In today’s film news roundup, film festivals in New Jersey and Idaho are being postponed, Oscar-nominated Jason Hall will direct wrestling drama “Unstoppable” and the StoryPlace Studios database of story content is unveiled.
Film Festivals
Amid cancellations of major film festivals such as Tribeca, events in New Jersey, Idaho and Beverly Hills have opted to postpone their festivals due to the coronavirus epidemic.
The Sun Valley Film Festival said it was scrubbing its 10th annual event until next year. The Idaho festival had been set for March 18-22.
“With over $5 million dollars of economic impact to the community, this was not a decision that was made lightly, but ultimately the protection of the public health and safety of the community is paramount,” the festival said.
The Montclair Film Festival in New Jersey will postpone all currently scheduled public programs, including classes, screenings, special events, and the ninth annual Montclair Film Festival,...
Film Festivals
Amid cancellations of major film festivals such as Tribeca, events in New Jersey, Idaho and Beverly Hills have opted to postpone their festivals due to the coronavirus epidemic.
The Sun Valley Film Festival said it was scrubbing its 10th annual event until next year. The Idaho festival had been set for March 18-22.
“With over $5 million dollars of economic impact to the community, this was not a decision that was made lightly, but ultimately the protection of the public health and safety of the community is paramount,” the festival said.
The Montclair Film Festival in New Jersey will postpone all currently scheduled public programs, including classes, screenings, special events, and the ninth annual Montclair Film Festival,...
- 3/13/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, “Save Yourselves!” and “Becoming” find homes, Cast & Crew buys Media Services, “Parasite” is getting a Criterion special edition and MethodFest unveils early titles.
Acquisitions
Bleecker Street has bought worldwide distribution rights to the survivalist romantic comedy “Save Yourselves!”
The film, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson from their own script, stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds, who portray a Brooklyn couple who find themselves dependent on technology and unable to put down their phones. They seize the chance to head to an isolated cabin in the woods but are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at Sundance in the dramatic competition. It will be released in theaters in the summer.
The film is produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
****
Gravitas Ventures has bought North American rights to the horror thriller “Becoming,...
Acquisitions
Bleecker Street has bought worldwide distribution rights to the survivalist romantic comedy “Save Yourselves!”
The film, directed by Alex Huston Fischer and Eleanor Wilson from their own script, stars Sunita Mani and John Reynolds, who portray a Brooklyn couple who find themselves dependent on technology and unable to put down their phones. They seize the chance to head to an isolated cabin in the woods but are blissfully unaware when aliens attack the earth.
“Save Yourselves!” premiered at Sundance in the dramatic competition. It will be released in theaters in the summer.
The film is produced by Keshet Studios’ Mandy Tagger Brockey and Adi Ezroni, alongside Kara Durrett.
****
Gravitas Ventures has bought North American rights to the horror thriller “Becoming,...
- 2/14/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The Method Fest Independent Film Festival, which was founded in 1999 and ran annually through 2010, is returning and has booked a March 22-28 run at Laemmle’s Ahrya Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills, it was announced today by Laemmle Theaters co-owner Greg Laemmle and festival co-founder Don Franken.
Launched in 1999 at the Laemmle Playhouse in Pasadena, the Method Fest, which focuses on indie features and actors’ performances, later moved to Calabasas for a six-year run. But in the wake of the 2008 recession and declining corporate contributions, it closed after its 2010 edition.
“Everyone ...
Launched in 1999 at the Laemmle Playhouse in Pasadena, the Method Fest, which focuses on indie features and actors’ performances, later moved to Calabasas for a six-year run. But in the wake of the 2008 recession and declining corporate contributions, it closed after its 2010 edition.
“Everyone ...
- 12/4/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Method Fest Independent Film Festival, which was founded in 1999 and ran annually through 2010, is returning and has booked a March 22-28 run at Laemmle’s Ahrya Fine Arts Theater in Beverly Hills, it was announced today by Laemmle Theaters co-owner Greg Laemmle and festival co-founder Don Franken.
Launched in 1999 at the Laemmle Playhouse in Pasadena, the Method Fest, which focuses on indie features and actors’ performances, later moved to Calabasas for a six-year run. But in the wake of the 2008 recession and declining corporate contributions, it closed after its 2010 edition.
