News

Melora Walters, Oscar-winner Mira Sorvino, and Gil Bellows are set as leads in Drowning, an indie film written and being directed by Walters. It’s based on Walters’ real-life account of the time her young son decided to join the Army and fight in Iraq. It’s A mother’s worst nightmare, compounded by the fact that he’s then stationed in Mosul for the ‘final battle’. Albert Chi, Rory Rooney, and Sergio Rizzuto are producers on the film and are aiming for a festival release. Executive producer is Steven Swadling.

Julie Ann Emery (Better Call Saul), Karsen Liotta, Kevin Corrigan (Pineapple Express), and James Paxton have been tapped to lead the ensemble cast of the indie comedy Teenage Badass, which is currently filming on location in Phoenix.

Exclusive: Mistresses and Criminal Minds actress Rochelle Aytes and Brian White, who recurred on Mistresses, will topline Miss Havisham Effect (working title), an indie film which they’ll also produce along with Zero Gravity Management’s Ryan Daly. Leila Djansi (Where Children Play) is directing the film based on a screenplay by Lawren Henderson.

The pic is loosely based on Aytes’ life and deals with the long-term damage caused by a drug addict father and the toll it takes on a family.

Executive producer is Tristan Desechenes of ProCapital Media in the Dominican Republic where production is underway with support from the Dr’s Film Commission under its tax credit program.

Aytes, repped by Innovative Artists, Zero Gravity Management, Rogers & Cowan and attorney Jeff Endlich, will appear opposite Adam DeVine in Disney’s Magic Camp comedy which will be released on the studio’s forthcoming streaming service. White, who...

The newest of the fall festivals wraps up today, and the Los Angeles Film Festival has announced Tom Shadyac’s powerful and inspiring true story Brian Banks as winner of its Audience Award for Fiction Feature Film and the acclaimed Stuntman as Audience Award choice winner for Best Documentary Feature. As the Toronto Film Festival annually proves, it is the Audience Award that often gets the most attention and is most representative of a particular film’s success at many of these fests.

At its world premiere screening Saturday afternoon, Brian Banks received five standing ovations by my count as the key creative team and actors were brought up on stage by Banks himself after the rousing reception to the emotionally draining film. It’s the story of a promising young football star’s fight against the justice system in trying to clear his name after serving prison time and...

Andrew Slater’s music documentary Echo in the Canyon has been set as the opening night film of Film Independent’s 2018 La Film Festival, which kicks off Sept. 20 and continues through Sept. 28.

This will mark the world premiere of the documentary which puts the spotlight on iconic music groups The Byrds, The Beach Boys, Buffalo Springfield, and The Mamas & the Papas and how they birthed the beginnings of Laurel Canyon historic music scene. The docu shows how the echo of these artists’ creations reverberated between each other and ultimately across the world with a timelessness that continues today. The film also features appearances by Tom Petty, Brian Wilson, Stephen Stills, David Crosby, Graham Nash, Michelle Phillips, Jackson Browne, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Roger McGuinn, John Sebastian, Lou Adler, Jakob Dylan, Norah Jones, Beck, Regina Spektor, Cat Power, and others. The film will premiere at Ford Theatres on Sept. 20 and be followed by a live performance.

Following the 20th anniversary of the Urbanworld Film Festival, Rlj Entertainment has acquired and is set to release Leila Djansi’s compelling new feature film, “Like Cotton Twines.” The film, which screened in the World Narrative Category at this year’s festival,… Continue Reading →...

Actor Jimmy Jean-Louis shared news on Twitter of a documentary film he co-directed and produced, titled "Jimmy Goes to Nollywood," in which he visits fellow filmmakers and actors in Nigeria and Ghana, as he takes a look at continental Africa's most prolific movie industry - Nollywood. The film is currently streaming on Netflix, so add it to your watch list. I'll be checking it out myself this weekend. Mr. Jean-Louis co-directed the film with Rachid Dhibou. Nigerian, Ghanaian and American actors and filmmakers all feature in the documentary, including: Ama K. Abebrese, Ebbe Bassey, Leila Djansi, Hakeem Kae-Kazim, Majid Michel, Akin Omotoso, O.C. Ukeje, Isaiah Washington,...

