When you’re an independent filmmaker, there are a few different ways of working within the TV/streaming space. You could be a TV repairman (of any gender!) or work for the cable company. Those are pretty good. But! If you’re reading this blog, chances are your ambitions run a little more toward creating the content actually populating these devices and platforms. In that case, you could A) create a brand-new series and become its ruthless, dictatorial showrunner, or B) step into an already-existing series as the director of an individual episode.
For the former, there’s always our Episodic Lab. But for the latter, there’s the Film Independent Episodic Directing Intensive–where in just three whirlwind days, a diverse cross-section of veteran directors, showrunners, actors, executives and cinematographers provide a heavy-duty brain dump to six up-and-coming filmmakers, sharing their experiences and knowledge of the episodic directing landscape.
For the former, there’s always our Episodic Lab. But for the latter, there’s the Film Independent Episodic Directing Intensive–where in just three whirlwind days, a diverse cross-section of veteran directors, showrunners, actors, executives and cinematographers provide a heavy-duty brain dump to six up-and-coming filmmakers, sharing their experiences and knowledge of the episodic directing landscape.
- 5/22/2024
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
Exclusive: Film Independent has named the six filmmakers selected for its third annual Episodic Directing Intensive: John Gutierrez, Lorena Lourenço, Alfonso Morgan-Terrero, Huriyyah Muhammad, Kelsey Taylor and So Young Shelly Yo.
A three-day program, the Intensive welcomes veteran directors, showrunners, actors, cinematographers and executives to share their experiences and knowledge of the episodic directing landscape. Notables set to appear this time around include Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Johnson Cheng, Gloria Fan, Georgina Gonzalez, Liz Kelly, Shari Page, Jeremy Podeswa, Alysia Reiner, Beth Schacter, Nancy Schreiber, ASC, Yira Vilaro, Rina Varughese and Daniel Willis, among others.
“In this ever-changing landscape, we are thrilled to support these talented directors and equip them with the knowledge to launch and sustain careers in episodic directing,” said Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs.
Read more about this year’s Intensive participants below.
John Gutierrez
John Gutierrez is an award-winning Latine writer/director from California. He...
A three-day program, the Intensive welcomes veteran directors, showrunners, actors, cinematographers and executives to share their experiences and knowledge of the episodic directing landscape. Notables set to appear this time around include Kyle Patrick Alvarez, Johnson Cheng, Gloria Fan, Georgina Gonzalez, Liz Kelly, Shari Page, Jeremy Podeswa, Alysia Reiner, Beth Schacter, Nancy Schreiber, ASC, Yira Vilaro, Rina Varughese and Daniel Willis, among others.
“In this ever-changing landscape, we are thrilled to support these talented directors and equip them with the knowledge to launch and sustain careers in episodic directing,” said Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs.
Read more about this year’s Intensive participants below.
John Gutierrez
John Gutierrez is an award-winning Latine writer/director from California. He...
- 5/22/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The lineup for the 28th edition of the American Black Film Festival continues to get more star studded with the world premiere of the second season of Kerry Washington’s Hulu series “UnPrisoned.”
Washington will attend the Miami Beach-based festival to celebrate the premiere and sit for a fireside chat with fellow executive producer Tracy McMillan, who created the series based on her life.
The Special Screenings lineup also features world premieres of documentaries “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” about the Wu-Tang Clan founding member, and “Down in the Valley,” inspired the world of the hit Starz series “P-Valley,” plus a screening of the classic “Devil in a Blue Dress,” as part of the Denzel Washington Retrospective.
The HBO Short Film Award Showcase will kick off the film festival program on June 12, hosted by Sirius Xm’s Bevy Smith (“Bevelations”). Five filmmakers are selected as finalists, and...
Washington will attend the Miami Beach-based festival to celebrate the premiere and sit for a fireside chat with fellow executive producer Tracy McMillan, who created the series based on her life.
The Special Screenings lineup also features world premieres of documentaries “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys,” about the Wu-Tang Clan founding member, and “Down in the Valley,” inspired the world of the hit Starz series “P-Valley,” plus a screening of the classic “Devil in a Blue Dress,” as part of the Denzel Washington Retrospective.
The HBO Short Film Award Showcase will kick off the film festival program on June 12, hosted by Sirius Xm’s Bevy Smith (“Bevelations”). Five filmmakers are selected as finalists, and...
- 5/15/2024
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
American Film Institute alum Melina Matsoukas will deliver the keynote address at the AFI Directing Workshop for Women Showcase for the Class of 2024. The showcase will be held on April 10 at the Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles.
The Directing Workshop for Women Program helps to educates traditionally underrepresented filmmakers through the production cycle of a short film, providing hands-on instruction led by industry experts. Launched in 1974, the tuition-free program provides women with the opportunity to further their careers in the entertainment industry.
