Finding distribution for independently made documentaries was a hot topic of conversation at the 20th edition of the Maine-based Camden International Film Festival, which kicked off on Sept. 12.
Founder and CEO of Cinetic Media John Sloss, who sold the Christopher Reeve documentary ‘”Super/Man” to Warner Bros. Discovery for a reported $15 million out of Sundance earlier this year, admitted that finding homes for some of the most popular docs at festivals including “No Other Land” has been difficult.
About the resistance of Palestinian activists against forced displacement and settler expansion in the West Bank community of Masafer Yatta, “No Other Land” was part of the Ciff lineup. Most recently the film screened at TIFF and Telluride. The IDFA-supported doc debuted in February at the 74th edition of the Berlin Film Festival, where it won the Documentary Award and Panorama Dokumente Audience Award.
Sloss didn’t go into details about why...
Founder and CEO of Cinetic Media John Sloss, who sold the Christopher Reeve documentary ‘”Super/Man” to Warner Bros. Discovery for a reported $15 million out of Sundance earlier this year, admitted that finding homes for some of the most popular docs at festivals including “No Other Land” has been difficult.
About the resistance of Palestinian activists against forced displacement and settler expansion in the West Bank community of Masafer Yatta, “No Other Land” was part of the Ciff lineup. Most recently the film screened at TIFF and Telluride. The IDFA-supported doc debuted in February at the 74th edition of the Berlin Film Festival, where it won the Documentary Award and Panorama Dokumente Audience Award.
Sloss didn’t go into details about why...
- 9/16/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Christopher Reeve’s biopic “Super/Man” is proving just how super the late actor and activist really was.
IndieWire can confirm that documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” has officially won the 2024 HamptonsFilm SummerDocs Series’ Audience Award, after screening at the program August 14.
Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui co-direct the documentary, which has been shortlisted by IndieWire as an Oscar frontrunner. “Super/Man” charts Reeve’s astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, including his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down, but catalyzed his activism for disability rights.
The feature first screened at Sundance before playing at HamptonsFilm, among other festivals.
For the SummerDocs screening, executive producer Connor Schell and Reeve’s son Will Reeve participated in a Q&a conversation moderated by HamptonsFilm Artistic Director David Nugent and Chairman Emeritus Alec Baldwin.
IndieWire can confirm that documentary “Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story” has officially won the 2024 HamptonsFilm SummerDocs Series’ Audience Award, after screening at the program August 14.
Ian Bonhôte and Peter Ettedgui co-direct the documentary, which has been shortlisted by IndieWire as an Oscar frontrunner. “Super/Man” charts Reeve’s astonishing rise from unknown actor to iconic movie star, including his definitive portrayal of Clark Kent/Superman, before being injured in a near-fatal horse-riding accident in 1995 that left him paralyzed from the neck down, but catalyzed his activism for disability rights.
The feature first screened at Sundance before playing at HamptonsFilm, among other festivals.
For the SummerDocs screening, executive producer Connor Schell and Reeve’s son Will Reeve participated in a Q&a conversation moderated by HamptonsFilm Artistic Director David Nugent and Chairman Emeritus Alec Baldwin.
- 9/5/2024
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Predicting the winner of the Best Documentary Feature Oscar becomes a lot easier on December 17 when the academy announces the 15 films that make the shortlist. Those semi-finalists will be culled from the more than 100 titles that qualified this year for consideration. (Scroll down for the most up-to-date 2025 Oscar predictions for Best Documentary Feature.)
To winnow those down to a manageable number, the academy adds newly eligible documentary feature to a virtual screening room available to all 500-plus members of the documentary branch. While all members are encouraged to watch as many of these as they can, one-fifth of the voters are assigned each title. Each branch member will submit a preferential ballot listing their top 15 choices.
All of these ballots are collated to determine the 15 semi-finalists. Branch members are then encouraged to watch films on that list which they haven’t seen yet before casting another preferential ballot with their top five choices.
To winnow those down to a manageable number, the academy adds newly eligible documentary feature to a virtual screening room available to all 500-plus members of the documentary branch. While all members are encouraged to watch as many of these as they can, one-fifth of the voters are assigned each title. Each branch member will submit a preferential ballot listing their top 15 choices.
All of these ballots are collated to determine the 15 semi-finalists. Branch members are then encouraged to watch films on that list which they haven’t seen yet before casting another preferential ballot with their top five choices.
- 8/1/2024
- by Paul Sheehan and Jacob Sarkisian
- Gold Derby
We meet Queenie Jenkins under extremely intimate conditions in the first episode of Queenie. She’s in a hospital bed, getting a pelvic exam, while her voiceover narration talks us through recent problems at work, a fight with her boyfriend Tom, and the other challenges of her life as a self-described “loud, brash, sassy, confrontational, bitchy” British-Jamaican woman in her mid-20s. As more and more doctors gather to study an unusual test result, Queenie’s inner monologue suggests that they should call over the janitor while they’re at it.
- 6/13/2024
- by Alan Sepinwall
- Rollingstone.com
One of Jimmy Fallon’s guests on Wednesday June 12th is someone who should be plenty familiar to the host and his audience—Questlove.
The Tonight Show bandleader is set to make the short walk from his drumkit to the guest chair to promote Hip-Hop Is History, which will hit bookstores on Tuesday.
The new book sees Questlove, who grew up as an obsessive fan of the then-emerging genre and ultimately became a six-time Grammy Award–winning musician himself, trace the first half-century of hip-hop as only he can.
In recent years Questlove has emerged as America’s unofficial historian of hip-hop, and of music in general. Hip-Hop Is History is a follow-up to his 2021 bestseller Music Is History, and he famously won an Oscar in 2022 for his documentary film Summer of Soul.
Continue reading Questlove To Trade <i>Tonight Show</i> Drumkit For Guest Chair Next Weds at LateNighter.
The Tonight Show bandleader is set to make the short walk from his drumkit to the guest chair to promote Hip-Hop Is History, which will hit bookstores on Tuesday.
The new book sees Questlove, who grew up as an obsessive fan of the then-emerging genre and ultimately became a six-time Grammy Award–winning musician himself, trace the first half-century of hip-hop as only he can.
In recent years Questlove has emerged as America’s unofficial historian of hip-hop, and of music in general. Hip-Hop Is History is a follow-up to his 2021 bestseller Music Is History, and he famously won an Oscar in 2022 for his documentary film Summer of Soul.
Continue reading Questlove To Trade <i>Tonight Show</i> Drumkit For Guest Chair Next Weds at LateNighter.
- 6/5/2024
- by Jed Rosenzweig
- LateNighter
Cinetic Media has launched a new unit that will oversee the re-licensing of many of the iconic titles that drove the independent film revolution of the 1980s and the 1990s. The move comes as the distribution landscape in Hollywood is being reshaped. Dubbed Cinetic Library Services, the division will identify innovative ways to reach new audiences and disseminate titles across subscription streamers, transactional VOD, direct-to-consumer and theatrical re-releases. The division will be overseen by Isadora Johnson and Leah Harris, two longtime Cinetic executives.
Cinetic has been a force in the indie film world. The company has managed the sale of more than 600 films including “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “Precious,” “Summer of Soul” and “Amy.” More recently, it scored major deals for Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man,” which Netflix is releasing this summer, as well as “Super/Man,” a documentary about actor and activist Christopher Reeve,...
Cinetic has been a force in the indie film world. The company has managed the sale of more than 600 films including “Napoleon Dynamite,” “Little Miss Sunshine,” “The Kids Are All Right,” “Precious,” “Summer of Soul” and “Amy.” More recently, it scored major deals for Richard Linklater’s “Hit Man,” which Netflix is releasing this summer, as well as “Super/Man,” a documentary about actor and activist Christopher Reeve,...
- 6/4/2024
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
As a child of the 1980s, I thought I knew pretty much everything I needed to know about Wham!, just as I thought I had a pretty good handle on the behind the scenes of the late-night all-star recording of “We Are the World.” But maybe that’s why I enjoyed the docs “Wham!” and “The Greatest Night in Pop” so much — a mix of the familiar with those moments of surprise.
In the case of “Wham!,” it’s how Andrew Ridgeley managed to be so gracious as his buddy George Michael went on to a massively successful solo career. In “The Greatest Night in Pop,” I learned just how instrumental Lionel Richie was in serving as traffic cop for producer Quincy Jones in creating “We Are The World” with dozens of A-list musicians over just one late night. The doc is filled with legend-help-legend moments, like when Stevie Wonder...
