NYU Grad Film alum Lucy Walker's THE TSUNAMI AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM was named Best Short Documentary in the international competition at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival.
Grad Film Women at Sundance. l to r: Mollye Asher, Sarah-Violet Bliss, Tati Barrantes, Lucy Walker, Kristina Nikolova, Leonora Lonsdale.
NYU Grad Film alum and Adjunct Professor, Etienne Kallos, received a 2012 Sundance Institute/Mahindra Global Filmmaking Award for VYRSTAAT (FREE STATE). The award comes with a $10,000 cash prize.
Grad Film thesis student, Cole Wiley, has secured backing from California Pictures to produce and package After The Storm starring Wendell Pierce. After The Storm, Wiley's thesis film, is the story of a young boy who must overcome the loss of his home and family to the destructive wrath of Hurricane Katrina.
Read the Variety story on Cole and After The Storm here.
Grad Film alumna Dee Rees has earned the National Board of Review's Freedom of Expression Award for her film, Pariah. Congratulations, Dee!
Pariah, which was Rees' thesis film in the Graduate Film Program, premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival and continues to garner high praise. Watch the trailer and find theaters screening Pariah here.
Dee Rees on the set of Pariah
Photo Credit: Jenny Baptiste
Grad Film Students Celebrating on Behalf of Dee Rees' Win at the NBR Awards Gala
Congratulations to Grad Film Thesis Student, Lucy Mulloy, and Grad Film Alumna, Lisa Ohlin, for being selected to screen at this year's Berlinale Film Festival!
Lucy Mulloy's thesis film, Una Noche, was selected for the Generation 14Plus Programme. Una Noche, a U.S.-Cuban-British co-production about two Cuban boys who build a raft to sail to Florida, was one of seven selections for the festival. The Berlinale screening will be the world premiere of the film.
Read the Berlinale announcement here.
Lisa Ohlin's film, Simon and the Oaks, will also screen at Berlinale 2012. The film is based on a novel by Marianne Fredriksson and tells the story of Simon, a bookish boy from a working class family who befriends Erik, a Jewish boy whose family fled Nazi Germany. Ohlin's film has been nominated for a record 13 Guldbagge Awards, Sweden's equivalent to the Academy Awards.
Read the Hollywood Reporter article here.
Congratulations to Grad Film Alumnus, Jim Taylor, and Grad Film faculty member, Christine Vachon, for their recent Producers Guild of America nominations!
Jim Taylor is nominated for his work on Alexander Payne's latest success, The Descendants.
Christina Vachon is being recognized for her work on the highly-acclaimed HBO mini-series, Mildred Pierce.
Read about Mildred Pierce on the HBO website.
Read the Deadline.com announcement of the 2012 PGA Award Nominees here.
Shruti Ganguly, 3rd year Dual MBA/MFA Degree student, recently described her experience producing TAR, a feature film project directed by 12 NYU Grad Film students. TAR was made as part of a Fall semester directing class taught by Grad Film alum and Adjunct Professor James Franco.
Shruti's piece first appeared on Adjunct Professor Ted Hope's blog, HOPE FOR FILM.
Shruti Ganguly
KINYARWANDA, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum and Adjunct Professor Alrick Brown, joined HUGO and THE DESCENDANTS on Roger Ebert's Best Films of 2011 List.
HUGO was directed by Alum Martin Scorsese, and THE DESCENDANTS was produced by Alum Jim Taylor.
KINYARWANDA
Congratulations to Grad Film students, alumni and faculty who will screen their films at Sundance Film Festival in January:
OK BREATHE AURALEE - written and directed by Grad Film alumna, Brooke Swaney.
Auralee wants a baby and will go to great lengths to get what she wants. Grad Film student Peter O'Leary stars in the film and three other Grad Film students worked on the film, which is also Swaney's thesis work: Shripriya Mahesh (editor), Emily Reese (producer) and Zelmira Gainza (director of photography).
Kendra Mylnechuk and Peter O'Leary in OK Breathe Auralee
THE TSUNAMI AND THE CHERRY BLOSSOM - directed by Grad Film alumna, Lucy Walker.
Survivors in the areas hardest hit by Japan's recent tsunami find the courage to revive and rebuild as cherry blossom season begins. A visual haiku about the ephemeral nature of life and the healing power of Japan's most beloved flower.
Lucy Walker
THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID - co-produced by Grad Film alumna, Tai Burkholder.
Longtime best friends Bebe and DeeDee are both wrestling with love. Bebe has met someone new and is in the exuberant phase of a budding romance. DeeDee is trying to move on from someone she can’t forget—mostly in destructive ways. The women soon embark on the kind of outrageous misadventure that only New York City can offer.
VALLEY OF SAINTS - written and directed by Kanbar Undergraduate Film alumnus, Musa Syeed, with production funding provided by the Kanbar Institute and Sloan Foundation Film Production Grant.
Gulzar plans to run away from the war and poverty surrounding his village in Kashmir with his best friend, but a beautiful young woman researching the dying lake leads him to contemplate a different future.
Musa Syeed's Valley of Saints
RED HOOK SUMMER - produced and directed by Grad Film Creative Director and Professor Spike Lee. Several Grad Film students had the privilege of working on Lee's film, shot in New York.
The story of an Atlanta boy spending the summer with his grandfather in Brooklyn.
Toni Lysaith, Clarke Peters and Jules Brown in Red Hook Summer
KEEP THE LIGHTS ON - directed and co-written by Grad Film Professor, Ira Sachs.
An autobiographically inspired story of a passionate long-term relationship between two men driven by addiction and secrets but bound by love and hopefulness.
Ira Sachs' Keep the Lights On
SLAVERY BY ANOTHER NAME - directed by Kanbar Undergraduate Professor Sam Pollard. Grad Film alumnus, Michael Rossetti, worked as director of photography on the documentary.
As slavery came to an end with Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, a new system of involuntary servitude took its place with shocking force, brutalizing, terrorizing and ultimately circumscribing the lives of hundreds of thousands of African Americans well into the 20th century.
Sam Pollard's Slavery By Another Name, for PBS
Congratulations to NYU Graduate Film thesis students Kristina Nikolova and Frank Rinaldi (Tisch Asia) whose Feature Thesis Films have been selected for competition at the 2012 Slamdance Film Festival, to be held in Utah this January.
Congratulations also go out to NYU Grad Film alums Nat Livingston Johnson, Gregory Mitnick, and Levi Abrino, whose Thesis Shorts are in competition at Slamdance, and to 2nd year student, Vladimir de Fontenay, whose 1st year Narrative Film is in competition, as well.
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Faith, Love and Whiskey - directed by Kristina Nikolova and co-written with Grad Film Thesis student Paul Dalio will premiere at Slamdance. The film, which is Nikolova's thesis, is about a young Bulgarian woman, engaged to a well-off American, panics and runs back home, reuniting with her drifter friends and the wild life of her past and falling in love with her passionate but alcoholic best friend.
Kristina Nikolova
Sundowning, written and directed by Tisch Asia Grad Film student Frank Rinaldi will also premiere at Slamdance in Janurary. Sundowning, Rinaldi's thesis film, is a story about the relationship between a young woman who has lost her memory and her mysterious caregiver.
Frank Rinaldi
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LIVE ACTION COMPETITION SHORTS:
The Kook – Directors/Screenwriters: Nat Livingston Johnson, Gregory Mitnick. (USA)
A gentle and unassuming member of an eccentric religious sect in the Catskill Mountains experiences a crisis in faith.
Little Horses - Director/Screenwriter: Levi Abrino. (USA)
A divorced small town postal worker tries to use a pony to win his family back.
New Skin - Director/Screenwriter: Vladimir de Fontenay. (USA)
Helen spends New Year's Eve working at a gas station, where she meets an intriguing young man just before midnight.
Graduate Film Thesis Students Jonas Carpignano and Chloe Zhao and Graduate Film alumnus Etienne Kallos have been selected for the Sundance Institute's 2012 Screenwriters Lab, to be held in Utah this January. Congratulations!
Jonas Carpignano (writer/director) was selected for his thesis film, A Chjàna (Italy/U.S.A.).
After leaving his native Burkina Faso in search of a better life, Ayiva makes the perilous journey to Italy; though he finds compatriots along the way, they are unprepared for the intolerance facing immigrants in their newly-claimed home.
Jonas Carpignano was awarded Best Short Film at the 2011 Venice Film Festival, for A Chjàna.
Chloé Zhao (writer/director) was selected for her thesis film, Lee (U.S.A).
