News

Exclusive: TheFilm Sales Company has added the sports comedy The Real All Americans to its Cannes roster based on Washington Post sportswriter Sally Jenkins’ book about an all-conquering Native American college football team.

Sydney Freeland, whose credits include the 2024 TIFF Netflix Rez Ball about a Native American high school basketball team, will direct from a screenplay by Best Shot (aka Hoosiers) writer Angelo Pizzo.

The book charted the rise of the Carlisle Indian School, whose early 20th century team was founded by Brigadier General Richard Pratt. In a single season the team beat Harvard, Yale, and the rest of the Ivy League teams,...

Variety hosted its inaugural Indigenous Storytelling in Entertainment Breakfast on June 5 in Los Angeles. The event included insightful conversations with Indigenous and Native creators, talent, and industry executives such as “Reservation Dogs” showrunner Sterlin Harjo, Bird Runningwater from “Fancy Dance,” Kali Reis from “True Detective” (who was joined by co-star Isabella Star Lablanc and showrunner Issa López) and many more. The program highlighted Indigenous storytelling and the achievements of Indigenous communities in film and TV and even included a surprise message from director James Cameron.

The event also explored how the industry is faring in creating opportunities for Indigenous talent on and off-screen. This year marks the 100th anniversary of Indigenous Native Americans becoming U.S. citizens, as President Calvin Coolidge signed the Indian Citizenship Act in 1924, inspired by the high rate of American Indian enlistment during World War I.

Indigenous Storytelling Breakthroughs

The first panel of the day highlighted...

In a pre-recorded video played at Variety‘s inaugural Indigenous Storytelling in Entertainment Breakfast, James Cameron said he tries to celebrate indigenous peoples through his films.

“I try to celebrate Indigenous peoples as guardians of our fragile living world and show their fight against the destruction of land and culture due to everything: extractive industries, deforestation… and I celebrate their fight against the plundering of the ocean and its wildlife,” Cameron said.

Cameron went on to explain the importance of centering Indigenous voices in the entertainment industry.

“But, it’s your stories we want to hear,” he said, “in your voice and in the way you want to tell them. And whatever you learn today, know that you already have so much to teach. So I greet you and I celebrate you speaking as a student and with humility.”

Cameron’s flagship “Avatar” franchise draws inspiration from Indigenous tribes, as...

When the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative released a report surveying film roles for Native Americans last October, of the 100 highest-grossing theatrical movies released between 2007 and 2022, only one had an Indigenous performer in a lead role. Yet when speaking to Native creatives and performers, there is an overwhelming sense of optimism for what’s to come for their representation in entertainment. “I feel very hopeful about where we are,” Jana Schmieding, who recently starred on “Reservation Dogs,” tells Variety. “I want to think that studios see the value in our storytelling.”

Variety’s inaugural Indigenous Storytelling in Entertainment Breakfast, which will take place June 5 in Los Angeles, will focus on both the value and future of such stories. The invite-only breakfast program will feature a series of keynote and panel conversations with creators, talent and executives that will center on Indigenous storytelling and spotlight the achievements of its communities in film and TV.

If life were a superhero movie, one of the major characters would be Ray Halbritter. That’s because the Oneida Indian Nation member has traveled a true superhero journey, using his connections and power not only to raise the visibility and elevate the prosperity of Native Americans, but to change the very culture of the country.

If that sounds like a heavy lift, consider Halbritter’s background, which contains elements of tragedy and triumph. He grew up in New York and New Jersey. Later, living on Native land and employed as an ironworker, he watched, heard and smelled as his aunt and uncle perished in a calamitous trailer home fire because city workers refused to set foot there.

It’s a part of his story that a screenwriter could have used to justify Halbritter’s role as either villain or hero. But this isn’t an origin story for Thanos or Bane.

Alex Tonisson has been appointed the new national executive director of IATSE Local 600’s International Cinematographers Guild (Icg).

As the new national executive director, Tonisson will spearhead critical negotiations, in effort to solicit new opportunities and changes on behalf of the Icg, as well as supervise the full-time staff that work closely with other IATSE Local and International chapters.

“I am excited for this opportunity to continue the important work that Icg does, including the crucial support the Guild provides during this industry-wide strike that has impacted so many of our members,” said Tonisson. “During this critical moment of technology-driven change in film and the arts – it’s my honor to represent the best interests of our members who include some of the most brilliant, creative and talented individuals in our industry.”

Prior to joining Local 600, Tonisson formerly served as the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (Ifpte Local 21) director of field services,...

Travis Knight, president and CEO of animation studio Laika, has been appointed to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Board of Trustees.

The museum also announced the appointment of motion picture producer and former chair of the Academy Museum Inclusion Advisory Committee, Effie T. Brown, as an honorary trustee.

“As the governing body of the Academy Museum, the Board leads the museum toward a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, in addition to securing adequate resources to advance the museum’s mission. Knight and Brown will help continue the success of the museum and its social impact for audiences worldwide” said a statement.

Additionally, the Academy Museum’s Board of Trustees has also re-elected Patricia Bellinger Balzer, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Ray Halbritter, Ryan Murphy, Regina Scully, whose current terms end June 30, 2023, for another three-year term.

Ted Sarandos, board chair and co-ceo of Netflix,...

Travis Knight, president and CEO of animation studio Laika, has been appointed to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Board of Trustees. Additionally, the museum announced the appointment of motion picture producer and former chair of the Academy Museum Inclusion Advisory Committee, Effie T. Brown, as an honorary trustee (a lifetime position), effective July 1, 2023.

