Exclusive: National Geographic is wading into one of psychology’s most debated studies from the past 50 years. The network has given a green light to The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking The Truth (wt), a three-part docuseries from Juliette Eisner, Alex Braverman and Muck Media, the producers behind Nat Geo’s Emmy-nominated Trafficked: Underworlds with Mariana van Zeller.
Led by Stanford psychology professor Dr. Phillip Zimbardo, the six-day Stanford Prison Experiment was Zimbardo’s attempt to understand the power of situation over human behavior. In 1971, Zimbardo paid two dozen college-aged participants to live in a mock prison, observing how randomly assigned “prisoner” and “guard” roles influenced behavior. What started out as a self-contained university experiment turned into a media spectacle that captured the imagination and attention of the world, defining our understanding of human nature and forever changing the course of psychology.
‘The Roots Of Evil’, 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, Discovery Channel...
Led by Stanford psychology professor Dr. Phillip Zimbardo, the six-day Stanford Prison Experiment was Zimbardo’s attempt to understand the power of situation over human behavior. In 1971, Zimbardo paid two dozen college-aged participants to live in a mock prison, observing how randomly assigned “prisoner” and “guard” roles influenced behavior. What started out as a self-contained university experiment turned into a media spectacle that captured the imagination and attention of the world, defining our understanding of human nature and forever changing the course of psychology.
‘The Roots Of Evil’, 1971 Stanford Prison Experiment, Discovery Channel...
- 4/17/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
A24 is backing a new documentary titled “Open Wide,” about an orthodontist whose controversial method of reshaping people’s jawlines went viral on TikTok for all the wrong reasons.
Sara Goldblatt directed “Open Wide,” which will be available to watch Jan. 23 on Netflix.
The documentary explores a father and son who are fighting to upend mainstream orthodontics. According to the official logline, “John Mew has waged a lonely war against the industry — and that teenage rite of passage, braces, for decades. With his son Mike now taking up the fight, the Mews’ fringe theories have turned into a full-blown online sensation. But even while mewing goes viral on TikTok and the Mews churn out content for their millions of followers, Mike is pursued by the British Orthodontic Society and threatened with expulsion by the very people who took away his father’s license.”
The father-son’s technique of “mewing,” which...
Sara Goldblatt directed “Open Wide,” which will be available to watch Jan. 23 on Netflix.
The documentary explores a father and son who are fighting to upend mainstream orthodontics. According to the official logline, “John Mew has waged a lonely war against the industry — and that teenage rite of passage, braces, for decades. With his son Mike now taking up the fight, the Mews’ fringe theories have turned into a full-blown online sensation. But even while mewing goes viral on TikTok and the Mews churn out content for their millions of followers, Mike is pursued by the British Orthodontic Society and threatened with expulsion by the very people who took away his father’s license.”
The father-son’s technique of “mewing,” which...
- 1/10/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Science fairs are cool again — and if you need proof, look no further than this new docuseries Science Fair: The Series that highlights some of the brightest young minds in Stem. Adapted from the 2019 Emmy-winning documentary of the same name, the three-parter follows high schoolers and their families as they prepare to compete against 30 million students from more than 80 countries at the International Science and Engineering Fair. The grand prize winner walks away with $75,000, but it wasn’t the money that exec producer and co-director Darren Foster wanted to showcase. “Sometimes we get a little cynical, and we forget that there are things that are still to be aspired to and to be achieved,” he says. “And I think the beauty of the students we feature and all of them that participate, they have that hope. They’re still idealistic in the best of ways.” Dr. Serena McCalla is involved in the students’ incredible innovations,...
- 12/10/2023
- TV Insider
President John F. Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy are pictured while on the campaign trail in San Antonio, Nov. 21, 1963.
National Geographic’s 2023 fall and winter programming kicks off with JFK: One Day in America, the second installment of the network’s One Day in America series. Nat Geo’s slate also includes documentaries narrated by Angela Bassett, Jeremy Renner, and Awkwafina, as well as Photographer – a series spotlighting the work of iconic photographers.
Additional winter programming includes the premieres of Science Fair: The Series and Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold. Returning series include Explorer: Lake of Fire, Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin, Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, and Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog.
JFK: One Day In America – Premieres Nov. 5 on National Geographic; Nov. 6 on Disney+ and Hulu
To commemorate six decades since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, the Emmy Award-winning, critically...
National Geographic’s 2023 fall and winter programming kicks off with JFK: One Day in America, the second installment of the network’s One Day in America series. Nat Geo’s slate also includes documentaries narrated by Angela Bassett, Jeremy Renner, and Awkwafina, as well as Photographer – a series spotlighting the work of iconic photographers.
Additional winter programming includes the premieres of Science Fair: The Series and Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold. Returning series include Explorer: Lake of Fire, Lost Cities Revealed with Albert Lin, Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller, and Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog.
JFK: One Day In America – Premieres Nov. 5 on National Geographic; Nov. 6 on Disney+ and Hulu
To commemorate six decades since the assassination of President John F. Kennedy on Nov. 22, 1963, the Emmy Award-winning, critically...
- 10/18/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
National Geographic Trailers, Premiere Dates Include New Jeremy Renner, Awkwafina Series (Exclusive)
National Geographic has released trailers and announced premiere dates for key upcoming programs, including “Incredible Animal Journeys” (narrated by Jeremy Renner), “A Real Bug’s Life” (narrated by Awkwafina) and “Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold.”
The trailer for “Incredible Animal Journeys,” narrated by Jeremy Renner, features Renner giving a glimpse of his narration as zebras race over tall grasses and polar bears trudge across icy terrain. The series will follow the migrations of animals.
“Every day, countless animals travel across the globe through danger and doubt, perils and perseverance, through hardships and homecomings,” states Renner in the trailer. “Some journeys will last a lifetime. But they all begin with a first step.”
“Incredible Animal Journeys” will premiere Nov. 19 on National Geographic, to be followed by a Nov. 20 streaming debut on Disney+ and Hulu.
“A Real Bug’s Life” explores bug worlds, based on Disney and Pixar’s 1998 film “A Bug’s Life.” The trailer features bug-on-bug violence,...
The trailer for “Incredible Animal Journeys,” narrated by Jeremy Renner, features Renner giving a glimpse of his narration as zebras race over tall grasses and polar bears trudge across icy terrain. The series will follow the migrations of animals.
“Every day, countless animals travel across the globe through danger and doubt, perils and perseverance, through hardships and homecomings,” states Renner in the trailer. “Some journeys will last a lifetime. But they all begin with a first step.”
“Incredible Animal Journeys” will premiere Nov. 19 on National Geographic, to be followed by a Nov. 20 streaming debut on Disney+ and Hulu.
“A Real Bug’s Life” explores bug worlds, based on Disney and Pixar’s 1998 film “A Bug’s Life.” The trailer features bug-on-bug violence,...
- 10/18/2023
- by Valerie Wu
- Variety Film + TV
Muck Media, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning production company, has entered into a first-look deal with National Geographic to develop unscripted series and specials.
“I’m a huge admirer of the work that Muck Media does – journalistic, stylish, thought-provoking and contemporary,” Tom McDonald, executive vice president of National Geographic’s Global Factual and Unscripted Content division, said in a statement. “The team is also such a joy to work with – collaborative, audience-focused and full of ideas… It’s thrilling to be deepening our working relationship further with this first-look deal.”
The agreement expands upon the two parties existing partnership, which includes “Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller.” The docuseries, which is hosted by the Muck Media co-founder, was recently picked up for a fifth season ahead of its Season 4 premiere in January.
“National Geographic is synonymous with adventure, curiosity and exploration, which are at the core of Muck’s approach to storytelling,...
“I’m a huge admirer of the work that Muck Media does – journalistic, stylish, thought-provoking and contemporary,” Tom McDonald, executive vice president of National Geographic’s Global Factual and Unscripted Content division, said in a statement. “The team is also such a joy to work with – collaborative, audience-focused and full of ideas… It’s thrilling to be deepening our working relationship further with this first-look deal.”
