Exclusive: Oscar-winning The King’s Speech scribe David Seidler and Ken Pisani are writing a feature inspired by the 2012 docu Rising From Ashes. Pic tells the true story of the national cycling team of Rwanda and the fallen American cyclist Jonathan "Jock" Boyer who struggled to build a competitive team from survivors from both sides of the Rwandan genocide. T.C. Johnstone directed the docu and will make his narrative directing debut on the feature. Greg Kwedar produced…...
- 8/4/2016
- Deadline
"Brother, please jump... if you want to stay alive. If you want to live, jump." A few years back we featured a trailer for an indie documentary called Rising from Ashes, about a Rwandan cycling team. The producers behind that doc are back with their latest project, titled (The World of) The Ghost Fleet being directed by Jeffrey Waldron, about modern day slavery in the Thai fishing industry. The first teaser trailer has launched and it's beautiful, a harrowing look at a shady industry most of us know nothing about. I love the music in the trailer, I love the footage, I admire how chilling it is, and I even love the film's logo. Word is this won't be ready until early 2016, but I'm already anticipating it and hope to bring attention to it as they finish up. Here's the first teaser trailer for Jeffrey Waldron's doc The World...
- 3/11/2015
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
The antics of Jonah Hill and Channing Tatum in 22 Jump Street proved irresistible for Australian cinemagoers last weekend.
The sequel to 21 Jump Street easily topped the box-office, pulling in $6.8 million from Thursday to Sunday, and $7 million with previews. Pro-rata, that.s even stronger than the bumbling cop comedy.s $US57.1 million debut in the Us the previous weekend, which was the second-biggest opening ever for an R-rated comedy behind The Hangover Part II.
In second spot DreamWorks Animation.s How to Train Your Dragon 2 conjured up $3.5 million. With previews, the 3D action-fantasy voiced by Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Kristin Wiig and Jonah Hill has raked in $8.7 million.
All told, nationwide takings surged by 25% to $16.7 million, according to Rentrak.s weekend estimates. It wasn.t a memorable weekend for Australian cinema as The Rover plunged by 44% to $81,000 after an inauspicious debut, bringing the 11-day total to $344,000.
One film...
The sequel to 21 Jump Street easily topped the box-office, pulling in $6.8 million from Thursday to Sunday, and $7 million with previews. Pro-rata, that.s even stronger than the bumbling cop comedy.s $US57.1 million debut in the Us the previous weekend, which was the second-biggest opening ever for an R-rated comedy behind The Hangover Part II.
In second spot DreamWorks Animation.s How to Train Your Dragon 2 conjured up $3.5 million. With previews, the 3D action-fantasy voiced by Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Kristin Wiig and Jonah Hill has raked in $8.7 million.
All told, nationwide takings surged by 25% to $16.7 million, according to Rentrak.s weekend estimates. It wasn.t a memorable weekend for Australian cinema as The Rover plunged by 44% to $81,000 after an inauspicious debut, bringing the 11-day total to $344,000.
One film...
- 6/23/2014
- by Don Groves
- IF.com.au
The Oscar-winning star of Lee Daniels' new White House drama and Fruitvale Station used to be harassed by police when he was a teenager in Compton, La, but now he feels far more optimistic
Forest Whitaker is having himself a British moment, flashing back more than 30 years to his first visit to London. "The first time I ever went out of the country it was to London. I was with the choir from my college and we were touring around all these different churches. I loved it so much I tried to find a way to stay there. I tried to get a job but I had no work permit. I tried anything I could to stay. My feeling then was, this is where I was meant to be. I felt … freedom. I've been back many, many times since, made a lot of friends – and I've played a few Brits,...
Forest Whitaker is having himself a British moment, flashing back more than 30 years to his first visit to London. "The first time I ever went out of the country it was to London. I was with the choir from my college and we were touring around all these different churches. I loved it so much I tried to find a way to stay there. I tried to get a job but I had no work permit. I tried anything I could to stay. My feeling then was, this is where I was meant to be. I felt … freedom. I've been back many, many times since, made a lot of friends – and I've played a few Brits,...
- 11/18/2013
- by John Patterson
- The Guardian - Film News
Exclusive: Rising From Ashes, a documentary about the Rwandan national cycling team, is executive produced and narrated by Forest Whitaker and is said to be generating Oscar buzz.
