Avatar actress Cch Pounder and Academy Award-nominated producer Paul Garnes will attend the inaugural Cross Continental International Co-production Forum (Ccf) in Barbados.
They’ll join media executives and high level producers from Canada, the UK, South Africa and several Caribbean countries at the event, which aims to encourage collaboration, business development, and co-productions.
Pounder and Garnes will add some heavyweight fire power to proceedings. Known for roles in the likes of ER, NCIS: New Orleans, The X Files and The Shield, she has picked up four Primetime Emmy nominations.
Garnes is best known for his work on 2014 feature Selma, which was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. He was a producer on Ava DuVernay’s 2023 feature Origin, a drama on the life of Isabel Wilkerson that will be screened at the Ccf.
The CeventCF is being billed as a first-of-its-kind venture established by CaribbeanTales Media Group, Imagine Media International,...
They’ll join media executives and high level producers from Canada, the UK, South Africa and several Caribbean countries at the event, which aims to encourage collaboration, business development, and co-productions.
Pounder and Garnes will add some heavyweight fire power to proceedings. Known for roles in the likes of ER, NCIS: New Orleans, The X Files and The Shield, she has picked up four Primetime Emmy nominations.
Garnes is best known for his work on 2014 feature Selma, which was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars. He was a producer on Ava DuVernay’s 2023 feature Origin, a drama on the life of Isabel Wilkerson that will be screened at the Ccf.
The CeventCF is being billed as a first-of-its-kind venture established by CaribbeanTales Media Group, Imagine Media International,...
- 4/9/2024
- by Hannah Abraham
- Deadline Film + TV
Update: After this story was published, the “Origin” Twitter account was deleted.
Previously: After the release of her latest film “Origin,” director Ava DuVernay was vocal about her disappointment that the movie failed to garner widespread attention or awards buzz. Now, the X/Twitter account for “Origin” is taking aim at the distributor Neon, calling out the company for not inviting the filmmakers to its Oscar party.
Quote-tweeting a photo from the party, the account posted one day after the Academy Awards: “Is it odd that the filmmakers of Neon’s current film in theaters weren’t invited to this Neon celebration? Nope. Standard operating procedure for [founder Tom] Quinn and team. That’s how Neon rolls. More on this later.”
The event was hosted at the Hollywood Athletic Club by Neon, which touted its Oscar win for “Anatomy of a Fall,” which picked up best original screenplay on Sunday and was also nominated for best picture,...
Previously: After the release of her latest film “Origin,” director Ava DuVernay was vocal about her disappointment that the movie failed to garner widespread attention or awards buzz. Now, the X/Twitter account for “Origin” is taking aim at the distributor Neon, calling out the company for not inviting the filmmakers to its Oscar party.
Quote-tweeting a photo from the party, the account posted one day after the Academy Awards: “Is it odd that the filmmakers of Neon’s current film in theaters weren’t invited to this Neon celebration? Nope. Standard operating procedure for [founder Tom] Quinn and team. That’s how Neon rolls. More on this later.”
The event was hosted at the Hollywood Athletic Club by Neon, which touted its Oscar win for “Anatomy of a Fall,” which picked up best original screenplay on Sunday and was also nominated for best picture,...
- 3/12/2024
- by Ethan Shanfeld
- Variety Film + TV
Variety Awards Circuit section is the home for all awards news and related content throughout the year, featuring the following: the official predictions for the upcoming Oscars, Emmys, Grammys and Tony Awards ceremonies, curated by Variety senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The prediction pages reflect the current standings in the race and do not reflect personal preferences for any individual contender. As other formal (and informal) polls suggest, competitions are fluid and subject to change based on buzz and events. Predictions are updated every Thursday.
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Picture
Weekly Commentary: Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic “Oppenheimer,” narrating the saga of the father of the atomic bomb, is poised to sweep the Oscars. Having clinched every major guild and industry accolade – BAFTA, Critics Choice, Golden Globes, DGA, PGA, and SAG – it’s the first...
Visit the prediction pages for the respective ceremonies via the links below:
Oscars | Emmys | Grammys | Tonys
2024 Oscars Predictions:
Best Picture
Weekly Commentary: Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster biopic “Oppenheimer,” narrating the saga of the father of the atomic bomb, is poised to sweep the Oscars. Having clinched every major guild and industry accolade – BAFTA, Critics Choice, Golden Globes, DGA, PGA, and SAG – it’s the first...
- 3/7/2024
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Neon announced on Tuesday that it will bring Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay’s acclaimed drama Origin back to 500 U.S. theaters on February 28, for a one-night-only special screening event, featuring an exclusive pre-recorded introduction and post-screening Q&a with DuVernay.
Released wide on January 19, Origin has recently been awarded Best Drama, Best Director and Best Actress by the African American Film Critics Association, also securing NAACP Image Awards nominations for Outstanding Motion Picture, Directing in a Motion Picture, Actress in a Motion Picture, and Youth Performance in a Motion Picture.
Written and directed by DuVernay, the film explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future. While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor leads a cast also including Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts,...
Released wide on January 19, Origin has recently been awarded Best Drama, Best Director and Best Actress by the African American Film Critics Association, also securing NAACP Image Awards nominations for Outstanding Motion Picture, Directing in a Motion Picture, Actress in a Motion Picture, and Youth Performance in a Motion Picture.
Written and directed by DuVernay, the film explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future. While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor leads a cast also including Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts,...
- 2/27/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Angelina Jolie is getting into this year’s Oscar race.
As AMPAS voting enters its final days, the Academy Award winner today threw her support behind Ava DuVernay’s Origin in what looks to be doubling down by any other name.
First of all, Jolie held an invite-only get together at her home Sunday to around two dozen guests With DuVernay and Origin star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in attendance, Jolie spoke passionately about the film, sources say.
Multiple Emmy and Tony winner Debbie Allen and Frances Fisher (Actors branch) were there too. Old Guard 2 director Victoria Mahoney and Professor Marston and the Wonder Women helmer Angela Robinson (Directors branch) and Lost in Translation costume designer Nancy Steiner (Costume Designers branch) were also present, I’ve learned.
Sunday’s soiree is to be followed by a screening of Origin in West Hollywood tomorrow afternoon with Jolie moderating an on-stage panel with director/writer DuVernay and Ellis-Taylor.
As AMPAS voting enters its final days, the Academy Award winner today threw her support behind Ava DuVernay’s Origin in what looks to be doubling down by any other name.
First of all, Jolie held an invite-only get together at her home Sunday to around two dozen guests With DuVernay and Origin star Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor in attendance, Jolie spoke passionately about the film, sources say.
Multiple Emmy and Tony winner Debbie Allen and Frances Fisher (Actors branch) were there too. Old Guard 2 director Victoria Mahoney and Professor Marston and the Wonder Women helmer Angela Robinson (Directors branch) and Lost in Translation costume designer Nancy Steiner (Costume Designers branch) were also present, I’ve learned.
Sunday’s soiree is to be followed by a screening of Origin in West Hollywood tomorrow afternoon with Jolie moderating an on-stage panel with director/writer DuVernay and Ellis-Taylor.
- 1/15/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Study Reveals Most Inclusive Episodic TV Programming; Greg Berlanti, Ava DuVernay Top Producers List
Just in time for Monday’s Emmy awards, the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative and Dr. Stacy L. Smith, along with the the Adobe Foundation, have unveiled The Inclusion List for episodic programming, which recognizes the most inclusive series in broadcast, cable and streaming.
Following a similar effort for films, the list analyzes on-screen and behind-the-camera personnel from more than 500 programs to determine the 100 most inclusive broadcast and cable series from the 2021-22 broadcast season, as well as streaming series from 2021 to 2023. The project also recognizes 20 producers responsible for the most inclusive content.
“The goal of the Inclusion List is to recognize the stories and storytellers who are taking inclusion seriously and whose content reflects their values,” said Dr. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. “With today’s release of the Inclusion List for broadcast/cable and streaming series, we are excited to acknowledge the creative voices championing inclusion across the spectrum of episodic content.
