Creo has announced the jury for the 2024 Sony Future Filmmaker Awards.
Director Justin Chadwick serves as chair for the second year in a row. He is joined on the jury by Michael Barker and Tom Bernard, co-founders and co-presidents of Sony Pictures Classics; cinematographer Rob Hardy ASC, BSC; cinematographer Kate Reid BSC; cinematographer Robert Primes ASC; and Australian filmmaker Unjoo Moon.
Chadwick said, “It is such a pleasure to return as Chair of this new prestigious panel of decorated creatives. Last year, we brought to the forefront 30 exceptionally talented filmmakers from across the world, each of whom had the unique chance to access the inner workings of the industry in Los Angeles, opening doors to career-launching opportunities. From my own experience, the art of the short film is by no means one to be underestimated, and I look forward to discovering more brilliant, talented individuals through this upcoming selection.”
In the first step of the adjudication, Primes and Moon will choose 30 films to make up the shortlist. Barker, Bernard, Hardy and Reid will subsequently decide on the category winners for the year, honoring creative excellence and original approaches to narrative. Chadwick will chair both stages; the 30 filmmakers on the shortlist will be revealed on April 23. A four-day workshop will take place for shortlisted competitors in late May, and winners are announced on May 30.
For more details on the Sony Future Filmmaker Awards, visit here.
Criterion Collection Announces June Releases, ‘Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas’ Leads the Pact
The Criterion Collection has announced its slew of June releases, comprised of digitally enhanced classic films upscaled to 4K ultra-high definition.
“Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas,” Terry Gilliam’s feverish psychedelic odyssey starring Johnny Depp and Benicio Del Toro, leads the pact in a collection that will also include “Bound,” Lana and Lilly Wachowski’s hyper stylish, sapphic heist thriller; “Querelle,” a depiction of gay desire from Rainer Werner Fassbinder; “Victims of Sin,” a vibrant Mexican musical-melodrama-noir from Emilio Fernández; “The Underground Railroad,” Barry Jenkins’s monumental reimagining of American history through the eyes of an enslaved woman and “Blue Velvet,” David Lynch’s vision of innocence lost.
All films will include special editions and behind-the-scenes features exclusive to the collection, all approved by a filmmaker who worked on the project — the director, editor, cinematographer, etc.
Physical copies of Criterion Collection’s films can be found at most major retailers.
Location Managers Guild Sets Award Timeline
The Location Managers Guild International (LMGI) has announced their awards timeline.
The LMGI Awards, set for Aug. 24 will spotlight and honor filming locations in setting tone, revealing character and enhancing the storytelling narrative. Additionally, the LMGI Awards honor film commissions who have gone above and beyond during the scouting, pre-production and production of specific projects.
Productions that were first released between June 2, 2023, and June 1, 2024, with at least 60% of the production shot on location are eligible. Nominations will be announced on Monday, July 1st, and winners are announced at the LMGI Awards on Saturday, August 24th. Submissions are open to LMGI members and non-members alike.
Key entry and voting dates for the 11TH Annual LMGI Awards are:
March 13 Entry Submission Period Opens
May 6 Entry Submission Period Closes
June 2 Online Voting for Nominees Opens
June 11 Nominee Voting Closes
July 1 Nominations Announced
July 14 Final Voting Opens
July 23 Final Voting Closes
Outstanding Location Awards will be presented in the following categories: Contemporary Film, Period Film, Contemporary TV, Period TV, TV Serial Program/Anthology/Limited Series, Commercials and Film Commissions. Honorary Awards include the Humanitarian, Lifetime Achievement, Trailblazer and Eva Monley Award.
SignLight Film Festival to Showcase Global Community of Deaf Filmmakers
The first SignLight International Film Festival will take place in Hollywood from April 16-20, featuring Deaf filmmakers and creatives from around the world. Actor-director-producer CJ Jones is behind the event, which has also drawn support from Troy Kotsur, Marlee Matlin, Shoshanna Stern, Craig Mazin, Rosie O’Donnell and Andreas Deja.
Screenings will include “Silent Rhythm,” “Not Another Deaf Story,” “Speak in a Whisper” and “Being Michelle.”
“Too often, hearing people misappropriate the stories and roles of people who are Deaf, only to seek out their assistance to help them create a facsimile of their lives. Authentic representation requires authentic participation behind as well as in front of the camera. Our festival offers the industry a ‘how-to manual’ that illustrates models of successful Deaf/hearing creative collaborations, best practices, innovative Deaf/hearing communications solutions and a contact roster of the best Deaf talent in the world,” said Jones.
Also supporting the festival are Deanne Bray, Millicent Simmonds, Nyle DiMarco, Shaylee Mansfield and Keivonn Woodard. The event will also feature a performance by American Sign Language (ASL) hip hop star Matt Maxey aka Deafinitely Dope.
Launching with a VIP reception and screening, the event will take place at the Pacific Design Center and include open-caption screenings, pitch sessions, panels, exhibition booths, live performances by Deaf dancers, song/sign performers and family activities. Jones will oversee the five-day festival under the banner of SignLight Inc., the non-profit, entertainment career-training subsidiary of his production company SignWorld Studios.
For more information, go to the festival’s website.
‘Wild Rescue’ Documentary Planned From Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network
The Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network and filmmaker Ian Shive have announced the upcoming documentary “Wild Rescue: A Second Chance at a Wild Life,” which will be presented in IMAX.
Per the film’s description, “’Wild Rescue’ offers audiences a vivid exploration of SBWCN’s pioneering work in wildlife rehabilitation, featuring the newly built, state-of-the-art wildlife hospital that stands as a beacon of hope for over 3,500 animals annually. Through breathtaking visuals, the film captures the essence of the Santa Barbara region, including Channel Islands National Park and its vibrant marine life, while spotlighting the dedication of veterinarians, volunteers, and community members who work tirelessly to rescue, rehabilitate, and release injured or abandoned wildlife back into their natural habitats.”
The full-length documentary is expected to release in spring 2025, with Ian Shive directing and executive producing. Shive said, “The place we all understand and interact with the most is the one we call home. By actively participating in efforts to improve our individual communities we have a fighting chance to greatly improve our entire planet, one neighborhood at a time.”
Discover more about the Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network here.
