Saturday, February 9, 2013

"Beasts of the Southern Wild" Goes Wild at 2013 Black Reel Awards

At the 13th Annual Black Reel Awards, Beasts of the Southern Wild won the "Outstanding Film" award, one of its four wins, which included an "Outstanding Actress" award for its young star, Quvenzhane Wallis.  Meanwhile, Denzel Washington won his record fourth "Outstanding Actor" award for his performance in Flight.

The 13th Annual Black Reel Awards winners were announced on Blog Talk Radio, Thursday, February 7, 2013, in Washington, DC.

The Class of 2013 – The 2013 Black Reel Awards winners (for the year in film 2012):

Outstanding Film
Beasts of the Southern Wild

Outstanding Actor
Denzel Washington - Flight

Outstanding Actress
Quvenzhane Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild

Outstanding Supporting Actor
Samuel L. Jackson - Django Unchained

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Naomie Harris - Skyfall

Outstanding Director
Ava DuVernay - Middle of Nowhere

Outstanding Screenplay (Original or Adapted)
Ava DuVernay - Middle of Nowhere

Outstanding Documentary
The Central Park Five - Sarah Burns, Ken Burns & David McMahon

Outstanding Ensemble
Django Unchained - Victoria Thomas

Outstanding Foreign Film
The Intouchables (from France)

Outstanding Score
Dan Romer & Behn Zeitilin - Beasts of the Southern Wild

Outstanding Song
John Legend “Who Did That to You” from Django Unchained

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance
Quvenzhane Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild

Outstanding Voice Performance
Dennis Haysbert - Wreck-it Ralph (Walt Disney Animation Studios)

Outstanding Independent Film
LUV - Sheldon Candis

Outstanding Television Documentary
Brooklyn Boheme - Nelson George & Diane Paragas

Outstanding Independent Documentary
Soul Food Junkies - Byron Hurt

Outstanding Independent Short
The Bluest Note - Marques Green

Outstanding Television Movie
A Beautiful Soul - TVOne

Outstanding Television Actor
Sean Patrick Thomas - Murder on the 13th Floor

Outstanding Television Actress
Aunjanue Ellis - Abducted: The Carlina White Story

Outstanding Television Supporting Actor
Courtney B. Vance - Let It Shine

Outstanding Television Supporting Actress
Alfre Woodard - Steel Magnolias

Outstanding Television Director
Vondie Curtis-Hall - Abducted: The Carlina White Story

Outstanding Television Screenplay
Elizabeth Hunter - Abducted: The Carlina White Story

DreamWorks Announces New International Partnerships

DreamWorks Studios Announces 10 Additional Strategic International Partnerships Through Its Agreement with Mister Smith Entertainment

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DreamWorks Studios is pleased to announce that, through their existing collaboration with David Garrett’s Mister Smith Entertainment to represent DreamWorks Studios' films for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, they have concluded a further ten key partnership deals with leading independent distribution companies.

DreamWorks has entered into multi-year output agreements to distribute the company's films in all media with international distributors: Acme in the Baltics, Blitz for Croatia/Slovenia/Serbia; Odeon in Greece; Sam Film in Iceland; United King in Israel; Andrea Leone Film in Italy; Monolith in Poland; Lusomundo in Portugal; through a joint venture between Tri Pictures & DeaPlaneta for Spain; and Fida Film in Turkey.

"On behalf of Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider, we are delighted to now have in place our remaining key international distribution partners. We look forward to working with these premier companies as we expand the global reach of our films in the marketplace. Our thanks to David Garrett and his team at Mister Smith Entertainment who continue to be a key partner," said Jeff Small, DreamWorks' President and COO.

As part of the Company’s strategy to create a network of partnerships for their product internationally with a view to additional financial flexibility and capitalizing on the expanding global market, DreamWorks previously announced partnerships with Constantin Film, Entertainment One (eOne), Nordisk Film, and Italia Film in Fall 2012. DreamWorks’ domestic distributor, The Walt Disney Company, will continue to handle North America, Latin America, Asia, Russia and Australia. Reliance continues to finance production of DreamWorks’ films and hold distribution rights in India.

Mister Smith CEO David Garrett commented, “It is a true affirmation to the Olympian status of DreamWorks Studios that they have been able to secure partnerships with the cream of the independents across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Every single one of these partners are leaders in their field, and this is reflected in their undoubted professionalism, and their shared passion for movies. These strategic partnerships create an outstanding network of distribution for the upcoming DreamWorks Studios slate.”

Upcoming features under the DreamWorks deal with Mister Smith Entertainment include: "Delivery Man" (Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Scr./Dir. Ken Scott) currently in post-production, the Wikileaks drama "The Fifth Estate" (Benedict Cumberbatch, Daniel Bruhl, Laura Linney, Anthony Mackie, David Thewlis, Peter Capaldi, Dan Stevens, Alicia Vikander and Carice van Houten, Dir. Bill Condon) currently in production, and "Need for Speed" (Aaron Paul, Dominic Cooper, Imogen Poots, Dir. Scott Waugh) which starts principal photography in April.


