Friday, December 20, 2013

Nine films short-listed for Foreign Language Oscar


Nine features will advance to the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 86th Academy Awards. Seventy-six films had originally been considered in the category.

The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

2013 National Film Registry selections


Cinema with the Right Stuff Marks 2013 National Film Registry
Pulp Fiction, Mary Poppins, Roger & Me Among Registry Additions

Heroes of the space race, a pop cult classic; the age-old battle between the sexes; and a record of Native-American traditions are among a cadre of films being recognized as works of great cultural, historic or aesthetic significance to the nation’s cinematic heritage. The Librarian of Congress, James H. Billington, announced today the annual selection of 25 motion pictures to join the National Film Registry of the Library of Congress. They will be preserved as cinematic treasures for generations to come.

"The National Film Registry stands among the finest summations of more than a century of extraordinary American cinema," said Billington. "This key component of American cultural history, however, is endangered, so we must protect the nation’s matchless film heritage and cinematic creativity."

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Toronto Film Critics Association announces winners for the 2013 TFCA Awards


Inside Llewyn Davis, Joel and Ethan Coen’s tale of a folk singer making his way through Greenwich Village, 1961, won two top prizes at the 2013 awards of the Toronto Film Critics Association.

Inside Llewyn Davis was named Best Picture, with Oscar Isaac winning the Best Actor prize. In 2007, the Coens received the TFCA’s Best Director award for their film No Country for Old Men, which also won Best Picture, Best Supporting Actor and Best Screenplay.

The awards were voted by the TFCA at a meeting Dec. 15. The membership also chose the three finalists for the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award: The Dirties, directed by Matt Johnson, Gabrielle, directed by Louise Archambault; and Watermark, directed by Jennifer Baichwal and Edward Burtynsky.

Monday, December 16, 2013

289 feature films in contention for 2013 Best Picture Oscar


Two hundred eighty-nine feature films are eligible for the 2013 Academy Awards®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.

To be eligible for 86th Academy Awards consideration, feature films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by midnight, December 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days.

75 original songs eligible for 2013 Oscar


Seventy-five songs from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2013 are in contention for nominations in the Original Song category for the 86th Oscars®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.

The original songs, along with the motion picture in which each song is featured, are listed below in alphabetical order by film title and song title:

Film Comment announces 2013 Best of Year lists


Film Comment’s annual end-of-the-year survey of film critics, journalists, film section editors, and past and present contributors was released today with Joel & Ethan Coen’s INSIDE LLEWYN DAVIS, Steve McQueen’s 12 YEARS A SLAVE and Richard Linklater’s BEFORE MIDNIGHT taking the top spots among films released in 2013. Among films that made appearances at film festivals or special screenings worldwide, but haven’t been picked up for stateside distribution as of yet, Philippe Garrel’s JEALOUSY, Tsai Ming-liang’s STRAY DOGS and Joaquim Pinto’s WHAT NOW? REMIND ME received the top rankings.

2013 Black List of top unproduced screenplays


Franklin Leonard revealed his annual Black List today over Twitter, listing the top unproduced screenplays as voted on by over 250 film executives.

72 scripts were on the list which was topped by Andrew Sodroski’s Holland, Michigan which received mentions from 46 voters. The screenplay tells the story of a woman who suspects her husband is cheating on her.

2013 Critics' Choice Movie Awards – nominations


The Broadcast Film Critics Association has announced the nominations for the 19th Annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards.

12 Years a Slave
and American Hustle lead the nominees for the 19th annual Critics' Choice Movie Awards, with 13 apiece. Each received nominations that included Best Picture, Best Director, Best Acting Ensemble, Best Actor and Best Screenplay (Adapted and Original respectively). The competing Best Picture nominees were Captain Phillips, Dallas Buyers Club, Gravity, Her, Inside Llewyn Davis, Nebraska, Saving Mr. Banks and The Wolf of Wall Street.

The Critics’ Choice Movie Awards are bestowed annually by the BFCA to honour the finest in cinematic achievement. The BFCA is the largest film critics organization in the United States and Canada, representing more than 280 television, radio and online critics. Eligible films were released in 2013. The accounting firm of CMM, LLP tallied the written ballots.

Saturday, December 14, 2013

7 features advance in race for Makeup and Hairstyling Oscar


BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that seven films remain in competition in the Makeup and Hairstyling category for the 86th Academy Awards®.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

Thursday, December 12, 2013

114 Original Scores in 2013 Oscar Race


One hundred fourteen scores from eligible feature-length motion pictures released in 2013 are in contention for nominations in the Original Score category for the 86th Oscars®, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today.

