Category: Drama

2023 Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) Films to See: American Outlaws, Commitment To Life, Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection and Starring Jerry As Himself

SBIFF logo

“American Outlaws” (Feature Film True Crime Drama)North American Independent Cinema Sponsored By Panavision Selection (SBIFF)

Director & Writer: Sean McEwen
Starring: Emory Cohen, India Eisley, Sam Strike, Tess Harper, Cory Hardrict, and Treat Williams, joined by Mackenzie Graham, Vanessa Giselle, Lance E. Nichols, Johnny Ray Gibbs, and Troy Metcalf
Running Time: 1 hour 15 minutes

West Coast Premiere:
Friday, February 17th at 8:40pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Metro 4, Screen 3
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2nd Screening:
Saturday, February 18th at 2:40pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Metro 4, Screen 3
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

“American Outlaws” is based on a true story and the GQ article "The Whole True Story of the Dougherty Gang" by Kathy Dobie. Written & directed by acclaimed filmmaker Sean McEwen (“Braking For Whales,” “Sick Girl”).

While the true story of “American Outlaws”  encompasses the proverbial bells and whistles of compelling storytelling -- sex, drugs and rock & roll (the sister, a former stripper now toting an AK47, two brothers with a wild streak and the propensity to live life on the razor’s edge with gunplay, police chases and bank robberies galore) -- at its heart, it’s a story about family.  Three siblings, on a cross-country journey, with the strongest desire to find the simplest element…  Home. A place to be together.  Safe.  Happy.  Free.

Production Co: Narrator Entertainment, Big Cat Productions and Charlie Baby Productions
Producers: ­­­­­­McEwen, Cassidy Lunnen , Alexandre Dauman, John Papsidera
Executive Producer: Takashi Cheng
Co-producers: Danyelle Foord and Jessica Wilde
Runtime: 1 hour 39 minutes

“COMMITMENT TO LIFE” (Feature Film Documentary)

DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION Selection (SBIFF)

Director:
Writer:
Interviewees: Jewel Thais-Williams Co-founder, Minority AIDS Project; Phill Wilson  HIV/AIDS Activist; Karamo Brown “Queer Eye” Cast Member & HIV/AIDS Educator; Dr. Michael Gottlieb Physician and Former APLA Board Member; Bruce Vilanch  Writer and Comedian; Jeffrey Katzenberg Former Chairman, Walt Disney Studios and APLA Board Member; Bill Misenhimer  Former APLA Executive Director; Robert Contreras Co-Founder, Bienestar; Torie Osborn Former Executive Director, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force; Rev. Steve Pieters  Former Field Director of AIDS Ministry, Metropolitan Community Churches; and Bamby Salcedo President, TransLatin Coalitio.

West Coast Premiere:
Saturday, February 11th at 7:40pm followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 5 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2nd Screening: Sunday, February 12th at 10:20am. Followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 5 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Against a rich Hollywood backdrop, “Commitment to Life” documents the true story of the fight against HIV/AIDS in Los Angeles — and how an intrepid group of people living with HIV/AIDS, doctors, movie stars, studio moguls and activists changed the course of the epidemic.

Director & Editor: Jeffrey Schwarz
Producers: Aimée Flaherty, p.g.a. and Jeffrey Schwarz, p.g.a.
Executive Producer: Ron Sylvester,
Co-Executive Producer: Robert James Wood II
Co-Producer: Taki Oldham
Associate Producer: Michael Stabile
Executive Producer: Craig Thompson
Supervising Producer: Craig Bowers
Composer: Allyson Newman
Cinematographer: Adam Jason Finmann
Running Time: 1 hour 55 minutes

 

“Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection” (Feature Documentary Film)

CINEMATIC OVERTURES/PERFORMING ARTS Selection (SBIFF)

Director Randy Martin
Producer & Writer: Randy Schmidt
Interviewee: Olivia Newton-John, Cynthia Gibb, Suzanne Somers, Kristin Chenoweth, Carnie Wilson, Bob James, Carol Burnett, Belinda Carlisle, Cubby O’Brien, Tom Nolan, Karen Tongson, Cherry Boone O’Neill, Louis Virtel, Randy Schmidt, Barry Morrow, Frankie Chavez, Doug Haverty, Maria Galeazzi, and Mike Curb.

West Coast Premiere:
Friday, February 10th at 8:20pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Metro 4, Screen 2
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2nd Screening: Sunday,  February 12th at 11:20am. Followed by Q&A
Metro 4, Screen 2
618 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

About the Film: Karen Carpenter was the first in a long line of celebrities to suffer from an eating disorder during an era when the vastly misunderstood disease brought shame and public humiliation. For the first time, we hear Karen Carpenter's personal struggle in her own voice through never-before released recordings and through the legendary voices of those who knew her and were inspired by her music. As the #1 American musical act of the 1970s, the Carpenters were on “top of the world," producing a string of pop masterpieces, including "Close to You," "We've Only Just Begun," and "Rainy Days and Mondays." But behind closed doors, Karen's quest for perfection resulted in low self-esteem, a disheartening love life, and a public battle with anorexia nervosa, which ended with her untimely death at the age of only 32. Forty years after her death comes “Karen Carpenter: Starving For Perfection,” a captivating, revealing, and unvarnished documentary providing astounding new insight into the singer's tragically short life and enduring musical legacy.

