The Los Angeles-based New Age band White Sun released their third studio album, the double-lp White Sun III, on September 29th. The 90-minute project follows two previous albums, their 2015 self-titled debut, which reached Number One on the iTunes World Music chart, and 20176’s White Sun II, which topped Billboard’s New Age chart and secured Best New Age Album at the 2017 Grammy Awards.
White Sun is a trio of singer-songwriter Gurujas Khalsa, producer-instrumentalist Adam Berry and percussionist Harijiwan Khalsa, who also founded the group. The former spoke to Hindustan Times...
White Sun is a trio of singer-songwriter Gurujas Khalsa, producer-instrumentalist Adam Berry and percussionist Harijiwan Khalsa, who also founded the group. The former spoke to Hindustan Times...
- 10/11/2018
- by Rolling Stone
- Rollingstone.com
With 92 countries in the running and not a clear frontrunner, this year’s Best Foreign Language Film Oscar race is wide open for surprises, snubs, and possibly a country without previous wins taking the prize. The 9-film shortlist is expected to be announced this week and there are plenty of strong candidates, which means a few of the bigger titles may get shut out — as is the case every year.
Based on my recollections from screenings, conversations, and precursor awards nominations, I’ve put together a list of 20 films that, in my opinion, appear to be the ones most likely to make it to the next phase of the competition. I’ve listed some reasons for these picks, but like with all awards, nothing is certain. I’ve also included five more films that have the merits to sneak in, but that are long shots at this point.
Top 20 Contenders
Argentina
Zama (Dir.
Based on my recollections from screenings, conversations, and precursor awards nominations, I’ve put together a list of 20 films that, in my opinion, appear to be the ones most likely to make it to the next phase of the competition. I’ve listed some reasons for these picks, but like with all awards, nothing is certain. I’ve also included five more films that have the merits to sneak in, but that are long shots at this point.
Top 20 Contenders
Argentina
Zama (Dir.
- 12/11/2017
- by Carlos Aguilar
- Sydney's Buzz
My Top Ten Oscar® Submissions for Best Foreign Language Film includes Darkest Horse: from Slovakia, ‘The Line’You know how, when you finally see a movie you really love, all things seem possible? How a great movie transports you to a new reality? Without that experience, normal life seems drab and dreary unless you use other means of transcendance, like hope, art, music, dancing, religion or drugs.
Have I yet raved about any of the 25 foreign language submissions?
Yes, but it was a long time ago when it won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, that I was so enamoured Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi’s Of Body and Soul (as I was with her previous film, the 1989 Cannes Film Festival Camera d’or winner, My Twentieth Century, which was seen by about a .02% of the population). But that was way back in February.
I would put my body...
Have I yet raved about any of the 25 foreign language submissions?
Yes, but it was a long time ago when it won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival, that I was so enamoured Hungarian director Ildikó Enyedi’s Of Body and Soul (as I was with her previous film, the 1989 Cannes Film Festival Camera d’or winner, My Twentieth Century, which was seen by about a .02% of the population). But that was way back in February.
I would put my body...
- 12/10/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Berlinale Talents
Fest Chief, Dieter Kosslick at Dine & Shine Dinner, copyright Peter Himsel, Berlinale 2017Pity for all you upcoming filmmakers who might be eligible to further your careers through the Berlinale Talents because now the 2018 application period is closed, but come next July 2018, you should plan to apply!Talents, copyright Peter Himsel, Berlinale 2017
Berlinale Talents is aimed at film and television professionals in the first 10 years of their careers. To find out if you are eligible to apply for Berlinale Talents or one of their project labs: Doc Station, Talent Project Market, Script Station and Short Film Station; and to get a quick overview of the application process, check out the information Here.
One in five contenders for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is a Berlinale Talents alum. An impressive 17 films by Berlinale Talents alumni have been nominated as their countries’ contenders for the 2018 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
Fest Chief, Dieter Kosslick at Dine & Shine Dinner, copyright Peter Himsel, Berlinale 2017Pity for all you upcoming filmmakers who might be eligible to further your careers through the Berlinale Talents because now the 2018 application period is closed, but come next July 2018, you should plan to apply!Talents, copyright Peter Himsel, Berlinale 2017
Berlinale Talents is aimed at film and television professionals in the first 10 years of their careers. To find out if you are eligible to apply for Berlinale Talents or one of their project labs: Doc Station, Talent Project Market, Script Station and Short Film Station; and to get a quick overview of the application process, check out the information Here.
One in five contenders for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film is a Berlinale Talents alum. An impressive 17 films by Berlinale Talents alumni have been nominated as their countries’ contenders for the 2018 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.
- 11/17/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
21 Best Foreign Language Film submissions and 16 Golden Globe submissions make this festival an important event in Los Angeles.
Now in its third year, The Asian World Film Festival is held at the Arclight in Culver City. While still dealing with growing pains, especially finding its audience, it still hosts a great community of film lovers and filmmakers. My wish is that next year it will reach farther to the Asian filmmaking community in L.A. and to the ethnic communities of L.A. who would love to see the works of their homeland filmmakers which are making their way toward Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Films.
Awff Jury President Lisa Lu
The winner this year of multiple prizes was the South Korean submission A Taxi Driver. This funny and very serious film is so important today, and with the best publicist for the Academy Awards, Pogodin & Associattes, it...
Now in its third year, The Asian World Film Festival is held at the Arclight in Culver City. While still dealing with growing pains, especially finding its audience, it still hosts a great community of film lovers and filmmakers. My wish is that next year it will reach farther to the Asian filmmaking community in L.A. and to the ethnic communities of L.A. who would love to see the works of their homeland filmmakers which are making their way toward Academy Award nominations for Best Foreign Language Films.
Awff Jury President Lisa Lu
The winner this year of multiple prizes was the South Korean submission A Taxi Driver. This funny and very serious film is so important today, and with the best publicist for the Academy Awards, Pogodin & Associattes, it...
- 11/12/2017
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
White Sun tells the story of Chandra, who, after being away for a decade, returns to his remote mountain village to bury his father. But Chandra is more than a prodigal son. He's a Maoist, a former guerrilla who fought against the Nepali government during the country's long and bloody civil war. As Chandra struggles to transport his father's body for burial according to traditional customs, he finds that despite thousands of lives lost in the name of revolution and progress, the old societal and familial divisions remain.
Nepal's civil war began...
Nepal's civil war began...
- 11/9/2017
- by Shannon L. Bowen
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The final deadline for submitting each country’s film for consideration for the foreign-language Oscar was October 2. Last year 85 were finally deemed eligible by the Academy; this year the number is a record 92. Haiti, Honduras, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mozambique, Senegal and Syria are first-time entrants. These films are vying for the initial shortlist of 9, and final five nominations to be announced on January 23. See the final list below.
Read More:Oscar Announces Changes for Foreign-Film Voting: Now Simpler! (Sort Of.)
The frontrunners include Sweden selected Ruben Östlund’s hilarious Palme d’Or-winner “The Square” (October 27, Magnolia Pictures), an art-world satire shot in majority Swedish with some English from stars Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, and Dominic West, thus giving Östlund another shot after “Force Majeure” was a surprise 2015 Oscar omission.
Germany’s choice, Fatih Akin’s “In the Fade” (December 27, Magnolia Pictures), won Best Actress for Diane Kruger at Cannes.
Read More:Oscar Announces Changes for Foreign-Film Voting: Now Simpler! (Sort Of.)
The frontrunners include Sweden selected Ruben Östlund’s hilarious Palme d’Or-winner “The Square” (October 27, Magnolia Pictures), an art-world satire shot in majority Swedish with some English from stars Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, and Dominic West, thus giving Östlund another shot after “Force Majeure” was a surprise 2015 Oscar omission.
Germany’s choice, Fatih Akin’s “In the Fade” (December 27, Magnolia Pictures), won Best Actress for Diane Kruger at Cannes.
- 10/5/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The final deadline for submitting each country’s film for consideration for the foreign-language Oscar was October 2. Last year 85 were finally deemed eligible by the Academy; this year the number is a record 92. Haiti, Honduras, Lao People’s Democratic Republic, Mozambique, Senegal and Syria are first-time entrants. These films are vying for the initial shortlist of 9, and final five nominations to be announced on January 23. See the final list below.
Read More:Oscar Announces Changes for Foreign-Film Voting: Now Simpler! (Sort Of.)
The frontrunners include Sweden selected Ruben Östlund’s hilarious Palme d’Or-winner “The Square” (October 27, Magnolia Pictures), an art-world satire shot in majority Swedish with some English from stars Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, and Dominic West, thus giving Östlund another shot after “Force Majeure” was a surprise 2015 Oscar omission.
Germany’s choice, Fatih Akin’s “In the Fade” (December 27, Magnolia Pictures), won Best Actress for Diane Kruger at Cannes.
Read More:Oscar Announces Changes for Foreign-Film Voting: Now Simpler! (Sort Of.)
The frontrunners include Sweden selected Ruben Östlund’s hilarious Palme d’Or-winner “The Square” (October 27, Magnolia Pictures), an art-world satire shot in majority Swedish with some English from stars Claes Bang, Elisabeth Moss, and Dominic West, thus giving Östlund another shot after “Force Majeure” was a surprise 2015 Oscar omission.
Germany’s choice, Fatih Akin’s “In the Fade” (December 27, Magnolia Pictures), won Best Actress for Diane Kruger at Cannes.
