Academy invitee Eddie Redmayne in 'The Theory of Everything.' Academy invites 322 new members: 'More diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before' The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has offered membership to 322 individuals "who have distinguished themselves by their contributions to theatrical motion pictures." According to the Academy's press release, "those who accept the invitations will be the only additions to the Academy's membership in 2015." In case all 322 potential new members say an enthusiastic Yes, that means an injection of new blood representing about 5 percent of the Academy's current membership. In the words of Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs (as quoted in the press release), in 2015 "our branches have recognized a more diverse and inclusive list of filmmakers and artists than ever before, and we look forward to adding their creativity, ideas and experience to our organization." In recent years, the Academy membership has...
- 7/1/2015
- by Anna Robinson
- Alt Film Guide
©Renzo Piano Building Workshop/©Studio Pali Fekete architects/©A.M.P.A.S.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this week that the Los Angeles City Council, in a unanimous vote, approved plans for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Construction will begin this summer, and ceremonial groundbreaking festivities will occur this fall.
“I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum’s development team to ensure that the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay homage to the industry that helped define our identity as the creative capital of the world.”
“We are grateful to our incredible community of supporters who have helped make this museum a reality,” said Dawn Hudson, the Academy’s CEO. “Building this museum has been an Academy...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced this week that the Los Angeles City Council, in a unanimous vote, approved plans for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Construction will begin this summer, and ceremonial groundbreaking festivities will occur this fall.
“I am thrilled that Los Angeles is gaining another architectural and cultural icon,” said Mayor Eric Garcetti. “My office of economic development has worked directly with the museum’s development team to ensure that the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will create jobs, support tourism, and pay homage to the industry that helped define our identity as the creative capital of the world.”
“We are grateful to our incredible community of supporters who have helped make this museum a reality,” said Dawn Hudson, the Academy’s CEO. “Building this museum has been an Academy...
- 6/27/2015
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Strangely dropping a press release on a historic day where the nation's attention is elsewhere, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed their annual list of new member invitees this morning. For those who criticize the makeup of the Academy there was some good news and the stark realization the organization still has a long way to go. The Academy has spent the last eight to 10 years attempting to diversify its membership and this year's class mostly reflects that. There are significantly more invitees of Asian and African-American descent, but the male to female disparity is still depressing. Out of the 25 potential new members of the Actor's Branch only seven are women. And, no, there isn't really an acceptable way for the Academy to spin that sad fact. Additionally, It's important to realize the 322 people noted in the release have only been invited to join Hollywood's most exclusive club.
- 6/26/2015
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
Gamechanger Films, a new for-profit film fund exclusively targeting narrative feature-length films directed by women, was announced today. The New York-based company was founded by Julie Parker Benello (Afternoon Delight, Pariah, Brooklyn Castle), Dan Cogan (Hell and Back Again, How to Survive a Plague, The Queen of Versailles), Geralyn Dreyfous (Born Into Brothels, The Invisible War, The Square) and Wendy Ettinger (Semper Fi: Always Faithful, The War Room, Eye of God), and will be led by producer Mynette Louie (Cold Comes the Night, California Solo, Children of Invention). Producer Mary Jane Skalski (Very Good Girls, Win Win, The Visitor) is […]...
- 9/27/2013
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Gamechanger Films, a new for-profit film fund exclusively targeting narrative feature-length films directed by women, was announced today. The New York-based company was founded by Julie Parker Benello (Afternoon Delight, Pariah, Brooklyn Castle), Dan Cogan (Hell and Back Again, How to Survive a Plague, The Queen of Versailles), Geralyn Dreyfous (Born Into Brothels, The Invisible War, The Square) and Wendy Ettinger (Semper Fi: Always Faithful, The War Room, Eye of God), and will be led by producer Mynette Louie (Cold Comes the Night, California Solo, Children of Invention). Producer Mary Jane Skalski (Very Good Girls, Win Win, The Visitor) is […]...
- 9/27/2013
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
It was an exciting evening at the Beverly Hilton Hotel last night (May 21) as the 2013 Gracies Gala took over the joint.
Lucy Hale was all about showing off her sexy midsection in a cut-out bronze dress as she hammed it up for the shutterbugs prior to the big event.
Meanwhile, “Parks and Recreation” costars Amy Poehler and Adam Scott had a blast catching up, and Giuliana Rancic worked her red carpet magic like a seasoned pro.
The 2013 Gracies Winners are:
Outstanding Interview
23 and Me, CBS News/CBS This Morning
Outstanding Hard News Feature
A Cry For Help: Disaster in the Desert, ABC News
Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series
Amy Poehler, Universal Television/Parks & Recreation
Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series
Anjelica Huston, Universal Television/Smash
Outstanding Magazine
Aqui y Ahora: "The Woman in the Mirror", Univision Network
Outstanding Director...
Lucy Hale was all about showing off her sexy midsection in a cut-out bronze dress as she hammed it up for the shutterbugs prior to the big event.
