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2018 Academy Awards: ‘The Shape of Water’ leads with 13 nominations

January 23, 2018

by Carla Hay

With 13 nominations, the fantasy drama “The Shape of Water” leads the list of contenders for the 90th Annual Academy Awards, which will be presented at the Dolby Theatre on March 4, 2018. “Dunkirk” was the second-leading nominee, with eight nods. The nominations were announced by actors Tiffany Haddish and Andy Serkis on January 23, 2018. ABC will have a live telecast of the 2018 Academy Awards, which will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel for the second year in a row.

Snubs and Surprises

“The Shape of Water” was expected to be the leading nominee, but many people were not expecting the strong showing from the period drama “Phantom Thread,” which received six nominations: Best Picture, Best Actor (for Daniel Day-Lewis), Best Director (for Paul Thomas Anderson), Best Supporting Actress (for Lesley Manville), Best Original Score (for Jonny Greenwood) and Best Costume Design (for Mark Bridges). Another big surprise was the nomination that superhero movie “Logan” received for Best Adapted Screenplay. The movie was critically acclaimed but superhero movies usually do not get screenplay nominations at the Oscars.

James Franco was shut out of the Best Actor race, even though he had been racking up several nominations and a few wins at all the previous movie-related awards for his starring role in “The Disaster Artist,” a movie he also directed. During the week that voting for Oscar nominations took place, Franco was accused of sexual misconduct by several women (most of whom were former students in his acting school), and it appears the scandal affected Oscar votes for Franco. However, “The Disaster Artist” did score one Oscar nomination: for Best Adapted Screenplay, for screenwriters Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber. The critically acclaimed “Wonder Woman” was also snubbed; it received no Oscar nominations.

The Diversity Issue

Diversity among Oscar nominees has become a big issue, especially since the #OscarsSoWhite controversies of 2015 and 2016, when all of the actors and actresses nominated for Oscars were white. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (the group behind the Oscars) also received a lot of backlash when the media revealed that the majority of Academy voters were white males over the age of 50. Since then, the Academy has made a concerted effort to invite hundreds of new members that represented more diversity, in terms of race, gender, age and country of origin.

This year’s list includes many nominees who are women and people of color in categories that are typically dominated by white males. For example, there were female nominees this year for Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Sound Mixing and Best Film Editing. Oscar winners Denzel Washington, Octavia Spencer and Common received nominations again this year, but there were also several first-time nominees such as “Lady Bird” writer/director Greta Gerwig, “Get Out” writer/director/producer “Jordan Peele,” “Get Out” actor Daniel Kaluuya, “The Big Sick” co-writers (and real-life spouses) Kumail Nanjiani and Emily V. Gordon, “Dear Basketball” writer Kobe Bryant, “Mudbound” actress/songwriter Mary J. Blige and “Mudbound” co-writers Dee Rees (who also directed the movie) and Virgil Williams.

Latinos were represented with nominations for “The Shape of Water” writer/director/producer Guillermo del Toro, “Coco” songwriter Robert Lopez and “Ferdinand” director Carlos Saldanha. Despite the noticeable changes in diversity among Oscar nominees in several categories, there are two categories that usually have all-male nominees that continued that lack of diversity again this year: Best Original Score and Best Visual Effects.

Here is the complete list of nominations for the 2018 Academy Awards:

Best Picture

“Call Me by Your Name” (Producers: Peter Spears, Luca Guadagnino, Emilie Georges and Marco Morabito)

“Darkest Hour” (Producers: Tim Bevan, Eric Fellner, Lisa Bruce, Anthony McCarten and Douglas Urbanski)

“Dunkirk” (Producers: Emma Thomas and Christopher Nolan)

“Get Out” (Producers: Sean McKittrick, Jason Blum, Edward H. Hamm Jr. and Jordan Peele)

“Lady Bird” (Producers: Scott Rudin, Eli Bush and Evelyn O’Neill)

“Phantom Thread” (Producers: JoAnne Sellar, Paul Thomas Anderson, Megan Ellison and Daniel Lupi)

“The Post” (Producers: Amy Pascal, Steven Spielberg and Kristie Macosko Krieger)

“The Shape of Water” (Producers: Guillermo del Toro and J. Miles Dale)

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin and Martin McDonagh)

Best Actor

Timothée Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name”
Daniel Day-Lewis, “Phantom Thread”
Daniel Kaluuya, “Get Out”
Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour”
Denzel Washington, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”

Best Actress

Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water”
Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya”
Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird”
Meryl Streep, “The Post”

Best Supporting Actor

Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project”
Woody Harrelson, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Richard Jenkins, “The Shape of Water”
Christopher Plummer, “All the Money in the World”
Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”

Best Supporting Actress

Mary J. Blige, “Mudbound”
Allison Janney, “I, Tonya”
Lesley Manville, “Phantom Thread”
Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”
Octavia Spencer, “The Shape of Water”

Best Director

Paul Thomas Anderson, “Phantom Thread”
Guillermo del Toro, “The Shape of Water”
Great Gerwig, “Lady Bird”
Christopher Nolan, “Dunkirk”
Jordan Peele, “Get Out”

Best Adapted Screenplay

“Call Me by Your Name,” James Ivory
“The Disaster Artist,” Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber
“Logan,” Scott Frank, James Mangold and Michael Green
“Molly’s Game,” Aaron Sorkin
“Mudbound,” Virgil Williams and Dee Rees

Best Original Screenplay

“The Big Sick,” Emily V. Gordon and Kumail Nanjiani
“Get Out,” Jordan Peele
“Lady Bird,” Greta Gerwig
“The Shape of Water,” Guillermo del Toro, Vanessa Taylor
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Martin McDonagh

Best Animated Feature

“The Boss Baby,” Tom McGrath and Ramsey Naito
“The Breadwinner,” Nora Twomey and Anthony Leo
“Coco,” Lee Unkrich and Darla K. Anderson
“Ferdinand,” Carlos Saldanha
“Loving Vincent,” Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman and Ivan Mactaggart

Best Animated Short

“Dear Basketball,” Glen Keane and Kobe Bryant
“Garden Party,”Victor Caire and Gabriel Grapperon
“Lou,” Dave Mullins and Dana Murray
“Negative Space,” Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata
“Revolting Rhymes,” Jakob Schuh and Jan Lachauer

Best Cinematography

“Blade Runner 2049,” Roger Deakins
“Darkest Hour,” Bruno Delbonnel
“Dunkirk,” Hoyte van Hoytema
“Mudbound,” Rachel Morrison
“The Shape of Water,” Dan Laustsen

Best Documentary Feature

“Abacus: Small Enough to Jail,” Steve James, Mark Mitten and Julie Goldman
“Faces Places,” Agnès Varda, JR and Rosalie Varda
“Icarus,” Bryan Fogel and Dan Cogan
“Last Men in Aleppo,” Feras Fayyad, Kareem Abeed and Søren Steen Jespersen
“Strong Island,” Yance Ford and Joslyn Barnes

Best Documentary Short Subject

“Edith+Eddie,” Laura Checkoway and Thomas Lee Wright
“Heaven is a Traffic Jam on the 405,” Frank Stiefel
“Heroin(e),” Elaine McMillion Sheldon and Kerrin Sheldon
“Knife Skills,” Thomas Lennon
“Traffic Stop,” Kate Davis and David Heilbroner

Best Live Action Short Film

“DeKalb Elementary,” Reed Van Dyk
“The Eleven O’Clock,” Derin Seale and Josh Lawson
“My Nephew Emmett,” Kevin Wilson Jr.
“The Silent Child,” Chris Overton and Rachel Shenton
“Watu Wote/All of Us,” Katja Benrath and Tobias Rosen

Best Foreign Language Film

“A Fantastic Woman” (Chile)
“The Insult” (Lebanon)
“Loveless” (Russia)
“On Body and Soul (Hungary)
“The Square” (Sweden)

Best Film Editing

“Baby Driver,” Jonathan Amos, Paul Machliss
“Dunkirk,” Lee Smith
“I, Tonya,” Tatiana S. Riegel
“The Shape of Water,” Sidney Wolinsky
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Jon Gregory

Best Sound Editing

“Dunkirk,” Alex Gibson, Richard King
“Baby Driver,” Julian Slater
“Blade Runner 2049,” Mark Mangini, Theo Green
“The Shape of Water,” Nathan Robitaille
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Ren Klyce, Matthew Wood

Best Sound Mixing

“Baby Driver,” Mary H. Ellis, Julian Slater, Tim Cavagin
“Blade Runner 2049,” Mac Ruth, Ron Bartlett, Doug Hephill
“Dunkirk,” Mark Weingarten, Gregg Landaker, Gary A. Rizzo
“The Shape of Water,” Glen Gauthier, Christian Cooke, Brad Zoern
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Stuart Wilson, Ren Klyce, David Parker, Michael Semanick

Best Production Design

“Beauty and the Beast” Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“Blade Runner 2049″ Production Design: Dennis Gassner; Set Decoration: Alessandra Querzola
“Darkest Hour” Production Design: Sarah Greenwood; Set Decoration: Katie Spencer
“Dunkirk” Production Design: Nathan Crowley; Set Decoration: Gary Fettis
“The Shape of Water” Production Design: Paul Denham Austerberry; Set Decoration: Shane Vieau and Jeff Melvin

Best Original Score

“Dunkirk,” Hans Zimmer
“Phantom Thread,” Jonny Greenwood
“The Shape of Water,” Alexandre Desplat
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” John Williams
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri,” Carter Burwell

Best Original Song

“Mighty River” from “Mudbound,” Mary J. Blige
“Mystery of Love” from “Call Me by Your Name,” Sufjan Stevens
“Remember Me” from “Coco,” Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez
“Stand Up for Something” from “Marshall,” Diane Warren, Common
“This Is Me” from “The Greatest Showman,” Benj Pasek, Justin Paul

Best Makeup and Hair

“Darkest Hour,” Kazuhiro Tsuji, David Malinowski, Lucy Sibbick
“Victoria and Abdul,” Daniel Phillips, Lou Sheppard
“Wonder,” Arjen Tuiten

Best Costume Design

“Beauty and the Beast,” Jacqueline Durran
“Darkest Hour,” Jacqueline Durran
“Phantom Thread,” Mark Bridges
“The Shape of Water,” Luis Sequeira
“Victoria and Abdul,” Consolata Boyle

Best Visual Effects

“Blade Runner 2049,” John Nelson, Paul Lambert, Richard R. Hoover, Gerd Nefzer
“Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” Christopher Townsend, Guy Williams, Jonathan Fawkner, Dan Sudick
“Kong: Skull Island,” Stephen Rosenbaum, Jeff White, Scott Benza, Mike Meinardus
“Star Wars: The Last Jedi,” Ben Morris, Mike Mulholland, Chris Corbould, Neal Scanlon
“War for the Planet of the Apes,” Joe Letteri, Dan Lemmon, Daniel Barrett, Joel Whist

Here’s a look at the movies that received more than one nomination for the 2018 Academy Awards:

Richard Jenkins and Sally Hawkins in “The Shape of Water” (Photo by Kerry Hayes)

Daniel Kaluuya in “Get Out” (Photo by courtesy of Universal Pictures)

Sam Rockwell and Frances McDormand in “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” (Photo by Merrick Morton)

Ryan Gosling in “Blade Runner 2049” (Photo by Stephen Vaughan)

Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf in “Lady Bird” (Photo by Merie Wallace)

Gary Oldman in “Darkest Hour” (Photo courtesy of Focus Features)

Kenneth Branagh in “Dunkirk” (Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon)

Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep in “The Post” (Photo by Niko Tavernise)

Daniel Day-Lewis and Lesley Manville in “Phantom Thread” (Photo by Laurie Sparham/Focus Features)

John Boyega and Gwendoline Christie in “Star Wars: The Last Jedi” (Photo courtesy of Lucasfilm)

Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer in “Call Me by Your Name” (Photo by Sayombhu Mukdeeprom/Sony Pictures Classics)

A still from “Coco” (Photo courtesy of Disney•Pixar.)

Mary J. Blige in “Mudbound” (Photo courtesy of Netflix)

Judi Dench and Ali Fazal in “Victoria and Abdul” (Photo by Peter Mountain/Focus Features)

Margot Robbie in “I, Tonya” (Photo courtesy of Neon)

Lily James and Ansel Elgort in “Baby Driver” (Photo by Wilson Webb)

Emma Watson and Dan Stevens in “Beauty and the Beast” (Photo courtesy of Disney Enterprises)

2018 Kitten Bowl: Hallmark Channel brings event to Super Bowl Live at Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis

January 22, 2018

Two-Tone Jones in “Kitten Bowl V” (Photo courtesy of Hallmark Channel)

The following is a press release from Hallmark Channel:

Hallmark Channel, America’s favorite family-friendly cable television network, is recreating Kitten Bowl live in the Dayton Building of Nicollet Mall as part of the 10-day Super Bowl Live experience in Minneapolis, MN. Nearly 100 furry “cat-letes” will take the field over a 10-day period to see which team will be crowned Feline Football League champions and take home the coveted Hissman Trophy. This year’s show is truly unique as is it includes back stories about the rescues of some of the Cat-letes – including many from the devastation of Hurricane Irma. Viewers will also see some of kittens find their forever homes, on-set, at the end of the show. Kitten Bowl is part of Super Bowl Live from Friday, January 26 at 4 p.m. Central Time and through Sunday, February 4 at 3 p.m.

