Newsletter

> FILMS IN FOCUS

 

73rd IFFMH to open with ›Sharp Corner‹, put ›April‹ as its centrepiece and close with ›Shepherds‹

The International Film Festival Mannheim-Heidelberg will officially open on 7 November with the German premiere of ›Sharp Corner‹, an absorbing psychodrama starring Ben Foster and Cobie Smulders, in which a man’s midlife crisis spirals out of control ...

 

 

“The Magic Kingdom” is indeed the perfect name for “Disneyland Paris”

DISNEYLAND PARIS September 2024   by Emmanuel Itier “The Magic Kingdom” is indeed the perfect name for “Disneyland Paris” ( https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-usd/ ). From the first minutes we reached out to our destination via the bullet train TGV we were transported, at once, into an enchanting land unlocking the child within and ready for the adventures of a lifetime. And adventures we had through the many and various Disney theme sections of the two parks: Di...

 

CFF2024 Opening Film Announced

A film celebrating tenacious, bold female characters, AND ON THE EIGHTH DAY, is an exploration of love, legacy, and greed that flips the heist and western genre on its head by telling the story through the female gaze. Set in West Texas in 1994, the town of Valentine is a character in itself. When two men from Chicago travel to West Texas to find thief, Landon Mooney and bring back the stolen $150,000, they get more than they bargained for. They meet Eve, a young woman desperate to get out of town and find Landon Mooney. When Landon tells them the money is gone, a plan is hatched to rob the local check cashing place, where all hell breaks loose.

 

OPENING FILM

 

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> PEOPLE IN FOCUS

Variety to Honor Amy Poehler With the Legend & Groundbreaker Award at Newport Beach Film Festival

  Variety will honor Amy Poehler with the Variety Legend & Groundbreaker Award at the Newport Beach Festival on Sunday, October 20. The award is reserved for those who have broken barriers in the industry and withstood the test of time. Poehler will accept the honor for her career achievements, including the recent success of “Inside Out 2.”   Reprising her role as the voice of Joy in “Inside Out 2,” Poehler served as a leader of the emotions inside Ril...

 

The 14th annual Catalina Film Festival celebrated Marcia Gay Harden and actress/philanthropist Emmanuelle Chriqui

14TH ANNUAL CATALINA FILM FESTIVAL HONORS MARCIA GAY HARDEN AND EMMANUELLE CHRIQUI AT THE LEGENDARY CATALINA CASINO Notable Attendees: Matt Walsh, Aleksa Palladino, Necar Zadegan, GaTa, Nolan Gould, Amy Tsang    The 14th annual Catalina Film Festival celebrated two extraordinary women making waves and impacting change, Saturday, September 28, 2024 at the historic Avalon Theatre at the Catalina Casino: Academy Award-winning actress Marcia Gay Harden and actress/philan...

 

 

Announcing SFF's new Head of Programs and Head of Industry and Special Projects

I'm delighted to announce today the appointment of Justin Martyniuk as the Festival’s new Head of Programs, and Lisa Kitching as Head of Industry and Special Projects. After an extensive search for our new Head Of Programs, we’re delighted to appoint Justin Martyniuk from within our own ranks. He has been a core member of the SFF programming team for several years, working closely alongside outgoing Head of Programs, Jenny ...

 

 

Sabine Verheyen, First Vice-President of the European Parliament becomes Patron of the 9th European Arthouse Cinema Day

  “Together, let’s celebrate the power of cinema to inspire and bring us closer as a diverse, democratic society”. Those are the words of the patron of this years’ edition of the European Arthouse Cinema Day, the First Vice-President of the European Parliament Sabine Verheyen in her video message inviting cinemas to join the day and highlighting the values of the event. Cinema stands for #Democracy     ...

 

 

Filmmaker Nicholas Gyeney Receives Top Accolades on The Global Festival Circuit

Filmmaker Nicholas Gyeney has received top prizes on the global festival circuit for his feature horror/thriller The Activated Man. On September 21st, the Hungarian-American director received the Paramount Premium Award, presented by the Hungarian Hollywood Council, at the inaugural Tony Curtis International Film Festival held in Mátészalka, Hungary; followed by the Best Director and Best Film prizes at Cinema Scares Fi...

 

 

TASTE IN MUSIC at TIFF: a short movie by director Kyle Sevenoaks and actor Chris Wiborg in interview

‘Taste of Music’ received a standing ovation at the Norwegian Ravenheart film festival in Oslo. The promise of this short directed by the brilliant and talented Kyle Sevenoaks is about a man (played by the maverick Chris Wiborg) for is facing his music keyboard turned evil after a cosmic storm hitting the Earth. The question is, “what would you do if your keyboard became alive and ready to attack you”? I was lucky to connect with Kyle and Chris and to explore a little m...