The showcase provides an opportunity for the graduating cohort to premiere their short films to an audience of agency and studio representatives, as well as other artists from the creative community.
Matsoukas is a filmmaker who made her feature directorial debut at the 2019 AFI Fest 2019 with “Queen & Slim,” starring Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith, which she also produced. Matsoukas began her television career as an...
The Directing Workshop for Women Program helps to educates traditionally underrepresented filmmakers through the production cycle of a short film, providing hands-on instruction led by industry experts. Launched in 1974, the tuition-free program provides women with the opportunity to further their careers in the entertainment industry.
The showcase provides an opportunity for the graduating cohort to premiere their short films to an audience of agency and studio representatives, as well as other artists from the creative community.
Matsoukas is a filmmaker who made her feature directorial debut at the 2019 AFI Fest 2019 with “Queen & Slim,” starring Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith, which she also produced. Matsoukas began her television career as an...
- 4/5/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety Film + TV
Ask any independent producer and they’ll tell you: making movies is a piece of cake. Scouring the Earth for viable, quality material? Wrangling, gracefully, volatile talent egos? Raising stupid amounts of capital and wearily securing every stray element of physical production? Delegating responsibility, absorbing crew complaints and mallet-flattening nonstop whack-a-mole near-disasters? Shrewdly navigating distribution in a broken marketplace and finally—if you’re very lucky!—appropriately proportioning revenue shares under perpetual threat of litigation for the duration of your fleeting mortal existence? Like we said. Easy.
Just kidding. This is some of the hardest goddamn shit you’ll ever try to do. But for 30 years Film Independent has been doing all it can to support filmmakers across every discipline and career level. In theory, of course, producers are everyone else’s best resource—the adult in the room solving problems and providing steady leadership. But who watches the watchmen produces the producers?...
Just kidding. This is some of the hardest goddamn shit you’ll ever try to do. But for 30 years Film Independent has been doing all it can to support filmmakers across every discipline and career level. In theory, of course, producers are everyone else’s best resource—the adult in the room solving problems and providing steady leadership. But who watches the watchmen produces the producers?...
- 3/20/2024
- by Matt Warren
- Film Independent News & More
The American Film Institute (AFI) has unveiled the participants list for the Dww+ Class of 2024.
IndieWire exclusively reveals that the latest cast comprises Vanessa Beletic, Chloë de Carvalho, Desdemona Chiang, Naomi Iwamoto, Huriyyah Muhammad, Joanne Mony Park, Kerry O’Neill and Roxy Toporowych. Learn more about the new class and read their bios here.
The AFI Dww+ is a year-long directing workshop that supports women and traditionally underrepresented narrative filmmakers through the production cycle of a short film, providing hands-on instruction led by industry experts. The short films completed in the workshop will premiere at the annual Dww+ Showcase in Spring 2024.
“AFI Dww+ is integral to creating a pipeline of highly trained, diverse voices who have the power to drive culture forward and shape the future of the entertainment industry. We are thrilled to welcome this new class of accomplished artists to the AFI Dww+ program and guide them on their journey as directors and storytellers,...
IndieWire exclusively reveals that the latest cast comprises Vanessa Beletic, Chloë de Carvalho, Desdemona Chiang, Naomi Iwamoto, Huriyyah Muhammad, Joanne Mony Park, Kerry O’Neill and Roxy Toporowych. Learn more about the new class and read their bios here.
The AFI Dww+ is a year-long directing workshop that supports women and traditionally underrepresented narrative filmmakers through the production cycle of a short film, providing hands-on instruction led by industry experts. The short films completed in the workshop will premiere at the annual Dww+ Showcase in Spring 2024.
“AFI Dww+ is integral to creating a pipeline of highly trained, diverse voices who have the power to drive culture forward and shape the future of the entertainment industry. We are thrilled to welcome this new class of accomplished artists to the AFI Dww+ program and guide them on their journey as directors and storytellers,...
- 1/19/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Wif (Women In Film Los Angeles) and the Black List revealed the six aspiring screenwriters set to participate in the 2021 Feature Residency. The program, a joint effort between both organizations, provides mentorship and career opportunities to six rising women and non-binary screenwriters over the course of a year.
The Residency, which commences today, includes intensive script and professional development sessions. Participants will have meetings and receive feedback from working feature writers, executives, and industry leaders. Past mentors include Jac Schaeffer (Black Widow), Emily V. Gordon (The Big Sick), Stephany Folsom (Toy Story 4), David Rabinowitz (Blackkklansman), Mattson Tomlin (Project Power), Haifaa Al-Mansour (Wadjda), Andrea Berloff (The Kitchen), Aline Brosh McKenna (Cray Ex-Girlfriend), Scott Myers (Go Into the Story), Liz Hannah (Long Shot), Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith (Legally Blonde) and more.
