Festivals

The 32nd Sundance Film Festival kicked off today in Park City, Utah, with the traditional press conference headlined by festival creator/mentor/ president of the Sundance Institute Robert Redford. With Sundance Institute Executive Director Keri Putnam and Sundance Festival director John Cooper also in attendance, the annual press conference has become a kind of state of the independent cinema assessment.

While we were eagerly waiting for the Golden Globes ceremony, a rehearsal of some sort for the event took place 100 miles east of Los Angeles in the California desert at the Palm Springs International Film Festival (PSIFF). Many of the Golden Globes nominees and future wiiners marched down the red the carpet in Palm Springs in their shimmering gowns, sharp tuxedos and dazzling diamonds to the Festival Awards Gala, which was held at the city’s convention center on Saturday, January 3rd, evening.

While the region around it has descended in political chaos and religious strife, Dubai continues to flourish and prosper. Its international film festival (DIFF), which was launched 12 years ago, in order to enhance understanding and form a cultural bridge between East and West following the September 11 attacks, has become a thriving hub for Arab and international cinema.

Anyone who ever had the urge to see Daniel Radcliffe as a dead body being carried by Paul Dano should get a ticket to the 2016 Sundance Film Festival right away –Swiss Army Man, the debut feature film of writing/directing duo Daniel Scheinert and Daniel Kwan is one of the intriguing offers scheduled for Park City this coming January. The US Competition, World Competition and Next sidebar slates were announced this Wednesday and, as usual, present the healthy mix of current themes, provocative narratives, independent filmmakers, and well-known stars that attracts film fans, media hounds and industry honchos alike to the Park City streets.

What a difference a year makes. Last year the festival was almost canceled for lack of funds and limped on due to a last-minute crowdfunding rescue.

The annual American Film Institute Festival got off to a stellar start on Thursday, November 5, with a gala screening of By The Sea at the iconic Chinese Theater in Hollywood. Written, starring and produced by Angelina Jolie an Brad Pitt, By The Sea was presented by its director, Angelina Jolie, to a packed theater.

The 28th edition of the annual Tokyo International Film Festival just wrapped leaving a great impression. Boasting a wide selection of over 200 titles from all over the world, in genres as diverse as action, comedy, drama, fantasy and horror, the special focus this year was on animation, mostly on the famous anime and manga versions, which are the most popular animation forms in Japan.

The Helsinki International Film Festival was back for its 28th edition this year with its usual, whimsical subtitle “Love and Anarchy”. With 190 films on 12 screens from September 17 to the 27, the 11-day festival attracted over 62,000 visitors last year and saw record numbers of international guests this year.

At our events during the Toronto Film Festival stars proved a point: style comes from choices and self-expression, not necessarily labels. Though many stars donned designer garb, the range of clothing highlighted the freedom of expression that dominates style today.

The Women He’s Undressed has a titillating title but the documentary helmed by, Gillian Armstrong (My Brilliant Career, Oscar and Lucinda, Charlotte Gray) is anything but frivolous. With an eye for composition, a light touch, and artistic flair, Ms.