CRASHING WAVES

St. Honorat Island

NANTUCKET FILM FESTIVAL 2012 AWARDS

NANTUCKET FILM FESTIVAL’S SHOWTIME TONY COX SCREENPLAY COMPETITION AWARD GOES TO

JEAN OF THE JONESES BY STELLA MEGHIE

AWARD FOR BEST SCREENWRITING IN A FEATURE FILM GOES TO SARAH KOSKOFF FOR HELLO I MUST BE GOING

AWARD FOR BEST SCREENWRITING IN A SHORT FILM GOES TO NASH EDGERTON AND DAVID MICHOD FOR BEAR

Ethel and The Intouchables tie for Audience Award Best Feature Film

Ernesto wins Audience Award for best short 

Nantucket, MA (June 25, 2012) – The 17th annual Nantucket Film Festival (NFF) came to a close today with an awards ceremony held on the ocean side terrace of the White Elephant Hotel.  Stella Meghie’s JEAN OF THE JONESES was recognized as the winner of the Showtime Tony Cox Screenplay Competition. The award for best screenwriting in a feature film was presented to Sarah Koskoff for HELLO I MUST BE GOING. The Award for best screenwriting in a short film went to Nash Edgerton and David Michod for BEAR. 

Other juried awards included best storytelling in a documentary which went to Alison Klayman for her film AI WEI WEI: NEVER SORRY. Mike Birbiglia garnered the best writer/director award for his film SLEEPWALK WITH ME.

The Festival also awarded the sixth annual Adrienne Shelley Excellence in Filmmaking Award, which bestows a cash prize to a female filmmaker in honor of the late director. The award was presented to Olivia Silver, for her film ARCADIA.

Best Short juried award went to Jake Wyatt for his film METRO. The Teen View Award went to THE PROCESSION, written and directed by Academy Award nominated Robert Festinger.

The Nantucket audiences awarded both Rory Kennedy’s ETHEL and Eric Toledano and Oliver Nakache’s THE INTOUCHABLES with their votes for best feature film and Corinne Ladeinde’s ERNESTO took the audience award for best short.

“Tony Cox was a man that stood for individual creative expression and we are honored to be able to present an award in his name,’ said Executive Director Colin Stanfield. “We were thrilled by the breadth of talent on display throughout this year’s Festival, which enabled us to successfully engage our audiences on many levels.”

“This year’s festival was larger than ever both in the number of films and live events,” added Artistic Director Mystelle Brabbée. “This was an exceptional year for independent films and it made it easier for us to create the largest and strongest film program to date.”

This year’s festival hosted the returning All Star Comedy Roundtable presented by Ben Stiller and was filmed by EPIX network to air in August.  Host Bill Hader interviewed Chris Rock, Jim Carrey, and Ben Stiller in the auditorium of Nantucket High School.

NBC’s News Anchor Brian William hosted the Screenwriters Tribute Awards from the Siaconset Casio.  Nancy Meyers accepted the Screenwriting Tribute, which was given to her by her longtime friend and Academy award winning actress Diane Keaton.  Richard Corliss presented the New Voices In Screenwriting to Lucy Alibar and Benh Zeilin.  Rory Kennedy accepted the Special achievement in Documentary filmmaking storytelling award which her brother Douglas Kennedy and HBO’s Nancy Abraham presented to her.

The Compass Rose Acting Award was presented to Frank Langella by Time Out New York and the President of this year’s New York Film Critics Circle Josh Rothkopf. 

Special guests who attended NFF 2012 included Emmy Award nominee Mike O’Malley, Diane Keaton, Mike Birbiglia, Nancy Meyers, Ben Stiller, Jerry Stiller, Anne Meara, Frank Langella, Chris Rock, Jim Carrey, Bill Hader, Brian Williams, Chris Matthews, Ethel Kennedy, Rory Kennedy, Douglas Kennedy, Kerry Kennedy, Tom Bodett, Tim Wakefield, Jason Varitey, Jim Taylor, Richard Corliss, Ty Burr, Joshua Rothkopf, Stephen Root, Steve Zahn, Cara Seymour, Tom Cavanaugh, Festival co-founders Jill & Johnathan Burkhart and many more.

The screenplay competition jury was comprised of Ty Burr (Film Critic for Boston Globe), Gill Holland (producer), and Savina Neirotti (director of TorinoFilmLab).

ABOUT THE NANTUCKET FILM FESTIVAL

The Nantucket Film Festival was founded by brother and sister team Jill and Jonathan Burkhart in 1996 to promote the cultural awareness and appreciation of the fine art of screenwriting in the world of cinema. These days, NFF has become one of the premiere destination film festivals in the world. Visitors come from all over to experience the preview screenings, unique signature programs, and stand out hospitality on a magical island rich with history, a friendly atmosphere, and beautiful sandy beaches. The 17th Annual Nantucket Film Festival will take place this year, June 20-24.

