Winners were celebrated at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards on February 25, 2024. The ceremony took place at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, CA and honored outstanding achievement in film and television. Gold Derby associate editor Latasha Ford and senior editor Marcus James Dixon enjoyed an exclusive spot on the red carpet, interviewing many of the celebrities who were honored, presenting or enjoying the night’s festivities.
Watch each short video below from the 2024 Spirit Awards by clicking that person’s name:
Alan Barinholtz and Ron Song (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
Susan Berger (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
David Brown (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
Ronald Gladden (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
Trisha Lafache (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast...
Watch each short video below from the 2024 Spirit Awards by clicking that person’s name:
Alan Barinholtz and Ron Song (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
Susan Berger (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
David Brown (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
Ronald Gladden (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast in a New Scripted Series
Trisha Lafache (‘Jury Duty’), winner for Best Ensemble Cast...
- 2/26/2024
- by Latasha Ford, Marcus James Dixon and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: D. Smith’s breakout documentary Kokomo City, a top contender for Oscar recognition, will make its debut on Showtime and Paramount+ on February 2, Deadline can reveal.
The film, which has won awards around the world, will become available for streaming as part of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan first thing Friday, February 2, and will premiere on the Showtime linear platform that night at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. Magnolia Pictures released Kokomo City theatrically over the summer, beginning in New York and Los Angeles.
“In the wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary, filmmaker D. Smith passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – who unapologetically break down the walls of their profession,” notes a release about the film. “Holding nothing back, the film vibrates with energy, sex, challenge and hard-earned wisdom.”
‘Kokomo City’ director D.
The film, which has won awards around the world, will become available for streaming as part of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan first thing Friday, February 2, and will premiere on the Showtime linear platform that night at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. Magnolia Pictures released Kokomo City theatrically over the summer, beginning in New York and Los Angeles.
“In the wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary, filmmaker D. Smith passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – who unapologetically break down the walls of their profession,” notes a release about the film. “Holding nothing back, the film vibrates with energy, sex, challenge and hard-earned wisdom.”
‘Kokomo City’ director D.
- 12/18/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2024 Cinema Eye Honors has officially announced its full list of nominees, with D. Smith’s debut feature “Kokomo City” topping the awards contenders.
The Sundance breakout film about Black trans sex workers has six nominations for the 17th annual awards ceremony which spotlights achievements in nonfiction and documentary films and series. The 2024 Cinema Eye Honors will take place January 12 at the New York Academy of Medicine in East Harlem, New York.
Following “Kokomo City” are Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol,” Sam Green’s “32 Sounds,” and Maite Alberdi’s “The Eternal Memory,” each with five nominations. All four films are nominated for Outstanding Nonfiction Feature with the respective directors all nominated for Outstanding Direction.
This year’s Cinema Eye Honors also marks a history-making first with directors Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson being the first filmmakers to be nominated for Nonfiction Feature and Nonfiction Short in the same year,...
The Sundance breakout film about Black trans sex workers has six nominations for the 17th annual awards ceremony which spotlights achievements in nonfiction and documentary films and series. The 2024 Cinema Eye Honors will take place January 12 at the New York Academy of Medicine in East Harlem, New York.
Following “Kokomo City” are Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol,” Sam Green’s “32 Sounds,” and Maite Alberdi’s “The Eternal Memory,” each with five nominations. All four films are nominated for Outstanding Nonfiction Feature with the respective directors all nominated for Outstanding Direction.
This year’s Cinema Eye Honors also marks a history-making first with directors Joe Brewster and Michèle Stephenson being the first filmmakers to be nominated for Nonfiction Feature and Nonfiction Short in the same year,...
- 11/16/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
The Cinema Eye Honors for achievement in nonfiction and documentary films and series has announced nominees for the 17th awards ceremony. “Kokomo City” from D. Smith led the nominees with six. “20 Days in Mariupol,” “32 Sounds” and “The Eternal Memory” each received five nominations. The nominees for outstanding fiction feature also include “Four Daughters,” “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project” and “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie.”
Outstanding direction nominees include Maite Alberdi for “The Eternal Memory,” Sam Green for “32 Sounds,” Kaouther Ben Hania for “Four Daughters,” Smith for “Kokomo City,” Claire Simon for “Our Body” and Wim Wenders for “Anselm.”
The Cinema Eye 2024 Awards Ceremony takes place on Jan. 12 at the New York Academy of Medicine in East Harlem.
Full list of nominees follows.
2024 Cinema Eye Honors Nominations
Outstanding Nonfiction Feature
20 Days in Mariupol
Directed by Mstyslav Chernov
Produced by Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, Raney Aronson Rath...
Outstanding direction nominees include Maite Alberdi for “The Eternal Memory,” Sam Green for “32 Sounds,” Kaouther Ben Hania for “Four Daughters,” Smith for “Kokomo City,” Claire Simon for “Our Body” and Wim Wenders for “Anselm.”
The Cinema Eye 2024 Awards Ceremony takes place on Jan. 12 at the New York Academy of Medicine in East Harlem.
Full list of nominees follows.
2024 Cinema Eye Honors Nominations
Outstanding Nonfiction Feature
20 Days in Mariupol
Directed by Mstyslav Chernov
Produced by Mstyslav Chernov, Michelle Mizner, Raney Aronson Rath...
