Exclusive: Jeff Friday Media (Jfm) has landed writer/director Khaled Ridgeway’s second film project Lucid Summer. Jfm, which has a motion picture development deal with Sony Pictures, has signed on to produce the film that follows Ridgeway’s award-winning comedy-drama Death of a Telemarketer recently acquired by Sony Pictures.
With a script by Ridgeway and Noah Cooper, Lucid Summer is a dramatic psychological thriller about how a family navigates a hidden world of secrets while managing to keep secrets from one another. The film will be directed by American Black Film Festival (ABFF) alum Ridgeway. ABFF founder and Jfm CEO Jeff Friday will serve as executive producer along with Nicole Friday, ABFF Ventures president and Gm. The film marked Jfm’s first production with Sony Pictures as a result of the company’s distinct motion picture partnership. Production will begin in Summer 2022.
“Great relationships play an integral part in any artist’s success,...
With a script by Ridgeway and Noah Cooper, Lucid Summer is a dramatic psychological thriller about how a family navigates a hidden world of secrets while managing to keep secrets from one another. The film will be directed by American Black Film Festival (ABFF) alum Ridgeway. ABFF founder and Jfm CEO Jeff Friday will serve as executive producer along with Nicole Friday, ABFF Ventures president and Gm. The film marked Jfm’s first production with Sony Pictures as a result of the company’s distinct motion picture partnership. Production will begin in Summer 2022.
“Great relationships play an integral part in any artist’s success,...
- 12/19/2021
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: The Lamorne Morris and Jackie Earle Haley movie Death of a Telemarketer has landed at Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions.
The comedy-drama, which also stars Alisha Wainwright, Haley Joel Osment and Woody McClain, won the Fan Favorite Film Award at the American Black Film Festival last year.
Written and directed by recent University of Southern California Cinematic Arts graduate Khaled Ridgeway, Death of a Telemarketer follows a smooth-talking telemarketer (Morris) who finds himself at the mercy of the man he tried to swindle (Earle Haley) and must pass a twisted test on ethics if he wants to live to sell another day.
Matt McGorry, Gil Ozeri, Sujata Day, David So, Ian Verdun, Gwen Gottlieb, and Starletta DuPois round out the cast.
Datari Turner produced the film for Datari Turner Productions along with James J. Yi., and Meagan Good.
EPs are Jeff Friday, Phil Thornton, Leah Daniels-Butler, H.M. Coakley, Seth Gottlieb,...
The comedy-drama, which also stars Alisha Wainwright, Haley Joel Osment and Woody McClain, won the Fan Favorite Film Award at the American Black Film Festival last year.
Written and directed by recent University of Southern California Cinematic Arts graduate Khaled Ridgeway, Death of a Telemarketer follows a smooth-talking telemarketer (Morris) who finds himself at the mercy of the man he tried to swindle (Earle Haley) and must pass a twisted test on ethics if he wants to live to sell another day.
Matt McGorry, Gil Ozeri, Sujata Day, David So, Ian Verdun, Gwen Gottlieb, and Starletta DuPois round out the cast.
Datari Turner produced the film for Datari Turner Productions along with James J. Yi., and Meagan Good.
EPs are Jeff Friday, Phil Thornton, Leah Daniels-Butler, H.M. Coakley, Seth Gottlieb,...
- 10/29/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Sony Pictures Entertainment (Spe) is changing the game with its latest venture. The studio has revealed that they have inked a unique first-look deal with Jeff Friday Media (Jfm), the newly-formed production house launched by the company CEO Jeff Friday, founder of the annual American Black Film Festival (ABFF), which has become a leading festival and touchstone for Black content creators.
Under the multi-year deal, Sony will be offered first consideration for narrative feature films submitted to the Festival, and year-round access and introductions to emerging filmmakers discovered by Friday. In a time when Hollywood is actively seeking diverse and inclusive voices in front of and behind the camera, the deal will broaden Spe’s pipeline, ushering in the next generation of storytellers, and accelerating exposure and opportunity for filmmaking talent of color. Friday will serve as producer of the original films created by the talent he discovers.
