Thanks to Reinaldo Marcus Green (“Stop”), Una Gunjak (“The Chicken”), Shaka King (“Mulignans”), and Mike Forshaw (“Saturday”) for participating in this roundtable at Sundance 2015. Teasers for “Stop” and “The Chicken” are below.
Category: News
Bringing Kurosawa’s Rashomon-Effect to Documentary Filmmaking in ‘Being Evel’
In his new documentary about world famous daredevil Evel Knievel, Academy Award winner Daniel Junge employed an interesting strategy. Traveling to locations across the country, he sat down 60 different subjects in front of a green screen with four Blackmagic cameras at different angles for each of the 60 interviews. Why? How? What was that work flow like?
We caught up with Daniel on the eve of the premiere of Being Evel at Sundance to talk about his film, and how he used a Rashomon-inspired approach to different perspectives on history in order to create a documentary experience of Knievel unlike any other.
Thank you, Daniel!
What do you think of Daniel’s technique? Are you looking forward to Being Evel?
FILM FESTIVAL: 2015 Slamdance award winners
Not to be out done by Sundance, Slamdance had their own awards night – here is the list of winners:
AUDIENCE AWARDS
Audience Award for Narrative Feature: ACROSS THE SEA, dir. by Nisan Dağ & Esra Saydam
Damla is a Turkish immigrant estranged from her homeland; she lives in New York City with her husband, Kevin, and they’re expecting their first child. But Damla is still haunted by memories of her first love and when she returns to Turkey with Kevin she has to confront a troubling secret from her past.
Audience Award for Documentary Feature: SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT, dir. by Ben Patterson
Music and politics collide when international music star Pras Michel of the Fugees returns to his homeland of Haiti, following the devastating earthquake of 2010, to mobilize a presidential campaign for Haiti’s most controversial musician: Michel Martelly aka Sweet Micky. The politically inexperienced pair set out against a corrupt government, civil unrest, and a fixed election.
JURY AWARDS – NARRATIVE
This year’s Slamdance Narrative Jury Prizes were selected by the esteemed panel of industry members Richard Lorber, Todd Looby and Emilie Upczak.
Jury Award for Narrative Feature: TIRED MOONLIGHT, dir. by Britni West
“A masterful fusion of cinematic vision and poetic narrative, Tired Moonlight effortlessly transports you from the prosaic surroundings of its poignant characters’ lives into a realm of unexpected beauty and spiritual authenticity with an unforced craftsmanship.”
The award winner was granted $3,500 in legal services from Pierce Law Group.
Jury Honorable Mention for Narrative Feature: THEY LOOK LIKE PEOPLE, dir. by Perry Blackshear
“With rare filmmaking skill, brains, precision and outstanding performances, Perry Blackshear and his cast and crew silence critics who claim very small and contained films like this can’t be riveting and brilliant.
Jury Honorable Mention for Narrative Feature: ACROSS THE SEA, dir. by Nisan Dağ & Esra Saydam
“Through transcendent cinematography trained on the mystical Mediterranean setting and wonderful minute of uncertain love, directors Nisan Dağ and Esra Saydam provide a beautiful, intense and honest look at a relationship in peril.”
JURY AWARDS – DOCUMENTARY
This year’s Slamdance Documentary Jury Prizes were selected by the esteemed panel of industry members Paige Williams, Josh Leake and Bryan Storkel.
Jury Award for Documentary Feature: SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT, dir. by Ben Patterson
“Sweet Micky For President takes the audience on an unbelievable, wild ride through difficult Haitian politics, in a story that is both entertaining and educational. The film is an enormous accomplishment for first-time director Ben Patterson and is a great example of why Slamdance exists – to celebrate new works by new directors whose films can help change our perspective on the world – one story at a time.”
The award winner was granted $3,500 in legal services from Pierce Law Group.
Jury Honorable Mention for Documentary Feature: 20 YEARS OF MADNESS, dir. by Jeremy Royce
“Reminding us that it’s never too late to chase your dreams, 20 Years of Madness is brimming with stunning cinematography, eccentric characters and a heartfelt story about the desire to do something great while confronting the reality of failure.”
Jury Award for Documentary Short: THE SOLITUDE OF MEMORY, dir. by Juan Pablo González
“Juan Pablo González paints a vivid and eloquent portrait of a devoted father and the love for his son, drawing deep emotions from the viewer through his use of gorgeous cinematography, moving music and an incredibly honest, trusting main subject.”
The award winner qualifies for the Annual Academy Awards®.
Jury Honorable Mention for Documentary Short: DOLPHIN LOVER, dir. by Kareem Tabsch
“Storytelling is an art form, and this film is a prime example of using this medium in a beautiful way to tell a seriously fucked-up, but very true and engaging story.”
