Archive for the 'Film Festival' Category

Nantucket Film Festival Update

Published April 25, 2008 Festivals , Film , Film Festival , Nantucket 0 Comments

Latest news from the upcoming 13th Annual Nantucket Film Festival, June 19 - 22:

  • Meg Ryan will be here to receive the first annual Compass Rose Acting Tribute Award.
  • Writer/director Judd Apatow will be on island to receive the “Suzanne and Bob Wright Screenwriter’s Tribute Award.”
  • “Transsiberian” will open the Festival, co-written by islander Will Conroy.

Executive Director Jill Burkhart and Artistic Director Mystelle Brabbée have announced that Meg Ryan will be the first ever winner of the newly established Compass Rose Acting Tribute, given to an actor who has inspired writers to create roles especially for them. Meg will also present the Adrienne Shelly Excellence in Filmmaking Award to a promising female writer/director.

Writer/director Judd Apatow will receive the Suzanne and Bob Wright Screenwriter’s Tribute Award, presented by NBC Universal. Judd Apatow wrote and directed “The 40 Year Old Virgin” and “Knocked Up”. Past tributees have been Steve Martin, Charlie Kaufman, Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, Jay Presson Allen, Paul Schrader, Walter Bernstein, Ring Lardner Jr., James Schamus, Robert Benton, Alexander Payne and Jim Taylor.

The opening film of this year’s festival is writer/director Brad Anderson’s “Transsiberian”, starring Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Ben Kingsley, Kate Mara, and Eduardo Noriega. The film will be accompanied by a making-of documentary and panel discussion with writer/director Brad Anderson, writer Will Conroy, and producer Michael Williams.

Late Night Storytelling returns with hosts Anne Meara and Peter Farrelly. Participants will include surprise guests and audience members. Past storytellers have included Jim Carrey, Tina Fey, Mos Def, Rosie Perez, Laird Hamilton, Olympia Dukakis, Paul Rudd, Alan Cumming, and Brian Williams.

Morning Coffee With will be hosted by film critic Leonard Maltin.

The Festival will partner with Nantucket’s Seaside Shakespeare for a reading of the Billy Wilder classic “Some Like It Hot”.

Closing the festival will be “The Wackness”, written and directed by Jonathan Levine and starring Ben Kingsley, Famke Janssen, Josh Peck, Olivia Thirlby, and Mary-Kate Olsen.

Other films in this year’s festival include:

  • American Teen
  • Baghead
  • Choke
  • The Deal
  • Flow: For Love of Water
  • Frozen River
  • Goodbye Baby
  • Of All the Things
  • Operation Filmmaker
  • Secrecy
  • Sleep Dealer
  • Stranded: I Have Come from a Plane that Crashed on the Mountains
  • Trouble the Water
  • Wellness

The website will be up within the next few days.

“Transsiberian” at Sundance (Nantucket Connection)

Published February 12, 2008 Film , Film Festival , Movies , Nantucket 0 Comments

Will Conroy, now a summer visitor but previously a resident, has co-written a film called “Transsiberian” with Brad Anderson, which recently played at the Sundance Film Festival. The film was shot in Lithuania on a $15 million budget. Brad, a frequest visitor to the Nantucket Film Festival, also directed the film starring Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer, Kate Mara, Eduardo Noriega, Thomas Kretschmann, and Ben Kingsley.

Will wrote me from his home in Arizona to tell me about it, and that “he’s still hoping the movie will show at this year’s Nantucket Film Festival”, ending with “I miss Nantucket terribly”.

USA Today said of “Transsiberian”:
“The film is a marital drama meets police thriller and has what every good train ride should: lust, murder, Russian cops, a lot of vodka. And then some: a bag full of heroin, windows nailed shut, a tough female Russian conductor, a train wreck with lives hanging in the balance.”

