The 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Academy Award®-winning actress Sandra Bullock with the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress, at its annual Awards Gala. Each year the festival selects an actor and actress to receive this award. Matthew McConaughey will receive the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor, which was previously announced. Presented by Cartier and hosted by Mary Hart, the Awards Gala will be held Saturday, January 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The Festival runs Jan 3-13, 2014.

“Sandra Bullock is the epitome of cinematic talent and versatility,” said Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “In her latest and arguably most demanding role as first-time astronaut Dr. Ryan Stone in Gravity, Bullock faces the primal nightmare of being stranded in space with no apparent way of returning. Throughout the entire film, her determination to survive is masterfully portrayed. To this consummate performer who continues to captivate audiences with her artistry, it is our honor to present the 2014 Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress, to Sandra Bullock.”

Past actress recipients of the Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress, include Halle Berry, Marion Cotillard, Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron, Naomi Watts and Michelle Williams.

Gravity stars Sandra Bullock and George Clooney in a Warner Bros. Pictures film directed by Alfonso Cuarón. Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) in command. But on a seemingly routine mission, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed by space debris, leaving Stone and Kowalski completely alone—tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the blackness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left. The only way home may be to go further out into the terrifying expanse of space.

Sandra Bullock won an Academy Award® for her portrayal of Leigh Anne Tuohy in the true-life drama The Blind Side. This year, in addition to Gravity, Bullock also starred opposite Melissa McCarthy in the smash hit buddy cop comedy The Heat. She has also recently starred in such diverse projects as the drama Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close, the romantic comedy The Proposal, and the Oscar®-winning Crash. In addition to her Oscar®, Bullock has received numerous awards and nominations for her acting work, including a Golden Globe, two SAG® Awards, two Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, four MTV Movie Awards, an American Comedy Award, ten Teen Choice Awards, and four People’s Choice Awards for Favorite Female Movie Star.

About The Palm Springs International Film Festival The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is one of the largest film festivals in North America, welcoming 135,000 attendees annually for its lineup of new and celebrated international features and documentaries. The Festival is also known for its annual Black Tie Awards Gala, honoring the best achievements of the filmic year by a celebrated list of talents who, in recent years, have included Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Cate Blanchett, Danny Boyle, Bradley Cooper, George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard, Helen Mirren, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron and Kate Winslet.

The Awards Gala of the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is presented by Cartier and sponsored by Mercedes Benz and Entertainment Tonight. The City of Palm Springs is the Title Sponsor of the Film Festival. Presenting Sponsors are Wells Fargo, The Desert Sun and Spencer’s. Major sponsors are AARP, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Wessman Development, Bank of America, Wintec, Regal Entertainment Group, Windermere Real Estate, Eisenhower Medical Center, Guthy-Renker, Integrated Wealth Management, PalmSpringsOasis.com, Ocean Properties, Panavision, Chihuly and Telefilm Canada.

-PALM SPRINGS INT. FILM FESTIVAL PRESS RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

-PELE PRESS RELEASE-

VINCENT D'ONOFRIO, RODRIGO SANTORO, DIEGO BONETA, COLM MEANEY AND SEU JORGE TO STAR IN IMAGINE ENTERTAINMENT AND SEINE PICTURES PRODUCTION

Emmy nominated actor Vincent D'Onofrio (MEN IN BLACK, ‘Law and Order: Criminal Intent’) and Rodrigo Santoro (300, LOVE ACTUALLY) to star alongside Diego Boneta (ROCK OF AGES), Golden Globe nominated actor Colm Meaney (GET HIM TO THE GREEK, THE DAMNED UNITED) and Seu Jorge (THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU, CITY OF GOD) who have joined the cast of PELÉ, the inspirational drama about the legendary Brazilian soccer player, written and to be directed by Michael Zimbalist and Jeff Zimbalist, and produced by Imagine Entertainment’s Brian Grazer, Seine Pictures’ Ivan Orlic, and Kim Roth, and Colin Wilson.

Principal photography started on September 30 on location in Brazil. PELÉ will be executive produced by Pelé, Paul Kemsley and Exclusive Media.

Seine Pictures is fully financing the film and licensed Pele’s life rights from Sports Licensing International B.V.

The film’s creative team includes Academy Award nominated director of photography Matthew Libatique (BLACK SWAN, IRON MAN 2, IRON MAN), production designer Dominic Watkins (SNOW WHITE AND THE HUNTSMAN, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY), editor Naomi Geraghty (LIMITLESS, RESERVATION ROAD, HOTEL RWANDA, ‘Treme’), costume designer Ines Salgado (CITY OF GOD) and casting directors Marcela Altberg, Mary Vernieu (SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK, BLACK SWAN), and Gail Stevens (ZERO DARK THIRTY, SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE).

Domestic rights for the film are jointly repped by CAA and WME.

Exclusive Media’s President of International Sales and Distribution, Alex Walton, is handling international sales.

Brian Grazer quote, “I've always been excited about the exploration of genius. PELÉ is that story. He is an inspiration to his country.”

Ivan Orlic quote, “I’m honored to be partners with Imagine Entertainment in telling the story of Pelé’s early years, an origin story of a people’s hero and the King of football, a man whose life has inspired so many and that I hope will inspire a new generation.”

PELÉ tells the miraculous story of the legendary soccer player’s rise to glory from a young boy to the 17 year old player who scored the winning goal in Brazil’s first ever World Cup victory in 1958. From a life full of disadvantages and an impoverished youth in Brazil, Pelé used his unorthodox yet authentic style of play and his unbeatable spirit to overcome all odds, find greatness and inspire a country that he changed forever.

Vincent D'Onofrio will play the Brazilian team’s World Cup coach Feola, and Diego Boneta will play Jose, Pelé’s arch rival and responsible for giving him the nickname ‘Pelé’ when they were children. Seu Jorge has also joined the cast to play Pelé’s father, Dondinho, alongside newcomers Kevin de Paula who will play Pelé from age 13-17 and Leonardo Lima Carvalho who will play him at age 10. Colm Meaney will play the role of Coach Raynor, the Swedish World Cup coach.

Supporting cast includes Marianna Nunes, Milton Goncales, Rafael Henrique, Marcus Vinicius, Julio Levy, Thelmo Fernandes, Felipe Simas, Charles Myara, Jerome Franz, and Roger Haag.

Emmy nominated actor Vincent D'Onofrio is considered one of the most versatile actors with over 80 credits to his name. His career highlights include playing Pvt. Leonard Lawrence in Stanley Kubrick’s FULL METAL JACKET, Edgar in the box office smash hit MEN IN BLACK opposite Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith, Orson Welles in Tim Burton's ED WOOD and Detective Robert Goren in the long running TV series ‘Law and Order: Criminal Intent.’ D'Onofrio will next be seen in THE JUDGE opposite Robert Downy Jr. and Vera Farmiga to be released by Warner Bros. in 2013.

Considered to be one of Brazil’s most famous actors, Rodrigo Santoro has starred in numerous box office hits including CHARLIE’S ANGELS: FULL THROTTLE opposite Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu; LOVE ACTUALLY opposite Laura Linney and Colin Firth, 300 opposite Gerald Butler and based on Frank Miller’s comic novel; and the Oscar nominated animated film RIO. He will next be seen in 300’s sequel 300: RISE OF AN EMPIRE to be released by Warner Bros. in 2014 and RIO 2 opposite Anne Hathaway and Leslie Mann to be released by 20th Century Fox.

Rising star Diego Boneta started his acting career appearing in ABC Family’s hit TV series ‘Pretty Little Liars’ and the CW’s ‘90210’. His breakout role was playing the lead in ROCK OF AGES opposite Tom Cruise, Russell Brand and Alec Baldwin, which was released by Warner Bros. in 2012.

Colm Meaney has starred in numerous films including the box office hit GET HIM TO THE GREEK opposite Jonah Hill and Russell Brand; THE SNAPPER, where he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor; LAYER CAKE opposite Daniel Craig; LAW ABIDING CITIZEN opposite Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx; and THE DAMNED UNITED opposite Michael Sheen. Meaney currently stars in AMC's hit drama series ‘Hell on Wheels’.

Seu Jorge is a Brazilian musician and actor who appeared in the critically acclaimed and Oscar nominated film CITY OF GOD directed by Fernando Meirelles, and Wes Anderson's THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU, for which he also provided much of the soundtrack.

The Zimbalist brothers directed and produced together Emmy nominated THE TWO ESCOBARS which was released by Disney / ESPN Films and also invited to the Cannes Film Festival 2010. Jeff Zimbalist additionally directed FAVELA RISING which garnered him the Best Emerging Filmmaker Award at the 2005 TriBeCa Film Festival and an Emmy Award nomination in 2006.

ABOUT SEINE PICTURES Seine Pictures is a newly formed Los Angeles based independent film entertainment company principally engaged in financing, development, acquisition, production, and arranging distribution for high quality theatrical feature films in all media.

-PELE PRESS RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

STEVE McQUEEN TO RECEIVE DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR AWARD AT THE 25th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS GALA

American actor Paul William Walker dies yesterday, November 30, after a fiery car crash in Valencia, California.

Paul Walker was most known for his role as Brian O'Conner in the films ‘Fast and Furious’- 2001, 2003, 2009, 2011, 2013. Other credits include Varsity Blues, Eight Below, Into the Blue, She's All That and Takers. His latest film HOURS (2013), which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, is scheduled for release this month.  

In writer/director Eric Heisserer's HOURS, Walker delivers the most challenging performance of his career yet as ‘Nolan’, a father who spends the night in a hospital during Hurricane Katrina choosing to risk his own safety for that of his newborn baby girl.

Nolan’s wife, ‘Abigail’ (Genesis Rodriguez), has just died during childbirth. On the same day, the devastating ‘Katrina’ envelops the city of New Orleans, leaving the city in total abandon and chaos in her disastrous wake. All the hospital’s staff and patients have abandoned the building for safety; everyone but Nolan. His baby daughter fights for dear life with every breath. Forced to make a decision between searching for a new operational hospital (close to impossible under such circumstances) and saving his newborn’s life, Nolan chooses the latter and stays put with his baby hooked up to an operating life-support system.

During seemingly endless ‘hours’, Nolan's baby girl hangs dangerously between life and death. Having also witnessed his wife die the same day, Nolan continuously flashes back to memories of her. While suffering at the mercy of the notorious hurricane and the almighty elements, he further faces the challenges of playing doctor to his child with the life-support’s dying batteries, famished and crazed looters and chaos-driven drugged up murderers all in one night. Near death himself and at his wits end, will Nolan and his newborn baby survive the ‘hours’?