As his two best friends plan to leave for college, a Lakota teen wonders if his future on the reservation is pre-ordained when a tragedy forces him to take dangerous action to protect his family.
Chloe Zhao accepted NYU's Columbus Vague Production award earlier this year for her thesis film, Lee.
Etienne Kallos (writer/director) was selected for his film, Vrystaat (Free State) (South Africa).
Set during the annual corn harvest in the Free State, Vrystaat explores the rites of passage into manhood for a new generation as they navigate identity and sexuality within the fractured realm of post-Colonial Africa.
Etienne Kallos
Read the Indiewire release here.
Producerʼs Corner follows the activities of the MFA alums who were producing graduates of the Grad Film Program. Though not many in number they continue to be a
very active group in the industry. Here is the latest news from some of them.
Colin Firth ready for a take on the set of Arthur Newman, Golf Pro . The film co-stars Emily Blunt and Anne Heche, being shot with Arri Alexa cameras. The Executive Producer on the show is Lisa Bruce (NYU MFA-Prod) and the Production Supervisor is Tai Burkholder (NYU MFA-Prod). The film, just wrapped, was shot in Wilmington, North Carolina, where there are excellent EU Screen Gems sound stages and very good state incentive rebate support to reduce the budget.
Latest updates:
Susan Kirr (MFA-Prod) has wrapped the Val Kilmer picture Deep in the Heart as co-
Producer and is now in pre-production producing Winter in Blood staring Chaske Spencer and David Morse. She has now done three pictures since being the line producer on Terrence Malickʼs Tree of Life.
Tom Woodrow (MFA-Prod), is producing Skeleton Twins with Mark Heyman (MFA-Dir) directing. The film is starring Mark Duplass and Anna Farris. Mark Heyman was the writer of the runaway hit Black Swan.
Paul Mezey (MFA-Prod) has wrapped The Girl staring Will Patton and Abbie Cornish as producer. The film was directed by David Riker (MFA-Dir). They are currently cutting picture and expect a festival premiere as Mezy and Riker are both significant indie names, with Sundance and Venice track records.
Lisa Bruce (MFA-Prod) whose last picture was No Strings Attached has just wrapped Arthur Newman, Golf Pro, a Colin Firth, Emily Blunt, dark romantic comedy, written by Becky Johnston (Prince of Tides) in Wilmington NC. She flew in Tai Burkholder (MFAProd) as the production supervisor for the show.
Matthew Myers (MFA-Prod) wrapped Lola Versus with Greta Gerwig, Bill Pullman, Debra Winger. Matt was Co-Producer on the show shot in NYC and hired Tai Burkholder (MFA-Prod) as Production Supervisor.
Jason Sokoloff (MFA-Prod) has wrapped Love, Magical as Producer. It is the story of a R&B songwriterʼs struggle to get his music heard until a new woman comes into his life. The picture shot in NYC. The DP is Michael Rossetti (MFA-Camera). Jasonʼs previous picture was Jay Ananiaʼs Stare which he Line Produced for James Francoʼs (MFA - Dir) production company and has been picked up by Lionʼs Gate.
Tai Burkholder (MFA-Prod) also just wrapped Arthur Newman, Golf Pro, as Production Supervisor of the Colin Firth picture shot with three Arri Alexa cameras. Tai recently heard that the last film she worked on Thatʼs What She Said as co-producer, starring Anne Heche, was accepted by Sundance.
Amy Shatsky-Gambrill (MFA-Prod) is Line Producing Ethel for Shelia Nevins at HBO. The film is the life story of Ethel Kennedy being directed by Rory Kennedy. The film is now shooting. Amyʼs last picture was Bobby Fisher Against the World which Amy also Line Produced for HBO.
Ryan SIlbert (MFA-Prod) is in pre-production on Affluenza as Producer, staring upcoming talent Billy Mangnussen. A coming-of-age dramedy, the film explores the affluent and morally deviant suburban society of Great Neck, Long Island circa 1987. Ryanʼs last film was Julius Onahʼs (MFA-Dir) The Girlʼs in Trouble.
Gigi Dement (MFA-Prod) is Producing, Bastards of Young, Josiah Signorʼs (MFA-Dir) feature being shot by Michael Rossetti (MFA-Camera), Gigi was one of the Producers on the Oscar winning short God of Love.
Katie Jaconbs (NYU-MFA) continues as the Executive Producer on House M.D. and is now credited with producing 154 episodes of the multi Emmy winning show.
Tom Mangan (NYU-MFA) has released his latest picture Somewhere Tonight, starring John Turturro. The film was written and directed my Michael DiJiacomo (MFA-Directing) which was on the festival circuit this fall playing at the big festivals at Karlovy Vary, Thessaloniki, Amsterdam and Sao Paulo. Tom is teaching at Tisch Asia this year.
Dear Grad Film Students,
A number of you have recently come to me with questions arising from this week’s news. I thought it would be beneficial to bring a little clarity.
The most prominent allegation – that Jose Angel Santana was fired because of a grade he gave a student – is false. Professor Santana has not been fired; like other assistant arts professors, he had a three-year contract – which is still in force, and under which he is still being paid – and Tisch chose not to renew that contract. The non-renewal of his contract had nothing to do with any grade he assigned to any student, nor did it have anything to do with his ethnicity, which he also claims.
It is not appropriate for me to go into the details of the review that led to the school’s decision not to renew Professor Santana’s contract; these are private personnel matters. But I do have a few additional thoughts I want to share.
Every student in the University is entitled to privacy regarding his or her academic records. Public disclosure of confidential student information by any faculty member is a violation of our community standards as well as the trust forged among teachers and learners in this department. I want to assure all students that the disregard for these standards is not representative of the Graduate Film faculty and will not be tolerated.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any further questions or concerns.
I hope you all have a wonderful holiday break.
Best wishes for a happy and productive New Year!
- John
--
John Tintori
Chair, Graduate Film Program
Tisch School of the Arts
New York University
721 Broadway, 10th floor
New York, NY 10003
212 998 1568
http://blogs.nyu.edu/tisch/gradfilm/
http://gradfilm.tisch.nyu.edu/page/home.html
Congratulations to Grad Film Alumnus Victor Buhler on receiving a grant from the Documentary Film Program at the Sundance Institute! Victor was awarded the grant for the production of his film, A Whole Lott More.
Buhler's A Whole Lott More is a film about Lott Industries, based outside of Detroit, which employs more than 1200 workers with developmental disabilities. For decades the workers excelled at assembling car parts but the decline of the auto industry has pushed this unique workplace to the brink of survival.
Congrats, Victor!
Congratulations to Grad Film Alumni Jim Taylor, Dee Rees, Rashaad Ernesto Green and Maryam Keshavarz for their 2011 Spirit Award nominations!
IndieWire 2011 Spirit Awards Announcement
The Descendants, produced by Jim Taylor, is in the running for Best Feature.
Dee Rees' Pariah is nominated for the John Cassavettes Award and is being recognized for Best Female Lead nominee, Adepero Oduye.
Gun Hill Road, directed by Rashaad Ernesto Green, is also being recognized; Harmony Santana is nominated for Best Supporting Lead.
Circumstance, directed by Maryam Keshavarz, is nominated for the John Cassavettes Award.
OMG!
Cerys Anne Harrington Ma
Congratulations Meghan and Vincent!
NYU Grad Film alum and Adjunct Professor, Keith Davis, will direct a reading of his feature script, The American People, on:
Monday, December 5 at 7:30 pm
The 52nd Street Project
789 Tenth Avenue, New York, NY
The American People was developed at the 2011 Directors and Screenwriters Labs. In Keith Davis' beautifully told story, set in the heart of Alabama wiregrass country, a mother haunted by prescient visions of the future struggles to find hope after the sudden death of one of her children just days before 9/11. This event is FREE and will be followed by a dessert reception Join us as we bring the Sundance Institute community together to experience this exciting new work.
RSVP required: sundancersvp@sundance.org (seating is first come, first served)
KINYARWANDA, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Alrick Brown, opens theatrically today, December 2, in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Philadelphia and Washington DC, distributed by the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM).
Please see the message below from Adjunct Professor Alrick Brown.
Greetings and Salutations,
This weekend I need your help more than ever. Please read, share and help us make history.
Kinyarwanda is a film that beautifully portrays the kindness and hospitality expressed in the Islamic faith, that raises the bar on our capacity for love and forgiveness, and that gently brings closer the human faces of daily life during the Rwandan genocide of 1994. From the World Cinema Dramatic Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival in January to its award-winning run on the festival circuit, this film has grown a movement of dialogue around forgiveness, faith, reconciliation, and the common bonds – and common ground -we all share as human beings.