The agreement expands upon the two parties existing partnership, which includes “Trafficked with Mariana van Zeller.” The docuseries, which is hosted by the Muck Media co-founder, was recently picked up for a fifth season ahead of its Season 4 premiere in January.
“National Geographic is synonymous with adventure, curiosity and exploration, which are at the core of Muck’s approach to storytelling,...
- 9/27/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Muck Media is expanding its relationship with National Geographic. The Emmy- and Peabody-winning production company has signed a first-look deal with the network for unscripted series and specials.
The deal comes on the heels of a fifth season pickup and ahead of the fourth season premiere of Muck’s Nat Geo series Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller, which is nominated for nine Emmys at tonight’s News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
Additionally, on Dec. 10, National Geographic will premiere Science Fair: The Series, a spinoff of the Sundance breakout and Emmy-winning feature documentary directed by Muck Media partners Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster. The series will be available next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
“National Geographic is synonymous with adventure, curiosity and exploration, which are at the core of Muck’s approach to storytelling,” said van Zeller, Muck Media’s co-founder and host of Trafficked. “From quirky teenagers studying science to black...
The deal comes on the heels of a fifth season pickup and ahead of the fourth season premiere of Muck’s Nat Geo series Trafficked With Mariana Van Zeller, which is nominated for nine Emmys at tonight’s News & Documentary Emmy Awards.
Additionally, on Dec. 10, National Geographic will premiere Science Fair: The Series, a spinoff of the Sundance breakout and Emmy-winning feature documentary directed by Muck Media partners Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster. The series will be available next day on Disney+ and Hulu.
“National Geographic is synonymous with adventure, curiosity and exploration, which are at the core of Muck’s approach to storytelling,” said van Zeller, Muck Media’s co-founder and host of Trafficked. “From quirky teenagers studying science to black...
- 9/27/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sacklers of OxyContin infamy have become indelibly tied to the opioid crisis in America. But the truth is they were far from the only contributors to a drug epidemic that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives in recent years.
Take Chris and Jeff George, for instance. The steroid-jacked twin brothers opened their first pain medication storefront in Florida in 2007 and before long, as they put it, “We were the Disneyland of pain clinics.” Their exploits are told in the CNN Films documentary American Pain, directed by Darren Foster, which premieres on CNN tonight.
“The George brothers did not start the opioid crisis,” retired FBI agent Kurt McKenzie notes in the film. “But they sure as hell poured gasoline on the fire.”
Director Darren Foster attends the ‘American Pain’ Premiere at Sva Theater on June 11, 2022 in New York City.
Foster, an Emmy-winning filmmaker, first crossed paths with the Georges more than a decade ago.
Take Chris and Jeff George, for instance. The steroid-jacked twin brothers opened their first pain medication storefront in Florida in 2007 and before long, as they put it, “We were the Disneyland of pain clinics.” Their exploits are told in the CNN Films documentary American Pain, directed by Darren Foster, which premieres on CNN tonight.
“The George brothers did not start the opioid crisis,” retired FBI agent Kurt McKenzie notes in the film. “But they sure as hell poured gasoline on the fire.”
Director Darren Foster attends the ‘American Pain’ Premiere at Sva Theater on June 11, 2022 in New York City.
Foster, an Emmy-winning filmmaker, first crossed paths with the Georges more than a decade ago.
- 2/6/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
CNN’s American Pain, investigative doc maker Darren Foster’s profile of pill mill kingpins Chris and Jeff George, is set for a Feb. 5 premiere.
American Pain had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival as it traces the rise and fall of identical twins from Florida who trafficked over 500 million in opioid pills while running sham pain clinics. The documentary will also stream on CNN.com and CNN Ott and mobile apps, or CNNgo where available.
“The George brothers were the biggest players among a colorful cast of characters who made millions during Florida’s pill mill boom. Together with their trusty suppliers — a pharmaceutical industry pumping out billions of powerful and addictive pills — they fueled the worst drug epidemic in American history,” director Foster, who conducted jailhouse interviews with the twin brothers, said in a statement.
Weaving together hundreds of hours of FBI wiretap recordings and undercover videos,...
American Pain had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival as it traces the rise and fall of identical twins from Florida who trafficked over 500 million in opioid pills while running sham pain clinics. The documentary will also stream on CNN.com and CNN Ott and mobile apps, or CNNgo where available.
“The George brothers were the biggest players among a colorful cast of characters who made millions during Florida’s pill mill boom. Together with their trusty suppliers — a pharmaceutical industry pumping out billions of powerful and addictive pills — they fueled the worst drug epidemic in American history,” director Foster, who conducted jailhouse interviews with the twin brothers, said in a statement.
Weaving together hundreds of hours of FBI wiretap recordings and undercover videos,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
CNN has a new recipe for Eva Longoria.
“Searching for Mexico,” the series that puts Eva Longoria at the center of an exploration of Mexican culture and cuisine and was originally planned to debut on CNN+, will instead launch on CNN’s flagship cable outlet. CNN+, a streaming-video outlet that aimed to court fans of the long-running cable network, was scuttled within weeks of its launch by corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery.
Her series is one of a new slate of original documentary projects and films expected to debut on CNN in 2023 — the last batch under an initiative that had CNN team up with third-party production companies or independent filmmakers. The ventures often resulted in new exposure for CNN and frequently won premium advertising support.
But such efforts have been trimmed back by Warner Bros. Discovery, which is under significant pressure to reduce a massive debt load since the company...
“Searching for Mexico,” the series that puts Eva Longoria at the center of an exploration of Mexican culture and cuisine and was originally planned to debut on CNN+, will instead launch on CNN’s flagship cable outlet. CNN+, a streaming-video outlet that aimed to court fans of the long-running cable network, was scuttled within weeks of its launch by corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery.
Her series is one of a new slate of original documentary projects and films expected to debut on CNN in 2023 — the last batch under an initiative that had CNN team up with third-party production companies or independent filmmakers. The ventures often resulted in new exposure for CNN and frequently won premium advertising support.
But such efforts have been trimmed back by Warner Bros. Discovery, which is under significant pressure to reduce a massive debt load since the company...
- 12/13/2022
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Muck Media announced today it is adapting bestselling Mexican memoir El Fixer for the big screen, the company’s first foray into narrative-scripted content.
Journalist Miguel Ángel Vega’s book chronicles “his journey from aspiring filmmaker to guiding foreign journalists working for some of the world’s most recognizable media brands into the darkest corners of the drug war over the last decade.” It’s an inherently risky business, because outsiders in need of a fixer want to “go where the action is,” not necessarily understanding the mortal danger they face.
As a description of the book put it, “Many North American, German, English, and French journalists are interested in covering the ups and downs of organized crime in Mexico, but the first problem is how to establish contact with drug bosses, huachicoleros, kidnappers, with some leader or another of organized crime. There’s no easy way to do this,...
Journalist Miguel Ángel Vega’s book chronicles “his journey from aspiring filmmaker to guiding foreign journalists working for some of the world’s most recognizable media brands into the darkest corners of the drug war over the last decade.” It’s an inherently risky business, because outsiders in need of a fixer want to “go where the action is,” not necessarily understanding the mortal danger they face.
As a description of the book put it, “Many North American, German, English, and French journalists are interested in covering the ups and downs of organized crime in Mexico, but the first problem is how to establish contact with drug bosses, huachicoleros, kidnappers, with some leader or another of organized crime. There’s no easy way to do this,...
- 12/5/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Though it’s been consistently overshadowed by more dramatic breaking news stories, few issues have dealt 21st-century U.S. society such a crippling blow as the opioid crisis. There have been documentaries about afflicted communities, irresponsible pharmaceutical manufacturers and misguided or corrupt prescribing physicians, as well as fictive depictions and bestselling print exposés like Patrick Redden Keefe’s “Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty.” But it’s hard to think of a prior chronicle quite so luridly indicting as “American Pain.”
