As the definition of an independent film has shifted with the ever-expanding budget divide in American filmmaking — particularly Hollywood cutting back on its mid-range projects — when it comes time for awards season, it’s often only the highest profile of “indie films” that get recognized. While we do our best to recognize the films that often get unfortunately, a new awards has launched that honors the best of truly independent American cinema, featuring films all under a $1 million budget.
Aptly titled the American Independent Film Awards (aka AIFAs), they were voted on by international film festival programmers, U.S. based film festival programmers, and North American film critics (including yours truly.) “First and foremost, we would like to thank all film producers and distribution companies who helped us identify qualifying films and outline the categories. We’d also like to thank the international and American based film festival programmers, and...
Aptly titled the American Independent Film Awards (aka AIFAs), they were voted on by international film festival programmers, U.S. based film festival programmers, and North American film critics (including yours truly.) “First and foremost, we would like to thank all film producers and distribution companies who helped us identify qualifying films and outline the categories. We’d also like to thank the international and American based film festival programmers, and...
- 2/20/2017
- by Jordan Raup
- The Film Stage
Love never dies, at least that is the case in Nina Forever. Epic Pictures Group recently revealed a new clip from the film, and you can check it out below. Also in this round-up: an update on The Invitation, an Indiegogo announcement for Dummies, a look at Dear Creature's cover art, and Solid State Blu-ray details.
Nina Forever: "Epic Pictures Group will release the critically acclaimed horror/romance film Nina Forever on February 12th, 2016, Valentine’s Day weekend.
Written and directed by Ben and Chris Blaine, Nina Forever was honored with multiple British Independent Film Awards nominations this week, including Best Debut Director for The Blaine Brothers and Most Promising Newcomer for lead actress Abigail Hardingham. The film was previously recognized with the Best Feature award at FrightFest 2015.
A darkly comedic romantic horror story exploring love and grief, Nina Forever follows Holly (Abigail Hardingham), as she begins a relationship...
Nina Forever: "Epic Pictures Group will release the critically acclaimed horror/romance film Nina Forever on February 12th, 2016, Valentine’s Day weekend.
Written and directed by Ben and Chris Blaine, Nina Forever was honored with multiple British Independent Film Awards nominations this week, including Best Debut Director for The Blaine Brothers and Most Promising Newcomer for lead actress Abigail Hardingham. The film was previously recognized with the Best Feature award at FrightFest 2015.
A darkly comedic romantic horror story exploring love and grief, Nina Forever follows Holly (Abigail Hardingham), as she begins a relationship...
- 2/11/2016
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
People don't always change for the better, and at a dinner party thrown by his ex-wife and her new husband, Will suspects that the former love of his life has changed in a twisted way. An evening get-together could have something sinister on the menu in The Invitation, the new movie from Karyn Kusama (Jennifer's Body) that premiered in the Midnighters section at this year's SXSW Film Festival and has now been picked up by Drafthouse Films for a worldwide release (likely in 2016):
Press Release - "Beating out several other distributors, Drafthouse Films has secured worldwide rights to Karyn Kusama’s acclaimed thriller The Invitation, which opened the Midnight section of the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. The film has been well received by critics and audiences alike, landing on several “Best of SXSW” lists.
For Kusama, who first made her mark with Girlfight, the film represents a return to her independent roots.
Press Release - "Beating out several other distributors, Drafthouse Films has secured worldwide rights to Karyn Kusama’s acclaimed thriller The Invitation, which opened the Midnight section of the 2015 SXSW Film Festival. The film has been well received by critics and audiences alike, landing on several “Best of SXSW” lists.
For Kusama, who first made her mark with Girlfight, the film represents a return to her independent roots.
- 4/6/2015
- by Derek Anderson
- DailyDead
Drafthouse Films is understood to have paid low seven figures for the SXSW thriller from Girlfight director Karyn Kusama.
The Invitation stars Logan Marshall-Green as a haunted man who attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife and new husband.
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi wrote and produced with Martha Griffin along with Nick Spicer of Xyz Films. Gamechanger Films financed The Invitation in association with Lege Artis.
ICM Partners and Nate Bolotin of Xyz Films negotiated the deal with James Emanuel Shapiro of Drafthouse Films.
Xyz Films holds international rights.
