You’ve made your movie—now it’s time to show the world!

The Dam Short Film Festival is now accepting submissions for the 2016 season. Films of any style and genre with a total run time of 40 minutes or less are eligible. Submission categories include Drama, Documentary, Animation, Student, Nevada Filmmaker, Sci-Fi/Horror, and Comedy.

Already sporting some of the lowest submission fees going, the Dam Short Film Festival has reduced submission fees across-the-board this year making it even easier to submit. In addition, students receive an additional $5 break, and entries in the Nevada Filmmaker category are free!

In addition, we’re proud to announce that our festival is now accepting submissions on FilmFreeway! We’re excited about this new submissions platform, and as always we’re still accepting submissions through Withoutabox.

This season’s deadlines and fees:

$20 – Super-Earlybird: April 20, 2015
$25 – Earlybird: June 15, 2015
$30 – Regular: September 20, 2015
$35 – Late: November 24, 2015

Submissions in the Student Category receive a $5 discount.
Submissions in the Nevada Filmmaker Category - FREE!

The Dam Short Film Festival Selection Committee is chomping at the bit to see your film. Don’t make them wait–submit early and save!

Visit our Submit page for all the details and 2015’s Official Rules. GoTo: http://www.damshortfilm.org/submit/

See you at the movies!

The organization of Curaçao IFFR is proud to present the line-up of the Yellow Robin Award competition 2015! Five films from talented young directors from the Caribbean compete to win a prize of USD 10,000, the chance to screen their film during the 2016 edition of IFFR in the Netherlands, as well as priority access to industry activities such as Cinemart and Rotterdam Lab.  

This competition was launched in 2013 to offer emerging filmmakers from the Caribbean and Latin America a hospitable platform to develop their talent and support them in their careers by opening the doors to the world market through the festival’s connection with IFFR the Netherlands.

The nominees for the Yellow Robin Award 2015 are:

POR AMOR EN EL CASERIO from Antonio Morales/Juan Luis Rodriquez (Puerto Rico)
This variation on Romeo and Juliet set in the poor neighbourhoods (called caserio) of San Juan,Por amor en el caserio is partially based on the experiences of local amateur actors. Antonio Morales previously also wrote the script for the play that aimed to reduce drug-dealing and violence on the streets.

PRIMERO DE ENERO from Erika Bagnarello (Dominican Republic/Costa Rica)
A great road movie about children that also tackles tough adult themes. Crime, divorce and illegality are dealt with airily in the story about a boy who will stop at nothing to find his father’s stolen piano. Because if the piano comes back, his father is sure to follow.

SIN ALAS from Ben Chace (Cuba)
When 70-year old, retired journalist Luis Vargas reads that celebrated ballerina Isabela Muñoz has died, his thoughts return to his brief, passionate, yet impossible relationship with her. A love story with great music and lots of local color.

TÚ Y YO from Natalia Cabral (Dominican Republic)
A tragi-comic documentary on the daily lives of an elderly Caucasian widow and her Afro-Caribbean housekeeper who lives with her. Their quiet days are filled with hard work, soap series and grumbling within four spotless walls. However, sometimes the fact that the gradually intertwined women are from entirely different social classes becomes painfully apparent.

LAS VACAS CON GAFAS from Alex Santiago (Puerto Rico)
When a solitary, eccentric artist and professor hears he’ll go blind, he has to deal with this terrifying fact and reconcile with his daughter, who became alienated from him due to circumstances years ago. Subtle drama about aging and coming to terms with the inevitable.

The winner is announced during the official Award Ceremony on Saturday 28 March.

Watch the trailers here.

The International Oriental Film Festival of Geneva is supported by the City of Geneva’ Department for Culture and other significant partners. This year, the Festival celebrates its 10th edition. Its organization is led by the “FIFOG” association in partnership with other organizations that promote cinema, cultural dialogue and cultural diversity. The event will be held between March 20rd and 29th 2015, in several venues that include the Cinemas of “Grütli”, Versoix, Lausanne and neighbouring France.

The 2015 edition will host around 100 movies of a wide range of genres that originate from Eastern countries as well as Western countries. These movies are meant to showcase high quality and tackle human values, while being thought-provocative. The agenda thus reflects the association’s quest to pursue an understanding of Eastern societies and to question the cultural barriers between the East and the West, by means of exclusive fiction movies, documentaries and short movies. The aim of FIFOG is also to spark a debate on various themes that pertain equally to the East as to the West, and to facilitate dialogue and understanding between the two. At the same time, FIFOG offers a platform for young film directors who can be Swiss and also from the East. This year’s theme centres on: the body and whether it constitutes a fantastical object and/or whether it represents an expression of ideologies.

A series of movies will examine the relationship artists cultivate in relation to the body in cinema: fantastical object and / or space of ideological expression. The movies will be grouped along the following categories: “The Orient in all its forms”; “Voices and visions of women”; “Voices and visions of America”; “Perspectives: East-West and Switzerland-East“; “Migration and Integration”; and “FI-FON-FAN” (the festival of children). In parallel, 5 prizes will be awarded and for each category; a Golden FIFOG and a Silver FIFOG will be presented respectively to winners and runners-up.

Serbian Brigitte Bardot

 The Loop (Petlja) crew is my favourite younger generation Serbian actress Ljuma Penov. Beside very successful theatre career Ljuma is one of the rare who manages theatre and film career together.  Ljuma Penov became more known to a wider audience outside of Serbia by her part in a small black comedy film Black Zorica/Crna Zorica from 2012, film that went off really well in UK and USA, but managed to stay outside of the present Serbian critic authority praise due to a shell content of the film. This part brought Ljuma Penov to a list of IBM Actresses on the Screen San José Sinequest list. And to keep her good – reputation- special outside of a usual Serbian film pattern of glory and fame I am bringing her up now to be my special mention. So here is she, Serbian Brigitte Bardot, Ljuma Penov!

1.       The relatively short time has passed since the unexpected success abroad of film Crna Zorica/Black Zorica (directed by Hristina Hatziharalabous and Radoslav Pavković) what do you expect from this film, what is the Loop/Petlja. The film is dedicated to the famous Yugoslavian photographer Ljubomir Šimunić and his opus on erotic photography that he became famous by in the past.

 The film is completely different, visually, aesthetically, artistically, from the movie Black Zorica, it goes in completely different directions. What I was very glad about is that I can play in a variety of roles, directions and genres of film, diametrically opposite roles and films.

Film The Loop/Petlja by Serbian film director Milutin Petrović honors Ljubomir Šimunić, beside him in the film there is also Marina Marković another name, which gives a special tone and the multilayered to a film. The film is a thriller with a lot of different sub-layers. This film awakens the imagination, mind, first, the one who is open to the arts in general, and it seems to me to be such, however, the smaller the number, the greater the number of those who only think they are, or were, unfortunately, completely unconscious and not know what is art, either, let alone other things. Some have probably heard only the word exists, which is regrettable, but so is the value system for a long, in the value system of people, society. I think you should do a poll, it would be very interesting. Here, and in all the arts, openness in the matter, permeation, and this is true of all art alike.

As far as expectations, do not expect anything, as with any role, I'm happy just to have been part of that, although I was so self-critical, almost to exhaustion. Is it good or bad, I do not know. For me it's probably better that way, especially in a movie where everything goes fast and there is no time for so many probes as in the theater, but there is still a feeling, and nothing fundamentally, not different in the paper, because here I am preparing for months earlier, only used different means.

Beside me, the film has Ivan Zaric, Tanja Venčelovski, Amra Latifić, Daniel Smith, and Sasa Radojevic, except that such co-writer of the film, appears in the role. All this gives the film a special note in the aesthetic and artistic, above all, artistic, sense.

 2. In addition to the successful role, do you feel that this is the most memorable film role, especially if you are in the focus as a female erotic object. Šimunić nonetheless dealt with erotic aesthetics in his photographs and as far as Milutin Petrović, he managed to convey his erotic aesthetic to the big screen?

 The film honors Ljubomir Šimunić, and in some ways, it's a film about him personally. The Loop/Petlja is very multifaceted film, including the title suggested by. This is how Milutin Petrović managed to convey Šimunić’s erotic aesthetics, ie, without a transfer, but only to adapt themselves and then transferred to us, and the audience; everyone will be able to see who might come to look at the film, and will be surprised whatever expect and whatever prejudices, perhaps, had. As for me, eroticism in this film is pure and beautiful, she is on the side of beauty, art and artwork.

