Winners and special honorees were celebrated at the 14th Annual Aafca Awards at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on March 1. Prior to the festivities, Gold Derby associate editor Latasha Ford caught up with a few of the night’s presenters and honorees on the red carpet.
Watch her chats with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” director Ryan Coogler, Aafca President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson, “Emancipation” star Charmaine Bingwa, “Double Cross” star Ashley A. Williams, “Black Beauty Effect” executive producer C.J. Faison, Amazon Studios Head of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Latasha Gillespie and “Till” star Jalyn Hall above.
“The Woman King,” “Till,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” each won two Aafca Awards with “The Woman King” taking Best Picture and Best Director for Gina Prince-Bythewood, “Till” for Best Actress (Danielle Deadwyler) and the Emerging Face award (Hall), “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever...
Watch her chats with “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” director Ryan Coogler, Aafca President and Co-Founder Gil Robertson, “Emancipation” star Charmaine Bingwa, “Double Cross” star Ashley A. Williams, “Black Beauty Effect” executive producer C.J. Faison, Amazon Studios Head of Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Latasha Gillespie and “Till” star Jalyn Hall above.
“The Woman King,” “Till,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” each won two Aafca Awards with “The Woman King” taking Best Picture and Best Director for Gina Prince-Bythewood, “Till” for Best Actress (Danielle Deadwyler) and the Emerging Face award (Hall), “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever...
- 3/3/2023
- by Latasha Ford and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
Winners and special honorees were celebrated at the 14th Annual Aafca Awards at the Beverly Wilshire, a Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills on March 1. Prior to the festivities, Gold Derby associate editor Latasha Ford caught up with a few of the night’s presenters and honorees on the red carpet. Watch her chats with actress Meagan Good, “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” production designer Hannah Beachler and “Nanny” writer/director Nikyatu Jusu above.
“The Woman King,” “Till,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” each won two Aafca Awards with “The Woman King” taking Best Picture and Best Director for Gina Prince-Bythewood, “Till” for Best Actress (Danielle Deadwyler) and the Emerging Face award (Jayln Hall), “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” for Best Supporting Actress (Angela Bassett) and Best Song (Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up”) and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” for Best Writing (Rian Johnson) and Best Ensemble.
“The Woman King,” “Till,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” each won two Aafca Awards with “The Woman King” taking Best Picture and Best Director for Gina Prince-Bythewood, “Till” for Best Actress (Danielle Deadwyler) and the Emerging Face award (Jayln Hall), “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” for Best Supporting Actress (Angela Bassett) and Best Song (Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up”) and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” for Best Writing (Rian Johnson) and Best Ensemble.
- 3/2/2023
- by Latasha Ford and Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
The 23rd annual Black Reel Awards took place Monday, February 6th, with “The Woman King” leading the field, snagging six awards including Best Picture. BAFTA nominee Gina Prince-Bythewood‘s historical epic is inspired by true events that took place in The Kingdom of Dahomey, one of the most powerful states of Africa in the 18th and 19th centuries. “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” was close behind with five wins.
Special honorary award winners were Angela Bassett (Sidney Poitier Trailblazer Award), Effie T. Brown (Vanguard Award), Debra Martin Chase (Oscar Micheaux Impact Award) and Kerry Washington (Ruby Dee Humanitarian Award).
The Black Reel Awards, or the “Bolt”, is an annual American awards ceremony hosted by the Foundation for the Augmentation of African-Americans in Film (Faaaf) to recognize the excellence of African-Americans, as well as the cinematic achievements of the African diaspora, in the global film industry, as assessed by the Foundation’s voting membership.
Special honorary award winners were Angela Bassett (Sidney Poitier Trailblazer Award), Effie T. Brown (Vanguard Award), Debra Martin Chase (Oscar Micheaux Impact Award) and Kerry Washington (Ruby Dee Humanitarian Award).
The Black Reel Awards, or the “Bolt”, is an annual American awards ceremony hosted by the Foundation for the Augmentation of African-Americans in Film (Faaaf) to recognize the excellence of African-Americans, as well as the cinematic achievements of the African diaspora, in the global film industry, as assessed by the Foundation’s voting membership.
- 2/7/2023
- by Denton Davidson
- Gold Derby
A few weeks before Black History Month kicked off, IndieWire posed an admittedly quite open question to some our favorite Black filmmakers: Who are your favorite Black filmmakers?
The basic pitch was a bit more involved, asking for picks that run more toward “inspiration” and “impact,” with an eye toward the long history of Black filmmakers. We sent a batch of questions to get the creative juices flowing: Which movies did you watch as a kid that shaped your taste? Which filmmaker’s work has inspired the films you make today? Who is a filmmaker deserving of more attention from other movie lovers?
In short, what films and which filmmakers should everyone know about?
