By Alex Delon-Oroszlányi

 

Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hungarian Film Archive an important part of whose work is the restoration of classic films, forty two digitally restored films from here and abroad were screened in a three day marathon from Friday Nov. 4 through Sunday Nov. 6, at the stately old Corvina Mozi, itself a landmark of cinema architecture.

Among the films a sampling of six features by Hungarian master director Zoltán Fábri (1917-1994) whose peak years were 1956 to 1968 during which six of his films now regarded as landmarks of the Hungarian cinema are on view.

 The Marathon opened with an invitational gala screening of Fábri's 1956 masterpiece "Körhinta" (Merry-go-round) at the stately Urania film cathedral then moved over to the Corvina for the rest of the run. 

Most films, even those from other countries (UK, France, etc.) in  languages other than Hungarian, had some kind of Hungarian connection in the production, whether producer, director, writer or other, and all original Hungarian films were subtitled in English.

The earliest film was a rediscovered silent from from 1919 directed by non other than Mihály Kertész, better known as Michael Curtiz, the director of Casablanca.

 

Among non-Hungarian films with Hungarian connections:

The Red Shoes; co-director Emeric (Imre) Pressburger of the Archers team "Powell and Pressburger" was a native Hungarian; To Be Or Not To Be (USA, 1942) was lensed by  Hungarian born Rudolph Maté ; Billy Wilder's postwar comedy "One, Two, Three" (1961) was scripted by the famous Hungarian playwright Ferenc Molnar; the 1958 French remake of "Mädchen in Uniform" starring Romy Schneider, was directed by Hungaria  Géza von Radványi; Jacques Tati's 1967 French comedy was photographed by Hungarian cameraman János Badal; the 1969 British war drama "Play Dirty" starring Michael Caine was directed by Hungarian André De Toth (Toth Endre) who migrated to Hollywood where he filmed the first great 3D film House of Wax and a number of highly regarded Film noirs, and finally, the 1938 French melodrama "Retour à l'aube" (She returned at dawn) was the debut of future French superstar Danielle Darrieux and was set and filmed in Hungary with music supplied by Hungarian Gypsies.

 

Two documentaries show Budapest before and after the war and the new French Documentary "Lumière", directed by Thierry Frémaux who has been the director of the Cannes Film Festival since 2000, is a carefully culled selection of several dozen mini films (one minute each, more or less) made by the Lumière Bothers around 1897, the very first "motion pictures" including the legendary footage of "A train entering the station" which marked the birth of today's film industries.  We see lots of horse drawn vehicles and glimpses of the world as far away as Viet Nam (then a French colony) at the dawn of the twentieth century.

Many landmark Hungarian films, pre and post-war, are included to round out a fully packed long weekend in Budapest giving new meaning to the term "l'embarras de choix" (too much to choose from!).

The Marathon closed Appropriately with a fully restored copy, original musical sound track and all, of the most famous silent film of them all, Fritz Lang's dizzying Monumental futuristic 1928 dystopia  METROPOLIS. 

Filmmakers and representatives of leading Eastern European film festivals came together during the 27^th FilmFestival Cottbus to exchange views about their situation.

The networking meeting in Cottbus with representatives from the Eastern Partnership countries and Russia is the continuation of a roundtable which had been held during the Odesa International Film Festival (14 to 21 July, 2017).

The medium of film also reflects civil society discourses in Eastern Europe and discusses historical and social taboo subjects. Sometimes, filmmakers as well as film festivals that regard themselves as forums for social dialogue, consequently come under political pressure. The participants in Odesa discussed how film festivals can enhance the civil society dialogue in Eastern Europe and, among other things, examined how economic and political parameters have an effect on their programming.

Julia Sinkyevich (director, Odesa International Film Festival, Ukraine), Susanna Haratyunyan (director, Golden Apricot Film Festival, Yerevan, Armenia), Yevgeny Gindilis (producer and co-initiator of the cinema/film market initiative "Kinopoisk", Moscow, Russia), Virgiliu Margineau (director and founder, Cronograf International Documentary Film Festival, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova), Anna Chkonia (programme coordinator, Tbilisi International Film Festival, Georgia), Samaya Asgarova (distributor, producer, Baku, Azerbaidzhan) and Bernd Buder (FilmFestival Cottbus) now met in Cottbus on Friday (10.11.).

One conclusion from the participants at the networking meeting during the 27^th FilmFestival Cottbus is that the work of festivals and filmmakers can communicate alternative views as well as basic human rights and values to the audiences and thus to different societies. 

Among other things, discussion centred on the stagnation in the film industry of various countries, which lasted for many decades but has since been dispelled. One of the tasks of film festivals is therefore about making the medium of film accessible to the audience again. This has already been partly achieved or improved by the representatives: the general public is enthusiastically embracing the festivals.

Meanwhile, the festivals provide important support for the work of filmmakers, especially in the arthouse sector and with independent films. They could foster better ties with one another as well as develop the kind of public presence unlike anything that is usually witnessed in the Eastern European cinema landscape. The participants were discussing the different developments of the film industry in their countries since the downfall of the Soviet Union. Starting from a similiar level, the situation of film funding, quantity of film production, education of film professionals and number of screens differ in the respective countries. They pointed out the need for organic and equal partnerships and cooperation in the region.

One of the major challenges that the discussion participants face is the financial support and thus facilitation of the film festivals. State and private financiers should not have any influence on the programme's orientation. The balance between financing and the festivals' independent editorial content must be guaranteed and outside manipulation of the programme must be avoided. There were complaints about interference through attempts at state censorship and right-wing populist protests, such as against the screening of films with LGBT subject matter.

There was also agreement among the festival organisers and filmmakers about the fact that cooperation, solidarity and trust across the national borders are decisive for the development of festivals and the film industry. The regulation of high rental charges for films, better promotion and greater chances for the distribution of films as well as an exchange on important issues could be better organised together.

The 27th FilmFestival Cottbus also presented films from the respective countries of the festival representatives, showing how cinema discusses relevant social issues. The event is supported by the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany.  

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The 2018 official poster has been created by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist  Jim Morin editorial cartoonist for Morintoons Syndicate, oil painter, art lover, acoustic guitar picker and NHL hockey fan.@MorinToon!  

LINEUP FOR EIGHTH EDITION NOVEMBER 9-16, 2017

Program Includes 23 World Premieres, 23 U.S. Premieres Among Over 250 Films and Events

America’s largest documentary festival, is rolling the full lineup for its eighth edition, running November 9-16 at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village and Chelsea’s SVA Theatre and Cinepolis Chelsea. The 2017 festival includes 111 feature-length documentaries among over 250 films and events overall. Included are 23 world premieres and 23 U.S. premieres, with more than 350 doc makers and special guests expected in person to present their films or participate on panels. Special

Closing Night Film will be the NYC premiere of Eric Clapton: Life in 12 Bars, directed by Lili Fini Zanuck, with the acclaimed musician in attendance; Centerpiece Film, the world premiere of Far From the Tree, director Rachel Dretzin’s adaptation of Andrew Solomon’s bestselling book; and the NYC premiere of Wormwood, an ambitious new project from Errol Morris exploring the 1953 death of a CIA agent.

Previously announced, the NYC premiere Greg Barker’s The Final Year, accompanied by members of the Obama administration, will open the festival. World premieres at the festival include A Murder in Mansfield, by Barbara Kopple (Miss Sharon Jones!), which explores the impact of a 1989 murder on a family; Maynard, by Sam Pollard (Two Trains Runnin’), about Atlanta’s first black mayor, Maynard Jackson; Naila and the Uprising, by Julia Bacha (Budrus), about the hidden role women played in the First Intifada, a project that won last year’s DOC NYC Pitch Perfect competition; Father’s Kingdom, by Lenny Feinberg, exploring the legacy of Father Divine, who attracted over a million followers and claimed to be God; The Iconoclast, by King Adz, about notorious art forger Michel van 2 Rijn; and The Godfathers of Hardcore, by Ian McFarland, on the long-lived NYC hardcore punk band Agnostic Front.

Among this year’s U.S. premieres are David Bowie: The Last Five Years, by Francis Whately, an intimate look at the creative final years of the music icon; Antonio Lopez 1970: Sex Fashion & Disco, by James Crump, a portrait of the most influential fashion illustrator of 1970s New York and Paris; Scotty and the Secret History of Hollywood, by Matt Tyrnauer, about the man who was the secret sexual procurer to the stars; The Stranger, by past DOC NYC award winner Nicole N. Horanyi, about a woman who discovers the man of her dreams has secrets; Armed with Faith, by Geeta Gandbhir and Asad Faruqi, which follows the heroic Pakistani Bomb Disposal Unit; Soufra, by Thomas Morgan, and executive produced by Susan Sarandon, about a woman who starts her own successful catering company in a Lebanese refugee camp; EuroTrump, by Stephen Robert Morse and Nicholas Hampson, on the Dutch Donald Trump, Geert Wilders; and The Beatles, Hippies and Hells Angels: Inside the Crazy World of Apple, by Ben Lewis, a look back at the wild early days of Apple Corps. “Documentary storytellers help us make sense of the tumultuous times we’re living in with artistry, humor and inspiring characters,” said Director of Programming Basil Tsiokos. “

This year’s DOC NYC line-up gives audiences fresh insight into high profile figures and shines a light on lesser-known individuals who leave a big impression."

Tsiokos led the program selection in collaboration with Artistic Director Thom Powers and Executive Director Raphaela Neihausen.

The festival is curated in 18 sections that include two new strands: New World Order, with 6 films about global issues in the news, including Sky & Ground, which follows an extended family of refugees as they escape Syria; and Spiral, about the alarming rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. Centerstage, an 8-title section focused on performing and performers, presents the world premieres of The Problem with Apu, in which a South Asian-American comedian explores the impact of the character from The Simpsons; and Repeat Attenders, about musical theater superfans. In the festival’s two feature competition sections, 8 films appear under the Viewfinders section for distinct directorial visions.

They include the world premiere of Mole Man, about an autistic man who has built a 50-room structure in his backyard; and the U.S. premieres of The Judge, about the first female Shari’a judge in the Middle East, and Silas, about a Liberian environmental activist. In the Metropolis competition section, 7 films are dedicated to stories set in New York City.

 They include the world premieres of The Iron Triangle, about the resistance to the urban renewal of Queens’ Willets Point; Vigilante: The Incredible True Story of Curtis Sliwa and the 3 Guardian Angels, an unfiltered look at the founder of the controversial group; and Miracle on 42nd Street, about an apartment complex providing housing to performing artists, including past residents Alicia Keys, Terrence Howard and Angela Lansbury. Other returning sections include high-profile Special Events; national and global takes in American Perspectives and International Perspectives; and thematic sections Fight the Power (on activism), Sonic Cinema (on music), True Crime (on crime), Science Nonfiction (on science and technology), Modern Family (on unconventional families), Wild Life (on animals), Art & Design (on artists), and Behind the Scenes (on filmmaking). Short-form content (85 films in total) is represented by the festival’s Shorts Competition and DOC NYC U (showcasing student work). These sections join the previously announced slate of Short List titles, highlighting 15 of the year’s award contenders, and the eight-day DOC NYC PRO conference, focusing on panels and masterclasses.

