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Exclusive: Freida Pinto is expanding her relationship with eOne, signing a first-look deal with the indie studio for her Freebird Films Entertainment. Under the pact, Freebird Films, run by Pinto and her producing partner Emily Verellen Strom, will develop series for broadcast, cable and streaming with a focus on content highlighting the experience of women – especially among diverse and underrepresented groups.

The deal comes as Pinto and Strom are developing as executive producers a limited series adaptation of Anuradha Bhagwati’s memoir Unbecoming for eOne, with Pinto attached to star. Freebird Films is also in negotiations for additional books and articles to adapt.

“We are delighted to partner with Freida and Emily in their vision to prioritize diverse stories about women for all audiences,” said Jacqueline Sacerio, eOne’s EVP Scripted Television. “Their combined world view and creative insight will mesh well with our goal of creating content that resonates with viewers everywhere.

Freida Pinto feels there was a time when the world ridiculed Indians for speaking so many languages and celebrating so many festivals. The actress says the world needs to imbibe the ethos of Indian culture in this "dark time".

The actress is excited about her new animated show "Mira, Royal Detective", weaved around with the Indian culture and traditions. She feels people will be amazed to look at the myriad colours and diversity of India.

Also Read:?Ayushmann Khurrana pens a shayari amid Covid-19 scare

"I think the first thing is that the world is going to be absolutely enthralled by the fact that there are so many languages and festivals that we celebrate," Freida told Ians in an interview.

"We, in the past, have been ridiculed for speaking so many languages and celebrating so many festivals. Now, they are going to see the beauty of these and then realise what they are missing on.

A film adaptation of Paul McCartney’s children’s novel, High in the Clouds, is headed to Netflix.

Per a statement, High in the Clouds tells the story of a teenage squirrel named Wirral who finds himself “pulled into a ramshackle gang of teenage rebels who live high in the clouds after he accidentally antagonizes Gretsch the owl, the tyrannical leader (and fabulous singer!), who steals the voice of anyone who upstages her.” A release date has yet to be announced.

McCartney, co-author Philip Ardagh and illustrator Geoff Dunbar published...

"Do you know what photography means?" "When you break it down, it really means drawing with light." An official trailer has debuted for a short film called A Million Eyes, the latest made by British filmmaker Richard Raymond (Desert Dancer). This first premiered at the HollyShorts Film Festival and is stopping by the Raindance Film Festival in the UK next this month. The short is about a gifted young photographer, grappling with his mother's alcoholism, who sets out to capture something he loves. This stars Elijah M. Cooper as Leroy, with Joe Morton and Katie Lowes. As a photographer myself, I adore this trailer and the way it speaks so lovingly about photographer and the power it has to capture "something you love". Hopefully this short will end up online soon, as I'd love for everyone to take just a moment and watch this. Here's the first official trailer (+ poster...

Evan Rachel Wood has been tapped to star alongside Jim Sturgess and Shinobu Terajima in “One Thousand Paper Cranes,” the story of Hiroshima survivor Sadako Sasaki and author Eleanor Coerr, who wrote the worldwide bestselling children’s book “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.”

Independent has boarded sales ahead of Cannes, where the project will be at the Marche. CAA Media Finance is handling North American rights.

Richard Raymond (“Desert Dancer”) will direct the project from Ben Bolea’s script, which was featured on the Black List. Ian Bryce (“Saving Private Ryan”) will produce alongside Richard Raymond and Irene Yeung.

Also Read: 'Frozen 2': Evan Rachel Wood, Sterling K Brown in Talks to Join Cast

“One Thousand Paper Cranes” tells the true story of Sasaki, who was a two-year-old in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped on the city in 1945. She was later diagnosed with leukemia caused by exposure to radiation from the blast.

Evan Rachel Wood will star alongside Jim Sturgess and Shinobu Terajima in “One Thousand Paper Cranes,” the story of Hiroshima survivor Sadako Sasaki and author Eleanor Coerr, who wrote the worldwide bestselling children’s book “Sadako and the Thousand Paper Cranes.” Independent has boarded sales ahead of Cannes, where the project will be at the Marche. CAA Media Finance is handling North American rights.

Richard Raymond (“Desert Dancer”) will direct from Ben Bolea’s script, which featured on the Black List, the roster of Hollywood’s hottest yet-to-be-produced screenplays. Ian Bryce (“Saving Private Ryan”) will produce alongside Richard Raymond and Irene Yeung.

