After a successful run hosting last year’s Spirit Awards, former “Saturday Night Live” cast member Aidy Bryant is returning for the event’s 40th anniversary. Now four decades strong, the awards have become a key fundraiser for Film Independent’s year-round initiatives.
“We couldn’t ask for a better host for our 40th anniversary! As we prepare to celebrate this incredible milestone honoring the outstanding achievements and contributions within the independent world, we welcome Aidy back with open arms. After her unforgettable turn last year, we can once again anticipate an evening filled with laughter, inspiration, and recognition of excellence,” said Josh Welsh, president of Film Independent.
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Bryant was on “SNL” for 10 years, earning three Primetime Emmy Award nominations, including two for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. She also co-created and starred in the Hulu show “Shrill,” for which she earned an Emmy nomination in 2021 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
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The Spirit Awards was among the first organizations to honor the early works of now iconic filmmakers such as Spike Lee, Whit Stillman, Ed Burns, Robert Eggers, Patty Jenkins, Ryan Coogler and Kasi Lemmons.
Thursday Oct. 3
Composer Andrew Prahlow to Perform Award-Winning ‘Outer Wilds’ Soundtrack at New York Comic Con
BAFTA-nominated Andrew Prahlow will be playing at the Music Hall of Williamsburg on Oct. 17, joined by Contemporaneous, a chamber orchestra ensemble based in New York City. Prahlow’s soundtrack for “Outer Wilds” has been described by SPIN as “one of the most memorable musical experiences in video game history.” A game developer even called it “hauntingly beautiful.”
“Live music is important, even in gaming culture,” says Prahlow, who is performing in New York City after two nearly sold-out concerts on the West Coast. The emotive soundscapes became an overnight success, with over 27 million streams on Spotify in the last year. His scores for “Outer Wilds: Echoes of the Eye” and “The Lost Reels” have received widespread critical acclaim, including four Best Original Score nominations at the BAFTA, SXSW, Golden Joystick Awards, and Jerry Goldsmith Awards, along with two Best Game Music awards and a G.A.N.G. Award for Best Indie Game Music.
Tickets are available at axs.com.
Wednesday Oct. 2
Makeup and Hairstylist Guild Announces Nominees for Lifetime Achievement Award
The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Awards (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) has named its nominees for the lifetime achievement award.
Make-Up Artists Bruce Hutchinson, Michael K. Johnston, Todd McIntosh, Ronnie Specter, and Brad Wilder are among them. The nominees for Hair Stylists are Anne Medusah Aulenta, Cydney Cornell, Bunny Parker, Lyndell Quiyou and Peter Tothpal.
The MUAHS Awards recognize excellence in the artistry and creativity of make-up artists and hair stylists in 23 categories including motion pictures, television, music videos and theater entertainment. As previously announced, the theater category has expanded to include Broadway and international theater productions. Honorees for the Distinguished Artisan Award and Vanguard Award will be announced later.
‘September 5,’ ‘All We Imagine as Light.’ ‘Luckiest Man in America’ and More Among AFI Fest Lineup
AFI Film Fest has unveiled its complete lineup. “September 5, “All We Imagine as Light,” “The Luckiest Man in America” and “Zurawski v Texas” are among the films that roundup the festival’s slate.
“We are proud to bring the best in film from around the world to the city of Los Angeles. It’s a celebration of storytelling in all its forms, where diverse voices and unique perspectives promise to inspire audiences of all ages,” said Todd Hitchcock, director of AFI FEST and the AFI Silver Theatre and Cultural Center.
As previously announced, the festival will open with the World Premiere of “Music by John Williams” and close with the world premiere of Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2.”
Other highlights include “Heretic” starring Hugh Grant, Robert Zemeckis’ “Here” as the Centerpiece Screening, “Maria” starring Angelina Jolie and the World Premiere of “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.”