 

 

SEVEN DAYS at TIFF: Interview with Ali Samadi Ahadi

Ali Samadi Ahadi was born in Tabriz, Iran, and is now based in Cologne, Germany. He’s an award-winning filmmaker, with directorial credits including Lost Children (05) and The Green Wave (10). Seven Days (24) is his latest film. Interview by Emmanuel Itier https://tiff.net/events/seven-days     TIFF invited an amazing director, Mr. Ali Samadi Ahadi, to showcase his very moving new film: Seven Days. You will have tears in your eyes whil...

> PARTNERS FESTIVALS  

SUPPORT BIFF's "Cinema In Paradise."

 

SUPPORT BIFF's "Cinema In Paradise." Enrich your cinematic life and network with diverse, multinational community of artists and audiences through exhibition and education.

Bruno Chatelin is one of BIFF Advisory Board Members.

 

 

 

 

The Reel Deal

The Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF), a non-profit organization, is committed to exhibiting diverse films from The Bahamas and around the globe. The primary objective of BIFF is to enhance the cinematic experience for local Bahamian and global audiences, providing them an opportunity to explore diverse films which may not otherwise be available in Bahamian theaters. Additionally, it fosters educational programs and facilitates discussions on cinema's evolution and cultural viewpoints.

 

Since its establishment in 2004, BIFF has demonstrated remarkable progress, displaying over 1000 local and international films and successfully promoting Bahamian culture to more than a million film professionals and aficionados across the world.

 

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Submissions are open for 45th Fantasporto


PORTO CITY OF CINEMA, CULTURE, ARCHITECTURE, LEISURE…
THE CITY OF FANTASPORTO

SUBMISSIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE 45th EDITION

Fantasporto 2025/45th Porto International Film Festival announces the opening of submissions. These take place until November 30th 2024. To do this, producers, sales agents, directors will have to send the film screener to info@fantasporto.com accompanied by the entry form which can be found on the festival website www.fantasporto.com. There, you go to the homepage menu, FESTIVAL 2025, where you can find the event regulations. You must download the entry form or fill it out directly on the website. The festival will take place at Batalha Centro de Cinema from February 28th to March 9th 2025 screening around 100 films, all premieres in Portugal, that is, in national, European, International and World Premieres.


As always, the program includes 4 official competitions: Fantasy Cinema, with competitions for features and short films, Director's Week (all genres, only features), Orient Express dedicated to Asian films (features only) and the Portuguese Cinema Award.


Also important are the retrospectives, the tributes, and the Fantas Classics. Another section called Première will present new but out of competition films.


Welcome to the 45th Fantasporto | Porto International Film Festival
PORTO, WHAT TO SEE, TO EAT, TO DO...
The city at its best
In Time Out - Time Out - Porto- 01-02-2024
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 WATCH OUR EXCLUSIVE VIDEO COVERAGE & FEST AMBIANCE FROM THE CIRCUIT

> "THE BEST FOR FESTS :

ONES TO WATCH FOR FESTIVAL CONSIDERATION  carefuly curated by Bruno Chatelin 

ONES TO WATCH FOR FESTIVAL CONSIDERATION carefuly curated by Bruno Chatelin ---------------------------------------------------------

'LALA, MY REDHEAD' Feature film by Nellie K. and Deniz Nala
at development stage, with a finalised script

Love and poverty, betrayal and wealth - centuries of traditions put to the test! A compelling story intricately woven into a comprehensive exploration of women’s status against the backdrop of the Roma culture. From the director of an award-winning film in Cannes 2023.

“I worked in Cannes with Emir Kusturica as his Sony Distributor on his brilliant award winning film: “Time of The Gypsies”: when I read the script for “Lala, my redhead” I immediately saw the connection and the potential of a unique story: I trust you will like it too. “

Bruno Chatelin - filmfestivals.com founder

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WARRIOR SPIRIT by Will George, 44 mins, CANADA, 2023
A CBC DOCS Original Documentary Film by PROTECT THE INLET FILMS and COEXISTENCE FILMS

A simple window washer and fisherman, Will George’s life transformed when Tsleil-Waututh Elders chose him to protect his Nation's lands and waters against the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX). Will challenges leaders like Justin Trudeau, striving to halt the threat Canada imposed on stolen land. There is a traditional story of a threat like TMX. The voice of Elder Xwechtaal narrates the beginning of the Two-headed Serpent story. As pipeline construction advances and protests escalate, Will intensifies efforts, ultimately facing criminal charges. Despite courtroom racism, he advocates for his people and territory. Returning to the Two-headed Serpent story, the Warrior grapples with people’s doubts, and his own. Will urges people to stand up against injustice and criminalization of Indigenous peoples for protecting lands and waters.