Fans coming to Kitten Bowl Live Presented by Hallmark Channel will be greeted by a life-like version of Rodney Peete, former NFL great and current Kitten Bowl play-by-play announcer, in the broadcast booth.

Rodney Peete and his wife, Holly Robinson Peete, stars of Hallmark Channel’s new family reality series “Meet the Peets” will make appearances on NFL Radio Row, January 31 (2-6 p.m.), February 1 (8 a.m.Noon), and February 2 (8 a.m.-Noon), and host media at Kitten Bowl Presented by Hallmark Channel at Nicollet Mall, January 31 (8 a.m. -Noon), February 1 (2-6 p.m.), February 2 (2-6 p.m.).

Fans will tour the Purr-king Lot for pre-game tailgating and the locker room where kittens chill before hitting the field.

Next, it’s on to Hallmark Channel Stadium to see kittens claw out a victory as the felines show off their best Stefon Diggs catches and leaps through the goal posts for extra points.

Fans will memorialize the experience at the Paws of Fame Trophy Room and capture a photo worthy of social sharing in front of the MVK (“Most Valuable Kitten”) Wall. Snap a photo with former greats of the game: Tomcat Brady, Tabby Romo, Mew Brees, Joe Montuna, and more.

Kitten Bowl is an entertainment program produced by Hallmark Channel to bring awareness to the plight of homeless animals and to show the most beautiful animals in the world are available for adoption from your own local shelter.

The final stop on the tour is the Adoption Ever After room which features shelter pets from Minneapolis and surrounding areas who need a loving and forever home. A simple act of adoption helps to clear the shelters. Kittens on the field are provided by North Shore Animal League America and all furry players are available to be adopted.

For those who cannot make it to Minnesota there are 500 Kitten Bowl parties at local shelters all across the country. To find a Kitten Bowl Party near you go to www.hallmarkchannel/kitten-bowl. Have fun and do good! Come to the Kitten Bowl Presented by Hallmark Channel, January 26 – February 4. You just might bring home the love of your life.

“Kitten Bowl V,” a three-hour original special premieres on Hallmark Channel, Sunday, February 4 (Noon and 3 p.m. ET/PT).

Kitten Bowl host Beth Stern — “Kitten Bowl” host Beth Stern (Photo courtesy of Hallmark Channel)

The following is a press release from Hallmark Channel:

January 13, 2018

Hallmark Channel brings “Kitten Bowl V” on the road to Super Bowl LII as a major activation hosted in Minneapolis, Minnesota for ten days leading up to the day of the big game. The announcement was made today as part of Crown Media Family Networks’ TV Critics Association Winter Press Tour. Beginning Friday, January 26th through Sunday, February 4th, guests taking part in all the excitement surrounding the Super Bowl can celebrate Kitten Bowl, the nation’s most beloved rescue pet adoption event of the year. Fans who visit will see kittens compete on the field at Hallmark Channel Stadium, tailgate in the purr-king lot, tour the Paws of Fame trophy room, take a photo with the Hissman trophy and share their memories via social media. Guests will even be able to take home a souvenir: an official pack of “Kitten Bowl” trading cards. The major component of the activation is to support Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After campaign and, with the help of North Shore Animal League America, kittens will be available for adoption on site.

“Bringing ‘Kitten Bowl’ to the Super Bowl is a dream come true. We have seen the franchise grow tremendously in support of animal adoption over time, evolving from entertainment into America’s most beloved national rescue pet adoption event,” said Bill Abbott, President and CEO, Crown Media Family Networks. “This is the first time Hallmark Channel will have a major media presence at the Super Bowl and the activation of ‘Kitten Bowl V’ will help elevate the network’s Adoption Ever After initiative of finding all animals forever homes.” The presence among the NFL and Super Bowl LII leads in to the kick-off of “Kitten Bowl V” premiering exclusively on the network, Sunday, February 4 (12 p.m. Eastern Time/Pacific Time). The 2018 version of “Kitten Bowl” features countless displaced kittens rescued from some of the country’s recent natural disasters of 2017, all of whom will be vying for the National Championship of Feline Football trophy – and a loving, forever home in which to display it.

TV personality, author and animal advocate Beth Stern hosts this year’s television event. Stern embodies the spirit of adoption in her everyday life, having fostered countless animals in need. Stern’s tireless, year-round efforts to find homes for animals makes her a synergistic fit to lead the charge for “Kitten Bowl V,” truly a super day of adorable pets. On the day of the big game, four-time Pro Bowl quarterback and Feline Football League Commissioner Boomer Esiason calls the play-by-play action making “Kitten Bowl V” super Sunday’s MUST-SEE viewing party. Hallmark Channel’s Dean Cain, Alison Sweeney and former NFL star Rodney Peete, animal lovers and adoption advocates, provide commentary throughout the event, in addition to heartwarming adoption stories.

North Shore Animal League America and Last Hope Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation rescued the 2018 team. “Kitten Bowl” is part of Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After pet initiative, which highlights the plight of homeless animals and the joys rescued and adopted pets bring into our lives.

2018 Screen Actors Guild Awards: ‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ is the top winner

January 21, 2018

by Carla Hay

“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” co-stars Sam Rockwell, Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018.
(Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

With three awards, the crime drama “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” was the top winner of the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Awards. The ceremony took place at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. TBS and TNT had the live U.S. telecast of the show (at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT), which was hosted by Kristen Bell. It was the first time that the SAG Awards had a host.

“Three Billboards” won the prizes for Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture; Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role (for Frances McDormand); and Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role (for Sam Rockwell).

TV shows that won two awards each were “This Is Us,” “Big Little Lies” and “Veep.” Morgan Freeman received the Life Achievement Award at the show. He received the award from his former “Electric Company” co-star Rita Moreno, who was presented the same award by Freeman in 2014.

For the first time in SAG Awards history, all of the presenters who handed out the awards at the show were female. However, men weren’t left completely out, since individual cast members of both sexes from SAG-nominated movie introduced their films. Presenters at the award show included Halle Berry, Mandy Moore, Goldie Hawn, Kate Hudson, Brie Larson, Niecy Nash, Olivia Munn, Rosanna Arquette, Gabrielle Carteris, Maya Rudolph, Molly Shannon, Dakota Fanning, Lupita Nyong’o, Gina Rodriguez, Emma Stone, Laura Linney, Marisa Tomei, Connie Britton, Megan Mullally, Leslie Mann, Sarah Silverman, Kelly Marie Tran.

From SAG-nominated movie casts, the presenters were McDormand, Rockwell and Woody Harrelson from “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”; Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf from “Lady Bird”; Daniel Kaluuya and Allison Williams from “Get Out”; Mary J. Blige and Jason Clarke from “Mudbound”; and Kumail Nanjiani, Holly Hunter and Ray Romano from “The Big Sick.”

Prior to the televised ceremony, the honorees for outstanding action performances by film and television stunt ensembles were announced during the SAG Awards Red Carpet Pre-Show webcast.

Two nominating panels—one for television and one for film—each composed of 2,500 randomly selected SAG-AFTRA union members from across the United States chose this year’s nominees.

The SAG Awards and Golden Globe Awards are considered the best predictors of who and what will get nominated for Oscars and Emmys. Both award shows tend to have many of the same nominees, especially in the movie categories. However, the SAG Awards (which are voted for by SAG-AFTRA members) and Golden Globe Awards (which are voted for the by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association) can still have enough differences in their respective nominations to set them apart from each other.

The cast of “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Rita Moreno and Morgan Freeman at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

The cast of “This Is Us” at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Halle Berry at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“Darkest Hour” winner Gary Oldman at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

:This Is Us” winner Sterling K. Brown at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

2018 SAG Awards host Kristen Bell at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“Lady Bird” co-stars Saoirse Ronan and Laurie Metcalf at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

“Black-sh” co-stars Tracee Ellis Ross and Anthony Anderson at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

“I, Tonya” winner Allison Janney at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

“Stranger Things” co-stars Millie Bobby Brown, Winona Ryder and David Harbour at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images)

“The Big Sick” team members Kumail Nanjiani, Judd Apatow and Emily V. Gordon at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

James Franco at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images)

“Big Little Lies” co-stars Reese Withersppoon and Nicole Kidman at the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on January 21, 2018. (Photo by Christopher Polk/Getty Images)

Here is the complete list of nominations for the 2018 SAG Awards:

*=winner

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURES

Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture

“The Big Sick”
“Get Out”
“Lady Bird”
“Mudbound”
“Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”*

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role

Timothee Chalamet, “Call Me by Your Name”
James Franco, “The Disaster Artist”
Daniel Kaluuya, “Get Out”
Gary Oldman, “Darkest Hour”*
Denzel Washington, “Roman J. Israel, Esq.”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role

Judi Dench, “Victoria & Abdul”
Sally Hawkins, “The Shape of Water”
Frances McDormand, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”*
Margot Robbie, “I, Tonya”
Saoirse Ronan, “Lady Bird”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role

Steve Carell, “Battle of the Sexes”
Willem Dafoe, “The Florida Project”
Woody Harrelson,”Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”
Richard Jenkins, “The Shape of Water”
Sam Rockwell, “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri”*

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role

Mary J. Blige, “Mudbound”
Hong Chau, “Downsizing”
Holly Hunter, “The Big Sick”
Allison Janney, “I, Tonya”*
Laurie Metcalf, “Lady Bird”

TELEVISION

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series

“The Crown”
“Game of Thrones”
“The Handmaid’s Tale”
“Stranger Things”
“This Is Us”*

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series

Jason Bateman, “Ozark”
Sterling K. Brown, “This Is Us”*
Peter Dinklage, “Game of Thrones”
David Harbour, “Stranger Things”
Bob Odenkirk, “Better Call Saul”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series

Millie Bobby Brown, “Stranger Things”
Claire Foy, “The Crown”*
Laura Linney, “Ozark”
Elisabeth Moss, “The Handmaid’s Tale”
Robin Wright, “House of Cards”

Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

“Black-ish”
“Curb Your Enthusiasm”
“GLOW”
“Orange Is the New Black”
“Veep”*

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson, “Black-ish”
Aziz Ansari, “Master of None”
Larry David, “Curb Your Enthusiasm”
Sean Hayes, “Will & Grace”
William H. Macy, “Shameless”*
Marc Maron, “GLOW”

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series

Uzo Aduba, “Orange Is the New Black”
Alison Brie, “GLOW”
Jane Fonda, “Grace and Frankie”
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, “Veep”*
Lily Tomlin, “Grace and Frankie”

Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Benedict Cumberbatch, “Sherlock”
Jeff Daniels, “Godless”
Robert De Niro, “The Wizard of Lies”
Geoffrey Rush, “Genius”
Alexander Skarsgard, “Big Little Lies”*

Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Miniseries

Laura Dern, “Big Little Lies”
Nicole Kidman, “Big Little Lies”*
Jessica Lange, “Feud: Bette & Joan”
Susan Sarandon, “Feud: Bette & Joan”
Reese Witherspoon, “Big Little Lies”

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Comedy or Drama Series

“Game of Thrones”*
“GLOW”
“Homeland”
“Stranger Things”
“The Walking Dead”

Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture

“Baby Driver”
“Dunkirk”
“Logan”
“War for The Planet of the Apes”
“Wonder Woman”*

Gerard Butler and 50 Cent play a dangerous game of cops and robbers in ‘Den of Thieves’

January 19, 2018

by Carla Hay

Gerard Butler and 50 Cent at the New York City press junket for “Den of Thieves” (Photo by Carla Hay)

In the gritty crime drama “Den of Thieves” (written and directed by Christian Gudegast), an elite unit of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department named the Regulators is on a mission to bust an elusive gang of bank robbers called the Outlaws. Gerard Butler plays “Big” Nick O’Brien, the leader of the Regulators, whose rule-bending ways to get what he wants blur the lines between who are the “good guys” and who are the “bad guys.” Pablo Schreiber plays Ray Merriman, the leader of the Outlaws, whose crew members include Enson Levoux (played by Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson), Bosco Ostroman (played by Evan Jones) and Donnie Wilson, played by O’Shea Jackson Jr. Here is what Butler and 50 Cent had to say during a roundtable interview with me and other journalists at the New York City press junket for “Den of Thieves.”