The responses, from Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mariama Diallo, Adamma Ebo, Rashaad Ernesto Green, Carey Williams, and newly minted Sundance winner A.V. Rockwell surpassed all expectations.
The filmmakers we polled took a relatively open prompt and ran with it.
The basic pitch was a bit more involved, asking for picks that run more toward “inspiration” and “impact,” with an eye toward the long history of Black filmmakers. We sent a batch of questions to get the creative juices flowing: Which movies did you watch as a kid that shaped your taste? Which filmmaker’s work has inspired the films you make today? Who is a filmmaker deserving of more attention from other movie lovers?
In short, what films and which filmmakers should everyone know about?
The responses, from Gina Prince-Bythewood, Mariama Diallo, Adamma Ebo, Rashaad Ernesto Green, Carey Williams, and newly minted Sundance winner A.V. Rockwell surpassed all expectations.
The filmmakers we polled took a relatively open prompt and ran with it.
- 2/1/2023
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Siddiq Saunderson has signed with M88 for representation.
Most recently, Saunderson portrayed rapper Dennis Coles in the Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga during the show’s first two seasons. A loving 19-year-old who would do anything to protect his friends and family, Dennis, aka “D-Love,” also has an untapped talent that helps him grow into the artist Ghostface Killah. The drama returns for its third and final season on February 15, 2023.
Additional television credits include BET’s Boomerang and Netflix’s Messiah.
This year, Saunderson will also be seen in the BET original film Kemba, inspired by the life of criminal justice reform advocate Kemba Smith. He will star as Khalif, Kemba’s college boyfriend.
Previously, Saunderson played Mercutio in the indie drama R#J. The “Gen Z” version of Romeo & Juliet, which premiered at Sundance, was adapted by Timur Bekmambetov and directed by Carey Williams.
He will...
Most recently, Saunderson portrayed rapper Dennis Coles in the Hulu series Wu-Tang: An American Saga during the show’s first two seasons. A loving 19-year-old who would do anything to protect his friends and family, Dennis, aka “D-Love,” also has an untapped talent that helps him grow into the artist Ghostface Killah. The drama returns for its third and final season on February 15, 2023.
Additional television credits include BET’s Boomerang and Netflix’s Messiah.
This year, Saunderson will also be seen in the BET original film Kemba, inspired by the life of criminal justice reform advocate Kemba Smith. He will star as Khalif, Kemba’s college boyfriend.
Previously, Saunderson played Mercutio in the indie drama R#J. The “Gen Z” version of Romeo & Juliet, which premiered at Sundance, was adapted by Timur Bekmambetov and directed by Carey Williams.
He will...
- 1/17/2023
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
The African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) has announced the winners and special honorees for its 14th Annual Aafca Awards, with “The Woman King,” its previously announced Best Picture of 2022, also taking home Best Director for Gina Prince-Bythewood.
In the acting categories, breakout stars Jeremy Pope (“The Inspection”) and Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) won Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, while Best Supporting Actor went to Brian Tyree Henry (“Causeway”) and Best Supporting Actress to Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”).
Several films received multiple awards, with Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” winning Best Writing and Best Ensemble, “Till” also winning the Emerging Face award for star Jalyn Hall and the special Impact Award, and “Wakanda Forever” in particular also nabbing Best Song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” and two special honors: the Building Change Award to production designer Hannah Beachler and the Ashley Boone Award to producer Nate Moore.
In the acting categories, breakout stars Jeremy Pope (“The Inspection”) and Danielle Deadwyler (“Till”) won Best Actor and Best Actress, respectively, while Best Supporting Actor went to Brian Tyree Henry (“Causeway”) and Best Supporting Actress to Angela Bassett (“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”).
Several films received multiple awards, with Rian Johnson’s “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” winning Best Writing and Best Ensemble, “Till” also winning the Emerging Face award for star Jalyn Hall and the special Impact Award, and “Wakanda Forever” in particular also nabbing Best Song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up,” and two special honors: the Building Change Award to production designer Hannah Beachler and the Ashley Boone Award to producer Nate Moore.
- 1/16/2023
- by Marcus Jones
- Indiewire
“The Woman King” was honored as Best Picture and the film’s helmer Gina Prince-Bythewood took the prize as Best Director in the 14th Annual Aafca Awards for achievement in film. The announcement was made Monday morning by the African American Film Critics Association. Three other films also earned a pair of trophies, with Danielle Deadwyler winning Best Actress and Jalyn Hall earning the statuette as Emerging Face, both for “Till”; newly-minted Golden Globe victor Angela Bassett earned the trophy as Best Supporting Actress and “Lift Me Up” landed a Best Song win, both for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever”; and “Glass Onion” snared triumphs for Rian Johnson’s writing along with Best Ensemble.
