documentaries and short subject films as well as conversations, master classes, Music in Film Nights at the GRAMMY Museum, Hollywood studio premieres, and other signature events.
The first official trailer for the upcoming documentary “SUPER DUPER ALICE COOPER” from Canadian filmmakers Sam Dunn and Scot McFadyen of Banger Films was released this week. “SUPER DUPER ALICE COOPER” is described as the twisted tale of a teenage Dr. Jekyll whose rock and roll Mr. Hyde almost kills him. It is the story of Vincent Furnier, preacher’s son, who struck fear into the hearts of parents as Alice Cooper, the ultimate rock star of the bizarre. From the advent of Alice as frontman for a group of Phoenix freaks in the ’60s to the hazy decadence of celebrity in the ’70s to his triumphant comeback as ’80s glam metal godfather, we will watch as Alice and Vincent battle for each other’s souls. The film is the first-ever “doc opera” — a dizzying blend of documentary archive footage, animation and rock opera that will cement forever the legend of Alice Cooper.
Check out the short trailer for TIME IS ILLMATIC, the documentary on rapper Nas, set to World Premiere as the opening night film of the 2014 Tribeca Film Festival on Wednesday, April 16, 2014. The film follows the trajectory of Nas’ 1994 landmark debut album, Illmatic– widely considered one of the most important and revolutionary albums in hip-hop. TIME IS ILLMATIC, is directed by multimedia artist, One9, written by Erik Parker, and produced by One9, Parker, and Anthony Saleh.
DocMiami International Film Festival unveiled the official poster for the Florida Documentary Film Festival, a new series designed to bring the film festival experience to various cities throughout the Sunshine State.
The Formula 1 documentary “1,″ directed by Paul Crowder and narrated by Academy Award nominee Michael Fassbender, will have a special screening on opening day of the 20th Anniversary Sedona International Film Festival on Saturday, February. 22, at the Sedona Performing Arts Center. Set in the golden era of Grand Prix racing, “1″ tells the story of a generation of charismatic drivers who raced on the edge, risking their lives at every race during Formula 1′s deadliest period. These are the men (Lauda, Hunt, Andretti, Stewart, et. al.) who stood up and changed the sport forever.
The 5th Annual New York City Independent Film Festival announces prizes for this year’s Super Short Film Category.
From October 15th to 19th, this year’s festival is the place to be. During the event, filmmakers have the opportunity to meet several movie professionals and exchange experiences. In addition to screening the best indie films, the festival hosts parties, ceremonies and panel discussions with filmmakers, actors, directors, producers, musicians and crew members. The most important ceremony is the Best of Festival Awards that recognizes the best in 9 categories: director, actress, actor, script, narrative feature, music video, short film, documentary and super short film. A board of movie professionals selects the winners. Also a Mark of Distinction Award is offered to the audience’s choice. We also have the first of the prizes we will be offering this year at the festival.
THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU
The Eighth Annual Beaufort International Film Festival concluded on February 15th with the winners being announced in 9 categories and the presentation of the first ever Behind the Scenes Award. The award for Best Feature went to THE ONE WHO LOVES YOU, directed by Katharyn Grant and the award for Best Documentary went to AKA, DOC POMUS, directed by William Hechter and Peter Miller. The top award went to Film Editor and two-time Oscar Winner Arthur Schmidt (Forrest Gump and Who Framed Roger Rabbit). He was awarded the prestigious Jean Ribaut Award for Excellence in Film Editing.
A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT
The complete lineup was unveiled for the 43rd edition of New Directors/New Films taking place March 19 to March 30, 2014 in New York City. The opening night feature is Ana Lily Amirpour’s A GIRL WALKS HOME ALONE AT NIGHT, a Persian, black-and-white, noirish thriller that recently bowed at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim.”
Check out the official trailer and poster for Eliza Hittman’s debut feature IT FELT LIKE LOVE. Variance Films will release IT FELT LIKE LOVE in New York on March 21st and Los Angeles on March 28th, 2014. “Eliza Hittman’s powerful debut feature tells the story of Lila (Gina Piersanti, in a stunning debut), a fourteen year old spending a hot summer in a blue-collar Brooklyn neighborhood far removed from the bustling city. Awkward, lonely, and often playing the third wheel, Lila is determined to emulate the sexual exploits of her more experienced best friend. She fixates on Sammy, a tough older guy, when she hears that “he’ll sleep with anyone.” Deluded in her romantic pursuit, Lila tries desperately to insert herself into Sammy’s gritty world, but in doing so she puts herself into a dangerously vulnerable situation.”