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Taiwan-based production company Aview Images has joined Indonesian drama “Our Son” as a co-production partner, bringing post-production expertise to the project from award-winning filmmaker Luhki Herwanayogi.

The film, which wrapped principal photography recently in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is eyeing a summer international festival premiere. Led by Kuek Shee Heng and Alice You, Aview Images will handle the film’s sound production, music composition, color grading, and visual effects in Taiwan. This collaboration follows Aview’s recent work on “Tale of The Land” with Indonesia’s KawanKawan Media, which marked the first-ever Indonesia-Taiwan co-production.

The drama, produced by Indonesia-based companies Catchlight Pictures and Qun Films, tells the story of two childless married couples who unexpectedly find themselves raising a son resulting from an illicit affair between their families.

“‘Our Son’ is deeply personal. It arises from my observations of family interactions in Yogyakarta, where I grew up. The film raises a fundamental...

The 9-1-1 franchise is expanding once again, and this time it is recruiting one of the main stars of a beloved NCIS spinoff. Chris O’Donnell, who starred in NCIS: Los Angeles, is joining an offshoot of the ABC drama that will take place in a new location, Nashville, Tennessee. Despite 9-1-1: Lone Star failing to get off the ground, it seems the network is keen on making 9-1-1 a multi-series universe. It certainly helps to do that by adding one of the genre's most familiar faces.

According to Variety, O'Donnell will lead 9-1-1-: Nashville as Captain Don Sharpe, “a rugged fire captain and rodeo rider who runs Nashville’s busiest firehouse with his beloved son. Don’s a devoted husband and family man but he has his secrets.” The ABC series was announced in February and is set to premiere during the 2025-2026 broadcast season. It is unclear...

Vimeo has just announced a new initiative: The Vimeo Short Film Grant, presented by Nikon | Red, which will provide five independent filmmakers with $30,000 each to bring their short films to life. The program, in partnership with Nikon and Red, requires selected filmmakers to use cameras such as the Red V-Raptor [X] Z Mount, Komodo-x Z Mount, Nikon Z9, Z8, or Z6III for their projects. While this sounds like a positive move for the indie film community, it raises an important question: Why is Vimeo, a platform that has distanced itself from independent filmmakers, suddenly making an effort to support them?

Vimeo is Going Down: Reducing Workforce By 6%. A Platform That Turned Its Back on Indie Filmmakers

To understand the strangeness of this announcement, one must examine Vimeo’s trajectory over the past few years. Once celebrated as the premier online destination for independent cinema, Vimeo gradually abandoned its filmmaker-first approach,...

Stowe Story Labs is awarding their inaugural $50,000 Short Film Production Grant to Ali Imran Zaidi for The Boy with the Dinosaur Head, a story about a first-grade foster child whose teacher is “trying to help him out of his shell after a localized extinction level event.” Zaidi is a Black List Feature Writers Lab alum, and an inaugural fellow in Riz Ahmed’s Pillars Fund Artist Fellowship for Muslim Creators supported by Amazon, Disney and Netflix. He is currently developing a TV series with Ley Line Entertainment. Zaidi’s short will be directed by Imran J. Khan, whose debut coming-of-age feature, […]

The post Stowe Story Labs Awards $50,000 Short Film Production Grant to Ali Imran Zaidi for The Boy with the Dinosaur Head first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Stowe Story Labs is awarding their inaugural $50,000 Short Film Production Grant to Ali Imran Zaidi for The Boy with the Dinosaur Head, a story about a first-grade foster child whose teacher is “trying to help him out of his shell after a localized extinction level event.” Zaidi is a Black List Feature Writers Lab alum, and an inaugural fellow in Riz Ahmed’s Pillars Fund Artist Fellowship for Muslim Creators supported by Amazon, Disney and Netflix. He is currently developing a TV series with Ley Line Entertainment. Zaidi’s short will be directed by Imran J. Khan, whose debut coming-of-age feature, […]

The post Stowe Story Labs Awards $50,000 Short Film Production Grant to Ali Imran Zaidi for The Boy with the Dinosaur Head first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

New questions have been raised about Grant Ellis’ frontrunner. Fans of The Bachelor noticed a clue in Juliana Pasqua’s recent TikTok video. She hit back at the criticism of her behavior on the dating show.

Not Everyone’s Cup Of Tea

Pasqua is getting attention for her latest TikTok video. In the video, she wears a dark brown off-the-shoulder blouse. She tossed her light brown voluminous hair to the side. Pasqua mouthed along to the Cardi B meme, where the rapper says, “You don’t have to care for me. You know what I’m saying? Because I don’t give you money. I don’t help you out. I don’t do anything for you. I just make you laugh and entertain you.”

@julianapasqua

not everybody’s cup of Jo!!!!

Episode 2 of The Bachelor Season 29 was better than the average early-season episode! We had a mall date (awesome), several musical performances (including one from Grant Ellis himself), and some romantic connections!

Let’s get to the best and worst moments of The Bachelor season 29, episode 2!