Other awards were picked up by Jeremy Pope (Best Actor for “The Inspection”) and Brian Tyree Henry (Best Supporting Actor for “Causeway”), while Carey Williams was cited as Emerging Filmmaker for “Emergency” and “Nanny” as Best Independent Feature.
Other awards were picked up by Jeremy Pope (Best Actor for “The Inspection”) and Brian Tyree Henry (Best Supporting Actor for “Causeway”), while Carey Williams was cited as Emerging Filmmaker for “Emergency” and “Nanny” as Best Independent Feature.
- 1/16/2023
- by Ray Richmond
- Gold Derby
“The Woman King” won the top prize at this year’s African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) awards, taking home the award for best picture. The Sony Pictures film was up against “Till,” “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery”; each feature ended up winning at least two awards.
Along with best picture, “The Woman King” notched an award in the best director category, with the honor going to Gina Prince-Bythewood. Meanwhile, “Till” won awards for Danielle Deadwyler as best actress and the emerging face award for Jaylin Hall; “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” won best song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” and Angela Bassett won best supporting actress; “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” won best ensemble and Rian Johnson won for best writing.
Other winners included Brian Tyree Henry in “Causeway” for best supporting actor, Carey Williams in “Emergency” for emerging filmmaker and “Nanny” for best independent feature.
Along with best picture, “The Woman King” notched an award in the best director category, with the honor going to Gina Prince-Bythewood. Meanwhile, “Till” won awards for Danielle Deadwyler as best actress and the emerging face award for Jaylin Hall; “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” won best song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” and Angela Bassett won best supporting actress; “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery” won best ensemble and Rian Johnson won for best writing.
Other winners included Brian Tyree Henry in “Causeway” for best supporting actor, Carey Williams in “Emergency” for emerging filmmaker and “Nanny” for best independent feature.
- 1/16/2023
- by Thania Garcia
- Variety Film + TV
The African American Film Critics Association on Monday revealed winners of its 14th annual Aafca Awards honoring the best in film. The Woman King, Till, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery each won a pair of awards.
Among the honors, The Woman King was named the year’s best picture, with the film’s Gina Prince-Bythewood named best director. Danielle Deadwyler (Till) and Jeremy Pope (The Inspection) were named best actress and actor. Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway) won the supporting prizes.
Special achievement honorees include Till, which received the Impact Award, and Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith receiving the Beacon Award for Emancipation.
“Aafca is deeply honored to recognize some of the most captivating films and performances of the year,” said Aafca president and co-founder Gil Robertson. “These thought-provoking stories of strength, determination and courage lift us and entertain us.
Among the honors, The Woman King was named the year’s best picture, with the film’s Gina Prince-Bythewood named best director. Danielle Deadwyler (Till) and Jeremy Pope (The Inspection) were named best actress and actor. Angela Bassett (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever) and Brian Tyree Henry (Causeway) won the supporting prizes.
Special achievement honorees include Till, which received the Impact Award, and Antoine Fuqua and Will Smith receiving the Beacon Award for Emancipation.
“Aafca is deeply honored to recognize some of the most captivating films and performances of the year,” said Aafca president and co-founder Gil Robertson. “These thought-provoking stories of strength, determination and courage lift us and entertain us.
- 1/16/2023
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
The African American Film Critics Association (Aafca) revealed the winners of the 14th annual Aafca Awards on Monday.
The Woman King, Till, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery each scored two Aafca Awards: The Woman King won best picture and best director for Gina Prince-Bythewood, Till won best actress for Danielle Deadwyler and the Emerging Face award for Jalyn Hall, Wakanda Forever won best supporting actress for Angela Bassett and best song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” and Glass Onion won best writing for Rian Johnson and best ensemble.
Brian Tyree Henry won the best supporting actor award for his role in Causeway and Jeremy Pope won best actor for The Inspection, while best animated feature went to Wendell & Wild and best international feature went to Saint Omer.
Winners, as well as special honorees, will be honored at the 14th annual Aafca Awards on March 1 at the Beverly Wilshire,...
The Woman King, Till, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever and Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery each scored two Aafca Awards: The Woman King won best picture and best director for Gina Prince-Bythewood, Till won best actress for Danielle Deadwyler and the Emerging Face award for Jalyn Hall, Wakanda Forever won best supporting actress for Angela Bassett and best song for Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” and Glass Onion won best writing for Rian Johnson and best ensemble.
Brian Tyree Henry won the best supporting actor award for his role in Causeway and Jeremy Pope won best actor for The Inspection, while best animated feature went to Wendell & Wild and best international feature went to Saint Omer.
Winners, as well as special honorees, will be honored at the 14th annual Aafca Awards on March 1 at the Beverly Wilshire,...
