Blue Mountain Film Festival (Bmff), the event held 90 minutes from Toronto in the titular mountains, has named Diana Sanchez as Co-Director of Programming.
Sanchez previously spent sixteen years as an International Programmer at TIFF, and was Senior Director, Film for the fest between 2019 and 2021, overseeing both festival and cinematheque programming.
She was also the founding Artistic Director of the Panama Film Festival. Currently, she works as a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto’s Cinema Studies Institute.
Bmff, which runs June 1-5 this year, presents twenty-five international and Canadian films over five days. There will also be a Creative Forum exploring themes of dystopia and the environment through six main stage sessions.
“Diana has been immersed in the international film scene for two decades now and we are overjoyed that she is joining us to deliver on the vision for Bmff,” said Helen du Toit, Executive & Artistic Director. “Her level of professionalism,...
Sanchez previously spent sixteen years as an International Programmer at TIFF, and was Senior Director, Film for the fest between 2019 and 2021, overseeing both festival and cinematheque programming.
She was also the founding Artistic Director of the Panama Film Festival. Currently, she works as a Sessional Lecturer at the University of Toronto’s Cinema Studies Institute.
Bmff, which runs June 1-5 this year, presents twenty-five international and Canadian films over five days. There will also be a Creative Forum exploring themes of dystopia and the environment through six main stage sessions.
“Diana has been immersed in the international film scene for two decades now and we are overjoyed that she is joining us to deliver on the vision for Bmff,” said Helen du Toit, Executive & Artistic Director. “Her level of professionalism,...
- 3/16/2022
- by Tom Grater
- Deadline Film + TV
Documentary
Comcast-owned pay TV service Sky U.K. has released the first trailer for “Super Greed: The Fight for Football.” Produced by Fulwell 73, the 90-minute film charts the rise and rapid fall of the European Super League. In Apr. 2021, owners and executives of the 12 most powerful clubs in world soccer attempted to launch a new competition that would secure their club’s financial future for the next 23 years. The Super League created a fury of opposition from the entire soccer world and collapsed in just 48 hours. “Super Greed: The Fight for Football” tells the inside story of the league through the eyes of those who helped bring it down.
Contributors include president of UEFA, Aleksander Čeferin; president of La Liga, Javier Tebas; chairman of Crystal Palace Fc, Steve Parish; MP for Liverpool, West Derby, Ian Byrne; soccer writer, Nicky Bandini; Arsenal Supporters’ Trust spokesperson, Tim Payton; and Chelsea Supporters’ Trust member,...
Comcast-owned pay TV service Sky U.K. has released the first trailer for “Super Greed: The Fight for Football.” Produced by Fulwell 73, the 90-minute film charts the rise and rapid fall of the European Super League. In Apr. 2021, owners and executives of the 12 most powerful clubs in world soccer attempted to launch a new competition that would secure their club’s financial future for the next 23 years. The Super League created a fury of opposition from the entire soccer world and collapsed in just 48 hours. “Super Greed: The Fight for Football” tells the inside story of the league through the eyes of those who helped bring it down.
Contributors include president of UEFA, Aleksander Čeferin; president of La Liga, Javier Tebas; chairman of Crystal Palace Fc, Steve Parish; MP for Liverpool, West Derby, Ian Byrne; soccer writer, Nicky Bandini; Arsenal Supporters’ Trust spokesperson, Tim Payton; and Chelsea Supporters’ Trust member,...
- 3/16/2022
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Utopia Picks Up The Last Tourist
Exclusive: Utopia has acquired rights to responsible travel documentary feature The Last Tourist and has set a March 15th digital release in the U.S. to mark the two-year anniversary of the pandemic closing the world’s borders to international travel. The film will also have its U.S. premiere on March 8th at Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Directed and written by Tyson Sadler and executive-produced by Bruce Poon Tip, the founder of community tourism pioneer and adventure operator, G Adventures, the movie features Dr. Jane Goodall, Lek Chailert, Gary Knell, Meenu Vadera and Jonathan Tourtellot. The documentary, which was awarded with the Special Jury Prize for Social Impact by the Canadian Documentary Jury at the Calgary International Film Festival, examines the history of modern tourism and offers a critique on its current state of affairs. It explores issues including animals suffering for entertainment,...
Exclusive: Utopia has acquired rights to responsible travel documentary feature The Last Tourist and has set a March 15th digital release in the U.S. to mark the two-year anniversary of the pandemic closing the world’s borders to international travel. The film will also have its U.S. premiere on March 8th at Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Directed and written by Tyson Sadler and executive-produced by Bruce Poon Tip, the founder of community tourism pioneer and adventure operator, G Adventures, the movie features Dr. Jane Goodall, Lek Chailert, Gary Knell, Meenu Vadera and Jonathan Tourtellot. The documentary, which was awarded with the Special Jury Prize for Social Impact by the Canadian Documentary Jury at the Calgary International Film Festival, examines the history of modern tourism and offers a critique on its current state of affairs. It explores issues including animals suffering for entertainment,...
- 2/24/2022
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Helen du Toit, who served as artistic director of the Palm Springs International Film Festival for over a decade, will lead the newly launched Blue Mountain Film Festival as executive and artistic director.
The festival, located at popular Canadian tourist destination Blue Mountain Village, Southern Ontario, will take place June 1-5 and is sponsored by Blue Mountain Resort.
Th festival will unspool in the village conference centre and will feature up to 25 feature films from across the globe — with a spotlight on Ontario productions — programmed by du Toit.
Helen du Toit said: “When I first stepped foot in Blue Mountain my immediate thought was what an incredible location it would be to host an intimate film festival. Such a unique place calls for a unique experience. I am honored to be part of the team launching Bmff and to curate a diverse program with the best films from around the...
The festival, located at popular Canadian tourist destination Blue Mountain Village, Southern Ontario, will take place June 1-5 and is sponsored by Blue Mountain Resort.
Th festival will unspool in the village conference centre and will feature up to 25 feature films from across the globe — with a spotlight on Ontario productions — programmed by du Toit.
Helen du Toit said: “When I first stepped foot in Blue Mountain my immediate thought was what an incredible location it would be to host an intimate film festival. Such a unique place calls for a unique experience. I am honored to be part of the team launching Bmff and to curate a diverse program with the best films from around the...
- 12/9/2021
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Former Palm Springs artistic director Helen du Toit has been set as executive and artistic director of new Canadian film festival Blue Mountain Film Festival.
The event in Southern Ontario’s scenic Blue Mountain resort is set to take place June 1-5, 2022, at the Blue Mountain Village Conference Centre.
Inspired and curated by du Toit, who served as Palm Springs head for more than a decade, the plan is to showcase around 25 features from across the globe, with a spotlight on Ontario productions. There will also be an industry platform called the Creative Forum which will take place from June 1 to 3.
Du Toit said: “When I first stepped foot in Blue Mountain my immediate thought was what an incredible location it would be to host an intimate film festival. Such a unique place calls for a unique experience. I am honoured to be part of the team launching Bmff and...
The event in Southern Ontario’s scenic Blue Mountain resort is set to take place June 1-5, 2022, at the Blue Mountain Village Conference Centre.
Inspired and curated by du Toit, who served as Palm Springs head for more than a decade, the plan is to showcase around 25 features from across the globe, with a spotlight on Ontario productions. There will also be an industry platform called the Creative Forum which will take place from June 1 to 3.
Du Toit said: “When I first stepped foot in Blue Mountain my immediate thought was what an incredible location it would be to host an intimate film festival. Such a unique place calls for a unique experience. I am honoured to be part of the team launching Bmff and...
- 12/9/2021
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
The Palm Springs Film Society has announced that acting head of programming and Toronto’s Primetime programmer will step in to fill the role after Helen du Toit’s contract was not renewed.
Lerman, who also serves as artistic director for the Philadelphia Film Society, will oversee all artistic decisions for the 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff), which runs from January 2-16, 2017.
However du Toit, the previous artistic director who served as interim festival director this year after Darryl Macdonald took medical leave, will not be returning.
This means there is currently nobody serving as festival director.
“Michael Lerman is a young but very seasoned film festival veteran who brings a keen eye for identifying and curating remarkable films and filmmaker talent,” said festival chairman Harold Matzner. “He is an exemplary match for the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
“We were very impressed with his programming work at the Toronto International Film Festival and are...
Lerman, who also serves as artistic director for the Philadelphia Film Society, will oversee all artistic decisions for the 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff), which runs from January 2-16, 2017.
However du Toit, the previous artistic director who served as interim festival director this year after Darryl Macdonald took medical leave, will not be returning.
This means there is currently nobody serving as festival director.
