Reflecting on her career, Lena Waithe says, “I think about legacy a lot.” The writer-producer-actor, whose body of work includes creating Showtime drama The Chi and BET’s Twenties, has been on a steady upward trajectory since winning a primetime Emmy Award in 2017 for outstanding writing on Netflix’s Master of None. But for Waithe, success raised questions about where she was headed. “I didn’t know what I was actually trying to build. I wanted to have real agency over my career, but it was also not just about me, it’s about who I can work with.”
Together with Rishi Rajani, a studio exec who honed his skills at 20th Century Fox, UTA, Paradigm, and Studio 8, Waithe has created a multi-platform entertainment company that accomplishes both. At Hillman Grad Productions, Waithe and Rishi develop projects that often go against the industry grain, while also hiring up-and-coming talent...
Together with Rishi Rajani, a studio exec who honed his skills at 20th Century Fox, UTA, Paradigm, and Studio 8, Waithe has created a multi-platform entertainment company that accomplishes both. At Hillman Grad Productions, Waithe and Rishi develop projects that often go against the industry grain, while also hiring up-and-coming talent...
- 5/19/2024
- by Carita Rizzo
- Deadline Film + TV
Ahead of the highly anticipated season six premiere, Paramount+ with Showtime today announced that it has already given the green light to The Chi Season 7. The first half of season six was record-breaking for The Chi, with the drama series delivering its most-watched season yet on streaming, surging nearly 25 percent over season five.
The second half of season six of The Chi returns on Friday, May 10, on-demand and on streaming for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan before making its on-air debut on Sunday, May 12, at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. The seventh season will start production later this month in Chicago.
“Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in The Chi resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Chief Creative Officer,...
The second half of season six of The Chi returns on Friday, May 10, on-demand and on streaming for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan before making its on-air debut on Sunday, May 12, at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. The seventh season will start production later this month in Chicago.
“Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in The Chi resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, President of Content and Chief Creative Officer,...
- 5/8/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
“The Chi” has been renewed for Season 7 at Paramount+ with Showtime.
The news comes ahead of the series’ return for the second half of its sixth season, which will debut on Paramount+ with Showtime on May 10 before its linear debut on Showtime on May 12 at 9 p.m.Et/Pt. Like the first half, the second will consist of eight episodes. The seventh season will begin production in Chicago later this month.
“Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in ‘The Chi’ resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, president of content and chief creative officer for Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “On the heels of a record-breaking season and ahead of this week’s return, we’re excited to provide fans with the promise...
The news comes ahead of the series’ return for the second half of its sixth season, which will debut on Paramount+ with Showtime on May 10 before its linear debut on Showtime on May 12 at 9 p.m.Et/Pt. Like the first half, the second will consist of eight episodes. The seventh season will begin production in Chicago later this month.
“Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in ‘The Chi’ resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, president of content and chief creative officer for Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “On the heels of a record-breaking season and ahead of this week’s return, we’re excited to provide fans with the promise...
- 5/8/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Showtime is keeping its presence in the Windy City.
The premium outlet, now known as Paramount+ With Showtime, has ordered a seventh season of its drama series The Chi. The renewal for the series, created by Lena Waithe, comes two days ahead of its return to Paramount+ With Showtime for the second half of season six.
Production on the seventh season is slated to begin later this month in Chicago.
“Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in The Chi resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, president of content and chief creative officer for Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “On the heels of a record-breaking season and ahead of this week’s return, we’re excited to provide fans with the promise of...
The premium outlet, now known as Paramount+ With Showtime, has ordered a seventh season of its drama series The Chi. The renewal for the series, created by Lena Waithe, comes two days ahead of its return to Paramount+ With Showtime for the second half of season six.
Production on the seventh season is slated to begin later this month in Chicago.
“Lena Waithe is a generational storyteller, whose authentic and unflinching narratives in The Chi resonate deeply, offering a powerful lens into both the complexities of life in Chicago as well as the Black experience in America,” said Nina L. Diaz, president of content and chief creative officer for Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. “On the heels of a record-breaking season and ahead of this week’s return, we’re excited to provide fans with the promise of...
- 5/8/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Paramount+ with Showtime today released the official trailer and key art for the upcoming second half of season six of The Chi series. The series will return on Friday, May 10, on streaming and on-demand for Paramount+ subscribers with the Paramount+ with Showtime plan before making its on-air debut on Sunday, May 12, at 9 p.m. Et/Pt.
The Chi series recently wrapped production in Chicago on the remaining eight episodes of the supersized 16-episode season. Produced entirely in its namesake city, the show is produced by 20th Television.
Created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner and executive produced by Academy Award and Emmy winner Common (Selma), The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.
The record-breaking season-six premiere, which...
The Chi series recently wrapped production in Chicago on the remaining eight episodes of the supersized 16-episode season. Produced entirely in its namesake city, the show is produced by 20th Television.
Created and executive produced by Emmy winner Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner and executive produced by Academy Award and Emmy winner Common (Selma), The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.
The record-breaking season-six premiere, which...
- 4/18/2024
- by Mirko Parlevliet
- Vital Thrills
Paramount+ with Showtime has released the trailer and key art for the upcoming second half of season six of The Chi, which will return May 10.
The series recently wrapped production in Chicago on the remaining eight episodes of the supersized 16-episode season.
The season-six premiere, which ranks among the top Showtime premieres ever in streaming viewership, picked up with Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Kiesha’s (Birgundi Baker) blended union tested by his perilous partnership with Douda, (Curtiss Cook), who is dealing with the fallout of Q’s murder and its effect on the shifting loyalty of his inner circle. Victor’s (Luke James) tangled past impacts his new role as city councilman. Newlyweds Jada (Yolonda Ross) and Darnell (Rolando Boyce) fear for son Emmett after he makes a desperate, life-threatening move. Rob (Iman Shumpert) and Tiff’s (Hannaha Hall) cannabis business and Jake’s (Michael V. Epps) apparel line take off,...
The series recently wrapped production in Chicago on the remaining eight episodes of the supersized 16-episode season.
The season-six premiere, which ranks among the top Showtime premieres ever in streaming viewership, picked up with Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Kiesha’s (Birgundi Baker) blended union tested by his perilous partnership with Douda, (Curtiss Cook), who is dealing with the fallout of Q’s murder and its effect on the shifting loyalty of his inner circle. Victor’s (Luke James) tangled past impacts his new role as city councilman. Newlyweds Jada (Yolonda Ross) and Darnell (Rolando Boyce) fear for son Emmett after he makes a desperate, life-threatening move. Rob (Iman Shumpert) and Tiff’s (Hannaha Hall) cannabis business and Jake’s (Michael V. Epps) apparel line take off,...
- 4/18/2024
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Showtime’s The Chi will feature four additional new actors in recurring guest star roles when Part 2 of Season 6 premieres on May 10. They are Kadeem Hardison (A Different World), Leon (Swarm), Brett Gray (I’m A Virgo) and Daniel J. Watts (Werewolf By Night).
Hardison plays Professor Gardner, a college literature professor; Leon plays Alonzo, a charming, street-savvy attorney with old ties to Alicia (guest star Lynn Whitfield); Gray plays Damien, a whip-smart young man who will impact Emmett’s (Jacob Latimore) life in more ways than one; Watts plays Pastor Ezekiel, a charismatic pastor of a megachurch.
Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner and executive produced by Common, The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.
In Season...
Hardison plays Professor Gardner, a college literature professor; Leon plays Alonzo, a charming, street-savvy attorney with old ties to Alicia (guest star Lynn Whitfield); Gray plays Damien, a whip-smart young man who will impact Emmett’s (Jacob Latimore) life in more ways than one; Watts plays Pastor Ezekiel, a charismatic pastor of a megachurch.
Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe under her Hillman Grad banner and executive produced by Common, The Chi is a timely coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.
In Season...
- 2/29/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Greta Lee and Teo Yoo in ‘Past Lives’ (Photo Credit: Jon Pack / Courtesy of A24)
Past Lives took home top film honors at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, held on February 25th in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. The film also earned Celine Song the Best Director award, with American Fiction‘s Cord Jefferson and May December‘s Samy Burch earning screenplay honors.
