Unspool Hollywood

David Oyelowo’s ‘The Water Man’ Selected to Open 29th Pan African Film Festival

The fantasy-adventure film stars David Oyelowo and Rosario Dawson

For Immediate Release
February 12, 2021

LOS ANGELES - The Pan African Film Festival today announced that The Water Man, David Oyelowo’s feature directorial debut, will open the 29th edition of the Festival. The Opening Night celebration will be held virtually this year on February 28 at 6:30 p.m. PT. A Q&A with the filmmaker and actors will follow the screening. The Pan African Film Festival will take place virtually February 28 – March 14. Tickets are available at www.paff.org.

The Water Man is a fantasy-adventure film about a young boy named Gunner (Lonnie Chavis) who sets out on a quest to save his ill mother (Rosario Dawson) by searching for a mythic figure who knows the secret to immortality. Gunner enlists the help of a mysterious local girl (Amiah Miller) who has her own terrifying tale of meeting this figure, known as the Water Man, face-to-face. Together they journey into the remote Wild Horse forest, but the deeper they venture, the stranger and more dangerous the forest becomes. Back home, Gunner's father, Amos (Oyelowo), who has grown distant from Gunner over the years, will stop at nothing to find his son -- and in the process discovers who his son really is.

The film’s stellar ensemble cast also includes David Oyelowo, Rosario Dawson, Lonnie Chavis, Amiah Miller, Alfred Molina, and Maria Bello.

“We’re thrilled to be opening with David Oyelowo’s feature directorial debut,” said Ayuko Babu, the Festival’s Director. “Oyelowo is already a celebrated actor and known for his work in The Last King of Scotland, Lincoln, and Selma to name a few. In the face of these unprecedented times, we are grateful to be able to continue supporting Black filmmakers like Oyelowo and to continue presenting unique and fascinating films for our audiences—like The Water Man--that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes, and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience.”

The Pan African Film Festival is America's largest and most prestigious Black film festival and largest Black History Month event. Each year, it screens more than 200 films made by and/or about people of African descent from around the world. PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the country. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has designated PAFF as an official qualifying film festival for live-action and animation short films.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 29th Pan African Film Festival will run February 28 – March 14 on-line and on-demand only. The virtual component allows this year’s Festival to reach a global audience. More information can be found at www.paff.org.

Opening Night Ticket Information

Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at www.paff.org.

The Water Man Assets
Hi-Res Photos
Poster

Festival Sponsors and Partners

The 29th Pan African Film Festival’s sponsors include the City of Los Angeles; the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs; the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture; Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell, Los Angeles City Councilmember Marqueece Harris-Dawson (8th District); Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price (9th District); Los Angeles City Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas (10th District); California State Assemblyman Mike A. Gipson, 64th District; Commissioner Willard H. Murray, Jr., Water Replenishment District; U.S. Congresswoman Karen Bass, 37th District; U.S. Congresswoman Maxine Waters, 43rd District; Union Bank; Brotherhood Crusade, Groundwurk; FilmLA; Sony Pictures Entertainment; Mervyn M. Dymally African American Political and Economic Institute; Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences; Los Angeles Sentinel; The Wave; KPFK; Black Cultural Events; Immigrant Magazine; KJLH; Our Weekly; okayafrica; L.A. Focus; Envoi, Miss Everything Entertainment, Girl In Charge Public Relations and Empowerment Justice Strategies.

The Pan African Film & Arts Festival is supported, in part, by a grant provided by: The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences; LA Arts COVID-19 Relief Fund with the California Community Foundation; and the LA County COVID-19 Arts Relief Fund administered by the LA County Department of Arts and Culture.

About the Pan African Film Festival

Gearing up for its 29th anniversary, the Pan African Film and Arts Festival (PAFF) is America's largest and most prestigious Black film festival. Each year, it screens more than 200 films made by and/or about people of African descent from around the world. PAFF holds the distinction of being the largest Black History Month event in the country. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has designated PAFF as an official qualifying film festival for live-action and animation short films.

PAFF is a non-profit corporation, founded in 1992 by award-winning actor Danny Glover (“The Color Purple,” “Lethal Weapon” movie franchise), Emmy Award-winning actress Ja’Net DuBois (best known for her role as Willona in the TV series, “Good Times”) and executive director, Ayuko Babu, an international legal, cultural and political consultant who specializes in Pan African Affairs. PAFF is dedicated to the promotion of ethnic and racial respect and tolerance through the exhibit of films, art, and creative expression.

The goal of PAFF is to present and showcase the broad spectrum of Black creative works, particularly those that reinforce positive images, help to destroy negative stereotypes and depict an expanded vision of the Black experience. PAFF believes film and art can lead to better understanding and foster communication between peoples of diverse cultures, races, ethnicities, and lifestyles in an entertaining way while at the same time, serving as a vehicle to initiate dialogue on the important issues of our times.

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Films Coming to the Screen in 2021

JANUARY

Opening Date: January 1st
1.
Film Title: Shadow in the Cloud
Production Co.: Vertical Entertainment
Director: Roseanne Liang
Writers: Roseanne Liang, Max Landis
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Taylor John Smith, Beulah Koale, Callan Mulvey, Nick Robinson

Opening Date: January 13^th2.
Film Title: The White Tiger
Production Co.: Netflix
Director and Screenplay: Ramin Bahrani (
Starring: Adarsh Gourav, Rajkummar Rao, Priyanka Chopra

Opening Date: January 15th
3.
Film Title: The Dig
Production Co.: Netflix, Clerkenwell Films
Director: Simon Stone
Screenplay: Moira Buffini (screenplay)
Starring: Carey Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Johnny Flynn, Ben Chaplin, Ken Stott, Archie Barnes, Monica Dolan

4.
Film Title: The Marksman
Production Co.: Open Road Films
Director: Robert Lorenz
Screenplay: Robert Lorenz, Chris Charles, Danny Kravitz
Starring: Liam Neeson, Katheryn Winnick, Juan Pablo Raba, Teresa Ruiz

5.
Film Title: American Skin Production Co.: Vertical Entertainment Director and Writer: Nate Parker Parker, Omari Hardwick, Theo Rossi, Shane Paul McGhie, Milauna Jackson, Beau Knapp

Opening Date: January 15
6.
Film Title: Outside The Wire
Production Co.: Automatik Entertainment, 42 Films, Inspire Entertainment
Director: Mikael Hǻfström
Writers: Rob Yescombe, Rowan Athale
Starring: Anthony Mackie and Damson Idris

Opening Date: January 22nd
7.
Film Title: Our Friend
Production Co.: Gravitas Ventures, Black Bear Pictures
Director: Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Writer: Brad Ingelsby
Starring: Jason Segel, Dakota Johnson, Casey Affleck, Gwendoline Christie, Cherry Jones

