How Film Festivals Safely Made Their In-Person Return With COVID-19 Precautions

K.J. Yossman Jeymes Samuel was inspired to make his Western-themed feature debut “The Harder They Fall” after growing up watching genre flicks on BBC One and feeling disappointed by the way they depicted women and people of color.Samuel, who grew up on Harrow Road in London, U.K., acknowledged his passion for the genre was unusual but explained that the BBC “were just hammering us with Westerns when I was growing up.”“I loved cinema.

K.J. Yossman BFI London Film Festival has revealed its line-up for its second Works-in-Progress showcase, including a documentary about Hong Kong’s draconian National Security law and a TV narrative feature starring Sir Lenny Henry and Malachi Kirby (pictured above).The showcase will take place on Oct.

After three years as the Executive Director and Co-Head of the Toronto International Film Festival, Joana Vicente is heading to the Sundance Institute as their new CEO. She will start her new job at the beginning of November, splitting her time between Sundance’s office in New York, Los Angeles and Park City, UT.

Blue Moon (Crai Nou) by Romanian director Alina Grigore won the Golden Shell at the 69th San Sebastian Film Festival whose top awards were swept by female filmmakers and actors.

Jessica Chastain has arrived in Spain!

On Thursday, the Austin Film Festival unveiled its 2021 lineup, comprising 26 World, North American, and US Premieres, setting Oscar nominee Peter Hedges’ The Same Storm as its Opening Night Film.

Brent Lang Executive Editor of Film and MediaWhen the New York Film Festival opens on Sept. 24, it will not only signal another key stop on the awards season circuit — it will be a key marker in New York City’s long, painful reemergence from COVID-19.“People are so hungry for communal experiences,” says Eugene Hernandez, the festival’s director.

Javier Bardem is all smiles at the premiere of his new movie, The Good Boss, during the 2021 San Sebastian International Film Festival at Kursaal Palace on Tuesday (September 21) in San Sebastian, Spain.

EXCLUSIVE: The documentary community, a loose assemblage of independent creatives under the best of circumstances, has labored under the absence of in-person gatherings during the pandemic. For well over a year, most all-documentary festivals have been forced to go virtual, hardly a respite for filmmakers inured to hermitry.

San Sebastian International Film Festival kicked off this Friday, September 18th, featuring some of the biggest stars of Spanish cinema.

Marion Cotillard shows off her award after being honored with the Donostia during the 2021 San Sebastian International Film Festival held at the Kursaal Palace on Friday (September 17) in San Sebastian, Spain.

The return of a true red carpet power couple, it is the moment the world has been waiting to see as Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck finally made their relationship red carpet official.

The boys are back in town! Ben Affleck, 49, and Matt Damon, 50, looked incredibly handsome as they appeared at a photo call at the Venice Film Festival on Friday September 10. The famous buddies were both at the annual movie event with their latest film together: The Last Duel. The childhood friends turned movie stars were all smiles as they posed together on the red carpet!

Ben Affleck, Jodie Comer and Matt Damon are having a fun time together!

Spain’s primary film event, the San Sebastian Film Festival, was one of the few major international fests to host a physical edition last year as the pandemic raged around the world. Flash forward 12 months and Covid is far from behind us, but festivals are pushing on in this strange new world.

Matt Donnelly Senior Film WriterThe Toronto International Film Festival marked a poignant in-person return on Thursday evening, with the opening night title “Dear Evan Hansen.”Before a single frame of the cathartic tearjerker starring Ben Platt was screened, festival co-heads Cameron Bailey and Joana Vicente primed the room at Toronto’s Roy Thomson Hall.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck continue making headlines and traveling around the world. The not-so-new couple has arrived at the Venice Film Festival in Italy ahead of The Last Duel premiere.

Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck are cruising into the Venice Film Festival.

William Earl Variety is returning to the Toronto International Film Festival with its annual talent interview studio. This year’s studio, presented by Canada Goose, will run Friday, Sept.