News

Dozens of top Hollywood creatives and activists have signed an open letter in response to the shuttering of production company Participant — imploring the industry to continue to effect change through film and television as the defunct company once did.

George Clooney, Aflonso Cuarón, Ava DuVernay, Jane Fonda, Regina King, Viola Davis, #MeToo founder Tarana Burke, civil rights attorney Bryan Stevenson, Color of Change president Rashad Robinson and more are signators, in addition to groups like GLAAD and Human Rights Watch. The letter was coordinated by the National Domestic Workers Alliance (Ndwa), which collaborated with Participant and director Cuarón on a visibility campaign for his 2018 Oscar winner “Roma.”

“As we say goodbye to Participant, we must underscore that values-based storytelling is needed now more than ever,” the letter states. “There is a whole ecosystem of people, connected by the work of the last 20 years of Participant, ready to work with you.

This isn’t a meteorology blog. We’re under no obligation to inform you that–despite a historically slow ski season start–the snow now falling across Northern Utah’s Wasatch Valley is voluminous and omnipresent. All the better excuse for sequestering oneself inside the weatherproofed walls of Park City’s myriad Sundance screening venues. And whether you’re a Sundance programmer, filmmaker, critic, industry wonk or civilian attendee, one thing is certain: there are currently a lot of granola bars getting smushed in a lot of people’s pockets.

Of course, our favorite among these snowblind wretches are our own Film Independent Fellows proudly debuting their new works at the festival. And by “Fellows” here we of course mean filmmakers who have been directly supported by Film Independent’s Lab Programs, Project Involve, Fast Track and Fiscal Sponsorship programs, as well as Emerging Filmmaker Award winners and grant recipients.

New York-based The Film Sales Company has pounced on the worldwide rights to Colombian documentary feature “Igualada” by Juan Mejía Botero ahead of its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in the World Cinema Documentary Competition sidebar.

Mejía Botero, whose most recent feature documentary “Death by a Thousand Cuts” won the Audience Award at Doc NYC, chronicles politician Francia Márquez’s groundbreaking journey from her start as a rural grassroot activist to her history-making campaign to become not only the first black but also the first female president of her native Colombia.

Given exclusive access, Mejía Botero follows Márquez as she “dares to challenge the status quo by launching a presidential campaign in Colombia, a nation beset by profound racial and socio-economic disparities,” per the synopsis.

Reclaiming the derogatory term “igualada” (used to belittle individuals asserting rights deemed beyond their position in society), Márquez propels a movement into the upper spheres of influence,...

Last week, Equality Now hosted its 30th Anniversary Gala to celebrate the organization’s three decades of gender equality work and the En 30 for 30 list of artists, activists, and advocates.

Stars Attend Equality Now Gala

The event featured inspiring performances of music, drama, and comedy with art and advocacy supporting equality for women and girls.

In attendance, Equality Now 30 for 30 women and changemakers – Gloria Steinem, Brisa De Angulo, Jaha Dukureh, Drew Dixon, Sarah Sophie Flicker, and Paola Mendoza along with award-winning actress Jodie Turner-Smith and international best-selling author and Equality Now 30 for 30 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and the fifth annual Changemaker Award presented by Gucci and Chime For Change to recognize the activism of the women and girls of Iran and special performances by the Resistance Revival Chorus, Sage Sovereign, Felukah.

Also in attendance: Maya Hawke, Sarah Cooper, Jeremy O. Harris, Cindi Leive, Emily Alyn Lind, Aasif Mandvi, Patina Miller, Lynn Nottage,...

Equality Now (En), the leading international women’s rights organization that uses the law to protect and promote women’s and girls’ rights, will hold its 30th Anniversary Gala in New York on November 15.

The evening will celebrate the organization’s three decades of gender equality work and the En 30 for 30 list of artists, activists, and advocates (previously announced), and will feature inspiring performances of music, drama, and comedy with art and advocacy supporting equality for women and girls

The gala will celebrate the Equality Now 30 for 30 women and changemakers:

Alanis Morissette, Amandla Stenberg, Amy Ziering, Annie Lennox, Asma Jahangir (posthumously), Ayesha Malik, Brisa De Angulo, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Drew Dixon, Elizabeth Evatt, Gloria Steinem, Hibaaq Osman, Jaha Dukureh, Jane Fonda, Judith Bruce, Kimberlé Crenshaw, Linda Perry, Margaret Atwood, Meaza Ashenafi, Nadeen Ashraf, Paola Mendoza, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Ruth Bader Ginsburg (posthumously), Salma Hayek, Sanna Marin, Sapana Pradhan Malla, Sarah Sophie Flicker,...