8.
Film Title: No Man's Land
Production Co.: IFC Films
Director: Conor Allyn
Screenplay: Jake Allyn, David Barraza
Starring: Jake Allyn, Frank Grillo, Jorge A. Jiménez, Andie MacDowell, George Lopez

9.
Film Title: Born a Champion
Production Co.: Lionsgate
Director: Alex Ranarivelo
Writers: Alex Ranarivelo, Sean Patrick Flanery
Starring: Sean Patrick Flanery, Dennis Quaid, Katrina Bowden

Television (Lifetime) Air Date: January 23^rd
10.
Film Title: Salt-N-Pepa
Director: Mario Van Peebles
Writers: Abdul Williams
Starring: Laila Odom, G.G. Townson, Arnold Pinnock, Monique Jasmine Paul

Opening Date: January 26th
11.
Film Title: Wrong Turn
Production Co.: Saban Films / Constantin Film
Director: Mike P. Nelson
Writer: Alan B. McElroy
Starring: Charlotte Vega, Adain Bradley, Bill Sage, Emma Dumont, Dylan McTee, Daisy Head, Matthew Modine

Opening Date: January 27^th
12.
Film Title: Penguin Bloom
Production Co.: Netflix, Roadshow Films
Director: Glenda Ivin
Writers: Shaun Grant, Harry Cripps
Starring: Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln, Jacki Weaver, Rachel House

Opening Date: January 29th
13.
Film Title: The Little Things
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, Gran Via Productions
Director and Writer: John Lee Hancock
Starring: Denzel Washington, Rami Malek, Jared Leto, Natalie Morales

14.
Film Title: Nomadland
Production Co.: Searchlight Pictures, Hulu
Director and Writer: Chloé Zhao
Starring: Frances McDormand, David Strathairn, Linda May, Charlene Swankie, Bob Wells

15.
Film Title: Malcolm & Marie
Production Co.: Netflix, Fotokem
Director and Writer: Sam Levinson
Starring: Zendaya, John David Washington

16.
Film Title: Finding 'Ohana
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Jude Weng
Writer: Christina Strain
Starring: Kea Peahu, Alex Aiono, Owen Vaccaro, Marc Evan Jackson

Opening Date: January 30^th
17.
Film Title: Wendy Williams: The Movie (Lifetime)
Production Co.: Front Street Pictures, Just Wendy, Will Packer Entertainment
Director: Darren Grant
Writers: Leigh Davenport, Scarlett Lacy
Starring: Ciera Payton, Jamall Johnson, Morocco Omari

FEBRUARY

Opening Date: February 5^th
18.
Film Title: Minamata
Production Co.: American International Pictures
Director: Andrew Levitas
Writer: David Kessler
Starring: Johnny Depp, Hiroyuki Sanada, Jun Kunimura, Minami, Ryo Kase, Tadanobu Asano, Akiko Iwase, Bill Nighy

19.
Film Title: Bliss
Production Co.: Amazon Studios
Director and Writer: Mike Cahill
Starring: Owen Wilson, Salma Hayek

20. Film Title: Little Fish
Production Co.: IFC Films / Black Bear Pictures
Director: Chad Hartigan
Writer: Mattson Tomlin
Starring: Olivia Cooke, Jack O'Connell, Raúl Castillo, Soko

21.
Film Title: PVT CHAT
Production Co.: Dark Star Pictures
Director and Writer: Ben Hozie
Starring: Julia Fox, Nikki Belfiglio, Austin Brown, Peter Vack

Opening Date: February 10^th
22.
Film Title: Music
Production Co.: Vertical Entertainment
Director: Sia
Writers: Sia, Dallas Clayton
Starring: Kate Hudson, Leslie Odom Jr., Maddie Ziegler

23.
Film Title: Judas and the Black Messiah
Production Co.: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / Participant / Bron Creative
Director: Shaka King
Writers: Shaka King, Will Berson
Starring: Daniel Kaluuya, Lakeith Stanfield, Jesse Plemons, Dominique Fishback, Ashton Sanders, Martin Sheen

24.
Film Title: Breaking News in Yuba County
Production Co.: American International Pictures
Director: Tate Taylor
Writer: Amanda Idoko
Starring: Allison Janney, Mila Kunis, Awkwafina, Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes, Juliette Lewis, Samira Wiley, Matthew Modine, Ellen Barkin

Opening Date: February 12th

25.
Film Title: The Mauritanian
Production Co.: STXfilms
Director: Kevin Macdonald
Writer: Michael Bronner
Starring: Jodie Foster, Tahar Rahim, Shailene Woodley, Zachary Levi, Saamer Usmani, Benedict Cumberbatch

26.
Film Title: Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar
Production Co.: Lionsgate / Gloria Sanchez Productions
Director: Josh Greenbaum
Writer: Annie Mumolo, Kristen Wiig
Starring: Kristen Wiig, Annie Mumolo, Jamie Dornan, Damon Wayans Jr.

27.
Film Title: French Exit
Production Co.: Sony Pictures Classics
Director: Azazel Jacobs
Writer: Patrick deWitt
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Lucas Hedges, Tracy Letts, Danielle Macdonald, Imogen Poots

28.
Film Title: To All the Boys: Always and Forever
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Michael Fimognari
Writer: Katie Lovejoy
Starring: Lana Condor, Noah Centineo, Jordan Fisher, Holland Taylor, Sarayu Blue, John Corbett

29.
Film Title: Minari
Production Co.: A24 / Plan B Entertainment
Director and Writer: Lee Isaac Chung
Starring: Steven Yeun, Han Ye-ri, Alan Kim, Noel Kate Cho, Youn Yuh-jung, Will Patton

30.
Film Title: Land
Production Co.: Focus Features, Big Beach
Director: Robin Wright
Writers: Jesse Chatham, Erin Dignam
Starring: Robin Wright, Demián Bichir, Kim Dickens

Film Title: Dog
Production Co.: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Directors: Channing Tatum, Reid Carolin
Writer: Reid Carolin
Starring: Channing Tatum

32.
Film Title: Willy's Wonderland
Production Co.: Screen Media Films
Director: Kevin Lewis
Writer: G.O. Parsons
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Emily Tosta, Beth Grant

33.
Film Title: Fear of Rain
Production Co.: Lionsgate
Director and Writer: Castille Landon
Starring: Katherine Heigl, Madison Iseman, Israel Broussard, Harry Connick Jr.