“Everyone ...
Launched in 1999 at the Laemmle Playhouse in Pasadena, the Method Fest, which focuses on indie features and actors’ performances, later moved to Calabasas for a six-year run. But in the wake of the 2008 recession and declining corporate contributions, it closed after its 2010 edition.
“Everyone ...
- 12/4/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
December 3
– A24 has acquired North American rights to “The Souvenir,” the latest feature film by celebrated British writer/director Joanna Hogg, from Protagonist Pictures and 30West. The film, which was announced last week as part of the Sundance line up, introduces Honor Swinton Byrne and also stars Tom Burke and co-stars Tilda Swinton. It will be released theatrically by A24 in 2019.
The film “follows a quiet film student (Swinton Byrne) who begins to find her voice as an artist while navigating a turbulent courtship with a charismatic but untrustworthy man (Burke). She defies her protective mother (Swinton) and concerned friends as she slips deeper and deeper into an intense, emotionally fraught relationship that comes dangerously close to destroying her dreams.”
– Laemmle Theaters owner-operator Greg Laemmle and Don Franken, co-founder of The Method Fest Independent Film Festival, the only film festival dedicated to showcasing the art of acting, have announced that...
– A24 has acquired North American rights to “The Souvenir,” the latest feature film by celebrated British writer/director Joanna Hogg, from Protagonist Pictures and 30West. The film, which was announced last week as part of the Sundance line up, introduces Honor Swinton Byrne and also stars Tom Burke and co-stars Tilda Swinton. It will be released theatrically by A24 in 2019.
The film “follows a quiet film student (Swinton Byrne) who begins to find her voice as an artist while navigating a turbulent courtship with a charismatic but untrustworthy man (Burke). She defies her protective mother (Swinton) and concerned friends as she slips deeper and deeper into an intense, emotionally fraught relationship that comes dangerously close to destroying her dreams.”
– Laemmle Theaters owner-operator Greg Laemmle and Don Franken, co-founder of The Method Fest Independent Film Festival, the only film festival dedicated to showcasing the art of acting, have announced that...
- 12/3/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Indie Film Distribution/Production Company Rogue Arts has just signed a partnership agreement with Fairway Film Alliance to distribute films globally. The partnership began at Afm where three of Rogue Arts new titles were launched successfully. "We are creating these kind of relationships in order to be completely transparent with both our investors and our filmmakers. It is a great time of growth in our company", stated company founder, Kirk Harris. "Our goal is a new type of company where partnership with the filmmaker really means both the filmmaker and the distributor benefit from the proceeds and know step by step what is occurring with the films," stated Don Franken, also a Principal at Rogue Arts.
Rogue Arts has produced 8 films and Rogue Arts and Fairway Films Alliance has handled the distribution of more than 50 titles. Founded as a production company in 2004 by Actor/Filmmaker Kirk Harris, company executives now include Celebrity sports talent and marketing agent Don Franken, Retired Navy Special Forces Swcc Vernon Mortensen and Fairway Films Alliance's Marty Poole. "With over 20 years working film in film sales, and also as a filmmaker, I felt it was time to create a company by, with, and for the filmmaker" stated Fairway Films Alliance founder, Marty Poole. Another feature of the Rogue Arts and Fairway Film Alliance partnership is the unique blend of world sales, theatrical booking, digital content knowledge and PR and Marketing experience the principles have.
Recent produced titles include: The Kid: Chamaco, directed by celebrated Mexican producer Miguel Necoechea starring Martin Sheen, Kirk Harris and Gustavo Sanchez Parra. They also include the freshly completed Western Thriller The Sorrow, directed by Rogue Arts' Vernon Mortensen and starring Harris, John Savage and Michael Madsen.
Noted distribution titles include: "Flickering Lights" from Academy Award Winning Anders Thomas Jensen and starring Ulrich Thomsen and Mads Mikkelsen. Wim Wenders presents Michael Meredith's "Three Days of Rain" starring Peter Falk, Blythe Danner and Lyle Lovett and last but not least, "Spooky House" from director William Sachs starring Ben Kingsley and Mercedes Ruehl.
