Dee Rees News

The Museum of Modern Art and the Film Society of Lincoln Center today announced the initial nine official selections for the 44th edition of New Directors/New Films (ND/NF), a festival dedicated to the discovery of new works by emerging and dynamic filmmaking talent.

Oscar nominee Queen Latifah ('Chicago') stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in the HBO Films drama BESSIE, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees ('Pariah') from a screenplay by Rees and Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois. With a story by Rees and Horton Foote, the film focuses on Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into 'The Empress of the Blues,' one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today.

The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), the nation's premier member organization of independent storytellers, presented the 24th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards by IFP this evening, December 1, 2014. The awards were emceed by Academy Award nominated actress Uma Thurman. Scroll down for the full list of winners!

The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), the nation's premier member organization of independent storytellers, announced today the nominees for the 24th Annual Gotham Independent Film Awards by IFP.

The Independent Filmmaker Project (IFP), the nation's premier member organization of independent filmmakers, announced today that Ted Sarandos, Netflix Chief Content Officer, will be presented with the 24th annual Industry Tribute

Oscar(R) nominee Queen Latifah ('Chicago') stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in HBO Films' BESSIE

Oscar® nominee Queen Latifah (“Chicago”) stars as legendary blues singer Bessie Smith in HBO Films' BESSIE, written and directed by acclaimed filmmaker Dee Rees (“Pariah”). Currently in production in Atlanta and debuting in 2015, the film focuses on Smith's transformation from a struggling young singer into “The Empress of the Blues,” one of the most successful recording artists of the 1920s and an enduring icon today. The cast also features Michael K. Williams, Khandi Alexander, Mike Epps, Tika Sumpter, Tory Kittles, Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg, Charles S. Dutton and Mo'Nique. BESSIE is executive produced by Queen Latifah, Shakim Compere, Lili Fini Zanuck, Shelby Stone and Randi Michel.

Deadline reports that Oliver Platt, Bryan Greenberg and Tory Kittles will now star alongside leading lady Queen Latifah in HBO's BESSIE, a biopic about legendary blues singer Bessie Smith.

Sundance Institute today announced the 13 projects selected for its annual June Directors and Screenwriters Labs, taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah from May 26 through June 26.

According to Deadline, Queen Latifah has signed on to play blues legend Bessie Smith in HBO's upcoming, untitled biopic of the late star. PARIAH's Dee Rees will write and direct.

Sundance Institute today announced a significant expansion of its renowned labs for independent artists to include dedicated support for writers and creators of series for television and online platforms.

An incredible line-up of presenters has been confirmed for the 66th annual Writers Guild Awards New York Ceremony on Saturday, February 1, 2014 at the Edison Ballroom in New York City.

Sundance Institute has selected 12 projects for its 2014 January Screenwriters Lab, an immersive, five-day (January 10-15) writers' workshop at the Sundance Resort in Utah.

There's still time to become the next top filmmaker. On November 1 st, ESSENCE invited aspiring filmmakers to showcase their own inspiring images reflecting the truths and triumphs of Black women's lives

Sundance Institute today announced the participants for its annual Creative Producing Labs and Creative Producing Summit, both held the week of July 29 at the Sundance Resort in Sundance, Utah. These activities are part of the Institute's year-round Creative Producing Initiative, which encompasses a series of Labs, Fellowships and other events that support independent producers.

Sundance Institute welcomes 13 projects, selected for its annual June Directors and Screenwriters Labs, taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah from today, May 27 through June 27. Under the leadership of Michelle Satter, Founding Director of the Institute's Feature Film Program, and the artistic direction of Gyula Gazdag, the Fellows selected for this year's program include emerging filmmakers and projects from the United States, Europe, Mexico, Peru and Somalia.

Sundance Institute today announced the 13 projects selected for its annual June Directors and Screenwriters Labs, taking place at the Sundance Resort in Utah from May 27 through June 27. Under the leadership of Michelle Satter, Founding Director of the Institute's Feature Film Program, and the artistic direction of Gyula Gazdag, the Fellows selected for this year's program include emerging filmmakers and projects from the United States, Europe, Mexico, Peru and Somalia.

The Sundance Film Festival expands to audiences across the country for one special night of film and dialogue, dispatching 10 filmmakers from Park City to nine cities across the country to screen and discuss their direct-from-Festival films with audiences. The Belcourt Theatre has been selected by the Sundance Film Festival as one of only 10 venues in America to screen a specially selected film tonight, Jan. 31, 2013 as part of Sundance Film Festival USA. This year, the Belcourt will screen MOTHER OF GEORGE, directed by Andrew Dosunmu.

Sundance Institute and NHK have announced Kentaro Hagiwara, director of the upcoming film, Spectacled Tiger, as winner of the 2013 Sundance/NHK International Filmmaker Award. The award was presented at a private ceremony at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah.

Sundance Institute and India's Mahindra Group today announced the four winners of the 2013 Sundance Institute | Mahindra Global Filmmaking Awards, in recognition and support of emerging independent filmmakers from around the world. The winning directors and projects are: Sarthak Dasgupta, THE MUSIC TEACHER from India; Jonas Carpignano, A CHJANA from Italy-US; Aly Muritiba, THE MAN WHO KILLED MY BELOVED DEAD from Brazil; and Vendela Vida & Eva Weber, LET THE NORTHERN LIGHTS ERASE YOUR NAME from UK-Germany-US.