The International Documentary Association has named Brenda Robinson as its new President of its Board of Directors. She makes history as the organization’s first Black president.
An entertainment attorney, Robinson joined Ida’s Board of Directors in 2018. She succeeds Kevin Iwashina, whose board term ends in December. Her new role as President begins immediately.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the continued growth of this organization and to lead us forward in fulfilling our mission of championing storytellers while creating a culture of inclusion,” said Robinson.
“I could not be more proud of what we accomplished as a Board during both my term and my presidency,” said Iwashina. “I am confident that Brenda’s leadership will be transformational for the Ida. Although my formal relationship with the organization is coming to an end, my enthusiasm for its long-term success does not,...
An entertainment attorney, Robinson joined Ida’s Board of Directors in 2018. She succeeds Kevin Iwashina, whose board term ends in December. Her new role as President begins immediately.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the continued growth of this organization and to lead us forward in fulfilling our mission of championing storytellers while creating a culture of inclusion,” said Robinson.
“I could not be more proud of what we accomplished as a Board during both my term and my presidency,” said Iwashina. “I am confident that Brenda’s leadership will be transformational for the Ida. Although my formal relationship with the organization is coming to an end, my enthusiasm for its long-term success does not,...
- 7/16/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The International Documentary Association has named industry veteran Brenda Robinson as president of its board of directors, the first African American to hold the post.
Robinson, who joined Ida’s board in 2018, succeeds Kevin Iwashina, whose board term ends in December. Robinson officially begins her role as president immediately.
The Ida noted that Robinson has strong family ties to the U.S. civil rights movement and is the niece of Rev. Jesse Jackson.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the continued growth of this organization and to lead us forward in fulfilling our mission of championing storytellers while creating a culture of inclusion,” said Robinson.
Robinson is an entertainment attorney who has acted as production counsel and executive producer for numerous documentary and feature film projects as well as scripted and unscripted television programming. She is a partner in Gamechanger Films, an...
Robinson, who joined Ida’s board in 2018, succeeds Kevin Iwashina, whose board term ends in December. Robinson officially begins her role as president immediately.
The Ida noted that Robinson has strong family ties to the U.S. civil rights movement and is the niece of Rev. Jesse Jackson.
“I am honored to have the opportunity to contribute in a meaningful way to the continued growth of this organization and to lead us forward in fulfilling our mission of championing storytellers while creating a culture of inclusion,” said Robinson.
Robinson is an entertainment attorney who has acted as production counsel and executive producer for numerous documentary and feature film projects as well as scripted and unscripted television programming. She is a partner in Gamechanger Films, an...
- 7/16/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
In honor of Juneteenth, we’ve gathered a list of special programming across several networks to commemorate the holiday that celebrates the day in 1865 when Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, and delivered the news that all enslaved people were free. Juneteenth is still not recognized as a federal holiday, but it is recognized by several states — and this year, many companies are declaring it a paid holiday in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and national protesting that has taken place following the death of George Floyd.
This special programming celebrates black history and educates viewers on the history of the black experience in the United States.
Ovation 24-hour programming block
Starting at 6 a.m. Et, Ovation is presenting a 24-hour programming schedule featuring black voices like Beyoncé, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alfre Woodard, Michelle Obama and Pharrell Williams. Programming includes “Nina Simone, The Legend,...
This special programming celebrates black history and educates viewers on the history of the black experience in the United States.
Ovation 24-hour programming block
Starting at 6 a.m. Et, Ovation is presenting a 24-hour programming schedule featuring black voices like Beyoncé, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Alfre Woodard, Michelle Obama and Pharrell Williams. Programming includes “Nina Simone, The Legend,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
Updated with more networks: Several broadcast and cable networks are commemorating Juneteenth on Friday by offering special programming to celebrate the holiday, which traditionally marks the end of slavery in the U.S.
The holiday is also being recognized by a growing number of media and entertainment companies who are shuttering their U.S. offices for the day.
Below is a listing of what networks are offering. Keep checking back as we continue to update it.
TBS/TNT/Tru TV
The WarnerMedia sibling nets are doing a “roadblock” — where all three simulcast the same programming — for the Disney/Marvel feature Black Panther (2018) and Warner Bros Just Mercy (2019). The films will air back to back with limited commercial interruption starting at 7 p.m. Et/4 p.m. Pt. Host Anthony Anderson will be joined by guests to talk about the personal impact these films had on their lives and the culture. They...