“Cast members Woody Harrelson, Emily Mortimer and Eduardo Noriega were on hand at the sold-out Eccles auditorium at the Park City High School. Harrelson and Mortimer play a Midwestern couple traveling back from a religious mission in China, struggling to keep their marriage together at the point when a mysterious Spaniard (Noriega) and his 20-year-old girlfriend (Kate Mara) climb aboard.”

Read the full review here.

From Variety:
“The long sidelined subgenre centered on mysterious doings aboard exotic trains is put back on the tracks in “Transsiberian,” an engagingly up-to-date melodrama steeped in local color and steered by a treacherous sense of morality. Stalwart indie helmer Brad Anderson spreads his wings considerably here by moving further into action and genre territory than he ever has before with a film that will likely achieve more theatrical traction internationally than in the U.S. but looks promising everywhere at tube and home viewing destinations down the line.”

Read the full review here.

Sundance post party pictures here. On hand were Woody Harrelson, Ben Kingsley, Emily Mortimer, Kata Mara, Perez Hilton, Jason Patric, and Paris Hilton and her sister Nicky.

Here’s the trailer

Nantucket Film Festival Benefit

Published August 23, 2007 Benefits , Festivals , Film , Film Festival , Nantucket 0 Comments

Tomorrow’s (Friday the 24th) benefit for the Nantucket Film Festival, a screening and cocktail party, still has some tickets left. The film is “Row Hard No Excuses”, directed by Luke Wolbach.

In this film, John Zeigler and Tom Mailhot, in the fall of 2001, jumped into a rowboat
and spent 58 days over 3000 miles chasing a dream, from the Canary Island to Barbados. Among the oldest competitors to ever participate in the Atlantic Rowing Challenge, they spent three years preparing, but once on the water, were confronted with sleep deprivation, seasickness, isolation, boredom and cramped living conditions. But they discovered inner resources they didn’t know existed while wondering if their seemingly noble quest wasn’t more lake an ill fated nightmare. An exciting sports and adventure story on the surface, Row Hard No Excuses delves deeper, illuminating an intimate portrait of two middle-aged
American men as they explore a deeply personal quest.

The movie runs from 4 to 5:30, followed by a talk led by MSNBC’s Chris Matthews and documentary subject Thomas Mailhot, followed by a cocktail reception. It’s all at Westmoor Farm’s Green Barn on Pilgrim Road. Call 212-708-1261 for reservations.

Nantucket Film festival Opening Night

Published June 20, 2007 Festivals , Film , Film Festival , Movies , Nantucket , Nantucket People , Photographs 0 Comments

The Opening Night Party at Straight Wharf Restaurant is always a good mix of islanders and film festival people, feeling like an annual reunion for many of us. Steven Weber stopped in briefly. Jace Alexander was there, back to moderate the Morning Coffees, with a little stand up comedy thrown in. Comedian Kevin Flynn is back in town, already looking forward to Joshua Tree at the Box next week.

For more photos, go to the Mahon About Town Photo Pages.

Nantucket Film festival Update

Published June 14, 2007 Film , Film Festival , Movies , Nantucket 0 Comments

FESTIVAL EVENTS
NFF Iconoclasts presents “Evening” co-screenwriter Michael Cunningham, and author of the memoir “Jarhead” Anthony Swofford, moderated by Variety’s Sharon Swart. That’s at the Harbor House, South Beach Street, staring at 8pm tonight, Thursday.

Morning Coffee With writers, directors and producers in the film industry in a lively mix of coffee and conversation, bagels and shoptalk, with Q&A. Hosted by Jace Alexander. Rose & Crown. Thursday through Sunday at 9 a.m. On Friday, the guests will be Matthew Galkin (co-producer and director, I Am An Animal), Bill Haney (co-producer and director, The Price of Sugar), Catherine Ryan (co-producer and co-director, Soldiers of Conscience), Gary Weinberger (co-producer and co-director, Soldiers of Conscience), and Luke Wolbach (co-producer and director, Row Hard No Excuses).