1. Best moment: Litia and Grant

Litia, the venture capitalist from Salt Lake City, was a true standout from Episode 2.

On a group date fueled by jealousy, annoyingly pointless drama, and small talk, Litia really took her talk with Grant to the next level.

She sits down with Grant and, in a healthy way, tells him she felt triggered by something he said. He said that because she was attractive, she doesn’t get told “no” a lot. In fact, she said, she does often get told no. She gave the example of the last boyfriend she had, who did not want to marry her.

This was so refreshing.

The deal will mean that most of the Acc’s football, basketball, and other games and events will stay on ESPN airwaves for the foreseeable future.

When ESPN’s new streaming service Flagship launches later this year, it will have plenty of content from the Atlantic Coast Conference available to subscribers. ESPN and the Acc have been partners for years, and thanks to a new deal announced on Thursday, that partnership will go on for another decade. The two sides announced a renewal of their broadcast deal, which will see Acc football, basketball, and more athletic events remain on ESPN through 2036.

Key Details: The Acc is home to teams like Duke, Miami, North Carolina, and other marquee programs. Once the deal is finalized, Florida State and Clemson are expected to drop separate lawsuits against the Acc. The conference also plays a selection of games on The CW each year. Sign Up Now $10.99+ / month espnplus.

Fans can rest assured that Grant Ellis’ season of The Bachelor won't leave any participants or viewers disappointed. Grant’s reality TV debut started on Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette. His charisma, transparency, and positive attitude turned heads. While he and Jenn weren’t the perfect match, as he was eliminated in the sixth week, Grant made a formidable impression on viewers. He was invited back by popular demand as the lead of The Bachelor season 29. His season will be historically memorable for several reasons.

Grant will be the second Black male lead in the franchise, following Matt James in season 25.

Viewers are excitedly awaiting his upcoming season. Grant has established himself as one of the most sought-after leads, with host Jesse Palmer revealing that over 10,000 women applied to participate in his romantic journey. Of these thousands, only 25 contestants have been chosen. The eligible bachelorettes seem more involved than ever.

The Big Bang Theory gave us plenty of memorable characters over its 12-season run. While Sheldon’s intellect and Penny’s humor often took center stage, one character quietly stood out in the later seasons. He wasn’t part of the main group, but his funny moments made a lasting impression on fans.

Brian Posehn in The Big Bang Theory | Credits: CBS

The character is none other than Bert Kibbler, played by Brian Posehn. Whether it was his excitement over winning the MacArthur Grant or his hilarious attempts to fit in with the gang, Bert added a fresh dynamic that stood out.

How did Brian Posehn’s Bert carry the last season of Tbbt?

When people think of The Big Bang Theory, Jim Parsons as Sheldon Cooper often comes to mind first. His quirky genius made the show a cultural phenomenon and kept fans hooked for 12 seasons. On the other hand,...

Chinese filmmaker Jing Zou, director of the narrative feature film “A Girl Unknown,” has been named as the winner of the fifth annual Lynn Shelton “Of a Certain Age” Grant from Seattle’s Northwest Film Forum (Nwff). This grant includes an unrestricted cash award of $25,000 to support her directorial debut, which follows a girl from age six through her 30s as she’s passed between multiple families and is inspired by the true story of generations of Chinese girls who were abandoned as a result of the country’s defunct one-child policy.

“I am absolutely honored to be selected as the recipient of the 2024 Lynn Shelton ‘Of a Certain Age’ award for my first feature, ‘A Girl Unknown.’ Thank you for this recognition and for your support,” Zou said in a statement. “I am committed to making the most of this award and to creating a film that honors the spirit of Lynn Shelton.

Chris Rock got a hand (and a gall bladder) from one of his old Saturday Night Live castmates this week.

A sketch in Saturday’s SNL opened with Rock playing a doctor doing gall bladder surgery on a patient, with Sarah Sherman as an inept nurse named Lizley. The surgery went awry when they discovered they were actually supposed to remove the patient’s appendix, and it was all Lizley’s fault. “I’m just gonna own it. That was me,” Lizley admitted, before she fretted: “Are you guys mad at me?” She asked a doctor for a hug before being shoved away…...

Chris Rock returned to Studio 8H this week on Saturday Night Live… and he had plenty of thoughts on what’s happening in the news.

The former SNL cast member hosted Saturday’s episode and opened with a monologue that dove right into the topics of the day, including Uhc shooter Luigi Mangione: “Everybody’s fixated on how good-looking this guy is. If he looked like Jonah Hill, no one would care.” He did offer sympathies to the family of the slain health care CEO, but he added: “Sometimes drug dealers get shot. You’ve seen The Wire, right?...

Warning: Spoilers for Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #3

The Flash may be hailed as the Fastest Man Alive in DC lore, but even he can't outrun death forever. In a shocking moment, Wally West appears to have run his final race, as a dark foe kills him with ease and deprives the DC Universe of its beloved speedster. Moreover, the Flash's horrific fate reflects his original death in a poignant full-circle moment.

