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Exclusive: Rob Morrow is set to join Nat Wolff and Alexander Skarsgård in The Kill Team, the Afghanistan War drama from writer-director Dan Krauss based on his 2013 documentary. Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey are producing. Based on the true story told in the docu, The Kill Team centers on Adam (Wolff), an eager American soldier who doesn’t fit in with his rowdy, trigger-happy squad and is coerced by his new sergeant (Skarsgård) into killing civilians against his will — or…...

Cornerstone Films will introduce the project to buyers at the Efm.

Adam Shankman (Hairspray) has signed up to direct Kate Beckinsale in the film adaptation of Ashley Prentice Norton’s novel The Chocolate Money.

Beckinsale will also produce with Leslie Urdang of Mar-Key Pictures, alongside Miranda de Pencier and Kelly E. Ashton. The film is scheduled to shoot in New York in Spring 2017.

London-based Cornerstone Films is handling international rights and will commence sales at next month’s European Film Market (Feb 9-17). UTA is overseeing Us sales.

The novel, adapted for the screen by Emma Forrest and co-written by Beckinsale, is set in 1980s New York, following the heiress to one of American’s largest chocolate fortunes. The twisted comedy-drama tale follows the heiress’s daughter, who develops a crush on her mother’s married lover.

Leslie Urdang commented: “Emma Forrest wrote a profoundly witty and moving script with a role that could easily become [link=nm...

Cornerstone will commence sales of the feature film adaptation of Dan Krauss’s acclaimed documentary The Kill Team at Afm.

Actors Nat Wolff (The Fault in Our Stars) and Alexander Skarsgård (The Legend of Tarzan) have come on board Oscar-nominated writer and director Dan Krauss’s feature film adaptation of his documentary The Kill Team.

The film is currently in pre-production.

Based on true events, The Kill Team is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a young American soldier trapped between his conscience and his survival when members of his platoon carry out a murderous scheme in Southern Afghanistan.

Wolff is set to play the character based on Adam Winfield, an ambitious young soldier whose quiet temperament sets him apart from his platoon. He meets his squad leader, Sergeant Deeks, played by Skarsgård, and falls under his spell.

However, when a young Afghan farmer is killed under unusual circumstances, Adam attempts...

Nat Wolff is teaming up with Tarzan himself (Alexander Skarsgård) for his next project, a feature film adaptation of The Kill Team.

Based on Dan Krauss’ acclaimed war documentary, the project chronicles the story of Private Adam Winfield, a “young American soldier trapped between his conscience and survival when members of his platoon carry out a murderous scheme in the wasteland of Southern Afghanistan.” Wolff is attached to the lead role of Winfield, while Skarsgård steps into the boots of his superior – the imposing Sergeant Deeks. Perhaps most exciting of all is news that Krauss is on board to write and direct this feature-length version of his doc, one which Marty Bowen and Wyck Godfrey will produce on behalf of Temple Hill Entertainment.

“When we first saw Dan Krauss’ documentary, we were shocked by this story and blown away by his direction,” said Bowen and Godfrey in a statement. “His film’s scope and tension,...

Nat Wolff and Alexander Skarsgård are set to star in a feature film adaptation of Dan Krauss' war documentary The Kill Team. The film tracks the story of Private Adam Winfield, a soldier in Afghanistan who attempted to blow the whistle on members of his platoon who carry out a murderous scheme in the desolate wasteland of Southern Afghanistan. Wolff, who starred in The Fault of Our Stars, is set to play Winfield with Skarsgård, who was recently seen in The Legend of Tarzan…...

The realities of death are not easy to confront. That much is clear in the trailer Netflix just released for “Extremis,” an original documentary short exploring the harrowing decisions families must make for their loved ones in urgent end-of-life cases relying on machine-based life support.

Read More: ‘Easy’ Teaser: Joe Swanberg’s Netflix Series Gets Trippy, Animated Trailer

“We’re all gonna die…and it’s good to have a little bit of a say in how,” says Dr. Jessica Nutik Zitter, the palliative care physician featured in “Extremis,” as we see images of families, doctors and patients in the midst of facing death daily.

The trailer depicts the access granted to Oscar- and Emmy-winning filmmaker Dan Krauss (“The Kill Team”) into the ICU unit of an Oakland, California public hospital. Krauss attempts to intimately examine “the intersection of science, faith and humanity” by observing personal, real-time accounts of how...

In terms of support, they got a taste for what the Sundance Institute had to offer in concretizing aspects of their respective screenplays and in terms of scenery, they’ll need to pack significantly less heavier suitcases. Nia DaCosta (Little Woods), Olivia Newman (First Match), Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre (pictured above) (Mustang) & Yung Chang (Eggplant), Christopher Makoto Yogi (I Was A Simple Man), Mark Kindred (Rogue) and trio Brent Green, Michael McGinley and Thyra Heder‘s untitled project are technically moving onto the next round working on the directing portion of their projects at the June Directors and Screenwriters Labs. they’ll be joined by The Imposter helmer Bart Layton‘s narrative debut, American Animals. The Screenwriters Lab attendees are Dan Krauss‘ docu-to-feature adaptation of The Kill Team, Boots Riley‘s Sorry to Bother You, Frances Bodomo, Mariam Bakacho Khatchvani and Irakli Solomanashvili‘s Afronauts, and finally Fernando Coimbra‘s The...

