The Inbox (Oct. 19-25, 2013)

Every week, I get several press releases, screening invitations and other notifications from a handful of studio contacts. While I won’t be sharing any information regarding my screening invites, some of the press releases might be of interest to my readers, so I thought I’d start sharing them in toto with all of you. These could include new image galleries for various films or important updates to upcoming releases from various smaller studios and art house production companies.

Press Release: IFC Films Acquires Rights to “Jimmy P”

IFC FILMS ACQUIRES U.S. RIGHTS TO JIMMY P. FROM WORLDVIEW ENTERTAINMENT

The Benicio Del Toro starrer premiered at the Cannes Film Festival; release expected in early 2014

October 22, 2013 (New York, NY) — Worldview Entertainment has sold the U.S. distribution rights to Arnaud Desplechin’s drama, “Jimmy P.: Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian,” to IFC Films. The film, which stars Academy Award winner Benicio Del Toro and Mathieu Amalric, made its world premiere in competition at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival and made its North American debut at the New York Film Festival earlier this month.

Desplechin co-wrote the screenplay with Kent Jones and Julie Peyr, based on the book Psychotherapy of a Plains Indian by Georges Devereux about his relationship and multidisciplinary study of Jimmy Picard, a Blackfoot Indian, who fought in World War II and suffered from psychological distress. Pascal Cauchetuex and Jennifer Roth produced while Worldview’s Christopher Woodrow and Molly Conners executive produced with Patrick Milling Smith and Ben Limberg. IFC is expected to release the film in early 2014.

“Jimmy P.’ is a sophisticated and moving film and we are happy to partner with IFC after getting such a strong reception in Cannes and New York,” said Worldview CEO, Christopher Woodrow.

The deal was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, SVP of Acquisitions, on behalf of IFC Films, and CAA on behalf of Worldview.

Worldview’s impressive 2013 slate includes two studio co-financing deals: Alejandro Gonzalez Innaritu’s comedy, “Birdman,” with Fox Searchlight and New Regency, starring Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, Academy Award nominee Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis and Academy Award nominee Edward Norton, which is currently in post- production; and Daniel Espinosa’s crime thriller, “Child 44,” with Summit/Lionsgate, starring Tom Hardy, Noomi Rapace, Academy Award nominee Gary Oldman, Joel Kinnaman, Vincent Cassel and Jason Clarke, which wrapped this fall in Prague. The company also financed and produced Kate Barker Froyland’s drama, “Song One” starring Academy Award winner Anne Hathaway; and Zach Braff’s drama, ‘Wish I Was Here,” starring Braff and Academy Award nominee Kate Hudson. Worldview is reteaming this fall with David Gordon Green on the drama “Manglehorn,” starring Academy Award winners Al Pacino and Holly Hunter, which currently in pre-production in Austin, TX. Upcoming for 2014, Worldview announced plans to finance and produce the horror thriller, “Beyond the Green Inferno,” the sequel to Eli Roth’s “The Green Inferno,” which will be directed by Nicolas Lopez next spring in Chile; and Kim Farrant’s thriller, “Strangerland” starring Academy Award winner Nicole Kidman, Guy Pearce and Hugo Weaving.

Worldview had six films premiere on the festival circuit this fall: Academy Award nominee Atom Egoyan’s crime thriller, “Devil’s Knot,” starring Academy Award winners Colin Firth and Reese Witherspoon, which made its world premiere at the 2013 Toronto Film Festival and was acquired by Image Entertainment; Eli Roth’s highly anticipated return to directing with the horror thriller, “The Green Inferno,” made its world premiere in the Midnight Madness Section of the Toronto International Film Festival and was acquired by Open Road Films; David Gordon Green’s drama, “Joe,” starring Academy Award winner Nicolas Cage and Tye Sheridan premiered at both the Venice Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival and was acquired by Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions; Ti West’s thriller, “The Sacrament,” presented and produced by Roth made its world premiere at the Venice Film Festival followed by the Toronto International Film Festival, where it was acquired by Magnolia Films; Guillaume Canet’s crime thriller, “Blood Ties,” starring Academy Award nominee Clive Owen, Billy Crudup, Academy Award winner Marion Cotillard, Mila Kunis, Zoe Saldana and Academy Award nominee James Caan made its North American premiere as a Gala Presentation at Toronto International Film Festival after making its world premiere at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, where it was bought by Lionsgate/Roadside Attractions; and Jehane Noujaim’s Egyptian revolution documentary, “The Square,” which premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and opens theatrically this week in New York City.