34.
Film Title: What About Love
Production Co.: JPSLD
Director and Writer: Klaus Menzel
Starring: Sharon Stone, Andy García, Iain Glen, José Coronado

35.
Film Title: Flora & Ulysses
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures / Disney+
Director: Lena Khan
Writer: Brad Copeland
Starring: Matilda Lawler, Alyson Hannigan, Ben Schwartz, Anna Deveare Smith, Danny Pudi, Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, Janeane Garofalo, Kate Micucci

Opening Date: February 19^th
36.
Film Title: I Care a Lot
Production Co.: Netflix, Black Bear Pictures
Director and Writer: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Chris Messina, Dianne Wiest

37.
Film Title: The Courier
Production Co.: Lionsgate, Roadside Attractions
Director: Dominic Cooke
Writer: Dominic Cooke
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Rachel Brosnahan, Jessie Buckley

38,
Film Title: Tom & Jerry
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Animation Group
Director: Tim Story
Writer: Kevin Costello
Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Michael Peña, Colin Jost, Rob Delaney, Ken Jeong

39.
Film Title: Cherry
Production Co.: Apple TV+, AGBO
Directors: Anthony and Joe Russo
Writer: Angela Russo-Otstot, Jessica Goldberg
Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo Website:

Opening Date: February 26^th
40.
Film Title: The United States vs. Billie Holiday
Production Co.: Hulu / Paramount Pictures
Director: Lee Daniels
Writer: Suzan-Lori Parks
Starring: Andra Day, Trevante Rhodes, Natasha Lyonne, Garrett Hedlund

41.
Film Title: The Vigil
Production Co.: IFC Midnight, Blumhouse Productions
Director and Writer: Keith Thomas
Starring: Dave Davis, Menashe Lustig, Malky Goldman, Fred Melamed, Lynn Cohen

Television (TV One) Air Date: February 28^th

42.
Film Title: Don’t Waste Your Pretty
Production Co.:
Director: Tamara Bass
Writer: Katrina O’Gilvie
Starring: Raney Branch, Jasmine Burke, Keri Hilson, Kaleka

MARCH

Opening Date: March 5^th
43. Film Title: Raya and the Last Dragon
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures / Walt Disney Animation Studios / Disney+
Directors: Don Hall, Carlos López Estrada
Writers: Adele Lim, Qui Nguyen
Starring: Kelly Marie Tran, Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Daniel Dae Kim, Sandra Oh, Benedict Wong, Izaac Wang, Thalia Tran, Alan Tudyk

44.
Film Title: Coming 2 America
Production Co.: Amazon Studios / Paramount Pictures
Director: Craig Brewer
Writers: Kenya Barris, Barry W. Blaustein, David Sheffield
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Arsenio Hall, Jermaine Fowler, Leslie Jones, Tracy Morgan, KiKi Layne, Shari Headley, John Amos, Wesley Snipes, James Earl Jones

45.
Film Title: Chaos Walking
Production Co.: Lionsgate / 3 Arts Entertainment
Director: Doug Liman
Writers: Patrick Ness, Christopher Ford
Starring: Daisy Ridley, Tom Holland, Mads Mikkelsen, Demián Bichir, Cynthia Erivo, Nick Jonas, David Oyelowo

Opening Date: March 12^th
46.
Film Title: Yes Day
Production Co.: Netflix
Director: Miguel Arteta
Writer: Justin Malen
Starring: Jennifer Garner, Édgar Ramírez, Jenna Ortega, June Diane Raphael, Nat Faxon

Opening Date: March 19^th47.
Film Title: The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent
Production Co.: Lionsgate
Director and Writer: Tom Gormican
Starring: Kevin Etten (screenplay); Nicolas Cage, Pedro Pascal, Sharon Horgan, Tiffany Haddish, Neil Patrick Harris

Opening Date: March 31^st
48.
Film Title: Godzilla vs. Kong
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, Legendary Entertainment
Director: Adam Wingard
Writers: Eric Pearson, Max Borenstein
Starring: Alexander Skarsgard, Millie Bobby Brown, Rebecca Hall, Brian Tyree Henry, Shun Oguri, Eiza González, Julian Dennison, Kyle Chandler, Demián Bichir

APRIL

Opening Date: April 2^nd
49. Film Title: Nobody
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, Perfect World Pictures
Director: Ilya Naishuller
Writer: Derek Kolstad
Starring: Bob Odenkirk, Connie Nielsen, RZA, Aleksei Serebryakov, Christopher Lloyd

Opening Date: April 16^th
50.
Film Title: Mortal Kombat
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema
Director: Simon McQuoid
Writer: Greg Russo, David Callaham
Starring: Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Tadanobu Asano, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Chin Han, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada

Film Title: Fatherhood
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures, Bron Creative
Director: Paul Weitz
Writers: Paul Weitz, Dana Stevens
Starring: Kevin Hart, Alfre Woodard, Melody Hurd, Anthony Carrigan, Lil Rel Howery, DeWanda Wise, Paul Reiser

Opening Date: April 23^rd
52.
Film Title: The Asset
Production Co.: Lionsgate, Campbell Grobman Films
Director: Martin Campbell
Writer: Richard Wenk
Starring: Michael Keaton, Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson

MAY

Opening Date: May 7^th
53.
Film Title: Black Widow
Production Co.: Marvel Studios
Director: Cate Shortland
Writer: Eric Pearson
Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Florence Pugh, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, Rachel Weisz

Opening Date: May 14^th
54.
Film Title: Marry Me
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, Perfect World Pictures
Director: Kat Coiro
Writers: John Rogers, Tami Sagher, Harper Dill
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Maluma, John Bradley, Sarah Silverman

Opening Date: May 21^st
55.
Film Title: Free Guy
Production Co.: 20th Century Studios, 21 Laps Entertainment, TSG Entertainment
Director: Shawn Levy
Writers: Matt Lieberman, Zak Penn
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jodie Comer, Joe Keery, Lil Rel Howery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, Taika Waititi

56.
Film Title: Spiral
Production Co.: Lionsgate, Twisted Pictures
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman
Writers: Josh Stolberg, Pete Goldfinger
Starring: Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Max Minghella, Marisol Nichols

Opening Date: May 28^th
57.
Film Title: F9
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, Original Film, One Race Films
Director: Justin Lin
Writer: Daniel Casey
Starring: Vin Diesel, John Cena, Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Jordana Brewster, Nathalie Emmanuel, Sung Kang, Helen Mirren, Charlize Theron

58.
Film Title: Cruella
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Craig Gillespie
Writers: Aline Brosh McKenna, Jez Butterworth, Dana Fox, Kelly Marcel, Tony McNamara, Steve Zissis
Starring: Emma Stone, Paul Walter Hauser, Joel Fry, Mark Strong, Emma Thompson

59.
Film Title: Infinite
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Writers: John Lee Hancock, Ian Shorr
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Dylan O'Brien, Sophie Cookson, Rupert Friend, Jason Mantzoukas, Toby Jones, Chiwetel Ejiofor

