Magnolia Pictures and Participant have released the trailer for “The Grab,” a new documentary from “Blackfish” director Gabriela Cowperthwaite.
“The Grab,” described as a global thriller, follows journalists from The Center for Investigative Reporting as they try to uncover the money and influence being used by countries, corporations and members of the uber elite to control the planet’s most vital resources. The film takes you “around the globe from Arizona to Zambia, to reveal one of the world’s biggest and least known threats,” per the official logline.
“’The Grab’ is a thrilling look at urgent threats to our national security and our very way of life,” said Courtney Sexton, Participant’s executive vice president, Documentary Film and Television. “We are proud to help bring this incredible film to life and are excited that it is part of our legacy.”
Last month, Variety exclusively reported that Participant was shutting down after 20 years.
“The Grab,” described as a global thriller, follows journalists from The Center for Investigative Reporting as they try to uncover the money and influence being used by countries, corporations and members of the uber elite to control the planet’s most vital resources. The film takes you “around the globe from Arizona to Zambia, to reveal one of the world’s biggest and least known threats,” per the official logline.
“’The Grab’ is a thrilling look at urgent threats to our national security and our very way of life,” said Courtney Sexton, Participant’s executive vice president, Documentary Film and Television. “We are proud to help bring this incredible film to life and are excited that it is part of our legacy.”
Last month, Variety exclusively reported that Participant was shutting down after 20 years.
- 5/8/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
Magnolia Pictures and Participant have partnered to jointly acquire North American rights to “The Grab,” a new documentary from “Blackfish” director Gabriela Cowperthwaite.
The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, follows journalists from The Center for Investigative Reporting as they work high-profile sources and utilize a cache of secret data to uncover the money and influence being used by countries, corporations and members of the uber-elite to control the planet’s most vital resources. Participant and Magnolia are positioning the film as a “high-stakes global thriller,” one that takes viewers from Arizona to Zambia as the moviemakers examine the food and water scarcity that’s resulting from this little-known power grab.
“We’re thrilled to reunite with our good friends at Participant and the great Gabriela Cowperthwaite who has, yet again, brought to light a nail biting, explosive, and essential story,” said Magnolia Pictures co-ceo’s Eamonn Bowles and Dori Begley.
The film, which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival, follows journalists from The Center for Investigative Reporting as they work high-profile sources and utilize a cache of secret data to uncover the money and influence being used by countries, corporations and members of the uber-elite to control the planet’s most vital resources. Participant and Magnolia are positioning the film as a “high-stakes global thriller,” one that takes viewers from Arizona to Zambia as the moviemakers examine the food and water scarcity that’s resulting from this little-known power grab.
“We’re thrilled to reunite with our good friends at Participant and the great Gabriela Cowperthwaite who has, yet again, brought to light a nail biting, explosive, and essential story,” said Magnolia Pictures co-ceo’s Eamonn Bowles and Dori Begley.
- 3/6/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Participant is bringing The Forgotten Revolutionary, based on journalist Adolfo Guzman-Lopez’s LAist Studios podcast Imperfect Paradise: The Forgotten Revolutionary, to the small screen. The company is simultaneously developing both a scripted and documentary limited series based on the podcast with producer Juan Devis. Rodney Lucas will direct the unscripted series, and Devis’ Ninetythree Media will produce.
The podcast follows host and reporter Guzman-Lopez as he investigates the death of college student and radio host Oscar Gomez. One of California’s Chicano student rights movement’s most prominent voices, Gomez was mysteriously found dead on the Santa Barbara shore in 1994. As Guzman-Lopez looks further into what happened, he revisits his own past and ties to the Chicano movement.
“We are looking forward to partnering with Participant on the production and development of both series, based on Adolfo Guzman-Lopez’s incredible true-crime investigative podcast from LAist,” said Devis. “Cross fading times and eras,...
The podcast follows host and reporter Guzman-Lopez as he investigates the death of college student and radio host Oscar Gomez. One of California’s Chicano student rights movement’s most prominent voices, Gomez was mysteriously found dead on the Santa Barbara shore in 1994. As Guzman-Lopez looks further into what happened, he revisits his own past and ties to the Chicano movement.
“We are looking forward to partnering with Participant on the production and development of both series, based on Adolfo Guzman-Lopez’s incredible true-crime investigative podcast from LAist,” said Devis. “Cross fading times and eras,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
As we wrap up our year-end coverage, IndieWire looks back at the people, projects, and ideas that defined 2023 — and what’s coming next.
As golden ages go, this one was more of a blip.
Five years ago, the box office celebrated nonfiction films: $22 million for “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” $14 million for “Rbg,” $17.5 million for “Free Solo.” Critical favorites and Oscar nominees included films from exciting American first-time directors, including RaMell Ross’s lyrical breakthrough about life in rural Alabama, “Hale County This Morning, This Evening” and Bing Liu’s moving personal exposé of domestic abuse in northern Illinois, “Minding the Gap.”
2023 lacked documentary touchstones. A few faith-based documentaries succeeded by preaching to the choir, but the most successful (non-concert) documentary released in theaters this year was the Yogi Berra baseball portrait “It Ain’t Over”. You also could include Magnolia Pictures’ “Joan Baez: I Am A Noise” or — if you...
As golden ages go, this one was more of a blip.
Five years ago, the box office celebrated nonfiction films: $22 million for “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” $14 million for “Rbg,” $17.5 million for “Free Solo.” Critical favorites and Oscar nominees included films from exciting American first-time directors, including RaMell Ross’s lyrical breakthrough about life in rural Alabama, “Hale County This Morning, This Evening” and Bing Liu’s moving personal exposé of domestic abuse in northern Illinois, “Minding the Gap.”
2023 lacked documentary touchstones. A few faith-based documentaries succeeded by preaching to the choir, but the most successful (non-concert) documentary released in theaters this year was the Yogi Berra baseball portrait “It Ain’t Over”. You also could include Magnolia Pictures’ “Joan Baez: I Am A Noise” or — if you...
- 12/19/2023
- by Anthony Kaufman
- Indiewire
Seven filmmakers will benefit from one of the most generous grants in the documentary field, as the North Points Institute today announced the recipients of the inaugural Diane Weyermann Fellowships.
The fellowship, named for the late Participant executive and producer who championed the careers of many leading documentary filmmakers and their work, will provide $100,000 and 18 months of mentorship to each of three nonfiction projects and their filmmaking teams.
“The three supported projects were chosen out of 401 submissions from 70 countries, through a 6-month selection process that included the Points North curatorial team and a jury of veteran filmmakers and programmers,” according to a release. “The projects include: The Last Nomads, directed and produced by Biljana Tutorov, co-directed by Petar Glomazić, and co-produced by Quentin Laurent, Rok Bicek and Eva Kuperman. The film is a co-production of Serbia, Montenegro, France, Slovenia, Belgium, and Croatia; The Production of the World, a co-production of Canada and USA,...
The fellowship, named for the late Participant executive and producer who championed the careers of many leading documentary filmmakers and their work, will provide $100,000 and 18 months of mentorship to each of three nonfiction projects and their filmmaking teams.
“The three supported projects were chosen out of 401 submissions from 70 countries, through a 6-month selection process that included the Points North curatorial team and a jury of veteran filmmakers and programmers,” according to a release. “The projects include: The Last Nomads, directed and produced by Biljana Tutorov, co-directed by Petar Glomazić, and co-produced by Quentin Laurent, Rok Bicek and Eva Kuperman. The film is a co-production of Serbia, Montenegro, France, Slovenia, Belgium, and Croatia; The Production of the World, a co-production of Canada and USA,...
- 9/16/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Three documentaries have been selected to to participate in the inaugural Diane Weyermann fellowship program, which will kick off Sept. 15 at Maine’s 19th edition of the Camden Intl. Film Festival.
The projects are: “The Last Nomads,” a co-production of Serbia, Montenegro and France, directed and produced by Biljana Tutorov, co-directed by Petar Glomazić, and co-produced by Quentin Laurent; “The Production of the World,” a co-production of Canada and USA, directed by Brett Story and produced by Jeff Reichert; and “Untitled Project,” a production of India, directed and produced by Shirley Abraham and Amit Madheshiya.
Each doc will receive $100,000 in unrestricted grants plus 18 months of creative support through retreats and mentorship via Ciff’s Points North Institute, the non-fiction creative hub based in Camden, Maine.
The fellowship was established to honor Weyermann, the former chief content officer at Participant and former director of the Sundance Institute’s documentary film program.
The projects are: “The Last Nomads,” a co-production of Serbia, Montenegro and France, directed and produced by Biljana Tutorov, co-directed by Petar Glomazić, and co-produced by Quentin Laurent; “The Production of the World,” a co-production of Canada and USA, directed by Brett Story and produced by Jeff Reichert; and “Untitled Project,” a production of India, directed and produced by Shirley Abraham and Amit Madheshiya.