In the case of “Wham!,” it’s how Andrew Ridgeley managed to be so gracious as his buddy George Michael went on to a massively successful solo career. In “The Greatest Night in Pop,” I learned just how instrumental Lionel Richie was in serving as traffic cop for producer Quincy Jones in creating “We Are The World” with dozens of A-list musicians over just one late night. The doc is filled with legend-help-legend moments, like when Stevie Wonder...
- 5/31/2024
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
HamptonsFilm’s 16th annual SummerDocs series will feature three Sundance favorites: “Skywalkers: A Love Story,” “War Game,” and “Super/Man:The Christopher Reeve Story.” HamptonsFilm and Hamptons Intl. Film Festival artistic director David Nugent and chairman emeritus Alec Baldwin will lead conversations with attending filmmakers and guests.
The series will kick-off on July 5 with Jeff Zimbalist and Maria Bukhonina’s “Skywalkers: A Love Story.” Following a successful Sundance debut, Netflix acquired the worldwide rights to the docu about daredevil couple Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus from Moscow, as they take their relationship to terrifying new heights in a wild scheme to climb the world’s last great skyscraper and perform a death-defying stunt on its spire. Following the screening, Bukhonina will take part in a Q&a.
Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss’s “War Game” will screen on July 20 followed by Q&a with both filmmakers. The docu, which debuted at Sundance 2024, imagines a nation-wide insurrection,...
The series will kick-off on July 5 with Jeff Zimbalist and Maria Bukhonina’s “Skywalkers: A Love Story.” Following a successful Sundance debut, Netflix acquired the worldwide rights to the docu about daredevil couple Angela Nikolau and Ivan Beerkus from Moscow, as they take their relationship to terrifying new heights in a wild scheme to climb the world’s last great skyscraper and perform a death-defying stunt on its spire. Following the screening, Bukhonina will take part in a Q&a.
Tony Gerber and Jesse Moss’s “War Game” will screen on July 20 followed by Q&a with both filmmakers. The docu, which debuted at Sundance 2024, imagines a nation-wide insurrection,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Documentary filmmaking has never been a profession one enters into to get rich — though for a brief period it seemed possible.
Cable expanded documentary’s reach to wider audiences in the 1980’s and 1990’s, and films like “Fahrenheit 9/11,” “March of the Penguins,” and “An Inconvenient Truth” became legitimate box-office breakthroughs, but nonfiction features on the whole remained something of a stepchild within the larger Hollywood ecosystem until 2017, when Netflix acquired Brian Fogel’s “Icarus” for $5 million.
At the time, the deal was one of the biggest ever for a non-fiction film. And it was followed by even bigger deals: In 2019 Netflix shelled out $10 million for Rachel Lears’ “Knock Down the House.” The following year Apple TV+ and A24 partnered to buy Jesse Moss’ “Boys State” for $10 million, and in 2021 Searchlight and Hulu bought Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s “Summer of Soul” for $12 million.
On the surface it seemed like people,...
Cable expanded documentary’s reach to wider audiences in the 1980’s and 1990’s, and films like “Fahrenheit 9/11,” “March of the Penguins,” and “An Inconvenient Truth” became legitimate box-office breakthroughs, but nonfiction features on the whole remained something of a stepchild within the larger Hollywood ecosystem until 2017, when Netflix acquired Brian Fogel’s “Icarus” for $5 million.
At the time, the deal was one of the biggest ever for a non-fiction film. And it was followed by even bigger deals: In 2019 Netflix shelled out $10 million for Rachel Lears’ “Knock Down the House.” The following year Apple TV+ and A24 partnered to buy Jesse Moss’ “Boys State” for $10 million, and in 2021 Searchlight and Hulu bought Ahmir “Questlove” Thompson’s “Summer of Soul” for $12 million.
On the surface it seemed like people,...
- 4/6/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Chris Smith’s “Devo” will open the ninth edition of Chicago’s Doc10 documentary film festival on May 2.
The film, which premiered at Sundance 2024, charts the life of the art-movement-turned-band Devo from Akron, Ohio, through archival footage of the band and candid sit-down interviews with band members. Smith follows the band on their journey from Dadaist, Kent State radicals to unlikely icons of 1980s MTV. Currently celebrating their 50 years of De-Evolution Tour, Devo band members will join Doc10 in a live, virtual Q&a moderated by Wxrt’s Marty Lennartz.
Doc10, a four-day fest running May 2-5, features a selection of 10 documentaries making their Chicago premieres along with a package of 10 prestigious documentary shorts. The fest is hosted by Chicago Media Project, a company that has generated more than $8.5 million in funding for documentary projects. Cmp has directly supported over 150 films including “Icarus,” “Crip Camp” and most recently “Gaucho, Gaucho,...
The film, which premiered at Sundance 2024, charts the life of the art-movement-turned-band Devo from Akron, Ohio, through archival footage of the band and candid sit-down interviews with band members. Smith follows the band on their journey from Dadaist, Kent State radicals to unlikely icons of 1980s MTV. Currently celebrating their 50 years of De-Evolution Tour, Devo band members will join Doc10 in a live, virtual Q&a moderated by Wxrt’s Marty Lennartz.
Doc10, a four-day fest running May 2-5, features a selection of 10 documentaries making their Chicago premieres along with a package of 10 prestigious documentary shorts. The fest is hosted by Chicago Media Project, a company that has generated more than $8.5 million in funding for documentary projects. Cmp has directly supported over 150 films including “Icarus,” “Crip Camp” and most recently “Gaucho, Gaucho,...
- 4/3/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
The Oscars has never been the same since the infamous on-stage encounter between Will Smith and Chris Rock. The scandalous slap not only shocked the entire live audience and viewers watching at home but also robbed the rest of the winners of their own glorious moments on stage.
Will Smith via The Daily Show
While the show must go on, as they say, everyone was left in a state of disbelief trying to process what has just occurred. In consequence, the people who went up the stage after the slap did not get to savor their wins.
Joseph Patel Called Will Smith “Selfish” For Robbing Him Of His Victory Moment
Summer of Soul producer Joseph Patel was one of the winners during the 94th Academy Awards who felt that he was robbed of the opportunity to relish his winning moment on stage. He wrote in a now-deleted Twitter post via...
Will Smith via The Daily Show
While the show must go on, as they say, everyone was left in a state of disbelief trying to process what has just occurred. In consequence, the people who went up the stage after the slap did not get to savor their wins.
Joseph Patel Called Will Smith “Selfish” For Robbing Him Of His Victory Moment
Summer of Soul producer Joseph Patel was one of the winners during the 94th Academy Awards who felt that he was robbed of the opportunity to relish his winning moment on stage. He wrote in a now-deleted Twitter post via...
- 3/11/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
U.S. content management, financing and sales banner Cinetic Media has secured world rights to the life affirming doc “Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other,” about legendary photographer Joel Meyerowitz and artist and author Maggie Barrett, his wife.
Rising filmmaking duo Manon Ouimet and Jacob Perlmutter of London-based Manon et Jacob are making their documentary debut, with Ouimet serving as producer alongside multi-Oscar nominated Danish producer Signe Byrge Sørensen of Final Cut Four Real.
“Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other” is having its world premiere March 16 in the Dox:award main competition at Copenhagen’s leading documentary festival Cph:dox, and also screen in the international competition section of Thessaloniki Documentary Festival on the same day.
Pedigree co-producing partners attached include Fremantle-owned doc label Undeniable, helmed by Mandy Chang, and long-time Final Cut for Real U.S. partners Louverture Films.
The character-driven documentary chronicles the loving yet...
Rising filmmaking duo Manon Ouimet and Jacob Perlmutter of London-based Manon et Jacob are making their documentary debut, with Ouimet serving as producer alongside multi-Oscar nominated Danish producer Signe Byrge Sørensen of Final Cut Four Real.
“Two Strangers Trying Not to Kill Each Other” is having its world premiere March 16 in the Dox:award main competition at Copenhagen’s leading documentary festival Cph:dox, and also screen in the international competition section of Thessaloniki Documentary Festival on the same day.
Pedigree co-producing partners attached include Fremantle-owned doc label Undeniable, helmed by Mandy Chang, and long-time Final Cut for Real U.S. partners Louverture Films.