 3. What is your role in the loop?

 The role of the Marina is completely different from the others, just as I get different roles, but it is different even in its very draft, and outlines, through the film. I've worked on it as an actress, because I can not help but to specifically and faithfully prepare for each role, a long time, with myself that something came out of it, I do that strange in my personality, and while I'm not entirely psychologically and physically, morally, aesthetically in that role, I am completely united with her, I do not move: and there is of course still in preparation and director, as well as on the set, of course, and together we bridge this time, it should be together, even though sometimes it unfortunately not happen, which is in this case.

 4. Here you worked with Saša Radojević, the screenplay writer, film director and actor in the Loop, which is the next role?

 Saša Radojević I concurrence of circumstances precious working on the film Country where he co-writer, The Loop  besides the fact that I worked with him as co-screenwriter, I worked as an actor, which I was pleased and very interesting. As for some of the following enterprise we plan some new stories later, when the time is right.

5. Who recommended this film? Milutin was on display of FEST, the International Film Festival in Belgrade with his film Jug Jugoistok /South South-East from 2005?

 I think everyone should view each film, and this especially. The society needs a little more culture and art, to invest so much more in culture, but unfortunately, because of everything else, the value system of the society is drastically decreased.

 6. How it is significant for you as an actress that with the role in the film Black Zorica/Crna Zorica get on the list for most IBM Actress on the Screen of San Jose Sinequest?

 Me, as an actress, it certainly does, because the criticism is really nice received and noticed my role in the world, it's always nice when someone recognizes something good in you. But how important is the list, I do not know if people here do know about it. Some people here pay attention to such things, and neglect any other things that are not merely easy and fun and which do not concern some trivia. Here are worried about gossip, take care of completely irrelevant and superficial things, instead to little broader the  view, in connection with anything, to keep eyes wide open, not just standing but developing.

 7. For the second time you cooperate with the Italians in the film, tell us something about this collaboration whether they be new role in the Italian film? It is the dream of many of  Serbian actresses?

 Twice I've worked with Italian productions and working with them is completely different than working with Serbian productions. For me it was really very creative, hard and expensive, as far as the very actors and directors concern I do not know the dreams of other actors, I know what my dream is and where it is, it will remain known only to me.

In its 14th edition Documentary Fortnight 2015, MoMA’s International Festival of nonfiction Film and Media’ showcased from February 13 – 27 twenty one feature films, seven shorts, archival films, a seminar and a media installation. As with other major festivals Documentary Fortnight is expanding its wide range of themes and creative approaches. Held at one of New York’s most prominent museums, the Museum of Modern Art, programming the festival had more flexibility because MoMA serves an educated upscale trending audience. Thus productions could be selected which break the boundaries of traditional documentary film making. Among this year’s approaches were historical, experimental and ethno-fictional departures, with a frequent emphasis on the image and atmosphere.  Yet there was no neglect of conflict areas. Issues tied to migration, natural and man-made disasters, the media, minorities and homelessness were well presented in the program.

BRULE LA MER (Burn the Sea) 2014 Tunisia/France, Nathalie Nambot, Maki Berchache

After the overthrow of Tunisian Dictator Ben Ali leaving the country became possible. The documentary follows the survival of some young Tunisians who decided to emigrate. Interlaced with images of the sea and coast the documentary depicts their passage through Milan and Marseille with Paris as the final destination. They have little success looking for a home or permanent work and find themselves with despair and hopelessness in a country that confines them. Liberation and economic independence in France is as far away as it was in Tunisia and their longing for a home and their lost childhood remains unfulfilled. Their families give them strength but that joy is diminished by the split existence of their bodies in France and their hearts in Tunisia, not having a home in either place

HOTEL NUEVA ISLA, 2014 Spain and   Cuba, Irene Gutierrez Torres

Jorge de los Rios, a retired and unemployed worker uses a decrepit former luxury hotel in Havana as his shelter with a few other homeless people. He meanders through the building looking for objects and material to save, yet has no clear objective. There is scarce communication between him and the others, a women friend and her little daughter. They decide to leave fearing the building’s collapse as does a young man he befriends. Like a vestige from the past Jorge decides to stay. His passage through hallways and rooms which are falling apart and his encounters are beautifully recorded in the mostly slow and stationary cinematography

OF MEN AND WAR, 2014 France/Switzerland, Laurent Becue-Renard

In this compelling documentary Becue-Renard provides a human face to the suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). As distinct from other superb productions on that problematic issue like HBO’s War Torn we learn through numerous statements by soldiers beset by the condition what happened to them during the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan und how they tried to survive the aftermath. There is no footage from the war. Comments by a therapist running group sessions with the soldiers and affected family members who try to keep them grounded are kept to a minimum. Recollections from killing the enemy and civilians, witnessing close up the death of close friends and fellow soldiers, even of murder, permits us to better understand. But these experiences are frozen in the soldiers’ memories.  For the viewer it is difficult to grasp how overcoming the horror was possible, many soldiers considered killing themselves and a many combatants suffering from PTSD actually did so during the conflict and afterwards.  The camera recorded for nine months their interactions and the documentary becomes a record of the transformatory power of the war experience, an experience shared by less than 1 percent of the population, and not readily accessible to most.  Their actions had a lasting impact on the moral fiber of these war torn soldiers and their sense of self has become precarious.

PARK LANES, 2015, USA, Kevin Jerome Everson

Known in part because of its length, spanning eight hours, the film provides a real time record of the transactions in a factory producing and repairing equipment for bowling alleys covering a full day of work. The everyday working life of mostly minority workers in this setting is captured through fixed and slow motion cameras focusing on the working act and stations. We follow jobs ranging from the assembly of small mechanical parts to larger complex components. The production process is fragmented yet each worker is skillfully completing the assigned task. Apart from coffee breaks and lunches there is little communication between the workers, each of them has become part of the work process. The documentation of the aesthetic nature of work is superb, yet it is difficult to show the film outside festival settings and film departments.

CAFÉ: CANTOS DE HUMO (Coffee: Chants of Smoke) 2014, Mexico, Hatuey Viveros Lavielle

This enchanting production from Mexico presents in a subdued non-directive approach the life in a small indigenous Nahuati community in the Puebla region. Starting with the funeral of his father and ending with the memorial gathering one year later, the film centers on the son Jorge who studies to become a lawyer. Conflict and changes transpire through comments by family members and their views of work and education, having a family, abortion for the 16 year old sister, and the role of parents. They show the difficult passage to today’s times from traditions that ruled that community for generations. With Jorge as a lawyer his ethnic community will be able to better cope with the clash between past and present.

EPISODE OF THE SEA, 2014 Netherlands, Lonnie van Brummelen, Siebren de Haan

Urk a former fishing village is now landlocked with a tightly knit very religious small population. It has remained in the fishing business, proud of its past and speaks a unique peculiar dialect, alien to Dutch. Having worked closely with the villagers for two years and gained their trust von Brummelen and de Haan completed an unusual documentary using cameras from the eighties corresponding to the age of the trawlers they filmed. Footage was shot in stunning black and white on 35 mm recording the fishing and processing work on the trawler and the unloading resulting in some amazing imagery of the moving sea and synchronized labor.  The delivery of statements by the fisher men is stunning since the film makers trained them how to recite the text reflecting the filmmaker’s distillation of their opinions.  The ship and land settings set the stage for their theatrical performance which seems stiff and bereft of motions. Yet in its ethno-fictional approach Episode of the Sea offers succinct insight into the fishermen’s interpretations of their conditions, from criticism of regulations forced on them by the Dutch and European Union authorities, their tricks of the trade, to the problem of market driven competition, the use of foreign labors on their boats, and the challenge of passing their vocation to the children.  This production breaks the boundaries of traditional documentaries but it certainly delivers a message.

HOT TYPE: 150 YEARS OF THE NATION, 2015, USA, Barbara Kopple

The production offers a comprehensive history and current status of the United States most renowned left liberal weekly, The Nation. Archival material as well as pointed interviews with former and current contributing writers as well as full time staff editors provide a poignant overview of the changes and conflicts of American politics and the shifting media landscape. Special attention is paid to the current editor in chief Katrina vanden Heuvel and The Nation’s renowned internship program from which many of the current staff graduated. The grounded journalism of the Nation is well illustrated through documenting their research driven field work such as the staging of conventions, political struggles of Wisconsin, the Occupy Wall Street campaign, and current civil rights struggles in North Carolina to name just a few which are illustrated. Undoubtedly the Nation has printed crucial analytic and fact based reports on the issues the United States is facing before later media discovered them.

