Exclusive: Film Independent and the U.S. Department of State on Tuesday named the 20 filmmakers, from 12 different nations, selected to participate in the 2024 Global Media Makers LA Residency.
Running for five weeks, through June 30, the residency connects international filmmakers with each other and the U.S. entertainment industry, the goal being to build a multi-regional network that supports creative economic development and freedom of expression through global storytelling. Over the course of the program, fellows participate in filmmaking tracks focused on screenwriting, directing, creative development, and documentary filmmaking, where they develop their current projects. The program also provides master classes, industry sessions, field trips, cultural engagement, and networking opportunities.
This marks the 10th Gmm residency organized by Film Independent since 2016, coming off its first overseas residency in Colombia in April. With a record number of over 650 filmmakers nominated to apply, the selection process was highly competitive, attracting a diverse pool of creatives,...
Running for five weeks, through June 30, the residency connects international filmmakers with each other and the U.S. entertainment industry, the goal being to build a multi-regional network that supports creative economic development and freedom of expression through global storytelling. Over the course of the program, fellows participate in filmmaking tracks focused on screenwriting, directing, creative development, and documentary filmmaking, where they develop their current projects. The program also provides master classes, industry sessions, field trips, cultural engagement, and networking opportunities.
This marks the 10th Gmm residency organized by Film Independent since 2016, coming off its first overseas residency in Colombia in April. With a record number of over 650 filmmakers nominated to apply, the selection process was highly competitive, attracting a diverse pool of creatives,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Daniel Zolghadri (Y2K), Shane Paul McGhie (Poker Face), Jessica Barden (The End of the F***ing World) and Michael Imperioli (The White Lotus) are attached to star in Last Days of Basic Cable, a new film from renowned, rising director Max Winkler (Flower).
Written by Adam Wilson and Justin Taylor, the indie set toward the end of the 1990s watches as four twenty-somethings navigate romance and life in a small New England college town. Zolghadri will play aspiring writer Aaron, with McGhie as his roommate Jason, Barden as Jason’s girlfriend Jessica, and Imperioli as Bob, a drugged out taxi driver who befriends Aaron.
Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger will produce the film via their Bona Fide Productions banner. No word yet on when production might kick off.
Best known for his starring role in the A24 coming-of-age film Funny Pages, produced by Josh and Benny Safdie,...
Written by Adam Wilson and Justin Taylor, the indie set toward the end of the 1990s watches as four twenty-somethings navigate romance and life in a small New England college town. Zolghadri will play aspiring writer Aaron, with McGhie as his roommate Jason, Barden as Jason’s girlfriend Jessica, and Imperioli as Bob, a drugged out taxi driver who befriends Aaron.
Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger will produce the film via their Bona Fide Productions banner. No word yet on when production might kick off.
Best known for his starring role in the A24 coming-of-age film Funny Pages, produced by Josh and Benny Safdie,...
- 6/14/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Filmmakers and executives, creatives of music, theater and art remembered Tom Luddy as friend and mentor, tastemaker and cultural force who deployed an astonishingly vast network to nurture talent and bring people and projects together over decades.
The co-founder of the Telluride Film Festival passed away in February.
“I am thinking of getting a tattoo of you on my arm,” said Irish director Mark Cousins at tribute event at the Paris Theatre over the weekend. “Here is Hitchcock on my arm, and here is and Kira Muratova. Maybe you would fit between the two?” He added, “For the rest of my life, I will see partly through your eyes. I miss you and I love you.”
“Tom Luddy was a constant presence. The sun around which so many of us have revolved,” said Ken Burns. The two met when Burns screened Huey Long at Telluride in 1985. “For the next 35-plus years,...
The co-founder of the Telluride Film Festival passed away in February.
“I am thinking of getting a tattoo of you on my arm,” said Irish director Mark Cousins at tribute event at the Paris Theatre over the weekend. “Here is Hitchcock on my arm, and here is and Kira Muratova. Maybe you would fit between the two?” He added, “For the rest of my life, I will see partly through your eyes. I miss you and I love you.”
“Tom Luddy was a constant presence. The sun around which so many of us have revolved,” said Ken Burns. The two met when Burns screened Huey Long at Telluride in 1985. “For the next 35-plus years,...
- 4/17/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The University of Southern California Libraries revealed the winners for the 35th annual USC Libraries Scripter Award on Saturday. The awards, which honor the year’s best film and television adaptations (along with the works on which they are based), returned live to USC’s elegant Edward L. Doheny Jr. Memorial Library for the annual black tie awards fete.
This group of academics, industry professionals, and critics is often predictive of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar race, presaging 14 eventual Oscar winners, including in the last decade “Argo” (2013), “12 Years a Slave” (2014), “The Imitation Game” (2015), “The Big Short” (2016), “Moonlight” (2017), and “Call Me By Your Name” (2018).
Screenwriter Sarah Polley and novelist Miriam Toews won the film award for “Women Talking,” which is nominated for Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay Oscars, while the television prize went to English stand-up comedian and screenwriter Will Smith for the episode “Failure’s Contagious,” from “Slow Horses,” based...
This group of academics, industry professionals, and critics is often predictive of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar race, presaging 14 eventual Oscar winners, including in the last decade “Argo” (2013), “12 Years a Slave” (2014), “The Imitation Game” (2015), “The Big Short” (2016), “Moonlight” (2017), and “Call Me By Your Name” (2018).
Screenwriter Sarah Polley and novelist Miriam Toews won the film award for “Women Talking,” which is nominated for Best Picture and Adapted Screenplay Oscars, while the television prize went to English stand-up comedian and screenwriter Will Smith for the episode “Failure’s Contagious,” from “Slow Horses,” based...
- 3/5/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Hollywood is ready to “Pick Flick” again for an Election sequel starring Reese Witherspoon (The Morning Show) called Tracy Flick Can’t Win. The original film’s writer and director, Alexander Payne, will return for the follow-up to Witherspoon’s 1999 cult comedy. Payne is writing the sequel with Jim Taylor, inspired by Tom Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name. The story focuses on Tracy Flick, an assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Despite her tenacity and thirst for power, Flick still struggles to make her mark on the world and show doubters who’s boss.
Here is the official description of Perrotta’s novel Tracy Flick Can’t Win:
Tracy Flick is a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Still ambitious but feeling a little stuck and underappreciated in midlife, Tracy gets a jolt of good news when the longtime principal,...
Here is the official description of Perrotta’s novel Tracy Flick Can’t Win:
Tracy Flick is a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey. Still ambitious but feeling a little stuck and underappreciated in midlife, Tracy gets a jolt of good news when the longtime principal,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
"Election" is one of those classic movies that, unfortunately, get misinterpreted far too often. The number of times I've seen people try to argue that schoolteacher Jim (Matthew Broderick) isn't portrayed as an obsessive creep, or that the film's complex framing of high schooler Tracy (Reese Witherspoon) isn't intentional is far too many to count. At the same time, however, the fact that it is so morally grey is why it is still so interesting to watch and has garnered such a passionate following.
This exact fanbase, then, will likely be glad to hear that we'll be catching up with Tracy Flick once more in the near future. Paramount Pictures has announced that a sequel to "Election," titled "Tracy Flick Can't Win," has been greenlit for Paramount+ and will see Witherspoon reprise her famous role. She is also expected to serve as an executive producer on the film under her...
This exact fanbase, then, will likely be glad to hear that we'll be catching up with Tracy Flick once more in the near future. Paramount Pictures has announced that a sequel to "Election," titled "Tracy Flick Can't Win," has been greenlit for Paramount+ and will see Witherspoon reprise her famous role. She is also expected to serve as an executive producer on the film under her...
- 12/8/2022
- by Erin Brady
- Slash Film
Reese Witherspoon is reprising her role as go-getter Tracy Flick in “Tracy Flick Can’t Win,” a sequel to the 1999 political comedy “Election.”
Alexander Payne, who co-wrote and directed the original film, is returning for the follow-up, which is set to debut on Paramount’s streaming service, Paramount+. In addition to directing, Payne will write the movie adaptation with Jim Taylor.
In “Election,” based on the 1998 novel by Tom Perrotta, Witherspoon portrayed an ambitious, Type-a student whose social studies teacher (played by Matthew Broderick) attempts to sabotage her campaign to become school president. Although it wasn’t a box office draw, the movie was nominated at the Oscars for best adapted screenplay, while Witherspoon landed attention at the Golden Globes in the best actress race.