In today’s film news roundup, Aaron Paul is honored, Bruce Berman is re-upped at Village Roadshow, and Paola Mendoza and Abby Sher get a book deal.

Festival Honors

The Sun Valley Film Festival has selected Idaho native and three-time Emmy winner Aaron Paul as the winner of its Pioneer Award, presented by Variety for his work in television and film on March 15.

He will attend the world premiere screening of Christopher Cantwell’s “The Parts You Lose,” in which Paul stars and also serves as a producer, and will participate in a moderated discussion about his career.

Alex Ross Perry will receive the Rising Star Award for Directing on March 16, and attend a screening of his latest film “Her Smell,” which stars Elisabeth Moss, and Fisher Stevens will receive the Snow Angel Award on March 16 and screen his film “Tigerland.” Meg Ryan will receive the festival’s Vision Award.

Beto O’Rourke’s loss to Ted Cruz in the Texas Senate race Tuesday night did nothing to dampen the enthusiasm of his supporters, many of whom immediately called on the Democratic congressman to put the Cruz fight behind him and seek the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020.

Leading the pack was one of Hollywood’s biggest Beto Boosters, Alyssa Milano.

“Beto lost? That’s ok. Now he can run for President,” the former “Charmed” actress said, adding a “#Beto2020” hashtag.

Also Read: From Jj Abrams to Jimmy Kimmel: Celebrities Who Gave Big to Beto O'Rourke

Beto lost? That’s ok. Now he can run for President.

— Alyssa Milano (@Alyssa_Milano) November 7, 2018

As of Wednesday morning, Milano’s call was closing in 10,000 retweets. Many others took up the mantle as well, saying O’Rourke’s near miss against Cruz was proof of his national potential.

Guys – if Beto can get 49% of the vote in Texas,...

Hollywood women are speaking out in support of Christine Blasey Ford, a California professor who has accused Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh of attempted sexual assault during a drunken party in the 1980s when they were both teenagers.

In a video posted to Twitter, Julianne Moore, Alyssa Milano, America Ferrara Gabrielle Union and other women both famous and not said they believed Ford and stood with her.

“We want you to know that you are not alone. You are a survivor. Millions of us have your back,” said director Paola Mendoza, who posted the video. “We call on Senators to demand a full, fair and trauma-informed investigation.”

Since being posted Wednesday, the footage has racked up more than 2 million views and 13,000 retweets.

Also Read: Chrissy Teigen Sends Mixed Message to John Legend on Wedding Anniversary: 'I Love You,' But 'You Are an A-hole' (Photo)

#DearProfessorFord,

We want you to...

“Quantico” star Priyanka Chopra spoke about her journey to become the first South Asian woman to headline a network show, along with her thoughts on the future of the #MeToo movement at Variety’s Empowered Brunch on Wednesday.

Talking to Variety‘s Elizabeth Wagmeister, Chopra said that in India, where she was raised, “it’s a privilege to be able to have an opinion, something that all of us sitting in this room take for granted. We live in a world where we actually have a voice and can use it, we can make life decisions for ourselves, we can go to school the way we want, we can get careers where we want, but I come from a part of the world where that’s a freaking privilege.”

The actress broke barriers in 2016, when “Quantico” first went on the air at ABC, as a lead character of South Asian descent,...

On the eve of Donald Trump‘s first State of the Union address, an impassioned group of celebrities and activists took to a stage in New York, where they told the sold-out crowd: “We are fired up, we are united and powerful and Donald Trump, we are not going away.”

On Monday, the night of The People’s State of the Union at The Town Hall, speaker after speaker showed what democracy looks likes, their words galvanized by the actions of Trump and his administration this last year.

In the audience was the iconic women’s rights activist Gloria Steinem,...

On December 13, The Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights hosted the annual Ripple of Hope Awards dinner at the New York Hilton that raised over $3 Million.