Late Night Storytelling is again hosted by Anne Meara and Peter Farrelly, with scheduled storytellers, local actors (John Shea, Susan McGinnis), as well as random members of the audience. This year’s theme is “Just Can’t Help Myself: Stories About Obsession.”
Jetties Beach, Friday from 7 to 9.

In Their Shoes, a conversation on screenwriting with Academy Award winner Robert Benton, a director, screenwriter and producer (Bonnie and Clyde, Kramer vs. Kramer, What’s Up, Doc?, and Superman) will be at Bennett Hall, Saturday at 10:30 am.

Latest Nantucket Film Festival News

Published June 13, 2007 Festivals , Film , Film Festival , Movies , Nantucket , news 0 Comments

I asked Jill Burkhart, Executive Director of the Nantucket Film Festival, to tell us which films we should see if we only had time to see 5 this year. Here they are, not in any particular order.

TEETH

One of the most talked about films at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, Teeth garnered newcomer Jess Weixler a jury prize for what Variety describes as her game and disarming performance. Part horror film, part erotic/moral debate, and part outrageous assault on male vulnerability and fear, Teeth has been called deliciously enjoyable and an over the top fable that needs to be seen to be believed. There will be a special screening of TeethThursday, to benefit the Screenwriters Colony, on June 14th at 7 p.m. at the Starlight. A cocktail reception will follow the screening at the Starlight with filmmaker Mitchell Lichtenstein and actress Jess Weixler.

LOW AND BEHOLD
While Hurricane Katrina crippled most industries in New Orleans, insurance claim adjusters actually thrived in the chaos that followed. Zack Godshall’s poignant first feature tells the tale of Turner Stull (based on co-writer Barlow Jacobs), an uninspired young man who arrives in New Orleans ready to work for his shady Uncle Stully (Robert Longstreet), a seasoned pro in the insurance claims business.
Bennett Hall: Saturday (16th) at 9:30pm
Unitarian Church: Sunday (17th) at 5:30pm

Here’s an interview with Barlow Jacobs:

If no video above, click here.

EVERYTHING’S COOL
While touring the nation on the eve of the 2004 presidential elections, filmmakers Gold and Helfand realized that there was an enormous gap between what scientists knew about the threat of global warming, and what the American public understood. In witty and inspiring vignettes, this thought-provoking, entertaining documentary follows self-appointed messengers - scientists, journalists and average Americans - who fully understand the disastrous effects that human activity, particularly the burning of fossil fuels, has on the environment.
Bennett Hall: Friday, June 15th 10:15am

SWIMMING IN AUSCHWITZ**** just added!
Six Jewish women from different countries and different backgrounds found themselves deported to the notorious concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, during the Holocaust. This film attempts to chronicle that experience through those same female eyes. While subject to the same physical hardships as men, these women do not dwell on that. Instead, they speak of camp families and faith, uplifting one another while trying to remain human.
Unitarian Church: Thursday (14th) at 9:45 pm

CANVAS WITH JOE PANTOLIANO (Joey Pants) IN PERSON
I profiled this film with trailer in the June 6th issue of the newsletter.
Bennett Hall: Friday (15th) at 12:30 pm
Unitarian Church: Sunday (17th) at 3:00 pm

ICONOCLASTS will feature EVENING co-screenwriter, Michael Cunningham, and author of the memoir JARHEAD, Anthony Swofford, moderated by Variety’s Sharon Swart. Thursday (14th), 8:00 pm at The Harbor House.

Tickets are still available online and at box office for the NBC Screenwriters Tribute, Late Night Storytelling and Opening Night Party.

