Pinky Promise Films founder and CEO Jessamine Burgum and president Kara Durrett forego a formula, recipe or expectations of the end result when they choose who to work with on their films.
Burgum founded the production company during the 2020 Covid pandemic and gravitated toward Durrett while working together as a financier and producer on 2021’s well-received indie, “Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.” from director Adamma Ebo and starring Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown.
“Sometimes we can get hung up on this mystical idea of people’s mandates and ‘If you make the exact right thing that you think people are looking for, then it’s going to win the lottery,’” Burgum told TheWrap of indie filmmaking ahead of debuting their latest film “I Don’t Understand You” at SXSW. “But ultimately, people just have to make the things that they want to make.”
“If you’re always chasing what...
Burgum founded the production company during the 2020 Covid pandemic and gravitated toward Durrett while working together as a financier and producer on 2021’s well-received indie, “Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.” from director Adamma Ebo and starring Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown.
“Sometimes we can get hung up on this mystical idea of people’s mandates and ‘If you make the exact right thing that you think people are looking for, then it’s going to win the lottery,’” Burgum told TheWrap of indie filmmaking ahead of debuting their latest film “I Don’t Understand You” at SXSW. “But ultimately, people just have to make the things that they want to make.”
“If you’re always chasing what...
- 3/23/2024
- by Dessi Gomez
- The Wrap
While there are still several days of buzzy film premieres remaining at SXSW 2024, all of the films playing in competition have screened for audiences and critics. The film festival’s jury announced the winners of the festival’s major awards on Thursday, giving out prizes for narrative feature, documentary feature, and a variety of short, episodic, and Xr categories.
The narrative feature competition was won by “Bob Trevino Likes It,” Tracie Laymon’s dramedy that stars Barbie Ferreira as a young woman who seeks to heal wounds from her relationship with her abusive father by befriending an unrelated man with the exact same name (John Leguizamo).
The top documentary prize went to Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls’ groundbreaking documentary “Grand Theft Hamlet,” which followed a group of actors staging a production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” inside “Grand Theft Auto Online” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Keep reading for a complete list...
The narrative feature competition was won by “Bob Trevino Likes It,” Tracie Laymon’s dramedy that stars Barbie Ferreira as a young woman who seeks to heal wounds from her relationship with her abusive father by befriending an unrelated man with the exact same name (John Leguizamo).
The top documentary prize went to Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls’ groundbreaking documentary “Grand Theft Hamlet,” which followed a group of actors staging a production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” inside “Grand Theft Auto Online” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Keep reading for a complete list...
- 3/14/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
The South by Southwest Film & TV Festival has announced the 2024 Jury and Special Award winners.
This year’s narrative feature competition winner was “Bob Trevino Likes It,” which was directed and written by Tracie Laymon and stars Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo. Meanwhile, “Grand Theft Hamlet” topped the documentary feature competition.
“What an extraordinary week of film and TV premieres we’ve had here at SXSW, and there is more to come through Saturday,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP, Film & TV. “Our theaters have been bursting with incredible and vocal audiences celebrating the exceptional and diverse work in our lineup, and we’re so excited to celebrate this year’s jury and special award winners!”
The Audience Award voting will conclude on Saturday, March 16, and winners will be announced that week.
See the complete list of winners below.
Feature Film Grand Jury Awards
Narrative Feature Competition
Winner: “Bob Trevino Likes It”
Director/Screenwriter: Tracie Laymon,...
This year’s narrative feature competition winner was “Bob Trevino Likes It,” which was directed and written by Tracie Laymon and stars Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo. Meanwhile, “Grand Theft Hamlet” topped the documentary feature competition.
“What an extraordinary week of film and TV premieres we’ve had here at SXSW, and there is more to come through Saturday,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP, Film & TV. “Our theaters have been bursting with incredible and vocal audiences celebrating the exceptional and diverse work in our lineup, and we’re so excited to celebrate this year’s jury and special award winners!”
The Audience Award voting will conclude on Saturday, March 16, and winners will be announced that week.
See the complete list of winners below.
Feature Film Grand Jury Awards
Narrative Feature Competition
Winner: “Bob Trevino Likes It”
Director/Screenwriter: Tracie Laymon,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Chiwetel Ejiofor, June Squibb and Jessica Hecht will star in Scarlett Johansson’s directorial debut.The 39-year-old actress is set to direct ‘Eleanor the Great’, which was previously known as 'Eleanor, Invisible', a movie about a 90-year-old woman trying to rebuild her life after the death of her best friend, Variety reports.TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics are partnering for the first time on the movie, which has a screenplay written by Tory Kamen.Scarlett is also producing the film along with Jonathan Lia, and Keenan Flynn for These Pictures, Kara Durrett and Jessamine Burgum for Pinky Promise, and Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler of Maven Screen Media.94-Year-Old actress Squibb - who was Oscar nominated for Best Supporting Actress in Alexander Payne’s 'Nebraska' in 2013 - recently spoke about the movie.She told Deadline: "I’m actually going to be shooting a film in New York in a few months.
- 2/24/2024
- by Colette Fahy 2
- Bang Showbiz
Scarlett Johansson is assembling the cast of her directorial debut, “Eleanor the Great.”
June Squibb, the Oscar-nominated actor of “Nebraska” will be joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Broadway veteran Jessica Hecht and Erin Kellyman.
The movie, formerly titled “Eleanor, Invisible,” follows Eleanor Morgenstein (Squibb), a 90-year-old woman trying to rebuild her life after the death of her best friend. As a result, she moves back to New York City after living in Florida for decades. Tory Kamen wrote the screenplay.
TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics, partnering for the first time, will release “Eleanor the Great” in theaters on a yet-to-be-determined date.
Johansson is producing the film with Jonathan Lia, and Keenan Flynn for These Pictures, Kara Durrett and Jessamine Burgum for Pinky Promise, and Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler of Maven Screen Media.
Wayfarer Studios co-financed “Eleanor the Great” with Content Engineers, Pinky Promise and MacPac. Steve Sarowitz, Justin Baldoni,...
June Squibb, the Oscar-nominated actor of “Nebraska” will be joined by Chiwetel Ejiofor, Broadway veteran Jessica Hecht and Erin Kellyman.
The movie, formerly titled “Eleanor, Invisible,” follows Eleanor Morgenstein (Squibb), a 90-year-old woman trying to rebuild her life after the death of her best friend. As a result, she moves back to New York City after living in Florida for decades. Tory Kamen wrote the screenplay.
TriStar Pictures and Sony Pictures Classics, partnering for the first time, will release “Eleanor the Great” in theaters on a yet-to-be-determined date.
Johansson is producing the film with Jonathan Lia, and Keenan Flynn for These Pictures, Kara Durrett and Jessamine Burgum for Pinky Promise, and Celine Rattray and Trudie Styler of Maven Screen Media.
Wayfarer Studios co-financed “Eleanor the Great” with Content Engineers, Pinky Promise and MacPac. Steve Sarowitz, Justin Baldoni,...
- 2/23/2024
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Pamela Anderson is starring in a new movie!
The 56-year-old actress has been cast in an upcoming Gia Coppola-directed film “The Last Showgirl,” Deadline reveals.
Pamela is joined in the pic by the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Billie Lourd, Brenda Song and Kiernan Shipka.
Get more info inside…
The movie, which recently wrapped production, follows “a seasoned showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. As a dancer in her fifties, she struggles with what to do next. As a mother, she strives to repair a strained relationship with her daughter, who often took a backseat to her showgirl family.”
“I’ve always wanted to make a movie in Vegas,” Gia shared in a statement. “I’m so proud of our cast and crew, especially Pamela. I can’t wait to share her daring and heartfelt performance!”