- 11/16/2023
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Final five nominations to be announced on November 2.
Steve McQueen’s Occupied City, Justine Triet’s Anatomy Of A Fall and Todd Haynes’ May December are among the titles on the latest British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) longlists, for Best Feature Documentary and Best International Independent Film.
15 films are on the documentary longlist, with five of them by first-time directors; with 17 films on the international list.
Scroll down for the longlists
Alongside McQueen’s film combining analysis of Amsterdam during the Second World War with the present day, documentary titles include Kevin MacDonald’s High & Low: John Galliano about the...
Steve McQueen’s Occupied City, Justine Triet’s Anatomy Of A Fall and Todd Haynes’ May December are among the titles on the latest British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) longlists, for Best Feature Documentary and Best International Independent Film.
15 films are on the documentary longlist, with five of them by first-time directors; with 17 films on the international list.
Scroll down for the longlists
Alongside McQueen’s film combining analysis of Amsterdam during the Second World War with the present day, documentary titles include Kevin MacDonald’s High & Low: John Galliano about the...
- 10/19/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
D. Smith has a full career of entertainment experiences, primarily as a successful music producer for artists ranging from Lil Wayne to Katy Perry. But when it came to creating her scrappy first feature, Kokomo City, she pulled a lot from a surprisingly early career gig: singing in the New York City subways. “People don’t understand there’s a science to being a subway singer,” she tells me before detailing her specific strategies to break through the noise to reach an audience. “The point is: you gotta sell it and gotta go.”
Smith’s willingness to hustle in order to connect through art shines through in Kokomo City, a documentary that originated solely from her own initiative. She earns her stripes a multihyphenate, serving not only as the film’s director but also its producer, cinematographer, editor, and casting director. Her lively black-and-white portrait of four Black trans women...
Smith’s willingness to hustle in order to connect through art shines through in Kokomo City, a documentary that originated solely from her own initiative. She earns her stripes a multihyphenate, serving not only as the film’s director but also its producer, cinematographer, editor, and casting director. Her lively black-and-white portrait of four Black trans women...
- 7/28/2023
- by Marshall Shaffer
- Slant Magazine
The director of Kokomo City has paid tribute to Rasheeda Williams Aka Koko Da Doll, who has been killed in Atlanta. She was 35.
Williams was one of the trans women to appear in the forthcoming documentary, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January.
The documentary features four Black trans sex workers living in Atlanta and New York City, and shows the persistent threat of violence they face each day.
Atlanta police are currently investigating the killing, which took place on Tuesday (18 April) and said in a statement: “Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by Afr [Atlanta Fire Rescue Department].
“Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.”
While police are yet to identify the victim by name, Kokomo City director D Smith told Deadline...
Williams was one of the trans women to appear in the forthcoming documentary, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival in January.
The documentary features four Black trans sex workers living in Atlanta and New York City, and shows the persistent threat of violence they face each day.
Atlanta police are currently investigating the killing, which took place on Tuesday (18 April) and said in a statement: “Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by Afr [Atlanta Fire Rescue Department].
“Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.”
While police are yet to identify the victim by name, Kokomo City director D Smith told Deadline...
- 4/22/2023
- by Jacob Stolworthy
- The Independent - Film
Updated with more reaction from Kokomo City cast and producers from original 8:12 p.m. story: The director and subjects of Kokomo City are expressing shock over the death of Rasheeda Williams, one of the trans women featured in the award-winning documentary, who reportedly was shot to death in Atlanta Tuesday night.
Atlanta police say they are investigating the killing after being called to the scene of the shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Sw. “Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by Afr [Atlanta Fire Rescue Department],” police said in a statement. “Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.”
Atlanta police have released no further information. They did not identify the victim by name, but Kokomo City director D. Smith and another woman...
Atlanta police say they are investigating the killing after being called to the scene of the shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Sw. “Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by Afr [Atlanta Fire Rescue Department],” police said in a statement. “Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.”
Atlanta police have released no further information. They did not identify the victim by name, but Kokomo City director D. Smith and another woman...
- 4/21/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Transgender sex worker doc ‘Kokomo City’ goes to UK, Scandinavia.
Magnolia Pictures International has secured key territory deals on two Sundance favourites – double prize winner Kokomo City and opening night documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything.
Kokomo City, the feature directorial debut of producer, singer and songwriter D. Smith, has sold to the UK (Dogwoof), Scandinavia-Baltics-Iceland (Nonstop Entertainment) and Benelux (Periscoop), with offers received for Spain and Israel.
The documentary won the audience and innovator awards in the Next section at Sundance, going on to an international premiere in Panorama Dokumente at the Berlinale this past Tuesday (February 21).
The film...
Magnolia Pictures International has secured key territory deals on two Sundance favourites – double prize winner Kokomo City and opening night documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything.
Kokomo City, the feature directorial debut of producer, singer and songwriter D. Smith, has sold to the UK (Dogwoof), Scandinavia-Baltics-Iceland (Nonstop Entertainment) and Benelux (Periscoop), with offers received for Spain and Israel.
The documentary won the audience and innovator awards in the Next section at Sundance, going on to an international premiere in Panorama Dokumente at the Berlinale this past Tuesday (February 21).