Titles in the Special Screenings section include “Bird,” “The Fire Inside,” “I’m Still Here,” “Nightbitch,” “The Order,” “A Real Pain,” “The Room Next Door,” “The Summer Book,” and “Unstoppable.”
Monday Sept. 30
Documentary+ Acquires River Finlay’s ‘Eat Flowers’
Nonfiction streaming platform Documentary+ has acquired River Finlay’s documentary short “Eat Flowers.” The Oscar-qualified film will debut on major streamers and the Documentary+ Fast channel on Wednesday.
According to an official logline, “Eat Flowers” picks up in 2017 “as photographer Cig Harvey’s best friend Mary is diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia. When forced to isolate during her treatment, she asks Cig to send her photographs. Every day Cig sets out to bring color and life to Mary through her camera. Every day Mary asks for more. ‘Eat Flowers’ brings us into the vibrant worlds that Cig creates for her.”
“I’m incredibly excited to partner with Documentary+ in bringing this vibrant story to audiences, showcasing the beauty of life, the ache of loss and the reminder to live,” said Finlay.
“We are thrilled to bring ‘Eat Flowers’ to audiences through our wide-reaching distribution channels,” added Justin Lacob, head of documentary for Documentary+. “River Finlay has crafted an incredibly moving and inspiring portrait of resilience and hope that aligns perfectly with our mission of telling compelling and engaging stories for a global audience.”
Harvey serves as producer as well as star. With the acquisition, Bryn Mooser and Lacob join as executive producers alongside Allison Klayman.
Watch the trailer below.
Nordic International Film Festival Sets Date for 10th Anniversary Edition
The Nordic International Film Festival returns to New York Oct. 17-20 for its 10th-anniversary edition. A special red carpet event at iPIC Theater will open the festival. Screenings will take place at Scandinavia House and the festival will close with an award ceremony and afterparty at The Box Nightclub.
NIFF’s 2024 edition will revolve around the theme of “extraordinary,” celebrating the stories comprising this year’s selection and the festival’s impact over its 10-year lifespan. 21 films will be screened across five categories, including three international premieres, nine North American premieres, one U.S. premiere and five New York premieres.
“When we started NIFF a decade ago, we dreamed of creating a platform that would bridge Nordic and international cinema,” said Linnea Larsdotter Mikkelä, founder and president of NIFF. “Today, as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, we’re proud to have become a beacon for extraordinary filmmaking and sustainable practices in the industry.”
U.S. Department of State’s American Film Showcase to Screen Documentaries in More Than 60 Countries
The U.S. Department of State has set the films for its American Film Showcase, featuring contemporary American documentaries that will be screened year-round in over 60 countries; all organized by U.S. embassies.
The goal of the program is to showcase American documentaries to foreign audiences, expanding their global access locally. “AFS’s screening program is a global film festival offering international audiences a nuanced view of American life and creating space for cross-cultural dialogue,” said Rachel Gandin Mark, AFS Program Director. “We are incredibly proud of this year’s wide-ranging collection of American films and can’t wait to share these stories with new audiences.”
The lineup features many 2024 Oscar contenders as well as the Academy Award winner for documentary short, “The Last Repair Shop.” The other nominated features are “Audible” and “The Barber of Little Rock.”
“Independent documentary filmmakers dream of reaching a global audience,” said Ben Proudfoot, Oscar award-winning director of “The Last Repair Shop.” “We can tell you firsthand there is nothing more exciting than seeing our films spark lively conversations in countries like Yemen, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Colombia. We are so grateful to American Film Showcase and the U.S. State Department and are deeply honored to be joining this incredible cadre of documentary storytellers.”The project is possible through a series of collaborations with Amazon, L.A Times Short Docs, Magnolia Pictures, Netflix, The New Yorker, PBS, The Walt Disney Company, and Warner Bros. Since 2012, AFS has produced over 5,000 screenings in 135 countries, delivering content to more than half a million people.
