Crowns

"Locarno Film Festival Crowns Sho Miyake’s Two Seasons, Two Strangers with Coveted Golden Leopard Award"

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Locarno, Switzerland — The 78th edition of the Locarno Film Festival applauded Sho Miyake’s Japanese drama Two Seasons, Two Strangers, which garnered the prestigious Pardo d’Oro, or Golden Leopard, during a ceremony on Saturday. This event marks a significant moment as it represents Japan’s return to the festival’s international competition lineup. Based on the manga Mr. Ben and His Igloo, A View of the Seaside by Yoshiharu Tsuge, the film centers on Lee, a scriptwriter navigating the intricacies of her personal life. Locarno’s artistic director, Giona A. Nazzaro, expressed enthusiasm about Japan’s re-entry into the … Read more

Cannes Film Festival Crowns Iranian Filmmaker Jafar Panahi with Palme d’Or Amidst Intense Selection Drama

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CANNES, France — The prestigious Cannes Film Festival concluded with the revelation of its award winners, following a unique selection process likened by actor Jeremy Strong to a papal conclave. Strong, who serves on the jury, humorously noted the importance of the event while likening it to a “conclave with champagne” at a Saturday press conference. The festival’s top honor, the Palme d’Or, was awarded to Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi for his gripping revenge thriller, “It Was Just an Accident.” Known for his outspoken critiques of the Iranian government, Panahi has faced significant personal and … Read more

Marrakech International Film Festival Crowns Palestinian Drama ‘Happy Holidays’ as Top Winner Amidst Middle Eastern Tensions

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Marrakech, Morocco – The prestigious Marrakech International Film Festival concluded its latest session with the Palestinian drama “Happy Holidays” clinching its highest accolade, the Etoile D’Or award. This notable win, announced on Friday, marks the first time a Palestinian film has garnered this top honor at the festival. Directed by Scandar Copti, the film portrays a nuanced narrative set in Haifa, Israel, where characters from Israeli and Palestinian backgrounds grapple with personal and societal complexities. “Happy Holidays,” which won a screenplay award earlier at the Venice Film Festival, benefits from the authentic performances of both … Read more

Calgary Film Festival 2024 Crowns its Victors: Over $60K Awarded, with Oscar Buzz for Canadian Gems!

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Calgary, Canada – The Calgary International Film Festival (CIFF) has announced the winners of its 2024 awards, presenting over $60,000 in prizes to 12 distinguished films, with one receiving a significant opportunity for an Oscar nomination bypassing the usual theatrical requirements. Among the high-profile winners was the short film “The Assistant,” directed by Pierre Llanos, which captured the Short Film Grand Jury Prize. This award notably simplifies the path for an Academy Award nomination by exempting it from standard theatrical screening obligations. The festival’s top accolade for emerging Canadian talent was bestowed upon Matthew Rankin … Read more