Chris Spencer To Co-Executive Produce New Show For FOX!

Fox has greenlighted two more single-camera comedy pilots, The Enforcers, from I Hate My Teenage Daughter creators Sherry Bilsing-Graham & Ellen Kreamer and Warner Bros. TV; and an untitled half-hour from Sin City Saints co-creator Chris Case and 20th Century Fox TV.

Written by Bilsing-Graham & Kreamer and to be directed by Gail Mancuso, Emmy winner for Modern Family, The Enforcers is a female buddy comedy about two wildly different single mothers with dreams of being police officers who find themselves partnered as inspectors in the Code  Enforcement Department. Instead of fighting crime, they have been relegated to handling petty code breaking, like noise complaints, tree trimming and water misuse. Bilsing-Graham, Kreamer and Mancuso executive produce .

This marks Bilsing-Graham & Kreamer’s third pilot at Fox, following I Hate My Teenage Daughter, which went to series, and The Assistants.

Written by Case and to be directed by Malcolm D. Lee, the untitled inter-racial family comedy (fka My White Wife And Kids) follows Jay “Havoc” Hammond,  an African American, ex-NFL lineman who recently moved in with his white wife and her two oddball sons, as he struggles to win the most challenging game of his life: fatherhood. The project is based on Case’s experience as a teenager growing up with a black stepdad, an ex-football player, who married his white mom.

Case executive produces with Evan Silverberg and Daniel Rappaport of Entertainment 360 as well as Chris Spencer (Real Husbands of Hollywood).

In addition to co-creating and executive producing the basketball-themed Sin City Saints for Yahoo, Case served as an executive producer on FX’s Legit.

Source: Deadline

‘Black-Ish’ And ‘Straight Outta Compton’ Cleans Up At The NAACP Image Awards!

The 47th annual NAACP Image Awards, hosted by Anthony Anderson, were awarded Friday in Los Angeles, with “Straight Outta Compton” winning best film and “Creed” star Michael B. Jordan winning both entertainer of the year and best actor. “Empire” and “black-ish” won best drama and comedy TV shows, respectively.

Updated list of winners:

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR

• Michael B. Jordan – WINNER
• Misty Copeland
• Pharrell Williams
• Shonda Rhimes
• Viola Davis

TELEVISION

Outstanding Comedy Series
• “black-ish” (ABC) – WINNER
• “House of Lies” (Showtime)
• “Key & Peele” (Comedy Central)
• “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
• “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Actor in a Comedy Series
• Andre Braugher – “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (FOX)
• Anthony Anderson – “black-ish” (ABC) – WINNER
• Don Cheadle – “House of Lies” (Showtime)
• Dwayne Johnson – “Ballers” (HBO)
• RonReaco Lee – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Actress in a Comedy Series
• Gina Rodriguez – “Jane The Virgin” (The CW)
• Loretta Devine – “The Carmichael Show” (NBC)
• Tracee Ellis Ross – “black-ish” (ABC) – WINNER
• Uzo Aduba – “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
• Wendy Raquel Robinson – “The Game” (BET)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series
• David Alan Grier – “The Carmichael Show” (NBC)
• Laurence Fishburne – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Mike Epps – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz) – WINNER
• Miles Brown – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Terry Crews – “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series
• Anna Deavere Smith – “Nurse Jackie” (Showtime)
• Danielle Brooks – “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
• Laverne Cox – “Orange is the New Black” (Netflix)
• Marsai Martin – “black-ish” (ABC) – WINNER
• Tichina Arnold – “Survivor’s Remorse” (Starz)

Outstanding Drama Series
• “Being Mary Jane” (BET)
• “Empire” (FOX) – WINNER
• “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)
• “Power” (Starz)
• “Scandal” (ABC)

Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series
• LL Cool J – “NCIS: Los Angeles” (CBS)
• Morris Chestnut – “Rosewood” (FOX)
• Omari Hardwick – “Power” (Starz)
• Terrence Howard – “Empire” (FOX) – WINNER
• Wesley Snipes – “The Player” (NBC)

Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series
• Gabrielle Union – “Being Mary Jane” (BET)
• Kerry Washington – “Scandal” (ABC)
• Nicole Beharie – “Sleepy Hollow” (FOX)
• Taraji P. Henson – “Empire” (FOX) – WINNER
• Viola Davis – “How to Get Away With Murder” (ABC)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
• Alfred Enoch – “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)
• Bryshere Y. Gray – “Empire” (FOX)
• Guillermo Diaz – “Scandal” (ABC)
• Joe Morton – “Scandal” (ABC) – WINNER
• Jussie Smollett – “Empire” (FOX)

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
• Cicely Tyson – “How to Get Away with Murder” (ABC)
• Danai Gurira – “The Walking Dead” (AMC)
• Grace Gealey – “Empire” (FOX)
• Naturi Naughton – “Power” (Starz)
• Regina King – “American Crime” (ABC) – WINNER

Outstanding Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
• “American Crime” (ABC)
• “Bessie” (HBO)
• “Luther” (BBC America)
• “The Book of Negroes” (BET)
• “The Wiz Live!” (NBC) – WINNER

Outstanding Actor in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
• Cuba Gooding, Jr. – “The Book of Negroes” (BET)
• David Alan Grier – “The Wiz Live!” (NBC) – WINNER
• David Oyelowo – “Nightingale” (HBO)
• Idris Elba – “Luther” (BBC America)
• Michael Kenneth Williams – “Bessie” (HBO)

Outstanding Actress in a Television Movie, Mini-Series or Dramatic Special
• Angela Bassett – “American Horror Story: Hotel” (FX Networks)
• Aunjanue Ellis – “The Book of Negroes” (BET)
• Jill Scott – “With this Ring” (Lifetime)
• LaTanya Richardson Jackson – “Show Me a Hero” (HBO)
• Queen Latifah – “Bessie” (HBO) – WINNER

Outstanding News/ Information – (Series or Special)
• “Katrina: 10 Years After the Storm” (ABC)
• “News One Now” (TV One)
• “Oprah Prime: Celebrating Dr. King and the Selma Marches 50 Years Later” (OWN)
• “Oprah: Where Are They Now?- Civil Rights Special” (OWN)
• “Unsung” (TV One) – WINNER

MOTION PICTURE

Outstanding Motion Picture
• “Beasts of No Nation” (Netflix)
• “Concussion” (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
• “Creed” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)
• “Dope” (Open Road Films)
• “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures) – WINNER

Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture
• Abraham Attah – “Beasts of No Nation” (Netflix)
• Chiwetel Ejiofor – “Secret in Their Eyes” (STX Entertainment)
• Michael B. Jordan – “Creed” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures) – WINNER
• Michael Ealy – “The Perfect Guy” (Screen Gems)
• Will Smith – “Concussion” (Sony Pictures Entertainment)

Outstanding Actress in a Motion Picture
• Lauren ‘Keke’ Palmer – “Brotherly Love” (Flavor Unit)
• Sanaa Lathan – “The Perfect Guy” (Screen Gems) – WINNER
• Teyonah Parris – “Chi-Raq” (Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions)
• Viola Davis – “Lila and Eve” (Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• Zoe Saldana – “Infinitely Polar Bear” (Sony Pictures Classics)

Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
• Chiwetel Ejiofor – “The Martian” (20th Century Fox)
• Corey Hawkins – “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures)
• Forest Whitaker – “Southpaw” (The Weinstein Company)
• Idris Elba – “Beasts of No Nation” (Netflix)
• O’Shea Jackson, Jr. – “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures) – WINNER

Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
• Angela Bassett – “Chi-Raq” (Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions)
• Gugu Mbatha-Raw – “Concussion” (Sony Pictures Entertainment)
• Jennifer Hudson – “Chi-Raq” (Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions)
• Phylicia Rashad – “Creed” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures) – WINNER
• Tessa Thompson – “Creed” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures)

Outstanding Independent Motion Picture
• “Beasts of No Nation” (Netflix) – WINNER
• “Brotherly Love” (Flavor Unit)
• “Chi-Raq” (Amazon Studios and Roadside Attractions)
• “Infinitely Polar Bear” (Sony Pictures Classics)
• “Secret in Their Eyes” (STX Entertainment)

DOCUMENTARY

Outstanding Documentary – (Film)
• “Amy” (A24)
• “Dreamcatcher” (Rise Films, Green Acres Films & Vixen Films in association with Impact Partners and Artemis Rising Foundation)
• “In My Fathers House” (Break Thru Films)
• “The Black Panthers: Vanguard of the Revolution” (PBS Distribution/Firelight Films) – WINNER
• “What Happened, Miss Simone?” (A Radical Media Production in Association with Moxie Firecracker for Netflix)

Outstanding Documentary – (Television)
• “August Wilson: The Ground on Which I Stand” (PBS)
• “Belief” (OWN)
• “Kareem: Minority of One” (HBO)
• “Light Girls” (OWN)
• “Muhammad Ali: The Peoples Champ” (BET) – WINNER

WRITING

Outstanding Writing in a Comedy Series
• Alan Yang, Aziz Ansari – “Master of None” – Parents (Netflix)
• Jennie Snyder Urman – “Jane The Virgin” – Chapter Twenty-Three (The CW)
• Jill Soloway – “Transparent” – Kina Hora (Amazon Video)
• Jordan Peele, Keegan-Michael Key, Jay Martel, Ian Roberts, Rebecca Drysdale, Colton Dunn, Phil Augusta Jackson, Alex Rubens, Charlie Sanders, Rich Talarico – “Key & Peele” – Y’all Ready For This? (Comedy Central)
• Kenya M. Barris – “black-ish” – The Word (ABC) – WINNER
Outstanding Writing in a Dramatic Series
• Erika Green Swafford, Doug Stockstill – “How to Get Away with Murder” – Mama’s Here Now (ABC)
• John Ridley – “American Crime” – Episode 1 (ABC)
• LaToya Morgan – “TURN: Washingtons Spies” – False Flag (AMC)
• Lee Daniels, Danny Strong – “Empire” – Pilot (FOX)
• Mara Brock Akil, Jameal Turner, Keli Goff – “Being Mary Jane” – Sparrow (BET) – WINNER

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture – (Television)
• Dee Rees – “Bessie” (HBO)
• Lawrence Hill, Clement Virgo – “The Book of Negroes” (BET) – WINNER
• Michael S. Bandy, Eric Stein – “White Water” (TV One)
• Nzingha Stewart – “With this Ring” (Lifetime)
• Shem Bitterman – “Whitney” (Lifetime)

Outstanding Writing in a Motion Picture (Film)
• Andrea Berloff, Jonathan Herman – “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures)
• Christopher Cleveland & Bettina Gilois, Grant Thompson – “McFarland USA” (Walt Disney Pictures)
• Pete Docter, Meg LeFauve, Josh Cooley – “Inside Out” (Disney/Pixar)
• Rick Famuyiwa – “Dope” (Open Road Films)
• Ryan Coogler, Aaron Covington – “Creed” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer Pictures) – WINNER

DIRECTING

Outstanding Directing in a Comedy Series
• Aziz Ansari – “Master of None” – Parents (Netflix)
• Brad Silberling – “Jane The Virgin” – Chapter Twenty-Three (The CW)
• Don Cheadle – “House of Lies” – The Urge to Save Humanity is Almost Always a False Front for the Urge to Rule (Showtime) – WINNER
• Peter Atencio – “Key & Peele” – The End (Comedy Central)
• Stan Lathan – “Real Husbands of Hollywood” – Cabin Pressure (BET)

Outstanding Directing in a Dramatic Series
• Ernest Dickerson – “Hand of God” – Welcome the Stranger (Amazon Video)
• John Ridley – “American Crime” – Episode 1 (ABC) – WINNER
• Lee Daniels – “Empire” – Pilot (FOX)
• Millicent Shelton – “American Crime” – Episode Ten (ABC)
• Salim Akil – “Being Mary Jane” – Sparrow (BET)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture (Television)
• Christine Swanson – “For the Love of Ruth” (TV One)
• Dee Rees – “Bessie” (HBO) – WINNER
• Nzingha Stewart – “With this Ring” (Lifetime)
• Rusty Cundieff – “White Water” (TV One)
• Salim Akil – “The Start Up” (BET)

Outstanding Directing in a Motion Picture – (Film)
• Alfonso Gomez-Rejon – “Me and Earl and the Dying Girl” (Fox Searchlight Pictures / Rhode Island Ave)
• Charles Stone, III – “Lila and Eve” (Samuel Goldwyn Films)
• F. Gary Gray – “Straight Outta Compton” (Universal Pictures)
• Rick Famuyiwa – “Dope” (Open Road Films)
• Ryan Coogler – “Creed” (Warner Bros. Pictures/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures) – WINNER

ANIMATED/CGI

Outstanding Character Voice-Over Performance – (Television or Film)
• Aisha Tyler – “Archer” (FX Networks)
• Audra McDonald – “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior)
• Jeffrey Wright – “The Good Dinosaur” (Disney/Pixar)
• Loretta Devine – “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Channel) – WINNER
• Wanda Sykes – “Penn Zero” (Disney XD)

TELEVISION (CON’TD)
Outstanding Talk Series
• “Melissa Harris-Perry” (MSNBC)
• “Steve Harvey” (Syndicated)
• “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)
• “The Talk” (CBS) – WINNER
• “The Wendy Williams Show” (Syndicated)

Outstanding Reality Program/Reality Competition Series
• “Dancing with the Stars” (ABC)
• “Iyanla: Fix My Life” (OWN)
• “Shark Tank” (ABC)
• “The Voice” (NBC)
• “Welcome to Sweetie Pies” (OWN) – WINNER

Outstanding Variety (Series or Special)
• “Black Girls Rock!” (BET)
• “Family Feud” (Syndicated) – WINNER
• “Oprahs Master Class” (OWN)
• “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” (Comedy Central)
• “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” (Comedy Central)

Outstanding Children’s Program
• “Doc McStuffins” (Disney Junior) – WINNER
• “Dora and Friends” (Nickelodeon)
• “K.C. Undercover” (Disney Channel)
• “Little Ballers” (Nickelodeon)
• “Project MC2” (Netflix)

Outstanding Performance by a Youth (Series, Special, Television Movie or Mini-series)
• Hudson Yang – “Fresh Off The Boat” (ABC)
• Marcus Scribner – “black-ish” (ABC) – WINNER
• Marsai Martin – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Miles Brown – “black-ish” (ABC)
• Skai Jackson – “Jessie” (Disney Channel)

Outstanding Host in a News, Talk, Reality, or Variety (Series or Special) – Individual or
• “Family Feud” – Steve Harvey (Syndicated) – WINNER
• “Melissa Harris-Perry” – Melissa Harris-Perry (MSNBC)
• “Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel ” – Bryant Gumbel (HBO)
• “The Daily Show with Trevor Noah” – Trevor Noah (Comedy Central)
• “The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore” – Larry Wilmore (Comedy Central)

