Of the seven Xr projects selected for this year’s Quebec spotlight at the NewImages Festival, all but one originated from the Montreal Interactive Studio branch of Canada’s National Film Board (Nfb). More than a victory lap for the French Canadian branch, this recent festival perch offered another testament to the benefits of public investment in a still-nascent artistic discipline.
“Without public investment the business simply would not exist,” says Montreal Interactive Studio executive producer Louis-Richard Tremblay. “These are new tools, new mediums, so if no one is willing to take creative risks, the field wouldn’t be there. Public money allows us to create an entire ecosystem.”
Since 2009, the Montreal Interactive Studio has supported more than 150 projects. With an annual budget of at least $1 million devoted to original productions, and yearly remit of two to three finished titles, the publicly funded outfit has played an outsized role in nourishing the local talents who,...
“Without public investment the business simply would not exist,” says Montreal Interactive Studio executive producer Louis-Richard Tremblay. “These are new tools, new mediums, so if no one is willing to take creative risks, the field wouldn’t be there. Public money allows us to create an entire ecosystem.”
Since 2009, the Montreal Interactive Studio has supported more than 150 projects. With an annual budget of at least $1 million devoted to original productions, and yearly remit of two to three finished titles, the publicly funded outfit has played an outsized role in nourishing the local talents who,...
- 4/8/2023
- by Ben Croll
- Variety Film + TV
Titles include Ivan Gergolet’s ‘The Man Without Guilt’ and Neil Maskell’s ’Klokkenluider’
Estonia’s Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (November 11-27) has unveiled its first feature line-up which includes 10 world and 10 international premieres.
Scroll down for full line-up
Among the world premieres are Italian director Ivan Gergolet’s debut fiction feature The Man Without Guilt, a Slovenia-Italy-Croatia co-production that received €140,000 in Eurimages funding last year. Gergolet’s documentary feature Dancing With Maria screened at Venice’s Critics’ Week in 2014 and was nominated for a European Film Award.
Also premiering is Fisnik Maxville’s The Land Within, about the...
Estonia’s Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (November 11-27) has unveiled its first feature line-up which includes 10 world and 10 international premieres.
Scroll down for full line-up
Among the world premieres are Italian director Ivan Gergolet’s debut fiction feature The Man Without Guilt, a Slovenia-Italy-Croatia co-production that received €140,000 in Eurimages funding last year. Gergolet’s documentary feature Dancing With Maria screened at Venice’s Critics’ Week in 2014 and was nominated for a European Film Award.
Also premiering is Fisnik Maxville’s The Land Within, about the...
- 10/13/2022
- by Ellie Calnan
- ScreenDaily
Mother, the Bulgarian submission for this year’s International Feature Film Oscar race, has been deemed ineligible by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The film’s director, Zornitsa Sophia, announced the decision on social media this week.
Academy sources confirmed to Deadline that Mother has been rejected due to more than 50 of the spoken dialogue track being in the English language.
In her post, Zornitsa Sophia, whose 2004 film Mila From Mars was Bulgaria’s Oscar entry that year, explained that Mother‘s producing team had reached out to the Academy asking for clarification of the eligibility rule, which stipulates that “the recording of the original dialogue track as well as the completed picture must be predominantly (more than 50) in a language or languages other than English.”
She said that the Academy’s response was that eligibility is determined by timing the duration of the English and non-English dialogue,...
Academy sources confirmed to Deadline that Mother has been rejected due to more than 50 of the spoken dialogue track being in the English language.
In her post, Zornitsa Sophia, whose 2004 film Mila From Mars was Bulgaria’s Oscar entry that year, explained that Mother‘s producing team had reached out to the Academy asking for clarification of the eligibility rule, which stipulates that “the recording of the original dialogue track as well as the completed picture must be predominantly (more than 50) in a language or languages other than English.”
She said that the Academy’s response was that eligibility is determined by timing the duration of the English and non-English dialogue,...
- 9/21/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Borat 2 star Maria Bakalova will chair the committee selecting Bulgaria’s best international film submission for the 2022-23 Oscar race, the country’s National Film Center has confirmed.
Bakalova was Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated in the 2020-21 awards season for her performance as Borat’s daughter along Sacha Baron Cohen. She is now busy forging a career in Hollywood where subsequent credits have included The Bubble, Bodies Bodies Bodies and the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
She has remained loyal to her native Bulgaria where she cut her acting teeth in its independent arthouse cinema scene.
Bakalova’s arrival on the Bulgarian Oscar selection committee follows controversy last year, after the selection of Ivaylo Hristov’s drama Fear over Cannes Un Certain Regard selection Women Do Cry, by Vesela Kazakova and Mina Mileva’s and starring Bakalova, prompted accusations of foul play.
Bakalova will be joined by director Kristina Grozeva,...
Bakalova was Oscar and Golden Globe-nominated in the 2020-21 awards season for her performance as Borat’s daughter along Sacha Baron Cohen. She is now busy forging a career in Hollywood where subsequent credits have included The Bubble, Bodies Bodies Bodies and the upcoming Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.
She has remained loyal to her native Bulgaria where she cut her acting teeth in its independent arthouse cinema scene.
Bakalova’s arrival on the Bulgarian Oscar selection committee follows controversy last year, after the selection of Ivaylo Hristov’s drama Fear over Cannes Un Certain Regard selection Women Do Cry, by Vesela Kazakova and Mina Mileva’s and starring Bakalova, prompted accusations of foul play.
Bakalova will be joined by director Kristina Grozeva,...
- 8/8/2022
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Phi 1.618
One of the best filmmakers to ever work with the National Film Board of Canada, Bulgarian Montrealer Theodore Ushev might be considered as a crown jewel on contemporary animation short film scene. Sometime after 2019’s The Physics of Sorrow, Ushev embarked on his feature film debut – which mixes live-action footage with animation and saw the filmmaker return to his homeland. Titled Phi 1.618, the project was shot in the fall of 2020 in the Bulgarian backdrop alongside cinematographer Emil Christov (Zift) and written by Tzvetan Todorov – based on his own novel, The Spinning Top – a Bulgarian-French historian and philosopher.…...
One of the best filmmakers to ever work with the National Film Board of Canada, Bulgarian Montrealer Theodore Ushev might be considered as a crown jewel on contemporary animation short film scene. Sometime after 2019’s The Physics of Sorrow, Ushev embarked on his feature film debut – which mixes live-action footage with animation and saw the filmmaker return to his homeland. Titled Phi 1.618, the project was shot in the fall of 2020 in the Bulgarian backdrop alongside cinematographer Emil Christov (Zift) and written by Tzvetan Todorov – based on his own novel, The Spinning Top – a Bulgarian-French historian and philosopher.…...
- 1/7/2022
- by Eric Lavallée
- IONCINEMA.com
The decision to select Ivaylo Hristov’s migrant drama Fear (Страх) as Bulgaria’s International Film submission for the 94th Academy Awards has sparked controversy in the Balkan country, triggering a slew of accusations, from an illegitimate vote to “systemic racism, sexism and denialism.”
The scandal erupted when animation filmmaker Theodore Ushev wrote a scathing Facebook post two days after Fear was announced as the country’s official selection. Ushev, who lives in Canada, is the most accomplished of the seven people on the selection committee; he is member of the American Film Academy as his animated short Blind Vaysha received an Oscar nomination in 2016.
Ushev questioned the integrity of the selection procedure which was supposed to involve a discussion among the seven committee members about the four movies that had gotten to the final stage, leading to a vote. He revealed that only five of the seven — him included...
The scandal erupted when animation filmmaker Theodore Ushev wrote a scathing Facebook post two days after Fear was announced as the country’s official selection. Ushev, who lives in Canada, is the most accomplished of the seven people on the selection committee; he is member of the American Film Academy as his animated short Blind Vaysha received an Oscar nomination in 2016.
Ushev questioned the integrity of the selection procedure which was supposed to involve a discussion among the seven committee members about the four movies that had gotten to the final stage, leading to a vote. He revealed that only five of the seven — him included...
