Park City - One of the most heartwarming stories of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival was the success of Ben Cotner and Ryan White's documentary "The Case Against 8." The duo began working on the film almost five years ago and spent four years following the legal case to strike down Proposition 8, a California ballot measure against gay marriage that surprised many by passing on the same night Barack Obama was elected president in 2008. Full disclosure, I've known Cotner casually for a good seven or eight years. When I heard he was making this doc when the case...
- 1/28/2014
- by Gregory Ellwood
- Hitfix
Ben Cotner and Ryan White deservedly won the doc directing prize at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival this past weekend for their film "The Case Against 8." Shot over five years, the film offers an incredible inside look at the legal battle behind overturning Proposition 8, which banned same-sex marriage in California back in 2008. It's an inspiring journey that Cotner and White (along with editor Kate Amend) put together into a very powerful film about a legal battle that will and has dramatically changed the legal rights situation for gay and lesbian couples in the U.S. Indiewire sat down with Cotner, White, the four plaintiffs in the case (couples Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Paul Katami and Jeff Zarrillo -- all of whom are wonderfully charming both in the film and in person) and a couple of the cases' lawyers (somehow also all very charming) just after the very emotional premiere...
- 1/27/2014
- by Peter Knegt
- Indiewire
Ben Cotner and Ryan White both hail from the film industry with different backgrounds. Cotner has been an acquisitions executive for the last decade; White has been a documentary filmmaker for the same time. They met at Sundance five years ago, just after Proposition 8 had passed, and partnered to make this film just a few months later when the legal challenge to Prop 8 started quietly brewing. What it's about: "Shot over five years, the film is a behind-the-scenes look at the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court." What it's really about: "It’s a film about ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary circumstances when they have to fight for their civil rights." Biggest challenge: "Our biggest challenge was to stay embedded in a five-year long lawsuit and maintain a high level of access to the main players. The case...
- 1/15/2014
- by Indiewire
- Indiewire
HBO has released its doc schedule through the first half of the year, a lineup that includes Doug Block's "112 Weddings" and Ben Cotner and Ryan White's "The Case Against 8." Herblock – The Black & The White (Jan. 27) traces the life of Herbert L. Block, who started cartooning in his teens in Chicago and went on to win four Pulitzer Prizes and the Presidential Medal of Freedom during his 55 years at the Washington Post. For the better part of the 20th century, his cartoons were a must-read for those in Washington and syndicated across the country. Jon Stewart, Carl Bernstein, Bob Woodward, Ben Bradlee, Lewis Black and Tom Brokaw are among those providing insight into Block’s life and career in the documentary, from multiple Emmy® winners Michael Stevens and George Stevens, Jr. Questioning Darwin (Feb. 10) takes an in-depth look at modern-day creationist theory embraced by those who reject evolution, and...
- 1/10/2014
- by Alison Willmore
- Indiewire
The Sundance Film Festival has unveiled its 2014 Competition lineup, made up of several categories. The 30th edition of the event will take place between January 16th-26th in the new year.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Camp X-Ray (Peter Sattler)
Cold in July (Jim Mickle)
Dear White People (Justin Simien)
Fishing Without Nets (Cutter Hodierne)
John's Pocket (John Slattery)
Happy Christmas (Joe Swanberg)
Hellion (Kat Candler)
Infinitely Polar Bear (Maya Forbes)
Jamie Marks is Dead (Carter Smith)
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (David Zellner)
Life After Beth (Jeff Baena)
Low Down (Joe Preiss)
The Skeleton Twins (Craig Johnson)
The Sleepwalker (Mona Fastvold)
Song One (Kate Barker-Froyland)
Whiplash (Damien Chazelle)
U.S. Documentary Competition
Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory (Michael Rossato-Bennett)
All the Beautiful Things (John Harkrider)
Captivated: The Trials of Pamela Smart (Jeremiah Zagar)
The Case Against 8 (Ben Cotner, Ryan White)
Cesar's Last Fast (Richard Ray Perez, Lorena Parlee...
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Camp X-Ray (Peter Sattler)
Cold in July (Jim Mickle)
Dear White People (Justin Simien)
Fishing Without Nets (Cutter Hodierne)
John's Pocket (John Slattery)
Happy Christmas (Joe Swanberg)
Hellion (Kat Candler)
Infinitely Polar Bear (Maya Forbes)
Jamie Marks is Dead (Carter Smith)
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (David Zellner)
Life After Beth (Jeff Baena)
Low Down (Joe Preiss)
The Skeleton Twins (Craig Johnson)
The Sleepwalker (Mona Fastvold)
Song One (Kate Barker-Froyland)
Whiplash (Damien Chazelle)
U.S. Documentary Competition
Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory (Michael Rossato-Bennett)
All the Beautiful Things (John Harkrider)
Captivated: The Trials of Pamela Smart (Jeremiah Zagar)
The Case Against 8 (Ben Cotner, Ryan White)
Cesar's Last Fast (Richard Ray Perez, Lorena Parlee...
- 12/6/2013
- by Notebook
- MUBI
Sundance Film Festival continues to be one of the most popular, and arguably one of the most important, events on the industry calendar, launching as it does some of the most prominent independent films at the start of each year.