The character-driven documentary chronicles the loving yet...
- 3/7/2024
- by Annika Pham
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Greenwich Entertainment has acquired U.S. rights to Copa 71, a documentary about the pioneering “Unofficial Women’s World Cup” that created a sensation in 1971 but has since been virtually erased from history. Rachel Ramsay and James Erskine (Billie) directed the film, which is executive produced by tennis greats Serena and Venus Williams and soccer star Alex Morgan.
Greenwich plans a summer theatrical release of the documentary, a co-production of New Black Films, Dogwoof, and Westbrook Studios.
“In August 1971, soccer teams from England, Argentina, Mexico, France, Denmark, and Italy gathered at Mexico City’s sun-drenched Azteca Stadium,” notes a synopsis of the film. “The scale of the tournament was monumental: lavish sponsorship, extensive TV coverage, merchandise on every street corner, and crowds of over 100,000 roaring fans turn this historic stadium into a cauldron of noise match after match.”
The synopsis continues, “A fawning media treat the players like rock stars.
Greenwich plans a summer theatrical release of the documentary, a co-production of New Black Films, Dogwoof, and Westbrook Studios.
“In August 1971, soccer teams from England, Argentina, Mexico, France, Denmark, and Italy gathered at Mexico City’s sun-drenched Azteca Stadium,” notes a synopsis of the film. “The scale of the tournament was monumental: lavish sponsorship, extensive TV coverage, merchandise on every street corner, and crowds of over 100,000 roaring fans turn this historic stadium into a cauldron of noise match after match.”
The synopsis continues, “A fawning media treat the players like rock stars.
- 2/14/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Manolo Caro has entered a multi-year first look deal with Onyx Collective alongside Rafael Ley and Maria Jose Cordova of Woo Films, who produced Caro’s Netflix series “The House of Flowers.”
Along with “The House of Flowers,” which ran for three seasons from 2018 to 2020, Caro is known for creating Netflix’s 2020 limited series “Someone Has to Die” and directing films including 2016’s “Tales of an Immoral Couple” and 2018’s “Perfect Strangers.” Woo Films has been behind several of Caro’s projects as well as films the Netflix films “Noise” (2022) and “Where the Tracks End” (2023) and the Viggo Mortensen-led “Eureka” (2023).
“Manolo Caro is in a rare class of storytellers who blend heart and humor to reveal the essence of what makes us all human,” said Tara Duncan, president of Onyx Collective. “He is a proven hit maker, and we’re excited to bring his universal stories to the Hulu audience.
Along with “The House of Flowers,” which ran for three seasons from 2018 to 2020, Caro is known for creating Netflix’s 2020 limited series “Someone Has to Die” and directing films including 2016’s “Tales of an Immoral Couple” and 2018’s “Perfect Strangers.” Woo Films has been behind several of Caro’s projects as well as films the Netflix films “Noise” (2022) and “Where the Tracks End” (2023) and the Viggo Mortensen-led “Eureka” (2023).
“Manolo Caro is in a rare class of storytellers who blend heart and humor to reveal the essence of what makes us all human,” said Tara Duncan, president of Onyx Collective. “He is a proven hit maker, and we’re excited to bring his universal stories to the Hulu audience.
- 2/9/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
More than a week after this year’s Oscar nominees were unveiled, the documentary world is still reeling from this year’s selections and trying to figure out what they might mean for the struggling sector. Notably, all filmmakers were international and the majority lacked distribution by major streamers; presumed favorites backed by Netflix, Apple TV+ and Max all failed to score a slot on the final Oscar ballot.
Doc branch voters no longer seem impressed by the major streamers’ ability to spend millions during campaign season, documentary film leaders tell Variety, and in the view of several notables, could harbor resentment towards those who have benefited from big spending by streamers.
This year’s feature nominees are: Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol” (PBS), Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters” (Kino Lorber), Nisha Pahuja’s “To Kill a Tiger”, Maite Alberdi’s “The Eternal Memory” (MTV Documentary Films...
Doc branch voters no longer seem impressed by the major streamers’ ability to spend millions during campaign season, documentary film leaders tell Variety, and in the view of several notables, could harbor resentment towards those who have benefited from big spending by streamers.
This year’s feature nominees are: Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol” (PBS), Kaouther Ben Hania’s “Four Daughters” (Kino Lorber), Nisha Pahuja’s “To Kill a Tiger”, Maite Alberdi’s “The Eternal Memory” (MTV Documentary Films...
- 2/3/2024
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.
The Beekeeper (David Ayer)
It’s the time of year for smooth-brained relaxation. Moviegoers can recover from the holidays with the comfort of knowing Gerard Butler, Liam Neeson, or Jason Statham will be here to satisfy their mid-budget, action-programmer needs. Is it really the new year if one of those cherished Kings of January doesn’t appear on the release slate? There’s no Gerry or Liam, but the ever-reliable Statham dons a trucker hat and blue jeans to grit his way through David Ayer’s The Beekeeper, an overall valiant, occasionally fun attempt to take us out of Q1 doldrums. – Conor O. (full review)
Where to Stream: VOD
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (S. Craig Zahler)
S. Craig Zahler is the...
The Beekeeper (David Ayer)
It’s the time of year for smooth-brained relaxation. Moviegoers can recover from the holidays with the comfort of knowing Gerard Butler, Liam Neeson, or Jason Statham will be here to satisfy their mid-budget, action-programmer needs. Is it really the new year if one of those cherished Kings of January doesn’t appear on the release slate? There’s no Gerry or Liam, but the ever-reliable Statham dons a trucker hat and blue jeans to grit his way through David Ayer’s The Beekeeper, an overall valiant, occasionally fun attempt to take us out of Q1 doldrums. – Conor O. (full review)
Where to Stream: VOD
Brawl in Cell Block 99 (S. Craig Zahler)
S. Craig Zahler is the...
- 2/2/2024
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Andrew McCarthy is getting back together with his fellow Brat Pack alums Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Jon Cryer, Ally Sheedy, Emilio Estevez and more for the feature documentary Brats, a revealing look at the cultural phenomenon they became in the 1980s and how that has impacted their lives ever since.
Brats, from ABC News Studios, Neon, and Network Entertainment, is set to premiere on Hulu later this year. McCarthy, author of the 2021 memoir Brat: An ‘80s Story, writes and directs the documentary, which is now in post-production. He co-starred with fellow Brat Packers in some of the biggest hits of the mid- ‘80s including St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), Pretty in Pink (1986), and Less Than Zero (1987).
From left: ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’s Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Mare Winningham, Judd Nelson,
Ally Sheedy and Andrew McCarthy
“McCarthy crisscrosses the country to meet up with some of the stars of those beloved films,...
Brats, from ABC News Studios, Neon, and Network Entertainment, is set to premiere on Hulu later this year. McCarthy, author of the 2021 memoir Brat: An ‘80s Story, writes and directs the documentary, which is now in post-production. He co-starred with fellow Brat Packers in some of the biggest hits of the mid- ‘80s including St. Elmo’s Fire (1985), Pretty in Pink (1986), and Less Than Zero (1987).
From left: ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’s Rob Lowe, Demi Moore, Emilio Estevez, Mare Winningham, Judd Nelson,
Ally Sheedy and Andrew McCarthy
“McCarthy crisscrosses the country to meet up with some of the stars of those beloved films,...
- 1/18/2024
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
If 2022 was the year Amazon Freevee broke out as a streaming success story, then this year belongs to Hulu's Onyx Collective.
The Disney-owned content brand launched in May 2021 with the goal of uplifting voices traditionally marginalized by Hollywood, and under the leadership of Tara Duncan (who previously served as the president of Freeform after a stint at Netflix), it has flourished. In Onyx's inaugural year, its first-ever acquisition, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's Summer of Soul, won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature; the following year brought the release of first scripted series, legal drama Reasonable Doubt, and docuseries The Hair Tales, produced by industry heavyweights Tracee Ellis Ross and Oprah Winfrey.
The Disney-owned content brand launched in May 2021 with the goal of uplifting voices traditionally marginalized by Hollywood, and under the leadership of Tara Duncan (who previously served as the president of Freeform after a stint at Netflix), it has flourished. In Onyx's inaugural year, its first-ever acquisition, Ahmir "Questlove" Thompson's Summer of Soul, won an Oscar for Best Documentary Feature; the following year brought the release of first scripted series, legal drama Reasonable Doubt, and docuseries The Hair Tales, produced by industry heavyweights Tracee Ellis Ross and Oprah Winfrey.
