Thompson on Hollywood

Navigating Documentary 'Venus and Serena' with the Williams Sisters Was Not Easy

Festivals

Veteran broadcast journalists Maiken Baird and Michelle Major spent four years obtaining access to the private world of tennis superstars the Williams sisters for "Venus and Serena," which debuted last week at the Toronto Film Festival. But when the tennis documentary finally premiered, it did so without the Williams sisters. On September 11, they withdrew their support of the film.

By Anne Thompson and Sophia Savage
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May 10, 2013 2:48 PM
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40th Telluride Film Festival Announces Call for Entries

Festivals

The Telluride Film Festival has announced its call for entries in all categories, including student, short and feature-length films.

By Sophia Savage and Beth Hanna
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April 15, 2013 12:04 PM
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Cannes Palme d'Or-Winner Jane Campion To Get Carrosse d'Or

Festivals

New Zealand director Jane Campion, whose superb neo-noir "Top of the Lake" series is running on Sundance Channel, will receive the Carrosse d’or at Cannes this year.

By Anne Thompson
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April 5, 2013 2:25 PM
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'Gimme the Loot' Director Adam Leon Talks His Indie Bronx Adventure, Meryl Streep and 'Barry Lyndon'

Interviews

Adam Leon's "Gimme the Loot," which took home the Best Narrative Feature award at SXSW 2012, opens in Los Angeles this weekend with a 96% Fresh rating to back it. The festival hit, which also went to Cannes, New Directors/New Films, the San Francisco, Los Angeles and Seattle Film Festivals, got the attention of director Jonathan Demme when the Jacob Burns Film Center (in which both Demme and Leon are active) screened it for him. He was happy to come on board as Presenter when IFC approached him. Leon tells Charlie Rose that Demme thought it was an "ego boost" to be asked, but Leon insists it was his honor.

By Sophia Savage
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March 28, 2013 4:17 PM
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SXSW 2013 Wrap: Best in Show, Disappointments and Four Takeaways from a Festival First-Timer

Festivals

I got the chance to attend the SXSW Film Festival for my first time this year, and was impressed with the enthusiastic and respectful vibe of the festival, the warm reception from Austin locals and out-of-town festival goers alike, and -- importantly! -- the films. Below, my four takeaways from covering SXSW, and my rundown of best of the fest, buzzy titles I missed, and disappointments.

By Beth Hanna
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March 19, 2013 1:27 PM
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Brody Diary Day One: Sun Valley Film Festival Brings Will McCormack, Barbara Kopple and Mariel Hemingway, 'Wind Walkers'

Festivals

Why am I at the Sun Valley Film Festival for its second annual outing? Because I ran into film blogger Michael Guillen, of The Evening Class, at the San Francisco Silent Film Festival Winter Event on February 16 – a delirious day-long extravaganza of silent films with eclectic live music accompaniment, a teaser for the annual four-day festival in July – my favorite among many film festivals in San Francisco.

By Meredith Brody
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March 15, 2013 1:02 PM
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2013 TCM Classic Film Festival Adds More Stars and Screenings: Mel Brooks, Mickey Rooney, SNL's Bill Hader to Present

Festivals

The 2013 TCM Classic Film Festival (April 25-28) continues to add more stars and screenings to its slate, including Mel Brooks in conversation following "The Twelve Chairs," Mickey Rooney and Jonathan Winters appearing with epic nutty ensemble comedy "It's a Mad Mad Mad Mad World" and the already announced Max von Sydow tribute has added a new screening of Sydney Pollack's "Three Days of the Condor."

By Beth Hanna
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March 14, 2013 12:51 PM
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Soderbergh to Give State of Cinema Address at San Francisco International Film Festival 2013

Festivals

Brainy Steven Soderbergh, who has earned stripes as both indie and studio director, will deliver the 10th annual "State of Cinema" address at the 56th San Francisco International Film Festival on April 29. The festival runs April 25 thru May 9. This should prove more than informative.

By Beth Hanna
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March 14, 2013 12:50 PM
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SXSW Review: Gorgeous, Meditative 'The Retrieval,' Starring Jury Award Winner Tishuan Scott (CLIP)

Reviews

Chris Eska’s beautifully made Civil War drama “The Retrieval,” which was awarded the SXSW Grand Jury Prize for lead actor Tishuan Scott’s performance, is a quietly stirring journey into America’s ravaged heartland of 1864. It follows three black men, two fully grown and one barely on the cusp of adolescence, as they walk North and navigate the complexities of survival, self-interest and slowly emerging friendship.

By Beth Hanna
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March 13, 2013 4:15 PM
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Louisiana Film Prize Announces iTunes and Festival Distribution Deal for Top Five Winners

News

The Louisiana Film Prize has announced that it will provide a distribution deal through Shorts International for the award winners. This means filmmakers will not only be competing for $50,000 -- one of the largest cash prizes for a shorts festival -- but also for a chance to further screen at the Dallas VideoFest, Sync Up Fest and the Hollywood Shorts Fest.