2015

Concerts/Theatre

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At Film Independent, Members enjoy over 250 events per year that benefit both film lovers and filmmakers alike. Members of Film Independent’s Arts Circle include individual and corporate benefactors who recognize the importance of supporting artist-driven, original filmmaking

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At Film Independent, Members enjoy over 250 events per year that benefit both film lovers and filmmakers alike. Members of Film Independent’s Arts Circle include individual and corporate benefactors who recognize the importance of supporting artist-driven, original filmmaking

The Film Independent Spirit Awards, in existence since 1987, is an exclusive celebration of the highest regarded independent films of the year. Only Members vote to determine the winners. During voting season, Members have the opportunity to receive select DVD screeners for voting consideration, attend over 30 free screenings of all nominated films and participate in a raffle to win 2 tickets to attend the show!

Please Note: Members must be current as of December 5, 2014 to be eligible to receive DVD screeners for the 2015 Film Independent Spirit Awards.

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT

Oscar Semifinalist - IDA Nominated

Full Frame Doc Fest - Hamptons Int'l Film Fest

When Bill Babbitt realizes his brother Manny has committed a crime, he agonizes over his decision- should he call the police?

LAST DAY OF FREEDOM is a richly animated personal narrative that tells the story of Bill’s

decision to stand by his brother, a Veteran returning from war, as he faces criminal charges, racism, and ultimately the death penalty.

This film is a portrait of a man at the nexus of the most pressing social issues of our day–veterans’ care, mental health access and criminal justice. Original music by Fred Frith.

LAST DAY OF FREEDOM has been honored with awards at many festivals, including Best Documentary Short at both Full Frame Documentary Film Festival and the Hamptons International Film Festival. It is also a semi-finalist for the Oscar in the Best Short Documentary category.

Dee Hibbert-Jones co-directs and produces film and new media projects with her collaborator Nomi Talisman. Born in the UK and Israel respectively they live and work in San Francisco. Their projects explore the ways individuals cope when faced with social and political forces they cannot control. Their most recent film, Last Day of Freedom, has been awarded Best Short at Full Frame Film Festival (an Oscar qualifying category), Film Maker Award by the Center for Documentary Studies at Duke, the Justice Impact Award at (In) Justice for All International Film Festival and Audience Award for Best Short at San Francisco Documentary Festival. Hibbert-Jones is an Associate Professor of Art & New Media at the University of California, Santa Cruz, USA. She is founder/co-director of SPARC at UCSC: a Social Practice Research Center with a focus on social and environmental concerns.

DARKLY DROLL OSCAR ENTRY FROM SLOVAKIA

TAKES BEST DIRECTOR AT RECENT MAR DEL PLATA

LATIN AMERICA’S ONLY “A” FEST

“A winner about a loser...spins a delicate but seductive and darkly absurd story.”

The Hollywood Reporter

“Visually impressive docu-fiction hybrid...refrains from exploiting the pathos...cooly artful.”

Variety

Director Ivan Ostrochovsky's debut feature documentary VELVET TERRORISTS (co-directed with Pavol Pekarčík and Peter Kerekes) received the FEDEORA (Critics Award) at the 2013 Karlovy Vary Fest. VELVET TERRORISTS had it's international premiere at the Berlinale Forum, where it was selected Best Film. His feature narrative debut KOZA (2015) received the Works-in-Progress Award for the most promising project at Karlovy Vary in 2014 and premiered at the Berlinale Forum. The film was nominated for the Best First Feature Award by the Festival Director. Ostrochovsky recently received the Best Director award at the 2015 Mar Del Plata International Film Festival, Latin America's most revered festival.

FILMRISE

presents

JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY AMY J. BERG

FILM RISE presents JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE, written and directed by Oscar® nominee Amy J. Berg ( Deliver Us from Evil, West of Memphis). This moving and insightful film reveals Janis Joplin in her most genuine, and rawest, form. The narration is in Joplin's own words, from letters that she wrote over the years, as read by Southern-born musician/actor Chan Marshall, a/k/a Cat Power. The film depicts Joplin’s evolution into a star, encompassing soul-stirring concert sequences, studio footage, and interviews with music industry veterans, collaborators and close friends such as Clive Davis, filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker, Kris Kristofferson, founding Grateful Dead member Bob Weir, and Joplin's younger siblings, Laura and Michael Joplin.

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/janislittlegirlblue/

WE WEREN’T JUST BICYCLE THIEVES. NEOREALISM for Best Documentary 2015.

LINK: https://vimeo.com/triworldcinema/review/138509363/dc5dd57b3d

PASSWORD: neorealismo

Released in theaters in October this year, WE WEREN’T JUST BICYCLE THIEVES. NEOREALISM has won critic and audience accolades including: Village Voice Critics’ Pick and great reviews in the LA WEEKLY and LOS ANGELES TIMES. The film is at once an homage and a lesson about one of the most prolific movements and times in world cinema – the Neorealism period in Italian Cinema.

WE WEREN’T JUST BICYCLE THIEVES. NEOREALISM opened in theaters in October in New York at the IFC Center and in Los Angeles at the Laemmle Music Hall. The film is a true celebration of this era taking us deep into the “neorealism” period in Italian cinema that influenced global cinema from the early 1940s to the 1960s. Director and producer Gianni Bozzacchi chronicles this amazing time in film through this film featuring clips from the classic neorealism films and interviews with the era’s great directors including Rossellini, Visconti, DeSica, Scorsese, Bernardo Bertolucci, Ermanno Olmi, Taviani brothers and many other including Prof. Umberto Eco, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, Prof. Paolo Galluzzi.

Many claim that Neorealism was a rebirth of cinema or the birth of the new cinema. These amazing Italian filmmakers truly are much more than ‘bicycle thieves” and this film tells their story.

WE WEREN’T JUST BICYCLE THIEVES. NEOREALISM is narrated and co-written by the award winning filmmaker CARLO LIZZANI and produced by Bruno Benetti and Triworld Cinema.

MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA

DIRECTED and CO-PRODUCED BY XAVIER PICARD

PRODUCED and CO- DIRECTED BY HANNA HEMILÄ

WHEN: TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2015

7PM SCREENING

9PM RECEPTION

MEET THE PRODUCER HANNA HEMILÄ

WHERE: IPIC THEATRES WESTWOOD

10840 WILSHIRE BLVD.

LOS ANGELES, CA 90024

RSVP IS A MUST

CLICK HERE to RSVP or

MOOMINS@tcdm-associates.com

“4 STARS. A lovely antidote to more souped-up modern animation."

- TIME OUT LONDON

“Long live The Moomins”

- LITTLE WHITE LIES

“…It’s a delight to see those strange, blobby little hippo figures — with no discernible mouths — on the big screen...

They are still magical”-

- THE DAILY MAIL

OPENING IN THEATERS IN LOS ANGELES

DECEMBER 4, 2015

OTHER CITIES TO FOLLOW

BACKGROUND:

MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA is a hand-drawn animation feature for all ages celebrating Tove Jansson’s original comic strips and the universal appeal of the Moomins. Inspired by her own visit to the Riviera with her mother, Jansson created the infamous comic strip – Moomins on the Riviera – a charming tale that addresses aspects of life affecting us all such as finding joy in small things, the value of cross-cultural understanding and the power optimism. The feature film – MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA is sure to resonate with viewers of all ages around the world.

SYNOPSIS – MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA

The Moomins, Snorkmaiden and Little My go off in search of adventures and set sail for the Riviera where after a journey fraught with menacing storms and desert island dangers, Snorkmaiden is enamored and dazzled by the attentions of a playboy on vacation. Moomin learns that jealousy’s sting is the most painful of all. When Moominpappa befriends an aristocrat and adopts the name “De Moomin” – an exasperated Moominmamma retires to the relative calm of their trusty old boat to wait for her family to come to their senses. And for the very first time, the unity of the Moomins is threatened.

The film MOOMINS ON THE RIVIERA is directed and co-produced by Xavier Picard and produced and co-directed by Hanna Hemilä. The film is released by Handle Productions.

TO SET UP INTERVIEWS, SCREENER LINKS, OR DVDS PLEASE CONTACT THE FOLLOWING PUBLICISTS:

ELISHA GUSTAFSON - ELISHA@TCDM-ASSOCIATES.COM

DAVID MAGDAEL - DMAGDAEL@TCDM-ASSOCIATES.COM

FRANCISCO SANCHEZ - FSANCHEZ@TCDM-ASSOCIATES.COM

DAVID MAGDAEL & ASSOCIATES, INC. 213 624 7827

WWW.MOOMINSONTHERIVIERA.COM

SONG FROM THE FOREST, directed by Michael Obert. Special screenings this week in LA and San Francisco with director Michael Obert in attendance. If you are interested in attending, or would like to request a screener or interview with the filmmaker for your coverage, please contact elisha@tcdm-associates.com.

TONDOWSKI FILMS AND FRIENDS PRESENT

SONG FROM THE FOREST A DOCUMENTARY BY MICHAEL OBERT

view trailer here

FEATURING LOUIS SARNO AND JIM JARMUSCH

YOU AND A GUEST ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

ANY OF THE FOLLOWING SPECIAL SCREENINGS

LOS ANGELES

USC SCHOOL OF CINEMA

NOVEMBER 2, 2015 - 7:00 PM

THE RON HOWARD SCREENING ROOM,

ROBERT ZEMECKIS CENTER FOR DIGITAL ARTS

3131 S. FIGUEROA STREET LOS ANGELES, CA 90007

Q/A with Director Michael Obert

IDA SCREENING SERIES

NOVEMBER 4, 2015 - 7:30 PM

LANDMARK WESTSIDE PAVILLION

10850 PICO BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA

Q/A with Director Michael Obert

Moderated by Award Winning Filmmaker Ondi Timoner

SAN FRANCISCO SCREENING

NOVEMBER 10, 2015 - 7:30 PM

LANDMARK EMBARCADERO CENTER

1 EMBARCADERO CENTER SAN FRANCISCO, CA 94111

BACK IN THEATERS STARTING NOVEMBER 7

SEE IT ON THE “BIG SCREEN"

LAEMMLE PASADENA PLAYHOUSE

673 COLORADO BLVD. PASADENA, CA 91101

WWW.LAEMMLE.COM

SYNOPSIS : As a young man, American Louis Sarno heard a song on the radio that gripped his imagination. He followed the mysterious sounds all the way to the Central African rainforest and found their source with the Bayaka Pygmies, a tribe of hunters and gatherers. He never left. Today, twenty-five years later, Louis Sarno has recorded more than 1,000 hours of unique Bayaka music. He is a fully accepted member of the Bayaka society and has a 13-year-old son, Samedi. Once, when Samedi was a baby, he became seriously ill and Louis feared for his life. He held his son in his arms through a frightful night and made him a promise: “If you get through this, one day I’ll show you the world I come from.” Now the time has come to fulfill his promise, and Louis travels with Samedi from the African rainforest to another jungle, one of concrete, glass, and asphalt: New York City. Together, they meet Louis’ family and old friends, including his closest friend from college, Jim Jarmusch. Carried by the contrasts between rainforest and urban America, with a fascinating soundtrack and peaceful, loving imagery, Louis‘ and Samedi‘s stories are interwoven to form a touching portrait of an extraordinary man and his son. SONG FROM THE FOREST is a modern epic set between rainforest and skyscrapers.

JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE, written and directed by Oscar® nominated AMY BERG opening this Fall in theaters. The film will be opening on November 27 in New York and on December 4 in Los Angeles and San Francisco. It will expand to over 20 markets across the nation following.