The film...
- 2/23/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
At its best, Sundance is really about Cinderella stories — the starving artists who come to Utah hoping to captivate audiences comprised of the industry and the public, effectively crashing the gates of Hollywood.
The most compelling pair of glass slippers at the festival this year belonged to D. Smith, whose directorial debut “Kokomo City” claimed two big awards in the Next section: the coveted audience award and Adobe’s Innovator prize. The film follows four Black trans sex workers in America and is unflinching in its depiction of sex, identity politics and (gasp) levity.
“Kokomo City” is a rare entry in the queer nonfiction genre, in that it does not focus solely on the trauma of marginalized people. The film is so dynamic that the lone juror handing out awards in the Next section, Madeleine Olnek, called it “the funniest movie that has ever played Sundance.”
Following her big win,...
The most compelling pair of glass slippers at the festival this year belonged to D. Smith, whose directorial debut “Kokomo City” claimed two big awards in the Next section: the coveted audience award and Adobe’s Innovator prize. The film follows four Black trans sex workers in America and is unflinching in its depiction of sex, identity politics and (gasp) levity.
“Kokomo City” is a rare entry in the queer nonfiction genre, in that it does not focus solely on the trauma of marginalized people. The film is so dynamic that the lone juror handing out awards in the Next section, Madeleine Olnek, called it “the funniest movie that has ever played Sundance.”
Following her big win,...
- 1/30/2023
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to “Kokomo City,” the feature directorial debut of Grammy-nominated producer, singer and songwriter D. Smith. The pact comes after the film’s world premiere in Sundance’s Next section. It marks Magnolia’s second acquisition at the festival, following its pickup of “Little Richard: I Am Everything.”
Smith filmed and edited the look at four transgender Black sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver. “Kokomo City” was executive produced by Lena Waithe. It will next screen at Berlin Panorama. Magnolia will release the film theatrically this year.
“’Kokomo City’ is a miraculous cinematic debut by D. Smith,” said Eamonn Bowles, president of Magnolia Pictures. “Hilarious, revelatory and wildly entertaining, and with a soundtrack for the ages, the film demolishes preconceived notions and announces a major multi-talent to the film world. We can’t...
Smith filmed and edited the look at four transgender Black sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver. “Kokomo City” was executive produced by Lena Waithe. It will next screen at Berlin Panorama. Magnolia will release the film theatrically this year.
“’Kokomo City’ is a miraculous cinematic debut by D. Smith,” said Eamonn Bowles, president of Magnolia Pictures. “Hilarious, revelatory and wildly entertaining, and with a soundtrack for the ages, the film demolishes preconceived notions and announces a major multi-talent to the film world. We can’t...
- 1/22/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights at the Sundance Film Festival to Kokomo City, the feature directorial debut of two-time Grammy-nominated producer-singer-songwriter D. Smith, who made history as the first trans woman cast on a primetime unscripted TV show. Smith also filmed and edited this wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary that passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – as they hold nothing back while breaking down the walls of their profession.
The film, executive produced by Lena Waithe, played in Sundance’s Next section and will next screen at Berlin Panorama. Magnolia will release the film theatrically this year. They burned the midnight oil on this one, with negotiations lasting till the wee hours.
“Kokomo City is a miraculous cinematic debut by D. Smith,” said Magnolia Pictures president Eamonn Bowles. “Hilarious,...
The film, executive produced by Lena Waithe, played in Sundance’s Next section and will next screen at Berlin Panorama. Magnolia will release the film theatrically this year. They burned the midnight oil on this one, with negotiations lasting till the wee hours.
“Kokomo City is a miraculous cinematic debut by D. Smith,” said Magnolia Pictures president Eamonn Bowles. “Hilarious,...
- 1/22/2023
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: CAA has signed emerging filmmaker D. Smith, whose documentary Kokomo City will world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival later today.
The project marking Smith’s feature directorial debut captures a raw, edgy, and rare look into the lives of Black tran sex workers in New York and Georgia, while exploring their relationship with the Black community and themselves. In “sharing reflections on knotty desire, far-reaching taboo, identification in labor, and gender’s many meanings,” per the Sundance program, “these women offer an unapologetic and cutting analysis of Black culture and society at large from a vantage point that is vibrating with energy, sex, challenge, and hard-earned wisdom.”
Kokomo City‘s first in-person screening at Sundance will take place at 5:30 p.m. Mst tonight at Park City, Utah’s Egyptian Theatre. The film will next go on to make its international premiere as part of the Panorama section...
The project marking Smith’s feature directorial debut captures a raw, edgy, and rare look into the lives of Black tran sex workers in New York and Georgia, while exploring their relationship with the Black community and themselves. In “sharing reflections on knotty desire, far-reaching taboo, identification in labor, and gender’s many meanings,” per the Sundance program, “these women offer an unapologetic and cutting analysis of Black culture and society at large from a vantage point that is vibrating with energy, sex, challenge, and hard-earned wisdom.”
Kokomo City‘s first in-person screening at Sundance will take place at 5:30 p.m. Mst tonight at Park City, Utah’s Egyptian Theatre. The film will next go on to make its international premiere as part of the Panorama section...