The Sundance Institute has announced the 13 projects selected for the 2015 June Directors and Screenwriters Labs.

The event, taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah from May 25-June 25, runs annually in order to discover and enhance the up-and-coming independent film artists in film, theatre, new media and episodic content.

Each filmmaker will also work with a group of Creative Advisors, professional actors and production crews, including Robert Redford, Catherine Hardwicke, Ed Harris, Caleb Deschanel and Scott Z Burns.

This year’s selections feature works from six different countries, including the Us, Brazil, China, France, Georgia and the UK and vary from documentary, theatre, music, animation, new media and visual art categories.

The selections are:

Bart Layton / American Animals (UK);

Yung Chang / Eggplant (China-Canada):

Olivia Newman / First Match (USA);

Christopher Makoto Yogi / I Was A Simple Man (USA);

Nia DaCosta / Little Woods (USA);

Laure de Clermont-Tonnerre / Mustang (France);

Mark Kindred / Rogue (USA); and

Brent Green, Michael McGinley and [link...

And the Independent Spirit Awards have revealed the winners and it's looking a lot like the Academy Awards! "Birdman" beat "Boyhood" for the Best Feature trophy but Richard Linklater took away the Best Director award from Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu.

Is this a sign of what's going to happen at the Oscars tonight?

Stay tuned...

2015 Film Independent Spirit Award Winners (Highlighted) And Nominees

Best Feature

(Award given to the Producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.)

Winner: Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Producers: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole

Boyhood

Producers: Richard Linklater, Jonathan Sehring, John Sloss, Cathleen Sutherland

Love is Strange

Producers: Lucas Joaquin, Lars Knudsen, Ira Sachs, Jayne Baron Sherman, Jay Van Hoy

Selma

Producers: Christian Colson, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Oprah Winfrey

Whiplash

Producers: Jason Blum, Helen Estabrook, David Lancaster, Michael Litvak

Best Director

Winner: Richard Linklater

Boyhood

Damien Chazelle

Whiplash

Ava DuVernay...

From Boyhood to Birdman, here's the flicks and stars who had already won at the 2015 Independent Spirit Awards before Oscars Sunday!

Birdman took home the most awards on Saturday night, winning three accolades including Best Feature. Boyhood, Nightcrawler and Whiplash all won two awards each and Julianne Moore was recognized for her leading lady role in Still Alice.

Photos: 2015 Oscars Star Shots!

Check out the full list of Spirit Award winners, below:

Best Feature: Birdman

Producers: Alejandro G. Inarritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole

Best Male Lead: Michael Keaton, Birdman

Best Female Lead: Julianne Moore, Still Alice

News: Kirk Cameron Leads In Razzie Award Wins -- See Full List!

Best Director: Richard Linklater, Boyhood

Best Supporting Female: Patricia Arquette, Boyhood

Best Supporting Male: J.K. Simmons, Whiplash

Best Screenplay: Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler

Best Documentary: Citizenfour

Director/Producer: Laura Poitras Producers: Mathilde Bonnefoy, Dirk Wilutzky

Best International Film: Ida (Poland)

Director: Pawel Pawlikowski

Best First Feature: 

[link...

Richard Linklater won for Best Director and Patricia Arquette won the Best Supporting actress for team Boyhood, while Iñárritu’s Birdman claimed Best Picture, Best Actor (Michael Keaton) and Cinematographer (Emmanuel Lubezki) at the 30th Film Independent Spirit Awards last night. The split might foreshadow how the Oscars play out tonite, as the Middleweight Saturday ceremony and Heavyweight Sunday gig are more or less interchangeable. The two films that might gain a little further traction from the tent spotlight include Nightcrawler (which picked up Best First Feature and Best Screenplay) and Whiplash, Damien Chazelle’s deservedly won for Best Supporting Actor and Editing categories. Also worth pointing out is a Land Ho! win in the category we love the most: the John Cassavetes Award. Here are the winners and noms.

Best Feature:

“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” *Winner

“Boyhood”

“Love is Strange”

“Selma”

“Whiplash”

Best Director

Damien Chazelle,...

Just one night before the Oscars take over town, stars flocked to the 2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards on the Santa Monica Beach on Saturday (February 21).

Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell joined forces for co-hosting duties and put on a fabulous show as actors and actresses including Scarlett Johansson, Ethan Hawke, Jessica Chastain, Cate Blanchett, Jared Leto and Emma Stone turned up to lend their star power to the IFC airing ceremony.

As for this year's cream of the crop, Michael Keaton (Birdman), Julianne Moore (Still Alice), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) and Patricia Arquette (Boyhood) took home top honors in the lead and supporting acting categories.

Meanwhile, in what very well may be an indicator for what's to come tomorrow at the Academy Awards, "Birdman" was recognized as Best Feature while Richard Linklater nabbed Best Director accolades for "Boyhood".

Check out the full list of winners from the 2015 Spirit Awards below!

Best...