Production Co.: AMS Pictures
Director Randy Martin
Producer & Writer: Randy Schmidt
Producer & Editor Brad Osborne
Executive Producers Carnie Wilson  & Andy Streitfeld
Director of Photography: Osman Tello
Editors Chuck Brown & Paul Ellison
Running Time: 1hour 40 minutes

 

“Starring Jerry As Himself” (Feature Film Docu-Fiction Hybrid)
REEL LIVES Selection (SBIFF)

Recently having won the Slamdance Film Festival Grand Jury Documentary Feature, Audience Award Documentary & Acting Award for Jerry Hsu with sold out screenings and standing ovations, “Starring Jerry As Himself” is a docu-fiction hybrid that blurs the lines of reality while staying true to Jerry Hsu, the title subject and his unique story. Jerry  is the father everyone wants to have as their own, and his journey is one that rivals that of Alice following the white rabbit into another world. Employing a variety of creative filmmaking techniques to capture the world from Jerry’s perspective, the film is a genre bending meta experience as Jerry deals with a wild tale of international intrigue in which he inexplicably finds himself a lynchpin with his family none the wiser...or has he?

West Coast Premiere:
Wednesday, February 15th at 4:20pm. Followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 4 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

2nd Screening:
Friday, February 17th at 8;30am. Followed by Q&A
Location: Fiesta 4 Multiplex, Screen 4
916 State Street, Santa Barbara, CA

Director & Editor Lawrence Chen
Co-Writers Jerry C. Hsu  & Lawrence Chen
Producers: Jonathan Hsu & Lawrence Chen
Composer Eric Hölljes
Cinematography by Tinx Chen and Lawrence Chen

Dark Star Pictures Theatrical Release MISSING on November 4, 2022

Pictures Missing

(Sagasu/さがす)
Directed by: Shinzô Katayama
Starring: Aoi Ito, Hiroya Shimizu, Misato Morita, Jirô Satô
Country: Japan
Language: Japanese with English Subtitles
Year: 2021
Run Time: 2 hours 4 minutes

Dark Star and Bloody Disgusting plan a US theatrical release for MISSING on November 4, 2022, an On Demand release on November 18, 2022, and the Blu Ray release for the film to follow on December 6, 2022.

OFFICIAL SELECTION: Busan International Film Festival, Fantasia International Film Festival.

Depressed and in debt following the death of his wife, Santoshi (Jiro Sato) tells his young daughter he has found a way out. Pointing to a reward note, he vows to find the infamous serial killer “No Name” (Hiroya Shimizu) and cash in, claiming to have seen the man in the flesh a few days earlier. Kaeda (Aoi Ito) cannot take her aloof father serious. But when he goes missing without a trace, she starts to fear the worst—and must begin looking for him.

MISSING (Credit Dark Star Pictures)
MISSING (Credit Dark Star Pictures)

After working as an assistant director for Japanese films, including Nobuhiro Yamashita’s works, filmmaker Shinzô Katayama crossed paths with Bong Joon-Ho while shooting “TOKYO!” (2008) and served as his assistant director on “Mother” (2009). In 2019, his debut feature, “Siblings of the Cape ” was selected by numerous domestic and international film festivals. He now is one of the most promising, emerging directors in Japan, and his second feature, MISSING (“Sagasu /さがす”) will be his commercial film debut.

DARK STAR PICTURES

Dark Star Pictures is a new-age North American distribution company, focused on bringing unique and targeted content to audiences across the country. We are committed to releasing auteur-driven, original cinema in the theatrical, digital, and home video space.

Website:https://darkstarpics.com

PR CONTACT- FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT: 
EMMA GRIFFITHS
EMMA GRIFFITHS PR
E: emma@eg-pr.com
W: www.eg-pr.com

World famous ‘Kendal Mountain Festival’ Tour is coming to North America for the first time in its history – launching Sept 19th 2022

After 42 years – the UK’s leading adventure film and speaker Festival finally brings the best cinematic adventure stories to  audiences in over 75 locations.