The sequel, based on Perrotta’s follow-up novel that published earlier this year, picks up with Tracy in adulthood as she continues to struggle to...
Alexander Payne, who co-wrote and directed the original film, is returning for the follow-up, which is set to debut on Paramount’s streaming service, Paramount+. In addition to directing, Payne will write the movie adaptation with Jim Taylor.
In “Election,” based on the 1998 novel by Tom Perrotta, Witherspoon portrayed an ambitious, Type-a student whose social studies teacher (played by Matthew Broderick) attempts to sabotage her campaign to become school president. Although it wasn’t a box office draw, the movie was nominated at the Oscars for best adapted screenplay, while Witherspoon landed attention at the Golden Globes in the best actress race.
The sequel, based on Perrotta’s follow-up novel that published earlier this year, picks up with Tracy in adulthood as she continues to struggle to...
- 12/8/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Tracy Flick is headed back to Hollywood.
Tracy Flick Can’t Win, a follow-up to the 1999 cult favorite Election, is in the work with Reese Witherspoon set to reprise her role as Tracy Flick and Alexander Payne returning the direct.
Payne, who wrote the original film, will write the film adaptation with Jim Taylor based on Tom Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name that was published in June of this year. The book finds the eponymous character, a typer-a go-getter in high school, now a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey and still struggling to fight her way to the top.
Witherspoon will also produce the movie with Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, alongside Election producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa of Bona Fide Productions. Perrotta is executive producing.
The project is set for Paramount streamer Paramount+.
Tracy Flick is headed back to Hollywood.
Tracy Flick Can’t Win, a follow-up to the 1999 cult favorite Election, is in the work with Reese Witherspoon set to reprise her role as Tracy Flick and Alexander Payne returning the direct.
Payne, who wrote the original film, will write the film adaptation with Jim Taylor based on Tom Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name that was published in June of this year. The book finds the eponymous character, a typer-a go-getter in high school, now a hardworking assistant principal at a public high school in suburban New Jersey and still struggling to fight her way to the top.
Witherspoon will also produce the movie with Lauren Neustadter for Hello Sunshine, alongside Election producers Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa of Bona Fide Productions. Perrotta is executive producing.
The project is set for Paramount streamer Paramount+.
- 12/8/2022
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Reese Witherspoon will star in and produce “Election” sequel “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” at Paramount+.
The “Big Little Lies” actress will reprise her role as Tracy Flick in the adaptation based on Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name.
“Tracy Flick Can’t Win” will follow up on the beloved 1999 film that documented a high-stakes student government election as overachieving Tracy goes head-to-head with social studies teacher Jim McAllister, played by Matthew Broderick, who sabotages Tracy’s campaign.
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Published in June 2022, Perrotta’s satirical dark comedy “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” charts Tracy’s life into adulthood as she climbs her way to political power. Perrotta will also serve as executive producer for the adaptation.
“Election” director and co-writer Alexander Payne will return to direct and will write the film adaptation with Jim Taylor.
In collaboration with Hello Sunshine,...
The “Big Little Lies” actress will reprise her role as Tracy Flick in the adaptation based on Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name.
“Tracy Flick Can’t Win” will follow up on the beloved 1999 film that documented a high-stakes student government election as overachieving Tracy goes head-to-head with social studies teacher Jim McAllister, played by Matthew Broderick, who sabotages Tracy’s campaign.
Also Read:
‘Daisy Jones & the Six’ Gets Premiere Date on Prime Video
Published in June 2022, Perrotta’s satirical dark comedy “Tracy Flick Can’t Win” charts Tracy’s life into adulthood as she climbs her way to political power. Perrotta will also serve as executive producer for the adaptation.
“Election” director and co-writer Alexander Payne will return to direct and will write the film adaptation with Jim Taylor.
In collaboration with Hello Sunshine,...
- 12/8/2022
- by Loree Seitz
- The Wrap
Reese Witherspoon will reprise one of her most iconic early roles – and we’re not talking about Elle Woods. Witherspoon will star in and produce “Tracy Flick Can’t Win,” a sequel to her 1999 cult-classic film “Election” that’s set up at Paramount Pictures and intended for Paramount+.
The original film’s writer and director Alexander Payne is also back on board for the sequel, which is based on Tom Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name and was released earlier this year. Perrotta previously wrote the novel “Election,” which was adapted for the original film. Witherspoon will reprise her role as Tracy Flick, now a hard working but frustrated assistant principal at a public high school in New Jersey, where she is still fighting for the top job.
Both the book and the film have been described as biting, darkly comedic satires in the way that Payne’s original “Election” was.
The original film’s writer and director Alexander Payne is also back on board for the sequel, which is based on Tom Perrotta’s latest novel of the same name and was released earlier this year. Perrotta previously wrote the novel “Election,” which was adapted for the original film. Witherspoon will reprise her role as Tracy Flick, now a hard working but frustrated assistant principal at a public high school in New Jersey, where she is still fighting for the top job.
Both the book and the film have been described as biting, darkly comedic satires in the way that Payne’s original “Election” was.
- 12/8/2022
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Paramount Pictures has announced that Tracy Flick Can’t Win — a sequel to Alexander Payne’s cult classic 1999 comedy Election — is being made for Paramount+. Payne is returning as director, with the original film’s lead Reese Witherspoon to produce and reprise her starring role.
Based on Tom Perrotta’s 1998 novel of the same name, Election watches as the high school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) finds himself on a collision course with the over-achieving student politician, Tracy Flick (Witherspoon). The satire drawing parallels between the worlds of high school and politics was Payne’s second feature on the heels of 1996’s Citizen Ruth and proved to be his breakthrough project, netting him and his collaborators three Independent Spirit Awards, a WGA Award and an Oscar nomination, with Witherspoon landing her first Golden Globe nomination.
The Election sequel is based on a follow-up novel by Perrotta, which was published by Scribner in June.
Based on Tom Perrotta’s 1998 novel of the same name, Election watches as the high school teacher Jim McAllister (Matthew Broderick) finds himself on a collision course with the over-achieving student politician, Tracy Flick (Witherspoon). The satire drawing parallels between the worlds of high school and politics was Payne’s second feature on the heels of 1996’s Citizen Ruth and proved to be his breakthrough project, netting him and his collaborators three Independent Spirit Awards, a WGA Award and an Oscar nomination, with Witherspoon landing her first Golden Globe nomination.
The Election sequel is based on a follow-up novel by Perrotta, which was published by Scribner in June.
- 12/8/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have teamed up to acquire and release “Somewhere in Queens,” the directorial debut from comedian Ray Romano, who also stared in and co-wrote the feature.
Roadside is planning a 2023 theatrical release for “Somewhere in Queens,” which first premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year and in addition to Romano stars Oscar nominee Laurie Metcalf, Tony Lo Bianco, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jennifer Esposito, Sadie Stanley and Jacob Ward. And though it has just 10 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, it still has a 100 Fresh rating among critics.
“Somewhere in Queens” follows Leo Russo (Romano), who lives a simple life in Queens, New York, with his wife Angela (Laurie Metcalf), their shy but talented son “Sticks” (Jacob Ward) and Leo’s close-knit network of Italian-American relatives and neighborhood friends. Happy enough working at the family construction business alongside his father (Tony Lo Bianco) and younger brother (Sebastian Maniscalco), Leo...
Roadside is planning a 2023 theatrical release for “Somewhere in Queens,” which first premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier this year and in addition to Romano stars Oscar nominee Laurie Metcalf, Tony Lo Bianco, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jennifer Esposito, Sadie Stanley and Jacob Ward. And though it has just 10 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, it still has a 100 Fresh rating among critics.
“Somewhere in Queens” follows Leo Russo (Romano), who lives a simple life in Queens, New York, with his wife Angela (Laurie Metcalf), their shy but talented son “Sticks” (Jacob Ward) and Leo’s close-knit network of Italian-American relatives and neighborhood friends. Happy enough working at the family construction business alongside his father (Tony Lo Bianco) and younger brother (Sebastian Maniscalco), Leo...
- 10/18/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions nabbed “Somewhere in Queens,” a heartfelt comedy from writer-director Ray Romano.
