It’s all come down to this. Ninety-four years of Oscar history have been digested and cross-examined to help yield the critical answer: Which films and performances will win Academy Awards on March 27?
By the sheer scope of its nomination tally, Netflix is the closest it’s ever been to taking home the statuette for the Academy’s most prestigious prize. Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” has won the most critics’ awards for best picture, and the film has walked away with the top honor at the BAFTA and DGA ceremonies, which have Oscar-voter crossover. However, in what feels like an even divide, some Academy members told Variety they were ranking it at No. 1 on their preferential ballot, while others were putting it toward the bottom of that category.
Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Predictions Hub
Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” sat as the presumptive front-runner for...
By the sheer scope of its nomination tally, Netflix is the closest it’s ever been to taking home the statuette for the Academy’s most prestigious prize. Jane Campion’s “The Power of the Dog” has won the most critics’ awards for best picture, and the film has walked away with the top honor at the BAFTA and DGA ceremonies, which have Oscar-voter crossover. However, in what feels like an even divide, some Academy members told Variety they were ranking it at No. 1 on their preferential ballot, while others were putting it toward the bottom of that category.
Read more: Variety’s Awards Circuit Predictions Hub
Kenneth Branagh’s “Belfast” sat as the presumptive front-runner for...
- 3/24/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Variety's Awards Circuit is home to the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars and Emmys ceremonies from film awards editor Clayton Davis. Following history, buzz, news, reviews and sources, the Oscar and Emmy predictions are updated regularly with the current year's list of contenders in all categories. Variety's Awards Circuit Prediction schedule consists of four phases, running all year long: Draft, Pre-Season, Regular Season and Post Season. The eligibility calendar and dates of awards will determine how long each phase lasts and is subject to change.
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Oscars Collective
Visit each category, per the individual awards show from The Oscars Hub
To see old predictions and commentary, click the Oscars Predictions Archives
Revisit the prediction archive of the 2021 season The Archive
Link to television awards is atTHE Emmys Hub
2022 Oscars Predictions:
Best Picture
Updated: March 24, 2022
Awards...
To see all the latest predictions, of all the categories, in one place, visit The Oscars Collective
Visit each category, per the individual awards show from The Oscars Hub
To see old predictions and commentary, click the Oscars Predictions Archives
Revisit the prediction archive of the 2021 season The Archive
Link to television awards is atTHE Emmys Hub
2022 Oscars Predictions:
Best Picture
Updated: March 24, 2022
Awards...
- 3/24/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards: ‘The Lost Daughter’ Takes the Top Prize (Complete Winners List)
The 37th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards were handed out Sunday at the Santa Monica Pier, with comedy power couple Nick Offerman and Megan Mullally serving as hosts.
There weren’t too many surprises throughout the night. Troy Kotsur won the first award of the evening, Best Supporting Male Actor for “Coda,” very much as predicted. Taylour Paige took home Best Female Lead Actor, for “Zola,” while Simon Rex, of “Red Rocket,” walked away with Best Male Lead. Ruth Negga won Best Supporting Female Actor for “Passing,” beating out Jessie Buckley from “The Lost Daughter.”
But Maggie Gyllenhaal’s adaptation of the Elena Ferrante book won the three other categories in which it was nominated — Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Feature — and was the night’s biggest victor. Gyllenhaal gave three effusive thank you speeches, spreading her appreciation around to her cast, crew, financiers, publicist, husband and mother. “Women in film!
There weren’t too many surprises throughout the night. Troy Kotsur won the first award of the evening, Best Supporting Male Actor for “Coda,” very much as predicted. Taylour Paige took home Best Female Lead Actor, for “Zola,” while Simon Rex, of “Red Rocket,” walked away with Best Male Lead. Ruth Negga won Best Supporting Female Actor for “Passing,” beating out Jessie Buckley from “The Lost Daughter.”
But Maggie Gyllenhaal’s adaptation of the Elena Ferrante book won the three other categories in which it was nominated — Best Screenplay, Best Director, Best Feature — and was the night’s biggest victor. Gyllenhaal gave three effusive thank you speeches, spreading her appreciation around to her cast, crew, financiers, publicist, husband and mother. “Women in film!
- 3/6/2022
- by Missy Schwartz
- The Wrap
The Latino Entertainment Journalists Association announced its annual nominations where Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story” leads the way with 13 nominations, including best picture, director, supporting actor, supporting actress, and adapted screenplay.
Lin-Manuel Miranda received the most individual nominations of any person with seven: best picture for “In the Heights,” best director for “Tick, Tick … Boom!,” voice or motion capture performance for “Vivo” and a trio of song mentions from the animated film “Encanto” including “Dos Oruguitas,” “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” The Leja membership also selected Miranda as the recipient of the Latino Activism Award. Past winners of that award include America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Rosie Perez.
John Leguizamo is being honored with the 2022 Rita Moreno Lifetime Achievement Award for this year’s special honorees. For decades, the Special Tony and Emmy-winning actor, producer, and comedian have been a tireless force in the Latino community.
Lin-Manuel Miranda received the most individual nominations of any person with seven: best picture for “In the Heights,” best director for “Tick, Tick … Boom!,” voice or motion capture performance for “Vivo” and a trio of song mentions from the animated film “Encanto” including “Dos Oruguitas,” “Surface Pressure” and “We Don’t Talk About Bruno.” The Leja membership also selected Miranda as the recipient of the Latino Activism Award. Past winners of that award include America Ferrera, Eva Longoria, Rosie Perez.
John Leguizamo is being honored with the 2022 Rita Moreno Lifetime Achievement Award for this year’s special honorees. For decades, the Special Tony and Emmy-winning actor, producer, and comedian have been a tireless force in the Latino community.
- 2/22/2022
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Nikyatu Jusu’s horror drama Nanny and Ben Klein and Violet Columbus’s documentary The Exiles won yesterday the two top U.S. prizes at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Nanny took the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic while The Exiles was awarded the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary. About the former, juror Chelsea Barnard said, ““For this Grand Jury Prize we celebrate a movie that flooded us with its compassionate and horrifying portrayal of a mother being separated from her child. This film cannot be contained by any one genre —it’s visually stunning, masterfully acted, impeccably designed from sound to visual effects, and […]
The post Nanny, The Exiles, Navalny Win Top Prizes at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Nanny, The Exiles, Navalny Win Top Prizes at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/29/2022
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Nikyatu Jusu’s horror drama Nanny and Ben Klein and Violet Columbus’s documentary The Exiles won yesterday the two top U.S. prizes at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival. Nanny took the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic while The Exiles was awarded the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary. About the former, juror Chelsea Barnard said, ““For this Grand Jury Prize we celebrate a movie that flooded us with its compassionate and horrifying portrayal of a mother being separated from her child. This film cannot be contained by any one genre —it’s visually stunning, masterfully acted, impeccably designed from sound to visual effects, and […]
The post Nanny, The Exiles, Navalny Win Top Prizes at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post Nanny, The Exiles, Navalny Win Top Prizes at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/29/2022
- by Scott Macaulay
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Sundance 2022 has officially crowned its winners. On Friday, the Sundance Film Festival’s awards were announced on Twitter via @sundancefest. Juries and audience members alike weighed in to select winners across a variety of categories, out of 84 feature films and 59 short films.
The grand jury prizes went to Nikyatu Jusu‘s feature directorial debut “Nanny,” for the coveted U.S. Dramatic title, along with Christine Choy’s “The Exiles” for U.S. Documentary, Shaunak Sen’s “All That Breathes” for World Cinema Documentary, and Alejando Loayza Grisi’s “Utama” for World Cinema Dramatic.
The Audience Awards were earned by U.S. documentary “Navalny” and Cooper Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth” for U.S. Dramatic. “Navalny” also won the Festival Favorite Award.
Jusu is the second Black woman ever to win the Grand Jury Prize U.S. Dramatic, following Chinonye Chukwu in 2019 for “Clemency.”
“This year’s entire program has...