Meanwhile, “Parks and Recreation” costars Amy Poehler and Adam Scott had a blast catching up, and Giuliana Rancic worked her red carpet magic like a seasoned pro.
The 2013 Gracies Winners are:
Outstanding Interview
23 and Me, CBS News/CBS This Morning
Outstanding Hard News Feature
A Cry For Help: Disaster in the Desert, ABC News
Outstanding Female Actor in a Leading Role in a Comedy Series
Amy Poehler, Universal Television/Parks & Recreation
Outstanding Female Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama Series
Anjelica Huston, Universal Television/Smash
Outstanding Magazine
Aqui y Ahora: "The Woman in the Mirror", Univision Network
Outstanding Director...
- 5/22/2013
- GossipCenter
We've gathered the movies, the filmmakers and the stars, but without your support and patronage, the Tribeca Film Festival would not be possible! The Heineken Audience Award was designed to allow you to participate fully in the Festival by recognizing that one special film that particularly engaged, shocked, thrilled or delighted you! This year, for the first time in Festival history, we are expanding the The Heineken Audience Award so that you can name winners in two categories - Narrative and Documentary. Let your voice be heard. Now that screenings have started, check out the ratings so far! The 2011 Heineken Audience Award race was a close one, and the three honored films all happened to be documentaries. The winner of last year's coveted award was Give Up Tomorrow, the emotional documentary about the wrongful imprisonment of a young Filipino man. The second place prize went to Semper Fi: Always Faithful,...
- 4/22/2012
- TribecaFilm.com
The Sundance Institute is supporting the digital premieres of 13 films through its Artist Services Program, which was started this summer to give Sundance filmmakers and alunnae the opportunity to distribute and market their work. Five films are available online today: must-see "Semper Fi: Always Faithful," which is on the Oscar shortlist for Best Documentary, and is guaranteed to choke you up; Independent Spirit award-winner "Obselidia"; the 2007 film "Chasing Ghosts: Beyond the Arcade"; "Lord Byron," and the 1994 Sundance Grand Jury Award-winner "What Happened Was..." A full list of titles to be available...
- 1/18/2012
- Thompson on Hollywood
Thanks to a deal between New Video and Sundance Institute's Artist Services program, Sundance filmmakers may be able to rest easier this coming week. It was announced that thirteen titles from the Sundance archive have signed deals with New Video to be available on digital distribution platforms on March 1, and some of the Sundance 2012 class may not be too far behind. A few weeks ago, the New York Times reported on a new distribution plan initiated by the Sundance Institute and digital distributor New Video. The deal allows all past and present Sundance Festival titles and all film projects affiliated with the Insitute's labs, so long as they have not signed away thier digital distribution rights, to sign the deal with New Video. Amongst the titles included in the first batch are 2012 Oscar doc shortlist title "Semper Fi: Always Faithful," Diane Bell's Independent Spriit and Sloan-Award winning "Obselidia" (Sundance...
- 1/18/2012
- Indiewire
The U.S. Navy is asking government investigators to suppress information concerning the toxic water scandal at the Marine Corps' Camp Lejeune, according to a letter obtained Thursday by The Huffington Post.
The letter, signed by Maj. Gen. J.A. Kessler of the Marine Corps and dated Jan. 5, 2012, asks the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry to withhold from a forthcoming report details about the whereabouts of water lines, wells, treatment plants and storage tanks on the North Carolina military base -- in the name of national security.
"The Marine Corps understands the need to share information with the scientific community," writes Kessler, the Marines' assistant deputy commandant for installations and logistics. "Prudence requires, however, that information sharing be within the rubric of responsible force protection."
Government watchdogs and environmental advocates said they interpret the letter as further evidence of a Navy effort to...
The letter, signed by Maj. Gen. J.A. Kessler of the Marine Corps and dated Jan. 5, 2012, asks the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Agency for Toxic Substances & Disease Registry to withhold from a forthcoming report details about the whereabouts of water lines, wells, treatment plants and storage tanks on the North Carolina military base -- in the name of national security.
"The Marine Corps understands the need to share information with the scientific community," writes Kessler, the Marines' assistant deputy commandant for installations and logistics. "Prudence requires, however, that information sharing be within the rubric of responsible force protection."
Government watchdogs and environmental advocates said they interpret the letter as further evidence of a Navy effort to...
- 1/13/2012
- by Lynne Peeples
- Huffington Post
The new rule that, from next year, a review in the New York Times or La Times will be necessary to qualify for the best documentary Oscar has put unprecedented power in the hands of two heavyweight Us media organs and their chief critics: Ao Scott and Manohla Dargis in New York, and Kenneth Turan in La.
The battle lines are clear. On one side is the Academy and its governor responsible for documentaries, Michael Moore (yes, him), lining up behind the two venerable newspapers who are asserting, in Scott's description, that "print criticism and the theatrical release of movies remain important in a media environment that has rapidly expanded". On the other, a host of independent film-makers whose films won't have a chance of getting a notice from the big-shot critics,...