The eligible scores along with their composers are listed below, in alphabetical order by film title:

71st Annual Golden Globe Awards – nominations


The nominees for the 71st Annual Golden Globe Awards were officially unveiled during a ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel this morning.

The nominations were led by 12 Years A Slave by Steve McQueen and American Hustle by David O. Russell. Both films received seven nominations including Best Picture (Drama and Comedy/Musical respectively), Best Director and screenplay, as well as several acting mentions each.

Surprisingly, Lee Daniels' The Butler was shut out of the nominations entirely. Also shut out were Denis Villeneuve's Prisoners, Ben Stiller's The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, and Ryan Coogler's Fruitvale Station.

2013 Asia Pacific Screen Awards – winners


The Asia Pacific Screen Academy held their 7th Annual Asia Pacific Screen Awards ceremony tonight at Brisbane City Hall in Queensland, Australia.

The awards were distributed somewhat evenly as most winners took only a single award. The top prize of Best Feature went to the Palestinian film Omar by Hany Abu-Assad.

The Best Directing awards was presented to Singapore filmmaker Anthony Chen for Ilo Ilo. The Best Screenplay award was given to Ritesh Batra for The Lunchbox. He also picked up a Grand Jury Prize.

The Best Documentary Feature award went to The Act of Killing by Joshua Oppenheimer, Christine Cynn and anonymous Indonesian directors.

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Screen Actors Guild announced SAG Awards 2013 nominations


Nominees for the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® for outstanding performances in 2013 in five film and eight television categories as well as the SAG Awards honors for outstanding action performances by film and television stunt ensembles were announced this morning in Los Angeles at the Pacific Design Center’s SilverScreen Theater in West Hollywood.

SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard introduced Sasha Alexander (TNT’s “Rizzoli & Isles” and the 20th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Social Media Ambassador) and Clark Gregg (“Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D”) who announced the nominees for this year’s Actors®. SAG Awards Committee Vice Chair Daryl Anderson and Committee Member Woody Schultzannounced the stunt ensemble nominees.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Short Film program announced for 2014 Sundance Film Festival


Sundance Institute announced today the program of short films selected to screen at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. The 2014 Short Film program is comprised of 66 short films selected from a record 8,161 submissions (59 more than for the 2013 Festival).

Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said, “The Short Film program for the 2014 Sundance Film Festival features an astonishing array of new stories, viewpoints and filmmaking talent, positioning it at the core of our work to discover and share independent perspectives on our culture and world.”

The Short Film program is presented by YouTube.


U.S. NARRATIVE SHORT FILMS

Monday, December 9, 2013

Sundance announces Premieres And Documentary Premieres for 2014 Sundance Film Festival


Sundance Institute announced today the films selected to screen in the out-of-competition Premieres and Documentary Premieres sections of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, “The Premieres and Documentary Premieres sections of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival feature new work from many established independent filmmakers who began their careers at our Festival years ago, which allows us to reflect on the impact, legacy and growth of the independent film movement over the past 30 years.”
Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said, “In many of the films selected for our 2014 Sundance Film Festival, we see fascinating characters and subjects throughout. Whether portrayed by recognized actors taking on more challenging and diverse roles, or in the stranger-than-fiction reality of our documentaries, we look forward to sharing these incredible stories with audiences at our Festival.”

American Film Institute announces AFI Awards 2013 official selections


The American Film Institute (AFI) today announced the official selections of AFI AWARDS 2013 – 10 outstanding films and 10 outstanding television programs deemed culturally and artistically representative of the year's most significant achievements in the art of the moving image.

An almanac documenting works of excellence that mark a moment in time, AFI AWARDS is also the only national honor for the community's creative ensembles as a whole, acknowledging the collaborative nature of the art form. Honorees are selected based on works which best advance the art of the moving image, enhance the rich cultural heritage of America's art form, inspire audiences and artists alike, and/or make a mark on American society.

16th Moët British Independent Film Awards – winners


British talent turned out this evening for the 16th Moët British Independent Film Awards. The winners were announced at the star-studded ceremony, held at Old Billingsgate which was hosted by BIFA Winning actor James Nesbitt.

For the first time, the lucky winners took home the brand new iconic award designed by Fredrikson Stallard and created by Swarovski. The awards ceremony was streamed live exclusively online at www.film3sixty.com/moetbifa

Best British Independent Film was won by METRO MANILA with the film’s director Sean Ellis picking up Best Director. Lindsay Duncan won Best Actress for LE WEEK-END and James McAvoy won Best Actor for FILTH. Imogen Poots collected her BIFA for Best Supporting Actress for THE LOOK OF LOVE and Ben Mendelsohn took home Best Supporting Actor for STARRED UP.

