The Indie Meme Film Festival, Austin’s leading cinema event curating South Asian independent cinema, returns to movie theaters for the first time in two years. The festival, which was presented virtually in 2020 and 2021 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, comes back in a hybrid format.
The festival will showcase nearly three dozen films from South Asian filmmakers, covering a variety of poignant topics. Each film tells a unique and diverse story of South Asian lives: a child’s struggle in remote India, an Iranian family seeking asylum in Europe, domestic abuse, alcoholism, mental health, patriarchy and colonialism.
Many of the films in this year’s festival focus on issues important to women, including sexuality, education and the family unit.
Through it all, this year’s lineup is a testament to the importance of accepting people for who they are, and each story is told so that audiences of all backgrounds can relate.
The festival will showcase nearly three dozen films from South Asian filmmakers, covering a variety of poignant topics. Each film tells a unique and diverse story of South Asian lives: a child’s struggle in remote India, an Iranian family seeking asylum in Europe, domestic abuse, alcoholism, mental health, patriarchy and colonialism.
Many of the films in this year’s festival focus on issues important to women, including sexuality, education and the family unit.
Through it all, this year’s lineup is a testament to the importance of accepting people for who they are, and each story is told so that audiences of all backgrounds can relate.
- 3/22/2022
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
Vision Film has acquired rights to I Love Us, a romantic drama from Danny A. Abeckaser’s 2B Films. Abeckaser stars with Jackie Cruz, Katie Cassidy, Harlow Jane, David James Elliott, Robert Davi, Jasper Polish, Greg Finley, James Madio, David James Elliott, Elya Baskin and Courtney Lopez in the ensemble, which wrapped production at the end of March after a shoot in Los Angeles. It will get a 10-city theatrical run along with VOD in September.
In the script by Kosta Kondilopoulos, a seasoned thief (Abeckaser) trades in his criminal ways for a “normal” married life after falling in love with a single mother (Cassidy) that catches him off guard. But when tragedy strikes, he’s forced to take one last job to pay off old debts and keep his new family together, creating conflict all around him.
Abeckaser also produced with Wild7Films’ Kyle Stefanski and Mike Hermosa, and Above the Clouds’ Jeff Hoffman. Executive producers are Katie Cassidy, Ron Rofe, Isaac Gindi, Eddie Gindi and Gustavo Nascimento.
“I Love Us was such a passion project and a labor of love. I felt the movie deserved to be with a company that really believes and loves the movie like I do. Lisa Romanoff at Vision was the right person for this journey for myself as director along with producers Kyle Stefanski, Mike Hermosa and Jeff Hoffman. We are excited for people to see it.”
***
Level 33 Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Rollers, written and directed by Isaiah Smallman. The film will be available in theaters and on VOD on June 25.
The plot centers on Rufus Paisley (Johnny Ray Gill), a closet alcoholic and whose everything he loves is smashed together into one place: Rollers. He gave up a promising career as a musician in order to keep it alive, but the historic venue, once owned by his parents, is in trouble and he’s running out of ways to save it, and himself. His friends urge him to move on, but can he?
Kevin Bigley, Vicky Jeudy, Kate Cobb, Joel Allen and Spencer Rayshon Stevenson also star. Smallman and Tara Ansley produced the pic, which was executive produced by Tiffany Boyle, Bryce McGuire, Elsa Ramo and Eric Costello.
The deal was negotiated by Boyle and Erika Canchola on behalf of the filmmakers and by Andreas Olavarria and Kate Sheffield on behalf of Level 33.
***
Gravitas Ventures has acquired rights to the sports documentary Resurgence, directed by social media fitness stars Heber Cannon and Marston Sawyers (aka the Buttery Bros). The pic, which follows the shakeup of the worldwide annual fitness competition The CrossFit Games in the midst of the pandemic, will debut on iTunes and Apple TV on July 20, followed by digital platforms and VOD on August 3.
