Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Selects 12 Grant Recipients — Film News in Brief
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge has partnered with Film Independent to award 12 disabled filmmakers with grants to help them develop their short films into episodic series or feature films.
Grant recipients will have access to workshops, one-on-one mentorship and networking opportunities with industry leaders through the Film Independent grantee program. The grants were made possible by the Adobe Foundation.
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“We are proud of the outstanding films produced over the past 11 years and I am grateful that the Challenge has provided a high-profile platform that has enabled many of our participants to go on to such prominent success,” said Nic Novicki, director and founder of the EDFC. “Thanks to the Adobe Foundation and Film Independent, we are able to provide our talented participants with the resources to take their projects to the next level. We can’t wait to see these projects continue to flourish on the big and small screens.”
The grant recipients and links to their short films are listed below.
Chrissy Marshall: “Rain in My Head”
Shannon DeVido: “Stupid Man”
Sommer Carbuccia: “Mac & Cheese”
Dickie Drew Hearts: “Passengers”
Lee Pugsley: “Audio Description”
David Radcliff: “Call the A.D.A.”
Chase Chambers: “The Case of the Obsidian Muskrat”
Kiersten Kelly: “Emergency Contact”
Ashley Eakin: “Expectations”
Santina Muha: “Full Picture”
Jennifer Msumba: “The Fish Don’t Care When it Rains”
Scott Klumb: “Autism Ability”
Friday, Nov. 22
Gravitas Ventures Acquires Transgender Drama ‘Regarding Us’ for U.S. Distribution
Gravitas Ventures has acquired David Beck and Jennifer Bobbi’s transgender drama “Regarding Us” from The Great Griffon and Bishop Street Productions for U.S. distribution. The film will receive a limited theatrical release in New York in December.
The official logline reads, “Fired from her teaching job at a Catholic school, a transgender woman contemplates suicide until she meets a young girl with two fathers, and they have a profound impact on each other’s lives.”
Cast members include Abigail Hawk, Catherine Curtin, Alexandra Grey, Jacob Moran, Andrea Rosa Guzman and Hudson Paul.
Beck and Bobbi serve as co-writers as well as directors. Catriona Rubenis-Stevens, Beck and Grey produced the film. Executive producers include Thomas Patrick Lane, Jack Meagher and Martine Rothblatt.
Watch the trailer below.
Thursday, Nov. 21
Paramount’s ‘September 5’ and ‘Better Man’ Get New Release Dates
Paramount’s “September 5” and “Better Man” have been moved from their original release dates.
“September 5,” directed by Tim Fehlbaum, was previously slated for a Nov. 29 exclusive release and a Dec. 13 expansion. The exclusive release will now wait until Dec. 13 and the expansion won’t come until Jan. 17. Per an official logline, “‘September 5’ unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today. Set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics, the film follows the ABC Sports broadcasting team who quickly shifted from sports reporting to live coverage of the Israeli athletes taken hostage.”
“Better Man,” helmed by Michael Gracey, was slated for a Jan. 17 wide release, but that date has been bumped up to Jan. 10. The film’s exclusive release on Christmas Day has not been changed. The Robbie Williams biopic “follows Robbie’s journey from childhood, to being the youngest member of chart-topping boyband Take That, through to his unparalleled achievements as a record-breaking solo artist – all the while confronting the challenges that stratospheric fame and success can bring,” per an official logline.
Wednesday, Nov. 20
The Motion Picture Sound Editors has announced that Kevin Costner will be honored with the 2025 MPSE Filmmaker Award while sound editor Greg Hedgepath will receive the MPSE Career Achievement Award.
The MPSE Filmmaker Award honors individuals outside of the sound community who have demonstrated a strong understanding of the impact and importance of sound editing through exemplary work, service or leadership.
“Costner has captivated audiences with his powerful storytelling throughout his illustrious career,” said MPSE president David Barber. “From epic Westerns to poignant dramas, his use of sound as an integral component of his cinematic storytelling has stirred our emotions and immersed viewers in the worlds he’s created for decades.”
Costner’s film career has spanned multiple decades from his first on-screen role in “Fandango.” After a slew of box office hits, he produced, directed and starred in the Oscar-winning “Dances with Wolves.” In the years since, audiences have seen him in “3 Days to Kill,” “Draft Day,” “Criminal,” “Hidden Figures” and “Yellowstone.” He is currently directing, producing and starring in his most recent project, “Horizon: An American Saga.”
The MPSE Career Achievement Award honors people who have made a strong impact in the sound community through their career. Hedgepath is a two-time Golden Reel Award winner who has worked on films like “Twister,” “Starship Troopers,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “Footloose,” “Selma,” “Straight Outta Compton,” “Queen & Slim” and “Coming 2 America.”
“Hedgepath is a true titan in the world of sound,” Barber said. “He is a master craftsman, an innovator, and an inspiration. This award is a testament to the profound impact he has had on the art of sound.”
The 72nd Annual Golden Reel Awards Gala will be held Feb. 23, 2025 at the Wilshire Ebell Theatre in Los Angeles.