Hilaria and Alec Baldwin Attend Ripple of Hope Awards dinner

Credit/Copyright: Getty Images/Jason Kempin

Ethel Kennedy presented Harry Belafonte, Alex Gorsky, Chairman and CEO of Johnson & Johnson, and Hamdi Ulukaya, founder of Chobani with the Ripple of Hope Award, an award that celebrates leaders of international business, entertainment, and activist communities who have demonstrated a commitment to social change.

Alec Baldwin acted as the evening’s Master of Ceremonies for the dinner, which was hosted by Ethel Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Philip W. Johnston, B. Scott Minerd, Marvin S. Rosen, Robert & Hope Smith, Pedro Torres-Mackie and Donato Tramuto.

Other notable guests included: Hilaria Baldwin, Tony Bennett, Kenneth Cole & Maria Cuomo Cole, Thomas Dinapoli, Kathryn Erbe, D’Brickshaw Ferguson, Peter Frampton, Pamela Frank, Whoopi Goldberg,...

Protests erupted across the country on Monday morning as Attorney General Jeff Sessions announced that President Donald Trump‘s administration would rescind Daca — the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy that offers work permits to people who entered the country illegally as minors.

Multiple demonstrators — including some undocumented immigrants — were reportedly arrested at Trump Tower as hundreds of local immigrants and advocates descended on the president’s midtown Manhattan residence and business headquarters to protest the repeal of Daca. Some of the protestors had staged a sit-in in the middle of the street and were arrested after they blocked traffic...

Keep up with the always-hopping film festival world with our weekly Film Festival Roundup column. Check out last week’s Roundup right here.

Lineup Announcements

– BAMcinématek has announced the full lineup for the ninth annual BAMcinemaFest (Jun 14 – 25, 2017), which features 24 New York premieres, one North American premiere, and two world premieres. Opening the festival on Wednesday, June 14 is the New York premiere of Aaron Katz’s “Gemini.” This year’s Closing Night selection is the New York premiere of Brooklyn filmmaker Alex Ross Perry’s fifth feature, “Golden Exits.”

Other highlights include “En el Séptimo Día,” “A Ghost Story,” “Landline,” and “Whose Streets.” Check out the full lineup here.

– The Greenwich International Film Festival is proud to announce the full film slate and programming for the 3rd annual festival running June 1 – 4, 2017 in Greenwich, Connecticut.

“Bending the Arc,” a documentary about the extraordinary team of doctors and activists whose work thirty years...

Kerry Washington is one of Hollywood's most private celebrities, but that's never stopped her from speaking out on important issues. While chatting with Paola Mendoza, the artistic director of the Women's March, for Glamour's May cover story, the actress was forthright about how Americans need to "stay awake" amid a government hell-bent on banning Muslims and taking away a woman's right to choose (the ever-growing list of offenses goes on, and on, and on . . . ). The Scandal star and mother of two also touches on how playing Olivia Pope has irrevocably changed her life, and not entirely for the better. Related:21 Times Olivia Pope Was So Perfect You Just Couldn't Deal...

Keep up with the always-hopping film festival world with our weekly Film Festival Roundup column. Check out last week’s Roundup right here.

Lineup Announcements

– The 2017 HollyWeb Festival, sponsored by AMC Independent and running March 30 – April 2, has announced the full schedule of digital series, filmmaker panels, and events for this year’s edition of the festival, celebrating the world’s premiere digital content. 97 digital series will have episodes screened at AMC Universal CityWalk 19 (100 Universal City Plaza), the Universal Hilton (555 Universal Hollywood Drive), and the Fonda Theatre (6126 Hollywood Blvd.).

HollyWeb Festival Co-Director Daniel Doherty said, “From the beginning, the HollyWeb Festival has sought to shine a light on web series creators, honor their collective vision and work, as well as create a yearly event where they can gather and meet, exchange notes, and possibly form partnerships that will lead to even more outstanding and entertaining web series.” HollyWeb Co-Director Jennifer Doherty,...

The 2017 Athena Film Festival premiered from February 9th to 12th at Barnard College in New York. The festival, founded on the idea on seeing more female protagonists in films, celebrated its seventh year by showcasing a town hall meeting with multiple female activists. Along with the highly awaited event, the festival also premiered several female-leading movies, including Little Pink House, Girl Unbound, and Dolores. With such a packed schedule, the festival saw a huge turn out despite the large snowstorm that occurred just hours beforehand.