HOURS is Paul Walker's breakout dramatic role. In a truly grand performance, Walker (as 'Nolan') expresses the great highs and lows and vacillating emotions of survival against natural disaster and great odds. Walker's acting talent was prodigious and he was only just getting started. Adored by fans the world over, he will be greatly missed but never forgotten.  

Click here to see a trailer for 'HOURS' (2013): 

Actor Paul Walker in HOURS (2013).

Written by Vanessa McMahon.  

LUPITA NYONG’O AND THOMAS NEWMAN TO BE HONORED AT THE 25th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS GALA

Palm Springs, CA (December 9, 2013) – The 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Lupita Nyong’o with the Breakthrough Performance Award for 12 Years a Slave and Thomas Newman with the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing for Saving Mr. Banks at its annual Awards Gala. The Gala will also present awards to previously announced honorees Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Matthew McConaughey, Steve McQueen and Julia Roberts. Presented by Cartier and hosted by Mary Hart, the Awards Gala will be held Saturday, January 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The Festival runs January 3-13, 2014.

“Lupita Nyong’o is outstanding as the exploited slave whose beauty attracts the attention of Michael Fassbender’s vicious slave master. She delivers a raw and deeply moving performance that serves as the fulcrum for the film’s message of the inhumanity of slavery,” said Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “For her American film debut in 12 Years a Slave, it is a great honor for the Palm Springs International Film Festival to present her with the 2014 Breakthrough Performance Award.”

Past recipients of the Breakthrough Performance Award include Mariah Carey, Marion Cotillard, Jennifer Hudson, Felicity Huffman, Carey Mulligan and Jeremy Renner. In the years they were honored, Cotillard and Hudson went on to win Academy Awards®, while Huffman and Renner received Oscar® nominations.

12 Years a Slave is based on a true story of one man’s fight for survival and freedom. In the pre-Civil War United States, Solomon Northup (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a free black man from upstate New York, is abducted and sold into slavery. Facing cruelty (personified by a malevolent slave owner, portrayed by Michael Fassbender) as well as unexpected kindnesses, Solomon struggles not only to stay alive, but to retain his dignity. In the twelfth year of his unforgettable odyssey, Solomon’s chance meeting with a Canadian abolitionist (Brad Pitt) forever alters his life. The Fox Searchlight Pictures film is directed by Steve McQueen and written by John Ridley. Producers are Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Bill Pohlad, Steve McQueen, Arnon Milchan and Anthony Katagas. The film stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Benedict Cumberbatch, Paul Dano, Garret Dillahunt, Paul Giamatti, Scoot McNairy, Lupita Nyong’o, Adepero Oduye, Sarah Paulson, Brad Pitt, Michael Kenneth Williams, Alfre Woodard, Chris Chalk, Taran Killam and Bill Camp.

Lupita Nyong’o marks her American film debut in 12 Years a Slave. A graduate of the Yale School of Drama’s acting program, her stage credits include Perdita in The Winter's Tale (Yale Repertory Theater), Sonya in Uncle Vanya, Katherine in The Taming of the Shrew, as well as the original production of Michael Mitnick’s Elijah. The Kenyan actress is also a filmmaker, having served as creator, director, editor and producer of the award-winning feature-length documentary In My Genes. The film follows eight Kenyans who have an unusual trait in common: they were born with albinism, a genetic condition that causes a lack of pigmentation. In February she will co-star alongside Liam Neeson, Michelle Dockery and Julianne Moore in the Universal Pictures thriller Non-Stop.

Of Thomas Newman’s win of the PSIFF’s Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing, his second win in the category, Matzner commented, “Thomas Newman is a master at creating memorable film scores. In Saving Mr. Banks, he pays tribute to Mary Poppins composers Richard and Robert Sherman through an indelible original score. The Festival is delighted to once again present Thomas Newman with the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing.”

PSIFF recipients of the Frederick Loewe Award for Film Composing previously include T Bone Burnett, Mychael Danna, Alexandre Desplat, Danny Elfman, Randy Newman and Diane Warren. In the years they were honored Burnett and Danna went on to win Academy Awards, while Desplat, Elfman, Newman received Oscar nominations.

Walt Disney Pictures presents Saving Mr. Banks, a film inspired by this extraordinary, untold back story of how Disney’s classic Mary Poppins made it to the screen, starring two-time Academy Award® winner Emma Thompson and fellow double Oscar® winner Tom Hanks. The film is directed by John Lee Hancock.

Thomas Newman has composed music for nearly 100 motion pictures and television series and has earned 11 Academy Award nominations and six Grammy® Awards. He has contributed distinctive and evocative scores to numerous acclaimed films, including Desperately Seeking Susan, The Lost Boys, The Rapture, Fried Green Tomatoes, The Player, Scent of a Woman, Flesh and Bone, The Shawshank Redemption, Little Women, American Buffalo, The People vs. Larry Flynt, Oscar and Lucinda, The Horse Whisperer, Meet Joe Black, American Beauty, The Green Mile, Erin Brockovich, In The Bedroom, Road to Perdition, Finding Nemo, Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events, Cinderella Man, Jarhead, Little Children, The Good German, Revolutionary Road and Wall-E. His most recent projects include The Debt, The Adjustment Bureau, The Help, The Iron Lady, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, Skyfall and Side Effects. Newman also composed the music for HBO’s acclaimed six-hour miniseries Angels in America, directed by Mike Nichols. He received an Emmy® Award for his theme for the HBO original series Six Feet Under.

About The Palm Springs International Film Festival The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is one of the largest film festivals in North America, welcoming 135,000 attendees annually for its lineup of new and celebrated international features and documentaries. The Festival is also known for its annual Black Tie Awards Gala, honoring the best achievements of the filmic year by a celebrated list of talents who, in recent years, have included Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Cate Blanchett, Danny Boyle, Bradley Cooper, George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard, Helen Mirren, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron and Kate Winslet.

The Awards Gala of the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is presented by Cartier and sponsored by Mercedes Benz and Entertainment Tonight. The City of Palm Springs is the Title Sponsor of the Film Festival. Presenting Sponsors are Wells Fargo, The Desert Sun and Spencer’s. Major sponsors are AARP, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Wessman Development, Bank of America, Wintec, Regal Entertainment Group, Windermere Real Estate, Eisenhower Medical Center, Guthy-Renker, Integrated Wealth Management, VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com, Ocean Properties, Panavision, Chihuly and Telefilm Canada.

-PALM SPRINGS OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

SPORTING LEGEND VISITS CAST AND CREW OF HIGHLY ANTICIPATED ORIGINS BIOPIC AS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY WRAPS IN BRAZIL

Monday 9th December – Football legend Pelé visited the set of the feature film which chronicles the origins of his sporting stardom, which has just wrapped principal photography on location in Brazil. Whilst on set during the last weeks of production, Pelé met with the two actors who will play young “Dico” (as Pelé was known in his formative years) - up and coming young Brazilian stars Leonardo Lima Carvalho and Kevin de Paula.

Following his visit, Pelé commented “Coming by the set made me feel so blessed to be a part of such a talented family, who are all coming together to tell the story of my life. The two young actors who will play my younger self will be true stars, as their skills both on screen and on the football pitch proved”.

The 8-week shoot took place entirely on Pelé’s home turf, in Brazil. The exciting, young (and primarily Brazilian) cast was recently revealed to include Leonardo Lima Carvalho as the 10-13 year old “Dico” and Kevin de Paula as the 15-17 year old rising soccer star, who would become the greatest player the game has ever known.

Both Leonardo and Kevin were cast following an extensive nationwide search by the filmmakers earlier this year. The action-filled, inspirational drama has been written and is directed by Jeff and Michael Zimbalist (FAVELA RISING, THE TWO ESCOBARS). Director of Photography is Matthew Libatique (BLACK SWAN, IRON MAN, REQUIEM FOR A DREAM).

Additional cast includes Emmy-nominated Vincent D'Onofrio (MEN IN BLACK, ‘Law and Order: Criminal Intent’) and Rodrigo Santoro (300, LOVE ACTUALLY), as well as Diego Boneta (ROCK OF AGES), Golden Globe nominated Colm Meaney (THE DAMNED UNITED) and Seu Jorge (THE LIFE AQUATIC WITH STEVE ZISSOU, CITY OF GOD).

PELÉ is produced by Imagine Entertainment and Seine Pictures, who successfully acquired the rights to Pelé's life story. The producers are Academy Award ® winning Brian Grazer (SPLASH, APOLLO 13, A BEAUTIFUL MIND AND FROST/NIXON), Ivan Orlic for Seine Pictures, Kim Roth (INSIDE MAN) for Imagine Entertainment and Colin Wilson (ZERO DARK THIRTY and AVATAR). The film will be executive produced by Pelé himself alongside Paul Kemsley for SLI/Legend 10 and Exclusive Media, who are handling international sales for the title. The film will be released internationally in 2014.

Synopsis

PELÉ tells the miraculous story of the legendary soccer player’s rise to glory from a young boy to the 17 year old player who scored the winning goal in Brazil’s first ever World Cup victory in 1958. From a life full of disadvantages and an impoverished youth in Brazil, Pelé used his unorthodox yet authentic style of play and his unbeatable spirit to overcome all odds, find greatness and inspire a country that he changed forever.

-OFFICIAL ORGANIC RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

AMERICAN HUSTLE TO RECEIVE ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE AWARD AT 25th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS GALA

The 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will award its Ensemble Performance Award to the film American Hustle. The award will honor the film’s cast, which includes Amy Adams, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and Jeremy Renner. The Gala will also present awards to previously announced honorees Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Matthew McConaughey, Steve McQueen and Julia Roberts. Presented by Cartier and hosted by Mary Hart, the Awards Gala will be held Saturday, January 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The Festival runs January 3-13, 2014.

“David O. Russell has created a viscerally powerful film,” said Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “American Hustle grabs you from the start and is populated by a group of eminently believable characters as brought to life by this brilliant cast. The Palm Springs International Film Festival is proud to present the entire cast of American Hustle with our 2014 Ensemble Performance Award.”

Past recipients of the Ensemble Performance Award include last year’s Academy Award® winner for Best Picture Argo as well as past Best Picture nominees Babel and The Social Network.