Kendal Mountain Tour Logo

(Denver, CO) The Kendal Mountain Tour is coming to the USA and Canada for the first time this fall bringing a selection of the very best short adventure documentaries to North American audiences. Adventure Entertainment with support from presenting partners  Montane, and OS Maps will bring this epic festival to audiences theatrically across North America (U.S.A. and Canada) in cinemas in more than 75 markets beginning on September 19th.  So what's different about the films you'll see on the Kendal Mountain Tour? Simple – these are films you won't catch elsewhere, incredible stories from award-winning filmmakers with a uniquely British and European slant. It's your chance to discover new people and places, characters you'll instantly warm to, in amazing locations you'll instantly make top of your bucket list.

The program is carefully selected by the team from Kendal Mountain Festival in the UK, which attracts over 20,000 outdoor enthusiasts to this legendary event every year. A similar program tours throughout the UK on an annual basis, and is now available to North American audiences, viewing in theaters across the U.S.

Kendal Mountain Festival, with presenting partners Montane, and OS Maps, will bring the Kendal Mountain Tour throughout the U.S.A. and Canada premiering with Santa Cruz, CA on September 19th, Seattle on September 22nd, Boston on October 4th and Denver on October 5th, before expanding into over 75 additional markets throughout the fall. View the Kendal Mountain Tour trailer here  and get a glimpse into the world of cutting-edge outdoor storytelling, action sports and adventure.

 

The Kendal Mountain Tour is proudly produced in the USA & Canada by Adventure Entertainment.

 

Adventure Entertainment with support from presenting partners Montane, and OS Maps will bring this epic festival to audiences theatrically across North America (U.S.A. and Canada) in cinemas in more than 75 markets beginning on September 19th.  Montane, and OS Maps, as our presenting sponsors will be working collaboratively to share adventure stories with new audiences across the US. The concept is simple. Take the spirit and essence of the premiere adventure festival, the Kendal Mountain Festival, and put it on tour. The result? Fun, great speakers, carefully curated films, bags of inspiration… and yet more fun. ‘Kendal’ is all about adventure, stories of extreme human endurance, breathtaking environments, and adrenaline-fueled excitement. This spirit of adventure and exploration is distilled into a traveling film tour of short adventure films and adventure speakers on stage.

 

"We’re incredibly excited and honored to finally be bringing the Kendal Mountain Tour to our friends across the Atlantic! We’ve worked hard to program the best Festival films alongside hosting great guest speakers at our  live events across North America. Join us for an evening that will celebrate adventure stories from some of the most spectacular places on earth. You’ll be guided through our curation featuring a unique collection of travelers, athletes, activists, and creatives”, says Steve Scott,  Director of Kendal Mountain Festival. 

Matt Hickman, Global Marketing Manager of Montane, says: “We are a long-term supporter of the Kendal Mountain Festival and are looking forward to expanding this support into the North American tour. At Montane, we aim to inspire people to immerse themselves in nature and push their boundaries of what is possible- what better way to do this  than sharing a range of inspirational stories that our industry produces.”

Britain’s national mapping service Ordnance Survey (OS), which operates navigation app OS Maps, has confirmed its support for the ‘Kendal Mountain Film Tour’, with OS Maps joining the new US tour as a Presenting Partner.  The two organizations will combine to host a selection of tales of inspiration and high-quality tools for adventure to new audiences in the US and Canada.

Nick Giles, Managing Director for OS Leisure says: “We are delighted to join together with the ‘Kendal Mountain Film Tour’ on their expansion into the US and Canada. Both our organizations are driven by a shared passion for the outdoors; focusing on encouraging and inspiring more people to explore their local neighborhood or further afield.”

To find theaters near you screening Kendal Mountain Tour, go to: https://us.kendalmountaintour.com/

Film line up coming soon, watch the trailer here.

About Kendal Mountain Festival: Over 40 years ago, back in October 1980, Kendal hosted a new low-key two-day event. Named the  ‘Kendal Mountaineering Film Festival’, visitors experienced  art, seminars, films, photography and - importantly - "two bars". Little did they know what they had started, or how influential the event would become.  As the event grew in stature and popularity it attracted greater audience numbers, plus a veritable 'who's who' from the world of climbing and mountaineering. Yvon Chouinard, Reinhold Messner, Catherine Destivelle, Fred Beckey, Barry Blanchard, Lynn Hill, Jeff Lowe, Tommy Caldwell, Chris Sharma, Ueli Steck and Will Gadd to name but a few of those who have stood on the Kendal stage. And in film, the Festival became globally respected  as a launchpad and international showcase for mountain and outdoor film, premiering or screening such classics as ‘The Bat’,  ‘Five Days One Summer’, ‘Hard Grit’,  ‘Touching The Void’ and more recently ‘Free Solo’, ‘14 Peaks’ and ‘The Rescue’.  ‘Kendal’ became recognized as the main annual social event for outdoor enthusiasts in the UK and Europe, and built its strong international reputation.  Since then, Kendal has gone on to become a global touring film festival spreading across the United Kingdom, China and now coming to the United States and Canada for the first time.