The battle lines are clear. On one side is the Academy and its governor responsible for documentaries, Michael Moore (yes, him), lining up behind the two venerable newspapers who are asserting, in Scott's description, that "print criticism and the theatrical release of movies remain important in a media environment that has rapidly expanded". On the other, a host of independent film-makers whose films won't have a chance of getting a notice from the big-shot critics,...
- 1/9/2012
- by Andrew Pulver
- The Guardian - Film News
Oscar is doing a doc block.
The organization that puts on the Academy Awards has created a new rule aimed at narrowing awards eligibility next year to documentary films that are reviewed in The New York Times or the Los Angeles Times.
Why deputize newspaper film critics as arbiters of whether a movie qualifies for an Oscar?
It’s part of an effort to shrink the number of qualifying films and weed out movies designed primarily for TV. “The more the merrier” is not the attitude at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where members of the documentary...
The organization that puts on the Academy Awards has created a new rule aimed at narrowing awards eligibility next year to documentary films that are reviewed in The New York Times or the Los Angeles Times.
Why deputize newspaper film critics as arbiters of whether a movie qualifies for an Oscar?
It’s part of an effort to shrink the number of qualifying films and weed out movies designed primarily for TV. “The more the merrier” is not the attitude at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, where members of the documentary...
- 1/9/2012
- by Anthony Breznican
- EW - Inside Movies
Why not fold documentaries into my list of the "Best Films of 2011?" After all, a movie is a movie, right? Yes, and some years I've thrown them all into the same mixture. But all of these year-end Best lists serve one useful purpose: They tell you about good movies you may not have seen or heard about. The more films on my list that aren't on yours, the better job I've done.
That's particularly true were you to depend on the "short list" released by the Academy's Documentary Branch of 15 films they deem eligible for nomination. The branch has been through turmoil in the past and its procedures were "reformed" at one point. But this year it has made a particularly scandalous sin of
omission. It doesn't include "The Interrupters" (currently scoring 99% on the Tomatometer), which has received better reviews and been on more critic's Best lists than any other.
That's particularly true were you to depend on the "short list" released by the Academy's Documentary Branch of 15 films they deem eligible for nomination. The branch has been through turmoil in the past and its procedures were "reformed" at one point. But this year it has made a particularly scandalous sin of
omission. It doesn't include "The Interrupters" (currently scoring 99% on the Tomatometer), which has received better reviews and been on more critic's Best lists than any other.
- 12/25/2011
- by Roger Ebert
- blogs.suntimes.com/ebert
I am categorizing this documentary update under Oscar Contenders even though that isn't necessarily accurate. Neither of these documentaries actually made the Academy's documentary shortlist for 2011, but I will certainly be considering both as I turn in my nominations for Best Documentary for the Critics Choice Awards this Sunday. When it comes to the best documentary I've seen this year it is undoubtedly Undefeated, but of the ten documentaries I've seen so far this year I wouldn't call any of them bad. Let's take a closer look at these two... Into the Abyss First is Werner Herzog's Into the Abyss, a look at the events that lead to 28-year-old Michael Perry finding himself on death row and only a few days left to live before he is executed by lethal injection.
Herzog is clearly against the death penalty, but he doesn't push his agenda to tell the story as...
Herzog is clearly against the death penalty, but he doesn't push his agenda to tell the story as...
- 12/8/2011
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Just what did they know? And when did they know it? These are two questions that dominate much of the documentary Semper Fi: Always Faithful. The “they” is the U.S. government and more specifically the officials who administered the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps base, located in North Carolina. The “what” is part of the mystery uncovered in this rich film likely to factor into the awards discussion as the year draws to a close....
- 11/30/2011
- Pastemagazine.com
Gulabi (India / Norway) to be directed by Nishtha Jain has received a $25,000 grant from the Sundance Documentary Film Program. The documentary traces Sampat Pal and the fiery women of her Gulabi Gang who take up the fight against gender violence, caste oppression and widespread corruption in Bundelkhand.
Gulabi is one among the 29 feature-length documentary films that will receive the grant.
The Documentary Film Program celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012 and since its inception has awarded grants to more than 300 documentary filmmakers in 61 countries.
Complete list:
Development
The Bill (U.S. / Philippines)
Director: Ramona Diaz
A political firestorm hits the Philippines when “The Bill,” a reproductive health bill that could legalize birth control in the world’s 12th most populous nation, pits tradition against reform and brings the culture war into the streets and churches.
Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield (U.S.)
Director: Richard Rowley
Reporting from the battlefields of the war on terror,...
Gulabi is one among the 29 feature-length documentary films that will receive the grant.
The Documentary Film Program celebrates its 10th anniversary in 2012 and since its inception has awarded grants to more than 300 documentary filmmakers in 61 countries.
Complete list:
Development
The Bill (U.S. / Philippines)
Director: Ramona Diaz
A political firestorm hits the Philippines when “The Bill,” a reproductive health bill that could legalize birth control in the world’s 12th most populous nation, pits tradition against reform and brings the culture war into the streets and churches.
Dirty Wars: The World is a Battlefield (U.S.)
