Focus Features Secures Global Rights for Award-Winning Film ‘Dìdi’

PARK CITY, Utah — Focus Features announced on Wednesday that it has acquired global rights to the film “Dìdi,” directed by Sean Wang. The movie received accolades at the Sundance Film Festival, winning the U.S. Dramatic Audience Award and the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Best Ensemble Cast. This comes shortly after Wang’s nomination for an Oscar for his documentary short “Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó.” The film premiered at SXSW last year and received the Grand Jury Prize and Audience Award. “Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó” will be available on Disney+ and Hulu … Read more

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Maria Stephanos Joins Prestigious Judging Panel for Massachusetts ProStart Invitational 2024

Walpole, Massachusetts – Maria Stephanos, a well-known journalist and news anchor from Boston, will be making a special appearance as a guest judge at the 2024 Massachusetts ProStart Invitational on February 27th. The ProStart Invitational is an annual competition that brings together high school culinary and hospitality students to showcase their skills and passion for the industry. Stephanos, who has been a prominent figure in Boston’s news scene for many years, will be lending her expertise and knowledge to the participants as they compete in various culinary challenges. As a guest judge, she will have … Read more

AFI Fest 2023 Celebrates Award-Winning Films and Shorts, Setting the Stage for an Exciting Awards Season

Los Angeles, California – AFI Fest 2023 concluded on Sunday, showcasing a lineup of exceptional films and shorts that are expected to gain further recognition during this awards season. Among the winners was “Closing Dynasty,” directed by Lloyd Lee Choi, which took home the Live Action Grand Jury Prize. The film offers a captivating portrayal of New York City through the eyes of a wide-eyed, 7-year-old. In the Documentary Short category, Sean Wang’s “Năi Nai & Wài Pó” emerged as the winner, telling a heartwarming story about the filmmaker’s two beloved grandmothers. Notably, this film … Read more

AFI FEST 2023 Celebrates Global Cinema with Star-Studded Premieres and Award-Winning Short Films

LOS ANGELES (AP) — AFI FEST 2023, a renowned film festival held in Los Angeles, recently concluded its five-day run with a lineup filled with star-studded premieres and thought-provoking cinematic works. The festival kicked off with the world premiere of “Leave the World Behind,” a film written and directed by Sam Esmail and starring Julia Roberts, Ethan Hawke, and Mahershala Ali. AFI FEST closed with “Maestro,” a love story portraying the lifelong relationship between Leonard Bernstein and Felicia Montealegre Cohn Bernstein, directed by Bradley Cooper. Greta Gerwig, the Guest Artistic Director for AFI FEST, curated … Read more