The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge awarded prizes in several categories at a Thursday event on the Sony Pictures Studios lot in Culver City.
The Disability Film Challenge is celebrating 11 years of advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
Presenters and attendees included “Ricky Stanicky” writer, producer and director Peter Farrelly, comedian Nate Bargatze, “Coda” director Siân Heder, Caterina Scorsone of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Sheaun McKinney of “The Neighborhood,” Rick Glassman of “Not Dead Yet,” Jillian Mercado of “The L Word: Generation Q” and Heather Morris of “Glee.”
The winners were selected from 135 submitted from around the world. They include:
Best Film – “Audio Description” – Lee Pugsley;
Best Director – “The Case of the Obsidian Muskrat”- Chase Chambers
Best Actor – “Emergency Contact” – Kiersten Kelly
Best Writer – “Call the A.D.A.” – David Radcliff
Best Editor – “The Case of the Obsidian Muskrat” – Chase Chambers
Best Awareness Campaign – “Out of Reach” – Sawsan Zakaria...
The Disability Film Challenge is celebrating 11 years of advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion in the entertainment industry.
Presenters and attendees included “Ricky Stanicky” writer, producer and director Peter Farrelly, comedian Nate Bargatze, “Coda” director Siân Heder, Caterina Scorsone of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Sheaun McKinney of “The Neighborhood,” Rick Glassman of “Not Dead Yet,” Jillian Mercado of “The L Word: Generation Q” and Heather Morris of “Glee.”
The winners were selected from 135 submitted from around the world. They include:
Best Film – “Audio Description” – Lee Pugsley;
Best Director – “The Case of the Obsidian Muskrat”- Chase Chambers
Best Actor – “Emergency Contact” – Kiersten Kelly
Best Writer – “Call the A.D.A.” – David Radcliff
Best Editor – “The Case of the Obsidian Muskrat” – Chase Chambers
Best Awareness Campaign – “Out of Reach” – Sawsan Zakaria...
- 5/10/2024
- by Pat Saperstein
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge has created the first-ever disability loop group, launched with a recent Edfc workshop held on then Sony studio lot that included coaching, feedback and advice from animation executives. Sony Pictures Entertainment has been a key sponsor and host of Edfc for six years.
A loop group is a group of actors involved in recording audio for edited programming during post-production. Loop groups provide background noise and audio clips that enrich the soundscape and lend a sense of authenticity in films, TV shows, video games and commercials.
The initiative follows the casting of Edfc founder and director Nic Novicki as Lego Spider-Man and longtime Film Challenge participant Danielle Perez as Sun-Spider in Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Animation’s Oscar-nominated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Both Perez and Novicki are actors with disabilities who were recommended for their roles in the film by writer-producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller,...
A loop group is a group of actors involved in recording audio for edited programming during post-production. Loop groups provide background noise and audio clips that enrich the soundscape and lend a sense of authenticity in films, TV shows, video games and commercials.
The initiative follows the casting of Edfc founder and director Nic Novicki as Lego Spider-Man and longtime Film Challenge participant Danielle Perez as Sun-Spider in Columbia Pictures/Sony Pictures Animation’s Oscar-nominated Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. Both Perez and Novicki are actors with disabilities who were recommended for their roles in the film by writer-producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller,...
- 2/26/2024
- by Valerie Complex
- Deadline Film + TV
The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, in which participants write and produce short films that promote disability inclusion, returns for its 11th consecutive year and will run from April 2-7.
This year, in addition to the traditional awards of cash, computers and other technology, subscriptions, mentorships and screening opportunities, the Edfc will award ten $15,000 grants for the winners of the best film, best director, best writer, best actor and best editor categories to develop their projects further. Five additional grants will be awarded to past Edfc participants, with all winners announced at the Edfc awards ceremony on May 9 at Sony Pictures Studios.
“Hollywood has only begun to tap into the power of inclusion and to showcase this significant segment of our society,” Mark Whitley, president and CEO of Easterseals Southern California, said in a statement. “The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge gives filmmakers, actors and their crews an opportunity to change the...
This year, in addition to the traditional awards of cash, computers and other technology, subscriptions, mentorships and screening opportunities, the Edfc will award ten $15,000 grants for the winners of the best film, best director, best writer, best actor and best editor categories to develop their projects further. Five additional grants will be awarded to past Edfc participants, with all winners announced at the Edfc awards ceremony on May 9 at Sony Pictures Studios.
“Hollywood has only begun to tap into the power of inclusion and to showcase this significant segment of our society,” Mark Whitley, president and CEO of Easterseals Southern California, said in a statement. “The Easterseals Disability Film Challenge gives filmmakers, actors and their crews an opportunity to change the...
- 1/19/2024
- by Diego Ramos Bechara
- Variety Film + TV
The Hollywood Reporter hosted the inaugural “Raising Our Voices” luncheon, sponsored by The Golden Globes, Wallis Annenberg GenSpace, and East West Bank at the Audrey Irmas Pavilion on Wednesday, May 31.
Eva Longoria speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter Raising Our Voices Deia Luncheon
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
“Raising Our Voices” brought together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in Hollywood.
During the program, keynote speaker Taika Waititi (Academy Award-winning screenwriter (JoJo Rabbit)), Emmy Award-nominated television producer, actor and filmmaker) was introduced by Bird Runningwater (Executive Producer and Activist). During his speech, Waititi spoke about the journey of moving forward to foster more diversity in the entertainment world and his beliefs on the best practices for incorporating representation within movies and film.
Eva Longoria speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter Raising Our Voices Deia Luncheon
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images
“Raising Our Voices” brought together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility in Hollywood.
During the program, keynote speaker Taika Waititi (Academy Award-winning screenwriter (JoJo Rabbit)), Emmy Award-nominated television producer, actor and filmmaker) was introduced by Bird Runningwater (Executive Producer and Activist). During his speech, Waititi spoke about the journey of moving forward to foster more diversity in the entertainment world and his beliefs on the best practices for incorporating representation within movies and film.
- 6/8/2023
- Look to the Stars
This post contains spoilers for "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse."
They actually did it: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, co-writers of both the "Spider-Verse" franchise and "The Lego Movie," finally found a way to combine their two most beloved worlds in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." The new movie is jam-packed with so many Easter eggs, universe jumps, and eye-popping artistic flourishes that it's easy to come away feeling like you'll need to watch it again to catch everything. Still, one world, in particular, is hard to forget -- because it's made out of Legos.
The scene comes fairly early in the film when Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) first finds out about the league of Spider-People working together to save the universe without him. Quick scenes show Spider-Men across the multiverse placing calls to group leader Miguel (Oscar Isaac). Among them? Lego Peter Parker (voiced by comedian Nic Novicki), who's in the...
