Author: CWB News Department

Montreal–The National Film Board of Canada is taking its long-time relationship with animation filmmaker Cordell Barker in an exciting new direction. Barker, creator of three NFB animation shorts that are among the most popular in the public producer’s catalogue, has signed on as a creative consultant with the NFB’s Prairie and North West centres. He will advise NFB producers on animation projects generated in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta, as well as work from the Northwest Territories and Nunavut. Barker will consult on all genres and forms of animated films and assist producers in discovering and working with emerging and experienced…

New York – In a rare move, Woody Allen revealed today the title, cast and story details for his latest film in pre-production. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS stars Owen Wilson, Marion Cotillard, Rachel McAdams, Kathy Bates and Carla Bruni. Also in the cast are Michael Sheen, Nina Arianda, Tom Hiddleston, Corey Stoll, Mimi Kennedy and Kurt Fuller. The film shoots this summer in Paris. MIDNIGHT IN PARIS is a romantic comedy that follows a family travelling to the city for business. The party includes a young engaged couple that has their lives transformed throughout the journey. The film celebrates a young…

Those familiar with Nicholas Kristof’s column in the NY Times will know his admiration and championship of the courageous rape survivor who refused to be silenced by shame. AFTER THE RAPE: THE MUKHTAR MAI STORY recalls a local event with global implications. In 2002, Mukhtar Mai, a rural Pakistani woman from a remote part of the Punjab, was gang-raped by order of her tribal council as punishment for her younger brother’s alleged relationship with a woman from another clan. Instead of committing suicide or living in shame, Mukhtar spoke out, fighting for justice in the Pakistani courts—making world headlines. Further…

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Last night, at the 10th Annual International Beverly Hills Film Festival (BHFF) closing Gala Awards ceremony, “3 Saisons,” a feature-length drama from writer/director/producer Jim Donovan, received the Golden Palm Award and the Audience Award for Best Feature Film. The Brazilian documentary “Sequestro” (“Kidnapping”)—which received a five-minute standing ovation during the World Premiere on Opening Night—was awarded Best Director for Jorge W. Atalla and the Special Jury Prize for Best Documentary, went to the film’s executive producers, Frederico Lapenda and Christian Gudegast. Lapenda announced that he is next producing the live action version of the film with…

Jorge W. Atalla’s hard-hitting, critically acclaimed documentary, “Kidnapping” (“Sequestro”), chronicling economic kidnappings in Sao Paulo, Brazil and the specialized police team formed to combat the epidemic, has been selected as the opening film of the 10th Beverly Hills Film Festival (April 14 – 18th, 2010 at the Clarity Theater in Beverly Hills), marking the film’s North American premier.What had first begun in the 1980’s as a political crime committed by Leftist guerilla idealists increasingly escalated into random hostage situations perpetrated by common criminals for profit in the 1990’s. As a government response to the increased terror of the population and…

Los Angeles–The Franco-American Cultural Fund (FACF) today announced the program for the 14th Annual City of Lights, City of Angels (COL•COA) film festival that will run April 19-25 in Los Angeles. In addition to 20 shorts, the festival will present 32 feature films including nine U.S. and North American premieres, as well as four International Premieres. COL•COA will open with the North American premiere of Heartbreaker (L’Arnacoeur), an acclaimed romantic comedy starring Romain Duris and Vanessa Paradis, directed by Pascal Chaumeil and written by Laurent Zeitoun, Jeremy Doner and Yoann Gromb. The Concert, a box office comedy hit in France,…

The Alliance Française de Chicago has announced The Exemplary French Directors series continuation for this spring, with Randy WilliamsThis series explore exemplary films by women directors, Films des FemmesBiography and personal style of the auteur will be discussed as well as the possible impact of gender on movie making. Randy Williams is past President of the Alliance Française de Chicago, a long-time Board Member, and a film aficionado. The French government has designated him Chevalier in both the Order of Arts and Letters and the National Order of Merit. Discussions will be insightful and fun.Nenette et BoniExemplary French Directorswith…

A week of French language cinema will be held in Los Angeles between March 15 to 19, 2010. During this week five films from four French speaking countries, France, Switzerland, Canada and Belgium, will be screened. For reservations visit trk@lyceela.orgMonday 15 – FranceDans la Vie (Two Ladies)Esther, an old Jewish woman, who needs a full-time care-taker. But because of her bad mood, all of her nurses leave her. Her son Elie no longer knows how to deal with her. Selima, a visiting nurse, suggests that her mother Halima, a practicing muslim, takes care of his mother. Contrary to expectations, the…

“A Prophet” has come home victorious at the 35th Annual Cesar Awards. Being nominated in thirteen categories, the film managed to land nine kudos, two of which were presented to its star Tahar Rahim. The 18-year-old won best actor and breakthrough performance for his role as a 19-year-old small-time hood who becomes a Mafia kingpin behind bars. His co-star Niels Arestrup, in the meantime, was named best supporting actor. Additionally, the film has aided its helmer Jacques Audiard to receive best director award. This drama movie got the other gongs from original screenplay, cinematography, sound, editing as well as set…

To mark the 20th anniversary of the Cinemagic International Film & Television Festival for Young People, the award-winning Northern Ireland based charity is visiting Los Angeles to deliver a satellite festival. Cinemagic will be working in partnership with REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) International Children’s Film Festival from Monday 1st to Thursday 4th March 2010, to entertain young people through film and offer them the opportunity to attend Irish film screenings and participate in masterclasses and workshops with leading industry professionals. Other organisations and industry professionals that are supporting Cinemagic’s Los Angeles events range from The Jim Henson Company…