Your coverage, feature articles, reviews and awards consideration are greatly appreciated. We have a number of screenings available for press, as well as DVDs and links. Interviews with Amy Berg and the Joplin family are available via phone, email or Skype. We will be having a press day coming soon.

FILM RISE

presents

JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE

WRITTEN & DIRECTED BY AMY BERG

THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED

OPENING NEW YORK NOVEMBER 27

OPENING LOS ANGELES AND SAN FRANCISCO DECEMBER 4

OTHER CITIES TO FOLLOW

FILM RISE presents JANIS: LITTLE GIRL BLUE, directed by Oscar® nominee Amy Berg (Deliver Us from Evil, West of Memphis ). This moving and insightful film reveals Janis Joplin in her most genuine, and rawest, form. The narration is in Joplin's own words, from letters that she wrote over the years, as read by Southern-born musician/actor Chan Marshall, a/k/a Cat Power. The film depicts Joplin’s evolution into a star, encompassing soul-stirring concert sequences, studio footage, and interviews with music industry veterans, collaborators and close friends such as Clive Davis, filmmaker D.A. Pennebaker, Kris Kristofferson, founding Grateful Dead member Bob Weir, and Joplin's younger siblings, Laura and Michael Joplin.

Please contact the following publicists to set up interviews, or to RSVP to a screening or to request screeners or screening link:

David Magdael - dmagdael@tcdm-associates.com

Elisha Gustafson - elisha@tcdm-associates.com

Jack Song - jsong@tcdm-associates.com

David Magdael & Associates 213 624 7827

SCREENINGS OPEN TO PRESS ARE AS FOLLOWS

OCTOBER 30 2PM

RODEO SCREENING ROOM

150 RODEO DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210

****

NOVEMBER 2 7:30 PM

THE GRAMMY MUSEUM

800 W. OLYMPIC BLVD., DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES, CA 90017

Q/A WITH AMY BERG; LAURA JOPLIN; MELISSA ETHERIDGE

****

NOVEMBER 8 8:00 PM

THE WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA THEATER

135 S. DOHENY DR., BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90211

****

NOVEMBER 12 2:00 PM

RODEO SCREENING ROOM

150 RODEO DRIVE, BEVERLY HILLS, CA 90210

***

NOVEMBER 13 7:30 PM

LA COUNTY MUSEUM OF ARTS (LACMA)

5905 WILSHIRE BLVD., LOS ANGELES, CA 90036

Q/A WITH AMY BERG; LAURA JOPLIN; MICHAEL JOPLIN

***

TO RSVP FOR ANY OF THESE SCREENING PLEASE CLICK HERE

RSVP SOON AS SEATS WILL FILL UP FAST

DON'T MISS THIS FILM!

CHECK OUT THE TRAILER

http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/janislittlegirlblue/

LAWRENCE BENDER's Private Screening of

The Award Winning Documentary

SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT

At:

THE SOHO HOUSE WEST HOLLYWOOD

9200 Sunset Blvd. West Hollywood, CA 90069

When: This Friday October 16

6:00 pm SHARP - screening

Short Q/A with filmmakers follows screening with

PRAS MICHEL, BEN PATTERSON & KARYN RACHTMAN

RSVP: YOU MUST RSVP HERE or

sweetmicky@tcdm-associates.com

Synopsis:

Music and politics collide when international music star, Pras Michel of the Fugees, returns to his homeland of Haiti following the devastating earthquake of 2010 to mobilize a presidential campaign for Haiti's most controversial musician: Michel Martelly aka Sweet Micky. The politically inexperienced pair set out against a corrupted government, civil unrest, and a fixed election. When Pras's former bandmate, superstar Wyclef Jean, also enters the presidential race, their chances seem further doomed. But with the help of a few friends, including Ben Stiller and former president Bill Clinton, they never give up on their honest dream of changing the course of Haiti's future forever.

More info and view the trailer: www.sweetmickyforpresident.com

SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT

OPENS IN THEATERS

NOVEMBER 13 - LOS ANGELES - LAEMMLE MUSIC HALL

NOVEMBER 20 NEW YORK - CINEMA VILLAGE

THE AWARD WINNING 'SOMETHING BETTER TO COME" RETURNS TO THEATERS OCTOBER 24. SPECIAL SCREENINGS WITH THE DIRECTOR - OCT 19, 20, 21 AND 23 IN LA, SF AND NY

The award winning and insightful documentary SOMETHING BETTER TO COME - directed by Oscar® nominee HANNA POLAK is coming back into theaters by popular demand in Los Angeles beginning October 24.

Through Ms. Polak's lens we meet YULA when she is 11 years old living in a garbage dump about 6 miles outside of Moscow. For the next 14 years, we watch and observe YULA grow into a young woman. Polak followed her for 14 years as YULA moves from being a child into an adult woman at the age of 25 The film is as intense as it is sweet and insightful. The interesting point with this film is the fact that Ms. Polak starting shooting at the time Putin came on to the political scene as Prime Minister- and he is still there and not much has changed.

Newsweek called SOMETHING BETTER TO COME - BOYHOOD from a trash can." "It is a film not to be missed and one that will be a contender this year for awards and one that we hope you will consider.

Your review coverage, feature consideration and Oscar® prediction inclusion is most welcome in case you missed covering it. The film has won over 22 film festival awards to date and continues to wow audiences across the globe.

Screening link or DVD is available for your perusal. We are also having filmmaker HANNA POLAK in Los Angeles for press and interviews on October 20 in Los Angeles and October 23 in New York for press days. Please see below for more information.

Please contact the following publicists to set up interviews and for DVD/screening links:

DAVID MAGDAEL dmagdael@tcdm-associates.com

JACK SONG jsong@tcdm-associates.com

BARBARA THOMPSON bthompson@tcdm-associates.com

DAVID MAGDAEL & ASSOCIATES - 213 624 7827

SOMETHING BETTER TO COME

directed by Academy Award® nominee Hanna Polak

Opens LAEMMLE ROYAL - LOS ANGELES OCTOBER 24!

SOMETHING BETTER TO COME

Comes back to theaters in Los Angeles beginning October 24

exclusively at the Laemmle Royal

TRT: 95 MINUTES - In Russian with English Subtitles

This film is not yet rated

You are invited to meet HANNA POLAK at these screenings

in LOS ANGELES, SAN FRANCISCO and NEW YORK!

LOS ANGELES

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2015

7PM

USC - SCHOOL OF CINEMATIC ARTS

Ron Howard Screening Room, RZC 111

in the Robert Zemeckis Center for Digital Arts

3131 S. Figueroa Street

Los Angeles, CA 90007

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 20, 2015

7:30 PM

IDA Screening Series

Landmark Westside Pavillion

10850 Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064

SAN FRANCISCO

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2015

7:30 PM

LANDMARK EMBARCADERO CINEMAS

1 EMBARCADERO CENTER

SAN FRANCISCO, CA

NEW YORK

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 23, 2015

7:00 PM

CROSBY STREET HOTEL THEATER

79 CROSBY STREET

NEW YORK, NY 10012

RSVP FOR SCREENINGS HERE

11-YEAR-OLD YULA lives in one of the most desolate places on Earth: the Svalka, the biggest junkyard in Europe, 20 km outside the center of Moscow. Surrounded by barbed wire and guards, the area is closely monitored to keep intruders out. But in the junkyard lives a group of people in a small, lawless society. These people make up Yula’s closest family; here she lives her life, and from here her future springs.

SOMETHING BETTER TO COME directed by Oscar nominee and Emmy nominee (Children of the Leningradsky) Hanna Polak and produced by Sigrid Dyekjær, is a film about human dignity and resilience. It is a vibrant story, which instills a unique perspective in the viewer – illustrated by a quote from Maxim Gorky’s play The Lower Depths: ‘Everyone, my friend, lives for something better to come.’ The film has won over 20 Awards worldwide as Best Documentary.

"A Great Coming of Age Story, ‘Boyhood' from a Trash Can"

-NEWSWEEK

"Heart-Rendering, Elegiac, Charged with Hope"

- LA TIMES

"Strikingly Directed and Shot by The Talented Hannah Polak"

- SCREEN DAILY

“Everybody, my friend, everybody lives for something better to come”

– Maxim Gorky

FRAME BY FRAME - A FILM BY MO SCARPELLI and ALEXANDRIA BAUMBACH

Press opportunities with these brave filmmakers will be available to you in both Los Angeles and New York and other cities via Skype, email or phone. This award winning acclaimed film will begin it's theatrical run as follows:

LOS ANGELES OPENING NOVEMBER 6 LAEMMLE MUSIC HALL

NEW YORK OPENING NOVEMBER 20 IFC CENTER

Other cities will follow throughout the year. See below for more information. Don't miss this amazing film

F R A M E B Y F R A M E

A FILM BY MO SCARPELLI AND ALEXANDRIA BAUMBACH

FRAME BY FRAME takes us into daily life in Afghanistan through an intimate lens. When the Taliban were in power in Afghanistan, they passed a law making taking a photo a crime. After the regime fell from power in 2001, a fledgling free press emerged and a photography revolution was born.

Now, as foreign troops and media withdraw, Afghanistan is left to stand on its own, and so are its journalists. Set in a modern Afghanistan bursting with color and character, FRAME BY FRAME follows four Afghan photojournalists as they navigate an emerging and dangerous media landscape – reframing Afghanistan for the world, and for themselves. Through cinema vérité, intimate interviews, powerful photojournalism, and never-before-seen archival footage shot in secret during the Taliban regime, this award winning and moving film connects audiences with four humans in the pursuit of the truth.

****************************************

PRESS INFORMATION

We have screening links and DVDs available for your editorial consideration, review, and feature consideration. The filmmakers, Mo Scarpelli and Alexandria Baumbach are available for interviews. Select subjects are open for interviews depending upon availability.

For Screening Links, DVD screeners and to set up interviews - please contact these publicists directly:

Elisha Gustafson elisha@tcdm-associates.com

Jack Song jsong@tcdm-associates.com

David Magdael dmagdael@tcdm-associates.com

David Magdael & Associates - 213 624 7827

OPENING IN THEATERS ONLY:

LOS ANGELES OPENING NOVEMBER 6 LAEMMLE MUSIC HALL

NEW YORK OPENING NOVEMBER 20 IFC CENTER

TOTAL RUNNING TIME: 85 MINUTES - THIS FILM IS NOT YET RATED

“ A s t o n i s h i n g ”

— Slant Magazine

“Sensitive”

— Filmmaker Magazine

“FRAME BY FRAME is a bracing tribute to the power of photojournalism... The filmmakers are attuned to the work-day camaraderie and competitive spirit that drive their thoughtful subjects. And like the four photojournalists, they have an eye for beauty as well as a nose for news, capturing scenes of unexpected lightness: an open-air pop concert, a paddleboat ride on a glass-smooth lake. FRAME BY FRAME is a work of profound immediacy, in sync with the photographers’ commitment and hope.”

— The Hollywood Reporter

“An indispensable visual history... As the camera follows the quartet in their daily lives, and as they share stories from their past — the very stories that inform their gaze and shape their voice — a larger layered narrative emerges; that of a disrupted nation.”

— TIME Lightbox

“Tenacious and brave... FRAME BY FRAME delicately interweaves the lives of four photojournalists, brazenly dedicated to exposing realities – however unsavory or taboo – while navigating the residual chilling effect of government suppression.

— T h e A u s t i n C h r o n i c l e

“[The film] pays tribute to the power of the still photographic image and its ability to change perceptions.”

— BBC Culture

PRESS CONTACT

DAVID MAGDAEL AND ASSOCIATES, INC.

