The Cannes Competition line-up of 50 years ago was an extraordinary one; a who's who of iconic filmmakers. Among the 26 competing for the Palme d'Or were Sidney Lumet, Louis Malle, Andrzej Wajda, Pierre Étaix, Lindsay Anderson, Volker Schlöndorff, Costa-Gavras, Éric Rohmer, Glauber Rocha, Ronald Neame and Dennis…

Colombian director Ciro Guerra (Birds Of Passage) has been appointed head of jury for Critics’ Week, which runs parallel to the Cannes Film Festival and is dedicated to first and second films. The jury is rounded out by actress Amira Casar (Call Me By Your Name), Danish producer Marianne Slot (The House That Jack Built…

The Locarno Film Festival has appointed Lili Hinstin as its next artistic director, replacing Carlo Chatrian who is leaving to become Berlin co-chief. Hinstin will take up her appointment from December 1, 2018 after she was elected by a unanimous decision from the festival’s board. Since 2013 she has been artistic…

IFC Films has acquired U.S. rights to Kent Jones’ Diane, the Martin Scorsese-exec produced drama starring Mary Kay Place. IFC’s announcement comes as the film makes its international premiere at the Locarno Film Festival this week. Diane won the Best Narrative Film prize at this year’s Tribeca Film Fest, along with…

The appointment of the next Berlin Film Festival chief was always going to be an involved process. Most festival appointments are. But this situation was more delicate given the calls from prominent industry figures for a festival overhaul. Rumours had been swirling for months about possible predecessors and last week…

The Berlin Film Festival may have found its man to replace Dieter Kosslick as reports in Germany are emerging that Locarno festival chief Carlo Chatrian is set to take the role. German newspaper Bild is reporting that Chatrian, who has been director of the Locarno Film Festival since 2013, has beaten several other…

Asian films dominated major awards at the 68th Locarno Film Festival which wrapped today. Hong Sang-soo’s Right Now, Wrong Then from South Korea took the Golden Leopard for best film and best actor prize for Jeong Jae-yeong. The relationship dramedy will also be screening at the upcoming Toronto International Film…

It seems odd that either the Locarno Film Festival or Roman Polanski thought that honoring the filmmaker for lifetime achievement would be a good idea. This is the second recent time — after Woody Allen’s Golden Globe tribute was followed by a phalanx of nasty tweets from his ex-wife Mia Farrow and estranged…

The Locarno Film Festival drew to a close Saturday night in Switzerland with the top Pardo d’Oro prize going to Story Of My Death. The Spanish film is directed by Albert Serra and imagines the last days of Giacomo Casanova. American actress Brie Larson took the Best Actress prize for Short Term 12, Destin Cretton's…

Woo-Hoo! ‘The Simpsons’ Lego Set Coming Next Year Lego said Monday that it will launch its first set based on The Simpsons next year. A spokesman for the privately held Danish toymaker wouldn’t single out which characters will be Lego-ized, but he said the company hopes the set will “appeal to fans of the Simpsons…

ITV’s UK Hit ‘Broadchurch’ Coming To BBC America In August ITV’s hit contemporary drama Broadchurch is set to debut on BBC America at 10 PM August 7. The series, starring David Tennant and Olivia Colman, was created and written by Chris Chibnall. It’s set in a quiet seaside town following the shocking murder of a…

Baltasar Kormákur‘s breakout film 101 Reykjavik debuted in competition at Locarno in 2000. The director returns to the fest this year with actioner 2 Guns. The Denzel Washington and Mark Wahlberg film will be released Stateside on August 2 and have its international premiere in Locarno on August 7. The story follows…