This year will be no different, with Sundance announcing last night the initial line-up of films screening in competition, led by Song One, starring Anne Hathaway; Camp X-Ray, starring Kristen Stewart; Infinitely Polar Bear, with Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana; Joe Swanberg’s Happy Christmas, starring Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber, Lena Dunham, and Swanberg himself; The Skeleton Twins, with Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, and Ty Burrell; Life After Beth, with Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, and John C. Reilly; Listen Up Philip, with Jason Schwartzman and Elisabeth Moss; Whiplash, starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons; and many, many more.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Presenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films,...
This year will be no different, with Sundance announcing last night the initial line-up of films screening in competition, led by Song One, starring Anne Hathaway; Camp X-Ray, starring Kristen Stewart; Infinitely Polar Bear, with Mark Ruffalo and Zoe Saldana; Joe Swanberg’s Happy Christmas, starring Anna Kendrick, Melanie Lynskey, Mark Webber, Lena Dunham, and Swanberg himself; The Skeleton Twins, with Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, and Ty Burrell; Life After Beth, with Aubrey Plaza, Dane DeHaan, and John C. Reilly; Listen Up Philip, with Jason Schwartzman and Elisabeth Moss; Whiplash, starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons; and many, many more.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Presenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films,...
- 12/5/2013
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
God’S Pocket
Sundance Institute announced today the films selected for the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions and the out-of-competition section of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
Robert Redford, President & Founder of Sundance Institute said, “That the Festival has evolved and grown as it has over the past 30 years is a credit to both our audiences and our artists, who continue to find ways to take risks and open our minds to the power of story. This year’s films and artists promise to do the same.”
For the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, 118 feature-length films were selected, representing 37 countries and 54 first-time filmmakers, including 34 in competition. These films were selected from 12,218 submissions (72 more than for 2013), including 4,057 feature-length films and 8,161 short films. Of the feature film submissions, 2,014 were from the U.S. and 2,043 were international. 97 feature films at...
Sundance Institute announced today the films selected for the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions and the out-of-competition section of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, January 16-26 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.
Robert Redford, President & Founder of Sundance Institute said, “That the Festival has evolved and grown as it has over the past 30 years is a credit to both our audiences and our artists, who continue to find ways to take risks and open our minds to the power of story. This year’s films and artists promise to do the same.”
For the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, 118 feature-length films were selected, representing 37 countries and 54 first-time filmmakers, including 34 in competition. These films were selected from 12,218 submissions (72 more than for 2013), including 4,057 feature-length films and 8,161 short films. Of the feature film submissions, 2,014 were from the U.S. and 2,043 were international. 97 feature films at...
- 12/5/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competition lineups for the 2014 Sundance Film Festival were announced today and just below I have featured pictures from the 16 films that will be competing in the U.S. Dramatic competition and they feature a lot of names you're going to recognize. The titles begin with Camp X-Ray, which stars Kristen Stewart as a guard in Guantanamo Bay, where she forms an unlikely friendship with one of the detainees. Jim Mickle made an impact earlier this year with We Are What We Are and he returns with Michael C. Hall with Cold in July. Fishing Without Nets looks to tell a story similar to that of Captain Phillips, only this time from the Somali side of things; God's Pocket is "Mad Men" star John Slattery's writing and directorial debut and he's lined up an impressive cast including Philip Seymour Hoffman, Richard Jenkins,...
- 12/4/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
Birthday shoutouts go to Jeremy Jordan (above), who is 29, Sean Young is 54, Cody Linley is 24, and Joel McHale is 42.
Hey Gov. Mary Fallin, why do you hate the troops?
Could Bridegroom get an Oscar nomination?
The Founder Of Transgender Day Of Remembrance On Honoring Those We’ve Lost And Continuing To Fight For All.
NewNowNext has red carpet interviews with Jinkx Monsoon and Sharon Needles at the Out 100 party.
Ed had this in Meme, but it needs to be seen again.
She's here! Stevie Nicks on the set of Coven! pic.twitter.com/ffCA2nQNbr
— Ryan Murphy (@MrRPMurphy) November 19, 2013
Here’s Katy Perry‘s “Unconditionally.” I think it has some same-sex pairings, but it’s quick.
Below you can see the latest Spoiler Alert, with talk of Scandal and Sons Of Anarchy
Bleeding Cool has details about the new gay member of Uncanny X-Men, who has a “mutant power of sympatico,...
Hey Gov. Mary Fallin, why do you hate the troops?
Could Bridegroom get an Oscar nomination?
The Founder Of Transgender Day Of Remembrance On Honoring Those We’ve Lost And Continuing To Fight For All.
NewNowNext has red carpet interviews with Jinkx Monsoon and Sharon Needles at the Out 100 party.
Ed had this in Meme, but it needs to be seen again.
She's here! Stevie Nicks on the set of Coven! pic.twitter.com/ffCA2nQNbr
— Ryan Murphy (@MrRPMurphy) November 19, 2013
Here’s Katy Perry‘s “Unconditionally.” I think it has some same-sex pairings, but it’s quick.
Below you can see the latest Spoiler Alert, with talk of Scandal and Sons Of Anarchy
Bleeding Cool has details about the new gay member of Uncanny X-Men, who has a “mutant power of sympatico,...
- 11/20/2013
- by snicks
- The Backlot
"Live with Kelly and Michael" welcomed one of the show's biggest guests on Wednesday, Oct. 16. Elton John showed up to play music from his new album, "The Diving Board." The famous singer also talked about his AIDS activism, the place of music in his life and being a father to his two boys.
The level of awe that Kelly Ripa seemingly had for Elton John was a little undercut by her first words to the man being "You have the softest lips I've ever felt," right after the singer kissed her hello. That was good though -- it was a fairly formal interview with a serious John for most of the rest of the visit.