They actually did it: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, co-writers of both the "Spider-Verse" franchise and "The Lego Movie," finally found a way to combine their two most beloved worlds in "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse." The new movie is jam-packed with so many Easter eggs, universe jumps, and eye-popping artistic flourishes that it's easy to come away feeling like you'll need to watch it again to catch everything. Still, one world, in particular, is hard to forget -- because it's made out of Legos.
The scene comes fairly early in the film when Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) first finds out about the league of Spider-People working together to save the universe without him. Quick scenes show Spider-Men across the multiverse placing calls to group leader Miguel (Oscar Isaac). Among them? Lego Peter Parker (voiced by comedian Nic Novicki), who's in the...
- 6/5/2023
- by Valerie Ettenhofer
- Slash Film
“Rain in My Head” was the big winner at the 10th annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, taking honors for best film, director Chrissy Marshall and actor Layne Apffel.
Also saluted were Nathan Cox, editor for “Smash or Pass”; Rachel Handler, writer, “Unlucky in Love”; and Judith Rubin and “Leap of Love” for best awareness campaign.
The winners were announced May 4 at an orange-carpet ceremony and reception at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
For the competition, registered filmmakers were given five days within a designated timeframe to write and produce short films (three-to-five minutes) promoting disability inclusion. Every year’s contest has a theme, and this year it was romance, which resulted in a wide range of viewpoints on the topic.
There were a record 115 submissions, from nearly every U.S. state and from around the globe, including entries from Austria, Bolivia, Canada, England, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland,...
Also saluted were Nathan Cox, editor for “Smash or Pass”; Rachel Handler, writer, “Unlucky in Love”; and Judith Rubin and “Leap of Love” for best awareness campaign.
The winners were announced May 4 at an orange-carpet ceremony and reception at Sony Pictures Studios in Culver City.
For the competition, registered filmmakers were given five days within a designated timeframe to write and produce short films (three-to-five minutes) promoting disability inclusion. Every year’s contest has a theme, and this year it was romance, which resulted in a wide range of viewpoints on the topic.
There were a record 115 submissions, from nearly every U.S. state and from around the globe, including entries from Austria, Bolivia, Canada, England, Egypt, Finland, France, Germany, India, Ireland,...
- 5/5/2023
- by William Earl
- Variety Film + TV
Last week Tony Award-nominated star of stage and screen, and the first deaf actress to play a Marvel Superhero, Lauren Ridloff hosted the Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services provider Easterseals Southern California.
The virtual event, which was streamed Live on the Emmy Award-winning entertainment and pop culture news source, ExtraTV.com honored Selma Blair, Peter Farrelly, David Zimmerman, Allen Rucker, Sofia Sanchez, As We See It, Love on the Spectrum U.S, Cha Cha Real Smooth, and Only Murders in the Building.
Founded by Norman Lear in 1979, and now spearheaded by Executive Producer Deborah Calla, and writer Allen Rucker, the Media Access Awards is an annual celebration honoring those in film and TV who include disabled characters and actors in their work, the 2022 Media Access Awards paid tribute to those individuals, series, and films that have redefined on-screen representation for the disability community, while advancing the...
The virtual event, which was streamed Live on the Emmy Award-winning entertainment and pop culture news source, ExtraTV.com honored Selma Blair, Peter Farrelly, David Zimmerman, Allen Rucker, Sofia Sanchez, As We See It, Love on the Spectrum U.S, Cha Cha Real Smooth, and Only Murders in the Building.
Founded by Norman Lear in 1979, and now spearheaded by Executive Producer Deborah Calla, and writer Allen Rucker, the Media Access Awards is an annual celebration honoring those in film and TV who include disabled characters and actors in their work, the 2022 Media Access Awards paid tribute to those individuals, series, and films that have redefined on-screen representation for the disability community, while advancing the...
- 11/23/2022
- Look to the Stars
The Media Access Awards, in partnership with nonprofit disability services provider Easterseals Southern California, has announced the honorees of the 2022 Media Access Awards which will stream Live on the Emmy Award-winning entertainment and pop culture news source, ExtraTV.com; on Thursday, November 17, 2022 at 6pm Pt / 9pm Et.
Founded by Norman Lear in 1979 as an annual celebration honoring those in film and TV who include disabled characters and actors in their work, the 2022 Media Access Awards will pay tribute to those individuals, series, and films that have redefined on-screen representation for the disability community, while advancing the portrayal and employment of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
“We are thrilled to again be celebrating the immensely talented people paving the way to a more inclusive world. We salute them all!” said the co-ceo’s of the Media Access Awards Deborah Calla, also the show’s Executive Producer, and Allen Rucker the show’s writer.
Founded by Norman Lear in 1979 as an annual celebration honoring those in film and TV who include disabled characters and actors in their work, the 2022 Media Access Awards will pay tribute to those individuals, series, and films that have redefined on-screen representation for the disability community, while advancing the portrayal and employment of people with disabilities in Hollywood.
“We are thrilled to again be celebrating the immensely talented people paving the way to a more inclusive world. We salute them all!” said the co-ceo’s of the Media Access Awards Deborah Calla, also the show’s Executive Producer, and Allen Rucker the show’s writer.
- 10/27/2022
- Look to the Stars
The Paramount Global Summit on Disability will be held virtually and in-person at the company’s Hollywood Gower office in Los Angeles on October 31.
Presented by the Paramount Office of Global Inclusion, the daylong summit for employees and external partners will feature discussions with performers from various series and films, company leaders, and philanthropic and nonprofit workers to call attention to the need for greater disability inclusion in media and entertainment. The goal is to engage the industry in their learnings and to share next and best practices.
The event will also honor October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which recognizes the essential contributions of people with disabilities in the American workforce.
“People with disabilities are responsible for creating some of society’s most beloved films, shows and characters, yet these professionals remain woefully underrepresented in media and entertainment. As we build on our commitment to disability inclusion and equality,...
Presented by the Paramount Office of Global Inclusion, the daylong summit for employees and external partners will feature discussions with performers from various series and films, company leaders, and philanthropic and nonprofit workers to call attention to the need for greater disability inclusion in media and entertainment. The goal is to engage the industry in their learnings and to share next and best practices.
The event will also honor October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which recognizes the essential contributions of people with disabilities in the American workforce.
“People with disabilities are responsible for creating some of society’s most beloved films, shows and characters, yet these professionals remain woefully underrepresented in media and entertainment. As we build on our commitment to disability inclusion and equality,...
- 10/20/2022
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Sommer Carbuccia’s time-traveling comedy short “Mac & Cheese” was awarded best film at the 2022 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Awards. “Mac & Cheese” took home a total of three prizes at the annual event, with Amanda Pinto winning best director and Jake Nathanson scoring best editor.
The ceremony returned in-person for the first time in two years on Thursday night at Sony Pictures Studios’ Cary Grant Theater in Los Angeles. Christine Bélange and Liz Whitmere won the writing prize for their work on “Superhero Inc.” while “Seven” star Natalie Trevonne was saluted with best actor.