Rogue Arts titles have screened at the Sundance, Berlin, Toronto, Slamdance and Venice Film Festivals.
Recent titles that premiered at Afm were the FX action film "Time Warrior", Terrorist subway thriller "Red Line" and "The Sorrow". "Time Warrior" and "Red Line" were acquired through a new strategic alliance with the San Diego Film Festival to provide distribution for some of their premiere entries.
Additionally, Rogue Arts has two TV series in development as well as several feature projects of varying budgets in the pipeline. ...
Rogue Arts has produced 8 films and Rogue Arts and Fairway Films Alliance has handled the distribution of more than 50 titles. Founded as a production company in 2004 by Actor/Filmmaker Kirk Harris, company executives now include Celebrity sports talent and marketing agent Don Franken, Retired Navy Special Forces Swcc Vernon Mortensen and Fairway Films Alliance's Marty Poole. "With over 20 years working film in film sales, and also as a filmmaker, I felt it was time to create a company by, with, and for the filmmaker" stated Fairway Films Alliance founder, Marty Poole. Another feature of the Rogue Arts and Fairway Film Alliance partnership is the unique blend of world sales, theatrical booking, digital content knowledge and PR and Marketing experience the principles have.
Recent produced titles include: The Kid: Chamaco, directed by celebrated Mexican producer Miguel Necoechea starring Martin Sheen, Kirk Harris and Gustavo Sanchez Parra. They also include the freshly completed Western Thriller The Sorrow, directed by Rogue Arts' Vernon Mortensen and starring Harris, John Savage and Michael Madsen.
Noted distribution titles include: "Flickering Lights" from Academy Award Winning Anders Thomas Jensen and starring Ulrich Thomsen and Mads Mikkelsen. Wim Wenders presents Michael Meredith's "Three Days of Rain" starring Peter Falk, Blythe Danner and Lyle Lovett and last but not least, "Spooky House" from director William Sachs starring Ben Kingsley and Mercedes Ruehl.
Rogue Arts titles have screened at the Sundance, Berlin, Toronto, Slamdance and Venice Film Festivals.
Recent titles that premiered at Afm were the FX action film "Time Warrior", Terrorist subway thriller "Red Line" and "The Sorrow". "Time Warrior" and "Red Line" were acquired through a new strategic alliance with the San Diego Film Festival to provide distribution for some of their premiere entries.
Additionally, Rogue Arts has two TV series in development as well as several feature projects of varying budgets in the pipeline. ...
- 2/19/2013
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
James Ivory’s "City of Your Final Destination” will be the opening night curtain raiser at the 12th annual Method Fest, which runs from March 25-31 in Calabasas, Ca. and Aguora Hills, Ca.
"City" stars Anthony Hopkins, Omar Metwally, Laura Linney and Charlotte Gainsbourg in Ruth Prawere Jhabvala's adaptation of Peter Cameron's novel.
Other titles in the line-up include Bruce Webb's "The Be All and End All," Paul Hills' “Do Elephants Pray?," Dagur Kari's "The Good Heart," Marc Rensing's "Parkour" and Jeff Phillips' "UrFrenz."
"We now have become a worldwide showcase of quality independent film," Don Franken, the festival's executive director said. "We also have many world premieres this year. But, even more importantly, we have films with captivating performances, and riveting stories that...
"City" stars Anthony Hopkins, Omar Metwally, Laura Linney and Charlotte Gainsbourg in Ruth Prawere Jhabvala's adaptation of Peter Cameron's novel.
Other titles in the line-up include Bruce Webb's "The Be All and End All," Paul Hills' “Do Elephants Pray?," Dagur Kari's "The Good Heart," Marc Rensing's "Parkour" and Jeff Phillips' "UrFrenz."
"We now have become a worldwide showcase of quality independent film," Don Franken, the festival's executive director said. "We also have many world premieres this year. But, even more importantly, we have films with captivating performances, and riveting stories that...
- 2/25/2010
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 11th annual Method Fest Independent Film Festival, which runs March 26-April 2 in Calabasas, Calif., will kick off with Max Mayer's "Adam," starring Rose Bryne and Hugh Dancy.