The film will tell the true story of Sasaki, who was a 2-year-old in Hiroshima when the atomic bomb was dropped on the city in 1945. She was later diagnosed with leukemia caused by exposure to radiation from the blast. She drew strength from a Japanese legend that, if she folded 1,000 paper cranes,...

Exclusive: Former NBA star Caron Butler has teamed up with Desert Dancer co-producer Parisa Dunn to produce a documentary about racial inequality within the billion dollar cannabis industry. Butler, who played for the Washington Wizards, Miami Heat and La Lakers during a career that saw him become a two-time NBA All-Star, is producing The Green Dream alongside Dunn, who co-produced Freida Pinto-fronted feature Desert Dancer and has worked on docs including U.S. Drug Wars and Border Invasion USA.

Principal photography has started on the project, which will look at the “war on weed” and the disproportionate incarceration of people of color in the USA. Butler, who wrote Tuff Juice: My Journey From The Streets to the NBA and is working with Mark Wahlberg on a movie based on his life, is known for his work on U.S. justice system reform.

The film will feature exclusive interviews with politicians,...

Musician Benjamin Wallfisch is redefining the way audiences hear the sounds and feelings of movie music.

His recent scores are Desert Dancer, Hidden Figures, A Cure For Wellness, Lights Out as well as upcoming films Annabelle 2 and Bitter Harvest, so understandably it’s been a busy time over the past few years for the British film composer.

Recently Wallfisch spoke about the elements of composing and the opportunity to tell stories through his music.

Coming from a family of musicians, and classically trained at the Royal Academy of Music, Wallfisch says it was a happy accident that he discovered the sounds that have been instrumental when composing scores. “I’d spend hours examining this fascinating sound and would experiment with it, while exploring other avenues as I was learning the craft and creating electronic sounds.” What sustained him through his years of schooling and training was his love of storytelling.

Eadweard will open the Frame Festival The inaugural Frame Dance Film Festival, which will run from June 9 to 12 in Kingston-upon Thames, London, has announced its full programme of films and events.

The festival will open with Canadian drama Eadweard about photographer Eadweard Muybridge - who was born in Kingston-upon-Thames - and is often considered the "godfather of modern cinema".

The rest of the programme features a mixture of old and new movies, including classics such as Singin' In The Rain and 42nd Street, and newer releases such as Desert Dancer and Sea Without Shore. Special events will include a seminar on producing dance films and a seminar to help filmmakers hone their pitching skills.

There are also films aimed at families, including a screening of Happy Feet.

In addition, there are is the prestigious bi-annual dancescreen competition, with shortlisted features and short films screened over three days in contention. The winners will be announced.

★★☆☆☆ It's all the more disappointing for a cinemagoer when a film meant to delight in a fellow performance art falls limply flat on its face. Paired with a weakly executed, western-articulated perspective on the constraints of Iranian society, Richard Raymond's debut feature Desert Dancer is a lifeless, contrived and remarkably unengaging rallying cry for freedom of expression and self-fulfilment in the face of adversity. Caught somewhere between one of the Step Up series and an attempted expose on political oppression, the film opens with images of a man beaten black and blue by vicious kicks to the face.

Live By Night

Ben Affleck has posted the first photo from the set of "Live By Night", the adaptation of Dennis Lehane's Prohibition-era crime thriller which Affleck is both starring in and directing. The shot includes both Affleck and his cinematographer Robert Richardson in between takes conversing. The film itself is slated for release in 2017. [Source: Twitter]

The Serpent

Ciro Guerra ("Embrace Of The Serpent") has signed to make his English-language directing debut on the dystopian adventure "The Detainee" for Thunder Road Pictures and Film House Germany.

An adaptation of Peter Liney's trilogy by scribe Grant Myers ("The Maze Runner"), the story is set on an island from which there's no escape. Christian Angermayer and Basil Iwanyk will produce. [Source: Deadline]

The Ruins

Fox Searchlight and Joe Wright's Shoebox Films are teaming to develop the India-set supernatural thriller "The Ruins" with Jon Croker ("Desert Dancer," "The Woman In Black 2:...

British scribe Jon Croker ("The Woman In Black 2: The Angel of Death," "Desert Dancer") will adapt Enid Blyton's classic novel characters "The Famous Five" into a new feature and potential franchise launcher for Working Title.

Blyton is one of the biggest-selling children's authors in history with global sales of over 600 million books. She penned over twenty novels featuring the five - a group of four young children and their dog Timmy.

The first novel debuted in 1942 and Blyton released a new one annually (aside from 1959) right up until 1963. The property was previously adapted into two films in 1957 & 1964, and two TV series in 1978 and 1995.

