‘Heretic’ and ‘Maria’ to Screen as Red Carpet Galas at AFI Fest — Film News in Brief

The American Film Institute announced Thursday that the psychological thriller “Heretic,” starring Hugh Grant, and the Maria Callas biopic “Maria,” starring Angelina Jolie, will be the Red Carpet Premieres at this year’s AFI Fest.

The “Heretic” premiere is scheduled first, with its gala screening on Oct. 24. The premiere for “Maria” will follow on Oct. 26.

The complete list of Red Carpet Premieres includes the documentary “Music by John Williams,” Robert Zemeckis’ drama-fantasy “Here,” starring Tom Hanks, the next installment of the stop-motion series “Wallace & Gromit: Most Fowl,” and Clint Eastwood’s “Juror #2.”

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“At the heart of AFI Fest is an unwavering dedication to celebrating the best in global cinema — together,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI president and CEO, in a statement. “We look forward to uniting artists and audiences once again to be inspired by the art form in a powerful sense of community.”

Among the films featured in the Special Screenings section are “Bird,” “The Fire Inside,” “I’m Still Here,” “Nightbitch,” “The Order,” “A Real Pain,” “The Room Next Door,” “The Summer Book” and “Unstoppable.”

The full AFI Fest lineup will be announced on Oct. 1. The premieres are available at FEST.AFI.com. 

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Unveils Winners for 51st Student Academy Awards

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced 15 winners for the 51st Student Academy Awards competition.

This year’s competition received 2,683 entries from 738 colleges globally. The National Institute of Design, Digital Hollywood University and Filmová Akademie Miroslava Ondříčka v Písku are first-time recipients. Past honorees include Patricia Cardoso, Pete Docter, Spike Lee, Patricia Riggen and Robert Zemeckis.

All Student Academy Award-winning films are eligible to compete for 2024 Oscars in the Animated Short Film, Live Action Short Film or Documentary Short Film category. Past winners have received 67 Oscar nominations and have won or shared 15 awards. Gold, silver and bronze placements in the four award categories will be announced at the ceremony.

Here’s a look at this year’s winners:

Alternative/Experimental
Akshit Kumar, “bonVoyage pour monVoyage,” National Institute of Design, India
Birdy Wei-Ting Hung, “A Brighter Summer Day for the Lady Avengers,” San Francisco State University 
Dori Walker, “In Living Memory,” Brown University

Animation
Florian Maurice, Maxime Foltzer & Estelle Bonnardel, “Au Revoir Mon Monde,” MoPA 3D Animation School, France
Kei Kanamori, “Origami,” Digital Hollywood University, Japan
Spencer Baird, “Student Accomplice,” Brigham Young University

Documentary
Rishabh Raj Jain, “A Dream Called Khushi (Happiness),” New York University
Hannah Rafkin, “Keeper,” School of Visual Arts 
Aaron Johnson, “The 17%,” Chapman University 

Narrative
Pavel Sýkora & Viktor Horák, “The Compatriot,” Filmová Akademie Miroslava Ondříčka v Písku, Czech Republic
Jens Kevin Georg, “Crust,” Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, Germany
Robin Wang, “Neither Donkey nor Horse,” University of Southern California 

Tickets and full program are available at the festival’s website.

Eileen Grubba’s ‘Dark Hearts’ to Screen at International Film Arts and Hearts Film Festival

The annual International Film Arts and Hearts Film Festival will feature a screening of “Dark Hearts,” a drama that boasts the remarkable production milestone of possessing a cast and crew that has 80% individuals with a disability. The film is helmed by actress and “Living Hell” director Eileen Grubba.

“Representation matters,” Grubba said in a statement. “By employing a predominantly disabled cast and crew, we are not just telling stories; we are reshaping the narrative around disability in the entertainment industry. It’s time for Hollywood to recognize the immense talent within our community and to create opportunities that reflect the world we live in.”

“Dark Hearts” will screen Sept. 26 at Regal L.A. Live, the main hub for the International Film Arts and Hearts Festival. The film’s screening will take place on the evening of Thursday September 26, 2024, at The International Film Arts and Hearts Film Festival.

Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild to Introduce New Award Category for Theatrical Productions

The Make-Up Artists and Hair Stylists Guild is set to introduce a new award category for theatrical productions. MUAHS will now include Broadway and international live theater productions at thier upcoming 12th MUAHS Awards Ceremony on Feb. 15.