About DreamWorks Studios
DreamWorks Studios is a motion picture company formed in 2009 and led by Steven Spielberg and Stacey Snider in partnership with The Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group. The company’s recent releases include Spielberg's "Lincoln," starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field and Tommy Lee Jones. The film has grossed over $160 million at the U.S. box office and has been nominated for twelve Academy Awards® including Best Picture and Best Director. Other releases include "Real Steel," starring Hugh Jackman and directed by Shawn Levy, Steven Spielberg’s "War Horse," based on Michael Morpurgo’s award-winning book and was nominated for six Academy Awards® including Best Picture, and "The Help," which resonated with audiences around the country and earned over $200 million at the box office and received four Academy Award® nominations with Octavia Spencer winning one for Best Supporting Actress. Upcoming films include the comedy "Delivery Man," starring Vince Vaughn, the WikiLeaks drama "The Fifth Estate," and car racing actioner "Need for Speed."

DreamWorks Studios can be found on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/DreamWorksStudios and on Twitter at http://twitter.com/dw_studios.

About Mister Smith Entertainment
Led by CEO David Garrett, Mister Smith Entertainment is involved in the financing, co-financing and licensing of high-quality mainstream feature films and filmmaker driven movies for the global market. The company is a joint venture between Garrett and Constantin Film. Mister Smith Entertainment's current film slate includes: Inimitable Pictures’ "Imagine," Dan Fogelman’s directorial debut starring Academy Award® winner Al Pacino, Academy Award® nominee Jeremy Renner and Academy Award®nominee Julianne Moore, which starts filming in April; Constantin Film's "The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones," the first film in the highly anticipated action fantasy franchise based on Cassandra Clare's #1 best-selling book series and scheduled for release in August 2013 through Screen Gems; Constantin Film's compelling true story "3,096 Days" based on the autobiography of Natascha Kampusch, the Austrian girl who was held captive for over 8 years and whose escape made headlines around the world, which is due for release in early 2013; and Constantin Film's romantic comedy “Love, Rosie” which is based on the best-selling novel Where Rainbows End by internationally renowned author Cecelia Ahern, starring Lily Collins, Sam Claflin, directed by Christian Ditte and scheduled to commence principal photography in May 2013.

About Acme Film/Baltics
ACME Film is one of the largest theatrical distributors in the Baltics, distributing films from Sony Pictures, Warner Bros., Lionsgate/Summit, Lakeshore and many other top independent producers.

Blitz Film & Video Distribution/Croatia/Slovenia/Serbia
Blitz Film the leading film distributor in Croatia and the countries of former Yugoslavia, including film distribution of motion pictures and other content through standard types of distribution – theatrical, video, TV - as well as through new technologies such as Video on Demand, IPTV, internet etc. Founded in 1992 in Croatia, the company has extended its operation to almost all countries of ex-Yugoslavia through its own group of companies: Blitz Slovenia, Blitz Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Millennium Serbia. Blitz has represented U.S. Studios including Warner Bros Pictures International, Universal Pictures International, Paramount Pictures International, DreamWorks Animation, and 20th Century Fox with respect to exclusive theatrical distribution, and is also the exclusive video distributor of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, Paramount Home Entertainment Global, DreamWorks Animation Home Entertainment LLC and DreamWorks LLC. Blitz has a very successful long-term cooperation with a number of independent companies including Icon Entertainment, Europa Corp, Lakeshore Entertainment, Summit Entertainment, Pathe Distribution, Studio Canal, LionsGate and others, whose film it distributes throughout all media.

https://www.facebook.com/CineStarMultiplexi

http://www.blitz-cinestar.hr/cinestar

About Odeon / Greece
Odeon S.A. is one of the leading theatrical distribution companies in Greece and Cyprus. While operating 40% of the territory's film theatres Odeon also manufactures and distributes DVDs and BDs and is the exclusive licensee for FOX, MGM/UA (theatrical and home entertainment), Paramount Pictures (home entertainment only). Odeon has also been developing and producing Greek films over the last two decades that includes "Loufing & Camouflage: Sirens of the Agean" and "Brides".

About Samfilm/Iceland
Samfilm was founded by Mr. Arni Samuelsson, its CEO, in 1975 and is the biggest distribution company in Iceland. Samfilm is the local distributor for Warner Bros, Paramount and Walt Disney, both on theatrical and DVD. On the gaming side, Samfilm handles distribution for Disney Interactive and Warner Interactive. Samfilm exhibition side runs 5 locations, 3 cinemas in Reykjavik with a total of 13 screens and two outside Reykjavik with a total of 4 screens. Market share in both Distribution and Exhibition has been around 45-55% in recent years. SAMcinemas have been vigilant for new opportunities which live presentations via satellite from the Metropolitan Opera and National Theatre in London as well as other live events prove.

About United King/Israel
United King Films Israel is one of the largest exhibitor and distributor of mainstream and art house cinema. United King Films owns a chain of the largest cinema complexes in Israel, which brings around 35%-40% of box office admissions in Israel. At the moment the chain includes 6 complexes with 5 more to be built within the next 3 years. United King Films distributes around 50 films each year such as; "The Twilight Saga," "Zero Dark Thirty," "Crash," "The Pianist," "Beasts of the Southern Wild," "Rust & Bone," "Holly Motors" and many more.

United King Films is also the biggest producer of Israeli Films including two Oscar nominated films "Beaufort" and "Footnote" as well as "Lebanon," "Walk on Water," "The Bubble" and many more.

About Andrea Leone Film/Italy
ANDREA LEONE FILMS was founded in 1989 by Sergio Leone and is currently owned by Andrea and Raffaella Leone, respectively the son and daughter of the Director. The company handles the renowned library of western pictures directed by Sergio Leone for Italy and co-owns rest of the world along with co-producers MGM, PARAMOUNT, UA. Besides the Sergio Leone estate the company owns and or controls a library of over 400 titles for ITALY.

