Sundance Institute Announces the 2023 Documentary Fund Grantees

Posted on August 21, 2023 by admin

Sundance Institute Announces the 2023 Documentary Fund Grantees.
23 projects to receive grants totaling over $1,000,000

The nonprofit Sundance Institute today announced this year’s grantees for the Sundance Institute Documentary Fund, which supports the work of nonfiction filmmakers from around the globe. Twenty-three projects have been selected for unrestricted grant funding totaling just over $1,000,000. This granting cycle’s recipients are in various stages: 6 in development, 14 in production, and 3 in post-production. In a changing media landscape, the Documentary Fund has been a stable, progressive force in supporting work that has expressed the world in creative, complex, and provocative ways and has created real cultural and social impact around some of the most pressing issues of our time. Grants are made possible by the Open Society Foundations, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Gucci, and the Kendeda Fund.

The Fund prioritizes supporting and empowering historically marginalized voices and providing a platform for integral stories to be amplified. It is committed to elevating global voices and celebrating the rich diversity of filmmaking traditions around the world. Many of the international projects supported with this round of funding reflect a priority of supporting artists living and working in regions that lack a robust infrastructure of support for independent film, regions of conflict, and countries where freedom of expression is under threat.

Many projects in this year’s slate take on subject matter that showcases humanity in the face of oppression, global views on conflict and war from the past and the present, community archive building, and protagonists who are empowered to tell their stories exploring themes of human rights, social justice and coming of age.
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Dark Sky Films Brings “8 Found Dead” to Theaters and VOD

Posted on August 8, 2023 by admin

Dark Sky Films is bringing the horror thriller “8 Found Dead” to theaters & VOD on September 8, 2023.

The film follows two couples as they head to a secluded desert hideaway for a weekend of relaxation and, unbeknownst to their friends, uneasy revelations.

When they arrive, each couple is met by the same eccentric couple, claiming to have booked the rental on the same day at the same time. As two local police officers are drawn into the evening’s strange and unpredictable events, depravity and derangement begin to consume everyone at the house. What begins as miscommunication soon descends in mayhem and bloody murder.

Directed by Travis Greene and written by Jonathan Buchanan (Key and Peele, art department), the film stars Aly Trasher (What’s My Name Again?), Alisha Soper (American Horror Story), William Gabriel Grier (The Stalking Fields), Eddy Acosta (5 Years Gone), Rosanne Limeres (1000 Ways to Die), Tim Simek (Viral), & Nancy Linehan Charles (Minority Report)

Legend of the White Dragon, Starring Jason David Frank Unveils Exclusive Film Trailer At San Diego Comic-Con

Posted on July 23, 2023 by admin

By Armando

Falling Forward Films, a leading independent entertainment company, Bascule Entertainment, and Bat in the Sun Productions premiered an exclusive film trailer for the much-anticipated 2024 release of LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON, during their panel at San Diego Comic-Con on Saturday, July 22, at 5:30 PM before hundreds of die-hard fans.

This highly anticipated action-adventure fantasy film include Jason David Frank’s final appearance before his tragic death late last year.

The iconic original Green Power Ranger actor, was honored with an emotional impromptu memorial by fans and friends during a panel for his upcoming independent action film.

The exclusive film trailer, provides a tantalizing glimpse into the gripping world created by visionary writer-director Aaron Schoenke. From the first frame to the last, audiences will be drawn into the captivating narrative that unfolds in LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON.

“We are extremely excited to unveil the exclusive film trailer and film clip forLEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON. It has been a labor of love for everyone involved, and we believe that audiences will be captivated by the rich storytelling, breathtaking visuals, and exceptional performances in this film. We can’t wait for fans around the world to experience the magic of this feature,” said director Aaron Schoenke.

LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON features, Mark Dacascos (John Wick III), King Bach (Walking Dead, Greenland), Michael Madsen (Kill Bill 1&2, Sin City), David Ramsey (Arrow, The Flash). The film also starsAaron Schoenke, Jason Faunt, Rachel Brooke Smith, Ciara Hanna, Kevin Porter, Mayling Ng, Cerina Vincent and Jenna Rae Frank (daughter of the late Jason David Frank). After being a fugitive on the run for three years, the White Dragon (Jason David Frank) has returned to the city he fought to protect. He must now clear his name and save the family he keeps in secret before the mysterious Dragon Prime (Aaron Schoenke) unleashes his own revenge onthe White Dragon.

