Search Results for: ava duvernay

Nia DaCosta first Black woman to own Box Office as Candyman takes in $22.3 m

Nia DaCosta’s Candyman earned an estimated $22,370,000 in its opening domestic weekend, beating the lowball projection of $15 million by nearly 50% showing the world that there is an audience for Black filmmakers telling Black stories and earning DaCosta the title of the first Black woman director to take the top spot. Some have come … Continue reading “Nia DaCosta first Black woman to own Box Office as Candyman takes in $22.3 m”

Fall brings 3 new dramas, 6 hours of Dick Wolf to NBC

Capitalizing on a year with huge audience drivers, including two Olympics and the Super Bowl, NBC heads into the 2021-22 season with a winning year-round programming strategy that highlights dominant dramas in the fall, doubles down on comedies in midseason and pairs powerhouse unscripted shows with big tentpole event programming.    “Our program strategy for NBC is singularly focused on driving growth by capturing audiences with can’t-miss event television and keeping them on the … Continue reading “Fall brings 3 new dramas, 6 hours of Dick Wolf to NBC”

Chloé Zhao wins DGA Award for Nomadland

The winners of the Directors Guild of America Outstanding Directorial Achievement Awards for 2020 were announced tonight during the 73rd Annual DGA Awards virtual ceremony. Chloé Zhao won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Theatrical Feature Film for Nomadland. The moving film about grief and acceptance follows woman in her sixties (Frances McDormand) who, … Continue reading “Chloé Zhao wins DGA Award for Nomadland”

Female directors kick ass in Golden Globe noms… finally

“And here are the all-male nominees.” Natalie Portman remarked as she presented the award for best director  at The Golden Globes in 2018.  The actress made headlines for calling out the lack of female directing nominees, not just in 2018 but throughout history.  Just last year, in 2020, Issa Rae unveiled the nominees for the 92nd Academy … Continue reading “Female directors kick ass in Golden Globe noms… finally”

The world mourns the loss of iconic actress Cicely Tyson

Honorary Oscar winner Cicely Tyson passed away today at the age of 96. She was well known for her starring role in Sounder, which earned her an Academy Award nomination as well as her role in The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman, and her recurring role on How to Get Away with Murder which earned … Continue reading “The world mourns the loss of iconic actress Cicely Tyson”

2020 AFI Fest announces winners

With the largest national audience in its 34th history including attendees from all 50 states, AFI FEST 2020 presented by Audi announced today the films that received this year’s Jury and Audience awards. The Grand Jury Award winners for Live Action and Animated Short will be eligible for the 2021 Best Live Action Short and … Continue reading “2020 AFI Fest announces winners”

AFI Fest features 53% female, 39% BIPOC directed films

The American Film Institute (AFI) announced today the films that will play in the World Cinema, New Auteurs, Documentary, Cinema’s Legacy, Short Film Competition, Meet the Press Film Festival at AFI FEST and the AFI Conservatory Showcase sections at AFI FEST 2020 presented by Audi, completing this year’s festival’s program. The complete AFI FEST program … Continue reading “AFI Fest features 53% female, 39% BIPOC directed films”

AFI announces summits and participants

The American Film Institute has set the lineup for its AFI Summit that will take place at AFI Fest (Oct. 15-22). The menu includes a conversation with Academy Award nominee, producer, director and writer Ava DuVernay in a conversation about elevating and supporting BIPOC filmmakers through her company Array. Other summits include The Hollywood Reporter’s … Continue reading “AFI announces summits and participants”

Yessian, Detroit Youth Choir go for ‘Glory’ in BLM

Like so many across America, the Detroit Youth Choir singers and their families have been deeply affected by the collective pain experienced by the black community following the deaths of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and many others, as well as the disproportionate impact Covid-19 has had on black health. They felt compelled to … Continue reading “Yessian, Detroit Youth Choir go for ‘Glory’ in BLM”

Beastie Boys get ill in new documentary on Apple tv+

Friday night saw the premiere of the highly-anticipates Spike Jonze Beastie Boys documentary on Apple tv+. The film premieres on the heels of the 26th anniversary of the release of Beastie Boys’ number one charting 1994 album, Ill Communication, and reunites surviving members, Mike Diamond and Adam Horovitz, with director Jonze over 25 years after … Continue reading “Beastie Boys get ill in new documentary on Apple tv+”