- 10/16/2021
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
The director’s debut feature will mix live action with animated sequences. Bulgarian director Theodore Ushev, who received an Academy Award nomination for his animated short Blind Vaysha in 2017, is currently in post-production with his feature debut, Phi 1.618, which will blend live-action footage with animation. The feature is being staged by Bulgarian production company Peripeteia Films, represented by Orlin Ruevski and Vladislav Todorov. The screenplay, written by Todorov and based on his own novel, The Spinning Top, explores a dystopian future where science conquers death, and a nation of bio-titans, a breed of asexual, immortal men, has been created. The female sex and procreation have become obsolete. As the Earth turns toxic, the bio-titans are eager to colonise the cosmos on board a colossal spaceship, taking with them only one female body kept barely alive as a reminder of the troubled past. But everything changes when the immortal calligrapher...
Auden Lincoln-Vogel's Zorg 2, Theodore Ushev's The Physics of Sorrow, Pham Tien An's Stay Awake, Be Ready, and Arkadij Khaet and Mickey Paatzsch's Masel Tov Cocktail are among the awardees. The 32nd edition of Filmfest Dresden took place from 8-13 September in a hybrid format after being postponed from its traditional April dates, screening 338 short films in competition and sidebar programmes. A total of €68,000 in prize money was split among 14 awards. In the Golden Horseman International Competition, US-born, Tallinn-based animator Auden Lincoln-Vogel's Zorg 2 (Estonia) received the Best Animated Film Prize, worth €7,500. Theodore Ushev's The Physics of Sorrow (Canada) won the Audience Award in the International Competition, worth €3,000, and a Special Mention in the animation category. Pham Thien An's Stay Awake, Be Ready (Vietnam/South Korea/USA) triumphed in the Fiction Competition. The Golden Horseman of the Youth Jury International Competition and €2,000 went to Thomas Woodroffe's...
The awards ceremony for the most important animation festival of the year was… quiet. Instead celebrating in the iconic lakeside and mountains, this year’s awards were announced via live recording and an emailed newsletter. Annecy International Animated Film Festival went completely online this year.
After a few years with geographical focuses in Asian countries, this year’s festival still has had a relatively kind focus towards East Asian films. Notable Asia-based directors this year include the return of neo media artist Max Hattler (“Divisional Articulations”) with minimalist stop motion “Serial Parallels,” and Yifan Bao’s Satoshi Kon-esque, first film “The Town.” All in all, roughly 25 percent of the 21 awards in total went to Asia-based directors.
For the full list, consult the results below. Keep tabs on our reviews page of some of our festival favorites; Annecy is available to stream (for 17 euros!) until 30 June 2020.
Official Feature Films Competition
Annecy Cristal – “Calamity,...
After a few years with geographical focuses in Asian countries, this year’s festival still has had a relatively kind focus towards East Asian films. Notable Asia-based directors this year include the return of neo media artist Max Hattler (“Divisional Articulations”) with minimalist stop motion “Serial Parallels,” and Yifan Bao’s Satoshi Kon-esque, first film “The Town.” All in all, roughly 25 percent of the 21 awards in total went to Asia-based directors.
For the full list, consult the results below. Keep tabs on our reviews page of some of our festival favorites; Annecy is available to stream (for 17 euros!) until 30 June 2020.
Official Feature Films Competition
Annecy Cristal – “Calamity,...
- 6/22/2020
- by Grace Han
- AsianMoviePulse
“Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary,” the hand-drawn biopic about Martha (Calamity) Jane’s empowering journey West in 1863, from French director Rémi Chayé, won the Cristal Award at the Annecy 2020 Online animation festival. North American theatrical distribution has not been announced but leading contenders include GKids and Shout! Factory, which handled Chayé’s acclaimed Arctic adventure, “Long Way North.”
The Jury Award and Jury Distinction Award went to “The Nose or the Conspiracy of Mavericks,” an experimental drama about Stalin’s reign of terror from Russian director Andrey Khrzhanovsky, and” Kill It and Leave This Town” (Poland), a black-and-white hybrid dystopian drama about a despairing guy who hides in his memories, directed by Mariusz Wilczynski; and the Contrechamp Award and Contrechamp Distinction Award were bestowed on “My Favorite War”, a personal story from director Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen about growing up during the Cold War using cut-outs, and “The Shaman...
The Jury Award and Jury Distinction Award went to “The Nose or the Conspiracy of Mavericks,” an experimental drama about Stalin’s reign of terror from Russian director Andrey Khrzhanovsky, and” Kill It and Leave This Town” (Poland), a black-and-white hybrid dystopian drama about a despairing guy who hides in his memories, directed by Mariusz Wilczynski; and the Contrechamp Award and Contrechamp Distinction Award were bestowed on “My Favorite War”, a personal story from director Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen about growing up during the Cold War using cut-outs, and “The Shaman...
- 6/20/2020
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
“Calamity, a Childhood of Martha Jane Cannary,” the hand-drawn biopic about Martha (Calamity) Jane’s empowering journey West in 1863, from French director Rémi Chayé, won the Cristal Award at the Annecy 2020 Online animation festival. North American theatrical distribution has not been announced but leading contenders include GKids and Shout! Factory, which handled Chayé’s acclaimed Arctic adventure, “Long Way North.”
The Jury Award and Jury Distinction Award went to “The Nose or the Conspiracy of Mavericks,” an experimental drama about Stalin’s reign of terror from Russian director Andrey Khrzhanovsky, and” Kill It and Leave This Town” (Poland), a black-and-white hybrid dystopian drama about a despairing guy who hides in his memories, directed by Mariusz Wilczynski; and the Contrechamp Award and Contrechamp Distinction Award were bestowed on “My Favorite War”, a personal story from director Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen about growing up during the Cold War using cut-outs, and “The Shaman...
The Jury Award and Jury Distinction Award went to “The Nose or the Conspiracy of Mavericks,” an experimental drama about Stalin’s reign of terror from Russian director Andrey Khrzhanovsky, and” Kill It and Leave This Town” (Poland), a black-and-white hybrid dystopian drama about a despairing guy who hides in his memories, directed by Mariusz Wilczynski; and the Contrechamp Award and Contrechamp Distinction Award were bestowed on “My Favorite War”, a personal story from director Ilze Burkovska Jacobsen about growing up during the Cold War using cut-outs, and “The Shaman...
- 6/20/2020
- by Bill Desowitz
- Thompson on Hollywood
June 20 was always meant to be the day the 2020 Annecy International Animation Film Festival would hand out awards at an energetic, paper airplane-filled gala, making it one of the most important dates on the global animation calendar.
While other aspects of the festival were changed dramatically by the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis, festival organizers felt it symbolically important to preserve that date. To that end, 10 days ahead of the festival’s official June 30 close, prizes were awarded via a live-streamed video on the festival’s YouTube channel in a charming ceremony which allowed spectators to interact with and congratulate the winners as prizes were announced. And of course, as is customary for Annecy, fill the chat with cries of “lapin” (French for rabbit) every time one of the furry creatures appeared on screen.
Coming full circle, Rémi Chayé’s “Calamity,” featured in a Work in Progress panel hosted by...
While other aspects of the festival were changed dramatically by the fallout of the Covid-19 crisis, festival organizers felt it symbolically important to preserve that date. To that end, 10 days ahead of the festival’s official June 30 close, prizes were awarded via a live-streamed video on the festival’s YouTube channel in a charming ceremony which allowed spectators to interact with and congratulate the winners as prizes were announced. And of course, as is customary for Annecy, fill the chat with cries of “lapin” (French for rabbit) every time one of the furry creatures appeared on screen.
Coming full circle, Rémi Chayé’s “Calamity,” featured in a Work in Progress panel hosted by...
- 6/20/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
On Friday evening, the Annecy International Animation Film Festival announced 13 special award winners in advance of Saturday night’s Official Awards ceremony. Both events will be streamed for free on the festival’s YouTube page at 5 p.m. Cest (8 a.m. Pst).
Annecy artistic director Marcel Jean was joined, via prerecorded video clips, by a clutch of the evening’s big winners, and screened brief clips from several after they were announced.
Junior Jury Awards, voted for by a special jury of for short and graduation films went to Taylor Meachum’s “To: Gerard,” from DreamWorks Animation and Tsz Wing Ho’s “Catgot,” backed by the School of Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong, respectively.
Among the most coveted of Annecy’s special prizes, the Fipresci Award for a short film went to Theodore Ushev’s “The Physics of Sorrow.” Already a hit at both Toronto and Clermont Ferrand,...