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About Worldview Entertainment
Worldview Entertainment is a leading independent motion picture studio that finances, produces and acquires theatrical quality feature films with budgets up to $50 million for worldwide distribution. The company is backed by a strong capitalization and represented by Creative Artists Agency (CAA). Worldview was founded in 2007 and is based in New York City.

About IFC Films
Established in 2000 and based in New York City, IFC Films is a leading U.S. distributor of quality talent-driven independent film. Some of the company’s successes over the years have included MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN, TOUCHING THE VOID, GOMORRAH, CHE, SUMMER HOURS, IN THE LOOP, ANTICHRIST, WORDPLAY, CAIRO TIME, JOAN RIVERS: A PIECE OF WORK, TINY FURNITURE, YOUR SISTER’S SISTER, CARLOS, THE TRIP, SLEEPWALK WITH ME, FRANCES HA, THE CANYONS, AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS and CRYSTAL FAIRY. IFC Films is a sister label to Sundance Selects and IFC Midnight, and is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.

Press Release: D.B. Sweeney to Star in “Underdogs”

D.B. Sweeney Stars in True Events-inspired High School Football Saga ‘Underdogs’ From Freestyle Releasing

Inspirational Family Friendly Title Bows Theatrically on November 1st

Los Angeles, CA (October 23, 2013) – Freestyle Digital Media (FDM) and Freestyle Releasing announce today that they have acquired all domestic rights to director Doug Dearth’s high school football drama UNDERDOGS, which was written by Dave Latham and stars D.B. Sweeney (TAKEN 2). The film also stars Natalie Imbruglia (“Neighbors”), Logan Huffman (“V”), William Mapother (ANOTHER EARTH, “Lost”), Maddie Hasson (GOD BLESS AMERICA, “Twisted”), Charlie Carver (“Desperate Housewives,” “Teen Wolf”), Jay Thomas (THE SANTA CLAUSE 2) and football Hall of Famer Joe Namath and was produced by Dearth, Bill Fishman and Tom Rooker. UNDERDOGS is slated for a theatrical release on November 1st, with a VOD release following on November 5th.

In the vein of Friday Night Lights and The Blind Side, UNDERDOGS is based on inspirational true events of a high school football team no one expected to succeed. Filmed in Canton, Ohio, the Knights are a lousy team who’ve become a target for jokes. When down on his luck Coach DeAntonio (D.B. Sweeney) arrives, he pushes the boys to see their potential, while a hometown bartender (Natalie Imbruglia) tries to reopen his guarded heart. When quarterback Bobby Burkett (Logan Huffman) falls in love with a cheerleader (Maddie Hasson) from a rival team, it enrages their star John Handon (Charlie Carver). Meanwhile, Bobby’s father (William Mapother) is battling Handon’s dad (Richard Portnow), whose crooked corporation is suing him over his own invention.

The deal was negotiated by Jonathan Sachar, Doug Dearth and Brett Kerr and Susan Jackson, CEO of Freestyle Digital Media.

“Underdogs tells the tale of a son who is a talented quarterback that must lead a seemingly hopeless team to succeed with the inspiration of a great but flawed coach and his inventor father who chooses to take on the company he works for when they try to steal his invention. These true story inspired parallel tales have tremendous heart and should have the audience cheering,” said Jackson.

Recent Freestyle Digital Media titles include TIGER EYES, the first big screen adaptation of a Judy Blume novel starring Willa Holland, the critically-acclaimed documentary SAMSARA from filmmakers Ron Fricke and Mark Magidson, and the SXSW festival favorite FUNERAL KINGS from the McManus Brothers .

