This ranking of the Top 50 film schools of 2020 first appeared in TheWrap’s fifth annual College Issue.
The American Film Institute Conservatory finished as the top film school in the U.S. in TheWrap’s fifth annual ranking of programs, just ahead of previous No. 1, USC. And while the Top 10 remained fairly consistent from past years, three schools — AFI, Chapman and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts — posted their highest-ever finishes. Meanwhile, Biola University returned to the list after dropping off last year, and Pepperdine made it into our rankings for the first time.
The Wrap’s annual ranking of film schools was determined by an anonymous poll of more than 2,000 entertainment industry insiders, educators, deans, filmmakers and film pundits, along with experts tasked with evaluating each school.
Yes, the list compares apples and oranges, mixing undergraduate and graduate programs and including schools with more than 1,000 students...
The American Film Institute Conservatory finished as the top film school in the U.S. in TheWrap’s fifth annual ranking of programs, just ahead of previous No. 1, USC. And while the Top 10 remained fairly consistent from past years, three schools — AFI, Chapman and the University of North Carolina School of the Arts — posted their highest-ever finishes. Meanwhile, Biola University returned to the list after dropping off last year, and Pepperdine made it into our rankings for the first time.
The Wrap’s annual ranking of film schools was determined by an anonymous poll of more than 2,000 entertainment industry insiders, educators, deans, filmmakers and film pundits, along with experts tasked with evaluating each school.
Yes, the list compares apples and oranges, mixing undergraduate and graduate programs and including schools with more than 1,000 students...
- 10/16/2020
- by Victoria Ellison
- The Wrap
Where does the path to diversity begin? What kickstarts fearlessness and the will to win, to create, to innovate? How do aspiring entertainment artists and executives develop the skills to tell tomorrow’s stories and find the tools to build the next generation of platforms to sustain an industry where disruption is the new normal? Without the educators and programs in these pages, the voices of underserved youth will never be heard, and their visions will never change the world.
We look not only at top universities offering cutting-edge instruction in everything from cinematography to costume design, but also at speak to educators and look at educational tools that build knowledge of multi-ethnic music, art, writing and film. Entertainment education has never been more important.
American Film Institute
Los Angeles
The prestigious AFI Conservatory runs six distinct Mfa programs: cinematography, directing, editing, production design, screenwriting and producing. Veteran D.P.
We look not only at top universities offering cutting-edge instruction in everything from cinematography to costume design, but also at speak to educators and look at educational tools that build knowledge of multi-ethnic music, art, writing and film. Entertainment education has never been more important.
American Film Institute
Los Angeles
The prestigious AFI Conservatory runs six distinct Mfa programs: cinematography, directing, editing, production design, screenwriting and producing. Veteran D.P.
- 5/16/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Big Talk Productions and Mr. Mudd have teamed to option My Husband’s Wife, the bestseller by Blood Sisters author Jane Corry. The partners plan to adapt the domestic thriller as a TV series.
Published by Penguin UK and Penguin USA, My Husband’s Wife is a female driven story about love, marriage and murder in an ever evolving East London. The plot unfolds over two decades and charts the lives of Lily, a 25-year-old rookie London lawyer, and Carla, her immigrant neighbor’s young daughter who lives in a flat across the hall. The two women form a close bond which will irrevocably change their lives forever.
The book has been a Sunday Times No. 5 paperback fiction bestseller and a Washington Post No. 8 hardback fiction bestseller.
Big Talk had a big hit with last year’s Edgar Wright-helmed Baby Driver and has TV credits including Mum, Cold Feet and Rev.
Published by Penguin UK and Penguin USA, My Husband’s Wife is a female driven story about love, marriage and murder in an ever evolving East London. The plot unfolds over two decades and charts the lives of Lily, a 25-year-old rookie London lawyer, and Carla, her immigrant neighbor’s young daughter who lives in a flat across the hall. The two women form a close bond which will irrevocably change their lives forever.
The book has been a Sunday Times No. 5 paperback fiction bestseller and a Washington Post No. 8 hardback fiction bestseller.
Big Talk had a big hit with last year’s Edgar Wright-helmed Baby Driver and has TV credits including Mum, Cold Feet and Rev.
- 8/9/2018
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The American Film Institute (AFI) has named veteran indie producer Lianne Halfon to be Producing Discipline Head of the AFI Conservatory. Producing is one of six disciplines in which the AFI Conservatory offers a two-year Master of Fine Arts degree, along with Cinematography, Directing, Editing, Production Design and Screenwriting. That job had been held for 14 years by Neil Canton, who retired from the post in June.
“Lianne brings a wealth of experience, taste and knowledge to the AFI Conservatory, and will no doubt take this pioneering program to the next level — and into the future,” said AFI Conservatory Dean Richard Gladstein.
Halfon in 1988 co-founded Mr. Mudd with Russell Smith and John Malkovich and she has produced films that include Juno, Ghost World, Art School Confidential, Jeff, Who Lives At Home, Young Adult and The Perks of Being A Wallflower. She exec produced the documentaries Crumb and Which Way Home,...
“Lianne brings a wealth of experience, taste and knowledge to the AFI Conservatory, and will no doubt take this pioneering program to the next level — and into the future,” said AFI Conservatory Dean Richard Gladstein.
Halfon in 1988 co-founded Mr. Mudd with Russell Smith and John Malkovich and she has produced films that include Juno, Ghost World, Art School Confidential, Jeff, Who Lives At Home, Young Adult and The Perks of Being A Wallflower. She exec produced the documentaries Crumb and Which Way Home,...
- 7/31/2018
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Lianne Halfon has been named to head the producing program at the American Film Institute’s AFI Conservatory. She succeeds Neil Canton, who retired in June after 14 years at the conservatory.
Producing is one of six disciplines — the others include cinematography, directing, editing, production design and screenwriting — offered by the film school as part of its two-year Master of Fine Arts degree.
Halfon, who will have the title of Producing Discipline Head, founded the production company Mr. Mudd with Russell Smith and John Malkovich in 1998. She has produced such films as best picture Oscar nominee Juno ...
Producing is one of six disciplines — the others include cinematography, directing, editing, production design and screenwriting — offered by the film school as part of its two-year Master of Fine Arts degree.
Halfon, who will have the title of Producing Discipline Head, founded the production company Mr. Mudd with Russell Smith and John Malkovich in 1998. She has produced such films as best picture Oscar nominee Juno ...
- 7/31/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Lianne Halfon has been named to head the producing program at the American Film Institute’s AFI Conservatory. She succeeds Neil Canton, who retired in June after 14 years at the conservatory.
Producing is one of six disciplines — the others include cinematography, directing, editing, production design and screenwriting — offered by the film school as part of its two-year Master of Fine Arts degree.
Halfon, who will have the title of Producing Discipline Head, founded the production company Mr. Mudd with Russell Smith and John Malkovich in 1998. She has produced such films as best picture Oscar nominee Juno ...
Producing is one of six disciplines — the others include cinematography, directing, editing, production design and screenwriting — offered by the film school as part of its two-year Master of Fine Arts degree.
Halfon, who will have the title of Producing Discipline Head, founded the production company Mr. Mudd with Russell Smith and John Malkovich in 1998. She has produced such films as best picture Oscar nominee Juno ...
- 7/31/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Daniel Clowes’ comics creation receives an A-Plus film adaptation through the directorial filter of Terry Zwigoff. The show has more going for it than the bleak alienation of disaffected quasi- gen-Xers — the script offers a depth of character revealing the insecure, hopes and fears behind all the insulting attitudes and behaviors. It’s caustic, funny and also strongly affecting.
Ghost World
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 872
2001 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 111 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date May 30, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Bob Balaban, Stacey Travis, Teri Garr.