The holiday is also being recognized by a growing number of media and entertainment companies who are shuttering their U.S. offices for the day.
Below is a listing of what networks are offering. Keep checking back as we continue to update it.
TBS/TNT/Tru TV
The WarnerMedia sibling nets are doing a “roadblock” — where all three simulcast the same programming — for the Disney/Marvel feature Black Panther (2018) and Warner Bros Just Mercy (2019). The films will air back to back with limited commercial interruption starting at 7 p.m. Et/4 p.m. Pt. Host Anthony Anderson will be joined by guests to talk about the personal impact these films had on their lives and the culture. They...
- 6/19/2020
- by Patrick Hipes and Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Who watches the Watchmen? Hopefully you, and for free.
HBO announced today that it is making all nine episodes of its landmark Watchmen reimaging available free to all starting on June 19 through June 21.
All episodes will be available to stream on HBO.com, and Free on Demand. The network is also set to air a marathon of the series on HBO and HBO Latino starting at 1 p.m. Et on June 19. The schedule for the marathon is as follows.
Watchmen 101 – 1:00Pm
Watchmen 102 – 2:03Pm
Watchmen 103 – 2:58Pm
Watchmen 104 – 3:51Pm
Watchmen 105 – 4:43Pm
Watchmen 106 – 5:43Pm
Watchmen 107 – 6:44Pm
Watchmen 108 – 7:42Pm
Watchmen 109 – 8:45Pm
HBO is altering Watchmen’s availability in observance with the Juneteenth holiday, which marks the ending of slavery in America. Though slavery was legally abolished in January of 1863, the holiday traces its origins to June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers arrived at Galveston, Texas with news...
HBO announced today that it is making all nine episodes of its landmark Watchmen reimaging available free to all starting on June 19 through June 21.
All episodes will be available to stream on HBO.com, and Free on Demand. The network is also set to air a marathon of the series on HBO and HBO Latino starting at 1 p.m. Et on June 19. The schedule for the marathon is as follows.
Watchmen 101 – 1:00Pm
Watchmen 102 – 2:03Pm
Watchmen 103 – 2:58Pm
Watchmen 104 – 3:51Pm
Watchmen 105 – 4:43Pm
Watchmen 106 – 5:43Pm
Watchmen 107 – 6:44Pm
Watchmen 108 – 7:42Pm
Watchmen 109 – 8:45Pm
HBO is altering Watchmen’s availability in observance with the Juneteenth holiday, which marks the ending of slavery in America. Though slavery was legally abolished in January of 1863, the holiday traces its origins to June 19, 1865 when Union soldiers arrived at Galveston, Texas with news...
- 6/18/2020
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
HBO is streaming all nine episodes of “Watchmen” for free this weekend, from June 19 through the 21st.
The episodes will be available on HBO.com and for free on-demand as “as an extension of the network’s content offering highlighting Black experiences, voices and storytellers,” the network said Thursday. “HBO is proud to offer all nine episodes for free of this timely, poignant series that explores the legacy of systemic racism in America.”
There will also be a marathon of the series on HBO and HBO Latino beginning at 1 p.m. Et/Pt on Friday.
Also Read: 'Watchmen' or 'Washmen'? Cast of HBO Series Suits Up for Hand-Washing Tutorial (Video)
The move coincides with the unofficial American holiday Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 when all enslaved people in the U.S. were declared free, the latent effect of Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.
The episodes will be available on HBO.com and for free on-demand as “as an extension of the network’s content offering highlighting Black experiences, voices and storytellers,” the network said Thursday. “HBO is proud to offer all nine episodes for free of this timely, poignant series that explores the legacy of systemic racism in America.”
There will also be a marathon of the series on HBO and HBO Latino beginning at 1 p.m. Et/Pt on Friday.
Also Read: 'Watchmen' or 'Washmen'? Cast of HBO Series Suits Up for Hand-Washing Tutorial (Video)
The move coincides with the unofficial American holiday Juneteenth, which commemorates the day in 1865 when all enslaved people in the U.S. were declared free, the latent effect of Abraham Lincoln’s signing of the Emancipation Proclamation two years earlier.
- 6/18/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
In the documentary United Skates, a film-making duo explore the understudied subculture of skating and what it means to many black Americans
“Skating, to me, is life,” says Shannon Grays, as he shows off his custom roller skates. The son of Phelicia Wright, a self-proclaimed “rink rat”, Grays’ enthusiasm towards skating shines brightly through his big brown eyes. For Phelicia, her five children, and many other African Americans, roller skating is not just a passion. It is a profound cultural connector.