About Freestyle Digital Media
Freestyle Digital Media, LLC was founded in November 2011 by its CEO Susan Jackson who is Co-President and founder of independent theatrical distributor Freestyle Releasing, LLC and North American sales company Turtles Crossing, LLC. Freestyle Digital Media supplies quality commercial film and TV content directly to all US VOD/SVOD rental DVD/Kiosks, Television and theaters using the latest cloud-based technologies to automate digital workflow. Freestyle’s goal is to provide fresh, well-marketed product and stay on the cutting edge of the ever-compressing windows to ensure that their partners benefit from a platform that delivers an anytime-anywhere capability in the medium of their choice and a positive digital viewing experience on any device in any location.

Press Release: “The Fifth Beatle” Partners with Rolling Stone for International Debut

THE FIFTH BEATLE TO PARTNER WITH ROLLING STONE FOR INTERNATIONAL DEBUT

Tenth anniversary issue of Rolling Stone Italy will include Italian version of Brian Epstein graphic novel three weeks prior to official release date

New York, NEW YORK (October 24, 2013) – Thanks to a collaboration between Dark Horse Comics and Panini Comics, the world premiere of the long-awaited graphic novel written by Vivek J. Tiwary, drawn by Andrew C. Robinson and Kyle Baker and dedicated to the manager of the Beatles, Brian Epstein, is arriving in Italy. The Fifth Beatle is the latest addition to the prestigious 9L Panini catalogue and will be released in Italy in partnership with Rolling Stone Italy to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the magazine.

With this joint venture between Panini Comics and Rolling Stone, The Fifth Beatle will be first made available at newsstands in Italy at the beginning of November, three weeks before it is released in other territories. A special Italian version of The Fifth Beatle will be sold bundled with the tenth anniversary special edition of Rolling Stone Italy – the Italian version of the most popular music magazine in the world.

The graphic novel chronicles the early years of The Beatles seen through the eyes of the brilliant Brian Epstein, an entrepreneur, but above all a friend of the Fab Four. His tragic and inspiring human story is meticulously reconstructed by Tony Award-winning Broadway producer, Vivek J. Tiwary (Green Day’s “American Idiot”, “The Addams Family”, “A Raisin In The Sun”) and is made concrete by the beautiful drawings of Andrew C. Robinson and Kyle Baker. The graphic novel is being adapted into a feature film which will be produced by Tiwary and Oscar-winning producer Bruce Cohen (AMERICAN BEAUTY, SILVER LININGS PLAYBOOK.) Tiwary will be a Panini Comics special guest at Lucca Comics and Games, an Italian event held in the heart of the Tuscan city from October 31st until November 3rd.to present “The Fifth Beatle” to Italian readers and press and give fans an opportunity to meet the author.

“I’ve been researching The Fifth Beatle for more than two decades,” says Tiwary, “it’s a true labor of love! And since Italy is a country passionate about the Beatles, music and graphic novels, I’m simply honored that we are debuting The Fifth Beatle in partnership with Rolling Stone Italy. I could not be happier that our Italian fans will be the first in the world to read The Fifth Beatle and to learn the untold true story of the Beatles manager Brian Epstein. It’s a story that I know will inspire them as much as it has inspired me.”

“The Fifth Beatle” follows the Liverpool quartet from obscurity to the release of Sergeant Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, the album that marked a watershed in the history of rock music and established The Beatles as true cultural icons. But The Fifth Beatle is above all the story of a visionary– Brian Epstein, the man who, with his intuitions, led the Fab Four to unprecedented international stardom. A life of triumphs and tragedies, ambitions and fears – Epstein suffered to hide his homosexuality from the world – friendship and loneliness, until his premature death at the age of 32. It is a story full of dreams and music, the greatest music of all time.

The Fifth Beatle will be available outside of Italy on November 19th in a hardcover, oversized library format for $19.99. In addition, both a collector’s edition and limited edition hardcover of this groundbreaking graphic novel will also be available, featuring a wraparound, textured cover and a section of bonus materials including Beatles and Brian Epstein memorabilia, artist sketches, and alternate covers, for $49.99 and $99.99.

“If anyone was the fifth Beatle, it was Brian,” said Paul McCartney in 1999.