DOC NYC will welcome over 350 filmmakers and special guests in attendance for Q&As after most screenings and for DOC NYC PRO panels. Among the notable visitors expected to appear in person are Steve Madden for Maddman, Fern Mallis for Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story, Dan Rather for Fail State, Susan Sarandon for Soufra, Sonja Sohn for Baltimore Rising, and more to be announced in the coming weeks.

For this year’s Short List section of awards season frontrunners, guests include Greg Barker (The Final Year), Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady (One of Us), Bryan Fogel (Icarus), Yance Ford (Strong Island), Amanda Lipitz (Step), Brett Morgen (Jane), Errol Morris (The B-Side: Elsa Dorfman’s Portrait Photography), Peter Nicks (The Force), Jeff Orlowski (Chasing Coral), Laura Poitras (Risk), Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles (Dina), Ceyda Torun (Kedi), and Agnès Varda and JR (Faces Places). (Other titles are Steve James’ Abacus: Too Small to Jail and Matthew Heineman’s City of Ghosts, which will be represented at DOC NYC by producers or other special guests.)

 Filmmakers will also take place in the Short List Day of panel conversations on Nov. 10 at DOC NYC PRO. Notable documentarians will also be honored at the previously announced Visionaries Tribute Awards event on Nov. 9: Sheila Nevins and Errol Morris will receive Lifetime Achievement Awards while Heidi Ewing and Rachel Grady will receive the Robert and Anne Drew Award for observational filmmaking. Cara Mertes, director of the JustFilms initiative at the Ford Foundation, will receive the Leading Light Award for distinguished service to documentary in a role outside filmmaking.  

January 5, 2018 - Late submission
February 2, 2018 - Extended (Withoutabox submissions only!)

SIFF creates experiences that bring people together to discover
extraordinary films from around the world. It is through the art of cinema that we foster a community that is more informed, aware, and alive.

The Seattle International Film Festival is presented each year from mid-May to mid-June. It is the largest film festival in the United States, presenting more than 400 features, documentaries and short films to an audience of 155,000 each year. SIFF is consistently ranked as one of the top festivals in North America, and is an Academy Award-qualifying festival for short films.

SIFF started out as an event aimed squarely at Seattle filmgoers, renowned for their strong support for independent cinema and their sophisticated, maverick tastes. Through the years, Seattle audiences have proven themselves to be remarkably astute judges of a film's theatrical strength in the American marketplace. This, in turn, has made SIFF a great testing ground for new films. Our emphasis on keeping the Festival an event aimed first and foremost at filmgoers, provides the films themselves with the kind of genuine audience response that has attracted the participation of so many filmmakers and film distributors.

Golden Space Needle Awards
Seattle International Film Festival audiences cast their votes in the categories of Best Film, Documentary Feature, Director, Actor, Actress, and Short Film. Among past winners of this expression of SIFF filmgoers esteem are films and talents, who went on to win Academy Awards and Golden Globe Awards, as well as a large number of critical and theatrical hits.

AWARDS
Official Competition
Launched in 2016, SIFF programmers choose a dozen films from around the world to be spotlighted for special attention and competition. Films in Official Competition represent some of the best films from the past year, and can be from emerging or established filmmakers. The jury for the Official Competition is composed of film industry professionals and journalists. This award carries a cash prize of $5000 US dollars.

New Directors Showcase Award
One of the most important and eagerly anticipated SIFF showcases each year contains a selection of international directors who are clearly emerging as major talents. SIFF programmers choose a dozen films from around the world to be spotlighted for special attention and competition. Each of the films must be a debut or second feature by the selected director, and each is chosen on the basis of its original conception, striking style and overall excellence. The jury for the New Directors Showcase is composed of film industry professionals and journalists. This award carries a cash prize of $5000 US dollars.

Ibero-American Competition
These exceptional films, both fiction and non-fiction, hailing from Ibero-America, will be judged by an international panel of jurors who will choose the film they feel best illuminates and captures the strong voice of Ibero-America, new visions or voices, or represents a new direction in filmmaking. This award carries a cash prize of $5000 dollars US.

New American Cinema Award
With each passing year, the output from American filmmakers continues to surprise, confound, and inspire us. From lyrical science fiction to stark realism, we assemble a set of films that we are sure will delight audiences looking to explore the exciting vanguard of New American Cinema. Each of the films must be without US distribution at the time of selection, and each is chosen on the basis of its original conception, striking style and overall excellence. The jury for the New American Cinema Competition is composed of the FIPRESCI, the international film critic's association. This award carries a cash prize of $5000 US dollars.

Documentary Competition
These exceptional non-fiction films will be judged by an international panel of jurors who will choose the documentary they feel best illuminates and captures the human spirit, pursues the search for truth, and feeds our insatiable hunger to learn. This award carries a cash prize of $5000 dollars US.

Films are selected on an invite only basis from eligible entries by the programming committee.

Short Film Competition
SIFF is a qualifying festival for the Academy Awards® in all three short film categories. Culled from the more than 3000 submissions a year, approximately 120 shorts are selected to play during ShortsFest weekend or before feature film presentations. This is a popular and exciting section of the film festival that has launched the careers of many writers and directors. All shorts selected for the Festival are eligible for this prize. Three cash prizes of $2,500 each will be awarded, in the categories of Live Action, Animation and Documentary. The Golden Space Needle Best Short Film Audience Award winner will receive prizes of goods and services worth over $3,000.

Sean Baker’s Drama “The Florida Project” Starring Willem Dafoe, Selected as BIFF 2017 Opening Night Film

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), celebrating its 14^th edition this year, and taking place December 10-17, today revealed the lineup of films screening in the festival’s competition and sidebar sections. The program was announced by BIFF Founder and Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool.

This year, the Festival will showcase more than 82 films from 28 different countries including twelve world premiere, 4 international premieres, 57 Caribbean premieres, and all are Bahamian premieres.

The four competition categories at BIFF are Spirit of Freedom: Narrative; Spirit of Freedom: Documentary; New Visions; and Short Film. Additional categories out of competition are World Cinema; Special Screenings; Environmental and Oceans Spotlight and non-Jury Short Films. 

The Festival’s opening night will kick off with one highly acclaimed film screening on December 10^th in Harbour Island -- Sean Baker’s drama “The Florida Project” starring Willem Dafoe.”

Said Vanderpool, “My wish is to introduce the public attending the Festival to the films and the culture of different countries every year. Often movies that are normally unable to be seen inspire young filmmakers and resonate in their imagination for years to come. I believe that this program presents elements to please and interest everybody, balancing amusement with more engaging stories.”

Vanderpool added, “I’m particularly excited to be showing an amazing and powerful film to open our Festival this year. This film (‘The Florida Project’) has created such a buzz internationally and will no doubt be a highly sought-after ticket at BIFF. It is a likely frontrunner in the coming awards season in Hollywood so we’re honored to be showcasing it in the Bahamas for BIFF audiences.”

The official BIFF feature lineup is comprised of the following films:

SPIRIT OF FREEDOM (NARRATIVE)

ALINA (USA, Russia) / Director: Ben Behernholtz
AT EYE LEVEL (Germany) / Directors: Evi Goldbrunner & Joachim Dollhopf
LANE 1974 (USA) / Director: Chiro
LIYANA (Swaziland, USA, Qatar) / Directors: Aaron Kopp & Amanda Kopp

The Drawer Boy

The Hudson Tribes

Tinker

SPIRIT OF FREEDOM (DOCUMENTARY)

BY ALL MEANS: A ROCK ‘N ROLL STORY / Director: Patrick Hewlett
DELICATE BALANCE (Spain) / Director: Guillermo Garcia Lopez
I AM SHAKESPEARE (USA) / Director: Stephen Dest
MY ENEMY, MY BROTHER (Canada) / Director: Ann Shin
SACRED WATER (Rwandan) / Director: Olivier Jourdain
SHINGALI, WHERE ARE YOU? (Turkey) / Director: Angelos Rallis
THE GOLDEN AGE (USA, India) / Director: Justin Connor

NEW VISIONS – JURY FILMS

7X7(USA) / Director: Liam Hughes
ALASKA IS A DRAG (USA) / Director: Shaz Bennett
BEAUTY MARK (USA) / Director: Harris Doran
BLANK 13 (Japan) / Director: Takumi Saito
DIM THE FLORESCENTS (Canada) / Director: Daniel Warth
DR. BRINKS & DR. BRINKS (USA) / Director: Josh Crockett
GREEN DAYS BY THE RIVER (Trinidad and Tobago) / Director: Michael Mooleedhar
INTERLUDE (France) / Director: Bernard Tanguy
JUGGERNAUT (USA) / Director: Daniel DiMarco
MILLION LOVES IN ME (Hong Kong) / Director: Sampson Yuen
NOBLE EARTH (Italy) / Director: Ursula Grisham
THE DEFINITES (Canada) / Directors: Hannah Cheesman & Mackenzie Donaldson
THE DUNNING MAN (USA) / Director: Michael Clayton
THE LINES (USA) / Director: Kiku Ohe
TISAY (Philippines) / Director: Alfonso Torre
TOURNAMENTS OF LOVE (France) / Director: Caroline Jules

OCEAN & ENVIRONMENT THEME

AN OCEAN MYSTERY THE MISSING CATCH (USA, Bahamas) / Director: Alison Barrat
CUT BAIT (USA, Bahamas) / Director: Robert Walkine
EARTHY ENCOUNTERS (UK) / Director: Sam Johnson
LA PESCA (Columbia) / Director: Pablo Alvarez
LOGGERHEAD SEA TURTLE (USA) / Director: Cynthia Neal
STRAWS (USA) / Director: Linda Booker
VIRE (Guadeloupe) / Director: Hugo Rousselin

