Hillary Rodham Clinton and Chelsea Clinton to Speak at TIFF Industry Conference – Film News in Brief

Hillary Rodham Clinton and her daughter Chelsea Clinton will appear as guest speakers at Toronto International Film Festival, it was announced today.

The two will speak at the festival’s industry conference “Visionaries,” during a showcase of their documentary series “Gutsy.” Based on their book “The Book of Gutsy Women: Favorite Stories of Courage and Resilience,” the upcoming Apple TV+ show follows the mother and daughter team as they travel America to speak to notable female artists, activists and community leaders. Guests announced for the first season include Kim Kardashian, Megan Thee Stallion, Dr. Jane Goodall, Gloria Steinem, Wanda Sykes, Amy Schumer, Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson. The series is produced for Apple by HiddenLight Productions in association with Left/Right LLC, with the Clintons executive producing alongside showrunner Anna Chai, Johnny Webb, Siobhan Sinnerton, Roma Khanna, Ken Druckerman and Banks Tarver.

More from Variety

• Toronto Film Festival Unveils Lineup Featuring New Works From Sam Mendes, Tyler Perry, Darren Aronofsky, Sarah Polley

• Lena Dunham's 'Catherine Called Birdy' to Premiere at TIFF

• 'The Wheel' Review: A Young Couple Give Themselves One Last Weekend to Save Their Relationship

“We are thrilled to welcome Hillary and Chelsea Clinton to TIFF 2022,” TIFF CEO Cameron Bailey said in a statement. “As two ‘gutsy’ women themselves, their breadth of experience and insight into social issues and gender politics is inspiring. We are honored to host this special conversation as part of TIFF’s Industry Conference and spotlight their upcoming Apple Original documentary series ‘Gutsy.'”

TIFF runs from Sept. 8-18. “Gutsy” will premiere on Apple TV+ Sept. 9.

Roger Deakins Exhibition Announced

The inaugural exhibition of photographer and filmmaker Roger Deakins will open on Sept. 17 at the Peter Fetterman Gallery.

The opening reception will include a book signing of Deakins’ “Byways,” and signed copies will also be available for purchase and pre-order at the gallery. The exhibition features never-before seen photographs from Deakins, as well as some of his work published in “Byways.”

Deakins won two Oscars for his cinematography in “Bladerunner 2049” and “1917.” He has also been awarded Lifetime Achievement Awards from the American Society of Cinematographers, the British Society of Cinematographers and the National Board of Review.

The Roger Deakins exhibition will run from Sept. 17-Dec. 31.

Prime Video Drops First Trailer for “Samaritan”

Sylvester Stallone is becoming a superhero. Prime Video has released the first trailer for “Samaritan,” a new film starring the “Rocky” and “Rambo” star.

The film is set in a world where superheroes exist, with the greatest being the super-strong and shadowy Samaritan. When Samaritan abruptly disappears for 25 years after an epic battle, the world believes he’s dead, until an ordinary boy Sam Cleary (Javon Walton) comes to suspect that his neighbor Joe Smith (Stallone) may be the legendary hero.

In addition to Stallone and Walton, the cast for “Samaritan” also includes Martin Starr, Moisés Arias, Dascha Polanco and Pilou Asbæk. The film was directed by Julius Avery from a screenplay by Bragi F. Schut. The film is based on a graphic novel of the same name by Schut, Marc Olivent and Renzo Podesta, itself based on a spec script Schut wrote. Stallone produces the film with Braden Aftergood via his Balboa Productions banner, while Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer serves as an additional studio for the film.

“Samaritan” premieres on Prime Video Aug. 26. Watch the full trailer below.

‘Argentina, 1985’ Teaser Released Ahead of Venice Film Festival

Ahead of its premiere at the Venice Film Festival this fall, Santiago Mitre’s “Argentina, 1985” has received a first look teaser from Prime Video.

The streamer’s first Argentinean original film, “Argentina, 1985” stars Ricardo Darín and Peter Lanzani as real life prosecutors Julio Strassera and Luis Morena Ocampo, who at a young age tried members of Argentina’s former military dictatorship in what’s known today as the Trial of the Juntas, one of the biggest modern prosecution processes for war crimes. The film notably shot in the real-life trial rooms and locations that the real events took place in.

In addition to directing, Mitre co-wrote the screenplay with Mariano Llinás and produced with Darín, Axel Kuschevatzky, Federico Posternak, Agustina Llambi-Campbell, Santiago Carabante, Chino Darín and Victoria Alonso. Cindy Teperman and Phin Glynn serve as executive producers.

Venice Film Festival runs from Aug. 31 to Sept. 10. The film will receive a theatrical release and stream on Prime Video later in the fall. Watch the teaser below.

Sony Announces New Future Filmmaker Awards Initiative

The Sony Future Filmmakers Awards, a new awards program for short films, has been announced.

The program will select thirty filmmakers who enter three competitions: the filmmaker competition, which is split between fiction, non-fiction and environment categories; the student filmmaker competition, split between fiction and non-fiction categories; and the future format competition, which challenges filmmakers to shoot a short film exclusively on a smartphone.