Romano, who stars in the movie as a working-class dad, also directed, co-wrote and produced “Somewhere in Queens” in his feature filmmaking debut.
The film will be released theatrically by Roadside Attractions in 2023.
“I am so excited to know that Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions will be bringing this movie to theaters everywhere,” Romano said. “I lived with every facet of this production for years, as a director, co-writer, actor and producer. It’s such a personal story for me, and it’s inspiring to see these two companies step up because they believe in the movie as much as I do.”
In the film, Romano plays Leo Russo, a father who goes to great lengths to secure a basketball scholarship for his son, a high school senior. Laurie Metcalf, Tony Lo Bianco, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jennifer Esposito,...
Romano, who stars in the movie as a working-class dad, also directed, co-wrote and produced “Somewhere in Queens” in his feature filmmaking debut.
The film will be released theatrically by Roadside Attractions in 2023.
“I am so excited to know that Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions will be bringing this movie to theaters everywhere,” Romano said. “I lived with every facet of this production for years, as a director, co-writer, actor and producer. It’s such a personal story for me, and it’s inspiring to see these two companies step up because they believe in the movie as much as I do.”
In the film, Romano plays Leo Russo, a father who goes to great lengths to secure a basketball scholarship for his son, a high school senior. Laurie Metcalf, Tony Lo Bianco, Sebastian Maniscalco, Jennifer Esposito,...
- 10/18/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have picked up Ray Romano’s feature directorial debut Somewhere in Queens, which previously had a world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival. The three-time Emmy winner also co-wrote, stars and produced the film. Roadside plans to give Somewhere in Queens a theatrical release next year. The pic currently stands at 100 on Rotten Tomatoes.
In the film, Leo Russo (Romano) lives a simple life in Queens, New York with his wife Angela (Laurie Metcalf), their shy but talented son “Sticks” (Jacob Ward), and Leo’s close-knit network of Italian-American relatives and neighborhood friends. Happy enough working at the family construction business alongside his father (Tony Lo Bianco) and younger brother (Sebastian Maniscalco), Leo lives each week for Sticks’ high-school basketball games, never missing a chance to cheer on his only child as he rules the court as a star athlete. When the high-school senior gets a...
In the film, Leo Russo (Romano) lives a simple life in Queens, New York with his wife Angela (Laurie Metcalf), their shy but talented son “Sticks” (Jacob Ward), and Leo’s close-knit network of Italian-American relatives and neighborhood friends. Happy enough working at the family construction business alongside his father (Tony Lo Bianco) and younger brother (Sebastian Maniscalco), Leo lives each week for Sticks’ high-school basketball games, never missing a chance to cheer on his only child as he rules the court as a star athlete. When the high-school senior gets a...
- 10/18/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have acquired Somewhere in Queens, Ray Romano’s debut feature as a director that bowed at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Roadside plans a theatrical release in 2023 for the comic drama that Romano stars in, co-wrote with Mark Stegemann and also produced.
“Ray Romano has delivered an outstanding directorial debut, creating a vibrant family tapestry that is immediately relatable and heartfelt. We are very proud to be distributing the film with our partners at Roadside and feel it will really connect with audiences,” Eda Kowan, Lionsgate’s executive vp acquisitions and co-productions, said in a statement on Tuesday.
In the film, Romano stars as Leo Russo, who lives a simple life in Queens, New York, with his wife, Angela (Laurie Metcalf), their shy but talented son (Jacob Ward), and Leo’s Italian American relatives and neighbors. That includes Lo Bianco...
Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions have acquired Somewhere in Queens, Ray Romano’s debut feature as a director that bowed at the Tribeca Film Festival.
Roadside plans a theatrical release in 2023 for the comic drama that Romano stars in, co-wrote with Mark Stegemann and also produced.
“Ray Romano has delivered an outstanding directorial debut, creating a vibrant family tapestry that is immediately relatable and heartfelt. We are very proud to be distributing the film with our partners at Roadside and feel it will really connect with audiences,” Eda Kowan, Lionsgate’s executive vp acquisitions and co-productions, said in a statement on Tuesday.
In the film, Romano stars as Leo Russo, who lives a simple life in Queens, New York, with his wife, Angela (Laurie Metcalf), their shy but talented son (Jacob Ward), and Leo’s Italian American relatives and neighbors. That includes Lo Bianco...
- 10/18/2022
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Celebrating its 10th year as a major east coast destination for cinema lovers, the Middleburg Film Festival, held in scenic Middleburg, Virginia from October 13th to 16th, continues to highlight an outstanding selection of titles while presenting informative special events and forums. “We’re extremely excited because this year is a true milestone, and it’s a chance to celebrate how far we’ve come as a group, and to celebrate all of the filmmakers who have helped to make the festival a success. We cater to true cinephiles, so it’s not unusual for people to see 10 films over the course of the weekend. And because the festival draws a great mix of Washington DC influencers and people in the film industry, there’s lots of tremendous insight being shared before and after screenings,” says Susan Koch, Executive Director.
The festival is a women-founded and largely women-run organization and...
The festival is a women-founded and largely women-run organization and...
- 10/10/2022
- by Nick Clement
- Variety Film + TV
The Middleburg Film Festival in Northern Virginia kicks off on October 13 for four days. It first took place in 2013, back when founder Sheila Johnson took some advice from the Sundance Kid himself — Robert Redford – who thought the Salamander Resort would be a good place to hold an annual celebration of cinema. This year marks its 10th anniversary.
The black comedy “White Noise” opens the festival. Writer/director Noah Baumbach will be feted with the 10th Anniversary Spotlight Filmmaker Award. He adapted Don DeLillo’s novel of the same name and his film version stars Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig. Baumbach screened his Oscar-winning film “Marriage Story,” which also starred Driver, at the fest in 2019.
See‘The Good Nurse’ surprises at Toronto with ‘bone-chilling’ Eddie Redmayne performance
On Friday, October 14, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” will be the centerpiece attraction. The first ‘Knives Out’ from 2019 proved to be an audience pleaser,...
The black comedy “White Noise” opens the festival. Writer/director Noah Baumbach will be feted with the 10th Anniversary Spotlight Filmmaker Award. He adapted Don DeLillo’s novel of the same name and his film version stars Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig. Baumbach screened his Oscar-winning film “Marriage Story,” which also starred Driver, at the fest in 2019.
See‘The Good Nurse’ surprises at Toronto with ‘bone-chilling’ Eddie Redmayne performance
On Friday, October 14, “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” will be the centerpiece attraction. The first ‘Knives Out’ from 2019 proved to be an audience pleaser,...
- 10/1/2022
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
“Glass Onion: A Knives Out Story,” “White Noise” and “The Whale” are among the first films announced for this year’s Middleburg Film Festival in Virginia, celebrating its tenth anniversary.
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” breakout star Stephanie Hsu will be given the Rising Star Award, for her incredible performance in The Daniels’ critically-acclaimed dramedy, which has generated awards buzz. The fest will also hold a special screening of the movie after its huge success, becoming A24’s first film to surpass 100 million.
The entire festival will be held in person with screenings, conversations and events from Oct. 13-16. Opening the fest on Thursday is Netflix’s “White Noise” starring Adam Driver. Writer and director Noah Baumbach will return after bringing “Marriage Story” (2019), to accept the 10th Anniversary Spotlight Filmmaker Award.
Netflix’s “Knives Out” sequel “Glass Onion” from writer, director and producer Rian Johnson will screen as the Friday...
“Everything Everywhere All at Once” breakout star Stephanie Hsu will be given the Rising Star Award, for her incredible performance in The Daniels’ critically-acclaimed dramedy, which has generated awards buzz. The fest will also hold a special screening of the movie after its huge success, becoming A24’s first film to surpass 100 million.
The entire festival will be held in person with screenings, conversations and events from Oct. 13-16. Opening the fest on Thursday is Netflix’s “White Noise” starring Adam Driver. Writer and director Noah Baumbach will return after bringing “Marriage Story” (2019), to accept the 10th Anniversary Spotlight Filmmaker Award.
Netflix’s “Knives Out” sequel “Glass Onion” from writer, director and producer Rian Johnson will screen as the Friday...
