James Ashcroft will direct the feature film adaptation of “Old Haunts.” The “Coming Home In the Dark” filmmaker was tapped for the gig by Awa Studios, the film and television division of Artists, Writers & Artisans (Awa), which published the popular graphic novel that is inspiring the movie.
Ashcroft will direct the “Old Haunts” adaptation from a script by in-demand scribe Aaron Rabin, who is hot off of the newly launched Marvel series, “Secret Invasion.” Zach Studin, president of Awa Studios, will produce the movie.
Since the world premiere of “Coming Home In The Dark” at Sundance, where the psychological thriller made a stir, Ashcroft has become an in-demand filmmaker, lining up projects with Agbo, Legendary and Netflix.
“James Ashcroft is a cinematic force, with an incredible vision for this explosive story that collides the genres of crime and horror,” Studin said. “His ability to capture heart-wrenching performances, while delivering gripping tension,...
Ashcroft will direct the “Old Haunts” adaptation from a script by in-demand scribe Aaron Rabin, who is hot off of the newly launched Marvel series, “Secret Invasion.” Zach Studin, president of Awa Studios, will produce the movie.
Since the world premiere of “Coming Home In The Dark” at Sundance, where the psychological thriller made a stir, Ashcroft has become an in-demand filmmaker, lining up projects with Agbo, Legendary and Netflix.
“James Ashcroft is a cinematic force, with an incredible vision for this explosive story that collides the genres of crime and horror,” Studin said. “His ability to capture heart-wrenching performances, while delivering gripping tension,...
- 7/11/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Maria Bakalova, the Oscar-nominated star of “Borat Subsequent Movie Film,” is set to star in the action-comedy “My Masterpiece” for Sylvester Stallone and Braden Aftergood’s Balboa Productions. Cassandra Brooksbank will make her feature directorial debut from a script by Jason Hellerman. The Veterans and CAA Media Finance will introduce the film to buyers at Cannes this week.
According to the official description, “My Masterpiece” follows a hitwoman hellbent on dismantling an unfair system within her industry, but she gets stuck on the second floor of an office building after she takes vengeance on a corporate overlord. That means she has to fight her way through fellow murderers and her past to ensure justice prevails. If all goes well, this might just be her masterpiece.
Production is expected to begin in fall 2023 in Canada. The Veterans are handling international sales. CAA Media Finance represents domestic distribution rights.
After her scene-stealing...
According to the official description, “My Masterpiece” follows a hitwoman hellbent on dismantling an unfair system within her industry, but she gets stuck on the second floor of an office building after she takes vengeance on a corporate overlord. That means she has to fight her way through fellow murderers and her past to ensure justice prevails. If all goes well, this might just be her masterpiece.
Production is expected to begin in fall 2023 in Canada. The Veterans are handling international sales. CAA Media Finance represents domestic distribution rights.
After her scene-stealing...
- 5/19/2023
- by Brent Lang and Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Amazon Studios has acquired Brian Otting’s script Never Too Old to Die as a starring vehicle for Sylvester Stallone, Deadline has learned.
The action comedy to be produced by Stallone and Braden Aftergood for Balboa Productions watches as a mysterious murder within a retirement home for spies sparks a Cold War hero’s personal mission to find the assassin living among them.
This will be the first project falling under Stallone and Balboa’s multi-year, first-look deal with Amazon Studios, which we were first to report on last week — an agreement that will have Stallone write, direct, produce and star in both scripted and unscripted projects for the studio, for film and TV. A director has not yet been attached.
Stallone recently led the Prime Video superhero pic Samaritan and currently stars as New York Mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi in the acclaimed Paramount+ crime drama series...
The action comedy to be produced by Stallone and Braden Aftergood for Balboa Productions watches as a mysterious murder within a retirement home for spies sparks a Cold War hero’s personal mission to find the assassin living among them.
This will be the first project falling under Stallone and Balboa’s multi-year, first-look deal with Amazon Studios, which we were first to report on last week — an agreement that will have Stallone write, direct, produce and star in both scripted and unscripted projects for the studio, for film and TV. A director has not yet been attached.
Stallone recently led the Prime Video superhero pic Samaritan and currently stars as New York Mafia capo Dwight “The General” Manfredi in the acclaimed Paramount+ crime drama series...
- 4/17/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Sylvester Stallone is getting in the ring with Amazon Studios. According to Deadline, Stallone and his Balboa Productions studio have signed a first-look deal with Amazon Studios. Through the multi-year partnership, Stallone will write, direct, produce, and star in film and television projects – scripted and unscripted – developed by Balboa Studios. The content will stream on Prime Video, with movies likely heading to the silver screen before arriving on the streaming network.
Stallone is working on creating content through the deal with the genre film Scavenger Hunt, written and directed by Elle Callahan (Witch Hunt). In addition to Scavenger Hunt, the move to Amazon Studios means Stallone can return to the Rocky franchise. The Creed-Verse is hotter than ever after the box office-breaking release of Creed III, with plans to expand the franchise through film, television, and animation.
“Sylvester Stallone is an undeniable Hollywood legend who has created some of the...
Stallone is working on creating content through the deal with the genre film Scavenger Hunt, written and directed by Elle Callahan (Witch Hunt). In addition to Scavenger Hunt, the move to Amazon Studios means Stallone can return to the Rocky franchise. The Creed-Verse is hotter than ever after the box office-breaking release of Creed III, with plans to expand the franchise through film, television, and animation.
“Sylvester Stallone is an undeniable Hollywood legend who has created some of the...
- 4/12/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: Amazon Studios has signed a first-look deal with actor, writer, and filmmaker Sylvester Stallone and his company Balboa Productions.
Under the multi-year pact, Stallone will write, direct, produce, and star in film and television projects — both scripted and unscripted — developed through Balboa Productions, which he founded with Braden Aftergood. They will stream on Prime Video, with movies likely to get a theatrical release first. The company already is working on the genre film Scavenger Hunt, written and directed by Elle Callahan (Witch Hunt) for MGM/Amazon.
“Sylvester Stallone is an undeniable Hollywood legend who has created some of the most timeless and iconic characters of our generation. As an actor, writer, director, and producer, he has defined his own epic brand of storytelling and inspired people all over the world,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon and MGM Studios. “We are excited to continue our relationship with Sylvester and...
Under the multi-year pact, Stallone will write, direct, produce, and star in film and television projects — both scripted and unscripted — developed through Balboa Productions, which he founded with Braden Aftergood. They will stream on Prime Video, with movies likely to get a theatrical release first. The company already is working on the genre film Scavenger Hunt, written and directed by Elle Callahan (Witch Hunt) for MGM/Amazon.
“Sylvester Stallone is an undeniable Hollywood legend who has created some of the most timeless and iconic characters of our generation. As an actor, writer, director, and producer, he has defined his own epic brand of storytelling and inspired people all over the world,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon and MGM Studios. “We are excited to continue our relationship with Sylvester and...
- 4/12/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Fremantle has deepened its relationship with Artists, Writers & Artisans, Inc. (Awa) by making a minority investment in the company.
Fremantle had struck a strategic development deal with Awa Studios, the film and television division of Awa, last year.