On the television side, The Last of Us collected two awards: Nick Offerman for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series and Keivonn Montreal Woodard for Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series. Beef also netted two wins, with Ali Wong awarded Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series and the show earning the Best New Scripted Series award.
2024 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations
Best Feature (Award given to the producer.)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin,...
Past Lives took home top film honors at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, held on February 25th in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. The film also earned Celine Song the Best Director award, with American Fiction‘s Cord Jefferson and May December‘s Samy Burch earning screenplay honors.
On the television side, The Last of Us collected two awards: Nick Offerman for Best Supporting Performance in a New Scripted Series and Keivonn Montreal Woodard for Best Breakthrough Performance in a New Scripted Series. Beef also netted two wins, with Ali Wong awarded Best Lead Performance in a New Scripted Series and the show earning the Best New Scripted Series award.
2024 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations
Best Feature (Award given to the producer.)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
Past Lives was named best feature at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which were handed out Sunday afternoon in Santa Monica.
In addition, Celine Song was named best director for her work on the film.
Elsewhere, Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the Spirit Award for best supporting performance, for her role in The Holdovers, repeating her win from Saturday night’s SAG Awards and other shows this awards season. Her co-star, Dominic Sessa, won the Spirit Award for best breakthrough performance.
American Fiction also collected two trophies: Cord Jefferson won the award for best screenplay, while Jeffrey Wright won for best lead performance.
May December won the award for best first screenplay for Samy Burch (story by Burch and Alex Mechanik). Four Daughters was named best documentary.
On the TV side, Beef was named best new scripted series, while Ali Wong won best lead performance for her role in the show,...
In addition, Celine Song was named best director for her work on the film.
Elsewhere, Da’Vine Joy Randolph won the Spirit Award for best supporting performance, for her role in The Holdovers, repeating her win from Saturday night’s SAG Awards and other shows this awards season. Her co-star, Dominic Sessa, won the Spirit Award for best breakthrough performance.
American Fiction also collected two trophies: Cord Jefferson won the award for best screenplay, while Jeffrey Wright won for best lead performance.
May December won the award for best first screenplay for Samy Burch (story by Burch and Alex Mechanik). Four Daughters was named best documentary.
On the TV side, Beef was named best new scripted series, while Ali Wong won best lead performance for her role in the show,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The best in independent film and television were honored at the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards!
Plenty of A-List stars were in attendance at the event on Sunday afternoon (February 25) at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif.
Movies are only eligible for a Spirit Award if they have a budget of less than $30 million, so there are some awards favorites like Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Killers of the Flower Moon that are not nominated.
American Fiction, May December, and Past Lives lead the pack this year with five nominations each.
Make sure to check out our post with photos of Every celeb who attended the event! Also check out our best dressed list.
Head inside to see the full list of winners…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of winners…
Best Feature (Award given to the producer)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson,...
Plenty of A-List stars were in attendance at the event on Sunday afternoon (February 25) at the Santa Monica Pier in Santa Monica, Calif.
Movies are only eligible for a Spirit Award if they have a budget of less than $30 million, so there are some awards favorites like Barbie, Oppenheimer, and Killers of the Flower Moon that are not nominated.
American Fiction, May December, and Past Lives lead the pack this year with five nominations each.
Make sure to check out our post with photos of Every celeb who attended the event! Also check out our best dressed list.
Head inside to see the full list of winners…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of winners…
Best Feature (Award given to the producer)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards on Sunday awarded A24’s Past Lives its Best Feature and the film’s Celine Song the Best Director in a ceremony on the beach in Santa Monica, giving the indie romantic drama a boost as it heads toward the Oscars where it is up for Best Picture.
Past Lives topped a marquee Best Feature category that included Netflix’s May December, Amazon MGM Studios’ American Fiction, Searchlight’s All of Us Strangers, Sony Pictures Classics’ We Grown Now and Mubi’s Passages.
“There is a concept in our film, an Eastern concept, and it’s called inyeon,” Song, making her feature directorial debut, said in her acceptance speech with her producers and cast. “It is about how just by being in the same space and time in this life, it means we actually knew each other for many, many lives that came before this one.
Past Lives topped a marquee Best Feature category that included Netflix’s May December, Amazon MGM Studios’ American Fiction, Searchlight’s All of Us Strangers, Sony Pictures Classics’ We Grown Now and Mubi’s Passages.
“There is a concept in our film, an Eastern concept, and it’s called inyeon,” Song, making her feature directorial debut, said in her acceptance speech with her producers and cast. “It is about how just by being in the same space and time in this life, it means we actually knew each other for many, many lives that came before this one.
- 2/26/2024
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The 2024 Independent Spirit Awards took place on Sunday at the traditional Santa Monica beach tent location, with Aidy Bryant hosting. “Past Lives” took home the coveted Best Feature award, with “Beef” being honored as Best New Scripted Series. Check out the full list of winners and nominees below.
Best Feature
“Past Lives”
Producers: David Hinojosa, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon
“All of Us Strangers”
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
“American Fiction”
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
“May December”
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell, Grant S. Johnson, Pamela Koffler, Tyler W. Konney, Sophie Mas, Natalie Portman, Christine Vachon
“Passages”
Producers: Michel Merkt, Saïd Ben Saïd
“We Grown Now”
Producers: Minhal Baig, Joe Pirro
Best Lead Performance
Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction”
Jessica Chastain, “Memory”
Greta Lee, “Past Lives”
Trace Lysette, “Monica”
Natalie Portman, “May December”
Judy Reyes, “Birth/Rebirth”
Franz Rogowski, “Passages”
Andrew Scott, “All of Us Strangers”
Teyana Taylor,...
Best Feature
“Past Lives”
Producers: David Hinojosa, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon
“All of Us Strangers”
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
“American Fiction”
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
“May December”
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell, Grant S. Johnson, Pamela Koffler, Tyler W. Konney, Sophie Mas, Natalie Portman, Christine Vachon
“Passages”
Producers: Michel Merkt, Saïd Ben Saïd
“We Grown Now”
Producers: Minhal Baig, Joe Pirro
Best Lead Performance
Jeffrey Wright, “American Fiction”
Jessica Chastain, “Memory”
Greta Lee, “Past Lives”
Trace Lysette, “Monica”
Natalie Portman, “May December”
Judy Reyes, “Birth/Rebirth”
Franz Rogowski, “Passages”
Andrew Scott, “All of Us Strangers”
Teyana Taylor,...
- 2/25/2024
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
The Film Independent Spirit Awards have been dutifully assigned to their worthy recipients, thus putting a button on yet another great year of indie film and innovative visual storytelling. And as awards prognosticators now ponder their Oscar futures with this new data set and the tent falls around our knees, we want to shout out one more time all of the producers, writers, directors, performers and more who made this such a special experience.
This year’s ceremony streamed live on IMDb’s YouTube and across other social platforms, including Film Independent’s own YouTube channel and Twitter (or “X” if you’re being pedantic). The full livestream (see below) will remain available to watch On Demand for the next eight weeks, which highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, arrival carpet interviews and more will are available at filmindependent.org and wherever fine entertainment journalism prevails.
Best Supporting Performance
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
The Holdovers...
This year’s ceremony streamed live on IMDb’s YouTube and across other social platforms, including Film Independent’s own YouTube channel and Twitter (or “X” if you’re being pedantic). The full livestream (see below) will remain available to watch On Demand for the next eight weeks, which highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, arrival carpet interviews and more will are available at filmindependent.org and wherever fine entertainment journalism prevails.
Best Supporting Performance
Da’Vine Joy Randolph
The Holdovers...
- 2/23/2024
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent News & More
Exclusive: D. Smith’s breakout documentary Kokomo City, a top contender for Oscar recognition, will make its debut on Showtime and Paramount+ on February 2, Deadline can reveal.
The film, which has won awards around the world, will become available for streaming as part of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan first thing Friday, February 2, and will premiere on the Showtime linear platform that night at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. Magnolia Pictures released Kokomo City theatrically over the summer, beginning in New York and Los Angeles.
