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Participant Media is reteaming with Oscar-nominated filmmaker Steve James and his longtime production home, Kartemquin Films, on his latest documentary, “Chicago Story.”

Participant Media will finance the project, which will be produced by James and Zak Piper. Participant’s Jeff Skoll and Diane Weyermann will executive produce with Alex Kotlowitz and Gordon Quinn. James, Piper, and Kotlowitz previously collaborated on “The Interrupters.”

The doc will be a portrait of Chicago today, captured at this crucial juncture in the city’s history – the upcoming mayoral election in February 2019. Principal photography is already underway.

“This is a film I’ve wanted to do for years, and right now seems the perfect time to make it. Chicago finds itself at a significant crossroads in so many ways as its citizens grapple with its future and who will lead them,” says James. “I’m thrilled to be partnering with Participant again after our wonderful collaboration on America to Me.

Ever since changing the documentary landscape with “Hoop Dreams” in 1994, Steve James has introduced audiences to some of nonfiction film’s most memorable characters. On his latest film, “Abacus: Small Enough to Jail” – James’ first Oscar nomination – the filmmaker invites the viewer to experience the story of an ordinary family up against powerful institutions through his subjects’ eyes and emotions. According to James, the only way to create this type of intimate character-driven film is for non-professional performers to be themselves when the camera starts to roll.

“A big part of what most narrative directors are doing with actors – if they are doing a more realistic kind of film – is they are trying to help the actor find something authentic in that character to play,” said James, when he was a guest on IndieWire’s Filmmaker Toolkit podcast. “In a documentary it’s not that different, but what you are...

“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail” earned a shocking Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature despite being ranked 12th in our predictions with 100/1 odds. But despite relatively little fanfare it rights a wrong at the Oscars going back 23 years: filmmaker Steve James, the man behind the landmark movie “Hoop Dreams” (1994), is finally up for Best Documentary for the first time in his career.

“Hoop Dreams” spent years following a pair of black students from poor communities as they attempted to build their futures by playing high school basketball. Widely hailed as a classic — including by Roger Ebert, who was among the most vocal in championing the film — it won James a Directors Guild Award, an Ace Eddie Award, an Independent Spirit Award, an International Documentary Association Award and even an MTV Movie Award. But then it wasn’t even nominated for Best Documentary at the Oscars, leading to such a protest...

As usual the documentary awards race is all over the place. DGA nominations are either a sign of strength or a boost into a must-see before the Oscar balloting closes on Friday. The DGA combines hybrid long-form documentaries along with features, such as AFI special award-winner “The Vietnam War” from Ken Burns ands Lynn Novick, and Errol Morris’s groundbreaking Netflix series “Wormwood,” which was not deemed eligible for the documentary Oscar, to the filmmaker’s chagrin.

Given filmmaker Bryan Fogel’s role in unveiling the high-profile Russian Olympic doping scandal, Netflix’s Oscar short-listed “Icarus” continues to move forward, while Matt Heineman’s “City of Ghosts” pulls ahead of other Syria documentaries. Two significant omissions here are Brett Morgen for Jane Goodall profile “Jane” and Agnes Varda and J.R.’s whimsical visual tour-de-force “Faces Places,” which are considered Oscar frontrunners.

Netflix and PBS scored two DGA slots each,...

Acclaimed filmmaker Steve James has built his reputation primarily on the strength of Chicago-oriented documentaries, among them Hoop Dreams (1994), The Interrupters (2011) and Life Itself (2014). But he finds himself in the Oscar race this year with a story that took him from the Second City to the first. In Abacus: Small Enough to Jail, he explored the case of Abacus Federal Savings, a bank catering to New York's Chinese immigrant community that became the only U.S…...

Chicago – Kartemquin Films is concluding its Fall Festival tonight on Friday, November 4th, 2016, with a special presentation of clips from three upcoming documentary projects. The film house, famous for the legendary “Hoop Dreams,” will show previews of ”America to Me” by director Steve James; “Eating Up Easter” by Sergio Rapu; and ”Dilemma of Desire” by Maria Finitzo. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.

’America To Me,’ Directed by Steve James, Will Preview at the Kartemquin Films Fall Festival on Nov 4th, 2016

Photo credit: Kartemquin Films

“Throughout this year our 50 year history has been showcased and honored in a number of thrilling ways. But we wanted to now put an emphasis on the new projects and rich documentary filmmaking talent that is in our community,” noted Gordon Quinn, Kartemquin Films co-founder and Artistic Director. “This event is a chance to get a glimpse of the future of documentary filmmaking in Chicago.

Chicago – In the final chapter of a three-part interview, Gordon Quinn of Kartemquin Films desires to evolve forward, soon after the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the iconic Chicago documentary house have past.

The “studio” Quinn co-founded has kept their integrity intact, and strives to keep cinematically exploring human drama that promotes understanding between all levels of contemporary society.

