Hollywood producer Scott M. Rosenfelt has joined Filipino TV crime-action series, “Sellblock,” as U.S.-based Blue Fox Entertainment joins as the show’s sales and distribution representative.
Planned as a three-season series, “Sellblock” chronicles the activities of one of Asia’s biggest drug empires which is operating from inside a Philippines maximum-security prison. Production is scheduled to start in May.
The cast is headlined by Jericho Rosales alongside actors Empoy Marquez, Ronnie Lazaro, Mon Confiado, Sylvia Sanchez, and Ria Atayde.
The show is produced by Philippines-based BlackOps Studios Asia, headed by Pedring Lopez. Lopez will direct all eight episodes of the first season.
“Pedring and I are very pleased to expand upon our growing relationship with Blue Fox Entertainment’s executives, Audrey Delaney and Lisa Gutberlet with ‘SellBlock,’ as we are already involved together in two feature projects, ‘CounterPlay’ and ‘Gi’,” said Rosenfelt. “We appreciate their standing in the...
Planned as a three-season series, “Sellblock” chronicles the activities of one of Asia’s biggest drug empires which is operating from inside a Philippines maximum-security prison. Production is scheduled to start in May.
The cast is headlined by Jericho Rosales alongside actors Empoy Marquez, Ronnie Lazaro, Mon Confiado, Sylvia Sanchez, and Ria Atayde.
The show is produced by Philippines-based BlackOps Studios Asia, headed by Pedring Lopez. Lopez will direct all eight episodes of the first season.
“Pedring and I are very pleased to expand upon our growing relationship with Blue Fox Entertainment’s executives, Audrey Delaney and Lisa Gutberlet with ‘SellBlock,’ as we are already involved together in two feature projects, ‘CounterPlay’ and ‘Gi’,” said Rosenfelt. “We appreciate their standing in the...
- 3/16/2023
- by Patrick Frater
- Variety Film + TV
John Leguizamo will receive the Miami Film Festival‘s Impact Award on March 11.
Leguizamo’s new MSNBC series, “Leguizamo Does America,” will screen ahead of the award presentation. The festival’s upcoming 40th edition runs March 3-12.
The multi-hyphenate has more than 75 film, theater and television credits, including “Romeo + Juliet,” “Moulin Rouge!,” “Summer of Sam” and “Encanto.” The Emmy winner is next set to star alongside Toni Collette in Prime Video’s “The Power.” More recently, he co-starred in Mark Mylod’s film “The Menu.”
Following his Mff Impact award, Leguizamo will premiere his directorial debut, “Critical Thinking,” at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival. In addition to his Emmy award, Leguizamo has received a Drama Desk award and a special Tony award for his one-man show, “Latin History for Morons.”
“Leguizamo Does America” follows the actor as he travels from San Juan, Puerto Rico to East Los Angeles while making...
Leguizamo’s new MSNBC series, “Leguizamo Does America,” will screen ahead of the award presentation. The festival’s upcoming 40th edition runs March 3-12.
The multi-hyphenate has more than 75 film, theater and television credits, including “Romeo + Juliet,” “Moulin Rouge!,” “Summer of Sam” and “Encanto.” The Emmy winner is next set to star alongside Toni Collette in Prime Video’s “The Power.” More recently, he co-starred in Mark Mylod’s film “The Menu.”
Following his Mff Impact award, Leguizamo will premiere his directorial debut, “Critical Thinking,” at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival. In addition to his Emmy award, Leguizamo has received a Drama Desk award and a special Tony award for his one-man show, “Latin History for Morons.”
“Leguizamo Does America” follows the actor as he travels from San Juan, Puerto Rico to East Los Angeles while making...
- 2/24/2023
- by Charna Flam
- Variety Film + TV
One Way or AnotherTo this day, the iconography of the Cuban Revolution is usually thought of in regards to the polarizing grandeur of its historic political figures and the effervescent popular gatherings around La Habana in the 1960s. Be it in social studies textbooks, historiographical documentaries, or newspaper front covers all around the world, what seemed to be a canonical portrayal of the revolution was cemented early on. This was a carefully constructed version of Cuba built around the values and ideals of the newly established socialist project. But beyond this intellectualized conception of what the island ought to portray, laid a human core: an erratic collection of subjectivities in which the triumphs and limitations of Castro’s Cuba were experienced differently each day. That “other Cuba,” the one rarely broadcasted and always seen from a distance, was precisely the setting around which legendary filmmaker Sara Gomez built her sagacious body of work.