SHORT FILM Narrative Short Jury Films

ANOTHER GIRL (USA) / Director: Austin Kase
ASLEEP (Canada) / Director: Mak Abdelhai
BAD NEWS (Italy) / Director: Matteo Petrelli
CASSANDRA (France) / Director: Joffrey Renambatz
CATFISH (Iran) / Director: Sourena Bayramloo
COMFORT AND JOY (UK) / Directors: Will Jeffs & AJ Simmons
COWBOY & INDIAN (USA) / Director: Sujata Day
DEVILS LUCK (USA) / Director: Robert C. Eaton
EARTHY ENCOUNTERS (UK) / Director: Sam Johnson
EAST (USA) / Director: Dana Marisa S Choenfeld
FOREVER NOW (Denmark) / Director: Kristin Håskjold
JC (USA) / Director: Matt Boatright-Simon
LACRIMOSA (Austria) / Director: Tanja Mairitsch
LAWMAN (USA) / Director: Matthew Gentile
LEO JOHNSON (USA) / Director: Evan Bluestein
LIFE IN OTHER WORDS (Bangladesh) / Director: Abrar Athar
LIMBO (Greece) / Director: Konstantina Kotzamani
MACKENZIE (USA) / Director: Sofia Astrom
OUTSIDE THE LINES (USA) / Director: Joshua Jacobs
OWEN (USA) / Director: Kelly Pike
PRIA (Indonesia) / Director: Yudho Aditya
RETOUCH (Iran) / Director: Kaveh Mazaheri
ROSARIO (Mexico) / Director: Marlen Ríos-Farjat
ROSELYN (Bahamas) / Director: Jason Evans
SHORT DROP (Trinidad and Tobago) / Director: Maya Cozier
SILENT NIGHTS (Denmark) / Director: Aske Bang
THE ADVENTURES OF SELIKA (UK) / Director: Sybil Mair
THE ASPEN PROJECT (USA) / Director: Chino Maurice
THE DARKNESS OF THE MOOR (USA) / Director: James Everett
THE GIRLS WERE DOING NOTHING (UK) / Director: Dekel Berenson
THE LIFE OF MARIE (Germany) / Director: Rolf Kasteleiner
THE REAL THING (USA) / Director: Brandon Kelley
TOFFEE (India) / Director: Tahira Kashyap
WHAT REMAINS OF YOU (France) / Director: Kevin Dresse
YOURS SINCERELY, LOIS WEBER (USA) / Director: Svetlana Cvetko

OUT OF COMPETITION

LOGGERHEAD SEAT TURTLE (USA) / Director: Cynthia Neal
STRAWS (USA) / Director: Linda Booker
VIRE (Guadeloupe) / Director: Hugo Rousselin
LA PESCA (Columbia) / Director: Pablo Alvarez
CUT BAIT (USA, Bahamas) / Director: Robert Walkine
GUAVA DUFF (Bahamas) / Director: Anaya and Santia Dean

WORLD CINEMA (DOCUMENTARY)

BAREFOOT RASTA (Germany, Ethiopia, Canada)) / Director: Andy Siege
BETWEEN 2 SHORES (Guadeloupe) / Director: Mariette Monpierre
I DO? (USA) / Director: Joe Brandmeier
REBELS ON POINTE (Canada) / Director: Bobbi Jo Hart
SUSANNE BARTSCH: ON TOP (USA) / Directors: Anthony Caronna & Alexander Smith

SPECIAL SCREENING

SLIM AARONS: THE HIGH LIFE (USA) / Director: Fritz Mitchell
STUDENT FILM WORKSHOP (Bahamas) / Five Films by Students
JUNOD (Japan) / Director: Shinichiro KIMURA
JOHN “CHIPPIE” CHIPMAN (Bahamas) / Director: Thriston & Verline Ewing

OPENING NIGHT FILM

THE FLORIDA PROJECT (USA) / Director: Sean Baker

BIFF 2017 kicks off on Sunday, December 10^th and will run through Sunday, December 17^th. For the sixth consecutive year, BIFF will be coming to Harbour Island on December 10-13 and concluding in Nassau from December 14-17, showcasing a diverse presentation of films from around the world accompanied by a group of local and international filmmakers.

Additional announcements pertaining to the Festival and filmmakers attending will be made in the coming weeks.  For additional information, please visit http://www.bintlfilmfest.com/.

About the Bahamas International Film Festival

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) is a nonprofit organization committed to providing the local community and international festival-goers with a diverse presentation of films from The Bahamas and around the world. In addition to showcasing films that might not otherwise be released theatrically, BIFF provides unique cultural experiences, educational programs, and forums for exploring the past, present and future of cinema. BIFF aims to raise the level of filmmaking, participation and education throughout The Bahamas and the world.

BIFF has created a legacy of excellence in presenting The Bahamas as a premier film destination to the international cinematic community.  Apart from showcasing 1000+ local and international films, we have introduced our culture to more than one million film professionals and enthusiasts from around the world.

Each successive year, BIFF grows significantly, with public relations dollar value over $20 million, according to the renowned publicity firm Rogers and Cowan. BIFF has attracted A-List celebrities such as Johnny Depp, Nicolas Cage, Laurence Fishburne, Chaz Ebert, Debra Messing, Danny Glover, Heather Graham, Alan Arkin, Sir Sean Connery, Roger Corman, Daryl Hannah, Sophie Okonedo, Anna Faris, Naomie Harris, Zoe Kravitz, Lenny Kravitz, Sydney Tamiia Poitier, Roger Guenveur Smith, Lee Daniels and many more

For additional information, please visit www.bintlfilmfest.com

From October 19-22 the annual Margaret Mead Film Festival sponsored by New York’s American Museum of Natural History presented 41 productions from 42 countries and numerous special events including 14 US premieres and one film shown for the first time, with half of the films directed by women.  Following the guiding theme of “activation”, films shown this year had the objective of reflecting about and acting on our understanding of the complex diversity of the cultures the audience was exposed to. This aim was reinforced by 40 film makers at all post screening discussions, experts like the astronaut Charlie Nuke, installations by first nation artists, and special seminars.

The 2017 edition of the film festival offered numerous issue and problem oriented documentaries on environmental, political and social issues characteristic of the societies we are living in. Apart from the productions reviewed below, the program covered a broad range of topics. Perspectives were presented on climate change in the  in the UAE, identity formation and socialization, life in the planned urban space of Brasilia, impact of encroaching  blindness on an artist,  exploration of racist nationalism in Australia,  impact of bureaucratic procedures on asylum applicants in Holland,  Kurdish women soldiers, LGBT communities in Israel, traditional agrarian community in Morocco  facing globalization, destruction of an indigenous community in Papua New Guinea  by a government supported private real estate  company,  and other topics.

As in past years, several seminars were an important and enlightening part of the program. One entitled Capturing Empathy: Photojournalism and Anthropology Today explored the power of visual media.   Moderated by David Furst, a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer and senior editor from the New York Times along with anthropologist Zynep Hurseln  it included several established investigative photo journalists. Conditions for success were clearly specified  such as support from the agency or newspaper the journalists worked for, acknowledged professional expertise resulting from long experience in the trade, execution of in depth research on the topic to be covered and trust of the journalists by the subjects of their shoots which was developed through sometimes long time exposure to their environments.  Since both journalists on the panel had worked for David Furst the discussion of their work was productive. The samples of their unique work with the victims of the government enforced drug crusade in the Philippines and the catastrophic medical consequences of Venezuela’s bankruptcy were outstanding. Empathy by the viewer with the photographic presentation of the victims could readily be established given the quality of the images. Yet the question of the influence on the viewers of investigative photo-journalism above and beyond the emotional response remained open. Given the growing flood of visual images we are exposed in everyday life as magnified by  cell phones  it would be difficult to identify an image that moved us to action.

Almost Heaven, Carol Salter, United Kingdom/China, 2017    This ethnographic production portraits the work of a 17-year old Ying Ling. She is employed as a trainee in a huge mortuary, the Mingyang Mountain Funeral Homein Changsa, China.  Given the scarcity of jobs and in deference to her family she decides to be employed in the funeral business without having clear plans for the future.  The work is not exciting though instructive for the viewer who partakes with her in  all phases of the funeral process, from picking up corpses at the hospital to preparing the body for the funeral, consoling the relatives, and deposing the corps through cremation. Ying Ling is isolated and has a hard time adjusting to her new life but slowly develops a friendship with one co-worker and overcomes the visible discomfort with her job. Carol Salter’s direction remains invisible; Ying Ling and her environment take center stage.

Brexitannia, premiere  UK  2017, Timothy George Kelly    Brexitannia is the first documentary about the exit of Britain from the European Union. Filmed in Black and White the production is based on more than 100 interviews of which half were included in the production. The first part of the documentary presents the views of the ‘People’. In part two a smaller group, the ‘experts’, present their views. Broad oppositional positions are presented representing the fractures in British society and reflecting by and large the orientation of the Brexit vote.  This included popular sentiments versus cosmopolitan perception, young versus old, rural vs urban,  and blue collar working class vs. white collar middle class.  Members of first group tended to support Brexit whereas those in the second group were opposed to it. Because they were better educated, including Naom Chomsky and Saskia Sassen, they placed Britain and its politics in the context of the global corporate system where Britain on its own would lose economic and political power if she leaves the European Union. In both groups people told their stories and shared subjective perspectives unhampered by the positions of the film makers. The documentary revealed deep cultural splits and contradictions and the limited knowledge many populists had about the forces affecting their life. These factors and the politics of Brexit were more clearly articulated by most of the members in the second group. Populists felt that their country had fallen behind and voiced the hope that once leaving the EU England will rise again to become the power she presented in the past.  There were expressions of political impotence by populists and the view that the Brexit vote would give them the chance of having an impact. There would be actions against the immigrants who had taken their jobs. Blue collar workers responded that they had not received their fair share of economic growth and that EU membership did not provide benefits to England. These views seemed to be influenced by the pro Brexit campaign slogan that Britain would save billions of pounds leaving the EU but also by patriotic and nationalistic sentiments.  The Financial Times estimates however that Britain owes fifty three billion pounds to the EU with estimates by the EU of an amount close to 80 billion.

Pre-Crime, Germany, USA, France, UK, Matthias Heeder & Monika Hielscher, 2017 is a powerful and disturbing documentary about the development of predictive information technologies robbing citizens of privacy and giving state and corporate agencies the power to predict and shape our behavior. Drawing on empirical data and interviews with information and criminal justice experts, Heeder and Hielscher demonstrate that we already live in a surveillance society. We cannot control the collection of massive amounts of information about us from consumer behavior, criminal and mental health records as well as our social media activities. Thus, the basis is created for algorithms which are and will be increasingly used to regulate our behavior, moving now in the criminal justice sector from protection to control, from identifying crime prone areas to the identification of individuals likely to engage in criminal behavior.  We are still far away from the conditions of the feature film Minority Report where individuals are arrested before they commit a planned crime but have already entered a stage where development and the use of information technologies escape our control.  For example the information our faces contain is mined through facial recognition technologies. Chinese companies have developed facial recognition software for the government to implement the Minority Report scenario, which is the prediction of future criminal behavior.  In the United States Stamford scientists Michael Kosinski and Yilun Wan have developed a method that detects through an application of a  facial features  algorithm the sexual orientation of individuals  which can determine with an 81% accuracy rate who is gay and who is straight. The Program is based thousands of facial data points mined from each face.   Because relevant data management strategies and the development of algorithms are private property they are owned by companies which invoke copyrights to avoid citizen’s control.  There is no transparency. We live in a matrix box and cannot impact how the information collected about us is used yet we collaborate willingly in the collection of data whenever our behavior generates them.

Claus Mueller   filmexchange@gmail.com

To See a Woman

Presented by New York’s Israel Film Center with funding from Carole Zabar, the Other Israel Film Festival was held at the New York Jewish Community Center with support from numerous small partners from November 2-9.  The guiding themes of the fest: film, change, action reflect the transformational philosophy of the festival ever since its establishment in 2007. Among the more than 60 Jewish film festivals in the United States the Other Israel Film Festival is unique because of its focus on the Israeli and Palestinian societies and other minority groups in Israel. This orientation entails a programmatic concentration on human rights and minority issues, changing relations between Arab / Palestinian and Israeli populations. It includes evolving policies towards minority groups, immigration issues and the influence of socioeconomic changes on the relationship between minority groups and Israel’s population and policy making institutions.