This was especially evident when the issue of AIDS activism came up. John had just been honored for his work but was humble about his role in the work. "I wasted a lot of my time,...
The level of awe that Kelly Ripa seemingly had for Elton John was a little undercut by her first words to the man being "You have the softest lips I've ever felt," right after the singer kissed her hello. That was good though -- it was a fairly formal interview with a serious John for most of the rest of the visit.
This was especially evident when the issue of AIDS activism came up. John had just been honored for his work but was humble about his role in the work. "I wasted a lot of my time,...
- 10/16/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
.
Wearing multiple hats, Gil Scrine is arranging a national cinema tour for controversial film Pandora's Promise, distributing Australian and international documentaries on DVD and Video-on-Demand, and selling films and docs direct to consumers.
Cinema Ventures, Scrine.s not-for-profit distribution company, is launching Pandora.s Promise in Melbourne on October 8, followed on consecutive days by screenings in Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane.
Us director Robert Stone.s feature-length documentary, which premiered at Sundance, argues that nuclear energy should be reconsidered as the primary source to meet the country.s energy needs while limiting emissions that contribute to climate change.
.Pandora.s Promise is a fascinating documentary about nuclear power that argues it is the true green energy,. said Austin Chronicle critic Louis Black. .It would be hard to imagine a film more controversial than this one. Sure to push opponents of nuclear power into all kinds of rages, the...
Wearing multiple hats, Gil Scrine is arranging a national cinema tour for controversial film Pandora's Promise, distributing Australian and international documentaries on DVD and Video-on-Demand, and selling films and docs direct to consumers.
Cinema Ventures, Scrine.s not-for-profit distribution company, is launching Pandora.s Promise in Melbourne on October 8, followed on consecutive days by screenings in Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Canberra, Sydney and Brisbane.
Us director Robert Stone.s feature-length documentary, which premiered at Sundance, argues that nuclear energy should be reconsidered as the primary source to meet the country.s energy needs while limiting emissions that contribute to climate change.
.Pandora.s Promise is a fascinating documentary about nuclear power that argues it is the true green energy,. said Austin Chronicle critic Louis Black. .It would be hard to imagine a film more controversial than this one. Sure to push opponents of nuclear power into all kinds of rages, the...
- 9/24/2013
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
Pat Robertson loses fight to keep “AIDS rings” clip offline, Ambassador Baer introduces his partner to the world, Arkansas tries to ban foster children from school until they prove they are HIV-
Vanna White’s son Nikko is seeing a Hare Krishna fifteen years his senior, but isn’t labeling himself yet. “Jaycee and I have a special relationship. It’s the closest I’ve ever been with anyone. It’s just spiritual and wonderful and there is chemistry – and if there’s sex also, so be it. It doesn’t matter!” At 19, he’s not sure of his orientation yet, “’I have had one girlfriend and never had a real boyfriend. We are just happy to be together, loving each other in whatever way possible. Gay? It’s possible.”
I watched Star Trek Into Darkness this weekend, and I have to say I was disappointed, but I wasn’t...
Vanna White’s son Nikko is seeing a Hare Krishna fifteen years his senior, but isn’t labeling himself yet. “Jaycee and I have a special relationship. It’s the closest I’ve ever been with anyone. It’s just spiritual and wonderful and there is chemistry – and if there’s sex also, so be it. It doesn’t matter!” At 19, he’s not sure of his orientation yet, “’I have had one girlfriend and never had a real boyfriend. We are just happy to be together, loving each other in whatever way possible. Gay? It’s possible.”
I watched Star Trek Into Darkness this weekend, and I have to say I was disappointed, but I wasn’t...
- 9/16/2013
- by Ed Kennedy
- The Backlot
Editor’s Note: Our review of Good Ol’ Freda originally ran during this year’s SXSW film festival, but we’re re-running it now as the film opens in limited release today. Is there any pop culture subject that’s been more exhaustively covered through documentaries than The Beatles? Both John Lennon and George Harrison have received excellent posthumous documentary treatments, and the band as a whole enjoyed one of the most comprehensive official docu-treatments in rock history with the 8-part Beatles Anthology. It seems like we’ve got the most popular band in modern history just about covered, right? Not so fast. Of the many (repeated) stories told about The Beatles time and again, there have also been stories about those who surrounded the band, who took essential roles alongside the margins in making The Fab Four exactly how we perceive them to be today. George Martin is now one of the best-known producers in the...
- 9/6/2013
- by Landon Palmer
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Years ago a shy, loyal Liverpudlian teenager named Freda Kelly became the personal secretary of her favorite local band. Little did she know that those four boys would grow into the Beatles, and that she’d go on to be their enduring fan club president. Ryan White’s affectionate new documentary Good Ol’ Freda (in theaters tomorrow) is not just a look at a cheerful, unassuming woman who found herself the sturdy center of a pop culture storm, but also at the band to which she stayed forever true. “This is a woman who turned down numerous book offers over the years,...
- 9/5/2013
- by Karen Valby
- EW - Inside Movies
Browse all the sections of the 57th London Film Festival (Oct 9-20) including the galas, competition titles and individual sections.
