Gold House and Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment Launch Gold Open to Celebrate ‘Joy Ride’ Premiere – Films News in Brief

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Gold House and the Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE) have launched Gold Open to celebrate the historic release of the R-rated comedy, “Joy Ride.”

Gold Open urges the Asian Pacific community to connect and join together, via social media and at theaters, to drive “Joy Ride” to become a success during its July 7 opening weekend.

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The celebratory effort will include Gold Open screenings across the U.S., as a result of the initiative’s current theater buyouts. Those contributing to the current initiative include Meta, Spotify, Stand With Asians, Asians Are Strong, Asian Comedy Fest, Chicago Asian Network, Asian CineVision, Asian Pacific leaders and Gold House members: Janet Yang (Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences president), Agnes Chu (Conde Nast Entertainment president), David Chiu (San Francisco City attorney), Julia Gouw (chairwoman of Piermont Bank), Keli Lee (founder and CEO, IP Enterprises), Sophia Yen (partner at Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP), Bernice Kwok-Gabel (CCO, Nike Communications) and Yao King (founder and CIO of YKAM).

“It’s critical that films like ‘Joy Ride,’ which are actively dismantling stereotypes and reshaping public narratives about our communities, perform at the box offices so that more films like these can be greenlit,” said Jeremy Tran, Gold House co-founder and COO.

See below for the Gold Open opening weekend screening schedule:

July 6, 2023: Gold House’s Private Gold Women Screening in New York
July 7, 2023: Gold Open Opening Night Celebration in Los Angeles
July 8, 2023: Special Screening hosted by CAPE in Los Angeles
July 8, 2023: Special Screening hosted by Pan Asian American Alumni Association in San Francisco
July 8, 2023: Special Screening hosted by Asian CineVision in New York
July 8, 2023: Special screening hosted by Yao King and Asian Comedy Fest in New York
July 9, 2023: Special Screening hosted by Stand with Asians and Asians are Strong in San Francisco

For more information, visit goldopen.com.

BAFTA Announces Finalists for 2023 Yugo BAFTA Student Awards

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) announced the 15 finalists for the 2023 Yugo BAFTA Student Awards, with three finalists in the five separate categories, animation, documentary, live action, games and immersive media.

After receiving over 750 submissions, from 103 schools across 30 countries, the 15 finalists will screen their submissions on July 26 at The London West Hollywood. Following the special screening, on July 27 the finalists will attend the finale ceremony at Rooftop Cinema Club Arts District, hosted by Elliot Knight.

“The Yugo BAFTA Student Awards provide an important platform for collegiate filmmakers and creatives from all across the globe to showcase their talents and artistry. They are making their voices heard and we are honored and thrilled to help amplify and celebrate this new generation of storytellers,” said BAFTA North America Chair of the Board, Kathryn Busby.

See below for the finalists in their respective categories.

Animation:
Daria Kashcheeva (Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague, Czech Republic): “Electra”

Daria Batueva, Preetam Dhar, Merel Hamers, Hannah Judd, Mogau Kekana, Leroy Le Roux (Gobelins, France): “Thaba Ye”

Maria Tomazou (National Film and Television School, United Kingdom): “The Tornado Outside”

Documentary:
Laura Rindlisbacher (National Film and Television School, United Kingdom): “Happy”

Majiye Uchibeke (University of Southern California, United States): “I Am More Dangerous Dead”

Borja Larrondo (Institute of Art, Design and Technology, Ireland): “The Road Bad & The Place Dark”

Live Action
Tamara Denić (Hamburg Media School, Germany): “ISTINA (Truth)”

Sophia Bierend (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, Germany): “The Taster”

Tari Wariebi (American Film Institute, United States): “WE WERE MEANT TO”

Games:
You Liang (University of Southern California, United States): “Crab Rhapsody (Vol.1)”

Rafif Kalantan (National Film and Television School, United Kingdom): “Eros Xavier’s Love Solutions”

Olivier Carlot (Pôle 3D, France): “Gevaudan 1851”

Immersive Media:
Maximilian Villwock (Film University Babelsberg KONRAD WOLF, Germany): “A Passage”

Cameron Kostopoulos (University of Southern California, United States): “Body of Mine”

Oscar Durand, Tatiana Trebisacci, Francisco Navas (New York University, United States): “Gene’s Place VR”

Shout! Factory to Distribute ‘Shaun the Sheep’ in Partnership With Aardman

Shout! Factory and Aardman have entered a distribution agreement for the award-winning titles “Shaun the Sheep,” “Wallace & Gromit,” “Morph” and “Timmy Time,” the companies announced Monday.

Exclusive home video, EST EST and TVOD rights and limited theatrical rights in the U.S. and Canada to four of Aardman’s properties will be granted to Shout! Factory per the agreement.

“We’re big fans of Aardman and these wonderful films and series and are very much looking forward to creating a release plan that excites dedicated fans and creates new ones,” said Melissa Boag, Shout’s executive vice president of kids and family. “Aardman’s worldwide reputation as an innovative home for compelling stories that captivate audiences make them an ideal partner for Shout! Factory.”

Aardman is an Academy-Award-winning animation studio, garnering a total of seven nominations and four wins for films such as “The Wrong Trousers.” Shout! Factory is a multi-platform media company committed to film and TV distribution, development and production founded by Richard Foos, Bob Emmer, and Garson Foos.

“We are thrilled to be entering into such a great partnership with Shout Factory, who are real experts in the physical and digital ownership space,” said Laura Taylor-Williams, Aardman’s head of digital and strategic development. “To be delighting North American audiences once again with our much-loved catalog is key to our new strategy. We are collaborating on an exciting release schedule that will speak to ardent Aardman fans as well as bringing our joyful animations to new audiences.”

Nicolas Cage to Be Honored at 27th Fantasia International Film Festival

The 27th Fantasia International Film Festival will honor Nicolas Cage with this year’s Cheval Nior career achievement award for the actor’s incredible breadth of work over the last four decades. The festival will conclude with the world premiere of “We Are Zombies” from the Quebec-based collective Roadkill Superstars, comprised of directors François Simard, Anouk Whissell and Yoann-Karl Whissell.

FIFF is set to run this year from July 20 through August 9 at the Concordia Hall Cinema, along with screenings at the J.A. DeSève Cinema, Cinémathèque québécoise, and Cinéma du Musée.

The festival will host over 120 feature films, including the North American premieres of Eu’s Semaine de la Critique Grand Prize winner, Amanda Nell’s “Tiger Stripes,” Sam H. Freeman & Ng Choon Ping’s “Femme,” Yoshimi Itazu’s “The Concierge,” Quarxx’s “Pandemonium”, Lee Hae-young’s “Phantom” and Jimmy Laporal-Trésor’s “Rascals.” In addition, FIFF will feature Hei Yau Lin’s debut film, “The Moon, Sky and You.”

Mill Valley Film Festival Reveals 2023 Dates

The California Film Institute has revealed the dates for the 46th Mill Valley Film Festival, which is set to run from October 5 to October 15 in the San Francisco Bay Area. CAFILM also revealed the 2023 film festival poster.

This year’s design was created by Marin County’s Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners. The poster’s whimsical and vibrant style mimics “the diverse and dynamic nature of MVFF, known for its innovative programming, commitment to creative exploration, and dedication to highlighting exceptional cinematic works,” said the institute.

“Our long-standing relationship with MVFF is, like the films they showcase yearly, rewarding, inspiring, and a heck of a lot of fun,” said John Butler, co-chair and founding partner at BSSP. “And this year’s concept visually brings to life that creative ‘spark’ and connection you experience after watching a great film.”

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