Annecy artistic director Marcel Jean was joined, via prerecorded video clips, by a clutch of the evening’s big winners, and screened brief clips from several after they were announced.
Junior Jury Awards, voted for by a special jury of for short and graduation films went to Taylor Meachum’s “To: Gerard,” from DreamWorks Animation and Tsz Wing Ho’s “Catgot,” backed by the School of Creative Media at City University of Hong Kong, respectively.
Among the most coveted of Annecy’s special prizes, the Fipresci Award for a short film went to Theodore Ushev’s “The Physics of Sorrow.” Already a hit at both Toronto and Clermont Ferrand,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Each year, Variety staff pick 10 short films screening at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, either from competition or from the event’s multiple prestigious sidebars, which attendees should take care not to miss.
This year, with the entirety of the short film competition on the festival’s digital platform, animation fans from almost anywhere in the world can count themselves among attendees for the cost of a €15 ($16.87) accreditation.
France is, predictably, well represented on this year’s list and in competition in general. Canada came in big this year with “The Physics of Sorrow” and “I, Barnabé,” both backed by public broadcaster Office National du Film du Canada (Onf), as did Spain – “Homeless Home” and “Carne.”
This year’s list skews older than previous selections, although some family friendly content did make the cut: DreamWorks’ “To: Gerard” and Dandelooo’s “Shooom’s Odyssey,” mirroring the competition selection. Another quantifiable...
This year, with the entirety of the short film competition on the festival’s digital platform, animation fans from almost anywhere in the world can count themselves among attendees for the cost of a €15 ($16.87) accreditation.
France is, predictably, well represented on this year’s list and in competition in general. Canada came in big this year with “The Physics of Sorrow” and “I, Barnabé,” both backed by public broadcaster Office National du Film du Canada (Onf), as did Spain – “Homeless Home” and “Carne.”
This year’s list skews older than previous selections, although some family friendly content did make the cut: DreamWorks’ “To: Gerard” and Dandelooo’s “Shooom’s Odyssey,” mirroring the competition selection. Another quantifiable...
- 6/18/2020
- by Jamie Lang, Emilio Mayorga and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
A record 92 animated short films have qualified for the 92nd Academy Awards, a list that will be winnowed to 10 contenders when shortlist is announced Dec. 16. Alongside entries such as Sony’s “Hair Love” and Magic Light Pictures’ “Zog,” challengers include lauded films from animators such as Tomek Popakul’s “Acid Rain,” Siqi Song’s “Sister” and Theodore Ushev’s “The Physics of Sorrow.” Ranging from studio darlings to festival gems, the diversity of projects in the category makes for a somewhat unpredictable race, yet each year a handful of shorts float to the top, generating awards season buzz.
1. Curse of the Monkeybird (Warner Bros.)
Director: Pete Browngardt
Producers: Pete Browngardt, Sam Register
The slapstick “Indiana Jones”-inspired 2D short features classic Looney Tunes characters searching for a cursed treasure inside a jungle temple. “It was a dream come true to be able to write and direct a Porky Pig and Daffy Duck cartoon from scratch,...
1. Curse of the Monkeybird (Warner Bros.)
Director: Pete Browngardt
Producers: Pete Browngardt, Sam Register
The slapstick “Indiana Jones”-inspired 2D short features classic Looney Tunes characters searching for a cursed treasure inside a jungle temple. “It was a dream come true to be able to write and direct a Porky Pig and Daffy Duck cartoon from scratch,...
- 12/4/2019
- by Jennifer Wolfe
- Variety Film + TV
Internationally Acclaimed The Constitution Opens South East European Film Festival April 27 at the Writers Guild in Beverly Hills
Largest-Ever Selection with 56 Films from and about South East Europe
The eight-day SEEfest 2017 runs April 27 — May 4, and includes 12 features, 8 documentaries, 1 special out-of-competition screening, and 36 shorts films (short features, short docs, and animation shorts). Festival audience comprises filmmakers and international art house aficionados, industry professionals and cultural dignitaries from Los Angeles and South East Europe. Screenings are held at the Writers Guild Theater and Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills, the Goethe-Institut in Miracle Mile area and West Hollywood Council Chambers @ Library campus.
The 12th annual South East European Film Festival (SEEfest) has selected Montreal’s Grand Prix of Americas and Santa Barbara’s Best International Feature Film Winner, “The Constitution” by Croatian director Rajko Grlić to open 2017 Festival with a gala event on Thursday, April 27, at 7:00 pm at the Writers Guild Theater theater in Beverly Hills.
Largest-Ever Selection with 56 Films from and about South East Europe
The eight-day SEEfest 2017 runs April 27 — May 4, and includes 12 features, 8 documentaries, 1 special out-of-competition screening, and 36 shorts films (short features, short docs, and animation shorts). Festival audience comprises filmmakers and international art house aficionados, industry professionals and cultural dignitaries from Los Angeles and South East Europe. Screenings are held at the Writers Guild Theater and Laemmle Music Hall in Beverly Hills, the Goethe-Institut in Miracle Mile area and West Hollywood Council Chambers @ Library campus.
The 12th annual South East European Film Festival (SEEfest) has selected Montreal’s Grand Prix of Americas and Santa Barbara’s Best International Feature Film Winner, “The Constitution” by Croatian director Rajko Grlić to open 2017 Festival with a gala event on Thursday, April 27, at 7:00 pm at the Writers Guild Theater theater in Beverly Hills.
- 4/20/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
In the week leading up to the 89th Oscars, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will present a series of public programs celebrating this year’s nominees in the Animated Feature Film, Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, Foreign Language Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Animated and Live Action Short Film categories. All events will be held at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.
Wamg attended the annual AMPAS reception featuring the 2016 Oscar nominated films in the Animated and Live-Action Short Film categories. The program featured screenings of all the nominated films in these categories, plus an onstage discussion with the filmmakers.
The evening was hosted by director Tim Miller (Deadpool), who himself was nominated in the Animated Short category in 2005 (Gopher Broke). In his opening comments, a clearly emotional Miller spoke about shorts being, for most filmmakers, a labor of love rather than a means to getting awards and accolades.
Wamg attended the annual AMPAS reception featuring the 2016 Oscar nominated films in the Animated and Live-Action Short Film categories. The program featured screenings of all the nominated films in these categories, plus an onstage discussion with the filmmakers.
The evening was hosted by director Tim Miller (Deadpool), who himself was nominated in the Animated Short category in 2005 (Gopher Broke). In his opening comments, a clearly emotional Miller spoke about shorts being, for most filmmakers, a labor of love rather than a means to getting awards and accolades.
- 2/23/2017
- by Melissa Thompson
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
MaryAnn’s quick take… My pick: “Pearl” [pictured], blending new Vr tech with old-fashioned characters and emotions, demonstrating storytelling possibilities that are beginning to open up. I’m “biast” (pro): nothing
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
The lessons and legacies parents pass on to their children. The dangers of not living in the present… or living too much in the present. These are the motifs woven through the five short animated films nominated for the Oscar this year.
“Pearl” is a lovely sketch of the creative bond between a father and daughter.
My favorite, and the one I’d like to see win, is “Pearl” [IMDb], from Disney animator Patrick Osborne (Big Hero 6), who won in this category two years ago with his delightful “Feast.” A lovely sketch of a relationship between a father and daughter from their rough early...
I’m “biast” (con): nothing
(what is this about? see my critic’s minifesto)
The lessons and legacies parents pass on to their children. The dangers of not living in the present… or living too much in the present. These are the motifs woven through the five short animated films nominated for the Oscar this year.
“Pearl” is a lovely sketch of the creative bond between a father and daughter.
My favorite, and the one I’d like to see win, is “Pearl” [IMDb], from Disney animator Patrick Osborne (Big Hero 6), who won in this category two years ago with his delightful “Feast.” A lovely sketch of a relationship between a father and daughter from their rough early...
- 2/20/2017
- by MaryAnn Johanson
- www.flickfilosopher.com
The Oscar for best animated short film may not generate nearly as much attention as other categories, but it strikes an exciting contrast with the more traditional forms of storytelling found throughout other categories.
These films usually celebrate animators from around the world — including a number of up-and-comers — who apply a range of visual techniques and sophisticated concepts only possible in the animated medium. This year is entirely North American, but still features a lot of different approaches — and yet, ironically, the frontrunner in the category is a very familiar name: Pixar.