RECORDING

Outstanding New Artist
• Andra Day (Warner Bros. Records)
• Judith Hill (NPG Records)
• Jussie Smollett (Columbia Records) – WINNER
• The Weeknd (Republic Records)
• Yazz (Columbia Records)

Outstanding Male Artist
• Charlie Wilson (RCA Records)
• Kendrick Lamar (Top Dawg Entertainment/Aftermath/Interscope)
• Pharrell Williams (Columbia Records/iamOTHER) – WINNER
• The Weeknd (Republic Records)
• Tyrese Gibson (Voltron Recordz)

Outstanding Female Artist
• Janet Jackson (Rhythm Nation/BMG)
• Jazmine Sullivan (RCA Records)
• Jill Scott (Atlantic Records) – WINNER
• Lalah Hathaway (Hathaway Entertainment/Entertainment One)
• Lauryn Hill (RCA Records)

Outstanding Duo, Group or Collaboration
• “Conqueror” – Empire Cast feat. Estelle & Jussie Smollett (Columbia Records) – WINNER
• “Hamilton: An American Musical” – Original Broadway Cast (Atlantic Records)
• “No Sleeep” – Janet Jackson feat. J. Cole (Rhythm Nation/BMG)
• “One Man Can Change The World” – Big Sean feat. Kanye West and John Legend (G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam Recordings)
• “Sound & Color” – Alabama Shakes (ATO Records)

Outstanding Jazz Album
• “BrotherLEE Love: Celebrating Lee Morgan” – Terell Stafford Quintet (Capri Records)
• “Dee Dee’s Feathers” – Dee Dee Bridgewater, Irvin Mayfield, New Orleans Jazz Orchestra (Okeh)
• “Miles Davis at Newport 1955-1975: The Bootleg Series Vol. 4” – Miles Davis (Columbia/Legacy Recordings) – WINNER
• “The Complete Concert By The Sea” – Erroll Garner (Legacy Recordings/Octave Music Publishing Corporation)
• The Epic” – Kamasi Washington (Brainfeeder)

Outstanding Gospel Album – (Traditional or Contemporary)
• “A Different Place” – Kim Burrell (Shanachie Entertainment)
• “It’s Personal” – Tina Campbell (Gee Tree Creative) – WINNER
• “Losing My Religion” – Kirk Franklin (RCA Inspiration)
• “The Gospel According To Jazz – Chapter IV” – Kirk Whalum (Mack Avenue Records, Rendezvous, Top Drawer Records)
• “You Shall Live” – Marvin Sapp (RCA Inspiration)

Outstanding Music Video
• “Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd (Republic Records)
• “Freedom” – Pharrell Williams (Columbia Records/iamOTHER)
• “No Sleeep” – Janet Jackson feat. J. Cole (Rhythm Nation/BMG)
• “Shame” – Tyrese Gibson (Voltron Recordz) – WINNER
• “Sound & Color” – Alabama Shakes (ATO Records)

Outstanding Song – Traditional
• “Back Together” – Jill Scott (Atlantic Records) – WINNER
• “Everytime I’m With You” – Seal (Reprise Records)
• “Feeling Good” – Lauryn Hill (RCA Records)
• “Goodnight Kisses” – Charlie Wilson (RCA Records)
• “Let It Burn” – Jazmine Sullivan (RCA Records)

Outstanding Album
• “Beauty Behind the Madness” – The Weeknd (Republic Records)
• “Empire (Original Soundtrack from Season One)” – Empire Cast (Columbia Records)
• “Forever Charlie” – Charlie Wilson (RCA Records)
• “Unbreakable” – Janet Jackson (Rhythm Nation/BMG)
• “Woman” – Jill Scott (Atlantic Records) – WINNER

Outstanding Song – Contemporary
• “Conqueror” – Empire Cast feat. Estelle & Jussie Smollett (Columbia)
• “Freedom” – Pharrell Williams (Columbia Records/iamOTHER)
• “No Sleeep” – Janet Jackson feat. J. Cole (Rhythm Nation/BMG)
• “Unbreakable” – Janet Jackson (Rhythm Nation/BMG)
• “You’re So Beautiful” – Empire Cast feat. Jussie Smollett & Yazz (Columbia Records) – WINNER

LITERATURE

Outstanding Literary Work – Fiction
• “Driving the King” – Ravi Howard (HarperCollins/Harper)
• “Ghost Summer: Stories” – Tananarive Due (Prime Books)
• “Mama’s Boy” – ReShonda Tate Billingsley (Gallery Books, a division of Simon & Schuster)
• “Stand Your Ground” – Victoria Christopher Murrary (Touchstone) – WINNER
• “Under the Udala Trees” – Chinelo Okparanta (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)

Outstanding Literary Work – Non-Fiction
• “50 Billion Dollar Boss: African American Women Sharing Stories of Success in Entrepreneurship and Leadership” – Kathey Porter (Author), Andrea Hoffman (Author), (Palgrave Macmillan)
• “Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America” – Jill Leovy (Spiegel & Grau)
• “SHOWDOWN: Thurgood Marshall and the Supreme Court Nomination That Changed America” – Wil Haygood (Alfred A. Knopf)
• “Spectacle: The Astonishing Life of Ota Benga” – Pamela Newkirk – WINNER
(HarperCollins/Amistad)
• “The Light of the World” – Elizabeth Alexander (Grand Central Publishing)

Outstanding Literary Work – Debut Author
• “Between The World and Me” – Ta-Nehisi Coates (Spiegel & Grau)
• “The Fishermen” – Chigozie Obioma (Little, Brown & Company) – WINNER
• “The Star Side of Bird Hill” – Naomi Jackson (Penguin Press)
• “The Turner House” – Angela Flournoy (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt)
• “The Wind In The Reeds: A Storm, A Play And The City That Could Not Be Broken” – Wendell Pierce (Author), Rod Dreher (Author), (Riverhead Books)

Outstanding Literary Work – Biography/ Auto-Biography
• “After the Dance: My Life with Marvin Gaye” – Jan Gaye (Author), David Ritz (With), (HarperCollins/Amistad)
• “Between The World and Me” – Ta-Nehisi Coates (Spiegel & Grau) – WINNER
• “One Righteous Man: Samuel Battle and the Shattering of the Color Line in New York” – Arthur Browne (Beacon Press)
• “Power Forward: My Presidential Education” – Reggie Love (Simon & Schuster)
• “Year of Yes: How to Dance It Out, Stand In the Sun and Be Your Own Person” – Shonda Rhimes (Simon & Schuster)

Outstanding Literary Work – Instructional
• “Big Words to Little Me: Tips and Advice for the Younger Self” – Sakina Ibrahim
(Author), Jessie Lee (With), (Createspace (Self published))
• “Free Your Mind: An African American Guide to Meditation and Freedom” – Cortez R. Rainey (CreateSpace)
• “Grandbaby Cakes: Modern Recipes, Vintage Charm, Soulful Memories” – Jocelyn Delk Adams (Agate Surrey)
• “Keep Calm… It’s Just Real Estate: Your No-Stress Guide To Buying A Home” – Egypt Sherrod (Perseus/Running Press)
• “Soul Food Love: Healthy Recipes Inspired by One Hundred Years of Cooking in a Black Family” – Alice Randall (Author), Caroline Randall Williams (Author), (Clarkson Potter) – WINNER

Outstanding Literary Work – Poetry
• “Catalog of Unabashed Gratitude” – Ross Gay (University of Pittsburgh Press)
• “How to Be Drawn” – Terrance Hayes (Penguin Books / Penguin Random House) – WINNER
• “Reconnaissance” – Carl Phillips (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)
• “Redbone” – Mahogany L. Browne (Willow Books)
• “Wild Hundreds” – Nate Marshall (University of Pittsburgh Press)

