2023 Sundance Film Festival Awards Announced

Posted on January 27, 2023 by admin

The Sundance Film Festival, a program of the nonprofit Sundance Institute, returned back in person and across the country online for 2023. Whether you gathered in theaters or are joining us from home, the Festival offers the opportunity to be a part of the discovery of stories and artists that will inspire and entertain us for years to come. The 2023 Sundance Film Festival jurors and audiences have voted with the awards announced today during an event at The Ray Theatre in Park City and updated on Sundance Film Festival’s official social accounts. The award-winning films will screen in person and via the online Festival platform on Saturday, January 28, and Sunday, January 29. Tickets for all award-screening films are available beginning at 1:00 p.m. MT today.

The jury and audience-awarded prizes amplify the fearless and dynamic stories across sections, with Grand Jury Prizes awarded to A Thousand and One (U.S. Dramatic), Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project (U.S. Documentary), Scrapper (World Cinema Dramatic), and The Eternal Memory (World Cinema Documentary), and the NEXT Innovator Award presented by Adobe was awarded to KOKOMO CITY.

Voted on by the audience, Radical was granted the Festival Favorite Award. Audience Awards for films in competition were presented by Acura to The Persian Version (U.S. Dramatic) and Beyond Utopia (U.S. Documentary), and presented by United Airlines to Shayda (World Cinema Dramatic) and 20 Days in Mariupol (World Cinema Documentary). KOKOMO CITY won the audience award for NEXT.

“This year’s Festival has been an extraordinary experience,” said Joana Vicente, Sundance Institute CEO. “The artists that comprise the 2023 Sundance Film Festival have demonstrated a sense of urgency and dedication to excellence in independent film. Today’s award winners highlight our programs’ most impressive achievements in the current moment of cinematic arts. I hope you will join me in congratulating our winners, as well as thanking all artists across sections for sharing their stories with the Sundance community.”

“In addition to acknowledging our artists, I want to thank this year’s jurors for their time and thoughtful consideration,” added Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming. “Their efforts help contextualize our artists’ work beyond the Festival program and elevate their stories to new audiences around the globe. The winners themselves represent a diverse mix of bold storytelling, thought-provoking reflections, and critical representations of our world today.”
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2023 Sundance Film Festival Begins Online Programming Over 130 Films Available on the Sundance Online Platform

Posted on January 24, 2023 by admin

The 2023 Sundance Film Festival online program begins today, Tuesday, January 24, with over 130 films available for on demand viewing. Audiences came together in-person in Park City, Salt Lake City, and Sundance Resort with talent including Anne Hathaway, Cynthia Erivo, Jason Momoa, Michael J. Fox, Daisy Ridley, Alexander Skarsgård, Dakota Johnson, Randall Park, Brooke Shields, and more making their way to the snow for their world premieres.

With the Festival online program beginning today, audiences across the country can now join in the action by participating in the discovery of this year’s most impactful independent stories. Tickets can be purchased on https://festival.sundance.org/tickets.

This year, the online Festival experience allows you to watch where you want, when you want. Films will be available starting at 8:00 a.m. MT on January 24, and you can start your screening at any time until 11:55 p.m. MT on January 29. Online Award-Winner screenings will be available starting at 8:00 a.m. MT on January 28 and play until 11:55 p.m. MT on January 29. To access these screenings, purchase an Award-Winners Package.
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Lovers & Friends Announces 2023 Lineup Missy Elliott, Usher, Mariah Carey To Headline

Posted on January 17, 2023 by admin

Following enormous success with its inaugural year, Lovers & Friends returns May 6, 2023 to the Las Vegas Festival Grounds with a massive collection of hip-hop and R&B’s biggest artists, highlighting the ongoing evolution of the genres.