Awa is backed by James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems, Sister, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. In 2021, the company established Awa Studios, helmed by Hollywood veteran Zach Studin as president. Marvel alum Axel Alonso serves as co-founder and chief creative officer overseeing editorial output. Matthew Anderson, co-chair and president and Jon Miller, co-founder and co-chair, lead Awa’s executive team.
The two companies have revealed that the first project on the joint development slate after Fremantle taking a stake in Awa is “Devil’s Highway,” a thriller based on the comic series by Benjamin Percy and Brent Schoonover in which a young woman seeks to unravel a sinister mystery hidden in the dark underbelly of the long-haul trucking industry.
Fremantle had struck a strategic development deal with Awa Studios, the film and television division of Awa, last year.
Awa is backed by James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems, Sister, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. In 2021, the company established Awa Studios, helmed by Hollywood veteran Zach Studin as president. Marvel alum Axel Alonso serves as co-founder and chief creative officer overseeing editorial output. Matthew Anderson, co-chair and president and Jon Miller, co-founder and co-chair, lead Awa’s executive team.
The two companies have revealed that the first project on the joint development slate after Fremantle taking a stake in Awa is “Devil’s Highway,” a thriller based on the comic series by Benjamin Percy and Brent Schoonover in which a young woman seeks to unravel a sinister mystery hidden in the dark underbelly of the long-haul trucking industry.
- 2/14/2023
- by Naman Ramachandran
- Variety Film + TV
Fremantle has taken a minority stake in independent developer Artists, Writers & Artisans Inc.
The company co-led an investment round with James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems alongside new capital from long-term backers of Awa and a “number of strategic individual investors with expertise in production, finance, sports, human rights and technology.” In addition to Lupa Systems, other Awa backers include Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sister.
Awa Studios, Awa’s film and TV arm helmed by Hollywood veteran Zach Studin, will benefit from Fremantle’s strategic input and investment, while also “unlocking the specialist expertise of the global content powerhouse, its infrastructure and its renowned international distribution footprint,” the companies said in a joint release on Tuesday.
The size of Fremantle’s stake was not disclosed.
Also Read:
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Filmmaker Edward Berger Sets First-Look Deal With Fremantle
The investment builds upon Fremantle and Awa’s partnership forged...
The company co-led an investment round with James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems alongside new capital from long-term backers of Awa and a “number of strategic individual investors with expertise in production, finance, sports, human rights and technology.” In addition to Lupa Systems, other Awa backers include Lightspeed Venture Partners and Sister.
Awa Studios, Awa’s film and TV arm helmed by Hollywood veteran Zach Studin, will benefit from Fremantle’s strategic input and investment, while also “unlocking the specialist expertise of the global content powerhouse, its infrastructure and its renowned international distribution footprint,” the companies said in a joint release on Tuesday.
The size of Fremantle’s stake was not disclosed.
Also Read:
‘All Quiet on the Western Front’ Filmmaker Edward Berger Sets First-Look Deal With Fremantle
The investment builds upon Fremantle and Awa’s partnership forged...
- 2/14/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Fremantle, the production unit of Bertelsmann-owned TV giant Rtl Group, has made a strategic minority investment in Artists, Writers & Artisans (Awa), an independent developer of stories from creative talent working across graphic fiction, film and television.
James Murdoch’s investment firm Lupa Systems, an existing Awa backer, co-led the new financial injection, which also included new capital from long-term Awa backers and “a number of strategic individual investors with expertise in production, finance, sports, human rights and technology,” the company said. Financial details and the size of the stake weren’t disclosed.
“This investment signifies a deepening of the initial partnership made between Fremantle and Awa in April 2022, which saw the companies come together to collaborate on co-developing a slate of TV projects based on Awa’s rapidly expanding IP library,” the partners said. “Awa Studios, Awa’s film and TV arm, will benefit from Fremantle’s strategic input and investment,...
James Murdoch’s investment firm Lupa Systems, an existing Awa backer, co-led the new financial injection, which also included new capital from long-term Awa backers and “a number of strategic individual investors with expertise in production, finance, sports, human rights and technology,” the company said. Financial details and the size of the stake weren’t disclosed.
“This investment signifies a deepening of the initial partnership made between Fremantle and Awa in April 2022, which saw the companies come together to collaborate on co-developing a slate of TV projects based on Awa’s rapidly expanding IP library,” the partners said. “Awa Studios, Awa’s film and TV arm, will benefit from Fremantle’s strategic input and investment,...
- 2/14/2023
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fremantle has acquired a minority stake in Artists, Writers & Artisans (Awa), the U.S.-based indie backed by Liz Murdoch’s Chernobyl producer Sister and James Murdoch’s Lupa Systems.
Awa works across film, TV and graphic novels and Devil’s Highway – based on the comic series by Benjamin Percy and Brent Schoonover – is the first fruits of its collaboration with Fremantle, which kicked off last year with a partnership to co-develop a TV slate. Fremantle and Lupa co-led that investment round alongside new capital from long-term backers of Awa and a number of strategic investors.
The Fremantle investment revealed today will aid Awa’s film and TV arm Awa Studios with strategic input.
“We are delighted to extend our successful partnership with Awa. The collaboration is a perfect strategic fit, giving Awa access to our global footprint, distribution infrastructure and production expertise and putting Fremantle at the very forefront of graphic fiction innovation,...
Awa works across film, TV and graphic novels and Devil’s Highway – based on the comic series by Benjamin Percy and Brent Schoonover – is the first fruits of its collaboration with Fremantle, which kicked off last year with a partnership to co-develop a TV slate. Fremantle and Lupa co-led that investment round alongside new capital from long-term backers of Awa and a number of strategic investors.
The Fremantle investment revealed today will aid Awa’s film and TV arm Awa Studios with strategic input.
“We are delighted to extend our successful partnership with Awa. The collaboration is a perfect strategic fit, giving Awa access to our global footprint, distribution infrastructure and production expertise and putting Fremantle at the very forefront of graphic fiction innovation,...
- 2/14/2023
- by Max Goldbart
- Deadline Film + TV
Elle Callahan To Write And Direct Adaptation Of Graphic Novel ‘Hotell’ As Awa Studios Ramps Up Slate
Exclusive: Awa Studios has tapped Elle Callahan to direct a feature film adaptation of the company’s original graphic fiction series Hotell. She will also co-adapt the script with Anthony Ruff. Awa Studios president Zach Studin is producing.
“I’m very excited to be working with Awa to adapt John Lees’ terrifying graphic novel Hotell,” Callahan said. “I aim to tell stories that push the horror genre in new directions — and my plan for this piece involves a very unique approach to the storytelling. This horror will feel all too relatable, and no doubt keep you up at night.”
The graphic novel presents a story of dread and intrigue and a mosaic of characters, set in the mysterious and frightening backdrop of the Pierrot Courts Hotel. It was written by well-known comic book creator Lees, drawn by artist Dalibor Talajic, and edited by Awa co-founder and chief creative officer Axel Alonso.
“I’m very excited to be working with Awa to adapt John Lees’ terrifying graphic novel Hotell,” Callahan said. “I aim to tell stories that push the horror genre in new directions — and my plan for this piece involves a very unique approach to the storytelling. This horror will feel all too relatable, and no doubt keep you up at night.”
The graphic novel presents a story of dread and intrigue and a mosaic of characters, set in the mysterious and frightening backdrop of the Pierrot Courts Hotel. It was written by well-known comic book creator Lees, drawn by artist Dalibor Talajic, and edited by Awa co-founder and chief creative officer Axel Alonso.