- 12/28/2023
- by Claire Spellberg Lustig
- Primetimer
The International Documentary Association (IDA), Cinema Eye Honors and Gotham Awards have delivered their verdicts on the top feature docs of the year. And, for the streamers, it’s a grim result.
Absent from the Gothams’ doc feature selections, the Cinema Eye’s top feature and director noms and the IDA’s 17-title shortlist are titles from Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
The lists read, in the words of one leading awards publicist, “like a giant fuck-you to Netflix.” And with Oscar campaigning in high gear, they pose the question: Is a streamer backlash brewing?
The Gotham noms are mostly non-u.S. productions, including Kino Lorber’s Four Daughters, PBS’ 20 Days in Mariupol and Cinema Guild’s Our Body. Likewise, the IDA’s shortlisted titles included Morocco’s The Mother of All Lies, Colombia’s Anhell69, South African artist portrait Milisuthando, the CBC-backed Twice Colonized and the BBC-backed,...
Absent from the Gothams’ doc feature selections, the Cinema Eye’s top feature and director noms and the IDA’s 17-title shortlist are titles from Netflix, Prime Video and Apple TV+.
The lists read, in the words of one leading awards publicist, “like a giant fuck-you to Netflix.” And with Oscar campaigning in high gear, they pose the question: Is a streamer backlash brewing?
The Gotham noms are mostly non-u.S. productions, including Kino Lorber’s Four Daughters, PBS’ 20 Days in Mariupol and Cinema Guild’s Our Body. Likewise, the IDA’s shortlisted titles included Morocco’s The Mother of All Lies, Colombia’s Anhell69, South African artist portrait Milisuthando, the CBC-backed Twice Colonized and the BBC-backed,...
- 12/14/2023
- by Adam Benzine
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Producers Guild of America (PGA) announced the seven titles nominated for its 2024 Documentary Motion Picture award on December 12. Each of the films will advance to the final round of voting for the 35th Annual Producers Guild Awards which will take place on Sunday, February 25.
The films nominated for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures are:
“20 Days in Mariupol”
“American Symphony”
“Beyond Utopia”
“The Disappearance of Shere Hite”
“The Mother of All Lies”
“Smoke Sauna Sisterhood”
“Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)”
Recognition from the PGA is not always a reliable indicator of which direction AMPAS will go in determining the Oscar winner. Though PGA and AMPAS matched on their winners over the last three years with “Navalny,” “Summer of Soul,” and “My Octopus Teacher,” they differed the three years before that when the PGA winners “Apollo 11” (2019), “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (2018), and “Jane” (2017) weren’t even nominated for the Oscar.
The films nominated for Outstanding Producer of Documentary Motion Pictures are:
“20 Days in Mariupol”
“American Symphony”
“Beyond Utopia”
“The Disappearance of Shere Hite”
“The Mother of All Lies”
“Smoke Sauna Sisterhood”
“Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis)”
Recognition from the PGA is not always a reliable indicator of which direction AMPAS will go in determining the Oscar winner. Though PGA and AMPAS matched on their winners over the last three years with “Navalny,” “Summer of Soul,” and “My Octopus Teacher,” they differed the three years before that when the PGA winners “Apollo 11” (2019), “Won’t You Be My Neighbor?” (2018), and “Jane” (2017) weren’t even nominated for the Oscar.
- 12/13/2023
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
For the moment, let's put aside the fact that Beyoncé is a once-in-a-generation talent and one of the best entertainers alive. Let's also put aside the incredible production design, lights, pyrotechnics, choreography, live music, hair and makeup, and sound work that goes into producing her wildly impressive tour and subsequent movie, "Renaissance: A Film By Beyoncé." I was stunned by all of those aspects of this movie, perhaps none more than the film's editing. That's not always the sexiest thing to talk about when it comes to movies, but the editing in "Renaissance" deserves a shout out.
The film is relentlessly paced: Aside from the copious amount of concert footage spanning dozens of different shows over the course of the tour, there are so many shots of the crowd, behind the scenes conversations between Beyoncé and her family, interviews with different department heads, and B-roll of the production coming together.
The film is relentlessly paced: Aside from the copious amount of concert footage spanning dozens of different shows over the course of the tour, there are so many shots of the crowd, behind the scenes conversations between Beyoncé and her family, interviews with different department heads, and B-roll of the production coming together.
- 12/6/2023
- by Ben Pearson
- Slash Film
Exclusive: Veteran entertainment lawyer and business strategist Jason Beekman has exited his role as VP and Head of Business & Legal Strategy at RadicalMedia to join director and former Imagine Documentaries showrunner Ryan Miller in co-founding new production company, Wise Child Studios.
Intended to marry the robust legal and business acumen of a larger studio with the distinguished creative vision and filmmaker-centric attention of a boutique shop, Wise Child will work with the industry’s best, from award winners to emerging talent, in the telling of thought-provoking and character-driven stories. The company is developing most of its projects from the ground up and will also handle post-production and sales for its titles.
Having already built a robust slate across scripted and non-fiction series, features, and podcasts, Wise Child’s projects in development include an investigative series with AMC; the feature doc Up the River about a 1972 concert at Sing Sing Prison,...
Intended to marry the robust legal and business acumen of a larger studio with the distinguished creative vision and filmmaker-centric attention of a boutique shop, Wise Child will work with the industry’s best, from award winners to emerging talent, in the telling of thought-provoking and character-driven stories. The company is developing most of its projects from the ground up and will also handle post-production and sales for its titles.
Having already built a robust slate across scripted and non-fiction series, features, and podcasts, Wise Child’s projects in development include an investigative series with AMC; the feature doc Up the River about a 1972 concert at Sing Sing Prison,...
- 11/15/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
It’s a sweep! The Critics Choice Association revealed the winners for its 8th annual documentary awards on Sunday, November 12, 2023, and one film claimed all five of the awards it was nominated for. Though it trailed “American Symphony” in bids going into the night, “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” prevailed as the night’s biggest winner, taking home prizes in all five of its categories, including Best Documentary. The film’s other wins went to Davis Guggenheim in Best Director, Michael Harte in Best Editing, and in Best Narration and Best Biographical Documentary.
“American Symphony,” the nomination leader with six, took home two prizes: Jon Batiste won Best Score and the film was named Best Music Documentary. The other two-time winners were “20 Days in Mariupol,” Best First Documentary Feature and Best Political Documentary, and “The Deepest Breath,” Best Cinematography and Best Sports Documentary.
If, like us, you’re...
“American Symphony,” the nomination leader with six, took home two prizes: Jon Batiste won Best Score and the film was named Best Music Documentary. The other two-time winners were “20 Days in Mariupol,” Best First Documentary Feature and Best Political Documentary, and “The Deepest Breath,” Best Cinematography and Best Sports Documentary.
If, like us, you’re...
- 11/13/2023
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Davis Guggenheim’s “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” which chronicled the actor’s life, career and battle with Parkinson’s disease, was named the best nonfiction film of 2023 at the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, which took place on Sunday night in New York City.
The Apple TV+ film won five awards overall, also including best director for Guggenheim, best narration for Fox, best biographical documentary and best editing.
Journalist Mstyslav Chernov Chernov won the award for Best First Documentary for “20 Days in Mariupol.”
Other winners included “Being Mary Tyler Moore” (Best Archival Documentary), “The Deepest Breath” (Best Sports Documentary), “20 Days in Mariupol” (Best Political Documentary), “American Symphony” (Best Music Documentary), “Secrets of the Elephants” (Best Science/Nature Documentary) and “JFK: One Day in America” (Best Historical Documentary).
Jon Batiste won for the music in “American Symphony,” and Tim Cragg won for the cinematography of “The Deepest Breath.
The Apple TV+ film won five awards overall, also including best director for Guggenheim, best narration for Fox, best biographical documentary and best editing.
Journalist Mstyslav Chernov Chernov won the award for Best First Documentary for “20 Days in Mariupol.”
Other winners included “Being Mary Tyler Moore” (Best Archival Documentary), “The Deepest Breath” (Best Sports Documentary), “20 Days in Mariupol” (Best Political Documentary), “American Symphony” (Best Music Documentary), “Secrets of the Elephants” (Best Science/Nature Documentary) and “JFK: One Day in America” (Best Historical Documentary).
