Shirley MacLaine and Trace Lysette to be Honored at 2023 Outfest Legacy Awards – Film News in Brief
Outfest announced they will honor Academy Award winner Shirley MacLaine and Trace Lysette at the 2023 Legacy Awards, which will take place on Oct. 22.
Outfest is a nonprofit based in Los Angeles that uplifts marginalized creators in the entertainment industry by providing career support and curating the exhibition of queer, LGBTQ and underrepresented stories.
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MacLaine will receive the James Schamus Ally Award, which recognizes an ally’s efforts to foster LGBTQ moving images and promote the communities’ stories to a broader audience, and Lysette will receive the Trailblazer Award, which honors an artist who has contributed to the history of the community by shedding light on the core of the LGBTQ identity and experience.
“Shirley’s illustrious career has not only enthralled generations but her unwavering allegiance to the LGBTQ+ community has been a beacon of hope. Trace, with her groundbreaking performances, is courageously highlighting the essence of the trans journey,” Outfest’s Executive Director Damien S. Navarro said in a statement. “Their contributions are testament to the power of artistry in driving meaningful change.”
Sundance Film Festival Reveals Festival Site, Logo, 2024 Ticket Details and On Sale Dates – Film News in Brief
The 40th Sundance Film Festival is only months away, running from Jan. 18-28 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah and online from Jan. 25-28. With the festival coming up, the Sundance Institute has revealed the festival website, ticketing details, and on sale dates.
The festival site has all the information a new or seasoned festivalgoer might need to know, including the detailed “How to Fest” guide for both the in-person and online experience. Ticketing options are outlined on the website as well; Sundance offers single tickets and packages for both online and in-person screenings. An in-person single ticket costs $30 and an online single ticket costs $25. There are also several different packages for both in-person and online screenings and events at various price points. Packages go on sale on Oct. 18 and individual tickets go on sale on Jan. 11.
For those attending the festival in person, Sundance’s lodging site provides helpful information about where to stay in the area. Attendees should also visit Sundance’s website for a full list of festival venues, including the Egyptian Theatre and Holiday Village Cinemas in Park City.
Tyler Perry Documentary ‘Maxine’s Baby’ to Premiere at AFI Fest
“Maxine’s Baby,” the upcoming documentary about Tyler Perry’s life and career, will make its world premiere at this year’s AFI Fest.
The Amazon Studios and Bekele Films documentary, directed by Gelila Bekele and Armani Ortiz, will debut on Friday, Oct. 27 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood as one of the festival’s centerpiece screenings.
“Tyler Perry is a creative force of nature – a multi-hyphenate who forged his own path to seismic impact in the world of storytelling while also inspiring the next generation to follow in his footsteps,” stated AFI president and CEO Bob Gazzale announcing the film’s selection. “’Maxine’s Baby’ is an epic celebration of a modern maverick, and it is AFI’s honor to shine a proper light upon Mr. Perry and the film at AFI Fest.”
Last month, Variety exclusively announced that the documentary, which was nearly a decade in the making, was heading to Amazon. The film aims present a “tender, intimate portrait” of the billionaire writer, actor, filmmaker, studio head and media mogul, with its title as a nod to Perry’s late mother Willie Maxine Perry, who died in 2009.
“We are honored to premiere ‘Maxine’s Baby’ at AFI Fest. Working on this film for the past decade has been a life-changing journey for the both of us,” stated Bekele and Ortiz. “Getting intimately acquainted with the man behind the icon while witnessing the transformative impact of Mr. Perry’s work within various communities has been truly awe-inspiring.”
The filmmakers continued: “We hope this film is more than a road to success story, but rather, a meditation on healing, unconditional love and an inspiration to audiences.”
In addition to directing the film, Bekele produced the project under her Bekele Films banner alongside Jasmine K. White and Asante White. Following its AFI Fest debut, “Maxine’s Baby” will begin streaming on Prime Video on Nov. 17.
John Kilgore Sound and Recording Studio Changes Ownership to Launch Renaissance Recording
The John Kilgore Sound & Recording studio will start a new chapter under the leadership of Grammy award winning mixers and engineers Ian Kagey and Derik Lee to establish Renaissance Recording alongside composer and music producer Daniel Kluger. Kilgore hands over ownership of the studio with the intention of preserving the studio’s significance.
As Renaissance Recording, the studio will continue to to be available for commercial use, accommodating a wide range of musicians from rhythm sections to larger ensembles. It also features upgraded video and audio connectivity. The space was originally designed by the acclaimed studio designer Fran Manzella.
“We are so happy to call this beautiful studio our creative home,” Kagey said. “We look forward to continuing the incredible work that’s been done here and continuing it as a home for music for years to come!”
Kluger, Kagey and Lee are combining their skillsets to make Renaissance Recording “a sought-after resource hub for creators, collaborators, and industry professionals.”
Kilgore, who has worked with the Steve Reich and the Kronos Quartet and recorded Broadway shows, will continue as a producer and engineer at nearby PULSE Studios as well as at Renaissance.
As a recording and mix engineer, Kagey has worked on the films like “West Side Story” and “Tick Tick Boom” as well as Broadway shows including “Come From Away” and “Be More Chill.” Lee’s engineering and mixing work includes recording the “Hamilton” cast album and “The Greatest Showman” score and soundtrack. Kluger’s Broadway credits include “The Sound Inside” and “Significant Other” and film credits include “The Courtroom” and “A Christmas Carol.”
The Hollywood Museum Celebrates José Iturbi and Hispanic Heritage Month With Special Event
The Hollywood Museum had a joint celebration for the release of José Iturbi’s forthcoming coffee table book “From Hollywood To The World: The Rediscovered Recordings by Pianist and Conductor José Iturbi” and Hispanic Heritage Month with performances by Donelle Dadigan, Charles Fox, Leonard Maltin and more on Tuesday.
Iturbi’s legendary career was also celebrated with the release of the commemorative 16-CD.
As part of the evening, Fox performed his legendary “Killing Me Softly With His Songs” along with other beloved hits. Feinstein and Dadigan, too, shared their personal admiration for Iturbi and performed songs to close out the night.
“The José Iturbi Foundation’s (JIF) mission is to popularize classical music for all generations, especially young people, one note at a time. It is a great honor for the José Iturbi Foundation to host this event honoring my Godfather and his contributions to classical music during Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Donelle Dadigan, JIF co-founder/president.
Additional attendees included Diane Warren, Richard Montañez, Mike Stoller, Carol Connors, Erin Murphy, Candace Wakefield, Joel Diamond, Candace Wakefield, Lesley Barber, Raheem Norris, John Acosta, Rosalyn Kind, Kathryn Bostic, Robert Folk and Geoffrey Mark.
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