Alphabetical list of titles by section including feature premiere status
Wp = Wp
Ep = European Premiere
IP = International Premiere
UK = UK Premiere
Gala’s
Opening Night
Captain Phillips, Paul Greengrass (Us) Ep
Closing Night
Saving Mr Banks, John Lee Hancock (Us/UK) Ep
Philomena, Stephen Frears (UK) UK12 Years A Slave, Steve Mcqueen (UK) EPGravity, Alfonso Cuaron (Us) UKInside Llewyn Davis, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen (Us) UKLabor Day, Jason Reitman (Us) EPThe Invisible Woman, Ralph Fiennes (UK), EPThe Epic Of Everest, John Noel (UK) WPBlue Is The Warmest Colour, Abdellatif Kechiche (France) UKNight Moves, Kelly Reichardt (Us) UKStranger By The Lake, Alain Guiraudie (France) UKDon Jon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Us) UKMystery Road, Ivan Sen (Australia) UKOnly Lovers Left Alive, Jim Jarmusch (Us) UKNebraska, Alexander Payne (Us) UKWe Are The Best!, Lukas Moodysson (Sweden) EPFoosball 3D, Juan Jose Campanella (Argentina...
Alphabetical list of titles by section including feature premiere status
Wp = Wp
Ep = European Premiere
IP = International Premiere
UK = UK Premiere
Gala’s
Opening Night
Captain Phillips, Paul Greengrass (Us) Ep
Closing Night
Saving Mr Banks, John Lee Hancock (Us/UK) Ep
Philomena, Stephen Frears (UK) UK12 Years A Slave, Steve Mcqueen (UK) EPGravity, Alfonso Cuaron (Us) UKInside Llewyn Davis, Ethan Coen, Joel Coen (Us) UKLabor Day, Jason Reitman (Us) EPThe Invisible Woman, Ralph Fiennes (UK), EPThe Epic Of Everest, John Noel (UK) WPBlue Is The Warmest Colour, Abdellatif Kechiche (France) UKNight Moves, Kelly Reichardt (Us) UKStranger By The Lake, Alain Guiraudie (France) UKDon Jon, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (Us) UKMystery Road, Ivan Sen (Australia) UKOnly Lovers Left Alive, Jim Jarmusch (Us) UKNebraska, Alexander Payne (Us) UKWe Are The Best!, Lukas Moodysson (Sweden) EPFoosball 3D, Juan Jose Campanella (Argentina...
- 9/4/2013
- ScreenDaily
The 57th BFI London Film Festival line-up has officially been revealed, and it is led by a slew of incredibly promising films, many of which have already been buzzing on the festival circuit, and a number of which will be making their debuts here in London.
As previously announced, Paul Greengrass’ Captain Phillips will open the festival next month, and John Lee Hancock’s Saving Mr. Banks will close it, book-ending the festival with Tom Hanks leading two highly prominent, Oscar-primed movies.
Stephen Frears’ Philomena was also previously announced as the Lff American Express Gala, with The Epic of Everest announced as the Lff Archive Gala.
And leading the line-up alongside them this year will be some of the most Oscar-buzzed movies of 2013, including Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, Jason Reitman’s Labor Day, Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity (in 3D), Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis, Terry Gilliam’s The Zero Theorem,...
As previously announced, Paul Greengrass’ Captain Phillips will open the festival next month, and John Lee Hancock’s Saving Mr. Banks will close it, book-ending the festival with Tom Hanks leading two highly prominent, Oscar-primed movies.
Stephen Frears’ Philomena was also previously announced as the Lff American Express Gala, with The Epic of Everest announced as the Lff Archive Gala.
And leading the line-up alongside them this year will be some of the most Oscar-buzzed movies of 2013, including Steve McQueen’s 12 Years a Slave, Jason Reitman’s Labor Day, Alfonso Cuarón’s Gravity (in 3D), Joel and Ethan Coen’s Inside Llewyn Davis, Terry Gilliam’s The Zero Theorem,...
- 9/4/2013
- by Kenji Lloyd
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
HBO Documentary Films is currently in production on a film telling the story of the historic Supreme Court case that overturned Proposition 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage, it was announced today by Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming. Over the last five years, directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White have had exclusive access to the work of the powerhouse legal team led by Ted Olson and David Boies, as well as the lives of the four plaintiffs in the case. The untitled feature will be completed by the end of this year for debut on the network in 2014.
- 7/9/2013
- by TV News Desk
- BroadwayWorld.com
HBO Documentary Films announced today that it's currently in production on a film telling the story of the historic Supreme Court case that dismissed Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage. Over the last five years, directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White have had exclusive access to the work of the powerhouse legal team Ted Olson and David Boies, as well as the lives of the four plaintiffs in the case. The untitled feature will be completed by the end of this year for debut on the network in 2014. "The story of the battle to overturn Prop 8 is the story of a modern-day American revolution," said Michael Lombardo, president of HBO programming. "HBO is proud to present what is intended to be the film of record on this landmark case." The first Supreme Court case challenging a ban on same-sex marriage was argued by the unlikely pairing of the conservative Olson and liberal Boies.
- 7/9/2013
- by Madeline Raynor
- Indiewire
Ben Cotner and Ryan White are directing the pic which is currently in production by HBO Documentary Films. It tells the story of the people behind the historic Supreme Court case that overturned Proposition 8, California’s ban on same-sex marriage. “For the past five years, Cotner and White have had exclusive access to the work of the powerhouse legal team led by Ted Olson and David Boies as well as the four plaintiffs in the case”, Michael Lombardo, president, HBO Programming said today in a statement. The untitled feature will be completed by the end of this year for debut on the network in 2014. Related: Will Supreme Court Rulings Give ‘The Front Runner’ Film Momentum? The lawsuit, sponsored by the American Foundation for Equal Rights, was brought on behalf of two couples, Kris Perry and Sandy Stier, and Jeffrey Zarillo and Paul Katami and argued by the unlikely pairing of conservative Olson and liberal Boies.
