ANNOUNCING THE JURY MEMBERS OF THE 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

  Jessica Williams to Host Live-Streamed Awards Show  Sundance Institute will convene 24 experts in film, art, culture and science to award feature-length work shown at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival with 28 prizes, announced at a ceremony January 28 that will be livestreamed at sundance.org, and on YouTube and Facebook. Short Film Awards will be announced at a separate ceremony on January 24 and … Continue reading ANNOUNCING THE JURY MEMBERS OF THE 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

One mother’s vision of Having it All: A review of DIrector David Gaddies film, “Beautiful Dreamer”

By Vernon Nickerson Kudos to Writer and Director David Gaddies for collaborating with Co-Writer Steven Kelleher to produce the powerful, provocative and evocative film adaptation of Ken Liu’s short (but sweet) story,”Memories of My Mother”. In just under 30 minutes, the film Beautiful Dreamer captures the deepest desire of every mother who loves their children– for their children to be happy.  Facing a terminal disease, … Continue reading One mother’s vision of Having it All: A review of DIrector David Gaddies film, “Beautiful Dreamer”

A Timely and Necessary Story 15 Years AFTER 9-11: Jake Hulse’s film, “Heroes Don’t Come Home”

By Vernon Nickerson Writer/Director Jake Hulse has created an intimate and riveting story for those of us living in the Post 9-11 Generation. Actors Andrew Casanova and Tyler McElroy helm a compelling ensemble cast telling the story of two childhood friends living in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks.  Like many teenagers of their generation, best friends Tim Estey (played by Casanova) and … Continue reading A Timely and Necessary Story 15 Years AFTER 9-11: Jake Hulse’s film, “Heroes Don’t Come Home”

I Live for You: Director Monika Wesley’s Sweet Summertime Fantasy

By Vernon Nickerson Director Monika Wesley’s teams with her Co-Writer Brandon Zinn to produce a film with more plot twists and turns than a typical California mountain highway. Leaving his father’s funeral, Sean discovers a note about an older half-brother named Henry that he never knew. When Sean arrives at Henry’s house, he meets Kate, the mysterious man’s stepdaughter. She is beautiful, disarming and instantly captivating. … Continue reading I Live for You: Director Monika Wesley’s Sweet Summertime Fantasy

2017 Slamdance Festival to Showcase 11 Narrative and 8 Documentary Features Lineup Spotlights 8 Directorial Debuts From Women Filmmakers

The Slamdance Film Festival announced today their Narrative and Documentary Feature Film Competition programs for its 23rd Festival edition, taking place in Park City from January 20-26, 2017. Driven by a dedication to emerging artists, Slamdance continues to be the premiere film festival by filmmakers, for filmmakers. Established in 1995, Slamdance is dedicated to discovering and supporting new talents in independent filmmaking. Previous Slamdance alumni … Continue reading 2017 Slamdance Festival to Showcase 11 Narrative and 8 Documentary Features Lineup Spotlights 8 Directorial Debuts From Women Filmmakers

Newness and TRUMPED: Inside The Greatest Political Upset of All Time Join 2017 Sundance Festival Lineup

       (L-R) Newness. Credit: Courtesy of Production; TRUMPED: Inside The Greatest Political Upset of All Time. Credit:Laura Hudock/Courtesy of SHOWTIME. Park City, UT — Sundance Institute augments the 2017 Sundance Film Festival program with two new independent films, announced today: Newness, from director Drake Doremus, and TRUMPED: Inside The Greatest Political Upset of All Time, from directors Banks Tarver, Ted Bourne and Mary … Continue reading Newness and TRUMPED: Inside The Greatest Political Upset of All Time Join 2017 Sundance Festival Lineup

An Inconvenient Truth Sequel Documentary Caps First Slate of ‘The New Climate’ Films, Work About The Environment and Conservation At The 2017 Sundance Film Festival

The followup to watershed environmental documentary An Inconvenient Truth will make its world premiere at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival as a Day One screening, part of The New Climate, a program dedicated to conversations and films about environmental change and conservation. A decade after An Inconvenient Truth brought climate change into the heart of popular culture comes the riveting follow up that shows both … Continue reading An Inconvenient Truth Sequel Documentary Caps First Slate of ‘The New Climate’ Films, Work About The Environment and Conservation At The 2017 Sundance Film Festival

SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES SHORTS FOR 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

68 Short-Form Stories — Drama, Comedies, Animation, Docs and More (L-R) Come Swim, Credit: John Guleserian; Night Shift, Credit: Estee Ochoa; The Robbery, Credit: Lowell Meyer.  Sixty-eight short films, announced today, will complement the lineup of longer fare at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival. The short film slate aligns thematically with other Festival categories, including Midnight and The New Climate, the Festival’s new programming strand … Continue reading SUNDANCE INSTITUTE ANNOUNCES SHORTS FOR 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL

PREMIERES, MIDNIGHT, KIDS, AND MORE: LATEST ADDITIONS TO 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP

Premieres, Documentary Premieres, Midnight, Spotlight, Kids and Special Events: From Documentary and Horror to Romance and Episodic (L-R) The Killing Ground, Courtesy of Sundance Institute; The Polka King, Credit: Andre Bowden Schwartz; My Life as a Zucchini, Courtesy of Sundance Institute. The final pieces of the 2017 Sundance Film Festival feature film program fall into place today, as Sundance Institute announces the lineup for Premieres, Documentary … Continue reading PREMIERES, MIDNIGHT, KIDS, AND MORE: LATEST ADDITIONS TO 2017 SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL LINEUP

Film Review Of Director Li Lu Complex Meditation Which is “There Is a New World Somewhere”

