The Inbox (Mar. 22-28, 2014)

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.

Image Gallery: Warner Bros. 2014 Summer Preview

Warner Bros. 2014 Summer Preview

Press Release: Vikram Gandhi Joins “Vice”

KUMARE Filmmaker & Provocateur Vikram Gandhi Joins HBO’s VICE As Producer & Correspondent

VICE Episodes With Vikram Gandhi Starts April 4th, 2014 only on HBO

March 24th, 2014 (New York, NY) — Provocateur, filmmaker and journalist Vikram Gandhi has joined HBO’s Emmy® nominated news magazine show, VICE.

Gandhi, who has previously appeared on The Colbert Report, Nightline, Al Jazeera’s The Stream, and numerous NPR programs, will produce segments for VICE and appear as an on-air correspondent. Gandhi will explore a range of topics and stories from terrorism in India, to tribal uprising in Papua New Guinea, to government secrecy in Japan, and ultra-violence in Honduras.

“Vice makes the kind of documentaries that I’d been trying to make for years. There is a deeper truth that can be revealed from living in a story. And that is what we are trying to tap into. It was a perfect fit for me. It’s been refreshing to be in an environment that is not afraid to take risks. This season has been challenging, seeing the world in way I’ve never seen before”, said Vikram Gandhi.

Vikram Gandhi’s film Kumaré won the Audience Award for Feature Documentary at SXSW 2011. In Kumaré, Vikram impersonates a religious leader and creates a following of real people. While concealing his true identity from everyone he meets, Kumaré forges profound and spiritual connections with people from all walks of life. By building a nest of followers, teaching them that religious leaders are not needed in finding spiritual enlightenment by subsequently outing himself, Vikram in the end, became a student to Kumaré’s teachings, helping himself while helping others.

Kino Lorber released Kumaré in the US to critical praise; the film was then released in over 20 other countries. Stephen Holden gave the film a positive review in The New York Times, The Village Voice called the film “Incredibly moving”, The Washington Post gave it a “critic’s pick” and Salon gave it a “Pick of the Week”.

The innovative news magazine show VICE kicked off its 12-edition second season FRIDAY, MARCH 14th (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT), immediately following “Real Time with Bill Maher.” Vikram Gandhi’s first of five episodes airs on FRIDAY, APRIL 4th. Joining Vikram this season are additional new award-winning correspondents to the show’s roster. Along with Shane Smith, 2014 correspondents include VICE Media co-founder Suroosh Alvi; conflict-zone journalist, documentary filmmaker and author Ben Anderson; Academy Award®-winning documentary filmmaker and journalist Fazeelat Aslam (HBO’s “Saving Face”); VICE Media editor-in-chief Rocco Castoro; artist David Choe; Iranian photojournalist and filmmaker Gelareh Kiazand; and longtime VICE correspondent Thomas Morton.

HBO partners with VICE, the revolutionary new media company of the same name, on the Emmy®-nominated weekly series.

Always unorthodox and at times irreverent, VICE takes viewers around the globe as its correspondents cover stories often overlooked by traditional media outlets. When reporting on today’s most pressing issues, from anti-government rebellions to hotbeds of terrorist activity to conflict and corruption, VICE uses an immersive documentary style to bring a unique perspective to the events shaping the future.

Hosted by VICE Media founder Shane Smith, the series is executive produced by Bill Maher, Shane Smith, Eddy Moretti, VICE’s chief creative officer, and BJ Levin, with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria serving as consultant.

In the 2014 season, VICE investigates a broad range of topics, traveling to global locations to report on everything from rampant U.S. military waste and corruption in Afghanistan to extortion, torture and killing in Rio’s favelas, and terrorist training in Dagestan.

Press Release: “Affluenza” Releases July 11

FILMBUFF TO RELEASE AFFLUENZA ON JULY 11

The film will be released day-and-date in theaters and On Demand

March 20, NEW YORK, NY – Today, FilmBuff announced a July 11th theatrical and On Demand release date for director Kevin Asch’s (HOLY ROLLERS) latest film AFFLUENZA, featuring TRANSFORMERS: AGE OF EXTINCTION star, Nicola Peltz (THE LAST AIRBENDER, “Bates Motel”). The film, a coming-of-age story set during the summer of 2008 and the looming financial crisis, also stars Ben Rosenfield (“Boardwalk Empire,” GREETINGS FROM TIM BUCKLEY), Gregg Sulkin (MTV’s “Faking It,” “Pretty Little Liars,”), Grant Gustin (“Glee,” “90210,” “The Flash”), Steve Guttenberg (POLICE ACADEMY, ”Veronica Mars”), and Samantha Mathis (“Under the Dome,” AMERICAN PSYCHO).

AFFLUENZA, written by Antonio Macia (HOLY ROLLERS), follows aspiring photographer Fisher Miller (Rosenfield) as he escapes his middle-class life in upstate New York for the moneyed mansions of Great Neck, Long Island, when he moves in with his aunt and uncle (Mathis and Guttenberg) while he applies to college in Manhattan. Finding himself on the outside looking in at his beautiful cousin Kate’s (Peltz) circle of indulged and entitled friends, he ingratiates himself with a stash of high-quality weed and a vintage camera that he uses to document their hard-partying exploits. Invited to the group’s end-of-summer celebration, Fisher becomes fast friends with his host, the fabulously rich Dylan Carson (Sulkin), a long-time admirer of Kate. Before long he is swept up in a heady world of absentee parents, plentiful booze and casual sex. But, as the burgeoning financial crisis spirals out of control, the once seemingly endless stream of money begins to dry up; friendships, romances and marriages melt down; and the glamorous veneer that once captivated Fisher turns toxic.

“This is a film I felt compelled to make – the themes of money, family, and finding one’s place in society have never been more relevant. I’m excited for audiences to be entertained by this seminal group of actors who create a provocative and layered world. FilmBuff is a perfect partner,” said Asch.

“We are very excited to be partnering with Kevin and the rest of the team to release AFFLUENZA,” says FilmBuff’s Head of Content Steven Beckman. “Kevin consistently delivers high concept yet entertaining stories and we have been huge fans of his work since first seeing his previous film, HOLY ROLLERS. AFFLUENZA possesses a strong visual style, terrific cast and a dynamic script combining highly relevant issues with a sense of youthfulness that will allow for the film to connect with wide audiences.”

AFFLUENZA is produced by Morris S. Levy’s Mega Films (THE TEN, SEDUCED AND ABANDONED) and Asch’s Lookbook Films. The film is executive produced by Andrew Levitas (AT ANY PRICE), Dan Caffee, Ike S. Franco, Samuel V. Franco, Barry Rohrson and Sam Zietz (THE TEN).

