JFI’s Applications Are Now Open

JFI’s national, year-long Filmmaker-in-Residence program provides creative, marketing, and production support for filmmakers exploring and expanding thoughtful consideration of Jewish history, life, culture and identity. What the Residency Offers: Monthly cohort support meetings Skill-building trainings with industry leaders Annual expense-paid convening at JFI’s Summer Film Festival (SFJFF), health guidelines permitting Pitch Training and Forum Passes to JFI programming Promotion through JFI channels for the life … Continue reading JFI’s Applications Are Now Open

Jodie, Foster Special Guest Of The Opening Ceremony And The Honorary Palme d’or Of The 74th Festival de Cannes

Guest of honour at the Opening Ceremony which will take place on the stage at the Palais des festivals on Tuesday, July 6, the director, actress and American producer will kick-off the 74th edition which will draw to a close on Saturday, July 17th with the awards’ list given by the President of the Jury, Spike Lee. Following Jeanne Moreau, Bernardo Bertolucci, Jane Fonda, Jean-Paul … Continue reading Jodie, Foster Special Guest Of The Opening Ceremony And The Honorary Palme d’or Of The 74th Festival de Cannes

“LEYLAK”: A Quiet and Powerful Film Depicting A Family’s Grief Observed in the 2020-2021 COVID 19 Pandemic

By Vernon Nickerson 500,000 deaths to date. Once upon a time it was only 100,000; 25,000 of those were from NY, NY. Thankfully, 61 died in New York with a family’s remembrance. This is where “Leylak” (the Turkish word for mauve and or lilac) begins. Historically, the color symbolizes spring and mourning the loss of a loved one. Both themes frame the story simply and … Continue reading “LEYLAK”: A Quiet and Powerful Film Depicting A Family’s Grief Observed in the 2020-2021 COVID 19 Pandemic

Mother’s Day Memories- A Film by Bill Hoversten

By Vernon Nickerson The power of film to illuminate and educate the audience shines throughout “Mother’s Day Memories”, a short feature film currently selected for eight international film festivals. The tight ensemble cast hits all the right notes to convey the slow erasure of the multiple lives impacted when a parent is losing their memories due to Alzheimers. Bill Hoversten packs every word, every gesture, … Continue reading Mother’s Day Memories- A Film by Bill Hoversten

“FINDING YINGYING” Movie Review

By Liisa Cohen Director Jiayan “Jenny” Shitakes takes us on a gripping and intimate journey of devastating loss and the struggle of a grieving family to exist. Yingying Zhang, a 26-year-old Chinese student, comes to the U.S. to study. In her detailed and beautiful diaries, the aspiring young scientist and teacher is full of optimism, hoping to also be married and a mother someday. Within … Continue reading “FINDING YINGYING” Movie Review

“The Terrible Adventure” Empowers Children For a Better Tomorrow

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau Writer and Director Kel Thompson’s independent feature film “The Terrible Adventure” is a delightfully sweet children’s film. “The Terrible Adventure” was the creative idea of Director Kel Thompson and his children. In the age of Greta Thunberg, “The Terrible Adventure” give gives a powerful message to children that there is nothing they can’t achieve. In the style James Albert Varney Jr’s … Continue reading “The Terrible Adventure” Empowers Children For a Better Tomorrow

Sundance Institute Names 12 Fellows for ReimaginedEpisodic Lab: Pilot to Series

Sundance Institute announced the 12 fellows chosen to participate in its first-ever Episodic: Pilot to Series Lab, designed as an immersive two-part experience hosted on Sundance Collab, where selected emerging TV writers will workshop an original pilot and develop a series overview. Continue reading Sundance Institute Names 12 Fellows for ReimaginedEpisodic Lab: Pilot to Series

Carrie Lozano Joins Sundance Institute as Director, Documentary Film Program

Award-Winning Documentary Filmmaker & Journalist to Lead Support of Nonfiction Field   Sundance Institute has announced that Carrie Lozano will helm its Documentary Film Program, succeeding interim Director Kristin Feeley and prior Director Tabitha Jackson. As Documentary Film Program Director, Lozano will elevate and support nonfiction filmmakers worldwide at all stages of creating and distributing new cinematic work. She will also work to advance and … Continue reading Carrie Lozano Joins Sundance Institute as Director, Documentary Film Program

Sundance Institute and Adobe Announce 2020 Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellows

    Ten Emerging Artists Selected from Short Film Submissions on Sundance Co//ab Winning Short Films To Be Screened As Part of Celebration of Sundance Film Festival: London Sundance Institute and Adobe announced the class of 2020 Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellows  chosen from a global pool of more than 1,600 applicants. Hailing from a broad geography, from Nashville to Hong Kong, and rooted in … Continue reading Sundance Institute and Adobe Announce 2020 Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellows

Pot Luck film A Fresh, Versatile Perspective On The Cannabis Industry

By Joanna Panayi From Emmy-nominated and award-winning filmmaker Jane Wells, Pot Luck, is a 3 Generations production narrated by Robin Quivers. This documentary takes us on an enlightening adventure across the Colorado state, exploring the normality of the legalization of cannabis. Pot luck is an insightful analysis of the legalization of cannabis’s direct, cultural, and structural impacts on society. The documentary focuses on the pros … Continue reading Pot Luck film A Fresh, Versatile Perspective On The Cannabis Industry

Breaking Out And Living The Creative Life

By Pamela Drake Wilson It all began from deep within me. I sat on the Senior Diversity committee, season 2018-2019, listening to the lamented woes of difficulty obtaining gainful employment after 55. I’m a problem solver, not a whiner, and I felt like I had been pretty lucky having begun acting as a senior (refusing to reveal my actual age at auditions….appearing 50ish. Casting sites … Continue reading Breaking Out And Living The Creative Life

Angelfish: To Live Your Life To The Fullest, Surround Yourself With The Right People 

By Sanyukta Thakare The coming of age love story will remind you of all the right reasons for falling in love. It also talks about being surrounded by the right people, who listen, love and support you. The story follows Eva a young Puerto Rican woman and Brendan, an Irish-American man, both struggle in their own world full of responsibility but with each other’s support, they … Continue reading Angelfish: To Live Your Life To The Fullest, Surround Yourself With The Right People 

The Producer’s Legal Guide to Covid-19: A Virtual Legal Clinic on Your Rights & Obligations During the Pandemic

Entertainment attorney David Albert Pierce is back to provide more answers to pressing questions on what you legally can and should do to protect yourself, your production, your for-profit or non-profit company, or your employees in light of these unprecedented circumstances.   Please tune in for Slamdance’s 2nd Livestream Legal Clinic with David Albert Pierce of Pierce Law Group, LLP Thursday, May 14th 11AM PDT on … Continue reading The Producer’s Legal Guide to Covid-19: A Virtual Legal Clinic on Your Rights & Obligations During the Pandemic

2020 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS

  Murmur receives Narrative Feature Grand Jury Prize while Higher Love takes Documentary Prize.  Audience Awards given to narrative feature Residue and documentary feature Bastards’ Road Shoot to Marry takes home Best of Breakouts Audience Award Carlota Pereda, director of Piggy, receives AGBO Fellowship, presented by Slamdance alumni Joe and Anthony Russo   The 26th Slamdance Film Festival today announced the winners of their annual … Continue reading 2020 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS

AFI FEST 2019 PRESENTED BY AUDI ANNOUNCES FULL FESTIVAL LINEUP

Full Lineup Features 51% Women-Directed Films Cinema’s Legacy Lineup Includes Documentaries on Filmmaking Legends Milos Forman, Terry Gilliam and Agnès Varda New Auteurs Lineup Includes 17 Features Directed by Women, Inaugural AFI Conservatory Showcase Features All Three Student Academy Award® Narrative Winners, and Shorts Section Hosts a Conversation with Meet the Press’s Chuck Todd The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the films that will play … Continue reading AFI FEST 2019 PRESENTED BY AUDI ANNOUNCES FULL FESTIVAL LINEUP

Welcome To The 2019 Sundance Film Festival

By Monteque Pope-Le Beau Edited by Colleen Page   Officially the 2019 Sundance Film Festival will start tonight, meanwhile there’s great anticipation in the air as everyone gets ready for the greatest film festival event celebrating independent film. Every year Park City with its old fashion streets of long ago is transformed into a magical wonder devoted to independent film, artist and filmmakers. With an … Continue reading Welcome To The 2019 Sundance Film Festival

SLAMDANCE TO HONOR ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER STEVEN SODERBERGH WITH 2019 FOUNDERS AWARD

  The director’s newest film HIGH FLYING BIRD to sneak preview as part of the festival honor Festival. Also Announces Opening and Closing Night Films, Special Event Screenings and Short Film Lineup   The Slamdance Film Festival  announced that Academy Award winning director Steven Soderbergh (Traffic, Magic Mike) will be presented with their 2019 Founders Award, given to a Slamdance alumnus who has continued to … Continue reading SLAMDANCE TO HONOR ACADEMY AWARD-WINNING FILMMAKER STEVEN SODERBERGH WITH 2019 FOUNDERS AWARD

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

Director George Russell Has Been Making Waves In The World Of Film With His Short, But Striking New Documentary, “Troll Inc.”

  By William Engel  “Troll Inc.” gives us an inside look at one of the most notorious and reviled subcultures in America today – the internet trolling community. Particular focus is given to Andrew “Weav” Auernheimer, one of the most notorious and dangerous trolls in the history of the internet. I recently sat down with Mr. Russell to get a better idea of what he … Continue reading Director George Russell Has Been Making Waves In The World Of Film With His Short, But Striking New Documentary, “Troll Inc.”

“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