Director: Richard Rowley
Reporting from the battlefields of the war on terror,...
- 11/23/2011
- by NewsDesk
- DearCinema.com
Bad Lit: The Journal of Underground Film offers special congratulations to filmmakers Michael Galinsky and Suki Hawley for their epic documentary Battle for Brooklyn making the Oscar shortlist for Best Documentary.
Out of 124 eligible films this year, Battle for Brooklyn was one of only 15 films chosen for the list by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Documentary Branch Screening Committee. Up next for the Academy is to pick five docs out of the 15 to become this year’s official nominees.
Battle for Brooklyn was produced over the course of about seven years as the residents of Prospect Heights fight both city hall and an aggressive real estate developer, Forest City Ratner, to prevent the demolition of their neighborhood for a sports complex.
The true hero of the film is Daniel Goldstein, a graphic designer, who becomes a full-time activist to save his home. We become intimately involved in...
Out of 124 eligible films this year, Battle for Brooklyn was one of only 15 films chosen for the list by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Documentary Branch Screening Committee. Up next for the Academy is to pick five docs out of the 15 to become this year’s official nominees.
Battle for Brooklyn was produced over the course of about seven years as the residents of Prospect Heights fight both city hall and an aggressive real estate developer, Forest City Ratner, to prevent the demolition of their neighborhood for a sports complex.
The true hero of the film is Daniel Goldstein, a graphic designer, who becomes a full-time activist to save his home. We become intimately involved in...
- 11/22/2011
- by Mike Everleth
- Underground Film Journal
Asif Kapadia's film about the Formula One driver is among the documentaries not to make the Academy Award shortlist
It may have taken a victory lap at the box office, but Senna, Asif Kapadia's documentary on the Brazilian Formula One racing driver, won't even be on the starting grid at next year's Oscars.
Kapadia's film is not on the list of nominations that will go on to the next stage of the competition for the best documentary Oscar at the 84th Academy Awards. Other critically acclaimed films, including Steve James's The Interrupters, which follows a group of former gangsters trying to prevent violence in Chicago, and Werner Herzog's death-row documentary Into the Abyss, have also been eliminated.
Published late last week, the list, whittled down from 124 entrants by the Academy's documentary branch screening committee, gives the go ahead to 15 titles. Among them are Wim Wender's Pina – a...
It may have taken a victory lap at the box office, but Senna, Asif Kapadia's documentary on the Brazilian Formula One racing driver, won't even be on the starting grid at next year's Oscars.
Kapadia's film is not on the list of nominations that will go on to the next stage of the competition for the best documentary Oscar at the 84th Academy Awards. Other critically acclaimed films, including Steve James's The Interrupters, which follows a group of former gangsters trying to prevent violence in Chicago, and Werner Herzog's death-row documentary Into the Abyss, have also been eliminated.
Published late last week, the list, whittled down from 124 entrants by the Academy's documentary branch screening committee, gives the go ahead to 15 titles. Among them are Wim Wender's Pina – a...
- 11/22/2011
- by Henry Barnes
- The Guardian - Film News
15 titles look set to battle it out to make the final shortlist of five for the Best Documentary Oscar 2012. One of them, staggeringly, isn't Senna...
We recently reported on the eighteen titles in the running to be on the shortlist for the Best Animated Feature Academy Award, and now the contenders for Best Documentary have been revealed.
The films in contention for Best Animated Feature offered very little surprises and there certainly weren’t many that were noticeable from their omission. However, rather sadly, that’s not the case with the Best Documentary category, which has a number of high profile omissions.
The fifteen in contention are:
· Battle for Brooklyn
· Bill Cunningham New York
· Buck
· Hell and Back Again
· If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
· Jane’s Journey
· The Loving Story
· Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
· Pina
· Project Nim
· Semper Fi: Always Faithful
· Sing Your Song...
We recently reported on the eighteen titles in the running to be on the shortlist for the Best Animated Feature Academy Award, and now the contenders for Best Documentary have been revealed.
The films in contention for Best Animated Feature offered very little surprises and there certainly weren’t many that were noticeable from their omission. However, rather sadly, that’s not the case with the Best Documentary category, which has a number of high profile omissions.
The fifteen in contention are:
· Battle for Brooklyn
· Bill Cunningham New York
· Buck
· Hell and Back Again
· If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front
· Jane’s Journey
· The Loving Story
· Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory
· Pina
· Project Nim
· Semper Fi: Always Faithful
· Sing Your Song...
- 11/20/2011
- Den of Geek
The West Memphis Three: Joe Berlinger, Bruce Sinofsky's Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory AIDS, American football, horses, the environment, war, the American Injustice System, Harry Belafonte. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the 15 semi-finalists for the 2012 Best Documentary Feature Academy Award. Included on the list are James Marsh's Project Nim, a nominee for the British Independent Film Awards; Wim Wenders' Pina, Germany's submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar; and Cindy Meehl's Buck, about the man who inspired the book The Horse Whisperer and the ensuing Robert Redford movie. Now, before anyone freaks out because of the inclusion of Undefeated: rest assured that this is Dan Lindsay and T. J. Martin's documentary about underprivileged football players — Lindsay and Martin's effort has nothing to do with the Sarah Palin movie The Undefeated, a shoo-in Razzie nominee. Lorenz Knauer's Jane's Journey,...