Following a similar effort for films, the list analyzes on-screen and behind-the-camera personnel from more than 500 programs to determine the 100 most inclusive broadcast and cable series from the 2021-22 broadcast season, as well as streaming series from 2021 to 2023. The project also recognizes 20 producers responsible for the most inclusive content.
“The goal of the Inclusion List is to recognize the stories and storytellers who are taking inclusion seriously and whose content reflects their values,” said Dr. Smith, founder of the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. “With today’s release of the Inclusion List for broadcast/cable and streaming series, we are excited to acknowledge the creative voices championing inclusion across the spectrum of episodic content.
- 1/11/2024
- by Pat Saperstein and Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: “This is a beautiful piece of art that I had no idea was going to resonate so deeply with me,” Regina King declared at last night’s overflowing tastemaker screening of Ava DuVernay’s Origin. “It’s a film about connectivity,” the Oscar winner added to the heavy hitter crowd. “I believe this is a film that will be studied in Anthropology classes for years and years to come.”
“Stunning, thank you,” King even more bluntly said of Origin to When They See Us vets DuVernay and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and wide applause from influential onlookers.
In a rare public appearance, the acclaimed actor and director took center stage with DuVernay and Ellis-Taylor Thursday to praise and delve into the film based on Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. The screening at West Hollywood’s London hotel was just the latest in a...
“Stunning, thank you,” King even more bluntly said of Origin to When They See Us vets DuVernay and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and wide applause from influential onlookers.
In a rare public appearance, the acclaimed actor and director took center stage with DuVernay and Ellis-Taylor Thursday to praise and delve into the film based on Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. The screening at West Hollywood’s London hotel was just the latest in a...
- 1/6/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Many books have been called unfilmable, but in the case of Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 best-seller Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, that label would hardly be an exaggeration. To start, it’s a nearly 500-page nonfiction dissertation with a heady, ambitious thesis about the foundations of social hierarchies across human history. As such, it pulls in anecdotes from sources as diverse as the Jim Crow South, 1930s Nazi Germany and an anthrax outbreak in the Siberian tundra in 2016.
But what captivated director Ava DuVernay in the pages was the abundance of intimate human relationships woven throughout. Her last documentary (2016’s 13th) garnered an Emmy and an Oscar nomination, yet as she read Caste, she began envisioning a narrative feature, especially after learning about Wilkerson’s personal journey of love and loss as she researched and wrote the book.
“It’s the life and work of Isabel Wilkerson, and it’s...
But what captivated director Ava DuVernay in the pages was the abundance of intimate human relationships woven throughout. Her last documentary (2016’s 13th) garnered an Emmy and an Oscar nomination, yet as she read Caste, she began envisioning a narrative feature, especially after learning about Wilkerson’s personal journey of love and loss as she researched and wrote the book.
“It’s the life and work of Isabel Wilkerson, and it’s...
- 1/5/2024
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Ava DuVernay is handing out a big screen holiday gift on Christmas Day, but you can get a sneak peek right now.
The Oscar nominated filmmaker will be holding special presentations of her acclaimed Origin for Guild members on December 25. The screenings will be held on the West Coat at the Rodeo Screening Room in Beverly Hills at 11 am P and 2 pm Pt on Christmas Day, and on the East Coast at the Tribeca Screening Room at 12 pm Et.
Invitations are set to be emailed out this morning to members of the WGA, PGA, DGA, American Society of Cinematographers, American Cinema Editors and other Guilds, I’m told.
Having said that, we’ve take a look under the Cinema tree, so to speak, at a poignant exclusive clip from Origin, the most highly test film ever for distributor Neon and DuVernay, that captures the stratification of discrimination. See Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor...
The Oscar nominated filmmaker will be holding special presentations of her acclaimed Origin for Guild members on December 25. The screenings will be held on the West Coat at the Rodeo Screening Room in Beverly Hills at 11 am P and 2 pm Pt on Christmas Day, and on the East Coast at the Tribeca Screening Room at 12 pm Et.
Invitations are set to be emailed out this morning to members of the WGA, PGA, DGA, American Society of Cinematographers, American Cinema Editors and other Guilds, I’m told.
Having said that, we’ve take a look under the Cinema tree, so to speak, at a poignant exclusive clip from Origin, the most highly test film ever for distributor Neon and DuVernay, that captures the stratification of discrimination. See Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor...
- 12/22/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The nominations for the 24th Annual Black Reel Awards are in. After close inspection, the black and gold Bolt award might seem to have a touch of purple on it as the classic Alice Walker novel, The Color Purple dominated the awards this year.
The film adaptation of the acclaimed musical, The Color Purple nearly double the number of the nearest competitor, Rustin, and set the mark for the most nominations for a musical. Blitz Bazawule’s stylish feature gathered him nominations for Outstanding Film, Outstanding Director and Outstanding Emerging Director. The cast received one Outstanding Lead Performance nomination for Fantasia Barrino, three Outstanding Supporting Performance nominations and three Outstanding Breakthrough Performance nominations. The musical also swept the musical and technical categories, receiving nominations in every one, except Outstanding Cinematography. Fantasia Barrino became the second American Idol contestant to receive a nomination for acting (Jennifer Hudson).
Colman Domingo received his...
The film adaptation of the acclaimed musical, The Color Purple nearly double the number of the nearest competitor, Rustin, and set the mark for the most nominations for a musical. Blitz Bazawule’s stylish feature gathered him nominations for Outstanding Film, Outstanding Director and Outstanding Emerging Director. The cast received one Outstanding Lead Performance nomination for Fantasia Barrino, three Outstanding Supporting Performance nominations and three Outstanding Breakthrough Performance nominations. The musical also swept the musical and technical categories, receiving nominations in every one, except Outstanding Cinematography. Fantasia Barrino became the second American Idol contestant to receive a nomination for acting (Jennifer Hudson).
Colman Domingo received his...
- 12/15/2023
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
Ava DuVernay is returning to the big screen with her new feature, “Origin.”
The “Selma” and “13th” writer-director adapted the feature from 2020 nonfiction bestseller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson. Aunjanue Ellis stars as author Isabel, a woman who faces personal tragedy and sets out to investigate what racism and pain look like on a global scale.
Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star.
The official synopsis reads: “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”
DuVernay produces along with Paul Garnes. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival before playing at TIFF.
“I’m not putting this out there seeking agreement.
The “Selma” and “13th” writer-director adapted the feature from 2020 nonfiction bestseller “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Isabel Wilkerson. Aunjanue Ellis stars as author Isabel, a woman who faces personal tragedy and sets out to investigate what racism and pain look like on a global scale.
Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star.
The official synopsis reads: “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”
DuVernay produces along with Paul Garnes. The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival before playing at TIFF.
“I’m not putting this out there seeking agreement.
- 12/15/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Origin, the latest acclaimed feature from Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay, has been set for a weekend of celebration at Art Basel Miami in partnership with Tribeca Festival and Ubs.
Highlighting the intersection of art, music and film, Art Basel events for Origin will include a private screening in Miami Beach on December 8th and a public screening at the Regal South Beach on December 9th at 1 p.m. Et. As the social impact partner for the screenings, Ubs will lend support to Seat 16, the campaign on the part of DuVernay’s Array to enable 16-year-olds across the country to see the film and access associated learning guides.
Marking the sole film presentation of Art Basel 2023, Origin chronicles the tragedy and triumph of Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates a global phenomenon of epic proportions. Portrayed by Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard), Isabel experiences...
Highlighting the intersection of art, music and film, Art Basel events for Origin will include a private screening in Miami Beach on December 8th and a public screening at the Regal South Beach on December 9th at 1 p.m. Et. As the social impact partner for the screenings, Ubs will lend support to Seat 16, the campaign on the part of DuVernay’s Array to enable 16-year-olds across the country to see the film and access associated learning guides.
