Swiss documentary film festival Visions du Réel (VdR), which revealed its industry program last week, has unveiled its full lineup as it prepares to welcome participants both in person and online. A total of 160 films will be screened throughout the fest, which runs from April 7 through to April 17 in half a dozen venues in and around the city of Nyon.
While the event is back in its physical form, organizers have learned from the past two editions and decided to keep a strong online presence. “We realized it’s a way of expanding the spectrum of people taking part. It’s not about replacing the theaters, but most of the films won’t be released so I feel it’s our job to go beyond and reach the people who cannot attend physically,” the festival’s artistic director Emilie Bujès told Variety.
A selection of around 50 films will be accessible...
While the event is back in its physical form, organizers have learned from the past two editions and decided to keep a strong online presence. “We realized it’s a way of expanding the spectrum of people taking part. It’s not about replacing the theaters, but most of the films won’t be released so I feel it’s our job to go beyond and reach the people who cannot attend physically,” the festival’s artistic director Emilie Bujès told Variety.
A selection of around 50 films will be accessible...
- 3/15/2022
- by Lise Pedersen
- Variety Film + TV
Emelie Mahdavian’s documentary “Bitterbrush” looks at women in a state of becoming, but where most films position their subjects on a threshold — say, the evolution from girl to woman — “Bitterbrush” is about the quiet moments when you’re already an adult but wonder what the next decade or two will bring. A slow-moving feature of itinerant lives cast against the sublime landscapes of the American West, Mahdavian’s film is quiet — but it packs a hell of a punch.
Horses and wide open spaces are in every frame of “Bitterbrush” as we meet Hollyn and Colie putting their horses in the back of a trailer. They’re on their way to a campsite where they’ll spend a season herding cattle off a mountain range. The work is hard and lonely, with only the pair keeping each other company for most of the journey. They revel in the little things,...
Horses and wide open spaces are in every frame of “Bitterbrush” as we meet Hollyn and Colie putting their horses in the back of a trailer. They’re on their way to a campsite where they’ll spend a season herding cattle off a mountain range. The work is hard and lonely, with only the pair keeping each other company for most of the journey. They revel in the little things,...
- 9/7/2021
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
Winner of awards in festivals such as Dok Leipzig, Ekaterinburg Ff, Krakow Iff and Lyon Iff, Sergei Loznitsa’s documentary is a rather abstract film, that uses the metaphor of the train and the train station to comment on the transition of Russia from the Yeltsin era to the Putin era, and the subsequent involvement of the Imf in the transition towards a market-oriented economy.
Midnight Traveler is screening at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
The black and white short is shot exclusively inside the waiting room of a train station, where, however, all the people waiting seem to be asleep. Furthermore, the sounds of the trains passing do not seem to bother them at all, and soon, the only noise heard comes from snoring and from buzz flying, which essentially provide the soundtrack of the movie.
Pavel Kostomarov’s camera closes up on the plethora of people, who seem to...
Midnight Traveler is screening at the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival
The black and white short is shot exclusively inside the waiting room of a train station, where, however, all the people waiting seem to be asleep. Furthermore, the sounds of the trains passing do not seem to bother them at all, and soon, the only noise heard comes from snoring and from buzz flying, which essentially provide the soundtrack of the movie.
Pavel Kostomarov’s camera closes up on the plethora of people, who seem to...
- 3/13/2021
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
Having already won more than 20 awards from festivals all over the world, including ones in Sundance, Berlin and Thessaloniki, “Midnight Traveler” has emerged as one of the best documentaries of the year, as it continues its festival run.
Midnight Traveler screened at the Herat International Women’s Film Festival
The documentary begins in 2015, in Tajikistan, where Hassan Fazili, an Afghan filmmaker, his wife and also filmmaker Fatima Hussaini, and their two daughter, Nargis and Zahra, are about to leave the country after a 14 months stay that was instigated by the Taliban targeting them in Kabul. Just before they leave, they made an agreement with Emelie Mahdavian, a California-based documentarian they met in Tajikistan and the editor of the film, to shoot their trip in their mobile phones and send her the footage in order to come up with a documentary. The result, four years later, was “Midnight Traveler”.
What makes...
Midnight Traveler screened at the Herat International Women’s Film Festival
The documentary begins in 2015, in Tajikistan, where Hassan Fazili, an Afghan filmmaker, his wife and also filmmaker Fatima Hussaini, and their two daughter, Nargis and Zahra, are about to leave the country after a 14 months stay that was instigated by the Taliban targeting them in Kabul. Just before they leave, they made an agreement with Emelie Mahdavian, a California-based documentarian they met in Tajikistan and the editor of the film, to shoot their trip in their mobile phones and send her the footage in order to come up with a documentary. The result, four years later, was “Midnight Traveler”.
What makes...
- 11/24/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The closing and award ceremony of the 6th edition of Herat International Women’s Film Festival kicked off on Thursday evening, November 19 at Darul Aman new-constructed historical palace in Kabul city, with presence of national and international invitees from different countries; cinema professionals, movie stars, women and human rights activists and government authorities, including the Minister of Information and culture Mr. Tahir Zahir and Nargis Abyar, director of acclaimed Iranian drama “Track 143”, “Breath” and “When the Moon Was Full” who served as a jury member for the International Narrative Feature Films Competition.
The ceremony began with a live music performance by the Zohra Orchestra (Afghanistan’s first all-female orchestra) and was presented jointly by one of the co-founders and program managers of the festival and Tolo TV’s famous presenter Aimal Asifi, and Manizha Abassi, writer and poet. Initially, the presenters offered their heartfelt thanks, on behalf of the festival,...
The ceremony began with a live music performance by the Zohra Orchestra (Afghanistan’s first all-female orchestra) and was presented jointly by one of the co-founders and program managers of the festival and Tolo TV’s famous presenter Aimal Asifi, and Manizha Abassi, writer and poet. Initially, the presenters offered their heartfelt thanks, on behalf of the festival,...
- 11/20/2020
- by Panos Kotzathanasis
- AsianMoviePulse
The 2020 Peabody Awards named “Watchmen,” “Succession,” “Ramy,” “Stranger Things” and “Fleabag” among the 30 most compelling programs on Wednesday.
The awards also recognized the PBS series “Frontline” and “The Simpsons” as Institutional Award winners that have made a significant impact on media and the culture.
PBS led all 30 award winners with seven different shows, while HBO and Netflix each scooped up four Peabodys, and CNN and NBC each snagged two. First-time winning platforms included AppleTV+ and Own, and they joined Amazon Prime, Lifetime, and Hulu with one award each. Additional winning platforms include Apm, BBC Sounds, Montana Public Radio, Newsday, Wbbm Chicago, and Wnyc Studios.
On Monday, Cicely Tyson was named winner of the Peabody Career Achievement Award.
Also Read: TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch Right Now, From 'Succession' to 'Riverdale'
“This year’s winners are a vibrant collective of inspiring, innovative, and powerful stories. True to...
The awards also recognized the PBS series “Frontline” and “The Simpsons” as Institutional Award winners that have made a significant impact on media and the culture.
PBS led all 30 award winners with seven different shows, while HBO and Netflix each scooped up four Peabodys, and CNN and NBC each snagged two. First-time winning platforms included AppleTV+ and Own, and they joined Amazon Prime, Lifetime, and Hulu with one award each. Additional winning platforms include Apm, BBC Sounds, Montana Public Radio, Newsday, Wbbm Chicago, and Wnyc Studios.
On Monday, Cicely Tyson was named winner of the Peabody Career Achievement Award.
Also Read: TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch Right Now, From 'Succession' to 'Riverdale'
“This year’s winners are a vibrant collective of inspiring, innovative, and powerful stories. True to...
