It’s been almost a decade since Jennifer Lee became the first woman to helm a Walt Disney Animation Studios feature film, 2013’s “Frozen.” She partnered with Chris Buck, and the duo co-directed and co-wrote what would become one of Disney’s all-time biggest hits. The film won an Oscar for animated feature.
In 2018, Lee was upped to chief creative officer and sought to find new voices. She would help burst open the door for other female directors at the studio including Peggy Holmes, who helmed “The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning” and “Get a Horse!’s” Lauren MacMullan.
This month, Variety will bestow its Creative Leadership Award on Lee for not only her work on animation but also for helping other women follow the opening she made.
Before she could even speak, Lee, a Rhode Island native, was exposed to her grandparents’ Disney records and the books that came with them.
In 2018, Lee was upped to chief creative officer and sought to find new voices. She would help burst open the door for other female directors at the studio including Peggy Holmes, who helmed “The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning” and “Get a Horse!’s” Lauren MacMullan.
This month, Variety will bestow its Creative Leadership Award on Lee for not only her work on animation but also for helping other women follow the opening she made.
Before she could even speak, Lee, a Rhode Island native, was exposed to her grandparents’ Disney records and the books that came with them.
- 11/10/2021
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Disney Animation Studios has hired four directors, two new and two returning, to create some new original content for the company. Returning are Josie Trinidad, who has previously worked on the art and stories for The Princess and the Frog, Tangled, Wreck-It Ralph and its sequel, and Zootopia; and Marc Smith, who did animation for Hercules, Tarzan, Fantasia 2000, The Emperor’s New Groove, Chicken Little, Tangled, Big Hero 6, and Zootopia.
The new directors are Carlos Lopez Estrada (Blindspotting), and Suzi Yoonessi. Variety reports that Walt Disney Animation’s chief creative officer Jennifer Lee, who wrote the Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen films, is looking to continue to tell original stories while continuing to diversify the types of films they make.
Here’s what Lee had to say about the upcoming projects and new directors on board:
“We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home...
The new directors are Carlos Lopez Estrada (Blindspotting), and Suzi Yoonessi. Variety reports that Walt Disney Animation’s chief creative officer Jennifer Lee, who wrote the Wreck-It Ralph and Frozen films, is looking to continue to tell original stories while continuing to diversify the types of films they make.
Here’s what Lee had to say about the upcoming projects and new directors on board:
“We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home...
- 10/3/2019
- by Jessica Fisher
- GeekTyrant
Walt Disney Animation is making diversity its priority with its next four projects. Four directors of color are helming the next Disney animated movies, which includes Blindspotting director Carlos Lopez Estrada. Estrada is joining Suzi Yoonessi and Disney veterans Josie Trinidad and Marc Smith to develop new animated movies for theatrical release. The Disney animation […]
The post Disney is Developing Four New Animated Movies With Filmmakers of Color appeared first on /Film.
The post Disney is Developing Four New Animated Movies With Filmmakers of Color appeared first on /Film.
- 10/2/2019
- by Hoai-Tran Bui
- Slash Film
Four filmmakers have have been hired as directors at Walt Disney Animation Studios (Wdas), the company announced on Tuesday. Two of the directors are veteran story artists, whose careers have grown at Wdas, and the two directors who are new to the studio have both directed acclaimed films.
Directors Carlos Lopez Estrada, Suzi Yoonessi, and Disney vets Josie Trinidad and Marc Smith are each developing new theatrical animated films.
“We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium,” Wdas Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee said in a statement to TheWrap. “Carlos and Suzi are two incredible, inventive filmmakers who have both received acclaim for their work. Josie and Marc, master, lead story artists, have been instrumental in shaping such films as ‘Zootopia’ and ‘Frozen 2.’ We are so thrilled to have these four talented artists...
Directors Carlos Lopez Estrada, Suzi Yoonessi, and Disney vets Josie Trinidad and Marc Smith are each developing new theatrical animated films.
“We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium,” Wdas Chief Creative Officer Jennifer Lee said in a statement to TheWrap. “Carlos and Suzi are two incredible, inventive filmmakers who have both received acclaim for their work. Josie and Marc, master, lead story artists, have been instrumental in shaping such films as ‘Zootopia’ and ‘Frozen 2.’ We are so thrilled to have these four talented artists...
- 10/1/2019
- by Umberto Gonzalez
- The Wrap
Walt Disney Animation Studios has appointed four filmmakers to work on original content for the studio. Directors Carlos Lopez Estrada (“Blindspotting”) and Suzi Yoonessi, along with Disney veterans Josie Trinidad and Marc Smith are each developing new animated films for theatrical release.
The announcement comes as Disney and Walt Disney Animation’s chief creative officer Jennifer Lee works to increase the studio’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Among its upcoming slate, Disney animation has “Raya and the Last Dragon” starring Awkwafina and written by Adele Lim.
“We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium,” Lee, who wrote and directed “Frozen” and its forthcoming sequel, said in a statement. “Carlos and Suzi are two incredible, inventive filmmakers who have both received acclaim for their work. Josie and Marc, master, lead story artists, have...
The announcement comes as Disney and Walt Disney Animation’s chief creative officer Jennifer Lee works to increase the studio’s commitment to diversity and inclusion. Among its upcoming slate, Disney animation has “Raya and the Last Dragon” starring Awkwafina and written by Adele Lim.
“We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium,” Lee, who wrote and directed “Frozen” and its forthcoming sequel, said in a statement. “Carlos and Suzi are two incredible, inventive filmmakers who have both received acclaim for their work. Josie and Marc, master, lead story artists, have...
- 10/1/2019
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
Walt Disney Animation on Tuesday revealed that four filmmakers have been appointed to create new animated projects for theatrical release.
Those filmmakers include Carlos Lopez Estrada (he debuted with Blindspotting in 2018) and Suzi Yoonessi (her musical comedy, the Duplass brothers film Unlovable, won a special jury award at SXSW in 2018). Joining them are story artists Josie Trinidad (Ralph Breaks the Internet) and Marc Smith (Big Hero 6, Zootopia).
"We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium," said Jennifer Lee,...
Those filmmakers include Carlos Lopez Estrada (he debuted with Blindspotting in 2018) and Suzi Yoonessi (her musical comedy, the Duplass brothers film Unlovable, won a special jury award at SXSW in 2018). Joining them are story artists Josie Trinidad (Ralph Breaks the Internet) and Marc Smith (Big Hero 6, Zootopia).
"We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium," said Jennifer Lee,...
- 10/1/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Walt Disney Animation on Tuesday revealed that four filmmakers have been appointed to create new animated projects for theatrical release.
Those filmmakers include Carlos Lopez Estrada (he debuted with Blindspotting in 2018) and Suzi Yoonessi (her musical comedy, the Duplass brothers film Unlovable, won a special jury award at SXSW in 2018). Joining them are story artists Josie Trinidad (Ralph Breaks the Internet) and Marc Smith (Big Hero 6, Zootopia).
"We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium," said Jennifer Lee,...
Those filmmakers include Carlos Lopez Estrada (he debuted with Blindspotting in 2018) and Suzi Yoonessi (her musical comedy, the Duplass brothers film Unlovable, won a special jury award at SXSW in 2018). Joining them are story artists Josie Trinidad (Ralph Breaks the Internet) and Marc Smith (Big Hero 6, Zootopia).
"We aim to have Walt Disney Animation Studios serve as the premiere home for filmmakers interested in telling engaging stories within the limitless animation medium," said Jennifer Lee,...
- 10/1/2019
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
You don’t ever stop being an addict, you just learn to make better choices. That’s the advice Melissa Leo gives to a young woman in “Unlovable,” an indie dramedy that premiered at this year’s South by Southwest festival in Austin, Texas.