JURY AWARDS – SHORT FILMS
The below Short Film Jury Prizes were selected by the esteemed panel of industry members Sarah Cornell, Rory Haines and Elle Schneider.
Jury Award for Narrative Short: STAY AWAKE, dir. by Jamie Sisley
“Stay Awake exhibits a remarkable empathy for characters who find themselves trapped in an unenviable moral dilemma. The cast’s stand-out performances convey a depth of emotion few short films are able to achieve.”
The award winner qualifies for the Annual Academy Awards®.
Jury Honorable Mention for Narrative Short: 09:55 – 11:05, INGRID EKMAN, BERGSGATAN 4B, dir. by Christine Berglund & Sophie Vukovic
“A complex, captivating and thoughtful slice of humanity. Delicately shot, with beautiful performances from both women, the film sears itself into your emotional core and remains there for days.”
Jury Award for Animation Short: THE PRIDE OF STRATHMOOR, dir. by Einar Baldvin
“The Pride of Strathmoor is akin to a short, unpleasant trip to the insane asylum. The Poe-esque rendering of madness is perfectly complemented by the inventively textured animation.”
The award winner qualifies for the Annual Academy Awards®.
Jury Honorable Mention for Animation Short: HIPOPOTAMY, dir. by Piotr Dumala
“An outstanding display of technical craft, the authentic animation style of Hipopotamy accentuates the uncomfortable story.”
The below Short Film Jury Prizes were selected by esteemed industry members Eve Cohen and Dan Brawley.
Jury Award for Experimental Short: RED LUCK dir. by Mike Olenick
“If anything represents the experimental spirit of Slamdance, it’s this tin-foiled caper – an original and striking film full of layered and unexpected images. The film manages to offer a million different narrative paths – from dark and funny to weird and sparkly. A perfect example of a singular experimental work that is easy to watch again and again.”
Jury Award for Anarchy Short: DEVIANCE, dir. by Aron Kantor
“Deviance is the kind of raunchy nonsense that Slamdance embraces. A perverse pleasure diving in and out of reality that left us half-boned and just slightly numb from laughing. If anarchy at Slamdance is an anti-genre, then Deviance is the battle cry of ‘fuck the system.”
Jury Honorable Mention for Anarchy Short: SEA DEVIL, dir. by Dean C. Marcial
“A mythological tale without true beginning or end, this cinematic anarchy short pushes the edges of traditional storytelling, weaving three stories into one, and leaves you hanging. A bold work full of questions, puzzles and refreshing choices – another blazing Borscht experiment.”
SPECIAL AWARDS
Spirit of Slamdance Award: THINK INK, dir. by Wally Chung
The Spirit of Slamdance is awarded by the filmmakers of Slamdance 2015. It goes to the filmmaker who best embodies the spirit of the festival, creatively promoting their film, joyfully participating in screenings and events, and generally putting good energy into the festival.
The Digital Bolex Fearless Filmmaking awards were selected by the esteemed panel of industry members Amber Benson, Todd Berger, Kent Osborne, and Damon Russell.
Digital Bolex Fearless Filmmaking Grand Prize: COMING TO, dir. by Lindsey Haun, DP Spencer Rollins, starring Jacob Demonte-Finn
“A film that includes a little bit of everything in a very short time. Mystery, laughs, an impressive performance, and some mighty fine camerawork and cinematography. And like any great short film, it has you desperately wanting to know what happens next.”
The award winner was granted a 512gb Digital Bolex D16 Camera.
Digital Bolex Fearless Filmmaking Honorable Mention: THE CHARACTER STUDY, dir.& DP Luke Pelizzari
“Creating tension in any film is hard, but to do it so effectively and gracefully with a very simple premise is truly an achievement of storytelling.”
Digital Bolex Fearless Filmmaking Honorable Mention: ISOBEL, dir. by Marie Jamora, DP Jason McLagan
“Perfectly capturing the theme of filmmaking on your own terms, this short highlights the magic and wonder of childhood when anything is creatively possible.”
Kodak Director’s Prize: DETRITUS, dir. by T.J. Misny
Given on behalf of Kodak to a promising new filmmaker making bold, film-worthy directorial choices. The filmmaker was awarded a $10,000 credit for Kodak film stock to be
FILM FESTIVAL: 2015 Sundance Awards Ceremony
The Sundance Film Festival handed out their awards on Saturday the 31st January 2015 – the list goes something like this:
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Gordon Quinn to:
The Wolfpack / U.S.A. (Director: Crystal Moselle) — Six bright teenage brothers have spent their entire lives locked away from society in a Manhattan housing project. All they know of the outside is gleaned from the movies they watch obsessively (and re-create meticulously). Yet as adolescence looms, they dream of escape, ever more urgently, into the beckoning world.