A serious muckrake after the relatively softball exercise of 2018 crowdpleaser “Science Fair” (which was co-directed with Cristina Costantini), Darren Foster’s second feature draws on his long-term opioid-related TV reporting to paint a particularly horrible kind of all-American success story. Its principal figures are twin South Florida brothers whose ruthless exploitation of weak regulation and an addiction epidemic made them, for a time, the nation’s single largest “pill mill.
A serious muckrake after the relatively softball exercise of 2018 crowdpleaser “Science Fair” (which was co-directed with Cristina Costantini), Darren Foster’s second feature draws on his long-term opioid-related TV reporting to paint a particularly horrible kind of all-American success story. Its principal figures are twin South Florida brothers whose ruthless exploitation of weak regulation and an addiction epidemic made them, for a time, the nation’s single largest “pill mill.
- 6/28/2022
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Attention, readers: Do you suffer from Rage Deficit Disorder? Do you have difficulty maintining a level of anger proportionate to the horrors afflicting this world? We prescribe Darren Foster’s pill-mill doc American Pain, a film that is difficult to discuss using civil language, filled with some of the most hateful Americans not currently involved in politics or technology. Caution: Do not watch on a full stomach or before driving, and have something very comforting planned for after the screening.
Foster’s film profiles twin brothers Chris and Jeff George, the redneck counterparts to the Sacklers and others who made fortunes off the opioid crisis. Imagine ‘roided up, racist Florida jackasses, and it’s their faces you’ll see. If someone you care about overdosed in the ’00s, odds aren’t bad the drugs in question passed through one of their sham pain clinics.
Attention, readers: Do you suffer from Rage Deficit Disorder? Do you have difficulty maintining a level of anger proportionate to the horrors afflicting this world? We prescribe Darren Foster’s pill-mill doc American Pain, a film that is difficult to discuss using civil language, filled with some of the most hateful Americans not currently involved in politics or technology. Caution: Do not watch on a full stomach or before driving, and have something very comforting planned for after the screening.
Foster’s film profiles twin brothers Chris and Jeff George, the redneck counterparts to the Sacklers and others who made fortunes off the opioid crisis. Imagine ‘roided up, racist Florida jackasses, and it’s their faces you’ll see. If someone you care about overdosed in the ’00s, odds aren’t bad the drugs in question passed through one of their sham pain clinics.
- 6/12/2022
- by John DeFore
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In this country, drug trafficking, especially on screen, is almost always synonymous with cocaine, with an emphasis placed on either tough urban areas and violence or rich playboys and playgirls with a penchant for overdosing. The truth, however, is that the impact of the trafficking of cocaine, either in powder or crack form, pales in comparison to the widespread distribution of prescription drugs — otherwise known as the Opioid Crisis.
Hollywood has recently begun to turn its cameras to this drug epidemic, which is actually the worst in the nation’s history, to explore how pharmaceutical companies and other players chose profits over people by liberally spreading addictive pills throughout the country. “American Pain,” a new documentary from “Science Fair” director Darren Foster, is among the latest. Relying on hours of wiretap recordings, along with interviews with many of those who participated in the crime as well as the law enforcement...
Hollywood has recently begun to turn its cameras to this drug epidemic, which is actually the worst in the nation’s history, to explore how pharmaceutical companies and other players chose profits over people by liberally spreading addictive pills throughout the country. “American Pain,” a new documentary from “Science Fair” director Darren Foster, is among the latest. Relying on hours of wiretap recordings, along with interviews with many of those who participated in the crime as well as the law enforcement...
- 6/12/2022
- by Ronda Racha Penrice
- The Wrap
The horrors of opioid addiction, greed, corporate interests, and the exploitation of the drug and patients are nothing new, and shows like “Dopesick” have done a great job of putting the epidemic in a great cultural, capitalistic and political context. But a new true-crime documentary, “American Pain” is showing one specific slice of the story that’s almost too unbelievable to believe.
Directed by Darren Foster, “American Pain” is the story of twin brothers and bodybuilders Chris and Jeff George, who operated a franchise of pain clinics in Florida where they handed out pain pills like candy.
Continue reading ‘American Pain’ Clip: “We’re The Disneyland Of Pain Clinics” [Tribeca Exclusive] at The Playlist.
Directed by Darren Foster, “American Pain” is the story of twin brothers and bodybuilders Chris and Jeff George, who operated a franchise of pain clinics in Florida where they handed out pain pills like candy.
Continue reading ‘American Pain’ Clip: “We’re The Disneyland Of Pain Clinics” [Tribeca Exclusive] at The Playlist.
- 6/10/2022
- by Jamie Rogers
- The Playlist
Timely topics including abortion, freedom of the press, the opioid crisis and the Boy Scouts of America bankruptcy case serve as the subject matters of four documentary features premiering at this year’s Tribeca Festival.
In “Battleground” director Cynthia Lowen follows three women in charge of anti-abortion organizations, who are devoted to overturning Roe v. Wade. While the efforts of pro-choice women determined to safeguard access to safe and legal abortions are also featured in the doc, Lowen felt it necessary to focus on “anti-choice actors.”
“In 2019 I went down to Alabama and originally was filming with several pro-choice advocates in the state about the abortion ban,” Lowen says. “But I quickly realized that to really understand what was happening at the local clinic and state level I needed to take a step back and get this bird’s eye view of the power structures that were in play that...
In “Battleground” director Cynthia Lowen follows three women in charge of anti-abortion organizations, who are devoted to overturning Roe v. Wade. While the efforts of pro-choice women determined to safeguard access to safe and legal abortions are also featured in the doc, Lowen felt it necessary to focus on “anti-choice actors.”
“In 2019 I went down to Alabama and originally was filming with several pro-choice advocates in the state about the abortion ban,” Lowen says. “But I quickly realized that to really understand what was happening at the local clinic and state level I needed to take a step back and get this bird’s eye view of the power structures that were in play that...
- 6/8/2022
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
The world is Nat Geo’s playground with the network’s newly announced slate of unscripted content.
Ahead of Disney’s upfront presentation on Tuesday in New York City, National Geographic on Monday announced a new slate of six personality-driven series aimed to showcase various aspects of culture from around the world. The new shows will feature notable personalities Derek Hough, Kristen Kish, Jeff Jenkins, Indy Srinath and Christian Cooper — as well as high school competitors of a global science fair competition.
Renowned dancer Derek Hough will guide viewers around the world on an exploration of dance history and trends in the new show “Dance the World With Derek Hough.” In each episode, Hough will team up with a celebrity guest to embark on a journey to uncover the global cultural traditions that shape dance. Grant Kahler is executive producer and showrunner on the series. For National Geographic, Betsy Forhan is executive producer,...
Ahead of Disney’s upfront presentation on Tuesday in New York City, National Geographic on Monday announced a new slate of six personality-driven series aimed to showcase various aspects of culture from around the world. The new shows will feature notable personalities Derek Hough, Kristen Kish, Jeff Jenkins, Indy Srinath and Christian Cooper — as well as high school competitors of a global science fair competition.
Renowned dancer Derek Hough will guide viewers around the world on an exploration of dance history and trends in the new show “Dance the World With Derek Hough.” In each episode, Hough will team up with a celebrity guest to embark on a journey to uncover the global cultural traditions that shape dance. Grant Kahler is executive producer and showrunner on the series. For National Geographic, Betsy Forhan is executive producer,...
- 5/16/2022
- by Carson Burton
- Variety Film + TV
Ahead of Disney’s TV upfront presentation on Tuesday, National Geographic announced its next slate of nonfiction programming, doubling down on its recent streak of personality-driven shows with five new series led by “Dance the World” starring “Dancing With The Stars” legend Derek Hough.
“Dance the World” will see Hough team up with a celebrity guest to explore the cultural roots behind some of the world’s most famous dances, with each episode ending with a performance of that dance routine.
Other projects announced include chef Kristen Kish’s “Restaurants at the End of the World,” urban gardener Indy Srinath’s “Farming Is Life,” Christian Cooper’s avian nature series “Extraordinary Birder,” and an untitled travel series starring blogger Jeff Jenkins.