Marking the sole film presentation of Art Basel 2023, Origin chronicles the tragedy and triumph of Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson as she investigates a global phenomenon of epic proportions. Portrayed by Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard), Isabel experiences...
- 12/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Candy Cane Lane, Origin, Wif Honors and Family Switch.
Renaissance premiere
Beyoncé brought her Renaissance concert film to the big screen on Saturday night with its Los Angeles premiere, attended by a starry list of guests.
Simone Joy Jones, Coco Jones, Gabrielle Union and Tia Mowry Halle Bailey and Chloe Bailey Tina Knowles and Tyler Perry
Candy Cane Lane premiere
Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino, Nick Offerman, Robin Thede and Chris Redd attended the Los Angeles premiere of their Amazon Christmas movie on Tuesday.
Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross Eddie Murphy with Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios, and Mike Hopkins, senior vp Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios and Freevee.
Family Switch premiere
Director McG, star and producer Jennifer Garner and co-stars Ed Helms,...
Renaissance premiere
Beyoncé brought her Renaissance concert film to the big screen on Saturday night with its Los Angeles premiere, attended by a starry list of guests.
Simone Joy Jones, Coco Jones, Gabrielle Union and Tia Mowry Halle Bailey and Chloe Bailey Tina Knowles and Tyler Perry
Candy Cane Lane premiere
Eddie Murphy, Tracee Ellis Ross, Jillian Bell, Thaddeus J. Mixson, Ken Marino, Nick Offerman, Robin Thede and Chris Redd attended the Los Angeles premiere of their Amazon Christmas movie on Tuesday.
Eddie Murphy and Tracee Ellis Ross Eddie Murphy with Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon MGM Studios, and Mike Hopkins, senior vp Prime Video, Amazon MGM Studios and Freevee.
Family Switch premiere
Director McG, star and producer Jennifer Garner and co-stars Ed Helms,...
- 12/1/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
With a few weeks to go until the original song for Oscars shortlist is released, Aotearoa, New Zealand-based Māori Artist Stan Walker has released the video for the haunting original song created for Ava DuVernay‘s searing drama “Origin,”
“This summer, I was talking with my producing partner Paul Garnes about wanting something unexpected for an original song to end our film, ‘Origin.’ The next day, he showed me Stan’s ‘Ultralight Beam’ interpretation and I watched it four times, back to back. I jumped online and blessedly, we had a producer pal of mine, Chelsea Winstanley in common. I DMed Chelsea, and 24 hours later I was on the phone with Stan Walker,” DuVernay said.
Inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent,” the film boasts an all-star cast including Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”), Jon Bernthal and Niecy Nash-Betts.
The film...
“This summer, I was talking with my producing partner Paul Garnes about wanting something unexpected for an original song to end our film, ‘Origin.’ The next day, he showed me Stan’s ‘Ultralight Beam’ interpretation and I watched it four times, back to back. I jumped online and blessedly, we had a producer pal of mine, Chelsea Winstanley in common. I DMed Chelsea, and 24 hours later I was on the phone with Stan Walker,” DuVernay said.
Inspired by Isabel Wilkerson’s Pulitzer Prize winning book, “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent,” the film boasts an all-star cast including Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”), Jon Bernthal and Niecy Nash-Betts.
The film...
- 11/27/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Ava DuVernay’s latest drama “Origin” has added an original song to its Oscar prospects.
New Zealand Māori artist Stan Walker performed the new song, “I Am,” at a private film screening at the Edition Hotel in West Hollywood on Wednesday. He also co-wrote the track with Michael Fatkin, Vince Harder and Te Kanapu Anasta. The song enters a competitive race of Oscar hopefuls from movies such as “Barbie” and “Trolls Band Together.”
Walker would make history as the second Indigenous person, and the first Indigenous man, nominated for original song. Buffy Sainte-Marie became the first Indigenous person ever to win an Academy Award in 1982 for the song “Up Where We Belong” from “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Aside from Sainte-Marie, the only Indigenous Oscar winner in 95 years is Taika Waititi, who took home the adapted screenplay prize for “Jojo Rabbit” (2019).
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
New Zealand Māori artist Stan Walker performed the new song, “I Am,” at a private film screening at the Edition Hotel in West Hollywood on Wednesday. He also co-wrote the track with Michael Fatkin, Vince Harder and Te Kanapu Anasta. The song enters a competitive race of Oscar hopefuls from movies such as “Barbie” and “Trolls Band Together.”
Walker would make history as the second Indigenous person, and the first Indigenous man, nominated for original song. Buffy Sainte-Marie became the first Indigenous person ever to win an Academy Award in 1982 for the song “Up Where We Belong” from “An Officer and a Gentleman.” Aside from Sainte-Marie, the only Indigenous Oscar winner in 95 years is Taika Waititi, who took home the adapted screenplay prize for “Jojo Rabbit” (2019).
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
- 10/19/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
The 80th edition of the Venice Film Festival concludes today with the Closing Ceremony and presentation of the winners of the Lions. Director Yorgos Lanthimos took home the coveted Golden Lion for his film Poor Things, while Cailee Spaeny was honored as Best Actress for her performance in Priscilla, and Peter Sarsgaard received the Best Actor award for Memory.
The ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes cast uncertainty on the presence of celebrities gracing the iconic event over the course of the 10-day fest, with guild members participating in or promoting premieres doing so only under SAG-AFTRA interim agreements allowing them to make appearances and engage on the festival’s revered red carpet.
Related: Venice Film Festival: Yorgos Lanthimos Wins Golden Lion With ‘Poor Things’ — Full List
Edoardo De Angelis’s drama Comandante opened the festival with other highlight premieres from this year’s slate including Michael Mann’s Ferrari...
The ongoing SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes cast uncertainty on the presence of celebrities gracing the iconic event over the course of the 10-day fest, with guild members participating in or promoting premieres doing so only under SAG-AFTRA interim agreements allowing them to make appearances and engage on the festival’s revered red carpet.
Related: Venice Film Festival: Yorgos Lanthimos Wins Golden Lion With ‘Poor Things’ — Full List
Edoardo De Angelis’s drama Comandante opened the festival with other highlight premieres from this year’s slate including Michael Mann’s Ferrari...
- 9/9/2023
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
After directing “Origin” — the feature adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” — Academy Award-nominee Ava DuVernay is feeling incredibly content.
In fact, when she appears over Zoom from her office at the Array creative campus in L.A. in late August, just a couple days ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, there’s a glow about her. And it doesn’t seem to be coming from a ring light.
Asked what she’ll take from the process of making “Origin” into her next project, DuVernay replies: “How did this change me? So much so that if I never made another film, the experience of making this one would be enough.”
The filmmaker turned 51 on August 24, the same day I previewed the film with a small group of critics and journalists. She spent the better part of her...
In fact, when she appears over Zoom from her office at the Array creative campus in L.A. in late August, just a couple days ahead of the film’s world premiere at the Venice Film Festival, there’s a glow about her. And it doesn’t seem to be coming from a ring light.
Asked what she’ll take from the process of making “Origin” into her next project, DuVernay replies: “How did this change me? So much so that if I never made another film, the experience of making this one would be enough.”
The filmmaker turned 51 on August 24, the same day I previewed the film with a small group of critics and journalists. She spent the better part of her...
- 9/7/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Ava DuVernay touched down at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday evening with her new film Origin, which world premiered in Competition and received a more than eight-minute ovation in its debut screening.
DuVernay was visibly overjoyed by the audience’s warm response to the film. The director was making history as the first female African American director to compete for the festival’s prestigious Golden Lion award across its 80 editions, stretching back to 1932.
(Watch) Ava DuVernay thanks audience for enthusiastic response to ‘Origin’ at #Venezia80 premiere pic.twitter.com/Rq7VYnrie7
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) September 6, 2023
DuVernay wrote, produced and directed the biopic, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, following her creative and personal journey as she writes her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.
Related: Venice Film Festival 2023 Photos: Ava DuVernay, ‘Origin’ & ‘In The Land Of Saints And Sinners...