The preview for Batman / Santa Claus: Silent Knight Returns #3 by Jeff Parker, Lukas Ketner, Michele Bandini, Marcelo Maiolo, and Pat Brosseau features the next chapter in the Justice League's team-up with Santa Claus. The Silent Knight has arrived, and Robin calls in the Flash as back-up to help take him down. However, things quickly go south once the Scarlet Speedster catches up to this sinister enemy.

The Silent Knight drains the Flash's powers and reduces his body to a lifeless skeleton,...

The Michael Latt Legacy Fund, which launched earlier this year to honor and continue the social justice advocacy work of Michael Latt, has announced a series of grants, scholarships and educational programming to support nonprofit organizations and artists whose work leverages storytelling as a vehicle for social transformation.

The fund’s initial grantees include: Harness; Protect the Sacred; Question Culture; Saved By A Story; Center for Art & Advocacy; Bld Pwr (Build Power); Sola Foundation; and Brown Girls Doc Mafia. Details of each organization can be found below.

Latt, a studio marketing consultant and founder of social impact group Lead with Love, was killed in a home invasion robbery in November 2023 at age 33. His killer was convicted in July of this year.

In addition to the grantees, organizers said the fund also has garnered a three-year commitment from Panavision, which established the Panavision | Michael Latt First Feature Award, providing a first-time...

Once upon a time, Ezra Miller was the charming, up-and-coming star everyone loved. But oh, how fast things spiraled. In what might go down as one of the worst interviews ever, the actor went from a Hollywood darling to a scene-stealing creep in just a matter of years.

Ezra Miller in a still from The Flash | Credits: Warner Bros. Pictures

Journalists once welcomed Miller with open arms, but their behavior eventually left many disappointed. The transformation was unsettling, the charm evaporated, and a once-beloved actor became… well, the less said, the better.

Kjersti Flaa’s Nightmare Encounter with Ezra Miller Ezra Miller in We Need to Talk About Kevin (2011) | Credits: BBC Films

Kjersti Flaa, an entertainment reporter known for her fearless coverage, had one of her worst experiences ever with Ezra Miller. Once known as the new “It” guy, Miller first impressed reporters during Fantastic Beasts, coming off as surprisingly normal and likable.

The 2024 Sffilm Rainin grant recipients have officially been unveiled.

IndieWire can announce that 17 feature films were awarded $425,000 in cash grants, benefitting 22 filmmakers. Two projects have especially buzzy producers: Joie Estrella Horwitz’s “Dreamland” is produced by recent “The Fire Inside” screenwriter and “Mufasa” director Barry Jenkins, while Lucy Liu is producing “Rosemead.”

The Sffilm Rainin grant is the largest granting body for the development and production of independent narrative feature films in the U.S. The flagship partnership with the Kenneth Rainin Foundation specifically supports films that address social justice issues — the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges — in a positive and meaningful way through plot, character, theme, or setting.

Awards are made to multiple projects once a year, for screenwriting, development, and post-production. Recipients receive an unrestricted cash grant of up to $25,000 for screenwriting, development, or post-production, and a two-month residency at FilmHouse, Sffilm’s artist residency space.

Exclusive: A diverse array of voices and genres, ranging from singular horror stories, to topical thrillers to social realist dramas, highlight the 2024 Muslim List. Mpac Hollywood Bureau and The Black List have selected 10 scripts for this year’s list, highlighting the very best work from Muslim writers. Launched in 2020, this is the third edition of the list.

“We are deeply grateful to the entire team at The Black List for their unwavering support and commitment to projects that foster dialogue and drive societal change. In a time where the national and global discourse is grappling with issues of division, identity, and the rise of hate-fueled violence, these projects bring forward hopeful and thought-provoking perspectives,” said Sue Obeidi, Senior Vice President, Mpac Hollywood Bureau. “Alongside The Black List, we are proud to announce the winners of the 2024 Muslim List. Congratulations to these inspiring Muslim storytellers for their dedication to resisting...

Stephen Amell, known for his roles in Arrow and Heels, is stepping into a new role that’s a whole lot less ‘heroic’ and more about high-stakes legal drama. But wait, he’s likely raking in a serious paycheck while doing it.

We just got treated with the first teaser for the highly anticipated Suits: L.A., and it has the unmistakable energy of the original Suits series. In fact, the teaser opens with the same iconic Suits theme song, Greenback Boogie, setting the stage for yet another fast-paced, drama-filled ride.

Stephen Amell in Arrow (2012) | Credit: The CW

Amell stars as Ted Black, a former prosecutor turned entertainment lawyer in Los Angeles—a far cry from his previous roles. The teaser gives us a sneak peek of Ted in action, and if that doesn’t get you excited, consider the fact that the Heels actor is likely raking in a pretty hefty paycheck for his performance.