- 1/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2022 Sundance Film Festival has unveiled its short film program, curated from an all-time high of 10,374 submissions.
The films — encompassing categories like domestic and international live-action as well as animation — will screen throughout the hybrid festival in person, at satellite venues, and online.
“Short films are such a vital part of the independent storytelling culture that Sundance Institute has consistently put its full support behind. We’re all happy for the opportunity this year’s hybrid in-person and online,” said Kim Yutani, director of programming at Sundance.
In addition to the new crop of shorts, Sundance will also roll out a retrospective titled “From The Collection,” celebrating four decades of its notable past creators. These include works from the likes of Garrett Bradley, Destin Daniel Cretton, Cheryl Dunye, Nash Edgerton, Tamara Jenkins and Taika Waititi.
“The films selected for the ‘From the Collection’ program run the stylistic and subject matter gamut,...
The films — encompassing categories like domestic and international live-action as well as animation — will screen throughout the hybrid festival in person, at satellite venues, and online.
“Short films are such a vital part of the independent storytelling culture that Sundance Institute has consistently put its full support behind. We’re all happy for the opportunity this year’s hybrid in-person and online,” said Kim Yutani, director of programming at Sundance.
In addition to the new crop of shorts, Sundance will also roll out a retrospective titled “From The Collection,” celebrating four decades of its notable past creators. These include works from the likes of Garrett Bradley, Destin Daniel Cretton, Cheryl Dunye, Nash Edgerton, Tamara Jenkins and Taika Waititi.
“The films selected for the ‘From the Collection’ program run the stylistic and subject matter gamut,...
- 12/10/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The Sundance Institute today unveiled the Short Film program for the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, as well as the “From the Collection” program—a lineup of 40 shorts from festivals past that will be available for streaming online, in celebration of the nonprofit’s 40th anniversary.
This year’s festival slate comprises work from 26 countries, with 59 shorts selected for from a record 10,374 submissions. All shorts will screen in programs or preceding features in-person in Utah, with most also screening online as part of the 40th anniversary collection, and an assortment screening in person at seven Satellite Screens venues around the country during the second weekend of the festival, taking place from January 20-30.
The “From the Collection” program will feature early works from notable directors including Garrett Bradley, Destin Daniel Cretton, Cheryl Dunye, Nash Edgerton, Tamara Jenkins and Taika Waititi, among others. It will play on demand on Sundance’s online platform,...
This year’s festival slate comprises work from 26 countries, with 59 shorts selected for from a record 10,374 submissions. All shorts will screen in programs or preceding features in-person in Utah, with most also screening online as part of the 40th anniversary collection, and an assortment screening in person at seven Satellite Screens venues around the country during the second weekend of the festival, taking place from January 20-30.
The “From the Collection” program will feature early works from notable directors including Garrett Bradley, Destin Daniel Cretton, Cheryl Dunye, Nash Edgerton, Tamara Jenkins and Taika Waititi, among others. It will play on demand on Sundance’s online platform,...
- 12/10/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Harris Doran's award-winning film Beauty Mark, starring Laura Bell Bundy, has been released by The Orchard and is available nationwide On Digital and On Demand. The film, which premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival, where lead actress Auden Thornton won a special jury prize for Breakout Performance, can be seen on all platforms. This powerful film also stars Catherine Curtin Love Janis, Orange Is The New Black, Deirdre Lovejoy Lucky Guy, The Wire, Jeff Kober Sons of Anarchy, Ben Curtis 'The Dell Dude', and Madison Iseman Jumanji Welcome To The Jungle.
- 5/23/2018
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The Orchard has taken North American distribution rights to Harris Doran’s gritty festival hit “Beauty Mark.”
The drama follows a poverty-stricken young mother in Louisville, Kentucky who has to move when her house is condemned, forcing her to confront an abusive past in order to save her family.
The indie has taken several notable prizes at domestic film festivals, including a special jury prize for breakout performance from the Los Angeles Film Festival for star Auden Thornton, as well as the narrative feature audience prize from the Austin Film Festival.
Also Read: Netflix Acquires Nick Offerman's Animated Movie 'White Fang'
The Orchard will mount a May 22 platform release on digital and Svod. Catherine Curtin (“Homeland”), Jeff Kober (“Sons of Anarchy”) and Laura Bell Bundy costar.
Evan Morehouse, manager of acquisitions for at The Orchard, and David Garber of Lantern Lane Entertainment made the deal.
“Beauty Mark” is produced by Bridget Berger, Penny Edmiston, Harris Doran, Corey Moosa, Kiley Lane Parker. Gill Holland, The Group Entertainment, Madison Square Films, in association with Hideout Pictures executive produce.
Read original story The Orchard Takes North American Rights to Festival Hit ‘Beauty Mark’ At TheWrap...
The drama follows a poverty-stricken young mother in Louisville, Kentucky who has to move when her house is condemned, forcing her to confront an abusive past in order to save her family.
The indie has taken several notable prizes at domestic film festivals, including a special jury prize for breakout performance from the Los Angeles Film Festival for star Auden Thornton, as well as the narrative feature audience prize from the Austin Film Festival.