“In the wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary, filmmaker D. Smith passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – who unapologetically break down the walls of their profession,” notes a release about the film. “Holding nothing back, the film vibrates with energy, sex, challenge and hard-earned wisdom.”
‘Kokomo City’ director D.
The film, which has won awards around the world, will become available for streaming as part of the Paramount+ with Showtime plan first thing Friday, February 2, and will premiere on the Showtime linear platform that night at 9 p.m. Et/Pt. Magnolia Pictures released Kokomo City theatrically over the summer, beginning in New York and Los Angeles.
“In the wildly entertaining and refreshingly unfiltered documentary, filmmaker D. Smith passes the mic to four Black transgender sex workers in Atlanta and New York City – Daniella Carter, Koko Da Doll, Liyah Mitchell and Dominique Silver – who unapologetically break down the walls of their profession,” notes a release about the film. “Holding nothing back, the film vibrates with energy, sex, challenge and hard-earned wisdom.”
‘Kokomo City’ director D.
- 12/18/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Amazon MGM Studios has tapped Taylor Chukwu (The Mysterious Benedict Society) to script The Truth About Mrs. Claus, a new film based on the same-name book by Meena Harris that is currently in development.
The story takes place at the North Pole, where every elf dreams of being part of Santa’s workshop. But only a select few get to know an amazing secret: Mrs. Claus is the true force behind Christmas. Through the eyes of a precocious elf girl who dreams of something more, we set off on a journey to meet the world’s most brilliant and secretive entrepreneur.
Hillman Grad Productions and Phenomenal Media will produce, with Tori Sampson executive producing. Rishi Rajani, Rocio Melara, and Travis Ing will oversee for Hillman Grad.
Prior to adaptating The Truth About Mrs. Clause, Chukwu served as a staff writer on Disney+’s series The Mysterious Benedict Society, based...
The story takes place at the North Pole, where every elf dreams of being part of Santa’s workshop. But only a select few get to know an amazing secret: Mrs. Claus is the true force behind Christmas. Through the eyes of a precocious elf girl who dreams of something more, we set off on a journey to meet the world’s most brilliant and secretive entrepreneur.
Hillman Grad Productions and Phenomenal Media will produce, with Tori Sampson executive producing. Rishi Rajani, Rocio Melara, and Travis Ing will oversee for Hillman Grad.
Prior to adaptating The Truth About Mrs. Clause, Chukwu served as a staff writer on Disney+’s series The Mysterious Benedict Society, based...
- 12/14/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Animation and the “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” filmmakers partnered with non-profit Reel Start and animation/visual effects academy Exceptional Minds to debut the animated short “Tree’s Blood.” The premiere took place at Nickelodeon Animation Studio in Burbank.
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” writer-producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg attended the screening, as did producer James Weaver and cinematographer Kent Seki. Rose Byrne and Ayo Edebiri, who star together in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” also voice characters in “Tree’s Blood.”
“Tree’s Blood” was produced from a partnership between Reel Start and Exceptional Minds. The initiative allows Reel Start’s students to create shorts with animation services provided by Exceptional Minds.
Indeed, Hillman Grad, 271 Films Announce Ten Rising Voices Filmmakers for Season Four
Hiring platform Indeed, Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad and Doménica and Constanza Castro’s 271 Films have announced the ten filmmakers selected for the fourth...
“Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” writer-producers Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg attended the screening, as did producer James Weaver and cinematographer Kent Seki. Rose Byrne and Ayo Edebiri, who star together in “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” also voice characters in “Tree’s Blood.”
“Tree’s Blood” was produced from a partnership between Reel Start and Exceptional Minds. The initiative allows Reel Start’s students to create shorts with animation services provided by Exceptional Minds.
Indeed, Hillman Grad, 271 Films Announce Ten Rising Voices Filmmakers for Season Four
Hiring platform Indeed, Lena Waithe’s Hillman Grad and Doménica and Constanza Castro’s 271 Films have announced the ten filmmakers selected for the fourth...
- 12/13/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay, Valerie Wu and Caroline Brew
- Variety Film + TV
While the likes of Oppenheimer, Barbie, and Killers of the Moon will likely battle it out at the Oscars, Film Independent Spirit Awards is putting the spotlight on the indie productions of the year, with budget ranges from $10,000 to $28 million. May December, Past Lives, and American Fiction lead the nominations for the 39th ceremony, each taking five nods.
Other highlights include All of Us Strangers and Passages for Best Feature, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt and Earth Mama for Best First Feature, Kokomo City and The Mother of All Lies for Best Documentary, Glenn Howerton for BlackBerry, Marin Ireland and Anne Hathaway for Eileen, Marshawn Lynch for Bottoms, How to Blow Up a Pipeline for Best Editing, Godland and Tótem for Best International Film, and more.
See the nominations below ahead of the ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 (a full two weeks before the Oscars), hosted by Aidy Bryant.
Best...
Other highlights include All of Us Strangers and Passages for Best Feature, All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt and Earth Mama for Best First Feature, Kokomo City and The Mother of All Lies for Best Documentary, Glenn Howerton for BlackBerry, Marin Ireland and Anne Hathaway for Eileen, Marshawn Lynch for Bottoms, How to Blow Up a Pipeline for Best Editing, Godland and Tótem for Best International Film, and more.
See the nominations below ahead of the ceremony on Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024 (a full two weeks before the Oscars), hosted by Aidy Bryant.
Best...
- 12/5/2023
- by Leonard Pearce
- The Film Stage
Erika Alexander stars as Coraline and Jeffrey Wright as Thelonious “Monk” Ellison in ‘American Fiction’ (Photo credit: Claire Folger © 2023 Orion Releasing LLC)
American Fiction, Past Lives, and May December lead the list of the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Each of the three films picked up five nominations and will be going head-to-head in the Best Film and Best Supporting Performance categories. Films and TV shows earning four nominations included The Holdovers, I’m a Virgo, The Last of Us, and Passages.
The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be held on February 25 on the beach in Santa Monica. Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live) is on board to host.
“This year’s exciting group of Spirit Award nominees reflect the undeniable strength and vitality of independent storytelling – this is the beating heart of film culture today,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “It’s especially thrilling to see so many nominees...
American Fiction, Past Lives, and May December lead the list of the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Each of the three films picked up five nominations and will be going head-to-head in the Best Film and Best Supporting Performance categories. Films and TV shows earning four nominations included The Holdovers, I’m a Virgo, The Last of Us, and Passages.
The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be held on February 25 on the beach in Santa Monica. Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live) is on board to host.
“This year’s exciting group of Spirit Award nominees reflect the undeniable strength and vitality of independent storytelling – this is the beating heart of film culture today,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “It’s especially thrilling to see so many nominees...
- 12/5/2023
- by Rebecca Murray
- Showbiz Junkies
The full list of nominations for the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards has been announced!
Movies are only eligible for a Spirit Award if they have a budget of less than $30 million, so there are some awards favorites like Maestro and Killers of the Flower Moon that are not nominated here.
Aidy Bryant is set to host the 2024 awards ceremony, which will take place on February 25. The event will no longer air on television and will instead stream on YouTube.
American Fiction, May December, and Past Lives lead the pack this year with five nominations each.
Head inside to check out the full list of nominations…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of nominations…
Best Feature (Award given to the producer)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
May December
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell,...
Movies are only eligible for a Spirit Award if they have a budget of less than $30 million, so there are some awards favorites like Maestro and Killers of the Flower Moon that are not nominated here.
Aidy Bryant is set to host the 2024 awards ceremony, which will take place on February 25. The event will no longer air on television and will instead stream on YouTube.
American Fiction, May December, and Past Lives lead the pack this year with five nominations each.
Head inside to check out the full list of nominations…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of nominations…
Best Feature (Award given to the producer)
All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey
American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair
May December
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
American Fiction, May December and Past Lives lead the nominations for the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards, which were were announced Tuesday morning.
Each film garnered five noms, including best feature. Also nominated in that category are All of Us Strangers, Passages and We Grown Now.