Watch the official trailer of The Fifth Beatle at www.FifthBeatle.com

ABOUT VIVEK J. TIWARY
Vivek J. Tiwary is an award-winning producer, writer, and financier for film, television, theater, music, and graphic novels. He is the producer and writer of “The Fifth Beatle,” a feature film and graphic novel based on the life of Beatles’ manager Brian Epstein. “The Fifth Beatle” has secured unprecedented access to Beatles’ music and is in development to shoot in 2014. He is also exclusive producer of Amelia Rules! — a children’s film franchise and television series based on the series of tween graphic novels by New York Times best-selling author Jimmy Gownley. In television, Vivek sold a sitcom pilot “Punk Rock Dad” to CBS, based on the bestselling memoir/parenting manual by Pennywise lead singer Jim Lindberg, and he is developing a number of additional series including “Ascension,” a historical fiction / thriller juxtaposing the history of astronomy with mankind’s future in the stars. On Broadway, Vivek’s productions have won a combined 25 Tony Awards from 44 Tony nominations—every single one of his shows have been decorated. They include “The Addams Family,” Green Day’s “American Idiot” (the groundbreaking adaptation of the superstar rock band’s multi-platinum album), Mel Brooks’ “The Producers” (the most Tony Awards ever) and “Young Frankenstein”, “A Raisin In The Sun” (starring Sean Combs), and “A Little Night Music” (starring Catherine Zeta-Jones and Angela Lansbury). Off-Broadway, Vivek produced a theatrical collaboration between electropop/performance artists Fischerspooner and avant-garde theatre collective The Wooster Group (founded by Willem Dafoe, Spalding Gray, and others) that launched the 2008 Sao Paulo Art Bienal. Vivek also serves on the Board of Directors for Valiant Entertainment (www.valiantentertainment.com), a multi-platform company that boasts the third largest and most-loved universe of comic book characters and has been hailed by the New York Times as “Marvel 2.0”. Prior to founding Tiwary Entertainment Group (www.tiwaryent.com) and online music education/empowerment company StarPolish, Vivek held a number of major label music-industry positions, including launching and heading the Alternative Marketing Department at Mercury/PolyGram Records, and managing Video Promotion for Mercury/PolyGram, where he worked closely with MTV and VH1. Vivek has worked with artists covering the entire musical spectrum including Bruce Springsteen, Shania Twain, Bon Jovi, Pearl Jam, Kiss, LL Cool J, John Mellencamp, Allen Ginsberg, Oasis, Hanson, 311 and The Mighty Mighty BossTones to name but a few. Among many charitable pursuits, Vivek is the Co-Founder of Musicians On Call (www.musiciansoncall.org), a nonprofit organization that uses music and entertainment to complement the healing process. He is a Magna Cum Laude graduate of both the Wharton School of Business and the University of Pennsylvania’s College of Arts and Sciences. Vivek also holds a filmmaking certificate from The New York Film Academy and is an acting student of Susan Batson/Black Nexxus Acting Studio.

Tiwary is represented by David Alpert and Lawrence Mattis at Circle of Confusion and Cohen is represented by CAA.

Press Release: “Happiness Is on the Plate” Coming to ITunes, Amazon VOD

KimStim Brings Acclaimed Farm to Table Cooking Series: HAPPINESS IS ON THE PLATE Featuring Renowned Chefs DAVID KINCH, DAI JIANGJUN, ARNAUD DAGUIN to iTunes, Amazon VOD.

New York (October 22, 2013) — KimStim is proud announce the digital release of HAPPINESS IS ON THE PLATE, a stunningly photographed food and travel show that spans 5 countries and features 5 world renowned “food entrepreneurs”: Arnaud Daguin in the Basque country, Dai Jiangjun in the China, Luke Burgess in Tasmania, David Kinch in California and Godfrey Nzamujo in Benin. Serving the future on their plates and happiness as a side dish, the series blends beautiful travel images with sumptuous cooking presentations, while serving up lessons on the importance of locally produced agriculture and the inner workings of 5 cutting edge farm-to-table businesses.

All episode are 52 minuets and available in both HD and SD.
On-line screeners available on by request.