There have been several high profile documentaries that have expressed that understanding, and have forged a pathway that “Hoop Dreams” opened up for them. “Vietnam, Long Time Coming” (1998), “The New Americans” (2004) series on PBS, “No Crossover: The Trial of Allen Iverson” for Espn, “The Interrupters” (2011), “The Trials of Muhammad Ali” (2013) and “Life Itself” (2014) stand proudly alongside the best of the last 50 years, with three more films in post production awaiting release.

Director Steve James Composes ‘The Interrupters’ (2011)

Photo credit: Kartemquin Films

In Part Three, Kartemquin filmmaker Gordon Quinn reflects on the post “Hoops” year,...

From Hoop Dreams to The Interrupters, the Chicago documentary production company can boast of some of the most searing documentaries ever made

For 50 years, Chicago documentary production company Kartemquin has been making thought-provoking documentaries that have had an international impact. Now 74, artistic director Gordon Quinn, burns with the same passion that saw him establish the collective. Sitting in his Chicago office, awards piled up on the shelves through the French doors, he sets out his original manifesto.

“We wanted to make films to make social change, to give people information, and to change the world for the better. We were very taken with telling people’s stories who don’t usually get told. We felt that that kind of storytelling had an important role to play in the democratic process. That’s what we were very committed to and passionate about; and we still are today.”

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I previously profiled this new still-in-the-works documentary film from Chicago-based Kartemquin Films ("Hoop Dreams," "The Interrupters," "The Trials of Muhammad Ali"), titled "'63 Boycott," two years ago; they still need your help to complete it. Directed by Gordon Quinn ("A Good Man" documentary on choreographer Bill T. Jones), the film is about the 1963 Chicago school boycott, called “Freedom Day,” during which some 200,000 people, mostly school students, protested and marched over the school system's racist segregationist policies by then Cps Superintendent Benjamin Willis. The film...

With awards like the Cinema Eye Honors’ Unforgettables Award, documentary organizations are beginning to draw attention not just to the filmmakers behind documentary cameras but the subjects in front. Still, Britdoc’s latest is utterly original: the world’s first documentary cookbook. Currently fundraising on Kickstarter, the project is a digital download illustrated by Ben Lamb containing savory recipes from documentary subjects all over the world, from Chicago’s Ameena Matthews (from Steve James’ The Interrupters) to Burma’s Joshua Min Htut (Burma VJ) to an as-yet-unrevealed “certain American living somewhere in Russia.” Six of the doc chefs have already been announced, with all […]...

With awards like the Cinema Eye Honors’ Unforgettables Award, documentary organizations are beginning to draw attention not just to the filmmakers behind documentary cameras but the subjects in front. Still, Britdoc’s latest is utterly original: the world’s first documentary cookbook. Currently fundraising on Kickstarter, the project is a digital download illustrated by Ben Lamb containing savory recipes from documentary subjects all over the world, from Chicago’s Ameena Matthews (from Steve James’ The Interrupters) to Burma’s Joshua Min Htut (Burma VJ) to an as-yet-unrevealed “certain American living somewhere in Russia.” Six of the doc chefs have already been announced, with all […]...

Read More: Justine Nagan Appointed as Executive Director of American Documentary, Inc. and 'Pov' Kartemquin Films, the award-winning not-for-profit documentary production collective, has announced Betsy Steinberg as the organization’s new executive director. Steinberg will begin at Kartemquin ("Hoop Dreams," "The Interrupters," etc.) on December 1, just ahead of its 50th anniversary year in 2016. In the position, Steinberg succeeds Justine Nagan, who was recently named Executive Director of American Documentary, Inc. (AmDoc) and Executive Producer of Pov (Point of View), after over a decade with Kartemquin. Steinberg will oversee all aspects of the company's filmmaking, programs and operations, serving as executive producer on all new films. "Of all the candidates, Betsy immediately demonstrated the ethics and passion we know Kartemquin needs, and we are confident she will lead the staff and filmmakers to meet the challenges ahead while maintaining the...

The Ida will present its 2015 Career Achievement Award to Gordon Quinn, Founder and Artistic Director of Kartemquin Films. He has produced, directed and served as cinematographer on over 55 feature films spanning five decades. His recent projects include "The Interrupters" (above), "The Trials of Muhammad Ali," and "Life Itself." Past winners include Robert Redford, Alex Gibney, Errol Morris, Michael Moore and Werner Herzog. The Ida's Pioneer Award will be presented to Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer at Netflix, under whose leadership the streaming service has acquired and produced an increasing number of feature-length documentaries and docuseries. Read More: "From Vice to Netflix, TV News Adapts to an On-Demand World" Tony Tabatznik and the Bertha Foundation will receive the Ida’s Amicus Award for their work supporting needs of the non-fiction media landscape. The Bertha Foundation's film funds have...