- 9/22/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Producer Daniela Taplin Lundberg’s Stay Gold Features has announced the launch of Hollywood Gold, a new talk show podcast that will pull back the curtain on the making of some of the industry’s most iconic movies, through interviews with notable producers and filmmakers.
The series will profile a wide range of films and feature conversations with such producers as Fred Roos (The Outsiders), Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise), Ron Shelton (Bull Durham), Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa (Election), and Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks (American Beauty). From stories of how the Weinsteins refused to approve the infamous Scream mask, to how The Princess Diaries inspired Julie Andrews’ return to film after a 10 year hiatus and launched Anne Hathaway’s career, to unknown filmmaker Martin Scorcese discovering Robert De Niro in the casting process for Mean Streets, the podcast will shine a light on the often unseen and...
The series will profile a wide range of films and feature conversations with such producers as Fred Roos (The Outsiders), Callie Khouri (Thelma & Louise), Ron Shelton (Bull Durham), Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa (Election), and Bruce Cohen and Dan Jinks (American Beauty). From stories of how the Weinsteins refused to approve the infamous Scream mask, to how The Princess Diaries inspired Julie Andrews’ return to film after a 10 year hiatus and launched Anne Hathaway’s career, to unknown filmmaker Martin Scorcese discovering Robert De Niro in the casting process for Mean Streets, the podcast will shine a light on the often unseen and...
- 9/20/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Box office is big news this week, not so much for its totals as for its totemic significance. Throngs will greet Top Gun: Maverick, but will kids join the grownups to see a nearly 60 year-old actor starring in a sequel to a 36 year-old hit? At the other end of the audience spectrum, will seniors conquer their torpor to catch the new Downton and even lure their kids – the movie is dubiously titled Downton Abbey: A New Era to motivate the youth quadrant.
These are edgy days for an industry seeking clues to two big puzzles: Does a broad demographic truly crave a return to the cool comfort of their movie theaters? And, if so, what sorts of movies would best combat their streamer fatigue?
In Los Angeles there’s one dark portent: The multiscreen Landmark Theater on Pico, long the cathedral of indie films, will shut its doors forever shortly...
These are edgy days for an industry seeking clues to two big puzzles: Does a broad demographic truly crave a return to the cool comfort of their movie theaters? And, if so, what sorts of movies would best combat their streamer fatigue?
In Los Angeles there’s one dark portent: The multiscreen Landmark Theater on Pico, long the cathedral of indie films, will shut its doors forever shortly...
- 5/19/2022
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Ed O’Neill is set to star opposite Jacki Weaver and Laurence Fishburne in The Sterling Affairs. The Modern Family alum will play the title role in FX’s six-episode limited series about the downfall of Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling amid the team’s drive to win a championship under coach Doc Rivers.
The Sterling Affairs is written by Gina Welch based on the ESPN 30 for 30 podcast reported and hosted by Ramona Shelburne. The series tells the behind-the-scenes story of Rivers (Fishburne) and the Clippers’ quest to bring a championship to one of the historically worst franchises in all of sports during the impending downfall of the team’s owner, Sterling, whose notoriously racist behavior is brought to light amid the power struggle between his wife of 60-plus years, Shelly Sterling (Weaver), and his mistress, V. Stiviano.
2022 FX Pilots & Series Orders
Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson’s Color Force is producing.
The Sterling Affairs is written by Gina Welch based on the ESPN 30 for 30 podcast reported and hosted by Ramona Shelburne. The series tells the behind-the-scenes story of Rivers (Fishburne) and the Clippers’ quest to bring a championship to one of the historically worst franchises in all of sports during the impending downfall of the team’s owner, Sterling, whose notoriously racist behavior is brought to light amid the power struggle between his wife of 60-plus years, Shelly Sterling (Weaver), and his mistress, V. Stiviano.
2022 FX Pilots & Series Orders
Nina Jacobson and Brad Simpson’s Color Force is producing.
- 5/5/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Film Independent today announced the names of the 30 filmmakers, from 11 nations, selected to participate in its 2022 Global Media Makers LA Residency, taking place in person this month.
The filmmakers and projects chosen are Sumon Delwar (My Cousin), Ali El Arabi and Ahmed El Zoghby (The Legend of Zeinab and Noah), Prantik Basu (Dengue), Archana Borhade and Mangesh Joshi (Purjey (Parts)), Sriram Raja and Deyali Mukherjee (New Sweetness), Kushal Batunge (They Call Her Mafia), Gaby Zarazir and Michael Zarazir, Lamia Chraibi and Hicham Lasri (Meskoun), Anup Poudel and Abinash Bikram Shah (Elephants in the Fog), Rajan Kathet and Sunir Pandey (No Winter Holidays), Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi (There Was a Boy), Suzannah Mirghani (Cotton Queen), Amjad Abu Alala and Mohamed Kordofani (Goodbye Julia), Lotfi Achour and Anissa Daoud (Red Path), Rashid Abdelhamid and Ismahane Lahmar (A Respectable Family), Sezen Kayhan and Beste Yamalıoğlu (Women with...
The filmmakers and projects chosen are Sumon Delwar (My Cousin), Ali El Arabi and Ahmed El Zoghby (The Legend of Zeinab and Noah), Prantik Basu (Dengue), Archana Borhade and Mangesh Joshi (Purjey (Parts)), Sriram Raja and Deyali Mukherjee (New Sweetness), Kushal Batunge (They Call Her Mafia), Gaby Zarazir and Michael Zarazir, Lamia Chraibi and Hicham Lasri (Meskoun), Anup Poudel and Abinash Bikram Shah (Elephants in the Fog), Rajan Kathet and Sunir Pandey (No Winter Holidays), Fizza Ali Meerza and Nabeel Qureshi (There Was a Boy), Suzannah Mirghani (Cotton Queen), Amjad Abu Alala and Mohamed Kordofani (Goodbye Julia), Lotfi Achour and Anissa Daoud (Red Path), Rashid Abdelhamid and Ismahane Lahmar (A Respectable Family), Sezen Kayhan and Beste Yamalıoğlu (Women with...
- 4/13/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The USC Libraries revealed the winners for the 34th annual USC Libraries Scripter Award on Saturday as a virtual event, which honors the year’s best film and television adaptations (along with the works on which they are based). This group of academics, industry professionals, and critics is often predictive of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar race. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s “The Lost Daughter” (Netflix) won the film award, while the television prize went to author Beth Macy and screenwriter Danny Strong for the Hulu series “Dopesick.”
Of the five finalist writers for film adaptation, three are also Oscar nominees. Rebecca Hall (Nella Larsen’s “Passing”) and Joel Coen (William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth”) did not make that cut. “The Lost Daughter,” therefore, advances in the Oscar race ahead of “Dune” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures and Ace) screenwriters Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts, and Denis Villeneuve,...
Of the five finalist writers for film adaptation, three are also Oscar nominees. Rebecca Hall (Nella Larsen’s “Passing”) and Joel Coen (William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth”) did not make that cut. “The Lost Daughter,” therefore, advances in the Oscar race ahead of “Dune” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures and Ace) screenwriters Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts, and Denis Villeneuve,...
- 2/27/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The USC Libraries revealed the winners for the 34th annual USC Libraries Scripter Award on Saturday as a virtual event, which honors the year’s best film and television adaptations (along with the works on which they are based). This group of academics, industry professionals, and critics is often predictive of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar race. Maggie Gyllenhaal’s adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s “The Lost Daughter” (Netflix) won the film award, while the television prize went to author Beth Macy and screenwriter Danny Strong for the Hulu series “Dopesick.”
Of the five finalist writers for film adaptation, three are also Oscar nominees. Rebecca Hall (Nella Larsen’s “Passing”) and Joel Coen (William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth”) did not make that cut. “The Lost Daughter,” therefore, advances in the Oscar race ahead of “Dune” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures and Ace) screenwriters Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts, and Denis Villeneuve,...
Of the five finalist writers for film adaptation, three are also Oscar nominees. Rebecca Hall (Nella Larsen’s “Passing”) and Joel Coen (William Shakespeare’s “The Tragedy of Macbeth”) did not make that cut. “The Lost Daughter,” therefore, advances in the Oscar race ahead of “Dune” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures and Ace) screenwriters Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts, and Denis Villeneuve,...