The festival was founded seven years ago by Kathryn Kolbert (from the Athena Center for Leadership Studies at Barnard College) and Melissa Silverstein (the artistic director of Women and Hollywood) with the original idea of seeing more leading ladies in films. That idea has skyrocketed to showcasing not only films with strong female roles, but also honoring screenplays in the festival’s own Black List,...

Hollywood’s favorite Latina maid is about to get a lesson in feminism — from the mouth of her vagina.

In “Valentina,” a short film currently raising money on Kickstarter, the title character is a cleaning lady obsessed with — what else? — being clean. Set in the near future, a heat wave and power outage shatter Valentina’s creature comforts, forcing her to confront her own filth. Especially one part of her body that is most susceptible to heat and sweat. According to filmmaker Mary Angélica Molina, the film explores “what happens when she’s confronted with this part of her body that she has either ignored or tried to keep under control.”

Read More: Mark Duplass’ Pet Project ‘Unlovable,’ from Web Star Charlene deGuzman, Launches Kickstarter Campaign

Molina, who spoke to IndieWire by phone, is a twice-recognized Sundance fellow (for screenwriting and creative producing) who cites Luis Buñuel as an influence.

On the heels of the 39th edition of the Toronto Int. Film Festival (Sept 4-14), Ifp’s Independent Film Week is where a plethora of fiction, non-fiction and new this year, web-based series from the likes of Desiree Akhavan and Calvin Reeder find future coin. Sectioned off as projects at the very beginning of financing to those that are nearing completion, there happens to be tons of Sundance alumni in the names below. Among those that caught our attention we have Medicine for Melancholy‘s Barry Jenkins’ sophomore feature, produced by Bad Milo!‘s Adele Romanski, Moonlight is about “two Miami boys navigate the temptations of the drug trade and their burgeoning sexuality in this triptych drama about black queer youth”. Concussion‘s Stacie Passon digs into the thriller genre with Strange Things Started Happening. Produced by vet Mary Jane Skalski (Mysterious Skin), this is about “a woman who has...

We're excited at the Austin Film Society to annouce that filmmakers Matthew Akers (Marina Abramovic: The Artist Is Present), Paola Mendoza (Entre Nos) and Brent Hoff (Wholphin) will be coming to town in August to serve on our 2012 Texas Filmmakers' Product Fund review panel. All three will be part of the process of dividing up the $100,000 in cash and in-kind support that will go toward helping Texas filmmakers work on their film and video projects.

Tfpf, created in 1996, has given away around $1.2 million to assist Texas filmmakers in getting their projects made. Funding for the program comes from revenues from benefit film premieres as well as donations and the Texas Commission on the Arts. So far, over 348 projects have been the beneficiary of Tfpf grants. This year, we received over 168 applications seeking funding. Grants for the 2012 Tfpf will be announced on Monday, August 27.

"We're honored to have three highly accomplished...

Filmmaker Paola Mendoza (Entre Nos, and one of our 25 New Faces) just forwarded this video she directed with filmmaker Topaz Adizes for FilmAid. It’s the organization’s first video, in support of World Refugee Day on June 20, and the music is The Joy Formidable’s “A Heavy Abacus.” While volunteering as Visiting Teaching Artists for FilmAid, Mendoza and Adizes shot this piece featuring Sudanese refugees in the Kakuma refugee camp in Northern Kenya. It was shot with a Canon 7D using two bounce boards and an iPhone as a monitor for the kids to lip sync to.

For more information on FilmAid, visit their site.

… Read the rest...

Each week within this column we strive to pair the latest in theatrical releases to the worthwhile titles currently available on Netflix Instant Watch.

This week Cars 2 gives sequels a bad name, and Bad Teacher attempts to cash in on the R-rated comedy wave, while limited release offers A Better Life and discovers Conan O’Brien Can’t Stop. Now, if these features can’t fulfill your need for animated tales of triumph, rotten role models, immigrant-centered drama and sidesplitting tour docs, don’t fret. We’ve got a line up that’s sure keep you on the edge of your seat as you kick back in your AC!

— — —

Cars 2

Larry the Cable Guy returns to voice the buck-toothed pick-up truck Mater, who falls into a world of international espionage as his buddy Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) spins his wheels abroad. Michael Caine, John Turturro and Eddie Izzard join the free-wheelin’ cast.