Quick Links Who is Denny Wilson? The Wilson Family Has Been Through a Lot Hen and Karen Wilson Completed Their Family in Season 7 Denny Saved His Sister on Halloween

Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Tim Minear, ABC's 9-1-1 is a procedural show that follows the work and personal lives of the firefighters at the 118 and their colleagues at the LAPD and the 9-1-1 dispatch center. Now in its eighth season, 9-1-1 has found its niche in stories that bring serious emotional impact, bizarre disasters, and moments that make the audience laugh. With a cast led by Angela Bassett and Peter Krause, 9-1-1 has garnered an audience that followed them from Fox to ABC -- during the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in 2023, no less -- and continues to show up week after week.

9-1-1's main characters include LAPD Sergeant Athena Grant-Nash (Bassett) and Fire Captain Bobby Nash...

The QCinema Project Market, the industry platform of the Philippines’ QCinema International Film Festival, wrapped its second edition with grants and co-production support distributed across multiple projects from the region.

Three Filipino projects secured the market’s top Philippine Co-Production Grant of $34,000 each: Martika Ramirez Escobar’s “Anak Alon” (Daughters of the Sea), Eve Baswel’s “Bato Bato Sa Langit, Ang Tamaan Magagalit” (Heaven Help Us), and Sonny Calvento’s “Inahing Baka” (Mother Maybe).

The Myanmar-Indonesia co-production “The Beer Girl in Yangon,” helmed by Sein Lyan Tun, scored the Southeast Asia Co-Production Grant worth $17,000. Additional co-production grants of $12,000 each went to Singapore’s “Other People’s Dreams” from Daniel Hui and Malaysia’s “The Passport” from Ananth Subramaniam.

Joel Ruiz’s “Angel De Dios” landed the Mocha Chai Award, which includes post-production services valued at $50,000. Kenneth Dagatan’s “Molder” picked up the Kongchak Studio Award, securing sound post-production services worth...

This week’s “Weekend Update” on Saturday Night Live was chock-full of election material ahead of Election Day, featuring hosts Colin Jost and Michael Che trading jokes as well as an appearance by Heidi Gardner parodying country star Reba McEntire as a celebrity evading a political endorsement.

Jost kicked things off with a jab: “Next week the American people will decide if the next president will be Kamala Harris or if everyone on SNL will get audited.”

Then, the segue transitioned to presidential candidate Donald Trump’s various — for lack of a better word — interesting choices at last-minute campaign rallies and media appearances, including parading around with his name on a garbage truck, piling on the fake tanner and appearing to mime giving a blowjob to a microphone stand. At this point, Che addressed Trump’s much-discussed Madison Square Garden rally.

“Speakers hurled insults at minority groups,...

Exclusive: “Neo, sooner or later you’re going to realize just as I did that there’s a difference between knowing the path and walking the path,” states Laurence Fishburne’s Morpheus to Keanu Reeve’s character in the Lilly Wachowski’s co-penned and co-helmed The Matrix.

Almost 30 years after the genre and culturally defining Matrix first came out, those words and that worldview are something the filmmaker takes very seriously as a series of grants from Wachowski’s Anarchist United Foundation makes very clear. Emphasizing the non-profits triple ethos of artistry, diversity, and equity in media, Au has launched three new grant programs of $20,000 each.

“In these hard and weird times, Anarchists United Foundation is a necessary response,” founder Wachowski told Deadline today of her 2023 created initiative. “And in supporting artists and uplifting the values of artistry, diversity and equity it will ensure that the future of film and...

Rumors are flying that ABC suddenly decided to go a different direction for the upcoming season of The Bachelor. The rumors say that Grant Ellis is no longer the lead for the 2025 season. Is there any truth at all to these rumors? Keep reading to find out the scoop.

Has Grant Ellis Been Replaced As The Bachelor?

Rumors are flying around Bachelor Nation that Grant Ellis has been replaced and is no longer the 2025 Bachelor. Is there any truth to this?

A website published the information alleging that something had come up that was too big for production with Ellis to move forward. According to the site, specifics are not known but it forced them to stop production on the upcoming season and reassign the lead to someone else.

Grant Ellis/Credit: ABC YouTube

They claimed to have insider sources sharing the information. The website even went so far as...

Briana Middleton and Stella Everett have been cast in leading roles for the feature adaptation of “Ride or Die,” the short film by filmmaker Josalynn Smith.

Smith serves as writer and director for the feature, executive produced by Datari Turner of Foxxhole Productions. Smith will also produce alongside Matthew Keene Smith.

The film follows Paula (Middleton), whose California dreams intertwine with a reunion with her crush Jamie (Everett). A casual errand becomes a cathartic journey through the midwest, where a budding romance is transformed by a plot for vengeance.

Middleton was recently announced as the co-lead opposite Callum Turner in the Apple+ series “Neuromancer,” based on William Gibson’s classic sci-fi novel. She can be seen as the lead role in the Apple+/A24 Feature “Sharper” with Julianne Moore, Sebastian Stan, Justice Smith and directed by Ben Caron. She made her feature film debut in Amazon Studios’ George Clooney-directed adaptation of “The Tender Bar,...