The fest, named after the Method actor technique, will feature the world premieres of "A Deal is a Deal," starring Imelda Staunton and Colm Meany; "Anytown," starring Matt O'Leary; "Cat City," starring Rebecca Pidgeon and Julian Sands; "Dropping In: The True Story of Don Wimmer," starring David Klane; "Lunatics, Lovers and Poets," starring Leif Gantvoort; "The Parts Left Over," starring Beth Huggings and Bilal Mir; "Pig Hunt," starring Travis Aaron Wade and Les Claypool; "My Sixteenth Summer," starring Ali Deegan; Becky Smith's "16 to Life," starring Hallee Hirsch; "Stephanie's Image," starring Melissa Leo; and "The Twenty," starring Chopper Bernet, who also directed.
"We're delighted with this incredible lineup -- our best ever -- and with the continued great performances delivered by the world's actors,...
The fest, named after the Method actor technique, will feature the world premieres of "A Deal is a Deal," starring Imelda Staunton and Colm Meany; "Anytown," starring Matt O'Leary; "Cat City," starring Rebecca Pidgeon and Julian Sands; "Dropping In: The True Story of Don Wimmer," starring David Klane; "Lunatics, Lovers and Poets," starring Leif Gantvoort; "The Parts Left Over," starring Beth Huggings and Bilal Mir; "Pig Hunt," starring Travis Aaron Wade and Les Claypool; "My Sixteenth Summer," starring Ali Deegan; Becky Smith's "16 to Life," starring Hallee Hirsch; "Stephanie's Image," starring Melissa Leo; and "The Twenty," starring Chopper Bernet, who also directed.
"We're delighted with this incredible lineup -- our best ever -- and with the continued great performances delivered by the world's actors,...
- 3/5/2009
- by By Gregg Kilday
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Boxing drama Chamaco (The Kid) begins filming this week in Mexico City under director Miguel Necoechea.
The films stars Alex Perea as an aspiring Olympic boxer as well as Martin Sheen and Kirk Harris, who become his mentors. The film is co-produced by Ivania Films of Mexico City and Rogue Arts of Los Angeles. Don Franken, Necoechea and Harris are producing from a screenplay by Necoechea, Harris and Carl Bessai. Exec producers are Bruce Randolph Tizes and Philip Bligh, both of Radio London Films, which has acquired U.S. and Canada distribution rights.
The films stars Alex Perea as an aspiring Olympic boxer as well as Martin Sheen and Kirk Harris, who become his mentors. The film is co-produced by Ivania Films of Mexico City and Rogue Arts of Los Angeles. Don Franken, Necoechea and Harris are producing from a screenplay by Necoechea, Harris and Carl Bessai. Exec producers are Bruce Randolph Tizes and Philip Bligh, both of Radio London Films, which has acquired U.S. and Canada distribution rights.
- 11/19/2007
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Brad Gann's Black Irish, starring Michael Angarano, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Guiry and Melissa Leo, picked up the city of Calabasas' best picture award at the ninth annual Method Fest.
Angarano also won for best actor, while Scout Taylor-Compton won as best actress for her role in Tomorrow Is Today.
"What defined this year's festival was the emergence of so many talented young actors and filmmakers," fest exec director Don Franken said Thursday at Viewpoint School's Carlson Family Theatre in Calabasas, Calif.
Supporting actress in a feature film went to Dagmara Dominczyk for Mentor, while supporting actor went to Black Irish's Guiry.
The audience award for best picture was presented to Destiny, directed by Vage Khacatryan, produced by Haig Bagerdjian and Kolya Khachaturov and starring Gor Vardanyan, Yevgeni Kamash and Svetlana Jukova.
Jim Loftus, who directed Trade Routes, was honored as best director.
The prize for screenplay went to David Gow for Steel Toes, which he also co-directed.
Other winners included:
Ensemble cast: Man in the Chair, starring Christopher Plummer, M. Emmet Walsh and Robert Wagner.
Angarano also won for best actor, while Scout Taylor-Compton won as best actress for her role in Tomorrow Is Today.