- 6/22/2022
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
Waxwork Records and WaterTower Music are proud to present Malignant Original Motion Picture Score by Joseph Bishara. Malignant is the latest creation from Conjuring universe architect James Wan. The film marks director Wan’s return to his roots with this original horror thriller. In the film, Madison is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities.
Joseph Bishara is an American composer, music producer, and actor best known for his work scoring films such as Insidious, The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Prodigy. He is known for his avant-garde style and unique approach to instrumentation and composition that suits horror films particularly well. Bishara disregards horror film score conventions by employing gut-wrenching string dissonance, haunting electronics, and sudden crescendos. Bishara’s Malignant score offers his distinctive style of disquieting strings, pulsing electronics, droning synths, and haunting sound design.
Joseph Bishara is an American composer, music producer, and actor best known for his work scoring films such as Insidious, The Conjuring, Annabelle, and The Prodigy. He is known for his avant-garde style and unique approach to instrumentation and composition that suits horror films particularly well. Bishara disregards horror film score conventions by employing gut-wrenching string dissonance, haunting electronics, and sudden crescendos. Bishara’s Malignant score offers his distinctive style of disquieting strings, pulsing electronics, droning synths, and haunting sound design.
- 9/13/2021
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Witch Hunt Trailer — Elle Callahan‘s Witch Hunt (2021) movie trailer has been released by Momentum Pictures. The Witch Hunt trailer stars Gideon Adlon, Elizabeth Mitchell, Abigail Cowen, Nicholas Crovetti, Cameron Crovetti, and Christian Camargo. Crew Elle Callahan wrote the screenplay for Witch Hunt. Blitz//Berlin created the music for the film. Nico Aguilar and Tommy [...]
Continue reading: Witch Hunt (2021) Movie Trailer: Federal Authorities hunt & force Witches to Seek Asylum in Mexico...
Continue reading: Witch Hunt (2021) Movie Trailer: Federal Authorities hunt & force Witches to Seek Asylum in Mexico...
- 9/12/2021
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
Up next from Head Count director Elle Callahan comes the new horror movie Witch Hunt, coming to theaters, Digital and On Demand October 1 via Momentum Pictures. In the film, “In a modern America where magic is real and witches are persecuted by US authorities, teenager Claire and her family are part of an intricate network that helps these women escape across […]...
- 9/10/2021
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Stars: Gideon Adlon, Abigail Cowen, Elizabeth Mitchell, Christian Camargo, Cameron Crovetti, Ashley Bell, Lulu Antariksa, Riley Scott, Treva Etienne, Jess Varley, Nicholas Crovetti, Bella Shepard | Written and Directed by Elle Callahan
Set in a modern America, Witch Hunt tells the story of two young witches in a world where witchcraft is illegal and punishable by death. These two young witches are helped by a woman who is trying to aid them over the southern border to asylum in Mexico. They are soon met with many obstacles including the daughter of the family who must decide which side she is on.
Despite a new The Craft movie and a new Witches movie coming out in the last year, witchcraft in film hasn’t exactly had a resurgence. It’s a sub genre of horror that, despite some popularity, has never completely took off and been over popularised with films. Because of this,...
Set in a modern America, Witch Hunt tells the story of two young witches in a world where witchcraft is illegal and punishable by death. These two young witches are helped by a woman who is trying to aid them over the southern border to asylum in Mexico. They are soon met with many obstacles including the daughter of the family who must decide which side she is on.
Despite a new The Craft movie and a new Witches movie coming out in the last year, witchcraft in film hasn’t exactly had a resurgence. It’s a sub genre of horror that, despite some popularity, has never completely took off and been over popularised with films. Because of this,...
- 7/9/2021
- by Alain Elliott
- Nerdly
“Witch Hunt,” the genre thriller and 2021 SXSW Film Festival entry, has sold domestic rights to Momentum Pictures.
Gideon Adlon, Abigail Cowen and Elizabeth Mitchell star in the bleak tale of the last stop on an underground railroad of refugee witches hiding in a small U.S. border town to Mexico. As time passes, uneasiness turns into paranoia when authorities close in on a seemingly normal family sheltering the witches along their journeys to freedom. The project was written and directed by Elle Callahan.
Momentum, a subsidiary of Entertainment One, acquired the project from Defiant Studios. It was produced by Defiant’s Eric B. Fleischman and Maurice Fadida of Kodiak. Chris Abernathy was co-producer, with EP’s including Victor Shapiro, Raphael Swann and André Druskeit.
“We’re thrilled to bring the timely and relevant story of ‘Witch Hunt’ to audiences this fall. We were drawn to the fresh take on a classic tale,...
Gideon Adlon, Abigail Cowen and Elizabeth Mitchell star in the bleak tale of the last stop on an underground railroad of refugee witches hiding in a small U.S. border town to Mexico. As time passes, uneasiness turns into paranoia when authorities close in on a seemingly normal family sheltering the witches along their journeys to freedom. The project was written and directed by Elle Callahan.
Momentum, a subsidiary of Entertainment One, acquired the project from Defiant Studios. It was produced by Defiant’s Eric B. Fleischman and Maurice Fadida of Kodiak. Chris Abernathy was co-producer, with EP’s including Victor Shapiro, Raphael Swann and André Druskeit.
“We’re thrilled to bring the timely and relevant story of ‘Witch Hunt’ to audiences this fall. We were drawn to the fresh take on a classic tale,...
- 6/14/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The 2020 thriller Treshold will be available on Blu-ray July 6th from Arrow Video
When a phone call from out of the blue brings Leo (Joey Millin) back into contact with his sister, Virginia (Madison West), long estranged from her family due to years of drug abuse, he arrives to find her alone in a bare apartment in the midst of an apparent overdose. After the convulsions and nausea subside, Virginia insists to Leo that she has been clean for 8 months due to the help of a mysterious group. She confides to her cynical brother that her edginess and paranoia actually stem from a sinister ritual conducted by the group that took her in at her lowest and eventually revealed themselves to be a cult. This curse bound her emotions and physical sensations to a man she has never met before.
With his marriage on the rocks, Leo has his own demons to face.
When a phone call from out of the blue brings Leo (Joey Millin) back into contact with his sister, Virginia (Madison West), long estranged from her family due to years of drug abuse, he arrives to find her alone in a bare apartment in the midst of an apparent overdose. After the convulsions and nausea subside, Virginia insists to Leo that she has been clean for 8 months due to the help of a mysterious group. She confides to her cynical brother that her edginess and paranoia actually stem from a sinister ritual conducted by the group that took her in at her lowest and eventually revealed themselves to be a cult. This curse bound her emotions and physical sensations to a man she has never met before.
With his marriage on the rocks, Leo has his own demons to face.
- 5/30/2021
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Within the DNA for Defiant Studios, the production banner behind Terry Crews’ 2020 hit “John Henry” and last month’s “Phobias,” are two companies: You’ve definitely heard of the scrappy, microbudget mentality that has made Blumhouse Productions a juggernaut. But you may have forgotten about Insurge, a one-time division of Paramount born with the mission to incubate young, first-time filmmakers. Defiant Studios producer Eric B. Fleischman is a veteran of both companies, and he and partner Maurice Fadida have quietly found success by embracing a model that is built around small-budget genre films from emerging talent and slate financing that mitigates risk and allows for taking more chances on talent. That approach is already paying off since Defiant was the only studio with two movies that premiered at last month’s SXSW: Elle Callahan’s “Witch Hunt” and Mickey Keating’s “Offseason,” which sold to Rlje Films and Shudder just this week.
