Exclusive: Taissa Farmiga (The Gilded Age) will exec produce and star in the Ukrainian drama Anna, from producer Uri Singer (White Noise).
The film written and to be directed by Dekel Berenson is inspired by his same-name 2019 short, which premiered in competition at Cannes before going on to screen at TIFF and other major festivals. It’s a contemporary coming-of-age drama that follows Anna (Farmiga), a Ukrainian immigrant who is training to become a sergeant in the U.S. Army. After weeks at the military base, and as the Russian forces prepare to invade her home country, she’s sexually assaulted by another army officer. After returning to the base, she struggles to complete her course as she reconsiders her values, identity and place in an American army and society that’s not fighting for her, too.
Farmiga is a Ukrainian-American actress best known on the film side for her work...
The film written and to be directed by Dekel Berenson is inspired by his same-name 2019 short, which premiered in competition at Cannes before going on to screen at TIFF and other major festivals. It’s a contemporary coming-of-age drama that follows Anna (Farmiga), a Ukrainian immigrant who is training to become a sergeant in the U.S. Army. After weeks at the military base, and as the Russian forces prepare to invade her home country, she’s sexually assaulted by another army officer. After returning to the base, she struggles to complete her course as she reconsiders her values, identity and place in an American army and society that’s not fighting for her, too.
Farmiga is a Ukrainian-American actress best known on the film side for her work...
- 1/17/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Eastern Promises industry strand has unveiled nine winners across its three works in progress programmes.
Karlovy Vary’s Eastern Promises industry strand has unveiled nine winners across its three works in progress programmes: Works In Progress; Works in Development – Feature Launch; and First Cut+. The event took place online this year from July 28-August 12.
Scroll down for full list of winners
Among the winners were Victim, from Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany, directed by Michal Blaško and produced by Jakub Viktorín and Pavla Janoušková Kubečková, which will follow a Ukrainian woman in a small Czech town fighting for justice...
Karlovy Vary’s Eastern Promises industry strand has unveiled nine winners across its three works in progress programmes: Works In Progress; Works in Development – Feature Launch; and First Cut+. The event took place online this year from July 28-August 12.
Scroll down for full list of winners
Among the winners were Victim, from Slovakia, Czech Republic and Germany, directed by Michal Blaško and produced by Jakub Viktorín and Pavla Janoušková Kubečková, which will follow a Ukrainian woman in a small Czech town fighting for justice...
- 8/17/2021
- by Wendy Mitchell
- ScreenDaily
For three small nations tucked away in a far corner of Northeastern Europe, wedged between the sprawling tundra of Scandinavia to the north and the lumbering bear of Russia in the east, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have long realized their strength in numbers: In 1989, amid mass protests calling for independence from the Soviet Union, up to two million people joined hands in a human chain stretching from Tallinn to Vilnius. Less than two years later, the three independent Baltic states were born.
While Baltic filmmakers might not have quite the same robust presence in Cannes this year, joint efforts by Latvia’s National Film Center, the Estonian Film Institute, and the Lithuanian Film Institute are a sign that the three countries are committed to bolstering their ties as they work to collectively strengthen their growing industries.
“In a lesser form, the cooperation between the Baltic film industries has always been there,...
While Baltic filmmakers might not have quite the same robust presence in Cannes this year, joint efforts by Latvia’s National Film Center, the Estonian Film Institute, and the Lithuanian Film Institute are a sign that the three countries are committed to bolstering their ties as they work to collectively strengthen their growing industries.
“In a lesser form, the cooperation between the Baltic film industries has always been there,...
- 6/29/2021
- by Christopher Vourlias
- Variety Film + TV
Seven projects from across Europe selected for Cannes showcase.
The industry platform of Tallinn Black Night Films Festival is to showcase seven projects seeking co-production partners at the Cannes market for the first time.
The Industry@Tallinn and Baltic Event Co-Production Market will spotlight the titles at the Marché’s Co-Production Day on July 9, where projects in development – looking for co-producers and financiers – are presented in one-to-one meetings.