Kim Longinotto-directed film follows a former prostitute’s efforts to end the sexual exploitation of at-risk youth

Showtime acquired the rights to “Dreamcatcher” on Thursday, a documentary about a former prostitute’s efforts to curb human trafficking and to prevent the sexual exploitation of at-risk youth. The deal was announced before its Jan. 25 world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival.

Also Read: 10 Sundance Breakout Stars Led by Melissa Rauch, Julia Garner and the ‘Knock Knock’ Girls

Directed by veteran documentarian Kim Longinotto (“Salma,” “Rough Aunties,” “Divorce Iranian Style,”) “Dreamcatcher” focuses on Brenda Myers-Powell, a former Chicago prostitute who helps...

Showtime Networks has made a deal for rights to Dreamcatcher, the Sundance premiere documentary by helmer Kim Longinotto (Salma, Rough Aunties, Divorce Iranian Style) about former Chicago prostitute-turned-advocate Brenda Myers-Powell and her efforts to fight the sexual exploitation of at-risk youth. The Rise Films, Vixen Films and Green Acres production in association with Impact Partners and Artemis Rising Foundation is produced by Lisa Stevens and Teddy Leifer (The Interrupters, The Invisible War) and executive produced by Dan Cogan, Geralyn White Dreyfous and Regina K. Scully; associate producers are John Stack and Wilfred Spears. Deal was negotiated by Andrew Herwitz of the Film Sales Company on behalf of the filmmakers.

Company closes deal for all UK and international rights to Kim Longinotto’s latest feature and sets a UK release date for March.

Dogwoof has acquired all UK and international rights to Kim Longinotto’s Dreamcatcher.

Selected for Sundance 2015, the film follows Brenda Myers-Powell, a former teenage prostitute, who runs Dreamcatcher foundation which aims to inspire young women to turn their lives around and follow their dreams.

The deal was agreed between Dogwoof and the production team of Rise Films, Green Acres Films and Vixen Films. Dogwoof and Rise Films previously worked together on Steve James’ The Interrupters.

Longinotto commented: “I’m thrilled to be working with Dogwoof; they truly are the dream team of documentary, and they know exactly how to get Dreamcatcher to the widest audience.”

“We are looking at one of the most memorable characters in recent years. Brenda’s magnetism teamed with Kim’s sensibility makes Dreamcatcher an irresistible story about reaching one’s dreams...

Ameena Matthews, CeaseFire violence interrupter, who many of you who saw the documentary would remember, was the firebrand at the center of "The Interrupters" - the critically-acclaimed, award-winning Kartemquin Films release, directed by Steve James. It's a film that was mentioned quite a bit on this blog, during the year of its release (2011), and even prior to that, as it traveled the film festival circuit with much success along the way. I only just learned that Matthews was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in January - a type of cancer that starts in the plasma cells in bone marrow. It's news she kept private for many months, until just a few weeks ago, when...

Just last week, I reported on a new cable TV documentary series, Hard Earned, being produced by Al Jazeera America and the Chicago-based Kartemquin Films, about the struggles of low income families (Here).But that’s not the only documentary that Kartmequin Films has on its slate - a company responsible for some of the most important and acclaimed documentaries made during the last 20 years such as Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters, The Trials of Muhammad Ali, and the soon-to-be released documentary on the late film critic, Roger Ebert, Life Itself,.They also have currently in the works, Raising Bertie, produced by Kartemquin co founder Gordon Quinn and Justine...

CNN isn’t the only cable news network going in for documentary series. Al Jazeera America today announced its latest collaboration – with Kartemquin Films on Hard Earned, a six-part documentary series exploring low-income life in America. Hard Earned is being executive produced by Kartemquin’s Steve James, Gordon Quinn, and Justine Nagan, who were responsible for Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters, The Trials of Muhammad Ali and recent Sundance hit Life Itself, among other documentaries. Five stories, set in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., Milwaukee, and two in the Chicago area, will be intertwined into six one-hour episodes. The series will shed more light on an ever-growing sector of the American workforce. “Low wage jobs are the fastest growing sector of employment in the American economy,” says executive producer Steve James. Kartemquin’s previous multi-part series, The New Americans, a seven-hour series on immigration produced for PBS in 2004, was an International...

Chicago-based Kartemquin Films will receive the North Carolina festival’s Master Of Cinema award.

Kartemquin’s credits include Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters (pictured) and PBS miniseries The New Americans.

Founder and artistic director Gordon Quinn will attend the festival to accept the award alongside executive director Justine Nagan and frequent collaborators Steve James and Peter Gilbert.

Previous Master Of Cinema honourees include Christine Vachon and Pamela Koffler of Killer Film, Peter Bogdanovich, Bill Pullman, Pam Grier, Ned Beatty and Cliff Robertson.

Emerging Master Awards will go to Winter’s Bone director Debra Granik and actress Melanie Lynskey. Previous honourees include Jeff Nichols, Paul Schneider, Michael Shannon, Ramin Bahrani and David Gordon Green.