“These five chefs and their beloved restaurants and those who provide food for their tables are all linked to the land, sea, people and the environments which surround them in a kind of love affair which is not only wholesome, but respects the roots of how everything is interconnected.” – Vivian Norris, Huffington Post

Episode 1, “Organizing Bounty With David Kinch in California
Synopsis: David Kinch’s world famous Manresa restaurant in Los Gatos; California is fostered by the terroir or “sense of place” of the California Coast. Biodynamic wines; foraged mushrooms; the use of sustainable produce sourced through an exclusive partnership with Cynthia Sandberg of Love Apple Farms; all translate to dishes which are beyond sublime.

Episode 2, “Reconstructing The History Of Taste With Dai Jiangjun In China”
Synopsis: Dai Jiangjun is the chef/owner of the Dragon Well Manor located in the outskirts of famed city of Hangzhou. Through his restaurant; Dai has created a unique web of farmers; forgers and fishermen that maintains the integrity of ancestral Chinese culinary traditions in the face of an increasingly industrialized China

Episode 3, “Reconnecting Cooking With The Soil With Luke Burgess In Tasmania”
Synopsis: Luke Burgess’ internationally famed Garagistes is located Birchs Ba; a half an hour’s drive south of the Tasmania’s capital city of Hobart on the spectacular Tansanian coast. Burgess spends his days scouring the beaches; hills and paddocks for edible shore plants; weeds; berries and herbs to create the most sublime tastes the farms and wilds of Tasmania can offer.

Episode 4, “Re-enchanting Cooking With Arnaud Daguin in France”
Synopsis: In the Basque country; Arnaud Daguin and his wife Véronique have created what can only be called the gastronomic excursion of a lifetime at their Michelin rated guesthouse – Hegia. Nestled in the breathtaking Basque countryside; Daguin oversees the preparation sumptuous organic fare.

Episode 5, “Benin: Flavors Of An Elelvated Africa with Godfrey Nzamujo”
Synopsis: Godfrey Nzamujo is leading the charge in helping West Africa create sustainable; yet profitable agriculture systems. At the heart of the complex is an amazing restaurant that nurtures the wonderfully diverse and rich culinary heritage of West Africa while serving as an inspiring model of economic development.

* * * *

This five-part documentary series, originally aired on Arte France on October 15th, 2012. Written by Sophie Brissaud and Philippe Allante, Directed by Philippe Allante and is a coproduction with Emma Lepers of Petit Dragon and Gwenaelle Clauwaert of Ten2Ten Films

2012 • 5X52 mins • France • Color • In English English subtitles • 16:9 aspect ratio • Not Rated •

KimStim, an eclectic Brooklyn-based arthouse label with a library of 50+ films from groundbreaking directors including Alain Resnais, Raul Ruiz, André Techiné, Chantal Akerman, Bela Tarr, Christophe Honoré, Hong Sang-Soo, François Ozon, Laurent Cantet, Seijun Suzuki, Jafar Panahi, Mohsen Makhmalbaf, and Otar Iosseliani.

Press Release: Queer/Art/Mentorship Announces 2013-14 Mentorship Program Entrants

QUEER/ART/MENTORSHIP ANNOUNCES ITS 2013-2014 FELLOWSHIP WINNERS; ELEVEN EMERGING ARTISTS SELECTED FOR YEAR LONG MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

New York, NY (October 3, 2013) – Queer/Art/Mentorship, the multi-disciplinary, inter-generational arts program that pairs and supports mentorship between emerging and established queer artists in NYC, has announced today its third round of Fellows.

Founded in 2011 by filmmaker Ira Sachs and Pilobolus Co-Executive Director Lily Binns, the program has quickly established itself as a nexus of conversation and development for queer artists in the NYC-area and beyond. Queer/Art/Mentorship is one of several ongoing programs run by the larger Queer/Art organization that also includes the popular Queer/Art/Film series in both NYC and Los Angeles.

Each Fellow accepted has been paired with an established New York-based artist within their field for a yearlong mentorship. The relationship that develops aims to support the artistic and professional practice of the Fellow, as well as to develop community-wide conversations about what it means to generate and curate queer work in New York City and America.