When did you first hear about “Den of Thieves” and how were you cast?

50 Cent: I read the script for the first time six years ago. I met Christian [Gudegast] … and he had an idea of what he wanted the film to look like already. Remember “Smokin’ Aces,” with the bright colors. That was the initial look of the [“Den of Thieves”]. I wanted to be in that because I wanted to be in “Smokin’ Aces” too.

When I got a chance to read the [“Den of Thieves”] script, I thought it wasn’t predictable. I can appreciate a heist film, particularly the action excites me. And then it had a whole feel where there was more to the characters. A lot of times in a heist film, it’s just the film.

Butler: I read the script way back then as well. I was good friends with Christian, and we were already working on a few projects, some of which he had already written. In the middle of this, he said, “I have this script I want you to read called ‘Den of Thieves.’” It was actually back in 2012.

It was at time when I think I had just finished “Olympus Has Fallen,” and I was being very lazy with scripts. I let it sit there for three months. I had two scripts. My agent kept asking me, “Have you read ‘Den of Thieves’ and have you read this other movie?” I said, “No, I haven’t read it.” And I finally read it, and So I called my him and said, “This is so good! Why didn’t you tell me?” He said, “I have been telling you for three months to read the script!”

Even though I was good friends with Christian, I found myself being nervous when I went to see him. Originally, he wanted me to play Merriman. I love the role of Merriman. [He’s like] Steve McQueen, as he doesn’t say much, but he’s so captivating. But “Big” Nick was my guy, and I knew that was the role that I had to try and score and really get my head into. So I went, and I found myself getting nervous and stuttering. And so, from that day, he said, “You want ‘Big’ Nick? ‘Big’ Nick is yours.”

But the problem after that was that it took a while for the movie to get made. It was with a certain company, and they weren’t doing particularly well. The second they got out of the picture, we were ready to make the movie. And it all just unfolded, and we got a chance to tell this incredible story.

Gerard, you mentioned that you were nervous about meeting with Christian to talk about the script, but people have seen you do a lot of badass action films before. Why were you nervous? Was it because the character was hard to read?

Butler: No, it was just complete immaturity on my part. The second I like something, I get nervous. Human nature. I just really wanted to do it. And suddenly, the negative part of my head starts saying, “Oh, I’m sure Christian probably has somebody else in mind for the role.

But what it literally turned out to be was six years of us talking about. When you try to make a movie, it doesn’t mean that you’re trying to make it every day; it comes back around every few months Christian and I had so many dinners where we would sit and talk about this movie and what “Big” Nick and what he meant.

And I remember Tucker Tooley, who’s one of our producers, said, “You and Christian have talked this movie to death.” I said, “I don’t remember! It’s been six years of these discussions!” But sure enough, I did remember. I would get so amped up.

He’s made such a great movie. Christian’s such a fantastic director. He explains things to you because he understands. That’s one of the reasons why the script is so great, because the way he describes things in the script, you’re there. It’s actually very easy to perform because he leads you so beautifully.

One time, he was explaining to me this particular part of the story about “Big” Nick, and we were in Benihana, sitting and talking. [Christian] said to me, “See the way you’re holding that glass? That’s ‘Big’ Nick.” The more I would talk to him, the more I would start to get into ‘Big’ Nick. I then started eating what I thought was raw fish, and I’m eating the whole plate.

I’m chewing and thinking, “This is quite chewy for raw fish.” I’ve been doing it for about 40 minutes, and when I’m on my second plate, he said, “What the fuck are you doing? That’s chicken.” I had eaten two plates of raw chicken, which was supposed to be cooked [at the table]. When the chef came to start cooking it, he was like, “Where’s the chicken?” I had eaten it all, being “Big” Nick!

How do you prefer to be prompted in your scenes by directors?

50 Cent: I like for them to know what they’re asking me to do. Sometimes, the director will give notes, or they’ll explain it, and it won’t be as informative as you’d like them to be. Make an adjustment, fine. But please let me know exactly what the adjustment is. The guys get into the roles so well … We trained ahead for two weeks. The physicalities and movements were all down pat by the time we got there …

I’d sit at the monitor and watch … So I was watching the movie instead of being in it. I was having so much fun at the same time. I appear to be a workaholic because I’m enjoying myself. We made it fun. We were enjoying ourselves the entire time, but it is still technically work.

Butler: What was amazing was that every single person who was cast in this film is the ultimate alpha male. If you look at this man here [he gestures to 50 Cent] and me, Pablo, O’Shea—we’re all big guys with a lot to say. And yet, you couldn’t see guys bond more in this movie, and everybody having a great time together, and treating each other with a lot of respect, and giving their all. So it was a lot of fun.

Then you had Christian, who—even though it was his first time directing a movie—the guy’s a master. It was like he had done it a thousand times. What I loved about him is that he loved to see people experiment—anything we did that was different.

I was actually the boring one, in a way. I was like, “We already have a long script. We already have a phenomenal script. Sometimes, let’s not have people experiment too much, and get too far away from I know works great on the page.” But I love that he had the confidence to encourage us to do that.

50 Cent: A lot of times, writer/directors, especially on their first time, they fall in love with their words because they spend so much time on it. For six years, we kept going over it. When you write a song, it has your instincts involved … and it could be done in 30 minutes and ready for the world to listen to it.

With a film project, they write it over and over … until they try to make it perfect. When you actually start doing it, your performance choices allow you to make more adjustments … That’s what Christian did really well—he actually watched and listened and gave directions at different points that allowed us to make it great.

How important do you think it is to make your characters more likeable?

50 Cent: I think that it’s important to this story, how the characters have been developed and how you perceive the character. Sometimes I’ll play a guy who is so nasty. Like in the “Power” series, I play Kanan. Less is more. If you don’t see him love anything, you don’t have compassion for him; he’s a monster. If [audiences] don’t see things they can relate to, they don’t accept the character.

Butler: I think that a lot of the most memorable characters are the ones who are messed up. They’re discolored or a bit lost; they can be venomous or bullies. There are a million different colors you can have. I think you can judge that and put it against an audience but make sure you don’t judge and step too far, because there are certain things a character can do where you can lose an audience, and you don’t want to do that. And that was the danger with my [“Big” Nick] character with his unfaithfulness and coming home late in the house. He’s still the lead character and the protagonist and you want to be on his side somewhat

But you can also give truthful assertion of who he is. He’s a cop, and at the end of the day, he’s trying to bring down the bad guys, but that involves some low-life activity. And he’s made the decision that “If I’ve got to beat the worst, I’ve got to be the worst. I’ve got to be worse than them. I’ve got to eat those guys up.”

And that takes a toll on your life, you know? That’s what comes out. A lot of Nick is just playing at being a bad guy. At the end of the day, he’s kind of a big kid. And sometimes, in those moments alone, you realize that he really finds it hard.

Is he a classic definition of what it means to be a man? He’s not a man. He’s a terrible father. He’s a terrible husband. He’s not necessarily a man of his word. However, he’s good at his job, he’s loyal amongst his friends. But other than that, he’s an addict, he’s full of fear, and he’s such a damaged human being. And then at times, it comes up and bites him in the ass. And in the end., he’s just a scared kid.

Pablo Schreiber, Curtis Jackson, Evan Jones and O’Shea Jackson in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Gerard Butler and writer/director Christian Gudegast on the set of “Den Of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Gerard Butler in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Pablo Schreiber in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Gerard Butler and Maurice Compte in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Gerard Butler and Kaiwi Lyman in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Writer/director Christian Gudegast on the set of “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

O’Shea Jackson Jr. in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Pablo Schreiber and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

O’Shea Jackson Jr. and Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Pablo Schreiber, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson and Evan Jones in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Mo McRae in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

Brian Van Holt in “Den of Thieves” (Photo courtesy of STX)

2018 Grammy Awards: Paul Shaffer to host pre-telecast ceremony streaming live

January 18, 2018

The following is a press release from the Recording Academy:

The 60th Grammy Awards Premiere Ceremony will take place at The Theater at Madison Square Garden on Sunday, January 28, 2018, from 3–6 p.m. ET and will be streamed live internationally via Gramyy.com/live and CBS.com. Preceding the 60th Annual Grammy Awards telecast, the Premiere Ceremony will feature performances by current Grammy nominees Body Count, India.Arie, Jazzmeia Horn, Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’, and Stile Antico. Singer, composer, and instrumentalist Paul Shaffer will host the ceremony and will serve as musical director while his World’s Most Dangerous Band will serve as the house band.

Presenting the first Grammy Awards of the day in approximately 70 categories will be current Grammy nominees Zac Brown, Natalie Grant and Bernie Herms, Ledisi, Lisa Loeb, and Neil deGrasse Tyson, and former Recording Academy™ Chair Jimmy Jam.

The live stream of the Premiere Ceremony will remain on Grammy.com as video on demand for 90 days following the event. The 60th Annual Grammy Awards will be broadcast live following the Premiere Ceremony on the CBS Television Network from 7:30–11 p.m. ET/4:30–8 p.m. PT. For Grammy coverage, updates and breaking news, please visit the Recording Academy’s social networks on Facebook and Twitter.

Ledisi is nominated for three awards this year: Best R&B Performance (“High”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“All The Way”), and Best R&B Album (Let Love Rule); Body Count, Zac Brown, Natalie Grant, Bernie Herms, India.Arie, Jazzemia Horn, Lisa Loeb, Taj Mahal & Keb Mo’, Stile Antico, and Neil deGrasse Tyson all have one nomination this year. Body Count for Best Metal Performance (“Black Hoodie”); Brown, with the Zac Brown Band, for Best Country Duo/Group Performance (“My Old Man”); Grant for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“Clean”); Herms for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song (“Oh My Soul”); Horn for Best Jazz Vocal Album (A Social Call); India.Arie for Best New Age Album (SongVersation: Medicine); Loeb with Nine Stories for Best Children’s Album (Feel What U Feel); Taj Mahal & Keb’ Mo’ for Best Contemporary Blues Album (TajMo); Stile Antico for Best Chamber Music/Small Ensemble Performance (Divine Theatre—Sacred Motets By Giaches De Wert); and Tyson for Best Spoken Word Album (Astrophysics For People In A Hurry.)

About the Recording Academy

The Recording Academy represents the voices of performers, songwriters, producers, engineers, and all music professionals. Dedicated to ensuring the recording arts remain a thriving part of our shared cultural heritage, the Academy honors music’s history while investing in its future through the Grammy Museum, advocates on behalf of music creators, supports music people in times of need through MusiCares®, and celebrates artistic excellence through the GRAMMY Awards—music’s only peer-recognized accolade and highest achievement. As the world’s leading society of music professionals, we work year-round to foster a more inspiring world for creators. For more information about the Academy, please visit www.grammy.com. For breaking news and exclusive content, follow @RecordingAcad on Twitter, “like” Recording Academy on Facebook, and join the Recording Academy’s social communities on Instagram, Tumblr, and YouTube.

2018 Santa Barbara International Film Festival: programming announced

January 18, 2018

The following is a press release from the Santa Barbara International Film Festival:

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF), presented by UGG^®, announced today the highly anticipated lineup for the 33rd edition, which will run Jan. 31 to Feb. 10, 2018. The festival will offer a vast array of films representing 58 countries, 45 world premieres, and 53 U.S. premieres, along with tributes with the year’s top talent, panel discussions, and free community education and outreach programs.

OPENING NIGHT

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hqDUmVVfVWM

SBIFF 2018 will kick off the festival on Wednesday, Jan. 31, at the historic Arlington Theatre with the world premiere of the public, written and directed by Emilio Estevez, starring Estevez, Alec Baldwin, Jena Malone, Christian Slater, Taylor Schilling, Che “Rhymefest” Smith, Gabrielle Union, Jacob Vargas, Michael K. Williams, and Jeffrey Wright. The Opening Night Film is presented by Belvedere Vodka.

What begins as a nonviolent Occupy sit-in and ragtag act of civil disobedience quickly escalates into a standoff with local riot police, a no-nonsense crisis negotiator, and a savvy DA with lofty political ambitions.
Amidst dropping temperatures and flaring tempers on both sides of the lockdown, uncertainty looms around how the situation can be resolved without resorting to violence, while law enforcement officials and local media spin the facts to serve their own political agendas.

This David vs. Goliath story puts the spotlight on some of our nation’s most challenging issues: homelessness, mental illness, and drug addiction, and sets the drama inside one of our last bastions of democracy-in-action: your public library.

Following the film, the Opening Night Gala, sponsored by Amazon Studios, will take place in the beautiful outdoor Paseo Nuevo Shops and Restaurants in downtown Santa Barbara. It will feature entertainment, food, libations, and a chance to celebrate the start of the 33^rd SBIFF.

CLOSING NIGHT

The Festival will close Saturday, Feb. 10 at the Arlington Theatre with a to-be-announced film. The Closing Night Film is sponsored by Winchester Mystery House.