The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Edgar Wright to:
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl / U.S.A. (Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Screenwriter: Jesse Andrews) — Greg is coasting through senior year of high school as anonymously as possible, avoiding social interactions like the plague while secretly making spirited, bizarre films with Earl, his only friend. But both his anonymity and friendship threaten to unravel when his mother forces him to befriend a classmate with leukemia. Cast: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke, Nick Offerman, Connie Britton, Molly Shannon.
The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Mark Cousins to:
The Russian Woodpecker / United Kingdom (Director: Chad Gracia) — A Ukrainian victim of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster discovers a dark secret and must decide whether to risk his life by revealing it, amid growing clouds of revolution and war.
The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Col Needham to:
Slow West / United Kingdom, New Zealand (Director and screenwriter: John Maclean) — Set at the end of the nineteenth century, 16-year-old Jay Cavendish journeys across the American frontier in search of the woman he loves. He is joined by Silas, a mysterious traveler, and hotly pursued by an outlaw along the way. Cast: Kodi Smit-McPhee, Michael Fassbender, Ben Mendelsohn, Caren Pistorius, Rory McCann.
The Audience Award: U.S. Documentary, Presented by Acura was presented by Adam Scott to:
Meru / U.S.A. (Directors: Jimmy Chin, E. Chai Vasarhelyi) — Three elite mountain climbers sacrifice everything but their friendship as they struggle through heartbreaking loss and nature’s harshest elements to attempt the never-before-completed Shark’s Fin on Mount Meru, the most coveted first ascent in the dangerous game of Himalayan big wall climbing.
The Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic, Presented by Acura was presented by Kevin Pollak to:
Me and Earl and the Dying Girl / U.S.A. (Director: Alfonso Gomez-Rejon, Screenwriter: Jesse Andrews) — Greg is coasting through senior year of high school as anonymously as possible, avoiding social interactions like the plague while secretly making spirited, bizarre films with Earl, his only friend. But both his anonymity and friendship threaten to unravel when his mother forces him to befriend a classmate with leukemia. Cast: Thomas Mann, RJ Cyler, Olivia Cooke, Nick Offerman, Connie Britton, Molly Shannon.
The Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Patrick Fugit to:
Dark Horse / United Kingdom (Director: Louise Osmond) — Dark Horse is the inspirational true story of a group of friends from a workingman’s club who decide to take on the elite “sport of kings” and breed themselves a racehorse.
The Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Patrick Fugit to:
Umrika / India (Director and screenwriter: Prashant Nair) — When a young village boy discovers that his brother, long believed to be in America, has actually gone missing, he begins to invent letters on his behalf to save their mother from heartbreak, all the while searching for him. Cast: Suraj Sharma, Tony Revolori, Smita Tambe, Adil Hussain, Rajesh Tailang, Prateik Babbar.
The Audience Award: NEXT, Presented by Adobe was presented by Kevin Corrigan to:
James White / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Josh Mond) — A young New Yorker struggles to take control of his reckless, self-destructive behavior in the face of momentous family challenges. Cast: Chris Abbott, Cynthia Nixon, Scott Mescudi, Makenzie Leigh, David Call.
The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Roger Ross Williams to:
Matthew Heineman for Cartel Land / U.S.A., Mexico (Director: Matthew Heineman) — In this classic western set in the twenty-first century, vigilantes on both sides of the border fight the vicious Mexican drug cartels. With unprecedented access, this character-driven film provokes deep questions about lawlessness, the breakdown of order, and whether citizens should fight violence with violence.
The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Cary Fukunaga to:
Robert Eggers for The Witch / U.S.A., Canada (Director and screenwriter: Robert Eggers) — New England in the 1630s: William and Katherine lead a devout Christian life with five children, homesteading on the edge of an impassable wilderness. When their newborn son vanishes and crops fail, the family turns on one another. Beyond their worst fears, a supernatural evil lurks in the nearby wood. Cast: Anya Taylor Joy, Ralph Ineson, Kate Dickie, Harvey Scrimshaw, Lucas Dawson, Ellie Grainger.
The Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Elena Fortes to:
Kim Longinotto for Dreamcatcher / United Kingdom (Director: Kim Longinotto) — Dreamcatcher takes us into a hidden world seen through the eyes of one of its survivors, Brenda Myers-Powell. A former teenage prostitute, Brenda defied the odds to become a powerful advocate for change in her community. With warmth and humor, Brenda gives hope to those who have none.
The Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Taika Waititi to:
Alanté Kavaïté for The Summer of Sangaile / Lithuania, France, The Netherlands (Director and screenwriter: Alanté Kavaïté) — Seventeen-year-old Sangaile is fascinated by stunt planes. She meets a girl her age at the summer aeronautical show, near her parents’ lakeside villa. Sangaile allows Auste to discover her most intimate secret and, in the process, finds in her teenage love, the only person that truly encourages her to fly. Cast: Julija Steponaitytė, Aistė Diržiūtė.
The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Winona Ryder to:
Tim Talbott for The Stanford Prison Experiment / U.S.A. (Director: Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Screenwriter: Tim Talbott) — Based on the actual events that took place in 1971, when Stanford professor Dr. Philip Zimbardo created what became one of the most shocking and famous social experiments of all time. Cast: Billy Crudup, Ezra Miller, Michael Angarano, Tye Sheridan, Johnny Simmons, Olivia Thirlby.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Social Impact was presented by Michele Norris to:
Marc Silver for 3½ MINUTES / U.S.A. (Director: Marc Silver) — On November 23, 2012, unarmed 17-year-old Jordan Russell Davis was shot at a Jacksonville gas station by Michael David Dunn. 3½ MINUTES explores the aftermath of Jordan’s tragic death, the latent and often unseen effects of racism, and the contradictions of the American criminal justice system.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Vérité Filmmaking was presented by Eugene Hernandez to:
Bill Ross and Turner Ross for Western / U.S.A., Mexico (Directors: Bill Ross, Turner Ross) — For generations, all that distinguished Eagle Pass, Texas, from Piedras Negras, Mexico, was the Rio Grande. But when darkness descends upon these harmonious border towns, a cowboy and lawman face a new reality that threatens their way of life. Western portrays timeless American figures in the grip of unforgiving change.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Break Out First Feature was presented by Eugene Hernandez to:
Lyric R. Cabral and David Felix Sutcliffe for (T)ERROR / U.S.A. (Directors: Lyric R. Cabral, David Felix Sutcliffe) — With unprecedented access to a covert counterterrorism sting, (T)ERROR develops in real time, documenting the action as it unfolds on the ground. Viewers get an unfettered glimpse of the government’s counterterrorism tactics and the murky justifications behind them through the perspective of *******, a 63-year-old Black revolutionary turned FBI informant.
A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematography was presented by Kristen Johnson to:
Matthew Heineman for Cartel Land / U.S.A., Mexico (Director: Matthew Heineman) — In this classic western set in the twenty-first century, vigilantes on both sides of the border fight the vicious Mexican drug cartels. With unprecedented access, this character-driven film provokes deep questions about lawlessness, the breakdown of order, and whether citizens should fight violence with violence.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Excellence in Cinematography was presented by Lance Acord to:
Brandon Trost for The Diary of a Teenage Girl / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Marielle Heller) — Minnie Goetze is a 15-year-old aspiring comic-book artist, coming of age in the haze of the 1970s in San Francisco. Insatiably curious about the world around her, Minnie is a pretty typical teenage girl. Oh, except that she’s sleeping with her mother’s boyfriend. Cast: Bel Powley, Alexander Skarsgård, Christopher Meloni, Kristen Wiig.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Excellence in Editing was presented by Sarah Flack to:
Lee Haugen for Dope / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Rick Famuyiwa) — Malcolm is carefully surviving life in a tough neighborhood in Los Angeles while juggling college applications, academic interviews, and the SAT. A chance invitation to an underground party leads him into an adventure that could allow him to go from being a geek, to being dope, to ultimately being himself. Cast: Shameik Moore, Tony Revolori, Kiersey Clemons, Blake Anderson, Zoë Kravitz, A$AP Rocky.
A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Collaborative Vision was presented by Winona Ryder to:
Advantageous / U.S.A. (Director: Jennifer Phang, Screenwriters: Jacqueline Kim, Jennifer Phang) — In a near-future city where soaring opulence overshadows economic hardship, Gwen and her daughter, Jules, do all they can to hold on to their joy, despite the instability surfacing in their world. Cast: Jacqueline Kim, James Urbaniak, Freya Adams, Ken Jeong, Jennifer Ehle, Samantha Kim.
A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Unparalleled Access was presented by Elena Fortes to:
The Chinese Mayor / China (Director: Hao Zhou) — Mayor Geng Yanbo is determined to transform the coal-mining center of Datong, in China’s Shanxi province, into a tourism haven showcasing clean energy. In order to achieve that, however, he has to relocate 500,000 residences to make way for the restoration of the ancient city.
A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Impact was presented by Mark Cousins to:
Pervert Park / Sweden, Denmark (Directors: Frida Barkfors, Lasse Barkfors) — Pervert Park follows the everyday lives of sex offenders in a Florida trailer park as they struggle to reintegrate into society, and try to understand who they are and how to break the cycle of sex crimes being committed.
