05/20/2009
A still from "October Country"
Michael Palmieri and Donal Mosher’s documentary OCTOBER COUNTRY, a Cinereach grant recipient, will be screening at AFI-Discovery Channel SILVERDOCS Documentary Festival which is taking place June 15-22, 2009. The film will be competing in the US Sterling US Feature Competition and is screening at the AFI Silver Theater 3 on Saturday, June 20th at 9:15pm and at the AFI Silver Theater 2 on Sunday, June 21st at 7:45pm. Click here to read the full indieWire article.
“A cinematically stunning examination of two lives affected by conflict that illustrates how hope prevails in even the most desperate of settings.”
Cinereach Award Recipient "Back Home Tomorrow"
Cinereach has chosen “Back Home Tomorrow” to receive a Cinereach Award, a film making its US premiere at NYC’s Human Rights Watch International Film Festival. The film, directed by Fabrizio Lazzaretti and Paolo Santolini, depicts the moving story of two children affected by war. The Cinereach Award is presented to filmmakers who convey vital messages through artful storytelling. Last year’s inaugural award was given to Ellen Kuras and Thavisouk Phrasavath, for their film “The Betrayal (Nerakhoon).” For more on the Human Rights Watch International Film Festival, please click here.
05/13/2009
A shot from Rooftop's screening at Westbeth
Cinereach grant recipient, Rooftop Films, is touted on Tribeca Film Fest’s website. “There’s a particular alchemy practiced by Brooklyn’s Rooftop Films that creates singular and special film experiences. Naturally, outdoor films thrive in the summer, but Rooftop takes that principle—getting people outside to watch a film—and flips it on its head, adding bands, afterparties, and wonderfully curated programs. They then take all that to the sky, creating a truly wonderful vibe. It’s a New York treasure and certainly something to cite when you want to make people jealous that you live here. ” Check out the full article here.
The Council on Foundations and Grantmakers in Film + Electronic Media (GFEM) are seeking submissions of films and videos for its 43rd Annual Film & Video Festival, to be held April 25 – 27, 2010 in Denver, CO.
THE FILM & VIDEO FESTIVAL
The festival showcases films, videos, and television programs that have received support from foundations, corporate giving programs, and donor networks, with the aim of encouraging grantmakers to use media to advance their philanthropic goals. The festival promotes foundation support of creative, high-quality productions that expand the boundaries of the use of media for the social good.
Submissions may target local, state, regional, national, and international audiences. The committee will give special consideration to projects that demonstrate innovative strategies for distribution, outreach, public education, and civic engagement, such as the use of print or broadcast journalism, websites, networking, schools, libraries, or the meetings and conferences of nonprofit organizations.
ELIGIBILITY
To be eligible, projects must have received full or partial funding for either production or distribution from a private, community, operating, or corporate foundation; a corporate giving program; or a donor network. The grantmaker does not have to be a member of the Council or GFEM. The Council will not consider submissions that have been funded solely by public agencies or federal or state grants. The films and videos must have been completed within the past two years. Works may be of any length-from feature length to a brief public service announcement. No works in progress will be considered. All submission forms, DVDs and entry fees must be received by June 26, 2009.
Please visit http://www.fundfilm.org/index.cfm for more information.
05/12/2009
So Yong Kim's "Treeless Mountain"
The 2009 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival celebrated the close of its 25th Anniversary edition by handing out awards in a variety of categories. Tze Chun’s “Children of Invention” and So Yong Kim’s “Treeless Mountain” were the big winners, with “Mountain” being honored with the Outstanding Director Award as well as awards for its young stars, Hee Yeon Kim and Song Hee Kim. For the full article click here.
05/11/2009
Special features include Behind the Scenes, Director’s Interview, New Footage from Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, and 8 language subtitle options – Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Hindi, Turkish, French, Spanish, and English!
Purchase the DVD at one of the below links:
For international, buy the DVD at
http://tinyurl.com/neoflix
For U.S., buy the DVD at
http://tinyurl.com/firstrunfeatures
For Canada, buy the DVD at
http://tinyurl.com/mongrelmedia
Produced by Sandi DuBowski (TREMBLING BEFORE G-D) and Parvez Sharma, A JIHAD FOR LOVE was filmed in 12 countries and 9 languages and comes from the heart of Islam. Looking beyond a hostile and war-torn present, it reclaims the Islamic concept of a greater Jihad, whose true meaning is akin to ‘an inner struggle’ or ‘to strive in the path of God’ – allowing its remarkable subjects to move beyond the narrow concept of Jihad as holy war.
05/06/2009
Below is a letter from Rooftop kicking off their Strength in Numbers campaign – Donate Today!
Dear Friend,
As Rooftop Films enters our 13th season, we face a difficult challenge. The current economic climate has forced several of our sponsors and funders to make significant cutbacks, and now, with only days to go before the opening of our 2009 Summer Series, Rooftop has a severe deficit to overcome.
Rooftop is a non-profit organization, which means we rely on support from the public to operate. Right now that support is very hard to come by. Rooftop aims to present our 13th season as we intended it―with 44 nights of incredible films in incredible locations―but even as we reach out to new funders and cut all but our most vital expenses, these steps only take us so far. This is where you come in.
You are reading this because, in one way or another, you are already a part of the Rooftop community. Whether you have donated to Rooftop before, have shown a film or attended a screening, or have only read about us, you are a part of the engine that keeps Rooftop going. So in the spirit of community that Rooftop holds at the center of its mission, we are now turning to you to help us find strength in numbers.
This campaign is not about numbers of dollars; it’s about numbers of people. Whatever the amount you can spare, we simply hope you will add your name to the list of those who believe that Rooftop’s work is valuable, and then ask your peers to do the same.
Please help us reach our goal of 1,000 donors by September 1. Donate today.
To read more about the programs your donation will support, visit our website. If you have any questions or want to know more about other ways to support Rooftop Films, you can contact Development Director Lauren Faria at lauren@rooftopfilms.com.
With sincerest thanks,
Rooftop Films staff, board, filmmakers, and family
To make your tax-deductible donation now, donate online OR fill out this form(please see information on our website for updated donation benefits) and mail your check to: and mail your check to:
Rooftop Films
232 3rd Street #D101
Brooklyn, NY 11215PLEASE NOTE: Checks should be made out to our fiscal sponsor, Fractured Atlas, with “In behalf of Rooftop Films” on the memo line.
04/29/2009
Paola Mendoza, Brendon McQueen, Danielle Russell, and Jeremy Kipp Walker at Reach Out 2009
Cinereach and The Reach Film Fellowship afford the emerging filmmaker more than an opportunity: they provide a setting where curiosity is nurtured and where asking questions is what it’s all about. Being awarded the Reach Out Award (along with Danielle Russell) has made all the difference in creating opportunities for my film. Following the fellowship I have received great feedback on of my work, notable press, and the potential to start producing more films. I urge young filmmakers with a passion for a particular idea to apply – doing so only increases your chances of having your cinematic voice heard! Take advantage of this now, and fulfill your filmmaking dreams today, period. Thanks guys!
04/24/2009
MovieMaker Magazine lists 25 film festivals worth the submission fee. To view the full article click here.