The Robert Altman Award, which is given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast, will be presented to Showing Up, directed by Kelly Reichardt. The casting director is Gayle Keller, and the ensemble cast includes André Benjamin, Hong Chau, Judd Hirsch, Heather Lawless, James Le Gros, John Magaro, Matt Malloy, Amanda Plummer, Maryann Plunkett, Denzel Rodriguez and Michelle Williams.
On the TV side, Jury Duty was tapped for the award of best ensemble in a new scripted series, an honor bestowed on one show (there are no nominees). The cast includes Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, David Brown, Kirk Fox, Ross Kimball,...
Each film garnered five noms, including best feature. Also nominated in that category are All of Us Strangers, Passages and We Grown Now.
The Robert Altman Award, which is given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast, will be presented to Showing Up, directed by Kelly Reichardt. The casting director is Gayle Keller, and the ensemble cast includes André Benjamin, Hong Chau, Judd Hirsch, Heather Lawless, James Le Gros, John Magaro, Matt Malloy, Amanda Plummer, Maryann Plunkett, Denzel Rodriguez and Michelle Williams.
On the TV side, Jury Duty was tapped for the award of best ensemble in a new scripted series, an honor bestowed on one show (there are no nominees). The cast includes Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, David Brown, Kirk Fox, Ross Kimball,...
- 12/5/2023
- by Kimberly Nordyke
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
“American Fiction,” “May December” and “Past Lives” dominated the 2024 Independent Spirit Awards nominations on Tuesday, picking up five nods apiece. The three movies are all up for best feature, where they will battle it out against “All of Us Strangers,” “Passages” and “We Grown Now.”
The annual honors recognize the best of television, as well as film. “The Last of Us,” a sci-fi epic that was a ratings hit for HBO, and “I’m a Virgo,” an absurdist miniseries from Boots Riley that was produced by Amazon, led the small screen crop, with four nominations each. Only new TV shows that have run for one season and were released between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of this year are eligible for awards. That’s why some big-budgeted fare was deemed eligible or, in the parlance of the show, independent.
That’s not the case on the feature front, where films have to be...
The annual honors recognize the best of television, as well as film. “The Last of Us,” a sci-fi epic that was a ratings hit for HBO, and “I’m a Virgo,” an absurdist miniseries from Boots Riley that was produced by Amazon, led the small screen crop, with four nominations each. Only new TV shows that have run for one season and were released between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31 of this year are eligible for awards. That’s why some big-budgeted fare was deemed eligible or, in the parlance of the show, independent.
That’s not the case on the feature front, where films have to be...
- 12/5/2023
- by Brent Lang and Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
This interview contains spoilers about the end of “A Thousand And One.”
“It was a beautiful moment,” reflects Lena Waithe on the 33rd annual Gotham Awards, where the producer of the film “A Thousand And One” celebrated three nominations and a victory for A.V. Rockwell for Breakthrough Director. As she explains, “We’ve been rocking with A.V. for a while… A.V. has passion and something to say.” Rishi Rajani, the CEO of Waithe’s production company Hillman Grad, had pitched her on the idea that she “should be working with directors like A.V.,” and, indeed, she signed on to producer the writer-director’s first feature film before she had even seen a script. Watch our exclusive video interview above.
“A Thousand And One” follows the mother-son relationship of Inez (Teyana Taylor) and Terry as they lean on each other after Inez is released from Rikers Island and...
“It was a beautiful moment,” reflects Lena Waithe on the 33rd annual Gotham Awards, where the producer of the film “A Thousand And One” celebrated three nominations and a victory for A.V. Rockwell for Breakthrough Director. As she explains, “We’ve been rocking with A.V. for a while… A.V. has passion and something to say.” Rishi Rajani, the CEO of Waithe’s production company Hillman Grad, had pitched her on the idea that she “should be working with directors like A.V.,” and, indeed, she signed on to producer the writer-director’s first feature film before she had even seen a script. Watch our exclusive video interview above.
“A Thousand And One” follows the mother-son relationship of Inez (Teyana Taylor) and Terry as they lean on each other after Inez is released from Rikers Island and...
- 12/4/2023
- by David Buchanan
- Gold Derby
On Monday night, November 27, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City, the Gotham Awards presented the winners at their 33rd annual event. “All of Us Strangers” went in with a leading four bids, followed by “Past Lives,” “The Zone of Interest” and the TV limited series “Beef” with three apiece. But who prevailed? Scroll down for the full list, updated throughout the night.
The nominations were decided by panels of film and television critics, journalists, festival programmers and film curators. The winners were then selected by juries of writers, directors, actors, producers, editors and others directly involved in filmmaking. That makes these awards unique and often results in surprising winners like “The Rider” for Best Feature in 2018 over the higher-profile “The Favourite,” or Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) for Best Lead Performance in 2022 over eventual Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) and Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”). So a...
The nominations were decided by panels of film and television critics, journalists, festival programmers and film curators. The winners were then selected by juries of writers, directors, actors, producers, editors and others directly involved in filmmaking. That makes these awards unique and often results in surprising winners like “The Rider” for Best Feature in 2018 over the higher-profile “The Favourite,” or Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) for Best Lead Performance in 2022 over eventual Oscar winners Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”) and Brendan Fraser (“The Whale”). So a...
- 11/28/2023
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The 2023 Gotham Awards ceremony is officially kicking off awards season and so many A-list celebrities were in attendance!
The awards ceremony was held on Monday night (November 27) at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
In the past, the Gothams only celebrated independent films, but they have removed the requirement that all projects are made for under $35 million. Now, some of the contenders this year include big budget movies like Barbie.
The awards show also took away gendered acting categories, opting for an Outstanding Lead Performance category and an Outstanding Supporting Performance category with 10 nominees in each one.
Head inside to see the full list of celebs who attended the event…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of celebs at the event…
Barbie’s Margot Robbie
Fyi: Margot is wearing Prada.
Ferrari’s Shailene Woodley
Killers of the Flower Moon‘s Leonardo DiCaprio with co-star Lily Gladstone
Are You There God?...
The awards ceremony was held on Monday night (November 27) at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City.
In the past, the Gothams only celebrated independent films, but they have removed the requirement that all projects are made for under $35 million. Now, some of the contenders this year include big budget movies like Barbie.
The awards show also took away gendered acting categories, opting for an Outstanding Lead Performance category and an Outstanding Supporting Performance category with 10 nominees in each one.
Head inside to see the full list of celebs who attended the event…
Keep scrolling to see the full list of celebs at the event…
Barbie’s Margot Robbie
Fyi: Margot is wearing Prada.
Ferrari’s Shailene Woodley
Killers of the Flower Moon‘s Leonardo DiCaprio with co-star Lily Gladstone
Are You There God?...
- 11/28/2023
- by Just Jared
- Just Jared
The Gotham Film & Media Institute announced today the nominations for the 33rd Annual Gotham Awards! This list includes 20 feature films, 11 series, and 30 performances in 10 award categories. Each nomination represents what the group deems a high point in 2023 across aspects of the entertainment spectrum. The nominations were announced live from Cipriani Wall Street by Jeffrey Sharp, award-winning film producer and the Executive Director of The Gotham, and Kia Brooks, Deputy Director of The Gotham.
“We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks. The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to find new audiences across the globe,” Sharp said about the upcoming celebration.
While there are several outstanding performances nominated across the board, a few highlights...
“We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks. The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to find new audiences across the globe,” Sharp said about the upcoming celebration.
While there are several outstanding performances nominated across the board, a few highlights...
- 10/24/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
A short wretch and slight taste of bile comes upon realizing we are firmly in “awards season,” that time of disgrace and degradation recently portended by the first round of Look Upon My Suffering Narratives––Bradley Cooper took two hours to apply a fake nose, but is that braver than Michael Fassbender never blinking?––and established, now, by the announcement of Gotham Award nominees. Credit where it’s due, though, that this voting body gives a mite more attention to films of substance and note: leading the pack are Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest and Andrew Haigh’s All of Us Strangers, while a director nod went to Raven Jackson for All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt, Cristian Mungiu earned a screenplay nomination, and Franz Rogowski might win a best actor prize.