A fictional film set in the alluring world of one of the most extraordinary scandals of the 1970s, American Hustle tells the story of brilliant con man Irving Rosenfeld (Christian Bale), who along with his equally cunning and seductive partner Sydney Prosser (Amy Adams) is forced to work for wild FBI agent Richie DiMaso (Bradley Cooper). DiMaso pushes them into a world of New Jersey powerbrokers and mafia that’s as dangerous as it is enchanting. Jeremy Renner is Carmine Polito, the passionate, volatile political operator caught between the con artists and Feds. Irving’s unpredictable wife Rosalyn (Jennifer Lawrence) could be the one to pull the thread that brings the entire world crashing down. Columbia Pictures and Annapurna Pictures present an Atlas Entertainment production, which also stars Louis C.K., Michael Peña and Alessandro Nivola. Directed by David O. Russell. Written by Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell. Produced by Charles Roven, Richard Suckle, Megan Ellison, and Jonathan Gordon.

The film received Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Lawrence and Best Screenplay written by Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell from the New York Film Critics Circle.

About The Palm Springs International Film Festival The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is one of the largest film festivals in North America, welcoming 135,000 attendees annually for its lineup of new and celebrated international features and documentaries. The Festival is also known for its annual Black Tie Awards Gala, honoring the best achievements of the filmic year by a celebrated list of talents who, in recent years, have included Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Cate Blanchett, Danny Boyle, Bradley Cooper, George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard, Helen Mirren, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron and Kate Winslet.

The Awards Gala of the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is presented by Cartier and sponsored by Mercedes Benz and Entertainment Tonight. The City of Palm Springs is the Title Sponsor of the Film Festival. Presenting Sponsors are Wells Fargo, The Desert Sun and Spencer’s. Major sponsors are AARP, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Wessman Development, Bank of America, Wintec, Regal Entertainment Group, Windermere Real Estate, Eisenhower Medical Center, Guthy-Renker, Integrated Wealth Management, VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com, Ocean Properties, Panavision, Chihuly and Telefilm Canada.

-OFFICIAL PSIFF PRESS RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

Streep at the 56th San Sebastián International Film Festival in 2008

The 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will present Academy Award® winning actress Meryl Streep with the Icon Award at its annual Awards Gala. The Icon Award honors a creative talent who, through the course of his or her career, has created a body of work which symbolizes the highest level of achievement in the motion picture art form. The Gala will also present awards to previously announced honorees Sandra Bullock, Bruce Dern, Tom Hanks, Matthew McConaughey, Steve McQueen, Thomas Newman, Lupita Nyong’o, Julia Roberts and the cast of American Hustle. Presented by Cartier and hosted by Mary Hart, the Awards Gala will be held Saturday, January 4 at the Palm Springs Convention Center. The Festival runs January 3-13, 2014.

“We’re overjoyed to recognize Meryl Streep for yet another Oscar-worthy performance in August: Osage County,” said Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “Meryl Streep’s portrayal of Violet Weston, the matriarch of a dysfunctional family reunited by a tragic incident, will be remembered in her long list of iconic character roles. The Palm Springs International Film Festival is honored to present the 2014 Icon Award to Meryl Streep.” Michael Douglas was the first recipient of the Icon Award.

The Weinstein Company presents August: Osage County which tells the dark, hilarious and deeply touching story of the strong-willed women of the Weston family, whose lives have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the Midwest house they grew up in, and to the dysfunctional woman who raised them. Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer Prize-winning play of the same name made its Broadway debut in December 2007 after premiering at Chicago’s legendary Steppenwolf Theatre. It continued with a successful international run and won five 2008 Tony Awards including Best Play. August: Osage County is directed by John Wells and features an all-star cast including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Ewan McGregor, Chris Cooper, Abigail Breslin, Benedict Cumberbatch, Juliette Lewis, Margo Martindale, Dermot Mulroney, Julianne Nicholson, Sam Shepard and Misty Upham.

For almost 40 years, Meryl Streep has portrayed an astonishing array of characters in a career that has cut its own unique path from the theater through film and television. She received her first Oscar nomination for The Deerhunter. In 2011, in a record that is unsurpassed, she earned her seventeenth Academy Award nomination for her role as Margaret Thatcher in The Iron Lady. For this role, she won the Academy Award, British Academy Award, and the Golden Globe for Best Actress. She was most recently seen in Hope Springs, alongside Tommy Lee Jones and Steve Carell. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe nomination. Streep can currently be seen in August: Osage County and recently finished production on Disney’s Into the Woods and The Weinstein Company’s The Giver.

About The Palm Springs International Film Festival The Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) is one of the largest film festivals in North America, welcoming 135,000 attendees annually for its lineup of new and celebrated international features and documentaries. The Festival is also known for its annual Black Tie Awards Gala, honoring the best achievements of the filmic year by a celebrated list of talents who, in recent years, have included Ben Affleck, Javier Bardem, Cate Blanchett, Danny Boyle, Bradley Cooper, George Clooney, Daniel Day-Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio, Clint Eastwood, Ron Howard, Helen Mirren, Sean Penn, Brad Pitt, Natalie Portman, Charlize Theron and Kate Winslet.

The Awards Gala of the 25th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is presented by Cartier and sponsored by Mercedes Benz and Entertainment Tonight. The City of Palm Springs is the Title Sponsor of the Film Festival. Presenting Sponsors are Wells Fargo, The Desert Sun and Spencer’s. Major sponsors are AARP, Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Wessman Development, Bank of America, Wintec, Regal Entertainment Group, Windermere Real Estate, Eisenhower Medical Center, Guthy-Renker, Integrated Wealth Management, VisitGreaterPalmSprings.com, Ocean Properties, Panavision, Chihuly and Telefilm Canada.

-OFFICIAL PSIFF PRESS RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

25th ANNUAL PALM SPRINGS INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL SCREENS FOREIGN LANGUAGE OSCAR® SHORTLIST

The 25th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF) will screen all nine films selected to advance in the next round of voting in the Foreign Language Film category for the 86th Academy Awards®. The Festival, held from January 3-13, 2014, will screen 46 of the 76 films that had originally qualified in this category.

The films, listed in alphabetical order by country, are:

· The Broken Circle Breakdown (Belgium/Netherlands), Director Felix van Groeningen

· An Episode in the Life of an Iron Picker (Bosnia), Director Danis Tanovic

· The Missing Picture (Cambodia/France), Director Rithy Panh

· The Hunt (Denmark), Director Thomas Vinterberg

· Two Lives (Germany/Norway), Director Georg Maas

· The Grandmaster (Hong Kong), Director Wong Kar-wai

· The Notebook (Le Grand Cahier) (Hungary), Director János Szász

· The Great Beauty (Italy/France), Director Paolo Sorrentino

· Omar (Palestine), Director Hany Abu-Assad

Artistic Director Helen du Toit and Festival Director Darryl Macdonald are thrilled to be presenting all of the Academy's initial shortlist in the Foreign Language Film category at the upcoming Palm Springs International Film Festival. "We extend our heartiest congratulations to those selected!"

A special jury of international film critics will review the eight shortlisted films along with the other 38 films screening in the Festival to award the FIPRESCI Award for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year, Best Actor and Best Actress. For a complete schedule visit http://www.psfilmfest.org.

-OFFICIAL PSIFF PRESS RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

-WINNERS OF 71st GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS-

Best Motion Picture - Drama WINNER: "12 Years a Slave" 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture -- Comedy or Musical WINNER: Amy Adams - "American Hustle"

Best Animated Feature Film WINNER:"Frozen" 

Best Director -- Motion Picture WINNER: Alfonso Cuaron - "Gravity"

Best Foreign Language Film WINNER: "The Great Beauty"

Best Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television WINNER: "Behind the Candelabra" 

Best Picture -- Comedy or Musical WINNER:"American Hustle"

Best Original Score - Movie WINNER: Alex Ebert, "All is Lost" 

Best Original Song - Motion Picture WINNER: Ordinary Love, "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom" 

Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television WINNER: Michael Douglas - "Behind the Candelabra"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical WINNER: Leonardo DiCaprio - "The Wolf of Wall Street"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Drama WINNER: Matthew McConaughey - "Dallas Buyers Club"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture WINNER: Jared Leto - "Dallas Buyers Club"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television WINNER: Jon Voight - "Ray Donovan" 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television WINNER: Jacqueline Bisset - "Dancing on the Edge"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama WINNER: Bryan Cranston - "Breaking Bad"

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series -- Musical or Comedy WINNER: Andy Samberg - "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture WINNER: Jennifer Lawrence - "American Hustle"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television WINNER: Elisabeth Moss - "Top of the Lake" 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture -- Drama WINNER: Cate Blanchett - "Blue Jasmine" 

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama WINNER: Robin Wright - "House of Cards"

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series -- Musical or Comedy WINNER: Amy Poehler - "Parks and Recreation"

Best Screenplay WINNER: Spike Jonze, "Her"

Best Television Series - Drama WINNER: "Breaking Bad"

Best Television Series -- Musical or Comedy WINNER: "Brooklyn Nine-Nine"

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

Looking Back! Cinema’s Greatest Moments: PHILADELPHIA (1993)

Philadelphia (1993) was the first film of its kind, a Hollywood blockbuster addressing the issues of HIV/AIDS and homosexuality. While the Oscar winning film was inspired by the lawsuit against Baker & McKenzie in 1987 by attorneys Geoffrey Bowers and Clarence B Cain Bowers for AIDS discrimination the film was a mélange of inspirations by its storytellers, screenwriter Ron Nyswaner and Oscar winning director Jonathan Demme (The Silence of the Lambs). Beyond Nyswaner's moving script, Demme wanted to make a movie about AIDS because a dear friend of his had been diagnosed with the virus. 

While the film was inspired by one microcosm story (that of Bowers), it was a macro global issue, hence the film begged to be of universal appeal. Demme made a great script an immortal film, Tom Hanks delivered once of the greatest performances of his career earning himself an Oscar for the role of Andrew Beckett and Denzel Washington played one of the most pivotal roles of his acting history as Beckett’s lover Joe Miller.

Philadelphia possesses a legendary appeal and has since become a canon of cinema. Could that be because of its overall universal theme that love conquers all? Or could there also be another mythical element involved in the story that writer Nyswaner well knew about but which is weaved secretly beneath the surface of the story? Why Philadelphia? Sure, it’s a great city and a beautiful one but still, why Philadelphia? To the ancients, the word ‘Philadelphia’ meant ‘love of brothers’ or ‘brotherly love’ and held its place in Gemini where the sun shines brightest on the ecliptic zodiac.