- 4/16/2021
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Earlier this month, I had the opportunity to check out an array of projects from three different female filmmakers who were part of the 2021 SXSW Film Festival, including Here Before, which was written and directed by Stacey Gregg, Kier-La Janisse’s folk horror doc Woodlands Dark and Days Bewitched, as well as Witch Hunt from writer/director Elle Callahan.
Read on to see what I thought of this trio of films out of this year’s SXSW, and be sure to keep an eye out for more on these projects in the near future as well.
Here Before: With her feature film debut, Irish writer/director Stacey Gregg makes quite a statement with Here Before, a psychological thriller that also happens to be a thoughtful cinematic meditation on grief and motherhood. Featuring yet another all-timer performance from Andrea Riseborough, Here Before was easily the most surprising film I saw during this year’s SXSW.
Read on to see what I thought of this trio of films out of this year’s SXSW, and be sure to keep an eye out for more on these projects in the near future as well.
Here Before: With her feature film debut, Irish writer/director Stacey Gregg makes quite a statement with Here Before, a psychological thriller that also happens to be a thoughtful cinematic meditation on grief and motherhood. Featuring yet another all-timer performance from Andrea Riseborough, Here Before was easily the most surprising film I saw during this year’s SXSW.
- 3/30/2021
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Witch Hunt Review — Witch Hunt (2021) Film Review from the 28th Annual South By Southwest Film Festival, a movie directed by Elle Callahan, and starring Gideon Adlon, Elizabeth Mitchell, Abigail Cowen, Christian Camargo, Echo Campbell, Lulu Antariksa, Cameron Crovetti, Nicholas Crovetti, Ashley Bell, Assaf Cohen, [...]
Continue reading: Film Review: Witch Hunt: A Messy Brew of Allegories That Creates a Noxious Co-Opting Potion [SXSW 2021]...
Continue reading: Film Review: Witch Hunt: A Messy Brew of Allegories That Creates a Noxious Co-Opting Potion [SXSW 2021]...
- 3/19/2021
- by Jacob Mouradian
- Film-Book
Yesterday, writer/director Elle Callahan celebrated the world premiere of her latest film, Witch Hunt, which screened as part of the 2021 SXSW Film Festival. Starring Gideon Adlon, Abigail Cowen, Elizabeth Mitchell, and Echo Campbell, Witch Hunt introduces us to a world where witchcraft has been outlawed by the U.S. government, and anyone who is suspected of being a witch is rounded up and exterminated with prejudice, and the only place that witches can find asylum from these barbaric laws is in Mexico.
In advance of Witch Hunt’s world premiere at this year’s SXSW, Daily Dead had the opportunity to speak with Callahan as well as Adlon, Cowen, and Mitchell, and they discussed the intersection between fantasy and reality in Witch Hunt, their experiences collaborating together on the film, and more.
I would love to start with you, Elle, if that's cool, and have you dive into the story we see in the film,...
In advance of Witch Hunt’s world premiere at this year’s SXSW, Daily Dead had the opportunity to speak with Callahan as well as Adlon, Cowen, and Mitchell, and they discussed the intersection between fantasy and reality in Witch Hunt, their experiences collaborating together on the film, and more.
I would love to start with you, Elle, if that's cool, and have you dive into the story we see in the film,...
- 3/18/2021
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Striking a middle ground between teen fantasy “The Craft” and deadly serious political allegory “The Handmaid’s Tale” is “Witch Hunt,” writer-director Elle Callahan’s second feature. Her first, the 2019 “Head Count,” was a strikingly assured supernatural mind-bender, albeit one a little too understated for some genre fans. By contrast, this sophomore effort is comparatively conventional and straightforward in depicting paranormal themes, even given the added fillip of overt current-events commentary. It’s a more uneven work nonetheless, with some odd storytelling missteps and signs of budgetary constriction. Still, the fanciful tale of minority persecution in a U.S. not so different from our offscreen reality should easily attract acquisition interest around its SXSW premiere.
A grim prologue shows a manacled woman burned at a present-day New England stake in front of her two redheaded daughters. We then jump ahead three months to meet SoCal high schooler Claire (Gideon Adlon), whose...
A grim prologue shows a manacled woman burned at a present-day New England stake in front of her two redheaded daughters. We then jump ahead three months to meet SoCal high schooler Claire (Gideon Adlon), whose...
- 3/18/2021
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
It’s hard to believe that it’s already time for the SXSW Film Festival once again, but here we are. For the 2021 iteration of the fest, SXSW is going virtual, which gives more people the opportunity to get to experience their brilliant lineup of films this year. As someone who is already well into my SXSW viewings for this year, I can confidently say that this might be SXSW’s best slate of Midnighters from top to bottom, and a few other genre and genre-adjacent films that are premiering in other sections are very much worth your time as well.
So, if you’re looking to check out some excellent horror and sci-fi cinema during this year’s SXSW from the comfort of your own home, here are 15 different projects you’ll definitely want to make time for. Oh, and because I included both How it Ends and Violation during my Sundance 2021 preview,...
So, if you’re looking to check out some excellent horror and sci-fi cinema during this year’s SXSW from the comfort of your own home, here are 15 different projects you’ll definitely want to make time for. Oh, and because I included both How it Ends and Violation during my Sundance 2021 preview,...
- 3/11/2021
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
The season of love is coming! Shudder is looking to rekindle our love of horror this February. In place of flowers and chocolate there will be a new premiere every week: A Nightmare Wakes, After Midnight, Shook and The Dark and the Wicked. Joe Bob Briggs will return with a new Last Drive-In Valentine's special right before the day. There are also a lot of really great horror flicks coming next month. There is the original Queen of Black Magic, Nic Cage in Vampire's Kiss, Elle Callahan's very cool indie flick Head Count, Giallo flick The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears, horror comedy Basket Case, and Miike's One Missed Call. Check out the gallery below for all the films and series...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 1/21/2021
- Screen Anarchy
New banner to launch with three titles including Elle Callahan’s ‘Witch Hunt’ and Will Forbes’ ‘John Henry’.
German sales and distribution company Telepool, jointly owned by Us actor-producer Will Smith and Swiss director Marc Forster’s strategic investment company Elysian Fields, is launching a genre label Fearious overseen by sales arm Global Screen in time for the virtual Cannes market next week.
Three Us genre titles head the inaugural slate. Elle Callahan’s mystery thriller Witch Hunt, in which a high-school student and her family help witches escape across the Us border to Mexico, debuted at SXSW and stars Elizabeth Mitchell,...
German sales and distribution company Telepool, jointly owned by Us actor-producer Will Smith and Swiss director Marc Forster’s strategic investment company Elysian Fields, is launching a genre label Fearious overseen by sales arm Global Screen in time for the virtual Cannes market next week.
Three Us genre titles head the inaugural slate. Elle Callahan’s mystery thriller Witch Hunt, in which a high-school student and her family help witches escape across the Us border to Mexico, debuted at SXSW and stars Elizabeth Mitchell,...