These deep generational ties are brought to light in the new documentary United Skates, which explores the attempts to conserve skating as an art form. Brimming with history and anchored by stories of skaters’ struggles across America, from North Carolina to Chicago to Los Angeles, the film uses a microscope to examine a bigger issue: dwindling black cultural spaces.
“Skating, to me, is life,” says Shannon Grays, as he shows off his custom roller skates. The son of Phelicia Wright, a self-proclaimed “rink rat”, Grays’ enthusiasm towards skating shines brightly through his big brown eyes. For Phelicia, her five children, and many other African Americans, roller skating is not just a passion. It is a profound cultural connector.
These deep generational ties are brought to light in the new documentary United Skates, which explores the attempts to conserve skating as an art form. Brimming with history and anchored by stories of skaters’ struggles across America, from North Carolina to Chicago to Los Angeles, the film uses a microscope to examine a bigger issue: dwindling black cultural spaces.
- 2/17/2019
- by Dream McClinton
- The Guardian - Film News
Roller skating isn’t just a hobby. In black communities across the country, it’s a culture. It’s a way of life.
At the premiere of the documentary “United Skates” in Los Angeles at Avalon on Wednesday night, executive producer John Legend, Cheryl “Salt” James, and more talked about just that, dishing on how roller skating rinks in the United States brought black communities together, and why it’s sad they’re disappearing, a theme that echoed throughout the powerful film.
“Back in the day, skating was the shiznit,” the Salt-n-Pepa rapper told Variety. “It’s what we would do on the weekend. Me and Pep actually used to go to a skating rink on Long Island called Laces, and when I was little, I lived in Brooklyn and Empire was the skating rink.”
“Skating was a huge part of the hip-hop culture because when you first started performing,...
At the premiere of the documentary “United Skates” in Los Angeles at Avalon on Wednesday night, executive producer John Legend, Cheryl “Salt” James, and more talked about just that, dishing on how roller skating rinks in the United States brought black communities together, and why it’s sad they’re disappearing, a theme that echoed throughout the powerful film.
“Back in the day, skating was the shiznit,” the Salt-n-Pepa rapper told Variety. “It’s what we would do on the weekend. Me and Pep actually used to go to a skating rink on Long Island called Laces, and when I was little, I lived in Brooklyn and Empire was the skating rink.”
“Skating was a huge part of the hip-hop culture because when you first started performing,...
- 2/7/2019
- by Brandi Fowler
- Variety Film + TV
John Legend was joined by Salt-n-Pepa’s Cheryl "Salt" James and Sandra "Pepa" Denton and The Real host Jeannie Mai at the Avalon on Wednesday night for the premiere of HBO’s new documentary United Skates.
The film documents the history and impact of roller rinks that catered to African-American skaters and the unique culture and skating styles that developed in that setting. Where once there were hundreds of them around the country, the number has been rapidly decreasing and with the rinks' closing, many people feel that an important part of African-American culture is being lost.
Legend served as ...
The film documents the history and impact of roller rinks that catered to African-American skaters and the unique culture and skating styles that developed in that setting. Where once there were hundreds of them around the country, the number has been rapidly decreasing and with the rinks' closing, many people feel that an important part of African-American culture is being lost.
Legend served as ...
John Legend was joined by Salt-n-Pepa’s Cheryl "Salt" James and Sandra "Pepa" Denton and The Real host Jeannie Mai at the Avalon on Wednesday night for the premiere of HBO’s new documentary United Skates.
The film documents the history and impact of roller rinks that catered to African-American skaters and the unique culture and skating styles that developed in that setting. Where once there were hundreds of them around the country, the number has been rapidly decreasing and with the rinks' closing, many people feel that an important part of African-American culture is being lost.
Legend served as ...
The film documents the history and impact of roller rinks that catered to African-American skaters and the unique culture and skating styles that developed in that setting. Where once there were hundreds of them around the country, the number has been rapidly decreasing and with the rinks' closing, many people feel that an important part of African-American culture is being lost.
Legend served as ...
The intersection of grief and faith is a bit complicated, whether in reality or as fiction. No two people grieve the same way, and no two cultures have the same structure for what happens when a loved one dies. First time feature film writer-director Shawn Snyder dives right into the nitty gritty of science, loss and faith, and delivers a charming, quirky, human and, at times, macabre, film in “To Dust.”