- 2/27/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The USC Libraries has revealed the finalists for the 34th annual USC Libraries Scripter Award, which honors the year’s best film and television adaptations, as well as the works on which they are based. This group of academics, industry professionals, and critics (for which I vote) is often predictive of the Adapted Screenplay Oscar race.
Last year’s Scripter film winners were “Nomadland” screenwriter Chloé Zhao and author Jessica Bruder (non-Scripter nominee “The Father” took home the Oscar); past winners include “Call Me By Your Name,” “Moonlight,” “The Big Short,” and “The Imitation Game,” which all won Oscars. In fact, before 2019, eight Scripter Award winners went on to win Oscars.
The finalist writers for film adaptation are, in alphabetical order by film title:
Screenwriters Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts, and Denis Villeneuve for “Dune” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures and Ace), based on the novel by Frank Herbert
Maggie Gyllenhaal...
Last year’s Scripter film winners were “Nomadland” screenwriter Chloé Zhao and author Jessica Bruder (non-Scripter nominee “The Father” took home the Oscar); past winners include “Call Me By Your Name,” “Moonlight,” “The Big Short,” and “The Imitation Game,” which all won Oscars. In fact, before 2019, eight Scripter Award winners went on to win Oscars.
The finalist writers for film adaptation are, in alphabetical order by film title:
Screenwriters Eric Roth, Jon Spaihts, and Denis Villeneuve for “Dune” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Legendary Pictures and Ace), based on the novel by Frank Herbert
Maggie Gyllenhaal...
- 1/19/2022
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Exclusive: Ray Romano’s untitled feature directorial debut dramedy, which Deadline first reported, is adding Jacob Ward and Sadie Stanley.
Written by Romano and Mark Stegemann, the pic follows Leo (Romano) and Angela Russo (Metcalf), living a simple, blue-collar life in Queens, surrounded by the big personalities of their overbearing Italian-American family. When their lanky, soft-spoken son, ‘Sticks’
(played by Ward), finds success on his high school basketball team and a chance at a life beyond what tradition expects, Leo tears the family apart, trying to make it happen.
Ward and Stanley join previously announced cast of Romano, Laurie Metcalf, Jennifer Esposito, Dierdre Friel, Jon Manfrellotti, Danny Garcia, Erik Griffin, June Gable, Sebastian Maniscalco, Tony Lo Bianco, Adam Kaplan, Katie Kreisler, Franco Maicas, and Jennifer Simard.
ICM is repping distribution rights on the film. The film is produced by...
Written by Romano and Mark Stegemann, the pic follows Leo (Romano) and Angela Russo (Metcalf), living a simple, blue-collar life in Queens, surrounded by the big personalities of their overbearing Italian-American family. When their lanky, soft-spoken son, ‘Sticks’
(played by Ward), finds success on his high school basketball team and a chance at a life beyond what tradition expects, Leo tears the family apart, trying to make it happen.
Ward and Stanley join previously announced cast of Romano, Laurie Metcalf, Jennifer Esposito, Dierdre Friel, Jon Manfrellotti, Danny Garcia, Erik Griffin, June Gable, Sebastian Maniscalco, Tony Lo Bianco, Adam Kaplan, Katie Kreisler, Franco Maicas, and Jennifer Simard.
ICM is repping distribution rights on the film. The film is produced by...
- 5/14/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Actor and stand up comedian Sebastian Maniscalco has been set by Romano to join the untitled dramedy that Romano is directing from a script Romano wrote with Mark Stegemann. Romano first met Maniscalco when they did Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman together. Romano stars with Laurie Metcalf and ICM Partners is selling distribution.
Leo (Romano) and Angela (Metcalf) Russo live a simple, blue-collar life in Queens, surrounded by the big personalities of their overbearing Italian-American family. When their lanky soft-spoken son ‘Sticks’ finds success on his high school basketball team and a chance at a life beyond what tradition expects, Leo tears the family apart trying to make it happen.
The film is being produced by Bonafide Productions partners Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa, and the casting directors are Douglas Aibel & Stephanie Holbrook.
A top touring road comic, Maniscalco was off the road during the pandemic but just announced his...
Leo (Romano) and Angela (Metcalf) Russo live a simple, blue-collar life in Queens, surrounded by the big personalities of their overbearing Italian-American family. When their lanky soft-spoken son ‘Sticks’ finds success on his high school basketball team and a chance at a life beyond what tradition expects, Leo tears the family apart trying to make it happen.
The film is being produced by Bonafide Productions partners Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa, and the casting directors are Douglas Aibel & Stephanie Holbrook.
A top touring road comic, Maniscalco was off the road during the pandemic but just announced his...
- 5/10/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Morgan Freeman, Alfre Woodard, Trevor Jackson, Common and Bill Burr are set to star in Revelations Entertainment’s Hate to See You Go.
The Ben Tishler directed feature, which he co-wrote with Rob Stone, tells the story of Sonny Bell (Freeman), an aging Chicago Blues musician, who refuses to retire and defiantly hits the road with his band for one last long-shot to keep doing the only thing that makes them all feel truly alive––play Blues. The story is inspired by Stone’s experiences touring and playing harmonica with many of blues music’s most revered artists.
Freeman will produce with his longtime Revelations Entertainment partner Lori McCreary and Gary Lucchesi of Revelations along with Shelby Stone and Derek Dudley of ID8 Multimedia and Jon Levin of Sustainable Imagination. Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa of Bona Fide Entertainment have also joined forces to executive produce.
Tishler is a Sports...
The Ben Tishler directed feature, which he co-wrote with Rob Stone, tells the story of Sonny Bell (Freeman), an aging Chicago Blues musician, who refuses to retire and defiantly hits the road with his band for one last long-shot to keep doing the only thing that makes them all feel truly alive––play Blues. The story is inspired by Stone’s experiences touring and playing harmonica with many of blues music’s most revered artists.
Freeman will produce with his longtime Revelations Entertainment partner Lori McCreary and Gary Lucchesi of Revelations along with Shelby Stone and Derek Dudley of ID8 Multimedia and Jon Levin of Sustainable Imagination. Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa of Bona Fide Entertainment have also joined forces to executive produce.
Tishler is a Sports...
- 3/25/2021
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar winner Sissy Spacek and three-time Emmy-nominated Modern Family star Ed O’Neill are set as the leads in Amazon’s sci-fi drama Lightyears, from writer Holden Miller and producer Daniel C. Connolly. Argentinian director Juan José Campanella will direct and executive produce the first two episodes of the series, a co-production of Amazon Studios and Legendary Television. It’s scheduled to begin filming later this year.
This marks O’Neill’s return to TV following the end of Modern Family’s 11-season run last spring.
Written by Miller, Lightyears follows Franklin and Irene York, played by O’Neill and Spacek, a couple who years ago discovered a chamber buried in their backyard which inexplicably leads to a strange, deserted planet. They’ve carefully guarded their secret ever since, but when an enigmatic young man enters their lives, the Yorks’ quiet existence is quickly upended…and the mysterious chamber they thought they...
This marks O’Neill’s return to TV following the end of Modern Family’s 11-season run last spring.
Written by Miller, Lightyears follows Franklin and Irene York, played by O’Neill and Spacek, a couple who years ago discovered a chamber buried in their backyard which inexplicably leads to a strange, deserted planet. They’ve carefully guarded their secret ever since, but when an enigmatic young man enters their lives, the Yorks’ quiet existence is quickly upended…and the mysterious chamber they thought they...
- 3/1/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Ray Romano has set an April 19th start date in New York City for an untitled dramedy he’ll direct and star in alongside Laurie Metcalf (The Conners). Romano has written the script with Mark Stegemann.
Leo (Romano) and Angela (Metcalf) Russo live a simple, blue-collar life in Queens, surrounded by the big personalities of their overbearing Italian-American family. When their lanky soft-spoken son ‘Sticks’ finds success on his high school basketball team and a chance at a life beyond what tradition expects, Leo tears the family apart trying to make it happen.
The film is being produced by Bonafide Productions partners Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa, and the casting directors are Douglas Aibel & Stephanie Holbrook.
Romano, who is starring in Made for Love and is coming off Bad Education and The Irishman, is repped by ICM Partners and managed by The Conversation Company; Metcalf is WME.
ICM Partners is repping distribution rights.