Cinematography: Affonso Beato
Production Designer: Edward T. McAvoy
Art Direction: Alan E. Muraoka
Film Editors: Carole Kravetz, Michael R. Miller
Original Music: David Kitay
Writing credits: Daniel Clowes & Terry Zwigoff from the comics by Daniel Clowes
Produced by Pippa Cross, Janette Day, Lianne Halfon, Barbara A. Hall,
John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Enid:...
Ghost World
Blu-ray
The Criterion Collection 872
2001 / Color / 1:85 widescreen / 111 min. / available through The Criterion Collection / Street Date May 30, 2017 / 39.95
Starring: Thora Birch, Scarlett Johansson, Steve Buscemi, Brad Renfro, Illeana Douglas, Bob Balaban, Stacey Travis, Teri Garr.
Cinematography: Affonso Beato
Production Designer: Edward T. McAvoy
Art Direction: Alan E. Muraoka
Film Editors: Carole Kravetz, Michael R. Miller
Original Music: David Kitay
Writing credits: Daniel Clowes & Terry Zwigoff from the comics by Daniel Clowes
Produced by Pippa Cross, Janette Day, Lianne Halfon, Barbara A. Hall,
John Malkovich, Russell Smith
Directed by Terry Zwigoff
Enid:...
- 5/26/2017
- by Glenn Erickson
- Trailers from Hell
Good Universe, Mr. Mudd announce feature debut from Me And Earl And The Dying Girl author and screenwriter Jesse Andrews.
Issa Rae, the co-creator, co-writer, executive producer and star of HBO comedy series Insecure, has boarded the show.
Golden Globe-nominated Rae will play a reclusive kindred spirit on a month-long cruise in Empress Of Serenity who encounters a man played by Hader who is determined to win back his ex-wife.
Production is scheduled for an August start.
Rae first earned mainstream attention for her web series The Misadventures Of Awkward Black Girl. Her first book is a collection of essays under the same title.
Stephen Chbosky will produce alongside Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith after collaborating on The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.
Nathan Kahane and Joe Drake of Good Universe will serve as executive producers alongside Mr. Mudd’s John Malkovich. Erin Westerman is overseeing for Good Universe.
Dan Freedman of [link...
Issa Rae, the co-creator, co-writer, executive producer and star of HBO comedy series Insecure, has boarded the show.
Golden Globe-nominated Rae will play a reclusive kindred spirit on a month-long cruise in Empress Of Serenity who encounters a man played by Hader who is determined to win back his ex-wife.
Production is scheduled for an August start.
Rae first earned mainstream attention for her web series The Misadventures Of Awkward Black Girl. Her first book is a collection of essays under the same title.
Stephen Chbosky will produce alongside Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith after collaborating on The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.
Nathan Kahane and Joe Drake of Good Universe will serve as executive producers alongside Mr. Mudd’s John Malkovich. Erin Westerman is overseeing for Good Universe.
Dan Freedman of [link...
- 3/22/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
A power roster of heavy-hitting producers in town will be honored by Women in Film on June 15 at the group’s annual Crystal + Lucy Awards. The awards dinner, which also will honor an actress, director and agent, give props to the outstanding women in entertainment — those who lead by example in their chosen fields. This year’s Excellence in Film honorees will be producers Denise Di Novi, Lauren Shuler Donner, Lucy Fisher, Lianne Halfon, Lynda Obst, Jane Rosenthal, Paula…...
- 5/26/2016
- Deadline TV
A power roster of heavy-hitting producers in town will be honored by Women in Film on June 15 at the group’s annual Crystal + Lucy Awards. The awards dinner, which also will honor an actress, director and agent, give props to the outstanding women in entertainment — those who lead by example in their chosen fields. This year’s Excellence in Film honorees will be producers Denise Di Novi, Lauren Shuler Donner, Lucy Fisher, Lianne Halfon, Lynda Obst, Jane Rosenthal, Paula…...
- 5/26/2016
- Deadline
It’s been a couple months since the last edition of What’s Up Doc? placed Michael Moore’s surprise world premiere of Where To Invade Next at the top of this list and in the meantime much shuffling has taken place and much time has been spent on various new endeavors (namely my Buffalo-based film series, Cultivate Cinema Circle). Finally taking its rightful place at the top, D.A. Pennebaker and Chris Hagedus’ Unlocking the Cage is in the midst of being scored by composer James Lavino, according to Lavino’s own personal site. Though the project has been taking shape at its own leisurely pace, I’d expect to see the film making its festival debut in early 2016.
Right behind, the American direct cinema masters is a Texan soon to make his non-fiction debut with Voyage of Time. Just two weeks ago indieWIRE reported that Ennio Morricone, who scored...
Right behind, the American direct cinema masters is a Texan soon to make his non-fiction debut with Voyage of Time. Just two weeks ago indieWIRE reported that Ennio Morricone, who scored...
- 11/5/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Reese Witherspoon is developing Jane Harper's Australian crime thriller novel "The Dry" as a film after having secured the film rights. She and Bruna Papandrea will produce.
Set amidst an epic drought in which a farmer turns his gun on his family and then himself in a rural community. An investigator, and the farmer's childhood friend, returns to the town that rejected him in order to learn the truth.
That isn't the only book adaptation in the works today as novelist/screenwriter Ava Dellaria ("Love Letters To The Dead") has been hired to adapt Jennifer L. Armentrout's 2014 novel "Obsidian" for Sierra Pictures and Mr. Mudd.
The story follows a girl who moves with her mother to a boring small-town in West Virginia. There a brother and sister who are her neighbors and turn out to be aliens. When she falls for the brother, and he touches her, she becomes a...
Set amidst an epic drought in which a farmer turns his gun on his family and then himself in a rural community. An investigator, and the farmer's childhood friend, returns to the town that rejected him in order to learn the truth.
That isn't the only book adaptation in the works today as novelist/screenwriter Ava Dellaria ("Love Letters To The Dead") has been hired to adapt Jennifer L. Armentrout's 2014 novel "Obsidian" for Sierra Pictures and Mr. Mudd.
The story follows a girl who moves with her mother to a boring small-town in West Virginia. There a brother and sister who are her neighbors and turn out to be aliens. When she falls for the brother, and he touches her, she becomes a...
- 10/14/2015
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Exclusive: Novelist/screenwriter Ava Dellaria will adapt Obsidian, the Jennifer L. Armentrout novel that Sierra Pictures will finance, and produce with Mr. Mudd’s Russ Smith and Lianne Halfon. Published in 2014 by Entangled Publishing, the book is part of a five-volume series known as the Lux Series. Sierra/Affinity’s Sierra's Nick Meyer and Marc Schaberg will be executive producers and handle international sale. In Obsidian, bookish Katy Swartz moves with her mother to…...
- 10/14/2015
- Deadline
As part of Tiff, New York-based Film Consultant Colin Brown, Managing Partner and Director of International Operations at MADSolutions, has been one of the guest speakers at the 10th anniversary edition of the International Financing Forum (Iff), the annual co-financing event that took place on September 13th.
Moderated by Matt Mueller, editor of Screen International, Colin discussed the art and science of film financing and project packaging in a staged discussion with Lianne Halfon, the celebrated producer who teamed up with actor-director John Malkovich and producer Russell Smith to create Mr. Mudd, the production company behind such films as "Ghost World," "Juno," "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower," "Labor Day" and "Young Adult." The event also has been attended by Film Analyst Alaa Karkouti, CEO of Mad Solutions.
"If cinema is in the business of manufacturing delight, then to what degree can that process be quantified? That is one of the key questions that we be examining at a time when data analytics is finally coming to film financing and project packaging in an attempt to assist - and accelerate - the process by which producers bring their ideas in front of receptive investors and industry gatekeepers," explained Colin. "We want to explore the degree to which technology really can solve some of the Catch 22 situations that producers find with regard to securing cast and financing."
