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Following The Film Stage’s collective top 50 films of 2024, as part of our year-end coverage, our contributors are sharing their personal top 10 lists.

2024 was my year of big, blustering cinema. The kind of movie that makes you realize what a movie is fundamentally supposed to be: Loud, epic, enveloping. You know, Big. The majority of films I responded to most this year were craft masterworks, from the sound design genius of films like The Brutalist, Dune: Part Two, and Civil War to the immersive photography and editing of others like Furiosa, Wicked, and The Substance. Even the “smaller” and quieter of this year’s crop, such as Memoir of a Snail and Janet Planet, reverberated in their background details.

How lucky it is to say to yourself not once but multiple times a year at the theater, “Now this is Cinema!”

Without further ado, the best movies I watched in 2024.

Honorable Mentions: Femme,...

Entries for the 2025 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 97th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 3, 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between November 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. The deadline for submissions to the Academy is October 2.

A shortlist of 15 finalists is scheduled to...

Entries for the 2025 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 97th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 3, 2025 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between November 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. The deadline for submissions to the Academy is October 2.

A shortlist of 15 finalists is scheduled to...

On Monday July 1 2024, PBS broadcasts Professor T!

Truth and Justice Season 3 Episode 3 Episode Summary

In this episode of “Professor T” titled “Truth and Justice,” viewers are in for a thrilling ride as the brilliant Professor T finds himself faced with a difficult decision. Professor T is up in court and must make a choice between saving himself or his former lover. The tension is palpable as he navigates this moral dilemma that could have far-reaching consequences.

Meanwhile, a prison officer is discovered dead, setting off a complex investigation. With no shortage of suspects, the mystery deepens as one individual appears determined to take the blame. As the team delves into the case, uncovering secrets and lies, the race to uncover the truth intensifies.

As the plot thickens, viewers can expect twists and turns that will keep them on the edge of their seats. With the signature blend of suspense, drama,...

On Sunday June 30 2024, PBS broadcasts Professor T!

Truth and Justice Season 3 Episode 3 Episode Summary

In this episode of “Professor T” titled “Truth and Justice,” viewers are in for a rollercoaster of emotions and suspense. Professor T finds himself in a difficult position as he is up in court and faces a tough decision – whether to save himself or his former lover. The tension escalates as he navigates the complexities of loyalty, justice, and personal relationships.

As the central storyline unfolds, a prison officer is discovered dead, setting the stage for a gripping investigation. With a plethora of suspects in the mix, the mystery deepens. However, one particular individual emerges as a key player who seems determined to shoulder the blame, adding a layer of intrigue to the already intricate plot.

Viewers can expect a thrilling ride as the episode delves into themes of truth, morality, and the pursuit of justice.

In the upcoming episode of “Professor T” titled “Truth and Justice,” viewers are in for a thrilling ride as Professor T finds himself facing a difficult decision. The episode airs at 7:00 Pm on Monday, 1 July 2024, on PBS. The plot thickens as Professor T is put on trial and must choose between saving himself or his former lover. This moral dilemma adds a layer of complexity to the already intense courtroom drama.

Meanwhile, a prison officer is discovered dead, sparking a murder investigation. With a plethora of suspects in the mix, the detectives must navigate through a web of lies and deceit to uncover the truth. However, one individual stands out as being determined to take the blame for the crime. As the investigation unfolds, tensions rise, and secrets are revealed, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.

“Truth and Justice” promises to deliver suspense, intrigue, and unexpected twists...

In the upcoming episode of “Professor T” titled “Truth and Justice,” viewers are in for a gripping ride. Professor T finds himself in a moral dilemma as he is faced with the choice of saving either himself or his former lover in court. This internal conflict adds a layer of complexity to the character, making the episode a must-watch for fans of the show.