- 11/15/2021
- MUBI
Telefilm Canada and Screen Ireland have boarded “Cry From the Sea,” a co-production between Canada’s Sepia Films and Ireland’s ShinAwil, which has been greenlit to shoot in the Fall.
To be directed by Vic Sarin, the romantic drama centers on Edith, an enigmatic American widow who visits an Irish island to be near the spot where her childhood boyfriend drowned during World War I. She meets Seamus, a solitary lighthouse keeper who is at loggerheads with the island locals because of a personal tragedy he blames on them. He bonds with Edith, much to the chagrin of his loyal housekeeper who has silently loved him for years. The resulting love triangle brings unexpected changes that impact all their lives.
Los Angeles and Paris-based Cinema Management Group (Cmg) handles worldwide sales rights. “‘Cry From the Sea’ has been well received in Cannes this year and we’re thrilled for...
To be directed by Vic Sarin, the romantic drama centers on Edith, an enigmatic American widow who visits an Irish island to be near the spot where her childhood boyfriend drowned during World War I. She meets Seamus, a solitary lighthouse keeper who is at loggerheads with the island locals because of a personal tragedy he blames on them. He bonds with Edith, much to the chagrin of his loyal housekeeper who has silently loved him for years. The resulting love triangle brings unexpected changes that impact all their lives.
Los Angeles and Paris-based Cinema Management Group (Cmg) handles worldwide sales rights. “‘Cry From the Sea’ has been well received in Cannes this year and we’re thrilled for...
- 7/10/2021
- by Anna Marie de la Fuente
- Variety Film + TV
Blue Fox Entertainment announced today that they have acquired worldwide rights to the upcoming Asia-set action film, “Gi”, by director Pedring Lopez (“Maria”). Written by Lopez’s team, the film will star action standouts Cecep Arif Rahman and Yayan Ruhian
“Gi” is set to start production on location in Indonesia this spring. Blue Fox’s international sales division is introducing the film to international buyers at this week’s virtual EFM.
In “Gi”, a female assassin is forced to fight back through hell and everyone in her way to rescue her mother from the clutches of a rival gang. Outnumbered and outgunned, Gi must make her way through unknown territory in Jakarta, while fighting against the city’s most dangerous gang, the Palembang. Along the way, she joins forces with Jakarta’s deadliest assassin as they fight and survive to save her mother, and defeat those who want to take...
“Gi” is set to start production on location in Indonesia this spring. Blue Fox’s international sales division is introducing the film to international buyers at this week’s virtual EFM.
In “Gi”, a female assassin is forced to fight back through hell and everyone in her way to rescue her mother from the clutches of a rival gang. Outnumbered and outgunned, Gi must make her way through unknown territory in Jakarta, while fighting against the city’s most dangerous gang, the Palembang. Along the way, she joins forces with Jakarta’s deadliest assassin as they fight and survive to save her mother, and defeat those who want to take...
- 3/5/2021
- by Rouven Linnarz
- AsianMoviePulse
“Black Bear,” “Kokoloko,” “Night of the Kings,” “Rosa’s Wedding” and “Undine” have been selected as the competition titles for the Marimba Award at the upcoming Miami Film Festival Gems event.
The seventh annual edition of Gems will be held virtually from Oct. 8-11. The juried prize, which carries a $25,000 award, is given for a film that best exemplifies richness and resonance for cinema’s future.
“Black Bear is a U.S. film, directed by Lawrence Michael Levine and starring Aubrey Plaza, Sara Gadon and Christopher Abbot. It premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
“Kokoloko” (Mexico), directed by Gerardo Naranjo, received a Best Actor prize for Noé Hernández at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival.
“Night of the Kings” comes from Ivory Coast, France, Canada and Senegal. Directed by Philippe Lacôte, it is the Ivory Coast’s official submission in the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category
“Rosa’s Wedding” (Spain...
The seventh annual edition of Gems will be held virtually from Oct. 8-11. The juried prize, which carries a $25,000 award, is given for a film that best exemplifies richness and resonance for cinema’s future.
“Black Bear is a U.S. film, directed by Lawrence Michael Levine and starring Aubrey Plaza, Sara Gadon and Christopher Abbot. It premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival.
“Kokoloko” (Mexico), directed by Gerardo Naranjo, received a Best Actor prize for Noé Hernández at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival.