Iff is a two-day event that includes one-on-one meetings, an industry panel discussion, roundtable meetings and producers' networking receptions. Selected international and Canadian producers are brought together with international sales agents, distributors, funders, agents and executive producers to do business in brokered meetings and benefit from exclusive networking opportunities. Now celebrating its 10th year, Iff has introduced hundreds of projects to the international marketplace with over 60 successfully financed to date, including Deepa Mehta's "Midnight's Children," Denis Villineuve's "Incendies," David Michôd's "Animal Kingdom," Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut "Coriolanus" and Haiffa Al-Mansour's "Wadjda," among many others.
In addition to his association with Mad, Colin is currently the Editorial Director of Slated, the pioneering film financing and networking website headquartered in Los Angeles. He also teaches at New York University, at both its renowned film school, the Tisch School of the Arts, and at the SternSchool of Business. He is a faculty board member of Nyu's Cinema Research Institute, an initiative designed to support and mentor innovative new business models for filmmaking.
During his career as a film and business journalist - most notably as the longstanding Editor-in-Chief of Screen International -Colin won numerous awards. As a film critic, he has served on the juries of numerous prestigious film festival juries including the Sundance Film Festival.
Moderated by Matt Mueller, editor of Screen International, Colin discussed the art and science of film financing and project packaging in a staged discussion with Lianne Halfon, the celebrated producer who teamed up with actor-director John Malkovich and producer Russell Smith to create Mr. Mudd, the production company behind such films as "Ghost World," "Juno," "The Perks Of Being A Wallflower," "Labor Day" and "Young Adult." The event also has been attended by Film Analyst Alaa Karkouti, CEO of Mad Solutions.
"If cinema is in the business of manufacturing delight, then to what degree can that process be quantified? That is one of the key questions that we be examining at a time when data analytics is finally coming to film financing and project packaging in an attempt to assist - and accelerate - the process by which producers bring their ideas in front of receptive investors and industry gatekeepers," explained Colin. "We want to explore the degree to which technology really can solve some of the Catch 22 situations that producers find with regard to securing cast and financing."
Iff is a two-day event that includes one-on-one meetings, an industry panel discussion, roundtable meetings and producers' networking receptions. Selected international and Canadian producers are brought together with international sales agents, distributors, funders, agents and executive producers to do business in brokered meetings and benefit from exclusive networking opportunities. Now celebrating its 10th year, Iff has introduced hundreds of projects to the international marketplace with over 60 successfully financed to date, including Deepa Mehta's "Midnight's Children," Denis Villineuve's "Incendies," David Michôd's "Animal Kingdom," Ralph Fiennes' directorial debut "Coriolanus" and Haiffa Al-Mansour's "Wadjda," among many others.
In addition to his association with Mad, Colin is currently the Editorial Director of Slated, the pioneering film financing and networking website headquartered in Los Angeles. He also teaches at New York University, at both its renowned film school, the Tisch School of the Arts, and at the SternSchool of Business. He is a faculty board member of Nyu's Cinema Research Institute, an initiative designed to support and mentor innovative new business models for filmmaking.
During his career as a film and business journalist - most notably as the longstanding Editor-in-Chief of Screen International -Colin won numerous awards. As a film critic, he has served on the juries of numerous prestigious film festival juries including the Sundance Film Festival.
- 9/17/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Lianne Halfon will join Colin Brown on a panel to discuss the production landscape at Omdc’s International Finance Forum.
The 10th International Financing Forum (Sept 13-14), organised by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (Omdc), has announced its production panel line-up ahead of its launch in Toronto tomorrow.
Lianne Halfon, the Us film producer behind Tiff opener Demolition as well as Juno and Ghost World, will be joined by business journalist and Mad Solutions managing partner Colin Brown.
The panel, moderated by Screen International editor Matt Mueller, is titled In Conversation: Producing Now: Theory & Practice and will see the panel discuss the state of the production landscape.
The event is closed to the public and open only to Iff 2015 selected producers and press.
Nearly 60 international and Canadian producers will head to the two-day co-financing market, which includes one-on-one meetings, roundtable meetings, a networking luncheon and a producers’ opening night networking reception.
Click here for...
The 10th International Financing Forum (Sept 13-14), organised by the Ontario Media Development Corporation (Omdc), has announced its production panel line-up ahead of its launch in Toronto tomorrow.
Lianne Halfon, the Us film producer behind Tiff opener Demolition as well as Juno and Ghost World, will be joined by business journalist and Mad Solutions managing partner Colin Brown.
The panel, moderated by Screen International editor Matt Mueller, is titled In Conversation: Producing Now: Theory & Practice and will see the panel discuss the state of the production landscape.
The event is closed to the public and open only to Iff 2015 selected producers and press.
Nearly 60 international and Canadian producers will head to the two-day co-financing market, which includes one-on-one meetings, roundtable meetings, a networking luncheon and a producers’ opening night networking reception.
Click here for...
- 9/12/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Fox Searchlight announced the release date on Wednesday for Jean-Marc Valleé’s upcoming drama starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts.
Demolition will go on limited release on April 8 2016.
Brian Sipe wrote the screenplay about an investment banker who gets the chance to rebuild his life after his wife dies in a car crash.
Lianne Halfon, Russ Smith, Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Sidney Kimmel and Valleé produce.
Sierra/Affinity handles international sales.
Demolition will go on limited release on April 8 2016.
Brian Sipe wrote the screenplay about an investment banker who gets the chance to rebuild his life after his wife dies in a car crash.
Lianne Halfon, Russ Smith, Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill, Sidney Kimmel and Valleé produce.
Sierra/Affinity handles international sales.
- 7/15/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
It’s been a surprisingly interesting month of moving and shaking in terms of doc development. Just a month after making his first public funding pitch at Toronto’s Hot Docs Forum, legendary doc filmmaker Frederick Wiseman took to Kickstarter to help cover the remaining expenses for his 40th feature film In Jackson Heights (see the film’s first trailer below). Unrelentingly rigorous in his determination to capture the American institutional landscape on film, his latest continues down this thematic rabbit hole, taking on the immensely diverse New York City neighborhood of Jackson Heights as his latest subject. According to the Kickstarter page, Wiseman is currently editing the 120 hours of rushes he shot with hopes of having the film ready for a fall festival premiere (my guess would be Tiff, where both National Gallery and At Berkeley made their North American debut), though he’s currently quite a ways away from his $75,000 goal.
- 7/6/2015
- by Jordan M. Smith
- IONCINEMA.com
Fox Searchlight has acquired Us, UK, Australia/New Zealand, France and Germany while Sony has taken Latin America and other territories on Jean-Marc Vallée’s upcoming romance starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts.
CAA represented Us rights while Sierra/Affinity handles international rights and closed a heavy load of territories on the tale of a banker who gets help from a young mother and her unusual son after a family tragedy. Chris Cooper also stars.
Nick Meyer also licensed rights to Sony for Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Iceland and Greece.
Demolition has closed in Benelux (Remain In Light), Canada (Vvs Films), Hong Kong (Lark), India (PVR), Israel (United King), Italy (Good Films), Japan (Phantom), Middle East (Eagle Films), Portugal (Lusomundo), South Africa (Ster Kinekor), South Korea (Main Title), Taiwan (Filmware), Thailand / Vietnam (Ipa) and Turkey (Fabula).
Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Fox Searchlight Pictures co-finance the romance.
Black Label Media’s Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill are producing...
CAA represented Us rights while Sierra/Affinity handles international rights and closed a heavy load of territories on the tale of a banker who gets help from a young mother and her unusual son after a family tragedy. Chris Cooper also stars.
Nick Meyer also licensed rights to Sony for Eastern Europe, Scandinavia, Iceland and Greece.