The Good Place...
The 56-year-old actress has been cast in an upcoming Gia Coppola-directed film “The Last Showgirl,” Deadline reveals.
Pamela is joined in the pic by the likes of Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Billie Lourd, Brenda Song and Kiernan Shipka.
Get more info inside…
The movie, which recently wrapped production, follows “a seasoned showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. As a dancer in her fifties, she struggles with what to do next. As a mother, she strives to repair a strained relationship with her daughter, who often took a backseat to her showgirl family.”
“I’ve always wanted to make a movie in Vegas,” Gia shared in a statement. “I’m so proud of our cast and crew, especially Pamela. I can’t wait to share her daring and heartfelt performance!”
The Good Place...
- 2/2/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
Exclusive: Pamela Anderson, Jamie Lee Curtis, Dave Bautista, Brenda Song, Kiernan Shipka, and Billie Lourd are starring in The Last Showgirl, directed by Gia Coppola. Kate Gersten penned the script with Robert Schwartzman and Natalie Farrey producing. Kara Durrett and Jesse Burgum of Pinky Promise to exec produce.
“I’ve always wanted to make a movie in Vegas,” says Coppola. “I’m so proud of our cast and crew, especially Pamela. I can’t wait to share her daring and heartfelt performance!”
The film follows a seasoned showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. As a dancer in her fifties, she struggles with what to do next. As a mother, she strives to repair a strained relationship with her daughter, who often took a backseat to her showgirl family.
“Dream project, dream cast,” Schwartzman said “We couldn’t be more honored...
“I’ve always wanted to make a movie in Vegas,” says Coppola. “I’m so proud of our cast and crew, especially Pamela. I can’t wait to share her daring and heartfelt performance!”
The film follows a seasoned showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run. As a dancer in her fifties, she struggles with what to do next. As a mother, she strives to repair a strained relationship with her daughter, who often took a backseat to her showgirl family.
“Dream project, dream cast,” Schwartzman said “We couldn’t be more honored...
- 2/1/2024
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
A year and a half ago, we heard that M. Night Shyamalan was producing the thriller The Vanishings at Caddo Lake, which was being directed by the duo of Celine Held and Logan George – who made their feature directorial debut with the 2020 drama Topside and went on to direct episodes of Shyamalan’s Apple TV+ series Servant. That movie, which now has the shorter title Caddo Lake, still doesn’t have a release date… but it does have a rating. The Motion Picture Association’s ratings board has given Caddo Lake a PG-13 for some disturbing/bloody images, thematic elements, and brief strong language.
Shyamalan has only made two R-rated movies (The Happening and Knock at the Cabin), so it’s not surprising to hear that this Shyamalan-produced project has earned a PG-13.
Held and George wrote the screenplay for the film, crafting the following story: When an 8-year-old girl mysteriously vanishes on Caddo Lake,...
Shyamalan has only made two R-rated movies (The Happening and Knock at the Cabin), so it’s not surprising to hear that this Shyamalan-produced project has earned a PG-13.
Held and George wrote the screenplay for the film, crafting the following story: When an 8-year-old girl mysteriously vanishes on Caddo Lake,...
- 5/25/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
The trailer has arrived for writer-director Laurel Parmet’s debut feature, The Starling Girl, which will have its limited theatrical release this spring. A favorite from this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the film follows 17-year-old Jem (Eliza Scanlen) as she tries to find her place within a fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky. In an intro ahead of his interview with Parmet and producer Kara Durrett out of Sundance, Erik Luers summed up the plot quite nicely: Parmet first began writing the screenplay in 2017, soon after the premiere of one of her shorts and the wrap of another. Like her previous work, The […]
The post Trailer Watch: Laurel Parmet’s The Starling Girl first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Trailer Watch: Laurel Parmet’s The Starling Girl first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 4/17/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
The trailer has arrived for writer-director Laurel Parmet’s debut feature, The Starling Girl, which will have its limited theatrical release this spring. A favorite from this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the film follows 17-year-old Jem (Eliza Scanlen) as she tries to find her place within a fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky. In an intro ahead of his interview with Parmet and producer Kara Durrett out of Sundance, Erik Luers summed up the plot quite nicely: Parmet first began writing the screenplay in 2017, soon after the premiere of one of her shorts and the wrap of another. Like her previous work, The […]
The post Trailer Watch: Laurel Parmet’s The Starling Girl first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Trailer Watch: Laurel Parmet’s The Starling Girl first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 4/17/2023
- by Filmmaker Staff
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
New sales agent and financier Architect has come on board to represent international sales on writer-director Laurel Parmet’s Sundance-premiering “The Starling Girl.”
The film was acquired for North America by Bleecker Street in a deal negotiated by UTA and WME, and will release in cinemas later this year. Architect will launch international sales at this week’s European Film Market, which runs alongside the Berlin Film Festival.
“The Starling Girl” premiered at Sundance to strong reviews, and will screen in the Festival Favourites section at SXSW next month. It stars Eliza Scanlen (“Sharp Objects”), Lewis Pullman (“Top Gun: Maverick”), Jimmi Simpson (“Westworld”), Wrenn Schmidt (“Nope)” and Austin Abrams (“Paper Towns|). The film is produced by Kevin Rowe and Kara Durrett.
The drama follows 17-year-old Jem Starling (Scanlen), who struggles to find her place in the fundamentalist Christian community that raised her. According to the film’s official synopsis, “even...
The film was acquired for North America by Bleecker Street in a deal negotiated by UTA and WME, and will release in cinemas later this year. Architect will launch international sales at this week’s European Film Market, which runs alongside the Berlin Film Festival.
“The Starling Girl” premiered at Sundance to strong reviews, and will screen in the Festival Favourites section at SXSW next month. It stars Eliza Scanlen (“Sharp Objects”), Lewis Pullman (“Top Gun: Maverick”), Jimmi Simpson (“Westworld”), Wrenn Schmidt (“Nope)” and Austin Abrams (“Paper Towns|). The film is produced by Kevin Rowe and Kara Durrett.
The drama follows 17-year-old Jem Starling (Scanlen), who struggles to find her place in the fundamentalist Christian community that raised her. According to the film’s official synopsis, “even...
- 2/16/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Drama joins 2023 slate featuring female filmmaker voices.
In the latest deal from Sundance Bleecker Street has acquired North American rights to Laurel Parmet’s feature debut The Starling Girl.
Eliza Scanlen, Lewis Pullman, Jimmi Simpson, Wrenn Schmidt and Austin Abrams star in the story about the sexual awakening of a teenager girl in a fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky. It premiered in US Dramatic Competition.
Bleecker Street plans a theatrical release this year and negotiated the deal with and UTA Independent Film Group and WME Independent on behalf of the filmmakers.
Kevin Rowe and Kara Durrett served as producers,...
In the latest deal from Sundance Bleecker Street has acquired North American rights to Laurel Parmet’s feature debut The Starling Girl.
Eliza Scanlen, Lewis Pullman, Jimmi Simpson, Wrenn Schmidt and Austin Abrams star in the story about the sexual awakening of a teenager girl in a fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky. It premiered in US Dramatic Competition.
Bleecker Street plans a theatrical release this year and negotiated the deal with and UTA Independent Film Group and WME Independent on behalf of the filmmakers.
Kevin Rowe and Kara Durrett served as producers,...
- 2/3/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Bleecker Street has picked up North American rights to Laurel Parmet’s feature directorial debut The Starling Girl following its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, slating it for release in theaters later this year. Financials weren’t disclosed.