National Geographic also announced a new series based on the Emmy and SXSW Audience Award-winning documentary “Science Fair,” which will see directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster return to...
“Dance the World” will see Hough team up with a celebrity guest to explore the cultural roots behind some of the world’s most famous dances, with each episode ending with a performance of that dance routine.
Other projects announced include chef Kristen Kish’s “Restaurants at the End of the World,” urban gardener Indy Srinath’s “Farming Is Life,” Christian Cooper’s avian nature series “Extraordinary Birder,” and an untitled travel series starring blogger Jeff Jenkins.
National Geographic also announced a new series based on the Emmy and SXSW Audience Award-winning documentary “Science Fair,” which will see directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster return to...
- 5/16/2022
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
National Geographic is expanding its unscripted slate with greenlights for three new series — Life Below Zero: First Alaskans, a spinoff of the Emmy-winning Life Below Zero franchise, Appetite for Adventure with BBQ pitmaster Big Moe Cason, and The 7 Toughest Days on Earth with adventurer and explorer Dwayne Fields from One Strange Rock producers Nutopia. Additionally, Nat Geo has given an early Season 3 renewal to Emmy-nominated docuseries Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller. Courteney Monroe, president, National Geographic Content, announced the news during Nat Geo’s TCA session Tuesday.
“These new series are exciting additions to our stable of popular, returnable, scalable series led by charismatic personalities,” said Monroe. “The talent at the center of each of these series have unique voices and perspectives that will undoubtedly inspire the explorer in all of us.”
The three new series will also have a second window on Disney+.
Life Below Zero: First Alaskans expands...
“These new series are exciting additions to our stable of popular, returnable, scalable series led by charismatic personalities,” said Monroe. “The talent at the center of each of these series have unique voices and perspectives that will undoubtedly inspire the explorer in all of us.”
The three new series will also have a second window on Disney+.
Life Below Zero: First Alaskans expands...
- 8/18/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
National Geographic has renewed “Trafficked With Mariana van Zeller” for a third season ahead of its second season premiere, which comes Dec. 1 at 9 p.m. Additionally, the network ordered three new unscripted series: “Life Below Zero: First Alaskans,” “The 7 Toughest Days on Earth” and “Appetite for Adventures.”
The second season of “Trafficked” was produced amid the Covid-19 pandemic and consists of 10 new episodes; the third season will begin production this fall. Each episode of the series will continue to follow the titular Peabody and duPont Award-winning journalist as she works her way inside a black market or trafficking network to expose the business, the players and the inner workings of the shadow economy. In Season 2, those businesses include romance scams, a meth superhighway, California’s marijuana black market, a stolen car smuggling route, outlaw motorcycle gangs, black market plastic surgery, supremacy, and more.
“Filming a whole season of ‘Trafficked’ during...
The second season of “Trafficked” was produced amid the Covid-19 pandemic and consists of 10 new episodes; the third season will begin production this fall. Each episode of the series will continue to follow the titular Peabody and duPont Award-winning journalist as she works her way inside a black market or trafficking network to expose the business, the players and the inner workings of the shadow economy. In Season 2, those businesses include romance scams, a meth superhighway, California’s marijuana black market, a stolen car smuggling route, outlaw motorcycle gangs, black market plastic surgery, supremacy, and more.
“Filming a whole season of ‘Trafficked’ during...
- 8/18/2021
- by Danielle Turchiano
- Variety Film + TV
The Imagen Foundation has announced nominations for the 36th annual Imagen Awards, honoring film and TV shows that celebrate Latino talent. In the best feature film field, Netflix landed two: “Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado” and “Ya No Estoy Aqui” / “I’m No Longer Here.” The streamer also received TV drama nods for “Quién Mató a Sara?” / “Who Killed Sara?” and “Selena: The Series,” as well as a comedy nom for “Mr. Iglesias.”
Helen Hernandez, president of the Imagen Foundation, announced the nominations on Monday. The Imagen Awards will be streamed on PBSSoCal.org and Kcet.org on Sunday, October 10, at 5 p.m. Pt.
“The Imagen Foundation continues to be proud of being the only awards ceremony that honors Latino talent and contributions within the television, film, and streaming platforms,” Hernandez said. “This year we hit another milestone, having increased to 350 submissions for consideration, a record since last year.
Helen Hernandez, president of the Imagen Foundation, announced the nominations on Monday. The Imagen Awards will be streamed on PBSSoCal.org and Kcet.org on Sunday, October 10, at 5 p.m. Pt.
“The Imagen Foundation continues to be proud of being the only awards ceremony that honors Latino talent and contributions within the television, film, and streaming platforms,” Hernandez said. “This year we hit another milestone, having increased to 350 submissions for consideration, a record since last year.
- 8/2/2021
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
The Imagen Awards on Monday revealed nominations for its 36th edition, honoring Latino talent and contributions for the year across TV, film and streaming. Winners will be revealed October 10 in a ceremony on PBSSoCal.org and Kcet.org.
Netflix’s Selena: The Series, Starz’s Vida and FX’s Pose are among the top nominees overall, with Selena scoring a leading seven noms including in the Best Primetime Show – Drama category. That race also features Pose and fellow FX series Mayans M.C., USA Network’s Queen of the South, NBC’s This Is Us, HBO Max’s Veneno and Netflix’s Who Killed Sara?
Vida, which aired its third and final season in 2020, had six noms and was joined in the Best Primetime Show – Comedy race by Televisa’s ¿Quién es la Máscara?, Hulu’s Love, Victor, Netflix’s Mr. Iglesias, HBO Max’s Genera+ion and NBC’s Superstore.
Netflix’s Selena: The Series, Starz’s Vida and FX’s Pose are among the top nominees overall, with Selena scoring a leading seven noms including in the Best Primetime Show – Drama category. That race also features Pose and fellow FX series Mayans M.C., USA Network’s Queen of the South, NBC’s This Is Us, HBO Max’s Veneno and Netflix’s Who Killed Sara?
Vida, which aired its third and final season in 2020, had six noms and was joined in the Best Primetime Show – Comedy race by Televisa’s ¿Quién es la Máscara?, Hulu’s Love, Victor, Netflix’s Mr. Iglesias, HBO Max’s Genera+ion and NBC’s Superstore.
- 8/2/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
National Geographic will bring back a number of franchise titles for the 2021-2022 season. During its upfront presentation on Tuesday, National Geographic revealed that has handed renewals to its Life Below Zero and Wicked Tuna franchises. Also set to return for new seasons are adventure shows Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted, Running Wild with Bear Grylls, and Trafficked with Mariana Van Zeller.
The documentary network has also set the return for its annual Sharkfest special, marking its 10th anniversary on Nat Geo. It was also revealed that Good Morning America co-anchors Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan will join National Geographic for Explorer, a special produced in partnership with ABC News.
See National Geographic’s complete renewal slate below.
Returning Series
Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted
Renewed for Season Four (Studio Ramsay)
Gordon Ramsay laces his boots, grabs his knives and buckles up as he hits the road to embark on more exhilarating adventures, exploring...
The documentary network has also set the return for its annual Sharkfest special, marking its 10th anniversary on Nat Geo. It was also revealed that Good Morning America co-anchors Robin Roberts and Michael Strahan will join National Geographic for Explorer, a special produced in partnership with ABC News.
See National Geographic’s complete renewal slate below.
Returning Series
Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted
Renewed for Season Four (Studio Ramsay)
Gordon Ramsay laces his boots, grabs his knives and buckles up as he hits the road to embark on more exhilarating adventures, exploring...
- 5/18/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
In the documentary Own the Room, five students from “disparate corners of the planet” take their “budding business ventures to Macau, China, to compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards.” It’s the latest from Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster, the team behind the documentary Science Fair. Own the Room hails from National Geographic Documentary Films, and is headed to Disney+ […]
The post ‘Own the Room’ Trailer: Five Students Compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Own the Room’ Trailer: Five Students Compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards appeared first on /Film.