- 6/10/2020
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Iryna Tsilyk's film has won in both the international and national competitions, while Salt from Bonneville received the Ukrainian Film Institute Award in the Ukrainian Doc Preview industry section. The 17th Kiev-based International Human Rights Film Festival Docudays UA took place online from 24 April-3 May and wrapped with Ukrainian filmmaker Iryna Tsilyk's The Earth Is Blue as an Orange winning the main awards in both the international Docu/World and the national Docu/Ukraine competitions, each worth $1,000. The film world-premiered at Sundance earlier this year, where Tsilyk bagged the Directing Award in the World Cinema Documentary section. In the Rights Now! section, the main prize went to the 2019 Sundance hit Midnight Traveler by Hassan Fazili, which also received the Current Time Award. Special Mentions in this competition were given to the South African-Swedish co-production Buddha in Africa by Nicole Schafer and War Note by Ukraine's Roman Liubyi, which also.
Filmed entirely on smartphones, Hassan Fazili’s powerful documentary charts his family’s perilous, gruelling trek to sanctuary in Europe
At the end of last year, I was complaining that some documentaries are starting to feel meagre and negligible. Well, here’s something to prove me wrong. Life during wartime is the theme of this gripping cine-journal from Afghan film-maker Hassan Fazili. Midnight Traveler is his personal film about the gruelling odyssey undertaken by his family as they fled Afghanistan in 2015, making the brutal overland trek through Tajikistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary on a mission to seek refuge in the European Union. On the way, they face threats of rape and violence, theft and finally abandonment from their unscrupulous smugglers – and racist attacks in Bulgaria.
He avowedly shot this whole feature on smartphones – keeping them charged must have been one of his lesser nightmares – and the Us-based film-maker...
At the end of last year, I was complaining that some documentaries are starting to feel meagre and negligible. Well, here’s something to prove me wrong. Life during wartime is the theme of this gripping cine-journal from Afghan film-maker Hassan Fazili. Midnight Traveler is his personal film about the gruelling odyssey undertaken by his family as they fled Afghanistan in 2015, making the brutal overland trek through Tajikistan, Iran, Turkey, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary on a mission to seek refuge in the European Union. On the way, they face threats of rape and violence, theft and finally abandonment from their unscrupulous smugglers – and racist attacks in Bulgaria.
He avowedly shot this whole feature on smartphones – keeping them charged must have been one of his lesser nightmares – and the Us-based film-maker...
- 1/15/2020
- by Peter Bradshaw
- The Guardian - Film News
“American Factory” has been named the best documentary of 2019 at the 13th annual Cinema Eye Honors ceremony, which were presented on Monday evening in New York City.
The film, executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, and distributed by Netflix, is an examination of an Ohio glass factory that was taken over by a Chinese company in an uneasy cultural alliance. It prevailed in a category in which all six nominees — “American Factory,” “Apollo 11,” “For Sama,” “Honeyland,” “Midnight Family” and “One Child Nation” — are also on the Oscars shortlist for documentary features.
The “American Factory” directors, Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, also won the award for Outstanding Direction. The Outstanding Production category resulted in a tie between two films set in Syria, “The Cave” and “For Sama.”
Also Read: 'For Sama' Is Named Top Doc at Ida Documentary Awards
“Honeyland” won for cinematography,...
The film, executive produced by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, Higher Ground Productions, and distributed by Netflix, is an examination of an Ohio glass factory that was taken over by a Chinese company in an uneasy cultural alliance. It prevailed in a category in which all six nominees — “American Factory,” “Apollo 11,” “For Sama,” “Honeyland,” “Midnight Family” and “One Child Nation” — are also on the Oscars shortlist for documentary features.
The “American Factory” directors, Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert, also won the award for Outstanding Direction. The Outstanding Production category resulted in a tie between two films set in Syria, “The Cave” and “For Sama.”
Also Read: 'For Sama' Is Named Top Doc at Ida Documentary Awards
“Honeyland” won for cinematography,...
- 1/7/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced today that 344 feature films are eligible for the 2019 Academy Awards.
To be eligible for the consideration, the films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by Dec. 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days. Academy rules also state that a feature-length motion picture must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format.
Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9, airing live from Hollywood on ABC.
“Abominable”
“Ad Astra”
“Adam”
“The Addams Family”
“The Aeronauts”
“After the Wedding”
“The Aftermath”
“Aga”
“Aladdin”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Always Be My Maybe”
“The Amazing Johnathan”
“American Factory”
“American Woman”
“Angel Has Fallen”
“The Angry Birds Movie 2”
“Anna”
“Annabelle Comes Home...
To be eligible for the consideration, the films must open in a commercial motion picture theater in Los Angeles County by Dec. 31, and begin a minimum run of seven consecutive days. Academy rules also state that a feature-length motion picture must have a running time of more than 40 minutes and must have been exhibited theatrically on 35mm or 70mm film, or in a qualifying digital format.
Nominations for the 92nd Academy Awards will be announced on Monday, Jan. 13, 2020. The ceremony takes place on Sunday, Feb. 9, airing live from Hollywood on ABC.
“Abominable”
“Ad Astra”
“Adam”
“The Addams Family”
“The Aeronauts”
“After the Wedding”
“The Aftermath”
“Aga”
“Aladdin”
“Alita: Battle Angel”
“Always Be My Maybe”
“The Amazing Johnathan”
“American Factory”
“American Woman”
“Angel Has Fallen”
“The Angry Birds Movie 2”
“Anna”
“Annabelle Comes Home...
- 12/18/2019
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Many documentaries suffer from a good-for-you coating, but the best ones have always been art in all its creativity, compassion and complexity, and 2019 was no exception. Whether personal or observed – straightforwardly told or formally experimental – the cream of this year’s bumper non-fiction crop dazzled with filmmaking brilliance.
Runners-Up: 2019 also floored me with the dance majesty of “Cunningham,” the gospel truth of “Amazing Grace,” the kids today of “Jawline,” the pointed jocularity of “Hail Satan?”, the nomadic poignance of “Midnight Traveler,” the testimonial heft of “Leaving Neverland,” the geopolitical smarts of “The Kingmaker,” the lush positivity of “The Biggest Little Farm,” the soulful breadth of “The Apollo,” and the patriotic power of “Knock Down the House.”
10. “The Island of Hungry Ghosts”
On Christmas Island, land crabs migrate under protection, while behind the walls of an Australian detention facility nearby, captured asylum seekers open up to a caring counselor. Gabrielle Brady...
Runners-Up: 2019 also floored me with the dance majesty of “Cunningham,” the gospel truth of “Amazing Grace,” the kids today of “Jawline,” the pointed jocularity of “Hail Satan?”, the nomadic poignance of “Midnight Traveler,” the testimonial heft of “Leaving Neverland,” the geopolitical smarts of “The Kingmaker,” the lush positivity of “The Biggest Little Farm,” the soulful breadth of “The Apollo,” and the patriotic power of “Knock Down the House.”
10. “The Island of Hungry Ghosts”
On Christmas Island, land crabs migrate under protection, while behind the walls of an Australian detention facility nearby, captured asylum seekers open up to a caring counselor. Gabrielle Brady...
- 12/10/2019
- by Robert Abele
- The Wrap
Noah Baumbach’s ‘Marriage Story’ dominated Monday’s 29th annual IFP Gotham Awards with four wins, including Best Feature and Best Actor for Adam Driver.
The ceremony, celebrating the best in indie cinema and television, was held Monday evening at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City and was presented by the Independent Filmmaker Project.
Acting awards went to Driver, to Awkwafina for “The Farewell” (Best Actress) and to Taylor Russell for “Waves” (Breakthrough Actress).
“American Factory” was named the year’s best documentary, while Laure De Clermont-Tonnerre won in the Breakthrough Director category for “The Mustang.”
In the television categories, prizes went to the Netflix miniseries “When They See Us” and the Hulu sitcom “PEN15.”...
The ceremony, celebrating the best in indie cinema and television, was held Monday evening at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City and was presented by the Independent Filmmaker Project.
Acting awards went to Driver, to Awkwafina for “The Farewell” (Best Actress) and to Taylor Russell for “Waves” (Breakthrough Actress).
“American Factory” was named the year’s best documentary, while Laure De Clermont-Tonnerre won in the Breakthrough Director category for “The Mustang.”
In the television categories, prizes went to the Netflix miniseries “When They See Us” and the Hulu sitcom “PEN15.”...