METRO MANILA won the most awards on the night, picking up three trophies for Best Achievement in Production and as previously mentioned Best Director award and Best British Independent Film.

Saturday, December 7, 2013

26th European Film Awards – winners


The more than 2,900 members of the European Film Academy - filmmakers from across Europe - have voted for this year’s European Film Awards.

The main winner of the night was Paolo Sorrentino's La Grande Bellezza (The Great Beauty). It won for Best European Film as well as European Director, European Actor (Toni Servillo) and European Editor.

The European Film Awards 2013 are presented by the European Film Academy e.V. and EFA Productions gGmbH. Public supporters: FFA German Federal Film Board, German State Lottery Berlin, German State Minister for Culture and the Media, MEDIA Programme of the EU, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg. Private partners: 40seconds, Alois Dallmayr Gastro-Service GmbH & Co KG, Aveda, Deutsche Lufthansa AG, GLS, Hôtel Concorde Berlin, M∙A∙C, Mast-Jägermeister SE and ŠKODA AUTO Deutschland GmbH.

At the awards ceremony in Berlin the following awards were presented:

2013 International Documentary Awards – winners


Winners in the 2013 IDA Documentary Awards were announced during last night's program at the Directors Guild of America, giving Jehane Noujaim's The Square top honors with the Best Feature Award. The first major film acquisition by Netflix, The Square follows a group of Egyptian activists as they battle leaders and regimes, and risk their lives to build a new society of conscience.

Also announced in the ceremony was the Best Short Award, which honored Slomo, directed by Josh Izenberg. An inspirational portrait of neurologist turned rollerblader, Dr. John Kitchin, Slomo has been an audience favorite at festivals around the world garnering a number of audience and jury awards.

During the ceremony, which was hosted by comedian and award-winning stage and screen actor, Paul Provenza, two series awards were also presented. The Best Continuing Series Award went to the PBS series Independent Lens. Now in its 12th season, the weekly series features original documentary films made by some of the best independent filmmakers working today. The Best Limited Series Award went to the CNN Original Series Inside Man, hosted by Oscar®-nominated documentary filmmaker Morgan Spurlock.

Friday, December 6, 2013

56th Grammy Awards – nominees


JAY Z LEADS NOMINATIONS WITH NINE; KENDRICK LAMAR, MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS, JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE, AND PHARRELL WILLIAMS EACH EARN SEVEN; DRAKE AND BOB LUDWIG EACH GARNER FIVE
SARA BAREILLES, DAFT PUNK, KENDRICK LAMAR, MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS, AND TAYLOR SWIFT VIE FOR ALBUM OF THE YEAR AT THE 56TH ANNUAL GRAMMY AWARDS JAN. 26, 2014, LIVE ON CBS

LOS ANGELES (Dec. 06, 2013) — Nominations for the 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards were announced tonight by The Recording Academy and reflected one of the most diverse years with the Album Of The Year category alone representing the rap, pop, country and dance/electronica genres, as determined by the voting members of The Academy. Once again, nominations in select categories for the annual GRAMMY Awards were announced on primetime television as part of "The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night," a one-hour CBS entertainment special broadcast live from Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE. The 56th Annual GRAMMY Awards will be held on "GRAMMY Sunday," Jan. 26, 2014, at STAPLES Center in Los Angeles and once again will be broadcast live in high-definition TV and 5.1 surround sound on CBS from 8 – 11:30 p.m. (ET/PT). For updates and breaking news, please visit The Recording Academy's social networks on Twitter and Facebook.

Thursday, December 5, 2013

The Shortest Day Film Celebration – free short films across Canada, Dec 21


Three partner organizations, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB), Telefilm Canada and Quebec’s Société de développement des entreprises culturelles (SODEC), have joined their efforts so that audiences across Canada can take part this year in The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration, an event started by the Centre national du cinéma et de l’image (CNC) in France that has now spread to some 20 other countries. This free event, dedicated to the promotion and screening of short films, is a first for North America and is presented with the support of the CNC. It offers an entertaining way of welcoming the winter solstice—the shortest day of the year—on December 21.

The Shortest Day Short Film Celebration will feature screenings of more than 30 Canadian shorts organized into four thematic programs: Kids, Family, Comedy/Dark Humour and Festival Films. These films reflect the diversity of this very contemporary art form, a genre that is becoming more and more popular in this era of Facebook, YouTube and smartphones.