Each doc will receive $100,000 in unrestricted grants plus 18 months of creative support through retreats and mentorship via Ciff’s Points North Institute, the non-fiction creative hub based in Camden, Maine.
The fellowship was established to honor Weyermann, the former chief content officer at Participant and former director of the Sundance Institute’s documentary film program.
- 9/16/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Netflix executive Lisa Nishimura backed some of the streamer’s biggest successes – Tiger King, The Tinder Swindler, The Power of the Dog, Making a Murderer, and American Factory – but in an era of corporate cost-cutting, it wasn’t enough to save her job.
Related Story Netflix Vets Lisa Nishimura & Ian Bricke Depart In Film Group Reorg Related Story Omar Epps Boards Netflix's Limited Series 'The Perfect Couple' Related Story IFC Center's John Vanco Joins Netflix To Oversee Programming For Streamer's Theaters
Her imminent departure as VP of independent film and documentary features, after a 16-year stint at Netflix, has come as a particular shock to the nonfiction film community, which saw her build Netflix into a dominant force in documentary and become, in the process, one of Netflix’s most visible execs.
(L-r) Lisa Nishimura, Taylor Swift and Ted Sarandos attend the Netflix 2019 Golden Globes After Party
“Lisa...
Related Story Netflix Vets Lisa Nishimura & Ian Bricke Depart In Film Group Reorg Related Story Omar Epps Boards Netflix's Limited Series 'The Perfect Couple' Related Story IFC Center's John Vanco Joins Netflix To Oversee Programming For Streamer's Theaters
Her imminent departure as VP of independent film and documentary features, after a 16-year stint at Netflix, has come as a particular shock to the nonfiction film community, which saw her build Netflix into a dominant force in documentary and become, in the process, one of Netflix’s most visible execs.
(L-r) Lisa Nishimura, Taylor Swift and Ted Sarandos attend the Netflix 2019 Golden Globes After Party
“Lisa...
- 3/31/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
CNN has scored its first Oscars win: “Navalny,” the harrowing film following Russian dissident and former presidential candidate Alexei Navalny, took the prize for documentary feature film at Sunday’s Academy Awards.
The documentary, directed by Daniel Roher, gained new relevance after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The CNN Films/Warner Bros. documentary is a fly-on-the-wall account of the rousing populist who was once a presidential candidate — and posed such a threat to Putin that Navalny was poisoned in a botched assassination plot ordered by the Kremlin in 2020. Navalny was detained in January 2021 and currently is serving a nine-year sentence in a Russian gulag. He has spent much of the sentence in solitary confinement.
Roher, in accepting the award, dedicated the Oscar win to Navalny and “to all political prisoners around the world”: “Alexei, the world has not forgotten your vital message to us all… We must...
The documentary, directed by Daniel Roher, gained new relevance after Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The CNN Films/Warner Bros. documentary is a fly-on-the-wall account of the rousing populist who was once a presidential candidate — and posed such a threat to Putin that Navalny was poisoned in a botched assassination plot ordered by the Kremlin in 2020. Navalny was detained in January 2021 and currently is serving a nine-year sentence in a Russian gulag. He has spent much of the sentence in solitary confinement.
Roher, in accepting the award, dedicated the Oscar win to Navalny and “to all political prisoners around the world”: “Alexei, the world has not forgotten your vital message to us all… We must...
- 3/13/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Neon has landed the North American rights to Orwell, the Raoul Peck- directed doc about the 1984 author.
The doc, which has the cooperation of the Orwell Estate and is currently in production, will tell the story of the English novelist who is known for his satirical and outright critiques of authoritarianism as seen in his two most famous works: Animal Farm and 1984.
Peck earned acclaim for his feature documentary that centered on the works of another author, James Baldwin, with 2016’s I Am Not Your Negro, which earned an Oscar nomination.
Alex Gibney produced the doc via his Jigsaw Productions, along with Peck for Velvet Films and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content. Stacey Offman, Richard Perello, Zhang Xin, Joey Marra, William Horberg, Jessica Grimshaw, Dawn Olmstead and David Levine, along with Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Courtney Sexton and Universal’s Johnny Fewings will executive produce.
“’Who controls the...
The doc, which has the cooperation of the Orwell Estate and is currently in production, will tell the story of the English novelist who is known for his satirical and outright critiques of authoritarianism as seen in his two most famous works: Animal Farm and 1984.
Peck earned acclaim for his feature documentary that centered on the works of another author, James Baldwin, with 2016’s I Am Not Your Negro, which earned an Oscar nomination.
Alex Gibney produced the doc via his Jigsaw Productions, along with Peck for Velvet Films and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content. Stacey Offman, Richard Perello, Zhang Xin, Joey Marra, William Horberg, Jessica Grimshaw, Dawn Olmstead and David Levine, along with Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Courtney Sexton and Universal’s Johnny Fewings will executive produce.
“’Who controls the...
- 3/9/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Documentary will examine the British writer’s life, work and legacy.
Neon has acquired North American rights to Orwell, director Raoul Peck’s documentary, currently in production, about author George Orwell.
Examining the British writer’s life, work and legacy and being made with the exclusive cooperation of the Orwell estate, the film is being produced by Alex Gibney for Jigsaw Productions, Peck for Velvet Films and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content. Stacey Offman and Richard Perello will executive produce for Jigsaw.
Zhang Xin, Joey Marra and William Horberg of Closer Media will serve as executive producers alongside Jessica Grimshaw,...
Neon has acquired North American rights to Orwell, director Raoul Peck’s documentary, currently in production, about author George Orwell.
Examining the British writer’s life, work and legacy and being made with the exclusive cooperation of the Orwell estate, the film is being produced by Alex Gibney for Jigsaw Productions, Peck for Velvet Films and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content. Stacey Offman and Richard Perello will executive produce for Jigsaw.
Zhang Xin, Joey Marra and William Horberg of Closer Media will serve as executive producers alongside Jessica Grimshaw,...
- 3/8/2023
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Neon has acquired the North American rights to Academy Award-nominated and BAFTA-winning director, Raoul Peck’s (I Am Not Your Negro) documentary Orwell, the definitive feature-length documentary on visionary author George Orwell, with the exclusive cooperation of the Orwell Estate.
Producers include Alex Gibney for Jigsaw Productions, Raoul Peck for Velvet Films, and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content. Stacey Offman and Richard Perello will executive produce for Jigsaw. Zhang Xin, Joey Marra, and William Horberg will executive produce for Closer Media, alongside Jessica Grimshaw, Dawn Olmstead, and David Levine of Anonymous, and Jeff Skoll and Courtney Sexton of Participant. Johnny Fewings of Universal Pictures Content Group will serve as executive producer on the film, which is currently in production.
“’Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past…,’ wrote Orwell in his novel, 1984. Today, the “newspeak” of authoritarian rule is alive and well and in unexpected places,...
Producers include Alex Gibney for Jigsaw Productions, Raoul Peck for Velvet Films, and Nick Shumaker for Anonymous Content. Stacey Offman and Richard Perello will executive produce for Jigsaw. Zhang Xin, Joey Marra, and William Horberg will executive produce for Closer Media, alongside Jessica Grimshaw, Dawn Olmstead, and David Levine of Anonymous, and Jeff Skoll and Courtney Sexton of Participant. Johnny Fewings of Universal Pictures Content Group will serve as executive producer on the film, which is currently in production.
“’Who controls the past controls the future: who controls the present controls the past…,’ wrote Orwell in his novel, 1984. Today, the “newspeak” of authoritarian rule is alive and well and in unexpected places,...
- 3/8/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Transgender sex worker doc ‘Kokomo City’ goes to UK, Scandinavia.
Magnolia Pictures International has secured key territory deals on two Sundance favourites – double prize winner Kokomo City and opening night documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything.
Kokomo City, the feature directorial debut of producer, singer and songwriter D. Smith, has sold to the UK (Dogwoof), Scandinavia-Baltics-Iceland (Nonstop Entertainment) and Benelux (Periscoop), with offers received for Spain and Israel.
The documentary won the audience and innovator awards in the Next section at Sundance, going on to an international premiere in Panorama Dokumente at the Berlinale this past Tuesday (February 21).
The film...
Magnolia Pictures International has secured key territory deals on two Sundance favourites – double prize winner Kokomo City and opening night documentary Little Richard: I Am Everything.
Kokomo City, the feature directorial debut of producer, singer and songwriter D. Smith, has sold to the UK (Dogwoof), Scandinavia-Baltics-Iceland (Nonstop Entertainment) and Benelux (Periscoop), with offers received for Spain and Israel.