- 12/3/2019
- by Lawrence Yee and Steve Pond
- The Wrap
“Marriage Story,” a drama about a painful divorce between a loving Hollywood couple, won best feature at the Gotham Awards in downtown Manhattan on Monday night.
The annual event in early December, hosted by the Independent Filmmakers Project, resembles the Iowa caucus as the first stop on the long and tangled road of awards season. And like in Iowa, many campaigners put on a brave face — in the middle of a snowstorm this year — as they delivered carefully scripted speeches, designed to win approval and gain votes.
The biggest winner of the night was Netflix, which released “Marriage Story.” The streaming giant managed to wrestle away six trophies (out of 10 that were handed out) for a celebration that is supposed to be devoted to independent story tellers.
“Marriage Story” won four of those prizes. In addition to best feature, the movie also took home best actor for Adam Driver, best...
The annual event in early December, hosted by the Independent Filmmakers Project, resembles the Iowa caucus as the first stop on the long and tangled road of awards season. And like in Iowa, many campaigners put on a brave face — in the middle of a snowstorm this year — as they delivered carefully scripted speeches, designed to win approval and gain votes.
The biggest winner of the night was Netflix, which released “Marriage Story.” The streaming giant managed to wrestle away six trophies (out of 10 that were handed out) for a celebration that is supposed to be devoted to independent story tellers.
“Marriage Story” won four of those prizes. In addition to best feature, the movie also took home best actor for Adam Driver, best...
- 12/3/2019
- by Marc Malkin and Ramin Setoodeh
- Variety Film + TV
The 2019 Gotham Independent Film Awards honored the best in independent cinema this year. From blockbuster success stories like “Hustlers” to festival darlings such as “The Farewell” and “Uncut Gems,” this year’s nominees kept with the Gothams’ tradition for highlighting top Oscar contenders (“Marriage Story”) and indie film underdogs (“Waves”).
The Gotham Awards nominations were led by “Marriage Story,” “The Farewell,” “Uncut Gems,” and “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” all four of which earned three nominations. The latter three were A24 releases. “Marriage Story” was produced and distributed by Netflix. Films such as “Clemency,” “Diane,” and “High Flying Bird” received two nominations each. Nominated television series include Ava DuVeray’s Netflix limited series “When They See Us” and Hulu’s breakout freshman comedy series “Pen15.”
It was a huge night for Netflix with six wins, including four for “Marriage Story.” The Noah Baumbach film won Best Feature. Other...
The Gotham Awards nominations were led by “Marriage Story,” “The Farewell,” “Uncut Gems,” and “The Last Black Man in San Francisco,” all four of which earned three nominations. The latter three were A24 releases. “Marriage Story” was produced and distributed by Netflix. Films such as “Clemency,” “Diane,” and “High Flying Bird” received two nominations each. Nominated television series include Ava DuVeray’s Netflix limited series “When They See Us” and Hulu’s breakout freshman comedy series “Pen15.”
It was a huge night for Netflix with six wins, including four for “Marriage Story.” The Noah Baumbach film won Best Feature. Other...
- 12/3/2019
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The 2019-2020 movie awards season got underway on Monday night, December 2, with the presentation of the Gotham Awards for independent film. Presented by the Independent Filmmaker Project (Ifp), these prizes are decided by juries of industry peers and have honored Oscar winners like “Sideways” (2004), “Capote” (2005), “The Hurt Locker” (2009), “Spotlight” (2015) and “Moonlight” (2016). So who took top honors this year? Scroll down for the complete list in all 10 categories, updated live as they were announced.
“Marriage Story,” “The Farewell” and “Uncut Gems” led the nominations with three apiece. Those three films were up for Best Feature along with “Hustlers” and “Waves.”
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“Marriage Story” was the highest-profile Oscar contender among those nominees, but did that mean it was a surefire winner? The jury voting process opens the door for underdogs and left-field choices like last year’s champ “The Rider,” which beat Oscar...
“Marriage Story,” “The Farewell” and “Uncut Gems” led the nominations with three apiece. Those three films were up for Best Feature along with “Hustlers” and “Waves.”
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions
“Marriage Story” was the highest-profile Oscar contender among those nominees, but did that mean it was a surefire winner? The jury voting process opens the door for underdogs and left-field choices like last year’s champ “The Rider,” which beat Oscar...
- 12/3/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Awards season is officially underway!
The 2019 Gotham Awards, which honors the best in independent cinema, is being held tonight in downtown New York. The ceremony begins at 8 p.m. Et. Watch the full live stream above.
This year’s Gotham nominees include “Marriage Story,” “The Farewell” and “Uncut Gems,” which each received three nominations each. “The Last Man in San Francisco,” a drama that premiered at Sundance and opened over the summer from A24, also scored three nominations: breakthrough director (Joe Talbot), best screenplay and breakthrough actor (Jonathan Majors).
Expected to attend are Awkwafina, Noah Baumbach, Sterling K. Brown, Adam Sandler, Adam Driver, Constance Wu, and Will Ferrell, among many others.
Here’s the full list of Gotham nominations:
Best Feature
“The Farewell” (A24)
“Hustlers” (STXfilms)
“Marriage Story” (Netflix)
“Uncut Gems” (A24)
“Waves” (A24)
Best Documentary
“American Factory” (Netflix)
“Apollo 11” (Neon and CNN Films)
“The Edge of Democracy” (Netflix...
The 2019 Gotham Awards, which honors the best in independent cinema, is being held tonight in downtown New York. The ceremony begins at 8 p.m. Et. Watch the full live stream above.
This year’s Gotham nominees include “Marriage Story,” “The Farewell” and “Uncut Gems,” which each received three nominations each. “The Last Man in San Francisco,” a drama that premiered at Sundance and opened over the summer from A24, also scored three nominations: breakthrough director (Joe Talbot), best screenplay and breakthrough actor (Jonathan Majors).
Expected to attend are Awkwafina, Noah Baumbach, Sterling K. Brown, Adam Sandler, Adam Driver, Constance Wu, and Will Ferrell, among many others.
Here’s the full list of Gotham nominations:
Best Feature
“The Farewell” (A24)
“Hustlers” (STXfilms)
“Marriage Story” (Netflix)
“Uncut Gems” (A24)
“Waves” (A24)
Best Documentary
“American Factory” (Netflix)
“Apollo 11” (Neon and CNN Films)
“The Edge of Democracy” (Netflix...
- 12/2/2019
- by Variety Staff
- Variety Film + TV
The 2019 Gotham Awards will be handed out tonight, December 2, during a ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. So who will the winners be? Scroll down for our official predictions in nine categories. Those predictions are based on the combined forecasts of more than 1,000 Gold Derby users who have placed their bets here in our predictions center. Nominees are listed in order of their racetrack odds with our project winners highlighted in gold.
These kudos are handed out by the Independent Filmmaker Project, a nonprofit that supports indie films. But individual categories are decided by small juries of industry peers, and we think they’ll find in favor of “Marriage Story,” Noah Baumbach‘s lacerating drama about a couple’s divorce. It’s the front-runner to win Best Feature, though we think voters will spread the wealth in other categories.
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with...
These kudos are handed out by the Independent Filmmaker Project, a nonprofit that supports indie films. But individual categories are decided by small juries of industry peers, and we think they’ll find in favor of “Marriage Story,” Noah Baumbach‘s lacerating drama about a couple’s divorce. It’s the front-runner to win Best Feature, though we think voters will spread the wealth in other categories.
Sign UPfor Gold Derby’s free newsletter with...
- 12/2/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: The long-running PBS documentary series Pov has acquired U.S. broadcast rights to Midnight Traveler, the Hassan Fazili-directed feature that been collecting awards-season noms since it bowed this year winning a jury prize at the Sundance Film Festival.
Pov, produced by American Documentary, will air the docu for the first time on Monday, December 30 as the second-to-last episode of the series’ 32nd season, followed by The Rescue List in March 2020.
Midnight Traveler is an autobiographical documentary chronicling the perilous journey Fazili’s family takes across central and west Asia, to Europe, after the Taliban puts a bounty on the Afghan director’s head. He is forced to flee with his wife and two young daughters, capturing along the way the dangers facing refugees seeking asylum and the love shared between a family on the run.