"What defined this year's festival was the emergence of so many talented young actors and filmmakers," fest exec director Don Franken said Thursday at Viewpoint School's Carlson Family Theatre in Calabasas, Calif.
Supporting actress in a feature film went to Dagmara Dominczyk for Mentor, while supporting actor went to Black Irish's Guiry.
The audience award for best picture was presented to Destiny, directed by Vage Khacatryan, produced by Haig Bagerdjian and Kolya Khachaturov and starring Gor Vardanyan, Yevgeni Kamash and Svetlana Jukova.
Jim Loftus, who directed Trade Routes, was honored as best director.
The prize for screenplay went to David Gow for Steel Toes, which he also co-directed.
Other winners included:
Ensemble cast: Man in the Chair, starring Christopher Plummer, M. Emmet Walsh and Robert Wagner.
Brad Gann's "Black Irish", starring Michael Angarano, Brendan Gleeson, Tom Guiry and Melissa Leo, picked up the City of Calabasas Best Picture Award at the 9th annual Method Fest, which held its awards ceremony Thursday night at Viewpoint School's Carlson Family Theatre in Calibasas.
Angarano also won the Time Warner Cable John Garfierld Best Actor Award, while Scout Taylor-Compton took home the Charter Communications Geraldine Page Award for Best Actress for her role in "Tomorrow is Today".
"What defined this year's festival was the emergence of so many talented young actors and filmmakers," fest exec director Don Franken said.
The Daily Variety Award for Best Supporting Actress Award in a feature film went to Dagmara Dominczyk for the film "Mentor", and the Standard Pacific Homes Award for Best Supporting Actor went to "Black Irish"'s Guiry.
The Christie Digital Audience Award for Best Picture was presented to "Destiny", directed by Vage Khacatryan, produced by Haig Bagerdjian and Kolya Khachaturov, and starring Gor Vardanyan, Yevgeni Kamash and Svetlana Jukova.
Angarano also won the Time Warner Cable John Garfierld Best Actor Award, while Scout Taylor-Compton took home the Charter Communications Geraldine Page Award for Best Actress for her role in "Tomorrow is Today".
"What defined this year's festival was the emergence of so many talented young actors and filmmakers," fest exec director Don Franken said.
The Daily Variety Award for Best Supporting Actress Award in a feature film went to Dagmara Dominczyk for the film "Mentor", and the Standard Pacific Homes Award for Best Supporting Actor went to "Black Irish"'s Guiry.
The Christie Digital Audience Award for Best Picture was presented to "Destiny", directed by Vage Khacatryan, produced by Haig Bagerdjian and Kolya Khachaturov, and starring Gor Vardanyan, Yevgeni Kamash and Svetlana Jukova.
The ninth annual Method Fest, running March 29-April 5 in Calabasas, Calif., has announced a lineup that includes Jindabyne, an adaptation of a Raymond Carver story by Ray Lawrence and starring Laura Linney; Lonely Hearts, directed by Todd Robinson and starring Salma Hayek, James Gandolfini and John Travolta; and Man in the Chair, directed by Michael Schroeder and starring Christopher Plummer.
The fest, which focuses on independent film, will unspool at Viewpoint's Carlson Family Theatre and the Motion Picture and Television Fund's retirement community in Woodland Hills.
"We now have become a worldwide showcase of quality independent film," Method Fest executive director Don Franken said. "We have films with captivating performances and riveting stories that the audiences would really appreciate."
A total of 21 feature films and 45 shorts will screen, including the world premieres of Divergence, Charlie and School. The fest also will feature U.S. premieres of Iran's Bridge 13, Mexico's Carnaval de Sodoma and Bulgaria's Trade Routes.
The fest, which focuses on independent film, will unspool at Viewpoint's Carlson Family Theatre and the Motion Picture and Television Fund's retirement community in Woodland Hills.
"We now have become a worldwide showcase of quality independent film," Method Fest executive director Don Franken said. "We have films with captivating performances and riveting stories that the audiences would really appreciate."
A total of 21 feature films and 45 shorts will screen, including the world premieres of Divergence, Charlie and School. The fest also will feature U.S. premieres of Iran's Bridge 13, Mexico's Carnaval de Sodoma and Bulgaria's Trade Routes.
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