Wild Bunch has taken on sales of T C Johnstone’s documentary Rising From Ashes, charting the creation of the Rwandan national cycling team by disgraced Us cycling champion Jock Boyer.
“We signed the deal during Toronto,” Wild Bunch co-chief Vincent Maraval told ScreenDaily.
Shot over five years, the picture revolves around Boyer’s efforts to train a group of Rwandan genocide survivors to become professional cyclists, focusing in particular on Adrien Niyonshuti.
Young athlete Niyonshuti, who lost six brothers in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, qualified for the 2012 London Olympics, where his tale drew considerable media attention.
In the backdrop, the documentary also touches on the fact that Boyer, who was the first American to compete in the Tour de France, is attempting to rebuild his life after serving...
Wild Bunch has taken on sales of T C Johnstone’s documentary Rising From Ashes, charting the creation of the Rwandan national cycling team by disgraced Us cycling champion Jock Boyer.
“We signed the deal during Toronto,” Wild Bunch co-chief Vincent Maraval told ScreenDaily.
Shot over five years, the picture revolves around Boyer’s efforts to train a group of Rwandan genocide survivors to become professional cyclists, focusing in particular on Adrien Niyonshuti.
Young athlete Niyonshuti, who lost six brothers in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, qualified for the 2012 London Olympics, where his tale drew considerable media attention.
In the backdrop, the documentary also touches on the fact that Boyer, who was the first American to compete in the Tour de France, is attempting to rebuild his life after serving...
- 9/17/2013
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: Documentary about Rwandan cycling team, executively produced and narrated by Forest Whitaker, is generating Oscar buzz.
Wild Bunch has taken on sales of T C Johnstone’s documentary Rising From Ashes, charting the creation of the Rwandan national cycling team by disgraced Us cycling champion Jock Boyer.
“We signed the deal during Toronto,” Wild Bunch co-chief Vincent Maraval told Screendaily.
Shot over five years, the picture revolves around Boyer’s efforts to train a group of Rwandan genocide survivors to become professional cyclists, focusing in particular on Adrien Niyonshuti (pictured).
Young athlete Niyonshuti, who lost six brothers in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, qualified for the 2012 London Olympics, where his tale drew considerable media attention.
In the backdrop, the documentary also touches on the fact that Boyer, who was the first American to compete in the Tour de France, is also attempting to rebuild his life after being convicted of child molestation in 2002 and spending a year...
Wild Bunch has taken on sales of T C Johnstone’s documentary Rising From Ashes, charting the creation of the Rwandan national cycling team by disgraced Us cycling champion Jock Boyer.
“We signed the deal during Toronto,” Wild Bunch co-chief Vincent Maraval told Screendaily.
Shot over five years, the picture revolves around Boyer’s efforts to train a group of Rwandan genocide survivors to become professional cyclists, focusing in particular on Adrien Niyonshuti (pictured).
Young athlete Niyonshuti, who lost six brothers in the Rwandan Genocide of 1994, qualified for the 2012 London Olympics, where his tale drew considerable media attention.
In the backdrop, the documentary also touches on the fact that Boyer, who was the first American to compete in the Tour de France, is also attempting to rebuild his life after being convicted of child molestation in 2002 and spending a year...
- 9/17/2013
- ScreenDaily
Inspirational sports documentary Rising From Ashes follows cycling legend Jock Boyer on a six-year journey to train the first ever national cycling team of Rwanda. Directed by T.C. Johnstone and executive produced and narrated by Forest Whitaker, the film opens in theaters tomorrow, August 2, in New York and Los Angeles. Inspired by cyclists he met on a 2005 bicycle tour of Rwanda, Tom Ritchey, one of the inventors of the mountain bike, sets out to create a team he hopes will qualify for the 2012 London Olympics. To help train them, he enlists the help of Boyer, his old racing rival and the first American ever to ride in the Tour de France. Through interviews and Whitaker's narration,...
- 8/1/2013
- by Jai Tiggett
- ShadowAndAct
Since familiar metaphors and tales of inspiration are typical building blocks of the sports story, it's a little mysterious that director T.C. Johnstone didn't invoke "breaking away" or some other cycling term in the title of his remarkable documentary about Team Rwanda. Perhaps it's because Rising from Ashes is not just about a cycling team; it's a testament to what happens when human beings care for one another. The young men, who hardly to dare to think about riding professionally, are the survivors of a brutal genocide that took away their families, their childhood, and their peace of mind, and left them with little pride in their country. Their coach, Jock Boyer, the first American to ride the Tour de France (in 1981), is an emotionally closed and reluctant leader who has d...
