During a Distribution Advocates podcast recording at Hot Docs, producer/director Amy Hobby announced a new documentary $200,000 grant called The Marketing Innovations Fund, which will go to independent distributors.
Hobby co-founded Distribution Advocates in 2020 alongside Abby Sun, Avril Speaks, Carlos Gutierrez and Karin Chien. The organization “works to collectively reclaim power for independent storytellers in the current systems of distribution and exhibition.”
The Marketing Innovations Fund launches in August and will provide grants between $5,000 and $50,000. That money will go to independent distributors working with film teams to supercharge audience growth for a wide range of docus. The grants are aimed at encouraging experimentation and innovation in reaching ticket buyers. The number of releases supported each year will vary and depend on applications. This year Fund money will help between four and 15 releases.
“Our goal is to inject much needed capital and resources into an anemic marketplace and ultimately to inspire...
Hobby co-founded Distribution Advocates in 2020 alongside Abby Sun, Avril Speaks, Carlos Gutierrez and Karin Chien. The organization “works to collectively reclaim power for independent storytellers in the current systems of distribution and exhibition.”
The Marketing Innovations Fund launches in August and will provide grants between $5,000 and $50,000. That money will go to independent distributors working with film teams to supercharge audience growth for a wide range of docus. The grants are aimed at encouraging experimentation and innovation in reaching ticket buyers. The number of releases supported each year will vary and depend on applications. This year Fund money will help between four and 15 releases.
“Our goal is to inject much needed capital and resources into an anemic marketplace and ultimately to inspire...
- 5/4/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Harvard’s Shorenstein Center announced today the three film professionals who comprise their Spring 2024 cohort of documentary film fellows. Producer and distributor Karin Chien, producer and former executive Amy Hobby, and former director of the Sundance Film Festival as well as Sundance’s Documentary Film Program Tabitha Jackson will, according to a press release, “join the Center under the auspices of the newly-established Documentary Film in the Public Interest research initiative and will spend the semester conducting research and engaging with the Harvard Kennedy School community about the challenges facing the field and its impact on civic life.” “The Documentary Film […]
The post Karin Chien, Amy Hobby and Tabitha Jackson Are New Documentary Fellows at Harvard’s Shorenstein Center first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Karin Chien, Amy Hobby and Tabitha Jackson Are New Documentary Fellows at Harvard’s Shorenstein Center first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/9/2024
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Harvard’s Shorenstein Center announced today the three film professionals who comprise their Spring 2024 cohort of documentary film fellows. Producer and distributor Karin Chien, producer and former executive Amy Hobby, and former director of the Sundance Film Festival as well as Sundance’s Documentary Film Program Tabitha Jackson will, according to a press release, “join the Center under the auspices of the newly-established Documentary Film in the Public Interest research initiative and will spend the semester conducting research and engaging with the Harvard Kennedy School community about the challenges facing the field and its impact on civic life.” “The Documentary Film […]
The post Karin Chien, Amy Hobby and Tabitha Jackson Are New Documentary Fellows at Harvard’s Shorenstein Center first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Karin Chien, Amy Hobby and Tabitha Jackson Are New Documentary Fellows at Harvard’s Shorenstein Center first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 2/9/2024
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Independent filmmakers and enthusiasts have a new resource to demystify the often-complex world of film distribution. Distribution Advocates Presents, a podcast hosted by Avril Speaks, filmmaker and co-founder of Distribution Advocates, officially launches on January 31st.
Distribution Advocates is a collective advocating for filmmakers and maintaining plurality and originality. Members currently include Avril Speaks, Karin Chien, Abby Sun, Amy Hobby, and Carlos Gutierrez. Their singular goal is to collectively reclaim power for independent storytellers in the current systems of distribution and exhibition.
This podcast aims to shed light on the inner workings of independent film distribution, by addressing a crucial question: how can we understand and improve the current ecosystem to create more equitable distribution systems?
From the role of sales agents to the functions of film festivals, each episode is a journey into understanding the challenges of distribution and the potential for transformative change. Think of it less as...
Distribution Advocates is a collective advocating for filmmakers and maintaining plurality and originality. Members currently include Avril Speaks, Karin Chien, Abby Sun, Amy Hobby, and Carlos Gutierrez. Their singular goal is to collectively reclaim power for independent storytellers in the current systems of distribution and exhibition.
This podcast aims to shed light on the inner workings of independent film distribution, by addressing a crucial question: how can we understand and improve the current ecosystem to create more equitable distribution systems?
From the role of sales agents to the functions of film festivals, each episode is a journey into understanding the challenges of distribution and the potential for transformative change. Think of it less as...
- 1/31/2024
- Podnews.net
Guests to attend include Harris Dickinson, Emilia Jones, Anton Corbijn.
New BFI London Film Festival director Kristy Matheson, Elysian CEO Danny Perkins and producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke are among the recent additions to the industry programme at next month’s Sundance Film Festival: London (July 6-9).
All four will be speaking at the event, as will filmmakers Gurinder Chadha, Alice Lowe, Marianna Palka and Zeina Durra; composer Nainita Desai; and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 casting director Heather Basten.
Further new speakers include A24 executives Harpa Manku and Tom Lazenby; and Luane Gauer, SVP, international production and acquisitions at Black Bear International.
New BFI London Film Festival director Kristy Matheson, Elysian CEO Danny Perkins and producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke are among the recent additions to the industry programme at next month’s Sundance Film Festival: London (July 6-9).
All four will be speaking at the event, as will filmmakers Gurinder Chadha, Alice Lowe, Marianna Palka and Zeina Durra; composer Nainita Desai; and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 casting director Heather Basten.
Further new speakers include A24 executives Harpa Manku and Tom Lazenby; and Luane Gauer, SVP, international production and acquisitions at Black Bear International.
- 6/15/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Guests to attend include Harris Dickinson, Emilia Jones, Anton Corbijn.
New BFI London Film Festival director Kristy Matheson, Elysian CEO Danny Perkins and producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke are among the recent additions to the industry programme at next month’s Sundance Film Festival: London (July 6-9).
All four will be speaking at the event, as will filmmakers Gurinder Chadha, Alice Lowe, Marianna Palka and Zeina Durra; composer Nainita Desai; and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 casting director Heather Basten.
Further new speakers include A24 executives Harpa Manku and Tom Lazenby; and Luane Gauer, SVP, international production and acquisitions at Black Bear International.
New BFI London Film Festival director Kristy Matheson, Elysian CEO Danny Perkins and producers Tristan Goligher and Mary Burke are among the recent additions to the industry programme at next month’s Sundance Film Festival: London (July 6-9).
All four will be speaking at the event, as will filmmakers Gurinder Chadha, Alice Lowe, Marianna Palka and Zeina Durra; composer Nainita Desai; and Screen Star of Tomorrow 2021 casting director Heather Basten.
Further new speakers include A24 executives Harpa Manku and Tom Lazenby; and Luane Gauer, SVP, international production and acquisitions at Black Bear International.