The visual media of film and television programs in documentary and fictional formats serve to enlighten the audience and were reinforced by post screening Q & A sessions and special events.  This entailed the questioning of assumptions and acquisition of new information about the Israeli and Arab / Palestinian societies and the future status of the Palestinian population which now makes up 20% of Israel’s population.  There is no question that the provision of new and controversial knowledge is necessary and shapes opinions and that the transmission belt of information through visual media is essential in our image leaden society. But the question remains how much of an impact critical visual media have on actions which remedy stated problems. It seems that over the last years the support for a Palestinian state by Israelis has weakened and the quest for more settlement space and a greater Israel has grown.

Palestine.Net,  Anat Tel Menelovich, 2017    As in other societies, the use of social media has grown rapidly among Israelis and Arabs and Palestinians. Focusing on Palestinians, Menelovich shows in this documentary that the physical boundaries of the occupied Palestinian territory have been circumvented by the application of social media. Communication and transmission of news has become instantaneous and any event can be edited according to the film maker’s political convictions and transmitted in real time. Oppression of Palestinians can be shown in vivid colors and potential terrorism expanded by teaching through social media how to use knives or vehicles to kill Israelis, the enemy.  There are some voices of moderation suggesting that neither Israelis nor Palestinians have a right to the land they occupy but social media contributes more to the separation of their life spheres and may in part account for the fact that only a few Israelis and Arabs embrace reconciliation as a goal.

A Land Without Borders, Michael Alalu & Nir Baram, 2017   In A Land Without Borders, Baram investigates a possible solution to the Palestinian Israeli conflict through in depth interviews with Palestinians and Jewish settlers which he carried out in his trips to the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Coming from a well-known liberal family active in politics, Baram’s discussions and background knowledge provide sobering answers. For Palestinians the 1948 expulsion of 700,000 people from their homes remains a traumatic experience much more so than the 1967 defeat and the occupation of Palestinian territories and East Jerusalem.  The Oslo peace process has failed, and the United States is held responsible for allowing the creeping takeover of Palestinian land which now has 600,000 settlers on the West Bank and East Jerusalem.  This occupation is eroding democratic processes and amounts to an ethnic cleaning that has been a continuous process ever since 1948 and is also exemplified by the current destruction of Bedouin villages in the Negev to create space for new settlements.  If there were to be change it needs to start from the grass roots but most Israelis do not care about Palestinians. The prospects for their future are grim and the two states solution seems illusionary.  

The Field, Mordechai Vardi, 2017   Vardi’s documentary about the Palestinian Center for Nonviolence established by Ali Awwad on his family’s land at the Gush Etzion Junction between Jerusalem and Hebron illustrates an attempt to reconcile on the grassroots level Palestinians and local settlers. From Awwad’s perspective violence breeds violence generating the hate both groups have developed. A dialogue can be established if the victims on both sides are brought together and a human link is developed. Communication is possible if they can detach themselves from the mantle of victimhood. Awwad suggests that justice resides in the individual and cannot be imposed from the outside.  There is a need to recognize specific circumstances of the other side. For example, Palestinian women suffer from a double oppression as imposed by the male hierarchy they live under and the occupation by Israel. Both sides can only communicate in a meaningful way if they change the dominant narratives. For the settler it is the notion that God gave them the land, for the Palestinian the conviction that the land has been theirs forever.  The Center has brought together thousands of individuals. In the Q&A period Ali Awwad was asked how many Israelis share his view and he estimated that about one percent agrees with him.

Your Honor, Television Drama, 3 episodes, Ron Nimio     The teenage son of a prominent judge running for higher office accidentally kills with his father’s car the son of a local mafia lord and his desperate father tries to cover up the accident with the help of his wife and a friend, a Bedouin police officer who he had trained.  The series is produced in two parts with 12 episodes each and has been acquired for adaptation by the US, Italy, France, Germany and other countries.  This clear headed description of the Israeli criminal justice system has a concise script, with fast moving actions, outstanding acting, and superb cinematography.  The series meets the Other Israel Film Festival’s perspective by integrating minority and social issues in its story of crime and corruption inspired, according to Ron Nimio, by U.S. President Trump and Israel’s Prime Minister Netanyahu. Elements of  Israel’s ongoing socio-political reality  are essential parts of the story such as the discriminations of Bedouins, crimes, poverty and violence in Arab town sections , the under policing of these sections, decline of social structures, distrust by minorities of the police, existence of parallel authority structures with Bedouins living by their ow set of rules, depiction of both a Bedouin and a  white mafia clan, as well as  Sephardic and Ashkenazi  characters written into the script.

The Other Israel Film Festival has become a valuable addition to New York film festivals providing an important voice to the critical Israel Palestine debate.

Claus Mueller     filmexchange@gmail.com

OFFICIAL SELECTIONS

Happy

The Good Agent

Hush Hush

Ctrl-Z

Ingenue-ish

The Expedition: Mars 2030

Valkommen

My Irnik

The Pooka

Never Better

Clarity

Memories of Miss O'Keeffe

Xavier Corbero: Portrait of an Artist in Winter

VOLA

The Driver Is Red

IMPERATIVE SHIFT ~Fukushima, Tip of the Iceberg~

NEAR CHANGE

THE PECULIAR ABILITIES OF MR MAHLER

ECKHARDT

STATE OF EMERGENCY MOTHER******!

Control

The Only Ones

Heath Takes a Trip

Good Morning

Troll Inc.

Letter

Picture Wheel

Nine Minutes

VIF

Wyrm

MONDAY

Lost Crops

The Tree Prophet

soybean oil errands

Dear Sister

For the eighteenth year, the Nihilist Cultural Foundation presents the Nihilist International Film Festival.  This year’s evening of films will be presented at the Echo Park Film Center.  The show will start at 8:30 pm on Friday, December 15. The festival includes two hours of short films from around the country and around the world.  The films range from troubling to hilarious, from profound to completely silly.  Pretty much, something for everyone (except children and clergy).

Festival Director Elisha Shapiro commented, “Since 1999, we have been doing this film festival.  And if there’s one thing nihilists like, it’s tradition…a tradition of twisted, offensive art that makes you laugh.”

As a special feature, all those who bring their own televisions and arrive fifteen minutes early will be able to include their appliances in the traditional ritual Blessing of the Televisions.

Nihilist Film Festival director Elisha Shapiro is a Los Angeles-based conceptual artist.  He is known for presenting the 1984 Nihilist Olympics and the 1999 Nihilism Expo.  He was also the Nihilist Party candidate for Governor in 2006, for President in 1988, and for LA county sheriff in 1992. Most recently, Shapiro appeared as The Funniest Nihilist in the LA Fringe Festival.

The Echo Park Film Center is located at 1200 N. Alvarado Street in Silverlake. Nihilist Christmas Special ticket prices are only 99 cents. More information is available at the Nihilists Corner website:  www.nihilists.net and www.echoparkfilmcenter.org/cinema/schedule.html.

NEW DATES

When I started the festival back in 2006, I had intended to launch it as part of the International Women’s Day (IWD) celebrations happening worldwide.

However, it was impossible to hold the event on this day due to conflicts with other programs occurring in Miami.

I’m very happy that with this move to New York, we can include WIFF as part of IWD as originally intended.

 20 - 26 November 2017

The complete program of the 33rd interfilm – International Short Film Festival Berlin is available online– view the timetable.

This year the 33rd International Short Film Festival interfilm Berlin expects a total audience of more than 20,000 to attend the festival from the 20th to the 26th of November. Over 500 films from almost 80 countries showcase the tremendous diversity of international short film. Prizes to the tune of 32,000 euros will be conferred in six competitions. Meet us on Facebook - Twitter - Instagram

- Screenings at 8 locations - more here
- Events at the legendary Volksbühne theatre include Beckett on Film (on Thursday), eject_XX (on Friday), Sound & Vision (on Saturday)
- Don't miss the extraordinary screening at Zeiss Großplanetarium in the dome: 360 Degrees - Virtual Reality meets Full Dome
 

Two online audience award competitions on realeyz.de

Ready to view now: Highlights of the renowned Confrontations and Green Film competitions can be watched in advance as part of the online contest. Watch short films, vote for your favourite and be in the running to win great prizes on realeyz.de until the 24th of November! Click here for the Confrontations Online Award, and here for the Green Film Online Award.

Prominent guests at this year’s interforum in masterclasses, workshops and Script Pitch

Of the 700 accreditated guests anticipated at interfilm, 300 are international. A star-studded cast will also be present at interforum, our industry platform for the exchange between international festival guests, Berlin filmmakers and the audience: We’re thrilled to welcome notable personalities from the film world to lead the diverse range of masterclasses, film talks and workshops!

Obama’s Principal Videographer Hope Hall gives a masterclass and workshop

Hope Hall accompanied Barack Obama as Principal Presidential Videographer for 6 of his 8 years in office. Already known for her documentary film work, Barack Obama hired Hall to work on his campaign for more tolerance and inclusion and she released weekly videos from both the centre of power and Obama’s personal sphere. Within the framework of interforum she will hold a masterclass entitled “Hope Hall. Up Close with Barack Obama's Videographer”. It will address the topic of fake news and explores how to respond to it with authenticity. - Link

The Quay Brothers in Film and at interforum

World-renowned stop motion animation artists The Quay Brothers have been making masterful puppet animation for fifty years, creating darkly surreal worlds of wonder that are inspired by the work of Franz Kafka and Robert Walser. interforum provides a rare opportunity to experience the artists in person at “In Absentia & More. In Conversation with the Quay Brothers” where they discuss the film “In Absentia” which they made in collaboration with musician Karl-Heinz Stockhausen. - Link– Complementary to their interforum talk, interfilm will also show a retrospective film program entitled “Quay Brothers”, which presents a selection of their extraordinary short films. - Link

Jan Harlan, Stanley Kubrick’s legendary producer

From “Barry Lyndon” (1975) to “Eyes Wide Shut”, Jan Harlanproduced numerous Stanley Kubrick films– including “Shining” and “Full Metal Jacket” - and will share valuable advice to creative professionals at interfilm. As legendary producer to the late Stanley Kubrick, Harlan will draw on encouraging examples to demonstrate how to make good films with little means in the masterclass entitled “LOW BUDGET, MAXIMUM CREATIVITY. Jan Harlan on the art of shortfilm production”. - Link

“King of Animation” Bill Plympton

Bill Plympton is a significant representative of the animation filmmaking world who is known for his distinctive drawing style and grim humour.  After his application to Disney was rejected, 16-year-old Plympton decided to take his career in his own hands and drew dozens of animated films. At interforum he will be giving a masterclass entitled “PLYMPTOONS! Bill Plympton on independent animation filmmaking” in which he will speak of his life and survival as an independent animator while also providing an insight into his current work with an exquisite film selection and live sketching session on stage.  - Link
 

5 Years of Script Pitch: The Eight Finalists

Experience the finalists in the fifth edition of the “Script Pitch” screenwriting competition at interforum. 99 entries from 50 countries were submitted to interfilm from Israel, Argentina, Iran, Iraq, Philippines, Kenya, Brazil and South Africa. At Script Pitch the eight best screenplay ideas will be presented to and interviewed by an international jury of industry professionals. The eight finalists are: Elizabeth Chatelain (USA), Léa Triboulet (France), Manos Papadakis (Greece), Muthoni Waigwa, (Kenya), Nina Blažin (Slovenia), Ragnar Snorrason (Iceland), Raluca David (Romania) and Sabine Redlich (Germany). - Link

For the first time, the event will be followed by the “Script Pitch Anniversary Show” comprising a selection of successful short films that have been produced by Script Pitch Alumni during the last five years.