The grand jury prizes went to Nikyatu Jusu‘s feature directorial debut “Nanny,” for the coveted U.S. Dramatic title, along with Christine Choy’s “The Exiles” for U.S. Documentary, Shaunak Sen’s “All That Breathes” for World Cinema Documentary, and Alejando Loayza Grisi’s “Utama” for World Cinema Dramatic.
The Audience Awards were earned by U.S. documentary “Navalny” and Cooper Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth” for U.S. Dramatic. “Navalny” also won the Festival Favorite Award.
Jusu is the second Black woman ever to win the Grand Jury Prize U.S. Dramatic, following Chinonye Chukwu in 2019 for “Clemency.”
“This year’s entire program has...
- 1/28/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
“Nanny” was the big winner at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, picking up the Grand Jury Prize in the U.S. Dramatic Competition in a virtual awards ceremony Friday.
Cooper Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth” was also a winner, nabbing the Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic category, while “Navalny,” a late addition to the festival, won the U.S. Documentary Audience Award. The Sundance jury also recognized “The Exiles” in the documentary category and “Utama” in the World Cinematic category.
This year’s Best of the Fest announcement caps off the second year in a row in which the festival was forced to go virtual amid the pandemic.
Although the awards were announced virtually, the emotion was palpable when juror Chelsea Bernard announced that “Nanny” director and screenwriter Nikyatu Jusu had won for her harrowing story of an undocumented nanny working for a privileged couple in New York...
Cooper Raiff’s “Cha Cha Real Smooth” was also a winner, nabbing the Audience Award in the U.S. Dramatic category, while “Navalny,” a late addition to the festival, won the U.S. Documentary Audience Award. The Sundance jury also recognized “The Exiles” in the documentary category and “Utama” in the World Cinematic category.
This year’s Best of the Fest announcement caps off the second year in a row in which the festival was forced to go virtual amid the pandemic.
Although the awards were announced virtually, the emotion was palpable when juror Chelsea Bernard announced that “Nanny” director and screenwriter Nikyatu Jusu had won for her harrowing story of an undocumented nanny working for a privileged couple in New York...
- 1/28/2022
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
The Sundance Institute announced the jury members of this year’s Sundance Film Festival, taking place in hybrid format from Jan. 20 to 30.
Comprising six juries awarding prizes for artistic and cinematic achievement, the jurors include Marielle Heller (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”), Andrew Haigh (“Looking”), Payman Maadi (“A Separation”) and more.
Chelsea Barnard, a producer on “C’mon C’mon” and “Booksmart,” serves alongside Heller and Maadi on the jury for U.S. dramatic competition. U.S. documentary competition jurors include Garrett Bradley (“Time”), Peter Nicks (“The Force”) and veteran documentary cinematographer Joan Churchill.
Haigh joins Mohamed Hefzy (“The Walls of the Moon”) and film curator La Frances Hui on the world cinema dramatic competition jury, while Cannes artistic adviser Emilie Bujès, former U.S. ambassador Patrick Gaspard and Dawn Porter (“The Way I See It”) will judge the world cinema documentary competition.
Joey Soloway, the creator, writer, director and executive producer of “Transparent,...
Comprising six juries awarding prizes for artistic and cinematic achievement, the jurors include Marielle Heller (“A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”), Andrew Haigh (“Looking”), Payman Maadi (“A Separation”) and more.
Chelsea Barnard, a producer on “C’mon C’mon” and “Booksmart,” serves alongside Heller and Maadi on the jury for U.S. dramatic competition. U.S. documentary competition jurors include Garrett Bradley (“Time”), Peter Nicks (“The Force”) and veteran documentary cinematographer Joan Churchill.
Haigh joins Mohamed Hefzy (“The Walls of the Moon”) and film curator La Frances Hui on the world cinema dramatic competition jury, while Cannes artistic adviser Emilie Bujès, former U.S. ambassador Patrick Gaspard and Dawn Porter (“The Way I See It”) will judge the world cinema documentary competition.
Joey Soloway, the creator, writer, director and executive producer of “Transparent,...
- 1/7/2022
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Now that Sundance has answered the question looming over the 2022 festival by going all-virtual for the second year in a row, it’s full-steam ahead. And today the nonprofit Sundance Institute announced the members of its six juries, including Marielle Heller (“Can You Ever Forgive Me?”), Andrew Haigh (“Weekend”), Joey Soloway (“Transparent”), and Payman Maadi (“A Separation”). The 16 jurors will bestow awards upon the festival’s winners January 28, with award-winning movies available for extended online viewing during the festival’s closing weekend.
“These exceptional individuals will come together to offer a collaborative lens on our program,” said Sundance’s Director of Programming Kim Yutani in an official statement. “Their diverse personal perspectives can elevate work above the sum of its parts.” As previously announced, the jury for Alfred P. Sloan jury deliberated in advance of the festival and awarded the prize to “After Yang,” directed by Kogonada.
And audiences will...
“These exceptional individuals will come together to offer a collaborative lens on our program,” said Sundance’s Director of Programming Kim Yutani in an official statement. “Their diverse personal perspectives can elevate work above the sum of its parts.” As previously announced, the jury for Alfred P. Sloan jury deliberated in advance of the festival and awarded the prize to “After Yang,” directed by Kogonada.
And audiences will...
- 1/7/2022
- by Mark Peikert
- Indiewire
Marielle Heller (A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood), Garrett Bradley (Time), Joey Soloway (Transparent), Andrew Haigh (Lean on Pete) and Dawn Porter (The Me You Can’t See) have been named as jurors for the 2022 Sundance Film Festival, taking place virtually from January 20-30.
Heller, who brought her first feature The Diary of a Teenage Girl to the festival in 2015, will preside over the U.S. Dramatic Competition with C’mon C’mon producer and former Annapurna Pictures exec Chelsea Barnard, and A Separation actor Payman Maadi.
Bradley, whose Sundance-premiering doc Time earned an Oscar nomination in 2021, will oversee the U.S. Documentary Competition with Peter Nicks, the director behind 2021 Sundance title Homeroom, and director-cinematographer Joan Churchill.
Soloway, the Transparent and I Love Dick creator who brought their first feature, Afternoon Delight, to Sundance in 2013, will serve as this year’s sole juror of the Next section, with Reservation Dogs director...
Heller, who brought her first feature The Diary of a Teenage Girl to the festival in 2015, will preside over the U.S. Dramatic Competition with C’mon C’mon producer and former Annapurna Pictures exec Chelsea Barnard, and A Separation actor Payman Maadi.
Bradley, whose Sundance-premiering doc Time earned an Oscar nomination in 2021, will oversee the U.S. Documentary Competition with Peter Nicks, the director behind 2021 Sundance title Homeroom, and director-cinematographer Joan Churchill.
Soloway, the Transparent and I Love Dick creator who brought their first feature, Afternoon Delight, to Sundance in 2013, will serve as this year’s sole juror of the Next section, with Reservation Dogs director...
- 1/7/2022
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
As with his past features Beginners and 20th Century Women, writer-director Mike Mills focused his latest effort, C’mon C’mon, on family—this time honing in not on his relationship with his father or mother, but instead on that between an adult and a child.
“The story, the heart of it came from me having a kid, and living with my kid, and experiencing the world with them,” Mills said Sunday during Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles even, “and having someone need you so fully. It’s so intimate, being a parent.”
In the A24 pic, Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny, a radio journalist whose latest project has him interviewing children across the U.S. about the state of affairs in the world. Johnny forges a tenuous but transformational relationship with his 8-year-old nephew Jesse (Woody Norman)—the son of his sister Viv (Gaby Hoffmann)—when he winds up...
“The story, the heart of it came from me having a kid, and living with my kid, and experiencing the world with them,” Mills said Sunday during Deadline’s Contenders Film: Los Angeles even, “and having someone need you so fully. It’s so intimate, being a parent.”
In the A24 pic, Joaquin Phoenix plays Johnny, a radio journalist whose latest project has him interviewing children across the U.S. about the state of affairs in the world. Johnny forges a tenuous but transformational relationship with his 8-year-old nephew Jesse (Woody Norman)—the son of his sister Viv (Gaby Hoffmann)—when he winds up...