- 6/15/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Award-winning US producer and distributor Karin Chien, whose latest co-production, “Man in Black,” is one of two films by Chinese director Wang Bing running in Cannes’ official selection, shared her experience with the crowd during a masterclass at Cannes Docs, the Film Market section dedicated to documentary films.
“Man in Black” premiered at a special screening in Cannes on May 22. Wang’s other film selected in this year’s edition is main competition title “Youth.”
In the talk, moderated by Documentary Association of Europe co-founder Brigid O’Shea, Chien put on her distributor’s hat to talk about a job she said was “not pitched enough but [represented] some of the most meaningful work she [had] ever done.”
“To bring these films to the U.S., that otherwise would never have come here, to be able to connect the films with the audience and send every quarter back to the filmmakers – the...
“Man in Black” premiered at a special screening in Cannes on May 22. Wang’s other film selected in this year’s edition is main competition title “Youth.”
In the talk, moderated by Documentary Association of Europe co-founder Brigid O’Shea, Chien put on her distributor’s hat to talk about a job she said was “not pitched enough but [represented] some of the most meaningful work she [had] ever done.”
“To bring these films to the U.S., that otherwise would never have come here, to be able to connect the films with the audience and send every quarter back to the filmmakers – the...
- 5/23/2023
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
Cannes Docs, the Marché du Film sidebar dedicated to documentary film, has unveiled the line-up of its Doc Day, which unspools on May 23, as the final event in at Cannes Docs.
Veteran U.S. cinematographer and documentary filmmaker Kirsten Johnson, president of Cannes Festival’s Œil d’or Jury which hands out an award to the best doc in Cannes’ Official Selection, will open the morning session in a conversation with writer, director and producer Guetty Felin.
Entitled “Cinema and the Pleasures of the Impossible,” it will explore the many ways filmmaking creates possibilities to search for the invisible, to bring life to the dead and to time travel in their lives.
“It’s an exciting and side-stepping angle compared to usual industry talks,” explains the head of Cannes Docs Pierre-Alexis Chevit, “which we really like at Cannes Docs, because that is what we’re trying to do: Offer talks...
Veteran U.S. cinematographer and documentary filmmaker Kirsten Johnson, president of Cannes Festival’s Œil d’or Jury which hands out an award to the best doc in Cannes’ Official Selection, will open the morning session in a conversation with writer, director and producer Guetty Felin.
Entitled “Cinema and the Pleasures of the Impossible,” it will explore the many ways filmmaking creates possibilities to search for the invisible, to bring life to the dead and to time travel in their lives.
“It’s an exciting and side-stepping angle compared to usual industry talks,” explains the head of Cannes Docs Pierre-Alexis Chevit, “which we really like at Cannes Docs, because that is what we’re trying to do: Offer talks...
- 5/12/2023
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
San Sebastian’s inaugural Creative Investors Conference framed a panel discussion on Storytelling’s New Horizons featuring Phil Hunt of Head Gear Films, Bankside Films and Bohemia Media; Karin Chien of Louverture Films, and dGenerate; and Diana Williams of Kinetic Energy Entertainment.
How to navigate new technologies, new ways of thinking and how to broaden storytelling to encompass diversity and different communities were some of the questions posed by moderator Wendy Mitchell.
“We are looking at new ways of thinking: How storytellers and companies can use new technologies, how to look at an industry that’s more sustainable and more reflective of society, as well, today,” said Mitchell.
Williams’ company deals in both traditional media and web. Her company is embracing change by “trying to get creators where their creative economy is. It’s an overused phrase, but it’s a true phrase,” she said. “There are now different tools...
How to navigate new technologies, new ways of thinking and how to broaden storytelling to encompass diversity and different communities were some of the questions posed by moderator Wendy Mitchell.
“We are looking at new ways of thinking: How storytellers and companies can use new technologies, how to look at an industry that’s more sustainable and more reflective of society, as well, today,” said Mitchell.
Williams’ company deals in both traditional media and web. Her company is embracing change by “trying to get creators where their creative economy is. It’s an overused phrase, but it’s a true phrase,” she said. “There are now different tools...
- 9/21/2022
- by Liza Foreman
- Variety Film + TV
Events include the inaugural Creative Investors’ Conference, a panel on crisis in streaming and a focus on Serbia.
The 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival (September 16-24) will mark a return to full form for its industry programme, with a higher industry attendance expected than ever before and the inaugural edition of the much-anticipated Creative Investors’ conference.
Some 2,009 industry delegates will attend in-person, with 1,956 on site, and just 53 participating online as the festival continues to offer an online-only industry accreditation.
Last year, 1,625 delegates from industry attended, with 140 participating online – a time when strict Covid restrictions were in-place, including mandatory mask wearing,...
The 70th San Sebastian International Film Festival (September 16-24) will mark a return to full form for its industry programme, with a higher industry attendance expected than ever before and the inaugural edition of the much-anticipated Creative Investors’ conference.
Some 2,009 industry delegates will attend in-person, with 1,956 on site, and just 53 participating online as the festival continues to offer an online-only industry accreditation.
Last year, 1,625 delegates from industry attended, with 140 participating online – a time when strict Covid restrictions were in-place, including mandatory mask wearing,...
- 9/16/2022
- by Mona Tabbara
- ScreenDaily
Films presented include Baltasar Kormákur’s Whaleman (At The Ends Of The Earth) and Gerardo Herrero’s Raqqa.
Executives from Wild Bunch, A24, Netflix and Focus Features are among those who will attend the inaugural two-day Creative Investors’ conference taking place at the San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff), organised in collaboration with CAA Media and running from September 19-20.
Participants will include A24 Europe’s head of film and head of TV, respectively, Rose Garnett and Piers Wenger; Netflix’s head of international original film Teresa Moneo; Focus Features’ president of production and acquisitions Kiska Higgs; Mubi’s VP...
Executives from Wild Bunch, A24, Netflix and Focus Features are among those who will attend the inaugural two-day Creative Investors’ conference taking place at the San Sebastian International Film Festival (Ssiff), organised in collaboration with CAA Media and running from September 19-20.
Participants will include A24 Europe’s head of film and head of TV, respectively, Rose Garnett and Piers Wenger; Netflix’s head of international original film Teresa Moneo; Focus Features’ president of production and acquisitions Kiska Higgs; Mubi’s VP...
- 8/23/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
The Bentonville Film Festival announces the jury prize winners for their 8th annual Festival.
The week-long Festival, led by Academy Award-winning actor and Festival Chair Geena Davis,is known for its dedication to championing female, non-binary, Lgbtqia+, Bipoc, and people with disabilities’ voices in entertainment.
Every Day in Kaimuki was awarded Best Narrative Feature with director Alika Tengan and cast in attendance. Special honors presented Fin Argus with the Rising Star Award for their truly outstanding talent that has captured the attention of both the public and entertainment and media industry, and Effie Brown with the Rising to the Challenge Award honoring her success supporting indie film projects, both on and off screen.
The 2022 Bff Jury included six experts across three categories: Narrative judges included Producer, Bird Runningwater, Actor/Filmmaker, Yolonda Ross and Producer Shrihari Sathe; Documentary judges included Emmy Award-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, Producer/Distributor Karin Chien and Filmmaker...