AFFLUENZA will be available in theaters and all leading On Demand platforms including iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Cable Movies On Demand, Google Play, Xbox Video, Sony Playstation and Vudu.

About FilmBuff
Founded in 2007, New York-based FilmBuff is the leading distributor of incomparable digital entertainment. The Company draws upon its deep relationships within the film industry to curate content that consistently informs, entertains and inspires. FilmBuff designs innovative digital strategies to supply content to all on-demand outlets. Serving as a bridge between filmmakers and audiences, FilmBuff actively engages in conversations with fellow entertainment lovers through its exclusive access, original content and unique voice. Find FilmBuff content on all cable, satellite and telco services, game consoles, online retailers, wireless platforms and hardware manufacturers worldwide. Connect with FilmBuff at www.FilmBuff.com and @filmbuff.

Press Release: “The American Nurse” Opens Nationwide in May

NEW DOCUMENTARY “THE AMERICAN NURSE” TO OPEN IN THEATERS NATIONWIDE IN MAY

New York Premiere Screening on Thursday, May 8 at 7:00 PM at Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas in Manhattan

Additional New York screenings to be held May 12, 14, & 15 at 8:00 PM at Cinema Village in Manhattan

Ahead of Week-Long Theatrical Release at Quad Cinemas from May 16-22

NEW YORK – Highlighting the lives of five nurses across America from diverse specialties, the moving new documentary film THE AMERICAN NURSE brings to the big screen a sincere look at the commitment, necessity, and compassion behind this profession that impacts us all. The film was developed following the success of the critically-acclaimed, award-winning book The American Nurse: Photographs and Interviews by Carolyn Jones, released in 2012.

On May 8, during National Nurses Week, THE AMERICAN NURSE will simultaneously have its New York premiere screening and will open in 21 theaters in eight states nationwide. The New York premiere on Thursday, May 8 will be held at 7:00 PM at Bow Tie Chelsea Cinemas in Manhattan, followed by a Q&A with the filmmakers (including director Carolyn Jones and producer Lisa Frank) and cast (four of the remarkable nurses featured in the film).

Additional New York screenings will be held on May 12, 14, & 15 at 8:00 PM at Cinema Village. These screenings will culminate in a weeklong theatrical release at Quad Cinemas in Manhattan from May 16-22.

“At some point in our life each of us will encounter a nurse, whether it be as a patient or as a loved one,” said filmmaker and photographer Carolyn Jones, director of THE AMERICAN NURSE. “And that one encounter can mean the difference between suffering and peace; between chaos and order. Nurses matter.”

Synopsis: THE AMERICAN NURSE is a heart-warming film that explores some of the biggest issues facing America – aging, war, poverty, prisons – through the work and lives of nurses. It is an examination of real people that will change how we think about nurses and how we wrestle with the challenges of healing America. THE AMERICAN NURSE is an important contribution to America’s ongoing conversation about what it means to care.

The film follows the paths of five nurses in various practice specialties including Jason Short as he drives up a rugged creek to reach a home-bound cancer patient in Appalachia. Tonia Faust, who runs a prison hospice program where inmates serving life sentences care for their fellow inmates as they’re dying. Naomi Cross, as she coaches an ovarian cancer survivor through the Caesarean delivery of her son. Sister Stephen, a nun who runs a nursing home filled with goats, sheep, llamas and chickens, where the entire nursing staff comes together to sing for a dying resident. And Brian McMillion, an Army veteran and former medic, rehabilitating wounded soldiers returning from war.

About the Filmmakers: Carolyn Jones (Director and Executive Producer) is an award-winning photographer and filmmaker who specializes in telling stories that shed light on issues of global concern. Her first book, Living Proof: Courage in the Face of AIDS, was published by Abbeville Press and accompanied by shows in Tokyo, Berlin, the USA, and at the United Nations World AIDS Conference. She directed a television series for Oxygen Media called Womenshands as well as Women… on Family, a program for PBS. Carolyn founded the non-profit 100 People Foundation which creates educational films and curricula for school children worldwide. She has spent the last two years interviewing nurses from all over the country for the book and documentary film: THE AMERICAN NURSE.

As Director of Programs and Production for the 100 People Foundation, Lisa Frank (Producer) has traveled the globe to produce award-winning short documentaries on global issues for students worldwide. She founded a trans-Atlantic production company and produced a narrative short that screened at Cannes and the French-language documentary Démocratie en France which premiered in Paris and at the Alliance Française in New York City. She holds a B.S. in Theater from Northwestern University, and certificats des Beaux-Arts from L’Ecole Jacques Lecoq and L’Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris, where she also taught movement, dance and acrobatics.

The film will open for week-long runs at Digiplex Destinations theaters nationwide starting on May 8.

• Arizona: Surprise IMAX
• California: Apple Valley, Bonsall, Oceanside, Poway, Temecula
• Connecticut: Bloomfield, Lisbon, Torrington
• New Jersey: Cranford, Sparta , Westfield
• Pennsylvania: Bloomsburg, Camp Hill, Mechanicsburg, Reading, Selinsgrove, Williamsport
• Ohio: Solon

Press Release: Gersh to Represent Estate of Budd Schulberg

GERSH TO REPRESENT LEGENDARY WRITER BUDD SCHULBERG’S ESTATE AS WE MARK THE CENTENNIAL OF HIS BIRTH

March 27, 2014 marks the anniversary with numerous adaptations and revivals currently in preparation

Los Angeles, CA (March 26, 2014) – On the centennial anniversary of the legendary Academy Award™ winner Budd Schulberg’s birth, Gersh announced today that they have signed a deal with his widow Betsy Schulberg to represent the estate of the late author and screenwriter. Though Schulberg died in 2009 at the noble age of 95, the impact of his writings and the legacy of his works are as alive today as ever during his lifetime. Gersh and Betsy Schulberg will work together to shepherd the multiple adaptations and revivals currently in preparation.

Schulberg, known throughout his life for taking up social causes and weaving them into powerful narrative dramas, penned the iconic phrase “I coulda been a contender” in his Oscar®-winning screenplay for the 1954 Kazan film ON THE WATERFRONT, starring Marlon Brando. He is also known for landmark novels such as What Makes Sammy Run?, The Disenchanted and The Harder They Fall, as well as a second Kazan collaboration, the 1957 film, A FACE IN THE CROWD, and a broad array of plays, short stories and a celebrated body of non-fiction.