Working Title acquired the theatrical rights to Blyton's series last year. Eric Fellner and Tim Bevan will produce.

Source: Deadline...

When a dancing icon like Hrithik Roshan praises someone’s dancing abilities and performance, there is no way that it’s anything less than spectacular. Such was what we now believe was Freida Pinto’s brilliance in her last release Desert Dancer where she plays a dance performer who’s the inspiration for the character of Afshin Ghaffarian. The film is based on his life story set at the time when dance and music was banned in Iran.

Hrithik Roshan seemed spellbound by her performance in Desert Dancer and sang her praises on a popular social networking site. Freida was very humbled by his kind gesture and shares her response here since she’s not very active on social media.

Says Pinto, “Gosh why would i ignore him? We’ve had a lovely email exchange. I did miss his call because I was travelling but it’s very kind and...

A few days ago, Hrithik Roshan decided to speak his heart out when he was left in awe of Indian-Hollywood actress Freida Pinto after seeing her performance in Desert Dancer. While the superstar, a brilliant dancer himself, took to Twitter to praise her, it was rather surprising when the actress did not respond to his tweets. When Hrithik Roshan decided to wish her personally, he apparently tried contacting her but in vain. Hrithik then took to Twitter to talk about it saying, "Has anyone out there seen 'Desert Dancer'? Pure passion ignited. Most incredible film I have seen. Such amazing actors. Bravo to d entire team. N how amazing is Frieda Pinto. Nver seen anyone dance like that. Wanted 2 wish her but she doesn't pick up my phone! Maybe she'l get this. ;)" However, it seems that somebody finally contacted actress Freida Pinto to tell her about Hrithik Roshan's best wishes.

While Hollywood accounting is known for defying the rules of logic and mathematics, you can go only so long without making money before things catch up with you, and Ryan Kavanaugh's Relativity is learning that very quickly. The studio's biggest hits in its history have been "Immortals" and "Limitless," both released in 2011, and yet, neither film cracked $85 million domestically. Since then, things have been on a steady downward decline and 2015 was particularly rough. Horror sequel "The Woman In Black 2: Angel Of Death," Kevin Costner race drama "Black Or White," low budget scare flick "The Lazarus Effect" and something called "Desert Dancer" were all released. None made more than $26 million ("Desert Desert" barely crossed $150,000), and it was only 'Lazarus Effect' that made anything resembling a profit with its paltry $3.3 million budget. However, the vultures have been circling for Relativity and now they need to start bailing...

Freida Pinto would like two poached eggs, but the trouble is, only one arrived with her avocado toast and salad. Protein, she says, is essential on a day like today. With impeccable manners, 30-year-old Pinto asks for her order to be corrected. I feel for the woman. She's working through lunch and talking with me at the restaurant in New York's Crosby Street Hotel during what's an already long press day for her new film, Desert Dancer. Source: Popsugar Photography / Allie Merriam Without further ado, another egg arrives. All is well. Getting Desert Dancer to theaters has taken some time. The movie, which began filming almost three years ago, is about a group of friends in Iran whose shared passion for dance leads to trouble. It's loosely based on the true story of the performer Afshin Ghaffarian. The film became something of a passion project for Pinto, who undertook a year of rigorous dance study,...

In Desert Dancer, Freida Pinto plays a dancer who joins an underground dance company in Iran, where there’s a ban on the art. Freida Pinto On ‘Desert Dancer’ Pinto’s character Elaheh joins the passionate Afshin Ghaffarian (Reece Ritchie), who has great ambitions of succeeding as a dancer, despite his country’s ban. In many of her scenes, Pinto has […]

The post Freida Pinto On ‘Desert Dancer,’ Iran’s Ban On Dancing appeared first on uInterview.

This is an unexpected but beautiful, inspiring film. It tells the very human story of youth yearning to express themselves through art (in this case as dancers) who end up through no wish or foresight as socially dangerous protesters against a tyrannical, arbitrarily repressive government.

Iran is such an interesting country with one of the oldest cultures in the world. It was fascinating to see youth whose only wish was to create art being pulled into social protest. In recent years from abroad we have studied the various moves politically of their conservative oppressive government. I have always wondered what the youth, artists and intellectuals were and are going through there. This film brings us inside, up close.

"Desert Dancer" by Richard Raymond follows the true, inspiring story of a brave Iranian dancer, Afshin Ghaffarian.

Set in Tehran during the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election and the start of the “Green Movement,” Afshin and a group of dancers (including “Elaheh” played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company.

One of the most socially dangerous things they do is to go on the forbidden internet to look at online dance videos.