10 Contenders Remain in VFX Oscar Race


BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 films remain in the running in the Visual Effects category for the 86th Oscars®.

The films are listed below in alphabetical order:

Sundance 2014 announces Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, ‘Sundance Kids’, and New Frontier programs


Sundance Institute Announces Films in Spotlight, Park City at Midnight and New ‘Sundance Kids’ Section for 2014 Sundance Film Festival


30th Anniversary of the Sundance Film Festival

Park City, UT — Sundance Institute announced today the films selected to screen in the 2014 Sundance Film Festival out-of-competition sections Spotlight, Park City at Midnight and new ‘Sundance Kids’ section of films for younger audiences. The Festival takes place January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said, “The films in the sections announced today round out our 2014 Sundance Film Festival program and further reflect the depth and diversity of modern independent filmmaking that will satisfy everyone from festival fledglings to fanatics.”

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Sundance Institute Announces Films in U.S. and World Competitions, NEXT <=> for 2014 Sundance Film Festival


30th Anniversary of the Sundance Film Festival will Feature 118 Feature-Length Films

Park City, UT — Sundance Institute announced today the films selected for the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions and the out-of-competition NEXT <=> section of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

Robert Redford, President & Founder of Sundance Institute said, “That the Festival has evolved and grown as it has over the past 30 years is a credit to both our audiences and our artists, who continue to find ways to take risks and open our minds to the power of story. This year's films and artists promise to do the same.”

Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, “We are energized by the rich diversity of voices, characters and places represented in the films selected for our 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Independent filmmakers continue to engage us with stories from worlds both intimately familiar and unknown.”

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

TIFF reveals Canada's Top Ten Films of 2013


Star-studded festival includes film screenings, filmmaker Q&As and special onstage conversations with Denis Villeneuve, Jake Gyllenhaal and John Greyson

TORONTO – Tonight TIFF kicked off its celebration of the best in Canadian film with the announcement of the feature and short film selections for the 13th annual Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival. The 10-day festival runs January 3 to 12, 2014 at TIFF Bell Lightbox and features public screenings of the selected films, accompanied by introductions and Q&A sessions with filmmakers. On January 5, the Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival welcomes Academy Award-nominees Denis Villeneuve and Jake Gyllenhaal to TIFF Bell Lightbox to discuss their recent collaborations. The festival will conclude on January 12 with an onstage conversation between Canadian filmmaker John Greyson and Toronto International Film Festival Artistic Director Cameron Bailey. These announcements were made at an industry event in Toronto hosted by Steve Patterson (CBC’s The Debaters). Established in 2001, the Canada’s Top Ten Film Festival celebrates excellence in Canadian cinema and raises global awareness of Canadian achievements in film.

15 Feature Documentaries advance in 2013 Oscar Race


The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 86th Oscars® . One hundred forty-seven films had originally qualified in the category.

The Act of Killing, The Square and Stories We Tell are among the 15 films that have made the Oscar shortlist for documentary features, the Academy announced on Monday.

Monday, December 2, 2013

2013 Annie Awards – nominations


The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, announced nominations today for its 41st Annual Annie Awards recognizing the year's best in the field of animation. The Annie Awards cover 30 categories and include Best Animated Feature, Best Animated Special Production, Commercials, Short and Outstanding Individual Achievements.

The slate of nominations for Best Animated Features this year include: A Letter to Momo (GKIDS), Despicable Me 2 (Universal Pictures), Ernest & Celestine (GKIDS), Frozen (Walt Disney Animation Studios), Monsters University (Pixar Animation Studios), The Croods (DreamWorks Animations), and The Wind Rises (Studio Ghibli and The Walt Disney Studios).

"I am very excited about this year's slate of nominees!" remarked ASIFA-Hollywood president,Frank Gladstone. "We had more submissions to choose from this year running the gamut from big studio features to indie films, television series to internet shows, games, shorts and student films, as well as a wonderful group of juried award recipients, all showcasing the huge variety of venues, creativity, technical innovation and story-telling that our art form has to offer."

2013 IPA Satellite Awards – nominations


The International Press Academy has announces its slate of nominations for the 18th annual IPA Satellite Awards.

Leading the field with 10 nominations was Steve McQueen’s historical drama 12 Years a Slave. It was followed by Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity and David O. Russell’s American Hustle, each with eight nominations apiece. All three were nominated for Best Motion Picture.

