MUSIC + DANCE RELEASES INDUSTRY NEWS  

As the largest trade fair for performing arts in audiovisual media, Avant Première offers participants a front row seat to exclusive previews, cutting-edge information + priceless business contacts. Check out what is awaiting you today! www.avantpremiere.at

WELCOME TO DAY 2 OF AVANT PREMIÈRE MUSIC + MEDIA MARKET BERLIN 2018!

Good morning, dear Avant Première Participants!

You might be still a bit tired from last night's rousing Opening Ceremony, but once you see what an exciting programme we have in store for you today, you won't even need coffee to wake up.

09:30 - 11:00: AVANT PREMIÈRE SCREENING BLOCK 4, SCREENING HALL

Bel Air Media
klangmalerei.tv
ARD
Moscow Philharmonic Society
Les Films Figures Libres
ORF – Austrian Broadcasting Corporation
Clasart Classic

11:20 - 13:00: AVANT PREMIÈRE SCREENING BLOCK 5, SCREENING HALL

Kobalt Productions
Les Films Jack Fébus
HRT – Croatian Radiotelevision
BBC Music
Peiling Film & TV
RTV / TV Slovenija
C Major Entertainment
sounding images

DON'T FORGET TO GIVE YOUR VOTE TODAY!

HUNGRY AFTER ALL THESE IMPRESSIONS? LET THE HOTEL SCANDIC RESTAURANT SPOIL YOU WITH THEIR DELICIOUS TREATS!

MARKET SCREENINGS, SCREENING HALL

Market Screenings provide deeper impressions of select performing arts film productions in a longer, more intense presentation.

SPECIAL FOCUS 2018: “INNOVATION DAY“, CONFERENCE HALL

11:00 - 19:00: VR EXHIBITION, CONFERENCE HALL

14:00 - 17:30: AVANT PREMIÈRE TALKS IN THE COURSE OF INNOVATION DAY, CONFERENCE HALL

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS FOLLOWED BY NETWORKING RECEPTIONS, SCREENING HALL

Today's programme is so full and heavy with insights + opportunities that need to share this "weight" with someone.
Can we entrust you with this crucial task and let you in on all the information?

09:30 - 11:00: AVANT PREMIÈRE SCREENING BLOCK 6, SCREENING HALL

Signed Media Produktion
Paramax Films
Stanza Media
NRK – Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation
Arthaus Musik
Accentus Music
Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra
Eagle Rock Entertainment

11:20 - 13:00: AVANT PREMIÈRE SCREENING BLOCK 7, SCREENING HALL

CLC Productions
Opéra National de Paris
Telmondis Distribution
Unitel
SVT – Swedish Television
Royal Conservatoire of
The Hague
ERR – Estonian Public Broadcasting
Pan Dream

DON'T FORGET TO GIVE YOUR VOTE TODAY!

HUNGRY AFTER ALL THESE IMPRESSIONS? LET THE HOTEL SCANDIC RESTAURANT SPOIL YOU WITH THEIR DELICIOUS TREATS!

14:00 - 16:00: BROADCASTER LIGHTNING TALKS, CONFERENCE HALL

16:00 - 16:30: SPECIAL PRESENTATION, CONFERENCE HALL

SPECIAL FOCUS 2018: “MEET THE NORTH“, SCREENING HALL

“MEET THE NORTH“ MARKET SCREENINGS, SCREENING HALL

18:00 - 19:00: “MEET THE NORTH“ SPECIAL SCREENING, SCREENING HALL

19:00 - 22:00: “MEET THE NORTH“ RECEPTION, CONFERENCE HALL

EFM EUROPEAN FILM MARKET SCREENINGS, CINEMAXX

Avant Première Music + Media Market Berlin continues to expand its cooperation with the EFM European Film Market, the business section of Berlin International Film Festival which is attended by almost 10,000 visitors and 1,500 buyers per year.

With this cooperation we aim to increase exposure and boost business opportunities for the performing arts in audiovisual media, hence we are happy that the following productions will be screened at EFM European Film Market today.

Please note that these screenings are taking place at the EFM venue CinemaxX. Take advantage of the EFM Cooperation Ticket Deal and get your EFM Day Pass for only 50 Euro to view these screenings! Learn more at www.avantpremiere.at/register/.

JUST READING ABOUT TODAY'S PROGRAMME MAKES YOUR HEAD SPIN? UNDERSTANDABLE.
WE ARE THRILLED TO SPEND THIS DAY WITH YOU AT AVANT PREMIÈRE MUSIC + MEDIA MARKET BERLIN!

One of the most anticipated films of this year's festival, Don't worry, he won't get far on foot by Gus Van Sant premiered yesterday at the Berlinale Palast, part of this year's festival competition programme. 

Joaquin Phoenix, who plays John Callahan, a renouned American cartoonist who was bound to a wheelchair after a car accident, became an alcoholic and later on dedicated his life to his art, published in numerous magazines, newpapers and publications. Gus Van Sant adapts and directs the autobiographical novel by John Callahan, masterfully portrayed by Joaquin Phoenix, and with Rooney Mara and Jonah Hill in the supporting roles of his hospital consultant and AA mentor respectively. 

In the press conference for the film, Gus Van Sant spoke about the great emotional journey his character has in the film, "he's always on speed, his life is so fast-paced." 

Joaquin Phoenix, vividly unimpressed by the press conference, admitted:'I usually hate film festivals. But went with Gus to the Berlinale talents presentation and I’m really grateful for that experience. Was great to see all those new filmmakers and actors who want to do fresh things.' For his work with the dircetor though, he added: "There are qualities that Gus has like nobody else, he makes you feel really comfortable. Really enjoyed working with him." 

Text / Photos: Martin I. Petrov 

A first account of the 68th Berlin International Film Festival attests full cinemas and plenty of curious visitors exploring the diverse festival programme.

With Wes Anderson’sIsle of Dogsit was the first time that an animation film opened the Berlinale. The star-studded cast of voice-over artists populated the red carpet: accompanying Wes Anderson to the premiere were, amongst others, Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Kunichi Nomura, Liev Schreiber, Koyu Rankin, Bob Balaban, Tilda Swinton, Akira Takayama, Yojiro Noda and Mari Natsuki.

Other guests of the first festival days were David Zellner, Nathan Zellner, Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska, Hugo Weaving, Jim Broadbent, Isabel Coixet, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, Christian Petzold, Paula Beer, Franz Rogowski, Benoit Jacquot, Isabelle Huppert, Rupert Everett, Emily Watson, Hanna Schygulla, Alba Rohrwacher, Marie Bäumer, Birgit Minichmayr, Charly Hübner, Robert Gwisdek, José Padilha, Rosamund Pike, Daniel Brühl, Lav Diaz, Gus Van Sant, Joaquin Phoenix, Udo Kier, Michael Gwisdek, Jeff Daniels, Peter Sarsgaard, Natalie Dormer, Lars Kraume, Florian Lukas, Ronald Zehrfeld, Steven Soderbergh, Claire Foy and many more.

As part of the film historical programme, besides the Retrospective, the world premiere of a digitally restored Das alte Gesetz(The Ancient Law) by Ewald André Dupont marked a special highlight of the Berlinale Classics.

On Tuesday, the American actor Willem Dafoe was awarded in front of an excited audience the Honorary Golden Bear; the laudatory speech was held by Wim Wenders.

The events and talks of the Berlinale Talents at the HAU provided interesting discussions with panel guests, amongst which were Jury President Tom Tykwer, the directors David and Nathan Zellner, Eric Schlosser, Gus Van Sant as well as the cinematographers Agnès Godard and Nancy Schreiber.

The European Film Market (EFM) is also enjoying a steady increase of exhibitors and visitors as well as a lot of public attention. The many initiatives and special events of the Market, tackling current developments, trends and perspectives, are very popular with the trade visitors and establish the EFM as a platform for innovation and change.

Once more, the 68th Berlin International Film Festival is drawing an impressive amount of audiences: already midway through the festival around 273,000 tickets have been sold.

There will be an ‘encore’ for the public on Sunday, February 25: numerous festival films from the various sections will have repeat screenings on Berlinale Publikumstag.

