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AFI Fest 2014 Assembles International Gems
- Details
- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Wednesday, 29 October 2014 17:16
- Written by Eric Lurio
Eden
Way back in 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed an executive order in the Rose Garden creating the organization, The American Film Institute, and over the years it has become one of the most prestigious cinema educational and conservation organizations in the film industry. Though it started out as a government program, it has become much more. The Golden Globe® people and the Oscars® dudes aren’t accredited to give out Masters’ Degrees. AFI’s team can. That’s a fact.
Another thing both the Foreign Film critics and The Academy don’t do is produce film festivals. AFI does. In fact, they do two.
They have a documentary fest in Annapolis, MD, and a more general one that takes place in Hollywood, California. This year the latter -- AFI FEST presented by Audi -- will take place between November 6th and the 13th, 2014, at several Hollywood area venues.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences recognizes AFI FEST as a qualifying festival for both Short Films categories of the annual Academy Awards®. The fest is Los Angeles' longest running international film festival and has been bringing the best in world cinema to the film capital of the world since its launch as FILMEX in 1971.
The American Film Market (AFM — www.americanfilmmarket.com) is the market partner of AFI FEST. The association between the two events connects art and commerce, broadening the opportunities for all participants, and collectively represents the largest gathering in North America.AFI members are among the first to receive festival news and updates, as well as an array of other exciting member benefits targeted to motion picture enthusiasts.
Having a major film festival in the nation’s cheesiest tourist trap might not seem like such a good idea, but then it does have some distinct advantages. Everything is in easy walking distance. The main venue, the Chinese Theater’s multiplex annex on Hollywood Boulevard and North Orange Street is only three longish blocks away from the storied (and recently restored) Egyptian Theater on Hollywood and North McFadden Street. With the Persian Shopping mall/Eastman Theater complex and its attendant subway stop (Hollywood/Highland) in-between, the area is far safer than it was in old days, when it was a notorious dump.
The TCL Chinese is actually two separate venues. It’s both the famous theater, which now has a massive IMAX screen and is currently showing Interstellar, and a six-screen multiplex in the mall, which has decent sized screening rooms, a nice bathroom, and easy access to a bunch of franchised fast food places, But it’s nothing to really write home about.
The Egyptian is a different story. This is a historical landmark through and through with plush seats and a rack of free magazines. This is primarily a repertory place, and when AFI isn’t there, they have all sorts of nifty programs.
Finally, there’s the Eastman, which is usually reserved for awards shows. The Oscars are here every year, and so is AFI’s annual “You’re going to be dead soon” Awards, which used to be on network TV but are now on TV Land. The place is totally huge and that means they’re not going to have lines all the way around the block when they had one at the Egyptian. This is an improvement.
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is conveniently located across the street from the TCL Chinese 6 Theatres and The Dolby Theatre. It is also a short three blocks away from the Egyptian Theatre. The Cinema Lounge, Audi Sky Lounge, Media Center and other reception/event spaces are located here.
Now as to the movies: There are around 110 of them, ranging from children’s cartoons to soft-core porn, many are in foreign languages, and a few are rather old. The only thing they have in common is that they’re good which is rare for a film festival. And AFI FEST 2014 honors film legend Sophia Loren as well.
Finally, there’s some confusion as to this and the American Film Market in Santa Monica. They have nothing to do with each other whatsoever, and getting a press badge is far harder. Sad really, because I really wanted to go to that one as well.
The following is a selection of the films being featured at AFI FEST 2014:
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VIOLET
DIR Bas Devos/SCR Bas Devos
CAST César De Sutter, Raf Walschaerts, Mira Helmer, Brent Minne
Netherlands, Belgium, 85 minutes
In this visually stunning debut, teen Jesse must readjust to the world and cope with grief after witnessing his friend’s murder at a local shopping mall.
- TALES OF THE GRIM SLEEPER
DIR Nick Broomfield
FEATURING Seymour Amster, Pamela Brooks, Nick Broomfield, Christopher Franklin, Nana Gyamfi, Laverne Peters, Margaret Prescod
USA, UK, 110 minutes
The latest documentary by provocateur Nick Broomfield (AILEEN: LIFE AND DEATH OF A SERIAL KILLER, KURT & COURTNEY) delves into the case of a notorious serial killer who menaced South Central L.A. for more than 25 years.
- EDEN
DIR Mia Hansen-Løve/SCR Mia Hansen-Løve, Sven Hansen-Løve
CAST Felix De Givry, Pauline Etienne, Vincent Macaigne, Greta Gerwig, Golshifteh Farahani, Laura Smet, Vincent Lacoste
France, 131 minutes
Mia Hansen-Løve’s 20-year journey through the electronic dance music scene follows DJ Paul, whose love for the turntables stays strong even after the craze has ended.
- MANOS SUCIAS
DIR Josef Kubota Wladyka/SCR Alan Blanco & Josef Kubota Wladyka
CAST Cristian Advincula, Jarlin Martinez, Manuel David Riascos, Hadder Blandon
Colombia, USA, 80 minutes
Brothers Jacobo and Delio agree to transport millions of dollars of cocaine into Panama in this suspenseful portrait of lives forever altered by the drug trade.
