Belarusian filmmakers and industry professionals gathered in Berlin on Friday to announce the launch of the Belarusian Film Academy (BIFA), an organization formed to give a platform to independent filmmakers in the repressive former Soviet republic and staunch Kremlin ally.
Born in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when more than 130 Belarusian filmmakers signed a collective statement condemning the unprovoked act of aggression, the academy was created to “solidify, unite and support” their voices, according to co-founder Volia Chajkouskaya.
“Living under state censorship and control, we have been searching for ways to unite for a long time,” said Chajkouskaya, a producer, director and founder of the Northern Lights Film Festival. “Since [the start of the Ukraine war], we all continued to face challenges individually and felt that we should unite in solidarity to form a unified front.”
The Belarusian Film Academy’s founding members are Chajkouskaya; director Aliaksei Paluyan, whose 2021 documentary “Courage” (pictured) played in Berlin; Darya Zhuk,...
Born in the wake of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, when more than 130 Belarusian filmmakers signed a collective statement condemning the unprovoked act of aggression, the academy was created to “solidify, unite and support” their voices, according to co-founder Volia Chajkouskaya.
“Living under state censorship and control, we have been searching for ways to unite for a long time,” said Chajkouskaya, a producer, director and founder of the Northern Lights Film Festival. “Since [the start of the Ukraine war], we all continued to face challenges individually and felt that we should unite in solidarity to form a unified front.”
The Belarusian Film Academy’s founding members are Chajkouskaya; director Aliaksei Paluyan, whose 2021 documentary “Courage” (pictured) played in Berlin; Darya Zhuk,...
- 2/17/2023
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
A possible future for Belarusian cinema was unveiled Friday in Berlin, when a group of Belarusian filmmakers, all of whom fled government repression and state-sponsored violence, launched the first independent Belarusian Film Academy.
Filmmakers Volia Chajkouskaya (Yoyogi), Aliaksei Paluyan (Courage), Darya Zhuk (Crystal Swan) and Andrei Kutsila (When Flowers Are Not Silent) founded the Academy together with festival programmer Igor Soukmanov and film critic Irena Kaciałovič.
In Berlin, they said the Academy would aim to “unite independent Belarusian filmmakers and bring their voices to the forefront of global consciousness,” to “disseminate information [about] the social and political crisis in Belarus and independent Belarusian cinema” and to “fight censorship restrictions and to defend artistic freedom.”
But they were also in Berlin to get down to business. With no access to state funding — the independent Academy is boycotting the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko — the filmmakers are eager to find co-producers and finance partners elsewhere in Europe.
Filmmakers Volia Chajkouskaya (Yoyogi), Aliaksei Paluyan (Courage), Darya Zhuk (Crystal Swan) and Andrei Kutsila (When Flowers Are Not Silent) founded the Academy together with festival programmer Igor Soukmanov and film critic Irena Kaciałovič.
In Berlin, they said the Academy would aim to “unite independent Belarusian filmmakers and bring their voices to the forefront of global consciousness,” to “disseminate information [about] the social and political crisis in Belarus and independent Belarusian cinema” and to “fight censorship restrictions and to defend artistic freedom.”
But they were also in Berlin to get down to business. With no access to state funding — the independent Academy is boycotting the regime of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko — the filmmakers are eager to find co-producers and finance partners elsewhere in Europe.
- 2/17/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
New films by Zhuk, Paluyan and Kutsila among 17 projects to be presented in Belarus showcase at Film Academy launch on Friday.
New films by Darya Zhuk, Aliaksei Paluyan and Andrei Kustila are among 17 upcoming fiction and documentary projects by independent Belarusian filmmakers to be presented at the launch of the Belarusian Independent Film Academy at the EFM this morning.
Zhuk’s Until This Summer, which was one of the projects pitched at the 2021 edition of Connecting Cottbus East-West co-production market, follows three female protagonists whose paths overlap during one day in August 2020 which dramatically shifted the public’s perception of the ruling regime as unjust.
New films by Darya Zhuk, Aliaksei Paluyan and Andrei Kustila are among 17 upcoming fiction and documentary projects by independent Belarusian filmmakers to be presented at the launch of the Belarusian Independent Film Academy at the EFM this morning.
Zhuk’s Until This Summer, which was one of the projects pitched at the 2021 edition of Connecting Cottbus East-West co-production market, follows three female protagonists whose paths overlap during one day in August 2020 which dramatically shifted the public’s perception of the ruling regime as unjust.
- 2/17/2023
- by Martin Blaney
- ScreenDaily
Filmmakers from Belarus who have fled government repression and state-sponsored violence have launched an independent Belarusian film academy to represent the country’s cinema artists in exile.
The Academy’s founders include producer Volia Chajkouskaya (Yoyogi); directors Aliaksei Paluyan (Courage), Darya Zhuk (Crystal Swan) and Andrei Kutsila (When Flowers are Not Silent); festival programmer Igor Soukmanov; and film critic Irena Kaciałovič.
Thousands of Belarusians fled the country in the wake of the brutal government crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protestors who began mass demonstrations following the contested 2020 presidential election, in which authoritarian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka claimed victory despite widespread evidence of voting fraud.
Independent artists living in Belarus are under “constant threat of persecution, imprisonment and torture,” the group, which calls itself the Belarusian Independent Film Academy (BIFA), said in a statement Friday. “As well as a need to leave the country in order to continue working without state repression and...
The Academy’s founders include producer Volia Chajkouskaya (Yoyogi); directors Aliaksei Paluyan (Courage), Darya Zhuk (Crystal Swan) and Andrei Kutsila (When Flowers are Not Silent); festival programmer Igor Soukmanov; and film critic Irena Kaciałovič.
Thousands of Belarusians fled the country in the wake of the brutal government crackdown on peaceful pro-democracy protestors who began mass demonstrations following the contested 2020 presidential election, in which authoritarian leader Aliaksandr Lukashenka claimed victory despite widespread evidence of voting fraud.
Independent artists living in Belarus are under “constant threat of persecution, imprisonment and torture,” the group, which calls itself the Belarusian Independent Film Academy (BIFA), said in a statement Friday. “As well as a need to leave the country in order to continue working without state repression and...
- 2/10/2023
- by Scott Roxborough
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
A new independent film academy has launched out of Belarus to support the country’s independent artists.
The Belarusian Film Academy (BIFA) will officially launch during this month’s Berlin Film Festival, where an industry presentation will be made in partnership with the European Film Market.