ALF has output or volume deals with the main independent TV movie production companies acquiring 50/60 pictures per year. And in 2000 ALF moved into the theatrical arena with bigger budget theatrical titles acquiring 10 to 20 feature films per year in the US $10 to US $60 million range from companies such as LIONS GATE, MILLENNIUM FILMS, LAKESHORE etc. ALF has recently increased its library for ITALY acquiring prestigious libraries from independent distributors such as CAPITOL (LARGO/INTERMEDIA/FRANCHISE), LIONSGATE, LAKESHORE, ECHOBRIDGE /ALLIANCE, FIRST LOOK, PANDORA, FILM FOUR etc.

Created as a branch of ALF in 2010, PACMEDIA is a new product placement and major events company based in both Rome and Los Angeles. Pacmedia is already strongly placed in the market with an extensive client roster headed by Italy’s leading car group FIAT/LANCIA/ALFA ROMEO and in the US the CHRISLER/JEEP/DODGE group.

In 2012 ALF has also been appointed as exclusive representative for the TV Library of NEW REGENCY.

About Monolith Films/Poland
Monolith Films, Poland’s leading independent film distributor, has been operating in the Polish market since 1998. In 2012 the company signed an output deal with Lionsgate/Summit. Monolith Films has distributed such blockbusters as: "American Pie,” “What Women Want,” “Hannibal,” “The Passion of the Christ”, “Alexander,” “Mr & Mrs Smith,” “Apocalypto,” “Step up,” “Twilight Saga” and “Taken”. In addition to distribution, Monolith Films is active in the production of the local movies.

About Lusomundo/Portugal
About ZON - www.zon.pt
ZON is the leader of the Portuguese Pay TV market, with 1.6 million customers and the leading provider of next generation broadband, cinema distribution and exhibition. ZON is also the only operator of fixed telephony to grow.

About Tri Pictures & DeaPlaneta for Spain
DeAPlaneta, the result of a joint venture between two major European communication groups – DeAgostini and Planeta – is a role model in the Spanish audiovisual sector. In addition to acquiring and distributing films for cinema, Home Entertainment and television, it distributes contents in fiction, documentaries and children’s entertainment through DeAPlaneta Distribución and Planeta Junior.

DeAPlaneta is the second largest independent distributor in Spain. Its catalogue includes Oscar-winners such as "The Pianist," "The Hurt Locker" and "The King's Speech," together with major commercial hit films such as "Planet 51" and "The Knowing." Upcoming films include from the anticipated film adaptations of Stephenie Meyer’s new saga "The Host" and Noah Gordon’s worldwide Bestseller "The Physician" to prestigious Steve McQueen’s "Twelve Years a Slave" or the film adaptation of 2008 Pulitzer Prize "August: Osage County."

TRIPICTURES was founded in 1987 and is one of the leading independent distributors in Spain focused on commercial titles for all windows of exploitation. Tripictures’ catalogue includes films like "Seven Years in Tibet," "Golden Compass," The Asterix Franchise," Alexander the Great," "Sex and the City" or the recently Oscar nominated "Flight." Today, TRIPICTURES has a catalogue of over 360 titles. In 2006, VOCENTO, a leading Spanish multimedia publishing group, acquired 70% of TRIPICTURES, allowing the company to integrate and create synergies with other television production and services companies within the group. Upcoming titles include the next film from Oscar nominated director David O’Russell, "The Place Beyond the Pines" starring Ryan Goslin and Bradley Cooper, "Non Stop," starring Liam Neeson or the epic action adventure, "I, Frankenstein."

About Fida Film/Turkey
For the last 48 years, Fida Film has been the leading company in cinema advertising, acquisitions and film production in Turkey. Fida Film started acquiring theatrical, home video and television rights for foreign films in 2004. Fida Film has more than 400 feature films in its current slate from partnerships with several prestigious studios and production companies.

Friday, February 8, 2013

2013 Grammy Nominations in the Top Catagories - A List

The Grammy Awards (or Grammys) are given out by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. The Grammy is an accolade that recognizes outstanding achievement in the music industry. It is the music industry equivalent to the Academy Awards for film, the Emmy Awards for television, and the Tony Award for stage.

There are currently 81 categories, up from 78 at the 54th Grammy Awards. The three new categories are “Best Classical Compendium,” “Best Latin Jazz Album,” and “Best Urban Contemporary Album.”

The 55th Grammy Awards will be held on Sunday, February 10, 2013, at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The show will be broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT and will be hosted for the second time by LL Cool J. Nominations were announced on December 5, 2012

Nominees in top categories for the 55th annual Grammy Awards:

Record of the Year:
"Lonely Boy," The Black Keys
"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," Kelly Clarkson
"We Are Young," fun. featuring Janelle Monae
"Somebody That I Used To Know," Gotye Featuring Kimbra
"Thinkin Bout You," Frank Ocean
"We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together," Taylor Swift.

Album of the Year:
"El Camino," The Black Keys
"Some Nights," fun.
"Babel," Mumford & Sons
"Channel Orange," Frank Ocean
"Blunderbuss," Jack White.

Song of the Year:
"The A Team," Ed Sheeran, songwriter (performed by Ed Sheeran)
"Adorn," Miguel Pimentel, songwriter (Miguel)
"Call Me Maybe" Tavish Crowe, Carly Rae Jepsen & Josh Ramsay, songwriters (Carly Rae Jepsen)
"Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)," Jorgen Elofsson, David Gamson, Greg Kurstin & Ali Tamposi, songwriters (Kelly Clarkson)
"We Are Young," Jack Antonoff, Jeff Bhasker, Andrew Dost & Nate Ruess, songwriters (fun. featuring Janelle Monáe).

