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New Media Fest in Beverly Hills

The 2nd Annual Beverly Hills Film, TV & New Media Festival (BHFTF) is taking place bhfilm-video-MysteriaOctober 20 - 27, 2011 at the Laemmle Music Hall 3 Theater in Beverly Hills, California.

The Beverly Hills Film, TV & New Media Festival is a competitive international festival that strives to present an elite selection of independent film and television works as well as a forum for film and TV industry and independent filmmakers to meet and exchange ideas. The Festival is a nexus for traditional, established Hollywood and the newly emerging talent and technology of today‛s entertainment world.

The Opening Night film is Walk a Mile in My Pradas, directed by Joey Sylvester, starring Nathaniel Marston, Tom Archdeacon, Tom Arnold, Dee Wallace, Mike Starr, Bruce Vilanch, Kirsten Lea. Freaky Friday plus a little Christmas magic thrown in, but with a new twist: two coworkers with contrasting lifestyles -- as in, gay and straight -- switch sexual orientations.

The Closing Night film is Five Star Day, directed by Danny Buday, starring Cam Gigandet, Jena Malone, Julianna Guill, Will Yun Lee. A man sets out to disprove the theory of astrology, and finds himself facing bigger questions about life, love, fate and destiny.

Some of the Documentary films are:

Pink Skies
dir. Gulcin Gilbert (France/USA/UK)
This film covers an extraordinary event, Jump for the Cause, which brought together 181 women from 31 countries to create a World Record All-Women's Skydiving Formation. They also raised nearly $1 million for breast cancer research. The film also features breast cancer survivors, cutting edge researchers, doctors and healers, as well as revelations of breakthroughs that have not been widely publicized.

Mary and Bill
dir. Andrew Napier
A portrait of two elderly athletes: Mary Stroebe, a 90-year-old triathlete, and Bill Wambach, an 83-year-old high jumper. Despite doctors‛ orders following injury and illness, both decide to train and compete in their respective events. Mary hopes to complete the Lifetime Fitness triathlon and Bill will attempt to win 1st place and set the record for high jump at the National Senior Olympics.

Health Care Revolutionbhfilm-video-Pink-Skies-2
dir. Bailey Hollingsworth
The United States stands alone among industrialized nations in denying access to health care based on one‛s ability to pay. Organizations like the Saban Free Clinic provide comprehensive, affordable quality health care solutions -- free of judgment.

As Time Goes By
dir. Fred Breinersdorfer, Sigi Kamml (Germany)
In the heart of Berlin, one can find a very special place: the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe. Did the ambitious project to adequately honor the memory of the systematically, cruelly murdered 6 million Jews by Nazi Germany fail? This film pursues this question.

Suppressed Inventions
dir. Eric Hollerbach
Is there a hidden hand keeping the greatest technological and medical innovations a secret?

Slip Cue
dir. Robin Kupferman (USA/Canada)
featuring DJs Junior Vasquez, DJ Sneak, The Freestylers, Krafty Kuts, Telefon Tel Aviv, Kate Simko, Lady D, Kenneth Thomas
This glimpse into the electronic music industry and scene shows it as a catalyst for aspiring DJs and producers to transform a passion into a career.

Undivided: The Preston and Steve Experience
dir. Sean McKnight
Told from the point of view of a fan, this documentary provides a behind-the-scenes look at morning radio. The focus is The Preston and Steve Show on 93.3FM WMMR in Philadelphia. Preston and Steve have a wildly devoted fan base that is not afraid to go to extremes to show just how much they love this show. Interviewees include Chris Hardwick, Sunny Leone, Teagan Presley, Eva Angelina.

Special Feature Festival Screening:

Ricky
dir. Kevin Wagner
A romantic comedy about an unlikely hero with a Rocky fixation. After getting dumped, he gets the "eye of the tiger" and makes himself over to snag the girl of his dreams.

Some other Narrative films screening are:

Mysteria
dir. Lucius C. Kuert
starring Robert Miano, Danny Glover, Billy Zane, Michael Rooker, Martin Landau, Meadow Williams, Peter Mark Richman
A once famous and now washed-up Hollywood screenwriter fights to finish his latest script with an unrealistic deadline. He finds himself in the center of a murder investigation involving a prominent politician's wife, which he turns into inspiration for his script.

Passengers
dir. Michael Bond (Australia/USA)
A married Australian couple living in Santa Monica set out to meet friends for dinner in Hollywood. It's a Friday night -- naturally, they hit traffic. By the time they arrive, their marriage is over.

Hero
dir. Alex Corrad
When Pete witnesses his classmate getting hit by a car and resuscitated by the local police and firemen, he turns to his mother and declares when he grows up, he wants to be one of "them". He learns years later, little did he know...