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Wild Genius by Susan Kucera (Living in the future's past, Hot Money, 12th hour...)
Social impact documentary on evolutionary biologist Robert Travis,  1h:12minutes USA December 2023

Wild Genius portrays the exceptional life, career and mental health challenges of living legend Robert Trivers, the evolutionary biologist TIME magazine named as “one of the greatest scientists of the 20th Century”. Harvard psychologist and best selling Author, Steven Pinker calls him “an under-appreciated genius, and one of history’s greatest thinkers in the analysis of behavior and emotion.” An advocate for civil rights, Trivers’ straightforward logic makes an empowering case: understanding our evolutionary past isn't a life sentence but a liberating force.  Wild Genius is an entertaining and intellectual odyssey that challenges us to confront our evolutionary roots and societal taboos, daring us to think differently about ourselves and our place in the natural world. This isn't just the story of a groundbreaking scientist; it's an invitation to transform our understanding of life itself. We have the cognitive tools to know ourselves better and, by extension, to make a better world.

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> AWARDS WATCH 

Arab Critics' Awards for European Films

visibility and a tribute to european films in the arab world A total of 22 European films, including nine Oscar submissions to be considered for Best International Feature Film, are competing for the Arab Critics' Awards for European Films, which is jointly hosted by European Film Promotion (EFP) and the Arab Cinema Center (ACC) for the six time. All of the 22 films which were nominated by EFP’s members, the national film promotion institutes from throughout Europe, have premiered ...

 

 

The winners of the Golden Prague Festival

The winners of the Golden Prague Festival have been announced. The Grand Prix goes to a revolutio...

 

 

The 16th Annual Hola Mexico Film Festival announced the 2024 winners of this year’s Audience Awards

The 16th Annual Hola Mexico Film Festival, presented by the "2025 Toyota Camry,"  announced the 2024 winners of this year’s Audience Award, “Soy Lo Que Nunca Fui” by Director Rodrigo Alvarez Flores and the Tomorrow’s Filmmakers Today Audience Award, “Onnamusha" by Director Ryan Lopez. Both films have achieved the top position by garnering the maximum points in the audience award vote, confirming their popularity and appreciation among the ...

Prince William’s Earthshot Prize Unveils 15 Groundbreaking Environmental Solutions in the Running for 5 Catalytic £1 Million Prizes

 

This year’s Finalists were selected from nearly 2,500 nominees submitted by the Prize’s network of more than 430 nominators from 75 countries

 

2024 Finalists were selected from nearly 2,500 nominations spanning 139 countries, the largest-ever nomination pool; First Earthshot Finalists from France, Ghana, Indonesia, Kazakhstan and Nepal in 2024 cohort.

 

At the third-annual Earthshot Innovation Summit, held in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies, The Earthshot Prize unveiled its fourth cohort of Prize Finalists, an inspiring group of global innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders and advocates pioneering solutions to our most pressing climate and environmental challenges. Each of the 15 Finalists are in the running to receive five £1 million prizes which will be awarded at The Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa on Wednesday 6 November, to be broadcasted by the MultiChoice Group across Africa.

 

 

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2024 Tryon International Film Festival preview

 

 

The Polk County Film Initiative (PCFI) is proud to announce its upcoming 10th Annual Tryon International Film Festival (TRIFF). The Festival will take place October 10 – 13, 2024 with support from multiple businesses, individuals, grants and Title Sponsor, New View Realty. The festival takes place in multiple venues in Tryon, NC. Seating to all TRIFF activities is offered on a first come, first served basis.



"We are thrilled to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Tryon International Film Festival - This milestone reflects a decade of showcasing diverse voices, inspiring stories, and fostering a vibrant community of filmmakers and audiences in the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Thank you for being part of our journey—here's to many more years of cinema and creativity!", shared co-founder, Beau Menetre.

 

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Three Winners Awarded Over $20,000 At The Launch Documentary Pitch Contest

 

 

Image Description: (Left to right) Karen Magee, Britney Canzi, Kate Solar, Seán Maheux Galway, and Audrey Chan pose for a picture in front of a tall, blue pull-up banner featuring the text “The Launch: Documentary Pitch Contest.” Positioned in the middle, Solar holds up a large blue novelty cheque to celebrate her first-place win in The Launch 2024.

