The sudden end of Participant Media came as a shock to many in the entertainment industry, but it hit documentary filmmakers particularly hard, with some concerned that backers for serious-minded, issue-driven projects are becoming ever more scarce.
Since its founding in 2004, the company — which sought to bring stories that could spark change to a wide audience — has been a staunch supporter of documentaries focused on social and justice issues, funded by the largesse of a billionaire, ex-eBay president Jeff Skoll.
None of its other nonfiction titles quite achieved the heights of 2006’s An Inconvenient Truth, released just two years after the company was formed: The Davis Guggenheim-directed film about Al Gore’s climate change slideshow rocketed to become the third-highest-grossing doc ever at the time and focused mainstream attention on climate change, inspiring studies about its impact. “That’s why we exist,” Skoll told The Hollywood Reporter in 2006, as Truth became a sensation.
Since its founding in 2004, the company — which sought to bring stories that could spark change to a wide audience — has been a staunch supporter of documentaries focused on social and justice issues, funded by the largesse of a billionaire, ex-eBay president Jeff Skoll.
None of its other nonfiction titles quite achieved the heights of 2006’s An Inconvenient Truth, released just two years after the company was formed: The Davis Guggenheim-directed film about Al Gore’s climate change slideshow rocketed to become the third-highest-grossing doc ever at the time and focused mainstream attention on climate change, inspiring studies about its impact. “That’s why we exist,” Skoll told The Hollywood Reporter in 2006, as Truth became a sensation.
- 4/19/2024
- by Katie Kilkenny
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Participant, the media company behind films like “Spotlight,” “Green Book,” “Roma,” and many more, is shutting its doors after 20 years in operation.
Jeff Skoll, who founded the company in 2004, informed the staff in a memo (obtained by IndieWire) that Participant would “wind down company operations.”
Nearly all of Participant’s roughly 100 staffers are being let go with no new content or production in the works. Only Participant’s library of 135 films remaining.
“I founded Participant with the mission of creating world-class content that inspires positive social change, prioritizing impact alongside commercial sustainability,” Skoll wrote. “Since then, the entertainment industry has seen revolutionary changes in how content is created, distributed and consumed.”
Participant’s 135 titles, half of them documentaries and also including five series, have earned $3.3 billion at the global box office. Participant has produced two Best Picture winners and earned 21 Oscars total from 86 nominations, as well as 18 Emmys on 62 nominations.
Jeff Skoll, who founded the company in 2004, informed the staff in a memo (obtained by IndieWire) that Participant would “wind down company operations.”
Nearly all of Participant’s roughly 100 staffers are being let go with no new content or production in the works. Only Participant’s library of 135 films remaining.
“I founded Participant with the mission of creating world-class content that inspires positive social change, prioritizing impact alongside commercial sustainability,” Skoll wrote. “Since then, the entertainment industry has seen revolutionary changes in how content is created, distributed and consumed.”
Participant’s 135 titles, half of them documentaries and also including five series, have earned $3.3 billion at the global box office. Participant has produced two Best Picture winners and earned 21 Oscars total from 86 nominations, as well as 18 Emmys on 62 nominations.
- 4/16/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Four documentary filmmakers have been selected to participate in Yeti’s inaugural Pretty Wild fellowship program, which supports documentaries that give a fresh perspective on the outdoors and the people and stories that live there.
The projects are: Tasha Van Zandt’s “The Arctic Women,” Mike Day’s “Baby Highlander,” Emily Cohen Ibañez’s “River” and Juliana Schatz Preston’s “Rare Bird.”
The four filmmakers, chosen from 330 submissions spanning 30 countries, are currently in Austin, Texas, for the first of two immersive retreats featured in the eight-month program.
In addition to $50,000 in unrestricted grants, each of the four selected filmmakers will receive guidance throughout the development of their films from a board of mentors. That includes the retreat in Austin, which comes to a close on March 7, as well as another retreat in September in Camden, Maine, leading up to Points North’s 20th annual Camden International Film Festival. The retreats include feedback sessions,...
The projects are: Tasha Van Zandt’s “The Arctic Women,” Mike Day’s “Baby Highlander,” Emily Cohen Ibañez’s “River” and Juliana Schatz Preston’s “Rare Bird.”
The four filmmakers, chosen from 330 submissions spanning 30 countries, are currently in Austin, Texas, for the first of two immersive retreats featured in the eight-month program.
In addition to $50,000 in unrestricted grants, each of the four selected filmmakers will receive guidance throughout the development of their films from a board of mentors. That includes the retreat in Austin, which comes to a close on March 7, as well as another retreat in September in Camden, Maine, leading up to Points North’s 20th annual Camden International Film Festival. The retreats include feedback sessions,...
- 3/7/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
U.S. content management, financing and sales banner Cinetic Media has secured world rights to the life affirming doc “Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other,” about legendary photographer Joel Meyerowitz and artist and author Maggie Barrett, his wife.
Rising filmmaking duo Manon Ouimet and Jacob Perlmutter of London-based Manon et Jacob are making their documentary debut, with Ouimet serving as producer alongside multi-Oscar nominated Danish producer Signe Byrge Sørensen of Final Cut Four Real.
“Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other” is having its world premiere March 16 in the Dox:award main competition at Copenhagen’s leading documentary festival Cph:dox, and also screen in the international competition section of Thessaloniki Documentary Festival on the same day.
Pedigree co-producing partners attached include Fremantle-owned doc label Undeniable, helmed by Mandy Chang, and long-time Final Cut for Real U.S. partners Louverture Films.
The character-driven documentary chronicles the loving yet...
Rising filmmaking duo Manon Ouimet and Jacob Perlmutter of London-based Manon et Jacob are making their documentary debut, with Ouimet serving as producer alongside multi-Oscar nominated Danish producer Signe Byrge Sørensen of Final Cut Four Real.
“Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other” is having its world premiere March 16 in the Dox:award main competition at Copenhagen’s leading documentary festival Cph:dox, and also screen in the international competition section of Thessaloniki Documentary Festival on the same day.
Pedigree co-producing partners attached include Fremantle-owned doc label Undeniable, helmed by Mandy Chang, and long-time Final Cut for Real U.S. partners Louverture Films.
The character-driven documentary chronicles the loving yet...
- 3/7/2024
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The annual NBC TV Writers Program from NBCU Launch is welcoming its 2024-25 class selected from a pool of 2,100 applicants: Bryce Cracknell, Domonic Diaz-Smith, Bixby Elliott, Helen Fernandez, Maia Henkin, Neda Jebelli, David Loong and Sebastián Rea.
NBCU Launch is the umbrella brand that houses the comprehensive inclusion efforts across NBCUniversal’s entertainment TV portfolio. The program was created to help develop emerging episodic TV writers whose distinct points of view and lived experiences provide unique perspectives to the writers’ room. It prepares writers to be staffed on scripted series with the long-term goal of developing the next generation of showrunners.
The NBC TV Writers Program includes talent from various socio-economic backgrounds, geographic locations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community and veterans, among other communities.
The new class will develop an original pilot under the mentorship and guidance of NBCU programming executives. They will participate...
NBCU Launch is the umbrella brand that houses the comprehensive inclusion efforts across NBCUniversal’s entertainment TV portfolio. The program was created to help develop emerging episodic TV writers whose distinct points of view and lived experiences provide unique perspectives to the writers’ room. It prepares writers to be staffed on scripted series with the long-term goal of developing the next generation of showrunners.
The NBC TV Writers Program includes talent from various socio-economic backgrounds, geographic locations, racial and ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community and veterans, among other communities.
The new class will develop an original pilot under the mentorship and guidance of NBCU programming executives. They will participate...
- 2/29/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
When in office, Barack Obama would release his picks for his bracket for NCAA’s March Madness during the college basketball season, as well as cap off the year with a list of his favorite films of the year. Last year’s list consisted of Steven Spielberg’s The Fabelmans, Park Chan-wook’s Decision to Leave, Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King, Charlotte Wells’ Aftersun, John Patton Ford’s Emily the Criminal, Celine Sciamma’s Petite Maman, Margaret Brown’s Descendant, Audrey Diwane’s Happening, Chinonye Chukwu’s Till, Daniels’ Everything Everywhere All at Once, Fernando León de Aranoa’s The Good Boss, Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy, Asghar Farhadi’s A Hero, Panah Panahi’s Hit the Road, Todd Field’s Tar and Kogonada’s After Yang.