HAZE AND FOG, 2013, China, Cao Fei

This production provides an extraordinary artistic perspective on current human conditions in contemporary China which can be applied to many other advanced industrial societies. Images of individuals living and working in modern urban citiblocks are shown who seem to live a solitary existence disconnected from other people and immured in social isolation.  The company of others does not provoke responses and no communication can be observed but erratic behavior patterns such as individuals dancing in supermarket aisles, playing golf in a living room, taking a bath covered by balls or attacking a desk. There is a stark contrast in this film to a marauding band of zombies who engage in collective purposive action that make sense. The ‘normal’ people in this film are alienated and in their social isolation engage in meaningless action whereas the Zombies appear to be well and alive. The critical and satiric approach is similar to the work of the Swedish filmmaker Ruben Oestlund. Haze and Fog is one of the most original selections in the 2015 Documentary Fortnight program. Funded by European agencies the film is not made for theatrical distribution in China but can be accessed at festivals and the art house circuit.

The 2015 edition of Documentary Fortnight reflects a successful selection of stimulating and demanding production covering a broad thematic range.

Claus Mueller

filmexchange@gmail.com

The 2015 CFF will run from April 9-25 at PhilaMOCA and is loosely based around the theme of the “outsider”:  untrained filmmakers, special interest archivists, and those who simply refuse to play by Hollywood’s rules.  As always, it’s an eclectic and highly entertaining lineup of film programming that you won’t find anywhere else in the Delaware Valley.

PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED HIGHLIGHTS:

http://www.cinedelphiafilmfestival.com/2015-cinedelphia-film-festival-is-go/

SELECTED HIGHLIGHTS

Wednesday, April 15, 7:30 PM @ PhilaMOCA
AS-SEEN-ON-TV CREATURE FEATURE– Exhumed Films presents a 16mm double feature of Paul Naschy ‘70s horror films with vintage commercials inserted throughout.

Thursday, April 23, 7:30 PM @ PhilaMOCA

BEYOND CLUELESS– Philly Premiere of the ultimate teen film comprised of clips from over 200 classic teen movies.
Festival page: http://www.cinedelphiafilmfestival.com/beyond-clueless
Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DEz8pdxslYU

Friday, April 24, 7:30 PM @ PhilaMOCA
MORON MOVIES Retrospective– Broomall’s Len Cella will be in attendance for a live retrospective of his Johnny Carson-favorite short film series, guest hosted by Dimitri Simakis from Everything Is Terrible!.
Festival page: http://www.cinedelphiafilmfestival.com/moron-movies-retrospective

Saturday, April 25, 7:30 PM @ PhilaMOCA

BEST WORST MOVIE MARATHON – A 12 hour overnight movie marathon of our favorite bad movies!  Featuring a 25th Anniversary screening of TROLL 2 with a green-colored food feast, the Philly Premiere of WHITE COP, and a special Everything Is Terrible! presentation of 90s super hero classic THE SKID KID!  Plus five surprise features.

Festival page: http://www.cinedelphiafilmfestival.com/best-worst-movie-marathon

Poster by Ghost Bat: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/1374594

FULL SCHEDULE

http://www.cinedelphiafilmfestival.com/2015-schedule/

All events are held at PhilaMOCA unless otherwise noted.

WED, April 1, 7:30 PM – CFF PREVIEW NIGHT

FRI, April 3, 7:30 PM @ Cinemug – VIDEO PIRATES: ARTIFACTS

SAT, April 4, 8:00 PM @ Viva Video! – BLEEDING SKULL VHS SHOWCASE

THU, April 9, 7:30 PM – VIETNAM APPRECIATION DAY

SAT, April 11, 7:30 PM – ROCK SCHOOL 25TH Anniversary

SUN, April 12, 7:30 PM – Ken Del Vecchio Horror Double Feature

MON, April 13, 7:30 PM – hate5six Retrospective

TUE, April 14, 7:30 PM – Artsploitation Films Belgian double-feature

WED, April 15, 7:30 PM – As Seen On TV Creature Feature

THU, April 16, 7:00 PM – Mega-Bad Movie Night + Movie Movie Live

FRI, April 17, 7:30 PM – RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK: THE ADAPTATION

SAT, April 18, 3:30 + 6 – THE KINGDOM OF DREAMS AND MADNESS

SAT, April 18, 10:00 PM – Terry Gilliam Burlesque

SUN, April 19, 6:30 PM – Best of Vivisections International Horror Shorts

SUN, April 19, 8:30 PM – BAG BOY LOVER BOY

MON, April 20, 7:30 PM – I AM THOR

TUE, April 21, 7:30 PM – ELEKTRO MOSKVA

WED, April 22, 7:30 PM – BLOODY KNUCKLES

WED, April 22, 10:00 PM – I AM A KNIFE WITH LEGS

THU, April 23, 7:30 PM – BEYOND CLUELESS

THU, April 23, 10:00 PM – DWARVES KINGDOM

FRI, April 24, 7:30 PM – MORON MOVIES Retrospective

FRI, April 24, 10:00 PM – Wham City Comedy

SAT, April 25, 7:30 PM – Best Worst Movie Marathon

Official site:

http://www.cinedelphiafilmfestival.com

2015 CFF poster by Philly-based artist Box Brown:

http://www.cinedelphiafilmfestival.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/cff-poster.jpg

Contact:
Eric Bresler, CFF Director – ericbresler@philamoca.org

PhilaMOCA

531 N. 12TH Street

Philadelphia, PA  19123

http://www.philamoca.org

The 2nd edition of SR Socially Relevant Film Festival will take place in New York at several venues March 16-22.

This year’s lineup of 54 films opens with Come to my Voice, at CUNY Graduate Center, Proshansky Auditorium March 16, at 7pm. We will be specially honored by your presence at this film and the opening party following it immediately. Attached you will find the invitation and information on both these events and a press release.

The festival’s timely and socially engaging selection offers World and U.S. premieres and interesting industry panels. This year there are 33 countries represented in the film selection. We hope you can join us at these screenings during the week. There will be receptions at the Copenhagen Restaurant next door to Tribeca Cinemas where you can relax with free WiFi and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres and drinks in a comfortable cinema friendly atmosphere. Please check our website for individual screening times: www.ratedsrfilms.org

Founded in 2013, the festival runs from March 16 - 22, at Tribeca Cinemas, Maysles Cinema, the Quad Cinema & SVA (Chelsea campus). A wide range of social issues are portrayed during the week of the festival, namely:  Gun control & police brutality, race relations & discrimination, violence against women & empowering women, LGBT rights, conflict in the Mideast, the environment & climate change, the US economy & oil rush, immigration & exile.

THE CITY EYES THE FESTIVAL

34TH ISTANBUL FILM FESTIVAL KICKS OFF ON 4 APRIL

The 34th Istanbul Film Festival, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and sponsored by AKBANK for the 11th edition, will take place on 4-19 April 2015. The city will satiate with cinema in the two weeks of the festival that will provide a rich palette of award-winning films of the world cinema, the latest of the Turkish cinema, classics, masterpieces and the latest discoveries, along with talks with directors and actors and the most entertaining parties.

It’s only a few days to the Istanbul Film Festival, which proudly keeps its position as the standard-bearer after 34 years, for the diversity and the quality of its content. To be held between 4-19 April this year, Istanbul Film Festival will once again offer cinephiles a most generous programme that pushes the boundaries of creativity, encompassing the newest films from 2014 and 2015, as well as the masterpieces of all times, the latest films of great directors, and those of the up-and-coming prodigies yet to be discovered. Further to the 20 odd sections featuring 204 films by 222 directors from 62 countries, there will also be free-of-charge talks and workshops by renowned filmmakers, master classes, and other special events within the scope of the festival.

The programme of the 34th Istanbul Film Festival was announced at a press meeting led by the Istanbul Film Festival Director Azize Tan, also with the participation of İKSV General Director Görgün Taner, and Akbank General Manager Hakan Binbaşgil, at İKSV’s official accommodation sponsor Martı Istanbul Hotel today, 10 March.

Please find detailed 34th Istanbul Film Festival and 10th Meetings on the Bridge press releases and the festival's programme. 