“Night of the Kings” comes from Ivory Coast, France, Canada and Senegal. Directed by Philippe Lacôte, it is the Ivory Coast’s official submission in the Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category
“Rosa’s Wedding” (Spain...
- 9/23/2020
- by Dave McNary
- Variety Film + TV
John Leguizamo refuses to watch the Emmys this year.
“I’m boycotting. If you don’t have Latin people, there’s no reason for me to see it,” the actor told Yahoo! Entertainment in a video interview Thursday. “What’s the point?”
“It’s unbelievable that our stories aren’t being told, and there’s one reason for that,” he added. “Executives don’t see us, don’t get us — don’t care about us.”
Latinx shows and actors were shut out of all major categories in this year’s nominations. Read more about what TheWrap’s guest blogger, actor Christian Barillas, calls a “problematic barometer” for Latinx progress here.
“It’s crazy. Like, we’re 50% of the population of Los Angeles and less than 3% of the faces in front of the camera? Less than 2% of the faces behind the camera? Less than 1% of the stories being told by Hollywood streamers and networks?...
“I’m boycotting. If you don’t have Latin people, there’s no reason for me to see it,” the actor told Yahoo! Entertainment in a video interview Thursday. “What’s the point?”
“It’s unbelievable that our stories aren’t being told, and there’s one reason for that,” he added. “Executives don’t see us, don’t get us — don’t care about us.”
Latinx shows and actors were shut out of all major categories in this year’s nominations. Read more about what TheWrap’s guest blogger, actor Christian Barillas, calls a “problematic barometer” for Latinx progress here.
“It’s crazy. Like, we’re 50% of the population of Los Angeles and less than 3% of the faces in front of the camera? Less than 2% of the faces behind the camera? Less than 1% of the stories being told by Hollywood streamers and networks?...
- 9/18/2020
- by Margeaux Sippell
- The Wrap
“Mulan” (Disney) likely had the greatest revenues of any feature films available in homes this weekend. At $29.99, five times or more costly than alternatives and only in its second week of availability, the big-budget remake more than ever needs PVOD to bolster its chances to recoup its cost. With disappointing initial theatrical results in China ($23 million for its initial weekend), one of the countries where it is not streaming, Disney+ interest becomes even more important.
Perhaps the Chinese fiasco could lead to Disney replicating what Universal did with “Trolls World Tour” after its second weekend of home sales. It was an earnings call (not due for several weeks now though), but that is the one time the studio has released specific numbers on one of its releases ($95 million to that point).
After a weekend where much of the media finally noticed that “Tenet” had its initial domestic gross success overstated...
Perhaps the Chinese fiasco could lead to Disney replicating what Universal did with “Trolls World Tour” after its second weekend of home sales. It was an earnings call (not due for several weeks now though), but that is the one time the studio has released specific numbers on one of its releases ($95 million to that point).
After a weekend where much of the media finally noticed that “Tenet” had its initial domestic gross success overstated...
- 9/14/2020
- by Tom Brueggemann
- Indiewire
This is the weekend American film fans have been waiting for with the release of a pair of the year’s biggest movies — Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet” and Disney’s live-action version of “Mulan” — after considerable delay.
The fact that the two strategies for sharing these two movies with the public are so wildly different — Nolan insisted on releasing “Tenet” in theaters, while “Mulan” will test Disney Plus’ pricey new “Prime Access” model — shows the degree of turmoil and ingenuity within the industry, as studios do their best to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. Will audiences find these options safe (or affordable) enough at a time of social distancing and belt-tightening?
Meanwhile, independent distributors have more or less figured out how to deliver their titles — movies that didn’t cost hundreds of millions and therefore don’t rely on grabbing as many viewers as possible over a short span of time — directly to consumers,...
The fact that the two strategies for sharing these two movies with the public are so wildly different — Nolan insisted on releasing “Tenet” in theaters, while “Mulan” will test Disney Plus’ pricey new “Prime Access” model — shows the degree of turmoil and ingenuity within the industry, as studios do their best to adapt to the coronavirus pandemic. Will audiences find these options safe (or affordable) enough at a time of social distancing and belt-tightening?
Meanwhile, independent distributors have more or less figured out how to deliver their titles — movies that didn’t cost hundreds of millions and therefore don’t rely on grabbing as many viewers as possible over a short span of time — directly to consumers,...