“Said it before, will say it again: I very much look forward to the year that doing two writing labs...
The Residency, which commences today, includes intensive script and professional development sessions. Participants will have meetings and receive feedback from working feature writers, executives, and industry leaders. Past mentors include Jac Schaeffer (Black Widow), Emily V. Gordon (The Big Sick), Stephany Folsom (Toy Story 4), David Rabinowitz (Blackkklansman), Mattson Tomlin (Project Power), Haifaa Al-Mansour (Wadjda), Andrea Berloff (The Kitchen), Aline Brosh McKenna (Cray Ex-Girlfriend), Scott Myers (Go Into the Story), Liz Hannah (Long Shot), Kirsten “Kiwi” Smith (Legally Blonde) and more.
“Said it before, will say it again: I very much look forward to the year that doing two writing labs...
- 6/17/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar ballots will be in the hands of AMPAS voters on March 5, and they’ll have until March 10 to turn them in. All the predicting, theorizing and prognosticating have led to this crucial six-day period when the nearly 10,000 Academy members make their choices among the year’s achievements. As we head into this critical period, in a year defined by a global pandemic that has changed the way we look at cinema, we’re still reminded that movies are well worth celebrating.
Streamers provided access to some of the best films of 2020. This year, no matter what AMPAS ends up selecting as its nominees for the 93rd Academy Awards, most films will be widely available for consumers to watch before the ceremony. Cinema continues to evolve, and we can’t stop what’s coming. As with any true cinephile, my choices for what touched me from this extended eligibility are personally mine.
Streamers provided access to some of the best films of 2020. This year, no matter what AMPAS ends up selecting as its nominees for the 93rd Academy Awards, most films will be widely available for consumers to watch before the ceremony. Cinema continues to evolve, and we can’t stop what’s coming. As with any true cinephile, my choices for what touched me from this extended eligibility are personally mine.
- 3/4/2021
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Wavelength Productions and The Black TV & Film Collective (Btfc) has revealed their jury selection of six fellows for the inaugural year for The Black Producers Fellowship.
The fellowship, which kicked off in October 2020, awards a $25K production grant to each of the six emerging producers so that they can develop, produce and deliver short narrative films inspired by the Black experience of education in America. In addition to the grant, each participant will receive in-kind support and career mentorship as they pursue their projects with programming and operational support provided by Cinereach.
“We are honored to work with the Black TV & Film Collective to bring to the forefront important narratives highlighting the Black experience in American schools. I was deeply moved by both the compelling personal stories submitted for the grant, and the quality of talent associated with them,” said Wavelength’s Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer Jenifer Westphal.
The fellowship, which kicked off in October 2020, awards a $25K production grant to each of the six emerging producers so that they can develop, produce and deliver short narrative films inspired by the Black experience of education in America. In addition to the grant, each participant will receive in-kind support and career mentorship as they pursue their projects with programming and operational support provided by Cinereach.
“We are honored to work with the Black TV & Film Collective to bring to the forefront important narratives highlighting the Black experience in American schools. I was deeply moved by both the compelling personal stories submitted for the grant, and the quality of talent associated with them,” said Wavelength’s Founder, CEO, and Executive Producer Jenifer Westphal.
- 2/18/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
When an Immigrant's Familial Bonds are as Foreign as the Land: Ekwa Msangi Discusses "Farewell Amor"
Ekwa Msangi's Farewell Amor is exclusively showing on Mubi in the UK and other countries starting on December 18, 2020 in the Debuts series.Farewell Amor begins with a reunion.The earnest feature debut of writer-director Ekwa Msangi commences at the JFK airport arrivals terminal with Walter (Ntare Mwine), an Angolan refugee who now makes his living as a NYC cab driver reuniting with this wife Esther (Zainab Jah) and teenage daughter Sylvia (played by newcomer Jayme Lawson) after more than 17 years apart.Living together in a one-bedroom apartment, the trio give little acknowledgement to assimilating into the dominant culture and instead are each on their own individual quests to seek a semblance of connectivity.America is foreign and so are the physical bonds to each other.Msangi provides sincere equity in balancing the narratives of the three leads; each character is given their own respective perspective about their distant relationship...
- 12/17/2020
- MUBI
A hit on the festival circuit, Tanzanian-American filmmaker Ekwa Msangi’s feature directorial debut “Farewell Amor” tells the story of an Angolan immigrant who, after nearly two decades apart, is joined in the USA by his wife and daughter. Now, however, they are now practically strangers, sharing a one-bedroom apartment in New York City, and struggling to reconnect. Soon they discover a shared love of dance that may help them overcome the distance between them.