- 11/20/2011
- by Andre Soares
- Alt Film Guide
Every single year come awards season, it's always upsetting to see the blatant misfires on the Academy's short list of films eligible for the Best Documentary Oscar. Just last year [1], the big story wasn't so much that Exit Through the Gift Shop or Restrepo were up for the award, it was that films like Catfish, Best Worst Movie and Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work were snubbed. This year it's more of the same. Much more. Fifteen films have been chosen that will be narrowed down to five to tangle for the Oscar itself and on that list are several exceptional documentaries: Bill Cunningham New York, Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory and Project Nim (above) just to name a few. Not on the list, however are Constance Mark's Being Elmo: A Puppeteer's Journey, Steve James’s The Interrupters, Werner Herzog‘s Into the Abyss, Errol Morris' Tabloid, Ian Palmer's Knuckle,...
- 11/19/2011
- by Germain Lussier
- Slash Film
The Oscar for best feature documentary is officially closer for 15 films. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences revealed the list via a press release on Friday, after the Documentary Branch Screening Committee narrowed their picks down from 124. The Committee will now have to select the final five, which will be announced live along with the other nominees on Tuesday, January 24 at 5:30 a.m. They’ll have to choose between the West Memphis 3, a wounded vet from Afghanistan, and a New York City chimpanzee, among others.
Their 15 picks are listed below in alphabetical order:
Battle for Brooklyn
Bill Cunningham New York...
Their 15 picks are listed below in alphabetical order:
Battle for Brooklyn
Bill Cunningham New York...
- 11/19/2011
- by Shaunna Murphy
- EW - Inside Movies
And the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature will go to ... well, one of these 15 films.
The Academy has chosen 15 documentaries as potential candidates for being nominated for the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, according to the Official Site for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Of these 15 contenders, five will eventually be chosen as nominees.
The 15 contenders, which include such acclaimed docs as "Bill Cunningham New York" (pictured, and currently available on Netflix Streaming), "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," "Buck" and Wim Wenders' "Pina" (which is also a contender for Best Foreign Film) were chosen from an initial list of 124 docs that had qualified for the category.
The 15 Documentary Features are as follows:
- "Battle for Brooklyn" (Rumur Inc.)
- "Bill Cunningham New York" (First Thought Films)
- "Buck" (Cedar Creek Productions)
- "Hell and Back Again" (Roast Beef Productions Limited)
- "If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front...
The Academy has chosen 15 documentaries as potential candidates for being nominated for the Oscar for Best Documentary Feature, according to the Official Site for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Of these 15 contenders, five will eventually be chosen as nominees.
The 15 contenders, which include such acclaimed docs as "Bill Cunningham New York" (pictured, and currently available on Netflix Streaming), "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory," "Buck" and Wim Wenders' "Pina" (which is also a contender for Best Foreign Film) were chosen from an initial list of 124 docs that had qualified for the category.
The 15 Documentary Features are as follows:
- "Battle for Brooklyn" (Rumur Inc.)
- "Bill Cunningham New York" (First Thought Films)
- "Buck" (Cedar Creek Productions)
- "Hell and Back Again" (Roast Beef Productions Limited)
- "If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front...
- 11/19/2011
- by Bryan Enk
- NextMovie
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Documentary Branch Screening Committee has announced the 15 film shortlist for the Best Documentary Oscar. The selections were culled from a list of 124 eligible titles.
Some Filmmaker favorites, including films by 25 New Face Directors Danfung Dennis (Hell and Back Again) and Marshall Curry (If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front) are in the mix, as are Wim Wender’s Pina, Suki Hawley and Michael Galinsky’s Battle for Brooklyn, and Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky’s Paradise Lost 3. I was sad to see more experimental docs like Bombay Beach and The Arbor left off the list and surprised by the omissions of The Interruptors and Senna.
The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company in parentheses and links to our coverage
Battle for Brooklyn (Rumer Inc.)
Bill Cunningham New York (First Thought Films...
Some Filmmaker favorites, including films by 25 New Face Directors Danfung Dennis (Hell and Back Again) and Marshall Curry (If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front) are in the mix, as are Wim Wender’s Pina, Suki Hawley and Michael Galinsky’s Battle for Brooklyn, and Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky’s Paradise Lost 3. I was sad to see more experimental docs like Bombay Beach and The Arbor left off the list and surprised by the omissions of The Interruptors and Senna.
The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company in parentheses and links to our coverage
Battle for Brooklyn (Rumer Inc.)
Bill Cunningham New York (First Thought Films...
- 11/18/2011
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Project Nim
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 84th Academy Awards®. One hundred twenty-four pictures had originally qualified in the category.
Some noticeables left off: Senna, The Interrupters, Tabloid, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold and Into The Abyss.
