According to "The Hollywood Reporter: The Cannes Daily," U.S. and international theatrical distribution rights for Derek Magyar's "Flying Lesson" and Connie Stevens' "Saving Grace B. Jones," were obtained by New Films International. Ron Gell and Straw Weisman, New Films Cinema executives, negotiated both deals. In response to the acquisition, Connies Stevens says, "I am very happy to be associated with New Films International. They are an aggressive and talen...

In recent years Fantasy Football has been catching on at a fever pitch. An Internet thing, you get to pick any player from any team in any position to be on your imaginary fantasy team. On Thursday, February 4 the Santa Barbara International Film Festival hits the ground running with a line up that only seems possible in a fantasy, Internet or otherwise. Once again, Executive Director Roger Durling has accomplished the seemingly surreal in good ‘gets’ for the festival’s 25t...

Celebrating its Silver Anniversary, The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) presents its stellar line-up for 2010.  The 25th edition features 196 films including 18 World Premieres, 28 U.S. Premieres and a vast selection of films representing 45 countries.  SBIFF is proud to welcome immensely talented filmmakers and honorees as we look back at 25 years of cinematic history and has assembled exceptional and evocative movies to entertain the expansive SBIFF audience.  The Fest...

          Derek Magyar's feature film debut "Flying Lessons" has been selected as the coveted Opening Night Film for the 25th Anniversary of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival which runs February 4-14, 2010.   This World Premiere Film touts a stellar cast which includes Oscar, Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winner Christine Lahti, Screen Actors Guild Awards recipient Maggie Grace ("Lost"), Youn...

 Sunday, June 3-------Now that gay coming-of-age films have become a (slight) cinematic cliche, what are the new areas that gay filmmakers want to explore as the community continues to evolve and become (somewhat) more mainstream. The answer in the excellent American indie film BOY CULTURE is love.....not as a substitute or an extension of sex, but as an adventure all its own. That is the provocative theme explored by director Q. Allan Brocka, who is attending the FESTROIA this week. His film i...