Jon Batiste won for the music in “American Symphony,” and Tim Cragg won for the cinematography of “The Deepest Breath.
- 11/13/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
After an inaugural year that featured performances from stars like Lil Baby, Snoop Dogg, Seventeen and Maluma in 2022, Los Angeles festival LA3C is significantly overhauling its sophomore edition this weekend, switching locales from a traditional festival ground at LA State Historic Park to a combo of four venues in the middle of downtown LA: The Theatre at Ace Hotel, the Orpheum Theatre, The Palace Theatre and the Los Angeles Theatre.
The festival was founded to celebrate Los Angeles as the “capital of creativity and culture” — hence the three c...
The festival was founded to celebrate Los Angeles as the “capital of creativity and culture” — hence the three c...
- 11/9/2023
- by Ethan Millman
- Rollingstone.com
The Roots founders Questlove and Black Thought’s have sold a significant stake in their production company Two One Five Entertainment to Peter Chernin’s content studio The North Road Company.
Under the pact, North Road will finance future film, TV and other creative projects from Two One Five, which previously produced the Oscar-winning documentary “Summer of Soul,” “The League” and “Descendent.” The partnership will also see North Road helping Two One Five expand its scripted slate after years of mainly focusing on unscripted content.
Along with “Summer of Soul,” which was directed by Questlove and won both the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for best documentary for its story of the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival; Negro Baseball League film “The League”; and Sundance award-winner “Descendent”; Two One Five’s projects include an upcoming documentary directed by Questlove for Hulu, which follows the rise, reign, and fadeout of Sly and the Family Stone,...
Under the pact, North Road will finance future film, TV and other creative projects from Two One Five, which previously produced the Oscar-winning documentary “Summer of Soul,” “The League” and “Descendent.” The partnership will also see North Road helping Two One Five expand its scripted slate after years of mainly focusing on unscripted content.
Along with “Summer of Soul,” which was directed by Questlove and won both the Academy Award and BAFTA Award for best documentary for its story of the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival; Negro Baseball League film “The League”; and Sundance award-winner “Descendent”; Two One Five’s projects include an upcoming documentary directed by Questlove for Hulu, which follows the rise, reign, and fadeout of Sly and the Family Stone,...
- 11/7/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
The North Road Company will partner with Two One Five Entertainment. The Peter Chernin-founded company acquired a significant stake in Oscar-winner Questlove and Black Thought’s production business. The deal will result in North Road financing future Two One Five films, television shows and other creative projects. The partnership will also see North Road supporting Two One Five with nonscripted content which will enable Two One Five to leverage its best-in-class IP portfolio while expanding its scripted slate.
North Road CEO David Nevins said, “Questlove and Black Thought have long been not only iconic musicians, but also beacons for talent. They are visionaries who have been behind some of the most impactful stories about music and Black culture and how they shaped America. We are thrilled to partner with such a uniquely creative team as they enter their next phase of growth, supporting them as they continue their excellent...
North Road CEO David Nevins said, “Questlove and Black Thought have long been not only iconic musicians, but also beacons for talent. They are visionaries who have been behind some of the most impactful stories about music and Black culture and how they shaped America. We are thrilled to partner with such a uniquely creative team as they enter their next phase of growth, supporting them as they continue their excellent...
- 11/7/2023
- by Scott Mendelson
- The Wrap
Peter Chernin’s spending continues.
The former Fox boss’ The North Road Company has invested in and acquired a “significant” stake in Two One Five Entertainment, the production company founded by Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots.
The deal includes an equity stake, project financing and support to scale the business across scripted and non-scripted content.
The company is behind Academy Award-winning documentary Summer of Soul, which was directed by Questlove and told the story of the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Other projects including The League, directed by Sam Pollard, about the Negro Baseball League, Descendant, which tells the stories of descendants of survivors of the Clotilda, the last ship that carried enslaved Africans to the United States, directed by Margaret Brown and produced with the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions, and a Questlove-directed documentary for Hulu about Sly and the Family Stone.
The former Fox boss’ The North Road Company has invested in and acquired a “significant” stake in Two One Five Entertainment, the production company founded by Questlove and Black Thought of The Roots.
The deal includes an equity stake, project financing and support to scale the business across scripted and non-scripted content.
The company is behind Academy Award-winning documentary Summer of Soul, which was directed by Questlove and told the story of the legendary 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. Other projects including The League, directed by Sam Pollard, about the Negro Baseball League, Descendant, which tells the stories of descendants of survivors of the Clotilda, the last ship that carried enslaved Africans to the United States, directed by Margaret Brown and produced with the Obamas’ Higher Ground Productions, and a Questlove-directed documentary for Hulu about Sly and the Family Stone.
- 11/7/2023
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
For the 10th year in a row, the Scad Savannah Film Festival, the 26th edition of which ran from Oct. 21 through Oct. 28, was the place to be for documentary filmmakers and documentary lovers — specifically on Oct. 25, when The Hollywood Reporter presented and your humble correspondent hosted the fest’s Docs to Watch panel that brings together the directors of up to 10 of the year’s finest documentary features.
Over the past nine years, 45 films were nominated for the best documentary feature Oscar, 19 of which were first highlighted as Docs to Watch. And in seven of those nine years, one of the Docs to Watch went on to win the best documentary feature Oscar: 2015’s Amy, 2016’s O.J.: Made in America, 2017’s Icarus, 2018’s Free Solo, 2019’s American Factory, 2021’s Summer of Soul and 2022’s Navalny. (The other two eventual winners — 2014’s Citizenfour and 2020’s My Octopus Teacher — were not screened...
Over the past nine years, 45 films were nominated for the best documentary feature Oscar, 19 of which were first highlighted as Docs to Watch. And in seven of those nine years, one of the Docs to Watch went on to win the best documentary feature Oscar: 2015’s Amy, 2016’s O.J.: Made in America, 2017’s Icarus, 2018’s Free Solo, 2019’s American Factory, 2021’s Summer of Soul and 2022’s Navalny. (The other two eventual winners — 2014’s Citizenfour and 2020’s My Octopus Teacher — were not screened...
- 11/4/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Stars from both the Hindi and South Indian film industries turned out in force for the opening night of Jio Mami Mumbai Film Festival, including Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Sonam Kapoor and Bhumi Pednekar, along with Tamil star Kamal Haasan, who presented the Excellence in Cinema Award (South Asia) to director-producer Mani Ratnam.
The two leading figures of South Indian cinema also announced their first collaboration in 36 years – Kh 234 – to be produced by Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International and Ratman’s Madras Talkies.
“We’re producing the film together – he’s directing it and any job that’s going I’m willing to do, including lead man,” joked Haasan after presenting Ratman with the award. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Ratnam retorted.
Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman and cinematographer Ravi K Chandran are also attached to the film. Haasan and Ratnam last collaborated on gangster drama Nayakan in 1987. A teaser...
The two leading figures of South Indian cinema also announced their first collaboration in 36 years – Kh 234 – to be produced by Haasan’s Raaj Kamal Films International and Ratman’s Madras Talkies.
“We’re producing the film together – he’s directing it and any job that’s going I’m willing to do, including lead man,” joked Haasan after presenting Ratman with the award. “I’ll keep that in mind,” Ratnam retorted.
Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman and cinematographer Ravi K Chandran are also attached to the film. Haasan and Ratnam last collaborated on gangster drama Nayakan in 1987. A teaser...
- 10/27/2023
- by Liz Shackleton
- Deadline Film + TV
In the race to win Best Documentary Feature of the year at the Oscars, there are a slew of precursor prizes along the way. The five groups that are the best at previewing the Academy Awards contenders are: the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards (Ccda), the Doc NYC film festival, Cinema Eye Honors (Ceh), International Documentary Association (IDA), and the Producers Guild Awards (PGA).
“Navalny” (2022), “Summer of Soul” (2021), and “American Factory (2019) were each recognized by all five groups before prevailing at the Oscars. Other recent champs earned prizes from a few of the groups as well: “My Octopus Teacher” (2020) began its run with a Ccda nomination and PGA win and “Free Solo” (2018) earned notices from all except Ceh.
Below are key dates for announcements from these groups:
Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards
Nominations: October 16, 2023 Winners: November 12, 2023
Doc NYC
Short List lineup: October 17, 2023
Cinema Eye Honors
Nominations: Tba Winners: Tba
International Documentary Association...