Leo (Romano) and Angela (Metcalf) Russo live a simple, blue-collar life in Queens, surrounded by the big personalities of their overbearing Italian-American family. When their lanky soft-spoken son ‘Sticks’ finds success on his high school basketball team and a chance at a life beyond what tradition expects, Leo tears the family apart trying to make it happen.
The film is being produced by Bonafide Productions partners Albert Berger & Ron Yerxa, and the casting directors are Douglas Aibel & Stephanie Holbrook.
Romano, who is starring in Made for Love and is coming off Bad Education and The Irishman, is repped by ICM Partners and managed by The Conversation Company; Metcalf is WME.
ICM Partners is repping distribution rights.
- 2/10/2021
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
The common ground between American film consumers and critics is when the two get to converge at a film festival. Equally measured in their “first look” at a film that has yet to open in a theater near you, the two get to take in the spectacle of a movie, sharing in those experiences and reacting to it on Film Twitter or with one another outside a theater. With the Covid-19 pandemic, that loss has yet to be quantified. It’s hard to execute a plan of “word of mouth” when no mouths are present. The Toronto, Telluride and New York film festivals all did their best with their combined effort to go virtual.
The regional festival circuit doesn’t usually get the glitz of world premieres for awards season kickoffs, and has tried to navigate the pandemic with the new virtual screenings setting. While this opens their market up...
The regional festival circuit doesn’t usually get the glitz of world premieres for awards season kickoffs, and has tried to navigate the pandemic with the new virtual screenings setting. While this opens their market up...
- 10/19/2020
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
While the number of movies available in wide release right now is limited, one new film hitting about 800 theaters on September 25 from Sony is “The Last Shift,” documentary-turned-narrative-feature director Andrew Cohn’s Sundance favorite. A minor-key seriocomedy set in the world of fast food work and led by Richard Jenkins as an aging worker and Shane Paul McGhie as his young protege, “The Last Shift” also stars Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Ed O’Neil. IndieWire shares the exclusive first trailer. Watch below.
Here’s the synopsis: “‘The Last Shift’ is an American story about two men struggling in the same town, while worlds apart. Stanley (Richard Jenkins), an aging fast-food worker, plans to call it quits after 38 years on the graveyard shift at Oscar’s Chicken and Fish. His last weekend takes a turn while training his replacement, Jevon (Shane Paul McGhie), a talented but stalled young writer whose provocative...
Here’s the synopsis: “‘The Last Shift’ is an American story about two men struggling in the same town, while worlds apart. Stanley (Richard Jenkins), an aging fast-food worker, plans to call it quits after 38 years on the graveyard shift at Oscar’s Chicken and Fish. His last weekend takes a turn while training his replacement, Jevon (Shane Paul McGhie), a talented but stalled young writer whose provocative...
- 9/15/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Sony has set moderate theatrical fall releases for two independent features, Diane Paragas’ narrative feature debut Yellow Rose and Andrew Cohn’s comedy The Last Shift which made its global premiere at Sundance. Last Shift, which Sony Pictures World Acquisitions picked up, will debut on Sept. 25, while Yellow Rose which the label’s Stage 6 Films acquired last year sans Philippines, will open on Oct. 9.
In Last Shift, two-time Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins stars as Stanley, an aging fast-food worker, who plans to call it quits after 38 years on the graveyard shift at Oscar’s Chicken and Fish. His last weekend takes a turn while training his replacement, Jevon (Shane Paul McGhie), a talented but stalled young writer whose provocative politics keep landing him in trouble. The men are worlds apart. A high school dropout who has watched life pass by his drive-through window, Stanley proudly details the nuances of the job.
In Last Shift, two-time Oscar nominee Richard Jenkins stars as Stanley, an aging fast-food worker, who plans to call it quits after 38 years on the graveyard shift at Oscar’s Chicken and Fish. His last weekend takes a turn while training his replacement, Jevon (Shane Paul McGhie), a talented but stalled young writer whose provocative politics keep landing him in trouble. The men are worlds apart. A high school dropout who has watched life pass by his drive-through window, Stanley proudly details the nuances of the job.
- 9/5/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, development has launched on “Denali: A Man A Dog, A Friendship Of A Lifetime” and the story of six teenagers who survived for a year on deserted island and a 1961 Peter Sellers comedy is getting re-released.
Project Launches
Spyglass Media Group has signed Charlie Hunnam to produce and star in a movie version of the Ben Moon memoir “Denali: A Man A Dog, A Friendship Of A Lifetime” with Max Winkler adapting and directing.
Hunnam will produce Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa. It’s a re-teaming for Hunnan and Winkler following their collaboration of the boxing drama “Jungleland,” which also stars Jack O’Connell and Jessica Barden.
Moon rescued Denali as a mixed-breed puppy in a shelter and set out on the road on an adventure that would take them across the American West until he was diagnosed with cancer at the...
Project Launches
Spyglass Media Group has signed Charlie Hunnam to produce and star in a movie version of the Ben Moon memoir “Denali: A Man A Dog, A Friendship Of A Lifetime” with Max Winkler adapting and directing.
Hunnam will produce Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa. It’s a re-teaming for Hunnan and Winkler following their collaboration of the boxing drama “Jungleland,” which also stars Jack O’Connell and Jessica Barden.
Moon rescued Denali as a mixed-breed puppy in a shelter and set out on the road on an adventure that would take them across the American West until he was diagnosed with cancer at the...
- 5/22/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Spyglass Media Group has made a deal to turn adventure photographer Ben Moon’s memoir Denali: A Man A Dog, A Friendship Of A Lifetime into a feature that will star Charlie Hunnam, with Max Winkler adapting and directing the touching drama about Moon and his 15 year bond with a rescue dog. Max Winkler will adapt and direct. Hunnam will produce Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa.
Denali reteams Winkler with Hunnam; they recently collaborated in Lionsgate’s upcoming boxing drama Jungleland, which also stars Jack O’Connell and Jessica Barden. Hunnam earlier worked with Berger & Yerxa on Cold Mountain.
All this started for Moon when he made an eight minute film and called it Denali, simply as a love letter to his dog. It went viral and received millions of views in 2015, winning several festival awards and gaining TV exposure. Five years later, Penguin Random House published...
Denali reteams Winkler with Hunnam; they recently collaborated in Lionsgate’s upcoming boxing drama Jungleland, which also stars Jack O’Connell and Jessica Barden. Hunnam earlier worked with Berger & Yerxa on Cold Mountain.
All this started for Moon when he made an eight minute film and called it Denali, simply as a love letter to his dog. It went viral and received millions of views in 2015, winning several festival awards and gaining TV exposure. Five years later, Penguin Random House published...
- 5/22/2020
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
The story behind Denali: A Man, a Dog, and the Friendship of a Lifetime is headed for the big screen.
Spyglass Media Group has picked up the rights to photographer and filmmaker Ben Moon's memoir of the same name, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Max Winkler is writing the screenplay and will direct the film, while Charlie Hunnam will star as well as produce along with Bona Fide Productions’ Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger.
In 2015, Denali, narrated by Moon's dog as the title character, was released as a short film, presented by gear brand Patagonia, where it racked ...
Spyglass Media Group has picked up the rights to photographer and filmmaker Ben Moon's memoir of the same name, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Max Winkler is writing the screenplay and will direct the film, while Charlie Hunnam will star as well as produce along with Bona Fide Productions’ Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger.
In 2015, Denali, narrated by Moon's dog as the title character, was released as a short film, presented by gear brand Patagonia, where it racked ...
- 5/22/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The story behind Denali: A Man, a Dog, and the Friendship of a Lifetime is headed for the big screen.
Spyglass Media Group has picked up the rights to photographer and filmmaker Ben Moon's memoir of the same name, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Max Winkler is writing the screenplay and will direct the film, while Charlie Hunnam will star as well as produce along with Bona Fide Productions’ Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger.
In 2015, Denali, narrated by Moon's dog as the title character, was released as a short film, presented by gear brand Patagonia, where it racked ...
Spyglass Media Group has picked up the rights to photographer and filmmaker Ben Moon's memoir of the same name, The Hollywood Reporter has confirmed.
Max Winkler is writing the screenplay and will direct the film, while Charlie Hunnam will star as well as produce along with Bona Fide Productions’ Ron Yerxa and Albert Berger.