As usual, the 2015 Spirit Award winners for Best Feature (Birdman), Best Director (Richard Linklater, Boyhood), Best Documentary (Citizenfour), Best International Film (Ida), Best Female Lead (Julianne Moore, Still Alice), and Best Male Lead (Michael Keaton, Birdman) all seem like highly probable precursors for the Oscars. So, if they are just going to predict the Oscars, what is the point of the Spirit Awards? Where the Spirit Awards have historically garnered attention and respect is in categories such as Best First Feature (Nightcrawler), Best First Screenplay (Dear White People), John Cassavetes Award (Land Ho!), Robert Altman Award (Inherent Vice), Piaget Producer's Award (Chad Burris, Elisabeth Holm, Chris Ohlson), Kiehl’s Someone to Watch Award (H.), and Lenscrafters' Truer Than Fiction Award (The Kill Team). For the last two years I have all but dismissed the Spirit Awards in fear that they sold out and essentially became an "Oscar Jr."; but after...

The two awards season front-runners kept the race interesting through the final weekend as Birdman took best film and Boyhood’s Richard Linklater best director at the 30th Independent Spirit Awards.

Michael Keaton earned best actor for Fox Searchlight’s Birdman and Julianne Moore corresponding actress honours for Still Life, which contributed to Sony Pictures Classics’ unbeaten five awards on the night.

Patricia Arquette collected the award for best supporting actress for IFC Films’ Boyhood at the traditional beachside ceremony beneath a cavernous tent in Santa Monica on Saturday afternoon (February 21).

Jk Simmons earned best supporting actor for Whiplash, which also saw editor Tom Cross prevail. Spc released the film. It was a good night for Bold Films, earning two for Whiplash as well as best screenplay and best first feature for Dan Gilroy for Nightcrawler, distributed via Open Road.

Emmanuel Lubezki triumphed in the cinematography category for Birdman and Warner Bros’ Inherent Vice took the eighth...

Fred Armisen and Kristen Bell hosted the 30th Independent Spirit Awards from Los Angeles today (February 21).

Digital Spy rounds up all of the winners from this year's ceremony below:

Best Feature

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) - Winner!

Boyhood

Love is Strange

Selma

Whiplash

Best Director

Damien Chazelle - Whiplash

Ava DuVernay - Selma

Alejandro G. Iñárritu - Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Richard Linklater - Boyhood - Winner!

David Zellner - Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter

Best Screenplay

Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski - Big Eyes

J.C. Chandor - A Most Violent Year

Dan Gilroy - Nightcrawler - Winner!

Jim Jarmusch - Only Lovers Left Alive

Ira Sachs & Mauricio Zacharias - Love is Strange

Best First Feature (Award given to the director and producer.)

A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night

Director: Ana Lily Amirpour

Producers: Justin Begnaud, Sina Sayyah

Dear White People

Director/Producer: Justin Simien

Producers: Effie T. Brown,...

The 2015 Spirit Awards were handed out today and it was Birdman taking Best Feature and Best Actor (Michael Keaton) while Boyhood went home a double winner taking Best Director (Richard Linklater) and Best Supporting Actress (Patricia Arquette). However, while that's the result for the two big guns that will be going head-to-head at tomorrow night's Oscars, Nightcrawler was also a double winner taking Best Screenplay and Best First Feature, both awarded to writer/director Dan Gilroy. Otherwise, no big surprises with Julianne Moore (Still Alice) taking Best Actress and J.K. Simmons (Whiplash) taking Supporting Actor, Citizenfour took Best Documentary and Birdman scored a third win for Emmanuel Lubezki for Best Cinematography. Justin Simien (Dear White People) took home Best First Screenplay and, whoa!, Look!, Whiplash was also a double winner, with Tom Cross winning for Best Editing (well deserved!) and anticipated Oscar winner in the same category, Ida won Best Foreign Language Film.

The 30th annual Film Independent Spirit Awards were presented Saturday from a tent on the beach in Santa Monica. Check out the full list of winners below. Best Feature "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" - Winner "Boyhood" "Love is Strange" "Selma" "Whiplash" Best Director Damien Chazelle, "Whiplash"    Ava DuVernay, "Selma" Alejandro G. Iñárritu, "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" Richard Linklater, "Boyhood" - Winner David Zellner, "Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter" Best Screenplay Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski, "Big Eyes" J.C. Chandor, "A Most Violent Year" Dan Gilroy, "Nightcrawler" - Winner Jim Jarmusch, "Only Lovers Left Alive" Ira Sachs & Mauricio Zacharias, "Love is Strange"  Best First Feature Ana Lily Amirpour, "A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night" Justin Simien, "Dear White People" Dan Gilroy, "Nightcrawler" - Winner Gillian Robespierre, "Obvious Child" Anja Marquardt, "She's Lost Control" Best First Screenplay Desiree Akhavan, "Appropriate Behavior" Sara Colangelo, "Little Accidents" Justin Lader,...

The 30th Independent Spirit Awards was held in Santa Monica Saturday afternoon, and "Birdman" and "Boyhood" were the ceremony's big winners. Hosted by Kristen Bell and Fred Armisen, the more casual Oscar precursor honored the best in independent filmmaking from the past year. Only three films -- "12 Years a Slave," "Platoon," and "The Artist" -- have won best feature at the Spirits and gone on to nab the Best Picture Oscar. Time will tell if this year's Spirit winner will follow in their footsteps. Get a complete list of the nominees with the winners in bold, below:

Best Feature

"Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" - Winner

"Boyhood"

"Love is Strange"

"Selma"

"Whiplash"

Best Director

Richard Linklater, "Boyhood" - Winner

Damien Chazelle, "Whiplash"

Ava DuVernay, "Selma"

Alejandro G. Iñárritu, "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)"

David Zellner, "Kumiko, The Treasure Hunter"

Best Screenplay

Dan Gilroy, "Nightcrawler" - Winner

Scott Alexander & Larry Karaszewski,...