“Without Budd Schulberg, the Hollywood that we know of today wouldn’t exist, as he created the paradigm for what success stands for in this business as a writer and creative talent,” said Gersh Co-Head Bob Gersh. “He was an American treasure and a Hollywood legend, and we couldn’t be more pleased at Gersh to work with his estate on future projects that will entertain and inform audiences for generations to come.”

One of the latest projects is a feature length documentary, HOLLYWOOD RENEGADE; THE MANY LIVES OF BUDD SCHULBERG, directed by Budd’s son, Benn Schulberg, produced by Stephen Nemeth and executive produced by Ben Stiller and Spike Lee. The film, currently in preparation, ranges over Budd’s nine plus decades, covering his lifelong fight for social justice.

Commented Stiller: “Budd Schulberg lived Hollywood history, and chronicled it all. He was not one to shy away from controversy, and his work as a writer captured an era in 20th century America that is now fading away. ‘Sammy’ remains the prototypical Hollywood novel and probably always will.”

Spike Lee, who was collaborating with Schulberg on a film about the life of heavyweight boxer, Joe Louis when Schulberg died, added: “I miss my dear friend Budd Schulberg. We got along great, and I promised him that I would get our project SAVE US, JOE LOUIS (which he co-wrote) made and I will make good on that promise.”

Additionally, Schulberg’s 1953 short story, The Dare is being turned into a full length feature produced by Budd’s nephew, KC Schulberg. The film entitled A DREAM LAST NIGHT and directed by Pierre Filmon, will shoot in southwest Florida this year with Oscar®-winning cinematographer, Vilmos Zsigmond (CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND) slated to shoot the film and two-time Grammy nominated recording artist, Jacky Terrasson providing the score. Attachments so far, include Oscar®-nominated Eric Roberts.

The Disenchanted, Schulberg’s haunting novel written in 1950 and inspired by his real-life friendship with F. Scott Fitzgerald, is in development as a feature film, while Schulberg’s A FACE IN THE CROWD, the prescient story of psychotic manipulation of the media and politics, will soon become a Broadway musical. Additionally, ON THE WATERFRONT is being adapted as an opera.

To further mark the centennial, an exhibition of posters, first-edition books and other mementos devoted to Budd Schulberg’s life and career will be staged at the Hollywood Heritage Museum, in Los Angeles, curated by Schulberg’s longtime biographer, Nick Beck. His legacy is also preserved at his alma mater Dartmouth, which holds a large collection of his papers and his personal library in the Rauner Special Collections Library, curated by Jay Satterfield. Dartmouth is planning a symposium in honor of Budd Schulberg’s centennial this coming fall.

Press Release: 2014 Tribeca Festival Brigade Slate

2014 TRIBECA FILM FESTIVAL

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Below please find a list of the films Brigade will be handling at the 2014 Tribeca Festival

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GOODBYE TO ALL THAT – Narrative Feature

Written and Directed by Angus MacLachlan

(Acquisition Title / ICM)

Cast: Paul Schneider, Anna Camp, Michael Chernus, Heather Graham, Ashley Hinshaw, Heather Lawless, Melanie Lynskey, Audrey Scott, Amy Sedaris, Celia Weston

When Otto’s wife leaves him unexpectedly, he is thrust into a brave new world of dating, single fatherhood, and all of the weird and exciting complications involved.

COMPARED TO WHAT: THE IMPROBABLE JOURNEY OF BARNEY FRANK – Documentary Feature

Directed by Sheila Canavan and Michael Chandler

(Acquisition Title / Preferred Content)

Featuring: Barney Frank, Jim Ready, Hank Paulson, Mike Barnicle, Lance Black, Nancy Pelosi, Alan Simpson, Eliot Spitzer, Steve Elmendorf, Norm Ornstein, Spencer Bachus, Bethany McLean, Bill Press, Hastings Wyman, Charlier Halpern, Mike Oxley, Neil Barofsky, Maxine Waters, Jim Segel

A rare and intimate peek into the life of Barney Frank, the quick-witted, cantankerous, and first openly gay Congressman in the United States.

MALA MALA – Documentary Feature

Directed by Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini

(Acquisition Title / Preferred Content)

Featuring: Ivana Fred, Sandy Rivera, Alberic Prados, April Carrion, Queen Bee Ho, Sophia Voines, Paxx Moll

A documentary chronicling the diverse and vibrant trans community in Puerto Rico, MALA MALA captures the highs and lows of LBGTQ activism and self-discovery.

OF MANY – Shorts Program, City Limits

Directed by Linda G. Mills

Executive Produced by Chelsea Clinton

(Acquisition Title)

Featuring: Imam Khalid Latif, Rabbi Yehuda Sarna

A documentary chronicling the friendship between an Orthodox Rabbi and Imam, who serve as university chaplains in New York City.

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FILM DETAILS

GOODBYE TO ALL THAT

(Acquisitions Title / ICM)

Written and Directed by: Angus MacLachlan

Cast: Paul Schneider, Anna Camp, Michael Chernus, Heather Graham, Ashley Hinshaw, Heather Lawless, Melanie Lynskey, Audrey Scott, Amy Sedaris, Celia Weston

Otto Wall (Paul Schneider, ALL THE REAL GIRLS) is your typical suburban husband and father, domesticated into a state of placidity. When his wife (Melanie Lynskey, UP IN THE AIR) pulls the rug out from underneath him and announces she is filing for divorce, Otto is thrust into the uncharted territory of single fatherhood and – even more frightening – getting back into the rather unpredictable dating pool.

Schneider shines in his leading role as Otto, supported by the stellar female supporting cast of Lynskey, Heather Graham, Anna Camp, Heather Lawless, Amy Sedaris, and Audrey Scott in a breakout role as his young daughter, Edie.

Making his directorial debut, JUNEBUG screenwriter Angus MacLachlan returns to pastoral North Carolina with GOODBYE TO ALL THAT, crafting a film that is at once sexy, moving, and sharply comedic.

TRT: 87 minutes

Country: USA

Language: English

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Screenings:
World Premiere Screening: Thursday, April 17th, 9:30pm (SVA Theater 1 Silas)
P&I Screening: Friday, April 18th, 10:30am (Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea 9)
Public Screening #2: Tuesday, April 22nd, 3:00pm (AMC Loews Village 7 – 1)
Public Screening #3: Wednesday, April 23rd, 6:00pm (Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea 7)
Public Screening #4: Saturday, April 26th, 6:00pm (Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea 7)

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COMPARED TO WHAT: THE IMPROBABLE JOURNEY OF BARNEY FRANK

(Acquisition Title / Preferred Content)

Directed by: Sheila Canavan and Michael Chandler

Synopsis:
COMPARED TO WHAT: THE IMPROBABLE JOURNEY OF BARNEY FRANK is a rare and intimate peek into the life of Barney Frank, the quick-witted, cantankerous, and first openly gay Congressman in the United States. On the verge of his retirement, Frank reflects on his 40 years in office and the role his own homosexuality played in his campaigns for social justice. A flawless example of when the personal meets the political, with incredible “bare all” access, this documentary reveals Frank as one of the most sharp-tongued, entertaining, and lionhearted politicians of our time.