The week-long Festival, led by Academy Award-winning actor and Festival Chair Geena Davis,is known for its dedication to championing female, non-binary, Lgbtqia+, Bipoc, and people with disabilities’ voices in entertainment.
Every Day in Kaimuki was awarded Best Narrative Feature with director Alika Tengan and cast in attendance. Special honors presented Fin Argus with the Rising Star Award for their truly outstanding talent that has captured the attention of both the public and entertainment and media industry, and Effie Brown with the Rising to the Challenge Award honoring her success supporting indie film projects, both on and off screen.
The 2022 Bff Jury included six experts across three categories: Narrative judges included Producer, Bird Runningwater, Actor/Filmmaker, Yolonda Ross and Producer Shrihari Sathe; Documentary judges included Emmy Award-winning actress Shohreh Aghdashloo, Producer/Distributor Karin Chien and Filmmaker...
- 6/26/2022
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
New York-headquartered documentary distributor Icarus Films has picked up all North American rights to Hong Kong protest film “Blue Island.” The film plays this week at the HotDocs Documentary Festival in Toronto, Canada.
Directed by Chan Tze Woon (“Yellowing”), the film confronts the large-scale protests in Hong Kong, describing events through a mix of documentary footage and filmed reenactments.
The distributor has not yet elaborated release plans, but says that it is taking booking requests from museums, arts organizations, film festivals and theaters across North America.
“A new wave of young people took back the streets, as one generation after another has done throughout Hong Kong’s history. Bullets fly. Fires ignite. White tear gas and blue water cannons encroach on public spaces. The past, the present, and the future converge,” said Icarus.
The film is informed by the life-defining experiences of three men: Chen Hak-Chi, a mainland China-born intellectual who swam to Hong Kong,...
Directed by Chan Tze Woon (“Yellowing”), the film confronts the large-scale protests in Hong Kong, describing events through a mix of documentary footage and filmed reenactments.
The distributor has not yet elaborated release plans, but says that it is taking booking requests from museums, arts organizations, film festivals and theaters across North America.
“A new wave of young people took back the streets, as one generation after another has done throughout Hong Kong’s history. Bullets fly. Fires ignite. White tear gas and blue water cannons encroach on public spaces. The past, the present, and the future converge,” said Icarus.
The film is informed by the life-defining experiences of three men: Chen Hak-Chi, a mainland China-born intellectual who swam to Hong Kong,...
- 4/27/2022
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
Icarus Films is pleased to announce the acquisition of distribution rights across all markets in the U.S. and Canada for Qiu Jiongjiong’s “A New Old Play“, winner of numerous awards including the Jury Prize from the Locarno Film Festival.
The gorgeously stylized and bitingly sharp “A New Old Play” traces 50 years of art, struggle and love against the background of 20th-century China’s tumultuous history. Upon his death, Qiu Fu, leading clown of a renowned opera troupe, is welcomed into the Underworld where he vividly re-lives memories from his life one last time.
On March 18, 2022, “A New Old Play” made its North American Premiere as part of First Look at the Museum of the Moving Image, New York, and the Locarno Film Festival in Los Angeles at the Acropolis Cinema.
“A New Old Play” is part of the dGenerate Collection at Icarus Films, curated by Karin Chien, a...
The gorgeously stylized and bitingly sharp “A New Old Play” traces 50 years of art, struggle and love against the background of 20th-century China’s tumultuous history. Upon his death, Qiu Fu, leading clown of a renowned opera troupe, is welcomed into the Underworld where he vividly re-lives memories from his life one last time.
On March 18, 2022, “A New Old Play” made its North American Premiere as part of First Look at the Museum of the Moving Image, New York, and the Locarno Film Festival in Los Angeles at the Acropolis Cinema.
“A New Old Play” is part of the dGenerate Collection at Icarus Films, curated by Karin Chien, a...
- 3/19/2022
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
“Producing is an identity,” said producer Karin Chien in her keynote speech at this year’s virtual Sundance Producers Brunch. She continued, “It is a tribe, it is an active community and is it is an artistic practice that encompasses more than can be communicated. A producer solves problems and creates problems, good problems. A producer questions why things are the way they are. We are independent producers because we subvert, and we complicate the status quo, with the intention of forwarding new thoughts, ideas voices and stories, our culture, our communities and our industry depend on us to do this.” […]
The post Sundance First-Time Dramatic Competition Producers Discuss Career Paths and the Challenging Producing Landscape first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Sundance First-Time Dramatic Competition Producers Discuss Career Paths and the Challenging Producing Landscape first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/28/2022
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
“Producing is an identity,” said producer Karin Chien in her keynote speech at this year’s virtual Sundance Producers Brunch. She continued, “It is a tribe, it is an active community and is it is an artistic practice that encompasses more than can be communicated. A producer solves problems and creates problems, good problems. A producer questions why things are the way they are. We are independent producers because we subvert, and we complicate the status quo, with the intention of forwarding new thoughts, ideas voices and stories, our culture, our communities and our industry depend on us to do this.” […]
The post Sundance First-Time Dramatic Competition Producers Discuss Career Paths and the Challenging Producing Landscape first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Sundance First-Time Dramatic Competition Producers Discuss Career Paths and the Challenging Producing Landscape first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/28/2022
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Louverture Films, the production company founded by actor Danny Glover and Joslyn Barnes, is moving into television as well as animation, gaming and installation works. With two new principal partners in situ, the expansion has enlisted a host of creatives, including directors Apichatpong Weerasethakul and Lucrecia Martel.
Co-founded by Glover and Barnes in 2005 — alongside long-time partners Susan Rockefeller and the Bertha Foundation’s Tony Tabatznik — the company has brought on board Sawsan Asfari and Jeffrey Clark as principal partners. Variety understands that the new partners will allow Louverture to access more funding resources.
In addition, producer Karin Chien, who on Sunday delivered a rousing Sundance Institute Producing Fellows’ keynote, is becoming a partner and executive VP. Meanwhile, Barnes has been promoted to president while Glover remains CEO and co-founder.
Louverture, named after Haitian revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture, has built its reputation on international and arthouse films and a strong theatrical documentary slate.
Co-founded by Glover and Barnes in 2005 — alongside long-time partners Susan Rockefeller and the Bertha Foundation’s Tony Tabatznik — the company has brought on board Sawsan Asfari and Jeffrey Clark as principal partners. Variety understands that the new partners will allow Louverture to access more funding resources.
In addition, producer Karin Chien, who on Sunday delivered a rousing Sundance Institute Producing Fellows’ keynote, is becoming a partner and executive VP. Meanwhile, Barnes has been promoted to president while Glover remains CEO and co-founder.
Louverture, named after Haitian revolutionary leader Toussaint Louverture, has built its reputation on international and arthouse films and a strong theatrical documentary slate.