This year, Obama posted his list on social media with the caption, “Earlier this year, writers and actors...
This year, Obama posted his list on social media with the caption, “Earlier this year, writers and actors...
- 12/28/2023
- by EJ Tangonan
- JoBlo.com
The North Road Company will partner with Two One Five Entertainment. The Peter Chernin-founded company acquired a significant stake in Oscar-winner Questlove and Black Thought’s production business. The deal will result in North Road financing future Two One Five films, television shows and other creative projects. The partnership will also see North Road supporting Two One Five with nonscripted content which will enable Two One Five to leverage its best-in-class IP portfolio while expanding its scripted slate.
North Road CEO David Nevins said, “Questlove and Black Thought have long been not only iconic musicians, but also beacons for talent. They are visionaries who have been behind some of the most impactful stories about music and Black culture and how they shaped America. We are thrilled to partner with such a uniquely creative team as they enter their next phase of growth, supporting them as they continue their excellent...
North Road CEO David Nevins said, “Questlove and Black Thought have long been not only iconic musicians, but also beacons for talent. They are visionaries who have been behind some of the most impactful stories about music and Black culture and how they shaped America. We are thrilled to partner with such a uniquely creative team as they enter their next phase of growth, supporting them as they continue their excellent...
- 11/7/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Peter Chernin’s spending continues.
The former Fox boss’ The North Road Company has invested in and acquired a “significant” stake in Two One Five Entertainment, the production company founded by Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots.
The deal includes an equity stake, project financing and support to scale the business across scripted and non-scripted content.
The company is behind Academy Award-winning documentary Summer of Soul, which was directed by Questlove and told the story of the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Other projects including The League, directed by Sam Pollard, about the Negro Baseball League, Descendant, which tells the stories of descendants of survivors of the Clotilda, the last ship that carried enslaved Africans to the United States, directed by Margaret Brown and produced with the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions, and a Questlove-directed documentary for Hulu about Sly and the Family Stone.
The former Fox boss’ The North Road Company has invested in and acquired a “significant” stake in Two One Five Entertainment, the production company founded by Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots.
The deal includes an equity stake, project financing and support to scale the business across scripted and non-scripted content.
The company is behind Academy Award-winning documentary Summer of Soul, which was directed by Questlove and told the story of the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Other projects including The League, directed by Sam Pollard, about the Negro Baseball League, Descendant, which tells the stories of descendants of survivors of the Clotilda, the last ship that carried enslaved Africans to the United States, directed by Margaret Brown and produced with the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions, and a Questlove-directed documentary for Hulu about Sly and the Family Stone.
- 11/7/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Seven filmmakers will benefit from one of the most generous grants in the documentary field, as the North Points Institute today announced the recipients of the inaugural Diane Weyermann Fellowships.
The fellowship, named for the late Participant executive and producer who championed the careers of many leading documentary filmmakers and their work, will provide $100,000 and 18 months of mentorship to each of three nonfiction projects and their filmmaking teams.
“The three supported projects were chosen out of 401 submissions from 70 countries, through a 6-month selection process that included the Points North curatorial team and a jury of veteran filmmakers and programmers,” according to a release. “The projects include: The Last Nomads, directed and produced by Biljana Tutorov, co-directed by Petar Glomazić, and co-produced by Quentin Laurent, Rok Bicek and Eva Kuperman. The film is a co-production of Serbia, Montenegro, France, Slovenia, Belgium, and Croatia; The Production of the World, a co-production of Canada and USA,...
The fellowship, named for the late Participant executive and producer who championed the careers of many leading documentary filmmakers and their work, will provide $100,000 and 18 months of mentorship to each of three nonfiction projects and their filmmaking teams.
“The three supported projects were chosen out of 401 submissions from 70 countries, through a 6-month selection process that included the Points North curatorial team and a jury of veteran filmmakers and programmers,” according to a release. “The projects include: The Last Nomads, directed and produced by Biljana Tutorov, co-directed by Petar Glomazić, and co-produced by Quentin Laurent, Rok Bicek and Eva Kuperman. The film is a co-production of Serbia, Montenegro, France, Slovenia, Belgium, and Croatia; The Production of the World, a co-production of Canada and USA,...
- 9/16/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The story of Lil Nas X’s rise from internet shitposter to one of our most innovative pop stars testifies to the musician’s tenacity, strategy and unwavering faith in himself. The Georgia native was only 20 years old when “Old Town Road,” his infectious country-trap song, went viral in 2019. Videos of children, teens and adults belting “I’m gonna take my house to the old town road” mushroomed across the internet. More than writing a hit, Lil Nas X encapsulated a new kind of road to stardom.
It’s a shame, then, that Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel’s plodding documentary Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero doesn’t probe its subject more. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, is an anthemic document organized around Lil Nas X’s tour of the same name and split into three loose acts. It articulates, quite well, the...
It’s a shame, then, that Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel’s plodding documentary Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero doesn’t probe its subject more. The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, is an anthemic document organized around Lil Nas X’s tour of the same name and split into three loose acts. It articulates, quite well, the...
- 9/10/2023
- by Lovia Gyarkye
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
When queer, genre-bending hip hop artist Lil Nas X first shot to fame with the infectious track “Old Town Road,” he appeared to be the culmination of Napster’s revolution. When the music download service emerged, it rendered the physical digital. Ever since then, music has been waiting for a totally viral music star. In 2019, “Old Town Road” and “Panini” became major hits. But the pandemic made touring those earworms impossible. So in the span of lockdowns, maskings, and a vaccine, the rapper released his debut album “Montero,” spawning even more chart-topping singles. For three years, in fact, Lil Nas X exclusively existed in streams and social media — the perfect digital icon for an identity conscious generation.
“Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero,” a hagiographic, thinly composed concert documentary, follows the artist on his debut tour. You’d expect that directors Carlos López Estrada (“Blindspotting”) and Zac Manuel (“Descendant”) would...
“Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero,” a hagiographic, thinly composed concert documentary, follows the artist on his debut tour. You’d expect that directors Carlos López Estrada (“Blindspotting”) and Zac Manuel (“Descendant”) would...
- 9/10/2023
- by Robert Daniels
- Indiewire
Lil Nas X is coming to TIFF.
On Friday, the Toronto International Film Festival announced it will host the World Premiere of the rapper’s new documentary “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero”.
Read More: Lil Nas X Thanks Elon Musk For ‘Renaming The App After Me’ As Twitter Rebrands To ‘X’
Shot over the course of his first global tour, the film will have its premiere in the festival’s Gala programme, with the “Old Town Road” rapper in attendance.
Described as a “diaristic film,” the documentary will paint a portrait of Montero Hill, a.k.a. Lil Nas X, as he navigates touring, identity, family, acceptance and his place in the legacy of Black, queer perfomers.
The film is directed by Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel, who shot over the course of 20 days, and had unparalleled to the star as he created and performed his acclaimed “Long...
On Friday, the Toronto International Film Festival announced it will host the World Premiere of the rapper’s new documentary “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero”.
Read More: Lil Nas X Thanks Elon Musk For ‘Renaming The App After Me’ As Twitter Rebrands To ‘X’
Shot over the course of his first global tour, the film will have its premiere in the festival’s Gala programme, with the “Old Town Road” rapper in attendance.
Described as a “diaristic film,” the documentary will paint a portrait of Montero Hill, a.k.a. Lil Nas X, as he navigates touring, identity, family, acceptance and his place in the legacy of Black, queer perfomers.
The film is directed by Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel, who shot over the course of 20 days, and had unparalleled to the star as he created and performed his acclaimed “Long...
- 8/18/2023
- by Corey Atad
- ET Canada
If there’s one thing married couple Floyd Rance and Stephanie Tavares-Rance know how to do, it’s keep a secret. Last year, on the eve of the Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival, its founders were tight-lipped about their 20th anniversary opening-night presenters. “I just told my mother,” says Tavares-Rance of the fact that Barack and Michelle Obama were on hand to screen their Higher Ground and Netflix documentary Descendant.
This year, the Rances face the unexpected of another kind, with the SAG-AFTRA strike beginning weeks before the Aug. 4-12 fest, which is preventing actors from promoting their projects. Says Tavares-Rance, with equanimity: “Celebrity is awesome — people love to see their favorite actor or actress on the stage, but it really is about these filmmakers of color, specifically African American filmmakers, that we want to highlight.”