OFFICE 213 624 7827

Elisha Gustafson elisha@tcdm-associates.com

Jack Song jsong@tcdm-associates.com

David Magdael dmagdael@tcdm-associates.com

FESTIVALS AND AWARDS

for more info on FRAME BY FRAME

www.framebyframethefilm.com

SUNDANCE Grand Jury Prize Winner

THE RUSSIAN WOODPECKER

by Chad Gracia

Opening Dates:

OCT 30th- Los Angeles- LAEMMLE'S MUSIC HALL

OCT16th- NYC- AMC EMPIRE

THE RUSSIAN WOODPECKER is told through the perspective of Fedor Alexandrovich, who was four years old in 1986, when he was exposed to the toxic effects of the Chernobyl nuclear meltdown and forced to leave his home. Now 33, he is an artist in Ukraine, with radioactive strontium in his bones and a singular obsession with this earth-changing catastrophe. His investigation begins with a question: What really happened? Was there more to the story than the Soviet government let on? And, most importantly, what is the enormous steel structure now rotting away a few miles from the disaster site: a towering Cold War weapon nicknamed "the Russian Woodpecker" for the clicking sound it emitted, interrupting radio frequencies around the world?

THE RUSSIAN WOODPECKER will be available on all major On Demand platforms, including Amazon Instant Video, Comcast’s Xfinity TV, Google Play, iTunes, Time Warner Cable, Verizon FiOS, Vudu, and Xbox, beginning on Friday, October in 16 NYC and LA Oct 30th.

AWARDS

SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL 2015

WINNER- GRAND JURY PRIZE- World Cinema- Documentary

BIOGRAFILM FESTIVAL 2015

WINNER- HERA AWARD- Best Debut Film

WINNER- LIFE TALES AWARD- International Competition

DOCAVIV FILM FESTIVAL 2015

NOMINEE- Best International Film

MINNEAPOLIS ST. PAUL INT'L FILM FESTIVAL 2015

WINNER-Special Jury Prize- Documentary Competition

MONTCLAIR FILM FESTIVAL 2015

WINNER- Bruce Sinofsky Prize for Documentary Feature

SHEFFIELD INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTARY FESTIVAL 2015

NOMINEE- Grandy Jury Award

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXz6_SlkMMg

SuperFilms Productions

Presents the Award Winning Documentary

BECOMING BULLETPROOF

OPENING IN THEATERS

SEPTEMBER 25 NEW YORK - IFC CENTER

OCTOBER 2 LOS ANGELES - LAEMMLE ROYAL

AND OTHER CITIES TO FOLLOW

RUNNING TIME: 81 MINUTES - THIS FILM IS NOT RATED

SYNOPSIS:

BECOMING BULLETPROOF is the award winning inspiring story of a group of talented people with and without disabilities from across America who come together at Zeno Mountain Farm to take part in the making of a ambitious indie film production entitled Bulletproof.

BECOMING BULLETPROOF documents the making of an original Western film called Bulletproof . Bulletproof features actors with and without disabilities who meet every year at Zeno Mountain Farm (ZMF) to write, produce, and star in original short films.

Founded by two brothers and their wives, Zeno Mountain Farm's philosophy is to create a truly inclusive community that builds genuine friendships that transcend stigma and stereotypes. For them, their films aren't about making a statement; “It’s all about making awesome movies.”

Inside the whirlwind filmmaking process of mastering lines, pushing through take after take, and grappling with high expectations, BECOMING BULLETPROOF chronicles the genesis of a riveting film and a personally and socially transformative experience. The film captures the essence of artistic expression through vibrant human bonds and powerful insights. As one of the actors says: “I do not want pity because I have a disability, I just want to be understood. I want disability to have a seat at the table in pop culture.”

Awards and Accolades for BECOMING BULLETPROOF

CINETOPIA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – Winner Festival Direrctor’s Award for Best Documentary Film

SOHO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL – Winner Grand Jury Prize, Best Documentary

VAIL FILM FESTIVAL – Winner Grand Jury Prize, Best Documentary

CLEVELAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL - Winner Audience Choice Award - Best Film; Winner FilmSlam Student Choice Award for Best Film; Winner Cleveland Clinic Center's Global Health Competition for Best Film

BELOIT FILM FESTIVAL - Winner Grand Jury Prize, Best Documentary

HEARTLAND FILM FESTIVAL – Winner Audience Award Best Documentary

NEW HAMPSHIRE FILM FESTIVAL – Winner Grand Jury Prize, Best Documentary

HOLLYWOOD FILM FESTIVAL – Winner Grand Jury Prize, Cinecause Best Documentary

THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION. This important film documents an organization that revolutionized a chapter of our American History.

View trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F56O3kZ9qr0

THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION had its world premiere at the 2015 Sundance Film Festival. We will have a private press screening on September 8th, in advance of its LA Theatrical Opening on September 25th.

PRIVATE PRESS SCREENING

TUE September 8. 2015

7:00pm

@ Wilshire Screening Room

8670 Wilshire Blvd, Beverly Hills, CA 90211 (first floor)

Parking available, underneath building

RSVP: eseel@afterbruce.com. Please note your NAME, MEDIA OUTLET and PHONE NUMBER. Please also note if you intend to bring a guest.

PBS presents

THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION

A film by Stanley Nelson

Run Time: 116 minutes

Rating: Not Rated

Language: English

Official Web Site: http://theblackpanthers.com

THEATRICAL RELEASE:

September 2 - New York (Film Forum)

September 25 - Los Angeles (Nuart)

Additional cities to be announced

ABOUT THE FILM:

Change was coming to America and the fault lines could no longer be ignored—cities were burning, Vietnam was exploding, and disputes raged over equality and civil rights. A new revolutionary culture was emerging and it sought to drastically transform the system. The Black Panther Party for Self-Defense would, for a short time, put itself at the vanguard of that change.

THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION is the first feature length documentary to explore the Black Panther Party, its significance to the broader American culture, its cultural and political awakening for black people, and the painful lessons wrought when a movement derails. Master documentarian Stanley Nelson goes straight to the source, weaving a treasure trove of rare archival footage with the voices of the people who were there: police, FBI informants, journalists, white supporters and detractors, and Black Panthers who remained loyal to the party and those who left it. Featuring Kathleen Cleaver, Elaine Brown, Emory Douglas, Jamal Joseph, and many others, THE BLACK PANTHERS: VANGUARD OF THE REVOLUTION is an essential history and a vibrant chronicle of this pivotal movement that birthed a

new revolutionary culture in America.

LIONSGATE PREMIERE

presents

DRAGON BLADE

In Theaters and On Demand

September 4, 2015

Starring: Jackie Chan, John Cusack, Adrien Brody, Siwon Choi & Lin Peng

Written & Directed By: Daniel Lee

Action Director - Jackie Chan

A massive success this year in its native China, DRAGON BLADE brings action spectacle on a grand scale to US audiences. Featuring an international cast led by Jackie Chan, John Cusack and Academy Award-winner Adrien Brody, the film features the fight for the Silk Road when East and West collide. When corrupt Roman leader Tiberius (Adrien Brody) arrives with a giant army to claim the Silk Road, Huo An (Jackie Chan) and his group of trained warriors teams up with an elite legion of defected Roman soldiers led by General Lucius (John Cusack) to maintain the delicate balance of power in the region. To protect his country and his new friends, Huo An gathers the warriors of thirty-six ethnic nations together to fight Tiberius in an incredible epic battle. DRAGON BLADE is directed by Daniel Lee (“Black Mask”) and produced by Jackie Chan and Susanna Tsang and also starring international stars Siwon Choi and Lin Peng.

DRAGON BLADE will be released by Lionsgate Premiere in theaters and

On Demand on September 4^th

Los Angeles Press Day is currently scheduled for September 1 with Jackie Chan

Trailer: http://www.myvoicemylifemovie.com/official-trailer/

L + H Creations Foundation

In Association with Lee Hysan

Present

MY VOICE, MY LIFE

A FILM BY RUBY YANG

Opening New York - August 28 - Cinema Village

Opening Los Angeles - September 4 - Laemmle Music Hall

91 Minutes - In Cantonese with English Subtitles

This film is not rated

Oscar® winning documentary filmmaker Ruby Yang’s newest film, MY VOICE MY LIFE follows an unlikely group of misfit students from four Hong Kong middle and high schools cast in a musical theater performance. From low self-esteem to blindness, each student confronts unique personal challenges in the process of developing his or her character. This moving and insightful film chronicles the trials and tribulations of a group of these underprivileged students as they go through six months of vigorous training to produce a musical on stage. A life-affirming journey of self-discovery and growth, the stories of these young people will challenge every parent, teacher and policy maker to reflect on our way of nurturing the young.

Many of the musical theater troupe’s students come from Hong Kong’s underprivileged schools, which admit the territory’s academically underperforming students. Others come from a school for the blind that seeks to teach its students how to perform basic tasks and function in the sighted world.

• Bad boy Jason regularly cuts class, smokes, and is generally a troublemaker. Coby feels she is mediocre at everything, and struggles to stay focused.

• Tsz Nok lost his eyesight last year, and confronts his family’s disgrace at his blindness.

• Wing Wing immigrated to Hong Kong two years ago, and just wants to fit in.

• Fat Yin is repeating a grade in school, and hides behind a tough guy attitude.

• Tabitha feels immense shame that unlike her other friends, she did not make the cut for the top tier secondary schools.

• High school dropout Jessica is an 18-year- old who went back to grade 8 in the hope of getting her life back on track.

Brought together to sing, dance, and act, the students question their own abilities and balk at the spotlight. Teachers and administrators question whether this ragtag band will be able to work together, much less put on a successful musical. But Nick Ho, director of the production, holds onto hope that his tough love approach will unite the students and bring out their inner performers.

MY VOICE MY LIFE is presented by the L plus H Creations Foundation, in association with the Lee Hysan Foundation. The net proceeds from the film’s ticket sales will go towards youth educational programs.

AWARDS & FILM FESTIVALS

WINNER

Nashville Film Festival, USA, 2015

NPT Human Spirit Award

Hong Kong Film Directors’ Guild, 2015

Best New Director Ruby Yang

China, Taiwan, Hong Kong Film Critics Associations, 2015

Top 10 Chinese Language Film of 2014

NOMINEE

Hong Kong Film Awards, 2015

Best New Director Ruby Yang

Manchester Film Festival, UK, 2015

Feature Films

OFFICIAL SELECTION

Nashville Film Festival, USA, 2015

Music Films / Music City Competition

Manchester Film Festival, UK, 2015

Feature Films

Asian Pacific Screen Awards, Australia, 2014

Documentary Feature Film

Asian American International Film Festival (Opening Night Film)

New York City, NY, USA – July, 2015

CAAMFest (North America Premiere) SF ASIAN AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

San Francisco, CA, USA – March, 2015

Hong Kong Contemporary Film Showcase 2014

Taiwan

Hong Kong International Film Festival (Panorama Section)

Hong Kong – March, 2015

Macao International Film and Video Festival

Macau – March, 2015

“Made In Hong Kong” Film Festival (Opening Night Film)

Washington, D.C., USA – July, 2015

Singapore Chinese Film Festival

Singapore – April, 2015

The Hong Kong Film Festival 2014

Guangzhou, China

The SXSWedu® Conference & Festival

Austin, TX, USA – March, 2015

Vail Film Festival (Colorado Premiere)

Vail, Colorado, USA – March, 2015

WE COME AS FRIENDS is a modern odyssey - a dizzying, almost science fiction-like journey into the heart of Africa. At the moment when the Sudan, the continent’s biggest country, is being divided into two nations, an old “civilizing” ideology re-emerges – one of colonialism and a clash of empires – with new episodes of bloody (and holy) wars over land and resources.