- 1/16/2023
- by Beatrice Verhoeven
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Emergency Review Video — Emergency (2022) Video Movie Review, a movie directed by Carey Williams, written by Kd Davila, and starring Donald Elise Watkins, Rj Cyler, Sebastian Chacon, Sabrina Carpenter, Maddie Nichols, Madison Thompson, Diego Abraham, Summer Madison, Gillian Rabin, Patrick Lamont Jr., Mike Forbs, Adrian Lockett, Melanie Jeffcoat, James Healy Jr., John [...]
Continue reading: Video Movie Review: Emergency (2022) – A Solid Film with enough Suspense, Laughs, & Emotion to keep Viewers Hooked...
Continue reading: Video Movie Review: Emergency (2022) – A Solid Film with enough Suspense, Laughs, & Emotion to keep Viewers Hooked...
- 1/12/2023
- by Rollo Tomasi
- Film-Book
This year’s fall festival circuit has been everything, everywhere, all at once, it seems.
The 2022 Film Independent Forum announced that “Everything Everywhere All at Once” writer/directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as Daniels, will kick off the conference with a keynote.
Opening night on October 24 will also include a screening of A24’s “The Inspection,” followed by a Q&a with director Elegance Bratton, Gamechanger’s CEO/producer Effie T. Brown, and producer Chester Algernal Gordon.
The Film Independent Forum event starts October 24 at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in Los Angeles. The conference will continue with virtual sessions and panels to be enjoyed by global audiences October 25 through 27. The full program will take place over the course of four days, October 24 through 27.
The Film Independent Forum hosts independent filmmakers and content creators, with the 2022 lineup returning in a hybrid format of both in-person and virtual events.
The 2022 Film Independent Forum announced that “Everything Everywhere All at Once” writer/directors Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert, also known as Daniels, will kick off the conference with a keynote.
Opening night on October 24 will also include a screening of A24’s “The Inspection,” followed by a Q&a with director Elegance Bratton, Gamechanger’s CEO/producer Effie T. Brown, and producer Chester Algernal Gordon.
The Film Independent Forum event starts October 24 at the Directors Guild of America Theatre in Los Angeles. The conference will continue with virtual sessions and panels to be enjoyed by global audiences October 25 through 27. The full program will take place over the course of four days, October 24 through 27.
The Film Independent Forum hosts independent filmmakers and content creators, with the 2022 lineup returning in a hybrid format of both in-person and virtual events.
- 9/27/2022
- by Samantha Bergeson
- Indiewire
Emergency is a 2022 American comedy-drama thriller film directed by Carey Williams from a screenplay by Kd Dávila. The film is an adaptation of William and Dávila’s short film of the same name. The film was released on the streaming service platform Amazon Prime last May 27, 2022. The film stars Donald Elise Watkins, Rj Cyler, Sebastian Chacon, Sabrina Carpenter, Maddie Nichols, Madison Thompson, Diego Abraham, Melanie Jeffcoat, Gillian Rabin, Summer Madison, and Patrick Lamont Jr. The film follows three college students who unexpectedly find an unconscious woman in their apartment after a night out of partying. The three are
Five Movies To Watch When You’re Done With “Emergency”...
Five Movies To Watch When You’re Done With “Emergency”...
- 6/6/2022
- by A.E. Oats
- TVovermind.com
“Emergency” begins with a fairly familiar college comedy premise — a party challenge.
Best friends and seniors Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) and Sean (Rj Cyler) set out to hit up every major Greek party on their campus circuit, something that was long ago dubbed a “Legendary Tour.” But being two young Black men in a not-your-average college party movie, the fun is over before it begins. Their epic night is abruptly interrupted by the sudden appearance of a young white girl, who the guys find passed out in their living room. Together with their friend and comedy sidekick Carlos (Sebastian Chacon), this trio is faced with an impossible dilemma: Whether to call 911 or not.
What ensues is a darkly funny social satire that teeters on the verge of horror at every turn — a scathing reflection of the everyday occurrences that can too quickly turn horrific for young Black men.
That premise...
Best friends and seniors Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) and Sean (Rj Cyler) set out to hit up every major Greek party on their campus circuit, something that was long ago dubbed a “Legendary Tour.” But being two young Black men in a not-your-average college party movie, the fun is over before it begins. Their epic night is abruptly interrupted by the sudden appearance of a young white girl, who the guys find passed out in their living room. Together with their friend and comedy sidekick Carlos (Sebastian Chacon), this trio is faced with an impossible dilemma: Whether to call 911 or not.
What ensues is a darkly funny social satire that teeters on the verge of horror at every turn — a scathing reflection of the everyday occurrences that can too quickly turn horrific for young Black men.
That premise...
- 5/27/2022
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
This review of “Emergency” was first published Jan. 20, 2022, after its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.
