SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES NEW, MULTI-YEAR INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT THEATRE ARTISTS FROM MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA

  Sundance Institute  announced a significant expansion of its international cultural exchange programs for independent artists with a new, multi-year initiative to support theatre-makers from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). With the goal of creating new opportunities for cross-cultural connectedness and in-depth mutual artistic reflection and exploration, the Institute will expand its existing international Labs to include a pilotTheatre Lab in MENA, to … Continue reading SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES NEW, MULTI-YEAR INITIATIVE TO SUPPORT THEATRE ARTISTS FROM MIDDLE EAST/NORTH AFRICA

SUNDANCE FILM FORWARD TRAVELS TO MIAMI OCTOBER 20-23

  Sundance Institute and the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities announced  that Sundance Film Forward will host free screenings of acclaimed independent films and moderated discussions and workshops with talented filmmakers October 20-23. The events will take place in a range of venues from the program’s host, the Bill Cosford Cinema at University of Miami, to small community centers, including branches of the … Continue reading SUNDANCE FILM FORWARD TRAVELS TO MIAMI OCTOBER 20-23

SUNDANCE INSTITUTE CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR CREATORS OF TV AND ONLINE SERIES; 10 PROJECTS SELECTED FOR 2015 EPISODIC STORY LAB

      Sundance Institute announced the 10 projects selected from more than 2,500 submissions for its second Episodic Story Lab, representing some of the most promising new writers creating TV and online series. The Lab supports first-time show creators and is one of 24 residency Labs the Institute hosts each year for independent artists in theatre, film, new media and episodic content. Under the … Continue reading SUNDANCE INSTITUTE CONTINUES SUPPORT FOR CREATORS OF TV AND ONLINE SERIES; 10 PROJECTS SELECTED FOR 2015 EPISODIC STORY LAB

Slamdance 2015 Writing Competition Announces Winners

Shane Andries’ The Delegation wins Grand Prize (LOS ANGELES, CA—October 8, 2015) The Delegation written by Shane Andries has won the 2015 Slamdance Writing Competition Grand Prize. Andries was awarded $7,000 in cash prizes for his feature script at the annual awards ceremony hosted by the Writers Guild of America, West last night on October 7, 2015.The Delegation tells the story of a rookie congressional staffer … Continue reading Slamdance 2015 Writing Competition Announces Winners

A Review of “SUMMER” A Beautifully Told Dutch Gay Teen Love Story

By: Austin Winter- Chase Life is hard at any age, but especially when you are a teenager and you’re still trying to figure out who you are and your place in your work in this world.  For sixteen year old Anne  life is a bit more complicated.  She is a beautiful young girl who feels out of place.  Not really knowing how to fit in, … Continue reading A Review of “SUMMER” A Beautifully Told Dutch Gay Teen Love Story

My Story

By: Monteque Pope-Le Beau Many have suggested that I write a biography or share my story, but that doesn’t align with who I am. I value my privacy greatly. However, I prefer solitude over privacy. Therefore, I rarely discuss myself. Instead, I often talk about my family and my upbringing, especially focusing on my mother. Recently, I had ample time to reflect on my life … Continue reading My Story

The 2015 L A Film Festival Review: “Maiko: Dancing Child”

  By: Vernon Nickerson Norwegian Writer and Director Ase Svenheim Drivenes has crafted a beautiful tone poem of an artist risking all for the love of her chosen profession – prima ballerina – in his film “Maiko: Dancing Child”. It is easy to see why it was nominated as Best Documentary at the 2015 Los Angeles Film Festival. We are introduced to this story of … Continue reading The 2015 L A Film Festival Review: “Maiko: Dancing Child”

The 2015 L A Film Festival Review: “Sweet Mickey for President”

By: Vernon Nickerson Director Ben Patterson and Writer Pras Michel (member of the Fugees) have combined forces to bring us a vivid and vibrant 21st Century snapshot of life in Haiti in their documentary, “Sweet Mickey for President”. The film focuses on the post 2010 earthquake campaign of Haitian pop music icon and populist and activist Michel Martelly (aka Sweet Mickey) as he seeks to become … Continue reading The 2015 L A Film Festival Review: “Sweet Mickey for President”

The 2015 L A Film Festival Review: “In Football We Trust”

  By; Vernon Nickerson For the love of the game or for the power and fame? This is one question directors Tony Vainuku and Erika Cohn address by telling the stories of 4 Polynesian football players struggling to overcome gang violence and poverty in a world where a contract to play football in the NFL is the only endgame in town as depicted in the documentary … Continue reading The 2015 L A Film Festival Review: “In Football We Trust”

SUNDANCE INSTITUTE SELECTS EIGHT PROJECTS FOR 2015 DOCUMENTARY EDIT AND STORY LABS

Sundance Institute today announced the eight projects selected for its annual Documentary Edit and Story Labs, taking place in two sessions at the Sundance Resort in Utah from June 19-27 and July 3-11. The Labs are among the highlights of the Institute’s year-round work with documentary feature filmmakers and are part of the 24 residential labs the Institute hosts each year to discover and foster … Continue reading SUNDANCE INSTITUTE SELECTS EIGHT PROJECTS FOR 2015 DOCUMENTARY EDIT AND STORY LABS

2015 Dances With Films Review: “Barn Wedding” Directed by Shaun Benson

  By: Ellexia Nguyen Shot in Guelph, Ontario, “Barn Wedding” is a dramedy that shows the unexpected surprises leading up to the wedding day of Fashion Blogger Emma (played by Emily Coutts) and her longtime boyfriend Colin (played by Brett Donahue). After finding out that she has to move her summer wedding up six months, Emma is set on having her wedding in a barn … Continue reading 2015 Dances With Films Review: “Barn Wedding” Directed by Shaun Benson