The documentary won the audience and innovator awards in the Next section at Sundance, going on to an international premiere in Panorama Dokumente at the Berlinale this past Tuesday (February 21).
The film...
- 2/23/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights to “Little Richard: I Am Everything” from CNN Films following its premiere on Thursday at the Sundance Film Festival.
The film from director Lisa Cortés examines the seismic impact that Richard Penniman, known professionally as Little Richard, had on the origins of rock and roll, as well as his personal struggles with his sexuality and religious faith. The film uses archival footage, much of it involving his dynamic performances, to tell that story. Magnolia plans to release “Little Richard: I Am Everything” in April.
“Little Richard is the true king of rock and roll, the alpha and omega of wild, rhythm-based music,” said Magnolia Pictures President Eamonn Bowles. “Lisa Cortés does the legend proud, getting the true story that celebrates this icon who shook the culture in so many ways.”
“Rock n’ roll, race, and queerness are core to our culture — and our culture wars,...
The film from director Lisa Cortés examines the seismic impact that Richard Penniman, known professionally as Little Richard, had on the origins of rock and roll, as well as his personal struggles with his sexuality and religious faith. The film uses archival footage, much of it involving his dynamic performances, to tell that story. Magnolia plans to release “Little Richard: I Am Everything” in April.
“Little Richard is the true king of rock and roll, the alpha and omega of wild, rhythm-based music,” said Magnolia Pictures President Eamonn Bowles. “Lisa Cortés does the legend proud, getting the true story that celebrates this icon who shook the culture in so many ways.”
“Rock n’ roll, race, and queerness are core to our culture — and our culture wars,...
- 1/20/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Magnolia Pictures has scored worldwide rights to “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” which held its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Thursday evening. The distributor plans to release the film in April.
Directed by Lisa Cortés, the documentary explores the black queer origins of rock ‘n’ roll through the life and career of Richard Penniman. Drawing from performance footage and interviews with family and friends, scholars and fellow musicians, “I Am Everything” reveals how, as the synopsis puts it, Little Richard “created an art form for ultimate self-expression, yet what he gave to the world he was never able to give to himself.”
The film was selected to play at Sundance’s opening night, kicking off the festival’s U.S. Documentary program.
Also Read:
Sundance’s 20 Buzziest Movies for Sale in 2023, From ‘Cat Person’ to ‘Shortcomings’ (Photos)
“Little Richard is the true king of rock and roll,...
Directed by Lisa Cortés, the documentary explores the black queer origins of rock ‘n’ roll through the life and career of Richard Penniman. Drawing from performance footage and interviews with family and friends, scholars and fellow musicians, “I Am Everything” reveals how, as the synopsis puts it, Little Richard “created an art form for ultimate self-expression, yet what he gave to the world he was never able to give to himself.”
The film was selected to play at Sundance’s opening night, kicking off the festival’s U.S. Documentary program.
Also Read:
Sundance’s 20 Buzziest Movies for Sale in 2023, From ‘Cat Person’ to ‘Shortcomings’ (Photos)
“Little Richard is the true king of rock and roll,...
- 1/20/2023
- by Harper Lambert
- The Wrap
Acquisition titles spark early interest from Park City buyers.
Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights from CNN Films to Sundance selection Little Richard: I Am Everything in a deal that is understood to have closed on site in Park City as buyer interest begins to heat up on other available titles.
Lisa Cortés’ US Documentary Competition section entry premiered on Thursday opening night and explores the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll and the key role played by Richard Penniman.
Magnolia plans to release the film in April in the US and Magnolia head of international sales Lorna Lee...
Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights from CNN Films to Sundance selection Little Richard: I Am Everything in a deal that is understood to have closed on site in Park City as buyer interest begins to heat up on other available titles.
Lisa Cortés’ US Documentary Competition section entry premiered on Thursday opening night and explores the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll and the key role played by Richard Penniman.
Magnolia plans to release the film in April in the US and Magnolia head of international sales Lorna Lee...
- 1/20/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Magnolia International to launch sales at EFM.
Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights from CNN Films to Sundance selection Little Richard: I Am Everything in a deal that is understood to have closed on site in Park CIty.
Lisa Cortés’ US Documentary Competition section entry premiered on Thursday opening night and explores the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll and the key role played by Richard Penniman aka Little Richard.
Magnolia plans to release the film in April in the US and Magnolia head of international sales Lorna Lee Torres and international sales manager Austin Kennedy will launch sales...
Magnolia Pictures has acquired worldwide rights from CNN Films to Sundance selection Little Richard: I Am Everything in a deal that is understood to have closed on site in Park CIty.
Lisa Cortés’ US Documentary Competition section entry premiered on Thursday opening night and explores the Black queer origins of rock n’ roll and the key role played by Richard Penniman aka Little Richard.
Magnolia plans to release the film in April in the US and Magnolia head of international sales Lorna Lee Torres and international sales manager Austin Kennedy will launch sales...
- 1/20/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
CNN’s American Pain, investigative doc maker Darren Foster’s profile of pill mill kingpins Chris and Jeff George, is set for a Feb. 5 premiere.
American Pain had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival as it traces the rise and fall of identical twins from Florida who trafficked over 500 million in opioid pills while running sham pain clinics. The documentary will also stream on CNN.com and CNN Ott and mobile apps, or CNNgo where available.
“The George brothers were the biggest players among a colorful cast of characters who made millions during Florida’s pill mill boom. Together with their trusty suppliers — a pharmaceutical industry pumping out billions of powerful and addictive pills — they fueled the worst drug epidemic in American history,” director Foster, who conducted jailhouse interviews with the twin brothers, said in a statement.
Weaving together hundreds of hours of FBI wiretap recordings and undercover videos,...
American Pain had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival as it traces the rise and fall of identical twins from Florida who trafficked over 500 million in opioid pills while running sham pain clinics. The documentary will also stream on CNN.com and CNN Ott and mobile apps, or CNNgo where available.
“The George brothers were the biggest players among a colorful cast of characters who made millions during Florida’s pill mill boom. Together with their trusty suppliers — a pharmaceutical industry pumping out billions of powerful and addictive pills — they fueled the worst drug epidemic in American history,” director Foster, who conducted jailhouse interviews with the twin brothers, said in a statement.
Weaving together hundreds of hours of FBI wiretap recordings and undercover videos,...
- 1/11/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
In a bonus clip from “Carpool Karaoke: The Series,” longtime friends Lea Michele and Darren Criss drive through New York City singing holiday songs, including one of Criss’ own from “A Very Darren Crissmas.”
Earlier this month, new episodes of the series premiered on Apple TV+, featuring Sandra Oh and Duran Duran, Nikki Glaser and Wilco, Kevin and Michael Bacon (also known as The Bacon Brothers), Method Man and Chris Redd, the cast of Apple TV+’s “For All Mankind,” Ciara and Russel Wilson and Hillary and Chelsea Clinton along with Amber Ruffin.
“Carpool Karaoke: The Series” is produced for Apple by CBS Studios and Fulwell 73 Productions with executive producers James Corden, Eric Pankowski and Ben Winston.
Check out the clip below.
In other television news today:
Dates
Revolt has launched its first-ever investigative special, “The Real Thirst Trap,” covering Black communities across America battling systematic water pollution. The show premiered Dec.
Earlier this month, new episodes of the series premiered on Apple TV+, featuring Sandra Oh and Duran Duran, Nikki Glaser and Wilco, Kevin and Michael Bacon (also known as The Bacon Brothers), Method Man and Chris Redd, the cast of Apple TV+’s “For All Mankind,” Ciara and Russel Wilson and Hillary and Chelsea Clinton along with Amber Ruffin.
“Carpool Karaoke: The Series” is produced for Apple by CBS Studios and Fulwell 73 Productions with executive producers James Corden, Eric Pankowski and Ben Winston.
Check out the clip below.
In other television news today:
Dates
Revolt has launched its first-ever investigative special, “The Real Thirst Trap,” covering Black communities across America battling systematic water pollution. The show premiered Dec.
- 12/23/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Courtney Sexton has been named executive vp of documentary films at Participant, rejoining the company where she previously spent nearly a decade as an executive.
Sexton rejoins Participant from CNN Films, where she was overseeing a slate that included more than 50 original projects like recent releases Navalny, The Last Movie Stars, and Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down.
Food, Inc. and Page One: Inside The New York Times are among the titles she worked on during her time at Participant.
“Courtney is an exceptionally talented, compassionate executive with a track record of top-quality, purpose-driven content that connects with audiences around the world. We will forever be indebted to Diane for her tremendous films and impact, and Courtney’s return to oversee our documentary team ensures our commitment to continue that work,” said Participant CEO David Linde in a statement.
