Archive for the ‘Events’ Category
Posted by dominie in Events, Films, News on November 19th, 2008
Only 57 days to go until the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Unlike years past, the 25th Anniversary Sundance Film Festival will open with a feature-length clay animation film, Mary and Max, from Academy Award-winning short film creator Adam Elliot reports /Film.
Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette, Mary and Max tells the tale of an improbable friendship between two very different people: Mary Daisy Dinkle (Collette) a lonely Australian eight-year-old, and Max Jerry Horovitz (Hoffman), a middle-aged New Yorker. Spanning 20 years and two continents, Mary and Max is a journey that explores friendship, autism, taxidermy, psychiatry, alcoholism, obesity, kleptomania, sexual difference, religious difference, agoraphobia and more. The film is narrated by Australian legend Barry Humphries and features cameos from Eric Bana, singer Renee Geyer and Australian music icon Ian “Molly” Meldrum along with Julie Forsyth and John Flaus. The story is based on the director’s own pen-friendship that has also lasted over twenty years. Read on more the details from the press release.
25TH SUNDANCE FILM FESTIVAL TO OPEN WITH WORLD PREMIERE OF ADAM ELLIOT’S MARY AND MAX
Clay Animation Film Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette,
Narrated by Barry Humphries to Screen Opening Night, January 15 in Park City
Park City, UT—Sundance Institute announced today that the world premiere of Mary and Max, a clay animation feature film from Academy Award-winning short film creators Adam Elliot and producer Melanie Coombs is the Opening Night Film for the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Starring Philip Seymour Hoffman and Toni Collette and narrated by Barry Humphries, Mary and Max is the tale of two unlikely pen pals: Mary, a lonely, eight-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Melbourne, and Max, a forty-four-year old, severely obese man living in New York. The story is based on the director’s own pen-friendship that has also lasted over twenty years. Celebrating its 25th anniversary, the Sundance Film Festival runs January 15-25, 2009 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden, and Sundance, Utah.
“This portrait of a global friendship between two marvelously dysfunctional people is an exceptionally moving, funny and thought-provoking work,” said Geoffrey Gilmore, Director, Sundance Film Festival. “Mary and Max is the first film of its kind to open the Festival and we anticipate audiences will embrace Adam Elliot’s feature-length directorial debut for its poignant story, exceptional voice talent and technological creativity.”
Mary and Max marks renowned Australian animator Adam Elliot’s return to Sundance Film Festival. His short film Harvie Krumpet, also produced by Melanie Coombs, screened at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and went on to win the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film. Elliot has been awarded five Australian Film Institute Awards, for his four previous films. These films, which also include Uncle, Cousin and Brother, have screened in hundreds of film festivals all over the world. “By Opening Night it will have been five years since Melanie and I began working on the film. It has been a whale of a pregnancy and we are so thrilled that the birth will be in Sundance. It is a dream come true to unveil our film in such an honored and nourishing environment.” said Elliot.
Written and directed by Elliot, Mary and Max tells the tale of an improbable friendship between two very different people: Mary Daisy Dinkle (Collette) a lonely Australian eight-year-old, and Max Jerry Horovitz (Hoffman), a middle-aged New Yorker. Spanning 20 years and two continents, Mary and Max is a journey that explores friendship, autism, taxidermy, psychiatry, alcoholism, obesity, kleptomania, sexual difference, religious difference, agoraphobia and more. The film is narrated by Australian legend Barry Humphries and features cameos from Eric Bana, singer Renee Geyer and Australian music icon Ian “Molly” Meldrum along with Julie Forsyth and John Flaus.
Mary and Max was Produced by Melanie Coombs and Executive Produced by Mark Gooder, Paul Hardart, Tom Hardart, Bryce Menzies and Jonathan Page and Co-Executive Produced by Iain Canning, Andrew Mackie and Richard Payten with Associate Producer Pauline Piechota. Mary and Max was financed by Screen Australia, Adirondack Pictures and Film Victoria and is being sold internationally by Icon Entertainment International.
“All of us could not think of a better place to launch Adam’s labor of love. It is thrilling to have the home of independent filmmaking recognize Adam’s enormous talent,” said Mark Gooder, CEO of Icon.
The entire 2009 Sundance Film Festival program announcement will be made on Wednesday, December 3 and Thursday, December 4.
Posted by dominie in Events, General on November 7th, 2008
Got a film you want to submit to festivals? Try the 10th annual TromaDance Film Festival. Promoted at AFM, the American Film Market, one of the leading platforms for sealing independent sales and distribution deals, TromaDance, founded by Lloyd Kaufman, is the first film festival devoted to truly independent films. The festival occurs simultaneously during the Sundance Film Festival and is also held in Salt Lake City, Utah. Read on for more details.