Shmuel has just lost his wife to cancer. A Hasidic cantor, he does everything his faith asks him to do following her death, but still he is obsessed with what might be happening to his wife’s corpse. Is she decomposing? If so, how? And more importantly, is her soul suffering as her body rots into the Earth? Completely oblivious that his two sons are also grieving, he goes in search of answers and meets Albert (Matthew Broderick), a...
Shmuel has just lost his wife to cancer. A Hasidic cantor, he does everything his faith asks him to do following her death, but still he is obsessed with what might be happening to his wife’s corpse. Is she decomposing? If so, how? And more importantly, is her soul suffering as her body rots into the Earth? Completely oblivious that his two sons are also grieving, he goes in search of answers and meets Albert (Matthew Broderick), a...
- 2/6/2019
- by Yolanda Machado
- The Wrap
If you’re an adult of a certain age (aka over the age of 30), you probably remember the sheer joy and excitement that came with going to the skating rink. Back when you were younger, especially if you lived in a small town, there was no better place to go with your friends than the local rink. But alas, the skating rink is an endangered species, and in a new HBO documentary, “United Skates,” we see that it’s not just younger folks that enjoy the skating rink.
Continue reading ‘United Skates’ Trailer: John Legend Produces An HBO Doc About Underground Subculture Of Skating Rinks at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘United Skates’ Trailer: John Legend Produces An HBO Doc About Underground Subculture Of Skating Rinks at The Playlist.
- 2/1/2019
- by Charles Barfield
- The Playlist
"This is my history. This is my culture. Whatever the situation, we're gonna roll." HBO has released a new trailer for the documentary United Skates, a look at the subculture of roller skating and the few beloved roller rinks that still remain around the country. From filmmakers Tina Brown & Dyana Winkler, this first premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival last year and won the Audience Award there, with a debut on HBO coming up this February. The feature-length doc follows three skaters fighting to save their respective community roller rinks as most of them have closed down. Even though roller skating originated in the 1930s (and became popular again in the 60s/70s), there's a new subculture thriving but all these rinks need to stay open. Check this out. Here's the first trailer for Tina Brown & Dyana Winkler's documentary United Skates, from Rolling Stone: When America's last standing roller ...
- 1/31/2019
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
It won’t exactly be on a par with Oscars nominations morning, but Monday will be one of the biggest December days in the history of the Academy Awards.
That’s because for the first time, the Academy isn’t systematically doling out the short lists of films that remain in contention. Instead, they’re dropping all the lists at once in a single press release that will trim the fields in Best Documentary Feature, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Song and six other categories.
One drop, nine categories, a total of 101 films that’ll get good news and far more that’ll be disappointed.
The strategy of dumping all the Oscars short lists at once has not been greeted with universal approval. For one thing, contenders in the different categories were used to having their individual moments in the spotlight. Music Branch voters, who are facing a pair...
That’s because for the first time, the Academy isn’t systematically doling out the short lists of films that remain in contention. Instead, they’re dropping all the lists at once in a single press release that will trim the fields in Best Documentary Feature, Best Foreign Language Film, Best Original Song and six other categories.
One drop, nine categories, a total of 101 films that’ll get good news and far more that’ll be disappointed.
The strategy of dumping all the Oscars short lists at once has not been greeted with universal approval. For one thing, contenders in the different categories were used to having their individual moments in the spotlight. Music Branch voters, who are facing a pair...
- 12/14/2018
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Bing Liu’s skateboarding movie “Minding The Gap” has won the International Documentary Association’s award for top feature of 2018.
Floyd Russ’s “Zion” was awarded best short. Netflix’s “Wild Wild Country” won for best limited series and HBO’s “John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls” took the ABC News VideoSource Award. PBS’ “Pov” won for best curated series, Showtime’s “The Trade” for best episodic series, Mel Films for best short form series, and Jayisha Patel’s “Circle” for the David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award.
Both Melissa Haizlip’s “Mr. Soul!” and Steve Loveridge’s “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” were each awarded best music documentary while “Bisbee ’17” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening” were each awarded best music score. The New York Times’ “Caliphate” took the inaugural award in the audio documentary category.
Ricki Lake hosted the ceremonies Saturday night for the 34th...
