((photo cred: SBIFF) The director’s panel at SBIFF this year was quite the line-up! In attendance were: Tom Hooper, Les Miserables; Rich Moore, Wreck-it Ralph; David O Russell, Silver Linings Playbook; Benh Zeitlin, Beasts of the Southern Wild; Malik Bendjelloul, Searching for Sugar Man; and Mark Andrews of Brave. Tom Hooper talked about his “visceral connection” to the story of Les Miserables like a “moth to a flame.” What really draws him to the story is how it ...

Oscar Nomination Reactions: Tom Hooper: Director: Les Miserables: “What a wonderful year for movies when nine films with this kind of diversity get acknowledged for the industry's highest honor.  I am so proud that ‘Les Miserables’ joins them and that the Academy noted the magnificent work from Hugh, Annie, our legendary song writers and the superlative crafts experts whose work made our film what it was.”  Mychael Danna: Original Score and Or...

By Quendrith Johnson, Los Angeles Correspondent   If you wonder what people inside the industry are thinking tonight, get this: The 83rd Annual Oscar presentation was very... independent. In fact, while many derided the indy-minded Spirit Awards for cold weather and water-logged press tents, the Oscars were roundly applauded for their brave indie choices... warm green rooms, and great Wolfgang Puck food, of course. Here's proof from our friends at IFTA:  INDEPENDENT FILMS...