The org has been set up in response to a “constant threat” of persecution, imprisonment and torture against independent artists living in Belarus, who are forced to leave the country in order to work without state repression. Belarus neighbors both Ukraine and Russia, and has supported Russia in its nearly year-long war against Ukraine. Belarus allowed Moscow to stage part of its invasion from Belarusian territory in February 2022, and has also enabled missiles to strike Ukraine from within its borders.
The founding members of the new academy include: Volia Chajkouskaya, Aliaksei Paluyan (film director), Darya Zhuk (film director), Irena Kaciałovič (film critic), Andrei Kutsila...
The Belarusian Film Academy (BIFA) will officially launch during this month’s Berlin Film Festival, where an industry presentation will be made in partnership with the European Film Market.
The org has been set up in response to a “constant threat” of persecution, imprisonment and torture against independent artists living in Belarus, who are forced to leave the country in order to work without state repression. Belarus neighbors both Ukraine and Russia, and has supported Russia in its nearly year-long war against Ukraine. Belarus allowed Moscow to stage part of its invasion from Belarusian territory in February 2022, and has also enabled missiles to strike Ukraine from within its borders.
The founding members of the new academy include: Volia Chajkouskaya, Aliaksei Paluyan (film director), Darya Zhuk (film director), Irena Kaciałovič (film critic), Andrei Kutsila...
- 2/1/2023
- by Manori Ravindran
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Ariel Meislin has left ICM Partners, where she has been a lit agent focusing on directors, to join Kaplan/Perrone Entertainment as a manager. She will become Kaplan/Perrone’s first New York City hire and is tasked with establishing the New York office as the lit management/production company expands its footprint outside of Los Angeles. She also will continue to focus on filmmakers.
Meislin began her career in ICM’s mailroom and rose through the ranks to become an agent in less than two years. Since her promotion to agent two a half years ago, she has built her roster by identifying and transitioning filmmakers from the feature space into television, specializing in international voices. Her clients at ICM included Debs Paterson, Ed Lilly, Alex Gabassi, Amit Gupta (His Dark Materials), Darya Zhuk (Little America), Marialy Rivas, Catriona McKenzie (Marvel’s upcoming Echo), and Stacey Gregg (The Baby), among others. Some of her clients are expected to join Meislin at Kaplan/Perrone.
“We’ve been continually impressed by Ariel’s keen eye at identifying fantastic voices, as well as her tireless focus on accelerating the careers of her clients,” the partners at Kaplan/Perrone said in a statement. “Having a full-time presence in New York will enhance our ability to effectively represent clients on a global level and we feel Ariel’s strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit are the ideal fit for Kpe.”
Meislin is the latest ICM agent to depart for another agency or management company ahead of company’s pending acquisition by CAA.
Meislin began her career in ICM’s mailroom and rose through the ranks to become an agent in less than two years. Since her promotion to agent two a half years ago, she has built her roster by identifying and transitioning filmmakers from the feature space into television, specializing in international voices. Her clients at ICM included Debs Paterson, Ed Lilly, Alex Gabassi, Amit Gupta (His Dark Materials), Darya Zhuk (Little America), Marialy Rivas, Catriona McKenzie (Marvel’s upcoming Echo), and Stacey Gregg (The Baby), among others. Some of her clients are expected to join Meislin at Kaplan/Perrone.
“We’ve been continually impressed by Ariel’s keen eye at identifying fantastic voices, as well as her tireless focus on accelerating the careers of her clients,” the partners at Kaplan/Perrone said in a statement. “Having a full-time presence in New York will enhance our ability to effectively represent clients on a global level and we feel Ariel’s strong work ethic and entrepreneurial spirit are the ideal fit for Kpe.”
Meislin is the latest ICM agent to depart for another agency or management company ahead of company’s pending acquisition by CAA.
- 6/14/2022
- by Nellie Andreeva and Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Netflix is the latest studio to hit the brakes on their Russian releases in response to the country's ongoing invasion of Ukraine. According to a new report from Variety, the streamer is pausing production of any and all future projects and acquisitions from Russia.
This includes four original Russian-language Netflix originals in various stages of production, like a new adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina," which wrapped filming last year and was set to be the country's first Netflix series. There's also "Zato," a crime thriller set in the 1990s from Darya Zhuk and Stanislav Libin that followed the fall of the Soviet Union and is currently in production,...
The post Netflix Presses Pause on All Projects With Russia appeared first on /Film.
This includes four original Russian-language Netflix originals in various stages of production, like a new adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's "Anna Karenina," which wrapped filming last year and was set to be the country's first Netflix series. There's also "Zato," a crime thriller set in the 1990s from Darya Zhuk and Stanislav Libin that followed the fall of the Soviet Union and is currently in production,...
The post Netflix Presses Pause on All Projects With Russia appeared first on /Film.
- 3/2/2022
- by Rafael Motamayor
- Slash Film
Update #2 (3/2): Netflix has joined the major Hollywood studio push against Russia, putting a hold on its Russian projects and acquisitions, Variety reports. Netflix had four Russian originals in-the-works, which have now been paused. These include the streamer’s first original series filming in Russia, a crime thriller directed by Darya Zhuk.
Update (3/1): Universal, following the lead of other major movie studios, has decided to put its theatrical releases in Russia on hold amid the invasion of Ukraine, Deadline reports. Universal didn’t name any specific titles, but it...
Update (3/1): Universal, following the lead of other major movie studios, has decided to put its theatrical releases in Russia on hold amid the invasion of Ukraine, Deadline reports. Universal didn’t name any specific titles, but it...
- 3/2/2022
- by Tomás Mier
- Rollingstone.com
Netflix has paused all productions and acquisitions out of Russia in the wake of its invasion of Ukraine, according to a just-published report in Variety. Representatives at Netflix could not immediately be reached for comment from IndieWire.
Netflix reportedly had four Russian original projects in the works. One project affected is a crime thriller series currently in production that has now been put on hold. The neo-noir mystery series “Zato” was set to be the streamer’s first original series filmed in Russia. The series is set around uncertainties in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union. From directors Darya Zhuk and Stanislav Libin, “Zato” was first announced in early February 2022.
The streamer currently offers a robust slate of Russian film and TV series on its platforms globally and in the United States, including the popular animated kids’ program “Masha the Bear,” the drama thriller series “To the Lake,...
Netflix reportedly had four Russian original projects in the works. One project affected is a crime thriller series currently in production that has now been put on hold. The neo-noir mystery series “Zato” was set to be the streamer’s first original series filmed in Russia. The series is set around uncertainties in the aftermath of the fall of the Soviet Union. From directors Darya Zhuk and Stanislav Libin, “Zato” was first announced in early February 2022.