One can find the nominations below, while many are now streaming:
Best Feature
Passages –– Ira Sachs,...
One can find the nominations below, while many are now streaming:
Best Feature
Passages –– Ira Sachs,...
- 10/24/2023
- by Nick Newman
- The Film Stage
All Of Us Strangers by Andrew Haigh led the Gotham Awards Nominations today, with some love for Celine Song’s Past Lives and Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest, and with a Best Performance nod to Ryan Gosling for Barbie after the indie-centric awards removed a longstanding budget cap on eligibility, an opening for big-budget studio and streamer fare to submit for consideration.
All Of Us Strangers was nominated for Best International Feature, Best Screenplay and Outstanding Lead and Supporting Performances for Andrew Scott and Claire Foy. Past Lives was nominated for Best Feature, Breakthrough Director, and Outstanding Lead Performance by Greta Lee.
The disappearance of the decade-old budget cap, which had been set most recently at $35 million, is the biggest change this year. The Gotham Film & Media Institute, announcing the shift last summer, said it was meant “to broaden our reach in terms of recognition and accessibility to the wider community.
All Of Us Strangers was nominated for Best International Feature, Best Screenplay and Outstanding Lead and Supporting Performances for Andrew Scott and Claire Foy. Past Lives was nominated for Best Feature, Breakthrough Director, and Outstanding Lead Performance by Greta Lee.
The disappearance of the decade-old budget cap, which had been set most recently at $35 million, is the biggest change this year. The Gotham Film & Media Institute, announcing the shift last summer, said it was meant “to broaden our reach in terms of recognition and accessibility to the wider community.
- 10/24/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
On October 24 the Gotham Awards announced their official nominations for their 33rd annual event. Led by “All of Us Strangers” with four bids and followed by “Past Lives” and “The Zone of Interest” with three, the nominees were presented by Jeffrey Sharp, Executive Director of the Gotham Film and Media Institute, and Kia Brooks, Deputy Director at the Gotham Film and Media Institute, via Variety’s YouTube channel. The awards ceremony for the winners will take place on Monday, November 27, at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City. Scroll down for the full list.
Sharp said in a statement, “We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks. The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to...
Sharp said in a statement, “We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks. The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to...
- 10/24/2023
- by Daniel Montgomery
- Gold Derby
The 2023 Gotham Awards have officially unveiled its nominations. This year’s nominees were announced on Tuesday, October 24 via live broadcast on Variety’s YouTube channel. Nominees were listed off by Jeffrey Sharp, the executive director of the Gotham Film and Media Institute, as well as Kia Brooks, the deputy director at the Gotham Film and Media Institute. Twenty feature films, 11 TV series, and 30 performances in 10 award categories were recognized, with features like “Barbie,” All of Us Strangers,” “Passages,” and “Past Lives” earning the bulk of the nods.
“We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks,” Sharp said during the broadcast. “The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to find new audiences across the globe.”
The...
“We are proud to announce this year’s Gotham Award nominees and look forward to celebrating these amazing storytellers in a few weeks,” Sharp said during the broadcast. “The Gotham Awards in many ways reflects the industry and community we serve. Seen by this year’s nominees, storytelling knows no boundaries as our industry continues to find new audiences across the globe.”
The...
- 10/24/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Past Lives, A Thousand and One and All of Us Strangers are among the top film nominees for the 2023 Gotham Awards.
Past Lives and A Thousand and One are both up for best feature, breakthrough director (Celine Song for Past Lives and A.V. Rockwell for A Thousand and One) and best lead performance (Greta Lee for Past Lives and Teyana Taylor for A Thousand and One).
Other best feature nominees are Ira Sachs’ Passages, which is also up for best lead performance (Franz Rogowski); Tina Satter’s Reality; and Kelly Reichardt’s Showing Up.
All of Us Strangers, meanwhile, scored a leading four nominations, the most of any film. The Searchlight title is up for best international feature, best screenplay (writer-director Andrew Haigh), best lead performance (Andrew Scott) and best supporting performance (Claire Foy).
In the TV categories, Beef leads with three nominations, with Anne Rice’s Interview with The Vampire,...
Past Lives and A Thousand and One are both up for best feature, breakthrough director (Celine Song for Past Lives and A.V. Rockwell for A Thousand and One) and best lead performance (Greta Lee for Past Lives and Teyana Taylor for A Thousand and One).
Other best feature nominees are Ira Sachs’ Passages, which is also up for best lead performance (Franz Rogowski); Tina Satter’s Reality; and Kelly Reichardt’s Showing Up.
All of Us Strangers, meanwhile, scored a leading four nominations, the most of any film. The Searchlight title is up for best international feature, best screenplay (writer-director Andrew Haigh), best lead performance (Andrew Scott) and best supporting performance (Claire Foy).
In the TV categories, Beef leads with three nominations, with Anne Rice’s Interview with The Vampire,...
- 10/24/2023
- by Hilary Lewis
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
It’s hard today to remember just how many people watched Mary Tyler Moore during her peak half-hour network comedy era, first with “The Dick Van Dyke Show”, then “The Mary Tyler Moore Show”. That Emmy-lauded newsroom sitcom reached 30 million homes, with some 100 million tuning in every Saturday night to watch Moore embody that rare thing on television: a single career woman who was not defined by the men in her life. At the time, this was radical.
Given that those millions were watching Moore back in the 60s and 70s, and later with Nick at Nite reruns, it’s no surprise that many people who did not grow up with Moore do not know her at all. Maybe they’d seen the iconic hat toss or heard a reference in a Weezer song (“Buddy Holly”).
That was the level of knowledge for the Harlem-born TV cinematographer-turned-documentary director James Adolphus,...
Given that those millions were watching Moore back in the 60s and 70s, and later with Nick at Nite reruns, it’s no surprise that many people who did not grow up with Moore do not know her at all. Maybe they’d seen the iconic hat toss or heard a reference in a Weezer song (“Buddy Holly”).
That was the level of knowledge for the Harlem-born TV cinematographer-turned-documentary director James Adolphus,...
- 8/21/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
A version of this story about Lena Waithe and “Being Mary Tyler Moore” first appeared in the Down to the Wire: Comedy/Variety/Reality/Nonfiction issue of TheWrap’s awards magazine.
You’d expect people like James L. Brooks and Rob Reiner to be involved in a documentary about actress and producer Mary Tyler Moore, a TV pioneer who died in 2017 at the age of 80 — and they are part of the HBO documentary “Being Mary Tyler Moore.” But so are Lena Waithe, the Emmy-winning writer, producer and actress whose work includes the TV series “The Chi” and “Master of None” and the films “Queen & Slim” and “The Forty-Year-Old Version,” and Rishi Rajani, the CEO of Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions.
Neither of them was born when “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” went off the air in 1977, and Rajani knew virtually nothing of Moore when Waithe signed on to produce the documentary,...
You’d expect people like James L. Brooks and Rob Reiner to be involved in a documentary about actress and producer Mary Tyler Moore, a TV pioneer who died in 2017 at the age of 80 — and they are part of the HBO documentary “Being Mary Tyler Moore.” But so are Lena Waithe, the Emmy-winning writer, producer and actress whose work includes the TV series “The Chi” and “Master of None” and the films “Queen & Slim” and “The Forty-Year-Old Version,” and Rishi Rajani, the CEO of Waithe’s Hillman Grad Productions.
Neither of them was born when “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” went off the air in 1977, and Rajani knew virtually nothing of Moore when Waithe signed on to produce the documentary,...
- 8/17/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
A4’s supernatural horror Talk To Me opens the debut film by Australian brothers and popular YouTubers Danny and Michael Philippou on 2,300 screens. Strong reviews (see Deadline’s here), A24 large built-in fan base and its elevated horror cred saw a Thursday gross of $1.25 million, looking to top a $4-5M weekend.
The Sundance-premiering pic follows a group of friends who discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand and become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Michael Philippou gleefully freaked out a Comic-Con event last week with a stunt that saw him possessed by an embalmed hand before meeting what appeared to be a bloody end. Stars Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Otis Dhanji and Joe Bird. Written by Bill Hinzman and Danny Philippou.