Nearly a year after its SXSW premiere, ornana’s Confusion Through Sand will have its PBS premiere tonight, ahead of Dan Krauss’ The Kill Team. The animated short will be available for free on Vimeo tomorrow, but for the time being, you can watch a behind the scenes video of the collective’s creative process. Filmmaker spoke to director Danny Madden and producers Jim Cummings and Ben Wiessner about the trajectory of their latest film, from a joint Kickstarter campaign, through division of labor, and securing distribution. Filmmaker: You packaged your Kickstarter campaign as a sort of two for one deal, raising post funds for euphonia and production funds for Confusion Through Sand. […]...

Nearly a year after its SXSW premiere, ornana’s Confusion Through Sand will have its PBS premiere tonight, ahead of Dan Krauss’ The Kill Team. The animated short will be available for free on Vimeo tomorrow, but for the time being, you can watch a behind the scenes video of the collective’s creative process. Filmmaker spoke to director Danny Madden and producers Jim Cummings and Ben Wiessner about the trajectory of their latest film, from a joint Kickstarter campaign, through division of labor, and securing distribution. Filmmaker: You packaged your Kickstarter campaign as a sort of two for one deal, raising post funds for euphonia and production funds for Confusion Through Sand. […]...

With the Mpse's nominations logged and official, all of the guilds and industry groups have had their say in the nominees stage of the season, culminating with tomorrow's Oscar nominations. Leading the way with mentions from 11 separate groups each — and boy this must make Fox Searchlight happy — is "Birdman" and "The Grand Budapest Hotel." Just behind with 10 is "The Imitation Game." What's interesting is what's just under that level. You have both "Gone Girl" and "Guardians of the Galaxy" chalking up eight groups. The former may or may not end up in the Best Picture category tomorrow (nothing would surprise me), but the latter sure did come on strong for its elements. After that, "American Sniper" has seven, "Boyhood," "Nightcrawler," "Interstellar," "Into the Woods," "The Theory of Everything" and "Unbroken" each have six and Sony Classics' hopefuls "Foxcatcher" and "Whiplash" ring in with five. That pretty much covers the landscape,...

Directors Guild President Paris Barclay has announced the TV, documentary and commercial nominees for this year's DGA Awards. “The spectrum of directorial excellence across today's nine television and documentary categories is revelatory for the breadth and depth in what each of these women and men have directed – from 30-second commercials to multi-hour miniseries,” said Barclay in a statement. “As fellow filmmakers, we’re inspired by the quality, imagination and creativity demonstrated by these impressive nominees; as audience members, we’re incredibly fortunate to enjoy the fruits of their labors. Our congratulations to all of the nominees.” First-time nominees include Jodie Foster ("House of Cards," "Orange is the New Black"), Cary Fukunaga ("True Detective"), Mike Judge ("Silicon Valley"), Lisa Cholodenko ("Olive Kitteridge"), Michael Wilson ("The Trip to Bountiful") and Jill Soloway ("Transparent"). Winners will be announced Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles at a ceremony hosted by Jane Lynch.

The winners will be announced at the 67th Annual DGA Awards on Saturday, February 7, 2015 at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza in Los Angeles.   Among the documentary nominees, "The Kill Team" is the only one not included in the Oscar shortlist. The final five Oscar documentaries will be announced Thursday morning.  Noticeable among the DGA nominees is a high number of women directors. On the documentary side, Laura Poitras is nominated for "Citizenfour." On the TV side, Jodie Foster is nominated twice (for Netflix dramatic "House of Cards" and comedy "Orange is the New Black") along with Lesli Linka Glatter (Showtime dramatic series "Homeland"), Gail Mancuso (network comedy series "Modern Family"), Jill Soloway (Amazon comedy series "Transparent") and Lisa Cholodenko (HBO mini-series "Olive Kitteridge"). Many of these women started on the film side and turned to the more fertile opportunities...

The Directors Guild of America announced its television, commercial and documentary nominations on Wednesday, with Jodie Foster receiving a pair of nods for directing episodes of the drama series “House of Cards” and the comedy series “Orange Is the New Black.”

The Oscar-winning actress is the only director to be nominated in both the drama and comedy categories. In drama, she will be competing with Dan Attias and Lesli Linka Glatter for two different episodes of “Homeland,” Cary Joji Fukunaga for “True Detective” and Alex Graves for “Game of Thrones.”

See photos: Golden Globe Awards: Winners Gallery (Photos)

In comedy,...

Actors Emmy Rossum and Michael Pena joined Film Independent president Josh Welsh on Saturday to announce the winners of the 2015 Spirit Awards Grants, which honors emerging filmmakers with $25,000 in unrestricted funds.

The grants were handed out at the organization’s annual Spirit Awards nominees brunch, held at West Hollywood’s Boa Steakhouse, and saw Chris Ohlson, Dan Krauss and Rania Attich and Daniel Garcia take top spots.