- 10/5/2017
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
All the foreign submission charts have been updated to reflect the speedy announcements of new titles. We're now up to 33 I believe. Somehow I neglected to include Ireland on the submission charts. They've selected an "audacious" biopic about the singer Joe Heany called Song of Granite. The film uses both documentary footage and narrative sequences. It's in black and white and looks gorgeous in still photos
Submissions we've reviewed thus far here at Tfe...
Austria's Happy End Belgium's The Racer and the Jailbird Estonia's November Hungary's On Body and Soul
Submissions we've seen but haven't yet reviewed...
Finland's Tom of Finland
Submissions we'll be seeing soon...
Germany's In the Fade Norway's Thelma Sweden's The Square
The rest of the list (thus far - it will more than double, surely). We'll look out for opportunities to see them...
Azerbaijan's Pomegranate Orchard Bosnia & Herzegovina's Men Don't Cry Croatia's Quit Staring at My...
Submissions we've reviewed thus far here at Tfe...
Austria's Happy End Belgium's The Racer and the Jailbird Estonia's November Hungary's On Body and Soul
Submissions we've seen but haven't yet reviewed...
Finland's Tom of Finland
Submissions we'll be seeing soon...
Germany's In the Fade Norway's Thelma Sweden's The Square
The rest of the list (thus far - it will more than double, surely). We'll look out for opportunities to see them...
Azerbaijan's Pomegranate Orchard Bosnia & Herzegovina's Men Don't Cry Croatia's Quit Staring at My...
- 9/9/2017
- by NATHANIEL R
- FilmExperience
David Barker is a hard one to put a finger on. He is an American writer and editor who over the past 10 years has gained an international reputation for his analytical ability and open, unconventional approach. Recent collaborations include Deepak Rauniyar’s sensitive exploration of the impact of Nepalese civil war White Sun (opening today at New York’s Moma and running through September 12) and Josephine Decker’s upcoming feature with Molly Parker, Mirandy July and Helena Howard, Madeline Madeline. Things happen with David differently than you’d expect them to. You walk an entirely other route than you wanted and end […]...
- 9/6/2017
- by Micah Magee
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Nepal has selected Deepak Rauniyar's social drama Seto Surya (White Sun) as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 90th Academy Awards. Exec produced by Danny Glover (via his Louverture banner), the film is set after the Nepalese civil war, a conflict that raged from 1996-2006, and centers on a former Maoist rebel who struggles to reintegrate with his community and family. The picture world premiered in the Venice Horizons section last year and went…...
- 8/21/2017
- Deadline
White Sun (Seto Surya) has been selected as Nepal’s entry for the 90th Academy Awards in the best foreign-language film race.
The second feature from writer-director Deepak Rauniyar revolves around a family divided by bloody war who must come together to put their father to rest. The film is set against the backdrop of the Himalayas and the violent history of Nepal, during which a war between royalists and Maoists cost 16,000 lives between 1996 and 2006.
The film kicks off with the sudden death of Chitra (Prakash Ghimire), the former mayor of a...
The second feature from writer-director Deepak Rauniyar revolves around a family divided by bloody war who must come together to put their father to rest. The film is set against the backdrop of the Himalayas and the violent history of Nepal, during which a war between royalists and Maoists cost 16,000 lives between 1996 and 2006.
The film kicks off with the sudden death of Chitra (Prakash Ghimire), the former mayor of a...
- 8/21/2017
- by Nyay Bhushan
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
London is getting ready to host one of the best Indian film festivals in the world. London Indian Film Festival goes beyond Bollywood and focuses the lens on indie films from all over India and more. Taking place at 11 cinemas across London including BFI Southbank from 22-29 June, this year boasts an exciting selection of fabulous cutting-edge films and proves once again why it is the considered the ‘punk-rock of Indian cinema’.
Cary Rajinder Sawhney, Liff Director, says: “We are delighted to bring London audiences a carefully curated selection of the very best new Indian and South Asian independent cinema; all films are English subtitled, offering a rare window into over a billion South Asian lives. This year’s selection includes premieres of new comedies, gripping thrillers, shocking horror and insightful true life documentaries as well as bringing together UK previews of major award-winning films from the world’s greatest film festivals.
Cary Rajinder Sawhney, Liff Director, says: “We are delighted to bring London audiences a carefully curated selection of the very best new Indian and South Asian independent cinema; all films are English subtitled, offering a rare window into over a billion South Asian lives. This year’s selection includes premieres of new comedies, gripping thrillers, shocking horror and insightful true life documentaries as well as bringing together UK previews of major award-winning films from the world’s greatest film festivals.
- 6/12/2017
- by Stacey Yount
- Bollyspice
One of the best festivals during the first half of the year is The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center’s New Directors/New Films, which kicks off its 46th year this March, running from the 15th to the 26th. With last year’s line-up including some of the year’s best films, including Cameraperson, The Fits, Kaili Blues, Neon Bull, Weiner, and more, we can expect many more discoveries this year.
Opening with Patti Cake$ and closing with Person to Person, in between will be one of our favorite films from Sundance as the centerpiece, Beach Rats. Also among the line-up is a handful of other festival favorites, including The Dreamed Path, The Giant, Menashe, and Lady Macbeth.
“Authenticity is an elusive thing these days, and without it we risk ruin. This is particularly true in cinema,” says Rajendra Roy, the Celeste Bartos Chief...
Opening with Patti Cake$ and closing with Person to Person, in between will be one of our favorite films from Sundance as the centerpiece, Beach Rats. Also among the line-up is a handful of other festival favorites, including The Dreamed Path, The Giant, Menashe, and Lady Macbeth.
“Authenticity is an elusive thing these days, and without it we risk ruin. This is particularly true in cinema,” says Rajendra Roy, the Celeste Bartos Chief...
- 2/15/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center has today announces their complete lineup for the 46th annual New Directors/New Films (Nd/Nf), running March 15 – 26. Dedicated to the discovery of new works by emerging and dynamic filmmaking talent, this year’s festival will screen 29 features and nine short films. This year’s lineup boasts nine North American premieres, seven U.S. premieres, and two world premieres, with features and shorts from 32 countries across five continents.
The opening, centerpiece, and closing night selections showcase three exciting new voices in American independent cinema that all recently debuted at Sundance: Geremy Jasper’s “Patti Cake$” is the opening night pick, while Eliza Hittman’s “Beach Rats” is the centerpiece selection and Dustin Guy Defa will close the festival with “Person to Person.” Other standouts include “Menashe,” “My Happy Family,” “Quest” and “The Wound.”
Read More: The Sundance Rebel:...
The opening, centerpiece, and closing night selections showcase three exciting new voices in American independent cinema that all recently debuted at Sundance: Geremy Jasper’s “Patti Cake$” is the opening night pick, while Eliza Hittman’s “Beach Rats” is the centerpiece selection and Dustin Guy Defa will close the festival with “Person to Person.” Other standouts include “Menashe,” “My Happy Family,” “Quest” and “The Wound.”
Read More: The Sundance Rebel:...
- 2/15/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The Palm Springs International Film Festival (Psiff) has announced the winners of its 28th edition, with “Toni Erdmann,” Isabelle Huppert and and “Neruda” among the honorees. Held between January 2 – 16, the fest boasts a lineup of 190 films from 72 countries — including a great many Oscar submissions that aren’t widely screened elsewhere, like Cristi Puiu’s “Sieranevada.”
Read More: Foreign Language Film Directors Discuss Common Ground, Rivalries at Palm Springs Contenders Panel
Best of the Fest screenings will take place today. Full list of winners below:
Read More: Isabelle Huppert Wins the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama
Mercedes-Benz Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
“When We Rise” (U.S.), directed by Gus Van Sant
Mercedes-Benz Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature
“Take Me Home Huey” (U.S.), directed by Alicia Brauns and Christine Steele
Fipresci Prize for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
“Toni Erdmann” (Germany), directed by...
Read More: Foreign Language Film Directors Discuss Common Ground, Rivalries at Palm Springs Contenders Panel
Best of the Fest screenings will take place today. Full list of winners below:
Read More: Isabelle Huppert Wins the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama
Mercedes-Benz Audience Award for Best Narrative Feature
“When We Rise” (U.S.), directed by Gus Van Sant
Mercedes-Benz Audience Award for Best Documentary Feature
“Take Me Home Huey” (U.S.), directed by Alicia Brauns and Christine Steele
Fipresci Prize for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year
“Toni Erdmann” (Germany), directed by...
- 1/15/2017
- by Michael Nordine
- Indiewire
Actors Isabelle Huppert and Gael Garcia Bernal and the films “Toni Erdmann,” “White Sun,” “No Dress Code Required,” “Neruda” and “Mercenary” have won the jury prizes at the 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, Psiff organizers announced at a luncheon on Saturday. Three of the awards were handed out by a jury consisting of members of Fipresci, the international organization of film critics. They viewed the 43 entries in the Oscar foreign-language race that screened in Palm Springs (out of a total field of 85). The top prize went to Maren Ade’s dark comedy “Toni Erdmann,” a frontrunner in the.
- 1/14/2017
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
Maren Ade’s German Oscar submission took one of the top prizes at the 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Neruda won the festival’s Cine Latino Award for the best Ibero-American film, while Isabelle Huppert was named best actress for Elle and Gael García Bernal took corresponding honours for Neruda.
White Sun earned the New Voices/New Visions Award for the best first or second film and No Dress Code Required won the John Schlesinger Award for best first or second feature documentary.
The Mercedes-Benz Audience Awards on Sunday night went to Gus Van Sant’s When We Rise for best narrative feature and Take Me Home Huey by Alicia Brauns and Christine Steele for best documentary.