Outstanding Literary Work – Children
• “Chasing Freedom: The Life Journeys of Harriet Tubman and Susan B. Anthony, Inspired by Historical Facts” – Nikki Grimes (Author), Michele Wood (Illustrator), (Orchard Books / Scholastic)
• “Gordon Parks How the Photographer Captured Black and White America” – Carole Boston Weatherford (Author), Jamey Christoph (Illustrator), (Albert Whitman & Company) – WINNER
• “Granddaddy’s Turn: A Journey to the Ballot Box” – Michael S. Bandy (Author), Eric Stein (Author), James E. Ransome (Illustrator), (Candlewick Press)
• “If You Plant a Seed” – Kadir Nelson (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins
Publishers)
• “New Shoes” – Susan Lynn Meyer (Author), Eric Velasquez (Illustrator), (Holiday House)

Outstanding Literary Work – Youth/Teens
• “Rhythm Ride: A Road Trip Through the Motown Sound” – Andrea Davis Pinkney (Roaring Brook Press)
• “Stella By Starlight” – Sharon Draper (Simon & Schuster)
• “Untwine” – Edwidge Danticat (Scholastic Press)
• “X: A Novel” – Ilyasah Shabazz (Author), Kekla Magoon (With), (Candlewick Press) – WINNER
• “You Are Wonderfully Made: 12 Life-Changing Principles for Teen Girls to Embrace” – Gwen Richardson (Author), Sylvia Daye Richardson (Author), (Cushcity Communications)

 

Comedians Chris Tucker And Terry Hodges Settle Netflix Dispute!

According to several sources, we discovered the news that comedian Terry Hodges has settled the pending lawsuit against ChrisTucker.

If you recall Hodges sued Tucker and Netflix back in July alleging he had not been paid since 2011 for editing, writing and producing work he performed, beginning in 2008, on Chris Tucker Live.

Word was that Hodges was seeking $66,000 and a co-producer credit on the show, but Tucker hit back with his own legal papers, claiming he only consulted with Hodges for the special and never hired him to edit, write or produce it, while maintaining he had been paid in full for his contributions. Tucker even stated that he loaned Hodges a total of $37,000, which was never paid back.

Last month (Jan16), the parties attended a mediation hearing and came to a confidential settlement.

Sources stated to us that Hodges and Tucker were able to come to an agreement and the lawsuits will be subsequently dismissed.

Bill Cosby Accuser Drops Suit; Faces Another Deposition!

A Los Angeles Country Superior Court judge has ordered Bill Cosby to face a second deposition in a civil lawsuit brought against him by Judy Huth.

The tentative ruling came in a hearing on Tuesday. Craig F. Karlan said that, while he is allowed to object to question from lawyers for Huth, he must appear for a half-day deposition by Feb. 29. Huth has accused Cosby of sexually assaulting her at the Playboy Mansion in 1974, when she was 15 years old.

Huth filed the lawsuit against Cosby in late 2014 as sexual assault allegations against the comedian resurfaced. In October, Cosby was deposed in the case, and Huth’s lawyers sought another deposition.

 

New Keegan-Michael Key Film Opens SXSW Festival!

South by Southwest has unveiled most of its eclectic lineup with world premieres of movies starring James Caan, Nicolas Cage, Ethan Hawke, Keegan-Michael Key, Adam Scott and Bella Thorne.

The 23rd edition of the Austin-based festival opens March 11 with the previously announced Richard Linklater comedy-drama “Everybody Wants Some.”

The nine-day festival will screen 139 films, including 52 films from first-time filmmakers, 89 world premieres, 14 North American premieres and seven U.S. premieres. These films were selected from 2,455 feature-length film submissions composed of 1,467 U.S. and 990 international feature-length films from a total of 7,235 submissions.

Notable world premieres include Mike Birbiglia’s “Don’t Think Twice,” starring Keegan-Michael Key; Ti West’s “In a Valley of Violence,” starring Ethan Hawke and Taissa Farmiga; “The Master Cleanse,” starring Johnny Galecki and Anna Friel; Sophie Goodhart’s “My Blind Brother,” starring Adam Scott and Nick Kroll; “Shovel Buddies,” starring Bella Thorne; “The Trust,” starring Nicolas Cage and Elijah Wood; and Kasra Farahani’s “The Waiting,” starring James Caan.

“Demolition,” which opened the Toronto Film Festival in September, will get its U.S. premiere at SXSW. The drama is directed by Jean-Marc Vallée and stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts and Chris Cooper. Don Cheadle’s Miles Davis biopic “Miles Ahead,” which closed the New York Film Festival in October, will be screened as will the U.S. premiere of Chet Baker biopic “Born to Be Blue,” starring Ethan Hawke.

Other notable titles include Ilya Naishuller’s “Hardcore Henry,” starring Sharlto Copley; the North American premiere of John Michael McDonagh’s “War on Everyone,” starring Michael Peña, Alexander Skarsgård and Theo James; the world premiere of  Todd Bieber’s documentary “Thank You Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon”; Danny McBride’s “Vice Principals” in the episodics category; Stella Meghie’s “Jean of the Joneses,”  starring Taylor Paige and Sherri Shepherd; and Keith Maitland’s “A Song For You: The Austin City Limits Story.”

“SXSW prides itself on presenting an eclectic mix of emerging and established talent in a range of genres from comedy, thrillers, docs and international gems,” said Janet Pierson, head of SXSW Film. “We’ve been told we program the way real people watch movies: sometimes for fun, sometimes for mind expansion, then there’s the art, and who doesn’t love a great surprise?”

Pierson said the festival has decided to keep the number of titles in the narrative and documentary competitions at 10 each. That number was boosted last year from eight in each category.

“We selected filmmakers who are early in their careers for the competition slots,” she added.

She also noted that the number of films screening — currently at 139, but due to rise in coming weeks — is consistent with last year’s total of 150. “We are trying to hold the line,” Pierson added.

The festival features about 200 keynotes, conversations, panels, workshops and mentor sessions, plus an additional 400-plus convergence sessions. The complete conference lineup will be released on Feb. 16. Midnighters, Festival Favorites and Special Events will be announced along with the Short Film Program on Feb. 9.

The Narrative Feature Competition includes: “The Arbalest,” directed by Adam Pinney; “Before The Sun Explodes,” directed by Debra Eisenstadt; “Claire in Motion,” directed by Lisa Robinson and Annie J. Howell; “collective:unconscious,” directed by collective:unconscious (Lily Baldwin, Frances Bodomo, Daniel Patrick Carbone, Josephine Decker and Lauren Wolkstein); “Donald Cried,” directed by Kris Avedisian; “Hunter Gatherer,” directed by Josh Locy; “Miss Stevens,” directed by Julia Hart; “The Other Half,” directed by Joey Klein; “A Stray,” directed by Musa Syeed; and “Transpecos,” directed by Greg Kwedar

The Documentary Feature Competition includes: “Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America” directed by Matt Ornstein; “Alive and Kicking,” directed by Susan Glatzer; “Best and Most Beautiful Things,” directed by Garrett Zevgetis; “Goodnight Brooklyn – The Story of Death By Audio,” directed by Matthew Conboy; “The Liberators,” directed by Cassie Hay; “Orange Sunshine,” directed by William A. Kirkley; “Ovarian Psycos,” directed by Joanna Sokolowski and Kate Trumbull-LaValle; “The Seer,” directed by Laura Dunn; “The Space in Between – Marina Abramovic and Brazil,” directed by Marco Del Fiol; and “Tower,” directed by Keith Maitland.