In the film, Leo plays the sponsor to a recovering sex and love addict named Joy (Charlene deGuzman). She introduces Joy to her quirky and reclusive brother (John Hawkes), who forms a garage band with Joy as she struggles to get her mind off a boyfriend. In the process, Joy learns the true nature of intimacy as they start making music together.
In this exclusive clip from the film, Joy pops the question to Leo’s character Maddie to see if she’d be willing to be her sponsor.
Also Read: 'Novitiate' Review: Melissa Leo Grounds a Visually Striking Study in Faith
“We get what we think we deserve,...
In the film, Leo plays the sponsor to a recovering sex and love addict named Joy (Charlene deGuzman). She introduces Joy to her quirky and reclusive brother (John Hawkes), who forms a garage band with Joy as she struggles to get her mind off a boyfriend. In the process, Joy learns the true nature of intimacy as they start making music together.
In this exclusive clip from the film, Joy pops the question to Leo’s character Maddie to see if she’d be willing to be her sponsor.
Also Read: 'Novitiate' Review: Melissa Leo Grounds a Visually Striking Study in Faith
“We get what we think we deserve,...
- 10/22/2018
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
When Charlene deGuzman was still but a comedic Twitter force with a few viral YouTube videos under her belt, she slid into Mark Duplass’ DMs to send him a script for her pilot. To deGuzman’s surprise and delight, Duplass wrote back right away to say he loved it and wanted to turn it into a film. More than two years later, “Unlovable” is opening in theaters after impressing critics and audiences at its SXSW debut.
With help from fellow filmmaker Sarah Adina Smith (“Buster’s Mal Heart”), Duplass and deGuzman collaborated on the script, which is based on deGuzman’s own experiences with addiction and recovery. They enlisted director Suzi Yoonessi, and nabbed the powerhouse acting duo of Melissa Leo and John Hawkes, who play embittered siblings in the film.
Read More: ‘Unlovable’ Review: Social Media Star Charlene deGuzman Breaks Out in Charming Sex Addiction Dramedy — SXSW 2018
DeGuzman stars as Joy,...
With help from fellow filmmaker Sarah Adina Smith (“Buster’s Mal Heart”), Duplass and deGuzman collaborated on the script, which is based on deGuzman’s own experiences with addiction and recovery. They enlisted director Suzi Yoonessi, and nabbed the powerhouse acting duo of Melissa Leo and John Hawkes, who play embittered siblings in the film.
Read More: ‘Unlovable’ Review: Social Media Star Charlene deGuzman Breaks Out in Charming Sex Addiction Dramedy — SXSW 2018
DeGuzman stars as Joy,...
- 10/18/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
"You have to save yourself, I can't do this for you." Orion Classics has debuted an official trailer for an indie romantic comedy titled Unlovable, which first premiered at the SXSW Film Festival earlier this year. The indie comedy is about a sex and love addicted woman who becomes friends with a reclusive man who lives nearby. As one of the quotes in this trailer states, it's not so much a film about love, rather a "feel-good film about the power of friendship." Charlene deGuzman (from "Big Time Rush" now making her feature film debut) stars as Joy, with a stellar ensemble cast including John Hawkes, Melissa Leo, Paul James, with Ellen Geer and Jake McDorman. This looks like an honest, heartfelt film that doesn't try to say love will fix everything - which is really refreshing considering that's what most romance films are about. Enjoy. Here's the official trailer...
- 10/18/2018
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Orion Classics has acquired the North American and Latin American rights to Melissa Miller Costanzo’s drama “All These Small Moments,” the distributor announced Thursday.
The drama stars Molly Ringwald, Brian d’Arcy James, Brendan Meyer, Sam McCarthy, Harley Quinn Smith and Jemima Kirke. “All These Small Moments” is Miller Costanzo’s directorial debut, and she also wrote the screenplay for the film, which premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
Orion Classics will release “All These Small Moments” on January 17 and on VOD and Digital HD on January 18.
In the film, a teenage boy’s infatuation with a woman he sees on the bus further complicates his teenage years.
“As a stalwart supporter of some of the most memorable films in our collective lexicon, and a champion for thought provoking, character driven films,...
The drama stars Molly Ringwald, Brian d’Arcy James, Brendan Meyer, Sam McCarthy, Harley Quinn Smith and Jemima Kirke. “All These Small Moments” is Miller Costanzo’s directorial debut, and she also wrote the screenplay for the film, which premiered at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival.
Orion Classics will release “All These Small Moments” on January 17 and on VOD and Digital HD on January 18.
In the film, a teenage boy’s infatuation with a woman he sees on the bus further complicates his teenage years.
“As a stalwart supporter of some of the most memorable films in our collective lexicon, and a champion for thought provoking, character driven films,...
- 10/18/2018
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
The Tribeca festival drama will launch in cinemas and on VOD in December.
Orion Classics, the multi-platform label relaunched by MGM earlier this year, has acquired all North American and Latin American rights to writer-director Matthew Brown’s Maine.
The drama, which had its world premiere in competition at April’s Tribeca Film Festival, stars Laia Costa and Thomas Mann in the story of a married Spanish woman whose attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail is interrupted by a young American hiker.
Orion Classics will release the film - produced by 2018 Independent Spirit Producer Award winner Summer Shelton, Michael B...
Orion Classics, the multi-platform label relaunched by MGM earlier this year, has acquired all North American and Latin American rights to writer-director Matthew Brown’s Maine.
The drama, which had its world premiere in competition at April’s Tribeca Film Festival, stars Laia Costa and Thomas Mann in the story of a married Spanish woman whose attempt to hike the Appalachian Trail is interrupted by a young American hiker.
Orion Classics will release the film - produced by 2018 Independent Spirit Producer Award winner Summer Shelton, Michael B...
- 10/9/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Orion Classics has acquired North American and Latin American rights for Suzi Yoonessi’s dramedy “Unlovable,” which won the SXSW’s Gamechanger Special Jury Recognition Award.
“Unlovable” is based on co-writer and lead actress Charlene deGuzman’s real-life experiences with sex and love addiction. Yoonessi directed from a script penned by deGuzman, Sarah Adina Smith, and Mark Duplass.
Orion Classics will release the film in U.S. theaters on Nov. 1 and on VOD and Digital HD on Nov. 2.
DeGuzman portrays a recovering sex and love addict who discovers the true nature of intimacy when she forms a garage band with her sponsor’s quirky and reclusive brother, played by John Hawkes. All of the original songs in the film were produced by Hawkes which he wrote alongside Smith and performed with deGuzman. Melissa Leo co-stars as the sponsor of deGuzman’s character.
Yoonessi said, “I remember as a child gazing into the Orion logo,...
“Unlovable” is based on co-writer and lead actress Charlene deGuzman’s real-life experiences with sex and love addiction. Yoonessi directed from a script penned by deGuzman, Sarah Adina Smith, and Mark Duplass.
Orion Classics will release the film in U.S. theaters on Nov. 1 and on VOD and Digital HD on Nov. 2.
DeGuzman portrays a recovering sex and love addict who discovers the true nature of intimacy when she forms a garage band with her sponsor’s quirky and reclusive brother, played by John Hawkes. All of the original songs in the film were produced by Hawkes which he wrote alongside Smith and performed with deGuzman. Melissa Leo co-stars as the sponsor of deGuzman’s character.
Yoonessi said, “I remember as a child gazing into the Orion logo,...
- 9/5/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Orion Classics has acquired North American and Latin American rights to Unlovable, the musical dramatic comedy that had its world premiere this year at SXSW. The pic, directed by Suzi Yoonessi based on co-writer and star Charlene deGuzman’s real-life experiences with sex and love addiction, will hit U.S. theaters November 1 and digitally November 2.