The film written and directed by Parmet follows 17-year-old Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen), who struggles to define her place within her fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky. Even her greatest joy — the church dance group — is tempered by worry that her love of dance is actually sinful, and she’s caught between a burgeoning awareness of her own sexuality and an instinctive resistance to her mom’s urging that the time has come to begin courting. She finds respite from her confusion in the encouragement of her youth pastor Owen (Lewis Pullman), who is likewise drawn to the blossoming Jem’s attention.
Jimmi Simpson (Westworld), Wrenn Schmidt (For All Mankind...
The film written and directed by Parmet follows 17-year-old Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen), who struggles to define her place within her fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky. Even her greatest joy — the church dance group — is tempered by worry that her love of dance is actually sinful, and she’s caught between a burgeoning awareness of her own sexuality and an instinctive resistance to her mom’s urging that the time has come to begin courting. She finds respite from her confusion in the encouragement of her youth pastor Owen (Lewis Pullman), who is likewise drawn to the blossoming Jem’s attention.
Jimmi Simpson (Westworld), Wrenn Schmidt (For All Mankind...
- 2/3/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Bleecker Street has acquired the North American rights to writer-director Laurel Parmet’s feature directorial debut,” The Starling Girl,” the company announced on Friday.
The film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim and stars Eliza Scanlen, Lewis Pullman, Jimmi Simpson, Wrenn Schmidt and Austin Abrams.
Bleecker Street will release the film theatrically later this year.
Also Read:
Sony Pictures Classics Lands Sundance Audience Award Winner ‘The Persian Version’
“The Starling Girl” follows 17-year-old Jem Starling (Scanlen), who struggles to define her place within her fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky. Even her greatest joy — the church dance group — is tempered by worry that her love of dance is actually sinful, and she’s caught between a burgeoning awareness of her own sexuality and an instinctive resistance to her mom’s urging that the time has come to begin courting. She finds respite from her confusion...
The film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim and stars Eliza Scanlen, Lewis Pullman, Jimmi Simpson, Wrenn Schmidt and Austin Abrams.
Bleecker Street will release the film theatrically later this year.
Also Read:
Sony Pictures Classics Lands Sundance Audience Award Winner ‘The Persian Version’
“The Starling Girl” follows 17-year-old Jem Starling (Scanlen), who struggles to define her place within her fundamentalist Christian community in rural Kentucky. Even her greatest joy — the church dance group — is tempered by worry that her love of dance is actually sinful, and she’s caught between a burgeoning awareness of her own sexuality and an instinctive resistance to her mom’s urging that the time has come to begin courting. She finds respite from her confusion...
- 2/3/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Bleecker Street has acquired Laurel Parmet’s feature directorial debut “The Starling Girl,” which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Last November, Parmet was named one of Variety‘s 10 Directors to Watch for 2023.
Bleecker Street will release the film theatrically later this year. The deal is for North American rights.
The drama follows 17-year-old Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen), who struggles to find her place in the fundamentalist Christian community that raised her. According to the film’s official synopsis, “even her greatest joy — the church dance group — is tempered by worry that her love of dance is actually sinful, and she’s caught between a burgeoning awareness of her own sexuality and an instinctive resistance to her mom’s insistence that the time has come to begin courting. She finds respite from her confusion in the encouragement of her youth pastor Owen (Lewis Pullman), who is likewise drawn...
Bleecker Street will release the film theatrically later this year. The deal is for North American rights.
The drama follows 17-year-old Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen), who struggles to find her place in the fundamentalist Christian community that raised her. According to the film’s official synopsis, “even her greatest joy — the church dance group — is tempered by worry that her love of dance is actually sinful, and she’s caught between a burgeoning awareness of her own sexuality and an instinctive resistance to her mom’s insistence that the time has come to begin courting. She finds respite from her confusion in the encouragement of her youth pastor Owen (Lewis Pullman), who is likewise drawn...
- 2/3/2023
- by Matt Donnelly and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Telling the story of Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen), a 17-year-old living in a Christian fundamentalist community in rural Kentucky, Laurel Parmet’s debut feature, The Starling Girl, has been years in the making, Parmet first began writing the screenplay in 2017, soon after the premiere of one of her shorts and the wrap of another. Like her previous work, The Starling Girl positions the viewer within the complex perspective of a young woman, presented here with the additional weight of the societal expectations of a religious community. One afternoon after she is “politely shamed” (this is a town in which everyone […]
The post “It’s a Good Thing We Didn’t Shoot in New Zealand”: Writer-Director Laurel Parmet and Producer Kara Durrett on The Starling Girl first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “It’s a Good Thing We Didn’t Shoot in New Zealand”: Writer-Director Laurel Parmet and Producer Kara Durrett on The Starling Girl first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/23/2023
- by Erik Luers
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Telling the story of Jem Starling (Eliza Scanlen), a 17-year-old living in a Christian fundamentalist community in rural Kentucky, Laurel Parmet’s debut feature, The Starling Girl, has been years in the making, Parmet first began writing the screenplay in 2017, soon after the premiere of one of her shorts and the wrap of another. Like her previous work, The Starling Girl positions the viewer within the complex perspective of a young woman, presented here with the additional weight of the societal expectations of a religious community. One afternoon after she is “politely shamed” (this is a town in which everyone […]
The post “It’s a Good Thing We Didn’t Shoot in New Zealand”: Writer-Director Laurel Parmet and Producer Kara Durrett on The Starling Girl first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “It’s a Good Thing We Didn’t Shoot in New Zealand”: Writer-Director Laurel Parmet and Producer Kara Durrett on The Starling Girl first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/23/2023
- by Erik Luers
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
On Sunday, January 22, producers came together in person to honor 2023 festival filmmakers and their films, highlighting the role of the independent producer at the Sundance Producers Celebration.
This annual event, sponsored by Amazon Studios and hosted by the Sundance Producers Program, shined a light on the 2022-2023 Sundance Institute Producing Fellows, featured a keynote address by producers Heather Rae and Nina Yang Bongiovi, and presented the 2023 Sundance Institute | Amazon Studios Producers Awards. The award honors two producers with films at this year’s festival for their body of work. IndieWire shares the keynote exclusively below.
Jess Devaney/Multitude Films (“It’s Only Life After All” and “Milisuthando”) received the 2023 Amazon Studios Nonfiction Producers Award, while Kara Durrett (“The Starling Girl”) received the 2023 Amazon Studios Fiction Producers Award.
Nina Yang Bongiovi: We want to thank the team at Sundance – Michelle Satter, Shira Rockowitz, Kristin Feeley, for having Heather and I keynote the Producers Celebration!
This annual event, sponsored by Amazon Studios and hosted by the Sundance Producers Program, shined a light on the 2022-2023 Sundance Institute Producing Fellows, featured a keynote address by producers Heather Rae and Nina Yang Bongiovi, and presented the 2023 Sundance Institute | Amazon Studios Producers Awards. The award honors two producers with films at this year’s festival for their body of work. IndieWire shares the keynote exclusively below.
Jess Devaney/Multitude Films (“It’s Only Life After All” and “Milisuthando”) received the 2023 Amazon Studios Nonfiction Producers Award, while Kara Durrett (“The Starling Girl”) received the 2023 Amazon Studios Fiction Producers Award.
Nina Yang Bongiovi: We want to thank the team at Sundance – Michelle Satter, Shira Rockowitz, Kristin Feeley, for having Heather and I keynote the Producers Celebration!
- 1/22/2023
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Film premiere and headlines spilling from a trio of fests in full swing (Venice), just starting (Telluride) and queued up (Toronto) have indie exhibitors and distributors the most hopeful since Covid hit that a stream of new films could fire up the arthouse market.