The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company:
“Battle for Brooklyn” (Rumer Inc.)
“Bill Cunningham New York” (First Thought Films)
“Buck” (Cedar Creek Productions)
“Hell and Back Again” (Roast Beef Productions Limited)
“If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front” (Marshall Curry Productions, LLC)
“Jane’s Journey” (Neos Film GmbH & Co. Kg)
“The Loving Story” (Augusta Films)
“Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory” (@radical.media)
“Pina” (Neue Road Movies GmbH)
“Project Nim” (Red Box Films)
“Semper Fi: Always Faithful” (Tied to the Tracks Films, Inc.)
“Sing...
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 84th Academy Awards®. One hundred twenty-four pictures had originally qualified in the category.
Some noticeables left off: Senna, The Interrupters, Tabloid, The Greatest Movie Ever Sold and Into The Abyss.
The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company:
“Battle for Brooklyn” (Rumer Inc.)
“Bill Cunningham New York” (First Thought Films)
“Buck” (Cedar Creek Productions)
“Hell and Back Again” (Roast Beef Productions Limited)
“If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front” (Marshall Curry Productions, LLC)
“Jane’s Journey” (Neos Film GmbH & Co. Kg)
“The Loving Story” (Augusta Films)
“Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory” (@radical.media)
“Pina” (Neue Road Movies GmbH)
“Project Nim” (Red Box Films)
“Semper Fi: Always Faithful” (Tied to the Tracks Films, Inc.)
“Sing...
- 11/18/2011
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy have announced their finalists in the Best Documentary Oscar category. Guess what isn't it the running anymore: Senna, The Interrupters, Page One: Inside the New York Times, and The Carrier! And that's just the biggies off the top of my head without research. Amir was just pontificating about Senna's Oscar hopes and he's hardly that movies only über fan. People will be up in arms. I suppose it wouldn't be the Best Documentary Feature, that storied and oft-controversial category, without these anger-making decisions. Remember when Grizzly Man got the boot? I know, right? Unthinkable though that still is...
The finalists are...
Battle for Brooklyn (Rumer Inc.) Bill Cunningham New York (First Thought Films) Buck (Cedar Creek Productions) Hell and Back Again (Roast Beef Productions Limited) If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (Marshall Curry Productions, LLC) Jane's Journey (Neos Film GmbH & Co. Kg) The...
The finalists are...
Battle for Brooklyn (Rumer Inc.) Bill Cunningham New York (First Thought Films) Buck (Cedar Creek Productions) Hell and Back Again (Roast Beef Productions Limited) If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front (Marshall Curry Productions, LLC) Jane's Journey (Neos Film GmbH & Co. Kg) The...
- 11/18/2011
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
Well, this is depressing news. Two documentaries that are currently in my top 10 films of the year have been completely snubbed by the Academy, as we see in the Oscar documentary shortlist. Awards Daily provides the fifteen films, which only includes a few we’ve seen. But I’m flabbergasted that Werner Herzog‘s Into the Abyss and Asif Kapadia’s Senna are nowhere to be found. Check it out below, which does include James Marsh‘s Project Nim, as well as another Sundance hit, Buck. Although I’m not a fan of the dull Pina, it is nice to see the legendary Wim Wenders get recognition as well.
“Battle for Brooklyn” (Rumer Inc.)
“Bill Cunningham New York” (First Thought Films)
“Buck” (Cedar Creek Productions)
“Hell and Back Again” (Roast Beef Productions Limited)
“If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front” (Marshall Curry Productions, LLC)
“Jane’s Journey” (Neos Film GmbH & Co.
“Battle for Brooklyn” (Rumer Inc.)
“Bill Cunningham New York” (First Thought Films)
“Buck” (Cedar Creek Productions)
“Hell and Back Again” (Roast Beef Productions Limited)
“If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front” (Marshall Curry Productions, LLC)
“Jane’s Journey” (Neos Film GmbH & Co.
- 11/18/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Beverly Hills, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 84th Academy Awards®. One hundred twenty-four pictures had originally qualified in the category. The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production company: “Battle for Brooklyn” (Rumer Inc.) “Bill Cunningham New York” (First Thought Films) “Buck” (Cedar Creek Productions) “Hell and Back Again” (Roast Beef Productions Limited) “If a Tree Falls: A Story of the Earth Liberation Front” (Marshall Curry Productions, LLC) “Jane’s Journey” (Neos Film GmbH & Co. Kg) “The Loving Story” (Augusta Films) “Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory” (@radical.media) “Pina” (Neue Road Movies GmbH) “Project Nim” (Red Box Films) “Semper Fi: Always Faithful” (Tied to the Tracks Films, Inc.) “Sing Your Song” (S2BN Belafonte Productions, LLC) “Undefeated” (Spitfire Pictures) “Under Fire: Journalists in Combat” (Juf Pictures,...