Additional performances by Pitbull, 50 Cent, Christina Aguilera, Miguel and many more, at the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on Saturday May 6, 2023, with presale on Friday, January 20 at 10 AM PST

The incredible lineup will treat fans to over 45 artists with impeccably curated and nostalgia-fueled performances from female powerhouses including Missy Elliott, marking her first billed performance since 2019, Mariah Carey, Christina Aguilera, alongside Usher, 50 Cent, Nelly, Pitbull, with additional performances from contemporary fan-favorites Miguel, Jhene Aiko, Summer Walker, Bryson Tiller, PARTYNEXTDOOR and many more.

GA, GA+, VIP and VIP Cabana presale tickets will go on sale Friday, January 20 at 10 AM PST at www.loversandfriendsfest.com and any remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, January 20 at 2 PM PST.

Layaway payment plans start at $19.99 down. VIP packages include preferred viewing areas, charging stations, a dedicated entry lane at the festival entrance, air-conditioned restrooms and more. VIP Cabanas are available with exclusive viewing areas with VIP service including food vouchers and select complimentary beverages, expedited entry and more.Hotel and ticket packages are available with discounted rates at select Las Vegas hotels, 24/7 hotel concierge, and exclusive add-ons including access to the Lovers & Friends Official Open Bar inside Zouk Nightclub and brunch packages from Resorts World Las Vegas. For tickets and the full list of amenities available in each ticket package, please visit www.loversandfriendsfest.com.

Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel Crowned Miss Universe 2022

Posted on January 14, 2023 by admin

Miss Universe

Fashion designer and model Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel has been crowned as the new Miss Universe on Saturday night, held in New Orleans, Louisiana at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.

This makes her the first Miss USA to wear the crown since Olivia Culpo in 2012. According to thee Miss Universe organization, R’Bonney is an eco-friendly fashion designer, model, and sewing instructor with an excitement for life. She attributes her opportunistic outlook to her upbringing immersed in the arts, sports, and travel.

During the Q&A portion of the three finalists, Gabriel was asked how she would represent Miss Universe “an empowering and progressive organization” if she were to win, to which she replied: “I would use it to be a transformational leader,” she responded, citing her background in fashion design as a teacher in the field.

The 28 years old, competed against 83 other participants from around the world. First runner Up went to Miss Venezuela’s Amanda Dudamel, withh Dominican Republic’s Andreina Martinez winning second runner up.

The pageant also included a costume show portion, wherein Gabriel’s outfit paid tribute to NASA’s Apollo 11 lunar landing.

Last year’s winner was Harnaaz Sandhu of India was in attendance to pass her crown and title of Miss Universe to her successor. Former Miss USA and Universe 2012 Olivia Culpo and TV host Jeannie Mai Jenkins hosted the event which comprised of swimsuit, evening gown and interview portions.

Sundance Film Festival Announces 2023 Short Film and Indie Episodic Program

Posted on December 13, 2022 by admin

Top L–R: Oxytocin, The Vacation, Pro Pool, I AM HOME. Center L–R: Kylie, Willie Nelson and Family, The Night Logan Woke Up, Inglorious Liaisons. Bottom L–R: The Dalles, Thriving: A Dissociated Reverie, Pipes, Azeh

Today the nonprofit Sundance Institute announced the Short Films and Indie Episodic projects selected for the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. For in-person attendees, Indie Episodic works will have individual premieres and Shorts will screen in curated programs. Beginning January 24, all Indie Episodic projects and selected Shorts will also screen online through the end of the Festival. The 2023 Festival will take place January 19–29, 2023, in person in Park City, Salt Lake City, and the Sundance Resort, along with a selection of films available online across the country January 24–29, 2023.

In addition, Online Ticket Packages are now on sale and the full schedule of in-person and online screenings is now live! Please visit festival.sundance.org/tickets to start planning your Festival experience.

“Short films and episodic projects are an integral aspect of the overall mission of the Sundance Institute — to empower artists who are taking risks, bringing new perspectives to the forefront, and creating work that entertains and provokes conversation,” said Kim Yutani, Sundance Film Festival Director of Programming. “These platforms provide artists with the ability to expand beyond the boundaries of traditional cinema, while also motivating a unique creativity through an ever expanding format.”