A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Editing was presented by Ingrid Kopp to:
Jim Scott for How to Change the World / United Kingdom, Canada (Director: Jerry Rothwell) — In 1971, a group of friends sails into a nuclear test zone, and their protest captures the world’s imagination. Using rare, archival footage that brings their extraordinary world to life, How to Change the World is the story of the pioneers who founded Greenpeace and defined the modern green movement.
A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Cinematography was presented by Taika Waititi to:
Germain McMicking for Partisan / Australia (Director: Ariel Kleiman, Screenwriters: Ariel Kleiman, Sarah Cyngler) — Alexander is like any other kid: playful, curious and naive. He is also a trained assassin. Raised in a hidden paradise, Alexander has grown up seeing the world filtered through his father, Gregori. As Alexander begins to think for himself, creeping fears take shape, and Gregori’s idyllic world unravels. Cast: Vincent Cassel, Jeremy Chabriel, Florence Mezzara.
A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting was presented by Col Needham to:
Jack Reynor for Glassland / Ireland (Director and screenwriter: Gerard Barrett) — In a desperate attempt to reunite his broken family, a young taxi driver becomes entangled in the criminal underworld. Cast: Jack Reynor, Toni Collette, Will Poulter, Michael Smiley.
A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Acting was presented by Mia Hanson-Løve to:
Regina Casé and Camila Márdila for The Second Mother / Brazil (Director and screenwriter: Anna Muylaert) — Having left her daughter, Jessica, to be raised by relatives in the north of Brazil, Val works as a loving nanny in São Paulo. When Jessica arrives for a visit 13 years later, she confronts her mother’s slave-like attitude and everyone in the house is affected by her unexpected behavior. Cast: Regina Casé, Michel Joelsas, Camila Márdila, Karine Teles, Lourenço Mutarelli.
FILM FESTIVAL: 2015 Rotterdam winners announced
On Friday 30 January 2015, the three winners of the Hivos Tiger Awards have been announced. But more awards were handed out: the MovieZone Award, The Big Screen Award, NETPAC Award, FIPRESCI Award and KNF Award. A big hooray for everyone!
Hivos Tiger Awards
- La obra del siglo by Carlos M. Quintela
- Videophilia (and Other Viral Syndromes) by Juan Daniel F. Molero
- Vanishing Point by Jakrawal Nilthamrong
Thirteen first or second films by talented filmmakers from around the globe competed in the 2015 Hivos Tiger Awards Competition. Both Hivos and IFFR aim to give young filmmakers a voice. To inspire us; to push boundaries. Their work has the potential to break open societies, so thoughts and creativity can flow more freely. The Hivos Tiger Awards give them the recognition they deserve. Each Hivos Tiger Awards comes with prizes of €15.000.
The Big Screen Award
- Second Coming by Debbie Tucker Green
IFFR introduced a new competition in 2013: The Big Screen Award Competition, aimed at supporting the distribution of films in Dutch cinemas. Ten very recent films with no Benelux distributor confirmed were nominated for this prize. IFFR will connect a prize of €10.000 to the award. The money is for the distributor to support the costs of publicity for the releases of the winning film in cinemas in the Netherlands.
NETPAC Award
- Poet on a Business Trip by Ju Anqi
The NETPAC Jury (Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema) awards the best Asian film in the IFFR 2015 official selection.
FIPRESCI Award
- Battles by Isabelle Tollenaere
The Jury of the International Association of Film Critics FIPRESCI (Fédération Internationale de la Presse Cinématographique) awards the best film among the 25 world premieres in Bright Future Premieres 2015.
KNF Award
- Key House Mirror by Michael Noer
For the KNF Award, The Dutch Circle of Film Critics (KNF) Jury chose the winner out of the ten films in The Big Screen Award Competition 2015.
MovieZone Award
- The Dark Horse by James Napier Robertson
MovieZone Jury gives young people the opportunity to fully experience a film festival and present their opinions on film. The winning film has a chance to become part of an EYE educational film programme.
Overige awards
IFFR previously announced winners of the Canon Tiger Awards for Short Films, as well as three CineMartawards. On Saturday 31 January the festival audience favorites will be awarded the IFFR Audience Award for best festival film and the Dioraphte Award for best Hubert Bals Fund-supported film.
FILM FESTIVAL: Sundance 2015 – short film winners announced
The Short Film Grand Jury Prize was awarded to:
World of Tomorrow / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Don Hertzfeldt) — A little girl is taken on a mind-bending tour of the distant future.
The Short Film Jury Award: U.S. Fiction was presented to:
SMILF / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Frankie Shaw) — A young single mother struggles to balance her old life of freedom with her new one as mom. It all comes to a head during one particular nap-time when Bridgette invites an old friend over for a visit.