- 11/15/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
A24 released a trailer for “C’mon C’mon,” which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and will open in theaters later this year.
Helmed by Mike Mills, the Oscar-winning director behind “20th Century Women,” the films stars Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny, a middle-aged radio journalist who, when left to take care of his nephew (Woody Norman), embarks on a trip across the country to interview kids, asking them what they think about their lives and where the world is headed.
Rounding out the cast are Gaby Hoffmann as Johnny’s sister Viv, Scoot McNairy as Viv’s high-maintenance ex-husband Paul, Molly Webster as Roxanne and Jaboukie Young-White as Fernando.
In his review, Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge called the film “a small, soft-spoken yet casually profound family drama,” while film awards editor Clayton Davis wrote in his column, “Mills’ film is not going to appeal to everyone, but I...
Helmed by Mike Mills, the Oscar-winning director behind “20th Century Women,” the films stars Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny, a middle-aged radio journalist who, when left to take care of his nephew (Woody Norman), embarks on a trip across the country to interview kids, asking them what they think about their lives and where the world is headed.
Rounding out the cast are Gaby Hoffmann as Johnny’s sister Viv, Scoot McNairy as Viv’s high-maintenance ex-husband Paul, Molly Webster as Roxanne and Jaboukie Young-White as Fernando.
In his review, Variety’s chief film critic Peter Debruge called the film “a small, soft-spoken yet casually profound family drama,” while film awards editor Clayton Davis wrote in his column, “Mills’ film is not going to appeal to everyone, but I...
- 9/8/2021
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Women In Film Los Angeles has selected the first class of participants for its new Emerging Producers Program, which is designed to provide women and non-binary people access to master classes, mentorship and advising early in their producing careers.
Participants looking to build careers across various producing tracks in both film and TV were selected by a jury of industry leaders and veteran producer mentors, a list that includes Jenn Asaro (VP Physical Production Finance, Warner Bros), Chelsea Barnard (Booksmart, If Beale Street Could Talk), Yolanda Cochran (SVP Live-Action Long-Form Production, Nickelodeon & Awesomeness), Linda Goldstein Knowlton (We Are the Radical Monarchs, Code Black), Niija Kuykendall (EVP Film Production, Warner Bros), Monica Levinson (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, The Trial of the Chicago 7), Lyn Sisson-Talbert (Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, Bookmarks) and Jeanette Volturno.
The inaugural class:
Apoorva Charan an L.A.-based producer who was born in India,...
Participants looking to build careers across various producing tracks in both film and TV were selected by a jury of industry leaders and veteran producer mentors, a list that includes Jenn Asaro (VP Physical Production Finance, Warner Bros), Chelsea Barnard (Booksmart, If Beale Street Could Talk), Yolanda Cochran (SVP Live-Action Long-Form Production, Nickelodeon & Awesomeness), Linda Goldstein Knowlton (We Are the Radical Monarchs, Code Black), Niija Kuykendall (EVP Film Production, Warner Bros), Monica Levinson (Borat Subsequent Moviefilm, The Trial of the Chicago 7), Lyn Sisson-Talbert (Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey, Bookmarks) and Jeanette Volturno.
The inaugural class:
Apoorva Charan an L.A.-based producer who was born in India,...
- 6/11/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Deadline has confirmed that Annapurna has made staff cuts in the current Covid-19 climate, of note CFO James Pong.
For the most part, per a spokesperson for the company, the small set of cuts aren’t impacting senior brass, rather junior executives in film and TV and a handful of assistants. The studio is making modest adjustments given the current economical climate down to senior executives taking a pay cut.
In October 2018, news broke that the prestige Oscar-winning studio was besieged with financial problems. At the time, Annapurna’s feature production head Chelsea Barnard exited with two notable projects exiting the studio, Hustlers to Stx and Bombshell to Lionsgate.
For the most part, per a spokesperson for the company, the small set of cuts aren’t impacting senior brass, rather junior executives in film and TV and a handful of assistants. The studio is making modest adjustments given the current economical climate down to senior executives taking a pay cut.
In October 2018, news broke that the prestige Oscar-winning studio was besieged with financial problems. At the time, Annapurna’s feature production head Chelsea Barnard exited with two notable projects exiting the studio, Hustlers to Stx and Bombshell to Lionsgate.
- 4/21/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The ReFrame coalition has awarded 26 feature films released in 2019 with its ReFrame Stamp, which recognizes the top 100-grossing gender-balanced narrative and animated features. The list, which grew from 20 total films that earned the stamp a year ago, includes Booksmart, Captain Marvel, Harriet, Hustlers and Oscar Best Picture nominee Little Women.
This reflects gains for women in the important roles of director, department heads, and women of color leads and co-leads. With an aim to increase the number of women of all backgrounds working in film, TV, and media, the ReFrame Stamp, which is showcased in end credits and appears on IMDb, serves as a mark of distinction for projects that have demonstrated success in gender-balanced hiring. Additional points are awarded to content that has women of color in key positions.
This year’s list included 12 women directors (12 percent) in the top 100 films at the box office compared to 4 in 2018, with...
This reflects gains for women in the important roles of director, department heads, and women of color leads and co-leads. With an aim to increase the number of women of all backgrounds working in film, TV, and media, the ReFrame Stamp, which is showcased in end credits and appears on IMDb, serves as a mark of distinction for projects that have demonstrated success in gender-balanced hiring. Additional points are awarded to content that has women of color in key positions.
This year’s list included 12 women directors (12 percent) in the top 100 films at the box office compared to 4 in 2018, with...
- 2/26/2020
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: A24 is heading to the Efm in Berlin with Joaquin Phoenix’s first movie post-Joker.
As we revealed late last year, the untitled drama has been written and directed by 20th Century Women and Beginners filmmaker Mike Mills. A24 is producing and financing and will launch sales next week. The project is likely to be in-demand.
Oscar-winner Phoenix will play an artist left to take care of his precocious young nephew as they forge an unexpected bond over a cross country trip.
Also starring are Gaby Hoffman (Transparent), Woody Norman (Poldark) and Kenneth Kynt Bryan (Claws). The project, budgeted in the $10m range, recently wrapped in New Orleans.
Producers are Chelsea Barnard (Booksmart), Lila Yacoub (Eighth Grade) and Andrea Longacre-White (20th Century Women). Robbie Ryan (The Favourite) is DoP. We hear a script is due to be sent out to buyers this week.
Phoenix is coming off rave...
As we revealed late last year, the untitled drama has been written and directed by 20th Century Women and Beginners filmmaker Mike Mills. A24 is producing and financing and will launch sales next week. The project is likely to be in-demand.
Oscar-winner Phoenix will play an artist left to take care of his precocious young nephew as they forge an unexpected bond over a cross country trip.
Also starring are Gaby Hoffman (Transparent), Woody Norman (Poldark) and Kenneth Kynt Bryan (Claws). The project, budgeted in the $10m range, recently wrapped in New Orleans.
Producers are Chelsea Barnard (Booksmart), Lila Yacoub (Eighth Grade) and Andrea Longacre-White (20th Century Women). Robbie Ryan (The Favourite) is DoP. We hear a script is due to be sent out to buyers this week.
Phoenix is coming off rave...
- 2/11/2020
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
Held the day before the Academy Awards, the Film Independent Spirit Awards have long sought to establish its more scrappy bonafides during its traditional Saturday afternoon awards ceremony. Held, per usual, in an overstuffed and often quite boisterous tent on the Santa Monica beach, the Indie Spirits certainly look and feel different than their black tie brethren, a theme that tends to dominate some of the ceremony’s biggest bits.
“It’s so much better than the Oscars. It’s the daytime, we’re on the beach, we recognize female directors, all two of them!,” host Aubrey Plaza cracked during her opening monologue, which poked fun at the differences between the Indie Spirits and the weekend’s other big awards show.