Programming includes panels with the National Museum of African American...
This year, the Rances face the unexpected of another kind, with the SAG-AFTRA strike beginning weeks before the Aug. 4-12 fest, which is preventing actors from promoting their projects. Says Tavares-Rance, with equanimity: “Celebrity is awesome — people love to see their favorite actor or actress on the stage, but it really is about these filmmakers of color, specifically African American filmmakers, that we want to highlight.”
Programming includes panels with the National Museum of African American...
- 8/3/2023
- by Cori Murray
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sam Pollard’s “The League” Is Not Your Typical Baseball Doc.
The documentary filmmaker grew up in the 1960s watching the St. Louis Cardinals, whose roster of players included Black or Latino players including Bill White, Curt Flood, Orlando Cepeda and Lou Brock, but did not know much about the Negro Leagues that existed when the sport was still segregated.
“I knew who Jackie Robinson was and that it was because of him Blacks had integrated the Major Leagues in 1947,” says Pollard. “But what I did not know much about in 1964 at the age of 14 was that he had come out of the Negro Leagues and that the Negro Leagues had been home to Black and Latino ballplayers who had to play segregated baseball during the height of the Jim Crow era.”
While some segregation in the sport always existed, the color line in baseball was not rigidly enforced until...
The documentary filmmaker grew up in the 1960s watching the St. Louis Cardinals, whose roster of players included Black or Latino players including Bill White, Curt Flood, Orlando Cepeda and Lou Brock, but did not know much about the Negro Leagues that existed when the sport was still segregated.
“I knew who Jackie Robinson was and that it was because of him Blacks had integrated the Major Leagues in 1947,” says Pollard. “But what I did not know much about in 1964 at the age of 14 was that he had come out of the Negro Leagues and that the Negro Leagues had been home to Black and Latino ballplayers who had to play segregated baseball during the height of the Jim Crow era.”
While some segregation in the sport always existed, the color line in baseball was not rigidly enforced until...
- 7/7/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Veda Tunstall remembers the first time film people started poking around her hometown asking questions, and it wasn’t for the documentary that became “Descendant.”
Tunstall, a subject in Margaret Brown’s movie about the search for a long-lost slave ship near a community called Africatown, says that years before Brown showed up, other filmmakers wanted to make their own movies about hunting for the Clotilda. That didn’t go well. The community’s needs were never in mind and the story being told wasn’t their own; it was the ship’s.
The investment of time and attention that Brown and production company Participant put into “Descendant” felt different. The film also follows actual descendants who live in Africatown and examines how their ancestors’ actions can be traced across generations. The search for the slave ship was only half the story.
“We were just trying to figure out how to find other descendants,...
Tunstall, a subject in Margaret Brown’s movie about the search for a long-lost slave ship near a community called Africatown, says that years before Brown showed up, other filmmakers wanted to make their own movies about hunting for the Clotilda. That didn’t go well. The community’s needs were never in mind and the story being told wasn’t their own; it was the ship’s.
The investment of time and attention that Brown and production company Participant put into “Descendant” felt different. The film also follows actual descendants who live in Africatown and examines how their ancestors’ actions can be traced across generations. The search for the slave ship was only half the story.
“We were just trying to figure out how to find other descendants,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
The Weeknd took the Junos by storm last night.
The annual Canadian music awards show’s opening night took place on Saturday, hosted by “Run The Burbs” star and co-creator Andrew Phung and CBC Music radio host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe.
Fourty awards were handed out to artists including The Weeknd, who led the pack with artist of the year; songwriter of the year and pop album of the year for Dawn FM; and single of the year for “Sacrifice”. He didn’t attend the ceremony in-person to receive the awards.
Read More: The Junos Are Going East To Halifax For 2024 Awards Show
The artist also led nominations at last’s years show, where he was nominated in six categories. With his wins in 2015, 2016 and 2021, The Weeknd now ties Bryan Adams for the second-most Juno wins of all time with 21 awards.
Anne Murray still holds the record at 25 wins.
View this post...
The annual Canadian music awards show’s opening night took place on Saturday, hosted by “Run The Burbs” star and co-creator Andrew Phung and CBC Music radio host Angeline Tetteh-Wayoe.
Fourty awards were handed out to artists including The Weeknd, who led the pack with artist of the year; songwriter of the year and pop album of the year for Dawn FM; and single of the year for “Sacrifice”. He didn’t attend the ceremony in-person to receive the awards.
Read More: The Junos Are Going East To Halifax For 2024 Awards Show
The artist also led nominations at last’s years show, where he was nominated in six categories. With his wins in 2015, 2016 and 2021, The Weeknd now ties Bryan Adams for the second-most Juno wins of all time with 21 awards.
Anne Murray still holds the record at 25 wins.
View this post...
- 3/12/2023
- by Anita Tai
- ET Canada
On Saturday, the Producers Guild of America gathered at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles to hand out the 2023 PGA Awards.
While the ceremony honors the achievements of producers across media, meaning awards were given out to series like “The White Lotus” and “The Bear,” the documentary “Navalny,” and animated feature “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” its theatrical film award, which was won by “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” is the one all eyes were on.
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures is often seen as a bellwether for the Best Picture Oscar, as 23 of the last 33 winners have gone on to win the Academy Award. In the room to accept were executive producers Jonathan Wang, Daniel Kwan, and Daniel Scheinert (the latter two also wrote and directed the hit multiversal dramedy from A24). The PGA Award win solidifies their status as frontrunners...
While the ceremony honors the achievements of producers across media, meaning awards were given out to series like “The White Lotus” and “The Bear,” the documentary “Navalny,” and animated feature “Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio,” its theatrical film award, which was won by “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” is the one all eyes were on.
The Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures is often seen as a bellwether for the Best Picture Oscar, as 23 of the last 33 winners have gone on to win the Academy Award. In the room to accept were executive producers Jonathan Wang, Daniel Kwan, and Daniel Scheinert (the latter two also wrote and directed the hit multiversal dramedy from A24). The PGA Award win solidifies their status as frontrunners...
- 2/26/2023
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” has been named the best-produced film of 2022 at the Producers Guild Awards, which were held on Saturday evening in Los Angeles.
The freewheeling indie film won in a category that also included the formidable blockbusters “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Elvis” and “Avatar: The Way of Water.” The PGA had been a must-win awards show for “Top Gun,” and the fact that “Everything Everywhere” won is reminiscent of the low-budget “Coda” winning this award last year on its way to an unlikely Oscar Best Picture win.
The Producers Guild is also the only other awards show apart from the Oscars that uses the preferential or ranked-choice system of counting the votes in its top category. That system is designed to find a consensus choice, and the biggest question surrounding “Everything Everywhere All at Once” has been whether it was too polarizing to win under that system.
The...
The freewheeling indie film won in a category that also included the formidable blockbusters “Top Gun: Maverick,” “Elvis” and “Avatar: The Way of Water.” The PGA had been a must-win awards show for “Top Gun,” and the fact that “Everything Everywhere” won is reminiscent of the low-budget “Coda” winning this award last year on its way to an unlikely Oscar Best Picture win.
The Producers Guild is also the only other awards show apart from the Oscars that uses the preferential or ranked-choice system of counting the votes in its top category. That system is designed to find a consensus choice, and the biggest question surrounding “Everything Everywhere All at Once” has been whether it was too polarizing to win under that system.
The...
- 2/26/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Gold Derby is backstage at the 34th Producers Guild of America Awards on Saturday, February 25 in order to bring you all the up-to-date details on the presenters, nominees and winners. (See the complete winners list.) Senior editor Marcus James Dixon and associate editor Latasha Ford are in the press room and will let us all know every time something newsworthy happens. Read on for our 2023 PGA Awards live blog.
As a reminder, these kudos are non-televised. However, for the first time ever, Gold Derby is airing a live streaming show with host Rob Licuria, senior editors Denton Davidson, Daniel Montgomery and Matt Noble and contributor Sebastian Ochoa Mendoza — watch it right here.
The PGA Awards honor the best producers of features, documentaries, series and specials, as voted on by more than 8,000 members of the producing guild. The 10 nominated films for the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Best Picture are “Avatar: The Way of Water,...
As a reminder, these kudos are non-televised. However, for the first time ever, Gold Derby is airing a live streaming show with host Rob Licuria, senior editors Denton Davidson, Daniel Montgomery and Matt Noble and contributor Sebastian Ochoa Mendoza — watch it right here.
