This week, we take a look at more news from past and upcoming film festivals; the Sheffield Doc/Fest opens for submissions; Stranger Than Fiction (NYC) announces its spring season; and the always inspirational Patti Smith is lauded for her unique style.
Two POV films took top honors at the San Francisco Asian American Film Festival, which concluded on March 21. Stephanie Wang-Breal‘s Wo Ai Ni (I Love You) Mommy, which will air on POV on August 31, won the Best Documentary Feature prize (read a glowing review of the film at 8Asians.com). And In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee, by Deanne Borshay Liem, won the audience award for Best Documentary Feature. In the Matter of Cha Jung Hee airs on POV on September 14 (check your local listings).
Raves are also coming in for POV films as New Director/New Films in New York City gets underway. The film blog Hammer to Nail says that Robin Hessman‘s My Perestroika “accomplishes its mission with an impressive amount of unassuming grace” and Laura Poitras‘ The Oath “is as essential a documentary as any that will grace American screens this year.” Tickets are available on the event’s website.
The HotDocs Canadian International Documentary Festvail will be taking place in Toronto from April 29 to May 9, and this year’s festival features a retrospective and celebration of the work of Kim Longinotto, whose Hold Me Tight, Let Me Go aired on POV in 2009. Kim is the recipient of this year’s HotDoc’s Outstanding Achievement prize, and 10 of her films will be presented at the festival. Other POV filmmakers with films in Toronto include the aforementioned Laura Poitras with The Oath and Robin Hessman with My Perestroika.
The Tribeca Film Festival has announced its 2010 slate. Check out the docs that will be screened in New York City from April 21 – May 2. The Tribeca Film Institute also recently announced the 24 projects selected for Tribeca All Access, which was started to “cultivate relationships between filmmakers from traditionally underrepresented communities and film industry executives.” IndieWire has the full list of narrative and documentary filmmakers included in the program. In other Tribeca-related news, budding filmmakers can win a trip to New York City for the festival through the Best Buy Video Competition.
Across the pond, the Sheffield Doc/Fest, which takes place from November 3 – 7, 2010, is accepting submissions for films and session ideas. Visit the festival’s website for more information and details on how to submit.
The Stranger Than Fiction Documentary Series kicks off its spring season on April 6. Visit the series’ website to see the full line-up of films and buy a season pass for all ten films.
Finally, The New York Times explored POV subject Patti Smith‘s style and her influence on fashion. Patti, the subject of Steven Sebring‘s Patti Smith: Dream of Life (POV 2009), tells the Times: “My style says ‘Look at me, don’t look at me,’….It’s, ‘I don’t care what you think.'” Patti continues to be an inspiration to be those working in fashion, music and film.