Exclusive: The Ford Foundation is coming through for documentary filmmakers in a big way.
Today, the nonprofit philanthropic institution announced its latest round of grants under the foundation’s JustFilms division — $4.2 million that will go to support “59 innovative film projects centered on social justice globally and in the United States.”
Among the recipients are Union, the film directed by Stephen Maing and Brett Story that just held its world premiere at Sundance, and fellow Sundance premiere The Battle for Laikipia, directed by Daphne Matziaraki and Peter Murimi. Union, about the battle to unionize an Amazon facility on Staten Island, New York, is in U.S. Documentary Competition at Sundance. The Battle for Laikipia, in World Cinema Documentary Competition at the festival, examines “a generations-old conflict between Indigenous pastoralists and white landowners in Laikipia, Kenya, a wildlife conservation haven.” Roger Ross Williams and Toni Kamau are among the producers of Laikipia.
Today, the nonprofit philanthropic institution announced its latest round of grants under the foundation’s JustFilms division — $4.2 million that will go to support “59 innovative film projects centered on social justice globally and in the United States.”
Among the recipients are Union, the film directed by Stephen Maing and Brett Story that just held its world premiere at Sundance, and fellow Sundance premiere The Battle for Laikipia, directed by Daphne Matziaraki and Peter Murimi. Union, about the battle to unionize an Amazon facility on Staten Island, New York, is in U.S. Documentary Competition at Sundance. The Battle for Laikipia, in World Cinema Documentary Competition at the festival, examines “a generations-old conflict between Indigenous pastoralists and white landowners in Laikipia, Kenya, a wildlife conservation haven.” Roger Ross Williams and Toni Kamau are among the producers of Laikipia.
- 1/25/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Doc NYC gave a boost to 15 Oscar-contending documentaries Tuesday, naming them to its prestigious shortlist of the year’s best nonfiction films.
Early favorites Flee, Summer of Soul, The Rescue, Ascension, and Becoming Cousteau made the Doc NYC shortlist, as did Introducing, Selma Blair, the intimate documentary about actress Selma Blair’s battle with Ms, and The Velvet Underground, Todd Haynes’ film on the influential avant-garde rock band fronted by Lou Reed.
Doc NYC has earned a reputation as an accurate predictor of Oscar success. Last year, the festival gave shortlist recognition to three of the docs that went on to claim Oscar nominations: Time, Collective, and Crip Camp.
“For eight of the last nine years, Doc NYC has screened the documentary feature that went on to win the Academy Award,” the festival noted. “The festival has also screened 39 of the last 45 Oscar-nominated documentary features.
Early favorites Flee, Summer of Soul, The Rescue, Ascension, and Becoming Cousteau made the Doc NYC shortlist, as did Introducing, Selma Blair, the intimate documentary about actress Selma Blair’s battle with Ms, and The Velvet Underground, Todd Haynes’ film on the influential avant-garde rock band fronted by Lou Reed.
Doc NYC has earned a reputation as an accurate predictor of Oscar success. Last year, the festival gave shortlist recognition to three of the docs that went on to claim Oscar nominations: Time, Collective, and Crip Camp.
“For eight of the last nine years, Doc NYC has screened the documentary feature that went on to win the Academy Award,” the festival noted. “The festival has also screened 39 of the last 45 Oscar-nominated documentary features.
- 10/27/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
In today’s TV news roundup, the cast and creator of “The West Wing” will reunite for a voting special, and Syfy greenlit “The Pole,” an animated adult comedy show featuring Bobby Moynihan and Jillian Bell, with Nicole Byer and Colin Jost.
Dates
“Somebody Feed Phil,” a show where creator and host Phil Rosenthal travels the world and explores different cuisines, will have its Season 4 premiere Oct. 30 on Netflix. The upcoming season will see Rosenthal travel to Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Singapore, The Mississippi Delta and Hawaii on his food-tasting mission, which also combines comedy into the mix. Rosenthal also serves as an executive producer for “Somebody Feed Phil” alongside Rich Rosenthal, John Bedolis, Christopher Collins and Lydia Tenaglia.
HBO Max revealed a that its upcoming project starring fashion designer Jenna Lyons, “Stylish with Jenna Lyons,” will premiere on Nov. 26. She previously served as the creative director and president of J. Crew,...
Dates
“Somebody Feed Phil,” a show where creator and host Phil Rosenthal travels the world and explores different cuisines, will have its Season 4 premiere Oct. 30 on Netflix. The upcoming season will see Rosenthal travel to Rio de Janeiro, San Francisco, Singapore, The Mississippi Delta and Hawaii on his food-tasting mission, which also combines comedy into the mix. Rosenthal also serves as an executive producer for “Somebody Feed Phil” alongside Rich Rosenthal, John Bedolis, Christopher Collins and Lydia Tenaglia.
HBO Max revealed a that its upcoming project starring fashion designer Jenna Lyons, “Stylish with Jenna Lyons,” will premiere on Nov. 26. She previously served as the creative director and president of J. Crew,...
- 9/22/2020
- by Eli Countryman
- Variety Film + TV
HBO Max has unveiled the full cast for Equal, its upcoming four-part docuseries chronicling landmark events and the forgotten heroes of the LGBTQ+ movement, from Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions, Jim Parsons and That’s Wonderful Productions, Scout Productions, Jon Jashni (Lost in Space) and Warner Horizon Unscripted Television.
Samira Wiley, Cheyenne Jackson, Anthony Rapp, Sara Gilbert, Shannon Purser, Heather Matarazzo, Jamie Clayton, Isis King, Gale Harold, are among the cast members who will portray the Lbgtq+ visionaries in the docuseries that contains never-before-seen archival footage. A full list with character descriptions follows below.
Part one of the docuseries explores the rise of early organizations, The Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis in Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively; part two stories chronicles the 20th century trans experience, bookended by the 1966 Compton Cafeteria riots in San Francisco; part three examines the contributions from the Black community on the growing LGBTQ...
Samira Wiley, Cheyenne Jackson, Anthony Rapp, Sara Gilbert, Shannon Purser, Heather Matarazzo, Jamie Clayton, Isis King, Gale Harold, are among the cast members who will portray the Lbgtq+ visionaries in the docuseries that contains never-before-seen archival footage. A full list with character descriptions follows below.
Part one of the docuseries explores the rise of early organizations, The Mattachine Society and the Daughters of Bilitis in Los Angeles and San Francisco, respectively; part two stories chronicles the 20th century trans experience, bookended by the 1966 Compton Cafeteria riots in San Francisco; part three examines the contributions from the Black community on the growing LGBTQ...
- 8/25/2020
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
HBO Max has announced the cast of “Equal,” the streamer’s upcoming four-part docuseries about the history of the LGBTQ civil rights movement.
Along with never-before-seen archival footage, Anthony Rapp, Samira Wiley, Sara Gilbert, Cheyenne Jackson, Alexandra Grey, Jamie Clayton and Shannon Purser are just some of the names who portray gay rights activists from the turn of the century to the 1970s following the Stonewall Riots.
“Equal” will premiere in October in recognition of LGBTQ History Month. Produced by Scout Productions (“Queer Eye”), Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions and Jim Parsons and Todd Spiewak’s That’s Wonderful Productions, the series is directed by Stephen Kijak (“Sid & Judy”) and trans director Kimberly Reed (“Prodigal Sons”).
Here, Variety gives you a look at the first images of the cast, most of whom are LGBTQ.
Along with never-before-seen archival footage, Anthony Rapp, Samira Wiley, Sara Gilbert, Cheyenne Jackson, Alexandra Grey, Jamie Clayton and Shannon Purser are just some of the names who portray gay rights activists from the turn of the century to the 1970s following the Stonewall Riots.
“Equal” will premiere in October in recognition of LGBTQ History Month. Produced by Scout Productions (“Queer Eye”), Greg Berlanti’s Berlanti Productions and Jim Parsons and Todd Spiewak’s That’s Wonderful Productions, the series is directed by Stephen Kijak (“Sid & Judy”) and trans director Kimberly Reed (“Prodigal Sons”).
Here, Variety gives you a look at the first images of the cast, most of whom are LGBTQ.
- 8/24/2020
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
Much has been made in recent years of the need to support, uplift, and, for the love of God — finance —more women filmmakers, but how many lesbian films have shaken out from all that hand-wringing? It’s heartening to see a woman at the helm of a comic book movie, but when was the last great lesbian rom-com? (Even more pressing: Where is the next one?) As in the struggle for queer liberation, lesbians —and lesbian films — are often an afterthought. That’s one of the many salient points covered in the peppy new documentary, “Dykes, Camera, Action!,” which while offering yet more proof that no one does catchy titles like the queers.