Following the film, the 33^rd SBIFF will end with a final celebration at the Closing Night Party sponsored by Amazon Studios.

THE TRIBUTES

SBIFF has become an important showcase for Academy Award frontrunners, many of whom have arrived as nominees and gone on to win the Oscar. The 33^rd SBIFF proudly celebrates some of the year’s finest work in film.

● Willem Dafoe will receive the Cinema Vanguard Award sponsored by Bella Vista Designs on Thursday, Feb. 1.

● Gary Oldman will receive the Maltin Modern Master Award, moderated by longtime friend, film historian, and award namesake Leonard Maltin on Friday, Feb. 2.

● The Virtuosos Award, presented by UGG^®, will be awarded to Daniel Kaluuya (Get Out), Gal Gadot (Wonder Woman), Hong Chau (Downsizing), John Boyega (Detroit), Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick), Mary J. Blige (Mudbound), and Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name) on Saturday Feb. 3, moderated by Dave Karger.

● Saoirse Ronan will receive the Santa Barbara Award, presented by UGG^®, on Sunday, Feb. 4.

● The Variety Artisans Awards, sponsored by Variety, will take place on Monday, Feb. 5, and will be moderated by Tim Gray. Honorees to be announced.

● The Outstanding Directors of the Year Award, sponsored by The Hollywood Reporter, will be Tuesday, Feb. 6. Honorees to be announced.

● Sam Rockwell will receive the American Riviera Award, sponsored by Bright Event Rentals, on Wednesday, Feb. 7.

All tributes take place at the historic Arlington Theatre with the exception of the Variety Artisans Award which will be at the Lobero Theatre, presented by Toyota Mirai.

THE PANELS

SBIFF has become renowned for creating smart, insightful panels that feature a who’s who in the world of filmmaking, including many Oscar contenders.

● Producers Panel will be on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 10 a.m., moderated by Glenn Whipp.

● Writers Panel will be on Saturday, Feb. 3 at 1 p.m., moderated by Anne Thompson.

● Women’s Panel will be on Sunday, Feb. 4 at 11 a.m., moderated by Madelyn Hammond.

All panels take place at the Lobero Theatre, presented by Toyota Mirai. Panelists to be announced.

THE JURY

Films in several of the Festival’s film categories are in competition. These categories are viewed by a hand-selected group of industry professionals including: Jan Bijvoet, Geoffrey Cowper, Martin Gooch, Simon Helberg, Jesus Lloveras, Alan Marshall, Carol Marshall, Marc Meyers, José Novoa, Artie Schmidt, Leslie Zemeckis, Anthony Zerbe, and Arnette Zerbe. On the last day of the Festival, the award-winning films will be announced at the annual SBIFF awards breakfast.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND FREE SCREENINGS

Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies – Named for renowned nature cinematographer Mike deGruy, Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies uses filmmaking to stimulate creative, confident, and culturally aware thinkers. The program is offered to 4,000 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th grade students from throughout Santa Barbara County, and SBIFF provides free transportation to students from Title I schools. This year SBIFF is thrilled to present the critically acclaimed hit Coco, featuring co-director Adrian Molina, who will participate in a Q&A following the screenings with the students to discuss the craft of animated filmmaking. Sponsored by Montecito Bank & Trust, Patagonia, Santa Barbara Foundation, Union Bank, and Volentine Family Foundation.

Student Film Studies Program – Returning for its fourth year thanks to the generosity of Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin, the national student film studies program will bring 30 undergraduate film students from across the country for a three-day symposium with a focus on film appreciation, criticism, and analysis. Sixty college students in Santa Barbara have the opportunity to take an 11-Day Film Festival course through Santa Barbara City College and Antioch University.

AppleBox Family Films – SBIFF will again screen animated feature frontrunners free to families on the weekends of the Festival with complimentary popcorn and refreshments. This year’s screenings will include Despicable Me 3 (10 a.m. on Feb. 3), Coco (10 a.m. on Feb. 4), and Boss Baby (10 a.m. on Feb. 10). Sponsored by Metropolitan Theatres.

10–10–10 Student Screenwriting and Filmmaking Mentorship and Competition – In October, 20 high school and college screenwriters and filmmakers were accepted after a competitive application process before beginning a series of workshops, a table read, and a casting day. Since then, the ten writer/director teams and their crews have worked with industry mentors to produce short films that will be screened on Saturday, Feb. 10 at 2 p.m. at The Arlington Theatre, with an announcement of the winning scripts and films following the screening. Sponsored by Final Draft Inc. and generously supported by the Riordan Foundation.

Free Public Screenings – SBIFF will again offer critically acclaimed film screenings free to the public at the Lobero Theatre presented by Toyota Mirai everyday throughout the Festival.

Filmmaker Seminars – SBIFF will again present educational seminars that will be free to the public and will take place in the Visit the Santa Ynez Valley Lounge throughout the Festival at 11 a.m.

Super Silent Sunday – On Sunday, Feb. 4, SBIFF will present Charlie Chaplin’s 1931 silent film City Lights at the Arlington Theatre completely free to the public. Live accompaniment will be provided by Adam Aceto on the theatre’s Wonder Morton pipe organ. Super Silent Sunday is sponsored by Winchester Mystery House.

Youth CineMedia – SBIFF presents a documentary film series produced entirely by teens involved in the Youth CineMedia program. Striving to help children transition away from gang life, drugs, and alcohol and into college and careers in music, photography, and video production, the organization offers creative tools, training, and support for underprivileged and at–risk teens. Free to the public with Q&A following on Saturday, Feb. 10.

FOCUS ON SANTA BARBARA

Support Santa Barbara – The community of Santa Barbara extends its heartfelt thanks to the firefighters and first responders whose extraordinary efforts helped protect the Santa Barbara South Coast during the recent Thomas Fire and Flood. We encourage visitors to show their support for area businesses by staying overnight, dining out, shopping and exploring the region’s myriad attractions during the festival.

Santa Barbara Filmmakers – The Santa Barbara filmmaking community continues to captivate and inspire audiences with this year’s impressive lineup. Santa Barbara filmmakers provide a diverse, thought–provoking series of features and shorts.

The “Stand Up” Award sponsored by ADL – The Santa Barbara Tri–Counties Region of the Anti–Defamation League will be sponsoring and presenting the “ADL Stand Up Award” to a dramatic film in the festival that represents an important addition to the efforts of the ADL “to secure justice and fair treatment for all.”

The Social Justice Award sponsored by Pacific Standard — Pacific Standard will be sponsoring and presenting The Social Justice Award to a special film that aligns with their mission to inform audiences on current social, economic, environmental, and political justice issues.

The Tribute Awards were once again specially designed by Santa Barbara’s own Daniel Gibbings Jewelry. The award is inspired by the iconic steeple of Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre, is handcrafted in metal, and is 24 karat gold–plated, with a custom marble base.

33^rd Festival Poster Unveiled – Barbara Boros has designed the SBIFF poster each year for 15 years, this year highlighting the historic Arlington Theatre.

Official Festival Hub – The official festival hub will again be located at Hotel Santa Barbara, returning for their 15^th year as supporters of SBIFF.

2018 FILMS

SBIFF features exciting, culturally enlightening, and entertaining programming and sidebars. 200+ films from around the world will be brought together to form an incredibly unique and diverse festival experience.

Below is the list of features and short films at the 2018 SBIFF. For the complete list of films, synopses, and other special events please visit www.sbiff.org.

23 WORLD PREMIERE FEATURE FILMS (listed alphabetically)

A Sniper’s War, USA, Ukraine, Russia

Directed by Olya Schechter

Acid Horizon, USA

Directed by Ivan Hurzeler

Broke: The Santa Barbara Oil Pipeline Spill of 2015, USA

Directed by Gail Osherenko

Chasing the Thunder, USA

Directed by Mark Benjamin and Marc Levin

The Doctor From India, USA

Directed by Jeremy Frindel

The End of Meat (Eine welt ohne fleisch), Germany

Directed by Marc Pierschel

The Independents, USA

Directed by Greg Naughton

Living in the Futures Past, USA

Directed by Susan Kucera

Making Babies, USA

Directed by Josh Huber

Metamorphosis, Canada

Directed by Nova Ami and Velcrow Ripper

My Indiana Muse, USA

Directed by Ric and Jen Serena

¡Oh Mamy Blue!, Spain

Directed by Antonio Hens

Off the Menu, USA

Directed by Jay Silverman

One Last Night, USA

Directed by Anthony Sabet

the public, USA

Directed by Emilio Estevez

The Push, USA

Directed by Grant Korgan

Scotch: A Golden Dream, USA

Directed by Andrew Peat

Silicon Beach, USA

Directed by Max Gold

Threesome (Le trip à trois), Canada

Directed by Nicolas Monette

Waiting for the Drop: Rise of the Superstar DJs, USA

Directed by Alexei Barrionuevo

The War in Between, USA

Directed by Riccardo Ferraris

We Are Galapagos, USA

Directed by Kum-Kum Bhavnani

The White Orchid, USA

Directed by Steve Anderson

46 U.S. PREMIERE FEATURE FILMS (listed alphabetically)

3 Things (3 ting), Denmark

Directed by Jens Dahl

A Land Without Borders, Israel

Directed by Michael Alalu and Nir Baram

Adventures in Public School, Canada

Directed by Kyle Rideout

Before I Forget (Antes que eu me esqueça), Brazil

Directed by Tiago Arakilian

Beyond – An African Surf Documentary, Austria

Directed by Mario Hainzl

Beyond Dreams (Dröm vidare), Sweden

Directed by Rojda Serkersöz

Big Wata, Netherlands

Directed by Jan Paul Van der Velden

Bingo: The King of the Mornings (Bingo: O rei das manhãs), Brazil

Directed by Daniel Rezende

Black Kite, Canada, Afghanistan

Directed by Tarique Qayumi

The Butterfly Tree, Australia

Directed by Priscilla Cameron

Cardinals, Canada

Directed by Grayson Moore & Aidan Shipley

Catch the Wind (Prendre le large), France

Directed by Gaël Morel

Darling, Denmark

Directed by Birgitte Stærmose

Daybreak (Dita zë fill), Albania

Directed by Gentian Koçi

The Double Lover (L’amant double), France

Directed by François Ozon

Edie, UK

Directed by Simon Hunter

The Eternal Road (Ikitie), Finland

Directed by Antti-Jussi Annila

Euthanizer (Armomurhaaja), Finland

Directed by Teemu Nikki

The Faithful Son (La part sauvage), Belgium

Directed by Guérin van de Vorst

Fence Your Best, Israel

Directed by Liat Mer

Fifty Springtimes (Aurore), France

Directed by Blandine Lenoir

Filthy (Spina), Czech Republic, Slovakia

Directed by Tereza Nvotová

Get the Weed (Misión no oficial), Uruguay

Directed by Denny Brechner, Alfonso Guerrero and Marcos Hecht

Giant (Handia), Spain

Directed by Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi

Grace and Splendor (Donaire y esplendor), Panama

Directed by Arturo Montenegro

Grand Cru, Canada

Directed by David Eng

Guerrero, Mexico

Directed by Ludovic Bonleux

Imposed Piece (Opgelegd Werk), Belgium

Directed by Brecht Vanhoenacker

In Love and In Hate (Los que aman, odian), Argentina

Directed by Alejandro Maci

The Island, Israel

Directed by Adam Weingrod

The Last Suit (El último traje), Argentina

Directed by Pablo Solarz

Maracaibo, Argentina

Directed by Miguel Angel Rocca

Mary Goes Round, Canada

Directed by Molly McGlynn

Meditation Park, Canada

Directed by Mina Shum

Modified, Canada

Directed by Aube Giroux

The Order of Things (L’ordine delle cose), Italy

Directed by Andrea Segre

Sad Hill Unearthed, Spain

Directed by Guillermo de Oliveira

Secret Ingredient (Iscelitel), Greece

Directed by Gjorce Stavreski

Soviet Hippies, Estonia, Germany, Finland

Directed by Terje Toomistu

Sunshine That Can Move Mountains, China

Directed by Qiang Wang

Star Boys (Kaiken se kestää), Sweden

Directed by Visa Koiso-Kanttila

The Swan (Svanurinn), Iceland, Estonia, Germany

Directed by Ása Hjörleifsdóttir

The Unseen (Los últimos), Argentina

Directed by Nicolás Puenzo

Unwanted (T’padashtun), Kosovo, Netherlands

Directed by Edon Rizvanolli

Wall, Canada

Directed by Cam Christiansen

While We Live (Mens vi lever), Denmark

Directed by Mehdi Avaz

NON-PREMIERE FEATURE FILMS (listed alphabetically)