“At Film Independent our mission is to support independent filmmakers all year long, helping them to get their films made and to build the audience for their work,” Welsh said.

“One of the...

Academy Awards

On December 2, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that they’d whittled down the 134 eligible documentary submissions to a 15 film shortlist. The chosen films include:

Art and Craft – Purple Parrot Films

The Case Against 8 – Day in Court

Citizen Koch – Elsewhere Films

Citizenfour – Praxis Films

Finding Vivian Maier – Ravine Pictures

The Internet’s Own Boy – Luminant Media

Jodorowsky’s Dune – City Film

Keep on Keepin’ On – Absolute Clay Productions

The Kill Team – f/8 filmworks

Last Days in Vietnam – Moxie Firecracker Films

Life Itself – Kartemquin Films and Film Rites

The Overnighters – Mile End Films West

The Salt of the Earth – Decia Films

Tales of the Grim Sleeper – Lafayette Film

Virunga – Grain Media

EntreVues Belfort International Film Festival - France - November 22nd – November 30th

The 29th edition of the Entrevues Belfort International Film Festival jury members announced the 2014 Awards, giving Anna Roussillon’s Je suis le peuple,...

Voters for the Academy Awards can begin casting their ballots online next Monday, Jan. 29 — and those who’ve opted out of the Internet option and requested paper ballots already have those in their hands.

So as the start of voting nears, TheWrap has pored over Academy lists to offer some facts, figures and fun about the 2014 Oscar race. For starters, here are a few things you might not know unless you’ve examined the Academy’s 33-page “Reminder List of Productions Eligible for the 87th Academy Awards.”

See photos: Golden Globes 2015: The Nominees (Photos)

It ranges from “About Last Night” to “Yves Saint Laurent,...

As is usually the case, 2014 held a rich vein of great nonfiction cinema … that went mostly untapped by any wide audiences. But just because documentaries are perpetually under-served by popular (and even critical) attention doesn’t mean that we should neglect these films. This is a celebration of all the best docs to come out this year.

But first, for the sake of full disclosure, here are all the notable docs of 2014 that I haven’t gotten around to seeing yet:

1989, 20,000 Days on Earth, Ai Weiwei: The Fake Case, Big Joy, Big Men, Code Black, Evolution of a Criminal, The Great Flood, The Great Invisible, The Kill Team, National Gallery, The Missing Picture, Maidentrip, Manakamana, The Naked Opera, Virunga, Watchers of the Sky, What Now? Remind Me, Whitey

Next,we have some honorable mentions — other docs of 2014 that are well worth seeking out:

A Will for the Woods, Art and Craft,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced its shortlist of films under consideration for inclusion in the best documentary feature category of the Academy Awards next year. A huge 134 titles were submitted, which the Academy’s documentary branch has meticulously whittled down to just 15. Branch members will now decide which of those shortlisted will receive an Oscar nomination. Among the titles in competition are the much-discussed CitizenFour, Life Itself and Last Days In Vietnam – all three of which are widely considered to be frontrunners.

CitizenFour documents the initial meetings between Nsa whistleblower Edward Snowden and a small number of journalists – including filmmaker Laura Poitras. Life Itself is a detailed portrait of renowned film critic Roger Ebert, and Last Days In Vietnam examines the withdrawal from Saigon by American forces at the close of the Vietnam War.

Other films selected for further consideration include subject matter such as...

By Anjelica Oswald

Managing Editor

Yesterday, the Academy’s documentary branch narrowed down the list of 134 documentaries to 15 for the shortlist. Of these 15, five will be announced Jan. 15 as the nominees for the 87th Academy Awards, which will be held on Feb. 22.

Over the past few months, I wrote about three documentaries and the precedent past nominees set for them: Rory Kennedy’s Last Days in Vietnam, John Maloof and Charlie Siskel’s Finding Vivian Maier and Orlando von Einsiedel’s Virunga. All three films made the shortlist. The lists of related documentaries that landed nominations for best documentary consist of eleven Vietnam documentaries, six photography-related documentaries and eight documentaries about the animal world.

Two weeks ago, I looked at ten of the top documentary contenders that debuted at Sundance, and five made the shortlist: The Case Against 8, about the battle to overturn California’s Proposition 8; Last Days in Vietnam,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 87th Oscars®.

Out of 134 films, 15 movies have been chosen! Out of these 15 films, Documentary Branch members will select the final 5 nominees!

The 87th Academy Awards® nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 15, 2015, at 5:30 a.m. Pt in the Academy.s Samuel Goldwyn Theater with the Oscars being held on Sunday, February 22!

The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:

"Art and Craft," Purple Parrot Films

"The Case against 8," Day in Court

"Citizen Koch," Elsewhere Films

"CitizenFour," Praxis Films

"Finding Vivian Maier," Ravine Pictures

"The Internet.s Own Boy," Luminant Media

"Jodorowsky.s Dune," City Film

"Keep On Keepin. On," Absolute Clay Productions

"The Kill Team," f/8 filmworks

"Last Days in Vietnam," Moxie Firecracker Films

"Life Itself," Kartemquin...

J.C. Chandor's "A Most Violent Year" is the Best Film of the Year according to the National Board of Review. Its president, Annie Schulhof, said "'A Most Violent Year' is an exhilarating crime drama with a compelling story, outstanding performances, and an elegant cinematic style." Oscar Isaac took home the Best Actor trophy he tied with Michael Keaton for "Birdman."