Also Read: Netflix Acquires Nick Offerman's Animated Movie 'White Fang'
The Orchard will mount a May 22 platform release on digital and Svod. Catherine Curtin (“Homeland”), Jeff Kober (“Sons of Anarchy”) and Laura Bell Bundy costar.
Evan Morehouse, manager of acquisitions for at The Orchard, and David Garber of Lantern Lane Entertainment made the deal.
“Beauty Mark” is produced by Bridget Berger, Penny Edmiston, Harris Doran, Corey Moosa, Kiley Lane Parker. Gill Holland, The Group Entertainment, Madison Square Films, in association with Hideout Pictures executive produce.
Read original story The Orchard Takes North American Rights to Festival Hit ‘Beauty Mark’ At TheWrap...
- 4/10/2018
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
Dealing with the trauma of childhood sexual abuse in a way rarely if ever seen onscreen, Harris Doran's Beauty Mark introduces a woman who, though wanting nothing more than to never see her abuser again, may be forced to seek his help if she's to hold her family together. Though its pileup of poverty, humiliation and bitterness threatens to make it a miserablist moral crusade, the film finds forward momentum in its protagonist, who is not yet ready to be destroyed by what the world has saddled her with. Thanks to a strong performance by star Auden Thornton, it pushes...
- 10/15/2017
- by John DeFore
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Beauty Mark Review Beauty Mark (2017) Film Review from the 23rd Annual Los Angeles Film Festival, a movie directed by Harris Doran, starring Auden Thornton, Laura Bell Bundy, Catherine Curtin, Jeff Kober, Deirdre Lovejoy, Madison Iseman, Paten Hughes, Ben Curtis, Wynn Reichert, Jon Arthur, Timothy Morton, [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Beauty Mark: A Powerful Story Bolstered By Strong Performances [La Film Festival 2017]...
Continue reading: Film Review: Beauty Mark: A Powerful Story Bolstered By Strong Performances [La Film Festival 2017]...
- 6/23/2017
- by Reggie Peralta
- Film-Book
This year’s Los Angeles Film Festival, better known as Laff if you’re fun, has unveiled its full slate of 2017 offerings, including new offerings from Vincent Grashaw, Leena Pendharkar, Hong Sangsoo, Lea Thompson and many more. The slate includes 48 feature films, 51 short films, 15 high school short films and 10 short episodic works representing 32 countries. The festival’s five competitions feature 37 World Premieres, 2 International Premieres and 9 North American Premieres. Across the competition categories, 42% of the films are directed by women and 40% are directed by people of color.
“Our competitions reflect who Film Independent is as an organization,” said La Film Festival Director Jennifer Cochis. “Within each section you’ll find discovery, diversity, and promising talent both in front of and behind the camera.” Programming Director Roya Rastegar added, “The films curated for the 2017 competition reflect the changing political climate’s impact on emerging independent filmmakers, who are compelled to tell stories about the power of conviction,...
“Our competitions reflect who Film Independent is as an organization,” said La Film Festival Director Jennifer Cochis. “Within each section you’ll find discovery, diversity, and promising talent both in front of and behind the camera.” Programming Director Roya Rastegar added, “The films curated for the 2017 competition reflect the changing political climate’s impact on emerging independent filmmakers, who are compelled to tell stories about the power of conviction,...
- 5/9/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The days are getting longer and the nights are getting warmer, which means that we're edging ever closer to this year's La Film Festival. Taking place June 14th–22nd, the La Film Festival's 2017 competition lineup has been unveiled, and of particular interest for genre fans is the Nightfall section, which includes Colin Minihan's It Stains the Sands Red, Julius Ramsay's Midnighters, and Amanda Evans' Serpent.
Press Release: Los Angeles (May 9, 2017)— Today the La Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, unveiled the official U.S. Fiction, Documentary, World Fiction, La Muse and Nightfall sections. The 2017 La Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of feature films, shorts and episodic series, along with programs such as Coffee Talks and Future Filmmakers Showcase. The La Film Festival takes place June 14 – June 22, 2017 headquartered at ArcLight Cinemas Culver City, with additional screenings at ArcLight Hollywood,...
Press Release: Los Angeles (May 9, 2017)— Today the La Film Festival, produced by Film Independent, the nonprofit arts organization that also produces the Film Independent Spirit Awards, unveiled the official U.S. Fiction, Documentary, World Fiction, La Muse and Nightfall sections. The 2017 La Film Festival will screen a diverse slate of feature films, shorts and episodic series, along with programs such as Coffee Talks and Future Filmmakers Showcase. The La Film Festival takes place June 14 – June 22, 2017 headquartered at ArcLight Cinemas Culver City, with additional screenings at ArcLight Hollywood,...
- 5/9/2017
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Recently, CBS released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "Elementary" episode 7 of season 3. The episode is entitled, "The Adventure of the Nutmeg Concoction," and it turns out that we're going to see a very bored Sherlock decide to interject investigative ideas into Watson's case to pass the time, and it involves a women that's been a no show for 5 years, and more. In the new, 7th episode press release: Holmes will force his way into Joan's latest case, where the main clue will be the lingering scent of nutmeg at the crime scene. Press release number 2: A bored Sherlock is going to force his investigative services onto Joan, who is trying to locate a woman who has been missing for five years, and the only clue is the smell of nutmeg at the site of her disappearance. In the meantime, Joan’s bond with her long-distance boyfriend,...