Father Walter (played by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) has not moved on from his lover Linda (Nana Mensah), while his wife Esther (Zainab Jah) has found solace in religion, which doesn’t immediately register with him, although he does want to understand. Meanwhile, Esther and their daughter Sylvia (Jayme Lawson) are struggling to adapt to life in a new country, wondering if all the fracas that was involved in making the trip to the United States was worth the effort.
Father Walter (played by Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) has not moved on from his lover Linda (Nana Mensah), while his wife Esther (Zainab Jah) has found solace in religion, which doesn’t immediately register with him, although he does want to understand. Meanwhile, Esther and their daughter Sylvia (Jayme Lawson) are struggling to adapt to life in a new country, wondering if all the fracas that was involved in making the trip to the United States was worth the effort.
- 10/21/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
Wavelength Productions has partnered with the Black TV & Film Collective (Btfc) to launch the inaugural Btfc Producers Fellowship. Wavelength has committed to financing and co-producing a collection of six short films, alongside the Btfc and Cinereach to amplify Black creative voices and bring their stories to the screen. This first season of the fellowship will focus on the education sector.
The fellowship educational programming and operational support will be supported by Cinereach while Wavelength Production support will provide fellows a $25K production grant and mentorship as they develop, produce and deliver short narrative films inspired by the Black experience of education in America.
“Wavelength is committed to telling great f**king stories and shining a light on systemic issues,” said Jenifer Westphal, Founder of Wavelength Productions. “We are proud to partner with the Btfc to provide support to six Black filmmakers and we look forward...
The fellowship educational programming and operational support will be supported by Cinereach while Wavelength Production support will provide fellows a $25K production grant and mentorship as they develop, produce and deliver short narrative films inspired by the Black experience of education in America.
“Wavelength is committed to telling great f**king stories and shining a light on systemic issues,” said Jenifer Westphal, Founder of Wavelength Productions. “We are proud to partner with the Btfc to provide support to six Black filmmakers and we look forward...
- 10/14/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Sundance winner and upcoming BFI London Film Festival title “Farewell Amor” will bow in December on curated streaming service Mubi.
Mubi has acquired worldwide VOD rights, excluding North America, Africa, China and Israel, on the film. IFC has acquired the North America rights.
Producer Huriyyah Muhammad won the Sundance Institute/Amazon Studios Producers Award for narrative features at the Sundance Film Festival, where the film received its world premiere in the U.S. dramatic competition section in January. It will play at the BFI London Film Festival’s ‘Love’ strand in October.
Written and directed by feature debutant and Sundance Institute fellow Ekwa Msangi, the film follows an Angolan immigrant reunited with his family in New York City after 17 years. Now strangers sharing a one-bedroom apartment, they discover a shared love of dance that may help them overcome the distance between them.
Stars include Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (“Blood Diamond...
Mubi has acquired worldwide VOD rights, excluding North America, Africa, China and Israel, on the film. IFC has acquired the North America rights.
Producer Huriyyah Muhammad won the Sundance Institute/Amazon Studios Producers Award for narrative features at the Sundance Film Festival, where the film received its world premiere in the U.S. dramatic competition section in January. It will play at the BFI London Film Festival’s ‘Love’ strand in October.
Written and directed by feature debutant and Sundance Institute fellow Ekwa Msangi, the film follows an Angolan immigrant reunited with his family in New York City after 17 years. Now strangers sharing a one-bedroom apartment, they discover a shared love of dance that may help them overcome the distance between them.
Stars include Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (“Blood Diamond...
- 9/21/2020
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Distributor plans December release.
IFC Films has picked up North American rights from Endeavor Content and Film Constellation to 2020 Sundance Institute Producer’s Award winner Farewell Amor.
Sundance Institute fellow Ekwa Msangi wrote and directed his feature debut about an Angolan immigrant who reunites with his family in New York after 17 years in exile.
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, Jayme Lawson, Joie Lee, Marcus Scribner, and Nana Mensah star.
Farewell Amor premiered at 2020 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition Section where it won the aforementioned award on behalf of producer Huriyyah Muhammad (Outrageous Pictures).
Producing...
IFC Films has picked up North American rights from Endeavor Content and Film Constellation to 2020 Sundance Institute Producer’s Award winner Farewell Amor.
Sundance Institute fellow Ekwa Msangi wrote and directed his feature debut about an Angolan immigrant who reunites with his family in New York after 17 years in exile.
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, Jayme Lawson, Joie Lee, Marcus Scribner, and Nana Mensah star.
Farewell Amor premiered at 2020 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition Section where it won the aforementioned award on behalf of producer Huriyyah Muhammad (Outrageous Pictures).
Producing...
- 8/24/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Distributor plans December release.
IFC Films has picked up North American rights from Endeavor Content and Films Constellation to 2020 Sundance Institute Producer’s Award winner Farewell Amor.