By Alex C. Deleon, Filmfestivals.com

Romy Schneider look alike Marie Bäumer at Quiberon  Press Conference Watch the Video

Though this was obviously not going to be the star powered program we have become accustomed to under flamboyant festival top hat Dieter Kosslick at Berlin (no Clooneys, Decaprios, or their likes in sight this year) the competition program alone had a number of high expectation films, among them, "Three Days at Quiberon", a study of the last days of Romy Schneider, "7 days at Entebbe" a new take on the daring israeli raid on a landlocked African country to liberate a planeful of hijacked Jewish Passengers, and "U-22, Utoya",  the first filming of the right wing massacre in Norway of innicent young people on a summer island outing, 

To start with no actress but German star Marie Bäumer could have possibly pulled off such a believable Romy given the uncanny physical resemblance and the ability to flit back and firth between French and German. as did Romy in real life.  The film focuses on the last warts and all interview Romy gave the high profile German magazine Stern in 1981 which turmed out to be the last interview of her tortured life at age 42.  A fuller review will follow, Suffice it to say that Actress Bäumer hooks you from the very beginning but German director Emily Atef doesn't let us off the hook until, we have over agonized to the point of numbness. In short, it goes on too long.

As for Erik Poppe's take on the Uttoya  Island massacre in 2011 such a film was a long time coming and had to be made, but, did it have to be made in such a harrowing traumatic  manner totally from the point of view of some desperate survivors, or could more have been nade of the Perpetrator whom we hardly see except as a distant shadowy figure amongst an endless medley of shotgun blasts?

Result. We are  reminded of the day in a way that is more traumatizing than informative. We know these survivors will escape but do we need to be traumatized while watching to confirm our hopes?

As for Entebbe; How could such a momentous real life thriller be reduced  to a poltical argument between the highest Israeli government figures, Shimon Peres and Itzhak Rabin, whike creating sympathy for a couple of Gernan hijackers. See the ball Spot? --Run and jump - look and see,..

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SummerHill Entertainment Thrills and Chills at EFM

  At Summer Hill Entertainment our mission is twofold.  First, we are a home to independent filmmakers who have done the impossible, created a quality film ready for distribution.  Through our 25 years of experience... Second, we are a reliable source of high quality films for our international buyers. Additionally, we know how to deliver the goods.  Today’s international deliverable requirements are more complicated than ever.    www.summerhill...

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Doggie Animation film opened fest as Kosslick reels from criticism

by Alex Deleon for filmfestivals.com Wes Anderson Press  conference: L - R, Greta Gerwig, Bryan Cranston, Anderson and a Japanese actress. The first all star event of the 68th Berlin Film Festival (Brrlinale) was the overpopulated press conference for the opening film, Wes Anderson's full length animation "Isle of Dogs". This was the first time I have ever seen the long press conference table full from one end to the other with overflow ~ at least one star, Tilda Swinto...

 

22.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Berlin 2018, Week One Kwikk notes: High Expectations with Low results mark first half of fest

By Alex C. Deleon, Filmfestivals.com Romy Schneider look alike Marie Bäumer at Quiberon  Press Conference Watch the Video Though this was obviously not going to be the star powered program we have become accustomed to under flamboyant festival top hat Dieter Kosslick at Berlin (no Clooneys, Decaprios, or their likes in sight this year) the competition program alone had a number of high expectation films, among them, "Three Days at Quiberon", a study of the last ...

 

22.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

VIDEO AMBIANCE & INTERVIEWS FROM BERLIN

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BIG BLUE french icon actor, Jean Marc Barr, talks in Berlin about his latest feature CUT OFF by Jowan Carbin

Check the full Interview from Berlinale.     Struggling with his new life in New Orleans, Clive follows Trevor, a former professor to his country home on the bayou in Cut Off, LA to gain a new perspective.  While Trevor helps Clive deal with his demons, Clive is sucked into a mission to kill. www.cutoff-movie.com I Trailer I Cast I Crew I Facebook I Twitter I Festival requests I Media Fusion Entertainment ...

 

Gus Van Sant & Joaquin Phoenix: Don't worry, he won't get far on foot

One of the most anticipated films of this year's festival, Don't worry, he won't get far on foot by Gus Van Sant premiered yesterday at the Berlinale Palast, part of this year's festival competition programme.  Joaquin Phoenix, who plays John Callahan, a renowned American cartoonist who was bound to a wheelchair after a car accident, became an alcoholic and later on dedicated his life to his art, published in numerous magazines, newpapers and publications. Gus Van Sant ad...

 

Interview with Klaus Eder: FIPRESCI General Secretary

Bruno Chatelin sat down with Klaus Eder: FIPRESCI General Secretary Klaus shared a bit of the history, foundation and mission of the International Federation of Film Critics: an association of national organizations of professional film critics and film journalists from around the world for "the promotion and development of film culture and for the safeguarding of professional interests." It was founded in June 1930 in Brussels, Belgium. At present it has members in more than 50 count...

 

VIDEO GWFF Best First Feature Award | Meet the Jury | Berlinale 2018

Winning a prize with a debut film can really kickstart a career, so the GWFF Best First Feature Award is a promise for the future. So let us introduce you to our 2018 Jury Jonas Carpignano, Noa Regev and Călin Peter Netzer. The winner of the GWFF Best First Feature Award will be announced at the Closing Gala on Saturday, February 24, beginning at 7.00 pm in the Berlinale Palast. The award ceremony will also be streamed live on the Berlinale Website. The Berlin...

 

VIDEO Generation 14plus | Opening | Berlinale 2018

  Since 1978, the Berlinale has devoted a section to children and young people: Generation. In two competitions, Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus, discoveries from state of the art world-cinema and on a par with young people are presented. The most outstanding films are awarded the Crystal Bears and the Prizes of the international Juries. Every year, more than 65.000 visitors attend the screenings in five venues. The premieres of the section take place at the Ha...

 

VIDEO 2018 European Shooting Stars Gala | Berlinale 2018

Gala for the 2018 European Shooting Stars Franz Rogowski, Irakli Kvirikadze, Jonas Smulders, Matteo Simoni, Matilda De Angelis, Michaela Coel, Alba August, Reka Tenki, Luna Wedler and Eili Harboe. EFP EUROPEAN SHOOTING STARS, one of EFP's flagship programmes, has placed some of the most promising young actors from all over Europe into the limelight over the past 20 years and proven to be an essential stepping stone for launching their international careers. The most promi...

 

 

VIDEO "Only Willem Dafoe can play Christ and anti Christ" (Wim Wenders) during the Honorary Golden Bear Gala | Berlinale 2018

Honorary Golden Bear Gala for Willem Dafoe with the laudatio by film director Wim Wenders.     ...

 

VIDEO - Ang Panahon ng Halimaw | Press Conference Highlights | Berlinale 2018

Press Conference for Ang Panahon ng Halimaw with director Lav Diaz, Hazel Orencio, Bart Guingona, Bianca Balbuena, Pinky Amador and Shaina Magdayao. ...

 

 

VIDEO Javier Angulo invites filmfestivals.com to Valladolid 63rd edition

VALLADOLID INTL FILM FESTIVAL 63rd edition to run 20th - 28th OCTOBER, 2018 ) Director Javier Angulo talked to filmfestivals.com Bruno Chatelin during a Norwegian film reception at the famous Oxymorron restaurant... where he met legendary actor Stellan Skarsgård.     ...

 

 

Filmmaker from India Manoj Annadurai discusses his next project, and the role of markets like EFM in his pre production works

Meet Manoj Annadurai. His first film Get Happy (a comedy) premiered at Montreal World Festival and won several prizes on the festival circuit. https://www.filmfestivals.com/blog/mo... ...

 

Inland Sea director Kazuhiro Soda celebrates Berlinale selection with TriCoast sales team

Wai-chan is one of the last remaining fishermen in Ushimado, a small village in Seto Inland Sea, Japan. At the age of 86, he still fishes alone on a small boat to make his living, dreaming about retirement. Kumi-san is an 84-year-old  villager who wanders around the shore everyday. She believes a social welfare facility “stole” her disabled son to receive subsidy from the government. A “late-stage elderly” Koso-san runs a small seafood store lef...

 

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NEWS FROM THE MARKET

Wangdrak’s Rain Boots World Premiere at the 68th Berlinale

Wangdrak’s Rain Boots, directed by Lhapal Gyal, premiered on Feb. 21st at 10am Berlin local time.   Wangdrak’s Rain Boots is Lhapal Gyal’s debut feature film; alongside renowned director Pema Tseden, who executive produces. Wangdrak’s Rain Boots is selected in the Generation of 68th Berlinale, the only Chinese film in this category as well as the only Chinese candidate for Crystal Bear Award of Generation. Wangdrak’s Rain Boots is based...

