Exclusive: Randy Kiyan, the talent and literary manager most recently serving as the head of literary at Luber Roklin Entertainment, today announced the launch of his own management company, Ronin Entertainment.
Kiyan told Deadline that the company “will embody a sleek and nimble mentality that is best served to advocate and support artists in this ever-evolving entertainment landscape.” He added that the trust he shares with clients stems from “a mandate of clear communication of goals, and a passion to tell inclusive stories for broad audiences. We are unified in our commitment to integrity of our artform.”
Kiyan went on to express his gratitude to Luber Roklin principals Matt Luber and Lena Roklin “for taking a chance on me and providing the foundation and freedom to grow my business over the years, as well as my mentors, friends, and colleagues for their continued support. I have always admired the entrepreneurial...
Kiyan told Deadline that the company “will embody a sleek and nimble mentality that is best served to advocate and support artists in this ever-evolving entertainment landscape.” He added that the trust he shares with clients stems from “a mandate of clear communication of goals, and a passion to tell inclusive stories for broad audiences. We are unified in our commitment to integrity of our artform.”
Kiyan went on to express his gratitude to Luber Roklin principals Matt Luber and Lena Roklin “for taking a chance on me and providing the foundation and freedom to grow my business over the years, as well as my mentors, friends, and colleagues for their continued support. I have always admired the entrepreneurial...
- 10/25/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
MSNBC Films has boarded Trevor Noah’s documentary series The Tipping Point and will air on it on its linear news channel and Peacock this fall.
The series brings together a number of independent films about tipping points that created significant changes in the world from directors and executive producers such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Angelina Jolie and Kat Graham.
The Tipping Point is produced by Time Studios, Noah’s Day Zero, Sugar23, and P&g Studios.
Films also come from the likes of Orlando Von Einsiedel, Sam Feder and Daresha Kyi.
Topics include: How is the growing American political divide-fueled by partisan television and disinformation–threatening to upend our time-honored democracy? How is voting legislation currently being introduced in states nationwide threatening to disenfranchise millions of voters? How have the growing number of internally displaced people–partnered with burgeoning anti-immigrant sentiments-created a condition of crisis around the globe?
The series is...
The series brings together a number of independent films about tipping points that created significant changes in the world from directors and executive producers such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Angelina Jolie and Kat Graham.
The Tipping Point is produced by Time Studios, Noah’s Day Zero, Sugar23, and P&g Studios.
Films also come from the likes of Orlando Von Einsiedel, Sam Feder and Daresha Kyi.
Topics include: How is the growing American political divide-fueled by partisan television and disinformation–threatening to upend our time-honored democracy? How is voting legislation currently being introduced in states nationwide threatening to disenfranchise millions of voters? How have the growing number of internally displaced people–partnered with burgeoning anti-immigrant sentiments-created a condition of crisis around the globe?
The series is...
- 4/28/2022
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Cinema Eye Honors, an influential bellwether in the race for documentary awards, kicked off its 15th year with non-fiction award-winners announced at its annual Los Angeles lunch attended by many top filmmakers. Steve James’ five-part Chicago series “City So Real,” and Spike Lee’s filmed portrait of David Byrne’s Broadway show “American Utopia” lead the Cinema Eye Honors broadcast nominations list with three nods apiece. “David Byrne’s American Utopia” is one of five films up for Outstanding Broadcast Film, while “City So Real” joins five other series in the Nonfiction Series category. Both projects were nominated for Outstanding Broadcast Editing and Cinematography.
“It is notable that both of this year’s most nominated Broadcast entries are part of the creative legacy of Diane Weyermann,” said Cinema Eye Founding Director Aj Schnack. The beloved documentary veteran, who died last week, was an Executive Producer on both “City So Real” and “American Utopia.
“It is notable that both of this year’s most nominated Broadcast entries are part of the creative legacy of Diane Weyermann,” said Cinema Eye Founding Director Aj Schnack. The beloved documentary veteran, who died last week, was an Executive Producer on both “City So Real” and “American Utopia.
- 10/20/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
Cinema Eye Honors, an influential bellwether in the race for documentary awards, kicked off its 15th year with non-fiction award-winners announced at its annual Los Angeles lunch attended by many top filmmakers. Steve James’ five-part Chicago series “City So Real,” and Spike Lee’s filmed portrait of David Byrne’s Broadway show “American Utopia” lead the Cinema Eye Honors broadcast nominations list with three nods apiece. “David Byrne’s American Utopia” is one of five films up for Outstanding Broadcast Film, while “City So Real” joins five other series in the Nonfiction Series category. Both projects were nominated for Outstanding Broadcast Editing and Cinematography.
“It is notable that both of this year’s most nominated Broadcast entries are part of the creative legacy of Diane Weyermann,” said Cinema Eye Founding Director Aj Schnack. The beloved documentary veteran, who died last week, was an Executive Producer on both “City So Real” and “American Utopia.