Sundance Institute fellow Ekwa Msangi wrote and directed his feature debut about an Angolan immigrant who reunites with his family in New York after 17 years in exile.
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, Jayme Lawson, Joie Lee, Marcus Scribner, and Nana Mensah star.
Farewell Amor premiered at 2020 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition Section where it won the aforementioned award on behalf of producer Huriyyah Muhammad (Outrageous Pictures).
Producing...
IFC Films has picked up North American rights from Endeavor Content and Films Constellation to 2020 Sundance Institute Producer’s Award winner Farewell Amor.
Sundance Institute fellow Ekwa Msangi wrote and directed his feature debut about an Angolan immigrant who reunites with his family in New York after 17 years in exile.
Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, Jayme Lawson, Joie Lee, Marcus Scribner, and Nana Mensah star.
Farewell Amor premiered at 2020 Sundance Film Festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition Section where it won the aforementioned award on behalf of producer Huriyyah Muhammad (Outrageous Pictures).
Producing...
- 8/24/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
IFC Films has acquired the North American rights to “Farewell Amor,” the film from Ekwa Msangi that premiered in competition at this year’s Sundance and was awarded the Producer’s Award.
IFC is planning a release for “Farewell Amor” in December of this year.
“Farewell Amor” is the story of a man named Walter who reunites with his family after 17 years in exile in New York City from his home in Angola. The film begins as Walter is picking up his family from the airport and bringing them back to his one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. They quickly discover how the years of separation have turned them into absolute strangers. As they attempt to overcome the personal and political hurdles among them, they rely on the muscle memory of dance to find their way back “home.”
Also Read: David Bowie Unauthorized Biopic 'Stardust' Lands 2020 US Release From IFC...
IFC is planning a release for “Farewell Amor” in December of this year.
“Farewell Amor” is the story of a man named Walter who reunites with his family after 17 years in exile in New York City from his home in Angola. The film begins as Walter is picking up his family from the airport and bringing them back to his one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. They quickly discover how the years of separation have turned them into absolute strangers. As they attempt to overcome the personal and political hurdles among them, they rely on the muscle memory of dance to find their way back “home.”
Also Read: David Bowie Unauthorized Biopic 'Stardust' Lands 2020 US Release From IFC...
- 8/24/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
IFC Films has nabbed North American rights to “Farewell Amor,” the story of Angolan immigrants making a life for themselves in New York City, Variety has learned.
The film received critical acclaim when it premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. It is written and directed by Sundance Institute fellow Ekwa Msangi and marks her feature directorial debut. IFC Films will release “Farewell Amor” in December of 2020.
The film centers on Walter, who reunites with his family 17 years after being forced to leave Angola for New York City. His wife, Esther, and daughter, Sylvia, quickly discover how the years of separation have turned them into absolute strangers while living together in Walter’s one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. Dance becomes a way for them to reconnect.
In a positive review, Variety‘s Jessica Kiang hailed the performances, as well as the filmmaking prowess behind the movie. “‘Farewell Amor’ marks the...
The film received critical acclaim when it premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. It is written and directed by Sundance Institute fellow Ekwa Msangi and marks her feature directorial debut. IFC Films will release “Farewell Amor” in December of 2020.
The film centers on Walter, who reunites with his family 17 years after being forced to leave Angola for New York City. His wife, Esther, and daughter, Sylvia, quickly discover how the years of separation have turned them into absolute strangers while living together in Walter’s one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn. Dance becomes a way for them to reconnect.
In a positive review, Variety‘s Jessica Kiang hailed the performances, as well as the filmmaking prowess behind the movie. “‘Farewell Amor’ marks the...
- 8/24/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
This is the latest installment of “Breaking Black,” a weekly column focused on emerging black talent.
Stories of the immigrant experience are as old as cinema, but Tanzanian-American filmmaker Ekwa Msangi is using them to create something new. “Farewell Amor” is a quietly evocative drama in which an Angolan family, long separated by visa struggles, finally achieves its reunion in Brooklyn — and almost immediately, finds themselves emotionally estranged as they come to terms with 17 years without each other.
Father Walter (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) is trying to let go of a relationship, while his wife, Esther (Zainab Jah), has found religious solace he doesn’t understand. Meanwhile, she and their daughter Sylvia (Jayme Lawson) must adapt to life in a new country that makes each of them wonder if fighting to be in America was the right thing to do.
Msangi’s feature debut made its world premiere in competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival,...
Stories of the immigrant experience are as old as cinema, but Tanzanian-American filmmaker Ekwa Msangi is using them to create something new. “Farewell Amor” is a quietly evocative drama in which an Angolan family, long separated by visa struggles, finally achieves its reunion in Brooklyn — and almost immediately, finds themselves emotionally estranged as they come to terms with 17 years without each other.