SXSW has been the launchpad for  “Short Term 12,” “Chef,” “Tiny Furniture,” “Bridesmaids,” “Monsters” and “Undefeated.” Last year’s lineup included Sally Field’s “Hello, My Name Is Doris,” Paul Feig’s Melissa McCarthy vehicle “Spy,” Bill Pohlad’s “Love & Mercy,” Alex Gibney’s “Steve Jobs: The Man in the Machine” and Mitch Dickman’s legalized marijuana spotlight “Rolling Papers.”

The 2016 SXSW Film Festival will feature:

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION

Ten world premieres; ten unique ways to celebrate the art of storytelling. Selected from 1,442 narrative feature submissions in 2016.

“The Arbalest”

Director/Screenwriter: Adam Pinney

The inventor of the world’s greatest toy reflects on his decade-long obsession with a woman who hates him. Cast: Mike Brune, Tallie Medel (World Premiere)

“Before The Sun Explodes”

Director: Debra Eisenstadt, Screenwriters: Debra Eisenstadt, Zeke Farrow

After his wife kicks him out, an anxious comedian is lured in by an intriguing woman with a stalker. Cast: Bill Dawes, Sarah Butler, Christine Woods, Michael Rivkin, Amir Arison, Kerri Safran, Anna Margaret Hollyman, Gene Serritella, Kristin Slaysman, Eric Fillipkowski (World Premiere)

“Claire in Motion”

Directors/Screenwriters: Lisa Robinson, Annie J. Howell

Claire is sure of herself, her work and family, until — like a bad dream — her husband disappears, leaving a trail of puzzling secrets that shatter her certainty. Cast: Betsy Brandt, Chris Beetem, Zev Haworth, Anna Margaret Hollyman, Sakina Jaffrey (World Premiere)

“collective:unconscious”

Directors: collective:unconscious (Lily Baldwin, Frances Bodomo, Daniel Patrick Carbone, Josephine Decker, Lauren Wolkstein), Screenwriters: Jamal Batts, Lily Baldwin, Frances Bodomo, Daniel Patrick Carbone, Mariama Diallo, Lauren Wolkstein, Dan Schoenbrun (Concept By)

Five of independent film’s most adventurous filmmakers adapt each other’s dreams for the screen. This is going to get strange… Cast: Frank Mosley, Will Blomker, Lily Baldwin, Tonya Pinkins, Daniel Ryan, Ryan Cassata, Sanda Weigl, MJ Frank, Samuel John Damon, Jamal Batts (World Premiere)

“Donald Cried”

Director: Kris Avedisian, Screenwriters: Kris Avedisian, Kyle Espeleta, Jesse Wakeman Returning home to working class Warwick, Rhode Island, Peter Latang encounters childhood friend Donald Treebeck for what starts as a simple favor and turns into a long van ride into two friends past. Cast: Kris Avedisian, Jesse Wakeman, Louisa Krause (World Premiere)

“Hunter Gatherer”

Director/Screenwriter: Josh Locy

After a three-year stint in prison, an unreasonably optimistic middle-aged man returns to his stagnant neighborhood to win back his girlfriend only to find that she and his family have done what they always wanted to do – forget he exists. Cast: Andre Royo, George Sample III, Kellee Stewart, Ashley Wilkerson, Kevin Jackson, Antonio D. Charity, Celestial, Alexis DeLaRosa, Jeanetta Arnette (World Premiere)

“Miss Stevens”

Director: Julia Hart, Screenwriters: Julia Hart, Jordan Horowitz

Stuck at a crossroads in her personal life, it falls on Miss Stevens to chaperone three of her students — Billy, Margot and Sam — on a weekend trip to a drama competition. Cast: Lily Rabe, Timotheé Chalamet, Lili Reinhart, Anthony Quintal, Rob Huebel, Oscar Nuñez (World Premiere)

“The Other Half” (Canada)

Director/Screenwriter: Joey Klein

A grief-stricken man and a bipolar woman fall in love and try to forge a simple life together. Cast: Tom Cullen, Tatiana Maslany, Suzanne Clement, Henry Czerny, Mark Rendall, Deragh Campbell, Nancy Palk (World Premiere)

“A Stray”

Director/Screenwriter: Musa Syeed

Trying to outrun his bad luck, a young Muslim refugee in Minneapolis seems like he just might make it — until he crosses paths with a stray dog. Cast: Barkhad Abdirahman, Faysal Ahmed , Christina Baldwin, Ayla, Fathia Absie, Jamaal “Happy Khalif” Farah, Abdullahi Haji-Mohamed, Ifrah Mansour, Rhiana Yazzie, George McCauley (World Premiere)

“Transpecos”

Director: Greg Kwedar, Screenwriters: Greg Kwedar, Clint Bentley

For three US Border Patrol agents, the contents of one car reveal an insidious plot within their own ranks. The next 24 hours may cost them their lives. Cast: Johnny Simmons, Gabriel Luna, Clifton Collins, Jr. (World Premiere)

Narrative Feature Jury: Lindsay Bahr, Associated Press; Richard Brody, New Yorker; and Alonso Duralde, The Wrap

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION

Ten world premieres: ten real world stories that demonstrate innovation, energy and bold voices. Selected from 1,013 feature documentary submissions in 2016.

“Accidental Courtesy: Daryl Davis, Race & America”

Director: Matt Ornstein

Daryl Davis has an unusual hobby. As a musician he has played with legends like Chuck Berry and Little Richard, but in his spare time he likes to meet and befriend members of the Ku Klux Klan. Join Daryl on his personal quest to understand racism. (World Premiere)

“Alive and Kicking”

Director/Screenwriter: Susan Glatzer

Alive and Kicking gives the audience an intimate, insider’s view into the culture of the current swing dance world while shedding light on issues facing modern American society. (World Premiere)

“Best and Most Beautiful Things”

Director: Garrett Zevgetis

In a celebration of outcasts everywhere, a precocious young blind woman disappears into quirky obsessions and isolation. With humor and bold curiosity, she chases love and freedom in the most unexpected of places: a provocative fringe community. (World Premiere)

“Goodnight Brooklyn – The Story of Death By Audio”

Director: Matthew Conboy

Death By Audio, an underground art and music venue, is forced to close in 2014. The film focuses on the struggles of maintaining a community in the face of Brooklyn property development, hostileconstruction workers and a one billion-dollar company. (World Premiere)

“The Liberators”

Director: Cassie Hay

A tiny Texas town. $350 million worth of medieval treasure. The discovery is just the beginning. (World Premiere)

“Orange Sunshine”

Director/Screenwriter: William A. Kirkley

The never-before-told story of the Brotherhood of Eternal Love – a spiritual group of surfers and hippies in California who became the largest suppliers of LSD and Hash in the world during the 60’s and 70’s. (World Premiere)

“Ovarian Psycos”

Directors: Joanna Sokolowski, Kate Trumbull-LaValle

In East Los Angeles, three young misfit women find solace in an unapologetic, feminist bicyclecrew. They call themselves the Ovarian Psycos Bicycle Brigade. (World Premiere)

“The Seer”

Director: Laura Dunn

The Seer is a cinematic portrait of farmer and writer Wendell Berry. Through his eyes, we see both the changing landscapes of rural America in the era of industrial agriculture and the redemptive beauty in taking the unworn path. (World Premiere)

“The Space in Between – Marina Abramovic and Brazil” (Brazil)

Director: Marco Del Fiol, Screenwriters: Marco Del Fiol, Marina Abramovic, Fabiana Werneck Barcinski

In search of personal healing and artistic inspiration, Marina Abramovic travels through Brazil experiencing sacred rituals and exploring the limits between art and spirituality. How far will she go to create another work of art? (World Premiere)

“TOWER”

Director: Keith Maitland

An animated and action-packed look at America’s first mass school shooting, when the worst in one man brought out the best in so many others. (World Premiere)

Documentary Feature Jury: David Edelstein, New York Magazine; Jen Yamato,The Daily Beast; and Stephanie Zacharek, Time Magazine

HEADLINERS

Big names, big talent: Headliners bring star power to SXSW, featuring red carpet premieres and gala film events with major and rising names in cinema.