REEL WOMEN: Zoe Schack, Editor for Final Cut

Editor’s Note: They are leaders. They are inspirational. They are mentors. They are visionaries. They are, quite frankly, badasses. They are our 2020 REEL WOMEN. During Women’s History Month, you will be able to meet these incredible personalities in Advertising, Entertainment, Media and Production. Get ready, they are making “Herstory.” Zoe Schack joined Final Cut … Continue reading “REEL WOMEN: Zoe Schack, Editor for Final Cut”

‘ESSENCE’ Black Women in Hollywood Awards re-cap

To kick off Oscar weekend, ESSENCE celebrated extraordinary Hollywood visionaries and culture shifters during its 13th annual Black Women in Hollywood Awards, held Thursday, February 6, 2020 at theBeverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills. This year’s theme, in honor of the brand’s 50th anniversary, was a celebration of women owning, expanding and transforming the art of storytelling. The invitation-only … Continue reading “‘ESSENCE’ Black Women in Hollywood Awards re-cap”

Stars turn out for AFI Awards Luncheon|Gallery

Awards season officially kicked off in stellar style on January 3, as the American Film Institute (AFI) celebrated the 2019 AFI Awards honorees at an invite-only luncheon in Beverly Hills. Unique in its celebration of the film and television arts’ collaborative nature, AFI Awards – now in its 20th year – is the only national program … Continue reading “Stars turn out for AFI Awards Luncheon|Gallery”

Writers Guild announces TV, News and Radio noms

Writers Guild of America East (WGAE) and Writers Guild of America West (WGAW) have announced nominations for outstanding achievement in television, new media, news, radio/audio, and promotional writing during 2019. The shows up for best drama series are The Crown, The Handmaid’s Tale, Mindhunter, Succession and Watchmen. Vying for best comedy series honors are Barry, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, PEN15, … Continue reading “Writers Guild announces TV, News and Radio noms”

mcgarrybowen, United go full force for ‘Star Wars’

Brands are now coming out in full force (see what I did there?) for their cross-promotions with the film that could possibly outgross this year’s Avengers: Endgame. Yes, we’re talking Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and United is all in with their tie-“fighter”-in. Last week, we reported on United’s new Star Wars branded Boeing … Continue reading “mcgarrybowen, United go full force for ‘Star Wars’”

Lightfoot, Obama rep Chicago on ‘Essence Woke 100’

Well, well, apparently (not that Chicagoans didn’t know this already) new Mayor Lori Lightfoot is woke. Now, Essence has confirmed it as the publication, serving Black women, announced its the 3rd annual Woke 100 List. The compilation salutes and recognizes women of color challenging the status quo. Also representing the Windy City was First Lady, … Continue reading “Lightfoot, Obama rep Chicago on ‘Essence Woke 100’”

‘Friday,’ ‘Wayans Bros’ star John Witherspoon dies

The Reel 360 Team will forever remember John Witherspoon in Robert Townsend’s comedic spoof, Hollywood Shuffle, playing the owner of Winky Dinky Dog rambling about “Ho Cakes” and how everyone wants a “Ho cake.” Sad news reported by Deadline and other outlets. Actor-comedian John Witherspoon passed away today at his home. He was 77. “It … Continue reading “‘Friday,’ ‘Wayans Bros’ star John Witherspoon dies”

RSA Film’s President Daly departs and launches Big Red Films

Long-time staff producer David Mitchell is named Managing Director of RSA Films. RSA Films has announced Jules Daly, President of the company since 2001, has struck up an independent producing deal with sister company Scott Free Productions under her own banner, Big Red Films. With Daly’s move, long-time commercials producer David Mitchell has been named … Continue reading “RSA Film’s President Daly departs and launches Big Red Films”

The 49th Annual NAACP Image Awards

Last night, the non-televised portion of The 49th Annual NAACP Image Awards took place here in Pasadena. The celebration of outstanding work by African Americans in film, TV, music, and literature inspired the likes of Mary J. Blige (Mudbound), Morgan Freeman, Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick), and Kareem Abdul Jabbar to attend. While ten winners … Continue reading “The 49th Annual NAACP Image Awards”