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VIDEO: Netflix Releases Trailer for THE INNOCENCE FILES
by Kaitlin Milligan - Apr 2, 2020

Netflix has released the trailer for The Innocence Files, a 9-episode documentary limited series premiering April 15.

Birmingham Royal Ballet Announces Home From Home
by Stephi Wild - Apr 2, 2020

Birmingham Royal Ballet is launching Home From Home, a new series of online content which will give an exclusive insight into the company's daily routine and specially curated performances as they stay fit and creative whilst in isolation at their homes across the globe.

New Documentaries Coming Soon to Netflix
by Kaitlin Milligan - Mar 13, 2020

Whether you like tales of social justice, natural history, close-ups of heroes who were ahead of their time, true crime, or something that's #strangerthanfiction - our upcoming slate will give our members amazing stories they can't find anywhere else. Over 147 million households have chosen to watch at least one documentary on Netflix in the last year, and we're expecting our coming lineup to give members more to talk about with their friends.

Sundance Institute Selects 12 First-Time Feature Filmmakers for Screenwriters Intensive
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Mar 3, 2020

Twelve screenwriters have been selected to participate in Sundance Institute's eighth annual Screenwriters Intensive in Los Angeles, to take place March 4-5, 2020. The Intensive, a two-day workshop for select emerging writers and writer/directors from underrepresented communities, focuses on the development of first fiction features. Fellows at the Intensive will advance the art and craft of their work under the guidance of experienced filmmakers and the Institute's Feature Film Program, led by that Program's Founding Director Michelle Satter and Deputy Director Ilyse McKimmie.

AFI Fest 2019 Announces AFI Summit Program
by Kaitlin Milligan - Oct 24, 2019

​​​​​​​ The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the program for the inaugural AFI Summit that will take place at AFI FEST 2019 presented by Audi. The lineup includes a conversation with producer, director, actress and activist Eva Longoria and founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative Dr. Stacy Smithto discuss the latest findings from the Initiative about the alarming lack of representation of Latinx individuals in film; an in-depth and wide-ranging conversation between Susan Ruskin, Dean of the AFI Conservatory and Ted Sarandos, Chief Content Officer of Netflix; The Hollywood Reporter's Indie Contenders Roundtable moderated by Scott Feinberg; the Los Angeles Times' Doc Roundtable moderated by Amy Kaufman; a panel led by Brickson Diamond, Chairman of Blackhouse, with three pairs of entertainment executives of color discussing diversifying the film industry; and Shoot the Book where film rights managers pitch their projects.

HBO to Premiere THE APOLLO Documentary on November 6
by Kaitlin Milligan - Oct 16, 2019

THE APOLLO, directed by Oscar® and Emmy® winner Roger Ross Williams, chronicles the legacy of New York City's landmark Apollo Theater, covering the rich history of the storied performance space over its 85 years. What began as a refuge for marginalized artists emerged as a hallowed hall of black excellence and empowerment. In the film, Williams reflects on the struggle of black lives in America, the role that art plays in that struggle, and the part the Apollo Theater continues to play in the cultural conversation.

DOC NYC Announces Full Lineup for 10th Edition
by Kaitlin Milligan - Oct 10, 2019

 DOC NYC, America's largest documentary festival, announced the full lineup for its expanded tenth anniversary edition, running November 6-15 at the IFC Center in Greenwich Village and Chelsea's SVA Theatre and Cinépolis Chelsea. The 2019 festival includes 136 feature-length documentaries among over 300 films and events overall, making this landmark year DOC NYC's biggest edition yet. Included are 28 world premieres 27 US or North American premieres and 59 NYC premieres, with more than 500 doc makers and special guests expected in person to present their films or participate on panels. 

Woodstock Film Festival Announces 20th Anniversary Audience & Maverick Award Recipients
by Sarah Jae Leiber - Oct 7, 2019

The 20th Anniversary Woodstock Film Festival wrapped up on Sunday with the Closing Night film Marriage Story, directed by Noah Baumbach. Audience ballots from more than 100 films were counted late Sunday night to determine the winners of the Audience Awards. Over the past week, thousands of film goers, industry and filmmakers from around the world attended screenings, panels, and special events in Woodstock, Rhinebeck, Rosendale, Kingston and Saugerties.

New York Shakespeare Exchange World Premiere Staged Reading Of THE CARD PLAY
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 19, 2019

New York Shakespeare Exchange announces a world premiere staged reading of a new theatrical experiment, The Card Play co-written by NYSX's Resident Dramaturg Shane Breaux and Resident Playwright Kevin Brewer,on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 7-9pm (doors open to audience at 6:30pm) at the 53rd Street Library Theater (18 W. 53rd Street, NYC). This event is free.

New York Shakespeare Exchange Announces World Premiere Staged Reading of THE CARD PLAY
by Julie Musbach - Sep 19, 2019

New York Shakespeare Exchange announces a world premiere staged reading of a new theatrical experiment, The Card Play co-written by NYSX's Resident Dramaturg Shane Breaux and Resident Playwright Kevin Brewer,on Tuesday, September 24, 2019 from 7-9pm (doors open to audience at 6:30pm) at the 53rd Street Library Theater (18 W. 53rd Street, NYC). This event is free.