The PGA Awards honor the best producers of features, documentaries, series and specials, as voted on by more than 8,000 members of the producing guild. The 10 nominated films for the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Best Picture are “Avatar: The Way of Water,...
- 2/26/2023
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
The 2023 Producers Guild of America Awards are underway at the Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles.
A strong bellwether for the Oscars’ top prize, seven of this year’s best picture nominees are recognized by the guild in the film category: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Elvis,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár” and “Top Gun: Maverick.”
This marked the first year the PGA nominated four sequels, which also included “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.”
Actor-producer Tom Cruise will be honored with the David O. Selznick Achievement Award, which recognizes a producer or producing team for their extraordinary body of work in motion pictures. The Selznick Award has a distinguished history with past recipients including such legendary producers as Steven Spielberg, Barbara Broccoli, Mary Parent, Brian Grazer, David Heyman and Kevin Feige.
Four of the five PGA nominees are...
A strong bellwether for the Oscars’ top prize, seven of this year’s best picture nominees are recognized by the guild in the film category: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Elvis,” “Everything Everywhere All at Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár” and “Top Gun: Maverick.”
This marked the first year the PGA nominated four sequels, which also included “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.”
Actor-producer Tom Cruise will be honored with the David O. Selznick Achievement Award, which recognizes a producer or producing team for their extraordinary body of work in motion pictures. The Selznick Award has a distinguished history with past recipients including such legendary producers as Steven Spielberg, Barbara Broccoli, Mary Parent, Brian Grazer, David Heyman and Kevin Feige.
Four of the five PGA nominees are...
- 2/26/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The 34th Producers Guild of America Awards took place on Saturday, February 25 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. The biggest award of the night, the Darryl F. Zanuck Award for Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures, has historically been considered a strong prognosticator for the Best Picture Oscar each year. It’s the only major precursor that uses a ranked choice voting system like the Academy Awards. Scroll down for the 2023 PGA Awards winners list in three film and 10 TV categories.
The guild and the academy have only disagreed 10 times over the past three decades, with last year’s champ “Coda” claiming both prizes. This year, seven of the guild’s nominees also reaped Oscar bids: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Elvis,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár,” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” The other two PGA nominees, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery...
The guild and the academy have only disagreed 10 times over the past three decades, with last year’s champ “Coda” claiming both prizes. This year, seven of the guild’s nominees also reaped Oscar bids: “Avatar: The Way of Water,” “The Banshees of Inisherin,” “Elvis,” “Everything Everywhere All At Once,” “The Fabelmans,” “Tár,” and “Top Gun: Maverick.” The other two PGA nominees, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery...
- 2/25/2023
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
It’s shaping up to be an exciting, competitive awards season for documentaries. “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed” is the odds-on favorite for the Oscar as of this writing, but precursor awards have gone in different directions. Coming up are the February 25 Producers Guild of America Awards, where “All the Beauty” is absent from the nonfiction lineup. So which film will win instead?
It’s a three-way race according to the combined predictions of over 1,000 Gold Derby users. “Fire of Love” has the lead with 5/1 odds and support from 12 out of 18 Expert journalists we’ve surveyed from major media outlets, seven out of 12 Gold Derby Editors, 16 of our Top 24 Users, and 14 of our All-Star Top 24. The film, which explores the lives and deaths of a pair of married volcanologists, recently won the Directors Guild Award, so it’s off to a good start within the industry.
See‘Navalny’ filmmakers...
It’s a three-way race according to the combined predictions of over 1,000 Gold Derby users. “Fire of Love” has the lead with 5/1 odds and support from 12 out of 18 Expert journalists we’ve surveyed from major media outlets, seven out of 12 Gold Derby Editors, 16 of our Top 24 Users, and 14 of our All-Star Top 24. The film, which explores the lives and deaths of a pair of married volcanologists, recently won the Directors Guild Award, so it’s off to a good start within the industry.
See‘Navalny’ filmmakers...
- 2/24/2023
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The Producers Guild of America announced its slate of 2023 nominees in film and television on January 12. Historically, the PGA Awards are seen as one of the best bellwethers to predict the Best Picture Oscar since there is so much overlap in voting memberships between the guild and the academy. What will win at the Producers Guild this year? Read on to see Gold Derby’s 2023 PGA Awards predictions in three movie categories and seven TV races.
Our PGA racetrack odds are based on the combined forecasts of more than 1,600 readers, including Experts we’ve polled from major media outlets, Editors who cover awards year-round for this website, Top 24 Users who did the best predicting the winners last time, All-Star Users who had the best prediction scores over the last two years, and the mass of Users who make up our biggest predictions bloc.
See‘Abbott Elementary’ would be first broadcast...
Our PGA racetrack odds are based on the combined forecasts of more than 1,600 readers, including Experts we’ve polled from major media outlets, Editors who cover awards year-round for this website, Top 24 Users who did the best predicting the winners last time, All-Star Users who had the best prediction scores over the last two years, and the mass of Users who make up our biggest predictions bloc.
See‘Abbott Elementary’ would be first broadcast...
- 2/22/2023
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Autlook Filmsales handles international sales at EFM on story of nuclear physicist Ted Hall.
Magnolia Pictures has picked up North American rights from Participant to A Compassionate Spy, Steve James’s documentary about the controversial American nuclear physicist Ted Hall who passed secrets to the Soviet Union.
At age 18 Harvard graduate Hall became the youngest recruit to the Manhattan Project in the early 1940s. After the United States detonated its first nuclear bomb he became concerned his country had a potentially catastrophic monopoly on the technology and provided confidential information to the Soviets.
The film is told from the perspective of Joan,...
Magnolia Pictures has picked up North American rights from Participant to A Compassionate Spy, Steve James’s documentary about the controversial American nuclear physicist Ted Hall who passed secrets to the Soviet Union.
At age 18 Harvard graduate Hall became the youngest recruit to the Manhattan Project in the early 1940s. After the United States detonated its first nuclear bomb he became concerned his country had a potentially catastrophic monopoly on the technology and provided confidential information to the Soviets.
The film is told from the perspective of Joan,...
- 2/16/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Television Academy on Tuesday announced a new Emmy category as well as a revision of submission guidance for documentaries.
The new category, outstanding emerging media program, will be awarded to “producer(s), company(s), and/or individual(s) responsible for the creation of emerging media programming related to an existing linear television program or series or one that is entirely original. The award recognizes content that is central and fundamental to the work itself and demonstrates creative excellence, elevating the audience’s viewing experience beyond traditional linear programming.”
In terms of documentary programming, the TV Academy has reversed its previously announced policy and will now allow documentaries “that appear on the AMPAS viewing platform but have not received an Oscar nomination” to qualify for Emmy consideration.
Starting last year, doc films that were on the AMPAS viewing platform were not eligible for Emmy consideration. The previous stipulation had read,...
The new category, outstanding emerging media program, will be awarded to “producer(s), company(s), and/or individual(s) responsible for the creation of emerging media programming related to an existing linear television program or series or one that is entirely original. The award recognizes content that is central and fundamental to the work itself and demonstrates creative excellence, elevating the audience’s viewing experience beyond traditional linear programming.”
In terms of documentary programming, the TV Academy has reversed its previously announced policy and will now allow documentaries “that appear on the AMPAS viewing platform but have not received an Oscar nomination” to qualify for Emmy consideration.
Starting last year, doc films that were on the AMPAS viewing platform were not eligible for Emmy consideration. The previous stipulation had read,...
- 2/14/2023
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The double dip is making a return. The TV Academy has removed its rule barring documentaries from campaigning for both an Oscar and and Emmy — as long as those docs weren’t nominated for an Academy Award.
Specifically, “Documentaries that appear on the AMPAS viewing platform but have not received an Oscar nomination may still qualify for Emmy consideration.”
That returns the Emmy rules to its pre-2022 stipulations. Starting last year, documentary films placed on the AMPAS viewing platform were ineligible for Emmy consideration. At that point, the rule had been changed to read, “Any film placed on the AMPAS viewing platform will be deemed a theatrical motion picture and thus ineligible for the Emmy competition.”
But the new rule reversal now “aligns the Television Academy and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in their approach to documentary submissions,” the TV Academy announced Tuesday.
But it still keeps in place the stipulation,...
