46th New York Film Festival (2008)
New York, United States, September 26 to October 12, 2008
(Films, all genres and lengths)
All filmmakers, regardless of experience, are invited to submit work to the New York Film Festival. There is no entry fee. There are no competition categories, all lengths and all genres are considered.
For more info hit the website:
http://www.telefilm.gc.ca/upload/appels/CALL-FOR-ENTRIES-New%20York-2008_178_en.pdf
I didn’t have high expectations of this movie, only that it would be someone entertaining. So I was a bit surprised that it was actually not even really that. The plot was really weak and the ending was truly corny. Surprising considering the stars involved; Morgan Freeman, James McAvoy and Angelina Jolie.
Sure the action scenes are cool but the story is predictable, and really, really corny at times. There were scenes that were over the top, some that were more dramatic and some that were downright silly.
If you just want to watch action sequences or Angelia Jolie and don’t care about dialogue or story, then go see it. Otherwise this one is a rental.
http://www.wantedmovie.com/
Toronto – The 33rd Toronto International Film Festival® opens September 4 with the world premiere Gala Presentation of Passchendaele, written, directed and produced by celebrated Canadian filmmaker Paul Gross. Co-produced by Niv Fichman, Frank Siracusa and Francis Damberger, Passchendaele stars Gross (Men with Brooms, “Due South,” “Slings & Arrows”), Caroline Dhavernas (Hollywoodland, Breach, Niagara Motel), Gil Bellows (The Shawshank Redemption, “Ally McBeal”) and Joe Dinicol (George A. Romero’s Diary of the Dead, “Train 48”). The 33rd Toronto International Film Festival runs September 4 to 13, 2008.
“It is rare that Canadians get to experience their own histories via the moving image, particularly on the big screen,” says Piers Handling, Director and CEO of the Toronto International Film Festival Group. “We are honoured to open TIFF 2008 with a work as personal and passionate, as significant to both Canadian film and Canadian history as Passchendaele.”
“Paul Gross is an inspiring Canadian and a leader in our industry,” says Cameron Bailey, Co-Director of the Toronto International Film Festival. “By paying tribute to our nation’s heroes - including his own grandfather, an Alberta veteran of Passchendaele - Gross uses the visceral charge of movies to contribute a foundation chapter to our national history. While never ignoring the horrifying truths of this or any war, Passchendaele stands as truly epic storytelling from western Canada.”
Set during the height of the First World War, Passchendaele tells the story of Sgt. Michael Dunne (Gross), a soldier who is brutally wounded in France and returns home to Calgary emotionally and physically scarred. While in the military hospital in Calgary, he meets Sarah (Dhavernas), a mysterious and attractive nurse with whom he falls passionately in love. When Sarah’s younger brother David (Dinicol) – despite suffering from severe asthma – signs up to fight in Europe, Michael is compelled to return to the battlefield to protect him. Alongside thousands of other courageous Canadians, David and Michael are sent to fight in the third battle of Ypres. Commonly known as “Passchendaele,” it is a battle against impossible odds.
Written and directed by Paul Gross, Passchendaele is a Rhombus Media, Whizbang Films and Damberger Film and Cattle Company production. The film is distributed in Canada by Alliance Films.
The official website for the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival, tiff08.ca, will go live on Friday, June 27, 2008. Ticket packages for TIFF08 will be available for purchase by Visa† cardholders as of 10am, Monday July 7, 2008, and by cash, debit or Visa as of 10am on Monday, July 14, 2008. Purchase online at tiff08.ca, by phone at 416-968-FILM or 1-877-968-FILM or in person at the TIFFG Box Office at Manulife Centre, 55 Bloor Street West (main floor, north entrance). Box Office hours are 10am to 6pm, Monday to Saturday.
Bell Lightbox
Construction of Bell Lightbox, soon to be one of the world’s leading innovative cultural institutions and headquarters for TIFFG, began on February 1, 2007. A five-storey podium building located on Reitman Square in the heart of Toronto’s downtown entertainment district, Bell Lightbox is designed by world-renowned Toronto-based architectural firm KPMB. The building includes five cinemas, two galleries, three learning studios, and an enhanced film reference library and archive.