Spark Awards will go to actors Sophie Desmarais, Tye Sheridan and Tyler James Williams. Previous recipients include Anna Margaret Hollyman, Madeleine Martin, Terence Nance, David Oyelowo, Brady Corbet and Amy Seimetz.

Narrative Features jurors are UK director Andrea Arnold, critic [link=nm...

Full Frame has announced that the festival will screen a collection of Steve James' highly regarded films over the course of the four-day event, and will welcome a variety of subjects featured in these works for Q&As. Arthur Agee, Jr. (Hoop Dreams), Ameena Matthews (The Interrupters), and Reverend Carroll Pickett (At the Death House Door) are expected to attend, along with many of James’s collaborators from Kartemquin Films. Full Frame will also feature “Hoop Dreams at 20,” a panel conversation in celebration of the landmark documentary’s 20th anniversary that will feature outtakes, insider commentary, and special guests. "I'm excited to have so many of my films...

The Wagner/Cuban Company's Magnolia Pictures announced today that they have acquired Us theatrical, VOD and home entertainment rights to Life Itself, a documentary about the life of Roger Ebert directed by Oscar-nominated documentary filmmaker Steve James (Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters). A Kartemquin Films and Film Rites production in association with KatLei Productions, Life Itself premiered to critical acclaim at this year's Sundance Film Festival. Magnolia is eyeing a summer release, followed by an exclusive broadcast on CNN later this year, reprising a successful collaboration with CNN Films on the hit documentary Blackfish.

Roger Ebert was a beloved national figure and arguably our best-known and most influential movie critic, and his passing in 2013 was deeply felt across the country. Based on his memoir of the same name, Roger Ebert recounts his fascinating and flawed journey-from politicized school newspaperman, to Chicago Sun-Times movie critic, to Pulitzer Prize winner, to television household name,...

Back in January, I wrote about Kartemquin Films’ new documentary in production, directed by Gordon Quinn, about the 1963 Chicago school boycott during which some 200,000 people, mostly school students, protested and marched over the school system's racist segregationist policies by then Cps Superintendent Benjamin Willis. Could you imagine something like that happening today? A different time, a different mindset.Now it's been announced that on Tuesday October 22, the Chicago based documentary film production company, with many films to their credit, including Hoop Dreams, The Interrupters, A Good Man and No Crossover: The Trails of Allen Iverson, is going to have a special...

Rise Films is reteaming with Longinotto for Us prostitution documentary.

London-based production company Rise Films is reteaming with Kim Longinotto for her latest feature documentary, The Dreamcatchers.

Principal photography started this week in Chicago, marking Longinotto’s first film shot in the Us.

The film will follow two former prostitutes who now help women get out of prostitution and teach vulnerable girls how to avoid sexual exploitation.

The veteran filmmaker will have unparalleld access to sex workers in Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods. Rise has already worked in Chicago with Steve James’ The Interrupters, about gang violence.

Rise previously worked with Longinotto’s 2009 Sundance prize winner Rough Aunties.

On The Dreamcatchers, Rise’s Teddy Leifer produces with Lisa Stevens; John Stack serves as associate producer.

Finance comes from Impact Partners; executive producers are Dan Cogan, Geralyn Dreyfous and Regina Scully. (Rise recently worked with Dreyfous and Scully on The Invisble War.)

The Dreamcatchers...

Exclusive: Rise Films is reteaming with Longinotto for Us prostitution documentary.

London-based production company Rise Films is reteaming with Kim Longinotto for her latest feature documentary, The Dreamcatchers.

Principal photography started this week in Chicago, marking Longinotto’s first film shot in the Us.

The film will follow two former prostitutes who now help women get out of prostitution and teach vulnerable girls how to avoid sexual exploitation.

The veteran filmmaker will have unparalleld access to sex workers in Chicago’s toughest neighborhoods. Rise has already worked in Chicago with Steve James’ The Interrupters, about gang violence.

Rise previously worked with Longinotto’s 2009 Sundance prize winner Rough Aunties.

On The Dreamcatchers, Rise’s Teddy Leifer produces with Lisa Stevens; John Stack serves as associate producer.

Finance comes from Impact Partners; executive producers are Dan Cogan, Geralyn Dreyfous and Regina Scully. (Rise recently worked with Dreyfous and Scully on The Invisble War.)

The Dreamcatchers...

It's a documentary-heavy list this week; no fluffy fiction for you to watch this weekend.  Without further ado, here's this week's list of 5: 1 - So you say you missed it when it was in theaters, on PBS and you haven't rented or purchased it on DVD, and you really want to see it? No sweat... Kartemquin Films critically acclaimed, award-winning documentary, The Interrupters, is streaming on Netflix right now. So you're just a few clicks away from meeting The Interrupters, including Ameena Matthews in her fifth year working as a violence interrupter for CeaseFire, as well as Cobe Williams, Eddie Bocanegra, and the Director of CeaseFire...