They include Estonian project Black Hole, written and directed by Moonika Siimets, whose Stalinist drama The Little Comrade won the audience award at South Korea’s Busan International Film Festival in 2018.
Siimets...
The industry platform of Tallinn Black Night Films Festival is to showcase seven projects seeking co-production partners at the Cannes market for the first time.
The Industry@Tallinn and Baltic Event Co-Production Market will spotlight the titles at the Marché’s Co-Production Day on July 9, where projects in development – looking for co-producers and financiers – are presented in one-to-one meetings.
They include Estonian project Black Hole, written and directed by Moonika Siimets, whose Stalinist drama The Little Comrade won the audience award at South Korea’s Busan International Film Festival in 2018.
Siimets...
- 6/10/2021
- by Michael Rosser
- ScreenDaily
Award-winning director Dekel Berenson and Paul Wesley’s Three Color Films to partner with four time Academy Award nominated Alexander Rodnyansky and Israeli producer, Marek Rozenbaum for debut feature Aliya.
The film tells the story of an 18 year old Ukrainian immigrant who, after discovering her Jewish heritage, moves to Israel and joins the army as a drill instructor. During a brief leave from the base, Aliya suffers a violent assault by her date, and upon returning to the base, she is forced to reevaluate her values, beliefs and role in training young men in the military.
Rodnyansky will come on board to produce the feature, together with veteran Israeli producer Rozenbaum, and producing partner Wesley. Anna Różalska will serve as producer as well.
The film will be shot in Israel. It was selected to the Sam Spiegel Film Lab, where films such as Oscar-winner Son Of Saul have been developed.
The film tells the story of an 18 year old Ukrainian immigrant who, after discovering her Jewish heritage, moves to Israel and joins the army as a drill instructor. During a brief leave from the base, Aliya suffers a violent assault by her date, and upon returning to the base, she is forced to reevaluate her values, beliefs and role in training young men in the military.
Rodnyansky will come on board to produce the feature, together with veteran Israeli producer Rozenbaum, and producing partner Wesley. Anna Różalska will serve as producer as well.
The film will be shot in Israel. It was selected to the Sam Spiegel Film Lab, where films such as Oscar-winner Son Of Saul have been developed.
- 1/14/2021
- by Justin Kroll
- Deadline Film + TV
This year’s festival ran online from January 4-10.
Zoe Wittock’s Jumbo has won the New Visions prize at the 17th Bahamas International Film Festival (Biff), which closed its online edition yesterday (January 10).
It is the latest festival recognition for the France-Belgium-Luxembourg co-production, which launched at Sundance 2020 and has also played at Berlinale and Jeonju. It was nominated for the Discovery prize at last year’s European Film Awards.
Wittock’s debut feature stars Noémie Merlant as a young woman who works in an amusement park and finds herself attracted to the new flagship ride.
The Biff Spirit of...
Zoe Wittock’s Jumbo has won the New Visions prize at the 17th Bahamas International Film Festival (Biff), which closed its online edition yesterday (January 10).
It is the latest festival recognition for the France-Belgium-Luxembourg co-production, which launched at Sundance 2020 and has also played at Berlinale and Jeonju. It was nominated for the Discovery prize at last year’s European Film Awards.
Wittock’s debut feature stars Noémie Merlant as a young woman who works in an amusement park and finds herself attracted to the new flagship ride.
The Biff Spirit of...
- 1/11/2021
- by Ben Dalton
- ScreenDaily
Exclusive: NewFilmmakers Los Angeles and the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Science (AMPAS) will kick off the New Year celebrating emerging Israeli filmmakers and talent with a virtual film fest.
Set for Jan. 11 and Jan. 14, the Nfmla and AMPAS exhibition will feature a lineup of short films and features, and a conversation with Honey Boy director Alma Har’el moderated by Rotten Tomatoes’ Jacqueline Coley, and a panel with Euphoria writer Ron Leshem and others.