Demolition has closed in Benelux (Remain In Light), Canada (Vvs Films), Hong Kong (Lark), India (PVR), Israel (United King), Italy (Good Films), Japan (Phantom), Middle East (Eagle Films), Portugal (Lusomundo), South Africa (Ster Kinekor), South Korea (Main Title), Taiwan (Filmware), Thailand / Vietnam (Ipa) and Turkey (Fabula).
Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Fox Searchlight Pictures co-finance the romance.
Black Label Media’s Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill are producing...
- 12/3/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Sierra/Affinity has sold out worldwide on Demolition, the romantic drama from Dallas Buyers Club helmer Jean-Marc Vallee starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts. Gyllenhaal plays an investment banker rallying to rebuild his life after a family crisis with the help of a struggling mother and her unusual son. Fox Searchlight is readying a 2015 domestic debut.
Back in September, Sierra/Affinity took the pic co-financed by Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Fox Searchlight Pictures out to international buyers at Toronto; the company closed out final territories at Afm last month. The project, based on a Black List script by Bryan Sipe, also stars Chris Cooper. It was produced by Black Label Media’s Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill, Sidney Kimmel and Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith. Thad Luckinbill, Right of Way’s Jason Reitman and Helen Estabrook, John Malkovich, Ellen Schwartz, Ske’s Carla Hacken,...
Back in September, Sierra/Affinity took the pic co-financed by Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment and Fox Searchlight Pictures out to international buyers at Toronto; the company closed out final territories at Afm last month. The project, based on a Black List script by Bryan Sipe, also stars Chris Cooper. It was produced by Black Label Media’s Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill, Sidney Kimmel and Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith. Thad Luckinbill, Right of Way’s Jason Reitman and Helen Estabrook, John Malkovich, Ellen Schwartz, Ske’s Carla Hacken,...
- 12/2/2014
- by Jen Yamato
- Deadline
Exclusive: Chris Cooper has just been set to star alongside Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts in Demolition, the next film by Dallas Buyers Club helmer Jean-Marc Vallee, whose new film Wild with Reese Witherspoon debuted at Toronto. Deadline revealed back in June that Gyllenhaal would star in and Vallee would helm Demolition, based on the Black List script by Bryan Sipe about a young investment banker struggling to understand his emotional unraveling after the tragic death of his wife, when, suddenly a woman he meets in a chance encounter changes his life forever.
Related: Jake Gyllenhaal In Talks For Redemption Tale ‘Demolition’
Black Label and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment are co-financing, with Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill producing with Kimmel and Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith. Thad Luckinbill, Jason Reitman, Helen Estabrook, John Malkovich, Nathan Ross, Ellen Schwartz and Ske’s Carla Hacken are exec producing. Shooting begins...
Related: Jake Gyllenhaal In Talks For Redemption Tale ‘Demolition’
Black Label and Sidney Kimmel Entertainment are co-financing, with Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill producing with Kimmel and Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith. Thad Luckinbill, Jason Reitman, Helen Estabrook, John Malkovich, Nathan Ross, Ellen Schwartz and Ske’s Carla Hacken are exec producing. Shooting begins...
- 9/10/2014
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline
Jake Gyllenhaal and Naomi Watts will star in the romance for Jean-Marc Vallée, who jets in to Toronto for the Canadian premiere of Wild. Sierra/Affinity will kick off pre-sales in Toronto and CAA represents Us rights.
Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment (Ske) and Mr. Mudd produced Demolition, based on Bryan Sipe’s Black List screenplay about a young investment banker wrestling with the aftermath of his wife’s death who meets a woman that changes his life.
Black Label and Ske will co-finance Demolition. Mr. Mudd developed the project and brought it to Black Label Media.
Principal photography is set to begin in New York on September 15 in New York City.
Black Label Media’s Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill will produce with Kimmel and Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith.
The executive producers are Thad Luckinbill, Jason Reitman, Helen Estabrook, John Malkovich, Nathan Ross, Ellen Schwartz and Ske’s Carla Hacken.
Watts...
Black Label Media, Sidney Kimmel Entertainment (Ske) and Mr. Mudd produced Demolition, based on Bryan Sipe’s Black List screenplay about a young investment banker wrestling with the aftermath of his wife’s death who meets a woman that changes his life.
Black Label and Ske will co-finance Demolition. Mr. Mudd developed the project and brought it to Black Label Media.
Principal photography is set to begin in New York on September 15 in New York City.
Black Label Media’s Molly Smith and Trent Luckinbill will produce with Kimmel and Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith.
The executive producers are Thad Luckinbill, Jason Reitman, Helen Estabrook, John Malkovich, Nathan Ross, Ellen Schwartz and Ske’s Carla Hacken.
Watts...
- 9/4/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Two-time Oscar nominee Naomi Watts is in negotiations to star opposite Jake Gyllenhaal in “Demolition,” which is slated to be the next film from “Dallas Buyers Club” director Jean-Marc Vallee, an individual familiar with the project has told TheWrap. Black Label Media is financing and producing the movie with Mr. Mudd, whose Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich and Russ Smith will produce with Black Label's Molly Smith, Thad Luckinbill and Trent Luckinbill. Right of Way's Jason Reitman and Helen Estabrook will executive produce with Nathan Ross, who is Vallee's producing partner and manager. Also read: Jake Gyllenhaal First Look as ‘Nightcrawler’ Surfaces in.
- 7/21/2014
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Jake Gyllenhaal is in early talks to star for Dallas Buyers Club helmer Jean-Marc Vallée, in Demolition, from the Black List screenplay by Bryan Sipe. Black Label is financing and producing with Mr. Mudd, whose Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, and Russell Smith will produce with Black Label’s Molly Smith, Thad Luckinbill and Trent Luckinbill. Jason Reitman and Helen Estabrook are exec producers with Vallée’s producing partner and manager Nathan Ross. Mr. Mudd produced Reitman’s Labor Day and Juno. Related: Jean-Marc Vallee Set To Helm ‘Demolition’ For Mr. Mudd Talks with Gyllenhaal are in the early stage but look promising. The story centers on a young investment banker struggling to understand his emotional disconnect after the tragic death of his wife. He begins to tear apart his life in a distraught effort to see where he went wrong but ultimately is rescued by a woman he meets in a chance encounter.
- 6/6/2014
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Now in theaters the film Cesar Chavez, starring Michael Peña, and directed by Diego Luna , has sparked an alliance between The Equitable Food Initiative (Efi) and Participant Media on a campaign called “Follow Your Food,” aimed at keeping food safe, and families healthy starting in the fields where the food is grown.
With the mission of implementing safe food practices, providing education and training to farmworkers, and a fair wage, the initiative is crucial for the Efi, a group representing food retailers, growers, NGOs and farm worker organizations. Participant Media is supporting Efi’s efforts through the “Follow Your Food” action campaign aimed at building awareness and support for equitably-sourced food.
“Just as Cesar Chavez raised awareness of the conditions of farmworkers by organizing a boycott that millions of Americans supported, we believe that consumers today can advance Chavez’ groundbreaking achievements by supporting the concept of equitable food. We are proud to join forces with Efi on this natural extension of Chavez’ work,” said Chad Boettcher, Participant’s Evp Social Action & Advocacy.
“The Equitable Food Initiative is delighted to collaborate with Participant Media to spread the word about our ‘responsibly grown, farmworker assured’ certification,” says Peter O’Driscoll, Project Director of Efi. “Participant has repeatedly demonstrated a capacity to mobilize movie-goers to act on the issues that move them on the screen. We look forward to helping the audience of ‘Cesar Chavez’ follow their food and support the farmworkers, growers and food companies who are working together to make our produce better for all of us.”
The “Follow Your Food” campaign invites consumers to take the pledge at takepart.com/chavez to support the initiative and promote responsibly, ethically-harvested produce. The program launches with a video, “This is Your Food,” that elucidates the work of Efi and the benefits of equitable food certification. Sharable infographics and other collateral are featured to illustrate the issues related to responsibly grown, farmworker assured food, and the American Farmworker and Food Safety. In addition, consumers can learn more about equitable food by visiting Participant’s website www.TakePart.com/chavez.