Kartemquin Films, the documentary buffs behind "Hoop Dreams," "The Interrupters" and "As Goes Janesville," know the power of telling stories through film.

They also know that a variety of voices make for better stories.

"We noticed over the years there weren't filmmakers of color knocking on our door much," Tim Horsburgh, Kartemquin’s Director of Communications and Programs told Huffington Post.

"We wanted to have a way to let those filmmakers know we're here and open to working with them."

On Thursday, the Chicago-based company launched the "Diverse Voices In Docs" program, capping off what had been one of Kartemquin's strategic goals for nearly half a decade.

There are few programs of its kind in the U.S., and Horsburgh says the six-month professional development series would focus on sharing the film company's resources with emerging filmmaker of color.

(Read the detailed breakdown of the "Diverse Voices In Docs" program.

Fans of documentary filmmaker Steve James who missed his hard-hitting 2011 work “The Interrupters” have a unique opportunity to catch the film, and James himself Nov. 1 as part of the 2012 Snag the Vote screening series. The film’s digital premiere will be streamed at 7 pm Est at SnagFilms, and James and producer Alex Kotlowitz will take part in a live Q&A after the movie. James’ film follows the efforts of the Chicago organization CeaseFire, which is comprised of men trying to stop the violence that they once perpetuated in their communities. “Interrupters” had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in 2011 and won the Independent Spirit award for best documentary. The version that SnagFilms is showing is a 125-minute theatrical version that has never before been seen online. Read More: To Crowdfund or Not to Crowdfund: 20 Years After Making 'Hoop Dreams,' Filmmaker Steve James Braves the New Financing World With.

Steve James is the director and producer of the documentaries “Hoop Dreams,” “Stevie,” “Reel Paradise,” “At the Death House Door,” “The Interrupters” and “Head Games,” which is awaiting release. He also co-wrote and directed the narrative feature “Prefontaine.” “Generation Food” is a collaboration between myself and author/activist Raj Patel that will tell stories about efforts around the world to try to solve the food crisis — through a documentary, a book, a website and mobile apps. On July 8, we launched a crowdfunding campaign to try to raise funds for the very first research trips we need to make on the film, to locations such as Peru and Malawi. So far, we’ve raised half our goal, with a little less then half the time left. I’ve never done this kind of fundraising before. But for some time I’ve been intrigued to see that people have had success with.

DVD Playhouse—March 2012

By Allen Gardner

J. Edgar (Warner Bros.) Director Clint Eastwood provides a rock-solid, albeit rather flat portrait of polarizing FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover, covering his life from late teens to his death. Leonardo DiCaprio does an impressive turn as Hoover, never crossing the line into caricature, and creating a Hoover that is all too human, making for an all the more unsettling look at absolute power run amuck. Where the film stumbles is the love story at its core: Hoover’s relationship with longtime aide Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer). In the hands of an openly-gay director like Gus Van Sant, this could have been a heartbreaking, tender story of forbidden (unrequited?) love, but Eastwood seems to tiptoe around their romance, with far too much delicacy and deference. The film works well when recreating the famous crimes and investigations which Hoover made his name on (the Lindbergh kidnapping,...

Reviewer: Craig Phillips

Ratings (out of five): ****

With a title that makes it sound like an action film, Steve James' new documentary The Interrupters actually is an action film in a way -- it's about the brave actions of a few reformed souls who try to do some good in a world of violence. James, who co-directed the masterful epic Hoop Dreams, one of the most important documentaries of the past thirty years, returns to Chicago for this story of those who call themselves "interrupters," people who try to mediate gang-related disputes before they escalate into violence.

The film, based on a book by Alex Kotlowitz, has a remarkably fluid, fly on the wall style of which Frederick Wiseman would approve. Though snubbed by this year's Oscars, it did at least win the Indie Spirit Award for Best Documentary.

Film Independent presented the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards today in Santa Monica, California, which was hosted by Seth Rogen. The ceremony was streamed live through Yahoo! Movies and will air on IFC at 10 Pm Et/Pt. You can take a look at the full list of nominees and winners below.

Best Feature (Award given to the Producer, Executive Producers are not listed)

The Artist - Producer: Thomas Langmann

50/50 - Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen

Beginners - Producers: Miranda de Pencier, Lars Knudsen, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Jay Van Hoy

Drive - Producers: Michel Litvak, John Palermo, Marc Platt, Gigi Pritzker, Adam Siegel

Take Shelter - Producers: Tyler Davidson, Sophia Lin

The Descendants - Producers: Jimmy Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor

Best Director

Michel Hazanavicius - The Artist

Mike Mills - Beginners

Jeff Nichols - Take Shelter

Alexander Payne - The Descendants

Nicolas Winding Refn - Drive

Best Screenplay

Alexander Payne,...