Jessica Chastain won Best Supporting Actress for "A Most Violent Year" with Edward Norton receiving the Best Supporting Actor award for "Birdman."

The National Board of Review annual Awards Gala will be held on January 6, 2015.

Here's the full list of winners of 2014's National Board of Review Awards:

Best Film: A Most Violent Year

Best Director: Clint Eastwood . American Sniper

Best Actor (Tie): Oscar Isaac . A Most Violent Year; Michael Keaton . Birdman

Best Actress: Julianne Moore . Still Alice

Best Supporting Actor: Edward Norton . Birdman

Best Supporting...

Jodorowsky’s Dune

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 87th Oscars. One hundred thirty-four films were originally submitted in the category.

The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies:

“Art and Craft,” Purple Parrot Films

“The Case against 8,” Day in Court

“Citizen Koch,” Elsewhere Films

“CitizenFour,” Praxis Films

“Finding Vivian Maier,” Ravine Pictures

“The Internet’s Own Boy,” Luminant Media

“Jodorowsky’s Dune,” City Film

“Keep On Keepin’ On,” Absolute Clay Productions

“The Kill Team,” f/8 filmworks

“Last Days in Vietnam,” Moxie Firecracker Films

“Life Itself,” Kartemquin Films and Film Rites

“The Overnighters,” Mile End Films West

“The Salt of the Earth,” Decia Films

“Tales of the Grim Sleeper,” Lafayette Film

“Virunga,” Grain Media

The Academy’s Documentary Branch determined the shortlist in a preliminary round of voting.

Jc Chandor’s A Most Violent Year has scooped the best film prize as the National Board Of Review announced its 2014 selections.

Clint Eastwood was named best director for American Sniper, while Oscar Isaac for A Most Violent Year tied with Michael Keaton for Birdman in the best actor race and Julianne Moore took best actress honours for Still Alice.

Jessica Chastain took the best supporting actress prize for A Most Violent Year and Edward Norton the best supporting actor award for Birdman.

Jack O’Connell earned an award for best breakthrough performance for Starred Up and Unbroken.

Damián Szifrón’s Argentinian Oscar submission Wild Tales was named best foreign film, Steve James’ Life Itself best documentary and Phil Lord & Christopher Miller took best original screenplay for The Lego Movie.

The full list of winners:

Best Film: A Most Violent Year

Best Director: Clint Eastwood - American Sniper

Best Actor (tie): Oscar Isaac - A Most Violent Year; [link...

Hot on the heals of the New York Film Critics Circle’s announcement yesterday, the National Board of Review has named their picks for the best achievements in film for 2014, naming J.C. Chandor’s crime drama A Most Violent Year as the year’s best movie. The film also won for Best Actor (Oscar Isaac), tying with Michael Keaton for Birdman, and Best Supporting Actress (Jessica Chastain).

Taking a look at their list of winners, the group had some very interesting choices for several categories. Paul Thomas Anderson’s bizarre, drug-fueled odyssey Inherent Vice took Best Adapted Screenplay, while The Lego Movie beat multiple top contenders to receive Best Original Screenplay. Also unexpected was Clint Eastwood snagging Best Director for his biopic American Sniper, which has merely been receiving so-so reviews thus far.

On the other hand, there were several picks that were somewhat expected, including Julianne Moore’s win...

The Best Documentary Feature Oscar race is off and running, and the contenders aren't lacking in quality non-fiction filmmaking. Out of 134 submissions, 15 films have advanced in the category and will be competing for a nomination in the 87th Academy Awards race. Notable inclusions range from the moving Roger Ebert documentary Life Itself, to the controversial and critically acclaimed Edward Snowden doc Citizenfour. I’m also happy to see the excellent Aaron Swartz documentary The Internet’s Own Boy make the cut, and the well-received Jodorowsky’s Dune was also shortlisted. As far as snubs go, the biggest surprises are the Nick Cave documentary 20,000 Days on Earth and the festival favorite Soviet hockey film Red Army not advancing. Check out the full Best Documentary Oscar list after the jump. The 87th Academy Awards nominations will be announced on January 15, 2015 in advance of the ceremony on February 22, 2015. For more on this year's Oscar race,...

Virunga director Orlando von Einsiedel celebrating Leonardo DiCaprio as executive producer at the 21 Club in New York Photo: Anne-Katrin Titze

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' Oscar documentary shortlist of 15 films was announced today. The final cut down to five nominations will be announced on January 15, 2015.

Sam Cullman, Jennifer Grausman and Mark Becker's Art And Craft; Ben Cotner and Ryan White's The Case Against 8; Tia Lessin and Carl Deal's Citizen Koch; Laura Poitras' Citizenfour; Charlie Siskel and John Maloof's Finding Vivian Maier; Brian Knappenberger's The Internet’s Own Boy; Frank Pavich's Jodorowsky’s Dune; Alan Hicks' Keep On Keepin’ On; Dan Krauss' The Kill Team; Rory Kennedy's Last Days In Vietnam; Steve James' Life Itself; Jesse Moss' The Overnighters; Wim Wenders and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado's The Salt Of The Earth; Nick Broomfield's Tales Of The Grim Sleeper...