All You Can Eat Buddha, Canada, Cuba

Directed by Ian Lagarde

Angels Wear White (Jia nian hua), China, France

Directed by Vivian Qu

Arrhythmia (Aritmiya), Russia, Finland, Germany

Directed by Boris Khlebnikov

Back to Burgundy (Ce qui nous lie), France

Directed by Cédric Klapisch

Beartrek, USA, Canada, Indonesia, Peru

Directed by Chris Morgan & Joe Pontecorvo

Blue, Australia

Directed by Karina Holden

Borg vs. McEnroe, Sweden, Denmark, Finland

Directed by Janus Metz

Breath (Nafas), Iran

Directed by Narges Abyar

Dirtbag: The Legend of Fred Beckey, USA, Canada, China

Directed by Dave O’Leske

Elish’s Notebooks, Israel

Directed by Golan Rise

The Essential Link – The Story of Wilfred Israel, Israel

Directed by Yonatan Nir

Faces Places (Visages, villages), France

Directed by JR and Agnès Varda

The Future Ahead (El futuro que viene), Argentina

Directed by Constanza Novick

The Gospel According to André, USA

Directed by Kate Novack

Gutland, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium

Directed by Govinda Van Maele

Holy Camp! (La Llamada), Spain

Directed by Javier Ambrossi & Javier Calvo

Hotel Salvation (Mukti Bhawan), India

Directed by Shubhashish Bhutiani

Icarus, USA

Directed by Bryan Fogel

In Syria (Insyriated), Belgium, France, Lebanon

Directed by Philippe Van Leeuw

The Insult (L’insulte), Lebanon

Directed by Ziad Doueiri

Just Like Our Parents, Brazil

Directed by Laís Bodanzky

Killer Bees, USA

Directed by Ben & Orson Cummings

Kim Swims, USA

Directed by Kate Webber

Leaning Into the Wind: Andy Goldsworthy, USA

Directed by Thomas Riedelsheimer

The Line (Čiara), Slovakia, Ukraine

Directed by Peter Bebjak

Love Means Zero, USA

Directed by Jason Kohn

Miracle on 42nd Street, USA

Directed by Alice Elliott

Montana, Israel

Directed by Limor Shmila

Nelson Algren Live, USA

Directed by Oscar Bucher

Oh Lucy!, USA, Japan

Directed by Atsuko Hirayanagi

The Party, USA

Directed by Sally Potter

Point of No Return, USA

Directed by Quinn Kanaly & Noel Dockstader

The Quartette (Kvarteto), Czech Republic

Directed by Miroslav Krobot

Racer and the Jailbird (Le fidèle), Belgium

Directed by Michaël R. Roskam

Scaffolding (Pigumim), Israel, Poland

Directed by Matan Yair

Scary Mother, Georgia, Estonia

Directed by Ana Urushadze

Skid Row Marathon, USA

Directed by Mark Hayes

Sky and Ground, USA, Serbia/Montenegro, Macedonia, Hungary, Greece, Germany, Austria

Directed by Joshua Bennett & Talya Tibbon

Something New (Qualcosa di nuovo), Italy

Directed by Cristina Comencini

Soufra, Singapore, USA, Lebanon

Directed by Thomas A. Morgan

The Starry Sky Above Me, (Le ciel étoilé au-dessus de ma tête), France

Directed by Ilan Klipper

Streetlight Harmonies, USA

Directed by Brent Wilson

The Third Murder, (Sandome no Satsujin), Japan

Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda

Tulipani: Love, Honour and a Bicycle (Tulipani: Liefde, Eer en een Fiets), Netherlands

Directed by Mike van Diem

Triumph: The Untold Story of Perry Wallace, USA

Directed by Rich Gentile

Under the Tree (Undir Trénu), Iceland, Denmark, Poland & Germany
Directed by Hafsteinn Gunnar Sigurðsson

Wife and Husband (Moglie e marito), Italy

Directed by Simone Godano

You Disappear (Du forsvinder), Denmark, Sweden

Directed by Peter Schønau Fog

SHORTS FILMS (listed alphabetically)

22 WORLD PREMIERES / 7 U.S. PREMIERES

72%, Spain – US Premiere

Directed by Lluis Quilez

Abroad, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Zayn Alexandar

Aeris, USA

Directed by Paul Castro Jr.

Afterwork, Spain, Peru, Ecuador – World Premiere

Directed by Luis Uson

The Artist & The Great Bear, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Jeff Mcloughlin

As Long As It Takes (Le temps qu’il faut), Canada

Directed by Abeille Tard

Audition, USA

Directed by Richard Van

Bargain, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Clifford Miu

Basha Man, China

Directed by Daniel Chein

Bigfoot’s Love Slave, USA

Directed by Heather Tom

The Cannonball Woman, (La femme canon), France, Switzerland, Canada – US Premiere

Directed by David Toutevoix and Albertine Zullo

Cascarón, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Casey McGarry

Catacomb, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Alex Z. Avila

Couch for Sale, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Takashi Doscher

Cowboy of Mount Laurier (Le cowboy du mont Laurier), Canada – US Premiere

Directed by Gabriel Vilandré

Crossing the Channel, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Ryan Slattery

Cuba: Music Revolution, USA

Directed by Juan Ponce de León

Dancing with Dragons, USA, Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Mexico, Belize

Directed by Mark Romanov

Don’t Mind Alice, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Maude Apatow & Olivia Rosenbloom

The Driver Is Red, USA

Directed by Randall Christopher

Field Song (Canción de Campo), USA
Directed by Brad Bischoff

Fern, UK – US Premiere

Directed by Johnny Kelly

Ferryman at the Wall, USA

Directed by David Freid

Fingerprints, USA

Directed by Don Hardy

From Golf Course to Wetland, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Michael Love

Hide and Seek (Bújócska), Hungary

Directed by Gábor Benő Baranyi

Home Shopper, USA

Directed by Dev Patel

Hybrids, France

Directed by Florian Brauch, Kim Tailhades, Matthieu Pujol, Romain Thirion and Yohan Thireau

Keep Calm and Tampon, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Claudia Lonow

Killing Games: Wildlife in the Crosshairs, USA

Directed by Camilla H. Fox

The Last Man You Meet, USA

Directed by Chris Bone

Long Term Delivery, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Jake Honig

Los Comandos, USA

Directed by Joshua Bennett

Lunch Ladies, USA

Directed by J.M. Logan

Mariela, UK

Directed by Victoria Romero

Martien, Switzerland

Directed by Maxime Pillonel

Me, My Phone and I, USA

Directed by Luke Mullen

Mott Haven, USA

Directed by Kyle Morrison

Negative Space, France

Directed by Max Porter and Ru Kuwahata

Online Shopping, Iran

Directed by Ghasideh Golmakani

Out of the Ashes, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Hallie Brown

Poles Apart, USA

Directed by Paloma Baeza

Phototaxis, USA

Directed by Melissa Ferrari

The Red Flag, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Mike Winger

RFLKTR, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Matt K. Turner

Santa Claus, USA

Directed by Jeff Man

Sequin, Taiwan – US Premiere

Directed by Yachi Yang

Siren Song: Women Singers of Pakistan, USA, Pakistan, and India

Directed by Fawzia Afzal-Khan

Shadow Boxer (Skyggebokser), Denmark – World Premiere

Directed by Andreas Bøggild Monies

Shark Bight, USA – US Premiere

Directed by Stephanie Foster

The Shift, USA

Directed by Elivia Shaw

Simularity, USA

Directed by Ryan O’Nan

Soul of the City, USA – World Premiere

Directed by John Klein

Souls of Totality, USA

Directed by Richard Raymond

Space Butthole, USA

Directed by David Chai

The Take Off, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Ryan Kalil

The Tesla World Light, (Tesla: Lumière Mondiale), Canada

Directed by Matthew Rankin

Tigerstyle, United Kingdom, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Elliott Powell, Jordyn Romero, Paloma Young, Rachel Lattin, and Riani Singgih

The Tipping Point, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Danielle Cohen

Toward the North (Hacia el norte), USA

Directed by Elivia Shaw, Jessica Chermayeff, and Joshua Bennett

Towards the Sun (Hacia el sol), United Kingdom

Directed by Monica Santis

Two Balloons, USA – US Premiere

Directed by Mark C. Smith

Under Her Wing, USA

Directed by Keenan McGuckin

Undiscovered, USA

Directed by Sara Litzenberger

Virtually Yours, USA – World Premiere

Directed by Andrea Lithner

Wildlife and the Wall, USA

Directed by Ben Masters

You Are Here, United Kingdom

Directed by Nicholas Jones

Yours Sincerely, Lois Weber, USA

Directed by Svetlana Cvetko

ABOUT THE SANTA BARBARA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit arts and educational organization dedicated to discovering and showcasing the best in independent and international cinema. Over the past 32 years, SBIFF has become one of the leading film festivals in the United States – attracting 100,000 attendees and offering 11 days of 200+ films, tributes and symposiums, fulfilling their mission to engage, enrich, and inspire the Santa Barbara community through film.

Sponsors of the 33^rd SBIFF include: UGG^®, Belvedere Vodka, Toyota Mirai, City of Santa Barbara, Amazon Studios, Dom Pérignon, ADL, Montecito Bank & Trust, Visit the Santa Ynez Valley, IMDB, Santa Barbara Foundation, Union Bank, Santa Barbara Vintners Foundation, Patagonia, Winchester Mystery House, Pacific Standard, Riordan Foundation, Lynda Weinman & Bruce Heavin, Volentine Family Foundation, and many more supporting through trade.

SBIFF continues its commitment to education and the community through free programs like its 10-10-10 Student Filmmaking and Screenwriting Competitions, Mike’s Field Trip to the Movies, National Film Studies Program, AppleBox Family Films, 3rd Weekend and educational seminars. In June of 2016, SBIFF entered a new era with the acquisition of the historic and beloved Riviera Theatre. The theatre is SBIFF’s new home and is the catalyst for program expansion and marks the first time that Santa Barbara has had a 24/7 community center to expand their mission of educational outreach.

Momofuku founder David Chang teams up with Netflix for docuseries ‘Ugly Delicious’

January 18, 2018

The following is a press release from Netflix:

From James Beard Award-Winning Chef David Chang and Academy Award-Winning Director Morgan Neville comes “Ugly Delicious,” a Netflix original documentary series that challenges both our taste buds and minds.

Over eight episodes, David travels the world with writers and chefs, activists and artists, who use food as a vehicle to break down cultural barriers, tackle misconceptions and uncover shared experiences. Ugly Delicious ventures out of polished kitchens into the wider world to explore Viet-Cajun cuisine in Houston, Neapolitan Pizza in Tokyo, home cooking in Copenhagen, and much more.

Special guests include: Ali Wong, Eric Wareheim, Gillian Jacobs, Jimmy Kimmel, Alan Yang, Steve Yuen, and Nick Kroll; chefs René and Nadine Redzepi, Rosio Sanchez, Enrique Olvera, Jessica Koslow, Massimo Bottura, Alex Raij and Eder Montero, Sean Brock, Diep Tran, Ray Garcia, Nina Compton, Roy Choi, Dollye Graham-Matthews, Chris Shepherd, Edouardo Jordan, Asha Gomez, Justin Yu, Zaiyu Hasegawa, Mark Iacono, Nick Bishop Jr. and Tootsie Tomanetz; and writers Peter Meehan, Ruth Reichl, Jonathan Gold, Evan Kleiman, Lolis Elie, David Simon, Ian Mosby, Alison Cook, Fuchsia Dunlop, Gillian Ferguson, Chris Nuttall-Smith, Amelia Gray, Gustavo Arellano, Psyche Williams-Forson, and Serena Dai.

“Food is something we all have in common. It’s an essential part of who we are and how we create connections across cultures,” says David Chang. “In that spirit, we brought together some of the people we admire most to make Ugly Delicious a collaborative forum, a place where it’s okay to have strong opinions and honest conversations about food.”

“Ugly Delicious” is produced by Tremolo Productions. Morgan Neville, David Chang, Eddie Schmidt, Peter Meehan, Christopher Chen, Lisa Nishimura, Ben Cotner and Adam Del Deo serve as Executive Producers.

David Chang is the chef and founder of Momofuku, which includes restaurants in New York City, Washington DC, Sydney, Toronto, Las Vegas; and Los Angeles in early 2018. Since opening Momofuku Noodle Bar in 2004, David has been honored with five James Beard Foundation Awards, and Momofuku Ko has two Michelin stars it has retained since 2009. His cookbook, Momofuku, is a New York Times bestseller.

Tremolo Productions is an Academy Award, Emmy Award and Grammy Award-winning production company run by filmmaker Morgan Neville. Projects include “20 Feet From Stardom,” “Keith Richards: Under the Influence,” “Best of Enemies,” “The Music of Strangers: Yo-Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble” and “Crossfire Hurricane.” Television series include “Chelsea Does” (with Chelsea Handler) and “Abstract: The Art of Design.”

