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Film Festivals
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
4th Annual Puppets on Film Fest at BAM
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- Parent Category: Film Festivals
- Category: Previews
- Published on Friday, 19 September 2014 16:01
- Written by Renzo Adler
Not quite a live performance, but not quite animation, puppets occupy a strange space on the screen. Brought to life through skilled craftsmanship and imaginative performances, the puppet is a versatile vehicle for comedy or tragedy throughout the world. And now the BAMcinematek in conjunction with the Jim Henson Foundation, will be presenting the fourth annual Puppets on Film festival, October 24 – 26, 2014.
Opening the fest is a celebration of the 1980’s cult classic, Dark Crystal with appearances by conceptual designers Brian and Wendy Froud, the New York premiere of Toby Froud’s award-winning short Lessons Learned.
Steven Lippman’s documentary, Behind the Lid, about the life of puppeteer Basil Twist, will be having its world premiere at the fest, along with an appearance by Twist. Premiering along with it will be Emily Lobsenz’s short film The Never Bell.
The Shortstack! Kids Shorts Programs highlights short films for kids of all ages, along with a screening of Muppets Most Wanted, with an appearance by puppeteer Bil Baird.
There are also workshops for teens and adults looking to try their own hand at the craft of puppetry with the Puppets Dreams Filmmaking Symposium. And for those of you craving some sci-fi, both Return of the Jedi and Attack the Block will be screened with guest speakers.
To learn more, go to: http://www.bam.org/BAMcinematek
Puppets on Film festival
October 24 – 26, 2014
BAM
Peter Jay Sharp Building
30 Lafayette Ave
New York, NY 11217