DuVernay was visibly overjoyed by the audience’s warm response to the film. The director was making history as the first female African American director to compete for the festival’s prestigious Golden Lion award across its 80 editions, stretching back to 1932.
(Watch) Ava DuVernay thanks audience for enthusiastic response to ‘Origin’ at #Venezia80 premiere pic.twitter.com/Rq7VYnrie7
— Deadline Hollywood (@Deadline) September 6, 2023
DuVernay wrote, produced and directed the biopic, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, following her creative and personal journey as she writes her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.
Related: Venice Film Festival 2023 Photos: Ava DuVernay, ‘Origin’ & ‘In The Land Of Saints And Sinners...
- 9/6/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
DuVernay has become the first African American woman to play in Competition at Venice.
Ava DuVernay has highlighted the inequalities that continue across the film circuit saying that Black filmmakers are told “you cannot play international film festivals.”
Speaking at the press conference for her Venice title Origin – through which she becomes the first US Black female filmmaker to have a film in Competition at the festival – DuVernay said, “It’s very rare for two Black filmmakers [herself and producer Paul Garnes] to make a film that leaves the country [the US]. For Black filmmakers, we’re told that people who love films in other...
Ava DuVernay has highlighted the inequalities that continue across the film circuit saying that Black filmmakers are told “you cannot play international film festivals.”
Speaking at the press conference for her Venice title Origin – through which she becomes the first US Black female filmmaker to have a film in Competition at the festival – DuVernay said, “It’s very rare for two Black filmmakers [herself and producer Paul Garnes] to make a film that leaves the country [the US]. For Black filmmakers, we’re told that people who love films in other...
- 9/6/2023
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Ava DuVernay is making history today. In Venice with Origin, which world premieres in the Sala Grande this evening, she is the first African American female filmmaker to ever have been selected in competition at the world’s oldest festival. DuVernay earlier told Deadline’s Dominic Patten, “Venice was a big goal. It feels like a real full-circle moment.”
Based on Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents, the film stars Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wikerson and tracks the Pulitzer Prize winner’s creative and personal journey over several continents through grief, revelation and the evils of historical stratification.
Although it was originally a Netflix project, DuVernay and Paul Garnes produced Origin without a studio. Speaking to Deadline earlier, DuVernay said, “I experienced success within the studios. I experienced this challenge within it. I learned a lot and ultimately the thing that felt best is to...
Based on Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents, the film stars Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wikerson and tracks the Pulitzer Prize winner’s creative and personal journey over several continents through grief, revelation and the evils of historical stratification.
Although it was originally a Netflix project, DuVernay and Paul Garnes produced Origin without a studio. Speaking to Deadline earlier, DuVernay said, “I experienced success within the studios. I experienced this challenge within it. I learned a lot and ultimately the thing that felt best is to...
- 9/6/2023
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
Ava DuVernay has made history at the Venice Film Festival, becoming the first female Black U.S. director in the event’s 80 years to have a film in the main competition. DuVernay addressed this milestone head-on at the press conference for Origin, which will have world premiere Wednesday night, explaining that Black U.S. filmmakers are led to believe that international film festivals are simply not places for their work.
“For Black filmmakers, we’re told that people who love films in other parts of the world don’t care about our stories and don’t care about our films,” she said. “This is something that we are often told — ‘You cannot play international film festivals, no one will come, people will not come to your press conference, people will not come to the P&i screenings, they will not be interested in selling tickets, you may not even get into this festival,...
“For Black filmmakers, we’re told that people who love films in other parts of the world don’t care about our stories and don’t care about our films,” she said. “This is something that we are often told — ‘You cannot play international film festivals, no one will come, people will not come to your press conference, people will not come to the P&i screenings, they will not be interested in selling tickets, you may not even get into this festival,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Alex Ritman and Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“That is the part where you look up and you say, ‘How could people have allowed their neighbors to be taken and put in the camps?’” Origin director Ava DuVernay says of the deep roots of discrimination and the cruel consequences of subjugation.
“Now, in a similar way, you allow it to come across your feed? You repost it and keep going?” the Oscar-nominated filmmaker adds. “The goal of Origin, of this work, is to say stop a second, realize what is going on, how close we are to this and to start to challenge our vocabulary.”
Based on Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents, Origin punctiliously tracks the Pulitzer Prize winner’s creative and personal journey over several continents through grief, revelation and the evils of historical stratification. Yet, with Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wikerson, this is a drama not a documentary. In that,...
“Now, in a similar way, you allow it to come across your feed? You repost it and keep going?” the Oscar-nominated filmmaker adds. “The goal of Origin, of this work, is to say stop a second, realize what is going on, how close we are to this and to start to challenge our vocabulary.”
Based on Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 bestseller Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents, Origin punctiliously tracks the Pulitzer Prize winner’s creative and personal journey over several continents through grief, revelation and the evils of historical stratification. Yet, with Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Wikerson, this is a drama not a documentary. In that,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Neon snagged the rights to Oscar nominee Ava DuVernay’s Origin ahead of its premiere at the Venice Film Festival and released the first teaser trailer. With Origin, writer, producer, and director Ava DuVernay becomes the first African-American woman director in competition in Venice Film Festival’s 80-year history.
Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard) leads a talented ensemble that includes Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, and Audra McDonald. Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star.
“I’ve known Ava for a long time and my love and admiration for her and her work goes back further, even before Middle of Nowhere. I’m truly humbled that it is this movie which has finally brought us together. She has always been a gifted storyteller, and her mastery of her craft shines through in this deeply personal and inspired adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s book,...
Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (King Richard) leads a talented ensemble that includes Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, and Audra McDonald. Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones, and Connie Nielsen also star.
“I’ve known Ava for a long time and my love and admiration for her and her work goes back further, even before Middle of Nowhere. I’m truly humbled that it is this movie which has finally brought us together. She has always been a gifted storyteller, and her mastery of her craft shines through in this deeply personal and inspired adaptation of Isabel Wilkerson’s book,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
One day before its premiere at the Venice Film Festival, the new Ava DuVernay film “Origin” has been acquired by Neon with a release scheduled for later this year. The new film, DuVernay’s first feature as a director since 2018’s “A Wrinkle in Time,” will also screen at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival and joins a loaded Neon slate for 2023 that already includes Cannes Palme d’Or winner “Anatomy of a Fall” as well as “The Royal Hotel,” “La Chimera,” “Perfect Days,” and “Ferrari.”
DuVernay wrote, produced, and directed ‘Origin,’ which Neon noted “is inspired by the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book, ‘Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.’ While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and...
DuVernay wrote, produced, and directed ‘Origin,’ which Neon noted “is inspired by the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book, ‘Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.’ While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and...
- 9/5/2023
- by Christopher Rosen
- Gold Derby
Neon has acquired worldwide rights for Ava DuVernay’s Origin ahead of its world premiere in Competition at the Venice Film Festival on Wednesday (September 6).
The studio said it had secured the rights with a competitive bid and is planning a release for late 2023.
DuVernay will make history in Venice as the first African-American female director to premiere a film in competition in the festival’s 80-year history.
She wrote, produced and directed the biopic, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, following her life as she pens her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.
Related: Ava DuVernay On ‘Origin’: “Thank Goodness We Made This Film Independently” – Venice
While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one...
The studio said it had secured the rights with a competitive bid and is planning a release for late 2023.
DuVernay will make history in Venice as the first African-American female director to premiere a film in competition in the festival’s 80-year history.
She wrote, produced and directed the biopic, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, following her life as she pens her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.
Related: Ava DuVernay On ‘Origin’: “Thank Goodness We Made This Film Independently” – Venice
While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one...
- 9/5/2023
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- Deadline Film + TV
Drama to get nationaiwde theatrical release later this year.
Neon has acquired worldwide rights to Ava DuVernay’s drama Origin starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal ahead of the world premiere in Venice on Wednesday.
The film marks the first competition entry on the Lido by an African-American woman and will also play as a gala screening at TIFF on September 11 with DuVernay scheduled to attend.
