Category: Independent Films

View New Trailer: COMPUTER ACCENT (Documentary featuring Grammy nominated band YACHT)

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Directed and Produced by: Riel Roch-Decter & Sebastian Pardo
Featuring: YACHT
Feature Documentary Feature
Running Time: 1 hour 23 minutes
USA

“An entertaining and thought-provoking exploration of the intersection of art, technology and human intuition” - CPH:DOX

OPENING THEATRICALLY:

OCTOBER 21- NEW YORK (METROGRAPH) (With Live Performance) 

NOVEMBER 17- SAN FRANCISCO (ROXIE THEATER)

NOVEMBER 17- LOS ANGELES (LAEMMLE THEATERS)
Including: Laemmle Noho, Laemmle Glendale, Laemmle Newhall, Laemmle Monica.

With Film Screenings and Performances throughout October and November in major cities including: Portland, Bellingham, Austin, Minneapolis and more.

THE COMPUTER ACCENT is a documentary following the boundary-pushing pop group YACHT as they try something terrifying and new: handing over the reins of their entire creative process to ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE. Working with technologists and leading AI researchers, YACHT uses cutting-edge data analysis tools, machine learning, neural networks, sci-fi instruments, and generative composition strategies to create a new kind of human-machine album—music, lyrics, artwork, videos, and all. Putting AI to the test in the name of art, YACHT are guides through the brave new world of machine intelligence. Along the way, they’ll question their own roles in a future where software anticipates, generates, and synthesizes human work.

Sebastian Pardo and Riel Roch-Decter founded MEMORY  at the start of 2014 and together have produced and distributed award-winning fiction and non-fiction films. They have collaborated with multi-hyphenate filmmakers and artists to bring their debut films to fruition, such as: Celia Rowlson-Hall’s MA, Carson Mell’s ANOTHER EVIL, Dean Fleischer-Camp’s FRAUD, Theo Anthony’s RAT FILM, Marnie Ellen Hertzler’s CRESTONE and Zia Anger’s MY FIRST FILM project. In 2016, MEMORY was named one of Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film, and in 2020 MEMORY was awarded the Cinereach Producing Award for their work in “shaping new ways of filmmaking.” MEMORY’s latest production, Theo Anthony’s ALL LIGHT, EVERYWHERE won a Special Jury Prize for Non-Fiction Experimentation at Sundance 2021. THE COMPUTER ACCENT, which world premiered at CPH:DOX 2022, is their debut feature film as a directing team.

YACHT  began in 2002, as the design studio Young Americans Challenging High Technology, but the group is neither young nor American. For 20 years, Jona Bechtolt, Claire L. Evans and Robert Kieswetter have shape-shifted through multiple lineups and musical styles, releasing albums internationally on DFA RECORDS and DOWNTOWN RECORDS. YACHT have created and sold unplayable compact discs, published a philosophical handbook, built a 62-foot video installation for Dolby, designed an eyewear collection, created a fragrance, campaigned against NSA surveillance, programmed large- scale public art activations, and have been commissioned to speak, curate, and perform by organizations including THE GETTY CENTER, ADOBE, TEDx, WIRED, MOMA LACMA, RHIZOME, VICE, and more. Their seventh album, Chain Tripping,  was nominated for a GRAMMY Award for Best Immersive Audio Album.

Also featuring:
Kenric Allado McDowell, founder of Artists in Machine Intelligence
Research scientists Douglas Eck, Jesse Engel, Adam Roberts of Google Magenta
AI music experimentalists Dadabots
Algorithmic music pioneer Dr. David Cope
Creative technologist and poet Ross Goodwin
AI art curators Luba Elliott and Josette Melchor
Creative Computing researcher Dr. Rebecca Fiebrink

WEBSITE: https://memory.is/the-computer-accent

SOCIAL MEDIA: IG: @memory.is /  Twitter: @memorypresents

LGBTQ Documentary “Wonderfully Made — LGBTQ+R(eligion)” WoodStock Film Festival Premiere