- HAEMOO
DIR Shim Sung-bo
SCR Shim Sung-bo & Bong Joon-ho
CAST Kim Yoon-seok, Park Yu-chun, Han Ye-ri
South Korea, 111 minutes
Amid a shroud of sea fog, the voyage of a South Korean boat smuggling a group of illegal immigrants turns into a catastrophe.
- SONG OF THE SEA
DIR Tomm Moore/SCR Will Collins
CAST Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan, Pat Shortt, Jon Kenny, Liam Hourican, Colm Ó’Snodaigh, Lucy O’Connell, Kevin Swierszcz, David Rawle, Lisa Hannigan
Ireland, 93 minutes
In this Irish animated film, a brother and sister embark on a magical journey to discover their connection to the mythical selkies.
- VILLA TOUMA
DIR Suha Arraf/SCR Suha Arraf
CAST Nisreen Faour, Ula Tabri, Cherien Dabis, Maria Zriek
Palestine, 87 minutes
A teenage Palestinian orphan’s life is turned upside down when she goes to live in the secluded home of her three aristocrat aunts.
- GETT, THE TRIAL OF VIVIANE AMSALEM
DIR Ronit Elkabetz & Shlomi Elkabetz/SCR Ronit Elkabetz & Shlomi Elkabetz
CAST Ronit Elkabetz, Menashe Noy, Simon Abkarian, Sasson Gabay, Eli Gorstein, Rami Danon, Roberto Pollack
Israel, 115 minutes
Unfolding entirely in a small courtroom, this edge-of-your-seat film follows Viviane Amsalem’s tense battle for a divorce in Israel’s strict rabbinical court.
- REALITY (RÉALITÉ)
DIR Quentin Dupieux/SCR Quentin Dupieux
CAST Alain Chabat, Jonathan Lambert, Elodie Bouchez, Kyla Kenedy, John Glover, Eric Wareheim, Jon Heder
Belgium, France, 87 minutes
A cameraman for a TV show is offered a chance to direct in this tapestry of dream logic that slides from one brilliantly bizarre situation to the next.
To learn more about AFI Membership, or more information about AFI FEST, e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call toll-free at 1-866-AFI FEST (1-866-234-3378).
For more online info go to: http://afi.com/afifest/default.aspx
AFI FEST
November 6–November 14, 2014
The Dolby Theatre
6801 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
Level One of the Hollywood & Highland Center
TCL Chinese 6 Theatres
Level 3 of Hollywood & Highland Center
6801 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
Egyptian Theatre
AMERICAN CINEMATHEQUE
6712 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
The Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
7000 Hollywood Boulevard
Hollywood, CA 90028
BeFilm's New Festival For Industry Insiders
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- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Thursday, 23 October 2014 19:22
- Written by Brad Balfour
BE FILM International Features Festival is a new film festival wholly designed to showcase an international mix of productions seeking US distribution. The Festival will feature films from around the world, and, for its inaugural launch, will put an emphasis on Argentinian cinema.
The festival runs for three days — Friday, October 24 through Sunday, October 26, 2014 — with screenings at the 500 Park Avenue Screening Room (59th Street and Park Av). Targeted to American publicists and major distributors, only industry professionals are allowed into this highly focused event; not being open to the general public, there will be no ticket sales.
Said Executive Director Laurence Asseraf, “We’re trying to bring to this professional, in an intimate, relaxed setting, certain foreign films that might have escaped the eyes of US distributors while on their tour of the major festivals abroad.”
Asseraf has selected 10 independent feature films from abroad looking for US distribution. Known for her keen eye in choosing short films which have gained Academy Award recognition over the past years, this event gives filmmakers a “home” to screen their films, as well as an opportunity to chat with industry executives about their project. The setting gives these new filmmakers a comfortable and entertaining venue in which to make their American debut.
The Argentinian Consulate supports this initiative and is participating in the promotion of Argentinian cinema; it will help sponsor the opening night with some Argentinian wines as well as other Argentinian products.
BEFILMIFF premiere showings include these Argentinian films:
- Muerte En Buenos Aires (Directed by Natalia Meta)
Starring Monica Antonopulos, Hugo Arana, Demian Bichir, and Chino Darin.
