Jennifer Merin – ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS

2018 Critics Choice Documentary Awards Nominees Announced – Jennifer Merin reports

October 18, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments awards intelligencer, bfca, broadcast film critics association, broadcast television journalists association, btja, Cinema Citizen, criticschoice documentay awards, documentary awards

The official announcement of nonfiction nominees for the Third Annual Critics Choice Documentary Awards (CCDA) kicks off this year’s race for nonfic recognition, and what a race it is. Throughout the year, documentary production and distribution have soared, making 2018 the year of trending nonfiction. This year, more than 300 qualifying documentaries were submitted for consideration by the CCDA nominating committees.

Movie of the Week

MOVIE OF THE WEEK October 19, 2018: CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?

October 14, 2018October 16, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments anne brodie, betsy bozdech, can you ever forgive me, Cate Marquis, jeanne wolf, lee israel, loren king, Marielle Heller, Melissa McCarthy, nell minow, Pam Grady, susan wlosczyzna

Melissa McCarthy trades pratfalls and slapstick for wry wit and introspection in Marielle Heller’s keenly observed biopic “Can You Ever Forgive Me?” McCarthy plays biographer Lee Israel, whose brief time in the Manhattan publishing scene’s spotlight has passed, leaving her bitter, lonely, and strapped for cash, which ultimately leads to a life of literary crime. It’s a compelling role for McCarthy, who seems to relish the opportunity to take on more serious material.

Spotlight

SPOTLIGHT October 2018: Shauna Hardy Mishaw, Executive Director Whistler Film Festival

September 30, 2018October 6, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments Shauna Hardy Mishaw, spotlight, wff, Whistler Film Festival, Women in the Director's Chair, women on top

Shauna Hardy Mishaw is a movie mogul who neither produces nor directs movies. Nor does she write, work crew or appear in them. Her extraordinary industry impact comes from her work as Executive Director of Canada’s Whistler Film Festival, where she has consistently opened the doors of opportunity for emerging cinema artists, especially women.

Movie of the Week

MOVIE OF THE WEEK September 28, 2018: JANE FONDA IN FIVE ACTS

September 23, 2018October 16, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments anne brodie, betsy bozdech, Cate Marquis, esther iverem, jane fonda, jeanne wolf, jennifer merin, Marilyn Ferdinand., maryann johanson, motw, Movie of the Week, sandie angulo chen, susan lacy, susan wloszczyna

“Trying to be perfect is a toxic journey,” says Jane Fonda in Susan Lacy’s revealing, deeply personal documentary Jane Fonda in Five Acts, and — after hearing stories she’s told for the previous two hours — it’s impossible to disagree. Fonda’s revelatory reflections on her life as actress and activist make it clear that giving herself permission to be imperfect let her become her happiest self.

Festivals

Margaret Mead Film Festival 2018 – Jennifer Merin reports

September 22, 2018September 23, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments anthropology, documentaries, ethnography, margaret mead film festival, museum of naturalhistory, resistence in motion

Celebrating its 42nd edition, the Margaret Mead Film Festival (October18-21) focuses on the theme “Resilience in Motion,” documenting stories that celebrate individuals who are breaking new ground or breaking free despite challenging circumstances and sparking provocative conversations about the most pressing social and political situations worldwide.

Movie of the Week

MOVIE OF THE WEEK September 21, 2018: COLETTE

September 16, 2018September 24, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments Cate Marquis, colette, elizabeth whittemore, esther iverem, jennifer merin, kiera knightly, Marilyn Ferdinand., maryann johanson, nell minow, nikki baughan, Pam Grady, sandie angulo chen, wash westmoreland

Keira Knightley shines as the star of Wash Westmoreland’s “Colette,” a beautifully realized biopic about the early years of the celebrated French writer. Knightly immerses herself in the role, bringing Colette’s personal struggles — and self-awakening — vividly to life within the lavish Belle Epoche environs established with gorgeous sets, costumes and cimenatography.