The streamer currently offers a robust slate of Russian film and TV series on its platforms globally and in the United States, including the popular animated kids’ program “Masha the Bear,” the drama thriller series “To the Lake,...
- 3/2/2022
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Ukrainian Fipresci branch has issued a letter calling for colleagues to actively support Russia’s isolation.
The Belarusian film community has sent out an open letter to film professionals around the world, condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We, Belarusian film community, strongly condemn the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. We are outraged that the Russian aggressor uses our territory for launching deadly missiles to Ukraine.
“Many Belarusian filmmakers were welcomed and supported in Ukraine after the repressions we suffered in 2020. We express our strong solidarity with the brave Ukrainian nation that fearlessly fights for the freedom of their country.
The Belarusian film community has sent out an open letter to film professionals around the world, condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
“We, Belarusian film community, strongly condemn the Russian military aggression against Ukraine. We are outraged that the Russian aggressor uses our territory for launching deadly missiles to Ukraine.
“Many Belarusian filmmakers were welcomed and supported in Ukraine after the repressions we suffered in 2020. We express our strong solidarity with the brave Ukrainian nation that fearlessly fights for the freedom of their country.
- 3/1/2022
- by Vladan Petkovic
- ScreenDaily
Filming began on August 30 and runs until October 8.
Danish filmmaker Malene Choi has started production on her new feature The Quiet Migration, in the countryside on the Djursland peninsula in Denmark.
Filming began on August 30, and will continue until October 8.
Choi’s last feature was the 2018 documentary/fiction hybrid The Return, which world premiered in Rotterdam and played dozens of other festivals including Goteborg, Vilnius, Cph:dox, Hot Docs, Seattle, New Horizons and Edinburgh.
The Quiet Migration, her first fully fictional feature, also looks at the consequences and complexity of transnational adoption, as seen in the story of Carl, originally from...
Danish filmmaker Malene Choi has started production on her new feature The Quiet Migration, in the countryside on the Djursland peninsula in Denmark.
Filming began on August 30, and will continue until October 8.
Choi’s last feature was the 2018 documentary/fiction hybrid The Return, which world premiered in Rotterdam and played dozens of other festivals including Goteborg, Vilnius, Cph:dox, Hot Docs, Seattle, New Horizons and Edinburgh.
The Quiet Migration, her first fully fictional feature, also looks at the consequences and complexity of transnational adoption, as seen in the story of Carl, originally from...
- 9/16/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
FX released a new trailer for “American Horror Story: Double Feature,” the 10th season of “American Horror Story,” which premieres on FX on Aug. 25 at 10 p.m.
Each season of the horror anthology series follows new characters in a new setting, and this “Red Tide” trailer sees a struggling writer (Finn Wittrock), his pregnant wife (Lily Rabe) and their young daughter move to an isolated beach town with mysterious residents for the winter.
The series is executive produced by creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, along with Alexis Martin Woodall, John J. Gray and Manny Coto. Watch the trailer below.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
First Looks
CBS Media Ventures released a trailer for “The Rachael Ray Show” premiering on Sept. 13. The trailer features Capital Cities’ song “One More Minute.” and clips of Ray garnishing dishes, drinking wine and laughing in her kitchen. Guests include Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz,...
Each season of the horror anthology series follows new characters in a new setting, and this “Red Tide” trailer sees a struggling writer (Finn Wittrock), his pregnant wife (Lily Rabe) and their young daughter move to an isolated beach town with mysterious residents for the winter.
The series is executive produced by creators Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk, along with Alexis Martin Woodall, John J. Gray and Manny Coto. Watch the trailer below.
Also in today’s TV news roundup:
First Looks
CBS Media Ventures released a trailer for “The Rachael Ray Show” premiering on Sept. 13. The trailer features Capital Cities’ song “One More Minute.” and clips of Ray garnishing dishes, drinking wine and laughing in her kitchen. Guests include Jessica Alba, Cameron Diaz,...
- 8/13/2021
- by Selome Hailu and Jennifer Yuma
- Variety Film + TV
B.J. Novak’s previously untitled comedy anthology series for FX now has a title and fresh lineup of stars set to appear. Created, written and hosted by Novak, The Premise adds Ben Platt, Tracee Ellis Ross, Daniel Dae Kim, Lola Kirke, Soko, Jermaine Fowler, Ayo Edebiri, Eric Lange to its cast.
Set to debut on FX on Hulu with two episodes on Thursday, September 16, The Premise is a new series that uses comedy to engage with the biggest issues of our unprecedented modern era. The series combines comedic premises with dramatic performances, creating a new tone for a new time. Previously announced cast members are Lucas Hedges, Kaitlyn Dever, Jon Bernthal, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Ed Asner, George Wallace, Boyd Holbrook and Beau Bridges.
Executive producers for The Premise are Novak and John Lesher. The series is produced by FX Productions.
In addition to unveiling the series’ title and the latest cast members,...
Set to debut on FX on Hulu with two episodes on Thursday, September 16, The Premise is a new series that uses comedy to engage with the biggest issues of our unprecedented modern era. The series combines comedic premises with dramatic performances, creating a new tone for a new time. Previously announced cast members are Lucas Hedges, Kaitlyn Dever, Jon Bernthal, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Ed Asner, George Wallace, Boyd Holbrook and Beau Bridges.
Executive producers for The Premise are Novak and John Lesher. The series is produced by FX Productions.
In addition to unveiling the series’ title and the latest cast members,...
- 7/26/2021
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
2019 Foreign Language Film Oscar Submissions Algeria – Until The End Of Time – Yasmine Chouikh Argentina– The Angel (El Angel) – Luis Ortega Austria – The Waldheim Waltz – Ruth Beckermann Belarus – Crystal Swan – Darya Zhuk Belgium – Girl – Lukas Dhont Bolivia – Muralla – Rodrigo Patiño Bosnia – Never Leave Me – Aida Begic Brazil – The Great Mystical Circus – Carlos Diegues Bulgaria – Omnipresent – Ilian Djevelekov Cambodia – Graves Without A Name – Rithy Pan Canada – Watch Dog – Sophie Dupuis Chile – And Suddenly The Dawn – Silvio Caiozzi Colombia– Birds of Passage, Cristina Gallego & Ciro Guerra Croatia – The Eighth Commissioner – Ivan Salaj Czech Republic – Winter Flies – Olmo Omerzu Denmark – The Guilty – Gustav Möller Dominican Republic – Cocote – Nelson Carlo de los Santos Ecuador – A Son Of Man – Jamaicanoproblem and Pablo Agüero Egypt – Yomeddine – Abu Bakr Shawky Estonia – Take It Or Leave It – Liina Trishkina-Vanhatalo Finland – Euthanizer – Teemu Nikin France – Memoir Of War – Emmanuel Finkiel Georgia – Namme – Zaza Khalvashi Germany – Never Look Away – Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck...