- 6/18/2020
- by 158¦Martin Blaney¦40¦
- ScreenDaily
New banner to launch with three titles including Elle Callahan’s ‘Witch Hunt’ and Will Forbes’ ‘John Henry’.
German sales-distribution company Telepool, jointly owned by Hollywood actor-producer Will Smith and Swiss investor Elysian Fields, is to launch new genre film label Fearious overseen by sales arm Global Screen.
The new banner will be unveiled at Cannes’ Marché du Film Online next week with three titles. It marks some of the first fruits of a collaboration sealed in autumn 2018 between Telepool and Eric B. Fleischman’s Defiant Studios to invest as a co-producer in a slate of Us genre films, co-produced...
German sales-distribution company Telepool, jointly owned by Hollywood actor-producer Will Smith and Swiss investor Elysian Fields, is to launch new genre film label Fearious overseen by sales arm Global Screen.
The new banner will be unveiled at Cannes’ Marché du Film Online next week with three titles. It marks some of the first fruits of a collaboration sealed in autumn 2018 between Telepool and Eric B. Fleischman’s Defiant Studios to invest as a co-producer in a slate of Us genre films, co-produced...
- 6/18/2020
- by 158¦Martin Blaney¦40¦
- ScreenDaily
Next month, the 2020 SXSW Film Festival kicks off in Austin, Texas, and this week, we finally have a look at the fest’s killer Midnighter slate, which includes one of this writer’s favorite films from Sundance, Natalie Erika James’ Relic. The 2020 lineup also features another Sundance 2020 title, Run Sweetheart Run, as well the latest from filmmaker Natasha Kermani (who recently helmed Imitation Girl), entitled Lucky, and The Void co-director Steven Kostanski’s latest gore-fest, PG (Psycho Goreman).
Other featured Midnighters include Dembanger from John Berardo, Elle Callahan’s Witch Hunt, The Vigil from writer/director Keith Thomas, and the Belgian zombie flick, Yummy. Check out the full rundown to see all of this year’s Midnighters, which will play during SXSW 2020 this March.
Dembanger
Director: John Berardo, Screenwriters: John Berardo, Lindsay Lavanchy, Brian Frager
Ellery Scott's world unravels when her star athlete brother is murdered on campus amidst a brewing scandal,...
Other featured Midnighters include Dembanger from John Berardo, Elle Callahan’s Witch Hunt, The Vigil from writer/director Keith Thomas, and the Belgian zombie flick, Yummy. Check out the full rundown to see all of this year’s Midnighters, which will play during SXSW 2020 this March.
Dembanger
Director: John Berardo, Screenwriters: John Berardo, Lindsay Lavanchy, Brian Frager
Ellery Scott's world unravels when her star athlete brother is murdered on campus amidst a brewing scandal,...
- 2/6/2020
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
The annual South by Southwest Conference and Festival is known for having a lineup of programming that makes Austin bust at the seams — and its slate for the 27th edition of the film festival isn’t any different. After already unveiling its initial roster of films, SXSW has now announced its lineup of Midnighters, Festival Favorites, Shorts, Episodic Pilots, Special Events and more.
SXSW Midnighters section is a favorite among festival-goers as it includes weird, electric, and sometimes terrifying selection of titles. Featuring 10 genre films, the Midnighters slate includes an array of dark comedies, thrillers, sci-fi, mystery and slasher pics with a mix of established and first-time filmmakers. With Midnighters and addition of Festival Favorites as well as 10 additional film, the SXSW Film Festival now has a robust 135 total features on its slate.
SXSW runs March 13-22. Below you can read additions to the 2020 SXSW Film Festival lineup. You can...
SXSW Midnighters section is a favorite among festival-goers as it includes weird, electric, and sometimes terrifying selection of titles. Featuring 10 genre films, the Midnighters slate includes an array of dark comedies, thrillers, sci-fi, mystery and slasher pics with a mix of established and first-time filmmakers. With Midnighters and addition of Festival Favorites as well as 10 additional film, the SXSW Film Festival now has a robust 135 total features on its slate.
SXSW runs March 13-22. Below you can read additions to the 2020 SXSW Film Festival lineup. You can...
- 2/5/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Elizabeth Mitchell, who most recently wrapped starring roles in writer-director Elle Callahan’s indie feature Witch Hunt, and as Ellen Burstyn’s strong-willed daughter in director Michael Lembeck’s feature comedy Never Too Late, has signed with Apa.
Mitchell is perhaps best known for her Emmy-nominated performance as Dr. Juliet Carlson on six seasons of J.J. Abrams’ ABC series, Lost.
Her other television credits include a recent season-long arc as a Methodist pastor on Syfy’s The Expanse. She starred opposite Donald Sutherland in the Netflix drama Crossing Lines; re-teamed with Abrams on the NBC drama Revolution; and portrayed the Snow Queen in the “Frozen” storyline of ABC’s Once Upon A Time.
Additionally, she played Teresa Earnhardt opposite Barry Pepper in the ESPN original movie 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story. She portrayed Erica Evans in ABC’s alien invasion mini-series V; and played Gia’s girlfriend opposite Angelina Jolie in the HBO’s Gia.
Mitchell is perhaps best known for her Emmy-nominated performance as Dr. Juliet Carlson on six seasons of J.J. Abrams’ ABC series, Lost.
Her other television credits include a recent season-long arc as a Methodist pastor on Syfy’s The Expanse. She starred opposite Donald Sutherland in the Netflix drama Crossing Lines; re-teamed with Abrams on the NBC drama Revolution; and portrayed the Snow Queen in the “Frozen” storyline of ABC’s Once Upon A Time.
Additionally, she played Teresa Earnhardt opposite Barry Pepper in the ESPN original movie 3: The Dale Earnhardt Story. She portrayed Erica Evans in ABC’s alien invasion mini-series V; and played Gia’s girlfriend opposite Angelina Jolie in the HBO’s Gia.
- 10/22/2019
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Chilling Adventures of Sabrina‘s Abigail Cowen is set to lead the ensemble cast of Netflix’s live-action young adult series Fate: The Winx Saga, inspired by the Italian animated franchise, from original series producer Rainbow Group and Archery Pictures. Principal photography on the six-episode series has begun in Ireland.
Fate: The Winx Saga follows the coming-of-age journey of five unlikely friends attending Alfea, a magical boarding school in the Otherworld where they must learn to master their magical powers while navigating love, rivalries and the monsters that threaten their very existence.
Cowen stars as Bloom.
Winx Club was created and produced in Italy in 2004 by Iginio Straffi, founder and CEO of Rainbow Group. After its launch, it became one of the most successful animated series in Europe and one of the first Italian series to be sold in the U.S.
Brian Young serves as showrunner and executive produces with Judy Counihan and Kris Thykier of Archery Pictures. Straffi also executive produces.
In 2016, Netflix globally and exclusively released two seasons of World of Winx, a spinoff from the successful Winx Club.
Cowen stars as Dorcas on the hit Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She recently wrapped a lead role in the supernatural thriller Witch Hunt, directed by emerging filmmaker Elle Callahan, and a role in the anticipated Lionsgate feature I Still Believe, starring alongside K.J. Apa, set for release March 20, 2020. Cowen is repped by Paradigm and Link Entertainment.