Sexton added, “I’ve...
Courtney Sexton has been named executive vp of documentary films at Participant, rejoining the company where she previously spent nearly a decade as an executive.
Sexton rejoins Participant from CNN Films, where she was overseeing a slate that included more than 50 original projects like recent releases Navalny, The Last Movie Stars, and Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down.
Food, Inc. and Page One: Inside The New York Times are among the titles she worked on during her time at Participant.
“Courtney is an exceptionally talented, compassionate executive with a track record of top-quality, purpose-driven content that connects with audiences around the world. We will forever be indebted to Diane for her tremendous films and impact, and Courtney’s return to oversee our documentary team ensures our commitment to continue that work,” said Participant CEO David Linde in a statement.
Sexton added, “I’ve...
- 11/17/2022
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Executive most recently served as SVP of CNN Films.
Participant has hired Emmy Award winner and former SVP of CNN Films Courtney Sexton to serve as EVP of documentary film and television, overseeing all the company’s documentary content.
Sexton will rejoin Participant at the start of 2023, having previously spent eight years as a development executive with the company. She will report to CEO David Linde, who made today’s announcement.
She follows Diane Weyermann, who joined Participant shortly after its creation in 2004 and went on played an integral role in developing the documentary division, overseeing such titles as Oscar winners Citizenfour,...
Participant has hired Emmy Award winner and former SVP of CNN Films Courtney Sexton to serve as EVP of documentary film and television, overseeing all the company’s documentary content.
Sexton will rejoin Participant at the start of 2023, having previously spent eight years as a development executive with the company. She will report to CEO David Linde, who made today’s announcement.
She follows Diane Weyermann, who joined Participant shortly after its creation in 2004 and went on played an integral role in developing the documentary division, overseeing such titles as Oscar winners Citizenfour,...
- 11/17/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Executive most recently served as SVP of CNN Films.
Participant has hired Emmy Award winner and former SVP of CNN Films Courtney Sexton to serve as EVP of documentary film and television, overseeing all the company’s documentary content.
Sexton will rejoin Participant at the start of 2023, having previously spent eight years as a development executive with the company. She will report to CEO David Linde, who made today’s announcement.
She follows Diane Weyermann, who joined Participant shortly after its creation in 2004 and went on played an integral role in developing the documentary division, overseeing such titles as Oscar winners Citizenfour,...
Participant has hired Emmy Award winner and former SVP of CNN Films Courtney Sexton to serve as EVP of documentary film and television, overseeing all the company’s documentary content.
Sexton will rejoin Participant at the start of 2023, having previously spent eight years as a development executive with the company. She will report to CEO David Linde, who made today’s announcement.
She follows Diane Weyermann, who joined Participant shortly after its creation in 2004 and went on played an integral role in developing the documentary division, overseeing such titles as Oscar winners Citizenfour,...
- 11/17/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Courtney Sexton, the SVP of CNN Films, is exiting the company after nine years amid word that the news network would scale back its original documentary films and series commissioned from third parties. She will soon rejoin Participant to lead its documentary content.
Sexton will serve as executive vice president of documentary film and television at Participant, overseeing all of its nonfiction storytelling. Before joining CNN, Sexton spent eight years as a development executive at Participant. She’ll return to the company at the start of 2023 and report directly to CEO David Linde.
Last month, new CNN boss Chris Licht announced that, as part of cost-saving measures, long-form documentary films and series coming from external sources would be no more. That includes many acclaimed and award-winning documentaries for which Sexton was directly responsible: including films like “Rbg,” “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain,” “Three Identical Strangers,” and this year’s “Navalny.
Sexton will serve as executive vice president of documentary film and television at Participant, overseeing all of its nonfiction storytelling. Before joining CNN, Sexton spent eight years as a development executive at Participant. She’ll return to the company at the start of 2023 and report directly to CEO David Linde.
Last month, new CNN boss Chris Licht announced that, as part of cost-saving measures, long-form documentary films and series coming from external sources would be no more. That includes many acclaimed and award-winning documentaries for which Sexton was directly responsible: including films like “Rbg,” “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain,” “Three Identical Strangers,” and this year’s “Navalny.
- 11/17/2022
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Courtney Sexton will return to her longtime former home Participant, where she’s been named executive vice president of documentary film and television.
Overseeing all unscripted content at the do-good studio, she will take her office at the top of 2023. She departs CNN Films after a decade, where she most recently served as senior vice president of film. At Participant, she will report to CEO David Linde. Sexton takes over the role previously held by venerated exec and attorney Diane Weyermann.
“Courtney is an exceptionally talented, compassionate executive with a track record of top-quality, purpose-driven content that connects with audiences around the world. We will forever be indebted to Diane for her tremendous films and impact. Courtney’s return to oversee our documentary team ensures our commitment to continue that work,” Linde said in a statement.
Sexton added she had “the good fortune to work with the brilliant team at...
Overseeing all unscripted content at the do-good studio, she will take her office at the top of 2023. She departs CNN Films after a decade, where she most recently served as senior vice president of film. At Participant, she will report to CEO David Linde. Sexton takes over the role previously held by venerated exec and attorney Diane Weyermann.
“Courtney is an exceptionally talented, compassionate executive with a track record of top-quality, purpose-driven content that connects with audiences around the world. We will forever be indebted to Diane for her tremendous films and impact. Courtney’s return to oversee our documentary team ensures our commitment to continue that work,” Linde said in a statement.
Sexton added she had “the good fortune to work with the brilliant team at...
- 11/17/2022
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Emmy-winning documentary executive Courtney Sexton is returning to the esteemed production company Participant, CEO David Linde announced today. She will oversee all of Participant’s documentary content as Executive Vice President of Documentary Film and Television from the start of 2023, having previously spent eight years as a development executive with the company.
Sexton most recently served as SVP of CNN Films and will now report to Linde. Her oversight of Participant’s documentary department builds upon the legacy achieved by the late Diane Weyermann, who joined the company shortly after its creation in 2004 and turned its doc division into an industry leader, overseeing such titles as Academy Award winners Citizenfour, The Cove, American Factory and An Inconvenient Truth. The latter climate change documentary spurred former Vice President Al Gore to say, “It is not an exaggeration to say she really did change the world.”
“Courtney is an exceptionally talented, compassionate...
Sexton most recently served as SVP of CNN Films and will now report to Linde. Her oversight of Participant’s documentary department builds upon the legacy achieved by the late Diane Weyermann, who joined the company shortly after its creation in 2004 and turned its doc division into an industry leader, overseeing such titles as Academy Award winners Citizenfour, The Cove, American Factory and An Inconvenient Truth. The latter climate change documentary spurred former Vice President Al Gore to say, “It is not an exaggeration to say she really did change the world.”
“Courtney is an exceptionally talented, compassionate...
- 11/17/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
In the lead-up to the upcoming “Andor” finale on Disney+, The Walt Disney Company will air the first two episodes of the series across networks including ABC, FX and Freeform, and also make it available to view on sister streamer Hulu.
“Andor” episodes “Kassa” and “That Would Be Me” will be made available on the following schedule across the Thanksgiving holiday, with Hulu offering an extended streaming window:
ABC: Wednesday November 23, 9 p.m. Et FX: Thursday, November 24, 9 p.m. Et Freeform: Friday, November 25, 9 p.m. Et Hulu: Available from November 23 through December 7
The two-episode finale for the Disney+ “Star Wars” series, which stars Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, premieres on Wednesday, November 23.
Additional cast members for the series include Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Fiona Shaw, Forest Whitaker and Andy Serkis. The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy, Tony Gilroy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Luna and Michelle Rejwan.
“Andor” episodes “Kassa” and “That Would Be Me” will be made available on the following schedule across the Thanksgiving holiday, with Hulu offering an extended streaming window:
ABC: Wednesday November 23, 9 p.m. Et FX: Thursday, November 24, 9 p.m. Et Freeform: Friday, November 25, 9 p.m. Et Hulu: Available from November 23 through December 7
The two-episode finale for the Disney+ “Star Wars” series, which stars Diego Luna as Cassian Andor, premieres on Wednesday, November 23.
Additional cast members for the series include Genevieve O’Reilly, Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, Fiona Shaw, Forest Whitaker and Andy Serkis. The executive producers are Kathleen Kennedy, Tony Gilroy, Sanne Wohlenberg, Luna and Michelle Rejwan.
- 11/15/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
It’s been a headline-making weekend at the Kelly-Giffords household in Tucson, Arizona.
The couple celebrated the news Friday that Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly had been re-elected to his first full term representing Arizona, winning a tight contest with Republican Blake Masters. That bulletin was followed by the announcement today that CNN will premiere Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, the acclaimed documentary about the former Congresswoman, next Sunday, November 20.