Meanwhile, a prison officer is discovered dead, setting off a chain of events that unravel a web of suspects. The investigation takes a surprising turn when one particular individual emerges, seemingly eager to shoulder the blame for the crime. As the plot thickens, viewers will be kept on the edge of their seats, trying to piece together the puzzle alongside the characters.

With its intriguing storyline and dynamic characters, “Professor T” continues to captivate audiences with its blend of mystery, drama, and suspense. The upcoming episode...

Lydell launches a media campaign against Perry, using a radio host to attack him and the Gallardo brothers. Perry and Della take weekend vacations, where Perry meets Teddy's teacher and Della spends time with her romantic partner. Paul finds the murder weapon near the Gallardos' home, causing Perry to panic and question his defense of his clients.

Perry Mason season 2, episode 4, titled "Chapter Twelve", sees the Los Angeles detective finding out a new troubling piece of information in the Brooks McCutcheon murder case. The hard-boiled noir series Perry Mason is an HBO original and the origin story of the famed detective from the 1960s. Perry Mason begins with the titular lawman working as a low-rent private eye, but by season 2, he has established a law firm in Los Angeles with his partners Della (Juliet Rylance) and Paul (Chris Chalk), and their first case is a murder that is not as simple as it seems.

The selection include Langston Uibel, star of Christian Petzold’s Berlinale award-winner ‘Afire’.

Estonia’s Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival (Poff) has unveiled this year’s Black Nights Stars, spotlighting eight rising actors from the Baltic Sea region.

The initiative brings together international casting directors and filmmakers with emerging talent from the region and is part of Discovery Campus, an education programme organised by Industry@Tallinn & Baltic Event (Nov 13-17).

The selection includes Germany’s Langston Uibel, star of Christian Petzold’s Afire, which received the Silver Bear grand jury prize at the Berlinale in February.

The eight actors are:...

This Jokerized Red Hood cosplay, equal parts chilling and epic, flawlessly blends the iconic personas of the fan-favorite anti-hero and the Joker together. In doing so, it delves deep into the psychological fears of Jason Todd, resurrecting his most profound nightmare, by making him confront the terrifying possibility of becoming the very monster that once brutalized and killed him.

Shared by da_ancientgod on Instagram, the cosplay masterfully mixes together Red Hood's iconic ensemble infused with the unmistakable colors of the Joker.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jason (@da_ancientgod)

Adding to the eerie transformation is Jason's hood, intricately painted in the clown's signature makeup shades and adorned with a sinister, Joker-esque smile.

Red Hood Gets Jokerized In Chilling Cosplay View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jason (@da_ancientgod)

Fans have previously borne witness to some of their favorite heroes become 'Jokerized' in...

Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...

Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...

Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...

Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...

Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...

Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...

Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...

Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...

Screen is profiling every submission for best international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

Entries for the 2024 Oscar for best international feature are underway, and Screen is profiling each one on this page.

The 96th Academy Awards is set to take place on March 10, 2024 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

An international feature film is defined as a feature-length motion picture (over 40 minutes) produced outside the US with a predominantly (more than 50%) non-English dialogue track and can include animated and documentary features.

Submitted films must have been released theatrically in their respective countries between December 1, 2022, and October 31, 2023. The deadline...

Kate Bosworth and Lucien Laviscount star as soldiers aboard an abandoned military base in a futuristic war-ravaged Earth – could their crew be the only survivors?

Starring

Kate Bosworth (Barbarian, Superman Returns), Lucien Laviscount (Emily in Paris, The Bye Bye Man,) Thomas Kretschmann (King Kong, Resident Evil: Apocalypse) and Martin McCann (The Survivalist, Marcella)

Kate Bosworth and Lucien Laviscount star in Academy Award® nominated director Tanel Toom’s (Truth and Justice, The Confession) Last Sentinel – an enthralling Sci-Fi thriller set in a futuristic, devasted Earth, that finds a squad of soldiers on an abandoned military base waiting for the arrival of reinforcements… or the enemy – whichever comes first.

