Filmmakers Li-Shin Yu and Ric Burns Talk About [The Chinese Exclusion Act] A Forgotten Part Of Our History

By William Engel Tomorrow, PBS will be airing “The Chinese Exclusion Act”, a documentary about one of the most heinous yet oft-forgotten eras in American history. From the late 19th century up until World War II, it was legally impossible for Chinese-Americans to obtain citizenship, making them an arbitrary exception to the regulations mandated by the Fourteenth Amendment. Last week, I sat down with the … Continue reading Filmmakers Li-Shin Yu and Ric Burns Talk About [The Chinese Exclusion Act] A Forgotten Part Of Our History

Jeremie Battaglia Is A Filmmaker With A Vision

    By William Engel Jeremie Battaglia’s aim is to shine the spotlight of the “everyday heroes” of the world, or the people who accomplish incredible feats that go unrecognized by the public. One of his most recent films, “Perfect”, is a documentary about one of the most unappreciated and underrated sports in the world – synchronized swimming – and the athleticism and artistry involved … Continue reading Jeremie Battaglia Is A Filmmaker With A Vision

“Chimera” Winner of the Boston Film Festival 2018 and the Phoenix Film Festival 2018

By Adrienne Vaught The visceral imagery and brain teasing journey of this film will captivated and enthrall from the very first frame. Be ready for a wild ride. “Chimera” was written and directed by Maurice Haeems. This film takes current studies in science and technology into a world of desperation and obsession. Almost everyone can identify with the lead character Dr. Peter Quint’s (brilliant scientist … Continue reading “Chimera” Winner of the Boston Film Festival 2018 and the Phoenix Film Festival 2018

Top Special Effects Gurus, Hiroshi Katagiri Creates A terrifyingly Brilliant Horror Film For His Directorial Debut

By William Engel After years of building up a reputation as one of the industry’s top special effects gurus, Hiroshi Katagiri made his feature length directorial debut with the premiere of c. I’m happy to report that it succeeds not only as a horror film, but as a harrowing drama that casts a damning light on the consequences of colonization. In the film, a Real … Continue reading Top Special Effects Gurus, Hiroshi Katagiri Creates A terrifyingly Brilliant Horror Film For His Directorial Debut

Kerith Lemon An Extraordinary Filmmaker Giving A Voice To the Voiceless In A Minimalists Way.

  By: William Engel Kerith Lemon is a filmmaker who seeks to give women a voice. Lemon, director of the short films “Bare” and “A Social Life”, uses her art to tell the stories that all women have inside of them – from the extraordinary to the mundane. “Bare” tells the story of a breast cancer patient on the verge of losing her hair and … Continue reading Kerith Lemon An Extraordinary Filmmaker Giving A Voice To the Voiceless In A Minimalists Way.

LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL IS SET TO BRING AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTION OF ASIAN AND ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN FILMS CELEBRATING 34 YEARS BY PRESENTING 118 FILMS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE FOR THE 2018 EDITION MAY 3 – MAY 12, 2018

THE  FESTIVAL KICKS OFF ASIAN PACIFIC HERITAGE MONTH OF MAY WITH AWARD WINNING FILMS, WORLD PREMIERES, LOS ANGELES PREMIERES, AND MILESTONE FILM EVENTS HIGHLIGHTING COMMUNITIES WORLDWIDE Since 1983, the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival has presented over 4,000 films, videos, and digital mediaworks by Asian international and Asian Pacific American artists, and additionally features seminars and panels, in-person guest appearances, and filmmaker awards. The … Continue reading LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL IS SET TO BRING AN INCREDIBLE COLLECTION OF ASIAN AND ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN FILMS CELEBRATING 34 YEARS BY PRESENTING 118 FILMS FROM ACROSS THE GLOBE FOR THE 2018 EDITION MAY 3 – MAY 12, 2018

The 2018 Pasadena International Film Festival Review Of “Bare”: A Gripping, Heart Wrenching Story Of Illness And The Perception Of Beauty

By William Engel Bare tells the harrowing yet uplifting story based on the short story written by Rebecca Hall (a friend of the filmmaker Kerith Lemon), who’s own devastating breast cancer diagnosis at age drastically 25 changed the course of her life. The story is of a woman (Aurora Perrineau) who has been diagnosed with breast cancer. The doctor prescribes chemotherapy, which unfortunately means that she is likely going to … Continue reading The 2018 Pasadena International Film Festival Review Of “Bare”: A Gripping, Heart Wrenching Story Of Illness And The Perception Of Beauty

Edith And Eddie Review

by William Engel Nominated for an Academy Award®, Edith+Eddie is a film by Laura Checkoway (LUCKY) is a devastating film about the country’s oldest interracial newlyweds   Edith + Eddie provides us with an unflinching look at the disrespect and condescension with which we treat the elderly, forcing them to relinquish their lives to third parties with no emotional connection to them. The documentary short … Continue reading Edith And Eddie Review