Boys
dir. Daryl C. Silva
Shot north of Boston and inspired by true events, the film is about the Ocasio crime family, who try to find redemption after living a notorious life of murder and mayhem.

Amy Alyson Fans
dir. Jonathan Bowen
"A struggling actor launches an unofficial fan site for his rising star girlfriend without her knowledge, growing her stardom and aiding her career. But when she finds out about his online endeavors, their relationship is put to the test."

Redemption
dir. Joseph Paul Stachura
It‛s 1865, the American Civil War is at an end, and the last surviving members of a Confederate family head for California hoping to start a new life.

TV Category:

Big Fat Gypsy Weddings
Executive Producers: Mark Soldinger, Jes Wilkins - Firecracker Films (UK/USA)
A portrait of the "secretive, extravagant and surprising world of gypsies and travellers in Britain today." Winner of the 2010 Cultural Diversity Network Award - Most Ground Breaking Program.

Paul Cruz: Latin Actor
dir. Paul Cruz
A clean cut, all-American Latin Actor hilariously struggles to fit into the stereotypical roles Hollywood has to offer, all while dealing with his crazy representation, psychotic friends, dysfunctional family members and bad dates.

One Sharp Girl
dir. Leah Mann
Crackerjack reporter Lei Mi Min punches and kicks her way through the criminal underworld on her quest for a great story, a fat paycheck, lots of excitement and -- just maybe -- love.

New Media screenings include:

Sketch 22
dir. Justin Marchert
This is the first installment of an animated sketch comedy show. "Sarah Failin's Disasta" follows the Failin family across the great state of Alaska.

Music Videos:

Tram Inspector
dir. Craig Melville (Australia)
Featuring Melbourne comedian The Bedroom Philosopher.

Thinking of You
dir. Paola Berta (UK)
A young girl has a boyfriend who is not respecting her. One night at a club, a new guy expresses interest in her, and she decides to concentrate on herself, being happy with her trustworthy and loyal girlfriends.

15x4 minute comedy series:

Papillon
dir. Kent Sobey, Mark Steinberg (Canada)
Papillon centers on the dysfunctional flight crew of an ultra discount airline.

Web Series include:

Keeping Up with the Kartrashians
dir. Whitney Houser
Episode 1 ("Parole Party"): After Bruce's release from jail, the Kartrashian family celebrates with a party and a new tattoo. When Momma's job and their public assistance run dry, Robbie has an idea that will make the family some money and make Kim a star.

Miracle Mile Girls
dir. Kate Marzullo
First Episode: "And Then There was One" follows the lives of Jessica and Courtney, two aspiring actresses who live together as they clumsily navigate the waters of Hollywood.

Webisodes:

Millie‛s 101 Things
dir. Claire Wasmund
When Millie realizes that her relationship (and life) was more fantasy than reality, she sets out to replace her once naive outlook with ambition and self discovery.

Scene of the Rhyme: Episode 1
dir. Sergio Rios
The comedic web series follows the daily life of breakout hip-hop star Pada, and the fumbling, chaos-fueled management team struggling to take him to the top.

The Wedding Party
dir. Amanda Jane (Australia)
Meet the Thompson Family, "whose individual love lives range from deviant to delicious to downright desperate."

The Special Podcast Event:

The PodBrother Comedy Showcase
Hosted by Steven E Kimbrough

The "Real 3D Access" Podcast
Co-Hosts Anna Lancaster, Jaylyn Bishop

Further New Media Screenings are:

  • Practicing Murder by Di Tommasa
  • Pinch by Steven E Kimbrough
  • Bag A Cougar by Vanessa Peruda
  • Lonely Girl by Kendra Cunningham and Vicky Kuperman
  • Brian Floss by Jonathan Heap
  • We The People by Jayne Bromberg
  • The Best Comedy Show by Brandon Dunaway
  • The Intervention by Jonathan Heap
  • The American Dream by John Holloway

For more information, visit bhfilmtvnewmedia.com.

Beverly Hills Film, TV & New Media Festival
October 20 - 27, 2011

Laemmle Music Hall 3 Theater
9036 Wilshire Blvd.
Beverly Hills, CA
310-478-3836

The Jon Lovitz Podcast Theater
1000 Universal Blvd. #222
Universal City, CA

BFI London Film Fest Does Itself Proud

The 55th BFI London Film Festival 2011 is being held October 12 - 27, 2011 at thlondon-film-Krishna-2e BFI Southbank, Empire Leicester Square and the Vue West End, among other theaters in London, England.

This year‛s Festival is bigger than ever, with more than 240 films, more venues, more tracks, and a wider array of events for meeting filmmakers.