“Navalny” (2022), “Summer of Soul” (2021), and “American Factory (2019) were each recognized by all five groups before prevailing at the Oscars. Other recent champs earned prizes from a few of the groups as well: “My Octopus Teacher” (2020) began its run with a Ccda nomination and PGA win and “Free Solo” (2018) earned notices from all except Ceh.
Below are key dates for announcements from these groups:
Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards
Nominations: October 16, 2023 Winners: November 12, 2023
Doc NYC
Short List lineup: October 17, 2023
Cinema Eye Honors
Nominations: Tba Winners: Tba
International Documentary Association...
- 10/26/2023
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
The Critics Choice Association just unveiled the nominees for its 8th annual documentary awards. Topping the list is “American Symphony” with six bids, including Best Documentary, Best Director for Matthew Heineman, and notices in Cinematography, Editing, and Music Documentary. Heineman is the Oscar nominated director of “Cartel Land” from 2015. The sixth nomination for “American Symphony” is for Best Score thanks to 2022’s Grammy Award recipient for Album of the Year, Jon Batiste. You may recognize another Aoty winner in the Ccda’s lineup — Taylor Swift‘s record breaking concert movie “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” is also nominated for Music Documentary.
Just behind “American Symphony” are three films that received five nominations each: “20 Days in Mariupol” from Mstyslav Chernov, “Kokomo City” from D. Smith, and “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” from Davis Guggenheim, who is also nominated for Director. The other directors that were heralded for their films...
Just behind “American Symphony” are three films that received five nominations each: “20 Days in Mariupol” from Mstyslav Chernov, “Kokomo City” from D. Smith, and “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” from Davis Guggenheim, who is also nominated for Director. The other directors that were heralded for their films...
- 10/24/2023
- by John Benutty
- Gold Derby
Hollywood loves to repeat success, and now more than ever it needs to. If there’s a promising way to draw people into movie theaters that the industry doesn’t capitalize on, it will only be colluding in the decay of its own future. So when I came out of “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour,” having experienced, for the first time in a while, what it was like a share a concert film with an ecstatic audience, one of my first thoughts was, “How could they do this again?”
You might say that’s a silly question, since it has one obvious answer: They can’t. There is only one Taylor Swift, the most epic global pop superstar since the Michael Jackson of the “Thriller” era. And there is only one Taylor Swift fan base. Until “The Eras Tour,” no concert movie in history has made this kind of money.
You might say that’s a silly question, since it has one obvious answer: They can’t. There is only one Taylor Swift, the most epic global pop superstar since the Michael Jackson of the “Thriller” era. And there is only one Taylor Swift fan base. Until “The Eras Tour,” no concert movie in history has made this kind of money.
- 10/21/2023
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
The Hulu series The 1619 Project and the Showtime feature Nothing Lasts Forever scored a leading three nominations apiece today as the Cinema Eye Honors announced its first round of contenders for the prestigious documentary-focused awards.
The 1619 Project, based on Nikole Hannah-Jones’s Pulitzer Prize-winning examination of slavery in North America and its impact up until the present day, earned nominations for Best Anthology Series, broadcast editing and broadcast cinematography. Oprah Winfrey, Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams and Hannah-Jones are among the producers of the six-part series.
‘Nothing Lasts Forever’
Nothing Lasts Forever, director Jason Kohn’s glittering examination of the world of diamonds – the real kind and the emergence of undetectable “synthetic” diamonds – earned nominations for Best Broadcast Film, broadcast editing and broadcast cinematography. Scroll for the full list of nominations announced today.
Other films and series that scored multiple nominations include Hulu’s Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields...
The 1619 Project, based on Nikole Hannah-Jones’s Pulitzer Prize-winning examination of slavery in North America and its impact up until the present day, earned nominations for Best Anthology Series, broadcast editing and broadcast cinematography. Oprah Winfrey, Oscar winner Roger Ross Williams and Hannah-Jones are among the producers of the six-part series.
‘Nothing Lasts Forever’
Nothing Lasts Forever, director Jason Kohn’s glittering examination of the world of diamonds – the real kind and the emergence of undetectable “synthetic” diamonds – earned nominations for Best Broadcast Film, broadcast editing and broadcast cinematography. Scroll for the full list of nominations announced today.
Other films and series that scored multiple nominations include Hulu’s Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields...
- 10/19/2023
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Thirteen-year-old Doc NYC, America’s largest documentary festival, has revealed its influential 15-film Short List. The festival will run its main lineup of 114 features and 129 short films in-person November 8-16 in New York City’s IFC Center, Sva Theatre and Village East by Angelika and continue online until November 26 with films available to viewers across the U.S. All the films will have theatrical screenings at the festival, often with the directors in person.
Historically, most of the Doc NYC shortlist titles overlap with the Academy’s official 15-film Oscar Shortlist. With the notable exception of Netflix’s Oscar-winning “My Octopus Teacher,” for 11 years the festival has screened the documentary that went on to win the Academy Award, including “Navalny,” “Summer of Soul,” “American Factory,” “Free Solo,” “Icarus,” “O.J.: Made in America,” “Amy,” “Citizenfour,” “20 Feet From Stardom,” “Searching for Sugar Man,” and “Undefeated.” The festival has also screened 49 of the last 55 Oscar-nominated documentary features.
Historically, most of the Doc NYC shortlist titles overlap with the Academy’s official 15-film Oscar Shortlist. With the notable exception of Netflix’s Oscar-winning “My Octopus Teacher,” for 11 years the festival has screened the documentary that went on to win the Academy Award, including “Navalny,” “Summer of Soul,” “American Factory,” “Free Solo,” “Icarus,” “O.J.: Made in America,” “Amy,” “Citizenfour,” “20 Feet From Stardom,” “Searching for Sugar Man,” and “Undefeated.” The festival has also screened 49 of the last 55 Oscar-nominated documentary features.
- 10/17/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Netflix’s “American Symphony,” which follows Grammy and Oscar winner Jon Batiste as he prepares for his performance at Carnegie Hall, leads the 2023 Critics Choice Documentary Award nominations with six, including best documentary feature and directing for Matthew Heineman. PBS’ “20 Days in Mariupol,” Magnolia Pictures’ “Kokomo City” and Apple Original Films’ “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” are tied for second with five nominations apiece. Each were also were nominated in the top category.
Other nominees for documentary feature include Roadside Attraction’s “Beyond Utopia,” MTV Documentary Films’ “The Eternal Memory,” Amazon’s “Judy Blume Forever,” National Geographic’s “The Mission” and Netflix’s “The Deepest Breath” and “Stamped from the Beginning.”
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
Now in its eighth year, the Critics Choice Documentary Awards have previously given the top prize to Oscar winners “O.J.: Made in America” (2016) and...
Other nominees for documentary feature include Roadside Attraction’s “Beyond Utopia,” MTV Documentary Films’ “The Eternal Memory,” Amazon’s “Judy Blume Forever,” National Geographic’s “The Mission” and Netflix’s “The Deepest Breath” and “Stamped from the Beginning.”
Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.
Now in its eighth year, the Critics Choice Documentary Awards have previously given the top prize to Oscar winners “O.J.: Made in America” (2016) and...
- 10/16/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Matthew Heineman’s “American Symphony” leads all films with six nominations for the 8th annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards, the Critics Choice Association announced on Monday.
The film, a Netflix doc that follows musician Jon Batiste and his wife, writer Suleika Jaouad, as Batiste prepares a composition for Carnegie Hall and Jaouad battles the return of her cancer, was nominated in the Best Documentary Feature, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Score and Best Music Documentary categories. Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol,” D. Smith’s “Kokomo City” and Davis Guggenhein’s “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” received five nominations each.
Apart from “American Symphony,” “20 Days in Mariupol,” “Kokomo City” and “Still,” films nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category were “Beyond Utopia,” “The Deepest Breath,” “The Eternal Memory,” “Judy Blume Forever,” “The Mission” and “Stamped From the Beginning.”
All of those films received nominations in multiple categories,...
The film, a Netflix doc that follows musician Jon Batiste and his wife, writer Suleika Jaouad, as Batiste prepares a composition for Carnegie Hall and Jaouad battles the return of her cancer, was nominated in the Best Documentary Feature, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Score and Best Music Documentary categories. Mstyslav Chernov’s “20 Days in Mariupol,” D. Smith’s “Kokomo City” and Davis Guggenhein’s “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie” received five nominations each.