A poetry review of ” Strangers, A Collection Of Poems By André Richardson Hogan II”

    By: Austin Winter-Chase To just say that poet André Richardson Hogan II poems  are raw and edgy is to say that Michelangelo was good at drawing. André Richardson Hogan II was born in 1978 in Chicago. He is a playwright, screenwriter, poet, essayist, visual artist, and theater critic. His plays have received stage readings and productions in numerous theaters which include the American Theater … Continue reading A poetry review of ” Strangers, A Collection Of Poems By André Richardson Hogan II”

A Conversation With Filmmakers Chandler Kauffman & Hillary Cutter Of 2015 Dances With Films “Karl Manhair, Postal Inspector”

  By Ellexia Nguyen Edited By: Colleen Page “Karl Manhair, Postal Inspector” tells the story of a man who feels that his job as a Postal Inspector (played by Geoffrey Cantor) no longer matters to anyone. Feeling unimportant and useless, Karl acts upon the advice of his life coach (played by Amy Rutberg) and attempts to take charge of his future. The Art of Monteque interviewed … Continue reading A Conversation With Filmmakers Chandler Kauffman & Hillary Cutter Of 2015 Dances With Films “Karl Manhair, Postal Inspector”

A conversation With The Filmmakers And Cast Of The 2015 Dances With Films “Soledad”

    By: Ellexia Nguyen Edited By: Colleen Page Set in the heart of Los Angeles, “Soledad” tells the story of a lonely limo driver, Victor (Jesse Celedon), who forms an unlikely friendship with his client, Raquel (Montanna Gillis), after saving her from being raped by Preston, her prom date (Chase Austin). “Soledad” received Honorable Mentions for the Narrative Feature Film competition as part of the … Continue reading A conversation With The Filmmakers And Cast Of The 2015 Dances With Films “Soledad”

A Conversation With Renaissance Man Director Ante Novakovic Of The Film: “Leaves Of The Tree”

  By: Monteque Pope-Le Beau To say DirectorAnte Novakovic is a artist would be stating it mildly.  He is so much more,  he is truly a Renaissance man of the modern age. A man of many talents and a human being of deep spiritual wisdom.  The Art Of Monteque had a chance to have a conversation with DirectorAnte Novakovic  about his film “Leaves Of The … Continue reading A Conversation With Renaissance Man Director Ante Novakovic Of The Film: “Leaves Of The Tree”

A Conversation With Powerhouse Valerie Brandy, And The Force Behind The 2015 Dances With Films “Lola’s Last Letter”

By Ellexia Nguyen In this year’s Dances With Films festival, I had the honor of interviewing Valerie Brandy. She is the actress, screenwriter, and director of “Lola’s Last Letter”, a feature film which was shot in seven days in a documentary, found-footage style. Valerie’s film is part of the Competition Lineup at the 2015 Dances With Films Festival, which takes place in Hollywood, California. To … Continue reading A Conversation With Powerhouse Valerie Brandy, And The Force Behind The 2015 Dances With Films “Lola’s Last Letter”

Dances With Films 18 Film Review: “Karl Manhair, Postal Inspector” Delivers a Splash of Dark Humor

  By Ellexia Nguyen “Karl Manhair, Postal Inspector” premiered at the 2015 Dances With Films Midnight Shorts. It is a short film that tells the story of a man who feels that his job as a Postal Inspector (played by Geoffrey Cantor) no longer matters to anyone. Plagued with a sense of irrelevance, Karl acts upon the advice of his life coach (played by Amy … Continue reading Dances With Films 18 Film Review: “Karl Manhair, Postal Inspector” Delivers a Splash of Dark Humor

A Conversation With Guillaume Campanacci: A New Rising Star Of Filmmaking

By: Cesar Arredondo Moviemaking wasn’t a top career choice for director Guillaume Campanacci. He may have been born in Cannes, home to the world famous French film festival that bears the city’s name, but apparently the movie bug didn’t bite him. Or so he thought. In the early 2000s, long after earning two degrees in engineering but choosing instead to work as an international model, … Continue reading A Conversation With Guillaume Campanacci: A New Rising Star Of Filmmaking

Guillaume Campanacci’s “Devils In Disguise” Will Screen At The Chinese Theaters At 5 p.m. On Friday, June 5th

  By:  Austin Winter-Chase Guillaume Campanacci’s “Devils In Disguise” is an intoxicating psychological mind bending thriller. Dripping with sensual sexuality and intrigued. Guillaume Campanacci takes one on a journey into the dark recesses of human psyche. Not since Alfred Hitchcock has a filmmaker skillfully turned filmmaking into an psychological art form. With masterful storytelling and simplistic, but beautiful cinematography Guillaume Campanacci shows his true strength … Continue reading Guillaume Campanacci’s “Devils In Disguise” Will Screen At The Chinese Theaters At 5 p.m. On Friday, June 5th

Dances With Films Review: “Ablution”, A Family Conflicted And In Turmoil

By: Kareem Williams “Ablution” is a great movie with a story line that will blow you away. I believe we as humans have the struggle of being pure when it comes to religion; when at the end of the day, nobody is pure. “Ablution” is about a Muslim family, who have lost their father figure in the home, leaving the mother, AFSANEH (Nina Nayebi) upset with … Continue reading Dances With Films Review: “Ablution”, A Family Conflicted And In Turmoil