With what little access to the Internet they had, the group discovers music and dance videos that were banned from viewing in their country.

The group learns various forms, techniques and styles of dance from timeless legends like Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Inspired by these newfound heroes, they stage their own performances and uncover a passion for dance and one another.

While the political and cultural backdrop of "Desert Dancer" is very unique to the time and place, the struggle to overcome oppression— whether from a government or from within— proves universal.

"Desert Dancer" stars Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Tom Cullen, Nazanin Boniadi and Makram J. Khoury. Director: Richard Raymond; Screenplay: Jon Croker, based on the life story of Afshin Ghaffarian; Producers: Pippa Cross, Fabiola Beracasa, Izabella Miko, Luis Astorquia

International Sales are being handled by 6 Sales. Rights have been sold to the following territories: Germany (Senator Enterta), Hong Kong (Cinehub), South Kore (Sookie Pictures), Lebanon (Italia Film), Russia (Exponenta Films), Spain (Betta Pictures), Turkey (Kurmaca Film), U.S.A. (Relativity Media).

As I say in my video review above, Richard Raymond’s directorial debut Desert Dancer is an inspiring true story set in the extremely dangerous period around the 2009 Iran presidential election, when a group young people went underground and created a dance troupe in a country that bans this kind — basically all kinds — of creative expression. Even access to the Internet was denied, but they found a way to see videos of dance legends such as Gene Kelly, Rudolph Nureyev and…...

Chicago – What does anyone understand about regimes outside their political or moral universe? The setting is Iran, the time is during their controversial 2009 elections and the medium is dance as expression. Combining those elements was the challenge for director Richard Raymond, in his debut film “Desert Dancer.”

The film creates an allegory, using dance as a symbol for breaking free of government oppression, and is based on the true story of Afshin Ghaffarian, portrayed by Reece Ritchie. Like the 2014 film “Rosewater,” it uses the 2009 elections in Iran as a backdrop, and the constant vigilance of the “morality police” as a arbiter. Director Richard Raymond and screenwriter Jon Croker tell a simple story, but punctuate that story with two vital dance numbers, that say more about the events than the events themselves.

Director Richard Raymond on Location for ‘Desert Dancer’

Photo credit: Relativity Media

The British born Richard Raymond has an superhero-like movie origin story.

This weekend, the lives of a young couple intertwine with an older man as he reflects on a lost love in "The Longest Ride," and Oscar Isaac stars as a tech genius developing a groundbreaking experiment in artificial intelligence by evaluating the human qualities of a breathtaking female A.I. in "Ex Machina."

Also in theaters this weekend: "Kill Me Three Times" stars Simon Pegg as a professional hit-man who finds himself in three tales of murder, blackmail, and revenge after a botched contract assignment. Directed by Ryan Gosling, "Lost River" follows a single mother who is swept into a dark underworld, while her teenage son discovers a road that leads him to a secret town. In "Desert Dancer," a dancer risks everything to start a dance company amidst his home country of Iran's politically volatile climate and that nation's ban on dancing. In "Clouds of Sils Maria," a veteran...

Stepping out for some promotional duties, Freida Pinto showed up at the Baccarat Hotel in Manhattan on Tuesday evening (April 7).

Joined by Director Richard Raymond, the “Slumdog Millionaire” was in the house for the premiere of her new flick “Desert Dancer,” and she looked stunning in a purple lace frock as she posed for photos.

“Desert Dancer” is slated to hit theaters on Friday, April 10th. Per the synopsis, “Afshin Ghaffarian risks everything to start a dance company amidst his home country of Iran's politically volatile climate and the nation's ban on dancing.”...

Freida Pinto picked a feminine lavender number for the Desert Dancer premiere, which was held at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City Tuesday night. Freida Pinto’s Lavender Look Pinto, 30, wore a pale purple Elie Saab dress from the brand’s Spring 2014 Couture collection. The skirt on the dress boasted volume, which was […]

The post Freida Pinto Dons Elie Saab For ‘Desert Dancer’ Screening appeared first on uInterview.

There's not quite as much desert and dancing as you might expect in Desert Dancer, an earnest and occasionally hokey drama about kids wanting to hoof it in a world that forbids all hoofin'. Since it's a based-on-a-true-story job, and since the killjoys this time are the Iranian government, much of its 110 minutes are given to rallies against that election-thief Ahmadinejad and to beatdowns of protesters by fundamentalist thugs. Amid such real-world turmoil, the usual dance-flick character drama feels stagey and small, with incidental obstacles too easily thwarted — at times, as the film's college-aged dancers rehearse and fall for each other and discover that in movement they at last have a voice, this could be Footloose II: The Town Wants a Nuke. When ...