Apart from “American Symphony,” “20 Days in Mariupol,” “Kokomo City” and “Still,” films nominated in the Best Documentary Feature category were “Beyond Utopia,” “The Deepest Breath,” “The Eternal Memory,” “Judy Blume Forever,” “The Mission” and “Stamped From the Beginning.”
All of those films received nominations in multiple categories,...
- 10/16/2023
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The eighth annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards nominations are often an early bellwether for the Best Documentary Feature Oscar race, mainly because they signal to Oscar voters many of the key films they should not miss. Last year’s winner, “Good Night Oppy,” did not make it to the documentary Oscar shortlist, but the year before, “Summer of Soul” went on to win the Oscar.
This year’s nominations were led by fall festival favorite “American Symphony,” Matthew Heineman’s moving portrait of musician Jon Batiste as he juggles work demands and his wife’s recurring leukemia, with six nods. It was followed by Mstyslav Chernov’s Ukraine international Oscar submission “20 Days in Mariupol,” D. Smith’s black-and-white portrait of Black trans sex workers “Kokomo City,” and Davis Guggenheim’s editing feat “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” with five each.
The gala to honor the winners, hosted by comedian Wyatt Cenac,...
This year’s nominations were led by fall festival favorite “American Symphony,” Matthew Heineman’s moving portrait of musician Jon Batiste as he juggles work demands and his wife’s recurring leukemia, with six nods. It was followed by Mstyslav Chernov’s Ukraine international Oscar submission “20 Days in Mariupol,” D. Smith’s black-and-white portrait of Black trans sex workers “Kokomo City,” and Davis Guggenheim’s editing feat “Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie,” with five each.
The gala to honor the winners, hosted by comedian Wyatt Cenac,...
- 10/16/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Most people don’t get a text from Bono in the middle of the night.
But Jon Kamen, the CEO, chairman and co-founder of RadicalMedia, found himself fighting off jet lag on a recent business trip to Japan as he fielded messages from the U2 frontman. That pair had worked together on the One campaign, the musician’s push to eradicate AIDS and poverty in Africa, and this time Bono needed help launching ticketing for the band’s upcoming residency at Las Vegas’ newly launched venue, the Sphere. Kamen assured him that there was someone on staff who could help him.
“I said, ‘let me call this guy and see if he can come up with something,'” he remembers. “We needed to turn this thing around in ridiculous time. I go to bed in Japan. Bono gives me a good recommendation for a restaurant in Kyoto. I’m dreaming of sushi,...
But Jon Kamen, the CEO, chairman and co-founder of RadicalMedia, found himself fighting off jet lag on a recent business trip to Japan as he fielded messages from the U2 frontman. That pair had worked together on the One campaign, the musician’s push to eradicate AIDS and poverty in Africa, and this time Bono needed help launching ticketing for the band’s upcoming residency at Las Vegas’ newly launched venue, the Sphere. Kamen assured him that there was someone on staff who could help him.
“I said, ‘let me call this guy and see if he can come up with something,'” he remembers. “We needed to turn this thing around in ridiculous time. I go to bed in Japan. Bono gives me a good recommendation for a restaurant in Kyoto. I’m dreaming of sushi,...
- 10/4/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Nearly everyone has heard about Woodstock and the US Festival, but the same can’t be said for the Memphis Country Blues Festival. Depending on the year, the annual gathering held in Memphis between 1966 and 1970, was the place to see and hear genre icons. Country-blues guitarists Furry Lewis and Mississippi Fred McDowell, along with blues and R&b character Rufus Thomas, all played there, as did folk and rock guitar heroes Johnny Winter and John Fahey. The Rolling Stones were even invited to appear (more on that later), and some...
- 10/1/2023
- by David Browne
- Rollingstone.com
Before cameras ever start rolling on a RadicalMedia movie, staffers are already busy strategizing about where it should eventually premiere. The company, which boasts “The Fog of War” and “Summer of Soul” among its many credits, routinely consults an exhaustive chart that lays out the deadlines to submit a movie to major festivals like Cannes, Sundance and Toronto.
“There’s no guarantee that you’ll get invited, but it’s important to have a plan,” says Jon Kamen, CEO of RadicalMedia. “Each festival has their own unique personality that makes it the perfect fit for certain kinds of work.”
In the case of RadicalMedia’s “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero,” a documentary that follows the pop star behind “Old Town Road” on his first global tour, that ideal launching spot was always the Toronto International Film Festival.
“Nas X has performed in the city, and he has a huge fanbase there,...
“There’s no guarantee that you’ll get invited, but it’s important to have a plan,” says Jon Kamen, CEO of RadicalMedia. “Each festival has their own unique personality that makes it the perfect fit for certain kinds of work.”
In the case of RadicalMedia’s “Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero,” a documentary that follows the pop star behind “Old Town Road” on his first global tour, that ideal launching spot was always the Toronto International Film Festival.
“Nas X has performed in the city, and he has a huge fanbase there,...
- 9/6/2023
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
Documentarian Nancy Buirski has died at age 78, as IndieWire can confirm with Augusta Films.
Buirski founded the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, and her most recent film, “Desperate Souls, Dark City, and the Legend of the Midnight Cowboy” premiered at the Venice and Telluride Film Festivals in 2022.
“It is with great sadness that Augusta Films announces the death of award-winning documentary filmmaker Nancy Buirski,” the official statement reads. “Nancy’s extensive and rich body of work delved into a wide range of social, cultural and historical issues with keen insight, humanity and above all, artistry. The film and creative community mourns this great loss and will remember her indefatigable energy, optimism, passion, and her devotion to her art, family, friends, and collaborators.”
Buirski began her career as a photographer and editor at The New York Times and Magnum. Her 1994 photography collection “Earth Angels: Migrant Children in America” was critically acclaimed...
Buirski founded the Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, and her most recent film, “Desperate Souls, Dark City, and the Legend of the Midnight Cowboy” premiered at the Venice and Telluride Film Festivals in 2022.
“It is with great sadness that Augusta Films announces the death of award-winning documentary filmmaker Nancy Buirski,” the official statement reads. “Nancy’s extensive and rich body of work delved into a wide range of social, cultural and historical issues with keen insight, humanity and above all, artistry. The film and creative community mourns this great loss and will remember her indefatigable energy, optimism, passion, and her devotion to her art, family, friends, and collaborators.”
Buirski began her career as a photographer and editor at The New York Times and Magnum. Her 1994 photography collection “Earth Angels: Migrant Children in America” was critically acclaimed...
- 8/31/2023
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Nancy Buirski, the acclaimed and award winning documentary filmmaker behind “The Loving Story” and the cofounder of the Full Frame festival, died Wednesday, her production company, Augusta Films announced. She was 78.
Buirski’s cause of death was not disclosed; her representatives told TheWrap they did not know her age.
“The field has lost a giant today. Nancy was a completely original thinker and a visionary. With every film she pushed the limits of the art form with her kaleidoscopic, unique approach to storytelling. She was an exceptionally generous supporter of other artists in the field, and will be mourned by so many. We are devastated by this loss,” Buirski’s frequent collaborator, Susan Margolin, said in a statement.
Born in New York, Buirski began her career as a photographer, eventually working as a photo editor for the New York Times, where her work won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994. In 1998 she...
Buirski’s cause of death was not disclosed; her representatives told TheWrap they did not know her age.
“The field has lost a giant today. Nancy was a completely original thinker and a visionary. With every film she pushed the limits of the art form with her kaleidoscopic, unique approach to storytelling. She was an exceptionally generous supporter of other artists in the field, and will be mourned by so many. We are devastated by this loss,” Buirski’s frequent collaborator, Susan Margolin, said in a statement.
Born in New York, Buirski began her career as a photographer, eventually working as a photo editor for the New York Times, where her work won a Pulitzer Prize in 1994. In 1998 she...
- 8/31/2023
- by Ross A. Lincoln
- The Wrap
The Toronto Film Festival said Friday that Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero, a documentary shot during over the course of 60 days of the Grammy-winning rapper’s first global concert tour, will make its world premiere next month at the fest.
The film, co-directed by Blindspotting helmer Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel, will appear in the Gala program of TIFF, which runs September 7-17.
