Exclusive: UTA has signed Walter Woodman, Patrick Cederberg, Matthew Hornick and Sidney Leeder, the filmmakers behind the creative collective shy kids, for representation in all areas.
A group of multi-faceted creatives based out of Toronto, shy kids has recently become synonymous with the OpenAI Sora filmmaking movement, with projects like the viral short film Air Head. Known for their style blending technology, innovation, humor and rhythm, they create most of their projects from scratch and are proficient in various aspects such as writing, directing, producing, shooting, editing, animating, VFX, and composing music.
Currently, shy kids is involved in producing series for such major entertainment companies as Disney, HBO, AMC, and Netflix. Notable projects the collective has worked on includes Lionsgate’s Nerve and The CW’s The Originals, as well as Netflix’s Emmy-nominated The Great Hack and Emmy-winning Athlete A.
In 2022, shy kids premiered their Ethan Eng-directed feature...
A group of multi-faceted creatives based out of Toronto, shy kids has recently become synonymous with the OpenAI Sora filmmaking movement, with projects like the viral short film Air Head. Known for their style blending technology, innovation, humor and rhythm, they create most of their projects from scratch and are proficient in various aspects such as writing, directing, producing, shooting, editing, animating, VFX, and composing music.
Currently, shy kids is involved in producing series for such major entertainment companies as Disney, HBO, AMC, and Netflix. Notable projects the collective has worked on includes Lionsgate’s Nerve and The CW’s The Originals, as well as Netflix’s Emmy-nominated The Great Hack and Emmy-winning Athlete A.
In 2022, shy kids premiered their Ethan Eng-directed feature...
- 4/30/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
Body Double (Brian De Palma)
When rewatching Body Double for the third time, its most striking element was, as on my first viewing, Craig Wasson’s performance. As central character Jake Scully, Wasson turns his conventionally attractive looks into an endlessly fascinating nebbishness and awkwardness. In an early scene, Jake simply walks to his car and jumps in the driver’s seat, yet Wasson manages to turn this casual action into one of the most amusing instances of purposefully bad acting. This unquestionably intended ridiculousness in fact informs an audience of the approach required by the entire film: just as it is difficult to take this ludicrous failed actor and naïve man seriously, Body Double itself is better enjoyed with a grain of salt.
Body Double (Brian De Palma)
When rewatching Body Double for the third time, its most striking element was, as on my first viewing, Craig Wasson’s performance. As central character Jake Scully, Wasson turns his conventionally attractive looks into an endlessly fascinating nebbishness and awkwardness. In an early scene, Jake simply walks to his car and jumps in the driver’s seat, yet Wasson manages to turn this casual action into one of the most amusing instances of purposefully bad acting. This unquestionably intended ridiculousness in fact informs an audience of the approach required by the entire film: just as it is difficult to take this ludicrous failed actor and naïve man seriously, Body Double itself is better enjoyed with a grain of salt.
- 3/17/2023
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Shout! Studios presents The Magic Flute by Florian Zigl, executive produced by Roland Emmerich, at 325 theaters with expansion likely. A reimagining of the Mozart opera, it follows a present-day teen sent from London to the Austrian Alps on singing scholarship at the legendary Mozart boarding school. There, he discovers a century old forgotten passageway into the magical world of Mozart’s famed opera.
This Harry Potter-ish adventure fantasy stars Jack Wolfe as Tim Walker, who passes from school into the world of the opera and its many adventures as hero Prince Tamino. Wide releases may be picking up steam and Scream, but in terms of new specialty, and family fare, these isn’t much new competition this weekend.
Melissa Boag, EVP of Family Entertainment at Shout! Studios, hopes it will play with fans of magical adventure, Harry Potter, and classical music. Wolfe is a star of Netflix YA series Shadow & Bone.