The campaign to build Bell Lightbox is generously supported by founding sponsor Bell. The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario each have contributed $25 million to realize Bell Lightbox. A gift of more than $22 million has been confirmed from the Reitman family – acclaimed filmmaker Ivan Reitman and his sisters Agi Mandel and Susan Michaels – and The Daniels Corporation, who together form the King and John Festival Corporation. The project is also supported by RBC as Major Sponsor and Official Bank, VISA, Copyright Collective of Canada, NBC Universal Canada, The Allan Slaight Family, The Brian Linehan Charitable Foundation, CIBC, and many other individuals and corporations. The TIFFG Board of Directors, staff and many generous individuals have also contributed to the campaign. The total amount raised to date is $147 million, three quarters of the total campaign of $196 million.
Montréal, May 30, 2008 – Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce the creation of two new programs to support Canadian film festivals and professional development activities: the Festivals Performance Program and the Skills and Screens Program.
These new programs will support the unique and different needs of film festivals and the Canada Showcase Program will be retired. The programs will help Telefilm Canada meet its objectives of building audiences for Canadian film and building the industry’s capacity.
The Festivals Performance Program will provide financial support to Canadian film festivals that have a distinguished record of reaching Canadian audiences, showcasing Canadian feature films, and contributing to the appreciation and awareness of Canadian films in general. It is geared towards established festivals with a general audience for feature films of more than 100,000.
The Skills and Screens Program will assess and meet the needs of other festivals and professional development activities. Telefilm Canada and its regional offices will prioritize and select which events to fund using criteria to evaluate how funding can help build the industry’s capacity within the communities they support.
The new programs were created following a comprehensive review of the existing Canada Showcase Program, which determined that the program needed a redesign that would better meet the needs of the industry, support the objectives of Telefilm Canada, and reinforce the transparency, accountability and effectiveness of program management. This new structure will help Telefilm Canada achieve these goals.
Funding for the programs in 2008-2009 will match the funding that would have been available under the retiring program. This budget may change in future years depending on the funding provided to Telefilm Canada and the overall priorities of the Canada Feature Film Fund.
Further details on the programs, including application information and detailed assessment criteria, are available on the Telefilm website.
It seems that AFTRA has come to a “tentative” agreement with the big guns (aka The Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. It’s assumed that that will now put more pressure on SAG to come to an agreement rather than strike. For more on the SAG negotiations, check out the letter from (May 27th) Alan Rosenberg on the SAG website.
The lastest from AFTRA:
http://www.aftra.com/press/2008_05_28_pt_agreement.html
Sag letter:
http://www.sag.org/contract-2008-tvtheatrical-negotiations
Very sad news, Sydney Pollock passed away Monday afternoon after being diagnosed with cancer about nine months ago. Pollock’s career in film brought us such notable contributions as “Out of Africa”, “Tootsie”, “Leatherheads”, “Michael Clayton”, “Cold Mountain” and many, many more notable films.
He will be missed.
Cannes – 20 May 2008 – In Cannes today the Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) in association with Skillset announced 2008’s set of Trailblazers.
These up-and-coming individuals have been selected from the EIFF programme and from the graduation shorts submitted by students of the Skillset Screen Academies.
The intention of the Trailblazers showcase is to unite the work of the Skillset Screen Academies with that of EIFF. The scheme will honour their joint commitment to the generation, encouragement and promotion of new British talent; offer Skillset Screen Academy students and graduates an introduction to the UK film industry and the festival circuit; and celebrate the new names issuing forth from the film festival that first brought Samantha Morton, Daniel Craig, Emily Blunt, Lynne Ramsay, David Mackenzie, Shane Meadows, Asif Kapadia, Andrea Arnold and more recently BAFTA Nominee Sam Riley, who was amongst 2007’s Trailblazers, to our attention.
Last year’s selection also included Riley’s co-star in CONTROL, Toby Kebbell, who went on to win Best Performance by a Supporting Actor BIFA for his role in the film, and Matthew Beard who was later nominated for Most Promising Newcomer at the BIFAs for AND WHERE DID YOU LAST SEE YOUR FATHER? both of which premiered in Edinburgh.
Rachel Connors, producer of SUGARHOUSE, was also named a Trailblazer in 2007 and will return to the EIFF in June with two films: BANANAZ, which follows the band Gorillaz and premieres as part of the Mirrorball section, and the Closing Night Gala, FAINTHEART.