JUNE

Opening Date: June 4^th
60. Film Title: The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema
Director: Michael Chaves Writer:
Starring: David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick

61.
Film Title: Samaritan
Production Co.: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Director: Julius Avery
Writer: Bragi F. Schult
Starring: Sylvester Stallone, Martin Starr, Moisés Arias, Dascha Polanco, Pilou Asbæk, Javon "Wanna" Walton

62.
Film Title: Spirit Untamed
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation, Walden Media
Directors: Elaine Bogan, Ennio Torresan
Writer: Aury Wallington

63.
Film Title: Vivo
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation
Director: Kirk DeMicco
Writers: Kirk DeMicco, Quiara Alegría Hudes

Opening Date: June 11^th
64. Film Title: Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway
Production Co.: Columbia PicturesxMRC, Animal Logic
Director: Will Gluck
Writers: Will Gluck, Patrick Burleigh
Starring: Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, David Oyelowo, Elizabeth Debicki, Margot Robbie, James Corden

Opening Date: June 18^th
65. Film Title: In the Heights
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, Likely Story
Director: Jon M. Chu
Writer: Quiara Alegría Hudes
Starring: Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, Stephanie Beatriz, Dascha Polanco, Jimmy Smits, Lin-Manuel Miranda

66.
Film Title: Luca
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures, Pixar Animation Studios
Director: Enrico Casarosa
Writers: Mike Jones, Jesse Andrews

Opening Date: June 25^th
67.
Film Title: Venom: Let There Be Carnage
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Entertainment, Tencent Pictures
Director: Andy Serkis
Writer: Kelly Marcel
Starring: Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Reid Scott, Stephen Graham, Naomie Harris

Opening Date: June 30^th
68.
Film Title: Zola
Production Co.: A24 / Killer Films
Director: Janicza Bravo
Writers: Janicza Bravo, Jeremy O. Harris
Starring: Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Nicholas Braun, Ari'el Stachel, Colman Domingo

JULY
Opening Date: July 2^nd
69.
Film Title: Top Gun: Maverick
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures, Skydance Media, Don Simpson, Jerry Bruckheimer Films
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Writers: Ehren Kruger, Eric Warren Singer, Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm, Glen Powell, Lewis Pullman, Ed Harris, Val Kilmer

70.
Film Title: Minions: The Rise of Gru
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, Illumination
Director: Kyle Balda
Writer: Brian Lynch
Starring: Pierre Coffin, Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Dolph Lundgren, Danny Trejo, Russell Brand, Julie Andrews, Alan Arkin

Opening Date: July 9^th
71.
Film Title: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings
Production Co.: Marvel Studios
Director: Destin Daniel Cretton
Writer: David Callaham
Starring: Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Awkwafina, Fala Chen, Meng’er Zhang, Florian Munteanu, Ronny Chieng, Michelle Yeoh

72.
Film Title: The Forever Purge
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, Platinum Dunes, Blumhouse Productions
Director: Everardo Gout
Writer: James DeMonaco
Starring: Ana de la Reguera, Josh Lucas, Tenoch Huerta, Leven Rambin, Will Patton, Cassidy Freeman

Opening Date: July 16^th
73.
Film Title: Space Jam: A New Legacy
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Animation Group
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Writers: Juel Taylor, Tony Rettenmaier, Keenan Coogler, Terence Nance
Starring: LeBron James, Don Cheadle, Khris Davis, Sonequa Martin-Green, Cedric Joe, Jeff Bergman, Eric Bauza

74.
Film Title: Cinderella
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures, Fulwell 73
Director and Writer: Kay Cannon
Starring: Camila Cabello, Idina Menzel, Billy Porter, Nicholas Galitzine, James Corden, John Mulaney, Minnie Driver, Pierce Brosnan

75.
Film Title: The Night House
Production Co.: Searchlight Pictures
Director: David Bruckner
Writer: Ben Collins, Luke Piotrowski
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Sarah Goldberg, Stacy Martin, Evan Jonigkeit, Vondie Curtis Hall

Opening Date: July 23^rd
76.
Film Title: The Tomorrow War
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures, Skydance Media
Director: Chris McKay
Writer: Zach Dean, Bill Dubuque
Starring: Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, Betty Gilpin, Keith Powers, Mike Mitchell, Sam Richardson, J. K. Simmons

77.
Film Title: Old
Production Co.: Universal Pictures / Blinding Edge Pictures / Perfect World Pictures
Director and Writer: M. Night Shyamalan
Starring: Gael García Bernal, Eliza Scanlen, Thomasin McKenzie, Alex Wolff, Vicky Krieps, Abbey Lee, Embeth Davidtz, Rufus Sewell

Opening Date: July 30^th
78.
Film Title: Jungle Cruise
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures
Director: Jaume Collet-Serra
Writer: Michael Green, Glenn Ficarra, John Requa
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Emily Blunt, Édgar Ramírez, Jack Whitehall, Jesse Plemons, Paul Giamatti

79. Film Title: The Green Knight
Production Co.: A24, Bron Studios
Director and Writer: David Lowery
Starring: Dev Patel, Alicia Vikander, Joel Edgerton, Sean Harris, Barry Keoghan, Ralph Ineson

AUGUST

Opening Date: August 6^th
80.
Film Title: The Suicide Squad
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, DC Films, Atlas Entertainment
Director and Writer: James Gunn
Starring: Margot Robbie, Idris Elba, John Cena, Joel Kinnaman, Peter Capaldi, Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis

81.
Film Title: Hotel Transylvania 4
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Animation
Directors: Jennifer Klushka, Derek Drymon
Writer:
Starring: Adam Sandler, Andy Samberg, Selena Gomez

Opening Date: August 13^th
82.
Film Title: Bios
Production Co.: Universal Pictures / Amblin Entertainment / ImageMovers
Director: Miguel Sapochnik
Writer: Craig Luck, Ivor Powell
Starring: Tom Hanks, Caleb Landry Jones, Samira Wiley, Laura Harrier, Skeet Ulrich

83.
Film Title: Deep Water
Production Co.: 20th Century Studios, Regency Enterprises
Director: Adrian Lyne
Writers: Zach Helm, Sam Levinson
Starring: Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas, Tracy Letts, Lil Rel Howery, Rachel Blanchard

84.
Film Title: Respect
Production Co.: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Universal Pictures, Bron Creative
Director: Liesl Tommy
Writer: Tracey Scott Wilson
Starring: Jennifer Hudson, Forest Whitaker, Marlon Wayans, Audra McDonald, Marc Maron, Tituss Burgess, Saycon Sengbloh, Hailey Kilgore, Skye Dakota Turner, Tate Donovan, Mary J. Blige