Floyd Russ’s “Zion” was awarded best short. Netflix’s “Wild Wild Country” won for best limited series and HBO’s “John McCain: For Whom the Bell Tolls” took the ABC News VideoSource Award. PBS’ “Pov” won for best curated series, Showtime’s “The Trade” for best episodic series, Mel Films for best short form series, and Jayisha Patel’s “Circle” for the David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award.
Both Melissa Haizlip’s “Mr. Soul!” and Steve Loveridge’s “Matangi/Maya/M.I.A.” were each awarded best music documentary while “Bisbee ’17” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening” were each awarded best music score. The New York Times’ “Caliphate” took the inaugural award in the audio documentary category.
Ricki Lake hosted the ceremonies Saturday night for the 34th...
- 12/9/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
A total of 166 films have been submitted for consideration in the documentary feature category for the 91st Academy Awards.
Notable titles up for the gold include “Rbg,” “Three Identical Strangers,” “Free Solo” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” — which have performed strongly at the box office. Fred Rogers documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” has grossed $22.6 million domestically.
Nine of the 10 titles named as finalists for the International Documentary Association’s top feature are on the list, including “Crime + Punishment,” “Dark Money,” “Free Solo,” “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” “Minding the Gap,” “Of Fathers and Sons,” “The Silence of Others,” “United Skates” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences noted that several of the 166 films have not yet had their required Los Angeles and New York qualifying runs. A shortlist of 15 movies will be announced on Dec. 17.
Nominations...
Notable titles up for the gold include “Rbg,” “Three Identical Strangers,” “Free Solo” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” — which have performed strongly at the box office. Fred Rogers documentary “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” has grossed $22.6 million domestically.
Nine of the 10 titles named as finalists for the International Documentary Association’s top feature are on the list, including “Crime + Punishment,” “Dark Money,” “Free Solo,” “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” “Minding the Gap,” “Of Fathers and Sons,” “The Silence of Others,” “United Skates” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences noted that several of the 166 films have not yet had their required Los Angeles and New York qualifying runs. A shortlist of 15 movies will be announced on Dec. 17.
Nominations...
- 11/8/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
“Dark Money,” “Free Solo,” “Minding the Gap,” “The Silence of Others” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” have been nominated for the top film award at the International Documentary Association’s 2018 Ida Documentary Awards, the Ida announced on Wednesday.
Those five films will be joined in the feature category by another five: “Crime + Punishment,” “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” “Of Fathers and Sons,” “Sky and Ground” and “United Skates.”
The 10 Ida Documentary Awards feature nominees is the largest number ever nominated in the category, which has typically consisted of five films. Half of the films were directed by women.
Also Read: 'Free Solo' Leads Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Nominations
Missing from the list are a few of the most successful docs of the year, including “Rbg,” “Three Identical Strangers” and “Fahrenheit 11/9.”
In the television categories, nominees include “American Masters,” “Pov” and “Independent Lens” in Curated Series,...
Those five films will be joined in the feature category by another five: “Crime + Punishment,” “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” “Of Fathers and Sons,” “Sky and Ground” and “United Skates.”
The 10 Ida Documentary Awards feature nominees is the largest number ever nominated in the category, which has typically consisted of five films. Half of the films were directed by women.
Also Read: 'Free Solo' Leads Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Nominations
Missing from the list are a few of the most successful docs of the year, including “Rbg,” “Three Identical Strangers” and “Fahrenheit 11/9.”
In the television categories, nominees include “American Masters,” “Pov” and “Independent Lens” in Curated Series,...
- 10/24/2018
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The International Documentary Assn. announced nominees for the 34th annual Ida Awards Wednesday, spotlighting the best in documentary filmmaking.
Among the feature nominees were mainstays on the circuit so far this year like Hulu’s “Crime + Punishment” and “Minding the Gap,” as well as National Geographic’s “Free Solo” and Focus Features’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
In recognition of another banner year for non-fiction cinema, which has been reflected in box office spikes around key titles this year, the Ida expanded the number of nominees in the best feature and short films categories to 10 films.
In “creative recognition” fields, winners and nominees were announced. “Distant Constellation” won the cinematography prize, while “Minding the Gap” took editing. “The Other Side of Everything” won the writing award, and the music category saw a tie, between “Bisbee ’17” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening.”
Additionally, the Ida’s Courage Under...
Among the feature nominees were mainstays on the circuit so far this year like Hulu’s “Crime + Punishment” and “Minding the Gap,” as well as National Geographic’s “Free Solo” and Focus Features’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
In recognition of another banner year for non-fiction cinema, which has been reflected in box office spikes around key titles this year, the Ida expanded the number of nominees in the best feature and short films categories to 10 films.