The Short Film Jury Award: International Fiction was presented to:
Oh Lucy! / Japan, Singapore, U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Atsuko Hirayanagi) — Setsuko, a 55-year-old single so-called office lady in Tokyo, is given a blonde wig and a new identity, Lucy, by her young unconventional English-language teacher. “Lucy” awakens desires in Setsuko she never knew existed.
The Short Film Jury Award: Non-fiction was presented to:
The Face of Ukraine: Casting Oksana Baiul / Australia (Director: Kitty Green) — Adorned in pink sequins, little girls from across a divided, war-torn Ukraine audition to play the role of Olympic champion figure skater Oksana Baiul, whose tears of joy once united their troubled country.
The Short Film Jury Award: Animation was presented to:
Storm hits jacket / France (Director and screenwriter: Paul Cabon) — A storm reaches the shores of Brittany. Nature goes crazy, two young scientists get caught up in the chaos. Espionage, romantic tension, and mysterious events clash with enthusiasm and randomness.
A Short Film Special Jury Award for Acting was presented to:
Back Alley / France (Director and screenwriter: Cécile Ducrocq) — Suzanne, a prostitute for 15 years, has her turf, her regular johns, and her freedom. One day, however, young African prostitutes settle nearby, and she is threatened.
A Short Film Special Jury Award for Visual Poetry was presented to:
Object / Poland (Director: Paulina Skibińska) — A creative image of an underwater search in the dimensions of two worlds — ice desert and under water — told from the point of view of the rescue team, of the diver, and of the ordinary people waiting on the shore.
FILM FESTIVAL: Sundance 2015 – streaming events live
You don’t have to be in Park City to be part of the Sundance Film Festival, they live streaming a lot of the panels and discussions on their youtube channel.
Saturday, Jan. 24 at 10:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Cinema Cafe (programmed with TimesTalks) with Tig Notaro (“Tig”) and Sarah Silverman (“I Smile Back”) with Cara Buckley (The New York Times)
Saturday, Jan. 24 at 2:00 p.m. PT / 3:00 p.m. MT / 5:00 p.m. ET
Power of Story: Serious Ladies panel featuring Lena Dunham, Mindy Kaling, Jenji Kohan and Kristen Wiig with Emily Nussbaum (The New Yorker).
Sunday, Jan. 25 at 10:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Cinema Cafe (programmed with TimesTalks) with Jack Reynor (“Glassland”) and Saoirse Ronan (“Stockholm, Pennsylvania,” “Brooklyn”) with Cara Buckley (The New York Times)
Monday, Jan. 26 at 10:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Cinema Cafe with Bobcat Goldthwait (“Call Me Lucky”) and Johnny Knoxville (“Being Evel”) with Mike Plante (Sundance Film Festival)
Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 10:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Cinema Cafe with guests (TBD)
Wednesday, Jan. 28 at 10:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Cinema Cafe with Doug Aitken (“Station to Station”) and Guy Maddin (“The Forbidden Room”) with Dennis Scholl (Knight Foundation)
Thursday, Jan. 29 at 10:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Cinema Cafe with guests (TBD)
Thursday, Jan. 29 at 5:00 p.m. PT / 6:00 p.m. MT / 8:00 p.m. ET
Power of Story: Visions of Independence panel featuring Robert Redford and George Lucas with Leonard Maltin
Friday, Jan. 30 at 10:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Cinema Cafe with Jared Hess (“Don Verdean”) and Edgar Wright (“The World’s End”)
Saturday, Jan. 31 at 10:30 a.m. PT / 11:30 a.m. MT / 1:30 p.m. ET
Cinema Cafe with Bryan Buckley (“The Bronze”) and Charles Stone III (“Lila & Eve”)
Saturday, Jan. 31 at 6:00 p.m. PT / 7:00 p.m. MT / 9:00 p.m. ET
Awards Ceremony hosted by Tig Notaro
For more information on the festival visit the official site
FILM AWARDS: 2015 Oscars announce nominees
Here is the list of this year’s nominees:
Best Picture
“American Sniper”
“Birdman”
“Boyhood”
“The Grand Budapest Hotel”
“The Imitation Game”
“Selma”
“The Theory of Everything”
“Whiplash”
Best Actor
Steve Carell, “Foxcatcher”
Bradley Cooper, “American Sniper”
Benedict Cumberbatch, “The Imitation Game”
Michael Keaton, “Birdman”
Eddie Redmayne, “The Theory of Everything”
Best Actress
Marion Cotillard, “Two Days, One Night”
Felicity Jones, “The Theory of Everything”
Julianne Moore, “Still Alice”
Rosamund Pike, “Gone Girl”
Reese Witherspoon, “Wild”
Best Supporting Actor