“There are many stories about refugees, but rarely do producers and news editors...
Pov, produced by American Documentary, will air the docu for the first time on Monday, December 30 as the second-to-last episode of the series’ 32nd season, followed by The Rescue List in March 2020.
Midnight Traveler is an autobiographical documentary chronicling the perilous journey Fazili’s family takes across central and west Asia, to Europe, after the Taliban puts a bounty on the Afghan director’s head. He is forced to flee with his wife and two young daughters, capturing along the way the dangers facing refugees seeking asylum and the love shared between a family on the run.
“There are many stories about refugees, but rarely do producers and news editors...
- 11/18/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Two years ago, the Academy documentary branch had to grapple with a record 170 documentary feature submissions for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar. This year, it’s not so bad: only 159 were entered. The short list of 15 will be announced, along with eight others, on December 16.
All year, branch members have been getting lists of secure online screeners available to watch on the Academy website, increasing in volume, with more to come. Each voter is assigned a list of about 22-23 films to screen, so they all get covered. But it’s a burden to see them all, so the ones with the most attention move to the top of the much-watch list.
Give the advantage to box-office hits that were made available earlier in the year such as Neon’s “The Biggest Little Farm” and “Apollo 11,” as well as high-profile titles from HBO (“Diego Maradona” and “The Apollo”), Netflix,...
All year, branch members have been getting lists of secure online screeners available to watch on the Academy website, increasing in volume, with more to come. Each voter is assigned a list of about 22-23 films to screen, so they all get covered. But it’s a burden to see them all, so the ones with the most attention move to the top of the much-watch list.
Give the advantage to box-office hits that were made available earlier in the year such as Neon’s “The Biggest Little Farm” and “Apollo 11,” as well as high-profile titles from HBO (“Diego Maradona” and “The Apollo”), Netflix,...
- 11/12/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Two years ago, the Academy documentary branch had to grapple with a record 170 documentary feature submissions for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar. This year, it’s not so bad: only 159 were entered. The short list of 15 will be announced, along with eight others, on December 16.
All year, branch members have been getting lists of secure online screeners available to watch on the Academy website, increasing in volume, with more to come. Each voter is assigned a list of about 22-23 films to screen, so they all get covered. But it’s a burden to see them all, so the ones with the most attention move to the top of the much-watch list.
Give the advantage to box-office hits that were made available earlier in the year such as Neon’s “The Biggest Little Farm” and “Apollo 11,” as well as high-profile titles from HBO (“Diego Maradona” and “The Apollo”), Netflix,...
All year, branch members have been getting lists of secure online screeners available to watch on the Academy website, increasing in volume, with more to come. Each voter is assigned a list of about 22-23 films to screen, so they all get covered. But it’s a burden to see them all, so the ones with the most attention move to the top of the much-watch list.
Give the advantage to box-office hits that were made available earlier in the year such as Neon’s “The Biggest Little Farm” and “Apollo 11,” as well as high-profile titles from HBO (“Diego Maradona” and “The Apollo”), Netflix,...
- 11/12/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
A total of 159 documentary features have qualified in the Oscars’ Best Documentary Feature category, the Academy announced on Tuesday.
Last year, 166 documentaries qualified. In 2017, a record 170 made the cut.
All of the films are now available to members of the Documentary Branch to stream on the Academy’s secure members website. The films have been placed there over the last six months, with 23 added to the site in June, 24 in July, 26 in August, 19 in September and 62 in October and only five in November.
Also Read: 'Maiden' Star Tracy Edwards Kept Her Story 'Messy' to Serve the Next Generation of Women Athletes (Video)
Each member is randomly assigned 20% of the films as mandatory viewing but is free to see any additional films beyond those that are assigned. A preliminary round of voting will produce a 15-film shortlist, with a second-round narrowing those 15 to the five nominees.
This year is...
Last year, 166 documentaries qualified. In 2017, a record 170 made the cut.
All of the films are now available to members of the Documentary Branch to stream on the Academy’s secure members website. The films have been placed there over the last six months, with 23 added to the site in June, 24 in July, 26 in August, 19 in September and 62 in October and only five in November.
Also Read: 'Maiden' Star Tracy Edwards Kept Her Story 'Messy' to Serve the Next Generation of Women Athletes (Video)
Each member is randomly assigned 20% of the films as mandatory viewing but is free to see any additional films beyond those that are assigned. A preliminary round of voting will produce a 15-film shortlist, with a second-round narrowing those 15 to the five nominees.
This year is...
- 11/12/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
“American Factory” and “Apollo 11” led all films in nominations for the 13th annual Cinema Eye Honors, a New York-based awards show created to pay tribute to all facets of nonfiction filmmaking.
The two films each received five nominations, including Outstanding Nonfiction Feature, from the Cinema Eye jury of festival programmers, as well as votes from this year’s eligible filmmakers.
The full slate of nominees in that category is a solid lineup of the year’s most acclaimed docs. In addition to Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert’s “American Factory” and Todd Douglas Miller’s “Apollo 11,” it includes Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts’ “For Sama,” Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska’s “Honeyland,” Luke Lorentzen’s “Midnight Family” and Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang’s “One Child Nation.”
Also Read: 12 Documentaries to Check Out This Fall, Including Films by Bruce Springsteen and Agnès Varda (Photos)
“American Factory,” “Apollo 11...
The two films each received five nominations, including Outstanding Nonfiction Feature, from the Cinema Eye jury of festival programmers, as well as votes from this year’s eligible filmmakers.
The full slate of nominees in that category is a solid lineup of the year’s most acclaimed docs. In addition to Steven Bognar and Julia Reichert’s “American Factory” and Todd Douglas Miller’s “Apollo 11,” it includes Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts’ “For Sama,” Ljubomir Stefanov and Tamara Kotevska’s “Honeyland,” Luke Lorentzen’s “Midnight Family” and Nanfu Wang and Jialing Zhang’s “One Child Nation.”
Also Read: 12 Documentaries to Check Out This Fall, Including Films by Bruce Springsteen and Agnès Varda (Photos)
“American Factory,” “Apollo 11...
- 11/7/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
For twelve years now, the Cinema Eye Honors selection committees, comprised of filmmakers from the documentary community, help to whittle down a curated list of must-see non-fiction film and television. At the annual Cinema Eye brunch, Cinema Eye Honors founding director A.J. Schnack and his team unveiled the first in a series of awards announcements, including nominees for two new awards: Outstanding Achievement for a Broadcast Film or Series in Editing and Cinematography.
Netflix, 30 for 30, Hulu and Showtime Documentary Films hosted the lunch at Tartine Bianco in Los Angeles, attended by many filmmakers, including many of this year’s non-fiction contenders: Nanfu Wang + Jialing Zhang, Todd Douglas Miller, Petra Costa, Steven Bognar + Julia Reichert, Lauren Greenfield, and Feras Fayyad.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s “Homecoming” (Netflix) led the Broadcast honorees with three nominations: Broadcast Film, Broadcast Editing and Broadcast Cinematography. Other multiple nominees included National Geographic’s “Apollo: Mission to the Moon,...
Netflix, 30 for 30, Hulu and Showtime Documentary Films hosted the lunch at Tartine Bianco in Los Angeles, attended by many filmmakers, including many of this year’s non-fiction contenders: Nanfu Wang + Jialing Zhang, Todd Douglas Miller, Petra Costa, Steven Bognar + Julia Reichert, Lauren Greenfield, and Feras Fayyad.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s “Homecoming” (Netflix) led the Broadcast honorees with three nominations: Broadcast Film, Broadcast Editing and Broadcast Cinematography. Other multiple nominees included National Geographic’s “Apollo: Mission to the Moon,...
- 10/24/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
For twelve years now, the Cinema Eye Honors selection committees, comprised of filmmakers from the documentary community, help to whittle down a curated list of must-see non-fiction film and television. At the annual Cinema Eye brunch, Cinema Eye Honors founding director A.J. Schnack and his team unveiled the first in a series of awards announcements, including nominees for two new awards: Outstanding Achievement for a Broadcast Film or Series in Editing and Cinematography.