This Harry Potter-ish adventure fantasy stars Jack Wolfe as Tim Walker, who passes from school into the world of the opera and its many adventures as hero Prince Tamino. Wide releases may be picking up steam and Scream, but in terms of new specialty, and family fare, these isn’t much new competition this weekend.
Melissa Boag, EVP of Family Entertainment at Shout! Studios, hopes it will play with fans of magical adventure, Harry Potter, and classical music. Wolfe is a star of Netflix YA series Shadow & Bone.
- 3/10/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
My high school days ended before social media and school-shooting drills. We just had the odd bomb threat, apple exploding against an unsuspecting student’s skull, and mesh gym bags that solved zero problems whatsoever. So watching Ethan Eng’s Therapy Dogs and its meme-able events can be jarring. Especially uncomfortable moments, such as the non-joke “joke” of putting a fake gun to a classmate’s temple and capturing the reaction with the potential of showing millions. I can’t imagine the psychological ramifications of knowing at that age that everything you do, is done to you, can go viral instantly. How do you cope with that involuntary transparency? How do you process the uncertainty we all felt in our own eras with nothing to separate your private and public spheres of existence?
I think Eng and best friend Justin Morrice’s answer would be to lean into it full-throttle.
I think Eng and best friend Justin Morrice’s answer would be to lean into it full-throttle.
- 3/8/2023
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
The Slamdance Film Festival has announced the winners of their 2023 Jury and Audience Awards. In the Narrative Feature category, “Waiting for the Light to Change” took the top honor, while “Starring Jerry as Himself” pulled double duty as the winner of both Narrative and Jury prizes in the documentary category. The film’s own Jerry Hsu was awarded the festival’s Outstanding Acting Award.
Other Jury prizewinners include “The Underbug” for Breakouts Feature, “Palookaville” for Episodes, and “Millstone” in the Unstoppable program.
“Honeycomb” won the Audience Award for Episodes, and “American Pot Story: Oaksterdam” took home the prize for the Unstoppable competition.
This year’s Agbo Fellowship, presented by 2022 recipient and current Slamdance jury member Ethan Eng, was awarded to Tij D’Oyen. His short film “Lollygag” was featured as part of the Narrative Shorts competition.
Also Read:
Sundance 2023 Portrait Gallery: Jonathan Majors, Daisy Ridley, Sofia Coppola and More (Exclusive Photos...
Other Jury prizewinners include “The Underbug” for Breakouts Feature, “Palookaville” for Episodes, and “Millstone” in the Unstoppable program.
“Honeycomb” won the Audience Award for Episodes, and “American Pot Story: Oaksterdam” took home the prize for the Unstoppable competition.
This year’s Agbo Fellowship, presented by 2022 recipient and current Slamdance jury member Ethan Eng, was awarded to Tij D’Oyen. His short film “Lollygag” was featured as part of the Narrative Shorts competition.
Also Read:
Sundance 2023 Portrait Gallery: Jonathan Majors, Daisy Ridley, Sofia Coppola and More (Exclusive Photos...
- 1/27/2023
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Festival ran in Park City, Salt Lake City from January 20-29.
Linh Tran’s Waiting For The Light To Change and Law Chen’s Starring Jerry As Himself have won the 2023 Slamdance grand jury narrative and documentary awards this week.
The 2023 Slamdance Unstoppable Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Peter Hoffman Kimball’s, while the Breakouts Feature Grand Jury Prize went to Shujaat Saudagar’s The Underbug (India), and the 2023 Episodes Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Theodore Collatos’s Palookaville.
The Agbo Fellowship, presented by 2022 recipient and current Slamdance jury member Ethan Eng, went to Tij D’Oyen at the January 26 ceremony.
Linh Tran’s Waiting For The Light To Change and Law Chen’s Starring Jerry As Himself have won the 2023 Slamdance grand jury narrative and documentary awards this week.
The 2023 Slamdance Unstoppable Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Peter Hoffman Kimball’s, while the Breakouts Feature Grand Jury Prize went to Shujaat Saudagar’s The Underbug (India), and the 2023 Episodes Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Theodore Collatos’s Palookaville.