Boasting show-stopping cinematography and an impressive line-up of talent, this atmospheric, nail-biting thriller had its UK premiere on digital on 24th April 2023, courtesy of (Yet) Another Distribution Company and 101 Films.

Set in the future on a war-ravaged Earth, four exhausted soldiers man...

When the European Film Market kicks off in Berlin on Feb. 16, the three Baltic nations of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will share the stage as the EFM’s joint Countries in Focus. The showcase, which is supported by the Estonian Film Institute, the National Film Center of Latvia and the Lithuanian Film Center, will offer a range of events within the framework of the EFM, along with a selection of market premieres and screenings of Baltic films already making waves on the festival circuit. Twelve up-and-coming Baltic producers will also be presented to the international industry during a happy hour on Feb. 17 in the Gropius Bas.

Here’s a selection of Baltic buzz titles that the region’s top producers will be taking to Berlin:

Last Sentinel

Director: Tanel Toom

Producers: Ben Pullen, Ivo Felt, Jörg Bundschuh, Pippa Cross, Matthew James Wilkinson

Kate Bosworth stars in this sci-fi thriller from...

(Superhero Bits is a collection of stories, updates, and videos about anything and everything inspired by the comics of Marvel, DC, and more. For comic book movies, TV shows, merchandise, events, and whatever catches our eye, this is the place to find anything that falls through the cracks.)

In this edition of Superhero Bits:

"Shazam! Fury of the Gods" tickets are now on sale.

Our former Magneto and Professor X may be coming to the MCU.

Who is Emma Corrin playing in "Deadpool 3"?

A new "Superman & Lois" season 3 trailer.

All that and more!

The Flash Season 9 Rogues Of War Promo

Here is the official trailer for the third episode of the ninth and final season of "The Flash" on The CW:

Barry (Grant Gustin) and Iris (Candice Patton) start to put together the pieces of what's happening in Central City and believe they know what the Rogues are after.

Oscar-nominated filmmaker Tanel Toom (“Truth and Justice”) has wrapped production in Estonia on sci-fi thriller “Sentinel.”

The film stars Kate Bosworth (“Force of Nature”), Thomas Kretschmann (“The Pianist”), Lucien Laviscount (“Emily in Paris”) and Martin McCann (“The Survivalist”).

Written by Malachi Smyth (“The Score”), the film is set in the future on a war-ravaged Earth where four soldiers man Sentinel – a remote military base in a vast ocean that separates two warring continents. While they await their relief or the enemy, the simmering tension amongst them escalates when a mysterious boat drifts into range.

“Sentinel” is presented by Altitude Film Entertainment in association with Head Gear Film and Metrol Technology in association with Br/Arte, Tallifornia, Ichiban Films, Sentinel Entertainment and Vertical Entertainment.

Altitude Film Sales are handling international sales and will introduce the project to buyers at the AFM Virtual Market (Nov. 1-5).

The film is produced by Ben Pullen...

Lucien Laviscount, Martin McCann also on cast of Tanel Toom’s second feature.

Kate Bosworth, Thomas Kretschmann, Lucien Laviscount and Martin McCann have wrapped production in Estonia on Tanel Toom’s Sentinel, for which Altitude is launching international sales at next month’s AFM Virtual Market (November 1-5).

The UK-Estonia-Germany co-production is a sci-fi thriller set in a war-ravaged future, in which four soldiers man a remote ocean military base that separates two warring continents. As weeks turn into months, paranoia descends that tests relationships to breaking point.

The film is written by Malachi Smyth, who recently wrote and directed UK crime musical The Score,...

Welcome Dan, aka Comic Concierge, back to Nerdly with his new YouTube channel dedicated to all things comics. From weekly new releases to graphic novels. Comics are for everyone but the key is finding the right one. Comic Concierge is here to help with that journey, with a range of videos discussing everything from weekly pick-ups, dollar-bin dives, comic book theory, analysis and more!