The Invitation stars Logan Marshall-Green as a haunted man who attends a dinner party hosted by his ex-wife and new husband.
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi wrote and produced with Martha Griffin along with Nick Spicer of Xyz Films. Gamechanger Films financed The Invitation in association with Lege Artis.
ICM Partners and Nate Bolotin of Xyz Films negotiated the deal with James Emanuel Shapiro of Drafthouse Films.
Xyz Films holds international rights.
- 4/6/2015
- by jeremykay67@gmail.com (Jeremy Kay)
- ScreenDaily
Logan Marshall-Green, Michiel Huisman, Middle of Nowhere revelation Emayatzy Corinealdi, Tammy Blanchard, busy-bee indie actress Lindsay Burdge (A Teacher, Wild Canaries) and John Carroll Lynch are the principle cast in Karyn Kusama’s fourth feature film, which according to Deadline, has just wrapped. The project which was first announced a couple of years back with the proposed cast of Luke Wilson, Zachary Quinto, Topher Grace and Johnny Galecki, has been retooled and saw Gamechanger Films’ Mynette Louie (Land Ho!) join Martha Griffin (longtime producer for Kusama) and Xyz Films (The Raid 2) as the producing team. At this point, it’s a safe bet that The Invitation is going to be looked at by the Sundance folks – Park City is where Kusama broke into film with her Y2K debut, Girlfight.
Gist: Written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, on a dark night, Will (Marshall-Green) is a haunted man attending...
Gist: Written by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi, on a dark night, Will (Marshall-Green) is a haunted man attending...
- 7/15/2014
- by Eric Lavallee
- IONCINEMA.com
Around this time last year we told you that Jennifer's Body director Karyn Kusama was working on an indie flick titled Invitation, with Luke Wilson attached to star. It seems as if those plans have changed, and we've got the latest casting news for ya today!
The Wrap reports that Prometheus star Logan Marshall-Green (pictured) and "Boston Public" actress Marieh Delfino have accepted the female director's Invitation, which will also co-star Tammy Blanchard, John Carroll Lynch and Michelle Krusiec.
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi wrote the script, which stars Marshall-Green as a man faced with mounting evidence that something sinister has taken hold of his ex-wife, who is hosting a dinner party that harbors a terrifying agenda.
Delfino will play a UCLA professor in the movie, which Hay and Manfredi are expected to produce with Martha Griffin and Xyz Films.
Production is scheduled to start this month.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
The Wrap reports that Prometheus star Logan Marshall-Green (pictured) and "Boston Public" actress Marieh Delfino have accepted the female director's Invitation, which will also co-star Tammy Blanchard, John Carroll Lynch and Michelle Krusiec.
Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi wrote the script, which stars Marshall-Green as a man faced with mounting evidence that something sinister has taken hold of his ex-wife, who is hosting a dinner party that harbors a terrifying agenda.
Delfino will play a UCLA professor in the movie, which Hay and Manfredi are expected to produce with Martha Griffin and Xyz Films.
Production is scheduled to start this month.
Visit The Evilshop @ Amazon!
- 6/11/2014
- by John Squires
- DreadCentral.com
“Boston Public” actress Marieh Delfino will join Logan Marshall-Green in Karyn Kusama's indie thriller “The Invitation,” TheWrap has learned. The film will co-star Tammy Blanchard, John Carroll Lynch and Michelle Krusiec. Also read: Jennifer Lynch, Mary Harron, Karyn Kusama to Direct All-Female Horror Anthology ‘Xx’ Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi wrote the script, which stars Marshall-Green (“Prometheus”) as a man faced with mounting evidence that something sinister has taken hold of his ex-wife, who is hosting a dinner party that harbors a terrifying agenda. Delfino wil play a UCLA professor in the movie, which Hay and Manfredi are expected to produce with Martha Griffin.
- 6/10/2014
- by Jeff Sneider
- The Wrap
Girlfight and Jennifer's Body director Karyn Kusama has issued an invitation - one that Luke Wilson, Topher Grace, Zachary Quinto and Johnny Galecki have answered. On a dark night, Will (Luke Wilson) is invited to his estranged ex-wife's dinner party. Over the course of the evening, he is gripped by mounting evidence that something insidious has taken hold of his ex-wife, and that she and her new friends have a mysterious and horrifying agenda. By the end of the night, the ramifications of what happens in this house will spread far beyond its doors.The Kusama directed thriller will begin production this summer, working from a script by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi (Clash of the Titans, R.I.P.D.). Xyz Films, Martha Griffin (Girlfight), Hay and...