2018 New York International Children’s Film Festival: full slate announced

January 18, 2018

2018 New York International Children's Festival — Pictured clockwise from left: “Hilda,” “March of the Penguins 2: The Next Step,””Sing Song” and “Room 213”

The following is a press release from the New York International Children’s Film Festival:

The Oscar® qualifying NY Int’l Children’s Film Festival announces its complete 2018 feature lineup. Celebrating its 21st anniversary, the 2018 Festival presents four weekends of groundbreaking and thought-provoking new films carefully curated for a new generation of filmgoers ages 3 to 18. Comprising animated, live action, and documentary features from over a dozen countries, this year’s lineup includes one World premiere, three North American premieres, one US premiere, and six East Coast premieres. Tickets go on sale January 17 for members and January 24 for the general public at nyicff.org.

Highlights include the World premiere of Hilda, Luke Pearson’s episodic adaptation of his celebrated graphic novel series, in which plucky Hilda sets out on adventures evoking both Scandinavian folklore and Studio Ghibli. Among NYICFF’s trio of North American premieres are Sing Song (Netherlands/Suriname), Mischa Kamp’s refreshing, inventive entry to the musical genre, in which a young singer travels to Suriname in search of her roots; Clovis Cornillac’s beautifully shot Belle and Sebastian, Friends for Life (France), the third installment of a Festival-favorite franchise set in the French Alps circa WWII; and Luc Jacquet’s March of the Penguins 2: The Next Step (France), a feat of cutting-edge 4K cinematography that allows audiences deep into the Arctic waters to witness a new generation of emperor penguins as they trek far and wide to survive. NYICFF’s premiere screenings of March of the Penguins 2 will be the film’s only theatrical showcase before its HULU release on March 23. The 2018 Festival also features the US Premiere of Emelie Lindblom’s Room 213 (Sweden), a spooky, smart genre entrypoint for young audiences set at a haunted summer camp.

Previously announced special screenings and events include Masaaki Yuasa’s Lu Over the Wall as Opening Night, Alexandre Espigares’ White Fang as Opening Spotlight, and Netflix’s A Series of Unfortunate Events: Season 2, The Austere Academy as Centerpiece, along with inaugural edition of a kids and family-geared Virtual Reality mini-fest: VR JR.

FESTIVAL DATES: February 23 – March 18, 2018

TICKETS: nyicff.org

LOCATIONS: Alamo Drafthouse City Point, Cinépolis Chelsea, IFC Center, Museum of the Moving Image, Scandinavia House, and SVA Theatre

OPENING NIGHT:

● LU OVER THE WALL, dir. Masaaki Yuasa (Japan) – 2018, East Coast premiere, Animation, 107 minutes

Anime auteur Masaaki Yuasa’s latest gem boasts a distinctive, off-kilter animation style, eye-popping color palette, and outrageous music. But at its core, Lu Over the Wall is captivating coming of age story. The eponymous Lu is a manic mermaid with a show-stopping voice who helps Kai, a gifted teenager unfulfilled by small-town life, discover his own. Winner of the Grand Prize Cristal Award at Annecy 2017 and screening at NYICFF straight from Sundance, the film evokes charming hints of Miyazaki, but claims a frenetic energy and surreal structure all its own.

OPENING SPOTLIGHT:

● WHITE FANG, dir. Alexandre Espigares (France/Luxembourg/USA) – 2018, East Coast premiere, Animation, 85 minutes

NYICFF alum and Oscar®-winning short film director Alexandre Espigares returns with his feature debut, a thrilling and thought-provoking adaptation of Jack London’s classic tale. White Fang employs the voice work of Rashida Jones, Nick Offerman, Eddie Spears, and Paul Giamatti to tell the epic journey of White Fang’s life from pup to sled-dog to abused prizefighter and beyond, set in the gorgeously rendered landscape of the Pacific Northwest frontier.

CENTERPIECE:

● A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS: SEASON 2, THE AUSTERE ACADEMY, dirs. Barry Sonnenfeld and Daniel Handler (USA) – 2018, Special Preview Screening, Live Action, 98 minutes (Parts 1 & 2)

Join us for an exclusive sneak peek as the delightfully dark and witty Lemony Snicket Series goes from book to screen in season two of the Netflix original.The ever-intrepid Baudelaire siblings–Violet, Klaus, and Sunny–are back, still plagued by the evil Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris) and his troupe. The challenges mount, but shabby disguises, nefarious schemes, and very big words don’t faze this resourceful trio. They won’t relent until they unlock the secret to their parents’ disappearance and enlighten a few less literate adults along the way. Season 2 launches March 30, only on Netflix.

VIRTUAL REALITY MINI-FEST:

● VR JR., Interactive VR Experiences and VR JR. Talk

We’re bringing our high-quality, innovative programming into digital realms, offering a new dedicated Virtual Reality mini-fest for kids and families. A dynamic, interactive experience presented over the course of a full weekend, VR JR. will feature exciting VR projects, special talks, and demos. Just as we’ve made the enjoyment of artful, international films an accessible experience for young audiences, we’re excited to do the same for VR. Explore a new facet of creative production with the latest VR projects that place kids at the helm of their own immersive story world. Projects include the East Coast premiere of the Neil Gaiman picture book adaptation Wolves in the Walls, directed by Pete Billington, and Golden Globe-nominated director Jorge Gutiérrez’s Son of Jaguar, a new Google Spotlight Story placing viewers into the story of a family of Mexican wrestlers.

FEATURES (LISTED ALPHABETICALLY):

● BELLE AND SEBASTIAN, FRIENDS FOR LIFE, dir. Clovis Cornillac (France) – 2018, North American premiere, Live Action, 91 minutes

A Festival favorite returns with the conclusion of this celebrated French trilogy, capping the adventures of Sebastian and his devoted dog, Belle. In the French Alps circa WWII, Sebastian, happy in his rural village with Belle and her pups, is unsettled when he overhears news of a potential move. Even more disturbing is the stranger who appears, claiming Belle as his own. It will take all of Sebastian’s determination and devotion to those he loves to surmount these challenges in this stunningly filmed series culmination.

● THE BIG BAD FOX AND OTHER TALES, dirs. Benjamin Renner & Patrick Imbert (France) – 2017, New York premiere, Animation, 80 minutes

From the director of Oscar®-nominated Ernest & Celestine (NYICFF 2013), Big Bad Fox is a three-part tale that will have you howling! A pig takes over a stork’s duties, hopping planes, trains, and automobiles to make a delivery. A fox strives to be seen as big and bad instead of sweet and silly. And a bird is desperate to swap roles from Christmas Duck to Father Christmas in this hilarious trifecta of animated stories about farmyard animals with big dreams.

● BIG FISH & BEGONIA, dirs. Xuan Liang & Chun Zhang (China) – 2016, East Coast premiere, Animation, 105 minutes

An astonishing work over a decade in the making and China’s second-highest-grossing locally produced animated feature, Big Fish & Begonia crosses worlds, unleashes the elements, and pushes our understanding of fate itself. Thoughtful Chun comes from an unseen world responsible for Earth’s wellbeing. When she crosses into our planet, she develops a bond with a human boy who sacrifices his life for hers. Big Fish & Begonia draws on fascinating Chinese mythology to show Chun’s epic journey to return the favor.

● HILDA, dir. Luke Pearson (USA) – 2018, World premiere, Animation, 44 minutes

Join us for this exclusive World Premiere of Hilda, adapted from UK author Luke Pearson’s captivating and best-selling series of graphic novels by Mercury Filmworks/Silvergate. Follow the adventures of bright and fearless blue-haired Hilda, her adorable deerfox Twig, and her artist mom as they travel from their home in a vast magical wilderness full of elves and giants to the bustling city of Trolberg. This vividly animated fantasy adventure is inspired by strange Scandinavian folklore and evokes the films of Studio Ghibli.

● HORUS, PRINCE OF THE SUN, dir. Isao Takahata (Japan) – 1968, Animation, 82 minutes

NYICFF’s Festival Flashback celebrates the golden anniversary of a mythical tale from famed Studio Ghibli founders Isao Takahata and Hayao Miyazaki—a film some say sparked the birth of anime. In this East-meets-West take on The Sword in the Stone, Japanese Ainu legend is transposed to a Norse setting filled with adventure. Enter our hero Horus, who ventures through snowy land and Ghibli-esque sea journeys to save a village from evil Grunwaald. He meets a new friend, the regal but mysterious Hilda, who may be more complicated than Horus could ever imagine…

● LIYANA, dirs. Aaron Kopp & Amanda Kopp (Swaziland/USA/Qatar) – 2017, Documentary/Animation, 77 minutes

Liyana is a thrilling, beautifully-illustrated fictional tale of a young girl on a perilous quest to reunite with her brothers. At the same time, it’s a compelling documentary following the lives of five amazing children from an orphanage in Swaziland. Together with their wonderful storytelling teacher, these bright and captivating youngsters transform their difficult experiences through narrative to collectively craft Liyana’s tale. An ode to the power of storytelling and the strength of the human spirit, Liyana is an uplifting, genre-defying film not to be missed.

● MARCH OF THE PENGUINS 2: THE NEXT STEP, dir. Luc Jacquet (France) – 2017, North American premiere, Documentary, 77 minutes

Twelve years after its first big splash, March of the Penguins returns in grand form with its inimitable narrator Morgan Freeman, and NYICFF offers the unique opportunity to see the film gloriously on the big screen prior to its HULU premiere March 23. The emperor penguins’ arduous journey is even more urgent in the face of climate change, and more impressive, featuring awe-inspiring imagery made possible by cutting-edge 4K cinematography and underwater camerawork. Now a new generation of black-and-white heroes steal the show, sometimes fuzzy, sometimes sleek, but ever charming, curious, dignified, skillful, and devoted. Follow parents and children alike as they heed nature’s call to bridge sea, land, and generations to survive.

● NEXT DOOR SPY, dir. Karla von Bengtson (Denmark) – 2017, East Coast premiere, Animation, 77 minutes

Girl detective—check! Skater boy—check! You think you’ve got the stock characters down, but snoop around with the witty and wise Next Door Spy and you’ll find that things aren’t quite what they seem. Ten-year-old Agathe-Christine (AC, if you ask her) loves a good mystery. When her family moves to a new town that’s seemingly full of them, AC will need to turn her crackerjack detective skills inward to go beyond first impressions and unlock the key to friendship.

● ROOM 213, dir. Emelie Lindblom (Sweden) – 2017, US premiere, Live Action, 81 minutes

Room 213 has been unoccupied for 60 years. That is, until 12-year-old Elvira and her camp roommates Bea and Meja move in. Soon enough, mysterious things begin happening that might be explained by a jealous tween camper… or a good old-fashioned haunting! As the spooks and stakes reach a fever pitch, the girls’ friendship blooms into a formidable force for good.

● SING SONG, dir. Mischa Kamp (Netherlands/Suriname) – 2017, North American premiere, Live Action, 96 minutes

Breathing life into the musical genre and shining light on a rarely represented corner of the world, Sing Song is a celebration of finding your roots and voice. When 16-year-old Jasmine is invited to participate in a singing contest in Suriname, she accepts the chance to visit the homeland she’s never seen. But she’s not there just to sing. She’s on a secret search for her family, developing artistic self-discipline and deepening her cultural and self-awareness in this uplifting tale that hits all the right notes.

● ZOMBILLENIUM, dirs. Arthur de Pins & Alexis Ducord (France) – 2017, East Coast premiere, Animation, 80 minutes

Sprung from comic book pages and crypts alike, celebrated French graphic novelist Arthur de Pins’ characters come to life, or er, undeath, on the big screen with a wickedly wry story of monster liberation. Challenges abound when amusement park Zombillenium is threatened by a corporate buy-out. Fortunately, high-minded ghoul dad Hector, tenacious witchboarder Gretchen, and a collective cohort of zombies rise up and fight in true French form for worker rights–above and below ground–in this clever genre and monster mash up.

● ZOO, dir. Colin McIvor (Ireland/UK) – 2017, East Coast premiere, Live Action, 96 minutes

Delve into the Irish WWII experience by following a group of determined youngsters who band together for a cause bigger—much bigger—than themselves. When Tom’s father, a veterinarian for the Belfast Zoo, is called away to war, Tom feels it’s his duty to ensure the well-being of the animals, including its newest addition, a baby elephant. But the impending German air raids and short-sighted decisions of the Zoo staff threaten to endanger the animals, and Tom must act quickly in this inspired-by-true-life tale of family, friendship, and empathy.