This Friday, December 2nd, Kinyarwanda will celebrate its theatrical release in seven cities simultaneously: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Seattle, Philadelphia and Washington DC, distributed by the African-American Film Festival Releasing Movement (AFFRM). All of our enthusiastic support at the box office over the opening weekend will give Kinyarwanda’s message of forgiveness and reconciliation - between family members and friends, Muslims and Christians – a chance to spread to smaller venues across the country as well. We would love for you to spread the word among your networks, neighborhoods, workplaces and faith communities to encourage others to come out and see this beautiful, inspirational and encouraging film this weekend.
Here are links to information about the film:
Kinyarwanda Theatrical Trailer: http://www.kinyarwandamovie.com/kinyarwanda-trailer.html
Nationwide Theaters and Tickets: http://www.dvahq.com/affrm/tix.html
AFFRM Website: http://www.dvahq.com/affrm/index.html
CNN Interview with writer/director Alrick Brown:
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2011/11/26/new-rwandan-movie-out.cnn
In today’s religious and political climate, Kinyarwanda’s message is one so many of us need to hear and act upon. We all have so much in common, and the lesson of seeing the people around us, and around the world, through each other’s eyes is a lesson with powerfully healing potential. You will leave the theater uplifted and inspired!
Peace love and respect
alrick
Congratulations to NYU Grad Film alum Dee Rees, winner of the Breakthrough Director Award at the 21st Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards!
Dee wrote and directed PARIAH, which was based on her award winning thesis short. Professor Spike Lee served as Executive Producer on PARIAH.
Dee Rees at the Gotham Awards.
Photo by Brian Brooks
What does the price of the clothes you wear, the gas you buy, or the coffee you drink, have to do with a room full of screaming, running, shoving, pushing, spitting personalities speaking in code? Everything.
THE PIT, NYU Graduate Film student Johanna Lee's thesis film about commodities traders, is finally coming to a TV screen near you!
THE PIT's television premiere will be on New York's Channel 13, WNET, on Wednesday, NOVEMBER 23rd, at 10 pm.
THE PIT will also play on New Jersey's public television station WLIW (Channel 21) on Thursday, DECEMBER 1, at 8PM, with a repeat on Sunday, 12/4, at 10PM.
THE PIT will screen on public television stations in other states across the country - dates will follow on Facebook: The Pit Movie.
More information and updates here: THE PIT MOVIE
Congratulations to Molly and Frank Hall Green on the birth of their daughter! Cece was born on Friday, 11/11/11 at 7:51PM, weighed 7lb 4oz and measured 20 1/2 inches.
Cece Green
Molly and Cece
Cece and Frank
THE CHAIR'S WORKSHOP PRESENTS:
the legendary
WES CRAVEN
Wes Craven at Chair's Workshop with John Tintori
1st year student Stephon Bristol with Wes Craven
WEDNESDAY NOV 16 at 6:30pm
721 Broadway, Tisch School of the Arts, Room 1027
THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT
THE HILLS HAVE EYES
NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET
SCREAM
and many more...
Although best known for directing classic horror/thriller films,
Wes has worked on several outside of this genre,
including MUSIC OF THE HEART, and PARIS J'TAIME.
Wes will show clips from his films,
discuss how to create thrills,
and the craft of short films vs. features
DON'T MISS THIS MEMORABLE CHAIRS WORKSHOP!!!
Upcoming Chairs Workshops:
Nov 30: An evening with Larry Fessenden
(NYC indie producer who does genre pix and Kelly Reichardt films)
Dec 7: LAST RITES OF JOE MAY, directed by Joe Maggio, starring Dennis Farina.
You're invited to join Ted Hope's master class with
Peter Broderick
WEDNESDAY NOV 2nd, 10am-12pm
721 Broadway, Tisch School of the Arts, Room 711
Peter & Ted will discuss the new world of indie film distribution, hybrid distribution, and take your questions.
Peter Broderick is President of Paradigm Consulting, which helps filmmakers and media companies develop strategies to maximize distribution, audience, and revenues.
In addition to advising on sales and marketing, Paradigm Consulting specializes in state-of-the-art distribution techniques—including innovative theatrical service deals, hybrid video strategies (mixing retail and direct sales online), and new approaches to global distribution.
Broderick was President of Next Wave Films, which supplied finishing funds and other vital support to filmmakers from the US and abroad. He helped launch the careers of such exceptionally talented directors as Christopher Nolan, Joe Carnahan, and Amir Bar-Lev. In January 1999, Broderick established Next Wave Films’ Agenda 2000, the world’s first initiative devoted to financing digital features.
A key player in the growth of the ultra-low budget feature movement, Broderick became one of the most influential advocates of digital moviemaking. He has given presentations on digital production at festivals worldwide and written articles for Scientific American, The New York Times, and The Economist. In 2004 Broderick launched Films to See Before You Vote, harnessing the power of film to impact the US presidential election. He is a graduate of Brown University, Cambridge University, and Yale Law School.
Now focused on the revolution in film distribution, Broderick gives keynotes and presentations internationally, most recently in Amsterdam, Sydney, Toronto, Cannes, Guadalajara, Berlin, London, and Rio de Janeiro. He served as Program Co-Director of Digimart, the global digital distribution summits held in Montreal in 2005 and 2006. He teamed up with acclaimed filmmaker Sandi DuBowski to design and teach a master workshop in documentary distribution and financing at the Doc Aviv Film Festival in Israel. Peter partnered with cutting-edge journalist Scott Kirsner to create and present Distribution U., a one-day crash course on the new rules of marketing and distribution in Los Angeles.
His seminal article, “Maximizing Distribution,” has been reprinted in publications around the world. His reports, “Welcome to the New World of Distribution” and “Declaration of Independence” are concise guides to the latest distribution strategies.
The New York Independent Filmmaker Project announced its nominations for the 21st annual Gotham Independent Film Awards.
NYU Grad Film alum Dee Rees received a nomination for Breakthrough Director for her film, PARIAH.
Harmony Santana, star of alum and Adjunct Professor Rashaad Ernesto Green's, GUN HILL ROAD, is nominated for Breakthrough Actor.
CODEPENDENT LESBIAN SPACE ALIEN SEEKS SAME, directed by Madeleine Olnek, and produced by 2nd year student, Laura Terruso, is nominated in the Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You category.
Congratulations to all, and good luck!
PARIAH
GUN HILL ROAD
CODEPENDENT LESBIAN SPACE ALIEN SEEKS SAME
OK, ENOUGH, GOODBYE, the first feature film from NYU Grad Film alum Daniel Garcia and Rania Attieh, will play at MoMA on October 14 and 22.
Daniel Garcia and Rania Attieh
NYU Grad Film alum Sasha Gordon and Thesis student Chloe Zhao are the recipients of two $100,000 production grants, furnished by Chris Columbus and Richard Vague. Sasha's winning script is IT HAD TO BE YOU, co-written with alum Levi Abrino, about a New York jingle writer on a path to self-discovery, and Chloe's winning script is LEE, which tells the story of a daring Lakota boy on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
Sasha Gordon
Chloa Zhao accepts her Columbus/Vague Award from Dean Mary Schmidt Campbell
All of the Graduate Film Finalists and their scripts were highly regarded by Chris Columbus, Richard Vague and Dean Mary Schmidt Campbell.
NYU Graduate Film Students Dara Bratt, Sarah Colangelo, Sasha Gordon, Shaka King and Chloa Zhao are recognized as Finalists at the 2011 Columbus/Vague Awards Ceremony at Tisch School of the Arts.
NYU Grad Film Thesis Students Liliana Greenfield-Sanders and Sara Colangelo have been named among the first fellows of the Sundance Institute and Indian Paintbrush Fellowship Program. Liliana will continue to work on her first feature film: ADELAIDE and Sara will continue work to work on her short: LITTLE ACCIDENTS.
Sundance Institute and Indian Paintbrush Announce New Fellowship Program for Independent Filmmakers
HAPPY LIFE, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Michael Bilandic, will be at the reRun Theater in Brooklyn, Oct. 14-20.
Executive produced by Abel Ferrara (director of BAD LIEUTENANT and KING OF NEW YORK) and produced by Grad Thesis student Spencer Kiernan (STUCK BETWEEN STATIONS) and Rachel Michele Fernandes, HAPPY LIFE is a dark culture-shock comedy set in the waning world of techno music. Featuring appearances by Matt Pinfield (MTV's 120 MINUTES), Alex Ross Perry (THE COLOR WHEEL), Kate Lyn Sheil (GREEN), and cinematography by Sean Price Williams (FROWNLAND), writer-director Michael M. Bilandic's debut makes its New York theatrical premiere with a week-long run, October 14 - 20.