Tod Fields’ Cate Blanchett-starrer Tár (debuted to a six-minute standing ovation in Venice), Timothée Chalamet in Luca Guadagnino’s Bones And All (also just screened on the Lido), and Empire of Light with Olivia Colman, set to world premiere at Telluride, and a raft of others are slated for fall theatrical release. A deluge of specialty films from Sundance and Cannes will also move into U.S. cinemas later this month.
“Arthouse theaters are behind where they were in 2019, but I think this fall things will come racing back. These festivals have the goods,” said John Vanco, Gm of New York’s IFC Center.
Tod Fields’ Cate Blanchett-starrer Tár (debuted to a six-minute standing ovation in Venice), Timothée Chalamet in Luca Guadagnino’s Bones And All (also just screened on the Lido), and Empire of Light with Olivia Colman, set to world premiere at Telluride, and a raft of others are slated for fall theatrical release. A deluge of specialty films from Sundance and Cannes will also move into U.S. cinemas later this month.
“Arthouse theaters are behind where they were in 2019, but I think this fall things will come racing back. These festivals have the goods,” said John Vanco, Gm of New York’s IFC Center.
- 9/2/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Director Adamma Ebo’s Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul. is a satirical comedy starring Regina Hall as Trinitie Childs – the proud first lady of a Southern Baptist megachurch, who together with her husband Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown), once served a congregation in the tens of thousands. But after a scandal forces their church to temporarily close, Trinitie and Lee-Curtis must reopen their church and rebuild their congregation to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen.
The cast includes Regina Hall, Sterling K. Brown, Austin Crute, Conphidance, Devere Rogers, with Avis Marie Barnes And Nicole Beharie.
Wamg is giving away 2 free passes to the St. Louis advance screening of Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.
Date And Time:
Tuesday, August 30th, 7pm at the AMC Esquire
The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early.
The cast includes Regina Hall, Sterling K. Brown, Austin Crute, Conphidance, Devere Rogers, with Avis Marie Barnes And Nicole Beharie.
Wamg is giving away 2 free passes to the St. Louis advance screening of Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul.
Date And Time:
Tuesday, August 30th, 7pm at the AMC Esquire
The screening will be filled on a first come first served basis, so we encourage you to arrive early.
- 8/23/2022
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Gotham Film & Media Institute on Monday has selected the films and series for its Project Market, a slate which IndieWire can exclusively reveal. Taking place during September’s Gotham Week at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, the annual sales and development forum connects creators to distributors, financiers, and other industry decision-makers. It offers a look ahead at what could become the next buzzy films; “Moonlight” and “American Factory” are recent Oscar winners that were launched at past Project Market events.
This year’s lineup includes 65 fiction features and series, 60 nonfiction features and series, and 17 audio projects in various stages of development or production, including new projects from the producers of “Dopesick,” “Pose,” and “Sorry to Bother You.” For the first time since the pandemic, the annual event will include both in-person and virtual participation. In-person meetings run September 17-23, while virtual meetings will be held September 22-23.
“Being able...
This year’s lineup includes 65 fiction features and series, 60 nonfiction features and series, and 17 audio projects in various stages of development or production, including new projects from the producers of “Dopesick,” “Pose,” and “Sorry to Bother You.” For the first time since the pandemic, the annual event will include both in-person and virtual participation. In-person meetings run September 17-23, while virtual meetings will be held September 22-23.
“Being able...
- 8/1/2022
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
The star-making business behind Southern Baptist megachurches is now getting a big screen twist.
Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown star in the 2022 Sundance breakout comedy “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul,” written and directed by Adamma Ebo and executive produced by Jordan Peele. The mockumentary premieres in theaters and on Peacock September 2.
Amid allegations of misconduct, Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Brown) tries to revitalize his church after the scandal forced the congregation to temporarily close. Meanwhile, his wife, Trinitie Childs (Hall), is willing to do anything to reclaim her throne as the church’s first lady. Together the couple set out to rebuild their congregation and make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen.
The satirical comedy is produced by lead stars Hall and Brown, plus writer-director Ebo and her twin Adanne Ebo as well as “Get Out” and “Nope” star Daniel Kaluuya. Additional producers include Rowan Riley,...
Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown star in the 2022 Sundance breakout comedy “Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul,” written and directed by Adamma Ebo and executive produced by Jordan Peele. The mockumentary premieres in theaters and on Peacock September 2.
Amid allegations of misconduct, Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Brown) tries to revitalize his church after the scandal forced the congregation to temporarily close. Meanwhile, his wife, Trinitie Childs (Hall), is willing to do anything to reclaim her throne as the church’s first lady. Together the couple set out to rebuild their congregation and make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen.
The satirical comedy is produced by lead stars Hall and Brown, plus writer-director Ebo and her twin Adanne Ebo as well as “Get Out” and “Nope” star Daniel Kaluuya. Additional producers include Rowan Riley,...
- 7/7/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Focus Features Sets Fall Theatrical Day & Date For Sundance Pick-Up ‘Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul’
Focus Features, Peacock, and Monkeypaw Productions have set Sept. 2 as their theatrical day-and-date release date for Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul. The studios picked up the movie from Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions in early February out of Sundance and made it known that it would go in cinemas and on Uni’s sister streaming service Peacock.
The movie follows the proud first lady of a Southern Baptist megachurch, Trinitie Childs (Regina Hall), who carries an immense responsibility on her shoulders. After a scandal involving her husband, Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown), the church is forced to close temporarily, leaving Trinitie struggling to manage the aftermath. Now Trinitie and Lee-Curtis must rebuild their congregation and reconcile their faith by all means necessary to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen.
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is from the sibling duo the Ebo twins, writer-director Adamma Ebo and producer Adanne Ebo,...
The movie follows the proud first lady of a Southern Baptist megachurch, Trinitie Childs (Regina Hall), who carries an immense responsibility on her shoulders. After a scandal involving her husband, Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown), the church is forced to close temporarily, leaving Trinitie struggling to manage the aftermath. Now Trinitie and Lee-Curtis must rebuild their congregation and reconcile their faith by all means necessary to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen.
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul. is from the sibling duo the Ebo twins, writer-director Adamma Ebo and producer Adanne Ebo,...
- 3/4/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Let the church say “amen.” “Honk For Jesus. Save Your Soul” will open for film worshippers on Labor Day weekend.
Focus Features, Peacock, and Monkeypaw Productions announced that the movie, from Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions, will be released in theaters and begin streaming on Peacock on Friday, Sept. 2.
Writer-director Adamma Ebo and producer Adanne Ebo, the filmmaking sibling duo known as the Ebo twins, made their feature film debut with the project starring Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown.
Adapted from their 2018 short film of the same name, “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul” follows pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Brown) and his first lady Trinitie (Hall) as they aim to rebuild their congregation after a scandal effectively closes their Southern Baptist megachurch in Atlanta, which once welcomed nearly 26,000 worshippers. The couple hire a documentary crew to chronicle their comeback, but the road to redemption — especially in the competitive business of corporatized...
Focus Features, Peacock, and Monkeypaw Productions announced that the movie, from Daniel Kaluuya’s 59% Productions, will be released in theaters and begin streaming on Peacock on Friday, Sept. 2.
Writer-director Adamma Ebo and producer Adanne Ebo, the filmmaking sibling duo known as the Ebo twins, made their feature film debut with the project starring Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown.
Adapted from their 2018 short film of the same name, “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul” follows pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Brown) and his first lady Trinitie (Hall) as they aim to rebuild their congregation after a scandal effectively closes their Southern Baptist megachurch in Atlanta, which once welcomed nearly 26,000 worshippers. The couple hire a documentary crew to chronicle their comeback, but the road to redemption — especially in the competitive business of corporatized...