The film from Oscar nominees Julie Cohen and Betsy West, documents Giffords’ arduous rehabilitation from a near-fatal shooting in January 2011, a tragic event that stopped her ascent as a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Directors Betsy West (L) and Julie Cohen
“Directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West reveal incredible new, personal perspectives on the assassination attempt and recovery of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, following a devastating mass shooting event that...
The couple celebrated the news Friday that Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly had been re-elected to his first full term representing Arizona, winning a tight contest with Republican Blake Masters. That bulletin was followed by the announcement today that CNN will premiere Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, the acclaimed documentary about the former Congresswoman, next Sunday, November 20.
The film from Oscar nominees Julie Cohen and Betsy West, documents Giffords’ arduous rehabilitation from a near-fatal shooting in January 2011, a tragic event that stopped her ascent as a rising star in the Democratic Party.
Directors Betsy West (L) and Julie Cohen
“Directors Julie Cohen and Betsy West reveal incredible new, personal perspectives on the assassination attempt and recovery of former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, following a devastating mass shooting event that...
- 11/14/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Friday was a “sad day for the documentary film world,” one filmmaker told IndieWire after hearing the news that CNN Films will scale back on original documentaries from outside partners. The strategy shift means more than losing a major buyer; for filmmakers it means the great documentary gold rush had a good run, but it’s now over.
CNN is far from the only platform to tighten its nonfiction belt; cost cutting measures have also come for Netflix, Amazon, and Peacock. However, CNN was one of the last bastions for hardcore, capital-d documentaries that aspired to more than true crime or “Tiger King.”
“What’s happening across the documentary universe that’s troubling is we’re seeing more of the prestige outlets that have been traditionally for filmmakers to speak their truth and speak their story, they’re starting to dwindle,” said one talent representative within the documentary world, who...
CNN is far from the only platform to tighten its nonfiction belt; cost cutting measures have also come for Netflix, Amazon, and Peacock. However, CNN was one of the last bastions for hardcore, capital-d documentaries that aspired to more than true crime or “Tiger King.”
“What’s happening across the documentary universe that’s troubling is we’re seeing more of the prestige outlets that have been traditionally for filmmakers to speak their truth and speak their story, they’re starting to dwindle,” said one talent representative within the documentary world, who...
- 11/2/2022
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Diane Weyermann’s impact continues to be felt throughout the documentary field, with her presence evident on some of the fall’s most talked about nonfiction films, including Laura Poitras’s All the Beauty and the Bloodshed and Steve James’s A Compassionate Spy.
Today, the Points North Institute honored the legacy of the late chief content officer of Participant by establishing the Diane Weyermann Fellowship, an artists’ program “aimed at supporting global filmmaking teams in production on feature length documentary films that highlight stories of moral and ethical urgency.”
The announcement took place at the Camden International Film Festival in Maine, itself a program of Points North.
“We are incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to recognize Diane’s tremendous impact on the world of documentary filmmaking through this new Fellowship,” said Ben Fowlie, Points North Executive and Artistic Director and Founder of Ciff. “Diane has been a...
Today, the Points North Institute honored the legacy of the late chief content officer of Participant by establishing the Diane Weyermann Fellowship, an artists’ program “aimed at supporting global filmmaking teams in production on feature length documentary films that highlight stories of moral and ethical urgency.”
The announcement took place at the Camden International Film Festival in Maine, itself a program of Points North.
“We are incredibly honored and grateful for the opportunity to recognize Diane’s tremendous impact on the world of documentary filmmaking through this new Fellowship,” said Ben Fowlie, Points North Executive and Artistic Director and Founder of Ciff. “Diane has been a...
- 9/16/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
On Friday, during the 18th edition of the Camden Intl. Film Festival, organizers unveiled a Diane Weyermann Fellowship at Points North Institute.
Weyermann, the former chief content officer at Participant and former director of the Sundance Institute’s documentary film program, died last October of cancer. She was 66. In addition to an apartment in New York City, Weyermann owned a home in coastal Maine.
Ciff, run by Points North and concluding Sept. 18, is presenting several films Weyermann recently executive produced, including Laura Poitras’ Golden Lion-winning “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,” Margaret Brown’s Sundance-winning “Descendant,” Steve James’ “My Compassionate Spy,” which recently premiered at Venice and TIFF, and Geeta Gandbhir and Sam Pollard’s “Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power.”
“It’s so meaningful to be in Camden screening the film we made with Diane,” Brown told Variety during a special reception held in Camden in honor of the new fellowship.
Weyermann, the former chief content officer at Participant and former director of the Sundance Institute’s documentary film program, died last October of cancer. She was 66. In addition to an apartment in New York City, Weyermann owned a home in coastal Maine.
Ciff, run by Points North and concluding Sept. 18, is presenting several films Weyermann recently executive produced, including Laura Poitras’ Golden Lion-winning “All the Beauty and the Bloodshed,” Margaret Brown’s Sundance-winning “Descendant,” Steve James’ “My Compassionate Spy,” which recently premiered at Venice and TIFF, and Geeta Gandbhir and Sam Pollard’s “Lowndes County and the Road to Black Power.”
“It’s so meaningful to be in Camden screening the film we made with Diane,” Brown told Variety during a special reception held in Camden in honor of the new fellowship.
- 9/16/2022
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
CNN Films, Points North Institute Announce 2022 American Stories Doc Fellowship Grantees (Exclusive)
Click here to read the full article.
CNN Films and Points North Institute have revealed the five recipients of the 2022 American Stories Documentary Fellowship.
The artist development program fellowship supports independent documentary filmmakers who, from diverse points of view, are exploring themes unique to American experiences. The five filmmaking teams named as this year’s fellowship recipients include Ameha Molla and Rajal Pitroda; Gabriela Díaz Arp and Karla Claudio Betancourt; Paige Bethmann and Jessica Epstein; Jordan Lord and Abby Sun; and Julie Wyman, Lindsey Dryden and Jonna McKone.
The fellows will each receive a 10,000 production grant and have costs covered to attend an immersive week-long working retreat that runs concomitantly with the annual Camden International Film Festival (Ciff) in Maine. The retreat includes feedback sessions, workshops and individual as well as group discussions with veteran filmmakers and industry professionals.
Each of the 2022 filmmaking teams were chosen from 200 applicants from across the U.
CNN Films and Points North Institute have revealed the five recipients of the 2022 American Stories Documentary Fellowship.
The artist development program fellowship supports independent documentary filmmakers who, from diverse points of view, are exploring themes unique to American experiences. The five filmmaking teams named as this year’s fellowship recipients include Ameha Molla and Rajal Pitroda; Gabriela Díaz Arp and Karla Claudio Betancourt; Paige Bethmann and Jessica Epstein; Jordan Lord and Abby Sun; and Julie Wyman, Lindsey Dryden and Jonna McKone.
The fellows will each receive a 10,000 production grant and have costs covered to attend an immersive week-long working retreat that runs concomitantly with the annual Camden International Film Festival (Ciff) in Maine. The retreat includes feedback sessions, workshops and individual as well as group discussions with veteran filmmakers and industry professionals.
Each of the 2022 filmmaking teams were chosen from 200 applicants from across the U.
- 9/13/2022
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The official trailer for season 4 of “Virgin River,” the Netflix romantic drama based on the novels of Robyn Carr, has been released.
“Virgin River” stars Alexandra Breckenridge as Melinda Monroe, a nurse practitioner who accepts a job offer to move from Los Angeles to the titular North Carolina small town. The show follows Melinda as she adjusts to small town life and gets involved with romantic drama, particularly involving local restaurant owner Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson).
The Season 4 trailer picks off where Season 3 left off, with Melinda pregnant and unsure whether or not the baby is Jack’s or if the father is her late husband Mark (Daniel Gillies). The question causes strain in the two’s relationship, especially with Melinda eager to find out who the father is, while Jack tries to dissuade her from taking a paternity test.
In addition to Breckenridge and Henderson, the series also stars Colin Lawrence,...
“Virgin River” stars Alexandra Breckenridge as Melinda Monroe, a nurse practitioner who accepts a job offer to move from Los Angeles to the titular North Carolina small town. The show follows Melinda as she adjusts to small town life and gets involved with romantic drama, particularly involving local restaurant owner Jack Sheridan (Martin Henderson).
The Season 4 trailer picks off where Season 3 left off, with Melinda pregnant and unsure whether or not the baby is Jack’s or if the father is her late husband Mark (Daniel Gillies). The question causes strain in the two’s relationship, especially with Melinda eager to find out who the father is, while Jack tries to dissuade her from taking a paternity test.
In addition to Breckenridge and Henderson, the series also stars Colin Lawrence,...