Chicago – In the latest HollywoodChicago.com Hookup: Film, we have 30 pairs of advance-screening movie passes up for grabs to the new biography/drama “Desert Dancer” starring Freida Pinto and Reece Ritchie based on the inspiring true story of Afshin Ghaffarian!

“Desert Dancer,” which opens on April 10, 2015 and is rated “PG-13,” also stars Tom Cullen, Makram Khoury, Nazanin Boniadi, Simon Kassianides, Akin Gazi, Marama Corlett and Tolga Safer from director Richard Raymond and writer Jon Croker based on the life story of Afshin Ghaffarian.

To win your free “Desert Dancer” passes courtesy of HollywoodChicago.com, just get interactive with our social media widget below. That’s it! This screening is on Monday, April 6, 2015 at 7 p.m. in downtown Chicago. The more social actions you complete, the more points you score and the higher yours odds of winning! Completing these social actions only increases your odds of winning; this doesn’t intensify your competition!

Copyright Desert Dancer Productions Ltd 2014

Relativity Studios has released a new, behind-the-scenes featurette for their upcoming film Desert Dancer. The movie stars Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Tom Cullen, Nazanin Boniadi and Makram J. Khoury.

Check out the featurette now for an inside look at the cast’s dance rehearsals with acclaimed choreographer Akram Khan.

The video features Benjamin Wallfisch’s original score throughout.

Set in Iran, this powerful and unbelievable true story follows the brave ambition of Afshin Ghaffarian. During the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms were threatened, Afshin and some friends (including Elaheh played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company.

Through banned online videos, they learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to embrace their...

Based on the life story of dancer Afshin Ghaffarian, Desert Dancer star Freida Pino and Reece Ritchie as the real-life Iranian dancer who risked his life to form an underground dance company in Tehran during the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election and start of the “Green Movement. Check out new images and the movie poster for the new movie opening April 10, 2015.

"Dancing is forbidden. So if you're going to do it, you do it somewhere safe." Despite what Footloose may have you believe, it's pretty ridiculous to live in a place in the United States where dancing is forbidden. Of course, you may not realize this, but around the world, not everyone has that same kind of freedom. Desert Dancer sets out to tell the true story of a young man who's a gifted dancer, but finds his skills stifled by the oppressive government of his homeland in Iran. And much like Kevin Bacon, he uses his dancing to make a statement, creating a secret group with other brave dancers for a performance out in the desert. Watch! Here's the trailer for Richard Raymond's Desert Dancer from Relativity Media:...

Unless you’re a character in Footloose, it’s easy to take dancing for granted in the U.S. But the characters of Desert Dancer don’t have that luxury. Set in modern-day Iran, the fact-based drama follows Afshin Ghaffarian, a young man (played by Reece Ritchie) whose gift for dance is stifled by an oppressive government. Instead of tamping down […]

The post ‘Desert Dancer’ Trailer: A Young Man Risks His Life for Art in Modern-Day Iran appeared first on /Film.

By Scott Feinberg

The Hollywood Reporter

The 30th Santa Barbara International Film Festival kicked off on Tuesday night with the North American premiere of Richard Raymond’s feature directorial debut Desert Dancer, a drama based on the true story of a young aspiring dancer in present-day Iran, where dance is banned. (Think Rosewater meets Footloose or Dirty Dancing, in the best sense.)

More than 2,000 moviegoers packed Santa Barbara’s historic Arlington Theatre for the screening, which was attended by Raymond and his stars Reece Ritchie (who looks and dances like a young Michael Jackson), Freida Pinto (Slumdog Millionaire) and Tom Cullen (Downton Abbey) — and was very well received.

Read the rest of this entry…...

Save The Last Dance was one of my favorite movies when I was growing up. It wasn't just because Julie Stiles looked awesome dancing in circles, but the combination of dance and a struggling environment was a powerful one*. And that's what Desert Dancer, a new film by Richard Raymond, seems to bring to the table: dance and struggle.

The setting is Iran, and the story follows Afshin Ghaffarian and some friends (one of which is Elaheh, played by Frieda Pinto) who risk their lives and form an underground dance company. This is a true story, set during the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms, like dance, were threatened.

Through banned online videos, the group learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to...

Frieda Pinto and Reece Ritchie star in the first trailer for Relativity Media’s Desert Dancer. See this film when it’s released in theaters this Spring.

