12TH ANNUAL BOSTON INTERNATAIONAL KIDS FILM FESTIVAL SET TO TAKE PLACE NOVEMBER 22-24 AT MOSESIAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS IN WATERTOWN, MA

Festival for Families of Greater Boston to Showcase Films For, By and About Kids

The festival runs November 22-24, 2024 at Mosesian Center for the Arts in Watertown, MA. All screenings are open to the public and tickets can be purchased at bikff.org. Tickets for individual screenings start at $10 and festival passes begin at $59 for complete access to all screenings and question and answer sessions. Family discounts are available.

A program of Filmmakers Collaborative, BIKFF works to inspire kids to use the media to tell to tell their own stories while screening some of the best films that independent filmmaking has to offer.to offer. Both student and professional filmmakers will present full-length documentaries, animated shorts, and short narrative films appropriate for all ages (screenings are divided into age-appropriate blocks). The festival will also feature films made by students in FC Academy, an after-school and summer vacation filmmaking program that teaches students in grades k-8 how to make short films. More than half of the films being screened are student-made, with the producers and directors being 18 years or younger.

The festival kicks off on Friday, November 22 with a screening of "STAND UP & SHOUT." HBO Documentary Films, in association with Director and Producer Amy Schatz of Get Lifted Film Co., created this heartfelt documentary that follows a unique music program that teaches students to write, compose, produce, and perform original songs. Together with local musicians, they create an album that not only captures the challenging times they're living in, but also showcases the pure joy of making music . Mike Jackson, John Legend, Ty Stiklorius, and Tommy Benjamin are some of the film's influential executive producers.

The Saturday night feature will be ROBIN AND THE HOODS. Directed by Phil Hawkins, this family-friendly, action adventure stars Oscar-Nominee Naomie Harris (BOND, MOONLIGHT), Gwendoline Christie (STAR WARS, GAME OF THRONES), Mark Williams (HARRY POTTER) and Darcey Ewart (PRANCER: A CHRISTMAS TALE) and tells the story of an 11- year-old girl named Robin and her loyal band of friends, 'The Hoods', as they work to save their "magical kingdom" (the patch of scrubland on their street) from the threat of property development.

All day Saturday, November 23 and Sunday, November 24, the festival will feature a full slate of short films, sixty in total, across a wide range of categories. These films come from all over the world and are created by both professional filmmakers and students as young as 7 years old. This year's selections include a variety of powerful voices tackling issues like climate change and dyslexia, while others approach topics such as in-classroom learning with humor and heart.

In the festival's first "full circle" moment since its inception, local filmmaker and recent college graduate Ben Tobin, past recipient of BIKFF's "Best Student Film" award, now has a film in the professional short films category.

"All of our films showcase extraordinary kids doing things many adults only dream of," said Laura Azevedo, executive director of Filmmakers Collaborative, the festival's presenter. "At its heart, the Boston International Kids Film Festival is all about kids, and this year's selections highlight kids from all over the world doing some remarkable and inspiring work."

Awards will be presented for Best Docume

The 34th FilmFestival Cottbus offers exceptional cinema from Central and Eastern Europe in three exciting competitions from November 5-10.

In the feature film competition, twelve titles from 19 (co-)production countries will compete for the prestigious Lubina prizes, including the main prize for the best film (EUR 15,000, donated by Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg), the special prize for the best director (EUR 7,500, donated by Rundfunk Berlin-Brandenburg rbb) and the prize for an outstanding individual acting performance (EUR 5,000, donated by Sparkasse Spree-Neiße).


   

This year's competition once again showcases the stylistic and thematic breadth of Central and Eastern European cinema. Stories and experiences that reflect the challenges of life between family and society - between hope and grief, nature conservation and “turning point”, historical film and science fiction. Bittersweet screen adventures, realistic and touching, that leave nobody unmoved.

DWELLING AMONG THE GODS (RS/HR/IT 2024) by Vuk Ršumović is a modern-day Antigone drama about an Afghan family in Belgrade. The protagonist Fereshteh is faced with an almost impossible decision: should she continue her journey to the West, to a supposedly better future, or stay and give her brother, who died on the run, a proper burial? Magical suburban realism: in RIVIERA (GR/FR 2024), Orfeas Peretzis' debut, 17-year-old Alkistis faces a summer between loss and a new beginning. In UNDER THE VOLCANO (PL 2024) by Damian Kocur, a family from Kyiv struggles with the news of a war of aggression against their homeland during an involuntary vacation in Tenerife. The sci-film U ARE THE UNIVERSE (UA/BE 2024) by Pavlo Ostrikov tells of a destroyed Earth, togetherness in space and the last hope for a human encounter.