Here’s the festival overview: interfilm.de

KUKI 10th International Short Film Festival for Children and Youth Berlin 2017

19 - 26 November 2017

kuki-berlin.com

KUKI stands for diversity, civil courage, creativity and culture! This year, the KUKI International Short Film Festival for Children and Youth turns 10 and the especially celebratory Opening Ceremony on Sunday the 19th of November at Filmtheater am Friedrichshain will be exploding with confetti, young curators, young juries, international guests, program highlights and an enchanting musical performance by Susie Asado.

With a record-breaking number of visiting international filmmakers from Finland, Japan, Canada and Bulgaria to name a few, this year‘s edition of KUKI has something for film lovers of every age.

In 14 short film programs bursting with live action, documentaries and animation, the weekdays will be attended by more than 5,000 children and teenagers with their school classes and on the weekend and three evenings there is a rich variety of screenings for families and youth. Highlights at both ends of the age spectrum include the Kindergarten program for first-time cinema-goers and two stunning Teenage Riot programs for everyone over 16 years of age.

This year KUKI branches out across the city with additional cinemas in Kreuzberg, Mitte; Prenzlauer Berg and Wedding.

New Wave, unsurpassed action and martial arts films, international fame, crisis, entering the Chinese market and searching a new identity. Since the 1970s Hong Kong cinema has undergone a substantial transformation and the process is clearly reflected in the programme of the 11th Five Flavours. It brings the New Wave works directed by Ann Hui, whose auteur vision is exemplified by films from each decade of her career, as well as short and long feature debuts from emerging directors. The film programme is completed with a panel discussion focused on the current identity and future of Hong Kong cinema which takes place at the Museum of Modern Art on Saturday.

Portrait: Ann Hui

This year's retrospective brings a deeper overview of pioneering works by one of the most renowned Hong Kong directors. Ann Hui's latest masterpiece, "Our Time Will Come", opens the 11th Five Flavours tonight in Warsaw.

o    The Secret, Hong Kong 1979, 90'

o    Boat People, Hong Kong/China 1982, 106'

o    Summer Snow, Hong Kong 1995, 100'

o    The Way We Are, Hong Kong 2008, 90'

o    A Simple Life, Hongkong 2011, 118'

o    Our Time Will Come, Hongkong/Chiny 2017, 130'

Roger Lee, the producer of "Summer Snow", "A Simple Life" and "Our Time Will Come", is a special guest of the retrospective. The story of his friendship with the real-life Ah Tao was the base for "A Simple Life".

Read more: The Darkest Hour – The Three Years and Eight Months That Changed Hong Kong

Other Hong Kong films:

o    Mad World, dir. Wong Chun, Hong Kong 2016, 101' (New Asian Cinema / Asian Cinerama)

o    Made in Hong Kong, dir. Fruit Chan, Hong Kong 1997, 108' (Genre Classics)

o    Fresh Wave 2017: HK Shorts, Hong Kong 2017, 98' (Special Screenings; admission free)

The programme includes also coproductions that prove unflinching openness of Hong Kong film industry and its international influences:

o    Mrs K, dir. Ho Yuhang, Malaysia/Hong Kong/China, 97' (New Asian Cinema)

o    Soul Mate, dir. Derek Tsang, China/Hong Kong, 110' (Asian Cinerama)

Debate: Hong Kong Cinema Today – Between Auteur and Mainstream Cinemas

To cultivate Polish audience's deeper interest in Hong Kong cinema, the Asian Film Awards Academy and the Five Flavours Asian Film Festival co-present a panel to discuss the present and future of the city's film culture and industry. The panel comprises Heiward Mak (producer of "Mad World"), Ho Yuhang (screenwriter-director of "Mrs. K"), Lam Wing-sum (screenwriter of "Soul Mate"), directors Ashley Cheung and Michelle Hung and DoP Eric Tsang from the Fresh Wave programme and the Asian Film Awards Academy's programme manager, Jacqueline Tong.

The discussion panel is moderated by Chanel Kong – film critic, Festival Director of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, and programmer for festivals such as the London East Asia Film Festival.

The panel is held in English with simultaneous translation into Polish.

18 November, Saturday, 15:30, admission free
Museum of Modern Art, 3 Pańska St

Partners: Asian Film Awards Academy, Museum of Modern Art, Wajda School. 

Read more: Young Hong Kong Filmmakers Are Interested in Local Subjects

> SCREENING SCHEDULE

> FULL FESTIVAL PROGRAMME

Wishing you all much success on the festival circuit!

Read this online     FOLLOW US ON THE SOCIAL NETWORKS:                    

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LAST CALL FestForums Santa Barbara Register with our partner discount, only from filmfestivals.com

Filmfestivals.com has been a partner since the origin of Fest Forums. We highly recommend the fun and networking opportunities to grow your festival business and expertise. BE THERE this november! Click Here For Your Discounted Passes : use code bruno2017 and save 20% on passes   ...

 

 

Jeff Bridges to attend Fest Forums Santa Barbara along with the Coen Brothers

Fest Forums delegates will have the privilege of the first public screening of Jeff Bridges work of passion: Living the Futures past.

 

Special Preview of Jeff Bridges Living in the Futures Past at Fest Forums

 

 

LIVING IN THE FUTURE’S PAST Academy Award® Winner, Jeff Bridges presents this beautifully photographed tour de force of original thinking on who we are and the environmental challenges we face.  Bridges, alongside prominent scientists and authors, weaves evolution, emergence, entropy, dark ecology, and what some are calling the end of nature, into a story that helps us understand our place among the inhabitants of Earth’s household.

 

 

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival 17  November - 3 December 2017 http://2017.poff.ee I #POFFIHUNT I @POFFIHUNT

Tallinn Black Night Film Festival opens today: Meet the Wolf

  BLACK NIGHTS FILM FESTIVAL OPENS TONIGHT ...

 

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival will be collecting donations for development of the festival

The Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF), one the fifteen FIAPF-accredited competitive film festivals in the world which will be held for the 21st time this year, will be collecting donations for development of the festival in addition to the support from businesses, the state, and the local government. One of the first goals is to translate as many films as possible into Estonian and Russian. So far, a third of...

 

Black Nights Film Festival introduces the lineup of the new programme Rebels With A Cause

To See a Woman The new section, dedicated to films that are experimental or unconventional in form or style, is a competition programme with an audience award. The first edition will see 10 films, with one having its world and another its international premiere. The selection includes the world premiere of Riga (Take One) by the French director Siegfried, a free-st...

 

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival announces full lineup

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival adds 153 films to its lineup, bringing the total number of films to 233, including 20 world and 24 international premieres and with the films originating from 70 different countries. The festival will be visited by more than 300 filmmakers and over 600 delegates have accredited for the Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event. Unveiling...

 

 

FESTIVAL DAILIES AND PREVIEWS

>   American Film Market Previews November 1 - 8 2017 

Final wrap newsletter N°9 (November 10) 

> PARTNERS FESTIVAL NEWS    

The Julien Dubuque International Film Festival (April 26 – 29, 2018) is calling for your film

December 18, 2017  Regular Deadline I January 8, 2018  

Voted one of the top 50 Film Festivals worth the Submission Fee in 2016 AND 2017 by MovieMaker Magazine, the Julien Dubuque International Film Festival acknowledges emerging filmmakers from around the world, with a strong emphasis on discovering and encouraging new talent. In recognition of the time and talent of the independent filmmaker, awarding over $40,000 in cash and benefits, including a $10,000 Best of the Fest award.
Over $40,000 in cash and benefits to be awarded**

Email I  467 Bluff Street Dubuque, IA 52001 United States I Website I Profile on filmfestivals.com I Facebook I Twitter I SUBMIT

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Culver City Film Festival December 5 – 11, 2017 calling for entries

Regular Deadline I December 4, 2017
The Culver City Film Festival will be December 5th-11th and will be held at Cinemark 18 and XD Howard Hughes Center. Additional venues to be announced soon. All submissions are only $25.00. Submissions are Open for shorts and features!!! Have your film screened in the heart of screen-land Culver City, CA and home of Sony Pictures and many film company's and distributors.

Profile on filmfestivals.com I Email I 4640 Admiralty Way Suite 500 Marina del Rey, CA 90292 United States I Website  Facebook I Twitter I SUBMIT

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ARTEMIS Women in Action Film Festival

March 23 – 25, 2018

October 31, 2017 Late Submission

Artemis Motion Pictures brings you the first ever film festival dedicated to honoring female action and empowerment.

We celebrate powerful women taking action on the silver screen. From female action heroes to female activists, we will shine a spotlight on females in narrative and documentary films who are fearless, fierce, and revolutionary.

Whether suffragettes or stuntwomen, female superheroes or female leaders, if your film features of woman as a lead or co-lead who is in action or takes action, we want to see it!

We are interested in all narrative, animated, and documentary films as well as screenplays that showcase powerful women. All submissions must feature women either starring or co-starring as a physical action character or agent of social change.

Profile on filmfestivals.com I Email  I 2633 Lincoln Blvd. #254 Santa Monica, CA 90405 United States I Website I Facebook I Twitter I Instagram I SUBMIT

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NYC Independent Film Festival 2018

May 7 - May 13, 2018

November 30, 2017 Regular Deadline I  December 31, 2017  Late Deadline I January 31, 2018 Extended Deadline I

NYC Independent Film Festival is a celebration of the true independent filmmaker, documentaries, short and feature-length films, music videos, and animation. Whether a submission is comedic, dramatic, or something in between, The NYC Indie film Fest is eager to embrace fresh ideas and storytelling.

The festival aims to discover the Artist Filmmaker, showcasing them to the entertainment industry and the NYC public. All NYC Indie screenings take place in the historic center of NYC, Time Square which is the perfect home for an event geared toward creating incredible opportunities for independent voices.

NYC Indie Film Festival honors the Best in Category which includes Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary, Best Short Documentary, Best Short Narrative, Best Super Short, Best Music Video, as well as Best Director and Best Screenplay.

Profile on filmfestivals.com I Website I Facebook I Twitter I  SUBMIT I Contact Dennis Cieri

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Sonoma International FilmFestival 

March 21 – 25, 2018

December 15, 2017 Regular Deadline I January 2, 2018 Late Deadline I January 29, 2018 Extended Deadline I

Submissions for 2018 Sonoma International FilmFestival (March 21-25, 2018) open on August 1, 2017.