Set in Iran, this powerful and unbelievable true story follows the brave ambition of Afshin Ghaffarian. During the volatile climate of the 2009 presidential election, where many cultural freedoms were threatened, Afshin and some friends (including Elaheh played by Freida Pinto) risk their lives and form an underground dance company.

Through banned online videos, they learn from timeless legends who cross all cultural divides, such as Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev. Afshin and Elaheh also learn much from each other, most importantly how to embrace their passion for dance and for one another.

Desert Dancer opens in select theaters on April 10, 2015, and expands into theaters nationwide on April 17th, 2015.

Learn more about Desert Dancer on:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/desertdancerthemovie

Twitter: https://twitter.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival will kick off Opening Night with the U.S. Premiere of Relativity Studios’ Desert Dancer at the historic Arlington Theatre on Tuesday, January 27, 2015.Directed by Richard Raymond and starring Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Cullen and Marmama Corlett, Desert Dancer tells the true story of a self-taught dancer pursuing a dream in a suppressed society.“Raymond has delivered an extremely timely and thought-provoking movie about love, truth and the freedom that comes from following your passions,” stated Roger Durling, Sbiff Executive Director. “What better way to kick off our 30th anniversary!” For the […]...

Today's MPAA ratings bulletin brings us a slew of PG-13 ratings beginning with an expected PG-13 for The Divergent Series: Insurgent, which apparently includes "some sensuality"... Oooh la la... We also have a PG-13 for Gus Van Sant's new movie The Sea of Trees starring Matthew McConaughey, Ken Watanabe and Naomi Watts as well as one more PG-13 for M. Night Shyamalan's latest low budget feature The Visit. We also get an official rating for the forthcoming IMAX release of "Game of Thrones", which will begin playing in upwards of 200 IMAX theaters at 10 Pm on January 29, featuring two episodes from season four of "Game of Thrones" followed by the worldwide debut of the series' season five sneak-peek preview created exclusively for IMAX. Might be fun for the die-hard fans, though not ending it with the first episode of the fifth season seems a bit like a cheat. The complete bulletin is directly below.

The Santa Barbara International Film Festival has unveiled its 2015 line-up which includes films representing 54 countries, 23 world premieres and 53 U.S. premieres. The U.S. premiere of Niki Caro’s McFarland USA will close out the 30th fest. Based on the 1987 true story and starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello, the film follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s farm-rich Central Valley, as they give their all to build a cross-country team under the direction of Coach Jim White (Costner), a newcomer to their predominantly Latino high school. The unlikely band of runners overcomes the odds to forge not only a championship cross-country team but an enduring legacy as well.

The festival runs from January 27-February 7.

Below is the list of World and U.S. Premiere films followed by the list of titles by sidebar categories.

World Premieres

A Better You, USA

Directed by Matt Walsh

Cast: Brian Huskey,...

A self-acknowledged "showcase for Academy Award frontrunners," the Santa Barbara International Film Festival is often overlooked for the actual films that earn it festival status. An amalgamation of international discoveries and ’merica’s circuit highlights, the Sbiff curates a week of best-of-the-best to pair with their star-praising. The 2015 edition offers another expansive selection, bookended by two films that aren’t on any radars just yet. Sbiff will open with "Desert Dancer," producer Richard Raymond’s directorial debut. Starring Reece Ritchie and Frieda Pinto, the drama follows a group of friends who wave off the harsh political climate of Iran’s 2009 presidential election in favor of forming a dance team, picking up moves from Michael Jackson, Gene Kelly and Rudolf Nureyev thanks to the magic of YouTube. The festival will close with "McFarland, USA," starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello. Telling the 1987 true story of a Latino high school’s underdog cross-country team,...

Along with its annual awards season tributes, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival (January 27-February 7) presents an array of premieres and hot titles off the festival circuit. The fest will kick off with the Us premiere of "Desert Dancer," Richard Raymond's story of an Iranian underground dance company during the volatile 2009 presidential election. Sbiff will close with Disney's "McFarland, USA." Directed by Niki Caro and starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello, the film follows novice runners from McFarland, an economically challenged town in California’s Central Valley as they build a cross-country team under Coach Jim White (Kevin Costner). This year's edition includes tributes to Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones, Patricia Arquette and Ethan Hawke, Michael Keaton, Jennifer Aniston, Steve Carell and more. Highlights from the Special Presentations section include Oscar-contending docs "Citizenfour," "Life Itself" and "Keep...

The 30th Santa Barbara International Film Festival will showcase 23 world premieres and 53 Us premieres in its selections from 54 countries.