- 2/13/2021
- by Chris Evangelista
- Slash Film
Exclusive: The filmmakers behind Science Fair are prepping a feature doc about student entrepreneurs for Disney+.
The streamer has ordered Own the Room from directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster and National Geographic Documentary Films.
The film follows five young students on their journey to win one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for fledgling entrepreneurs in Macau, China.
Launching on March 12, the doc follows the five students as they compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. Santosh is from a small farming town in Nepal; Alondra works the register at her family’s bakery in Puerto Rico; Henry is a programming wiz from Nairobi; Jason is a marketing machine from Greece; and Daniela, an immigrant fleeing the crisis in Venezuela, is taking on the chemical industry from her lab at NYU.
It marks Costantini and Foster’s latest collaboration with National Geographic Documentary Films and Disney+; Science Fair,...
The streamer has ordered Own the Room from directors Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster and National Geographic Documentary Films.
The film follows five young students on their journey to win one of the world’s most prestigious competitions for fledgling entrepreneurs in Macau, China.
Launching on March 12, the doc follows the five students as they compete in the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards. Santosh is from a small farming town in Nepal; Alondra works the register at her family’s bakery in Puerto Rico; Henry is a programming wiz from Nairobi; Jason is a marketing machine from Greece; and Daniela, an immigrant fleeing the crisis in Venezuela, is taking on the chemical industry from her lab at NYU.
It marks Costantini and Foster’s latest collaboration with National Geographic Documentary Films and Disney+; Science Fair,...
- 2/8/2021
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
The English-speaking world had Miss Cleo, and the Spanish-speaking world had Walter Mercado. While one turned out to be a con artist, the other disappeared from public eye without so much as a characteristically dramatic flourish. The legendary Puerto Rican psychic and astrologer captivated the Latin world with his glamorous style, gender-nonconforming persona, and warmhearted cosmic readings. Now, he is poised to reach a new level of fandom with a lovingly crafted documentary about his life and career, directed by Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch. “Mucho Mucho Amor: The Legend of Walter Mercado” premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival in January, and will hit screens worldwide on Netflix next week.
Here’s the official synopsis: “Every day for decades, extravagant Puerto Rican astrologer, psychic, and gender nonconforming legend Walter Mercado charmed the world with his televised horoscopes. Equal parts Oprah, Liberace, and Mr. Rogers, Walter reached over 120 million viewers at his peak,...
Here’s the official synopsis: “Every day for decades, extravagant Puerto Rican astrologer, psychic, and gender nonconforming legend Walter Mercado charmed the world with his televised horoscopes. Equal parts Oprah, Liberace, and Mr. Rogers, Walter reached over 120 million viewers at his peak,...
- 6/29/2020
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Scott Adams, creator of the popular “Dilbert” cartoon, claimed in a tweet Sunday that his short-lived television series on Upn was canceled because he was white.
“I lost my TV show for being white when Upn decided it would focus on an African-American audience. That was the third job I lost for being white. The other two in corporate America. (They told me directly.),” Adams wrote in response to one of several replies to a 2017 tweet from The Hollywood Reporter that touted Lena Dunham for selling her show “Girls” to HBO with nothing but a “page-and-a-half-long pitch, without a character nor a plot” when she was 23.
Ahmed Best, who created, wrote, directed and produced his own TV show, “This Can’t Be My Life,” also responded the tweet about Dunham, suggesting that her white privilege may have helped her get a leg up over creators of color who rarely get so lucky.
“I lost my TV show for being white when Upn decided it would focus on an African-American audience. That was the third job I lost for being white. The other two in corporate America. (They told me directly.),” Adams wrote in response to one of several replies to a 2017 tweet from The Hollywood Reporter that touted Lena Dunham for selling her show “Girls” to HBO with nothing but a “page-and-a-half-long pitch, without a character nor a plot” when she was 23.
Ahmed Best, who created, wrote, directed and produced his own TV show, “This Can’t Be My Life,” also responded the tweet about Dunham, suggesting that her white privilege may have helped her get a leg up over creators of color who rarely get so lucky.
- 6/29/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Netflix has acquired the worldwide rights to the feature-length documentary “Mucho Mucho Amor” ahead of its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, an individual with knowledge of the deal told TheWrap.
The feature, directed by Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch, tells the story of gender non-conforming astrologer Walter Mercado. Mercado mesmerized millions of Latino viewers over four decades before he disappeared out of the public eye. He died on Nov. 2, 2019 at age 87. The film will premiere at Sundance on Jan. 24 and will debut on Netflix this summer.
Costantini, Tabsch and Alex Fumero are producers on the project, while Darren Foster, Lisa Leingang, Mona Panchal and Jeffrey Plunkett serve as executive producers. Muck Media, Key Rat, Inc., and Topic Studios produced.
Also Read: 'The Father' Starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman Acquired by Sony Pictures Classics Ahead of Sundance
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Eugenio Derbez and Raul De Molina are featured in the documentary.
The feature, directed by Cristina Costantini and Kareem Tabsch, tells the story of gender non-conforming astrologer Walter Mercado. Mercado mesmerized millions of Latino viewers over four decades before he disappeared out of the public eye. He died on Nov. 2, 2019 at age 87. The film will premiere at Sundance on Jan. 24 and will debut on Netflix this summer.
Costantini, Tabsch and Alex Fumero are producers on the project, while Darren Foster, Lisa Leingang, Mona Panchal and Jeffrey Plunkett serve as executive producers. Muck Media, Key Rat, Inc., and Topic Studios produced.
Also Read: 'The Father' Starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman Acquired by Sony Pictures Classics Ahead of Sundance
Lin-Manuel Miranda, Eugenio Derbez and Raul De Molina are featured in the documentary.
- 1/17/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
“We have a President who likes to joke that climate change is not real because it’s snowing out” a TV critic attending TCA asked panelists for Nat Geo’s documentary Science Fair, wondering if the documentary has taken on an “urgency.”
“We are very aware,” co-director/producer Darren Foster acknowledged. White describing the Sundance and SXSW award winning doc as a “celebration of science” and the students as best hope for a “bright” future, he said science definitely is “under attack.”
Winner of the audience award at Sundance and SXSW, NatGeo Documentary Film’s Science Fair followed nine high-school students from around the globe who were among the 1,700 students from 78 countries navigating their way to competing at the International Science and Engineering Fair.
“No one has been more surprised than we are by what this film has become,” co-director/producer Christina Constantini told TV critics.
Noting one of the...
“We are very aware,” co-director/producer Darren Foster acknowledged. White describing the Sundance and SXSW award winning doc as a “celebration of science” and the students as best hope for a “bright” future, he said science definitely is “under attack.”
Winner of the audience award at Sundance and SXSW, NatGeo Documentary Film’s Science Fair followed nine high-school students from around the globe who were among the 1,700 students from 78 countries navigating their way to competing at the International Science and Engineering Fair.
“No one has been more surprised than we are by what this film has become,” co-director/producer Christina Constantini told TV critics.
Noting one of the...
- 2/10/2019
- by Lisa de Moraes
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Isaac Lee’s Exile Content and Cristina Costantini & Darren Foster’s Muck Media have announced that they are partnering to develop the first of many unscripted projects.
The news comes after the success of Costantini and Foster’s documentary Science Fair, which tells the story of nine students from around the world who are competing in the highly competitive Intel science fair as they navigate rivalries, setbacks and of course, hormones. The film was well-received on its festival run, winning the Audience Award at SXSW and the Sundance Film Festival. It recently nabbed the Critics’ Choice Award for Best First Time Directors.
Costantini and Foster will collaborate with Exile to promote and provide opportunities for emerging creatives, with the goal of engaging the next generation of young, multicultural directors. They will focus on delivering stories that have a significant cultural impact from a multitude of perspectives. Further details will...