Fate: The Winx Saga follows the coming-of-age journey of five unlikely friends attending Alfea, a magical boarding school in the Otherworld where they must learn to master their magical powers while navigating love, rivalries and the monsters that threaten their very existence.
Cowen stars as Bloom.
Winx Club was created and produced in Italy in 2004 by Iginio Straffi, founder and CEO of Rainbow Group. After its launch, it became one of the most successful animated series in Europe and one of the first Italian series to be sold in the U.S.
Brian Young serves as showrunner and executive produces with Judy Counihan and Kris Thykier of Archery Pictures. Straffi also executive produces.
In 2016, Netflix globally and exclusively released two seasons of World of Winx, a spinoff from the successful Winx Club.
Cowen stars as Dorcas on the hit Netflix series Chilling Adventures of Sabrina. She recently wrapped a lead role in the supernatural thriller Witch Hunt, directed by emerging filmmaker Elle Callahan, and a role in the anticipated Lionsgate feature I Still Believe, starring alongside K.J. Apa, set for release March 20, 2020. Cowen is repped by Paradigm and Link Entertainment.
- 9/17/2019
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Writer-director Elle Callahan’s next film will be Witch Hunt, a supernatural thriller about an America where fugitive witches try to evade callous authorities. Production will get underway this summer in Los Angeles. Paradigm and UTA Independent Film Group are handling sales for the film.
Callahan’s follow-up effort to Head Count (which was released June 14 through Samuel Goldwyn) will star Gideon Adlon (Blockers), Abigail Cowen (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), and Christian Camargo (The Hurt Locker).
The premise: “In a modern America where witches are real and witchcraft is illegal, Witch Hunt follows Claire (Adlon), who must face her own demons and prejudices as she helps two young witches elude authorities to seek asylum in Mexico.”
Witch Hunt has a title that evokes the era of McCarthyism but its themes speak to turbulent contemporary American topics with a story that straddles the southern border shared with Mexico.
Callahan’s follow-up effort to Head Count (which was released June 14 through Samuel Goldwyn) will star Gideon Adlon (Blockers), Abigail Cowen (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Elizabeth Mitchell (Lost), and Christian Camargo (The Hurt Locker).
The premise: “In a modern America where witches are real and witchcraft is illegal, Witch Hunt follows Claire (Adlon), who must face her own demons and prejudices as she helps two young witches elude authorities to seek asylum in Mexico.”
Witch Hunt has a title that evokes the era of McCarthyism but its themes speak to turbulent contemporary American topics with a story that straddles the southern border shared with Mexico.
- 6/27/2019
- by Geoff Boucher
- Deadline Film + TV
Back in 2018, Patrick Bromley spoke with filmmaker Elle Callahan about her feature-length directorial debut, Head Count, after it premiered at the La Film Festival. With Head Count out now in theaters and on digital platforms and On Demand from Samuel Goldwyn Films, we caught up with Callahan again for our latest Q&a feature to discuss the real-life inspirations behind the film, the movie's cinematic influences, how she kept the film's monster a secret from most of the cast, and the potential sequel and prequel to the film.
Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us, Elle, and congratulations on Head Count! When and how did you and writer Michael Nader come up with the idea for Head Count?
Elle Callahan: We came up with the idea about three years ago when we took a trip out to Joshua Tree to that exact same house that we used in the movie.
Thanks for taking the time to catch up with us, Elle, and congratulations on Head Count! When and how did you and writer Michael Nader come up with the idea for Head Count?
Elle Callahan: We came up with the idea about three years ago when we took a trip out to Joshua Tree to that exact same house that we used in the movie.
- 6/15/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
While most horror movies settle for the usual slasher thrills, recent indie breakouts like “It Follows” and “Hereditary” have reminded that there are few things more pleasurably creepy than outré psychological horror in a credibly ordinary setting. Elle Callahan’s directorial debut feature “Head Count” is another intriguing mindbender in which 10 collegiate types find themselves under insidious assault by a vicious mythological entity. Samuel Goldwyn is releasing it to a sole hardtop — L.A.’s Arena Cinelounge — this Friday, which seems unfair, given the amount of pedestrian genre fodder that gets a better shake week after week. It will no doubt find its real audience in simultaneous home-format release.
Evan (Isaac W. Jay) is a college student spending his break visiting older brother Peyton (Cooper Rowe), a reclusive New Agey type living in a trailer near Joshua Tree National Park. It’s an awkward sibling relationship whose weekend bonding is...
Evan (Isaac W. Jay) is a college student spending his break visiting older brother Peyton (Cooper Rowe), a reclusive New Agey type living in a trailer near Joshua Tree National Park. It’s an awkward sibling relationship whose weekend bonding is...
- 6/12/2019
- by Dennis Harvey
- Variety Film + TV
Samuel Goldwyn Films will release the horror/thriller Head Count in theaters and on digital and On Demand June 14, 2019. The film premiered at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival, and Ashleigh Morghan was honored with the Nightfall Special Jury Prize for a Lead Actor. Head Count is directed by Elle Callahan (“Happy Deathday”) in her feature film debut, and Callahan co-wrote the script with Michael Nader (The Toll, Flock of Four). …
The post Head Count by Elle Callahan starring Isaac Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Sam Marra – In Theaters June 14th appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
The post Head Count by Elle Callahan starring Isaac Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Sam Marra – In Theaters June 14th appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
- 5/12/2019
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
Starring Ashleigh Morghan, Isaac Jay, Sam Marra Directed By Elle Callahan Written By Elle Callahan, Michael Nader Head Count premiered at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival, and Ashleigh Morghan was honored with the Nightfall Special Jury Prize for a Lead Actor. Newcomer Evan joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. …
The post Trailer now Live – Head Count Starring Ashleigh Morghan, Isaac Jay, Sam Marra – In Theaters June 14th appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
The post Trailer now Live – Head Count Starring Ashleigh Morghan, Isaac Jay, Sam Marra – In Theaters June 14th appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
- 5/7/2019
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
After acquiring Head Count for North American distribution, Samuel Goldwyn Films revealed the official trailer for the horror film about a shape-shifting monster terrorizing a group of friends in Joshua Tree.
Directed by Elle Callahan from a screenplay by Callahan and Michael Nader, Head Count stars Ashleigh Morghan, Isaac Jay, and Sam Marra.
Head Count is slated for a theatrical and digital release on June 14th, and in case you missed it, read Patrick Bromley's interview with Callahan.
"Head Count premiered at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival, and Ashleigh Morghan was honored with the Nightfall Special Jury Prize for a Lead Actor.
Newcomer Evan joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. While exchanging ghost stories around the campfire, Evan reads aloud a mysterious chant from an internet site. From that moment, someone--or something--is among them. As unsettling, inexplicable events become more frequent, Evan realizes this summoned...
Directed by Elle Callahan from a screenplay by Callahan and Michael Nader, Head Count stars Ashleigh Morghan, Isaac Jay, and Sam Marra.
Head Count is slated for a theatrical and digital release on June 14th, and in case you missed it, read Patrick Bromley's interview with Callahan.
"Head Count premiered at the 2018 Los Angeles Film Festival, and Ashleigh Morghan was honored with the Nightfall Special Jury Prize for a Lead Actor.