The tension between awards season’s final two events has reached touchy levels in recent years, with the Spirits and Oscars sharing plenty of nominees, and even some of their biggest winners,...
“It’s so much better than the Oscars. It’s the daytime, we’re on the beach, we recognize female directors, all two of them!,” host Aubrey Plaza cracked during her opening monologue, which poked fun at the differences between the Indie Spirits and the weekend’s other big awards show.
The tension between awards season’s final two events has reached touchy levels in recent years, with the Spirits and Oscars sharing plenty of nominees, and even some of their biggest winners,...
- 2/9/2020
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards were handed out Saturday in recognition of the best in indie films from 2019.
Willem Dafoe won the first award, Best Supporting Male, for his role in “The Lighthouse.” “Uncut Gems” won Best Editing, while the Best Documentary award went to “American Factory.” Best Cinematography went to Jarin Blaschke for “The Lighthouse.”
Kelly Reichardt was awarded The Bonnie Award, which recognizes a mid-career female director with a $50,000 unrestricted grant. The John Cassavetes Award, given to the best feature made for under $500,000, was given to “Give Me Liberty.”
Also Read: Independent Spirit Awards 2020: Aubrey Plaza's Best Jokes (So Far)
“Parasite” won Best International Film. Zhao Shuzhen won Best Supporting Female for her role in “The Farewell.” “Marriage Story” won Best Screenplay. Adam Sandler won Best Male Lead for his performance in “Uncut Gems” and Renée Zellweger received the Best Female Lead for her role in “Judy.
Willem Dafoe won the first award, Best Supporting Male, for his role in “The Lighthouse.” “Uncut Gems” won Best Editing, while the Best Documentary award went to “American Factory.” Best Cinematography went to Jarin Blaschke for “The Lighthouse.”
Kelly Reichardt was awarded The Bonnie Award, which recognizes a mid-career female director with a $50,000 unrestricted grant. The John Cassavetes Award, given to the best feature made for under $500,000, was given to “Give Me Liberty.”
Also Read: Independent Spirit Awards 2020: Aubrey Plaza's Best Jokes (So Far)
“Parasite” won Best International Film. Zhao Shuzhen won Best Supporting Female for her role in “The Farewell.” “Marriage Story” won Best Screenplay. Adam Sandler won Best Male Lead for his performance in “Uncut Gems” and Renée Zellweger received the Best Female Lead for her role in “Judy.
- 2/8/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
The Chicago Indie Critics announced their nominees Saturday for the group’s fourth annual film awards, with Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of Little Women leading with eight nominations, including Best Studio Film and Best Director.
Following next with seven nominations each were The Irishman, Marriage Story, 1917, and Parasite.
Winners will be announced on January 4, at the Cards Against Humanity Theater in Chicago. Stand-up comedian and former film critic Katie Baker is set to host the ceremony, which will stream live on YouTube.
Following next with seven nominations each were The Irishman, Marriage Story, 1917, and Parasite.
Winners will be announced on January 4, at the Cards Against Humanity Theater in Chicago. Stand-up comedian and former film critic Katie Baker is set to host the ceremony, which will stream live on YouTube.
- 12/29/2019
- by Anita Bennett
- Deadline Film + TV
“It was so refreshing to read a story about female friendship that was so true … I think we all have had that friend at one point in time,” says Kaitlyn Dever about “Booksmart,” the critically acclaimed comedy about a pair of overachievers determined to finally cut loose the night before they graduate from high school. “And the great thing about them is that they aren’t afraid that they’re smart. They’re not self-conscious about it. They are so proud, and they have so much drive.” Watch our exclusive video interview with Dever about “Booksmart” as well as her role in Netflix‘s limited series “Unbelievable” above.
Dever plays Amy opposite Beanie Feldstein as her best friend Molly. Together they decide to make up for lost time on one wild night in a story that has been compared to “Superbad.” But it’s a rare R-rated teen comedy fronted by women.
Dever plays Amy opposite Beanie Feldstein as her best friend Molly. Together they decide to make up for lost time on one wild night in a story that has been compared to “Superbad.” But it’s a rare R-rated teen comedy fronted by women.
- 11/21/2019
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
Moments ago, the Film Independent Spirit Award nominations for 2019 were announced. Though pulling from a very different crop than the Academy Awards do, the Spirit Awards do have some cross over each year. While success here assures a title of little, making moves with this group never hurts while wooing the Academy. Today, we saw several Oscar hopefuls try and score some love, while a few received damaging snubs. Mostly, though, the status quo remains, as movies jockey for position heading into the holiday season. Go figure, this isn’t going to be an easy year to predict. Leading the way were The Lighthouse and Uncut Gems, each with five nominations apiece. The former from Robert Eggers definitely over performed, relative to expectations here, while the latter from the Safdie Brothers solidified its status as a player on the indie precursor stage. More likely Oscar fare such as Clemency, The Farewell,...
- 11/21/2019
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
Two dark and unruly films released by A24, Robert Eggers’ “The Lighthouse” and the Safdie brothers’ “Uncut Gems,” led all films in nominations for the 2020 Film Independent Spirit Awards, Film Independent announced on Thursday.
In the Best Feature category, “Uncut Gems” was joined by Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell,” Terrence Malick’s “A Hidden Life,” Chinonye Chukwu’s “Clemency” and Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story.”
“Uncut Gems” was the only film nominated in both the Best Feature and Best Director categories, though “Marriage Story” was nominated in the former category and was also voted the special John Cassavetes Award, which goes to a film’s director, cast and casting director.
Also Read: 'Marriage Story,' 'The Farewell,' 'Uncut Gems' Top Gotham Award Nominations
“Honey Boy” and “Give Me Liberty” received four nominations each, while “Hustlers,” “Clemency” and “Luce” received three.
As usual, the Spirit Awards’ system of...
In the Best Feature category, “Uncut Gems” was joined by Lulu Wang’s “The Farewell,” Terrence Malick’s “A Hidden Life,” Chinonye Chukwu’s “Clemency” and Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story.”
“Uncut Gems” was the only film nominated in both the Best Feature and Best Director categories, though “Marriage Story” was nominated in the former category and was also voted the special John Cassavetes Award, which goes to a film’s director, cast and casting director.
Also Read: 'Marriage Story,' 'The Farewell,' 'Uncut Gems' Top Gotham Award Nominations
“Honey Boy” and “Give Me Liberty” received four nominations each, while “Hustlers,” “Clemency” and “Luce” received three.
As usual, the Spirit Awards’ system of...
- 11/21/2019
- by Brian Welk and Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Annapurna Pictures film head Ivana Lombardi is leaving the independent studio to head up the indie division at Netflix, a spokeswoman for Annapurna confirmed on Monday.
Lombardi will take over as director of independent films for Netflix beginning Nov. 6. She will report directly to Lisa Nishimura, who in March was named vice president of independent film and documentary features.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled for Ivana and this great opportunity. Netflix has been smart to bring on board such a thoughtful, savvy, and passionate filmmaker advocate. Her devotion to artists and love of great cinema ensures we’ll happily continue working with her in the future,” Annapurna chief operating officer Sue Naegle said in a statement.
Also Read: Ava DuVernay, Netflix Sued Over Portrayal of Interrogation Technique in 'When They See Us'
Lombardi was in the Annapurna job for less than a year having taken over the...
Lombardi will take over as director of independent films for Netflix beginning Nov. 6. She will report directly to Lisa Nishimura, who in March was named vice president of independent film and documentary features.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled for Ivana and this great opportunity. Netflix has been smart to bring on board such a thoughtful, savvy, and passionate filmmaker advocate. Her devotion to artists and love of great cinema ensures we’ll happily continue working with her in the future,” Annapurna chief operating officer Sue Naegle said in a statement.
Also Read: Ava DuVernay, Netflix Sued Over Portrayal of Interrogation Technique in 'When They See Us'
Lombardi was in the Annapurna job for less than a year having taken over the...
- 10/14/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Annapurna Pictures president of film Ivana Lombardi is moving across town to Netflix, after almost a year in her role at Megan Ellison’s company.