“Wonderfully Made — LGBTQ+R(eligion),” is an extraordinarily moving feature-length documentary that strikes at the root of anti-LGBTQ attitudes by exploring the challenges and aspirations of LGBTQ+ Catholics. The film focuses on the Catholic Church, as one of the largest religious organizations in the world with its anti-LGBTQ+ stance, has been a source of pain for so many of its followers. The film shines a penetrating light on the Churches ostracizing teaching, while remaining respectful of those of faith. It features interviews with leading advocates of LGBTQ+ Catholics, including a pioneering nun, two prominent priests (one of whom is openly gay), and a former U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican. The narrative of the film is shaped by the process of a fine art project creating unprecedented, photographic iconography depicting Jesus as a member/ally of the LGBTQ+ community, portrayed by multiple LGBTQ+ models of diverse ethnicities, genders, races, sexualities, and identities.

“Wonderfully Made — LGBTQ+R(eligion),” was shaped and crafted by husbands, director and Emmy® winner Yuval David and executive producer Mark McDermott (who’s story as a person of faith opened the door to this bigger conversation). Advocate Producers include a number of notables including: Lance Bass, Bishop Gene Robinson, Reverend Mel White, former Ireland President Mary McAleese, Andrew Tobias, Mitchell Gold, and Jane Clementi.  The film features Cinematography by Nicco Quinto, editing by Hugo Perez, with original music composed by Ariel Blumenthal.

“Wonderfully Made — LGBTQ+R(eligion),” offers eye-opening interviews with  Father James Martin, S.J., Father Bryan Massingale, Sister Jeannine Grammick, SL, Stanley JR Zerkowski, Marianne Duddy-Burke, Cathy Renna, Natalia Imperatori-Lee, fmr. Ambassador Miguel Diaz, Xorje Olivares, and Jason Steidl.

Where to follow the film and its journey:
Website: wonderfullymadefilm.com
Instagram: @WonderfullyMadeMovie
Twitter: @wonderful_made_
Facebook: @WonderfullyMadeLGBTQReligion

20th Digital Studio’s BITE SIZE HALLOWEEN Brings
20 Spooky Shorts from Diverse, Emerging Filmmakers for Huluween

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Tatiana Maslany, Brigette Lundy-Paine, & Kate Nash         Included in Cast

In celebration of Huluween, 20th Digital Studio’s Bite Size Halloween series of spooky shorts is back for a third season! Twenty new shorts from exciting emerging filmmakers premiere October 1 on Hulu, blending genres like horror, comedy, sci-fi, thriller, and more.

Shot in seven different countries, this season takes on topical issues such as racism, gender, parenthood, sexuality, and identity. SNATCHED (dir. Michael Schwartz) features Tatiana Maslany (“She-Hulk: Attorney-at-Law”) in her first on-screen role with husband Brendan Hines (“Locke & Key”). Misha Osherovich (“Freaky”) stars as their son.

Other shorts feature familiar faces like Brigette Lundy-Paine (“Atypical”), Lin Shaye (“Insidious”), David Costabile (“Breaking Bad”), and former “Glow” co-stars Rebekka Johnson and singer-songwriter Kate Nash who co-wrote/directed/star in a short featuring Nash’s original music.

David Worthen Brooks, 20th Digital Studio head commented: “As we launch the first feature films developed with our incredibly talented Bite Size Halloween filmmaker alums, we are thrilled to introduce the next wave of dynamic filmmaking talent and their ingenious short films. We take great pride in showcasing these vital, diverse voices and their very personal twists on horror, thriller and sci-fi.”

The goal of 20th Digital Studio’s short film programs is to continue to guide and finance the growth of these artists’ careers and to transition some of the shorts into longer features. The first two films developed in this way will premiere this month for Huluween: “Grimcutty” from John William Ross on Oct. 10 and “Matriarch” from Ben Steiner on Oct. 21. Shorts from past seasons have played at festivals such as SXSW, Sundance, Tribeca, Fantasia, and more.

20th Digital Studio’s focus on diversity and inclusion continues as prestigious filmmakers from the festival world are featured, including Nuhash Humayun (“Moshari,” SXSW Grand Jury Prize), Sam Max (“Chaperone,” Sundance), Michelle Krusiec (“Bite,” AFI DWW), Zoey Martinson (“Cupids,” Tribeca), and many more.