Neon plans a nationwide theatrical release later this year after what it called a competitive bidding situation.
Origin is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson as she sets...
Neon has acquired worldwide rights to Ava DuVernay’s drama Origin starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and Jon Bernthal ahead of the world premiere in Venice on Wednesday.
The film marks the first competition entry on the Lido by an African-American woman and will also play as a gala screening at TIFF on September 11 with DuVernay scheduled to attend.
Neon plans a nationwide theatrical release later this year after what it called a competitive bidding situation.
Origin is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson as she sets...
- 9/5/2023
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Neon announced Tuesday that they have acquired worldwide distribution rights to Ava DuVernay’s latest directorial effort, “Origin” ahead of its Wednesday premiere at the Venice Film Festival.
Inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s acclaimed novel, “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents,” DuVernay’s film turns Wilkerson into a real character played by Oscar-nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”). As the official synopsis for the film reads, “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”
The film also stars Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones and Connie Nielsen.
Accompanying the release is a brief first teaser of the movie, giving audiences their first glimpse of Ellis-Taylor’s Isabel.
Inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s acclaimed novel, “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents,” DuVernay’s film turns Wilkerson into a real character played by Oscar-nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor (“King Richard”). As the official synopsis for the film reads, “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.”
The film also stars Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash-Betts, Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald, Nick Offerman, Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Jasmine Cephas-Jones and Connie Nielsen.
Accompanying the release is a brief first teaser of the movie, giving audiences their first glimpse of Ellis-Taylor’s Isabel.
- 9/5/2023
- by Kristen Lopez
- The Wrap
Neon has acquired worldwide rights to Ava DuVernay’s “Origin” ahead of its world premiere in competition at the Venice Film Festival.
The movie, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal and Niecy Nash-Betts, will also screen at the Toronto International Film Festival. “Origin” will be released in theaters later this year.
DuVernay is the first African American woman director in competition in Venice’s 80-year history. She wrote, produced and directed the film, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” A press release describes the plot as such: “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.” Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald,...
The movie, starring Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal and Niecy Nash-Betts, will also screen at the Toronto International Film Festival. “Origin” will be released in theaters later this year.
DuVernay is the first African American woman director in competition in Venice’s 80-year history. She wrote, produced and directed the film, which is inspired by the life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson as she pens her seminal book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” A press release describes the plot as such: “While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Isabel sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite the colossal scope of her project, she finds beauty and bravery while crafting one of the defining American books of our time.” Vera Farmiga, Audra McDonald,...
- 9/5/2023
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
A day before its much-anticipated premiere at the Venice Film Festival, Ava DuVernay’s Origin has sold to Neon for worldwide distribution.
DuVernay wrote, produced and directed Origin and is breaking ground in Venice as the first Black U.S. female director in the festival’s 80-year history to have a feature in competition. (Watch the trailer below.)
Neon described the sales process as “competitive” and said it will release the movie across the U.S. later this year. The film is getting a North American premiere in Toronto after Venice and ahead of the theatrical release.
Origin is inspired by the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson — played by Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard) — as she pens her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Wilkerson sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite...
DuVernay wrote, produced and directed Origin and is breaking ground in Venice as the first Black U.S. female director in the festival’s 80-year history to have a feature in competition. (Watch the trailer below.)
Neon described the sales process as “competitive” and said it will release the movie across the U.S. later this year. The film is getting a North American premiere in Toronto after Venice and ahead of the theatrical release.
Origin is inspired by the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson — played by Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis (King Richard) — as she pens her seminal book, Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents. While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, Wilkerson sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery. Despite...
- 9/5/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Neon has landed the first major acquisition out of the fall festivals, as the shingled has picked up the worldwide distribution rights to Ava DuVernay’s next film, “Origin.” The film makes its world premiere tomorrow in competition at the Venice Film Festival and, just over the weekend, was added to the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival lineup.
Neon is planning a theatrical release for later this year. The distributor has also released the first teaser for the film, which you can watch below.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars in “Origin” as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, who wrote the seminal non-fiction book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” The book compares racism in America to the caste systems of both India and Nazi Germany and examines how hierarchy, inclusion, and exclusion have shaped our society’s views on race. The film stars Ellis-Taylor as Wilkerson as she grapples with a personal...
Neon is planning a theatrical release for later this year. The distributor has also released the first teaser for the film, which you can watch below.
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor stars in “Origin” as Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson, who wrote the seminal non-fiction book “Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.” The book compares racism in America to the caste systems of both India and Nazi Germany and examines how hierarchy, inclusion, and exclusion have shaped our society’s views on race. The film stars Ellis-Taylor as Wilkerson as she grapples with a personal...
- 9/5/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Ava DuVernay’s Origin, the first film by an African American woman to play in Competition at the Venice Film Festival, will have a Gala screening at Roy Thomson Hall at TIFF on Monday, September 11. DuVernay will be in attendance for the screening of the film, which she wrote, produced and directed.
Origin chronicles the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, played by Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, as she investigates the genesis of injustice and uncovers a hidden truth that affects us all. Origin stands as a unique account of the intimacy within a writer’s quest for truth. DuVernay creates powerful cinematic images from the stories that Wilkerson brought to light in her non-fiction work Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, as well as the tragic moments of her personal life which framed her writing. It results in a deeply moving portrait of grief and...
Origin chronicles the remarkable life and work of Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson, played by Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, as she investigates the genesis of injustice and uncovers a hidden truth that affects us all. Origin stands as a unique account of the intimacy within a writer’s quest for truth. DuVernay creates powerful cinematic images from the stories that Wilkerson brought to light in her non-fiction work Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, as well as the tragic moments of her personal life which framed her writing. It results in a deeply moving portrait of grief and...
- 9/4/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Ava DuVernay has ended her rich overall deal with Warner Bros. Television Group, multiple sources confirm to Variety.
While news of this decision comes amid the writers strike, the contract talks were unrelated. DuVernay’s deal was set to expire on May 31 and the two parties came to a “mutual decision not to renew.”
DuVernay signed the multi-year agreement in 2018, which was reported to be valued at $100 million, following the parties’ successful collaboration on OWN’s “Queen Sugar,” which signed off last year after seven seasons.
“Ava DuVernay is one of the leading lights in our industry, a brilliantly talented writer, producer, director and entrepreneur whose ability to inspire with her art is exceeded only by her ability to entertain,” former Warner Bros. TV chief Peter Roth said in a statement announcing the pact. (Channing Dungey is the current chairman and CEO of Wbtvg.)
Under the pact, DuVernay also produced...
While news of this decision comes amid the writers strike, the contract talks were unrelated. DuVernay’s deal was set to expire on May 31 and the two parties came to a “mutual decision not to renew.”
DuVernay signed the multi-year agreement in 2018, which was reported to be valued at $100 million, following the parties’ successful collaboration on OWN’s “Queen Sugar,” which signed off last year after seven seasons.
“Ava DuVernay is one of the leading lights in our industry, a brilliantly talented writer, producer, director and entrepreneur whose ability to inspire with her art is exceeded only by her ability to entertain,” former Warner Bros. TV chief Peter Roth said in a statement announcing the pact. (Channing Dungey is the current chairman and CEO of Wbtvg.)
Under the pact, DuVernay also produced...
- 5/11/2023
- by Angelique Jackson and Emily Longeretta
- Variety Film + TV
The cast of Ava DuVernay’s latest film, inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” is now complete with the addition of Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Victoria Pedretti, Isha Blaaker, Leonardo Nam, Donna Mills and Emily Yancy.
The seven actors join Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis, who was previously announced as the lead in the film, as well as Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga, Niecy Nash-Betts, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, Audra McDonald, Connie Nielsen, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Myles Frost.
Announced in October 2020, DuVernay serves as the writer and director of “Caste,” which adapts Wilkerson’s acclaimed book. Described in The New York Times as “an instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far,” the book — and subsequently DuVernay’s film — examines the system of hierarchy that has shaped America.
DuVernay also produces the project alongside frequent...