Starting Points: Comics out August 18th 2021

One of the hardest questions to answer with comics is where to begin. But Starting Points is here to help you out. Each week we take a look at Ongoing Series Starting New Arcs, Notable New Series, and Trades and Graphic Novels coming out. Then finish things up by looking at the Starting Point of the Week.

Time Stamps:

New Arcs

00:00 – Opening

00:32 – Radiant Black #7/Radiant Black Vol. 1 Tp

02:52 – X-o Manowar #5

04:26 – Star Wars Adventures #8

05:56 – Marauders #23

07:...

Seven projects from across Europe selected for Cannes showcase.

The industry platform of Tallinn Black Night Films Festival is to showcase seven projects seeking co-production partners at the Cannes market for the first time.

The Industry@Tallinn and Baltic Event Co-Production Market will spotlight the titles at the Marché’s Co-Production Day on July 9, where projects in development – looking for co-producers and financiers – are presented in one-to-one meetings.

They include Estonian project Black Hole, written and directed by Moonika Siimets, whose Stalinist drama The Little Comrade won the audience award at South Korea’s Busan International Film Festival in 2018.

Siimets...

Films Boutique has sold Mohammad Rasoulof’s Berlinale Golden Bear winning “There Is No Evil” nearly worldwide in the run-up to the movie’s screening at Cannes’ virtual Marché du Film.

Acquired by Kino Lorber in the U.S. and Pyramide in France following its world premiere at Berlin, “There Is No Evil” charts the ordeal of four men who are put in front of an unthinkable but simple choice that, whatever they decide, will directly or indirectly affect themselves, their relationships and their entire lives.

The Berlin-based sales company has now sold “There Is No Evil” in Australia (Madman), in Austria (Stadtkino), Baltics (Kino Pavasaris), in Benelux (September Films), in Bulgaria (Beta Film), in Canada (Acéphale), in China (Time-In-Portrait), in Russia and the Cis (Kinofon), in Czech Republic and Slovakia (Film Europe), in Denmark (Camera Film), in Germany (Grand Film), in Hong Kong (Edko), in Latin America (Impacto), in...

International Sales Agents (Isa)This is the first of a series, part of a tour of the arthouse international sales agents who are active today, looking for new ways of delivering the kinds of films I love the most which are also the most difficult and non-renumerative.

Many films are financed by their governments or international film bodies who recognize that one cannot live on bread alone; that art sustains our spirit. But in today's days of Corona Virus, we are moving into survival mode and art is often the first casualty in any struggle for survival. So monetary renumeration matters.

In times of trouble, the spirit does not die and so we are keeping up the good fight. I hope that by highlighting the ISAs (international sales agents) who create monetary returns for artists by selliing the rights to exhibit the films to distributors who then open films territorially or on platforms,...

Bob Ruff is taking the case of the “West Memphis Three” from his “Truth and Justice” podcast to Oxygen Saturday because “something [was] missing from the investigation from the media from everything that was there” when the investigation took place in 1993.

“There was never any focus on the victims,” he told TheWrap, saying that the case of the West Memphis Three has always focused on the three wrongly-convicted young men who were initially held responsible, but rarely the three boys who were killed.

“Any proper investigation should always start with a study of what we call victimology and get a really good understanding of victims to retrace their steps establish any risk factors and then start an investigation in concentric circles around that happening,” he went on. “In ’93, the original investigators when the bodies were pulled out of the water, they saw the gruesomeness of the scene in the midst of...

True crime fans, prepare for your next obsession. In a new two-night special, The Forgotten West Memphis Three, on Oxygen—which begins on Saturday, March 28—former fire chief, arson investigator and host of the Truth and Justice podcast Bob Ruff will be re-examining an infamous cold case: the 1993 murders of three eight-year-old boys, Stevie Branch, Michael Moore and Christopher Byers. The boys were found brutally murdered in a West Memphis, Arkansas swamp, which would later become the source of a nickname, "the West Memphis three," given to a trio of teenagers who were convicted for the crime in 1994. Damien Echols was sentenced to death, Jessie Misskelley Jr. to life...