Among the stacked lineup is Israel’s pick for the 93rd Oscars International Feature Film race, Ruthy Pribar’s Asia featuring Unorthodox‘s Shira Haas. Featured titles will highlight a range of topics including identity and interpersonal relationships.
The program will also include a special line-up of accomplished Israeli producers, who will be presenting their slates to Industry Delegation Members including Allie Moore at AMC Studios, Maia Hollinger at HBO, John Orlando at Universal and more.
Set for Jan. 11 and Jan. 14, the Nfmla and AMPAS exhibition will feature a lineup of short films and features, and a conversation with Honey Boy director Alma Har’el moderated by Rotten Tomatoes’ Jacqueline Coley, and a panel with Euphoria writer Ron Leshem and others.
Among the stacked lineup is Israel’s pick for the 93rd Oscars International Feature Film race, Ruthy Pribar’s Asia featuring Unorthodox‘s Shira Haas. Featured titles will highlight a range of topics including identity and interpersonal relationships.
The program will also include a special line-up of accomplished Israeli producers, who will be presenting their slates to Industry Delegation Members including Allie Moore at AMC Studios, Maia Hollinger at HBO, John Orlando at Universal and more.
- 12/28/2020
- by Alexandra Del Rosario
- Deadline Film + TV
Past participants have included ‘Son Of Saul’, ‘The Death Of Cinema and My Father Too’ and ‘Beginning’.
The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel International Film Lab (Jsfl) has unveiled the 12 projects selected for its 9th edition, which is running online for now due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Founded in 2011 under the auspices of the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School (Jsfs), the lab traditionally selects six international and six Israeli projects.
The lab usually combines residential workshops and remote support but this year most of the programme is expected to take place online.
The first writing session will take place in December, followed...
The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel International Film Lab (Jsfl) has unveiled the 12 projects selected for its 9th edition, which is running online for now due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Founded in 2011 under the auspices of the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School (Jsfs), the lab traditionally selects six international and six Israeli projects.
The lab usually combines residential workshops and remote support but this year most of the programme is expected to take place online.
The first writing session will take place in December, followed...
- 11/16/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
Past participants have included ‘Son Of Saul’, ‘The Death Of Cinema and My Father Too’ and ‘Beginning’.
The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel International Film Lab (Jsfl) has unveiled the 12 projects selected for its 9th edition, which is running online for now due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Founded in 2011 under the auspices of the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School (Jsfs), the lab traditionally selects six international and six Israeli projects.
The lab usually combines residential workshops and remote support but this year most of the programme is expected to take place online.
Participants include UK director Claire Oakley with English Animals, her...
The Jerusalem Sam Spiegel International Film Lab (Jsfl) has unveiled the 12 projects selected for its 9th edition, which is running online for now due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Founded in 2011 under the auspices of the Jerusalem Sam Spiegel Film School (Jsfs), the lab traditionally selects six international and six Israeli projects.
The lab usually combines residential workshops and remote support but this year most of the programme is expected to take place online.
Participants include UK director Claire Oakley with English Animals, her...
- 11/16/2020
- by Melanie Goodfellow
- ScreenDaily
‘The Vampire Diaries’ Star Paul Wesley, Director Dekel Berenson Set Up Three Color Films (Exclusive)
“The Vampire Diaries” and “Tell Me a Story” star Paul Wesley has teamed with award-winning helmer Dekel Berenson to create features and shorts under their new banner, Three Color Films. The pair are already working on their first short, “Abel,” shot in Yosemite, which turns on a father and son bonding over a shared sense of loss.
They plan to build a slate spanning shorts and features. One early project, set to be pitched to digital platforms, is an international short-form multi-part feature that would have Berenson’s shorts “Anna” and “Ashmina” as the first installments. “Anna” played in the Shorts Film Competition at Cannes this year and is shortlisted for a BAFTA. Berenson and the film’s producer, Merlin Merton, picked up the award for best short at the British Independent Film Awards earlier this month. “Ashmina” premiered at the London Film Festival.
Wesley is an internationally recognized face...