The festival runs from January 2-16.
Fipresci Prize
Toni Erdmann (Germany)
Fipresci Prize for Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film:
Isabelle Huppert, Elle (France)
Fipresci Prize for the Best Actor in a Foreign Language Film
Gael García Bernal, [link...
Neruda won the festival’s Cine Latino Award for the best Ibero-American film, while Isabelle Huppert was named best actress for Elle and Gael García Bernal took corresponding honours for Neruda.
White Sun earned the New Voices/New Visions Award for the best first or second film and No Dress Code Required won the John Schlesinger Award for best first or second feature documentary.
The Mercedes-Benz Audience Awards on Sunday night went to Gus Van Sant’s When We Rise for best narrative feature and Take Me Home Huey by Alicia Brauns and Christine Steele for best documentary.
The festival runs from January 2-16.
Fipresci Prize
Toni Erdmann (Germany)
Fipresci Prize for Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film:
Isabelle Huppert, Elle (France)
Fipresci Prize for the Best Actor in a Foreign Language Film
Gael García Bernal, [link...
- 1/14/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Maren Ade’s German Oscar submission took one of the top prizes at the 28th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival.
Neruda won the festival’s Cine Latino Award for the best Ibero-American film, while Isabelle Huppert was named best actress for Elle and Gael García Bernal took corresponding honours for Neruda.
White Sun earned the New Voices/New Visions Award for the best first or second film and No Dress Code Required won the John Schlesinger Award for best first or second feature documentary.
The Mercedes-Benz Audience Awards on Sunday night went to Gus Van Sant’s When We Rise for best narrative feature and Take Me Home Huey by Alicia Brauns and Christine Steele for best documentary.
The festival runs from January 2-16.
Fipresci Prize
Toni Erdmann (Germany)
Fipresci Prize for Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film:
Isabelle Huppert, Elle (France)
Fipresci Prize for the Best Actor in a Foreign Language Film
Gael García Bernal, [link...
Neruda won the festival’s Cine Latino Award for the best Ibero-American film, while Isabelle Huppert was named best actress for Elle and Gael García Bernal took corresponding honours for Neruda.
White Sun earned the New Voices/New Visions Award for the best first or second film and No Dress Code Required won the John Schlesinger Award for best first or second feature documentary.
The Mercedes-Benz Audience Awards on Sunday night went to Gus Van Sant’s When We Rise for best narrative feature and Take Me Home Huey by Alicia Brauns and Christine Steele for best documentary.
The festival runs from January 2-16.
Fipresci Prize
Toni Erdmann (Germany)
Fipresci Prize for Best Actress in a Foreign Language Film:
Isabelle Huppert, Elle (France)
Fipresci Prize for the Best Actor in a Foreign Language Film
Gael García Bernal, [link...
- 1/14/2017
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
A total of 26 film projects will participate in this year’s co-production market in Rotterdam.Scroll down for full line-up
The line-up for the 2017 edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) co-production market CineMart has been revealed.
The 34th edition of the co-pro event features 26 projects and will run Jan 29 – Feb 1 as part of the Iffr Pro Days industry strand of the wider festival (Jan 25 – Feb 5).
Film-makers presenting projects at this year’s edition include Brazilian director Gabriel Mascaro, whose 2015 feature Neon Bull [pictured] won prizes in Venice and Toronto. His next project is titled Centre Of The Earth.
Also participating in the event will be UK director Ben Rivers, whose credits include The Sky Trembles And The Earth Is Afraid And The Two Eyes Are Not Brothers. His latest project, After London, is being produced by Ben Wheatley’s Rook Films. Rivers previously won Rotterdam’s Tiger Award for his 2014 short film Things.
Nepalese director...
The line-up for the 2017 edition of the International Film Festival Rotterdam (Iffr) co-production market CineMart has been revealed.
The 34th edition of the co-pro event features 26 projects and will run Jan 29 – Feb 1 as part of the Iffr Pro Days industry strand of the wider festival (Jan 25 – Feb 5).
Film-makers presenting projects at this year’s edition include Brazilian director Gabriel Mascaro, whose 2015 feature Neon Bull [pictured] won prizes in Venice and Toronto. His next project is titled Centre Of The Earth.
Also participating in the event will be UK director Ben Rivers, whose credits include The Sky Trembles And The Earth Is Afraid And The Two Eyes Are Not Brothers. His latest project, After London, is being produced by Ben Wheatley’s Rook Films. Rivers previously won Rotterdam’s Tiger Award for his 2014 short film Things.
Nepalese director...
- 12/13/2016
- by tom.grater@screendaily.com (Tom Grater)
- ScreenDaily
The 27th Singapore International Film Festival (Sgiff) came to a close on December 4, 2016. This year, the Sgiff celebrated the country’s rich history and culture through a 12-day festival showcasing 160 film entries from 52 countries. Sgiff had not only a very impressive lineup of film, but their attendance rates were just as impressive as well.
The total attendance rate for their masterclass series went up by over 50% and 11 of the films had sold out seating. These festival attendees were able to immerse themselves in the world of film and cinema by not only watching strong works of film, but by having an opportunity to hear from some of the most influential members of the world of cinema.
These film influencers include: Taiwanese actor Kai Ko, USA director Darren Aronofsky, veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam, Vietnamese-born French filmmaker Tran Anh Hung, and Hong Kong filmmaker Fruit Chan.
Still from “Absent Without Leave...
The total attendance rate for their masterclass series went up by over 50% and 11 of the films had sold out seating. These festival attendees were able to immerse themselves in the world of film and cinema by not only watching strong works of film, but by having an opportunity to hear from some of the most influential members of the world of cinema.
These film influencers include: Taiwanese actor Kai Ko, USA director Darren Aronofsky, veteran Hong Kong actor Simon Yam, Vietnamese-born French filmmaker Tran Anh Hung, and Hong Kong filmmaker Fruit Chan.
Still from “Absent Without Leave...
- 12/4/2016
- by Lydia Spanier
- AsianMoviePulse
The Singapore International Film Festival (Sgiff) is wrapping up its exciting 27th year and recently announced the winners of its Silver Screen Awards.
Asian Feature Film Competition
Bagging the Best Film award in the feature category is Nepalese drama “White Sun” (Seto Surya). Directed by Deepak Rauniyar, “White Sun” is an exceptional portrait of post-civil war Nepal. It is an inspiring film that champions a better and more peaceful future for children.
Wicaksono Wisnu Legowo’s debut picture “Turah” was given Special Mention by the jury. Set in a small village struggling to survive, this Indonesian film is a poignant exploration of corruption and hypocrisy in society.
Bangladeshi feature “Live from Dhaka” scored the Best Director award for Abdullah Mohammad Saad and Best Performance for Mostafa Monwar. Saad’s debut follows a partially handicapped man who wrestles between morality and self-preservation.
Southeast Asian Short Film Competition
Wregas Bhanuteja’s “In...
Asian Feature Film Competition
Bagging the Best Film award in the feature category is Nepalese drama “White Sun” (Seto Surya). Directed by Deepak Rauniyar, “White Sun” is an exceptional portrait of post-civil war Nepal. It is an inspiring film that champions a better and more peaceful future for children.
Wicaksono Wisnu Legowo’s debut picture “Turah” was given Special Mention by the jury. Set in a small village struggling to survive, this Indonesian film is a poignant exploration of corruption and hypocrisy in society.
Bangladeshi feature “Live from Dhaka” scored the Best Director award for Abdullah Mohammad Saad and Best Performance for Mostafa Monwar. Saad’s debut follows a partially handicapped man who wrestles between morality and self-preservation.
Southeast Asian Short Film Competition
Wregas Bhanuteja’s “In...
- 12/4/2016
- by Ella Palileo
- AsianMoviePulse
White Sun wins key award at the 27th Singapore International Film Festival.
White Sun won best film in the Silver Screen Awards at the 27th Singapore International Film Festival.
The second feature of Nepalese director Deepak Rauniyar is about a Maoist who returns home to bury his father.
The jury found it “an exceptional and incisive film about civil war and memory that encapsulates the never-ending conflict that is the state of the world today, with a message of hope that a different future for all of us can be possible through our children”.
Abdullah Mohammad Saad was named best director for his debut feature Live From Dhaka, which also took best performance for actor Mostafa Monwar. Shot in grainy black and white, it tells the story of a partially handicapped man who lives his days in anguish as he tries to find a way to leave Dhaka.
A special mention went to Turah, the debut feature...
White Sun won best film in the Silver Screen Awards at the 27th Singapore International Film Festival.
The second feature of Nepalese director Deepak Rauniyar is about a Maoist who returns home to bury his father.
The jury found it “an exceptional and incisive film about civil war and memory that encapsulates the never-ending conflict that is the state of the world today, with a message of hope that a different future for all of us can be possible through our children”.
Abdullah Mohammad Saad was named best director for his debut feature Live From Dhaka, which also took best performance for actor Mostafa Monwar. Shot in grainy black and white, it tells the story of a partially handicapped man who lives his days in anguish as he tries to find a way to leave Dhaka.
A special mention went to Turah, the debut feature...
- 12/4/2016
- by screenasia@yahoo.com (Silvia Wong)
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive/Film Bazaar: Nepal’s Abinash Bikram Shah makes feature directorial debut with the project, which is selected for Film Bazaar’s Co-Production Market.