 

22.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Party with the Portuguese, another FEST success and full house

Bruno Chatelin (filmfestivals.com) toasting like it's pPortugal (Espinoa) with festival organizers: Filipe Pereira (FESTIVAL DIRECTOR) and Fernando Vasquez (FESTIVAL PRODUCER AND PROGRAMMER) PARTY LIKE IT’S PORTUGAL was held with much success at Ballhaus Berlin (Chausseestr. 102 10115 Berlin) on the 20th of February. We enjoyed the best Portuguese wine - courtesy of our partner Niepoort Vinhos. DJ NUNO LOPES brought the action to dance floor - (he is also the ...

 

22.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Winners of the 2nd Asian Brilliant Stars were announced on February 21st in Berlin.

YOUTH, the latest film of Chinese director Feng Xiaogang, is the biggest winner of the Award Ceremony.   Screened in the Special Presentations at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival, Feng Xiaogang’s YOUTH topped the December box office in China with over $157 million (1 billion yuan), ahead of Pixar animation COCO. “Feng employs traditional craftsmanship to draw a sweeping historical canvas with profound human upheavals that mirror virtues and flaws of the Chi...

 

22.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Positive Mid Festival Results for the Berlinale 2018

    A first account of the 68th Berlin International Film Festival attests full cinemas and plenty of curious visitors exploring the diverse festival programme.   With Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs it was the first time that an animation film opened the Berlinale. The star-studded cast of voice-over artists populated the red carpet: accompanying Wes Anderson to the premiere were, amongst others, Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Bill Murray, Jeff Goldblum, Kunichi Nomura, Liev...

 

21.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Avant Premiere Final day closing 2018 edition

WELCOME TO DAY 4 OF AVANT PREMIÈRE MUSIC + MEDIA MARKET BERLIN 2018! Four days old but not a bit tired.... We are entering the final day of Avant Première for this year but the screens are still on, participants are still energetic and everything is only waiting for you! 09:30 - 11:00: AVANT PREMIÈRE SCREENING BLOCK 8, SCREENING HALL TVP – Polish Television / TVP Kultura ...

 

21.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

World premiere of the documentary ELDORADO in Berlinale Competition (out of competition).

    ELDORADO by Markus Imhoof   Switzerland, Germany / 2018 / 92’    Throughout history, there have always been refugees. They used to come from places closer to home: In the lean years of WW II and its direct af­termath, the family of Swiss director Markus Imhoof took in Giovanna, an undernourished Italian girl as part of a limited-term program for chil­dren. When her stay ended, the Swiss government insisted on sending Giovanna back to Italy. She...

 

21.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Cinegy GmbH Partners with Linear Acoustic for Loudness Processing Solutions

                Accord Delivers Improved Listening Experience along with Regulatory Compliance     Lancaster, PA - February 20, 2018 – Linear Acoustic®, a Telos Alliance TV Solutions Group company, today announced a strategic OEM partnership with Germany-based Cinegy GmbH to supply loudness processing solutions for use in Cinegy asset management, ingest and playout software products. The integration provides improved listening expe...

 

20.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Locarno will focus on Portuguese cinema

                  Focus on Portuguese cinema   ...

 

20.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

The number of European films released outside of Europe up by 8.5% in 2016 reports the European Audiovisual Observatory

European Audiovisual Observatory publishes new free analysis   Get it here: The Circulation of European Films Outside of Europe – key figures 2016   §  650 European films were released outside of Europe in 2016 §  Admissions generated fell to 82 million, (22% below the five-year average of 97 million) §  Market share fell 1 point to 19%, just making the 19% five-year average These are the latest findings from aa new report by ...

 

20.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Female Driven MAIL ORDER MONSTER “MOM” Makes Berlin World Premiere

Film Mode Entertainment presents the EFM World Premiere of MAIL ORDER MONSTER, a timely, and heart-warming, family adventure film set to stir audiences across the globe   Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment announces the World Market Premiere screening and EFM debut of the new family adventure film MAIL ORDER MONSTER.  This feature comes at a time where strong roles for women are the focus of the industry, and is certain to wow audiences in B...

 

20.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Harrowing first look image

Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment presents the World Market Premiere screening and EFM debut of their newest thriller THE HARROWING in Berlin. The world premiere screening took place on Friday, February 18th at 11:05 AM at dffb-Kino, to a standing-room-only crowd. Written and directed by veteran horror director JON KEEYES (AMERICAN NIGHTMARE, FALL DOWN DEAD), the film stars the legendary MICHAEL IRONSIDE (TOTAL REC...

 

20.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Sundance Award Winner THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER starring Maggie Gyllenhaal NEW PICTURE

MAGGIE GYLLENHAAL STARS IN THE SUNDANCE AWARD WINNER  ‘THE KINDERGARTEN TEACHER’ PROTAGONIST PICTURES HANDLING INTERNATIONAL SALES AT EFM World Premiere Sundance Film Festival 2018 – Winner of the Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic   Cast: Maggie Gyllenhaal (Secretary, The Dark Knight) and Gael Garcia Bernal (“Mozart in the Jungle”, The Motorcycle Diaries)   Writer / Director: Sara Colangelo (Little Accidents)   P...

 

20.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

MATCH POINT acquires WOLF

WOLF   From the producers of MOUNTAIN-MOUNTAIN II  Mini-series of 70'*6 episodes or can be edited and released as 3 feature films. The final 7th episode will be shot as a feature film and will be on cinemas on the 29th of October 2018 Director: Alper Çağlar Genre: Action, War Cast: Ahu Türkpençe, Serkan Çayoğlu, Emir Benderlioğlu   Turkey, in the spring of 2014. A time when the enemies are growing on the border...

 

20.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC) returns to Dubai 5th to 7th April

      Middle East Film & Comic Con (MEFCC), the definitive pop culture convention in the Middle East is back for its seventh edition from 5th to 7th April at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) featuring the best regional and international talent, celebrity guests and more for some of the coolest fans in the world! ...

 

Berlinale Newsletters 1 I 2 I 3 I 4 I 5 I 6 I FOLLOW US ON THE SOCIAL NETWORKS:                       

 
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SummerHill Entertainment Thrills and Chills at EFM

  At Summer Hill Entertainment our mission is twofold.  First, we are a home to independent filmmakers who have done the impossible, created a quality film ready for distribution.  Through our 25 years of experience... Second, we are a reliable source of high quality films for our international buyers. Additionally, we know how to deliver the goods.  Today’s international deliverable requirements are more complicated than ever.    www.summerhill...

 

16.02.2018 | Berlin's blog

For the seventh time, the Institute of Documentary Film is organizing the East Doc Platform in Prague. The public is welcome to join Open Programme - held in English, free entrance.

LIVE PITCH! Iikka and Mikael will conduct a live pitch and Q&A – OPEN LECTURE
Saturday March 3 | 17:30 - 19:00 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

A welcome session to deep-dive in one of the hottest topic of the workshop Ex Oriente Film: Ikka Vehkalahti and Mikael Opstrup will give a realistic simulation of a professional pitch. Food for thoughts for the following days waiting the final East Doc Forum presentation.


WORKING WITH SALES AGENTS IN 2018– WHAT HAS CHANGED AND WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW – OPEN LECTURE
Sunday March 4 | 10:00 - 11:30 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

We will go through a sales agent´s contract and explain all things important to know. In a new digital era, distribution has changed so what are the new distribution rights. An interactive session with distribution & financing consultant Peter Jaeger CEO of Jaeger Creative.


LET’S PLAY! A JOURNEY INTO THE DYNAMICS OF EDITING– OPEN LECTURE
Sunday March 4 | 18:00 - 19:30 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

Editor, actress and producer Dounia Sichov has worked with masters of contemporary cinema such as Sharunas Bartas, Denis Coté and Abel Ferrara. Among other she edited the last film by iconic Magnum Photographer Antoine d'Agata, Atlas, of which she also edited the installation version. Her versatile profile makes her a unique figure in nowadays international cinema. In her masterclass, she will share with us her experience in the editing room in both documentary and fiction and tell us about the journey it takes to arrive to the final cut of a movie.