Chicken & Egg Pictures announced today the 29 grantees for its second Pictures Research & Development Grant. From the press release: Chicken & Egg Pictures, which provides support and funding to women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers, announced today the 29 film projects supported by its second Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant. The grants provide directors with $10,000 Usd for research or $20,000 Usd for development of a new documentary project. These critical stages in the life of a documentary are often unpaid and unsupported. Grantees will also have access to the Chicken & Egg Pictures’ team and […]

The post Chicken & Egg Pictures Announces 29 Grantees for Year Two of Research & Development Grant first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Chicken & Egg Pictures announced today the 29 grantees for its second Pictures Research & Development Grant. From the press release: Chicken & Egg Pictures, which provides support and funding to women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers, announced today the 29 film projects supported by its second Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant. The grants provide directors with $10,000 Usd for research or $20,000 Usd for development of a new documentary project. These critical stages in the life of a documentary are often unpaid and unsupported. Grantees will also have access to the Chicken & Egg Pictures’ team and […]

The post Chicken & Egg Pictures Announces 29 Grantees for Year Two of Research & Development Grant first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Open Doors, the co-production and talent development program for artists from underrepresented communities around the world that is part of the Locarno Film Festival’s Locarno Pro industry strand, unveiled its 2024 winners on Tuesday.

Eight projects in development were selected for its co-production platform, the Projects Hub, and were eligible for the three main cash prizes. In addition, nine producers participated in the program’s talent incubator, the Producers Lab, while the directors of the films of the Open Doors Screenings, who form the Directors Club, made up the rest of this year’s program.

The initiative’s biggest award for the Projects Hub, the so-called Open Doors Grant, was divided among four projects: Salvación by Ernesto Bautista, and El único tiempo by Paz Encina, which both got bigger grants, as well as La levedad de ella by Rosa María Rodriguez, and Huaco retrato by Fernando Luis Mendoza Salazar. Paraguay...

There is a new rewatch podcast for the hit 90s series Melrose Place with some of the show’s past stars. There was no better guest for the first episode than former star Grant Show, who played Jake Hanson on the series. However, there was one moment from the show’s genesis that rubbed many people the wrong way.

Grant had a lot to say about the creepy moments from the series that all started on Beverly Hills, 90210, between Jake and Kelly.

Grant Show Says Melrose Place Would Be “Illegal” Now

For those who don’t remember, there was a backdoor pilot for Melrose Place that aired on Beverly Hills, 90210. In that episode of 90210, Kelly’s (Jennie Garth) family hired Jake Hanson (Show) to build a gazebo in their backyards. While he was working on the gazebo, Kelly took notice, and the two kissed.

Jennie Garth | YouTube...

South African supernatural crime series “Acts of Man” took home the biggest cash prize Monday night at the Durban FilmMart award ceremony, while the documentaries “Africa AI” and “We Had the Moon!” were among the projects that took home multiple awards at the close of a spirited week in Durban.

“Acts of Man” scooped the Known Inner Circle Award, which was handed out by the recently launched venture from South Africa’s Known Associates Group (Kag) and Canada’s Inner City Films (Icf) and Circle Blue Entertainment (Cbe). The award included a cash prize of $10,000 for the show’s creators, Sheetal Magan and Sean Drummond.

The series follows two city detectives who are called to investigate a brutal ritualistic killing in a remote mountain town, where the shaken conservative community is convinced the devil is at work. As Variety previously announced, the show has already been boarded by Casey Walker of Toronto-based Cave Painting Pictures,...

5 Point Film, in collaboration with Fat Tire and Mountains of Color Film Festival, has revealed the recipients of the second annual Wading for Change Bipoc Filmmakers Grant.

This grant, established by Sofia Jaramillo and Jr Rodriguez, aims to center Bipoc voices within the adventure film industry. The $20,000 grant has been split between two creatives: David Yousling for Beyond the Saddles and Mallory Duncan for Night Writers.

First-time filmmaker Yousling’s Beyond the Saddles follows non-binary runner Blank Bruno exploring identity and finding community through trail running, set against the backdrop of the trails of Prescott, Arizona.

As 5 Point Flagship Festival alumni with his second film, Duncan’s Night Writers explores the stylistic and ideological connections between graffiti artists and street skiers by way of a ski mask.

Both of the films will premiere at 5 Point’s Flagship Festival in April.

The Wading For Change – Bipoc Filmmaker’s Grant is the...

The Frameline Film Festival has announced the winners from its 2024 program.

The top honors went to Luke Gilford’s “National Anthem,” which took home the Outstanding First Feature Award, and Chloé Barreau’s “Fragments of a Life Loved,” which won Outstanding Documentary Feature.

Frameline, the world’s largest and longest-running LGBTQ film festival, ran from June 19–29, with 120 screenings, programs and events held in theaters across the Bay Area, including the Herbst Theatre and Palace of Fine Arts Theatre.