- 12/4/2014
- by Megan
- OnTheFlix
Dan Hedaya and Ari Butler round out the cast of Ben Andron's new comedy 'The Legend of Bobby Stone and the Good Feeling Hat,' the first of three new plays producer Aaron Grant plans to present this summer as part of a new developmental reading series. Directed by Peter Scolari, 'The Legend of Bobby Stone' also features Harris Doran, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Julia Mattison, Christy Carlson Romano, Sam Seder, Keala Settle, and Max von Essen. The reading takes place in midtown today July 1, at 2pm.
- 7/1/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Dan Hedaya and Ari Butler round out the cast of Ben Andron's new comedy 'The Legend of Bobby Stone and the Good Feeling Hat,' the first of three new plays producer Aaron Grant plans to present this summer as part of a new developmental reading series. Directed by Peter Scolari, 'The Legend of Bobby Stone' also features Harris Doran, Andrew Keenan-Bolger, Julia Mattison, Christy Carlson Romano, Sam Seder, Keala Settle, and Max Von Essen. The reading takes place in midtown on Monday July 1, at 2pm.
- 6/28/2013
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
The final installment of the First Time Fest… The First Time Fest’s closing night was held on March 4th. Hosted by Academy Award winner Ellen Burstyn (The Exorcist), the Players Club lit up with flashes of cameras and smiles of the first time filmmakers anxiously awaiting whose film will win the grand prize- the chance to have their film distributed by Cinema Libre Studios.
Johanna Bennett and Mandy founded the festival after noticing there wasn’t a venue for where new filmmakers can get their film viewed and appreciated. In attendance at the closing night ceremony were Tony Bennett and Jack Huston, as well as Martin Scorsese, who presented the First John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema to Darren Aronofsky, who was also in attendance. Anthony Rapp presented the awards as guests ate food from Chef Diane Dimeo and drank champagne by Nicolas Feuillatte. Also in attendance...
Johanna Bennett and Mandy founded the festival after noticing there wasn’t a venue for where new filmmakers can get their film viewed and appreciated. In attendance at the closing night ceremony were Tony Bennett and Jack Huston, as well as Martin Scorsese, who presented the First John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema to Darren Aronofsky, who was also in attendance. Anthony Rapp presented the awards as guests ate food from Chef Diane Dimeo and drank champagne by Nicolas Feuillatte. Also in attendance...
- 4/5/2013
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
Stars: David Zayas, Michael O’Keefe, Anthony Rapp, Anthony Ruivivar, Neal Bledsoe, Summer Crockett Moore, Tom Pelphrey, Harris Doran, Sharon Maguire, Danielle Kotch | Written and Directed by Tony Glazer
If there ever was a better reason not to do meth other than Breaking Bad, it would be Junction. Not only are you dealing with off the wall meth addicts and their emotions, but you’re subconsciously forced to endure the pain the characters are going through and that’s when you realized just how messed up things are.
Junction is written and directed by Tony Glazer and stars Harris Doran, Summer Crockett Moore, Neal Bledsoe, Anthony Rapp, Bryan Deehring and more. As part of the competition films at the First Time Fest, the film was in the running for a number of awards, and Neal Bledsoe won the Outstanding Achievement in Acting award “for the ferocity of the performance, and...
If there ever was a better reason not to do meth other than Breaking Bad, it would be Junction. Not only are you dealing with off the wall meth addicts and their emotions, but you’re subconsciously forced to endure the pain the characters are going through and that’s when you realized just how messed up things are.
Junction is written and directed by Tony Glazer and stars Harris Doran, Summer Crockett Moore, Neal Bledsoe, Anthony Rapp, Bryan Deehring and more. As part of the competition films at the First Time Fest, the film was in the running for a number of awards, and Neal Bledsoe won the Outstanding Achievement in Acting award “for the ferocity of the performance, and...
- 4/5/2013
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
The First Time Fest was created by Johanna Bennett and Mandy Ward as a way to showcase new upcoming filmmakers and their works, and to get them a head start in their industry. The festival occurred on March 1st to 4th at The Players Club in New York, which was a club started by some well-known writers and actors, including Edwin Booth (John Wilkes Booth’s brother), Mark Twain, and more.
While the festival does support new filmmakers in their journey, it also awards previous filmmakers who have made names for themselves. Being that this is the first year of the festival, the first ever John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema went to Darren Aronofsky. The award is named in honor of John Huston as he was a esteemed member of The Players Club, as well as considered to be one of the most influential writer, actor, director and producers of all times.
While the festival does support new filmmakers in their journey, it also awards previous filmmakers who have made names for themselves. Being that this is the first year of the festival, the first ever John Huston Award for Outstanding Achievement in Cinema went to Darren Aronofsky. The award is named in honor of John Huston as he was a esteemed member of The Players Club, as well as considered to be one of the most influential writer, actor, director and producers of all times.
- 3/16/2013
- by Catherina Gioino
- Nerdly
New performers have been added to the sold-out Pump Up The Volume concert at Joes Pub on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 930pm. Just added to the performer lineup are Harris Doran The Actors Funds Hair, Claybourne Elder Bonnie amp Clyde, Gideon Glick Spring Awakening, and Caren Lyn Tackett Hair. Film star Samantha Mathis, who appeared in the movie version of Pump Up The Volume, will also make a special appearance at the concert.