85. Film Title: Don't Breathe 2
Production Co.: Screen Gems / Stage 6 Films / Ghost House Pictures
Director: Rodo Sayagues
Writers: Rodo Sayagues, Fede Álvarez
Starring: Stephen Lang

Opening Date: August 20^th
86.
Film Title: The King's Man
Production Co.: 20th Century Studios, Marv Films
Director: Matthew Vaughn
Writers: Matthew Vaughn, Karl Gajdusek
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Gemma Arterton, Rhys Ifans, Matthew Goode, Tom Hollander, Harris Dickinson, Daniel Brühl, Djimon Hounsou, Charles Dance

87.
Film Title: The Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard
Production Co.: Lionsgate, Millennium Media
Director: Patrick Hughes
Writers: Tom O'Connor, Brandon Murphy, Phillip Murphy
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Frank Grillo, Richard E. Grant, Antonio Banderas, Morgan Freeman

88.
Film Title: PAW Patrol: The Movie
Production Co.: Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Movies
Director: Cal Brunker
Writers: Cal Brunker, Bob Barlen, Billy Frolick
Starring: Iain Armitage, Marsai Martin, Dax Shepard, Tyler Perry, Jimmy Kimmel, Yara Shahidi, Randall Park, Kim Kardashian West

89.
Film Title: Candyman
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Monkeypaw Productions
Director: Nia DaCosta
Writers: Jordan Peele, Win Rosenfeld
Starring: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Teyonah Parris, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Colman Domingo, Vanessa Estelle Williams, Tony Todd

SEPTEMBER

Opening Date: Sep0/tember 3^rd
90.
Film Title: Jackass 4
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures, MTV Films
Director: Jeff Tremaine
Writers: Johnny Knoxville, Spike Jonze
Starring: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera, Steve-O, Dave England, Ehren McGhehey, Jason "Wee-Man" Acuna, Preston Lacy, Chris Pontius, Jeff Tremaine

Opening Date: September 9^th
91.
Film Title: Resident Evil
Production Co.: Screen Gems, Constantin Film
Director: Johannes Roberts
Writers: Johannes Roberts, Greg Russo
Starring: Kaya Scodelario, Robbie Amell, Hannah John-Kamen, Avan Jogia, Tom Hopper, Lily Gao, Neal McDonough, Donal Logue

Opening Date: September 10^th
92.
Film Title: Malignant
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema
Director: James Wan
Writer: Akela Cooper
Starring: Annabelle Wallis, Jake Abel, George Young, Maddie Hasson, Michole Briana White, Jacqueline McKenzie, Mckenna Grace

93.
Film Title: A Quiet Place Part II
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures, Platinum Dunes, Opening Date: September 17^th Sunday Night Productions
Director and Writer: John Krasinski
Starring: Emily Blunt, Cillian Murphy, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe, Djimon Hounsou, John Krasinski

94.
Film Title: Death on the Nile
Production Co.: 20th Century Studios, Scott Free Productions, TSG Entertainment
Director: Kenneth Branagh
Writer: Michael Green
Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Tom Bateman, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Ali Fazal, Dawn French, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Rose Leslie, Emma Mackey, Sophie Okonedo, Jennifer Saunders, Letitia Wright

95.
Film Title: The Boss Baby: Family Business
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, DreamWorks Animation
Director: Tom McGrath
Writer: Michael McCullers
Starring: Alec Baldwin, James Marsden, Amy Sedaris, Eva Longoria, Ariana Greenblatt, Jimmy Kimmel, Lisa Kudrow, Jeff Goldblum

96.
Film Title: The Man from Toronto
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures
Director: Patrick Hughes
Writer: Robbie Fox
Starring: Kevin Hart, Woody Harrelson, Kaley Cuoco, Ellen Barkin

Opening Date: September 24^th
97.
Film Title: The Many Saints of Newark
Production Co.: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema, HBO Films
Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: David Chase, Lawrence Konner
Starring: Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal, Corey Stoll, Michael Gandolfini, Billy Magnussen, John Magaro, Michela De Rossi, Ray Liotta, Vera Farmiga

98.
Film Title: The Eyes of Tammy Faye
Production Co.: Searchlight Pictures
Director: Michael Showalter
Writer: Abe Sylvia
Starring: Jessica Chastain, Andrew Garfield, Cherry Jones, Vincent D'Onofrio

99.
Film Title: Dark Harvest
Production Co.: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Director: David Slade
Writer: Michael Gilio
Starring:

100.
Film Title: Untitled My Little Pony
Production Co.: ParamouCTOnt Animation, Entertainment One
Director: N/A
Writer: N/A
Starring: N/A

OCTOBER

Opening Date: October 1^st
101.
Film Title: Dune
Production Co.: HBO Max , Warner Bros. Pictures. Legendary Entertainment
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Writers: Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts, Eric Roth
Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Josh Brolin, Stellan Skarsgård, Dave Bautista, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Zendaya, David Dastmalchian, Chang Chen, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Javier Bardem

102.
Film Title: The Addams Family 2
Production Co.: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer / Universal Pictures / Bron Creative
Directors: Conrad Vernon, Greg Tiernan
Writers: Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, Chloë Grace Moretz, Nick Kroll, Javon "Wanna" Walton, Snoop Dogg, Bette Midler, Bill Hader

Opening Date: October 8^th
103.
Film Title: No Time to Die
Production Co.: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Universal Pictures, Eon Productions
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Writers: Neal Purvis and Robert Wade, Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Starring: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ben Whishaw, Naomie Harris, Ana de Armas, Jeffrey Wright, Christoph Waltz, Ralph Fiennes

Opening Date: October 15^th
104.
Film Title: Halloween Kills
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, Miramax, Blumhouse Productions
Director: David Gordon Green
Writers: David Gordon Green, David Gordon Green
Starring: Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Anthony Michael Hall, Kyle Richards, Robert Longstreet, Nancy Stephens, Charles Cyphers

105.
Film Title: The Last Duel
Production Co.: 20th Century Studios, Scott Free Productions, TSG Entertainment
Director: Ridley Scott
Writers: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Nicole Holofcener
Starring: Matt Damon, Adam Driver, Jodie Comer, Ben Affleck

Opening Date: October 22^nd
106. Film Title: Snake Eyes
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Skydance Media
Director: Robert Schwentke
Writer: Evan Spiliotopoulos
Starring: Henry Golding, Andrew Koji, Úrsula Corberó, Samara Weaving, Iko Uwais

107.
Film Title: Last Night in Soho
Production Co.: Focus Features, Universal Pictures, Working Title Films, Film4
Director: Edgar Wright
Writers: Edgar Wright, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie, Matt Smith, Diana Rigg, Terence Stamp