The Agbo Fellowship, presented by 2022 recipient and current Slamdance jury member Ethan Eng, went to Tij D’Oyen at the January 26 ceremony.
- 1/26/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
It’s the 25th anniversary of the San Francisco Independent Film Festival (Sf IndieFest) and it takes place February 2-12, 2023. This year’s festival includes 62 shorts and 35 features from 14 countries. There are 34 films that are local to the Bay Area.
“While the city might have changed over the last 25 years, Sf IndieFest’s mission and curation hasn’t,” says Festival Director Jeff Ross. “We still seek the new and unusual to present to San Francisco film fans.”
For 25 years, the mission of the San Francisco Independent Film Festival has been to seek out new film discoveries for Bay Area film fans to enjoy. Now, with the age of computerized algorithms, a human touch is needed more than ever to curate a unique cinematic experience. Sf IndieFest continues to provide new and unusual alternatives to the Hollywood Industrial Complex. As in the past 24 years, Sf IndieFest brings the freshest...
“While the city might have changed over the last 25 years, Sf IndieFest’s mission and curation hasn’t,” says Festival Director Jeff Ross. “We still seek the new and unusual to present to San Francisco film fans.”
For 25 years, the mission of the San Francisco Independent Film Festival has been to seek out new film discoveries for Bay Area film fans to enjoy. Now, with the age of computerized algorithms, a human touch is needed more than ever to curate a unique cinematic experience. Sf IndieFest continues to provide new and unusual alternatives to the Hollywood Industrial Complex. As in the past 24 years, Sf IndieFest brings the freshest...
- 1/17/2023
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
Both titles to release in Q1 2023.
Utopia has acquired two Slamdance 2022 selections, taking worldwide rights to audience award winner The Civil Dead and the world excluding Canada to Therapy Dogs.
Comedy The Civil Dead (pictured) stars Clay Tatum, Whitmer Thomas and DeMorge Brown and is styled as a buddy move with a supernatural twist. A photographer encounters a long-lost friend from the past which strains his marriage and leads to him to question his sanity.
Tatum developed the film and shot it during the pandemic from a screenplay he co-wrote with Thomas. Civil Dead won the audience award for narrative...
Utopia has acquired two Slamdance 2022 selections, taking worldwide rights to audience award winner The Civil Dead and the world excluding Canada to Therapy Dogs.
Comedy The Civil Dead (pictured) stars Clay Tatum, Whitmer Thomas and DeMorge Brown and is styled as a buddy move with a supernatural twist. A photographer encounters a long-lost friend from the past which strains his marriage and leads to him to question his sanity.
Tatum developed the film and shot it during the pandemic from a screenplay he co-wrote with Thomas. Civil Dead won the audience award for narrative...
- 7/18/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Utopia takes worldwide rights to Slamdance award winner ‘The Civil Dead’, ‘Therapy Dogs’ (exclusive)
Both titles to release in Q1 2023.
Utopia has acquired two Slamdance 2022 selections, taking worldwide rights to audience award winner The Civil Dead and the world excluding Canada to Therapy Dogs.
Comedy The Civil Dead (pictured) stars Clay Tatum, Whitmer Thomas and DeMorge Brown and is styled as a buddy move with a supernatural twist. A photographer encounters a long-lost friend from the past which strains his marriage and leads to him to question his sanity.
Tatum developed the film and shot it during the pandemic from a screenplay he co-wrote with Thomas. Civil Dead won the audience award for narrative...
Utopia has acquired two Slamdance 2022 selections, taking worldwide rights to audience award winner The Civil Dead and the world excluding Canada to Therapy Dogs.
Comedy The Civil Dead (pictured) stars Clay Tatum, Whitmer Thomas and DeMorge Brown and is styled as a buddy move with a supernatural twist. A photographer encounters a long-lost friend from the past which strains his marriage and leads to him to question his sanity.