THE PERFECT PREMIERE, FESTIVAL STRATEGIES – OPEN LECTURE
Monday March 5 | 10:00 - 11:30 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

A session dedicated to producers and directors to orientate them in the International Film Festival Galaxy. Since the first pitch to the release of your film, festivals are offering a vast array of possibilities to independent filmmakers. How to capitalize those opportunities? How to exploit the marketing and communication chances? How to use them to reach the ultimate goal of all filmmakers, to be seen by a regular audience? From markets to rough-cut labs to premieres and beyond, young veteran Vanja Kaludjercic (Holland Film Meetings, Sarajevo IFF, Rotterdam IFF, Les Arcs IFF among many others) will guide the audience in the fast changing world of international film festival. Coming Soon!


HOW TO BRING YOUR VR PROJECTS TO LIFE? Financing and distribution models for VR/ AR/ XR (or immersive content) – OPEN LECTURE
Monday March 5 | 18:00 - 19:30 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

Virtual reality is the current buzzword attracting many creators, including documentary filmmakers. Exciting opportunities to tell the stories in a new way brings also questions how to finance and distribute this kind of content. An insight to the new media landscape, emerging distribution channels and financing options for Immersive Content presented by Liz Rosenthal (Power to the Pixel, Venice VR section at The Venice Film Festival).


CREATING AUDIO VISUAL MARKETING MATERIALS – OPEN LECTURE
Tuesday March 6 | 11:30 – 13:00 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

Marketing expert Fraser Bensted(EAVE) will speak about the theoretical and creative process of producing audio visual marketing materials and the impact they have on the positioning of a film and it's reception by it's chosen target audience.Covering sales promos, mood reels or taster tapes, and teaser and regular trailers, this will be an in depth examination of the thoughts and considerations being made when the time comes for a film to be pitched or sold to potential financiers, buyers or the general public. With a focus on documentary trailers but also looking at drama we will see how a film can be shaped into various marketing materials in order for it to be presented in a way that creates maximum engagement with an audience.


CZECH DOCS… COMING SOON– PUBLIC PRESENTATION
Tuesday March 6 | 14:00 - 15:15 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

An event dedicated to Czech documentary projects within East Doc Platform programme. Five upcoming feature documentaries will be presented to an audience of the invited representatives of prestigious film festivals, sales agents, distributors and to the wide public. This event is organized in cooperation with the Audiovisual Producers' Association (APA).


NEW RESISTANCE; Media, Film and Politics – PUBLIC PANEL DISCUSSION
Tuesday March 6 | 16:00 - 17:30 | Cinema 35, French Institute

Critical filmmaking is becoming a risky business, not only in the Central/Eastern Europe. Populistic governments discover once again the charm of propaganda, media manipulation, and censorship - the old beasts we all believed to be safely locked in 1989. How does it affect the life and work of documentary makers and is their stubborn refusal to close an eye really more important than ever?


IF/THEN SHORT DOC PITCH COMPETITION – PUBLIC PRESENTATION
Wednesday March 7 | 10:00 - 12:00 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

A brand new pitching competition of the best short documentary films from the Central and Eastern Europe. Since 2010, five Polish shorts have been nominated for Oscars, one won. A Hungarian short received the Academy Award in 2017. What makes Eastern shorts so successful that Tribeca Film Institute decided EDP to be the only European pitching with price worth $20.000?


GET YOUR SECOND BREATH - PUBLIC PANEL DISCUSSION
Wednesday March 7 | 15:00 - 16:30 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

Where to seek financing for your film outside the traditional national funding and co-productions? What outcomes has brought the research of new alternative/equity funding opportunities? Is the American financing model a complete science fiction or could it be an inspiration for Europe? Why is it especially documentary to be ideally positioned for attracting alternative finance? A panel discussion of the representatives of key international funds (Tribeca Film Institute, Chicken and Egg Pictures, IDFA Bertha Fund Europe, Whicker´s World Foundation), and Media Deals, the pan-European investor network.


MASTERCLASS: KIM LONGINOTTO
Wednesday March 7 | 17:00 - 18:30 | Cinema Hall, Institute Cervantes

A masterclass of one of the foremost documentary filmmakers working today, Kim Longinotto is renowned internationally for creating extraordinary human portraits and tackling controversial topics with respect and sensitivity. Kim Longinotto has won numerous awards for her work, including a Peabody Award and the Cannes Film Festival’s prestigious Prix Art et Essai for Sisters in Law, a Special Jury Prize at the International Documentary Film Festival, Amsterdam (IDFA) for Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go, a BAFTA Award for Divorce Iranian Style, World Cinema Grand Jury Prize in Documentary at the Sundance Film Festival for Rough Aunties. For Dreamcatcher she has won the Directing Award – World Cinema Documentary at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.


COMMUNION(2017) - KINEDOK SCREENING, Q&A AND PARTY
Wednesday March 7 | 21:00 - 24:00 | MONOFONO, Jungmannova 15, Prague

Official opening of the next edition of project KineDok – alternative distribution of creative documentaries. The fourth edition starts with a screening of KineDok Polish film Communion (Anna Zamecka), winner of many festival awards and the best European documentary 2017 according to the European Film Awards. A tragic and at the same time humorous and even cautiously optimistic portrait of two children left completely to their own devices. An ode to the incredible strength of a combative fourteen-year-old girl Ola, who is trying to bring together her estranged mother and alcoholic father and make her family whole again during one celebration of her brother’s communion. The screening is followed by Q&A and KineDok party!


EAST DOC FORUM– PUBLIC PRESENTATION – only for accreditations
Thursday March 8 | 9:30 - 14:00 | Image Theatre

For the eighteenth time, the prestigious pitch of the best Central and East European documentary projects will take place. In the seventeen years of its existence, the East Doc Forum has welcomed more than 700 filmmakers and supported 150 documentary projects, including award-winning films from key international festivals, such as Brothers, The Domino Effect, Blind Loves, At the Edge of Russia, Rabbit a la Berlin, Village Without Women, and Bakhmaro.

VENUES:
Cervantes Institute,Na Rybníčku 6 (entrance from Štěpánská street), Prague / tel.: +420 221 595 211
Image Theatre, Národní 25, Prague / tel.: +420 732 156 343
MONOFONO, Jungmannova 15, Prague

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VIDEO - Award Ceremony Gala | Berlinale 2018

FULL LIST

 

PRIZES OF OFFICIAL JURIES PRIZES OF THE INTERNATIONAL JURY     Members of the Jury: Tom Tykwer (Jury President), Cécile de France, Chema Prado, Adele Romanski, Ryūichi Sakamoto and Stephanie Zacharek     GOLDEN BEAR FOR BEST FILM (awarded to the film’s producer) Touch Me Not by Adina Pintilie   SILVER BEAR GRAND JURY PRIZE Twarz Mug by Małgorzata Szumowska   SILVER BEA...

 

VIDEO - Independent Juries Award Ceremony | Berlinale 2018

FULL LIST

 

PRIZE OF THE INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM JURY BERLIN SHORT FILM NOMINEE FOR THE EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS The three members of the Jury, Diogo Costa Amarante, Jyoti Mistry and Mark Toscano, appoint as Berlin Short Film Nominee for the European Film Awards Burkina Brandenburg Komplex by Ulu Braun   PRIZES OF THE INDEPENDENT JURIES   PRIZES OF THE ECUMENICAL JURY Members of the Jury: Dr. theol. Inge Kirsner (Jury President), Joachim Opahle,...

 

 

32. TEDDY AWARD – The Queer Film Award at the Berlin International Film Festival

 

THE WINNERS  

 

The seven members of the international jury view films of queer interest within all sections of the Berlinale. Three films are nominated and one wins infor each of the categories: best feature film, best documentary/essay film and the best short film. The jury furthermore presents its Special Jury Award, the L'Oréal TEDDY Newcomer Award and the TEDDY Readers’ Award powered by Mannschaft Magazin. The TEDDY for the Best Feature Film goes to: Ti...

 

The misery of the Human Condition is the Hallmark of films at Berlin 2018

by Alex Deleon       

 

1. EVA: French, Isabelle Huppert stars in zig zag story of upper class middle aged hooker who mesmerizes handsome phony playwright half her age -- with a plot heavy vehicles could be driven through every ten minutes but nice setting along Glittering Swiss mountain lake helps to alleviate the lethargy -- and Huppert, as usual, is something else. Just watching her do her thing is enough to make a total turkey halfway watchable. 2. Minato ...

 

He Won't Get Far on Foot: Gus Van Sant's earnest biopic is a drain on the nervous system and a feel badder all the way

Joaquin Phoenix on wheels with philosophical AA guru in Gus Van Sant's excessively earnest biopic

By Alex Deleon

 

He won't get far on Foot --- and this painful orgy of alcololic confessionalism by a quadriplegic cartoonist in a wheel chair won't get far on celluloid past the extremely masochistic art house crowd who like to be reassured that some lives out there are worse than their own. I was hoping that this highly touted Gus Van Santer starring favorite actor Joaquin Ph...