They plan to build a slate spanning shorts and features. One early project, set to be pitched to digital platforms, is an international short-form multi-part feature that would have Berenson’s shorts “Anna” and “Ashmina” as the first installments. “Anna” played in the Shorts Film Competition at Cannes this year and is shortlisted for a BAFTA. Berenson and the film’s producer, Merlin Merton, picked up the award for best short at the British Independent Film Awards earlier this month. “Ashmina” premiered at the London Film Festival.
Wesley is an internationally recognized face...
- 12/18/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
“The Personal History of David Copperfield” won five awards Sunday at the British Independent Film Awards while Renee Zellweger walked away with the best actress prize for her star turn as Judy Garland in “Judy.” David Livingstone of “Judy” producer Calamity Films accepted it on her behalf.
Feature documentary “For Sama” scooped four awards, including the night’s biggest honor, best British independent film. An intimate portrait of a young mother’s experience of the Syrian civil war, it also won best director for the duo of Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts and for best documentary. It had already taken best editing in the previously announced craft awards.
“The Personal History of David Copperfield” had also already scored three wins in the craft categories. It added two more awards on Sunday night: best supporting actor for Hugh Laurie, who plays Mr. Dick in Armando Iannucci’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic novel,...
Feature documentary “For Sama” scooped four awards, including the night’s biggest honor, best British independent film. An intimate portrait of a young mother’s experience of the Syrian civil war, it also won best director for the duo of Waad Al-Kateab and Edward Watts and for best documentary. It had already taken best editing in the previously announced craft awards.
“The Personal History of David Copperfield” had also already scored three wins in the craft categories. It added two more awards on Sunday night: best supporting actor for Hugh Laurie, who plays Mr. Dick in Armando Iannucci’s adaptation of the Charles Dickens classic novel,...
- 12/1/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Bifa Winners: ‘For Sama’, ‘The Personal History Of David Copperfield’, Renée Zellweger Among Victors
Documentary For Sama, the intimate and scarring portrait of a young mother’s experience of the Syrian civil war, has scored Best British Independent Film, Best Director and Best Documentary at the 2019 British Independent Film Awards ceremony in London. Scroll down for a full list of winners.
The film’s three awards announced this evening were added to the previously announced win for Best Editing. Waad Al-Khateab and Edward Watts direct the Channel4 and PBS Frontline feature, which has played at festivals the world over.
The Personal History Of David Copperfield won two awards on the night: Best Supporting Actor for Hugh Laurie, who plays Mr Dick in Armando Iannucci’s adaptation of the Dickens classic, and Best Screenplay sponsored by BBC Films for writers Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell. Previously announced had been the film’s awards for Best Casting sponsored by Casting Society of America and Spotlight, Best Costume Design,...
The film’s three awards announced this evening were added to the previously announced win for Best Editing. Waad Al-Khateab and Edward Watts direct the Channel4 and PBS Frontline feature, which has played at festivals the world over.
The Personal History Of David Copperfield won two awards on the night: Best Supporting Actor for Hugh Laurie, who plays Mr Dick in Armando Iannucci’s adaptation of the Dickens classic, and Best Screenplay sponsored by BBC Films for writers Armando Iannucci and Simon Blackwell. Previously announced had been the film’s awards for Best Casting sponsored by Casting Society of America and Spotlight, Best Costume Design,...
- 12/1/2019
- by Andreas Wiseman
- Deadline Film + TV
As the end of the year fast approaches, awards season will soon be upon us. The 2019 British Independent Film Awards is all set to take place on December 1st, we can now reveal the longlist for 2019’s Best British Short.
The full list of nominations for the BIFAs won’t be announced until November 30th, but in previous years films such as Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘The Favourite’, ‘God’s Own Country’ and ‘American Honey’ were all worthy winners at the ceremony.
Nominees and winners are selected by the industry – every eligible film is watched and discussed, making Bifa the only truly credible source for the best in British independent film. The winners for Best British Independent Film, Best British Short Film and the nine craft categories are decided by a confidential vote amongst all Bifa voters.