Read More: 2017 Oscar Nominated Documentary Shorts Review: Humanity Prevails in This Politically Charged Group
Fortunately, the company’s latest short deserves the hype. Of course, just landing a nomination helps bring additional attention to these titles, and anyone seeking them out will discover an exciting range of experiences. While this isn’t the strongest list of nominees in recent years,...
These films usually celebrate animators from around the world — including a number of up-and-comers — who apply a range of visual techniques and sophisticated concepts only possible in the animated medium. This year is entirely North American, but still features a lot of different approaches — and yet, ironically, the frontrunner in the category is a very familiar name: Pixar.
Read More: 2017 Oscar Nominated Documentary Shorts Review: Humanity Prevails in This Politically Charged Group
Fortunately, the company’s latest short deserves the hype. Of course, just landing a nomination helps bring additional attention to these titles, and anyone seeking them out will discover an exciting range of experiences. While this isn’t the strongest list of nominees in recent years,...
- 2/9/2017
- by Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
Ahead of the Academy Awards, we’re reviewing each short category. See the Animation section below and the other shorts sections here.
Blind Vaysha – Canada – 8 minutes
I did a double take upon hearing Theodore Ushev‘s name alongside his animated short Blind Vaysha during the Oscar nominations because I’ve watched his work progress the past five years. This Canadian by way of Bulgaria is a Toronto International Film Festival staple, a guy who alters his aesthetic with every new project. Whether rotoscoping, hybridizing Cubism and Constructivism, or dabbling in Abstract Expressionism, though, you always know it’s an Ushev film because of its content and craftsmanship. His latest is no different, the adoption of woodcutting lending an old school storybook feel to a tale that speaks towards today’s climate of hope and despair. Narrated by Caroline Dhavernas, Vaysha’s story begs us to open our eyes and see...
Blind Vaysha – Canada – 8 minutes
I did a double take upon hearing Theodore Ushev‘s name alongside his animated short Blind Vaysha during the Oscar nominations because I’ve watched his work progress the past five years. This Canadian by way of Bulgaria is a Toronto International Film Festival staple, a guy who alters his aesthetic with every new project. Whether rotoscoping, hybridizing Cubism and Constructivism, or dabbling in Abstract Expressionism, though, you always know it’s an Ushev film because of its content and craftsmanship. His latest is no different, the adoption of woodcutting lending an old school storybook feel to a tale that speaks towards today’s climate of hope and despair. Narrated by Caroline Dhavernas, Vaysha’s story begs us to open our eyes and see...
- 2/8/2017
- by Jared Mobarak
- The Film Stage
With the 2017 Academy Awards just around the corner, it’s time to race to theaters to see this year’s contenders like La La Land and Hidden Figures. But don’t forget about the often overlooked categories of Best Animated Short and Best Live-Action Short.
Ranging from heartbreaking to inspirational, the nominees in these categories are worth a watch. And the best part? Even with 10 films to watch, it’s not a big time commitment!
Find out how to watch the projects ahead of the Feb. 26 award ceremony.
How to Watch Animated Short Film Nominees:
Blind Vaysha
This short from...
Ranging from heartbreaking to inspirational, the nominees in these categories are worth a watch. And the best part? Even with 10 films to watch, it’s not a big time commitment!
Find out how to watch the projects ahead of the Feb. 26 award ceremony.
How to Watch Animated Short Film Nominees:
Blind Vaysha
This short from...
- 2/7/2017
- by Stephanie Petit
- PEOPLE.com
‘Pearl’ (Courtesy: Google Spotlight Stories)
By: Carson Blackwelder
Managing Editor
Those of you who haven’t been taking virtual reality seriously should start doing so right now. For the first time ever, the Oscars have nominated a Vr film, which means the filmmaking style is officially taking hold and is undoubtedly here to stay — at least for the time being. Pearl has snagged a nomination in the best animated short category and stands a chance at winning big. Let’s take a look at what this moment means for the future of Vr and how it stands against the competition.
Pearl — a 2016 film by Google Spotlight Story and Evil Eye Pictures — tells the story of a girl and her dad chasing their dreams as they cross the United States in an old hatchback, their makeshift home, named Pearl. Music, created by both the father and daughter, is at the center...
By: Carson Blackwelder
Managing Editor
Those of you who haven’t been taking virtual reality seriously should start doing so right now. For the first time ever, the Oscars have nominated a Vr film, which means the filmmaking style is officially taking hold and is undoubtedly here to stay — at least for the time being. Pearl has snagged a nomination in the best animated short category and stands a chance at winning big. Let’s take a look at what this moment means for the future of Vr and how it stands against the competition.
Pearl — a 2016 film by Google Spotlight Story and Evil Eye Pictures — tells the story of a girl and her dad chasing their dreams as they cross the United States in an old hatchback, their makeshift home, named Pearl. Music, created by both the father and daughter, is at the center...
- 2/2/2017
- by Carson Blackwelder
- Scott Feinberg
For animator/illustrator Robert Valley, the imperfections of life and art magnificently come together in his Oscar-nominated short, “Pear Cider and Cigarettes,” about his friendship with a self-destructive daredevil, who died despite reaching out to the filmmaker for help to get a liver transplant in China.
Valley first wrote about his childhood friend, Techno, in two self-published graphic novels. He was a gifted athlete but, even at a young age, drawn to danger like a moth to the flame. It’s a dark, tragic, passionate account of the American Dream gone bad and the idealism of loyalty and hero worship.
Read More: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Video Compares the Trailers for the 1991 Animated Film and New Live-Action Version – Watch
Yet even after the graphic novels, the Vancouver filmmaker (best known for “Aeon Flux,” “Wonder Woman” shorts, and Gorillaz music videos) was compelled to make a short about Techno. He set...
Valley first wrote about his childhood friend, Techno, in two self-published graphic novels. He was a gifted athlete but, even at a young age, drawn to danger like a moth to the flame. It’s a dark, tragic, passionate account of the American Dream gone bad and the idealism of loyalty and hero worship.
Read More: ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Video Compares the Trailers for the 1991 Animated Film and New Live-Action Version – Watch
Yet even after the graphic novels, the Vancouver filmmaker (best known for “Aeon Flux,” “Wonder Woman” shorts, and Gorillaz music videos) was compelled to make a short about Techno. He set...
- 2/1/2017
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Time has caught up with Bulgarian animation director Theodore Ushev. After making more than a dozen dark, allegorical shorts (“Blood Manifest” was animated with his own blood), his latest — “Blind Vaysha” (from the Nfb) — has captured the zeitgeist about our tumultuous times as well as his first Oscar nomination.
Ushev, who specializes in linocut block printing, ambitiously recreated the century-old process for his animated work, adapted from the short story by his friend, Georgi Gospodinov, about a woman cursed with a green left eye that sees the past and a right brown eye that glimpses the future.
Read More: Oscars 2017 Animated Shorts: Will ‘Piper’ End Pixar’s 15-Year Drought?
“I wanted to personalize this anxiety of being pressed between the past and the future,” Ushev told IndieWire. “I think that many people are very nostalgic for the past. And, of course, they’re afraid of the future. And now they’re afraid even more.
Ushev, who specializes in linocut block printing, ambitiously recreated the century-old process for his animated work, adapted from the short story by his friend, Georgi Gospodinov, about a woman cursed with a green left eye that sees the past and a right brown eye that glimpses the future.
Read More: Oscars 2017 Animated Shorts: Will ‘Piper’ End Pixar’s 15-Year Drought?
“I wanted to personalize this anxiety of being pressed between the past and the future,” Ushev told IndieWire. “I think that many people are very nostalgic for the past. And, of course, they’re afraid of the future. And now they’re afraid even more.
- 1/31/2017
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
It’s been 16 years since Pixar won the Oscar for best animated short (Ralph Eggleston’s “For the Birds”). Wouldn’t it be fitting if Alan Barillaro’s fine-feathered “Piper” ended the drought? That would give Pixar four Oscars (alongside Geri’s Game” and “Tin Toy”).
However, “Piper” faces stiff competition, particularly from Theodore Ushev’s much darker “Blind Vaysha” from the National Film Board of Canada, which has earned a dozen Oscars.