 

MONTEREY, CALIFORNIA

CANNES

Nevada City Film Festival

NEVADA CITY, CA - The 11th Annual Nevada City Film Festival (NCFF) presented by AJA Video Systems, kicks off Thursday, August 18 and runs through Sunday, August 21, 2011.  This year, over 60 films – both short and full length independent dramas, comedies, documentaries and animation films from around the world – will screen in three beautiful art house theatres and charming historic buildings in downtown Nevada City, CA. 

Since 2001, NCFF has brought top independent cinema to the foothills of Northern California.  It’s no secret that we love film and filmmakers.  They provide us with escape and entertainment; inspire us with heart-felt stories and breath taking imagery; and give us a reason to come together in a shared, and often times, powerful, life changing experience.  From swimming in the mighty Yuba River by day to watching films at night, we hope you thoroughly enjoy your weekend in Nevada City.

NCFF is excited to announce that this year’s opening film is “Someplace With a Mountain”.  Narrated by Chevy Chase, this documentary tells the story of a small group of Island Atolls that are disappearing because of sea rise. The people who live there did not understand what was to soon be their ultimate fate. By chance in 2004, sailor Steve Goodall came across them in his travels and discovered they knew nothing of global warming and its affects. Once informed, they asked for his help. Here, we observe a culture at a crossroads and a celebration of a living culture.  Goodall will also be on hand for a filmmaker Q&A and to screen a never before seen trailer of Part 2 of the film.  We will also show three incredible shorts Pioneer, The Other Astronaut and The Star Shepard.   

A handful of other highly anticipated documentaries screening at this year’s film festival include "Everyday Sunshine: The Story of Fishbone." The iconic Laurence Fishburne narrates this story about Fishbone, one of the most original bands of the last 25 years. Featuring interviews with Flea, Gwen Stefani, Ice-T, Perry Farrell, Branford Marsalis, George Clinton, Tim Robbins, Gogol Bordello, ?uestlove, and others, Everyday Sunshine traces the band's history, influence, and struggle as individualistic, genre-blending artists up against an unforgiving music industry that threatens to pass them by.  Filmmaker Chris Metzler will be on hand for Q&A following the film.Did you know there was a raging Wizard Rock scene in this country?  Neither did we.  From the SXSW Film Fest to the NY Underground Film Festival, We Are Wizards has racked up the accolades for it's heartfelt and entertaining look at the intriguing world of Harry Potter fandom.  Film.com named the film one of the 10 best films of the year.  

In keeping with the music theme (Nevada City known for being a music town is home to Joanna Newsom, Roger Hodgson from Supertramp, Dan Elkan of Broken Bells, and Roy Rogers, among others) we will screen a sneak preview of the upcoming music documentary Music In Mali: Life Is Hard, Music Is Good about the musicians, dancers and people of Mali who every day create inspiring heartfelt music in some of the most difficult living conditions in West Africa.  Music In Mali features artists such as Djeli Mady Tounkara, Mangala Camara,  Lobi Traore, Ami Koita, Zani Diabate, Toumani Diabate, Djeneba Seck and many others. 

Kevin, directed by Jay Duplass (Cyrus, The Puffy Chair). First screened at SXSW and is a documentary film about Kevin Gant, the Duplass Brothers' hero. They reveled in Kevin's exploratory musical style and playful spirituality. But in 1995, Kevin mysteriously disappeared. Duplass' documentary debut explores who Kevin is, how he lost his inspiration, and what he must do to get it back.  Following the film will be a performance and Q&A with Kevin Gant. Another film that made a splash at SXSW winning the Jury Prize for Best Narrative Short was Pioneer, directed by David Lowery and stars song-writer Will Oldham aka Bonnie "Prince" Billy, the film is an epic bedtime story that is one part history, two parts make believe and riddled through and through with the honest-to-goodness truth.  Producer James Johnston will be in attendance.  Johnston will also screen his short film The Knife, a tale of greed and vengeance.  The film stars Charles Baker, best known as Skinny Pete in AMC’s Breaking Bad.  

We know that sounds like a lot of music, but don't worry we've got plenty of award-winning short films.  The international collection of shorts (from France, Syria, Spain, Germany, etc) tells of the human drama in many tongues. Bridges are crossed, journeys completed, but the travels and the travails, no matter how exotic the locale, are uncannily familiar and deeply poignant.  It's always our aim here at the NCFF to slather on the laughs, and this year the humor gamut ranges from a comedy of errors to a slapstick political crisis involving, um….terrorist bears. 
    