Father Walter (Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine) is trying to let go of a relationship, while his wife, Esther (Zainab Jah), has found religious solace he doesn’t understand. Meanwhile, she and their daughter Sylvia (Jayme Lawson) must adapt to life in a new country that makes each of them wonder if fighting to be in America was the right thing to do.
Msangi’s feature debut made its world premiere in competition at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival,...
- 2/6/2020
- by Tambay Obenson
- Indiewire
The 2020 Sundance Film Festival is coming to a close in Park City, and that means that this year’s award winners have been announced. The awards spotlight standout films across the festival’s various categories, including U.S. films spanning fiction and documentary, as well as foreign-made films, and Next and Midnight selections.
This year’s fest brought a bounty of riches that are continuing to attract buyers, including high-profile pickups from Neon and Hulu (“Palm Springs”), Sony Pictures Classics, Searchlight Pictures (“The Night House”), and more. The 2020 Sundance Film Festival broke a number of records, from diversity in its programming to sales. Culled from 15,000 submissions, the 2020 edition offered up a range of timely, boundary-pushing documentary and narrative storytelling, promising new voices and satisfying new heights from established filmmakers. (Check out IndieWire’s roundup of the best 15 films out of Sundance here.)
Netflix, which owned this year’s Academy Awards nominations,...
This year’s fest brought a bounty of riches that are continuing to attract buyers, including high-profile pickups from Neon and Hulu (“Palm Springs”), Sony Pictures Classics, Searchlight Pictures (“The Night House”), and more. The 2020 Sundance Film Festival broke a number of records, from diversity in its programming to sales. Culled from 15,000 submissions, the 2020 edition offered up a range of timely, boundary-pushing documentary and narrative storytelling, promising new voices and satisfying new heights from established filmmakers. (Check out IndieWire’s roundup of the best 15 films out of Sundance here.)
Netflix, which owned this year’s Academy Awards nominations,...
- 2/2/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Film Constellation has secured international sales rights to Sundance drama, Farewell Amor, the feature debut for writer/director Ekwa Msangi. The pic premiered at the film festival in the U.S. Dramatic Competition category on Jan. 25 and has received positive reviews. Endeavor Content is overseeing all North American rights sales.
Starring Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, and Jayme Lawson, the pic tells the story of a family who reunites after 17 years apart. Angolan immigrant Walter is joined in the U.S. by his wife and teen daughter. Now absolute strangers sharing a one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment, they struggle to overcome the emotional distance between them. Walter is trying to let go of a previous relationship while his wife Esther struggles with a new country, culture and a husband who seems distant. Their daughter Sylvia is a dancer just like her father, and while she also finds her new life difficult,...
Starring Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, and Jayme Lawson, the pic tells the story of a family who reunites after 17 years apart. Angolan immigrant Walter is joined in the U.S. by his wife and teen daughter. Now absolute strangers sharing a one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment, they struggle to overcome the emotional distance between them. Walter is trying to let go of a previous relationship while his wife Esther struggles with a new country, culture and a husband who seems distant. Their daughter Sylvia is a dancer just like her father, and while she also finds her new life difficult,...
- 2/1/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Story of family reunited premiered in U.S. Dramatic Competition Category.
Film Constellation has boarded international rights at Sundance to Ekwa Msangi’s debut feature and U.S. Dramatic Competition Category selection Farewell Amor and will launch sales in Berlin next month.
The story centres on a family that reunites after 17 years apart when Angolan immigrant Walter is joined in the Us by his wife and the teenage daughter he does not know.
Sharing a one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment, they struggle to overcome the emotional distance between them. Walter tries to let go of a previous relationship while his wife Esther struggles with a new country,...
Film Constellation has boarded international rights at Sundance to Ekwa Msangi’s debut feature and U.S. Dramatic Competition Category selection Farewell Amor and will launch sales in Berlin next month.
The story centres on a family that reunites after 17 years apart when Angolan immigrant Walter is joined in the Us by his wife and the teenage daughter he does not know.
Sharing a one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment, they struggle to overcome the emotional distance between them. Walter tries to let go of a previous relationship while his wife Esther struggles with a new country,...
- 2/1/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Amazon Studios acquired the North American rights to Phyllida Lloyd’s “Herself” out of the Sundance Film Festival, the distributor announced Sunday.
The distributor is planning a theatrical release for the film later this year. No financial details were disclosed.
“Herself” follows single mother Sandra, who escapes her abusive partner with her two young children, but soon finds herself trapped in temporary accommodations. She then comes up with the idea to self-build an affordable home with the help of friends and neighbors.
Also Read: Huriyyah Muhammad Wins Producers Award From Sundance Institute and Amazon Studios
The film stars Clare Dunne as Sandra, as well as Harriet Walter and Conleth Hill. Dunne wrote the script with Malcolm Campbell.