“Michael Lerman is a young but very seasoned film festival veteran who brings a keen eye for identifying and curating remarkable films and filmmaker talent,” said festival chairman Harold Matzner. “He is an exemplary match for the Palm Springs International Film Festival.
“We were very impressed with his programming work at the Toronto International Film Festival and are...
- 9/8/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Short films stand tall in southern California every year at the Palm Springs International Shortfest — after over 4,000 submissions, 327 shorts from over 50 countries were shown this past week at North America’s largest short film festival. The winners of this year’s festival, announced Sunday night, received combined prizes valued at approximately $115,000 with $20k of that being in cash.
“A common thread of immigration and compassion dominates our award winning films this year – echoing current issues around the world,” said Festival Director Helen du Toit. “After a stimulating and energizing week of storytelling and networking between the next generation of filmmakers, we leave with a sense of hope for a world that, despite some setbacks, does seem to be evolving slowly but surely.”
The Kosovan film “Home” by Daniel Mulloy, which rides along with a “young, happy family [who seem] to be going on holiday but is instead on a journey similar to millions of others,...
“A common thread of immigration and compassion dominates our award winning films this year – echoing current issues around the world,” said Festival Director Helen du Toit. “After a stimulating and energizing week of storytelling and networking between the next generation of filmmakers, we leave with a sense of hope for a world that, despite some setbacks, does seem to be evolving slowly but surely.”
The Kosovan film “Home” by Daniel Mulloy, which rides along with a “young, happy family [who seem] to be going on holiday but is instead on a journey similar to millions of others,...
- 6/28/2016
- by Kyle Kizu
- Indiewire
Plus: Drone adds cast for Myriad; Distribber in grant programme; and more…
Work from Oscar Isaac, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Hudson, Neil Labute, Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce and Kristen Wiig are among the line-up at the 22nd year, Palm Springs International ShortFest.
The festival will run from June 21-27 and show 327 films including 46 world premieres.
Festival director Helen du Toit said: “After a 31% jump in submissions this year, our programing team, led by the sharp-minded and quick-witted Penelope Bartlett, is exhausted but exhilarated. Our audiences will see a broader international representation of stories than ever before.” For further details click here.
The UCLA School Of Theater, Film And Television and Eros International have launched the Eros International Graduate Scholarship Fund – three full-ride graduate scholarships for UCLA Tft’s Master of Fine Arts programmes in directing, producing and screenwriting “to give voice to the unique perspective of Indian women.” Recipients will commence in autumn 2017.Mary McCormack and Joel David Moore...
Work from Oscar Isaac, Steve Buscemi, Jennifer Hudson, Neil Labute, Jack O’Connell, Guy Pearce and Kristen Wiig are among the line-up at the 22nd year, Palm Springs International ShortFest.
The festival will run from June 21-27 and show 327 films including 46 world premieres.
Festival director Helen du Toit said: “After a 31% jump in submissions this year, our programing team, led by the sharp-minded and quick-witted Penelope Bartlett, is exhausted but exhilarated. Our audiences will see a broader international representation of stories than ever before.” For further details click here.
The UCLA School Of Theater, Film And Television and Eros International have launched the Eros International Graduate Scholarship Fund – three full-ride graduate scholarships for UCLA Tft’s Master of Fine Arts programmes in directing, producing and screenwriting “to give voice to the unique perspective of Indian women.” Recipients will commence in autumn 2017.Mary McCormack and Joel David Moore...
- 6/5/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
As the Palm Springs International Film Festival enters its closing weekend, honorees gathered for the fest's traditional awards brunch to recognize some of the highlights from its 27th annual incarnation. Read More: Rooney Mara to Receive Palm Springs Spotlight AwardIn Spencer's Restaurant at the base of the valley's mountains, a cross-section of top festival attendees gathered for a meal where seven of the program's 180 features were singled out for various achievements. Psiff Artistic Director and acting Festival Director Helen Du Toit welcomed the gathered guests. Commending the festival's programming staff, she mentioned that this was the first year that all of the Academy's Best Foreign Film shortlisted titles were part of the Psiff slate, with all directors in attendance. The first prize of the afternoon, the Hp Bridging the Borders Award, traditionally goes to a film that uses film to tell stories of understanding and cross-cultural cooperation. Presented by...
- 1/9/2016
- by Steve Greene
- Indiewire
The 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) will launch on Friday, January 1 with Klaus Härö’s Golden Globe-nominated and Academy Award-shortlisted "The Fencer." The Festival’s closing night film will then screen on Sunday, January 10 with the U.S. premiere of "Last Cab to Darwin," directed by Jeremy Sims. The Festival announced its complete lineup of films including Talking Pictures, Special Presentations and additional programming. A total of 176 films will screen in this year’s festival from January 1-11.
“Bookending the festival are two films from opposite sides of the globe, both of which promise an emotionally stirring film-going experience,” said Artistic Director Helen du Toit. “'The Fencer' is the ideal opener for Palm Springs – not just because it is a beautifully made film, and a crowd-pleaser, but also because Finnish director Klaus Härö has become a festival favorite over the years. We are equally excited to be wrapping the festival with the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ 'Last Cab to Darwin,' a road movie/comedy set in the Australian outback and featuring the irresistible Michael Caton as a man who, while trying to expedite his own demise, finally learns how to live.”
Opening and Closing Screenings
Opening night title "The Fencer" is a Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film and Finland’s Best Foreign Language Oscar® submission. The film is about a young fencer in the early 1950s who, while hiding from the Russian secret police, becomes a physical education teacher in an Estonian village. His after-school sporting club brings inspiration to students and teacher alike, but the past catches up and faces him with a difficult choice.
The Festival will close with the U.S. premiere of "Last Cab to Darwin" directed by Jeremy Sims. In this warm-hearted road movie Rex is a loner, and when he’s told he doesn’t have long to live, he embarks on an epic drive through the Australian outback from Broken Hill to Darwin to die on his own terms. But his journey reveals to him that before you can end your life, you have to live it, and to live it, you've got to share it. The film stars Michael Caton and Jackie Weaver.
Talking Pictures
Every year, the Festival presents a series of special programs devoted to exploring the careers and creative choices of the top talents in the world of cinema, including Oscar®-caliber actors and directors in conversation with leading entertainment journalists. Each program includes a film screening and an on-stage conversation.
Golden Globe nominee Lily Tomlin will attend the screening of Sony Pictures Classics’ "Grandma" and participate in an on-stage interview immediately following, presented by Tribeca Short List. Elle Reid has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when her granddaughter Sage unexpectedly shows up needing 600 dollars before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash and their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.
Director Asif Kapadia will attend the screening of his documentary "Amy," a sympathetic and revealing portrait of Amy Winehouse which employs the singer’s own candid footage and creative visualizations of her lyrics to illuminate the story of her all-too-short life and career.
“The Talking Pictures program creates once in a lifetime opportunities for audiences to hear directly from some of the year’s hottest Oscar ®contenders — and this year is no exception,” said Festival Director Darryl Macdonald. “Golden Globe nominee Lily Tomlin will discuss her widely acclaimed work in 'Grandma' following the film’s screening; and director Asif Kapadia will join us to unpack his heartbreaking, intimate documentary 'Amy.' ”
Special Presentations
The Festival will hold three special presentations. Golden Globe-nominated "The Brand New Testament," which is also the Best Foreign Language Oscar submission from Belgium, directed by Jaco Van Dormael and starring Pili Groyne, Benoit Poelvoorde and Catherine Deneuve. The film is a high-concept satire in which God accidentally sets off a panic after his disgruntled daughter leaks the apocalyptic plans stored on his computer. The U.S. premiere of "Eye in the Sky," directed by Gavin Hood and starring Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and Aaron Paul, is a thriller set in the world of remotely piloted aircraft warfare. "The Revenant," directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as frontiersman Hugh Glass, is nominated for three Golden Globe awards including Best Picture-Drama, Best Actor-Drama and Best Director.
Dinner and a Movie
The festival will screen the documentary "Cooking Up a Tribute," directed by Luis Gonzalez and Andrea Góme, as part of its Dinner & a Movie program. The film follows famed restaurateurs Josep, Jordi and Joan Roca as they take their renowned El Celler de Can Roca on the road, exploring and incorporating the native cuisines of Mexico, Colombia and Peru in their cooking. And the screening will be followed by a dinner at Mr. Lyons restaurant with a menu by chef Tara Lazar and Masterchef finalist Stephen Lee...