- 7/8/2022
- by Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Max will premiere its six-part original documentary from CNN Films, “The Last Movie Stars,” on July 21. The docuseries centers on Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, and explores their personas, talent and love story. Four-time Oscar nominee Ethan Hawke (“Seymour: An Introduction”) directs, with Academy Award-winning director, writer and producer Martin Scorsese as executive producer.
The docuseries incorporates an abandoned project that Newman commissioned from friend and screenwriter Stewart Stern, who interviewed close friends, family, and artistic collaborators including Elia Kazan, Sidney Lumet, Karl Malden, Sidney Pollack, Gore Vidal, Jacqueline Witte and Joanne Woodward for a planned memoir. Newman was also interviewed by Stern, and discussed his childhood, his first marriage with Witte, his romance and life with Woodward and more.
Actors Karen Allen, George Clooney, Oscar Isaac, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Zoe Kazan, Laura Linney, Sam Rockwell and others voice parts of the original transcribed interviews. Hawke also interviewed some of Newman’s daughters,...
The docuseries incorporates an abandoned project that Newman commissioned from friend and screenwriter Stewart Stern, who interviewed close friends, family, and artistic collaborators including Elia Kazan, Sidney Lumet, Karl Malden, Sidney Pollack, Gore Vidal, Jacqueline Witte and Joanne Woodward for a planned memoir. Newman was also interviewed by Stern, and discussed his childhood, his first marriage with Witte, his romance and life with Woodward and more.
Actors Karen Allen, George Clooney, Oscar Isaac, Latanya Richardson Jackson, Zoe Kazan, Laura Linney, Sam Rockwell and others voice parts of the original transcribed interviews. Hawke also interviewed some of Newman’s daughters,...
- 6/21/2022
- by Sasha Urban and Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Max will debut all six-parts of Ethan Hawke’s documentary “The Last Movie Stars,” which premiered at SXSW and the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, on July 21. The series explores the personal lives and careers of actors Joanna Woodward and Paul Newman. Hawke, who previously helmed the documentary “Seymour: An Introduction,” directs all six entries in the CNN Films docuseries while Martin Scorsese serves as executive producer.
Central to “The Last Movie Stars” is a long-abandoned project that Newman commissioned from friend and screenwriter Stewart Stern. At Newman’s request, Stern interviewed close friends, family and artistic collaborators like Elia Kazan, Sidney Lumet, Karl Malden, Sydney Pollack, Gore Vidal, Jackie Witte, Woodward for a planned memoir. Newman was also interviewed by Stern to discuss his youth, his first marriage with Witte, his romance and life with Woodward, his personal demons, and the loss of his son, Scott.
“It...
Central to “The Last Movie Stars” is a long-abandoned project that Newman commissioned from friend and screenwriter Stewart Stern. At Newman’s request, Stern interviewed close friends, family and artistic collaborators like Elia Kazan, Sidney Lumet, Karl Malden, Sydney Pollack, Gore Vidal, Jackie Witte, Woodward for a planned memoir. Newman was also interviewed by Stern to discuss his youth, his first marriage with Witte, his romance and life with Woodward, his personal demons, and the loss of his son, Scott.
“It...
- 6/21/2022
- by Brandon Katz
- The Wrap
Updated with trailer: Briarcliff Entertainment on Tuesday dropped the trailer for Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, the upcoming documentary from Rbg and Julia directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen.
The feature-length pic is gearing up for a theatrical release July 15 after the distributor acquired it in April after its world premiere at SXSW. CNN Films will air it later this year.
Here’s the trailer:
Previous Exclusive, April 19: Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, the new documentary from directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen. The distributor plans to open the film nationwide July 15, with CNN Films planning to air it later in the year.
The doc, which premiered at SXSW last month, is viewed as an awards-season contender, with a 100 score so far on Rotten Tomatoes.
The project tells the story of Giffords, who was seriously wounded in a 2011 assassination...
The feature-length pic is gearing up for a theatrical release July 15 after the distributor acquired it in April after its world premiere at SXSW. CNN Films will air it later this year.
Here’s the trailer:
Previous Exclusive, April 19: Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down, the new documentary from directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen. The distributor plans to open the film nationwide July 15, with CNN Films planning to air it later in the year.
The doc, which premiered at SXSW last month, is viewed as an awards-season contender, with a 100 score so far on Rotten Tomatoes.
The project tells the story of Giffords, who was seriously wounded in a 2011 assassination...
- 6/7/2022
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
CNN Films and HBO Max have commissioned a new documentary about Little Richard, from Emmy-winning director Lisa Cortés (All In: The Fight for Democracy) of Cortés Filmworks. The film, Little Richard: I Am Everything (w/t), will take a deep dive into the life and career of the iconic musician, who did what he felt, and felt what he did—”at all costs”—presenting never-seen-before archival footage, as well as interviews with loved ones, colleagues, contemporary musicians and historians.
Richard Penniman, also known as Little Richard, lived a life as large as his dreams, breaking barriers and becoming a global music superstar. He was a key architect of rock and roll, with his unique sound, performance and bravado launching the fresh and exciting new genre. The creative genius behind tunes ranging from “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally” to “The Magic School Bus Theme” also personified the fearless independence that rock inspired,...
Richard Penniman, also known as Little Richard, lived a life as large as his dreams, breaking barriers and becoming a global music superstar. He was a key architect of rock and roll, with his unique sound, performance and bravado launching the fresh and exciting new genre. The creative genius behind tunes ranging from “Tutti Frutti” and “Long Tall Sally” to “The Magic School Bus Theme” also personified the fearless independence that rock inspired,...
- 5/16/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Julie Cohen and Betsy West’s Julia Child documentary Julia is to be given a linear TV showing on CNN later this month.
The theatrical feature, which is exec produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Michael Rosenberg, explores the celebrated TV chef’s near-10-year toil testing recipes and exchanging notes with two friends who shared her love of French food.
Featuring interviews with Child’s friends and family, the film explains her vast, enduring influence upon U.S. kitchens and culture.
Pioneering filmmakers Cohen and West are directors and producers are Holly Siegel, Justin Wilkes and Sara Bernstein.
The film will premiere on Memorial Day Monday 30 May at 8pm Est.
“Julia Child was a muse to so many of us who remember her hundreds of television appearances through the decades. We hope viewers will be delighted to discover – or rediscover – a woman who defied all expectations, pursued her passions,...
The theatrical feature, which is exec produced by Ron Howard, Brian Grazer and Michael Rosenberg, explores the celebrated TV chef’s near-10-year toil testing recipes and exchanging notes with two friends who shared her love of French food.
Featuring interviews with Child’s friends and family, the film explains her vast, enduring influence upon U.S. kitchens and culture.
Pioneering filmmakers Cohen and West are directors and producers are Holly Siegel, Justin Wilkes and Sara Bernstein.
The film will premiere on Memorial Day Monday 30 May at 8pm Est.
“Julia Child was a muse to so many of us who remember her hundreds of television appearances through the decades. We hope viewers will be delighted to discover – or rediscover – a woman who defied all expectations, pursued her passions,...
- 5/10/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
London-based documentary specialist Dogwoof has closed a host of sales for Daniel Roher’s “Navalny” and Jono McLeod’s “My Old School,” both of which premiered at Sundance and are screening this week at the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.
Roher’s riveting documentary thriller (pictured above) won the Festival Favorite Award and the U.S. Documentary Audience Award at Sundance. It follows the Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, as he and investigative news organizations Bellingcat and CNN try to unravel the botched effort to assassinate him in 2020.
Following CNN’s world premiere broadcast on April 24, TV rights were sold to BBC (U.K.), Rtl (Germany), Discovery (Italy), Svt (Sweden), Dr (Denmark), Nrk (Norway), Ruv (Iceland), Vrt (Belgium), Vpro (the Netherlands), Channel 8 (Israel), Yesdocu (Israel), Tvn (Poland), and Aleph (Romania).
The film was released theatrically last month by Warner Bros. Studios and Fathom Events in...
Roher’s riveting documentary thriller (pictured above) won the Festival Favorite Award and the U.S. Documentary Audience Award at Sundance. It follows the Russian opposition leader and anti-corruption activist Alexei Navalny, as he and investigative news organizations Bellingcat and CNN try to unravel the botched effort to assassinate him in 2020.
Following CNN’s world premiere broadcast on April 24, TV rights were sold to BBC (U.K.), Rtl (Germany), Discovery (Italy), Svt (Sweden), Dr (Denmark), Nrk (Norway), Ruv (Iceland), Vrt (Belgium), Vpro (the Netherlands), Channel 8 (Israel), Yesdocu (Israel), Tvn (Poland), and Aleph (Romania).
The film was released theatrically last month by Warner Bros. Studios and Fathom Events in...