New Artist:
Alabama Shakes
fun.
Hunter Hayes
The Lumineers
Frank Ocean

Pop Vocal Album:
"Stronger," Kelly Clarkson
"Ceremonials," Florence & The Machine
"Some Nights," fun.
"Overexposed," Maroon 5
"The Truth About Love," Pink

Rock Album:
"El Camino," The Black Keys
"Mylo Xyloto," Coldplay
"The 2nd Law," Muse
"Wrecking Ball," Bruce Springsteen
"Blunderbuss," Jack White

R&B Album:
"Black Radio," Robert Glasper Experiment
"Back To Love," Anthony Hamilton
"Write Me Back," R. Kelly
"Beautiful Surprise," Tamia
"Open Invitation," Tyrese

Rap Album:
"Take Care," Drake
"Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, Pt. 1," Lupe Fiasco
"Life Is Good," Nas
"Undun," The Roots
"God Forgives, I Don't," Rick Ross
"Based on a T.R.U. Story," Chainz

Country Album:
"Uncaged," Zac Brown Band
"Hunter Hayes," Hunter Hayes
"Living For A Song: A Tribute To Hank Cochran," Jamey Johnson
"Four The Record," Miranda Lambert
"The Time Jumpers," The Time Jumpers

Latin Pop, Rock or Urban Album:
"Campo," Campo;
"Dejenme Llorar," Carla Morrison
"Imaginaries," Quetzal
"Electro-Jarocho," Sistema Bomb
"La Bala," Ana Tijoux

Jazz Vocal Album:
"Soul Shadows," Denise Donatelli
"1619 Broadway: The Brill Building Project," Kurt Elling
"Live," Al Jarreau (And The Metropole Orkest)
"The Book Of Chet," Luciana Souza
"Radio Music Society," Esperanza Spalding

A top category that does not get enough attention, as far as I’m concerned:
Producer of the Year, Non-Classical:
1. Dan Auerbach
2. Jeff Bhasker
3. Diplo
4. Markus Dravs
5. Salaam Remi

Of concern to movie fans are the film music and soundtrack categories:

Music for Visual Media

Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media (best movie soundtrack)
1. The Descendants – Various Artists
2. Marley – Bob Marley & The Wailers
3. Midnight In Paris – Various Artists
4. The Muppets – Various Artists
5. Rock Of Ages – Various Artists

Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media (best original music-score for a film)
1. The Adventures Of Tintin - The Secret Of The Unicorn – John Williams, composer
2. The Artist – Ludovic Bource, composer
3. The Dark Knight Rises – Hans Zimmer, composer
4. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross, composers
5. Hugo – Howard Shore, composer
6. Journey – Austin Wintory, composer

Best Song Written for Visual Media (best song for film or television)
"Abraham's Daughter" (from The Hunger Games)
T Bone Burnett, Win Butler & Régine Chassagne, songwriters (performed by Arcade Fire)

"Learn Me Right" (from Brave)
Mumford & Sons, songwriters (performed by Birdy & Mumford & Sons)

"Let Me Be Your Star" (from Smash)
Marc Shaiman & Scott Wittman, songwriters (performed by Katharine McPhee & Megan Hilty"

"Man or Muppet" (from The Muppets)
Bret McKenzie, songwriter (performed by Jason Segel & Walter)

"Safe & Sound" (from The Hunger Games)
T Bone Burnett, Taylor Swift, John Paul White & Joy Williams, songwriters (performed Taylor Swift Featuring The Civil Wars)

Nominees in the three new categories for the 55th Grammys:

Best Classical Compendium
1. Partch: Bitter Music - Partch, ensemble; John Schneider, producer
2. Penderecki: Fonogrammi; Horn Concerto; Partita; The Awakening Of Jacob; Anaklasis - Antoni Wit, conductor; Aleksandra Nagórko & Andrzej Sasin, producers
3. Une Fête Baroque - Emmanuelle Haïm, conductor; Daniel Zalay, producer

Best Latin Jazz Album
1. Flamenco Sketches – Chano Domínguez
2. ¡Ritmo! – The Clare Fischer Latin Jazz Big Band
3. Multiverse – Bobby Sanabria Big Band
4. Duos III – Luciana Souza
5. New Cuban Express – Manuel Valera New Cuban Express

Best Urban Contemporary Album
1. Fortune – Chris Brown
2. Kaleidoscope Dream – Miguel
3. Channel Orange – Frank Ocean

Thursday, February 7, 2013

"Monster High Double Feature" Now on DVD

Why post this press release?  Well, my niece is a big fan of Monster High:

Monster High™ Releases New Double Feature DVD

EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Monster High™, one of the fastest-growing and most popular tween girl franchises, today debuts its brand new DVD, Monster High™ Double Feature. The ghouls of Monster High™ serve up two fang-tastically fabulous adventures in one DVD: When the boys cannot compete in the Skultimate Roller Maze™ Championship, Frankie Stein™ convinces her friends that some “ghoul power” is needed to save the day in the all-new Friday Night Frights. Then, as the epic Sweet 1600th birthday of Draculaura™ approaches, she’s got two crush-worthy guys out to steal her heart (literally) in the new-to-DVD movie, Why Do Ghouls Fall in Love? US SRP: $19.98 / CAN $23.99.