Newcomer Evan joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. While exchanging ghost stories around the campfire, Evan reads aloud a mysterious chant from an internet site. From that moment, someone--or something--is among them. As unsettling, inexplicable events become more frequent, Evan realizes this summoned...
- 4/27/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Samuel Goldwyn Films is releasing Elle Callahan's horror thriller Head Count in U.S. cinemas and make it available On Demand and Digital on June 14th. A new trailer was released today, check it out below. Newcomer Evan joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. While exchanging ghost stories around the campfire, Evan reads aloud a mysterious chant from an internet site. From that moment, someone--or something--is among them. As unsettling, inexplicable events become more frequent, Evan realizes this summoned shape-shifting creature is targeting them to fulfill a deadly ritual. I will admit that the synopsis makes Head Count sound a bit hokey. Mysterious chants off internet sites phooey. Write it off solely based on that and you would be...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 4/27/2019
- Screen Anarchy
"It was like I was a passenger in my own body." Samuel Goldwyn has debuted an official trailer for an indie horror film titled Head Count, the feature directorial debut of sound designer / filmmaker Elle Callahan. Newcomer Evan joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. While telling ghost stories around the campfire, he reads aloud a mysterious chant from the internet. From that moment, someone–or something–is among them. As unsettling, inexplicable events start to become more frequent, Evan soon realizes this summoned shape-shifting creature is targeting them to fulfill a deadly ritual. The indie film stars Ashleigh Morghan, Isaac Jay, Sam Marra, Michael Herman, Bevin Bru, and Tory Freeth. Definitely worth a watch. Looks like a clever, twisted, creepy little horror thriller with a lot to offer. I'm curious to check it out. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Elle Callahan's Head Count, direct...
- 4/26/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Samuel Goldwyn Films announced today that the company has acquired North American rights to Elle Callahan’s horror film Head Count. The film stars Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, Hunter Peterson, Chelcie May, Tory Freeth, Michael Herman, Amaka Obiechie, Sam Marra, and Cooper Rowe. Head Count premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and won …
The post Head Count Acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
The post Head Count Acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films appeared first on Hnn | Horrornews.net.
- 4/3/2019
- by Adrian Halen
- Horror News
Samuel Goldwyn Films has snagged the North American distribution rights to Head Count, a mythological horror movie directed by Elle Callahan from a screenplay co-scribed by Michael Nader. Look for it in select theaters and VOD platforms beginning June 14th. “We were struck by the unique use of popular horror influences like The Thing and […] The post Samuel Goldwyn Films Snags Rights to Mythological Horror Movie Head Count appeared first on Dread Central.
- 3/28/2019
- by Josh Millican
- DreadCentral.com
After winning the Nightfall Award at last year's Los Angeles Film Festival, Elle Callahan's Head Count has been acquired by Samuel Goldwyn Films for North American distribution this June.
Featuring a shape-shifting monster terrorizing a group of friends in Joshua Tree, Head Count is slated for a theatrical and digital release on June 14th. We have the full press release below with more details, and in case you missed it, read Patrick Bromley's interview with Callahan.
Press Release: Los Angeles, CA – Samuel Goldwyn Films announced today that the company has acquired North American rights to Elle Callahan’s horror film Head Count. The film stars Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, Hunter Peterson, Chelcie May, Tory Freeth, Michael Herman, Amaka Obiechie, Sam Marra, and Cooper Rowe. Head Count premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and won the Nightfall Award. The film will be released in...
Featuring a shape-shifting monster terrorizing a group of friends in Joshua Tree, Head Count is slated for a theatrical and digital release on June 14th. We have the full press release below with more details, and in case you missed it, read Patrick Bromley's interview with Callahan.
Press Release: Los Angeles, CA – Samuel Goldwyn Films announced today that the company has acquired North American rights to Elle Callahan’s horror film Head Count. The film stars Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, Hunter Peterson, Chelcie May, Tory Freeth, Michael Herman, Amaka Obiechie, Sam Marra, and Cooper Rowe. Head Count premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and won the Nightfall Award. The film will be released in...
- 3/28/2019
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Earlier today it was announced that Samuel Goldwyn Films have acquired Elle Callahan’s horror film Head Count. They will release the film in U.S. cinemas and on digital on June 14th. Head Count flew under the radar last year, with a few stops on the festival circuit. In the Fall, we programmed it at a festival I help with up here in Canada. Callahan's indie horror has no shortage of mystery, chills and suspense in it. It was a nice little find for our programming team. Definitely check out when it arrives. Samuel Goldwyn Films announced today that the company has acquired North American rights to Elle Callahan’s horror film Head Count. The film stars Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...
- 3/28/2019
- Screen Anarchy
Tagline: "There's Something Strange Going on Here." Head Count is an upcoming indie horror film, from first time director Elle Callahan. The film is set near Joshua Tree National Park. Here, an entity needs victims to fulfill a deadly ritual. When five friends turn up, they are targeted by the creature and a deadly game of cat-and-mouse begins. In 2018, this film had its World Premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival. Here, actress Ashleigh Morghan (Paper Shadows) won a Special Mention, in the acting category. The film also stars: Bevin Brue (The Vixens), Isaac W. Jay, Billy Meade and Hunter Peterson. Now, Head Count is slated for a Summer release. Story details are a bit sparse. However, director Callahan has mentioned that this film is a creature feature: "the story is a monster movie at the end of the day, and I really wanted to build a creature that had...
- 3/27/2019
- by noreply@blogger.com (Michael Allen)
- 28 Days Later Analysis
Samuel Goldwyn Films announced today that the company has acquired North American rights to Elle Callahan’s horror film Head Count.
The film stars Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, Hunter Peterson, Chelcie May, Tory Freeth, Michael Herman, Amaka Obiechie, Sam Marra, and Cooper Rowe. H
Ead Count premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and won the Nightfall Award. The film will be released in theatres and on digital June 14.
Synopsis:
Newcomer Evan joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. While exchanging ghost stories around the campfire, Evan reads aloud a mysterious chant from an internet site. From that moment, someone--or something--is among them. As unsettling, inexplicable events become more frequent, Evan realizes this...
The film stars Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, Hunter Peterson, Chelcie May, Tory Freeth, Michael Herman, Amaka Obiechie, Sam Marra, and Cooper Rowe. H
Ead Count premiered at the Los Angeles Film Festival and won the Nightfall Award. The film will be released in theatres and on digital June 14.
Synopsis:
Newcomer Evan joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. While exchanging ghost stories around the campfire, Evan reads aloud a mysterious chant from an internet site. From that moment, someone--or something--is among them. As unsettling, inexplicable events become more frequent, Evan realizes this...
- 3/27/2019
- QuietEarth.us
Samuel Goldwyn Films has acquired North American rights to Head Count, the horror film from Elle Callahan that premiered at last year’s Los Angeles Film Festival, where the pic won a special jury prize for actor Ashleigh Morghan. It will now hit theaters and digital on June 14.
The script from Michael Nader centers on Evan (Isaac W. Jay) who joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. While exchanging ghost stories around the campfire, Evan reads aloud a mysterious chant from a website. From that moment, someone — or something — is among them. As unsettling, inexplicable events become more frequent, Evan realizes this summoned shape-shifting creature is targeting them to fulfill a deadly ritual.