She has, somewhat unnoticed (we could say), directed 5 feature films since 2009 (both in the USA and in Ghana) - each one (except for her debut) covered on this blog since its inception, also in 2009. There aren't exactly many black women filmmakers directing feature films at an almost annual pace (and each one has seen some form of commercial release), as she has done since her debut. So if you weren't already aware, now is probably a good time to get to know the work of Ghanaian-American filmmaker Leila Djansi, whose latest feature, a drama titled "Where Children Play," stars several African American actors you'd be familiar with, like Teyonah Parris (the "Dear White...

She has, somewhat unnoticed (especially here in the USA), directed 5 feature films since 2009 (both in the States and in Ghana) - each one covered on this blog. There aren't exactly many black women filmmakers directing feature films at an almost annual pace (and each has seen some form of commercial release), as she has done since her debut. So if you weren't already aware, now is probably a good time to get to know the work of Ghanaian-American filmmaker Leila Djansi, whose latest feature, a drama titled "Where Children Play," stars several African American actors you'd be familiar with, like Teyonah Parris (the "Dear White People" co-star who leads Spike Lee's...

She has, somewhat unnoticed (we could say), directed 5 feature films since 2009 (both in the USA and in Ghana) - each one (except for her debut) covered on this blog since its inception, also in 2009. There aren't exactly many black women filmmakers directing feature films at an almost annual pace (and each one has seen some form of commercial release), as she has done since her debut. So if you weren't already aware, now is probably a good time to get to know the work of Ghanaian-American filmmaker Leila Djansi, whose latest feature, a drama titled "Where Children Play," stars several African American actors you'd be familiar with, like Teyonah Parris (the "Dear White...

She has, somewhat unnoticed (we could say), directed 5 feature films since 2009 (both in the USA and in Ghana) - each one (except for her debut) covered on this blog since its inception, also in 2009. There aren't exactly many black women filmmakers directing feature films at an almost annual pace (and each one has seen some form of commercial release), as she has done since her debut. So if you weren't already aware, now is probably a good time to get to know the work of Ghanaian-American filmmaker Leila Djansi, whose latest feature, a drama titled "Where Children Play," stars several African American actors you'd be familiar with, like Teyonah Parris (the "Dear White...

“Where Children Play,” a drama starring Grammy Award-winning singer Macy Gray, has been acquired by the Urban Movie Channel. Robert L. Johnson, chairman and founder of Umc’s parent company Rlj Entertainment, made the announcement Sunday. “Where Children Play” tells the story of a young woman who is estranged from her parents for a decade and, after returning to Compton for her mother’s funeral, is forced to stay and care for her sick father. Also Read: Mo’Nique Says Hollywood Treated Her Like She ‘Just Got Off the Greyhound Bus’ After Oscar Win Leila Djansi directs the film, which...

As Hollywood homogenizes, you have to give some much-needed credit to the underdog; that scrappy can-do mutt who can make something happen without $100m of CGI and A-list talent. As the tectonic plates of distribution shift and the movie studios themselves move farther away from actually being content creators, instead taking on the less risky task of acquiring completed products, the room for new voices to be heard is hopefully going to increase. Already vibrantly at work, are the niche directors who aren’t waiting for an invitation to speak up for their branch of humanity and sphere of experience. Writer/director Leila Djansi is one such voice, turning in her fourth feature with eyes set squarely on the messiness of a domestic unraveling.

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Back in October, we posted 1st-look pics, a poster and trailer for Leila Djansi's And Then There Was You, which stars Garcelle Beauvais as Natalie Gilbert, a woman adjusting to a new life after after her husband leaves. When Natalie falls for a new man, she begins to discover secrets of his that may signal trouble ahead for their blossoming relationship. Also starring in There Was You are Lynn Whitfield, Brian White, Greg Vaughan, Leon Robinson, Kate Nauta and Trilby Glover. Suzanne Patrick, Ryan Daly and Tim Taylor are producing the Turning Point Pictures production in association with Ohtv; while Dave Harper is...