Specifically, “Documentaries that appear on the AMPAS viewing platform but have not received an Oscar nomination may still qualify for Emmy consideration.”
That returns the Emmy rules to its pre-2022 stipulations. Starting last year, documentary films placed on the AMPAS viewing platform were ineligible for Emmy consideration. At that point, the rule had been changed to read, “Any film placed on the AMPAS viewing platform will be deemed a theatrical motion picture and thus ineligible for the Emmy competition.”
But the new rule reversal now “aligns the Television Academy and the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in their approach to documentary submissions,” the TV Academy announced Tuesday.
But it still keeps in place the stipulation,...
- 2/14/2023
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
February is Black History Month, and with such a wide array of streaming options, there’s no shortage of options for learning about Black heritage and celebrating Black excellence.
Amazon Prime Video
Among the programming being promoted in Prime Video’s “Celebrating Black History Month” lineup are the new second season of “Harlem,” which follows four female friends from Harlem as they navigate their love lives and careers. There’s also the new original unscripted series “Coach Prime,” which chronicles Deion Sanders in his third year coaching football at Jackson State. Other noteworthy selections include Regina King‘s Oscar-nominated “One Night in Miami,” the acclaimed documentaries “My Name is Pauli Murray” and “I Am Not Your Negro,” the Emmy-nominated romance “Sylvie’s Love,” Spike Lee‘s “Chi-Raq,” the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson, the Oscar-winning stage adaptation “Fences” from Denzel Washington, who also stars in Prime offerings “Devil in a Blue Dress...
Amazon Prime Video
Among the programming being promoted in Prime Video’s “Celebrating Black History Month” lineup are the new second season of “Harlem,” which follows four female friends from Harlem as they navigate their love lives and careers. There’s also the new original unscripted series “Coach Prime,” which chronicles Deion Sanders in his third year coaching football at Jackson State. Other noteworthy selections include Regina King‘s Oscar-nominated “One Night in Miami,” the acclaimed documentaries “My Name is Pauli Murray” and “I Am Not Your Negro,” the Emmy-nominated romance “Sylvie’s Love,” Spike Lee‘s “Chi-Raq,” the Aretha Franklin biopic “Respect” starring Jennifer Hudson, the Oscar-winning stage adaptation “Fences” from Denzel Washington, who also stars in Prime offerings “Devil in a Blue Dress...
- 2/9/2023
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The 23rd annual Black Reel Awards took place Monday, February 6th, with “The Woman King” leading the field, snagging six awards including Best Picture. BAFTA nominee Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s historical epic is inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was close behind with five wins.
Special honorary award winners were Angela Bassett (Sidney Poitier Trailblazer Award), Effie T. Brown (Vanguard Award), Debra Martin Chase (Oscar Micheaux Impact Award) and Kerry Washington (Ruby Dee Humanitarian Award).
The Black Reel Awards, or the “Bolt”, is an annual American awards ceremony hosted by the Foundation for the Augmentation of African-Americans in Film (Faaaf) to recognize the excellence of African-Americans, as well as the cinematic achievements of the African diaspora, in the global film industry, as assessed by the Foundation’s voting membership.
Special honorary award winners were Angela Bassett (Sidney Poitier Trailblazer Award), Effie T. Brown (Vanguard Award), Debra Martin Chase (Oscar Micheaux Impact Award) and Kerry Washington (Ruby Dee Humanitarian Award).
The Black Reel Awards, or the “Bolt”, is an annual American awards ceremony hosted by the Foundation for the Augmentation of African-Americans in Film (Faaaf) to recognize the excellence of African-Americans, as well as the cinematic achievements of the African diaspora, in the global film industry, as assessed by the Foundation’s voting membership.
- 2/7/2023
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
An untitled documentary about the experimental use of psychedelics to treat former Navy SEALs’ traumatic brain injuries and Ptsd is in the works from Participant.
The project, produced by Participant, Actual Films and Chicago Media Project, will depict U.S. special operation veterans as they seek the controversial, transformative treatment.
Following former Navy SEALs who suffer from anxiety, pain and suicidal thoughts, the documentary finds the veterans at their breaking points, which leads them to the cutting edge of alternative treatments. The documentary uses interviews, archival footage, animation and intimate verité to depict the soldiers’ stories, as well as the groundbreaking research on the ancient natural medicines taking place at the Bay Area-based Brain Stimulation Lab.
The documentary features veteran Marcus Capone, who has struggled to acclimate to civilian life. His wife Amber sent him out of the country to receive a lifesaving psychedelic treatment — which includes ibogaine and 5-MeO-dmt...
The project, produced by Participant, Actual Films and Chicago Media Project, will depict U.S. special operation veterans as they seek the controversial, transformative treatment.
Following former Navy SEALs who suffer from anxiety, pain and suicidal thoughts, the documentary finds the veterans at their breaking points, which leads them to the cutting edge of alternative treatments. The documentary uses interviews, archival footage, animation and intimate verité to depict the soldiers’ stories, as well as the groundbreaking research on the ancient natural medicines taking place at the Bay Area-based Brain Stimulation Lab.
The documentary features veteran Marcus Capone, who has struggled to acclimate to civilian life. His wife Amber sent him out of the country to receive a lifesaving psychedelic treatment — which includes ibogaine and 5-MeO-dmt...
- 2/1/2023
- by Julia MacCary
- Variety Film + TV
When Chinonye Chukwu’s Till, about how Mamie Till-Mobley channeled her grief over the murder of her son Emmett Till into a movement for justice, premiered at the New York Film Festival this fall, there was seemingly instant Oscar buzz for star Danielle Deadwyler, who plays Till-Mobley, with some saying she’d win the best actress nomination.
But when the 2023 Oscar nominations were announced Tuesday morning, Deadwyler wasn’t even among the nominees, despite experts predicting she’d make the cut and earlier nods by awards and critics groups. And on top of that, Till, didn’t receive any nominations, even in the best song category where some thought it would break in.
On Tuesday’s The View, Whoopi Goldberg noted simply that “unfortunately my film, Till, wasn’t nominated.”
Also among the shocking snubs was Viola Davis in the best actress category and everyone involved with The Woman King.
But when the 2023 Oscar nominations were announced Tuesday morning, Deadwyler wasn’t even among the nominees, despite experts predicting she’d make the cut and earlier nods by awards and critics groups. And on top of that, Till, didn’t receive any nominations, even in the best song category where some thought it would break in.
On Tuesday’s The View, Whoopi Goldberg noted simply that “unfortunately my film, Till, wasn’t nominated.”
Also among the shocking snubs was Viola Davis in the best actress category and everyone involved with The Woman King.
- 1/24/2023
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Never underestimate the ability of the academy to deliver some truly jaw-dropping citations (and omissions) on Oscar nominations morning. The announcement of the nominees for the 95th ceremony certainly did not disappoint in that respect, as major contenders in the Best Picture, acting, and technical categories were overlooked in favor of some unexpected picks. See the list of contenders we wrongly predicted below.
See 2023 Oscar nominations full list: ‘Everything Everywhere’ leads with 11, including Best Picture
One of our biggest blunders was overestimating the strength of Darren Aronofsky‘s “The Whale.” While the film did land three major nominations for lead Brendan Fraser, supporting player Hong Chau, and Makeup and Hairstyling, our combined odds also expected it to nab slots in Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay for Samuel D. Hunter, who brought his play of the same name to the screen. Perhaps precursors BAFTA and Critics Choice led us astray by...
See 2023 Oscar nominations full list: ‘Everything Everywhere’ leads with 11, including Best Picture
One of our biggest blunders was overestimating the strength of Darren Aronofsky‘s “The Whale.” While the film did land three major nominations for lead Brendan Fraser, supporting player Hong Chau, and Makeup and Hairstyling, our combined odds also expected it to nab slots in Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay for Samuel D. Hunter, who brought his play of the same name to the screen. Perhaps precursors BAFTA and Critics Choice led us astray by...
- 1/24/2023
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Some were expecting Netflix to curb their acquisitions here in Park City, but, as we told you earlier this morning, never count them out of the Sundance marketplace. Before its premiere in the midnight section tonight, the Reed Hastings-Ted Sarandos-run streamer has scooped up a majority of global rights on the Australian horror movie, Run Rabbit Run, starring 2x Emmy nominated Succession actress Sarah Snook. XYZ Films, which co-funded the film, brokered the deal with Netflix on behalf of the filmmakers.