The festival will kick off on January 27 with the Us premiere of Richard Raymond’s Desert Dancer and wrap on February 7 with Niki Caro’s McFarland (pictured) starring Kevin Costner and Maria Bello.

World premiere selections include Jonny Zwick’s Breach, Galen Knowles’ Far From Home, Brad Hall’s Generosity Of The Eye and George Butler’s Tiger, Tiger.

Among other honourees, The Theory Of Everything co-stars Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones will receive the Cinema Vanguard Award and Michael Keaton the Modern Master Award.

For full details click here.

A new trailer is now online for Tom Harper’s The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, the next installment of the most successful British horror film of all time. The film stars Jeremy Irvine, Phoebe Fox, Sophie Okonedo, Helen McCrory, and Oaklee Pendergast.

The Woman in Black: Angel Of Death continues the original film’s story: four decades have passed since Arthur Kipps, as played by Daniel Radcliffe, travelled to Eel Marsh House.

The film is set up in 1941 as bombs rain down on London during the Blitz of World War II, a group of school children are evacuated with Eve, their young and beautiful schoolteacher, to the safety of the English countryside. Taken to an old and empty estate, cut-off by a causeway from the mainland, they are left at Eel Marsh House.

One by one the children begin acting strangely and Eve, with the help of local military commander Harry,...

"In the marsh lies a house, abandoned for years, there hides a darkness beyond all fears." Following the two full theatrical trailers that debuted last month, another quick tease for the forthcoming horror sequel, The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, has just arrived. It's only a minute long, but there's some solid spooky imagery here, mostly focusing on the group of refugee kids staying in the house encountering various scariness. The first film was a decent entry into gothic horror, but here's hoping the sequel offers something to up the ante a bit and doesn't suffer from the lack of Daniel Radcliffe this time around. Watch below now! Here's the latest trailer for The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, originally from Fandango: Watch the previous full trailers from the United Kingdom and the United States right here. The Woman in Black: Angel of Death is...

Relativity Studios has just released the official posters for the upcoming horror movie The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, the next installment of the most successful British horror film of all time. The film stars Jeremy Irvine, Phoebe Fox, Sophie Okonedo, Helen McCrory, and Oaklee Pendergast.

The Woman in Black: Angel Of Death continues the original film’s story: four decades have passed since Arthur Kipps, as played by Daniel Radcliffe, travelled to Eel Marsh House.

The film is set up in 1941 as bombs rain down on London during the Blitz of World War II, a group of school children are evacuated with Eve, their young and beautiful schoolteacher, to the safety of the English countryside. Taken to an old and empty estate, cut-off by a causeway from the mainland, they are left at Eel Marsh House.

One by one the children begin acting strangely and Eve, with the...

Birdman, Fury and Leviathan among main competition titles; Roland Joffé to preside over main jury.

Alejandro G Ińárritu, Yimou Zhang, Mike Leigh and Jean-Marc Vallée are among the directors with films screening in competition at the 22nd Camerimage (Nov 15-22), the International Film Festival of the Art of Cinematography.

The main competition at the festival, held in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz, comprises:

Alejandro G Ińárritu’s Birdman (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance); USA, 2014; Cinematographer: Emmanuel Lubezki

Yimou Zhang’s Coming Home (Gui lai); China, 2014; Cinematographer: Zhao Xiaoding

Richard Raymond’s Desert Dancer; UK, 2014; Cinematographer: Carlos Catalán Alucha

Lech J. Majewski’s Field of Dogs - Onirica (Onirica - Psie pole); Poland, 2014; Cinematographers: Paweł Tybora and Lech J. Majewski

Krzysztof Zanussi’s Foreign Body (Obce cialo); Poland, Italy, Russia, 2014; Cinematographer: Piotr Niemyjski

David Ayer’s Fury; USA, 2014; Cinematographer: Roman Vasyanov

Tate Taylor’s Get on Up; USA, 2014; Cinematographer: Stephen Goldblatt

Łukasz Palkowski’s Gods (Bogowie); Poland, 2014; Cinematographer:...

A new full trailer is now online for Tom Harper’s The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, the next installment of the most successful British horror film of all time. The film stars Jeremy Irvine, Phoebe Fox, Sophie Okonedo, Helen McCrory, and Oaklee Pendergast.

The Woman in Black: Angel Of Death continues the original film’s story: four decades have passed since Arthur Kipps, as played by Daniel Radcliffe, travelled to Eel Marsh House.