At a breezy 60 minutes, the film has much in common with that other lesbian tradition, the potluck, in terms of the topics it covers. There’s a little o’ this, a little o’ that, plus plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.
At a breezy 60 minutes, the film has much in common with that other lesbian tradition, the potluck, in terms of the topics it covers. There’s a little o’ this, a little o’ that, plus plenty of vegan and gluten-free options.
- 5/15/2020
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
The narrative feature “Minari” and the documentary “Boys State” have won the top prizes from the U.S. jury at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, which announced its winners at an awards ceremony on Saturday night. “Minari,” director Lee Isaac Chung’s coming-of-age story about a Korean-American boy, also won the festival’s audience award.
The only other films to win more than one award were “Identifying Features” (“Sin Senas Particulares”), Fernanda Valadez’s drama about a Mexican woman searching for a son who disappeared while attempting to cross the border; and “I Carry You With Me,” in which documentary director Heidi Ewing makes her narrative feature debut about an aspiring Mexican chef whose life changes when his sexuality becomes public. “Identifying Features” won the audience award in the World Cinema Dramatic section and a jury award for its screenplay, while “I Carry You With Me” won the audience award in...
The only other films to win more than one award were “Identifying Features” (“Sin Senas Particulares”), Fernanda Valadez’s drama about a Mexican woman searching for a son who disappeared while attempting to cross the border; and “I Carry You With Me,” in which documentary director Heidi Ewing makes her narrative feature debut about an aspiring Mexican chef whose life changes when his sexuality becomes public. “Identifying Features” won the audience award in the World Cinema Dramatic section and a jury award for its screenplay, while “I Carry You With Me” won the audience award in...
- 2/2/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Dee Rees is joining the Us Dramatic Competition jury Photo: Courtesy of Sundance Institute Sundance Film Festival has announced the 25 jurors who will award the event's 31 accolades across six sections this year.
The Us Dramatic Competition jury will feature Rodrigo García, whose Four Good Days features in this year's festival and fellow directors Dee Rees, who is bringing The Last Thing He Wanted, and Wash Westmorland, who brought Colette in 2018. They will be joined by actor/director Ethan Hawke, whose Blaze played the 2018 festival, and veteran star Isabella Rossellini, who created Sundance Channel series Green Porno.
The World Cinema Dramatic Competition jury also contains well-established names - Wadjda director Haifaa Al Mansour, Brazilian actor-turned director Wagner Moura - who made his directorial debut with Marighella in Berlin last year - and Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher
The Us Documentary jury will feature Kimberly Reed, whose Dark Money was in competition in 2018, [film]Free.
The Us Dramatic Competition jury will feature Rodrigo García, whose Four Good Days features in this year's festival and fellow directors Dee Rees, who is bringing The Last Thing He Wanted, and Wash Westmorland, who brought Colette in 2018. They will be joined by actor/director Ethan Hawke, whose Blaze played the 2018 festival, and veteran star Isabella Rossellini, who created Sundance Channel series Green Porno.
The World Cinema Dramatic Competition jury also contains well-established names - Wadjda director Haifaa Al Mansour, Brazilian actor-turned director Wagner Moura - who made his directorial debut with Marighella in Berlin last year - and Italian actress Alba Rohrwacher
The Us Documentary jury will feature Kimberly Reed, whose Dark Money was in competition in 2018, [film]Free.
- 1/14/2020
- by Amber Wilkinson
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Ethan Hawke, “Mudbound” director-screenwriter Dee Rees and Emily Mortimer are among the jury members selected for the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, the Sundance Institute announced on Tuesday.
Twenty-five experts were selected to award feature films and short films shown at the upcoming festival, which will take place from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2 in Park City, Utah. Thirty-one prizes will be announced at a ceremony on Feb. 1, while the Short Film Awards will be announced at a separate ceremony on Jan. 28.
The juried Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize was awarded to “Tesla,” which stars Hawke, Jim Gaffigan, Kyle MacLachlan and Lucy Walters.
Also Read: Taylor Swift, Viggo Mortensen and Tessa Thompson Lead Diverse 2020 Sundance Lineup
See the jury members below.
U.S. Dramatic Jury
Rodrigo Garcia
Rodrigo Garcia’s films include the award-winning Nine Lives, Albert Nobbs, Mother and Child, and Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her. His television...
Twenty-five experts were selected to award feature films and short films shown at the upcoming festival, which will take place from Jan. 23 to Feb. 2 in Park City, Utah. Thirty-one prizes will be announced at a ceremony on Feb. 1, while the Short Film Awards will be announced at a separate ceremony on Jan. 28.
The juried Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film Prize was awarded to “Tesla,” which stars Hawke, Jim Gaffigan, Kyle MacLachlan and Lucy Walters.
Also Read: Taylor Swift, Viggo Mortensen and Tessa Thompson Lead Diverse 2020 Sundance Lineup
See the jury members below.
U.S. Dramatic Jury
Rodrigo Garcia
Rodrigo Garcia’s films include the award-winning Nine Lives, Albert Nobbs, Mother and Child, and Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her. His television...
- 1/14/2020
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Wrap
When the Sundance Film Festival kicks off next week, the annual event will flood Park City, Utah, with plenty of high-powered talent, and it seems that this year’s jury members might offer up as much notoriety and star power as the people on the big screen. The Sundance Institute has announced the “25 celebrated and revered expert voices across film, art, culture, and science” who will make up this year’s juries, designed to award feature-length and short films shown at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival with 31 prizes. Those names include Ethan Hawke, Dee Rees, Nanfu Wang, Isabella Rossellini, Rodrigo Garcia, artist Cindy Sherman, E. Chai Vasarhelyi, and Emily Mortimer.
All this year’s winners, save for the Festival Favorite film (which will be announced the week after the festival closes) and the Short Film Awards, will be announced at a ceremony on February 1. The Short Film Awards will be announced...
All this year’s winners, save for the Festival Favorite film (which will be announced the week after the festival closes) and the Short Film Awards, will be announced at a ceremony on February 1. The Short Film Awards will be announced...
- 1/14/2020
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Having long since ascended to the ranks of royalty at the Sundance Film Festival, Ethan Hawke, Dee Rees, Isabella Rossellini and Gregg Araki have now been named as jurors for this year’s Utah shindig.
As well as Hawke starring in Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film award winner Tesla this Sff and Mudbound director Rees helming the world premiering The Last Thing He Wanted, the duo will be joining Rossellini, past Grand Jury Prize winner Wash Westmoreland and Rodrigo Garcia on the 2020 U.S. Dramatic Jury.
Among the other five section juries, Free Solo co-director and Oscar winner E. Chai Vasarhelyi is on the U.S. Documentary jury and the great Cindy Sherman is on the Short Film Jury. Along with a trio of others, Emily Mortimer is on the Sloan jury and, after having his Starz series Now Apocalypse debut at last year’s Sundance, Araki is the sole Next juror.
As well as Hawke starring in Alfred P. Sloan Feature Film award winner Tesla this Sff and Mudbound director Rees helming the world premiering The Last Thing He Wanted, the duo will be joining Rossellini, past Grand Jury Prize winner Wash Westmoreland and Rodrigo Garcia on the 2020 U.S. Dramatic Jury.
Among the other five section juries, Free Solo co-director and Oscar winner E. Chai Vasarhelyi is on the U.S. Documentary jury and the great Cindy Sherman is on the Short Film Jury. Along with a trio of others, Emily Mortimer is on the Sloan jury and, after having his Starz series Now Apocalypse debut at last year’s Sundance, Araki is the sole Next juror.
- 1/14/2020
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sundance Film Festival has announced its 2020 jury members.
Ethan Hawke and Mudbound filmmaker Dee Rees will judge the U.S. Dramatic Competition, along with director Rodrigo Garcia (Albert Nobbs), actress and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet) and Still Alice filmmaker Wash Westmoreland, whose feature Quinceañera premiered at the 2006 Sundance festival and won the grand jury prize.
Dark Money director Kimberly Reed and Free Solo filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi will judge the U.S. Documentary Competition, along with Sffilm director of programming Rachel Rosen, CNN Films senior vp Courtney Sexton and Noland Walker, vp content at Itvs.
The fest's World ...