  By Monteque Pope-Le Beau Director Li Lu delivers a Tour de Force in her debut feature film “There Is a New World Somewhere” Director Li Lu masterfully crafts a story about the growing pains of life. “There Is a New World Somewhere” is a film which shows the journey we take in life is not as cut and dry as we might think. The … Continue reading Film Review Of Director Li Lu Complex Meditation Which is “There Is a New World Somewhere”

Film Review Of “HOW TO LET GO OF THE WORLD AND LOVE ALL THE THINGS CLIMATE CAN’T CHANGE”

By Saga Elmotaseb What is going on with the world today? Why are we not taking better care of our planet? Do we not see and hear and read the catastrophes of climate change and the worsening effects it’s having on our planet? Acclaimed and Oscar® Nominated director Josh Fox (GASLAND) takes us on a world wide journey where he personally injects himself into regions … Continue reading Film Review Of “HOW TO LET GO OF THE WORLD AND LOVE ALL THE THINGS CLIMATE CAN’T CHANGE”

Channeling Dysfunctional Family Life of the 70’s and 80’s: CREEDMORIA, a new film by Alicia Slimmer”

By:  Vernon Nickerson “CREEDMORIA” by Film Fatales filmmaker and Dances With Film alumni, Alicia Slimmer, is a powerful film that I hope will be seen by every adolescent who’s ever wanted to get up the courage to escape a soul-killing existence. Those of us who survived our adolescence in places like the Borough of Queens, New York where the story takes place, and South Paterson, … Continue reading Channeling Dysfunctional Family Life of the 70’s and 80’s: CREEDMORIA, a new film by Alicia Slimmer”

Interview with Writer,Producer, Director Alicia Slimmer and Star Stef Dawson of The Film “Creedmoria”!

By Saga Elmotaseb If you love the 80’s and who doesn’t? This is your film. I totally loved “Creedmoria”! The story follows your typical dysfunctional East Coast family from one trial and error to the next. All seen thru the point of view of the main character, Candy, joyfully portrayed by Stef Dawson, who steals the show with her innocent mischievousness and spunky carrot top … Continue reading Interview with Writer,Producer, Director Alicia Slimmer and Star Stef Dawson of The Film “Creedmoria”!

Film Review of Director Guy-Roger Duvert’s film “Virtual Revolution”

By: Vernon Nickerson “Is it possible to force people into freedom? And if it is, should it be done?” This is the question posed by Nash, the anti-hero of Writer/Director Guy-Roger Duvert’s film, “Virtual Revolution”.  Wonderfully complicating matters, the audience is masterfully taken on a sci-fi action adventure in parallel worlds to help viewers make up their own minds about the question. First, Duvert introduces … Continue reading Film Review of Director Guy-Roger Duvert’s film “Virtual Revolution”

Pumpkin Power Now! A review of “A Tricky Treat”

By: Vernon Nickerson In less than four minutes of their short,” A Tricky Treat”, writer Kamal John Iskander and director Patricia Chica exquisitely capture the pure essence of the random moment of adolescent self-loathing, rage and violence directed out toward others. After viewing this film, I wondered silently if in the apocalypse will there only be orange pumpkin people  who sound like Beaver Cleaver’s family … Continue reading Pumpkin Power Now! A review of “A Tricky Treat”

Anatomy Of A Broken System: Eve Manson’s Documentary, Dr. Feelgood

By: Vernon Nickerson Director Eve Marson’s documentary, Dr. Feelgood chronicles the life of Dr. William Hurwitz, M.D. a pain management specialist who was convicted of over 50 counts of narcotics distribution and subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison. Early in the film, it is revealed that Dr. Hurwitz had never illegally treated or illegally prescribed medications to any of his patients and had been … Continue reading Anatomy Of A Broken System: Eve Manson’s Documentary, Dr. Feelgood

TROUBLING THE STILL WATERS OF DENIAL: Writer/Director Derek Hallquist’s Beautifully Crafted Telling of His Father’s Journey

By: Vernon Nickerson Still waters run deep is a proverb of Latin origin now commonly taken to mean that a placid exterior hides a passionate or subtle nature.” (Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia)   “Denial” Writer and Director Derek Hallquist’s exquisitely composed story of his parent Christine Hallquist’s (nee David Hallquist) life, is the ultimate 21st Century story of speaking truth to power.  The feature film … Continue reading TROUBLING THE STILL WATERS OF DENIAL: Writer/Director Derek Hallquist’s Beautifully Crafted Telling of His Father’s Journey

Film Review Of 2016 Dances With Films Feature, “LILITH’S AWAKENING”

By: Vernon Nickerson Lucy  Is On Top in Monica Demes’s Feature Film, “Lilith’s Awakening”   In “Lilith’s Awakening”, Writer, Director, Monica Demes film noir homage to Dracula, the Vampire is Lucy’s alter-ego portrayed with style and silent film acting panache by Barbara Eugenia. Plot-meets-13th Century rabbinical Lilith literature as our 21st Century heroine Lucy ( actress Sophia Woodward) somehow calls out the Vampire via her … Continue reading Film Review Of 2016 Dances With Films Feature, “LILITH’S AWAKENING”

Film Review Of 2016 Dances With Film Feature, “HOW WE MET” Laughing Out Loud On The Date From Hell…

A Delightful Comedic Romp With A Side Of Murder   By: Vernon Nickerson “HOW WE MET” stars Chadwick Hopson (The Long Way, Into the Mystic), Christina Marie Moses (Containment, Nikita, All My Children) and Brian Flaccus (Wizards of Waverly Place, All My Children, Movie 43) and is narrated by Ice-T. If limited budgets continue to result in well- written laugh-out-loud funny stories, Writer/Director Oscar Rene … Continue reading Film Review Of 2016 Dances With Film Feature, “HOW WE MET” Laughing Out Loud On The Date From Hell…