Glenn here with the Nbr results as they come to hand. They used to be the first awards of the season to announce their winners, but now the National Board of Review are trumped annually by the Gotham Awards and the Nyfcc in the merry-go-round that is award season. I maintain that unless you're a guild, your absence is more or less moot. However, it can definitely help get your name and face out there to be acknowledged early and often. The Nbr is where the likes of Moulin Rouge! and Amy Ryan made it known that they would be forces to be reckoned with. What did this 105-year-old group select this year? Let's find out...

National Board Of Review Winners

Best Film: A Most Violent Year Best Director: Clint Eastwood, American Sniper Best Actor: (tie!) Oscar Isaac, A Most Violent Year and Michael Keaton, Birdman Best Actress: Julianne Moore,...

One of the most consistently controversial categories in the Oscar race is the Best Documentary category, a branch that has snubbed Steve James, Werner Herzog and Errol Morris in past years.

This year however, Steve James did make the list with his documentary Life Itself, based on the life of Roger Ebert, along with the presumed frontrunner Citizenfour, which some are demanding earn a nomination for Best Picture.

Here’s the full list of 15 feature documentaries, all of which will now be eligible to choose from for nomination come January.

Art and Craft

The Case against 8

Citizen Koch

CitizenFour

Finding Vivian Maier

The Internet’s Own Boy

Jodorowsky’s Dune

Keep On Keepin’ On

The Kill Team

Last Days in Vietnam

Life Itself

The Overnighters

The Salt of the Earth

Tales of the Grim Sleeper

Virunga

While this is a fairly representative list, 2014 was an especially great year for documentaries,...

Yesterday it was Boyhood winning with the New York Film Critics and Birdman winning at the Gotham Awards. Today it's J.C. Chandor's A Most Violent Year taking Best Film honors from the National Board of Review, which also named Oscar Isaac Best Actor in a tie with Birdman's Michael Keaton and Jessica Chastain took Best Supporting Actress honors for her part in A Most Violent Year while Clint Eastwood (whatc) took Best Director honors... Ummmm, okayc The Nbr handed Best Actress to Julianne Moore (Still Alice) and Edward Norton (Birdman) claimed Best Supporting Actor while The Lego Movie and Inherent Vice took the screenplay awards. Perhaps one of the most interesting awards, beyond Best Director for Eastwood, is the absence of Citizenfour, which didn't win Best Documentary, that went to Life Itself, and it wasn't even named one of the five runners-up, though early year favorite Keep On Keepin' On was named.

With guilds and organizations plucking eclectic titles from this year’s notable documentaries for their awards ceremonies, the nonfiction race remains competitive and mysterious. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday afternoon that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 87th Oscars. There aren’t too many surprises in the bunch, but that won’t help those looking for early locks either. Of the list, Laura Poitras' "Citizenfour," Steve James' "Life Itself," Orlando von Einsiedel's "Virunga," and Juliano Ribeiro Salgado and Wim Wenders' "The Salt of the Earth" have popped up consistently across the Ida Awards, Cinema Eye Awards, PGA Awards, Gotham Awards, and Independent Spirit Awards. If anything could be considered a snub, it’s Iain Forsyth and Jane Pollard’s Nick Cave documentary "20,000 Days on Earth" and Gabe Polsky’s "Red Army," a festival favorite.

The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences unveiled on December 2 the 15-strong list of documentary features that advance in the voting process.

The selections from 134 submissions include Citizenfour (pictured), Life Itself and The Salt Of The Earth, however Red Army and Telluride entry Merchants Of Doubt have been omitted.

The 15 films in alphabetical order are: Art And Craft; The Case Against 8; Citizen Koch; CitizenFour; Finding Vivian Maier; The Internet’s Own Boy; Jodorowsky’s Dune; Keep On Keepin’ On; The Kill Team; Last Days In Vietnam; Life Itself; The Overnighters; The Salt Of The Earth; Tales Of The Grim Sleeper; andVirunga.

The Academy’s documentary branch chose the shortlist in a preliminary round of voting and branch members will next select five nominees.

The Academy will announce nominations on January 15 and the 87th Academy Awards show is set for February 22.

“Art and Craft,” Purple Parrot Films “The Case against 8,” Day in Court “Citizen Koch,” Elsewhere Films “CitizenFour,” Praxis Films “Finding Vivian Maier,” Ravine Pictures “The Internet’s Own Boy,...

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that 15 films in the Documentary Feature category will advance in the voting process for the 87th Oscars®. One hundred thirty-four films were originally submitted in the category. The 15 films are listed below in alphabetical order by title, with their production companies: “Art and Craft,” Purple Parrot Films “The Case against 8,” Day in Court “Citizen Koch,” Elsewhere Films “CitizenFour,” Praxis Films “Finding Vivian Maier,” Ravine Pictures “The Internet’s Own Boy,” Luminant Media “Jodorowsky’s Dune,” City Film “Keep On Keepin’ On,” Absolute Clay Productions “The Kill Team,” f/8 filmworks “Last Days in Vietnam,” Moxie Firecracker Films “Life Itself,” Kartemquin Films and Film Rites “The Overnighters,” Mile End Films West “The Salt of the Earth,” Decia Films “Tales of the Grim Sleeper,” Lafayette Film “Virunga,” Grain Media The Academy’s Documentary Branch determined the shortlist in a preliminary round of voting.