“Diverse...
Under the multi-year deal, Sony will be offered first consideration for narrative feature films submitted to the Festival, and year-round access and introductions to emerging filmmakers discovered by Friday. In a time when Hollywood is actively seeking diverse and inclusive voices in front of and behind the camera, the deal will broaden Spe’s pipeline, ushering in the next generation of storytellers, and accelerating exposure and opportunity for filmmaking talent of color. Friday will serve as producer of the original films created by the talent he discovers.
“Diverse...
- 10/19/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
American Black Film Festival (ABFF) wrapped its 24th annual celebration with The Best Of The ABFF Awards. Taking place virtually and via the newly launched ABFF Play platform, the award ceremony was hosted by Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker with a simulcast on IMDb.
Presenters included Oscar nominated director Lee Daniels, Laz Alonso (The Boys), Bevy Smith (Bevelations), Logan Browning (Dear White People), Sinqua Walls (American Soul), La La Anthony (Power) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods).
The jury award for Best U.S. Feature went to Curtis, directed and written by Chris Bailey, while Hisonni Johnson was named Best Director for Take Out Girl, and Best Ccreenplay went to Addison Henderson for G.O.D – Givers of Death.
The first annual John Singleton Director Award for Best First Feature for a director of African descent went to Solomon Onita, Jr for Tazmanian Devil, while the Khaled Ridgeway-helmed comedy...
Presenters included Oscar nominated director Lee Daniels, Laz Alonso (The Boys), Bevy Smith (Bevelations), Logan Browning (Dear White People), Sinqua Walls (American Soul), La La Anthony (Power) and Spike Lee (Da 5 Bloods).
The jury award for Best U.S. Feature went to Curtis, directed and written by Chris Bailey, while Hisonni Johnson was named Best Director for Take Out Girl, and Best Ccreenplay went to Addison Henderson for G.O.D – Givers of Death.
The first annual John Singleton Director Award for Best First Feature for a director of African descent went to Solomon Onita, Jr for Tazmanian Devil, while the Khaled Ridgeway-helmed comedy...
- 8/31/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
The 24th American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach has wrapped its virtual edition, with Chris Bailey’s basketball drama Curtis picking up the best U.S. narrative feature prize.
Bailey’s drama stars Dwight Henry as a former basketball star searching the streets of Detroit for his lost championship ring as he battles mental illness.
The fan favorite award went to Khaled Ridgeway’s comedy drama Death of A Telemarketer, which follows Lamorne Morris’ telephone salesman as he’s held hostage after attempting to con a man to win an employee sales contest. Jackie Earle Haley, Alisha Wainwright and Haley Joel ...
Bailey’s drama stars Dwight Henry as a former basketball star searching the streets of Detroit for his lost championship ring as he battles mental illness.
The fan favorite award went to Khaled Ridgeway’s comedy drama Death of A Telemarketer, which follows Lamorne Morris’ telephone salesman as he’s held hostage after attempting to con a man to win an employee sales contest. Jackie Earle Haley, Alisha Wainwright and Haley Joel ...
- 8/31/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The 24th American Black Film Festival in Miami Beach has wrapped its virtual edition, with Chris Bailey’s basketball drama Curtis picking up the best U.S. narrative feature prize.
Bailey’s drama stars Dwight Henry as a former basketball star searching the streets of Detroit for his lost championship ring as he battles mental illness.
The fan favorite award went to Khaled Ridgeway’s comedy drama Death of A Telemarketer, which follows Lamorne Morris’ telephone salesman as he’s held hostage after attempting to con a man to win an employee sales contest. Jackie Earle Haley, Alisha Wainwright and Haley Joel ...
Bailey’s drama stars Dwight Henry as a former basketball star searching the streets of Detroit for his lost championship ring as he battles mental illness.