“Demolition”

Director: Jean-Marc Vallee, Screenwriter: Bryan Sipe

Davis (Jake Gyllenhaal), a successful investment banker, struggles after losing his wife in a tragic car crash. Cast: Jake Gyllenhaal, Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper, Judah Lewis (North American Premiere)

“Don’t Think Twice”

Director/Screenwriter: Mike Birbiglia

An improv group loses the lease on their home theater at the same time that one of their cast members gets chosen for the biggest sketch comedy show on TV. Cast: Keegan-Michael Key, Gillian Jacobs, Mike Birbiglia, Kate Micucci, Tami Sagher, Chris Gethard (World Premiere)

“Everybody Wants Some”

Director/Screenwriter: Richard Linklater

In Richard Linklater’s anticipated “spiritual sequel” to Dazed and Confused, a group of college friends navigate their way through the freedoms and responsibilities of the wild final weekend of the summer of 1980. Cast: Will Brittain, Zoey Deutch, Ryan Guzman, Tyler Hoechlin, Blake Jenner, J. Quinton Johnson, Glen Powell, Wyatt Russell (World Premiere)

“Hardcore Henry” (Russian Federation)

Director/Screenwriter: Ilya Naishuller

An unflinchingly original, first-person action film where YOU are the main character, Henry. Resurrected from death with no memory by your wife, your mission is find her, solve the mystery of your existence and discover the truth behind your identity. Cast: Sharlto Copley, Danila Kozlovsky, Haley Bennett, Andrey Dementyev, Dasha Charusha, Sveta Ustinova (U.S. Premiere)

“In A Valley of Violence”

Director/Screenwriter: Ti West

From Blumhouse, the film tells the story of a drifter named Paul who arrives in a small town, seeking revenge on the thugs who murdered his friend. Sisters Mary Anne and Ellen who run the town’s hotel, help Paul in his quest for vengeance. Cast: Ethan Hawke, Taissa Farmiga, James Ransone, Karen Gillan, John Travolta (World Premiere)

“Midnight Special”

Director/Screenwriter: Jeff Nichols

A father goes on the run to protect his young son and uncover the truth behind the boy’s special powers in writer/director Jeff Nichols’ sci-fi thriller Midnight Special, a film as supernatural as it is intimately human. Cast: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst, Adam Driver, Jaeden Lieberher, Sam Shepard (North American Premiere)

“Pee-wee’s Big Holiday”

Director: John Lee, Screenwriters: Paul Reubens, Paul Rust

In Pee-wee’s Big Holiday, a fateful meeting with a mysterious stranger inspires Pee-wee Herman to take his first-ever holiday in this epic story of friendship and destiny. Cast: Paul Reubens, Joe Manganiello, Jessica Pohly, Alia Shawkat, Stephanie Beatriz (World Premiere)

“Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru”

Director: Joe Berlinger

Granted unprecedented access, Tony Robbins: I Am Not Your Guru captures renowned life and business strategist Tony Robbins behind the scenes of his mega seminar Date with Destiny, pulling back the curtain on this life-altering and controversial event  (World Premiere)

NARRATIVE SPOTLIGHT

High profile narrative features receiving their World, North American or U.S. premieres at SXSW.

“9 Rides”

Director/Screenwriter: Matthew A. Cherry

An Uber driver gets life changing news on the busiest night of the year. Cast: Dorian Missick, Omar Dorsey, Robinne Lee, Xosha Roquemore, Amin Joseph, Skye P. Marshall, Thomas Q. Jones, Tracie Thoms, Aasha Davis, Sujata Day (World Premiere)

“Another Evil”

Director/Screenwriter: Carson D. Mell

After encountering a ghost in his family’s vacation home, Dan and his wife Mary hire an “industrial-grade exorcist” named Os to get rid of the beings. Cast: Steve Zissis, Mark Proksch, Jennifer Irwin, Dax Flame, Steve Little, Dan Bakkedahl (World Premiere)

“BLACK” (Belgium)

Directors: Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Screenwriters: Nele Meirhaeghe, Adil El Arbi, Bilall Fallah, Hans Herbots

Mavela, 15, is a Black Bronx. She falls madly in love with Marwan, a charismatic member of a rival gang, the 1080s. The young couple is forced to make a brutal choice between gang loyalty and the love they have for one another. An impossible dilemma. Cast: Martha Canga Antonio, Aboubakr Bensaihi (U.S. Premiere)

“Black Mountain Poets” (United Kingdom)

Director/Screenwriter: Jamie Adams

Two professional con artist sisters go on the run and assume the identities of The Wilding Sisters, guest stars of the a poetry retreat in the depths of the Black Mountains. A romantic comedy drama about love, crime, spirituality and soul. Cast: Alice Lowe, Dolly Wells, Tom Cullen, Rosa Robson, Richard Elis, Laura Patch, Roger Evans, Hannah Daniel, Ben McGregor, Claire Cage (North American Premiere)

“From Nowhere”

Director: Matthew Newton, Screenwriters: Matthew Newton, Kate Ballen

Three undocumented Bronx teenagers are graduating from high school while navigating the treacherous waters of trying to get their papers to stay in the US. Cast: Julianne Nicholson, Denis O’Hare, J. Mallory McCree, Octavia Chavez-Richmond, Chinasa Oghuagu, Raquel Castro, Tashiana Washington, Sydni Boudin, Jim Norton, Portia Johnson (World Premiere)

“I Am Not A Serial Killer” (Ireland, United Kingdom)

Director: Billy O’Brien, Screenwriters: Billy O’Brien, Chris Hyde

In a small Midwestern town, a troubled teen with homicidal tendencies must hunt down and destroy a supernatural killer whilst keeping his own inner demons at bay. Cast: Max Records, Christopher Lloyd, Laura Fraser, Karl Geary (World Premiere)

“Jean of the Joneses” (Canada, United States)

Director/Screenwriter: Stella Meghie

Chaos ensues after the estranged patriarch of the Jones family dies on their doorstep. When the paramedic who answers their 911 call tries to win over acerbic Jean Jones, his attempts are disrupted by old conflicts that come to a boil at the funeral. Cast: Taylour Paige, Sherri Shepherd, Gloria Reuben, Michelle Hurst, Erica Ash, Mamoudou Athie, Francois Arnaud, Demore Barnes, Anna Hopkins (World Premiere)

“Long Nights Short Mornings”

Director/Screenwriter: Chadd Harbold

An examination of the romantic life of a young man in New York City and his sometimes fleeting, sometimes profound experiences with the women he encounters. Cast: Shiloh Fernandez, Ella Rae Peck, Paten Hughes, Layla Koshnoudi, Christine Evangelista, Cassandra Freeman, Helen Rogers, Stella Maeve, Natalia Dyer, Ebonee Noel, Addison Timlin (World Premiere)

“The Master Cleanse”

Director/Screenwriter: Bobby Miller

Down, out and heartbroken, Paul attends a spiritual retreat to cleanse himself and fix his broken life but soon discovers that the cleanse releases more than everyday toxins… a lot more. Cast: Johnny Galecki, Anna Friel, Kyle Gallner, Diana Bang, Kevin J. O’Conner, Oliver Platt, Anjelica Huston (World Premiere)