“It is notable that both of this year’s most nominated Broadcast entries are part of the creative legacy of Diane Weyermann,” said Cinema Eye Founding Director Aj Schnack. The beloved documentary veteran, who died last week, was an Executive Producer on both “City So Real” and “American Utopia.
- 10/20/2021
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Image Source: YouTube user Netflix
On June 19, 2020, Netflix released a documentary, Disclosure, which examines 100 years of transgender depictions in film and television. With Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black) as executive producer and Sam Feder as director, the documentary shows the connections between trans representation on screen, society's beliefs, and the reality of trans lives - revealing "how Hollywood both reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender."
In the wake of the backlash over Dave Chappelle's The Closer special and amid the Oct. 20 walkout from Netflix employees in support of the trans community, people are encouraging viewers to watch Disclosure in solidarity. "Today some will be boycotting Netflix in solidarity, some will be watching @Disclosure_Doc, some will be attending the rally. Above all, I hope people listen to the concerns of the employees & community, hear the challenges to do better & commit to change," Disclosure producer Alex Schmider tweeted on Wednesday.
On June 19, 2020, Netflix released a documentary, Disclosure, which examines 100 years of transgender depictions in film and television. With Laverne Cox (Orange Is the New Black) as executive producer and Sam Feder as director, the documentary shows the connections between trans representation on screen, society's beliefs, and the reality of trans lives - revealing "how Hollywood both reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender."
In the wake of the backlash over Dave Chappelle's The Closer special and amid the Oct. 20 walkout from Netflix employees in support of the trans community, people are encouraging viewers to watch Disclosure in solidarity. "Today some will be boycotting Netflix in solidarity, some will be watching @Disclosure_Doc, some will be attending the rally. Above all, I hope people listen to the concerns of the employees & community, hear the challenges to do better & commit to change," Disclosure producer Alex Schmider tweeted on Wednesday.
- 10/20/2021
- by Angela Law
- Popsugar.com
Sundance Institute launched the inaugural Trans Possibilities Intensive and announced the first six artists who will participate in the three-day virtual program supporting transgender storytellers of color.
The selected fellows are Ava Davis, StormMiguel Florez, River Gallo, Carol Grant, Mitchell (MiSha) Owens, and Savannah Ward. Davis, an actor, writer, producer and advocate, will work on her film “The Waltz” during the intensive. Florez, an actor, filmmaker and musician, will work on “Welcome to Roswell.” Gallo, an actor, writer, model and activist repped by CAA and Management 360, will develop their short film “Ponyboi” into a feature. Screenwriter Grant will work on “Eurydice V.” Storyteller Mitchell (MiSha) Owens will work on “The Boy from Across Town.” Ward, a writer serving as executive story editor on “Cruel Summer,” will work on “Meta.”
The fellows were nominated by the Institute’s allied organizations, including organizations working explicitly with emerging transgender artists of color...
The selected fellows are Ava Davis, StormMiguel Florez, River Gallo, Carol Grant, Mitchell (MiSha) Owens, and Savannah Ward. Davis, an actor, writer, producer and advocate, will work on her film “The Waltz” during the intensive. Florez, an actor, filmmaker and musician, will work on “Welcome to Roswell.” Gallo, an actor, writer, model and activist repped by CAA and Management 360, will develop their short film “Ponyboi” into a feature. Screenwriter Grant will work on “Eurydice V.” Storyteller Mitchell (MiSha) Owens will work on “The Boy from Across Town.” Ward, a writer serving as executive story editor on “Cruel Summer,” will work on “Meta.”
The fellows were nominated by the Institute’s allied organizations, including organizations working explicitly with emerging transgender artists of color...
- 10/18/2021
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
The Sundance Institute launched today the inaugural Trans Possibilities Intensive, a three-day virtual program focused on advancing transgender storytellers of color and their projects. Six artists have been selected for the intensive, where participants will work on their projects, sharpen their craft, develop community, and challenge the obstacles that often exclude transgender artists of color.
The intensive is designed and led by Moi Santos, Sundance Institute Outreach & Inclusion and Indigenous Programs Coordinator, and includes guidance from experienced creative advisors including Sam Feder, Yance Ford, Tourmaline, and Ro Haber.
The selected fellows include Ava Davis, StormMiguel Florez, River Gallo, Carol Grant, Mitchell (MiSha) Owens, and Savannah Ward. They were nominated by the Institute’s allied organizations, including organizations working with emerging transgender artists of color, and peers within the Sundance Artist Programs.
During the Intensive, fellows will participate in a robust schedule including group exercises and workshops, as well as collaborations with creative artist advisors.