Limited openings: Music Box Pictures presents The Unknown Country by Morissa Maltz...
The Sundance-premiering pic follows a group of friends who discover how to conjure spirits using an embalmed hand and become hooked on the new thrill, until one of them goes too far and unleashes terrifying supernatural forces. Michael Philippou gleefully freaked out a Comic-Con event last week with a stunt that saw him possessed by an embalmed hand before meeting what appeared to be a bloody end. Stars Sophie Wilde, Joe Bird, Alexandra Jensen, Otis Dhanji and Joe Bird. Written by Bill Hinzman and Danny Philippou.
Limited openings: Music Box Pictures presents The Unknown Country by Morissa Maltz...
- 7/28/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
“The Chi” dropped its first trailer for Season 6 Tuesday, teasing how the Showtime series will put Emmett and Keisha’s blissful union to the test while spotlighting Douda’s shifting loyalties in the fallout of Q’s murder, Kiesha’s burgeoning career aspirations, the high schoolers’ graduation and more.
“I’m forever grateful to Chicago. It made me who I am,” Kevin (Alex R. Hibbert) says in the trailer, which shows him and his friends enjoying their senior prom.
“The city is all we got. We’re going to stumble sometimes, but we’ve got to help each other get back up again,” Emmett (Jacob Latimore) adds.
But on the flip side, a new character Darnell (Rolando Boyce) indicates that “The Chi” won’t be all fun and laughs: “And we all need to be mindful of the company we keep,” he says.
While there’s new beginnings and new friendships,...
“I’m forever grateful to Chicago. It made me who I am,” Kevin (Alex R. Hibbert) says in the trailer, which shows him and his friends enjoying their senior prom.
“The city is all we got. We’re going to stumble sometimes, but we’ve got to help each other get back up again,” Emmett (Jacob Latimore) adds.
But on the flip side, a new character Darnell (Rolando Boyce) indicates that “The Chi” won’t be all fun and laughs: “And we all need to be mindful of the company we keep,” he says.
While there’s new beginnings and new friendships,...
- 7/18/2023
- by Raquel "Rocky" Harris
- The Wrap
Updated, 12 Pm: Showtime has released the official trailer and key art for Season 6 of Lena Waithe’s critically acclaimed drama series The Chi. New challenges await Kevin (Alex Hibbert), Jake (Michael Epps) and Papa (Shamon Brown Jr) and the rest of the Chi fam in the upcoming expanded season. Season 6, which is split into two parts of eight episodes each, premieres its first half on August 4 streaming on Paramount+ and on demand, followed by its linear debut at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 6.
You can watch the new trailer above and previous teaser trailer below.
Previous, June 21: The Chi is coming back this summer.
Showtime announced the sixth season of its drama series will premiere Aug. 4 streaming on Paramount+ and on demand, before making its on-air debut at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 6, on Showtime. The season will be made up of 16 episodes that will be split into two eight-episode installments.
You can watch the new trailer above and previous teaser trailer below.
Previous, June 21: The Chi is coming back this summer.
Showtime announced the sixth season of its drama series will premiere Aug. 4 streaming on Paramount+ and on demand, before making its on-air debut at 9 p.m. Sunday, August 6, on Showtime. The season will be made up of 16 episodes that will be split into two eight-episode installments.
- 7/18/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Emmy winner Lynn Whitfield (The Josephine Baker Story) is set for a key recurring role on the upcoming sixth season of Showtime’s The Chi, from 20th Television.
Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe and her Hillman Grad banner and executive produced by Common (Selma), The Chi is a coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.
Whitfield will play Alicia, an intimidating, old-money matriarch who will spare no expense to get what she wants.
In Season 6, big dreams are finally realized but at a cost and everyone will be tested in unimaginable ways as they calculate the risks and rewards of their next big move. Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Kiesha’s (Birgundi Baker) blissful blended union is tested by his insatiable drive to...
Created and executive produced by Lena Waithe and her Hillman Grad banner and executive produced by Common (Selma), The Chi is a coming-of-age story centering on a group of residents on the South Side of Chicago who become linked by coincidence but bonded by the need for connection and redemption.
Whitfield will play Alicia, an intimidating, old-money matriarch who will spare no expense to get what she wants.
In Season 6, big dreams are finally realized but at a cost and everyone will be tested in unimaginable ways as they calculate the risks and rewards of their next big move. Emmett (Jacob Latimore) and Kiesha’s (Birgundi Baker) blissful blended union is tested by his insatiable drive to...
- 6/29/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Season 5 of “Love Island USA” is set to premiere on July 18 exclusively on Peacock, the streamer announced Wednesday.
The fifth season of “Love Island USA” will take place in Fiji with an all-new group of singles. Throughout the season, islanders will compete in challenges, face temptations and forge new relationships. Each week, new episodes will be available for streaming six days a week.
“Love Island USA” stands as Peacock’s most-streamed original reality competition series, heightening the anticipation for the show’s fifth season. David George, Adam Sher, Simon Thomas, Ben Thursby-Palmer, Andy Cadman, Iona Mackenzie and Claudine Parrish serve as executive producers, alongside Tom Gould, Richard Cowles, Mike Spencer, Richard Foster and Chet Fenster. The series is produced by ITV Entertainment.
Watch the concept trailer below.
Greenlights
Roku greenlit “Empty Nest Refresh,” a new home renovation series hosted by Liza Koshy and featuring design expert Orlando Soria.
The six-episode...
The fifth season of “Love Island USA” will take place in Fiji with an all-new group of singles. Throughout the season, islanders will compete in challenges, face temptations and forge new relationships. Each week, new episodes will be available for streaming six days a week.
“Love Island USA” stands as Peacock’s most-streamed original reality competition series, heightening the anticipation for the show’s fifth season. David George, Adam Sher, Simon Thomas, Ben Thursby-Palmer, Andy Cadman, Iona Mackenzie and Claudine Parrish serve as executive producers, alongside Tom Gould, Richard Cowles, Mike Spencer, Richard Foster and Chet Fenster. The series is produced by ITV Entertainment.
Watch the concept trailer below.
Greenlights
Roku greenlit “Empty Nest Refresh,” a new home renovation series hosted by Liza Koshy and featuring design expert Orlando Soria.
The six-episode...
- 6/23/2023
- by McKinley Franklin and Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
Audible, Inc., the leading creator and provider of premium audio storytelling, today announced a new multi-project, exclusive deal with Ashé Audio Ventures, the newly formed podcast label from Viola Davis and Julius Tennon’s JuVee Productions and Maurício Mota and Katie Mota’s Wise Entertainment. Audible will be the exclusive home for these scripted and unscripted audio originals created for a global audience.
Viola Davis said: “After the outpouring of love for Finding Me, I'm excited for the opportunities that Ashé Audio Ventures and Audible will create for memorable stories to be both explored and celebrated in a meaningful new way – a way that spans borders and connects us to a shared human experience.”
This new endeavor, on the heels of Viola Davis’ Grammy win for Best Audiobook of her memoir Finding Me, which earned her the coveted “Egot” status, underscores consumers’ rising interest in audio entertainment. Ashé Audio Ventures...
Viola Davis said: “After the outpouring of love for Finding Me, I'm excited for the opportunities that Ashé Audio Ventures and Audible will create for memorable stories to be both explored and celebrated in a meaningful new way – a way that spans borders and connects us to a shared human experience.”
This new endeavor, on the heels of Viola Davis’ Grammy win for Best Audiobook of her memoir Finding Me, which earned her the coveted “Egot” status, underscores consumers’ rising interest in audio entertainment. Ashé Audio Ventures...
- 5/31/2023
- Podnews.net
Chicago – Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com audio film review for a new documentary spotlighting the long-time star of “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and her own self-titled TV series. It’s “Being Mary Tyler Moore,” premiering on HBO and streaming on HBO Max on May 26th.
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Ms. Moore is best remembered for two signature television roles. In the 1960s she was Laura, the wife of Rob Petrie, on the breakthrough “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and in the 1970s she broke further new ground as single gal Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” The latter series had exquisite timing, featuring Mtm as a working woman at the time of first wave feminism. But the real life Moore was not her characters, as the film follows her life from a determined girl dancer in a difficult childhood through 1970s TV production mogul to Academy Award-nominated actor.