On the ecliptic zodiac that follows the sun’s path through the solar system throughout the 365-day year there are seven signs of light (Aries-Libra) and then five of darkness (Scorpio-Pisces). The seven signs of light begins with Aries when the sun climbs out of the winter months from Pisces and begins its steady ascension towards its peak in Gemini and Cancer and then later continues its dominion all the way to Libra, the seventh sign. The Greeks had words for these seven signs, or seven Elohim, and when the sun passed through the zodiac of Gemini on its way to its highest point shedding its most brilliant light on the summer solstice of June 21st, this place was called 'Philadelphia', otherwise known as the 'twins' or ‘love of brothers' and 'Pollux and Castor' who are two brothers, one human and one a god.

I wonder if screenwriter Ron Nyswaner set his story about love between two men in Philadelphia, knowing about the meaning of the word Philadelphia in Greek? Or is it pure coincidence? Whether the film intended to have legends interlaced within it, it is in itself legendary. The script was nominated for an Academy Awards for Best Original Screenplay. The song "Streets of Philadelphia" by Bruce Springsteen won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

*Note, I used to write these weekly but busyness stopped me. I am now going to start this again. Once a week I will attempt to write a blurb on a great film from the past because looking back is as important as looking ahead. 

Written by Vanessa McMahon

The Broken Circle Breakdown nominated for Foreign-language Oscar

BEVERLY HILLS/BRUSSELS, 16 January 2014. Felix van Groeningen’s The Broken Circle Breakdown, which is representing Belgium at the Academy Awards, is among the five films nominated for this year’s Best Foreign-language Oscar, it was announced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) today. The film is Belgium’s seventh nomination in this category. The winners of the 86th Academy Awards will be announced in Hollywood on 2 March.

The Broken Circle Breakdown tells the story of the great love affair between tattoo artist Elise (Veerle Baetens) and bluegrass musician Didier (Johan Heldenbergh). After bonding over their shared enthusiasm for American music and culture, they dive headfirst into a sweeping romance that plays out on and off stage – but when an unexpected tragedy hits their new family, everything they know and love is put to the test.

Already a box office hit in several territories, The Broken Circle Breakdown features a breakthrough performance by Veerle Baetens, who won Best Actress at both the Tribeca Film Festival and the European Film Awards. Director Felix van Groeningen co-wrote the award-winning screenplay with Carl Joos. The film also picked up the Panorama Audience Award at Berlin, the Best Screenplay Award at Tribeca, and nine Ensor Awards (including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Music) in Belgium. Variety also selected van Groeningen as one of its ‘10 Euro Directors to Watch’. On Sunday, the film also grabbed the top prize at the Palm Springs International Film Festival.

The Broken Circle Breakdown’s soundtrack, scored by Björn Eriksson, has been number one in the soundtrack charts in all the territories where it has been released and has become the best-selling soundtrack of all time in Belgium. Co-stars Baetens and Heldenbergh perform their own songs in the film, and are part of the offscreen Broken Circle Breakdown Bluegrass Band, whose European tour is sold out all through 2014.

Director of photography is Ruben Impens, while Nico Leunen signed for the editing. Jan Deca was responsible for the sound department, with Michael Schöpping in charge of sound design. Production designer is Kurt Rigolle, with Ann Lauwerys as costume designer and Diana Dreesen responsible for make-up.

The Broken Circle Breakdown is produced by Dirk Impens for Menuet, in co-production with Topkapi Films (NL). The film is released in the US by Tribeca Film. International sales are handled by The Match Factory. The film received production and promotional support from the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF).

Two years ago, Belgium’s Bullhead by Michaël R. Roskam, starring Matthias Schoenaerts, also made it to the list of the five Foreign-language nominees.

View trailer here: 

-OFFICIAL FLANDERS i PRESS RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

RETURN TO HOMS, the powerful and timely documentary from Syrian filmmakers director Talal Derki and producer Orwa Nyrabia, will have its North American premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2014 in the World Cinema Documentary Competition.

The film recently had its world premiere at the highly respected International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), where it was the opening night film and received acclaim from audiences and critics.

Sundance programmer Caroline Libresco had this to say about the film in a recent interview with RealScreen: "Return to Homs, which opened IDFA in November, is an extraordinary story of two young Syrians living in the beleaguered area of Homs, Syria. They start out as pacifist activists, trying to fight for the liberation of their country, and the film follows them as they become embroiled in the battle of Homs, and how that pacificism turns to violent means and they become completely enmeshed. The camera is in the middle of fighting, and everywhere a news camera could never go."

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Filmed between August 2011 and August 2013, RETURN TO HOMS is a remarkably intimate portrait of a group of young revolutionaries in the city of Homs in western Syria. They dream of their country being free from President Bashar al-Assad and fight for justice through peaceful demonstrations. As the army acts ever more brutally and their city is transformed into a ghost town, the young men become armed insurgents. The protagonists are two friends: Basset, the charismatic 19-year-old goalkeeper of the national soccer team whose revolutionary songs make him the voice of the protest movement, and the 24-year-old media activist and cameraman Ossama. The close-up camerawork takes the viewer right into the group. Scenes of lively protest parties make way for panicking civilians on the run, followed by grim battles in a deserted city, and rising numbers of fallen loved ones. Basset's a cappella protest songs are the only soundtrack, apart from the "silence, interrupted only by birds and bullets." From time to time, the director makes a comment in voice-over: “The world is watching how we are getting killed one by one, while it remains silent as the grave.”

BACK-STORY (YOU MAY RECALL): There is an interesting back-story to this project: Syrian-born producer Orwa Nyrabia (his hometown is Homs), a veteran filmmaker, actor and co-founder of the DOX BOX film festival, was detained in Damascus in August 2012 by the Syria government as a result of his work on this film. This detention received international attention and leading film industry groups including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, IFP, Producers Guild of America, Writers Guild of America, Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Institute and other leading American film organizations issued a plea for his release in September that year. Without the support of the film community he may never have been released and the film would not have seen the light of day.

EARLY ACCLAIM: The Hollywood Reporter's Neil Young writes that RETURN TO HOMS is a "harrowing behind-the-barricades dispatch" and "an unflinching, rousing civil-war reportage, literally dispatched from the conflict's front-lines."

-OFFICIAL SUNDANCE PRESS-

Check out Sundance Film Festival Dailies at:

http://www.filmfestivals.com/blog/sundance

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

"Playing with cards is like life itself. You don't play with the cards you wish you had, but with the hand you're dealt." Jean-Yves Ollivier (October 8, 1944).

The film PLOT FOR PEACE (2013) tells the story of Algerian born Jean-Yves Ollivier and his work as a French unofficial diplomat between Europe and Africa in the 1980’s. He has worked as a well-connected businessman for underdeveloped growing markets for over 40 years and was a personal advisor to Jacques Chirac. Throughout his career, Ollivier was involved with many international negotiations, including a mediation in Comoros Islands between French military and the Comoros nationals, organized SA president Frederik de Klerk’s visit to France, negotiations between Sun City in South Africa and the Congo and helping Nelson Mandela in his fight to end Apartheid in South Africa.

While Nelson Mandela was on his way to becoming the new South Africa’s first president and the courageous soldier P.W. Botha was warring against apartheid, Ollivier was secretly and unofficially traveling throughout the African continent seeking to bridge the abyss between warring African nations in an ongoing and seemingly relentless pursuit of peace. Awarded with the highest honors by Mandela and Botha, as a representative for peace, Ollivier spent the majority of his career in the plot for peace in Africa.

In 1987, Jean-Yves Ollivier was awarded the ‘Order of Good Hope’ by Foreign minister Roelof “Pik” Botha and in 1995, he was made Grand Officer of the Order of Good Hope by Nelson Mandela for helping in the fight against Apartheid. Ollivier is the only French non-politician to have received such accolades. Ollivier was given the title “Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur” and “Chevalier de l’Ordre National du Mérite” in France, “Commandeur de l’Ordre de Mérite Congolais” in Congo Brazzaville and “Grand Officier de l ‘Étoile d’Anjouan” in Comoros. 

Directed by Carlos Agulló, this documentary is a poetic telling of one man's quest inside the brutal pan-African civil war. While it is based on the life of one man’s work, the film presents a fresh perspective on a universally crucial situation. PLOT FOR PEACE played at the 25th Palm Springs International Film Festival in the ‘True Stories’ section.

-Written by Vanessa McMahon

Plot for Peace
South Africa, 2013, 84 Minute Running Time 
Topics: Documentary, Political 
Program: True Stories
Language: English English Sub-Titles Winner: Jury and Audience Awards, Galway, São Paolo, and Hamptons Film Festivals 



DIRECTOR: Carlos Agulló 
Producer: Mandy Jacobson
Editor: Carlos Agulló
Screenwriter: Stephen Smith
Cinematographer: Rita Noriega, Diego Ollivier
Music: Antony Partos
Principal Cast: Jean-Yves Ollivier, Thabo Mbeki, Pik Botha, Winnie Mandela, Chester Crocker
Filmography: Debut Feature
Print Source: Wide House

Official website: http://www.plotforpeace.com/

View trailer here:

"RETURN TO HOMS" Grand Jury Prize Winner for World Cinema Documentary @ Sundance 2014

RETURN TO HOMS, the powerful and timely documentary from Syrian filmmakers director Talal Derki and producer Orwa Nyrabia, had its North American premiere at Sundance Film Festival 2014 in the World Cinema Documentary Competition.

At the Sundance awards ceremony, where the film won the Grand Jury Prize, the jury said: "We wanted to choose a film that really deeply captured our hearts. From one of the darkest corners of the world emerged a film that explores affection, brotherhood and love. And a central character whose conviction drove a generation of young people to fight for what they believe in. Despite inhumane conditions, the filmmaking team was able to deliver a beautifully-crafted film, while working with elements that were totally out of their control."

View Trailer here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYMhVE2iJCk

Sundance programmer Caroline Libresco had this to say about the film in a recent interview with RealScreen: "Return to Homs, which opened IDFA in November, is an extraordinary story of two young Syrians living in the beleaguered area of Homs, Syria. They start out as pacifist activists, trying to fight for the liberation of their country, and the film follows them as they become embroiled in the battle of Homs, and how that pacificism turns to violent means and they become completely enmeshed. The camera is in the middle of fighting, and everywhere a news camera could never go."