New York – The Tribeca Film Institute (Tfi) today announced several program award winners and grantees at the Tfi Awards Luncheon at Riverpark NYC during the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. Two winners of the Tribeca All Access (Taa) Creative Promise Awards presented by Time Warner; seven new Taa alumni grants and fellowships; four winners of the Latin America Media Arts Fund; and four grantees supported by Insurgent Media for the inaugural Tfi Documentary Fund were all presented today, totaling $125,000 in funds.

“This year’s winners and grantees are true examples of the incredible strength of films and talent resulting from the support of the Tribeca Film Institute,” said Beth Janson, Executive Director of the Tribeca Film Institute. “Our main hope is that these films go on to completion and build strong relationships with audiences.”

During the Tfi Awards Ceremony at Riverpark NYC in Manhattan, the following Tribeca All Access Creative Promise winners...

The Tribeca Film Institute has announced today award winners and grants totaling $1,000,000. Winners included two of the Tribeca All Access Creative Promise Awards, seven new Taa alumni grants, four for the Tfi Documentary Fund, as well as four winners of the Latin America Media Arts Fund. For more details, please read the press release below or visit Tribeca Film.

[New York, NY – April 28, 2011] – The Tribeca Film Institute (Tfi) today announced several program award winners and grantees at the Tfi Awards Luncheon at Riverpark NYC during the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. Two winners of the Tribeca All Access (Taa) Creative Promise Awards presented by Time Warner; seven new Taa alumni grants and fellowships; four winners of the Latin America Media Arts Fund; and four grantees supported by Insurgent Media for the inaugural Tfi Documentary Fund were all presented today, totaling $125,000 in funds.

“This year’s winners and grantees are true examples of the incredible strength of...

Hollywood has lots of explosions, big budgets and even bigger stars to bring attention to its offerings. But all the money in the world doesn’t guarantee a good film (*cough* *cough* Battlefield Earth), and a lack thereof doesn’t mean a film can’t capture the imaginations of its audience. There are plenty of great movies made on independent budgets, outside of Hollywood or even the United States, or that get straight-to-dvd releases. In this edition of "Off the Radar," we take check out the Criterion Blu-ray release of M (starring Peter Lorre), Max and Mary (starring Toni Collette and Philip Seymour Hoffman), and Entre Nos (starring Paola Mendoza, Sebastian Villada, Laura Montana, and Anthony Chisholm). Entre Nos DVD Entre Nos is a touching tale about a Columbian immigrant, Mariana (Paola Mendoza), who follows her husband with their two children to New York City on her husband’s whim,...

Chicago – Not to be confused with “The Secret in Their Eyes,” “The Secret of Kells,” or “The Secret,” this French family drama is saddled with a most unfortunate title for its American release. Though the picture’s original title, “The Grain and the Mullet,” may not sound like an upgrade, it offered an intriguing metaphor for the film’s unlikely union of two unforgettable characters.

The first is Slimane, played by Habib Boufares as an aging, exhausted man who can’t seem to catch up with the ever-changing world. His thirty-five years of laborious work at a shipyard job are brought to a screeching halt when his boss fires him for not working fast enough (thus illustrating that speed is valued above quality). As Slimane delivers fish to various members of his family, he’s greeted with hostility by his ex-wife (Bouraouïa Marzouk) and begrudging affection by one of his daughters,...

Have you ever heard of David Riker’s 1998 film The City? This half-film, half-social experiment mixed actual immigrants (their legal status is anyone’s guess) with professional actors to put forward a semi-authentic experience cloaked by a conventional storyline. Watching Entre Nos, written and directed by Gloria Le Morte and Paola Mendoza, who also stars as the lead Mariana, I could not shake the feeling that I’ve seen it all before, better executed and more resonant. Entre Nos is an intimate character study that never rises above simply showcasing the day-in-day-out struggle of a newly immigrated mother and her two children.

Arguably, that may be enough and the film does not hesitate to tug on the heartstrings as Mariana treks from Colombia to New York City with her two children, Andrea (Laura Montana) and Gabriel (Sebastian Villada), in tow. They are six and ten, respectively and their mother is...