“My Blind Brother”

Director/Screenwriter: Sophie Goodhart

Love for the same woman causes conflict between an over-achieving blind athlete and the brother who made him that way. Cast: Adam Scott, Nick Kroll, Jenny Slate, Zoe Kazan, Charlie Hewson, Maryann Nagel, Greg Violand (World Premiere)

“Rainbow Time”

Director/Screenwriter: Linas Phillips

A developmentally delayed 40-year-old man named Shonzi is sent to live with his brother Todd. But when Shonzi developes a crush on Todd’s new girlfriend Lindsay, he threatens to reveal past secrets that could ultimately tear the couple apart. Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Linas Phillips, Timm Sharp, Tobin Bell, Lauren Weedman, Artemis Pebdani, Jay Duplass, Reagan Yates, Austin Fryberger (World Premiere)

“Shovel Buddies”

Director: Si&Ad, Screenwriter: Jason Mark Hellerman

After the death of their best friend, Jimmy (Alex Neustaedter) enlists childhood friend Dan (Kian Lawley), little brother Lump, and crush Kate (Bella Thorne) to fulfill his last request. Cast: Bella Thorne, Kian Lawley, Alex Neustaedter, Anton Starkman, Philip Labes, James C. Burns, Jenny Cooper (World Premiere)

“Slash”

Director/Screenwriter: Clay Liford

Neil is a questioning teen who secretly writes erotic fan fiction about popular sci-fi characters. When his classmate Julia discovers his writing, she leads him down a rabbit hole deep into the world of ‘slash’ fiction. Cast: Michael Johnston, Hannah Marks, Michael Ian Black, Missi Pyle, Jessie Ennis, Peter Vack, Sarah Ramos, Robert Longstreet, Tishuan Scott, Lucas Neff (World Premiere)

“Suntan” (Greece)

Director: Argyris Papadimitropoulos, Screenwriters: Argyris Papadimitropoulos, Syllas Tzoumerkas

On a hedonistic Greek island, a local doctor becomes obsessed with a young female tourist when she lets him tag along with her group of hard-partying friends. Cast: Efthymis Papadimitriou, Elli Triggou, Dimi Hart, Hara Kotsali (North American Premiere)

“The Trust”

Directors: Ben Brewer, Alex Brewer, Screenwriters: Ben Brewer, Adam Hirsch

Two corrupt Las Vegas police officers plan to rob a large stash that they find in connection to a local drug operation. Cast: Nicolas Cage, Elijah Wood, Sky Ferreira, Jerry Lewis (World Premiere)

“The Waiting”

Director: Kasra Farahani, Screenwriters: Mark Bianculi, Jeff Richard

Two high school filmmakers decide to create the illusion of a haunting on an unsuspecting neighbor. Cast: James Caan, Logan Miller, Keir Gilchrist, Laura Innes, Edwin Hodge, Bailey Boble, Lili Reinhart, Anne Dudek, Mindy Sterling, Tamlyn Tomita (World Premiere)

“War On Everyone” (United Kingdom)

Director/Screenwriter: John Michael McDonagh

Two corrupt cops in New Mexico set out to blackmail and frame every criminal unfortunate enough to cross their path in this volatile jet-black action comedy. Cast: Michael Peña, Alexander Skarsgård, Theo James, Tessa Thompson (North American Premiere)

DOCUMENTARY SPOTLIGHT

Shining a light on new documentary features receiving their World, North American or U.S. premieres at SXSW.

“Asperger’s Are Us”

Director: Alex Lehmann

In this coming of age documentary, four friends on the autism spectrum whom have bonded through humor and performed as the comedy troupe Asperger’s Are Us will prepare for one final, ambitious show before going their separate ways. (World Premiere)

“The Bandit”

Director: Jesse Moss

The Bandit is a film about 70s superstar Burt Reynolds, his best friend, roommate and stunt-double Hal Needham, and the making of their unlikely smash-hit Smokey & The Bandit. (World Premiere)

“Beware the Slenderman”

Director: Irene Taylor Brodsky

Beware the Slenderman tells the story of a Boogeyman lurking on the internet and two 12-year-old girls who would kill for him. A horrifyingly modern tragedy, this film explores children’s accountability in the online age. (World Premiere)

“Chicken People”

Director: Nicole Lucas Haimes

In a high stakes world where a single broken feather can mean a shattered dream, Chicken People follows the trials and tribulations of those who breed exotic birds in the world of competitive poultry. (World Premiere)

“The Dwarvenaut”

Director: Josh Bishop

The Dwarvenaut is a dreamlike documentary chronicling Brooklyn-based artist Stefan Pokorny’s lifelong quest to inspire humanity through the one medium he knows best: Dungeons & Dragons. (World Premiere)

“Fantastic Lies”

Director: Marina Zenovich

Ten years after the Duke Lacrosse case exploded into the national media, we revisit the case which divided America and explore how it affected the lives of those involved. (World Premiere)

“Hit it Hard”

Directors: Gabe Spitzer, David Terry Fine

Hitting it hard is the only way John Daly knows. It’s how he plays golf. It’s how he lives life. After 25 years of extreme highs and devastating lows, this film explores why Daly has remained one of America’s most beloved athletes. (World Premiere)

“The Hollywood Shorties”

Director/Screenwriter: Ryan Steven Green

In 1980s Los Angeles, a professional dwarf basketball team composed of recognizable-but-typecast actors finds itself the unwitting vanguard of a revolution to represent little people as something other than objects of curiosity. (World Premiere)

“The Incomparable Rose Hartman”

Director: Otis Mass

With a career spanning decades Photographer Rose Hartman is known for her iconic photos from Studio 54 and the fashion world, her boisterous personality and ever presence capturing the New York social scene. (World Premiere)

“Insatiable: The Homaro Cantu Story”

Director: Brett A. Schwartz

Chef and inventor Homaro Cantu helped put Chicago on the culinary map and wanted to change the world. Insatiable takes you on a dizzying and thrilling ride with Cantu, in a story that moves from redemption and inspiration to tragedy and back again. (World Premiere)

“Learning To See”

Director: Jake Oelman

One man’s transformational journey to find the Amazon’s strangest creatures. (World Premiere)

“Mr. Gaga” (Israel)

Director/Screenwriter: Tomer Heymann

Mr. Gaga tells the story of Ohad Naharin, renowned choreographer and artistic director of the Batsheva Dance Company, an artistic genius who redefined the language of modern dance. (North American Premiere)

“Seven Songs for a Long Life” (United Kingdom)

Director: Amy Hardie

The intimate story behind our changing relationship with death – with great songs!  (North American Premiere)

“Silicon Cowboys”

Director: Jason Cohen, Screenwriters: Steven Leckart, Jason Cohen

Three friends dream up a portable computer at a Texas diner in 1981, and soon battle IBM, the world’s most powerful tech company, for PC supremacy. Compaq Computer’s improbable journey altered the future of computing and shaped the world we now know. (World Premiere)

“The Slippers” (Canada)

Director: Morgan White, Screenwriters: Derek Lageunesse, Morgan White

The Slippers pulls back the Wizards curtain the unbelievable story of Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz, and their impact on popular culture, and the now multi-million dollar a year industry of Hollywood memorabilia collecting. (World Premiere)

“Starving the Beast: The Battle to Disrupt and Reform America’s Public Universities”

Director/Screenwriter: Steve Mims

The story of money, power and politics and the well organized, yet little noticed, efforts to radically disrupt and reform America’s public universities. (World Premiere)

“Thank You Del: The Story of the Del Close Marathon”

Director: Todd Bieber

Fifteen years after Del Close’s death, thousands of comedians (both famous and unknown) gather to celebrate modern comedy’s most important person that no one knows. (World Premiere)

VISIONS

Visions filmmakers are audacious, risk-taking artists in the new cinema landscape who demonstrate raw innovation and creativity in documentary and narrative filmmaking.