 

Photo Credit: Bea Schuler-Mojon

 

 

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. On Saturday, three filmmakers walked away from The Launch 2024: Documentary Pitch Contest with prize packages worth over 20,000 CAD. The prizes will support them as they create their short documentaries over the next year.

 

 

First-place winner Kate Solar took home 3,000 CAD in cash and over 15,000 CAD in filmmaking services including a mentor who will help her complete her film to be premiered at next year’s Lunenburg Doc Fest. Nate Gaffney came in second place and received 2,000 CAD plus filmmaking services. Andre Anderson, who came in third, was awarded 1,000 CAD as well as filmmaking services.

 

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Stories of courageous women dominate Lunenburg Doc Fest Awards

 

 



-Russian war documentary invites protests-

Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. A victim of sexual assault leads her own investigation, a trans woman breaks barriers as a rhythm and blues singer, and a feminist creates a new world of advertising in the ‘60s.

“These award-winning stories of inspiring women are even more poignant this year as the Lunenburg Doc Fest renamed its national award to honour the event’s co-founder,” says Lunenburg Doc Fest chairperson, Bruce MacCormack.

The Pamela Segger Canadian Documentary Award ($1,000) was created this year to recognize Pamela Segger, founder and executive director of the festival until her passing early this year.


“Pamela put the Lunenburg Doc Fest on the global film stage and gave critical support to many Canadian filmmakers. This annual award is created in her name to celebrate the significant contribution she made to the Lunenburg Doc Fest.”

And the winner is, Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story. It’s the story of trans soul and R&B singer Jackie Shane whose brilliant career lit up stages from Los Angeles to her home base in Toronto in the 1960s. Equal to her talent was her courage and steadfast determination to live her life without compromise.

 

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Beyond Borders will, for the first time, showcase the award-winning films of its 8th edition to audiences in Turkey

 

 

October 18-20, 2024, Istanbul Sinematek

 

The award-winning films from the 8th edition of the Beyond Borders – Kastellorizo International Documentary Festival will be featured during a special three-day event at the Istanbul Sinematek!

 

 

Following the highly successful conclusion of its 9th edition, held from August 25 to September 1, 2024, Beyond Borders is once again broadening its horizons, crossing borders, and setting sail for Istanbul. From October 18-20, 2024, the festival will host a unique series of screenings and discussions at the Istanbul Sinematek.

 

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> NEWS IN FRENCH 

BERGERS : Interview de la réalisatrice Sophie Deraspe et de l’acteur Félix-Antoine Duval (“Mathyas”)

 

BERGERS (TIFF 2024) Sortie France: 30 Avril 2025 chez Pyramide

 

Interview de la réalisatrice Sophie Deraspe et de l’acteur Félix-Antoine Duval (“Mathyas”)

 

Par Emmanuel Itier

 

 

 

Q: Comment as-tu décroché ce rôle?

 

 

 

Félix-Antoine: En fait je suis arrivé sur “Bergers” après un processus d’auditions. Par contre, ce processus là a été plus long que d’autres. En effet, j’ai passé ma première audition en Novembre 2019 mais ensuite il y a eu cette pandémie mondiale du Covid qui a tout mis en arrêt. D’autant que nous avons dû tourner le film en Provence, dans le Sud de la France et donc c’était impossible de se rendre là-bas vu que nous sommes Canadien et nous vivons sur Montréal. J’ai passé ainsi une seconde audition après la levée des mesures de restrictions en Janvier 2023. Enfin, en Février 2023, j’ai passé un dernière audition et Sophie, la réalisatrice, a confirmé mon rôle dans “Bergers” et pour jouer “Mathyas”.

 

Les organisations de cinéastes européens interpellent la Présidente de la Commission européene, Ursula von der Leyen

 

De nombreuses organisations de cinéastes européens ont écrit à Ursula von der Leyen, Présidente de la Commission Européenne, pour demander un rendez-vous rapide et rappeler l’importance de placer la diversité culturelle au cœur du processus de décision des institutions européennes.

 

A l’heure de la composition des portefeuilles de la Commission, et à la veille d'un intense agenda législatif européen où de nombreux textes concerneront la création cinématographique et audiovisuelle, la place de la culture pose question.

 

Cette lettre fait notamment suite à l’appel des cinéastes européens à Venise le 1er septembre dernier.

 

Vous trouverez la lettre ci-dessous et jointe en PDF en anglais et en français.

Subject: OPEN LETTER TO URSULA VON DER LEYEN, PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION:

Filmmakers Call to Restore the Cultural Dimension of European Audiovisual Policy

 

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