BRIEF SYNOPSIS: Filmed between August 2011 and August 2013, RETURN TO HOMS is a remarkably intimate portrait of a group of young revolutionaries in the city of Homs in western Syria. They dream of their country being free from President Bashar al-Assad and fight for justice through peaceful demonstrations. As the army acts ever more brutally and their city is transformed into a ghost town, the young men become armed insurgents. The protagonists are two friends: Basset, the charismatic 19-year-old goalkeeper of the national soccer team whose revolutionary songs make him the voice of the protest movement, and the 24-year-old media activist and cameraman Ossama. The close-up camerawork takes the viewer right into the group. Scenes of lively protest parties make way for panicking civilians on the run, followed by grim battles in a deserted city, and rising numbers of fallen loved ones. Basset's a cappella protest songs are the only soundtrack, apart from the "silence, interrupted only by birds and bullets." From time to time, the director makes a comment in voice-over: “The world is watching how we are getting killed one by one, while it remains silent as the grave.”

BACK-STORY (YOU MAY RECALL): There is an interesting back-story to this project: Syrian-born producer Orwa Nyrabia (his hometown is Homs), a veteran filmmaker, actor and co-founder of the DOX BOX film festival, was detained in Damascus in August 2012 by the Syria government as a result of his work on this film. This detention received international attention and leading film industry groups including the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, IFP, Producers Guild of America, Writers Guild of America, Sundance Institute, Tribeca Film Institute and other leading American film organizations issued a plea for his release in September that year. Without the support of the film community he may never have been released and the film would not have seen the light of day.

EARLY ACCLAIM: The Hollywood Reporter's Neil Young writes that RETURN TO HOMS is a "harrowing behind-the-barricades dispatch" and "an unflinching, rousing civil-war reportage, literally dispatched from the conflict's front-lines."

-Return to Homs Press Release-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon **Stay tuned for interview with director Talal Derki

Sundance 2014 Winners!

Park City, UT — Sundance Institute this evening announced the Jury, Audience and other special awards of the 2014 Sundance Film Festival at the feature film Awards Ceremony, hosted by Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally, in Park City, Utah. Video of the ceremony in its entirety is available at www.sundance.org/live.

The U.S. Grand JuryPrize: Documentary was presented by Tracy Chapman to:

Rich Hill / U.S.A. (Directors: Andrew Droz Palermo, Tracy Droz Tragos) — In a rural, American town, kids face heartbreaking choices, find comfort in the most fragile of family bonds, and dream of a future of possibility.

The U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Leonard Maltin to: Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons.

The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Documentary was presented by Andrea Nix Fine to: Return to Homs / Syria, Germany (Director: Talal Derki) — Basset Sarout, the 19-year-old national football team goalkeeper, becomes a demonstration leader and singer, and then a fighter. Ossama, a 24-year-old renowned citizen cameraman, is critical, a pacifist, and ironic until he is detained by the regime's security forces.

The World Cinema Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic was presented by Nansun Shi to: To Kill a Man / Chile, France (Director and screenwriter: Alejandro Fernández Almendras) — When Jorge, a hardworking family man who's barely making ends meet, gets mugged by Kalule, a neighborhood delinquent, Jorge's son decides to confront the attacker, only to get himself shot. Even though Jorge's son nearly dies, Kalule's sentence is minimal, heightening the friction. Cast: Daniel Candia, Daniel Antivilo, Alejandra Yañez, Ariel Mateluna.

The Audience Award: U.S. Documentary Presented by Acura, was presented by William H. Macy to: Alive Inside: A Story of Music & Memory / U.S.A. (Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett) — Five million Americans suffer from Alzheimer's disease and dementia—many of them alone in nursing homes. A man with a simple idea discovers that songs embedded deep in memory can ease pain and awaken these fading minds. Joy and life are resuscitated, and our cultural fears over aging are confronted.

The Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic Presented by Acura, was presented by William H. Macy to: Whiplash / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Damien Chazelle) — Under the direction of a ruthless instructor, a talented young drummer begins to pursue perfection at any cost, even his humanity. Cast: Miles Teller, JK Simmons.

The Audience Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Felicity Huffman to: The Green Prince / Germany, Israel, United Kingdom (Director: Nadav Schirman ) — This real-life thriller tells the story of one of Israel’s prized intelligence sources, recruited to spy on his own people for more than a decade. Focusing on the complex relationship with his handler, The Green Prince is a gripping account of terror, betrayal, and unthinkable choices, along with a friendship that defies all boundaries.

The Audience Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Felicity Huffman to: Difret / Ethiopia (Director and screenwriter: Zeresenay Berhane Mehari) — Meaza Ashenafi is a young lawyer who operates under the government's radar helping women and children until one young girl's legal case exposes everything, threatening not only her career but her survival. Cast: Meron Getnet, Tizita Hagere.

The Audience Award: Best of NEXT <=> was presented by Nick Offerman to: Imperial Dreams / U.S.A. (Director: Malik Vitthal, Screenwriters: Malik Vitthal, Ismet Prcic) — A 21-year-old, reformed gangster's devotion to his family and his future are put to the test when he is released from prison and returns to his old stomping grounds in Watts, Los Angeles. Cast: John Boyega, Rotimi Akinosho, Glenn Plummer, Keke Palmer, De'aundre Bonds.

The Directing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Morgan Neville to: Ben Cotner & Ryan White for The Case Against 8 / U.S.A. (Directors: Ben Cotner, Ryan White) — A behind-the-scenes look inside the case to overturn California's ban on same-sex marriage. Shot over five years, the film follows the unlikely team that took the first federal marriage equality lawsuit to the U.S. Supreme Court.

The Directing Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Lone Scherfig to: Cutter Hodierne for Fishing Without Nets / U.S.A., Somalia, Kenya (Director: Cutter Hodierne, Screenwriters: Cutter Hodierne, John Hibey, David Burkman) — A story of pirates in Somalia told from the perspective of a struggling, young Somali fisherman. Cast: Abdikani Muktar, Abdi Siad, Abduwhali Faarah, Abdikhadir Hassan, Reda Kateb, Idil Ibrahim.

The Directing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Sally Riley to: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard for 20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit.

The Directing Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Sebastián Lelio to: Sophie Hyde for 52 Tuesdays / Australia (Director: Sophie Hyde, Screenplay and story by: Matthew Cormack, Story by: Sophie Hyde) — Sixteen-year-old Billie’s reluctant path to independence is accelerated when her mother reveals plans for gender transition, and their time together becomes limited to Tuesdays. This emotionally charged story of desire, responsibility, and transformation was filmed over the course of a year—once a week, every week, only on Tuesdays. Cast: Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Del Herbert-Jane, Imogen Archer, Mario Späte, Beau Williams, Sam Althuizen.

The Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Peter Saraf to: Craig Johnson & Mark Heyman for The Skeleton Twins / U.S.A. (Director: Craig Johnson, Screenwriters: Craig Johnson, Mark Heyman) — When estranged twins Maggie and Milo feel that they’re at the end of their ropes, an unexpected reunion forces them to confront why their lives went so wrong. As the twins reconnect, they realize the key to fixing their lives may just lie in repairing their relationship. Cast: Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell, Boyd Holbrook, Joanna Gleason.

The Screenwriting Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Sebastián Lelio to: Eskil Vogt for Blind / Norway, Netherlands (Director and screenwriter: Eskil Vogt) — Having recently lost her sight, Ingrid retreats to the safety of her home—a place she can feel in control, alone with her husband and her thoughts. But Ingrid's real problems lie within, not beyond the walls of her apartment, and her deepest fears and repressed fantasies soon take over. Cast: Ellen Dorrit Petersen, Henrik Rafaelsen, Vera Vitali, Marius Kolbenstvedt.

The Editing Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Jonathan Oppenheim to: Jenny Golden, Karen Sim for Watchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action.

The Editing Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Sally Riley to: Jonathan Amos for 20,000 Days On Earth / United Kingdom (Directors: Iain Forsyth & Jane Pollard) — Drama and reality combine in a fictitious 24 hours in the life of musician and international culture icon Nick Cave. With startlingly frank insights and an intimate portrayal of the artistic process, this film examines what makes us who we are and celebrates the transformative power of the creative spirit.

The Cinematography Award: U.S. Documentary was presented by Kahane Cooperman to: Rachel Beth Anderson, Ross Kauffman for E-TEAM / U.S.A. (Directors: Katy Chevigny, Ross Kauffman) — E-TEAM is driven by the high-stakes investigative work of four intrepid human rights workers, offering a rare look at their lives at home and their dramatic work in the field.

The Cinematography Award: U.S. Dramatic was presented by Peter Saraf to: Christopher Blauvelt for Low Down / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Preiss, Screenwriters: Amy-Jo Albany, Topper Lilien) — Based on Amy-Jo Albany's memoir, Low Down explores her heart-wrenching journey to adulthood while being raised by her father, bebop pianist Joe Albany, as he teeters between incarceration and addiction in the urban decay and waning bohemia of Hollywood in the 1970s. Cast: John Hawkes, Elle Fanning, Glenn Close, Lena Headey, Peter Dinklage, Flea.

The Cinematography Award: World Cinema Documentary was presented by Caspar Sonnen to: Thomas Balmès & Nina Bernfeld for Happiness / France, Finland (Director: Thomas Balmès) — Peyangki is a dreamy and solitary eight-year-old monk living in Laya, a Bhutanese village perched high in the Himalayas. Soon the world will come to him: the village is about to be connected to electricity, and the first television will flicker on before Peyangki's eyes.

The Cinematography Award: World Cinema Dramatic was presented by Carlo Chatrian to: Ula Pontikos for Lilting / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Hong Khaou) — The world of a Chinese mother mourning the untimely death of her son is suddenly disrupted by the presence of a stranger who doesn't speak her language. Lilting is a touching and intimate film about finding the things that bring us together. Cast: Ben Whishaw, Pei-Pei Cheng, Andrew Leung, Peter Bowles, Naomi Christie, Morven Christie.

A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Use of Animation was presented by Charlotte Cook to: Watchers of the Sky / U.S.A. (Director: Edet Belzberg) — Five interwoven stories of remarkable courage from Nuremberg to Rwanda, from Darfur to Syria, and from apathy to action.

A U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Intuitive Filmmaking was presented by Charlotte Cook to: The Overnighters / U.S.A. (Director: Jesse Moss) — Desperate, broken men chase their dreams and run from their demons in the North Dakota oil fields. A local Pastor's decision to help them has extraordinary and unexpected consequences.

A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Musical Score was presented by Dana Stevens to: The Octopus Project for Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter/ U.S.A. (Director: David Zellner, Screenwriters: David Zellner, Nathan Zellner) — A lonely Japanese woman becomes convinced that a satchel of money buried in a fictional film is, in fact, real. Abandoning her structured life in Tokyo for the frozen Minnesota wilderness, she embarks on an impulsive quest to search for her lost mythical fortune. Cast: Rinko Kikuchi.