- 7/9/2013
- by THE DEADLINE TEAM
- Deadline TV
HBO is turning its documentary lens on same-sex marriage. The premium cable network said Tuesday that it has begun production on a telefilm focusing on the landmark Supreme Court case that overturned Proposition 8, California's ban on same-sex marriage. Over the past five years, directors Ben Cotner and Ryan White have had exclusive access to the legal team led by conservative Ted Olson and liberal David Boies as well as the lives of the four plaintiffs in the case. The untitled feature will be completed by year's end for a 2014 debut. Story: Supreme Court Hands Same-Sex
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- 7/9/2013
- by Lesley Goldberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tribeca Film Institute and Gucci announced the recipients of the Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund on Thursday [13].
The fund, now in its sixth year, is led by Tribeca’s director of documentary programming Ryan Harrington. Projects receive production and finishing funds totalling $150,000 as well as year-round support.
The Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund Recipients are: Marshall Curry for Run And Gun; Jeremy Williams for On A Knife Edge; Ryan White and Ben Cotner for Perry V Schwarzenegger; Johan Grimonprez for The Shadow World; James Spione for Silenced; and Da Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus for Unlocking The Cage.
The Spotlighting Women Documentary award, presented for the third year in a row by the Kering Foundation, is given to documentaries that accent the courage and strength of character of women across the globe. Recipients are: Andreas Dalsgaard, Nicolas Servide and Viviana Gomez for Democrazy; Pamela Yates for Disruption; and Beth Murphy for What Tomorrow Brings.
The projects...
The fund, now in its sixth year, is led by Tribeca’s director of documentary programming Ryan Harrington. Projects receive production and finishing funds totalling $150,000 as well as year-round support.
The Gucci Tribeca Documentary Fund Recipients are: Marshall Curry for Run And Gun; Jeremy Williams for On A Knife Edge; Ryan White and Ben Cotner for Perry V Schwarzenegger; Johan Grimonprez for The Shadow World; James Spione for Silenced; and Da Pennebaker and Chris Hegedus for Unlocking The Cage.
The Spotlighting Women Documentary award, presented for the third year in a row by the Kering Foundation, is given to documentaries that accent the courage and strength of character of women across the globe. Recipients are: Andreas Dalsgaard, Nicolas Servide and Viviana Gomez for Democrazy; Pamela Yates for Disruption; and Beth Murphy for What Tomorrow Brings.
The projects...
- 6/13/2013
- ScreenDaily
The Tribeca Film Institute and Gucci announced today the nine recipients of their Documentary Fund. Now in its sixth year, the Fund provides production and finishing finances to documentary filmmakers from around the world with feature-length films that tackle critical social issues. Nine films have been selected out of the 500 submissions from 60 countries, receiving a total of $150,000 in funds. The films this year come from a group of filmmakers that reflect an expansive range of experience. Established directors such as Marshall Curry ("Run and Gun") and Da Pennebaker & Chris Hagedus ("Unlocking The Cage") are a few of this year's recipients. Others include the emerging talents of Jeremy Williams ("On a Knife Edge"), Johan Grimonprez ("The Shadow World"), James Spione ("Silenced"), and Ryan White & Ben Cotner ("Perry v. Schwarzenegger"). The range of subject matter presented in these projects is just as varied, covering issues such as the libyan revolution, gay...
- 6/13/2013
- by Julia Selinger
- Indiewire
When Ryan White brought his crowd-pleasing Beatles documentary Good Ol Freda to the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival in Durham, North Carolina he had no distribution, but plenty of faith that somebody would help him release his fantastically entertaining recollection of the Fab Four.s miraculous career. Somebody finally has. Deadline reports that Magnolia Pictures has acquired the North American rights to Good Ol Freda, the unusual but true story of a teenaged Liverpool gal named Freda Kelly who befriended Brian Epstein and the Beatles in their earliest days, when they were still playing to the lunchtime crowds in The Cavern Club. Kelly was eventually hired as the band.s press secretary, and then became the president of their massive fan club. She ended up staying with the Beatles for 11 years until the group disbanded and went their separate ways. "The dignity and devotion with which Freda has lived her...
- 4/23/2013
- cinemablend.com
If you want the dish on James Bond, you don’t talk to M. You talk to Moneypenny. If you want the dish on The Beatles, you talk to Freda Kelly — the longtime secretary of the legendary band.
The band met Freda Kelly in Liverpool. She was a teenager and they were a bunch of unknowns just trying to make a name for themselves. As the legend goes, The Beatles were together for 10 years; Kelly was with them for 11. In the documentary Good Ol’ Freda, filmmaker Ryan White not only got Kelly to tell her story, but also managed to...
The band met Freda Kelly in Liverpool. She was a teenager and they were a bunch of unknowns just trying to make a name for themselves. As the legend goes, The Beatles were together for 10 years; Kelly was with them for 11. In the documentary Good Ol’ Freda, filmmaker Ryan White not only got Kelly to tell her story, but also managed to...
- 4/22/2013
- by Lindsey Bahr
- EW - Inside Movies
Middle-school student Ryan White became the poster child for HIV/AIDS in the '80s after he was diagnosed with AIDS following a blood transfusion. He passed away in 1990 at age 18, but not before touching the lives of people around the world -- including two celebrities.