About Adventure Entertainment:
Australian-based, and operating in more than 12 countries, Adventure Entertainment is making literal and metaphorical waves in the adventure film world with more than 10 touring film festivals, and dozens of feature films in recent distribution. Specializing in producing live, eventized, theatrical film screenings, AE is leading the way in innovative, community-based marketing and generating pre, and post-show buzz in the entertainment industry. Adventure Entertainment owns and operates the Women’s Adventure Film Tour, One Ocean Film Tour, Vertical Life Film Tour and RunNation Film Festival. Their recent feature film experience includes releases from National Geographic's;  "Torn",  Red Bull Media House's "La Liste: Everything or Nothing",  "Buried”,  from Oscar-winning producers Evan Hayes and Michael Sugar, and  Summer 2022 surf releases "Big Wave Guardians" and  "Five Summer Stories", from MacGillivray Freeman Films. See more at adventureentertainment.com

About Montane:
Pushing the limits of endurance and versatility for almost 30 years, the British outdoor performance specialist, Montane, engineers innovative, lightweight, breathable clothing, and equipment of uncompromised quality for multi-activity adventures, mountain activities and extreme environments. The drive to find, see and do more in the outdoors has driven Montane to evolve for efficiency through a simplified ‘less is more’ approach. The brand works closely with serious mountain professionals, leading adventurers, and top-performance athletes to be at the forefront of developing a clothing range that allows people to be immersed in nature, no matter the environment. Montane uses its unrivalled expertise to create a collection of reliable and versatile running, walking, and mountaineering clothing allowing its wearer to go FURTHER. FASTER in the outdoors.”

About OS Maps:
OS MAPS: HIKING & BIKE TRAILS – Plan hikes, runs & bike rides. Explore the great outdoors the way you want, all while staying safe with OS Maps. Whether you want to hike, bike or run, OS Maps will guide you with amazing trails across the USA. Want to find new places in your local neighborhood? Or plan that next thru-hiking adventure? From breathtaking National Parks to easy walks along the coast, experience the thrill of finding a brand-new trail that you never even knew existed with OS Maps.

Theatrical Booking Contact:
Henry C. Lystad/ Ph: 970.275.1234
E.henry@adventureentertainment.com

“Icon” Available Now Across All Platforms on August 1st: KDMG, Inc. Releasing Filmmaker Tony Ahedo’s Touching Feature Film “Icon” Starring Parker Padgett and Devon Hales

ICON-3_Poster

KDMG, Inc. (Kaczmarek Digital Media Group, Inc. ) release of Pretty Sweet Films’ production of filmmaker Tony Ahedo’s  touching feature film debut “Icon” is available today across all TVOD/Digital and Blu-Ray/DVD platforms throughout North America.

This moving coming of age drama charts the perilous journey to adulthood for our charismatic leads Sam (Parker Padgett) and Ana (Devon Hales).

Young love’s the topic of so many films, but rarely is it handled with earnest, authentic grace, as we see in “Icon”. Anchored in the touching  performances  of Parker Padgett and Devon Hales, audiences will find themselves moved much like fellow beloved indie film “The Spectacular Now.” When a surprise pregnancy forces Sam to face many brutal realities of adulthood and responsibility, things spiral rapidly out of control as he simultaneously tries to fight to find his own truth: why his absent father hasn’t been in his life since he was one and is only a fading memory.

“Icon” was inspired by a true story and stars Parker Padgett (“Surviving Lunch”) and Devon Hales (Netflix’s “Teenage Bounty Hunters,” “Stan Against Evil”), along with Julia Denton (“The Fundamentals of Caring,” “Geostorm”), Tony Demil (Succession,” “Zola”), Bryce Anthony Heller  (“Education in Love,” “Cobra’s World”), and the feature film debut of Ronald Sansone.

Adapted from an award-winning short that won the presidents’ award at Ringling College of Art & Design, “Icon” was filmed in Ahedo’s hometown of Saint Petersburg, Florida, just prior to the pandemic. The story pulls elements from his childhood growing up in the mid 90’s through the early 2000s in Florida.

Cinematographer Harrison Stagner (“Rosary, Fiona Humphrey: A Family Album,” “Stubbz”), utilized different cameras to best embody the film’s timelines. A Canon C200 was used for the 2010 timeline and BMCC4K with a vintage 60’s lens for the 90’s timeline. “Icon” also features a moving original score by Chris Carlone (“The Red Cocoon,” “Highway to Havasu”).

Where to follow the film and its journey—
Website: www.iconfeature.com
Facebook: @iconthemovie
Instagram: @iconthemovie

“THE QUEST: Nepal” Release Today, May 24th Across All TVOD/Digital Platforms Throughout North America

THE QUEST Nepal - Poster

Gravitas Ventures will release “THE QUEST: Nepal” across all TVOD/Digital platforms throughout North America – beginning today, May 24th, 2022, perfectly timed to International Everest Day.