The seven actors join Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis, who was previously announced as the lead in the film, as well as Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga, Niecy Nash-Betts, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, Audra McDonald, Connie Nielsen, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Myles Frost.
Announced in October 2020, DuVernay serves as the writer and director of “Caste,” which adapts Wilkerson’s acclaimed book. Described in The New York Times as “an instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far,” the book — and subsequently DuVernay’s film — examines the system of hierarchy that has shaped America.
DuVernay also produces the project alongside frequent...
- 2/21/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Blair Underwood, Finn Wittrock, Victoria Pedretti, Isha Blaaker, Leonardo Nam, Donna Mills and Emily Yancy have been added to the ensemble cast for Ava DuVernay’s latest film, the adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.
They join a cast that already includes Aunjanue Ellis in the lead role, plus Vera Farmiga, Niecy Nash, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, Audra McDonald and Connie Nielson. Writer-director DuVernay is producing Caste alongside Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks.
Wilkerson’s nonfiction book is told through multiple real-life stories and examines how America, throughout its history, has been shaped by a caste system, or a human hierarchy that dates back generations, but still affects the present.
Underwood worked with DuVernay on the limited series When They See Us, and his credits include Showtime’s Three Women and Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame Cj Walker.
They join a cast that already includes Aunjanue Ellis in the lead role, plus Vera Farmiga, Niecy Nash, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, Audra McDonald and Connie Nielson. Writer-director DuVernay is producing Caste alongside Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks.
Wilkerson’s nonfiction book is told through multiple real-life stories and examines how America, throughout its history, has been shaped by a caste system, or a human hierarchy that dates back generations, but still affects the present.
Underwood worked with DuVernay on the limited series When They See Us, and his credits include Showtime’s Three Women and Netflix’s Self Made: Inspired by the Life of Madame Cj Walker.
- 2/21/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Blair Underwood (American Crime Story), Victoria Pedretti (You), Isha Blaaker (The Flight Attendant) and Finn Wittrock (Ratched) are among the final major additions to Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay’s latest film Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents, based on the bestseller of the same name by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson.
Others rounding out the ensemble led by Oscar nom Aunjanue Ellis are Leonardo Nam (Westworld), Donna Mills (Nope) and Emily Yancy (Sharp Objects).
While the plot of Caste hasn’t yet been divulged, the work of nonfiction hailed by The New York Times as “an instant American classic” is said to examine the little-known system of hierarchy that has shaped America.
Caste will also star Vera Farmiga, Niecy Nash, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, Audra McDonald and Connie Nielsen, as previously announced. DuVernay is directing from her own script, also producing alongside veteran collaborator Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks.
Others rounding out the ensemble led by Oscar nom Aunjanue Ellis are Leonardo Nam (Westworld), Donna Mills (Nope) and Emily Yancy (Sharp Objects).
While the plot of Caste hasn’t yet been divulged, the work of nonfiction hailed by The New York Times as “an instant American classic” is said to examine the little-known system of hierarchy that has shaped America.
Caste will also star Vera Farmiga, Niecy Nash, Nick Offerman, Jon Bernthal, Audra McDonald and Connie Nielsen, as previously announced. DuVernay is directing from her own script, also producing alongside veteran collaborator Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks.
- 2/21/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Tony winners Audra McDonald and Myles Frost have joined the cast of Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay’s latest film, inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.”
McDonald is a six-time Tony Award winner, with more performance wins than any other actor and the only person to win in all four acting categories. Also a Grammy and Primetime Emmy winner, McDonald’s screen work includes “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Private Practice,” “Respect” and “The Good Fight,” the latter for which she was nominated for three Critics Choice Awards. In 2016, McDonald was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, Frost is the reigning winner of best actor in a musical for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in “Mj the Musical,” which marked his Broadway debut. The much-acclaimed newcomer was also nominated for a Grammy for the cast recording.
McDonald...
McDonald is a six-time Tony Award winner, with more performance wins than any other actor and the only person to win in all four acting categories. Also a Grammy and Primetime Emmy winner, McDonald’s screen work includes “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Private Practice,” “Respect” and “The Good Fight,” the latter for which she was nominated for three Critics Choice Awards. In 2016, McDonald was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama.
Meanwhile, Frost is the reigning winner of best actor in a musical for his portrayal of Michael Jackson in “Mj the Musical,” which marked his Broadway debut. The much-acclaimed newcomer was also nominated for a Grammy for the cast recording.
McDonald...
- 2/7/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Tony winners Audra McDonald and Myles Frost have joined Aunjanue Ellis in Ava DuVernay’s next feature.
DuVernay is writing and directing the movie based on Isabel Wilkerson’s book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. Ellis, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work in King Richard, was earlier announced for the leading role in the film adaptation now shooting in Georgia.
Wilkerson’s non-fiction book is told through multiple real-life stories and examines how America, throughout its history, has been shaped by caste system, a human hierarchy that dates back generations but still affects our present day.
McDonald has earned six Tony awards. Her screen work includes A Raisin in the Sun, Private Practice and The Good Fight. In 2016, McDonald was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama.
Frost won the 2022 Tony Award for best actor in a musical for playing Michael Jackson in Mj The Musical on Broadway.
DuVernay is writing and directing the movie based on Isabel Wilkerson’s book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. Ellis, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work in King Richard, was earlier announced for the leading role in the film adaptation now shooting in Georgia.
Wilkerson’s non-fiction book is told through multiple real-life stories and examines how America, throughout its history, has been shaped by caste system, a human hierarchy that dates back generations but still affects our present day.
McDonald has earned six Tony awards. Her screen work includes A Raisin in the Sun, Private Practice and The Good Fight. In 2016, McDonald was awarded the National Medal of Arts by President Barack Obama.
Frost won the 2022 Tony Award for best actor in a musical for playing Michael Jackson in Mj The Musical on Broadway.
- 2/7/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald and Best Actor in a Musical Tony winner Myles Frost have joined the cast of Ava DuVernay’s latest film inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of our Discontents.
The two join previously announced cast Aunjanue Ellis, who is in the lead role, alongside Niecy Nash, Vera Farmiga, Nick Offerman, Connie Nielsen, Jon Bernthal and Jasmine Cephas-Jones.
Written and directed by DuVernay, she is also producing alongside veteran collaborator Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks.
A bestseller and shortlisted for several awards, Wilkerson’s Caste examines racism in America through the prism of social, economic and cultural delineation and “pillars” of exclusion. Caste has been filming for several weeks in Savannah, Ga. The formerly Netflix-attached Caste will move on to shoot in Germany and India later this year.
The feature is financed by J4Am with sales handled by CAA.
The two join previously announced cast Aunjanue Ellis, who is in the lead role, alongside Niecy Nash, Vera Farmiga, Nick Offerman, Connie Nielsen, Jon Bernthal and Jasmine Cephas-Jones.
Written and directed by DuVernay, she is also producing alongside veteran collaborator Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks.
A bestseller and shortlisted for several awards, Wilkerson’s Caste examines racism in America through the prism of social, economic and cultural delineation and “pillars” of exclusion. Caste has been filming for several weeks in Savannah, Ga. The formerly Netflix-attached Caste will move on to shoot in Germany and India later this year.
The feature is financed by J4Am with sales handled by CAA.
- 2/7/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Between Warner Bros. axing her DC Comics movie, "New Gods," Netflix dropping her fantasy novel series adaptation, "Wings of Fire," and The CW canceling her DC superhero drama, "Naomi," it feels like it's been way too long since Ava DuVernay got to make headlines for good reasons. Thankfully, that changes with the celebrated storyteller's next directorial feature, "Caste," which began filming in December 2022 in Georgia ahead of planned shoots in Germany and India. This would be the "Selma" filmmaker's first time behind the camera on a full-length movie since her 2018 Disney fantasy adventure, "A Wrinkle in Time".
To her credit, DuVernay hasn't allowed those various cancelations to slow her down. Quite the opposite, she wrapped up her familial drama series "Queen Sugar" while also helming part of HBO Max's "Dmz" comic book miniseries adaptation over that same period of time (among other things — more on that to come). "Caste...