A release for the Carver Films production is planned for this year.
Directed by Daina Reid off a script by Hannah Kent, Run Rabbit Run follows fertility doctor Sarah (Snook). She firmly believes in life and death. However, after noticing the strange behavior of her young daughter, she must challenge her own values and confront a ghost from her past.
Run...
A release for the Carver Films production is planned for this year.
Directed by Daina Reid off a script by Hannah Kent, Run Rabbit Run follows fertility doctor Sarah (Snook). She firmly believes in life and death. However, after noticing the strange behavior of her young daughter, she must challenge her own values and confront a ghost from her past.
Run...
- 1/19/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Participant has announced that it is producing Food, Inc. 2 — a sequel to its Academy Award-nominated documentary Food, Inc., to be released later this year.
The original film directed by Robert Kenner offered an unflattering look inside America’s corporate controlled food industry — spotlighting the harm this system has inflicted on animals, as well as its consumers and laborers. Robert Kenner directed from a script written with Elise Pearlstein and Kim Roberts. Kenner also produced alongside Pearlstein, with Bill Pohlad, Robin Schorr, Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann serving as exec producers.
Food, Inc. was released by Magnolia Pictures in 2009 after world premiering at the Toronto Film Festival, going on to claim not only an Academy Award nom for Best Documentary, Features, but a Cinema Eye Honors Award, a Gotham Award, a News & Documentary Emmy Award and numerous other accolades, as well.
Specifics as to Food, Inc. 2‘s focus are under wraps,...
The original film directed by Robert Kenner offered an unflattering look inside America’s corporate controlled food industry — spotlighting the harm this system has inflicted on animals, as well as its consumers and laborers. Robert Kenner directed from a script written with Elise Pearlstein and Kim Roberts. Kenner also produced alongside Pearlstein, with Bill Pohlad, Robin Schorr, Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann serving as exec producers.
Food, Inc. was released by Magnolia Pictures in 2009 after world premiering at the Toronto Film Festival, going on to claim not only an Academy Award nom for Best Documentary, Features, but a Cinema Eye Honors Award, a Gotham Award, a News & Documentary Emmy Award and numerous other accolades, as well.
Specifics as to Food, Inc. 2‘s focus are under wraps,...
- 1/18/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
For documentary filmmakers seeking distribution for independently made projects, Sundance is the golden ticket. It’s where a few lucky doc directors can nail down seven-figure deals with major distributors including Netflix, Amazon or Apple TV+ every year. But this year, with streamers not only tightening their purse strings but also increasingly commissioning their own content, and even shunning more provocative political-leaning fare, the Park City market for indie nonfiction features will be more competitive and likely less lucrative.
Last January at Sundance 2022, which was an online-only event, the doc market got off to a strong start. Several Sundance nonfiction titles sold, including “Aftershock” (Disney’s Onyx Collective and ABC News), “All That Breathes” (HBO), “Descendant” (Netflix), “Last Flight Home” (MTV Documentary Films), “Fire of Love” (National Geographic), “Mija” (Disney+), “Nothing Compares” (Showtime) and “The Territory” (National Geographic). But as the year wore on, economic unease and the merger of...
Last January at Sundance 2022, which was an online-only event, the doc market got off to a strong start. Several Sundance nonfiction titles sold, including “Aftershock” (Disney’s Onyx Collective and ABC News), “All That Breathes” (HBO), “Descendant” (Netflix), “Last Flight Home” (MTV Documentary Films), “Fire of Love” (National Geographic), “Mija” (Disney+), “Nothing Compares” (Showtime) and “The Territory” (National Geographic). But as the year wore on, economic unease and the merger of...
- 1/18/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
The Oscar races for best picture, director and the four acting categories will be put into focus.
On Wednesday, Jan. 11, the SAG Awards will kick things off with their unveiling of its nominees in film and television (Variety has shared its final predictions).
Afterward, the Directors Guild of America will reveal the five directorial achievements for this year’s upcoming 75th ceremony, scheduled to take place on Saturday, Feb. 18, the day before the BAFTA Awards.
You can’t talk about the director race without Steven Spielberg being a part of it, even with the BAFTA snub from the longlist. This year, Spielberg, who won the Oscar prize twice for helming — “Schindler’s List” (1993) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) — finds himself in one of his most substantial positions yet for his deeply personal drama “The Fabelmans.” With three DGA wins and 12 nominations, Spielberg is both the most awarded and most nominated filmmaker in history.
On Wednesday, Jan. 11, the SAG Awards will kick things off with their unveiling of its nominees in film and television (Variety has shared its final predictions).
Afterward, the Directors Guild of America will reveal the five directorial achievements for this year’s upcoming 75th ceremony, scheduled to take place on Saturday, Feb. 18, the day before the BAFTA Awards.
You can’t talk about the director race without Steven Spielberg being a part of it, even with the BAFTA snub from the longlist. This year, Spielberg, who won the Oscar prize twice for helming — “Schindler’s List” (1993) and “Saving Private Ryan” (1998) — finds himself in one of his most substantial positions yet for his deeply personal drama “The Fabelmans.” With three DGA wins and 12 nominations, Spielberg is both the most awarded and most nominated filmmaker in history.
- 1/10/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
“Tár” was named Best Picture, its titular lead Cate Blanchett was honored as Best Actress and Colin Farrell was voted Best Actor this weekend by the National Society of Film Critics at its 57th annual awards. The wins for “Tár” and Blanchett gave the film and its star a rare trifecta as both earned wins late last year from the New York Film Critics Circle and Los Angeles Film Critics Association in addition to the Nsfc. Also earning a clean sweep of the three prestigious critics honors was Ke Huy Kwan, who pulled off the hat trick as Best Supporting Actor for his performance in “Everything Everywhere All at Once.” Farrell, meanwhile, won Best Actor for his star turns in both “The Banshees of Inisherin” and “After Yang.” Farrell’s “Banshees” co-star Kerry Condon took home the prize for Best Supporting Actress.
Also winning for “Tár” was Todd Field, who...
Also winning for “Tár” was Todd Field, who...
- 1/9/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
Todd Field’s “Tár”won another major critics award on Saturday, with the National Society of Film Critics naming the dark drama about an imperious conductor and composer the best film of 2022.
The win gave “Tár” a near-sweep of the major critics awards. The film won the top prize from the New York Film Critics Circle and tied with “Everything Everywhere All at Once” with the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. The only other films to finish first with all three groups were “Schindler’s List,” “L.A. Confidential,” “The Hurt Locker,” “The Social Network” and “Drive My Car.”
Runner-up in the Nsfc best-picture voting was Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun,” followed by Jafar Panahi’s “No Bears.”
Also Read:
New York Film Critics 2022: ‘Tar’ Named Best Film
“Tár” also won awards for Field’s screenplay and for lead actress Cate Blanchett, who won over Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,...
The win gave “Tár” a near-sweep of the major critics awards. The film won the top prize from the New York Film Critics Circle and tied with “Everything Everywhere All at Once” with the Los Angeles Film Critics Association. The only other films to finish first with all three groups were “Schindler’s List,” “L.A. Confidential,” “The Hurt Locker,” “The Social Network” and “Drive My Car.”
Runner-up in the Nsfc best-picture voting was Charlotte Wells’ “Aftersun,” followed by Jafar Panahi’s “No Bears.”
Also Read:
New York Film Critics 2022: ‘Tar’ Named Best Film
“Tár” also won awards for Field’s screenplay and for lead actress Cate Blanchett, who won over Michelle Yeoh for “Everything Everywhere All at Once,...
- 1/7/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The National Society of Film Critics convened in New York and Los Angeles on Saturday to vote on their annual film awards, with some of the top prizes going to “TÁR” and “The Banshees of Inisherin.” Todd Field’s classical music saga won Best Picture, Best Actress for Cate Blanchett, and Best Screenplay for Field himself. “Banshees” took home Best Actor for Colin Farrell while Kerry Condon won Best Supporting Actress. Both films were already expected to be Oscar frontrunners, but today’s vote certainly helped their cause.
Another film to notch a major win, albeit a more unexpected one, was “Aftersun,” as Charlotte Wells won Best Director for her debut feature.
Per usual, voting was being conducted via a weighted ballot system. In each category, critics submitted ballots containing their top three picks. Their first choice received three points, their second received two, and their third choice received a single point.