In 2015, Denali, narrated by Moon's dog as the title character, was released as a short film, presented by gear brand Patagonia, where it racked ...
- 5/22/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Sony Classics is finalizing a U.S. pre-buy of period drama Farnsworth House, which is to star Ralph Fiennes and Elizabeth Debicki.
Debicki, who is soon to be seen starring in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, is in final negotiations to join in the co-lead role which was previously going to be Maggie Gyllenhaal but the latter is newly taken up with directorial debut The Lost Daughter.
Set in late 1940s Chicago, Debicki will play Dr. Edith Farnsworth, whose ambitious project with the revolutionary Bauhaus architect Mies Van Der Rohe, played by Fiennes, to build the first glass house led them into a passionate but tempestuous love affair. Pic is due to shoot this spring or summer.
Richard Press, known for feature documentary Bill Cunningham New York, wrote the screenplay and will direct. Pic is a Canada-Ireland co-production from Serendipity Point Films producers Robert Lantos and...
Debicki, who is soon to be seen starring in Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, is in final negotiations to join in the co-lead role which was previously going to be Maggie Gyllenhaal but the latter is newly taken up with directorial debut The Lost Daughter.
Set in late 1940s Chicago, Debicki will play Dr. Edith Farnsworth, whose ambitious project with the revolutionary Bauhaus architect Mies Van Der Rohe, played by Fiennes, to build the first glass house led them into a passionate but tempestuous love affair. Pic is due to shoot this spring or summer.
Richard Press, known for feature documentary Bill Cunningham New York, wrote the screenplay and will direct. Pic is a Canada-Ireland co-production from Serendipity Point Films producers Robert Lantos and...
- 2/20/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Ryan Kampe screening all three in the market.
Visit Films heads to the Efm in Berlin this week with a slate bolstered by Sundance acquisitions The Last Shift and Feels Good Man, and Berlin Panorama selection Minyan.
Ryan Kampe and his team will screen all three in Berlin, alongside previously announced punk rock documentary and Generations selection White Riot, Park City premieres Summer White and Dinner In America, and Toronto title Hearts And Bones starring Hugo Weaving.
The Last Shift stars Richard Jenkins and Shane Paul McGhie and screened in the Premieres section. Jenkins plays a fast food worker about...
Visit Films heads to the Efm in Berlin this week with a slate bolstered by Sundance acquisitions The Last Shift and Feels Good Man, and Berlin Panorama selection Minyan.
Ryan Kampe and his team will screen all three in Berlin, alongside previously announced punk rock documentary and Generations selection White Riot, Park City premieres Summer White and Dinner In America, and Toronto title Hearts And Bones starring Hugo Weaving.
The Last Shift stars Richard Jenkins and Shane Paul McGhie and screened in the Premieres section. Jenkins plays a fast food worker about...
- 2/17/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are among the nominees for the DGA’s Outstanding First-Time Feature Film Director for 2019. The honor came after an unbelievable year for the partners, as they not only delivered their little movie that could, “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which scored raves and the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW, but landed a distribution deal with Roadside Attractions, which took them to over $20 million at the domestic box office. That doesn’t happen much anymore.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
- 1/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Writer/directors Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz are among the nominees for the DGA’s Outstanding First-Time Feature Film Director for 2019. The honor came after an unbelievable year for the partners, as they not only delivered their little movie that could, “The Peanut Butter Falcon,” which scored raves and the Narrative Spotlight Audience Award at SXSW, but landed a distribution deal with Roadside Attractions, which took them to over $20 million at the domestic box office. That doesn’t happen much anymore.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
How did Nilson and Schwartz pull off this rare feat? Like many breakouts, the short filmmakers listened to their own intuition, crafted a unique story that touched them, and found gifted producers to back them.
Eight years ago in 2011, they met a young actor with Down syndrome, Zack Gottsagen, at a Venice camp for actors with disabilities. “We were enamored by him as a human being,” said Nilson in a telephone interview.
- 1/24/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
When Zack Gottsagen, a young man with acting dreams who also happens to have Down syndrome, asked creative duo Tyler Nilson and Michael Schwartz to write and direct a film for him, they responded with pure determination to make it happen. “Honestly, I thought, ‘That’s a great idea,’” Schwartz says. “He’s the best actor we know.” Impressed with Gottsagen’s work in the Peanut Butter Falcon’s ‘proof of concept’ reel, Shia Laboeuf and Dakota Johnson jumped aboard the Mark Twain-esque tale of Zak (Gottsagan), a man on the run from a care home in pursuit of his wrestling dreams, aided by outlaw Tyler (Laboeuf) and disillusioned care worker Eleanor (Johnson). A heartwarming story for the ages, touching on the power of dreams, familial friendships and love, it’s proven a launchpad for the directors who received a DGA nomination in the First-Time Feature category, and are about...
- 1/12/2020
- by Antonia Blyth
- Deadline Film + TV
On Thursday, November 14, the Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services EasterSeals, hosted the 40th annual Media Access Awards.
Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Actor in "NCIS:New Orleans," and Kurt Yaeger, Actor and Writer of "NCIS:NewOrleans," present the WGA West Evan Somers Memorial Award to Katherine Beattie, Writer of "NCIS:New Orleans".
The awards celebrate those who have redefined on-screen representation for people with disabilities and created more opportunities for the disability community in the entertainment industry.
Host Joe Mantegna, Actor in "Criminal Minds," welcomes everyone to the 40th annual Media Access Awards in partnership with Easterseals to celebrate the advancement and portrayal of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
The awards opened with a pre-taped skit by founder Norman Lear, joined by Jimmy Kimmel. Joe Mantegna, longtime disability advocate for EasterSeals and star of “Criminal Minds” joined actor, writer and producer of “This Close,” and former Media Access Awards winner,...
Daryl "Chill" Mitchell, Actor in "NCIS:New Orleans," and Kurt Yaeger, Actor and Writer of "NCIS:NewOrleans," present the WGA West Evan Somers Memorial Award to Katherine Beattie, Writer of "NCIS:New Orleans".
The awards celebrate those who have redefined on-screen representation for people with disabilities and created more opportunities for the disability community in the entertainment industry.
Host Joe Mantegna, Actor in "Criminal Minds," welcomes everyone to the 40th annual Media Access Awards in partnership with Easterseals to celebrate the advancement and portrayal of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
The awards opened with a pre-taped skit by founder Norman Lear, joined by Jimmy Kimmel. Joe Mantegna, longtime disability advocate for EasterSeals and star of “Criminal Minds” joined actor, writer and producer of “This Close,” and former Media Access Awards winner,...
- 11/19/2019
- Look to the Stars
Exclusive: Netflix has abruptly halted an imminent production start on an untitled Alexander Payne-directed drama that was to star Mads Mikkelsen. Sources said filming was set to begin next week, until a rights issue brought the whole thing to a screeching halt.
I’m trying to get to the bottom of this — sounds like somebody dropped the ball, to get this close to a production start without fully executed underlying rights deal — but I’ve heard that the subject of the film, journalist Karl Ove Knausgard, was left with an “out” and had a change of heart about having his story turned into a feature. Attempts were made to pull the film back on track, to no avail.
When Deadline broke the story last month as Netflix prevailed over several rival bids from distributors, Mikkelsen was set to be the center of a father-daughter story about the Danish journalist...
I’m trying to get to the bottom of this — sounds like somebody dropped the ball, to get this close to a production start without fully executed underlying rights deal — but I’ve heard that the subject of the film, journalist Karl Ove Knausgard, was left with an “out” and had a change of heart about having his story turned into a feature. Attempts were made to pull the film back on track, to no avail.
When Deadline broke the story last month as Netflix prevailed over several rival bids from distributors, Mikkelsen was set to be the center of a father-daughter story about the Danish journalist...
- 10/17/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Endeavor Content has largely sold out on Shia Labeouf, Dakota Johnson and Zack Gottsagen drama The Peanut Butter Falcon, which has slow-burned its way to a healthy $19M at the U.S. box office for Roadside Attractions and Armory Films, after opening in early August.