As of Nov. 6, Lombardi will serve as director of independent films at the streamer. She will report directly to Lisa Nishimura, Netflix’s vice president of independent film and documentary features.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled for Ivana and this great opportunity. Netflix has been smart to bring on board such a thoughtful, savvy, and passionate filmmaker advocate. Her devotion to artists and love of great cinema ensures we’ll happily continue working with her in the future,” said Sue Naegle, Annapurna’s chief content officer.
An interim replacement for Lombardi was not immediately clear, nor for Jillian Longnecker, who joined Netflix as a director in the original series department in July. Longnecker had been promoted to president of physical production at Annapurna at...
As of Nov. 6, Lombardi will serve as director of independent films at the streamer. She will report directly to Lisa Nishimura, Netflix’s vice president of independent film and documentary features.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled for Ivana and this great opportunity. Netflix has been smart to bring on board such a thoughtful, savvy, and passionate filmmaker advocate. Her devotion to artists and love of great cinema ensures we’ll happily continue working with her in the future,” said Sue Naegle, Annapurna’s chief content officer.
An interim replacement for Lombardi was not immediately clear, nor for Jillian Longnecker, who joined Netflix as a director in the original series department in July. Longnecker had been promoted to president of physical production at Annapurna at...
- 10/14/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
As one of the best actors of his generation, it’s news when Joaquin Phoenix simply signs onto a new film, even if there are no other details available. That’s the case today as The Master actor will be teaming with Mike Mills on a new film. Produced by A24, it will kick off production this fall, which means we could see it by late 2020.
Deadline reports Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub, and Andrea Longacre-White will produce the film, which will be Mills’ first feature-length film since 20th Century Women and his next project after The National short film I Am Easy to Find. For Phoenix, it’ll be his next film following his comic book anti-hero turn with Todd Phillips.
In our Venice review of Joker, Rory O’Connor said, “What is there yet to be done with a character like the Joker? Bruce Wayne’s bête noire has...
Deadline reports Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub, and Andrea Longacre-White will produce the film, which will be Mills’ first feature-length film since 20th Century Women and his next project after The National short film I Am Easy to Find. For Phoenix, it’ll be his next film following his comic book anti-hero turn with Todd Phillips.
In our Venice review of Joker, Rory O’Connor said, “What is there yet to be done with a character like the Joker? Bruce Wayne’s bête noire has...
- 9/22/2019
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
A24 is nearing a deal on a new project that would pair director Mike Mills with Joaquin Phoenix. (Via Deadline.) The project would be Phoenix’s first role following his celebrated performance in the forthcoming Todd Phillips-directed “Joker.” The movie will be written and directed by Mills, best known for his films “20th Century Women” and “Beginners.” Production is set to begin this fall. The project is a boon for A24, especially as Phoenix heads into this year’s awards season with a much-hyped performance.
Reception to “Joker” has been mostly ecstatic, with critics praising Phoenix’s performance as the notorious Batman foil as one of the actor’s best. Critics are divided on the actual film, with many hailing “Joker” as the new hallmark for superhero movies and others calling it the death knell of cinema. The Warner Bros. project has been the talk of the fall festival circuit,...
Reception to “Joker” has been mostly ecstatic, with critics praising Phoenix’s performance as the notorious Batman foil as one of the actor’s best. Critics are divided on the actual film, with many hailing “Joker” as the new hallmark for superhero movies and others calling it the death knell of cinema. The Warner Bros. project has been the talk of the fall festival circuit,...
- 9/19/2019
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Joaquin Phoenix is set to star in an untitled drama from “Beginners” and “20th Century Women” director Mike Mills, and A24 is in negotiations to produce and distribute the film, an individual with knowledge of the project told TheWrap.
This will be Phoenix’s next film following his work in Todd Phillips’s “Joker,” which has garnered awards attention since its premiere in Venice late last month.
It’s also the first feature from Mills since “20th Century Women” in 2016. Mills has already written the script for the film, and production is slated to begin later this fall.
Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub and Andrea Longacre-White are producing the untitled film.
Also Read: A24 Acquires Toronto Midnight Madness Horror Film 'Saint Maud'
Phoenix is earning Oscar buzz for his work as the iconic Batman villain Joker in the character’s origin story. “Joker” won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival,...
This will be Phoenix’s next film following his work in Todd Phillips’s “Joker,” which has garnered awards attention since its premiere in Venice late last month.
It’s also the first feature from Mills since “20th Century Women” in 2016. Mills has already written the script for the film, and production is slated to begin later this fall.
Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub and Andrea Longacre-White are producing the untitled film.
Also Read: A24 Acquires Toronto Midnight Madness Horror Film 'Saint Maud'
Phoenix is earning Oscar buzz for his work as the iconic Batman villain Joker in the character’s origin story. “Joker” won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival,...
- 9/19/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Exclusive: A24 is in final negotiations for an untitled drama that will be the next film for Joker star Joaquin Phoenix. The movie has been written and will be directed by 20th Century Woman and Beginners filmmaker Mike Mills.
Production begins in the fall, and the deal is a coup for A24 to land the first film vehicle for Phoenix coming off his tour-de-force performance in the Todd Phillips-directed Joker.
Phoenix’s performance in becoming the supervillain from the DC Batman universe has been widely touted at the fall festivals — it won the Golden Lion at Venice — and he is considered an Oscar Best Actor front-runner for a role that is as physically and emotionally profound as I can remember seeing since Daniel Day-Lewis in My Left Foot.
Producers on the new pic are Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub and Andrea Longacre-White.
Phoenix, a three-time Oscar nominee, is repped by Wme and Sloane,...
Production begins in the fall, and the deal is a coup for A24 to land the first film vehicle for Phoenix coming off his tour-de-force performance in the Todd Phillips-directed Joker.
Phoenix’s performance in becoming the supervillain from the DC Batman universe has been widely touted at the fall festivals — it won the Golden Lion at Venice — and he is considered an Oscar Best Actor front-runner for a role that is as physically and emotionally profound as I can remember seeing since Daniel Day-Lewis in My Left Foot.
Producers on the new pic are Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub and Andrea Longacre-White.
Phoenix, a three-time Oscar nominee, is repped by Wme and Sloane,...
- 9/19/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Joaquin Phoenix is already receiving early Oscar buzz for his upcoming role in The Joker, but the actor has now lined up his next project.
A24 is in final talks to acquire and will produce the next feature from 20th Century Women filmmaker Mike Mills, which has Phoenix attached to star.
Plot details are unknown for the untitled drama, which is due to begin shooting this fall. Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub and Andrea Longacre-White will produce.
A24, which recently released Lulu Wang's The Farewell and Ari Aster's Midsommar, has a busy upcoming schedule with titles Uncut Gems from the Safdie Bros. and ...
A24 is in final talks to acquire and will produce the next feature from 20th Century Women filmmaker Mike Mills, which has Phoenix attached to star.
Plot details are unknown for the untitled drama, which is due to begin shooting this fall. Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub and Andrea Longacre-White will produce.
A24, which recently released Lulu Wang's The Farewell and Ari Aster's Midsommar, has a busy upcoming schedule with titles Uncut Gems from the Safdie Bros. and ...
- 9/19/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Joaquin Phoenix is already receiving early Oscar buzz for his upcoming role in The Joker, but the actor has now lined up his next project.
A24 is in final talks to acquire and will produce the next feature from 20th Century Women filmmaker Mike Mills, which has Phoenix attached to star.
Plot details are unknown for the untitled drama, which is due to begin shooting this fall. Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub and Andrea Longacre-White will produce.
A24, which recently released Lulu Wang's The Farewell and Ari Aster's Midsommar, has a busy upcoming schedule with titles Uncut Gems from the Safdie Bros. and ...
A24 is in final talks to acquire and will produce the next feature from 20th Century Women filmmaker Mike Mills, which has Phoenix attached to star.
Plot details are unknown for the untitled drama, which is due to begin shooting this fall. Chelsea Barnard, Lila Yacoub and Andrea Longacre-White will produce.