“The Alchemist Cookbook”

Director: Joel Potrykus

Self-made chemist Sean, a recluse living in an old trailer in the woods, suffers from pill-popping delusions of fortune. When his manic attempts at cracking the ancient secret of alchemy go awry he unleashes something far more sinister and dangerous. Cast: Ty Hickson, Amari Cheatom (World Premiere)

“American Fable”

Director/Screenwriter: Anne Hamilton

When an 11-year-old girl named Gitty discovers that her father is holding hostage a wealthy man on their family’s remote farm, she chooses to dive into a dark and magical world in this Midwestern-set, fairytale thriller. Cast: Kip Pardue, Peyton Kennedy, Gavin MacIntosh, Rusty Schwimmer, Zuleikha Robinson, Marci Miller, Richard Schiff (World Premiere)

“Baby Bump” (Poland)

Director/Screenwriter: Kuba Czekaj

Growing up is not for kids. Cast: Kacper Olszewski, Agnieszka Podsiadlik (U.S. Premiere)

“I Am Belfast” (United Kingdom)

Director/Screenwriter: Mark Cousins

A visual, poetic depiction of Belfast and its citizens, told with love and passion by someone who has left the city many years ago but is still fascinated by it. (North American Premiere)

“In Pursuit of Silence”

Director: Patrick Shen

In Pursuit of Silence is a meditative film that explores our relationship with silence, sound, and the impact of noise on our lives. (North American Premiere)

“Jules and Dolores” (Brazil)

Director: Caito Ortiz, Screenwriters: Lusa Silvestre, Caíto Ortiz

Jules and Dolores is a pop comedy about the theft of the World Cup Trophy that occurred in Brazil in 1983. Curiously enough, nobody truly knows the details surrounding this unbelievable event, until now. Cast: Paulo Tiefenthaler, Taís Araujo, Danilo Grangheia, Milhem Cortaz, Fabio Marcoff, Pedro Wagner, Álvaro Diniz, Thelmo Fernandes, Otto Jr (World Premiere)

“KARAOKE CRAZIES” (Korea, Republic of)

Director: Kim Sang Chan

Welcome to ADDICTION KARAOKE and let’s sing till the end!  (World Premiere)

“Little Sister”

Director/Screenwriter: Zach Clark, Story by Zach Clark, Melodie Sisk

A young nun returns home to visit her estranged family. Cast: Addison Timlin, Ally Sheedy, Keith Poulson, Peter Hedges, Kristin Slaysman, Molly Plunk, Barbara Crampton (World Premiere)

“LOEV” (India)

Director/Screenwriter: Sudhanshu Saria

A weekend trip between friends takes a sudden turn, making them each examine what love is and what it means to them. Cast: Shiv Pandit, Dhruv Ganesh, Siddharth Menon (North American Premiere)

“My Beautiful Broken Brain” (United Kingdom)

Directors: Sophie Robinson, Lotje Sodderland

Her brain is broken. Her mind is limitless. A film about a young woman’s cerebral hemorrhage with outcomes no one could have predicted. (North American Premiere)

“Operator”

Director: Logan Kibens, Screenwriters: Sharon Greene, Logan Kibens

JOE, a programmer and obsessive self-quantifier, and EMILY, a budding comedy performer, are happily married until they decide to use one another in their work. Operator is a dark comedy about love, technology, and what can’t be programmed. Cast: Martin Starr, Mae Whitman, Nat Faxon, Cameron Esposito, Retta, Christine Lahti, Kate Cobb, Kristopher Lofton, Tim Hopper, Trevor Dawkins (World Premiere)

“Spaceship” (United Kingdom)

Director/Screenwriter: Alex Taylor

A girl fakes her own alien abduction and disappears, leaving her father to search for her in a strange teenage world of unicorns and black holes. Cast: Antti Reini, Alexa Davies, Lara Peake, Lucian Charles Collier, Tallulah Haddon, Steven Elder, Jack Winthrop, Kristof Gerega, Harry Jarvis (World Premiere)

“Teenage Cocktail”

Director: John Carchietta, Screenwriters: John Carchietta, Sage Bannick, Chris Sivertson, Amelia Yokel (Story By)

Teenage Cocktail is the story of how Annie and Jules fell in love and how it all got weird. Cast: Nichole Bloom, Fabianne Therese, Pat Healy, Michelle Borth, Joshua Leonard, AJ Bowen (World Premiere)

“Under the Sun” (Czech Republic, Germany, Korea, Democratic People’s Republic of, Latvia, Russian Federation)

Director: Vitaly Mansky

“My father says that Korea is the most beautiful country,” says schoolgirl Zin-mi. Despite continuous interference by government handlers, Under The Sun reveals a never-before-seen glimpse of one family’s life in North Korea. (North American Premiere)

EPISODICS

Featuring innovative new work aimed squarely at the small screen, Episodic tunes in to the explosion of exciting material on non-theatrical platforms, including serialized TV, webisodes and beyond. (New for 2016: Open to all badgeholders)

“Outcast”

Director: Adam Wingard, Screenwriter: Robert Kirkman, Showrunner: Chris Black

Outcast, based on the Skybound/Image comic title by creator Robert Kirkman and artist Paul Azaceta, follows Kyle Barnes, a young man who has been plagued by demonic possession all his life. Cast: Patrick Fugit, Philip Glenister, Wrenn Schmidt, Reg E. Cathey, David Denman (World Premiere)

“Preacher”

Directors: Seth Rogen, Evan Goldberg, Screenwriter: Sam Catlin

Preacher is a supernatural, twisted and darkly comedic drama that follows a West Texas preacher named Jesse Custer, who – along with his ex-girlfriend Tulip and an Irish vagabond named Cassidy – is thrust into a crazy world, much bigger than he is. Cast: Dominic Cooper, Ruth Negga, Joseph Gilgun, Ian Colletti, W. Earl Brown, Lucy Griffiths (World Premiere)

“Search Party”

Directors/Screenwriters: Sarah-Violet Bliss, Charles Rogers

Search Party is a dark comedy about four self-absorbed twenty-somethings who become entangled in an ominous mystery when a former college acquaintance suddenly disappears. Cast: Alia Shawkat, John Early, John Reynolds, Meredith Hagner (World Premiere)

“Vice Principals”

Directors: Jody Hill, David Gordon Green, Screenwriters: Danny McBride, Jody Hill

A dark comedy series that tells the story of a high school and the two people who almost run it, the vice principals, who are engaged in an epic power struggle for the top spot. Cast: Danny McBride, Walton Goggins, Kimberly Herbert Gregory, Georgia King, Busy Philipps, Shea Whigham, Sheaun McKinney (World Premiere)

“You Me Her”

Director/Screenwriter: John Scott Shepherd

You Me Her is a poly-romantic half hour series that merges Billy Mernit’s classic Romantic Comedy Structure with the style and tone of a Woody Allen film in a dynamic love story unlike anything we’ve ever seen before on television. Cast: Greg Poehler, Rachel Blanchard, Priscilla Faia, Jarod Joseph, Melanie Papaila (World Premiere)

“24 BEATS PER SECOND”

Showcasing the sounds, culture and influence of music & musicians, with an emphasis on documentary. (Open to Music badgeholders)