Acceptances will be sent out by email in early February, 2018.  Please do not contact office before that date.

Thank you to all of our filmmakers for submitting your creative work to us. We had an unprecedented number of great films in 2017 and look forward to seeing all the submissions for the upcoming 21st SIFF.

Sonoma International Film Festival endeavors to celebrate the best in independent and international features, documentaries, and short films.  In Sonoma, it is all about the filmmakers.

Sonoma International Film Festival's blog I Website www.sonomafilmfest.org I Facebook I Twitter I SUBMIT I Past Winners I Contact Kevin W. McNeely I 707-933-2600 I 103 E. Napa St. Suite A Sonoma, California 95476 United States

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Winter Film Awards in NY

February 22 - March 3

Late Deadline-Nov 15.

 

Celebrate Diversity in Film with New York City's WINTER FILM AWARDS, a TOP 10 BEST REVIEWED FEST on FilmFreeway!

Over $100,000 in Cash, Prizes & Distribution Opportunities!

We seek creative fresh voices from emerging filmmakers worldwide in all genres and lengths – feature length and shorts, narrative fiction, documentary, animation, horror, web series and music videos.

WINTER FILM AWARDS IS NEW YORK CITY. Like the city itself, we showcase the eclectic diversity and excitement of the independent arts world. Join us for our 7th Annual Indie Film Festival to be held Feb 22 – Mar 3 2018 for live screenings, cool discussion panels and awesome fun parties. Visit www.WinterFilmAwards.com for details. SUBMIT

Submit your work via https://filmfreeway.com/festival/WFA and use discount code WFA18FILMFESTCOM25 to take 25% off your submission fee!

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Fantasporto 2017 February 24 - March 4, 2017 PARTNER FESTIVAL WITH FILMFESTIVALS.COM Fantasporto’2018 | Oporto International Film Festival announces our Call for Film Entries for the 38th annual festival, running February 20th till March 4th. This Call is for Fantasy, Horror, Sci-Fi features and shorts in the Fantasy competition. The Director’s Week is for features only, in all genres except fantasy. Deadlines for Entries for 2018 edition are October 30th (Early Call) and December 5th (Final Call). Films can be submitted now using the film submission website www.fantasporto.com Fantasporto enjoys incredible loyalty and support from the large film-appreciating community all over the World. In the last edition, Fantasporto was attended by over 20,000 enthusiastic genre film fans and over 200 members of the film press and industry. Considered in 2015 as the first of the independent film festivals in the world by TRIPPER, Fantasporto is among the top film festivals  for the discovery of new talent, having revealed countless of now famous directors, producers and actors. Check the  Regulations on the site www.fantasporto.com. Fantasporto'sblog I Website  I Submit I  Facebook I Twitter I Contact Mario Dorminsky I Entry Form

 

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2018 WORLDFEST-HOUSTON April 20 - 29, 2018 calling for entries

PARTNER FESTIVAL WITH FILMFESTIVALS.COM

The EarlyBird Deadline is November 15th 

Entries Open August 15th. The EarlyBird Deadline is November 15th and the Main Entry Deadline is December 15th. These are "Postmark By Deadlines". If you enter Online by the January 15th Late/Final Deadline and we receive the physical entry by January 31st, your entry will still be reviewed by our judges. Due to popular demand, we have extended the Final Brick Wall Deadline to January 31st, online!

The 2018 Annual WorldFest-Houston International Film & Video Festival is now open for entries! Info on All Winners info is submitted to Seoul, Korea ~ Concorto, Italy & the USAFilmFestival, Dallas at no extra cost!

WorldFest Houston's blog I Website: http://www.worldfest.org I Submit I Facebook I Twitter I Contact Hunter Todd

 New Media Film Festival

June 12 -14, 2018

"I thank the New Media film festival for what they've done for young filmmakers."– Legendary Director Roger Corman

"Top 25 Festivals Worth The Entry Fee" - Movie Maker Magazine

"Makes the cutting edge accessible" - Huffington Post 

New Media Film Festival intersects the interactivity of new technologies & formats for Media & Cinema which exemplify the power of the cinematic arts to inspire and transform. A festival where we Honor Stories Worth Telling that are created by people of All Ages-All Cultures-All Media.
Each entry is considered for Screening in a state of the art theatre, The Landmark, owned by Mark Cuban and/or Competition and/or Distribution $45,000.00 in Awards will be given out. Each programmed content is in consideration for a Best of Category, Audience & Grand Prize Award.

Email I + 1 310-288-1100 I Website I Facebook I Twitter I 2017 Award Winners I Photos I Videos  I  SUBMIT

 

16th GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL 

March 22 -25 , 2018
 

2018 Call for Entries December 1, 2017! 

 

The Garden State Film Festival is scheduled for March 22-25, 2018 in Asbury Park, NJ. Film, Screenplay and Movie Music competitions open July 1, 2017.   Make sure all of the INFORMATION you are submitting into the submission system  is CORRECT because  THAT information GOES RIGHT INTO OUR SYSTEM. 

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ECO CALLING

November 28 is #GivingTuesday, how will you help awaken humanity and create a better world?

  How will you help awaken humanity and create a better world? Mark your calendars! November 28 is #GivingTuesday, a global day of giving.  Here’s how you can help.   15 years ago, I had a dream. My 25-year-old self, unfulfilled by corporate life and looking for her place in the world, concocted an optimistic and far-reaching plan to pitch and...

 

ANIMATION CALLING

Feature Loving Vincent hits theatres worldwide

Scene from Loving Vincent the world's first hand painted Oil Painting LOVING VINCENT, the world’s first fully oil painted feature film is being embraced by audiences around the globe.  First released in the US on September 22nd by Good Deed Entertainment, the film is poised to cross the US$ 1million mark on a roll-out strategy that will see it in over 100 US/Canadian theatres this weekend.  In Poland distributor Next Film will cross 150,000 admissions this wee...

 

MIAFF 5th edition wants your hot new animation films for 2018 EARLY BIRD until October 14!

MIAFF is bursting into its 5th edition and will be a spectacular 5th year birthday party! Call for entries are now open so take advantage of early bird rates until October 14 For festival strategy and consultation contact Animation Calling today! With hundreds of submissions from all over the world MIAFF 5 will be screening your film alongside  an ANIMAZING party to boot!         ... 

 

HORROR CALLING

Silver Scream Film and Comic Festival Feb 16 - 18, 2018 - Horror Calling

February 16 - 18 2018 3rd AnnualFamous Monsters Presents Silver Scream Film and Comic Fest will take place February 16, 2018 to February 18, 2018 SILVER SCREAM FILM AND COMIC FESTIVAL, presented by Famous Monsters, is looking for the next generation of great genre storytellers so their creations can be shared with the world! The purpose of the annual SILVER SCREAM FILM AND COMIC FESTIVAL is to cherry-pick burgeoning creative talent and provide an industry spotlight for the best in...

DOC FESTS CALLING

DOC NYC in full gear with 23 World Premieres, 23 world premieres and 23 U.S. premieres, with more than 350 doc makers

LINEUP FOR EIGHTH EDITION NOVEMBER 9-16, 2017 Program Includes 23 World Premieres, 23 U.S. Premieres Among Over 250 Films and Events America’s largest documentary festival, is rolling the full lineup for its eighth edition, running November 9-16 at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village and Chelsea’s SVA Theatre and Cinepolis Chelsea. The 2017 festival includes 111 feature-length documentaries among over 250 films and events overall. Included are 23 world premieres and 23 U.S. premi...

 

 

Extensive IDFA Talks program

During the upcoming festival, IDFA is organizing a large number of Talks to accompany its film program, giving unique insights into the makers’ backgrounds and the stories behind the films. These Talks are divided into three categories. Five Filmmaker Talks will delve deep into a specific filmmaker's body of work (including the Master Talk with Jonathan Harris). Over fifty Doc Talks will present in-depth conversations with makers and a well-known moderator following film screenings. ...

> FILMS FOCUS     

AFM 2017 AMBIANCE VIDEO

Molly's Game closed AFI

On the last day of AFI FEST, which closed Nov 16th with a Tribute to Aaron Sorkin and screening of MOLLY'S GAME. Day eight also included another screening of I, TONYA, plus A CIAMBRA, WAJIB and Robert Altman's masterpiece NASHVILLE, with Lily Tomlin attending for a Q&A. ...

 

 

 

Fest Forums will host the World Premiere of Jeff Bridges new film Trailer Living the Futures Past

Filmfestivals.com' Bruno Chatelin, a partner and Advisory board member of Fest Forums, Lise Romanoff CEO of Vision Films and Susan Kucera the Director of Jeff Bridges Living the Futures Past are proud to bring Jeff Bridges at the conference where he is expected to hand an award for T-Bone Burnett November 18th. Stage 32 is the co-curator of FestForums film screenings and we will be featuring an incredible film lineup in the Cinetransfomer theater with Q&A moderated by Stage 32...

 

 

AFM is over but these great films may still be available!

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"Apocalypse Road" is winding its way to its U.S. release!

    www.summerhillfilms.com I Contact  I  Facebook I Twitter: @WatchCoolMovies ...

 

170 Documentaries have been submitted for consideration the 90th Academy Awards

“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail” “Aida’s Secrets” “Al Di Qua” “All the Rage” “All These Sleepless Nights” “AlphaGo” “The American Media and the Second Assassination of President John F. Kennedy” “And the Winner Isn’t” “Angels Within” “Architects of Denial” “Arthur Miller: Writer” “Atomic Homefront” “The B-Side: Elsa...

 

AFI Opening Night Gala Presentation of Netflix's Mullbound

Opening Night Gala Presentation of MUDBOUND took place in Los Angeles on November 9, 2017. &n...

 

VIDEO -Jonathan Wolf introduces documentary film panel -sales agents The Works in the house

Jonathan Wolf introduces the top sales UK based agents The Works to a full house of enthusiastic attendees at the panel on marketing and monetizing documentary film. It was a delight to hear all panelists talk about their personal experience in the documentary film world. Filmmaker Laurens Grant was a pure delight in her take on the industry.       ...

 

 

Seeking animation feature projects for festival strategy

  We are fresh from the American Film Market in Santa Monica California. We have lots of great news and strategies to share with you to help give your animation strong visibility in 2018. Animation Calling has great relationships with festivals who screen animation film. If you are needing more visibility and marketing on the festival circuit contact us to  bring your film onto the world film festival stage.   Please contact laurie@animazefestival.com and set up a sk...

 

Finland announces new tax credits to help animation film production

SCREENSHOT/GIGGLEBUG Gigglebug's commissioning broadcasters are YLE Finland and SRF Switzerland. Finland has announced the first three productions to make use of the country’s new tax incentive. As of the beginning of the year, Finland has offered a 25 per cent tax rebate for film and TV production.     Anni Wessman project manager of International co-productions for Finland talks to Laurie Gordon about the new initiative launched in January 2017.  The productions ...