THE CITY EYES THE FESTIVAL

34TH ISTANBUL FILM FESTIVAL KICKS OFF ON 4 APRIL

The 34th Istanbul Film Festival, organised by the Istanbul Foundation for Culture and Arts (İKSV) and sponsored by AKBANK for the 11th edition, will take place on 4-19 April 2015. The city will satiate with cinema in the two weeks of the festival that will provide a rich palette of award-winning films of the world cinema, the latest of the Turkish cinema, classics, masterpieces and the latest discoveries, along with talks with directors and actors and the most entertaining parties.

It’s only a few days to the Istanbul Film Festival, which proudly keeps its position as the standard-bearer after 34 years, for the diversity and the quality of its content. To be held between 4-19 April this year, Istanbul Film Festival will once again offer cinephiles a most generous programme that pushes the boundaries of creativity, encompassing the newest films from 2014 and 2015, as well as the masterpieces of all times, the latest films of great directors, and those of the up-and-coming prodigies yet to be discovered. Further to the 20odd sections featuring 204 films by 222 directors from 62 countries, there will also be free-of-charge talks and workshops by renowned filmmakers, master classes, and other special events within the scope of the festival.

34th Istanbul Film Festival Press Meeting

The programme of the 34th Istanbul Film Festival was announced at a press meeting led by the Istanbul Film Festival Director Azize Tan, also with the participation of İKSV General Director Görgün Taner, and Akbank General Manager Hakan Binbaşgil, at İKSV’s official accommodation sponsor Martı Istanbul Hotel on Tuesday, 10 March.

Underlining Istanbul Film Festival’s significance in the establishment of a culture and tradition of cinema in Turkey, Hakan Binbaşgil, General Manager of Akbank said, “Every year, this impressive artistic event presents the most prestigious and original films. The festival also plays a major role in the advancement of our cinema. I think one of the key reasons behind the success of the Istanbul Film Festival as a world-renowned event is the passionate support of its viewers. The ceaseless enthusiasm of viewers since 34 years encourages the organisers to always aim higher.” Binbaşgil continued: “Akbank is glad to support this prominent festival for the 11th time in a row.
I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who has worked to turn the Istanbul Film Festival into a prestigious event that also contributes greatly to cinema on an international scale. First and foremost, I would like to commemorate Şakir Eczacıbaşı with great respect; he will always be remembered as a mentor and a pioneer. And, of course, I would like to thank Chairman Bülent Eczacıbaşı and his successful team at İKSV, an organisation that has contributed tremendously to our artistic and cultural lives for more than 40 years.”

Istanbul Film Festival Director Azize Tan briefed the guests on the festival programme and the events, while also announcing the films that will compete for the International Golden Tulip Competition, National Golden Tulip Competition, as well as those in the FACE Human Rights in Cinema and the newly launched National Documentary Competitions. Azize Tan noted that this year was the 20th anniversary of the death of Onat Kutlar
–co-founder of the festival–and the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Cinematheque Association, which was also founded by Kutlar and his friends in 1965. In her speech, Tan also referred to the insufficiency of movie theatres in Istanbul, stating that the festival still had difficulty after all these years in finding adequate venues for screenings.

The press meeting of the 34th Istanbul Film Festival was broadcast live on film.iksv.org and medyamerkezi.vodafone.com.tr, with the kind support of İKSV’s Official Communication Sponsor Vodafone.

Cinema Honorary Awards

This year, the Istanbul Film Festival Honorary Awards will be given to five esteemed figures of the Turkish cinema: director-producer Yılmaz Atadeniz, musician Cahit Berkay, actress Nebahat Çehre, writer-director Safa Önal, and actor Süleyman Turan. The Honorary Awards will be presented at the festival's Opening Ceremony at the Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center on Friday, 3 April.

As a tribute, the festival will screen Yılmaz Güney’s unforgettable film Seyyit Han (1968) starring Yılmaz Güney and Nebahat Çehre, Yılmaz Atadeniz’s Maskeli Beşler / The Masked 5 (1968) with Süleyman Turan in the lead alongside Tamer Yiğit, Selma Güneri and Erol Taş and Temel Gürsu’s Dikkat Kan Aranıyor / Attention! Blood is Wanted featuring Süleyman Turan and Ekrem Bora.

Festival Programme

The programme of the 34th Istanbul Film Festival is replete with films that recently premiered at the Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals, as well as with documentaries, children’s movies, and the latest masterpieces of master directors, along with many other features. The festival’s traditional sections such as the Akbank Galas, Masters, From the World of Festivals, New Visions, Documentary Time with NTV, Mined Zone, Antidepressant, Kid’s Menu and Midnight Madness will this year be complemented with extra sections and special screenings.

The festival catalogue that gives comprehensive information about the films and the events, as well as the screening schedule and all other details about the festival, will be available at all the festivalmovie theatres and Biletix sales points for 5 TL.

New Sections in the Festival

·         Balkans: Cinema of Flames: This year, the Istanbul Film Festival dedicates a special section to the cinema of the Balkans, for which Kujtim Cashku says “The Balkans is the land of stories and storytellers” and which Nuri Bilge Ceylan describes as “a certain type of character, a certain type of spirit, an essence.” “The Balkans: Cinema of Flames”, inspired after Professor Dina Iordanova’s book of the same title, will bring together the best and the most contemporary films from this very special region. Seven films in total from Bulgaria, Greece, Serbia, Montenegro, Slovenia, Albania, Croatia, and Macedonia will be screened within the scope of this section.

·         Family Ties: Another new section in this year’s Istanbul Film Festival focuses on the family, which Brad Pitt refers as “a risky venture”, for which actress Aishwarya Rai says “My family is my strength and my weakness”, and which Haneke deconstructs in each and every one of his films. The ties that constitute a family–the most sanctified, the most criticized, and the most exploited social institution of all–are approached, scrutinized, questioned, and even battered in the 10 films in this section.

·         Special Screening: Little Truths: In its 10th year, the Istanbul Modern pays a tribute to the centenary of the Turkish cinema with a film project, for which five directors or director duos chosen by the Istanbul Modern Cinema made short films referring to cinema in Turkey. These short films that contribute to the country’s cinematic history from a contemporary point-of-view were produced specifically for Istanbul Modern’s project with the support of Istanbul Development Agency, and they will be screened together under the title of “Little Truths” in the festival.

·         German Animation Cinema: This section is a collaboration of the Istanbul Film Festival and Goethe-Institut and includes German animation films from the past three years from young upcoming and already celebrated directors and filmmakers. The programme to be formed by two sections is prepared by Annegret Richter, Head of the Animation Programme of the International Leipzig Festival for Documentary and Animation Film.

Lisandro Alonso Retrospective at the Festival

The festival celebrates the work of writer-director Lisandro Alonso, a leading figure in the New Argentine Cinema, by screening his entire filmography for the first time in Turkey. This special section, which comprises Alonso’s latest movie Jauja (2014) with Viggo Mortensen in the lead, as well as his tetralogy Liverpool (2008), O Fantasma (2006), Los Muertos (2004), and La Libertad (2001), provides a unique opportunity for cinephiles who would like to explore the enchanting and mysterious atmosphere typical to the movies by Alonso, who combines the conventional techniques of fiction and documentary cinema.

A Masterpiece of Turkish Cinema Renovated: Metin Erksan’s “Revenge of the Snakes”

With the collaboration of Groupama, the Istanbul Film Festival has been renovating the distinguished works of the Turkish cinema and reintroducing them to the modern viewers, for eight years now. This year sees the restoration of one of the masterpieces of the Turkish cinema: Metin Erksan’s 1962 film, Revenge of the Snakes. Restored by Fanatik Film Revenge of the Snakes will premier within the scope of the Turkish Classics Revisited section on the evening of 9 April and subsequently meet its audience on 12 April.

The Festival Commemorates Onat Kutlar

Tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Turkish Cinematheque: “Il Gattopardo”

The festival commemorates Onat Kutlar on the 20th anniversary of his death with a special screening. The Istanbul Film Festival pays tribute to the 50th anniversary of the Turkish Cinematheque Association, founded in 1965 by Onat Kutlar and his friends, who was also among the founders of the festival, by a special screening of one of Kutlar’s favourite directors. Visconti’s masterpiece Il Gattopardo / The Leopard (1963) will be screened at the festival from its restored print, while Kutlar’s article on Visconti, originally published in the Yeni Sinema Magazine in 1967, will be republished in the festival catalogue. A panel will be held on Friday, 10 April at Istanbul Modern, where the mission and heritage of “Cinematheque years” will be discussed.

