In recognition of his contributions to the world of film, Michael Douglas will be bestowed with his father’s honor, the 2011 KIRK DOUGLAS AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FILM from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. The 6th annual black-tie Gala dinner will take place at The Four Seasons Biltmore in Santa Barbara on Thursday, October 13, 2011. “The first time I saw Michael Douglas act was in a play at UC Santa Barbara, so it is fitting that a career that started here should ...

  Being a juror for the Competition Section of the Cannes Film Festival is quite the honor. It is perhaps second only to an Oscar nomination in terms of industry prestige and clout. But let’s remember that it is not simply red carpet appearances and having one too many glasses of French champagne at all-night beach orgies. Jurors must view all the films in the Shorts and Features competition titles, which run to more than 30 films total. And then there is the inevitable debate to deter...

  The 2011 Indian Film Festival: Bollywood & Beyond (IFF) has welcomed seven of the finest filmmaking and acting talents in Indian cinema to the country for IFF's Sydney and Melbourne openings - acclaimed multi award-winning actress Vidya Balan; actor/producer, pop star and supermodel Malaika Arora Khan; Pakistani pop sensation and new acting talent, Ali Zafar; directors Kabir Khan (Kabul Express); and Raj Kumar Gupta (Aamir); actor turned producer Arbaaz Khan; and producer Leslee Udwin...

The good part about still being unemployed is being able to attend networking lunches without worrying about being out of the office too long. Last week Reelblack, in conjunction with PIFVA and Scribe Video Center invited industry PR maven, turned indie filmmaker, Ava DuVernay to discuss "Do It Yourself" promotion, film distribution, her new feature length film I Will Follow and a new initiative aimed at giving black films a wide release in commercial theaters, called AFFRM (African-A...

Sunday, November 14, 2010 GPFO 25th Anniversary Have you been anxiously awaiting the new sound stages and studio, SUNCENTER or are you just now hearing about it? I remember, maybe about a decade ago, talk of a Hollywoodesque, state-of-the-art sound stage for big budget movie making in Philadelphia, but I didn’t keep up on the progress. Well, this premiere film & TV production facility is here now, (final completion by the beginning of the year) and it’s located only 1...

Festival Launches Speed Auditions. Three year old Dungog, the youngest but increasingly popular newcomer on the Australian film festival circuit, is fast becoming a favourite of industry, public and locals in this rural community three and a half hours from Sydney. This is winemaking, farming and mining country – ensuring spirits are well lubricated, bodies well-fed and, due to distance between venues, well-exercised. Sponsorship by the state (New South Wales) mining council ensures that open...

DUNGOG FILM  FESTIVAL(DFF) Done Cannes, Berlin, Venice and Sundance. Now Dun-gog. Festival Launches Speed Auditions. Three year old Dungog, the youngest but increasingly popular newcomer on the Australian film festival circuit, is fast becoming a favourite of industry, public and locals in this rural community three and a half hours from Sydney.  This is winemaking, farming and mining country – ensuring spirits are well lubricated, bodies well-fed and, due to distance between venues, well...

By Maria Esteves - August 13, 2009       The 10th New York International Latino Film Festival (NYILFF) presented by HBO Opening Night New York Premiere of LA MISSION, written/directed by Peter Bratt, was held at the School for Visual Arts (SVA) theatre, Tuesday, July 28, 7:00 PM. 2009 NYILFF Opening Night red carpet arrivals included HBO vice president, acquisition & multicultural marketing Lucinda Martinez-Desir, festival founder/co-executive director Calixto Chinchilla, festival ...

By Maria Esteves - May 11, 2009 The Eighth Annual 2009 Tribeca Film Festival (TFF09) Jury Competition Awards presented by founding sponsor American Express and hosted by Gideon Yago was held in the Tribeca Filmmaker Lounge sponsored by Union Square  Ballroom, New York, Thursday, April 30, 7:00 PM.  TFF09 Audience Choice Award hosted by Heineken were announced at the Awards Wrap Party in the Tribeca Filmmaker Lounge at Union Square Ballroom,  Saturday, May 2, 9:00 PM. The festivals award w...