The American Black Film Festival (ABFF) has set its lineup of narrative and documentary features for its 28th edition, including Jussie Smollett’s return to acting in “The Lost Holliday,” filmmaker Christine Swanson’s latest drama “Albany Road” and the acclaimed Luther Vandross doc “Never Too Much.” This year’s festival takes place June 12-16 in Miami Beach, […]

Miami Film Festival announced its acclaimed lineup for its upcoming Festival taking place from April 5-14, 2024. The Festival will open with Thelma, directed by Josh Margolin and starring June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, and Parker Posey. The Festival will close with Ezra, directed by Tony Goldwyn, who will be in attendance on Saturday, April 13. Featuring ten World Premieres, ten North American Premieres, five U.S. Premieres, and 11 East Coast Premieres, and 42 Florida Premieres, the 2024 Miami Film Festival will celebrate more than 165 feature narratives, documentaries, and short films of all genres, from over 31 countries worldwide.

“This year’s lineup spotlights exciting narrative programming, essential documentaries, and groundbreaking shorts, bringing an unbelievable host of films to our local community,” said James Woolley, Executive Director. “The Miami Film Festival is delighted to welcome our audiences back for another year of incredible screenings and inspiring conversations.”

“We are thrilled to be bringing this incredible slate of diverse and exciting films to Miami,” said Lauren Cohen, Director of Programming. “With over 30 countries featured and nearly half of the presented features being directed by women, this lineup showcases films from some of the most prestigious festivals in the world, as well as a hugely impressive slate of works from up-and-coming filmmakers making their world, international, and North American premieres. We are so proud to have a lineup of films that will truly move audiences as we celebrate the very best in world cinema.”

MFF will open with the Magnolia Pictures film Thelma. Josh Margolin’s American comedy film follows a grandmother who embarks on a quest to recoup her money after she loses $10,000 in a phone scam. The film stars June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, Parker Posey, Clark Gregg, and Malcolm McDowell. Director Josh Margolin and producer Zoë Worth will be in attendance to introduce the film.

The Festival will close with Bleecker Street’s Ezra, starring Bobby Cannavale, Rose Byrne, Robert De Niro, Vera Farmiga, Whoopi Goldberg, and Rainn Wilson. From director Tony Goldwyn, Ezra follows Max Bernal, a stand-up comedian living with his father, while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra with his ex-wife. When forced to confront difficult decisions about their son’s future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that has a transcendent impact on both their lives. Ezra is an endearing and often funny exploration of a family determined to find their way through life’s complexities with humor, compassion, and heart. 

Three MARQUEE screening presentations will be presented with directors in attendance for post-screening Q&As. These include:

Dear Jassi (India, directed by Tarsem Singh), following the story of a young couple who desperately want to be together, but are separated due to time, distance, and societal expectations. Directly following the Florida Premiere screening of Dear Jassi, the Festival will host a 35mm retrospective screening of Singh’s 2000 film The Cell, co-presented by Popcorn Frights.

Read more

  Cannes Next, the pioneering platform for the future of entertainment and innovation at the Marché du Film, in partnership with Sprockit — The Global Open Innovation Platform, is thrilled to unveil the inception of their exclusive investment and deal-making platform, "Next Tech on the Beach." This innovative event is set to redefine the landscape of investments, mergers, and acquisitions across the content, technology and corporate sectors.

Scheduled for the morning of 16 May (9:00-12:00) at the Marché du Film’s prestigious Plage des Palmes venue, « Next Tech on the Beach » promises an unparalleled gathering of deal-makers, investors, M&A executives, start-ups and innovators. This invitation-only summit will offer attendees a first look at a handpicked selection of innovation drivers and investment opportunities, curated to inspire and facilitate groundbreaking partnerships.

The event will feature an exciting program, including the showcase of six specially-selected start-up ventures, insightful discussions on the current state of financing and deal-making within the tech and content industry, and a specially prepared fine dining experience, designed to foster networking and collaboration among participants.

