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Alexander Payne President of the International Jury of the Venezia 82 Competition

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American director Alexander Payne (The Holdovers, Sideways, Nebraska, The Descendants,) will be the president of the International Jury of the Competition at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival (August 27 - September 6, 2025), which will assign the Golden Lion for Best Film, as well as other official awards.

The decision was made by the Board of Directors of La Biennale di Venezia, who confirmed the recommendation of the Director of the Venice Film Festival, Alberto Barbera.

 

In accepting the proposal, Alexander Payne said: “It’s an enormous honor and joy to serve on the jury at Venice.  Although I share a filmmaker’s ambivalence about comparing films against one another, I revere the Venice Film Festival’s nearly 100-year history of loudly celebrating film as an art form.  I couldn’t be more excited.”

 

Alberto Barbera commented: “Alexander Payne belongs to the small circle of filmmakers-cinephiles whose passion for cinema is fueled by knowledge of films of the past and curiosity about contemporary cinema, without boundaries or barriers of any kind. These qualities - along with his experience as a screenwriter - make him an ideal candidate to preside over the work of the Venice Jury, which is called upon to evaluate films from around the world. I am grateful to Alexander for accepting my invitation, which seals an acquaintance that goes back to the days of his graduation short film at UCLA.”

 

Prizes to be awarded

On the final night (September 6, 2025) of the upcoming 82nd Venice Film Festival, the International Jury of Venezia 82, chaired by Alexander Payne and composed of no more then nine international celebrities in the spheres of film and culture from different countries, will assign the following official prizes among the feature-length films in the Competition:

  • Golden Lion for Best Film
  • Silver Lion – Grand Jury Prize
  • Silver Lion – Award for Best Director
  • Coppa Volpi for Best Actress
  • Coppa Volpi for Best Actor
  • Award for Best Screenplay
  • Special Jury Prize
  • Marcello Mastroianni Award for Best New Young Actor or Actress

 

Biographical Note

Alexander Payne grew up in Omaha, Nebraska, and studied history and Spanish literature at Stanford before earning a master’s degree in film directing at UCLA. His movies – all comedies – are said to be characterized by “elegant construction, biting humor, and fine tragi-comic performances.” They have been nominated for a total of 24 Oscars, including four times for Best Picture and three times for Best Director. He has won twice for Best Adapted Screenplay – for Sideways (2004) and The Descendants (2011) -- and his latest, The Holdovers (2023), won Best Supporting Actress just last year. A lifelong film buff and ardent supporter of film preservation, he serves of the boards of The Film Foundation and the Telluride Film Festival. He is currently preparing a new film to be shot in rural Denmark, and his dream is to make a Western.

The Festival Beat Special edition 1133

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PEOPLE IN FOCUS
Lucy Liu to Receive Career Achievement Award and Present International Premiere of “Rosemead” at Locarno78
aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubG9jYXJub2Zlc3RpdmFsLmNoL2FwaS9jcnltcy90aHVtYm9yL3NvdXJjZS9kYW0vN2E4YjBiMWEtZWRmOS00Y2ZmLWFmYTgtNTI3M2M2NTFmOTgzL0NDNkE5QTVBNTNGRDJGNEY5OEY3QkRGRjhGNjE4N0FFP21nbmxVc2VySWQ9dGh1bWJvciZtZ25sVXNlclBTV0Q9cm9ibXVodA.jpg
Widely celebrated for her iconic performances across film, television, and stage, Lucy Liu will be honored with the prestigious Career Achievement Award at the Locarno Film Festival on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Following the award ceremony, Liu will present the international premiere of Rosemead (2025), directed by Eric Lin, alongside the film’s cast and crew on the Piazza Grande. The following day, she will engage in a public discussion with the festival audienc

Lucy Liu to Receive Career Achievement Award and Present International Premiere of “Rosemead” at Locarno78

