Berlinale Announces Short Film Lineup and Jury for 2012 Festival

Berlinale Announces Short Film Lineup and Jury for 2012 Festival

27 films from 22 countries will be competing for the Golden Bear and Silver Bear Jury Prize, the DAAD Short Film Award and a short film nomination for the European Film Prize. German actress Sandra Hüller, Palestinian artist Emily Jacir as well as filmmaker David OReilly will be picking the winners in 2012: International Short Film Jury: Sandra Hüller (Germany)After ten years in the business, renowned and prize-winning actress of the screen and stage Sandra […]

Boyz n The Hood producer Stephanie Allain is New LA Film Festival Director

Boyz n The Hood producer Stephanie Allain is New LA Film Festival Director

  Film producer Stephanie Allain (John Singleton’s Boyz n The Hood, Hustle & Flow, Black Snake Moan) is the new Los Angeles Film Festival Director, replacing Rebecca Yeldham, who recently decided to step down for personal reasons. Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards, announced the selection of accomplished film producer Stephanie Allain as its new Los Angeles Film Festival Director, starting immediately.  She succeeds […]

The Artist and A Separation Among Nominations for 84th Academy Awards

The Artist and A Separation Among Nominations for 84th Academy Awards

Nominations for the 84th Academy Awards were announced today and Michel Hazanavicius’s “The Artist” was one of the top films with 10 nominations. Other films receiving nominations include The Descendants for Best Picture and The Iranian film A Separation for Best Foreign Film. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012 and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. Nominations […]

Film Exec Bingham Ray Died After Suffering Stroke at Sundance Film Festival

Film Exec Bingham Ray Died After Suffering Stroke at Sundance Film Festival

San Francisco Film Society Executive Director Bingham Ray passed away on January 23 after suffering a stroke while attending the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah’ The San Francisco Film Society regrets to announce that Executive Director Bingham Ray passed away on January 23 while attending the 2012 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. “The board of directors and staff of the Film Society are stunned and deeply saddened by the untimely […]

2012 IFFR presents 196 short films in Spectrum Shorts

2012 IFFR presents 196 short films in Spectrum Shorts

The International Film Festival Rotterdam has selected 196 short films from more than 3,500 submissions for its main programme Spectrum Shorts, which can be seen from Thursday 26 through Monday 30 January in LantarenVenster. This year, Spectrum Shorts encompasses no less than 42 world premières; many of these films that have been made by young filmmakers and video artists from all over the world. Short films can also be seen in the IFFR’s Tiger Awards […]

San Francisco Film Society Executive Director Bingham Ray Hospitalized at Sundance Film Festival

San Francisco Film Society Executive Director Bingham Ray Hospitalized at Sundance Film Festival

San Francisco Film Society Executive Director Bingham Ray reportedly suffered a stroke while at the Sundance Film Festival and remains hospitalized. In a press release, the SFFS says The San Francisco Film Society regrets to announce that Executive Director Bingham Ray has been hospitalized while attending the Sundance Film Festival. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Bingham for a speedy and full recovery and our sympathies go out to his family and his many friends […]

Your Sister’s Sister to Open 2012 Seattle International Film Festival

Your Sister’s Sister to Open 2012 Seattle International Film Festival

The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) announced Your Sister’s Sister as the opening film to be presented at the 2012 festival’s prestigious Opening Night Gala, Thursday, May 17, 2012. Your Sister’s Sister, written and directed by Seattle’s Lynn Shelton (Humpday) and starring Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and Mark Duplass, is SIFF’s first opening selection locally produced and shot by a Seattle filmmaker. SIFF takes place May 17 through June 10. “I am thrilled beyond measure […]

Magnolia Pictures To Distribute THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES from Sundance Film Festival

Magnolia Pictures To Distribute THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES from Sundance Film Festival

The Wagner/Cuban Company’s Magnolia Pictures announced today they have acquired North American distribution rights to THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, an outrageous, timely and moving film that premiered last night to a sold out crowd at the Eccles theater as this year’s opening night film at the Sundance film festival. Television and international rights are still available. From acclaimed filmmaker and photographer Lauren Greenfield (Thin, Kids + Money; named one of the top 25 most influential […]

Sony Pictures Classics goes SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN at Sundance Film Festival

Sony Pictures Classics goes SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN at Sundance Film Festival

Sony Pictures Classics announced today that they have acquired the rights in North America to Malik Bendjelloul’s directorial debut, SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN.  The film is produced by Simon Chinn of Red Box Films (PROJECT NIM, MAN ON WIRE) and executive produced by John Battsek of Passion Pictures (THE TILLMAN STORY, ONE DAY IN SEPTEMBER) in association with Canfield Pictures and The Documentary Company.  SEARCHING FOR SUGAR MAN had its world premiere last night as […]

TRIBE CALLED QUESTDocumentary and THE ARTIST Win 23rd Producers Guild of America Awards

TRIBE CALLED QUESTDocumentary and THE ARTIST Win 23rd Producers Guild of America Awards

The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced this year’s winning motion picture and television productions, including the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures at the 23rd Annual Producers Guild Awards ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles. In addition to the competitive awards, the PGA honored several individuals with tribute awards including Leslie Moonves (Milestone Award), Steven Spielberg (David O. Selznick Achievement Award in Theatrical Motion Pictures), Don […]

Becoming Chaz and Gun Hill Road Among 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards Nominees

Becoming Chaz and Gun Hill Road Among 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards Nominees

Gun Hill Road

GLAAD, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, announced the nominees for the 23rd annual GLAAD Media Awards. Nominees include Gun Hill Road, Pariah and Becoming Chaz.

