Festival Dispatch

Norman Jewison is Speechless in Denver

The 30th annual Starz Denver Film Festival kicked off on November 8th, and MM’s Joe Leydon is on hand to report back on some of the happening. Here, Joe renders Oscar-winning moviemaker Norman Jewison (Moonstruck, ...And Justice for All) utterly speechless after telling him he’s being interviewed for MovieMaker. Photo: Zan Buckner

November 12th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week, Festival Dispatch, Festivals | By Joe Leydon

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Kick Back at the Dominican International Film Festival

Thousands of moviemakers, industry executives, stars and film fans—legendary character actor Joe Pantoliano (pictured) among them—are mingling on the beach for a long weekend at the third annual Dominican International Film Festival (DIFF), held at Sun Village Resort & Spa in Cofresi Beach. DIFF kicked off Thursday with a day full of screenings and an outdoor opening night bash. Screenings and panel discussions featuring notable industry professionals--including MM‘s very own Timothy Rhys--will continue through Saturday, November 10. Sunday the 11th marks the festival’s wrap-up day with final screenings at three venues. Fortunately for DIFF attendees, the Dominican Republic’s wet season is holding off at Cofresi Beach, leaving the festival’s climate enjoyably tropical. Visit www.dominicaninternationalfilmfestival.com for the latest happenings, or check back here for more tropical happenings!

November 9th, 2007 | Category: Festival of the Week, Festival Dispatch, Festivals | By Daniel Fritz

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Festival Dispatch: Second Annual Dominican International Film Festival

Spa Patio Party

When youâ€™re from the Northeast, there may not be a better way to spend four November days than to attend a film festival in the Caribbean. Last month I was fortunate enough to do just that when my fiancÃ© and I flew the Sun Village Resort in Cofresi, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic for the Second Annual Dominican International Film Festival.

The Second Annual DIFF did not disappoint. Warm beaches, an all-inclusive resort (with seven pools, five restaurants and a spa) and festival organizers who pay attention to the needs of independent moviemakers make for one canâ€™t-miss events. A few of the cinematic highlights included Lâ€™Audition, written and directed by Canadaâ€™s Luc Picard, who was in town for the screening, as well as A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, from Dito Montiel, who was also on hand. I also enjoyed Mora Stephensâ€™ Conventioneers, and the programmers added a touch of class with Damian Pettigrewâ€™s wonderful doc, Fellini: Iâ€™m a Born Liar. I couldâ€™ve done without tributes to the likes of Judge Rinehold and Anthony Anderson, but thatâ€™s getting pickyâ€¦ (Hope these pics let you enjoy a little vicarious warmthâ€¦ watch for my full festival review in MM #68)

-Timothy E. Rhys
Editor in Chief, MovieMaker Magazine

All photos courtesy of the Dominican International Film Festival.