Bifa 2019 Best British Short Film Long List from Bifa on Vimeo.
Let’s take a...
The full list of nominations for the BIFAs won’t be announced until November 30th, but in previous years films such as Yorgos Lanthimos’ ‘The Favourite’, ‘God’s Own Country’ and ‘American Honey’ were all worthy winners at the ceremony.
Nominees and winners are selected by the industry – every eligible film is watched and discussed, making Bifa the only truly credible source for the best in British independent film. The winners for Best British Independent Film, Best British Short Film and the nine craft categories are decided by a confidential vote amongst all Bifa voters.
Bifa 2019 Best British Short Film Long List from Bifa on Vimeo.
Let’s take a...
- 10/24/2019
- by Zehra Phelan
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
The lineup for the 23rd annual Urbanworld Film Festival was announced Friday, with Tony-award winning broadway actor Cynthia Erivo and Emmy award-winning director Roger Ross Williams making appearances at the event, which is geared towards representing and celebrating diverse, international voices in film, music videos, television, screenplays and shorts.
Director and co-writer Kasi Lemmons will open the festival Sept 18 with her Focus Features biopic “Harriet,” following the influential life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman who led slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Following the screening, star Erivo, Lemmons and executive producers Debra Martin Chase and Daniela Taplin Lundberg will discuss the film with CBS This Morning Saturday’s Michelle Miller moderating. Lemmons is this year’s festival ambassador.
Other notable films include HBO’s documentary “The Apollo,” which features archival footage to chronicle the history of Harlem’s landmark venue the Apollo Theater. A Q&a with director Williams and...
Director and co-writer Kasi Lemmons will open the festival Sept 18 with her Focus Features biopic “Harriet,” following the influential life of abolitionist Harriet Tubman who led slaves to freedom through the Underground Railroad. Following the screening, star Erivo, Lemmons and executive producers Debra Martin Chase and Daniela Taplin Lundberg will discuss the film with CBS This Morning Saturday’s Michelle Miller moderating. Lemmons is this year’s festival ambassador.
Other notable films include HBO’s documentary “The Apollo,” which features archival footage to chronicle the history of Harlem’s landmark venue the Apollo Theater. A Q&a with director Williams and...
- 8/30/2019
- by Mackenzie Nichols
- Variety Film + TV
Dcr Finance Corp backing feature project with director.
Dekel Berenson’s short film Anna, which is premiering in Competition at Cannes this year, is being developed into a feature by New York and La-based media fund Dcr Finance Corp.
The short, a Ukraine-uk-Israel co-production, follows an aging single mother living in war-torn Eastern Ukraine who is desperate for change. Lured by a radio advertisement, she goes to party with a group of American men who are touring the country, searching for love. Svetlana Alekseevna Barandich played Anna.
Berenson is in an advanced stage of writing the feature script and will also direct.
Dekel Berenson’s short film Anna, which is premiering in Competition at Cannes this year, is being developed into a feature by New York and La-based media fund Dcr Finance Corp.
The short, a Ukraine-uk-Israel co-production, follows an aging single mother living in war-torn Eastern Ukraine who is desperate for change. Lured by a radio advertisement, she goes to party with a group of American men who are touring the country, searching for love. Svetlana Alekseevna Barandich played Anna.
Berenson is in an advanced stage of writing the feature script and will also direct.
- 5/19/2019
- by Tom Grater
- ScreenDaily
Writer-director Dekel Berenson has set his first feature, “Adva.” Berenson is at Cannes with “Anna,” which is garnering buzz and plays in the Short Film Competition at the festival.
“Adva” will go into production next April. The film is about a Adva, a 19-year-old woman in Tel Aviv who works as a drill instructor in the Israeli army. The film follows her as she deals with the impact of a date rape. Finding it hard to go on with her life, she considers her place in society and her role in training young men in the military.
“I think that while the story takes place in Israel, it confronts an issue that is present all over the world,” Berenson told Variety. The movie was inspired by the experience of a friend of his. “Upon hearing her account of the events I Instantly decided to transform her story into a film,...