 

Less Star Power at Berlin 68

by Alex Deleon  

 

Romy Schneider look alike Marie Bäumer at Quiberon  Press Conference  Though this was obviously not going to be the star powered program we have become accustomed to under flamboyant festival top hat Dieter Kosslick at Berlin (no Clooneys, Decaprios, or their likes in sight this year) the competition program alone had a number of high expectation films, among them, Three Days at Quiberon", a study of the last days of Romy Schneider, "7 days at ...

 

 

Berlin Awards: There's no disputing bad taste, especially in big film festivals.

By Alex Deleon

 

Films in International Competition were adjudicated  by a Jury presided over by ace German director Tom Tykwer. There's no disputing bad taste, especially in big film festivals.   Golden Bear, BEST FILM TOUCH ME NOT ..AAAaaaarrrrgh !! The ugliest most sickening most repulsive and perverted  film of all time -- shot in amateuristic manner like a home movie on masturbation. A basket case of a movie that goes from bad to worse as screen time progresses. Not eve...

 

Berlinale 2018 Awards

Adina Pintilie's experimental debut 'Touch Me Not' takes home the Golden Bear!  

 

PRIZES OF OFFICIAL JURIES PRIZES OF THE INTERNATIONAL JURY   Members of the Jury: Tom Tykwer (Jury President), Cécile de France, Chema Prado, Adele Romanski, Ryūichi Sakamoto and Stephanie Zacharek     GOLDEN BEAR FOR BEST FILM (awarded to the film’s producer) Touch Me Not by Adina Pintilie   SILVER BEAR GR...

 

 

North American sale of the sci-fi action film, OCCUPATION to Saban Films

Film Mode Entertainment’s OCCUPATION  Slays Berlin with Sales, including North America to Saban Films     Sci-Fi Action Epic Adventure Starring DAN EWING and TEMUERA MORRISON  Makes International Screening Debut at EFM and Garners Impressive Sales       BERLIN (February 16, 2018) – Clay Epstein’s Film Mode Entertainment announces the North American sale of the sci-fi action film, OCCUPATION to Saban Films.   &l...

 

 

 

Netherlands short film takes top prize in Berlin Film Festival Generation 14 plus awards

The awards given out last Friday night at the Berlin International Film Festival saw the Dutch team behind Kosovo-set short film, Kiem Holijanda triumph in the Berlinale’s Generation section, the most important dedicated children’s and youth programme among the A-list festivals of the world, taking home the Crystal Bear for the Best Short Film in the section Generation 14plus. The jury motivation for the award states: The Crystal B...

 

 

Results of the diversity panel in Berlin: WE WANT MORE

WE WANT MORE – DIVERSITY & VISIBILITY The 6th discussion on the status of women in the film business and gender equity on the occasion of the 68th Berlin International Film Festival focused strongly on the topics of diversity and visibility. Organised by the Dortmund | Cologne International Women’s Film Festival the round table with international experts from various backgrounds agreed on the urgent need to implement diversity standards in German film funding according to ...

 

 

Berlinale 2018: Crystal Bears and Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk (The Children’s Charity of Germany) Awards in Generation Kplus

      The members of the Children’s Jury in Generation Kplus – Laslo Baudouin, Luise Babette Dahns, Christian Fock, Nele Heinig, Julina Matilde Jung, Namiko Kammin, Jonas Kurth, Theresa Sagebiel, Jonas Schuster, Jonas Volkers, Ella Widmoser – give the following awards:     Crystal Bear for the Best Film:    Les rois mongols (Cross My Heart) By Luc Picard, Canada We are particularly fond of this film because we were able to ...

 

 

Berlinale: Awards of the Independent Juries

  PRIZE OF THE INTERNATIONAL SHORT FILM JURY BERLIN SHORT FILM NOMINEE FOR THE EUROPEAN FILM AWARDS The three members of the Jury, Diogo Costa Amarante, Jyoti Mistry and Mark Toscano, appoint as Berlin Short Film Nominee for the European Film Awards Burkina Brandenburg Komplex by Ulu Braun   PRIZES OF THE INDEPENDENT JURIES   PRIZES OF THE ECUMENICAL JURY Members of the Jury: Dr. theol. Inge Kirsner (Jury President), Joachim Opahle, J...

 

 

Berlinale 2018: The Panorama Audience Awards go to Profile and The Silence of Others

Oben v.l.n.r./top FLTR: Paz Lázaro (Leiterin Panorama) mit ShazadLatif,Timur Bekmambetov, Valene Kane und Olga Kharina.Profile. Regie/director:Timur Bekmambetov Foto:©Brigitte Dummer / Berlinale 2018 Unten v.l.n.r./bottom FLTR: Robert Bahar und Almudena Carracedo mitModeratorin Ana David.The Silence of Others.Regie/directors: Almudena Carracedo,Robert Bahar Foto:©Trevor Good / Berlinale 2018 The public has cast its votes: the 20th Panorama Audience Awards go to Profile by ...

 

 

The Compass-Perspektive-Award for the Best Film Goes to Veronika Kasererberall: Überall wo wir sind (Everywhere We Are)

The Compass-Perspektive-Award for the Best Film in the Programme Goes to Veronika Kaserer for Her Documentary Überall wo wir sind (Everywhere We Are)   On the closing night of Perspektive Deutsches Kino, the jury – consisting of filmmakers Jules Herrmann, Sung-Hyung Cho, and Sol Bondy - presented the Compass-Perspektive-Award 2018 for the best film. The prize goes to Überall wo wir sind (Everywhere We Are) by Veronika Kaserer. Endowed with 5,000 euro, this year is the se...

 

 

Berlinale Talents and Perspektive Deutsches Kino Kompagnon-Fellowships go to Jide Tom Akinleminu and Julian Radlmaier

This evening at the closing event of Perspektive Deutsches Kino, the Kompagnon-Fellowships were awarded for the second time. Endowed with 5,000 euros each, they were given to new projects by a screenwriter and/or director from Berlinale Talents 2018, and a director from the 2017 edition of Perspektive Deutsches Kino.   With the Kom...

 

 

Crystal Bears and the Awards by the Federal Agency for Civic Education in Generation 14p

Berlinale 2018: Crystal Bears and the Awards by the Bundeszentrale für politische Bildung (Federal Agency for Civic Education) in Generation 14plus The members of the Youth Jury Generation 14plus - Jascha Katjana Richer, Lilly Rinklebe, Zoe Rentmeister, Rosa Nietzsche, Robert Schlücker, Joseph Askar Schönfelder, Jonathan Auer - give the following awards:   Crystal Bear for the Best Film:    Fortuna By Germinal Roaux, Switzerland / Belgium Our winn...

 

Heartfelt and daring – Berlinale Talents 2018 Turns Out a Successful Edition

  Yesterday evening the 16th edition of Berlinale Talents came to a successful close. Gus Van Sant, Josephine Decker, Christian Petzold, Nancy Schreiber, Agnès Godard, Tom Tykwer, Mónica Lairana and Lav Diaz, amongst 120 other mentors and experts, met in cinematic dialogue with 250 Talents and several thousand Berliners, with a notable sense of honesty and openness. The talks and the Talent-dedicated formats were not only about secrets to success and career leaps, but also ...

 

 

Special Mention for ‘SUPA MODO’ at the Generation Kplus Award Ceremony of the 68. Berlinale

SUPA MODO has been honored with a Special Mention for an outstanding achievement by the Children’s Jury Generation Kplus at the Generation Kplus Award Ceremony of the 68. Berlin International Film Festival. The film is an inspiring story about a young girl dreaming of becoming a Superhero. The debut feature film by Kenyan director Likarion Wainaina celebrated its world premiere at the section Generation Kplus. CHECK THE VIDEO Extract from the jury statement: “This film te...

There’s glitz, there’s glamour, and there’s a whole slate of the top flicks descending on Las Vegas in summer 2018 for the 11th Annual Las Vegas Film Festival. With applicants encouraged to submit entries for the June 6th – 10th 2018 run of films across the Strip by the end of March 2018, the hype for the festival is fast approaching. Hosting a film festival in Las Vegas makes complete sense, given the strong ties to the city with successful shows has. But what can film fans and pundits expect from Las Vegas’s finest offerings?