Back in April, we posted about Garcelle Beauvais's attachment to star in Ghanaian American filmmaker Leila Djansi's follow-up to last year's Ties That Bind, which starred Kimberly Elise. Here is your first look at Djansi's new drama titled And Then There Was You, which stars Ms. Beauvais as Natalie Gilbert, a woman adjusting to a new life after after her husband leaves. When Natalie falls for a new man, she begins to discover secrets of his that may signal trouble ahead for their blossoming relationship. Also starring in There Was You are Lynn Whitfield, Brian White, Greg Vaughan, Leon Robinson, Kate Nauta and Trilby Glover. Suzanne...

Back in June, we posted about Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi's follow-up to last year's Ties That Bind, titled And Then There Was You, which stars Garcelle Beauvais. And now we get to watch a first trailer! Ms. Beauvais stars as Natalie Gilbert, a woman adjusting to a new life after after her husband leaves. When Natalie falls for a new man, she begins to discover secrets of his that may signal trouble ahead for their blossoming relationship.  Also starring in There Was You are Lynn Whitfield, Brian White, Greg Vaughan, Leon Robinson, Kate Nauta and Trilby Glover. Suzanne Patrick, Ryan Daly and Tim Taylor are...

Nigerian superstar, and one of Nollywood's most popular actresses, Omotola Jalade Ekeinde, will make her USA TV debut tonight on the VH1 freshman series, Hit The Floor. The actress made the announcement via her Twitter page earlier today: Yes it's Tonight! @HitTheFloor my Us Tv Debut 24/06/13 9pm! #despisenotthedaysoflittlebeginnings love to @iKimberlyElise watch @Akon @VH1— Omotola. j .Ekeinde (@Realomosexy) June 24, 2013 A star on her own reality TV series in Nigeria titled The Real Me, the busy Ekeinde recently co-starred alongside Hit The Floor star Kimberly Elise in Ghanaian-American director Leila Djansi's Ties That Bind. She also starred...

Back in April, we posted about Garcelle Beauvais's attachment to star in Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi's follow-up to last year's Ties That Bind, which starred Kimberly Elise. Here is your behind the scenes' first look at Djansi's new drama titled And Then There Was You, which stars Ms. Beauvais as Natalie Gilbert, a woman adjusting to a new life after after her husband leaves. When Natalie falls for a new man, she begins to discover secrets of his that may signal trouble ahead for their blossoming relationship. Also starring in There Was You are Lynn Whitfield, Brian White, Greg Vaughan, Leon Robinson, Kate Nauta and Trilby Glover. Suzanne...

The Dragon Angel

"Avatar" villain Stephen Lang jas joined Pitof's family adventure movie "The Dragon Angel". Shooting begins at year’s end in China.

Lang will play the dual role of a French Colonel in 1860s China, and the mysterious chauffeur of an American architect in modern-day Beijing. [Source: Deadline]

Jupiter Ascending

South Korean actress Bae Doona ("Cloud Atlas") has joined the cast of the Wachowskis' sci-fi epic "Jupiter Ascending". Doona's role is said to be "very small" in the project, which began shooting this week in the UK.

Mila Kunis, Channing Tatum, Eddie Redmayne and Sean Bean star in the story of a young woman who discovers her genetic signature has marked her out for an extraordinary fate. [Source: Digital Spy]

Barely Lethal

Hailee Steinfeld ("True Grit," "Ender's Game") will star in Kyle Newman's comedy "Barely Lethal" for Rko and Hopscotch Features. Brett Ratner is producing.

Steinfeld will play a 16-year-old international...

Garcelle Beauvais is attached to star in Ghanaian filmmaker Leila Djansi's follow-up to last year's Ties That Bind, which starred Kimberly Elise. Titled And Then There Was You, the drama will see Ms Beauvais play a woman adjusting to a new life after after her husband leaves, when she falls for a new man, but eventually discovers secrets of his that might signal trouble ahead for their blossoming relationship. Rounding out the starring cast are Lynn Whitfield, Greg Vaughan, Leon Robinson, Kate Nauta and Trilby Glover. Suzanne Patrick, Ryan Daly and Tim Taylor are producing the Turning Point Pictures production in...

