For a sampling of the narrative features not already mentioned, I offer the following: While the premise of Another Earth suggests that it is a science-fiction film, it is really more of a character study with a sci-fi MacGuffin.  Lead actress/writer Brit Marling, as Rhoda, is in virtually every shot, and yet is silent for roughly the first twenty minutes.  Her ability to keep the audience engaged through facial expression and body language sets the tone for the gently unfolding plot.  Alo...

  The Gotham Awards, one of the first events of the awards season, have announced the nominees for their 21st edition. The big winners were THE DESCENDANTS (Alexander Payne) and MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (Sean Durkin), which each led the pack with three nominations each. Films nominated in the top category of Best Feature include THE TREE OF LIFE (Terrence Malick), THE DESCENDANTS (Alexander Payne), BEGINNERS (Mike Mills), TAKE SHELTER (Jeff Nichols) and MEEK’S CUTOFF (Kelly Reichardt). I...

The Gotham Awards, one of the first events of the awards season, have announced the nominees for their 21st edition. The big winners were THE DESCENDANTS (Alexander Payne) and MARTHA MARCY MAY MARLENE (Sean Durkin), which each led the pack with three nominations each. Films nominated in the top category of Best Feature include THE TREE OF LIFE (Terrence Malick), THE DESCENDANTS (Alexander Payne), BEGINNERS (Mike Mills), TAKE SHELTER (Jeff Nichols) and MEEK’S CUTOFF (Kelly Reichardt). In a sur...

The San Francisco Film Society wrapped its 54th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 21 - May 5) with 265 screenings of 193 films from 48 countries, which were attended by 278 filmmakers and industry guests from 22 countries around the globe. "I had a hell of a good time!" exclaimed Frank Pierson, recipient of this year's Kanbar Award for excellence in screenwriting. "I enjoyed the informality of spirit and the professionalism of execution of the who...

Director Azazel Jacobs and Actor Jacob Wysocki Expected to AttendThe 54th San Francisco International Film Festival (April 21–May 5) announced today that its Centerpiece screening will be Azazel Jacob’s heartfelt comedy Terri. The Festival’s Centerpiece is designed to showcase a celebrated young director and his or her latest film. Terri will screen 7:30 pm, Saturday, April 30 at the Sundance Kabuki Cinemas followed by the Centerpiece party at 9:30 pm at CLIFT, Velvet Room. Dire...

Terri - Director, Azazel Jacobs / Featuring John C. Reilly Quick About: Terri, a low-keyed, pajama clad, kindhearted, over-sized kid (Jacob Wysocki) is coming of age in some woodsy middle America, expected to take care of his Alzheimer stricken Uncle and still get to school on time. Pleasing: The dark humor that always accompanies these types of slice of life, Indy dramas. More interesting than the relationship Terri develops with the school's Vice Principal (Reilly) is the...

SXSW FILM ANNOUNCES 2011 FEATURES LINEUP The South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Conference and Festival is thrilled to announce the features lineup for this year's Festival, March 11 - 19, 2011 in Austin, Texas. The 2011 lineup continues the SXSW tradition of tapping into the cultural zeitgeist, highlighting emerging talent and breakthrough performances and supporting first-time filmmakers.  "This is the most exciting moment for us. After a fantastic festival of discove...

  For American Independent filmmakers (and increasingly, international ones too), the Sundance Film Festival is an opportunity to put one's project on the world stage and, hopefully, end up with a delicious distribution deal. Of course, truth be told, less than 5% of the 250 films on offer here will create any sort of noise after the Festival concludes (well, push that up to 10% if you include the films that will eventually be asked to participate on the international film festival circ...

Sundance Institute announced today the lineup of films selected to screen in the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions for the 2011 Sundance Film Festival. In addition to the four Competition Categories, the Festival presents films in six out-of-competition sections to be announced on December 2. The 2011 Sundance Film Festival runs January 20-30 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. On Day One, the Festival will forego the convention of one opening ni...