Highlights of the festival included the Castro Theatre’s first-ever celebration of Juneteenth — a block party that featured the official re-lighting of the venue’s iconic neon blade sign and marquee, performances from the all-Black drag collective and a special outdoor screening of “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero.”

Other highlights included a special 30th anniversary screening of the 4K restoration of “Go Fish,” attended by Rose Troche and Guinevere Turner, the...

Exclusive: Frameline, the arts nonprofit that hosts the San Francisco International LGBTQ+ Film Festival, joined the Colin Higgins Foundation in announcing the recipients of the 2024 Colin Higgins Youth Foundation Grant. The 2024 winners are New York-based filmmakers Farah Jabir (Kasbi) and Leaf Lieber (Burrow).

The partnership, which began in 2023, centers on providing young LGBTQ+ filmmakers with financial support to continue their work. Eligible applicants must self-identify as LGBTQ+ filmmakers, be under the age of 25, and currently reside in the U.S.

“We are deeply honored to continue our partnership with the Colin Higgins Foundation and honor Colin’s enduring legacy by empowering LGBTQ+ youth filmmakers,” said Allegra Madsen, Executive Director of Frameline. “This year’s Festival is centered on the power film has to create change and shape our cultural moment. Youth filmmakers, like Farah Jabir and Leaf Lieber, are not only vital members of the queer film community, but their...

Last week, the Geena Davis Institute (Gdi) proudly marked its 20th anniversary with a vitalized rebrand.

Through this, the organization is continuing to showcase its longstanding mission to champion the representation of six major intersecting identities in global entertainment media. Founded in 2004 by two-time Academy Award-winning actor Geena Davis, Gdi has been at the forefront of influencing equitable portrayals of gender, race/ethnicity, Lgbtqia+, disability, age 50+ and body type.

Over the past two decades, Gdi has played a pivotal role in pioneering the use of data driven research to measure and influence onscreen representation in global entertainment media. Gdi is proud to have achieved gender parity for female lead characters in family films and children’s TV programming.

In a joint statement, Geena Davis, the Founder and Chair and Madeline Di Nonno, President and CEO said:

“As we celebrate two decades of impact, we remain vigilant in our commitment to...

The Demi and Ashton Foundation (DNA) was founded in 2010 by Demi Moore and Ashton Kutcher to help abolish modern day slavery, punish perpetrators and free the innocent and exploited victims.

The charity was renamed to Thorn in 2012, reflecting its mission to use technology to protect children and deter predators.

Celebrity supporters

Thorn has 20 known supporters, including John Legend, Eva Longoria, and Justin Timberlake

Areas of work ChildrenHuman RightsRape/Sexual AbuseSlavery & Human Trafficking Read more about Thorn's work and celebrity supporters. Related articles Demi Moore And Ashton Kutcher Launch CharityDemi Moore And Ashton Kutcher Dedicate Valentine's Day To CharityAshton Kutcher And Demi Moore Give Flowers To CharityAshton Kutcher Heads To Russia To Strengthen BondsDemi Moore's Gems To Receive Pepsi Refresh Grant

Explore celebrities by social reach, cause, location, field and more with Insider Access →

Copyright © 2024 Look To The Stars. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you...

Sundance Film Festival 2025 is set to take place on Jan. 23-Feb. 2 in Park City and Salt Lake City, Utah. Submissions will open later this spring.

“While the next Sundance Film Festival is still 10 months away, we’re already laying the foundation for the 2025 edition, looking ahead to sharing a new group of artists’ work with audiences at the start of next year,” said Eugene Hernandez, director of Sundance Film Festival and Public Programming.

This year’s festival marked Hernandez’s first as director. The Grand Jury awarded prizes to films “In the Summers” in the U.S. Dramatic category, “Porcelain War” (U.S. Documentary), “Sujo” (World Cinema Dramatic) and “A New Kind of Wilderness” (World Cinema Documentary).

Natalie Burn Cast in Medieval Epic ‘The Last Redemption’

Natalie Burn is the latest to be cast in John Real’s Middle Ages action flick “The Last Redemption,” which just wrapped production in Italy.

Exclusive: Wavelength has revealed the 2024 recipients of its Wave Grant. Ayesha Agarwal, Sharona D’Ornellas, Alaysia Renay Duncan, Amy B Tiong and Brittany Young each will receive $5,000 to create their first short film alongside production mentorship from Wavelength’s executive team. Read a bio for each recipient below.

The Wave Grant, which stands for “Women at the Very Edge,” aims to help a female or non-binary first-time filmmaker of color with the production of their first short film (under 10 minutes). In addition to the grant, Wavelength — the production company behind such films as 32 Sounds and Athlete — provides mentorship in the producing, development and post-production of the filmmaker’s story as well as fundraising and distribution strategy.

“Human stories drive everything we do, and this year’s Wave Grant class is an exceptional embodiment of that principle,” said Jenifer Westphal, Wavelength’s founder, CEO and executive producer. “It’s inspiring to...