- 9/4/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
It’s been 25 years since John Leguizamo, Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes starred in the drag queen comedy “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.”
The actors were lauded back in the day because it was considered courageous for cisgender straight men to play out and proud gay queens.
Leguizamo now says if the film were made today, casting would look a lot different.
“I hope we’ve evolved from that,” Leguizamo says during a Zoom interview from his home in New York’s Catskills for Thursday’s episode of the Variety and iHeart podcast “The Big Ticket.” “Obviously it should be that any actor can play anything, but … it doesn’t really work that way. Like white people should be able to play Latin people and Latin people should be able to play white people, but it doesn’t really work that way. It’s usually white males...
The actors were lauded back in the day because it was considered courageous for cisgender straight men to play out and proud gay queens.
Leguizamo now says if the film were made today, casting would look a lot different.
“I hope we’ve evolved from that,” Leguizamo says during a Zoom interview from his home in New York’s Catskills for Thursday’s episode of the Variety and iHeart podcast “The Big Ticket.” “Obviously it should be that any actor can play anything, but … it doesn’t really work that way. Like white people should be able to play Latin people and Latin people should be able to play white people, but it doesn’t really work that way. It’s usually white males...
- 9/3/2020
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
“Critical Thinking” is one of those up-from-the-streets high-school competition movies where just mentioning the true story it’s based on kind of gives the game away. Set in 1998, it’s about the five chess wizards from Miami Jackson High who became the first inner-city chess team to win the National Championship. Boom! But, of course, it’s how they got there that matters, and even if this movie weren’t based on a true story, you’d know more or less know where it’s going. “Critical Thinking” has some appealing young actors, and it’s been directed, by John Leguizamo (who costars as the film’s tough-saint teacher), in a way that gives them the space to clown around and then get serious.
Leguizamo plays Mario Martinez, who teaches an elective class in chess at Miami Jackson, where his students call him “Mr. T.” They’re a rowdy, bellicose,...
Leguizamo plays Mario Martinez, who teaches an elective class in chess at Miami Jackson, where his students call him “Mr. T.” They’re a rowdy, bellicose,...
- 9/1/2020
- by Owen Gleiberman
- Variety Film + TV
Critical Thinking should have made a triumphant debut at the South by Southwest film festival earlier this year, but the coronavirus pandemic ruined all that. The movie tells the true story of a group of Latinx and Black teens living in the toughest under-served ghetto in Miami who strive towards becoming national chess champions. But […]
The post ‘Critical Thinking’ Trailer: John Leguizamo Tries to Inspire a High School Chess Team in a Troubled Neighborhood appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Critical Thinking’ Trailer: John Leguizamo Tries to Inspire a High School Chess Team in a Troubled Neighborhood appeared first on /Film.
- 8/6/2020
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Inspirational high school sports movies are a dime a dozen. “Critical Thinking” flips the genre on its head by bringing chess into the mix. The film tells the true story of the Miami Jackson High School chess team going on to win the 1998 U.S. National Chess Championship, making them the first inner-city team to ever do so. The new trailer for “Critical Thinking” demonstrates that chess is in fact the great equalizer.
Continue reading ‘Critical Thinking’ Trailer: John Leguizamo’s Directorial Debut Is An Inspiring True Story Of A Chess Coach at The Playlist.
Continue reading ‘Critical Thinking’ Trailer: John Leguizamo’s Directorial Debut Is An Inspiring True Story Of A Chess Coach at The Playlist.
- 8/6/2020
- by Brynne Ramella
- The Playlist
"Let the whole system give up on them... But you know what, I ain't! Okay?!" Vertical Ent. has released an official trailer for Critical Thinking, marking the feature directorial debut of actor John Leguizamo - who also stars in the film. This hasn't premiered at any festivals, but still looks like a worthwhile watch. The film tells true story of the Miami Jackson High School chess team which was the first inner city team to win the U.S. National Chess Championship in 1998. Leguizamo stars as their coach Mario Martinez, with a cast including Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Will Hochman, Corwin C. Tuggles, Jeffry Batista, Ramses Jimenez, and Zora Casebere. This looks quite enjoyable, a simple film about the importance of playing chess and sharpening your mind. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for John Leguizamo's Critical Thinking, direct from YouTube: Based...
- 8/5/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Here’s a first look at the new trailer for Critical Thinking, John Leguizamo’s Feature Directorial Debut.
