Sydney Levine

Robot & Frank and Valley of Saints at Sundance via Sloan Foundation Support

  • By Sydney Levine
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  • February 8, 2012
It is not fostering films that teach but films that integrate science into the drama that makes for good stories. This program brings public understanding of science and technology which is about bridging the gap between the two cultures and fostering a keener appreciation of the increasingly scientific and technological world in which we live. Also humanizing the face of science—and of the men and women engaged in scientific and technological pursuit.

Digital Film Camp in Berlin

  • By Sydney Levine
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  • February 7, 2012
The 7th digitalfilmcamp will take place on February 14th - 15th, 2012 at the HomeBase Lounge Berlin. Doors will be open at 09:30am, the official starts at 10:00am until 3:00pm each day.

The Power of Few

  • By SydneyLevine
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  • February 7, 2012
From the global to the local, The Power of Few breaks barriers of conventional filmmaking, redefines the meaning of interactivity and social networking, while managing to be an intriguing, captivating and entertaining film with a scene-stealing Christopher Walken, a killer score by Mike Simpson (Fight Club), and a magical girl from the ghetto called Few, played by newcomer Tione Johnson. Due also to Kilcher’s long-standing commitment for human rights and social outreach, the producers of The Power of Few collaborated with associations like Volunteers of America and The Covenant House of New Orleans to hire local veterans and homeless people, young and old, to be part of their cast and crew. ”We wanted to give back to the community where we were shooting, not only by bringing film business there but also by mentoring and involving local talent."

LGBT rights in Indonesia and Asia and the World And The Panorama Section of the Berlinale

  • By Sydney Levine
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  • February 5, 2012
Panorama of the Berlinale is known as a pioneer showcast for GLBT and Queer Films. This year the daring Children of Srikandi is a highlight to see. Also The Film Collaborative also has two LGBT films in Panorama: Vito on Vito Russo and Leave It On The Floor which has a unique festival arc of world premiering at LAFF, Canadian premiering at TIFF and now European premiering at the Berlinale.

Festival Scope opens “Labels”

  • By Sydney Levine
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  • February 3, 2012
Finally a way to track festival winners that eliminates our need to track all festivals separately. Festival Scope , the online platform known for providing film professionals with online screening of films from more than 60 of the most prestigious international film festivals (including Berlinale, Rotterdam, Locarno, Venice, Cannes' Directors' Fortnight and Critics' Week, Toronto and San Sebastian) has developed a new section called "Labels" and is aimed at providing additional visibility to the films awarded in festivals or selected by partner organizations.

Arresting Filmmakers...in America???

  • By Robin Bronk
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  • February 2, 2012
Josh Fox was arrested by U.S. Capitol police while trying to film a public Congressional Hearing. Isn't this the kind of chilling free speech episode we Americans condemn when it happens in other countries?

Evan Shapiro's Festival Films to TV Series

  • By Evan Shapiro, Sydney Levine
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  • January 29, 2012
I like Evan Shapiro's blog, 15 Film Festival Darlings That Would Have Been Better as TV Series, and am posting it here for my readers. If you read my article to the end and read Evan's article along side of it, and if you like the ideas expressed, then help spread the word. Maybe Sundance itself will take note and I will have accomplished my mission of making this independent world of ours more accessible to more people in more ways. BTW, the photo is of me, Jeannie Berney and Dana Harris in the "good old days" of 2002 at Sundance.

Not News But Ruminations

  • By Sydney Levine
  • |
  • January 28, 2012
At the risk of becoming morbid, I am using this blog as an open forum, a place to ruminate, not on death, but to take a little more time to remember Bingham whose closeness is affecting me deeply still. I know people live in circumstances where death and even violent death is all around them (Haiti, Rwanda, Colombia, etc.). I cannot imagine their grief and horror, and I know I am blessed as are all my friends and colleagues to be living in such peaceful circumstances. Still losing friends and family is a painful, if inevitable, process. Sundance seemed to stop this year with the news of Bingham's death. Anne Thompson also remarked on it; time just took on a whole different aspect. It was difficult sticking to the program though we did the best we could. It seemed to end before it became a festival for me.

My Two Cents on the Oscars

  • By Sydney Levine
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  • January 26, 2012
Admitting to limited interest in the Academy Awards, per se, I am, however, very interested in Best Foreign Language Film, Best Documentary and Best Animated Feature this year

Kathryn Galan of National Association of Latino Independent Producers Resigns

  • By Sydney Levine
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  • January 25, 2012
NALIP announces the departure of Kathryn F. Galán. After 10 1/2 years at NALIP, Kathryn has decided to resign as Executive Director to finish her Master's Degree and pursue new opportunities. Bienvenida (Beni) Matas will act as Interim Executive Director until a permanent replacement is found. Beni has a long history with NALIP and its mission, as a founding Board member and the organization's first coordinator. The Board of Directors and staff will continue with its mission to further Latino content creators with upcoming conference Diverse Voices, Universal Content (April 13-15 at the Sheraton Universal Hotel, Universal City, CA) and NALIP's other excellent programs. 

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