Apollo Theater Presents A Free Community Screening Of The HBO Documentary Film THE APOLLO
by Stephi Wild - Sep 16, 2019

The Apollo Theater announced today it will present a free screening of the HBO Documentary Film The Apollo on Friday October 4th at 7:00 p.m., in advance of its HBO premiere. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with members of the creative team. Tickets will be available today on the Apollo website.

HONEY BOY, MARRIAGE STORY Among Woodstock Film Festival's 20th Anniversary Lineup
by Kaitlin Milligan - Sep 5, 2019

The Woodstock Film Festival today announced the full lineup for its landmark 20th Anniversary, taking place from October 2-6 in the historic Hudson Valley towns of Woodstock, Rhinebeck, Kingston, Saugerties, and Rosendale. Widely acknowledged for showcasing passionate, creative and thought-provoking work by some of today's most promising and accomplished independent filmmakers, this year's festival will showcase more than 50 features from around the world, as well as many short films, and will include panels, live performances, and other special events.

Woodstock Film Festival Announces the World Premiere of PARKLAND RISING
by Kaitlin Milligan - Aug 26, 2019

The Woodstock Film Festival is thrilled to announce the world premiere screening of PARKLAND RISING, executive produced by Katie Couric and will.i.am, at the upcoming 20th anniversary film festival, taking place October 2-6, 2019. This timely and vital documentary, directed by two-time Emmy Award winner Cheryl Horner McDonough, follows the high-school students and families who became fierce leaders of the national movement for gun reform after the February 2018 shooting of 17 people at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida.

BWW Review: DISNEY'S THE LITTLE MERMAID is Family-Friendly Summer Fun
by Lacey Cannon Gonzales - Jul 25, 2019

In short, THE LITTLE MERMAID taps into the magic of Disney and brings it to Central Texas. It offers family-friendly summer fun that is accessible to all.

HBO Announces Documentary Slate for Second Half of 2019
by Kaitlin Milligan - Jul 25, 2019

HBO has confirmed their slate of thought-provoking documentaries for the second half of 2019, including: Roger Ross Williams' THE APOLLO, an insider's look at the history and legacy of the legendary Apollo Theater; Susan Lacy's VERY RALPH, the intimate story of fashion icon Ralph Lauren; Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato and Diane von Furstenberg's LIBERTY: MOTHER OF EXILES, a revealing, up-close look at one of the most beloved icons in the world; and McMILLIONS, from executive producer Mark Wahlberg and directors James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte, a documentary series chronicling the stranger-than-fiction story of how an ex-cop rigged McDonald's Monopoly game promotion for over a decade and stole millions.

Apollo Theater Announces 2019 Fall/Winter Season
by Julie Musbach - Jul 22, 2019

The Apollo Theater today announced details of its 2019 fall season, featuring myriad music, dance, and theater performances and film screenings that expand the nonprofit theater's role as a partner, commissioner, and co-producer of programming that articulates African American narratives.

New York Shakespeare Exchange Announces The Next Freestyle Lab ARMOR AS STRONG: Trans Warriors Through A Shakespearean Lens
by Stephi Wild - May 23, 2019

New York Shakespeare Exchange announces the next Freestyle Lab, ARMOR AS STRONG: Trans Warriors through a Shakespearean Lens, on Tuesday, May 28, 2019 from 7-9pm (doors open to audience at 6:30pm) at the 53rd Street Library Theater (18 W. 53rd Street, NYC). This event is free.

Guest Blog: Tom Ross-Williams On THIS ISLAND'S MINE
by Marianka Swain - May 20, 2019

This Island's Mine was originally written in 1988 for Gay Sweatshop in response to Section 28. Yet it doesn't feel like a museum piece, and in some ways it's still sadly resonant to a London in 2019.

Sundance Institute Announces 2019 New Frontier Story Lab Fellows
by Kaitlin Milligan - May 16, 2019

Sundance Institute announces six projects selected for the 2019 Sundance Institute New Frontier Story Lab, which supports independent artists working at the cutting-edge convergence of film, art, media, live performance and technology.  The New Frontier Story Lab is a week-long immersive experience that empowers creatives with individual story sessions, conversations about key artistic, design and technology issues and case study presentations from experts in multiple disciplines. Past participants include Roger Ross Williams, Josephine Decker, Silas Howard, Tracy Fullerton, Yung Jake, Chris Milk, Hasan Minhaj, Tommy Pallotta, Amelia Winger-Bearskin, Hank Willis Thomas, Jillian Mayer, Heather Dewey-Hagborg, Navid and Vassiliki Khonsari, A Dandy Punk, and Nicolas Peufaillit. The Lab takes place May 16-21 at the Sundance Resort in Utah, under the leadership of Sundance Institute Feature Film Program Founding Director Michelle Satter and Ruthie Doyle, Interim Director of New Frontier Lab Programs.

VIDEO: Watch the Trailer for the Documentary AFTER MARIA
by Kaitlin Milligan - May 10, 2019

In the aftermath of Hurricane Maria's catastrophic destruction in 2017, three Puerto Rican women and their families are caught between worlds as their FEMA housing assistance in New York expires. With the threat of homelessness on the horizon, After Maria follows as they fight to keep their families together and weather the emotional effects from displacement.

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