- 7/31/2013
- Village Voice
Napa Valley Film Festival (Nvff) Co-Founders and Directors Brenda and Marc Lhormer have announced the Jury and Audience Awards for the 2nd annual film festival. Showcasing the best of new independent cinema along with the Napa Valley’s finest food, wine and hospitality, the 2nd annual Nvff, from November 7 – 11, 2012, witnessed a significant increase in attendance over last year’s inaugural festival. Initial estimates range from a 33% to 50% increase; detailed final results will be shared as soon as they are available.
"Our esteemed Jurors and our audiences have recognized a diverse set of cinematic talent," remarked Nvff Executive and Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. "We are delighted with the response to this year's Program and look forward to hosting another batch of exceptional films and filmmakers next year."
Jury Awards for Narrative Features:
Best Narrative Feature ($10,000 Cash Prize presented by Meadowood Napa Valley; wine from Lail Vineyards)
Future Weather,written and directed by Jenny Deller
Special Jury Award for Cinematography (wine from Beaulieu (Bv) Vineyard)
Not Waving but Drowning, Cinematographer Nathan Levine-Haney
Special Jury Award for Acting (wine from Freemark Abbey)
Madeline Zima and Joel David Moore in Stuck, directed by Stuart Acher
Jury Awards for Documentary Films:
Best Documentary Feature (wine from Terlato Family Vineyards)
Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself, co-directed by Tom Bean and Luke Poling
Special Jury Award for Most Promising Documentary Filmmaker (wine from Hill Family Estate)
Matt Day, director ofShape of Things to Come,
Best Documentary Short Subject (wine from Alpha Omega)
The Last Ice Merchant (El Ultimo Hielero), directed by Sandy Patch
Jury Awards for Narrative Short Films:
Best Narrative Short (wine from Chappellet and Fortunati, respectively)
Co-winners: My Name Is Your First Love, written and directed by Rob Richert; The Pact, written and directed by Jason Pugatch
Special Jury Award for Social Impact (wine from Saintsbury)
Put It In a Book, directed by Rodrigo Garcia
Audience Awards:
Favorite Narrative Feature (wine from Behrens Family Winery)
Any Day Now, written and directed by Travis Fine
Favorite Documentary Feature (wine from Peju Province Winery)
Rising From Ashes, directed by T.C. Johnstone
Favorite Documentary Short Subject (wine from Chiarello Family Wines)
Necking, directed by Lindsay Lindenbaum
Favorite Narrative Short (wine from Allora Vineyards)
High Maintenance, written and directed by Shawn Wines
Favorite Lounge Feature (Narrative or Doc) (wine from Show from Trinchero Family)
Beware of Mr. Baker, directed by Jay Bulger
Mt. Veeder Peak Performance for Best Acting in a Narrative Feature ($1,000 Cash Prize and wine from Mt. Veeder Appellation)
Alan Cumming inAny Day Now, directed by Travis Fine; Cumming is donating his prize money to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts
The 2012 Napa Valley Film Festival Jury consisted of: Jury Co-President Leonard Maltin, respected film critic and historian – perhaps best known for his annual paperback reference “Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide” – currently teaching at USC School of Cinematic Arts; Jury Co-President Joe Carnahan, well-known writer/director of films such as The Grey, Smokin' Aces, andNarc; John Horn, Film Editor at the Los Angeles Times, where he has been on staff since 2002 and had previously been on staff at Newsweek and premier magazines; Sydney Levine, having thirty plus years in the film industry including being the first woman in international film distribution at 20th Century Fox; Lisa Schwartz, Executive Vice President of Distribution Operations and Business Development for Sundance Selects and IFC Films; Morrie Warshawski, who has worked in the nonprofit arts and culture sector for over thirty years and formerly served as the Executive Director of Bay Area Video Coalition in San Francisco; Paul Zaentz, a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who started his movie-making career on the Academy Award winning film Amadeus; Lissa Gibbs, the Executive Director of the Napa Valley College Foundation; T.J. Martin and Dan Lindsay, Co-Directors/Co-Editors/Co-Cinematographers of the Oscar-winning documentary, Undefeated, a selection of the 2011 Nvff; Sheila Benson, the Principal Film Critic for the Los Angeles Times from 1981–1991. Affiliated with the National Society of Film Critics and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Sheila has served on juries at film festivals including Berlin, Toronto, and Sundance. Melanie Lynskey, accomplished and versatile actress, originally from New Zealand whose credits include: Win-Win, Up in the Air, The Informant, Away We Go, Flags of Our Fathers, Sweet Home Alabama and her first award-winning role was in Heavenly Creatures with Kate Winslet; Pat Saperstein, Associate Editor of Variety, where she coordinates festival coverage and daily news. Pat has served on juries at several festivals and has been on numerous panels; and Raj Mathai, NBC Bay Area’s news anchor and personality hosted the Awards Ceremony on Closing Night and received a bottle of Mumm Non-Vintage Brut Prestige. Additionally, the Jury Co-Presidents were presented with 3L bottles of wine: Leonard Maltin was given a Duckhorn 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon and Joe Carnahan was given a Cornerstone Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.