The Trailblazers selected from the EIFF features programme are:
Lol Crawley – Cinematographer, BETTER THINGS
David Bloom – Co-writer, DONKEY PUNCH
Lisa Trnovski – Producer, MUM AND DAD
Tony Slater-Ling – Cinematographer, SUMMER
Joe Lawlor – Co-writer / Director, HELEN
Christine Malloy – Co-writer / Director, HELEN
Thomas Turgoose – Actor, SOMERS TOWN
Alia Alzougbi – Actress, TROUBLE SLEEPING
Nichola Burley – Actress, DONKEY PUNCH
Gideon Koppel – Director, sleep furiously
The Trailblazers selected from the Skillset Screen Academy Network are:
The National Film & TV School, A Skillset Screen Academy
Ian Clark, Director / Writer – OUTCASTS
Megan Stuart Wallace, Producer / Writer - OUTCASTS
Skillset Screen Academy Wales
Felix Massie – Director / Writer / Animator, KEITH REYNOLDS CAN’T MAKE IT TONIGHT
Yiorgos Moustakis – Director / Writer / Producer, MARI
Firman Machda – Director, EMPTY SPACE
Bournemouth Screen Academy, A Skillset Screen Academy
Justin Brown – Cinematographer, OPEN SKIES
Rob Brown – Director, OPEN SKIES
Stacey Bradshaw – Director / Character animator, IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Samantha Davies – Director / Background animator, IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Screen Academy Scotland, A Skillset Screen Academy
John Douglas Dodds – Director, GERIATRICS, THE MUSICAL
Catriona Craig – Director, THE PROBLEM WITH PETS
The London Film School, A Skillset Screen Academy
Rémi Borgeaud – Director / Writer, UN RIFF PARA LAZARO
Miri Shapiro – Editor, UN RIFF PARA LAZARO
Ong Chantarangkul - Director / Writer, WINGS OF BLUE ANGELS
Natalie Higashi – Producer, WINGS OF BLUE ANGELS
The Trailblazing shorts programme is screened on Monday 23 June at 3.00pm.
Skillset Director of Film Janine Marmot commented, “I am delighted that Skillset is able to partner with EIFF on Trailblazers again to create a focal point for industry to spot emerging UK filmmaking talent. Last year’s Trailblazers have gone on to win awards around the world, reinforcing EIFF’s position as the European festival of discovery for new talent”.
EIFF Artistic Director Hannah McGill stated, “It was really hard to narrow our lists down. The Screen Academy submissions were very strong and our feature programme abounds with UK talent. Congratulations to all of those we have selected – I wish them all a great Festival and a glowing future.”
Box office is open and tickets are available either online at www.edfilmfest.org.uk
or from the credit card hotline: 0131 623 8030
EIFF 2008 takes place this year from 18 – 29 June
About Skillset:
Skillset is the Sector Skills Council (SSC) for Creative Media which comprises TV, film, radio, interactive media, animation, computer games, facilities, photo imaging and publishing. Our aim is to support the improvements to the productivity of our industry to ensure that it remains globally competitive. We do this by influencing and leading; developing skills, training and education policy; and through opening up the industries to the UK’s pool of diverse talent.
About the Edinburgh International Film Festival:
Started in 1947, the EIFF is one of the true homes of innovative and exciting cinema. For over half-a-century, the Festival has presented some of cinema’s most important and exciting moments and played host to the world’s greatest filmmakers.
The EIFF is the longest continually running Film Festival in the world and has screened notable films over the last few years including, CONTROL, THE COUNTERFEITERS, KNOCKED UP, A MIGHTY HEART, RATATOUILLE, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, LONDON TO BRIGHTON, TSOTSI, THE FULL MONTY, RATCATCHER, EAST IS EAST, RUN LOLA RUN, BILLY ELLIOT, AMORES PERROS, AMÉLIE, YOUNG ADAM, INFERNAL AFFAIRS, AMERICAN SPLENDOR, MOTORCYCLE DIARIES, OLD BOY and HERO.
Scorsese has exited the project because of “scheduling” and Jonathan Demme has stepped in. The film is set to be released in 2010 on the 65th anniversary of Marley’s birth.
