Gravitas Acquires Lou Simon’s ‘9 Windows,’ A Re-Telling of Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Rear Window’ – Film News in Brief
Gravitas Ventures has acquired the North American distribution rights to Lou Simon’s “9 Windows,” a modern re-telling of Director Alfred Hitchcock’s 1954 classic, “Rear Window.”
A modern take on the Hitchcockian classic, “9 Windows” made history as the first feature-length, live-action film shot entirely on an extended reality film stage. The film stars Independent Spirit Award Nominee Michael Forsythe (“Raising Arizona,” “The Waterdance”) and Michael Paré (“Streets of Fire,” “Eddie” and “The Cruisers.”)
More from Variety
Gravitas Ventures Nabs U.S. and Canadian Rights to Comedy 'Another Happy Day' (EXCLUSIVE)
'Little Brother' Starring J.K. Simmons Lands September Release From Gravitas Ventures (EXCLUSIVE)
Gravitas Ventures Acquires Music Family Dramedy 'Trust in Love'
“On the day of her graduation, Liza and her parents are driving to a restaurant to celebrate when a truck slams into their car. Eighteen months after the car accident, Liza is unable to walk and lives alone after her parents’ death. Feeling responsible, Liza spends her days trolling vloggers on a local website. Late one night, a new video is uploaded in which a man sets fire to a dog. She reports it to the police, but the police detective, Boyle, cannot be bothered with a misdemeanor. However, when videos start popping up showing the gruesome murders of humans, Boyle finally agrees to consult a retired FBI agent to help them track down the killer,” reads the film’s log line.
It continues: “As the murders continue, Liza figures out that the killer is copying the most gruesome serial killers of all time. She finds the killer’s reflection on the knife he used in the second murder and finds out the identity of the murderer. But now that she helped the police identify him, has she inadvertently become his next target?”
The film is set to release on digital & cable VOD on Oct. 15.
Amazon MGM Unveils First Trailer for RaMell Ross’ ‘Nickel Boys’
Amazon MGM has unveiled the first trailer for RaMell Ross’ “Nickel Boys.” The film stars Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater, Fred Hechinger, Daveed Diggs and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor and is based on the book of the same name.
“Elwood Curtis’s college dream shatters alongside a two-lane Florida highway. Bearing the brunt of an innocent misstep, he’s sentenced to the netherworld of Nickel Academy, a brutal reformatory sunk deep in the Jim Crow South. He encounters another ward, the seen-it-all Turner. The two Black teens strike up an alliance: Turner dispensing fundamental tips for survival, Elwood, clinging to his optimistic worldview,” reads the film’s log line.
It continues: “Backdropped by the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, Elwood and Turner’s existence appear worlds away from Rev. Martin Luther King’s burnished oratory. Despite Nickel’s brutality, Elwood strives to hold onto his humanity, awakening a new vision for Turner.”
Ross directs the film from a screenplay he penned himself with Joslyn Barnes. Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, David Levine and Barnes produce the film; Brad Pitt, Gabby Shepard, Emily Wolfe, Kenneth Yu and Chadwick Prichard executive produce.
Watch the trailer below:
Academy Museum to Screen ‘American Fiction,’ Host Talk-Back with Director Cord Jefferson, Sociologist Dr. Patricia Hill Collins
The Academy Museum, in partnership with the Berggruen Institute, will present a special screening of the Academy Award-winning film “American Fiction.” The screening will be accompanied by a talk-back with Director Cord Jefferson and Dr. Patricia Hill Collins, a renowned sociologist specializing in the study of race, class and gender.
The Academy aims to use art as a tool to spark greater social and cultural conversations surrounding important and relevant topics.
Dr. Hill Collins is a renowned sociologist specializing in the study of race, class and gender. She is a pioneer of the concept of “intersectionality,” helping to develop an analysis of the interactions among different forms of inequality and oppression. Jefferson is an Academy Award-winning and Emmy Award-winning writer and director who has worked on some of the past decade’s most complex and popular series and has earned praise for being one of the most multifaceted and versatile storytellers.
Click here for tickets.
Gravitas Acquires North American Rights to Ken Jeong-Starring ‘A Great Divide’
Gravitas Ventures has acquired the North American distribution rights to the Ken Jeong-starring drama, “A Great Divide.”