DVD Playhouse—July 2010

By

Allen Gardner

Two From Powell/Pressburger Criterion releases gorgeous new transfers of two of the greatest films to come out of post-war Britain, from that period’s greatest filmmaking team: Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger. Black Narcissus was originally released in 1947 and caused a sensation with its explosive story about a nun (Deborah Kerr), cloistered in a remote convent in the Himalayas, who must battle elements both external (the punishing weather) and internal (temptations of the flesh over duty to the spirit). Also features stellar turns by England’s greatest actresses at the time: Flora Robson, Kathleen Byron and a young Jean Simmons. One of the most dazzling films ever made, bolstered by Oscar-winning cinematography from Jack Cardiff. Bonuses: New transfer, supervised by Cardiff, editor Thelma Schoonmaker Powell; Introduction by filmmaker Bernard Tavernier; Commentary by Powell and Martin Scorsese; Featurettes; Documentaries and interviews; Trailer. The Red Shoes,...

Chicago – Some art house films are political polemics disguised as personal stories. “Entre Nos” is not one of them. Though its DVD includes a PSA on immigration reform, and comes packaged with a label exclaiming, “One of Michael Moore’s 20 ‘Best Pictures of 2009,’” the film itself does not have a message to preach. It’s a tale of people rather than ideas, and is all the more effective because of it.

“Entre Nos,” which translates to “Between Us,” marks an impressive feature debut from Paola Mendoza, who serves as co-director, writer and lead actress. The film is largely inspired by the true story of Mendoza’s own mother, a Colombian immigrant who brought up her two children in New York City, after her husband abandoned the family. It’s a simple premise, yet the emotional struggles of the characters are complex, and thankfully not spoon-fed to the audience. Though the...

With all the hoopla going on surrounding the new Arizona immigration law, a film like Paola Mendoza’s “Entre Nos” (“Between Us”) needs to get more notice. The film has been successfully playing the festival circuit since 2009, and earlier this month got a limited theatrical run. I haven’t seen the film yet (hopefully they’ll be sending a screener my way soon), but from the trailer, it looks like the kind of film that has arrived at just the perfect time. Can’t say for sure if it’ll change any minds about the immigration debate, but I actually know a couple of families in a similar situation (albeit not nearly as dire) as the one the film’s female lead (played by director Paola Mendoza) find herself, and I can assure you, it is indeed a very complex issue that defies a simple “pro” or “con” argument. Mariana...

Paola Mendoza, an immigrant from South America, had a tough time growing up in New York City. Her real-life story provides the basis for "Entre Nos," which she co-directed and co-wrote with Gloria La Morte. She's also the film's star. Mendoza gives a heart-tugging performance as Mariana, a loving wife and mother of two young children whose husband one day picks up and moves to Florida, with no plans to return. Then Mariana is thrown out of her apartment, forcing her, her son...

A heartbreaking, but ultimately inspiring, story of a single mother's immigration to NYC, Entre Nos was one of the undisputed crowd favorites of the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival. The film, which also won an honorable jury mention, clearly resonated with audiences who related to the simple story of struggle, poverty, and, above all, love. On the eve of the film's theatrical release this weekend, co-director (and star of the film) Paola Mendoza shares stories from the last year, during which she's learned that interactions with real people certainly trump reviews. [Note: The New York Times review is quite lovely.] As Entre Nos gears up for its NYC theatrical release this Friday, I'm entering a new stage... Reviews! As of this morning, we have been reviewed by two NYC sources, and to be quite honest they have been mixed at best. Did it hurt when I first read them? Yes. Did my ...

In the new issue of Filmmaker, Esther Robinson penned "The Big Art/Little Debt Plan," which discusses the relation of filmmakers to risk, their films, and their money. She reached out to several filmmakers by email, and their responses helped shape her article. We are running several of the responses Esther received here on the blog. Below is the one from Paola Mendoza, director of Entre Nos. What strategies did you employ to stay no/low debt during your production? My strategy was pretty simple I refused to go into debt. While making art is the essence of who I am, I cannot make art at the expense of my future and my family’s future. If I cannot find a creative way to tell stories without spending my money irresponsibly than I...

The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival is coming to a close and the award winners were announced Sunday night in a presentation hosted by Fliff president Gregory von Hausch.

Among the big winners was "Entre Nos," the new immigrant drama which picked up 4 awards, including The Seashell Award for Best Film of the festival, Best Actress in a Foreign Film for star Paola Mendoza, who also co-wrote and co-directed the film, The Special Jury Award for Debut by a Child, and The President's Award for Best Feature Film. "This film is close to our hearts and was a labor of love. We couldn't be more thrilled," said co-director and writer Gloria La Morte.