Exclusive: Film Independent has named the eight writers selected for the seventh edition of its Episodic Lab, designed to provide individualized story and career development for writers with original pilots for television. The participants and projects are Desdemona Chiang (Zhizha! (紙紮!)), Giovanni Maldonado Chinea & Myles Hawthorne (The Machetero), Robert Cohen & Ioana Uricaru (Overcast), Catherine Durickas (Beige Is Not Dead), Azza Malik and Robert ToTeras (Jourdain).

Cohen and Uricaru have been set to receive this year’s $20,000 Alfred P. Sloan Foundation Grant, awarded to projects with science or technology themes and characters, to support the development of their pilot Overcast through the Lab. Dear Azza,‘s Malik, meanwhile, will receive a $10,000 grant from the Mpac Hollywood Bureau, an organization working to elevate stories by and about Muslims in entertainment.

This year’s two-week, in-person Lab will help to further the careers of Fellows by introducing them to industry veterans — including experienced showrunners,...

This isn’t a meteorology blog. We’re under no obligation to inform you that–despite a historically slow ski season start–the snow now falling across Northern Utah’s Wasatch Valley is voluminous and omnipresent. All the better excuse for sequestering oneself inside the weatherproofed walls of Park City’s myriad Sundance screening venues. And whether you’re a Sundance programmer, filmmaker, critic, industry wonk or civilian attendee, one thing is certain: there are currently a lot of granola bars getting smushed in a lot of people’s pockets.

Of course, our favorite among these snowblind wretches are our own Film Independent Fellows proudly debuting their new works at the festival. And by “Fellows” here we of course mean filmmakers who have been directly supported by Film Independent’s Lab Programs, Project Involve, Fast Track and Fiscal Sponsorship programs, as well as Emerging Filmmaker Award winners and grant recipients.

Film Independent announced that 16 projects were selected for the 21st Fast Track Film Finance Market taking place online December 4–6th, 2023. The program is an intensive, film-financing market in which participants are connected with established financiers, production companies, agents, managers and other film industry professionals who can move their current projects forward.

“This year’s Fast Track line-up of projects reflects the current landscape’s desire for bold, innovative and entertaining films. We’re thrilled to introduce the dynamic and talented filmmakers behind these films at this year’s finance market.” said Angela Lee, Director of Artist Development.

The Sloan Fast Track Grant, a $20,000 grant to support the production of a project that explores science and technology themes or characters in engaging and innovative ways, is awarded towriter/directorCole Smith and producer Nicholas Nyhof for their project Silo.

The Cayton-Goldrich Family Foundation Fellowship is a $10,000 grant that is awarded to a...

Hugh Grant struggled with the process of animating his Oompa-Loompa character for Wonka, finding it uncomfortable and confusing. Grant expressed dissatisfaction with his own performance, as most of his movements were replaced by an animator. Grant's casting as an Oompa-Loompa sparked controversy, with some arguing that it took away an opportunity for actors with dwarfism in Hollywood.

Wonka star Hugh Grant discusses his experience playing an Oompa-Loompa in the upcoming movie. First introduced as workers at the chocolate factory in Roald Dahl's 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the Oompa-Loompas have gone through many iterations in their various media appearances. In the 1971 movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory starring Gene Wilder, the factory workers appeared with orange skin and green hair. Grant's Oompa-Loompa character sports a similar appearance in Wonka, which stars Timothée Chalamet as the titular chocolatier.

During a press conference, Grant revealed to Metro.co.uk...

Project Market Awards Winners

The QCinema Project Market, the industry initiative that accompanies The Philippines’ QCinema International Film Festival, revealed its winners list on Tuesday delivering almost $500,000 of grants and in-kind support.

The prizes followed a two-day networking and pitching event on Nov. 18 and 19 for 19 feature-length fiction film projects from Southeast Asia.

Two projects received the QCinema Project Market – Philippines Co-production Grant, with both collecting $55,000 (PHP3 million). They were: “The Remotes” from director-producer John Torres; and “Filipiñana,” by director Rafael Manuel. “Filipinana,” a black comedy set on a golf course, won a second prize on the night worth another $18,000. At the recent Asian Project Market in Busan it had also been a multiple prize winner.

Two film projects also received the QCinema Project Market – Philippines Co-production Grant worth $27,000 (PHP1.5 million) each: “The Boy and the Fight of Spiders (Diwalwal)” by director Jarell Serencio and “Ella Arcangel: Ballad of Tooth and...

Eleven documentary projects from 11 countries have been selected for the Intl. Documentary Assn.’s annual Enterprise Documentary Fund Production Grant.

Selected from 371 applicants, the 15 directors behind the 11 docus will receive a total of $435,000 in production grants.

Established in 2017, the IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund supports in-depth explorations of original, contemporary stories that integrate journalistic practice into the filmmaking process. The fund is financially supported by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, with additional support from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation. In its seven-year history, the fund has given over $5 million in grant money to nonfiction filmmakers.