"Fate/Zero" to Debut This Spring on Neon Alley



VIZ MEDIA TO PREMIERE ANIPLEX’s SUPERNATURAL ACTION SERIES FATE/ZERO ON NEON ALLEY ANIME CHANNEL THIS SPRING

Aniplex Of America Adds New Content For The Innovative Console-Based 24-Hour Anime Channel Available On PS3 And Playstation® Network, As Well As Xbox 360® And Xbox Live®

VIZ Media, LLC (VIZ Media), the largest publisher, distributor and licensor of manga and anime in North America, has announced that Aniplex of America, Inc. has become a content partner for the recently-launched Neon Alley 24-hour anime channel. VIZ Media will premiere the hit Aniplex anime action series, FATE/ZERO, on Neon Alley this Spring.

Neon Alley is VIZ Media’s new 24-hour, subscription-based anime channel available for the PS3 game console and Playstation® Network, and soon to be available for the Xbox 360 and Xbox Live®. The platform features the world’s best titles (dubbed in English and uncut), presented in HD (when available), for a low monthly subscription rate of only $6.99.

FATE/ZERO is based on a Japanese light novel, written by Gen Urobuchi and illustrated by Takashi Takeuchi. This is the story that goes back to zero, back to the beginning. The ultimate battle royal, in which seven Masters vying for control of the miracle-granting Holy Grail summon seven Servants and fight until only one remains... The Holy Grail War!

“We’re very excited to welcome Aniplex of America as a premiere content partner for Neon Alley,” says Brian Ige, Vice President of Animation for VIZ Media. “The Neon Alley platform represents the next stage of the evolution of anime in North America and utilizes an innovative, console-based digital delivery model. The debut of the supernatural action series FATE/ZERO will be a wonderful addition to the channel’s programming roster and we know fans everywhere will not want to miss this exciting premiere later this Spring!”

“Aniplex of America initially teamed with VIZ Media to bring the hit anime series BLUE EXORCIST to Neon Alley and we are now looking forward to fans tuning in for the upcoming launch of FATE/ZERO,” says Hideki Goto, President of the Animation Business of Aniplex of America. “This legendary tale of the Fourth Holy Grail War will thrill fans with its sophisticated story and captivating animation. We look forward to cultivating our relationship with VIZ Media and to licensing additional content for Neon Alley in the near future!”

Neon Alley’s schedule includes a dynamic mix of action, adventure, sci-fi, supernatural, fantasy, and horror anime, including weekly exclusive episodes of BLUE EXORCIST, INUYASHA: THE FINAL ACT, NURA: RISE OF THE YOKAI CLAN, and TIGER & BUNNY, as well as blockbuster favorites DEATH NOTE, NARUTO SHIPPUDEN, ONE PIECE, VAMPIRE KNIGHT plus more. Neon Alley is also designed to be studio agnostic, offering a diverse array of titles from several leading anime studios and distributors. Complete details on Neon Alley and its programming are available at NeonAlley.com.

For more information on Neon Alley, please visit NeonAlley.com.

For more information on FATE/ZERO, please visit FateZeroUSA.com.

For more information on Aniplex of America, please visit www.aniplexusa.com.

For more information on VIZ Media, please visit www.VIZ.com.


About Aniplex of America, Inc.
Aniplex of America Inc. (Santa Monica, California) is a subsidiary of Aniplex Inc. (headquartered in Tokyo, Japan), a group of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc. and leading provider of anime content and music production and distribution in Japan. Aniplex of America has launched fan-favorite DVD and Blu-Ray releases such as Gurren Lagann the Movies, Durarara!!, R.O.D series, The Garden of Sinners and Baccano! The company's ever-growing line-up of shows includes our most recent titles, Blue Exorcist, Rurouni Kenshin OVA and Movie, and Puella Magi Madoka Magica. More information on Aniplex of America is available at: http://www.aniplexusa.com.

About VIZ Media, LLC
Headquartered in San Francisco, California, VIZ Media distributes, markets and licenses the best anime and manga titles direct from Japan. Owned by three of Japan's largest manga and animation companies, Shueisha Inc., Shogakukan Inc., and Shogakukan-Shueisha Productions, Co., Ltd., VIZ Media has the most extensive library of anime and manga for English speaking audiences in North America, the United Kingdom, Ireland and South Africa. With its popular digital manga anthology WEEKLY SHONEN JUMP and blockbuster properties like NARUTO, BLEACH and INUYASHA, VIZ Media offers cutting-edge action, romance and family friendly properties for anime, manga, science fiction and fantasy fans of all ages. VIZ Media properties are available as graphic novels, DVDs, animated television series, feature films, downloadable and streaming video and a variety of consumer products. Learn more about VIZ Media, anime and manga at www.VIZ.com.

"Life of Pi" Tops 2013 3D Creative Arts Awards

International 3D Society Bestows 25 Awards at 4th Annual Creative Arts Ceremony in Los Angeles

“Life of Pi” Wins 3 Top Honors

“Brave,” “The Avengers” “Katy Perry: Part of Me” and “Britney Spears: Femme Fatale” Honored

3net, ESPN, Sky UK, Sky Italia, and Korea Broadcasting Win TV Awards

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The International 3D Society bestowed 25 honors for “distinguished achievement” in the 3D Creative Arts Awards Wednesday night at a black-tie ceremony held at the Beverly Hills hotel in Los Angeles. “Life of Pi” (20th Century Fox) swept several categories including: Best Live Action 3D Feature, Best Stereography – Live Action, and 3D Sequence/Moment of the Year. Two of the Society’s Lumiere™ statuettes were presented to: “Brave” (Pixar Animation Studios) for Best Animated 3D feature, and Best Stereography – Animation. “The Avengers” (Paramount Pictures) was honored for Best Use of 2D to 3D Conversion in 2012. ‘”Katy Perry: Part of Me” won in the category of Best Motion Picture Live Event.