 

> "FILMFESTIVALS.COM ONES TO WATCH ON THE CIRCUIT" FOR FESTIVAL CONSIDERATION

CHIMERA by Maurice Haeems USA India Thriller Science Fiction 79 minutes

Trailer I Website I Blog on filmfestivals.com I Contact I Festival Screeners

A brilliant but disturbed scientist decides to freeze his children alive, while he races against time to cure their deadly genetic disease by unlocking the secret of immortality encoded within the DNA of the Turritopsis jellyfish.

A DYING KING Feature Documentary, directorial debut by Bobak Kalhor 85 minutes

HOW ONE MAN'S DEATH, CHANGED HISTORY

 

Trailer I Website I Blog on filmfestivals.com ITwitter I Contact I Festival Screeners

An expose of the last King of Iran’s medical story

On January 16,1979, the Shah of Iran Mohamad Reza Pahlavi, left the royal palace, the Peacock Throne and his beloved country Iran for the last time, commencing what became a 19-month odyssey into exile. He wondered hopelessly from Egypt to Morocco, Bahamas, Mexico, the U.S, then Panama and back again to Egypt where he died furtively at the age of 60. His death had profound consequences for the future of the Middle East and the world, yet the untold medical story of the last King of Iran has to date remained a puzzling mystery. By unraveling the secrecy surrounding this critical period of history, beginning from the onset of the Shah’s illness, to the diagnosis/misdiagnosis and maltreatment, “A Dying King” exposes the main causes of the Iranian Revolution, the pursuant 444 days hostage crisis, and the adversarial relations between the U.S and Iran.

LIVING AMONG US by Brian Metcalf  - Vampire Found Footage Thriller Ocober 2017 80 minutes

A family of Vampires hire some filmmakers to bring their story to the world with devastating results.  STARRING: John Heard (Home Alone), Esmé Bianco (Game of Thrones), Thomas Ian Nicholas (American Pie), William Sadler (Iron Man 3), Andrew Keegan (10 Things I Hate About You).

Website I  Blog on filmfestivals.com I Teaser trailer I Screener I Youtube I Facebook I Twitter I Sales by Vision Films

LIVING IN THE FUTURES PAST by Susan Kucera, A documentary presented by Jeff Bridges.
USA October 2017 - 83 minutes

Academy Award Winner, Jeff Bridges presents this beautifully photographed tour de force of original thinking on who we are and the environmental challenges we face. Jeff, alongside prominent scientists and authors, weave evolution, emergence, entropy, dark ecology, and what some are calling the end of nature, into a story that helps us understand our place among the species of Earth’s household. The film upends our way of thinking and provides original insights into our subconscious motivations, the unintended consequences, what to do about our fossil slaves, and how our fundamental animal nature influences our future as Humankind. 

...more details Blog on filmfestivals.com

DEAD ON ARRIVAL D.O.A. by Stephen Sepher - Thriller  - USA  - June  2017 -  96 minutes

Emmy nominated Billy Flynn stars in an ensemble cast as Sam Collins, a pharmaceutical sales rep who visits a small town in Louisiana to close the business deal of a lifetime. He finds himself in a dark world of sex, corruption and murder as he is poisoned with no antidote to save his life. Desperate for answers, with less than 24 hours to live, Sam turns to a local girl Jesse. Their path leads to a voodoo priestess who only confirms Sam's doomed fate. On the run, caught in a deadly vertigo with no one to trust, Sam and Jesse find themselves running from police detectives, the Mob and a dirty sheriff who wants him dead.

Inspired by the 1950 classic noir thriller D.O.A. 

http://www.doafilm.com I Twitter I Facebook I Request a screener and Festival bookings

THE EVIL WITHIN by late Andrew Getty 

Winner in Houston WorldFest and Fantasporto

The sadistic tale of a lonely, mentally handicapped boy who befriends his reflection in an antique mirror. This demonic creature orders him to go on a murderous rampage to kill the people he loves most.

Starring: Frederick Koehler (Death Race), Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints), Michael Berryman (One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest) Brianna Brown (General Hospital), Dina Meyer (Starship Troopers), Kim Darby (True Grit)

Written and directed by late Andrew Getty - Produced by Eric Berliner, Michael Luceri - Sales Vision Films Lise Romanoff

 

Horror, Thriller, 100 Min, 2016 Winner best actor at Fantasporto 2017 
Synopsis I Trailer I Poster I Screener request I Sales I Festival placement

 

OFFENSIVE, Jon Ford's thriller.Winner in Houston Worldfest, Best Film and Audience Award for Best Film at Torino Film Fest

"They were forced beyond breaking point; they have no regrets, does that make them bad people? The first part of this film will enrage you ! The second part will sate you !". Bruno Chatelin - Filmfestivals.com

A retired couple, Bernard and Helen Martin, inherit a remote house in rural France, the very same village Bernard’s war hero father liberated during the Second World War, over 70 years earlier. This peaceful couple quickly become the target of a crual gang of street kids, who terrorise the village.

An e-generation permanently plugged into their devices, devoid of empathy, a new breed of technological psychopath…Pushed beyond breaking point, can Bernard live up to his father’s legend, as the situation explodes into a brutal war of generations ?

Website I Festival Bookings I Facebook I Contacts @ Production I Synopsis I Trailer I Poster

 

The Unwilling by Oscar nominee Jonathan Heap

 

Evil is inside

6 family members gather for the reading of a will. It comes with a mysterious box. Who will leave alive?

Starring David Lipper, Dina Meyer, Levy Tran, Austin Highsmith, Jake Thomas, Robert Rusler, Bree Williamson and  Lance Henrickson.  

USA 82 minutes I Supernatural Horror Thriller  I Sales by Vision Films I Festivals contact I Trailer I Website I Facebook I Twitter I Youtube I

 

Angel's Salvation by Hassan AKHONDPOOR - Feature film Iran

Iran 2017 90 minutes 

Angel's (Fereshteh’s) father has gone bankrupt during Iran’s nuclear sanctions years and troubled economy. The family had to sell their home and are now living in a small, ran down house. The creditors pressure Fereshteh for their money and hurt her feminine family. Farzaneh, Fereshteh’s sister, was going to marry but her wedding was cancelled because of their situation. Fereshteh’s mother sells all home appliances and now there is only one creditor left who wants Fereshteh instead of his money. Fereshteh is in a dilemma of giving in to a married man, which will lead to her father’s release, or fighting the problems of lacking money and lacking her father.

A film by Hassan AKHONDPOOR, produced by Ebrahim ASGHARIstarring Elahe SHAHPARAST, Roshanak SE GHALEGI, Neda KOHI, 

Trailer I Worldwide Rights Available I Ask for a screeneer  I Festival placement

Revolution by Rob Stewart  

over 40 festival wins so far

Eco Documentary feature film by Rob Stewart April 2015, 82 minutes (Sharkwater)
Revolution is a film about changing the world. The true-life adventure of Rob Stewart, this follow-up to his acclaimed SHARKWATER (36 festival wins) documentary continues his remarkable journey; one that will take him through 15 countries over four years, and where he'll discover that it's not only sharks that are in grave danger -- it's humanity itself.

Website I Epk on filmfestivals.com I Trailer I Email us for a screener

> THE FESTIVAL CIRCUIT   

Bahamas Int’l Film Fest reveals a very powerfull lineup this year

  Sean Baker’s Drama “The Florida Project” Starring Willem Dafoe, Selected as BIFF 2017 Opening Night Film   The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), celebrating its 14th edition this year, and taking place December 10-17, today revealed the lineup of films screening in the festival’s competition and sidebar sections. The program was announced by BIFF Founder and Executive Director Leslie Vanderpool.   This year, the Festival will showcase mor...

11th Five Flavours opens with Ann Hui's "Our Time Will Come" and showcases a diverse Hong Kong programme

New Wave, unsurpassed action and martial arts films, international fame, crisis, entering the Chinese market and searching a new identity. Since the 1970s Hong Kong cinema has undergone a substantial transformation and the process is clearly reflected in the programme of the 11th Five Flavours. It brings the New Wave works directed by Ann Hui, whose auteur vision is exemplified by films from each decade of her career, as well as short and long feature debuts from emerging directors. The film p...

 

interfilm 33rd International Short Film Festival Berlin 500 films, 80 countries, 70 programs, 6 competitions!

 20 - 26 November 2017 The complete program of the 33rd interfilm – International Short Film Festival Berlin is available online – view the timetable. This year the 33rd International Short Film Festival interfilm Berlin expects a total audience of more than 20,000 to attend the festival from the 20th to the 26th of November. Over 500 films from almost 80 countries showcase the tremendous diversity of international short film. Prizes to the tune of 32,000 euros will be c...

 

Women's International Film Festival slated for next march

  This is Yvonne, WIFF Founder and President. I wanted to personally reach out to you and thank you for your patience and support over the past few months. Today, I am so happy to be able to share this good news with you.       NEW LOCATION After 11 years of hosting the event in Miami, including winning the status of Miami’s Best Film Festiva...

 

 

2017 Nihilist Film Fest Comes to Echo Park Film Center

For the eighteenth year, the Nihilist Cultural Foundation presents the Nihilist International Film Festival.  This year’s evening of films will be presented at the Echo Park Film Center.  The show will start at 8:30 pm on Friday, December 15. The festival includes two hours of short films from around the country and around the world.  The films range from troubling to hilarious, from profound to completely silly.  Pretty much, something for everyone (except children a...

 

Santa Monica Film Festival Announces “Official Selections” For the 12th Edition of Santa Monica Film Festival #SMFF

Each awards season, Santa Monica Film Festival presents new, compelling and innovative films to support the arts, culture and creative economy in the area. The 2017 Santa Monica Film Festival showcases 35 current award winning independent films from local, national and international filmmakers. A filmmaker Q&A that gives the audience an opportunity to interact with the filmmakers accompanies each film screening block. The festival kicks off with at 10AM with the Filmmaker Networ...

 

 

The Other Israel Film Festival 2017, New York

Presented by New York’s Israel Film Center with funding from Carole Zabar, the Other Israel Film Festival was held at the New York Jewish Community Center with support from numerous small partners from November 2-9.  The guiding themes of the fest: film, change, action reflect the transformational philosophy of the festival ever since its establishment in 2007. Among the more than 60 Jewish film festivals in the United States the Other Israel Film Festival is unique becaus...

 

 

Margaret Mead Film Festival 2017, New York

From October 19-22 the annual Margaret Mead Film Festival sponsored by New York’s American Museum of Natural History presented 41 productions from 42 countries and numerous special events including 14 US premieres and one film shown for the first time, with half of the films directed by women.  Following the guiding theme of “activation”, films shown this year had the objective of reflecting about and acting on our understanding of the complex diversity of the cultures t...

 

 

Watch these festivals calling November 15

    Read this online                  FOLLOW US ON THE SOCIAL NETWORKS:                     Dear filmmakers friends do not miss these Festivals in Focus.   FILMFESTIVALS.COM PARTNER FESTIVALS CALLING ANIMATION FESTS CALLING DOC FESTS CALLING HORROR FESTS CALLING ...