TRT: 93 minutes

Country: USA

Language: English

Genre: Documentary

Screening:
World Premiere Screening: Sunday, April 27th, 2:30pm (SVA Theater 1 Silas)

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MALA MALA

(Acquisition Title / Preferred Content)

Directed by: Dan Sickles and Antonio Santini

Featuring: Ivana Fred, Sandy Rivera, Alberic Prados, April Carrion, Queen Bee Ho, Sophia Voines, Paxx Moll

Synopsis:
In a celebration of the trans community in Puerto Rico, the fissure between internal and external is an ever-present battle. A unique exploration of self-discovery and activism, featuring a diverse collection of subjects that include LGBTQ activists, business owners, sex workers, and a boisterous group of drag performers who call themselves The Doll House, MALA MALA portrays a fight for personal and community acceptance paved with triumphant highs and devastating lows.

Through riveting cinematography that encapsulates the candy-colored, vivacious personalities as well as their frequently dark personal experiences, directors Antonio Santini and Dan Sickles dynamically present the passion and hardships reflective of this distinctly binary human experience.

TRT: 83 minutes

Country: Puerto Rico

Language: English, Spanish

Genre: Documentary

Screenings:
Pre-Festival Screening: Sunday, April 6th, 10:00am (Tribeca Film Center)
World Premiere Screening: Saturday, April 19th, 8:00pm (Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea 4)
P&I Screening: Sunday, April 20th, 9:00am (Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea 4)
Public Screening #2: Monday, April 21st, 9:00pm (AMC Loews Village 7 – 1)
Public Screening #3: Wednesday, April 23rd, 3:30pm (Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea 6)
Public Screening #4: Saturday, April 26th, 7:00pm (Bow Tie Cinemas Chelsea 5)

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OF MANY

(Acquisition Title)

Directed by Linda G. Mills

Executive Produced by: Chelsea Clinton

Featuring: Imam Khalid Latif, Rabbi Yehuda Sarna

Synopsis:
Set against the dramatic backdrop of 9/11, the Arab-Israeli conflict and the tension between Jewish and Muslim students in college campuses, OF MANY focuses on the surprising and transformative relationship between an Orthodox Rabbi (Rabbi Yehuda Sarna) and Imam (Imam Khalid Latif), who serve as university chaplains in New York City.

Through a series of voyages to communities struck by catastrophe, we witness young religious Jews and Muslims working together and overcoming long-standing divides. Timely and funny, this short documentary offers an inspiring and hopeful narrative of friendship and cooperation between faiths.

TRT: 33 minutes

Country: USA

Language: English

Genre: Documentary

Screenings:
World Premiere Screening: Thursday, April 17th, 5:30pm (AMC Loews Village 7 – 3)
Public Screening #2: Sunday, April 20th, 4:00pm (AMC Loews Village 7 – 2)
Public Screening #3: Thursday, April 24th, 9:00pm (AMC Loews Village 7 – 1)
Public Screening #4: Sunday, April 27th, 2:30pm (Tribeca Cinemas Theater 2)

Press Release: Xander Berkeley & Eric Roberts to Star in “Moments of Clarity”

BAD BOYS XANDER BERKELEY & ERIC ROBERTS TO PLAY SAME SEX COUPLE IN NEW DARK COMEDY “MOMENTS OF CLARITY” ALSO STARRING LYNDSY FONSECA & NEWCOMER KRISTIN WALLACE

The edgy dark comedy “Moments Of Clarity” wrapped shooting in Los Angeles this past week, and also features Marguerite Moreau, Jon Lajoie and Mackenzie Astin

Los Angeles, CA (March 26th, 2014)— Phillm Productions announces today that MOMENTS OF CLARITY has completed filming and is slated for a national platform release by the year’s end.

It stars Lyndsy Fonseca (NIKITA, KICK-ASS), Xander Berkeley (24, TERMINATOR 2), Eric Roberts (THE DARK KNIGHT), Marguerite Moreau (WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER), Jon Lajoie (THE LEAGUE), Angela McEwan (NEBRASKA), AJ Trauth [EVEN STEVENS], Mackenzie Astin (IRON WILL), Bitty Shram (A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN, MONK), Luis Chavez (OCEAN’S 13), Saxon Trainor (CONSPIRACY THEORY), Bill Kottkamp (FUNNY OR DIE) and introduces co-writer Kristin Wallace as Claire Woods. It was filmed throughout Los Angeles and southern California and is planned for theatrical release in December of 2014.

The film was written by Christian Lloyd and Kristin Wallace, is the directorial debut for Stev Elam (ZOMBEO AND JULIECULA), and is produced by David J. Phillips (LINE OF DUTY, L!FE HAPPENS) and Kristin Wallace. It is co-produced by Corbin Timbrook (BOY TOY), cinematography is by Chris Robertson (DOUCHEBAG), and is being edited by Gordon Antell (BLOOD DIAMOND).

“Moments of Clarity” is a dark comedy, described as “Little Miss Sunshine” meets “Thelma And Louise”. Claire (Wallace) is a homeschooled socially awkward girl in her mid-twenties, subdued by her agoraphobic mother Henrietta (Trainor). This repression infuriates her new friend Danielle (Fonseca), the daughter of the local pastor Paul (Astin). Danielle convinces Claire to open up to the world around her, which leads to them stealing Henrietta’s car to pursue Claire’s goal of speaking at the yearly church jamboree. A road-trip adventure filled with hilarity ensues that will change both girls and their parents – mismatched and in hot pursuit – forever.

Xander Berkeley and Eric Roberts, who are known for typically portraying tough guys, take a turn at playing a loving gay couple as Artemis and former porn star Hal Spreadum, respectively.

This marks Stev Elam’s first feature film as director, having an extensive commercial background. Elam is an International award winning visual/storytelling director whose cinematic style is marked by strong visuals, subtle humor, and natural performances. “This story felt fresh and alive with awkwardly charming characters, I instantly fell in love with script. It’s a hilarious, warm and surprisingly touching film that I think audiences are hungry for”.