The Golden Tulip Excitement at the Festival

The Istanbul Film Festival’s competition films will meet the audiences, along with the jury, during the second week of the festival. The winners will be announced at an Award Ceremony at the Lütfi Kırdar International Convention and Exhibition Center on Saturday,18 April.

International Golden Tulip Competition: In the “International Competition” section of the 34th Istanbul Film Festival, 12 films dealing with themes of art and artist or literature adaptations will vie for the Golden Tulip.
The International Competition Golden Tulip Award, presented in memory of Şakir Eczacıbaşı, will be supported with a 25,000 Euros monetary award by the Eczacıbaşı Group. The jury of the International Golden Tulip Competition, presided by Rolf de Heer, consists of director Bence Fliegauf, writer-director George Ovashvili, producer Cédomir Kolar, and actress Melisa Sözen.

National Golden Tulip Competition:11 cream of the crop films that were completed in the 2014/15 season, will be vying for the Golden Tulip in the National Competition of the festival, while raising the occasion to threeTurkey and six world premieres. The National Competition Jury will be headed by the prominent Turkish film director Zeki Demirkubuz, with actor Tansu Biçer, cinematographer Emre Erkmen, author Şebnem İşigüzel, and the International Berlin Film Festival Panorama Section Selection Committee Member and TEDDY Award Founder, filmmaker and author Wieland Speck as its members.

Best Film in the “National Competition” selected by the jury headed by the prominent Turkish film director Zeki Demirkubuz, will be awarded with the Golden Tulip and 150,000 TL, and the Best Director will be awarded with 50,000 TL. Best Actress and Best Actor will be awarded with 10,000 TL each. The Istanbul Film Festival National Golden Tulip Competition Jury will also give the Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Music awards. Producer of the movie awarded with the Special Jury Award in memory of Onat Kutlar will be given 60,000 TL by AnadoluEfes.

National Documentary Competition:The 34th Istanbul Festival will be awarding prizes in the documentary category in the TurkishCinema section, with the support of Anadolu Efesfor the first time. The Istanbul Film Festival, which has shown great interest in documentary film production in Turkey for many years, will be awarding a Best Documentary and Special Jury Prize, in order to support documentary film-makers and documentary film production in Turkey. The Documentary Competition Jury, assembled for the first time this year, will be awarding a total of 15,000 TL with the support of Anadolu Efes, in the categories of Best Documentary and the Special Jury Prize. The National Documentary Competition jury consists of documentarian Emel Çelebi, director and producer Pelin Esmer, and director Paul Poet. 11 world premieres and 2 Turkey premieres will be held at the Istanbul Film Festival National Documentary Competition.

Human Rights in Cinema: The Film Award of Council of Europe FACE:FACE, exclusive to the Istanbul Film Festival, continues to be awarded with the support of the Council of Europe. The FACE Award will be presented to one of the films screened in the “Human Rights in Cinema” section, which aims to raise public consciousness and sensitivity to human rights related issues. A representative from the Council of Europe will present the 10,000 Euros monetary prize to the director of the winning film. Eurimages Fund of the Council of Europe supporting co-production, distribution, and presentation of cinema is a partner to the FACE Award.

In the “Human Rights in Cinema” section, 10 films will meet the audiences, along with the FACE Award Jury that comprises author, actor and screenwriter Ercan Kesal, European Film Fund Eurimages Executive Director Roberto Olla, Palestinian screenwriter and director Najwa Najjar, and Leyla Kayacık who is the Senior Adviser at the Private Office of the Secretary General and the Deputy Secretary General on matters related to Human Rights and Supremacy of Law.

In Memoriam Seyfi Teoman: Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize: The Istanbul Film Festival presents the Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize in memoriam director and producer Seyfi Teoman, who passed away at a young age. Director of the film awarded with the Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize will be presented 30,000 TL by CMYLMZ Fikirsanat. All the debut fiction films from Turkey in the International Golden Tulip Competition, Human Rights in Cinema and the Turkish Cinema (National Golden Tulip Competition, “Out of Competition” and “New Turkish Cinema”) sections will be eligible for the prize. Seyfi Teoman Best Debut Film Prize jury consists of scriptwriter and director Mahmut Fazıl Coşkun, actor and director Syllas Tzoumerkas and actress Selen Uçer.

FIPRESCI Award:The International Federation of Film Critics (FIPRESCI) will give awards in the Istanbul Film Festival as in the previous years. One film from the International Competition and one film from the National Competition will receive the FIPRESCI Award. The FIPRESCI jury will be headed by Alexander Grozev from Bulgaria and will have Antti Selkokari from Finland, Sasja Koetsier from The Netherlands, Giovanni Ottone from Italy and Senem Erdine and Şenay Aydemir from Turkey.

Cineuropa.org Prize: Cineuropa.org Prize, will be presented to a film that besides having indisputable artistic qualities also brings out the idea of European dialogue and integration. Cineuropa.org Prize will be presented to a film in the National Golden Tulip Competition section of the 34th Istanbul Film Festival and selected by film critic Vladan Petkovic.

Radikal People’s Choice Award: Since 2000, Radikal, as one of the media sponsors of İKSV, has been presenting one film from the National and one from the International Golden Tulip Competitions the Radikal People’s Choice Award. Festival audiences will submit their online votes on the terminals set up at the festival movie theatres to determine the people’s choice. The award-winner will be travelling to the Sarajevo Film Festival as the guest of Radikal.

Meetings On The Bridge Celebrates its 10th Anniversary

Bringing filmmakers from Turkey together with international professionals, Meetings on the Bridge will be celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2015 as part of the Istanbul Film Festival and sponsored by Anadolu Efes. Meetings on the Bridge has contributed to the realisation of 29 film projects over the past 9 years and has raised close to 430,000 Euros for 36 different projects.

The Film Development Workshop, where directors, screenwriters, and producers give the first international presentations for their feature-length fiction or documentary projects, is aimed to create opportunities for finding the necessary support to initiate the production process. The Film Development Workshop, within the scope of Meetings on the Bridge, will be held on 15-16 April 2015 and will culminate in the award ceremony on Thursday, 16 April. For more information about Meetings on the Bridge: film.iksv.org/en/meetingsonthebridge

This year, initiated in the 10th year of Meetings on the Bridge, there will be a training program for the first time including workshops and group works on script development, pitching, production, distribution, and marketing held by experienced international filmmakers and trainers.

In its 10th year, the Meetings on the Bridge launches a new project, inviting film projects from neighbouring countries with a view to fostering the dialogue and cultural exchange between the nations and pioneering new collaborations in co-productions by creative people of similar cultures.

Festival Guests

The Istanbul Film Festival continues to bring guest directors and actors together with the festival audiences. Presentations and Q&A sessions before and after screenings will host such renowned figures of the cinema including;

-     Iranian director Bahman Ghobadi (Words with Gods), known for his films A Time for Drunken Horses and Turtles Can Fly,

-     Iranian actress Simin Fatemah Motamed-Aria (Nabat), who served in the Golden Tulip International Competition Jury of the Istanbul Film Festival in 2013,

-     Director of An Education and One DayLone Scherfig (The Riot Club) who has proven her ability to make literature adaptations and directing star actors and actresses,

-     The leading actor of Peter Greenaway’s Eisenstein in Guanajuato to be screened in the Masters Section of the festival Elmar Back,

-     Italian director Duccio Chiarini (Short Skin) who competed in the Generation section of the Berlinale this year,

-     Kurdish director based in Norway Hisham Zaman(Letter to the King) who has been awarded in several international festivals,

-     Ivano De Matteo, director of The Dinner who has won the Best European Film in the Venice Days section of the Venice Film Festival and Pasinetti Special Award, and the leading actor of the film Luigi Lo Cascio,

-     The leading actress of The Duke of Burgundy, which received overwhelmingly positive reviews at Toronto, Rotterdam and London Film Festivals, Chiara D’Anna, who has also worked with the director Peter Strickland in Berberian Sound Studio,

-     Severija Janušauskaitė, actress of the Golden Tulip International Competition Film Star, among many other guests.