Collectively, those selected represent a snapshot of a new generation of openly queer artists making work today. The Fellows chosen in five artistic disciplines are Ella Boureau, Xeňa Semjonová and Colin Self & Lain Kay in Performance; Nicole Goodwin and Peter Knegt in Literary; Seyi Adebanjo and Natalia Leite in Film; Troy Michie and Bridget de Girsigny in Visual Arts; and Rick Herron in Curatorial.

The Fellows were selected after a two-month application and review process from over 100 applicants in all fields. The consistent volume of applicants received during the three years of the program speaks to the role Queer/Art/Mentorship has quickly taken in the arts community, as well as to the need of such programs in face of the continued lack of traditional institutional and economic support for the creation of queer work.

The 2013-2014 Queer/Art/Mentorship Fellows follow the participants in the successful previous years whose projects were lauded and presented at venues such as MoMA, MoMA PS1, Monya Rowe Gallery, Brooklyn Rail, Grey Art Gallery, Recess Gallery, NURTUREart Gallery, Brooklyn Book Festival, Anna Kustera Gallery, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, The Bushwick Starr, Studio Museum, Dodge Gallery, The Duplex, among many others.

Press Release: “Weekend of a Champion” Rights Obtained by Submarine Deluxe

SUBMARINE DELUXE TAKES THE WHEEL WITH THE U.S. DISTRIBUTION RIGHTS TO “WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION”

The Lost Doc From Producer Roman Polanski & Director Frank Simon restored by Brett Ratner’s Rat Documentary Films To Hit Theaters November 22, 2013.

Submarine’s Follow Up To Academy Award Nominated “CHASING ICE”

(New York, NY) October 24, 2013 — Submarine Deluxe announced today that it has acquired the U.S. distribution rights to Frank Simon’s documentary WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION, an entertaining vérité look at world champion driver Sir Jackie Stewart as Roman Polanski follows his attempt to win the Monaco Grand Prix.

The film is Submarine’s follow-up to the Academy Award nominated film, CHASING ICE.

WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION had its world premiere at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival. The Hollywood Reporter called the film “An insider’s view of this high-risk, high-octane sport during its most lethally dangerous period.”

In 1971, Motor Racing fan Roman Polanski spent a weekend with world champion driver Sir Jackie Stewart as he attempted to win the Monaco Grand Prix. Polanski was given intimate access to Stewart’s world for three days, both on the track and off. The result is an extraordinarily rare glimpse into the life of a gifted athlete at the height of his powers.

Forty years on, Polanski and Stewart meet once again. In a remarkable post-script, they discuss the sport, both past and present, with a unique and unmatched perspective.

Presented by RatPac Entertainment’s documentary arm Rat Documentary Films, who first acquired and restored the film, WEEKEND OF A CHAMPION will also be released later on Netflix after its theatrical run.

“It’s an honor and a thrill to be working with Roman Polanski, Jackie Stewart and Brett Ratner to bring Weekend of a Champion to a US audience. This is an exciting and thought provoking film that should reach beyond the base of racing and cinema fans,” said Dan Braun

“Josh and Dan Braun have a passion for great cinema, most especially the documentary genre which makes Submarine the best home for Weekend of a Champion,” said Brett Ratner

Submarine Deluxe will release the film theatrically across the country beginning November 22nd in NYC, with a nationwide rollout to follow.

About Submarine Entertainment
Submarine Entertainment, founded and run by twin brothers Josh and Dan Braun, is a hybrid sales and production company, consulting and strategizing on the sale and distribution of feature films and documentaries and producing unique and high quality feature films, documentaries and television properties. Submarine Deluxe is the company’s distribution label, which releases features films and documentaries including Being Elmo, Love Marilyn and the Academy Award nominated Chasing Ice.

About Rat Documentary Films
Rat Documentary Films is a division of RatPac Entertainment – the film finance and production partnership of filmmaker Brett Ratner and Australian mogul James Packer. Ratner previously produced the controversial Sundance documentary Catfish; the acclaimed HBO documentaries Helmut by June, about the legendary photographer Helmut Newton and I Knew It Was You: Rediscovering John Cazale, and for PBS the acclaimed Emmy®- nominated American Masters: Woody Allen – A Documentary.