U R THE UNIVERSE

In BIKECHESS (Assel Aushakimova, KAZ/FR/NO 2024), a female journalist is confronted with the limits of freedom of expression and attacks on women's rights in an authoritarian state. In the gripping thriller DEAL AT THE BORDER (Dastan Zhapar Ryskeldi, KG 2024), two smugglers in the mountains of Central Asia help a young woman to escape slavery, putting her own life in danger. GOOD CHILDREN (Filip Peruzović, HR 2024 2024) portrays the difficult emotional journey of a brother and sister who, after the death of their mother, have to break up the family home and come to terms with their past and their estranged relationship. In OUR LOVELY PIG SLAUGHTER (CZ/SK 2024) by Adam Martinec, a rural family tradition becomes the starting point for a sensitive, ironic portrait of morality reminiscent of the films of the Czechoslovakian New Wave.

SOUTHERN CHRONICLES (Ignas Miškinis, LT/EE 2024) is a touching coming-of-age story about two young people from different social classes in the Lithuanian province of the 1990s who fall in love despite all their social differences. The world premiere THE TOWER OF STRENGTH (Nikola Vukčević, ME/RS/HR/DE 2024) is set during the Second World War. A Muslim-Albanian family hides a Christian child and becomes the target of an Albanian SS division - a gripping historical film about courage and humanity. In THE TRAP (Nadejda Koseva, BG/DE 2023), the fierce Yovo fights agains

Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (PÖFF) reveals the full selection and the jury for the Official Selection Competition 2024. The flagship of the PÖFF programme comprises 18 titles, of which 11 are world premieres and 7 are international premieres. The jury is chaired by acclaimed German director Christoph Hochhäusler.

The Official Selection Competition has been run in its present form since the festival received it’s ‘A-category’ status from FIAPF in 2014. Ever since, the Official Selection Competition has been curated without geographic restrictions, whereas the main focus has always been on artistic quality and strong auteur cinema. 

"As always, there are all kinds of genres our Official Selection Competition. At the same time, we don't select films solely on the basis of genre, as the genre is rather a tool of expressing a message," says the festival director and the curator of the Official Selection Competition, Tiina Lokk. 

The Official Selection Competition 2024 has 18 titles from 23 countries. "In the Official Selection, we are not trying to highlight a certain theme or a particular region, we are free in our choices. This year's trends and topics include themes of old age, the end of life and euthanasia, perhaps due to the influence of COVID. On the other hand, bullying in schools and children's rights are topical issues too," Lokk shares her thoughts. 

As a festival director, Lokk wants society and festival audiences to think along with the filmmakers. "Being a film theorist myself, and coming from a generation of great audiovisually-minded directors, I am very happy to find submitted films, in which the plot develops not only through causal narrative, but through images and symbols. However, the competition also includes dramas with a linear storyline that are psychologically complex. For me, they are both appetizing, and the Official Selection has them both," she proudly says. 


OFFICIAL SELECTION COMPETITION 2024

Buzzheart | International Premiere
Greek director Dennis Iliadis (Hardcore 2005; The Last House On The Left, 2009) takes viewers to 1990s Athens, a city where he grew up. 19-year-old Argyris finds himself unexpectedly dating Mary, a beautiful girl seemingly out of his league. When she invites him to her parents’ secluded country home, the weekend quickly spirals into something far darker.  Aided by powerfully sinister performances, atmospheric cinematography and a suspensefully eerie score, Buzzheart carefully balances thriller, horror, and dark comedy to craft a slow-burning, tense exploration of love, manipulation, and control.  

Can I Get A Witness | International premiere
In a not-too-distant future where humanity has solved its greatest crises, there remains one unsettling rule: to preserve the planet, every person must end their life at 50, with teenage artists tasked with the difficult assignment of documenting humanity’s ultimate sacrifice. On her first day as an official witness, Kiah (Keira Jang), along with her co-worker Daniel (Joel Oulette), must navigate the emotional complexities of these duties, all while her mother Ellie (Sandra Oh) prepares for her own mandated departure. The director, Ann Marie Fleming, is an award-winning visual artist, writer, director, animator and cross-platform media maker who has worked in a variety of genres (animation, experimental, documentary and drama).

Deaf Lovers | World premiere
A young woman and a young man meet in Istanbul. They both lack the money to live in the foreign city and they are both deaf. They connect, spend time together and do what young people always d

Latin & Spanish Film Roadshow

Posted By Robin Menken

Outsider Pictures presents Award-winning Latin & Spanish Film Roadshow, a unique showcase of award-winning Latin and Spanish films that can be viewed either individually or as a 1-week long mini-festival of sorts – of five award-wining films screened at Cannes, San Sebastian, Berlin, Karlovy Vary with 50+ International festival awards between them.

The films will screen individually in rotation each day of the week, and can be seen separately or by purchasing a $40 pass to attend all films.  

Immerse yourself in the beauty of Latin cinema and a week-long celebration of captivating stories and unforgettable experiences!