About 20th Digital Studio

20th Digital Studio focuses on funding and producing award-winning short-form genre content together with up-and-coming filmmakers from the digital and film festival worlds. 20th Digital  develops select shorts into longer form content, packaging new voices with established producers and offering opportunities for growth and representation; always with a goal to create innovative character narrative, voice-driven filmmaking with a social message, cultural impact and box-office or streaming success. Set up in 2008 as a nimble entrepreneurial group within Fox Filmed Entertainment, 20th Digital is now a part of Disney General Entertainment Content. For more information visit: https://www.20thdigitalstudio.com/  or follow: @20thDigital on Instagram & Twitter, or facebook.com/20thdigitalstudio.

PR CONTACT:

EMMA GRIFFITHS PR Emma Griffiths
E: emma@eg-pr.com W:www.eg-pr.com

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

Watch Clip: CARMEN Opens in US on September 23rd

Director: Valerie Buhagiar
Starring: Natascha McElhone, Michaela Farrugia, Steven Love
Country: Malta, Canada
Language: English and Maltese
Run time: 1 hour 28 minutes

CARMEN will be released in the US Theatrically in major cities and on VOD in the US and Canada on Friday, September 23rd
US Theaters include:

NEW YORK - Cinema Village
LOS ANGELES - Laemmle Monica
With exclusive engagements in Chicago, Detroit, San Francisco (Bay Area), Columbus and more.

US VOD Platforms include:
Apple TV/iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Vudu, XFinity Cable, and more.

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CARMEN is perhaps veteran director and accomplished actor Valerie Buhagiar’s most joyous film outing yet. Set in a sun-dappled village in Malta in the 1980s, Natascha McElhone gives a career-best performance as a 50-year-old woman finding a new start in life through romance.

In a small Mediterranean village, Carmen has looked after her brother, the local priest, for her entire life. When the Church abandons Carmen, she is mistaken for the new priest. Carmen begins to see the world, and herself, in a new light.

In Malta, it is tradition for the younger sister to devote her life to the church when an older brother enters the priesthood. Inspired by true events, Carmen lives a life of servitude from the age of 16 until 50, when her brother dies. Realizing her own mortality, she leaves the church and makes up for lost time.

CARMEN is Buhagiar’s third feature film as a director. She first burst on the scene as a performer in such classic Canadian films as ROADKILL (1989) and HIGHWAY 61 (1991). Other indelible feature performances include EXPECTING (2002), A WINTER TALE (2007) and ADRIATICO MY LOVE (2011).

YOUNG PLATO will have a Theatrical release in NEW YORK (Angelika Film Center) and Boston (Dedham Community Theater) on Friday, September 23

SOILSIÚ FILMS PRESENTS

Young Plato Poster

YOUNG PLATO WILL OPEN THEATRICALLY IN NEW YORK (ANGELIKA FILM CENTER) ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 23 WITH A REGIONAL EXPANSION TO FOLLOW ON SEPTEMBER 30 IN WASHINGTON DC (ANGELIKA POP UP), DALLAS (ANGELIKA DALLAS), SAN DIEGO (ANGELIKA CARMEL MOUNTAIN), SACRAMENTO (TOWER THEATER), PLANO, TX (ANGELIKA PLANO),FAIRFAX, VA (ANGELIKA MOSAIC) AND MORE.

 

OFFICIAL SELECTION: DOC NYC, CPH DOX, SYDNEY FILM FESTIVAL, SEATTLE FILM FESTIVAL AND MANY MORE.

WINNER!  NINE AWARDS AND CURRENTLY SHORTLISTED FOR UK GRIERSON AWARD FOR BEST CINEMA DOCUMENTARY.

At Holy Cross Boys School in Belfast, Northern Ireland schoolyard conflicts are resolved at the Philosophy board where the youngsters learn to reason and think for themselves. School Principal Kevin McArevey, a Stoic who sings along to Elvis Presley, is rocking the status quo by teaching Philosophy to students in a community plagued by urban decay, sectarian violence, poverty and drugs. In an atmosphere of deep caring and support, his students learn new ways to manage their emotions based on Ancient texts. YOUNG PLATO  deftly addresses the social division and intergenerational trauma of a city divided by Peace Walls where "the troubles" are more than a memory in a story filled with the mischievous charm of young boys learning to question the mythologies of war and violence.  "Young Plato" shines a positive light on contemporary Northern Ireland, offering a model for building a culture of peace in these troubling times.