Nantucket Film Festival News

Published June 8, 2007 Festivals , Film , Film Festival , Movies , Nantucket 0 Comments

A short documentary, Not Just Another Sign, made by John Stanton and Dan Driscoll about the Marshall Gardiner Compass Rose Mural on the side of the Ralph Lauren building will screen before the opening night film at the Nantucket Film Festival. The doc is a look at the history of this sign and, to a lesser extent, the iconic nature of signs in general and the idea of what constitutes public art. Ralph Lauren will be sponsoring the opening night event. And to commemorate the recent restoration of the mural, Ralph Lauren has introduced special merchandisesold exclusively on Nantucket, with 100% of the proceeds benefiting the Nantucket Historical Association.

Here are a few of the films that will screen here next week, with more in future newsletters.

Broken English
Nora Wilder (Parker Posey) is a 30-something Manhattanite working in a posh downtown hotel. Cynical when it comes to love, Nora nonetheless dreams of finding a perfect marriage as ideal as her friend Audrey’s (Drea De Matteo). It doesn’t help that her overbearing mother (Gena Rowlands) takes every opportunity to remind Nora that she’s still unattached. After a series of disastrous dates, she meets Julien (Melvin Poupaud), a seemingly devil-may-care Frenchman.Directed by Zoe R. Cassavetes

Broken English was nominated for the Grand Jury Prize - Dramatic at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. The trailer:

Or click here if it won’t play, or there is no image above.

Starlight: Wednesday, June 13th 11:00am, and Saturday, June 16th 5:00pm

Evening
Hungarian director Lajos Koltai (Fateless) film from Susan Minot and Pulitzer Prize-winner Michael Cunningham’s adaptation of Minot’s novel of the same name. Evening explores the emotional and romantic past of a 65-year-old woman with terminal cancer. Ann Grant (Vanessa Redgrave) has lived a rich and rewarding life, but now the time has come for her to leave this world behind.

Or click here if it won’t play, or there is no image above.

Sconset Casino: Wednesday, June 13th 7:00pm and 9:30pm

Canvas
Academy Award winner Marcia Gay Harden and Emmy Award winner Joe Pantoliano star along with 11-year-old newcomer Devon Gearhart in this debut feature drama from writer/director Joseph Greco. Inspired by a true story, this critically acclaimed and award-winning film about a family coping with mental illness is full of hope, humor and heartbreaking performances.

John Anderson at Variety writes:
First-rate performances, an uncompromising point of view and a fresh take on a well-worn movie subject — madness — make helmer-scribe Joseph Greco’s debut “Canvas” the kind of indie feature that could easily cross over from festival awards to respectable B.O. success.Auds will experience the joy of discovery in Greco’s fact-based drama — not just in its perspective on schizophrenia and the effect of the disease on one Florida family, but in Joe Pantoliano’s cliche-demolishing performance as a sensitive family man who loves his wife no matter how paranoid, delusional or destructive she becomes.

Or click here if it won’t play, or there is no image above.

Bennett Hall: Friday, June 15th 12:30pm
Unitarian Church: Sunday, June 17th 3:00pm

Nantucket Film Festival Update

Published May 30, 2007 Festivals , Film , Film Festival , Nantucket 0 Comments

Here’s a better picture of what this year’s 12th Annual Nantucket Film Festival will look like.

Look for 30 features with 20 shorts, and, according to Artistic Director
Mystelle Brabbee, “This year in particular, we were delighted to find that the line-up has a strong representation of female talent, whether it’s an engrossing film from a female director, or a film telling the story of an incredible woman.”

The Festival will this year introduce the Adrienne Shelley Excellence in Filmmaking Award, which awards a cash prize to an exceptional female writer or director at the festival. Robert Benton will accept in person the NBC Universal Screenwriting Award at the NBC Universal Screenwriter’s Tribute on Saturday, June 16th. Expected to attend are Stanley Jaffe, Ron Meyer, Jeff Zucker, Brian Williams, and James Schamus.

Benton will be interviewed by film critic Janet Maslin in In Their Shoes on Sunday, June 17th, which will include clips of the best scenes from Mr. Benton’s work as chosen by him. Places in the Heart, which earned Benton an Academy Award for Best Screenplay, will be screened during the Festival.