In coming months, Efi will introduce a new food label trustmark that will certify that the produce is “responsibly grown and farmworker assured.”
The “Follow Your Food” campaign is part of a broader effort celebrating the release of Participant and Pantelion’s film Cesar Chavez, which includes an initiative urging the President to declare a Cesar Chavez National Day of Service Here
About The Film
Chronicling the birth of a modern American movement, Cesar Chavez tells the story of the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers. Passionate but soft-spoken, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle to bring dignity to people. Chavez inspired millions of Americans from all walks of life who never worked on a farm to fight for social justice. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual's ability to change the world.
Lionsgate, Pantelion,Televisa Cine and Canana present in association with Participant Media, Image Nation, Dream Management & Entertainment, Mr Mudd with the support of El Gobierno del Estado de Sonora Cesar Chavez. A Canana Production starring Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, Jacob Vargas, Yancey Arias, Wes Bentley, John Ortiz and John Malkovich. Executive producers are Emilio Azcárraga Jean, Haim Saban, Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Gael García Bernal, Julián Levin, Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, John Malkovich. Producers are Diego Luna, Lawrence Meli and Keir Pearson. Produced by Pablo Cruz, the story is by Keir Pearson. Screenplay by Keir Pearson and Timothy J. Sexton. Directed by Diego Luna.
About Participant Media
Participant (ParticipantMedia.com) is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature film, television, publishing and digital content that inspires social change. Participant's more than 45 films include Good Night, And Good Luck, Syriana, An Inconvenient Truth, Food, Inc., Waiting For ‘Superman’, The Help, Contagion and Lincoln. Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network TakePart.com and Pivot, its new television network for Millennials, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.
About The Equitable Food Initiative
The Equitable Food Initiative (Efi) is a new project that brings together workers, growers and retailers in the effort to produce better fruits and vegetables. As produce farms comply with the Efi Standard—for improved working conditions, pesticide management, and food safety—the entire food system sees benefits, all the way from farm workers to consumers. Current members of Efi include Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce International, Bon Appétit Management Company, Calvert Investments, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Consumer Federation of America, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Farmworker Justice, Farm Labor Organizing Committee, National Farm Worker Ministry, Oxfam America, Pesticide Action Network North America, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, United Farm Workers.
With the mission of implementing safe food practices, providing education and training to farmworkers, and a fair wage, the initiative is crucial for the Efi, a group representing food retailers, growers, NGOs and farm worker organizations. Participant Media is supporting Efi’s efforts through the “Follow Your Food” action campaign aimed at building awareness and support for equitably-sourced food.
“Just as Cesar Chavez raised awareness of the conditions of farmworkers by organizing a boycott that millions of Americans supported, we believe that consumers today can advance Chavez’ groundbreaking achievements by supporting the concept of equitable food. We are proud to join forces with Efi on this natural extension of Chavez’ work,” said Chad Boettcher, Participant’s Evp Social Action & Advocacy.
“The Equitable Food Initiative is delighted to collaborate with Participant Media to spread the word about our ‘responsibly grown, farmworker assured’ certification,” says Peter O’Driscoll, Project Director of Efi. “Participant has repeatedly demonstrated a capacity to mobilize movie-goers to act on the issues that move them on the screen. We look forward to helping the audience of ‘Cesar Chavez’ follow their food and support the farmworkers, growers and food companies who are working together to make our produce better for all of us.”
The “Follow Your Food” campaign invites consumers to take the pledge at takepart.com/chavez to support the initiative and promote responsibly, ethically-harvested produce. The program launches with a video, “This is Your Food,” that elucidates the work of Efi and the benefits of equitable food certification. Sharable infographics and other collateral are featured to illustrate the issues related to responsibly grown, farmworker assured food, and the American Farmworker and Food Safety. In addition, consumers can learn more about equitable food by visiting Participant’s website www.TakePart.com/chavez.
In coming months, Efi will introduce a new food label trustmark that will certify that the produce is “responsibly grown and farmworker assured.”
The “Follow Your Food” campaign is part of a broader effort celebrating the release of Participant and Pantelion’s film Cesar Chavez, which includes an initiative urging the President to declare a Cesar Chavez National Day of Service Here
About The Film
Chronicling the birth of a modern American movement, Cesar Chavez tells the story of the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers. Passionate but soft-spoken, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle to bring dignity to people. Chavez inspired millions of Americans from all walks of life who never worked on a farm to fight for social justice. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual's ability to change the world.
Lionsgate, Pantelion,Televisa Cine and Canana present in association with Participant Media, Image Nation, Dream Management & Entertainment, Mr Mudd with the support of El Gobierno del Estado de Sonora Cesar Chavez. A Canana Production starring Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, Jacob Vargas, Yancey Arias, Wes Bentley, John Ortiz and John Malkovich. Executive producers are Emilio Azcárraga Jean, Haim Saban, Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Gael García Bernal, Julián Levin, Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, John Malkovich. Producers are Diego Luna, Lawrence Meli and Keir Pearson. Produced by Pablo Cruz, the story is by Keir Pearson. Screenplay by Keir Pearson and Timothy J. Sexton. Directed by Diego Luna.
About Participant Media
Participant (ParticipantMedia.com) is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature film, television, publishing and digital content that inspires social change. Participant's more than 45 films include Good Night, And Good Luck, Syriana, An Inconvenient Truth, Food, Inc., Waiting For ‘Superman’, The Help, Contagion and Lincoln. Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network TakePart.com and Pivot, its new television network for Millennials, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.
About The Equitable Food Initiative
The Equitable Food Initiative (Efi) is a new project that brings together workers, growers and retailers in the effort to produce better fruits and vegetables. As produce farms comply with the Efi Standard—for improved working conditions, pesticide management, and food safety—the entire food system sees benefits, all the way from farm workers to consumers. Current members of Efi include Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce International, Bon Appétit Management Company, Calvert Investments, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Consumer Federation of America, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Farmworker Justice, Farm Labor Organizing Committee, National Farm Worker Ministry, Oxfam America, Pesticide Action Network North America, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, United Farm Workers.
- 4/3/2014
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
I originally included this in last year’s predictions’ list, but the team took their time in the post-production phase which might, in the end, make for some better packaging as with this pre-buzz NYTimes piece. During that time, Lionsgate nabbed the title, loaded this on their Pantelion Films label for a possible April rollout and gave the film a bulkier title (Cesar Chavez: An American Hero). While this no longer becomes a high value acquisition title, Luna’s association with the fest is strong (he presented his debut film Abel at the fest in 2010) and Participant Media’s has a strong rapport with Park City previously supplying the fest with socially conscious docs.
Gist: Written by Keir Pearson, the inspirational story of Cesar Chavez (played by Michael Peña), the celebrated Mexican American activist who, at great personal cost, put the shameful treatment of his fellow field workers on the map.
Gist: Written by Keir Pearson, the inspirational story of Cesar Chavez (played by Michael Peña), the celebrated Mexican American activist who, at great personal cost, put the shameful treatment of his fellow field workers on the map.
- 11/18/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Josh Brolin & Kate Winslet star in the new trailer and poster for director Jason Reitman’s Labor Day.
In his Telluride review, Peter Debruge from Variety wrote:
“In the early going, Reitman struggles to balance the competing feelings the scenario evokes. He can count on Winslet, who has long since mastered the role of affection-starved wife in “Little Children” and “Mildred Pierce,” to communicate Adele’s fragility in a matter of a few short scenes, but it’s much harder to accept that a wanted man can be as sensitive as Frank.”
Alex Billington from First Showing said:
“It’s a beautiful film in the way it handles love, emotions, complex characters and relationships. It’s a quiet film, not only in atmosphere but in dialogue, though nonetheless beautifully quiet.”