To her credit, DuVernay hasn't allowed those various cancelations to slow her down. Quite the opposite, she wrapped up her familial drama series "Queen Sugar" while also helming part of HBO Max's "Dmz" comic book miniseries adaptation over that same period of time (among other things — more on that to come). "Caste...
- 1/27/2023
- by Sandy Schaefer
- Slash Film
Ava DuVernay’s feature adaptation of Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents has just added Niecy Nash-Betts, Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Nick Offerman, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Connie Nielsen to the movie, which is shooting in Georgia.
The group joins King Richard Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis, who has the lead role. DuVernay is writing and directing, and producing alongside veteran collaborator Paul Garnes.
A bestseller and shortlisted for several awards, Wilkerson’s Caste examines racism in America through the prism of social, economic and cultural delineation and “pillars” of exclusion.
Nash-Betts, fresh off a Critics Choice Award win for her role in Netflix’s Dahmer, is reteaming with DuVernay after receiving an Emmy nomination for her turn in the Netflix limited series When They See Us. She is also the lead of ABC’s The Rookie: Feds. She is repped by WME and Artists First.
The group joins King Richard Oscar nominee Aunjanue Ellis, who has the lead role. DuVernay is writing and directing, and producing alongside veteran collaborator Paul Garnes.
A bestseller and shortlisted for several awards, Wilkerson’s Caste examines racism in America through the prism of social, economic and cultural delineation and “pillars” of exclusion.
Nash-Betts, fresh off a Critics Choice Award win for her role in Netflix’s Dahmer, is reteaming with DuVernay after receiving an Emmy nomination for her turn in the Netflix limited series When They See Us. She is also the lead of ABC’s The Rookie: Feds. She is repped by WME and Artists First.
- 1/26/2023
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
The ensemble for Academy Award nominee Ava DuVernay’s upcoming film “Caste” is growing more star-studded with the addition of Niecy Nash-Betts, Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Nick Offerman, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Connie Nielsen.
The six actors join Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis, who was previously announced as the lead in the film inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.” Described in The New York Times as “an instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far,” the book — and subsequently DuVernay’s film — examines the system of hierarchy that has shaped America.
DuVernay writes, directs and produces the film alongside her longtime collaborator Array Filmworks’ Paul Garnes. “Caste” is currently in production in Georgia, financed by J4A.
Nash-Betts and Farmiga reunite with DuVernay after each earning Emmy nominations for their performances in the 2019 Netflix...
The six actors join Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis, who was previously announced as the lead in the film inspired by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson’s “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents.” Described in The New York Times as “an instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far,” the book — and subsequently DuVernay’s film — examines the system of hierarchy that has shaped America.
DuVernay writes, directs and produces the film alongside her longtime collaborator Array Filmworks’ Paul Garnes. “Caste” is currently in production in Georgia, financed by J4A.
Nash-Betts and Farmiga reunite with DuVernay after each earning Emmy nominations for their performances in the 2019 Netflix...
- 1/26/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Niecy Nash-Betts, Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Nick Offerman, Jasmine Cephas Jones and Connie Nielsen have joined Aunjanue Ellis in Ava DuVernay’s next feature.
DuVernay is writing and directing the movie based on Isabel Wilkerson’s book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. Ellis, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work in King Richard, was earlier announced for the leading role in the film adaptation now shooting in Georgia and based on a book that examines the system of hierarchy that shaped America.
DuVernay is producing alongside Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks and Ellis. The Rookie: Feds star Nash-Betts recently appeared in Netflix’s Dahmer and also had a role in DuVernay’s Netflix limited series When They See Us.
Bernthal reunites with Ellis after they co-starred in King Richard, and he most recently appeared in FX’s The Bear. Farmiga received an Emmy nomination for her...
DuVernay is writing and directing the movie based on Isabel Wilkerson’s book, Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent. Ellis, who was nominated for an Oscar for her work in King Richard, was earlier announced for the leading role in the film adaptation now shooting in Georgia and based on a book that examines the system of hierarchy that shaped America.
DuVernay is producing alongside Paul Garnes of Array Filmworks and Ellis. The Rookie: Feds star Nash-Betts recently appeared in Netflix’s Dahmer and also had a role in DuVernay’s Netflix limited series When They See Us.
Bernthal reunites with Ellis after they co-starred in King Richard, and he most recently appeared in FX’s The Bear. Farmiga received an Emmy nomination for her...
- 1/26/2023
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ava DuVernay has officially cast the leading role for her adaptation of the bestselling nonfiction book “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents,” on which production is currently underway.
The writer-director is adapting Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson’s book with Academy Award-nominated actress Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”) in the lead. Per an official synopsis, “Caste” examines the little-known system of hierarchy that has shaped America. In describing the thesis of the book when the film was first announced two years ago, Wilkerson said, “What some people call racism could be seen as merely one manifestation of the degree to which we have internalized the larger American caste system.”
The film began production in December in Georgia, with additional filming taking place in Germany and India. Principal photography is underway.
New York Times book critic Dwight Garner called Wilkerson’s work “an extraordinary document, one that strikes me as an instant...
The writer-director is adapting Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson’s book with Academy Award-nominated actress Aunjanue Ellis (“King Richard”) in the lead. Per an official synopsis, “Caste” examines the little-known system of hierarchy that has shaped America. In describing the thesis of the book when the film was first announced two years ago, Wilkerson said, “What some people call racism could be seen as merely one manifestation of the degree to which we have internalized the larger American caste system.”
The film began production in December in Georgia, with additional filming taking place in Germany and India. Principal photography is underway.
New York Times book critic Dwight Garner called Wilkerson’s work “an extraordinary document, one that strikes me as an instant...
- 1/12/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis is set to star in an adaptation of the novel “Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents” by Pulitzer Prize winner Isabel Wilkerson, at Netflix.
“Caste” is a New York Times bestseller and an Oprah’s Book Club selection, and the nonfiction book uses a structure of multiple stories to examines the long history of race in America across generations. The book chronicles how our lives today in America are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions dating back generations.
Ava DuVernay is writing and directing the project, along with producing “Caste” under her Array Filmworks banner. Paul Garnes of Array will also produce.
Also Read:
Ava DuVernay to Direct ‘Caste’ Based on Isabel Wilkerson’s Book on Systemic Racism
The film is financed by J4A, the independent film began production in December in Georgia with additional filming taking place in Germany and India.
“Caste...
“Caste” is a New York Times bestseller and an Oprah’s Book Club selection, and the nonfiction book uses a structure of multiple stories to examines the long history of race in America across generations. The book chronicles how our lives today in America are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions dating back generations.
Ava DuVernay is writing and directing the project, along with producing “Caste” under her Array Filmworks banner. Paul Garnes of Array will also produce.
Also Read:
Ava DuVernay to Direct ‘Caste’ Based on Isabel Wilkerson’s Book on Systemic Racism
The film is financed by J4A, the independent film began production in December in Georgia with additional filming taking place in Germany and India.
“Caste...
- 1/12/2023
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Aunjanue Ellis, who earlier this year was nominated for an Oscar for her work in King Richard, has lined up the leading role in filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s next feature.
Ellis will star in a film inspired by Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 nonfiction book that examines the system of hierarchy that shaped America. The book earned wide acclaim, and was part of Oprah’s Book Club.
DuVernay wrote the screenplay and is directing the indie project, which began filming in December in Georgia, and will move on to shoot in Germany and India. DuVernay produces alongside Array’s Paul Garnes. J4A, a private equity fund dedicated to social justice projects, is financing.
Ellis is among the stars of the upcoming musical The Color Purple for Warner Bros., and has also wrapped on Fox Searchlight’s The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat...
Ellis will star in a film inspired by Caste: The Origins of Our Discontent, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Isabel Wilkerson’s 2020 nonfiction book that examines the system of hierarchy that shaped America. The book earned wide acclaim, and was part of Oprah’s Book Club.