Our own Anne Meara and Peter Farrelly will again host Late Night Storytelling with surprise guests and audience members participating. Past storytellers include Jim Carrey, Tina Fey, Mos Def, Rosie Perez, Laird Hamilton, Olympia Dukakis, Paul Rudd, Alan Cumming, and Brian Williams.

“Iconoclasts” will see William Monahan, Donna Giolotti, and Rachel Grady interview each other about their lives and work leading up to and after their Oscar nominations and awards (Thursday, June 14th). Sharon Swart will moderate. Past participants include Tom McCarthy and Campbell Scott.

This year’s staged screenplay reading is Filthy, Dirty, Twisted Lust by Steven Weber, who will also be directing the performance. Saturday, June 16th.

Also scheduled to appear at the festival are Canvas stars Marcia Gay Harden and Joe Pantoliano as well as Evening co-writer Michael Cunningham.

The previously announced Opening Night Film, presented by Ralph Lauren, will be the feature Evening directed by Lajos Koltai. Based on Susan Minot’s Pulitzer Prize-winning book and starring Meryl Streep, Clair Danes, and Toni Collette, Evening explores the emotional and romantic past of a 65-year-old woman diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The previously announced Closing Night Film will be the feature Rocket Science directed by Jeffrey Blitz. Rocket Science is the debut narrative feature from Blitz, and won the coveted Directing Award at Sundance 2007. The film centers on a shy high school student with a stuttering problem who tries to win a girl’s heart by joining his school’s debate team.

The feature films of the 2007 Nantucket Film Festival are:

Autism Every Day
Begging Naked
Broken English
Canvas
The Devil Came on Horseback
Evening
Everything’s Cool
Flakes
The Good Night
The Go-Getter
Great World of Sound
I Am an Animal: The Story of Ingrid Newkirk and Peta
Low and Behold
Nomanak Tx
Note by Note
Places in the Heart
Pretty In the Face
The Price of Sugar
Rocket Science
Row Hard No Excuses
Shame
Soldiers of Conscience
Son of Rambow
Teeth
The Ten
War/Dance
Waitress
Year of the Fish

Nantucket Film Festival Update

Published May 12, 2007 Festivals , Film , Film Festival , Nantucket 0 Comments

The 12th Annual Nantucket Film Festival will run from June 13 to 17th this year, Here’s a first look.

According to Executive Director Jill Burkhart and Artistic Director Mystelle Brabbée, the opening film will be Evening, directed by Lajos Koltai and adapted by Susan Minot and Michael Cunningham from Ms. Minot’s best-selling novel. The mother-and-daughter-themed feature stars Claire Danes, Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Patrick Wilson, Hugh Dancy, Natasha Richardson, Mamie Gummer, Eileen Atkins, Meryl Streep, and Glenn Close. Several of the actors will be in attendance for the showing. Evening opens in nationally on June 29th.

The closing film will be the high school comedy Rocket Science, written and directed by Jeffrey Blitz. Other films will include the Centerpiece film Son of Rambow, written and directed by Garth Jennings; and I Am An Animal.

Academy Award winning screenwriter Robert Benton will be the NBC Universal Screenwriter Honoree this year, to take place on Saturday, June 16th. Benton has created classic films such as Bonnie and Clyde (as co-screenwriter), Kramer vs. Kramer (as director/screenwriter), and Places in the Heart (as director/screenwriter). His newest film The Feast of Love, will be released this fall.

A newly established Adrienne Shelly Excellence in Filmmaking Award will, in conjunction with The Adrienne Shelly Foundation, award a cash prize annually to a promising female writer/director at the Festival. The foundation was founded by the late filmmaker’s husband, Andy Ostroy, to honor her and support the artistic achievements of female writers, directors, and actors through scholarships and grants.

Next Page »

 

May 2008
S M T W T F S
« Apr    
 123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

Blog Stats

  • 44,597 hits