“Life of Pi” director Ang Lee received the Society’s Harold Lloyd Filmmaker Award, which was presented by Lloyd’s granddaughter, Suzanne Lloyd, and Society Co-Chairman Tom Cosgrove, CEO of 3net.

DreamWorks Animation (DWA) was honored with the Sir Charles Wheatstone Award for education and distinguished achievement for 3D body of work.

Panasonic Corporation was honored with the Society’s Century Award for its support of the 2012 Summer Olympic Games 3D broadcasts from London.

In television categories, 3net won Best Documentary for “Sky Soldier – The Vietnam War in 3D.” ESPN won Best Live Sports Broadcast for its 3D telecast of the 2012 BCS College Championship Game. Volkswagen Germany was awarded a Lumiere™ for Best 3D Commercial. Bwark Productions and Sky UK were honored for Best 3DTV Short Subject Program for “Little Crackers,” and PGS and Sky Italia won a statuette for Best 3DTV Entertainment Program for “The Little Prince.” The “Britney Spears: Femme Fatale Tour” 3D concert telecast won a Lumiere™ for Best 3DTV Entertainment.

Universal Studios Hollywood received a Lumiere™ statuette for Best Themed Attraction, “Transformers: The Ride.”

“The sheer volume and quality of work across all platforms was extraordinary this year,” said Buzz Hays, the Society’s Awards Committee Chairman.

“Our theme for the night was ‘Our Story Begins.’ Our honorees demonstrated that 3D is really just beginning to tell its story. But, the quality and breadth of content is very impressive,” said Society President, Jim Chabin.

Award winners include:

LIVE ACTION 3D FEATURE
Life of Pi - 20th Century Fox

ANIMATED 3D FEATURE
Brave - Pixar Animation Studios

SHORT 3D MOTION PICTURE/NARRATIVE
La Luna - Pixar Animation Studios

3D DOCUMENTARY
Storm Surfers - Storm Surfers

THEATRICAL MOTION PICTURE - OUTSTANDING USE OF 2D TO 3D CONVERSION
The Avengers - Marvel Studios & The Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

3D LIVE EVENT
Katy Perry: Part of Me - Paramount Pictures

STEREOGRAPHY – LIVE ACTION
Life of Pi - 20th Century Fox

3D MOMENT OF THE YEAR
"Fish Flying Over Boat" from Life of Pi - 20th Century Fox

STEREOGRAPHY – ANIMATION
Brave - Pixar Animation Studios

3D ELECTRONIC BROADCAST MEDIA - LIVE SPORTS
2012 BCS Championship - ESPN

3D ELECTRONIC BROADCAST MEDIA – ENTERTAINMENT
Sky Soldier: The Vietnam War in 3D - 3net

3D ELECTRONIC BROADCAST MEDIA - LIVE EVENT
Britney Spears: Femme Fatale Tour - 3ality Technica

3D ELECTRONIC BROADCAST MEDIA – COMMERCIAL
Volkswagen "Flower Power" - Stereotec

THEMED ATTRACTION
Transformers: The Ride—3D - Universal Studios Hollywood

SIR CHARLES WHEATSTONE AWARD
DreamWorks Animation (DWA)

HAROLD LLOYD AWARD
Ang Lee

CENTURY AWARD
Panasonic Corporation

AUTODESK 3D INDEPENDENT SHORT FILM COMPETITION
Ora - The National Film Board of Canada

INTERNATIONAL JURY PRIZE (JAPAN)
Tekken: Blood Vengeance - Namco Bandai / Sony PCL

INTERNATIONAL JURY PRIZE (CHINA)
3D Taiwan - Gene Young 3D Image Co., Ltd

INTERNATIONAL JURY PRIZE (KOREA)
The Fetus - KBS (Korean Broadcasting System)

INTERNATIONAL JURY PRIZE (EUROPE)
Vicky and the Treasure of the Gods - Stereotec (Rat Pack Filmproduktion)

INTERNATIONAL JURY PRIZE (3DTV - LIVE SPORTS)
The Ryder Cup (2012) - Sky UK

INTERNATIONAL JURY PRIZE (3DTV - ENTERTAINMENT)
The Little Prince - PGS & Sky Italia

INTERNATIONAL JURY PRIZE (3DTV - SHORT)
Little Crackers - Bwark Productions & Sky UK

In addition, two more 3D Technology Awards were presented to RealD, and Innoventive Software.

The program was held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel. Host Leonard Maltin was assisted by actress Jackie Lloyd, granddaughter of Harold Lloyd, and singer/actress Meagan Chase. Voting was conducted during the month of January by 400 of the Society’s voting members.


About the International 3D Society & 3D@Home Consortium
The International 3D Society & 3D@Home Consortium advances 3D content, products and adoption through recognition, networking, communication for professionals and consumers. With over 60 companies and 500 professional members, the organization honors the year’s best during its 3D Technology and 3D Creative Awards programs; hosts worldwide meetings, workshops and demonstrations; and manages many online resources to assist consumers and professionals to further understand and integrate 3D into their lives. Visit: www.International3DSociety.com, www.3DatHome.org, and 3DUniversity.net to explore the full range of 3D information available.