“THE QUEST: Nepal” is like combining Werner Herzog with Anthony Bourdain and a bit of  Bear Grylls on an extraordinary Quest to deeper understand and climb the most iconic mountain in the world, Everest, while unveiling the fascinating culture, history and nature of Nepal. Become enthralled by one of the most surreal cities on earth, Kathmandu, before embarking on an expedition up the sacred valley of the indigenous Sherpa people during a spectacular 9-day trek to Mt. Everest Base Camp situated at a staggering height of 17,500 feet / 5334 meters above sea level.

Alex Approaching the South Summit of Everest (2)

Feel what life is like to climb and survive for 43 more grueling days at 17,500 feet and above as we continue our epic Quest upward to try to reach the daunting 29,032 foot / 8849  meter summit of planet earth.  From experiencing Mt. Everest like never before to witnessing remarkable rarely seen stories from one of the most unique countries in the world, “THE QUEST: Nepal” is truly a one-of-a-kind cinematic journey like no other, and one which embodies the incredible human spirit of adventure that lives inside us all.

Film Threat Award This! Announces 2022 The Best of Independent Film Winners

Film Threat Celebrates The Best of Indie Filmmaking at Live In-Theater Ceremony

Film Threat,led by founder and filmmaker Chris Gore, and in conjunction with their partner Magical Threads, are thrilled to announce the Award This! 2022 winners. Award This!! nominees were selected from the nearly 2,000 indie films reviewed on Film Threat in 2021 (this year we extended our deadline into the first quarter of 2022 due to the pandemic). Award This! returned for its fourth year with a live in-person, in-theater event on Saturday, May 21st at non-profit arthouse cinema the Frida Cinema to honor the best and brightest in independent film. Film Threat’s Award This! has become an independent film industry staple celebrating the best in independent cinema.

“This years’ incredibly diverse Award This! nominees made deliberations brutal for our team. Amid two years of literal pandemic struggle, we saw the independent spirit in all its glory. We are honored to share our winners and encourage you to watch this years’ nominees,” said Chris Gore.

This years’ Award This! bold and diverse categories including Indie Sci-Fi, Indie Horror, Indie Comedy, Indie LGBTQ+ Film, Indie Action/Thriller, WTF Indie, Indie Romantic Comedy, Indie Drama, Music Documentary, Pop Culture Documentary, Socially-Relevant Documentary, Best Director, Best Directress, Indie Made for Less Than the Contents of an Oscar Gift Bag (Under $100K), and Indie Movie of the Year. The nominating board of Award This! is comprised of the staff of Film Threat’s editors and critics which number 30+ worldwide along with an advisory board of media figures and independent film luminaries.

Below please find this years’ winning films along side the complete list of independent films nominated for the Film Threat’s 2022 Award This! event.

Award This! Film About Movies or Filmmaking

Clapboard Jungle

Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters

Clerk.

Film Fest

Sam and Mattie Make a Zombie Movie – WINNER 

Award This! Music Documentary **(This Category was a tie)**

Holding These Moments – WINNER

The Jesus Music

Miss Angela

Rock Camp the Movie

The United States of Insanity – WINNER

Award This!  Socially Relevant Documentary **(This Category was a tie)**

Bastards' Road – WINNER

The Boys in Red Hats – WINNER

Finding Kendrick Johnson

Pharma Bro

Rebel Hearts

The Reunited States

Stronger For Life

Award This!  Pop Culture Documentary

Cleanin' Up the Town: Remembering Ghostbusters

 Clerk.

Lily Topples the World

More Than Miyagi – WINNER

Satoshi Kon: The Illusionist

Smoke and Mirrors: The Story of Tom Savini

Award This! Documentary

Bastards' Road – WINNER

Clerk.

Finding Kendrick Johnson

Pharma Bro

Sam and Mattie Make a Zombie Movie

The United States of Insanity

Award This! Short Film

ASMR for White Liberals

Billy Kills the Internet – WINNER

BoxLife

Heavy Petting

KIA Summer Sales Event

Snake Dick

Award This! Indie Sci-Fi

The Changed

Glasshouse

God of Dreams – WINNER

Man Under Table

Nebulous Dark

Repeat

Award This! Indie Horror

Agnes

The Great And Terrible Day Of The Lord – WINNER

The Nest

Night At The Eagle Inn

Psycho Goreman

Slashening: The Final Beginning

Award This! Indie Comedy

Donny’s Bar Mitzvah

Golden Arm

Kitty Mammas

Spirit Quest

Tango Shalom – WINNER

Win a Trip to Browntown!

Award This! Indie LGBTQ+ Themed Film

HipBeat

Road Head

Shit & Champagne

Swan Song

X –WINNER

Award This! Indie Animation

Cryptozoo

Flee

The Spine Of Night – WINNER

Award This! Indie Action/Thriller

100 Days to Live

The Beta Test

Delicate State

How To Deter A Robber

Mafia Inc.