This clip from a recent episode of "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" shows how Ryan's story and strength helped two living legends -- Olympic diver Greg Louganis and music icon Elton John -- at major turning points in their lives.
In 1995, Greg, who is HIV-positive, told Oprah on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that he'd thought of Ryan on the fateful day in 1988 when he'd hit his head on the diving board during the Olympic springboard preliminaries. "After I hit my head, one of the thoughts that I had was, 'What would Ryan do in this situation?'" Greg recalled. "I knew that he...
This clip from a recent episode of "Oprah: Where Are They Now?" shows how Ryan's story and strength helped two living legends -- Olympic diver Greg Louganis and music icon Elton John -- at major turning points in their lives.
In 1995, Greg, who is HIV-positive, told Oprah on "The Oprah Winfrey Show" that he'd thought of Ryan on the fateful day in 1988 when he'd hit his head on the diving board during the Olympic springboard preliminaries. "After I hit my head, one of the thoughts that I had was, 'What would Ryan do in this situation?'" Greg recalled. "I knew that he...
- 4/22/2013
- by Lisa Capretto
- Huffington Post
Washington intern Chandra Levy disappeared in May 2001, launching an investigation that gripped the nation -- especially when Chandra's father alleged that she had been having an affair with then-congressman Gary Condit of California. (The congressman was never named an official suspect in Chandra's case.) Chandra's fate remained a mystery until May 2002, when her body was found in Washington's Rock Creek Park. But was she murdered -- and if so, who had killed her?
In May 2009, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, Ingmar Guandique, was charged with Chandra's murder and later sentenced to 60 years in prison. In this clip from a new "Oprah: Where Are They Now?", Chandra's parents, Sue and Bob Levy, confess their true feelings about Ingmar's conviction. Sue recalls her experience in the courtroom during his sentencing. "I pointed my finger and asked him if he killed my daughter -- and I asked him to look at me,...
In May 2009, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, Ingmar Guandique, was charged with Chandra's murder and later sentenced to 60 years in prison. In this clip from a new "Oprah: Where Are They Now?", Chandra's parents, Sue and Bob Levy, confess their true feelings about Ingmar's conviction. Sue recalls her experience in the courtroom during his sentencing. "I pointed my finger and asked him if he killed my daughter -- and I asked him to look at me,...
- 4/20/2013
- by Lisa Capretto
- Huffington Post
Freda Kelly is one of the unsung chapters of Beatles history. One of few surviving members of the band’s inner circle, Kelly became the Beatles secretary, head of the fan club, and Brian Epstein’s personal assistant shortly after seeing them live in Liverpool in 1961. As a fan who became in charge of the fan club, Kelly, more so than anybody attached to the Beatles, could speak authoritatively about the band as well as the nature of Beatlemania. Ryan White’s documentary Good Ol’ Freda is a wonderful testament by and character study of a woman who had been, up until now, one of the quietest members of the Beatles community. It’s a piece of Beatles history we didn’t know we were missing. I had the pleasure of speaking with Kelly a few days after the film’s premiere at SXSW, and here’s what she had to share about her history with the...
- 3/26/2013
- by Landon Palmer
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
This story first appeared in the March 1 issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Ryan White has achieved the nearly impossible: The director got rights to use four original Beatles songs in his documentary Good Ol' Freda. Premiering on March 9 at South by Southwest, the film tells the story of Freda Kelly, the band’s beloved secretary who spent 11 years working for the Fab Four and ran the Beatles fan club. It’s the first time Kelly, now in her late 60s, has told her story, though many have tried to pry it out through the years. Photos: The Beatles: Rare Photos Offer Inside Look
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- 2/20/2013
- by Shirley Halperin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
South by Southwest (SXSW) is just one of many film festivals, we here at Sound On Sight cover yearly. The fest, which takes place every spring in Austin, Texas, began in 1987, and has continued to grow in size every year. The fest announced the first wave of films back in early January, and the lineup included some highly anticipated films such as The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, Evil Dead, Downloaded and Spring Breakers. Now the full lineup has been announced, and it just might be one of the best lineups the festival has ever programmed.
SXSW takes place March 8-16 in Austin Texas. Here are just some of the films we are excited about.
Narrative Feature Competition – This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,191 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere.
Awful Nice
Director/Screenwriter: Todd Sklar, Screenwriter: Alex Rennie
Estranged brothers Jim and Dave must travel to Branson together when...
SXSW takes place March 8-16 in Austin Texas. Here are just some of the films we are excited about.
Narrative Feature Competition – This year’s 8 films were selected from 1,191 submissions. Each film is a World Premiere.
Awful Nice
Director/Screenwriter: Todd Sklar, Screenwriter: Alex Rennie
Estranged brothers Jim and Dave must travel to Branson together when...
- 2/1/2013
- by Ricky
- SoundOnSight
Some of the best films of the 2012/2013 calender year from Richard Linklater, Harmony Korine, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Andrew Bujalski, Jeff Nichols, David Gordon Green, Shane Carruth and Joshua Oppenheimer are among the headliner names for the 2013 edition of the South by Southwest Film Festival. With a little over 100 plus film line-up (a whopping 2000+ titles were submitted), almost 70 are world premieres: there is the highly anticipated sophomore film (that has been on our radar since it first went into production) with M. Blash’s (The Wait), Joe Swanberg who makes SXSW his second home will premiere Drinking Buddies, veteran indie filmmaker John Sayles saddles in with Go For Sisters, and rounding out the Narrative Spotlight section we’ve got The Bounceback from Bryan Poyser, Loves Her Gun from Geoff Marslett along with titles we thought might break into Park City, but found an Austin home instead with Jacob Vaughan’s Milo and...
