Cannes: TIFF party

• by Raphaela Neihausen, May 16, 2009

Although Friday was a tad on the rainy side, people came out in full force to celebrate the Toronto International Film Festival and OMDC.  Luckily, the heavens were kind and the drizzle stopped just long enough for us all to have a great time.

xoxo,
Riviera Gossip Girl

Our very own Thom Powers with Noah Cowan (head of TIFF Bell Lightbox).

John Cooper and Trevor Groth of the Sundance Film Festival.

Tom Bernard of Sony Pictures Classics with James D. Stern (codirector of EVERY LITTLE STEP that’s in theaters right now).

Marc Francis and Nick Francis, directors of BLACK GOLD - the acclaimed coffee documentary.

 

Janet Pierson, director of SXSW Film Festival.

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Cannes Ingenue: Opening Night

• by Raphaela Neihausen, May 16, 2009

It has been an absolute whirlwind two days ever since I landed 48 hours ago.  My head is spinning from all the movies, parties, and blue magic of the Mediterranean! Below are some fun snapshots from the Opening Night Party for the March du Film, held at the Majestic Beach.  More entries to follow as soon as I get a bit more time!

xoxo, Riviera Gossip Girl

L to R: Yours truly, Phillipa Kowarsky (sales agent of Cinephil), Wielend Speck (director of Berlinale Panorama) and Peter Broderick (distribution consultant - see peterbroderick.com).

L to R: Nicole Guillemet (consultant with the Cannes Producers Network), Anne Aghion (director of MY NEIGHBOR, MY KILLER - documentary about Rwanda screening in Cannes competition and coming to NY Human Rights Watch Film Festival next month) and Vincent Melilli (director of Visual Arts School of Marrakesh).

Later on in the night, there was a crazy light / film projection using gushing water fountains as the screen, courtesy of the Middle East International Film Festival in Abu Dhabi.

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Demme visits STF with SWIMMING TO CAMBODIA

• by Raphaela Neihausen, May 15, 2009

Last Tuesday night, there’s a reason the show sold-out a week in advance and a wait-list line began congregating an hour prior to showtime.  STF was screening Jonathan Demme’s rarely seen print SWIMMING TO CAMBODIA (1987) and everyone delighted in an opportunity to remember Spalding Gray.  The evening was co-presented by the Woodstock Film Festival.  Co-founder and executive director Meira Blaustein conducted the post-film Q&A with Demme, editor Carol Littleton (whose editing credits include E.T., THE BIG CHILL and many others) and impromptu guest Judy Arthur (member of the KILLING FIELDS crew and features in Spalding’s monologue).  To read more about the evening, visit Karina Longworth’s blog here. 

L to R: Judy Arthur, Jonathan Demme, Carol Littleton, Meira Blaustein, Raphaela Neihausen.  Photo courtesy of Steven Krasnopolsky (Vernissage Studio 21).

Cannes coverage on TIFF Doc Blog

• by Thom Powers, May 13, 2009

Three years ago, I started a seasonal blog for the Toronto International Film Festival that traditionally starts in late July and runs through the September festival. This year, I’ve decided to do some early reporting from the Cannes Film Festival. In my first report, I preview the hidden pockets of nonfiction at the festival. You can follow the action at www.tiff09.ca/blogs/.

Advertising legends visit STF

• by Raphaela Neihausen, May 07, 2009

Two sold out theaters welcomed Doug Pray’s latest film ART & COPY.  These special screenings happened to fall during the One Show Festival that attracts thousands of ad professionals to New York. The packed house included advertising legends George Lois, Mary Wells and Jim Durfee - who all shared the stage for the Q&A.  (Photo of Doug Pray and George Lois, best known for his Esquire covers)

STF host Thom Powers with Mary Warlick - CEO of the One Club.

The inimitable hand-drawn art that is prepared by James Corbe for every STF screening.

The IFC Center marquee.

Filmmaker Ritu Sarin of White Crane Films who was visiting from New Delhi, India and joined us for the post film reception (which ended up taking place at La Lanterna as 99 Below was too swamped with Cinco De Mayo revelers)

 

Related Film/Screening:
ART & COPY by Doug Pray

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