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Venice Prize Winner ‘Familiar Touch’, ‘ ‘Black Dog & ‘Eephus’ Set For Red Sea Fest
In the first film program announcement for its upcoming edition, Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea International Film Festival has unveiled the 12 titles in its Festival Favourites line-up. The sidebar celebrates films that have enjoyed a high-profile outing on the festival circuit in recent months such as Sarah Friedland’s Familiar Touch, which won the Luigi de Laurentiis prize for best first film at Venice, and Cannes Un Certain Regard winner Black Dog by Guan Hu. The other titles comprise Agora (Tunisia), East Of Noon (Egypt), Eephus (U.S.), Freedom Way (Nigeria), The Inevitable Journey To Find A Wedding Dress (Egypt), The Legend Of The Vagabond Queen Of Lagos (Nigeria, South Africa), Little Jaffna (France), Quiet Life (Greece), Santosh (UK) and U Are The Universe (Ukraine). “This year’s selection continues to demonstrate our commitment to showcasing diverse voices and perspectives during the festival. These films explore a range of real, human themes – from contemporary social issues to relationships and the search for meaning in an increasingly complex and chaotic world,” said Kaleem Aftab, Red Sea’s Director of International Programming. The festival runs from December 6 to 14.
New Zealand’s Uni of Canterbury Hosts Production Of Stop-Motion Feature ‘Kiri And Lou‘
New Zealand’s University of Canterbury (Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha) and local Christchurch animation company Stretchy have announced the start of production on ambitious stop-motion feature Kiri and Lou. The new work will build on the latter’s popular children’s series of the same name featuring clay creatures Kiri and Lou, against the backdrop of a whimsical world created from cut-out paper. Stop-motion expert Antony Elworthy, whose credits include Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs, and Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio, is attached as director. The Stretchy animation team has established its studio for production of the film in the UC’s Kōawa Creative Technologies Precinct (formerly known as Digital Screen Campus). Under the initiative, the university’s Digital Screen students will attend guest lectures or workshops with Stretchy animators. “Learning from high calibre animators and industry professionals will empower our students to thrive in the creative sector,” says Professor Kevin Watson, UC Executive Dean of Arts. “We’re excited about the opportunities this partnership will create for the next generation of filmmakers and animators.” Producer Fiona Copland (Topless Women Talk About Their Lives, The Strength of Water and Kiri and Lou) added of partnership: “We’re thrilled for our animators to be housed at Kōawa, in such a creative environment, enjoying goodwill and ‘can do’ from the UC team and helping to inspire students.”
Costa-Gavras To Be Honored With Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award
Greek and French director Costa-Gavras filmmaker continues to enjoy a high-profile time on the festival circuit. The 91-year-old director will be honored with the Stockholm Lifetime Achievement Award on November 9, followed by a screening of his new film Last Breath. Costa-Gavras’ 22-feature filmography tackling key issues of contemporary world politics over the past 60 years includes such Oscar-winner Z (1969), Cannes Palme d’Or winner Missing (1982), and Hanna K (1983). Stockholm’s prestigious award in the form of the 7.3 kilogram Bronze Horse – the world’s heaviest film award – takes inspiration from Swedish Dala horse and was created by designer Fredrik Swärd. Previous recipients include Anthony Hopkins, Lauren Bacall, David Lynch, Francis Ford Coppola, Martin Scorsese, Susan Sarandon and Paul Schrader. Costa Gavras was also recently feted at Thierry Frémaux’s Lumiere Festival in Lyon and is set to receive an honorary César at the 2025 edition of the prestigious French awards. Stockholm runs from November 6 to 17.