Catherine Dussart Productions (Cdp) from France and Michael Henrichs’ Die Gesellschaft Dgs from Germany have boarded Nepalese writer and director Abinash Bikram Shah’s Season of Dragonflies (Jhyalincha).
The film, selected for the Co-Production Market here, is about feisty fortysomething breast cancer survivor who has a tough decision to make after a devastating earthquake in Nepal.
Nepal’s Icefall Productions and Shooney Films are also producing. Icefall producer Ram Krishna Pokharel is also attending Film Bazaar alongside Henrichs.
Speaking to Screen at Film Bazaar, Henrichs said, “The story resonated with me and I felt he was referring to something which had great value to him. It’s a genuinely Nepali story on one hand and the emotionality of communication and overcoming crisis is a very universal theme. The advantage...
Catherine Dussart Productions (Cdp) from France and Michael Henrichs’ Die Gesellschaft Dgs from Germany have boarded Nepalese writer and director Abinash Bikram Shah’s Season of Dragonflies (Jhyalincha).
The film, selected for the Co-Production Market here, is about feisty fortysomething breast cancer survivor who has a tough decision to make after a devastating earthquake in Nepal.
Nepal’s Icefall Productions and Shooney Films are also producing. Icefall producer Ram Krishna Pokharel is also attending Film Bazaar alongside Henrichs.
Speaking to Screen at Film Bazaar, Henrichs said, “The story resonated with me and I felt he was referring to something which had great value to him. It’s a genuinely Nepali story on one hand and the emotionality of communication and overcoming crisis is a very universal theme. The advantage...
- 11/21/2016
- by uditaj@gmail.com (Udita Jhunjhunwala)
- ScreenDaily
Upcoming 27th edition to open with Asian premiere of Dain Iskandar Said’s Interchange on November 23.
The 27th Singapore International Film Festival (Sgiff) has unveiled its full line-up, comprising 161 titles from 52 countries across 13 sections.
The selection includes 16 world premieres, nine international premieres and 18 Asian premieres.
Among them are new features by masters such as Garin Nugroho, Lav Diaz, Tran Anh Hung, Naomi Kawase, Fruit Chan, Anurag Kashyap, Reha Erdem, Trinh Minh-ha, Kirill Serebrennikov, Kelly Reichardt and Ken Loach, many of whose earlier works were previously screened at the festival, according to programme director Zhang Wenjie.
In addition to the masters, Wenjie adds that a number of new filmmakers from Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Mongolia, Japan, Nepal, Turkey, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, France, Latin America, Taiwan, Singapore and the Us are featured across various sections.
10 Asian films are vying for the Silver Screen Awards, including the world premieres of Abdulla Mohammed Saad’s Live From Dhaka and Wicaksono Wisnu Legowo...
The 27th Singapore International Film Festival (Sgiff) has unveiled its full line-up, comprising 161 titles from 52 countries across 13 sections.
The selection includes 16 world premieres, nine international premieres and 18 Asian premieres.
Among them are new features by masters such as Garin Nugroho, Lav Diaz, Tran Anh Hung, Naomi Kawase, Fruit Chan, Anurag Kashyap, Reha Erdem, Trinh Minh-ha, Kirill Serebrennikov, Kelly Reichardt and Ken Loach, many of whose earlier works were previously screened at the festival, according to programme director Zhang Wenjie.
In addition to the masters, Wenjie adds that a number of new filmmakers from Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Philippines, Mongolia, Japan, Nepal, Turkey, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, France, Latin America, Taiwan, Singapore and the Us are featured across various sections.
10 Asian films are vying for the Silver Screen Awards, including the world premieres of Abdulla Mohammed Saad’s Live From Dhaka and Wicaksono Wisnu Legowo...
- 10/27/2016
- ScreenDaily
Nigerian metropolis Lagos is the focus of the eighth City To City showcase at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) as top brass anoint two international Rising Stars.
Tiff’s latest line-up announcement also featured extra selections in Galas and Special Presentations, among them Walter Hill’s (Re)Assignment, Philippe Falardeau’s The Bleeder, David Leveaux’ The Exception (pictured), Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or winner I, Daniel Blake and Terry George’s drama The Promise.
A vibrant crop of Contemporary World Cinema entries includes Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Aquarius, Danis Tanović’s Death In Sarajevo, Marie Noëlle’s Marie Curie, The Courage Of Knowledge and Akin Omotoso’s Vaya.
Hirokazu Kore-eda brings After The Storm to the Masters showcase, alongside Marco Bellocchio’s Sweet Dreams, Pedro Almodóvar’s Julieta, Cristian Mungiu’s Graduation, Gianfranco Rosi’s Berlin Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea and Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Once Again.
Rounding out the...
Tiff’s latest line-up announcement also featured extra selections in Galas and Special Presentations, among them Walter Hill’s (Re)Assignment, Philippe Falardeau’s The Bleeder, David Leveaux’ The Exception (pictured), Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or winner I, Daniel Blake and Terry George’s drama The Promise.
A vibrant crop of Contemporary World Cinema entries includes Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Aquarius, Danis Tanović’s Death In Sarajevo, Marie Noëlle’s Marie Curie, The Courage Of Knowledge and Akin Omotoso’s Vaya.
Hirokazu Kore-eda brings After The Storm to the Masters showcase, alongside Marco Bellocchio’s Sweet Dreams, Pedro Almodóvar’s Julieta, Cristian Mungiu’s Graduation, Gianfranco Rosi’s Berlin Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea and Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Once Again.
Rounding out the...
- 8/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Nigerian capital Lagos is the focus of the eighth City To City showcase at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) as top brass anoint two international Rising Stars.
Tiff’s latest line-up announcement also featured extra selections in Galas and Special Presentations, among them Walter Hill’s (Re)Assignment, Philippe Falardeau’s The Bleeder, David Leveaux’ The Exception (pictured), Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or winner I, Daniel Blake and Terry George’s drama The Promise.
A vibrant crop of Contemporary World Cinema entries includes Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Aquarius, Danis Tanović’s Death In Sarajevo, Marie Noëlle’s Marie Curie, The Courage Of Knowledge and Akin Omotoso’s Vaya.
Hirokazu Kore-eda brings After The Storm to the Masters showcase, alongside Marco Bellocchio’s Sweet Dreams, Pedro Almodóvar’s Julieta, Cristian Mungiu’s Graduation, Gianfranco Rosi’s Berlin Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea and Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Once Again.
Rounding out the...
Tiff’s latest line-up announcement also featured extra selections in Galas and Special Presentations, among them Walter Hill’s (Re)Assignment, Philippe Falardeau’s The Bleeder, David Leveaux’ The Exception (pictured), Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or winner I, Daniel Blake and Terry George’s drama The Promise.
A vibrant crop of Contemporary World Cinema entries includes Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Aquarius, Danis Tanović’s Death In Sarajevo, Marie Noëlle’s Marie Curie, The Courage Of Knowledge and Akin Omotoso’s Vaya.
Hirokazu Kore-eda brings After The Storm to the Masters showcase, alongside Marco Bellocchio’s Sweet Dreams, Pedro Almodóvar’s Julieta, Cristian Mungiu’s Graduation, Gianfranco Rosi’s Berlin Golden Bear winner Fire At Sea and Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s Once Again.
Rounding out the...
- 8/16/2016
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
The Toronto International Film Festival is mere weeks from kicking off, yet the annual fall fest is showing zero sign of slowing down when it comes to announcing the titles that will round out this year’s event. Today’s announcement brings with it a number of Cannes favorites, including Ken Loach’s Palme d’Or-winning “I, Daniel Blake,” Olivier Assayas’ divisive Kristen Stewart-starring “Personal Shopper” and Pedro Almodovar’s “Julieta.”
Read More: Tiff Reveals First Slate of 2016 Titles, Including ‘Magnificent Seven,’ ‘American Honey,’ ‘La La Land’ and ‘Birth of A Nation’
The slate will also play home to the Dardenne Brothers’ latest, “The Unknown Girl,” which has reportedly been through an edit since it debuted at Cannes earlier this year. Other standouts from Cannes include Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “Aquarius,” Boo Junfeng’s “Apprentice,” Cristian Mungiu’s “Graduation,” Brillante Ma Mendoza’s “Ma’ Rosa” and Cristi Puiu’s “Sieranevada.
Read More: Tiff Reveals First Slate of 2016 Titles, Including ‘Magnificent Seven,’ ‘American Honey,’ ‘La La Land’ and ‘Birth of A Nation’
The slate will also play home to the Dardenne Brothers’ latest, “The Unknown Girl,” which has reportedly been through an edit since it debuted at Cannes earlier this year. Other standouts from Cannes include Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “Aquarius,” Boo Junfeng’s “Apprentice,” Cristian Mungiu’s “Graduation,” Brillante Ma Mendoza’s “Ma’ Rosa” and Cristi Puiu’s “Sieranevada.
- 8/16/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
The full list of this year's Venice Film Festival has been announced with high-profile titles from Mel Gibson, Tom Ford, Terrence Malick, Derek Cianfrance, Pablo Larrain, Denis Villenueve, Antoine Fuqua, Damian Chazelle, Emir Kusturica, Antoine Fuqua, Ana Lily Amirpour, Francois Ozon, and Wim Wenders all making the grade.
Amongst the films in competition are Chazelle's Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone-led musical "La La Land," Ford's second film "Nocturnal Animals," the high-profile book adaptation "The Light Between Oceans," the mysterious sci-fi title "Arrival," and Malick's doco "Voyage of Time". Screening outside of competition are Gibson's "Hacksaw Ridge," Fuqua's "The Magnificent Seven," and the first two episodes of Paolo Sorrentino's "The Young Pope". Here's the full line-up:
In Competition
"The Bad Batch," Ana Lily Amirpour (U.S.)