Cine-concert: Damon & Naomi play “Fortune”

The festival also hosts a cine-concert this year, with the collaboration of the Salon İKSV: Damon & Naomi play ‘Fortune’. The Damon Krukowski and Naomi Yang duo has contributed to the soundtracks of various films such as The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Greenberg, as well as of TV shows including The Sopranos and The Ghost Whisperer. The duo’s performance will be based on the 30-minute silent movie ‘Fortune’, directed by Naomi Yang, with Norman von Holtzendorff and Anabel Vazquez Rodriguez in the leads. Damon and Naomi started off their musical career at the Galaxie 500 and conjured the intimacy of the 70’s music through their enchanting, comforting, and fresh sound, which weaves the elements of folk, psych, dream pop, and indie rock together with the electro-guitar. Damon and Naomi will be at Salon İKSV on Saturday, 11 April, at 21:30 and the tickets for this performance will be on Biletix and the İKSV box office.

Festival Parties will expand to both sides of Istanbul just like the festival

Istanbul Film Festival and Fil’m Hafızası will expand the festival festivities to the Anatolian side of Istanbul with a party from 18.00 on Saturday, 4 April in Kadıköy. Attendance will be free of charge to the party in 8 different venues including Dunia, Stereogun, Lâl, Masal Evi, Liman Kahvesi, Flu, Trip and Hera, where cinema chats and competitions awaits party-goers.

Another party within the scope of the festival in collaboration with Fil’m Hafızası will get the cinephiles together at the European side of the city at InnPark on Friday, 17 April. Following the screening of Dead Snow2: Red vs Dead by Norwegian director Tommy Wirkola at Beyoğlu Movie Theatre at 24.00, surprise guests, DJ performances and film chats will meet the audiences. The tickets for this party will be sold for 25TL (full) and 15TL (student) while the ticket holders for the screening of Dead Snow2: Red vs Dead before the party will be able to attend the party free of charge.

The city eyes the festival, social media throbs with excitement

You can follow the festival’s social media channels for easy and instant access to all information on films, events, guests, and other details. You can carry along the festival excitement with you wherever you go–while whether you are making your festival programme or taking a break between two films, you can always check the festival’s Facebook and Tumblr pages, Twitter and Instagram accounts. Also, fun competitions will allow you to learn more about the programme while winning surprise presents. You can use the #istfilmfest15 hashtag to be a part of the festival buzz.

To follow the Istanbul Film Festival on social media:

facebook.com/istanbulfilmfestivali

twitter.com/ist_filmfest

instagram.com/istfilmfest

istfilmfest.tumblr.com

youtube.com/iksvistanbul

İKSV Mobile Anew: Follow the Festival on Your Phone

You can access the festival programme from the official festival website film.iksv.org, as well as from İKSV Mobile application, renewed with the contributions of Vodafone which is free for download on AppStore and Google Play. The new version of the application has an improved user-friendly interface and offers a multifunctional calendar and dynamic user notification. The new features allow users to access the upcoming events easily, to filter events according to date range, type, and location, and to add events to their personal calendars. 

Festival Movie Theatres and Screening Times

The 34th Istanbul Film Festival screenings will take place at the Atlas (2 halls), Beyoğlu movie theatres and Institut Français in Beyoğlu, Feriye in Ortaköy, and Rexx (2 halls) movie theatres in Kadıköy, as well as the IstanbulModern Cinema hall. Screening times are 11.00, 13.30, 16.00, 19.00 and 21.30. In the “Midnight Madness” section of the festival, a film will be screened at 24.00 every Friday at the Beyoğlu and every Saturday at the Atlas throughout the festival.

Festival Tickets

The festival tickets will be on sale starting from 10.30 on Saturday, 28 March. The tickets can be purchased through Biletix sales channels, main box offices at festival movie theatres Atlas and Rexx.

Ticket Prices:

Weekday daytime screenings at 11.00, 13.30 and 16.00 are only5 TL.

Weekday 19.00 screenings and weekend 11.00, 13.30, 16.00 and 19.00 screenings are 17 TL; student and senior (over 65) tickets are 12 TL.

All 21.30 screenings are 17 TL.

First screenings of Akbank Galas at Atlas and Rexx movie theatres are 20 TL.

Early Bird Discount

Everybody who buys tickets as of 28 March before the Istanbul Film Festival starts on 4 April will get a special discount of 10% this year.

Special Discounts for Tulip Card Holders:

Tulip Card holders enjoy the advance sale privilege and 25%special discount on the festival tickets. Advance sale for Tulip Card members: 24 March for Black and White Tulip Card members and 25-27 March for Red and Yellow Tulip Card members at the festival theatres Atlas and Rexx, as well as at the Tulip Card Communication Centre and Biletix website.

Festival Sponsor AKBANK provides special advantages to Axess Card holders. The Axess Card holders will get a 20% special discount on the festival tickets, except for the weekday morning sessions.

PasoFilm! Card Exclusive to Students

The 34th Istanbul Film Festival introduces a special advantage card exclusive to students. Undergrad and high school students will be able to get a PasoFilm! card for 20 TL by showing their student ID’s at the İKSV main box office. The card will give them priority in ticket sales, discount at certain venues during the festival period, and a free festival catalogue. PasoFilm! card holders will be able to buy tickets from the Atlas and Rexx movie theatres, providing their students ID’s together with their cards, as of 27 March Friday, 13:00.

Supporters of the 34th Istanbul Film Festival

The 34th Istanbul Film Festival is held with the support of more than 20 institutions. The festival is organised by the generous support of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of the Republic of Turkey. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality and Beyoğlu Municipality continue their publicity support for the festival.

Apart from the Festival Sponsor Akbank, 6 theme sponsors support the festival:

-         Anadolu Efes          “National Competition and Turkish Cinema”

-         Sabah Newspaper   “From the World of Festivals”

-         NTV                       “Documentary Time with NTV”

-         Pupa Bilişim           “Antidepressant”

-         NESCAFÉ Gold       “New Visions”

-         TV2                         “Midnight Madness”

-         MUBI                       “Mined Zone”

“Akbank Galas” supported by Akbank are shown as part of the festival.

Istanbul Film Festival brings the masterpieces of Turkish cinema by restoring them to the silver screen in its “Special Screening: Turkish Classics Revisited” section, initiated seven years ago under the sponsorship of Groupama.

In 2015, Renault will transfer the guests of the Istanbul Film Festival.

The leading sponsor of all festivals of İKSV is Eczacıbaşı Holding, the Official Communications Sponsor is Vodafone, the Official Carrier is DHL, The Official Accommodation Sponsor is Martı Istanbul Hotel and the service sponsors are Zurich Sigorta, GFK, Memorial Health Group, PDR Group, directComn Marketing Group and AGC.

The 2015 edition of the festival of films from Greater Europe, Europe by Europe, will take place in Paris and surrounding region from 16 March to 15 April. This landmark 10th edition will be inaugurated at the Cinema l’Entrepôt (7-9 rue Francis de Pressensé, 75014 Paris) on Monday, 16th  March at 8pm, with a screening of Colour of the Pomegranate by Sergueï Parajanov in a restored version.

The theme of this year’s festival, Body and Soul, examines the infinite articulations of these two components of the human being in two cycles. In the first, Eros or love, and in the second, history in its most monumental embodiment, War. Two potentialities which have in common the utter lack of fear.

Why kick off the festival with Colour of the Pomegranate by Sergueï Parajanov?

The name of the festival, Europe Autour de l’Europe (Europe by Europe) was inspired by the question  or the theme of the central and the more peripheral regions of Europe, and the constant shifting between them. The goal of the Festival is to cause and produce in the French capital a European atmosphere favourable to reinforced professional ties, between tradition and the present, a desire to move, circulate and encounter.

By presenting masterpieces from the 47 countries of the Council of Europe, the Festival aims to create an atmosphere of possible spiritual and geographic journeys and the desire and ability to approach the Other. Because if one thing is indisputable, and something on which we can all agree, it’s that a European culture is a reality. The film and the life of Sergei Paradjanov are perfect examples of this.

Colour of the Pomegranate is proof that cinematic heritage is a living thing, that restoration is a grand gesture of ‘reanimation’ of archives, and at the same time a call for projects from young filmmakers.

Sergueï Parajanov born in Georgia in 1924 (d.1990), is considered the great national filmmaker of Armenia, where his ancestors were from. Controversial in the USSR during his lifetime, imprisoned several times, he is now admired for his singular and original aesthetic. He has communicated to us this profound tenderness, which at this time of ‘rising extremism’ may serve to guide us in its beauty, its modernity, its liberty and its humanism.