A24, which recently released Lulu Wang's The Farewell and Ari Aster's Midsommar, has a busy upcoming schedule with titles Uncut Gems from the Safdie Bros. and ...
- 9/19/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
In the wake of a summer where Disney IP steamrolled over movies big and small, the industry wondered if we were truly living in a hell of haves and have-nots at the box office. Was it just all about event films succeeding on the big screen, with anything that was low-to-mid-budget counter-programming intended for streaming?
Gradually, as we got out of the belly of Lion King, Spider-Man: Far From Home (which was made with Disney’s Marvel), and Hobbs & Shaw, we saw more original counter-programming pop at the box office – i.e. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, and Good Boys – bust through. Now, further underscoring that a diverse slate works theatrically, especially among adults, is Stx’s Hustlers this weekend, which notched a $33.2M opening –their best debut ever and a record for Jennifer Lopez among her live-action pics– 33% ahead of where tracking was seeing it.
At the same time,...
Gradually, as we got out of the belly of Lion King, Spider-Man: Far From Home (which was made with Disney’s Marvel), and Hobbs & Shaw, we saw more original counter-programming pop at the box office – i.e. Once Upon a Time In Hollywood, and Good Boys – bust through. Now, further underscoring that a diverse slate works theatrically, especially among adults, is Stx’s Hustlers this weekend, which notched a $33.2M opening –their best debut ever and a record for Jennifer Lopez among her live-action pics– 33% ahead of where tracking was seeing it.
At the same time,...
- 9/15/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Sources say Annapurna/MGM joint venture United Artists Releasing remains capable of distributing Bond 25.
Updated: Megan Ellison has responded to reports that Annapurna is in financial dire straits and locked in a tussle with lenders after spending much of its $350m credit facility.
Speculation about the viability of Annapurna has swirled around Hollywood for a year or so and intensified after reports on Wednesday (Aug. 7) that Ellison’s father, Oracle founder and billionaire Larry Ellison, is in talks to shore up Annapurna’s debt as senior lenders circle and the prospect of bankruptcy looms large.
However later on Wednesday (Aug.
Updated: Megan Ellison has responded to reports that Annapurna is in financial dire straits and locked in a tussle with lenders after spending much of its $350m credit facility.
Speculation about the viability of Annapurna has swirled around Hollywood for a year or so and intensified after reports on Wednesday (Aug. 7) that Ellison’s father, Oracle founder and billionaire Larry Ellison, is in talks to shore up Annapurna’s debt as senior lenders circle and the prospect of bankruptcy looms large.
However later on Wednesday (Aug.
- 8/7/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Sources say Annapurna/MGM joint venture United Artists Releasing remains capable of distributing Bond 25.
Speculation about the viability of Megan Ellison’s Annapurna has swirled around Hollywood for a year or so and now, according to reports, the company is in a tussle with lenders after spending much of its $350m credit facility.
Ellison’s father, Oracle founder and billionaire Larry Ellison, is reportedly in talks to shore up Annapurna’s debt as senior lenders circle and the prospect of bankruptcy looms large.
What happens next has serious ramifications on the fate of another independent distributor at a time when...
Speculation about the viability of Megan Ellison’s Annapurna has swirled around Hollywood for a year or so and now, according to reports, the company is in a tussle with lenders after spending much of its $350m credit facility.
Ellison’s father, Oracle founder and billionaire Larry Ellison, is reportedly in talks to shore up Annapurna’s debt as senior lenders circle and the prospect of bankruptcy looms large.
What happens next has serious ramifications on the fate of another independent distributor at a time when...
- 8/7/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Enter here for your chance to win a pair of tickets to see the new film “Booksmart” on Monday, May 20th at the Mjr Troy Theater in Troy, Michigan. To enter the contest, just look for the “Enter the Contest” box further down on this page. But hurry because the contest ends soon and there are only a limited number of passes available and when they’re gone, they’re gone! No purchase necessary!
Screening Details
Where: Troy at the Mjr Troy What: Booksmart Advance Screening When: Monday, May 20th @ 7:00pm
About The Film
Booksmart: Told from a wildly original, fresh and modern perspective, Booksmart is an unfiltered comedy about high school best friends and the bonds we create that last a lifetime. Capturing the spirit of our times, the film is a coming of age story for a new generation. (Annapurna Pictures) This film is rated R.
Director:...
Screening Details
Where: Troy at the Mjr Troy What: Booksmart Advance Screening When: Monday, May 20th @ 7:00pm
About The Film
Booksmart: Told from a wildly original, fresh and modern perspective, Booksmart is an unfiltered comedy about high school best friends and the bonds we create that last a lifetime. Capturing the spirit of our times, the film is a coming of age story for a new generation. (Annapurna Pictures) This film is rated R.
Director:...
- 5/13/2019
- by Administrator
- CinemaNerdz
United Artists Releasing will offer exclusive early access to Annapurna’s Booksmart, director Olivia Wilde’s critically acclaimed film, exclusively to its Instagram community. It will mark the first time that Instagram has promoted a movie sneaks program, and the company became excited about the pic after UA screened Booksmart for all the big tech companies and social media platforms.
Booksmart opens on Friday, May 24, and UA said Wednesday that a total of 800 paid sneak peek screenings will take place one week in advance, on May 17, at theater chains across the country including AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Marcus, Brielle Cinemas, Cinepolis, Harkins, Galaxy Theaters, Pacific Theaters, City Cinemas, Goodrich Theaters and Kerasotes.
Starting today, Instagram users can get their ticket by following @booksmart, and moviegoers can buy tickets here. United Artists Releasing is also launching an Instagram-focused advertising campaign that will make it easy for moviegoers to buy tickets to the advance screenings.
Booksmart opens on Friday, May 24, and UA said Wednesday that a total of 800 paid sneak peek screenings will take place one week in advance, on May 17, at theater chains across the country including AMC, Regal, Cinemark, Marcus, Brielle Cinemas, Cinepolis, Harkins, Galaxy Theaters, Pacific Theaters, City Cinemas, Goodrich Theaters and Kerasotes.
Starting today, Instagram users can get their ticket by following @booksmart, and moviegoers can buy tickets here. United Artists Releasing is also launching an Instagram-focused advertising campaign that will make it easy for moviegoers to buy tickets to the advance screenings.
- 5/9/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
“We have to go to a party tonight,” the normally studious high school senior says on the last day of classes. “Nobody knows that we are fun. We didn’t party because we wanted to focus on school and get into good colleges.” Her Bff replies: “And it worked.” But, the friend notes, “Irresponsible people who party also got into those colleges.”
Now that’s logic in action, and the setup for Booksmart, a teen comedy from director Olivia Wilde that premiered Sunday at SXSW. Check out the redband trailer above, but you might want to check the volume if you’re listening at work.
Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein star as Amy and Molly, a pair of academic superstars who — as the tagline intones — are getting straight A’s. and giving no F’s. Determined never to fall short of their peers, the girls set out on a mission...
Now that’s logic in action, and the setup for Booksmart, a teen comedy from director Olivia Wilde that premiered Sunday at SXSW. Check out the redband trailer above, but you might want to check the volume if you’re listening at work.
Kaitlyn Dever and Beanie Feldstein star as Amy and Molly, a pair of academic superstars who — as the tagline intones — are getting straight A’s. and giving no F’s. Determined never to fall short of their peers, the girls set out on a mission...
- 3/11/2019
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
Breaking: MGM and Annapurna Pictures have branded a joint venture United Artists Releasing. The revived label will pool the distribution resources of Annapurna, MGM and Orion into a cohesive apparatus that will release films generated by all three, supplemented by select third party films. The hope is to create a more formidable company to rival the major studio tent poles that increasingly dominate the release calendar. The companies remain separate as does their production divisions.
The companies plan to release 10-14 films through the new distribution label, spanning tent pole sized films to prestige releases. The move comes exactly 100 years since United Artists was first formed by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks. MGM and Annapurna have been operating under a U.S. theatrical distribution joint venture since December 2017, so the companies are well versed in each other’s businesses. Orion Pictures is being added to that mix.