When it comes to feature film output in Central and Eastern Europe, it’s all about marshaling indie forces and breaking out of familiar tropes this year, say producers and filmmakers.

It’s also about relationships in the increasingly interconnected region, as Katarina Tomkova, one of the Slovak producers for “Servants,” says of the

communist-era drama focused on priests facing pressure to spy for the state. The fact-based idea — a Slovak, Czech, Romanian and Irish co-production that premieres in Berlinale’s Encounters section — grew out of a deal structure created “very organically, and was based on personal relationships and friendships,” says Tomkova of Slovakia’s Punkchart.

“Servants” star Vlad Ivanov was a juror at the Vilnius fest, which awarded Ivan Ostrochovsky’s previous film, “Koza,” which led to Romanian producers Oana Bujgoi Giurgiu and Tudor Giurgiu — and later composer Cristi Lolea — joining the project.

Czech producer Pavel Strnad of Negativ...

2019 was another successful year for Estonian productions, with increased box-office returns, while Truth and Justice has proven to be the most-watched film since Estonia’s independence. According to reports released by the Estonian Film Institute (Efi), 2019 was another ground-breaking year for the Estonian box office. After an extremely successful 2018, last year saw even higher figures racked up by local productions, a bigger market share, and a smash hit in the form of Tanel Toom’s epic drama Truth and Justice, which officially became the most-watched film since Estonia’s independence in 1991 (see the news). In detail, Estonian films continued to enjoy the significant growth that has already been evident over the last three years. Domestic admissions skyrocketed, reaching 848,000 tickets sold for 57 films – 29 new and 28 older releases – resulting in an increase of over 40% compared to the pleasing figure of over 600,000 admissions in...

Variety has unveiled its sixth edition of 10 Europeans to Watch, spotlighting 10 rising talents from across the continent who are poised for breakthroughs in 2020. The selection includes emerging actors, directors, writers and producers. The group will be feted at the upcoming Berlin Film Festival. They are:

U.K. actor Sam Adewunmi, star of Sundance film “The Last Tree” who was nominated at the British Independent Film Awards and won the most promising newcomer prize from the org. He’s filming the BBC adaptation of Terry Pratchett’s “The Watch” in South Africa.

Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly produced William Oldroyd’s “Lady Macbeth,” Florence Pugh’s powerful film debut. She’s got Francis Lee’s “Ammonite,” with Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan, on her docket.

German writer-director Nora Fingscheidt’s “System Crasher” debuted at the Berlin Film Festival last year and repped Germany in the international film race. She is now helming Sandra Bullock...

Estonian epic Truth And Justice is Tanel Toom’s debut feature and was recently shortlisted for the International Feature Oscar. Based on a classic local novel, it’s been a smash hit at home where it was released in the spring, selling 267K tickets in a country of just 1.3M people — and topping Avatar to become Estonia’s most successful film of all time. When the shortlist came out, the surprise inclusion was snapped up by sales outfit Films Boutique. This isn’t Toom’s first brush with Oscar — his 2010 The Confession won a Student Academy Award and was later nominated as Best Live Action Short. But, he allows, the stakes are higher now.

The film is a historical drama that follows an Estonian farmer in 1870 who struggles against a rival neighbor as well as his own family and beliefs. It’s an adaptation of Anton Hansen Tammsaare’s eponymous pentalogy novel,...

Estonia’s film industry was provided a major boost in 2019 when Christopher Nolan’s big budget thriller Tenet opted to shoot in the former Soviet Union territory, injecting capital and prominence into the local film scene.

Allfilm, one of the country’s most successful and prolific producers, provided production services for the Nolan pic, and was given a further end-of-year boost when its feature Truth And Justice was a surprise inclusion on the International Oscar shortlist.

