With the exception of an alluring red carpet, its' safe to say that BUFF has pretty much rolled out everything else in its power to deliver this year's annual showcase of British urban filmmaking of which, at the time of writing has been 1 week removed.  A showcase is of course nothing without the undoubted stars of the show - the filmmakers. It has been a blast this year with 3 UK premieres ("Sparkle", "12" and "Melvin"), 2 venues packed out to the r...

For a sampling of the narrative features not already mentioned, I offer the following: While the premise of Another Earth suggests that it is a science-fiction film, it is really more of a character study with a sci-fi MacGuffin.  Lead actress/writer Brit Marling, as Rhoda, is in virtually every shot, and yet is silent for roughly the first twenty minutes.  Her ability to keep the audience engaged through facial expression and body language sets the tone for the gently unfolding plot.  Alo...

WINNERS OF THE 27TH ANNUAL SANTA BARBARA FILM FESTIVAL (SBIFF 2012) With closing film of festival, the Lebanese hit film by actress/writer/director Nadine Labaki, WHERE DO WE GO NOW? (Arabic: وهلّأ لوين؟ w halla' la wayn‎, French: Et maintenant, on va ou?, 2011) which held its world premier during the 2011 Cannes Film Festival as part of 'Un Certain Regard'. It was the Lebanese 2011 Oscar submission this year. The film held its North American premier in Toronto at TIFF...

  WINNERS OF THE 27TH ANNUAL SANTA BARBARA FILM FESTIVAL (SBIFF 2012) With closing film of festival, the Lebanese hit film by actress/writer/director Nadine Labaki, WHERE DO WE GO NOW? (Arabic: وهلّأ لوين؟ w halla' la wayn‎, French: Et maintenant, on va ou?, 2011) which held its world premier during the 2011 Cannes Film Festival as part of 'Un Certain Regard'. It was the Lebanese 2011 Oscar submission this year. The film held its North American premier in Toronto at TIF...

  With foreign-language films (with "dreaded" sub-titles) becoming more and more difficult to find theatrical distribution, the action has moved to the home screen for even films that have been major presences on the international film festival circuit. IFC Films, which still does do day-and-date simultaneous openings in theaters and on its on-demand television network, is increasingly showcasing films strictly on its IFC ON DEMAND service, available via cable and satellite tel...

By Maria Esteves - October 7, 2009 The 47th New York Film Festival 2009 (NYFF09) Centerpiece Presentation of "PRECIOUS: BASED ON THE NOVEL PUSH BY SAPPHIRE, directed by Lee Dainels was held at Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center, on Saturday, October 3, 7:00 PM.  NYFF09 presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center, Centerpiece red carpet arrivals included cast of actors, directors, producers, recording artists, and celebrity guests. PRECIOUS released by Lionsgate, winner of the Audien...

  by Sandy Mandelberger, Festival Dailies Editor   It takes a tremendous amount of courage and insight to make a film that cuts so close to the bone, but in ENTRE NOS, an American Independent film screening at FESTROIA, the actress/writer/director Paola Mendoza delves into her own troubling past to create a universal story of perseverance and triumph.   Mendoza, who co-wrote and co-directed the film with Gloria La Monte, also stars as Mariana, a Colombian refuge...

By Maria Esteves - August 13, 2009       The 10th New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) presented by HBO Opening Night New York Premiere of LA MISSION, written/directed by Peter Bratt, was held at the School for Visual Arts (SVA) theatre, Tuesday, July 28, 7:00 PM. 2009 NYILFF Opening Night red carpet arrivals included HBO vice president, acquisition & multicultural marketing Lucinda Martinez-Desir, festival founder/co-executive director Calixto Chinchilla, festival ...