Reviews

I AM NOT A WITCH – Review by Jennifer Merin

September 5, 2018September 13, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments i am not a witch, Maggie Mulubwa, Rungano Nyoni

Masterfully bewitching storytelling, a superb performances by first-time actor Maggie Mulubwa and a fine ensemble cast, exquisite cinematography that reveals nuanced emotions in close ups and captures broad sweeps of the arid landscape, and outstanding editing skills that balance satire and serious social commentary have brought ;I Am Not A Witch; into contention for Oscar gold as the UK’s submission for best foreign film. Rungano Nyoni’s cinematic style is unique and fascinating. <;em> Am Not A Witch<;/em> is a must see. And, it warrants a second watch, as well.

Movie of the Week

MOVIE OF THE WEEK August 17, 2018: THE WIFE

August 12, 2018September 12, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments anne brodie, bjorn runge, glenn close, jane anderson, jeanne wolf, jennifermerin, kristen page kirby, liz whittemore, Marilyn Ferdinand., maryann johanson, meg wolitzer, nell minow, sandie angulo chen, susan wloszczyna, the wife

Glenn Close delivers a brilliant performance in Bjorn Runge’s The Wife. Based on Meg Wolitzer’s eponymous novel about the wife of a newly minted Nobel Prize-winning writer, this closely observed drama follows Close’s Joan and her husband, Joe (Jonathan Pryce), as they travel to Stockholm for his anointing — but will their marriage survive the trip?

News

Fork Films Funds 16 Femme-Helmed and/or Produced Documentaries — Jennifer Merin reports

July 31, 2018September 6, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments abigail disney, documentaries, fork films, gilm grants

Abigail Disney’s Fork Films is dividng $625,000 in grants among 16 new documentaries that align with the company’s dedication to promoting peacebuilding, human rights, and social justice. All are directed and or produced by women. Selected from 500 applicants, the chosen films address topics ranging from refugee and immigration stories, to incarceration, civil rights, disability rights and media depictions of transgender people, as well as other timely topics. The unprecedented number of applications indicates growing demand for nonfiction storytelling in this turbulent time

Commentaries Festivals

Documentary Distribution 101: The Film Festival Effect — Jennifer Merin comments

July 23, 2018August 14, 2018 Jennifer Merin 0 Comments documentaries, film distribution, film festivals, IDFA, sheffield doc fest

Developing audiences for documentaries is a daunting task for even well-established filmmakers. Successful documentary distribution depends on audience demand, on

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AWFJ org @AWFJ·

Way to go, @DorothyWoodend! I'd like to hear the tale this smart and witty #AWFJ member has to tell as the only woman on this very interesting panel of wild adventure storytellers at the Museum of Vancouver on Nov 14. @TheTyee @Museumofvan https://t.co/sc399lO6kS

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Tomris Laffly@TomiLaffly·

17 Oct

Jason Blum's "There are not a lot of female directors, period" remark is most depressing, because it makes one realize no matter how often we say/write/scream/prove the opposite, the message is STILL not being heard by key decision-makers who have the power to change things.

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IFP @ifpfilm·

15h

Best Actress Nominee: TONI COLETTE in HEREDITARY #GothamAwards

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Directed by Women @DirectedbyWomen·

15h

Have you explored @SelmaVilhunen's work? I am a big fan. Just had a chance to experience her moving 2016 narrative feature Tyttö nimeltä Varpu | Little Wing. Also love her #documentary #HobbyhorseRevolution. Stupid Young Heart in theaters in Finland now. https://t.co/usiD1ow6y9

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Jennifer Merin @aboutdocsguide·

17 Oct

@nminow @thefilmbee @Journeys_Film @roxana_hadadi @angelicabastien @sheilakathleen @CarrieRickey @jenyamato @DanielleSATM @AWFJ @mcastimovies @AnnHornaday @wozerina @TomiLaffly @ChazEbert All members of @AWFJ The Alliance of Women Film Journalists, The membership roster is at https://t.co/ZidrHfBoDS #AWFJ #FemaleFilmCritics24365

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