April Showers Bring May... Storms?
Writers Strike, Creative IP, So Many Screenings, Comic Legends, & Jobs from Portrait
Happy Thursday, friends! You’ve almost made it through this wild week of news.
You remember: everyone got fired on Monday, another bank crashed on Tuesday, China and Ukraine talked for the first time on Wednesday, and now… well, we had to send this email before we could find out what happens today.
Who’s ready for the weekend before the Writers Strike on Monday?
We wish you a little sanity and serenity this Saturday and Sunday — and hours filled with the wacky and wonderful podcasts, music, screenings, and standout journalism from Portrait members below.
And then: once more unto the breech.
Jean Ellen and Kasia
Co-Founders, Portrait
Roll of Honor
Premieres, Press, Awards, and Standout Member Work This Week
Podcast begets Show begets Song begets Soundtrack…
The kind of unexpected ride we don’t mind. We loved seeing so many awesome IP journeys on Portrait this week, including
Svetlana! Svetlana! (Podcast). The "chaotic and absurd” story of Stalin’s only daughter got featured by THR as a “Podcast Ripe for Hollywood Adaptation.” Listen in and check out writer and producer Alison Joy’s post for more.
“Long Live The King” (Music Video). From Abigail Horton: “Recently released this LOTR-fan-inspired music video for Peter Horton. I love this video, it's a HOOT... ENJOY!
“This Time” (Soundtrack). Mirrorball’s first single from their new album got licensed for “The Graduates,” premiering at Tribeca. Check out the dreamy song from songwriter and composer Alexandra Johnstone.
Work Taking On The World This Week
El Salvador’s defense minister stands trial for a shady deal Bill Wheeler helped uncover. Bill found out this week that the attorney general relied on his book State of War to secure the arrest warrant (!).
Cassandra Giraldo shot beautiful photos for The Washington Post’s feature “The new face of Alzheimer’s: Early-stage patients who refuse to surrender.”
Director Nausheen Dadabhoy won the Khayal-Kokoro Award by Vigilant Love. “The Khayal-Kokoro award honors creatives that change hearts, minds and politics.” Congratulations, Nausheen!
The Sounds and Screams of Springtime
Short Thriller “Home at Night” screens today at the Katra Spring Festival. Autumn Moran, DP.
“32 Sounds” screens at NYC’s Film Forum tomorrow. Derek Howard, additional cinematography.
“Join or Die” screens Sunday at Independent Film Festival Boston. Rebecca Davis, Director; Chad Erwin, editor.
And don’t forget about Christine Ng’s Poker Face Screening & Q&A tonight in NYC! DM Christine on Portrait if you’d like to come last minute!
Visions Du Reel. We’re halfway through this festival! Don’t miss:
“I Did Not Want To Make A War Film.” Daniel Lombroso, producer
“Love to Love You, Donna Summer.” Roger Ross Williams, producer.
And if you missed Justin Lacob’s XTR film “Grasshopper Republic,” check out the film’s great writeup in Variety.
Hot Docs: Find your filmmaker friends. If you’re heading to Hot Docs, don’t forget to add the Hot Docs 2023 logo to your profile so others can find you at the festival. You can check out our primer on Portrait member films in the festival here.
Window of Opportunity
Weekly Jobs, Grants, Labs, Intensives, Programming, Events, and More
Programming
Lina Lyte Plioplyte, director and producer of “Periodical,” announced the launch of her filmmaker accelerator this week. Message her on Portrait for details.
Reel Abilites Film Fest kicks off with The Gotham today. April 27-May 3rd.
Doc NYC Pro: Distribution in a new Era with Keith Ochwat, May 3.
IDA: Crossing Time Zones, May 4.
Sundance Collab: Hasan Minhaj on changing the world through comedy, May 4.
IDA: Understanding Fair Use Workshop, May 11.
Coming Soon/Closing Soon: Deadlines
Hollywood Climate Summit - Pitchfest for Film and TV (4/27 deadline)
SFFILM Rainin Grant (4/28 final deadline + discount)
Urbanworld Screenplay Competition (4/28 deadline + discount)
Roy W Dean Short Film Grant (4/29 deadline + waivers)
Paramount Writers Mentoring Program (5/1 deadline)
North Star Fellowship (5/8 deadline)
Sundance Development Track (5/12 deadline)
Festival Deadlines
Doc NYC - Regular Deadline May 1
LA Shorts International Film Festival - May 5 extended deadline
New York Film Festival - Final Deadline May 5
Seattle Film Festival - Final Deadline May 7
Rhode Island International Film Festival - Next Deadline May 15
Jobs/Gigs Roundup
Senior Package Producer, CNN-The Lead with Jake Tapper. CNN.
British News team looking for a 107 certified pilot Florida/Alabama April 29 - message Ed Ou on Portrait!
End Credits Scene of the Week
I just had what was one of the best and most creatively fulfilling times in my career/life. Leading in a feature film I cowrote with my longtime collaborator and Director Morgan Evans. Got to work with some incredible comedy legends.
We loved spotting some of our favorite comedians in Patrick Noth’s post on Portrait this week. How many of them can you name?
Until next week, whatever it may hold, friends,
JE + K