- 11/18/2011
- by NIKKI FINKE
- Deadline Hollywood
'Senna' and 'Into the Abyss' Not Included as Academy Unveils 15 Docs Shortlisted for the 2012 Oscars
This was not the best year for me and documentaries, which is a round about way of saying I saw very few and haven't actually seen a single one of the 15 docs shortlisted by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. I do, however, hope to remedy that over the coming months and I actually have screeners for three of these 15 right now and need to get to work watching them. Of course, as is always the case with documentary and foreign film categories, omissions are going to take the focus away from those that make the list. Films such as Senna (which I've heard nothing but great things about) and Werner Herzog's Into the Abyss and Cave of Forgotten Dreams both miss the list despite plenty of praise throughout the year. I do know people love Buck, Paradise Lost 3, Pina, Project Nim and We Were Here, but...
- 11/18/2011
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Title: Semper Fi: Always Faithful Directors: Rachel Libert and Tony Hardmon If one conducted a day-long survey of random persons from any given major metropolitan street, and asked them to name the biggest polluter in the country, it’s doubtful that the Department of Defense’s name would come up at all, and if it did then almost certainly one wouldn’t need a second hand to keep track of that tally. And yet that’s the central assertion of “Semper Fi: Always Faithful,” a damning new documentary about drinking water contaminants at a military training base spanning a period of 30 years. At once emotionally powerful and a little more under-sketched than one might like it...
- 8/30/2011
- by bsimon
- ShockYa
Semper Fi: Always Faithful , Rachel Liebert and Tony Hardmon’s affecting if imperfect exposé of water contamination at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, takes its title from what the Corps website calls “more than a motto — a way of life.” Some life. From 1957 to 1987, the Usmc exposed nearly one million people to toxic cleaning agents in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water. Then the Corps tried to cover it up. (Watch the trailer below.) Following a cohort of the victims as they fight back, Semper Fi , which won the Best Editing — Documentary award at the Tribeca Film Festival, is at once family portrait, journalistic account, and environmental missive. It's a somewhat ungainly mix that diffuses its power. Too much explosive information ...
- 8/25/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
Semper Fi: Always Faithful , Rachel Liebert and Tony Hardmon’s affecting if imperfect exposé of water contamination at U.S. Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, takes its title from what the Corps website calls “more than a motto — a way of life.” Some life. From 1957 to 1987, the Usmc exposed nearly one million people to toxic cleaning agents in Camp Lejeune’s drinking water. Then the Corps tried to cover it up. (Watch the trailer below.) Following a cohort of the victims as they fight back, Semper Fi , which won the Best Editing — Documentary award at the Tribeca Film Festival, is at once family portrait, journalistic account, and environmental missive. It's a somewhat ungainly mix that diffuses its power. Too much explosive information ...
- 8/24/2011
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Tribeca Film Festival continues on through this weekend, but awards were announced Thursday night in New York for the tenth edition of the festival, making it so that New York audiences will have at least one more chance to see all the winners this Sunday May 1st. These films include Best World Narrative Feature "She Monkeys," a Swedish drama set in the world of equestrian acrobatics where a competition between two young women transcends mere rivalry, and Best Documentary "Bombay Beach," a elegiac look at the denizens of the dusty seaside California town.
Individual honors in the World Narrative Competition also went to Ramadhan "Shami" Bizimana for Best Actor in the Rwandan drama "Grey Matter" (which also picked up a Special Jury Mention for its writer/director Kivu Ruhorahoza), "Black Book" star Carice van Houten for Best Actress in "Black Butterflies," Luisa Tillinger for Best Cinematography in "Artificial Paradises,...
Individual honors in the World Narrative Competition also went to Ramadhan "Shami" Bizimana for Best Actor in the Rwandan drama "Grey Matter" (which also picked up a Special Jury Mention for its writer/director Kivu Ruhorahoza), "Black Book" star Carice van Houten for Best Actress in "Black Butterflies," Luisa Tillinger for Best Cinematography in "Artificial Paradises,...
- 5/1/2011
- by Stephen Saito
- ifc.com
The phrase "The American Dream" calls to mind certain images. When I hear those words, I visualize small but comfortable suburban houses in bucolic surroundings. Yards, fences, kids playing in the street. Basically, I imagine what Camp Lejeune looked like in the middle of the last century. Lejeune is the largest Marine Corps base on the East Coast. In archival footage from "Semper Fi: Always Faithful," Lejeune looks the way we want America to look. But that simple beauty hid a horrifying secret: Lejeune's water was tainted with industrial chemicals. For thirty years. And the military knew about it. Instead of trying to correct it, they covered it up.
"Semper Fi: Always Faithful" is a documentary about the one man who almost single-handedly exposed one of the largest incidents of water contamination in our nation's history. His name is Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger. He lived at Camp Lejeune during the contamination,...
"Semper Fi: Always Faithful" is a documentary about the one man who almost single-handedly exposed one of the largest incidents of water contamination in our nation's history. His name is Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger. He lived at Camp Lejeune during the contamination,...
- 4/29/2011
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
Filed under: 'Fone Finds, Tribeca Film Festival
Today on indieWIRE Darren Aronofsky gets a new gig, Lynn Shelton looks back, 'The Bully Project' hype revs up and more.