Deals have closed with Rialto for Australia and New Zealand, Tobis in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Officine Ubu in Italy, Mis Label in Scandinavia, A Contracorriente Films in Spain, The Searchers in Benelux, Outside Films in
Portugal, Capella in Russia, Aeon Entertainment Co. Ltd. in Japan, Cdc in Latin America and South Africa, Eagle Films in the Middle East, Filmarti in Turkey, Falcon in Indonesia, Shaw in Singapore, Cai Chang in Taiwan and Golden A in Thailand. As we previously revealed, Signature will release in the UK on October 18.
The Mark Twain-style story, written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, also stars Bruce Dern,...
Deals have closed with Rialto for Australia and New Zealand, Tobis in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Officine Ubu in Italy, Mis Label in Scandinavia, A Contracorriente Films in Spain, The Searchers in Benelux, Outside Films in
Portugal, Capella in Russia, Aeon Entertainment Co. Ltd. in Japan, Cdc in Latin America and South Africa, Eagle Films in the Middle East, Filmarti in Turkey, Falcon in Indonesia, Shaw in Singapore, Cai Chang in Taiwan and Golden A in Thailand. As we previously revealed, Signature will release in the UK on October 18.
The Mark Twain-style story, written and directed by Michael Schwartz and Tyler Nilson, also stars Bruce Dern,...
- 10/7/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix has snapped up yet another awards-friendly filmmaker, and this time it’s Alexander Payne. According to Deadline, Netflix will finance and release his next film, which remains untitled but will star Danish actor and “Hannibal” star Mads Mikkelsen.
Said to be released smack-dab in the awards-season corridor of fall 2020, the upcoming film was described to Deadline as a father/daughter story that follows a journalist (Mikkelsen) on a road trip with his teen daughter across the U.S. while working on a story.
Add Payne, the Academy Award winner for Best Adapted Screenplay for both “The Descendants” and “Sideways,” to an evolving list of auteurs, in many cases Oscar winners, lured by Netflix that include Martin Scorsese (“The Irishman”), Steven Soderbergh (“The Laundromat”), Tamara Jenkins (“Private Life”), Nicole Holofcener (“The Land of Steady Habits”), Damien Chazelle (upcoming musical series “The Eddy”), Dee Rees (“The Last Thing He Wanted”), and many more.
Said to be released smack-dab in the awards-season corridor of fall 2020, the upcoming film was described to Deadline as a father/daughter story that follows a journalist (Mikkelsen) on a road trip with his teen daughter across the U.S. while working on a story.
Add Payne, the Academy Award winner for Best Adapted Screenplay for both “The Descendants” and “Sideways,” to an evolving list of auteurs, in many cases Oscar winners, lured by Netflix that include Martin Scorsese (“The Irishman”), Steven Soderbergh (“The Laundromat”), Tamara Jenkins (“Private Life”), Nicole Holofcener (“The Land of Steady Habits”), Damien Chazelle (upcoming musical series “The Eddy”), Dee Rees (“The Last Thing He Wanted”), and many more.
- 9/12/2019
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Netflix has acquired the rights to finance and release the next film from director Alexander Payne, and Mads Mikkelsen is in negotiations to star in the film, two individuals with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
The untitled film will begin shooting in Sweden, Denmark and the U.S. starting next month, and the story is about a Danish writer who takes his teenage daughter on a cross-country road trip in America as part of a story he’s writing.
Erlend Loe (“Nord”) wrote the screenplay. The film is a production of Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa and Lizette Jonjic of Zentropa Productions.
Also Read: Christoph Waltz on How Alexander Payne Hooked Him for 'Downsizing' (Video)
Payne is a two-time Oscar winner for his work on “Sideways” and “The Descendants.” He’s also the acclaimed director of films such as “Nebraska,” “Election,” “Citizen Ruth” and “About Schmidt.
The untitled film will begin shooting in Sweden, Denmark and the U.S. starting next month, and the story is about a Danish writer who takes his teenage daughter on a cross-country road trip in America as part of a story he’s writing.
Erlend Loe (“Nord”) wrote the screenplay. The film is a production of Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa and Lizette Jonjic of Zentropa Productions.
Also Read: Christoph Waltz on How Alexander Payne Hooked Him for 'Downsizing' (Video)
Payne is a two-time Oscar winner for his work on “Sideways” and “The Descendants.” He’s also the acclaimed director of films such as “Nebraska,” “Election,” “Citizen Ruth” and “About Schmidt.
- 9/12/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: Netflix has made a deal to finance and release the next film by director Alexander Payne. Sources said the film doesn’t yet have a title, but that it is going to star Mads Mikkelsen, who is finalizing his deal. It was described to me as a father/daughter story about a Danish journalist who takes a road-trip with his teenage daughter across the U.S. as he writes a story for a newspaper.
The film will begin shooting next month in Sweden, Denmark and the U.S. Several distributors bid for Payne’s film. Script was written by Erlend Loe (Nord). It will be produced by Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, and Lizette Jonjic of Zentropa Productions.
The deal gives Netflix a solid awards season film for next year, following a bumper crop of awards films upcoming this fall. Plan is for the film to be released in fall,...
The film will begin shooting next month in Sweden, Denmark and the U.S. Several distributors bid for Payne’s film. Script was written by Erlend Loe (Nord). It will be produced by Bona Fide Productions’ Albert Berger and Ron Yerxa, and Lizette Jonjic of Zentropa Productions.
The deal gives Netflix a solid awards season film for next year, following a bumper crop of awards films upcoming this fall. Plan is for the film to be released in fall,...
- 9/12/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Amazon Studios has acquired the worldwide rights to the dark thriller “Blow the Man Down,” from first-time feature filmmakers Danielle Krudy and Bridget Savage Cole.
The film is set to make its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month — it had its premiere at Tribeca in April, where it won Best Screenplay. It will launch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Sophie Lowe, Morgan Saylor, June Squibb and Marceline Hugot star in the film that is set in a salty fishing village on Maine’s rocky coast. Grieving the loss of their mother, Mary Beth and Priscilla Connolly cover up a gruesome ruin with a man that is very dangerous, and forcing them into hiding to uncover the town’s deepest secrets.
Also Read: 'Blow the Man Down' Review: Film Noir Gets a Female Spin With Margo Martindale, June Squibb
“We’re incredibly excited to bring...
The film is set to make its international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival next month — it had its premiere at Tribeca in April, where it won Best Screenplay. It will launch exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.
Sophie Lowe, Morgan Saylor, June Squibb and Marceline Hugot star in the film that is set in a salty fishing village on Maine’s rocky coast. Grieving the loss of their mother, Mary Beth and Priscilla Connolly cover up a gruesome ruin with a man that is very dangerous, and forcing them into hiding to uncover the town’s deepest secrets.
Also Read: 'Blow the Man Down' Review: Film Noir Gets a Female Spin With Margo Martindale, June Squibb
“We’re incredibly excited to bring...
- 8/15/2019
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
“The Shape of Water” star Richard Jenkins and “What Men Want” actor Shane Paul McGhie have been cast in the independent comedy “The Last Shift.”
The two will appear alongside Ed O’Neill, Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“High Fidelity”), Birgundi Baker (“The Chi”) and Allison Tolman (“Fargo”). Andrew Cohn is directing from his own script. “The Last Shift” is currently shooting in Chicago.
Jenkins portrays an aging fast food worker, who’s approaching his final graveyard shift after 38 years. When he’s asked to train his young replacement (McGhie), his final weekend takes an unexpected turn.
“‘The Last Shift,’ I wanted to update an old and familiar genre in a fresh and surprising way,” Cohn said in a statement. “I’m grateful that Park Pictures and Bona Fide saw the same opportunity to explore these complex issues of race, class and authority in an honest and authentic manner.”
Park Pictures...
The two will appear alongside Ed O’Neill, Da’Vine Joy Randolph (“High Fidelity”), Birgundi Baker (“The Chi”) and Allison Tolman (“Fargo”). Andrew Cohn is directing from his own script. “The Last Shift” is currently shooting in Chicago.
Jenkins portrays an aging fast food worker, who’s approaching his final graveyard shift after 38 years. When he’s asked to train his young replacement (McGhie), his final weekend takes an unexpected turn.
“‘The Last Shift,’ I wanted to update an old and familiar genre in a fresh and surprising way,” Cohn said in a statement. “I’m grateful that Park Pictures and Bona Fide saw the same opportunity to explore these complex issues of race, class and authority in an honest and authentic manner.”
Park Pictures...
- 7/18/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
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