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Sundance Institute Launches Short Film Challenge to Highlight Hunger and Poverty; Unveils First 5 Films

Sundance Institute, with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, launched the Sundance Institute Short Film Challenge that “will harness the power of independent film to create a global conversation about extreme hunger and poverty.” Five new films made with production grants to launch the project premiered at a private screening co-hosted with the Gates Foundation at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

The Institute is working with Tongal.com to manage the online call for entries. Winning films will receive a $10,000 grant and premiere at a private event at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. Users can submit through July 1, 2014. There is no fee to apply. More information can be found at tongal.com/sundance.

Mark Rosenberg, Founder of Rooftop Films and Director of AD INEXPLORATA Wins 2014 Sundance Institute/NHK Award

Mark Rosenberg

Mark Rosenberg, director of the upcoming film, AD INEXPLORATA, has been selected as the winner of the 2014 Sundance Institute/NHK Award. Created in 1996 to celebrate 100 years of cinema, the annual award recognizes and supports a visionary filmmaker on his or her next film. Films previously supported by this award include BEASTS OF THE SOUTHERN WILD, by Benh Zeitlin, and MAY IN THE SUMMER, by Cherien Dabis, which had its world premiere at last year’s Sundance Film Festival.

Slamdance Film Festival Announces Audience and Jury Winners of 2014 Festival

COPENHAGEN, directed by Mark Raso was voted Audience Award for Narrative Feature.

The 20th Slamdance Film Festival announced the feature film and short film recipients of this year’s awards in the Audience, Jury, and Sponsored Award Categories. KIDNAPPED FOR CHRIST, directed by Kate S. Logan was voted winner of the Audience Award for Documentary Feature, and COPENHAGEN, directed by Mark Raso was voted Audience Award for Narrative Feature. The Jury went with REZETA, directed by Fernando Frias De La Parra for winner of Jury Award for Narrative Feature, and ELLIOT, directed by Matthew Bauckman and Jaret Belliveau for winner of Jury Award for Documentary Feature.

Slamdance Studios to Release 2013 Slamdance Film Festival Grand Jury winner BIBLE QUIZ Beginning Spring 2014

Slamdance Studios, the distribution arm of the Slamdance Film Festival, in partnership with Virgil Films, has acquired the 2013 Slamdance Film Festival Grand Jury winner BIBLE QUIZ, directed by Nicole Teeny, for release in the U.S. Beginning in March of 2014, Slamdance Studios and Virgil Films will begin the limited US theatrical release in New York and Los Angeles, and will play across the country in cooperation with Alamo Drafthouse theaters in Houston, Kalamazoo, Lubbock, and Austin. Slamdance Studios will also partner with Virgil Films & Entertainment on the VOD and DVD release.

6 Indie Films from Sundance Film Festival to Premiere on Sundance Channel

Six independent films from the 2014 Sundance Film Festival will premiere exclusively on Sundance Channel internationally shortly after the festival this spring. THE DISOBEDIENT, LIAR’S DICE, MEMPHIS, THIS MAY BE THE LAST TIME, DRUNKTOWN’S FINEST and TO KILL A MAN have been acquired for the Sundance Channel.

Australian Horror Film THE BABADOOK from Sundance Film Festival to Get U.S. Release

Jennifer Kent’s psychological horror film THE BABADOOK which made its World Premiere in the Midnight Section at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival has been acquired by IFC Midnight for release in the U.S. The film, with a screenplay by Kent, stars actress Essie Davis in a breakout role as a single mother who must cope with her troubled son and the shadowy monster that has taken over their home.

Film Society of Lincoln Center Announces Lineup for 14th Film Comment Selects; Opens with Hong Sang-soo OUR SUNHI

HONG SANG-SOO’s OUR SUNHI SELECTED FOR OPENING NIGHT

The Film Society of Lincoln Center announced the lineup for the upcoming 14th edition of Film Comment magazine’s Film Comment Selects, taking place from February 17 to 27, 2014. The annual festival will present 22 discoveries and rediscoveries, 17 of them New York premieres, and nine without U.S. distribution, handpicked by the magazine’s editors after scouring the international festival circuit in 2013. This year’s lineup include new films by Hong Sang-soo, whose Opening Night selection OUR SUNHI, won the director’s prize in Locarno and the 15th feature from the South Korean master, Bernardo Bertolucci, who returns with his first Italian-language feature in 32 years, ME AND YOU, which will screen on Closing Night.

GRACE OF MONACO starring Nicole Kidman to Open 2014 Cannes Film Festival

French director Olivier Dahan’s GRACE OF MONACO starring Nicole Kidman, has been selected to open the next Cannes Film Festival on Wednesday May 14, 2014, in the Official Selection category, Out of Competition. GRACE DE MONACO sees Nicole Kidman play the role of Grace, with Tim Roth as Prince Rainier. Their co-stars include Frank Langella, Parker Posey, Jeanne Balibar, Sir Derek Jacobi and Paz Vega, who plays Maria Callas.

Sundance Film Festival Offbeat Comedy FRANK Starring Michael Fassbender to Get Summer 2014 Release by Magnolia Pictures

FRANK, described as “an offbeat comedy” that just had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival will be released in the U.S. by Magnolia Pictures. Magnolia is eyeing a summer 2014 theatrical release for the film. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson (What Richard Did, Garage, Adam & Paul), the film was written by Jon Ronson (The Men Who Stare At Goats) and Peter Straughan (Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy). FRANK stars Domhnall Gleeson, Maggie Gylenhaal, Scoot McNairy and Michael Fassbender as the titular character, a brilliant and eccentric musician who wears a giant fake head at all times.

Sundance Film Festival LOVE IS STRANGE Starring John Lithgow to Get U.S. Release by Sony Pictures Classics

Ira Sachs’ feature LOVE IS STRANGE which made its world premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, where it has been described as one of the most well received films by critics and audiences alike, will be released in the U.S. by Sony Pictures Classics. Academy Award® nominee John Lithgow and Alfred Molina star as a longtime couple who lose their New York City home shortly after getting married and as a result must live apart, relying on friends and family to make ends meet. The all-star cast of LOVE IS STRANGE also includes Academy Award® winner Marisa Tomei, Darren Burrows, Charlie Tahan and Cheyenne Jackson.

MAGIC MAGIC Director Sebastián Silva Selected for San Francisco Film Society’s 7th Artist in Residence

Chilean filmmaker Sebastián Silva has been selected for the San Francisco Film Society’s seventh Artist in Residence program and will be in San Francisco February 14 – 28, 2014. Silva’s packed two-week schedule will include a screening of his film MAGIC MAGIC. MAGIC MAGIC is described as Silva’s gripping psychological thriller starring Juno Temple, Michael Cera and Emily Browning.

Jim Mickle’s COLD IN JULY to Get a Summer 2014 Release via IFC Films

Jim Mickle’s COLD IN JULY which World Premiere this week in the U.S. Dramatic Competition section at the Sundance Film Festival will be released in Summer 2014 by IFC Film. The film, with a screenplay by Jim Mickle and Nick Damici, stars Michael C. Hall, Don Johnson, Sam Shepard, Vinessa Shaw, Nick Damici, and Wyatt Russell.

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