- Bloggy Archives, Film & Movie Archives, Film Festivals Archives, Interviews Archives, Movie News, Philly Spotlight
COVID-19 Interview Benjamin F. Barnett Digital Media Strategist & PIFF Founder
by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor Benjamin F. Barnett is a digital media strategist who first founded The Media Bureau Inc in Philadelphia in the late 90’s as a place where tech entrepreneurs, and artists could come together to create, produce & screen original Digital Media Content. It was a community driven project that was the jumping off of a number of other projects including The Philadelphia Independent Film Festival, founded by Ben and now in its 13th year; or would have been had COVID-19 not struck. I met Ben probably in the Festival’s 3rd or 4th year, and enjoy covering it annually (click to see #PIFF2019). In return Ben’s been…
-
What’s Wrong with SXSW on Amazon Prime?
by Le Anne Lindsay, Editor I was excited to hear that the Free Online SXSW (South By Southwest) Film Festival on Amazon Prime was going forward April 27–May 6. But it seems a good number of films that would have screened at SXSW, prior to COVID-19 cancelling the high profile festival, are not interested in participating. The filmmakers fear it will ruin their chances at distribution deals, as Amazon Prime is not offering to buy each film, just allow them to be shown for a very limited time on their streaming platform. Also, even if theaters remain close for the time being, many filmmakers are still hoping for a theatrical…
-
Announcing the Sundance Institute COVID-19 Respond and Reimagine Plan with $1Million in Emergency Relief for Independent Artists and Organizations
Being an independent artist means daring to tell bold, authentic stories with no strings attached and no compromises. It means taking risks, centering new perspectives, searching for meaning, and deepening our connection to the world around us. The COVID-19 pandemic has cast a bright light on the importance of art, reminding us that, as Joan Didion famously wrote, “we tell ourselves stories in order to live.” It has also laid bare the vulnerability of independent artists, who are mostly freelance workers and often left out of the current support systems despite their cultural and economic impact. Further, our attention is called to examine the systems and structures across our field that…
-
AFI American Film Institute Movie Club
In this time when we are reminded “There’s no place like home,” AFI has created a global, virtual gathering of those who love the movies. Each day’s film is accompanied by fun facts, family-friendly discussion points and material from the AFI Archive to enrich your viewing experience. What is AFI Movie Club? AFI Movie Club is a newly launched program to raise the nation’s spirits by bringing artists and audiences together – even while we are apart. AFI selects an iconic movie each day for the world to watch together, creating a communal viewing experience. Audiences can “gather” at AFI.com/MovieClub to view the featured movie of the day with the…
-
Golden Globes Alter Eligibility Rules For Theatrical Releases
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association announced it will be altering long-standing rules for Golden Globe motion picture eligibility and screenings for the coming year, change that could include the unheard of step of first being seen even on broadcast TV. However, producers and studios must prove they had a “bona fide theatrical release planned to begin in Los Angeles during the period from March 15 to April 30 2020.” The HFPA, unlike other press associations, in most cases get their own private screenings for eligible films. In a break from the status quo, the organization said today it is temporarily suspending the rule that stated all members qualified to vote…