Inspired by Trey Parker and founded in 2000 by Lloyd Kaufman, TromaDance is the first film festival wholeheartedly devoted to filmmakers and fans. Unlike every other film festival, TromaDance does not charge filmmakers a fee to submit their films.
Entrance to all screening s is free and open to the public. There are no VIP reservations and no preferential treatment of any kind is given regarding admission to films, panels, or parties. The organizers of TromaDance believe films are meant to be seen, especially when it comes to new filmmakers. Art…in all its forms… is for the people!
TromaDance features a range of films made independently, usually without big stars, big money and far removed from the Hollywood studio system. The official selections of TromaDance have been made with nothing more than passion, courage, integrity, and raw talent.
Now in its 10th year, TromaDance has expanded across the country. TromaDance Indiana, in conjunction with the B-Movie Celebration, is now in its 2nd year, and TromaDance New Mexico will hold its fifth festival in 2009.
For further info please visit www.troma.com or www.tromadance.com.
Posted by dominie in Events, Films, News on November 3rd, 2008
Tavix Pictures, a new distribution entity from producer Casey Evans (Identity Crisis) and director Brad Jurjens (The Bank Job) will launch at AFM this week. Blur, a psychological thriller from award-winning filmmaker John W. Kim (It’s A Horrible Life) is among one of the eclectic films slated for distribution. Their launch slate seems very promising. Read inside the following press release for more details on each film.
Producer Casey Evans and director Brad Jurjens are launching their new distribution entity Tavix Pictures at AFM, November 5 – 12, 2008 at the Loews Hotel in Santa Monica. They will sell the domestic and international rights to their impressive slate including the action film Hired Gun, filmmaker John W. Kim’s Hitchcockian thriller Blur and Michael O’Brien’s baby-boomer rockumentary Going to Whatstock?
Dedicated to producing quality films through collaborative development, Evans and Jurjens have also been able to secure financing for their upcoming films. According to Evans, “Tavix Pictures has and will continue to evolve with the industry to be the most efficient, dedicated company that can cut ‘standard’ costs in half by re-organizing workflow and keeping pace with current technology trends that are associated with every aspect of filmmaking from production through distribution.” (more…)
Posted by dominie in Events, Films, News on November 3rd, 2008
Bloody Disgusting unveiled three early one-sheet previews for 2009’s After Dark Horrorfest III occurring on January 9th to January 15th, 2009—that of The Broken, Slaughter, and Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations. It will be the third annual Horrorfest from After Dark and seven of their “8 Films to Die For” have been announced. Stay tuned here for more details.
The Broken—director Sean Ellis delivers a psychological horror story about a woman whose life descends into nightmare when she wakes up in the hospital after seeing an apparent double of herself driving by—in her own car. The film stars Lena Headey, Richard Jenkins, Melvil Poupaud, Ulrich Thomsen, Michelle Duncan, and Asier Newman.
Slaughter—director Stewart Hopewell tells a chilling story about a young woman trying to escape an abusive past. She moves to Atlanta in hopes of seeking refuge at her family far, but discovers even more cruelty awaits her. Antonia Bernath, Craig Robert Young, Lucy Holt, Maxim Knight, Amy Shiels, C.J. Singer, and Cristi Hogas star.
Perkins’ 14—From director Craig Singer, this killer thriller involves the arrest of a suspected murderer. It follows Robert Perkins, who after witnessing his parents’ massacre brainwashes 14 bodyguards to kill anyone that tries to harm him. Patrick O’Kane, Shayla Beesley, Mihaela Mihut, Michale Graves, Gregory O’Connor, and Katherine Pawlak star.
Butterfly Effect 3: Revelations—director Seth Grossman tells of a young man who discovers he has inherited the powers of “The Butterfly Effect” and attempts to solve the mystery of his high school girlfriend’s death using his newfound ability, only to unwittingly unleash a vicious serial killer. The film stars Chris Carmack, Sonya A. Avakian, Rachel Miner, and Melissa Jones.
From Within—From director Phedon Papamichael, the story tells of a young girl contemplating severing ties from her Christian upbringing just as residents in her small town begin to suspiciously die. Thomas Dekker, Elizabeth Rice, Adam Goldberg, Jake Weber, and Laura Allen star.
Dying Breed—From director Jody Dwyer, the film is inspired by the legends of a 19th-century cannibal and an extinct tiger. This brutal horror-thriller centers on four friends who find out that something—or someone—murderous lurks in the rain-slogged Australian bush. Leigh Whannell, Nathan Phillips, Melanie Valejo, Mirrah Foulkes, Peter Docker, and Billie Brown star.