Shut In – WINNER

Award This! WTF Indie Like “What The Fuck Is This Move Even?   **(This Category was a tie)**

Baby Oopsie

Donny’s Bar Mitzvah

I, Challenger – WINNER

Mother Schmuckers

Road Head

Willy’s Wonderland – WINNER

Award This! Indie Romantic Comedy

Borrelia Borealis

Christmas On The Carousel

Honesty Weekend – WINNER

Lost At Christmas

Threebound

Win a Trip to Browntown!

Award This! Indie Drama

The In-Between

Lola

Shiva Baby

Single Mother By Choice – WINNER

Sweet Thing

Weekenders

Award This! Indie Made for Less Than the Contents of an Oscar Gift Bag (Under $100k)

Delicate State - WINNER

God of Dreams

Lola

Road Head

Tango Shalom

Win a Trip to Browntown! – WINNER

Award This! Director  **(This Category was a tie)**

The Beta Test (Jim Cummings, P.J. McCabe)

The Changed (Michael Mongillo)

Donny’s Bar Mitzvah (Jonathan Kaufman) – WINNER

God of Dreams (Jurian Isabelle)

Lola (Antonie Allen)

Shit & Champagne (D'Arcy Drollinger)

Shut In (D.J. Caruso)

Single Mother By Choice (Dan Levy Dagerman) – WINNER

Award This! Directress  **(This Category was a tie)**

Borrelia Borealis (Kathryne Isabelle Easton) – WINNER

Delicate State (Paula Rhodes) – WINNER

Glasshouse (Kelsey Egan)

Golden Arm (Maureen Bharoocha)

Honesty Weekend (Leslie Thomas)

How To Deter A Robber (Maria Bissell)

The In-Between (Mindy Bledsoe)

Shiva Baby (Emma Seligman)

Award This! Indie Movie of the Year

The Beta Test

Borrelia Borealis

The Changed

Delicate State

Donny’s Bar Mitzvah – WINNER

Night At The Eagle Inn

Repeat

Shiva Baby

Shut In

The Spine Of Night

Check out the official Award This! site for more information, including eligibility requirements for next year and don't forget to follow Award This! on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

THE WILD ONE World Premiere at Tribeca Film Festival 2022

The Wild One Key Art

Director: Tessa Louise-Salomé
 Narrator; Willem Dafoe
 Featuring: Jack Garfein, Willem Dafoe, Peter        Bogdanovich, Irène Jacob, Bobby Soto, Dick Guttman, Blanche Baker, Patricia Bosworth, Foster Hirsch, Geoffrey Horne, and Kate Rennebohm.
Run Time: 1 hour 34 minutes
Language: English
Country: France

THE WILD ONE World Premiere at  Tribeca Film Festival 2022 
(Section: Documentary Competition) 

PRESS SCREENING
 Sunday, June 12 at 11:30AM
Location: Village East by Angelika (Theater 2)

PUBLIC SCREENING SCHEDULE
WORLD PREMIERE

Saturday, June 11 at 5:15PM
Location: Village East by Angelika (Theater 1)

Tuesday, June 14 at 5:30PM
Location: Cinepolis (Theater 4)

Sunday, June 19 at 12:45PM
Location: Village East by Angelika (Theater 6)

THE WILD ONE illuminates the journey of an enigmatic artist, Jack Garfein—Holocaust survivor, celebrated Broadway director, Actors Studio West co-founder, and controversial filmmaker. It examines how his experience in the concentration camps shaped his vision of acting as a survival mechanism and propelled his engagement with themes of violence, power, and racism in postwar America in two explosive films "The Strange One" (1957) and "Something Wild" (1961). The film explores the importance of his legacy as an artist who confronted censorship and reveals how art can draw on personal memory to better enlighten our present.

Tessa Louise-Salomé is a Paris-based director, writer, and producer whose work foregrounds visually poetic approaches to storytelling. Her films as a director include the Sundance Jury Prize nominee Mr. Leos caraX.  Her films as a producer include documentaries that combine social justice issues with a focus on the artist’s creative universe, and have premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, Venice Film Festival, IFFR, and CPH:DOX.

Buffalo 8 “Along Came Wanda” on Tubi starting Friday, May 6th

Along Came Wanda Key Art

Director and Writer: Jan Miller Corran
Starring: Constance Brenneman, Cathy DeBuono, Isabella Hofman, Monica Young, Rich Ceraulo Ko, Adam Huss, Roberta Hanlen, Carly Frintner, Kyla Harris, Monica Young
Genre: Comedy
Runtime: 1 hour 34 minutes
Rating: Not yet rated
Country: United States
Language: English

Available across North America (USA & Canada), the UK and Australia on all TVOD/Digital platforms.