Ethan Hawke and Mudbound filmmaker Dee Rees will judge the U.S. Dramatic Competition, along with director Rodrigo Garcia (Albert Nobbs), actress and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet) and Still Alice filmmaker Wash Westmoreland, whose feature Quinceañera premiered at the 2006 Sundance festival and won the grand jury prize.
Dark Money director Kimberly Reed and Free Solo filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi will judge the U.S. Documentary Competition, along with Sffilm director of programming Rachel Rosen, CNN Films senior vp Courtney Sexton and Noland Walker, vp content at Itvs.
The fest's World ...
- 1/14/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Sundance Film Festival has announced its 2020 jury members.
Ethan Hawke and Mudbound filmmaker Dee Rees will judge the U.S. Dramatic Competition, along with director Rodrigo Garcia (Albert Nobbs), actress and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet) and Still Alice filmmaker Wash Westmoreland, whose feature Quinceañera premiered at the 2006 Sundance festival and won the grand jury prize.
Dark Money director Kimberly Reed and Free Solo filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi will judge the U.S. Documentary Competition, along with Sffilm director of programming Rachel Rosen, CNN Films senior vp Courtney Sexton and Noland Walker, vp content at Itvs.
The fest's World ...
Ethan Hawke and Mudbound filmmaker Dee Rees will judge the U.S. Dramatic Competition, along with director Rodrigo Garcia (Albert Nobbs), actress and filmmaker Isabella Rossellini (Blue Velvet) and Still Alice filmmaker Wash Westmoreland, whose feature Quinceañera premiered at the 2006 Sundance festival and won the grand jury prize.
Dark Money director Kimberly Reed and Free Solo filmmaker E. Chai Vasarhelyi will judge the U.S. Documentary Competition, along with Sffilm director of programming Rachel Rosen, CNN Films senior vp Courtney Sexton and Noland Walker, vp content at Itvs.
The fest's World ...
- 1/14/2020
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
Exclusive: Awkwafina is about to blow our minds by pairing two unlikely things: Chinatown restaurants and the Califronia punk scene from the 1970s and ’80s. The Crazy Rich Asians breakout and Jumanji: The Next Level star is collaborating with Topic Studios to develop a yet-to-be-titled feature film inspired by the Topic.com article “How Chinese Food Fueled the Rise of California Punk. Awkwafina is set to star and produce alongside Topic Studios.
Written by Madeline Leung Coleman, the article explores how, during the recession of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Chinatown restaurants from Sacramento to San Francisco started renting their banquet halls for rehearsal space and booking the young bands of nascent West Coast punk as dinner entertainment to bring in additional business. The article puts shine on these Chinese and Filipino restaurants and how they became some of California’s most important venues and the focal point of...
Written by Madeline Leung Coleman, the article explores how, during the recession of the late 1970s and early 1980s, Chinatown restaurants from Sacramento to San Francisco started renting their banquet halls for rehearsal space and booking the young bands of nascent West Coast punk as dinner entertainment to bring in additional business. The article puts shine on these Chinese and Filipino restaurants and how they became some of California’s most important venues and the focal point of...
- 12/17/2019
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
A high-end TV series that will delve into the 2017 assassination of Maltese investigative journalist Daphne Caruana Galizia is being developed by New York’s Topic Studios in partnership with U.S. incubator Vespucci Group and Italy’s Indiana Production.
Prominent Israeli film and TV writer Noah Stollman is on board to pen the screenplay, giving the project strong cachet.
The as yet untitled series is based on the book “Murder on the Malta Express” co-authored by British investigative journalist John Sweeney with Italy’s Carlo Bonini (“Suburra”) and Maltese journalist-blogger Manuel Delia.
“Through Manuel, John, and Carlo we have unprecedented access to an extremely timely story set against the backdrop of the global threat on journalism,” producer Daniel Turcan (“Marjorie Prime”) co-founder of Vespucci Group said in a joint statement.
The book investigating who killed Daphne Caruana Galizia published by Maltese imprint Midsea Books will be released on Sunday, October...
Prominent Israeli film and TV writer Noah Stollman is on board to pen the screenplay, giving the project strong cachet.
The as yet untitled series is based on the book “Murder on the Malta Express” co-authored by British investigative journalist John Sweeney with Italy’s Carlo Bonini (“Suburra”) and Maltese journalist-blogger Manuel Delia.
“Through Manuel, John, and Carlo we have unprecedented access to an extremely timely story set against the backdrop of the global threat on journalism,” producer Daniel Turcan (“Marjorie Prime”) co-founder of Vespucci Group said in a joint statement.
The book investigating who killed Daphne Caruana Galizia published by Maltese imprint Midsea Books will be released on Sunday, October...
- 10/14/2019
- by Nick Vivarelli
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Topic Studios has brought in veteran scripted development executive Quan Phung as Svp Original Series.
Phung is tasked with building a scripted content team in Los Angeles following Topic’s recent decision to relocate the studio’s scripted TV division from New York to L.A., resulting in a handful of layoffs, including Svp Scripted Programming Lisa Leingang.
Based out of the studio’s L.A. office, Phung will oversee the sourcing, developing and packaging of premium ongoing and event series to the broadcast, cable and streaming marketplace. He will report to Topic Studios Evp Maria Zuckerman, who has been working on refocusing the company’s strategy across film, TV, audio and nonfiction since joining in May. Entering the scripted series arena, where the studio doesn’t have a presence yet, is considered a priority.
“Quan is a forward-thinking, savvy and highly respected veteran, and the depth of his...
Phung is tasked with building a scripted content team in Los Angeles following Topic’s recent decision to relocate the studio’s scripted TV division from New York to L.A., resulting in a handful of layoffs, including Svp Scripted Programming Lisa Leingang.
Based out of the studio’s L.A. office, Phung will oversee the sourcing, developing and packaging of premium ongoing and event series to the broadcast, cable and streaming marketplace. He will report to Topic Studios Evp Maria Zuckerman, who has been working on refocusing the company’s strategy across film, TV, audio and nonfiction since joining in May. Entering the scripted series arena, where the studio doesn’t have a presence yet, is considered a priority.
“Quan is a forward-thinking, savvy and highly respected veteran, and the depth of his...
- 10/2/2019
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
A small round of layoffs has hit Topic Studios this week in the television division, insiders familiar with the company told Variety.
One of the insiders said three executives at the New York-based producer and distributor are out: senior vice president of scripted programming and Viacom alum Lisa Leingang, vice president of development Mona Panchal and scripted programming director Kate Zabinsky.
A spokesperson for Topic Studios declined to comment on personnel, but said the scripted television division is in the process of relocating to Los Angeles. Topic operates as an arm of Pierre Omidyar’s First Look Media, and has been making cost-cutting moves since HBO vet Maria Zuckerman replaced Adam Pincus as executive vice president in May.
In late June, First Look shuttered the studio’s digital publication Topic Magazine, dedicated to nonfiction storytelling, and cut off funding to the political cartoon website the Nib. In mid-July, New York...
One of the insiders said three executives at the New York-based producer and distributor are out: senior vice president of scripted programming and Viacom alum Lisa Leingang, vice president of development Mona Panchal and scripted programming director Kate Zabinsky.
A spokesperson for Topic Studios declined to comment on personnel, but said the scripted television division is in the process of relocating to Los Angeles. Topic operates as an arm of Pierre Omidyar’s First Look Media, and has been making cost-cutting moves since HBO vet Maria Zuckerman replaced Adam Pincus as executive vice president in May.
In late June, First Look shuttered the studio’s digital publication Topic Magazine, dedicated to nonfiction storytelling, and cut off funding to the political cartoon website the Nib. In mid-July, New York...
- 9/21/2019
- by Matt Donnelly and Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
In its continuing push to swell the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences membership ranks, 842 artists and executives from 59 countries have been invited to join this year. The branches have increasingly actively sought eligible people to become Academy members, but the Board of Governors makes the final call.
People of color (29 percent) and women (50 percent) are among the many invites, as the Academy continues to address its long-term white-male dominance. As always, actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, but many new members also come from overseas.
In 2018, the Academy invited 928 new members.
Twenty-one Oscar winners are among the new invited members, including Guy Nattiv (“Skin”), filmmaker Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”), Phil Lord, and Chris Miller (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), and 82 Oscar nominees (including newbies like Lady Gaga and “Roma” breakout Marina de Tavira). Ten of the 17 branches invited more women than men. The percentage of women...