Tatum developed the film and shot it during the pandemic from a screenplay he co-wrote with Thomas. Civil Dead won the audience award for narrative...
- 7/18/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The 2022 Slamdance Film Festival has announced the winners of their annual Sparky Awards.
The film festival focused on the works of emerging artists began its 28th edition on Jan. 27, hosting 23 premieres of films chosen from over 8,000 submissions. The awards were announced at a virtual awards ceremony on Friday, with the winning films available for viewing on the official virtual Slamdance channel until midnight on Feb. 6.
The Slamdance Jury awarded the best narrative feature prize to “Hannah Ha Ha,” from directors Jordan Tetewsky and Joshua Pikovsky, and the best documentary feature prize to “Forget Me Not” from director Olivier Bernier. In addition to winning one of the top overall prizes, “Hannah Ha Ha” star Hannah Lee Thompson also nabbed the festival’s acting award. The other two grand jury prizes for features were presented to “Straighten Up and Fly Right” (in the unstoppables category) and “Killing the Eunuch Khan” (in the...
The film festival focused on the works of emerging artists began its 28th edition on Jan. 27, hosting 23 premieres of films chosen from over 8,000 submissions. The awards were announced at a virtual awards ceremony on Friday, with the winning films available for viewing on the official virtual Slamdance channel until midnight on Feb. 6.
The Slamdance Jury awarded the best narrative feature prize to “Hannah Ha Ha,” from directors Jordan Tetewsky and Joshua Pikovsky, and the best documentary feature prize to “Forget Me Not” from director Olivier Bernier. In addition to winning one of the top overall prizes, “Hannah Ha Ha” star Hannah Lee Thompson also nabbed the festival’s acting award. The other two grand jury prizes for features were presented to “Straighten Up and Fly Right” (in the unstoppables category) and “Killing the Eunuch Khan” (in the...
- 2/5/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
The 28th Slamdance Film Festival today announced its winners, with the Audience Awards going to The Civil Dead, directed by Clay Tatum, for Narrative Feature; Iron Family, directed by Patrick Longstreth winning the Audience Award for Documentary Feature and The Ember Knight Show: “Getting Mad” directed by Bobby McCoy taking home the Audience Award in the Episodes subcategory.
The Narrative Feature Grand Jury prize was awarded to Hannah Ha Ha (USA) directed by Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky. A statement from the jury called it “a beautiful film in the vein of the American working-class cinema from the ’70s and ’80s…chosen for its incredible lead actor and its sensitive portrayal of the quiet eradication of a community by powers beyond their control.”
The Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize was awarded to director Olivier Bernier’s Forget Me Not which the jury said used “intimate moments in a family’s...
The Narrative Feature Grand Jury prize was awarded to Hannah Ha Ha (USA) directed by Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky. A statement from the jury called it “a beautiful film in the vein of the American working-class cinema from the ’70s and ’80s…chosen for its incredible lead actor and its sensitive portrayal of the quiet eradication of a community by powers beyond their control.”
The Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize was awarded to director Olivier Bernier’s Forget Me Not which the jury said used “intimate moments in a family’s...
- 2/4/2022
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The 28th Slamdance Film Festival announced its awards winners on Friday, with Grand Jury Awards going to “Hannah Ha Ha” for Narrative Feature, “Forget Me Not” for Documentary Feature, “Killing the Eunuch Khan” for Breakout Feature and “Straighten Up and Fly Right” for Unstoppable Feature.
The Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature went to “The Civil Dead,” while “Iron Family” scooped up the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature. “The Ember Knight Show: ‘Getting Mad'” received the Audience Award for Episodes.
“We congratulate the winners of Slamdance 2022 and every one of our filmmakers who together created a showcase that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling,” said Slamdance President and Co-founder Peter Baxter. “The future of film depends on these unique voices who defy simple classification and transcend analytics. Key to supporting this endeavor is accessibility and the major growth of our online audience who’ve tuned into the new Slamdance Channel.
The Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature went to “The Civil Dead,” while “Iron Family” scooped up the Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature. “The Ember Knight Show: ‘Getting Mad'” received the Audience Award for Episodes.
“We congratulate the winners of Slamdance 2022 and every one of our filmmakers who together created a showcase that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling,” said Slamdance President and Co-founder Peter Baxter. “The future of film depends on these unique voices who defy simple classification and transcend analytics. Key to supporting this endeavor is accessibility and the major growth of our online audience who’ve tuned into the new Slamdance Channel.
- 2/4/2022
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
All winners will continue to play on Slamdance Channel until midnight February 6.
Hannah Ha Ha directed by Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky earned the Narrative Feature Grand Jury prize, while the Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Olivier Bernier’s Forget Me Not.
In other awards announced on Friday (4) the 2022 Slamdance Unstoppable Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Straighten Up And Fly Right by Steven Tanenbaum and Kristen Abate and the George Starks Spirit of Slamdance Award, voted on by filmmakers and given to the filmmaker who best embodies the spirit of the Festival, went to Sasha Levinson,...
Hannah Ha Ha directed by Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky earned the Narrative Feature Grand Jury prize, while the Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Olivier Bernier’s Forget Me Not.
In other awards announced on Friday (4) the 2022 Slamdance Unstoppable Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Straighten Up And Fly Right by Steven Tanenbaum and Kristen Abate and the George Starks Spirit of Slamdance Award, voted on by filmmakers and given to the filmmaker who best embodies the spirit of the Festival, went to Sasha Levinson,...
- 2/4/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Not the only festival to shift plans during the pandemic, Slamdance Film Festival will take place virtually from January 27 through February 6 with quite an accessible All-Access Pass for just $10. Year after year, the event has championed truly independent filmmaking and the 2022 edition is no different. One of the most intriguing films in this year’s slate, Therapy Dogs, is executive produced by festival alums Matthew Miller and Matt Johnson, and ahead of the world premiere, we’re pleased to debut the exclusive trailer.
Directed by Ethan Eng, who co-wrote the script and stars in the film with Justin Morrice, the film follows two best friends who set out to create the ultimate senior video for their graduating class of 2019. With an anarchic spirit to closing out their high school era, the film looks to be an authentic portrayal of this moment in life, with the energy of Project X and...
Directed by Ethan Eng, who co-wrote the script and stars in the film with Justin Morrice, the film follows two best friends who set out to create the ultimate senior video for their graduating class of 2019. With an anarchic spirit to closing out their high school era, the film looks to be an authentic portrayal of this moment in life, with the energy of Project X and...
- 1/19/2022
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
As we look ahead to the new year, one of the first festivals of 2022 has unveiled its lineup. Slamdance Film Festival will return to both Park City, Utah for a physical festival from January 20-23, 2022, along with holding virtual screenings from January 20-30, 2022. With a lineup of 28 features, 79 shorts, and 7 episodes, the feature competition lineup was chosen from over 1,124 submissions.
“We are anti-algorithm. That’s always been true, but it’s more urgent than ever as we continue to celebrate truly unique voices that defy simple classification and transcend analytics,” said Slamdance President and co-founder Peter Baxter. “This year our programmers gravitated towards films that embody the true DIY spirit of guerrilla filmmaking and push the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling. The Slamdance team is honored to introduce everyone of these storytellers, who are changing the media narrative and elevating the art form of independent film.”
See the lineup below.
“We are anti-algorithm. That’s always been true, but it’s more urgent than ever as we continue to celebrate truly unique voices that defy simple classification and transcend analytics,” said Slamdance President and co-founder Peter Baxter. “This year our programmers gravitated towards films that embody the true DIY spirit of guerrilla filmmaking and push the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling. The Slamdance team is honored to introduce everyone of these storytellers, who are changing the media narrative and elevating the art form of independent film.”