Directed by Jean Shim, the film stars Jeong (“The Hangover,” “Crazy Rich Asians”), Jae Suh Park (“Never Have I Ever”), Emerson Min (“Black-ish”), Miya Cech (“The Darkest Minds”), Jamie McShane (“Wednesday”), West Mulholland (“Presence”), MeeWha Alana Lee (“G20”), Marshall Allman (“Prison Break”) and Seamus Dever (“Castle,” “Waco: The Aftermath.”)
“The Lee family leave the Bay Area for a fresh start in the rural expanses of Wyoming, only to encounter hostility and xenophobia in their new community. How they confront these issues will break them – or make them stronger,” reads the film’s log line.
Gravitas plans to release the drama on digital and cable transactional video-on-demand on Nov. 26.
‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ to World Premiere at AFI Fest
The American Film Institute (AFI) announced that the stop-motion animated feature “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl” will make its world premiere at the AFI Fest on Oct. 27 at the TCL Chinese Theatre.
Animation house Aardman’s four-time Academy Award-winning Director Nick Park and Emmy Award-nominated Director Merlin Crossingham will team up again for the upcoming sequel set in the Wallace & Gromit universe.
“Gromit’s concern that Wallace is becoming too dependent on his inventions proves justified when Wallace invents a ‘smart’ gnome that seems to develop a mind of its own. When it emerges that a vengeful figure from the past might be masterminding things, it falls to Gromit to battle sinister forces and save his master… or Wallace may never be able to invent again!” reads the film’s log line.
“We are delighted that our film will have its world premiere at AFI Fest in LA’s iconic Chinese Theatre,” Park and Crossingham said in a joint statement. “Years in the making, ‘Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl’ is an epic adventure that brings together everything people love most about Aardman, from stop-motion craft to character and story, and we can’t wait for audiences to see what antics our favorite duo have been up to!”
The film will be screened on the last day of the festival. Click here for more information on the AFI Fest.
Steven Grayhm’s Veteran Film ‘Sheepdog’ to Open Boston Film Festival
The 2024 Boston Film Festival will open with a screening of the Steven Grayhm-starring/directed veteran film “Sheepdog.” The screening will also serve as the film’s world premiere.
Filmed in Western Massachusetts, the film follows a decorated combat Veteran (Grayhm) who is court-ordered into treatment when an ex-convict shows up on his doorstep and reveals that he must put himself back together again.
Emmy award nominee Vondie Curtis Hall, Academy Award Nominee Virginia Madsen, Dominic Fumusa, Lilli Cooper and Matt Dallas co-star in the film, which is produced by Grayhm, Lynn d’Angona and Colin Kane.
“The Boston Film Festival is dedicated to supporting filmmakers and their extraordinary artistic vision,” Robin Dawson, Boston Film Festival Director, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to kick off our 40th Anniversary with Sheepdog as our official opening night selection and to honor the sacrifices made by our Veterans and their families, as well as celebrate the entire cast and crew of this truly remarkable film.”
The Boston Film Festival runs Sept. 20 – 23, with both virtual and live programs. Click here for more information.
‘Dune’ Screenwriter Jon Spaihts to Release Directorial Debut Through Laika Studios
“Dune” screenwriter Jon Spaihts is set to release his directorial debut through Oregon-based production company Laika.
The untitled, live-action sci-fi thriller follows “a woman investigating a mystery that took place during a week she cannot remember,” according to the official logline.
“This is an original passion project I’ve been eager to turn to for a while,” Spaihts said. “I couldn’t ask for better partners. Laika has a clear creative vision, and a tradition of meticulous, bespoke storytelling that suits this project very well.”
Rodrigo Prieto to Receive Distinguished Filmmaker Award at ICG’s Emerging Cinematographer Awards
Rodrigo Prieto, the cinematographer behind films like “Killers of the Flower Moon,” “The Irishman,” “Silence” and “Brokeback Mountain,” will receive the Distinguished Filmmaker Award at the International Cinematographers Guild’s 26th Emerging Cinematographer Awards.
Cinematographer M. David Mullen will also receive the American Society of Cinematographer’s Mentor Award.
“The filmmakers receiving special awards at this year’s ECAs represent the pinnacle of excellence in cinematography, and we’re thrilled to celebrate them,” Steven Poster, ECA Chair, ASC, said in a statement. “We’re excited for an event that highlights both the work of our emerging filmmakers and the career achievements of our special awards recipients.”