As a director, Ratner has grossed over $2 billion worldwide, directing such hits as the “Rush Hour” trilogy, “Red Dragon,” “X-Men: The Last Stand,” and most recently, “Tower Heist.” Ratner’s next project is “Hercules,” which he is producing and directing starring Dwayne Johnson.

James Packer is the Chairman of Crown Limited. Crown is one of Australia’s largest resort and entertainment groups. It has properties and investments in Melbourne, Perth, Macau and London with a market capitalization of approximately $10 billion.

Press Release: La Costa Film Festival Winners Announced

FIRST ANNUAL LA COSTA FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES AWARD WINNERS

THE SHORT GAME receives Jury Prize for Best Sports Feature, while SLOMO is honored as Best Short.

Local filmmakers Jason Lee Phillips and Jason Lee Segal are winners of the high school competition with their short film ROUTINES.

LA COSTA, CA (October 26, 2013) – The inaugural La Costa Film Festival (www.lacostafilmfestival.org) announced Saturday evening its award winners at a red carpet and gala fete that included a screening of AT MIDDLETON. The film’s cast members Andy Garcia, Peter Riegert, and Daniella Garcia-Lorido as well as its writer/director Adam Rodgers were in attendance at the outdoor screening and after party at the world famous Omni La Costa Resort and Spa.

The documentary THE SHORT GAME took home the Jury Prize for Best Sports Feature and SLOMO received the prize for Best Short. THE SHORT GAME follows the lives of eight of the best seven-year-old golfers in the world as they train for and compete in the World Championships of Junior Golf and delighted audiences at the festival as the opening night film. SLOMO is an insightful look at a neurologist who abandons his career and undergoes a radical transformation into SLOMO, trading his lab coat for a pair of rollerblades and his IRA for a taste of divinity.

About THE SHORT GAME, the jury stated, “For best feature, the jury chose a film we found funny, poignant, and beautifully executed. We liked seeing its extraordinary, multicultural athletes, and their different approaches to the sport. The result is inspirational, uplifting, and more than a little humbling.”

About SLOMO, the jury stated, “For best short, the jury chose a film in which sport is a search for meaning in life. We liked its uncommon depiction of sport as a source of personal tranquility, without involving competition.”

The jury this year included: former Chargers NFL kicker John Carney; former Laker and current CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad, Brad Holland; actor William Mapother (Another Earth, Lost), Academy Award winning filmmaker Freida Lee Mock (Maya Lin: A Strong Vision, Anita); and Sports Director of San Diego’s KUSI-TV, Paul Rudy.

The winner of the local high school competition is the short film ROUTINES, which premiered at the festival. ROUTINES was co-directed by Canyon Crest Academy senior Jason Lee Phillips and former CCA student Jason Lee Segal, who is now at Chapman University. Canyon Crest Academy will receive a cash prize from the La Costa Film Festival for its distinguished Envision Cinema program.

This year the festival showcased a diverse collection of film features, documentaries, and shorts over four days at the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa, the luxurious La Costa Cinepolis Theaters, and the spacious Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, at the Carlsbad Dove Library next door to the Resort.

Screenings continue on Sunday, October 27, including an encore screening of the winning short and feature at 5:00PM at the Ruby G. Shulman Auditorium. The schedule is available at www.lacostafilmfestival.org

ABOUT THE LA COSTA FILM FESTIVAL
Founded by La Costa residents Michael and Ruby Callihan in 2013, The La Costa Film Festival delivers a new cultural experience to North San Diego County, integrating a series of film screenings, panels, retrospectives, and gala events in celebration of the art and impact of motion pictures. All net proceeds of the festival will go to the local Boys & Girls Clubs of Carlsbad.

The annual event will showcase some of the most engaging international documentaries, narrative features, and short films of the past year and present them in a variety of unique local venues. The Opening Night Gala will feature a red carpet and a screening under the stars on the beautiful grounds of the Omni La Costa Resort and Spa. Additional screenings will be offered at the nearby, luxurious La Costa Cinepolis Theaters, as well as the spacious Ruby G. Schulman Theater, at the Carlsbad Dove Library next door to the Resort. Film enthusiasts may join in Q&As and mingle with participating filmmakers as well as celebrity guests at numerous intimate parties where all pass-holders are welcome.