“Moments of Clarity” marks the debut film from Phillm Productions, founded by classical actor turned producer David J. Phillips. “After producing more genre films with other production companies in the past, I wanted to start to make the types of films that inspired me growing up – ones that provoke awkward laughter while examining serious complexities of the human condition. Christian Lloyd & Kristin Wallace’s script spoke to me in this way, so I was excited to collaborate with her and I’m thrilled we were able to get such a solid team on board.”

Press Release: AFI Presents Directing Workshop for Women

THE AMERICAN FILM INSTITUTE PRESENTS APRIL 29 SHOWCASE FOR AFI DIRECTING WORKSHOP FOR WOMEN

40TH ANNIVERSARY CLASS SELECTED TO LEARN FROM NEWLY NAMED ARTISTS-IN-RESIDENCE DIRECTORS JAMIE BABBIT, PATTY JENKINS AND KIMBERLY PEIRCE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, LOS ANGELES (March 27, 2014) – The American Film Institute (AFI) will host its annual AFI Directing Workshop for Women (AFI DWW) showcase on Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Director’s Guild of America in Los Angeles. The showcase, a by-invitation-only event with representatives from the top agencies and major studios as well as artists from in front of and behind the camera, presents the work of eight directors who recently completed the 2013 AFI DWW program: Aubree Bernier-Clarke, Cusi Cram, Sarah Doyle, Anne Hamilton, Tiffanie Hsu, Erin Li, Kristine Namkung and Janine Salinas Schoenberg. Bios for 2013 participants can be found here.

While these women celebrate the completion of their work, new participants for 2014 will be welcomed as the 40th anniversary class: Pippa Bianco, Tessa Blake, Roja Gashtili, Julia Lerman, Devon Kirkpatrick, Alexis Korycinski, Jean Lee, Kantú Lentz, Bola Ogun and Thoranna Sigurdardottir. Bios are available here.

New in the 2014 program are artists-in-residence who will be mentoring the women in all aspects of the discipline. Three award-winning directors will serve: Jamie Babbit (BUT I’M A CHEERLEADER, THE QUIET), AFI Conservatory alumnus Patty Jenkins (MONSTER, THE KILLING) and Kimberly Peirce (BOYS DON’T CRY, CARRIE). Peirce will deliver the keynote address at the April 29 event.

Among the announcements at the Showcase will be new grants for filmmakers from Creative District, an online professional network for filmmakers and creatives backed by Technicolor, and crowd-funding partner, Indiegogo.

Each year, this prestigious, highly selective workshop offers talented women who have established themselves in the arts a tuition-free training program comprised of classroom learning, hands-on production experience and the opportunity to direct a short narrative film and advance their filmmaking careers.

Recent projects developed by AFI DWW alumnae include two 2014 pilots ordered to series (Emmy Grinwis’ EYE CANDY for MTV and Sarah Gertrude Shapiro’s UN-REAL for Lifetime) and, this month, two AFI DWW alumnae are making their second feature films (Maggie Kiley with DIAL-A-PRAYER and Valerie Weiss with A LIGHT BENEATH THEIR FEET).

Since the AFI DWW program’s inception, more than 275 women have been trained in screen directing. Among its distinguished alumnae are Maya Angelou, Anne Bancroft, Neema Barnette, Tricia Brock, Ellen Burstyn, Rebecca Cammisa, Dyan Cannon, Hanelle Culpepper, Jan Eliasberg, Naomi Foner, Jennifer Getzinger, Lyn Goldfarb, Randa Haines, Victoria Hochberg, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Lesli Linka Glatter, Lynne Littman, Matia Karrell, Nancy Malone, Becky Smith, Cicely Tyson and Joanne Woodward.

For more on the AFI Directing Workshop for Women, please visit: AFI.com/DWW.

About Indiegogo
Indiegogo empowers people around the world to fund what matters to them. As the largest global crowdfunding platform, campaigns have launched from almost every country around the world with millions of dollars being distributed every week due to contributions made by the Indiegogo community. At its core, Indiegogo is the equal opportunity platform dedicated to democratizing the way people raise funds for any project – creative, entrepreneurial or cause-related. The company was launched in 2008 and is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices in Los Angeles and New York. For more information, visit indiegogo.com and follow us at twitter.com/indiegogo and facebook.com/indiegogo

About Creative District
Creative District is an online professional network for filmmakers and creative professionals to connect, collaborate, and share the resources they need to get more projects completed. Funded by Technicolor, a worldwide technology leader in the Media & Entertainment sector, Creative District expands upon Technicolor’s commitment to remaining a trusted partner in the creative community. Creative District helps creatives build their online professional network, showcase their experience through rich user profiles, and post projects in development to find collaborators during each phase. In line with its mission to help the community create more, Creative District also offers a grant program that distributes up to $5000 each month to the community to help complete existing projects. For more information visit creativedistrict.com/#/

About the American Film Institute
AFI is America’s promise to preserve the history of the motion picture, to honor the artists and their work and to educate the next generation of storytellers. AFI programs include the AFI Catalog of Feature Films and AFI Archive, which preserve film heritage for future generations; the AFI Life Achievement Award – the highest honor for a career in film – now in its 42nd year; AFI Awards, honoring the most outstanding motion pictures and television programs of the year; AFI’s 100 Years…100 Movies television events and movie reference lists, which have introduced and reintroduced classic American movies to millions of film lovers; year-round and special event exhibition through AFI Fest presented by Audi, AFI Docs and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center; and educating the next generation of storytellers at the world renowned AFI Conservatory, recognized for the quality of its instructors and speakers and its notable alumni. For more information about AFI, visit AFI.com or connect with AFI at twitter.com/AmericanFilm, facebook.com/AmericanFilmInstitute and youtube.com/AFI.

Press Release: 2014 Brigade Summer Preview

2014 SUMMER PREVIEW LETTER

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Below please find a list of the films Brigade will be handling Summer 2014

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THE DISCOVERERS – May 16th
Written and Directed by: Justin Schwarz

Cast: Griffin Dunne, Madeline Martin, Devon Graye, David Rasche, Dreama Walker, Ann Dowd, Cara Buono, Becky Ann Baker, Scott Adsit and John C. McGinley

Washed-up history professor Lewis Birch takes his begrudging teenage kids on a road trip to a conference in hopes of putting his career back on track. But, when Lewis’s estranged father Stanley goes AWOL on a Lewis and Clark historical reenactment trek, Lewis is forced to make a family detour.