Netflix, 30 for 30, Hulu and Showtime Documentary Films hosted the lunch at Tartine Bianco in Los Angeles, attended by many filmmakers, including many of this year’s non-fiction contenders: Nanfu Wang + Jialing Zhang, Todd Douglas Miller, Petra Costa, Steven Bognar + Julia Reichert, Lauren Greenfield, and Feras Fayyad.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s “Homecoming” (Netflix) led the Broadcast honorees with three nominations: Broadcast Film, Broadcast Editing and Broadcast Cinematography. Other multiple nominees included National Geographic’s “Apollo: Mission to the Moon,...
Netflix, 30 for 30, Hulu and Showtime Documentary Films hosted the lunch at Tartine Bianco in Los Angeles, attended by many filmmakers, including many of this year’s non-fiction contenders: Nanfu Wang + Jialing Zhang, Todd Douglas Miller, Petra Costa, Steven Bognar + Julia Reichert, Lauren Greenfield, and Feras Fayyad.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s “Homecoming” (Netflix) led the Broadcast honorees with three nominations: Broadcast Film, Broadcast Editing and Broadcast Cinematography. Other multiple nominees included National Geographic’s “Apollo: Mission to the Moon,...
- 10/24/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Beyonce’s “Homecoming” has landed three nominations to lead all films in the first round of noms for the Cinema Eye Honors, a New York-based awards ceremony established in 2007 to honor all aspects of nonfiction filmmaking.
In an announcement made at a luncheon in downtown Los Angeles, Cinema Eye Honors organizers unveiled nominations in seven categories, including new categories for broadcast editing and cinematography. “Homecoming” received nominations in both those new categories, as well as for the outstanding broadcast film of the year.
It faces off in that last category against “Apollo: Mission to the Moon,” “At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal,” “Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists,” “Leaving Neverland” and “The Sentence.”
Also Read: 'Homecoming' Film Review: Beyoncé's Powerful Documentary Captures Her Once-in-a-Lifetime Coachella Triumph
Other shows with multiple nominations were the broadcast series “Salt Fat Acid Heat” and “Tricky Dick,” which received two each.
In an announcement made at a luncheon in downtown Los Angeles, Cinema Eye Honors organizers unveiled nominations in seven categories, including new categories for broadcast editing and cinematography. “Homecoming” received nominations in both those new categories, as well as for the outstanding broadcast film of the year.
It faces off in that last category against “Apollo: Mission to the Moon,” “At the Heart of Gold: Inside the USA Gymnastics Scandal,” “Breslin and Hamill: Deadline Artists,” “Leaving Neverland” and “The Sentence.”
Also Read: 'Homecoming' Film Review: Beyoncé's Powerful Documentary Captures Her Once-in-a-Lifetime Coachella Triumph
Other shows with multiple nominations were the broadcast series “Salt Fat Acid Heat” and “Tricky Dick,” which received two each.
- 10/24/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The 2019-2020 movie awards season is underway with the 2019 Gotham Award nominations, which were announced on October 24. These awards are presented by the Independent Filmmaker Project (Ifp) and honor the best indie achievements of the year as decided by small committees of film journalists and festival programmers. Their nominees for Best Feature are “The Farewell,” “Hustlers,” “Marriage Story,” “Uncut Gems” and “Waves.” Scroll down to see the complete list of contenders.
Ifp executive director Jeffrey Sharp said in a statement, “We congratulate the 2019 Ifp Gotham Award nominees and are excited to recognize these artists on December 2nd here in New York, a city known for its great tradition of independent storytelling. This year has been filled with brilliant performances and dynamic work across film and television and we look forward to celebrating these achievements together.”
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The winners will be presented...
Ifp executive director Jeffrey Sharp said in a statement, “We congratulate the 2019 Ifp Gotham Award nominees and are excited to recognize these artists on December 2nd here in New York, a city known for its great tradition of independent storytelling. This year has been filled with brilliant performances and dynamic work across film and television and we look forward to celebrating these achievements together.”
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The winners will be presented...
- 10/24/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Also up for best feature are Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers and Trey Edward Shults’ Waves.
Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, the Safdie brothers’ Uncut Gems and Lulu Wang’s The Farewell lead this year’s Ifp Gotham Awards nominations, with three nods apiece.
They are each up for best feature alongside Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers and Trey Edward Shults’ Waves.
Netflix’s Marriage Story and A24’s Uncut Gems have also earned best actor nominations for Adam Driver and Adam Sandler respectively. They will compete against Willem Dafoe for The Lighthouse, Aldis Hodge for Clemency and André Holland for High Flying Bird.
Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, the Safdie brothers’ Uncut Gems and Lulu Wang’s The Farewell lead this year’s Ifp Gotham Awards nominations, with three nods apiece.
They are each up for best feature alongside Lorene Scafaria’s Hustlers and Trey Edward Shults’ Waves.
Netflix’s Marriage Story and A24’s Uncut Gems have also earned best actor nominations for Adam Driver and Adam Sandler respectively. They will compete against Willem Dafoe for The Lighthouse, Aldis Hodge for Clemency and André Holland for High Flying Bird.
- 10/24/2019
- by 1101184¦Orlando Parfitt¦38¦
- ScreenDaily
The precursor season has begun, ladies and gentlemen. Yes, the Gotham Awards have announced their nominations for 2019. This independent body obviously cites indie works, but with the potential landscape of the Oscar race this year, they’ve got a ton of potential players eligible here. As such, when you gaze at the list of nominees for this year, it’s no surprise that it’s littered with Academy Award contenders. Don’t expect the massive blockbusters and major studio hopefuls, obviously, but a solid crop of titles from the impending race are represented. Gotham did a very strong job again this year, setting us up to potentially have a 2019 awards season to remember. Leading the way here with three nominations apiece are The Farewell, The Last Black Man in San Francisco (though not cited in Best Feature), Marriage Story, and Uncut Gems. Right behind them with a pair of citations each were Clemency,...
- 10/24/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Nominations for the 29th Gotham Awards, the annual indie-heavy honors from the Independent Filmmaker Project, were unveiled Thursday morning, marking the sort of unofficial kickoff to the movie awards season.
A24 and Netflix were the big winners, with the studio’s The Farewell, Uncut Gems and The Last Black Man in San Francisco scoring a leading three noms apiece overall, as did the streamer’s Marriage Story.
The Farewell, Uncut Gems and Marriage Story also are in the marquee Best Feature race in this morning’s nominations, joined by yet another A24 title, Waves, and Hustlers, the Stx film starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu.
Big individual names getting the call today include Adam Sandler for Uncut Gems, Awkwafina for the Sundance hit The Farewell , Elisabeth Moss for Her Smell and Alfre Woodard for Clemency in the acting categories; and Olivia Wilde scoring a Breakthrough Director nom for UA Relasing’s Booksmart.
A24 and Netflix were the big winners, with the studio’s The Farewell, Uncut Gems and The Last Black Man in San Francisco scoring a leading three noms apiece overall, as did the streamer’s Marriage Story.
The Farewell, Uncut Gems and Marriage Story also are in the marquee Best Feature race in this morning’s nominations, joined by yet another A24 title, Waves, and Hustlers, the Stx film starring Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu.
Big individual names getting the call today include Adam Sandler for Uncut Gems, Awkwafina for the Sundance hit The Farewell , Elisabeth Moss for Her Smell and Alfre Woodard for Clemency in the acting categories; and Olivia Wilde scoring a Breakthrough Director nom for UA Relasing’s Booksmart.
- 10/24/2019
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
“Marriage Story,” “The Farewell” and “Uncut Gems” each received three Gotham Awards nominations, including best feature, from the Independent Filmmakers Project on Thursday morning.
On the long road to awards season, the Gotham Awards, which are held in New York on Dec. 2, have become the first stop. And while they aren’t always a reliable predictor of Oscar nominations — since they are voted on by small panels of journalists and filmmakers — they can help build an independent movie’s momentum.