Jennifer Montzingo’s “Ily”, which centered on a group of disabled actresses, earned the nod for best awareness campaign. At the beginning of the awards presentation, Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group president Josh Greenstein gave opening remarks and introduced the challenge’s founder, Nic Novicki.
Presenters included “Sound of Metal” star Paul Raci, “As We See It” actors Rick Glassman,...
The ceremony returned in-person for the first time in two years on Thursday night at Sony Pictures Studios’ Cary Grant Theater in Los Angeles. Christine Bélange and Liz Whitmere won the writing prize for their work on “Superhero Inc.” while “Seven” star Natalie Trevonne was saluted with best actor.
Jennifer Montzingo’s “Ily”, which centered on a group of disabled actresses, earned the nod for best awareness campaign. At the beginning of the awards presentation, Sony Pictures Motion Picture Group president Josh Greenstein gave opening remarks and introduced the challenge’s founder, Nic Novicki.
Presenters included “Sound of Metal” star Paul Raci, “As We See It” actors Rick Glassman,...
- 5/7/2022
- by Ashley Hume
- Variety Film + TV
As Hollywood events return to full force in New York and Los Angeles amid the coronavirus pandemic, here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings, including red carpets for Top Gun: Maverick, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Girls5Eva and The Staircase.
Girls5Eva season two premiere
Peacock hosted a season two celebration with stars Sara Bareilles, Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps and producer Tina Fey on Sunday at NYC’s Roxy Hotel.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness world premiere
Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Xochitl Gomez and director Sam Raimi debuted the highly anticipated sequel at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday.
The Staircase premiere
Also on Monday night, Colin Firth gathered with co-stars Sophie Turner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Michael Stuhlbarg for the premiere of HBO Max series The Staircase, held at MoMa.
Girls5Eva season two premiere
Peacock hosted a season two celebration with stars Sara Bareilles, Paula Pell, Renée Elise Goldsberry, Busy Philipps and producer Tina Fey on Sunday at NYC’s Roxy Hotel.
Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness world premiere
Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams, Xochitl Gomez and director Sam Raimi debuted the highly anticipated sequel at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Monday.
The Staircase premiere
Also on Monday night, Colin Firth gathered with co-stars Sophie Turner, Rosemarie DeWitt, Parker Posey, Patrick Schwarzenegger and Michael Stuhlbarg for the premiere of HBO Max series The Staircase, held at MoMa.
- 5/6/2022
- by Kirsten Chuba
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The 2022 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Awards announced presenters for this year’s ceremony, including “Special” creator Ryan O’Connell and “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller. The awards will be held on May 5 at Sony Pictures Studios’ Cary Grant Theater in Los Angeles.
Additional presenters include Paul Raci (“Sound of Metal”), Max Borenstein (“Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”), Blake Stadnik (“This is Us”) and “As We See It” actors Rick Glassman, Sue Ann Pien and Albert Rutecki.
Launched in 2014 and created by Nic Novicki, the film challenge gives filmmakers the chance to write, produce and complete short films that tell unique stories showcasing disability in many forms. Submissions can come from filmmakers with or without disabilities, and this year’s challenge saw a record-breaking submission of 95 films from around the world.
The finalists will be announced on April 29, with four competitors to move forward...
Additional presenters include Paul Raci (“Sound of Metal”), Max Borenstein (“Winning Time: The Rise of the Lakers Dynasty”), Blake Stadnik (“This is Us”) and “As We See It” actors Rick Glassman, Sue Ann Pien and Albert Rutecki.
Launched in 2014 and created by Nic Novicki, the film challenge gives filmmakers the chance to write, produce and complete short films that tell unique stories showcasing disability in many forms. Submissions can come from filmmakers with or without disabilities, and this year’s challenge saw a record-breaking submission of 95 films from around the world.
The finalists will be announced on April 29, with four competitors to move forward...
- 4/28/2022
- by Sasha Urban
- Variety Film + TV
The Hollywood Reporter hosted the inaugural “Raising Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda” luncheon, presented by Walmart at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on Wednesday, April 20th.
Marlee Matlin speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter's Raising Our Voices
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
“Raising Our Voices” brings together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
During the program, keynote speaker Marlee Matlin was introduced by Troy Kotsur. During the speech, Matlin discussed the lack of representation of the deaf and disabled community within the entertainment industry and the importance of working together to help amplify these authentic and diverse voices.
Additional key moments from the program included:
Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist) and Crystal Echo Hawk (President and CEO...
Marlee Matlin speaks onstage during The Hollywood Reporter's Raising Our Voices
Credit/Copyright: Michael Kovac/Getty Images for The Hollywood Reporter
“Raising Our Voices” brings together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
During the program, keynote speaker Marlee Matlin was introduced by Troy Kotsur. During the speech, Matlin discussed the lack of representation of the deaf and disabled community within the entertainment industry and the importance of working together to help amplify these authentic and diverse voices.
Additional key moments from the program included:
Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist) and Crystal Echo Hawk (President and CEO...
- 4/26/2022
- Look to the Stars
The Hollywood Reporter has announced the inaugural “Raising Our Voices: Setting Hollywood’s Inclusion Agenda” luncheon, presented by Walmart.
“Raising Our Voices” will bring together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
The event, which is curated and hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, will take place at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on April 20, 2022.
Marlee Matlin – Academy Award-winning actor, star of Apple Studios’ 2022 “Best Picture” Oscar-winner Coda and disability advocate – will deliver the keynote speech at the event.
Additional speakers and panelists set to take the stage include: Troy Kotsur, Geena Davis, Sarah Kate Ellis (President and CEO of GLAAD), Wilmer Valderrama (actor and activist), Dr. Sharoni Little (Head of Global Inclusion Strategy at CAA), Gloria Calderón Kellett, Samata Narra, Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist...
“Raising Our Voices” will bring together the industry’s most influential and inspiring executives, storytellers and thought-leaders for a groundbreaking series of discussions on the state and future of Hollywood’s diversity, equity and inclusion (Dei) movement.
The event, which is curated and hosted by The Hollywood Reporter, will take place at the Maybourne Beverly Hills on April 20, 2022.
Marlee Matlin – Academy Award-winning actor, star of Apple Studios’ 2022 “Best Picture” Oscar-winner Coda and disability advocate – will deliver the keynote speech at the event.
Additional speakers and panelists set to take the stage include: Troy Kotsur, Geena Davis, Sarah Kate Ellis (President and CEO of GLAAD), Wilmer Valderrama (actor and activist), Dr. Sharoni Little (Head of Global Inclusion Strategy at CAA), Gloria Calderón Kellett, Samata Narra, Bird Runningwater (producer and global Indigenous activist...