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aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cubG9jYXJub2Zlc3RpdmFsLmNoL2FwaS9jcnltcy90aHVtYm9yL3NvdXJjZS9kYW0vN2E4YjBiMWEtZWRmOS00Y2ZmLWFmYTgtNTI3M2M2NTFmOTgzL0NDNkE5QTVBNTNGRDJGNEY5OEY3QkRGRjhGNjE4N0FFP21nbmxVc2VySWQ9dGh1bWJvciZtZ25sVXNlclBTV0Q9cm9ibXVodA.jpg Widely celebrated for her iconic performances across film, television, and stage, Lucy Liu will be honored with the prestigious Career Achievement Award at the Locarno Film Festival on Thursday, August 14, 2025. Following the award ceremony, Liu will present the international premiere of Rosemead (2025), directed by Eric Lin, alongside the film’s cast and crew on the Piazza Grande. The following day, she will engage in a public discussion with the festival audience at the Forum @Spazio Cinema.

With a career spanning over three decades, critically acclaimed actress and filmmaker Lucy Liu has starred in films that have collectively grossed over $3.7 billion worldwide. From her iconic roles in Kill Bill, Charlie’ s Angels, Chicago, Set It Up, Presence, and Red One, Liu continues to redefine what it means to be a leading woman in Hollywood. In Rosemead, Liu portrays an ailing woman racing against time to protect her son from his violent obsessions in this gripping drama inspired by true events. In addition to starring in the film, Liu also serves as a producer.

Liu's career began with her breakout role in Ally McBeal, earning both Emmy and SAG nominations, and she has since become a pioneering force in television. Her extensive credits include standout series like Why Women Kill, Elementary, Curb Your Enthusiasm, Star Wars: Visions, and A Man in Full. Beyond acting, Liu has proven herself a multifaceted artist, directing episodes of Marvel’ s Luke Cage, Elementary, Why Women Kill, and American Born Chinese (2023), while also receiving acclaim for her documentary short Meena (2014), which tackled human trafficking. As a producer, she championed impactful projects like Freedom’ s Fury and Redlight, and recently voiced and produced the Emmy-nominated VR experience The Pirate Queen (2024), which is expanding into a graphic novel.

A celebrated visual artist and recipient of the Harvard University Arts Medal, Liu’s mixed-media paintings and sculptures have been exhibited in galleries and museums worldwide, including the National Museum of Singapore, the Napa Valley Museum and the New York Studio School. She is being commissioned to create a series of paintings by the Australian Centre for Contemporary Art, Melbourne for 2026. As a UNICEF Ambassador for over two decades, Liu’s humanitarian efforts have earned her prestigious accolades, including the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award and the Women’s World Award.

Liu also became only the second Asian American woman in nearly 60 years to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. With an unwavering commitment to pushing creative and cultural boundaries, Lucy Liu continues to inspire across all mediums—from film and television to art, literature, and humanitarian work.

Karlovy Vary IFF Unveils Official Selection and Juries of the 59th Edition

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"The 59th Karlovy Vary IFF’s Official Selection offers an exciting display of the diversity of contemporary arthouse cinema. Answering exclusively to their artistic integrity, the filmmakers who have accepted the invitation to premiere their brand new works in Karlovy Vary fearlessly protect the right to challenge expectations, to disrupt stereotypes and to win over hearts and minds with equal intensity. Disregarding budgetary constraints, these filmmakers from countries such as Bangladesh, Lithuania, Norway and Colombia push the boundaries while keeping in mind the necessary connection between a film and its audience.
 
The Karlovy Vary IFF has always addressed political issues through powerful individual stories, fully supporting artists and their freedom of expression. Today we are announcing 11 titles from the usual dozen films in the Crystal Globe Competition. The remaining one comes from Iran; for the safety of its makers, it has been decided to postpone its announcement until closer to the festival."
 