Highlighting the significance of the summit, Sten Saluveer, Head of Cannes Next, stated, « Over the years, Cannes Next has evolved into a platform where significant industry deals between leading corporations and innovative creators have materialized. The growing interest and participation from investors and corporate entities, who are passionate about the future of entertainment and technology, prompted our partnership with Sprockit. We are proud to introduce ‘Next Tech on the Beach’ as a dedicated platform to bridge the worlds of creative vision and technological innovation, driving success across the industry. »

Harry Glazer, CEO of Sprockit, adds, “For over 10 years, Sprockit has been at the epicenter of innovation in entertainment, media and technology. The industry has repeatedly sought our collaboration to discover and forge partnerships with best-in-class global start-ups to solve their most critical challenges and opportunities. When the possibility arose to partner with Cannes Next during the largest and most prestigious film festival and market in the world, we knew the combination was a perfect match for exploring and navigating the future of innovation in the industry.”

The inaugural event will shine a spotlight on cutting-edge innovation drivers such as Reality Defender, a cybersecurity firm specializing in the detection of AI-generated fraud and misinformation, and Deeptune, an AI-powered dubbing platform designed to revolutionize content localization by making it faster and more cost-effective.

Registration to attend « Next Tech on the Beach » are now open to a select group of investors, corporate entities, and startups. Interested parties are encouraged to submit their attendance requests by 22 April. 

  The new initiative aims to foster the international circulation of European IPs for new film adaptations.

The Marché du Film, in partnership with the CNC – French National Center of Cinema and Moving Images, is excited to announce the launch of Cannes Remakes, set to debut at the upcoming film market edition from 14 to 22 May.

Together with the CNC, and with the support and collaboration of the Institute of Cinematography & Audiovisual Arts (ICAA) and the Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual-Italian Ministry of Culture (DGCA-MiC) and Cinecittà, Cannes Remakes will spotlight a handpicked selection of the finest European intellectual property (IP) titles, ready to be remade into new film adaptations.

The program is designed to tap into the thriving IP market, which has seen tremendous growth, largely driven by the increased investment from global streaming services. Film remakes, in particular, have established themselves as a lucrative venture in the marketplace as they offer lower risk and proven marketability.

Cannes Remakes aims to foster this rising trend in remakes by showcasing pre-existing IPs, which have already proven successful in their initial territories, and by facilitating connections between international buyers and producers.

“Remakes are injecting a fresh dynamism into the film industry, hinting at a notable shift. We are excited to support this evolution through Cannes Remakes,” states Guillaume Esmiol, Executive Director of the Marché du Film. “It’s not just about English-language remakes; there’s a rising trend of adaptations across various languages. Audiences are drawn to narratives that resonate with their distinct cultural nuances, paving the way for diverse, global storytelling. We aim to expand the IP market in Cannes and create a platform where IP holders can engage with producers and IP buyers, unlocking potential business opportunities.”

Jérémie Kessler, Director of European & International Affairs at the CNC, adds, “The international trend towards IP, which is particularly evident with American studios and buyers from Asia, now appears to be a structuring factor. It is thus important for the CNC to launch this programme with the Marché du Film. This programme fits in with our massive support for exports but also our strategic priority of defending strategic cultural assets and promoting European IP. For it is these IPs that create value for producers, international sellers and companies, and make it possible to support truly free and independent European creation.”

Cannes Remakes is part of the Marché du Film’s new initiatives, supported by Creative Europe MEDIA. The inaugural program will include a pitching session, presenting a curated selection of IP titles sourced from France, Spain and Italy with the most potential for film adaptation. This will be followed by a prearranged series of one-to-one meetings and culminate with a networking cocktail event for invited guests.

The half-day event will take place during the Marché du Film on Monday, 20 May on the CNC Beach.

RESYNATOR is a feature documentary film and synth resurrection project started by director Alison Tavel in 2014. The true story centers around a resurrected synthesizer (aka the RESYNATOR), that was invented by Alison’s late father Don Tavel in the ‘70s, which she dug up from her grandmother’s attic twenty-five years after his passing and has been on a mission to share it with the world ever since. RESYNATOR had its world premiere at SXSW on March 10th, 2024, and won the Documentary Feature Audience Award.