The other Best Motion Picture nominees were Inside Llewyn Davis by the Coen brothers, Philomena by Stephen Frears, The Wolf of Wall Street by Martin Scorsese, Saving Mr. Banks by John Lee Hancock, All Is Lost by J.C. Chandor, and Woody Allen's Blue Jasmine.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

2013 Sommets du cinéma d’animation, Nov 27–Dec 1


ARE YOU READY TO REACH THE 12TH SOMMETS DU CINÉMA D’ANIMATION?

The 12th edition of the Sommets du cinéma d’animation- Festival international de Montréal et de Québec promises to impress!

From November 27th to December 1st, the Montreal component of the Sommets, held at the Cinémathèque québécoise, will present almost 120 animated films from around the world, including world premieres, as well as Canadian and Quebec premieres. This 12th edition, more substantial than ever, confirms the position the Sommets in the international circuit of animation, in addition to being the largest festival of its kind in the province. The Sommets now play a key role in bringing together artisans and professionals of animation cinema, as well the general public.

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Producers Guild of America announces documentary nominations


LOS ANGELES (November 26, 2013) – The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced today, the Documentary Motion Picture nominees that will advance in the voting process for the 25th Annual Producers Guild Awards.

The nominated films, listed below in alphabetical order, are:

29th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards Nominations Announced


LOS ANGELES, Nov. 26, 2013 -- Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Film Independent at LACMA Film Series, announced nominations for the 2014 Film Independent Spirit Awards this morning. Film Independent President Josh Welsh presided over the press conference held at the W Hollywood, with actresses Octavia Spencer and Paula Patton presenting the nominations. Nominees for Best Feature included 12 Years a Slave, All Is Lost, Frances Ha, Inside Llewyn Davis and Nebraska.

Mud was selected to receive the annual Robert Altman Award, which is bestowed upon one film's director, casting director and ensemble cast.

In its commitment to recognizing the importance of below the line contributions to the art of filmmaking, Film Independent has now introduced, for the first year, the Best Editing category in the Spirit Awards.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

2013 Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal announces award winners


16th RIDM Awards and Mentions

Montreal, Saturday, November 23, 2013 The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) will end tomorrow, after presenting 135 films and an array of events and parallel activities. The award winners for the 16th edition of the RIDM were announced this Saturday night at the closing event held at Cinéma Excentris.

GRAND PRIZE FOR BEST INTERNATIONAL FEATURE
Presented by Porter Airlines, the Grand Prize for Best International Feature was awarded to E agora? Lembra-me, filmed diary both intimate and universal journal by Joaquim Pinto. The jury was particularly moved “by the breadth and depth of the reflections; the beauty of the words and the images that Joaquim and his companion Nuno share with the viewer in their daily lives”.

Friday, November 22, 2013

10 Live Action Shorts Advance in 2013 Oscar Race


BEVERLY HILLS, CA —The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 live action short films will advance in the voting process for the 86th Academy Awards®. One hundred twenty pictures had originally qualified in the category.

The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

2013 Planet in Focus Film Festival, Nov 21-24


PLANET IN FOCUS ENVIRONMENTAL FILM FESTIVAL OPENS TOMORROW
John Walker’s visually evocative feature doc, Arctic Defenders opens the Festival

Wednesday, November 20, 2013: Planet in Focus (PIF), Canada’s largest environmentally themed film festival, is proud to announce its robust line-up of features and short films to be screened at the 14th annual Planet in Focus Environmental Film Festival taking place in Toronto on November 21-24th, 2013.

John Walker’s Arctic Defenders is the Opening Night Film and provides a startling revelation that the Canadian government secretly moved Inuit communities into the High Arctic, without proper resources, in order to defend our sovereignty. Italian filmmaker Enrico Cerasuolo’s Last Call is the Closing Night Film and revisits the writers and the theories presented in the 1972 book “The Limits to Growth”, dubbed ‘one of the most important documents of our age’ by the New York Times, the book, explored the impact of over population, industrialization, pollution, food production and resource depletion.

Monday, November 18, 2013

Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montréal statement on the passing of Peter Wintonick


Montreal, Monday, November 18, 2013 – The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) has the regret to announce the passing of filmmaker Peter Wintonick. A tribute had just been paid to him as part of the 16th edition of the festival.

Born in 1953 in Trenton, Ontario, but established in Montreal for a long time, documentarian Peter Wintonick passed away this Monday, November 18, at the age of 60, struck by liver cancer. A producer, a director, a critic, an editor and a programmer, Peter Wintonick devoted a large part of his life to independent cinema. His filmography included fiction features, documentaries, educative and sociopolitical films.