"Punching the Clown," a comedy about a satirical singer/songwriter, scored Best American Indie Film, Best Actor in an American Indie for star Henry Phillips and Best Director of an American Indie for Gregori Viens.

"Trucker," starring Michelle Monaghan and Nathan Fillion,...

Philippe Lioret’s “Welcome” received the $100,000 grand prize for best dramatic feature at the Heartland Film Festival in Indianapolis on Saturday.

Gabriel Noble’s “P-Star Rising” took the best documentary feature prize, while Dean Yamada’s “Bicycle” (Jitensha) earned the Vison Award for best short film.

Ed Catmull, president of Walt Disney and Pixar Animation Studios, was honored with the Pioneering Spirit Award.

Crystal Heart Awards were presented to Hilla Medalia’s "After the Storm”; "Bicycle" (Jitensha); Dag Hoel and Havard Bustnes’ "Big John"; Rene Bo Hanson's "The Eagle Hunter’s Son”; Gloria La Morte and Paola Mendoza's "Entre Nos"; Irene Taylor Brodsky's "The Final Inch”; Zvi Spielmann's "For My Father"; Melody George's "Marbles With Thoreau"; "P-Star Rising"; Debra Zimmerman's "Rough Aunties"; Greg Barker's "Sergio"; Omri Givon's "Seven Minutes in Heaven"; Christian Sonderby Jepsen's "Side by Side"; Jeremiah Crowell's "Small Collection"; and "Welcome.

Paris -- American producers will break bread with the creme-de-la-creme of Gaul's film industry when French Producers' Guild the Apc, the Deauville Film Festival and the Hollywood Reporter host a star-studded lunch at Cartier's Villa in Deauville on Saturday, Sept 12.

The lunch will focus on the Apc's new "American & International Desk" designed in response to the "Trip" tax rebate for foreign production passed by the French government earlier this year.

The A & I Desk aims to promote an exchange between foreign and French film execs and develop new business opportunities for international projects with locations in France. The Deauville lunch marks the A & I Desk's first official matchmaking event since its launch over the summer.

"We're very happy and proud to be able to launch this collaborative process between French production and international filmmakers, notably from the U.S.," Apc managing director Frederic Goldsmith said in an interview. The A...

Paris -- The 35th Deauville American Film Festival will kick off with a romantic romp through the ages when New Line's "The Time Traveler's Wife" opens the festival on September 4th, organizers said Tuesday.

The 10-day ode to Us cinema has added several films to its previously announced lineup, including Competition titles Jonas Pate's "Shrink" starring Kevin Spacey and Miguel Arteta's "Youth in Revolt" with Michael Cera, Justin Long and Ray Liotta.

Josh Goldin's Matthew Broderick-starrer "Wonderful World" will premiere in the territory out of competition alongside Richard Linklater's "Me and Orson Welles," Paola Mendoza and Gloria La Morte's "Entre Nos" and Us summer blockbuster Neill Blomkamp's "District 9."

Documentaries "Facing Ali," "Outrage" and "William Kunstler: Disturbing the Universe" will all premiere in the "Uncle Sam's Docs" sidebar.

Andy Garcia, who will be in town for an homage to his acting career, will give a masterclass on Saturday,...

• The current issue of Filmmaker Magazine has hit kiosks and the only reason why I'd be pointing this out is because it includes its annual "25 New Faces" feature (available here) which is basically: a sampling of the future voices, filmmakers, editors, actors and cinematographers who in the opinion of the magazine's editors represent the future of independent filmmaking and who, I admittedly know only two of the twenty-five. Sebastián Silva helmed The Maid, got rave reviews at Sundance and got picked up by Elephant Eye (read here), and Derek Cianfrance, who finally commenced filming Blue Valentine with thesps Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams on board - 2 bucks says that this preems in Park City. Here are the names of those who made the cut: docu-filmmaker Ian Olds (Fixer: The Taking of Ajmal Naqshbandi), filmmaking duo Eleanor Burke & Ron Eyal (Stranger Things), editor Nat Sanders (The Freebie), filmmaker Jessica Oreck

...