Along Came Wanda” is an artful journey of self-discovery as love blooms from friendship. A stylist cinematic sibling in many ways to “Eat, Pray, Love” and “Imagine Me & You” this moving Lesbian love story is honest and genuine without needing to sell on sex, instead offering a beautiful, meaningful film for global audiences. “Along Came Wanda” emphasizes the true meaning of life and it’s often overwhelming lessons we must all know and learn. Through her journey, our central character displays resilience, humor (in moments artfully breaking the fourth wall to invite audiences into her dilemma’s) and strength as she moves through doubt, fear, loss, and uncertainty.

“Along Came Wanda” stars Constance Brenneman (“Alias,” “Batgirl Rises”), Cathy DeBuono (“And Then Came Lola,” “Star Trek: Deep Space Nine”), Max Adler (“Glee,” “Love and Honor”), Isabella Hofmann (“Burlesque,” “The Flash”), Monica Young (“Modern Family,” Community”), Rich Ceraulo Ko (“Tenet,” “The Walking Dead”), Roberta Hanlen (“NCIS,” “Honey, I Blew Up the Kid”), Hank Matusek (“How ‘Bout a Cuppa Tea”), Carly Frintner (Operation Gratitude”), and Adam Huss (“Power,” “The Bold & The Beautiful”).

“Along Came Wanda” Synopsis
For many months, delivery person Wanda has been dropping off packages to Mary Beth Higgins during which they have developed a close friendship. With Mary Beth's divorce almost final, Wanda suggests a road trip in her RV which doubles as a Soup food truck. Hesitant at first, Mary Beth gives in and the journey begins. Along the way, Wanda takes Mary Beth to two notable destinations- one a spiritual retreat and the other a camping adventure complete with the famous psychic Davina Moonbeam. Throughout, both women are learning about life and each other. By the end of this journey, unexpected love for each other has arrived for both of them.

New Trailer for Adventure Entertainment  and a Dan Mirvish  Film “18½” 

Opens in North America on May 27th, beginning with Laemmle theaters in Los Angeles and expanding coast-to-coast on June 3rd

Director: Dan Mirvish Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Comedy, Drama
Writers: Dan Mirvish, Daniel Moya, Daniel Moya
Release Date (Theaters): May 27, 2022 Limited
Original Language: English
Run time: 1h 28m
Cast: Willa Fitzgerald, John Magaro, Vondie Curtis Hall , Catherine Curtin , Richard Kind, Sullivan Jones, Alanna Saunders, Claire Saunders, and the legendary voices of Ted Raimi , Jon Cryer,, and Bruce Campbell

101 Films International, Bugeater Films and  Kyyba Films  with Syncopated Daydreams and Terry Keefe Media. Adventure Entertainment

The film "18½" humorously crafts its own narrative into the notorious gap in Nixon’s Watergate scandal. Taking place in 1974, "18½" is about a fictional  White House transcriber finds the only copy of the infamous 18½-minute gap in Nixon's Watergate tapes but her attempts to leak it to the press run afoul of hippies, swingers and nefarious forces. 

Director:  Dan Mirvish,
Screenplay: Daniel Moya
Story: Dan Mirvish & Daniel Moya
Cinematographer:  Elle Schneider.
Producer: Dan Mirvish, p.g.a., Daniel Moya, p.g.a. and Terry Keefe
Executive producers: Tel K. Ganesan, Ashwin T. Ganesan, Richard Schenkman and Sebastian Twardosz,
Co-executive producers: Paul Orzulak, Kyra Rogers, Elisabeth Jereski, Jarrod Phillips, Dana Altman, Frédéric Forestier. 

About Adventure Entertainment:
Sydney-based, and operating in 28 countries on 5 continents, Adventure Entertainment is making literal and metaphorical waves in the adventure film world with over 10 film touring platforms, and dozens of feature films in recent distribution. Specializing in producing live, eventized, theatrical film screenings, AE is leading the way in innovative, community-based marketing and generating pre, and post-show buzz in the entertainment industry. In addition to "Rookie Season," other 2021/22 titles include National Geographic's" Torn, " Red Bull Media House's "La Liste: Everything or Nothing, " and "Buried, ” from Oscar-winning producers Evan Hayes and Michael Sugar.
See more at   adventureentertainment.com

Runtime: 1h 28m
Director: Dan Mirvish
Writers: Dan Mirvish, Daniel Moya, Daniel Moya
Producer: Terry Keefe, Dan Mirvish, Daniel Moya
Release Date (Theaters): May 27, 2022 Limited
Distributor: Adventure Entertainment
Cast: Willa Fitzgerald (Amazon’s “Reacher”) , John Magaro (“First Cow”),  Vondie Curtis Hall (“Harriet”),   Catherine Curtin (Netflix’s “Stranger Things”), Richard Kind (“Argo”),  Sullivan Jones (“The Gilded Age”), Alanna Saunders, Claire Saunders, and the legendary voices of Ted Raimi (“Spider-Man”) , Jon Cryer (“Two and a Half Men”), and Bruce Campbell (“Evil Dead”) as President Richard Nixon
Cinematographer:  Elle Schneider.
Executive producers: Tel K. Ganesan, Ashwin T. Ganesan, Richard Schenkman and Sebastian Twardosz,
Co-executive producers: Paul Orzulak, Kyra Rogers, Elisabeth Jereski, Jarrod Phillips, Dana Altman, Frédéric Forestier. 