Wintonick had notably produced and directed with Mark Achbar Manufacturing Consent: Noam Chomsky and the Media, which won many international awards. Among his filmography, we also find Cinéma Vérité: Defining the Moment and Seeing Is Believing: Handicams, Human Rights and the News. Peter Wintonick regularly collaborated to different film magazines and with several festivals and institutions throughout the world. He also taught cinema in several universities, notably at Concordia University. In 2006, Peter Wintonick received the Governor General's Award in Visual and Media Arts.

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Spirited Away: The Films of Studio Ghibli, Dec 13-Jan 3


SPIRITED AWAY: THE FILMS OF STUDIO GHIBLI
Featuring the rarely-screened Grave of the Fireflies
December 13 to January 3 at TIFF Bell Lightbox


This holiday season, TIFF Cinematheque presents a retrospective devoted to Japan’s Studio Ghibli — one of the most influential film studios in the world. Following its spectacularly popular run in the spring of 2012, Spirited Away: The Films of Studio Ghibli returns from December 13 to January 3 to delight TIFF Bell Lightbox audiences with a near-exhaustive 18-film collection that includes a blend of new 35-mm and digital prints. The showcase pays homage to the studio’s legendary Japanese animation team led by Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki, its trademark animation style, powerful storytelling, and deeply felt humanism.

TIFF is honoured to finally feature the rarely-screened masterpiece Grave of the Fireflies, one of Ghibli's supreme accomplishments and regarded by many as the greatest animated film of all time. The lineup also includes From Up On Poppy Hill, a father-son collaboration between studio co-founder Miyazaki and his son Goro; beloved classics such as My Neighbor Totoro, Princess Mononoke and Kiki’s Delivery Service; rarely seen titles Only Yesterday and The Ocean Waves; and Hayao Miyazaki's Academy Award®-winning Spirited Away.

More than 70 international guests at the 16th Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montréal


Montreal, Thursday, November 14, 2013 The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) is launching its 16th edition today. More than 70 international guests are expected.

The guest of honour of the RIDM, Marcel Ophuls will be present at the festival. At 85 years old, the director of The Sorrow and the Pity is a veritable legend of documentary cinema. His body of work reveals not only a patient and stubborn witness of History, but also an inventive filmmaker who breaks the conventions of historical documentaries. The RIDM devotes an important retrospective to the work of Ophuls, who will also take part in a public discussion. On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of Hotel Terminus, the film for which Ophuls won the Best Documentary Oscar, the RIDM invites festivalgoers to attend the historic reunion between the filmmaker and the American producer of Hotel Terminus, John Friedman. The new film by Marcel Ophuls, Ain’t Misbehavin’, which was shown in Cannes this year, will also screen. With this filmed memoir, Ophuls takes us on a bittersweet journey during which he introduces us to his father Max Ophuls, Bertolt Brecht, Ernst Lubitsch, François Truffaut and Jeanne Moreau.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

Rencontres internationales du documentaire de Montréal 2013, Nov 13-24


Jehane Noujaim’s The Square will open the 16th RIDM this Wednesday

Montreal, Tuesday, November 12, 2013
– The Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) will launch its 16th edition this Wednesday, November 13 with a screening of the new film by Egyptian filmmaker Jehane Noujaim: The Square (Al Midan). This epic documentary is a chronicle of recent events in Egypt.

From January 2011 to July 2013 – from the first anti-Mubarak protests to the fall of Morsi – Egyptian filmmaker Jehane Noujaim’s (Control Room) crew stayed on the front lines of events as they unfolded in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Guided by Ahmed, a charismatic incarnation of valiant Egyptian youth; his friend and enemy, Magdy, a member of the Muslim Brotherhood; and Khalid Abdalla, an actor known for The Kite Runner, the film makes the square itself its central subject: it is the beating heart of a people who have been fighting for their rights for more than two years. Updated since the early cut shown at Sundance (where it won the Audience Award), this epic documentary is both spectacular and deeply moving; it is one of the year’s absolute must-see films. After winning a second Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), the film started a dazzling run that already places it among the most popular titles of 2013.

Monday, November 11, 2013

British Independent Film Awards 2013 announce nominations


The British Independent Film Awards have announced their full nominations for the 16th edition of the awards. Leading the way with eight mentions was David Mackenzie's prison drama Starred Up starring Jack O'Connell. It was nominated for Best British Independent Film, Best Director, Best Screenplay for Jonathan Asser, Best Actor for Jack O'Connell and two Best Supporting Actor nominations for Rupert Friend and Ben Mendelsohn.

