Author: CWB News Department

Organizers of Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival 34th edition, scheduled for March 3 – 12, 2017, announced today the projects selected for this year’s MIAMI ENCUENTROS, presented by John S. & James L. Knight Foundation.Miami Encuentros, now in its 14th year, is a program of the Festival’s Industry Center, VeoMiami. Miami Encuentros consists of a selection of feature films produced partially or entirely by Ibero-american-based production companies currently in post-production stage. The projects are workshopped with industry professionals and a jury will grant one project with a $10,000 cash prize in completion financing, courtesy of the Knight Foundation.This year’s…

LOS ANGELES (February 4, 2017) – Greig Fraser, ASC, ACS earned the coveted Theatrical Award for best cinematography in a motion picture for “Lion” at the 31st Annual American Society of Cinematographers (ASC) Awards for Outstanding Achievement. The ASC Spotlight Award was given to Gorka Gómez Andreu, AEC for “House of Others.” Winners in the TV categories included Fabian Wagner, BSC for “Game of Thrones,” Tod Campbell for “Mr. Robot” and Igor Martinovic for “The Night Of.” The ceremony took place tonight at the Ray Dolby Ballroom at Hollywood & Highland. The complete list of winners and nominees follows:Theatrical Release…

Asghar Farhadi has served as Artist-in-Residence for the past two years at the AFI Conservatory, and his classes had a profound impact upon the 250 young men and women who attend AFI from around the world. The AFI Conservatory stands with artists and filmmakers who find the power of creation through freedom of expression and freedom of movement. We believe any form of censorship — including the restriction of travel — to be against all values we cherish as a community of storytellers.We look forward to welcoming Mr. Farhadi back to AFI in the fall.

Protesting President Trump’s executive order banning Syrian refugees and citizens from seven predominantly Muslim countries from entering the United States, Asghar Farhadi, the director of the Oscar-winning film from Iran, “A Separation,” and this year’s Oscar-nominated film “The Salesman,” has decided that he will not be attending the Oscars — even if he were granted an exception to do so.In a statement to the New York Times , Farhadi laid out why: I regret to announce via this statement that I have decided to not attend the Academy Awards Ceremony alongside my fellow members of the cinematic community. Over the…

The Tribeca Film Festival will open the 16th edition with the world premiere of the feature length documentary Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives at Radio City Music Hall on Wednesday, April 19, 2017. The premiere will be followed by a special concert featuring performances by Aretha Franklin, Jennifer Hudson, Earth, Wind & Fire, and more, taking opening night beyond the screen to honor the legendary music executive and producer. The Tribeca Film Festival runs April 19 to April 30. Based on Davis’ 2013 bestselling autobiography, the film chronicles the historic influence of “The Man with the Golden Ears,” who…

The 18th Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. (SFFLA) will continue on January 21 and 22. Here is the complete program of this weekendl. Saturday, January 211:00 Heartstone (feature)Hjartasteinn, (Iceland), 2016, 129 minutes, Gudmundur Arnar Gudmundssonn a remote fishing village in Iceland two teenage boys Thor and Christian experience a turbulent summer as one tries to win the heart of a girl while the other discovers new feelings toward his best friend. When summer ends and the harsh nature of Iceland takes back its rights, it’s time to leave the playground and face adulthood.3:30 An Empty Space (short)Tühi ruum, (Estonia), 2016, 10…

Pablo Trapero, one of Argentina’s most prominent filmmakers, has been tapped to direct his first English-language title, Thin Skinned Animal, for Euro major Studiocanal and Brit production powerhouse Working Title. The film, which will be produced by Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner along with Tom Jacobson, is based loosely on Patrick Alexander’s book Death of A Thin Skinned Animal. It’s a story about love, friendship, espionage and government amorality. John Brownlow (Sylvia) has written the script, which follows a government agent who is betrayed by his superiors while on assignment, landing him in a nightmarish gulag. After years of imprisonment, he escapes and returns home to…

Currently President of Viacom International Media Networks’ operations in the UK, and Northern and Eastern Europe, David Lynn has been appointed President and CEO of the full VIMN group. He will have management oversight of all of Viacom’s media networks and related businesses outside the U.S., reporting to Bob Bakish. Bakish was previously CEO of VIMN and was promoted to President and CEO of Viacom Inc last month. VIMN is managed out of London where Lynn will be based. The group was formed in 2011 and has continued to expand Viacom’s global footprint across TV and digital with over 200 branded channels reaching 3.9B subscribers…

The 18th Scandinavian Film Festival L.A. (SFFLA) will be on January 14, 15, 21 and 22. Here is the complete program of the festival. Saturday, January 1412:00 The Crossing (documentary)Flukten, (Norway), 2015, 55 minutes, George KurianThe award winning documentary takes us along on one of the most dangerous journeys of our time with a group of Syrians fleeing war and persecution, crossing a sea, two continents and five countries, searing for a home to rekindle the greatest thing they have lost— hope.1:30 Sparrows (feature)Prestir, (Iceland), 2016, 99 minutes, Rúnar RúnarssonThe story follows a 16-year old Icelandic boy, Ari, who lives…

Sling TV announced “Optimized for Sling TV,” a new certification program designed to ensure Sling TV viewers have an optimal experience across platforms. Launching today, the program includes the AirTV Player and Xiaomi’s Mi Box, which may use the “Optimized for Sling TV” logo on future packaging and will be recognized on the Sling TV website.“We have set a high standard with our device partners to continually improve Sling TV’s performance,” said Ben Weinberger, chief product officer of Sling TV. “The ‘Optimized for Sling TV’ program is designed to elevate that standard and highlight our dedication to our device partners,…