Rory Gilmartin, Sharon Horgan and Ed Guiney are producing, while Andrew Lowe, Clelia Mountford, Rose Garnett, Alison Thompson and Mary Burke executive produced.
Also Read: 'Downhill' Film Review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and...
The distributor is planning a theatrical release for the film later this year. No financial details were disclosed.
“Herself” follows single mother Sandra, who escapes her abusive partner with her two young children, but soon finds herself trapped in temporary accommodations. She then comes up with the idea to self-build an affordable home with the help of friends and neighbors.
Also Read: Huriyyah Muhammad Wins Producers Award From Sundance Institute and Amazon Studios
The film stars Clare Dunne as Sandra, as well as Harriet Walter and Conleth Hill. Dunne wrote the script with Malcolm Campbell.
Rory Gilmartin, Sharon Horgan and Ed Guiney are producing, while Andrew Lowe, Clelia Mountford, Rose Garnett, Alison Thompson and Mary Burke executive produced.
Also Read: 'Downhill' Film Review: Julia Louis-Dreyfus and...
- 1/27/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Huriyyah Muhammad, producer of Ekwa Msangi’s U.S. dramatic competition entry “Farewell Amor” at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, on Sunday received this year’s Sundance Institute / Amazon Studios Producers Award for narrative feature producer.
The awards honor bold vision and a commitment to continuing work as a creative producer in the independent space.
“Farewell Amor” follows an Angolan immigrant named Walter who is joined in the U.S. by his wife and teen daughter after 17 years apart. Now absolute strangers sharing a one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment, they struggle to overcome the emotional distance between them. Msangi wrote and directed the film, which stars Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, Jayme Lawson, Nana Mensah, Joie Lee and Marcus Scribner. Muhammad produced along with Sam Bisbee and Josh Penn.
Also Read: Where Are the Latinos at Sundance - and How Can Hollywood Really Help? | Pro Insight
Muhammad is a writer,...
The awards honor bold vision and a commitment to continuing work as a creative producer in the independent space.
“Farewell Amor” follows an Angolan immigrant named Walter who is joined in the U.S. by his wife and teen daughter after 17 years apart. Now absolute strangers sharing a one-bedroom Brooklyn apartment, they struggle to overcome the emotional distance between them. Msangi wrote and directed the film, which stars Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Zainab Jah, Jayme Lawson, Nana Mensah, Joie Lee and Marcus Scribner. Muhammad produced along with Sam Bisbee and Josh Penn.
Also Read: Where Are the Latinos at Sundance - and How Can Hollywood Really Help? | Pro Insight
Muhammad is a writer,...
- 1/26/2020
- by Thom Geier
- The Wrap
Drama premieres in U.S. Dramatic Competition on Sunday.
Farewell Amor producer Huriyyah Muhammad received the Sundance Institute / Amazon Studios Producers Award for Narrative Feature Producer in Park City on Sunday (26).
The prize recognises “bold vision and a commitment to continuing work as a creative producer in the independent space”.
Ekwa Msangi’s directorial debut Farewell Amor premieres in the U.S. Dramatic Competition on Sunday afternoon and recounts how Angolan immigrant Walter is joined in the Us by his wife and teen daughter after 17 years apart.
The story from Outrageous Pictures charts how the family must learn to reunite...
Farewell Amor producer Huriyyah Muhammad received the Sundance Institute / Amazon Studios Producers Award for Narrative Feature Producer in Park City on Sunday (26).
The prize recognises “bold vision and a commitment to continuing work as a creative producer in the independent space”.
Ekwa Msangi’s directorial debut Farewell Amor premieres in the U.S. Dramatic Competition on Sunday afternoon and recounts how Angolan immigrant Walter is joined in the Us by his wife and teen daughter after 17 years apart.
The story from Outrageous Pictures charts how the family must learn to reunite...
- 1/26/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Drama premieres in U.S. Dramatic Competition on Sunday.
Farewell Amor producer Huriyyah Muhammad received the Sundance Institute / Amazon Studios Producers Award for Narrative Feature Producer in Park City on Sunday (26).
The prize recognises “bold vision and a commitment to continuing work as a creative producer in the independent space”.
Ekwa Msangi’s directorial debut Farewell Amor premieres in the U.S. Dramatic Competition on Sunday afternoon and recounts how Angolan immigrant Walter is joined in the Us by his wife and teen daughter after 17 years apart.
The story from Outrageous Pictures charts how the family must learn to reunite...
Farewell Amor producer Huriyyah Muhammad received the Sundance Institute / Amazon Studios Producers Award for Narrative Feature Producer in Park City on Sunday (26).
The prize recognises “bold vision and a commitment to continuing work as a creative producer in the independent space”.