In “creative recognition” fields, winners and nominees were announced. “Distant Constellation” won the cinematography prize, while “Minding the Gap” took editing. “The Other Side of Everything” won the writing award, and the music category saw a tie, between “Bisbee ’17” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening.”
Additionally, the Ida’s Courage Under...
- 10/24/2018
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Variety Film + TV
Chicago – Day Three of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival on Friday, October 12th, 2018, continues with Industry Days from 10am-4pm (click here for details), the beginnings of the “After Dark” screenings (click) and the center stage presentation of the amazing documentary “United Skates.”
’United Skates’ on Day Three of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival/HBO
Events Industry Days is the main focus through its morning/afternoon sessions, and the film categories of Gala Presentations (click here for a VIP event for “A Private War”), New Directors and the International Competition films are throughout the evening.
Film Of The Day “United Skates” (USA) is a heartfelt testament to the important cultural link that African Americans have to the roller rink. The film floats like the wheels never touch the floor by exploring the history, race relations, music and passion of the expressive rolling in the AA life.
’United Skates’ on Day Three of the 54th Chicago International Film Festival
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival/HBO
Events Industry Days is the main focus through its morning/afternoon sessions, and the film categories of Gala Presentations (click here for a VIP event for “A Private War”), New Directors and the International Competition films are throughout the evening.
Film Of The Day “United Skates” (USA) is a heartfelt testament to the important cultural link that African Americans have to the roller rink. The film floats like the wheels never touch the floor by exploring the history, race relations, music and passion of the expressive rolling in the AA life.
- 10/11/2018
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
“To Dust,” Shawn Snyder’s comedy starring Matthew Broderick, and roller-rink documentary “United Skates” have won the top audience awards at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival.
The naming of audience favorites marks the end of this year’s Tribeca fest, which will screen the two winning films April 29 along with runners-up “Mapplethorpe” and “Momentum Generation.” Earlier in the week, juried awards went to features including Kent Jones’ “Diane.”
In “To Dust,” the winner of the audience award for narrative feature, Broderick and Geza Rohrig star in the story of a grieving Hasidic cantor who seeks out a local biology teacher to learn the specifics of how his recently deceased wife’s body will decay. Winning documentary “United Skates,” directed and produced by Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown, traces the influence of roller rinks on African American culture, and the fight to save the rinks that are still standing.
Runner-up “Mapplethorpe” stars...
The naming of audience favorites marks the end of this year’s Tribeca fest, which will screen the two winning films April 29 along with runners-up “Mapplethorpe” and “Momentum Generation.” Earlier in the week, juried awards went to features including Kent Jones’ “Diane.”
In “To Dust,” the winner of the audience award for narrative feature, Broderick and Geza Rohrig star in the story of a grieving Hasidic cantor who seeks out a local biology teacher to learn the specifics of how his recently deceased wife’s body will decay. Winning documentary “United Skates,” directed and produced by Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown, traces the influence of roller rinks on African American culture, and the fight to save the rinks that are still standing.
Runner-up “Mapplethorpe” stars...
- 4/29/2018
- by Gordon Cox
- Variety Film + TV
The Tribeca Film Festival has announced this year’s Audience Award winners:Shawn Snyder’s “To Dust” is taking home the Narrative prize, whileDyana Winkler and Tina Brown’s “United Skates” has claimed the Documentary award. Each laurel comes with a $10,000 cash prize.
“I’m both ecstatic and bowled over by this news. Premiering at Tribeca Film Festival has been a dream and a homecoming, as Tribeca Film Institute was one of the earliest supporters of this strangely personal and oddly specific film,” said Snyder. “It was made entirely out of love and miracles, by incredible collaborators who believed in it from the start. I share this honor and the excitement with each and every one of them.”
“It was such an honor to have our world premiere at Tribeca this year — and now to win the audience award!? Every one of those votes is like a vote for keeping...
“I’m both ecstatic and bowled over by this news. Premiering at Tribeca Film Festival has been a dream and a homecoming, as Tribeca Film Institute was one of the earliest supporters of this strangely personal and oddly specific film,” said Snyder. “It was made entirely out of love and miracles, by incredible collaborators who believed in it from the start. I share this honor and the excitement with each and every one of them.”