The company, run by producer Ivo Felt, was founded in 1995, only four years after Estonia became independent, and three years before the establishment of its national film body. Based in the capital Tallinn, where some 400,000 of the country’s 1.3 million population live, across 25 years Allfilm has produced a steady output of small budget features, patching together finance from local and international sources.

The outfit is probably best known for producing Estonia-Georgia co-production Tangerines, which...

Specialty label of genre specialist Raven Banner to release at same time as IFC Films in Us.

Toronto-based Northern Banner Releasing has picked up Canadian rights from Celluloid Dreams to the Czech Republic’s shortlisted best international feature film Oscar hopeful The Painted Bird.

Vaclav Marhoul’s adaptation of Jerzy Kosinski’s controversial novel about an unnamed boy wandering around Eastern Europe at the end of the Second World War will open theatrically in 2020 through genre ace Raven Banner’s specialty label alongside the Us release via IFC Films.

The black and white drama received its world premiere at Venice...

Already a record-breaking box-office blockbuster domestically, Estonia's official Oscar submission in the best international feature contest jumped onto the Academy shortlist earlier this week, only the second time in history that a film from this small Baltic nation has made the grade. Based on Anton Hansen Tammsaare's early 20th century novel, a pan-generational saga familiar to every Estonian schoolchild, Truth and Justice is deluxe period soap opera at heart. But young writer-director Tanel Toom's handsome adaptation is also finely crafted and superbly acted, a fatalistic meditation on the human condition splashed across a broad historical canvas.

Truth and ...

Estonian drama broke all domestic box records.

Berlin-based Films Boutique has picked up international rights to Tanel Toom’s Truth And Justice, which has been shortlisted for the international feature film Oscar.

The Estonian drama broke all box records when it was released domestically in February, generating more than 267,000 admissions and beating previous record-holder Avatar, which had 194,000.

Following its international premiere in Busan in October, Truth and Justice screened at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival last month and has been selected for Palm Springs in January.

The deal for international rights was negotiated by producer Ivo Felt and Films Boutique COO Gabor Grenier.

Exclusive: Truth And Justice, the Estonian debut feature that was one of the more unexpected inclusions on the Academy’s International Feature Film Oscar shortlist earlier this week, has been snapped up by Berlin-based sales agent Films Boutique.

The film is a historical epic running at 149 mins that follows an Estonian farmer in 1870 who struggles against a rival neighbor as well as his own family and beliefs. It is an adaptation of author Anton Hansen Tammsaare’s pentalogy novel of the same name, written 1926 – 1933, which is considered to be one of the fundamental works of Estonian literature.

Writer-director Tanel Toom made his feature debut on the film, he was previously Oscar nominated for his 2010 short The Confession.

Ivo Felt at Tallinn-based Allfilm produced, his company is one of the country’s most successful production houses with credits including the Oscar-nominated Tangerines and the Golden Globe-nominated The Fencer, which also made...

Pain and Glory, Les Misérables, Honeyland, Corpus Christi, Those Who Remained, Truth and Justice, The Painted Bird, Beanpole and co-production Atlantics are vying for the award. After having closed the submission period for the International Feature Film category (formerly known as Foreign Language Film) in October, the 92nd Academy Awards has selected ten films that will advance to the next round of voting in the category. A record of 93 films had been submitted to the Academy (see the news). This year, the Old Continent is dominating the shortlist: submissions from nine European countries have been selected. Pedro Almodóvar's Pain and Glory, one of the year's biggest international hits and the new effort by a tireless maestro, leads the pack with the biggest chances to win the award, although it would have to beat the absolute frontrunner, Palme d'Or winner Parasite by Korea's Bong Joon-ho. Backing the veteran Spanish filmmaker,...

Zoya Akhtar's "Gully Boy", which was India's official entry to the Oscars in the Best Foreign Language Film category, is out of the race.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on Monday released a shortlist of ten films in the Best FOrein Language Film category for the 92nd Academy Awards, and "Gully Boy" failed to make the list.