The news comes after the success of Costantini and Foster’s documentary Science Fair, which tells the story of nine students from around the world who are competing in the highly competitive Intel science fair as they navigate rivalries, setbacks and of course, hormones. The film was well-received on its festival run, winning the Audience Award at SXSW and the Sundance Film Festival. It recently nabbed the Critics’ Choice Award for Best First Time Directors.
Costantini and Foster will collaborate with Exile to promote and provide opportunities for emerging creatives, with the goal of engaging the next generation of young, multicultural directors. They will focus on delivering stories that have a significant cultural impact from a multitude of perspectives. Further details will...
- 12/17/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster began making Science Fair, which follows nine high school students from around the world as they prepare to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, before Donald Trump was elected — and before the current flare of controversy over immigrants in the U.S. The filmmakers spoke to THR about the film’s newfound timeliness, the unifying nature of science and what they learned from their young subjects.
Why tell this story now?
Cristina Costantini The event has been very important to me, personally. I competed at Science Fair for two years when ...
Why tell this story now?
Cristina Costantini The event has been very important to me, personally. I competed at Science Fair for two years when ...
- 11/12/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster began making Science Fair, which follows nine high school students from around the world as they prepare to compete at the International Science and Engineering Fair in Los Angeles, before Donald Trump was elected — and before the current flare of controversy over immigrants in the U.S. The filmmakers spoke to THR about the film’s newfound timeliness, the unifying nature of science and what they learned from their young subjects.
Why tell this story now?
Cristina Costantini The event has been very important to me, personally. I competed at Science Fair for two years when ...
Why tell this story now?
Cristina Costantini The event has been very important to me, personally. I competed at Science Fair for two years when ...
- 11/12/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Broadcast Film Critics and the Broadcast Television Journalists associations had a good feeling about “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” on Saturday at their third annual Critics’ Choice documentary honors event. They bestowed the evening’s top prizes, both Best Documentary and Best Director — as well as Best Editing — to Morgan Neville‘s moving portrait of beloved children’s show TV host Fred Rogers.
According to Box Office Mojo, the winner is the highest-grossing doc of the year so far, raking in $23 million.
Among the other winners at the Brooklyn-based event hosted by Bill Nye the Science Guy:
Best Sports Documentary: “Free Solo,” about the first free solo climb of El Capitan at National Yosemite Park.
Best Limited Documentary Series: “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling”
Best Ongoing Documentary Series: “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown”
Best Political Documentary: “Rbg,” about Supreme Court Justic Ruth Bader Ginsberg
SEECheck out the...
According to Box Office Mojo, the winner is the highest-grossing doc of the year so far, raking in $23 million.
Among the other winners at the Brooklyn-based event hosted by Bill Nye the Science Guy:
Best Sports Documentary: “Free Solo,” about the first free solo climb of El Capitan at National Yosemite Park.
Best Limited Documentary Series: “The Zen Diaries of Garry Shandling”
Best Ongoing Documentary Series: “Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown”
Best Political Documentary: “Rbg,” about Supreme Court Justic Ruth Bader Ginsberg
SEECheck out the...
- 11/11/2018
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
Ever since the Fred Rogers documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” brought audiences to tears at the Sundance Film Festival in January, it has been the frontrunner for the Best Documentary Oscar. Sure enough, the Focus Features release, the highest-grossing biodoc of all time, took home Best Documentary and Director for Morgan Neville as well as Best Editing at the Third Annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards on Saturday, November 10.
Its closest competitor, NatGeo’s vertiginous climbing movie “Free Solo,” also took home three Critics’ Choice documentary awards from the Broadcast Film Critics Association (Bfca) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (Btja). Directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, “Free Solo” won Best Sports Documentary, Best Innovative Documentary, and Best Cinematography.
During the awards show hosted by Bill Nye at Bric in Brooklyn, filmmaker Michael Moore gave a rousing political speech as he accepted the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award,...
Its closest competitor, NatGeo’s vertiginous climbing movie “Free Solo,” also took home three Critics’ Choice documentary awards from the Broadcast Film Critics Association (Bfca) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (Btja). Directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, “Free Solo” won Best Sports Documentary, Best Innovative Documentary, and Best Cinematography.
During the awards show hosted by Bill Nye at Bric in Brooklyn, filmmaker Michael Moore gave a rousing political speech as he accepted the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award,...
- 11/11/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Ever since the Fred Rogers documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” brought audiences to tears at the Sundance Film Festival in January, it has been the frontrunner for the Best Documentary Oscar. Sure enough, the Focus Features release, the highest-grossing biodoc of all time, took home Best Documentary and Director for Morgan Neville as well as Best Editing at the Third Annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards on Saturday, November 10.
Its closest competitor, NatGeo’s vertiginous climbing movie “Free Solo,” also took home three Critics’ Choice documentary awards from the Broadcast Film Critics Association (Bfca) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (Btja). Directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, “Free Solo” won Best Sports Documentary, Best Innovative Documentary, and Best Cinematography.
During the awards show hosted by Bill Nye at Bric in Brooklyn, filmmaker Michael Moore gave a rousing political speech as he accepted the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award,...
Its closest competitor, NatGeo’s vertiginous climbing movie “Free Solo,” also took home three Critics’ Choice documentary awards from the Broadcast Film Critics Association (Bfca) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (Btja). Directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi, “Free Solo” won Best Sports Documentary, Best Innovative Documentary, and Best Cinematography.
During the awards show hosted by Bill Nye at Bric in Brooklyn, filmmaker Michael Moore gave a rousing political speech as he accepted the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award,...
- 11/11/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The winners for the third annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards were announced Saturday with Morgan Neville’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor taking the top honor of Best Documentary. The winners were determined by members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (BTJA).
The Mr. Rogers documentary also nabbed Best Director for Neville as well as Best Editing. The nail-biting rock climbing documentary directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi also won three awards including Best Sports Documentary, Most Innovative Documentary, and Best Cinematography.
Hosted by Bill Nye at Bric in Brooklyn, the ceremony also honored Michael Moore with the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by Robert De Niro. In addition, Joe Berlinger renowned documentarian Stanley Nelson was honored with the Critics’ Choice Impact Award. Berlinger earned the same honor last year.
Other winners of the evening included the Ruth Bader Ginsbug pic Rbg,...
The Mr. Rogers documentary also nabbed Best Director for Neville as well as Best Editing. The nail-biting rock climbing documentary directed by Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi also won three awards including Best Sports Documentary, Most Innovative Documentary, and Best Cinematography.
Hosted by Bill Nye at Bric in Brooklyn, the ceremony also honored Michael Moore with the Critics’ Choice Lifetime Achievement Award, which was presented by Robert De Niro. In addition, Joe Berlinger renowned documentarian Stanley Nelson was honored with the Critics’ Choice Impact Award. Berlinger earned the same honor last year.
Other winners of the evening included the Ruth Bader Ginsbug pic Rbg,...
- 11/11/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” has been named the best documentary of 2018 at the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, which were handed out on Saturday evening at Bric in Brooklyn, New York.
The film about “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” star Fred Rogers won in a category whose other nominees were “Crime + Punishment,” “Dark Money,” “Free Solo,” “Hal,” “Hitler’s Hollywood,” “Minding the Gap,” “Rbg,” “Three Identical Strangers,” “Wild Wild Country.”
Michael Moore received a lifetime achievement award from Robert De Niro, who called him “an American hero.” Moore new film, “Fahrenheit 11/9,” was not nominated in the Best Documentary category, instead receiving a mention only in Best Political Documentary, where it lost to “Rbg.”
Also Read: 'Minding the Gap' Leads All Films in Nominations for Cinema Eye Honors
“Quincy” won the award for best music documentary, while “Free Solo” won for best sports documentary and most innovative documentary.
The film about “Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood” star Fred Rogers won in a category whose other nominees were “Crime + Punishment,” “Dark Money,” “Free Solo,” “Hal,” “Hitler’s Hollywood,” “Minding the Gap,” “Rbg,” “Three Identical Strangers,” “Wild Wild Country.”