COLD IN JULY – May 23rd
Written and Directed by Jim Mickle

Co-written by Nick Damici

Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson, Wyatt Russell, Vinessa Shaw, Nick Damici

While investigating noises in his house, Richard Dane puts a bullet in the brain of low-life burglar Freddy Russell. Dane soon finds himself fearing for his family’s safety when Freddy’s ex-con father rolls into town, hell-bent on revenge.

EMOTICON 😉 – May 30th
Written and Directed by Livia De Paolis

Cast: Livia De Paolis, Michael Cristofer, Miles Chandler, Diane Guerrero, Carol Kane, Sonia Braga, Christine Ebersole, Daphne Rubin-Vega

Trying to navigate love and intimacy in the digital age, a woman and her boyfriend’s teenage children become unlikely guides in each other’s relationships.

HELLION – June 13th
Written and Directed by Kat Candler

Cast: Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis, Josh Wiggins, Deke Garner, Jonny Mars

When motocross and heavy metal obsessed 13-year-old Jacob’s delinquent behavior results in the authorities placing his little brother Wes with their aunt, he and his emotionally absent father must finally take responsibility for their actions and each other in order to bring Wes home.

HELLAWARE – June 13th
Written and Directed by Michael M. Bilandic

Cast: Keith Poulson, Sophia Takal, Kate Lyn Sheil, Brent Butler

A wannabe photographer finds a Goth rap group on YouTube – Insane Clown Posse knock-off Young Torture Killers – and travels to Delaware to immerse himself in their culture.

THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40th ANNIVERSARY – June 20th
Directed by Tobe Hooper

Cast: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen, John Dugan

An idyllic summer afternoon becomes a terrifying nightmare for five young friends after they stumble upon the home of a depraved Texas clan.

THE DOG – August
Directed by Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren

Featuring: John Wojtowicz

The unforgettable portrait of John Wojtowicz, the real-life bankrobber who inspired DOG DAY AFTERNOON. Touching upon the sexual revolution of the 1970s, the film also a grants first-hand perspective on New York’s historical gay liberation movement in which Wojtowicz played an active role.

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FILM DETAILS

THE DISCOVERERS

Opens May 16th

Written and Directed by: Justin Schwarz

Cast: Griffin Dunne, Madeline Martin, Devon Graye, David Rasche, Dreama Walker, Ann Dowd, Cara Buono, Becky Ann Baker, Scott Adsit and John C. McGinley

Synopsis:
Washed-up history professor Lewis Birch (Oscar® and Emmy nominated Griffin Dunne) takes his begrudging teenage kids – Zoe (Madeleine Martin, “Californication”) and Jack (Devon Graye, “American Horror Story”) – on a road trip to a conference in hopes of putting his career back on track. But, when Lewis’s estranged father Stanley (Emmy® Award-winning Stuart Margolin) goes AWOL on a Lewis and Clark historical reenactment trek, Lewis is forced to make a family detour. The Birch family find themselves on a journey of discovery and connection as they make their own passage west.

THE DISCOVERERS is a bittersweet comedy and moving debut feature from writer/director Justin Schwarz led by Dunne’s striking comeback performance. This engaging tale of family dysfunction and rediscovery also features a talented ensemble cast including David Rasche (IN THE LOOP), Dreama Walker (COMPLIANCE), Ann Dowd (COMPLIANCE), Cara Buono (“Mad Men”), Becky Ann Baker (“Girls”), Scott Adsit (“30 Rock”), and John C. McGinley (“Scrubs”).

TRT: 104 minutes

Country: USA

Language: English

Genre: Comedy/Drama

Distributor: Quadratic

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COLD IN JULY

Opens May 23rd

Written and Directed by: Jim Mickle

Co-written by: Nick Damici

Cast: Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard, Don Johnson, Wyatt Russell, Vinessa Shaw, Nick Damici

Synopsis:
How can a split-second decision change your life? While investigating noises in his house one balmy Texas night in 1989, Richard Dane (Michael C. Hall) puts a bullet in the brain of low-life burglar Freddy Russell. Although he’s hailed as a small-town hero, Dane soon finds himself fearing for his family’s safety when Freddy’s ex-con father, Ben (Sam Shepard), rolls into town, hell-bent on revenge.

Michael C. Hall brings a shell-shocked vulnerability to his portrayal of Dane that contrasts perfectly with the grizzled badasses portrayed by Sam Shepard and Don Johnson. Directed with an excellent eye for the visual poetry of noir by Jim Mickle (WE ARE WHAT WE ARE) and based on the novel by Joe R. Lansdale, this pulpy, southern-fried mystery is a throwback to an older breed of action film, one where every punch and shotgun blast opens up both physical and spiritual wounds. Twists and turns accelerate as the film reaches its inevitable destination: a gore-soaked dead end. COLD IN JULY is as muggy, oppressive, and hard to shake as an east Texas summer.

TRT: 109 minutes

Country: USA

Language: English

Genre: Mystery/Thriller/Noir

Distributor: IFC Films

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EMOTICON 😉

Opens May 30th

Written and Directed by Livia De Paolis

Co-written by Sarah Nerboso

Cast: Livia De Paolis, Michael Cristofer, Miles Chandler, Diane Guerrero, Carol Kane, Sonia Braga, Christine Ebersole, Daphne Rubin-Vega

Synopsis:
Elena Gallenti (Livia De Paolis) is an anthropology graduate student struggling to complete her thesis on ‘modern means of communication.’ All that changes when she meets her new boyfriend’s (Michael Cristofer) teenage kids (Miles Chandler and Diane Guerrero), who are going through their own journeys of self-discovery. Through these relationships and the help of her PHD advisor (Carol Kane), Elena comes to a better understanding of how to navigate love and intimacy in the digital age. Ultimately they develop a bond that strikes a balance between the old world and the new.

The directorial debut of triple threat De Paolis (who also co-wrote and stars in the film), the film bares her fresh viewpoint on modern relationships.

TRT: 79 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English

Genre: Comedy

Distributor: Indican Pictures

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HELLAWARE

Opens June 13th

Written and Directed by: Michael M. Bilandic

Cast: Keith Poulson, Sophia Takal, Kate Lyn Sheil, Brent Butler

Synopsis:
HELLAWARE gently satirizes the world of highbrow art through the eyes of a wannabe photographer who becomes consumed by the bright lights of mainstream success. Jaded by the “incestuous, New York, socialite shit” that sells at prominent art galleries, Nate (Keith Poulson) embarks on a quest for a more authentic brand of contemporary art.

