Tag: Film Festival

“Welcome to Me” is a Hit at TIFF

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 13, 2013

"Welcome to Me" screened this week at the Toronto International Film Festival and has been picked up by D Films. — “Welcome to Me” screened this week at the Toronto International Film Festival and has been picked up by D Films.

Hollywood Production Center has recently been home to the production studio working on the much awaited film Welcome to Me starring Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell. The movie was screened at the Toronto International Film Festival that kicked off earlier last week. The 11-day-long festival has screened various movies full of potential, and Welcome to Me is no exception. D Films has acquired the Canadian distribution rights to Welcome to Me soon after its screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The dramatic comedy examines society’s obsession with fame through Kristen Wiig’s character who has a dissociative personality disorder, and soon after winning the lottery she spends all her money on a talk show about herself. The cast also includes Will Ferrell, Linda Cardellini, Tim Robbins and Joan Cusack.

The movie is produced by Gary Sanchez Productions, for who Will Ferrell is a producer for on this project as well. Shira Piven directed the film that was based on Eliot Laurence’s screenplay. The film has no set release date in Canada or the United States.

Movies/Television

Two Sides to Every Story at the Toronto Film Festival

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date September 11, 2013

The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby received renowned acclaim at the Toronto Film Festival.

Ned Benson created a film that many have not experienced before. Benson’s The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby premiered at the Toronto Film Festival on Monday, but it captivated audiences not only because of the story line. Benson’s 3-hour-long film plays out two side of the same story, but the interesting part is that it is two entirely different movies. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby is composed into two parts, Him and Her. The story is based on a young couple as they fall in love, and one movie is the man’s experience as their relationship falls apart, and the other film is the woman’s personal experience of it all. The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby addresses the concept that there are two sides to every story, and this film allows the film-goer to realize how different the story becomes when there are conflicting perceptions and memories.

While the idea is innovative and the attendees of the Toronto Film Festival gave high reviews of the film, the interesting point will be whether distributors will take a risk with such a different film. They are now gambling whether a film-goer will take the time to watch a three hour film, one right after the other based on the same story. It is an intriguing concept that would be a huge risk, which might be worth it because the differences in perceptions of each characters’ memories makes for an enthralling storyline. Only time will tell if the The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him and Her will make it out a winner at the Toronto Film Festival.

James McAvoy and Jessica Chastain play the couple in love in the movie.

Tags Him, James McAvoy, Jessica Chastain, Ned Benson, The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby, Film Festival, TIFF, Toronto Film Festival, Movies, Toronto International Film Festival, movie screening, distributors, Her

HPC News Movies/Television

The 5th Annual Burbank International Film Festival

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date August 28, 2013

The Burbank International Film Festival returns to Los Angeles from Wednesday, September 4 through Sunday, September 8. — The Burbank International Film Festival returns from Wednesday, September 4 through Sunday, September 8.

The Burbank International Film Festival is back in Burbank for its 5^th year. The festival kicks off in downtown Burbank on Wednesday, September 4 and continues through Sunday, September 8. The first night’s festivities will take place at the Warner Bros. lot for Opening Night as they celebrate their 90^th Anniversary. To commemorate 90 years of history, they will be screening their documentary film, The Brothers Warner.

The prestigious film festival represents talent from around the world as filmmakers present their work across various genres. The 5-day film festival will feature over 70 independent films, and will specially honor films with socially conscious themes. The festival has received over 600 film submissions in the past and the 15-person jury panel goes through each one carefully. In addition to exciting events and panels, the Burbank International Film Festival has set itself apart by offering film distribution seminars to help filmmakers gain a profit from all of their hard work. The festival will conclude with a Closing Night Awards Gala where they will acknowledge the award-winning filmmakers, as well as honor the industry icons and professionals that have shaped and defined the world of cinema today.

For more information about the event schedules and buying tickets, please visit their website at www.burbankfilmfest.org.

Tags independent films, Opening Night, film, September, Hollywood Production Center-Glendale, The Brothers Warner, Film Festival, Warner Bros., Movies, Los Angeles, BIFF, Burbank, Burbank International Film Festival

Hollywood News Movies/Television

HollyShorts Film Festival

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date August 19, 2013

Hollywood – The HollyShorts Film Festival is back in Hollywood for its 9^th year! The prestigious film festival represents talent from around the world as they present their short films to a vast audience. The festival showcases the top short films produced 30-minutes or less. The festivities started last Thursday, August 15 and will continue through Thursday, August 22. Activities for the week include screenings, networking events, talent/literary panels and various forums, and will take place at the TCL Chinese Theater and Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood.

One of this year’s projected festival favorites is La Petite Mort, directed by Alex Prager. The short, screened on the opening night, focuses on a woman that experiences the boundaries of her body as she contemplates life, death and love. Another film receiving a lot of audience buzz this year is The Sidekick, directed by Michael J. Weithorn. The short is a comedic take on the ever-popular superhero genre, while touching on the idea of our need to find our purpose in life. This film screened on opening night.

The festival is proud to be presenting over 350 films this year over the course of 8 days, comprised of comedy, animation, sci-fi, horror, music videos and web series. Find out more about the HollyShorts Film Festival online: hollyshorts.com.

Tags The Sidekick, director, forums, Hollywood, HollyShorts, Hollywood Happenings, HollyShorts Film Festival, La Petite Mort, film, networking, Film Festival, panels, Roosevelt Hotel, Screenings, Short films, Movies, shorts, Los Angeles

Movies/Television

The Los Angeles Film Festival is Back

Post author By reco valeriano
Post date June 14, 2013

The LA Film Festival kicks off in downtown on June 13th and ends June 23rd. — The LA Film Festival kicks off in Downtown on June 13th and ends June 23rd.

Downtown LA – The Los Angeles Film Festival is back for its 19^th year. Following the heels of the Sundance Film Festival, South by Southwest Film Festival and Cannes Film Festival, there is a lot of excitement surrounding the films to be seen in Southern California this year. The festival kicked off with some pre-festival excitement on June 12^th with the pre-screening of much awaited “Man of Steel.” The next night, however, was the official opening night of the festival where they debuted “I’m So Excited” by Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar. Tonight the festival continues on with 11 screenings, the first one starting at 7:10 PM and the last one starting at 10:00 PM.

What sort of things do you have to look forward to these next 10 days? While the movies are still the main attraction, there has also been a particular emphasis on providing out-of-the-theater events that add to attendees’ movie experience. These include conversations and panels with actors, directors and writers. The festival is also offering a great opportunity for families with kids to enjoy the big film culture through Family Day. Family Day is an event free to the public that will be celebrated with activities the entire family can enjoy thanks to their sponsors at Hasbro Studios. This fun day of family-friendly adventure will conclude with the world premiere screening of “My Little Pony Equestria Girls.” Family Day will take place Saturday, June 15 at the Nokia Plaza at L.A. Live from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM.

While most of the screenings will be taking place at L.A. Live’s Regal Cinema, there will also be screenings at the LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), JW Marriot – ION Rooftop Bar, GRAMMY Museum and Grand Performances and Arts Brookfield at FIGat7th Plaza. Starting Thursday, June 13^th, the festival will run until Sunday, June 23^rd. For more details about the festival and the schedule, visit their website at www.lafilmfest.com.

Tags Screenings, Hollywood, Hollywood Happenings, film, Downtown LA, Film Festival, L.A. Live