- 8/21/2020
- by Nancy Tartaglione
- Deadline Film + TV
The country has seen widespread protests at its election results.
22 European film bodies have issued an appeal in support of the people of Belarus. The country has seen a week of protests following its 2020 presidential elections, leading to state violence against demonstrators.
Organisations including the European Film Academy, the European Producers Club, the Accademia del Cinema Italiano, and the Federation of European Film Directors have co-signed the letter. A full list of signatories is below.
It states: “We, European filmmakers, demand from the Belarusian authorities to immediately cease the violence, to respect the freedom of choice of the Belarusian people,...
22 European film bodies have issued an appeal in support of the people of Belarus. The country has seen a week of protests following its 2020 presidential elections, leading to state violence against demonstrators.
Organisations including the European Film Academy, the European Producers Club, the Accademia del Cinema Italiano, and the Federation of European Film Directors have co-signed the letter. A full list of signatories is below.
It states: “We, European filmmakers, demand from the Belarusian authorities to immediately cease the violence, to respect the freedom of choice of the Belarusian people,...
- 8/19/2020
- by 1101321¦Ben Dalton¦26¦
- ScreenDaily
In the weeks following the inaugural edition of the Key Buyers Event, a showcase for new Russian productions held in Moscow last fall, Roskino CEO Evgenia Markova reached out to scores of international guests who had made the trip to the Russian capital. After what was largely perceived as a successful event, in which dozens of Russian titles sold to foreign buyers, Markova wanted to understand what else the film promotion body could do to support the continued growth of the Russian industry.
One piece of advice stood out. “Not many Russian names are known abroad,” says Markova. The consensus among many of the buyers in attendance was that “this is definitely what [Roskino] should work on: you should promote your actors, your producers, your directors. You should show the world you exist.”
For the Key Buyers Event: Digital Edition, an online platform to showcase and promote Russian content that takes...
One piece of advice stood out. “Not many Russian names are known abroad,” says Markova. The consensus among many of the buyers in attendance was that “this is definitely what [Roskino] should work on: you should promote your actors, your producers, your directors. You should show the world you exist.”
For the Key Buyers Event: Digital Edition, an online platform to showcase and promote Russian content that takes...
- 6/10/2020
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Get in touch to send in cinephile news and discoveries. For daily updates follow us @NotebookMUBI.Newshbo Max has announced plans to release the "Snyder Cut," a highly demanded director's cut of Zack Snyder's Justice League. Hollywood Reporter delves into the development of the project and the fan-based movement behind bringing Snyder's vision to life. Venice's governor has announced that the film festival will proceed as planned this September. Meanwhile, Cannes is unveiling plans for its unprecedented "virtual film market," which will have to mediate different time zones and a lack of premiere buzz. Recommended VIEWINGDavid Lynch has released his 2015 short film Fire (Pozar) for free online. The animated film, a collaboration with Polish musician Marek Zebrowski, is a nightmarish vision of formless beings and houses on fire. For Deadline's new series The Film That Lit My Fuse, Francis Ford Coppola discusses Sergei Eisenstein's October (Ten Days That Shook...
- 5/27/2020
- MUBI
Close-Up is a feature that spotlights films now playing on Mubi. Darya Zhuk's Crystal Swan is receiving its exclusive digital premiere on Mubi, and is showing May 23 - June 22, 2020 in most countries.Minsk, 1996: statues of Lenin have been dislocated from their urban placement to heritage museums, as well as, most surprisingly, nightclubs. Early on, Darya Zhuk’s Crystal Swan plunges its audience into an underground setting, where neon lights drench the Soviet leader’s sculpted features while youngsters sway in a trance-like state. Iconically, the early house music anthem “Move Your Body” by Marshall Jefferson flags the prodigal freedom of a whole post-1989 generation. The film itself offers a singular coming-of-age story, where a law-graduate-turned-dj Velya’s (Alina Nasbullina) abstract dream of fleeing to the U.S. is hindered by bureaucratic complications. When unexpected circumstances lead Velya to a countryside town, she comes face to face with societal pressures,...
- 5/27/2020
- MUBI
Darya Zhuk's Crystal Swan is receiving its exclusive digital premiere on Mubi, and is showing May 23 - June 22, 2020 in most countries.Crystal Swan is a love letter to friends I grew up with. During my coming of age in Belarus in the 90s, I felt that all my friends around me had been dreaming of coming to the West. This yearning to explore the West permeated my youth.I first conceived of a film about the American Dream standing in a long line to the U.S. embassy in Minsk, much like the second scene of Crystal Swan. I was getting my student visa to go study in the U.S. The air was full of suspense and high stakes innate to good drama that I imagined this one queue of people waiting for their dreams to come true could itself be a great documentary. But it was prohibited to film at the embassy,...
- 5/22/2020
- MUBI
Twice Oscar-nominated producer Alexander Rodnyansky is to present the Russian crime drama “Frozen Land” at the Co-Pro Pitching Sessions at Series Mania (March 25 to April 7), which is an all-digital affair this year. Rodnyansky spoke to Variety about the show.
The eight-part series, written by Sergey Kaluzhanov (pictured right) and directed by Darya Zhuk (pictured left), is based on the real-life reign of terror inflicted by a serial rapist and murderer in Khakassia, a remote region in Siberia, Russia.
An important element of the story is the indifference shown by the police to the first rape victims, before the rapist becomes a murderer. However, the main protagonist isn’t a policeman, a victim or the killer, but his girlfriend, Stella, a single mother.
“She led a rather ordinary and bleak life before meeting Dmitry Lebed, the serial killer at the center of ‘Frozen Land,’ whom she sees as the love of her life.
The eight-part series, written by Sergey Kaluzhanov (pictured right) and directed by Darya Zhuk (pictured left), is based on the real-life reign of terror inflicted by a serial rapist and murderer in Khakassia, a remote region in Siberia, Russia.
An important element of the story is the indifference shown by the police to the first rape victims, before the rapist becomes a murderer. However, the main protagonist isn’t a policeman, a victim or the killer, but his girlfriend, Stella, a single mother.
“She led a rather ordinary and bleak life before meeting Dmitry Lebed, the serial killer at the center of ‘Frozen Land,’ whom she sees as the love of her life.