"Une Vie," Stephan Brizé (France, Belgium)
"La La Land," Damien Chazelle (U.S.)
"The Light Between Oceans," Derek Cianfrance (U.S., Australia, New Zealand)
"El ciudadano ilustre,...
Amongst the films in competition are Chazelle's Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone-led musical "La La Land," Ford's second film "Nocturnal Animals," the high-profile book adaptation "The Light Between Oceans," the mysterious sci-fi title "Arrival," and Malick's doco "Voyage of Time". Screening outside of competition are Gibson's "Hacksaw Ridge," Fuqua's "The Magnificent Seven," and the first two episodes of Paolo Sorrentino's "The Young Pope". Here's the full line-up:
In Competition
"The Bad Batch," Ana Lily Amirpour (U.S.)
"Une Vie," Stephan Brizé (France, Belgium)
"La La Land," Damien Chazelle (U.S.)
"The Light Between Oceans," Derek Cianfrance (U.S., Australia, New Zealand)
"El ciudadano ilustre,...
- 7/28/2016
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
The selection for the 2016 Venice Film Festival has been announced, with new films by Terrence Malick, Pablo Larraín, Lav Diaz, Wang Bing, Amat Escalante, Tom Ford, and more.COMPETITIONVoyage of TimeThe Bad Batch (Ana Lily Amirpour)Une vie i (Stéphane Brizé)La La Land (Damien Chazelle)The Light Between Oceans (Derek Cianfrance)El ciudadano ilustre (Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat)Spira Mirabilis (Massimo D'Anolfi, Martina Parenti)The Woman Who Left (Lav Diaz)La región salvaje (Amat Escalante)Nocturnal Animals (Tom Ford)Piuma (Roan Johnson)Paradise (Andrei Konchalovsky)Brimstone (Martin Koolhoven)Jackie (Pablo Larraín)Voyage of Time (Terrence Malick)El Cristo Ciego (Christopher Murray)Frantz (François Ozon)Questi Giorni (Giuseppe Piccioni)Arrival (Denis Villeneuve)Les beaux jours D'Aranjuez (Wim Wenders)Out Of COMPETITIONSafariOur War (Bruno Chiaravolloti, Claudio Jampaglia, Benedetta Argentieri)I Called Him Morgan (Kasper Collin)One More Time with Feeling (Andrew Dominik)The Bleeder (Philippe Falardeau)The Magnificent Seven (Antoine Fuqua...
- 7/28/2016
- MUBI
Is there a best picture winner in the bunch? The Venice Film Festival has unveiled its 2016 lineup, including both in competition and out of competition offerings, and with the festival’s strong track record of debuting recent best picture winners — from “Spotlight” to “Birdman” — there might be another big winner among the slate’s ranks.
As had been previously announced, the festival will open with Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land,” which will later hit Toronto (and, presumably, also Telluride). The festival will close with Antoine Fuqua’s “The Magnificent Seven,” which kicks off its own festival run days earlier, when it will open Tiff.
Read More: Tiff Reveals First Slate of 2016 Titles, Including ‘Magnificent Seven,’ ‘American Honey,’ ‘La La Land’ and ‘Birth of A Nation’
Other picks that will also do the Venice-tiff two-step include Tom Ford’s “Nocturnal Animals,” Denis Villeneuve’s “Arrival,” Francois Ozon’s “Frantz,” Nick Hamm...
As had been previously announced, the festival will open with Damien Chazelle’s “La La Land,” which will later hit Toronto (and, presumably, also Telluride). The festival will close with Antoine Fuqua’s “The Magnificent Seven,” which kicks off its own festival run days earlier, when it will open Tiff.
Read More: Tiff Reveals First Slate of 2016 Titles, Including ‘Magnificent Seven,’ ‘American Honey,’ ‘La La Land’ and ‘Birth of A Nation’
Other picks that will also do the Venice-tiff two-step include Tom Ford’s “Nocturnal Animals,” Denis Villeneuve’s “Arrival,” Francois Ozon’s “Frantz,” Nick Hamm...
- 7/28/2016
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Directors and producers from 19 countries are attached to 13 narrative feature films, 10 feature documentaries and 10 short films participating in the 6 day program of industry sessions designed to progress their projects and prepare them for international markets. The emphasis is on supporting first-and-second-time filmmakers with projects in development and post-production.
The Doha Film Institute's second edition of Qumra will be taking place in Doha, Qatar from March 4-9. 15 projects are from Qatar-based filmmakers, 12 from the Middle East North Africa (Mena) region and 6 from the rest of the world. 11 of the 33 projects are features films in development, 12 are in post-production and 10 are short films in development.
Twenty of the feature projects are alumni of the Institute’s grants program and 3 are by independent filmmakers from Qatar. Of the 10 short projects, 7 are by Qatari filmmakers and 3 are by Qatar-based filmmakers identified through the Institute’s ongoing engagement with local industry.
Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Al Remaihi said: “We are very excited by the diverse slate of projects selected for Qumra 2016, representing emerging talent from Qatar, the Arab region and around the world.”
“We have prepared an intensive program for our project delegates which is designed to inspire them creatively and support them in navigating the evolving landscape of the film industry. I look forward to welcoming each of our project delegates to Qumra for what promises to be a productive exchange of ideas, culture and creativity.”
New to this year’s edition is the Qumra Shorts Programme, a dedicated strand designed to address the unique requirements of short films in development, during which 10 Qatar-based filmmakers will present their projects to a group of international industry professionals, including script consultants, producers, lab representatives, programmers and buyers, all of whom are experts in the short form.
The ten short filmmakers have been supported by the Doha Film Institute in various ways throughout their careers and many are alumni of its educational initiatives, workshops and funding programs. "Kashta" by Aj Al Thani has been supported by the Institute’s grants program and "Amer: The Arabian Legend" by Jassim Al-Rumaihi is supported by the Qatari Film Fund, the newly established funding and development program for Qatari filmmakers which was announced last year.
Directors and producers attached to each of the 33 projects will attend the sessions in Doha where they will be linked with more than 100 seasoned industry experts from all facets of the film industry including representatives from leading international film festivals, funding bodies, sales, production and distribution companies along with development specialists and script consultants.
The program is specifically tailored to each project’s needs and is divided according to their stage of development. Projects in development will participate in group and individual sessions for script consulting, legal, sales, marketing and co-production advice along with one-on-one match-made meetings and tutorials.
Projects in post-production are divided into two strands: the Work-in-Progress sessions will present a series of closed rough-cut screenings of 20-minute excerpts from the four narrative and four documentary Qumra projects in post-production followed by immediate, individual feedback from a panel of selected industry experts; and the Picture Lock Screenings will present exclusive 20 minute excerpts of four feature-length Qumra projects in the final stages of post-production for leading festival programmers, broadcasters, market representatives, sales agents and distributors.
The Qumra Projects delegates will also attend daily master classes and screenings presented by five Qumra Masters who represent some of the leading figures in world cinema today.
The 2016 Qumra Masters are Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey), Naomi Kawase (Japan), Joshua Oppenheimer (Us), James Schamus (Us), Aleksandr Sokurov (Russia). Each Master will be matched to a selection of Qumra projects to participate in dedicated mentoring sessions with the emerging filmmakers.
The 2016 Qumra Projects are:
Feature Films:
Feature Narrative, Development
"Bull Shark" by Mohammed Al Ibrahim (Qatar, Bahrain, USA)
An up-and-coming investment banker makes his mark in the Arab region’s most prominent Islamic investment bank, only to find he has been caught in the middle of the costliest embezzlement scheme in Arab history.
"Death Street" by Mohanad Hayal (Iraq, Qatar)
Tariq, the sniper of Haifa Street in Baghdad, kills Ahmed on the day he intends to propose marriage. While Tariq prevents anyone from approaching the corpse in the street, an intimate and telling drama unfolds.
"Evil Eye" by Sophia Al-Maria (Qatar, Morocco)
After inheriting the keys to an apartment in The City, country girl Dihya finds out that The Village she comes from has a reputation for witchcraft in this North African take on the teen witch film.
"The Pearl" by Noor Al-Nasr (Qatar)
A tech-obsessed Qatari teen, disconnected from his family, travels back in time to an era before his beloved technology existed, when the city’s main source of income was pearl diving. Alone on this journey, he must learn how to survive and communicate face-to-face in order to reconnect with his family.
"The Search for the Star Pearl" by Hafiz Ali Ali (Qatar)
Ali, a 17-year-old pearl diver from Doha, discovers a map to the Star Pearl of Abu Derya, the most valuable gem on Earth, and sets sail with three teenaged friends in search of it. Along the way, they face mythological beasts that challenge their skills and friendship.
"Stolen Skies" by Laila Hotait Salas (Lebanon, Qatar)
When a bomb is detonated in Cairo, one family feels it ricochet through the erased memories of three generations.
"Till the Swallows Return" by Karim Moussaoui (Algeria, France, Qatar)
This is the story of three characters who are a product of the conflicted Algeria of the 2000s. Their ideals shattered and their moral strength drained, each now faces a difficult life choice.
Feature Documentary, Development
"Agnus Dei" by Karim Sayad (Algeria, Switzerland, Qatar)
On the vacant lot where the confrontation takes place, the tension is at its peak. Foufa and his sheep King are getting ready for the fight...