“With Covid-19 restrictions allowing for only 10 athletes versus the usual 80-100+, it’s the first and possibly last year we will be able to tell interesting angles from every athlete competing,” the directors said. “We are honored to have been there for this intimate event, and excited for the world to see the behind the scenes of what went on at the 2020 CrossFit Games.”
“The collaboration among the Buttery Bros., CrossFit HQ, and Gravitas has been smooth and it’s great to get the band back together,” said Michael Murphy, President of Gravitas Ventures. “Previous CrossFit films are immediate best-sellers, and we expect the same from Resurgence which is awesome in scope, story-telling, and quality.”
***
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles‘ Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature went toTamil director Thamizh’s debut film Seththumaan (Pig) as the 19th edition of the fest wrapped its run this week. The Features Jury gave honorable mention to Malayalam film Biriyaani, directed by Sajin Baabu. Ajitpal Singh’s debut feature Fire in the Mountains won the Audience Award for Best Feature.
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Short went to Karishma Dev Dube for Bittu, while the Audience Award for Best Short went to Aarti Neharsh’s queer love story The Song We Sang.
***
Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American VOD rights to the World War II feature documentary Lost Airmen of Buchenwald. It will hit digital platforms June 15.
Written and directed by Mike Dorsey, the doc tells the story of the 168 Allied airmen in World War II who fought for survival in Germany’s infamous Buchenwald Concentration Camp after they were caught by the German Gestapo while hiding with the French Resistance. Facing starvation, disease, execution, forced marches, and even a bombing by their own side, the airmen are in a race against time to get out of Buchenwald alive.
Dorsey, Gerald Baron, Frank Imhof and Duane McNett are producers. Freestyle negotiated the deal with A3 Artists Agency representing Dorsey.
Here’s the trailer:...
In the script by Kosta Kondilopoulos, a seasoned thief (Abeckaser) trades in his criminal ways for a “normal” married life after falling in love with a single mother (Cassidy) that catches him off guard. But when tragedy strikes, he’s forced to take one last job to pay off old debts and keep his new family together, creating conflict all around him.
Abeckaser also produced with Wild7Films’ Kyle Stefanski and Mike Hermosa, and Above the Clouds’ Jeff Hoffman. Executive producers are Katie Cassidy, Ron Rofe, Isaac Gindi, Eddie Gindi and Gustavo Nascimento.
“I Love Us was such a passion project and a labor of love. I felt the movie deserved to be with a company that really believes and loves the movie like I do. Lisa Romanoff at Vision was the right person for this journey for myself as director along with producers Kyle Stefanski, Mike Hermosa and Jeff Hoffman. We are excited for people to see it.”
***
Level 33 Entertainment has acquired North American rights to Rollers, written and directed by Isaiah Smallman. The film will be available in theaters and on VOD on June 25.
The plot centers on Rufus Paisley (Johnny Ray Gill), a closet alcoholic and whose everything he loves is smashed together into one place: Rollers. He gave up a promising career as a musician in order to keep it alive, but the historic venue, once owned by his parents, is in trouble and he’s running out of ways to save it, and himself. His friends urge him to move on, but can he?
Kevin Bigley, Vicky Jeudy, Kate Cobb, Joel Allen and Spencer Rayshon Stevenson also star. Smallman and Tara Ansley produced the pic, which was executive produced by Tiffany Boyle, Bryce McGuire, Elsa Ramo and Eric Costello.
The deal was negotiated by Boyle and Erika Canchola on behalf of the filmmakers and by Andreas Olavarria and Kate Sheffield on behalf of Level 33.
***
Gravitas Ventures has acquired rights to the sports documentary Resurgence, directed by social media fitness stars Heber Cannon and Marston Sawyers (aka the Buttery Bros). The pic, which follows the shakeup of the worldwide annual fitness competition The CrossFit Games in the midst of the pandemic, will debut on iTunes and Apple TV on July 20, followed by digital platforms and VOD on August 3.
“With Covid-19 restrictions allowing for only 10 athletes versus the usual 80-100+, it’s the first and possibly last year we will be able to tell interesting angles from every athlete competing,” the directors said. “We are honored to have been there for this intimate event, and excited for the world to see the behind the scenes of what went on at the 2020 CrossFit Games.”