“Bookending the festival are two films from opposite sides of the globe, both of which promise an emotionally stirring film-going experience,” said Artistic Director Helen du Toit. “'The Fencer' is the ideal opener for Palm Springs – not just because it is a beautifully made film, and a crowd-pleaser, but also because Finnish director Klaus Härö has become a festival favorite over the years. We are equally excited to be wrapping the festival with the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ 'Last Cab to Darwin,' a road movie/comedy set in the Australian outback and featuring the irresistible Michael Caton as a man who, while trying to expedite his own demise, finally learns how to live.”
Opening and Closing Screenings
Opening night title "The Fencer" is a Golden Globe nominee for Best Foreign Language Film and Finland’s Best Foreign Language Oscar® submission. The film is about a young fencer in the early 1950s who, while hiding from the Russian secret police, becomes a physical education teacher in an Estonian village. His after-school sporting club brings inspiration to students and teacher alike, but the past catches up and faces him with a difficult choice.
The Festival will close with the U.S. premiere of "Last Cab to Darwin" directed by Jeremy Sims. In this warm-hearted road movie Rex is a loner, and when he’s told he doesn’t have long to live, he embarks on an epic drive through the Australian outback from Broken Hill to Darwin to die on his own terms. But his journey reveals to him that before you can end your life, you have to live it, and to live it, you've got to share it. The film stars Michael Caton and Jackie Weaver.
Talking Pictures
Every year, the Festival presents a series of special programs devoted to exploring the careers and creative choices of the top talents in the world of cinema, including Oscar®-caliber actors and directors in conversation with leading entertainment journalists. Each program includes a film screening and an on-stage conversation.
Golden Globe nominee Lily Tomlin will attend the screening of Sony Pictures Classics’ "Grandma" and participate in an on-stage interview immediately following, presented by Tribeca Short List. Elle Reid has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when her granddaughter Sage unexpectedly shows up needing 600 dollars before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash and their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.
Director Asif Kapadia will attend the screening of his documentary "Amy," a sympathetic and revealing portrait of Amy Winehouse which employs the singer’s own candid footage and creative visualizations of her lyrics to illuminate the story of her all-too-short life and career.
“The Talking Pictures program creates once in a lifetime opportunities for audiences to hear directly from some of the year’s hottest Oscar ®contenders — and this year is no exception,” said Festival Director Darryl Macdonald. “Golden Globe nominee Lily Tomlin will discuss her widely acclaimed work in 'Grandma' following the film’s screening; and director Asif Kapadia will join us to unpack his heartbreaking, intimate documentary 'Amy.' ”
Special Presentations
The Festival will hold three special presentations. Golden Globe-nominated "The Brand New Testament," which is also the Best Foreign Language Oscar submission from Belgium, directed by Jaco Van Dormael and starring Pili Groyne, Benoit Poelvoorde and Catherine Deneuve. The film is a high-concept satire in which God accidentally sets off a panic after his disgruntled daughter leaks the apocalyptic plans stored on his computer. The U.S. premiere of "Eye in the Sky," directed by Gavin Hood and starring Helen Mirren, Alan Rickman and Aaron Paul, is a thriller set in the world of remotely piloted aircraft warfare. "The Revenant," directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu and starring Leonardo DiCaprio as frontiersman Hugh Glass, is nominated for three Golden Globe awards including Best Picture-Drama, Best Actor-Drama and Best Director.
Dinner and a Movie
The festival will screen the documentary "Cooking Up a Tribute," directed by Luis Gonzalez and Andrea Góme, as part of its Dinner & a Movie program. The film follows famed restaurateurs Josep, Jordi and Joan Roca as they take their renowned El Celler de Can Roca on the road, exploring and incorporating the native cuisines of Mexico, Colombia and Peru in their cooking. And the screening will be followed by a dinner at Mr. Lyons restaurant with a menu by chef Tara Lazar and Masterchef finalist Stephen Lee...
- 12/27/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
The 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) will launch on January 1 with Klaus Härö’s Finnish Golden Globe nominee and shortlisted foreign-language Oscar hopeful The Fencer.
The festival’s closing night film on January 10 is the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab To Darwin.
“The Fencer is the ideal opener for Palm Springs – not just because it is a beautifully made film, and a crowd-pleaser, but also because Finnish director Klaus Härö has become a festival favourite over the years,” said artistic director Helen du Toit.
“We are equally excited to be wrapping the festival with the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab To Darwin, a road movie/comedy set in the Australian outback and featuring the irresistible Michael Caton as a man who, while trying to expedite his own demise, finally learns how to live.”
Top brass confirmed that the Talking Pictures programme will feature on-stage post-screening conversations with Amy director [link=nm...
The festival’s closing night film on January 10 is the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab To Darwin.
“The Fencer is the ideal opener for Palm Springs – not just because it is a beautifully made film, and a crowd-pleaser, but also because Finnish director Klaus Härö has become a festival favourite over the years,” said artistic director Helen du Toit.
“We are equally excited to be wrapping the festival with the Us premiere of Jeremy Sims’ Last Cab To Darwin, a road movie/comedy set in the Australian outback and featuring the irresistible Michael Caton as a man who, while trying to expedite his own demise, finally learns how to live.”
Top brass confirmed that the Talking Pictures programme will feature on-stage post-screening conversations with Amy director [link=nm...
- 12/17/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Palm Springs International Film Fest Announces Premieres, New Voices/New Visions, and Modern Masters
The 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) has announced its line-up of Premieres, New Voices/New Visions competition and Modern Masters. Films from 60 countries, including 54 premieres (7 World, 17 North American and 30 U.S.), will unspool at the Festival, running from January 1-11, 2016 in Palm Springs, California.
“The line-up this year, while full of unexpected surprises, vividly reflects what is going on in the world around us,” said Festival Director Darryl Macdonald. “There’s a particular focus on stories about displaced people – immigrants, emigrants, refugees, those seeking asylum or shelter. There’s a concurrent trend toward stories revolving around new beginnings and escaping the shackles of the past, whether sexual, cultural, societal or self-imposed. Balancing all of these is a focus on family and romance, along with films involving a healthy dose of magic realism or absurdist comedy, and a plethora of exceptional films dealing with the usual obsessions – music, food, sex and art. All in all, it’s about as well-rounded, as thoughtfully chosen, and as provocative as it’s possible for a smartly curated lineup of new international cinema to be.”
“I am thrilled at the breadth and depth of this year’s program,” said Festival Artistic Director Helen du Toit. “While Modern Masters showcases such widely acclaimed filmmakers as as Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Barbara Kopple and Terence Davies, our New Voices/New Visions program is evidence that new masters are emerging around the world. The range of approaches is extraordinary. Highlights include Raam Reddy's 'Thithi' (India), which skillfully juggles myriad characters in a delightful low key comedy; Yorgos Zois’ 'Interruption' (Greece), which challenges the audience with a complex and highly compelling narrative; and Maris Curran's 'Five Nights in Maine' (USA), featuring David Oyelowo's nuanced and heartbreaking performance as a widower reconnecting with his estranged mother-in-law.”
Showcasing the diversity of international cinema, Festival premieres will include:
World premieres: "50 Days in the Desert" (Luxembourg) directed by Fabrizio Maltese, "Agnes" (Germany/Belgium), the documentary "Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age" (Us) featuring Alec Baldwin, Carol Channing, Dick Van Dyke, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford, "The Carer" (Hungary/UK), "Going Going Gone" (UK), "Searchdog" (Us) and "Set the Thames on Fire" (UK).
North American premieres: "Banat" (Italy/Romania/Bulgaria/Macedonia), "Death By Death" (Belgium/France), "A Decent Man" (Switzerland),"Departure" (France/UK),"Fly Away Solo" (India/France), "Interruption" (Greece/Croatia), "A Korean in Paris" (South Korea/France), "The Memory of Water" (Chile/Spain/Argentina/Germany), "Moor" (Pakistan), "On My Mother’s Side" (Canada), "Paradise Trips" (Belgium/Croatia), "Rosita" (Denmark), "Spy Time" (Spain), "Tanna" (Australia/Vanuatu), "Thithi" (India/Us/Canada), "Utopians" (Hong Kong) and "When a Tree Falls" (Spain).
U.S. premieres: "1944" (Estonia/Finland), "3000 Nights" (Palestine/France/Jordan/Lebanon), "Atomic Falafel" (Israel/Germany/New Zealand), "Belgian Rhapsody" (Belgium), "Beyond My Grandfather Allende" (Chile/Mexico), "Born to Dance" (New Zealand), "Closet Monster" (Canada), "Enclave" (Serbia/Germany), "The Endless River" (South Africa/France), "Endorphine" (Canada),Exotica, "Erotica, Etc." (France), "Fire Song" (Canada), "Five Nights in Maine" (Us), "A Heavy Heart" (Germany), "Home Care" (Czech Republic/Slovakia), "Let Them Come" (Algeria/France), "My Big Night" (Spain), "My Internship in Canada" (Canada), "The Other Side" (Italy/France), "Our Everyday Life" (Bosnia, Herzegovina/Slovenia/Croatia), "The Paradise Suite" (Netherlands/Sweden/Bulgaria), "Parched" (India/Us/UK), "Parisienne" (France), "Sabali" (Canada), "Sleeping Giant" (Canada), "Summer Solstice" (Poland/Germany), "Trap" (Philippines), "The Violin Teacher" (Brazil), "Wedding Doll" (Israel) and " Zubaan" (India).