LEGEND OF THE WHITE DRAGON is a Bat in the Sun Production. Aaron and Sean Schoenke serve as producers on the film with Chris Jay executive producing. The film will be distributed by longtime distribution executive Scott Kennedy’s Falling Forward Films and will be in theaters across the US in 2024. To learn more about the film and its upcoming release, visit the official website www.lotwhitedragon.com.

An Explosive Look at “3 Days In Malay” Starring Quinton ‘Rampage’ Jackson

Posted on July 16, 2023 by admin

“3 Days In Malay” tells the story of a small group who must defend an airfield for three days against the Japanese assault during the fight for Malay in World War II.

The film stars Quinton Rampage Jackson, Louis Mandylor, and Donald Cerrone.

The world war 2 action war film is directed by Louis Mandylor and from the screenplay by Brandon Slagle and producer Damon Hillin.

The film is from Altitude Film Entertainment Ltd.

Kyle Gallner & Holland Roden Star In “MOTHER MAY, I?”

Posted on July 1, 2023 by admin

“MOTHER MAY, I?” is the debut feature from writer-director Laurence Vannicelli, and it marks a breakthrough in mind-bending horror. Emmett (Kyle Gallner) and Anya (Holland Roden) unexpectedly inherit his estranged mother’s house after her passing.

As they sift through her estate, Anya begins acting more and more like Emmett’s mother – forcing him to question if she’s pushing him to confront his traumatic past or if she’s actually been possessed by his mother’s spirit. The cast also includes Chris Mulkey (Twin Peaks).

MOTHER, MAY I?, a psychological thriller from writer-director Laurence Vannicelli and featuring stars Kyle Gallner (Smile, Dinner In America) and Holland Roden (Teen Wolf) comes to theaters and on VOD on July 21st.

Here is the film’s official synopsis and trailer:
Emmett wants to clean and flip his recently deceased mother’s house: get in, get out, and avoid any trauma still lingering from when she abandoned him as a young child. Anya, his fiancé, see’s this as an opportunity to finally force Emmett to deal with his trauma because she believes it is preventing him from being the partner she needs. So she convinces him to take mushrooms to get him to let go. But something strange happens while they’re tripping: she starts behaving like his mother. The next morning he wakes up sober, but she still won’t drop the act… Anya loves playing games – is this her taking it too far? Or did his mother’s spirit somehow possess her?

Official Trailer For Zombie Comedy FINAL CUT From Michel Hazanavicius

Posted on June 26, 2023 by admin

Written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius, and starring Romain Duris, Bérénice Bejo, Matilda Lutz, Finnegan Oldfield, the French zombie comedy is set for release in theaters on July 14.

The film screened earlier this month during the Tribeca Film Festival.

Here is the film’s official synopsis:

Oscar® winner Michel Hazanavicius’ remake of Shin’ichirô Ueda’s cult hit One Cut of the Dead follows a director (Romain Duris, L’Auberge Espagnole) charged with making a live, single-take, low-budget zombie flick in which the cast and crew, one by one, actually turn into zombies.

Featuring hysterically unhinged performances from Oscar® nominee Bérénice Bejo (The Artist), Matilda Lutz (Revenge), and Finnegan Oldfield (Corsage), Final Cut is a sly love letter to the art of filmmaking and a blood-soaked, hilarious genre farce with a meta-to-the-max premise.

Film Feature: Coming of Age Drama “Stay Awake” With Wyatt Oleff, Fin Argus & Chrissy Metz

Posted on May 17, 2023 by admin

The American indie debut drama is a fictionalized account of the filmmaker’s coming of age, as he struggles to get out from under the yoke of a prescription-drug-addicted mother in small-town Virginia.

Jamie Sisley’s coming of age film stars Wyatt Oleff (“It”, “City On Fire”), Fin Argus (“Queer As Folk”, “Clouds”), and Chrissy Metz (“This Is Us”).

The film opens on Friday May 19 at Film Forum in NYC and May 25 at Laemmle Royal in LA.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis:

Life in the last, lame-duck months of high school, with a job at the Jolly Cow ice cream drive-in, would be cringe-inducing enough without a deeply depressed, self-destructive mother (Chrissy Metz, star of “This is Us”). Wyatt Oleff (“City on fire”) and Fin Argus (“Queer As Folks”) play teenage brothers stuck in a cycle of discovering their mom passed out, dragging her to the hospital, and encouraging rehab.

Despair quickly turns to hope and then boomerangs back again. Featuring three superb performances that find surprising humor and humanity amid the tragedy of parental addiction. A MarVista Entertainment release.