Karel Och, artistic director of Karlovy Vary IFF
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CRYSTAL GLOBE COMPETITION
 
 
 
 
 
 

SPIRITUAL DESTINY - book reel

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SPIRITUAL DESTINY book reel link:      https://youtu.be/_ddE2M9L8d0

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJTFTNQS

In Spiritual Destiny, the inaugural novel of the Alp to Taw Chronicles and the first book of The Destiny Trilogy, readers are introduced to Joseph Arthur Golden-Eagle, known as JAG, a full-blooded Pequot Native American from Stonington, Connecticut. Raised by Night Owl and Morning Dove, JAG embodies his ancestors' guiding values: "DON'T TAKE what is not yours; DO TAKE care of what is yours, and Mother Earth will provide for you forever." His early life is laced with unusual events and encounters. While the narrative unfolds in familiar contemporary settings, subtle undercurrents hint at profound revelations yet to come. This layering invites readers to ponder the unseen influences shaping our world and sets the stage for transformative events in subsequent installments of the series.

Spiritual Destiny masterfully intertwines the familiar with the enigmatic, crafting a tale that resonates deeply and leaves one contemplating the boundaries between the known and the extraordinary. It challenges readers to reflect on their roles within the broader tapestry of existence and prepares them for a journey that extends beyond the ordinary, hinting at the profound interconnectedness of all things. As the world grapples with overconsumption, environmental degradation, and societal discord, JAG recognizes the urgency of these challenges. He embarks, unknown to him, on a transformative journey to lead humanity toward a more responsible way of life, rooted in ancient wisdom yet vital to our future.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

James W. Hawk was born in New Eagle, Pennsylvania, and grew up in East Cleveland, Ohio. He attended Cleveland State University.

Dr. Raymond Foery, Professor Emeritus - Quinnipiac University Film, Television, and Media Arts, said about Hawk’s work: "A truly imaginative filmmaker with a highly sophisticated sense of cinematic acuity. Jim has been remarkably active in various genres. As a director of narrative fiction, he has shown a sure hand with actors and a sophisticated appreciation of mise-en-scene. As a creator of animated visual motifs, Jim has displayed a mastery of the latest techniques and a sophisticated sense of composition complemented by a rich appreciation of theatrical style. Each of his projects also reveals the mind of an artist grappling with the eternal philosophical dilemmas of our existence on this planet, as well as some speculation about those other planets out there. In short, Jim’s work forces us to think as well as to look."

Jan Harlan (executive producer for Stanley Kubrick & Steven Spielberg) gave Hawk's work high marks.

F. Miguel Valenti assessed it as better than much of what is released these days.

One of Hawk’s films was exhibited at an art exhibition in Rome, Italy. Two of his films were award-winners, two were finalists, four were semi-finalists, and two were quarter-finalists at film festivals worldwide. A Hawk film was recently awarded semi-finalist at a science fiction film festival out of a thousand entries. He has had films screened at 64 film festivals and venues worldwide, with 112 films being official selections.

Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel serves as President of the jury 3rd edition of Biarritz Film Festival - NOUVELLES VAGUES

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©Erika Hebbert

 

 

The Biarritz Film Festival – NOUVELLES VAGUES is honored to welcome Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel as this year’s Jury President. Norwegian director and screenwriter born in 1990, he embodies a new generation of European filmmakers whose sensitivity and narrative mastery are revitalizing the landscape of auteur cinema.

Coming from a legendary cinematic lineage — grandson of Liv Ullmann and Ingmar Bergman — Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel has carved out his own artistic path, far from the shadows of his illustrious predecessors. His work, characterized by a subtle exploration of human relationships, unspoken tensions, and social dynamics, resonates strongly in Armand (2024), his debut feature film which was awarded the Caméra d’Or at Cannes (prize for the best first feature across all sections) as well as the FIPRESCI Prize at the European Film Awards. Centered on an incident between two children in a school, the film delicately probes the adult world through the lens of childhood — a theme that aligns closely with the spirit of the festival.

Through both his short and feature films, he explores youth with a gaze that is both critical and empathetic, capturing its flaws, raw emotions, and search for identity that define this pivotal stage of life. His cinematic approach — at the crossroads of the personal and the political — makes him an ideal jury president for a festival devoted to youth: their dreams, their anger, their contradictions, and their transformative power.