Robert Duvall, “The Judge”
Ethan Hawke, “Boyhood”
Edward Norton, “Birdman”
Mark Ruffalo, “Foxcatcher”
J.K. Simmons, “Whiplash”
Best Supporting Actress
Patricia Arquette, “Boyhood”
Laura Dern, “Wild”
Keira Knightley, “The Imitation Game”
Emma Stone, “Birdman”
Meryl Streep, “Into the Woods”
Best Director
Alejandro González Iñárritu, “Birdman”
Richard Linklater, “Boyhood”
Bennett Miller, “Foxcatcher”
Wes Anderson, “The Grand Budapest Hotel”
Morten Tyldum, “The Imitation Game”
Best Animated Feature Film
“Big Hero 6″
“The Boxtrolls”
“How to Train Your Dragon 2″
“Song of the Sea”
“The Tale of the Princess Kaguya”
Best Adapted Screenplay
“American Sniper,” by Jason Hall
“The Imitation Game,” by Graham Moore
“Inherent Vice,” by Paul Thomas Anderson
“The Theory of Everything,” by Anthony McCarten
“Whiplash,” by Damien Chazelle
Best Original Screenplay
“Birdman,” by Alejandro G. Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris Jr. & Armando Bo
“Boyhood,” by Richard Linklater
“Foxcatcher,” by E. Max Frye and Dan Futterman
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” by Wes Anderson & Hugo Guinness
“Nightcrawler,” by Dan Gilroy
Best Cinematography
“Birdman,” Emmanuel Lubezki
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Robert Yeoman
“Ida,” Lukasz Zal and Ryszard Lenczewski
“Mr. Turner,” Dick Pope
“Unbroken,” Roger Deakins
Best Visual Effects
“Captain America: The Winter Soldier”
“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
“Guardians of the Galaxy”
“Interstellar”
“X-Men: Days of Future Past”
Best Documentary Feature
“Citizenfour”
“Finding Vivian Maier”
“Last Days in Vietnam”
“The Salt of the Earth”
“Virunga”
Best Documentary Short Subject
“Crisis Hotline: Veterans Press 1″
“Joanna”
“Our Curse”
“The Reaper (La Parka)”
“White Earth”
Best Film Editing
“American Sniper,” Joel Cox and Gary D. Roach
“Boyhood,” Sandra Adair
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Barney Pilling
“The Imitation Game,” William Goldenberg
“Whiplash,” Tom Cross
Best Original Song
“Everything Is Awesome,” from “The Lego Movie,” by Shawn Patterson
“Glory,” from “Selma, by John Stephens and Lonnie Lynn”
“Grateful,” from “Beyond the Lights,” by Diane Warren
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” from “Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me,” by Glen Campbell and Julian Raymond
“Lost Stars,” from “Begin Again,” by Gregg Alexander and Danielle Brisebois
Best Production Design
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Adam Stockhausen and Anna Pinnock
“The Imitation Game,” Maria Djurkovic and Tatiana Macdonald
“Interstellar,” Nathan Crowley and Gary Fettis
“Into the Woods,” Dennis Gassner and Anna Pinnock
“Mr. Turner,” Suzie Davies and Charlotte Watts
Best Live Action Short Film
“Aya”
“Boogaloo and Graham”
“Butter Lamp (La Lampe au Beurre de Yak)”
“Parvaneh”
“The Phone Call”
Best Animated Short Film
“The Bigger Picture”
“The Dam Keeper”
“Feast”
“Me and my Moulton”
“A Single Life”
Best Sound Editing
“American Sniper,” Alan Robert Murray and Bub Asman
“Birdman,” Martin Hernández and Aaron Glascock
“The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies,” Brent Burge and Jason Canovas
“Interstellar,” Richard King
“Unbroken,” Becky Sullivan and Andrew DeCristofaro
Best Sound Mixing
“American Sniper,” John Reitz, Gregg Rudloff and Walt Martin
“Birdman,” Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño and Thomas Varga
“Interstellar,” Gary A. Rizzo, Gregg Landaker and Mark Weingarten
“Unbroken,” Jon Taylor, Frank A. Montaño and David Lee
“Whiplash,” Craig Mann, Ben Wilkins and Thomas Curley
Best Costume Design
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Milena Canonero
“Inherent Vice,” Mark Bridges
“Into the Woods,” Colleen Atwood
“Maleficent,” Anna B. Sheppard and Jane Clive
“Mr. Turner,” Jacqueline Durran
Best Foreign Language Film
“Ida” (Poland)
“Leviathan” (Russia)
“Tangerines” (Estonia)
“Timbuktu” (Mauritania)
“Wild Tales” (Argentina)
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
“Foxcatcher,” Bill Corso and Dennis Liddiard
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Frances Hannon and Mark Coulier
“Guardians of the Galaxy,” Elizabeth Yianni-Georgiou and David White
Best Original Score
“The Grand Budapest Hotel,” Alexandre Desplat
“The Imitation Game,” Alexandre Desplat
“Interstellar,” Hans Zimmer
“Mr. Turner,” Gary Yershon
“The Theory of Everything,” Jóhann Jóhannsson
The 87th Academy Awards will air on February 22.
