Human Rights Watch Film Festival Opens With ‘Seven Winters in Tehran’ (EXCLUSIVE)

William Earl Variety will host a “New Gen Voices in Filmmaking” panel, presented by Adobe, at the American Pavilion during Cannes Film Festival on May 20 at 3 p.m. Panelists include Amy White, global head of corporate social responsibility at Adobe and the executive director of the Adobe Foundation, and Dr. Stacy Smith, founder of the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative. They will be joined by filmmakers Yupeng He (“A Bright Sunny Day”), Katie Blair (“Imogene”), Shafagh Abosaba (“Daroone Poust”) and Maryam Mahdye (“Daroone Poust”). The conversation will be moderated by Variety’s senior awards editor Clayton Davis. The panel will explore how young, diverse filmmakers are putting a new creative stamp on the Cannes Film Festival. Speakers will discuss how their heritage has informed their projects, the latest technologies crucial to cutting-edge film production, obstacles they have overcome as artists from underrepresented communities and how people from disadvantaged communities can break into the filmmaking world.

The Sundance Institute has revealed that the 40th edition of the Sundance Film Festival will take place in person in Utah from January 18-28, 2024, with a large selection of films also to be made available online, as they have been for a number of years.

William Earl Variety will present four conversations centered on global incentives and filming at Cannes Film Festival at the American Pavilion on Saturday, May 20 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Panelists from Spain, Hungary, Poland and Film Alula will participate in conversations moderated by Variety reporters John Hopewell, Leo Barraclough and Nick Vivarelli. The panels will highlight each of the region’s facilities, incentives, and filming community. Guests of the conversations will include producers, sales agents, distributors and creatives looking to learn about the different filming opportunities in these regions. Juan Manuel Guimeráns from the General Secretary Spain Film Commission will speak on the Spain Location panel. Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska, Madants producer; Kamila Morgisz, head of film production and film project development at the Polish Film Institute; and Martin Moszkowicz, chairman of the executive board at Constantin Film will discuss production in Poland. Csaba Káel, film commissioner and chairman of the National Film Institute and Ildiko Kemeny, CEO/producer of Pioneer Stillking Films will speak about filming in Hungary. Charlene Deleon-Jones, executive director, Alula, will speak on Saudi Arabia production opportunities.

Sophia Scorziello editor Eva Longoria’s fictional feature directorial debut “Flamin’ Hot” staring Jesse Garcia will open the 2023 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival, announced Wednesday as part of the full festival lineup. This year, the festival will feature over 80 films, 19 world premieres and 100 student films. LALIFF will take place May 31-June 4 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. Longoria’s film is based on the true story of Richard Montañez (Garcia), the Frito Lay janitor who used his Mexican American heritage to turn one snack into a global sensation. Closing the festival is the Los Angeles premiere of Julio Torres’s A24 feature film “Problemista” starring Torres and Tilda Swinton, which tells the story of an aspiring Salvadorian toy maker in New York City and the race against his work visa as he tries to realize his dreams.

Phoebe Bridgers opened for Taylor Swift on the Nashville stop of her ‘Eras’ tour tonight (May 5), surprising fans with an unannounced appearance from the rest of Boygenius.As a trio, Bridgers, Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker played ‘Not Strong Enough’ from their recent debut album as Boygenius, ‘The Record’, as well as Bridgers’ own songs ‘Graceland Too’ and ‘I Know The End’. The group were all clad in the same skeleton onesies that Bridgers herself typically performs in, and strummed along on black guitars with gold accents.Have a look at some footage of the moment (via Consequence) below, then see the full setlist from Bridgers’ set (via setlist.fm):boygenius is a surprise opener at Taylor Swift’s Nashville show tonight. pic.twitter.com/KkKa89HQ0N— CONSEQUENCE (@consequence) May 6, 20231. ‘Motion Sickness’ 2. ‘DVD Menu’ 3. ‘Garden Song’ 4. ‘Kyoto’ 5. ‘Scott Street’ 6. ‘Moon Song’ 7. ‘Not Strong Enough’ (with Boygenius) 8. ‘Graceland Too’ (with Boygenius) 9. ‘I Know The End’ (with Boygenius)Tonight’s performance adds to a growing number of surprise Boygenius appearances: March saw them perform an unannounced set at Austin Airport for SXSW, and last month they made a cameo during MUNA’s set at Coachella. Alongside Bridgers’ own sets on tour with Swift, Boygenius are currently touring in support of ‘The Record’ – a North American headline tour will continue in June – with the record itself arriving at the end of March and earning the band their first UK Number One.

Bella Thorne continues to make unexpected and bold moves in her career. The actress and director is heading to Italy and will be guest curating one of the evenings at the Taormina Film Festival, which kicks off this June 24.Bella Thorne shared Christmas update with her boyfriend and familyBella Thorne confirms new romance with boyfriend Mark Emms: See PicsInside Bella Thorne’s world of fashion, film, and Coachella funA post shared by BELLA (@bellathorne)Deadline reports that Thorne will be curating an event called “Influential Shorts,” where she’ll premiere her directorial debut, “Paint Her Red.” “I am excited to be able to recognize Bella’s talent now as a film director and as a curator. Launching such a great project in the context of a historic festival and event like the Taormina Film Festival is an inspiring opportunity,” said Barrett Wissman, the Taormina Film Festival Executive and co-artistic Director.