- 5/4/2022
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Briarcliff Entertainment has acquired the North American theatrical rights to “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down,” the new documentary film from directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen.
The film is set for a nationwide theatrical release on July 15. CNN Films, which produced the project with Time Studios, still retains the broadcast rights and will show the film on CNN later this year.
“Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” tells the story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her inspiring rise in the Democratic party before she was shot in the head following an assassination attempt on her life in 2011. The film shows her long road to recovery, her strong bond and love with her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, and above all, her ongoing battle with the mental language condition aphasia brought on by her brain injury.
West and Cohen’s film premiered to acclaim at last month’s SXSW...
The film is set for a nationwide theatrical release on July 15. CNN Films, which produced the project with Time Studios, still retains the broadcast rights and will show the film on CNN later this year.
“Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” tells the story of former Arizona Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords and her inspiring rise in the Democratic party before she was shot in the head following an assassination attempt on her life in 2011. The film shows her long road to recovery, her strong bond and love with her husband, astronaut Mark Kelly, and above all, her ongoing battle with the mental language condition aphasia brought on by her brain injury.
West and Cohen’s film premiered to acclaim at last month’s SXSW...
- 4/19/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
AMC released the trailer for its upcoming original series, “Dark Winds.” Based on the “Leaphorn & Chee” books by Tony Hillerman, the noir thriller premieres June 12 on AMC and AMC+ with its first two episodes and a new episode each Sunday thereafter.
“Dark Winds” takes place in 1971, on a secluded outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Ariz. The series follows Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) as he is overcome by a string of what seem to be completely unrelated crimes. But, as he gets closer to the truth, the more he is visited by the wounds of his past. His new deputy, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), joins him on the journey, and he, too, has scores to settle from his years on the reservation as a young man. The two men join forces in the battle against evil, themselves and their demons as they travel the path to salvation.
“Dark Winds” takes place in 1971, on a secluded outpost of the Navajo Nation near Monument Valley, Ariz. The series follows Tribal Police Lieutenant Joe Leaphorn (Zahn McClarnon) as he is overcome by a string of what seem to be completely unrelated crimes. But, as he gets closer to the truth, the more he is visited by the wounds of his past. His new deputy, Jim Chee (Kiowa Gordon), joins him on the journey, and he, too, has scores to settle from his years on the reservation as a young man. The two men join forces in the battle against evil, themselves and their demons as they travel the path to salvation.
- 4/18/2022
- by Sasha Urban, Carson Burton and Wilson Chapman
- Variety Film + TV
Film was a hot title at Cph:dox last week.
UK-based Dogwoof has signed key theatrical deals including Germany, Italy and Australia-New Zealand for Daniel Roher’s documentary Navalny.
Following its international premiere at Cph:dox last month, the festival will release the film in Denmark on April 12, replicating the same one-day nationwide screening event taking place in the UK through Dogwoof.
Further deals for theatrical releases later in April have been signed for Italy (I Wonder Pictures) and Switzerland (Dcm) followed by Germany (Dcm) in May and Australia and New Zealand (Madman) in the summer.
Navalny is an investigation into the...
UK-based Dogwoof has signed key theatrical deals including Germany, Italy and Australia-New Zealand for Daniel Roher’s documentary Navalny.
Following its international premiere at Cph:dox last month, the festival will release the film in Denmark on April 12, replicating the same one-day nationwide screening event taking place in the UK through Dogwoof.
Further deals for theatrical releases later in April have been signed for Italy (I Wonder Pictures) and Switzerland (Dcm) followed by Germany (Dcm) in May and Australia and New Zealand (Madman) in the summer.
Navalny is an investigation into the...
- 4/8/2022
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Warner Bros. Pictures is teaming with Fathom Events for a special theatrical event of the Daniel Roher-directed documentary, Navalny, which had its surprise screening at the Sundance Film Festival and won the Audience Award in the U.S. Documentary Competition section as well as the Festival Favorite Award.
The movie about Russian government opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who targeted in an assassination attempt in August 2020, was acquired by CNN Films and HBO Max in early January before Sundance. Warner Bros. will screen the film in more than 800 theaters in North America on April 11 and 12.
The screenings will be followed by a special conversation with the filmmakers, to be moderated by CNN chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward. Ward has reported extensively from Russia and Ukraine, and specifically on matters related to Navalny, for several years.
Warner Bros. previously had success with the Fathom Events special theatrical release of the Peter Jackson directed 2018 WWI documentary,...
The movie about Russian government opposition leader Alexei Navalny, who targeted in an assassination attempt in August 2020, was acquired by CNN Films and HBO Max in early January before Sundance. Warner Bros. will screen the film in more than 800 theaters in North America on April 11 and 12.
The screenings will be followed by a special conversation with the filmmakers, to be moderated by CNN chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward. Ward has reported extensively from Russia and Ukraine, and specifically on matters related to Navalny, for several years.
Warner Bros. previously had success with the Fathom Events special theatrical release of the Peter Jackson directed 2018 WWI documentary,...
- 3/30/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. has officially acquired Sundance breakout documentary “Navalny” for theatrical release and set a special Fathom screening event only in theaters.
CNN Films, Warner Bros., and HBO Max have partnered with Fathom Events to present director Daniel Roher’s documentary thriller “Navalny” in special screening events April 11 and 12 across over 800 theaters in North America. The screenings will be followed by a conversation with the filmmakers, moderated by CNN’s chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward.
“Navalny” centers on the untold story of Russian dissident and presidential candidate Alexey Navalny, who was the target of a 2020 assassination attempt, allegedly ordered by President Vladimir Putin. On March 22, Navalny was sentenced to nine years in a maximum-security prison after he was convicted of fraud and contempt of the Russian court. Kremlin critics see the sentencing as an attempt to keep Putin’s primary rival behind bars for as long as possible.
“Navalny” premiered at 2022 Sundance,...
CNN Films, Warner Bros., and HBO Max have partnered with Fathom Events to present director Daniel Roher’s documentary thriller “Navalny” in special screening events April 11 and 12 across over 800 theaters in North America. The screenings will be followed by a conversation with the filmmakers, moderated by CNN’s chief international correspondent Clarissa Ward.
“Navalny” centers on the untold story of Russian dissident and presidential candidate Alexey Navalny, who was the target of a 2020 assassination attempt, allegedly ordered by President Vladimir Putin. On March 22, Navalny was sentenced to nine years in a maximum-security prison after he was convicted of fraud and contempt of the Russian court. Kremlin critics see the sentencing as an attempt to keep Putin’s primary rival behind bars for as long as possible.
“Navalny” premiered at 2022 Sundance,...
- 3/30/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
“Navalny,” the documentary about Russian dissident and political opposition leader Alexey Navalny who was just imprisoned by Vladimir Putin’s government, will now get a theatrical release from Warner Bros. Pictures and Fathom Events.
“Navalny” premiered to acclaim at Sundance earlier this year and was meant to debut through CNN Films and HBO Max. But that was before Russia invaded Ukraine, and with the Russian war still raging, the film will now make its debut next month in special screenings before it hits streaming, and it will still eventually debut through CNN+ and HBO Max and on broadcast via CNN Films.
Daniel Roher’s film “Navalny” will screen in more than 800 theaters in North America on April 11 and 12 in partnership with Fathom Events and Warner Bros. The screenings will be followed by a special conversation with the filmmakers and moderated by CNN chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward. Ward has reported...
“Navalny” premiered to acclaim at Sundance earlier this year and was meant to debut through CNN Films and HBO Max. But that was before Russia invaded Ukraine, and with the Russian war still raging, the film will now make its debut next month in special screenings before it hits streaming, and it will still eventually debut through CNN+ and HBO Max and on broadcast via CNN Films.
Daniel Roher’s film “Navalny” will screen in more than 800 theaters in North America on April 11 and 12 in partnership with Fathom Events and Warner Bros. The screenings will be followed by a special conversation with the filmmakers and moderated by CNN chief international correspondent, Clarissa Ward. Ward has reported...
- 3/30/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
CNN, which created the 24-hour news cycle, was also the first to know that it wasn’t enough. Facing increasing competition in real-time news, CNN executives confronted the new reality a decade ago: It needed to evolve or face obsolescence.
It all came down to one question: “What can you give viewers that makes CNN essential?,” Amy Entelis, executive VP for talent and content development at CNN Worldwide, told IndieWire in an interview at SXSW. The answer was more original, exclusive reporting, plus not-news programming from CNN Original Series and CNN Films to offer deeper takes on the people, places, and events that commanded appointment viewing.
Today, CNN faces another pivot. It ranks last place in the cable news ratings, well behind Fox News, but the 40-year-old company is betting that the March 29 launch of CNN+ will reinvigorate the brand. News delivered by boldface talent is of supreme importance; Wolf Blitzer,...