Netflix’s “Marriage Story,” the tale of a couple undergoing a tortured divorce, also received nods for best actor (Adam Driver) and screenplay (Noah Baumbach). A24’s “The Farewell,” a Sundance darling about a woman who travels to China to visit her grandmother, was nominated for best actress (Awkwafina) and screenplay (Lulu Wang). Another A24 title, “Uncut Gems,” which follows a New York jewelry owner with a gambling problem, was...
On the long road to awards season, the Gotham Awards, which are held in New York on Dec. 2, have become the first stop. And while they aren’t always a reliable predictor of Oscar nominations — since they are voted on by small panels of journalists and filmmakers — they can help build an independent movie’s momentum.
Netflix’s “Marriage Story,” the tale of a couple undergoing a tortured divorce, also received nods for best actor (Adam Driver) and screenplay (Noah Baumbach). A24’s “The Farewell,” a Sundance darling about a woman who travels to China to visit her grandmother, was nominated for best actress (Awkwafina) and screenplay (Lulu Wang). Another A24 title, “Uncut Gems,” which follows a New York jewelry owner with a gambling problem, was...
- 10/24/2019
- by Ramin Setoodeh
- Variety Film + TV
“Marriage Story,” “The Farewell,” “Uncut Gems,” “Hustlers” and “Waves” have been nominated as the best independent films of 2019 by the 29th annual Ifp Gotham Awards, the Independent Filmmaker Project announced on Thursday.
“Marriage Story,” “The Farewell” and “Uncut Gems” each received three nominations in the seven Gotham film categories to lead all films. “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” also received three, though it was not nominated in the Gothams’ top category.
“Waves,” “High Flying Bird,” “Midsommar” and “Clemency” received two nominations each and were the only other films with multiple nominations.
In the acting categories, nominees included Willem Dafoe for “The Lighthouse,” Adam Sandler for “Uncut Gems,” Adam Driver in “Marriage Story,” Awkwafina in “The Farewell,” Florence Pugh in “Midsommar” and Elisabeth Moss in “Her Smell.”
Also Read: Female Directors Dominate in Ida Documentary Awards Nominations
The Gotham Awards’ only directing category is the Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award,...
“Marriage Story,” “The Farewell” and “Uncut Gems” each received three nominations in the seven Gotham film categories to lead all films. “The Last Black Man in San Francisco” also received three, though it was not nominated in the Gothams’ top category.
“Waves,” “High Flying Bird,” “Midsommar” and “Clemency” received two nominations each and were the only other films with multiple nominations.
In the acting categories, nominees included Willem Dafoe for “The Lighthouse,” Adam Sandler for “Uncut Gems,” Adam Driver in “Marriage Story,” Awkwafina in “The Farewell,” Florence Pugh in “Midsommar” and Elisabeth Moss in “Her Smell.”
Also Read: Female Directors Dominate in Ida Documentary Awards Nominations
The Gotham Awards’ only directing category is the Bingham Ray Breakthrough Director Award,...
- 10/24/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The International Documentary Association has announced its shortlist for best feature, a category that includes “Apollo 11,” “American Factory,” “Diego Maradona,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” and the Aretha Franklin concert film “Amazing Grace.”
The 2019 awards will be presented during a ceremony at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Dec. 7. Up to 10 nominees in each of the categories will be selected from the shortlist and announced on Oct. 23, when nominees in all categories are announced. Ida members will have access to nominated films to vote for Best Feature and Best Short starting Nov. 4.
For the first time, the Ida will present an award for best director. Awards will be presented in the following categories: best feature, best short, best curated series, best episodic series, best multi-part documentary, best short form series, best audio documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award, best music documentary, best director, best cinematography, best editing, best writing,...
The 2019 awards will be presented during a ceremony at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Dec. 7. Up to 10 nominees in each of the categories will be selected from the shortlist and announced on Oct. 23, when nominees in all categories are announced. Ida members will have access to nominated films to vote for Best Feature and Best Short starting Nov. 4.
For the first time, the Ida will present an award for best director. Awards will be presented in the following categories: best feature, best short, best curated series, best episodic series, best multi-part documentary, best short form series, best audio documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award, best music documentary, best director, best cinematography, best editing, best writing,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
The International Documentary Association (Ida) has revealed the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards shortlists for the Best Feature and Best Short categories, culled from 785 submissions: 375 documentary features, 153 documentary shorts, 124 documentary series, 89 student films, 44 podcasts, and 48 music documentaries. After winnowing down each list to up to ten nominees to be announced on Wednesday, October 23, online screeners will be accessible for viewing as of November 4, followed by the Ida membership voting.
The 2019 Awards will be presented at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida will bestow awards in 16 categories. This year, the Ida has changed how craft awards are selected: cinematographers, editors, writers and composers will do the honors. And for the first time, the Ida will present an award for Best Director.
The awards categories include Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award,...
The 2019 Awards will be presented at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida will bestow awards in 16 categories. This year, the Ida has changed how craft awards are selected: cinematographers, editors, writers and composers will do the honors. And for the first time, the Ida will present an award for Best Director.
The awards categories include Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The International Documentary Association (Ida) has revealed the 35th Annual Ida Documentary Awards shortlists for the Best Feature and Best Short categories, culled from 785 submissions: 375 documentary features, 153 documentary shorts, 124 documentary series, 89 student films, 44 podcasts, and 48 music documentaries. After winnowing down each list to up to ten nominees to be announced on Wednesday, October 23, online screeners will be accessible for viewing as of November 4, followed by the Ida membership voting.
The 2019 Awards will be presented at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida will bestow awards in 16 categories. This year, the Ida has changed how craft awards are selected: cinematographers, editors, writers and composers will do the honors. And for the first time, the Ida will present an award for Best Director.
The awards categories include Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award,...
The 2019 Awards will be presented at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles on Saturday, December 7. The Ida will bestow awards in 16 categories. This year, the Ida has changed how craft awards are selected: cinematographers, editors, writers and composers will do the honors. And for the first time, the Ida will present an award for Best Director.
The awards categories include Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The Aretha Franklin documentary “Amazing Grace,” the moon-mission chronicle “Apollo 11” and the first film from Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company, “American Factory,” have made the short list for the International Documentary Association’s 2019 Ida Documentary Awards, the Ida announced on Thursday.
The announcement narrows the field to 30 feature films and 21 shorts that will move on to a second round of voting.
The IDA’s short list of 30 feature films contains 10 films that were on Doc NYC’s recent 15-film list of the year’s likeliest nonfiction awards contenders: “American Factory,” “The Apollo,” “Apollo 11,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “The Cave,” “Diego Maradona,” “The Edge of Democracy,” “For Sama,” “Honeyland” and “One Child Nation.”
Additional films on the Ida’s list include “Amazing Grace,...
The announcement narrows the field to 30 feature films and 21 shorts that will move on to a second round of voting.
The IDA’s short list of 30 feature films contains 10 films that were on Doc NYC’s recent 15-film list of the year’s likeliest nonfiction awards contenders: “American Factory,” “The Apollo,” “Apollo 11,” “The Biggest Little Farm,” “The Cave,” “Diego Maradona,” “The Edge of Democracy,” “For Sama,” “Honeyland” and “One Child Nation.”
Additional films on the Ida’s list include “Amazing Grace,...
- 10/10/2019
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Pictured: Louise Detlefsen and Louise Kjeldsen’s “Fat Front,” about a rebellious movement started by plus-sized women in Scandinavia, world premieres at Idfa.
Danish documentarian Jørgen Leth, whose 1967 short “The Perfect Human” inspired fellow countryman Lars Von Trier as a film student, will be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at Idfa this year. The prolific 82-year-old, based in Haiti, is just one of a number of non-fiction heavyweights to be celebrated at the Amsterdam festival, which will also offer posthumous tributes to Agnes Varda and D.A. Pennebaker, who passed away this year.
Under festival director Orwa Nyrabia, in his second year, Idfa continues to focus on directors from emerging territories as well as films dealing with pressing contemporary issues. In the Frontlight section, Claudia Sparrow’s “Maxima” deals with a Peruvian farmer forced to defend her land against the gold-mining industry; Jia Yuchuan’s “The Two Lives of Li Ermao...