Michael Moore received a lifetime achievement award from Robert De Niro, who called him “an American hero.” Moore new film, “Fahrenheit 11/9,” was not nominated in the Best Documentary category, instead receiving a mention only in Best Political Documentary, where it lost to “Rbg.”
Also Read: 'Minding the Gap' Leads All Films in Nominations for Cinema Eye Honors
“Quincy” won the award for best music documentary, while “Free Solo” won for best sports documentary and most innovative documentary.
- 11/11/2018
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Women directors and producers are consistent winners and well-represented as nominees when it comes to documentaries in awards season. Barbara Kopple is a two-time Oscar-winning documentary director; Freida Lee Mock is an Oscar winner and was the Academy’s first documentary branch governor; Laura Poitras (“Citizenfour”) and Zana Briski (“Born Into Brothels”) are the two women who’ve taken home the gold statuette as directors most recently. It’s a field in which women have made their mark in cinematography and editing, too, and are not outliers.
“Women have always been fiercely part of the documentary filmmaking movement,” says Diane Weyermann, Participant Media’s president of documentary film and TV. The barriers to entry are not as high when compared to scripted/narrative features, especially when it comes to financing. Production costs are less and crews are traditionally a fraction of the size. There’s also the longstanding tradition of...
“Women have always been fiercely part of the documentary filmmaking movement,” says Diane Weyermann, Participant Media’s president of documentary film and TV. The barriers to entry are not as high when compared to scripted/narrative features, especially when it comes to financing. Production costs are less and crews are traditionally a fraction of the size. There’s also the longstanding tradition of...
- 11/9/2018
- by Kathy A. McDonald
- Variety Film + TV
Documentaries have a reputation for being, as Jerry Seinfeld put it at the 2007 Oscars, “incredibly depressing.” But not this year.
While 2018 has seen its share of high-profile political docus, including Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 11/9” and Errol Morris’ “American Dharma,” audiences seem to be in serious need of inspirational non-fiction films that don’t deal directly with politics. The evidence is the abnormally lofty documentary box office numbers over the summer.
At the height of popcorn season, when franchises were taking over multiplexes, Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” about Fred Rogers — the minister and famed children’s TV host — drew in more than $22 million domestically in 14 weeks. That’s the highest amount a documentary has made theatrically since 2013.
“What Mr. Rogers did with his show was to help kids navigate the fear they felt and didn’t understand,” says Neville. “And that’s exactly what he does for adults too.
While 2018 has seen its share of high-profile political docus, including Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 11/9” and Errol Morris’ “American Dharma,” audiences seem to be in serious need of inspirational non-fiction films that don’t deal directly with politics. The evidence is the abnormally lofty documentary box office numbers over the summer.
At the height of popcorn season, when franchises were taking over multiplexes, Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” about Fred Rogers — the minister and famed children’s TV host — drew in more than $22 million domestically in 14 weeks. That’s the highest amount a documentary has made theatrically since 2013.
“What Mr. Rogers did with his show was to help kids navigate the fear they felt and didn’t understand,” says Neville. “And that’s exactly what he does for adults too.
- 11/9/2018
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
The directors of 10 of the year's most outstanding documentaries — Hulu's Crime + Punishment (Stephen Maing), National Geographic's Free Solo (Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasarhelyi), Aos' In Search of Greatness (Gabe Polsky), HBO's The Price of Everything (two-time Oscar nominee Nathaniel Kahn), Netflix's Quincy (Al Hicks and Rashida Jones), Magnolia/CNN Films' Rbg (Julie Cohen and Betsy West), National Geographic's Science Fair (Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster), Zeitgeist's Studio 54 (Matt Tyrnauer), Neon/CNN Films' Three Identical Strangers (Tim Wardle) and Focus Features' Won't You Be My Neighbor? (Oscar winner Morgan Neville) — gathered on Oct. 28 at the Savannah College of Art and Design'...
- 11/5/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The directors of 10 of the year's most outstanding documentaries — Hulu's Crime + Punishment (Stephen Maing), National Geographic's Free Solo (Jimmy Chin and Chai Vasahelyi), Aos' In Search of Greatness (Gabe Polsky), HBO's The Price of Everything (two-time Oscar nominee Nathaniel Kahn), Netflix's Quincy (Al Hicks and Rashida Jones), Magnolia/CNN Films' Rbg (Julie Cohen and Betsy West), National Geographic's Science Fair (Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster), Zeitgeist's Studio 54 (Matt Tyrnauer), Neon/CNN Films' Three Identical Strangers (Tim Wardle) and Focus Features' Won't You Be My Neighbor? (Oscar winner Morgan Neville) — gathered on Oct. 28 at the Savannah College of Art and Design'...
- 11/5/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Savannah College of Art and Design (Scad) has announced the award winners for its 21st celebration of the Scad Savannah Film Festival.
The honors were revealed during an awards brunch held at local restaurant The Olde Pink House. A key stop on the Oscar festival circuit, this year’s Scad Savannah Film Festival screened a total of 164 films, including 33 narrative films, 16 documentary films and 115 shorts, more than any year before.
Twenty-seven awards were announced from the 105 films that competed in the categories of narrative features, documentary features, professional shorts, animated shorts, and student shorts selections.
Professional Competition
Best Narrative Feature – Tomorrow Best Documentary Feature – The Human Element Best Narrative Short – Geoff Best Directing – Will Kenning & Michael Rouse – Geoff Best Editing – Hold The Night Jury Award for Acting – Skyler Samuels – Spare Room Jury Award for Screenwriting – One Cambodian Family Please For My Pleasure Jury Award, Unheard Voices – Facing The Dragon...
The honors were revealed during an awards brunch held at local restaurant The Olde Pink House. A key stop on the Oscar festival circuit, this year’s Scad Savannah Film Festival screened a total of 164 films, including 33 narrative films, 16 documentary films and 115 shorts, more than any year before.
Twenty-seven awards were announced from the 105 films that competed in the categories of narrative features, documentary features, professional shorts, animated shorts, and student shorts selections.
Professional Competition
Best Narrative Feature – Tomorrow Best Documentary Feature – The Human Element Best Narrative Short – Geoff Best Directing – Will Kenning & Michael Rouse – Geoff Best Editing – Hold The Night Jury Award for Acting – Skyler Samuels – Spare Room Jury Award for Screenwriting – One Cambodian Family Please For My Pleasure Jury Award, Unheard Voices – Facing The Dragon...
- 11/3/2018
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi‘s “Free Solo” leads the third annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards with six bids, including Best Documentary and Best Director. Also nabbing nominations in those two top categories is Bing Liu‘s “Minding the Gap,” which is also in the running for Best First Time Director, as well as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” “Dark Money,” “Hitler’s Hollywood,” and “Three Identical Strangers.” In all 10 films were nominated for the top prize at these awards bestowed by the Broadcast Film Critics Assn. (Bfca). The other four are “Crime + Punishment,” “Hal,” “Rbg,” and “Wild Wild Country.”
Last year the Bfca nominated 16 films for this award, three of which –“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” “Faces Places,” and “Strong Island” — went on to contend at the Oscars. And in 2016 the Bfca shared its Best Documentary winner (“O.J.: Made in America”) with the Academy...
Last year the Bfca nominated 16 films for this award, three of which –“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” “Faces Places,” and “Strong Island” — went on to contend at the Oscars. And in 2016 the Bfca shared its Best Documentary winner (“O.J.: Made in America”) with the Academy...
- 10/16/2018
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s “Free Solo,” which captured rock climber Alex Honnold’s hair-raising ascent of Yosemite National Park’s 3,000-foot El Capitan rock formation, led the nominations for the third annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, it was revealed Monday. The film netted six nominations including best documentary and best director.
Close behind with five mentions each were “Minding the Gap” and “Wild Wild Country,” from Hulu and Netflix respectively.
Voted on by the Broadcast Film Critics and Television Journalists Assns., the awards will be presented at a gala event hosted by science educator and television personality Bill Nye on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Bric in Brooklyn, New York.