- 3/25/2020
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
The Bloom/Spiegel Film Exchange, an alliance between New York’s Ifp Marcie Bloom Fellowship in Film and the Jerusalem-based Sam Spiegel Film School and lab, has selected the nine filmmakers who will take part in its fourth edition.
The cross-cultural program will welcome Israeli filmmakers including Aalam-Warque Davidian, Margarita Belaklav, Tamar
Kay, Tal Miller, and Noa Shaham from the Sam Spiegel lab. They will be joined by Adrian Cardenas, Ben Gottlieb, Haley Anderson and Katrina Vogl from the New York-based Marcie Bloom Fellowship.
During a four-day seminar, the participants will meet with producers, directors, foreign sales agents, festival directors, programmers, poster designers, restorers and visit unique theaters and companies around the city. These meetings are meant to help them develop relationships with the film industry and encourage future collaborations.
“we started the Marcie Bloom Fellowship with the intention of bringing together a dynamic community of thoughtful, kind hearted and extremely curious filmmakers,...
The cross-cultural program will welcome Israeli filmmakers including Aalam-Warque Davidian, Margarita Belaklav, Tamar
Kay, Tal Miller, and Noa Shaham from the Sam Spiegel lab. They will be joined by Adrian Cardenas, Ben Gottlieb, Haley Anderson and Katrina Vogl from the New York-based Marcie Bloom Fellowship.
During a four-day seminar, the participants will meet with producers, directors, foreign sales agents, festival directors, programmers, poster designers, restorers and visit unique theaters and companies around the city. These meetings are meant to help them develop relationships with the film industry and encourage future collaborations.
“we started the Marcie Bloom Fellowship with the intention of bringing together a dynamic community of thoughtful, kind hearted and extremely curious filmmakers,...
- 3/13/2020
- by Elsa Keslassy
- Variety Film + TV
When Karlovy Vary Film Festival’s East of the West competition opened to submissions from the Middle East two years ago, festival artistic director Karel Och noted it was “about time to abandon the political definition of the ‘East of the West’ countries,” long determined by the geographical boundaries hemming in the former Soviet bloc.
Though not the first time the section rewrote its borders — Greece, Turkey and Cyprus were also invited to compete several years ago — the decision was a clear sign that a competition long known for championing distinctive new cinematic voices was evolving to keep pace with the times.
This year’s selection is no exception, with formal experimentation and provocative storytelling marking many of the 12 films in competition. “We always try to put together a colorful selection, to combine films with different artistic approaches, various genres,” says programmer Lenka Tyrpakova. “We aim to discover distinctive auteur...
Though not the first time the section rewrote its borders — Greece, Turkey and Cyprus were also invited to compete several years ago — the decision was a clear sign that a competition long known for championing distinctive new cinematic voices was evolving to keep pace with the times.
This year’s selection is no exception, with formal experimentation and provocative storytelling marking many of the 12 films in competition. “We always try to put together a colorful selection, to combine films with different artistic approaches, various genres,” says programmer Lenka Tyrpakova. “We aim to discover distinctive auteur...
- 6/25/2019
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
The story of Femen, the feminist protest group famous for its topless protests, is coming to the big screen.
France's Pan-Européenne and Ukraine's Arthouse Traffic have signed a deal to co-produce Our Breasts Are Our Weapons: The History of the Femen Movement, a fictional adaptation of the history of the movement, which began in Ukraine and has spread around the world. An as-yet-unnamed German partner will co-produce.
Darya Zhuk, whose first feature effort, Crystal Swan, was Belarus' entry in the best foreign language film Oscar race last year, will direct.
Ukrainian writer, artist and activist Natalia Blok will pen ...
France's Pan-Européenne and Ukraine's Arthouse Traffic have signed a deal to co-produce Our Breasts Are Our Weapons: The History of the Femen Movement, a fictional adaptation of the history of the movement, which began in Ukraine and has spread around the world. An as-yet-unnamed German partner will co-produce.
Darya Zhuk, whose first feature effort, Crystal Swan, was Belarus' entry in the best foreign language film Oscar race last year, will direct.
Ukrainian writer, artist and activist Natalia Blok will pen ...
- 6/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The story of Femen, the feminist protest group famous for its topless protests, is coming to the big screen.
France's Pan-Européenne and Ukraine's Arthouse Traffic have signed a deal to co-produce Our Breasts Are Our Weapons: The History of the Femen Movement, a fictional adaptation of the history of the movement, which began in Ukraine and has spread around the world. An as-yet-unnamed German partner will co-produce.
Darya Zhuk, whose first feature effort, Crystal Swan, was Belarus' entry in the best foreign language film Oscar race last year, will direct.
Ukrainian writer, artist and activist Natalia Blok will pen ...
France's Pan-Européenne and Ukraine's Arthouse Traffic have signed a deal to co-produce Our Breasts Are Our Weapons: The History of the Femen Movement, a fictional adaptation of the history of the movement, which began in Ukraine and has spread around the world. An as-yet-unnamed German partner will co-produce.
Darya Zhuk, whose first feature effort, Crystal Swan, was Belarus' entry in the best foreign language film Oscar race last year, will direct.
Ukrainian writer, artist and activist Natalia Blok will pen ...
- 6/20/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has announced the lineup for its 34th edition, which takes place from Jan. 30 to Feb. 9. Sixty-three world premieres will debut at the California fest, which is also hosting 59 U.S. premieres from 48 countries. “Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy” will open the festival, with “Spoons: A Santa Barbara Story” closing it.
Sbiff also serves as an awards-season stop, and this year’s honorees include Viggo Mortensen, Glenn Close, Melissa McCarthy, Yalitza Aparicio, Sam Elliott, Elsie Fisher, Claire Foy, Richard E. Grant, Thomasin McKenzie, John David Washington, Steven Yeun, and Michael B. Jordan.
Here’s the lineup:
Babysplitters, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Sam Friedlander
Better Together, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Isaac Hernández
The Bird Catcher, Norway, UK – World Premiere
Directed by Ross Clarke
Cemetery Park, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Brandon Alvis
Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy,...
Sbiff also serves as an awards-season stop, and this year’s honorees include Viggo Mortensen, Glenn Close, Melissa McCarthy, Yalitza Aparicio, Sam Elliott, Elsie Fisher, Claire Foy, Richard E. Grant, Thomasin McKenzie, John David Washington, Steven Yeun, and Michael B. Jordan.
Here’s the lineup:
Babysplitters, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Sam Friedlander
Better Together, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Isaac Hernández
The Bird Catcher, Norway, UK – World Premiere
Directed by Ross Clarke
Cemetery Park, USA – World Premiere
Directed by Brandon Alvis
Diving Deep: The Life and Times of Mike deGruy,...