“The collaboration among the Buttery Bros., CrossFit HQ, and Gravitas has been smooth and it’s great to get the band back together,” said Michael Murphy, President of Gravitas Ventures. “Previous CrossFit films are immediate best-sellers, and we expect the same from Resurgence which is awesome in scope, story-telling, and quality.”
***
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles‘ Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature went toTamil director Thamizh’s debut film Seththumaan (Pig) as the 19th edition of the fest wrapped its run this week. The Features Jury gave honorable mention to Malayalam film Biriyaani, directed by Sajin Baabu. Ajitpal Singh’s debut feature Fire in the Mountains won the Audience Award for Best Feature.
The Grand Jury Prize for Best Short went to Karishma Dev Dube for Bittu, while the Audience Award for Best Short went to Aarti Neharsh’s queer love story The Song We Sang.
***
Freestyle Digital Media has acquired North American VOD rights to the World War II feature documentary Lost Airmen of Buchenwald. It will hit digital platforms June 15.
Written and directed by Mike Dorsey, the doc tells the story of the 168 Allied airmen in World War II who fought for survival in Germany’s infamous Buchenwald Concentration Camp after they were caught by the German Gestapo while hiding with the French Resistance. Facing starvation, disease, execution, forced marches, and even a bombing by their own side, the airmen are in a race against time to get out of Buchenwald alive.
Dorsey, Gerald Baron, Frank Imhof and Duane McNett are producers. Freestyle negotiated the deal with A3 Artists Agency representing Dorsey.
Here’s the trailer:...
- 5/28/2021
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Grand Jury Prizes awarded to Thamizh’s Seththumaan (Pig) for Best Feature
and Karishma Dev Dube’s Bittu for Best Short
Sajin Babu’s feature Biriyaani, Rima Das’ short For Each Other, Upamanyu Bhattacharyya & Kalp Sanghvi’s short Wade won Honorable Mentions, and Nivita Chaliki won Honorable Mention for her performance in the short film, Forever Tonight.
Audience Awards went to Ajitpal Singh’s Fire in the Mountains for Best Feature
and Aarti Neharsh’s The Song We Sang for Best Short
Mumbai/ Los Angeles, CA – The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) announced today its Grand Jury winners and Audience Awards for the festival’s 19th edition, which was held virtually and available all over California and, for the very first time, in India from May 20-27. This year’s festival boasted an impressive total of 40 films, including 2 World, 8 North American, 5 U.S. and 18 Los Angeles premieres, spanning 17 languages,...
and Karishma Dev Dube’s Bittu for Best Short
Sajin Babu’s feature Biriyaani, Rima Das’ short For Each Other, Upamanyu Bhattacharyya & Kalp Sanghvi’s short Wade won Honorable Mentions, and Nivita Chaliki won Honorable Mention for her performance in the short film, Forever Tonight.
Audience Awards went to Ajitpal Singh’s Fire in the Mountains for Best Feature
and Aarti Neharsh’s The Song We Sang for Best Short
Mumbai/ Los Angeles, CA – The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) announced today its Grand Jury winners and Audience Awards for the festival’s 19th edition, which was held virtually and available all over California and, for the very first time, in India from May 20-27. This year’s festival boasted an impressive total of 40 films, including 2 World, 8 North American, 5 U.S. and 18 Los Angeles premieres, spanning 17 languages,...
- 5/28/2021
- by Adam Symchuk
- AsianMoviePulse
The 2019 Indian Film Festival Los Angeles concluded on May 27 with the grand prize going to Thamizh’s directorial debut “Seththumaan” (Pig) and Karishma Dev Dube’s short “Bittu.”
“It’s a phenomenal first feature, gentle and impactful, done with heart and guts, that is at the same time very candid and very mature and complex,” the features jury said of “Pig,” calling it “a film that impressed us tremendously, both in terms of filmmaking and dramaturgy.”