Clio Barnard's Oscar Wilde adaptation The Selfish Giant followed close behind with seven mentions including Best British Independent Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay for Barnard.

The winners for the 16th annual British Independent Film Awards will be announced on Sunday December 8th at Old Billingsgate in London.

Thursday, November 7, 2013

10 Animated Shorts Advance in 2013 Oscar Race


BEVERLY HILLS, CA —The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 86th Academy Awards®. Fifty-six pictures had originally qualified in the category.

The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Cinema Eye Honors announces nominees for 2013 Nonfiction Film Awards


Forty feature films and six shorts will vie for this year’s Cinema Eye Honors for Nonfiction Filmmaking as nominees were announced this evening at the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s Elinor Bunin Munroe Film Center in New York City at an event hosted by the Tribeca Film Institute.

Five films are in the running for Cinema Eye’s top award, Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking: Joshua Oppenheimer’s The Act of Killing, Martha Shane and Lana Wilson’s After Tiller, Zachary Heinzerling’s Cutie and the Boxer, Lucien Castaing-Taylor and Véréna Paravel’s Leviathan and Sarah Polley’s Stories We Tell. Nominees for Outstanding Feature were determined by votes from both the 23-person nominations committee as well as more than 80 directors of this year’s eligible films.

Zachary Heinzerling’s Cutie and the Boxer led all films with six nominations, while The Act of Killing received five. Heinzerling and the directing duos from two films nominated for Outstanding Feature – Leviathan‘s Castaing-Taylor & Paravel and After Tiller‘s Shane and Wilson – all led individual nominees with four nominations apiece. Making Cinema Eye history with his nomination in the feature film category, Lucien Castaing-Taylor becomes the first person to be nominated for Outstanding Feature after having been previously nominated for Outstanding Debut (he was nominated in 2011 for Sweetgrass).

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

19 Animated Features Submitted For 2013 Oscar Race


BEVERLY HILLS, CA — Nineteen features have been submitted for consideration in the Animated Feature Film category for the 86th Academy Awards®.

Among the eligible submissions is the first 3D Canadian animated feature, The Legend of Sarila by Nancy Florence Savard. The story is based on Inuit culture and stars Christopher Plummer, Rachelle Lefevre, Genevieve Bujold, Dustin Milligan, Timothy Rozon, Natar Ungalaaq, and Elisapie Isaac.

Also nominated for the Animated Feature Oscar is revered Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki's final film The Wind Rises. He has announced his retirement due to his age and failing eyesight.

The 19 submitted features, listed in alphabetical order, are:

Canadian Screen Awards reveal Academy Special Award winners


Semi Chellas, David Cronenberg, Alanis Obomsawin, Alan Sawyer & W5 honoured
 
TORONTO, November 5, 2013 – The Academy Special Award winners for the 2014 CANADIAN SCREEN AWARDS were announced today by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television.
 
“The Academy is proud to celebrate these exceptionally talented Canadians, and to recognize their successes at home and on the world stage,” says Academy Chair Martin Katz. “We are especially pleased to champion Canada’s most creative filmmakers and writers as well as our hardnosed journalists, uncompromising humanitarians and world-class digital innovators.”

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Gotham Independent Film Awards 2013 – nominations


NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR 23rd ANNUAL GOTHAM INDEPENDENT FILM AWARDS BY IFP

Monday, December 2nd at Cipriani Wall Street

Nominations Honor 23 Films

12 Years a Slave Receives Three Nominations
Blue Caprice, Concussion, Fruitvale Station, Inside Llewyn Davis,
And Upstream Color Receive Two Nominations Each

New York, NY (October 24, 2013) – The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), the nation’s premier advocacy organization for independent filmmakers, announced today the nominees for the 23rd Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards by IFP. The Gotham Awards is one of the leading awards for independent film and signals the kick-off to the film awards season. For 2013, the seven competitive awards include Best Feature, Best Actress (presenting sponsor euphoria Calvin Klein), Best Actor, Best Documentary, the Audience Award, Breakthrough Actor, and Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director. The winner of the Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award will receive an unrestricted grant of $15,000, courtesy of presenting sponsor Royal Bank of Canada. In addition to the competitive awards, Gotham Award Tributes will be given to actor Forest Whitaker, NYC Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment’s Katherine Oliver, and director Richard Linklater (presenting sponsor Russian Standard Vodka).

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

Rencontres Internationales du Documentaire de Montréal announces 2013 programme


Montreal International Documentary Festival 2013 line-up

Montreal, Wednesday, October 23, 2013
– The 16th annual Montreal International Documentary Festival (RIDM) will be held from November 13 to 24. This year’s edition boasts an exciting selection of 135 films from more than 40 countries, along with more than 100 guests from around the world.

