Wednesday, February 7----With the ballots for the Academy Awards in the mail, speculation is growing about what has become an impossible to predict Best Picture race. While BABEL was considered the frontrunner, especially following its Golden Globe win last month, there is now industry speculation that BABEL and Martin Scorsese's THE DEPARTED may split the "serious film" vote. So, what exactly does that mean?
Well, one scenario points to an upset win by the indie smash LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE (...
Tuesday, January 30----Coming on the heels of the Sundance Film Festival, the film world's annual love fest with American indie cinema, it was perfect timing for the Jacob Burns Film Center to invite veteran indie producer Christine Vachon to give a talk as part of the Center's Women Filmmakers series. Drawing on experiences from her recently published tell-all book on the inner workings of the indie film scene, A KILLER LIFE, the prolific Vachon was in fine form as she was interviewed on stage...
Monday, February 5----Martin Scorsese was the big winner at the 59th Annual Directors Guild of America Awards Dinner, held this past weekend at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles. Scorsese won the DGA's Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Feature Film for his multiple Oscar-nominated police thriller, THE DEPARTED. This prestigious win makes him the favorite to win the Oscar, after seven nomination tries.
This is also Scorsese's first win after a record seven DGA Award nominati...
Friday, February 2----Oscar-winning director Clint Eastwood (who has his fifth Oscar nomination as Best Director this year for LETTERS FROM IWO JIMA) will be the inaugural recipient of the Motion Picture Association of America's Jack Valenti Humanitarian Award at a gala ceremony to be held in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 6th.
The award, to be presented annually to an individual in the motion picture industry whose work has reached out positively and respectfully to all countries, creeds ...
Wednesday, January 31----The American Society of Cinematographers (ASC), the guild of film cinematographers, was founded in 1919, and today has almost 300 members from all over the world. The ASC announced its top nominees vying for top honors at the 21st Annual American Society of Cinematographers Achievement Awards, which will be held at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angels on February 18th.
The ASC has nominated the following for its higher honor: Emmanuel Lubezki (CHILDREN...
The 22nd Annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival announced the winners of the 2007 festival competition at the Closing Night ceremonies, hosted by KTYD’s Julie Ramos. The festival, which ran from January 25th - February 4th, attracted more than 60,000 visitors to the area, bringing attendance to an all-time high.
The esteemed jury for the 2007 SBIFF included: Jury Chair and film editor Dave Stein and filmmaker Candace Schermerhorn judged documentaries; actors Peter Riegert (“Anim...
MIRREN AND WHITTAKER SHINE AT S.A.G. AWARDS
by Alex Deleon, Santa Barbara
This is the jolly season of awards in Southern California -- seems like there's a different one every week somewhere in L.A. or vicinity. Following the Golden Globes (Foreign Press Awards) a couple of weeks back we now have the Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.) awards which are similar and yet a bit different. Both sets of awards go to both film and television personalities, but the Globes recognize all kinds of categories (w...
Monday, January 29----In what will likely be a repeat by the time the Oscars are given out on February 25, the Screens Actors Guild gave out its top awards to film and television thespians in the convivial atmosphere of the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles. Winners were visibly moved to be recognized by their peers as they polished the speeches that they very likely will need to give again at the Kodak Theater for the big bonanza of the Academy Awards.
The SAG Award for Best Ensemble Performa...
Sunday, January 28-----The Sundance Film Festival roared into its Awards Ceremony last evening with the speed of an on-going train, as the nervous anticipation of filmmakers, sales agents and distributors filled the cavernous Racquet Club for the festivities. Anchored by the unflappable Festival Director Geoffrey Gilmore, the choices for Jury and Audience Awards in the US and International Feature and Documentary categories were a bit of a surprise, since many of the films that received nods w...
Sunday, January 28-----The Sundance Film Festival roared into its Awards Ceremony last evening with the speed of an on-going train, as the nervous anticipation of filmmakers, sales agents and distributors filled the cavernous Racquet Club for the festivities. Anchored by the unflappable Festival Director Geoffrey Gilmore, the choices for Jury and Audience Awards in the US and International Feature and Documentary categories were a bit of a surprise, since many of the films that received nods w...
Thursday, January 25----As the Sundance Film Festival moves into its final days (and the announcement of its competition awards on Saturday evening), the first of several awards announcements was made today. The Sundance Institute and NHK/Japan Broadcasting Corporation announced the winners of the 2007 Sundance/NHK International Filmmakers Awards. The four winners were selected from among 12 finalists by members of an international jury which included: Guillermo Arriaga, Carlos Diegues, Toshio...
Tuesday, January 23---The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) used the high profile media attention of the Sundance Film Festival to announce its nominees for the 18th GLAAD Media Awards, which honor film and television programs that have reinforced a position image of the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender communities. Hosting one of the liveliest events of the week at the Side Car Bar, the crowded festivities was the place to see and be seen for the many gay and gay-frie...
The Queer Film Award ceremony on February 16, at Hangar2 at the airport
Berlin-Tempelhof
On Friday, February 16 at 10.00 p.m. the gay-lesbian-transgender film prize is given out for the 21st time. The TEDDY is celebrating its “bear’sday” with a glamorous festivity.
Under the motto “TEDDY takes off” the Award ceremony is taking place in the glamorous ambience of the Hangar2 at the airport Berlin-Tempelhof.
In the cockpit we find Wieland Speck, TEDDY co-founder and head of the Panorama s...
Saturday, January 20-- The 8th annual PlantOut Short Movie Awards were celebrated with a brunch at Cicero's this morning with thanks to presenting sponsor Scion. Jenny Stewart opened the morning with an intro followed by Robert Gant and Chad Allen. PlanetOut still remains the largest LGBT short film competition. In addition to the $15K in cash prizes, independent filmmakers are provided with an online audience of 5 million, and a special screening at the Miami Gay & Lesbian Film Festival...
Friday, January 19-----At its first Press Conference, the 2007 Sundance Film Festival announced the members of the six juries awarding prizes at the Festival, which opened last evening. The juries are made up of twenty-four individuals selected from the global film community, each of whom are bringing a broad range of experience and a unique perspective on film. The award winners will be announced on the evening of January 27 at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival Awards Ceremony at the Park Cit...
Friday, January 19----The Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in writing for the screen during the 2006 season. Chosen by a membership of their peers, this is the highest accolade a screenwriter can hope for, aside from a Best Screenplay Oscar.
WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA NOMINATIONS
BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY
Guillermo Arriaga, BABEL
Michael Arndt, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE
Peter Morgan, THE QU...
Wednesday, January 17-----After winning a Golden Globe on Monday night, it seems that the actor Forest Whitaker is unstoppable as he moves towards Oscar glory next month for his tour-de-force performance as Ugandan strongman Idi Amin in THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND. New York audiences are therefore in for a treat when the Film Society of Lincoln Center presents A WEEKEND WITH FOREST WHITAKER, a celebration of the man and his talent.
Starting on Friday, January 19th and continuing on Saturday, J...
Monday, January 15-----The Critics Choice Awards, chosen by members of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), were announced at a gala awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Friday. Coming just days before the Golden Globe ceremonies, to be held later tonight, and just two weeks before the Oscar nominations are announced, the clear momentum for certain films and talents seems to be reaching a crescendo. Unless there are some major surprises this evening at the Golden Globes ceremonies, the w...