In the script from deGuzman, Sarah Adina Smith and Mark Duplass, deGuzman stars as a recovering sex and love addict who discovers the true nature of intimacy when she forms a garage band with her sponsor’s quirky and reclusive brother (John Hawkes). The original songs were produced by Hawkes, which he wrote with Smith and performed with deGuzman. Melissa Leo co-stars.
The pic, a Duplass Brothers production, is produced by Jen Roskind and executive produced by Duplass. ICM Partners, which reps Duplass, negotiated the deal.
In August, Orion Classics acquired another SXSW pic, Jinn,...
In the script from deGuzman, Sarah Adina Smith and Mark Duplass, deGuzman stars as a recovering sex and love addict who discovers the true nature of intimacy when she forms a garage band with her sponsor’s quirky and reclusive brother (John Hawkes). The original songs were produced by Hawkes, which he wrote with Smith and performed with deGuzman. Melissa Leo co-stars.
The pic, a Duplass Brothers production, is produced by Jen Roskind and executive produced by Duplass. ICM Partners, which reps Duplass, negotiated the deal.
In August, Orion Classics acquired another SXSW pic, Jinn,...
- 9/5/2018
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
Mark Duplass serves as executive producer on SXSW award winner.
Orion Classics has acquired all North American and Latin American rights to Suzi Yoonessi’s SXSW award-winner Unlovable starring Charlene deGuzman, John Hawkes and Melissa Leo.
The film won the Gamechanger Special Jury Recognition Award after it premiered in Austin, Texas, and will open theatrically on November 1, followed a day later by the VOD and digital launches.
deGuzman, Sarah Adina Smith, and Mark Duplass wrote the screenplay about a recovering sex and love addict who starts a garage band and learns the true meaning of intimacy.
Jen Roskind produced the Duplass Brothers Production,...
Orion Classics has acquired all North American and Latin American rights to Suzi Yoonessi’s SXSW award-winner Unlovable starring Charlene deGuzman, John Hawkes and Melissa Leo.
The film won the Gamechanger Special Jury Recognition Award after it premiered in Austin, Texas, and will open theatrically on November 1, followed a day later by the VOD and digital launches.
deGuzman, Sarah Adina Smith, and Mark Duplass wrote the screenplay about a recovering sex and love addict who starts a garage band and learns the true meaning of intimacy.
Jen Roskind produced the Duplass Brothers Production,...
- 9/5/2018
- by Jeremy Kay & Jenn Sherman
- ScreenDaily
Stars: Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Gilman, Vanessa Marano, Courtney Dietz, Stephen Ruffin, Fray Forde, Evan Castelloe, Daniel Salyers, Brian Stepanek, Adam Faison, Arden Myrin | Written by Kyle Mack, Caitlin Meares | Directed by Suzi Yoonessi
Futuristic robots, crazy gadgets and the brightest students of tomorrow are common sights at Ridge Valley High. Home to their newest student, the smart and capable Daphne Blake (Sarah Jeffery) and her online bestie, the tech-savvy hipster Velma Dinkley (Sarah Gilman). But not everything is as innocent as they seem on campus, as mysterious disappearances begin to plague the top-ranked students. Once cheery and full of life, kids are coming back lifeless and a shell of who they once were. Can these two teens get along in real-life and encourage each other to break down their inner weaknesses, and save the town from an eerie downfall?
Despite the general critical malaise when it comes to Scooby-Doo live-action movies,...
Futuristic robots, crazy gadgets and the brightest students of tomorrow are common sights at Ridge Valley High. Home to their newest student, the smart and capable Daphne Blake (Sarah Jeffery) and her online bestie, the tech-savvy hipster Velma Dinkley (Sarah Gilman). But not everything is as innocent as they seem on campus, as mysterious disappearances begin to plague the top-ranked students. Once cheery and full of life, kids are coming back lifeless and a shell of who they once were. Can these two teens get along in real-life and encourage each other to break down their inner weaknesses, and save the town from an eerie downfall?
Despite the general critical malaise when it comes to Scooby-Doo live-action movies,...
- 7/27/2018
- by Phil Wheat
- Nerdly
Rooftop Films released the first round of titles screening in its popular summer series, including Robert Pattinson in David and Nathan Zellner’s “Damsel,” which will make its New York premiere in Brooklyn’s Green-Wood cemetery. The series features a slew of the year’s most highly-anticipated festival favorites, including Bart Layton’s “American Animals,” and Crystal Moselle’s “Skate Kitchen,” and a sneak preview of Carlos López Estrada’s “Blindspotting,” starring “Hamilton” actor Daveed Diggs.
“Rooftop Films is famous for creating fun, custom-curated, large-scale events that augment the
experience of watching our favorite new films,” said Dan Nuxoll, Artistic Director of Rooftop Films. “This year we have put extra effort into adding exciting components to every event, including a performance from the vivacious Arkansas drag queens from Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher’s ‘The Gospel of Eureka.'”
Rooftop is introducing two new venues this year: Brooklyn Army Terminal and Green-Wood Cemetery,...
“Rooftop Films is famous for creating fun, custom-curated, large-scale events that augment the
experience of watching our favorite new films,” said Dan Nuxoll, Artistic Director of Rooftop Films. “This year we have put extra effort into adding exciting components to every event, including a performance from the vivacious Arkansas drag queens from Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher’s ‘The Gospel of Eureka.'”
Rooftop is introducing two new venues this year: Brooklyn Army Terminal and Green-Wood Cemetery,...
- 4/30/2018
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
Jinkies! They would have gotten away with it if it weren't for the meddling of Daphne and Velma! The ladies of Scooby-Doo and friends are on the case in Daphne & Velma, a new live-action movie set to be released on Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD on May 22nd courtesy of Warner Bros. Home Entertainment:
Press Release:"(March 27, 2018 – Burbank, CA) – Jeepers! Your favorite mystery-solving teenagers are back in an all-new, live-action feature-length movie! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release “Daphne & Velma” on Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD on May 22, 2018. The film stars Sarah Jeffery (Disney's "Descendants: Wicked World") and Sarah Gilman (ABC's “Last Man Standing”) and is produced by Ashley Tisdale and Jennifer Tisdale’s Blondie Girl Productions. “Daphne & Velma” will carry a suggested retail price of $19.98 for the DVD and $24.98 for the Blu-ray.
State of the art robots and high-tech gadgets are common sights at Ridge Valley High,...
Press Release:"(March 27, 2018 – Burbank, CA) – Jeepers! Your favorite mystery-solving teenagers are back in an all-new, live-action feature-length movie! Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release “Daphne & Velma” on Digital, Blu-ray, and DVD on May 22, 2018. The film stars Sarah Jeffery (Disney's "Descendants: Wicked World") and Sarah Gilman (ABC's “Last Man Standing”) and is produced by Ashley Tisdale and Jennifer Tisdale’s Blondie Girl Productions. “Daphne & Velma” will carry a suggested retail price of $19.98 for the DVD and $24.98 for the Blu-ray.
State of the art robots and high-tech gadgets are common sights at Ridge Valley High,...
- 4/2/2018
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
Sneak Peek footage, plus images from the "Scoobie-Do" live-action horror-comedy spin-off "Daphne & Velma", directed by Suzi Yoonessi, starring Sarah Jeffery, Sarah Gilman and Vanessa Marano:
"...before their eventual team-up with 'Scooby' and the gang, bright and optimistic 'Daphne' and whip-smart and analytical 'Velma' are both mystery-solving teens who are best friends but have only met online - until now.
"Daphne has just transferred to Velma's school, 'Ridge Valley High', an incredible tech-savvy institute with all the latest gadgets provided by the school's benefactor, billionaire 'Tobias Bloom'.