Another film to notch a major win, albeit a more unexpected one, was “Aftersun,” as Charlotte Wells won Best Director for her debut feature.
Per usual, voting was being conducted via a weighted ballot system. In each category, critics submitted ballots containing their top three picks. Their first choice received three points, their second received two, and their third choice received a single point.
- 1/7/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson in ‘The Banshees of Inisherin’ (Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures © 2022 20th Century Studios)
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists* spread the wealth, awarding The Banshees of Inisherin, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Women Talking three wins each. The AWFJ Eda Awards recognize the best in films overall, as well as films driven by women.
“We are particularly proud that this year’s member-determined roster of nominees included a goodly number of female contenders in non-gender specific categories. and that we have female winners in those categories, as well, including Sarah Polley who receives the Eda Award for Best Director for the multi-nominated and awarded Women Talking,” said Jennifer Merin, President of the 95 members AWFJ. “We hope to see similar results at this year’s Oscars and various guild awards. as well as with other critics awards groups.”
In 2022, the Alliance of Women Film Journalists...
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists* spread the wealth, awarding The Banshees of Inisherin, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Women Talking three wins each. The AWFJ Eda Awards recognize the best in films overall, as well as films driven by women.
“We are particularly proud that this year’s member-determined roster of nominees included a goodly number of female contenders in non-gender specific categories. and that we have female winners in those categories, as well, including Sarah Polley who receives the Eda Award for Best Director for the multi-nominated and awarded Women Talking,” said Jennifer Merin, President of the 95 members AWFJ. “We hope to see similar results at this year’s Oscars and various guild awards. as well as with other critics awards groups.”
In 2022, the Alliance of Women Film Journalists...
- 1/5/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
A scene from ‘Fire of Love’ (Credit: National Geographic Documentary Films / Neon)
The list of potential 95th Oscars nominees has narrowed, with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announcing shortlists in select categories. The field has been reduced in 10 categories including Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film, International Feature Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound, and Visual Effects.
Nominees for the 2023 Oscars will be announced bright and early on Tuesday, January 24th. The 95th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 12th in Hollywood. Jimmy Kimmel has been tapped to host the ceremony airing live on ABC.
Documentary Feature Film
144 films were eligible in the category and 15 remain in competition. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
“All That Breathes”
“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”
“Bad Axe”
“Children...
The list of potential 95th Oscars nominees has narrowed, with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announcing shortlists in select categories. The field has been reduced in 10 categories including Documentary Feature Film, Documentary Short Film, International Feature Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film, Sound, and Visual Effects.
Nominees for the 2023 Oscars will be announced bright and early on Tuesday, January 24th. The 95th Academy Awards will take place on Sunday, March 12th in Hollywood. Jimmy Kimmel has been tapped to host the ceremony airing live on ABC.
Documentary Feature Film
144 films were eligible in the category and 15 remain in competition. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.
“All That Breathes”
“All the Beauty and the Bloodshed”
“Bad Axe”
“Children...
- 12/21/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Brandy will be slipping into those glass slippers once more, this time for the forthcoming Descendant sequel.
The singer’s reprisal of her role as Cinderella comes 25 years after she first made history as the first Black actor ever to portray the iconic Disney princess. Her original performance was in Walt Disney Television’s 1997 iteration of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s beloved musical Cinderella.
The Pocketwatch, a new story in the Descendant franchise, will see Brandy’s Cinderella journey to the kingdom of Auradon, an unincorporated territory of Wonderland, the magical and mysterious location in Alice in Wonderland.
After Cinderella’s teenage daughter Chloe (Malia Baker) crosses paths with Red (Kylie Cantrall), the teenage daughter of the tyrannical Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora), unexpected chaos in Auradon ensues.
“In order to prevent an impending coup, they must join forces to travel back in time, via a magical pocket watch created by the Mad Hatter’s son,...
The singer’s reprisal of her role as Cinderella comes 25 years after she first made history as the first Black actor ever to portray the iconic Disney princess. Her original performance was in Walt Disney Television’s 1997 iteration of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s beloved musical Cinderella.
The Pocketwatch, a new story in the Descendant franchise, will see Brandy’s Cinderella journey to the kingdom of Auradon, an unincorporated territory of Wonderland, the magical and mysterious location in Alice in Wonderland.
After Cinderella’s teenage daughter Chloe (Malia Baker) crosses paths with Red (Kylie Cantrall), the teenage daughter of the tyrannical Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora), unexpected chaos in Auradon ensues.
“In order to prevent an impending coup, they must join forces to travel back in time, via a magical pocket watch created by the Mad Hatter’s son,...
- 11/22/2022
- by Inga Parkel
- The Independent - Film
In her 2008 documentary “The Order of Myths,” director Margaret Brown explores segregated Mardi Gras celebrations in Mobile, Alabama. In the process, she also deals with the last slave ship, the Clotilda, which was sunk in the Mobile Bay over 160 years ago. She never expected to return to that story — and then “Descendent” happened.
After “The Order of Myths,” Brown was drawn like a magnet to the unfolding search for the Clotilda, along with her “The Order of Myths” consultant, African American studies professor and folklorist Kern Jackson, who became the co-writer and co-producer of “Descendant.” “We never stopped talking,” Brown said.
In early 2018, in Africatown, they found the wrong ship, the Notilde, but the news went global. One morning in Los Angeles, SXSW impresario and film producer Lewis Black told Brown: “Margaret, are you crazy? You need to go back!”
He wrote her a check at breakfast and she was...
After “The Order of Myths,” Brown was drawn like a magnet to the unfolding search for the Clotilda, along with her “The Order of Myths” consultant, African American studies professor and folklorist Kern Jackson, who became the co-writer and co-producer of “Descendant.” “We never stopped talking,” Brown said.
In early 2018, in Africatown, they found the wrong ship, the Notilde, but the news went global. One morning in Los Angeles, SXSW impresario and film producer Lewis Black told Brown: “Margaret, are you crazy? You need to go back!”
He wrote her a check at breakfast and she was...
- 11/21/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Click here to read the full article.
Courtney Sexton has been named executive vp of documentary films at Participant, rejoining the company where she previously spent nearly a decade as an executive.
Sexton rejoins Participant from CNN Films, where she was overseeing a slate that included more than 50 original projects like recent releases Navalny, The Last Movie Stars, and Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down.
Food, Inc. and Page One: Inside The New York Times are among the titles she worked on during her time at Participant.
“Courtney is an exceptionally talented, compassionate executive with a track record of top-quality, purpose-driven content that connects with audiences around the world. We will forever be indebted to Diane for her tremendous films and impact, and Courtney’s return to oversee our documentary team ensures our commitment to continue that work,” said Participant CEO David Linde in a statement.
Sexton added, “I’ve...
Courtney Sexton has been named executive vp of documentary films at Participant, rejoining the company where she previously spent nearly a decade as an executive.
Sexton rejoins Participant from CNN Films, where she was overseeing a slate that included more than 50 original projects like recent releases Navalny, The Last Movie Stars, and Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down.
Food, Inc. and Page One: Inside The New York Times are among the titles she worked on during her time at Participant.
“Courtney is an exceptionally talented, compassionate executive with a track record of top-quality, purpose-driven content that connects with audiences around the world. We will forever be indebted to Diane for her tremendous films and impact, and Courtney’s return to oversee our documentary team ensures our commitment to continue that work,” said Participant CEO David Linde in a statement.
Sexton added, “I’ve...
- 11/17/2022
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Courtney Sexton, the SVP of CNN Films, is exiting the company after nine years amid word that the news network would scale back its original documentary films and series commissioned from third parties. She will soon rejoin Participant to lead its documentary content.
Sexton will serve as executive vice president of documentary film and television at Participant, overseeing all of its nonfiction storytelling. Before joining CNN, Sexton spent eight years as a development executive at Participant. She’ll return to the company at the start of 2023 and report directly to CEO David Linde.
Last month, new CNN boss Chris Licht announced that, as part of cost-saving measures, long-form documentary films and series coming from external sources would be no more. That includes many acclaimed and award-winning documentaries for which Sexton was directly responsible: including films like “Rbg,” “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain,” “Three Identical Strangers,” and this year’s “Navalny.
Sexton will serve as executive vice president of documentary film and television at Participant, overseeing all of its nonfiction storytelling. Before joining CNN, Sexton spent eight years as a development executive at Participant. She’ll return to the company at the start of 2023 and report directly to CEO David Linde.
