Thursday, September 13---------As the Toronto International Film Festival moves into its final weekend, more distribution deals were announced. While the film trades have dubbed this session a little underwhelming in terms of acquisitions, expect news to trickle out in the coming weeks. As one film buyer I talked to said: "With the marketplace so difficult for international films and documentaries doing less than last year, it is difficult to fall under the pressure to pick up something a...

Sunday, September 9-----Sales of Toronto International Film Festival titles are heating up, generating much excitement and hopes for other announcements in the days to come. BEFORE I FORGET (Avant Que J'Oublie), the newest film from French director Jacques Nolot, has been acquired by Strand Releasing, the specialty arthouse distributor. The film is screening in the Contemporary World Cinema section here, after world premiering at the Cannes Film Festival at the Directors Fortnight. In the film, ...

Christine Vachon can now add “Cinequest Maverick” to honors ranging from the Frameline Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lesbian and Gay Media in 1994, Producer of the Year from the National Board of Review in 2003 and New York MoMA retrospective honoree in 2005. Her films have garnered Independent Spirit Awards and Oscars in numerous categories. Following a rollicking interview with Jens Hussey, Cinequest Director of Public Relations, Vachon accepted the festival’s highest honor, the M...

Friday, March 2---Christine Vachon can now add “Cinequest Maverick” to honors ranging from the Frameline Award for Outstanding Achievement in Lesbian and Gay Media in 1994, Producer of the Year from the National Board of Review in 2003 and New York MoMA retrospective honoree in 2005. Her films have garnered Independent Spirit Awards and Oscars in numerous categories. Following a rollicking interview with Jens Hussey, Cinequest Director of Public Relations,...

Saturday, January 27----A series of "last minute" deals were announced in the past 24 hours that have made this Sundance a very positive one for film buyers and sellers. While there will undoubtedly be more announcements in the coming days, these acquisition pick-ups underscores the Festival's growing importance as not only a treasure trove of American indies, but of international fare as well. This was evident with the announcement that ENEMIES OF HAPPINESS, a Danish documentary by Eva Mulva...

American Film Market the Cannes of the US is growing each year and in 2005 they are set to with an impressive up coming market. With a record number of exhibitors, 410 are scheduled to participate this November 2nd to the 9th. For AFM thisgrowth will make this years the largest market in the event's history. Exhibitors will come from 33 countries and with this news the Le Merigot Hotel will now host exhibitors to accommodate the influx of attendance. Le Merigot Hotel is located next door to the...