YOUNG PLATO - Awards and Festivals
World Premiere at DOC NYC 2021.  Winner of nine (9) international and Irish awards, including the Irish Film & Television Academy Award for Best Feature Doc 2022, presented by Michael Moore.  Selected for nearly 40 festivals worldwide.

Neasa Ní Chianáín (Director) is one of Ireland's most established documentary talents and has directed four features, four shorts and a TV  series. Neasa was named one of Europe's 10 most promising women directors at the Sydney Film Festival's 'Europe! Voices of Women in Film' program. Immediately prior to “Young Plato” Neasa directed 'In Loco Parentis' (aka 'School Life' ) a Magnolia Pictures release which premiered at IDFA 2016 and Sundance 2017. Awards: Special Jury Prize, Golden Gate Awards, San Francisco Film Festival; Audience Award, Visions du Réel, Nyon.  Directing credits: ‘Frank Ned & Busy Lizzie,’ ‘Fairytale of Kathmandu,’ and 'The Stranger.'  Neasa is currently in post-production on a new feature documentary, 'The Alexander Complex.’

Declan McGrath (Director) is a Belfast based filmmaker and a Director of the feature documentary YOUNG PLATO. Declan is also the Director of the award-winning 'Lomax in Éirinn ' (TG4) which screened at festivals worldwide and 'Mary McAleese & The Man Who Saved Europe  '(RTE, BBC).  He has written two books on the craft of filmmaking (Screencraft: Editing & Post Productions and Screencraft: Scriptwriting), both translated into 5 languages. He is also a regular contributor to the New York film journal Cineaste. Additional directing credits include:  'My Struggle For Life,' Tír Eoghain: The Unbreakable  Bond’ 'Women Of The Oireachtas.”

Kevin McArevey (Protagonist) has been Headmaster at Holy Cross Boys School in Ardoyne, North Belfast, Northern Ireland for the last 10 years.

US Theatrical release supported by Screen Ireland and Meath County Council, and by our coproduction partners, Aisling Productions, Clin D’Oeil Films and Zadig Productions. 

PR CONTACT:

Emma Griffiths (EG PR)
E: emma@eg-pr.com

Dark Star Pictures has acquired the North American distribution rights to crime thriller MISSING

DARK STAR PICTURES

Bloody Disguisting Logo

September 13, 2022- Los Angeles-- Dark Star Pictures has acquired the North American distribution rights to crime thriller MISSING as part of its ongoing collaboration with Bloody Disgusting. 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.

MISSING had its World Premiere at Busan International Film Festival, before screening at Fantasia International Film Festival and will have its US Premiere at Fantastic Fest in September 2022.

MISSING is written and directed by Shinzô Katayama. The movie stars Aoi Ito (Her Love Boils Bathwater, KASANE-Beauty and Fate, Gangoose), Jiro Sato (Brothers in Brothel, New Interpretation Records of the Three Kingdoms, Gintama) and Hiroya Shimizu (The World of Kanako, Hot Gimmick: Girl Meets Boy, Sadako).

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.

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.

“Director Shinzô Katayama has beautifully crafted a story that will keep audiences on their toes. We could not be more excited to spotlight this emerging talent and add this gem to our ongoing partnership with our friends at Bloody Disgusting.” said Dark Star Pictures President, Michael Repsch.

Bloody Disgusting's Brad Miska continued: "MISSING is a nonstop engaging thriller that erupts into a helluva shocking finale. We can't wait to play this game of cat-and-mouse with horror fans."

Dark Star Pictures President Michael Repsch negotiated the deal with Gabrielle Rozing at Fortissimo Film Sales on behalf of the filmmakers. 