Academy Award® nominated director of Darwin’s Nightmare, Hubert Sauper, takes us on a voyage in his tiny, self-made aircraft constructed from tin and canvas, leading us into the most improbable locations and into people’s thoughts and dreams in both stunning and heartbreaking ways. Chinese oil workers, UN peacekeepers, Sudanese warlords, and American evangelists ironically weave common ground in this documentary. It is an insightful wake up call for all.

WE COME AS FRIENDS is one of the first releases this year for BBC WORLDWIDE NORTH AMERICA. Early reactions across the globe have considered the film as a potential awards contender this year. The film won awards at the Sundance Film Festival, Berlin International Film Festival, Subversive Film Festival, Austrian Film Festival, the San Francisco International Film Festival among others.

BBC WORLDWIDE NORTH AMERICA

PRESENTS

WE COME AS FRIENDS

ACADEMY AWARD® NOMINATED DIRECTOR HUBERT SAUPER'S ACCLAIMED DOCUMENTARY OPENS:

NEW YORK- FRIDAY, AUGUST 14 AT IFC CENTER

LOS ANGELES- FRIDAY, AUGUST 21 AT LAEMMLE ROYAL

WITH ADDITIONAL CITIES TO FOLLOW

VIEW THE TRAILER HERE:

JOIN US FOR OUR SPECIAL SCREENINGS

August 17th

7:00 PM @ USC School of Cinematic Arts

Ray Stark Family Theater, SCA 108

George Lucas Building Lobby

900 W. 34th Street, Los Angeles, CA 90089

August 18th

7:00 PM @ Laemmle Royal

11523 Santa Monica Blvd.

Los Angeles, CA 90025

OPENING DAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

PRESENTS

MANGLEHORN

WILL BE RELEASED IN LOS ANGELES

ON FRIDAY, JUNE 19TH

AT THE SUNDANCE SUNSET CINEMA

Reclusive small town locksmith A.J. Manglehorn (Academy Award® winner Al Pacino) has never quite recovered from losing the love of his life, Clara. Fixated on her memory, he feels closer to his beloved cat than the people around him and prefers to find comfort in his work and daily routine. Still, he forges on with his tenuous human connections, maintaining intermittent contact with his son (Chris Messina), taking misplaced pride in a former protégé gone astray (filmmaker Harmony Korine), and establishing a cautious friendship with a kindhearted woman from the local bank (Academy Award® winner Holly Hunter). As this solitary man approaches the possibility of new love, he finds himself at a crossroads between staying mired in the past and embracing the present.

Instilled with director David Gordon Green's unique brand of eccentricity and anchored by a remarkably rich, understated performance from Pacino, Manglehorn is a movingly humanistic portrait of a man rendered with unsentimental simplicity and idiosyncratic humor.

Directed by: David Gordon Green

Screenplay by: Paul Logan

Starring: Al Pacino, Holly Hunter, Harmony Korine and Chris Messina

Release Date: June 19, 2015 (Theatrical and VOD)

Running Time: 97 minutes

For press materials:

http://extranet.ifcfilms.com/

User: ifcguest01

Password: kubrick

THE BUSY GROUP

“The Fourth Noble Truth” Starring Harry Hamlin and Kristen Kerr To Play at Laemmle Theaters in June

Meditation-Themed Indie Feature, Winner of Sonoma IFF’s Audience Award, Was Written/Directed by Gary T. McDonald and Produced by DKZ Films

LA, California – March 6, 2015 – “The Fourth Noble Truth” – winner of the Audience Award at the Sonoma International Film Fest in 2014 - is being released in Laemmle Theaters in Santa Monica this June. The film stars Harry Hamlin (“Mad Men”; wife Lisa Rinna of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”), Kristen Kerr (“Strictly Sexual”) & Richard Portnow (“The Sopranos”). Gary T. McDonald (“Rape/Crisis”) wrote and directed the feature, which was produced by David Kohner Zuckerman and Jillian Stein for Kohner Zuckerman’s DKZ Films (“Strictly Sexual,” “All I Want for Christmas”).

“The Fourth Noble Truth” is an unexpected romance, set intelligently against the backdrop of meditation. Drawing comparisons to films like “My Dinner with Andre,” and “The Sessions,” the story unfolds with sharply dramatized dialogue around the Buddha’s teachings of The Fourth Noble Truth, the goal of which is to show people a spiritual pathway to fulfillment and happiness.

“It was a wonderful audience in Sonoma,” says McDonald, an avid practitioner of meditation. "The time-honored teachings that inspired me to make the film and the story itself seem to have to have really struck a chord with a very diverse crowd of filmgoers. That thrilled me. "

In the film, Hamlin plays an A-list movie star just busted for road rage named Aaron, who’s told by his wily lawyer (Portnow) to pursue meditation instruction with Rachel (Kerr), knowing this will impress the sentencing judge - a former student. Rather than adhere to the Rachel’s lessons, however, Aaron uses every bit of his intense charm to try and seduce her. Though Rachel’s boundaries are iron clad at first, it turns out she’s not immune to Aaron’s power, and her bourgeoning feelings for him threaten everything she’s trying to accomplish.

Using a unique storytelling device, the film plays out in eight chapters, during which Hamlin and Kerr trade in insightful wisdoms while challenging one another’s life philosophies. In each, they purposefully or inadvertently show us one element of the Buddha’s Eight-Fold Path, which is “The Fourth Noble Truth.”

It’s now common knowledge that, in recent years, more and more Americans have embraced holistic living and Mindfulness Meditation. Indeed, stories are being published weekly citing meditation’s various benefits and popularity, including articles in the Washington Post, Huffington Post and “Forbes” just in the last month.

“I started practicing TM in 1975 and have always believed that meditation holds a key to happy and successful living,” Hamlin says. “Here's a film that sheds light on meditation and its undeniable benefits.”

McDonald’s first feature, “Rape/Crisis,” won the Grand Prix at the Mostra du Film d'Epernay in France and First Prize at the Athens International Film Fest. He also served as a producer on Errol Morris’ documentary “The Thin Blue Line,” and directed an adaptation of Jack London's “The Sea Wolf” before selling a spec to Fox and becoming a working screenwriter.

Producer Kohner Zuckerman comes from a family with impressive Hollywood credentials. His mother Katherine Kohner Zuckerman was the real-life “Gidget,” which inspired the famous books and movies by her father Frederick. Other members of the clan include famous agent Paul (recently honored at the Getty), producer Pancho, actress Susan, and filmmakers Paul & Chris Weitz. Among Kohner Zuckerman’s feature & TV credits, his “Strictly Sexual” is Hulu’s #1 watched movie of all time, and he owns a popular website for writers called VirtualPitchFest, which WGA members can use free of charge.

For more information on the film and its June release, please visit the “The Fourth Noble Truth” website. To arrange an interview with any of the actors, McDonald, or Kohner Zuckerman, please contact Scott Busby at 310-475-2914 or email scottb@thebusbygroup.com.

OPENING DAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

PRESENTS

GOOD KILL

WILL BE RELEASED THEATRICALLY AND ON

VOD ON FRIDAY, MAY 15

Major Tommy Egan (Ethan Hawke) is fighting a war from the safety of a Nevada trailer, but commitment to the mission comes at a price. Gattaca director Andrew Niccol reunites with Ethan Hawke for this timely drama about the human costs of advanced war technology.

Directed by: Andrew Niccol

Screenplay by: Andrew Niccol

Starring: Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Zoe Kravitz, Bruce Greenwood and Jake Abel

Release Date: May 15 (Theatrical and VOD)

Running Time: 103 minutes

For press materials:

http://extranet.ifcfilms.com/

User: ifcguest01

Password: kubrick

THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL PUTS DIVERSITY FRONT AND CENTER AT FILM FEST CONFERENCE THIS WEEKEND

“C3: CELEBRATING NORMALCY”

THE 5TH EDITION OF C3: CONFERENCE for CREATIVE CONTENT IS BACK AT THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL

PRESENTED BY VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS

April 20, 2015 Los Angeles - Diversity is a word that the Hollywood industry has been tossing around this year 2015 on all fronts – film; television; and content creation. The Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) not only talks about “diversity” but lives it every day with artists, creatives and industry execs in front of and behind the camera. In the past, Hollywood had constantly stated that there were no Asian American filmmakers, actors, writers, editors and others to employ. At this year’s Festival, the LAAPFF presented by Visual Communications (VC) is bringing together an unprecedented two-day conference during the festival celebrating diversity – or rather normalcy – with four of the industry guilds including the Directors Guild of America (DGA), Writers Guild of America (WGA), Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG), and the Screen Actors Guild – America Federation of Television and Radio Association (SAG - AFTRA).

In it’s fifth edition, the Conference for Creative Content (C3), presented by Sony Pictures Entertainment, is the premier entertainment media conference bringing together top industry and creative professionals, especially from Asian American content creators who are breaking new ground. Over two days, these esteemed panelists connect with the audience that include academics, filmmakers, new media creatives, industry executives and community organizations by not only speaking about their craft, but to reflect on the new directions in which creative visions are finding expression. C3 will bring the major entertainment guilds together to create a dialogue in how they view their particular segment and how it encompasses and overlaps with the entirety of the entertainment landscape.

“As showrunner and creator Sondra Rhimes said in March - telling stories involving women, people of color and LGBTQ characters should not be considered rare and ‘diverse’. It is a reflection of our world, and in this case, ‘normalizing’,” states Milton Liu, VC’s Director of Programs and Artist Services. “Partnering with the industry guilds, this year’s C3 will be dissecting ways in which normalizing continues to be a constant battle in Hollywood.”

Panelists will include actor Randall Park (FRESH OFF THE BOAT); director JON M. CHU (STEP UP 3D; GI JOE: RETALIATION); Oscar® winning director FRIEDA LEE MOCK (ANITA); editor MAYSIE HOY (THE JOY LUCK CLUB; MADEA’S CHRISTMAS); editor JULIA WONG (XMEN) THE LAST STAND; and others.

RANDALL PARK

FREIDA LEE MOCK

JOHN M. CHU

The schedule and panels for C3: CELEBRATING NORMALCY is as follows:

Saturday, April 25 (10:00am - 2:00pm)

• Motion Picture Editors Guild (MPEG): Visual and Audio Storytelling for Blockbuster Films

  • Moderated by Walt Louie (editor: FORBIDDEN CITY USA, RESTORING THE LIGHT)

  • Alan E. Bell (editor: THE HUNGER GAMES: CATCHING FIRE & MOCKINGJAY, THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN)

  • Tim Chau (sound designer/editor: THE SPONGEBOB MOVIE, HERCULES, THE HANGOVER)

  • Maysie Hoy (editor: THE JOY LUCK CLUB, MADEA GOES TO JAIL, MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION)

  • Julia Wong (editor: X-MEN: THE LAST STAND, RED RIDING HOOD, HERCULES)

• Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA): Fresh Off the Season - Asian American Talent and Casting in Primetime TV

  • Moderated by Parvesh Cheena (actor: A TO Z, SEAN SAVES THE WORLD, OUTSOURCED, TRANSFORMERS: RESCUE BOTS)

  • Usman Ally (actor: MADAM SECRETARY, PERSON OF INTEREST, DAMAGES)

  • Joy Osmanski (actor: THE MYSTERIES OF LAURA, THE FOLLOWING, MULANEY, SAVE ME, GREY'S ANATOMY)

  • Randall Park (actor: FRESH OFF THE BOAT, THE INTERVIEW, WET HOT AMERICAN SUMMER: FIRST DAY OF CAMP)

  • Lucille Soong (actor: FRESH OFF THE BOAT, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, FREAKY FRIDAY)

  • Leslie Woo (casting director/department: SILICON VALLEY, TOGETHERNESS, SCOUNDRELS, SHANGHAI CALLING)

Sunday, April 26 (10:00am - 2:00pm)

• Writers Guild of America (WGA): TV Writing Landscape – Network v. Cable v. New Media

  • Moderated by Iram Parveen Bilal (director/producer/writer: JOSH, DHO DALA: THE SIN WASHER)

  • Ken Cheng (consulting producer/writer: SIN CITY SAINTS, BETAS, WILFRED)

  • Sonny Lee (supervising producer/writer: SILICON VALLEY, IT'S ALWAYS SUNNY IN PHILADELPHIA, OUTSOURCED)

  • Helen Shang (writer: HANNIBAL, THE CHICAGO CODE, BODY OF PROOF)

  • Cori Uchida (writer: HELIX, EYE CANDY, HEROES REBORN)

• Directors Guild of America (DGA): You've Made Your First Film... Now What?