The jury gave an honorable mention to Malayali film “Biriyaani,” by Sajin Baabu. “The film included an incredibly powerful performance by the lead, Kani Kusruti,” the jury said in a statement.
The shorts jury praised Dube’s “Bittu.” “A spectacular film about a brilliant young girl with a foul tongue who discovers that her defiance is lifesaving,” the jury said. Honorable mentions in the shorts category went to Rima Das’ “For Each Other,” Upamanyu Bhattacharyya...
“It’s a phenomenal first feature, gentle and impactful, done with heart and guts, that is at the same time very candid and very mature and complex,” the features jury said of “Pig,” calling it “a film that impressed us tremendously, both in terms of filmmaking and dramaturgy.”
The jury gave an honorable mention to Malayali film “Biriyaani,” by Sajin Baabu. “The film included an incredibly powerful performance by the lead, Kani Kusruti,” the jury said in a statement.
The shorts jury praised Dube’s “Bittu.” “A spectacular film about a brilliant young girl with a foul tongue who discovers that her defiance is lifesaving,” the jury said. Honorable mentions in the shorts category went to Rima Das’ “For Each Other,” Upamanyu Bhattacharyya...
- 5/27/2021
- by Shalini Dore
- Variety Film + TV
Gangs Of Wasseypur director Anurag Kashyap to join closing film Sthalpuran director Akshay Indikar for Q&a.
Tamil director Thamizh’s debut Seththumaan (Pig) has won the 2021 Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (Iffla) grand jury award for best feature heading into Thursday’s (May 27) closing film presentation.
Sajin Baabu’s Biriyaani earned an honourable mention. In other awards announced on Thursday (May 27), the audience award for best feature went to Fire In The Mountains directed by Ajitpal Singh.
In the shorts categories, Karishma Dev Dube’s Bittu was named grand jury award winner, with honourable mentions for Rima Das’ For Each Other,...
Tamil director Thamizh’s debut Seththumaan (Pig) has won the 2021 Indian Film Festival Of Los Angeles (Iffla) grand jury award for best feature heading into Thursday’s (May 27) closing film presentation.
Sajin Baabu’s Biriyaani earned an honourable mention. In other awards announced on Thursday (May 27), the audience award for best feature went to Fire In The Mountains directed by Ajitpal Singh.
In the shorts categories, Karishma Dev Dube’s Bittu was named grand jury award winner, with honourable mentions for Rima Das’ For Each Other,...
- 5/27/2021
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) announced today its Grand Jury winners and Audience Awards for the festival’s 19th edition, which was held virtually and available all over California and, for the very first time, in India from May 20-27. This year’s festival boasted an impressive total of 40 films, including 2 World, 8 North American, 5 U.S. and 18 Los Angeles premieres, spanning 17 languages, with 16 women directors. The festival had an overwhelming response both in California and India.
Award-winning Features
Tamil director Thamizh’s debut film Seththumaan (Pig) took home the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature. “The grand jury prize for best feature went to a film that impressed us tremendously, both in terms of filmmaking and dramaturgy. It's a phenomenal first feature, gentle and impactful, done with heart and guts, that is at the same time very candid and very mature and complex”, said the Features Jury of their decision.
Award-winning Features
Tamil director Thamizh’s debut film Seththumaan (Pig) took home the Grand Jury Prize for Best Feature. “The grand jury prize for best feature went to a film that impressed us tremendously, both in terms of filmmaking and dramaturgy. It's a phenomenal first feature, gentle and impactful, done with heart and guts, that is at the same time very candid and very mature and complex”, said the Features Jury of their decision.
- 5/27/2021
- by Glamsham Editorial
- GlamSham
For the very first time, Iffla is making a section of its 2021 lineup available to audiences in India, with the India Pass. For the price of Rs. 150 ($2), the India Pass will offer access to 24 films from this year’s lineup, including 6 features and 18 shorts. Most expenses associated with this pass are being underwritten by an anonymous donor.