Based on a true story from 1998, five LatinX and Black teenagers from the toughest underserved ghetto in Miami fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.
Starring John Leguizamo, Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Will Hochman, Corwin C. Tuggles, Jeffry Batista, Ramses Jimenez, Zora Casebere, Critical Thinking will be available on Virtual Cinema, VOD & Digital September 4.
The post John Leguizamo’s Feature Directorial Debut Critical Thinking – On Virtual Cinema, VOD and Digital September 4, 2020 appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.
Based on a true story from 1998, five LatinX and Black teenagers from the toughest underserved ghetto in Miami fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher.
Starring John Leguizamo, Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Will Hochman, Corwin C. Tuggles, Jeffry Batista, Ramses Jimenez, Zora Casebere, Critical Thinking will be available on Virtual Cinema, VOD & Digital September 4.
The post John Leguizamo’s Feature Directorial Debut Critical Thinking – On Virtual Cinema, VOD and Digital September 4, 2020 appeared first on We Are Movie Geeks.
- 8/5/2020
- by Michelle Hannett
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Exclusive: Vertical Entertainment has acquired North American rights to John Leguizamo’s feature directorial debut Critical Thinking, which he also stars in and produced.
Written by Dito Montiel, Critical Thinking tells the 1998 true story of five LatinX and Black teenagers from Miami Jackson Senior High School, located in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Miami, who fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher. The movie will hit VOD/digital on Sept. 4.
“In today’s fractured society with so many disenfranchised young adults, in our country and around the world, this is a story which can and will inspire all of us to do better, keep focused and stay positive,” said Leguizamo. “With Critical Thinking we wanted to create a universal message of hope and spread this message to the world.”
The deal was negotiated by Peter Jarowey and Josh Spector...
Written by Dito Montiel, Critical Thinking tells the 1998 true story of five LatinX and Black teenagers from Miami Jackson Senior High School, located in one of the toughest neighborhoods in Miami, who fight their way into the National Chess Championship under the guidance of their unconventional but inspirational teacher. The movie will hit VOD/digital on Sept. 4.
“In today’s fractured society with so many disenfranchised young adults, in our country and around the world, this is a story which can and will inspire all of us to do better, keep focused and stay positive,” said Leguizamo. “With Critical Thinking we wanted to create a universal message of hope and spread this message to the world.”
The deal was negotiated by Peter Jarowey and Josh Spector...
- 7/27/2020
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Vertical Entertainment holds Us rights and plans September release.
Cinema Management Group (Cmg) has acquired international sales rights ahead of the Cannes virtual market to John Leguizamo’s directorial debut and SXSW selection Critical Thinking.
Leguizamo stars in the Miami-set story, based on actual events, about a chess fanatic who against the odds trains a group of underprivileged teenagers and takes them to the Us National Chess Championship.
Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, Corwin Tuggles, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Will Hochman, and Jeffry Batista round out the key cast.
Critical Thinking was scheduled to premiere in official...
Cinema Management Group (Cmg) has acquired international sales rights ahead of the Cannes virtual market to John Leguizamo’s directorial debut and SXSW selection Critical Thinking.
Leguizamo stars in the Miami-set story, based on actual events, about a chess fanatic who against the odds trains a group of underprivileged teenagers and takes them to the Us National Chess Championship.
Rachel Bay Jones, Michael Kenneth Williams, Corwin Tuggles, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Angel Bismark Curiel, Will Hochman, and Jeffry Batista round out the key cast.
Critical Thinking was scheduled to premiere in official...
- 6/3/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
There are plenty of movies where inner-city kids with troubled lives get inspired by their teachers. But you’ve never seen one like Critical Thinking, which takes that formula and puts a different kind of intellectual twist on it by focusing on a group of Black and Latinx kids in 1998 who were determined to become […]
The post ‘Critical Thinking’ Review: John Leguizamo Turns Inner-City Teens into Chess Champs in This Powerful, Inspiring Drama appeared first on /Film.
The post ‘Critical Thinking’ Review: John Leguizamo Turns Inner-City Teens into Chess Champs in This Powerful, Inspiring Drama appeared first on /Film.
- 3/21/2020
- by Ethan Anderton
- Slash Film
Please Note: “Critical Thinking” was originally scheduled to premiere at the 2020 SXSW Film Festival. With the express consent of the representatives of the filmmakers, we present the review of the film here.