People of color (29 percent) and women (50 percent) are among the many invites, as the Academy continues to address its long-term white-male dominance. As always, actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, but many new members also come from overseas.
In 2018, the Academy invited 928 new members.
Twenty-one Oscar winners are among the new invited members, including Guy Nattiv (“Skin”), filmmaker Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”), Phil Lord, and Chris Miller (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), and 82 Oscar nominees (including newbies like Lady Gaga and “Roma” breakout Marina de Tavira). Ten of the 17 branches invited more women than men. The percentage of women...
- 7/1/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
In its continuing push to swell the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences membership ranks, 842 artists and executives from 59 countries have been invited to join this year. The branches have increasingly actively sought eligible people to become Academy members, but the Board of Governors makes the final call.
People of color (29 percent) and women (50 percent) are among the many invites, as the Academy continues to address its long-term white-male dominance. As always, actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, but many new members also come from overseas.
In 2018, the Academy invited 928 new members.
Twenty-one Oscar winners are among the new invited members, including Guy Nattiv (“Skin”), filmmaker Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”), Phil Lord, and Chris Miller (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), and 82 Oscar nominees (including newbies like Lady Gaga and “Roma” breakout Marina de Tavira). Ten of the 17 branches invited more women than men. The percentage of women...
People of color (29 percent) and women (50 percent) are among the many invites, as the Academy continues to address its long-term white-male dominance. As always, actors make up the largest branch of the Academy, but many new members also come from overseas.
In 2018, the Academy invited 928 new members.
Twenty-one Oscar winners are among the new invited members, including Guy Nattiv (“Skin”), filmmaker Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”), Phil Lord, and Chris Miller (“Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse”), and 82 Oscar nominees (including newbies like Lady Gaga and “Roma” breakout Marina de Tavira). Ten of the 17 branches invited more women than men. The percentage of women...
- 7/1/2019
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Topic Studios has hired veteran HBO executive Maria Zuckerman as executive vice president to lead overall strategy including development, financing and production of films, documentaries, TV, podcasts and digital programming.
Zuckerman worked for nearly 20 years at HBO, where she most recently served as senior VP of HBO Films. She oversaw production of more than 30 titles during her tenure, resulting in 17 Emmy Awards. In 2015, Variety named Zuckerman one of Hollywood’s New Leaders in Television.
“Maria is a super smart, creative executive who filmmakers and talent love to work with,” said Michael Bloom, CEO of First Look Media & Topic. “Combined with her extensive experience at HBO and her impressive background working with established and new voices, we knew she had the right sensibility for us.”
Notable films shepherded by Zuckerman include “Bessie,” starring Queen Latifah and directed by Dee Rees, which won four Emmys; Stephen Frears’ “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight...
Zuckerman worked for nearly 20 years at HBO, where she most recently served as senior VP of HBO Films. She oversaw production of more than 30 titles during her tenure, resulting in 17 Emmy Awards. In 2015, Variety named Zuckerman one of Hollywood’s New Leaders in Television.
“Maria is a super smart, creative executive who filmmakers and talent love to work with,” said Michael Bloom, CEO of First Look Media & Topic. “Combined with her extensive experience at HBO and her impressive background working with established and new voices, we knew she had the right sensibility for us.”
Notable films shepherded by Zuckerman include “Bessie,” starring Queen Latifah and directed by Dee Rees, which won four Emmys; Stephen Frears’ “Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight...
- 5/6/2019
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of film critics two questions and publishes the results on Monday.
This week’s question: What is the best documentary about the American political system?
“13th”
Anne McCarthy (@annemitchmcc), Teen Vogue, Ms. Magazine, Bonjour Paris
Although “13th” is, in effect – at face value – about the U.S. prison system, that’s not entirely what it’s about. Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated 2016 documentary illustrates with poise and punch just how the U.S. political system and the government directly contributed to the highly problematic American prison system as we know it today. From President Clinton’s “3 Strikes” rule, President Reagan’s crack-down on crack cocaine, and more, we see the correlations between political acts and overcrowded jails, wrongly convicted inmates, and young lives lost at the hands of the people who are supposed to protect them. In an ideal world, every American would see this film.
This week’s question: What is the best documentary about the American political system?
“13th”
Anne McCarthy (@annemitchmcc), Teen Vogue, Ms. Magazine, Bonjour Paris
Although “13th” is, in effect – at face value – about the U.S. prison system, that’s not entirely what it’s about. Ava DuVernay’s Oscar-nominated 2016 documentary illustrates with poise and punch just how the U.S. political system and the government directly contributed to the highly problematic American prison system as we know it today. From President Clinton’s “3 Strikes” rule, President Reagan’s crack-down on crack cocaine, and more, we see the correlations between political acts and overcrowded jails, wrongly convicted inmates, and young lives lost at the hands of the people who are supposed to protect them. In an ideal world, every American would see this film.
- 3/18/2019
- by David Ehrlich
- Indiewire
Julius Onah’s thriller Luce has sold to Neon and Topic Studios at the Sundance Film Festival. Both studios have taken domestic rights to the feature, which is based on Jc Lee’s play and premiered Sunday in the U.S. Dramatic Competition.
Luce marks Neon’s fourth acquisition at Sundance this year, having previously taken rights to Alejandro Landes’ cinematic thriller Monos, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s horror film, The Lodge and Abe Forsythe’s Little Monsters.
Luce centers on Amy and Peter Edgar (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) who adopted their son Luce (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) from war-torn Eritrea 10 years ago. Luce is now an all-star student athlete, beloved by everyone. After a series of encounters with his teacher, Harriet Wilson (Octavia Spencer), questions about who Luce really is begin to emerge. A thrilling psychological drama, Luce addresses such themes as identity, truth, individuality and race. Onah shot the movie on 35mm.
Luce marks Neon’s fourth acquisition at Sundance this year, having previously taken rights to Alejandro Landes’ cinematic thriller Monos, Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala’s horror film, The Lodge and Abe Forsythe’s Little Monsters.
Luce centers on Amy and Peter Edgar (Naomi Watts and Tim Roth) who adopted their son Luce (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) from war-torn Eritrea 10 years ago. Luce is now an all-star student athlete, beloved by everyone. After a series of encounters with his teacher, Harriet Wilson (Octavia Spencer), questions about who Luce really is begin to emerge. A thrilling psychological drama, Luce addresses such themes as identity, truth, individuality and race. Onah shot the movie on 35mm.
- 1/30/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Arrangement with Arctic filmmakers to cover, film, TV.
Topic Studios has struck a first-look film and television deal with filmmaking team Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison, expanding on a recent collaboration on a scripted anthology series to be announced soon.
The deal will encompass film and television projects. Penna and Morrison’s debut feature Arctic premiered in Cannes last summer and Bleecker Street has set a February 1 Us release date for the survival thriller staring Mads Mikkelsen.
The duo is in pre-production on second feature Stowaway, a sci-fi thriller starring Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette.
“We have loved working with Joe and Ryan,...
Topic Studios has struck a first-look film and television deal with filmmaking team Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison, expanding on a recent collaboration on a scripted anthology series to be announced soon.
The deal will encompass film and television projects. Penna and Morrison’s debut feature Arctic premiered in Cannes last summer and Bleecker Street has set a February 1 Us release date for the survival thriller staring Mads Mikkelsen.
The duo is in pre-production on second feature Stowaway, a sci-fi thriller starring Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette.
“We have loved working with Joe and Ryan,...
- 1/17/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Topic Studios has signed a first look film and television deal with filmmakers Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison, whose feature Arctic made its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival last May as an official selection in the Midnight section. The deal expands the relationship between Topic, Penna and Morrison who recently collaborated on a scripted anthology series which will be announced soon.
“We have loved working with Joe and Ryan,” said Lisa Leingang and Ryan Heller for Topic Studios. “They are a rare combination of world-builders, Diy filmmakers and first class storytellers. There’s so much we want to do together.”
Said Penna and Morrison: “We’re beyond excited to be working so closely with Topic. They truly support their creative partners and tell the type of stories people need to hear. Topic is a studio with something to say and we’re very much looking forward joining the conversation.
“We have loved working with Joe and Ryan,” said Lisa Leingang and Ryan Heller for Topic Studios. “They are a rare combination of world-builders, Diy filmmakers and first class storytellers. There’s so much we want to do together.”
Said Penna and Morrison: “We’re beyond excited to be working so closely with Topic. They truly support their creative partners and tell the type of stories people need to hear. Topic is a studio with something to say and we’re very much looking forward joining the conversation.