Danish documentarian Jørgen Leth, whose 1967 short “The Perfect Human” inspired fellow countryman Lars Von Trier as a film student, will be awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at Idfa this year. The prolific 82-year-old, based in Haiti, is just one of a number of non-fiction heavyweights to be celebrated at the Amsterdam festival, which will also offer posthumous tributes to Agnes Varda and D.A. Pennebaker, who passed away this year.
Under festival director Orwa Nyrabia, in his second year, Idfa continues to focus on directors from emerging territories as well as films dealing with pressing contemporary issues. In the Frontlight section, Claudia Sparrow’s “Maxima” deals with a Peruvian farmer forced to defend her land against the gold-mining industry; Jia Yuchuan’s “The Two Lives of Li Ermao...
- 10/8/2019
- by Damon Wise
- Variety Film + TV
It was a record weekend for Focus Features that saw Downton Abbey not only top the weekend box office, but it became the studio's largest opener ever, topping $30 million. The weekend's fellow new releases — Ad Astra and Rambo: Last Blood — delivered on expectations and are in a neck-and-neck battle for runner-up position and we'll have to wait for actuals to tell the full story on Monday afternoon.
With an estimated $31 million, Focus Features's Downton Abbey topped the weekend box office, giving the studio their largest opening weekend ever. Previously, Insidious Chapter 3 was the studio's record opener with $22.7 million followed by London Has Fallen, also making this their first release to ever top $30 million in nearly 20 years of film distribution. The film played to a crowd that was 74% female and of the total audience, 60% were aged 35 or older. Working in the film's favor was a positive, "A" CinemaScore from opening day...
With an estimated $31 million, Focus Features's Downton Abbey topped the weekend box office, giving the studio their largest opening weekend ever. Previously, Insidious Chapter 3 was the studio's record opener with $22.7 million followed by London Has Fallen, also making this their first release to ever top $30 million in nearly 20 years of film distribution. The film played to a crowd that was 74% female and of the total audience, 60% were aged 35 or older. Working in the film's favor was a positive, "A" CinemaScore from opening day...
- 9/22/2019
- by Brad Brevet <mail@boxofficemojo.com>
- Box Office Mojo
For core arthouses with access to “Downton Abbey,” this is a very lucky weekend. The theatrical-feature extension of the hit ITV/PBS English upper-crust soap opera opened to nearly $30 million, opening in over 3,000 theaters this weekend.
Not long ago, this is a film that would have opened limited, then gradually widened. However, for specialized films with brand-name recognition, this seems to be the trend: If you don’t need to spend time getting the word out, don’t. Push it wide and get it while the getting’s good.
Focus bet (correctly) that it held broad and immediate appeal, although that meant independent theaters had to share the largesse with chain megaplexes — and in some cases, couldn’t play it at all. There also were some sharp drops from last weekend’s top specialized films as would-be customers flocked to “Downton.”
Otherwise Sony Pictures Classics’ documentary “Where’s My Roy...
Not long ago, this is a film that would have opened limited, then gradually widened. However, for specialized films with brand-name recognition, this seems to be the trend: If you don’t need to spend time getting the word out, don’t. Push it wide and get it while the getting’s good.
Focus bet (correctly) that it held broad and immediate appeal, although that meant independent theaters had to share the largesse with chain megaplexes — and in some cases, couldn’t play it at all. There also were some sharp drops from last weekend’s top specialized films as would-be customers flocked to “Downton.”
Otherwise Sony Pictures Classics’ documentary “Where’s My Roy...
- 9/22/2019
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
All was fairly quiet on the specialty box office front this week, with the debut of just a handful of films. The most notable of the bunch was Matt Tyrnauer’s riveting Where’s My Roy Cohn? Other openers this weekend included a Loro, as well as Gunpowder & Sky’s horror-comedy Villains, starring It Chapter Two‘s Bill Skarsgård and Kyra Sedgwick, which had openings that were decent, but nothing earth-shattering.
Sony Pictures Classics feature documentary Where’s My Roy Cohn? opened exclusively in New York and Los Angeles on four screens, and is estimated to rake in $42,364. Deadline learned that it performed better in New York than it did in Los Angeles — which is probably because the ruthless Donald Trump mentor was more of a New York figure. Nonetheless, Spc hopes to add to its box office stack once Roy Cohn continues to expand next week.
Meanwhile, IFC Films...
Sony Pictures Classics feature documentary Where’s My Roy Cohn? opened exclusively in New York and Los Angeles on four screens, and is estimated to rake in $42,364. Deadline learned that it performed better in New York than it did in Los Angeles — which is probably because the ruthless Donald Trump mentor was more of a New York figure. Nonetheless, Spc hopes to add to its box office stack once Roy Cohn continues to expand next week.
Meanwhile, IFC Films...
- 9/22/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
“Midnight Traveler” is a film about distance. The distance between countries, the distance between years, the distance between heaven and hell. But most of all — and increasingly as it goes along — , even if just between themselves. Over the course of 1,000 days and as many miles, Hassan used three cell phones to record almost every step of his family’s perilous journey from their native Afghanistan (where the progressive director was targeted by the Taliban) to their current home in Central Europe, capturing a contemporary migrant experience from the most immediate and ground-level of perspectives. It’s a project that was made to restore a certain way of seeing; to punch a hole through the screen that separates people from the reality of what’s happening in their world. But in trying to get so close to the truth without touching it, Hassan almost fell into the same gap that he was trying to bridge.
- 9/17/2019
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
The summer of 2018 produced three documentaries that earned over $10 million at the domestic box office. While this summer didn’t get quite as close, this fall has documentary releases about rock stars, athletes and even one posthumous release from an auteur. New films by Bruce Springsteen, Agnès Varda and Asif Kapadia could help make for a busy season for non-fiction cinema, with many more potentially on the way from the fall festival circuit. Here are 10 with impending releases you need to check out.
“Untouchable” – Sept. 2 (Hulu)
Too soon? The Hulu documentary “Untouchable” opens some still fresh wounds about the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the #MeToo movement. Ursula Macfarlane’s documentary first made its premiere at Sundance, and it features some harrowing interviews with accusers such as Rosanna Arquette, Hope D’Amore, Paz de la Huerta, Erika Rosenbaum and others.
“Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” – Sept. 6 (Greenwich Entertainment...
“Untouchable” – Sept. 2 (Hulu)
Too soon? The Hulu documentary “Untouchable” opens some still fresh wounds about the Harvey Weinstein scandal and the #MeToo movement. Ursula Macfarlane’s documentary first made its premiere at Sundance, and it features some harrowing interviews with accusers such as Rosanna Arquette, Hope D’Amore, Paz de la Huerta, Erika Rosenbaum and others.
“Linda Ronstadt: The Sound of My Voice” – Sept. 6 (Greenwich Entertainment...
- 8/27/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Trailers are an under-appreciated art form insofar that many times they’re seen as vehicles for showing footage, explaining films away, or showing their hand about what moviegoers can expect. Foreign, domestic, independent, big budget: What better way to hone your skills as a thoughtful moviegoer than by deconstructing these little pieces of advertising? This week, […]
The post This Week In Trailers: Frankie, Midnight Traveler, Shut Up and Play the Piano, So Long, My Son, Chained for Life appeared first on /Film.
The post This Week In Trailers: Frankie, Midnight Traveler, Shut Up and Play the Piano, So Long, My Son, Chained for Life appeared first on /Film.
- 8/17/2019
- by Christopher Stipp
- Slash Film
Afghan filmmaker Hassan Fazili’s self-reflexive documentary “Midnight Traveler” chronicles his and his family’s epic, three-year escape from the Taliban across hundreds of miles and numerous borders. Forced to flee the country with his wife and two young daughters, Fazili managed to capture firsthand their perilous journey in the uncertain, often dangerous quest for asylum. Watch the first trailer from Oscilloscope Laboratories, which scooped up “Midnight Traveler” for U.S. distribution in March, below.
“Midnight Traveler” garnered the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for No Borders at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, as well as the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury — Special Mention from the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival. Fazili’s credits as a filmmaker span narrative shorts, television serials, stage plays, and documentaries, but here he turns the camera on himself. The film is intended to bring a global face to the internationally pervasive refugee crisis, and it...