108.
Film Title: Ron's Gone Wrong
Production Co.: 20th Century Studios, Century Animation
Director: Alessandro Carloni, Jean-Philippe Vine
Writers: Peter Baynham, Sarah Smith

Opening Date: October 29^th
109.
Film Title: Antlers
Production Co.: Searchlight Pictures
Director: Scott Cooper
Writers: Scott Cooper, Nick Antosca, C. Henry Chaisson
Starring: Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T. Thomas, Graham Greene, Scott Haze, Rory Cochrane, Amy Madigan

NOVEMBER

Opening Date: November 5^th
110.
Film Title: Eternals
Production Co.: Marvel Studios
Director: Chloé Zhao
Writers: Kaz Firpo, Ryan Firpo
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Gemma Chan, Salma Hayek, Brian Tyree Henry, Kumail Nanjiani, Lauren Ridloff, Don Lee, Lia McHugh, Barry Keoghan, Kit Harington

111.
Film Title: Elvis
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Writers: Baz Luhrmann, Craig Pearce
Starring: Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge, Yola, Luke Bracey, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Dacre Montgomery, Helen Thomson, Richard Roxburgh, David Wenham

112.
Film Title: Clifford the Big Red Dog
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures, Entertainment One, Walden Media
Director: Walt Becker
Writers: Jay Scherick, David Ronn, Annie Mumolo, Stan
Starring: Darby Camp, Jack Whitehall, David Alan Grier, Sienna Guillory, Kenan Thompson, Rosie Perez, John Cleese

Opening Date: November 11^th
113.
Film Title: Ghostbusters: Afterlife
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures, Bron Creative, Ghost Corps
Director: Jason Reitman
Writers: Jason Reitman, Gil Kenan
Starring: Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard, Mckenna Grace, Paul Rudd, Bill Murray, Sigourney Weaver, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Annie Potts

Opening Date: November 19^th
114.
Film Title: Mission: Impossible 7
Production Co.: Paramount Pictures, Skydance Media, TC Productions
Director and Writer: Christopher McQuarrie
Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Rebecca Ferguson, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg, Pom Klementieff, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Shea Whigham, Henry Czerny

115.
Film Title: King Richard
Production Co.: HBO Max, Warner Bros. Pictures
Director: Reinaldo Marcus Green
Writer: Zach Baylin
Starring: Will Smith, Aunjanue Ellis, Jon Bernthal, Saniyya Sidney, Demi Singleton, Tony Goldwyn, Dylan McDermott

Opening Date: November 24^th
116.
Film Title: Encanto
Production Co.: Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Animation Studios
Directors: Byron Howard, Jared Bush, Chasire Castro Smith
Writers: Jared Bush, Chasire Castro Smith

117.
Film Title: Gucci
Production Co.: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, Scott Free Productions
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Roberto Bentivegna
Starring: Lady Gaga, Adam Driver, Jack Huston, Jeremy Irons, Jared Leto, Al Pacino, Robert De Niro

DECEMBER

Opening Date: December 3^rd
118.
Film Title: Nightmare Alley
Production Co.: Searchlight Pictures, TSG Entertainment
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Writers: Guillermo del Toro, Kim Morgan
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Willem Dafoe, Toni Collette, Richard Jenkins, Ron Perlman, Rooney Mara, David Strathairn

Opening Date: December 10^th
119.
Film Title: West Side Story
Production Co.: 20th Century Studios, Amblin Entertainment
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writer: Tony Kushner
Starring: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Corey Stoll, Brian d'Arcy James, Maddie Ziegler, Rita Moreno

120.
Film Title: American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story
Production Co.: Lionsgate
Directors: Jon Erwin, Andrew Erwin
Writers: Jon Erwin, Jon Gunn, David Aaron Cohen
Starring: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Ser'Darius Blain, Adam Baldwin, Virginia Madsen, Dennis Quaid

Opening Date: December 17^th
121.
Film Title: Untitled Spider-Man: Far From Home sequel
Production Co.: Columbia Pictures, Marvel Studios
Director: Jon Watts
Writers: Chris McKenna, Erik Sommers
Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Jon Favreau, Jacob Batalon, Tony Revolori, Marisa Tomei, Jamie Foxx, Benedict Cumberbatch, Alfred Molina

Opening Date: December 22^nd
122.
Film Title: Matrix
Production Co.: HBO Max / Warner Bros. Pictures / Village Roadshow Pictures
Director: Lana Wachowski
Writer: Lana Wachowski, Aleksandar Hemon, David Mitchell
Starring: Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra, Jessica Henwick, Jonathan Groff, Lambert Wilson, Jada Pinkett-Smith

123.
Film Title: Sing 2
Production Co.: Universal Pictures, Illumination
Director and Writer: Garth Jennings
Starring: Matthew McConaughey, Reese Witherspoon, Scarlett Johansson, Taron Egerton, Tori Kelly, Nick Kroll, Bobby Cannavale, Halsey, Pharrell Williams, Letitia Wright, Eric Andre, Chelsea Peretti, Bono

124.
Film Title: The Nightingale
Production Co.: TriStar Pictures
Director: Mélanie Laurent
Writer: Dana Stevens
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning

BAD ATTITUDE: The Art of Spain Rodriguez

Teaser Trailer Premiere

Director: Susan Stern
Featuring: Spain Rodriguez, R. Crumb, Art Spiegelman, Trina Robbins, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, Ed Piskor, Nora Rodriguez, and Susan Stern
Runtime: 1 hour 11 Minutes
Rating: Not Yet Rated
Genre: Documentary

Moving, thought-provoking, both personal and political, Bad Attitude: The Art of Spain Rodriguez explores the controversial art and life of the legendary underground cartoonist through the lens of his wife, Emmy-nominated filmmaker Susan Stern.

From the propaganda comics of WWII, to the underground comics breakthrough in 1960s New York and San Francisco, to the graphic novels of today, Bad Attitude is an enthralling history of comics and a rousing call to art and activism. Featuring a roster of friends and family, Bad Attitude dives deep into Spain’s life with insight from comics luminaries R. Crumb, Art Spiegelman, Trina Robbins, Aline Kominsky-Crumb, and Ed Piskor, and features animation by Spain’s daughter, the New York-based artist, Nora Rodriguez.

World Premiere at the 2021 Slamdance Film Festival.

BAD ATTITUDE: The Art of Spain Rodriguez will have its world premiere in the Breakouts section at the 2021 Slamdance Film Festival.