Under his leadership, the jury will strive to honor bold works that carry a strong and sincere vision of contemporary youth. His presence promises a thoughtful and discerning perspective on emerging voices in cinema, in harmony with the festival’s core values of attentiveness, innovation, and the transmission of stories.

Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel, born in 1990, is a Norwegian director and screenwriter, based in Oslo. He studied directing at Westerdals School of arts. His debut feature Armand (2024), starring Renate Reinsve, won the Camera d’or at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival and the European Discovery - Prix FIPRESCI at the 37th European Film awards. In 2025, he earned a nomination for Outstanding Directorial Achievement for a First feature at the 77th Directors Guild of America Awards. 

Bentonville Film Festival Announces Winners of 11th Annual Festival

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BENTONVILLE FILM FESTIVAL, LED BY GEENA DAVIS, ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF 11TH ANNUAL FESTIVAL

 

“Rosemead” Wins Best Narrative Award

“The Librarians” Wins Best Documentary Award

 

The Bentonville Film Foundation, in collaboration with founding partner, Walmart, and presenting sponsor, Coca-Cola, announced the winners of their narrative, documentary, homegrown, short film, and episodic categories from the 2025 Bentonville Film Festival’s competition program. The 11th anniversary of the festival ran from June 16-22 in Bentonville, AR. The annual Festival is a globally recognized platform that champions the transformative power of storytelling—creating space for a world where every voice matters and every story is seen, heard, and valued.

 

“Rosemead” from Eric Lin won the award for Best Narrative Award and “The Librarians” directed by Kim A. Snyder took home the prize for Best Documentary Award. Additionally, the Rising to the Challenge Award, was presented to Lucy Liu, producer and star of “Rosemead”. The Rising to the Challenge Award has been given to a select few artists in the history of Bentonville Film Festival and honoring those who represent the true impact of supporting independent film both in front of and behind the camera. The Rising to the Challenge Award celebrates artists who put their talent, passion and experience on the line in the service of empowering stories that are otherwise underrepresented.

 

“These awards reflect the passion and drive of storytellers, whose work will continue to broaden perspectives and engage audiences throughout the year,” said Bentonville Film Festival Chair Geena Davis. “We congratulate our BFF award winners and we’re so thankful to every filmmaker here for their contributions to the success of this year’s BFF!”

 

Additional winners are as follows:

 

Best Narrative

Jury: Marie Jamora (Director; Guest Artistic Director of AFI's Directing Workshop for Women), Bomani J. Story (Director, The Angry Black Girl and Her Monster)

 

Best Narrative: ROSEMEAD

(Director, Eric Lin; Writer, Marilyn Fu; Producers, Mynette Louie, Andrew Corkin, Lucy Liu)

Jury Statement: “Rosemead” captures the terrifying realities of motherhood in our contemporary era.  When culture, society, and healthcare break down, how can a mother protect her own child? With a powerhouse performance from the often underused Lucy Liu, you understand every choice she makes. Director Eric Lin sparks real world conversations about the society we’re living in through an intimate, unflinching film based on true events in the San Gabriel Valley. The very essence of what great cinema can do. 

 

Special Jury Mention for Directorial Vision: COLOR BOOK

(Director/Writer, David Fortune; Producers, Kiah Clingman, Kristen Uno, Autumn Bailey-Ford)

Jury Statement: David Fortune’s “Color Book” makes daring choices through form and subject matter.  In a stripped down tale of a father just trying to get his son to a baseball game, the film unearths profound themes about the world we live in with a consistent command of beautiful visuals, performances, and crisp storytelling. Fortune’s vision speaks through a confident hand like he’s done this many times before.