"Behind the Doors" by Yakout Elhababi (Morocco, Qatar)
High in the Rif mountains of Morocco, the people survive by growing kif. Beneath the shadow of the ambiguous legality of the crop, ‘Behind the Doors’ tells the story of a family through its children and their mirroring games.
"The Great Family" by Eliane Raheb (Lebanon, France, Qatar)
In 1976, at the age of four, Marlene was put up for adoption in Lebanon and raised in France. In delving into her past, she discovers she is a survivor of the massacre at the Tal Al Zaatar Palestinian refugee camp, and a family of survivors grows around her.
"To the Ends of the Earth" by Hamida Issa (Qatar)
A Qatari woman travels on an environmental expedition to Antarctica in search of hope, before returning to the Gulf and finding unity and inspiration for positive change.
Feature Narrative, Works-in-Progress
"Ali, The Goat and Ibrahim" by Sherif Elbendary (Egypt, France, Germany, USA, Qatar)
Ali and Ibrahim are two lonely and weird characters who are rejected by their society. Ali loves a goat called Nada, and Ibrahim is a sound engineer who is disturbed by strange voices that he alone can hear. When their paths cross, this odd pair embarks on a journey that will change their lives.
"Dede" by Mariam Khatchvani (Georgia, Qatar)
As Georgia fights for its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a young woman struggles to make a life in the remote, isolated villages high in the Caucasus Mountains, where ancient patriarchal laws threaten to separate her from her daughter.
"Poisonous Roses" by Fawzi Saleh (Egypt, Qatar)
The world has left nothing to Taheya apart from her brother Saqr. When he disappears, Taheya pursues him in desperation.
"White Sun" by Deepak Rauniyar (Nepal, The Netherlands, Qatar)
A drama about life in a Nepali mountain village in the wake of the decade-long armed conflict.
Feature Documentary, Works-in-Progress
"Ghost Hunting" by Raed Andoni (Palestine, France, Switzerland, Qatar)
Director Raed Andoni assembles an eclectic group of Palestinians to rebuild the Israeli investigation centre in which they were imprisoned – a place they never actually saw because they were always blindfolded.
"My Uncle the “Terrorist” by Elias Moubarak (Lebanon, Germany, Qatar)
A film director seeks to uncover a 40-year-old family taboo: the controversial life of his Uncle Fouad, a poet and an engineer of the Munich massacre.
"The Silk Railroad" by Martin Dicicco (USA, Georgia, Qatar)
Wealth, opportunity, and discord collide along the route of a new railroad bridging Europe and Asia.
"Tondo" by Jewel Maranan (The Philippines, Germany, Qatar)
‘Tondo’ is a film about four people in different stages of life - birth, youth, adulthood and death - who are caught in the path of expansion of Manila’s busiest international port.
Feature Narrative, Picture Lock
"Bastard" by Uda Benyamina (Morocco, France, Qatar)
Fifteen-year-old Dounia lives with her mother in a rough
Parisian suburb, where she has been saddled with the nickname “bastard”.
"The Mimosas" by Oliver Laxe (Spain, Morocco, France, Qatar)
In the Atlas Mountains in the past, a caravan searches for the path to take a Sufi master home to die. Among the party is Ahmed, a rascal who eventually becomes inspired to lead the caravan to its destination. Along the way, Ahmed is assisted by Shakib, a man sent from contemporary Morocco to guide him on his journey.
"Beirut Rooster" by Ziad Kalthoum (Syria, Lebanon, Germany, Qatar)
While Syrian workers rebuild Lebanon, a country ruined by a lengthy civil war, their hometowns in Syria are destroyed during the brutal conflict there. Who will rebuild their houses?
"Those From the Shore" by Tamara Stepanyan (Armenia, Lebanon, France, Qatar)
Marseille, 2014. Dozens of Armenian asylum seekers are trying to survive while waiting for their applications to be considered. They live in an indeterminate space, wandering in limbo.
Short Films:
Development, Short Narrative
"I Want to Feel What I Feel When I Am Asleep" by Abdullah Al-Mulla (Qatar)
A man wearing a gas mask is on a journey to fulfil a selfless purpose. Among the people of a drugged and mesmerised society, he cleans up a ruined city in order to cover up the destruction that has taken place.
"Kashta" by Aj Al Thani (Qatar)
A father takes his two sons out on a trip to the desert to go hunting, but the results are not quite what he was expecting.
"Qafas" by Mayar Hamdan (Qatar)
A young man tries everything to escape the cage he is chained in. Only when he realises that the true obstacle to his release is not the chains, but rather his outlook on his situation, does he finally become free.
"A Ranged Marriage" by Nora Al Subai (Qatar)
After being stuck in an arranged married for a year, a desperate wife discovers the perfect gift for their anniversary: a romantic dinner that will kill her husband.
"The World is Blue" by Amna Al Binali (Qatar)
During her sister’s engagement party, Hend comes to terms with the contradiction between how she wants her life to unfold and the inevitability of how it has been drawn for her.
Development, Short Documentary
"Amer: The Arabian Legend" by Jassim Al-Rumaihi (Qatar)
Sent as a gift to the late Emir of Qatar in the 1980s, Amer seemed like an average purebred Arabian. After he was taken to the tracks of Umm Qarn to train other horses, however, he showed his class, changing the face of Arabian horseracing forever.
"Buqsha" by Fahad Al Obaidly (Qatar)
‘Buqsha’ strives to encourage people to go beyond their preconceptions and venture into the past to look to the future Throughout our journey, we demonstrate the importance of learning from traditional culture while preserving our own, and that the balance between artistic heritage and the contemporary arts nurtures creativity.
"The Innocent Prisoner" by Amina Ahmed Al-Boluchi (Qatar)
The story of a man trying to wash away his history of being a prisoner, determining his destiny by becoming a better person, and finding himself a place in his own society.
"Love in the Middle East" by Mostafa Sheshtawy (Qatar)
Romantic love is very common, yet it can mean something completely different from one person to the next. Through a young man’s journey, this film looks at what it means to fall in love in the Middle East.
Picture Lock, Short Narrative
"More Than Two Days" by Ahmed Abdelnaser (Qatar)
Over the course of two days, two brothers go through critical moments that may change their lives. ‘More Than Two Days’ examines their relationship and how each of them is trying to face up to the new situation in their lives.
The Doha Film Institute's second edition of Qumra will be taking place in Doha, Qatar from March 4-9. 15 projects are from Qatar-based filmmakers, 12 from the Middle East North Africa (Mena) region and 6 from the rest of the world. 11 of the 33 projects are features films in development, 12 are in post-production and 10 are short films in development.
Twenty of the feature projects are alumni of the Institute’s grants program and 3 are by independent filmmakers from Qatar. Of the 10 short projects, 7 are by Qatari filmmakers and 3 are by Qatar-based filmmakers identified through the Institute’s ongoing engagement with local industry.
Doha Film Institute CEO Fatma Al Remaihi said: “We are very excited by the diverse slate of projects selected for Qumra 2016, representing emerging talent from Qatar, the Arab region and around the world.”
“We have prepared an intensive program for our project delegates which is designed to inspire them creatively and support them in navigating the evolving landscape of the film industry. I look forward to welcoming each of our project delegates to Qumra for what promises to be a productive exchange of ideas, culture and creativity.”
New to this year’s edition is the Qumra Shorts Programme, a dedicated strand designed to address the unique requirements of short films in development, during which 10 Qatar-based filmmakers will present their projects to a group of international industry professionals, including script consultants, producers, lab representatives, programmers and buyers, all of whom are experts in the short form.
The ten short filmmakers have been supported by the Doha Film Institute in various ways throughout their careers and many are alumni of its educational initiatives, workshops and funding programs. "Kashta" by Aj Al Thani has been supported by the Institute’s grants program and "Amer: The Arabian Legend" by Jassim Al-Rumaihi is supported by the Qatari Film Fund, the newly established funding and development program for Qatari filmmakers which was announced last year.
Directors and producers attached to each of the 33 projects will attend the sessions in Doha where they will be linked with more than 100 seasoned industry experts from all facets of the film industry including representatives from leading international film festivals, funding bodies, sales, production and distribution companies along with development specialists and script consultants.
The program is specifically tailored to each project’s needs and is divided according to their stage of development. Projects in development will participate in group and individual sessions for script consulting, legal, sales, marketing and co-production advice along with one-on-one match-made meetings and tutorials.
Projects in post-production are divided into two strands: the Work-in-Progress sessions will present a series of closed rough-cut screenings of 20-minute excerpts from the four narrative and four documentary Qumra projects in post-production followed by immediate, individual feedback from a panel of selected industry experts; and the Picture Lock Screenings will present exclusive 20 minute excerpts of four feature-length Qumra projects in the final stages of post-production for leading festival programmers, broadcasters, market representatives, sales agents and distributors.
The Qumra Projects delegates will also attend daily master classes and screenings presented by five Qumra Masters who represent some of the leading figures in world cinema today.
The 2016 Qumra Masters are Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey), Naomi Kawase (Japan), Joshua Oppenheimer (Us), James Schamus (Us), Aleksandr Sokurov (Russia). Each Master will be matched to a selection of Qumra projects to participate in dedicated mentoring sessions with the emerging filmmakers.
The 2016 Qumra Projects are:
Feature Films:
Feature Narrative, Development
"Bull Shark" by Mohammed Al Ibrahim (Qatar, Bahrain, USA)
An up-and-coming investment banker makes his mark in the Arab region’s most prominent Islamic investment bank, only to find he has been caught in the middle of the costliest embezzlement scheme in Arab history.
