Thompson on Hollywood

Madonna's W.E. Goes to Weinsteins for 2011 Release

W.E., Madonna's sophomore directorial outing, will be released by The Weinstein Co. this year. Madonna also co-wrote the romantic comedy with Alek Keshishian, who co-directed Miramax's Truth or Dare, which Harvey Weinstein memorably debuted at Cannes in 1991. Madonna co-produced W.E. with Scott Franklin (Black Swan). Abbie Cornish, Oscar Isaac, James D'Arcy, Andrea Riseborough, Natalie Dormer, Richard Coyle, James Fox and Laurence star. IM Global handled foreign sales.

By Sophia Savage
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June 13, 2011 7:24 AM
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Academy Receives Record Number of Entries for Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences received a record number of entries for the 2011 Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. From the 6,730 entries, up to five winners will be selected to receive $30,000 this November.

By Sophia Savage
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June 13, 2011 5:55 AM
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Alamo Drafthouse's 2011 Rolling Roadshow: Best Texan Films in Iconic Locations, Posters (UPDATED)

The state of Texas is the lucky host of Alamo Drafthouse's 2011 Rolling Roadshow during the month of June, in collaboration with Texas Monthly. The state's ten best films will screen (free) in iconic Texas locations. The films include The Searchers, The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, Blood Simple, Hud, Red River, Bonnie and Clyde, Tender Mercies, No Country for Old Men, Giant and The Last Picture Show. More details, posters created for the series by Jason Munn, and the screening schedule are below:

By Sophia Savage
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June 1, 2011 7:45 AM
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SnagFilms Launches 150 Free Documentaries on Roku

SnagFilms announces its launch on Roku. A collection of 150 of Snag's award-winning docs are available to stream on the internet TV platform. Snag CEO Rick Allen says that SnagFilms is continuing to fulfill their "mission of creating virtual movie theaters wherever film fans have high-speed connections, and making the best independent films available to the widest possible audience.”

By Sophia Savage
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May 31, 2011 5:15 AM
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Sundance Selects Takes Cannes Critics' Week Opener, The "Live Affirming" Declaration of War

Declarations of War (La guerre est déclarée), which opened Cannes Critics' Week, has gone to Sundance Selects for U.S. distribution. Valérie Donzelli wrote, directed and stars in the film alongside Jérémie Elkaïm (who also co-wrote). Based on their own true love story, the movie follows Romeo and Juliette, a couple battling against their child's illness.

By Anne Thompson
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May 25, 2011 7:24 AM
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Searchlight Loves He Loves Me, Little Miss Sunshine Team's Next Project with Dano, Kazan

Little Miss Sunshine directors Valerie Faris and Jonathan Dayton's He Loves Me has been picked up by Fox Searchlight. Real life couple Zoe Kazan and Sunshine's Paul Dano will star: Crazy Heart star Jeff Bridges is being wooed to join them. Kazan also wrote the script. Here are more project details and the synopsis. Production is slated for a July start.

By Sophia Savage and Anne Thompson
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May 25, 2011 6:51 AM
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The Academy Grants to Film Orgs and Schools Throughout the US

The Academy is giving over $500,000 to film organizations and schools throughout the country as part of its annual Institutional and Internship Grants programs. Funds will go to film internships, job training, workshops, seminars, visiting artists programs and screenings. The money, says Grants Committee Chair Andrew Marlowe, provides students with "a key stepping-stone that might be otherwise unavailable.” The list of recipients and more info are below:

By Anne Thompson
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May 24, 2011 10:53 AM
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PGA Announces ProShow Competition Winners, To Get Exclusive Produced By Conference Access

The Producers Guild of America announces the winners of its Producers Showcase (ProShow) competition, in conjunction with their Produced By Conference. The ProShow aims to "help film producers initiate business relationships, co-develop compelling projects and spearhead investment involving the producing community, a panel of financiers, as well as local and international film commissions."

By Anne Thompson
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May 17, 2011 4:42 AM
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Joe Pichirallo Named Chair of Undergrad Film & TV at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts

Joe Pichirallo, film producer and veteran studio executive, has been appointed as the chair of the Undergraduate Film & Television program at NYU's Tisch School of the Arts (TSOA) Kanbar Institute of Film and Television. He will be replacing Lamar Sanders this fall. TSOA Dean Mary Schmidt Campbell says Pichirallo's "extensive entertainment industry experience coupled with his many years of teaching young filmmakers is the perfect combination to lead the department into the future." Details on Pichirallo's varied career -- from HBO and Fox Searchlight to UCLA and The Washington Post -- are below.

By Anne Thompson
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May 10, 2011 7:55 AM
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Sony Wins International Rights to Tarantino's Django Unchained; Is Will Smith Locked In?

Sony has landed international rights to Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, for which the writer-director is eyeing Will Smith. The Weinsteins have domestic rights. Smith is affiliated with Sony, which explains why Sony landed the prize despite Universal's success with Inglourious Basterds. With Smith, Django would have huge mainstream appeal.