To walk the world knowing that you are presumed a threat is the harrowing burden at the heart of “Emergency.” That appalling reality sets three young men of color on a nightmarishly nerve-racking drive, for taking the socially acceptable right course of action in a dire situation could endanger not only their future academic prospects but also their lives.
Walking a thematic line about the racial biases that plague America’s institutions and society at large akin to other such recent indie productions as “Blindspotting,” “The Land” or “Monsters and Men,” the sophomore effort from director Carey Williams (whose debut “R#J” was a social-media take on “Romeo and Juliet”) strikes a difficult equilibrium between its disquieting observations and comedic inclinations.
Williams works from the screenplay by Kd Davila, a director with a similarly topical,...
To walk the world knowing that you are presumed a threat is the harrowing burden at the heart of “Emergency.” That appalling reality sets three young men of color on a nightmarishly nerve-racking drive, for taking the socially acceptable right course of action in a dire situation could endanger not only their future academic prospects but also their lives.
Walking a thematic line about the racial biases that plague America’s institutions and society at large akin to other such recent indie productions as “Blindspotting,” “The Land” or “Monsters and Men,” the sophomore effort from director Carey Williams (whose debut “R#J” was a social-media take on “Romeo and Juliet”) strikes a difficult equilibrium between its disquieting observations and comedic inclinations.
Williams works from the screenplay by Kd Davila, a director with a similarly topical,...
- 5/26/2022
- by Carlos Aguilar
- The Wrap
The Force is strong with this week’s Watch List, as Obi-Wan Kenobi returns! That’s right, Ewan McGregor is back in a new Disney+ streaming series. And he’s not alone. This week’s streaming schedule also sees the long-awaited return of Netflix flagship series “Stranger Things,” plus a new Ricky Gervais special, a Ron Howard documentary and a network TV special about rescue dogs. What a week!
On with the television!
“Obi-Wan Kenobi”
Friday, May 27, Disney+
Lucasfilm/Disney+
Hello there. Lucasfilm and Disney+’s third live-action “Star Wars” series is really the one everyone has been waiting for. Ewan McGregor returns to the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a part he originated in George Lucas’ prequel films, to fill in some of the missing details from the “Star Wars” timeline. (Early promotional materials have shown Obi-Wan watching young Luke from afar and interacting with Owen Lars and Aunt Beru.
On with the television!
“Obi-Wan Kenobi”
Friday, May 27, Disney+
Lucasfilm/Disney+
Hello there. Lucasfilm and Disney+’s third live-action “Star Wars” series is really the one everyone has been waiting for. Ewan McGregor returns to the role of Obi-Wan Kenobi, a part he originated in George Lucas’ prequel films, to fill in some of the missing details from the “Star Wars” timeline. (Early promotional materials have shown Obi-Wan watching young Luke from afar and interacting with Owen Lars and Aunt Beru.
- 5/21/2022
- by Drew Taylor
- The Wrap
“I have very little to say except that I think it very charming and kind of you all to give us your Sunday night,” said a disarming Julian Fellowes at the NYC premiere of Downton Abbey: A New Era last Sunday. Distributor Focus Features – and the broader industry — hopes audiences will give the film many more Sunday nights, and other days and dayparts, jumpstarting the return to theaters of older demos.
Downton opens this weekend on over 3,800 screens, not a specialty release but leading here as a bellwether for that elusive audience, a staple of arthouses, that had raised hopes briefly by turning out for No Die To Die last fall. Lingering Covid jitters or an entrenched streaming habit have kept the 45-plus crowd sparse in cinemas even as they flock to restaurants and other public activities. The hope is that the Downton franchise will prove beloved as Bond, as enduring as Spider-Man,...
Downton opens this weekend on over 3,800 screens, not a specialty release but leading here as a bellwether for that elusive audience, a staple of arthouses, that had raised hopes briefly by turning out for No Die To Die last fall. Lingering Covid jitters or an entrenched streaming habit have kept the 45-plus crowd sparse in cinemas even as they flock to restaurants and other public activities. The hope is that the Downton franchise will prove beloved as Bond, as enduring as Spider-Man,...
- 5/20/2022
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
"Think about it statistically... how many people actually get shot by the cops?" Amazon Prime has debuted another new red band trailer for the indie film Emergency, a dramedy from filmmaker Carey Williams from the 2022 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It was one of my favorite films of all the films in competition, a very smart and entertaining look at the life of two Black students in college dealing with a terrible situation. Ready for a night of legendary partying, three college students must weigh the pros and cons of calling the police when faced with an unexpected situation - they find a drunk woman passed out on their floor. Starring Rj Cyler & Donald Elise Watkins as Sean & Kunle, along with Sebastian Chacon, Sabrina Carpenter, Maddie Nichols, Madison Thompson, Diego Abraham, Summer Madison, and Gillian Rabin. Neither of these trailers really capture the vibe of this film, overplaying the...