The fan favorite award went to Khaled Ridgeway’s comedy drama Death of A Telemarketer, which follows Lamorne Morris’ telephone salesman as he’s held hostage after attempting to con a man to win an employee sales contest. Jackie Earle Haley, Alisha Wainwright and Haley Joel ...
- 8/31/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: The 27th annual Austin Film Festival (Aff) has unveiled their first wave of programming for its virtual edition for the fest which takes place October 22-29.
In addition to panels, the writers-driven fest will feature the world premiere of Anne Rapp’s Horton Foote: The Road to Home, which puts the spotlight on the work of the titular Oscar-winning screenwriter of the 1962 adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Aff will also feature world premieres from second-round writers through the Festival’s Screenplay competitions, including The Catch from first-time director Matthew Ya-Hsiung Balzer as well as Paper Tiger, which also marks the directorial debut of Paul Kowalski. Khaled Ridgeway will also debut the Texas Premiere of his film Death of a Telemarketer starring Larmorne Morris, Haley Joel Osment, and Jackie Earle Haley.
Aff will spotlight Texas filmmakers with the North-American premiere of Blinders, directed by former Terrence Malick...
In addition to panels, the writers-driven fest will feature the world premiere of Anne Rapp’s Horton Foote: The Road to Home, which puts the spotlight on the work of the titular Oscar-winning screenwriter of the 1962 adaptation of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Aff will also feature world premieres from second-round writers through the Festival’s Screenplay competitions, including The Catch from first-time director Matthew Ya-Hsiung Balzer as well as Paper Tiger, which also marks the directorial debut of Paul Kowalski. Khaled Ridgeway will also debut the Texas Premiere of his film Death of a Telemarketer starring Larmorne Morris, Haley Joel Osment, and Jackie Earle Haley.
Aff will spotlight Texas filmmakers with the North-American premiere of Blinders, directed by former Terrence Malick...
- 8/27/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Patrick Stewart receives an honor, Nick Pillegi is working on a “Sex and the Shield” script, “Driveways” finds a home and the DGA honors student filmmakers.
Stewart Honored
Patrick Stewart will receive this year’s distinguished artisan award at the 7th Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards.
The event is set for The Novo at L.A. Live on Jan. 11. The announcement was made by Julie Socash, President of Iatse Local 706.
“Sir Patrick Stewart is a legendary actor whose myriad of characters live in our hearts forever,” she said. “He is so deserving of this special recognition spotlighting his award-winning stage and screen performances, and we celebrate his great collaboration with our talented artists.”
Presenting the distinguished artisan award to Stewart will be Brent Spiner, star of “Star Trek: Picard” and “Star Trek: Next Generation”; James MacKinnon, makeup and prosthetic artist for “Star Trek: Picard”; and Michael Westmore,...
Stewart Honored
Patrick Stewart will receive this year’s distinguished artisan award at the 7th Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards.
The event is set for The Novo at L.A. Live on Jan. 11. The announcement was made by Julie Socash, President of Iatse Local 706.
“Sir Patrick Stewart is a legendary actor whose myriad of characters live in our hearts forever,” she said. “He is so deserving of this special recognition spotlighting his award-winning stage and screen performances, and we celebrate his great collaboration with our talented artists.”
Presenting the distinguished artisan award to Stewart will be Brent Spiner, star of “Star Trek: Picard” and “Star Trek: Next Generation”; James MacKinnon, makeup and prosthetic artist for “Star Trek: Picard”; and Michael Westmore,...
- 12/4/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
AFI student filmmakers led the way with four wins at the DGA’s 25th annual Student Film Awards honoring African-American, Latino, Asian-American and female directors. USC students, who took home the most honors over the last two years, received three awards this year – tied with students from New York University. Columbia University, with two wins, was the only other school with multiple winners.
“We are honored to recognize the next generation of filmmaking talent as we celebrate the 25th Annual DGA Student Film Awards,” said DGA president Thomas Schlamme. “These awards are part of our ongoing efforts to encourage inclusion in the filmmaking community, and we’re proud that a number of our past winners have found success in film and television. We congratulate all of our awardees, and look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.”