"Death Street" by Mohanad Hayal (Iraq, Qatar)
Tariq, the sniper of Haifa Street in Baghdad, kills Ahmed on the day he intends to propose marriage. While Tariq prevents anyone from approaching the corpse in the street, an intimate and telling drama unfolds.
"Evil Eye" by Sophia Al-Maria (Qatar, Morocco)
After inheriting the keys to an apartment in The City, country girl Dihya finds out that The Village she comes from has a reputation for witchcraft in this North African take on the teen witch film.
"The Pearl" by Noor Al-Nasr (Qatar)
A tech-obsessed Qatari teen, disconnected from his family, travels back in time to an era before his beloved technology existed, when the city’s main source of income was pearl diving. Alone on this journey, he must learn how to survive and communicate face-to-face in order to reconnect with his family.
"The Search for the Star Pearl" by Hafiz Ali Ali (Qatar)
Ali, a 17-year-old pearl diver from Doha, discovers a map to the Star Pearl of Abu Derya, the most valuable gem on Earth, and sets sail with three teenaged friends in search of it. Along the way, they face mythological beasts that challenge their skills and friendship.
"Stolen Skies" by Laila Hotait Salas (Lebanon, Qatar)
When a bomb is detonated in Cairo, one family feels it ricochet through the erased memories of three generations.
"Till the Swallows Return" by Karim Moussaoui (Algeria, France, Qatar)
This is the story of three characters who are a product of the conflicted Algeria of the 2000s. Their ideals shattered and their moral strength drained, each now faces a difficult life choice.
Feature Documentary, Development
"Agnus Dei" by Karim Sayad (Algeria, Switzerland, Qatar)
On the vacant lot where the confrontation takes place, the tension is at its peak. Foufa and his sheep King are getting ready for the fight...
"Behind the Doors" by Yakout Elhababi (Morocco, Qatar)
High in the Rif mountains of Morocco, the people survive by growing kif. Beneath the shadow of the ambiguous legality of the crop, ‘Behind the Doors’ tells the story of a family through its children and their mirroring games.
"The Great Family" by Eliane Raheb (Lebanon, France, Qatar)
In 1976, at the age of four, Marlene was put up for adoption in Lebanon and raised in France. In delving into her past, she discovers she is a survivor of the massacre at the Tal Al Zaatar Palestinian refugee camp, and a family of survivors grows around her.
"To the Ends of the Earth" by Hamida Issa (Qatar)
A Qatari woman travels on an environmental expedition to Antarctica in search of hope, before returning to the Gulf and finding unity and inspiration for positive change.
Feature Narrative, Works-in-Progress
"Ali, The Goat and Ibrahim" by Sherif Elbendary (Egypt, France, Germany, USA, Qatar)
Ali and Ibrahim are two lonely and weird characters who are rejected by their society. Ali loves a goat called Nada, and Ibrahim is a sound engineer who is disturbed by strange voices that he alone can hear. When their paths cross, this odd pair embarks on a journey that will change their lives.
"Dede" by Mariam Khatchvani (Georgia, Qatar)
As Georgia fights for its independence after the collapse of the Soviet Union, a young woman struggles to make a life in the remote, isolated villages high in the Caucasus Mountains, where ancient patriarchal laws threaten to separate her from her daughter.
"Poisonous Roses" by Fawzi Saleh (Egypt, Qatar)
The world has left nothing to Taheya apart from her brother Saqr. When he disappears, Taheya pursues him in desperation.
"White Sun" by Deepak Rauniyar (Nepal, The Netherlands, Qatar)
A drama about life in a Nepali mountain village in the wake of the decade-long armed conflict.
Feature Documentary, Works-in-Progress
"Ghost Hunting" by Raed Andoni (Palestine, France, Switzerland, Qatar)
Director Raed Andoni assembles an eclectic group of Palestinians to rebuild the Israeli investigation centre in which they were imprisoned – a place they never actually saw because they were always blindfolded.
"My Uncle the “Terrorist” by Elias Moubarak (Lebanon, Germany, Qatar)
A film director seeks to uncover a 40-year-old family taboo: the controversial life of his Uncle Fouad, a poet and an engineer of the Munich massacre.
"The Silk Railroad" by Martin Dicicco (USA, Georgia, Qatar)
Wealth, opportunity, and discord collide along the route of a new railroad bridging Europe and Asia.
"Tondo" by Jewel Maranan (The Philippines, Germany, Qatar)
‘Tondo’ is a film about four people in different stages of life - birth, youth, adulthood and death - who are caught in the path of expansion of Manila’s busiest international port.
Feature Narrative, Picture Lock
"Bastard" by Uda Benyamina (Morocco, France, Qatar)
Fifteen-year-old Dounia lives with her mother in a rough
Parisian suburb, where she has been saddled with the nickname “bastard”.
"The Mimosas" by Oliver Laxe (Spain, Morocco, France, Qatar)
In the Atlas Mountains in the past, a caravan searches for the path to take a Sufi master home to die. Among the party is Ahmed, a rascal who eventually becomes inspired to lead the caravan to its destination. Along the way, Ahmed is assisted by Shakib, a man sent from contemporary Morocco to guide him on his journey.
"Beirut Rooster" by Ziad Kalthoum (Syria, Lebanon, Germany, Qatar)
While Syrian workers rebuild Lebanon, a country ruined by a lengthy civil war, their hometowns in Syria are destroyed during the brutal conflict there. Who will rebuild their houses?
"Those From the Shore" by Tamara Stepanyan (Armenia, Lebanon, France, Qatar)
Marseille, 2014. Dozens of Armenian asylum seekers are trying to survive while waiting for their applications to be considered. They live in an indeterminate space, wandering in limbo.
Short Films:
Development, Short Narrative
"I Want to Feel What I Feel When I Am Asleep" by Abdullah Al-Mulla (Qatar)
A man wearing a gas mask is on a journey to fulfil a selfless purpose. Among the people of a drugged and mesmerised society, he cleans up a ruined city in order to cover up the destruction that has taken place.
"Kashta" by Aj Al Thani (Qatar)
A father takes his two sons out on a trip to the desert to go hunting, but the results are not quite what he was expecting.
"Qafas" by Mayar Hamdan (Qatar)
A young man tries everything to escape the cage he is chained in. Only when he realises that the true obstacle to his release is not the chains, but rather his outlook on his situation, does he finally become free.
"A Ranged Marriage" by Nora Al Subai (Qatar)
After being stuck in an arranged married for a year, a desperate wife discovers the perfect gift for their anniversary: a romantic dinner that will kill her husband.
"The World is Blue" by Amna Al Binali (Qatar)
During her sister’s engagement party, Hend comes to terms with the contradiction between how she wants her life to unfold and the inevitability of how it has been drawn for her.
Development, Short Documentary
"Amer: The Arabian Legend" by Jassim Al-Rumaihi (Qatar)
Sent as a gift to the late Emir of Qatar in the 1980s, Amer seemed like an average purebred Arabian. After he was taken to the tracks of Umm Qarn to train other horses, however, he showed his class, changing the face of Arabian horseracing forever.
"Buqsha" by Fahad Al Obaidly (Qatar)
‘Buqsha’ strives to encourage people to go beyond their preconceptions and venture into the past to look to the future Throughout our journey, we demonstrate the importance of learning from traditional culture while preserving our own, and that the balance between artistic heritage and the contemporary arts nurtures creativity.
"The Innocent Prisoner" by Amina Ahmed Al-Boluchi (Qatar)
The story of a man trying to wash away his history of being a prisoner, determining his destiny by becoming a better person, and finding himself a place in his own society.
"Love in the Middle East" by Mostafa Sheshtawy (Qatar)
Romantic love is very common, yet it can mean something completely different from one person to the next. Through a young man’s journey, this film looks at what it means to fall in love in the Middle East.
Picture Lock, Short Narrative
"More Than Two Days" by Ahmed Abdelnaser (Qatar)
Over the course of two days, two brothers go through critical moments that may change their lives. ‘More Than Two Days’ examines their relationship and how each of them is trying to face up to the new situation in their lives.
- 2/24/2016
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
The directors and producers of the selected projects will participate in a six-day programme with industry figures including Joshua Oppenheimer and Aleksandr Sokurov.Scroll down for the full list of projects
The Doha Film Institute has revealed the projects that will participate in the second edition of Qumra (March 4-9).
There are a total of 33 projects from 19 countries involved, including 13 narrative features, 10 feature documentaries and 10 short films.
Of those, 15 are Qatar-based projects, and a further 12 are from the wider Arab region, with 6 international projects involved.
The directors and producers of the selected titles will participate in a six-day programme of industry sessions with leading industry figures, designed to progress their projects and prepare them for international markets.
This year’s Qumra masters are Joshua Oppenheimer, James Schamus, Naomi Kawase, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and Aleksandr Sokurov.
The 2016 Qumra Projects are:Feature Narrative, Development:
Bull Shark by Mohammed Al Ibrahim (Qatar, Bahrain, USA)
An up-and-coming investment banker makes his mark...
The Doha Film Institute has revealed the projects that will participate in the second edition of Qumra (March 4-9).
There are a total of 33 projects from 19 countries involved, including 13 narrative features, 10 feature documentaries and 10 short films.
Of those, 15 are Qatar-based projects, and a further 12 are from the wider Arab region, with 6 international projects involved.