DuVernay wrote the screenplay and is directing the indie project, which began filming in December in Georgia, and will move on to shoot in Germany and India. DuVernay produces alongside Array’s Paul Garnes. J4A, a private equity fund dedicated to social justice projects, is financing.
Ellis is among the stars of the upcoming musical The Color Purple for Warner Bros., and has also wrapped on Fox Searchlight’s The Supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat...
- 1/12/2023
- by Aaron Couch
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Academy Award-nominee Aunjanue Ellis has signed on to star in Ava DuVernay’s feature adaptation of “Caste.” The duo reunites following their Emmy-nominated collaboration, Netflix’s “When They See Us.”
Filming is underway on the project, which is inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winner Isabel Wilkerson’s bestseller “Caste: Origins of Our Discontent.” Described in The New York Times as “an instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far,” the book — and subsequently DuVernay’s film — examines the system of hierarchy that has shaped America.
Written and directed by DuVernay, she is also producing alongside frequent collaborator Array Filmworks’ Paul Garnes. Announced in October 2020 and set at Netflix, the independent film is financed by J4A. Production began in Georgia in December, with additional filming set to take place in Germany and India.
News that Ellis will take on the lead role comes following...
Filming is underway on the project, which is inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winner Isabel Wilkerson’s bestseller “Caste: Origins of Our Discontent.” Described in The New York Times as “an instant American classic and almost certainly the keynote nonfiction book of the American century thus far,” the book — and subsequently DuVernay’s film — examines the system of hierarchy that has shaped America.
Written and directed by DuVernay, she is also producing alongside frequent collaborator Array Filmworks’ Paul Garnes. Announced in October 2020 and set at Netflix, the independent film is financed by J4A. Production began in Georgia in December, with additional filming set to take place in Germany and India.
News that Ellis will take on the lead role comes following...
- 1/12/2023
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
After seven seasons, the Bordelon family’s journey came to an end. “Queen Sugar” signed off on Tuesday night with a poetic series finale centered around the importance of family — in all its forms.
Series creator Ava DuVernay wrote the finale, titled “For They Existed,” and returned to the director’s chair for the first time since helming the pilot and second episode.
In Variety’s Power of Women cover story celebrating the series’ legacy, the Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated filmmaker said she was “euphoric” about bookending the series as director and insisted she was wholly “satisfied” with the farewell ode.
“‘Queen Sugar’ is the longest commitment I’ve ever had — and we’re talking relationships too — and I did my very best every single day,” DuVernay explained, sitting alongside executive producer Oprah Winfrey. “In the end, there was no sadness; I was just so pleased, so proud. It was a satisfaction that was so deep,...
Series creator Ava DuVernay wrote the finale, titled “For They Existed,” and returned to the director’s chair for the first time since helming the pilot and second episode.
In Variety’s Power of Women cover story celebrating the series’ legacy, the Emmy-winning and Oscar-nominated filmmaker said she was “euphoric” about bookending the series as director and insisted she was wholly “satisfied” with the farewell ode.
“‘Queen Sugar’ is the longest commitment I’ve ever had — and we’re talking relationships too — and I did my very best every single day,” DuVernay explained, sitting alongside executive producer Oprah Winfrey. “In the end, there was no sadness; I was just so pleased, so proud. It was a satisfaction that was so deep,...
- 12/1/2022
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
Click here to read the full article.
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for Andor, Blonde, Do Revenge and Silent Twins.
Blonde Los Angeles premiere
Following Blonde‘s Venice debut, Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody and director Andrew Dominik brought their Netflix film to Los Angeles on Tuesday, premiering at the Tcl Chinese Theatre.
From left: Andrew Dominik, Ana de Armas and Adrien Brody From left: Ted Sarandos, Ana de Armas and Scott Stuber
Silent Twins special screening
Director Agnieszka Smoczyńska and star Letitia Wright attended a special New York City screening for their film Silent Twins on Tuesday at Metrograph.
From left: Kiska Higgs, Klaudia Smieja-Rostworowska, Letitia Wright, Agnieszka Smoczynska and Ben Pugh Danai Gurira (left) and Letitia Wright
Do Revenge special screening
Stars Maya Hawke, Camila Mendes, Sophie Turner and Sarah Michelle Gellar...
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for Andor, Blonde, Do Revenge and Silent Twins.
Blonde Los Angeles premiere
Following Blonde‘s Venice debut, Ana de Armas, Adrien Brody and director Andrew Dominik brought their Netflix film to Los Angeles on Tuesday, premiering at the Tcl Chinese Theatre.
From left: Andrew Dominik, Ana de Armas and Adrien Brody From left: Ted Sarandos, Ana de Armas and Scott Stuber
Silent Twins special screening
Director Agnieszka Smoczyńska and star Letitia Wright attended a special New York City screening for their film Silent Twins on Tuesday at Metrograph.
From left: Kiska Higgs, Klaudia Smieja-Rostworowska, Letitia Wright, Agnieszka Smoczynska and Ben Pugh Danai Gurira (left) and Letitia Wright
Do Revenge special screening
Stars Maya Hawke, Camila Mendes, Sophie Turner and Sarah Michelle Gellar...
- 9/16/2022
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Buzzfeed announced that Paul Ricci will join the company to lead unscripted television for BuzzFeed Studios. In the role, Ricci will oversee all unscripted television programming for the company’s Hollywood arm and entire portfolio of brands including BuzzFeed, Complex, Tasty and HuffPost. Ricci will report directly to the head of studios, Richard Alan Reid.
Ricci has more than 20 years of television experience within the entertainment industry, most recently co-founding development company BoomTown Content Co. In addition to Ricci’s hiring, BuzzFeed Studios will enter into a strategic development partnership with BoomTown Content Co. to develop new unscripted television projects. Recent projects include “The Kids Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” on Peacock, “Who Wants To Be An Astronaut?” on Discovery and other projects in varying stages. BoomTown Content Co. will continue to be helmed by co-founder Mark Efman.
At Viacom — now Paramount Global — Ricci served as Head of Alternative Series for MTV and VH1,...
Ricci has more than 20 years of television experience within the entertainment industry, most recently co-founding development company BoomTown Content Co. In addition to Ricci’s hiring, BuzzFeed Studios will enter into a strategic development partnership with BoomTown Content Co. to develop new unscripted television projects. Recent projects include “The Kids Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon” on Peacock, “Who Wants To Be An Astronaut?” on Discovery and other projects in varying stages. BoomTown Content Co. will continue to be helmed by co-founder Mark Efman.
At Viacom — now Paramount Global — Ricci served as Head of Alternative Series for MTV and VH1,...
- 8/9/2022
- by EJ Panaligan
- Variety Film + TV
Queen Sugar‘s last season finally has a premiere date: Season 7 of OWN’s award-winning drama will kick off Tuesday, Sept. 6 at 8/7c, the cabler announced Saturday.
Creator and executive producer Ava DuVernay will return to direct the series finale, wrapping up seven seasons of the all-women directorial team that she originally envisioned at the outset of production back in 2016.
More from TVLineQueen Sugar Final-Season Castings Include Kaci Walfall, Lamman RuckerQueen Sugar's Tina Lifford Breaks Down Season 6 Finale's Bordelon Win and Vi's Overdue Reunion With BlueAll Rise's Wilson Bethel Previews His Directorial Debut, Teases Twist in Mark and Amy's...
Creator and executive producer Ava DuVernay will return to direct the series finale, wrapping up seven seasons of the all-women directorial team that she originally envisioned at the outset of production back in 2016.
More from TVLineQueen Sugar Final-Season Castings Include Kaci Walfall, Lamman RuckerQueen Sugar's Tina Lifford Breaks Down Season 6 Finale's Bordelon Win and Vi's Overdue Reunion With BlueAll Rise's Wilson Bethel Previews His Directorial Debut, Teases Twist in Mark and Amy's...
- 8/6/2022
- by Nick Caruso
- TVLine.com
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