Website: www.badattitudedoc.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/badattitudedoc
Twitter: www.twitter.com/badattitudedoc
Instagram: www.instagram.com/badattitudedoc

BAD ATTITUDE: The Art of Spain Rodriguez is directed and produced by Susan Stern. Associate Produced by Victoria B. Fender. Edited by Elizabeth Finlayson, Jim Klein, Bill Weber, and Fender. Cinematography by Naiti Gámez and Vicente Franco. Original score by B. Quincy Griffin and music by Santana, Jerry Lee Lewis, Jesse Hill, Ben King, The Fugs, and Charles Mingus. Featuring Spain Rodriguez, comics luminaries R. Crumb, Art Spiegelman, Trina Robbins, Aline Kominsky-Crumb and Ed Piskor. Writer Ishmael Reed, feminist critics Susie Bright and Andi Zeisler, and Mission District artists René Yañez, Rio Yañez and Yolanda López. A Bernal Beach Films production.

VIEW TRAILER BELOW!

Dark Star Pictures CLIMATE of the HUNTER On Demand and Digital

Director: Mickey Reece
Writers: Mickey Reece, John Selvidge
Starring: Mary Buss, Ginger Gilmartin, Ben Hall
Runtime: 1 hour 22 minutes
Genre: Horror

CLIMATE OF THE HUNTER available now ON DEMAND AND DIGITAL

Including on iTunes, Amazon, Google Play, Xbox, Vudu, Direct TV, Dish Network and all major cable providers.

Two sisters, Alma and Elizabeth, along with a dog have come to Alma’s remote house to reconnect with Wesley after twenty years. Alma is recently divorced, Elizabeth is a workaholic in Washington, D.C.,
while Wesley lives in Paris dealing with a wife recently struck with a fatal disease. When the three come together for dinner it has all the makings of a lovely adult melodrama about loneliness, and the desire to connect and share our lives with someone… but we must add to the mix one otherworldly piece of information: Wesley could be a vampire.

View trailer below!

‘THE MIMIC!’ in Selected Theaters and VOD on February 5, 2021

Director and Writer: Thomas F. Mazziotti
Starring: Thomas Sadoski, Jake Robinson, Austin Pendleton, Gina Gershon, Marilu Henner, Tammy Blanchard, Didi Conn, Josh Pais, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Doug Plaut, with M. Emmet Walsh and Jessica Walter
Genre: Comedy
Language: English
Country: United States
Rating: Not Yet Ratedb

Director and writer Thomas F. Mazziotti’s film ‘THE MIMIC!’ opens in selected theaters and VOD on Friday, February 5, 2021

Mazziotti’s film is based on a true story, this clever, intriguing, and hyperbolic comedy follows the main character - 'the Narrator' (Thomas Sadoski) who is befriended by his young new neighbor 'the Kid’ (Jake Robinson), after he joins the local newspaper team.

Obsessed with the idea that the Kid may be a sociopath, the Narrator goes to extreme lengths to uncover the truth about him and his wife, a woman he ultimately begins to fancy. Between long walks down the street, a twisted dinner date, and a car drive gone terribly wrong, the Narrator gets closer and closer to the truth about the Kid. But the truth, as he finds, is anything but what he expected.

Thomas Sadoski (The Newsroom), Jake Robinson (American Odyssey), Austin Pendleton (Finding Nemo, Oz), Gina Gershon (Showgirls, Riverdale), Marilu Henner (L.A. Story, Taxi), Tammy Blanchard (Into the Woods, The Invitation), Didi Conn (Grease), Josh Pais (Motherless Brooklyn, Joker), Jessica Keenan Wynn (Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again), Doug Plaut (Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), with M. Emmet Walsh (Blade Runner, Sneaky Pete), and Jessica Walter (Arrested Development).

Run time: 1 hour 21 minutes
Starring: Thomas Sadoski, Jake Robinson, Austin Pendleton, Gina Gershon, Marilu Henner, Tammy Blanchard, Didi Conn, Josh Pais, Jessica Keenan Wynn, Doug Plaut, with M. Emmet Walsh and Jessica Walter
Written & Directed by: Thomas F. Mazziotti
Produced by Benjamin Cox, p.g.a.
Executive Producers Stephen R. Foreht, Paul Jarrett
Co-Producers Bonnie Blue Edwards, Sig De Miguel and Stephen Vincent
Director of Photography Timothy Gillis
Edited by Benjamin Cox, Käla Mandrake
Production Designer Laura Miller
Costume Designer Jevyn Nelms
Original Music by Mitch Davis,
Casting by Sig De Miguel and Stephen Vincent.
A Red Square Pictures and Only Child Films Production

Website: TheMimicMovie.com
Facebook: facebook.com/TheMimicMovie
Twitter: twitter.com/TheMimicMovie
Instagram: instagram.com/TheMimicMovie

VIEW TRAILER BELOW!

MY NAME IS PEDRO VOD and DVD Release February 23rd

Passion River
SWEET 180 PRESENTS
MY NAME IS PEDRO

4) (L-R) Pedro Santana in Lillian LaSalle's MY NAME IS PEDRO
(Photo Credit: Sweet 180)

Director: Lillian LaSalle
Runtime: 2 hours 7 min
Genre: Documentary
Country: U.S.A), , In English.

MY NAME IS PEDRO will be released on VOD and DVD on February 23, 2021 in U.S., Canada and UK.

VOD: Amazon, Apple TV, GooglePlay, Youtube, and FandangoNOW.
Cable: Verizon and Wave Broadband

MY NAME IS PEDRO is an essential and timely reminder of the importance of great educators that exist within the infrastructure of our country's public education system.

This award-winning film, from first time director Lillian LaSalle, explores the seemingly impossible journey of South Bronx Latino educator and maverick, Pedro Santana, a former "special ed" student, whose mantra is - every kid can learn despite their circumstances. . A New York Times profile of his "Out Of The Box" teaching techniques, thrusts him into the spotlight, which creates great opportunities for change but also has its downside - public school politics which, despite the cries of students and parents alike, threaten to take him down. A documentary with unpredictable twists and turns, it harnesses a compelling message of optimism, hope and tragedy.

Lillian LaSalle, Director

LaSalle is the recipient of the 2016 Peabody "Futures of Media” Award for Producing the web-series, Halal In The Family, starring Aasif Mandvi, which garnered wide-spread media attention for taking on Islamophobia through the use of comedy and parody.

LaSalle is best known for her work as a talent manager representing actors, writers and directors as President of Sweet 180.

LaSalle is the Producer of several feature films including, Loggerheads, which premiered in competition at The Sundance Film Festival and Sweet Land, which won the Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature for writer/director, Ali Selim. LaSalle’s other notable feature Producing credits include: Today's Special, which premiered at the BFI London Film Festival and won the audience award at the Palm Springs Film Festival, Just Like the Son from director Morgan Freeman, Find Love, Heavy Petting, and Mentor, as well as Southern Belles and American Cannibal: The Road to Reality.