Trying to win over reluctant students to the game of chess, high school teacher Mario Martinez tells them that there is no more level playing field than a chessboard – “Chess is the great equalizer!” His students at Miami Jackson believe the only way out of their barrio is through crime or football, but Mr.
Continue reading ‘Critical Thinking’: Conquering The Chessboard In John Leguizamo’s Directorial Debut [Review] at The Playlist.
Trying to win over reluctant students to the game of chess, high school teacher Mario Martinez tells them that there is no more level playing field than a chessboard – “Chess is the great equalizer!” His students at Miami Jackson believe the only way out of their barrio is through crime or football, but Mr.
Continue reading ‘Critical Thinking’: Conquering The Chessboard In John Leguizamo’s Directorial Debut [Review] at The Playlist.
- 3/14/2020
- by Joe Blessing
- The Playlist
Alexandra Codina got involved with filmmaking right after college. Following her job as a production assistant in New York, she began working with the Miami Film Festival in 2002, where she learned to further pursue a career in the filmmaking industry. Codina ran the community programming and outreach areas of the festival until 2005, when she confidently decided to fully pursue documentary production. In 2010, her first feature film, “Monica and David,” was picked up by HBO.
“Because I worked [at the Miami Film Festival], I made a lot of friendships with people in the industry so when I was ready for ‘Monica and David’ it wasn’t as frightening to go out there and to try to sell the film and to try to talk to people as peers,” she says.
This year, Codina returns to the Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival with her feature “Paper Children,” a drama centered on the immigration crisis at the United States-Mexico border.
“Because I worked [at the Miami Film Festival], I made a lot of friendships with people in the industry so when I was ready for ‘Monica and David’ it wasn’t as frightening to go out there and to try to sell the film and to try to talk to people as peers,” she says.
This year, Codina returns to the Miami Dade College’s Miami Film Festival with her feature “Paper Children,” a drama centered on the immigration crisis at the United States-Mexico border.
- 3/6/2020
- by Cata Balzano
- Variety Film + TV
The 2020 edition of SXSW has announced its features and episodic premieres for the 27th edition of the film festival, running March 13 – 22 in Austin. The 102 features and episodics in this release will be shown across the nine days of SXSW. The 2020 program was selected from 2,316 feature-length film submissions, with a total of 8,362 films submitted this year.
As has become its tradition, the festival will open with a highly anticipated studio crowdpleaser. Judd Apatow’s “The King of Staten Island,” his first feature directorial outing since 2015’s “Trainwreck,” stars Pete Davidson in a lightly fictionalized version of the “SNL” star’s own life story. The film is set for a June release from Universal Pictures.
Apatow has been a regular at SXSW, where “Knocked Up” and “Trainwreck” both launched to strong reactions, but this is his first time opening the festival. “It’s a great film,” SXSW Director of Film Janet Pierson...
As has become its tradition, the festival will open with a highly anticipated studio crowdpleaser. Judd Apatow’s “The King of Staten Island,” his first feature directorial outing since 2015’s “Trainwreck,” stars Pete Davidson in a lightly fictionalized version of the “SNL” star’s own life story. The film is set for a June release from Universal Pictures.
Apatow has been a regular at SXSW, where “Knocked Up” and “Trainwreck” both launched to strong reactions, but this is his first time opening the festival. “It’s a great film,” SXSW Director of Film Janet Pierson...
- 1/15/2020
- by Kate Erbland and Eric Kohn
- Indiewire
The 27th edition of the SXSW Film Festival will feature a romantic caper starring Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, a documentary about the Beastie Boys directed by Spike Jonze, a “hidden camera” comedy headlined by Tiffany Haddish and an autobiographical studio vehicle from Pete Davidson.
Thousands of moviegoers will flock to Austin, Texas, starting on March 13 for the annual gathering, which is a launching pad for major summer — or spring — studio releases, as well as smaller independent films and buzzy TV shows.
“King of Staten Island,” which stars Davidson, will open the fest. The movie is directed by Judd Apatow, who is no stranger to SXSW, having brought many of his hit projects — from “Knocked Up” to “Bridesmaids” — to screen first at SXSW.
Other high-profile titles that will premiere in Austin include “The Lovebirds,” a comedy from Michael Showalter, with Rae and Nanjiani trying to solve a murder mystery; “Bad Trip,...
Thousands of moviegoers will flock to Austin, Texas, starting on March 13 for the annual gathering, which is a launching pad for major summer — or spring — studio releases, as well as smaller independent films and buzzy TV shows.