- 4/14/2022
- Look to the Stars
This year’s 79th Annual Golden Globes awards ceremony wasn’t televised or livestreamed, and has never been seen by anyone other than those in attendance for the show on Jan. 9 at the Beverly Hilton. Until now.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has shared with Variety three excerpts from the 2022 ceremony, which opened with HFPA president Helen Hoehne and featured representatives from educational and philanthropic organizations — recepients of grants from the org — as presenters. Despite the lack of any at-home audiences, the show was still produced with the sheen of a full-fledged telecast, as directed by Patricia Lowry and produced by Neil Mandt, Michael Mandt and Matthew Brady.
The Mandt brothers, whose credits include “Jim Rome is Burning” and “Destination Truth,” spoke to the Golden Globes website about the show: “This is certainly a unique year,” Michael Mandt told the org. “We knew the challenges given the timing considering the world’s Covid situation,...
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has shared with Variety three excerpts from the 2022 ceremony, which opened with HFPA president Helen Hoehne and featured representatives from educational and philanthropic organizations — recepients of grants from the org — as presenters. Despite the lack of any at-home audiences, the show was still produced with the sheen of a full-fledged telecast, as directed by Patricia Lowry and produced by Neil Mandt, Michael Mandt and Matthew Brady.
The Mandt brothers, whose credits include “Jim Rome is Burning” and “Destination Truth,” spoke to the Golden Globes website about the show: “This is certainly a unique year,” Michael Mandt told the org. “We knew the challenges given the timing considering the world’s Covid situation,...
- 2/19/2022
- by Michael Schneider
- Variety Film + TV
A Sundance Institute program dedicated to cultivating and supporting diverse artists with disabilities is back after a pandemic pause.
The Accessible Futures Initiative returns for 2021 after launching in 2019, Sundance announced internally on Friday. The virtual program will work with filmmakers across genres and consult on projects and career strategy over a multi-day workshop.
This also includes making the annual Sundance Film Festival more accessible, in partnership with Easterseals Southern California and RespectAbility, which provides inclusivity training.
“We seek to assist participating artists in honing their creative voice and craft, finding a cohort, and building support for them to help surmount critical barriers in the field that has systematically excluded artists with disabilities,” an internal memo obtained by Variety read.
This year’s selected filmmakers include Nasreen Alkhateeb, Virtic Emil Brown, Shaina Ghuraya, Cashmere Jasmine , Luna X Moya, and Jennifer Msumba. Their advisors for the intensive include Day Al-Mohamed, Rodney Evans,...
The Accessible Futures Initiative returns for 2021 after launching in 2019, Sundance announced internally on Friday. The virtual program will work with filmmakers across genres and consult on projects and career strategy over a multi-day workshop.
This also includes making the annual Sundance Film Festival more accessible, in partnership with Easterseals Southern California and RespectAbility, which provides inclusivity training.
“We seek to assist participating artists in honing their creative voice and craft, finding a cohort, and building support for them to help surmount critical barriers in the field that has systematically excluded artists with disabilities,” an internal memo obtained by Variety read.
This year’s selected filmmakers include Nasreen Alkhateeb, Virtic Emil Brown, Shaina Ghuraya, Cashmere Jasmine , Luna X Moya, and Jennifer Msumba. Their advisors for the intensive include Day Al-Mohamed, Rodney Evans,...
- 6/25/2021
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Easterseals Southern California has announced finalists for the 2021 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge: Home Edition 2.0.
Created in 2013 by Nic Novicki, the challenge gives filmmakers the opportunity to create short films that showcase disabilities in its many forms. The week-long filmmaking contest received a record number of submissions, with 93 from across the globe. Winners will be announced during a virtual awards ceremony on May 6 on the organization’s website.
Here is the list of finalists:
Awareness Award:
Couples Therapy – Melanie Rivera Waldman
The Roommates – Jennifer Msumba
So You Wanna Be an Actor – Rachel Handler
Social Fitness – Anna Pakman
Editor Award:
Archaic Intergalactic Extraterrestrials – Matthew Placencia
Breaking Cody – Victoria Elena Nones & Nathaniël Siri
The Home Office (The Making of Cartoon Hr) – Dani Bowman
Superheroes – Grace Kelly
Actor Award:
Breaking Cody – Cody Lascala
Dwarfo-psychosis – Pancho Moler
Extra Special – Andy Arias
Nay Nay Too Bomb – Natalie Trevonne
Director:
Dwarfo-psychosis – Maria Didomenico
Extra Special – Luke Terrell...
Created in 2013 by Nic Novicki, the challenge gives filmmakers the opportunity to create short films that showcase disabilities in its many forms. The week-long filmmaking contest received a record number of submissions, with 93 from across the globe. Winners will be announced during a virtual awards ceremony on May 6 on the organization’s website.
Here is the list of finalists:
Awareness Award:
Couples Therapy – Melanie Rivera Waldman
The Roommates – Jennifer Msumba
So You Wanna Be an Actor – Rachel Handler
Social Fitness – Anna Pakman
Editor Award:
Archaic Intergalactic Extraterrestrials – Matthew Placencia
Breaking Cody – Victoria Elena Nones & Nathaniël Siri
The Home Office (The Making of Cartoon Hr) – Dani Bowman
Superheroes – Grace Kelly
Actor Award:
Breaking Cody – Cody Lascala
Dwarfo-psychosis – Pancho Moler
Extra Special – Andy Arias
Nay Nay Too Bomb – Natalie Trevonne
Director:
Dwarfo-psychosis – Maria Didomenico
Extra Special – Luke Terrell...
- 4/30/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
Easterseals Southern California has teamed once again with IMDbPro for the latest phase of their ongoing work to support and create visibility and opportunities for entertainment professionals in the disability community.
This marks the second consecutive year IMDbPro is sponsoring the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, which is currently underway. The weeklong filmmaking contest gives filmmakers – with and without disabilities – the opportunity to collaborate to tell unique stories that showcase disability in its many forms via short films. The challenge will be judged by a wide selection of influential voices within the entertainment industry, including IMDb Founder and CEO Col Needham.
Finalists will be announced on Thursday, April 29, with the virtual Awards Ceremony set to take place on Thursday, May 6. IMDbPro provides winners with a one-year membership and the opportunity for their film to be featured in a video playlist on the homepage of IMDb.
IMDbPro and Easterseals have hosted sessions...
This marks the second consecutive year IMDbPro is sponsoring the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, which is currently underway. The weeklong filmmaking contest gives filmmakers – with and without disabilities – the opportunity to collaborate to tell unique stories that showcase disability in its many forms via short films. The challenge will be judged by a wide selection of influential voices within the entertainment industry, including IMDb Founder and CEO Col Needham.
Finalists will be announced on Thursday, April 29, with the virtual Awards Ceremony set to take place on Thursday, May 6. IMDbPro provides winners with a one-year membership and the opportunity for their film to be featured in a video playlist on the homepage of IMDb.
IMDbPro and Easterseals have hosted sessions...