The directors and producers of the selected titles will participate in a six-day programme of industry sessions with leading industry figures, designed to progress their projects and prepare them for international markets.
This year’s Qumra masters are Joshua Oppenheimer, James Schamus, Naomi Kawase, Nuri Bilge Ceylan, and Aleksandr Sokurov.
The 2016 Qumra Projects are:Feature Narrative, Development:
Bull Shark by Mohammed Al Ibrahim (Qatar, Bahrain, USA)
An up-and-coming investment banker makes his mark...
- 2/24/2016
- ScreenDaily
The Hubert Bals Fund (Hbf) of the Rotterdam International Film Festival (Iffr) has selected eight film projects from seven countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Middle East to receive script and project development grants totaling €80,000.
Two film projects from Turkey and Nepal, produced by Topkapi Films and Waterland Film have been selected for the first round of The Netherlands Film Fund + Hubert Bals Fund Coproduction Scheme 2015.
Hubert Bals Fund Spring 2015 selection
In its Spring 2015 selection round, the Hbf supports eight outstanding film projects with a contribution towards their script and project development, among which four projects from first-time feature filmmakers (Alice Furtado, Maya Da-Rin, Hugo Gimenez and Kaouther Ben Hania) and four projects directed by women: "Sick Sick Sick," "The Fever," "Beauty and the Dogs" and "Barzagh."
Other highlights include a new project by Santiago Loza: "Brief Story from the Green Planet."Loza’s debut film "Extraño" (2003) was supported by Hbf and won a Tiger Award at Iffr 2003. In 2006 he returned to Iffr with "4 Mujeres Descalzas," which was also supported by Hbf and presented at CineMart in 2004.
"Three Missing Policemen" is the new film by Chinese director Ju Anqi, whose film "Poet on a Business Trip" had its world premiere at Iffr 2015, winning the Netpac Award. Following the events in the lives of three policemen, the film shows the rapid changes in Chinese society within the last three decades.
Alice Furtado’s short "Duel Before Nightfall" was shown at Iffr in 2012. Now the Hbf supports her first feature "Sick Sick Sick," a physical and heartbreaking genre defying love story between two teenagers.
Two international co-productions supported by Hbf+Nff
Two film projects, coproduced by Topkapi Films and Waterland Film, have been selected for the first round of the Nff+Hbf Coproduction Scheme 2015. The projects will receive production grants of € 50.000, provided by the Netherlands Film Fund. Topkapi Films coproduces "Something Useful" by Pelin Esmer (Turkey), Waterland Film coproduces "White Sun" by Deepak Rauniyar (Nepal).
"Something Useful is Pelin Esmer’s third feature film. The project received Hbf Script & Project Development support in 2014. Her previous films "10 to 11" and "Watchtower" both screened at Iffr.
"Something Useful" is produced by Mars Prodüksiyon (Turkey) and coproduced by SinefilM (Turkey), Les Films de L'Après-Midi (France) and Topkapi Films (The Netherlands).
"White Sun," Nepali director Deepak Rauniyar’s second feature film, was supported by Hbf for Script & Project Development in 2013 and was subsequently selected for the Boost! coaching trajectory, a joint initiative of Iffr’s Hubert Bals Fund, CineMart, the Binger Filmlab and the National Film Development Corporation of India.
"White Sun" is produced by Aadi Production (Nepal), Louverture Films (USA) and is coproduced by Waterland Film (The Netherlands).
Hbf Script & Project Development Spring 2015 Selection
"Barzagh" – Saodat Ismailova, Uzbekistan
"Beauty and the Dogs" – Kaouther Ben Hania, Tunisia
"Brief Story from the Green Planet" – Santiago Loza, Argentina
"The Fever" – Maya Da-Rin, Brazil
"Killing the Dead" – Hugo Gimenez, Paraguay
"Sick Sick Sick" – Alice Furtado, Brazil
"Tehran: City of Love" – Ali Jaberansari, Iran
"The Three Missing Policemen" - Ju Anqi, China
A script and project development grant can be used for the further development of the script or presentation of the project to financiers or other potential partners at (international) co-production meetings or film festivals.
Projects selected for The Netherlands Film Fund + Hubert Bals Fund Coproduction Scheme:
"White Sun" - Deepak Rauniyar, Nepal
"Something Useful" - Pelin Esmer, Turkey...
Two film projects from Turkey and Nepal, produced by Topkapi Films and Waterland Film have been selected for the first round of The Netherlands Film Fund + Hubert Bals Fund Coproduction Scheme 2015.
Hubert Bals Fund Spring 2015 selection
In its Spring 2015 selection round, the Hbf supports eight outstanding film projects with a contribution towards their script and project development, among which four projects from first-time feature filmmakers (Alice Furtado, Maya Da-Rin, Hugo Gimenez and Kaouther Ben Hania) and four projects directed by women: "Sick Sick Sick," "The Fever," "Beauty and the Dogs" and "Barzagh."
Other highlights include a new project by Santiago Loza: "Brief Story from the Green Planet."Loza’s debut film "Extraño" (2003) was supported by Hbf and won a Tiger Award at Iffr 2003. In 2006 he returned to Iffr with "4 Mujeres Descalzas," which was also supported by Hbf and presented at CineMart in 2004.
"Three Missing Policemen" is the new film by Chinese director Ju Anqi, whose film "Poet on a Business Trip" had its world premiere at Iffr 2015, winning the Netpac Award. Following the events in the lives of three policemen, the film shows the rapid changes in Chinese society within the last three decades.
Alice Furtado’s short "Duel Before Nightfall" was shown at Iffr in 2012. Now the Hbf supports her first feature "Sick Sick Sick," a physical and heartbreaking genre defying love story between two teenagers.
Two international co-productions supported by Hbf+Nff
Two film projects, coproduced by Topkapi Films and Waterland Film, have been selected for the first round of the Nff+Hbf Coproduction Scheme 2015. The projects will receive production grants of € 50.000, provided by the Netherlands Film Fund. Topkapi Films coproduces "Something Useful" by Pelin Esmer (Turkey), Waterland Film coproduces "White Sun" by Deepak Rauniyar (Nepal).
"Something Useful is Pelin Esmer’s third feature film. The project received Hbf Script & Project Development support in 2014. Her previous films "10 to 11" and "Watchtower" both screened at Iffr.
"Something Useful" is produced by Mars Prodüksiyon (Turkey) and coproduced by SinefilM (Turkey), Les Films de L'Après-Midi (France) and Topkapi Films (The Netherlands).
"White Sun," Nepali director Deepak Rauniyar’s second feature film, was supported by Hbf for Script & Project Development in 2013 and was subsequently selected for the Boost! coaching trajectory, a joint initiative of Iffr’s Hubert Bals Fund, CineMart, the Binger Filmlab and the National Film Development Corporation of India.
"White Sun" is produced by Aadi Production (Nepal), Louverture Films (USA) and is coproduced by Waterland Film (The Netherlands).
Hbf Script & Project Development Spring 2015 Selection
"Barzagh" – Saodat Ismailova, Uzbekistan
"Beauty and the Dogs" – Kaouther Ben Hania, Tunisia
"Brief Story from the Green Planet" – Santiago Loza, Argentina
"The Fever" – Maya Da-Rin, Brazil
"Killing the Dead" – Hugo Gimenez, Paraguay
"Sick Sick Sick" – Alice Furtado, Brazil
"Tehran: City of Love" – Ali Jaberansari, Iran
"The Three Missing Policemen" - Ju Anqi, China
A script and project development grant can be used for the further development of the script or presentation of the project to financiers or other potential partners at (international) co-production meetings or film festivals.
Projects selected for The Netherlands Film Fund + Hubert Bals Fund Coproduction Scheme:
"White Sun" - Deepak Rauniyar, Nepal
"Something Useful" - Pelin Esmer, Turkey...
- 5/15/2015
- by Sydney Levine
- Sydney's Buzz
Filmmakers from 24 countries, including the Us and Italy, to receive funding
The Doha Film Institute has announced recipients of the autumn 2014 session of its grants programme. The announcement has come just ahead of the Berlinale (Feb 5-15) where four of the Institute’s previous grantees will be presented, including three world premieres.
Some 21 projects from 24 countries – comprising nine narrative feature films, eight feature documentaries and four short films – will receive funding for development, production or post-production.
It marks the ninth session of the grants programme, which supports new cinematic talent, with a focus on first and second-time filmmakers.
A total of 11 of the projects are from the Middle East North Africa (Mena) region; eight are from the Oecd’s Development Assistance Committee list of countries (Dac); and two are from the rest of the world.
For the first time, filmmakers from Italy, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, The Philippines and Us will receive grants.
Among the 21 projects...
The Doha Film Institute has announced recipients of the autumn 2014 session of its grants programme. The announcement has come just ahead of the Berlinale (Feb 5-15) where four of the Institute’s previous grantees will be presented, including three world premieres.
Some 21 projects from 24 countries – comprising nine narrative feature films, eight feature documentaries and four short films – will receive funding for development, production or post-production.
It marks the ninth session of the grants programme, which supports new cinematic talent, with a focus on first and second-time filmmakers.
A total of 11 of the projects are from the Middle East North Africa (Mena) region; eight are from the Oecd’s Development Assistance Committee list of countries (Dac); and two are from the rest of the world.
For the first time, filmmakers from Italy, Madagascar, Myanmar, Nepal, The Philippines and Us will receive grants.
Among the 21 projects...
- 2/4/2015
- by michael.rosser@screendaily.com (Michael Rosser)
- ScreenDaily
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