- 1/17/2019
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Senator Jon Tester is far more likely to appear in the halls of Congress than the corridors of CAA. But the Montana Democrat came to the venerable talent agency earlier this week—not seeking representation, but to represent.
Tester turned out in support of the Oscar-shortlisted documentary Dark Money at a CAA screening that drew a standing room-only crowd. The film directed by Kimberly Reed, a fellow Montanan, investigates the pernicious role of untraceable cash flooding U.S. elections. The subject is an important one to Tester, who just won re-election to a third term in a very tight race that attracted loads of anonymous spending.
“I can’t tell you how many dollars of dark money came into my state yet,” he told the audience during a Q&A. “And we may never know how many dollars came into the state. If it was for me or against me,...
Tester turned out in support of the Oscar-shortlisted documentary Dark Money at a CAA screening that drew a standing room-only crowd. The film directed by Kimberly Reed, a fellow Montanan, investigates the pernicious role of untraceable cash flooding U.S. elections. The subject is an important one to Tester, who just won re-election to a third term in a very tight race that attracted loads of anonymous spending.
“I can’t tell you how many dollars of dark money came into my state yet,” he told the audience during a Q&A. “And we may never know how many dollars came into the state. If it was for me or against me,...
- 1/12/2019
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Four of the most successful documentaries of recent years remain in contention for a prize beyond box office glory—the kind that comes with an Oscar trophy.
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Rbg, Three Identical Strangers and Free Solo all made the Oscar documentary shortlist as the Academy culled the list of 166 eligible nonfiction films down to an exclusive 15.
Morgan Neville’s Neighbor, which explores the work of children’s television pioneer Fred Rogers, has become the top-grossing biographical documentary of all time with more than $22 million in earnings. Rbg, the film directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen that documents Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, started the box office gold rush earlier in the year, amassing just over $14 million.
Three Identical Strangers, Tim Wardle’s story of identical triplets who were separated as infants and reunited by accident as adults, has tallied $12.3 million. Free Solo, about mountain...
Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Rbg, Three Identical Strangers and Free Solo all made the Oscar documentary shortlist as the Academy culled the list of 166 eligible nonfiction films down to an exclusive 15.
Morgan Neville’s Neighbor, which explores the work of children’s television pioneer Fred Rogers, has become the top-grossing biographical documentary of all time with more than $22 million in earnings. Rbg, the film directed by Betsy West and Julie Cohen that documents Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, started the box office gold rush earlier in the year, amassing just over $14 million.
Three Identical Strangers, Tim Wardle’s story of identical triplets who were separated as infants and reunited by accident as adults, has tallied $12.3 million. Free Solo, about mountain...
- 12/28/2018
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Morgan Neville, director of Won’t You Be My Neighbor? and the Oscar-winning 20 Feet From Stardom Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
The 91st Academy Awards Oscar Best Documentary shortlist has been announced.
Free Solo directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Free Solo, directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin; Marilyn Ness's Charm City; Anna Zamecka's Communion (Komunia); Stephen Maing's Crime + Punishment: Kimberly Reed's Dark Money; Simon Lereng Wilmont's The Distant Barking Of Dogs; RaMell Ross's Hale County This Morning, This Evening; Bing Liu's Minding The Gap; Talal Derki's Of Fathers And Sons (Kinder Des Kalifats); Alexandria Bombach's On Her Shoulders; Julie Cohen and Betsy West's Rbg; Sandi Tan's Shirkers; Robert Bahar and Almudena Carracedo's The Silence Of Others (El Silencio De Otros); Tim Wardle's Three Identical Strangers; Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, directed...
The 91st Academy Awards Oscar Best Documentary shortlist has been announced.
Free Solo directors Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze
Free Solo, directed by Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin; Marilyn Ness's Charm City; Anna Zamecka's Communion (Komunia); Stephen Maing's Crime + Punishment: Kimberly Reed's Dark Money; Simon Lereng Wilmont's The Distant Barking Of Dogs; RaMell Ross's Hale County This Morning, This Evening; Bing Liu's Minding The Gap; Talal Derki's Of Fathers And Sons (Kinder Des Kalifats); Alexandria Bombach's On Her Shoulders; Julie Cohen and Betsy West's Rbg; Sandi Tan's Shirkers; Robert Bahar and Almudena Carracedo's The Silence Of Others (El Silencio De Otros); Tim Wardle's Three Identical Strangers; Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, directed...
- 12/17/2018
- by Anne-Katrin Titze
- eyeforfilm.co.uk
Last year, the Academy documentary branch had to grapple with a record 170 documentary feature submissions for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar. This year, it wasn’t not so bad: only 166 were entered. The short list of 15 was announced December 17, along with eight others for the first time on a single date this year.
All year, branch members have been getting lists of secure online screeners available to watch on the Academy website, increasing in volume. It’s a burden to watch them all, so the ones with the most attention move to the top of the much-watch list. The early advantage went to early box office hits that were made available in the summer such as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (Focus Features), “Rbg” (CNN/Magnolia), and “Three Identical Strangers” (CNN/Neon), as well as August/September openers including critically hailed “Dark Money” (PBS), “Crime + Punishment” and “Minding the Gap...
All year, branch members have been getting lists of secure online screeners available to watch on the Academy website, increasing in volume. It’s a burden to watch them all, so the ones with the most attention move to the top of the much-watch list. The early advantage went to early box office hits that were made available in the summer such as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (Focus Features), “Rbg” (CNN/Magnolia), and “Three Identical Strangers” (CNN/Neon), as well as August/September openers including critically hailed “Dark Money” (PBS), “Crime + Punishment” and “Minding the Gap...
- 12/17/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Last year, the Academy documentary branch had to grapple with a record 170 documentary feature submissions for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar. This year, it wasn’t not so bad: only 166 were entered. The short list of 15 was announced December 17, along with eight others for the first time on a single date this year.
All year, branch members have been getting lists of secure online screeners available to watch on the Academy website, increasing in volume. It’s a burden to watch them all, so the ones with the most attention move to the top of the much-watch list. The early advantage went to early box office hits that were made available in the summer such as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (Focus Features), “Rbg” (CNN/Magnolia), and “Three Identical Strangers” (CNN/Neon), as well as September openers including critically hailed “Dark Money” (PBS), “Crime + Punishment (“Hulu”), and another...
All year, branch members have been getting lists of secure online screeners available to watch on the Academy website, increasing in volume. It’s a burden to watch them all, so the ones with the most attention move to the top of the much-watch list. The early advantage went to early box office hits that were made available in the summer such as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (Focus Features), “Rbg” (CNN/Magnolia), and “Three Identical Strangers” (CNN/Neon), as well as September openers including critically hailed “Dark Money” (PBS), “Crime + Punishment (“Hulu”), and another...
- 12/17/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Topic Studios (“Leave No Trace”) has bought rights to Rachel Lyon’s debut novel “Self-Portrait With Boy” and plans to develop the project as a feature film.
Lyon will adapt her own novel. John Lyons (“Boogie Nights”), who recently signed a first-look deal with Topic Studios, has come on board to produce.
The story is set in Brooklyn in the early 1990s and tells the story of a young photographer who unintentionally captures a tragedy during a self-portrait. The choice of what to do with this devastating image haunts her as she is forced to confront the limits of her own ambition.
“Rachel’s novel is a gripping, emotionally complex ghost story about the price of creative success,” said said Ryan Heller, vice president for acquisitions and feature films. “We were instantly drawn to ways we could bring this story – and its bygone era of New York — to the big...
Lyon will adapt her own novel. John Lyons (“Boogie Nights”), who recently signed a first-look deal with Topic Studios, has come on board to produce.
The story is set in Brooklyn in the early 1990s and tells the story of a young photographer who unintentionally captures a tragedy during a self-portrait. The choice of what to do with this devastating image haunts her as she is forced to confront the limits of her own ambition.
“Rachel’s novel is a gripping, emotionally complex ghost story about the price of creative success,” said said Ryan Heller, vice president for acquisitions and feature films. “We were instantly drawn to ways we could bring this story – and its bygone era of New York — to the big...
- 12/13/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
“Minding the Gap” had a great day on December 8. Hours after Bing Liu‘s heartfelt look at live in the Rust Belt was named Best Documentary Feature of the year by the Chicago film critics, it won the top award from The International Documentary Association (Ida).