- 5/11/2012
- Screen Anarchy
Here's the thing. If you have an estranged wife, it may not be a wise idea to head to her house for some dinner. These situations just never end well. Knives become involved, rabbits end up being boiled in pots, the sky's the limit when it comes to a woman scorned!
From the Press Release
Xyz Films has announced that the thriller The Invitation will begin principal photography in Los Angeles in the summer of 2012. Directed by Karyn Kusama (Jennifer's Body, Girlfight), the film was scripted by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi (Clash of the Titans, R.I.P.D.) and will star Luke Wilson (Enlightened) and an ensemble that includes Zachary Quinto (Star Trek), Topher Grace (Traffic) and Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory"). Xyz Films (The Raid: Redemption) will produce alongside Martha Griffin (Girlfight) and Hay and Manfredi. Foreign sales will be handled at Cannes by Celluloid Nightmares, the partnership between Xyz Films and Celluloid Dreams.
From the Press Release
Xyz Films has announced that the thriller The Invitation will begin principal photography in Los Angeles in the summer of 2012. Directed by Karyn Kusama (Jennifer's Body, Girlfight), the film was scripted by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi (Clash of the Titans, R.I.P.D.) and will star Luke Wilson (Enlightened) and an ensemble that includes Zachary Quinto (Star Trek), Topher Grace (Traffic) and Johnny Galecki ("The Big Bang Theory"). Xyz Films (The Raid: Redemption) will produce alongside Martha Griffin (Girlfight) and Hay and Manfredi. Foreign sales will be handled at Cannes by Celluloid Nightmares, the partnership between Xyz Films and Celluloid Dreams.
- 5/11/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Xyz Films has announced that the thriller The Invitation will begin principal photography in Los Angeles in the summer of 2012. Directed by Karyn Kusama (.Jennifer’s Body,. .Girlfight.), the film was scripted by Phil Hay and Matt Manfredi (.Clash of the Titans,. .R.I.P.D..) and will star Luke Wilson (Enlightened) and an ensemble that includes Zachary Quinto (.Star Trek.), Topher Grace (.Traffic.) and Johnny Galecki (The Big Bang Theory). Xyz Films (.The Raid: Redemption.) will produce alongside Martha Griffin (.Girlfight.) and Hay and Manfredi. Foreign sales will be handled at Cannes by Celluloid Nightmares, the partnership between Xyz Films and Celluloid Dreams. Xyz Films and ICM are representing domestic sales.
On a dark night, Will (Luke Wilson) is invited to his estranged ex-wife’s dinner party. Over the course of the evening, he is gripped by mounting evidence that something insidious has taken hold of his ex-wife, and...
On a dark night, Will (Luke Wilson) is invited to his estranged ex-wife’s dinner party. Over the course of the evening, he is gripped by mounting evidence that something insidious has taken hold of his ex-wife, and...
- 5/11/2012
- by Michelle McCue
- WeAreMovieGeeks.com
Ray Liotta is in negotiations to play the villain in Karyn Kusama's indie drama "The Rut" says The Hollywood Reporter.
Kevin Caruso's script centers on a young girl (Chloe Moretz) who journeys into the wilderness alone to hunt deer and win the approval of her father (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).
Liotta will play a rival hunter obsessed with bow hunting and who considers Morgan's character his rival. Aaron Magnani and Martha Griffin are producing.
Kevin Caruso's script centers on a young girl (Chloe Moretz) who journeys into the wilderness alone to hunt deer and win the approval of her father (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).
Liotta will play a rival hunter obsessed with bow hunting and who considers Morgan's character his rival. Aaron Magnani and Martha Griffin are producing.
- 4/21/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Ray Liotta is potentially joining Chloe Moretz and Jeffrey Dean Morgan in The Rut , an upcoming drama to be directed by Karyn Kusama. The Hollywood Reporter says that the Goodfellas actors is in talks to play the film's villain. The Rut focuses on a father-daughter relationship that takes place in the world of hunting where Moretz's character has to use tricks taught to her by her father to survive when he goes missing. The script was written by Kevin Caruso. Aaron Magnani and Martha Griffin are producing. Teri and Trevor Moretz are executive producing. Filming is expected to start in October. (Photo Credit: Brian To / WENN.com)...