Garcelle Beauvais has signed on to star in And Then There Was You, an indie drama being directed by Leila Djansi. Beauvais stars as a teacher who has to pick up the pieces of her life after her husband leaves. When she falls for a new man, she discovers he, too, has possible relationship-ending secrets. Djansi wrote the script. Suzanne Patrick, Ryan Daly and Tim Taylor are producing. Dave Harper is executive producing. Also in the movie are Lynn Whitfield, Greg Vaughan, Leon Robinson, Kate Nauta and Trilby Glover. Shooting is due to start in May in Los Angeles.

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Leila Djansi's Ties That Bind, which stars Kimberly Elise, alongside Nollywood star Omotola Jalade and Ghanaian actress Ama K Abebrese, is now available on major international VOD platforms, like iTunes, so now you can check it out for yourselves. Recapping, Ties That Bind “tells the story of 3 women from different walks of life, bound together by a similar pain; the loss of a child. In a destined meeting, in a small village, the women journey together to redemption, love, life and forgiveness as they renovate a dilapidated clinic for the villagers.” Also starring are Randal Batinkoff (Kick-Ass) and Ebbe Bassey,...

If you have seen Leila Djansi’s Sinking Sands (see my review Here), you would know that the ambitious filmmaker doesn’t shy away from female-driven, heavy and poignant themes that elicit intense emotions. Among those recurring themes explored are gender roles, traditional marriage ideals, feminism, mental illness, loyalty, female bonds, community, African culture, stigmatization, religious/superstitious beliefs, subordination, sexual abuse. This filmmaker knows drama, in a good way. Djansi proves it once again with Ties That Bind. The film centers around three women: Buki (Ama Abrebese), Adobea (Omatola Jalade Ekeinde) and Theresa (Kimberly Elise). They all share...

Kimberly Elise is reportedly currently in Ghana shooting a movie with Nollywood star Omotola Jalade and Ghanaian actress Ama K Abebrese, for Ghanaian/American director Leila Djansi.

The film, titled Ties That Bind, is said to be a multi-million production, which director Leila describes as her biggest project yet, and “tells the story of 3 women from different walks of life, bound together by a similar pain; the loss of a child. In a destined meeting, in a small village, the women journey together to redemption, love, life and forgiveness as they renovate a dilapidated clinic for the villagers.”

Also starring are Randal Batinkoff (Kick-Ass) and Ebbe Bassey, who has co-starred in 2 short films for Shadow And Act Filmmaker Challenge winner, Nikyatu Jusu (African Booty Scratcher and Say Grace Before Drowning).

I haven’t been able to find much info on this; it’s not even listed on Kimberly Elise’s IMDb page.

News on the march…! Held over the weekend, in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State (Nigeria) on Saturday, March 26, 2011, the celebration announcing the winners of the 2011 African Movie Academy Awards (Amaa) – in just its 7th year.

This year’s nominations list boasted an even longer list of awards, compared to previous years, as the award ceremony continues to grow.

Viva Riva, a film I’ve touted on this website in recent days, after seeing it for the first time last week, rightfully dominated, winning 6 trophies, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Supporting Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Cinematography, and Best Production Design.

The rest of the story follows in the table below, lifted from the Amaa’s website Here:

Category

Nominated Films

Winners

Best Short Film Bougfen – Petra Baninla Sunjo (Cameroun)

Weakness – Wanjiru Kairu (Kenya)

No Jersey No Match – Daniel Ademinokan (Nigeria)

Duty – Mak Kusare (Nigeria)

Bomlambo – Zwelesizwe Ntuli (South Africa)

Zebu And...

Over the weekend, as most of us were reveling in Academy Awards thrills and chills, the nominations for another major movie award ceremony were announced, many miles, across the Atlantic Ocean; I’m referring to the 7-year old (this year) Africa Movie Academy Awards (Amaa), which will be held in Yenegoa, Bayelsa State (Nigeria) on Saturday, March 26, 2011.

This year’s nominations list boasts an even longer list of awards, compared to previous years, as the award ceremony continues to grow.

I’ll have to thoroughly scrub this list to highlight as many titles as I can – especially in the feature film categories, and I’ll do that with individual posts over the next week, or so. In the meantime, however, I’ll quickly point out those few titles that we’ve previously given ink to on this website, that are nominated for Amaa awards, including the following: in the Best Diaspora Feature,...