The nominees are:
Best Documentary
“Crime + Punishment” – Director: Stephen Maing (Hulu)
“Dark Money” – Director: Kimberly Reed (PBS)
“Free Solo” – Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (National Geographic Documentary Films)
“Hal” – Director: Amy Scott (Oscilloscope)
“Hitler’s Hollywood” – Director: Rüdiger Suchsland...
Close behind with five mentions each were “Minding the Gap” and “Wild Wild Country,” from Hulu and Netflix respectively.
Voted on by the Broadcast Film Critics and Television Journalists Assns., the awards will be presented at a gala event hosted by science educator and television personality Bill Nye on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Bric in Brooklyn, New York.
The nominees are:
Best Documentary
“Crime + Punishment” – Director: Stephen Maing (Hulu)
“Dark Money” – Director: Kimberly Reed (PBS)
“Free Solo” – Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (National Geographic Documentary Films)
“Hal” – Director: Amy Scott (Oscilloscope)
“Hitler’s Hollywood” – Director: Rüdiger Suchsland...
- 10/15/2018
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Variety Film + TV
The Broadcast Film Critics Association (Bfca) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (Btja) have announced the nominees for the third annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards. The winners will be presented their awards at a gala event, hosted by science educator and television personality Bill Nye, on Saturday, November 10 at Bric in Brooklyn, New York.
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s “Free Solo” leads this year with six nominations and one honor, including Best Documentary, Best Directors, Best Sports Documentary, Most Innovative Documentary, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and a Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary honor for Alex Honnold. “Minding the Gap” and “Wild Wild Country” follow with five nominations each, with “Dark Money,” “Hitler’s Hollywood,” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” each earning four nods.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s outstanding documentary work at the upcoming event,” said Broadcast Film Critics Association President...
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s “Free Solo” leads this year with six nominations and one honor, including Best Documentary, Best Directors, Best Sports Documentary, Most Innovative Documentary, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and a Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary honor for Alex Honnold. “Minding the Gap” and “Wild Wild Country” follow with five nominations each, with “Dark Money,” “Hitler’s Hollywood,” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” each earning four nods.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s outstanding documentary work at the upcoming event,” said Broadcast Film Critics Association President...
- 10/15/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Alejandro Rojas Oct 5, 2018
Science Fair filmmakers, Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster, discuss what it means to be a science fair kid.
The new documentary Science Fair follows several high school students on their journey to being accepted and competing in the world’s largest pre-college science competition. Their projects include groundbreaking science, yet these young scientists do not have advanced degrees and are just as silly and full of nerves and hormones as any other high school teenager. All of which turns out to be hilarious, educational, awkward, inspiring, and highly entertaining to watch play out on the big screen.
Filmmaker Cristina Costantini describes the International Science and Engineering Fair (Isef) as “one of the most stressful, exhilarating, sublime, terrible experiences a young person could go through.”
She would know, she competed in the fair when she was a student.
“I was a science fair kid when I was in...
Science Fair filmmakers, Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster, discuss what it means to be a science fair kid.
The new documentary Science Fair follows several high school students on their journey to being accepted and competing in the world’s largest pre-college science competition. Their projects include groundbreaking science, yet these young scientists do not have advanced degrees and are just as silly and full of nerves and hormones as any other high school teenager. All of which turns out to be hilarious, educational, awkward, inspiring, and highly entertaining to watch play out on the big screen.
Filmmaker Cristina Costantini describes the International Science and Engineering Fair (Isef) as “one of the most stressful, exhilarating, sublime, terrible experiences a young person could go through.”
She would know, she competed in the fair when she was a student.
“I was a science fair kid when I was in...
- 10/5/2018
- Den of Geek
After making documentaries about the opioid crisis (“The Naked Truth: Death by Fentanyl”) and migrant detention centers (“Why Did the U.S. Lock Up These Women with Men?”), Darren Foster and Cristina Costantini were ready for something a little more uplifting. “It was a natural progression,” Foster joked during the Ida Screening Series’ presentation of “Science Fair,” the co-directors’ crowd-pleasing documentary that first premiered at Sundance earlier this year.
“We started talking about my science-fair experience, as I participated for two years, as I mentioned, and Darren immediately was like, ‘We gotta do that documentary,'” Costantini added. From there, things began to fall into place — albeit gradually.
“We’ve never done anything happy, we’ve never done anything fun, and so we got very, very lucky,” she said, explaining how Univision agreed to fund the project in full. Following a cross-section of hundreds of kids who hope to be...
“We started talking about my science-fair experience, as I participated for two years, as I mentioned, and Darren immediately was like, ‘We gotta do that documentary,'” Costantini added. From there, things began to fall into place — albeit gradually.
“We’ve never done anything happy, we’ve never done anything fun, and so we got very, very lucky,” she said, explaining how Univision agreed to fund the project in full. Following a cross-section of hundreds of kids who hope to be...
- 10/1/2018
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Students entering International Science and Engineering Fair at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Photo courtesy of Univision and National Geographic
Science Fair is a crowd-pleasing, entertaining look at a group of high schoolers competing for the top prize in an international science fair. And forget that baking soda “volcano” from grade school science fairs. These kids are doing real science, with research projects on real-world topics like the tackling the Zika virus, creating an improved stethoscope, and developing innovations in aeronautics.
Not kidding about the crowd-pleasing: Science Fair won the Audience Choice Awards at both Sundance and SXSW. Science Fair The film is a celebration of science kids, of geek culture in all its quirky and funny glory, but also of the smart kids who know how to work hard and will go on the have a real impact on out world.
The National Geographic documentary has a similar structure others about student competitions,...
Science Fair is a crowd-pleasing, entertaining look at a group of high schoolers competing for the top prize in an international science fair. And forget that baking soda “volcano” from grade school science fairs. These kids are doing real science, with research projects on real-world topics like the tackling the Zika virus, creating an improved stethoscope, and developing innovations in aeronautics.
Not kidding about the crowd-pleasing: Science Fair won the Audience Choice Awards at both Sundance and SXSW. Science Fair The film is a celebration of science kids, of geek culture in all its quirky and funny glory, but also of the smart kids who know how to work hard and will go on the have a real impact on out world.
The National Geographic documentary has a similar structure others about student competitions,...
- 9/28/2018
- by Cate Marquis
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Science Fair National Geographic Documentary Series Reviewed by: Harvey Karten Director: Cristina Costantini, Darren Foster Screenwriter: Darren Foster, Jeffrey Plunkett, Cristina Costantini Cast: Kashfia, Myllena, Gabriel, Robbie, Ryan, Harsha, Abraham, Anjali, Ivo, Dr. Serena McCalla Screened at: Dolby88, NYC, 8/30/18 Opens: September 14, 2018 There’s the old expression, “How do you get to Carnegie Hall?” […]
The post Science Fair Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
The post Science Fair Movie Review appeared first on Shockya.com.
- 9/9/2018
- by Harvey Karten
- ShockYa
There’s something inexplicably compelling about watching brilliant young minds engage in cutthroat competition with each other. It’s part of what made the chess film “Searching for Bobby Fischer” an instant classic in 1993, and what led to an Oscar-nomination for the 2002 spelling bee documentary “Spellbound.” The “Spellbound” formula is put to the test once again in “Science Fair,” the new documentary from the Emmy-nominated filmmaking team of Cristina Costantini and Darren Foster, which won the inaugural Festival Favorite Award at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year.
Per the official synopsis: “‘Science Fair’ follows nine high school students from around the globe as they navigate rivalries, setbacks and, of course, hormones, on their journey to compete at The International Science and Engineering Fair. As 1,700 of the smartest, quirkiest teens from 78 different countries face off, only one will be named Best in Fair. The film offers a front seat to the victories,...
Per the official synopsis: “‘Science Fair’ follows nine high school students from around the globe as they navigate rivalries, setbacks and, of course, hormones, on their journey to compete at The International Science and Engineering Fair. As 1,700 of the smartest, quirkiest teens from 78 different countries face off, only one will be named Best in Fair. The film offers a front seat to the victories,...
- 7/30/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.