- 1/24/2022
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
On Sunday, January 23rd, producers from around the world convened digitally at the Sundance Film Festival to celebrate the 2022 festival producers and their films, as well as highlight the crucial role of the independent producer. This annual event, which is sponsored by Amazon Studios, also included recognition of the 2021-2022 Sundance Institute Producing Fellows, a keynote address by producer Karin Chien, and the presentation of the 2022 Sundance Institute | Amazon Studios Producers Awards, honoring two producers with films at this year’s Festival for their body of work and commitment to creative producing in the independent space: Amanda Marshall (“God’s Country” – Premieres) and Su Kim (“Free Chol Soo Lee” – U.S. Documentary Competition). IndieWire shares Chien’s keynote below.
I’m deeply honored to be asked to give the Sundance Producers Keynote address. I know many of you listening could easily be in this speaking position. So first of all, thank you for listening!
I’m deeply honored to be asked to give the Sundance Producers Keynote address. I know many of you listening could easily be in this speaking position. So first of all, thank you for listening!
- 1/23/2022
- by IndieWire Staff
- Indiewire
Producers of the Spirit Awards, and non-profit arts organization, Film Independent, announced the five filmmakers and projects selected for their 21st annual producing Lab. The fellows will participate in a program set up to help develop their skills and further their careers by pairing them with a creative advisor who will advise on both the craft and business of independent producing.
The 2021 Producing Lab is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Sloan Producers Grant, a $30,000 grant to further develop a project that explores science and technology themes or characters in engaging and innovative ways, was awarded to Cecilia Otero with her project, Upstreamers. Additional support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts.
“We are thrilled to support this year’s talented cohort of Producers who are championing global stories that speak to the universal human experiences of ambition, redemption and connection.” said Angela C. Lee, Associate Director of Artist Development.
The 2021 Producing Lab is supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. The Sloan Producers Grant, a $30,000 grant to further develop a project that explores science and technology themes or characters in engaging and innovative ways, was awarded to Cecilia Otero with her project, Upstreamers. Additional support comes from the National Endowment for the Arts.
“We are thrilled to support this year’s talented cohort of Producers who are championing global stories that speak to the universal human experiences of ambition, redemption and connection.” said Angela C. Lee, Associate Director of Artist Development.
- 10/22/2021
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
As the 2021 Cannes Film Festival arrived at its halfway point, filmmakers and industry insiders were eager to catch up with their colleagues, many of whom they hadn’t seen in over a year. On Sunday, IndieWire joined forces with The Gotham Film and Media Institute and sponsor Fiji Water for a rooftop toast to the American presence at the festival this year. The event took place atop Hotel 3.14, the former location of the Hotel Savoy, which once housed many Cannes attendees when the Palais des Festival was located further down the port.
The outdoor gathering was packed with familiar faces from the indie scene. Filmmakers in attendance included Sean Baker, whose latest feature “Red Rocket” marks his first entry into the festival’s Competition section, after “The Florida Project” premiered at Directors’ Fortnight in 2017. This year, that section is welcoming Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, who attended the party the...
The outdoor gathering was packed with familiar faces from the indie scene. Filmmakers in attendance included Sean Baker, whose latest feature “Red Rocket” marks his first entry into the festival’s Competition section, after “The Florida Project” premiered at Directors’ Fortnight in 2017. This year, that section is welcoming Saul Williams and Anisia Uzeyman, who attended the party the...
- 7/12/2021
- by IndieWire Staff
- Indiewire
The dGenerate Collection at indie distributor Icarus Films will release the journalistic Hong Kong doc “Lost Course” in the U.S. starting March 5.
The Chinese-language film about a democratic village uprising against corruption known as the “Siege of Wukan” and its aftermath won the best documentary prize at Taiwan’s 2020 Golden Horse Awards, an event sometimes described as Asia’s Oscars. It was an official selection for the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam’s non-competitive Frontlight section, as well as the 2019 Hong Kong Asian Film Festival and the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival.
“Lost Course” will screen in virtual cinemas via New York’s Film at Lincoln Center and Los Angeles’ Laemmle Theaters, as well as the Uc Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.
Divided into two sections, the film tells the story of how local residents of Wukan, a small fishing village in southern China’s Guangdong province, rose up...
The Chinese-language film about a democratic village uprising against corruption known as the “Siege of Wukan” and its aftermath won the best documentary prize at Taiwan’s 2020 Golden Horse Awards, an event sometimes described as Asia’s Oscars. It was an official selection for the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam’s non-competitive Frontlight section, as well as the 2019 Hong Kong Asian Film Festival and the 2019 Vancouver International Film Festival.
“Lost Course” will screen in virtual cinemas via New York’s Film at Lincoln Center and Los Angeles’ Laemmle Theaters, as well as the Uc Berkeley Art Museum and Pacific Film Archive.
Divided into two sections, the film tells the story of how local residents of Wukan, a small fishing village in southern China’s Guangdong province, rose up...
- 2/2/2021
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Radical changes are needed to dismantle unequal structures that inhibit access to audiences, according to a Sarajevo CineLink panel.
A distribution collective for independent filmmakers could help save a “broken” system, according to a Sarajevo CineLink panel of producers.
Watch the full session below.
US independent producer Karin Chien raised the idea of 500 independent filmmakers each paying $100 to become part of a distribution collective that could hire a year-round marketing team, rather than each filmmaker trying to reinvent the wheel with self-distribution for each of their films.
“The ideas I’m thinking of come from a collective model, power in numbers,...
A distribution collective for independent filmmakers could help save a “broken” system, according to a Sarajevo CineLink panel of producers.
Watch the full session below.
US independent producer Karin Chien raised the idea of 500 independent filmmakers each paying $100 to become part of a distribution collective that could hire a year-round marketing team, rather than each filmmaker trying to reinvent the wheel with self-distribution for each of their films.
“The ideas I’m thinking of come from a collective model, power in numbers,...
- 8/17/2020
- by 1100142¦Wendy Mitchell¦39¦
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Film Independent has unveiled their keynotes, conversations and panelists for the 15th annual Film Independent Forum. The Forum, which is traditionally a weekend event, will now be a week-long virtual event that will reach all corners of the globe from July 31 to August 7.
The event has set a roster of banner names in the industry, featuring a U.S. Filmmaker Keynote with Lulu Wang (The Farewell); a U.S. Executive Keynote with Elissa Federoff, President of Distribution at Neon; a Documentary Keynote with Dawn Porter; and a Global Executive Keynote with Ashok Amritraj, Chairman and CEO of Hyde Park Entertainment Group. Traditionally a weekend event, the Forum has expanded to a full week-long event accessible online to global audiences the week of July 31 to August 7.
In addition, panels will cover financing, production and distribution of films to digital content across diverse platforms...
The event has set a roster of banner names in the industry, featuring a U.S. Filmmaker Keynote with Lulu Wang (The Farewell); a U.S. Executive Keynote with Elissa Federoff, President of Distribution at Neon; a Documentary Keynote with Dawn Porter; and a Global Executive Keynote with Ashok Amritraj, Chairman and CEO of Hyde Park Entertainment Group. Traditionally a weekend event, the Forum has expanded to a full week-long event accessible online to global audiences the week of July 31 to August 7.
In addition, panels will cover financing, production and distribution of films to digital content across diverse platforms...