The companies plan to release 10-14 films through the new distribution label, spanning tent pole sized films to prestige releases. The move comes exactly 100 years since United Artists was first formed by D. W. Griffith, Charlie Chaplin, Mary Pickford, and Douglas Fairbanks. MGM and Annapurna have been operating under a U.S. theatrical distribution joint venture since December 2017, so the companies are well versed in each other’s businesses. Orion Pictures is being added to that mix.
- 2/5/2019
- by Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
Annapurna Pictures announced on Wednesday that it has promoted executive Sue Naegle to chief content officer for the studio. Annapurna CEO Megan Ellison made the announcement.
Naegle currently serves as president of Annapurna TV, and will now expand her role to oversee the development and production of Annapurna’s film slate, as well as the company’s theater division. In her new role Naegle will also manage the cross-platform pollination of Annapurna Interactive’s IP.
Naegle will report to and work closely with Ellison, focusing on Annapurna’s commitment to filmmakers and artists. The studio plans to produce and acquire between three to five films a year for theatrical distribution and streaming platforms.
“Annapurna has always been a company with an allegiance to ambitious content and its commitment to artists across all platforms,” Naegle said in a statement. “I find it a privilege to shepherd the diversity of storytelling that...
Naegle currently serves as president of Annapurna TV, and will now expand her role to oversee the development and production of Annapurna’s film slate, as well as the company’s theater division. In her new role Naegle will also manage the cross-platform pollination of Annapurna Interactive’s IP.
Naegle will report to and work closely with Ellison, focusing on Annapurna’s commitment to filmmakers and artists. The studio plans to produce and acquire between three to five films a year for theatrical distribution and streaming platforms.
“Annapurna has always been a company with an allegiance to ambitious content and its commitment to artists across all platforms,” Naegle said in a statement. “I find it a privilege to shepherd the diversity of storytelling that...
- 1/23/2019
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Sue Naegle has been named chief content officer at Megan Ellison’s Annapurna Pictures.
Naegle joined the company as head of television in 2016, and will now oversee development and production in film, TV, video games, and the company’s theater division. As part of the reorganization, Ivana Lombardi has been named president of film, a role vacated by former executive Chelsea Barnard last year.
Lombardi hails from Chernin Entertainment, where she oversaw the movies “St. Vincent” and “Hidden Figures.” She will work closely with Jillian Longnecker, who has been named president of physical production. Patrick Chu, who joined Annapurna from Amazon last week as a senior vice president in TV, will continue to report to Naegle.
Naegle’s first order of business is investing heavily in development and production for the backend of 2019, she said, as well as supporting their first-look partners Plan B Entertainment and Pastel. Her goal is...
Naegle joined the company as head of television in 2016, and will now oversee development and production in film, TV, video games, and the company’s theater division. As part of the reorganization, Ivana Lombardi has been named president of film, a role vacated by former executive Chelsea Barnard last year.
Lombardi hails from Chernin Entertainment, where she oversaw the movies “St. Vincent” and “Hidden Figures.” She will work closely with Jillian Longnecker, who has been named president of physical production. Patrick Chu, who joined Annapurna from Amazon last week as a senior vice president in TV, will continue to report to Naegle.
Naegle’s first order of business is investing heavily in development and production for the backend of 2019, she said, as well as supporting their first-look partners Plan B Entertainment and Pastel. Her goal is...
- 1/23/2019
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
The indie box office in 2018 was already going to be one of big changes: For the first time in over two decades, Harvey Weinstein was Mia from the industry after the collapse (and bankruptcy sale) of The Weinstein Company and his indictment on sexual assault charges.
In his place are a handful of studio-backed indie divisions and a mix of ascendant and struggling newcomers trying to gain a foothold in the art-house market with potential awards contenders. Oh, and there’s Netflix and Amazon Studios both trying to break into the Oscar race in major categories.
Up to this point, Netflix’s presence at the Oscars was mostly in the documentary section, winning Academy Awards for the feature doc “Icarus” and the short doc “The White Helmets.” Otherwise, its film division was known in 2017 more for panned films like “Death Note” and “Bright” than for “Okja,” the acclaimed film that...
In his place are a handful of studio-backed indie divisions and a mix of ascendant and struggling newcomers trying to gain a foothold in the art-house market with potential awards contenders. Oh, and there’s Netflix and Amazon Studios both trying to break into the Oscar race in major categories.
Up to this point, Netflix’s presence at the Oscars was mostly in the documentary section, winning Academy Awards for the feature doc “Icarus” and the short doc “The White Helmets.” Otherwise, its film division was known in 2017 more for panned films like “Death Note” and “Bright” than for “Okja,” the acclaimed film that...
- 12/31/2018
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
As Annapurna’s second year in the movie distribution business comes to an end, the studio is looking for a serious box office hit to help plant its flag in the indie box office scene. To this end, they are turning to two films made by recent Oscar-nominated directors: Barry Jenkins’ “If Beale Street Could Talk” and Adam McKay’s “Vice.”
“Beale Street,” which opens Friday in New York and Los Angeles and goes wide the weekend before Oscar nominations are announced, has long been expected to be an awards contender — and awards buzz usually translates to better box office results. Based on James Baldwin’s classic book and made by Jenkins with much of the team that helped him make his Best Picture-winning “Moonlight,” the film earned critical acclaim after its Toronto premiere, made the National Board of Review and AFI top 10 lists and earned three Golden Globe nominations last week.
“Beale Street,” which opens Friday in New York and Los Angeles and goes wide the weekend before Oscar nominations are announced, has long been expected to be an awards contender — and awards buzz usually translates to better box office results. Based on James Baldwin’s classic book and made by Jenkins with much of the team that helped him make his Best Picture-winning “Moonlight,” the film earned critical acclaim after its Toronto premiere, made the National Board of Review and AFI top 10 lists and earned three Golden Globe nominations last week.
- 12/14/2018
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
The Walt Disney Co. has officially laid claim to the top-level executives at Fox that the company wants to keep once it finalizes its $71.3 billion acquisition for the majority of the Murdoch family’s entertainment assets — but Fox film chief Stacey Snider won’t be making the move.
That puts Snider, a well-liked and respected executive who has had stints running Universal Pictures, DreamWorks and currently 20th Century Fox, in play at a time when Hollywood is craving experienced leadership.
“Literally I’d be outside the lot right now with a lobster bib on,” Redef CEO Jason Hirschhorn said at this month’s TheWrap-sponsored media and entertainment conference TheGrill.
Also Read: Fox Executives Emma Watts, Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula to Join Disney Studio After Merger
The problem, however, is that there don’t seem to be a lot of clear landing places at the moment for an executive of her caliber,...
That puts Snider, a well-liked and respected executive who has had stints running Universal Pictures, DreamWorks and currently 20th Century Fox, in play at a time when Hollywood is craving experienced leadership.
“Literally I’d be outside the lot right now with a lobster bib on,” Redef CEO Jason Hirschhorn said at this month’s TheWrap-sponsored media and entertainment conference TheGrill.
Also Read: Fox Executives Emma Watts, Nancy Utley and Stephen Gilula to Join Disney Studio After Merger
The problem, however, is that there don’t seem to be a lot of clear landing places at the moment for an executive of her caliber,...
- 10/19/2018
- by Trey Williams
- The Wrap
Oracle founder Larry Ellison is engineering a major reorganization of his daughter Megan Ellison’s struggling Annapurna Pictures, according to several people familiar with the situation. The studio has been hemorrhaging money for years and continues to suffer an exodus of top executives who have either been forced out or who left on their own accord. The latest casualty, film president Chelsea Barnard, was fired this week.
Since launching seven years ago, Annapurna quickly established itself as a favorite production company among auteurs, backing films of critically beloved directors such as Kathryn Bigelow, Paul Thomas Anderson and David O. Russell. It developed a reputation for being immune to the kinds of financial challenges and volatility that many other indie companies have faced. The reason, agents and artists point out, was that it has continued to benefit from the deep pockets of Megan’s billionaire father. Both she and her brother...