A U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent was presented by Dana Stevens to: Justin Simien for Dear White People/ U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Justin Simien) — Four black students attend an Ivy League college where a riot breaks out over an “African American” themed party thrown by white students. With tongue planted firmly in cheek, the film explores racial identity in postracial America while weaving a story about forging one's unique path in the world. Cast: Tyler Williams, Tessa Thompson, Teyonah Parris, Brandon Bell.

A World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for the Delightful Ensemble Performance, and How the Director Brought His Own Unique Universe into Cinema was presented by Carlo Chatrian to: God Help the Girl / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Stuart Murdoch) — This musical from Stuart Murdoch of Belle & Sebastian is about some messed up boys and girls and the music they made. Cast: Emily Browning, Olly Alexander, Hannah Murray, Pierre Boulanger, Cora Bissett.

A World Cinema Documentary Special Jury Award for Cinematic Bravery was presented by Caspar Sonnen to: We Come as Friends / France, Austria (Director: Hubert Sauper) — We Come as Friends is a modern odyssey, a science fiction–like journey in a tiny homemade flying machine into the heart of Africa. At the moment when the Sudan, Africa's biggest country, is being divided into two nations, a "civilizing" pathology transcends the headlines—colonialism, imperialism, and yet-another holy war over resources.

The Short Film Audience Award, Presented by YouTube, based on web traffic for 15 short films that screened at the Festival and were concurrently featured on www.youtube.com/sff, was presented to: Chapel Perilous / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Matthew Lessner) — Levi Gold is paid an unexpected visit by Robin, a door-to-door salesman with nothing to sell. The ensuing encounter forces Levi to confront his true mystical calling, and the nature of reality itself. A metaphysical comedy trip-out with Sun Araw.

** For more Sundance news, visit: http://www.filmfestivals.com/blog/sundance

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

16th THESSALONIKI DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL - Images of the 21st Century. March 14 – 23, 2014

16th TDF FILM LINE-UP, FIPRESCI JURY & SIDEBAR EVENTS

The 16th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival - Images of the 21st Century, part of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, presents approximately 185 films (shorts and features) by directors from all over the world, as well as a full parallel events program.

FILM PREMIERES

The 16th TDF presents 3 world, 12 international, 8 European and 137 Greek premieres, amongst which are:

Bastards by Deborah Perkin, U.K. (World) chronicles the against-all-odds struggle of a young Moroccan woman to legitimize her forced marriage and register her child; She is my Husband by Annamaria Gallone, Italy (World) follows a lawyer and the events following his coming-out at the age of 52 and leading to his wedding to his partner; The Starfish Throwers by Jesse Roesler, USA (World) introduces us to three very different people who take it upon themselves to help people in need; Life Sentences by Yaron Shani and Nurit Kedar, Israel (International) traces the attempts of a man who constantly tries to define his identity, which has been irrevocably stigmatized by the marriage between his terrorist Palestinian father’s and his Jewish mother; Heritages by Philippe Aractingi, Lebanon, France, Switzerland (International) links contemporary Lebanese history with elements from the director’s autobiography in a light-hearted story; The Ninth Life of Gualdino by Filipe Araujo, Portugal (International) follows an incredibly determined man who refuses to give up on life even after a stroke leaves half of his body paralyzed; Harvest of Empire by Eduardo Lopez and Peter Getzels, USA (European) takes an unflinching look at the role that US economic interests and military actions played in triggering unprecedented waves of migration from Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean and, I Learn America by Gitte Peng and Jean-Michel Dissard, USA (European) shares the story of five teenagers who study at the International High School at Lafayette, a Brooklyn public high school dedicated to newly arrived immigrants from all over the world.

FIPRESCI JURY

An international FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) jury will hand out one award to a Greek documentary and one award to a foreign documentary. The five-member FIPRESCI Jury is composed of:

Annika Gustafsson, Sweden, President Frédéric Ponsard, France Alexey Gusev, Russia Fritz de Jong, The Netherlands, and Michael Pattison, UK

OPENING FILM Linar by Nastia Tarasova, Russia, 2013 A young boy with a wise heart leads the way for the 16th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival opening night. Linar by Nastia Tarasova follows the odyssey of Linar, a Russian boy who travels to Italy to receive a heart transplant. Tarasova narrates with sensitivity and respect Linar’s adventure and the relationships he forms with the people who take care of him, highlighting his inspirational courage and will.

SIDEBAR EVENTS

“DISTRIBUTING AN AUTEUR DOCUMENTARY - A CASE STUDY ON I AM BREATHING” - EDN DOCS IN THESSALONIKI - MASTERCLASS Friday, March 21, 11:15 – 13:00, John Cassavetes Theatre Ben Kempas, Producer of Marketing and Distribution at Scottish Documentary Institute, has been in charge of distributing and promoting the acclaimed documentary I Am Breathing by Emma Davie and Morag McKinnon. Kempas will share behind the scenes information, as well as strategies and tools for launching a documentary to a wide audience, mentioning a process that centred on a Global Screening Day, which was a big experiment in collaborative distribution that led to more than 300 events in over 40 countries. Speaker: Ben Kempas, Scottish Documentary Institute Moderator: Ove Rishøj Jensen, EDN

ENRI CANAJ: IN A SHARP FRAME - PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION Contemporary Art Center of Thessaloniki –Warehouse B1, Port, 15-24/3, Opening Hours: 10:00-18:00 daily

As part of the 16th TDF sidebar events, the photography exhibition Enri Canaj: In a Sharp Frame will have its inauguration on Saturday, March 15th. An array of disarming human stories is captured by Enri Canaj’s lens that presents a view of the contemporary world, which lies between the margins and the everyday struggle for survival. The exhibition is organized by the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, with the support of the Thessaloniki State Museum of Contemporary Art. The Enri Canaj: In a Sharp Frame Photography Exhibition will be accompanied by a Catalogue.

THESSALONIKI CINEMATHEQUE LIBRARY Inaugurated in March 2013, the Thessaloniki Cinematheque Library, yet another institution of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, is the largest film library in the country, containing Greek and international books and magazines covering a wide range of topics regarding information, study and research on the art of film. Approximately 10,000 books, and Greek and international magazines on film constitute the collection, part of which is already digitized for prosperity and easier access to the public. The Thessaloniki Film Library is hosted at the Cinema Museum – Cinematheque, in Warehouse A at the City Port.

JUST TALKING 16-22 March (inclusive), 16.00–17.30 Electra Palace Hotel ground floor, Excelsior Room The Just Talking event, introduced in 2006, brings filmmakers from various parts of the world together and creates a platform of communication, promoting creativity and forging collaboration. Daily discussion groups of directors and producers revolve around issues that concern documentary filmmakers. Apart from the groups, all other accredited festival attendees are admitted to the sessions and can either simply listen or participate.

LIVE STREAMING PROJECT The 16th TDF will be implementing again this year this innovative program in collaboration with the Electro-Acoustic and Television Systems Laboratory at the Polytechnic School of Thessaloniki’s Aristotle University. Film screenings, directors’ Q&As and various events are made accessible to the Greek periphery through the use of streaming technology, thus providing faraway audiences the opportunity to experience the Festival.

MARKET TALKS March 19-21, 17:30-18:00 Electra Palace Hotel, Excelsior Lounge The Doc Μarket organizes, for the third time this year, a series of 30-minute lectures by distinguished documentary film professionals, who will share valuable advice and useful observations drawn from their own extensive experience in the industry. This year’s speakers are: - Wednesday 19/3 - EDN presentation by Ove Rishøj Jensen - Thursday 20/3 - OTE TV presentation by Alexandros Christoyiannis - Friday 21/3 - Al Jazeera presentation by Flora Gregory

16th TDF FILM LINE-UP

HUMAN RIGHTS

• UNDER TORTURE, Cristina JUAREZ ZEPEDA, Mexico, 2013, 63’ • LEAVING GREECE, Anna BRASS, Germany, 2013, 79’ • BREF, Christina PITOULI, Spain, Greece, 2013, 30’ • UKRAINE IS NOT A BROTHEL, Kitty GREEN, Ukraine, Australia, 2013, 78’ • MILLIONS CAN WALK, Christoph SCHAUB, Kamal MUSALE, Switzerland, 2013, 88’ • DANGEROUS ACTS STARRING THE UNSTABLE ELEMENTS OF BELARUS, Madeleine SACKLER, USA, 2014, 76’ • THE YEARS OF FIERRO, Santiago ESTEINOU, Mexico, 2013, 98’ • NO MAN'S LAND, Michael GRAVERSEN, United Kingdom, 2013, 29’ • RETURN TO HOMS, Talal DERKI, Syria, Germany, 2013, 87’ • PLAYING WITH FIRE, Anneta PAPATHANASIOU, Greece, 2013, 80’ • EVAPORATING BORDERS, Iva RADIVOJEVIC, USA, Cyprus, 2014, 73’ • CAPULCU: VOICES FROM GEZI, Benedetta ARGENTIERI, Carlo PREVOSTI, Claudio CASAZZA, Duccio SERVI, Stefano ZOJA, Italy, Turkey, 2013, 60’

VIEWS OF THE WORLD

• TITO ON ICE, Helena AHONEN, Max ANDERSSON, Sweden, Germany, 2012, 74’ • FOREST OF THE DANCING SPIRITS, Linda VASTRIK, Sweden, Canada, 2013, 104’ • EVERYDAY REBELLION, Arash T. RIAHI, Arman T. RIAHI, Austria, Switzerland, 2013, 60’ • SONG FROM THE FOREST, Michael OBERT, Germany, USA, Central African Republic, 2013, 96’ • VOICES OF EL ALTO, Benjamin OROZA, Finland, South Africa, 2013, 49’ • HUMAN GEOGRAPHY, Claire SIMON, France, 2013, 101’ • DOLLARS FOR A SAINT, Avra GEORGIOU, Greece, 2013, 57’ • RIO 2016, Bianca ROTARU, Romania, 2013, 28’ • HAPPINESS, Thomas BALMES, France, Finland, 2013, 80’ • THE STARFISH THROWERS, Jesse ROESLER, USA, India, 2013, 83’ • CANDLES IN THE WIND, Kavita BAHL, Nandan SAXENA, India, 2013, 52’ • KISMET, Nina Maria PASCHALIDOU, Cyprus, Greece, 2013, 58’ • YUSEF'S SONG, Costas PLIAKOS, Greece, 2014, 75’ • PUTINS SPIELE/PUTIN'S GAMES, Alexander GENTELEV, Germany, Israel, Austria, 2013, 90΄