This unique collection opens exclusively at the Cinema Village in New York on July 19, and the Laemmle Royal in Los Angeles on July 26, with more cities to follow.

“Creatura”-Catalan filmmaker Elena Martín Gimeno’s unsettling film “Criatura” uncovers the roots of a woman’s troubled and troubling sexuality.

This is the second time Gimeno wrote starred and directed herself in a feature film (“Julia Is” 2017).

Gimeno and screenwriter, Clara Roquet based their raw, honest screenplay on countless interviews with woman discussing their sexuality. The main reveal is owning woman’s desire, an impulse which makes men, and still to some degree, woman very ‘uncomfortable.’

Their brave film, which won Best European Film at the 2023 Cannes Directors’ Fortnight, succeeds because  director and lead actress Elena Martín Gimeno is willing to become transparent. 

Focussing on specifics of one woman’s life, she opens up the still very necessary dialogue about the inconvenient truth of women’s sexual desire. Men are afraid of women’s desires.

We’re habituated to watching sex onscreen, frequently  abusive or misogynistic sex. This is something new.

Present day Mila (Elena Martín Gimeno) and her obliging boyfriend Marcel (Oriol Pla) move into a house on the rugged Costa Brava to be closer to his new teaching job..

Her grandmother has recently died. Promising to visit soon Mila’s parents Gerard (Alex Brendemühl), and Diana (Clara Segura) move out leaving the summer house to the younger couple. 

It's the site of all her childhood summer vacations.

As Mila grapples with her difficulty having sex with  Marcel, the home launches a series of memories. 

One night horny Mila initiates sex, luring Marcel away from his book. Marcel gets into it, but Mila stops him to stare fixedly into his eyes. Again and again. He gives up. What does she want?

The next morning she's covered with hives.

Since childhood she's suffered this hive reaction.

Her only relief is her mother bathing her in healing sea

water.

It's apparently business as usual, a frustrating cycle of seduction and rejection. Mila desires, her body rebels.

Marcel withdraws from the psychological whiplash.

Marcel leaves. He's gone all night, supposedly hanging with his boys in Barcelona.

NIFF presents a New Perspectives celebration of Short Films on Opening Night and will close with Tim Burton’s Batman (1989) accompanied live by the Naples Philharmonic

Shaun Seneviratne’s Ben and Suzanne, A Reunion in 4 Parts, Matthew Leutwyler’s Fight Like a Girl, and Steven Grayhm’s Sheepdog compete for the Narrative Feature Juried Prize

Joe Wein’s 76 Days Adrift, Anthony Wonke’s The Accidental Spy and Jeremy Power Regimbal’s Between the Mountain and the Sky compete for the Documentary Feature Juried Prize

 Artis—Naples announced today the film lineup for the 16th annual Naples International Film Festival (NIFF), to be held October 24-27, 2024.

NIFF 2024’s Opening Night screening features a celebration of short film as an art form, marking the second time the festival showcases specially curated short films. This year’s opening night shorts package is titled Opening Night Shorts: New Perspectives, featuring six creative short films. The festival will close with a presentation of Tim Burton’s Batman (1989), featuring a live performance of Danny Elfman’s one-of-a-kind score by the Naples Philharmonic and conducted by Principal Pops Conductor Jack Everly.

This year, NIFF will include 58 films (10 narrative features, 12 documentary features and 36 short films) representing 26 countries, with several of those films including in-person post-screening filmmaker Q&A conversations. Select filmmakers will also participate in panel discussions during the festival. All screenings and associated events will be held in person in Hayes Hall, Daniels Pavilion or Norris Garden on the Artis—Naples Kimberly K. Querrey and Louis A. Simpson Cultural Campus or at the festival’s new venue partner, Alamo Drafthouse Cinema at Mercato.

“We are thrilled to present this year’s selection of films, each offering a unique lens through which audiences can explore the creativity of the human spirit,” said Artis—Naples CEO and President Kathleen van Bergen. “The Naples International Film Festival is an opportunity to enjoy the power of storytelling reflected across experiences, cultures and artistic expression. This year’s lineup embodies our ongoing commitment to celebrating the diversity of perspectives offered by independent film, inspiring introspection and connection within our community. We look forward to the profound conversations and shared experiences these films will undoubtedly spark.”

“Our team has worked diligently to craft a slate of films that is representative of the diverse landscape of independent cinema,” said David Filner, executive vice president, artistic operations. “Whether through emotionally resonant documentaries or engaging narrative features, we’ve designed this year’s festival to provide audiences with an immersive cinema experience. NIFF continues to be a distinctive platform where filmmakers and cinephiles alike can come together, exchange ideas and celebrate the multidisciplinary nature of film as an art form.”