ABOUT NEW YORK INT’L CHILDREN’S FILM FESTIVAL

Distinguished by its unique mission and high-caliber programming, New York International Children’s Film Festival was founded in 1997 to support the creation and dissemination of thoughtful, provocative, and intelligent film for young people ages 3-18. Celebrating its 21st year, the 2018 Festival takes place February 23 – March 18. The Festival’s dynamic film program, drawn from roughly 2,500 international submissions, boasts over 120 short and feature films, filmmaker Q&As, retrospective programs, parties, premieres, audience voting, and a Closing Night celebration. NYICFF is an Academy Award® qualifying festival, one of only two children’s film festivals in the country, with the Festival’s esteemed jury selecting the qualifying films. The largest film festival for children and teens in North America, NYICFF cultivates an appreciation for the arts, encourages active, discerning viewing, and stimulates lively discussion among peers, families, and the film community.

Goldfish® Colors is a Presenting Sponsor of the 2018 Festival. New York International Children’s Film Festival is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, supported in part by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, public funds from the New York State Council on the Arts, with support of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, a Humanities New York Action Grant, and a grant from the NYC & Company Foundation. Girls’ POV programming is supported by EILEEN FISHER and Sony USA Foundation. Film-Ed is supported by AMC Cares.

In addition to presenting the annual event, New York International Children’s Film Festival is a multifaceted arts organization that offers year-round engagement, including a nationwide touring program, filmmaking camps, and Film-Ed educational field trips for public and private schools, with free or reduced cost school programs offering equal access to the art of film for all.

Hallmark Channel unveils Adoption Ever After, a new initiative for homeless pets

January 13, 2018

Adoption Ever After

The following is a press release from Hallmark Channel:

Hallmark Channel, the country’s leading provider of family friendly entertainment, announced today the rebranding of its corporate pet initiative with a new name, logo, and reinforced commitment to educating the public about the many rewards of pet adoption. Originally launched as Pet Project in 2012, the campaign has been rebranded as Adoption Ever After, bringing the core call to action – adopt – to the forefront. Working in collaboration with the country’s leading animal rescue and welfare organizations, activists, distribution and advertising partners, and celebrity influencers, Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After aims to dismantle common misconceptions about shelter animals, provide resources, inspire the public to adopt, and ultimately put an end to this country’s epidemic of pet homelessness. As Adoption Ever After grows, Crown Media will forge new partnerships with other companies and brands to raise awareness for shelter animals.

The first such partnership is with Bissell and Bissell Pet Foundation, which works tirelessly on their “Empty the Shelters” campaign. Proving that highly successful brands can band together. The hope is that this venture is the first of many alliances that will help clear the shelters. “Every year, millions of perfectly healthy and lovable animals needlessly die in shelters – and while progress has been made in recent years, we still have a long way to go in the movement against pet homelessness,” said Crown Media Family Networks President & CEO, Bill Abbott. “With Hallmark Channel’s Adoption Ever After, we are honored to give these animals a platform, spark a national dialog about the importance of adoption, and save lives.”

The initiative includes such programming elements as “Kitten Bowl,” “Hero Dog Awards,” “American Rescue Dog Show” and daily pet adoption segments on “Home & Family,” as well as off-air elements, grassroots efforts, social media outreach and strategic partnerships. In addition, Hallmark Channel’s two shelter pet mascots, Happy the Dog and Happy the Cat, continue to embody the beauty, intelligence and lovability of adopted pets on-air and through public appearances.

2018 NAACP Image Awards: ‘Get Out,’ ‘Black-ish,’ Kendrick Lamar among the top winners

January 15, 2018

Ava DiVernay at the 49th NAACP Image Awards — Ava DuVernay at the 49th NAACP Image Awards at the Pasadena Civic Center in Pasadena, California, on January 15, 2018. (Photo courtesy of TV One)

The following is a press release from the NAACP Image Awards:

The winners of the 49th NAACP Image Awards were announced on January 15, 2018, during the live broadcast from the Pasadena Civic Auditorium which aired on TV One (see complete winners list below). The two-hour live special was hosted by Anthony Anderson and opened with a powerful moment in support of #TIMESUP featuring Angela Robinson, Kerry Washington, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Laverne Cox, Lena Waithe and Tracee Ellis Ross. There was a live pre-show from the red carpet hosted by Terrence J with special correspondent, Tanika Ray.

Ava DuVernay was honored as the NAACP Entertainer of the Year. NAACP Chairman Leon W. Russell presented the NAACP Chairman’s Award to William Lucy, NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson presented the NAACP President’s Award to Danny Glover and several members of the Memphis Sanitation “I Am A Man” Workers were also in attendance – they were presented with the NAACP Vanguard Award earlier in the week during a press conference at the National Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN. Charlie Wilson was honored with the Music Makes a Difference honor which is bestowed upon an individual within the recording industry who has achieved worthwhile success and inspiration for civic engagement, criminal justice, education, economic opportunity, or criminal justice.

In addition, some of the biggest names in film, television and music appeared in the LIVE telecast including: Sterling K. Brown, Halle Berry, Mary J. Blige, Michael B. Jordan, Daniel Kaluuya, Issae Rae, Mandy Moore, Chadwick Boseman, Terry Crews, Tracee Ellis Ross, Yara Shahidi, Angela Rye, Danai Gurira, Isaiah Washington, Jacob Latimore, Jay Pharoah, Jemele Hill, Josh Gad, Loretta Devine, Meta Golding, Michael Smith, Tyler James Williams, Omari Hardwick, Ava DuVernay, Jurnee Smollett-Bell, Chris Sullivan, Sonequa Martin-Green, Judge Greg Mathis and Mike Colter.

The 49th NAACP Image Awards production team included Executive Producers Reginald Hudlin and Phil Gurin, Tony McCuin as Director, Byron Phillips as Producer, and Robin Reinhardt as Talent Producer.

The winners of the 49^th NAACP Image Awards in the non-televised categories were announced during a gala dinner celebration that took place Sunday, January 14, 2018, at the Pasadena Conference Center – the event was hosted by The Real’s Adrienne Houghton, Loni Love, Jeannie Mai and Tamera Mowry-Housley.

The NAACP Image Awards is the premiere multicultural awards show. It celebrates the accomplishments of people of color in the fields of television, music, literature and film, and also honors individuals or groups who promote social justice through creative endeavors.

Nominees for the NAACP Image Awards are determined by the number of entries received by the deadline. To be eligible, projects must have had a national distribution date between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2017. From those entries, a nominating committee selects five nominees in each of the 56 categories. To determine the winners, the members of the NAACP vote via a secured online site. The results are tabulated by the Image Awards auditors, Bert Smith & Co., and the results are confidential until the envelope is opened LIVE on stage during the TV One telecast.

For all information and the latest news, check back with us often here at the official NAACP Image Awards website, NAACPImageAwards.net.

Connect with on Facebook at Facebook.com/naacpimageaward and Twitter at Twitter.com/naacpimageaward, and join the conversation with the official hashtag #ImageAwards.

Here is the complete list of nominees and winners of the 2018 NAACP Image Awards:

*=winner

Ava DuVernay*
Bruno Mars
Chadwick Boseman
Chance the Rapper
Issa Rae
JAY-Z

TELEVISION

Outstanding Comedy Series

“Ballers” (HBO)
“black-ish” (ABC)*
“Dear White People” (Netflix)
“Insecure” (HBO)
“Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series

Anthony Anderson – “black-ish” (ABC)*
Aziz Ansari – “Master of None” (Netflix)
Dwayne Johnson – “Ballers” (HBO)
Keegan-Michael Key – “Friends from College” (Netflix)
RonReaco Lee – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series

Danielle Brooks – “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
Issa Rae – “Insecure” (HBO)
Loretta Devine – “The Carmichael Show” (NBC)
Niecy Nash – “Claws” (TNT)
Tracee Ellis Ross – “black-ish ” (ABC)*

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Ernie Hudson – “Grace and Frankie” (Netflix)
Jay Ellis – “Insecure” (HBO)*
John David Washington – “Ballers” (HBO)
Omar Miller – “Ballers” (HBO)
Tituss Burgess – “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” (Netflix)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series

Leslie Jones – “Saturday Night Live” (NBC)
Marsai Martin – “black-ish” (ABC)*
Tichina Arnold – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)
Uzo Aduba – “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
Yvonne Orji – “Insecure” (HBO)

Outstanding Drama Series

“Greenleaf” (OWN)
“Power” (Starz)*
“Queen Sugar” (OWN)
“This Is Us” (NBC)
“Underground” (WGN America)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series

Kofi Siriboe – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)
Mike Colter – “Marvel’s The Defenders” (Netflix)
Omari Hardwick – “Power” (Starz)*
Sterling K. Brown – “This Is Us ” (NBC)
Terrence Howard – “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series

Jurnee Smollett-Bell – “Underground” (WGN America)
Kerry Washington – “Scandal” (ABC)
Rutina Wesley – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)
Taraji P. Henson – “Empire” (FOX)*
Viola Davis – “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series

Bryshere Gray – “Empire” (FOX)
Dondre Whitfield – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)
Joe Morton – “Scandal” (ABC)*
Jussie Smollett – “Empire” (FOX)
Trai Byers – “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series

Lynn Whitfield – “Greenleaf” (OWN)
Naturi Naughton – “Power” (Starz)*
Samira Wiley – “The Handmaid’s Tale” (Hulu)
Susan Kelechi Watson – “This Is Us” (NBC)
Tina Lifford – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)

Outstanding Television Movie, Limited – Series or Dramatic Special

“Flint” (Lifetime)
“Shots Fired” (FOX)
“The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (HBO)
“The New Edition Story” (BET)*
“When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story” (TV One)

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Bryshere Grey – “The New Edition Story” (BET)
Idris Elba – “Guerrilla” (Showtime)*
Laurence Fishburne – “Madiba” (BET)
Mack Wilds – “Shots Fired” (FOX)
Woody McClain – “The New Edition Story” (BET)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Limited-Series or Dramatic Special

Jill Scott – “Flint” (Lifetime)
Oprah Winfrey – “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (HBO)
Queen Latifah – “Flint” (Lifetime)*
Regina King – “American Crime” (ABC)
Sanaa Lathan – “Shots Fired” (FOX)

Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special)

“News One Now” (TV One)
“Oprah’s Master Class” (OWN)
“The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman” (National Geographic)
“Through the Fire: The Legacy of Barack Obama” (BET)
“Unsung” (TV One)*

Outstanding Talk Series

“Jimmy Kimmel Live” (ABC)
“Super Soul Sunday” (OWN)
“The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)
“The Real” (Syndicated)*
“The View” (ABC)

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series

“Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN)
“Martha & Snoop’s Potluck Dinner Party” (VH1)
“Shark Tank” (ABC)
“The Manns” (TV One)*
“United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell” (CNN)

Outstanding Variety or Game Show – (Series or Special)

“Black Girls Rock! 2017” (BET)
“Dave Chappelle: The Age of Spin & Deep in the Heart of Texas” (Netflix)
“Def Comedy Jam 25” (Netflix)
“Lip Sync Battle” (Spike)*
“Saturday Night Live” (NBC)

Outstanding Children’s Program

“Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior)*
“Free Rein” (Netflix)
“Nella the Princess Knight” (Nickelodeon)
“Project Mc²” (Netflix)
“Raven’s Home” (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Limited Series)

Caleb McLaughlin – “Stranger Things” (Netflix)*
Ethan Hutchison – “Queen Sugar” (OWN)
Lonnie Chavis – “This Is Us” (NBC)
Marsai Martin – “black-ish” (ABC)
Michael Rainey – “Power” (Starz)

Outstanding Host in a Talk or News/Information (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Fredricka Whitfield – “Fredricka Whitfield” (CNN)
Morgan Freeman – “The Story of Us with Morgan Freeman” (National Geographic)
Neil deGrasse Tyson – “StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson” (National Geographic)
Roland Martin – “News One Now” (TV One)*
Trevor Noah – “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Host in a Reality/Reality Competition, Game Show or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or Ensemble

Alfonso Ribeiro – “America’s Funniest Home Video” (ABC)
Iyanla Vanzant – “Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN)
Michael Smith and Jemele Hill – “SC6 with Michael and Jemele” (ESPN)
LL Cool J – “Lip Sync Battle” (Spike)*
Kamau Bell – “United Shades of America with W. Kamau Bell” (CNN)

RECORDING

Outstanding New Artist

Demetria McKinney – “Officially Yours” (eOne Music)
Kevin Ross – “The Awakening” (Motown/Capitol Records)
Khalid – “American Teen” (RCA Records/Right Hand Music Group)
SZA – “Ctrl” (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)*
Vic Mensa – “The Autobiography” (Roc Nation/Capitol Records)

Outstanding Male Artist

Brian McKnight – “Genesis” (SoNo Recording Group)
Bruno Mars – “Versace On the Floor” (Atlantic Records)*
Charlie Wilson – “In It to Win It” (RCA Records/P Music Group)
JAY-Z – “4:44” (Roc Nation)
Kendrick Lamar – “DAMN.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)