The selected projects are currently in production in 11 countries including the U.S., Philippines, Brazil, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Italy and Afghanistan. Of the 15 directors behind the docs, 46% are filmmakers of color, 69% are women or gender-non-conforming filmmakers, 12% identify as members of the Lgbtqia+ community, and 8% identify as a D/deaf or disabled person or have long-term health conditions.

Xander Harris may not have impressive combat skills, but his military knowledge and sarcastic wit make him a formidable hero. Dawn Summers may have been useless on the battlefield, but when she discovered her key powers and received proper training, she became more dangerous. Willow Rosenberg's magical powers make her the strongest and most dangerous hero on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, as she is willing to push her limits to help others.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer is filled with dangerous characters, especially its villains, but the heroes are often overlooked in that department. The hit TV series from the late '90s and early 2000s became as successful as it did thanks to its great heroic characters. While it was Buffy the Vampire Slayer's villains that were often among the most powerful characters featured, those who managed to defeat them repeatedly proved their strengths over the course of seven seasons.

How does one create a film festival during an actors strike? Middleburg Film Festival executive director Susan Koch explains she’s approached programming the Virginia fest in the same manner as she has always done. “We looked for the strongest films and a wide range of films that represent diverse voices and ones we feel will expand our view of the world,” she tells Variety.

Now in its 11th year, the festival continues to be a carefully curated weekend of films and conversations, including many of the year’s buzziest titles. “Rustin,” a Netflix biopic of civil rights activist Bayard Rustin that was directed by George C. Wolfe, will open the four-day fest. Wolfe will receive the festival’s Impact Award for his work in bringing the impactful civil and LGBTQ rights story to the screen. Searchlight’s “Poor Things” and A24’s “Priscilla” are also among films screening from Oct.

Celebrating 35 years as New York City’s premiere destination for LGBTQ+ filmmakers, indie cinephiles and the industry who’s who alike, NewFest kicked off one week ago, Oct. 12, at Chelsea’s Sva Theatre with the New York premiere of screenwriter Dustin Lance Black’s latest biopic, “Rustin.”

The days that followed included New York premieres and special screenings for anticipated festival darlings like “Eileen” with Anne Hathaway and Thomasin McKenzie, “Nyad” with Annette Bening and Jodie Foster and the world premiere of “Beyond the Aggressives,” the documentary centerpiece and follow-up to 2005’s groundbreaking “The Aggressives.” And the days ahead promise even more – among them “May December” from director Todd Haynes and starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, Cannes award winner “Monster” from Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda and the closing night feature presentation of Andrew Haigh’s “All of Us Strangers,” starring Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy and Jamie Bell.

Chicken & Egg Pictures announced today the 27 filmmaking team recipients of its inaugural Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant. Supported by Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, the grants provide experienced directors with $10,000 for research or $20,000 for development of a new documentary project — stages of the filmmaking process that are often unpaid and unsupported. Chicken & Egg Pictures’s team will also provide grantees with peer support, connecting them to the broader documentary community for mentorship and networking opportunities. From the press release: The 2023 Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant is supported by […]

The post Chicken & Egg Pictures Announces Inaugural 27 Grantees of its Netflix-Supported Research & Development Grant first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Chicken & Egg Pictures announced today the 27 filmmaking team recipients of its inaugural Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant. Supported by Netflix’s Fund for Creative Equity, the grants provide experienced directors with $10,000 for research or $20,000 for development of a new documentary project — stages of the filmmaking process that are often unpaid and unsupported. Chicken & Egg Pictures’s team will also provide grantees with peer support, connecting them to the broader documentary community for mentorship and networking opportunities. From the press release: The 2023 Chicken & Egg Pictures Research & Development Grant is supported by […]

The post Chicken & Egg Pictures Announces Inaugural 27 Grantees of its Netflix-Supported Research & Development Grant first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.

Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant's podcast, Going Wild, explores humanity's interaction with nature, sparking intriguing conversations about various ideas and movements. The third season of the podcast features notable guests such as marine biologist Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, National Geographic explorer Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza, and entomology professor Dr. Samuel Ramsey. A standout episode of the season features Christian Cooper, a birder and Marvel comics writer, discussing his love for birdwatching, cultural influences on interests, and the infamous Central Park incident in 2020.

Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is a Signal Award-winning and chart-topping podcast currently in its third season. The series is produced by PBS’ Nature and is hosted by wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. While Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant is, on the surface, a nature podcast, the overall focus on how humanity interacts with nature facilitates fascinating conversations about a broad spectrum of ideas and movements.

The...

Some of music’s most popular and successful acts, including Post Malone, Steve Aoki, and Chris Brown, received millions of dollars from the government grant program designed to help venues and arts programs during Covid-19, Insider reports.

The Shuttered Venue Operators Grant (Svog) was a massive, $14.5 billion aid program operated through the Small Business Administration, meant to provide relief to shuttered venues — from music clubs to local theaters — and other businesses tied to the live entertainment industry (like booking agencies). Artists were also eligible, and according to Insider, corporations and...