Also Read:?Parth Samthaan shake a leg on Ranveer Singh's song

The film is based on the lives of rappers Naved Shaikh, popularly known as Naezy, and Divine (Vivian Fernandes), although many have noted stylistic and narrative likeness with the Hollywood biopic, "Straight Outta Comption"

In "Gully Boy", Ranveer's character used rap as a tool to express his views on society and life in Dharavi, one of the largest slums of Asia. The film became a superhit on release in February.

Expressing his joy over the selection,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released its Oscar shortlists for nine categories at once. Here are the films vying for final slots for the 92nd annual Academy Awards in Documentary Feature, Documentary Short Subject, International Feature Film, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Music (Original Song), Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film and Visual Effects:

Here they are:

Documentary Feature

One hundred fifty-nine films were submitted in the category. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.

The films, listed in alphabetical order by title, are:

Advocate

American Factory

The Apollo

Apollo 11

Aquarela

The Biggest Little Farm

The Cave

The Edge of Democracy

For Sama

The Great Hack

Honeyland

Knock Down the House

Maiden

Midnight Family

One Child Nation

Documentary Short Subject

Ninety-six films qualified in the category. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced shortlists in consideration for the Oscars in nine categories: documentary feature, documentary short subject, international feature film, makeup and hairstyling, music (original score), music (original song), animated short film, live action short film and visual effects.

The full lists are below:

Documentary Feature

Fifteen films will advance in the documentary feature category after 159 films were submitted in the category. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.

“Advocate”

“American Factory”

“The Apollo”

“Apollo 11”

“Aquarela”

“The Biggest Little Farm”

“The Cave”

“The Edge of Democracy”

“For Sama”

“The Great Hack”

“Honeyland”

“Knock Down the House”

“Maiden”

“Midnight Family”

“One Child Nation”

Documentary Short Subject

Ten films will advance in the documentary short subject category. There were 69 films qualified in the category. Members of the Documentary Branch vote to determine the shortlist and the nominees.

“After Maria...

Nominees to be announced on January 13, 2020.

Parasite, Les Misérables and Atlantics are among the 10 films to make it on to the Academy’s international feature film shortlist, announced on Monday afternoon (16).

The Americas and Middle East miss out completely in the category this year, after Alfonso Cuarón’s Mexican drama Roma won the award last season in its final iteration as the foreign language Oscar. Ironically it was Cuarón’s acceptance speech that inadvertently played a part in convincing Academy senior brass they needed to rename the category.

There is also no love for Scandinavian submissions, while Eastern Europe dominates the list with five films.

For the second time in Oscars history, the academy released the short lists in nine categories all at once. On Monday, December 16, the hopefuls in a wide range of races found out if they are still in contention for the 92nd annual Academy Awards. Among these are the marquee awards for Best International Feature Film (which was pared down to 10 films from the 92 submitted) and Best Documentary Feature (which went from 159 to 15).

The race for Best Visual Effects, which had already been narrowed down to 20 films, was cut in half. Both music awards – Best Original Song and Best Original Score — were winnowed down to just 15 contenders from upwards of 75 submissions apiece. And the Best Makeup and Hairstyling race as well as the three awards for shorts – animated, documentary and live-action — were culled from dozens of entries to 10 apiece.

Documentary Feature

One hundred and fifty-nine films were eligible for consideration; there are 15 on the shortlist.

Updated, with more detail: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has pulled back the curtain on its shortlist for the International Feature Film Oscar race. Not surprisingly, the expanded field of 10 includes Bong Joon Ho’s Palme d’Or winner Parasite, which already has been making waves this awards season, and Pedro Almodóvar’s Pain And Glory, whose star Antonio Banderas won Best Actor at Cannes and is up for a Golden Globe Award. Also on the list is France’s Les Misérables from Ladj Ly, one of the breakout filmmakers of this year’s Cannes. Each of those titles received Golden Globe nominations last week in the comparable Foreign Language category.