The thirty shortlisted filmmakers will attend an awards ceremony at the Cary Grant Theatre in Culver City, Calif. on Feb. 22. Winners from each category will be announced on the night, and receive cash grants and free Sony Digital Imaging equipment. The winners will be selected by a judging panel chaired by director Justin Chadwick.

Immediately following the awards ceremony, all 30 shortlisted directors will attend a two day series of workshops, screenings and panel discussions on the Sony Pictures studio lot. The programming will be lead by Sony executives and cover topics such as pitching, working with talent agencies and the use of CGI and other filmmaking technology.

Submissions for the awards are currently open, with the deadline for entries set for Dec. 13. To submit, go to the award’s official website.

Vashon Island Film Festival Launches in Washington State

The Vashon Film Institute has announced the slate for the first Vashon Island Film Festival, unspooling Aug. 12-14 on the island of the Washington coast.
The fest will screen ten features and ten shorts as well as hosting an opening night gala, Saturday night soiree and two seminars.
The founder is producer and island resident Mark Mathias Sayre, who explains. “100% of the net profits will go to the family-operated Vashon Theatre, a cultural landmark built in 1947 which, like many other theaters in a post-pandemic world, has struggled to keep their doors open. We still plan to institute the youth program in 2023, but plan to finance that primarily through grants and donations.”

The narrative features include Nick Richey’s “1-800-HOT NITE,” “Crabs!” by Pierce Berilzheimer, Brett Smith’s “Freedom Path,” and “Good Girl Jane” by Sarah Elizabeth Mintz.

Makeup Artists and Hair Stylists Guild Announces Awards Timeline

The 10th Annual Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards (MUAHS, IATSE Local 706) returns to The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Feb. 11, 2023.

The MUAHS Awards honors outstanding achievements for make-up artists and hair stylists in motion pictures, television, commercials, and live theater. The announcement was made today by Julie Socash, President of MUAHS, Local 706.

The 2022-2023 Make-Up Artists & Hair Stylists Guild Awards Timeline:
• Submissions Open for TV & Feature Film  – Oct. 31
• Submissions Close for Entries – Nov. 30 (5:00 pm PT)
• Nominations Voting Begins – Dec. 16
• Nominations Voting Closes – Jan. 6. 2023
• Nominations Announced  – Jan. 11, 2023
• Final Online Voting Begins  – Jan. 23, 2023
• Final Online Voting Closes. –  Feb. 3, 2023 (5:00 pm PT)
• Winners Announced at MUAHS Awards Gala  –  Feb. 11, 2023
*Dates subject to change

BAFTA Announces 2022 Yugo BAFTA Student Award Winners And $20,000 Special Jury Prize

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts announced the winners of the 2022 Yugo BAFTA Student Awards during a two-night ceremony on July 21-22 in Los Angeles. Shuhao Tse, a student from New York University, won the Special Jury Prize of $20,000 for his film “Found,” which also won the event’s Documentary award. The decision came from the jury that consisted of actress Angela Sarafyan, director Anthony Hemingway, director Domee Shi, writer Lucy Alibar and cinematographer Natalie Kingston.

Other winners include the Animation award going to Yanis Belaid, Eliott Benard, Nicolas Mayeur, Etienne Moulin, Hadrien Pinot, Lisa Vicente, Philippine Singer and Alice Letailleur from Pôle 3D, France for “Les Larmes de la Seine.” The Live Action award went to Shulamit Lifshitz and Oriel Berkovits from The Ma’aleh School of Television, Film & the Arts, Israel for “Girl No. 60427.”

“It is truly remarkable to witness the talent of these emerging filmmakers across the globe. The student finalists continue to set the bar higher every year, paving the path and setting a precedent for future filmmakers. BAFTA is thrilled to be a part of their success and to be an advocate for their professional growth for years to come,” said Kathryn Busby, chair of the BAFTA North America Board.

ABFF Global’s International Screening Series Returns to United Kingdom

The American Black Film Festival will bring its international screening series, which features screenings, panel discussions and networking with London-based content creatives, to the United Kingdom from September 16-18. The second installment of the ABFF Global series is presented by ABFF Ventures and Sony Pictures Entertainment in association with the British-based S.O.U.L. Fest, a film festival serving Black audiences. The events will be held at the British Film Institute and other venues around London during the 5^th annual S.O.U.L. Fest.

The forthcoming global series continues ABFF’s return to in-person programming, with the United States festivities taking place in Miami Beach in June. Live events took place June 15-19 with virtual programming continuing on for the rest of the month.

“ABFF is rooted in building bridges and fostering alliances between Black content creators around the world. SPE’s support of ABFF Global has allowed us to further this mission,” said Jeff Friday, ABFF Founder and CEO ABFF Ventures. “We have a deep respect for the S.O.U.L. organization and appreciate them welcoming us to be a part of their annual event.” 

Future installments of the series will be presented in other major cultural hubs such as Madrid, Abu Dhabi, Paris and Gaborone. 

Best of Variety

• What's Coming to Disney+ in August 2022

• Everything Coming to Netflix in August 2022

• From 'Eragon' to 'Blonde': Books Being Made Into Movies and TV Series That You Should Read

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.