Highlights from the India Pass selection include the Malayalam feature “Biriyaani“, with a powerhouse performance by Kani Kusruti; the poignant Rotterdam selected documentary “A Rifle and a Bag“; and the impressive debut feature “Aise Hee” (Just Like That).
Of note this year is a special program curated by the legendary Uma da Cunha, “Childhood on Edge”, with characters on the verge of the momentous transformation from childhood to adulthood. This program includes three diverse features and one short, “Kanya“.
From the shorts in the India Pass, highlights include the riveting National Award winning...
Highlights from the India Pass selection include the Malayalam feature “Biriyaani“, with a powerhouse performance by Kani Kusruti; the poignant Rotterdam selected documentary “A Rifle and a Bag“; and the impressive debut feature “Aise Hee” (Just Like That).
Of note this year is a special program curated by the legendary Uma da Cunha, “Childhood on Edge”, with characters on the verge of the momentous transformation from childhood to adulthood. This program includes three diverse features and one short, “Kanya“.
From the shorts in the India Pass, highlights include the riveting National Award winning...
- 5/10/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (Iffla) announced today its full lineup of narrative and documentary features, and shorts for the festival’s 19th edition, which will be held virtually and geo-blocked to California, on May 20-27.
“This is a very special year for Iffla. Taking the festival online has given us the freedom to curate programs we would not have been able to present in a physical setting. We have expanded our reach to all California residents, doubled the shorts program with a strong representation of films from the diaspora, added special programs like “Childhood on Edge”, and curated discussions on timely and pressing topics, celebrating the independent film community from India and the Indian diaspora,” said Christina Marouda, Executive Director.
Iffla will open with the Los Angeles premiere of the powerful female-centric film, Fire in the Mountains, the 2021 Sundance-selected debut feature by Ajitpal Singh that immerses audiences...
“This is a very special year for Iffla. Taking the festival online has given us the freedom to curate programs we would not have been able to present in a physical setting. We have expanded our reach to all California residents, doubled the shorts program with a strong representation of films from the diaspora, added special programs like “Childhood on Edge”, and curated discussions on timely and pressing topics, celebrating the independent film community from India and the Indian diaspora,” said Christina Marouda, Executive Director.
Iffla will open with the Los Angeles premiere of the powerful female-centric film, Fire in the Mountains, the 2021 Sundance-selected debut feature by Ajitpal Singh that immerses audiences...
- 4/16/2021
- by Adriana Rosati
- AsianMoviePulse
InterviewSpeaking to Tnm, director Sajin Babu said that the same theatres would not have had a problem with such scenes in a foreign film.CrisStill from BiriyaaniBiriyaani, an award-winning Malayalam film, released last Friday in about 30 theatres across Kerala. However, several film theatre owners and managers have been refusing to screen the film. Director Sajin Baabu says that their problem seems to be with the adult content in the film. “They claim that it is because there is not enough audience to watch the film. However this is not true. About 30 to 40 people are reaching these small theaters and that is not a bad number, especially now when we have only 50% occupancy in theatres (due to Covid-19). I had my friends tell me that when they go to the theatres, the manager or owner tells them that the film has explicit content and discourages them from watching it,” says Sajin.
- 3/30/2021
- by Cris
- The News Minute
MollywoodFilmmaker of the movie Sajin Babu said discussions are being held for Ott release.PTIPoster of 'Biriyaani'Sajin Babu, filmmaker of the Malayalam movie Biriyaani which bagged the Network for the Promotion of Asian Cinema (Netpac) award for the best film, says he is now in discussions for its over-the-top (Ott) platform release. The film premiered at the Asiatica Film Festival in Rome. Actor Kani Kusruti, who played the lead role in the film, got Best Actor (Female) award in the Kerala State Awards. Though Sajin was earlier trying for a theatrical screening, Covid-19 happened and he now feels a release in theatres will be difficult. "We are planning for an Ott release currently and in discussions and that might happen, I think," Sajin told Pti. It is sheer passion that drives filmmakers like him to depict themes based on what is happening in society and project it on a global...
- 11/3/2020
- by Neethu
- The News Minute
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