  • Moderated by Henry Chan (director: 100 DAYS, A TO Z, THE NEIGHBORS, DON'T TRUST THE B----- IN APT. 23)

  • Jon M. Chu (director: JEM AND THE HOLOGRAMS, G.I. JOE: RETALIATION, STEP UP 3D)

  • Anthony Hardwick (director of photography: THE COMEDIANS, BRUNO, BORAT; director: RIZZOLI & ISLES)

  • Benson Lee (director: SEOUL SEARCHING, BATTLE OF THE YEAR, PLANET B-BOY)

  • Freida Mock (director: ANITA - SPEAKING TRUTH TO POWER, MAYA LIN: A STRONG VISION)

  • Sharat Raju (director: LAW & ORDER: SVU, AMERICAN MADE, DIVIDED WE FALL)

COMPLETE FESTIVAL PROGRAM HERE: http://laapff.festpro.com/films/

RE: THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL ANNOUNCES LINEUP FOR ITS 31ST EDITION! - APRIL 23 - 30, 2015 IN DOWNTOWN LA, LITTLE TOKYO, KOREATOWN, WEST HOLLYWOOD

VISUAL COMMUNICATIONS of Los Angeles is proud to announce its line-up for the 31st Edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival presented by Visual Communications. This year's Fest will present 134 films from over 20 countries with 32 features and 102 short films. This is the largest Asian Pacific film festival of its kind in Southern California, and this year the festival has one of the highest number of films by Asian American filmmakers ever - 17 feature films from Asian Pacific American directors.

Below and attached is our press release. Your coverage and report on this year's 31st Festival is greatly encouraged. We have screening links for films for your capsule reviews and we can set up interviews with available filmmakers. If you have any questions, please let us know. For the complete program guide and for tickets go directly to: www.vconline.org/festival

Also if you are a film writer or journalist and would like to attend the festival as a press representative - please register for your accreditation directly at http://www.asianfilmfestla.org/accreditation/

Thank you in advance for your consideration,

David Magdael/Festival Co-Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT: 213 624 7827

BARBARA THOMPSON bthompson@tcdm-associates.com

ELISHA GUSTAFSON Elisha@tcdm-associates.com

JACK SONG jsong@tcdm-associates.com

THE LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL CELEBRATES 31 YEARS PRESENTING OVER 134 OUTSTANDING FILMS FOR

THE 2015 EDITION APRIL 23 – 30

Southern California’s Largest Asian Pacific Film Festival Runs April 23-30, 2015 Presents the Best Films From Over 20 Countries Showcasing Documentaries and Narratives Focusing on the Voices of Asian Pacific Americans and Asian Peoples from Around the World.

World Premiere From Wong Fu Productions – “EVERYTHING BEFORE US” Kicks Off Fest

West Coast Premiere of Daniel Park’s – “KTOWN COWBOYS” as Centerpiece Feature

West Coast Premiere of Samantha Futerman & Ryan Miyamoto’s – “TWINSTERS” as Centerpiece Doc

Los Angeles Premiere of Toronto Int’l Film Fest Hit – “MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW” from

Acclaimed Director Shonali Bose to Close Out the Festival

Artist Spotlight Presents Award Winning Director Arthur Dong

With the LA Premiere of “THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR”

and a Re-mastered Screening of the classic “FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A.”

2015 Edition of The Conference for Creative Content (C3) Celebrates “Normalcy”

in Front Of and Behind the Camera With Industry Guilds

March 31, 2015 – LOS ANGELES Visual Communications (VC), the nation’s premier Asian Pacific American media arts center, announced its program of outstanding films for the upcoming 31st edition of the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival (LAAPFF) running April 23-30, 2015. This annual film celebration will be presented across Los Angeles from Little Tokyo to the Arts District in Downtown Los Angeles to Koreatown and to West Hollywood featuring 134 films from over 20 countries.

VC proudly celebrates 31 years as Southern California’s largest and most prestigious film festival of its kind. The LAAPFF launches the pre-celebration of Asian Pacific Heritage Month through this year’s slate of over 130 films from both Asian Pacific American and Asian international directors from over 20 countries. For over three decades, the Festival has presented more than 3,700 films and shorts by Asian American and Asian international artists. This year, a total of 134 films comprised of 32 feature films and 102 shorts will be showcased throughout the eight-day fest.

The 31st edition of the Film Festival kicks off with the World Premiere of Wong Fu Productions’ first feature film EVERYTHING BEFORE US from directors Wesley Chan, Ted Fu and Philip Wang starring Aaron Yoo (“DISTURBIA;” “21”), Brandon Soo Hoo (“ENDERS GAME;” “TROPIC THUNDER”), Brittany Ishibashi (“REVENGE OF THE BRIDESMAIDS;” “EAGLE EYE”) and introducing Victoria Park. The film is the first feature film production to be developed and produced through the VC Film Development Fund in collaboration with Comcast.

EVERYTHING BEFORE US screens Opening Night April 23 at 7PM at the Aratani Theatre at the JACCC in Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles.

“We are excited and proud to be opening with EVERYTHING BEFORE US,” states VC Interim Executive Director Francis Cullado. “It is imperative for our organization to support our filmmakers and content creators by producing feature films. Through the VC Film Development Fund, we are able to work together with talented and groundbreaking creative artists such as Wong Fu Productions, one of the first successful filmmaking teams of the YouTube generation, with over 2.4 million subscribers. Funding their first feature gave us the opportunity to truly to nurture Wong Fu’s evolution to narrative feature filmmaking. This is a milestone.”

The Festival Centerpiece Presentation of the West Coast premiere of KTOWN COWBOYS from the talented Daniel Park takes us back to Los Angeles’ K-Town, home of designer hotels, noraebangs, Korean BBQ joints and more. Park’s award winning web series by the same name is now a full length feature, and reunites that fun loving crew of young bucks trolling the bars and cafes and hangouts of LA’s Koreatown including Jason (Shane Yoon), Sunny (Sunn Wee), Peter (Peter Jae), Danny (Danny Cho) and Robby (Bobby Choy) back together again. KTOWN COWBOYS will screen Saturday, April 25 at 8PM at the Aratani Theatre at the JACCC in Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles.

The Festival Centerpiece documentary presentation is the West Coast premiere of the award winning TWINSTERS from Samantha Futerman and Ryan Miyamoto. TWINSTERS is the real-life story of actress Samantha Futerman and budding fashion designer Anaïs Bordier - twin sisters separated shortly after birth and respectively adopted by American and French families. Discovering their existence for the first time via social media, their unique experiences are documented through a series of video blogs, Skype conversations and real-time footage. Every intimate moment is captured from their first meeting to the DNA test results, home visits and their first visit back to Seoul. The film explores the idea of family, adoption, nature vs, nurture, and the power of social media, ultimately redefining conventional definitions of “family.” TWINSTERS screens Saturday April 25 at 5PM at the Aratani Theatre at the JACCC in Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles.

Cl osing out this year’s celebration is the Los Angeles premiere of the acclaimed MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW from director Shonali Bose. Based loosely on the experiences of the director’s own sister, MARGARITA is a winning film with vitality and heart. Kalki Koechlin stars as Laila, a Delhi University student and aspiring writer who crafts lyrics and electronic sounds for an indie band. A wheelchair user with cerebral palsy, Laila is an adventurous soul who doesn’t let much get in the way of her life. When Laila is admitted to New York University and leaves India with her mother (Revathy) for Manhattan, she meets a fiery activist, Khanum (Sayani Gupta), who challenges her beliefs, sparks her creativity, and, eventually seduces her. Thus, she embarks on a journey of sexual discovery that threatens the relationships between her family and friends, yet offers a way to gain a measure of independence and self-worth.

“Our lineup this year of the number of Asian American filmmakers and Asian American stories is impressive,” states Festival Co-Director David Magdael. “Our Opening Night, Centerpiece and Closing Night films all represent stories and directors based here in the U.S. Asian Pacific American filmmakers make up over half of our feature film lineup and we are very excited that our own filmmakers are raising the bar in terms of creating and producing feature films that add to the American cinematic experience and to our ever growing Asian American Cinema.”

This year’s Film Festival casts its Artist Spotlight on the award winning documentary filmmaker Arthur Dong. Dong will present a re-mastered version of his classic FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A. accompanied by a live performance from the film’s legendary performers. Dong will also present the Southern California premiere of his latest film THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR which tells the dramatic story about the most recognizable survivor of the Cambodian genocide – a man who became a world ambassador justice in his homeland, only be murdered in a LA Chinatown alley – a case still muddled with conspiracy theories. This special Spotlight program takes place on Sunday, April 26 beginning at 4:30PM with FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A. and then at 7:30PM with THE KILLING FIELDS OF DR. HAING S. NGOR at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum @ Japanese American National Museum in Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles.

“Arthur Dong is one of our most prolific filmmakers of our time and our community,” says longtime Visual Communications staff member Abraham Ferrer. “We are proud to have Arthur bring back the classic FORBIDDEN CITY, U.S.A. and then present his latest film and discussion around the controversial case of the murder of Academy Award^® winning actor Dr. Haing S. Ngor. This will be a very exciting and eye opening session at the Festival.”

The LAAPFF is again ecstatic to present at the Festival two programs with a long and historic significance to Visual Communications: The Armed With a Camera Fellowship and Digital Histories. The Armed With a Camera Fellowship nurtures the next generation of Asian Pacific American media artists to capture their world, surrounding, and outlook on life. Past fellows have gone on to premiere award-winning feature films as well as building a career in television. These short films will be a part of the crowd-pleasing program DIGITAL POSSE on Wednesday, April 29 at 8PM at the Aratani Theatre at the JACCC in Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles.

Since 2003, Digital Histories has provided a professional and artistic work environment for underserved, ethnic-minority seniors in the LA-based Asian Pacific American community. Digital Histories will screen on Sunday, April 26 at 2:30PM at the Tateuchi Democracy Forum, JANM - Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles

The LAAPFF will also feature this year’s edition of C3 – the Conference For Creative Content where creative and Hollywood industry leaders join together to create a dialogue with the community discussing important issues and trends taking place in the entertainment arena. This year’s C3 marks the fifth edition of this important gathering of creatives and decision makers both in front and behind the camera and in film, network TV, cable TV, and new media. The C3 theme this year is “Celebrating Normalcy.”