The other three contenders range from Robert Valley’s bleak “Pear Cider and Cigarettes” (Vimeo’s first Oscar nom), the melancholy Western, “Borrowed Time” (made independently by Pixar’s Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj), and the introspective “Pearl” from Oscar winner Patrick Osborne (Disney’s “Feast”), the first Vr nominee from Google Spotlight Stories.
“Piper”
The rite of passage for the adorable sand piper continues a long Pixar tradition of incubating innovative tech in its shorts program.
However, “Piper” faces stiff competition, particularly from Theodore Ushev’s much darker “Blind Vaysha” from the National Film Board of Canada, which has earned a dozen Oscars.
The other three contenders range from Robert Valley’s bleak “Pear Cider and Cigarettes” (Vimeo’s first Oscar nom), the melancholy Western, “Borrowed Time” (made independently by Pixar’s Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj), and the introspective “Pearl” from Oscar winner Patrick Osborne (Disney’s “Feast”), the first Vr nominee from Google Spotlight Stories.
“Piper”
The rite of passage for the adorable sand piper continues a long Pixar tradition of incubating innovative tech in its shorts program.
- 1/26/2017
- by Bill Desowitz
- Indiewire
Ryan Gosling, Denis Villeneuve, and more of the 2017 Canadian Oscar nomineesRyan Gosling, Denis Villeneuve, and more of the 2017 Canadian Oscar nomineesAdriana Floridia1/24/2017 2:25:00 Pm
It's always great to see Canadian talent being recognized by Hollywood.
While we did endure a couple of snubs today, as we would've loved to see Xavier Dolan finally be nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category for It's Only the End of the World, or a surprise nomination for Ryan Reynolds as our favourite crass superhero, Deadpool, there was still a lot of Canadian love given to us by the Academy.
Two major players are ones you'll recognize, and are also coincidentally working together on Blade Runner 2049. Canadian actor and hearthrob Ryan Gosling today earned his second Oscar nomination for playing Sebastian, the jazz pianist, in La La Land. The first time he was nominated was ten years ago when he played...
It's always great to see Canadian talent being recognized by Hollywood.
While we did endure a couple of snubs today, as we would've loved to see Xavier Dolan finally be nominated in the Best Foreign Language Film category for It's Only the End of the World, or a surprise nomination for Ryan Reynolds as our favourite crass superhero, Deadpool, there was still a lot of Canadian love given to us by the Academy.
Two major players are ones you'll recognize, and are also coincidentally working together on Blade Runner 2049. Canadian actor and hearthrob Ryan Gosling today earned his second Oscar nomination for playing Sebastian, the jazz pianist, in La La Land. The first time he was nominated was ten years ago when he played...
- 1/24/2017
- by Adriana Floridia
- Cineplex
The nominations for the 89th Academy Awards are in and La La Land leads the pack with 14 nominations! I knew La La Land was going to explode at this event, and it's probably going to end up taking home many of the awards is was nominated for. The 14 nominations ties the record with 1997's Titanic and 1950's All About Eve.
Arrival ended up with eight nominations as did Moonlight, while Hacksaw Ridge, Lion, and Manchester by the Sea all got six. Deadpool ended up with zero nominations. I was hoping to see it somewhere on the list, but it looks like all that hype didn't work.
Every film and actor who was nominated for their work deserves to be on this list, so congratulations to them all! There are so many great films and actors to root for, but there can be only one winner in each category.
Jimmy Kimmel...
Arrival ended up with eight nominations as did Moonlight, while Hacksaw Ridge, Lion, and Manchester by the Sea all got six. Deadpool ended up with zero nominations. I was hoping to see it somewhere on the list, but it looks like all that hype didn't work.
Every film and actor who was nominated for their work deserves to be on this list, so congratulations to them all! There are so many great films and actors to root for, but there can be only one winner in each category.
Jimmy Kimmel...
- 1/24/2017
- by Joey Paur
- GeekTyrant
This year a record 69 animated short films vied for an Oscar nomination, with ten making the shortlist, and five final nominations.
For six years, Disney or Pixar has been nominated in the category every year, and won twice (“Paperman” and “Feast”). This year Pixar’s “Piper,” from Alan Barillaro (“Wall·E,” “Brave,” “Finding Nemo”), could mark a Pixar win for the first time since Ralph Eggleston’s “For the Birds” 15 years ago. That would give Pixar four Oscars (alongside Geri’s Game” and “Tin Toy”).
Read more: Oscars 2017 Animated Shorts: Will ‘Piper’ End Pixar’s 15-Year Drought?
However, “Piper” faces stiff competition, particularly from Theodore Ushev’s much darker “Blind Vaysha” from the National Film Board of Canada, which has earned a dozen Oscars. The other three contenders range from Robert Valley’s bleak “Pear Cider and Cigarettes” (Vimeo’s first Oscar nom), the melancholy Western, “Borrowed Time” (made independently...
For six years, Disney or Pixar has been nominated in the category every year, and won twice (“Paperman” and “Feast”). This year Pixar’s “Piper,” from Alan Barillaro (“Wall·E,” “Brave,” “Finding Nemo”), could mark a Pixar win for the first time since Ralph Eggleston’s “For the Birds” 15 years ago. That would give Pixar four Oscars (alongside Geri’s Game” and “Tin Toy”).
Read more: Oscars 2017 Animated Shorts: Will ‘Piper’ End Pixar’s 15-Year Drought?
However, “Piper” faces stiff competition, particularly from Theodore Ushev’s much darker “Blind Vaysha” from the National Film Board of Canada, which has earned a dozen Oscars. The other three contenders range from Robert Valley’s bleak “Pear Cider and Cigarettes” (Vimeo’s first Oscar nom), the melancholy Western, “Borrowed Time” (made independently...
- 1/19/2017
- by Anne Thompson and Bill Desowitz
- Thompson on Hollywood
This year a record 69 animated short films vied for an Oscar nomination, with ten making the shortlist.
For six years, Disney or Pixar has been nominated in the category every year, and won twice (“Paperman” and “Feast”). This year both studios have films on the shortlist, “Inner Workings” (Disney) and “Piper” (Pixar). Other animated shorts included in the 10 are Robert Valley’s “Pear Cider and Cigarettes,” Franck Dion’s “The Head Vanishes” and Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj’s “Borrowed Time.”
Read More: 2017 Oscars: Record 70 Animated Shorts Vie for Shortlist of Ten
After December screenings in La, NY, London and San Francisco, Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members selected five nominees to be announced on Tuesday, January 24.
The 10 animated short films, along with their production companies and trailer, are below in alphabetical order:
Frontrunners
“Blind Vaysha,” Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada)
“Borrowed Time,” Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj,...
For six years, Disney or Pixar has been nominated in the category every year, and won twice (“Paperman” and “Feast”). This year both studios have films on the shortlist, “Inner Workings” (Disney) and “Piper” (Pixar). Other animated shorts included in the 10 are Robert Valley’s “Pear Cider and Cigarettes,” Franck Dion’s “The Head Vanishes” and Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj’s “Borrowed Time.”
Read More: 2017 Oscars: Record 70 Animated Shorts Vie for Shortlist of Ten
After December screenings in La, NY, London and San Francisco, Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members selected five nominees to be announced on Tuesday, January 24.
The 10 animated short films, along with their production companies and trailer, are below in alphabetical order:
Frontrunners
“Blind Vaysha,” Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada)
“Borrowed Time,” Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj,...
- 1/19/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
This year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had a record 69 animated short films vying for a nomination. Now the 10 titles that will advance in the voting process for the 89th Academy Awards have been announced.
For six years, Disney or Pixar has been nominated in the category every year, and won twice (“Paperman” and “Feast”). This year both studios have films on the shortlist, “Inner Workings” (Disney) and “Piper” (Pixar). Other animated shorts included in the 10 are Robert Valley’s “Pear Cider and Cigarettes,” Franck Dion’s “The Head Vanishes” and Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj’s “Borrowed Time.”
Read More: 2017 Oscars: Record 70 Animated Shorts Vie for Shortlist of Ten
Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will now select five nominees from among the 10 titles. Screening of each will be held in Los Angeles, London, New York and San Francisco in December.
The final five will be announced,...