- 4/20/2012
- Comingsoon.net
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is joining Chloe Moretz in The Rut , the new drama to be directed by Karyn Kusama, reports Heat Vision . The film is about a father-daughter relationship that takes place in the world of hunting where Moretz's character has to use tricks taught to her by her father to survive when he goes missing. The script was written by Kevin Caruso. Aaron Magnani and Martha Griffin are producing. Teri and Trevor Moretz are executive producing. Filming is expected to start in October. (Photo Credit: Adriana M. Barraza/WENN.com)...
- 1/14/2012
- Comingsoon.net
Jeffrey Dean Morgan ("Watchmen," "Supernatural") and Chloe Moretz ("Hugo," "Kick Ass") are teaming for Karyn Kusama's gritty indie drama "The Rut" at Water Bear/Aaron Magnani Prods. reports Variety.
Moretz plays a teenage girl who aims to win the approval of her father (Morgan) by journeying into the wilderness alone to hunt the greatest of deer. Kevin Caruso wrote the script.
The pair previously worked together on the recent thriller "Texas Killing Fields". Aaron Magnani and Martha Griffin will produce.
Moretz plays a teenage girl who aims to win the approval of her father (Morgan) by journeying into the wilderness alone to hunt the greatest of deer. Kevin Caruso wrote the script.
The pair previously worked together on the recent thriller "Texas Killing Fields". Aaron Magnani and Martha Griffin will produce.
- 1/14/2012
- by Garth Franklin
- Dark Horizons
Chris Evans‘ stock raised a good deal this past year with Captain America: The First Avenger, and, for his own good, he’s reprising the same role in just a few months with The Avengers. But those fun, mildly diverting efforts aren’t really what he wants to be doing — I mean, the best performance Evans gave last year was in a film nobody saw.
So I give him a ton of credit for stepping outside the box a little more, with Variety reporting that he’s in talks to lead Bong Joon-ho‘s English-language debut, Snow Piercer. Written by the Mother helmer and producer Park Chan-wook, the post-apocalyptic story — an adaptation of the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige — follows “a group of people on a train without a final destination, struggling to survive after the end of the world brings on a cataclysmic ice age.” It’s been said...
So I give him a ton of credit for stepping outside the box a little more, with Variety reporting that he’s in talks to lead Bong Joon-ho‘s English-language debut, Snow Piercer. Written by the Mother helmer and producer Park Chan-wook, the post-apocalyptic story — an adaptation of the French graphic novel Le Transperceneige — follows “a group of people on a train without a final destination, struggling to survive after the end of the world brings on a cataclysmic ice age.” It’s been said...
- 1/14/2012
- by jpraup@gmail.com (thefilmstage.com)
- The Film Stage
Jeffrey Dean Morgan is attached to star in The Rut, an indie drama being directed by Karyn Kusama. Morgan will join Chloe Moretz, currently seen in Hugo, in what is being described as Winter’s Bone meets Into the Wild. Written by Kevin Caruso, the story centers on a young girl (Moretz) who, in order to win the approval of her father (Morgan), surrounds herself with danger and adventure as she journeys into the wilderness alone to hunt deer. Aaron Magnani and Martha Griffin are producing. Teri and Trevor Moretz are exec producing. Financing is being put together and the
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- 1/14/2012
- by Borys Kit
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
From the moment Maria Nelson and I read (and loved) the script for the film "Girlfight," we knew we were facing a formidable casting challenge—to find the lead, Diana Guzman, a young Latina who, without her father knowing it, trains as a boxer and achieves impressive success.After a year of numerous discussions with the writer-director, Karyn Kusama, and producer Martha Griffin, we were frighteningly clear about the qualities that the actor playing Diana must possess. She had to be young (be 17–19, not play 17–19); she had to be fearless, possessing an animal instinct that glows through dangerous eyes; she had to be physically fit and willing to undergo vigorous boxing training for several months prior to shooting, with no aversion to being punched in the face. And yet, she had to be a knockout beauty (pun intended) displaying a vulnerability that allows her to fall in love. This girl.
- 7/20/2011
- by help@backstage.com ()
- backstage.com
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