As the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival winds down, the festival's audience award tracker has Lee Hirsch's doc, 'The Bully Project,' leading the pack thus far, followed by three more docs: Michael Collins' 'Give Up Tomorrow,' Tony Hardmon and Rachel Libert's 'Semper Fi: Always Faithful' and Dori Berinstein's 'Carol Channing: Larger Than Life.'
Continue Reading...
Today on indieWIRE Darren Aronofsky gets a new gig, Lynn Shelton looks back, 'The Bully Project' hype revs up and more.
As the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival winds down, the festival's audience award tracker has Lee Hirsch's doc, 'The Bully Project,' leading the pack thus far, followed by three more docs: Michael Collins' 'Give Up Tomorrow,' Tony Hardmon and Rachel Libert's 'Semper Fi: Always Faithful' and Dori Berinstein's 'Carol Channing: Larger Than Life.'
Continue Reading...
- 4/27/2011
- by The Editors at IndieWire
- Moviefone
As the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival approaches winds down the festival's audience award tracker has Lee Hirsch's doc "The Bully Project" leading the pack thus far, followed by three more docs: Michael Collins' "Give Up Tomorrow," Tony Hardmon and Rachel Libert's "Semper Fi: Always Faithful," and Dori Berinstein's ""Carol Channing: Larger Than Life". "Bully Project" follows a handful of bullied children across the country, as their constant schoolyard abuse becomes ...
- 4/27/2011
- Indiewire
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Semper fi or “semper fidelis” is the long-standing motto of the United States Marine Corps, though they were certainly not the first to use it. Latin for “always faithful”, it implies a permanent, undying dedication, faithfulness in life-long effect. You would hope it works both ways – for the soldier laying his life on the line to be able to rely on his government. Rachel Libert and Tony Hardmon’s thoughtful, emotionally charged documentary explores that query through the eyes of retired Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger, who by sheer chance uncovers evidence that may link the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Defense to a deadly pollutant contamination.
Libert and Hardmon elect a narrative structure for the documentary and it plays in their favor, as talking-head interludes are kept to a minimum and we see a good amount of (though no doubt only a fraction of) the work that Mr.
Semper fi or “semper fidelis” is the long-standing motto of the United States Marine Corps, though they were certainly not the first to use it. Latin for “always faithful”, it implies a permanent, undying dedication, faithfulness in life-long effect. You would hope it works both ways – for the soldier laying his life on the line to be able to rely on his government. Rachel Libert and Tony Hardmon’s thoughtful, emotionally charged documentary explores that query through the eyes of retired Master Sergeant Jerry Ensminger, who by sheer chance uncovers evidence that may link the U.S. Armed Forces and the Department of Defense to a deadly pollutant contamination.
Libert and Hardmon elect a narrative structure for the documentary and it plays in their favor, as talking-head interludes are kept to a minimum and we see a good amount of (though no doubt only a fraction of) the work that Mr.
- 4/27/2011
- by Mark Zhuravsky
- Obsessed with Film
In anticipation of the 10th Tribeca Film Festival which kicks off this Wednesday, indieWIRE is again spotlighting emerging (and some veteran) filmmakers screening new work at this year's event. Today's new director interviews include profiles of "Semper Fi: Always Faithful" directors Rachel Libert and Tony Hardmon (World Documentary Competition), Nick August-Perna, Chris Dapkins and Carlo Mirabella-Davis ("The Swell Season," Viewpoints), and "Romantics Anonymous" director Jean-Pierre Ameris (World Narrative Competition). In ...
- 4/18/2011
- Indiewire
In anticipation of the 10th Tribeca Film Festival which kicks off this Wednesday, indieWIRE is again spotlighting emerging (and some veteran) filmmakers screening new work at this year's event. Today's new director interviews include profiles of "Semper Fi: Always Faithful" directors Rachel Libert and Tony Hardmon (World Documentary Competition), Nick August-Perna, Chris Dapkins and Carlo Mirabella-Davis ("The Swell Season," Viewpoints), and "Romantics Anonymous" director Jean-Pierre Ameris (World Narrative Competition). In ...
- 4/18/2011
- indieWIRE - People
Tribeca: Tell us a little about Semper Fi: Always Faithful. How do you describe it in your own words? Rachel Libert: Semper Fi: Always Faithful follows the story of Master Sgt. Jerry Ensminger, who was a devoted Marine for nearly 25 years. When his 9-year old daughter dies of a rare type of leukemia, he begins a relentless search for answers, which leads him to the discovery of one of the largest water contamination incidents in Us history. Tony Hardmon: The film exposes this horrible water contamination at North Carolina's Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, but we also witness this dutiful soldier transform himself into the activist he never imagined he'd become. Tribeca: What inspired you to tell this story? Did you have a personal connection to Jerry? Rachel: In early 2007, we were researching another documentary film when we met the sister of our main character, Jerry. She told...
- 4/13/2011
- TribecaFilm.com
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