ABOUT 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

ABOUT BLOODY DISGUSTING
Bloody Disgusting is the world’s largest destination for horror fans with an audience of over 20MM dedicated fans. Trusted since 2001 as the first source for breaking and in-depth coverage of all things horror. The Chicago-based media company produces the award-winning namesake website and mobile app, with a social footprint of more than 2MM engaged fans and a podcast network featuring CREEPY, SCP, Boo Crew, Horror Queers, Knight Light, Halloweenies, The Losers’ Club, Bleeder’s Digest, and the Official Bloody Disgusting Podcast.  In 2020 the company launched the television channel BDTV, a linear programmed 24/7 streaming service available everywhere you find your favorite streams. Bloody Disgusting has also both produced and distributed films including the Sundance Film Festival hits V/H/S, V/H/S/2, and THE WOMAN, as well as the TIFF Midnight Madness breakout SOUTHBOUND. The more recent V/H/S/94 was Shudder’s biggest movie premiere ever. V/H/S/99 had its World Premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Bloody Disgusting has positioned itself as the most important place for producers of genre film, television, games, events and comics to connect with their fans.

Website: https://bloody-disgusting.com

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

KING ON SCREEN World Premiere at FANTASTIC FEST 2022

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KING ON SCREEN World Premiere at FANTASTIC FEST 2022

Directed by: Daphné Baiwir
Starring: Frank Darabont, Mick Garris, Mike Flanagan, Greg Nicotero and more
Country: France, USA
Genre: Documentary Feature
Run time: 1 hour 45 min

King on Screen

In 1976, Brian de Palma directed Carrie, the first novel and adaptation of Stephen King’s work. Since then, more than 50 directors have adapted the master of horror’s books, in more than 80 films and series, making him now the most adapted author still alive in the world.

KING ON SCREEN features an inside look with the majority of directors who have adapted Stephen King’s work for screen, showcasing the unique relationship as they reimagine his work for film. KING ON SCREEN, which interviews the lion’s share of the filmmakers who have adapted his work to screen, includes Frank Darabont, Mick Garris, Mike Flanagan, Greg Nicotero and more. Directed by Daphné Baiwir (The Rebellious Olivia de Havilland ), KING ON SCREEN is an intimate look at the unique relationship between Stephen King’s vast body of work and the directors famous for reimagining it for the screen.

With an ambitious fictional introduction packed with easter eggs, references, and other winks that constant readers will find delightful, this doc is a must-see for any King-head and casual viewer alike.

FF 2022 PAGE:
https://2022.fantasticfest.com/films/62fbbf1dd0f21300854b3720

OUR AMERICAN FAMILY: Review

OAF POSTER a1

Bottom Line: They Say, Blood is Thicker Than Water and Now You Can Say, Blood is Thicker Than Addiction

Year: 2022
Directors: Hallee Adelman & Sean King O’Grady Octobero
Writers: Hallee Adelman & Sean King O’Grady
Cast: Linda Geraghty, Nicole Caltabiano, Chris Caltabiano Jr., Stephen Caltabiano, Bryan Geraghty
Genre: Feature Length Documentary
Country: United States
Language: English
Run Time: 1 hour 27 minutes

When All You Have is Love and Hope

Directors Hallee Adelman and Sean King O’Grady’s captivating film OUR AMERICAN FAMILY takes you into the heart wrenching and complicated lives of Linda Geraghty, her adult children Nicole Caltabiano, Chris Caltabiano Jr. and Stephen Caltabiano, and her very patient husband, Bryan Geraghty as they put forth a heroic effort to overcome and break the cycle of addiction and keep their family intact against many odds.

Our American Family (Giant Pictures) Our American Family (Giant Pictures) Our American Family (Giant Pictures) Our American Family (Giant Pictures)

OUR AMERICAN FAMILY puts the devastating effects of drug addiction on full display. No matter how difficult, do not give up on yourself or those you love.

Something that stood out to me was the family’s ritual of seating down to dinner. Making a point of coming together each day as a family and using food, a universal need, the motivation.

Cinematographer Seamus Tierney captures the conditions that engulfs them all with the film’s opening with dark clouds, rain and the grim scenes of life on the streets. A backdrop that follows them around.

The editing by Joel Plotch and James Carroll allows the film to flow effortlessly from one scene to the next providing a full picture of the family’s push to over come their life circumstances.