Opening Night Programme

8pm Opening Ceremony

8:30pm Colour of the Pomegranate by Sergueï Parajanov (in a restored version) with Sofiko

Tchiaoureli, Melkop Alekian, and Vilien Galestian

The film relates the life of the 18th-century Armenian-Georgian poet Aruthin Sayadin in successive episodes, like the illuminations of  Medieval book of hours, in almost static, highly decorative tableaux : the majesty of  authentic decors, palaces and  monasteries, the exquisite splendour of princely costumes and warriors’ uniforms, the richness of the props (animals, books, carpets, fruits , flowers) compose a sumptuous world for this biography of the poet, embodied at different stages of his life by diverse actors, including the statuesque and regal Sofiko Tchiaoureli. Cut by censors at the time of its release, the film will be shown here in its entirety.

The film will be followed by a cocktail reception

***

About the Europe by Europe film festival

The Europe by Europe film festival was founded in 2006 by filmmaker Irena Bilić. Her cultural ambition is to help a wider public discover the films of European countries whose history, literature, languages and current events are less well-known to us. The festival’s goals, then, are to see more contracts signed with distributors, derivative media publishers, broadcasters and producers; to consolidate and enrich private and institutional partnerships;  but also to increase and diversify their public (15 000 viewers are expected to attend the festival this year).

The festival will present 72 feature films and 62 shorts from 40 countries – a selection compiled  by founder-Artistic Director Irena Bilić. In all, 135 films will be presented this year, making this the biggest line-up ever. The great majority of films are from countries with a low production capacity (61%). The nine films in competition are unreleased in France, and looking for distributors. 

At a press conference at Locarno the full program for the third edition of L’immagine e la parola, the Festival del film Locarno’s spring event, part of Primavera Locarnese, was announced. Guests of honor are French writer, screenwriter and filmmaker Emmanuel Carrère –co-curator of the program –, Oscar winning director Pawel Pawlikowski and actress and director Valeria Golino.

L’immagine e la parola, held 19 – 22 March, at the venues Teatro Kursaal in Locarno, Monte Verità and Teatro San Materno in Ascona, inaugurates a new approach this year by involving an outstanding guest curator. French writer, screenwriter and director Emmanuel Carrère has created the program for the event, alongside Carlo Chatrian, the Festival’s Artistic Director. There are numerous events that enable an exploration of Carrère’s creative worlds and the relationship between writing and film, starting with a screening of his works for both the large and small screen: his two feature-length films, Retour à Kotelnich (2003) and La Moustache (2005), and the TV series Les Revenants (2012).

This “Carrère world” will also host an encounter and a conversation with the event’s other prestigious guests: Pawel Pawlikowski and Valeria Golino.

The Polish director, will, along with Carrère, participate in a conversation with the audience. His documentaries Dostoevsky’s Travels (1991) and Serbian Epics (1992) will be shown, as well as the much lauded Ida, winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Valeria Golino, actress and director, well known to the wider audience, will feature in a dramatized reading from Carrère’s latest novel, The Kingdom, and there will be a screening of her directorial debut film Miele (2013).

L'immagine e la parola will open to the sound of music, with Robert Siodmak’s 1929 film People on Sunday, with live musical accompaniment by a four-piece orchestra.

The program will be rounded out with screenings of ¿Quien puede matar a un niño? (Narcisco Ibáñez Serrador, 1976), Sans Soleil (Chris Marker, 1982), Running on Empty (Sydney Lumet, 1988) and The Magic Flute (Emanuele Luzzati and Giulio Gianini, 1978), a family film presentation organised in collaboration with Cinemagia.

Professional training and development, one of the event’s distinctive features, is again on offer this year. Film students and young directors will have an opportunity to explore tendencies in writing for film through a series of workshop run by Emmanuel Carrier. The two days will be devoted to charting his trajectory as a writer moving between documentary and fiction, through recurrent modes in his work, such as using real events to develop novels, and a specific case study of his writing for the series Les Revenants, at which filmmaker Fabrice Gobert will also participate.

L’immagine e la parola is one of the three events that comprise Primavera Locarnese, alongside Eventi Letterari Monte Verità and Youtopia.

The complete program

HorrorQuest Film Festival is now seeking submissions for 2015. HorrorQuest accepts horror, sci-fi, dark comedy or animation of any kind. HorrorQuest is 100% free, there are no submission fees! To submit your film please vist www.thehorrorquest.com

2015 marks the 100th anniversary  of Bulgarian Cinema and special acknowledgement of SOFIA as one of the UNESCO's Creative Cities of Film.

For 19th year Sofia International Film Festival will gather together in Sofia films, guests, stars, journalists and cinema fans from 5th until 29rd March 2015. Featured in Variety’s Top 50 of cinema festivals, the event presents Bulgaria to the world as the host one of the important film festivals in Europe and takes place annually in March. What started as a thematic music film festival, went through 18 previous editions to become the cinema event of the year, bringing the current world cinema trends to the domestic viewers in Bulgaria and the latest in Bulgarian cinema to the rest of the world.

 WE OPEN NEXT WEEK!!  

13th ANNUAL GARDEN STATE FILM FESTIVAL FEATURES 180 FILMS 

Premieres and Award-Winning Work Presented  

 Atlantic City, NJ - March 5, 2015 - International, domestic and local filmmakers will showcase 180 films from 19 countries including a number of premieres and award-winners.  "The festival program really runs the gamut this year and the quality is outstanding," says festival executive director and founder, Diane Raver.  "We are also excited by the well-known personalities from both sides of the camera who will be available to the festival attendees to discuss their work."

Notables include festival honorees Ed Asner (MVP), Armand Assante (Lifetime Achievement), Siobhan Fallon Hogan (Spirit of New Jersey), Eric Roberts (Wave of Excellence), and James Wilder (Independent Spirit).  They will be joined by a host of other featured actors from the presented films along with directors, cinematographers, composers and producers.  Atlantic City VIPs attending the festival include the festivals 2014 and 2015 Honorary Chairmen Mayor Don Guardian and Resorts Casino Hotel Mark Giannantonio; and Deborah Frank, EVP of Frank Theatres and this year's Impact Award recipient for Arts and Business Alliance.  They will gather at the Opening Night Kick-Off Cocktail Party in Resorts Ballroom on Friday, March 20 at 7:00 p.m.  Tickets are $25.00 and include the first screening.  

                                                             
AS THE CROW FLIES

Following the party at 8:20 p.m. in the Superstar Theater, the opening screenings begin with the short, The Girl and the Gondola. Directed by award winning writer/director Abbe Robinson, it's a coming of age story shot in Venice about a young girl who wishes to follow in the footsteps of her gondolier father.  The premiere feature is Jacob LaGuardia's As the Crow Flies, an exciting adventure about a brother-sister duo of modern-day bootleggers as they transport cash from a bank robbery over mountain trails outwitting FBI agents and hijackers along the way.  Up and comers Alec Shaw (Meridian), and Morgan Wolk (The Perks of Being a Wallflower) play the siblings, Boe and Bird.

Charlie, Trevor and a Girl Savannah

In addition to this feature, suspense and mystery are the themes of several films headlined by well-known talent.  Charlie, Trevor and a Girl Savannah is a psychological thriller making its worldwide premiere at the festival on Saturday, March 21 at 8:15 p.m. in Resorts Ballroom. Eric Roberts leads a young and talented cast as a psychiatrist trying to help a disturbed young man named Trevor, played by Toby Hemingway, with Ty Hodges and Emily Meade as Charlie and Savannah, respectively.   Art and madness are explored in The Painting directed by Robert Rothbard, also making its worldwide premiere at the festival.  With the help of his faithful butler, the talentless son of a famous dead artist will stop at nothing short of murder to be famous himself in this chilling drama playing Saturday at 8:30 p.m. in the Claridge Showroom -3rd floor. 

Three Holes, Two Brads and a Smoking Gun

 

Starring James Wilder is the award-winning black comedy, Three Holes, Two Brads and a Smoking Gun (theatrical release title: 3 Holes and a Smoking Gun).  Wilder is garnering awards and critical acclaim as an ex-Hollywood screenwriter turned teacher in a battle of wits with a devious student.  Scott Fivelson won for best screenplay and Wilder for best actor at the 2014 Downtown Film Festival in Los Angeles.  Screening is Saturday at 5:45 p.m. in Resorts Screening Room.  