PORTRAITS – HUMAN JOURNEYS

• VOJTA LAVICKA: UPS AND DOWNS, Helena TRESTIKOVA, Czech Republic, 2013, 89’ • THE IRRESISTIBLE RISE OF MOISE KATUMBI, Thierry MICHEL, Belgium, 2013, 80’ • THE VALLEY OF THE JATO, Caterina MOZANI, Sergio VEGA BORREGO, United Kingdom, Italy, 2012, 67’ • THE MAN WHO MADE ANGELS FLY, Wiktoria SZYMANSKA, United Kingdom, France, Poland, 2013, 65’ • WHAT NOW? REMIND ME, Joaquim PINTO, Portugal, 2013, 164’ • AIN'T MISBEHAVIN, Marcel OPHULS, France, 2013, 106’ • PARADE, Olivier MEYROU, France, 2013, 72’ • GOOD OL' FREDA, Ryan WHITE, USA, 2013, 86’ • THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF DORIS PAYNE, Kirk MARCOLINA, Matthew POND, USA, 2013, 74’ • FILTHY GORGEOUS: THE BOB GUCCIONE STORY, Barry AVRICH, Canada, 2013, 96’ • RELENTLESS, Dimitris STATIRIS, Greece, Italy, Switzerland, 2013, 53’ • THE TRIALS OF MUHAMMAD ALI, Bill SIEGEL, USA, 2013, 92’ • GENEVIEVE CLANCY, INSTANTS OF LIFE, Iro SIAFLIAKI, Greece, France, 2013, 75’ • ARIKA. A, Menios KARAYANNIS, Greece, 2013, 79’ • LOUIS, 7 TIMES YOU FALL, 8 TIMES YOU GET BACK ON THE HORSE, Yorgos ZERVAS, Greece, 2014, 62’ • TIME FOR HEROES, Angelos KOVOTSOS, Kalliopi LEGAKI, Greece, 2014, 70’ • ARIEL, Laura BARI, Canada, 2013, 95’ • FINDING VIVIAN MAIER, Charlie SISKEL, John MALOOF, USA, 2013, 84’

RECORDINGS OF MEMORY

• THE KALUSZ I THOUGHT I KNEW, Bernard DICHEK, Israel, Ukraine, 2013, 27’ • L'IMAGE MANQUANTE/THE MISSING PICTURE, Rithy PANH, France, Cambodia, 2013, 91’ • IN THE DARK ROOM, Nadav SCHIRMAN, Germany, Israel, Finland, Romania, Italy, 2013, 88’ • THUNDER RUN ON BAGHDAD, Jean-Pierre KRIEF, France, 2013, 133’ • OUR MAN IN TEHRAN, Drew TAYLOR & Larry WEINSTEIN, Canada, 2013, 85’ • HARVEST OF EMPIRE, Eduardo LOPEZ & Peter GETZELS, USA, 2012, 92’ • THE LAST OF THE UNJUST, Claude LANZMANN, France, Austria, 2013, 218’ • HERITAGES, Philippe ARACTINGI, Lebanon, France, Switzerland, 2013, 90’ • AFFECTION TO THE PEOPLE, Vassilis DOUVLIS, Greece, 2013, 91’ • LIFE SENTENCES, Nurit KEDAR & Yaron SHANI, Israel, 2013, 94’ • KALAVRYTA-PEOPLE AND SHADOWS, Elias YANNAKAKIS, Greece, 2014, 111’ • PALIKARI (LOUIS TIKAS AND THE LUDLOW MASSACRE), Nikolaos VENTOURAS, Greece, 2014, 92’ • THE UNKNOWN KNOWN, Errol MORRIS, USA, 2013, 104’

STORIES TO TELL

• THE MANOR, Shawney COHEN & Mike GALLAY, Canada, 2013, 78’ • A FRAGILE TRUST: PLAGIARISM, POWER, AND JAYSON BLAIR AT THE NEW YORK TIMES, Samantha Grant WIESLER, USA, 2013, 76’ • THE DEVIL'S LAIR, Riaan HENDRICKS, South Africa, 2013, 82’ • BLICK IN DEN ABGRUND/PROFILERS-GAZE INTO THE ABYSS, Barbara EDER, Austria, Germany, 2014, 85’ • THE SPECIAL NEED, Carlo ZORATTI, Germany, Italy, 2013, 84’ • THE BEEKEEPER, Mano KHALIL, Switzerland, 2013, 107’ • CANTOS, Charlie PETERSMANN, Switzerland, 2013, 75’ • HELLO STRANGER, Thomas AMMANN, Switzerland, 2012, 46’ • THE NAKED ROOM, Nuria IBANEZ, Mexico, 2013, 70’ • THE GENIUS OF MARIAN, Anna FITCH & Banker WHITE, USA, 2013, 86’ • BEACH BOY, Emil LANGBALLE, United Kingdom, 2013, 27’ • THE LAST MIGRATION, Fereydoun NAJAFI, Iran, 2013, 60’ • OFF ROAD, Elisa AMORUSO, Italy, 2013, 70’ • BUT, I REMEMBER SEEING SORCERERS FLY AWAY, Ananda HENRY-BIABAUD & Myriam BOUSAHA, France, 2013, 54’ • THE SHEBABS OF YARMOUK, Axel SALVATORI-SINZ, France, 2013, 78’ • SOUL FOOD STORIES, Tonislav HRISTOV, Bulgaria, Finland, 2013, 70’ • SICKFUCKPEOPLE, Juri RECHINSKY, Austria, 2013, 75’ • EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE, Lidia DUDA, Poland, 2013, 54’ • OVERDOSE - RUN FOR A DREAM, Gabor FERENCZI, Hungary, 2013, 72’ • AMERICAN VAGABOND, Susanna HELKE, Finland, Denmark, 2013, 85’ • APOLLONIAN STORY, Dan BRONFELD & Ilan MOSKOVITCH, Israel, 2013, 69’ • STREAM OF LOVE, Agnes SOS, Hungary, 2013, 70’ • LOST IN THE BEWILDERNESS, Alexandra ANTHONY, USA, Greece, 2014, 98’ • SHE IS MY HUSBAND, Annamaria GALLONE & Gloria Aura BORTOLINI, Italy, 2013, 50’ • AMERICAN DREAMER, Thomas HALEY, France, 2012, 32’ • MY WAY TO OLYMPIA, Niko VON GLASOW, Germany, 2013, 85’ • FAREWELL TO HOLLYWOOD, Henry CORRA & Regina NICHOLSON, USA, 2013, 123’ • THE DOG, Allison BERG & Frank KERAUDREN, USA, 2013, 101’ • ELENA, Petra COSTA, Brazil, 2012, 82’ • THE GOOD SON, Shirly BERKOVITZ, Israel, 2013, 52’ • DESERT RUNNERS, Jennifer STEINMAN, USA, 2013, 96’ • A SEPARATION, Karin EKBERG, Sweden, 2013, 70’ • LIFE IN THE BORDERLANDS, Babis TSOUTSAS, Agatha DARLASI, Eleni LAMBROPOULOU, Yannis NIKOLAOU, Mihail Arman POGOSIAN, Greece, 2014, 50’ • KILLING TIME, Jaap VAN HOEWIJK, Netherlands, 2013, 54’ • WHERE IS MY SON?, Chaimin AHN, South Korea, 2013, 52’ • WHEN I WILL BE DICTATOR, Yael ANDRE, Belgium, 2013, 90’ • WE DID IT ON A SONG, David ANDRE, France, 2013, 82’ • THE OPTIMISTS, Gunhild Westhagen MAGNOR, Norway, 2013, 90’ • GRAZING THE SKY, Horacio ALCALA, Spain, Mexico, Portugal, 2013, 87’ • CESAR'S GRILL, Dario AGUIRRE, Germany, Switzerland, 2013, 88’

SOCIETY

• HOUSE OF LIGHT, Alexandra WELTZ & Navina KHATIB, Germany, 2013, 64’ • ON THE EDGE OF THE WORLD, Claus DREXEL, France, 2013, 98’ • I LEARN AMERICA, Gitte PENG & Jean-Michel DISSARD, USA, 2013, 92’ • HOMETOWN - MUTONIA, Anna DE MANINCOR, Massimo CAROZZI, Zimmer FREI, Italy, 2013, 69’ • THE CONDEMNED, Mark FRANCHETTI & Nick READ, United Kingdom, Russia, 2013, 80’ • AMERICAN COMMUNE, Nadine MUNDO & Rena Mundo CROSHERE, USA, 2013, 90’ • BASTARDS, Deborah PERKIN, United Kingdom, 2013, 83’ • MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE, Marc BAUDER, Austria, Germany, 2013, 88’ • AT THE PHARMACY, Myrna TSAPA, Greece, 2013, 41’ • HOPE ON THE LINE, Alexandros PAPANIKOLAOU & Emily YANNOUKOU, Greece, Γαλλία, 2013, 73’ • DREAMING OF A FAMILY, Mira JARGIL, Denmark, 2013, 87’ • THE GODMOTHER, Stelios KOULOGLOU, Greece, 2014, 105’ • FOUR LETTERS APART - CHILDREN IN THE AGE OF ADHD, Erlend MO, Denmark, 2013, 87’ • THE OTHER HUMAN, Stathis GALAZOULAS, Greece, 2013, 34’ • THE LOST SIGNAL OF DEMOCRACY, Yorgos AVGEROPOULOS, Greece, 2013, 65’ • DREAMING OF DEMOCRACY, Morteza JAFARI, Greece, 2013, 25’

HABITAT

• BRADDOCK AMERICA, Gabriella KESSLER, Jean-Loic PORTRON, France, 2013, 101’ • JOURNEY TO THE SAFEST PLACE ON EARTH, Edgar HAGEN, Switzerland, 2013, 100’ • IT'S BETTER TO JUMP, Gina M. ANGELONE, Mouna B. STEWART, Patrick A. STEWART, Israel, USA, 2013, 73’ • WHITE EARTH, J. Christian JENSEN, USA, 2013, 19’ • EMPTYING THE SKIES, Douglas KASS, Roger KASS, USA, 2013, 75’ • WOMEN AND WATER, Nocem COLLADO, Spain, 2013, 65’ • WINTER, Cristina PICCHI, Russia, 2013, 12’ • PIPELINE, Vitaly MANSKY, Russia, Czech Republic, Germany, 2013, 117’ • SALT FLATS, Ira DIKA, Yorgos SAVOGLOU, Greece, 2014, 35’ • THE LAXA FARMERS, Grimur HAKONARSON, Iceland, 2013, 60’ • OLGA-TO MY FRIENDS, Paul-Anders SIMMA, Finland, Norway, Sweden, 2013, 58’