Outstanding Female Artist

Andra Day – “Stand Up For Something” (Warner Bros. Records)
Beyoncé – “Die With You” (Columbia Records/Parkwood Entertainment)
Ledisi – “Let Love Rule” (Verve Label Group)
Mary J. Blige – “Strength of a Woman” (Capitol Records)*
SZA – “Ctrl” (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration

Andra Day feat. Common – “Stand Up For Something” (Warner Bros. Records)
Charlie Wilson feat. T.I. – “I’m Blessed” (RCA Records/P Music Group)
Kendrick Lamar feat. Rihanna – “LOYALTY.” (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)*
Mary J. Blige feat. Kanye West – “Love Yourself” (Capitol Records)
SZA feat. Travis Scott – “Love Galore” (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)

Outstanding Jazz Album

“Boundless” – Damien Escobar (Phoenix Lane Entertainment)
“Dreams and Daggers” – Cécile McLorin Salvant (Mack Avenue Records)
“Petite Afrique” – Somi (Sony Music/OKeh)*
“Poetry In Motion” – Najee (Shanachie Entertainment)
“So It Is” – Preservation Hall Jazz Band (Legacy Recordings)

“Close” – Marvin Sapp (Verity Records)
“Crossover Live From Music City” – Travis Greene (RCA Inspiration)
“Greenleaf Soundtrack Volume 2” – Greenleaf Soundtrack (RCA Inspiration)*
“Heart. Passion. Pursuit.” – Tasha Cobbs Leonard (Motown Gospel)
“Let Them Fall In Love” – CeCe Winans (Puresprings Gospel)

Outstanding Music Video/Visual Album

“4:44” – JAY-Z (Roc Nation)
“Gods” – Maxwell (Columbia Records)
“High” – Ledisi (Verve Label Group)
“Strength of A Woman” – Mary J. Blige (Capitol Records)
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)*

Outstanding Song – Traditional

“High” – Ledisi (Verve Label Group)
“Honest” – MAJOR. (BOE/Empire)
“Surefire (Piano Version)” – John Legend (Columbia Records)
“That’s What I Like” – Bruno Mars (Atlantic Records)*
“U + Me” – Mary J. Blige (Capitol Records)

Outstanding Song – Contemporary

“Gonna Be Alright” – Mali Music (RCA Records/ByStorm Entertainment)
“HUMBLE.” – Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)*
“Insecure” – Jazmine Sullivan X Bryson Tiller (RCA Records)
“Love Galore” – SZA feat. Travis Scott (RCA Records/Top Dawg Entertainment)
“The Story of O.J.” – JAY-Z (Roc Nation)

Outstanding Album

“4:44” – JAY-Z (Roc Nation)
“DAMN.” – Kendrick Lamar (TDE/Aftermath/Interscope)*
“Genesis” – Brian McKnight (SoNo Recording Group)
“In It To Win It” – Charlie Wilson (RCA Records/P Music Group)
“Strength of A Woman” – Mary J. Blige (Capitol Records)

LITERATURE

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction

“Little Fires Everywhere” – Celeste Ng (Penguin Random House)
“No One Is Coming to Save Us” – Stephanie Powell Watts (HarperCollins Publishers)
“Sing, Unburied, Sing” – Jesmyn Ward (Simon and Schuster)
“The Annotated African American Folktales” – Henry Louis Gates Jr. (Author), Maria Tatar (Author) (Liveright Publishing Corporation)
“The Wide Circumference of Love” – Marita Golden (Skyhorse Publishing, Inc.)

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction

“Black Detroit – A People’s History of Self-Determination” – Herb Boyd (HarperCollins Publishers)
“Chokehold: Policing Black Men” – Paul Butler (The New Press)
“Defining Moments in Black History: Reading Between the Lies” – Dick Gregory (HarperCollins Publishers)*
“The President’s Kitchen Cabinet: The Story of the African Americans Who Have Fed Our First Families, from the Washingtons to the Obamas” – Adrian Miller (University of North Carolina Press)
“We Were Eight Years In Power: An American Tragedy” – Ta-Nehisi Coates (Random House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author

“A Beautiful Ghetto” – Devin Allen (Haymarket Books)
“Chasing Spaces: An Astronaut’s Story of Grit, Grace & Second Chances” – Leland Melvin (HarperCollins Publishers)
“No One Is Coming to Save Us” – Stephanie Powell Watts (HarperCollins Publishers)*
“Rabbit: The Autobiography of Ms. Pat” – Patricia Williams (Author) Jeannine Amber (With) (HarperCollins Publishers)
“We’re Going to Need More Wine” – Gabrielle Union (HarperCollins Publishers)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional

Outstanding Literary Work – Children

“Becoming Kareem: Growing Up On and Off the Court” – Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (Author), Raymond Obstfeld (With) (Hachette Book Group)
“Before She Was Harriet” – Lesa Cline-Ransome (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator) (Holiday House)
“Little Leaders: Bold Women in Black History” – Vashti Harrison (Hachette Book Group)*
“Take a Picture of Me, James VanDerZee!” – Andrea J. Loney (Author), Keith Mallett (Illustrator) (Lee & Low Books)
“The Youngest Marcher: The Story of Audrey Faye Hendricks, A Young Civil Rights Activist” – Cynthia Levinson (Author), Vanessa Brantley-Newton (Illustrator) (S&S Children’s Publishing)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth / Teens

“Allegedly” – Tiffany D. Jackson (HarperCollins Publishers)
“Clayton Byrd Goes Underground” – Rita Williams-Garcia (Author), Frank Morrison (Illustrator) (Amistad/HarperCollins Publishers)*
“Long Way Down” – Jason Reynolds (S&S Children’s Publishing)
“Solo” – Kwame Alexander (Author), Mary Rand Hess (With) (Blink)
“The Hate U Give” – Angie Thomas (HarperCollins Publishers)

MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture

“Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures)
“Get Out” (Universal Pictures)
“Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)*
“Marshall” (Open Road Films)
“Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture

Algee Smith – “Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures)
Chadwick Boseman – “Marshall” (Open Road Films)
Daniel Kaluuya – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures)*
Denzel Washington – “Roman J. Israel, Esq.” (Columbia Pictures)
Idris Elba – “The Mountain Between Us” (20th Century Fox)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture

Amandla Stenberg – “Everything, Everything” (Warner Bros. Pictures / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)
Danai Gurira – “All Eyez on Me” (Summit Entertainment)
Halle Berry – “Kidnap” (Aviron Pictures)
Natalie Paul – “Crown Heights” (Amazon Studios)
Octavia Spencer – “Gifted” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)*

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture

Idris Elba – “THOR: Ragnarok” (Marvel Studios)*
Laurence Fishburne – “Last Flag Flying” (Amazon Studios)
Lil Rel Howery – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures)
Nnamdi Asomugha – “Crown Heights” (Amazon Studios)
Sterling K. Brown – “Marshall” (Open Road Films)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture

Audra McDonald – “Beauty and the Beast” (Walt Disney Studio Motion Pictures)
Keesha Sharp – “Marshall” (Open Road Films)
Regina Hall – “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)
Tessa Thompson – “THOR: Ragnarok” (Marvel Studios)
Tiffany Haddish – “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)*

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture

“Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures)*
“Last Flag Flying” (Amazon Studios)
“Mudbound” (Netflix)
“Professor Marston and the Wonder Women” (Annapurna Pictures)
“Wind River” (Acacia Filmed Entertainment)

DOCUMENTARY\

Outstanding Documentary (Film)

“I Called Him Morgan” (Submarine Deluxe/Filmrise)
“STEP” (Fox Searchlight Pictures)*
“Tell Them We Are Rising: The Story of Black Colleges and Universities” (Firelight Films)
“The Rape of Recy Taylor” (Augusta Films)
“Whose Streets?” (Magnolia Pictures)

Outstanding Documentary (Television)

“Birth of a Movement” (PBS)
“Black Love” (OWN)
“The 44^th President: In His Own Words” (History)*
“The Defiant Ones” (HBO)
“What the Health” (AUM Films and Media + First Spark Media)

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series

Aziz Ansari – “Master of None” – Thanksgiving (Netflix)
Janine Barrois – “Claws” – Batsh*t (TNT)*
Justin Simien – “Dear White People” – Chapter 1 (Netflix)
Issa Rae – “Insecure” – Hella Great (HBO)
Issa Rae – “Insecure” – Hella Perspective (HBO)

Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series

Anthony Sparks – “Queen Sugar” – What Do I Care for Morning (OWN)
Ava DuVernay – “Queen Sugar” – Dream Variations (OWN)
Erica Anderson – “Greenleaf” – The Bear (OWN)
Gina Prince-Bythewood – “Shots Fired” – Hour One: Pilot (FOX)*
Vera Herbert – “This Is Us” – Still Here (NBC)

Outstanding Writing in a Television Movie or Special

Abdul Williams – “The New Edition Story” – Night Two (BET)*
Alison McDonald – “An American Girl Story: Summer Camp, Friends for Life” (Amazon)
Cas Sigers-Beedles – “When Love Kills: The Falicia Blakely Story” (TV One)
May Chan – “An American Girl Story – Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance” (Amazon)
Peter Landesman, Alexander Woo, George C. Wolfe – “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks” (HBO)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture

Virgil Williams and Dee Rees – “Mudbound” (Netflix)
Emily V. Gordon, Kumail Nanjiani – “The Big Sick” (Amazon Studios)
Jordan Peele – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures)*
Kenya Barris, Tracy Oliver – “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)
Mark Boal – “Detroit” (Annapurna Pictures)

DIRECTING

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series

Anton Cropper – “black-ish” – Juneteenth (ABC)*
Barry Jenkins – “Dear White People” – Chapter 5 (Netflix)
Justin Simien – “Dear White People” – Chapter 1 (Netflix)
Spike Lee – “She’s Gotta Have It” – #NolasChoice (Netflix)
Ken Whittingham – “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” – Kimmy Bites an Onion! (Netflix)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series

Carl Franklin – “13 Reasons Why” – Tape 5, Side B (Netflix)*
Ernest R. Dickerson – “The Deuce” – Show and Prove (HBO)
Gina Prince-Bythewood – “Shots Fired” – Hour One: Pilot (FOX)
Jeffrey Byrd – “Switched at Birth” – Occupy Truth (Freeform)
Jonathan Demme – “Shots Fired” Hour Six: The Fire This Time (FOX)

Outstanding Directing in a Television Movie or Special

Allen Hughes – “The Defiant Ones” (HBO)*
Chris Robinson – “The New Edition Story” – Night 1 (BET)
Codie Elaine Oliver – “Black Love” (OWN)
Kevin Hooks – “Madiba ” – Night 2 (BET)
Mark Ford – “Biggie: The Life of Notorious B.I.G.” (A&E)\

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture

Dee Rees – “Mudbound” (Netflix)
Jordan Peele – “Get Out” (Universal Pictures)*
Malcolm D. Lee – “Girls Trip” (Universal Pictures)
Reginald Hudlin – “Marshall” (Open Road Films)
Stella Meghie – “Everything, Everything” (Warner Bros. Pictures / Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)

ANIMATED/CGI

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance

David Oyelowo – “The Lion Guard” (Disney Junior)
Kerry Washington – “Cars 3” (Disney/Pixar)
Loretta Devine – “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Channel)
Tiffany Haddish – “Legends of Chamberlain Heights” (Comedy Central)*
Yvette Nicole Brown – “Elena of Avalor” (Disney Junior)

About NAACP:

Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization. Its members throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities. Read more about the NAACP’s work and our six “Game Changer” issue areas at NAACP.org.

About TV One:

Launched in January 2004, TV One serves 59 million households, offering a broad range of real-life and entertainment-focused original programming, classic series, movies and music designed to entertain and inform a diverse audience of adult black viewers. The network represents the best in black culture and entertainment with fan favorite shows Unsung, Rickey Smiley For Real, Fatal Attraction, The Manns and The NAACP Image Awards. In addition, TV One is the cable home of blockbuster drama Empire, and NewsOne Now, the only live daily news program dedicated to black viewers. In December 2008, the company launched TV One High Def, which now serves 14 million households. TV One is solely owned by Urban One, Inc., formerly known as Radio One, Inc. [NASDAQ: UONE and UONEK, www.urban1.com], the largest African-American owned multi-media company primarily targeting Black and urban audiences.
For more information about TV One, viewers can join the conversation by visiting the network’s companion website at www.tvone.tv<http://www.tvone.tv>>. TV One viewers can also join the conversation by connecting via social media on Twitter<https://twitter.com/TVONETV>, Instagram<https://www.instagram.com/tvonetv/> and Facebook<https://www.facebook.com/tvonetv>.