"And while competition is fierce among the students for a coveted internship at 'Bloom Innovative', Daphne and Velma dig beyond all the gadgets and tech to investigate what is causing some of the brightest students in school to disappear - only to emerge again in a 'zombie' state..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Daphne & Velma...
"...before their eventual team-up with 'Scooby' and the gang, bright and optimistic 'Daphne' and whip-smart and analytical 'Velma' are both mystery-solving teens who are best friends but have only met online - until now.
"Daphne has just transferred to Velma's school, 'Ridge Valley High', an incredible tech-savvy institute with all the latest gadgets provided by the school's benefactor, billionaire 'Tobias Bloom'.
"And while competition is fierce among the students for a coveted internship at 'Bloom Innovative', Daphne and Velma dig beyond all the gadgets and tech to investigate what is causing some of the brightest students in school to disappear - only to emerge again in a 'zombie' state..."
Click the images to enlarge and Sneak Peek "Daphne & Velma...
- 3/28/2018
- by Michael Stevens
- SneakPeek
Juried prizes were presented tonight at the 25th annual Swsw Film Festival. Jim Gaffigan, in Austin to represent the Miranda Bailey-directed ensemble comedy “You Can Choose Your Family,” presided as host. The venue was the Paramount Theatre, a 103-year-old landmark just blocks from the Texas Capitol.
SXSW will continue screening films through Saturday, when most of the festival’s audience awards recipients will be announced. The exception is for the headlining films, such as “A Quiet Place,” “Blockers,” and “Ready Player One” — those verdicts follows on March 19.
This year’s line-up comprised 256 total features and shorts, culled from 8,183 submissions. Best narrative feature “Thunder Road” was adapted from the namesake, one-take short that won a Grand Jury award at Sundance in 2016.
Lena Dunham’s “Tiny Furniture” (2010) and Destin Daniel Cretton’s “Short Term 12” (2013) are among the best-known past jury victors at SXSW. IndieWire’s Dana Harris helped choose the Louis Black “Lone Star” honoree,...
SXSW will continue screening films through Saturday, when most of the festival’s audience awards recipients will be announced. The exception is for the headlining films, such as “A Quiet Place,” “Blockers,” and “Ready Player One” — those verdicts follows on March 19.
This year’s line-up comprised 256 total features and shorts, culled from 8,183 submissions. Best narrative feature “Thunder Road” was adapted from the namesake, one-take short that won a Grand Jury award at Sundance in 2016.
Lena Dunham’s “Tiny Furniture” (2010) and Destin Daniel Cretton’s “Short Term 12” (2013) are among the best-known past jury victors at SXSW. IndieWire’s Dana Harris helped choose the Louis Black “Lone Star” honoree,...
- 3/14/2018
- by Jenna Marotta
- Indiewire
Within the first five minutes of Suzi Yoonessi’s unexpectedly charming sex addiction dramedy “Unlovable,” the film’s endearing leading lady attempts to kill herself. Joy (Charlene deGuzman, who also co-wrote the film’s script) doles out the niceties, introducing herself, indulging the audience in some of her favorite pastimes, confessing to having a “gaping hole in her soul,” all before penning a suicide note that puts it pretty succinctly: “She died doing what she loved: wanting to Die.” Of course, she doesn’t die (where’s the movie in that?). Instead, she pukes up a candy-colored mix of cough medicine and cake, the worldview of “Unlovable” in a gloppy nutshell.
Joy is a love and sex addict who is often driven to drink when things aren’t turning out her way, and once she starts drinking, she’s prone to indulging her other bad habits. Soon, she’ll lose everything — her job,...
Joy is a love and sex addict who is often driven to drink when things aren’t turning out her way, and once she starts drinking, she’s prone to indulging her other bad habits. Soon, she’ll lose everything — her job,...
- 3/13/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Films don’t get much more personal than Suzi Yoonessi’s Unlovable, a musical comedy premiering at South by Southwest yesterday. Written by star Charlene DeGuzman, Mark Duplass and Sarah Adina Smith, the film is based on DeGuzman’s life story, following a young woman coming to terms with her sex and love addiction. Staying with Maddie (Melissa Leo), a friend in Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous, while working her steps, DeGuzman’s Joy strikes up an unlikely friendship with…...
- 3/11/2018
- Deadline
The annual multi-pronged South By Southwest Conferences and Festivals — SXSW, of course — is hitting Austin, Texas later this week for days and days of fresh film offerings (plus music, interactive, and a litany of exciting panels and conversations). With it comes the promise of a brand new festival-going season, along with a slew of films to get excited about finally checking out (and, because it’s Austin, lots of tasty barbecue).
From SXSW regulars like Mark Duplass and Joel Potrykus to rising stars like Carole Brandt and Suzi Yoonessi to marquee names like Wes Anderson and John Krasinski, this year’s SXSW Film Festival is offering up a robust new slate. We’ve picked out a dozen worthy new features to add to your SXSW schedule.
Check out 12 new films from this year’s SXSW that you’re going to want to see Asap.
“A Quiet Place”
The last thing...
From SXSW regulars like Mark Duplass and Joel Potrykus to rising stars like Carole Brandt and Suzi Yoonessi to marquee names like Wes Anderson and John Krasinski, this year’s SXSW Film Festival is offering up a robust new slate. We’ve picked out a dozen worthy new features to add to your SXSW schedule.
Check out 12 new films from this year’s SXSW that you’re going to want to see Asap.
“A Quiet Place”
The last thing...
- 3/7/2018
- by Kate Erbland, Eric Kohn, Jenna Marotta, Jude Dry, David Ehrlich and Steve Greene
- Indiewire
The SXSW Conference and Festivals has announced its features lineup and opening night film, plus a selection of episodic titles for the 25th edition of the Film Festival, running this March in Austin, Texas. This year’s festival will open with John Krasinski’s Paramount-produced “A Quiet Place,” playing as part of the festival’s Headliners section. Elsewhere, the film lineup is stacked with a number of offerings from female filmmakers, including its Narrative Feature Competition, which includes eight films (out of ten) directed or co-directed by women, from Megan Griffiths’ “Sadie” to Stacy Cochran’s “Write When You Get Work.”
Other sections of the festival also include a heavily female bent, including three films in the Headliners section (which currently includes five titles), and the Narrative Spotlight section, which includes new films from Lynn Shelton, Miranda Bailey, Julia Hart, and Suzi Yoonessi. Those titles are joined by a slew of other SXSW regulars,...
Other sections of the festival also include a heavily female bent, including three films in the Headliners section (which currently includes five titles), and the Narrative Spotlight section, which includes new films from Lynn Shelton, Miranda Bailey, Julia Hart, and Suzi Yoonessi. Those titles are joined by a slew of other SXSW regulars,...
- 1/31/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Back at the end of July, Web star Charlene deGuzman launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund her first feature film, “Unlovable.” With the help of Mark Duplass, who assisted by developing the story about a woman’s struggle with sex and love addiction, deGuzman’s project has raised over $48,600 of its $50,000 goal.
Now, Patton Oswalt has signed on as associate producer of the film and Academy Award winner Melissa Leo has jumped onboard to be one of the film’s stars.
Leo will be playing Joy’s (deGuzman’s) sponsor, Maddie, a “strong, grounded, powerful woman that Joy meets at a 12-step meeting for sex and love addiction.”
Read More: Mark Duplass’ Pet Project ‘Unlovable,’ from Web Star Charlene deGuzman, Launches Kickstarter Campaign
“Unlovable” follows a Joy, who experiences true intimacy through playing music with a reclusive man. The story is based on deGuzman’s own experience with love and sex addiction,...