ARTS

• LOS POSIBLES, Juan ONOFRI BARBATO, Santiago MITRE, Argentina, 2013, 53’ • TIM'S VERMEER, TELLER, USA, 2013, 80’ • THE ART OF CRISIS, THEATRE MATTERS, Katerina PATRONI, Greece, 2013, 55’ • BECOMING AN ACTOR, Dimitris KOUTSIABASAKOS, Greece, 2014, 61’ • PANAYOTIS TETSIS "PLAYING WITH COLOURS", Yannis VAMVAKAS, Greece, 2014, 100’ • SHOULD I STAY OR SHOULD I GO?, Menelaos KARAMAGHIOLIS, Greece, Γερμανία, 2014, 60’

MUSIC AND DANCE

• THE NINTH LIFE OF GUALDINO, Filipe ARAUJO, Portugal, 2013, 60’ • BRASSLANDS, Adam POGOFF, Alison BROCKHOUSE, Bryan CHANG, Dara MESSINGER, Eric PHILLIPS-HORST, Jay Arthur STERRENBERG, Jeff STERRENBERG, Karim TABBAA, Sara HUNEKE, Zara SERABIAN-ARTHUR, USA, Serbia, 2013, 88’ • THE PUNK SINGER, Sini ANDERSON, USA, 2013, 80’ • THE GREAT HIP HOP HOAX, Jeanie FINLAY, United Kingdom, 2013, 88’ • NAKED OPERA, Angela CHRISTLIEB, Luxembourg, Germany, 2013, 85’ • MERCEDES SOSA, THE VOICE OF LATIN AMERICA, Rodrigo H. VILA, Argentina, 2013, 93’ • BALLET BOYS, Kenneth ELVEBAKK, Norway, 2014, 72’

GREEK PANORAMA

• POINT OF NO RETURN, Alkmini BOURA, Greece, Germany, 2013, 52 • POSTLUDE, Nicos LIGOURIS, Greece, Germany, 2013, 9 • OUR LOVELY NICOS, Alexis CLEANTHOUS, Cyprus, 2013, 85 • POLKA IN ATHENS, Katerina - Martha CLARK, Greece, 2013, 60 • A TALE OF TWO ISLES, Mihalis STAVROPOULOS, Greece, 2013, 78 • ABOUT THE END OF THE WORLD, Yannis MISOURIDIS, Greece, 2013, 56 • VIET COSTAS. CITIZENSHIP: UNDEFINED, Yannis TRITSIBIDAS, Greece, 2013, 88 • BOXER, Yorgos PANTELEAKIS, Greece, 2013, 70 • IOANNINA OF CONTEMPLATION & LEGENDS, PANOS KYPARISSIS, Fanis DOUSKOS, Greece, 2013, 73 • THE VOID. THE MUSICAL CASE OF KATERINA PETRAKOU, Dimitris PAPOULIAS, Greece, 2013, 19 • 128 KERATEA: A TRUE STORY, Grigoris ECONOMIDES, Vaios SYRROS, Greece, 2013, 70 • THE RED BANK. JAMES JOYCE: HIS GREEK NOTEBOOKS, Vouvoula SKOURA, Greece, 2013, 29 • DOKIME, Yorgos KRAVVARITIS, Greece, 2013, 27 • SHALL I FEED THE ANTS?, Emilia MILOU, Greece, 2013, 19 • 10000 NIGHTS, Kostas ANESTIS, Greece, 2013, 50 • STAIRWAY TO TITIKA, Pavlos KOSMIDIS, Greece, 2014, 19 • TRIP TO DELPHI, Apostolia PAPAIOANNOU, Greece, 2013, 62 • WATERDROPS, Nelly PSARROU, Greece, 2014, 97 • SOCIAL CONSERVATORY/NOTES, Thekla MALAMOU, Alexandra SALIBA, Greece, 2014, 19 • THEODOROS PAPAYANNIS: THE RETURN TO ELLINIKO, Panayiotis KRAVVARIS, Greece, 2014, 48 • CRETATIVITY, Manolis KRITSOTAKIS, Greece, 2013, 80 • THE NOOSE, Vassilis LOULES, Greece, 2013, 12 • A BREATH IN THE AEGEAN, Apostolis ASIMAKOPOULOS, Greece, 2013, 65 • UNPLUGGED, Tzortzis GRIGORAKIS, Greece, Switzerland, 2013, 10 • SUNFLOWER SEEDS, Antonis TOLAKIS, Greece, 2013, 32 • 2013 OPEN AIR CINEMAS IN ATHENS, Magdalini REMOUNDOU, Greece, 2013, 45 • GR. WORK IN PROGRESS, Elena ZERVOPOULOU, Greece, 2013, 83 • CHROMA, Stavros PSYLLAKIS, Greece, 2014, 29 • MYTHOGENESIS, Nikos PANOUTSOPOULOS, Greece, 2014, 29 • THE PHANTASMAGORIA OF DEFEAT, Anastasia CHRISTOFORIDOU, Greece, 2013, 30 • KRITO THE ACROBAT, Grigoris VARDARINOS, Greece, 2013, 28 • VOY - A BLIND FOOTBALL MATCH, Eleni CHRYSOMALLI, Greece, 2013, 18 • FOREST OF GOLD, Stratis VOGIATZIS, Greece, 2014, 24

NICOLAS PHILIBERT TRIBUTE

• HIS MASTER'S VOICE, co-directed by Gerard Mordillat, France, 1978, 100’ • LOUVRE CITY, France, 1990, 85’ • IN THE LAND OF THE DEAF, France, 1992, 99’ • ANIMALS, France, 1994, 59’ • EVERY LITTLE THING, France, 1996, 105’ • TO BE AND TO HAVE, France, 2002, 104’ • BACK TO NORMANDY, France, 2006, 113’ • NENETTE, France, 2010, 70’ • LA MAISON DE LA RADIO, France, 2012, 103’

PETER WINTONICK TRIBUTE

• MANUFACTURING CONSENT: NOAM CHOMSKY AND THE MEDIA, Peter Wintonick & Mark ACHBAR, Canada, 1992, 167’ • CINEMA VERITE: DEFINING THE MOMENT, Peter WINTONICK, Canada, 1999, 110’ • SEEING IS BELIEVING - HANDICAMS, HUMAN RIGHTS AND THE NEWS, Peter Wintonick & Katerina CIZEK, USA, 2002, 52’ • PILGRIMAGE, Peter Wintonick & Mira Burt WINTONICK, Canada, 2008, 82’ • CHINA HEAVYWEIGHT, Yung CHANG, Canada, China, 2012, 89’

-OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE TDF, 2014

Edited by Vanessa McMahon

Photo by Vanessa McMahon

** For daily 16th TDF press coverage visit: http://www.filmfestivals.com/blog/thessaloniki

OPENING CEREMONY of the 16th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival – Images of the 21st Century. 14-23 March 2014

The curtain rose on the 16th Thessaloniki Documentary Festival - Images of the 21st Century with a discrete opening ceremony held on Friday, March 14, 2014, at a packed Olympion theater. Nastia Tarasova’s documentary Linar, which chronicles the touching adventure of a frail young boy, was screened after the ceremony.

In his opening remarks, Thessaloniki Documentary Festival director, Dimitri Eipides, welcomed the audience, government representatives and other dignitaries, noting: “Thanks to the continuing support of the city’s audience and our partners, the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival has succeeded in rapidly growing and claiming its place amongst the most important international film festivals. We all have the right to have access to the kind of independent, alternative information documentaries provide. Documentaries present us with images from our world, which are free from the influence of interests. The goal of documentaries is to not only highlight important events from around the world, but also to promote human interest stories that entertain, inform and move the audience.”

Commenting on the film line-up of the Festival’s 16th edition, Mr Eipides said: “The Festival will screen 191 films from 42 countries and will host 52 foreign filmmakers. It will also feature two tributes: one to the Festival’s long-time friend and tireless supporter, Peter Wintonick, who came to an untimely end; the second to French documentary filmmaker Nicolas Philibert. In collaboration with a number of greek municipalities and film societies, a selected part of the program will travel outside Thessaloniki to be screened in other Greek cities after the Festival. Furthermore, for a fourth consecutive year, the Documentary Festival will run its Live Streaming screenings, which includes the films of the Olympion theatre’s 20.30 slot – they will be simultaneously screened in a number of other Greek cities.” Mr. Eipides also stressed the importance of the Agora/Doc Market section of the Festival, which will welcome more than 140 buyers, representatives of TV stations and sales companies, producers and distributors, while the Festival will be attended by 62 international reporters and correspondents. Mr Eipides added: “As we do every year, we are collaborating once again with the European Documentary Network – Docs in Thessaloniki, with 70 participants from both Greece and abroad. Furthermore, we are again happy to welcome visiting student groups, who have come this year from the American University in Bulgaria, New York’s Columbia University and the University of Worcester in the UK.” In his final remarks, Mr Eipides said: “The Festival keeps evolving despite these taxing times. The international prestige of the institution promotes Thessaloniki’s international image as an alluring destination and cultural hub.”

Mr Eipides then invited Thessaloniki Mayor Yannis Boutaris to officially announce the 16th TDF opening. Mr Boutaris wished success to the Festival’s new administration, urging the board to “keep supporting an institution that is a significant force of the city of Thessaloniki, has been embraced by the international cinema community and is also very dear to the people of Thessaloniki.” Mr Boutaris then added: “the Municipality of Thessaloniki supports the Documentary Festival, considering it one of the most vibrant, dynamic and internationally acclaimed facets of the city. In my capacity as the mayor of Thessaloniki and as an avid filmgoer, I will provide every possible support to the Festival.” Mr Boutaris also took the opportunity to comment on the shutdown of Greece’s former state broadcaster, ERT, arguing that “an important sponsor of our documentary productions has been lost. I believe that the government should reconsider how ERT collaborated with the Film Festival, and offer a solution.”

Mr Eipides then called Nastia Tarasova on stage, to introduce the Festival’s opening film Linar. The filmmaker introduced the film, which is her first and took her five years to complete. “I hope you enjoy the film, despite its dramatic theme,” she said. Linar moved the audience, as it narrates the story of a six-year old boy from Russia, who travels to Italy to receive a heart transplant.

The parallel events of the 16th TDF are financed by the European Union’s Regional Development Fund for Central Macedonia, 2007-2013.

-OFFICIAL 16TH TDF PRESS RELEASE-

Edited by Vanessa McMahon