- 5/11/2022
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
Carey Williams and Kristen Dávila return with a feature-length adaptation of their short film, “Emergency,” which won both the Special Jury Prize at Sundance and the Grand Jury Prize at SXSW in 2018.
Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) and his best friend, Sean (Rj Cyler), are polar opposites. Kunle has his head in the books, determined to get into Princeton, while Sean is on the lookout for epic Spring Break parties.
Continue reading ‘Emergency’ Red-Band Trailer: A Biting College Comedy About Racial Bias & Unbreakable Friendship at The Playlist.
Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) and his best friend, Sean (Rj Cyler), are polar opposites. Kunle has his head in the books, determined to get into Princeton, while Sean is on the lookout for epic Spring Break parties.
Continue reading ‘Emergency’ Red-Band Trailer: A Biting College Comedy About Racial Bias & Unbreakable Friendship at The Playlist.
- 5/11/2022
- by Oliver Weir
- The Playlist
With nearly every feature film at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival reviewed, it’s time to wrap up the first major cinema event of the year. We already got the official jury and audience winners here, and now it’s time to highlight our favorites.
Our Sundance contributors have shared their top picks from the festival, also including a handful of shorts (with a more substantial shorts overview coming soon). Check out everything below and stay tuned to our site, and specifically Twitter, for acquisition and release date news on the below films in the coming months.
Mitchell Beaupre
1. Emily the Criminal (John Patton Ford)
2. After Yang (kogonada)
3. Speak No Evil (Christian Tafdrup)
4. God’s Country (Julian Higgins)
5. A Love Song (Max Walker-Silverman)
6. Resurrection (Andrew Semans)
7. Nanny (Nikyatu Jusu)
8. Happening (Audrey Diwan)
9. Emergency (Carey Williams)
10. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (Sophie Hyde)
John Fink
1. The Worst Person in the World (Joachim Trier...
Our Sundance contributors have shared their top picks from the festival, also including a handful of shorts (with a more substantial shorts overview coming soon). Check out everything below and stay tuned to our site, and specifically Twitter, for acquisition and release date news on the below films in the coming months.
Mitchell Beaupre
1. Emily the Criminal (John Patton Ford)
2. After Yang (kogonada)
3. Speak No Evil (Christian Tafdrup)
4. God’s Country (Julian Higgins)
5. A Love Song (Max Walker-Silverman)
6. Resurrection (Andrew Semans)
7. Nanny (Nikyatu Jusu)
8. Happening (Audrey Diwan)
9. Emergency (Carey Williams)
10. Good Luck to You, Leo Grande (Sophie Hyde)
John Fink
1. The Worst Person in the World (Joachim Trier...
- 2/1/2022
- by The Film Stage
- The Film Stage
They admit it looks bad: with plans to indulge in a legendary night of partying, college buddies Sean and Kunle (Rj Cyler and Donald Elise Watkins) briefly stop in at their apartment and come across an unconscious white girl passed out on their living room floor. Either extremely drunk or maliciously roofied, the girl suddenly regains semi-consciousness, only to vomit everywhere and pass out again. Along with their other roommate, video-game obsessed stoner Carlos (Sebastian Chacon), Sean and Kunle panic as they weigh the pros and cons of helping a person they do not know in such a compromised position. […]
The post “How Do We Make This Feel Like It Needs to be Longer?” Carey Williams on Expanding Emergency From Short to Feature first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “How Do We Make This Feel Like It Needs to be Longer?” Carey Williams on Expanding Emergency From Short to Feature first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/29/2022
- by Erik Luers
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
They admit it looks bad: with plans to indulge in a legendary night of partying, college buddies Sean and Kunle (Rj Cyler and Donald Elise Watkins) briefly stop in at their apartment and come across an unconscious white girl passed out on their living room floor. Either extremely drunk or maliciously roofied, the girl suddenly regains semi-consciousness, only to vomit everywhere and pass out again. Along with their other roommate, video-game obsessed stoner Carlos (Sebastian Chacon), Sean and Kunle panic as they weigh the pros and cons of helping a person they do not know in such a compromised position. […]
The post “How Do We Make This Feel Like It Needs to be Longer?” Carey Williams on Expanding Emergency From Short to Feature first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
The post “How Do We Make This Feel Like It Needs to be Longer?” Carey Williams on Expanding Emergency From Short to Feature first appeared on Filmmaker Magazine.
- 1/29/2022
- by Erik Luers
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Apple has Audience Award: U.S. Dramatic winner for second consecutive year.
Nanny and The Exiles have won the Sundance 2022 US grand jury prizes and Utama and All That Breathes corresponding world cinema honours while Navalny was voted the audience favourite as the festival announced winners on Friday (Jan 28).