Labor Day centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his...
In his Telluride review, Peter Debruge from Variety wrote:
“In the early going, Reitman struggles to balance the competing feelings the scenario evokes. He can count on Winslet, who has long since mastered the role of affection-starved wife in “Little Children” and “Mildred Pierce,” to communicate Adele’s fragility in a matter of a few short scenes, but it’s much harder to accept that a wanted man can be as sensitive as Frank.”
Alex Billington from First Showing said:
“It’s a beautiful film in the way it handles love, emotions, complex characters and relationships. It’s a quiet film, not only in atmosphere but in dialogue, though nonetheless beautifully quiet.”
Labor Day centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his...
- 10/31/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Watch the official trailer for Jason Reitman's Labor Day, starring Josh Brolin and Kate Winslet. Reitman also wrote the screenplay based on the Joyce Maynard novel, as well as producing alongside Helen Estabrook, Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith. The Paramount Pictures release opens in select theaters on December 25th and nationwide from January 31st, 2013. Labor Day centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his reclusive mother Adele while confronting all the pangs of adolescence. On a back-to-school shopping trip, Henry and his mother encounter Frank Chambers, a man both intimidating and clearly in need of help, who convinces them to take him into their home and later is revealed to be an escaped convict. The events of this long Labor Day weekend will shape them for the rest of their lives.
- 10/31/2013
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Exclusive: Black Label Media partners Molly Smith, Trent Luckinbill and Thad Luckinbill have stepped up to finance Demolition, which becomes the next film directed by Dallas Buyers Club helmer Jean-Marc Vallée. The Black Label Media trio joins Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, and Russell Smith, who are producing through their Mr. Mudd banner. Jason Reitman and Helen Estabrook are exec producers with Vallée’s producing partner and manager Nathan Ross. I wrote about this in May, when Vallee first boarded the drama. Bryan Sipe wrote the script, about a young investment banker struggling to understand his emotional disconnect after the tragic death of his wife. He begins to tear apart his life in a distraught effort to see where he went wrong, but is ultimately rescued by a woman he meets in a chance encounter. Sipe’s script made the Black List. They will now go out to cast to shoot...
- 10/9/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
Exclusive: Jean-Marc Vallée, who just helmed Dallas Buyers Club, is teaming with production company Mr. Mudd to develop Demolition from a Black List screenplay by Bryan Sipe. Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich, and Russell Smith will produce for Mr. Mudd and Jason Reitman and Helen Estabrook are exec producers with Vallée’s producing partner and manager Nathan Ross. Mr. Mudd just produced Reitman’s Labor Day and Juno. Shooting begins this fall. The story centers on a young investment banker struggling to understand his emotional disconnect after the tragic death of his wife. He begins to tear apart his life in a distraught effort to see where he went wrong, but is ultimately rescued by a woman he meets in a chance encounter. It looks like another solid indie for Mr. Mudd, which recently produced The Perks Of Being A Wallflower. “Demolition is such a powerful and touching story, written with...
- 5/6/2013
- by MIKE FLEMING JR
- Deadline
It would be the film with the juju in David O. Russell’s zany black comedy that was the toast of the 28th Independent Spirit Awards beating Beasts Of The Southern Wild – its fiercest rival in all major categories. Silver Linings Playbook cleaned up, grabbing Best Feature, Director, Screenplay and Best Actress went to Jennifer Lawrence – the heavy favorite for tomorrow’s Oscar. Fox Searchlight might have grabbed only one award for Beasts in the Cinematography category, but it’s other Sundance pick-up The Sessions managed to nab a pair of acting prizes for Helen Hunt and Oscar snubbed John Hawkes for Best Male Lead. In our favorite grant categories, Adam Leon (Gimme the Loot) nabbed the Someone to Watch Award (last year it went to Mark Jackson), the Piaget Producers Award went to Mynette Louie (she produced Tze Chun’s sophomore film Eye of Winter which we are keeping...
- 2/24/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
David O. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook" was the big winner at the 28th annual Independent Spirit Awards held in Santa Monica, CA this afternoon and hosted by Andy Samberg. "Silver Linings" took home the Best Feature, Actress (Jennifer Lawrence), Director, and Screenplay trophies.
McConaughey, who nearly stole the show in Steven Soderbergh's "Magic Mike," won the Best Supporting Male award for a performance that was largely ignored by the Academy Awards. As Samberg astutely observed, "We've got Matthew McConaughey...Hollywood fuck you!"
Jennifer Lawrence won the Best Female Lead award for "Silver Linings Playbook," while John Hawkes took home the Best Male Lead trophy for "Sessions." His co-star, Helen Hunt, won the Best Supporting Female award.
Michael Haneke's "Amour," a darling of the 85th Academy Awards, deservingly won Best International Film.
The awards show can be seen on IFC tonight at 10 pm (Est).
Here's the full list...
McConaughey, who nearly stole the show in Steven Soderbergh's "Magic Mike," won the Best Supporting Male award for a performance that was largely ignored by the Academy Awards. As Samberg astutely observed, "We've got Matthew McConaughey...Hollywood fuck you!"
Jennifer Lawrence won the Best Female Lead award for "Silver Linings Playbook," while John Hawkes took home the Best Male Lead trophy for "Sessions." His co-star, Helen Hunt, won the Best Supporting Female award.
Michael Haneke's "Amour," a darling of the 85th Academy Awards, deservingly won Best International Film.
The awards show can be seen on IFC tonight at 10 pm (Est).
Here's the full list...
- 2/24/2013
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Today the 2013 Spirit Awards were handed out and it was a dominating effort from Silver Linings Playbook as it won Best Picture, Director (David O. Russell), Actress (Jennifer Lawrence) and Screenplay (Russell). The only award it was nominated for and didn't win was Best Actor where Bradley Cooper lost to John Hawkes for The Sessions, but that's only a minor blip on the radar when you win this big. Among the early awards handed out, Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower won for Best First Feature while Derek Connolly won for Best First Screenplay for the romantic sci-fi film Safety Not Guaranteed. Then the Twitterverse exploded with a Best Supporting Actor win for Matthew McConaughey and his work in Magic Mike, which, for a time, seemed like it may be able to eek into that last Supporting slot at the Oscars. No dice, a Spirit Award it will have to be.
- 2/23/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The 28th Annual Film Independent Spirit Award nominations were announced eaelier today and while Moonrise Kingdom and Silver Linings Playbook both grabbed five noms a piece, it is Bernie, Keep The Lights On and Beasts of the Southern Wild who are glowing with their four noms each. Our jeers, cheers and snubs commentary shall be coming soon. Here are the entire list of nominees for the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards:
Best Feature:
Beasts of the Southern Wild – Producers: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey & Josh Penn
Bernie – Producers: Liz Glotzer, Richard Linklater, David McFadzean, Dete Meserve, Judd Payne, Celine Rattray, Martin Shafer, Ginger Sledge, Matt Williams
Keep the Lights On – Producers: Marie Therese Guirgis, Lucas Joaquin, Ira Sachs
Moonrise Kingdom – Producers: Wes Anderson, Jeremy Dawson, Steven Rales, Scott Rudin
Silver Linings Playbook – Producers: Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti, Jonathan Gordon
Best Director
Wes Anderson – Moonrise Kingdom
Julia Loktev – The Loneliest Planet
David O. Russell...
Best Feature:
Beasts of the Southern Wild – Producers: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey & Josh Penn
Bernie – Producers: Liz Glotzer, Richard Linklater, David McFadzean, Dete Meserve, Judd Payne, Celine Rattray, Martin Shafer, Ginger Sledge, Matt Williams
Keep the Lights On – Producers: Marie Therese Guirgis, Lucas Joaquin, Ira Sachs
Moonrise Kingdom – Producers: Wes Anderson, Jeremy Dawson, Steven Rales, Scott Rudin
Silver Linings Playbook – Producers: Bruce Cohen, Donna Gigliotti, Jonathan Gordon
Best Director
Wes Anderson – Moonrise Kingdom
Julia Loktev – The Loneliest Planet
David O. Russell...