Autopsy—From director Adam Gierasch, the story chronicles a young woman’s attempt to find her injured boyfriend in a bizarre and dangerous hospital. The film stars Robert Patrick, Jenette Goldstein, Michael Bowen, Robert LaSardo, and Ross McCall.
Posted by robert in Events, General, News, Reviews on October 21st, 2008
I have not been neglecting my Famous Monsters post. No, on the contrary. I have been in a maddening frenzy gathering artisans from all walks of life who are of like mind. Why? For future projects, properties and events coming to you from FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND. I am proud to announce, I am hard at work orchestrating the creation of the official FM FEARBOOK 2009. A celebration of 50 years of FAMOUS MONSTERS OF FILMLAND and a world of imagination. The book will debut at, ready for this? The FAMOUS MONSTERS FILM FESTIVAL. More on that as we confirm guests and films.
The Fearbook is a celebration for ALL who revere a good imaginative tale, be it on celluloid or print. Be it with ghosts, demons, man made monsters, Giant Bugs, whichever you prefer. This fearbook and website is for you. The fearbook will look back to our celluloid past as well as glance towards the future. Where will the future of monsters be? That can only be answered by the artist of tomorrow. Which brings me to the last chapter of the Fearbook.
THE FUTURE OF FM.
I am seeking 50 young artists who would like submit original work for possible publication in the 2009 book.
These are the RULES.
1: the artist MUST be below the age of 21. I DREAM of receiving art from some aspiring 5 year old. ANY LITTLE ARTISTS OUT THERE?
2: NO splatter horror art, NO Nudity, or general junk
3: Please include your age, name and City/State/Country
4: ALL submissions are via email, please no photocopies or originals through the mail.
5: Our DEADLINE is December 31st, 2008
6: NO Digital artwork, photoshop and the like. We want pencil, crayons, markers, ink, paints ANYTHING, but digital
7: The artwork must capture the essence of the past, yet lead us towards the future.
CAN YOU DO IT? OF COURSE! So, kids, get to work.
Send me your emails
I will be selecting a handful of artists to be featured within the pages of the FEARBOOK. The remaining artists will be featured HERE on the OFFICIAL F.M. site.
Hope to hear from you soon.
Signed, your neurotic and demanding Art Director gentleman
Robert Aragon
Posted by jonathon in Events, Films, Reviews on October 10th, 2008
1. The human whose name is written in the Death Note shall die.
2. The person writing the name is called Kira.
3. The death will not occur unless the Kira has the face of the victim in his/her mind. Therefore, people sharing the same name will not be affected.
4. The victim will simply die of a heart attack unless the Kira specifies the cause of death within 40 seconds of writing the victims name.
5. The Kira who owns the Note can see the shinigami or “god of death” that carries out the deaths.
6. If the Kira loses ownership of the Death Note he/she will lose all memory of the usage of the Death Note and shinigami.
7. The memories will return just by touching the Death Note again.
8. 23 days is the furthest into the future the Kira can plan a death.
9. Once written the death cannot be altered or avoided.
and begin awesomely flawed movie… (more…)
Posted by dominie in Events, News on October 3rd, 2008
Spike TV will present film legends Tim Burton and Wes Craven with discretionary awards for their groundbreaking achievements in the horror, sci-fi, fantasy and comic book genres during the third annual Scream 2008 celebration. Featuring appearances and performances by such greats as Seth Rogen, Kevin Smith, Liv Tyler, Samuel L. Jackson, The Osbournes, Kristen Bell, Julie Benz, Darren Lynn Bousman, Thomas Dekker, Guillermo Del Toro, Stan Lee, and many more, the celebration has gathered the industry’s most talented visionists to honor these two filmmakers, who have molded the genre with their innovative style and foresight.
Tim Burton (Beetlejuice, Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sweeney Todd), who has contributed more to the genres of fantasy, sci-fi and horror than any other filmmaker of his generation, will be honored with the 2008 Scream Immortal Award.
Wes Craven, the genius behind The Hills Have Eyes, Swamp Thing, the Scream franchise, and The Nightmare on Elm Street, will be presented with this year’s Scream Mastermind Award, which celebrates a filmmaker’s unique vision that has been deemed critically acclaimed and culturally significant.
Burton and Craven will join such elites as Alice Cooper and Ozzy Osbourne the Rock Immortal Award winners, writer Neil Gaiman, filmmaking duo Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez who received the 2006 Mastermind Award.