This mystery-drama set in 1980s Buenos Aires follows Detective Chavez, a family man and a tough cop who is up against another mysterious crime — this time with more than usual passion. - Vino Para Robar / To Fool A Thief (Directed by Ariel Winograd)
Starring Daniel Hendler, Valeria Bertuccelli and Pablo Rago
In this comedy, a precious antique bottle of wine is the target of thieves involving hotels, wineries, vineyards, and a bank vault. - Pensé Que Iba a Haber Fiesta (Directed by Victoria Galardi)
Starring Valeria Bertuccelli and Elena Anaya
A woman begins an affair with her best friend's ex-husband while looking after her house and daughter. It’s a film about the search for love, friendship, loneliness, fear, guilt and the world of women. - Choele (Directed by Juan Sasiain)
Starring Leonardo Sbaraglia
In this student film, Coco is an 11-year-old boy spending a few summer days with his father in the hope of getting his parents back together. He meets the woman living with his father and falls in love with her, turning his father into a competitor. - Cosano: La vida secreta de un vestido (Directed by Diego & Pablo Levy)
Starring Viviana Battan, Olga Benitez and Mónica Bruno
In this documentary, Claudio Cosano, also known as the “Argentine Versace”, opens the doors of his studio, and talks about his work amidst his clients and models. - The Rise of Hope (Directed by Brian Maya)
A documentary on Pope Francis who was born Jorge Mario Bergoglio in Buenos Aires, Argentina and this effort is dedicated to exploring the new Pope’s roots.
The festival includes other films from around the world and features entries of France, Italy, and Greece:
- Les Rayures du Zebre / Scouting for Zebras
- Oro Verde
- Sto Spiti (At Home)
- Travelling In (to) Fluxus
Sponsors of BEFILMIFF include: Thierry Mugler, Champage Taittinger, Les Sucreries de Melodie, Pravda Vodka, and Guittard Chocolates.
For more information go to: befilmiff.net
BE FILM International Features Festival
500 Park Avenue Screening Room
500 Park Avenue Building
New York, NY 10022
Big Apple Film Fest '14: NYC & Beyond
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- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Friday, 03 October 2014 15:49
- Written by Renzo Adler
Highlighting the work of independent filmmakers in NYC, The Big Apple Film Fest (November 9 – 14, 2014) at Tribeca Cinemas (54 Varick St, New York, NY), continues to bring its eclectic mix of shorts and features from great indie directors. Ranked by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the top 25 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee and One of the 25 Coolest Film Festivals, Big Apple features shorts, features, animation, experimental works, and films that show off the cityscape of NYC.
The extensive shorts block includes A Day in the Life of Lolita the Performing Orca, featuring Dr. Ingrid N. Visser about a marine biologist studying an orca that has lived in captivity for over 40 years. Born Warriors takes a look at the ancient Burmese martial art, Lethwei, and how this bare-knuckle style of fighting is a rite of passage for many young men.
The opening night feature is Manhattan Romance, about a documentary filmmaker trying to finish a film about his own life while navigating a romantic triangle. Feature documentary, The Frontier, looks at the life of retired literature professor and civic activist reuniting with his estranged son so he can write his memoirs.
Past films at the Big Apple Film Fest include Life of a King starring Cuba Gooding Jr., Breaking Upwards, Against the Current, and Schmatta: Rags to Riches to Rags. The Big Apple Film Fest continues to unique films to NYC for over ten years.
To learn more, go to: http://www.bigapplefilmfestival.com/
The Big Apple Film Festival
November 9 – 14, 2014
Tribeca Cinemas
54 Varick St.
New York, NY 10013
Margaret Mead Film Fest '14 Preview
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- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Tuesday, 23 September 2014 15:19
- Written by Renzo Adler
Happiness
With this year’s theme of “Past Forward,” the Margaret Mead Film Festival (October 13 - 26, 2014) at NYC's American Museum of Natural History (77th Street between Central Park West and Columbus Ave), aims to look at what creates our cultural identity and how people change and grow, but at the same time must look back in life. Filmmakers from all over the world, including South Africa, Poland, South America, and Colombia, tell their stories of environmental, personal, and political change.
Films being screened include, but are not limited to:
- Madame Phung’s Last Journey
Follow a troupe of Vietnamese cross-dressing singers on their journey through the country’s back roads for a year.
- Master and Divino
Step into the Amazon valley for an absorbing and whimsical look at Catholic missionary culture among the indigenous people.
- Happiness
As TV and the Internet come to rural Bhutan, a young monk’s trip to the capital becomes a bittersweet meditation on technological progress.
- 28 Up South Africa
Diverse stories of young South Africans illuminate the tumultuous cultural and political history of the country since the end of apartheid.
- Cast in India
A glimpse into the lives of men in Indian factories who forge the ubiquitous bits of street life New Yorkers step on daily: manhole covers!
- Hollow
A participatory, web-based documentary project examining the future (and past) of rural America through the history of McDowell County, West Virginia.
Also part of the festival are a series of lectures and panel discussions called Mead Dialogues which give the audience a forum for discussion on the themes of the festival along with a tribute to filmmaker Robert Gardner. Special events during the fest include a Friday night mixer, a lesson on the Pacific Northwest Native American culture, and Gapuwiyak Calling: an art installation combining cell phone technology with the culture and mythology of the Gapuwiyak people of Australia.
The Margeret Mead Film Festival brings together a diverse and challenging array of films and filmmakers for NYC’s audiences and offers a unique chance to see some truly unique films.
To learn more, go to: http://www.amnh.org/explore/margaret-mead-film-festival/
The Margaret Mead Film Festival
October 13 - 26, 2013
The American Museum of Natural History
Central Park W & 79th St
New York, NY 10024