”Being Mary Tyler Moore...
Rating: 5.0/5.0
Ms. Moore is best remembered for two signature television roles. In the 1960s she was Laura, the wife of Rob Petrie, on the breakthrough “The Dick Van Dyke Show” and in the 1970s she broke further new ground as single gal Mary Richards on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show.” The latter series had exquisite timing, featuring Mtm as a working woman at the time of first wave feminism. But the real life Moore was not her characters, as the film follows her life from a determined girl dancer in a difficult childhood through 1970s TV production mogul to Academy Award-nominated actor.
”Being Mary Tyler Moore...
- 5/27/2023
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including red carpets for You Hurt My Feelings, Fubar, What Am I Eating? and The Machine.
Master Gardener premiere
Director Paul Schrader and stars Joel Edgerton and Sigourney Weaver attended a special screening and Q&a in NYC on May 19 for their new Magnolia Pictures film, with support from Richard Gere.
Richard Gere, Sigourney Weaver and Joel Edgerton
Yellowjackets FYC event
The teen and adult casts from the Showtime drama teamed up for an FYC event in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Lauren Ambrose, Christina Ricci, Simone Kessell, Tawny Cypress, Warren Kole and Drew Comins Steven Krueger, Courtney Eaton, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Liv Hewson, Samantha Hanratty and Kevin Alves
You Hurt My Feelings premiere
Writer-director Nicole Holofcener joined stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed, Amber Tamblyn, David Cross,...
Master Gardener premiere
Director Paul Schrader and stars Joel Edgerton and Sigourney Weaver attended a special screening and Q&a in NYC on May 19 for their new Magnolia Pictures film, with support from Richard Gere.
Richard Gere, Sigourney Weaver and Joel Edgerton
Yellowjackets FYC event
The teen and adult casts from the Showtime drama teamed up for an FYC event in Los Angeles on Saturday.
Lauren Ambrose, Christina Ricci, Simone Kessell, Tawny Cypress, Warren Kole and Drew Comins Steven Krueger, Courtney Eaton, Sophie Nélisse, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Liv Hewson, Samantha Hanratty and Kevin Alves
You Hurt My Feelings premiere
Writer-director Nicole Holofcener joined stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Tobias Menzies, Michaela Watkins, Arian Moayed, Amber Tamblyn, David Cross,...
- 5/26/2023
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Showtime’s hit drama The Chi, which films entirely in Chicago, has paused production on its upcoming sixth season, effective today. The decision was made Monday after a second consecutive day of shooting was disrupted by WGA strike-related picketing.
Eight episodes from Season 6 have been completed; they were shot before the strike. I hear The Chi, whose seasons have consisted of 10 episodes each, had been slated to shoot for another couple of weeks from finished scripts. It is unclear when production will resume.
Showtime has not set a Season 6 premiere date yet. It is possible that the season gets split into two, so fans get fresh episodes sooner. Reps for Showtime and The Chi producer 20th Television declined comment.
After writers Sunday night were alerted on social media that The Chi production had asked those working on the show to be at the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios before 4 Am Monday to avoid picketers,...
Eight episodes from Season 6 have been completed; they were shot before the strike. I hear The Chi, whose seasons have consisted of 10 episodes each, had been slated to shoot for another couple of weeks from finished scripts. It is unclear when production will resume.
Showtime has not set a Season 6 premiere date yet. It is possible that the season gets split into two, so fans get fresh episodes sooner. Reps for Showtime and The Chi producer 20th Television declined comment.
After writers Sunday night were alerted on social media that The Chi production had asked those working on the show to be at the Cinespace Chicago Film Studios before 4 Am Monday to avoid picketers,...
- 5/16/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Showtime’s The Chi is the latest series whose production has been disrupted by the ongoing writers strike. According to sources, the hit drama, which is based in Chicago, filmed Friday morning before moving to another location, which had a picket line already in place.
As a result, no shooting was done at that particular place. Filming on the series, which I hear also was disrupted last week, is slated to resume Monday.
The picketing on The Chi was a result of a Rapid Response appeal by two WGA strike captains. It was amplified by veteran showrunner Warren Leight who has emerged as a Twitter “dispatcher,” helping to coordinate WGA production shutdown efforts, mostly in and around New York.
Hey Chicago actors, writers, and allies… help out.
Go to: 5516 S. Michigan.
Walk the walk.
tweet @bneveu to let him know your coming.#WGAStrong#WhereEveryfckngwhere https://t.co/29zG09sJvY
— WGA...
As a result, no shooting was done at that particular place. Filming on the series, which I hear also was disrupted last week, is slated to resume Monday.
The picketing on The Chi was a result of a Rapid Response appeal by two WGA strike captains. It was amplified by veteran showrunner Warren Leight who has emerged as a Twitter “dispatcher,” helping to coordinate WGA production shutdown efforts, mostly in and around New York.
Hey Chicago actors, writers, and allies… help out.
Go to: 5516 S. Michigan.
Walk the walk.
tweet @bneveu to let him know your coming.#WGAStrong#WhereEveryfckngwhere https://t.co/29zG09sJvY
— WGA...
- 5/12/2023
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
Updated with more reaction from Kokomo City cast and producers from original 8:12 p.m. story: The director and subjects of Kokomo City are expressing shock over the death of Rasheeda Williams, one of the trans women featured in the award-winning documentary, who reportedly was shot to death in Atlanta Tuesday night.
Atlanta police say they are investigating the killing after being called to the scene of the shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Sw. “Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by Afr [Atlanta Fire Rescue Department],” police said in a statement. “Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.”
Atlanta police have released no further information. They did not identify the victim by name, but Kokomo City director D. Smith and another woman...
Atlanta police say they are investigating the killing after being called to the scene of the shooting on Martin Luther King Jr. Drive Sw. “Upon arrival, officers located a female victim with an apparent gunshot wound. She was not alert, conscious or breathing and pronounced deceased on scene by Afr [Atlanta Fire Rescue Department],” police said in a statement. “Homicide investigators responded to the scene and are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. The investigation continues.”
Atlanta police have released no further information. They did not identify the victim by name, but Kokomo City director D. Smith and another woman...
- 4/21/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
At Variety’s 10 Producers to Watch panel, held March 31 at the Sun Valley Film Festival, the first order of business was defining what it means to be a producer, a title — and a role — that encapsulates a number of responsibilities on a film.
“The way that I describe it is you’ve got to know a little bit about a lot of things in filmmaking,” said Rachael Fung, whose film “Fremont” later won best narrative film in the festival’s One in a Million category, recognizing features made for less than $1 million. “You’ve got to be able to understand and talk to every single person that touches the film at every single stage. And also it’s about finding those directors and filmmakers and understanding their vision and figuring out the best way to get that to screen.”
“There are practical things like getting money for the movie, casting,...
“The way that I describe it is you’ve got to know a little bit about a lot of things in filmmaking,” said Rachael Fung, whose film “Fremont” later won best narrative film in the festival’s One in a Million category, recognizing features made for less than $1 million. “You’ve got to be able to understand and talk to every single person that touches the film at every single stage. And also it’s about finding those directors and filmmakers and understanding their vision and figuring out the best way to get that to screen.”
“There are practical things like getting money for the movie, casting,...
- 4/5/2023
- by Todd Gilchrist
- Variety Film + TV
As the new crop of 2023 festival favorites roll out, Focus Features presents A Thousand And One in over 900 carefully curated theaters, testing the appetite for specialty fare at a challenging moment.
Short film and video director A.V. Rockwell’s feature-length debut stars Teyana Taylor as free-spirited Inez, who kidnaps her six-year-old son Terry from the foster care system. Holding onto their secret and each other, mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability in a rapidly changing New York City. Reviews are stellar, see Deadline’s. The winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize is at 97% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes, 82% with auds. The fest called it “an elegant ode to the terribly beautiful power of family as an anchor in an ever-changing world, making us into who we are in ways we can only haltingly understand.”