Slant Magazine writes, "First-time writer-director Michael M. Bilandic's tongue-in-cheek, bare-knuckles approach to his ultra-low budget paean to a dying breed is a welcome piece of independent filmmaking."
Tickets on sale here: http://happylife.eventbrite.com/
Trailer here: http://youtu.be/RMnC6MQT1WE
Special guests in person Friday 10/14: Executive Producer ABEL FERRARA and writer/director MICHAEL BILANDIC!
NYU Grad Film alumni Eleaonor Burke and Ron Eyal were awarded Best U.K. Feature at this year's Raindance Film Festival for their thesis film, STRANGER THINGS, which they co-wrote and directed. Eleaonor also worked as the DP on the film.
More than 200 features and shorts were screened at the festival and the winners were chosen by a jury including actor Dexter Fletcher, director Gillies Mackinnon, actress Helen McCrory and TV/radio presenter Alex Zane (indieWIRE).
Congratulations!
From left to right, "Stranger Things" actor Adeel Akhtar, co-directors Ron Eyal and Eleanor Burke and Raindance Festival director Elliot Grove.
Hollywood Reporter:
Burke and Eyal Get Raindance Film Fest Nod
indieWire
STRANGER THINGS Take Best U.K. Feature
Congratulations to NYU Thesis Student, Marni Zelnick, who wrapped principal photography on her first feature, DRUID PEAK. The film, which will serve as Marni's thesis film, received a $100,000 production grant from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation.
The film stars Andrew Wilson and Spencer Treat Clark, and was shot by Grad Film alum, Christina Voros, primarily in West Virginia and Wyoming, with additional photography in Idaho, Montana and Utah.
Cree, Ranger, Magic and Moon in Marni Zelnick's DRUID PEAK
Congratulations to NYU Grad Film students and alum for their recognition at the 2011 Woodstock Film Festival.
Cara Marcous, Laurent Rejto, Andrew Okpeaha MacLean, Laurel Parmet, Cary Fukunaga, Alexia Anastasio and Pamela Romanowsky.
The Lee Marvin Award for BEST FEATURE NARRATIVE: On The Ice, Dir. Andrew O. MacLean. Presented by Academy Award® Winning Actor Timothy Hutton, Academy Award® nominated Director NYU Grad Film alum Debra Granik, Marketing/Distribution Executive Richard Abramowitz.
The Haskell Wexler Award for BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY: On The Ice, Director of Photography: Lol Crawley (Winner) Presented by Academy Award® Nominated Cinematographer Ellen Kuras.
Runner up for BEST STUDENT SHORT FILM: Manhattan Melody, Dir: Sasha Gordon. Honorable Mention to Bayou Black, Dir. Jonas Carpignano. Honorable Mention to Gravity, Dir. Pamela Romanowsky.
Congratulations to Grad Film Alumnus, Martin Scorsese ('68), who clinched the Emmy for Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series at this year's awards show for his HBO series, Boardwalk Empire.
Grad Film DOMINIQUE DELEON wrapped his thesis film REZ, shot by Grad Film PEDRO GOMEZ MILLAN on a Minnesota Reservation. Nice work.
Written/Directed/Edited by, and starring, NYU Grad Film Thesis Students Desiree Akhavan & Ingrid Jungermann, “The Slope” is a comedy that follows the lives of a lesbian couple navigating their way through modern-day Park Slope, Brooklyn. One year into their relationship, Ingrid and Desiree continue to hash out a power dynamic that ends up making them look homophobic, superficial and ultimately, perfect for one another.
The first episode of the series was created in a 3rd year directing class taught by Adjunct Professor Ira Sachs.
Desiree Akhavan & Ingrid Jungermann in THE SLOPE
The award for Best Canadian Short Film goes to NYU Grad Film alum and Adjunct Professor, Ian Harnarine, for his thesis film, Doubles With Slight Pepper. The jury remarked: “Through the humble but moving story of a family in crisis, this film expresses truths that resonate in Canada and around the world. It is the debut of an exciting new voice from whom we hope to see a great deal more.” The award offers a $10,000 cash prize.
Ian Harnarine speaks after winning the Best Canadian Short Film Award for his film "Doubles With Slight Pepper" during the closing brunch of the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, Sunday Sept. 18, 2011.
Congratulations to NYU Grad Film Thesis Student, Cole Wiley, who picked up a Best Screenplay Award at the 15 Annual Urbanworld Festival this past weekend for his script, AFTER THE STORM.
Cole Wiley with producer Molly Asher
NYU Grad Film was well represented at the festival with short films by Jonas Carpignano's, "Bayou Black", Keith Davis', "Men in Love", Randy Wilkins', "Homage to Bela,
A Prelude", Nikyatu Jusu's, "Black Swan Theory", and Jamal Caesar's "Reform."
The closing night film, "Kinyarwanda," was written and directed by Grad Film alum and Adjunct Professor Alrick Brown and shot by Grad Film alumDanny Vecchionne.
KINYARWANDA, written and directed by Grad Film alum and Adjunct Professor, Alrick Brown, will have its NY premiere this weekend at the 15th Annual Urbanworld Film Festival.
Straight out of NYU via the Arctic Circle...
Chairs Workshop presents:
ON THE ICE
Wed Sept 14, 6:30pm
Followed by a Q&A with Andrew Okpeaha MacLean and Cara Marcous
ON THE ICE is the remarkable feature fiction debut of Grad Film alum Andrew Okpeaha MacLean (director) and Cara Marcous (producer). A thriller set in Barrow, Alaska, 320 miles north of the Arctic Circle, with a cast of Iñupiaq non-actors, this is not a story you've seen before.
Andrew and Cara will be on hand to tell us how made their first feature, what their successful Kickstarter campaign means, and their innovative plans for self-distribution.
OFFICIAL SELECTION - Sundance 2011
WINNER - Best First Feature Award at the 2011 Berlinale
WINNER - FIPRESCI Prize for Best New American Film at the Seattle Intl Film Festival
SYNOPSIS
In this engrossing and suspenseful feature film debut by filmmaker Andrew Okpeaha MacLean, two teenage boys who have grown up like brothers go about their lives in the comfortable claustrophobia of an isolated Alaskan town. Early one morning, on a seal hunt with another teenager, an argument between the three boys quickly escalates into a tragic accident. Bonded by their dark secret, the two best friends are forced to create one fabrication after another in order to survive. The shocked boys stumble through guilt-fueled days, avoiding the suspicions of their community as they weave a web of deceit. With their future in the balance, they are forced to explore the limits of friendship and honor.
Congratulations to 3rd year NYU Grad Film student Jonas Carpignano, who took the prize for Best Short Film in the Controcampo Italiano section of the 2011 Venice International Film Festival with his 2nd year film, A Chjàna.
NYU Grad Film is well represented at the 2011 Toronto Film Festival with new works by alums Joshua Marston, Dee Rees, Lucy Walker, Ian Harnarine, Associate Arts Professor Todd Solondz, Geoffrey Fletcher, and Julia Loktev. Adjunct Professors Mary Harron and Nancy Savoca are premiering their new films as well.
Forgiveness of Blood by Joshua Marston
Contemporary World Cinema:
Written and directed by Joshua Marston, and produced by Paul Mezey
Written and directed by Nancy Savoca
Discovery:
Written and directed by Dee Rees. Executive Producer: Spike Lee
Doc Conference:
The Tsunami and the Cherry Blossom
Directed by Lucy Walker
Short Cuts Canada:
Written and directed by Ian Harnarine. Cinematography by Spencer Kiernan, Produced by Ian Harnarine and Ryan Silbert, Executive Producer: Spike Lee, edited by Brooke Pepion Swaney.
Special Presentations:
Written and directed by Todd Solondz, Produced by Ted Hope, cinematography by Andrij Parekh
Written and directed by Mary Harron.
Written, directed, and produced by Geoffrey Fletcher
Visions:
Written and directed by Julia Loktev
Congratulations to NYU Grad Film alums on their 2011 Emmy nominations. The complete list of Emmy nominations for Tisch alumni is found at Tisch Emmy's.
Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series
Boardwalk Empire • Boardwalk Empire (Pilot) • HBO • Leverage, Closest to the Hole Productions, Sikelia Productions and Cold Front Productions in association with HBO Entertainment
Martin Scorsese ’64/’68/Hon. ’92, Dean’s Council, Director
Outstanding Directing For Nonfiction Programming
American Masters • A Letter To Elia/Reflecting On Kazan • PBS • A Production of Sikelia Productions with Far Hills Pictures in association with Thirteen’s American Masters for WNET.org
Martin Scorsese ’64/’68/Hon. ’92, Dean’s Council, Director
Outstanding Picture Editing For Nonfiction Programming
If God Is Willing And Da Creek Don't Rise • HBO • 40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks in association with HBO Documentary Films
Sam Pollard, Professor, Kanbar Film & TV, Supervising Editor
Outstanding Writing For A Drama Series
The Killing • Pilot • AMC • Fox Television Studios
Veena Sud ’01 (MFA, Kanbar, Film), Written By
Outstanding Nonfiction Series
Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations • Travel Channel • Zero Point Zero Production, Inc.
Lydia Tenaglia ’96 (MFA, Kanbar, Film), Executive Producer
Christopher Collins ’92 (BFA, Kanbar, F&TV), Executive Producer
Wednesday, Sept 7th, 6pm. Room 1027
BIRD OF THE AIR - screening and discussion of this new feature, with director Margaret Whitton, distributor Mark Urban of Paladin, publicist Tom Piechura of 42West, and producer Warren Spector.
It's a rare chance to hear from the creators and those behind the marketing and release of an independent film.
NYU Grad Film Program welcomes new faculty members this year, including Associate Arts Professor Alexandre Rockwell and Assistant Arts Professor Barbara Schock as full-time directing teachers, Adjunct Professors Ted Hope (3rd year The Future of Film), James Franco (3rd year Directing), Rashaad Green (2nd year Directing the Actor), Larry Gross (3rd year writing the thesis), Keith Davis (2nd year Directing the Actor), and Hye Mee Na (2nd year Avid techs).
Alexandre Rockwell
Barbara Schock
Tisch Film alum Ted Hope
Grad Film alum James Franco
Grad Film alum Rashaad Green
Larry Gross
Grad Film alum Keith Davis
Grad Film alum Hye Mee Na
Last week, alums from across Los Angeles got together for the first NYU Grad Film Monthly Meetup. The group included a mixture of longtime transplants, with several years under their belts, and newcomers, who had just moved to LA within the past month. Classmates caught up with old friends, and everyone met someone new.
Are you in LA, planning to move to LA or have classmates already there? If so, find out more info and get updates on future meetups by emailing Stephen Dypiangco - Dypiangco@gmail.com
Photo L-R: Stephen Dypiangco, Paolo Marinou-Blanco, Rafael Del Toro, Seth Grossman, Kay Lee, Julian Harker, Alison Marek, Godofredo Astudillo, Carol Liu, Mikey Reyes, JC Crump, Marquette Jones, Han West
CIRCUMSTANCE, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Maryam Keshavarz, opens on Friday, Aug 26 in NYC at Sunshine Cinema and the new Lincoln Center theater, as well as 3 theaters in LA - Westwood, Irvine and Encino - all on Aug 26.
Cinematography by NYU Grad Film alum Brian Rigney Hubbard.
AMIGO, written and directed by John Sayles opens theatrically this weekend in New York, LA, and San Francisco. NY Times review.
Chris Cooper in John Sayles' AMIGO. Photo by Mary Cybulski
Sayles used some of the footage from AMIGO in an exercise with Emily Clifton's Advanced Editing Class in 2010.
Grad Film Adjunct Professor Ira Sachs is in production on his new film KEEP THE LIGHTS ON. Go Ira!
Thure Lindhardt and Zach Booth
Grad Film Alums and faculty, Ian Harnarine, Jonas Carpignano and Ron Eyal will be taking part in Toronto's Talent Lab in September run this year by Bingham Ray and Jason Reitman. Congratulations!
Ian Harnarine, Director/Producer DOUBLES WITH SLIGHT PEPPER
Grad Film Alum & Sound Professor
Feature projects by Grad Film alums Shaka King, Michael Matthews, Danielle Morgan, Josiah Signor, Thomas (Hyungkyun) Kim, Alrick Brown, and Micah Schaffer were chosen for the IFP Emerging Narrative Labs.
New projects by alum Seith Mann and Adjunct Professor Christine Vachon are part of the No Borders International Co-Production Market.
* Newlyweeds written and directed by Shaka King and produced by Michael Matthews and Jim Wareck. A stoner couple struggles to get by, get high, and get lost. (Comedy)
* Rules for Drowning written by Katherine Scharhon and directed by Danielle Morgan. A stolen typewriter, mysterious breathing attacks, and a girl-crush gone wrong send twenty-four-year-old Jamie and her uptight friend Quin on a misadventurous road trip in the Pacific Northwest. (Dramedy)
* Sequoia Blue written and directed by Josiah Signor. The Johnstons are a typical Christian, suburban, all-American train-wreck of a family with a happy façade…that happen to bond over a murder. (Dark Comedy)
* The Singing Road written and directed by Thomas (Hyungkyun) Kim and produced by Luci Kim. Once upon a time in communist North Korea, a “half-black” baby was accidentally born. (Drama)
* Treble written by Alrick Brown and Micah Schaffer, directed by Micah Schaffer, and produced by Alrick Brown and Deatra Harris. Dr. James West, physicist and inventor, is an undisputed master of sound. But only when his wife disappears does he himself learn to truly listen. (Drama)
* Come Sunday produced by Paul Hall and Gregory Scott Williams, Jr. and written and to be directed by Seith Mann. A story about a father, a son and the black Baptist church they make their battleground. (Drama)
* Oliver’s Deal produced by Darren Goldberg and Chris Marsh, executive produced by Christine Vachon, and written and to be directed by Barney Elliott. “Oliver’s Deal” is an intense political drama about an ambitious businessman who sets out to score the deal of a lifetime and gets entangled in a battle for land, money, and power in Peru. (Drama, International)
Producer Alrick Brown, Kadiatou Diallo (Amadou’s Mother), and Director Micah Schaffer at the Urban World Film Festival, June 24 2006 with their documentary film Death of Two Sons.
GUN HILL ROAD, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Rashaad Ernesto Green, opened to a $12,600 per-theater-average last weekend. Congratulations to Rashaad and the entire team for the success with this amazing film.
Harmony Santana in Rashaad Green's GUN HILL ROAD
Congratulations to NYU Grad Film alums Alrick Brown, Daniel Garcia, and Rob Hauer, who were included in >Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Face of Independent Film. Congratulations, as well, to Daniel's long time collaborator, Rania Attieh, who made the list along with Daniel.
Daniel Garcia and Rania Attieh
Rob Hauer
Alrick Brown
Several directors from the NYU Grad Film Program will premiere their new films at the Venice Film Festival in September.
Val Lauren in James Franco's SAL
Grad Film alum and Arts Professor, Todd Solondz's, DARK HORSE, starring Mia Farrow, Christopher Walken, Justin Bartha, and Selma Blair will play in competition.
Adjunct Professor Mary Harron's, THE MOTH DIARIES, starring Sarah Bolger, Sarah Gadon, Lily Cole, and Scott Speedman will play out of competition.
Alum James Franco's new feature, SAL, starring Val Lauren, James Franco, and Jim Parrack will be presented in the Orizzonti, The new trends in world cinema, section. The film was produced by Grad Film alum Caroline Aragon, Vince Jolivette and Miles Levy. Grad Film alum Christina Voros was the Cinematographer, and the Production Design was by NYU Tisch School of the Arts Design for Theater and Film alum, Kristen Adams.
And 3rd year student Jonas Carpignano's 2nd year film, A CHJANA, starring Koudous Seihun and Cheik Baily Kane, will play in the Controcampo Italiano, The new trends in Italian cinema, section.
THE LONELIEST PLANET, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Julia Loktev, is in competition in the 64th Locarno Film Festival in Switzerland. The film stars Gael Garcia Bernal.
Gael García Bernal, Hani Furstenberg, Bidzina Gujabidze in Julia Loktev's THE LONELIEST PLANET
GUN HILL ROAD, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Rashaad Ernesto Green, opens on 42nd St, the Angelika, and in The Bronx, on Friday August 5.
Final screenings of Craig Johnson's TRUE ADOLESCENTS tonight at reRun Theater.
THURSDAY, August 4 (7pm, 10pm)
Mark Duplass in TRUE ADOLESCENTS
Visra surrounded by classmates, faculty and Mason at her wedding celebration.
Grad film Alum Amy Wendel's feature ALL SHE CAN (originally BENEVIDES BORN) will premier at the Quad in NY and Laemmle Sunset 5 in LA Friday July 28th. It will play for one week in both cities and then move on to others. Don't miss it.