- 2/1/2013
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Austin, Texas is about to get magical. The South by Southwest Film Festival and Conference announced Tuesday that The Incredible Burt Wonderstone — starring Steve Carell and Steve Buscemi as famed Las Vegas magicians and Jim Carrey as the “stunt” magician who challenges their supremacy — will have its world premiere on Friday, March 8 as the festival’s opening night film. Veteran TV director Don Scardino (30 Rock, 2 Broke Girls) is helming the film, from a screenplay by John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein (Horrible Bosses). The comedy costars Olivia Wilde, Alan Arkin, and James Gandolfini, and opens wide in theaters the following weekend,...
- 1/15/2013
- by Adam B. Vary
- EW - Inside Movies
Birthday shoutouts go to Ryan Carnes (above), who is 30, Tom Hulce is 59, and Ryan White would have been 41. Gabriel Mann says that a deal is almost in place for an "iconic TV actress" to play his mother on Revenge. But who could it be? I like the idea of Donna Mills or Judith Light. The Grammy Nominations have been announced, with Frank Ocean up for a number of big awards, including Best New Artist and Album Of The Year. Also, Kathy Griffin is nominated again for Comedy Album, and Rachel Maddow, Ellen Degeneres and Janis Ian are up for Spoken Word Recording Meanwhile, Justin Bieber was shut out, and his manager is pissed.Good riddance to an asshat.Del Shores talks about bringing Southern Baptist Sissies to the big screen.Below you can see the first teaser trailer for Star Trek Into Darkness. Please ... no lens flare this time.
Below...
Below...
- 12/6/2012
- by snicks
- The Backlot
New York — On the red carpet of his annual AIDS foundation benefit Monday night, Sir Elton John remembered AIDS sufferer Ryan White.
The 65-year musician said dealing with the teenager's death was a major turning point in his life, which at the time was "out of whack."
"Six months after Ryan died, I decided that was it," John said. And within a year of becoming sober, he begin thinking about starting a foundation and "giving something back and making up for lost time."
White contracted AIDS in 1984 after a blood transfusion for his hemophilia. Once diagnosed, he was expelled from middle school and became a poster child for young people afflicted with the disease. John was with the boy and his family when he died in 1990.
While great strides are being made in research and behavior, John said we have a long way to go.
"The stigma involved in people...
The 65-year musician said dealing with the teenager's death was a major turning point in his life, which at the time was "out of whack."
"Six months after Ryan died, I decided that was it," John said. And within a year of becoming sober, he begin thinking about starting a foundation and "giving something back and making up for lost time."
White contracted AIDS in 1984 after a blood transfusion for his hemophilia. Once diagnosed, he was expelled from middle school and became a poster child for young people afflicted with the disease. John was with the boy and his family when he died in 1990.
While great strides are being made in research and behavior, John said we have a long way to go.
"The stigma involved in people...
- 10/16/2012
- by AP
- Huffington Post
London, July 16: Singer Elton John credits his late friend for helping him overcome his drug addiction.
The singer was a huge cocaine addict when his 18-year-old friend Ryan White died of AIDS in 1990. John, 65, admits that the teenager played a big part in inspiring him to overcome his addictions, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
In his forthcoming book, "Love is the Cure: On Life, Loss and the End of AIDS", he wrote: "Ryan was a true hero,.
The singer was a huge cocaine addict when his 18-year-old friend Ryan White died of AIDS in 1990. John, 65, admits that the teenager played a big part in inspiring him to overcome his addictions, reports femalefirst.co.uk.
In his forthcoming book, "Love is the Cure: On Life, Loss and the End of AIDS", he wrote: "Ryan was a true hero,.
- 7/16/2012
- by Lohit Reddy
- RealBollywood.com
Sir Elton John believes he would be dead if it wasn't for his late friend who died of AIDS aged 18. The 65-year-old singer - who has battled drink and drugs addiction - admits he was a ''huge cocaine addict'' during his friend Ryan White's plight and up to his death in 1990, but the teenager played a big part in inspiring the 'Rocket Man' hitmaker to take stock of his life and conquer his addictions. In his forthcoming book, 'Love is the Cure: On Life, Loss and the End of AIDS', serialised in the Mail On Sunday, he wrote:...
- 7/16/2012
- Virgin Media - Celebrity
Sir Elton John believes he would be dead if it wasn't for his late friend who died of AIDS aged 18. The 65-year-old singer - who has battled drink and drugs addiction - admits he was a 'huge cocaine addict' during his friend Ryan White's plight and up to his death in 1990, but the teenager played a big part in inspiring the 'Rocket Man' hitmaker to take stock of his life and conquer his addictions. In his forthcoming book, 'Love is the Cure: On Life, Loss and the End of AIDS', serialised in the Mail On Sunday, he wrote: 'Ryan was a true hero, a true Christian, because he unconditionally forgave those who made him suffer. Ryan...
- 7/16/2012
- Monsters and Critics
Emmy-winning actress Kathryn Joosten has died at age 72 following a bout with pneumonia while battling lung cancer.