“King of Staten Island,” which stars Davidson, will open the fest. The movie is directed by Judd Apatow, who is no stranger to SXSW, having brought many of his hit projects — from “Knocked Up” to “Bridesmaids” — to screen first at SXSW.
Other high-profile titles that will premiere in Austin include “The Lovebirds,” a comedy from Michael Showalter, with Rae and Nanjiani trying to solve a murder mystery; “Bad Trip,...
- 1/15/2020
- by Ramin Setoodeh
- Variety Film + TV
Twenty-seventh edition of festival runs in Austin, Texas, from March 13-22.
Judd Apatow’s first directorial outing in five years, The King Of Staten Island, will open SXSW 2020 on March 13.
SNL cast member and comedian Pete Davidson stars in the semi-autobiographical comedy about himself growing up in Staten Island and losing his father in the 9/11 attacks.
“Judd Apatow has consistently provided transcendent, exhilarating experiences at SXSW, starting with Knocked Up, then Bridesmaids, Trainwreck, Girls, The Big Sick, and his documentary May It Last: A Portrait Of The Avett Brothers,” said SXSW director of film Janet Pierson.
“This March it’s...
Judd Apatow’s first directorial outing in five years, The King Of Staten Island, will open SXSW 2020 on March 13.
SNL cast member and comedian Pete Davidson stars in the semi-autobiographical comedy about himself growing up in Staten Island and losing his father in the 9/11 attacks.
“Judd Apatow has consistently provided transcendent, exhilarating experiences at SXSW, starting with Knocked Up, then Bridesmaids, Trainwreck, Girls, The Big Sick, and his documentary May It Last: A Portrait Of The Avett Brothers,” said SXSW director of film Janet Pierson.
“This March it’s...
- 1/15/2020
- by 36¦Jeremy Kay¦54¦
- ScreenDaily
Melrose Place alum Daphne Zuniga is set to mark her feature directorial debut with The Protegé, an indie thriller starring Jeanette Sousa[/link] (American Housewife), Breanne Hill (Frontier), Keenan Tracey (Bates Motel), and Philip Boyd (The Have and Have Nots). It follows Amanda Birch (Sousa) who, after three years of estrangement from her family, returns to reconnect with her sister Lauren, the manager of a beloved holistic studio. Upon her return, things only get worse when her sister Lauren mysteriously dies days later. Soon, the entire family is suspected in a murder investigation as it becomes clear that Lauren’s death was no accident. Amanda leads an investigation of her own to find out who’s responsible for her sister’s murder. Nicole Schubert and Blaine Chiappetta penned the screenplay which was produced by Autumn Federici and Anthony Melillo. Marvista Entertainment’s Margret H. Huddleston is executive producer. Zuniga is repped...
- 12/13/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
John Leguizamo, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., who next appears opposite Hailee Steinfeld in Paramount’s standalone Bumblebee film, and The Wire alum Michael K. Williams will star in the indie film Critical Thinking, with Leguizamo also directing.
It’s a true story, set in 1998, of how a group of disparate kids from a working-class barrio west of downtown Miami are brought together by their inspirational chess coach, Mario Martinez (Leguizamo), at Miami Jackson High School to become the first inner city school to win the U.S. National Chess Championship.
Angel Curiel (Pose), William Hochman (Paterno), Jeffry Battista (Mi Familia Perfecta), Corwin Tuggles (Detachment), and Rachel Bay Jones (Ben Is Back) also co-star in the film, which will begin shooting this month in Miami.
Scott Rosenfelt is producing the project with Carla Berkowitz and Harvey Chaplin serving as executive producers.
It’s a true story, set in 1998, of how a group of disparate kids from a working-class barrio west of downtown Miami are brought together by their inspirational chess coach, Mario Martinez (Leguizamo), at Miami Jackson High School to become the first inner city school to win the U.S. National Chess Championship.
Angel Curiel (Pose), William Hochman (Paterno), Jeffry Battista (Mi Familia Perfecta), Corwin Tuggles (Detachment), and Rachel Bay Jones (Ben Is Back) also co-star in the film, which will begin shooting this month in Miami.
Scott Rosenfelt is producing the project with Carla Berkowitz and Harvey Chaplin serving as executive producers.
- 11/16/2018
- by Amanda N'Duka
- Deadline Film + TV
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