 

In an interview with Alison about her filmmaking journey, here is what she had to say:

Can you tell us how the seeds for Resynator began and at what point you decided to turn it into a film?

ALISON: Originally, I was just looking to document the resurrection of the synthesizer that my late father had invented. I didn’t have a background in filmmaking, but I thought it was an interesting enough story to be able to share with my friends on tour. I worked for Grace Potter on tour at the time and met so many musicians and touring crew members who were interested in learning more about the Resynator, so I felt I should make a short doc about it. From there it snowballed into a personal narrative that was much deeper than I had originally intended, and I learned how to make a film as I embarked on this journey.

 

What do you love about docs that features cannot do?

ALISON: I think the great thing about documentary storytelling is the run-and-gun nature (at least with my film), and the genuine reactions of discovery that show up. There were so many times in this process where I just brought a camera person into a situation, made sure I had sound rolling and what unfolded was not planned, such as my conversation with my dad’s old friend (and founder of Musician Magazine) Gordon Baird. I came to him wanting to know about the synth, and the ads I found in his magazines, and all he wanted to talk about was my dad and the events surrounding his death. My reaction on screen was genuine shock and I could never recreate that feeling. 

 

Docs are a long and laborious venture. How long did this film take you to make?

ALISON: This film took me ten years! Being that this project was self-funded, and I had no background in filmmaking, I had to figure a lot of stuff out as I was going through it, and that took time. But also, the story developed over time. With every new person I met with, a new piece of the puzzle unfolded. It took me three years to contact Peter Gabriel. And it took me six years to contact Jon Anderson and Average White Band! I didn’t find out about the Paul McCartney story until eight years in! So, with that patience came a much more complex and dynamic story. 

 

How did you go about finding musicians like Peter Gabriel and Gotye in your film?

ALISON: Although I've worked in the music industry for over a decade, I'm not a musician myself, so I needed help understanding what the Resynator was capable of. I was looking for a variety of musicians who all played different instruments and who I thought would have an appreciation for my dad’s technology. I reached out to people like Fred Armisen, Gotye, Money Mark and more directly, explaining the project and proposing a connection to demo the Resynator. I’m so grateful that so many musicians were interested and down to experiment. Everyone’s experiences were unique

 

HIFF 'Ōpio Fest

 

 

Congratulations to all of the talented student filmmakers who participated in the first ever HIFF 'Ōpio Fest and mahalo to all who joined us!

 

Missed out on the programs? The Student Showcase and Future Filmmakers Showcase presented by the Daniel K. Inouye Institute are all streaming on HIFF's YouTube!

 

 

 

 

 

Step inside Waikiki’s only boutique hotel located directly on the sand, voted the #1 hotel on Oʻahu in the 2023 Travel + Leisure Worldʻs Best Awards. Built in 1963 on Oahu’s iconic Gold Coast, Kaimana Beach Hotel has enchanted generations of travelers and locals. Locally owned and operated with an welcoming ‘come as you are’ spirit and offering elevated beachside dining at Hau Tree restaurant, you may never want to leave. Kamaʻāina rates are available at kaimana.com.

 

 

 