TVLine.com reports that Joosten passed away Friday in Westlake Village, Calif., surrounded by family. A source tells Et that Joosten was undergoing chemotherapy treatment throughout the taping of the final episodes of Housewives, which led to her contracting pneumonia.
Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry told Et in a statement, "The character of Mrs. McCluskey was created for a single episode. We then cast Kathryn Joosten and she infused the part with so much feisty wit and curmudgeonly bravado, we knew we had to move her onto Wisteria Lane for the run of the series. I will forever miss her, as a co-worker and as a friend."
More: Kathryn Joosten on Lung Cancer Battle
The actress, whose character also passed away in the Desperate Housewives season finale last month, spoke with Et at length in 2009 about her cancer battle, telling...
TVLine.com reports that Joosten passed away Friday in Westlake Village, Calif., surrounded by family. A source tells Et that Joosten was undergoing chemotherapy treatment throughout the taping of the final episodes of Housewives, which led to her contracting pneumonia.
Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry told Et in a statement, "The character of Mrs. McCluskey was created for a single episode. We then cast Kathryn Joosten and she infused the part with so much feisty wit and curmudgeonly bravado, we knew we had to move her onto Wisteria Lane for the run of the series. I will forever miss her, as a co-worker and as a friend."
More: Kathryn Joosten on Lung Cancer Battle
The actress, whose character also passed away in the Desperate Housewives season finale last month, spoke with Et at length in 2009 about her cancer battle, telling...
- 6/2/2012
- Entertainment Tonight
On the Lifetime drama Army Wives, I play Joan Burton, a woman trying to balance her duties as a colonel in the U.S. Army with her role as a mother and wife. I love playing Joan -- it's an opportunity to explore the reality that thousands of military families live every day. Army Wives also tackles many of the social issues that affect Americans, both on and off the base.
This Sunday, April 1, the show will once again cover an issue that we don't talk about nearly enough in the U.S. these days: HIV and AIDS.
Last season, my husband Roland -- played by Sterling K. Brown -- and I adopted a child who is living with HIV. Through playing the mother of an HIV-positive son, I learned that AIDS is still an issue that affects children. In fact, 1,000 children are infected with HIV around the world every day.
This Sunday, April 1, the show will once again cover an issue that we don't talk about nearly enough in the U.S. these days: HIV and AIDS.
Last season, my husband Roland -- played by Sterling K. Brown -- and I adopted a child who is living with HIV. Through playing the mother of an HIV-positive son, I learned that AIDS is still an issue that affects children. In fact, 1,000 children are infected with HIV around the world every day.
- 3/30/2012
- by Wendy Davis
- Aol TV.
When Cuba Gooding, Jr.'s father (presumably Cuba Gooding, Sr.) visited the set of Jerry Maguire, he gave Tom Cruise a big hug and said "I love you, man. Now seriously, are you gay or not?" Thankfully, Tom just laughed and said "No" rather than his customary $100 million lawsuit.
While everyone was focused on New Jersey passing marriage equality yesterday, in my home state of West Virginia, Del. John Doyle introduced a civil unions bill in the legislature that is an "everything but the name" bill. In all honesty, I'm unsure how I feel about that – we have a statute defining marriage as a man and a woman, not an amendment, and we can't pass a nondiscrimination law. This may not be the attention we want. Still, yay, us!
Also locally, Stephen Skinner, head of Fairness Wv, our only Glbt organization, resigned today to pursue a candidacy for the House of Delegates.
While everyone was focused on New Jersey passing marriage equality yesterday, in my home state of West Virginia, Del. John Doyle introduced a civil unions bill in the legislature that is an "everything but the name" bill. In all honesty, I'm unsure how I feel about that – we have a statute defining marriage as a man and a woman, not an amendment, and we can't pass a nondiscrimination law. This may not be the attention we want. Still, yay, us!
Also locally, Stephen Skinner, head of Fairness Wv, our only Glbt organization, resigned today to pursue a candidacy for the House of Delegates.
- 2/17/2012
- by lostinmiami
- The Backlot
After the Christmas rush, January is often a slow time for book releases but several promising deals have already been struck in 2012. The new year has started with a number of interesting celebrity memoirs. The most prominent is Elton John's personal take on the AIDS crisis, Love is the Cure: Ending the Global Aids Epidemic. John promises to use the stories of AIDS victims he's known like Ryan White and Freddie Mercury to write about how the personal toll the crisis took on his life. Read The Hollywood Reporter's story on the deal here. Photos: 10 Biggest Book-to-
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- 1/13/2012
- by Andy Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Happy Birthday to Ryan Carnes (above), who turns 29, and Ryan White, who would have turned 40 today. A petition is underway to have the British government officially pardon gay mathematician Alan Turing. If the petition reaches 100,000 signatures, the Parliament will be obligated to debate it. Sienna Miller and Toby Jones will star as Tippi Hedren and Alfred Hitchcock in The Girl, about Hitch's obsession with Hedren while filming The Birds. I just pray they'll include that infamous moment when he presented Tippi's daughter Melanie Griffith with a miniature doll of Tippi ... in a small pine box. Kudos to Bradley Cooper for doing the right thing. Awww ... it's cute he thinks he'll ever have the chance to not make that "mistake." Santorum Makes Baffling Comments On Gay Sex. ... And? Below you can see Hillary Clinton giving her powerful United Nations speech about Glbt rights. You can read the text here.
Good news!
Good news!
- 12/6/2011
- by snicks
- The Backlot
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