 

The 44th Annual Seattle International Film Festival May 17 - June 10, 2018 calling

January 5, 2018 - Late submission February 2, 2018 - Extended (Withoutabox submissions only!) SIFF creates experiences that bring people together to discover extraordinary films from around the world. It is through the art of cinema that we foster a community that is more informed, aware, and alive.   The Seattle International Film Festival is presented each year from mid-May to mid-June. It is the largest film festival in the United States, presenting more than 400 feature...

 

Miami Film Festival Poster in the clouds

  The 2018 official poster has been created by two-time Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial cartoonist  Jim Morin editorial cartoonist for Morintoons Syndicate, oil painter, art lover, acoustic guitar picker and NHL hockey fan.@MorinToon!   ...

 

 

Scouting filming locations? Peerspace is here to help!

For all your filmmaking needs, Peerspace is here to help! Peerspace is an online resource to book locations for film shoots, castings, wrap parties, screenings, and so much more! Get 10% off your first booking today here! http://bit.ly/2jlze8x ...

 

AFI offers a selection of 137 films from 53 countries

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Networking meeting at FilmFestival Cottbus Eastern Partnership Film Festivals

  Filmmakers and representatives of leading Eastern European film festivals came together during the 27th FilmFestival Cottbus to exchange views about their situation.   The networking meeting in Cottbus with representatives from the Eastern Partnership countries and Russia is the continuation of a roundtable which had been held during the Odesa International Film Festival (14 to 21 July, 2017). The medium of film also reflects civil society discourses in Eastern Europe and disc...

 

Filmarchivum 60, The Budapest Classics Marathon A Fully Packed Long Weekend

By Alex Delon-Oroszlányi   Commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of the Hungarian Film Archive an important part of whose work is the restoration of classic films, forty two digitally restored films from here and abroad were screened in a three day marathon from Friday Nov. 4 through Sunday Nov. 6, at the stately old Corvina Mozi, itself a landmark of cinema architecture. Among the...

> PEOPLE ON OUR RADAR

The Creative Coalition Launches #KeepTellingPeople™ Campaign

  Partners with Birds Nest Foundation and Storio Creative  To Stand Up Against Sexual Harassment   The Creative Coalition announces the launch of #KeepTellingPeople™, a PSA campaign created to empower all people to help eradicate the sexual harassment and assault epidemic.   The PSA is directed by actor and President of The Creative Coalition Tim Daly (“Madam Secretary”) and actor and Board Member of The Creative Coalition Cheryl Hines (“Cu...

 

Ruben Moreno named Director of The Huesca International Film Festival

  Rubens Moreno from Huesca is the new director of the Huesca International Film Festival. The Huesca festival that will celebrate its 46th edition in 2018, begins a new period "full of enthusiasm and eager to work" as Moreno himself expresses. The new person in charge of the contest Huesca, who maintains his responsibilities as director and programmer of the Olimpia Theater, assumes the position for a period of four years. A time that from the Foundation is consid...

 

The newly launched Goldfinch Studios' team appointed Andy Green as Head of Sales and Development

Andy Green has been appointed as Head of Sales and Distribution. Read more about it in this lovely article from our friends at Variety: – Freshly-Minted Goldfinch Studios Appoints New Head of Sales and Distribution       ...

 

Charles Burnett receives an Honorary Award at the 2017 Governors Awards

Charles Burnett receives an Honorary Award at the 2017 Governors Awards in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 11, 2017. ...

 

 

Agnès Varda receives an Honorary Award at the 2017 Governors Awards

Agnès Varda receives an Honorary Award at the 2017 Governors Awards in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 11, 2017.   ...

 

Jennifer Lawrence presenting the Honorary Award to Donald Sutherland

Jennifer Lawrence speaks as part of the award presentation to Honorary Award recipient Donald Sutherland at the 2017 Governors Awards in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 11, 2017. ...

 

Donald Sutherland receives an Honorary Award at the 2017 Governors Awards

  Donald Sutherland receives an Honorary Award at the 2017 Governors Awards in the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland in Hollywood, CA, Saturday, November 11, 2017. ...

 

The Seville Festival presents the City of Seville Award to the actress Trine Dyrholm

The Danish actress has appeared in more than 50 titles over the course of her career in cinema and television   The Danish actress Trine Dyrholm, one of the most popular faces in European cinema, will receive the City of Seville Award during the closing ceremony of the Seville Festival. The festival recognises in this way the career of an actress who has worked in cinema, television and theatre and has appeared in more than fifty titles.   Dyrholm began in cinema in 1990 wit...

 

Kathryn Bigelow, Kate Winslet, Emily V. Gordon & Kumail Nanjiani Announced as SFFILM's 60th Anniversary Awards Night Honorees

Event’s New Position in the Fall Calendar and Focus on Top 2017 Titles and Artists to Better Support SFFILM’s Youth Education Programs SFFILM has announced several honorees scheduled to attend the 2017 SFFILM Awards Night (formerly Film Society Awards Night), its annual fundraising celebration honoring achievement in filmmaking craft. The historic 60th anniversary edition of ...

 

Vanessa Redgrave receives the Stockholm Life Time Achievement Award

This year’s Stockholms Lifetime Achievement Award goes to the Acadamy Award-winning actress and Hollywood legend Vanessa Redgrave. In connection to the screening of her debute as a director with the documentary Sea Sorrow, the actress will tonight visit Stockholm International Film Festival to receive the Bronze Horse. Motivation: This year’s winner of the Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award has been one of the most prominent actors in the world for over five decades and has b...

 

 

Nicole Kidman received Outstanding Work in Cinema during the sixth edition of Los Cabos International Film Festival.

        ...

 

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Partner Film Festivals Calling. Fast-Approaching Deadlines

Need more and better film submissions for your festival? don't miss the one month booster

Filmfestivals.com was established 1995 as world reference in this niche, we are proud of our track record in helping festivals attract more legitimacy, visibility and film submissions from our large base of international film professionals (370 000 unique filmmaker visitors each month), 159 500 subscribers to the newsletter. ONE TIME OFFER We suggest this quick one month booster program for your call for entry including  with 4 newsletter ads, your call for entry promoted one month lon...  

The Bulletin Board I Pro Services's blog |  Advertise your festival in the next eBlast to our filmmakers.   

Major Buzz Factory : Expérience de Bruno Chatelin du marketing Digital pour les films

Fort d'une expérience acquise dans la distribution de films pour deux Majors (Sony et Fox mariée sous a direction avec UGC) Bruno Chatelin propose une expérience pointue au service de votre stratégie digitale à Travers sa structure de Conseil MAJOR BUZZ FACTORY Le fondateur Bruno Chatelin : un Professionnel de la communication entouré de spécialistes, son expérience est ancrée sur trois univers La publicité, Le mark.eting et le digital.

TOUTES LES NEWS EN FRANCAIS.    

 

Les Nominations aux European Film Awards 2017

MEIR FENIGSTEIN, FOUNDER/EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF FESTIVAL, TO BE HONORED WITH MENSCH INTERNATIONAL FOUNDATION AWARD

The Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles, which continues through November 21st, has named Foxtrot, Israel’s submission for this year’s Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, as its Closing Night film.  Meir Fenigstein, founder and executive director of the Festival, will be honored on November 27th with the Mensch International Foundation Award which recognizes individuals committed to Holocaust education and devoted to helping humanity.  The evening commemorates the 70th anniversary of United Nations resolution 181, the 1947 partition of Palestine and will also present posthumous honors to Menachem Begin, David Ben-Gurion and Golda Meir.

The screening of Foxtrot will take place on November 21st at 7:15 pm at the Laemmle Ahrya Fine Arts Theatre, Beverly Hills.  The Mensch International Foundation Award will take place November 27th at 7:00 pm at Sinai Temple, Los Angeles.

This year, the Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles, which continues through November 21st, has had its most successful run with the most sold-out screenings, visiting filmmakers and post screening panel discussions in its 31-year history.  The Festival will have screened 23 feature films, five documentaries, five television shows and six short films.  This included one World Premiere, 17 U.S. Premieres, 10 West Coast Premieres and seven Los Angeles Premieres.  Over 30 Israeli filmmakers attended, including actors, directors, producers and writers.  Among the highlights were Emmy and Golden Globe winner Jeffrey Tambor receiving the 2017 IFF Achievement in Television Award, and multiple award-winning (including the 2017 Israeli Academy Ophir Award for Best Actor), Israeli movie star Lior Ashkenazi honored with the 2017 IFF Cinematic Achievement Award; the Opening Night 1,000 person strong sold-out gala presentation of Ben Gurion, Epilogue, winner of the Ophir Award (Israel’s equivalent of the Academy Award) for Best Documentary; the world premieres of the second season of the award-winning Israeli television shows Fauda (two back to back sold out showings for over 800 guests) and Mossad 101, and sold-out showings of The Cakemaker, Festival Spotlight Screenings of An Israeli Love Story, Maktub, A Quiet Heart, among many others,

In Foxtrot, written and directed by Samuel Moaz, Michael (Lior Ashkenazi) and Dafna (Sarah Adler) are devastated when army officials show up at their home to announce the death of their son Jonathan (Yonaton Shiray).  While his sedated wife rests, Michael spirals into a whirlwind of anger only to experience one of life’s unfathomable twists, which rival the surreal military experiences of his son. Sony Pictures Classics will distribute the film in the U.S.

Past recipients of the Mensch International Foundation Award includes President H.W. Bush, Branko Lustig (producer of Schindler’s List) and Arpad Gonez (former president of Hungary).

“This year’s Festival has surpassed all expectations with record-setting sold-out screenings and number of visiting Israeli filmmakers.  The Los Angeles community continues to embrace the best of Israeli cinema and television,” noted Fenigstein.  “I’m also very humbled by being recognized with the Mensch International Foundation Award.  It is a proud honor.”

The Israel Film Festival in Los Angeles, which runs November 5th – 21st, takes place at the Ahrya Fine Arts by Laemmle (Beverly Hills), Laemmle Royal Theater (West L.A.) and the Laemmle Town Center 5 (Encino).  For further information or to purchase tickets, contact IsraFest Foundation:  310.247.1800 or info@IsraelFilmFestival.org.  Tickets will also are available to purchase on the website  www.IsraelFilmFestival.com.     

For 31 years, the Israel Film Festival has presented over 950 feature films, documentaries, television dramas and short films to close to a million film goers and brought hundreds of Israeli filmmakers to the U.S. to share their art.  The Israel Film Festival is produced by IsraFest Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization created in 1982.  Among the Sponsors of the 31st Israel Film Festival are long-time partners Millennium Media, Adelson Family Foundation, The Hollywood Reporter, Rabinovich Film Project, Israel Film Fund, Variety, Eclipse, Maurice Marciano Family Foundation, Max Webb Foundation, David and Judy Shore Foundation, CAA, Screen International, New Regency, Bank Leumi USA, Four Seasons Hotel, The Orlando Hotel, SLS Hotel, Pacific Holdings, Yvel and the Israel Consulate in Los Angeles, to name a few.