FILM AWARDS: 2015 Golden Globe Winners
Best Motion Picture, Drama
Boyhood
Best Director – Motion Picture
Richard Linklater, Boyhood
Best Screenplay – Motion Picture
Alejandro González Iñárritu, Nicolás Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo, Birdman
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
Julianne Moore, Still Alice
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
J.K. Simmons, Whiplash
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
Patricia Arquette, Boyhood
Best Motion Picture, Comedy or Musical
The Grand Budapest Hotel
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Michael Keaton, Birdman
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
Amy Adams, Big Eyes
Best Original Song – Motion Picture
“Glory” (Selma)
Best Original Score – Motion Picture
Johann Johannsson, The Theory of Everything
Best Animated Feature
How To Train Your Dragon 2
Best Foreign Language Feature
Leviathan – Russia
Best TV Series, Comedy
“Transparent”
Best TV Series, Drama
“The Affair”
Best TV Movie or Miniseries
“Fargo”
Best Actor in a TV Series, Drama
Kevin Spacey, “House Of Cards”
Best Actress in a TV Series, Drama
Ruth Wilson, “The Affair”
Best Actor in a TV Series, Comedy
Jeffrey Tambor, “Transparent”
Best Actress in a TV Series, Comedy
Gina Rodriguez, “Jane the Virgin”
Best Actor in a Mini-series or TV Movie
Billy Bob Thornton, “Fargo” (FX)
Best Actress in a Mini-series or TV Movie
Maggie Gyllenhaal, “The Honourable Woman” (SundanceTV)
Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie
Matt Bomer, “The Normal Heart” (HBO)
Best Supporting Actress in a Series, Mini-Series or TV Movie
Joanne Froggatt, “Downton Abbey” (PBS)
DeMille Award
George Clooney
FILM FESTIVAL: SXSW Reveals Opening Night Film with Six Titles
SXSW has announced the first wave of programming for the 2015 SXSW Film Festival.
Our Opening Night Film features comedian, activist and provocateur Russell Brand, in Ondi Timoner’s revealing documentary, BRAND: A Second Coming. The lively film dives deep into the eye of the celebrity storm, with Brand at its center as he grapples with fame, influence and where we are as a 21st century society.
Polishing off this first announcement, we’re equally delighted to reveal an additional six titles:
A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story (World Premiere)
Director: Sara Hirsh Bordo
From the producers of the most viewed TEDWomen event of 2013 comes A Brave Heart: The Lizzie Velasquez Story, a documentary following the inspiring journey of 25-year-old, 58-pound Lizzie from cyber-bullying victim to anti-bullying activist.
Ex Machina (North American Premiere)
Director/Screenwriter: Alex Garland
Alex Garland, writer of 28 Days Later and Sunshine, makes his directorial debut with the stylish and cerebral thriller Ex Machina, starring Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander.
Cast: Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac, Alicia Vikander
Hello, My Name is Doris (World Premiere)
Director: Michael Showalter, Screenwriters: Michael Showalter, Laura Terruso
An isolated 60-year-old woman is motivated by a self-help seminar to romantically pursue a younger coworker, causing her to stumble into the spotlight of the Brooklyn hipster social scene.
Cast: Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs, Wendi Mclendon-Covey, Stephen Root, Elizabeth Reaser, Jack Antonoff, Natasha Lyonne, Tyne Daly
The Invitation (World Premiere)
Director: Karyn Kusama, Screenwriters: Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi
A reunion of old friends turns into a nightmare when one guest, a haunted man whose ex-wife is among the hosts, begins to fear that the night is part of a terrifying agenda.
Cast: Logan Marshall-Green, Tammy Blanchard, Michiel Huisman, Emayatzy Corinealdi, Lindsay Burdge
Mavis! (World Premiere)
Director: Jessica Edwards
Her family group, the Staple Singers, inspired millions and helped propel the civil rights movement with their music. After 60 years of performing, legendary singer Mavis Staples’ message of love and equality is needed now more than ever.
Son of the Congo (World Premiere / SXsports screening)
Director/Screenwriter: Adam Hootnick
Serge Ibaka’s improbable journey has taken him from the violence of Congo to the top of the NBA. In Son of the Congo, Ibaka returns home, hoping his basketball success can help rebuild a country and inspire a new generation to dream of a better life.