- 6/30/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
UTA Independent Film Group, Cinephil represent North American, international sales.
Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix has come on to serve as executive producer on Victor Kossakovsky’s Encounters documentary Gunda ahead of the world premiere in Berlin on Sunday (23).
Phoenix, a passionate animal rights advocate, said he was deeply moved by the film as it was being finished and by Kossakovsky’s artistry. He intends to support the release of the meditation on the lives of the eponymous sow and other farm animals, which marks the follow-up to Kossakovsky’s 2018 Venice Film Festival world premiere Aquarela.
UTA Independent Film Group handles...
Oscar winner Joaquin Phoenix has come on to serve as executive producer on Victor Kossakovsky’s Encounters documentary Gunda ahead of the world premiere in Berlin on Sunday (23).
Phoenix, a passionate animal rights advocate, said he was deeply moved by the film as it was being finished and by Kossakovsky’s artistry. He intends to support the release of the meditation on the lives of the eponymous sow and other farm animals, which marks the follow-up to Kossakovsky’s 2018 Venice Film Festival world premiere Aquarela.
UTA Independent Film Group handles...
- 2/20/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Joslyn Barnes and Chien’s first collaboration is an upcoming installation project by Academy Award nominee RaMell Ross.
Us independent producer Karin Chien is joining forces with New York-based Louverture Films.
Louverture was co-founded by Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover along with partners Susan Rockefeller, Bertha Foundation and Sawsan Asfari; the company’s credits include Hale County This Morning, This Evening and Strong Island.
Chien has previously won the Cinereach Producing Award and Piaget Independent Spirit Producers Award and has worked on films including Circumstance, The Exploding Girl and Stones In The Sun.
The first collaboration planned between Barnes and...
Us independent producer Karin Chien is joining forces with New York-based Louverture Films.
Louverture was co-founded by Joslyn Barnes and Danny Glover along with partners Susan Rockefeller, Bertha Foundation and Sawsan Asfari; the company’s credits include Hale County This Morning, This Evening and Strong Island.
Chien has previously won the Cinereach Producing Award and Piaget Independent Spirit Producers Award and has worked on films including Circumstance, The Exploding Girl and Stones In The Sun.
The first collaboration planned between Barnes and...
- 2/18/2020
- by 1100142¦Wendy Mitchell¦0¦
- ScreenDaily
Borne of what the festival cites as its fun and nourishing values, the Nevada City Film Festival Filmmaker Residency honors the region’s Nisenan and Chinese-American communities by hosting diverse storytellers, with a priority on filmmakers of indigenous and Asian descent. The Residency originated from producer Karin Chien, Ncff Director Jesse Locks and Ncff Founder Jeff Clark. Wrapping its second year this past August, the 2019 Nevada City Filmmaker Residency turned a creative spotlight onto independent producers. Ncff hosted prolific independent producer Zhang Xianmin from Beijing for a three-week residency in Grass Valley, CA. Ncff also hosted four Us indie producers […]...
- 10/21/2019
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Borne of what the festival cites as its fun and nourishing values, the Nevada City Film Festival Filmmaker Residency honors the region’s Nisenan and Chinese-American communities by hosting diverse storytellers, with a priority on filmmakers of indigenous and Asian descent. The Residency originated from producer Karin Chien, Ncff Director Jesse Locks and Ncff Founder Jeff Clark. Wrapping its second year this past August, the 2019 Nevada City Filmmaker Residency turned a creative spotlight onto independent producers. Ncff hosted prolific independent producer Zhang Xianmin from Beijing for a three-week residency in Grass Valley, CA. Ncff also hosted four Us indie producers […]...
- 10/21/2019
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Icarus Films has acquired North American distribution rights to Tibetan director Pema Tseden’s new arthouse feature “Jinpa.” Following “Old Dog,” The Search” and “Tharlo,” it is the fourth of Tseden’s titles to be added to the firm’s dGenerate Collection, the largest grouping of independent Chinese films available in the U.S., founded and curated by Karin Chien.
Jacky Pang, CEO of Block 2 Distribution, and Jonathan Miller, president of Icarus Films, signed the deal. Pema Tseden is one of the most prominent Tibetan filmmakers, whose black-and-white film “Tharlo” won a Golden Horse for best adapted screenplay in 2015.
An atmospheric depiction of Tibetan life, “Jinpa” was released theatrically nationwide in China but made just $1.46 million (RMB10.3 million) in theaters. It tells the tale of a truck driver who accidentally runs over a sheep on his way across the barren Tibetan steppe, and then tries to stop a hitchhiker whom...
Jacky Pang, CEO of Block 2 Distribution, and Jonathan Miller, president of Icarus Films, signed the deal. Pema Tseden is one of the most prominent Tibetan filmmakers, whose black-and-white film “Tharlo” won a Golden Horse for best adapted screenplay in 2015.
An atmospheric depiction of Tibetan life, “Jinpa” was released theatrically nationwide in China but made just $1.46 million (RMB10.3 million) in theaters. It tells the tale of a truck driver who accidentally runs over a sheep on his way across the barren Tibetan steppe, and then tries to stop a hitchhiker whom...
- 8/10/2019
- by Rebecca Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Cinereach announced the four recipients of 2019’s Producer Award, a $50,000 filmmaking prize as part of the Cinereach Producers Initiative, on Friday.
The indie film company has selected Jessica Devaney (“Always in Season”), Alexandra Lazarowich (“Fast Horse”), Kishori Rajan (“Random Acts of Flyness”) and Jamund Washington (“Tramps”) as independent producers that have demonstrated vision and integrity, contributed to the film community as mentors and leaders, and enriched the culture through their films.
“This year’s group of recipients is particularly exciting because Jessica, Alexandra, Kishori and Jamund have each created poignant, culturally thoughtful work that breaks down barriers on a multitude of platforms. Their commitment to this type of work is shifting our industry in meaningful ways,” Merrill Sterritt, head of partnerships and creative initiatives at Cinereach, said in a statement.
Also Read: How to Be a 'Real' Producer: Know Your Audience and 'Fight for Your Life'
“We are proud to...
The indie film company has selected Jessica Devaney (“Always in Season”), Alexandra Lazarowich (“Fast Horse”), Kishori Rajan (“Random Acts of Flyness”) and Jamund Washington (“Tramps”) as independent producers that have demonstrated vision and integrity, contributed to the film community as mentors and leaders, and enriched the culture through their films.
“This year’s group of recipients is particularly exciting because Jessica, Alexandra, Kishori and Jamund have each created poignant, culturally thoughtful work that breaks down barriers on a multitude of platforms. Their commitment to this type of work is shifting our industry in meaningful ways,” Merrill Sterritt, head of partnerships and creative initiatives at Cinereach, said in a statement.
Also Read: How to Be a 'Real' Producer: Know Your Audience and 'Fight for Your Life'
“We are proud to...
- 6/7/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Mohamed Siam, Emre Akay and Myriam El Hajj will be among the filmmakers heading to Turkey.