Grad Film Alum Craig Johnson's feature film TRUE ADOLESCENTS will have it's theatrical release at ReRun Theater in Dumbo July 29th for a limited one week run. The film is also being released simultaneously on DVD and VOD. Be there or be square.
Alum Thomas Woodrow produced the film, and alum Kat Westergaard was the DP.
GUN HILL ROAD, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Rashaad Ernesto Green, and shot by alum Daniel Patterson, was the Opening Night Gala Film at Outfest 2011 in Los Angeles.
CIRCUMSTANCE, written and directed by alum Maryam Keshavarz, and shot by alum Brian Rigney Hubbard, is also part of Outfest 2011, as is CODEPENDENT LESBIAN SPACE ALIEN SEEKS SAME, produced by 2nd year student Laura Terruso.
Harmony Santana and Rashaad Ernesto Green do the Red Carpet at Outfest
NYU Grad Film Thesis student, Jennifer Suhr, won the Audience Award for best short at the 16th Annual Gen Art Film Festival with her 2nd year film, Saeng-il (Birthday).
The film was shot by Jen's classmate, Michael Wood.
Jen Suhr (center) and Mike Wood (right) at Gen Art
CODEPENDENT LESBIAN SPACE ALIEN SEEKS SAME, produced by 2nd year Grad Film student Laura Terruso, was screened at Rooftop Films on July 1. Director Madeleine Olneck began the Q&A session by announcing that the State Senate has just passed a bill that legalized gay marriage in New York State.
Read the blog post by Cary McClelland
Sehaj Sethi took 1st Prize in the 2011 Bake Off for her Chocola-tea Cake. It was a particularly meaningful award for Sehaj whose baking skills have been appreciated by the Grad Film community for the past 3 years.
2nd Prize went to Jason Stefaniak for his Lemonade Stand Pie. And 3rd Prize went to Bruce Thierry Chueng for the savory Duck Tacos.
Congratulation to the winners and to all those who participated in The Best Bake Off Ever!
WATCH THE VIDEO by Ian Harnarine
Joyce Wu checks out the competition
Host Mick Casale introduces The Judges
The Chefs and their fans
Bay and Shandor Garrison
Judge Lee Grant critiques the entries as 2010 1st Prize winner Pam Romanowsky looks on
3rd Prize gift is a poster of Palindromes, signed by Judge Todd Solondz
2nd Prize gift is a copy of Mr. Funny Pants, signed by Judge Michael Showalter
3rd prize winner Bruce Thierry Chueng, Sehaj Sethi wearing the 1st prize Don Lerman jacket, and 2nd prize winner Jason Stefaniak
1st Prize - The Jacket
Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová
New Video and 7th Art Releasing will release THE SWELL SEASON, a documentary about Oscar-winning songwriters Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, stars of ONCE. THE SWELL SEASON was directed by NYU Grad Film alums Nick August-Perna and Carlo Mirabella-Davis, along with Chris Dapkins, and had its premiere at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. The film is scheduled for a platform theatrical release in the fall, and will also release on cable VOD, digital and DVD in the U.S. through Docurama Films.
THE WIND IS BLOWING DOWN MY STREET, written and directed by NYU Grad Film student, Saba Riazi, was named Best Narrative Short Film at the 2011 LA Film Festival.
The film was shot on location in Tehran, Iran. It was made as Saba's 2nd year film. It was also screened last week at the DGA Theater in LA as a finalist for the King/Wasserman awards.
Congratulations Saba!
"Anonymous" actress in THE WIND IS BLOWING DOWN MY STREET
GUN HILL ROAD, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Rashaad Ernesto Green, will be the closing night film at the 23rd annual NewFest. The LGBT film festival is partnering with the Film Society at Lincoln Center to present the opening and closing night events.
GUN HILL ROAD will screen at the Walter Reade Theater on July 28.
The film was shot by Grad Film alum Daniel Patterson.
Harmony Santana and Esai Morales in Gun Hill Road
Grad Film Alum J.C. Koury won the Audience Award at the Gen Art Film Festival for his debut film THE PILL.
Congratulations!
NYU Grad Film alum and Associate Arts Professor, Todd Solondz, will premiere his latest film, DARK HORSE, at the 2011 Venice Film Festival.
The film, which stars Mia Farrow and Christopher Walken, was written and directed by Professor Solondz, produced by NYU Film & TV alum Ted Hope, and shot by Grad Film alum Andrij Parekh.
NYU Grad Film alum, Cary Fukunaga, has signed on to direct NO BLOOD, NO GUTS, NO GLORY for Focus Features. He is currently writing the screenplay with Chase Palmer.
This will be Cary's 3rd feature film, after SIN NOMBRE and JANE EYRE.
James Franco's BROKEN TOWER, his brave and interesting
Thesis feature film is premiering Monday, June 20 in the LA Film Fest.
Also playing in the festival is Andrew MacLean's award winning feature ON THE ICE
And Saba Riazi's award winning 2nd year short THE WIND IS BLOWING ON MY STREET.
Several current NYU Grad Film students were selected to participate in the 2011 Palm Springs Shortfest.
From IN THAT MOMENT by Shripriya Mahesh
In the festival are:
IN THAT MOMENT, written, directed and edited by Shripriya Mahesh as her 1st year MOS project. The film was produced by Uzoma Emukah, and shot by Fiona Murguia.
THE WIND IS BLOWING DOWN MY STREET, written and directed by Saba Riazi as her 2nd year film.
NOW HERE, written, directed and edited by Joey Kuhn as his 3rd year collaboration project with the Design Program. The film was produced by Edward McDonald, Jacob Robinson, and John Morrow, and was shot by Leonardo D'Antoni.
COURTSHIP, written, directed and edited by Alexis Gambis as his 1st year narrative project. The film was shot by Eunice Lau.
FLYERS, written and directed by Laura Terruso as her 1st year MOS project. The film was shot by Samantha Chamblee.
MARTYR FRIDAY, directed by Abu Bakr Shawky as his 1st year documentary. Shot during the height of Egypt’s uprising that toppled Mubarek, this in-the-moment documentary thrusts us right into the middle of the electrifying events as they unfolded in Tahrir Square.
ON THE ICE, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Andrew MacLean, won the FIPRESCI Prize for Best New American Film at the Seattle International Film Festival. The jury said, “For presenting a universal, near-Biblical tragedy set in a little known culture recreated with compelling detail. A story told with outstanding naturalistic performances with a confident, compelling narrative.”
Andrew MacLean directs ON THE ICE on location in Alaska.
ON THE ICE will have its NY Premiere this Friday at BAMcinemaFest. The screening is Friday, June 17th at 6:50pm. Here’s the link to buy tickets.
ON THE ICE will also play in the LA Film Festival on June 19.
Several films made by NYU Grad Film alums will be featured in the 2011 BAMcinemaFest this summer. Richard Brody at the New Yorker has written, "The city’s best independent-film showcase—a series for new directors that’s superior to New Directors/New Films—is BAMcinemaFEST."
Tickets are on sale.
STRANGER THINGS written and directed by Eleanor Burke - June 25
ON THE ICE, written and directed by Andrew MacLean - June 17
WHITE, written and directed by A. Sayeeda Clarke - June 26
Stranger Things
On the Ice
White
Photo booth by Nikita Liamzine.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterlog/sets/72157626749156304/
Ryan Carmichael, Toshi Saito, Will Wohleb, Bruce Thierry Cheung, Joyce Wu, Sean Welski
Emily Reese, Stephen Bono
Cristian Carretero, Zach Schamberg, Ben Rutkowski
Kirsten Tan, Pedro Gomez Millan, Sandi Sissel, Pepe Avila del Pino
Zachary Kerschberg, Tony Martinez
Stewart Thorndike, Jennifer Ruff, John Tintori, Prithi Gowda
Charlotte Rabate, Marie Constantinesco, Elif Karagoz
Shiva Bajpai, Armando Diaz
Joey Kuhn, Kiara Jones
Vladimir de Fonteney, Cristian Carretero
Virginia Urreiztieta, Jonas Carpignano, Brian Lanin, Eunice Lau, Jeff Bliss, Anastasia Frank, Sarah-Violet Bliss, Omar Zuniga Hidalgo
Mick Casale, Sehaj Sethi, Jason Stefaniak, Bruce Thierry Cheung
Nikita Liamzine, Ash Bhalla
Todd Solondz, Arnie Baskin
photos by Ruoyi Jiang
Lamia Alami arrives at 2nd year Marathon at the NYU Skirball Center
Brian Lanin and Mom
Jonas Carpignano and Sarah-Violet Bliss
Ed Barnes and his parents
Shruti Ganguly and Omar Zuniga Hidalgo
Umar Riaz chats with James Ivory
Puk Grasten and Mom
Fiona Murguia and Dad
Heather Fink, Shripriya Mahesh, and Alexis Gambis
Mick Casale introduces the NYU Grad Film faculty
Jeffrey Bliss accepts an award from class reps Ingrid Jungermann and Ryan Johnson
Charles Rogers makes an acceptance speech
2nd year party
Zack Kerschberg and Ruoyi Jiang
Please join us for the year-end party Friday, May 13th from 6-11pm in the 1st floor common room of 721 Broadway!