At the Ida, it prevailed in the largest-ever field of contenders at this key precursor prize. Among the competition were all of the other frontrunners for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars: National Geographic’s “Free Solo,” Hulu’s “Crime + Punishment,” the Mr. Rogers retrospective “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and PBS’ “Dark Money.”
This was the first year that Ida had nominated 10 films for their top award, a sharp increase from the 5-6 contenders cited in the past. While only two films were nominated by both the Ida and Oscar last year, in 2017 the groups lined up on four nominees and...
At the Ida, it prevailed in the largest-ever field of contenders at this key precursor prize. Among the competition were all of the other frontrunners for Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars: National Geographic’s “Free Solo,” Hulu’s “Crime + Punishment,” the Mr. Rogers retrospective “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and PBS’ “Dark Money.”
This was the first year that Ida had nominated 10 films for their top award, a sharp increase from the 5-6 contenders cited in the past. While only two films were nominated by both the Ida and Oscar last year, in 2017 the groups lined up on four nominees and...
- 12/9/2018
- by Paul Sheehan and John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Suspense is building as the midterm elections near, with control of the House and Senate—and possibly the fate of American democracy—hanging in the balance. The outcome remains unclear but one race is hardly in doubt: In the contest to influence election results, “dark money” is winning.
Kimberly Reed’s film Dark Money, nominated as best documentary for the Ida Awards and the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, explores the way untraceable cash from anonymous donors—corporations and wealthy individuals—is being deployed to sway voters.
“This is really about disclosure, about where this money is coming from,” Reed tells Deadline. “Because if you turn the lights off all the sudden this money starts getting used for lots of nefarious purposes.”
Some of those nefarious purposes include bankrolling attack ads and direct-mail campaigns, the kind that jam everybody’s mailboxes around election time. Dark Money details how one Republican candidate for statewide office in Montana,...
Kimberly Reed’s film Dark Money, nominated as best documentary for the Ida Awards and the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, explores the way untraceable cash from anonymous donors—corporations and wealthy individuals—is being deployed to sway voters.
“This is really about disclosure, about where this money is coming from,” Reed tells Deadline. “Because if you turn the lights off all the sudden this money starts getting used for lots of nefarious purposes.”
Some of those nefarious purposes include bankrolling attack ads and direct-mail campaigns, the kind that jam everybody’s mailboxes around election time. Dark Money details how one Republican candidate for statewide office in Montana,...
- 11/1/2018
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
The International Documentary Association (Ida) announced nominees for its annual awards on Wednesday morning. The ten films nominated in the Best Feature category were pulled from the group’s short list announced earlier this month. Among those nominees are five early frontrunners in the Oscar race for Documentary Feature: National Geographic’s “Free Solo,” Hulu’s two films “Minding the Gap” and “Crime + Punishment,” the Mister Rogers piece “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and PBS’ “Dark Money,” all of which were also cited by the Broadcast Film Critics Association for their own documentary awards.
This is the first year the Ida has nominated 10 films for their top award, an increase from the 5-6 nominated previously. While only two films were nominated by both the Ida and Oscar last year, in 2016 the groups lined up on four nominees and in 2015 there were three double dippers. In each year, the...
This is the first year the Ida has nominated 10 films for their top award, an increase from the 5-6 nominated previously. While only two films were nominated by both the Ida and Oscar last year, in 2016 the groups lined up on four nominees and in 2015 there were three double dippers. In each year, the...
- 10/24/2018
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
“Dark Money,” “Free Solo,” “Minding the Gap,” “The Silence of Others” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” have been nominated for the top film award at the International Documentary Association’s 2018 Ida Documentary Awards, the Ida announced on Wednesday.
Those five films will be joined in the feature category by another five: “Crime + Punishment,” “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” “Of Fathers and Sons,” “Sky and Ground” and “United Skates.”
The 10 Ida Documentary Awards feature nominees is the largest number ever nominated in the category, which has typically consisted of five films. Half of the films were directed by women.
Also Read: 'Free Solo' Leads Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Nominations
Missing from the list are a few of the most successful docs of the year, including “Rbg,” “Three Identical Strangers” and “Fahrenheit 11/9.”
In the television categories, nominees include “American Masters,” “Pov” and “Independent Lens” in Curated Series,...
Those five films will be joined in the feature category by another five: “Crime + Punishment,” “Hale County This Morning, This Evening,” “Of Fathers and Sons,” “Sky and Ground” and “United Skates.”
The 10 Ida Documentary Awards feature nominees is the largest number ever nominated in the category, which has typically consisted of five films. Half of the films were directed by women.
Also Read: 'Free Solo' Leads Critics' Choice Documentary Awards Nominations
Missing from the list are a few of the most successful docs of the year, including “Rbg,” “Three Identical Strangers” and “Fahrenheit 11/9.”
In the television categories, nominees include “American Masters,” “Pov” and “Independent Lens” in Curated Series,...
- 10/24/2018
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
With the sprawling number of high-caliber documentaries flooding every platform and clamoring for attention, the International Documentary Association Awards are a crucial curator pointing other awards groups in the direction of what they need to see. Academy documentary branch members, who are inundated with hundreds of movies to watch, aren’t necessarily keeping track of which movies won awards at festivals along the way.
So far, the influential Doc NYC shortlist and the Critics Choice Documentary Award nominees also included many of the Ida’s feature picks: On all three lists are Stephen Maing’s NYPD expose “Crime + Punishment,” fall box office hit E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s vertiginous “Free Solo,” rookie filmmaker Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap,” and Morgan Neville’s summer box office phenomenon “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” an emotionally wrenching portrait of the late TV star Fred Rogers.
Making two out...
So far, the influential Doc NYC shortlist and the Critics Choice Documentary Award nominees also included many of the Ida’s feature picks: On all three lists are Stephen Maing’s NYPD expose “Crime + Punishment,” fall box office hit E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s vertiginous “Free Solo,” rookie filmmaker Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap,” and Morgan Neville’s summer box office phenomenon “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” an emotionally wrenching portrait of the late TV star Fred Rogers.
Making two out...
- 10/24/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
With the sprawling number of high-caliber documentaries flooding every platform and clamoring for attention, the International Documentary Association Awards are a crucial curator pointing other awards groups in the direction of what they need to see. Academy documentary branch members, who are inundated with hundreds of movies to watch, aren’t necessarily keeping track of which movies won awards at festivals along the way.
So far, the influential Doc NYC shortlist and the Critics Choice Documentary Award nominees also included many of the Ida’s feature picks: On all three lists are Stephen Maing’s NYPD expose “Crime + Punishment,” fall box office hit E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s vertiginous “Free Solo,” rookie filmmaker Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap,” and Morgan Neville’s summer box office phenomenon “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” an emotionally wrenching portrait of the late TV star Fred Rogers.
Making two out...
So far, the influential Doc NYC shortlist and the Critics Choice Documentary Award nominees also included many of the Ida’s feature picks: On all three lists are Stephen Maing’s NYPD expose “Crime + Punishment,” fall box office hit E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s vertiginous “Free Solo,” rookie filmmaker Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap,” and Morgan Neville’s summer box office phenomenon “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” an emotionally wrenching portrait of the late TV star Fred Rogers.
Making two out...
- 10/24/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The International Documentary Assn. announced nominees for the 34th annual Ida Awards Wednesday, spotlighting the best in documentary filmmaking.
Among the feature nominees were mainstays on the circuit so far this year like Hulu’s “Crime + Punishment” and “Minding the Gap,” as well as National Geographic’s “Free Solo” and Focus Features’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
In recognition of another banner year for non-fiction cinema, which has been reflected in box office spikes around key titles this year, the Ida expanded the number of nominees in the best feature and short films categories to 10 films.
In “creative recognition” fields, winners and nominees were announced. “Distant Constellation” won the cinematography prize, while “Minding the Gap” took editing. “The Other Side of Everything” won the writing award, and the music category saw a tie, between “Bisbee ’17” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening.”
Additionally, the Ida’s Courage Under...
Among the feature nominees were mainstays on the circuit so far this year like Hulu’s “Crime + Punishment” and “Minding the Gap,” as well as National Geographic’s “Free Solo” and Focus Features’ “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?”
In recognition of another banner year for non-fiction cinema, which has been reflected in box office spikes around key titles this year, the Ida expanded the number of nominees in the best feature and short films categories to 10 films.
In “creative recognition” fields, winners and nominees were announced. “Distant Constellation” won the cinematography prize, while “Minding the Gap” took editing. “The Other Side of Everything” won the writing award, and the music category saw a tie, between “Bisbee ’17” and “Hale County This Morning, This Evening.”