Gerard Damiano Sr.’s Controversial Film “Deep Throat” Returns to Cinemas for a Global Event Cinema Celebrating the 50th Anniversary

DT.Still_4

The Zeitgeist of the Sexual Revolution and first adult film to debut in mainstream theatrical cinema breaking box office records in 1972, filmmaker Gerard Damiano Sr.’s controversial film “Deep Throat” had an unprecedented impact on popular culture and society. It changed the way we discussed sexuality and is still considered to be the most profitable film of all time.

 Damiano Films will tour the globe this year with this pop culture phenom timed to the film’s 50th anniversary for the first time in decades offering Q&As with the filmmaker’s son Gerard Damiano Jr. a filmmaker in his own right, and daughter Christar – who can offer illuminating context to the film that helped to create the Adult Film Industry, beginning with a sneak preview on June 10th, 2022, in New York. Damiano Films holds the rights to their father’s most important feature films. A documentary on “Deep Throat” director Gerard Damiano Sr. helmed by Damiano Jr. is currently in the works.

DT.Still_2

In the summer of 1972 “Deep Throat” brought adult films into the mainstream and kick-started the Sexual Revolution. Its success was unprecedented, breaking box office records in its very first week of theatrical exhibition. Lauded as one of the first hardcore films to feature a plot, character development, and production values, it pushed the limits of what could be shown on screen and made an international celebrity of its star, Linda Lovelace. Busted by police, picketed, and banned, the ongoing persecution only added to the film’s popularity. It would help to create the Adult Film Industry and an audience hungry for feature length films with adult content. Celebrities, dignitaries, couples, and women joined the usual “raincoat crowd,” waiting in lines that wrapped around the block just to see it.

"We have succeeded in preserving our father's best known film in a complete 4K restoration so that it can be shared not only with his old fans, but with new generations. We are excited to present “Deep Throat” as a theatrical experience, the way it was originally shown, and add in-person talk backs to discuss its impact then, and its relevance today" shares Gerard Jr. of Damiano Films.

 Unsatisfied and unfulfilled, a young woman (Linda Lovelace), derives little pleasure from sex. She feels a lot of “little tingles”, but wants “Bells Ringing! Dams Bursting! and Bombs going off!” Her roommate (Dolly Sharp ) sends her to an unconventional therapist (Harry Reems), who discovers the root of her problem. Her clitoris is deep down in her throat! The solution: a technique known as “Deep Throat.” Once cured, she devotes herself to helping others to find the sexual satisfaction that she so desired. 

This light, campy, comedy was one of the first full length feature films to include hard-core sex and became an instant phenomenon. Made in 1972 for a mere $25,000, it was reported to have made over $600,000,000. It came to define what was known as “Porno Chic” reaching mainstream audiences.

DT.Still_1

The response was not all positive. Conservative Christian groups and Anti-Porn Feminists sought to ban on the film. It was prosecuted on both local and federal levels resulting in many high-profile cases reaching all the way to the Supreme Court. “Deep Throat” became a household word and lent its name to the Watergate informant who brought down then President Richard Nixon. It enjoys a cult status today. “Deep Throat” has been referenced in all forms of popular culture from late night monologues to feature films. It has inspired songs, books, movies, musicals, even a rock opera. The acclaimed documentary “Inside Deep Throat” sought to tell the true story, while “Lovelace ” which starred Amanda Seyfried offered a fictionalized version. Burt Reynolds famously styled himself after Gerard Damiano Sr. for his appearance as porn director Jack Horner in Paul Thomas Andersons “Boogie Nights.” For those interested in booking “Deep Throat” in their markets, please contact bookings@damianofilms.com.

About Damiano Film, LLC
Noted auteur filmmaker Gerard Damiano Sr. is best known for the iconic film “Deep Throat, ” but went on to make some of the best and most critically acclaimed films of the genre. Damiano Films LLC was founded by his son Gerard Damiano Jr. and daughter Christar, to preserve their father’s legacy. They are lovingly restoring his most significant films such as “The Devil in Miss Jones, ” “Memories within Miss Aggie,” the cult classic “Let My Puppets Come,” as well as his masterpiece “The Story of Joanna.” The Damianos are joined by Robin Leonardi, daughter of legendary Porn Star and Activist Gloria Leonard. Together they represent the second generation of the pioneers of “The Golden Age of Porn.”