On Friday, November 9, Access Hollywood's Billy Bush hosted the Celebrity Tribute Ceremony which was held at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. Nvff honored James Marsden with the “Trailblazer” Tribute; the actor and singer is known for his roles in 30 Rock, Enchanted, Hairspray, and Robot & Frank, whose upcoming films include Two Guns, opposite Denzel Washington, and playing John F. Kennedy in The Butler. James was also presented with a bottle of Grgich Hills 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Nvff’s “Spotlight On” Tribute went to the seductive Alan Cumming, who has created indelible roles in The Anniversary Party, Sweet Land, the hit series The Good Wife, and his powerful performance in Any Day Now (2012 Nvff selection). Alan received a bottle of Ehlers Estate 2008 One Twenty Over Eighty with his award. Nvff presented two “Rising Star” Tributes: Imogen Poots, a talented young British actress who costars in A Late Quartet (Nvff 2012), who received a bottle of Chandon Non-Vintage Brut Classic along with her award; and Adam Driver who has a charming performance in the Nvff 2012 feature, Not Waving But Drowning, whoalso received a bottle of Chandon Non-Vintage Brut Classic with his award. Driver is best known for his roles in HBO's Girls, Angels in America, You Don’t Know Jack and J. Edgar, the latter opening the 2011 Nvff. Host Billy Bush also received a bottle of Allora Vineyards 2008 “Lusso” Cabernet Sauvignon.
In addition to all of the awards given to actors and films, the Nvff highlighted an impressive array of local restaurants from the area, which were recognized throughout the five-day festival in its “Foodspotting Contest.” This year's Master Foodspotter was Elissa Gordon, with almost 25 sightings. The “Silence of the Lamb Barbacoa Taco” from La Condesa was voted this year's "Best Menu Item," and received the most votes for the name and concept. Alexis Baking Co. was awarded the "Crowd Favorite" as they had the most photos, three of each of their five items.
The 3rd annual Napa Valley Film Festival will take place November 6 – 10, 2013. A special holiday pre-sale, through Dec. 15, 2012, offers Festival Passes for $190 (regularly $250) and Pass Plusses for $425 (regularly $500). Both Passes offer five-day access to film, food and wine events. Additionally, 4-pack tickets will be offered, perfect for holiday gift-giving: Four Festival Passes for $680 ($170 each – normally $250 – for a 32% total savings); Four Pass Plusses for $1,560 ($390 each – normally $500 – for a 22% percent savings). To experience the Festival at its most luxurious, Patron Circle membership starts at $2,500 per person (tax-deductible); join the Circle or renew your membership by Dec. 15, 2012 and receive a complimentary Festival Pass for a friend or family member. For more information or to purchase tickets at the best rates to be offered all year, please visit napavalleyfilmfest.org by midnight, December 15, 2012.