“As showrunner and creator Shonda Rhimes spoke in March, telling stories involving women, people of color and LGBTQ characters should not be considered rare and ‘diverse’. It’s a reflection of our world, and in this case ‘normalizing’,” states Milton Liu, VC’s Director of Programs and Artist Services. “Partnering with the industry guilds such as Writers Guild of America (WGA), Directors Guild of America (DGA), Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA), the SAG–Producers Industry Advancement Cooperation Fund, and the Motion Picture Editors Guild, this year’s C3 will be dissecting ways in which normalizing continues to be a constant battle in Hollywood.”

C3 takes place over the weekend of April 25 and 26 in the Tateuchi Democracy Forum, JANM - Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles.

Every year, the LAAPFF International Showcase of new works from Asian highlights films and filmmakers from throughout the continent. This year is no different as the Festival boasts acclaimed features from Vietnam, the Peoples Republic of China, South Korea, Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Japan and Hong Kong.

“Our International Showcase is one of the strongest ever,” states Festival Co-Director Anderson Le. “We have some amazing films from all over Asia including award winning documentaries, romantic comedies, thrillers and outstanding dramatic stories. This year, we have something for everyone.”

INTERNATIONAL SHOWCASE

• 2030 (NUOC) (Vietnam) (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Nghiem-Minh Nguyen-Vo

• CAT FUNERAL (South Korea) (U.S. Premiere) Dir.: Lee Jong-hoon

• THE CHINESE MAYOR (PRC) (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Hao Zhou

• HOW TO WIN AT CHECKERS (EVERY TIME) (Thailand/South Korea/United States) (U.S. Premiere) Dir.: Josh Kim

• IN THE ABSENCE OF THE SUN (Indonesia) (U.S. Premiere) Dir.: Lucky Kuswandi

• KUNG FU KILLER (Hong Kong) (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Teddy Chen

• THE LAST REEL (Cambodia) (U.S. Premiere) Dir.: Kulikar Sotho

• RIVER OF EXPLODING DURIANS (Malaysia) (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Edmund Yeo

• (SEX) APPEAL (Taiwan) (U.S. Premiere) Dir.: Wang Wei-ming

• THAT THING CALLED MEANT-TO-BE (Philippines) (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Antoinette Jadeone

• THE VANCOUVER ASAHI (Japan) (L.A. Premiere) Dir.; Yuya Ishii

• WE ARE MOLUCCANS (Indonesia) (U.S. Premiere) Dir.; Angga Dwimas Sasongko

• WHERE I AM KING (Philippines) (U.S. Premiere) Dir.: Carlos Siguion-Reyna

• THE WORLD OF KANAKO (Japan) (U.S. Premiere) Dir.: Nakashima Tetsuya

In addition, the LAAPFF is proud to present the following special presentations:

EAST OF MAIN STREET - Dir.: Jonathan Yi Conceived as a project to demonstrate the breadth of Asian Pacific American voices and stories, EAST OF MAIN STREET is a multi-part series created for HBO by independent producer Jonathan Yi of eyepatch Productions. Episodes exploring those who have pursued non-traditional careers, observed significant life milestones, and sounded off on what makes them happy or angry are part of the wide spectrum that comprise the series. A special episode will be screened and a discussion will follow. Friday, April 24, 5PM, Tateuchi Democracy Forum, JANM - Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles

HIMALAYA SONG - A multimedia presentation by Gingger Shankar, Mridu Chandra and Dave Liang from The Shanghai Restoration Project. HIMALAYA SONG merges film, live music, and narration in a critically acclaimed multimedia presentation conceptualized, produced, and performed by a trio of internationally renowned artists. Gingger Shankar is an extraordinarily gifted singer, virtuoso violinist, composer, songwriter, and only woman to play the double violin — a unique instrument that covers the entire orchestra range. Mridu Chandra has produced award-winning documentaries and narrative films that have premiered at Sundance and other prestigious festivals. Accomplished classical and jazz pianist, Dave Liang, is producer of The Shanghai Restoration Project, a group that blends Chinese instruments and culture with hip-hop and electronica. Today’s music blends with traditional instruments on a cinematic journey through past, present, and future — myth and reality. This performance will include an exclusive work-in-progress preview of the trio’s upcoming production, NARI. Saturday, April 25, 7:30PM, Tateuchi Democracy Forum, JANM – Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles

UNBROKEN BLOSSOMS - Staged reading of New Play by Philip W. Chung; Directed by Jeff Liu After accusations of racism dogged the release of his masterpiece THE BIRTH OF A NATION, director D.W. Griffith vowed to prove that he was not a bigot. So in 1919, Griffith directed and produced BROKEN BLOSSOMS — Hollywood’s first interracial love story featuring a Chinese man and a Caucasian woman. And to make sure his film was “authentic”, he hired two Chinese American consultants: one an aspiring filmmaker and the other a devoted family man. UNBROKEN BLOSSOMS is the story of those two men, the making of a classic movie, and how even the best of intentions can go terribly awry. Philip W. Chung is the co-founder/co-Artistic Director of the acclaimed Asian American theater company, Lodestone Theatre Ensemble. He currently oversees the creative content for YOMYOMF, the digital media company founded by director Justin Lin (the FAST & FURIOUS franchise) and is a writer/producer on the upcoming Lin-produced feature HOLLYWOOD ADVENTURES. Monday, April 27, 7PM, Tateuchi Democracy Forum, JANM – Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles

TOP 8 - The #WeOwnthe8th Short Film Program Held at the creativity-inducing venue The Great Company, #WeOwnthe8th stems from the grassroots movement spearheaded by actor/artist Dante Basco (THE DEBUT, HOOK) and showcases its nationwide API filmmaking talent. Conceived as a response to the API community’s current role within the creative industries, this movement seeks to foster creation of opportunities while providing a platform for supportive and positive mutual growth. Tuesday, April 28, 7:30PM, The Great Company – the Arts District – Downtown Los Angeles

CRANE-KICK COMMENTARY: THE KARATE KID, PART II - A Film Screening and Live Commentary with Phil Yu and Friends Inspired by “Mystery Science Theater 3000” and local improv groups such as Cold Tofu, noted blogger Phil Yu (aka Angry Asian Man) leads an impromptu panel in a real-time commentary of THE KARATE KID, PART II — director John Avildsen’s follow-up to the 1984 blockbuster. Phil and friends re-visit what happens when Danny (Ralph Macchio) and Mr. Miyagi (Pat Morita) travels to Okinawa to visit Miyagi’s dying father -— reuniting with the old sweetheart (Nobu McCarthy); meeting the winsome niece (Tamlyn Tomita); and encountering the local bully Chozen (Yuji Okumoto). And let’s not forget the famous “drum” technique. Tuesday, April 28, 7PM, Tateuchi Democracy Forum, JANM – Little Tokyo – Downtown Los Angeles.

The 31^ST LAAPFF competition film line-up is as follows:

COMPETITION NARRATIVES

• ADVANTAGEOUS (West Coast Premiere) Dir.: Jennifer Phang

• EVERYTHING BEFORE US (World Premiere) Dirs.: Wesley Chan, Philip Wang

• KTOWN COWBOYS (West Coast Premiere) Dir.: Daniel Park

• LOVE ARCADIA (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Lawrence Gan

• MAN UP (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Justin Chon

• MARGARITA, WITH A STRAW (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Shonali Bose; Co-Dir.: Nilesh Maniyar

• MISS INDIA AMERICA Dir.: Ravi Kapoor

• THERE IS A NEW WORLD SOMEWHERE (World Premiere) Dir.: Li Lu

  • COMPETITION DOCUMENTARIES

• CHANGING SEASON (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Jim Choi

• EVERYTHING WILL BE (U.S. Premiere) Dir.: Julia Kwan

• I HAVE SEEN MY LAST BORN (World Premiere) Dirs.: Samuel Gray Anderson, Lee Isaac Chung

• JUNE BRIDE: REDEMPTION OF A YAKUZA (World Premiere) Dir.: Derek Shimoda

• TOP SPIN (L.A. Premiere) Dirs.: Mina T. Son, Sara Newens

• TWINSTERS (West Coast Premiere) Dirs.; Samantha Futerman, Ryan Miyamoto

• VISIONS IN THE DARK: THE LIFE OF PINKY THOMPSON (West Coast Premiere) Dir.: Ty Sanga

• WINNING GIRL (L.A. Premiere) Dir.: Kimberlee Bassford

For program information, a complete listing of sponsors and partners, and to purchase tickets, log on to www.vconline.org/festival or contact Visual Communications at (213) 680-4462 x59. Tickets are on sale now.

The Festival is honored to return home to Little Tokyo this year and is proud to be partnering with our following screening venues across Los Angeles:

• Aratani Theatre @ Japanese American Cultural & Community Center – Little Tokyo - 244 South San Pedro Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012

• Tateuchi Democracy Forum @ Japanese American National Museum – Little Tokyo - 111 N. Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

• Downtown Independent – Downtown LA (DTLA) - 251 S. Main Street, (between 3^rd and 2^nd Streets), Los Angeles, CA 90012

• CGV Cinemas – Koreatown – Mid-Wilshire - 621 Western Avenue (between 6^th Street and Wilshire Blvd.), Los Angeles, CA 90005

• The Great Company – Downtown LA (DTLA) - 1917 Bay Street (between Wilson and Mateo Streets), Los Angeles, CA 90021

• Directors Guild of America – West Hollywood - 7920 Sunset Blvd. (at Hayworth), West Hollywood, CA 90046

The 2015 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival is sponsored by:

PLATINUM: Comcast NBC Universal; Sony Pictures Entertainment; GOLD: Directors Guild of America; Nielsen; SILVER: HBO; BRONZE: FilmLA; Creative DCP; SAG Indie; STAR: Modern VideoFilm; Motion Picture Editors Guild; SAG-AFTRA; Union Bank; Writers Guild of America/West; Yu & Co.; VENUE SPONSORS: Aratani Theatre/Japanese American Cultural & Community Center; Directors Guild of America; Japanese American National Museum; Downtown Independent; CGV Cinemas; The Great Company; MEDIA SPONSORS: AngryAsianMan.com; KPFK – FM; LA-18 KSCI; LA Weekly; MYX TV; Yelp; GOVERNMENT: National Endowment for the Arts; Los Angeles County Arts Commission; Department of Cultural Affairs, City of Los Angeles; California Arts Council; Cal Humanities; FOUNDATION: Aratani Foundation; James Irvine Foundation; Weingart Foundation; Parsons Foundation; SAG-P IACF; Asian Pacific Community Fund; Sony Pictures Entertainment; RECEPTION: Asahi; Kirin; LA-18 KSCI; Stella Artois; Ketel One; MYXTV; IN KIND: Telepath Corporation; IKON Office Supplies; Meiji; LA18; HBO; Red Giant.