The best thing about the Tribeca Film Festival, for me, is always the chats with the unknown or first-time directors. Unlike stars doing the 10th junket for their summer blockbusters, the new directors seem genuinely excited to be doing press for their film, and anxious to get you to see it and tell all your friends about it and buy 100 tickets on opening night. And while co-directors Paola Mendoza and Gloria La Morte weren't pushing opening night tickets into my hand (which I appreciated), they did give me a vivid sense of their deeply personal film, Entre Nos. How personal is it? Mendoza is actually playing her own mother, telling the story of what she did when she emigrated to the United States and unexpectedly found herself a single mother. "This is where I come from," Mendoza said. "This is my story, and I don't think that people who see...

Editor’s Note: This is one of dozens of interviews, conducted via email, with directors whose films are screening at the 2009 Tribeca Film Festival in the narrative and doc competitions as well as the Discovery section. The festival takes place April 22 - May 3. “Entre nos” (Discovery) Directors: Paola Mendoza, Gloria La Morte Primary Cast: Paola Mendoza, Sebastian Villada Lopez, Laura Montana Cortez, Andres Munar, Sarita Choudhury, Anthony Chisholm Screenwriters: …...

The 2009 Tribeca Film Festival's panel series and special events will include conversations with directors Spike Lee, Barry Levinson, Steven Soderbergh, Kirby Dick and Alex Gibney.

The fest, which runs April 22-May 3 in New York, will showcase "Tribeca Talks Special Events" around the films "Poliwood" and "Passing Strange."

Levinson will be on hand to discuss his new film "Poliwood" following its premiere. Joining him to discuss the movie about politics and Hollywood will be the film's actors Josh Lucas, Rachael Leigh Cook, Tim Daly, Lynn Whitfield, Tony Goldwyn, Robert Davi and Matthew Modine. NBC News political analyst and writer Lawrence O'Donnell will moderate.

Lee will present "Passing Strange," his filmed version of the 2008 Tony-winning Broadway musical. Joining him for a panel discussion will be the show's creator, Stew, and its co-composer, Heidi Rodewald.

The "Behind the Screens" series will examine serveral films: Cathy Henkel's documentary "The Burning Season"; Barry Ptolmy's...

I know it looks dire as it's 28% lighter (at least so far) and minus an artistic director, but no fear, there's still more to come, and with what's been announced theirs some interesting sounding stuff, especially a film we wrote about briefly called Accidents Happen. Also premiering is the comedy Stay Cool and the Danish film Original, along with the North American premier of The Exploding Girl which we also wrote about.

Check the narrative features, world documentary, and discovery lineups after the break!

World Narrative Feature Competition

A compelling cross-section of bold creative visions from every corner of the globe come together in this year’s World Narrative Feature Competition. Presenting a diverse array of unique voices, this international film collection includes premieres from a wide range of directors, such as U.S. indie veterans the Polish brothers and Tony-nominated Conor McPherson, as well as exciting newcomers. Together, these...

by Jason Guerrasio (November 7, 2008) [Editor's Note: indieWIRE's monthly production report looks at independent films in various stages of production. If you'd like to tell us about a film in production for future columns, please contact us.]

In November's edition of indieWIRE's production column, Jason Guerrasio profiles five new films in various stages of production. This month's group includes Tara Wray's "Cartoon College," Raul Sanchez Inglis's "The Company Men," Paola Mendoza and Gloria La Morte's "Entre Nos," Stephen Burke's "Happy Ever Afters" and Sinohui Hinojosa's "The Last Job: Redemption."...

IndiePix Studios, the production arm of Web-based distributor IndiePix, has invested $700,000 in its first slate of five films.

Among the slate is a co-production with the Film Fund of the government of Colombia. "Just Between Us," which began shooting Tuesday, is a drama about a woman and her two young children coping with life in Queens, written and directed by Paola Mendoza and Gloria Lamorte.

The slate also includes "P Star's Redemption," a nonfiction look at a single father and his 9-year-old daughter, directed and produced by Gabriel Noble and Marjan Tehrani; "21 Below," a docu set in Buffalo, N.Y., by Samantha Buck; "Slap and Tickle," a Depression-set drama written and directed by Nicole Quinn; and "The End of America," directed by Annie Sundberg and Ricki Sterns, which examines freedom, dictatorship and democracy in the U.S.