Now, Patton Oswalt has signed on as associate producer of the film and Academy Award winner Melissa Leo has jumped onboard to be one of the film’s stars.
Leo will be playing Joy’s (deGuzman’s) sponsor, Maddie, a “strong, grounded, powerful woman that Joy meets at a 12-step meeting for sex and love addiction.”
Read More: Mark Duplass’ Pet Project ‘Unlovable,’ from Web Star Charlene deGuzman, Launches Kickstarter Campaign
“Unlovable” follows a Joy, who experiences true intimacy through playing music with a reclusive man. The story is based on deGuzman’s own experience with love and sex addiction,...
- 8/23/2016
- by Liz Calvario
- Indiewire
“Unlovable,” the debut feature from Charlene deGuzman about her struggle with sex and love addiction, launched its Kickstarter campaign today. Mark Duplass developed the story with deGuzman after she reached out to the filmmaker via Twitter.
“I sent him a direct message on Twitter, and asked if I could send a pilot I had just written,” deGuzman — whose Twitter handle is @charstarlene — told IndieWire. Once she sent it over, “he immediately emailed back that he loved it, and that we should make a movie about it.”
The two developed the comedy about a sex- and love-addicted woman, Joy, who experiences true intimacy through playing music with a reclusive man. Originally slated to star opposite deGuzman, Duplass’s shooting schedule became too busy and he had to bow out. He set deGuzman up with producer Jen Roskind (HBO’s “Animals”), writer Sarah Adina Smith, and director Suzi Yoonessi.
Read More: Mark Duplass...
“I sent him a direct message on Twitter, and asked if I could send a pilot I had just written,” deGuzman — whose Twitter handle is @charstarlene — told IndieWire. Once she sent it over, “he immediately emailed back that he loved it, and that we should make a movie about it.”
The two developed the comedy about a sex- and love-addicted woman, Joy, who experiences true intimacy through playing music with a reclusive man. Originally slated to star opposite deGuzman, Duplass’s shooting schedule became too busy and he had to bow out. He set deGuzman up with producer Jen Roskind (HBO’s “Animals”), writer Sarah Adina Smith, and director Suzi Yoonessi.
Read More: Mark Duplass...
- 7/29/2016
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
The Los Angeles Film Festival aspires to be more than just another stop on the annual red-carpet circuit. Organizers of the celluloid showcase, which will raise its curtain downtown again next June, want to discover new indie filmmaking talent and further their careers. “Because the festival is the product of Film Independent, we really see our mission as spotlighting unique voices and connecting them within the industry,” Stephanie Allain, festival director, told Backstage. In addition to nine days of screenings in June, the festival will again play host to a talent showcase it coordinates with Funny or Die. The competition is open to underrepresented actors, creators, and comedians (people of color, women, Lgbt) who submit a five-minute video to the Make ’em Laff contest. Twenty-five shorts are selected to stream on Funny or Die’s website, and three are chosen for a showcase at the festival. Last year’s winner,...
- 11/19/2014
- backstage.com
Female filmmakers in the sci-fi and fantasy genre will be celebrated with the first ever Etheria Film Festival, to be held in September 2012.
Etheria is the brainchild of film journalist Heidi Honeycutt and the Viscera Organisation, a not-for-profit group dedicated to increasing the visibility of female genre filmmakers.
Last month, the Viscera Film Festival Carpet Ceremony put the spotlight on up-and-coming women directors in the horror genre with a programme of new short films and a celebrity judging panel of industry veterans.
A Viscera spokeswoman said: "The Viscera Film Festival has been showcasing the best in emerging female horror film talent since 2007.
"But why stop with horror? There are talented women filmmakers across every genre. The Etheria Film Festival is the only film festival in the world that screens, exclusively, the best new short science fiction and fantasy films directed by women from around the globe."
Etheria is co-presented by...
Etheria is the brainchild of film journalist Heidi Honeycutt and the Viscera Organisation, a not-for-profit group dedicated to increasing the visibility of female genre filmmakers.
Last month, the Viscera Film Festival Carpet Ceremony put the spotlight on up-and-coming women directors in the horror genre with a programme of new short films and a celebrity judging panel of industry veterans.
A Viscera spokeswoman said: "The Viscera Film Festival has been showcasing the best in emerging female horror film talent since 2007.
"But why stop with horror? There are talented women filmmakers across every genre. The Etheria Film Festival is the only film festival in the world that screens, exclusively, the best new short science fiction and fantasy films directed by women from around the globe."
Etheria is co-presented by...
- 7/23/2012
- by David Bentley
- The Geek Files
Phase 4 Films will release the 2009 film Dear Lemon Lima, a family-friendly teen comedy set in Alaska, on DVD on August 2 for the list price of $29.99.
Savanah Wiltfong gets the heave-ho from boyfriend Shayne Topp in Dear Lemon Lima.
Teenager Vanessa (debuting actor Savanah Wiltfong) gets a serious dose of reality when her boyfriend Philip (Shayne Topp, TV’s So Random) ends their relationship…again. Quirky young Vanessa enrolls in his school to win him back, but ends up making matters worse when she’s essentially downgraded to the level of social outcast. But things begin to look up when Vanessa is declared a captain for the school’s survival competition and she assembles a team of like-minded misfits to prove they deserve to compete. Maybe a victory will be just the right thing for Vanessa to win her love’s heart again…if that’s what she still wants!
Savanah Wiltfong gets the heave-ho from boyfriend Shayne Topp in Dear Lemon Lima.
Teenager Vanessa (debuting actor Savanah Wiltfong) gets a serious dose of reality when her boyfriend Philip (Shayne Topp, TV’s So Random) ends their relationship…again. Quirky young Vanessa enrolls in his school to win him back, but ends up making matters worse when she’s essentially downgraded to the level of social outcast. But things begin to look up when Vanessa is declared a captain for the school’s survival competition and she assembles a team of like-minded misfits to prove they deserve to compete. Maybe a victory will be just the right thing for Vanessa to win her love’s heart again…if that’s what she still wants!
- 7/12/2011
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Imagining America's grim environmental and political future, Futurestates is a series of independent short narrative films created to ask serious questions about how life will be in the near-future if we continue to ignore global warming, immigration policies, and our budget crises. In essence - life is going to suck.
There are some great women filmmakers who have shorts in this free-to-watch series, with storylines and visual styles as varied as the filmmakers themselves.
Annie J. Howell's Tj & Marco is set in 2025 in a socialist United States with strict anti-Spanish language laws and police-state-immigraton policies.
A. Sayeeda Clarke's White describes a New York City wherein global warming causes 120 degree winters.
Suzi Yoonessi's Spring of Sorrow combines fairy tale imagery with water shortages in a desert-like future Earth.
That Which Once Was, by Kimi Takesue, takes place in a vast metropolis after the tragedy of raising temperatures fractures human civilization.
There are some great women filmmakers who have shorts in this free-to-watch series, with storylines and visual styles as varied as the filmmakers themselves.
Annie J. Howell's Tj & Marco is set in 2025 in a socialist United States with strict anti-Spanish language laws and police-state-immigraton policies.
A. Sayeeda Clarke's White describes a New York City wherein global warming causes 120 degree winters.
Suzi Yoonessi's Spring of Sorrow combines fairy tale imagery with water shortages in a desert-like future Earth.
That Which Once Was, by Kimi Takesue, takes place in a vast metropolis after the tragedy of raising temperatures fractures human civilization.