- 4/7/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Nonprofit disability services provider and resource Easterseals Southern California announced today that Critics Choice Award-winning comedian and actor Michelle Buteau, Actor Matthew Jeffers (New Amsterdam), Academy Award nominee Paul Raci (Sound of Metal), and Tony Award-winning actor Ali Stroker (Oklahoma!), will all serve as presenters during the 2021 Easterseals Disability Film Challenge: Home Edition 2.0 virtual awards ceremony on Thursday, May 6.
Stroker will also serve as a mentor for one of this year’s winners, along with Gena Desclos, Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, Brett King, and Emerlynn Lampitoc (Vice President of Inclusion – Talent & Content for NBCUniversal).
The second at-home edition of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge saw a record-breaking number of submissions, with 93 films put forth from the US and places all across the world including India, The Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and more. Entries can be viewed at disabilityfilmchallenge.com. Finalists will be announced on Thursday, April 29, with the virtual Awards...
Stroker will also serve as a mentor for one of this year’s winners, along with Gena Desclos, Tiffany Smith-Anoa’i, Brett King, and Emerlynn Lampitoc (Vice President of Inclusion – Talent & Content for NBCUniversal).
The second at-home edition of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge saw a record-breaking number of submissions, with 93 films put forth from the US and places all across the world including India, The Netherlands, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and more. Entries can be viewed at disabilityfilmchallenge.com. Finalists will be announced on Thursday, April 29, with the virtual Awards...
- 4/1/2021
- Look to the Stars
The Cinequest Film and Creativity Festival and Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) have announced the launch of their inaugural Laura Ziskin Visionary Award.
Named after the late film producer, the award will recognize leaders in the film industry whose work exemplifies groundbreaking collaboration. This year’s recipients will be Andra Day and director Lee Daniels for their collaboration on “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” The award will be presented on March 31 by Katie Couric, co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer, and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Day and Daniels.
Established in 2008, Stand Up To Cancer raises funds to accelerate the pace of research and get new therapies to patients to save lives. As of January, more than 1,950 scientists representing more than 210 institutions are involved in SU2C-funded research projects. Ziskin, who co-founded SU2C, passed away from breast cancer in June 2011 after living with the disease for seven years.
Named after the late film producer, the award will recognize leaders in the film industry whose work exemplifies groundbreaking collaboration. This year’s recipients will be Andra Day and director Lee Daniels for their collaboration on “The United States vs. Billie Holiday.” The award will be presented on March 31 by Katie Couric, co-founder of Stand Up To Cancer, and will be followed by a panel discussion featuring Day and Daniels.
Established in 2008, Stand Up To Cancer raises funds to accelerate the pace of research and get new therapies to patients to save lives. As of January, more than 1,950 scientists representing more than 210 institutions are involved in SU2C-funded research projects. Ziskin, who co-founded SU2C, passed away from breast cancer in June 2011 after living with the disease for seven years.
- 3/29/2021
- by Marc Malkin and Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
If you’re a person with a disability looking to attend a film festival, you’ve probably run into the question of which events are suited to you. As a film critic, festivals are par for the course and I’ve been routinely told one thing: Don’t go to Sundance.
The long-running festival held in Park City, Utah, is often looked at as one of the more inaccessible festivals for the disabled, and it’s understandable. “The festival happens to be in the mountains which leads to inherent issues with accessibility,” actor and Easterseals’ Disability Film Challenge creator Nic Novicki told IndieWire. “It is literally 90-degree slopes up and down the hill…and as a little person myself, 3’10” trying to get over a four-foot snowbank is a challenge.”
Add to that a bevy of historic buildings and expense to attend and the challenge is there to exclude a lot of people with disabilities.
The long-running festival held in Park City, Utah, is often looked at as one of the more inaccessible festivals for the disabled, and it’s understandable. “The festival happens to be in the mountains which leads to inherent issues with accessibility,” actor and Easterseals’ Disability Film Challenge creator Nic Novicki told IndieWire. “It is literally 90-degree slopes up and down the hill…and as a little person myself, 3’10” trying to get over a four-foot snowbank is a challenge.”
Add to that a bevy of historic buildings and expense to attend and the challenge is there to exclude a lot of people with disabilities.
- 1/30/2021
- by Kristen Lopez
- Indiewire
No one sets out to make a cult movie. Most filmmakers aspire to commercial heights even if they only have the budgets for a B-movie. They see films like Blair Witch realign box office accounting and apply all kinds of quantum physics to mimic the exponential multiplication. Very few achieve it, and the ones which do usually do it by accident, and certainly not with serious intent. Aliens, Clowns & Geeks is not afraid to be ridiculous. It joins the ranks as such brave films as Attack of the Killer Tomatoes, Killer Klowns From Outer Space, and Frankenhooker.
It is also so much more than these films, dripping with artistry, and yet considerably less, with masturbating aliens, pussy ping pong, and sphincter-pinching obelisks. Richard Elfman’s sci-fi comedy has an abundance of experimental fun and a happily reckless disregard for taste. It owes as much to Frank Zappa as it does to Frank Capra,...
It is also so much more than these films, dripping with artistry, and yet considerably less, with masturbating aliens, pussy ping pong, and sphincter-pinching obelisks. Richard Elfman’s sci-fi comedy has an abundance of experimental fun and a happily reckless disregard for taste. It owes as much to Frank Zappa as it does to Frank Capra,...
- 1/22/2021
- by Alec Bojalad
- Den of Geek
Jennifer Msumba took the best-film prize for her “The Fish Don’t Care When It Rains” at the seventh annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, which streamed live Aug. 13. Scott Michael Klumb (“Autism Ability”) nabbed the award for editing, while Rachel Handler was saluted for creating the best awareness campaign for the healthcare-themed “How Much Am I Worth?”
This year, there were a record 87 films submitted, a big jump from the 71 last year. The event was termed “Home Edition,” with films made “from the safety of your home,” said Challenge founder Nic Novicki, who served as the event’s host.
Participating teams had one weekend to write, shoot and edit a three-to-five-minute documentary short, with someone with disabilities behind or in front of the camera. In the past, each filmmaker was assigned the same genre to work in, such as sci-fi last year. Due to Covid, the rules were changed this...
This year, there were a record 87 films submitted, a big jump from the 71 last year. The event was termed “Home Edition,” with films made “from the safety of your home,” said Challenge founder Nic Novicki, who served as the event’s host.
Participating teams had one weekend to write, shoot and edit a three-to-five-minute documentary short, with someone with disabilities behind or in front of the camera. In the past, each filmmaker was assigned the same genre to work in, such as sci-fi last year. Due to Covid, the rules were changed this...
- 8/14/2020
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
Easterseals releases new, timely and critically important Public Service Announcements about safety during the Covid-19 pandemic, and encourages all of us to #StayHomeSaveLives.