The New Voices/New Visions competition showcases 12 Us premieres from top emerging international directors marking their feature film debut at the Festival, with the additional criteria that the films selected are currently without U.S. distribution. The winner is selected by a jury of U.S. distributors which include Gary Rubin of Cohen Media, Dan Berger of Oscilloscope and Ryan Kampe of Visit Films/Monument Releasing. The winner will receive use of a $60,000 Panavision camera package and a glass sculpture designed for the Festival by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Films selected for this year include:
"Banat" (Italy/Romania/Bulgaria/Macedonia), Director Adriano Valerio "Death By Death" (Belgium/France), Director Xavier Seron "Departure" (UK/France), Director Andrew Steggall "Five Nights in Maine" (Us), Director Maris Curran and starring David Oyelowo "A Heavy Heart" (Germany), Director Thomas Stuber "Home Care" (Czech Republic/Slovakia), Director Slávek Horák "Interruption" (Greece/Croatia), Director Yorgos Zois "Let Them Come" (Algeria/France), Director Salem Brahimi "Our Everyday Life" (Bosnia and Herzegovina/Slovenia/Croatia), Director Ines Tanović "Paradise Trips" (Belgium/Croatia), Director Raf Reyntjens "Sleeping Giant" (Canada), Director Andrew Cividino "Thithi" (India/Us/Canada), Director Raam Reddy
The Modern Masters section features 10 films from international directors who set the standards for contemporary cinema. Films selected for this year include:
"Cemetery Of Splendour" (Thailand/UK), Director Apichatpong Weerasethakul "Dheepan" (France), Director Jacques Audiard "Miss Sharon Jones!" (Us), Director Barbara Kopple "Mountains May Depart" (China/France/Japan), Director Jia Zhangke "My Golden Days" (France), Director Arnaud Desplechin "My Mother" (Italy/France), Director Nanni Moretti "Our Little Sister" (Japan), Director Hirokazu Kore-eda "Sunset Song" (UK/Luxembourg), Director Terence Davies "Sweet Bean" (Japan), Director Naomi Kawase "Women He’s Undressed" (Australia), Director Gillian Armstrong
Other Festival films with notable talent and directors include: "45 Years" (UK) directed by Andrew Haigh and starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay, "Anomalisa" (Us) directed by Duke Johnson and Charlie Kaufman with the voices of David Thewlis and Jennifer Jason Leigh, "Chronic" (Mexico/France) starring Tim Roth, "Closet Monster" (Canada) with Connor Jessup and Isabella Rossellini, "Eisenstein in Guanajuato" (Netherlands/Mexico/Finland/Belgium/France) directed by Peter Greenaway, "February" (Us/Canada) starring Kiernan Shipka and Emma Roberts, "Hello, My Name is Doris" (Us) starring Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs and Stephen Root, "Hitchcock/Truffaut" (France/Us) directed by Kent Jones and featuring Peter Bogdanovich, David Fincher and Richard Linklater, "The Invitation" (Us) starring Logan Marshall-Green and Michiel Huisman, "The Lady in the Van" (UK) directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent and James Corden, "Louder Than Bombs" (USA) starring Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne and Isabelle Huppert, "Men & Chicken" (Denmark) starring Mads Mikkelsen, "Papa (Cuba)" directed by Bob Yari and starring Giovanni Ribisi, Joely Richardson and Minka Kelly, "A Perfect Day" (Spain) starring Benicio del Toro, Tim Robbins and Olga Kurylenko, "The Seventh Fire" (Us) executive produced by Terrence Malick, Natalie Portman and Chris Eyre, and "Where to Invade Next" (Us) directed by Michael Moore.
The complete line-up will be available on December 18 at www.psfilmfest.org.
“The line-up this year, while full of unexpected surprises, vividly reflects what is going on in the world around us,” said Festival Director Darryl Macdonald. “There’s a particular focus on stories about displaced people – immigrants, emigrants, refugees, those seeking asylum or shelter. There’s a concurrent trend toward stories revolving around new beginnings and escaping the shackles of the past, whether sexual, cultural, societal or self-imposed. Balancing all of these is a focus on family and romance, along with films involving a healthy dose of magic realism or absurdist comedy, and a plethora of exceptional films dealing with the usual obsessions – music, food, sex and art. All in all, it’s about as well-rounded, as thoughtfully chosen, and as provocative as it’s possible for a smartly curated lineup of new international cinema to be.”
“I am thrilled at the breadth and depth of this year’s program,” said Festival Artistic Director Helen du Toit. “While Modern Masters showcases such widely acclaimed filmmakers as as Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Barbara Kopple and Terence Davies, our New Voices/New Visions program is evidence that new masters are emerging around the world. The range of approaches is extraordinary. Highlights include Raam Reddy's 'Thithi' (India), which skillfully juggles myriad characters in a delightful low key comedy; Yorgos Zois’ 'Interruption' (Greece), which challenges the audience with a complex and highly compelling narrative; and Maris Curran's 'Five Nights in Maine' (USA), featuring David Oyelowo's nuanced and heartbreaking performance as a widower reconnecting with his estranged mother-in-law.”
Showcasing the diversity of international cinema, Festival premieres will include:
World premieres: "50 Days in the Desert" (Luxembourg) directed by Fabrizio Maltese, "Agnes" (Germany/Belgium), the documentary "Broadway: Beyond the Golden Age" (Us) featuring Alec Baldwin, Carol Channing, Dick Van Dyke, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford, "The Carer" (Hungary/UK), "Going Going Gone" (UK), "Searchdog" (Us) and "Set the Thames on Fire" (UK).
North American premieres: "Banat" (Italy/Romania/Bulgaria/Macedonia), "Death By Death" (Belgium/France), "A Decent Man" (Switzerland),"Departure" (France/UK),"Fly Away Solo" (India/France), "Interruption" (Greece/Croatia), "A Korean in Paris" (South Korea/France), "The Memory of Water" (Chile/Spain/Argentina/Germany), "Moor" (Pakistan), "On My Mother’s Side" (Canada), "Paradise Trips" (Belgium/Croatia), "Rosita" (Denmark), "Spy Time" (Spain), "Tanna" (Australia/Vanuatu), "Thithi" (India/Us/Canada), "Utopians" (Hong Kong) and "When a Tree Falls" (Spain).
U.S. premieres: "1944" (Estonia/Finland), "3000 Nights" (Palestine/France/Jordan/Lebanon), "Atomic Falafel" (Israel/Germany/New Zealand), "Belgian Rhapsody" (Belgium), "Beyond My Grandfather Allende" (Chile/Mexico), "Born to Dance" (New Zealand), "Closet Monster" (Canada), "Enclave" (Serbia/Germany), "The Endless River" (South Africa/France), "Endorphine" (Canada),Exotica, "Erotica, Etc." (France), "Fire Song" (Canada), "Five Nights in Maine" (Us), "A Heavy Heart" (Germany), "Home Care" (Czech Republic/Slovakia), "Let Them Come" (Algeria/France), "My Big Night" (Spain), "My Internship in Canada" (Canada), "The Other Side" (Italy/France), "Our Everyday Life" (Bosnia, Herzegovina/Slovenia/Croatia), "The Paradise Suite" (Netherlands/Sweden/Bulgaria), "Parched" (India/Us/UK), "Parisienne" (France), "Sabali" (Canada), "Sleeping Giant" (Canada), "Summer Solstice" (Poland/Germany), "Trap" (Philippines), "The Violin Teacher" (Brazil), "Wedding Doll" (Israel) and " Zubaan" (India).