- 11/27/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Nominations for the 28th Film Independent Spirit Awards were announced today and were led by Moonrise Kingdom and Silver Linings Playbook with five nominations each followed closely by fellow Best Feature nominees Beasts of the Southern Wild and Keep the Lights On as well as Ava DuVernay's Middle of Nowhere, each with four nominations. Richard Linklater's Bernie was the fifth Best Feature nominee while Middle of Nowhere found its four nominations largely in the acting categories with Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo and Lorraine Toussant all being nominated and the fourth for the John Cassavetes Award, which goes to the "best" film made for under $500,000. Looking over the list of nominees I can't help but shrug at the screenplay nomination for Ruby Sparks (a film I loathed), but it's nice to see some First Time Feature love for Colin Trevorrow's Safety Not Guaranteed and Stephen Chbosky's The Perks of Being a Wallflower,...
- 11/27/2012
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Having taken home the Best Picture award at last night’s Gotham Independent Film Awards, Wes Anderson’s Moonrise Kingdom finds itself nominated in the same category in the upcoming Independent Spirit Awards, with the full list of nominations announced tonight.
Anderson’s latest film has been nominated in a healthy five categories – Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Male, and Best Cinematography – with David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook also racking up an impressive five nominations, adding Best Female Lead and Best Male Lead to Best Feature, Director, and Screenplay.
Also coming in as strong contenders are Jacques Audiard’s Rust and Bone; Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the Best Female Lead category for her performance in Smashed; Colin Trevorrow in the Best First Feature category for Safety Not Guaranteed, and Derek Connolly in the Best First Screenplay for the same film; director Benh Zeitlin and Beasts of the Southern Wild...
Anderson’s latest film has been nominated in a healthy five categories – Best Feature, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Male, and Best Cinematography – with David O. Russell’s Silver Linings Playbook also racking up an impressive five nominations, adding Best Female Lead and Best Male Lead to Best Feature, Director, and Screenplay.
Also coming in as strong contenders are Jacques Audiard’s Rust and Bone; Mary Elizabeth Winstead in the Best Female Lead category for her performance in Smashed; Colin Trevorrow in the Best First Feature category for Safety Not Guaranteed, and Derek Connolly in the Best First Screenplay for the same film; director Benh Zeitlin and Beasts of the Southern Wild...
- 11/27/2012
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
Actors Anna Kendrick, Zoe Saldana and Common presented the nominees for the 28th Film Independent Spirit Awards in a press conference on Tuesday, November 27 at 10:00 am at The W Hotel in Hollywood.
Both "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Moonrise Kingdom" lead the nominations including best picture where they will compete with "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "Bernie," and "Keep the Lights On."
Directors Wes Anderson ("Moonrise Kingdom") and David O. Russell ("Silver Linings Playbook") are also nominated in the best director category along with Julia Loktev ("The Loneliest Planet"), Ira Sachs ("Keep the Lights On"), and Benh Zeitlin ("Beasts of the Southern Wild").
And actor Matthew McConaughey's transformation is now complete. He is nominated for both best actor ("Killer Joe") and best supporting actor ("Magic Mike").
Winners of the 28th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be announced on February 23, 2013 when they will hold their traditional Saturday afternoon awards show...
Both "Silver Linings Playbook" and "Moonrise Kingdom" lead the nominations including best picture where they will compete with "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "Bernie," and "Keep the Lights On."
Directors Wes Anderson ("Moonrise Kingdom") and David O. Russell ("Silver Linings Playbook") are also nominated in the best director category along with Julia Loktev ("The Loneliest Planet"), Ira Sachs ("Keep the Lights On"), and Benh Zeitlin ("Beasts of the Southern Wild").
And actor Matthew McConaughey's transformation is now complete. He is nominated for both best actor ("Killer Joe") and best supporting actor ("Magic Mike").
Winners of the 28th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be announced on February 23, 2013 when they will hold their traditional Saturday afternoon awards show...
- 11/27/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
The nominations for the 2013 Film Independent Spirit Awards were announced this morning by actors Anna Kendrick, Zoe Saldana, and Common. Nominees for Best Feature include Beasts Of The Southern Wild, Bernie, Keep The Lights On, Moonrise Kingdom, and Silver Linings Playbook. Starlet was selected to receive the annual Robert Altman Award, which is given one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast.
Winners will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 23, 2013. The awards ceremony will be held as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, and the premiere broadcast will air later that evening at 10:00 pm Et/Pt on IFC.
2013 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations
Best Feature (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not awarded)
Beasts of the Southern Wild Producers: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey & Josh Penn Bernie Producers: Liz Glotzer, Richard Linklater, David McFadzean, Dete Meserve, Judd Payne,...
Winners will be announced at the Spirit Awards on Saturday, February 23, 2013. The awards ceremony will be held as a daytime luncheon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica, and the premiere broadcast will air later that evening at 10:00 pm Et/Pt on IFC.
2013 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations
Best Feature (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not awarded)
Beasts of the Southern Wild Producers: Michael Gottwald, Dan Janvey & Josh Penn Bernie Producers: Liz Glotzer, Richard Linklater, David McFadzean, Dete Meserve, Judd Payne,...
- 11/27/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
With a docu J.C. Chavez (2007), a short Revolución (2010) and his feature film under his belt – Abel (Sundance ’10), full fledged actor-filmmaker-producer Diego Luna’s sophomore, $10 million production began filming in April and is will most likely be in distributor Participant Media’s wishes to release the film at a socially conscious festival. Park City happens to be the lieu where Luna premiered Abel and countless other items as an actor, so we’re thinking an early fest 2013 premiere is in the cards for Chavez. The mostly English project features Rosario Dawson, Gabriel Mann, America Ferrera and Michael Peña in the lead role (see pic above).
Gist: Written by Keir Pearson, the inspirational story of Cesar Chavez, the celebrated Mexican American activist who, at great personal cost, put the shameful treatment of his fellow field workers on the map. He took their cause to the powerful Californian land-owners, the state government and beyond.
Gist: Written by Keir Pearson, the inspirational story of Cesar Chavez, the celebrated Mexican American activist who, at great personal cost, put the shameful treatment of his fellow field workers on the map. He took their cause to the powerful Californian land-owners, the state government and beyond.
- 11/19/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Actress Anne Hathaway has signed on to star alongside Mindy Kaling in the Office star’s romantic comedy ‘The Low Self-Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie’. Kaling, who is riding a recent wave of success after introducing her new show ‘The Mindy Kaling Show’ on Fox, co-write the movie’s script with Brent Forrester (King of the Hill). The film follows the titular character down on her luck until Mr. Perfect shows up, changing her fate after a string of failed relationships. Anne Hathaway will play Gillespie with Kaling stepping into a supporting role. Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith of Mr. Mudd productions are expected to produce, with the film still looking for a [ Read More ]
The post Anne Hathaway Joins Mindy Kalings Rom-Com ‘The Low Self-Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie’ appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Anne Hathaway Joins Mindy Kalings Rom-Com ‘The Low Self-Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie’ appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 10/10/2012
- by Sarah Anne Luoma
- ShockYa
Anne Hathaway has signed on to play the lead in The Low Self-Esteem of Lizzie Gillespie , says a story at The Hollywood Reporter . The script, which landed on the 2009 "Black List" of unproduced screenplays, was written by Mindy Kaling and Brent Forrester and featured the following official logline: A single girl in Manhattan dates the hottest guy in the world but must overcome her insecurities when she hears him deny they are dating. Hathaway starred earlier this year in The Dark Knight Rises and will headline Tom Hooper's upcoming adaptation of Les Miserables Kaling and Forrester will executive produce alongside Joe Drake, Nathan Kahane and John Malkovich. Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith will produce. (Photo Credit: C.Smith / WENN.com)...