Mohamed Siam, Emre Akay and Myriam El Hajj will be among the filmmakers heading to Turkey for the 14th edition of the Meetings on the Bridge project meeting, running April 11-12 within the framework of the 38th Istanbul Film Festival (April 5-16).
Egyptian documentarian Mohamed Siam, whose last feature Amal opened the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (Idfa) in 2017, will present his first fiction feature project, Blood And Honey (Carnaval).
Siam describes it as comedy mixing ingredients from Amal – which followed a young female revolutionary...
Mohamed Siam, Emre Akay and Myriam El Hajj will be among the filmmakers heading to Turkey for the 14th edition of the Meetings on the Bridge project meeting, running April 11-12 within the framework of the 38th Istanbul Film Festival (April 5-16).
Egyptian documentarian Mohamed Siam, whose last feature Amal opened the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (Idfa) in 2017, will present his first fiction feature project, Blood And Honey (Carnaval).
Siam describes it as comedy mixing ingredients from Amal – which followed a young female revolutionary...
- 3/22/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Dear White People producer among trio.
Cinereach, the New York-based producer-financier whose credits include The Florida Project and Last Men In Aleppo, has selected Effie Brown, Scott Macaulay, and Anish Savjani for its annual Producer Award.
The award comes with a $50,000 grant recognising producers who “demonstrate vision and integrity, contribute to the film community as mentors and leaders, and enrich the culture through their films.”
“We’re proud to be among organizations like Sundance, SFFilm, Ifp and Film Independent who are investing in the careers of exceptional working producers,” Merrill Sterritt, head of partnerships and creative initiatives at Cinereach, said.
Cinereach, the New York-based producer-financier whose credits include The Florida Project and Last Men In Aleppo, has selected Effie Brown, Scott Macaulay, and Anish Savjani for its annual Producer Award.
The award comes with a $50,000 grant recognising producers who “demonstrate vision and integrity, contribute to the film community as mentors and leaders, and enrich the culture through their films.”
“We’re proud to be among organizations like Sundance, SFFilm, Ifp and Film Independent who are investing in the careers of exceptional working producers,” Merrill Sterritt, head of partnerships and creative initiatives at Cinereach, said.
- 3/14/2018
- by Jenn Sherman
- ScreenDaily
Film Independent has announced the producers selected for its 16th annual Producing Lab. Participating with a project they’re in the process of producing, the four-week program is designed to help the filmmakers develop their skills as independent producers.
Seven projects and a total of nine producers will participate, and through the Lab will develop a strategy and action plan to bring their project to life, as well as meet professionals who can advise them on their craft and the business of independent producing.
Read More: San Francisco Film Society Announces Fall 2016 Narrative Filmmaking Grant Finalists
This year’s Creative Advisors are Karin Chien (“Circumstance”), Heather Rae (“Tallulah”) and Daniel Wagner (“Miles Ahead”). Guest speakers include Charles Howard, Tri-Star Pictures President Hannah Minghella CAA Agents Maren Olson and Tristen Tuckfield, and Jason Berman (“The Birth of a Nation,” “Mediterranea”).
“We are thrilled to welcome this dynamic group of producers to the Lab.
Seven projects and a total of nine producers will participate, and through the Lab will develop a strategy and action plan to bring their project to life, as well as meet professionals who can advise them on their craft and the business of independent producing.
Read More: San Francisco Film Society Announces Fall 2016 Narrative Filmmaking Grant Finalists
This year’s Creative Advisors are Karin Chien (“Circumstance”), Heather Rae (“Tallulah”) and Daniel Wagner (“Miles Ahead”). Guest speakers include Charles Howard, Tri-Star Pictures President Hannah Minghella CAA Agents Maren Olson and Tristen Tuckfield, and Jason Berman (“The Birth of a Nation,” “Mediterranea”).
“We are thrilled to welcome this dynamic group of producers to the Lab.
- 10/25/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
Hong Kong-based sales company Asian Shadows has picked up world rights (outside Greater China) to Tibetan director Pema Tseden’s Tharlo, which will receive its world premiere in Venice’s Orizzonti section.
Adapted from Pema Tseden’s novel, the film follows a 40-year-old Tibetan shepherd, who can recite Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book from memory, but whose quiet life changes when he is asked to go to the city to have his photo taken for his first ID card.
The film, which premieres in Venice on September 4, has also been selected for Busan’s Window on Asian Cinema section. It was produced by Beijing-based Heaven Pictures, which also produced Berlinale title River Road and Kaili Blues, which premiered in Locarno.
“Tharlo is typical of Tibetans of the present generation,” said Pema Tseden. “This is a story that shows them in a state of confusion, disorientation and desensitization. The film is in black-and-white as the ruggedness in the...
Adapted from Pema Tseden’s novel, the film follows a 40-year-old Tibetan shepherd, who can recite Chairman Mao’s Little Red Book from memory, but whose quiet life changes when he is asked to go to the city to have his photo taken for his first ID card.
The film, which premieres in Venice on September 4, has also been selected for Busan’s Window on Asian Cinema section. It was produced by Beijing-based Heaven Pictures, which also produced Berlinale title River Road and Kaili Blues, which premiered in Locarno.
“Tharlo is typical of Tibetans of the present generation,” said Pema Tseden. “This is a story that shows them in a state of confusion, disorientation and desensitization. The film is in black-and-white as the ruggedness in the...
- 9/2/2015
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
With 20 days to go, the Kickstarter launched by producer/distributor Karin Chien, critic/curator Shelly Kraicer, and filmmaker/anthropologist J.P. Sniadecki has already hit its initial target goal for the purpose of organizing a series showcasing some of the best films shown at the Beijing Independent Film Festival. These works — including People’s Park, a personal favorite film of the last few years co-directed by Sniadecki and Libbie Cohn — were all once screened at the Festival, which was shut down completely last year by Chinese authorities. (You can read more about that here.) The initial funding goals focused on bringing over […]...
- 7/16/2015
- by Vadim Rizov
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
With 20 days to go, the Kickstarter launched by producer/distributor Karin Chien, critic/curator Shelly Kraicer, and filmmaker/anthropologist J.P. Sniadecki has already hit its initial target goal for the purpose of organizing a series showcasing some of the best films shown at the Beijing Independent Film Festival. These works — including People’s Park, a personal favorite film of the last few years co-directed by Sniadecki and Libbie Cohn — were all once screened at the Festival, which was shut down completely last year by Chinese authorities. (You can read more about that here.) The initial funding goals focused on bringing over […]...
- 7/16/2015
- by Vadim Rizov
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Rushes collects news, articles, images, videos and more for a weekly roundup of essential items from the world of film.Above: Nastassja Kinski & Jean-Pierre Léaud are on the poster for the 2015 Venice Film Festival.At the New York Times, A.O. Scott and Manohla Dargis are in dialogue reflecting on feminism and summer movies.There's a new festival in the works from producer/distributor Karin Chien, critic/curator Shelly Kraicer, and filmmaker/anthropologist J.P. Sniadecki: "Cinema on the Edge! Bestof the Beijing Indie Film Festival." With the 2014 Biff thwarted, these three are essentially transposing the festival and its films to New York this summer. They've launched a Kickstarter to support the venture.Above: Lauren Bacall in a 1943 issue of Harper's Bazaar. Via bettybecallbeauty.Film Comment's latest issue is out, and much of it is available to read online, including Kent Jones on Horse Money, reports from Cannes and Tribeca,...