It all came down to one question: “What can you give viewers that makes CNN essential?,” Amy Entelis, executive VP for talent and content development at CNN Worldwide, told IndieWire in an interview at SXSW. The answer was more original, exclusive reporting, plus not-news programming from CNN Original Series and CNN Films to offer deeper takes on the people, places, and events that commanded appointment viewing.
Today, CNN faces another pivot. It ranks last place in the cable news ratings, well behind Fox News, but the 40-year-old company is betting that the March 29 launch of CNN+ will reinvigorate the brand. News delivered by boldface talent is of supreme importance; Wolf Blitzer,...
- 3/15/2022
- by Chris Lindahl
- Indiewire
Tell-all documentary feature Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over is to be one of the first major films to launch on CNN+.
CNN Films struck a deal to acquire the highly-rated documentary for the streamer, which will launch in the Spring.
Debuting at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and launching for international sales at this week’s European Film Market, Dave Wooley and David Heilbroner’s documentary is a deeply personal portrait of the songstress, who became the first solo African American female artist to win a Grammy and went on to win five more.
The film yields insights into Warwick’s rise to music superstardom, from singing in her grandfather’s church, to her life beyond the lights standing up to discrimination in the U.S. and around the world. It features an emotional archive interview with Whitney Houston along with narration from Warwick, who visits key places from throughout her life.
CNN Films struck a deal to acquire the highly-rated documentary for the streamer, which will launch in the Spring.
Debuting at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival and launching for international sales at this week’s European Film Market, Dave Wooley and David Heilbroner’s documentary is a deeply personal portrait of the songstress, who became the first solo African American female artist to win a Grammy and went on to win five more.
The film yields insights into Warwick’s rise to music superstardom, from singing in her grandfather’s church, to her life beyond the lights standing up to discrimination in the U.S. and around the world. It features an emotional archive interview with Whitney Houston along with narration from Warwick, who visits key places from throughout her life.
- 2/10/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
CNN Films has acquired the domestic rights to the music documentary about Dionne Warwick, “Dionne Warwick: Don’t Make Me Over,” which first premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival last year.
Dave Wooley produced, directed and wrote the film about the “I Say a Little Prayer” singer, and David Heilbroner also directed.
“Don’t Make Me Over,” which is named for Warwick’s first debut single, will be among the first to premiere on the upcoming streaming platform CNN+, which is launching later this spring.
Warwick became the first solo African American female artist to win a Grammy in contemporary vocal performance for 1968’s “Do You Know The Way To San Jose.” And in the film, Warwick narrates some of her own archival footage and visits or describes other locations that have been key to her life and career, from East Orange, NJ to the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
Dave Wooley produced, directed and wrote the film about the “I Say a Little Prayer” singer, and David Heilbroner also directed.
“Don’t Make Me Over,” which is named for Warwick’s first debut single, will be among the first to premiere on the upcoming streaming platform CNN+, which is launching later this spring.
Warwick became the first solo African American female artist to win a Grammy in contemporary vocal performance for 1968’s “Do You Know The Way To San Jose.” And in the film, Warwick narrates some of her own archival footage and visits or describes other locations that have been key to her life and career, from East Orange, NJ to the Apollo Theater in Harlem.
- 2/10/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Julia Child knew her way around a sauce the way Leonard Bernstein knew his way around a sympathy, the way Patrick Mahomes knows his way through a defense. That is to say, with panache.
The renowned cookbook author and pioneering TV personality is the subject of the documentary Julia, directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen, which is in contention for an Oscar nomination.
“Julie and I both grew up in a time of frozen food, weird Jell-o salads, mushroom soup casserole, and Julia changed all of that,” West tells Deadline. “Julia’s the reason why cooking shows are so incredibly popular, why Americans are much more adventuresome in the kind of food they eat. Julia introduced us to French food, but it just took off from there and America is a very different place after Julia.”
The documentary marks the second collaboration between the directors and CNN Films, the...
The renowned cookbook author and pioneering TV personality is the subject of the documentary Julia, directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen, which is in contention for an Oscar nomination.
“Julie and I both grew up in a time of frozen food, weird Jell-o salads, mushroom soup casserole, and Julia changed all of that,” West tells Deadline. “Julia’s the reason why cooking shows are so incredibly popular, why Americans are much more adventuresome in the kind of food they eat. Julia introduced us to French food, but it just took off from there and America is a very different place after Julia.”
The documentary marks the second collaboration between the directors and CNN Films, the...
- 1/29/2022
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Betsy West and Julie Cohen, the filmmaking team behind “Rbg” and “Julia,” have found their next project.
The duo will partner on “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down,” a look at the former congresswoman’s courage and perseverance in the aftermath of a 2021 assassination attempt the left her partially paralyzed and with the language impairment, aphasia. In total, 13 people were wounded and six were killed in the attack, including a 9-year-old girl.
The directors have been granted access to home movies that were taken at the hospital. It will also include current-day cinema verité footage documenting Gifford’s painstaking recovery from a gunshot to her head and emergence as one of America’s most passionate and powerful advocates for gun violence prevention.
The filmmakers tell a more personal story, as Giffords’ husband Mark Kelly gives up his job as a NASA astronaut to support his wife’s recovery, before launching...
The duo will partner on “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down,” a look at the former congresswoman’s courage and perseverance in the aftermath of a 2021 assassination attempt the left her partially paralyzed and with the language impairment, aphasia. In total, 13 people were wounded and six were killed in the attack, including a 9-year-old girl.
The directors have been granted access to home movies that were taken at the hospital. It will also include current-day cinema verité footage documenting Gifford’s painstaking recovery from a gunshot to her head and emergence as one of America’s most passionate and powerful advocates for gun violence prevention.
The filmmakers tell a more personal story, as Giffords’ husband Mark Kelly gives up his job as a NASA astronaut to support his wife’s recovery, before launching...
- 1/26/2022
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Oscar-nominated Rbg directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen are to tell the extraordinary story of U.S. congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ remarkable perseverance following an assassination attempt.
West and Cohen are teaming once again on Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down from CNN Films, Time Studios, Storyville Films and Lisa Erspamer Entertainment.
Giffords was the target of an assassination attempt 10 years ago, during which 13 people were wounded and six were killed, and the attempt left her with partial paralysis and the language impairment, aphasia.
Home movies taken at the hospital, and current-day cinema verité filming, show Giffords’ painstaking and miraculous recovery from a gunshot to her head, and her path to becoming one of America’s most effective advocates for gun violence prevention. The filmmakers also capture a remarkable love story. Nine years after Giffords’ husband Mark Kelly gave up his job as a NASA astronaut to support his wife’s recovery,...
West and Cohen are teaming once again on Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down from CNN Films, Time Studios, Storyville Films and Lisa Erspamer Entertainment.
Giffords was the target of an assassination attempt 10 years ago, during which 13 people were wounded and six were killed, and the attempt left her with partial paralysis and the language impairment, aphasia.
Home movies taken at the hospital, and current-day cinema verité filming, show Giffords’ painstaking and miraculous recovery from a gunshot to her head, and her path to becoming one of America’s most effective advocates for gun violence prevention. The filmmakers also capture a remarkable love story. Nine years after Giffords’ husband Mark Kelly gave up his job as a NASA astronaut to support his wife’s recovery,...
- 1/26/2022
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
CNN Films and Time Studios have announced a new documentary film about Gabrielle Giffords called “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” that will trace the former Arizona Congresswoman’s political career following an assassination attempt on her life.
Betsy West and Julie Cohen, known for the films “Rbg,” “Julia” and “My Name is Pauli Murray,” are directing the film that includes home movie footage of the 2011 shooting that left her partially paralyzed as well as tracking her U.S. Senate run for the state of Arizona in 2020.
Production on “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” is near completion, but no release date was set.
On Jan. 8, 2011, U.S. Rep. Giffords was the target of an assassination attempt by a lone gunman while she was engaged in a constituency outreach event in Tucson, Arizona. Giffords was shot in the head, and 13 people were wounded and six were killed, including a 9-year-old girl.
Betsy West and Julie Cohen, known for the films “Rbg,” “Julia” and “My Name is Pauli Murray,” are directing the film that includes home movie footage of the 2011 shooting that left her partially paralyzed as well as tracking her U.S. Senate run for the state of Arizona in 2020.
Production on “Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down” is near completion, but no release date was set.
On Jan. 8, 2011, U.S. Rep. Giffords was the target of an assassination attempt by a lone gunman while she was engaged in a constituency outreach event in Tucson, Arizona. Giffords was shot in the head, and 13 people were wounded and six were killed, including a 9-year-old girl.
- 1/26/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
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