The New Voices/New Visions competition showcases 12 Us premieres from top emerging international directors marking their feature film debut at the Festival, with the additional criteria that the films selected are currently without U.S. distribution. The winner is selected by a jury of U.S. distributors which include Gary Rubin of Cohen Media, Dan Berger of Oscilloscope and Ryan Kampe of Visit Films/Monument Releasing. The winner will receive use of a $60,000 Panavision camera package and a glass sculpture designed for the Festival by renowned artist Dale Chihuly. Films selected for this year include:
"Banat" (Italy/Romania/Bulgaria/Macedonia), Director Adriano Valerio "Death By Death" (Belgium/France), Director Xavier Seron "Departure" (UK/France), Director Andrew Steggall "Five Nights in Maine" (Us), Director Maris Curran and starring David Oyelowo "A Heavy Heart" (Germany), Director Thomas Stuber "Home Care" (Czech Republic/Slovakia), Director Slávek Horák "Interruption" (Greece/Croatia), Director Yorgos Zois "Let Them Come" (Algeria/France), Director Salem Brahimi "Our Everyday Life" (Bosnia and Herzegovina/Slovenia/Croatia), Director Ines Tanović "Paradise Trips" (Belgium/Croatia), Director Raf Reyntjens "Sleeping Giant" (Canada), Director Andrew Cividino "Thithi" (India/Us/Canada), Director Raam Reddy
The Modern Masters section features 10 films from international directors who set the standards for contemporary cinema. Films selected for this year include:
"Cemetery Of Splendour" (Thailand/UK), Director Apichatpong Weerasethakul "Dheepan" (France), Director Jacques Audiard "Miss Sharon Jones!" (Us), Director Barbara Kopple "Mountains May Depart" (China/France/Japan), Director Jia Zhangke "My Golden Days" (France), Director Arnaud Desplechin "My Mother" (Italy/France), Director Nanni Moretti "Our Little Sister" (Japan), Director Hirokazu Kore-eda "Sunset Song" (UK/Luxembourg), Director Terence Davies "Sweet Bean" (Japan), Director Naomi Kawase "Women He’s Undressed" (Australia), Director Gillian Armstrong
Other Festival films with notable talent and directors include: "45 Years" (UK) directed by Andrew Haigh and starring Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay, "Anomalisa" (Us) directed by Duke Johnson and Charlie Kaufman with the voices of David Thewlis and Jennifer Jason Leigh, "Chronic" (Mexico/France) starring Tim Roth, "Closet Monster" (Canada) with Connor Jessup and Isabella Rossellini, "Eisenstein in Guanajuato" (Netherlands/Mexico/Finland/Belgium/France) directed by Peter Greenaway, "February" (Us/Canada) starring Kiernan Shipka and Emma Roberts, "Hello, My Name is Doris" (Us) starring Sally Field, Max Greenfield, Beth Behrs and Stephen Root, "Hitchcock/Truffaut" (France/Us) directed by Kent Jones and featuring Peter Bogdanovich, David Fincher and Richard Linklater, "The Invitation" (Us) starring Logan Marshall-Green and Michiel Huisman, "The Lady in the Van" (UK) directed by Nicholas Hytner and starring Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent and James Corden, "Louder Than Bombs" (USA) starring Jesse Eisenberg, Gabriel Byrne and Isabelle Huppert, "Men & Chicken" (Denmark) starring Mads Mikkelsen, "Papa (Cuba)" directed by Bob Yari and starring Giovanni Ribisi, Joely Richardson and Minka Kelly, "A Perfect Day" (Spain) starring Benicio del Toro, Tim Robbins and Olga Kurylenko, "The Seventh Fire" (Us) executive produced by Terrence Malick, Natalie Portman and Chris Eyre, and "Where to Invade Next" (Us) directed by Michael Moore.
The complete line-up will be available on December 18 at www.psfilmfest.org.
- 12/15/2015
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
Top brass at the 27th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) on Monday announced the Premieres, New Voices/New Visions competition and Modern Masters programmes.
Films from 60 countries, including 54 premieres (seven world, 17 North American and 30 Us), will screen during the festival, which runs from January 1-11, 2016.
World premieres include: 50 Days In The Desert (Luxembourg) by Fabrizio Maltese; Agnes (Germany-Belgium); documentary Broadway: Beyond The Golden Age (Us) featuring Alec Baldwin, Carol Channing, Dick Van Dyke, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford; The Carer (Hungary-uk); Going Going Gone (UK); Searchdog (Us); and Set The Thames On Fire (UK).
New Voices/New Visions
Twelve Us premieres from emerging international directors marking their feature film without Us distribution. The winner is selected by a jury of Us distributors comprising Gary Rubin of Cohen Media, Dan Berger of Oscilloscope and Ryan Kampe of Visit Films/Monument Releasing. The winner will receive use of a $60,000 Panavision camera package and a glass sculpture designed...
Films from 60 countries, including 54 premieres (seven world, 17 North American and 30 Us), will screen during the festival, which runs from January 1-11, 2016.
World premieres include: 50 Days In The Desert (Luxembourg) by Fabrizio Maltese; Agnes (Germany-Belgium); documentary Broadway: Beyond The Golden Age (Us) featuring Alec Baldwin, Carol Channing, Dick Van Dyke, Jane Fonda and Robert Redford; The Carer (Hungary-uk); Going Going Gone (UK); Searchdog (Us); and Set The Thames On Fire (UK).
New Voices/New Visions
Twelve Us premieres from emerging international directors marking their feature film without Us distribution. The winner is selected by a jury of Us distributors comprising Gary Rubin of Cohen Media, Dan Berger of Oscilloscope and Ryan Kampe of Visit Films/Monument Releasing. The winner will receive use of a $60,000 Panavision camera package and a glass sculpture designed...
- 12/14/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The former Newsweek film critic recently served as artistic director of the Los Angeles Film Festival and joins the Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff), set to run from January 1-11 2016.
As lead programmer Ansen will work with a team of six programmers under the direction of festival artistic director Helen du Toit.
He will be responsible for acquiring films from distributors and sales agents and will be a key member of the selection committee for films submitted to the festival from a wide variety of sources.
“I’m thrilled to have someone with David’s vast scope and depth of knowledge about film join us as a key member of the Psiff programming team,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“His taste in films has always been impeccable, ranging from the discovery of unheralded works from gifted new international directors to a singular appreciation of films from seasoned filmmakers working in the major studio millieux.”
“As a longtime...
As lead programmer Ansen will work with a team of six programmers under the direction of festival artistic director Helen du Toit.
He will be responsible for acquiring films from distributors and sales agents and will be a key member of the selection committee for films submitted to the festival from a wide variety of sources.
“I’m thrilled to have someone with David’s vast scope and depth of knowledge about film join us as a key member of the Psiff programming team,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“His taste in films has always been impeccable, ranging from the discovery of unheralded works from gifted new international directors to a singular appreciation of films from seasoned filmmakers working in the major studio millieux.”
“As a longtime...
- 9/3/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
David Ansen is moving back East, SoCal-style. After four years as Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Film Festival, he will head down the 10 Freeway to the desert to become Lead Programmer for the Palm Springs International Film Festival. Working with a half-dozen other programmers under Artistic Director Helen du Toit, the former Newsweek movie critic will be tasked with acquiring films for the upcoming festivals from U.S.-based distribution outlets and international…...
- 9/3/2015
- Deadline
As seems de rigueur for former film critics, David Ansen will foray once again into film festival programming. The erstwhile Newsweek critic who left his La Film Festival Artistic Director post in 2014 will now serve as Lead Programmer for the Palm Springs International Film Festival (January 1-11), which launches many of the 2016 foreign Oscar contenders. He will work with six other programmers under the direction of the fest's Artistic Director, Helen du Toit, acquiring films from distribution outlets and sales companies, and looking at submissions as a member of the selection committee. Read More: David Ansen's Departure from Los Angeles Film Festival Signals New Direction for Fest Are film festivals the next best step for film critics? After five years at La Film Festival, Ansen was succeeded by former New York Times writer Elvis Mitchell as year-round curator of Laff. Variety's Scott Foundas directed programming at Lincoln Center and...
- 9/3/2015
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
January 11 Update: Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Oscar shortlisted Russian film and Golden Globe nominee earned the Fipreseci Prize while Eastern European cinema dominated the 26th Palm Springs International Film Festival’s juried awards.
Update: The awards were handed out on January 10 as the January 2-12 festival draws to a close. Audience Award winners were announced late on January 11 (see below).
“This year’s festival has been a huge success on all fronts, with consistently packed theatres, terrific audience response to the line-up of films and special programmes and record film-maker and industry attendance,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“I’m especially pleased that our Another Europe showcase and Cine Latino programme received such a warm response from audiences and critics alike. I’m equally delighted with the juries’ award choices, though given the outstanding overall quality of the films on view at this year’s event I wish we could present awards to each and every one of...
Update: The awards were handed out on January 10 as the January 2-12 festival draws to a close. Audience Award winners were announced late on January 11 (see below).