First Trailer And Poster For “The Future” – Tribeca World Premiere,

Posted on May 15, 2023 by admin

“The Future” is an official selection in the International Narrative Competition at the upcoming Tribeca Film Festival on June 7-18, 2023. Released the film’s poster and trailer.

In the film, a world-renowned profiler is on a mission to study the motives of a young Palestinian woman who assassinated the Israeli Minister of Space and Tourism. From their intense encounter emerges a deep examination of female identity and motherhood.

Here’s the film’s official synopsis:
At 42, Dr. Bloch (Reymonde Amsellem), a profiler, wants a child. A future. Her only way is to find a surrogate mother. At the same time, her groundbreaking algorithm designed to identify individuals planning to carry out terror attacks fails and a young Palestinian woman (Samar Qupty) assassinates the Israeli minister of Space and Tourism. In order to ‘fix the bugs’ in her algorithm, Nurit faces the assassin in person. The sessions between these two brilliant women raise questions about their past, while the sessions between Bloch and the potential surrogate (Dar Zuzovsky) challenge Bloch’s decision about her future.

Trailer Premiere: Peter Callahan’s “Out And About” Set For Release On May 16

Posted on April 28, 2023 by admin

The film was written and directed by it star, Peter Callahan, whose film Against the Current, starring Joseph Fiennes, was critically acclaimed at the Sundance Film Festivasl. Producers are Ivon Visalli (High Voltage) and Konstantin von Krusenstiern (Last Ball). David Snyder is the Executive Producer.

Here’s the official release about “Out And About”:
Out and About is an unconventional tale about Jeff, a middle-aged man trying to come to terms with his life over the course of an afternoon walk through his hometown. Distinctive in both style and substance and told in real time, the story weaves together the protagonist’s inner monologue with conversations he has with the people he encounters along the way.

Raw, brutally honest, poignant and funny, Out and About explores the contrast between our inner and outer selves, the conflict between old dreams and new realities, and one man’s search for meaning as he wrestles with aging, success and failure in America, and his ultimate place in the world.

“Out And About” will be available on DVD and streaming on May 16, 2023.

Tribeca Festival Announces 2023 Audio Storytelling Lineup

Posted on April 26, 2023 by admin

The 2023 Tribeca Festival, presented by OKX, today announced its audio storytelling lineup, including 18 world premieres from independent and established narrative audio creators and 11 “Live-from-Tribeca” events. This year’s Festival, which takes place June 7-18, will highlight its audio storytelling selection from June 12-16, connecting creators and listeners in-person at Tribeca.

The lineup includes 11 “Live-from-Tribeca” events, from exclusive conversations with audio creators to live tapings of hit shows, such as an audio artists panel hosted by Avery Trufelman (Articles of Interest, 99% Invisible); a live taping of Crooked Media’s Pod Save America with guest co-host Alex Wagner; a 25th anniversary rewatch event of Will & Grace followed by a live taping of SmartLess Media’s Just Jack & Will featuring Sean Hayes and Eric McCormack; a live taping of Selected Shorts with New York Times Bestselling author Roxane Gay; a live taping of New York Times Audio’s Modern Love with Kim Cattrall; and a live taping of Sonic Union’s Perreo 101 followed by a musical performance by Cuban artists Yotuel and Beatriz Luengo.

Additionally, the 2023 Audio Storytelling program showcases 16 official selections, including eight from independent creators and eight from established creators–evenly divided between fiction and narrative nonfiction series. World premieres from independent audio creators include the fiction series The Fabulists and These Were Humans, as well as the narrative nonfiction series Abridged and Magic on a Winter’s Night. World premieres from established creators include The Unmarked Graveyard: Stories from Hart Island (Radio Diaries and Radiotopia from PRX), Free from Desire (Paradiso), The Very Worst Thing That Could Possibly Happen (Wolf at the Door Studios), and Dreamtown: The Story of Adelanto (Crooked Media). Official selections will be previewed at the Emerging Audio Artists Panel hosted by a special guest and the Established Audio Artists Panel hosted by Avery Trufelman, and available the following day at https://tribecafilm.com/podcasts and @TribecaAudio.

“We’re honored to premiere the work of these innovative creators and to celebrate audio storytelling with the high level of recognition the medium deserves,” said Davy Gardner, Curator of Audio Storytelling at Tribeca Festival. “The program brings together an expansive community of listeners and creators alike with interdisciplinary programming, parties, and sound-rich live events.”
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