The San Francisco Film Society wrapped its 54th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 21 - May 5) with 265 screenings of 193 films from 48 countries, which were attended by 278 filmmakers and industry guests from 22 countries around the globe. "I had a hell of a good time!" exclaimed Frank Pierson, recipient of this year's Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting. "I enjoyed the informality of spirit and the professionalism of execution of the who...

  by Marc Halperin The Sundance Film Festival is in full swing, some  films are being bought and others are not. Understanding the reasons for these decisions is critical for independent filmmakers.  Film Independent recently produced a round table that focused on indie distribution. It’s an offshoot from their Filmmaker Forum, which was held over an entire weekend in early October. This discussion looked at the economics of distribution; traditional, DIY, and digital stra...

The Global Film Village by Marc Halperin The Sundance Film Festival is in full swing, some films are being bought and others are not. Understanding the reasons for these decisions is critical for independent filmmakers. Film Independent recently produced a round table that focused on indie distribution. It’s an offshoot from their Filmmaker Forum, which was held over an entire weekend in early October. This discussion looked at the economics of distribution; traditional, DIY, and digital str...

By Maria Esteves - October 28, 2009 The 47th New York Film Festival 2009 (NYFF09) presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Closing Night Premiere of "BROKEN EMBRACES (LOS ABRAZOS ROTOS)," written/produced/directed by Pedro Almodóvar was held at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, on Sunday, October 11, 8:00 PM.  NYFF09 closing night red carpet arrivals included cast of actors, directors, producers, industry executives, and celebrity guests. BROKEN EMBRACES, a Sony Pictures...

Michael Barker, co-president and co-founder of "Sony Pictures Classic" thanked Tom Bernard for 18 years of existence. Michael stated, "I don't think we've had such a well dressed crowd. I would like to mention a few people behind the scene, an individual who is important to French film. Producer, Philippe Carcassonne. We worked together 20 years ago and it is great to be back together with him, Anne Fontaine, and Audrey Tautou. There is a strong support system within French Film where with eve...

Michael Barker, co-president and co-founder of "Sony Pictures Classic" thanked Tom Bernard for 18 years of existence.  Michael stated, "I don't think we've had such a well dressed crowd. I would like to mention a few people behind the scene, an individual who is important to French film. Producer, Philippe Carcassonne. We worked together 20 years ago and it is great to be back together with him, Anne Fontaine, and Audrey Tautou.  There is a strong support system within French Fi...

  by Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor "The future is strange", declared Silverdocs International Documentary Conference Keynote Speaker Tom Bernard, the co-founder and co-President of Sony Pictures Classics (SPC). Drawing on a 30 year career where he has marketed and distributed some of the most celebrated American independent and world cinema films, Bernard is one of the true film mavens with a commanding intellect and a deep understanding of the cinema busines...

By Maria Esteves  The 20th Israel Film Festival (IFF) held at the Clearview Cinema in New York, October 14-28, 2004, successfully celebrated 20 years presenting the best films and filmmakers from Israel. Attendees in record numbers gathered daily to purchase IFF tickets. Israel Film Festival Founder/Executive Director Meir Fenigstein was interviewed in New York on Sunday, October 31, 2004. Q: What inspired you to move from music to film? MF: I was born in Tel Aviv, Decemb...

The IsraFest Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization founded in 1982, created the Israel Film Festival to showcase Israel's thriving film and television industry. The annual event plays a vital educational role in today's world, providing an intercultural exchange that advances tolerance and understanding and enriches America's vision of Israel's impressive social and cultural diversity.Danny DeVito, Irwin Winkler and Edward Zwick will be honored at the 23rd edition of the festival at New Yo...

The 23rd Israel Film Festival will kick off in New York on October 29th at the Ziegfeld Theatre and run through November 13th at the Clearview’s 62nd & Broadway Cinema. Meir Fenigstein, Founder and Executive Director, announced today the full lineup of films for this year’s Festival which showcases more than 30 new feature films, provocative documentaries, ground-breaking TV dramas, and innovative student films celebrating Israeli life and culture. List of films to follow. The Israel Film F...

While the bulk of film professionals and hopefuls who have crowded into the ski resort of Park City for this week's Sundance Film Festival represent the high and low of the independent film world (those with VIP connections, and those scrambling to get meetings and into lavish parties), Sundance has become a place for Hollywood producers and bigshots to hobnob with their contemporaries and, heaven forbid, young filmmaking talent. This makes for a very odd mix, since these communities rarely ever...

 Friday, January 18------------While the bulk of film professionals and hopefuls who have crowded into the ski resort of Park City for this week's Sundance Film Festival represent the high and low of the independent film world (those with VIP connections, and those scrambling to get meetings and into lavish parties), Sundance has become a place for Hollywood producers and bigshots to hobnob with their contemporaries and, heaven forbid, young filmmaking talent. This makes for a very odd mix, sin...

9th Annual Sarasota Film FestivalApril 13 – 22, 2007Among the many great filmmakers and special guests expected in for the Festival are Edward Norton, Brian Koppelman, Norman Jewison, Joe Pantoliano, Marcia Gay Harden, Chad Lowe, Michelle Trachtenberg, Jonathan Sehring, Tom Bernard, Mark Urman, Jon Gerrans, Marshall Persinger, Elias Koteas, Kim Raver, Dagmara Dominczyk, Patrick Wilson, David Call, Anna Chlumsky, Zoe Cassavetes, Michael Badalucco, Juha Wuolijoki, Dr. Edgar Mitchell, David Singt...

The 21st Israel Film Festival will take place in New York kicking off February 23rd and running through March 9th at the Clearview’s 62nd & Broadway Cinema. This year, the festival will showcase more than 40 new feature films, provocative documentaries, ground-breaking TV dramas, and innovative student films celebrating Israeli life and culture. Film is the international language and Israeli filmmakers continue to capture audiences through radiant images, raw human emotion and a universe of ...

Film Independent’s First Annual Filmmaker Forum. Established indie filmmakers share their secrets—and past mistakes—to arm you for the festival circuit and beyond. Experts tell you who needs to see your film, when to show it, and how to create a buzz around it. Get the tools you need now. Topics: Keynote: You Made It, Now Sell It Festival Prep: How to Spend Your Money - Part 1: Your Friends and Enemies and How to Tell Them Apart - Part 2: Creating A Buzz: Nobody Will See it If They Don’t...

The 12th Annual Hamptons International Film Festival presented its Golden Starfish Awards at a ceremony held at Guild Hall on Saturday, October 23, 2004.On hand to present the awards were the Fest’s Executive Director Denise Kasell, Board Chairman Stuart Match Suna, Programmer Rajendra Roy, and Emcee Bob Balaban. Also on hand with welcoming remarks was Evan Shapiro on behalf of presenting sponsor IFC. The Golden Starfish Award for Best Narrative, with a prize of over $180,000 in goods and in-...

THE HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AND indieWIRE SET TO TOAST MARCIE BLOOMThe Hamptons International Film Festival is presenting its 12th anniversary season this October 20th – 24th, 2004. The Hamptons Festival is a celebration of film – its art, its excitement, its people. This year, the Festival partners with indieWIRE to inaugurate a new event where we celebrate a person or persons who best exemplifies the spirit of the independent film world and whose energy, vision, and acumen ...