Filmmaker

Proof Film Festival Celebrates Innovation as ‘Take Me Home’ Wins Top Prize Amidst a Showcase of Promising Filmmaker Talent

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Culver City, Calif. – The Proof Film Festival, hosted by American Cinematheque, celebrated its second annual event by unveiling the winners of its Filmmaker Awards in an evening filled with anticipation and cinematic flair. The festival showcased 46 short films, each serving as a creative proposal for potential expansion into feature-length films or television series. Liz Sargent clinched the Grand Jury Award with her poignant short “Take Me Home,” a narrative exploring the tumultuous reunion of two sisters in the wake of their mother’s death. Sargent’s portrayal of their struggle, especially considering one sister’s cognitive … Read more

Iranian Filmmaker Mohammad Rasoulof to Lead Jury at Kyiv International Film Festival Amid Personal Triumphs and Trials

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Kyiv, Ukraine – The prestigious Kyiv International Film Festival Molodist has named Mohammad Rasoulof, a renowned Iranian independent filmmaker, as the head of its jury for the upcoming international competition. Known for his impactful and controversial works, Rasoulof’s role underscores the festival’s commitment to highlighting cinematic voices that challenge societal and political norms. Rasoulof’s journey to this position is as dramatic as the plots of his films. In May 2024, he made a daring escape from Iran following a severe sentence of eight years in prison, lashes, and property confiscation imposed for creating work deemed … Read more

Rachel Griffiths to Chair Jury at CinefestOZ, Offering $100K Film Prize Amid Stellar Lineup and Intimate Filmmaker Events

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Busselton, Australia — The CinefestOZ Film Festival, celebrated for its premiere of Australian cinematic works, has announced Rachel Griffiths, a distinguished actress and filmmaker, as the Jury Chair of its prestigious film prize. Scheduled from August 31 to September 8 in the scenic South West region of Western Australia, the festival boasts the country’s most lucrative film award, offering $100,000 to an outstanding Australian production. Griffiths expressed her excitement about the role, emphasizing the festival’s cultural significance post-pandemic. “After the challenges brought by Covid, events such as CinefestOZ play a crucial role in reviving our … Read more

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese Reaches Settlement in Lawsuit Over Alleged Non-Development of World War II Movie

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LOS ANGELES – Acclaimed filmmaker Martin Scorsese has reached a settlement in a lawsuit brought against him by an aspiring screenwriter who accused him of taking $500,000 for a World War II movie project without delivering any results. The writer, Simon Afram, alleged that Scorsese had agreed to serve as an executive producer for Afram’s screenplay “Operation: Fortitude,” aiming to attract top-tier talent and commence filming in Europe later that year. However, the production never materialized, with Afram and his co-producer claiming that Scorsese failed to make any efforts to advance the project or even … Read more