Features

With or Withoutabox?

Nikki — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 11:37:45 -0600

Film Festivals. Whether it’s Sundance or Cannes, or something more obscure, the phrase conjures images of red carpets, artsy auteurs, and late night parties… for fans. But to filmmakers, and the often-unpaid program coordinators, film festivals are linked to getting organized, getting seen, and selling either your film, or enough tickets to do it all again next year.

From Box Office to Ballot Box

Nikki — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 00:00:00 -0500

With days left until the 2008 presidential election, images are flooding airwaves and video streams, vying for position as the lasting impression conjured just moments before pulling the lever.

Money Issues: Funding an Independent Film

Nikki — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 01:44:05 -0500

Long before filmmakers begin production, they face the daunting task of scraping together enough money to get their film off the ground. Choosing the right method of funding relies on many factors, including the type and subject of the film, and the experience behind the cast and crew involved in the project.

Let’s Make A Deal: SAG Strike Looking More Likely

Nikki — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:42:11 -0500

The continued standstill between the Screen Actor’s Guild (SAG) and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) to re-negotiate a new contract makes a strike look increasingly likely. The previous contract expired June 30, 2008.

Letter from Buenos Aires: Subsidies Create More Films, But Not an Eager Audience

mike — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 00:00:00 -0500

It’s not surprising that a country known for its artistic and cultural liveliness is garnering critical acclaim and attention for its films.

Download This: The Future of Distribution is Just a Click Away

michele — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 00:00:00 -0500

Video blogs, vodcasts, YouTube -- in many ways it seems that independent filmmakers have taken the internet by force. But what about independent films picked up for distribution? In many cases, they are notably missing from the online arena. Companies like Zipporah Films, Women Make Movies and Davidson Films still stick with their tried-and-true model of

Letter from Bangkok: Thai Indies Flourish, and Face New Censorship

mike — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 14:48:23 -0600

Mainstream Thai cinema is coming up on the international radar lately. In 2003, Francis Ford Coppola spearheaded the international release of Suriyothai, one of the highest grossing Thai films ever when it was first released in that country. It recalls the heroic exploits of a 16th Thai queen defending her country against Burmese invasion.

Thirteen Ways of Looking at Sundance

erin — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 10:43:37 -0600

Sundance is growing. More submissions than ever--8,000 for 2008. More screenings. More countries of origin represented in both the feature and documentary competitions. More arms of the Sundance empire--institutes, labs, the Sundance Channel--at work. More categories to sift through than a sane film-goer can practically comprehend, let alone stand in line for.

Will Success Spoil the 48 Hour Film Project?

nheintz — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:43:46 -0600

On a sunny Saturday afternoon in January, director David Butler and his motley film crew set up shop in a cavernous yellow brick building on Eastern Avenue in Baltimore’s Little Italy. The team, known collectively as Bargain Basement Films, started straggling in at about 7 a.m.

Funny Women

erin — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:26:39 -0500

Sarah Silverman is the controversial comedian du jour. Her capacity to shock today's audiences may be distinctly Silverman, yet her career stands on the shoulders of several comedic foremothers. Her routines echo the boldness of Fanny Brice, the sexuality of Sophie Tucker, and the brashness of Joan Rivers to name just a few.