&n

THE FESTIVAL & MARCHÉ'S BEACHSIDE VENUE

The Plage des Palmes is returning to this year's festival and market event, taking place from 14 to 25 May! Situated along the Croisette on Goéland Beach, this exclusive beachside venue will once again serve as an extension of all the happenings inside the Palais, offering even more exciting events, networking opportunities and premium business content.   Join us at our key conferences and summits in the morning and afternoon, and take advantage of the exclusive benefits, reserved only to a select group of professionals — including YOU! Enjoy the following perks: 9am-10am | Drop in for a coffee, unwind and/or have a meeting on our patio 9am-6pm | Arrange meetings on the patio (with the option to invite a guest) 12pm-3pm | Book a table, and indulge in a 3-course lunch at our onsite restaurant Complimentary drinks on the patio!   BOOK YOUR SEASIDE LUNCHES TODAY! Elevate your Cannes experience with delightful midday meals at the Plage des Palmes' onsite restaurant, reserved exclusively for you and special Festival & Marché guests. Immerse yourself in the scenic beauty of our outdoor patio as you indulge in our exquisite three-course gourmet lunch menu (complete with soft drinks & wine) for 77€ per person (tax included). Considering the high demand, we strongly recommend early booking for those intending to dine at the Plage des Palmes during the event period. Our limited seating fills up quickly once the Festival & Market is up and running.  To ensure your spot, simply click the button below to access our reservation form and secure your table today! Access Lunch Reservation Form  For further inquiries, please feel Read more THE CANNES BEAT: Cannes 77 line up unveiled; which one will take Palme d'or? THE CANNES BEAT: Cannes 77 line up unveiled; which one will take Palme d'or? Rick W / Thursday, April 11, 2024 0 13 Cannes Marché du Film & Festival NEWSLETTER Coverage from our team in Cannes : Vanessa McMahon, Lalit Rao, Moira Sullivan, Alice Kanterian, Nesta Morgan, Laurent Hou (red carpet photography) and Sissy Lin (red carpet video) and the blog patrol led by Bruno Chatelin your editor ! Coming up newsletter blasts: Cannes Festival & Marché du Film pre roll Newsletter  I Cannes Beat 1 I Cannes Beat 2 I Cannes Beat 3 I Cannes Beat 4 I Cannes Beat 5 I Cannes Beat 6 I Cannes Beat 7 I AWARDS I Cannes catch up Take center stage in Cannes, blast your press releases and invites Take center stage in Cannes, blast your press releases and invites, let us shoot and promote for you...   We produce The Cannes Dailies delivering News, Glamour, Biz and Buzz. The Cannes Market Dailies and 8 Cannes Newsletters.   ----CANNES FESTIVAL DAILIES The Official Selection of the 77th Festival de Cannes unveiled today! The Official Selection for the 77th Festival de Cannes was unveiled on 11 April at 11a.m., during the annual meeting with the French and international press, in the presence of Iris Knobloch, President of the Festival de Cannes, and Thierry Frémaux, General Delegate. Discover the list of feature films selected in Competition, Un Certain Regard, Out of Competition, Midnight Screenings, Cannes Premiere and Special Screenings.   Read here the full listing! My personal pick: Coppola, Cronenberg,  Yórgos LÁNTHIMOS, Paolo SORRENTINO, Paul SCHRADER, Kevin Costner,  Rithy PANH and Mad Max ...      For its 77th edition, the Festival de Cannes launches its Immersive Competition Because there are now original works that are pushing the boundaries of storytelling, the Festival de Cannes will introduce a new competition, the "Immersive Competition" for its 77th edition.   In 2017, Alejandro González Iñárritu made history at the 70th edition of the Festival de Cannes with his groundbreaking virtual reality piece, Carne y Arena (Virtually Present, Physically Invisible) marking the first immersive work ever presented as an official selec...     Rodrigo Sorogoyen Jury President of the 63rd Semaine de la Critique < Read more MipTV 2024 - One more time from Cannes but it's time to say adieu - London calling MipTV 2024 - One more time from Cannes but it's time to say adieu - London calling Rick W / Monday, April 8, 2024 0 16 MIPTVCOOLIE First Look photo - credit Paloma Alegria Should I stay or should I go?   MipTV belongs to Cannes and when you look up MipTV in Wikipedia first thing you read about MipTV is „MIPTV(French: Marché International des Programmes de Télévision) is an event which takes place annually in Cannes, France, using the facilities and infrastructure which the town has developed over the years to host other important events such as the Cannes Film Festival amongst other events.   MipTV and Canneseries have always been connected, from the very beginning of Canneseries in 2018. So far so good. Now it's all changing, as MipTV says goodby to Cannes as a venue and moves on to London.   