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

2013 Black Reel Award Nominations - Complete List

The Black Reel Awards annually honor African-Americans in feature, independent and television film. The awards also take notice of the work in film of people of color throughout the African Diaspora. The awards were launched in 2000, and this is the 13th year the awards will be handed out. The Black Reel Awards are now given out by the Foundation for the Advancement of African-Americans in Film (FAAAF).

The 13th Annual Black Reel Awards winners will be announced on Blog Talk Radio, Thursday, February 7, 2013, in Washington, DC.

2013 Black Reel Awards nominations (for the year in film 2012):

Outstanding Motion Picture
Beasts of the Southern Wild
Michael Gottwald, John Penn & Dan Javey (Fox Searchlight Pictures)

Django Unchained
Reginald Huldin, Pilar Savone & Stacey Sher (Columbia Pictures)/(The Weinstein Company)

Flight
Laurie McDonald, Walter F. Parkes, Jack Rapke, Steve Starkey & Robert Zemeckis (Paramount)

The Intouchables
Laurent Zeitoun, Nicolas Duval-Adassovsky & Yann Zenou (The Weinstein Company)

Middle of Nowhere
Ava DuVernay, Paul Garnes & Howard Barish (AFFRM)

Outstanding Actor
Jamie Foxx - Django Unchained (Columbia Pictures)/(The Weinstein Company)

Nate Parker - Red Tails (20th Century Fox)/(LucasFilm)

Chris Rock - 2 Days in New York (Magnolia Pictures)

Omar Sy - The Intouchables (The Weinstein Company)

Denzel Washington - Flight (Paramount)

Outstanding Actress
Halle Berry - Cloud Atlas (Warner Brothers)

Emayatzy Corinealdi  - Middle of Nowhere (AFFRM)

Viola Davis - Won’t Back Down (20th Century Fox)

Rashida Jones - Celeste and Jesse Forever (Sony Pictures Classics)

Quvenzhane Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Fox Searchlight)

Outstanding Supporting Actor
Mike Epps - Sparkle (Tristar Pictures)

Dwight Henry - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Fox Searchlight)

Samuel L. Jackson - Django Unchained (Columbia Pictures)/(The Weinstein Company)

David Oyelowo - Middle of Nowhere (AFFRM)

Nate Parker - Arbitrage (Lionsgate)

Outstanding Supporting Actress
Naomie Harris - Skyfall (MGM)/ (Columbia)

Octavia Spencer - Smashed (Sony Pictures Classics)

Lorraine Toussaint - Middle of Nowhere (AFFRM)

Tamara Tunie - Flight (Paramount)

Kerry Washington - Django Unchained (Columbia)/(The Weinstein Company)

Outstanding Director
Salim Akil - Sparkle (Tristar Pictures)

Ava DuVernay - Middle of Nowhere (AFFRM)

Spike Lee - Red Hook Summer (Variance Films)

Peter Ramsey - Rise of the Guardians (DreamWorks)

Tim Story - Think Like A Man (Screen Gems)

Outstanding Screenplay (Adapted or Original)
Mara Brock Akil - Sparkle (Tristar Pictures)

Ava DuVernay - Middle of Nowhere (AFFRM)

Rashida Jones & Will McCormack - Celeste and Jesse Forever (Sony Pictures Classics)

Spike Lee & James McBride - Red Hook Summer (Variance Films)

Aaron McGruder & John Ridley - Red Tails (20th Century Fox)/(LucasFilm)

Outstanding Feature Documentary
Bad 25
Spike Lee

Brooklyn Castle
Katie Dallamaggiore (Producers Distribution Agency)

The Central Park Five
Sarah Burns, Ken Burns & David McMahon (Sundance Select)

Marley
Kevin McDonald (Magnolia Pictures)

Searching for Sugar Man
Malik Bendjelloul (Sony Pictures Classics)

Outstanding Ensemble
Django Unchained
Casting Director: Victoria Thomas (Columbia)/(The Weinstein Company)

Flight
Casting Director: Victoria Burrows (Paramount)

Middle of Nowhere
Casting Director: Aisha Coley (AFFRM)

Sparkle
Casting Director: Twinkie Byrd (Tristar Pictures)

Think Like A Man
Casting Director: Kim Hardin (Screen Gems)

Outstanding Foreign Film
Elza
Guadeloupe (Autonomous Entertainment)

The Intouchables
France (The Weinstein Company)

Ties That Bind
South Africa (Image Entertainment)

Toussaint Louverture
France

Wuthering Heights
United Kingdom (Laboratories)

Outstanding Score
Terence Blanchard - Red Tails (20th Century Fox)/(LucasFilm)

Kathryn Bostic - Middle of Nowhere (AFFRM)

Bruce Hornsby - Red Hook Summer (Variance Films)

Salaam Remi - Sparkle (Tristar Pictures)

Dan Romer & Behn Zeitilin - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Fox Searchlight Studios)

Outstanding Original or Adapted Song
“Carry It” from The Man With the Iron Fists
Performed and Written by: Travis Barker, RZA, Tom Morrello & Raekwon (Universal)

“Celebrate” from Sparkle
Performed by: Jordin Sparks & Whitney Houston; Written by: R. Kelly (Tristar Pictures)