The film is produced by RadicalMedia in association with Sony Music Entertainment’s Premium Content Division, Columbia Records, and Museum & Crane.
“Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero is a triumphant ode to the extraordinary power of self-expression, music, and identity,” TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said. “In this groundbreaking documentary, we witness Lil Nas X challenging boundaries and reshaping the artistic landscape. The film’s captivating journey underscores the profound impact of Lil Nas X, who fearlessly brings audiences together through the universal language of music.
The film, co-directed by Blindspotting helmer Carlos López Estrada and Zac Manuel, will appear in the Gala program of TIFF, which runs September 7-17.
The film is produced by RadicalMedia in association with Sony Music Entertainment’s Premium Content Division, Columbia Records, and Museum & Crane.
“Lil Nas X: Long Live Montero is a triumphant ode to the extraordinary power of self-expression, music, and identity,” TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said. “In this groundbreaking documentary, we witness Lil Nas X challenging boundaries and reshaping the artistic landscape. The film’s captivating journey underscores the profound impact of Lil Nas X, who fearlessly brings audiences together through the universal language of music.
- 8/18/2023
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
The inaugural Harlem Festival of Culture, which was set to take place this weekend with performances from A$AP Fern, Teyana Taylor, Wyclef and more, has been canceled due to the threat of extreme heat.
Festival organizers announced the decision on Instagram Friday, July 28, citing President Joe Biden’s warning yesterday for Americans to “listen to public officials and stay indoors” because of an ongoing heatwave and poor air quality.
“After strong consideration to this severe weather impacting New York City, it is with a heavy heart that we have...
Festival organizers announced the decision on Instagram Friday, July 28, citing President Joe Biden’s warning yesterday for Americans to “listen to public officials and stay indoors” because of an ongoing heatwave and poor air quality.
“After strong consideration to this severe weather impacting New York City, it is with a heavy heart that we have...
- 7/28/2023
- by Jon Blistein
- Rollingstone.com
If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.
Keeping up with Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, Kris, Kendall, and Kylie got a little more challenging when the Kardashians’ first reality show ended its 20-season run, but now the crew from Calabasas is back for another round of The Kardashians Season Three on Hulu, which aired its finale this week. Watch The Kardashians on Hulu.
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“I don’t even know where we left off,...
Keeping up with Kim, Khloé, Kourtney, Kris, Kendall, and Kylie got a little more challenging when the Kardashians’ first reality show ended its 20-season run, but now the crew from Calabasas is back for another round of The Kardashians Season Three on Hulu, which aired its finale this week. Watch The Kardashians on Hulu.
Buy Hulu Subscription From $7.99/month
“I don’t even know where we left off,...
- 7/27/2023
- by John Lonsdale
- Rollingstone.com
If you didn’t grow up in Pittsburgh (which boasted rival baseball greats the Homestead Grays and the Pittsburgh Crawfords) or watch Episode 5 of the 1994 Ken Burns docu-series “Baseball,” you may not know much about the Negro Leagues. That’s about to change.
Sam Pollard’s “The League” is an eye-opening slice of American baseball’s 154-year history. In fact, the recent rule changes imposed on the Majors by Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred were inspired in part by the practices of the Negro Leagues: while Babe Ruth focused on home runs (like many players today), these extraordinary Black athletes favored a fast, hit-and-run, base-stealing game.
“If you watch footage of Jackie Robinson from the ’40s and the ’50s, his style of play, his aggressiveness, all came from the Negro Leagues,” Oscar-nominated documentary director Pollard told IndieWire during a recent interview. “If you watch the players who integrated Major League Baseball,...
Sam Pollard’s “The League” is an eye-opening slice of American baseball’s 154-year history. In fact, the recent rule changes imposed on the Majors by Baseball Commissioner Rob Manfred were inspired in part by the practices of the Negro Leagues: while Babe Ruth focused on home runs (like many players today), these extraordinary Black athletes favored a fast, hit-and-run, base-stealing game.
“If you watch footage of Jackie Robinson from the ’40s and the ’50s, his style of play, his aggressiveness, all came from the Negro Leagues,” Oscar-nominated documentary director Pollard told IndieWire during a recent interview. “If you watch the players who integrated Major League Baseball,...
- 7/13/2023
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Well after their deaths, the pop stars of an earlier era — the mid-20th century, to be precise — are receiving documentary treatment, such greats as Ella Fitzgerald, Dean Martin and Louis Armstrong among them. Artists of the baby boom, on the other hand, a generation of unprecedented size and many other firsts, are participating in the process, as they have been for decades.
The earliest documentary portraits of boomer musicians set the bar high with a fresh, self-reflexive power. D.A. Pennebaker’s 1967 Don’t Look Back traced Dylan’s ambivalent dance into and out of the spotlight, and in 1970 the Maysles brothers’ Gimme Shelter found the Rolling Stones facing darker complexities around the same push-pull. Today, films exploring pop artists’ life’s work, or at least certain aspects of it, are being made while they’re still engaged in it.
Two of the most captivating and poignant documentaries to hit...
The earliest documentary portraits of boomer musicians set the bar high with a fresh, self-reflexive power. D.A. Pennebaker’s 1967 Don’t Look Back traced Dylan’s ambivalent dance into and out of the spotlight, and in 1970 the Maysles brothers’ Gimme Shelter found the Rolling Stones facing darker complexities around the same push-pull. Today, films exploring pop artists’ life’s work, or at least certain aspects of it, are being made while they’re still engaged in it.
Two of the most captivating and poignant documentaries to hit...
- 7/13/2023
- by Sheri Linden
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Sam Pollard’s “The League” Is Not Your Typical Baseball Doc.
The documentary filmmaker grew up in the 1960s watching the St. Louis Cardinals, whose roster of players included Black or Latino players including Bill White, Curt Flood, Orlando Cepeda and Lou Brock, but did not know much about the Negro Leagues that existed when the sport was still segregated.
“I knew who Jackie Robinson was and that it was because of him Blacks had integrated the Major Leagues in 1947,” says Pollard. “But what I did not know much about in 1964 at the age of 14 was that he had come out of the Negro Leagues and that the Negro Leagues had been home to Black and Latino ballplayers who had to play segregated baseball during the height of the Jim Crow era.”
While some segregation in the sport always existed, the color line in baseball was not rigidly enforced until...
The documentary filmmaker grew up in the 1960s watching the St. Louis Cardinals, whose roster of players included Black or Latino players including Bill White, Curt Flood, Orlando Cepeda and Lou Brock, but did not know much about the Negro Leagues that existed when the sport was still segregated.
“I knew who Jackie Robinson was and that it was because of him Blacks had integrated the Major Leagues in 1947,” says Pollard. “But what I did not know much about in 1964 at the age of 14 was that he had come out of the Negro Leagues and that the Negro Leagues had been home to Black and Latino ballplayers who had to play segregated baseball during the height of the Jim Crow era.”
While some segregation in the sport always existed, the color line in baseball was not rigidly enforced until...
- 7/7/2023
- by Addie Morfoot
- Variety Film + TV
Emmy-nominated Yvette Nicole Brown and Television Academy Chair Frank Scherma have been tapped to announce the nominees for the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards. The live virtual ceremony is slated for Wednesday, July 12 at 8:30 a.m. Pt/11:30 a.m. Et. It will stream live on Emmys.com/nominations.
“It’s been another transformational year in this platinum age of television that has delivered a diverse range of extraordinary programming,” said Scherma. “We are delighted to have Yvette help us celebrate our 75th anniversary as we honor the exceptional shows, innovators, storytellers and talent whose work has entertained and connected us this season.”
Actress, writer, producer and host Brown earned an Emmy nomination for her work on The Black Lady Sketch Show and is currently starring in Act Your Age on Bounce TV. She is best known for her roles on TV shows including Community, Drake & Josh and The Odd Couple.
“It’s been another transformational year in this platinum age of television that has delivered a diverse range of extraordinary programming,” said Scherma. “We are delighted to have Yvette help us celebrate our 75th anniversary as we honor the exceptional shows, innovators, storytellers and talent whose work has entertained and connected us this season.”
Actress, writer, producer and host Brown earned an Emmy nomination for her work on The Black Lady Sketch Show and is currently starring in Act Your Age on Bounce TV. She is best known for her roles on TV shows including Community, Drake & Josh and The Odd Couple.
- 7/7/2023
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
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