LaSalle is currently Executive Producing the feature length animated feature, The Night Diary, based on the award-winning book by Veera Hiranandani alongside Aasif Mandvi’s Fat Mama Productions, animator/writer Gitanjali Rao (Bombay Rose, Tribeca Film Festival) and writer/director, Sabrina Dahwan, (Monsoon Wedding) with Hyde Park Entertainment. LaSalle will also produce the feature film, Our Lady Of The Snow, from award winning writer/director, Tom Gilroy (Spring Forward, The Cold Lands) alongside Luca Borghese and Ben Howe’s (Diane) Ag-X Films.

OFFICIAL SELECTION AND AWARDS:
Winner: Best Documentary, Golden Door International Film Festival
Winner: Spotlight on Documentary Award, St. Louis International Film Festival
Winner: Audience Award, Chicago Latino International Film Festival
Winner: Audience Award, Brooklyn Film Festival
Winner: Award of Merit, Impact Docs
Winner: Honorable Mention, Woodstock Film Festival
Official Selection: Women’s Filmmaker Showcase, BAFF
Official Selection: San Diego Latino International Film Festival

MY NAME IS PEDRO- Connect on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mynameispedrodoc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MyNameisPedrodoc/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PedroSantanaDoc

Website: https://www.mynameispedro.com

SILENCE & DARKNESS Available NOW on VOD and Digital

Writer and Director: Barak Barkan
Starring: Mina Walker, Joan Glackin, and Jordan Lage
Runtime: 1 hour 18 min
Rating: Not Yet Rated
Genre: Thriller/Drama
Country: U.S.

SILENCE & DARKNESS is now available on VOD/Digital in the U.S. and Canada on Amazon, iTunes, Google Play, as well as Direct TV, Dish Network, Vubiquity, and Deluxe Canada.

After the death of their mother, blind and deaf sisters Anna and Beth live happily in a secluded small town with Father. However, when a neighbor stops by, Anna and Beth begin to question Father’s medical diagnoses and start to realize his intentions are more sinister than they could have imagined.

Shot in the haunting ephemeral landscapes of Vermont, and at times disturbing, SILENCE & DARKNESS carefully crafts a harrowing, and eerie portrait of two sisters forced to use every skill they have to uncover the truth about their family. Writer/director Barak Barkan’s feature debut takes the audience to an elliptical presence in Anna and Beth’s world, guiding our imaginations to follow them into peculiar, secret places.

“I sought to create tension between the viewer and the film, both through Anna and Beth’s interactions and Father’s backstory,” says writer/director Barak Barkan. “My goal is that while viewing the film, the audience will inhabit a constant state of curious unease—desperate to find out what led to the circumstances of this family’s life and what is going to happen next—while simultaneously fearful of the answer.”

Writer and Director: Barak Barkan
Producers: Barak Barkan and Pablo Burn
Cinematographer: Omar Nasr
Editor: Colton Fordyce
Music by Bob Dylan.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF MY BEAUTIFUL NIECE, JESSICA BLUE

Jessica Blue and Spiderman. Photo: Yevette Renee

My kind and loving niece in Hollywood during her last visit to California in September 2020.

As I look at this picture of Jessica, I finally understand why adult children will forever be thought of as their parents babies.

Jessica was a full-fledged adult with a beautiful nine year old daughter, Z and what does her auntie want, a picture of her with Spiderman.

Thank you Jessica! You have taught me more about life and living than any one.

Thank you for your honesty, kindness, compassion and love of family.

I Love You Jessica Blue!!!!!

HOLLYWOOD’S First Day of 2021 in Pictures

Hollywood Boulevard and LaBrea Avenue

The Roosevelt Hotel Photo: Yevette Renee

Hollywood High School Photo: Yevette Renee

Santa Monica Blvd and LaBrea Ave Photo: Yevette Renee

Highland Ave. and Sunset Blvd. Photo: Yevette Renee

ArcLight Hollywood-Pacific Cinerama Dome Theater. Photo: Yevette Renee

Kiosk Hollywood Blvd. and Vine Ave. Photo: Yevette Renee

The Breakfast Club, a future restaurant on Vine Ave. Photo: Yevette Renee

Taraji P. Henson Makes Directorial Debut in Bron Studio’s Comedy Film ‘Two-Faced’

Oscar nominee, Best Supporting Actress for her role in ‘The Curious Case of Benjamin Button’, Television star, talented singer and successful business woman Taraji P. Henson is set to make her film directorial debut and have a starring role as the mother of the student in the upcoming comedy film ‘Two-Face from Aaron L. Gilbert and Brenda Gilbert’s BRON Studios.

“Two-Faced follows Joy, a Black high school senior whose chances to attend the college of her dreams are threatened by her wildly popular and charismatic school principal, Jerald, after she confronts him with evidence of his racist past. With the help of her friends, Joy sets out to expose Jerald for who he truly is but quickly learns that he is not above waging all-out-war against the students trying to take him down.”

Written by Cat Wilkens, a talented writer who graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from the University of Missouri in 2015. In 2018, she began her studies at UCLA in its MFA Screenwriting Program. The script for Two-Faced won the first place prize in the feature comedy category at the UCLA Screenwriters Showcase in 2020.

Sharing producing duties with Henson and her production company TPH Entertainment are Aaron L. Gilbert with Bron Studios and Tim Story with The Story Company, who was behind the successful films Barbershop, Think Like a Man, Shaft and Ride Along. Sales and distribution for ‘Two-Faced’ will be Releasing and UTA Independent Film Group.

Beginning in 2015, Henson starred as Cookie Lyons in the hit Fox television show Empire about a family working in the hip-hop music business. This role brought her the third Golden Globe for Best Actress – Television Series Drama ever awarded to an African-American actress. Henson was named Entertainer of the Year by the 46^th NAACP Image Awards in 2015.

Taraji also found success in film and music. Starring opposite her Empire costar Terrence Howard in the 2005 film ‘Hustle & Flow’, she sang vocals on the Three 6 Mafia Academy Award for Best Original Song “It’s Hard Out Here for a Pimp.”

“I could not be more excited to support one of the most talented people I have ever known,” Story was quoted as saying. “Taraji and I have done three movies together and I knew it was only a matter of time before she would make this leap to directing and I am honored to produce this film along with BRON Studios. Taraji is like family to me and I cannot wait for everyone to see her directorial vision of this hilarious script by Cat Wilkins brought to the screen.”

“After two decades spent in front of the camera, I’m thrilled to finally jump behind it for my feature directorial debut!” Henson said, “What first attracted me to this project was Joy – she is the character I needed to see in films growing up, but never had. It’s important that stories be told from a woman’s point of view and partnering with Bron Studios and the amazing talented Tim Story – both who use their platforms to help elevate women and people of color – feels like the perfect match. I can’t wait to bring this hilariously heartfelt script by Cat Wilkins to life!”