"The Interrupters," a film about former criminals working to stop violence in Chicago, was named best documentary at the Film Independent Spirit Awards Saturday night.

Filmmakers Steve James and Alex Kotlowitz followed the violence interrupters working for Chicago's CeaseFire, an organization founded by Dr. Gary Slutkin. Slutkin believed that violence should be treated like a disease -- and the organization has managed to reduce shootings and killings by 41 to 73 percent, according to an independent evaluation by the Department of Justice.

James' widely acclaimed documentary "Hoop Dreams" was snubbed by the Oscars in 1994, and many were shocked to see the same thing happen with "The Interrupters." But the Independent Spirit Award for "Best Documentary," as Roger Ebert notes, is "no less significant."

“It's really great to win this award and win it the day before the Oscars,” James told the Chicago Tribune after winning the Spirit award Saturday. “It's a great...

Getty Michel Hazanavicius, director of “The Artist,” won Best Feature at the Independent Spirit Awards

Los Angeles — Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, Penelope Ann Miller and Zachary Quinto were among the guests who came out to celebrate the 27th annual Independent Spirit Awards Saturday afternoon in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica.

Seth Rogen hosted the event, with the first award going to Christopher Plummer for best supporting actor for his role in “The Beginners.” “Winning here, I hope...

Film Independent, the non-profit arts organization that produces the Spirit Awards and the Los Angeles Film Festival, handed out top honors to The Artist, The Descendants and Margin Call at this afternoon’s 27th Film Independent Spirit Awards. My Week With Marilyn, Beginners, 50/50, A Separation and The Interrupters also received awards at the ceremony, held in a tent on the beach in Santa Monica.

Tune in to IFC tonight at 10:00 pm Et/Pt to catch all the action at the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards, with actor, writer and producer Seth Rogen hosting. Highlights include: John Waters as the Voice of God, musical performances by My Morning Jacket and K’Naan.

The Spirit Awards was the first event to exclusively honor independent film, and over the past 27 years, has become the premier awards show for the independent film community, celebrating films made by filmmakers who embody independence and originality. Artists...

Michel Hazanavicius' "The Artist" was the big winner at the 2012 Film Independent Spirit Awards. The black-and-white silent film took home Best Feature, Director for Hazanavicius, Best Male Lead for Jean Dujardin, and Best Cinematography for Guillaume Schiffman.

In the performance categories, Michelle Williams took home the Best Female Lead award for her Marilyn Monroe portrayal in "My Week with Marilyn." Shailene Woodley, snubbed by the Academy for her memorable performance as George Clooney's daughter in "The Descendants," won Best Supporting Actress while Oscar frontrunner, Christopher Plummer, received the Best Supporting Actor award for his performance in "Beginners."

Held on Santa Monica Beach and hosted by Seth Rogen, the 27th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be broadcast by IFC at 10 p.m. Pst/Est.

Here's the complete list of winners (highlighted) and nominees of the Independent Spirit Awards:

Best Feature

50/50 - Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen...

Jean Dujardin, Bérénice Bejo, The Artist The Artist, Jean Dujardin, Michelle Williams: Spirit Award Winners Best Feature (Award given to the producer) 50/50 Producers: Evan Goldberg, Ben Karlin, Seth Rogen Beginners Producers: Miranda de Pencier, Lars Knudsen, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Jay Van Hoy Drive Producers: Michel Litvak, John Palermo, Marc Platt, Gigi Pritzker, Adam Siegel Take Shelter Producers: Tyler Davidson, Sophia Lin * The Artist Producer: Thomas Langmann The Descendants Producers: Jim Burke, Alexander Payne, Jim Taylor Best Director * Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist Mike Mills – Beginners Jeff Nichols – Take Shelter Alexander Payne – The Descendants Nicolas Winding Refn – Drive Best Screenplay Joseph Cedar – Footnote Michel Hazanavicius – The Artist Tom McCarthy – Win Win Mike Mills – Beginners * Alexander Payne, Nat Faxon & Jim Rash – The Descendants Best International Film (Award given to the director) * A Separation (Iran) Director: Asghar Farhadi Melancholia (Denmark, Sweden, France, Germany) Director: Lars von Trier Shame (UK) Director: Steve McQueen...

Chicago – On Sunday, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will name what they consider to be the Best Documentary of 2011. They will be wrong. How do I know? Because it’s not even nominated. The actual best documentary of last year (which was a Very good year from the form with everything from “Into the Abyss” to “Tabloid” to “Pearl Jam Twenty” to “Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory”) was not nominated. That title goes to Steve James’ “The Interrupters,” which was recently released on Blu-ray and DVD and is simply a must-see.

Rating: 5.0/5.0

The people profiled in “The Interrupters” are true heroes. They have been through a darkness that most of you reading this can’t even imagine and they didn’t come through it shell-shocked or afraid; they came through it wanting to make a difference in the world. Where most people see a lost cause or something that demands a forceful response,...

