After the legal threats, a surprise appearance to kick off TIFF
Plus: Beetlejuice and Brandy return to theaters; Cinematographers talk shop at Venice; Oscar contenders out of Telluride; new September deadlines
Happy Thursday, friends.
TIFF kicks off today! We’re celebrating the 340+ Portrait members with films at the fest at our TIFF industry mixer, alongside our cohost PostCredit and sponsor United Airlines. Hope to see you Sunday! Some plane reading for those en route:
And… after all the backroom controversies and legal threats: Donald Trump drama The Apprentice to make surprise TIFF appearance.
Not heading to Toronto? It’s a big week for theatrical premieres and acquisitions -plus news from Venice, Telluride and more. Let’s dive in.
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Awards, and More. Say hello to featured members on the app.
What to Watch This Weekend
Life, Death, and Daughters
Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. “Tim Burton's triumphant return is rightfully deranged” (Mashable). Tom Coxon, Asst. Art Director; Jo Barker, Dailies Colorist. In Theaters Friday.
His Three Daughters. “Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen and Natasha Lyonne astound as siblings… whose only common ground is the impending death before them” (Huffington Post). Roxy Toporowych, Set Decorator; Thomas Emmet Ashton, Asst. Editor; Jordi Nus, Musician: Violin. In Theaters Friday.
The Queen of My Dreams. “It’s Mirza’s personal connection to the story that makes it charming, moving, and magnetic… reflects the tumult of mothers and daughters” (IndieWire). Fawzia Mirza, Director; Andria Wilson Mirza, Jason Levangie, Producers; Kamil Chima, Carol Noronha, Alexander Stegmaier, EPs; Matt Irwin, Cinematographer; Simone Smith, Editor; Alysha Brilla, Composer; Ali A. Kazmi, Cast; Arshad Khan, Associate Producer; Dominic Fegan, Property Master. Apple TV+.
The Lives of Comedians: A Serious Look
All I've Got And Then Some. “A multi-layered portrait of doing whatever it takes to keep the dream alive”(Film Inquiry). Tehben Dean, Director, Writer, Producer; Lisa Mazzotta, EP. In Theaters Friday.
I Used To Be Funny. “A sympathetic portrait of someone learning to cope with the tragedies of life and embrace their funny side despite it all” (RogerEbert.com). Ally Pankiw, Director, Writer, EP; Courtney Mitchell, Costume Designer; Ciara Vernon, Production Designer. Netflix.
Horror: Don’t Get Stuck in These Rooms
The Front Room. “A horror-adjacent psychological thriller that eludes traditional genre trappings” (ScreenRant). Del Toro, Camera Operator; Adam Reichardt, Grip. In Theaters Friday.
Red Rooms. “[Juliette Gariépy’s] performance of pure sociopathic intensity is what makes this serial-killer horror stand out” (The Guardian). Marilou Richer, Extras Casting; Maxwell McCabe-Lokos, Cast. In Theaters Friday.
Documentary: Uncovering Unspeakable Events
The Mother of All Lies. “An astonishing work whose maturity comes from El Moudir’s wide-eyed approach to her family history” (Variety). Asmae El Moudir, Director, Writer; George Christopoulos, Music Supervisor; Mina Nabil, Colorist. In Theaters Friday.
Bad Press. “Searing look at how local politics are at odds with the freedom of the press in the Muscogee (Creek) Nation” (RogerEbert.com). Joe Peeler, Director; Tyler Graim, Producer, Editor; Conrad Beilharz, Producer; Garrett Baker, Producer; Jean Rheem, Editor; Sylvia Desrochers, PR; Charles Elmore, Camera Operator; Randy Redroad, Story Editor; Shawna Schultz, Motion Graphics EP; Edward Wardrip, Asst. Editor. Criterion Channel.
Venice: It’s the end of week one! Check out Will Stone and Robert Kolodny’s interviews, and say hi to Portrait members and filmmakers on the app.
Telluride: Check out the Oscar Contenders Wrap Up and see the films and film teams on the Portrait app.
Sheffield: Queer Realities Director's Lab Cohort announced. Congrats to Portrait members Eloise King, Neelu Bhuman, and Romain Beck.
Points North: 2024 Fellows. See selected Portrait members in the app.
What We’re Reading
Production assistants launch bid for unionization With LiUNA
DirecTV Says Disney blackout has no easy resolution, even with NFL starting
In Acquisitions News
WILLA acquires La Cocina. Elizabeth Woodward, Founder and CEO of WILLA.
Metrograph Pictures acquires Happyend. Bill Kirstein, Cinematographer; Ema Ryan Yamazaki, EP.
True Colours acquires U Are the Universe. Volodymyr Yatsenko, Producer; Alla Samoilenko, Casting Director.
MUBI acquires The End. Amy Gardner, Associate Producer; Martina Silcock, Consulting Producer; Josh Schmidt, Music Producer; Spencer Myers, Associate Producer; Frauke Firl, Costume Designer.
Briarcliff Entertainment acquires The Apprentice. Philip Hunt, Niamh Fagan, EPs; Brian Hill, Editor; Addyson Douglas, Cast.
Window of Opportunity 🔍
Check out the Discover Tab on Portrait for grants, programs, festivals, and jobs.
Closing Soon: Fall Deadlines
Have an opportunity to share? Post it on the app or fill out our form.
Mountainfilm Emerging Filmmaker Fellowship (9/5 deadline)
Loreen Arbus Grant (9/6 deadline)
US in Progress (9/8 deadline)
MacDowell Fellowships (9/10 deadline)
AFI DWW+ (9/13 deadline)
WiM Short Film Grants (9/15 deadline)
Toronto Arts Council Program (9/15 deadline)
The Gotham Awards (9/19 deadline)
From Script to PrePro Lab (9/22 deadline)
Voices with Impact Grant (9/26 deadline)
Working Films Impact Kickstart (9/26 deadline)
Lynn Shelton Grant (9/27 deadline)
Cannes Film Festival Residence (9/30 deadline)
Black Public Media Open Call (9/30 deadline)
The Athena List (9/30 deadline)
Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Have a job to share? Share it on the app or fill out our form.
Freelance Vice President, Physical Production, FOX Entertainment.
Art Director, Sweet Spot Media.
VP, Creative Development, Sony Pictures.
Account Director, Branded Content, Omaha Productions.
EVP, Visual Effects, Warner Bros. Discovery.
Effects Supervisor, Disney.
Original Development Sr Specialist, Sony Pictures.
Associate Professor of Film, SUNY.
Sr. Producer, Limited Series, Wondery.
Director of Cinematography, ON1Y Network.
End Credits: Portrait Post of the Week
Until next week, friends. See you on Portrait.
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