The 2019 winners, selected by blue ribbon DGA member panels, are:...
“We are honored to recognize the next generation of filmmaking talent as we celebrate the 25th Annual DGA Student Film Awards,” said DGA president Thomas Schlamme. “These awards are part of our ongoing efforts to encourage inclusion in the filmmaking community, and we’re proud that a number of our past winners have found success in film and television. We congratulate all of our awardees, and look forward to seeing more of their work in the future.”
The 2019 winners, selected by blue ribbon DGA member panels, are:...
- 12/3/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Lamorne Morris is starring in “Death of a Telemarketer,” Wonderfilm has attached a director to “Greco’s Game” and Fantastic Fest will host the U.S. premiere of “I Lost My Body.”
Castings
Lamorne Morris, Jackie Earle Haley, Alisha Wainwright and Haley Joel Osment are starring in the independent comedy-drama “Death of a Telemarketer.”
The film, written and directed by Khaled Ridgeway, follows a too-slick-for-his-own-good telemarketer (played by Morris) who finds himself in a life or death circumstance when he is held hostage at gunpoint for trying to con a middle-aged man (portrayed by Haley) to win a sales contest at work. The film co-stars Matt McGorry, Gil Ozeri, Woody McClain, Sujata Day, David So, Ian Verdun, Gwen Gottlieb and Starletta DuPois.
Datari Turner is producing the film for Datari Turner Productions, along with James J. Yi and Meagan Good. Filming is underway in Los Angeles.
Castings
Lamorne Morris, Jackie Earle Haley, Alisha Wainwright and Haley Joel Osment are starring in the independent comedy-drama “Death of a Telemarketer.”
The film, written and directed by Khaled Ridgeway, follows a too-slick-for-his-own-good telemarketer (played by Morris) who finds himself in a life or death circumstance when he is held hostage at gunpoint for trying to con a middle-aged man (portrayed by Haley) to win a sales contest at work. The film co-stars Matt McGorry, Gil Ozeri, Woody McClain, Sujata Day, David So, Ian Verdun, Gwen Gottlieb and Starletta DuPois.
Datari Turner is producing the film for Datari Turner Productions, along with James J. Yi and Meagan Good. Filming is underway in Los Angeles.
- 9/11/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
New Girl alum Lamorne Morris, Alisha Wainwright (Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments) and Oscar-nominated actors Haley Joel Osment and Jackie Earle Haley has signed on to star in Death of a Telemarketer, and indie comedy-drama from Datari Turner Productions.
The film was written by recent USC Cinematic Arts graduate Khaled Ridgeway, who is also directing. The plot follows a too-slick-for-his-own-good telemarketer (Morris) who finds himself in a life or death circumstance, when he is held hostage at gunpoint for trying to con an middle-aged man (Haley) down on his luck, to win a hunger games-style sales contest at work.
Matt McGorry, Gil Ozeri, Woody McClain, Sujata Day, David So, Ian Verdun, Gwen Gottlieb, and Starletta DuPois also co-star in the pic, which is currently shooting in Los Angeles.
Datari Turner is producing the film alongside James J. Yi and Meagan Good. Turner recently wrapped production on the Netflix film Uncorked, directed...
The film was written by recent USC Cinematic Arts graduate Khaled Ridgeway, who is also directing. The plot follows a too-slick-for-his-own-good telemarketer (Morris) who finds himself in a life or death circumstance, when he is held hostage at gunpoint for trying to con an middle-aged man (Haley) down on his luck, to win a hunger games-style sales contest at work.
Matt McGorry, Gil Ozeri, Woody McClain, Sujata Day, David So, Ian Verdun, Gwen Gottlieb, and Starletta DuPois also co-star in the pic, which is currently shooting in Los Angeles.
Datari Turner is producing the film alongside James J. Yi and Meagan Good. Turner recently wrapped production on the Netflix film Uncorked, directed...
- 9/11/2019
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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