The "fiercely independent" Woodstock Film Festival announced the winners of its Maverick Awards at a special ceremony on Saturday evening at the Colony Cafe. Eleven awards were given out to films in competition, as well as special tribute awards to distinguished honorees.The Maverick Award for Best Feature Film was awarded to director Julia Loktev, for her provocative DAY NIGHT DAY NIGHT. The film tells the story of a 19-year old girl, who conspires with three masked men, as they prepare her for...

The newest film from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, the hugely anticipated VOLVER, will open the 21st edition of the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival on October 20th at Fort Lauderdale's prestigious Parker Playhouse.VOLVER, which had its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival, was honored on the Croisette with a Best Screenplay award for its writer/director Pedro Almodóvar, and an unprecedented Best Actress award for the film's ensemble cast, including international sensations...

Saturday, September 30The first full day of screenings and events at the New York Film Festival, following last evening's gala premiere of THE QUEEN, was a full program of diverse delights, with something for every cinematic taste.Following its enthusiastic reception last evening, and amidst glowing reviews upon its theatrical release today, THE QUEEN director Stephen Frears was in high spirits at the HBO Films Directors Dialogue , held this afternoon at the Kaplan Penthouse, high atop the Linco...

It would be hard to find a more entertaining guest for afternoon tea than the director Stephen Frears. His self-deprecating humor, off-kilter sensibility and ingratiating personality were in rousing form on Saturday afternoon, with the director participating in the first of three HBO Films Directors Dialogues at the New York Film Festival.For almost 90 minutes, Frears regaled his audience in a mix of interview and question and answer, moderated by New York Film Festival Selection Committee membe...