As expected, Russia’s Beanpole from Kantemir Bagalov, Barnabas Toth’s Hungarian pic Those Who Remained and Mati Diop’s Atlantics from Senegal further made the Oscar shortlist cut today. The four films that round it...

Bong Joon Ho’s twisted black comedy “Parasite” and Pedro Almodovar’s semi-autobiographical reverie “Pain and Glory” are among the 10 movies to land on the shortlist in the Best International Feature Film category at the 2019 Academy Awards.

Also on the list: “The Painted Bird” from the Czech Republic, “Truth and Justice” from Estonia, “Les Miserables” from France, “Those Who Remained” from Hungary, “Honeyland” from North Macedonia, “Corpus Christi” from Poland, “Beanpole” from Russia and “Atlantics” from Senegal.

“Honeyland,” which follows an aging beekeeper in North Macedonia, also made the shortlist in the Oscars’ Best Documentary Feature category.

Well-received films that did not make the cut include “Invisible Life” from Brazil, “And Then We Danced” from Sweden, “The Whistlers” from Romania and “Monos” from Colombia.

Also Read: Oscars International Race 2019: Complete List of Films

This marks the second consecutive year that South Korea, formerly shut out of the Oscars international race,...

The intimidating task of adapting and directing Estonia’s landmark novel of the 20th century doesn’t appear to have fazed Tanel Toom in his feature debut “Truth and Justice,” nor has it challenged him to deliver anything but a respectful, well-made literary adaptation. Given that the film was one of six projects chosen by Estonia’s government-backed film-funding body for their celebration of the nation’s centennial, it’s unsurprising this rural epic, based on Anton Hansen Tammsaare’s eponymous five-part classic, hones closely to standard formulas, presenting archetypal characters formed in equal parts by their environment and their epoch. Box office records were broken at home following a late February opening, and while the film’s selection to represent Estonia at the Academy Awards was a no-brainer, its crossover chances on international screens will be limited at best.

Broken down to its essentials, “Truth and Justice” is the multi-decade...

The annual Palm Springs International Film Festival in California is always an opportunity to catch up on many of the contenders for the Best International Feature — née Best Foreign-Language — Film Academy Award. Now in its 31st edition, the festival this year has 51 of them, from favorite-to-beat “Parasite” from South Korea and Senegal’s “Atlantics,” to other films quietly making strides in the race: Czech Republic’s “The Painted Bird,” Sweden’s “And Then We Danced,” Russia’s “Beanpole,” Romania’s “The Whistlers,” North Macedonia’s documentary contender “Honeyland,” Norway’s “Out Stealing Horses,” and many more.

The festival will screen 188 films from 81 countries, including 51 premieres, from January 2-13, 2020. The Awards Buzz section includes a special jury of international film critics, who will review these films to present the Fipresci Award for Best Foreign Language Film of the Year, as well as Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Screenplay in this category.

One hundred eighty-eight films films from 81 countries including 51 premieres highlight the lineup for the 31st annual Palm Springs International Film Festival, which kicks off January 2 with a star-studded gala that has become a must-stop during awards season for Oscar hopefuls. The festival, which runs through January 13, also is known for showcasing a large number of submissions in the Motion Picture Academy’s International Film (formerly Foreign Language) competition and will feature 51 of those entries.

The opening-night film on January 3 is the Italian farce An Almost Ordinary Summer, while the closer is director Peter Cattaneo’s heartwarming dramedy Military Wives in which Kristin Scott Thomas, Sharon Horgan and Jason Flemyng lead a superb ensemble cast. The film had its world premiere at September’s Toronto International Film Festival and became an instant crowd-pleaser. Bleecker Street releases it in 2020.

Among the previously announced honorees at the January 2 gala are Antonio Banderas, Renee Zellweger,...