- 7/8/2015
- by Notebook
- MUBI
Actors Emmy Rossum and Michael Pena joined Film Independent president Josh Welsh on Saturday to announce the winners of the 2015 Spirit Awards Grants, which honors emerging filmmakers with $25,000 in unrestricted funds.
The grants were handed out at the organization’s annual Spirit Awards nominees brunch, held at West Hollywood’s Boa Steakhouse, and saw Chris Ohlson, Dan Krauss and Rania Attich and Daniel Garcia take top spots.
“At Film Independent our mission is to support independent filmmakers all year long, helping them to get their films made and to build the audience for their work,” Welsh said.
“One of the...
The grants were handed out at the organization’s annual Spirit Awards nominees brunch, held at West Hollywood’s Boa Steakhouse, and saw Chris Ohlson, Dan Krauss and Rania Attich and Daniel Garcia take top spots.
“At Film Independent our mission is to support independent filmmakers all year long, helping them to get their films made and to build the audience for their work,” Welsh said.
“One of the...
- 1/10/2015
- by Matt Donnelly
- The Wrap
La-based nonprofit Film Independent has unveiled the nine filmmakers and eight projects selected for the 14th annual Producing Lab, a four-week intensive program designed to train aspiring independent producers. Producers bring a feature-length narrative work-in-progress to the Lab for further development, while meeting film professionals and advisors on the craft and business of independent filmmaking. This year’s advisors and guest speakers include Ram Bergman, Lisa Bruce, Karin Chien, Eric d’Arbeloff, Lindsay Doran, Cathy Schulman, and Leslie Urdang. The Lab offers year-round support to Fellows, including access to Film Independent’s annual film educational offerings and the Los Angeles Film Festival. Film Independent also awarded the eighth annual Sloan Producing Grant to producer Summer Shelton for feature film project "The Buried Life" by Joan Schimke and Averie Storck. Shelton received a $30,000 production grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation,...
- 10/28/2014
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Thompson on Hollywood
More than 20 festival heads and programmers have signed a statement in support of the Beijing Independent Film Festival, which was shut down by Chinese authorities last weekend.
The statement expresses deep concern over the closure of the festival and a raid on the offices of the festival’s organiser, the Li Xianting Film Fund, during which the organisation’s complete archives of independent films and related research materials were confiscated.
Signatories to the statement include festival chiefs such as Rotterdam’s Rutger Wolfson, Sydney’s Nashen Moodley, Torino Film Festival’s Emanuela Martini and New York Film Festival’s Kent Jones, along with prominent artistic directors and programmers and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s programming director Dennis Lim (see full statement and list of signatories below).
The Beijing Independent Film Festival aims to showcase the work of independent Chinese filmmakers, working outside the government-sanctioned mainstream film industry. It was scheduled to hold its 11th edition...
The statement expresses deep concern over the closure of the festival and a raid on the offices of the festival’s organiser, the Li Xianting Film Fund, during which the organisation’s complete archives of independent films and related research materials were confiscated.
Signatories to the statement include festival chiefs such as Rotterdam’s Rutger Wolfson, Sydney’s Nashen Moodley, Torino Film Festival’s Emanuela Martini and New York Film Festival’s Kent Jones, along with prominent artistic directors and programmers and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s programming director Dennis Lim (see full statement and list of signatories below).
The Beijing Independent Film Festival aims to showcase the work of independent Chinese filmmakers, working outside the government-sanctioned mainstream film industry. It was scheduled to hold its 11th edition...
- 8/27/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
More than 20 festival heads and programmers have signed a statement in support of the Beijing Independent Film Festival, which was shut down by Chinese authorities last weekend.
The statement expresses deep concern over the closure of the festival and a raid on the offices of the festival’s organiser, the Li Xianting Film Fund, during which the organisation’s complete archives of independent films and related research materials were confiscated.
Signatories to the statement include festival chiefs such as Rotterdam’s Rutger Wolfson, Sydney’s Nashen Moodley, Torino Film Festival’s Emanuela Martini and New York Film Festival’s Kent Jones, along with prominent artistic directors and programmers and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s programming director Dennis Lim (see full statement and list of signatories below).
The Beijing Independent Film Festival aims to showcase the work of independent Chinese filmmakers, working outside the government-sanctioned mainstream film industry. It was scheduled to hold its 11th edition...
The statement expresses deep concern over the closure of the festival and a raid on the offices of the festival’s organiser, the Li Xianting Film Fund, during which the organisation’s complete archives of independent films and related research materials were confiscated.
Signatories to the statement include festival chiefs such as Rotterdam’s Rutger Wolfson, Sydney’s Nashen Moodley, Torino Film Festival’s Emanuela Martini and New York Film Festival’s Kent Jones, along with prominent artistic directors and programmers and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s programming director Dennis Lim (see full statement and list of signatories below).
The Beijing Independent Film Festival aims to showcase the work of independent Chinese filmmakers, working outside the government-sanctioned mainstream film industry. It was scheduled to hold its 11th edition...
- 8/27/2014
- by lizshackleton@gmail.com (Liz Shackleton)
- ScreenDaily
Filmmaker Greg Pak (Robot Stories) has released his graphic novel Vision Machine as an iPad app and, in the process, is pointing the way towards new storytelling formats and new production and distribution partnerships. Set in the year 2061, Vision Machine is a dystopian thriller revolving around augmented reality technology not unlike Google Glass. Touching on issues like privacy and digital rights, Vision Machine was funded by the Ford Foundation as an awareness tool, and after it was completed Pak teamed up with Itvs to reimagine it as an iPad app. After learning about Vision Machine from producer Karin Chien, …...
- 12/4/2012
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Online video’s come a long way in the seven-and-a-half years since the launch of YouTube, but it’s no secret that the landscape’s still constantly changing for filmmakers, both independents and studios. The big question, still, is how to best monetize online viewing, as a few recent developments have illustrated. Karin Chien has a great piece in the current issue of Filmmaker (available for subscribers here) about how some YouTube stars have built up massive audiences that have, in turn, supported them financially and empowered them to deal with Hollywood on favorable terms. But we all know that going viral can …...
- 11/23/2012
- by Randy Astle
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
I had no intentions of making this another “news” post (this was supposed to be a rambling soliloquy on micro-budget genre filmmaking in Austin), but shortly after I had published last week’s Austin Cinematic Limits column on The Latest Austin Movie Success Stories, I heard yet another fantastic Austin movie success story. Two of the eleven projects selected for the Sundance Creative Producing Labs this year are from Austin! Color me impressed…and incredibly proud. Kelly Williams (who was featured in Austin Cinematic Limits in February 2012) has been selected to participate in the Feature Film Creative Producing Lab, a five-day Lab where narrative feature film producers work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors to develop their creative instincts, communication and problem-solving skills in all stages of film production. This year’s Creative Advisors include producers Anne Carey (The American, Adventureland), Karin Chien (Circumstance, Exploding Girl), Lynette Howell (Terri, Blue Valentine...