- 6/20/2012
- by BWW News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
Following up their initial competition announcement the folks at the Sundance Film Festival have released the names of thirty additional 2012 selections, in the Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, Next, and New Frontiers sections.
Although these sections tend to focus more on young and up-and-coming filmmakers (particularly the Next sidebar, which was created just a few years ago with that specific mandate), you might find a few names you recognize in the full list of invited films below. Next is where you'll find the new film from "Great World of Sound" director Craig Zobel; it's called "Compliance" and it's described as the (based-on-a-)true story of what happens "when a prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee." Lynn Shelton, director of "Humpday," will premiere "Your Sister's Sister" starring Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and "Humpday"s Mark Duplass. Duplass also wrote his wife Katie Aselton...
Although these sections tend to focus more on young and up-and-coming filmmakers (particularly the Next sidebar, which was created just a few years ago with that specific mandate), you might find a few names you recognize in the full list of invited films below. Next is where you'll find the new film from "Great World of Sound" director Craig Zobel; it's called "Compliance" and it's described as the (based-on-a-)true story of what happens "when a prank caller convinces a fast food restaurant manager to interrogate an innocent young employee." Lynn Shelton, director of "Humpday," will premiere "Your Sister's Sister" starring Emily Blunt, Rosemarie DeWitt and "Humpday"s Mark Duplass. Duplass also wrote his wife Katie Aselton...
- 12/2/2011
- by Matt Singer
- ifc.com
Now in its third year, Sundance's Next section (which describes its works as "bold", and "innovative" (think more accessible than and just as low budget as the stuff we find in the New Frontiers section) grabs our attention because of its inclusion of Craig Zobel's latest effort, Compliance a true story drama perhaps in the same budget range as Great World of Sound. Other alumni embedded in this group of nine include: Helmer Destin Daniel Cretton (who one in Park City a couple of years back for Short Term 12) returns with his feature debut, I Am Not a Hipster and the Zellner bros. are back again with their latest, Kid-Thing (the teaser on Kickstarter seriously rocks). Worth noting: actress Carrie Preston brings her feature bromance-like comedy (That's What She Said) with the unlikely trio of actresses in Anne Heche, Marcia DeBonis, Alia Shawkat while Matt Ross (I'm sure...
- 12/2/2011
- IONCINEMA.com
Yesterday Sundance released their films up for competition for the 2012 festival. But that was only one half of the festival slate. Now Sundance has released the second half of films that will be released as part of the festivities. Films in competition are just as interesting as those not in competition and with titles The Raid and Wuthering Heights are all on the list, it will be a fun watch this year.
Check out the list for the Out of Competition film that can be seen at the Sundance Film Festival 2012 below.
Spotlight
Corpo Celeste / Italy (Director and screenwriter: Alice Rohrwacher) — After moving back to southern Italy with her mother and older sister, 13-year-old Marta struggles to find her place, restlessly testing the boundaries of an unfamiliar city and the catechism of the Catholic church.Cast: Yle Vianello, Salvatore Cantalupo, Anita Caprioli, Renato Carpentiere.
Declaration Of War / Belgium (Director: Valérie Donzelli,...
Check out the list for the Out of Competition film that can be seen at the Sundance Film Festival 2012 below.
Spotlight
Corpo Celeste / Italy (Director and screenwriter: Alice Rohrwacher) — After moving back to southern Italy with her mother and older sister, 13-year-old Marta struggles to find her place, restlessly testing the boundaries of an unfamiliar city and the catechism of the Catholic church.Cast: Yle Vianello, Salvatore Cantalupo, Anita Caprioli, Renato Carpentiere.
Declaration Of War / Belgium (Director: Valérie Donzelli,...
- 12/1/2011
- by Mike Lee
- FusedFilm
Yesterday The Sundance Film Festival released their list of In-Competition films, today they have released their line-up of Non-Competition films. I've had a blast every year that I've attended The Sundance Film Festival, it's always a surprise! You never know what movie you are going to see until you see it. If you ever get a chance to go I highly recommend that you do. Each film on the list has a little description next to it. The festival will take place January 19th to the 29th.
Check out the list of movies below and let us know of any that you are interested in watching or hearing about so that we can get it covered for you. Some of the films might look familiar to you such as The Raid, Grabbers and Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, and Wuthering Heights. The Raid is at the top of...
Check out the list of movies below and let us know of any that you are interested in watching or hearing about so that we can get it covered for you. Some of the films might look familiar to you such as The Raid, Grabbers and Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie, and Wuthering Heights. The Raid is at the top of...
- 12/1/2011
- by Venkman
- GeekTyrant
Yesterday the Sundance Film Festival announced the core lineup of films [1] that will be spotlit in the Competition slates at the 2012 festival. Now we've got a lineup of films that will play out of competition in the Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, Next <=> and New Frontier schedules. There are a few films in here with which you might be nominally familiar, like The Raid, Grabbers and Tim and Eric's Billion Dollar Movie, not to mention Andrea Arnold's new version of Wuthering Heights. But many are new announcements. While the competition lineups are always a good place to look for some of the films that will be the most talked-about in the year following each Sundance fest, these schedules are where some of the more unique and provocative films live. There are still some big premieres to be announced next week, but if I was making a big Sundance wishlist,...