About the Napa Valley Film Festival & Cinema Napa Valley:
The Napa Valley Film Festival is produced by Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. The festival's co-creators – and Cinema Napa Valley co-chairs – are Brenda and Marc Lhormer, producers and distributors of the feature film Bottle Shock about the historic upset victory by Napa Valley wines over the French at the1976 wine-tasting competition in Paris. Bottle Shock premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival before going on to international theatrical distribution. The husband-and-wife team also ran the successful Sonoma Valley Film Festival from 2001 through 2008. In addition to producing the annual film festival, Cinema Napa Valley presents special film programs throughout the year and provides support to student filmmaking programs in Napa Valley schools. To learn more, visit www.napavalleyfilmfest.org and follow www.facebook.com/NapaValleyFilmFestival.
"Our esteemed Jurors and our audiences have recognized a diverse set of cinematic talent," remarked Nvff Executive and Artistic Director Marc Lhormer. "We are delighted with the response to this year's Program and look forward to hosting another batch of exceptional films and filmmakers next year."
Jury Awards for Narrative Features:
Best Narrative Feature ($10,000 Cash Prize presented by Meadowood Napa Valley; wine from Lail Vineyards)
Future Weather,written and directed by Jenny Deller
Special Jury Award for Cinematography (wine from Beaulieu (Bv) Vineyard)
Not Waving but Drowning, Cinematographer Nathan Levine-Haney
Special Jury Award for Acting (wine from Freemark Abbey)
Madeline Zima and Joel David Moore in Stuck, directed by Stuart Acher
Jury Awards for Documentary Films:
Best Documentary Feature (wine from Terlato Family Vineyards)
Plimpton! Starring George Plimpton as Himself, co-directed by Tom Bean and Luke Poling
Special Jury Award for Most Promising Documentary Filmmaker (wine from Hill Family Estate)
Matt Day, director ofShape of Things to Come,
Best Documentary Short Subject (wine from Alpha Omega)
The Last Ice Merchant (El Ultimo Hielero), directed by Sandy Patch
Jury Awards for Narrative Short Films:
Best Narrative Short (wine from Chappellet and Fortunati, respectively)
Co-winners: My Name Is Your First Love, written and directed by Rob Richert; The Pact, written and directed by Jason Pugatch
Special Jury Award for Social Impact (wine from Saintsbury)
Put It In a Book, directed by Rodrigo Garcia
Audience Awards:
Favorite Narrative Feature (wine from Behrens Family Winery)
Any Day Now, written and directed by Travis Fine
Favorite Documentary Feature (wine from Peju Province Winery)
Rising From Ashes, directed by T.C. Johnstone
Favorite Documentary Short Subject (wine from Chiarello Family Wines)
Necking, directed by Lindsay Lindenbaum
Favorite Narrative Short (wine from Allora Vineyards)
High Maintenance, written and directed by Shawn Wines
Favorite Lounge Feature (Narrative or Doc) (wine from Show from Trinchero Family)
Beware of Mr. Baker, directed by Jay Bulger
Mt. Veeder Peak Performance for Best Acting in a Narrative Feature ($1,000 Cash Prize and wine from Mt. Veeder Appellation)
Alan Cumming inAny Day Now, directed by Travis Fine; Cumming is donating his prize money to benefit Hurricane Sandy relief efforts
The 2012 Napa Valley Film Festival Jury consisted of: Jury Co-President Leonard Maltin, respected film critic and historian – perhaps best known for his annual paperback reference “Leonard Maltin’s Movie Guide” – currently teaching at USC School of Cinematic Arts; Jury Co-President Joe Carnahan, well-known writer/director of films such as The Grey, Smokin' Aces, andNarc; John Horn, Film Editor at the Los Angeles Times, where he has been on staff since 2002 and had previously been on staff at Newsweek and premier magazines; Sydney Levine, having thirty plus years in the film industry including being the first woman in international film distribution at 20th Century Fox; Lisa Schwartz, Executive Vice President of Distribution Operations and Business Development for Sundance Selects and IFC Films; Morrie Warshawski, who has worked in the nonprofit arts and culture sector for over thirty years and formerly served as the Executive Director of Bay Area Video Coalition in San Francisco; Paul Zaentz, a graduate of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania who started his movie-making career on the Academy Award winning film Amadeus; Lissa Gibbs, the Executive Director of the Napa Valley College Foundation; T.J. Martin and Dan Lindsay, Co-Directors/Co-Editors/Co-Cinematographers of the Oscar-winning documentary, Undefeated, a selection of the 2011 Nvff; Sheila Benson, the Principal Film Critic for the Los Angeles Times from 1981–1991. Affiliated with the National Society of Film Critics and the Alliance of Women Film Journalists, Sheila has served on juries at film festivals including Berlin, Toronto, and Sundance. Melanie Lynskey, accomplished and versatile actress, originally from New Zealand whose credits include: Win-Win, Up in the Air, The Informant, Away We Go, Flags of Our Fathers, Sweet Home Alabama and her first award-winning role was in Heavenly Creatures with Kate Winslet; Pat Saperstein, Associate Editor of Variety, where she coordinates festival coverage and daily news. Pat has served on juries at several festivals and has been on numerous panels; and Raj Mathai, NBC Bay Area’s news anchor and personality hosted the Awards Ceremony on Closing Night and received a bottle of Mumm Non-Vintage Brut Prestige. Additionally, the Jury Co-Presidents were presented with 3L bottles of wine: Leonard Maltin was given a Duckhorn 2002 Cabernet Sauvignon and Joe Carnahan was given a Cornerstone Cellars 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon.