Festival Producer Shannon Franklin emphasized the lasting impact NIFF has on both audiences and filmmakers alike over the years. “Every year, NIFF serves as a dynamic meeting point for filmmakers and audiences, and this year

DISNEYLAND PARIS September 2024  

by Emmanuel Itier

“The Magic Kingdom” is indeed the perfect name for “Disneyland Paris” ( https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-usd/ ). From the first minutes we reached out to our destination via the bullet train TGV we were transported, at once, into an enchanting land unlocking the child within and ready for the adventures of a lifetime. And adventures we had through the many and various Disney theme sections of the two parks: Disneyland and The Disney Studio. The second was more focused on recent Pixar and Marvel attractions without forgetting to mention the terrifying Tower of Terror forcing you into an insane free fall. Our boys were also under the spell of the Ratatouille mini land which had such a delightful choice of foods from various areas in France. And a “must eat at”, if you can get a reservation, is the Ratatouille restaurant: “Chez Remy”.

At the Disneyland parc, on the other side of this giant property, our favorite ride was the” Star Wars Hyperspace Mountain.” Such a maddening ride, putting you upside down with a complete loop and going clearly at the speed of light. It was raining a little bit that day and we were lucky to have very short lines. We were even able to do Hyperspace Mountain three times in a row in less than 30 minutes. Quite an achievement! Of course, the very special and sweet part of Disneyland is made of all the story books-based attractions such as Peter Pan, Snow White and walking through Sleeping Beauty castle to face a dragon bigger than life!

One of our family’s favorites is the ”Pirates of the Caribbeans” boat ride. It puts your right into the iconic movies led by Johnny Depp. We even ate at Jack’s pirates restaurant and the parrot fish with plantains I had was so yummy. We spent almost 12 hours at the park and our sleeping accommodation, “The Davy Crocket ranch” was a welcome oasis of peace and comfort ( https://www.disneylandparis.com/en-usd/hotels/disneys-davy-crockett-ranch/  ).

Even so you need your own ride, or you can take an uber, I recommend this hotel offering a large cabin for 6 people for a fraction of the price compared to the other Disney hotels. It also has an amazing indoor pool with a cave shaped jacuzzi. After such a long day, the buffet at the ranch is a must to start your evening before landing into a deep sleep full of the wonderful Disney like dreams.

Thank you to the Disneyland Paris press team who was so kind to offer us our complementary tickets. This was a trip that our boys and myself will never forget. So, what are you waiting for?

Go online and book your dreamlike vacation for Disneyland Paris!

PARK CITY, UTAH – JANUARY 22: Chris Nash attends the 2024 Sundance Film Festival “In A Violent Nature” premiere at the Library Center Theatre on January 22, 2024, in Park City, Utah. (Photo by Chad Salvador/Shutterstock for Sundance Film Festival) 

By Stephanie Ornelas 

Audience members at The Ray Theater were treated to a horror film that checks off every box the ultimate cinephile would expect and want from a slasher in Chris Nash’s In a Violent Nature, which screened at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. 

But it also defies those checked boxes at the same time. 

In a change of pace and reversal of roles from the typical slasher narrative style, viewers found themselves walking alongside the killer instead of the victims, shedding new light — and blood — on a perspective not often, if ever, seen in many horror films.

Nash grew up on slashers, he tells audience members in the Q&A session following the screening. But it was clear he wanted to create something different.  

When Johnny (Ry Barrett) is awakened after his mother’s necklace is removed from his burial site, it sets off a bloody domino effect with all of the quintessential players in horror flicks: the nearby resident, the sheriff who’s dealt with this before, and the vacationing group of stoners, jocks, and girls. But Nash finds a way to subvert expectations by having us at the killer’s side (or behind him) for 90 minutes. 

This slow death trip that the audience embarks on with the killer sheds a new light on how slashers typically unfold, bringing a fresh take on the bloodbath that eventually ensues. Instead of a haunting score with jump scares left and right, we’re immersed in the world that the killer is about to bring pain to — always surrounded by nature and hearing only the sound of nature until the next kill. Each death becomes more creative and bloodier, and the lead-up to each death is almost similar in the sense that Johnny must always wait for the right moment.

“Tonally, this film is different,” says Nash. “Right from the very start, we were like, ‘We don’t want to have a soundtrack, we don’t want to have a score. We just want to let the forest be itself and have that tone carry the audience through.” 

“When I go for a job, I don’t bring crutches. That’s what I feel about a lot of scores. They’re just there and they’re lifting up moments that really kind of aren’t heard.”  

Most viewers might want Johnny to hurry up and get the job done, but the deliberate slow pace that Nash creates in this film brings a new feeling not often felt during most horror films — which makes you almost sympathize with the monster, eerily wanting more.

The post “In A Violent Nature”: Festivalgoers Look Through the Eyes of a Murderer first appeared on sundance.org.