###

PHOTOS FROM THE 2015 LOS ANGELES ASIAN PACIFIC FILM FESTIVAL

LA OPENING DAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

PRESENTS

FÉLIX AND MEIRA

WILL OPEN IN LOS ANGELES

ON FRIDAY, APRIL 24^th

AT THE FOLLOWING THEATERS:

LAEMMLE ROYAL THEATRE - LOS ANGELES, CA

LAEMMLE TOWN CENTER 5 - ENCINO, CA

MAY 1^st

EDWARDS UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER 6 - IRVINE, CA

FÉLIX AND MEIRA is a calling card for its young director, Maxime Giroux; a story of an unconventional romance between two people living vastly different realities mere blocks away from one another. Each lost in their everyday lives, Meira (Hadas Yaron), a Hasidic Jewish wife and mother and Félix (Martin Dubreuil), a Secular loner mourning the recent death of his estranged father, unexpectedly meet in a local bakery in Montreal's Mile End district. What starts as an innocent friendship becomes more serious as the two wayward strangers find comfort in one another. As Felix opens Meira's eyes to the world outside of her tight-knit Orthodox community, her desire for change becomes harder for her to ignore, ultimately forcing her to choose: remain in the life that she knows or give it all up to be with Félix. Giroux's film is a poignant and touching tale of self-discovery set against the backdrops of Montreal, Brooklyn, and Venice, Italy. FÉLIX AND MEIRA is the Winner of Best Canadian Feature at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

Distributor: Oscilloscope Laboratories

Director: Maxime Giroux

Writer: Maxime Giroux and Alexandre Leferriére

Starring: Hadas Yaron, Martin Dubreuil and Luzer Twersky

Running time: 106 minutes

Release Date: April 17, 2015 (NY), April 24, 2015 (LA)

OPENING DAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

PRESENTS

GOOD KILL

WILL BE RELEASED THEATRICALLY AND ON

VOD ON FRIDAY, MAY 15

Major Tommy Egan (Ethan Hawke) is fighting a war from the safety of a Nevada trailer, but commitment to the mission comes at a price. Gattaca director Andrew Niccol reunites with Ethan Hawke for this timely drama about the human costs of advanced war technology.

Directed by: Andrew Niccol

Screenplay by: Andrew Niccol

Starring: Ethan Hawke, January Jones, Zoe Kravitz, Bruce Greenwood and Jake Abel

Release Date: May 15 (Theatrical and VOD)

Running Time: 103 minutes

For press materials:

http://extranet.ifcfilms.com/

User: ifcguest01

Password: kubrick

KTF FILMS PRESENTS

THEORY OF OBSCURITY: A FILM ABOUT THE RESIDENTS

DIRECTED BY DON HARDY

THEORY OF OBSCURITY: A FILM ABOUT THE RESIDENTS tells the story of, well, The Residents: a renegade sound and video collective from San Francisco. Their story spans more than 40 years and is clouded in mystery. Many details surrounding the group are secret, including the identities of its members. They always perform wearing masks and costumes, which is part of their magic.

The Residents have always played by their own rules. They’ve released more than 60 albums, and their stage shows are legendary works of art.

For THEORY OF OBSCURITY the filmmakers interviewed artists The Residents inspired like Les Claypool from Primus and Matt Groening, the creator of The Simpsons. Plus, fans who adore them, and industry leaders who claim The Residents are “the best experimental art band of all time.” All of these pieces come together to form a well-rounded tale which is satisfying for audiences who already know part of The Residents story and people who are new to their world.

At its heart, this story is about perseverance and chasing your dream. The Residents never caved to convention. They never compromised. They’ve followed their muse for decades and thousands of fans have hung on for the ride. Along the way they’ve also inspired many people to be weird, take chances and find their own voice.

THE RESIDENTS will perform in Austin and on March 20th, 2015 the mysterious group, iconic in eyeball masks and tuxedos, present a new show called Shadowland, complete “short videos about birth, rebirth, reincarnation. and near death experiences.”

MORE INFO:

www.residentsmovie.com

The following KILL ME THREE TIME press materials are now available to download:

LA Press Day generic interview with Simon Pegg and director Kriv Stenders:

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/15287695/KILL_ME_THREE_TIMES_GENERICS.MOV

*Please allow time to download this 2.1 GB file.

Clips/Featurette:

http://we.tl/EtHzQo76tG

Trailer:

http://we.tl/gr7ZFgaOmv

PRESENTS

KILL ME THREE TIMES

WILL OPEN IN LOS ANGELES ON FRIDAY, APRIL 10^th

AT THE NUART THEATRE

KILL ME THREE TIMES is a darkly comedic thriller from rising star director Kriv Stenders (Red Dog). Simon Pegg plays the mercurial assassin, Charlie Wolfe, who discovers he isn't the only person trying to kill the siren of a sun-drenched surfing town (Alice Braga). Charlie quickly finds himself at the center of three tales of murder, mayhem, blackmail and revenge. With an original screenplay by James McFarland, the film also stars Sullivan Stapleton (as a gambling addict who attempts to pay off his debts through a risky life insurance scam), Teresa Palmer (as a small town Lady Macbeth), Callan Mulvey (as a wealthy beach club owner simmering with jealousy), Luke Hemsworth (as a local surfer fighting for the woman he loves) and Bryan Brown (as a corrupt cop who demands the juiciest cut).

Distributor: Magnolia Pictures

Director: Kriv Stenders

Screenplay By: James McFarland

Starring: Simon Pegg, Sullivan Stapleton, Teresa Palmer, Alice Braga, Callan Mulvey, Bryan Brown and Luke Hemsworth

Running time: 90 minutes

Release Date: March 26th (Ultra VOD) / April 10 (Theatrical)

For press materials, please visit:

www.magpictures.com/presskit.aspx?id=19009838-6c04-4c3d-8f71-4e8ed34e3aa3%E2%80%A8

LA PRESS SCREENINGS

Thursday, March 19th at 7:00pm

Wilshire Screening Room

8670 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 112.

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

Thursday, April 2nd at 7:00pm

Charles Aidikoff Screening Room

150 S. Rodeo Dr.

Beverly Hills, CA 90212

Section: Documentary Feature

Premiere Status: U.S. Premiere

Language: Danish with Subtitles

Runtime: 95 min

Synopsis:

Farmer Niels Stokholm lives in his farm with his wife Rita who works as his helping hand. The couple has been doing biodynamic farming for over 30 years. They have founded and managed the farm according to the idea that man and earth are fundamentally connected to the universe. Niels makes all the practical decisions in harmony with nature and in respect of the animals. These methods and beliefs in biodynamic farming yield some of the finest and most sought-after vegetables in the world. In spite of this, Niels has to battle against EU regulations and frequent animal welfare controls, in addition to fines and lawsuits, that threaten to close down the farm.

A WOMAN LIKE ME is a hybrid documentary that interweaves the real story of director Alex Sichel, diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in 2011, with the fictional story of Anna Seashell (Lili Taylor), who tries to find the glass half full when faced with the same diagnosis. The documentary follows Alex as she uses her craft as a filmmaker to explore what is foremost on her mind while confronting a terminal disease: parenting, marriage, faith, life, and death. When we are stuck between a rock and hard place, can our imagination get us out?

We have screeners available upon request. However, we would like to have you join us for the screenings at SXSW at our Screenings.

Director Elizabeth Giamatti is available for interviews during the festival and outside the festival, as well.

Screenings

• Monday, March 16 11:00 AM – 12:24 PM, Stateside Theatre

• Tuesday, March 17 4:45 PM – 6:09 PM, Alamo Lamar B

• Friday, March 20 2:00 PM – 3:24 PM, Alamo Lamar B

Section: Documentary Competition – SXSW 2015

Premiere Status: World Premiere

Runtime: 84 min

http://www.awomanlikemefilm.com

PRESENTS

OCTOBER GALE

Toronto doctor Helen Matthews (Patricia Clarkson), mourning the death of her husband (Callum Keith Rennie), retreats to the isolated island cabin where they'd spent some of their most

cherished moments together. Her reverie is cut short when a mysterious man, Will (Scott Speedman), washes ashore with a bullet in his shoulder. As he recuperates, the two develop a tentative connection, though Will refuses to explain what happened. When a severe storm traps them on the island as Will's would-be killer returns, their ability to trust each other then becomes a matter of survival. Also co-starring Tim Roth. OCTOBER GALE is a story about a couple warily exploring their growing bond under extreme circumstances.

Writer-director Ruba Nadda has received critical acclaim for character-driven dramas such as SABAH and CAIRO TIME (winner of Best Canadian Feature Film at the 2009 Festival). In OCTOBER GALE, she brings her astute psychological insight to bear on an intimate, suspenseful thriller.

Directed by: Ruba Nadda

Screenplay by: Ruba Nadda

Starring: Patricia Clarkson, Scott Speedman, Tim Roth

Release Date: March 6, 2015 (NY), March 13, 2015 (LA), January 27, 2015 (VOD)

Running Time: 91 minutes

For Press Materials:

http://extranet.ifcfilms.com/

User: ifcguest01

Password: kubrick

LA PRESS SCREENING

Tuesday, March 3rd at 7:30pm

Raleigh Studios Douglas Fairbanks Theater

5300 Melrose Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90038

GRAVITAS VENTURES ACQUIRES DAVE BOYLE'S

INDEPENDENT SPIRT AWARD NOMINATED THRILLER

'MAN FROM RENO'

Independent Spirit Award Nominee and Los Angeles Film Festival Award Winner

"Man From Reno" opens in theaters March 27, 2015.

El Segundo, CA (February 19, 2015) - Nolan Gallagher, Founder and CEO of Gravitas Ventures, has announced the acquisition of North American rights to filmmaker Dave Boyle's atmospheric thriller MAN FROM RENO which has been nominated for the "John Cassavetes" prize at this year's Independent Spirit Awards (to be held February 21

^st at 2pm PT / 5pm ET).

Commenting on his company's acquisition of the film Mr. Gallagher said, "We are honored to continue our collaboration with Dave Boyle on his award winning Man from Reno. His stylish and assured filmmaking have gained a considerable audience and we are excited to help new fans discover this film."

MAN FROM RENO is already a multi-award winning film, having scored accolades and trophies from The Los Angeles Film Festival 2014 (Winner of "Best Dramatic Feature"), the San Diego Asian Film Festival 2014 (Winner of the "Jury Award for Best Narrative Feature") and the Dallas Asian Film Festival 2014 (Winner of the "Jury Award for Best Asian American Narrative Feature"). The film will make a limited theatrical bow in New York City and Los Angeles on March 27^th before expanding on April 10^th, 2014. The cross-platform cable/satellite/telco and internet VOD and EST distribution is planned for summer 2015.

The wonderfully evocative film unfolds like a deliciously prepared riddle with a story that involves the intersection of three unlikely characters: an aging but still dogged sheriff of a small farming town on the outskirts of San Francisco, a reclusive yet popular writer who harbors a deep secret that would shock her fans and a mysterious drifter -- the eponymous Man from Reno. Gravitas is excited to bring MAN FROM RENO to audiences everywhere in North America.

Director and Co-Writer, Dave Boyle, whose previous three films have all be distributed by Gravitas Ventures, remarked of his new distribution agreement that "I'm thrilled to be working with my old friends at Gravitas to make sure mystery fans everywhere get their shot at catching the MAN FROM RENO. I'm proud of the work of the entire filmmaking team, and I can't wait for more people to see it!"

The deal for MAN FROM RENO was negotiated by Chad Miller, Vice President of Filmmaker Relations and Acquisitions at Gravitas Ventures.

ABOUT GRAVITAS VENTURES

Gravitas Ventures is a leading all rights distributor of independent cinema. Founded in 2006, Gravitas connects independent filmmakers and producers with distribution opportunities across the globe. Working with more than 500 content partners, Gravitas Ventures has distributed thousands. Recent releases include Sundance smash PING PONG SUMMER with Susan Sarandon, THE LONGEST WEEK starring Jason Bateman and Olivia Wilde, and FELONY, starring Joel Edgerton and Tom Wilkinson. Upcoming titles include: MANNY, APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR, BACKSTREET BOYS: SHOW 'EM WHAT YOU'RE MADE OF and Spike Lee's DA SWEET BLOOD OF JESUS. For more information, please check out www.gravitasventures.com and @GravitasVOD.