“This year’s festival has been a huge success on all fronts, with consistently packed theatres, terrific audience response to the line-up of films and special programmes and record film-maker and industry attendance,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“I’m especially pleased that our Another Europe showcase and Cine Latino programme received such a warm response from audiences and critics alike. I’m equally delighted with the juries’ award choices, though given the outstanding overall quality of the films on view at this year’s event I wish we could present awards to each and every one of...
- 1/11/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Andrey Zvyagintsev’s Oscar shortlisted Russian film and Golden Globe nominee earned the Fipreseci Prize while Eastern European cinema dominated the 26th Palm Springs International Film Festival’s juried awards.
The awards were handed out on January 10 as the January 2-12 festival draws to a close. Audience Award winners will be updated here on January 11.
“This year’s festival has been a huge success on all fronts, with consistently packed theatres, terrific audience response to the line-up of films and special programmes and record film-maker and industry attendance,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“I’m especially pleased that our Another Europe showcase and Cine Latino programme received such a warm response from audiences and critics alike. I’m equally delighted with the juries’ award choices, though given the outstanding overall quality of the films on view at this year’s event I wish we could present awards to each and every one of them.”
“Eastern European...
The awards were handed out on January 10 as the January 2-12 festival draws to a close. Audience Award winners will be updated here on January 11.
“This year’s festival has been a huge success on all fronts, with consistently packed theatres, terrific audience response to the line-up of films and special programmes and record film-maker and industry attendance,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“I’m especially pleased that our Another Europe showcase and Cine Latino programme received such a warm response from audiences and critics alike. I’m equally delighted with the juries’ award choices, though given the outstanding overall quality of the films on view at this year’s event I wish we could present awards to each and every one of them.”
“Eastern European...
- 1/11/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Awards contenders who hit the trail to the 26th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival this weekend were talking about the breathless pace of this year’s race. No sooner had the last Rose Parade float left Colorado Boulevard on New Year’s Day did a herd of Oscar hopefuls head to the desert for the next phase of this wide open awards season.
Earlier than ever, Saturday night’s Psiff awards gala – timed to land right in the middle of the crucial Oscar nominating balloting – brought out a bevy of contenders who were receiving pre-negotiated trophies at the glitziest ceremonies this side of the Golden Globes (which take place in a week, also disturbingly earlier than normal).
In a ceremony hosted by the ever-enthusiastic Mary Hart (with usual key sponsor Cartier), recipients included Rosamund Pike (Breakthrough Actress winner for Gone Girl), David Oyelowo (Breakthrough Actor for Selma), J.K. Simmons...
Earlier than ever, Saturday night’s Psiff awards gala – timed to land right in the middle of the crucial Oscar nominating balloting – brought out a bevy of contenders who were receiving pre-negotiated trophies at the glitziest ceremonies this side of the Golden Globes (which take place in a week, also disturbingly earlier than normal).
In a ceremony hosted by the ever-enthusiastic Mary Hart (with usual key sponsor Cartier), recipients included Rosamund Pike (Breakthrough Actress winner for Gone Girl), David Oyelowo (Breakthrough Actor for Selma), J.K. Simmons...
- 1/4/2015
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline
Steve Carell, Rob Marshall, and Chris Rock all gave memorable projects in 2014 and it's fitting that the Palm Springs International Film Festival is giving them various honors. Carell, who gave a stunning performance in "Foxcatcher" will receive the Creative Impact in Acting Award from Variety while Rob Marshall, fresh from directing "Into the Woods," will be honored with the Creative Impact in Directing Award.
Chris Rock, who wrote, directed, and starred in "Top Five," the best comedy of the year, will receive the Creative Impact in Comedy Award.
Of course, the Palm Springs International Film Festival is happening in my neck of the woods, and I'll be there live at the Gala on Saturday, January 3rd!
Here's the complete press release:
Los Angeles, CA . (December 18th, 2014) Variety will present actor Steve Carell with the Creative Impact in Acting Award, presented by Mercedes-Benz,which celebrates his scope of work, ranging from...
Chris Rock, who wrote, directed, and starred in "Top Five," the best comedy of the year, will receive the Creative Impact in Comedy Award.
Of course, the Palm Springs International Film Festival is happening in my neck of the woods, and I'll be there live at the Gala on Saturday, January 3rd!
Here's the complete press release:
Los Angeles, CA . (December 18th, 2014) Variety will present actor Steve Carell with the Creative Impact in Acting Award, presented by Mercedes-Benz,which celebrates his scope of work, ranging from...
- 12/23/2014
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Paramount's "Selma" from director Ava Duvernay is picking up steam this awards season. The Martin Luther King drama has been announced to be the opening night movie of the 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. The festival will close on Sunday, January 11 with the Us premiere of "Boychoir" from director Francois Girard. David Oyelowo, who plays the beloved King in "Selma," is also being honored at the fest with Breakthrough Performance Award, Actor.
Here's the complete press release which includes the list of Easter European movies in a program titled Eastern Promises:
Palm Springs, CA (December 16, 2014) . The 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) will launch on Friday, January 2 with the opening night screening of the GoldenGlobe nominated Selma directed by Ava Duvernay. The Festival will wrap on Sunday, January 11 with the Us premiere of Boychoir directed by François Girard. New this year, the festival will focus on...
Here's the complete press release which includes the list of Easter European movies in a program titled Eastern Promises:
Palm Springs, CA (December 16, 2014) . The 26th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) will launch on Friday, January 2 with the opening night screening of the GoldenGlobe nominated Selma directed by Ava Duvernay. The Festival will wrap on Sunday, January 11 with the Us premiere of Boychoir directed by François Girard. New this year, the festival will focus on...
- 12/17/2014
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
Each year, the Palm Springs International Film Festival showcases a large portion of the foreign-language Oscar submissions from all over the world. The festival, which concluded its 25th year earlier this week, was founded by then-mayor Sonny Bono and has since grown into a world-class festival, attracting talent from across the globe. With over 135,000 attendees, it is now the third-largest festival in the U.S. and the first film event every year (this year’s anniversary edition kicked off Jan. 3). Bono started the festival to try and prolong the holiday tourist season in the town and, "because of its proximity to the Sundance festival," which focuses on American indie films, "Palm Springs decided to focus on foreign films," current artistic director Helen Du Toit told Indiewire. Her description of the festival as a kind of "anti-Sundance" echoes a perspective voiced by both industry people and general audiences alike. Though it has an informal industry component,...
- 1/14/2014
- by Boyd van Hoeij
- Indiewire
Updated Jan 12: Lakshmi wins narrative audience award; Gore Vidal: The United States Of Amnesia earns doc honours.
Top brass at the Palm Springs International Film Festival announced on January 12 that Nagesh Kukunoor’s Lakshmi (India) had been awarded the Mercedes-Benz Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.
Meanwhile Gore Vidal: The United States Of Amnesia (Us) directed by Nicholas Wrathall won the audience award for best documentary feature.
In the juried awards announced on January 11, Felix van Groeningen’s shortlisted Belgian foreign language Oscar contender The Broken Circle Breakdown won the Fipresci Prize for best foreign language film of the year at the 25th Palm Springs International Film Festival on January 11.
Mads Mikkelsen of Thomas Vinterberg’s Oscar shortlisted Danish feature The Hunt won the Fipresci Prize for the best actor of the year in a foreign language film, while Bérénice Bejo took the corresponding actress honour for Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian Oscar submission The Past.
Andrea Pallaoro...
Top brass at the Palm Springs International Film Festival announced on January 12 that Nagesh Kukunoor’s Lakshmi (India) had been awarded the Mercedes-Benz Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature.
Meanwhile Gore Vidal: The United States Of Amnesia (Us) directed by Nicholas Wrathall won the audience award for best documentary feature.
In the juried awards announced on January 11, Felix van Groeningen’s shortlisted Belgian foreign language Oscar contender The Broken Circle Breakdown won the Fipresci Prize for best foreign language film of the year at the 25th Palm Springs International Film Festival on January 11.
Mads Mikkelsen of Thomas Vinterberg’s Oscar shortlisted Danish feature The Hunt won the Fipresci Prize for the best actor of the year in a foreign language film, while Bérénice Bejo took the corresponding actress honour for Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian Oscar submission The Past.
Andrea Pallaoro...
- 1/12/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Felix van Groeningen’s shortlisted Belgian foreign language Oscar contender The Broken Circle Breakdown won the Fipresci Prize for best foreign language film of the year at the 25th Palm Springs International Film Festival on January 11.
Mads Mikkelsen of Thomas Vinterberg’s Oscar shortlisted Danish featureThe Hunt won the Fipresci Prize for the best actor of the year in a foreign language film, while Bérénice Bejo took the corresponding actress honour for Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian Oscar submission The Past.