Please join us for the year-end party Friday, May 13th from 6-11pm in the 1st floor common room of 721 Broadway!
The Sundance Institute announced the 8 projects selected for its annual June Directors Lab, which will take place at the Sundance Resort in Utah May 30 – June 30, 2011.
Five of the 8 directors are recent alums of the Grad Fillm Program.
Congratulations to Keith Davis, Sara Colangelo, Liliana Greenfield-Sanders, Holden Osborne, and Carlo Mirabella-Davis.
Keith Davis
Sara Colangelo
Liliana Greenfield-Sanders
Holden Osborne
Carlo Mirabella-Davis
Long time NYU Grad Film Professor Bill Reilly became the first teacher in NYU history to receive the Distinguished Teaching Award posthumously. An outpouring of support by Bill's students led to the unprecedented nomination last fall. This was followed by a strong effort to support the nomination by several members of the Tisch community, especially Dean Louis Scheeder, Assistant Arts Professor Jose Angel Santana, Adjunct Professor Mora Stephens, and a number of other students, alums, and faculty members.
Thanks to all of you, and congratulations.
Bill's sister, Mary Reilly, accepts the award on Bill's behalf as Dean Mary Schmidt Campbell and Provost David W. McLaughlin look on.
Saba Riazi along with UGFTV alum, Matt Kazman, also selected as a national finalist for his film, FLAGPOLE.
THE WIND IS BLOWING ON MY STREET, written and directed by NYU Grad Film 3rd year student, Saba Riazi, is one of three narrative shorts from the East Region selected to move on to the national finals. The film was shot in Tehran as Saba's 2nd year film. Earlier this month, Saba's film was selected as a finalist for the King/Wasserman awards at the NYU First Run Festival.
CRAZY GLUE, written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Elizabeth Orne, was also picked as a regional finalist. CRAZY GLUE was part of Elizabeth's thesis project. The film was shot by alum Shlomo Godder, and produced by thesis students Tati Barrantes and Edward McDonald.
Clockwise from center: Elizabeth Orne, 1st year Dual MBA/MFA Degree students Jessica Fuerst and Colin Whitlow, Costume Designer and NYU alum Sarita Fellows, and actress Katya Campbell.
Congratulations to all!
Bahnemann Award Finalists Kristina Nikolova, Leonardo D'Antoni, Bahnemann Award Winner Matthew Mendelson, Volker Bahnemann, Head of Cinematography Sandi Sissel
In honor and recognition of Volker Bahnemann's more than 40 years of service to the filmmaking industry, ARRI has established "The Voker Bahnemann Award for Cinematographers at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Maurice Kanbar Institute of Film & TV." The grant was conceived to inspire the future generations of cinematographers and empower talented students to realize their artistic potential.
Each year, three finalists for the award will be nominated by the cinematography faculty of the Grad Film Program.
Volker Bahnemann addresses the students
Mr. Bahnemann served a total of 48 years at ARRI, with 32 of those years as CEO and President of ARRI Inc, and ARRI/CSC. Under his leadership, the company developed into the largest and most reputable motion picture equipment manufacturer in the world. He inspired countless filmmakers, enabling their creative visions through the decades.
Sandi Sissel chats with, from right: Charlie Davidson, CEO of ARRI; Volker Bahnemann; Jon Fauer, aurthor and director of 'Cinematographer Style; and executives of ARRI
Indiewire published their Shadow and Act 2011/12 Black FIlmmakers to Watch List,
7 out of the total 25 are recent NYU Grad Film Alums.
Awesome.
Rashaad Green
Nikyatu Jusu
Dee Rees
Julius Onah
Keith Davis
Alrick Brown
Sayeeda Clarke
STUCK BETWEEN STATIONS, produced by Grad Film student Spencer Kiernan and directed by his brother Brady Kiernan, is about how sometimes the best night of your life happens at the worst possible time. The film features standout performances by rising indie stars Sam Rosen (Four Boxes) and Zoe Lister-Jones (Breaking Upwards), and supporting turns from Michael Imperioli and Josh Hartnett, and was shot on location in Minnesota.
SYNOPSIS
Casper, a young soldier home on leave, has a chance run-in with his childhood crush, now a grad student coping with conflicts of her own. In one night, the two traverse a striking Minneapolis cityscape, growing closer but knowing they will inevitably have to part ways at dawn.
TRAILER
http://vimeo.com/channels/stuckbetweenstations
SHOWTIMES
Fri. April 22 8:30pm
SVA Theater 2
333 W 23rd St. (btwn 8th & 9th Aves.)
Sun, April 24 5:30pm
AMC Loews Village 7
66 3rd Ave. (@ 11th St.)
Mon, April 25 9:45pm
Clearview Cinemas Chelsea
260 W. 23rd St. (btwn 7th & 8th Aves.)
Thu, April 28 9:00pm
AMC Loews Village 7
66 3rd Ave. (@ 11th St.)
There are still rush tickets available for the Friday premiere. The line will form one hour before showtime outside SVA. And advance tickets are still available for the Sunday evening and Monday night shows. Packing these shows are important to the success of the film, so come out and show your support!
TICKETS AVAILABLE HERE
http://www.tribecafilm.com/filmguide/stuck_between_stations-film34220.html
MORE INFO
Website - http://www.stuck-between-stations.com
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/stuckbetweenstations
Twitter - http://twitter.com/StckBtwnStns
The Tribeca Film Institute (TFI) selected 12 projects for Tribeca All Access (TAA) program, including SOMEBODY TO LOVE, a project being developed by Grad Film faculty, alumni and thesis students.
Somebody to Love (Drama)
Chuck Banks is a broken down soul singer surviving off the fame of his late father and a hit he wrote years ago. After one too many drinks, one too many miles, and one too many fights with his band-mate and girlfriend Janelle, he finds himself in a familiar town where an old flame seems to offer the dream of settling down. Faced with a choice, Chuck struggles to find the love he thinks he wants but ultimately realizes that family is closer than he thought.
Crew: NYU Grad Film alum and Adjunct Professor, Alrick Brown (Director)
Assistant Arts Professor Mick Casale (Writer)
Thesis student Edward McDonald (Producer)
Thesis student Tati Barrantes (Producer)
Adjunct Professor and Head of the Dual Degree Program, Peter Newman (Mentor)
This year, the program will introduce $10,000 grants for each project along with tailored mentorships to maximize its impact. Now in its eighth year, TAA was created to help foster and nurture relationships between film industry executives and filmmakers from traditionally underrepresented communities. TAA will present the 12 projects throughout a five-day program taking place during the annual Tribeca Film Festival (TFF), presented by American Express, held from April 20 – May 1, 2011. TAA is made possible by Bloomberg with major support from Time Warner and additional support from, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, The Academy Foundation, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCA), New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA), and The Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian.
Additional TAA alumni successes in the past year include:
• Circumstance, written & directed by NYU Grad Film alum Maryam Keshavarz (2006 TAA participant) – Circumstance was acquired by Participant Media at Sundance 2011, and was the closing night film at New Directors/New Films. The film shows a rare glimpse of forbidden love in today’s Iranian youth culture.
• Gun Hill Road, written & directed by NYU Grad Film alum Rashaad Ernesto-Green (2010 TAA participant) – Gun Hill Road was picked up at Sundance 2011 by start-up distributor Motion Film Group for a seven-figure deal and world-wide rights. Hitting theatres in early summer 2011, the film stars Judy Reyes (Scrubs) and follows an ex con who after serving 3 years in prison, returns to his family in the Bronx with a struggle between him and his bi-curious teenage son that leaves his wife stuck in the middle.
Two NYU Grad Film students have been shortlisted for the 38th Annual Student Academy Awards,
Elizabeth Orne for her Thesis film CRAZY GLUE.
and Saba Riazi for her Second Year film THE WIND IS BLOWING ON MY STREET.