The 64 Short Films for the 2023 lineup were selected from 10,981 submissions, the highest number on record. Of these submissions, 4,996 were from the U.S. and 5,985 were international. The four Indie Episodic projects were selected from 519 submissions. This upcoming year’s Short Film program includes work from 23 countries and the Indie Episodic represents works from five countries.
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Angela Bassett To Receive 38th Annual SBIFF Montecito Award

Posted on December 1, 2022 by admin

Angela Bassett will be honored with the Montecito Award at the 38th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Bassett will receive the award on Thursday, February 9th, 2023 at an in-person conversation about her career leading up to this year’s performance in Marvel Studios’ BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER directed by Ryan Coogler from Disney Studios.

“Ms. Bassett has had an illustrious career as an actor, director and producer and in WAKANDA FOREVER reminds us why she’s so greatly revered. She’s regal, fierce and commanding as Queen Ramonda. We bow down.” SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling stated.

Angela Bassett is an actress, director, and executive producer known for captivating, emotionally-tinged performances full of dignity in treasured films such as MALCOLM X, BOYZ IN THE HOOD, WAITING TO EXHALE, HOW STELLA GOT HER GROOVE BACK, and of course, WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT?, for which she received an Academy Award nomination. She has since made star-turns in the historic BLACK PANTHER, MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE-FALLOUT, BUMBLEBEE from Paramount, as well as the television hits 9-1-1, and MASTER OF NONE. Other recent projects include Disney and Pixar’s Academy Award-winning animated feature SOUL, for which she lent her melodious voice for the character, Dorothea Williams; feature films OTHERHOOD and GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE from Netflix; and THE FLOOD from National Geographic, for which she received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Narrator. Further, she was nominated for two Emmys, including Outstanding Narrator for the IMAGINEERING STORY: THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for A BLACK LADY SKETCH SHOW. Bassett recently wrapped production on the Netflix Originals feature film, DAMSEL, opposite Millie Bobby Brown.

The Montecito Award is named after one of the most beautiful and stylish areas in Santa Barbara. Past recipients include Penélope Cruz, Amanda Seyfried, Lupita Nyong’o, Melissa McCarthy, Saoirse Ronan, Isabelle Huppert, Sylvester Stallone, Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, Daniel Day-Lewis, Geoffrey Rush, Julianne Moore, Kate Winslet, Naomi Watts and Javier Bardem.
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Wonderfront 2022 Festival: Photo Highlights

Posted on November 19, 2022 by admin

It was a big day of great music in San Diego on Friday, as Wonderfront 2022 Festival kicks off on seven stages with more than 80 bands playing for three days. See some of the photo highlights from yesterday’s performances.

Highlights includes stunning performances by LA indie pop band “Saint Motel” and rock band “Young the Giant” rocking the night over at Port of San Diego, singer-songwriter from Detroit Quinn XCII performed at Seaport Village stage and country music singer and songwriter CAM serving up the fun over at Events.com Embacadero North.

Closing the night at Events.com was headliner, Grammy winning brand Zac Brown Band, who rocked the crowd at the packed venue, bringing Caroline Jones into the stage. The band recently announced Jones as a permanent addition to the band.

The Wonderfront 2022 Festival is set to feature tonight’s performers such as G-Eazy, Soja, Swa Lee, as well asa headliner Kings of Leon. Th stages will return again tomorrow for the last day of the festival, with headliner Gwen Stefani set to perform.

Go to wonderfrontfestival.com for tickets and more details.