“Midnight Traveler” garnered the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for No Borders at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival, as well as the Prize of the Ecumenical Jury — Special Mention from the 2019 Berlin International Film Festival. Fazili’s credits as a filmmaker span narrative shorts, television serials, stage plays, and documentaries, but here he turns the camera on himself. The film is intended to bring a global face to the internationally pervasive refugee crisis, and it...
- 8/16/2019
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
“Midnight Traveler” is not your typical documentary about the refugee crisis. Afghan filmmaker Hassan Fazili got intimate access to the story of a family fleeing from the Taliban because, it turns out, he and his family were the ones fleeing.
Fazili’s “Midnight Traveler” is a personal film shot over three years solely on phones, documenting the journey Fazili took across countries with his wife and two young daughters after their life became in danger.
“Cut. I became a filmmaker. Cut. I made a film about a Taliban commander. After the film comes out, the Taliban puts a call out for my death. Cut. We flee to the mountains,” Fazili says in the film, narrating his own tensely cinematic story.
Also Read: Hollywood Foreign Press Association Donates $500,000 to Nonprofit Group for Refugees
The film’s emotional trailer shows the danger he and his family face as refugees seeking asylum, while also revealing the touching,...
Fazili’s “Midnight Traveler” is a personal film shot over three years solely on phones, documenting the journey Fazili took across countries with his wife and two young daughters after their life became in danger.
“Cut. I became a filmmaker. Cut. I made a film about a Taliban commander. After the film comes out, the Taliban puts a call out for my death. Cut. We flee to the mountains,” Fazili says in the film, narrating his own tensely cinematic story.
Also Read: Hollywood Foreign Press Association Donates $500,000 to Nonprofit Group for Refugees
The film’s emotional trailer shows the danger he and his family face as refugees seeking asylum, while also revealing the touching,...
- 8/16/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
"How do you say 'help' in English?" Oscilloscope Labs has debuted the official trailer for an award-winning documentary titled Midnight Traveler, which premiered at the Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It won the World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award at Sundance, plus the Golden Gate Award at the Sf Film Festival, and the Grand Jury Award at the Sheffield Doc Festival. The doc film is made by Hassan Fazili, who used small home cameras and mobile phones to record his family for years. Midnight Traveler "chronicles the dangers that pave the road to asylum... but above all it's about a family, and the unshakeable love that sustains them on their journey." The trailer features music by Jennifer Castle. This is one of the most endearing and powerful films you'll see about refugees, taking us right into their life and sharing their triumphs & struggles on the road. All the quotes...
- 8/15/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The Fazili family - Hassan Fazili, Fatima Hussaini and daughters Nargis and Zahra at the Krnjaca refugee camp in Serbia. Producer Su Kim: 'I think what does come through is that this is a normal family, who you can relate to and who is going through something really trying and difficult' Photo: Old Chilly Pictures Hassan Fazili's Midnight Traveler gives an intensely personal slant to the struggle endured by many refugees as he, and his wife Fatima Hussaini, along with their children Nargis and Zahra, record their flight from Afghanistan using mobile phones, after they were targeted in their homeland by the Taliban. The resulting eye-opening documentary - shot over two years - sees them attempt to take the 3,500 mile overland smuggling route to Europe. The film, which has its UK premiere at Sheffield Doc/Fest this weekend, was edited by Emelie Mahdavian, who also produced the film with Su Kim.
- 6/6/2019
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Chronicle of Israeli human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel eligible for Oscars.
Rachel Leah Jones and Philippe Bellaiche’s joint feature-length documentary Advocate has scooped the top prize for best Israeli film at the 21st edition of the Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival (Docaviv), running from May 23 to June 1.
Docaviv is one of the Academy Award-qualifying documentary film festivals, so all winners of the international competition, Israeli competition and short competition are automatically eligible for the Oscar race.
Advocate, which received its world premiere at Sundance, follows the life and work of Israeli human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel, who has...
Rachel Leah Jones and Philippe Bellaiche’s joint feature-length documentary Advocate has scooped the top prize for best Israeli film at the 21st edition of the Tel Aviv International Documentary Film Festival (Docaviv), running from May 23 to June 1.
Docaviv is one of the Academy Award-qualifying documentary film festivals, so all winners of the international competition, Israeli competition and short competition are automatically eligible for the Oscar race.
Advocate, which received its world premiere at Sundance, follows the life and work of Israeli human rights lawyer Lea Tsemel, who has...
- 5/30/2019
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Ai Weiwei, Werner Herzog to particpate in extended conversations following screenings.
A Spotlight section of screenings followed by extended conversations is the major addition to the programme for this year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest (June 6-11), revealed today.
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and German filmmaker Werner Herzog are among those attending the festival and participating in the section.
Ai Weiwei will present his film The Rest, about Europe’s refugee crisis and the disintegrating humanitarian aid system, which premiered at Cph:Dox in March.
Herzog will take part in a discussion with Patrick Holland, controller, BBC Two, following a...
A Spotlight section of screenings followed by extended conversations is the major addition to the programme for this year’s Sheffield Doc/Fest (June 6-11), revealed today.
Chinese artist Ai Weiwei and German filmmaker Werner Herzog are among those attending the festival and participating in the section.
Ai Weiwei will present his film The Rest, about Europe’s refugee crisis and the disintegrating humanitarian aid system, which premiered at Cph:Dox in March.
Herzog will take part in a discussion with Patrick Holland, controller, BBC Two, following a...
- 5/9/2019
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
The verteran German director was giving a masterclass at Nyon’s Visions du Reel festival.
German director Werner Herzog voiced his reluctant support of film piracy during a masterclass at Switzerland’s documentary-focused Visions du Réel International Film Festival in Nyon which closed on April 13.
¨Piracy has been the most successful form of distribution worldwide,” said Herzog in response to a comment from Ukrainian producer Illia Gladshtein of Phalanstery Films. Gladshtein said he was only able to access the filmmaker’s works via illegal Torrent sites in Ukraine.
“If you don’t get [films] through Netflix or state-sponsored television in your country,...
German director Werner Herzog voiced his reluctant support of film piracy during a masterclass at Switzerland’s documentary-focused Visions du Réel International Film Festival in Nyon which closed on April 13.
¨Piracy has been the most successful form of distribution worldwide,” said Herzog in response to a comment from Ukrainian producer Illia Gladshtein of Phalanstery Films. Gladshtein said he was only able to access the filmmaker’s works via illegal Torrent sites in Ukraine.
“If you don’t get [films] through Netflix or state-sponsored television in your country,...
- 4/16/2019
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Oscilloscope Laboratories has rounded out its 2019 slate by acquiring three documentaries: Stephen Wilkes’ “Jay Myself,” Hassan Fazili and Emelie Mahdavian’s “Midnight Traveler,” and Jon Kasbe’s “When Lambs Become Lions.” The three films premiered at Doc NYC, Sundance, and Tribeca, respectively, with several awards among them.
Here’s the skinny on all three:
“Jay Myself” follows the arduous moving process of Jay Maisel, a photographer and artist who sold his home — a century-old, 35,000 square-foot building in Manhattan known as The Bank — in 2015 after nearly 50 years there. “Through the intimate lens of filmmaker and Jay’s protégé, noted artist and photographer Stephen Wilkes,” O-Scope’s description says, “the viewer is taken on a remarkable journey through Jay’s life as an artist, mentor, and man; a man grappling with time, life, change, and the end of an era in New York City.”
The film, Wilkes’ debut feature documentary, opens at...
Here’s the skinny on all three:
“Jay Myself” follows the arduous moving process of Jay Maisel, a photographer and artist who sold his home — a century-old, 35,000 square-foot building in Manhattan known as The Bank — in 2015 after nearly 50 years there. “Through the intimate lens of filmmaker and Jay’s protégé, noted artist and photographer Stephen Wilkes,” O-Scope’s description says, “the viewer is taken on a remarkable journey through Jay’s life as an artist, mentor, and man; a man grappling with time, life, change, and the end of an era in New York City.”
The film, Wilkes’ debut feature documentary, opens at...
- 3/29/2019
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
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