Each week within this column Spirit Award voter & film critic Kristy Puchko will offer a keen insight on a new selection of nominees for the 2012 Spirit Awards, along with any garnered behind-the-scenes exclusives. The Spirit Awards will air February 25th @10Pm on IFC.

Last week I shared my thoughts on some of the films I loathed this year, and so am thrilled to share some of my favorites from this year’s Spirit line-up with you today. Let’s get to it.

The Interrupters ~ Directed by Steve James

Nominations: Best Documentary

“I can’t aid and abed shit. I flush shit,” these are the tough love words of Ameena Matthews, a former gang member turned violence interrupter who dedicates herself and her time to the rage-filled residents of Chicago, counseling them to stop the gang violence that has long-ravaged the community. Hoop Dreams director Steve James dives deep into the...

Of course, no one is really robbed of an Academy Award nomination. It's a gift; not a right. The balloting procedure is conducted honestly and reflects a collective opinion, which was demonstrated this year when the Academy voters had the curiosity to seek out Demian Bichir for best actor for his deeply convincing performance as a Mexican gardener in Los Angeles in "A Better Life." He wasn't on my mental list of possible candidates, but when I heard the name, I thought, "Of course! Good thinking!"

Does it therefore follow that in the best actor category, Bichir "robbed" Michael Shannon of "Take Shelter," Ryan Gosling of "Drive" or Michael Fassbender of "Shame"? It does not, even though those performances were so good. There were no unworthy nominees for best actor. But let me also point out that none of the five nominees was as electrifying as the three who were "robbed.

One of the stars of the critically-acclaimed documentary "The Interrupters," called "the most necessary film of the year" by Slatelast year, was interviewed Wednesday on "The Colbert Report" a matter of weeks before the film makes its Feb. 14 television debut on PBS's Frontline.

Ameena Matthews is one of the "interrupters" who work with Chicago-based anti-violence group CeaseFire, an innovative organization that aims to decrease the brutal violence that continues to disproportionately impact the city's poor, urban neighborhoods through a peer-based public health-oriented approach. CeaseFire's model, pioneered by epidemiologist Gary Slutkin, has been replicated in a number of other cities around the world who also struggling with street violence, most recently in Philadelphia, Baltimore and London.

"She should have Michelle Pfeiffer teach them poetry," host Stephen Colbert suggested as he introduced Matthews.

Colbert, finding common ground with Matthews, said he, too, is an interrupter, before he noted that interrupting violence is...

One of the stars of the critically-acclaimed documentary "The Interrupters," called "the most necessary film of the year" by Slatelast year, was interviewed Wednesday on "The Colbert Report" a matter of weeks before the film makes its Feb. 14 television debut on PBS's Frontline.

Ameena Matthews is one of the "interrupters" who work with Chicago-based anti-violence group CeaseFire, an innovative organization that aims to decrease the brutal violence that continues to disproportionately impact the city's poor, urban neighborhoods through a peer-based public health-oriented approach. CeaseFire's model, pioneered by epidemiologist Gary Slutkin, has been replicated in a number of other cities around the world who also struggling with street violence, most recently in Philadelphia, Baltimore and London.

"She should have Michelle Pfeiffer teach them poetry," host Stephen Colbert suggested as he introduced Matthews.

Colbert, finding common ground with Matthews, said he, too, is an interrupter, before he noted that interrupting violence is...

Ameena Matthews, one of the most visible members of the Chicago gang violence cessation group CeaseFire and one of the most beloved stars of Steve James' documentary about the group, "The Interrupters," made a trip to the Colbert Report last night to promote the February 14 airing of the film on PBS's Frontline. "The Interrupters" follows Matthews and her CeaseFire colleagues as they use street-level tactics to fight gang violence in Chicago's Englewood community.  The film won the Cinema Eye Honors award for best film earlier this year, but has been snubbed by the Oscars. Time Magazine named Matthews' performance the 5th best on film in 2011. Check out Indiewire's interview with Matthews here. Sporting a flashy pair of lightning bolt earrings, Matthews schools Stephen on what it means to be an interrupter and why her work is important: The Colbert Report Get More: Colbert Report Full Episodes,Political...

In yet another sign that an Oscar win for "The Artist" is all but inevitable, that film's director, Michel Hazanavicius, won the Directors Guild of America's award for feature film directing on Saturday night. The win kept alive what has been an unimpeded road to the podium for "The Artist," which also won a key victory at the Producers Guild Awards last weekend. In the 63-year history of the DGA Awards, its winner has gone on to win the Oscar for Best Director all but six times. In 50 of those cases, including the last five in a row, the DGA winner's film has also been named Best Picture. In the documentary category, James Marsh won for "Project Nim" over competition that included Martin Scorsese for "George Harrison: Living in the Material World" and Steve James for "The Interrupters." Robert B. Weide won the television comedy award for an episode of "Curb Your Enthusiasm," while Patty Jenkins won the drama award for the pilot to "The Killing." The award for a television movie or miniseries went to Jon Kassar for "The Kennedys."...