In addition to the special awards, ICG announced eight honorees earlier this summer. The eight winning filmmakers, selected from 118 submissions, are Dominic Bartolone, “Sweet Santa Barbara Brown,” Adam Carboni, “INCOMPLETE,” Matthew Halla, “The Unreachable Star,” Jessica Hershatter, “Pirandello on Broadway,” Allen Ho, “Iron Lung,” Nick Mahar, “Sands of Fate,” Dylan Trivette, “Bearing Witness: A Name & A Voice” and Andrew Trost, “Bloom.”
Robert Zemeckis’ ‘Here’ Sets World Premiere at AFI Fest
The American Film Institute announced the world premiere of Robert Zemeckis’ “Here” as the Centerpiece Screening at this year’s AFI Fest.
The festival will present “Here” at the TCL Chinese Theatre Oct. 25.
Zemeckis directed and co-wrote the film with Eric Roth.
“Robert Zemeckis is, first and foremost, a master storyteller – and, uniquely, one who has spent a lifetime utilizing the latest technologies to tell the human story,” said Bob Gazzale, AFI President and CEO. “’Here’ presents a profoundly powerful emotional experience while also bringing the art of film into the future.”
Ahead of the centerpiece screening, AFI will honor Zemeckis with a Directors Spotlight Oct. 24. The evening will feature clips from his work and an in-depth conversation with Zemeckis about his career that includes several innovative films from “Forrest Gump” to “Here.” The event is free to the public.
To attend the Centerpiece Screening, visit FEST.AFI.com.
NewFilmmakers LA Announces 2024 InFocus: Latinx and Hispanic Cinema Fest Lineup
NewFilmmakers Los Angeles (NFMLA) will host the 2024 edition of InFocus: Latinx & Hispanic Cinema Film Festival from Sept. 20-21.
The Festival’s two-day program will feature four short film programs with audience Q&A sessions and two live panels, including Feature Filmmaking: In Conversation with Oscar-winning Producer Daniel Dreifuss (“All Quiet on the Western Front”).
The Festival will showcase 25 short films spanning narrative live-action, documentary, and animation, representing nearly a dozen countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United States.
Among the selections are the Los Angeles premieres of five new short films by emerging talent from S?o Paulo, Brazil, the Los Angeles Premiere of “When Big People Lie” by NFMLA’s Best New Filmmaker of 2024 Gianfranco Fernández-Ruiz and the world premieres of “Petalos” by NFMLA Best of Award winner Nicole Mejia, “The Mourning Of” by NFMLA alum and NewNarratives grant winner Merced Elizondo and “The Devil’s Plot” by Julia Weisberg Cortés.
The Festival will be held at the 500-seat South Park Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Click here for more information, including the full lineup.
Soho International Film Festival Unveils Dates for 2024 Editon
The Soho International Film Festival revealed its 2024 edition will run from Sept. 17-23. The festival will showcase more than 100 films spanning roughly 32 countries.
“Soho International Film Festival is thrilled to celebrate 15 years,” said Sibyl Reymundo-Santiago, SIFFNYC executive director and head of programming. “Our goal has always been to provide a dynamic and inclusive space for filmmakers to showcase their work and connect with audiences.”
Nebula Releases Trailer for Abigail Thorn’s Dark Comedy Short Film “Dracula’s Ex-Girlfriend”
The official trailer for “Dracula’s Ex-Girlfriend” has been unveiled. The dark comedy short film stars and is written by Abigail Thorn, and directed by Valentina Vee.
“Two former rivals reconnect over drinks and a quick bite. One is compulsively running through men and can’t kick the habit of drinking their blood, and the other is working through her trauma and settling down with a new career in monster counseling. Things get a little uncomfortable when the conversation turns to the same toxic lover that connected them — Count Dracula,” the film’s logline teases.
Thorn also serves as an executive producer on the film. She has previously starred in “House of the Dragon” (Max), “Star Wars: The Acolyte” (Disney+) and “Django” (Netflix, Sky).
In addition to Thorn, the cast also includes Morgana Ignis and Brandon Rogers. Dave Wiskus and Trenton Waterson serve as producers alongside executive producers Zara Glaze and PJ Scott-Blakenship.
“Dracula’s Ex-Girlfriend” will be available to stream on Nebula Sept. 13.
Watch the trailer here.
Best of Variety
Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.