This film, like Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight in...
Short film and video director A.V. Rockwell’s feature-length debut stars Teyana Taylor as free-spirited Inez, who kidnaps her six-year-old son Terry from the foster care system. Holding onto their secret and each other, mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability in a rapidly changing New York City. Reviews are stellar, see Deadline’s. The winner of the Sundance Grand Jury Prize is at 97% with critics on Rotten Tomatoes, 82% with auds. The fest called it “an elegant ode to the terribly beautiful power of family as an anchor in an ever-changing world, making us into who we are in ways we can only haltingly understand.”
This film, like Barry Jenkins’ Moonlight in...
- 3/31/2023
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
The 12th annual Sun Valley Film Festival runs from March 29th to April 2nd and will feature 18 narrative and documentary titles, including opening night selection, “Fancy Dance,” which is the directorial debut of co-writer Erica Tremblay, and the world premiere of Anthony Mandler’s “Surrounded,” which will close the festival. Award honorees include Josh Brolin, who will receive the Vision Award, and Sophie Thatcher, who will be given the Rising Star Award. “Last year, people were dying to get out, and this year our ticket sales are outpacing 2022. Once again, there’s a strong appetite for live events,” says festival founder and executive director Teddy Grennan.
Svff was launched on the backs of celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, Gary Cooper, and Marilyn Monroe, who took lavish vacations to America’s first destination ski resort. A train, called the Snowball Express, ran from Los Angeles to Sun Valley, and it was common...
Svff was launched on the backs of celebrities like Ernest Hemingway, Gary Cooper, and Marilyn Monroe, who took lavish vacations to America’s first destination ski resort. A train, called the Snowball Express, ran from Los Angeles to Sun Valley, and it was common...
- 3/31/2023
- by Malina Saval and Nick Clement
- Variety Film + TV
Check out the new poster (below) for the new film from writer/director A.V. Rockwell, A Thousand an One starring Teyana Taylor, as well as the trailer (above).
A Thousand And One follows unapologetic and free-spirited Inez (Teyana Taylor), who kidnaps her six-year-old son Terry from the foster care system. Holding onto their secret and each other, mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability, in a rapidly changing New York City.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at The Sundance Film Festival
About The Film
Genre: Crime, Drama Cast: Teyana Taylor, Will Catlett, Josiah Cross, Aven Courtney, Aaron Kingsley Adetola Director: A.V. Rockwell Screenplay: A.V. Rockwell Producers: Eddie Vaisman, Julia Lebedev, Lena Waithe, Rishi Rajani, Brad Weston
A Thousand And One is only in theaters Friday, March 31, 2023!
For More Information, Please Visit:
Official Site / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / #AThousandAndOne
The post “A Thousand and One...
A Thousand And One follows unapologetic and free-spirited Inez (Teyana Taylor), who kidnaps her six-year-old son Terry from the foster care system. Holding onto their secret and each other, mother and son set out to reclaim their sense of home, identity, and stability, in a rapidly changing New York City.
Winner of the Grand Jury Prize at The Sundance Film Festival
About The Film
Genre: Crime, Drama Cast: Teyana Taylor, Will Catlett, Josiah Cross, Aven Courtney, Aaron Kingsley Adetola Director: A.V. Rockwell Screenplay: A.V. Rockwell Producers: Eddie Vaisman, Julia Lebedev, Lena Waithe, Rishi Rajani, Brad Weston
A Thousand And One is only in theaters Friday, March 31, 2023!
For More Information, Please Visit:
Official Site / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / #AThousandAndOne
The post “A Thousand and One...
- 3/27/2023
- by Editor
- CinemaNerdz
Exclusive: Hillman Grad announces its new class for the 2023 Mentorship Lab.
Organized by three distinct tracks, this year’s emerging creatives include Aj Dinsmore, Dralla Aierken, Dylan Correa, Jair Majid Kornegay, MenuEtte Silver, Naki Franklin, and Omar Nava for the writing track; Elle Yun, Janis Peebles Valdez, Jason Armani Martinez, Josca Moore, Mark Antony Howard, Priscilla Walker, Shawn Roundtree Jr., and Simran Jehani for the acting track; and Christine Murrain, Jason Young, Reese Dizon, Sharon Xiang, and Victoria Garabedian for the executive track.
Mentorship Lab instructors Carolyn Michelle Smith (co-Director of Acting Track), Behzad Dabu (co-Director of Acting Track), and Michael Svoboda (Director of Writing Track) said, “The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab is different because we believe that community comes first. Yes, we strive to help our mentees hone their craft and expose them to people in the industry, but at the end of the day it’s the people...
Organized by three distinct tracks, this year’s emerging creatives include Aj Dinsmore, Dralla Aierken, Dylan Correa, Jair Majid Kornegay, MenuEtte Silver, Naki Franklin, and Omar Nava for the writing track; Elle Yun, Janis Peebles Valdez, Jason Armani Martinez, Josca Moore, Mark Antony Howard, Priscilla Walker, Shawn Roundtree Jr., and Simran Jehani for the acting track; and Christine Murrain, Jason Young, Reese Dizon, Sharon Xiang, and Victoria Garabedian for the executive track.
Mentorship Lab instructors Carolyn Michelle Smith (co-Director of Acting Track), Behzad Dabu (co-Director of Acting Track), and Michael Svoboda (Director of Writing Track) said, “The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab is different because we believe that community comes first. Yes, we strive to help our mentees hone their craft and expose them to people in the industry, but at the end of the day it’s the people...
- 3/24/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: 3Pas Studios, the entertainment company co-founded by Eugenio Derbez and his business partner, Ben Odell, signed a multi-year production deal with Audible. Through their overall exclusive audio deal, 3Pas Studios will produce scripted and unscripted audio content for Audible in both English and Spanish.
“The partnering of Audible’s powerful medium with 3Pas’ culturally authentic stories is an exciting combination. We will be developing fiction and non-fiction stories in both English and Spanish in order to reach audiences with our storytelling pillars of the 3 H’s: Humor, Heart, and Humanity,” said Ben Odell, CEO and co-founder of 3Pas Studios.
Cristy Marrero
To lead these efforts, 3Pas has hired Cristy Marrero as Head of Podcast Content Development; Marrero will oversee all creative and physical production of 3Pas podcast content.
An award-winning bilingual journalist and media executive with over two decades of experience in the U.S. Latino and Latin American markets,...
“The partnering of Audible’s powerful medium with 3Pas’ culturally authentic stories is an exciting combination. We will be developing fiction and non-fiction stories in both English and Spanish in order to reach audiences with our storytelling pillars of the 3 H’s: Humor, Heart, and Humanity,” said Ben Odell, CEO and co-founder of 3Pas Studios.
Cristy Marrero
To lead these efforts, 3Pas has hired Cristy Marrero as Head of Podcast Content Development; Marrero will oversee all creative and physical production of 3Pas podcast content.
An award-winning bilingual journalist and media executive with over two decades of experience in the U.S. Latino and Latin American markets,...
- 3/16/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
“Chang Can Dunk” doesn’t go the way you’d expect, and that’s a good thing. Here’s a Disney movie about a 5-foot-8-inch Chinese American high school basketball player who bets his rival that he can dunk by the end of the season. He gets his wish about an hour in, but there’s still a long way for the character to go — and grow — in a film that believes maturity isn’t achieved by shortcuts.
The result marks the attention-worthy debut of writer-director Jingyi Shao, and exemplifies the sort of movies Disney should be making: It has its values in the right place, but doesn’t pretend its hero is perfect. If there’s a villain in “Chang Can Dunk,” that role is arguably filled by the title character. In time, the obsessive teen’s ultra-competitive personality winds up alienating practically everyone in his life, except...
The result marks the attention-worthy debut of writer-director Jingyi Shao, and exemplifies the sort of movies Disney should be making: It has its values in the right place, but doesn’t pretend its hero is perfect. If there’s a villain in “Chang Can Dunk,” that role is arguably filled by the title character. In time, the obsessive teen’s ultra-competitive personality winds up alienating practically everyone in his life, except...
- 3/10/2023
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
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