“No Church in the Wild” from Safe House
Performed by: Jay-Z, Kanye West & Frank Ocean; Written by: Jay-Z, Kanye West, Frank Ocean, The-Dream, Chales Nipa, Joseph Roach, Gary Wright, James Brown, Michael Dean & Phil Manzanera (Universal)

“Tonight (Best You Ever Had)” from Think Like a Man
Performed by: John Legend & Ludacris; Written: Allen Arthur, Keith Justice, Clayton Reilly, Miguel Pimental, John Legend & Ludacris (Screen Gems)

“Who Did That to You” from Django Unchained
Performed by: John Legend; Written by: John Legend & Paul Epworth (Columbia Pictures)/(The Weinstein Company)

Outstanding Breakthrough Performance
Emayatzy Corinealdi - Middle of Nowhere (AFFRM)

Dwight Henry - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Fox Searchlight Studios)

Amandla Stenberg - The Hunger Games (Lionsgate)

Omar Sy - The Intouchables (The Weinstein Company)

Quvenzhane Wallis - Beasts of the Southern Wild (Fox Searchlight Studios)

Outstanding Voice Performance
Tempestt Bledsoe - ParaNorman (Focus Features)

Dennis Haysbert - Wreck-it Ralph (Walt Disney)

Queen Latifah - Ice Age: Continental Drift (20th Century Fox)

Chris Rock - Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted (Paramount)

Wanda Sykes - Ice Age: Continental Drift (20th Century Fox)

Outstanding Independent Film
Elza
Mariette Monpierre (Autonomous Entertainment)

Four
Joshua Sanchez

The Last Fall
Matthew A. Cherry (Image Entertainment)

LUV
Sheldon Candis (Indomina Releasing)

Yelling to the Sky
Victoria Mahoney (MPI Media Group)

Outstanding Independent Documentary
BMF: The Rise and Fall of Hip-Hop Drug Empire
D. Skiorski

Contradictions of Fair Hope
S. Epatha Merkerson & Rockell Metcalf

From Fatherless to Fatherhood
Kobie Brown

Justice for Sale
Femke & Isla van Velzen

Soul Food Junkies
Bryon Hurt

Outstanding Independent Short
The Bluest Note
Marques Green

Crossover
Tina Mabry

The Last/First Kiss
Andrea Ashton

Record/Play
Jesse Atlas

White Space
Maya Washington

Outstanding Television Documentary
The Announcement
Nelson George (ESPN)

Brooklyn Boheme
Nelson George and Diane Paragas (Showtime)

On the Shoulders of Giants
Deborah Morales (Showtime)

Slavery by Another Name
Samuel D. Pollard (PBS)

Uprising: Hip-Hop and the LA Riots
Mark Ford (VH1)

Outstanding TV Movie or Mini-Series
A Beautiful Soul
Noel Jones, Holly Davis Carter, Danny Green, Kimberly Ogletree & Dominique Telson (TVOne)

Let It Shine
Amy Gibbons & David Nelson (Disney Channel)

Raising Izzie
Angelique Bones & Valencia Y. Hawkins (The Gospel Music Channel)

Somebody’s Child
Keith Neal, David Eubanks & Eric Tomosunas (The Gospel Music Channel)

Steel Magnolias
David A. Rosemont (Lifetime)

Outstanding Actor in a TV Movie or Mini-Series
Rockmond Dunbar - Raising Izzie (The Gospel Music Channel)

Cuba Gooding Jr. - Firelight (ABC)

Trevor Jackson - Let It Shine (Disney Channel)

Sean Patrick Thomas - Murder on the 13th Floor (Lifetime)

Michael Jai White - Somebody’s Child (The Gospel Music Channel)

Outstanding Actress in a TV Movie or Mini-Series
Aunjanue Ellis - Abducted: The Carlina White Story (Lifetime)

Queen Latifah - Steel Magnolias (Lifetime)

Keke Palmer - Abducted: The Carlina White Story (Lifetime)

Vanessa A. Williams - Raising Izzie (The Gospel Music Channel)

Lynn Whitfield - Somebody’s Child (Gospel Music Channel)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a TV Movie or Mini-Series
Danny Glover - Hannah’s Law (Hallmark Channel)

Louis Gossett Jr. - Smitty (The Gospel Music Channel)

Boris Kodjoe - Killer Amongst Us (Lifetime)

Harry J. Lennix - A Beautiful Soul (TVOne)

Courtney B. Vance - Let It Shine (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a TV Movie or Mini-Series
Adepero Oduye - Steel Magnolias (Lifetime)

Phylicia Rashad - Steel Magnolias (Lifetime)

Gloria Reuben - Jesse Stone: Benefit of the Doubt (CBS)

Jill Scott - Steel Magnolias (Lifetime)

Alfre Woodard - Steel Magnolias (Lifetime)

Outstanding Director in a TV Movie or Mini-Series
Roger M. Bobb - Raising Izzie (The Gospel Music Channel)

Vondie Curtis-Hall - Abducted: The Carlina White Story (Lifetime)

Kenny Leon - Steel Magnolias (Lifetime)

Darnell Martin - Firelight (ABC)

Bille Woodruff - Rags (Nickelodeon)

Outstanding Writing in a TV Movie or Mini-Series
David Martyn Conley - Raising Izzie (The Gospel Music Channel)

Eric Daniel - Let It Shine (Disney Channel)

Elizabeth Hunter - Abducted: The Carlina White Story (Lifetime)

Siddeeqah Powell - Somebody’s Child (The Gospel Music Channel)

Cas Sigers - A Cross to Bear (The Gospel Music Channel)

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