When a coked-up YouTube search leads to a music video from Delawarean Goth rappers Young Torture Killers, an Insane Clown Posse knock-off, Nate knows he’s found his subjects. He soon drags his friend-with-benefits Bernadette (Sophia Takal) to rural Delaware to shoot the group playing in their parents’ basement. To “immerse himself” in the group’s culture and add an extra layer of realism to his work, Nate befriends the rappers and makes return trips to get to know them. But as his relationship with group develops, he becomes increasingly aware that, while you can take the boy out of the art world, you can’t take the art world out of the boy.

A coming-of-age New York comedy in the class of modern indie darlings like TINY FURNITURE or FRANCES HA, HELLAWARE is written and directed by Michael Bilandic and made its world debut at BAM Cinemafest.

TRT: 73 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English

Genre: Comedy

Distributor: Factory 25

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HELLION

Opens June 13th

Written and Directed by: Kat Candler

Cast: Aaron Paul, Juliette Lewis, Josh Wiggins, Deke Garner, Jonny Mars

Synopsis:
Writer/director Kat Candler’s HELLION paints the powerful portrait of a family on the brink of dissolution set against the haunting backdrop of the refineries of Southeast Texas.

Obsessed with heavy metal, dirt bike racing and partaking in the occasional act of vandalism with his band of delinquents, the behavior of 13-year-old Jacob Wilson (Josh Wiggins in his feature film debut) has begun to raise concerns around town, especially when it starts to involve his younger brother Wes (newcomer Deke Garner). While the boys’ father Hollis (two-time Emmy Award-winner Aaron Paul) loves his sons, he is still reeling from the loss of their mother, spending more time drowning his sorrows at the local bar and working on his damaged beach house than being an active parent.

When the local authorities catch wind of the increasingly volatile situation, Wes is taken into custody by his Aunt Pam (Academy Award nominee Juliette Lewis), leaving Jacob and Hollis to fend for themselves. In Wes’ absence, Jacob becomes increasingly obsessed with two things: winning a local motocross championship and getting his brother back.

With a scorching central performance by Wiggins and heart-wrenchingly raw turns by Paul and Lewis, HELLION is impossible to shake. Executive Produced by Jeff Nichols (MUD) and Sarah Green (THE TREE OF LIFE).

TRT: 94 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English

Genre: Drama

Distributor: IFC Films

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THE TEXAS CHAIN SAW MASSACRE 40th ANNIVERSARY

Opens June 20th

Written and Directed by: Tobe Hooper

Co-written by: Kim Henkel

Cast: Marilyn Burns, Edwin Neal, Allen Danziger, Paul A. Partain, William Vail, Teri McMinn, Edwin Neal, Jim Siedow, Gunnar Hansen, John Dugan

Synopsis:
In 1974, writer-producer-director Tobe Hooper unleashed this dark, visionary tale about a group of five young friends who face a nightmare of torment at the hands of a depraved Texas clan. Today it remains unequaled as a landmark of outlaw filmmaking and unparalleled in its impact as perhaps the most frightening motion picture ever made. MPI Media Group presents the original film restored from an all-new 4k scan authorized by director Tobe Hooper and featuring a dynamic new 7.1 surround sound mix.

TRT: 83 minutes

Country: USA

Language: English

Genre: Horror

Distributor: MPI

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THE DOG

Opens August, Date TBD

Directed by: Allison Berg and Frank Keraudren

Featuring: John Wojtowicz

Synopsis:
Coming of age in the 1960s, John Wojtowicz’ libido was unrestrained even by the libertine standards of the era, with multiple wives and lovers, both women and men. In August 1972, he attempted to rob a Brooklyn bank to finance his lover’s sex-reassignment surgery, resulting in a fourteen-hour hostage situation that was broadcast live on television. Three years later, John was portrayed by Al Pacino as “Sonny,” and his crime immortalized in one of the most iconic New York movies of all time, DOG DAY AFTERNOON. The film had a profound influence on Wojtowicz (who pronounced his name “Woto-wits”), and when he emerged from a six-year prison sentence, he was known by his self-imposed nickname: “The Dog.”

Drawing upon extraordinary archival footage, the film shuffles between the 1970s and the 2000s. Touching upon the sexual revolution of the 1970s, we gain a first-hand perspective on New York’s historical gay liberation movement in which Wojtowicz played an active role. In later footage, he remains a subversive force, backed by the unconditional love and headstrong wit of his mother Terry. The hows and whys of the bank robbery are recounted in gripping detail by Wojtowicz and various eyewitnesses, and don’t necessarily always align with one another.

Directors Allison Berg & Frank Keraudren began filming THE DOG in 2002, and their long-term dedication pays off in this unforgettable portrait capturing all of the subject’s complexity. John is, by turns, lovable, maniacal, heroic, and self-destructive. To call him larger than life feels like an understatement. Passionate and profane, The Dog makes no apologies for being who he is: “Live every day as if it’s your last and whoever doesn’t like it can go fuck themselves and a rubber duck.”

TRT: 100 minutes
Country: USA
Language: English

Genre: Documentary

Distributor: Drafthouse Films & Cinedigm

Press Release: “Boyhood” Opens July 11

RICHARD LINKLATER’S BOYHOOD TO OPEN ON JULY 11 IN THE US

New York, NY (March 27, 2014) – IFC Films announced today that Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD will open in US theaters on July 11. With a screenplay by Linklater, the film stars Ellar Coltrane, Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette and Lorelei Linklater. BOYHOOD had its world premiere at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and won the Silver Bear for Best Director at the 2014 Berlin International Film Festival.

Filmed over short periods from 2002 to 2013, BOYHOOD is a groundbreaking cinematic experience covering 12 years in the life of a family. At the center is Mason, who with his sister Samantha, is taken on an emotional and transcendent journey through the years, from childhood to adulthood.

BOYHOOD was produced by Linklater, Cathleen Sutherland, Jonathan Sehring and John Sloss, and was fully financed by IFC Films.

IFC Films is a sister label to IFC Midnight and Sundance Selects, and is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc.