- 1/12/2019
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
The Slamdance Film Festival has unveiled its 25th anniversary narrative and documentary feature film competition programs, as well as the lineup for its new breakouts section.
The narrative lineup includes the coming-of-age drama “Spiral Farm,” starring Piper De Palma, daughter of director Brian De Palma, who is making her feature debut as a teenage girl growing up on a commune where life is disrupted by the arrival of two outsiders, a father and son. Amanda Plummer (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”), Teo Halm (“Earth to Echo”), and Jade Fusco (“Youth in Revolt”) co-star.
The festival, launched in 1995 as an alternative to Sundance, has included showings of such notable titles as Oren Peli’s “Paranormal Activity.” The fest, which takes place at the Treasure Mountain Inn in Park City, Utah, from Jan. 25 to Jan. 31, will screen 18 movies including 10 world premieres, four North American premieres, and four U.S. premieres.
Slamdance alumni include Joe and Anthony Russo,...
The narrative lineup includes the coming-of-age drama “Spiral Farm,” starring Piper De Palma, daughter of director Brian De Palma, who is making her feature debut as a teenage girl growing up on a commune where life is disrupted by the arrival of two outsiders, a father and son. Amanda Plummer (“The Hunger Games: Catching Fire”), Teo Halm (“Earth to Echo”), and Jade Fusco (“Youth in Revolt”) co-star.
The festival, launched in 1995 as an alternative to Sundance, has included showings of such notable titles as Oren Peli’s “Paranormal Activity.” The fest, which takes place at the Treasure Mountain Inn in Park City, Utah, from Jan. 25 to Jan. 31, will screen 18 movies including 10 world premieres, four North American premieres, and four U.S. premieres.
Slamdance alumni include Joe and Anthony Russo,...
- 11/26/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Slamdance has revealed their narrative and documentary feature film competition lineup for their 2019 festival. The fest takes place January 25-31, 2019 in Park City.
This year marks the 25th year of the festival and includes 11 narrative features and 9 documentaries throwing their hats in the ring for the competition. The fest will also include 10 World, 4 North American, and 4 U.S. premieres. All competition films were selected by a team of Slamdance alumni and are feature length directorial debuts with budgets of less than $1 million Usd, and without Us distribution.
Slamdance will also welcome back the Russo Fellowship — a $25,000 prize launched in 2018 by celebrated festival alumni Anthony Russo and Joe Russo to provide a deserving filmmaker with mentorship from the Russo duo.
In addition, the festival will introduce the new Breakouts section, which features non-first-time-feature directors who demonstrate a determined vision...
This year marks the 25th year of the festival and includes 11 narrative features and 9 documentaries throwing their hats in the ring for the competition. The fest will also include 10 World, 4 North American, and 4 U.S. premieres. All competition films were selected by a team of Slamdance alumni and are feature length directorial debuts with budgets of less than $1 million Usd, and without Us distribution.
Slamdance will also welcome back the Russo Fellowship — a $25,000 prize launched in 2018 by celebrated festival alumni Anthony Russo and Joe Russo to provide a deserving filmmaker with mentorship from the Russo duo.
In addition, the festival will introduce the new Breakouts section, which features non-first-time-feature directors who demonstrate a determined vision...
- 11/26/2018
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Festival to run in Park City, Utah, from January 25-31.
The Slamdance Film Festival organisers have unveiled the narrative and documentary feature competition line-ups, as well as the new Breakouts section for the festival’s 25th edition in January.
The feature competition programme boasts 18 premieres, including 10 world, four North American, and four Us debuts from an array of global filmmakers hailing from Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Germany, India, Italy, Kenya, Poland, South Africa, and the UK.
All competition films are feature-length directorial debuts with budgets of less than $1m, and without Us distribution. Films in both categories are eligible for the Audience Award,...
The Slamdance Film Festival organisers have unveiled the narrative and documentary feature competition line-ups, as well as the new Breakouts section for the festival’s 25th edition in January.
The feature competition programme boasts 18 premieres, including 10 world, four North American, and four Us debuts from an array of global filmmakers hailing from Argentina, Belarus, Brazil, Germany, India, Italy, Kenya, Poland, South Africa, and the UK.
All competition films are feature-length directorial debuts with budgets of less than $1m, and without Us distribution. Films in both categories are eligible for the Audience Award,...
- 11/26/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Slamdance Film Festival has announced the lineups for its 2019 Narrative and Documentary Feature Film Competition programs. The festival, which takes place annually in Park City, Utah, is celebrating its 25th anniversary next year. In addition to the narrative and documentary features in competition, Slamdance has also announced the lineup for its inaugural Breakouts Section.
Featured films playing at Slamdance are all directorial debuts made for less than $1 million and without U.S. distribution. The films were selected for the 2019 festival by a team of Slamdance alumni. Films in both categories are eligible for the Audience Award and Spirit of Slamdance Award, the latter of which is voted upon by filmmakers at the festival.
“When it comes to discovering talent, Slamdance has consistently shown that its artist led community can do it themselves,” said Slamdance Co-founder and President, Peter Baxter. “In a milestone year, our competition lineup symbolizes this ongoing endeavor.
Featured films playing at Slamdance are all directorial debuts made for less than $1 million and without U.S. distribution. The films were selected for the 2019 festival by a team of Slamdance alumni. Films in both categories are eligible for the Audience Award and Spirit of Slamdance Award, the latter of which is voted upon by filmmakers at the festival.
“When it comes to discovering talent, Slamdance has consistently shown that its artist led community can do it themselves,” said Slamdance Co-founder and President, Peter Baxter. “In a milestone year, our competition lineup symbolizes this ongoing endeavor.
- 11/26/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
A version of this story on “Crystal Swan” first appeared in the Foreign Language Issue of TheWrap’s Oscar magazine.
First-time director Darya Zhuk’s drama “Crystal Swan,” one of the sleepers in this year’s Oscar foreign-language race, is set in the early 1990s and stars Alina Nasibullina as a young DJ desperate to get a visa and head to the United States. While it is not autobiographical, Zhuk did find herself waiting in many long lines when she secured student visas to study in the U.S.
The film is only the third Oscar submission ever from Belarus, and the first in 22 years. This interview is one in a series of conversations with directors of this year’s foreign Oscar contenders.
Also Read: Belarus to Enter Oscar Race After 22 Years With Indie Gem 'Crystal Swan'
The lead character in this film is a combination of your experiences and…...