Morghan co-stars with Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, Hunter Peterson, Chelcie May, Tory Freeth, Michael Herman, Amaka Obiechie, Sam Marra and Cooper Rowe co-star. Sam Sandweiss and Brandon Somerhalder produced, and Hunter Peterson, Haoliang Harvey Zhang,...
The script from Michael Nader centers on Evan (Isaac W. Jay) who joins a group of teens on a getaway in Joshua Tree. While exchanging ghost stories around the campfire, Evan reads aloud a mysterious chant from a website. From that moment, someone — or something — is among them. As unsettling, inexplicable events become more frequent, Evan realizes this summoned shape-shifting creature is targeting them to fulfill a deadly ritual.
Morghan co-stars with Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, Hunter Peterson, Chelcie May, Tory Freeth, Michael Herman, Amaka Obiechie, Sam Marra and Cooper Rowe co-star. Sam Sandweiss and Brandon Somerhalder produced, and Hunter Peterson, Haoliang Harvey Zhang,...
- 3/27/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
A group of friends go to Joshua Tree to cut loose, but they instead find themselves fighting for their lives—and their sanity—when a lonely, transformative monster crashes the party in the new movie Head Count. Directed by Elle Callahan, Head Count recently premiered at the La Film Festival, and to celebrate, we've been provided with an exclusive clip and poster to share with Daily Dead readers!
Below, you can check out our exclusive clip and poster for Head Count, which stars Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, and Hunter Peterson. In case you missed it, be sure to read Patrick Bromley's interview with Callahan to discuss her approach to the mythology behind the movie's unique monster.
Theatrical and home media release details for Head Count have yet to be revealed, but we'll be sure to keep Daily Dead readers updated as more information is announced.
Below, you can check out our exclusive clip and poster for Head Count, which stars Isaac W. Jay, Ashleigh Morghan, Bevin Bru, Billy Meade, and Hunter Peterson. In case you missed it, be sure to read Patrick Bromley's interview with Callahan to discuss her approach to the mythology behind the movie's unique monster.
Theatrical and home media release details for Head Count have yet to be revealed, but we'll be sure to keep Daily Dead readers updated as more information is announced.
- 10/2/2018
- by Jonathan James
- DailyDead
Head Count, the debut feature from co-writer and director Elle Callahan, recently premiered at the La Film Festival. The movie, about a group of young people who take a trip out to Joshua Tree and accidentally summon a monster, finds its roots in paranoid horror films like John Carpenter’s The Thing, only revealing some of its secrets upon a second viewing. Daily Dead spoke to Callahan about making her first movie, creating a brand new monster, and more.
This being your first feature, what was it about this particular story that made you know that you wanted to tell it as your first feature film?
Elle Callahan: I love Joshua Tree and I love folklore. The story is a monster movie at the end of the day, and I really wanted to build a creature that had its own lore. I have a lot of monsters in my own life,...
This being your first feature, what was it about this particular story that made you know that you wanted to tell it as your first feature film?
Elle Callahan: I love Joshua Tree and I love folklore. The story is a monster movie at the end of the day, and I really wanted to build a creature that had its own lore. I have a lot of monsters in my own life,...
- 10/1/2018
- by Patrick Bromley
- DailyDead
Film Independent’s Los Angeles event boasts 42% female-directed entries.
Film Independent’s La Film Festival has unveiled the line-ups for five of its sections, with Gregory Dixon’s Olympia, Alex Moratto’s Socrates and Linda Midgett’s Same God among the world premieres.
The festival, which runs from September 20 to 28 this year in Los Angeles, announced 40 features, 41 shorts and 10 episodic shorts from a total of 26 countries.
In competition categories, 42% of the festival titles are directed by women and 39% by people of colour, said Film Independent, the non-profit that also produces the Spirit Awards.
Scroll down for full line-up
Jennifer Cochis,...
Film Independent’s La Film Festival has unveiled the line-ups for five of its sections, with Gregory Dixon’s Olympia, Alex Moratto’s Socrates and Linda Midgett’s Same God among the world premieres.
The festival, which runs from September 20 to 28 this year in Los Angeles, announced 40 features, 41 shorts and 10 episodic shorts from a total of 26 countries.
In competition categories, 42% of the festival titles are directed by women and 39% by people of colour, said Film Independent, the non-profit that also produces the Spirit Awards.
Scroll down for full line-up
Jennifer Cochis,...
- 8/1/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Forty feature films including 24 world premieres highlight the official La Film Festival competition lineup in the fest’s move into the crowded fall festival corridor, away from their previous early-summer perch.
Among the movies in competition is the highly regarded Swedish film Border (Grans) from director Ali Abbasi, a Neon pickup out of Cannes that took the top prize in that festival’s No. 2 competition, Un Certain Regard. It is listed as a “California Premiere,” which means it likely will show up first in Telluride, Toronto or both before Laff, which runs September 20-28. It will play in the World Fiction Competition across a field of categories that also include U.S. Fiction, Documentary, La Muse, Nightfall. Short Films, and Episodes: Indie Series from the web.
“Our mission of finding fresh new voices from different geographical and cultural axes remains true,” Laff Director Jennifer Cochis said. “These storytellers are united by their ability to transport,...
Among the movies in competition is the highly regarded Swedish film Border (Grans) from director Ali Abbasi, a Neon pickup out of Cannes that took the top prize in that festival’s No. 2 competition, Un Certain Regard. It is listed as a “California Premiere,” which means it likely will show up first in Telluride, Toronto or both before Laff, which runs September 20-28. It will play in the World Fiction Competition across a field of categories that also include U.S. Fiction, Documentary, La Muse, Nightfall. Short Films, and Episodes: Indie Series from the web.
“Our mission of finding fresh new voices from different geographical and cultural axes remains true,” Laff Director Jennifer Cochis said. “These storytellers are united by their ability to transport,...
- 7/31/2018
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
The Film Society of Lincoln Center today announced the lineup for Convergence, its highly anticipated immersive storytelling program, which will run October 1–4 as part of the 54th New York Film Festival. It includes two U.S. premieres and one world premiere amongst the nine interactive works, as well as five panels from innovators of the field.
Read More: Nyff Reveals Main Slate of 2016 Titles, Including ‘Manchester By the Sea,’ ‘Paterson’ and ‘Personal Shopper’
“The art of immersive storytelling is continually evolving,” said Nyff Convergence programmer Matt Bolish in a press release. “Our mission has been consistent from our first year to this, our fifth: bringing the best survey of interactive work to the Nyff audience.”
Virtual Reality highlights include the world premiere of acclaimed Indian work “Priya’s Mirror,” which fuses augmented reality with a comic book to tell the story of a rape survivor-turned-superhero. Returning for a second...
Read More: Nyff Reveals Main Slate of 2016 Titles, Including ‘Manchester By the Sea,’ ‘Paterson’ and ‘Personal Shopper’
“The art of immersive storytelling is continually evolving,” said Nyff Convergence programmer Matt Bolish in a press release. “Our mission has been consistent from our first year to this, our fifth: bringing the best survey of interactive work to the Nyff audience.”
Virtual Reality highlights include the world premiere of acclaimed Indian work “Priya’s Mirror,” which fuses augmented reality with a comic book to tell the story of a rape survivor-turned-superhero. Returning for a second...
- 8/15/2016
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
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