Nikyatu Jusu’s supernatural tale of an undocumented Senegalese nanny working in the US claimed the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and The Exiles from Ben Klein and Violet Columbus earned the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary and follows documentarian Christine Choy and she reunites with exiled dissidents from the Tiananmen Square massacre.
Nanny and The Exiles have won the Sundance 2022 US grand jury prizes and Utama and All That Breathes corresponding world cinema honours while Navalny was voted the audience favourite as the festival announced winners on Friday (Jan 28).
Nikyatu Jusu’s supernatural tale of an undocumented Senegalese nanny working in the US claimed the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Dramatic and The Exiles from Ben Klein and Violet Columbus earned the U.S. Grand Jury Prize: Documentary and follows documentarian Christine Choy and she reunites with exiled dissidents from the Tiananmen Square massacre.
- 1/28/2022
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
Chicago – The 2022 Sundance Film Festival heads into Day Three after Opening Night and a full slate of films for Day Two. Like last year, the festival is virtual and online, meaning anyone/anywhere with a ticket or a pass (link) can indulge in the film offerings throughout the festival, which runs until January 30th.
One of the elements that cinema does best is to reflect back from the screen, as a mirror to our era. That’s the type of films that Sundance presents best, finding voices who will reflect back to us in inclusiveness, subject matter and storytelling. Films also create empathy, as Roger Ebert once observed, and it is these reflective films that increases understanding in our current circumstances.
Emergency
Photo credit: Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is an annual event organized by the Sundance Institute – an organization founded by actor Robert Redford in 1980 – and dedicated...
One of the elements that cinema does best is to reflect back from the screen, as a mirror to our era. That’s the type of films that Sundance presents best, finding voices who will reflect back to us in inclusiveness, subject matter and storytelling. Films also create empathy, as Roger Ebert once observed, and it is these reflective films that increases understanding in our current circumstances.
Emergency
Photo credit: Sundance Film Festival
The Sundance Film Festival is an annual event organized by the Sundance Institute – an organization founded by actor Robert Redford in 1980 – and dedicated...
- 1/22/2022
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
The opening night of Sundance brings with it much anticipation and an unlimited potential for surprise. The honor of opening the festival has been given to some of the greatest Sundance hits of all time, ranging from Whiplash to last year’s breakout smash Coda.
Emergency, directed by Carey Williams was the sole representative from the US Dramatic Competition to get the Day One honor and it certainly left an impact on the ones lucky enough to screen.
Emergency centers around college roommates and best friends Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) and Sean (Rj Cyler) and the dramatic actions that occur on one fateful day. The film sets the tone for what lays ahead in its first scene when in class the two are singled out as the only two African-Americans in a class when discussing the “N” word. At that moment it becomes clear this movie has something to say.
Emergency, directed by Carey Williams was the sole representative from the US Dramatic Competition to get the Day One honor and it certainly left an impact on the ones lucky enough to screen.
Emergency centers around college roommates and best friends Kunle (Donald Elise Watkins) and Sean (Rj Cyler) and the dramatic actions that occur on one fateful day. The film sets the tone for what lays ahead in its first scene when in class the two are singled out as the only two African-Americans in a class when discussing the “N” word. At that moment it becomes clear this movie has something to say.
- 1/21/2022
- by Nathan McVay
- HeyUGuys.co.uk
When You Finish Saving the World The Sundance Institute has announced the films selected for their hybrid 2022 Festival, which will take place in-person in Park City, online, and in arthouse theaters across the United States.U.S. Dramatic COMPETITION892 (Abi Damaris Corbin): When Brian Brown-Easley’s disability check fails to materialize from Veterans Affairs, he finds himself on the brink of homelessness and breaking his daughter’s heart. No other options, he walks into a Wells Fargo Bank and says “I’ve got a bomb.“ Cast: John Boyega, Michael Kenneth Williams, Nicole Beharie, Connie Britton, Olivia Washington, Selenis Leyva. World Premiere.Alice (Krystin Ver Linden): When a woman in servitude in 1800s Georgia escapes the 55-acre confines of her captor, she discovers the shocking reality that exists beyond the treeline…it’s 1973. Inspired by true events. Cast: Keke Palmer, Common, Jonny Lee Miller, Gaius Charles. World Premiere.blood...
- 12/15/2021
- MUBI
Festival concluded in Austin, Texas, at weekend.
March 19 Update: Wes Anderson’s Isle Of Dogs was named Headliners audience award winner on Monday, after Olivia Newman’s First Match earned the Narrative Feature Competition award on Saturday night (March 17).
Gabriel Silverman and Fiona Dawson prevailed in the Documentary Feature Competition on Saturday with TransMilitary, while John Hyams’ All Square took audience award honours in the Narrative Spotlight Section, and The Dawn Wall by Josh Lowell and Peter Mortimer triumphed in Documentary Spotlight.