Last month, new CNN boss Chris Licht announced that, as part of cost-saving measures, long-form documentary films and series coming from external sources would be no more. That includes many acclaimed and award-winning documentaries for which Sexton was directly responsible: including films like “Rbg,” “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain,” “Three Identical Strangers,” and this year’s “Navalny.
- 11/17/2022
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced that late filmmaker, activist and Academy Award-winning actor Sidney Poitier will receive the Icon Tribute posthumously during the 32nd annual Gotham Awards ceremony on Monday, November 28 at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
The announcement of this year’s Icon Tribute follows the release of critically-acclaimed documentary film “Sidney,” which had its world premiere during a gala presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released on Apple TV+ in September. The documentary has since won best biographical documentary at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards.
The Gotham Awards Advisory Committee started the Gotham Icon Tribute in 2021, seeking to call attention to the boldness, artistry and impact of a filmmaker from a historically-excluded community whose work has not been previously recognized by the organization. Playwright and filmmaker Kathleen Collins was honored the tribute last year.
Poitier’s Gotham Icon Tribute will be...
The announcement of this year’s Icon Tribute follows the release of critically-acclaimed documentary film “Sidney,” which had its world premiere during a gala presentation at the Toronto International Film Festival and was released on Apple TV+ in September. The documentary has since won best biographical documentary at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards.
The Gotham Awards Advisory Committee started the Gotham Icon Tribute in 2021, seeking to call attention to the boldness, artistry and impact of a filmmaker from a historically-excluded community whose work has not been previously recognized by the organization. Playwright and filmmaker Kathleen Collins was honored the tribute last year.
Poitier’s Gotham Icon Tribute will be...
- 11/16/2022
- by Jazz Tangcay and Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
A total of 144 feature documentaries are being made available to voters in the Documentary Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, according to emails send to branch members by the Academy.
Almost all of the films have been put on the members-only streaming platform devoted to the category, with five final films listed as “coming shortly.” While the Academy’s official list of qualifying films in the category will likely not be released until December, a recent email to doc-branch members said that the 27 films added in November and the five due to be added shortly would be the “final release” of eligible documentaries.
If all 144 films meet the requirements, the field will be six films larger than last year’s 138 qualifying films. The record was set in 2020, when the Covid- era relaxation of eligibility requirements led to 238 films qualifying in the doc-feature category.
Also Read:
‘Good Night Oppy...
Almost all of the films have been put on the members-only streaming platform devoted to the category, with five final films listed as “coming shortly.” While the Academy’s official list of qualifying films in the category will likely not be released until December, a recent email to doc-branch members said that the 27 films added in November and the five due to be added shortly would be the “final release” of eligible documentaries.
If all 144 films meet the requirements, the field will be six films larger than last year’s 138 qualifying films. The record was set in 2020, when the Covid- era relaxation of eligibility requirements led to 238 films qualifying in the doc-feature category.
Also Read:
‘Good Night Oppy...
- 11/14/2022
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Good Night Oppy, the moving story of the Mars rover that outlasted all expectations, was named Best Documentary Feature at the 2022 Critics Choice Documentary Awards. The film also earned Best Director (Ryan White), Best Score (Blake Neely), Best Narration, and Best Science/Nature Documentary awards.
The Seventh Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards selected David Siev’s Bad Axe as the Best First Documentary Feature and The Beatles: Get Back scored the Best Music Documentary award.
The CCDAs, hosted by Wyatt Cenac, took place on November 13, 2022 in New York City. This year marked the first time documentary fans were able to view the awards show live via the official Critics Choice Association’s website.
“Tonight was a whole new Doc Awards – hosting the ceremony in a new, bigger venue in Manhattan and streaming it live for the first time. We are thrilled to continue the celebration of so many groundbreaking and...
The Seventh Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards selected David Siev’s Bad Axe as the Best First Documentary Feature and The Beatles: Get Back scored the Best Music Documentary award.
The CCDAs, hosted by Wyatt Cenac, took place on November 13, 2022 in New York City. This year marked the first time documentary fans were able to view the awards show live via the official Critics Choice Association’s website.
“Tonight was a whole new Doc Awards – hosting the ceremony in a new, bigger venue in Manhattan and streaming it live for the first time. We are thrilled to continue the celebration of so many groundbreaking and...
- 11/14/2022
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
IDFA is going wild for Wildcat.
The documentary from Amazon Studios screened a couple of times over the weekend at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, to resounding effect, filmmakers Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost tell Deadline. Screenings on Friday and Sunday took place at the Pathé Tuschinski Theatre, a glorious old movie palace that rivals Mann’s Chinese in splendor.
“To have two standing ovations in a theater like that,” Lesh commented at a party after Sunday’s event, “on the biggest screen we’ve screened on yet, and to have the audience so engaged and moved, I feel like it’s been our best screenings yet.”
The Pathé Tuschinski Theatre
Frost added, “When we were standing in the lobby as people were going into the movie theater, I just couldn’t believe how many people were around me. They said they had well over 450 people in the theater...
The documentary from Amazon Studios screened a couple of times over the weekend at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam, to resounding effect, filmmakers Melissa Lesh and Trevor Frost tell Deadline. Screenings on Friday and Sunday took place at the Pathé Tuschinski Theatre, a glorious old movie palace that rivals Mann’s Chinese in splendor.
“To have two standing ovations in a theater like that,” Lesh commented at a party after Sunday’s event, “on the biggest screen we’ve screened on yet, and to have the audience so engaged and moved, I feel like it’s been our best screenings yet.”
The Pathé Tuschinski Theatre
Frost added, “When we were standing in the lobby as people were going into the movie theater, I just couldn’t believe how many people were around me. They said they had well over 450 people in the theater...
- 11/14/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The Critics Choice Association (Cca) held the seventh annual edition of its documentary awards on Sunday November 13. The gala at the Edison Ballroom in New York City streamed live on their Facebook and YouTube pages. The ceremony was hosted by longtime event supporter, actor, and standup comedian Wyatt Cenac.
Heading into the evening, “Fire of Love” and “Good Night Oppy” led with seven and six bids respectively. “Good Night Oppy” tops the Critics Choice Documentary Awards winners list, taking home five prizes including Best Documentary Feature and Best Director for Ryan White. It also claimed Best Score, Best Narration, and Best Science/Nature Documentary.
The only other multiple award winner was “The Beatles: Get Back,” which won both Best Music Documentary and Best Limited Documentary Series.
For the first time in organization history, the Cca announced the second and third place finishers for the top prize. The silver winner was...
Heading into the evening, “Fire of Love” and “Good Night Oppy” led with seven and six bids respectively. “Good Night Oppy” tops the Critics Choice Documentary Awards winners list, taking home five prizes including Best Documentary Feature and Best Director for Ryan White. It also claimed Best Score, Best Narration, and Best Science/Nature Documentary.
The only other multiple award winner was “The Beatles: Get Back,” which won both Best Music Documentary and Best Limited Documentary Series.
For the first time in organization history, the Cca announced the second and third place finishers for the top prize. The silver winner was...
- 11/14/2022
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
The 7th annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards unveiled its winners in a gala event that was live-streamed from New York City. It was Amazon Studios’ Good Night Oppy that was the biggest winner of the night taking home five trophies including the top accolade of the night — winning Gold for Best Documentary Feature.
Good Night Oppy also made Ryan White a winner for Best Director, Best Score went to Blake Neely, Best Narration and Best Science/Nature Documentary.
The Critics Choice Documentary Awards recognize the year’s finest achievements in documentaries released in theaters, on TV and on major digital platforms, as determined by the voting of qualified Critics Choice Association (Cca) members.
Christopher Campbell, Co-President of the Critics Choice Association’s Documentary Branch said, “Tonight was a whole new Doc Awards – hosting the ceremony in a new, bigger...
Good Night Oppy also made Ryan White a winner for Best Director, Best Score went to Blake Neely, Best Narration and Best Science/Nature Documentary.
The Critics Choice Documentary Awards recognize the year’s finest achievements in documentaries released in theaters, on TV and on major digital platforms, as determined by the voting of qualified Critics Choice Association (Cca) members.
Christopher Campbell, Co-President of the Critics Choice Association’s Documentary Branch said, “Tonight was a whole new Doc Awards – hosting the ceremony in a new, bigger...
- 11/14/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
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