For six years, Disney or Pixar has been nominated in the category every year, and won twice (“Paperman” and “Feast”). This year both studios have films on the shortlist, “Inner Workings” (Disney) and “Piper” (Pixar). Other animated shorts included in the 10 are Robert Valley’s “Pear Cider and Cigarettes,” Franck Dion’s “The Head Vanishes” and Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj’s “Borrowed Time.”
Read More: 2017 Oscars: Record 70 Animated Shorts Vie for Shortlist of Ten
Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will now select five nominees from among the 10 titles. Screening of each will be held in Los Angeles, London, New York and San Francisco in December.
The final five will be announced,...
- 11/23/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Wednesday announced that 10 animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 89th Academy Awards.
A total of 69 pictures had originally qualified in the category. The short films and feature animation branch will now select five nominees from the 10 titles on the shortlist.
The films are:
Blind Vaysha, Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada)
Borrowed Time, Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj, directors (Quorum Films)
Happy End, Jan Saska, director (Famu - Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing...
A total of 69 pictures had originally qualified in the category. The short films and feature animation branch will now select five nominees from the 10 titles on the shortlist.
The films are:
Blind Vaysha, Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada)
Borrowed Time, Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj, directors (Quorum Films)
Happy End, Jan Saska, director (Famu - Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing...
- 11/23/2016
- by Carolyn Giardina
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences isn’t taking today off, announcing its shortlist for Animated Shorts category at the 89th Oscars. They are: Blind Vaysha, Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada) Borrowed Time, Andrew Coats and Lou Hamou-Lhadj, directors (Quorum Films) Happy End, Jan Saska, director (Famu – Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague) The Head Vanishes, Franck Dion, director (Papy3D Productions, National…...
- 11/23/2016
- Deadline
Disney’s “Inner Workings” and Pixar’s “Piper” are among the 10 films that have moved to the second round of voting in the Oscars race for Best Animated Short, the Academy announced on Wednesday. Other shortlisted films include “Blind Vaysha” and “The Head Vanishes” from the National Film Board of Canada, which typically lands Oscar nominees. The Student Academy Award winner “Once Upon a Line,” from USC student Alicja Jasina, also received a nomination. Also Read: Top Student Academy Awards Go to AFI, USC, Berkeley, Columbia The films, with their production companies: “Blind Vaysha,” Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada) “Borrowed Time,...
- 11/23/2016
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Chicago – The recently completed 52nd Chicago International Film Festival offered a world perspective on cinema, and honors the films that will influence the arts culture for years to come. Their Awards Night was October 21st, 2016, and was hosted by Richard Roeper, film critic of the Chicago Sun Times. The recipient of the top prize of the fest, the Gold Hugo, was “Sieranevada” (Romania), directed by Cristi Puiu.
The 52nd Chicago International Film Festival Awards Night was Oct. 21, 2016
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival
The awards event took place at the AMC River East Theatre. Presenters included Programming Director Mimi Plauché, programmers Anthony Kaufman and Sam Flancher, plus various jury members – which included Geraldine Chapman (actress and daughter of Charlie Chaplin), who presided over the International Feature Film Competition Jury. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com sat on the Animation Shorts jury. The Festival’s highest honor is the Gold Hugo, named...
The 52nd Chicago International Film Festival Awards Night was Oct. 21, 2016
Photo credit: Chicago International Film Festival
The awards event took place at the AMC River East Theatre. Presenters included Programming Director Mimi Plauché, programmers Anthony Kaufman and Sam Flancher, plus various jury members – which included Geraldine Chapman (actress and daughter of Charlie Chaplin), who presided over the International Feature Film Competition Jury. Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com sat on the Animation Shorts jury. The Festival’s highest honor is the Gold Hugo, named...
- 10/30/2016
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
A heavyweight roster of world premieres from the leading lights of Canada’s film industry will grace the Toronto International Film Festival next month.
New work from Deepa Mehta, Bruce McDonald and Chloé Robichaud are among the Canadian features set to receive their world premieres, while Xavier Dolan and Kim Nguyen earn North American premieres for their latest films following their Cannes debuts.
Wednesday’s announcement included the slate of Canadian short films, the festival’s four Rising Stars, and participants in the Talent Lab and Telefilm Canada Pitch This! programmes.
Talent Lab alumnus Andrew Cividino is named the 2016 Len Blum Resident. The film-maker will take up residency at the Festival Tower for three months later this year and receive one-on-one script consultations with screenwriter Blum, mentoring from Tiff’s industry and programming teams, and support from Tiff partners.
Cividino will work on his screenplay, We Ate the Children Last, a feature...
New work from Deepa Mehta, Bruce McDonald and Chloé Robichaud are among the Canadian features set to receive their world premieres, while Xavier Dolan and Kim Nguyen earn North American premieres for their latest films following their Cannes debuts.
Wednesday’s announcement included the slate of Canadian short films, the festival’s four Rising Stars, and participants in the Talent Lab and Telefilm Canada Pitch This! programmes.
Talent Lab alumnus Andrew Cividino is named the 2016 Len Blum Resident. The film-maker will take up residency at the Festival Tower for three months later this year and receive one-on-one script consultations with screenwriter Blum, mentoring from Tiff’s industry and programming teams, and support from Tiff partners.
Cividino will work on his screenplay, We Ate the Children Last, a feature...
- 8/3/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
A heavyweight roster of world premieres from the leading lights of Canada’s film industry will grace the Toronto International Film Festival next month.
New work from Deepa Mehta, Bruce McDonald and Chloé Robichaud are among the Canadian features set to receive their world premieres, while Xavier Dolan and Kim Nguyen earn North American premieres for their latest films following their Cannes debuts.
Wednesday’s announcement included the slate of Canadian short films, the festival’s four Rising Stars, and participants in the Talent Lab and Telefilm Canada Pitch This! programmes.
Talent Lab alumnus Andrew Cividino is named the 2016 Len Blum Resident. The film-maker will take up residency at the Festival Tower for three months later this year and receive one-on-one script consultations with screenwriter Blum, mentoring from Tiff’s industry and programming teams, and support from Tiff partners.
Cividino will work on his screenplay, We Ate the Children Last, a feature...
New work from Deepa Mehta, Bruce McDonald and Chloé Robichaud are among the Canadian features set to receive their world premieres, while Xavier Dolan and Kim Nguyen earn North American premieres for their latest films following their Cannes debuts.
Wednesday’s announcement included the slate of Canadian short films, the festival’s four Rising Stars, and participants in the Talent Lab and Telefilm Canada Pitch This! programmes.
Talent Lab alumnus Andrew Cividino is named the 2016 Len Blum Resident. The film-maker will take up residency at the Festival Tower for three months later this year and receive one-on-one script consultations with screenwriter Blum, mentoring from Tiff’s industry and programming teams, and support from Tiff partners.
Cividino will work on his screenplay, We Ate the Children Last, a feature...
- 8/3/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Berlinale receives record number of submissions.
A total of 63 feature-length and short films produced or co-produced in 35 countries have been invited to participate in the two Berlinale (Feb 11-21) competitions Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus.
The programme, aimed at children and youths, was selected from around 2,000 feature-length and short films submitted to Generation this year, which is more than in any year previously.
The selected films shed light on and challenge the nature of contradictions such as being child-like and being an adult, what is forbidden and what is permitted or the difference between subjective and objective reality.
“Young people world-wide are constantly confronted by dystopic realities not of their own making,” said Maryanne Redpath, head of Generation. “In the diverse films of this year’s programme we see them taking matters into their own hands.”
Generation 14plus
Synopses provided by festival
Wp = World Premiere / IP = International Premiere / Ep = European Premiere
6A (Sweden) Wp
By Peter Modestij
Bullying...
A total of 63 feature-length and short films produced or co-produced in 35 countries have been invited to participate in the two Berlinale (Feb 11-21) competitions Generation Kplus and Generation 14plus.
The programme, aimed at children and youths, was selected from around 2,000 feature-length and short films submitted to Generation this year, which is more than in any year previously.
The selected films shed light on and challenge the nature of contradictions such as being child-like and being an adult, what is forbidden and what is permitted or the difference between subjective and objective reality.
“Young people world-wide are constantly confronted by dystopic realities not of their own making,” said Maryanne Redpath, head of Generation. “In the diverse films of this year’s programme we see them taking matters into their own hands.”