Since launching seven years ago, Annapurna quickly established itself as a favorite production company among auteurs, backing films of critically beloved directors such as Kathryn Bigelow, Paul Thomas Anderson and David O. Russell. It developed a reputation for being immune to the kinds of financial challenges and volatility that many other indie companies have faced. The reason, agents and artists point out, was that it has continued to benefit from the deep pockets of Megan’s billionaire father. Both she and her brother...
- 10/10/2018
- by Brent Lang and Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
In the last year, Megan Ellison has moved from respected producer of multiple Oscar contenders to another deep-pocketed Hollywood player who failed to appreciate the hazards of building a distribution company. On Tuesday, a series of news flashes telegraphed a company in trouble.
First, Jay Roach’s untitled movie starring John Lithgow as Fox News chairman and sexual harasser Roger Ailes, which was set to start shooting in just two weeks, is being shopped to other distributors. Canadian financier Bron Studios was set to co-finance the reported $35-million production written by Oscar-winner Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”). Focus Features is reportedly in talks to acquire the film. Annapurna had just announced casting of Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch; he joins a strong ensemble including Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Kate McKinnon, and Margot Robbie as Megyn Kelly.
Second, it was revealed that, some months ago, Annapurna dropped Lorene Scafaria’s Jennifer Lopez exotic dance movie.
First, Jay Roach’s untitled movie starring John Lithgow as Fox News chairman and sexual harasser Roger Ailes, which was set to start shooting in just two weeks, is being shopped to other distributors. Canadian financier Bron Studios was set to co-finance the reported $35-million production written by Oscar-winner Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”). Focus Features is reportedly in talks to acquire the film. Annapurna had just announced casting of Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch; he joins a strong ensemble including Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Kate McKinnon, and Margot Robbie as Megyn Kelly.
Second, it was revealed that, some months ago, Annapurna dropped Lorene Scafaria’s Jennifer Lopez exotic dance movie.
- 10/10/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
In the last year, Megan Ellison has moved from respected producer of multiple Oscar contenders to another deep-pocketed Hollywood player who failed to appreciate the hazards of building a distribution company. On Tuesday, a series of news flashes telegraphed a company in trouble.
First, Jay Roach’s untitled movie starring John Lithgow as Fox News chairman and sexual harasser Roger Ailes, which was set to start shooting in just two weeks, is being shopped to other distributors. Canadian financier Bron Studios was set to co-finance the reported $35-million production written by Oscar-winner Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”). Focus Features is reportedly in talks to acquire the film. Annapurna had just announced casting of Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch; he joins a strong ensemble including Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Kate McKinnon, and Margot Robbie as Megyn Kelly.
Second, it was revealed that, some months ago, Annapurna dropped Lorene Scafaria’s Jennifer Lopez exotic dance movie.
First, Jay Roach’s untitled movie starring John Lithgow as Fox News chairman and sexual harasser Roger Ailes, which was set to start shooting in just two weeks, is being shopped to other distributors. Canadian financier Bron Studios was set to co-finance the reported $35-million production written by Oscar-winner Charles Randolph (“The Big Short”). Focus Features is reportedly in talks to acquire the film. Annapurna had just announced casting of Malcolm McDowell as Rupert Murdoch; he joins a strong ensemble including Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Kate McKinnon, and Margot Robbie as Megyn Kelly.
Second, it was revealed that, some months ago, Annapurna dropped Lorene Scafaria’s Jennifer Lopez exotic dance movie.
- 10/10/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Tuesday’s news about Annapurna shockingly pulling out of two projects –Jay Roach’s untitled Roger Ailes movie and the Jennifer Lopez feature Hustlers — in addition to its head of production Chelsea Barnard exiting, has raised serious questions in Hollywood about the independent studio’s financial livelihood moving forward. Barnard’s departure comes roughly four months after the Megan Ellison-run company lost its CFO Josh Small and President Marc Weinstock at the same time.
“A lot of these headlines about our financial situation are unfounded rumors and speculation, and it’s just business as usual,” said an Annapurna spokesperson.
Deadline sources estimate that ever since Annapurna started up its own marketing-distribution arm in July 2017, in an effort to take control of its own productions, that it has gone through some $200M in overall costs while its slate of five releases since then have combined to earn less than $40M at the domestic box office.
“A lot of these headlines about our financial situation are unfounded rumors and speculation, and it’s just business as usual,” said an Annapurna spokesperson.
Deadline sources estimate that ever since Annapurna started up its own marketing-distribution arm in July 2017, in an effort to take control of its own productions, that it has gone through some $200M in overall costs while its slate of five releases since then have combined to earn less than $40M at the domestic box office.
- 10/10/2018
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Annapurna Pictures, the boutique film and TV studio started by Oracle scion Megan Ellison, has run into financial difficulties that on Tuesday resulted in the exit of its film division head and the announced jettisoning of two upcoming films with marquee talent, multiple individuals told TheWrap.
Ellison is “reevaluating” the studio’s film division and is expected to take a more active role in day-to-day development and production after a rocky 18 months that included Kathryn Bigelow’s “Detroit” and the modest indie hit “Sorry to Bother You,” one insider said.
According to at least two individuals close to Annapurna, Ellison’s father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, is balking at any further investment in the studio after an initial outlay by him and his daughter of more than $200 million.
“These are unfounded rumors. Everything is business as usual,” a spokesperson for Annapurna told TheWrap. Larry Ellison did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Ellison is “reevaluating” the studio’s film division and is expected to take a more active role in day-to-day development and production after a rocky 18 months that included Kathryn Bigelow’s “Detroit” and the modest indie hit “Sorry to Bother You,” one insider said.
According to at least two individuals close to Annapurna, Ellison’s father, Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, is balking at any further investment in the studio after an initial outlay by him and his daughter of more than $200 million.
“These are unfounded rumors. Everything is business as usual,” a spokesperson for Annapurna told TheWrap. Larry Ellison did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
- 10/10/2018
- by Trey Williams and Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
Barnard’s departure comes after Annapurna drops two high-profile feature projects.
Annapurna Pictures president of film Chelsea Barnard has reportedly left the company after it pulled out of two major projects.
Barnard was thought to be closely involved with the projects, a feature about Fox News and its former chief Roger Ailes, to be directed by Jay Roach, and a Jennifer Lopez feature known as Hustlers about former strip club employees and their Wall St clients.
Stx Entertainment is reportedly close to acquiring the Lopez project. The fate of the Ailes project is not known, though it was reported earlier...
Annapurna Pictures president of film Chelsea Barnard has reportedly left the company after it pulled out of two major projects.
Barnard was thought to be closely involved with the projects, a feature about Fox News and its former chief Roger Ailes, to be directed by Jay Roach, and a Jennifer Lopez feature known as Hustlers about former strip club employees and their Wall St clients.
Stx Entertainment is reportedly close to acquiring the Lopez project. The fate of the Ailes project is not known, though it was reported earlier...
- 10/10/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Barnard’s departure comes after Annapurna drops two high-profile feature projects.
Annapurna Pictures president of film Chelsea Barnard has reportedly left the company after it pulled out of two major projects.
Barnard was thought to be closely involved with the projects, a feature about Fox News and its former chief Roger Ailes, to be directed by Jay Roach, and a Jennifer Lopez feature known as Hustlers about former strip club employees and their Wall St clients.
Stx Entertainment is reportedly close to acquiring the Lopez project. The fate of the Ailes project is not known, though it was reported earlier...
Annapurna Pictures president of film Chelsea Barnard has reportedly left the company after it pulled out of two major projects.
Barnard was thought to be closely involved with the projects, a feature about Fox News and its former chief Roger Ailes, to be directed by Jay Roach, and a Jennifer Lopez feature known as Hustlers about former strip club employees and their Wall St clients.
Stx Entertainment is reportedly close to acquiring the Lopez project. The fate of the Ailes project is not known, though it was reported earlier...
- 10/10/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
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