The RIDM is honoured to open the festival with The Square (Al Midan), by Egyptian filmmaker Jehane Noujaim. The film is a spectacular and much-discussed chronicle of the eventful last two years in Egypt. Closing the festival will be the world premiere of Fermières by Annie St-Pierre, an affectionate and endearing look at the Cercles de Fermières du Québec.

OFFICIAL COMPETITION

Monday, October 21, 2013

European Union Film Festival in Toronto announces 2013 programme


9th Annual European Union Film Festival
November 14 – 27, 2013
The Royal Cinema – 608 College St, Toronto

Box Office info
- General Admission to all EUFF screenings is FREE and on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Seats to any screening can be secured in advance by a donation of min. $10 per seat at eutorontofilmfest.ca
- Advanced seats must be occupied min. 15 minutes prior to the start of the screening.

(Toronto – October 21, 2013) This may not be exactly what Prime Minister Stephen Harper had in mind when he announced “free trade” with the European Union. But, for two weeks in November at Toronto’s Royal Cinema, the 9th annual European Union Film Festival is offering up a full slate of acclaimed films with free general admission. 

The European Union Film Festival is proud to announce the Canadian schedule for its 2013 program. With this formidable line-up, the EUFF celebrates nine years of creative triumphs, showcasing the best contemporary cinema from its 28 member countries.

Sunday, October 20, 2013

Festival du nouveau cinéma 2013 awards – winners


Last night at the closing gala of the 42nd Festival du nouveau cinéma, the award-winners were presented by the festival programmers and jurors. The festivals jurors included filmmakers such as Louise Archambault, Podz and Sébastien Pilote.

The top prize known as the Louve d'Or went to Amat Escalante's Mexican crime drama Heli. The film is a hard-hitting look at the effects of the drug trade and police corruption on a young working man and his family.

Frédérick Pelletier's Diego Star picked up a pair of prizes. It was presented with the Jury Special Prize for Focus Québec/Canada well as a Prix d'Interprétation (Best Actor Award) to its lead actor Isaka Sawadogo.

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Air Canada enRoute Film Festival presents a film industry panel in Montreal


The Air Canada enRoute Film Festival is pleased to announce their first-ever film industry panel, to be held November 4, 2013, at the Centre Phi in Montreal. Aimed at film students, emerging filmmakers and the media, the discussion will focus on the complex world of festivals and film markets, the distribution of short works and methods of obtaining financing for a film based on the success of a first short. The panel discussion will start at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a screening of the top Air Canada enRoute Film Festival films at 7:30 p.m. and a networking cocktail at 9 p.m., to continue the conversation.

"In the spirit of supporting our young filmmakers to take flight, we want to offer them a unique opportunity for exchange and dialogue with industry mentors that can help them take their art to the next level," says Éric Lauzon, Manager, In-Flight Entertainment, Air Canada.

2013 Toronto After Dark Film Festival, Oct 17-25


The eighth annual Toronto After Dark Film Festival for horror, Asian, sci-fi and other genre films gets underway tonight with a screening of Jim Mickle's We Are What We Are. This movie is based on the original Mexican film Somos lo que hay (We Are What We Are) and is a critically-acclaimed arthouse horror film. This year, all of the screenings will take place at the Scotiabank Theatre at 259 Richmond Street West.

Each night, Toronto After Dark presents two features, at 7pm and 9:30pm, with additional screenings at 4:25 on Saturday and Sunday. Each feature film is preceded by a Canadian short film. The Pub After Dark social gatherings take place at 117 John Street.

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Inaugural Reel Indie Film Festival, Oct 16-20


The music-themed film festival Reel Indie Film Festival (RiFF) kicks off its inaugural edition tonight at 7pm with a screening of Elise Salomon's Los Wild Ones. It will be preceded by the music video Will My Lady Love Me and the short film Black Metal.

It will be followed at 9pm by a screening of Window of Opportunity by  Samuel Warren Joseph. Screenings take place at the Royal Cinema at 608 College Street. The opening night party will take place at The Revival with Performances by David Barrett Trio and Bathurst Station.

"After all the planning and watching of films submitted to the inaugural year of the REEL INDIE FILM FESTIVAL, I am truly excited about our first line-up of Feature length films, Short Films and Music Videos,” says RiFF Executive Director Avi Federgreen. "There are terrific films including some outstanding Canadian titles. This is an excellent start to what I know will be many years of great programming for RiFF."