The leading disability services nonprofit joined with filmmaker John Lawson to produce the spots, recruiting a group of twenty celebrated actors within the disability community to record at-home messages about why we all need to stay at home.
The PSA series reinforces that we are all in this together, and asks us to self-isolate, stay at home, and do our part to stop the spread of this virus – especially because people with disabilities, older adults and individuals with chronic diseases may be particularly vulnerable. There are more than 61 million children and adults living with a disability in the U.S., making it the largest minority group in the country.
“Please share these life-saving PSAs with everyone you know,” says Angela Williams, President and CEO of Easterseals. “We...
The leading disability services nonprofit joined with filmmaker John Lawson to produce the spots, recruiting a group of twenty celebrated actors within the disability community to record at-home messages about why we all need to stay at home.
The PSA series reinforces that we are all in this together, and asks us to self-isolate, stay at home, and do our part to stop the spread of this virus – especially because people with disabilities, older adults and individuals with chronic diseases may be particularly vulnerable. There are more than 61 million children and adults living with a disability in the U.S., making it the largest minority group in the country.
“Please share these life-saving PSAs with everyone you know,” says Angela Williams, President and CEO of Easterseals. “We...
- 4/20/2020
- Look to the Stars
“Parents, Inc.,” the story of a young woman dealing with parents in a post-apocalyptic world, is the winner of the latest Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, a short film contest that highlights the work of filmmakers with disabilities.
The annual challenge gives filmmakers 55 hours to make short films featuring at least one person with a disability in front of or behind the camera. This year’s films were written, shot and edited April 5-7. The awards were presented Thursday night.
The best film went to Amy Hopper for “Parents, Inc.” Best director went to Carl Hansen for “I/O.” Nicole Evans won best actor for “Human Helper” and Rachel Handler won best awareness campaign for “The Vanished.”
Also Read: 'Special' Creator Ryan O'Connell on Challenging Hollywood's Perception of Disabilities (Video)
You can watch “Parents Inc.” above and all the other winners here.
Actor Nic Novicki founded the film challenge in 2014. When he started,...
The annual challenge gives filmmakers 55 hours to make short films featuring at least one person with a disability in front of or behind the camera. This year’s films were written, shot and edited April 5-7. The awards were presented Thursday night.
The best film went to Amy Hopper for “Parents, Inc.” Best director went to Carl Hansen for “I/O.” Nicole Evans won best actor for “Human Helper” and Rachel Handler won best awareness campaign for “The Vanished.”
Also Read: 'Special' Creator Ryan O'Connell on Challenging Hollywood's Perception of Disabilities (Video)
You can watch “Parents Inc.” above and all the other winners here.
Actor Nic Novicki founded the film challenge in 2014. When he started,...
- 5/11/2019
- by Tim Molloy
- The Wrap
Amy Hopper’s “Parents Inc.” took honors for best film at the sixth annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge Thursday night, in ceremonies held at the Sony Pictures lot.
Other winners were Carl Hansen, director for “I/O”; Nicole Evans, best actor for “Human Helper”; and “The Vanished,” which took home the awareness award, accepted by Melanie Waldman.
The program was hosted by Nic Novicki, who founded the Film Challenge to empower filmmakers (with or without disabilities) to tell unique stories while providing opportunities for inclusion and representation for people with disabilities (or Pwd). Novicki reminded the enthusiastic audience that Pwd represent about 20% of the population, but only account for 3% of onscreen depictions.
Participating teams had 55 hours to write, shoot and edit a three-to-five-minute short based on an assigned genre. This year, the genre was sci-fi. Their productions were created on the weekend of April 5-7, with more than 200 people with...
Other winners were Carl Hansen, director for “I/O”; Nicole Evans, best actor for “Human Helper”; and “The Vanished,” which took home the awareness award, accepted by Melanie Waldman.
The program was hosted by Nic Novicki, who founded the Film Challenge to empower filmmakers (with or without disabilities) to tell unique stories while providing opportunities for inclusion and representation for people with disabilities (or Pwd). Novicki reminded the enthusiastic audience that Pwd represent about 20% of the population, but only account for 3% of onscreen depictions.
Participating teams had 55 hours to write, shoot and edit a three-to-five-minute short based on an assigned genre. This year, the genre was sci-fi. Their productions were created on the weekend of April 5-7, with more than 200 people with...
- 5/10/2019
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
In the short film “Take It Back,” a woman in a wheelchair travels back in time with the intent of warning her younger self about a car accident that left her unable to walk. But on her journey through her youth, she realizes it’s the other memories that define the person she’s become, not her disability, and she chooses not to change her past.
“Take It Back” is one of five shorts nominated for Best Film as part of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, an annual competition in which filmmakers, storytellers and actors with disabilities come together to make movies that highlight stories about disabilities and provide opportunities for disabled actors.
Rj Mitte, one of the stars of “Breaking Bad” who lives with cerebral palsy, is a judge for the film challenge, and he singled out “Take It Back” as a movie designed to change the perspective of...
“Take It Back” is one of five shorts nominated for Best Film as part of the Easterseals Disability Film Challenge, an annual competition in which filmmakers, storytellers and actors with disabilities come together to make movies that highlight stories about disabilities and provide opportunities for disabled actors.
Rj Mitte, one of the stars of “Breaking Bad” who lives with cerebral palsy, is a judge for the film challenge, and he singled out “Take It Back” as a movie designed to change the perspective of...
- 5/6/2019
- by Brian Welk
- The Wrap
Preparing for the newly configured Los Angeles Film Festival September 20-28, the Laff scooped up recently departed AFI Fest director Jacqueline Lyanga as guest director for Vr and Immersive Storytelling. This is the festival’s first foray into that emerging arena, which is part of a new partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television.
This will be the 24th installment of the Laff. This fall, its second under the leadership of Festival Director Jennifer Cochis and the first in its new time slot. The date moves Laff into direct competition with AFI Fest (November 8-15), the last of the fall festivals.
Other Laff projects include partnering with the International Documentary Association’s biannual conference, Getting Real ’18; expanding its inclusion summit We the People at the Writers Guild this September, and is mounting a benefit dinner celebrating 25 years of Project Involve, honoring alumni Effie T. Brown, Jon M. Chu,...
This will be the 24th installment of the Laff. This fall, its second under the leadership of Festival Director Jennifer Cochis and the first in its new time slot. The date moves Laff into direct competition with AFI Fest (November 8-15), the last of the fall festivals.
Other Laff projects include partnering with the International Documentary Association’s biannual conference, Getting Real ’18; expanding its inclusion summit We the People at the Writers Guild this September, and is mounting a benefit dinner celebrating 25 years of Project Involve, honoring alumni Effie T. Brown, Jon M. Chu,...
- 7/17/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Preparing for the newly configured Los Angeles Film Festival September 20-28, the Laff scooped up recently departed AFI Fest director Jacqueline Lyanga as guest director for Vr and Immersive Storytelling. This is the festival’s first foray into that emerging arena, which is part of a new partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television.