The film is set up in 1941 as bombs rain down on London during the Blitz of World War II, a group of school children are evacuated with Eve, their young and beautiful schoolteacher, to the safety of the English countryside. Taken to an old and empty estate, cut-off by a causeway from the mainland, they are left at Eel Marsh House.

One by one the children begin acting strangely and Eve, with the help of local military commander Harry,...

The Stockholm International Film Festival has unveiled the programme for its 25th edition, with more than 200 films from 60+ countries screening from Nov 5-16.

The festival opens with Mikael Marcimain’s hotly anticipated adaptation of Klas Östergren’s postwar Swedish classic Gentlemen [pictured].

Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Birdman will be the centerpiece film of the festival and Jean-Marc Vallee’s Wild will close.

“We are extra proud to present a record breaking program when celebrating our 25th anniversary,” said festival director Git Scheynius.

This year’s spotlight theme is hope, and films selected in that programme include Richard Raymond’s Desert Dancer, Hong Khaou’s Lilting, Shira Geffen’s Self Made and Stephen Daldry’s Trash.

Uma Thurman will be honoured with the Stockholm Achievement Award and give a public talk followed by a screening of Kill Bill 1 & 2.

Mike Leigh will also be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award and will give a talk and screen Mr. Turner.

Ai...

Hammer has released the new trailer for The Woman in Black: Angel of Death, the next installment of the most successful British horror film of all time. The film stars Jeremy Irvine, Phoebe Fox, Sophie Okonedo, Helen McCrory, and Oaklee Pendergast.

The Woman in Black: Angel Of Death continues the original film’s story: four decades have passed since Arthur Kipps, as played by Daniel Radcliffe, travelled to Eel Marsh House.

The film is set up in 1941 as bombs rain down on London during the Blitz of World War II, a group of school children are evacuated with Eve, their young and beautiful schoolteacher, to the safety of the English countryside. Taken to an old and empty estate, cut-off by a causeway from the mainland, they are left at Eel Marsh House.

One by one the children begin acting strangely and Eve, with the help of local military commander Harry,...

By Scott Feinberg

The Hollywood Reporter

Richard Raymond‘s Desert Dancer, a drama about a young dancer in present-day Iran that stars Slumdog Millionaire‘s Freida Pinto, will kick off the 30th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the historic Arlington Theatre on Jan. 27, 2015, the fest’s organizers announced this week. Sbiff also announced that its Attenborough Award for Excellence in Nature Filmmaking, which hasn’t been presented in five years, will go to the Cousteau family.

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NY Daily News truly absurd photos of John Malkovich recreating famous images of Marilyn Monroe, Bette Davis, and less glitzy iconic art, too, like Piss Christ and American Gothic

Slate great piece on why we need less reboots and more original genre fiction - interesting points made that aren't just the usual bitching

Pink is the New Blog Channing Tatum inviting fans to be part of Magic Mike Xxl

The Film Stage an interview with director Pawel Pawlikowski on his Polish hit Ida

Interview talks to the director of Wild Tales, which I loved at Tiff, Damián Szifrón

Shark Robot Avengers as cold cereal t-shirts. The best ones are clearly Thorrios and Loki Charms 'bifrosted!"

In Contention another reason to love Virginia Madsen besides that immortal wine monologue from Sideways - she loves the classic Network. She loves it lots

Variety Looks like it's Rachel McAdams, Vince Vaughn, Colin Farrell...

Richard Raymond's Desert Dancer, a drama about a young dancer in present-day Iran that stars Slumdog Millionaire's Freida Pinto, will kick off the 30th Santa Barbara International Film Festival at the historic Arlington Theatre on Jan. 27, 2015, the fest's organizers announced this week. Sbiff also announced that its Attenborough Award for Excellence in Nature Filmmaking, which hasn't been presented in five years, will go to the Cousteau family. Desert Dancer, which is based on the life story of Afshin Ghaffarian, will be released by Relativity Studios in select cities on March 20 before expanding wider on March 27.

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Relativity Studios’ Desert Dancer will open the 30th annual Santa Barbara International Film Festival, set to run from January 27-February 7.

Richard Raymond directs Freida Pinto, Reece Ritchie, Nazanin Boniadi, Tom Cullen and Marmama Corlett in the story of a self-taught dancer pursuing her dreams in a suppressed society.

The Attenborough Award For Excellence In Nature Filmmaking will go to the Cousteau Family – Jean-Michel and his son and daughter Fabien and Celine.

The Santa Barbara Film Festival is sending out announcements. That must mean it’s Oscar season officially. The first of their special announcements is the Us premiere of Richard Raymond’s Desert Dancer,...