- 12/1/2011
- by Russ Fischer
- Slash Film
Getty Images The marquee of the Egyptian Theater announces the Sundance Film Festival
Yesterday, the Sundance Institute announced its in-competition narrative and documentary films for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Today, they announced their out-of-competition film in the Spotlight, Midnight, Next and New Frontier sections. The full list is below:
Spotlight
Regardless of where these films have played throughout the world, the Spotlight program is a tribute to the cinema we love.
Corpo Celeste / Italy (Director and screenwriter: Alice Rohrwacher) — After...
Yesterday, the Sundance Institute announced its in-competition narrative and documentary films for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. Today, they announced their out-of-competition film in the Spotlight, Midnight, Next and New Frontier sections. The full list is below:
Spotlight
Regardless of where these films have played throughout the world, the Spotlight program is a tribute to the cinema we love.
Corpo Celeste / Italy (Director and screenwriter: Alice Rohrwacher) — After...
- 12/1/2011
- by Michelle Kung
- Speakeasy/Wall Street Journal
Following yesterday's announcement of the titles lined up for the four programs of the Competition, the Sundance Film Festival has unveiled the lineups of its out-of-competition sections: Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, Next <=> and New Frontier. This time, I'm going to go ahead and copy-n-paste the release nearly in full because, well, these are, potentially at least, the more interesting batches.
We'll cut in just as Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, is saying, “In many ways, the extremes of the Festival’s program are most readily apparent in our out-of-competition sections, which showcase the wildest comedies, the most terrifying horror films and uncompromised visions from singular voices springing up from around the country and the world. We hope audiences experiment with their film selections to an equal degree as these filmmakers have experimented with their storytelling.”
Spotlight
Regardless of where these films have played throughout the world,...
We'll cut in just as Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, is saying, “In many ways, the extremes of the Festival’s program are most readily apparent in our out-of-competition sections, which showcase the wildest comedies, the most terrifying horror films and uncompromised visions from singular voices springing up from around the country and the world. We hope audiences experiment with their film selections to an equal degree as these filmmakers have experimented with their storytelling.”
Spotlight
Regardless of where these films have played throughout the world,...
- 12/1/2011
- MUBI
Following yesterday’s announcement of competition titles, Sundance Film Festival 2012 have announced the line-up for a few more sections today. In their Spotlight section we have a few of my favorite Tiff titles, including Wuthering Heights (pictured above), Your Sister’s Sister, as well as audience-winners The Raid and Where Do We Go Now? We also get the insane-looking Tim and Eric’s Billion Dollar Movie in the midnight section. Check out the list below.
Park City, Ut — Sundance Institute announced today the films selected to screen in the 2012 Sundance Film Festival out-of-competition sections Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, Next <=> and New Frontier. The Festival takes place from January 19 through 29 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. The complete list of films is available at www.sundance.org/festival.
Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said, “In many ways, the extremes of the...
Park City, Ut — Sundance Institute announced today the films selected to screen in the 2012 Sundance Film Festival out-of-competition sections Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, Next <=> and New Frontier. The Festival takes place from January 19 through 29 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. The complete list of films is available at www.sundance.org/festival.
Trevor Groth, Director of Programming for the Sundance Film Festival, said, “In many ways, the extremes of the...
- 12/1/2011
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Camera’s will begin rolling on Wednesday, November 17 in Fort Lee, NJ as Tony Glazer’s Junction, gears up for a six week shoot, including large Swat scene complete with helicopters and sirens, which is scheduled to shoot December 11 & 12.
Junction follows four strung-out meth-addicts who discover a dark secret about a homeowner during a burglary, pitting them not only against the police but against each other. And as they spiral out of control toward the explosive climax the lines blur between right and wrong until the final unexpected twist is revealed.
The Junction cast includes: David Zayas as Lt. Tarelli (SAG Award Winner, Oz), Michael O'Keefe as Walters (Academy Award Nominee Golden Globe Nominee), Anthony Rapp as Connor (Broadway’s "Rent"), Anthony Ruivivaar as Tai, Harris Doran as Spot, Tom Pelphrey as David (Two-time Emmy Award Winner for Guiding Light), Neal Bledsoe (Gossip Girl; As The World Turns), Summer Crockett Mooore as Kari,...
Junction follows four strung-out meth-addicts who discover a dark secret about a homeowner during a burglary, pitting them not only against the police but against each other. And as they spiral out of control toward the explosive climax the lines blur between right and wrong until the final unexpected twist is revealed.
The Junction cast includes: David Zayas as Lt. Tarelli (SAG Award Winner, Oz), Michael O'Keefe as Walters (Academy Award Nominee Golden Globe Nominee), Anthony Rapp as Connor (Broadway’s "Rent"), Anthony Ruivivaar as Tai, Harris Doran as Spot, Tom Pelphrey as David (Two-time Emmy Award Winner for Guiding Light), Neal Bledsoe (Gossip Girl; As The World Turns), Summer Crockett Mooore as Kari,...
- 11/16/2010
- by We Love Soaps TV
- We Love Soaps
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