- 4/30/2011
- by Superheidi
- Planet Fury
Futurestates, the public broadcasting web series that "imagines America's tomorrow today," launched its second season featuring 10 new episodes. The sci-fi series, funded by The Independent Television Service, is a collection of "short narrative films created by veteran filmmakers and emerging talents transforming today’s complex social issues into visions about what life will be like in decades to come." Debuting at the 2011 SXSW Film Festival, the second season of Futurestates promises 10 filmmakers' visions of America in the not-too-distant future: what we'll do, where we'll live, and who we'll be. The lineup: Beholder by Nisha Ganatra Sasha A resident of the socially conservative gated community Red Estates, makes a discovery about her genetically engineered unborn child that causes her to rethink her allegiances. Remigration by Barry Jenkins In a future San Francisco that is entirely upper-class, the city starts a program to bring working-class families back to the city that pushed them out.
- 3/31/2011
- by Drew Baldwin
- Tubefilter.com
Having recently championed filmmaker Suzi Yoonessi for her recently released feature, "Dear Lemon Lima," I looked forward to her contribution to the "Futurestates" web series (which I also showcased in my recent Cinematical SXSW shorts roundup). Titled, "Spring of Sorrow," it features another minor appearance by Beth Grant, a favorite underrated character actress of mine, and like "Lima" incorporates a lot of doodle type drawings. I'll admit that the narrative, about a little girl searching for water in a parched near-future, doesn't grab me as much as Yoonessi's feature did, and I'm not completely down for the global warming angle…...
- 3/29/2011
- Spout
Vanessa Lemor (Savanah Wiltfong) is your typical not-so-typical teenager, going through life overly focused on a boy, Philip. In a relationship (of some sort), Vanessa is surprised when Philip suddenly breaks things off, and it quickly becomes difficult to decide which of them has a bigger Philip infatuation.
In her effort to reconnect with (stalk) Philip, Vanessa decides to transfer to his private school, and because of her half-Eskimo heritage, she manages a scholarship. Of course, things do not work out quite according to plan, and Vanessa finds herself instantly on the bottom of the social ladder. She has to find a way to claw her way up if she wants Philip to pay attention to her, but she soon begins to wonder if she wants Philip, or wants out of her popularity exile.
That's the short version of Dear Lemon Lima, a spin on the classic coming-of-age formula that...
In her effort to reconnect with (stalk) Philip, Vanessa decides to transfer to his private school, and because of her half-Eskimo heritage, she manages a scholarship. Of course, things do not work out quite according to plan, and Vanessa finds herself instantly on the bottom of the social ladder. She has to find a way to claw her way up if she wants Philip to pay attention to her, but she soon begins to wonder if she wants Philip, or wants out of her popularity exile.
That's the short version of Dear Lemon Lima, a spin on the classic coming-of-age formula that...
- 3/5/2011
- by Marc Eastman
- AreYouScreening.com
Reviewed by Lila Nordstrom
(March 2011)
Directed/Written by: Suzi Yoonessi
Starring: Meaghan Jette Martin, Vanessa Marano, Savanah Wiltfong, Elaine Hendrix, Beth Grant and Melissa Leo
Essentially a women’s “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Dear Lemon Lima” is a lovely mix of deadpan quirk and pastel-shaded whimsy — a meandering take on the awkwardness of adolescence, the perils of unrequited love and how we learn to understand and accept tragedy. Though it focuses on somewhat blunt messages about self-awareness and compassion, the recipe works because the characters are actually experiencing how trite sayings about accepting yourself and others get translated into real life.
In the film, Vanessa Lemur (Savanah Wiltfong), a part Yu’pik (western Eskimo) girl living in Fairbanks with her single mother (Eleanor Hutchins) enrolls in the same private high school as her ex-boyfriend Philip (Shayne Topp) in an attempt to win him back. The recipient of a scholarship for Eskimo students...
(March 2011)
Directed/Written by: Suzi Yoonessi
Starring: Meaghan Jette Martin, Vanessa Marano, Savanah Wiltfong, Elaine Hendrix, Beth Grant and Melissa Leo
Essentially a women’s “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Dear Lemon Lima” is a lovely mix of deadpan quirk and pastel-shaded whimsy — a meandering take on the awkwardness of adolescence, the perils of unrequited love and how we learn to understand and accept tragedy. Though it focuses on somewhat blunt messages about self-awareness and compassion, the recipe works because the characters are actually experiencing how trite sayings about accepting yourself and others get translated into real life.
In the film, Vanessa Lemur (Savanah Wiltfong), a part Yu’pik (western Eskimo) girl living in Fairbanks with her single mother (Eleanor Hutchins) enrolls in the same private high school as her ex-boyfriend Philip (Shayne Topp) in an attempt to win him back. The recipient of a scholarship for Eskimo students...
- 3/4/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Magazine
Reviewed by Lila Nordstrom
(March 2011)
Directed/Written by: Suzi Yoonessi
Starring: Meaghan Jette Martin, Vanessa Marano, Savanah Wiltfong, Elaine Hendrix, Beth Grant and Melissa Leo
Essentially a women’s “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Dear Lemon Lima” is a lovely mix of deadpan quirk and pastel-shaded whimsy — a meandering take on the awkwardness of adolescence, the perils of unrequited love and how we learn to understand and accept tragedy. Though it focuses on somewhat blunt messages about self-awareness and compassion, the recipe works because the characters are actually experiencing how trite sayings about accepting yourself and others get translated into real life.
In the film, Vanessa Lemur (Savanah Wiltfong), a part Yu’pik (western Eskimo) girl living in Fairbanks with her single mother (Eleanor Hutchins) enrolls in the same private high school as her ex-boyfriend Philip (Shayne Topp) in an attempt to win him back. The recipient of a scholarship for Eskimo students...
(March 2011)
Directed/Written by: Suzi Yoonessi
Starring: Meaghan Jette Martin, Vanessa Marano, Savanah Wiltfong, Elaine Hendrix, Beth Grant and Melissa Leo
Essentially a women’s “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Dear Lemon Lima” is a lovely mix of deadpan quirk and pastel-shaded whimsy — a meandering take on the awkwardness of adolescence, the perils of unrequited love and how we learn to understand and accept tragedy. Though it focuses on somewhat blunt messages about self-awareness and compassion, the recipe works because the characters are actually experiencing how trite sayings about accepting yourself and others get translated into real life.
In the film, Vanessa Lemur (Savanah Wiltfong), a part Yu’pik (western Eskimo) girl living in Fairbanks with her single mother (Eleanor Hutchins) enrolls in the same private high school as her ex-boyfriend Philip (Shayne Topp) in an attempt to win him back. The recipient of a scholarship for Eskimo students...
- 3/4/2011
- by admin
- Moving Pictures Network
Writer/director Suzi Yoonessi discusses her film Dear Lemon Lima, with Film Independent
The story of an awkward teenager trying to win back her true love, Dear Lemon Lima, is the heart-warming debut feature by writer/director Suzi Yoonessi. Developed in Film Independent's Screenwriters, Directors, and Producers Labs, Dear Lemon Lima, has come a long way since it's inception in the pages of Yoonessi's own childhood diary. The film made it's world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival where it took home the Audience Award for Outstanding Performance. It has since gone on to win awards at numerous other festivals both national and international.
By Josh Welsh
First off, congratulations on your theatrical release. The film comes out on March 4, both theatrically and VOD, what cities will you be in?
Thanks. It will be released in La starting March 4th and in NY one week later - March 11th.
The story of an awkward teenager trying to win back her true love, Dear Lemon Lima, is the heart-warming debut feature by writer/director Suzi Yoonessi. Developed in Film Independent's Screenwriters, Directors, and Producers Labs, Dear Lemon Lima, has come a long way since it's inception in the pages of Yoonessi's own childhood diary. The film made it's world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival where it took home the Audience Award for Outstanding Performance. It has since gone on to win awards at numerous other festivals both national and international.
By Josh Welsh
First off, congratulations on your theatrical release. The film comes out on March 4, both theatrically and VOD, what cities will you be in?