Tuesday, Nov. 19
Cinema Audio Society to Honor Denis Villeneuve with Filmmaker of the Year Award
The Cinema Audio Society, which celebrates outstanding achievements in film sound mixing, will honor Denis Villeneuve with the filmmaker of the year award at the the 61st CAS Awards, which take place Feb. 22.
“I am truly honored to receive the CAS filmmaker award. This is especially meaningful to me because sound has always been at the core of my storytelling,” said Villeneuve. “It’s a powerful tool of expression that keeps fascinating me. It’s what makes us experience moving images through common wavelengths.”
Villeneuve’s latest film, “Dune: Part 2,” is the fourth highest-grossing movie of 2024, clocking in just over $700 million at the global box office. Starring Timothée Chalamet, Austin Butler and Zendaya, the film continues the story of Paul Atreides, who must learn the ways of the Fremen in order to save Dune from imperialist invaders.
2025 marks the 20th year the Cinema Audio Society has presented the filmmaker of the year award. Past recipients include J.J. Abrams, Alejandro González Iñárritu, George Clooney, Steven Spielberg and Quentin Tarantino.
Marie Clements’ ‘Bones of Crows’ Comes to Hulu in Celebration of Native American Heritage Month
Marie Clements’ generational drama “Bones of Crows” is coming to Hulu in the U.S. Nov. 19 in celebration of Native American Heritage Month.
“Bones of Crows,” which made its world premiere at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, “is a story told through the eyes of Cree Matriarch Aline Spears as she survives a childhood in Canada’s residential school system to continue her family’s generational fight in the face of systemic starvation, racism, and sexual abuse,” per the official logline.
Clements serves as writer, director and producer with Trish Dolman and Christine Haebler. Executive producers include Sam Grana, Aaron Gilbert, Steven Thibault and Noah Segal. “Bones of Crows” is produced by Ayasew Ooskana Pictures Inc., Marie Clements Media, Screen Siren Pictures and Grana Productions. The film is distributed by Elevation Pictures in Canada and Fifth Season internationally.
Monday, Nov. 18
Steve McQueen to Be Honored for ‘Blitz’ at San Francisco Film Honors – Film News in Brief
San Francisco Film, which presents the San Francisco International Film Festival, has named Steve McQueen as the honoree for the 2024 SF Honors Award for his latest film, “Blitz.” The Academy Award-winning filmmaker will receive the recognition in person during a pre-screening award presentation. After the screening, there will be an in-depth conversation with McQueen, who wrote and directed the film. The ceremony will take place on Dec. 3 at the Premier Theater at One Letterman in San Francisco.
“‘Blitz’ represents the pinnacle of bold, fearless filmmaking that SF Honors celebrates,” said SFFILM Board President Todd Traina. “McQueen’s distinctive vision exemplifies why we created this award—to bring extraordinary cinema to San Francisco audiences.”
“We are elated to present the second SF Honors Award of the season to the cinematic luminary, Steve McQueen for his most recent film ‘Blitz,’” said Jessie Fairbanks, SFFILM’s Director of Programming. “Steve’s artistry is distinguished by his ability to confront difficult subject matter with profound sensitivity and uncompromising visual style. This is stunningly evident in his powerful WWII epic and we can’t wait to welcome him back to SFFILM.”
The film stars Saoirse Ronan and Harris Dickinson. It is a dramatic rendition of life in London during World War II, featuring George (Elliott Heffernan), a 9-year-old boy sent to the countryside by his mother (Ronan) with the hopes of keeping him safe from the perils of war. However, George defies his mother’s wishes and attempts to return home to her and his grandfather, Gerald (Paul Weller) in East London. This leads to a dangerous journey, leaving his mother worried about his safety and whereabouts.
‘Here’s Yianni!’ Among Top Winners at the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival
The Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival announced its 2024 winners for its 39th edition after a 10-day festival run that included eight world premieres and 17 U.S. premieres.
Out of the top recipients, the independent film “Here’s Yianni!” won multiple prizes. Joe Cortese took home best actor, Julia Ormond was honored with best actress and Christina Eliopoulos received the spirit of independents award for directing. The film will have its international premiere at the Torino Film Festival on Nov. 26 before being featured as the Closing Night selection of the Dances with Film NY festival on Dec. 8.
Some of the other major winners included the Spanish thriller “The Wingwalker” for best feature and best director, the documentary “Beyond Triathlon” for the people’s choice award and “No Address” for the president’s award.
“At FLIFF, we are incredibly thankful for all the filmmakers, actors, directors and producers who participated in this year’s festival and for the audience who continues to support FLIFF each year,” said Steve Savor, FLIFF president & CEO. “In 2025, the best is yet to come during our 40th anniversary.”
FLIFF Lifetime Achievement awards were given to Cortese for “Here’s Yianni!,” Bob Mackie for “Bob Mackie: Naked Illusion,” Bobby Roth for “Good Men” and John Savage for “Beyond the Rush.” For the FLIFF Star on the Horizon awards, Francesca Eastwood, Emily Bett Rickards and Gavin Casalegno were honored for “Queen of the Ring” while Sofia Vassilieva was recognized for “Here’s Yianni!”
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