The Opening Night film is 360, directed by Fernando Meirelles and starring Rachel Weisz, Jude Law and Sir Anthony Hopkins. A simple decision -- to remain faithful to his wife -- made by one man evolves into a series of unforeseen consequences that trail through Vienna, Paris, London, Bratislava, Rio de Janeiro, to Denver, Colorado and Phoenix, Arizona.

Read more: BFI London Film Fest Does Itself...

Film Fest in The Hamptons

hamptons-film-Small-MovingThe 19th Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF) 2011 runs October 13 - 17, 2011 at the United Artist Theater and Regal East Hampton Cinema 6 in the village of East Hampton, the Bay Street Theatre and Sag Harbor Cinema in Sag Harbor, the Montauk Movie in Montauk, Regal Bay Cinemas in Southampton, and the Hampton Arts Cinema in West Hampton Beach, in New York.

"The Hamptons International Film Festival was founded to celebrate the Independent film -- long, short, fiction and documentary -- and to introduce a unique, varied spectrum of international films and filmmakers to the public.

The Festival is committed to exhibiting films that express fresh voices and differing global perspectives, with the hope that these programs will enlighten audiences, provide invaluable exposure for filmmakers and present inspired entertainment for all."

Read more: Film Fest in The Hamptons

Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2011

Abu Dhabi Film Festival 2011Humor to horror, Hollywood to Bollywood, heart-pounding blockbusters to heart-breaking romances –- audiences in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)  have access to a remarkable diversity of film choices.

So what makes the Abu Dhabi Film Festival held October 13-22, special?

Here are several factors that makes this film festival experience so exciting.

ADFF also pays special attention to developments in Arab cinema, fostering the region’s distinctive film culture and celebrating its achievements with a global audience. This year, nearly half of the Festival’s program of short and feature-length films is from the Arab world, providing local audiences the chance to explore and understand what is exciting and distinctive about Arab film culture.

Then there’s the advantage of access: Filmmakers attend nearly every screening during the 10-day Festival and take questions from the audience at special post-screening Q&A sessions. And be on the lookout for movie stars from the Arab world and beyond who attend screenings and participate in the Festival’s special events.

Film festivals are renowned for the excitement percolating around the red carpet, and ADFF is no exception with celebrities, camera-toting press, eager fans and all the glamor you’d expect of an international celebration of cinema.

Celebrating its 5th year, the ADFF will screen more than 200 feature and short films by established and emerging filmmakers representing 43 countries. Among the feature films 8 will have their World Premieres and 6 will celebrate their International Premieres. 5 of the features were co-produced with SANAD, the Festival’s fund that provides development and post-production support for films from the Arab world.

The Festival opens October 13 with the critically acclaimed Monsieur Lazhar, directed by Philippe Falardeau and starring Fellag, Sophie Nélisse, Émilien Néron,
Danielle Proulx, and Brigitte Poupart.

The Festival closes with the Black Pearl Awards ceremony on October 22.

The Abu Dhabi Film Festival (formerly the Middle East International FilmnFestival) was established in 2007, with the aim of helping to create a vibrant film culture throughout the region.

Presented each October by the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage (ADACH) under the patronage of H.E. Sheikh Sultan Bin Tahnoon Al Nahyan, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage, the event is committed to curating exceptional
programs to engage and educate the local community, inspire filmmakers and nurture the growth of the regional film industry.

Executive Director Peter Scarlet remarked, "A film festival like ours -– in fact any film festival worthy of the name -- exists for very different reasons. We are showing the films in our program simply because, at one point or another, one of us here on the programming team fell in love with it.

"We travel the world all year, we explore, we are detectives, we try to find the most wonderful work made everywhere, and we bring it back to Abu Dhabi to help to open windows to what’s happening in the rest of the world for the people here.

One of the first reasons people come to festivals is to ind out what some of the great filmmakers been doing lately.

We are happy to present an especially strong line-up this year.Going almost at random:

  • Andrey Zvyagintsev, one of Russia’s great filmmakers
  • David Cronenberg, one of Canada’s major filmmakers
  • Nanni Moretti from Italy
  • Steven Soderbergh,Martin Scorsese and George Clooney from the US
  • Michael Winterbottom from the UK
  • Werner Herzog and Wim Wenders from Germany
  • James Marsh, who won an Oscar is back with his latest doc
  • Arturo Ripstein, maybe Mexico’s greatest filmmaker
  • Hirokazu Kore-Eda from Japan
  • Asghar Farhadi from Iran,
  • Chen Kaige from China

These are some of the top names in world cinema and we are proud to have been able to bring their latest films here."

For a complete list of films visit http://www.abudhabifilmfestival.ae/

Abu Dhabi Film Festival
October 13-22, 2011

Fairmont Bab Al Bahr
Marina Mall
Abu Dhabi Theater
Abu Dhabi, AE

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