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: “Rio 2” Preview Screening at New York International Children’s Festival

NEW YORK INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL TO PRESENT SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING OF 20TH CENTURY FOX AND BLUE SKY STUDIOS’ RIO 2 WITH INTRODUCTION BY OSCAR® NOMINATED DIRECTOR CARLOS SALDANHA SUNDAY, MARCH 30 AT DGA THEATER

March 28, 2014 – New York, NY – New York International Children’s Film Festival will present a pre-release screening of Blue Sky Studios’ Rio 2 on Sunday, March 30 at DGA Theater. Directed by Oscar® nominated Carlos Saldanha (Ice Age, Rio), Rio 2 is a follow-up to the 2011 hit Rio, and features the return of the voices of Oscar® winner Anne Hathaway, Oscar® nominee Jesse Eisenberg, Oscar® and Grammy winner Jamie Foxx, acclaimed musical artist will.i.am, actor-musician Jemaine Clement, comedic actress Leslie Mann, actor and Brazilian native Rodrigo Santoro, actor-comedian George Lopez, and actor-comedian Tracy Morgan. Joining the franchise for the first time are Oscar® nominee Andy Garcia, Grammy winner Bruno Mars, and Tony® and Emmy® winner Kristin Chenowith, and Oscar®/Emmy®/Tony®/Grammy winner Rita Moreno. The film also features original music by Janelle Monáe, Wondaland Arts Society, and new Brazilian artists Barbatugues, UAKTI, and prominent Brazilian singer-songwriter and guitarist Milton Nascimento.

The Festival, which marks the conclusion of its 17th edition this weekend, will follow the special event screening with its annual Awards Ceremony and Best of Fest Screening. Awards will be presented in four different categories, in addition to the Parents Magazine Parents Award and the Best Animated Short and Best Live Action Short Jury Awards. New York Int’l Children’s Film Festival is an Oscar®-qualifying festival. Recipients of the Festival’s Special Jury Awards are eligible for Oscar® consideration in the Best Animated and Best Live Action Short Film categories.

Rio 2 releases nationwide on April 11, 2014 and is rated G.

Press Release: Alliance Supports New Food Certification System

CESAR CHAVEZ BIOPIC SPARKS ALLIANCE TO SUPPORT A NEW FOOD CERTIFICATION SYSTEM

Participant Media’s Film Social Action campaign will support the Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) launch of a new system and trustmark to assure consumers that American farms meet rigorous safety standards and treat workers with the same care they give to the fruits and vegetables they grow

(Los Angeles, CA – March 28, 2014) – CESAR CHAVEZ, starring Michael Peña, opening March 28th, has sparked an alliance between The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) and Participant Media on a campaign called “Follow Your Food,” aimed at keeping food safe, and families healthy starting in the fields where the food is grown.

Implementing safe food practices, providing education and training to farmworkers, and a fair wage is the backbone of the EFI, a group representing food retailers, growers, NGOs and farm worker organizations. Participant Media is supporting EFI’s efforts through the “Follow Your Food” action campaign aimed at building awareness and support for equitably-sourced food.

“Just as Cesar Chavez raised awareness of the conditions of farmworkers by organizing a boycott that millions of Americans supported, we believe that consumers today can advance Chavez’s groundbreaking achievements by supporting the concept of equitable food. We are proud to join forces with EFI on this natural extension of Chavez’s work,” said Chad Boettcher, Participant’s EVP Social Action & Advocacy.

“The Equitable Food Initiative is delighted to collaborate with Participant Media to spread the word about our ‘responsibly grown, farmworker assured’ certification,” says Peter O’Driscoll, Project Director of EFI. “Participant has repeatedly demonstrated a capacity to mobilize movie-goers to act on the issues that move them on the screen. We look forward to helping the audience of CESAR CHAVEZ follow their food and support the farmworkers, growers and food companies who are working together to make our produce better for all of us.”

The “Follow Your Food” campaign invites consumers to take the pledge at takepart.com/chavez to support the initiative and promote responsibly, ethically-harvested produce. The program launches with a video, “This is Your Food,” that elucidates the work of EFI and the benefits of equitable food certification. Sharable infographics and other collateral are featured to illustrate the issues related to responsibly grown, farmworker assured food, and the American Farmworker and Food Safety. In addition, consumers can learn more about equitable food by visiting Participant’s website www.TakePart.com/chavez.

In coming months, EFI will introduce a new food label trustmark that will certify that the produce is “responsibly grown and farmworker assured”.

The “Follow Your Food” campaign is part of a broader effort celebrating the release of Participant and Pantelion’s film CESAR CHAVEZ, which includes an initiative urging the President to declare a Cesar Chavez National Day of Service at http://www.takepart.com/chavez/petition.

About CESAR CHAVEZ
Chronicling the birth of a modern American movement, CESAR CHAVEZ tells the story of the famed civil rights leader and labor organizer torn between his duties as a husband and father and his commitment to securing a living wage for farm workers. Passionate but soft-spoken, Chavez embraced non-violence as he battled greed and prejudice in his struggle to bring dignity to people. Chavez inspired millions of Americans from all walks of life who never worked on a farm to fight for social justice. His triumphant journey is a remarkable testament to the power of one individual’s ability to change the world.

Lionsgate, Pantelion,Televisa Cine and Canana present in association with Participant Media, Image Nation, Dream Management & Entertainment, Mr Mudd with the support of El Gobierno del Estado de Sonora Cesar Chavez. A Canana Production starring Michael Peña, America Ferrera, Rosario Dawson, Jacob Vargas, Yancey Arias, Wes Bentley, John Ortiz and John Malkovich. Executive producers are Emilio Azcárraga Jean, Haim Saban, Jeff Skoll, Jonathan King, Gael García Bernal, Julián Levin, Lianne Halfon, Russell Smith, John Malkovich. Producers are Diego Luna, Lawrence Meli and Keir Pearson. Produced by Pablo Cruz, the story is by Keir Pearson. Screenplay by Keir Pearson and Timothy J. Sexton. Directed by Diego Luna.

About Participant Media
Participant (ParticipantMedia.com) is a global entertainment company founded in 2004 by Jeff Skoll to focus on feature film, television, publishing and digital content that inspires social change. Participant’s more than 45 films include GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK, SYRIANA, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, FOOD, INC., WAITING FOR ‘SUPERMAN’, THE HELP, CONTAGION and LINCOLN. Through its films, social action campaigns, digital network TakePart.com and Pivot, its new television network for Millennials, Participant seeks to entertain, encourage and empower every individual to take action.

About The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI)
The Equitable Food Initiative (EFI) is a new project that brings together workers, growers and retailers in the effort to produce better fruits and vegetables. As produce farms comply with the EFI Standard—for improved working conditions, pesticide management, and food safety—the entire food system sees benefits, all the way from farm workers to consumers. Current members of EFI include Andrew and Williamson Fresh Produce International, Bon Appétit Management Company, Calvert Investments, Center for Science in the Public Interest, Consumer Federation of America, Costco Wholesale Corporation, Farmworker Justice, Farm Labor Organizing Committee, National Farm Worker Ministry, Oxfam America, Pesticide Action Network North America, Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste, United Farm Workers.