 

Special Jury Mention for Ensemble Cast: ADULT CHILDREN

(Director/Producer, Ric

Colman Domingo to Host amfAR Venice Film Festival Gala (EXCLUSIVE)

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Colman Domingo has been announced as the host of amfAR Venezia, the Foundation for AIDS Research’s gala at the Venice Film Festival. The black-tie event, taking place Aug. 31 at Arsenale, will feature cocktails, dinner and a live auction of contemporary artworks and exclusive experiences. “We are deeply grateful to Colman Domingo for his commitment […]

Brief Encounters, Mumbai, screens Jafar Panahi’s This is Not a Film

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Brief Encounters, Mumbai, screens Jafar Panahi’s This is Not a Film

Made in 2011, This is Not a Film is a genre-defying, ground-breaking film (yes, it is a film) about the reputed Iranian film-maker, Jafar Panahi, made in collaboration with one of his friends, Mojtaba Mirtahmasb, who wields the camera too. It was shot secretly in, and from, the house and building of Panahi, where he was serving a house-imprisonment sentence, for having made anti-establishment films secretly, and for supporting the revolution against the ruling Iranian clergy. The film was screened as part of a monthly screening programme, at St. Paul's Institute, in its auditorium, on the 3rd floor Alberione Hall of the St. Paul’s complex, in Bandra, Mumbai, on 14 June. The event was organised by the Bandra-based Brief Encounters platform, represented by Ms. Aparajita Sinha and her team. Attendees included film-maker O.P. Srivastava and actor-model Naseer Abdullah. 

Mojtaba Mirtahmasb

Mubi, which does not offer this film for viewing, currently, says about the film, “It’s been months since Jafar Panahi, stuck in jail, has been awaiting a verdict by the appeals court. By depicting a day in his life, Panahi and Mojtaba Mirtahmasb try to portray the deprivations looming in contemporary Iranian cinema.” “Using the barest means but inspired by their art, passion, and existence in the world, Panahi and Mirtahmasb craft a masterpiece of truth," opines Daniel Kasman, and I could not agree more. Panahi has just won the Palme d’Or (Golden Palm) at Cannes 2025, for his latest, It Was Just an Accident’.

Panahi is a screen-writer, producer, director, cinematographer and editor, who confesses that he has no knowledge of the technicalities of film-making. Yet, over the years, he has directed many a classic: The White Balloon (1995), The Mirror (1997), The Circle (2000), Crimson Gold (2003), Offside (2006), The Accordion (2010), Taxi Tehran (2015), Where Are You, Jafar Panahi? (2016), 3 Faces (2018), Hidden (2020), Life (2021) and No Bears (2022). He is among the four Iranian film-makers that have achieved overwhelming international acclaim, the others being Abbas Kiarostami, Majid Majidi and Asghar Farhadi. Panahi started as an assistant to Abbas Kiarostami. Panahi left a message on Kiarostami's answering machine, saying that he loved his films, and asked him to give him the position of an assistant director on his next film. Kiarostami hired Panahi to assist him, for the film Through the Olive Trees

Educated at the Iran Broadcasting College of Cinema and TV, 65-year-old Jafar Panahi, born to an Azerbaijani father, began his career making short films. At the age of 20, At the same age, Panahi was conscripted into the Iranian army, and served in the Iran–Iraq War, working as an army cinematographer from 1980 to 1982. In 1981, he was captured by Kurdish rebels, and held for 76 days. From his war experiences, he made a documentary that was eventually shown on TV. His debut feature, The White Balloon (1995), won the Caméra d'Or (Golden Camera) at the 1995 Cannes Film Festival. Panahi has been imprisoned multiple times in Iran, most recently for protesting the detention of film-makers criticising the authorities. This was his first visit to Cannes in 15 years, where his films have been shown in his absence due to a travel ban. The films were ‘smuggled’ to the festival venue in a pen-drive, by one of Panahi’s friends.

This is Not a Film has many moments when nothing really happens. It begins with Panahi having breakfast, and

Paolo Genovese Brings ‘Madly’ to China via Italian Screens Initiative at Shanghai Film Festival

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The Italian Screens showcase made its Shanghai debut at the 27th Shanghai International Film Festival, bringing seven contemporary Italian films to Chinese audiences as part of an ongoing push to deepen cinema ties between the two countries. The program, which previously ran in Beijing for two consecutive years in 2023 and 2024, held its launch […]
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