First-time director Darya Zhuk’s drama “Crystal Swan,” one of the sleepers in this year’s Oscar foreign-language race, is set in the early 1990s and stars Alina Nasibullina as a young DJ desperate to get a visa and head to the United States. While it is not autobiographical, Zhuk did find herself waiting in many long lines when she secured student visas to study in the U.S.
The film is only the third Oscar submission ever from Belarus, and the first in 22 years. This interview is one in a series of conversations with directors of this year’s foreign Oscar contenders.
Also Read: Belarus to Enter Oscar Race After 22 Years With Indie Gem 'Crystal Swan'
The lead character in this film is a combination of your experiences and…...
- 11/18/2018
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Among the 87 entries this year, down five from 2017’s whopping 92, there are more documentaries than ever, plus two African countries submitting for the first time: Malawi and Niger. Here’s a guide to the films, including logline, sales, and production contact.
Afghanistan
“Rona, Azim’s Mother”
Director: Jamshid Mahmoudi
Logline: A touching drama set in the milieu of Afghan immigrants in Iran who lack full citizens’ rights, with laborer Azim struggling to care for his mother.
Key Cast: Mohsen Tanabandeh, Fatemeh Hosseini
Intl. Sales: Noori Pictures
Algeria
“Until the End of Time”
Director: Yasmine Chouikh
Logline: An elderly grave digger and a 60-something widow meet in the cemetery of Sidi Boulekbour and develop feelings for one another.
Key Cast: Djillali Boudjemaa, Djamila Arres
Intl. Sales: MakingOf Film
Argentina
“El Ángel”
Director: Luis Ortega
Logline: A portrait of the infamous teenage serial killer “The Angel of Death,” who took Argentina by...
Afghanistan
“Rona, Azim’s Mother”
Director: Jamshid Mahmoudi
Logline: A touching drama set in the milieu of Afghan immigrants in Iran who lack full citizens’ rights, with laborer Azim struggling to care for his mother.
Key Cast: Mohsen Tanabandeh, Fatemeh Hosseini
Intl. Sales: Noori Pictures
Algeria
“Until the End of Time”
Director: Yasmine Chouikh
Logline: An elderly grave digger and a 60-something widow meet in the cemetery of Sidi Boulekbour and develop feelings for one another.
Key Cast: Djillali Boudjemaa, Djamila Arres
Intl. Sales: MakingOf Film
Argentina
“El Ángel”
Director: Luis Ortega
Logline: A portrait of the infamous teenage serial killer “The Angel of Death,” who took Argentina by...
- 11/8/2018
- by Alissa Simon
- Variety Film + TV
Screen’s complete list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the 87 submissions for best foreign-language film have now been announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the 87 submissions for best foreign-language film have now been announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in...
- 10/12/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s complete list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the 87 submissions for best foreign-language film have now been announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the 87 submissions for best foreign-language film have now been announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in...
- 10/12/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s complete list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the 87 submissions for best foreign-language film have now been announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the 87 submissions for best foreign-language film have now been announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must have been released theatrically in...
- 10/10/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Yesterday afternoon, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced which movies will be competing to win the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Feature. This first long list marks an important benchmark in the season. Yes, we can actually begin narrowing things down. To be fair, this is a category that doesn’t get the attention of Best Picture or Best Actor/Best Actress, but it’s still a big deal. The Academy has narrowed things down to 87 films, just shy of the record set last year. That many countries submitting movies for Oscar consideration is wonderful, especially since I’ve seen a handful of these and they’re largely excellent. The only notable exclusion was that Italy did not choose Happy as Lazarro to be their selection, despite the backing of Martin Scorsese and Netflix. That country opted for Dogman from Matteo Garrone, instead. Aside from that, it...
- 10/9/2018
- by Joey Magidson
- Hollywoodnews.com
First-time submissions come from Malawi and Niger as Austrlia and New Zealand join the list.
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed - a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi - which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise - and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed - a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi - which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise - and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
- 10/9/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
‘Jirga’
Benjamin Gilmour’s Afghanistan-set drama Jirga will carry Australia’s hopes of being nominated for this year’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
The international recognition as Australia’s official submission follows the film’s international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and winning the $100,000 best film prize, Australia’s richest, at CinfestOZ.
Produced and distributed by John Maynard, the film stars Sam Smith as a former Australian soldier who returns to Afghanistan seeking forgiveness and puts his life in the hands of the village justice system – the Jirga.
There are 87 countries vying for the prize, including first-time entrants Malawi and Niger and high-profile contenders such as Mexico’s Roma and Poland’s Cold War, both of which are hoping to break out of the foreign race and earn nominations for best picture, best director and more.
Gilmour said: “We are thrilled about the honour of representing Australia.
Benjamin Gilmour’s Afghanistan-set drama Jirga will carry Australia’s hopes of being nominated for this year’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.
The international recognition as Australia’s official submission follows the film’s international premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival and winning the $100,000 best film prize, Australia’s richest, at CinfestOZ.
Produced and distributed by John Maynard, the film stars Sam Smith as a former Australian soldier who returns to Afghanistan seeking forgiveness and puts his life in the hands of the village justice system – the Jirga.
There are 87 countries vying for the prize, including first-time entrants Malawi and Niger and high-profile contenders such as Mexico’s Roma and Poland’s Cold War, both of which are hoping to break out of the foreign race and earn nominations for best picture, best director and more.
Gilmour said: “We are thrilled about the honour of representing Australia.
- 10/8/2018
- by The IF Team
- IF.com.au
First-time submissions come from Malawi and Niger as Austrlia and New Zealand join the list.
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
- 10/8/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
First-time submissions come from Malawi and Niger as Austrlia and New Zealand join the list.
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for this year’s foreign language film Oscar, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences has revealed, a drop from the record 92 that submitted last year.
Countries submitting films in the category for the first time include Malawi, which has entered Shemu Joyah’s The Road to Sunrise, and Niger, whose submission is Rahmatou Keïta’s The Wedding Ring.
Submissions that had not previously been confirmed include Australian entry Jirga, from director Benjamin Gilmour, and New Zealand contender Yellow Is Forbidden,...
- 10/8/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Eighty-seven countries have submitted films for consideration in the foreign language category for the 91st Academy Awards.
Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 22 and the ceremony will be held on Feb. 24 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. Malawi and Niger are first-time entrants. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Monday.
High-profile titles include Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma,” the Mexican entry; Denmark’s “The Guilty”; Germany’s “Never Look Away,” from previous Oscar winner Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters,” the Japanese entry that won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival; Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum,” the Cannes jury prize winner from Lebanon; and Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War,” the Cannes best director prize winner from Poland.