Generation 14plus
Synopses provided by festival
Wp = World Premiere / IP = International Premiere / Ep = European Premiere
6A (Sweden) Wp
By Peter Modestij
Bullying...
- 1/13/2016
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Potential awards season contenders Truth from James Vanderbilt and Marc Abraham’s I Saw The Light starring Tom Hiddleston as Hank Williams land world premiere slots, while Paco Cabezas’s Mr. Right will close the festival.
London is the subject of the seventh annual City To City programme that features world premieres of Tom Geens’ Couple In A Hole starring Paul Higgins and Kate Dickie and Michael Caton-Jones’ Urban Hymn with Letitia Wright and Shirley Henderson. Elaine Constantine’s Northern Soul gets a North American premiere.
The world premiere of Catherine Hardwicke’s Miss You Already is among five additions to the galas alongside Mr. Right, an action comedy starring Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick.
Matthew Cullen’s Martin Amis adaptation London Fields and David Gordon Green’s Our Brand Is Crisis get first public screenings in the Special Presentations roster with I Saw The Light.
Tiff top brass also unveiled the Contemporary World Cinema section, featuring...
London is the subject of the seventh annual City To City programme that features world premieres of Tom Geens’ Couple In A Hole starring Paul Higgins and Kate Dickie and Michael Caton-Jones’ Urban Hymn with Letitia Wright and Shirley Henderson. Elaine Constantine’s Northern Soul gets a North American premiere.
The world premiere of Catherine Hardwicke’s Miss You Already is among five additions to the galas alongside Mr. Right, an action comedy starring Sam Rockwell and Anna Kendrick.
Matthew Cullen’s Martin Amis adaptation London Fields and David Gordon Green’s Our Brand Is Crisis get first public screenings in the Special Presentations roster with I Saw The Light.
Tiff top brass also unveiled the Contemporary World Cinema section, featuring...
- 8/18/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Hi everyone, Tim here. Those who know me in my other life at Antagony & Ecstasy are well aware of my affection for animation in its many forms, and starting this week, that’s going to be carried over here to the Film Experience. Officially, as of now, this space will be home to a weekly column about the current world of animation with, I suspect, regular guest appearances from classics of both American and international animated cinema.
And there's some pretty exciting news to kick things off. Right on the heels of the announcement of the 19 films submitted for consideration this year in the feature category, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced the ten-film list of titles that will be competing for the Best Animated Short Oscar. It feels a little bit like a course correction after last year, which saw two major studio releases hit...
And there's some pretty exciting news to kick things off. Right on the heels of the announcement of the 19 films submitted for consideration this year in the feature category, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced the ten-film list of titles that will be competing for the Best Animated Short Oscar. It feels a little bit like a course correction after last year, which saw two major studio releases hit...
- 11/8/2013
- by Tim Brayton
- FilmExperience
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Thursday the 10 animated short films that will continue in the voting process for this year’s Oscars. The 10 films were picked from 56 qualified shorts. Here they are in alphabetical order:
Feral, Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa)
Get a Horse! Lauren MacMullan, director, and Dorothy McKim, producer (Walt Disney Feature Animation)
Gloria Victoria, Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada)
Hollow Land, Uri Kranot and Michelle Kranot, directors (Dansk Tegnefilm, Les Films de l’Arlequin and the National Film Board of Canada)
The Missing Scarf,...
Feral, Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa)
Get a Horse! Lauren MacMullan, director, and Dorothy McKim, producer (Walt Disney Feature Animation)
Gloria Victoria, Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada)
Hollow Land, Uri Kranot and Michelle Kranot, directors (Dansk Tegnefilm, Les Films de l’Arlequin and the National Film Board of Canada)
The Missing Scarf,...
- 11/7/2013
- by Jake Perlman
- EW - Inside Movies
The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences has announced that 10 animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 86th Academy Awards.
Fifty-six pictures originally qualified in the category. The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
Feral, Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa);
Get A Horse! Lauren MacMullan, director, and Dorothy McKim, producer (Walt Disney Feature Animation);
Gloria Victoria, Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board Of Canada);
Hollow Land, Uri Kranot and Michelle Kranot, directors (Dansk Tegnefilm, Les Films de l’Arlequin and the National Film Board Of Canada);
The Missing Scarf, Eoin Duffy, director, and Jamie Hogan, producer (Belly Creative Inc);
Mr. Hublot, Laurent Witz, director, and Alexandre Espigares, co-director (Zeilt Productions);
Possessions, Shuhei Morita, director (Sunrise Inc);
Requiem For Romance, Jonathan Ng, director (Kungfu Romance Productions Inc);
Room On The Broom, Max Lang and Jan Lachauer, directors (Magic...
Fifty-six pictures originally qualified in the category. The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
Feral, Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa);
Get A Horse! Lauren MacMullan, director, and Dorothy McKim, producer (Walt Disney Feature Animation);
Gloria Victoria, Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board Of Canada);
Hollow Land, Uri Kranot and Michelle Kranot, directors (Dansk Tegnefilm, Les Films de l’Arlequin and the National Film Board Of Canada);
The Missing Scarf, Eoin Duffy, director, and Jamie Hogan, producer (Belly Creative Inc);
Mr. Hublot, Laurent Witz, director, and Alexandre Espigares, co-director (Zeilt Productions);
Possessions, Shuhei Morita, director (Sunrise Inc);
Requiem For Romance, Jonathan Ng, director (Kungfu Romance Productions Inc);
Room On The Broom, Max Lang and Jan Lachauer, directors (Magic...
- 11/7/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences has announced that 10 animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 86th Academy Awards.
Fifty-six pictures originally qualified in the category. The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
Feral, Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa);
Get A Horse! Lauren MacMullan, director, and Dorothy McKim, producer (Walt Disney Feature Animation);
Gloria Victoria, Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board Of Canada);
Hollow Land, Uri Kranot and Michelle Kranot, directors (Dansk Tegnefilm, Les Films de l’Arlequin and the National Film Board Of Canada);
The Missing Scarf, Eoin Duffy, director, and Jamie Hogan, producer (Belly Creative Inc);
Mr. Hublot, Laurent Witz, director, and Alexandre Espigares, co-director (Zeilt Productions);
Possessions, Shuhei Morita, director (Sunrise Inc);
Requiem For Romance, Jonathan Ng, director (Kungfu Romance Productions Inc);
Room On The Broom, Max Lang and Jan Lachauer, directors (Magic...
Fifty-six pictures originally qualified in the category. The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
Feral, Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa);
Get A Horse! Lauren MacMullan, director, and Dorothy McKim, producer (Walt Disney Feature Animation);
Gloria Victoria, Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board Of Canada);
Hollow Land, Uri Kranot and Michelle Kranot, directors (Dansk Tegnefilm, Les Films de l’Arlequin and the National Film Board Of Canada);
The Missing Scarf, Eoin Duffy, director, and Jamie Hogan, producer (Belly Creative Inc);
Mr. Hublot, Laurent Witz, director, and Alexandre Espigares, co-director (Zeilt Productions);
Possessions, Shuhei Morita, director (Sunrise Inc);
Requiem For Romance, Jonathan Ng, director (Kungfu Romance Productions Inc);
Room On The Broom, Max Lang and Jan Lachauer, directors (Magic...
- 11/7/2013
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Get A Horse! ©2013 Disney. All Rights Reserved.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 86th Academy Awards. Fifty-six pictures had originally qualified in the category.
The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
“Feral,” Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa)
“Get a Horse!” Lauren MacMullan, director, and Dorothy McKim, producer (Walt Disney Feature Animation)
“Gloria Victoria,” Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada)
“Hollow Land,” Uri Kranot and Michelle Kranot, directors (Dansk Tegnefilm, Les Films de l’Arlequin and the National Film Board of Canada)
“The Missing Scarf,” Eoin Duffy, director, and Jamie Hogan, producer (Belly Creative Inc.)
“Mr. Hublot,” Laurent Witz, director, and Alexandre Espigares, co-director (Zeilt Productions)
“Possessions,” Shuhei Morita, director (Sunrise Inc.)
“Requiem for Romance,” Jonathan Ng, director (Kungfu Romance Productions Inc.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 10 animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 86th Academy Awards. Fifty-six pictures had originally qualified in the category.