- 7/23/2012
- by Don Simpson
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
While not all films mentioned below are necessarily guaranteed future place among the Sundance Film Festival elite, it’s certainly a step in the right direction for the filmmakers and more importantly the producers backing the future of independent film. Among the eleven project participants below selected for the annual Creative Producing Labs and Creative Producing Summit (July 30 – August 3) in the Feature Film category we find such names as future superstars in Summer Shelton (she worked with Ramin Bahrani) and receives the first ever Bingham Ray Creative Producing Fellow, Tory Lenosky (worked as an assistant to Jay Van Hoy and Lars Knudsen) and Lucas Joaquin (second unit producer for Beasts of the Southern Wild). Here is the full press release below.
Feature Film Creative Producing Lab
The Feature Film Creative Producing Lab is a five-day Lab where narrative feature film producers work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors to develop their creative instincts,...
Feature Film Creative Producing Lab
The Feature Film Creative Producing Lab is a five-day Lab where narrative feature film producers work with an accomplished group of Creative Advisors to develop their creative instincts,...
- 7/18/2012
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards, announced on Sunday the jury and audience award winners for the 2012 Festival at the Awards Brunch, hosted by Chaya Downtown for the third year. Actors Jon Heder and Ari Graynor were on hand to present the awards. The La Film Fest, presented by Film Independent and Host Venue Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14 and presenting media sponsor Los Angeles Times, ran from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24 in downtown Los Angeles.
“Every single filmmaker in this year’s Festival deserves kudos for their artistry and compelling stories. Our juries had such gems to choose from in each competition and the winners truly represent what we hold dear.diversity and uniqueness of vision,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.
The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Narrative Award and Documentary Award,...
“Every single filmmaker in this year’s Festival deserves kudos for their artistry and compelling stories. Our juries had such gems to choose from in each competition and the winners truly represent what we hold dear.diversity and uniqueness of vision,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.
The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Narrative Award and Documentary Award,...
- 6/25/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
HollywoodNews.com: Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards, announced the jury and audience award winners for the 2012 Festival at the Awards Brunch, hosted by Chaya Downtown for the third year. Actors Jon Heder and Ari Graynor were on hand to present the awards. The La Film Fest, presented by Film Independent and Host Venue Regal Cinemas L.A. Live Stadium 14 and presenting media sponsor Los Angeles Times, ran from Thursday, June 14 to Sunday, June 24 in downtown Los Angeles.
“Every single filmmaker in this year’s Festival deserves kudos for their artistry and compelling stories. Our juries had such gems to choose from in each competition and the winners truly represent what we hold dear—diversity and uniqueness of vision,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.
The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Narrative Award and Documentary Award,...
“Every single filmmaker in this year’s Festival deserves kudos for their artistry and compelling stories. Our juries had such gems to choose from in each competition and the winners truly represent what we hold dear—diversity and uniqueness of vision,” said Festival Director Stephanie Allain.
The two top juried awards of the Los Angeles Film Festival are the Narrative Award and Documentary Award,...
- 6/24/2012
- by Josh Abraham
- Hollywoodnews.com
Film Independent today announced the jurors for the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival. The Narrative jury will consist of "Natural Selection" actress Rachael Harris (who we interviewed at Laff last year), filmmaker Robert Townsend, and critic Sheri Linden. The Documentary jury is comprised of producers Heather Rae and Karin Chien and filmmaker Mark Landsman ("Thunder Soul"). Film critic and author Ernest Hardy, Spirit Award-nominated cinematographer Nancy Schreiber ("Your Friends And Neighbors," "The Celluloid Closet") and writer/director/editor Javier Fuentes León ("Contracorriente"), who won the Audience Award at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival round out the shorts jury. This jury will deliberate on the cash prizes during the festival's run from June 14-24. The competition and audience award winners will be announced at the Awards Brunch held at Chaya Downtown on the last day of the festival. ...
- 6/7/2012
- by Austin Dale
- Indiewire
The jurors for the 2012 Los Angeles Film Festival were announced Thursday, with the list including "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" star Rachael Harris, film critic Ernest Hardy and "Hollywood Shuffle" director Robert Townsend. The festival takes place June 14-24 in downtown Los Angeles. The narrative jury will consist of actress Harris and Townsend, who've both been nominated for Film Independent Spirit Awards, along with Hollywood Reporter and Los Angeles Times film critic Sheri Linden. The documentary jury will include "Frozen River" producer Heather Rae, "The Exploding Girl" producer Karin Chien and "Thunder...
- 6/7/2012
- by Tim Kenneally
- The Wrap
Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, handed out top honors to The Artist, The Descendants and Margin Call at this afternoon’s 27th Film Independent Spirit Awards. My Week With Marilyn, Beginners, 50/50, A Separation and The Interrupters also received awards at the ceremony, held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica.
Tune in to IFC tonight at 10:00 pm Et/Pt to catch all the action at the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards, with actor, writer and producer Seth Rogen hosting. Highlights include: John Waters as the Voice of God, musical performances by My Morning Jacket and K’Naan.
The Spirit Awards was the first event to exclusively honor independent film, and over the past 27 years, has become the premier awards show for the independent film community, celebrating films made by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. Artists...
Tune in to IFC tonight at 10:00 pm Et/Pt to catch all the action at the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards, with actor, writer and producer Seth Rogen hosting. Highlights include: John Waters as the Voice of God, musical performances by My Morning Jacket and K’Naan.
The Spirit Awards was the first event to exclusively honor independent film, and over the past 27 years, has become the premier awards show for the independent film community, celebrating films made by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. Artists...
- 2/26/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" was the big winner at the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The black-and-white silent film took home Best Feature, Director for Hazanavicius, Best Male Lead for Jean Dujardin, and Best Cinematography for Guillaume Schiffman.
In the performance categories, Michelle Williams took home the Best Female Lead award for her Marilyn Monroe portrayal in "My Week with Marilyn." Shailene Woodley, snubbed by the Academy for her memorable performance as George Clooney's daughter in "The Descendants," won Best Supporting Actress while Oscar frontrunner, Christopher Plummer, received the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in "Beginners."
Held on Santa Monica Beach and hosted by Seth Rogen, the 27th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be broadcast by IFC at 10 p.m. Pst/Est.
Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the Independent Spirit Awards:
Best Feature
50/50 - Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen...
In the performance categories, Michelle Williams took home the Best Female Lead award for her Marilyn Monroe portrayal in "My Week with Marilyn." Shailene Woodley, snubbed by the Academy for her memorable performance as George Clooney's daughter in "The Descendants," won Best Supporting Actress while Oscar frontrunner, Christopher Plummer, received the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in "Beginners."
Held on Santa Monica Beach and hosted by Seth Rogen, the 27th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be broadcast by IFC at 10 p.m. Pst/Est.
Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the Independent Spirit Awards:
Best Feature
50/50 - Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen...
- 2/26/2012
- by Manny
- Manny the Movie Guy
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