It's been a good week for Steve James. His documentary "The Interrupters" won best director and best film at the Cinema Eye Honors Wednesday night; on Thursday, he received a DGA nomination. What "The Interrupters" didn't do this year, of course, was make the Oscar shortlist -- something that's viewed as an egregious oversight (much like his "Hoop Dreams" snub 17 years earlier) and as a case study for why the Oscar's documentary rules were in dire need of an overhaul. James is the first to agree that the rules need help. "It’s embarrassing, if not plain wrong, for our community to have films that qualified under the radar and which few people have seen or heard about push out those that played by the true spirit of the rules and were celebrated by audiences and critics." However, as he writes, "I think it is highly doubtful most of us...

On Wednesday night the Cinema Eye honors were presented, recognizing the likes of Steve James' "The Interrupters" (Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Filmmaking and Direction), the late Tim Hetherington's short "Diary" (Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Short Filmmaking), Mike Mills' "Beginners" (Heterodox Award for Narrative Filmmaking; a narrative film that imaginatively incorporates nonfiction strategies, content and/or modes of production) and Clio Barnard's "The Arbor" (Outstanding Achievement in a Debut Feature Film).  The first ever Hell Yeah Prize was awarded to Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky for their...

Every year, it seems the documentary branch of the Academy goes out of their way to embarass themselves, and this year is no exception. When the shortlist for the Oscar nominees landed back in November, it was arguably more notable for what was left off the list than what was included. A number of high profile, well reviewed films -- Errol Morris' "Tabloid," "Being Elmo: A Pupeteer's Journey," Werner Hezog's "Into the Abyss: A Tale of Death, a Tale of Life," "Page One: Inside the New York Times," "Senna" -- didn't make the cut, but luckily the DGA have righted some of those wrongs. The guild have revealed their nominess in the documentary category today, and finally, Steve James' excellent, moving, must-see "The Interrupters" got some deserved love from the industry. The film is a powerful portrait of various members of CeaseFire in Chicago, a group commited to...

At last night's documentary community love fest that is the annual Cinema Eye Honors, Steve James' Oscar-snubbed "The Interrupters" took home the award for best feature film and best director. "The Interrupters" examines a group of Chicago citizens who organize to intervene in street disputes. "Tonight, I really don't care about the Oscars," said James. Ameena Matthews, the charismatic subject of his film who was recently named 2011's best film performance by Time Magazine, countered, "I still care about the Oscars!" Cindy Meehl's horse-whisperer documentary "Buck" won the Audience Choice Prize. After receiving the inaugural Hell Yeah Prize, given to honor a documentary with real-world impact, "Paradise Lost 3: Purgatory" director Joe Berlinger recounted the experience of debuting the first "Paradise Lost" film on HBO.   "Something magical happened," Berlinger...

Steve James' The Interrupters Steve James' The Interrupters, Frederick Wiseman's Harrowing Expose Titicut Follies Win Cinema Eye Honors Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Feature Filmmaking: The Interrupters directed by Steve James; produced by Alex Kotlowitz and Steve James Outstanding Achievement in Direction: Steve James, The Interrupters Audience Choice Prize: Buck, directed by Cindy Meehl Outstanding Achievement in a Debut Feature Film: Clio Barnard, The Arbor Outstanding Achievement in Production: Gian-Piero Ringel and Wim Wenders, Pina Outstanding Achievement in Editing: Gregers Sall and Chris King, Senna Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Danfung Dennis, Hell and Back Again Outstanding Achievement in an Original Music Score: John Kusiak, Tabloid Spotlight Award: The Tiniest Place, directed by Tatiana Huezo Sánchez Outstanding Achievement in Graphic Design and Animation: Rob Feng and Jeremy Landman, Tabloid Heterodox Award: Beginners, directed by Mike Mills Outstanding Achievement in Nonfiction Short Filmmaking: Diary, directed by Tim Hetherington Hell Yeah Prize: Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky,...

Chicago – Life was a happy song at the Chicago Film Critics Association Awards night, which celebrated the best cinematic achievements of 2011, while presenting honorary awards to some very special guests. The event was held January 7 at the Broadway Playhouse, and was highlighted by appearances from some of the brightest talents in show business.

Jason Segel, the exuberant star of “Freaks and Geeks,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “How I Met Your Mother,” was honored with the Comedia Extraordinaire Award for his triumphant efforts to resurrect the late Jim Henson’s waning franchise by co-writing and acting in “The Muppets.” At a press conference prior to the awards show, Segel was characteristically humble and self-deprecating while reflecting on his own work. In the case of his “Muppet” co-stars, he had nothing but praise.

“Working with [Amy Adams] and Chris Cooper, I realized why those people get nominated for awards and I don’t,” said Segel.