Additionally, the Ida’s Courage Under...
- 10/24/2018
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Variety Film + TV
The International Documentary Association is out with the nominees for its 2018 Ida Documentary Awards. Winners of the 34th edition will be announced December 8 duyring a ceremony hosted by Ricki Lake at Paramount Studios in Los Angeles. See the full list of nominees below.
Up for Best Feature — which has been expanded to 10 nominees this year — are Stephen Maing’s Crime + Punishment, Kimberly Reed’s Dark Money, E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Free Solo, RaMell Ross’ Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Bing Liu’s Minding the Gap, Talal Derki’s Of Fathers and Sons, Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett’s Sky and Ground, Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar’s The Silence of Others, Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown’s United Skates and Morgan Neville’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor.
“This year’s nominees and winners of the Ida Awards reflects that 2018 has been a remarkable...
Up for Best Feature — which has been expanded to 10 nominees this year — are Stephen Maing’s Crime + Punishment, Kimberly Reed’s Dark Money, E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s Free Solo, RaMell Ross’ Hale County This Morning, This Evening, Bing Liu’s Minding the Gap, Talal Derki’s Of Fathers and Sons, Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett’s Sky and Ground, Almudena Carracedo and Robert Bahar’s The Silence of Others, Dyana Winkler and Tina Brown’s United Skates and Morgan Neville’s Won’t You Be My Neighbor.
“This year’s nominees and winners of the Ida Awards reflects that 2018 has been a remarkable...
- 10/24/2018
- by Erik Pedersen
- Deadline Film + TV
The nominees for the International Documentary Association's 2018 Ida Documentary Awards were announced today.
The nominees for best feature are Morgan Neville's Mister Rogers doc Won't You Be My Neighbor; Stephen Maing's NYPD doc Crime + Punishment; Kimberly Reed's post-Citizens United thriller Dark Money; E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s El Capitan-climbing film Free Solo; RaMell Ross' portrait of black lives Hale County This Morning, This Evening; Bing Liu's coming-of-age film Minding the Gap; Talal Derki's infiltration of a Jihadi household in Of Fathers and Sons; Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett's humanitarian crisis film Sky & Ground; Almudena Carracedo ...
The nominees for best feature are Morgan Neville's Mister Rogers doc Won't You Be My Neighbor; Stephen Maing's NYPD doc Crime + Punishment; Kimberly Reed's post-Citizens United thriller Dark Money; E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s El Capitan-climbing film Free Solo; RaMell Ross' portrait of black lives Hale County This Morning, This Evening; Bing Liu's coming-of-age film Minding the Gap; Talal Derki's infiltration of a Jihadi household in Of Fathers and Sons; Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett's humanitarian crisis film Sky & Ground; Almudena Carracedo ...
- 10/24/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The nominees for the International Documentary Association's 2018 Ida Documentary Awards were announced today.
The nominees for best feature are Morgan Neville's Mister Rogers doc Won't You Be My Neighbor; Stephen Maing's NYPD doc Crime + Punishment; Kimberly Reed's post-Citizens United thriller Dark Money; E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s El Capitan-climbing film Free Solo; RaMell Ross' portrait of black lives Hale County This Morning, This Evening; Bing Liu's coming-of-age film Minding the Gap; Talal Derki's infiltration of a Jihadi household in Of Fathers and Sons; Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett's humanitarian crisis film Sky & Ground; Almudena Carracedo ...
The nominees for best feature are Morgan Neville's Mister Rogers doc Won't You Be My Neighbor; Stephen Maing's NYPD doc Crime + Punishment; Kimberly Reed's post-Citizens United thriller Dark Money; E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s El Capitan-climbing film Free Solo; RaMell Ross' portrait of black lives Hale County This Morning, This Evening; Bing Liu's coming-of-age film Minding the Gap; Talal Derki's infiltration of a Jihadi household in Of Fathers and Sons; Talya Tibbon and Joshua Bennett's humanitarian crisis film Sky & Ground; Almudena Carracedo ...
- 10/24/2018
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi‘s “Free Solo” leads the third annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards with six bids, including Best Documentary and Best Director. Also nabbing nominations in those two top categories is Bing Liu‘s “Minding the Gap,” which is also in the running for Best First Time Director, as well as “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?,” “Dark Money,” “Hitler’s Hollywood,” and “Three Identical Strangers.” In all 10 films were nominated for the top prize at these awards bestowed by the Broadcast Film Critics Assn. (Bfca). The other four are “Crime + Punishment,” “Hal,” “Rbg,” and “Wild Wild Country.”
Last year the Bfca nominated 16 films for this award, three of which –“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” “Faces Places,” and “Strong Island” — went on to contend at the Oscars. And in 2016 the Bfca shared its Best Documentary winner (“O.J.: Made in America”) with the Academy...
Last year the Bfca nominated 16 films for this award, three of which –“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” “Faces Places,” and “Strong Island” — went on to contend at the Oscars. And in 2016 the Bfca shared its Best Documentary winner (“O.J.: Made in America”) with the Academy...
- 10/16/2018
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin’s “Free Solo,” a National Geographic documentary about Alex Honnold’s attempt to climb Yosemite’s El Capitan rock formation without any ropes or protective equipment, leads all films in nominations for the third annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, the Broadcast Film Critics Association and Broadcast Television Journalists Associations announced on Monday.
“Free Solo” received five nominations, including Best Documentary and Best Director, and an additional honor for subject Honnold, who was one of eight subjects singled out in the Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary category.
Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap” and Chapman Way and Maclain Way’s “Wild Wild Country” each received five nominations, while Kimberly Reed’s “Dark Money,” Rüdiger Suchsland’s “Hitler’s Hollywood” and Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” received four each.
Also Read: 'Fahrenheit 11/9' Director Michael Moore to Receive Critics' Choice...
“Free Solo” received five nominations, including Best Documentary and Best Director, and an additional honor for subject Honnold, who was one of eight subjects singled out in the Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary category.
Bing Liu’s “Minding the Gap” and Chapman Way and Maclain Way’s “Wild Wild Country” each received five nominations, while Kimberly Reed’s “Dark Money,” Rüdiger Suchsland’s “Hitler’s Hollywood” and Morgan Neville’s “Won’t You Be My Neighbor” received four each.
Also Read: 'Fahrenheit 11/9' Director Michael Moore to Receive Critics' Choice...
- 10/15/2018
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s “Free Solo,” which captured rock climber Alex Honnold’s hair-raising ascent of Yosemite National Park’s 3,000-foot El Capitan rock formation, led the nominations for the third annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards, it was revealed Monday. The film netted six nominations including best documentary and best director.
Close behind with five mentions each were “Minding the Gap” and “Wild Wild Country,” from Hulu and Netflix respectively.
Voted on by the Broadcast Film Critics and Television Journalists Assns., the awards will be presented at a gala event hosted by science educator and television personality Bill Nye on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Bric in Brooklyn, New York.
The nominees are:
Best Documentary
“Crime + Punishment” – Director: Stephen Maing (Hulu)
“Dark Money” – Director: Kimberly Reed (PBS)
“Free Solo” – Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (National Geographic Documentary Films)
“Hal” – Director: Amy Scott (Oscilloscope)
“Hitler’s Hollywood” – Director: Rüdiger Suchsland...
Close behind with five mentions each were “Minding the Gap” and “Wild Wild Country,” from Hulu and Netflix respectively.
Voted on by the Broadcast Film Critics and Television Journalists Assns., the awards will be presented at a gala event hosted by science educator and television personality Bill Nye on Saturday, Nov. 10 at Bric in Brooklyn, New York.
The nominees are:
Best Documentary
“Crime + Punishment” – Director: Stephen Maing (Hulu)
“Dark Money” – Director: Kimberly Reed (PBS)
“Free Solo” – Directors: Jimmy Chin, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi (National Geographic Documentary Films)
“Hal” – Director: Amy Scott (Oscilloscope)
“Hitler’s Hollywood” – Director: Rüdiger Suchsland...
- 10/15/2018
- by Kristopher Tapley
- Variety Film + TV
The Broadcast Film Critics Association (Bfca) and the Broadcast Television Journalists Association (Btja) have announced the nominees for the third annual Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards. The winners will be presented their awards at a gala event, hosted by science educator and television personality Bill Nye, on Saturday, November 10 at Bric in Brooklyn, New York.