The new category will expand the recognition of outstanding make-up and hair-styling artists to encompass all live theater productions, including Broadway international live productions.

“With the addition of Broadway International, the ceremony will now shine a spotlight on beloved theatrical productions from around the world, recognizing the hard work and creativity of make-up artists and hair stylists in this genre. The MUAHS Guild Awards also honor make-up artists and hair stylists in motion pictures, television, commercials and music videos in 23 categories,” read the statement.

MUAHS President Angela L. Johnson continued, “We are so pleased to announce the addition of the Broadway and International Live Theater Production category. The MUAHS Guild Awards are now all-inclusive, and participation is worldwide for film, television and theater. We are very proud to be one of the very few awards shows that recognize the extraordinary work of make-up artists and hair stylists in theater productions,” read the statement.

Click here for more information on the upcoming ceremony and more details on the breakdown of the new categories.

‘Anora,’ ‘Nightbitch’ and ‘Oh, Canada’ to Screen at Woodstock Film Festival

The Woodstock Film Festival has unveiled the lineup for its 25th edition, which takes place Oct. 15-20. Films will screen in venues across Woodstock, Vt., Rosendale, N.Y., Kingston, N.Y. and Saugerties, N.Y.

Highlights from the Woodstock program include Sean Baker’s Palme d’Or winner “Anora,” “Blitz” from “12 Years a Slave” director Steve McQueen, Paul Schrader’s “Oh, Canada” and “Nightbitch” starring Amy Adams. Jesse Eisenberg’s “A Real Pain” will close out the festival. Schrader will receive the Maverick award and conduct a conversation after his screening.

“On this 25th anniversary of the film festival, and at this pivotal time in our nation and the world, I’m thrilled to welcome the many talented filmmakers who will be arriving from near and far to attend with their extraordinary work,” said Meira Blaustein, Woodstock Film Festival co-founder and executive director. “Their diverse voices shine a light on the complex fabric of our lives, and their gathering here will once again bring storytellers of all stripes together in celebration of creativity, innovation and the fierce independent spirit.”

Tickets and full program are available at the festival’s website.

Firelight Films and Hulu Unveil 2nd Annual Hulu/Firelight Kindling Fund Recipients

Stanley Nelson’s Firelight Films and Hulu have unveiled the recipients for the second annual Hulu/Firelight Kindling Fund, which awards filmmakers $25,000 to develop an original nonfiction documentary, feature film or limited series for a first look with Firelight and Hulu.

This year’s recipients are Byron Hurt for his films “The Wildcat Way” and “Murder of a Drum Major,” and lyric r. cabral for his untitled possibility project.

“Firelight Films is proud to select Byron Hurt and lyric r. cabral for our second Hulu/Firelight Kindling Fund cohort,” said Nelson. “These are two filmmakers I’ve long admired and whose work has been previously supported by our sister organization, Firelight Media. With these projects, each filmmaker brings their unique talents and perspectives to urgent stories from within their communities, seeking narrative justice for the protagonists.”

Sundance 2024 NEXT Winner ‘Desire Lines’ Announces Upcoming Screening Tour Alongside Discussion Panel

Sundance 2024 NEXT Special Jury Award winner “Desire Lines” will embark on an impact tour starting this October. The hybrid documentary, which blends personal interviews, archival materials, and narrative fiction, will screen alongside a panel discussion addressing the film’s main themes.

The documentary tells an LGBTQ+ story, exploring themes of self-identity and attraction. “’Desire Lines’ has created a unique opportunity to make a distinctly trans film that is also important for people outside of the trans community. I think most of us have struggled with shame around some aspect of who we are and what (or who) we desire. The people who appear in the film—both actors and non-actors—are so genuine and open that you can’t help but relate to and feel inspired by them. This is the gift the film offers, especially in a moment where we are more and more disconnected from joy and connection,” shared Director Jules Rosskam in the film’s press release. 

The announced destinations include New York City’s Firehouse: DCTV’s Cinema for Documentary Film running from Oct. 11-17, co-presented by the Queens World Film Festival; Atlanta’s Tara Theatre on Oct. 18, co-presented by Out on Film; and Laemmle’s The Royal on Oct. 24 in Los Angeles. The tour will continue into 2025, with additional cities and dates to be announced.