On Friday, November 9, Access Hollywood's Billy Bush hosted the Celebrity Tribute Ceremony which was held at the Lincoln Theater in Yountville. Nvff honored James Marsden with the “Trailblazer” Tribute; the actor and singer is known for his roles in 30 Rock, Enchanted, Hairspray, and Robot & Frank, whose upcoming films include Two Guns, opposite Denzel Washington, and playing John F. Kennedy in The Butler. James was also presented with a bottle of Grgich Hills 2005 Estate Cabernet Sauvignon. Nvff’s “Spotlight On” Tribute went to the seductive Alan Cumming, who has created indelible roles in The Anniversary Party, Sweet Land, the hit series The Good Wife, and his powerful performance in Any Day Now (2012 Nvff selection). Alan received a bottle of Ehlers Estate 2008 One Twenty Over Eighty with his award. Nvff presented two “Rising Star” Tributes: Imogen Poots, a talented young British actress who costars in A Late Quartet (Nvff 2012), who received a bottle of Chandon Non-Vintage Brut Classic along with her award; and Adam Driver who has a charming performance in the Nvff 2012 feature, Not Waving But Drowning, whoalso received a bottle of Chandon Non-Vintage Brut Classic with his award. Driver is best known for his roles in HBO's Girls, Angels in America, You Don’t Know Jack and J. Edgar, the latter opening the 2011 Nvff. Host Billy Bush also received a bottle of Allora Vineyards 2008 “Lusso” Cabernet Sauvignon.
In addition to all of the awards given to actors and films, the Nvff highlighted an impressive array of local restaurants from the area, which were recognized throughout the five-day festival in its “Foodspotting Contest.” This year's Master Foodspotter was Elissa Gordon, with almost 25 sightings. The “Silence of the Lamb Barbacoa Taco” from La Condesa was voted this year's "Best Menu Item," and received the most votes for the name and concept. Alexis Baking Co. was awarded the "Crowd Favorite" as they had the most photos, three of each of their five items.
The 3rd annual Napa Valley Film Festival will take place November 6 – 10, 2013. A special holiday pre-sale, through Dec. 15, 2012, offers Festival Passes for $190 (regularly $250) and Pass Plusses for $425 (regularly $500). Both Passes offer five-day access to film, food and wine events. Additionally, 4-pack tickets will be offered, perfect for holiday gift-giving: Four Festival Passes for $680 ($170 each – normally $250 – for a 32% total savings); Four Pass Plusses for $1,560 ($390 each – normally $500 – for a 22% percent savings). To experience the Festival at its most luxurious, Patron Circle membership starts at $2,500 per person (tax-deductible); join the Circle or renew your membership by Dec. 15, 2012 and receive a complimentary Festival Pass for a friend or family member. For more information or to purchase tickets at the best rates to be offered all year, please visit napavalleyfilmfest.org by midnight, December 15, 2012.
About the Napa Valley Film Festival & Cinema Napa Valley:
The Napa Valley Film Festival is produced by Cinema Napa Valley, a registered 501c3 non-profit organization headquartered in Napa, California. The festival's co-creators – and Cinema Napa Valley co-chairs – are Brenda and Marc Lhormer, producers and distributors of the feature film Bottle Shock about the historic upset victory by Napa Valley wines over the French at the1976 wine-tasting competition in Paris. Bottle Shock premiered at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival before going on to international theatrical distribution. The husband-and-wife team also ran the successful Sonoma Valley Film Festival from 2001 through 2008. In addition to producing the annual film festival, Cinema Napa Valley presents special film programs throughout the year and provides support to student filmmaking programs in Napa Valley schools. To learn more, visit www.napavalleyfilmfest.org and follow www.facebook.com/NapaValleyFilmFestival.