Watch The "Boyhood: Keeping It in the Family" Video Here:

http://video.vanityfair.com/watch/boyhood-keeping-it-in-the-family

Embeddable Link:

<iframe width="560" height="390" src="http://player.cnevids.com/embed/54dcd12361646d588d010000/51cc9fb8bb8f55bdfb000005" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen allowtransparency="true"></iframe>

Written and directed by Richard Linklater, Boyhood - now nominated for 6 Academy Awards - has appeared on more "best of 2014" lists than any other film released last year. The award-winning film won best picture awards from numerous film critic circles - including New York, Los Angeles, DC, Boston, Chicago, Austin, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and more, and recently won three BAFTA Awards including Best Film and Director. Filmed over short periods from 2002 to 2013 with the same cast - Ethan Hawke, Patricia Arquette, Lorelei Linklater and Ellar Coltrane - Boyhood is the story of growing up as seen through the eyes of a child named Mason (Coltrane). Boyhood is now available in theaters, on Digital HD, Cable VOD, Blu-Ray Combo Pack and DVD.

OPENING DAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

PRESENTS

WILL OPEN IN SELECT MARKETS ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27^th

AT THE FOLLOWING THEATERS:

LOS ANGELES

AMC BURBANK 8 - BURBANK, CA

AMC NORWALK 20 - NORWALK, CA

AMC ORANGE 30 - ORANGE, CA

HOUSTON

AMC GULF POINTE 30 - HOUSTON, TX

AMC STUDIO 30 - HOUSTON, TX

MIAMI

AMC SUNSET PLACE 24 - MIAMI, FL

AMC AVENTURA 24 - AVENTURA, FL

*Interview opportunities are available with actors Edy Ganem, Luis Guzman, Michael Steger and writer/director Georgina Garcia Riedel.

Ana Maria in Novela Land is the fun-filled story of how one super fan, Ana Maria, switches places with her favorite telenovela star, Ariana Tomosa. Starring EDY GANEM (Devious Maids), in a breakout, dual role as both Ana Maria and Ariana Tomosa, the film centers around Ana Maria, a typical 20-something who is living life on her own terms but frustrating her family and friends all the while doing so. As she journeys inside a world of seemingly limitless opportunities in "Novela Land," things get heated during a love affair with a wealthy businessman and his younger, sexy son. Meanwhile, Ariana is forced to deal with the harsh realities of living in Los Angeles with an over-protective but loving family. As each of these women navigate their new lives, they come to the realization that love and true faith in themselves is all they really needed to have the life they dreamed of.

Distributor: Fluency Studios

Director: Georgina Garcia Riedel

Writer: Georgina Garcia Riedel and Jose Nestor Marquez

Starring: Edy Ganem, Michael Steger, Luis Guzmán and Elizabeth Peña

Running time: 93 minutes

Release Date: February 27, 2015

For Press Materials:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/n4kvvhn4me7obn3/AAA4Zaj4WeqgeFdR5qZbCvpNa?dl=0

Film Website:

anamariamovie.com

Social Media Links:

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/1B3UHnD

THE MIND OF MARK DEFRIEST opens in LOS ANGELES and NEW YORK on March 6, and select cities following.

FOUND OBJECT FILMS & NAKED FILMS

PRESENT

A FILM BY GABRIEL LONDON

www.defriest.com

OPENING MARCH 6, 2015

LA - LAEMMLE MUSIC HALL

NY - CINEMA VILLAGE

THE MIND OF MARK DEFRIEST captures the bizarre, infuriating story of a carefree19-year-old Mark Defriest who ended up in solitary confinement for most of his adult life in a Florida prison. His crimes? Taking the tools his father, who was recently deceased, had willed to him before the will was probated.

The only home he has ever known is a prison cell, despite repeated escape attempts and doubts that he ever belonged in prison. Originally found ‘incompetent to be sentenced’ by five of six psychiatrists, he, like many mentally ill prisoners, has spent an incredible amount of time in solitary confinement – 27 of the last 34 years. After years of disciplinary write-ups – common with the mentally ill – Defriest’s parole date stood at 2085.

After the film was released, audiences responded with anger and passion to the perceived injustice in Defriest’s case. Filmmaker Gabriel London traveled to Tallahassee to share the film to the Florida Commission on Offender Review.

Dubbed as “Florida’s Houdini” and “unluckiest prisoner” by the press, Defriest recently was granted parole. His legendary escapes and stranger-than-fiction entry to the injustice system now serve as an catalyst for prison reform.

THE MIND OF MARK DEFRIEST has won awards and critics’ praises ever since its film festival debut. Filmmaker Gabriel London successfully captures the haunting story with exclusive interviews, access to the subject, and visually-stunning animations.

Top Ten Audience Favorite- 2014 HotDocs

Winner of Audience Award, Best Documentary- 2014 Naples International Film Festival

Winner of Best Documentary Feature- 2014 Lone Star Film Festival

Official Selection- 2014 Los Angeles Film Festival

Official Selection- 2014 Doc NYC

Official Selection- 2014 starz Denver Film Festival

Official Selection- 2014 Key West Film Festival

Official Selection-2014 Tallgrass International Film Festival

SCREENER LINK FOR PRESS OR EDITORIAL CONSIDERATION ONLY

THE OSCAR® NOMINATED BEST DOCUMENTARY FILM

Finding Vivian Maier

A Film by John Maloof & Charlie Siskel

“A gripping documentary. Fascinating.” –Los Angeles Times

“An exciting electric current of discovery runs through Finding Vivian Maier.” –The New York Times

“Haunting and powerful.”–The Village Voice

“A riveting documentary.” -Indiewire

“Remarkable. Art in the guise of a detective story.” –The Wall Street Journal

“Riveting. A must-see.” –The Atlantic

“A moving tribute to Vivian Maier’s art.” –The New Yorker

“AMAZING…this film needs to be seen in the theater, in the dark, with other people...” – Michael Moore

SYNOPSIS

FINDING VIVIAN MAIER takes us across the globe from New York to France to Chicago following the life of the late Vivian Maier – a career nanny who earned a reputation posthumously as one of America’s most accomplished and unsung photographers. Her mysterious life was spent taking care of other people’s children, as she had no family of her own or any relatives to speak of. She died at the age of 83 in 2009 and left behind over 100,000 photos/negatives of her work that were hidden in storage with her other belongings.

It was soon after her death, historian John Maloof, a 26 year-old amateur historian in Chicago, stumbled upon this treasure trove of work at an auction and brought her work to life. It is through him, that Maier and her works, as an amazing artist were discovered and are now shared with the rest of the world.

In FINDING VIVIAN MAIER, Maloof teams with filmmaker Charlie Siskel to unravel this mysterious gifted artist. They trace her history from New York to France and Chicago to find out who she really was. Interviews with some of the children (now adults) that she raised and families who employed, the film unravels this profound and lonely artist that the New York Times called “one of America’s more insightful street photographers.” The film is not only a tribute to one of the greatest artists of our time, but is also a mind boggling treat as we go on the journey and learn who Vivian Maier really is and was. FINDING VIVIAN MAIER is a haunting mystery and a celebration of a remarkable artist’s vision and her work. Don’t miss this film.

Finding Vivian Maier

is also nominated for the following awards

WRITERS GUILD OF AMERICA - BEST DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY

DIRECTORS GUILD OF AMERICA - BEST DOCUMENTARY DIRECTOR

BRITISH ACADEMY OF FILM AND TELEVISION - BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

FINDING VIVIAN MAIER is available now on iTunes and Amazon.com

For more information and to view the trailer, go to: http://www.findingvivianmaier.com

PARVANEH

A FILM BY TALKHON HAMZAVI

OSCAR® NOMINEES

DIRECTOR TALKHON HAMZAVI

PRODUCER STEFAN EICHENBERGER

LEAD ACTRESS

NISSA KASHANI

PARVANEH is opening in theatres across the nation now

as part of the 2015 Oscar® Nominated Shorts programs

Check here for your listings - http://shorts.tv/theoscarshorts/dates-locations/

View our trailer here: http://vimeo.com/66231698

Related Videos:

1. http://youtu.be/GamT9wJGb2E (Director: Talkhon Hamzavi)

2. http://youtu.be/bCe36kk1Bbw (Actress: Nissa Kashani)

3. http://youtu.be/8tkfEq9yxXU (Swiss Consul General: Jean-Francois Lichtenstern)

4. http://youtu.be/VmZV7PQBspM (with Producer: Stefan Eichenberger)

LA OPENING DAY ANNOUNCEMENT!!!

PRESENTS

THE SALVATION

WILL OPEN IN LOS ANGELES ON FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27^th

AT THE LANDMARK NUART THEATRE

The mighty Mads Mikkelsen unleashes a maelstrom of bloodshed in theWild West in this white-knuckle tale of revenge. When he lays waste to the scoundrels who killed his wife and son, a Danish ex-soldier (Mikkelsen) incurs the wrath of a sadistic gang leader hell-bent on hunting him down. Exploding with eye-popping action, dazzlingly dramatic frontier landscapes, and a smoldering performance by Eva Green, The Salvation is a rip-roaring, blood-spattered saga of sin and redemption.

Distributor: IFC Films

Director: Kristian Levring

Screenplay By: Kristian Levring and Andrews Thomas Jensen

Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eva Green and Jeffrey Dean Morgan

Running time: 100 minutes

Release Date: February 27, 2014 in LA and NY

BATKID BEGINS: THE WISH HEARD AROUND THE WORLD

A DANA NACHMAN FILM

*WORLD PREMIERE 2015 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL - PARK CITY UTAH

KTF FILMS PRESENTS

BATKID BEGINS: THE WISH HEARD AROUND THE WORLD - A DANA NACHMAN FILM

One child. One wish. Millions touched. Who would have thought a 5-year-old boy who fought leukemia would transform a city and a nation for a day? No one. Not his family. Not his friends. Not the thousands of volunteers who came from near and far to help make his wish come true. But it did.

BATKID BEGINS: THE WISH HEARD AROUND THE WORLD takes us back to November 15th, 2013, the day San Francisco turned into Gotham City, and the day the internet was nice. More than a billion people took to social media to cheer on Bat Kid, even President Obama! In all, the #SfBatKid and #BatKid hashtags reached more than 1.84 Billion people on Twitter and Instagram. This wish and this little caped crusader resonated with so many people, including us, and we wanted to find out why.

Slamdance world competition Documentary SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT – directed by Ben Patterson featuring Pras Michel of The Fugees.

PRODUCED BY PRAS MICHEL, KARYN RACHTMAN, BEN PATTERSON

EXECUTIVE PRODUCED BY BRYN MOOSER, MARLON WAYANS, RICK ALVAREZ,

STEVE HARRIS & OLIVER LUCKETT

MUSIC BY THE FUGEES, WYCLEF JEAN, SWEET MICKY

SYNOPSIS: Music and politics collide when international music star Pras Michel of the Fugees returns to his homeland of Haiti following the devastating earthquake of 2010 to mobilize a presidential campaign for Haiti’s most controversial musician: Michel Martelly aka Sweet Micky. The politically inexperienced pair set out against a corrupted government, civil unrest and a fixed election. When Pras’ former bandmate - superstar Wyclef Jean - also enters the presidential race, their chances seem even further doomed. But despite the odds, they never give up on their honest dream of changing the course of Haiti’s future forever.

SLAMDANCE Dates:

Saturday, Jan 24 @ 5:30 P.M.

Thursday, Jan 29 @ 6:10 P.M.

Feature stories, Curtain Raisers, and reviews for SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT are appreciated.

For those of you living in Los Angeles, we are having a pre-Slamdance press screening of SWEET MICKY FOR PRESIDENT this Friday at 12:00 Noon at the Wilshire Screening Room in Beverly Hills. Please let me know if you and a guest would like to join us for this screening. We are embargoing reviews of the film until after our premiere on January 24 in Park City, Utah.