The Antwerp Dolls, an independent film from the U.K. makes its U.S. premiere at the festival.  Directed by Jake L. Reid, this British crime thriller stars Jason Wing (Rise of the Footsoldier, Hamlet) as a ruthless gangster, who struggles to maintain his crumbling 'business' empire.  It screens 8:15 p.m. on Saturday in the Screening Room  13th Floor at Resorts.
Dramatic and comedic full-length features with popular performers include Porter Farrell's Windsor, starring noted character actor Barry Corbin (Lonesome Dove, No Country for Old Men), Nick Kraus (The Descendants, Boyhood) and Quinn Shephard (Unaccompanied Minors).  Shephard is the festival's 2015 Rising Star, an annual honor bestowed on an up-and-coming actor/actress with New Jersey roots.  She plays best friend to the daughter of a Texas farmer who collides with big agribusiness resulting in long-term and devastating effects on his family in the drama screening on Sunday, March 22 at 2:45 p.m. in Resort's Superstar Theater Dining Level. Director Phil Falcone's Joe's War screens at Resorts Superstar Theater - Dining Level on Saturday at 8 p.m.  Co-starring Michael Markiewicz as Joe, Armand Assante and Ed Asner, the film deals with the challenges faced by a local hero on his return home from the war on terror.    

Hollywood royalty - Shirley Jones, Lee Meriwether and Sally Struthers - add to the hilarity in director Jenn Page's Waiting in the Wings: The Musical in which a savvy male stripper takes a naïve farm boy under his wing as they pursue their dreams on Broadway via on-line contests.  Starring Jeffrey A. Johns and Adam Huss as the mismatched pair, the film screens Saturday at 5:45 p.m. in the Claridge Hotel Showroom. 3rd Floor.  Joseph Pernice's film Chasing Yesterday was shot on location in Monmouth County with an all-star cast of both seasoned and up-and-coming actors including Steve Schirripa (The Sopranos, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), Eric Nelsen (A Walk Among the Tombstones, Epic), Courtney Baxter,  (Night Has Settled, Hallows' Eve) and Blanche Baker (Sixteen Candles, The Girl Next Door).  This story of a washed up twenty something and former hometown hero, convinced by a local sweetheart to run a marathon and get his life back on track, screens at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday in Resorts Superstar Theater.

Full-length documentaries include The Millionaires Unit directed and produced by Ron King and based on the book by Marc Wortman.  Known as the First Yale Unit, and dubbed 'the millionaires' unit' by the New York press, a privileged group of college students became the founding squadron of the U.S. Naval Air Reserve and were the first to fly and sacrifice for the U.S. in World War I.  Descendants of these heroic men will attend the screening on Saturday in Resorts Screening Room at 12:15 p.m. Jeffrey Bonna's film  Oro Macht Frei (Gold Will Set You Free) is the heartbreaking revelation of the plight of Rome's Jewish population in World War II.  After Italy's Armistice with the Allied Armies in 1943, much of Italy fell under the control of the Germans.  In their nine-month occupation of Rome, the Nazis stripped Jews - whose families has prospered for generations in the most Catholic of cities - of their rights, assets and, in a false promise of salvation, demanded all their gold.  It screens Sunday at noon in Resorts Ballroom. -Dining Level

Flory's Flame, directed by Curt Fissel, also concerns Jewish populations in Europe preceding and following the two World Wars.  Flory Jagoda was born in Sarajevo to a musical family whose roots stretched back to Spain for centuries prior to the Jewish expulsion in 1492.  These Sephardic Jews were among the last few speakers of their ancient and native tongue, Ladino.  Songs were passed down through generations, ultimately reaching Flory, the only member of her extended family to survive the Holocaust.  Now 90, she is a living archivist and preservationist of Ladino and has spent her career composing, recording and performing this music for worldwide audiences.   The film is a compelling life history and a celebration of musical lore, and screens Sunday at 3:00 p.m. at Resorts Horizon Room-Dining Level.

Women athletes are the subject of two contrasting documentaries. The subject of

Stella Walsh was one of the most celebrated female athletes of all time. After winning a gold medal in the 1932 Olympics 100 meters, she was a popular national figure until she was killed in a robbery and it was discovered that she had ambiguous gender.  Directed by Rob Lucas, the film explores how this revelation generated controversy and bigotry; and features interviews with friends, trainers, members of the media and a geneticist.  It screens at 2:45 on Saturday at Dante Hall. In Accidental Icon: The Real Gidget Story, director Brian Gillogly introduces us to Kathy Kohner Zuckerman and how her account of surfing Malibu in the mid-50's became the basis for a best-selling novel by her father Frederick Kohner. The documentary screens on Sunday at 3:00 PM Resorts Ballroom- Dining level. 

FILM SCREENING TICKETS AND INFO CLICK HERE

In addition to film screenings and the cocktail party, panel discussions, book signings, Q & A sessions, educational programs, an open casting call, and a black-tie awards ceremony are offered to festival attendees.  Weekend passes are $45 and provide access to all screenings and sessions. Individual screening ticket are $12 and the Awards Dinner is $125.  All can be purchased at www.gsff.org where information on films and the festival is also provided.  

At a press conference at Locarno the full program for the third edition of L’immagine e la parola, the Festival del film Locarno’s spring event, part of Primavera Locarnese, was announced. Guests of honor are French writer, screenwriter and filmmaker Emmanuel Carrère –co-curator of the program –, Oscar winning director Pawel Pawlikowski and actress and director Valeria Golino.

L’immagine e la parola, held 19 – 22 March, at the venues Teatro Kursaal in Locarno, Monte Verità and Teatro San Materno in Ascona, inaugurates a new approach this year by involving an outstanding guest curator. French writer, screenwriter and director Emmanuel Carrère has created the program for the event, alongside Carlo Chatrian, the Festival’s Artistic Director. There are numerous events that enable an exploration of Carrère’s creative worlds and the relationship between writing and film, starting with a screening of his works for both the large and small screen: his two feature-length films, Retour à Kotelnich (2003) and La Moustache (2005), and the TV series Les Revenants (2012).

This “Carrère world” will also host an encounter and a conversation with the event’s other prestigious guests: Pawel Pawlikowski and Valeria Golino.

The Polish director, will, along with Carrère, participate in a conversation with the audience. His documentaries Dostoevsky’s Travels (1991) and Serbian Epics (1992) will be shown, as well as the much lauded Ida, winner of the Oscar for Best Foreign Film.

Valeria Golino, actress and director, well known to the wider audience, will feature in a dramatized reading from Carrère’s latest novel, The Kingdom, and there will be a screening of her directorial debut film Miele (2013).

L'immagine e la parola will open to the sound of music, with Robert Siodmak’s 1929 film People on Sunday, with live musical accompaniment by a four-piece orchestra.

The program will be rounded out with screenings of ¿Quien puede matar a un niño? (Narcisco Ibáñez Serrador, 1976), Sans Soleil (Chris Marker, 1982), Running on Empty (Sydney Lumet, 1988) and The Magic Flute (Emanuele Luzzati and Giulio Gianini, 1978), a family film presentation organised in collaboration with Cinemagia.

Professional training and development, one of the event’s distinctive features, is again on offer this year. Film students and young directors will have an opportunity to explore tendencies in writing for film through a series of workshop run by Emmanuel Carrier. The two days will be devoted to charting his trajectory as a writer moving between documentary and fiction, through recurrent modes in his work, such as using real events to develop novels, and a specific case study of his writing for the series Les Revenants, at which filmmaker Fabrice Gobert will also participate.

L’immagine e la parola is one of the three events that comprise Primavera Locarnese, alongside Eventi Letterari Monte Verità and Youtopia.

The complete program

Come join us at the international reggae concert, Saturday, August 22nd, 2015, from 1pm-11pm.

This event will be held at 35 Carl Hall Road in Downsview Park (main intersection Keele & Sheppard)

Children under 12 are free - Buying tickets before the event is $7 - At the gate is $10.

Activities such as music, dance, drumming, arts/craft market place, ital food demonstration, film and video screening, children/youth acivities, dub poetry workshops, writers' corner and live concert featuring national and international reggae artists from Canada and the Caribbean to keep everyone entertained for the day.