- 12/14/2012
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
One more feather in the awards cap for David O. Russell's "Silver Linings Playbook": The Austin Film Festival, which ran October 18-25, announces the film as winner of its Marquee Feature Audience Award. A full list of the festival's award winners is below. Marquee Feature Audience Award: Silver Linings Playbook Writer/Director: David O. Russell Narrative Feature Audience Award: Junk Writers: Kevin Hamedani, Ramon Isao Director: Kevin Hamedani Documentary Feature Audience Award: (Tie) Spinning Plates Writer/Director: Joseph Levy Rising From Ashes Director: T.C. Johnstone Comedy Vanguard Audience Award: The Muslims Are Coming! Directors: Negin Farsad, Dean Obeidallah Dark Matters Audience Award: Saturday Morning Massacre Writers: Jory Balsimo, Aaron Leggett, Jason Wehling Director: Spencer Parsons Narrative Short Audience Award: Asad Writer/Director: Bryan Buckley ...
- 10/30/2012
- by Beth Hanna
- Thompson on Hollywood
Local director T. C. Johnstone's latest documentary shows the formation of Team Rwanda, a group of cyclists trained and coached by former professional cyclist Jock Boyer. Narrated by Forest Whitaker, Rising From Ashes checks in with Boyer and members of the first team in that hilly country over a period of about seven years.
Johnstone's film will screen Thursday 10/18 and Wednesday 10/24 as part of Austin Film Festival. I was able to view the film before it screens at Aff, and Johnstone answered some of the questions I had after my viewing.
Slackerwood: How did you know this team was starting up in Rwanda (or that there was interest in starting up a cycling team there?)
Johnstone: In 2005, I traveled to Rwanda with my friends Dan Cooper and Tom Ritchey. Tom was one of the inventors of the mountain bike and he wanted to ride in Africa. I brought my camera...
Johnstone's film will screen Thursday 10/18 and Wednesday 10/24 as part of Austin Film Festival. I was able to view the film before it screens at Aff, and Johnstone answered some of the questions I had after my viewing.
Slackerwood: How did you know this team was starting up in Rwanda (or that there was interest in starting up a cycling team there?)
Johnstone: In 2005, I traveled to Rwanda with my friends Dan Cooper and Tom Ritchey. Tom was one of the inventors of the mountain bike and he wanted to ride in Africa. I brought my camera...
- 10/16/2012
- by Elizabeth Stoddard
- Slackerwood
Narrated and executive produced by Forest Whitaker, Rising from Ashes is a feature length documentary from director/producer T.C. Johnstone's. 6 years in the making, the film's synopsis reads as follows: Two worlds colliding when cycling legend Jock Boyer moves to Rwanda to help a group of struggling genocide survivors pursue their dream of a national team. As they set out against impossible odds both Jock and the team find new purpose as they rise from the ashes of their past. Rising From Ashes was produced by two non-profit organizations, Gratis 7 Media Group and Project Rwanda. The film was funded entirely by generous donors, to the fune of...
- 10/15/2012
- by Tambay A. Obenson
- ShadowAndAct
The Impossible Triumph of Team Rwanda. Today's indie trailer is for a documentary called Rising From Ashes, about the National Cycling Team from Rwanda, Africa that went on to compete in the London 2012 Olympics. The story is that cycling legend Jock Boyer moved to Rwanda in 2005 and helped cultivate an amazingly talented team of athletes from the "ashes of their past" and the horrible genocide of the 1990s. Forest Whitaker is an executive producer and the narrator. I hadn't heard much about this before, but after watching the trailer I knew I needed to show it, this looks outstanding. A film about hope and triumph. Watch the trailer for T.C. Johnstone's documentary Rising From Ashes, in high def from Vimeo: T.C. Johnstone's Rising from Ashes is a feature length documentary about two worlds colliding when cycling legend Jacques "Jock" Boyer moves to Rwanda, Africa to help a group...
- 10/14/2012
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
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