The Scream 2008 celebration will premiere Tuesday, October 21 at 9:00 PM on Spike TV. Keep if here for updates as they come.
Posted by dominie in Events, Films, News on October 2nd, 2008
I can’t stop raving about how great this little Swedish vampire film is. Tomas Alfredson’s Let the Right One In (review) debuts in New York and Los Angeles Friday, October 24. The US trailer is now available in high definition on IGN and you can visit the official website for all everything you want to know about the upcoming release.
Let the Right One In is the inaugural film in Magnet Releasing’s Six Shooter Film Series that will feature theatrical releases of six films from the vanguard of quality worldwide genre cinema. Alfredson’s Let the Right One In has been named winner of such film festival honors as Best Narrative Feature at the Tribeca Film Festival, Best Film and Best Cinematography at Göteborg, and Best Film, Best Director, Best Photography, Best European, North or South American Film at the Fantasia Film Festival in Montreal.
Official Plot Synopsis:
A fragile, anxious boy, 12-year-old Oskar is regularly bullied by his stronger classmates but never strikes back. The lonely boy’s wish for a friend seems to come true when he meets Eli, also 12, who moves in next door to him.
But Eli’s arrival coincides with a series of gruesome deaths and attacks. Though Oskar realizes that she’s a vampire, his friendship with her is stronger than his fear…
Swedish filmmaker Tomas Alfredson weaves friendship, rejection and loyalty into a disturbing, darkly atmospheric, yet unexpectedly tender tableau of adolescence. The feature is based on the best-selling novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, which the UK press qualified as “reminiscent of Stephen King at his best.”
Screening Dates and Locations:
10/24/2008
West Hollywood, CA: Sunset 5
New York, NY: Angelika Film Center
11/7/2008
San Diego, CA: Hillcrest Cinemas (more…)
Posted by dominie in Events, Films, Interviews on September 26th, 2008
Join Larry Fessenden and James Felix McKenney on Fangoria Radio tonight, September 26. Debbie Rochon will host an interview session with the Fessenden and McKenney on their upcoming horror slates: Satan Hates You, I Sell The Dead, Hypothermia, and possible future features in the collaboration of Glass Eye Pix with Dark Sky Films. The show starts here 10:00pm Eastern on Sirius Satelite Radio Channel 102.
More on the upcoming releases:
Satan Hates You from writer-director James Felix McKenney, is a graphic horror film that tells the stories of two individuals and their personal struggles with Lucifer himself. Starring Don Wood (TV’s Colonial House, In a Fix), Christine Spencer (Automatons), Angus Scrimm (Phantasm, TV’s Alias), Reggie Bannister (Phantasm, Bubba Ho-Tep), Michael Berryman (One Flew Over the Cukoo’s Nest, The Hills Have Eyes), Debbie Rochon (Romeo and Juliet, Terror Firmer), and Larry Fessenden, the film boasts a large ensemble cast, mixing well-known genre names with MonsterPants regulars. The feature wrapped principle photography (which as been going on intermittently since 2005) on July 2nd and producer Fessenden has eyes set for festival release in mid 2009.
Satan Hates You has two storylines going all the while with demons provoking the characters to remain on with Satan. One is a man who struggles with his desire to kill. The second centers on a young girl who falls to the wayward side of life, but ultimately redeems herself when she meets a televangelist she later finds out is actually an angel. (more…)
Posted by dominie in Events, Films, General on September 22nd, 2008
It’s not too late to contribute to Perkins’ 14! The folks over at Massify, known for developing the original project entirely via the Internet, sent us the following news that will force a smile to end all those case of the Mondays.
Get your creative on. Massify is in search of a horror fan to create the official movie poster for their After Dark Films’ Perkins’ 14. As you may remember, this film was developed and cast on Massify, making it the first ever fan-created horror movie and they’re giving horror fans one last chance to contribute.
Perkins’ 14 is a killer thriller that involves the arrest of a suspected murderer. It follows Robert Perkins, who after witnessing his parents’ massacre brainwashes 14 bodyguards to kill anyone that tries to harm him.
The winning design will play a major role in the campaign for After Dark Films’ Horrorfest III and be seen by movie fans all over the world. In addition, the winner will be the proud owner of a new Wacom Cintiq, the LCD monitor and interactive pen display that allows you to work directly on the screen.
Don’t miss out on this exciting opportunity. The deadline for submissions is October 19. Visit the Massify official website for more scary details.
Only 57 days to go until the 2009 Sundance Film Festival. Unlike years past, the 25th Anniversary Sundance Film Festival will open with a feature-length clay animation film, Mary and Max, from Academy Award-winning short film creator Adam Elliot reports /Film.