Andrea Pallaoro prevailed in the New Voices/New Visions contest for his Us film Medeas and a special mention went to Left Foot Right Foot (Switzerland), by Germinal Roaux.
The Cine Latino Award was presented to two films: Amat Escalante’s Heli (Mexico) and David Trueba’s Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed (Spain). Sebastian Lelio’s Colombian film Gloria earned a special mention.
The John Schlesinger Award for a first-time documentary film-maker/s went to [link...
Mads Mikkelsen of Thomas Vinterberg’s Oscar shortlisted Danish featureThe Hunt won the Fipresci Prize for the best actor of the year in a foreign language film, while Bérénice Bejo took the corresponding actress honour for Asghar Farhadi’s Iranian Oscar submission The Past.
Andrea Pallaoro prevailed in the New Voices/New Visions contest for his Us film Medeas and a special mention went to Left Foot Right Foot (Switzerland), by Germinal Roaux.
The Cine Latino Award was presented to two films: Amat Escalante’s Heli (Mexico) and David Trueba’s Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed (Spain). Sebastian Lelio’s Colombian film Gloria earned a special mention.
The John Schlesinger Award for a first-time documentary film-maker/s went to [link...
- 1/12/2014
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Top brass at the upcoming 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) have announced the complete line-up.
A bumper crop includes the Us premiere of Amma Assante’s opening night film and closing night selection Le Week-End by Roger Michell.
All in all 187 films from 60 countries make the cut, of which eight are world, 22 are North American and 47 are Us premieres. The Psiff is set to run from January 3-13 2014.
“This year’s line-up is particularly diverse in theme and content, encompassing vintage work by established directors alongside auspicious debuts by a vast number of newly emerging talents,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald. “The overall quality of the films vividly reflects the banner year we’ve seen in cinema worldwide, with a trend towards more personal, character-driven stories that defy easy genre labels, making for a much richer, more satisfying cinematic experience.”
“We launch our 25th anniversary edition with Amma Asante’s entertaining and inspiring [link=tt...
A bumper crop includes the Us premiere of Amma Assante’s opening night film and closing night selection Le Week-End by Roger Michell.
All in all 187 films from 60 countries make the cut, of which eight are world, 22 are North American and 47 are Us premieres. The Psiff is set to run from January 3-13 2014.
“This year’s line-up is particularly diverse in theme and content, encompassing vintage work by established directors alongside auspicious debuts by a vast number of newly emerging talents,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald. “The overall quality of the films vividly reflects the banner year we’ve seen in cinema worldwide, with a trend towards more personal, character-driven stories that defy easy genre labels, making for a much richer, more satisfying cinematic experience.”
“We launch our 25th anniversary edition with Amma Asante’s entertaining and inspiring [link=tt...
- 12/20/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Top brass at the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) have announced a new programme on Canadian Cinema as well as the traditionally strong roster of foreign-language films eligible for the Fipresci Award in the Awards Buzz section, and Modern Masters.
The festival will screen 45 of the 76 official foreign-language Oscar submissions under the umbrella of Awards Buzz.
“We’ve selected Canadian films for a special focus at this year’s festival for many reasons, not the least of which is the wealth of talent emerging from its relatively small, indigenous film industry, and the depth and richness of story and character portrayal its films exemplify,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“Whether it’s established auteurs like Denis Coté, Denis Villenueve and Atom Egoyan, gifted actor-directors like Don McKellar and Sarah Polley or newly emerging talents like Chloé Robichaud, Craig Goodwill and Sébastien Pilote, Canadian creative ingenuity is on abundant display in its films. All of this...
The festival will screen 45 of the 76 official foreign-language Oscar submissions under the umbrella of Awards Buzz.
“We’ve selected Canadian films for a special focus at this year’s festival for many reasons, not the least of which is the wealth of talent emerging from its relatively small, indigenous film industry, and the depth and richness of story and character portrayal its films exemplify,” said festival director Darryl Macdonald.
“Whether it’s established auteurs like Denis Coté, Denis Villenueve and Atom Egoyan, gifted actor-directors like Don McKellar and Sarah Polley or newly emerging talents like Chloé Robichaud, Craig Goodwill and Sébastien Pilote, Canadian creative ingenuity is on abundant display in its films. All of this...
- 12/12/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Just spent the first weekend at this Great film Festival! When the great Darryl MacDonald moved down from his great run as Head of Seattle Film Festival we were glad. He does such great work plus we have always loved Palm Springs as the best town in the West. This Festival keeps getting better - films, people, events. We walk around always here smiling. The photos tell just part of the story (also read the below).
David O. Russell And “10 Directors To Watch” Honored At The Variety Indie Impact Brunch Presented By Mercedes-benz At The 2013 Palm Springs International Film Festival
Honoree David O. Russell received the Variety Indie Impact Award presented by Mercedes-Benz from Bradley Cooper (“Silver Linings Playbook”) this morning at the Parker Palm Springs. Russell and Cooper were joined by some of the “10 Directors to Watch”: Haifaa Al-Mansour (“Wadjda”); Wayne Blair (‘The Sapphires”); Jon Lucas & Scott Moore (“21 and Over”); David Ondricek (“In the Shadow”); Joachim Rønning & Espen Sandberg (“Kon-Tiki”); and Rebecca Thomas (“Electrick Children”). Full list of honorees below. Other guests included: Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hooper (Les Miserables), Fred Williamson, John Hawkes (The Sessions), Steve Gaydos (Variety), Michelle Sobrino (Variety), Darryl Macdonald (Festival Director), Helen du Toit (Artistic Director) and Harold Matzner (Festival Chairman). Variety and Bradley Cooper presented “Silver Linings Playbook” director David O. Russell with the Indie Impact Award, presented by Mercedes-Benz, which celebrates the filmmaker for his outstanding contributions to the art and business of cinema. Additionally, Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch” series was presented, spotlighting the most exciting new talents in the field of directing. This year’s “10 Directors to Watch” includes five with films at Palm Springs International Film Festival: “Electrick Children,” “A Hijacking,” “In the Shadow,” “Kon-Tiki” and “The Sapphires”. The event was presented by Mercedes-Benz with premier sponsor Indian Country Today Media Network and venue partner the Parker Palm Springs. Hollywood’S Biggest Stars Shine In The Desert At The 24th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala Presented By Cartier
Cartier Welcomed Host Mary Hart and Festival Honorees Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, Bradley Cooper, Helen Hunt, Helen Mirren, Mychael Danna, Naomi Watts, Richard Gere, Robert Zemeckis, Sally Field and Tom Hooper Kicking off the 2013 Awards Season, The 24th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) Awards Gala, presented by Cartier, was held Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Palm Springs Convention Center hosted by Mary Hart. Honorees were presented with an original Chihuly Glass Sculpture designed by Dale Chihuly or the John Kennedy "The Entertainer" statue. The event is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and Entertainment Tonight. The Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala honors individuals in the entertainment industry with several prestigious awards for acting, director, achievement in film scoring and life achievement. The following awards were presented at this year’s Awards Gala:
Argo (Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston) received the Ensemble Performance Award presented by Tony Mendez. Bradley Cooper received the Desert Palm Achievement Award Actor for Silver Linings Playbook presented by the film’s director David O. Russell. Helen Hunt received the Spotlight Award for The Sessions presented by her co-star John Hawkes. Helen Mirren received the International Star Award for Hitchcock presented by Tom Hooper, who directed her in Elizabeth I. Mychael Danna received the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing for Life of Pi presented Ang Lee. Naomi Watts received the Desert Palm Achievement Award Actress for The Impossible presented by her co-star in the film Tom Holland. Richard Gere received the Chairman’s Award for Arbitrage presented by his The Cotton Club, Nights in Rodanthe and Unfaithful co-star Diane Lane. Robert Zemeckis received the Director of the Year Award for Flight presented by Tom Hanks who he directed in Castaway, Forrest Gump, and Polar Express. Sally Field (Lincoln) received the Career Achievement Award presented by her The Amazing Spider-Man co-star Martin Sheen. Tom Hooper received the Sonny Bono Visionary Award for Les Misérables presented by the film’s co-star Eddie Redmayne. Additional guests who attended the event: Senator Barbara Boxer, Dale and Leslie Chihuly, Taylor Hackford, Mary Bono Mack, Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, Bill Pullman (The Fruit Hunters, 1600 Penn) along with Festival representatives Harold Matzner (Festival Chairman), Darryl Macdonald (Festival Director) and Helen du Toit (Artistic Director). Cartier jewelry was worn this year by select honorees, presenters and guests Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Sally Field, Eddie Redmayne (watch) and Mychael Danna (watch). In addition, Cartier presented Tank Solo watches to all honorees, Cufflinks for male presenters and Love necklaces for female presenters. Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, Mychael Danna, Sally Field, Richard Gere, Tom Hanks, John Hawkes, Tom Holland, Helen Hunt, Diane Lane, Ang Lee, Tony Mendez, Helen Mirren, David O. Russell, Martin Sheen, Naomi Watts and Robert Zemeckis arrived in S400 Hybrid sedan, S550 sedans, GL450 SUVs and ML350 SUVs to the Festival red carpet. Following the ceremony an after party was held at the Parker Palm Springs where Bradley Cooper, Sally Field, John Hawkes, Tom Hooper, Eddie Redmayne, David O. Russell, Naomi Watts and many others were in attendance. The Palm Springs International Film Festival takes place January 3-14,2013. For additional information on the Festival visit www.psfilmfest.org.