What is the Las Vegas Film Festival?

The festival was created in order to give a voice to passionate independent filmmakers – a chance to win away from the prestigious Festival de Cannes and Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah for those not already in the Hollywood machine to attempt to tell their stories. Film festivals have been a key factor for gaining distribution for a film from the start of filmmaking, and with the advent of Netflix and other online distributors, the power has fallen back to those telling the stories. This makes the LVFF a key domain for cultivating that talent. Founded in 2007 and housed in various locations on the Las Vegas Strip over the years, the festival was held exclusively in the Brenden Theatres and the Palms Casino Resort in 2017. Offering Oscar-winning screenings, celebrity tributes and Q&As, panel discussions, and the red carpet treatment, the LVFF is as much a high-profile event in filmmakers' calendar as the Academy Awards.

SOURCE: Las Vegas Film Festival via Facebook

Las Vegas and Film

As a Ranker list shows, Vegas has a prolific history in cinema. Being one of the most recognizable and iconic cities in the USA and having features that translate well onto the big screen, the city of lights has had a strong pull on actors and actresses as well as directors and production companies. From Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas (1998) to The Hangover (2009), Last Vegas (2013), Casino (1995), and What Happens in Vegas…(2008), almost every genre has been shot in the adaptable landscape. But it was Elvis Presley’s dedication to Las Vegas in 1964’s racing flick Viva Las Vegas and the success of the accompanying song that first placed Las Vegas on the cinematic map. It also allowed him to maintain his connection to the city with a residency at the Westgate Resort and Casino. According to research from Betway Online, Elvis managed to earn $229,761,360 in his seven-year tenure in Sin City. Celebrities have followed suit, with sometime-actors Britney Spears and Jennifer Lopez following in his footsteps with residencies in Vegas.

Nevada has been named as the fifth highest state for concentration of employment in the field of film editing, which shows the extent to which Nevada and Las Vegas are locations chosen to film in. The rise in filming in the state could have informed the choice to set up the film festival, which has helped to solidify Nevada itself as one renowned for its link to the cinema. The LVFF is one of 21 film festivals that take place in Nevada, with others including the Las Vegas Black Film Festival, and the Reno Film Festival in nearby Reno, Nevada. The entire year can be mapped out for budding filmmakers with festivals that serve both general areas of film, and those which are more targeted and specific. The range of festivals further reinforces how connected to the silver screen Las Vegas is.

INSERT IMAGE: SOURCE: @lvfilmfest via Twitter

In It to Win It

So with such a connection to film, it’s no surprise that the city continues to be a mecca for cinephiles from around the world. For filmmakers, even having had their film shown at a film festival, let alone winning an award at one, is an impressive feat and can help catapult a budding amateurs career onto the silver screen. With categories in feature film, short film, documentary, student film, and animation, almost all disciplines in the film world are accounted for, with an experimental "wild card" category, art installations and films that are outside the traditional rules of filmmaking are also accepted. Plus, a local Nevada award for films that are either about Nevada, shot in Nevada, or feature prominent Nevada cast and crew helps keep the festival local and in favour with those who maintain the city throughout the year.

The Las Vegas Film Festival runs as professionally as other festivals, with fully juried and balloted awards run by a panel of those in the film world. The location is perhaps more conducive for entertainment than others festivals from around the world, and the Strip and surrounding desert will no doubt help those watching the films on show conjure ideas that will keep Las Vegas’s film legacy going strong. So, with Las Vegas’s firm connection to the world of film combined with the opportunities for filmmakers to get involved, the Las Vegas Film Festival 2018 looks to be a formative week of cinema.

The 68^th Berlin International Film Festival culminated festively with the Award Ceremony on February 24, 2018. For the Berlinale Publikumstag, a day of screenings for the public, a large number of films from the different sections were shown again at Berlinale venues on February 25, 2018.

The interest of both trade professionals and the public in the programme of the 68th Berlinale was very impressive: over 21,000 accredited visitors from more than 130 countries attended the Festival, and approximately 330,000 Berlinale tickets were sold.

Over the eleven days of the Berlinale, the various sections of the Festival made it possible for viewers to make many cinematic discoveries. One of the highlights of the Festival was the award ceremony for the Honorary Golden Bear for actor Willem Dafoe in the Berlinale Palast. Enthusiastically received as well were the Berlinale Series, presented this year for the first time with the EFM’s“Drama Series Days” in the Zoo Palast.

The European Film Market set a new record with over 10,000 visitors from 112 countries. On the nine days it was open, the market reconfirmed its position as one of the world’s most important marketing hubs for audiovisual content. The number of buyers (1,838), exhibitors (546), films (800), and screenings (1,112) also increased. Moreover, by strategically expanding the range of its services, the market further enhanced its position as a platform for innovation and change. Its many different initiatives were in great demand - at the same time they were perceived as what gives the EFM its unique profile.

With 1,300 individually scheduled meetings, the Berlinale Co-Production Market once again supported promising film projects in the making. It was also delighted that three films pitched at the Co-Production Market in previous years premiered in the Competition this year.

World Cinema Fund Day 2018 was not only about the future, but also the concept of innovation. Of major importance was the significance and impact of cooperations between German and European producers on the one hand, and producers and directors in the funding regions on the other, as well as the future role of the WCF within the landscape of German and European funding. Five WCF-funded films were screened in this year’s Festival programme.

Openness, collaboration, and dialogue on equal terms: at Berlinale Talents great film personalities from the Berlinale programme and the juries – such as Gus Van Sant, Josephine Decker, Christian Petzold, Nancy Schreiber, Agnès Godard, Tom Tykwer, Mónica Lairana, and Lav Diaz - met to exchange ideas about film with 250 talents and thousands of Berliners. Especially these talents, who came from 80 countries, were thrilled to be able to find new impulses across borders for their work and so become part of the vast Berlinale Talents network.

The 69th Berlin International Film Festival will be held from February 7 to 17, 2019.

The Seventh Annual 2018 ReelAbilities Boston Film Festival (March 21-29, 2018) has announced its official selections. Fourteen films have been chosen, including the romantic comedy, Sanctuary, which won the Irish Critics Film of the Year Award, and Off the Rails, which tells the story of Darius McCollum, a man with Asperger’s syndrome and a passion for trains, who becomes known as “the transit bandit.”

This year’s the Festival also includes two special events:  Opening Night Kickoff with Lights! Camera! Access! 2.0 at Northeastern University, and a panel discussion with filmmaker Dan Habib at Lesley University. 

ReelAbilities strives for the inclusion of all people and is dedicated to promoting awareness and appreciation of the lives, stories and artistic expressions of people with different abilities from a variety of communities. 

“Film has the power to change a person’s perspective”, said Mara Bresnahan, Festival Director. “Each year, our goal is to include films in the ReelAbilities Film Festival that challenge our audience to think differently about the issues of awareness, inclusion, beliefs, and biases about people with disabilities. More than ever before, this year’s Festival achieves that goal, presenting incredible films that help celebrate the diversity of the shared human experience.”

The films selected for the 2018 Festival include:

·         Sanctuary – The opening night film is directed by Len Collin. A subversive piece of cinema about two young people, one with Down syndrome and one with severe epilepsy, simply trying to be together in a world doing everything to keep them apart.   Discussion to follow with Len Collin and actor Kieran Coppinger.

·         Unrest– Shortlisted for the Academy Award for Best Documentary 2017, this film tells the story of Jennifer Brea, an adventurous Harvard Ph.D. student who starts filming her journey in the wake of her diagnosis with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. The film examines the stigma associated with an illness that affects millions and still has no cure. A Skype Q&A will follow with directory and film subject Jennifer Brea. 

·         It’s Not Yet Dark– Directed by Frankie Fenton, this documentary tells the story of Simon Fitzmaurice, a 34-year old Irish filmmaker, who is diagnosed with ALS shortly after the premiere of his first short film at Sundance. Narrated by Colin Farrell, the film shares the journey of Fitzmaurice as he directs his first feature film using only his eyes.  A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the ALS TDI Institute.

·         Keep the Change– A romantic comedy about David, who is obsessed with being perceived as “normal”, and Sarah, a woman he meets at an autism support group who exudes positivity and confidence. Keep the Change’s cast includes actors on the autism spectrum and stars Tibor Feldman (The Sopranos) and Jessica Walter (Arrested Development). Director Rachel Israel was recognized as Best New Narrative Director at the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival, where Keep the Change won the award for Best Narrative Feature.  Discussion to follow with actress Samantha Elisofon; Caitlin McInerney, program director of Adaptations; and Alex LoPinto, Adaptations and Ha Dereckh Coordinator, JCC Manhattan Center for Special Needs.