The Academy has announced the 15-wide documentary shortlist and apart from one title, it's is a very high-profile group of names. At least they are if you follow the world of documentary. I had discussed with a friend recently that last year's field may go down as the greatest in the category's history, but depending on how the branch votes this year they may just surpass it. I have already seen nine of the 15 and can vouch for almost all of them. Let's take a look.

Art and Craft The Case Against 8 (review) Citizen Koch Citizenfour (podcast | Glenn's review) Finding Vivian Maier The Internet's Own Boy Jodorowsky's Dune Keep On Keepin' On The Kill Team Last Days in Vietnam (review)

Life Itself The Overnighters The Salt of the Earth Tales of the Grim Sleeper (Nyff review | AFI review) Virunga

There are some big names in here. Apart from the...

The Academy has announced the 15 documentaries that will advance in the voting process for the 2015 Oscars, competing in the Best Documentary category and among them is the presumed frontrunner Citizenfour, which was named Best Documentary by both the New York Film Critics and Gotham Awards just yesterday. In fact, it's one of the few docs on the list I've actually seen so far along with the Roger Ebert doc Life Itself and Tales of the Grim Sleeper, though several of the others I actually have here on screener and will do my absolute best to get to most of them before the nominations are announced so I can predict this category. Though, at the moment, I fully expect at least Citizenfour and Life Itself to get a nomination and I've heard really good things about Keep On Keepin' On. The Academy's Documentary Branch determined the shortlist in a preliminary round of voting.

The National Board of Review has announced its 2014 honorees, and its selection for the best film of the year could shake up the Oscars race.

"A Most Violent Year" took home the top prize, winning the Best Film award, as well as picking up prizes for its lead actor, Oscar Isaac, and supporting actress, Jessica Chastain. Other notable honorees include Clint Eastwood, who won Best Director ("American Sniper"); Michael Keaton ("Birdman"), who tied with Isaac for the Best Actor award; Julianne Moore ("Still Alice"), who claimed Best Actress; and Edward Norton ("Birdman"), who snagged the Best Supporting Actor prize.

In an interview with Variety, National Board of Review president Annie Schulhof explained why the organization decided to hail "A Most Violent Year," a film that so far has earned critical raves, but hasn't made much noise in awards season prognostications.

"We're quirky and we have a different take," Schulhof told Variety.

As the awards show season ramps up into full intensity, the 30th Film Independent Spirit Awards just unveiled their list of hopefuls.

And not surprisingly, “Birdman” has received a whopping six mentions, followed closely behind by “Boyhood, “Selma” and “Nightcrawler,” each with five chances for glory.

Meanwhile, “Whiplash” and “Love is Strange” nabbed four nominations and “A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night” and “A Most Violent Year” scored three times.

The Film Independent Spirit Awards puts a budget cap of $20 million on movies, and therefore “Foxcatcher,” “Inherent Vice” and “Grand Budapest Hotel” were not up for consideration.

Slated to take place on February 21st in a tent on Santa Monica Beach, the 30th Annual Film Independent Spirit Awards is going to be an exciting event.

And the nominees are:

2015 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations

Best Feature

(Award given to the producer. Executive producers are not awarded.)

“Birdman (or The...

As 2014 winds down, the film industry is kicking into awards season once again, with today revealing nominations for the 2015 Spirit Awards. As many predicted, Birdman is leading the pack with six nominations, including one for Best Picture. Other big winners at the moment include Selma, Nightcrawler and Whiplash.

The Spirit Awards will be held on February 21st, 2015, just one day before the Oscars. Below is a detailed listing of the nominees, check them out and let us know what you think in the comments section.

2015 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations

Best Feature

(Award given to the Producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.)

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) – Producers: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole

Boyhood – Producers: Richard Linklater, Jonathan Sehring, John Sloss, Cathleen Sutherland

Love is Strange – Producers: Lucas Joaquin, Lars Knudsen, Ira Sachs, Jayne Baron Sherman, Jay Van Hoy

Selma – Producers: Christian Colson,...

Alejandro G. Iñárritu's "Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)" received the most nods from the Independent Spirit Awards! Nominations were announced today, and "Birdman" got 6 noms including Best Feature, Director, Editing, Male Lead (Michael Keaton), Supporting Female (Emma Stone), and Supporting Male for Edward Norton.

Richard Linklater's "Boyhood," Dan Gilroy's "Nightcrawler," and Ava Duvernay's "Selma" each received 5 nominations.

We'll find out the winners on Saturday, February 21st.

Here's the full list of nominees for the

2015 Film Independent Spirit Award Nominations

Best Feature

(Award given to the Producer. Executive Producers are not awarded.)

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)

Producers: Alejandro G. Iñárritu, John Lesher, Arnon Milchan, James W. Skotchdopole

Boyhood

Producers: Richard Linklater, Jonathan Sehring, John Sloss, Cathleen Sutherland

Love is Strange

Producers: Lucas Joaquin, Lars Knudsen, Ira Sachs, Jayne Baron Sherman, Jay Van Hoy

Selma

Producers: Christian Colson, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Oprah Winfrey

Whiplash

Producers: Jason Blum,...