According to an official statement from the museum: “As the governing body of the Academy Museum, the Board leads the museum toward a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, in addition to securing adequate resources to advance the museum’s mission. Knight and Brown will help continue the success of the museum and its social impact for audiences worldwide.”

Additionally, the Academy Museum’s Board of Trustees has also re-elected Patricia Bellinger Balzer, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Ray Halbritter, Ryan Murphy, Regina Scully, whose current terms end June 30, 2023, for another three-year term.

After two seasons as the stopgap Washington Football Team, the NFL franchise officially announced its permanent new name Wednesday: The Washington Commanders.

The team revealed their new military-themed name — which leaked in the days prior to the announcement — with a video that showcased the team’s “legacy” as well as their new burgundy-and-gold uniforms:

One legacy. One unified future.

We are the Washington Commanders #TakeCommand pic.twitter.com/Eav9NOV5Mm

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 2, 2022

“As an organization, we are excited to rally and rise together as one under our...

After going virtual in 2020 amid the pandemic, the Environmental Media Association is returning to in-person events this fall with its Impact Summit and annual awards gala.

The summit, set for Sept. 2 at the Pendry West Hollywood, will feature panelists and attendees including Malin Akerman, Constance Zimmer, stylist Karla Welch, Wolfgang Puck, Alex Winter, Ed Solomon, Senator Alex Padilla, Wendie Malick, Ray Halbritter, Frances Fisher, Gina McCarthy, Ed Begley Jr., Nalleli Cobo and Vien Truong. The awards show will take place on Oct. 16 in Los Angeles, and guests will be asked to provide proof of vaccination or a ...

After going virtual in 2020 amid the pandemic, the Environmental Media Association is returning to in-person events this fall with its Impact Summit and annual awards gala.

The summit, set for Sept. 2 at the Pendry West Hollywood, will feature panelists and attendees including Malin Akerman, Constance Zimmer, stylist Karla Welch, Wolfgang Puck, Alex Winter, Ed Solomon, Senator Alex Padilla, Wendie Malick, Ray Halbritter, Frances Fisher, Gina McCarthy, Ed Begley Jr., Nalleli Cobo and Vien Truong. The awards show will take place on Oct. 16 in Los Angeles, and guests will be asked to provide proof of vaccination or a ...

Eva Longoria and Sid Ganis Appointed to Academy Museum Board of Trustees

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures announced that Eva Longoria has been appointed to its board of trustees, while Sid Ganis will become the museum’s first honorary trustee.

Since starring in “Desperate Housewives,” Longoria has led the charge for female representation in Hollywood and cemented herself as an entertainment industry staple known for her work both in front of and behind the camera. Ganis, a film executive and producer, has been integral to securing the future of the Academy Museum. He will now serve on the board in a lifetime position.

Longoria and Ganis join existing board members Ted Sarandos, chair; Miky Lee (Mie Kyung Lee) vice-chair; Kimberly Steward, secretary; Jim Gianopulos, treasurer; Patricia S. Bellinger, Jason Blum, Arnaud Boetsch, Olivier de Givenchy, Laura Dern, David Dolby, Sidonie Seydoux Dumas, Ray Halbritter, Tom Hanks, Dawn Hudson, Bill Kramer,...

Angelo Pizzo, screenwriter of “Hoosiers” and “Rudy” has been tapped to adapt Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins’ highly-acclaimed and rated book “The Real All Americans: The Team That Changed a Game, A People, A Nation.” It is the first film property that has been optioned by Ray Halbritter, Oneida Indian Nation Representative, CEO of Oneida Nation Enterprises and trustee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Museum, for his Standing Arrow Productions banner. The company was launched earlier this past February.

“I have been a long-time admirer of Angelo Pizzo’s brilliant and iconic work,” says Halbritter said in a statement. “’Hoosiers’ and ‘Rudy’ melded sports with human drama to inspire millions…and that is our intent with The Real All Americans. Standing Arrow Productions has found the perfect writer to begin our cinematic journey.”

Jenkins’ book chronicles the true-life exploits of the Carlisle Indian School football team, which...

Welcome to this week’s “Just for Variety“…

Yvette Nicole Brown says after four years of Donald Trump, this year’s Emily’s List pre-Oscar event is “like a burst of sunshine.” As always, the organization, which works to elect female Democratic candidates, will host a keynote panel with industry figures on April 20 (see Must Attend for details). “Talk about a light at the end of the tunnel,” the former “Community” star says of the Biden-Harris administration. “I think we as a nation have turned a corner. There are still tough times ahead, but we’ve all learned collectively what happens when we don’t vote or when we vote for people who don’t care about people.” Brown says she may even run for political office someday. “Before Donald Trump, I never thought about running because I believed I wasn’t smart enough to do it,” she tells me.

Ray Halbritter, the Oneida Indian Nation Representative, CEO of Oneida Nation Enterprises, and a trustee of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences Museum, has launched Standing Arrow Productions, a privately-funded, independent film and TV production company aimed at increasing the representation and championing the narratives of Native American and Indigenous peoples on screen. Halbritter has already optioned the first book that he will adapt: “The Real All Americans: The Team That Changed a Game, A People, A Nation” by award-winning sports journalist and Washington Post columnist Sally Jenkins.

“Representation on the movie screen and throughout popular culture is tremendously important for marginalized communities, and especially important for young people, to see images of themselves on screen,” Halbritter told Variety. “That’s the biggest single factor in my decision to launch Standing Arrow Productions. Growing up, I never saw anyone on screen who looked like me or reflected my life experience.