The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:
“Feral,” Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa)
“Get a Horse!” Lauren MacMullan, director, and Dorothy McKim, producer (Walt Disney Feature Animation)
“Gloria Victoria,” Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada)
“Hollow Land,” Uri Kranot and Michelle Kranot, directors (Dansk Tegnefilm, Les Films de l’Arlequin and the National Film Board of Canada)
“The Missing Scarf,” Eoin Duffy, director, and Jamie Hogan, producer (Belly Creative Inc.)
“Mr. Hublot,” Laurent Witz, director, and Alexandre Espigares, co-director (Zeilt Productions)
“Possessions,” Shuhei Morita, director (Sunrise Inc.)
“Requiem for Romance,” Jonathan Ng, director (Kungfu Romance Productions Inc.
- 11/7/2013
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that 10 animated short films will advance in the voting process for the 86th Academy Awards. Fifty-six pictures had originally qualified in the category. The 10 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies. You can watch trailers for all of them over at Thompson on Hollywood. “Feral,” Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa) “Get a Horse!” Lauren MacMullan, director, and Dorothy McKim, producer (Walt Disney Feature Animation) “Gloria Victoria,” Theodore Ushev, director (National Film Board of Canada) “Hollow Land,” Uri Kranot and Michelle Kranot, directors (Dansk Tegnefilm, Les Films de l’Arlequin and the National Film Board of Canada) “The Missing Scarf,” Eoin Duffy, director, and Jamie Hogan, producer (Belly Creative Inc.) “Mr. Hublot,” Laurent Witz, director, and Alexandre Espigares, co-director (Zeilt Productions) “Possessions,”...
- 11/7/2013
- by Peter Knegt
- Indiewire
The Academy has released the list. Wait until you see Get a Horse, which must be seen in 3D. “Feral,” Daniel Sousa, director, and Dan Golden, music and sound design (Daniel Sousa) “Get a Horse!
- 11/7/2013
- by Sasha Stone
- AwardsDaily.com
A scene from Room on the BroomPhoto: Magic Light Pictures Ltd. Today the Academy announced the shortlist of ten animated short films that will be competing for nominations at the 2014 Oscars and I have gone ahead and found trailers/previews for seven of them, the complete short film for one of them and pictures for the two that didn't seem to have any video preview online as of yet. The Academy's Short Films and Feature Animation Branch Reviewing Committee viewed all 56 eligible entries for the preliminary round of voting at screenings held in New York and Los Angeles and now the Short Films and Feature Animation Branch members will select three to five nominees from among the 10 titles previewed below. The 86th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 16, 2014, at 5:30 a.m. Pt. Check out the titles contending for this year's race over the next couple of pages.
- 11/7/2013
- by Brad Brevet
- Rope of Silicon
The 19th Encounters Short Film and Animation Festival has announced its international line-up, with films starring Ben Whishaw and Alan Rickman.
A total of 225 works from 40 countries selected to be showcased in competition at the festival from September 17-22 in Bristol. This year the festival received a record 2,372 entries.
Brief Encounters
Brief Encounters will feature live action and mixed format short films from all over the world, including new short format work by a number of established British filmmakers who are returning to the festival: Daniel Mulloy (Bashk), Chris Shepherd (The Ringer), Simon Ellis (Stew and Punch) and John Smith (Dad’s Stick).
Prominent national talent is also on display in Orbit Ever After, directed by 2012 Screen Star of Tomorrow Jamie Stone and starring Mackenzie Crook; No Kaddish in Carmarthen by Jesse Armstrong (Four Lions), Aneil Karia’s Beat, starring Ben Whishaw; and Ben Ockrent’s Dust featuring Alan Rickman and Jody Whittaker.
The competition...
A total of 225 works from 40 countries selected to be showcased in competition at the festival from September 17-22 in Bristol. This year the festival received a record 2,372 entries.
Brief Encounters
Brief Encounters will feature live action and mixed format short films from all over the world, including new short format work by a number of established British filmmakers who are returning to the festival: Daniel Mulloy (Bashk), Chris Shepherd (The Ringer), Simon Ellis (Stew and Punch) and John Smith (Dad’s Stick).
Prominent national talent is also on display in Orbit Ever After, directed by 2012 Screen Star of Tomorrow Jamie Stone and starring Mackenzie Crook; No Kaddish in Carmarthen by Jesse Armstrong (Four Lions), Aneil Karia’s Beat, starring Ben Whishaw; and Ben Ockrent’s Dust featuring Alan Rickman and Jody Whittaker.
The competition...
- 7/26/2013
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
Last night was the kick-off with just one film, Silver Linings Playbook, but today the real meat of the fest is served with films screening all day and all evening. Sliff’s main venues are the the Hi-Pointe Theatre, Tivoli Theatre, Plaza Frontenac Cinema, Webster University’s Winifred Moore Auditorium, Washington University’s Brown Hall Auditorium and the Wildey Theatre in Edwardsville, Il
The entire schedule for the 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival be found Here.
http://cinemastlouis.org/sliff-2012
Here is what will be screening at The 21st Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival today, Friday, November 9th
Chained plays 7:00pm at the Tivoli Theatre with director Jennifer Lynch in attendance (read the Wamg interview with Ms Lynch Here
At the end of an afternoon excursion, Sarah Fiddler and her young son step into a taxi to head home. They never get there. The cab...
The entire schedule for the 21st Annual Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival be found Here.
http://cinemastlouis.org/sliff-2012
Here is what will be screening at The 21st Whitaker St. Louis International Film Festival today, Friday, November 9th
Chained plays 7:00pm at the Tivoli Theatre with director Jennifer Lynch in attendance (read the Wamg interview with Ms Lynch Here
At the end of an afternoon excursion, Sarah Fiddler and her young son step into a taxi to head home. They never get there. The cab...
- 11/9/2012
- by Tom Stockman
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
With all the buzz around world premieres and gala events happening at the Toronto International Film Festival, it’s easy to forget there is also a pretty stellar shorts program in the mix. Consisting of work spanning all genres, the format is a great way to experience new, upcoming talent as well as to check up on a couple familiar faces too. The following is a collection of capsule reviews and scores for each short in their respective screening blocks.
—Programme 1
Bardo Light – 10 minutes
What do you get when you mix the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the ancient metallurgical science of alchemy, and the namesake of inventor Philo Farnsworth? The answer is Connor Gaston‘s short film Bardo Light—titled for the bright glow none of us can avoid at the end of our lives.
Told via the police interrogation of the younger Farnsworth (Shaan Rahman) after his adopted...
—Programme 1
Bardo Light – 10 minutes
What do you get when you mix the Tibetan Book of the Dead, the ancient metallurgical science of alchemy, and the namesake of inventor Philo Farnsworth? The answer is Connor Gaston‘s short film Bardo Light—titled for the bright glow none of us can avoid at the end of our lives.
Told via the police interrogation of the younger Farnsworth (Shaan Rahman) after his adopted...
- 9/7/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
The 37th Toronto International Film Festival® will roll out the red carpet for hundreds of guests from the four corners of the globe in September. Filmmakers expected to present their world premieres in Toronto include: Rian Johnson, Noah Baumbach, Deepa Mehta, Derek Cianfrance, Sion Sono, Joss Whedon, Neil Jordan, Lu Chuan, Shola Lynch, Barry Levinson, Yvan Attal, Ben Affleck, Marina Zenovich, Costa-Gavras, Laurent Cantet, Sally Potter, Dustin Hoffman, Francois Ozon, David O. Russell, David Ayer, Pelin Esmer, Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowski, Andy Wachowski, Andrew Adamson, Michael McGowan, Bahman Ghobadi, Ziad Doueiri, Alex Gibney, Stephen Chbosky, Eran Riklis, Edward Burns, Bernard Émond, Zhang Yuan, Michael Winterbottom, Mike Newell, Miwa Nishikawa, Margarethe Von Trotta, David Siegel, Scott McGehee, Gauri Shinde, Goran Paskaljevic, Baltasar Kormákur, J.A. Bayona, Rob Zombie, Peaches and Paul Andrew Williams.
Actors expected to attend include: Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jackie Chan, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Bill Murray, Robert Redford,...
Actors expected to attend include: Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jackie Chan, Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Bill Murray, Robert Redford,...
- 8/21/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
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