Russell Crowe will receive the Crystal Globe Award for Outstanding Artistic Contribution to World Cinema at the 2023 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, KVIFF organizers announced on Friday. And unlike past recipients of the Crystal Globe like Michael Caine, Julianne Moore, Mel Gibson, Judi Dench and Robert De Niro, Crowe will also perform on the festival’s opening night with his rock band, Indoor Garden Party.The festival, which takes place in a spa town outside Prague in the Czech Republic, will present Crowe with the award on its opening night, June 30.

Sophia Scorziello editor Mammoth Lakes Film Festival has announced the lineup of its ninth installment, held in-person from May 24-28 at venues throughout the California mountain town. Notably, the opening and closing films will feature stories from transgender individuals around the world. “Two of the most compelling documentaries we came across this year happened to be transgender stories, highlighting characters living in circumstances that threaten their survival, and we are so thrilled to showcase ‘Queendom’ and ‘Kokomo City’ as our opening and closing spotlight films,” said Paul Sbrizzi, director of festival programming. Opening film “Queendom,” by Agniia Galdanova, is a window into the life of Gena, a transgender Russian performance artist, and the radical acts that put her life in danger. The closing film “Kokomo City” by D. Smith explores the lives of four Black transgender sex workers as they consider what their existence means within the Black community. Koko Da Doll, who was one of the documentary’s four subjects, was fatally shot in Atlanta last month.

The Cannes Film Festival has unveiled the eight members of the main Competition jury, who will join its previously announced president Ruben Östlund at the 76th edition, running May 16 to 27

Michelle Obama was the surprise guest at Bruce Springsteen’s concert. The former First Lady joined Springsteen onstage in Barcelona with a tambourine on hand, becoming his backup singer for an evening. Michelle Obama encourages you to take up this therapeutic hobbyMichelle Obama talks about losing friendships when entering the White HouseBarack and Michelle Obama’s night out with Bruce Springsteen and Steven Spielberg in SpainA post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama)Michelle shared the moment on her Instagram, showing Barack Obama cheering her on.

The owners of Hinge and Tinder say they will be pulling out of Russia citing 'human rights' as the reason. Match Group has announced that by June 30, members of the public in Russia will no longer be able to access their dating apps.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor U.S. actor John C. Reilly will serve as president of the jury of the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes Film Festival. “Salem,” directed by Jean-Bernard Marlin, has been added to the lineup. The other members of the jury will be French director and screenwriter Alice Winocour, German actor Paula Beer, French-Cambodian director and producer Davy Chou, and Belgian actor Émilie Dequenne. The Un Certain Regard section showcases art and discovery films by young auteurs. In a statement, Reilly said: “I have had so many life changing moments at the Festival de Cannes (from my miraculous first trip with Paul Thomas Anderson to celebrating my 50th birthday from the Palais stage!) so to be chosen as the president of Un Certain Regard jury is truly such an incredible honor.”

Colton Dixon just dropped his new EP, and we want Just Jared readers to get to know him even better!

Diana Gabaldon, who rose to fame for her creation of the Outlander book series, has given an insight into her 'favourite' all-time film, and it might just surprise you coming from the best-selling author.

Ellise Shafer Aubrey “Drake” Graham and Sean “Diddy” Combs have signed on as executive producers of Grammy-nominated rapper French Montana’s documentary “For Khadija,” which is set to premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 16. Directed by Mandon Lovett, “For Khadija” follows “the unlikely rise of Moroccan-born, multi-platinum recording artist French Montana, as his single mother she sacrifices everything to raise her three young sons in the Bronx, after being abandoned by their father and left destitute,” according to the doc’s official description. “The film spans the globe as it depicts the family’s unique immigrant journey, a son’s perseverance in the face of insurmountable obstacles, and a mother’s unwavering faith — all in pursuit of the American dream.”

James Marsden appeared on the hit Amazon Freevee series,, the two reunited for ET as they revisited their time together on the documentary-style reality series. And Marsden also came with a surprise for Gladden — one that called back to one of their very first interactions about the actor's co-star, Ben Schwartz. On the show, Gladden thought he was participating in a documentary about what it is like to be on an American jury, only to learn at the end of his experience the entire thing was fake.

EXCLUSIVE: Activist Artists Management on Tuesday announced their signing of Human Rights Watch, the international organization working to promote and defend human rights around the world. Activist’s Bernie Cahill and Jon Kanak will rep the organization, as well as its 40+ years of human rights research and advocacy, helping to extend its reach through the creation of fresh scripted and unscripted storytelling opportunities across film and TV.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor The 57th edition of Karlovy Vary Intl. Film Festival, which runs June 30-July 8, has planned a retrospective program focused on Iranian cinema with a selection of films made in the past four years. The festival will also celebrate the work of Japanese filmmaker Yasuzo Masumura. Commenting on the Iranian cinema program, the festival said in a statement: “Collectively these works offer an insightful testimony of the burning creativity of Iran’s artists in face of the challenging reality. Nine mostly young filmmakers – urgent, unheard voices – who palpably bear a spiritual connection to the previous generations of their country’s greats, tackle the current reality with a remarkable sensitivity and great inventiveness.

Michel Dimopoulos, former director of the Thessaloniki International Film Festival, has died. He was 74.

Hungarian director and screenwriter Ildikó Enyedi has been announced as president of the Cannes Film Festival jury deciding the Short Film Palme d’Or and the 3 La Cinef prizes for student films in the Official Selection.