ALL THE 2008 AWARDS
IN COMPETTION - FEATURE FILMS
Palme d’Or
ENTRE LES MURS
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10804699/year/2008.html
de / by Laurent Cantet
Grand Prix
GOMORRA
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10799951/year/2008.html
de / by Matteo Garrone
Prix du 61e Festival de Cannes / Prize of the 61st Festival de Cannes ex-aequo
Catherine Deneuve
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10802804/year/2008.html
dans / for UN CONTE DE NOËL de / by Arnaud DESPLECHIN
Clint Eastwood
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10803061/year/2008.html
pour / for L’ÉCHANGE (The Exchange)
Prix de la mise en scène / Award for the Best Director
ÜÇ MAYMUN
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10800142/year/2008.html
(Three Monkeys / Les Trois Singes) de / by Nuri Bilge Ceylan
Prix du Jury / Jury Prize
IL DIVO
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10802091/year/2008.html
de / by Paolo Sorrentino
Prix d’interprétation masculine / Best Performance for an Actor
Benicio Del Toro
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10803637/year/2008.html
dans / for CHE de / by Steven SODERBERGH
Prix d’interprétation féminine / Best Performance for an Actress
Sandra Corveloni
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10803067/year/2008.html
dans / for LINHA DE PASSE de / by Walter SALLES, Daniela THOMAS
Prix du scénario / Award for the Best Screenplay
LE SILENCE DE LORNA
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10786595/year/2008.html
de / by Jean-Pierre et Luc DARDENNE
EN COMPETITION - COURTS METRAGES / IN COMPETTION - SHORT FILMS
Palme d’Or
MEGATRON
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10803309/year/2008.html
de / by Marian Crisan
Prix du Jury / Jury Prize
JERRYCAN
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10803255/year/2008.html
de / by Julius Avery
CAMERA D’OR
HUNGER
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10804139/year/2008.html
de / by Steve McQueen (Un Certain Regard) Mention Spéciale Caméra d’Or
VSE UMRUT A JA OSTANUS
http://www.semainedelacritique.com/sites/article.php3?id_article=305
(Ils mourront tous sauf moi) de / by Valeria Gaï GUERMANIKA (Semaine Internationale de la Critique)
UN CERTAIN REGARD
Prix Un Certain Regard - Fondation Gan pour le Cinéma / Un Certain Regard Prize
TULPAN
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10802500.html
de / by Sergey Dvortsevoy
Prix du Jury / Jury Prize
TOKYO SONATA
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10802478/year/2008.html
de / by Kurosawa Kiyoshi
Coup de Coeur du Jury / Heart Throb Jury Prize
WOLKE 9
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10798509/year/2008.html
de / by Andreas Drese
Le K.O. du Certain Regard / The Knockout of Un Certain Regard
TYSON
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10769791/year/2008.html
de / by James Toback
Prix de l’espoir / Prize of Hope
JOHNNY MAD DOG
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10803608/year/2008.html
de / by Jean-Stéphane SAUVAIRE
CINEFONDATION
Premier Prix de la Cinéfondation / First Cinéfondation Prize
HIMNON
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10779792.html
(Hymne) de / by Elad Keidan (The Sam Spiegel Film and TV School, Israël)
Deuxième Prix de la Cinéfondation / Second Cinéfondation Prize
FORBACH
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10774780.html
de / by Claire Burger (La fémis, France)
Troisième Prix de la Cinéfondation / Third Cinéfondation Prize
STOP
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10773162.html
de / by Park Jae-ok (The Korean Academy of Film Arts, Corée du Sud)
KESTOMERKITSIJÄT
http://www.festival-cannes.fr/fr/archives/ficheFilm/id/10794997.html
(Signalisation des routes) de / by Juho Kuosmanen (University of Art and Design Helsinki, Finlande)
Montreal, May 12, 2008 – Telefilm Canada is pleased to announce that the Slate Development Pilot Program for the English-language market through the Canada Feature Film Fund (CFFF) will be relaunched for 2008/09 with a single deadline on August 15th.
The Slate Development Pilot Program was launched in 2007 with the spirit and intent of giving companies with three or more projects in advanced stages of development flexibility and autonomy in managing their development portfolios through the provision of predictable funding in the form of a non-interest bearing line of credit. This ensures the companies’ focus remains on developing Canadian feature films that have high box office potential, in a range of genres.
The Slate Development Pilot Program is a three-year initiative and is specifically geared towards Canadian production companies in the business of feature film development and production and serves as an alternate source of financing for active production companies who have not benefited from a performance envelope and do not wish to compete in an overly subscribed selective component.
Updated guidelines for the Slate Development Pilot Program are available at www.telefilm.gc.ca along with detailed business policies, application forms and an FAQ.
Applications should be submitted to the Telefilm office in your region by August 15th.