Good luck girls!
THE IMPERIALISTS ARE STILL ALIVE! written and directed by NYU Grad Film alum, Zeina Durra, and starring the Cannes and twice Cesar winning French actress Elodie Bouchez, opens this Friday at the IFC Center in New York.
Opening weekend is key for the theatrical success of the film. So please come and support the film on either Friday, Saturday or Sunday this weekend in New York.
Here's the trailer
http://trailers.apple.com/trailers/independent/theimperialistsarestillalive/
You can buy tickets here:
http://www.ifccenter.com/films/the-imperialists-are-still-alive/
Writer/Director Zeina Durra is also doing a Q and A after the 7.55pm screening on Friday.
The Tribeca Film Institute and the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation have announced the 2011 TFI Sloan Filmmaker Fund recipients which awards $140,000 to six projects that dramatize science and technology.
Selected for funding are Grad Film Alums Rob Meyer (Director, Screenwriter)
Luke Matheny (Screenwriter) Paul Miller (Producer) for A BIRDER'S GUIDE TO EVERYTHING.
Looking forward to your film!
Grad Film Alum Debra Granick announced the winners of NYU's 69th Annual First Run Film Festival.
First prize ($10,000) was awarded to Grad Film Alum Zelmira Gainza, for THE POOL.
Second prize ($7000) went to Grad Film's Pamela Romanowski for GRAVITY.
And Third prize ($5000) went to Grad Film Alum Levi Albrino for LITTLE HORSES.
Congratulations everyone!
Zelmira Gainza was also awarded the King Award for screenwriting ($3000) and the Wasserman Award for directing ($2000). She had also just given birth to a beautiful baby girl! Way to go girl!
The five finalists that will screen their films in front of an industry panel in LA at the Directors Guild of America (DGA) in Hollywood on June 23 are Levi Abrino for LITTLE HORSES, Zelmira Gainza for THE POOL, Prithi Gowda for TELEVISNU, Saba Riazi for THE WIND IS BLOWING ON MY STREET, and Pamela Romanowsky for GRAVITY.
CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE, have fun in LA!
NYU Grad Film alum and Artistic Director, Professor Spike Lee, received a Peabody Award for for producing and directing If God Is Willing and da Creek Don't Rise. Professor Sam Pollard of the UGF&TV division at Tisch produced and edited the series. Grad Film alum, Randy Wilkens, was an assistant editor on the show.
Congratulations to all!
If God Is Willing and da Creek Don’t Rise (HBO)
40 Acres and a Mule Filmworks for HBO Documentary Films
Spike Lee’s team checks up on New Orleans five years after Katrina hit and the levees broke and documents the city’s successes and failures in a video patchwork by turns beautiful, depressing and optimistic.
Schedule for Sunday April 3 at the First Run Festival
4pm: 2nd Year Films
6pm: Thesis Films
8pm: WINTER'S BONE and Q&A with Debra Granik
10pm: Thesis Films
17 year-old Ree Dolly (Jennifer Lawrence) sets out to track down her father, who put their house up for his bail bond and then disappeared. If she fails, Ree and her family will be turned out into the Ozark woods. Challenging her outlaw kin's code of silence and risking her life, Ree hacks through the lies, evasions and threats offered up by her relatives and begins to piece together the truth.
Debra Granik: Debra Granik attended the Graduate Film Program at NYU where she won awards for her short film, SNAKE FEED. She attended both the Writer's and Director's Lab at the Sundance Institute where she developed Snake Feed into a feature film script. Debra premiered her first feature film, DOWN TO THE BONE at the Sundance Film Festival in 2004 where she won the Best Director Award. Down to the Bone went on to screen at film festivals worldwide and won the International Critics Prize at the Vienna Film Festival, among others. In 2009, she directed Winter's Bone in the Missouri Ozarks.
First Run Festival schedule for Saturday, April 2:
4pm: 2nd year films
6pm: STRANGER THINGS feature
8pm: Thesis films
10pm: 2nd and 3rd year shorts
SPECIAL PREVIEW SCREENING: Oona, a young woman dealing with the loss of her mother, reaches out to a stranger: Mani, a mysterious homeless man of Middle-Eastern origin, whom she invites to stay in her garden shed. Despite the space between them, Oona and Mani gradually form an unusual intimacy.
Eleanor Burke and Ron Eyal are a writing/directing duo. They were featured in Filmmaker Magazine's 25 New Faces of Independent Film and are fellows and top prize-winners of the IFP Filmmaker Lab. Ron and Eleanor met in the graduate film program at NYU and have made several shorts together. "Stranger Things," their debut feature, won the Grand Jury Prize for Best Narrative Feature at the 2010 Woodstock Film Festival and is an official selection of the 2011 Slamdance Film Festival.
Friday night at First Run:
2nd and 3rd Year Shorts Program at 6pm
MARINA OF THE ZABBALEEN at 8pm
Thesis Shorts at 10pm
Enter the extraordinary world of seven-year-old Marina. Through her magical eyes, you'll be led into the never-before-seen Muqqattam garbage recycling village in Cairo, Egypt. Marina spends her days riding flying elephants, befriending mystical pigeons, and dodging out of control butcher knives -- she even confronts an evil witch. Despite common misconceptions, all this can happen in a documentary. Marina of the Zabbaleen transforms a squalid landfill village into a beautiful, dream-like portrait of family, childhood, and spirituality.
Engi Wassef: Engi Wassef was born in Cairo, Egypt, on July 3rd , 1980 and lived there until the age of seven. Her family then immigrated to the U.S. and settled in New York City. She attended Harvard University, where she received a B.A. degree magna cum laude in Government with a minor in Arabic. Engi worked on Wall St. at the investment firm of Goldman Sachs before pursuing her MFA in film at New York University's Tisch School of the Arts Graduate Program. Marina of the Zabbaleen is Engi's first feature film, a documentary about a young girl living in the hidden village of Christian garbage collectors in Cairo. The film was selected by the Tribeca Film Institute's prestigious All Access Program in 2006, when it was still in production, and had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival in Spring 2008.
Current Grad Film student Jonas Carpignano's MOS RESURRECTION MAN & Adaptation BAYOU BLACK are both making the festival rounds. They are playing in the Boston Film Festival, Sarasota FF and Atlanta FF.
Credits for Bayou Black
DP: Brian Lannin
Sound: Zach Kerschberg
1st AC: leonora Lonsdale
Gaffer: John Ryan Johnson
Editor: Sarah-Violet Bliss
Credits for Resurrection Man
DP:Sarah Murat
Sound: Zach Kerschberg
1st AC: Sarah-Violet Bliss
Gaffer: Brian Lannin
Key Grip: John Ryan Johnson
The Grad Film portion of the NYU First Run Festival will showcase Grad Film alum Debra Granik's Oscar nominated film, WINTER'S BONE, along with three outstanding thesis feature films, and the usual array of superbly crafted and entertaining short films.
The festival runs from Thursday March 31 through Sunday April 3 at the Cantor Theater on 8th Street. The Wasserman Awards Ceremony & Screening will be held on Monday, April 4 at the Regal Union Square Theatre in New York.
The festival gets underway on Thursday March 31 with a showcase screening of GUN HILL ROAD, written and directed by alum Rashaad Ernesto Green. GUN HILL ROAD played in competition at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and will open theatrically later this summer.
The feature showcase on Friday April 1 is MARINA OF THE ZABBALEEN by Engi Wassef. This documentary feature set in Cairo, was released theatrically in 2010.
On Saturday April 2, we will showcase STRANGER THINGS, written and directed by alums Eleanor Burke and Ron Eyal. STRANGER THINGS won Best Narrative Feature at both the Woodstock Film Festival in 2010 and Slamdance in 2011.
Debra Granik will screen WINTER'S BONE on Sunday, April 3. WINTER'S BONE won Best Picture at the 2010 Sundance Film Festival, Best Picture at the Gotham Independent Awards, was nominated for four Oscars, seven Independent Spirit Awards, and a Golden Globe.
THE CHAIR'S WORKSHOP PRESENTS:
Arun Chaudhary
His Job Is to Make Public Obama's Candid Side
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/12/us/12video.html
Grad Film alum, Arun Chaudhary, was an Adjunct Professor in the department until he left in 2007 to become Barack Obama's personal videographer. Subsequently, he created the position of White House Videographer, and posts a weekly episode of West Wing Week on the White House website.
SAVE THE DATE
Wednesday, March 30
6:30 PM
Room 1027
Check Out West Wing Week!
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