“Adva” will go into production next April. The film is about a Adva, a 19-year-old woman in Tel Aviv who works as a drill instructor in the Israeli army. The film follows her as she deals with the impact of a date rape. Finding it hard to go on with her life, she considers her place in society and her role in training young men in the military.
“I think that while the story takes place in Israel, it confronts an issue that is present all over the world,” Berenson told Variety. The movie was inspired by the experience of a friend of his. “Upon hearing her account of the events I Instantly decided to transform her story into a film,...
- 5/18/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
The U.K. production scene has been dominated by a phalanx of successful producers for many years. A fresh wave of U.K.-based producers is now also getting international attention. The producers are navigating a business that offers unparalleled opportunity, and facing fundamental challenges. With the key funders putting an emphasis on inclusion and diversity, female producers have risen to the fore and the new faces also reflects modern, multicultural Britain.
“There is a great old guard we can look up to, but also such excitement about debut British filmmakers,” says Julia Nottingham, who produced Lucy Cohen’s “Kingdom of Us” and “Xy Chelsea,” which premiered at Tribeca. “If you look at the BIFAs [British Independent Film Awards] and BAFTA debuts, the films are so exciting, and the good thing is that financiers are up for taking those risks and finding new talent.”
Nottingham set up Julia Street Pictures last year and Great...
“There is a great old guard we can look up to, but also such excitement about debut British filmmakers,” says Julia Nottingham, who produced Lucy Cohen’s “Kingdom of Us” and “Xy Chelsea,” which premiered at Tribeca. “If you look at the BIFAs [British Independent Film Awards] and BAFTA debuts, the films are so exciting, and the good thing is that financiers are up for taking those risks and finding new talent.”
Nottingham set up Julia Street Pictures last year and Great...
- 5/17/2019
- by Stewart Clarke
- Variety Film + TV
Claire Denis to preside over jury.
Chloe Sevigny, one of the stars of Cannes opening film The Dead Don’t Die, has directed a short that is among the selections that will screen on the Croisette next month.
Sevigny’s 15-minute film is entitled White Echo and will compete for the short film Palme d’Or that president of the jury Claire Denis will hand out on May 25.
The actor-director’s 2016 short Kitty screened in Cannes Critics Week and won the Palme de whiskers, and she also directed the 2017 short Carmen.
Selections include The Van (Albania-France) by Erenik Beqiri; Anna...
Chloe Sevigny, one of the stars of Cannes opening film The Dead Don’t Die, has directed a short that is among the selections that will screen on the Croisette next month.
Sevigny’s 15-minute film is entitled White Echo and will compete for the short film Palme d’Or that president of the jury Claire Denis will hand out on May 25.
The actor-director’s 2016 short Kitty screened in Cannes Critics Week and won the Palme de whiskers, and she also directed the 2017 short Carmen.
Selections include The Van (Albania-France) by Erenik Beqiri; Anna...
- 4/19/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Claire Denis to preside over jury.
Chloe Sevigny, one of the stars of Cannes opening film The Dead Don’t Die, has directed a short that is among the selections that will screen on the Croisette next month.
Sevgny’s 15-minute film is entitled White Echo and will compete for the short film Palme d’Or that president of the jury Claire Denis will hand out on May 25.
The actor-director’s 2016 short Kitty screened in Cannes Critics Week and won the Palme de whiskers, and she also directed the 2017 short Carmen.
Selections include The Van (Albania-France) by Erenik Beqiri; Anna...
Chloe Sevigny, one of the stars of Cannes opening film The Dead Don’t Die, has directed a short that is among the selections that will screen on the Croisette next month.
Sevgny’s 15-minute film is entitled White Echo and will compete for the short film Palme d’Or that president of the jury Claire Denis will hand out on May 25.
The actor-director’s 2016 short Kitty screened in Cannes Critics Week and won the Palme de whiskers, and she also directed the 2017 short Carmen.
Selections include The Van (Albania-France) by Erenik Beqiri; Anna...
- 4/19/2019
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
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