Thanks. It will be released in La starting March 4th and in NY one week later - March 11th.
- 2/24/2011
- by maint
- Film Independent
The story of an awkward teenager trying to win back her true love, Dear Lemon Lima, is the heart-warming debut feature by writer/director Suzi Yoonessi. Developed in Film Independent’s Screenwriters, Directors, and Producers Labs, Dear Lemon Lima, has come a long way since it’s inception in the pages of Yoonessi’s own childhood diary. The film made it’s world premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival where it took home the Audience Award for Outstanding Performance. It has since gone on to win awards at numerous other festivals both national and international.
By Josh Welsh
First off, congratulations on your theatrical release. The film comes out on March 4, both theatrically and VOD, what cities will you be in?
Thanks. It will be released in La starting March 4th and in NY one week later – March 11th. We’re excited because we’ll be playing at the...
By Josh Welsh
First off, congratulations on your theatrical release. The film comes out on March 4, both theatrically and VOD, what cities will you be in?
Thanks. It will be released in La starting March 4th and in NY one week later – March 11th. We’re excited because we’ll be playing at the...
- 2/24/2011
- by Film Independent
- Film Independent
Writer/director Suzi Yoonessi makes her directorial debut with Dear Lemon Lima, a candy-colored comedy expanded from her award-winning short of the same name. This girl-centered coming-of-age story is aimed at the gawky girl inside all of us, and you can check out the trailer now courtesy of Film Filia:
Synopsis:
Vanessa gets a dose of reality when Philip, her one true love, ends their relationship, again. The quirky teen enrolls in his school to win him back, but ends up making matters worse. Downgraded to social outcast, Vanessa struggles to reclaim Phillip’s affection. Luckily, when Vanessa is declared a captain for the school’s Snowstorm Survivor competition, she assembles a team of like-minded misfits to prove they deserve to compete and hopefully win her love’s heart again.
Dear Lemon Lima will open in limited theatrical release and on VOD on March 4, 2011.
Find out more at the film’s site.
Synopsis:
Vanessa gets a dose of reality when Philip, her one true love, ends their relationship, again. The quirky teen enrolls in his school to win him back, but ends up making matters worse. Downgraded to social outcast, Vanessa struggles to reclaim Phillip’s affection. Luckily, when Vanessa is declared a captain for the school’s Snowstorm Survivor competition, she assembles a team of like-minded misfits to prove they deserve to compete and hopefully win her love’s heart again.
Dear Lemon Lima will open in limited theatrical release and on VOD on March 4, 2011.
Find out more at the film’s site.
- 2/21/2011
- by Kristy Puchko
- The Film Stage
[1] Despite the fact that it's been picking up festival awards and the occasional glowing review for over a year now, there hasn't been much hype surrounding Dear Lemon Lima. This is the first feature-length production by writer/director Suzi Yoonessi (producer, Me and You and Everyone We Know), as well as the cinematic debut of star Savanah Wiltfong. The film follows Wiltfong's Vanessa as she enters something called the Snowstorn Survivor Competition in order to win back the affections of her popular, pretentious ex (Shayne Topp). (Why snowstorms? You wouldn't know it from the trailer, but the film is set in Fairbanks, Alaska.) Watch the trailer after the jump. Here is the trailer from FilmSchoolRejects [2]: "Juno meets Napoleon Dynamite," indeed. I found myself thinking of those films even before the trailer called itself out for drawing such obvious comparisons to them. It's all there-- the offbeat sensibility, the underdog theme,...
- 2/14/2011
- by Angie Han
- Slash Film
The review quote missing from the Dear Lemon Lima trailer is Rob Hunter saying, “What an oddly beautiful and bittersweet little film this is…” In his review, he describes exactly why he fell in love with the movie, but since a picture is worth a thousand words, here’s 2,208,000 words (at 24 frames per second) on why you should love it. The movie tells the story of a young girl whose boyfriend calls it quits, and she decides that winning the Snowstorm Survivor Competition is the way back into his arms and affections. The sweet and sour and funny and strange are all there. Just like growing up. Check out the trailer for yourself: This trailer hooks from the beginning. While the Juno and Napoleon Dynamite comparisons might be spot-on, the trailer doesn’t make the movie seem nearly as annoying as either of those movies. Plus, the heart-pooping cartoon rabbit seals the deal. Dear Lemon Lima...
- 2/11/2011
- by Cole Abaius
- FilmSchoolRejects.com
Check out this new trailer for the upcoming family comedy Dear Lemon Lima, just released by Phase 4 Films.
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day Dear Lemon Lima takes us on one girl’s journey through first love, first heartbreak and great friendships that pick her back up.
Synopsis: Vanessa gets a dose of reality when Philip, her one true love, ends their relationship, again. The quirky teen enrolls in his school to win him back, but ends up making matters worse. Downgraded to social outcast, Vanessa struggles to reclaim Phillip’s affection. Luckily, when Vanessa is declared a captain for the school’s Snowstorm Survivor competition, she assembles a team of likeminded misfits to prove they deserve to compete and hopefully win her love’s heart again.
Dear Lemon Lima features a quirky ensemble cast including Meaghan Jette Martin (Mean Girls 2, Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2), Vanessa Marano (Gilmore Girls,...
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day Dear Lemon Lima takes us on one girl’s journey through first love, first heartbreak and great friendships that pick her back up.
Synopsis: Vanessa gets a dose of reality when Philip, her one true love, ends their relationship, again. The quirky teen enrolls in his school to win him back, but ends up making matters worse. Downgraded to social outcast, Vanessa struggles to reclaim Phillip’s affection. Luckily, when Vanessa is declared a captain for the school’s Snowstorm Survivor competition, she assembles a team of likeminded misfits to prove they deserve to compete and hopefully win her love’s heart again.
Dear Lemon Lima features a quirky ensemble cast including Meaghan Jette Martin (Mean Girls 2, Camp Rock, Camp Rock 2), Vanessa Marano (Gilmore Girls,...
- 2/10/2011
- by Allan Ford
- Filmofilia
Way back in June of 2009, I set out to cover my first festival for Gordon and the Whale – the Los Angeles Film Festival, then a Westwood Village-based fest I had already been attending on my own for many years. At the time, I was a frantic festival-goer, armed with my laptop and snacks and water and maps and schedules, simply laden with stuff I didn’t need. Amid my mania, I accidentally ended up in a screening for Suzi Yoonessi’s directorial debut, Dear Lemon Lima,.
Read more on Laff winner Dear Lemon Lima, gets a theatrical release date…...
Read more on Laff winner Dear Lemon Lima, gets a theatrical release date…...
- 1/13/2011
- by Kate Erbland
- GordonandtheWhale
Los Angeles (August 18, 2010) . Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, has announced the 12 screenwriters and film projects selected for its 11th annual Screenwriters Lab, sponsored by the Writers Guild of America, West. Taking place in Los Angeles from August 12 until September 16, the Screenwriters Lab is an intensive six-week program designed to help writers improve their craft, and take their current scripts to the next level in a nurturing, yet challenging creative environment. Screenwriter and producer Meg LeFauve resumes duties as this year.s Lab Instructor, and Lab Mentors and Guest Speakers include Nicole Holofcener (Please Give), Erin Cressida Wilson (Chloe), José Rivera (The Motorcycle Diaries), Josh Olson (A History of Violence), and Kay Schaber-Wolf (WGAw).
.Our Labs have always attracted a high level of talent from different backgrounds and disciplines, and this year is no exception,. said Director of Talent Development Josh Welsh.
.Our Labs have always attracted a high level of talent from different backgrounds and disciplines, and this year is no exception,. said Director of Talent Development Josh Welsh.