- 3/4/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Celine Held and Logan George’s feature directorial debut Topside, slating it for a day-and-date release on March 25.
The award-winning drama starring Held, Zhaila Farmer, Jared Abrahamson and musician Fatlip is inspired by true events. It follows five-year-old Little (Farmer) and her mother Nikki (Held), who live underneath the streets of New York City, in a community that has claimed long-abandoned subway tunnels as its home. When the pair are forced to flee above ground into a cold winter night, they are plunged into a challenging world of chaos and tragedy that makes their uncertain underground life seem idyllic by comparison.
Topside claimed SXSW’s Special Jury Award for Narrative Feature when it premiered there in 2020, subsequently going on to win the Venice Film Festival’s Mario Serandrei Award for Best Technical Achievement. Held and George penned the film, with Anthony Bregman,...
The award-winning drama starring Held, Zhaila Farmer, Jared Abrahamson and musician Fatlip is inspired by true events. It follows five-year-old Little (Farmer) and her mother Nikki (Held), who live underneath the streets of New York City, in a community that has claimed long-abandoned subway tunnels as its home. When the pair are forced to flee above ground into a cold winter night, they are plunged into a challenging world of chaos and tragedy that makes their uncertain underground life seem idyllic by comparison.
Topside claimed SXSW’s Special Jury Award for Narrative Feature when it premiered there in 2020, subsequently going on to win the Venice Film Festival’s Mario Serandrei Award for Best Technical Achievement. Held and George penned the film, with Anthony Bregman,...
- 2/9/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Put away the collection plate, “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul” finally has a buyer. Focus Features, Peacock and Jordan Peele’s MonkeyPaw Productions have acquired worldwide rights to the megachurch satire starring Sterling K. Brown and Regina Hall. The deal was worth a reported $8.5 million.
The movie, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews, will debut in theaters and on NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock later this year.
Adamma Ebo and Adanne Ebo, the filmmaking sibling duo known as the Ebo twins, wrote and directed “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul” in their feature film debut.
“We’re so unbelievably blessed and hyped to be partners with Focus and Monkeypaw on our first feature film,” they said in a statement. “Their commitment to our vision as filmmakers and bolstering the film as a whole is amazing and we cannot wait to bring it to the world with this team.
The movie, which premiered at Sundance Film Festival to positive reviews, will debut in theaters and on NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock later this year.
Adamma Ebo and Adanne Ebo, the filmmaking sibling duo known as the Ebo twins, wrote and directed “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul” in their feature film debut.
“We’re so unbelievably blessed and hyped to be partners with Focus and Monkeypaw on our first feature film,” they said in a statement. “Their commitment to our vision as filmmakers and bolstering the film as a whole is amazing and we cannot wait to bring it to the world with this team.
- 2/7/2022
- by Angelique Jackson and Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Focus Features, Peacock, and Monkeypaw Productions have acquired global rights to Sundance Film Festival premiere Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul which will receive a theatrical day-and-date release in theaters and on Peacock later this year.
While others Universal titles such as The Boss Baby: Family Business and Halloween Kills, and this weekend’s upcoming Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy Marry Me, have gone theatrical day-and-date on the Comcast owned streaming service, this is arguably the first Focus Features title to have a dynamic window Peacock release.
Filmmaking sibling duo the Ebo twins, writer-director Adamma Ebo and producer Adanne Ebo, made their feature film debut with production company Pinky Promise in this adaptation of their previous short film of the same name.
In the movie, a proud first lady of a Southern Baptist megachurch, Trinitie Childs (Regina Hall) carries immense responsibility on her shoulders. After a scandal involving her husband, Pastor...
While others Universal titles such as The Boss Baby: Family Business and Halloween Kills, and this weekend’s upcoming Jennifer Lopez romantic comedy Marry Me, have gone theatrical day-and-date on the Comcast owned streaming service, this is arguably the first Focus Features title to have a dynamic window Peacock release.
Filmmaking sibling duo the Ebo twins, writer-director Adamma Ebo and producer Adanne Ebo, made their feature film debut with production company Pinky Promise in this adaptation of their previous short film of the same name.
In the movie, a proud first lady of a Southern Baptist megachurch, Trinitie Childs (Regina Hall) carries immense responsibility on her shoulders. After a scandal involving her husband, Pastor...
- 2/7/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Focus Features, Peacock and Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions together have acquired the worldwide rights to “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.,” the satire about mega churches that premiered at Sundance 2022 and stars Regina Hall and Sterling K. Brown.
Adamma Ebo wrote and directed the film and worked alongside producer and twin sister Adanne Ebo for their feature film debut. The Ebo twins based “Honk for Jesus” on their short film of the same name.
Focus Features plans to release the film theatrically for a release date to be set later, but the film will also debut day-and-date on the streaming service Peacock, marking it as the first time Focus will be debuting a film day-and-date on Peacock in this way.
And as part of the acquisition, Jordan Peele is also joining “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” as an executive producer. Monkeypaw along with Universal also previously snagged the...
Adamma Ebo wrote and directed the film and worked alongside producer and twin sister Adanne Ebo for their feature film debut. The Ebo twins based “Honk for Jesus” on their short film of the same name.
Focus Features plans to release the film theatrically for a release date to be set later, but the film will also debut day-and-date on the streaming service Peacock, marking it as the first time Focus will be debuting a film day-and-date on Peacock in this way.
And as part of the acquisition, Jordan Peele is also joining “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” as an executive producer. Monkeypaw along with Universal also previously snagged the...
- 2/7/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
M. Night Shyamalan will be producing the upcoming pic The Vanishings at Caddo Lake through his Blinding Edge Pictures banner. Writing-directing team Celine Held & Logan George penned the screenplay based on an original idea and will also co-direct the film. The pic will star Dylan O’Brien, Eliza Scanlen and Lauren Ambrose. Eric Lange, Sam Hennings and Diana Hopper round out the cast
The plot: When an 8-year-old girl mysteriously vanishes on Caddo Lake, a series of past deaths and disappearances begin to link together, forever altering a broken family’s history.
Shyamalan and Ashwin Rajan will produce under Shyamalan’s Blinding Edge banner alongside Kara Durrett and K Period’s Josh Godfrey. Kimberly Steward, Harrison Huffman and Will Greenfield will serve as executive producers. Production on the mystery-thriller has commenced in Shreveport, LA.
The film marks Held and George’s second feature-length film; Topside, their first feature, had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
The plot: When an 8-year-old girl mysteriously vanishes on Caddo Lake, a series of past deaths and disappearances begin to link together, forever altering a broken family’s history.
Shyamalan and Ashwin Rajan will produce under Shyamalan’s Blinding Edge banner alongside Kara Durrett and K Period’s Josh Godfrey. Kimberly Steward, Harrison Huffman and Will Greenfield will serve as executive producers. Production on the mystery-thriller has commenced in Shreveport, LA.
The film marks Held and George’s second feature-length film; Topside, their first feature, had its premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
- 10/4/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Regina Hall and Emmy winner Sterling K. Brown are set to star in and produce Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul from production company Pinky Promise.
The film centers on Trinity Childs (Hall), the first lady of a prominent Southern Baptist megachurch, who attempts to help her pastor-husband, Lee-Curtis Childs (Brown), rebuild their congregation and reconcile their faith to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen. Shot in a faux-documentary style, the film takes a satirical look at megachurch culture and the often nebulous perspectives that are cultivated from being both entrenched in it, as well as finding yourself on the outside looking in.
“Both Regina and Sterling are forces of nature, and the sense of play and sheer creative energy they bring to these roles will be incredible to see.” said Pinky Promise co-founder Jessamine Burgum. “We’re over the moon to partner with two...