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s “Free Solo” leads this year with six nominations and one honor, including Best Documentary, Best Directors, Best Sports Documentary, Most Innovative Documentary, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and a Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary honor for Alex Honnold. “Minding the Gap” and “Wild Wild Country” follow with five nominations each, with “Dark Money,” “Hitler’s Hollywood,” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” each earning four nods.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s outstanding documentary work at the upcoming event,” said Broadcast Film Critics Association President...
Jimmy Chin and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi’s “Free Solo” leads this year with six nominations and one honor, including Best Documentary, Best Directors, Best Sports Documentary, Most Innovative Documentary, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and a Most Compelling Living Subject of a Documentary honor for Alex Honnold. “Minding the Gap” and “Wild Wild Country” follow with five nominations each, with “Dark Money,” “Hitler’s Hollywood,” and “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” each earning four nods.
“We are thrilled to celebrate this year’s outstanding documentary work at the upcoming event,” said Broadcast Film Critics Association President...
- 10/15/2018
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The perilous attempt by climber Alex Honnold to become the first person ever to scale and solo climb Yosemite’s 3000 foot high El Capitan Mountain with no ropes or safety gear is chronicled in the documentary Free Solo, a film that has climbed the list of nominees with six nods (and one honor) for the 2018 Critics Choice Documentary Awards. The awards take place on Saturday November 10 in Brooklyn.
Bing Liu’s skateboarding docu, Minding The Gap, and the Emmy winning Netflix limited docu series Wild Wild Country follow with five nominations each. All three films are nominated in the Best Documentary category which includes theatrical features and streaming/television entries.
In what has been an outstanding year for docus, both critically and at the box office, three films that have earned big dollars in theaters are also well represented on the list – Morgan Neville’s poignant Mr. Rogers docu, Won...
Bing Liu’s skateboarding docu, Minding The Gap, and the Emmy winning Netflix limited docu series Wild Wild Country follow with five nominations each. All three films are nominated in the Best Documentary category which includes theatrical features and streaming/television entries.
In what has been an outstanding year for docus, both critically and at the box office, three films that have earned big dollars in theaters are also well represented on the list – Morgan Neville’s poignant Mr. Rogers docu, Won...
- 10/15/2018
- by Pete Hammond
- Deadline Film + TV
Two of the season’s most reliable groups when it comes to forecasting the eventual Academy Awards nominees for Documentary Feature have now announced the shortlists for their own programs. The International Documentary Association (Ida) and Doc NYC, one of the largest documentary film festivals in the country, both boast great track records with either nominating, awarding and/or screening major contenders for the Oscars in recent years.
Doc NYC, who announced a short list of 15 titles for their 2018 festival which runs from November 8th to 15th, has overlapped their own short list with the academy’s short list with 9 to 10 titles in each of the last five years. In addition, they’ve included 4 to 5 titles that went on to be Oscar-nominated and in the last seven years they’ve screened the documentary that won the Academy Award.
Ida is comparably prescient, having matched their award nominees with the eventual...
Doc NYC, who announced a short list of 15 titles for their 2018 festival which runs from November 8th to 15th, has overlapped their own short list with the academy’s short list with 9 to 10 titles in each of the last five years. In addition, they’ve included 4 to 5 titles that went on to be Oscar-nominated and in the last seven years they’ve screened the documentary that won the Academy Award.
Ida is comparably prescient, having matched their award nominees with the eventual...
- 10/15/2018
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Documentary hits “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” and “Three Identical Strangers” are two of the 31 shortlisted films for the International Documentary Association’s award for top feature of 2018.
Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 11/9,” Netflix’s “Shirkers,” and Hulu’s “Minding the Gap” were among the other high-profile titles unveiled on Tuesday.
Morgan Neville’s Fred Rogers story “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” has grossed $22.6 million domestically since its release in June, making it the 12th-highest-grossing doc of all time. Tim Wardle’s “Three Identical Strangers” has also performed well with $12.3 million and is 26th on the list. “Fahrenheit 11/9” has reeled in $6 million since its Sept. 20 launch — far below the record $119 million grossed by Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” in 2004.
It’s the first time the Ida has unveiled the shortlists in the shorts and features categories. The 34th annual awards will take place on Dec. 8 at Los Angeles’ Paramount Theatre. Nominees...
Michael Moore’s “Fahrenheit 11/9,” Netflix’s “Shirkers,” and Hulu’s “Minding the Gap” were among the other high-profile titles unveiled on Tuesday.
Morgan Neville’s Fred Rogers story “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” has grossed $22.6 million domestically since its release in June, making it the 12th-highest-grossing doc of all time. Tim Wardle’s “Three Identical Strangers” has also performed well with $12.3 million and is 26th on the list. “Fahrenheit 11/9” has reeled in $6 million since its Sept. 20 launch — far below the record $119 million grossed by Moore’s “Fahrenheit 9/11” in 2004.
It’s the first time the Ida has unveiled the shortlists in the shorts and features categories. The 34th annual awards will take place on Dec. 8 at Los Angeles’ Paramount Theatre. Nominees...
- 10/9/2018
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
Won’t You Be My Neighbor? is among features in the running for documantary association honours.
Major award contenders Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Three Identical Strangers and Free Solo are among the thirty-one films on the shortlist for this year’s International Documentary Association (Ida) feature award.
The Ida has unveiled the shortlists for its feature and short categories for the first time this year. Up to ten nominees in each category will be selected from the shortlists and nominees will be announced – along with nominees for the Association’s Special Awards and Creative Recognition Awards - on...
Major award contenders Won’t You Be My Neighbor?, Three Identical Strangers and Free Solo are among the thirty-one films on the shortlist for this year’s International Documentary Association (Ida) feature award.
The Ida has unveiled the shortlists for its feature and short categories for the first time this year. Up to ten nominees in each category will be selected from the shortlists and nominees will be announced – along with nominees for the Association’s Special Awards and Creative Recognition Awards - on...
- 10/9/2018
- by John Hazelton
- ScreenDaily
Follow The Money: Reed’s Financial Exposé Is Highly Significant Yet Somewhat Clumsy
The rise of unregulated campaign finance in American elections coinciding with the collapse of the free press bodes grim for our futures. As the bargaining power of the people ebbs against the elite, the physical land and international economy is torn asunder to bolster personal fortunes. Kimberly Reed (Prodigal Sons) returns to the director’s chair for the first time in a decade to deliver a multinational conspiracy involving the corporate puppeteers of American politics, and provides the evidence to prove its authenticity. Though Dark Money reveals many shocking acts and models of corruption, it relies too heavily on its espionage thriller aesthetic.…...
The rise of unregulated campaign finance in American elections coinciding with the collapse of the free press bodes grim for our futures. As the bargaining power of the people ebbs against the elite, the physical land and international economy is torn asunder to bolster personal fortunes. Kimberly Reed (Prodigal Sons) returns to the director’s chair for the first time in a decade to deliver a multinational conspiracy involving the corporate puppeteers of American politics, and provides the evidence to prove its authenticity. Though Dark Money reveals many shocking acts and models of corruption, it relies too heavily on its espionage thriller aesthetic.…...
- 10/1/2018
- by Matthew Roe
- IONCINEMA.com
Doc NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, has revealed its seventh annual 15-film Short List of likely awards contenders along with its opening-night selection, Telluride and Toronto favorite “The Biggest Little Farm”, cinematographer John Chester’s poignant environmental portrait of life on a new California farm. The festival runs November 8 – 15.
Thom Powers, Doc NYC’s artistic director as well as documentary programmer for the Toronto International Film festival, oversees curation of the Short List of films that may be in the running for the Academy Award for Best Documentary feature. This year contains a spectrum of funders and distributors, including three from Netflix, three from his own Tiff selection and two from HBO.
Historically, most Doc NYC picks do land on the Academy’s official 15-film Oscar Short List. For the past five years, the Short List has had nine to 10 titles overlap, and four to five titles that were Oscar nominated.
Thom Powers, Doc NYC’s artistic director as well as documentary programmer for the Toronto International Film festival, oversees curation of the Short List of films that may be in the running for the Academy Award for Best Documentary feature. This year contains a spectrum of funders and distributors, including three from Netflix, three from his own Tiff selection and two from HBO.
Historically, most Doc NYC picks do land on the Academy’s official 15-film Oscar Short List. For the past five years, the Short List has had nine to 10 titles overlap, and four to five titles that were Oscar nominated.
- 9/27/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
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