Ekwa Msangi’s directorial debut Farewell Amor premieres in the U.S. Dramatic Competition on Sunday afternoon and recounts how Angolan immigrant Walter is joined in the Us by his wife and teen daughter after 17 years apart.
The story from Outrageous Pictures charts how the family must learn to reunite...
- 1/26/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
The feature film lineup at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival has been unveiled, featuring 118 films. Among the highly-anticipated premieres we have Josephine Decker’s Shirley, Miranda July’s Kajillionaire, Eliza Hittman’s Never Rarely Sometimes Always, Janicza Bravo’s Zola, Kirsten Johnson’s Dick Johnson Is Dead, Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor, Julie Taymor’s The Glorias, Dee Rees’ The Last Thing He Wanted, Sean Durkin’s The Nest, Michael Almereyda’s Tesla, Benh Zeitlin’s Wendy, and more.
Check out the list below and return for our coverage from January 23-February 2, 2020.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Presenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films, the Dramatic Competition offers Festivalgoers a first look at groundbreaking new voices in American independent film. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include The Farewell, Honey Boy, Clemency, Eighth Grade, Sorry to Bother You and The Miseducation of Cameron Post. 47% of the directors in this year’s U.
Check out the list below and return for our coverage from January 23-February 2, 2020.
U.S. Dramatic Competition
Presenting the world premieres of 16 narrative feature films, the Dramatic Competition offers Festivalgoers a first look at groundbreaking new voices in American independent film. Films that have premiered in this category in recent years include The Farewell, Honey Boy, Clemency, Eighth Grade, Sorry to Bother You and The Miseducation of Cameron Post. 47% of the directors in this year’s U.
- 12/4/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Tribeca Film Institute announced the winners of their 2019 Tfi Pond5 program funding aspiring filmmakers.
Eight applicants, narrowed down from a pool of 200, were awarded with up to $7,500 in funding for their filmmaking endeavors. The program, in junction with media company Pond5, began the initiative last year to support indie filmmakers in “systematically-excluded communities.”
“These filmmakers are telling timely stories through their unique perspectives using both documentary, scripted, and interactive formats,” Amy Hobby, Tribeca Film Institute’s executive director, said in a statement. “The Tfi Pond5 Program allows us to continue to support filmmakers that we believe so strongly in. We’re excited to fund this group of emerging creators.”
Recipients will be able to use funding for everything from music licensing and hiring crew members to attending workshops and mentorship sessions. This year, 50% of grantees are women.
Winners include writer, director and producer Jorge Thielen-Armand for his feature “La Cercanía” about...
Eight applicants, narrowed down from a pool of 200, were awarded with up to $7,500 in funding for their filmmaking endeavors. The program, in junction with media company Pond5, began the initiative last year to support indie filmmakers in “systematically-excluded communities.”
“These filmmakers are telling timely stories through their unique perspectives using both documentary, scripted, and interactive formats,” Amy Hobby, Tribeca Film Institute’s executive director, said in a statement. “The Tfi Pond5 Program allows us to continue to support filmmakers that we believe so strongly in. We’re excited to fund this group of emerging creators.”
Recipients will be able to use funding for everything from music licensing and hiring crew members to attending workshops and mentorship sessions. This year, 50% of grantees are women.
Winners include writer, director and producer Jorge Thielen-Armand for his feature “La Cercanía” about...
- 11/14/2019
- by Mackenzie Nichols
- Variety Film + TV
Film Independent has announced the seven producers who been chosen for its 19th annual Producing Lab. The fellows will participate in a program set up to help develop their skills and further their careers by pairing them with film professionals who can advise on both the craft and business of independent producing.
Among the 2019 participants are include Camila Zavala, who also won the $30,000 Sloan Producers Grant to further develop her film, Malpelo, and Lebanese filmmaker Myriam Sassine, who is the recipient of the Global Media Makers Fellowship, an exchange program sponsored through a partnership between Film Independent, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational, and Cultural Affairs.
This year’s industry advisors include Lauren Craniotes (Gersh), Greta Fuentes (MacRo), Lauren Mann (Swiss Army Man), Valerie Stadler (Big Swing Productions) and Solome Williams (Bron Studios). In addition, mentors and guest speakers in the program include Rebecca Green (It...
Among the 2019 participants are include Camila Zavala, who also won the $30,000 Sloan Producers Grant to further develop her film, Malpelo, and Lebanese filmmaker Myriam Sassine, who is the recipient of the Global Media Makers Fellowship, an exchange program sponsored through a partnership between Film Independent, the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational, and Cultural Affairs.
This year’s industry advisors include Lauren Craniotes (Gersh), Greta Fuentes (MacRo), Lauren Mann (Swiss Army Man), Valerie Stadler (Big Swing Productions) and Solome Williams (Bron Studios). In addition, mentors and guest speakers in the program include Rebecca Green (It...
- 10/15/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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