The 23rd Annual GLAAD Media Awards will be held in New York on March 24, Los Angeles on April 21, and San Francisco on June 2.

OUTSTANDING FILM – WIDE RELEASE
Albert Nobbs
Beginners
J. Edgar

OUTSTANDING FILM – LIMITED RELEASE
Circumstance
Gun Hill Road
Pariah
Tomboy
Weekend

OUTSTANDING DOCUMENTARY
Becoming Chaz
The Strange History of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell
Two Spirits
We Were Here
The World’s Worst Place to be Gay?{jathumbnail off}

The First Grader and Pariah Among 43rd NAACP Image Awards Nominees

The First Grader and Pariah Among 43rd NAACP Image Awards Nominees

The NAACP Image Awards, which celebrates the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts announced the nominees for the 43rd edition. Nominees include Pariah, The First Grader and A Separation. Winners will be announced during a live telecast on NBC Friday, February 17, 2012.

MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture
“Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
“Pariah” (Focus Features)
“The First Grader” (National Geographic Entertainment)
“The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
“Tower Heist” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
Eddie Murphy – “Tower Heist” (Universal Pictures)
Laurence Fishburne – “Contagion” (Warner Bros. Pictures)
Laz Alonso – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
Oliver Litondo – “The First Grader” (National Geographic Entertainment)
Vin Diesel – “Fast Five” (Universal Pictures)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
Adepero Oduye – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
Emma Stone – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
Paula Patton – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
Viola Davis – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
Zoë Saldana – “Colombiana” (TriStar Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
Anthony Mackie – “The Adjustment Bureau” (Universal Pictures)
Charles Parnell – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
Don Cheadle – “The Guard” (Sony Pictures Classics)
Jeffrey Wright – “The Ides of March” (Columbia Pictures)
Mike Epps – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Bryce Dallas Howard – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
Cicely Tyson – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)
Kim Wayans – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
Maya Rudolph – “Bridesmaids” (Universal Pictures)
Octavia Spencer – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
“I Will Follow” (AFFRM)
“Kinyarwanda” (AFFRM)
“MOOZ-lum” (AFFRM)
“Pariah” (Focus Features)
“The First Grader” (National Geographic Entertainment)

Outstanding Foreign Motion Picture
“A Separation” (Sony Pictures Classics)
“Attack the Block” (Screen Gems)
“In the Land of Blood and Honey” (FilmDistrict)
“Le Havre” (Janus Films)
“Life, Above All” (Sony Pictures Classics)

DOCUMENTARY

Outstanding Documentary – (Theatrical or Television)
“Beats, Rhymes & Life: The Travels of A Tribe Called Quest” (Sony Pictures Classics)
“Being Elmo: A Puppeteer’s Journey” (Submarine Deluxe)
“Sing Your Song” (HBO Documentary Films)
“The Rescuers” (Michael King Productions)
“Thunder Soul” (Roadside Attractions)

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
Arthur Harris – “Reed Between the Lines” – Let’s Talk About Ms. Helen’s Son Part 1 (BET)
Prentice Penny – “Happy Endings” – The Girl with the David Tattoo (ABC)
Salim Akil, Mara Brock Akil – “The Game” – Parachutes….Beach Chairs (BET)
Vali Chandrasekaran – “30 Rock” – It’s Never Too Late For Now (NBC)
Vince Cheung, Ben Montanio – “Wizards of Waverly Place” – Wizards vs. Angels (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
Cheo Hodari Coker – “SouthLAnd” – Punching Water (TNT)
Janine Sherman Barrois – “Criminal Minds” – The Bittersweet Science (CBS)
Lolis Eric Elie – “Treme” – Santa Claus, Do You Ever Get the Blues? (HBO)
Pam Veasey – “Ringer” – Oh Gawd, There’s Two of Them? (The CW)
Zoanne Clack – “Grey’s Anatomy” – I Will Survive (ABC)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
Alrick Brown – “Kinyarwanda” (AFFRM)
Ann Peacock – “The First Grader” (National Geographic Entertainment)
Dee Rees – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
Elizabeth Hunter, Arlene Gibbs – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
Tate Taylor – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)

DIRECTING

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
Jay Chandrasekhar – “Happy Endings” – The Girl with the David Tattoo (ABC)
Kevin Hooks – “Drop Dead Diva” – Mother’s Day (Lifetime)
Leonard R. Garner Jr. – “Rules of Engagement” – The Set Up (CBS)
Miguel Arteta – “How to Make It in America” – Mofongo (HBO)
Salim Akil – “The Game” – Parachutes/Beach Chairs (BET)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
Ernest Dickerson – “Treme” – Do Watcha Wanna (HBO)
Ken Whittingham – “Parenthood” – Opening Night (NBC)
Kevin Sullivan – “NCIS” – Tell-All (CBS)
Paris Barclay – “Sons of Anarchy” – Out (FX Network)
Seith Mann – “Dexter” – Get Gellar (Showtime)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture – (Theatrical or Television)
Alrick Brown – “Kinyarwanda” (AFFRM)
Angelina Jolie – “In the Land of Blood and Honey” (FilmDistrict)
Dee Rees – “Pariah” (Focus Features)
Salim Akil – “Jumping the Broom” (TriStar Pictures)
Tate Taylor – “The Help” (DreamWorks Pictures/Participant Media/Touchstone Pictures)   {jathumbnail off}