·         STUMPED– Directed by Robin Berghaus, this documentary chronicles the life of Boston University Professor Will Lautzenheiser, after a life-threatening bacterial infection results in the amputation of his arms and legs.  After a stint in stand-up comedy, Will becomes the third patient to undergo a double-arm transplant.  A discussion will follow with Lautzenheiser; Marie Jose Benjamin, BORT/L, Brigham and Women’s Hospital; and Marissa Osborne, MS, OTR/L, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network.

·         Thank You for Your Service– Directed by Tom Donahue, this documentary focuses on four Iraq War veterans struggling with PTSD. The film takes aim at the failed mental health policies of the U.S. military and the barriers to receiving proper and effective care and treatment.  Discussion to follow with director Tom Donahue and film subject William Rodriguez.

·         SwimTeam– This documentary follows the Jersey Hammerheads, a truly unique competitive swim team comprised of diverse teens on the autism spectrum. The film follows the extraordinary journey of the team and their families as they practice and compete at the regional and state levels.  A discussion will follow with film subjects Mike, Maria, and Michael McQuay.

·         New this year, the Festival will feature the “ReelLove Short Film Program” at the Coolidge Corner Theatre.  The program will feature six short films, including On Beat, directed by Cheng Zhang and Reid Davenport; Perfectly Normal, directed by Joris Debeij; Marina’s Ocean, directed by Cassio Pereira dos Santos; Brooklyn Love Tales, directed by Anthony Di Salvo; How We Met Laurel, directed by Arpita Aneja; and Beyond Silence: A Be Vocal Documentary, directed by Shaul Schwarz. A discussion will follow with film subject Lloyd Hale.

·         Off the Rails– Directed by Adam Irving, the Closing Night documentary tells the story of Darius McCollum, a man with Asperger’s syndrome, whose love of transit has landed him in jail 32 times for impersonating New York City transit officials. Darius’ story embodies the criminal justice system’s failure to channel the passions of a mentally challenged man into a purposeful life.  A discussion will follow with Sally Butler, lawyer for Darius McCollum; and Liz Loebman, Forensic Social Worker. 

The Festival will kick off with a spotlight event on Wednesday, March 21 with Lights! Camera! Access! 2.0 (LCA 2.0). LCA 2.0 media and disability professionals will present career-building activities, answer questions, and provide advice on launching a career in film and media.  LCA 2.0 is dedicated to promoting disability-inclusive and authentic portrayals in TV, film, news, theatre and advertising by increasing employment of aspiring media professionals with disabilities in front of and behind the camera.

On Friday, March 23, the Festival will host a panel discussion at Lesley University, led by filmmaker Dan Habib. The filmmaker wi ll share clips and discuss his upcoming film, Intelligent Lives.  The film, with executive producers Chris Cooper and Marianne Leone, focuses on young adults with disabilities as they navigate high school, college and the workforce. Habib will moderate a discussion about education for students with disabilities with Elizabeth String Keefe, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Special Education Division; film subjects Micah Fialka-Feldman of Syracuse University, Naieer Shaheed from Henderson High School in Dorchester, MA, and Henderson High School Principal Patricia Lampron.

The 2018 ReelAbilities Film Festival Boston is proudly presented by The Boston Jewish Film Festival and sponsored by the Ruderman Family Foundation.

“All too often, people with disabilities are excluded from the film industry and many times, these characters are represented inauthentically by actors who do not have disabilities,” said Sharon Shapiro, Trustee of the Ruderman Family Foundation. “We are proud to partner with ReelAbilities to bring films featuring people with disabilities to the mainstream public.  Viewers will watch these stories and gain a new understanding of the value of inclusion.”

Additional sponsors include the J.E. & Z.B. Butler Foundation, Emerson College, General Electric, Nancy Lune Marks Family Foundation, PLAN of Massachusetts & Rhode Island, Rita J. & Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation, Peapod by Stop & Shop, Special Needs Financial Planning, Mass Cultural Council, Legacy Financial, and Rockland Trust Bank.

The ReelAbilities Film Festival Boston will take place at eleven theaters in and around Boston, including Brattle Theatre, Cambridge Public Library, Coolidge Corner Theatre, The Cotting School, Emerson College Bright Family Screening Room, Lesley University, JCC Greater Boston Riemer-Goldstein Theater, Northeastern University, Museum of Science Boston, Showcase Cinema de Lux Revere, and the Somerville Theatre.  

Most of the screenings are free. Registration for all screenings and events is strongly advised. Ticket are required for: It’s Not Yet Dark, ReelLove Short Film Program, and Off the Rails. All venues are wheelchair accessible and films will have open captions and several will be screened with Audio Description. Registration, tickets, and a complete schedule can be found online at reelboston.org. 

Marking its 21^st year, the popular Sonoma International Film Festival (SIFF) promises to be one of the finest yet, with an impressive screening lineup that includes the most buzzed about Hollywood films of the year, as well as standout international films from Europe, South America and Asia. In total, 110 films from around the world, from over 18 countries and 200 filmmakers, will be showcased from March 21st to March 25th as all eyes turn to Sonoma for a Festival that consistently attracts the most prominent names in the film industry and has become a marquee destination for film lovers, as well as lovers of world class food and wine!

Festival Director Kevin McNeely commented, "Over the last twenty-one years, we have worked hard to build a world class festival that showcases amazing international talent alongside the best the Sonoma region has to offer. This year we have an exceptional program with a lineup of amazingly talented jury members, stunning filmmakers from around the world, and the very best food & wine that Sonoma has to offer. We are very happy to have received an outpouring of support from filmmakers, distributors and actors as the region recovers from the devastating fires this last year. All of us who work year-round to put on the best festival possible thank everyone for their support in a time of community recovery, and we have dedicated our 21st festival to the emergency first responders.”

This year, SIFF will screen many highly acclaimed and highly anticipated films from prominent directors around the world. Headlining the festival are the Opening Night films BORG VS MCENROE, the story of the legendary 1980 Wimbledon match between Björn Borg and John McEnroe from director Janus Metz; the acclaimed French language film, BACK TO BURGUNDY, about three siblings reuniting to save their family winery from director Cédric Klapisch; and the Closing Night film CHEF, the Indian remake of the 2014 American hit film from Director Raja Krishna Menon.

The festival boasts seven state-of-the-art screening venues, each showcasing five films a day. Some of the World Cinema films highlighted this year include BEYOND THE RIVER (South Africa), THE QUEST OF ALAIN DuCASSE (France), OFF THE MENU (Argentina), SOLYUT-7 (Russia), APRIL’S DAUGHTER (Mexico), JAMAMI TOFU (Japan), THE INVISIBLES (Germany), THE SQUARE (Sweden) and CHEF & MONSOON (India). Highlighted films from the U.S. include CANCER CAN BE KILLED, THE CALIFORNIA NO, LIFE HACK, JOE FRANK: SOMEWHERE OUT THERE, FRANK & EVA, FUNNY STORY, RUMBLE: THE INDIANS THAT ROCKED THE WORLD, SLIM AARONS: THE HIGH LIFE, MARY JANES: THE WOMEN OF WEED, and YOU CAN’T SAY NO.  There will also be short film selections that include many Oscar® nominated films.

The full Sonoma International Film Festival program can be viewed at: http://www.sonomafilmfest.org/film-festival-guide.html

The list of accomplished jury members for this year’s festival includes director and actor Karen Allen (ANIMAL HOUSE, RAIDERS OF THE LOST ARK, MALCOLM X, THE PERFECT STORM, INDIANA JONES AND THE KINGDOM OF THE CRYSTAL SKULL); actor and director Ed Begley, Jr. (ST ELSEWHERE, FUTURE MAN, GHOSTBUSTERS, BETTER CALL SAUL, ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT); Tom Davia, CEO and Founder of Cinemavin; Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter’s awards columnist; Grant Gullickson, SVP and head of legal affairs at Amblin Partners; JD Heyman, Deputy Entertainment Editor of People Magazine; John Kochman, Executive Vice President of Cohen Media Group; and Maren Olson, Agent in the Film Finance and Sales Group at Creative Artists Agency (CAA).