This will be the 24th installment of the Laff. This fall, its second under the leadership of Festival Director Jennifer Cochis and the first in its new time slot. The date moves Laff into direct competition with AFI Fest (November 8-15), the last of the fall festivals.
Other Laff projects include partnering with the International Documentary Association’s biannual conference, Getting Real ’18; expanding its inclusion summit We the People at the Writers Guild this September, and is mounting a benefit dinner celebrating 25 years of Project Involve, honoring alumni Effie T. Brown, Jon M. Chu,...
This will be the 24th installment of the Laff. This fall, its second under the leadership of Festival Director Jennifer Cochis and the first in its new time slot. The date moves Laff into direct competition with AFI Fest (November 8-15), the last of the fall festivals.
Other Laff projects include partnering with the International Documentary Association’s biannual conference, Getting Real ’18; expanding its inclusion summit We the People at the Writers Guild this September, and is mounting a benefit dinner celebrating 25 years of Project Involve, honoring alumni Effie T. Brown, Jon M. Chu,...
- 7/17/2018
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The La Film Festival, under the leadership of festival director Jennifer Cochis, is adding new diversity initiatives to its programming slate in its new fall slot from September 20-28.
The festival will launch an immersive storytelling program curated by Jacqueline Lyanga, guest director, Vr and immersive storytelling, in partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television. The section is set to showcase daring new work in a variety of new media platforms including Vr, AI, and Ar. The two-day experience will be free to the public and take place September 22-23 at the new Lmu Playa Vista Campus.
Of Jacqueline Lyanga, Cochis said: “She is a talented and distinguished tastemaker in our global festival community. The pieces and experiences she will curate are not just of the moment; these are the storytellers of the future.”
The fest is also debuting “We the People,” a two-day summit committed...
The festival will launch an immersive storytelling program curated by Jacqueline Lyanga, guest director, Vr and immersive storytelling, in partnership with Loyola Marymount University’s School of Film and Television. The section is set to showcase daring new work in a variety of new media platforms including Vr, AI, and Ar. The two-day experience will be free to the public and take place September 22-23 at the new Lmu Playa Vista Campus.
Of Jacqueline Lyanga, Cochis said: “She is a talented and distinguished tastemaker in our global festival community. The pieces and experiences she will curate are not just of the moment; these are the storytellers of the future.”
The fest is also debuting “We the People,” a two-day summit committed...
- 7/17/2018
- by Tara Bitran
- Variety Film + TV
Parity was the hot topic on everyone’s mind during the drama panel discussion for Variety’s “A Night in the Writers’ Room.”
Before the conversation between seven female and six male writers began, Variety’s executive editor of TV, Debra Birnbaum, brought out a stuffed elephant toy to address the “elephant in the room” of changing the lineup to the night’s panelists.
“We fixed this mistake thanks to all of you. What it proves is that this is an ongoing conversation we need to have and one we’re very happy to continue tonight,” she said.
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge founder and actor Nic Novicki also took to the stage pre-discussion to challenge the room of writers and power players at the Jeremy Hotel in West Hollywood on Thursday to write one character with a disability in this next season of programming. “Think about it — where are the...
Before the conversation between seven female and six male writers began, Variety’s executive editor of TV, Debra Birnbaum, brought out a stuffed elephant toy to address the “elephant in the room” of changing the lineup to the night’s panelists.
“We fixed this mistake thanks to all of you. What it proves is that this is an ongoing conversation we need to have and one we’re very happy to continue tonight,” she said.
Easterseals Disability Film Challenge founder and actor Nic Novicki also took to the stage pre-discussion to challenge the room of writers and power players at the Jeremy Hotel in West Hollywood on Thursday to write one character with a disability in this next season of programming. “Think about it — where are the...
- 6/15/2018
- by Tara Bitran
- Variety Film + TV
Carl Hansen’s “Check Mate” won the award for best film at the fifth annual Easterseals Disability Film Challenge awards Thursday night.
Actor-comic Nic Novicki, founder-director of the Film Challenge, said the goal is to “show stories that haven’t been seen” and to remind the disabled community that they may feel invisible to Hollywood but things are changing. “The people are ready to see us,” he said, drawing cheers and applause from the enthusiastic audience.
There were four honorees for the short films, including best filmmaker, Day Daniells, with “Hit On,” a seriocomic romance she co-wrote with the film’s star, Adam Nelson; awareness campaign award, David Tenenbaum, “Footloose”; and best actor, J.B. Abajian, “Visibility.”
Clips from each of the nominated works were shown, and the four winners were screened in their entirety.
Entrants were given 55 hours to complete their film, of three-to-five minutes in length, depicting disabilities in its many forms.
Actor-comic Nic Novicki, founder-director of the Film Challenge, said the goal is to “show stories that haven’t been seen” and to remind the disabled community that they may feel invisible to Hollywood but things are changing. “The people are ready to see us,” he said, drawing cheers and applause from the enthusiastic audience.
There were four honorees for the short films, including best filmmaker, Day Daniells, with “Hit On,” a seriocomic romance she co-wrote with the film’s star, Adam Nelson; awareness campaign award, David Tenenbaum, “Footloose”; and best actor, J.B. Abajian, “Visibility.”
Clips from each of the nominated works were shown, and the four winners were screened in their entirety.
Entrants were given 55 hours to complete their film, of three-to-five minutes in length, depicting disabilities in its many forms.
- 5/11/2018
- by Tim Gray
- Variety Film + TV
The fourth annual Bentonville Film Festival, running May 1-6, will continue its overarching quest to increase gender equality and cultural diversity in the entertainment biz, both in front of and behind the camera.
The Arkansas-based event, co-founded by Geena Davis and Inclusion Companies CEO Trevor Drinkwater and sponsored by such companies as Coca-Cola, Walmart and AMC, has been committed to the ideals of pluralism in Hollywood well before the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements emerged on the scene. Davis herself has been at the forefront of instituting positive systemic change in media content since 2004 when she founded the nonprofit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the first research-based organization of its kind to, per Davis, “engage, educate and influence content creators, marketers and audiences about the importance of eliminating unconscious bias, highlighting gender balance, challenging stereotypes and creating role models and scripting a wide variety of strong female characters in entertainment and media.
The Arkansas-based event, co-founded by Geena Davis and Inclusion Companies CEO Trevor Drinkwater and sponsored by such companies as Coca-Cola, Walmart and AMC, has been committed to the ideals of pluralism in Hollywood well before the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements emerged on the scene. Davis herself has been at the forefront of instituting positive systemic change in media content since 2004 when she founded the nonprofit Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media, the first research-based organization of its kind to, per Davis, “engage, educate and influence content creators, marketers and audiences about the importance of eliminating unconscious bias, highlighting gender balance, challenging stereotypes and creating role models and scripting a wide variety of strong female characters in entertainment and media.