The film centers on Trinity Childs (Hall), the first lady of a prominent Southern Baptist megachurch, who attempts to help her pastor-husband, Lee-Curtis Childs (Brown), rebuild their congregation and reconcile their faith to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen. Shot in a faux-documentary style, the film takes a satirical look at megachurch culture and the often nebulous perspectives that are cultivated from being both entrenched in it, as well as finding yourself on the outside looking in.
“Both Regina and Sterling are forces of nature, and the sense of play and sheer creative energy they bring to these roles will be incredible to see.” said Pinky Promise co-founder Jessamine Burgum. “We’re over the moon to partner with two...
- 5/26/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Minari, Sound Of Metal deliver best supporting actor prizes.
Nomadland was named best feature and Chloe Zhao best director while Carey Mulligan and Riz Ahmed took lead acting honours at the virtual 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Thursday night (April 22).
Searchlight Pictures’ Nomadland won four prizes on the night including Joshua James Richards for cinematography, and editing for Zhao, who was one of four women nominated in the directing category and has enjoyed a magnificent awards season.
Amazon Studios’ Sound Of Metal earned three awards for Ahmed, supporting actor Paul Raci, and first feature for Darius Marder.
Focus Features’ Promising...
Nomadland was named best feature and Chloe Zhao best director while Carey Mulligan and Riz Ahmed took lead acting honours at the virtual 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Thursday night (April 22).
Searchlight Pictures’ Nomadland won four prizes on the night including Joshua James Richards for cinematography, and editing for Zhao, who was one of four women nominated in the directing category and has enjoyed a magnificent awards season.
Amazon Studios’ Sound Of Metal earned three awards for Ahmed, supporting actor Paul Raci, and first feature for Darius Marder.
Focus Features’ Promising...
- 4/23/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Spirit Awards 2021 Winners List: ‘Nomadland,’ ‘I May Destroy You,’ Riz Ahmed, Carey Mulligan Win Big
“Mank” is the big leader at the 2021 Oscars with 10 nominations, but that wasn’t the case at the 36th Film Independent Spirit Awards. The nomination leader at this ceremony was Eliza Hittman’s acclaimed “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” which the Academy shut out from the Oscars. The same goes for other beloved Spirit Award nominees like “First Cow,” “Miss Juneteenth,” and “The Assistant.” In other words, the Indie Spirit Awards were a breath of fresh air in this elongated awards season where underdog indie contenders finally get their due in the spotlight.
“Minari” also preformed strong at the Indie Spirits, earning six nominations to match its six Oscar nominations. Fellow Oscar nominees “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” each picked up five Spirit Award nominations. Netflix was the most nominated studio with 16 nominations, followed by Focus Features with 10 and A24 with 9.
“Nomadland” was the big winner, taking home the prizes...
“Minari” also preformed strong at the Indie Spirits, earning six nominations to match its six Oscar nominations. Fellow Oscar nominees “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” each picked up five Spirit Award nominations. Netflix was the most nominated studio with 16 nominations, followed by Focus Features with 10 and A24 with 9.
“Nomadland” was the big winner, taking home the prizes...
- 4/23/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
“Nomadland” wins four awards, including Best Feature; “Sound of Metal” wins three and “Promising Young Woman” takes two
“Nomadland” won Best Feature at the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which were announced live Thursday, and for the first time in primetime.
“Nomadland” took home four prizes, including Best Feature, Best Director for Chloé Zhao, as well as Best Editing and Best Cinematography. “Sound of Metal” also had a big night, winning Best First Feature, Best Supporting Male Paul Raci and an upset win for Best Male Lead Riz Ahmed. Carey Mulligan also won Best Female Lead for “Promising Young Woman,” and Yuh-Jung Youn won Best Supporting Female for “Minari.”
The coronavirus resulted in moving the Indie Spirits ceremony, now in its 36th year, away from its usual slot as an afternoon hangout in a tent near the Santa Monica pier on the Saturday before the Oscars to now taking place Thursday,...
“Nomadland” won Best Feature at the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which were announced live Thursday, and for the first time in primetime.
“Nomadland” took home four prizes, including Best Feature, Best Director for Chloé Zhao, as well as Best Editing and Best Cinematography. “Sound of Metal” also had a big night, winning Best First Feature, Best Supporting Male Paul Raci and an upset win for Best Male Lead Riz Ahmed. Carey Mulligan also won Best Female Lead for “Promising Young Woman,” and Yuh-Jung Youn won Best Supporting Female for “Minari.”
The coronavirus resulted in moving the Indie Spirits ceremony, now in its 36th year, away from its usual slot as an afternoon hangout in a tent near the Santa Monica pier on the Saturday before the Oscars to now taking place Thursday,...
- 4/23/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The last major awards show before the Oscars has finally arrived, the 36th Independent Spirit Awards. The virtual ceremony aired Thursday, April 22 on IFC at 7 p.m. Pt/10 p.m. Et and was hosted by “Saturday Night Live” star Melissa Villaseñor. The Spirit Awards celebrated the best in indie filmmaking for the 2020 calendar year, and this year they invited TV shows to the party, too. Don’t forget, only American-made fare with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration. Winners were chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who signed up for membership.
Heading into the ceremony, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” was the nominations leader with seven overall bids. “Minari” came in right behind it with six noms, followed by “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” (the Oscar front-runner) with five bids each. On the TV side, both “Little America” and...
Heading into the ceremony, “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” was the nominations leader with seven overall bids. “Minari” came in right behind it with six noms, followed by “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and “Nomadland” (the Oscar front-runner) with five bids each. On the TV side, both “Little America” and...
- 4/23/2021
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
The 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards are finally upon us, after the nominations were announced three months ago, and the ceremony is taking place just a few days ahead of the Academy Awards. This year, the Spirit Awards won’t be held midday in a hangar in Santa Monica, but will instead live-stream on IFC on Thursday, April 22 at 7:00 p.m. Pt/10:00 p.m. Et. In addition to the linear broadcast, the Spirit Awards will also stream simultaneously on AMC+. Following the broadcast, the full awards ceremony will be made available on demand across AMC+ and IFC platforms starting Friday, April 23. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by “Saturday Night Love” comedian Melissa Villaseñor.
If you’re cord cutter who doesn’t have cable, you can watch IFC live with one of these streaming services, many of which offer a free trial: Philo, fuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV,...
If you’re cord cutter who doesn’t have cable, you can watch IFC live with one of these streaming services, many of which offer a free trial: Philo, fuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV,...
- 4/21/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The 36th Film Independent Spirit Awards are set to take place this week as a welcome reprieve to this elongated Oscar season. Unlike the Academy Awards, where David Fincher’s “Mank” reigns supreme with 10 nominations, the 2021 Indie Spirit Awards are dominated by Eliza Hittman’s “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” which was shut out of the Oscar nominations. “Never Rarely” boasts seven Spirit Award nominations this year, including Best Feature and Best Director.
Unlike the Oscars, the Spirit Awards also boast a Best First Feature category to honor the greatest directorial debuts of the last year. The 2021 nominees in this category are “I Carry You With Me,” “The 40 Year Old Version,” “Sound of Metal,” “Miss Juneteenth,” and “Nine Days.” Only “Sound of Metal” broke into the Oscars among these nominees.
As always, the budget cutoff for films to be eligible for the Spirit Awards is $22.5 million. For this reason, several high...