- 8/18/2010
- by Movie Geeks
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
A stray Chabrol, the next Juno and more Toni Servillo brilliance are among this year's hidden gems on the festival circuit. Hunt them down now before they're buried for ever
Home festivaling is one of the few perks of losing mobility through a back injury. What better way to cover 300+ screen events across the UK for Empire Online's Festivals & Seasons page than letting them come to you? Much festival fare falls squarely into the three-star category. But, every now and then, a disc arrives in the post containing a gem that leaves you wondering how the distributors missed it. So here's a personal selection of the festival favourites that have either failed to secure a UK release in 2009 or are not currently on the schedule for next year.
10) Let's Dance (dir. Noémie Lvovsky, France)
Festivals are invariably stuffed with quirky ensemble pieces, with Laís Bodanzky's superbly choreographed The Ballroom...
Home festivaling is one of the few perks of losing mobility through a back injury. What better way to cover 300+ screen events across the UK for Empire Online's Festivals & Seasons page than letting them come to you? Much festival fare falls squarely into the three-star category. But, every now and then, a disc arrives in the post containing a gem that leaves you wondering how the distributors missed it. So here's a personal selection of the festival favourites that have either failed to secure a UK release in 2009 or are not currently on the schedule for next year.
10) Let's Dance (dir. Noémie Lvovsky, France)
Festivals are invariably stuffed with quirky ensemble pieces, with Laís Bodanzky's superbly choreographed The Ballroom...
- 12/21/2009
- by David Parkinson
- The Guardian - Film News
London Film Festival: Lessons in Love Dear Lemon Lima, dir Suzi Yoonessi Wah Do Dem dir Sam Fleischner/Ben Chace A Thing Called Love (shorts programme) Today's lesson is all about love: the things we we do, etc. Poor Vanessa Lemor (l'amour—get it?). All she wanted when she entered Nichols High School was to maintain the affections of her beloved, geeky Philip Georgey. But, alas, Philip is a social climber and rejects her, leaving poor Vanessa (Savanah Wiltfong) to her dreams and her diary entries, addressed to Dear Lemon Lima, [1].... Fear not, though, as Vanessa gathers the assorted Fubar (F_ed Up Beyond All Recognition) geeks in the school and sets out to beat Philip at his own game in the (well, it is Alaska) Snowstorm Survival competition. Atypical of this kind of Revenge of the Nerds scenario, the setting is used to good effect in highlighting co-optation of indigenous culture,...
- 10/17/2009
- by Val
- SoundOnSight
Woodstock is beautiful in October, and on this upcoming weekend, it's going to be an even greater place to visit as films and panels and events unspool as part of the 10th annual Woodstock Film Festival. Running from September 30 - October 4, the pleasantly laid back and low-key event offers a chance to see a variety of the best indies around. (And frankly, in this economy, it remains to be seen as to when you'll see these films.) Plus: they're giving awards to awesome mavericks, director Richard Linklater (attending with Me and Orson Welles, starring Zac Efron) and producer Ted Hope. This festival is a fantastic excuse to travel to upstate New York this weekend. Here are our picks for films to check out. Dear Lemon Lima dir. Suzi Yoonessi Yoonessi's film follows an awkward 13-year-old, Vanessa Lemor, on a day where she gets her heart broken for the very first time.
- 9/30/2009
- TribecaFilm.com
The Toronto and Other Fall Festivals Rights RoundUp list looks quite sizeable for what is claimed to have been a quiet festival season. Though it's true business down, the large number of acquisitions has not been viewed as such and yet is the result of a new trend which has been sneaking up over the past few years and has now taken hold. Distributors and sales agents now acquire Before the festivals rather than during. It developed out of Cannes' prescreenings which have mostly been discontinued, and it could go so far as to change the pre-Sundance adage Not to show the film to anyone before Sundance.
This Rights RoundUp for acquisitions executives, distributors, international sales agents, investors and producers is different from my previous Rr Reports. It is no longer a report based on data and FilmFinders is out of the equation. This listing of rights acquired Before the actual festival,...
This Rights RoundUp for acquisitions executives, distributors, international sales agents, investors and producers is different from my previous Rr Reports. It is no longer a report based on data and FilmFinders is out of the equation. This listing of rights acquired Before the actual festival,...
- 9/25/2009
- by Sydney@SydneysBuzz.com (Sydney)
- Sydney's Buzz
The Toronto and Other Fall Festivals Rights Round Up for acquisitions executives, distributors, international sales agents, investors and producers is different from my previous Rr Reports. It is no longer a report based on data and FilmFinders is out of the equation. This listing of rights acquired preliminary to the actual festival, during the festival and for a couple of months afterward can also be found on MDbPro who acquired FilmFinders in 2008 and where SydneysBuzz resides on the landing page and on IMDbPro's News Desk. Whenever possible, the list is alphabetical by international sales agent (linked to IMDbPro), and the Isa's titles are also linked to IMDbPro.
If you do not yet subscribe to IMDbPro, I would advise plunking down $100 for a year's subscription. You'll get more than your money's worth I promise. By going into Pro, you will be able to see all the territorial distributors for a particular title,...
If you do not yet subscribe to IMDbPro, I would advise plunking down $100 for a year's subscription. You'll get more than your money's worth I promise. By going into Pro, you will be able to see all the territorial distributors for a particular title,...
- 9/2/2009
- by Sydney@SydneysBuzz.com (Sydney)
- Sydney's Buzz
If you happen to be an aspiring director then this is for you. Film Independent, the non-profit devoted to artists and independent filmmaking is now accepting applications for its 9th Annual Director’s Lab, an eight-week course designed to help directors who are in the midst of prepping films. Sound good? Well, read on to get all the latest details on the program, how to apply and other goodies.
Film Independent Now Accepting Applications
For 2010 Directors Lab
* Deadline is October 5, 2009 -
Film Independent’s 9th Annual Directors Lab is an intensive eight-week incubator designed to help directors who are prepping their feature films, and is sponsored by Kodak.
Taking place in Los Angeles during the winter, the Lab assists directors with strong, original voices develop new narrative feature films, improve their craft, and advance their filmmaking careers in a nurturing, yet challenging creative environment.
To apply, please visit: http://filmindependent.
Film Independent Now Accepting Applications
For 2010 Directors Lab
* Deadline is October 5, 2009 -
Film Independent’s 9th Annual Directors Lab is an intensive eight-week incubator designed to help directors who are prepping their feature films, and is sponsored by Kodak.
Taking place in Los Angeles during the winter, the Lab assists directors with strong, original voices develop new narrative feature films, improve their craft, and advance their filmmaking careers in a nurturing, yet challenging creative environment.
To apply, please visit: http://filmindependent.
- 8/28/2009
- by Joe Gillis
- The Flickcast
If you’re an aspiring screenwriter which, let’s face it, you may be, one way to break into the “business” is through a lab where you work with established mentors and advisers on honing your work and getting it in the hands of the right people. One of the most prestigious and famous of these labs is the one sponsored by Film Independent, a non-profit group dedicated to fostering and nurturing creativity that also produces the Los Angeles Film Festival and the Spirit Awards.
Today, they’ve announced a new group of writers who will participate in this year’s lab. Here’s all the info about the lucky 9 participants from the official press release.
Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, has announced the screenwriters and film projects selected for its 10th annual Screenwriters Lab, sponsored by the Writers Guild of America,...
Today, they’ve announced a new group of writers who will participate in this year’s lab. Here’s all the info about the lucky 9 participants from the official press release.
Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and Los Angeles Film Festival, has announced the screenwriters and film projects selected for its 10th annual Screenwriters Lab, sponsored by the Writers Guild of America,...
- 8/17/2009
- by Joe Gillis
- The Flickcast
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