David O. Russell And “10 Directors To Watch” Honored At The Variety Indie Impact Brunch Presented By Mercedes-benz At The 2013 Palm Springs International Film Festival
Honoree David O. Russell received the Variety Indie Impact Award presented by Mercedes-Benz from Bradley Cooper (“Silver Linings Playbook”) this morning at the Parker Palm Springs. Russell and Cooper were joined by some of the “10 Directors to Watch”: Haifaa Al-Mansour (“Wadjda”); Wayne Blair (‘The Sapphires”); Jon Lucas & Scott Moore (“21 and Over”); David Ondricek (“In the Shadow”); Joachim Rønning & Espen Sandberg (“Kon-Tiki”); and Rebecca Thomas (“Electrick Children”). Full list of honorees below. Other guests included: Eddie Redmayne and Tom Hooper (Les Miserables), Fred Williamson, John Hawkes (The Sessions), Steve Gaydos (Variety), Michelle Sobrino (Variety), Darryl Macdonald (Festival Director), Helen du Toit (Artistic Director) and Harold Matzner (Festival Chairman). Variety and Bradley Cooper presented “Silver Linings Playbook” director David O. Russell with the Indie Impact Award, presented by Mercedes-Benz, which celebrates the filmmaker for his outstanding contributions to the art and business of cinema. Additionally, Variety’s “10 Directors to Watch” series was presented, spotlighting the most exciting new talents in the field of directing. This year’s “10 Directors to Watch” includes five with films at Palm Springs International Film Festival: “Electrick Children,” “A Hijacking,” “In the Shadow,” “Kon-Tiki” and “The Sapphires”. The event was presented by Mercedes-Benz with premier sponsor Indian Country Today Media Network and venue partner the Parker Palm Springs. Hollywood’S Biggest Stars Shine In The Desert At The 24th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala Presented By Cartier
Cartier Welcomed Host Mary Hart and Festival Honorees Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, Bradley Cooper, Helen Hunt, Helen Mirren, Mychael Danna, Naomi Watts, Richard Gere, Robert Zemeckis, Sally Field and Tom Hooper Kicking off the 2013 Awards Season, The 24th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) Awards Gala, presented by Cartier, was held Saturday, January 5, 2013 at the Palm Springs Convention Center hosted by Mary Hart. Honorees were presented with an original Chihuly Glass Sculpture designed by Dale Chihuly or the John Kennedy "The Entertainer" statue. The event is sponsored by Mercedes-Benz and Entertainment Tonight. The Palm Springs International Film Festival Awards Gala honors individuals in the entertainment industry with several prestigious awards for acting, director, achievement in film scoring and life achievement. The following awards were presented at this year’s Awards Gala:
Argo (Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston) received the Ensemble Performance Award presented by Tony Mendez. Bradley Cooper received the Desert Palm Achievement Award Actor for Silver Linings Playbook presented by the film’s director David O. Russell. Helen Hunt received the Spotlight Award for The Sessions presented by her co-star John Hawkes. Helen Mirren received the International Star Award for Hitchcock presented by Tom Hooper, who directed her in Elizabeth I. Mychael Danna received the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing for Life of Pi presented Ang Lee. Naomi Watts received the Desert Palm Achievement Award Actress for The Impossible presented by her co-star in the film Tom Holland. Richard Gere received the Chairman’s Award for Arbitrage presented by his The Cotton Club, Nights in Rodanthe and Unfaithful co-star Diane Lane. Robert Zemeckis received the Director of the Year Award for Flight presented by Tom Hanks who he directed in Castaway, Forrest Gump, and Polar Express. Sally Field (Lincoln) received the Career Achievement Award presented by her The Amazing Spider-Man co-star Martin Sheen. Tom Hooper received the Sonny Bono Visionary Award for Les Misérables presented by the film’s co-star Eddie Redmayne. Additional guests who attended the event: Senator Barbara Boxer, Dale and Leslie Chihuly, Taylor Hackford, Mary Bono Mack, Palm Springs Mayor Steve Pougnet, Bill Pullman (The Fruit Hunters, 1600 Penn) along with Festival representatives Harold Matzner (Festival Chairman), Darryl Macdonald (Festival Director) and Helen du Toit (Artistic Director). Cartier jewelry was worn this year by select honorees, presenters and guests Naomi Watts, Diane Lane, Sally Field, Eddie Redmayne (watch) and Mychael Danna (watch). In addition, Cartier presented Tank Solo watches to all honorees, Cufflinks for male presenters and Love necklaces for female presenters. Ben Affleck, Alan Arkin, Bryan Cranston, Mychael Danna, Sally Field, Richard Gere, Tom Hanks, John Hawkes, Tom Holland, Helen Hunt, Diane Lane, Ang Lee, Tony Mendez, Helen Mirren, David O. Russell, Martin Sheen, Naomi Watts and Robert Zemeckis arrived in S400 Hybrid sedan, S550 sedans, GL450 SUVs and ML350 SUVs to the Festival red carpet. Following the ceremony an after party was held at the Parker Palm Springs where Bradley Cooper, Sally Field, John Hawkes, Tom Hooper, Eddie Redmayne, David O. Russell, Naomi Watts and many others were in attendance. The Palm Springs International Film Festival takes place January 3-14,2013. For additional information on the Festival visit www.psfilmfest.org.
- 1/8/2013
- by Peter Belsito
- Sydney's Buzz
The Palm Springs International Film Festival announces additional premieres, Talking Pictures and Archival Treasures. In total, the fest has 188 films (63 premieres) playing between January 5-16, representing 73 countries. Newly announced premieres include The Weinstein Co.’s “Dragon (Wu Xia)” and “War of the Buttons,” and well as Mark Cousins’ “The Story of Film: An Odyssey.” Artistic director Helen du Toit says “Cousins’ love letter to cinema, this epic tale of the evolution of creativity in international cinema, is accompanied by a selection of 5 archival films that Cousins deems to be 'game-changers.' This...
- 1/5/2012
- Thompson on Hollywood
"In addition to presenting the biggest selection of foreign language Oscar submissions of any festival, we are shining the spotlight on some dynamic emerging filmmakers," said Helen du Toit, Director of Programming. "Our New Voices / New Visions Showcase for first narrative features and the John Schlesinger Award for best first documentary feature are two distinctive ways that the Festival will be identifying exciting new talent who are stretching boundaries and forging new ground in narrative and non-fiction storytelling."
The New Voices / New Visions Award will honor one of 12 features from new international talents marking their feature film debut at the Festival, with the additional criteria that the films selected are currently without U.S. distribution. The films will be judged by a jury which includes Marc Mauceri, vice president of First Run Features; Farhad Arshad, president and CEO of Olive Films; and Frederic Demey, senior vice president, international sales and acquisitions,...
The New Voices / New Visions Award will honor one of 12 features from new international talents marking their feature film debut at the Festival, with the additional criteria that the films selected are currently without U.S. distribution. The films will be judged by a jury which includes Marc Mauceri, vice president of First Run Features; Farhad Arshad, president and CEO of Olive Films; and Frederic Demey, senior vice president, international sales and acquisitions,...
- 12/18/2010
- Screen Anarchy
Nora and I drove out to the Palm Springs International Film Festival Saturday, already well under way (it winds up on the 18th). Fest director Darryl Macdonald and lead programmers Helen du Toit and Carl Spence not only play the pre-Oscar awards-tributes-red-carpet game with such films as Precious, An Education and The Last Station, but also assemble a large selection of foreign Oscar submissions (not all are deemed worthy). A Fipresci jury will choose the best film and performances of the 41. Altogether the fest brings in about 1000 assorted folk to the robust—and growing-local fest, with help from distribs as well as various foreign consulates. We registered along with the filmmakers from Ajami, a tough Palestinian/Israeli drama that is Israel’s entry. Saturday after a spartan …...
- 1/10/2010
- Thompson on Hollywood
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