See the lineup below.
- 12/9/2021
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Slamdance has announced the full film lineup lineup for its 2022 edition, with a feature film competition that boasts 23 premieres, including 13 world premieres, six North American premieres, and four U.S. debuts.
The independent film festival, known for its “by filmmakers, for filmmakers” mentality, will showcase a total of 28 features, 79 shorts, and seven episodes during its 28th edition. Slamdance will be presented in a hybrid fashion, with a physical festival returning to Park City, Utah, from Jan. 20-23, bridged with an “accessible and robust” program of virtual screenings, running Jan. 20-30.
“We are anti-algorithm. That’s always been true, but it’s more urgent than ever as we continue to celebrate truly unique voices that defy simple classification and transcend analytics,” Peter Baxter, Slamdance president and co-founder, said in a statement announcing this year’s lineup.
“This year our programmers gravitated towards films that embody the true DIY spirit of guerrilla...
The independent film festival, known for its “by filmmakers, for filmmakers” mentality, will showcase a total of 28 features, 79 shorts, and seven episodes during its 28th edition. Slamdance will be presented in a hybrid fashion, with a physical festival returning to Park City, Utah, from Jan. 20-23, bridged with an “accessible and robust” program of virtual screenings, running Jan. 20-30.
“We are anti-algorithm. That’s always been true, but it’s more urgent than ever as we continue to celebrate truly unique voices that defy simple classification and transcend analytics,” Peter Baxter, Slamdance president and co-founder, said in a statement announcing this year’s lineup.
“This year our programmers gravitated towards films that embody the true DIY spirit of guerrilla...
- 12/8/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
The 2022 Slamdance Film Festival is returning to Park City, Utah, for a hybrid edition, with the in-person festival running Jan. 20-23 and the virtual screenings to run from Jan. 20-30.
This year’s 28th edition includes 28 features and 79 shorts, with the Narrative Features section including world premieres for co-directors Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky’s Hannah Ha Ha, Avalon Fast’s Honeycomb, Clay Tatum’s The Civil Dead and Ethan Eng’s Therapy Dogs.
Slamdance programmers have yet to unveil the opening and closing night films for the 2022 festival. The Documentary Features sidebar unveiled world debuts for Danny Lee and Noah ...
This year’s 28th edition includes 28 features and 79 shorts, with the Narrative Features section including world premieres for co-directors Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky’s Hannah Ha Ha, Avalon Fast’s Honeycomb, Clay Tatum’s The Civil Dead and Ethan Eng’s Therapy Dogs.
Slamdance programmers have yet to unveil the opening and closing night films for the 2022 festival. The Documentary Features sidebar unveiled world debuts for Danny Lee and Noah ...
- 12/8/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2022 Slamdance Film Festival is returning to Park City, Utah, for a hybrid edition, with the in-person festival running Jan. 20-23 and the virtual screenings to run from Jan. 20-30.
This year’s 28th edition includes 28 features and 79 shorts, with the Narrative Features section including world premieres for co-directors Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky’s Hannah Ha Ha, Avalon Fast’s Honeycomb, Clay Tatum’s The Civil Dead and Ethan Eng’s Therapy Dogs.
Slamdance programmers have yet to unveil the opening and closing night films for the 2022 festival. The Documentary Features sidebar unveiled world debuts for Danny Lee and Noah ...
This year’s 28th edition includes 28 features and 79 shorts, with the Narrative Features section including world premieres for co-directors Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky’s Hannah Ha Ha, Avalon Fast’s Honeycomb, Clay Tatum’s The Civil Dead and Ethan Eng’s Therapy Dogs.
Slamdance programmers have yet to unveil the opening and closing night films for the 2022 festival. The Documentary Features sidebar unveiled world debuts for Danny Lee and Noah ...
- 12/8/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
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