Additionally, SIFF will host a special panel, “Reversing Gender Inequality by 2020,” with director and actor Karen Allen; actor Abigail Breslin, Pamela Guest, Artios Award-nominated Casting Director JD Heyman, Deputy Entertainment Editor of People Magazine; Ingrid Rudefors, former head of the Stockholm Film Commission; and Anna Serner, CEO of the Swedish Film Institute. The discussion is inspired by the 50/50x2020 movement to create gender-balanced leadership in all organizations by 2020.

The festival would not be complete without a number of spectacular culinary events celebrating the very best of Sonoma film, food, & wine. The Opening Night’s Gala on the Backlot, Wednesday March 21^st, will feature cuisine catered by Sonoma’s top restaurants including OSO, Burgers & Vine, Girl & the Fig, Della Santina, Maya, EDK, Umbria, and The Swiss Hotel; with apertifs courtesy of Gloria Ferrer, Breathless, Arrowood, Petroni, Imagery, Adastra, Cochon Wines and Sonoma Loeb; and a tribute to the first responders. During the Gala, San Francisco & Silicon Valley Magazines will host the Inaugural SIFF Wine Country Awards featuring the best wines from the San Francisco Bay Area region with tastings available from all of the competing wines.

For the first time this year, the festival has partnered with Chef Michael Howell, co-founder of Devour! Film & Food Festival, to host a special “Chefs & Shorts Culinary Extravaganza” on Thursday night.  Five celebrity chefs, including Dominque Crenn (awarded America’s top female chef) of San Francisco, Evan Funke (Felix Trattoria) of L.A., Sonoma’s own, John McReynolds (Stone Edge Farms), and John Toulze (Girl & the Fig), will be serving five courses of spectacular dishes as the audience enjoys watching the short films that inspired each dish!

On Friday and Saturday nights, the Backlot will be decorated with Art from local Bay Area artists while guests simultaneously indulge in tasting stations featuring food and wine chef pairings from Chef Brian Jones of St. Francis Winery, Chef Alejandro Garcia of Rodney Strong Vineyards, and Chef Mac of Petroni Vineyards.

Ravenswood Winery, will sponsor the VIP Garden Lounge in the Backlot and the Wine Trolley that will be stopping at all the SIFF venues and an additional stop at the Ravenswood Winery.

Pass Information

The 21^st Annual Sonoma International Film Festival runs from Wednesday, March 21 through Sunday, March 25. The best way to experience the Festival and have access to all films is by getting a SIFF pass. SIFF can be enjoyed at different levels. All Cinema pass holders will have day access to the Backlot Tent in SIFF Village.  Soiree pass holders will have day VIP area and evening party access.  For information about tickets, festival passes, prices, and benefits visit www.sonomafilmfest.org.

About the Sonoma International Film Festival

The Sonoma International Film Festival, an entirely walkable festival, is a 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to promoting independent film, supporting filmmakers around the world, and inspiring film lovers. Most films screened at the Festival have attending filmmakers and actors, making for informative Q&A’s. This unique five-day event features screening venues in and around Sonoma Plaza and offers world-class cuisine from local artisans and exceptional wine from Sonoma vintners. Renowned filmmakers, industry leaders and celebrities such as Bruce Willis, Susan Sarandon, Robin Williams, John Lasseter, Danny Glover, Demián Bichir, Mary-Louise Parker, Michael Keaton and Meg Ryan have walked the festival red carpet and enjoyed its intimate ambiance.

For more information, please visit www.sonomafilmfest.org

The 36^th edition of Bergamo Film Meeting will take place from March 10 to 18 2018, and will be officially opened on Friday March 9, 9:00 PM at Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, with a screening of The Last Laugh (1924) by Friedrich Wilhelm Murnau that will be live scored by organist Gerardo Chimini. The Festival program includes 7 feature films, all unreleased in Italy, in the COMPETITION – EXHIBITION; 15 documentaries in the CLOSE UP competitive section; the retrospective dedicated to norwegian actress and director LIV ULLMANN, complemented by the photo exhibition LIV&INGMAR set up at Sala alla Porta Sant'Agostino; and also: the section dedicated to contemporary art, dedicated to JONAS MEKAS, with the exhibition Jonas Mekas - Personale (March 10 – April 15, Palazzo della Ragione, Bergamo) and the presentation, with his son Sebastian Mekas, of a selection of his works; the focus on Nová Vlna; the section EUROPE, NOW!, featuring the complete works of three contemporary European filmmakers: Barbara Albert (Austria), Stéphane Brizé (France) and Adrian Sitaru (Romania); a selection of graduation films by European film school students members of CILECT; a focus on animation cinema featuring slovenian animator Špela Čadež; the launching event of BERGAMO JAZZ; the cult movies of GAMeCINEMA, along with previews, the Fantamaratona, the KINO CLUB – for the younger audience - and the DAILY STRIP, featuring four top Italian illustrator: Fabio Tonetto, Vittoria Moretta, Vincenzo Filosa and Mabel Morri; and also... meetings with authors, exhibitions, masterclass, workshops, happy hour events and plenty of surprises. 

The 13th edition of Meetings on the Bridge, organised within the scope of the 37thIstanbul Film Festival on 11-14 April2018, brings filmmakers from Turkey and the neighbouring countries together with professionals from the international industry.

While providing an opportunity for filmmakers to hold the first international presentations for their new film projects at Film Development Workshop and Neighbours Platform and films in post-production at Work in Progress, it also aims to pave the way for co-productions. Film Development Workshop and Work in Progress will be taking place on 12-13 April.

This year 11 fiction and one documentary feature film projects have been selected from among 98 submissions to Meetings on the Bridge Film Development Workshop.

Among the participants of this year’s selection are; Fikret Reyhan, the winner of Golden Tulip Best Film Award at 36th Istanbul Film Festival with his debut film Yellow Heat; Burak Çevik, whose debut film The Pillar of Salt will be premiering at Berlinale Forum this year; Gürcan Keltek, the director Meteors the  documentary which premiered in Locarno Film Festival;  Senem Tüzen whose first film  Motherland premiered in 72nd Venice Film Festival and Ercan Kesal, an established writer, scriptwriter, and actor. The selected filmmakers will be making the first presentations of their new film projects at Film Development Workshop on 12 and 13 April.

Projects selected for Film Development Workshop:

• A Day or Part of a Day (dir. Burak Çevik, prod. Selman Nacar- Fol Film)
• A Journey (dir. Fikret Reyhan, prod. Nizamettin Reyhan)
• Direct Sale (dir. Abdurrahman Öner, prod. Arzu Şenses Öner- Buhar Film Production)
• Far From Himself (dir. Yunus Ozan Korkut, prod. Okan Üzey, Suzan Güverte- Kalavara Film)
• Glasgow (dir. Sinan Kesova, prod. Yoel Meranda- Kamara Film)
• Hopefully Candidate (dir. Ercan Kesal, prod. Kerem Çatay- Ay Yapım, Ercan Kesal- Poyraz Film)
• My Brother's Army (dir. Senem Tüzen, prod. Adam Isenberg- Zela Film)
• My Heart Desires To Get Lost (dir. Berrak Çolak, prod. Engin Palabıyık- Harikulade Film)
• New Dawn Fades (dir. Gürcan Keltek, prod. Arda Çiltepe, Marc Van Goethem- 29P FILMS)
• Normal (dir. Ali Kemal Çınar, prod. Sinan Yusufoğlu)
• Penny Bank (dir. Ferit Karol, prod. Nefes Polat)
• The List of Those Who Love Me (dir. Emre Erdoğdu, prod. Emine İzmir, Zeynep Koray; co-prod. Hazar Ergüçlü- Rementad

Awards to be presented to selected projects at the end of the workshops:

• 30.000 TL Meetings on the Bridge Award
• 8000 EURO CNC Award
• Melodika Sound Award
• Mediterranean Film Institute (MFI) Script Workshop Award
• GeniusPark VFX Award
• Transilvania Pitch Stop Award

Film Development Workshop trainings will be held in March

Scriptwriters, directors and producers of the selected projects will participate in the training program designed as series master classes, case studies and group work sessions on script development, pitching, production, distribution, and marketing held by acclaimed filmmakers and experts.

A new award on Neighbours platform

Neighbours platform is launched in 2015 in order to initiate new collaborations and enhance communication between filmmakers from Turkey and the neighbouring countries. The Neighbours platform builds a ground for institutions and individuals to co-operate while facilitating the development of common stories.

This year, for the first time, PostBıyık - Sound Post Production Award will be presented to one of the projects at the Neighbours Platform.

BFM 36 Trailer