2018 Sundance Film Festival Announces New Programming, Award, Graphics

New for 2018: Standalone Episodic Section, ‘The New Climate’ Returns, Feature Film Award   With exactly six months until Day One of the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute today detailed a standalone Episodic section, the return of ‘The New Climate’ strand of environmental work and a new award. Feature film, short film, episodic and Virtual Reality submissions are now being accepted via Withoutabox, with … Continue reading 2018 Sundance Film Festival Announces New Programming, Award, Graphics

Fonda and Redford perform together in “Our Souls at Night”, which will be screened after the Award Ceremony

Iconic American actors Jane Fonda and Robert Redford have each been awarded the Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement at the 74th Venice International Film Festival (30 August – 9 September, 2017).   The decision was made by the Board of Directors of the Biennale di Venezia chaired by Paolo Baratta, upon recommendation of the Director of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera. The ceremony to award … Continue reading Fonda and Redford perform together in “Our Souls at Night”, which will be screened after the Award Ceremony

THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE’S 50 YEARS OF IMPACT

AFI Conservatory Commencement Launches a Three-Year Anniversary Celebration Aimed at Educating Today’s Audiences and Tomorrow’s Artists It was 50 years ago that the American Film Institute began its mission — to preserve the heritage of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. Established by Lyndon B. Johnson’s presidential mandate in the White House Rose … Continue reading THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE’S 50 YEARS OF IMPACT

Sundance Institute Brings $151 Million in Economic Impact to Utah with 2017 Sundance Film Festival

  The nonprofit Sundance Institute today announced that its 2017 Sundance Film Festival, which took place in Park City, Salt Lake City and Sundance, Utah in January, generated a total economic impact of $151.5 million. These numbers come from an independent economic and demographic study conducted by Y² Analytics,which used updated methodology and technology to give a more complete picture of the Festival’s impact on … Continue reading Sundance Institute Brings $151 Million in Economic Impact to Utah with 2017 Sundance Film Festival

Sundance NEXT FEST Heats Up L.A. Aug. 10-13 with Movie Premieres and Electrifying Musical Performances at The Theatre at Ace Hotel

  Sundance NEXT FEST takes it to the NEXT level with the announcement of seven films direct from the 2017 Sundance Film Festival, paired with three energizing musical performances. The fest lights up Los Angeles August 10-13 at The Theatre at Ace Hotel Downtown Los Angeles, and this year will include presentation of the Institute’s Vanguard Awards to Quentin Tarantino and Dee Rees. This marks … Continue reading Sundance NEXT FEST Heats Up L.A. Aug. 10-13 with Movie Premieres and Electrifying Musical Performances at The Theatre at Ace Hotel

Tea With Filmmaker Dana Ziyasheva Director of The Film “Defenders of Life”

  By: Adrienne Vaught Edited: Colleen Page Tea with Dana Ziyasheva  is an experience of enlightenment and educational empowerment. On beautiful typical Southern California day I had the chance to sit down and have tea with the truly profoundly gifted female filmmaker Dana Ziyasheva. She is both gracious and compassionate, but even more so when it comes to the social issues Dana Ziyasheva is passionate … Continue reading Tea With Filmmaker Dana Ziyasheva Director of The Film “Defenders of Life”

Artistic Glow

By Saga Elmotaseb   I recently attended Michelle Romano’s 3rd Annual Pre-Oscar Hollywood Event celebrating Woman in Film & Diversity in Entertainment. What a night! There were celebs and creative from the Fashion & Film industries, One of the fun attractive perks of attending this event, was having Artistic Glow there. Not only did they help Glam all the ladies who were already glamorous and … Continue reading Artistic Glow

“Defenders of Life” Film Review

By: Adrienne Vaught In this gritty drama we see and feel the slam of modern socially accepted rules into ancient indigenous cultures. First we meet a twenty first century cultural anthropologist and her young son in the forests of South America. The mother son duo struggles to understand one another while forming bonds with a dying tribe whom they meet and live with for a … Continue reading “Defenders of Life” Film Review

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”

“POP” To The People! Right On!: Happily Reviewing Karen McPherson’s Playful Short

By Vernon Nickerson Some days,(and some years for this writer) being a responsible working adult can be incredibly lonely. One can feel almost invisible. Then, miraculously, an opportunity to connect and play presents itself. In an instant, once again, you realize that people needing people are still the luckiest people in the world. These are the powerful realizations released in just under eleven lyrical minutes … Continue reading “POP” To The People! Right On!: Happily Reviewing Karen McPherson’s Playful Short

Interview with Writer, Director Mark Marchillo and Producer Micah Brandt About their Delightful Dance Film “Breaking Legs”

By: Saga Elmotaseb With the  whirlwind success of  Sundance institute alumni Damien Sayre Chazelle  “La La Land”  there is a sweat darling of a dance film I would like to focus on. “Breaking Legs” is another testament to the totally tubular decade of the 80’s!!! This film is light and heartfelt and shows that even in our most tumultuous times of High School dramas, we … Continue reading Interview with Writer, Director Mark Marchillo and Producer Micah Brandt About their Delightful Dance Film “Breaking Legs”

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