Hallee Adelman, “The power of the story lies in radically honest moments of confrontation and love and family unfolding in scene after scene.” Our vérité camera is unflinching, so the audience witnesses the struggles, clashes, and subtle, life changing shifts that come as a result of each character’s earnest, if imperfect efforts to transform.”

This is a great film that shows the value of love, family and hope to have the strength and determination to not give-up or in.

HALLEE ADELMAN, DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Hallee Adelman is a writer, filmmaker, and co-founder of World of HA Productions. She is an executive producer on the Emmy-winning documentary “The Social Dilemma,” and the Oscar-nominated international film, “Writing with Fire.” Other titles include the Academy shortlisted, “The Truffle Hunters,” the Sundance premiere “UsKids,” and the soon to be released, “Art & Krimes by Krimes.” Recent festival premieres, “Aisha,” “Broadway Rising,” and “Your Friend, Memphis.” Adelman is a Board Member of the International Documentary Association. Adelman co-directed and produced OUR AMERICAN FAMILY after a writing project deepened her connection with the brave participants featured in the film.

SEAN O’GRADY, DIRECTOR/PRODUCER
Sean King O’Grady is a filmmaker based in Michigan. His award-winning feature films have screened at Sundance, Tribeca, Telluride, Berlinale, Sitges, SXSW and dozens of other festivals around the world.

ABOUT GIANT PICTURES

Giant Pictures is a leading digital distributor that partners with studios and filmmakers to release movies and series across all major streaming platforms, including Apple TV, Netflix, Tubi, The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, IMDb TV, Peacock, and more. Release your movie your way with Giant Pictures.
Learn more at:  giant.pictures.


PR CONTACT:
Emma Griffiths (EG PR)
E: emma@eg-pr.com
W: www.eg-pr.com

Toronto International Film Festival 2022 Intl Premiere of South African Caper Heist Comedy Feature Film “The Umbrella Men”

Mila played by Bronté Snell, Cope played by Rob Van Vuuren, Tiger played by Joey Rasdien, Jerome played by Jaques De Silva, Mortimer played by Keenan Arrison
Mila played by Bronté Snell, Cope played by Rob Van Vuuren, Tiger played by Joey Rasdien, Jerome played by Jaques De Silva, Mortimer played by Keenan Arrison

“The Umbrella Men” will have its world premiere on September 10th, 2022, followed by an additional two public screenings, as well as press & industry screenings as a part of TIFF. 

The international premiere of the extraordinary South African caper heist comedy feature film, “The Umbrella Men,” selected for Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) set for September 10th, 2022, as a selection of the international arm of its Contemporary World Cinema slate.

“The Umbrella Men” is directed by John Barker (“Bunny Chow: Know Thyself,” “Isibaya”) and is written by John Barker and Philip Roberts and stars the captivating talents of Jaques Da Silva, Shamilla Miller (“Love Lies and Hybrids”),  Keenan Arrison (“Atlantis”) and Bronte Snell (“Atlantis”). Produced by Joel Phiri, Dan Jawitz, Tshepiso Chikapa Phiri, Themba Mfebe and John Barker, “The Umbrella Men” draws inspiration and comparisons to critical and audience favorites in this incredible ensemble genre including: “The LadyKillers,” “Set It Off,” “The Inside Man,” “Sexy Beast,” “The Italian Job,” and “Ocean’s Eleven,” among others.

Loukman played by Dann-Jacques Mouton, Jerome played by Jaques De Silva, Mortimer played by Keenan Arrison

An incredible cinematic ride, embracing the best of caper heist comedy set in the colourful and culture-rich Bo-Kaap area of Cape Town “The Umbrella Men” is a must-see TIFF film. “The Umbrella Men” follows a troupe of musicians who are forced to rob a bank during the city’s Carnival in an effort to save their beloved nightclub – spiritual home to their whole community. The music is written by South African Jazz pianist extraordinaire, Kyle Shepard.

The film has received excellent reviews at home in South Africa. For example, The Sunday Times (South Africa) wrote that “through the “Afrikaaps” phrases, nuances and Humour, Barker has beautifully captured a marginalised and often misrepresented culture.” The film is being sold in Toronto by Known Associates Entertainment.