- 10/8/2012
- Comingsoon.net
Watch the first clip from Summit Entertainment's drama The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The Stephen Chbowsky film opens September 21st and stars Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Nina Dobrev and Paul Rudd. The film offers a funny and touching coming-of-age story based on the beloved best-selling novel by Chbosky, and is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. A moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life. Wallflower's produced by Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich and Russell Smith.
- 8/28/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Watch the first clip from Summit Entertainment's drama The Perks of Being a Wallflower. The Stephen Chbowsky film opens September 21st and stars Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Nina Dobrev and Paul Rudd. The film offers a funny and touching coming-of-age story based on the beloved best-selling novel by Chbosky, and is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. A moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life. Wallflower's produced by Lianne Halfon, John Malkovich and Russell Smith.
- 8/28/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
New images from The Perks of Being a Wallflower, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller Stephen Chbosky's drama distributed by Summit Entertainment opens on September 21st, and we've got some great new images in from the film. Also in the cast are Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Nina Dobrev and Paul Rudd. John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith produce. A funny and touching coming-of-age story based on the beloved best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.
- 8/17/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
New images from The Perks of Being a Wallflower, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller Stephen Chbosky's drama distributed by Summit Entertainment opens on September 21st, and we've got some great new images in from the film. Also in the cast are Mae Whitman, Kate Walsh, Dylan McDermott, Nina Dobrev and Paul Rudd. John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith produce. A funny and touching coming-of-age story based on the beloved best-selling novel by Stephen Chbosky, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a modern classic that captures the dizzying highs and crushing lows of growing up. Starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller, The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a moving tale of love, loss, fear and hope-and the unforgettable friends that help us through life.
- 8/17/2012
- Upcoming-Movies.com
Exclusive: Tobey Maguire has joined the cast of the Jason Reitman-directed Labor Day, which begins shooting this month in Massachusetts. Mr. Mudd’s Lianne Halfon and Russ Smith are producing along with Helen Estabrook and Reitman. Indian Paintbrush is exec producing. Maguire is the final major piece alongside Kate Winslet, Josh Brolin, J.K. Simmons, Brooke Smith, Gattlin Griffith, and Brighid Fleming. Paramount is co-financing and distributing worldwide. Reitman wrote the script, an adaptation of the Joyce Maynard book. The story centers on a thirteen year old boy, Henry, from New Hampshire who learns valuable life lessons over a five-day Labor Day weekend. Maguire will play the adult version of the boy, and Maguire also narrates the film. After stepping out of Spider-man, Maguire has been busy. He’ll next be seen starring in the Jacob Aaron Estes-directed black comedy The Details, which The Weinstein Company releases September 7, followed...
- 7/11/2012
- by MIKE FLEMING
- Deadline
Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc., and Indian Paintbrush announced today that principal photography has begun on .Labor Day,. from Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker Jason Reitman, with Academy Award®-winner Kate Winslet and Academy Award®-nominated Josh Brolin starring. The film is shooting in Massachusetts.
Based on Joyce Maynard.s novel of the same name, the film is written and directed by Reitman (.Young Adult,. .Up In The Air.) who will produce with his partner Helen Estabrook through their Right of Way Films banner, along with the Academy Award®-nominated team of Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith (.Young Adult,. .Juno.) of Mr. Mudd. Steven Rales (.Young Adult,. .Like Crazy.) and Mark Roybal (.Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,. .No Country For Old Men.) of Indian Paintbrush will serve as executive producers.
.Labor Day. centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his...
Based on Joyce Maynard.s novel of the same name, the film is written and directed by Reitman (.Young Adult,. .Up In The Air.) who will produce with his partner Helen Estabrook through their Right of Way Films banner, along with the Academy Award®-nominated team of Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith (.Young Adult,. .Juno.) of Mr. Mudd. Steven Rales (.Young Adult,. .Like Crazy.) and Mark Roybal (.Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close,. .No Country For Old Men.) of Indian Paintbrush will serve as executive producers.
.Labor Day. centers on 13-year-old Henry Wheeler, who struggles to be the man of his house and care for his...
- 6/13/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Paramount Pictures and Indian Paintbrush announced today that principal photography has begun on Labor Day , from Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Jason Reitman, with Academy Award-winner Kate Winslet and Academy Award-nominated Josh Brolin starring. The film is shooting in Massachusetts. Based on Joyce Maynard.s novel of the same name, the film is written and directed by Reitman ( Young Adult , Up in the Air ) who will produce with his partner Helen Estabrook through their Right of Way Films banner, along with the Academy Award-nominated team of Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith ( Young Adult , Juno ) of Mr. Mudd. Steven Rales ( Young Adult , Like Crazy ) and Mark Roybal ( Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close , No Country For Old Men ) of Indian Paintbrush will serve as...
- 6/13/2012
- Comingsoon.net
“Tracking Shot” is a monthly featurette here on Ioncinema.com that looks at a dozen or so projects that are moments away from lensing and with June being a major production month we’ve got a slew of projects that we feel are worth signaling out. Music appears to be a common narrative theme surrounding several items – we find it infused in Once‘s John Carney’s U.S. production debut – a 10 million dollar production about a dejected music business executive forms a bond with a young singer-songwriter new to Manhattan. Scarlett Johansson was formerly attached to Can a Song Save Your Life?, now Knightley appears to be on board. Rock documentary filmmaker Stephen Kijak (Stones in Exile) is looking to make his second fictional feature based on the true story of a The Smiths fans who lost his bearings when the group announced its break-up. Shoplifters of the World...
- 6/5/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Participant Media has acquired all North American rights to the biographical drama “Chavez,” directed by Diego Luna and starring Michael Peña as labor organizer Cesar E. Chavez. The Canana Films project is currently filming in Sonora, Mexico. The film, written by “Hotel Rwanda” scribe Keir Pearson, depicts Chavez’s successful efforts to organize farm workers in California to obtain basic human rights. America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, Wes Bentley, John Malkovich, Michael Cudlitz, Gabriel Mann, Jacob Vargas, Yancey Arias and Mark Moses co-star. Canana Films principals Pablo Cruz, Gael Garcia Bernal and Luna are producing along with Mr. Mudd’s John Malkovich, Lianne Halfon and Russell Smith, and Pearson and Larry Meli. Participant execs Jeff Skoll and Jonathan King are executive producers. The company recently co-financed Canana’s 2012 Cannes Film Festival entry “No,” which stars Bernal. “This film provides...
- 6/5/2012
- by Jay A. Fernandez
- Indiewire
After being shot lost year, our curiosity about a release date for Stephen Chbowsky‘s The Perks of Being a Wallflower has now been answered. Summit Entertainment has revealed a September 14th, 2012 limited release for the film, which hints strongly towards a Tiff Festival bow. Also, according to Watson’s twitter, the trailer will drop at the pre-party for the MTV Movie Awards on Sunday, June 3rd. Watson, Lerman and Miller will be on hand to present and we’ll have an embed as soon as it hits the web.
Based off of Chbowsky’s original novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower tells the story of Charlie (Logan Lerman), an introverted freshman who is taken under the wing of a beautiful girl named Sam (Emma Watson) and her gay stepbrother, Patrick (Ezra Miller). Along the way, they encourage him to “do things” and “participate”, all in the hopes of...
Based off of Chbowsky’s original novel, The Perks of Being a Wallflower tells the story of Charlie (Logan Lerman), an introverted freshman who is taken under the wing of a beautiful girl named Sam (Emma Watson) and her gay stepbrother, Patrick (Ezra Miller). Along the way, they encourage him to “do things” and “participate”, all in the hopes of...
- 5/24/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
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