Unlike the Oscars, the Spirit Awards also boast a Best First Feature category to honor the greatest directorial debuts of the last year. The 2021 nominees in this category are “I Carry You With Me,” “The 40 Year Old Version,” “Sound of Metal,” “Miss Juneteenth,” and “Nine Days.” Only “Sound of Metal” broke into the Oscars among these nominees.
As always, the budget cutoff for films to be eligible for the Spirit Awards is $22.5 million. For this reason, several high...
- 4/19/2021
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
Previous winner Shaka King named honourary chair for this year’s Spirit Awards.
Film Independent has revealed the winners of its three emerging filmmaker awards, each of which comes with a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant.
Ekwa Msangi, director of 2020 Sundance competition entry Farewell Amor, gets the Someone to Watch Award for so far under-recognised “filmmakers of singular vision.” Other finalists for the award were David Midell, director of The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, and Bull director Annie Silverstein.
Gerry Kim, one of the producers of Mexican drama I’m No Longer Here, shortlisted for this year’s international film Oscar, wins the...
Film Independent has revealed the winners of its three emerging filmmaker awards, each of which comes with a $25,000 unrestricted cash grant.
Ekwa Msangi, director of 2020 Sundance competition entry Farewell Amor, gets the Someone to Watch Award for so far under-recognised “filmmakers of singular vision.” Other finalists for the award were David Midell, director of The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain, and Bull director Annie Silverstein.
Gerry Kim, one of the producers of Mexican drama I’m No Longer Here, shortlisted for this year’s international film Oscar, wins the...
- 3/16/2021
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
“Judas and the Black Messiah” director Shaka King has been named the honorary chair of the 2021 Film Independent Spirit Awards, the nonprofit arts organization Film Independent announced on Tuesday. In a video posted on the Spirit Awards website, King launched his tenure in the job by revealing the winners of three cash grants worth a total of $75,000 to emerging filmmakers.
“Farewell Amor” director Ekwa Msangi received the Someone to Watch Award, which, according to Film Independent, goes to “talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition.” The other nominees in the category were “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain” director David Midell and “Bull” director Annie Silverstein. King won this award himself in 2014 after making his feature debut, “Newlyweeds.”
Gerry Kim, the producer of this year’s Mexican Oscar entry, “I’m No Longer Here,” was named recipient of the Producers Award, which salutes “emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources,...
“Farewell Amor” director Ekwa Msangi received the Someone to Watch Award, which, according to Film Independent, goes to “talented filmmakers of singular vision who have not yet received appropriate recognition.” The other nominees in the category were “The Killing of Kenneth Chamberlain” director David Midell and “Bull” director Annie Silverstein. King won this award himself in 2014 after making his feature debut, “Newlyweeds.”
Gerry Kim, the producer of this year’s Mexican Oscar entry, “I’m No Longer Here,” was named recipient of the Producers Award, which salutes “emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources,...
- 3/16/2021
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Minari earns six nods including feature, director, two for supporting actress.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
- 1/26/2021
- ScreenDaily
Minari earns six nods including feature, director, two for supporting actress.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
Focus Features’ Never Rarely Sometimes Always led the Film Independent Spirit Awards nominations with six nods on Tuesday (January 26) including best film and director, and female lead.
A24’s Minari placed second on six nods including best feature in a field that includes Nomadland, First Cow, Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom, and Never Rarely Sometimes Always.
Women dominated the directing category as Eliza Hittman (Never Rarely Sometimes Always), Chloe Zhao (Nomadland), Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman), and Kelly Reichardt (First Cow) picked up nods alongside the sole male, Lee Isaac Ching for Minari.
- 1/26/2021
- ScreenDaily
“First Cow,” “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” “Minari,” “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” and “Nomadland” scored Best Feature Film nominations for the 2021 Independent Spirit Awards, with “Never Rarely Sometimes Always” leading the pack with seven nominations. “Minari” had six film nominations, and “Nomandland” wound up with five.
And for the first time Film Independent recognized the best in TV. “A Teacher,” “I May Destroy You,” “Little America,” “Small Axe” and “Unorthodox” all landed nominations for Best New Scripted Series. “Unorthodox” and “Little America” each scored three nominations.
Nominations for the 36th annual ceremony were announced Tuesday via Film Independent’s website and YouTube channel by Laverne Cox, Barry Jenkins and Olivia Wilde.
Though the awards are generally held the Saturday afternoon before the Oscars ceremony, the show has been moved up to a primetime slot on Thursday, April 22 and will air on IFC that will also be simulcast on AMC+ and...
And for the first time Film Independent recognized the best in TV. “A Teacher,” “I May Destroy You,” “Little America,” “Small Axe” and “Unorthodox” all landed nominations for Best New Scripted Series. “Unorthodox” and “Little America” each scored three nominations.
Nominations for the 36th annual ceremony were announced Tuesday via Film Independent’s website and YouTube channel by Laverne Cox, Barry Jenkins and Olivia Wilde.
Though the awards are generally held the Saturday afternoon before the Oscars ceremony, the show has been moved up to a primetime slot on Thursday, April 22 and will air on IFC that will also be simulcast on AMC+ and...
- 1/26/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The 2021 Independent Spirit Awards nominations were announced Tuesday, January 26. So who made the cut at these kudos, which celebrate the best in American independent films? Scroll down to see the full list of nominees for the 2021 Indie Spirits. Remember, only American-made movies with budgets under $20 million were eligible for consideration.
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors.
Winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
These awards have come to be a significant preview of the Oscars as the motion picture academy embraces more independent films. Five of the last 10 Spirit champs for Best Feature went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
These Spirit contenders were decided by nominating committees that included film critics, film programmers, producers, directors, writers, cinematographers, editors, actors, past nominees and winners, and members of Film Independent’s Board of Directors.
Winners will be chosen by all of Film Independent’s eligible members, including industry insiders and any movie fans who sign up for membership starting at $95 per year.
These awards have come to be a significant preview of the Oscars as the motion picture academy embraces more independent films. Five of the last 10 Spirit champs for Best Feature went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.
- 1/26/2021
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
Stars: Cait Bliss, Colin Critchley, Jason Martin, Dave Klasko, Brandon Smalls, James Wilcox, Melinda Chilton, Andrew Kaempfer, Kara Durrett, Weston Wilson | Written and Directed by Erlingur Thoroddsen
Back in 2012, writer and director Erlingur Thoroddsen made a short film called Child Eater. It was a very good short, a mere fifteen minutes of haunting horror about a boogeyman out to capture kids. Some four years later, it was adapted from the short into a feature film of the same name. Cait Bliss (Towers of Terror) reprises her role from the original short, Helen Connolly, and Thoroddsen returns to his creation as writer and director.
Child Eater delves into a subgenre of horror that we seldom see in the modern age (or even in 2016 when this movie was released). That boogeyman horror, the creature in the dark corner, the monster under the bed. It aims to unsettle with folklore like that from...
Back in 2012, writer and director Erlingur Thoroddsen made a short film called Child Eater. It was a very good short, a mere fifteen minutes of haunting horror about a boogeyman out to capture kids. Some four years later, it was adapted from the short into a feature film of the same name. Cait Bliss (Towers of Terror) reprises her role from the original short, Helen Connolly, and Thoroddsen returns to his creation as writer and director.
Child Eater delves into a subgenre of horror that we seldom see in the modern age (or even in 2016 when this movie was released). That boogeyman horror, the creature in the dark corner, the monster under the bed. It aims to unsettle with folklore like that from...
- 10/28/2020
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
In today’s film news roundup, the Santa Barbara Film Festival moves back, Legion M is backing “Save Yourselves!,” Gravitas buys “Odd Man Rush,” a Tiny Tim documentary finds a home and The Creative Coalition is backing films about obesity.
Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has shifted its dates backwards for its 36th annual event, which will now take place from March 31 to April 10, 2021.
The festival, which typically occurs in January and is a key stop for awards campaigns, made the announcement Wednesday, two days after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences postponed the 93rd Academy Awards telecast by two months to April 25, 2021. The Sbiff had previously been set for Jan. 27 – Feb. 6, 2021.
“Like so many other prestigious ceremonies and events, we’ve had to adjust our plans in this extremely unprecedented era,” said Sbiff Executive Director Roger Durling. “There has never been a more critical...
Film Festival
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has shifted its dates backwards for its 36th annual event, which will now take place from March 31 to April 10, 2021.
The festival, which typically occurs in January and is a key stop for awards campaigns, made the announcement Wednesday, two days after the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences postponed the 93rd Academy Awards telecast by two months to April 25, 2021. The Sbiff had previously been set for Jan. 27 – Feb. 6, 2021.
“Like so many other prestigious ceremonies and events, we’ve had to adjust our plans in this extremely unprecedented era,” said Sbiff Executive Director Roger Durling. “There has never been a more critical...
- 6/18/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, “Save Yourselves!” and “Becoming” find homes, Cast & Crew buys Media Services, “Parasite” is getting a Criterion special edition and MethodFest unveils early titles.
Acquisitions
Bleecker Street has bought worldwide distribution rights to the survivalist romantic comedy “Save Yourselves!”
The film, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson from their own script, stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds, who portray a Brooklyn couple who find themselves dependent on technology and unable to put down their phones. They seize the chance to head to an isolated cabin in the woods but are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at Sundance in the dramatic competition. It will be released in theaters in the summer.
The film is produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
****
Gravitas Ventures has bought North American rights to the horror thriller “Becoming,...
Acquisitions
Bleecker Street has bought worldwide distribution rights to the survivalist romantic comedy “Save Yourselves!”
The film, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson from their own script, stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds, who portray a Brooklyn couple who find themselves dependent on technology and unable to put down their phones. They seize the chance to head to an isolated cabin in the woods but are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at Sundance in the dramatic competition. It will be released in theaters in the summer.
The film is produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
****
Gravitas Ventures has bought North American rights to the horror thriller “Becoming,...
- 2/14/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Film premiered recently in U.S. Dramatic Competition
Bleecker Street has picked up worldwide rights to Sundance comedy Save Yourselves from writer-directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson.
Keshet Studios produced the film, which premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition and stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds as a Brooklyn hipster couple who switch off their devices and head to the woods for a weekend as aliens arrive on earth.
Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni produced with Kara Durrett.
Bleecker negotiated the deal with Endeavor Content, Film Constellation and Keshet Studios on behalf of the filmmakers and plans a summer theatrical release.
Bleecker Street has picked up worldwide rights to Sundance comedy Save Yourselves from writer-directors Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson.
Keshet Studios produced the film, which premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition and stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds as a Brooklyn hipster couple who switch off their devices and head to the woods for a weekend as aliens arrive on earth.
Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni produced with Kara Durrett.
Bleecker negotiated the deal with Endeavor Content, Film Constellation and Keshet Studios on behalf of the filmmakers and plans a summer theatrical release.
- 2/13/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Bleecker Street has acquired the worldwide rights to “Save Yourselves!” starring Sunita Mani, John Reynolds and Ben Sinclair.
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the film. It was produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Jack (Reynolds) and Su (Mani) are a hip Brooklyn couple who go on a getaway trip to disconnect from the world after realizing they cannot put down their phones. Sheltered from the rest of the world, they are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
See Video: 'Save Yourselves!' Writers Wrote the Script for Lead Sunita Mani
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the dramatic competition category and will hit theaters this summer.
The deal was negotiated between Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy of Bleecker Street with Endeavor Content, Film Constellation, Fkks’ Victoria Cook and Keshet Studios’ Evp business affairs Avital...
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the film. It was produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Jack (Reynolds) and Su (Mani) are a hip Brooklyn couple who go on a getaway trip to disconnect from the world after realizing they cannot put down their phones. Sheltered from the rest of the world, they are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
See Video: 'Save Yourselves!' Writers Wrote the Script for Lead Sunita Mani
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in the dramatic competition category and will hit theaters this summer.
The deal was negotiated between Kent Sanderson and Avy Eschenasy of Bleecker Street with Endeavor Content, Film Constellation, Fkks’ Victoria Cook and Keshet Studios’ Evp business affairs Avital...
- 2/13/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Bleecker Street has acquired the worldwide rights to science fiction comedy Save Yourselves!
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the movie that follows Jack and Su, a hip Brooklyn couple whose inability to put down their phones prompts them to take a weeklong trip to an isolated cabin in the woods and vowing to unplug from the outside world just as aliens attack Earth.
Search Party star John Reynolds and Glow actress Sunita Mani star along with Ben Sinclair.
The film was produced by Keshet Studios' Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Endeavor Content ...
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the movie that follows Jack and Su, a hip Brooklyn couple whose inability to put down their phones prompts them to take a weeklong trip to an isolated cabin in the woods and vowing to unplug from the outside world just as aliens attack Earth.
Search Party star John Reynolds and Glow actress Sunita Mani star along with Ben Sinclair.
The film was produced by Keshet Studios' Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Endeavor Content ...
- 2/13/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Bleecker Street has acquired the worldwide rights to science fiction comedy Save Yourselves!
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the movie that follows Jack and Su, a hip Brooklyn couple whose inability to put down their phones prompts them to take a weeklong trip to an isolated cabin in the woods and vowing to unplug from the outside world just as aliens attack Earth.
Search Party star John Reynolds and Glow actress Sunita Mani star along with Ben Sinclair.
The film was produced by Keshet Studios' Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Endeavor Content ...
Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson wrote and directed the movie that follows Jack and Su, a hip Brooklyn couple whose inability to put down their phones prompts them to take a weeklong trip to an isolated cabin in the woods and vowing to unplug from the outside world just as aliens attack Earth.
Search Party star John Reynolds and Glow actress Sunita Mani star along with Ben Sinclair.
The film was produced by Keshet Studios' Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
Endeavor Content ...
- 2/13/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In today’s film news roundup, financing has been secured for a Nicolas Cage police drama, feature drama “Topside” is unveiled and the late Tom Snyder is getting a tribute from his daughter.
Financing Completed
Dcr Finance Corp. has signed a deal to complete the financing for Nicolas Cage’s upcoming crime drama “10 Double Zero.”
The project, which begins shooting on July 29 in Louisiana, is directed by Christian Sesma (“Vigilante Diaries”) from a script he co-wrote with “Green Book” writer Nick Vallelonga about a pair of officers who set out to avenge the killings of several fellow officers in a public shootout with bank robbers. As they get closer to solving the crime, they find themselves the targets of a conspiracy in the ranks of the police force.
“10 Double Zero” was unveiled in May during the Cannes Film Festival with Wonderfilm and Ton of Hats producing. Dcr Finance...
Financing Completed
Dcr Finance Corp. has signed a deal to complete the financing for Nicolas Cage’s upcoming crime drama “10 Double Zero.”
The project, which begins shooting on July 29 in Louisiana, is directed by Christian Sesma (“Vigilante Diaries”) from a script he co-wrote with “Green Book” writer Nick Vallelonga about a pair of officers who set out to avenge the killings of several fellow officers in a public shootout with bank robbers. As they get closer to solving the crime, they find themselves the targets of a conspiracy in the ranks of the police force.
“10 Double Zero” was unveiled in May during the Cannes Film Festival with Wonderfilm and Ton of Hats producing. Dcr Finance...
- 7/19/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
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