Timur Bekmambetov’s Profile won in Visions, Leigh Whannell’s Upgrade was declared winner in Midnighters, and Alonso Ruizpalacios...
March 19 Update: Wes Anderson’s Isle Of Dogs was named Headliners audience award winner on Monday, after Olivia Newman’s First Match earned the Narrative Feature Competition award on Saturday night (March 17).
Gabriel Silverman and Fiona Dawson prevailed in the Documentary Feature Competition on Saturday with TransMilitary, while John Hyams’ All Square took audience award honours in the Narrative Spotlight Section, and The Dawn Wall by Josh Lowell and Peter Mortimer triumphed in Documentary Spotlight.
Timur Bekmambetov’s Profile won in Visions, Leigh Whannell’s Upgrade was declared winner in Midnighters, and Alonso Ruizpalacios...
- 3/19/2018
- by Jeremy Kay
- ScreenDaily
This year’s Sundance Film Festival will boast an eclectic mix of 66 short films across four sections, including U.S. Narrative, International Narrative, Animated, and Documentary. This year’s slate includes new offerings from filmmakers like Don Hertzfeld, who is bringing the followup to his previous Sundance effort, “World of Tomorrow,” to the annual festival, plus names like Marshall Curry, Diane Obomsawin, and Marc Johnson. Talents best known for their on-screen skills, like Dev Patel and Anna Margaret Hollyman, will also be bringing directorial efforts to the festival.
After debuting at Sundance, select short films will be presented as a traveling program at 75 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, and short films and filmmakers take part in regional Master Classes geared towards supporting emerging shorts-makers in several cities. The Short Film program is presented by YouTube.
Read More:Sundance 2018 Programming Breakdown: Big Buys, Actor-Directors, and Hot-Button Issues
Mike Plante, Senior...
After debuting at Sundance, select short films will be presented as a traveling program at 75 theaters in the U.S. and Canada, and short films and filmmakers take part in regional Master Classes geared towards supporting emerging shorts-makers in several cities. The Short Film program is presented by YouTube.
Read More:Sundance 2018 Programming Breakdown: Big Buys, Actor-Directors, and Hot-Button Issues
Mike Plante, Senior...
- 12/4/2017
- by Kate Erbland
- Indiewire
Artimage Entertainment, founded by producers Kyle Tekiela and Carl Effenson, and the Atlanta-based Grey Hawk Productions have launched a new six-figure development fund to finance a slate of gritty dramas and thriller feature films.
"We thought this was the perfect time to come together and create something impactful, to put some movies together," says Tekiela, who has known Rebecca Schaper, CEO of Gray Hawk Productions, for several years.
The first project to be produced under the new pact will be the thriller Cherry Waves, written and directed by Carey Williams. Williams' award-winning short of the same name garnered awards from...
"We thought this was the perfect time to come together and create something impactful, to put some movies together," says Tekiela, who has known Rebecca Schaper, CEO of Gray Hawk Productions, for several years.
The first project to be produced under the new pact will be the thriller Cherry Waves, written and directed by Carey Williams. Williams' award-winning short of the same name garnered awards from...
- 1/19/2017
- by Rebecca Ford
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
The Belgian film Cub validates the fear some of us have of spending the night in the woods. Cub on Blu-ray and DVD will hit stores on August 18th. Also: theatrical and digital release details for The Diabolical, HollyShorts Film Festival 2015 lineup, and Manos: The Hands of Fate soundtrack on vinyl.
Cub: Artsploitation Films will release Cub on Blu-ray and DVD on August 18th. Directed by Jonas Govaerts from a screenplay he wrote with Roel Mondelaers, Cub stars Maurice Luijten, Titus De Voogdt, Stef Aerts, Evelien Bosmans, and Jan Hammenecker.
"This dark, bloody, imaginative fairy tale about a camping trip that turns into deadly carnage draws on such influences as Lord of the Rings, Friday the 13th, and The Devil’s Backbone. The story follows 12-year-old outcast Sam who, along with his troop of cub scouts and their teenage supervisors, camp in woods rumored to house a mysterious and deadly werewolf.
Cub: Artsploitation Films will release Cub on Blu-ray and DVD on August 18th. Directed by Jonas Govaerts from a screenplay he wrote with Roel Mondelaers, Cub stars Maurice Luijten, Titus De Voogdt, Stef Aerts, Evelien Bosmans, and Jan Hammenecker.
"This dark, bloody, imaginative fairy tale about a camping trip that turns into deadly carnage draws on such influences as Lord of the Rings, Friday the 13th, and The Devil’s Backbone. The story follows 12-year-old outcast Sam who, along with his troop of cub scouts and their teenage supervisors, camp in woods rumored to house a mysterious and deadly werewolf.
- 8/4/2015
- by Tamika Jones
- DailyDead
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.