The 2018 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director;
Argentina, “El Ángel,...
Oscar nominations will be announced on Jan. 22 and the ceremony will be held on Feb. 24 at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theatre. Malawi and Niger are first-time entrants. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences made the announcement on Monday.
High-profile titles include Alfonso Cuaron’s “Roma,” the Mexican entry; Denmark’s “The Guilty”; Germany’s “Never Look Away,” from previous Oscar winner Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck; Hirokazu Kore-eda’s “Shoplifters,” the Japanese entry that won the Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival; Nadine Labaki’s “Capernaum,” the Cannes jury prize winner from Lebanon; and Pawel Pawlikowski’s “Cold War,” the Cannes best director prize winner from Poland.
The 2018 submissions are:
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director;
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director;
Argentina, “El Ángel,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
A whopping 87 countries submitted entries in the Foreign-Language Film race at the 2019 Oscars. That is down by five from last year’s record 92 submissions but up by two from 2017, which had broken the benchmark of 83 set in 2015. The nations represented ranged from A (Afghanistan) to Y (Yemen). Among the contenders is the Mexican entry “Roma” by Oscar winner Alfonso Cuaron (“Gravity”). This Venice Film Festival winner is a strong contender in both this and the Best Picture race at the Oscars.
Predicting the eventual five Oscar nominees for Best Foreign-Language Film is made difficult by the two-step process.
First, the several hundred academy members of the Foreign-Language Film screening committee are required to watch a number of the submissions (upwards of a dozen) over a two-month period that ends in mid December. They will rate them from 6 to 10 and their top six vote-getters make it to the next round, as...
Predicting the eventual five Oscar nominees for Best Foreign-Language Film is made difficult by the two-step process.
First, the several hundred academy members of the Foreign-Language Film screening committee are required to watch a number of the submissions (upwards of a dozen) over a two-month period that ends in mid December. They will rate them from 6 to 10 and their top six vote-getters make it to the next round, as...
- 10/8/2018
- by Paul Sheehan
- Gold Derby
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced the official list of submissions for the 2019 Oscar for best foreign language film. There are 87 countries vying for the prize this awards season, including first-time entrants Malawi and Niger. Included among the titles are high-profile contenders such as Mexico’s “Roma” and Poland’s “Cold War,” both of which are vying to break out of the foreign race and earn nominations for best picture, best director, and more.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Click here to view predictions for the foreign language Oscar race from IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson.
2018 Foreign Oscar Submissions
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director
Argentina, “El Ángel,” Luis Ortega, director
Armenia, “Spitak,” Alexander Kott, director
Australia, “Jirga,...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards will be announced on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. The 91st Oscars will be held on Sunday, February 24, 2019. Click here to view predictions for the foreign language Oscar race from IndieWire’s awards editor Anne Thompson.
2018 Foreign Oscar Submissions
Afghanistan, “Rona Azim’s Mother,” Jamshid Mahmoudi, director
Algeria, “Until the End of Time,” Yasmine Chouikh, director
Argentina, “El Ángel,” Luis Ortega, director
Armenia, “Spitak,” Alexander Kott, director
Australia, “Jirga,...
- 10/8/2018
- by Zack Sharf
- Indiewire
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences announced today that 87 countries have qualified for this year’s Foreign Language Film competition. With some of the
strongest entries in recent years this is shaping up as one of the richest fields of contenders in memory. Of course one of the Netflix titles, Mexico’s Roma from director Alfonso Cuaron has been widely acclaimed at numerous festivals and already won top prize at Venice which makes it the front runner here. It is also expected to be in contention for a Best Picture nomination as well as other categories and that could enhance its chances. However could an upset be in the offing? I would say there are a number of equally fine movies in the mix here including Japan’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner, Shoplifters; Denmark’s riveting The Guilty; Germany’s epic Never Look Away from previous Oscar winner...
strongest entries in recent years this is shaping up as one of the richest fields of contenders in memory. Of course one of the Netflix titles, Mexico’s Roma from director Alfonso Cuaron has been widely acclaimed at numerous festivals and already won top prize at Venice which makes it the front runner here. It is also expected to be in contention for a Best Picture nomination as well as other categories and that could enhance its chances. However could an upset be in the offing? I would say there are a number of equally fine movies in the mix here including Japan’s Cannes Palme d’Or winner, Shoplifters; Denmark’s riveting The Guilty; Germany’s epic Never Look Away from previous Oscar winner...
- 10/8/2018
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Eighty-seven films have qualified in the 2018 Oscars race for Best Foreign Language Film, the Academy announced on Monday.
The number is five less than last year’s record of 92 entries, but significantly larger than the 60-odd qualifying films that were the norm only a few years ago. The 2018 race is also expected to be one of the most competitive in years, with a number of esteemed international directors and award-winning films competing for only nine spots on the shortlist and five nominations.
Los Angeles-based volunteers from all branches of the Academy will now watch all the eligible films at AMPAS screenings at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills and the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. This year, the Academy has made it easier to qualify to vote, dropping the number of films each voter must see from 17 or 18 down to 12 and eliminating the color-coded groups that made each voter...
The number is five less than last year’s record of 92 entries, but significantly larger than the 60-odd qualifying films that were the norm only a few years ago. The 2018 race is also expected to be one of the most competitive in years, with a number of esteemed international directors and award-winning films competing for only nine spots on the shortlist and five nominations.
Los Angeles-based volunteers from all branches of the Academy will now watch all the eligible films at AMPAS screenings at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills and the Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood. This year, the Academy has made it easier to qualify to vote, dropping the number of films each voter must see from 17 or 18 down to 12 and eliminating the color-coded groups that made each voter...
- 10/8/2018
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Screen’s regularly updated list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
- 9/27/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s regularly updated list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
- 9/24/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s regularly updated list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
- 9/24/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s regularly updated list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
- 9/24/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s regularly updated list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
- 9/20/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Screen’s regularly updated list of foreign language Oscar submissions.
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
Nominations for the 91st Academy Awards are not until Tuesday January 22, but the first submissions for best foreign-language film are now being announced.
Last year saw a record 92 submissions for the award, which were narrowed down to a shortlist of nine. This was cut to five nominees, with Sebastián Lelio’s transgender drama A Fantastic Woman ultimately taking home the gold statue.
Screen’s interview with Mark Johnson, chair of the Academy’s foreign-language film committee, explains the shortlisting process from submission to voting.
Submitted films must be released theatrically...
- 9/20/2018
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
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