After distributing Rachel Sennot’s breakout movie Shiva Baby, Utopia has landed the U.S. rights to the SXSW feature I Used to Be Funny starring The Idol actress.
The comedy-drama follows Sam (Sennott), an aspiring stand-up comedian struggling with Ptsd, as she decides whether or not to join the search for a missing teenage girl she used to nanny. Jason Jones, Sabrina Jalees, Caleb Hearon, Olga Petsa, and Ennis Esmer round out the cast
Ally Pankiw, whose credits include The Great and Black Mirror, made her feature directorial debut on the film, which was produced by James Weyman, Jason Aita and Breann Smordin of Barn 12. Li-Wei Chu of Partizan, Judy Holm of Markham Street Films and Alcina Pictures’ Paul Barkin executive produced, along with Pankiw.
“It was so fulfilling to see how I Used to Be Funny and its honest portrayal of recovery from trauma resonated with audiences at...
The comedy-drama follows Sam (Sennott), an aspiring stand-up comedian struggling with Ptsd, as she decides whether or not to join the search for a missing teenage girl she used to nanny. Jason Jones, Sabrina Jalees, Caleb Hearon, Olga Petsa, and Ennis Esmer round out the cast
Ally Pankiw, whose credits include The Great and Black Mirror, made her feature directorial debut on the film, which was produced by James Weyman, Jason Aita and Breann Smordin of Barn 12. Li-Wei Chu of Partizan, Judy Holm of Markham Street Films and Alcina Pictures’ Paul Barkin executive produced, along with Pankiw.
“It was so fulfilling to see how I Used to Be Funny and its honest portrayal of recovery from trauma resonated with audiences at...
- 8/10/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
SXSW has announced the first wave of movie and television programming for its 2023 film festival, including its narrative, documentary, and television competition lineups.
While several sections of the complete film lineup, including this year’s Global and 24 Beats Per Minute programming, have yet to be announced, the lineup already features new work from many of the industry’s most exciting names. The festival will open with the world premiere of “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” John Francis Dailey and Jonathan Goldstein’s comedic adaptation of the beloved role-playing game. Other notable premieres include “Evil Dead Rise,” the latest entry in Sam Raimi’s camp horror franchise that hails from director Lee Cronin; Eva Longoria’s Frito-Lay origin story “Flamin’ Hot”; and the Season 2 premiere of “Blindspotting.”
“We are thrilled to announce the first wave of our incredible lineup for SXSW 2023,” SXSW VP of Film & TV Claudette Godfrey said in a statement.
While several sections of the complete film lineup, including this year’s Global and 24 Beats Per Minute programming, have yet to be announced, the lineup already features new work from many of the industry’s most exciting names. The festival will open with the world premiere of “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves,” John Francis Dailey and Jonathan Goldstein’s comedic adaptation of the beloved role-playing game. Other notable premieres include “Evil Dead Rise,” the latest entry in Sam Raimi’s camp horror franchise that hails from director Lee Cronin; Eva Longoria’s Frito-Lay origin story “Flamin’ Hot”; and the Season 2 premiere of “Blindspotting.”
“We are thrilled to announce the first wave of our incredible lineup for SXSW 2023,” SXSW VP of Film & TV Claudette Godfrey said in a statement.
- 1/11/2023
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
SXSW has announced the first batch of titles in its 2023 film festival line-up, including opening night movie, Paramount’s big-budget adventure film Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves.
“We are thrilled to announce the first wave of our incredible lineup for SXSW 2023,” said Claudette Godfrey, vp film & tv. “It’s an amazing collection of films, TV series and Xr experiences that promise to inspire, entertain and challenge our audiences. We’re also proud to open with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, a raucous and engaging fantasy adventure, and look forward to welcoming everyone to Austin in March for what promises to be an unforgettable event.”
The other 2023 headliners are the Julio Torres A24 movie Problemista, the latest film in the Evil Dead franchise, Evil Dead Rise, and Eva Longoria’s directorial debut Flamin’ Hot. Last year’s headliners included box office break out The Lost City and awards contender Everything Everywhere All At Once.
“We are thrilled to announce the first wave of our incredible lineup for SXSW 2023,” said Claudette Godfrey, vp film & tv. “It’s an amazing collection of films, TV series and Xr experiences that promise to inspire, entertain and challenge our audiences. We’re also proud to open with Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves, a raucous and engaging fantasy adventure, and look forward to welcoming everyone to Austin in March for what promises to be an unforgettable event.”
The other 2023 headliners are the Julio Torres A24 movie Problemista, the latest film in the Evil Dead franchise, Evil Dead Rise, and Eva Longoria’s directorial debut Flamin’ Hot. Last year’s headliners included box office break out The Lost City and awards contender Everything Everywhere All At Once.
- 1/11/2023
- by Mia Galuppo
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ally Pankiw will make her feature directing debut with “Brooke & Sam,” an upcoming comedic drama featuring “Shiva Baby” breakout Rachel Sennott.
The film, which quietly wrapped production, follows Sam, a young stand-up comedian and au pair struggling with Ptsd, who is weighing whether or not to join the search for Brooke, a missing girl she used to nanny. The story exists between the present, where Sam tries to recover from her trauma with the help of her friends in the comedy community, and the past, where memories of Brooke make it harder and harder to ignore the teen’s disappearance; and harder and harder to get back on stage.
Pankiw, who wrote the script along with directing the film, has established herself in the television and streaming world. Her directing and executive producing credits include the entire first season of Netflix’s series, “Feel Good,” which was created by and stars comedian Mae Martin.
The film, which quietly wrapped production, follows Sam, a young stand-up comedian and au pair struggling with Ptsd, who is weighing whether or not to join the search for Brooke, a missing girl she used to nanny. The story exists between the present, where Sam tries to recover from her trauma with the help of her friends in the comedy community, and the past, where memories of Brooke make it harder and harder to ignore the teen’s disappearance; and harder and harder to get back on stage.
Pankiw, who wrote the script along with directing the film, has established herself in the television and streaming world. Her directing and executive producing credits include the entire first season of Netflix’s series, “Feel Good,” which was created by and stars comedian Mae Martin.
- 12/2/2021
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
In today’s film news roundup, Disney announces key promotions in film marketing, Film Independent announces more than two dozen grants and Alamo Drafthouse will celebrate the VHS format.
Marketing Promotions
Walt Disney Studios has promoted Ryan Stankevich and Martha Morrison to the posts of senior vice president of marketing.
Studio marketing president Asad Ayaz made the announcement Tuesday. Stankevich will focus on titles from Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, while Morrison will oversee titles from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios.
They will also handle Disney’s other live action film projects and lead global campaigns and strategy for Disney’s entire theatrical slate.
“This is a truly amazing team and I’m so proud of the work we’ve done together over the past several years,” said Ayaz in a statement. “Martha and Ryan are talented and fearless leaders who will set a bold course for our film campaigns,...
Marketing Promotions
Walt Disney Studios has promoted Ryan Stankevich and Martha Morrison to the posts of senior vice president of marketing.
Studio marketing president Asad Ayaz made the announcement Tuesday. Stankevich will focus on titles from Marvel Studios and Lucasfilm, while Morrison will oversee titles from Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar Animation Studios.
They will also handle Disney’s other live action film projects and lead global campaigns and strategy for Disney’s entire theatrical slate.
“This is a truly amazing team and I’m so proud of the work we’ve done together over the past several years,” said Ayaz in a statement. “Martha and Ryan are talented and fearless leaders who will set a bold course for our film campaigns,...
- 9/19/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
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