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Cate Blanchett To Receive 38th Annual SBIFF Outstanding Performer Of The Year Award

Posted on November 8, 2022 by admin

Cate Blanchett will receive the Outstanding Performer of the Year Award at the 38th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Blanchett will be honored on Friday, February 10, 2023 for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Lydia Tár in Todd Feld’s TÁR from Focus Features. Setting a historic record, this is the second time Blanchett will be feted at the festival as the Outstanding Performer of the Year.

In 2014, she received the honor for her role as Jasmine French in BLUE JASMINE. In 2008, she was crowned the Modern Master Award for her role as Queen Elizabeth in ELIZABETH: THE GOLDEN AGE and as multi-faceted Bob Dylan in I’M NOT THERE.

“Cate Blanchett is an artist that has nothing left to prove; she is one of the most brilliant actresses ever – yet she keeps challenging herself and proving over and over again that she’s the most outstanding performer!” SBIFF’s Executive Director Roger Durling noted.

Cate Blanchett is an internationally acclaimed, Academy Award-winning actor, producer, artistic director, humanitarian, and dedicated member of the arts community. Blanchett plays the titular role and executive produces Todd Field’s highly anticipated feature film “TÁR,” which marks the writer-director-producer’s first film in over 15 years. The film was warmly welcomed at the Telluride Film Festival and Venice International Film Festival, where Blanchett was awarded the Coppa Volpi for Best Actress for her second time since I’m Not There. This fall, Blanchett will appear in Guillermo Del Toro’s latest film, “PINOCCHIO,” and the mockumentary hit series “Documentary Now!” She has now begun production in Australia on Warwick Thornton’s “The New Boy,” in which she stars and produces via the production company Dirty Films. She most recently wrapped production on “Disclaimer,” directed by Alfonso Cuaron, in which she also stars and executive produces. In 2021, Blanchett appeared in Adam McKay’s smash hit, Don’t Look Up, as well as Guillermo Del Toro’s Nightmare Alley.
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System Of A Down, Korn, Deftones, And Incubus On Inaugural Sick New World Festival

Posted on November 7, 2022 by admin

The inaugural Sick New World Festival is set to deliver an enormous collection of multi-genre Hard Rock/Alt heavy-hitters, including headliners System Of A Down, Korn, Deftones and Incubus, to the Las Vegas Festival Grounds on May 13, 2023.

The stacked lineup features over 50 artists including Evanescence, Turnstile, Chevelle, Mr. Bungle, Papa Roach, Death Grips, Flyleaf, Placebo, Spiritbox and The Sisters of Mercy.

GA, GA+, VIP and VIP Cabana Presale Tickets will go on sale Friday, November 11 at 10 AM PST and any remaining tickets will go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, November 11 at 2 PM PST. Layaway payment plans start at $19.99 down. For tickets and the full list of amenities available in each ticket package, visit www.sicknewworldfest.com.

Prime Video Is Bringing “The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power” To Comic-Con

Posted on June 17, 2022 by admin

Prime Video confirmed today that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series will be coming to Comic-Con International: San Diego this July. Creators and stars of the much-anticipated new series will take to the coveted Hall H stage for the very first time, inviting fans of the much beloved franchise to experience Middle-earth as they never have before.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power panel will introduce the international team of actors bringing the show’s roster of new and legendary characters of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Second Age to life.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is led by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne & Patrick McKay and stars a celebrated cast led by Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Owain Arthur, Maxim Baldry, Nazanin Boniadi, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sir Lenny Henry, Ema Horvath, Markella Kavenagh, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Charlie Vickers, Leon Wadham, Benjamin Walker, Daniel Weyman, and Sara Zwangobani.

Joining Payne & McKay are executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, J.A. Bayona, Belén Atienza, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, Gennifer Hutchison, Bruce Richmond, and Sharon Tal Yguado, as well as producers Ron Ames and Christopher Newman. Wayne Che Yip is co-executive producer and directs, along with J.A. Bayona and Charlotte Brändström.

The multi-season drama will premiere in multiple languages and in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on Friday, September 2, exclusively on Prime Video, with new episodes available weekly.