The Nevada City Film Festival Comedy Show returns this year with the wickedly funny Brent Weinbach (Lopez Tonight, Comedy Central, FunnyOrDie.com) Brendan Walsh (Conan, Jimmy Kimmel, HBO), Eric Andre (Lopez, Comedy Central), Lizzy Cooperman (NBC’s Last Comic Standing, Tosh.0, MTV) and hosted by DJ Douggpound (Tim & Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!),  Local comedy group Best Friends Club opens the show. 

This year's prestigious jury includes Michael Moore's producer Anne Moore, filmmaker Geoff Marslett, Huffington Post contributor and film critic Lisa Derrick, writer & personality Job O Brother, and Sid Garcia-Heberger of the historic Crest Theatre in Sacramento, CA.

For a complete listing of films head on over to www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com.
 
Ticket InformationTickets can be purchased in advance online at www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com and or in person at the NCFF Office at 320 Commercial Street, Suite B, Nevada City CA, from noon until 6pm M-F.During the festival, tickets should be purchased online or at the NCFF Box Office. This year’s box office is conveniently located at the Miners Foundry, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City. VIP FESTIVAL PASS $90This festival pass includes admission to all film screenings and special events, plus reserved seating and access to the VIP Lounge. NCFF COMEDY SHOW $15This ticket includes admission to the NCFF Comedy Show, featuring Brent Weinbach, Brendan Walsh, Eric Andre, Lizzy Cooperman and hosted by DJ Douggpound.  Local comedy group Best Friends Club open up the show. 

A LA CARTE: All individual tickets are $9 General Admission, $7 for students and seniors 62+

NOTE!: We highly recommend purchasing your tickets in advance.TICKET HOLDERS: Ticket holders not present 15 minutes prior to screening may have their seat sold without refund. All ticket sales are final. No returns or exchanges.

KNOW AND GO: What: 11th Annual Nevada City Film Festival Date: Thursday – Sunday, August 18-21, 2011

Time: www.nevadacityfilmfestival.comWhere: The Nevada Theater, 401 Broad Street, Nevada City, CA; Miners Foundry Cultural Center, 325 Spring Street, Nevada City, CA; The Magic Theatre, 107 Argall Way, Nevada City, CATickets: $90 VIP Pass (includes admittance to all programs, plus reserved seating), $15 Comedy Show, $9 for Adults, $7 for Students and Seniors 62+ Individual PassesInfo: For more information on tickets and program times go to www.nevadacityfilmfestival.com

Festival Sponsors
The 2011 Nevada City Film Festival is presented by AJA Video Systems and generously sponsored by Grass Valley, Telestream, KSK Records, Sierra Nevada Brewery, BYOB Wines, KVMR 89.5FM, Sacramento News & Review, Sierra College, the Miners Foundry, Emily's Catering & Cakes, City of Nevada City, Access Pass & Design, The Northern Queen Inn and National Hotel.  Sponsorships help underwrite theatre and venue rental, offset film rental costs from foreign sources and bring guest filmmakers to our screenings and forums. 

The Palais in Cannes 2008

Cannes Harbor

Send in Photos of Your Favorite Cinema

I'm compiling a group of photos of cinema fronts for an upcoming project that you should be able to view sometime in September. So, I'm asking you, the reader, to send in hi-res digital images of the front of your favorite local cinema. I look forward to seeing some beautiful palaces of film.

The Fillmore Towne Cinema

Twice in the past year I’ve had the pleasure of visiting the Fillmore Towne Cinema in the city of Fillmore, California, about 40 minutes from sunny Burbank. This delightful little movie palace only has one screening a day at 7pm, and the $8 ticket admits adults to the balcony section, which is little more than a long single row of perfectly placed seats. In December I saw "Night at the Museum" here and recently screened "Ratatouille." I can’t imagine a more ideal cinema to watch these kinds of movies where the timeless small town family atmosphere envelops you in its movie projector glow. As you can see from the July 2007 photo, the marquee doesn’t even announce the cinema’s name, and so it is that the mystique of this little gem remains a well kept secret in a place where orange groves cover the region.

Ted Rall in the Stans

My friend Ted Rall is currently in Khorog, capital of the Gordo-Badakshan Autonomous Oblast in eastern Tajikistan, working on several assignments about Central Asia. It's no secret that Ted was way ahead of the curve on the significance of the region, and he will surely have some very interesting points to make about the state of affairs there.

Check out his blog at www.tedrall.com to read what he and his talented guest bloggers TheDon and Mikhaela Reid are up to.