It has been the talk since Berlinale Series in February, and it continued at the London TV Screenings and later in March at Séries Mania. And now the announcement of MipTV organizers Reed Exhibition/RE: MipTV is leaving Cannes and moving to London as a venue and will be connected to London TV Screenings.     Why this sudden Move?   MIPTV gathers, in the entertainment industry's global deal-making hub of Cannes, together producers, distributors, and buyers to connect, commission and discover new series and projects for all genres and screens. This did work well in the past, but lately the relationship between RE and the town hall of Cannes is been deteriorating with high demands from the town hall of Cannes,  imposing to RE subcontractors. So far the rumours.     The Hollywood Reporter's explanation   The Hollywood Reporter explaines the Move to London in the following way: „Facing declining attendance and a rapidly shifting global TV industry, MIPTV is pulling up stakes in the sunny South of France and will shift to rainy old England next year, sidling up alongside the popular London Screenings, which in just four years has grown to become the most important small screen event in Europe in the first half of the year.   One or the other, the MOVE now beeing confirmed, everybody exhited to discover new series and projects for all genres and screens and make the best deals one last time under the sun of the French Riviera, one last time running from one 5 star hotel to the other 5 star venue on the Croisette by the sea, one last time meeting business partners on the beach before moving in 2025 to freezing, crowded London.     And now the MipTV highlights   MIPTV (8-10 April) is a vital and productive international television market for finished programme sales and acquisitions, content discovery, development and co-productions across all genres.   MIPTV is preceded by the biggest weekend in unscripted (6-7 April) with MIPDOC & MIPFORMATS. Read more The Garden State Film Festival Awards The Garden State Film Festival Awards Rick W / Sunday, April 7, 2024 0 9 A Magical 22nd Annual Event!  The Garden State Film Festival Celebrates a Magical 22nd Annual Event in Asbury Park and Cranford, New Jersey The Garden State Film Festival (GSFF) concluded its enchanting 22nd annual event, held from March 21 to March 24, 2024, across the vibrant locales of Asbury Park and Cranford, New Jersey. Amidst a backdrop of creativity, camaraderie, and cinematic excellence, filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences came together for an unforgettable celebration of storytelling. Spanning four days, the Garden State Film Festival captivated attendees with a diverse lineup of films, panels, workshops, and special events. From captivating narratives to thought-provoking documentaries, the festival showcased a wide range of cinematic talent from across the globe. "We are thrilled to have hosted another successful edition of the Garden State Film Festival," says Lauren Concar, Executive Director of the GSFF. "This year's event was truly magical, filled with inspiring films, engaging discussions, and memorable moments. We are incredibly grateful to all the filmmakers, sponsors, volunteers, and attendees who made it possible." Highlights of the 22nd annual Garden State Film Festival included: Opening Night Gala: The festival kicked off in style with a glamorous opening night gala, featuring red carpet arrivals, live interviews, and a screening of the eagerly anticipated premiere of “The Martini Shot”, winner of Best International Narrative Feature starring Matthew Modine, John Cleese, Fiona Glascott, Derek Jacobi and Stuart Townsend.  Filmmaker Talk Back followed the screening with an after party to top it all off! Film Screenings: Attendees were treated to an eclectic selection of films, ranging from heartwarming dramas to edge-of-your-seat thrillers and horrors. With screenings held at various venues in Asbury Park and Cranford, there was something for every cinephile to enjoy.  One of the highlights include "Don Q", directed by Claudio Bellante starring cast members Armande Assante (Best Actor in a Feature), Federico Castelluccio, Vincent Pastore, Saundra Santiago (Best Supporting Actress in a Feature) and more. Panels and Workshops: Industry professionals shared their insights and expertise during a series of informative panels and workshops, covering topics such as Screenwriting, Production, Location Scouting and the benefits of the NJ Film Tax Credit. Special Events: The festival featured special events, including filmmaker Q&A sessions, networking mixers, and awards ceremony, providing opportunities for attendees to connect with fellow filmmakers and industry insiders. Be sure to watch all of the podcasts from the Festival with AMC reality series Comic Book Men & owner of A Shared Universe PodcaSTudio, Ming Chen. Closing Night Celebration: The Garden State Film Festival concluded with a spectacular closing night celebration, where attendees gathered to toast to another successful year of independent cinema.     Read more RSS Load last 10 article(s)Loading...