“It was such an honor to have our world premiere at Tribeca this year — and now to win the audience award!? Every one of those votes is like a vote for keeping...
- 4/29/2018
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
The narrative feature “To Dust” and the documentary “United Skates” have won the top audience awards at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival, Tff organizers announced on Saturday.
“To Dust,” written and directed by Shawn Synder, is a dark comedy that stars “Son of Saul” star Geza Rohrig as a Hasidic cantor whose grief after the death of his wife causes him to befriend a community-college biology professor (Matthew Broderick) to learn how her body will decay.
“United Skates,” directed and produced by Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown, examines roller rinks and skate culture as an incubator for hip-hop and rap.
Also Read: Tribeca Film Festival: 'Diane,' 'Smuggling Hendrix,' 'Island of the Hungry Ghosts' Take Top Jury Awards
The runner up in the narrative competition is Ondi Timoner’s “Mapplethorpe,” starring Matt Smith as the transgressive and influential artist Robert Mapplethorpe. Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist’s “Momentum Generation,” which chronicles teen surfers in Oahu in the 1990s, finished second in the documentary competition.
Films in Tribeca’s U.S. Narrative, International Narrative, Documentary, Viewpoints, Spotlight, Special Screenings and Midnight sections were eligible for the audience awards. Audience members at the festival used the Tff app to rate the films they’d seen.
On Thursday, the festival announced jury awards to the narrative films “Diane” and “Smuggling Hendrix” and the documentary “Island of the Hungry Ghosts.”
The Tribeca Film Festival began on Wednesday, April 18 and concludes on Sunday with screenings of all the winning films.
Read original story ‘To Dust,’ ‘United Skates’ Win Tribeca Film Festival Audience Awards At TheWrap...
“To Dust,” written and directed by Shawn Synder, is a dark comedy that stars “Son of Saul” star Geza Rohrig as a Hasidic cantor whose grief after the death of his wife causes him to befriend a community-college biology professor (Matthew Broderick) to learn how her body will decay.
“United Skates,” directed and produced by Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown, examines roller rinks and skate culture as an incubator for hip-hop and rap.
Also Read: Tribeca Film Festival: 'Diane,' 'Smuggling Hendrix,' 'Island of the Hungry Ghosts' Take Top Jury Awards
The runner up in the narrative competition is Ondi Timoner’s “Mapplethorpe,” starring Matt Smith as the transgressive and influential artist Robert Mapplethorpe. Jeff Zimbalist and Michael Zimbalist’s “Momentum Generation,” which chronicles teen surfers in Oahu in the 1990s, finished second in the documentary competition.
Films in Tribeca’s U.S. Narrative, International Narrative, Documentary, Viewpoints, Spotlight, Special Screenings and Midnight sections were eligible for the audience awards. Audience members at the festival used the Tff app to rate the films they’d seen.
On Thursday, the festival announced jury awards to the narrative films “Diane” and “Smuggling Hendrix” and the documentary “Island of the Hungry Ghosts.”
The Tribeca Film Festival began on Wednesday, April 18 and concludes on Sunday with screenings of all the winning films.
Read original story ‘To Dust,’ ‘United Skates’ Win Tribeca Film Festival Audience Awards At TheWrap...
- 4/29/2018
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Anyone who’s ever been to a roller-skating rink knows such establishments tend to bombard their patrons with rules — rules that dictate the kind of clothes, the kind of wheels, and the kind of moves permitted on the floor. For kids, it may be easy to assume that these restrictions are designed for everyone’s safety, but in many cases, they actually serve as a coded form of racial discrimination (in much the same way a Pennsylvania golf course kicked out five black women for playing too slowly earlier this week).
Now — and not a moment too soon, as once-thriving rinks go bust at a rate of three a month — first-time directors Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown’s deep-dive documentary “United Skates” reveals what these social-gathering places mean to African-Americans, past and present. Like such trendsetting classics as “Paris Is Burning” and “Rize,” this kaleidoscopically vibrant, essential-viewing survey plunges audiences into a dazzling underground scene,...
Now — and not a moment too soon, as once-thriving rinks go bust at a rate of three a month — first-time directors Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown’s deep-dive documentary “United Skates” reveals what these social-gathering places mean to African-Americans, past and present. Like such trendsetting classics as “Paris Is Burning” and “Rize,” this kaleidoscopically vibrant, essential-viewing survey plunges audiences into a dazzling underground scene,...
- 4/26/2018
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
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