- 4/27/2018
- by Malina Saval
- Variety Film + TV
Between Into The Woods and now The Last 5 Years, 2015 is shaping up to be The Year Anna Kendrick Sings. And like Woods, there’s more than just fairy-tale romance to be found in the latter, as this trailer reveals. The Last 5 Years, adapted from Jason Robert Brown’s stage musical by Richard Lagravenese, is the story of the love affair between struggling actress Cathy Hiatt (Kendrick) and up and coming novelist Jamie Wellerstein (Jeremy Jordan).This one takes an intriguing narrative track with its story and its songs – Jamie’s view runs from their initial encounters through to the end of their marriage, while Cathy’s is in reverse, spinning back the clock from unhappy endings to ebullient beginning, meeting briefly in the middle on their wedding day. It’ll be interesting to see how the show’s concept works on screen: one assumes you can explore more...
- 12/8/2014
- EmpireOnline
We’re starting a new series of posts here at SciFi Mafia that we’re calling Web Series Wednesday where we devote a space to the wonderment of the web series. Every Wednesday we’ll cover two awesome web series shows and give you all the info to get into them.
If you’ve got a favorite web series you’d like us to cover, head on over to the Contact Us page and shoot us your request.
This week we’re covering School of Thrones and Course of the Force.
Prom night is coming to Westeros High in the web series, School of Thrones, and the clicks are all vying for their right to the throne. The season consists of three episodes all well under 10 minutes. The bromance between Robb Stark and Theon Greyjoy is my favorite. The series starts out pretty fun and seems like it would have...
If you’ve got a favorite web series you’d like us to cover, head on over to the Contact Us page and shoot us your request.
This week we’re covering School of Thrones and Course of the Force.
Prom night is coming to Westeros High in the web series, School of Thrones, and the clicks are all vying for their right to the throne. The season consists of three episodes all well under 10 minutes. The bromance between Robb Stark and Theon Greyjoy is my favorite. The series starts out pretty fun and seems like it would have...
- 7/3/2013
- by Jess Orso
- ScifiMafia
DVD Release Date: March, 27, 2012
Price: DVD $26.98
Studio: Lionsgate
Heather Ann Davis vamps for Eric Callero in Breaking Wind.
The 2011 comedy movie Breaking Wind is the inevitable parody film of the Twilight vampire saga.
Like the Twilight books and film, Breaking Wind revolves around a love triangle of mortals, vampires and werewolves — all of which must be put on hold when the beloved Bella (Heather Ann Davis, TV’s The Lake) finds herself in danger (for a change). This time, a gang of bloodsucking newborns threatens her safety, and the two loves of her life are forced to put their differences aside to save her. Again.
Directed by Craig Moss, who helmed the 2010 spoof The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It, Breaking Wind features a slew of stars who’ve made their bones on TV, including Davis, Eric Callero (TV’s Terminator: The Sarah Conner...
Price: DVD $26.98
Studio: Lionsgate
Heather Ann Davis vamps for Eric Callero in Breaking Wind.
The 2011 comedy movie Breaking Wind is the inevitable parody film of the Twilight vampire saga.
Like the Twilight books and film, Breaking Wind revolves around a love triangle of mortals, vampires and werewolves — all of which must be put on hold when the beloved Bella (Heather Ann Davis, TV’s The Lake) finds herself in danger (for a change). This time, a gang of bloodsucking newborns threatens her safety, and the two loves of her life are forced to put their differences aside to save her. Again.
Directed by Craig Moss, who helmed the 2010 spoof The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It, Breaking Wind features a slew of stars who’ve made their bones on TV, including Davis, Eric Callero (TV’s Terminator: The Sarah Conner...
- 1/25/2012
- by Laurence
- Disc Dish
Though it's still a bit of a mystery to us how the teenage saga of beastiality and necrophilia known as The Twilight Saga ever became so popular in the first place, we are happy about one thing ... the spoofs.
Look for Breaking Wind: Unrated Director's Cut on March 27th.
From the Press Release
Fans of spoof films are in for a treat this March as Lionsgate premieres Breaking Wind: Unrated Director's Cut on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand. From writer-director Craig Moss (The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It) comes a hilarious new film that parodies the Twilight saga. The comedy stars Heather Ann Davis (TV's "The Lake"), Eric Callero (TV's "Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles"), Frank Pacheco (TV's "Wizards of Waverly Place"), Nic Novicki (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire"), and Danny Trejo (Machete). The DVD debut also includes outtakes, deleted and extended scenes,...
Look for Breaking Wind: Unrated Director's Cut on March 27th.
From the Press Release
Fans of spoof films are in for a treat this March as Lionsgate premieres Breaking Wind: Unrated Director's Cut on DVD, Digital Download and On Demand. From writer-director Craig Moss (The 41-Year-Old Virgin Who Knocked Up Sarah Marshall and Felt Superbad About It) comes a hilarious new film that parodies the Twilight saga. The comedy stars Heather Ann Davis (TV's "The Lake"), Eric Callero (TV's "Terminator: The Sarah Conner Chronicles"), Frank Pacheco (TV's "Wizards of Waverly Place"), Nic Novicki (HBO's "Boardwalk Empire"), and Danny Trejo (Machete). The DVD debut also includes outtakes, deleted and extended scenes,...
- 1/11/2012
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Beverly Hills -- Announcing "1 Voice": A Star Filled Evening of Entertainment in support of the embattled Motion Picture Home's residents and its uncertain future. The Board of Directors of the Motion Picture & Television Fund (Mptf) is committed to closing the entertainment community's historic nursing home and hospital in Woodland Hills, CA. The impending closure displaces Hollywood's most frail and vulnerable residents from their campus home in the Long Term Care facility. '1 Voice' is a celebrity-packed evening to raise industry and community awareness of the resident's plight. The Neo Ensemble Theatre is sharing an evening of all-star entertainment in support of the efforts of Saving the Lives Of Our Own, the advocacy group dedicated to keeping the residents in the Motion Picture Home and to preserving the Mptf's historic mission and promise of "taking care of our own" to all entertainment industry workers. The Los Angeles based non-profit theater...
- 9/23/2010
- by Nikki Finke
- Deadline Hollywood
We All Float On makes it on to the list of "Shows That Every Aspiring Web Series Creator Should Watch" for one simple reason: it's a show about a pair of two twenty-something best friends who decide that they need to grow up and become proper adults. Episode One of the series premiered today at noon Est, with new episodes every Wednesday. Created by veteran commercial director Jason Zada, Tim Immordino, and Nic Novicki, and starring Novicki and Bob Bledsoe as Marvin and Timmy, We All Float On starts off with a very promising pilot episode; Marvin and Timmy wake up to find that their primary source of income - selling stuff online - has been shut down by the website authorities for violating the Terms of Service.
- 3/11/2009
- by Pat Miller
- Tubefilter.com
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