The intensive is designed and led by Moi Santos, Sundance Institute Outreach & Inclusion and Indigenous Programs Coordinator, and includes guidance from experienced creative advisors including Sam Feder, Yance Ford, Tourmaline, and Ro Haber.
The selected fellows include Ava Davis, StormMiguel Florez, River Gallo, Carol Grant, Mitchell (MiSha) Owens, and Savannah Ward. They were nominated by the Institute’s allied organizations, including organizations working with emerging transgender artists of color, and peers within the Sundance Artist Programs.
During the Intensive, fellows will participate in a robust schedule including group exercises and workshops, as well as collaborations with creative artist advisors.
- 10/18/2021
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
The Sundance Institute has set Ava Davis (The Waltz), StormMiguel Florez (Welcome to Roswell), River Gallo (Ponyboi), Carol Grant (Eurydice V), Mitchell (MiSha) Owens (The Boy from Across Town), and Savannah Ward (Meta) as the fellows for its inaugural Trans Possibilities Intensive, focused on advancing the careers of transgender storytellers of color.
These six creatives were nominated for the intensive by the Institute’s allied organizations, including some working explicitly with emerging transgender artists of color, and peers within the Sundance Artist Programs. During the three-day virtual program, they will continue to develop the projects they initially submitted for consideration, participating in group exercises and discipline-specific workshops, while working closely with creative artist advisors.
The intensive kicks off today at 10 a.m. Pt with Beyond the Tipping Point, an event hosted on the platform Sundance Collab, which will be open to the public and free to attend, centering on a...
These six creatives were nominated for the intensive by the Institute’s allied organizations, including some working explicitly with emerging transgender artists of color, and peers within the Sundance Artist Programs. During the three-day virtual program, they will continue to develop the projects they initially submitted for consideration, participating in group exercises and discipline-specific workshops, while working closely with creative artist advisors.
The intensive kicks off today at 10 a.m. Pt with Beyond the Tipping Point, an event hosted on the platform Sundance Collab, which will be open to the public and free to attend, centering on a...
- 10/18/2021
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
The Sundance Institute has unveiled a new intensive focused on transgender filmmakers of color to add to its suite of development programs for historically excluded artists.
The inaugural Trans Possibilities Intensive will take place virtually over three days. Designed and led by Sundance’s Outreach & Inclusion and Indigenous Programs coordinator Moi Santos, the Intensive kicks off this morning at 10 a.m. Pt with “Beyond the Tipping Point,” an online conversation – free and open to the public – between filmmakers Sam Feder (Disclosure) and Tourmaline (Happy Birthday, Marsha!) and moderated by Santos.
An inaugural cohort of six fellows,...
The inaugural Trans Possibilities Intensive will take place virtually over three days. Designed and led by Sundance’s Outreach & Inclusion and Indigenous Programs coordinator Moi Santos, the Intensive kicks off this morning at 10 a.m. Pt with “Beyond the Tipping Point,” an online conversation – free and open to the public – between filmmakers Sam Feder (Disclosure) and Tourmaline (Happy Birthday, Marsha!) and moderated by Santos.
An inaugural cohort of six fellows,...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Film + TV
The Sundance Institute has unveiled a new intensive focused on transgender filmmakers of color to add to its suite of development programs for historically excluded artists.
The inaugural Trans Possibilities Intensive will take place virtually over three days. Designed and led by Sundance’s Outreach & Inclusion and Indigenous Programs coordinator Moi Santos, the Intensive kicks off this morning at 10 a.m. Pt with “Beyond the Tipping Point,” an online conversation – free and open to the public – between filmmakers Sam Feder (Disclosure) and Tourmaline (Happy Birthday, Marsha!) and moderated by Santos.
An inaugural cohort of six fellows,...
The inaugural Trans Possibilities Intensive will take place virtually over three days. Designed and led by Sundance’s Outreach & Inclusion and Indigenous Programs coordinator Moi Santos, the Intensive kicks off this morning at 10 a.m. Pt with “Beyond the Tipping Point,” an online conversation – free and open to the public – between filmmakers Sam Feder (Disclosure) and Tourmaline (Happy Birthday, Marsha!) and moderated by Santos.
An inaugural cohort of six fellows,...
- 10/18/2021
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Ted Sarandos, co-ceo and Cco of Netflix, recently reiterated his support of “The Closer,” a new stand-up special from Dave Chappelle, in the face of continued controversy over the transphobic material contained therein. In a companywide memo sent Monday, Sarandos wrote, “While some employees disagree, we have a strong belief that content on screen doesn’t directly translate to real-world harm,” a sentiment that’s clueless at best and disingenuous at worst.
In “The Closer,” Chappelle — who has a history of targeting the trans community — declared himself “Team Terf (trans-exclusionary radical feminism)” as well as making invalidating comments about the legitimacy of trans women.
“Gender is a fact,” Chappelle said. “Every human being in this room, every human being on earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on earth. That is a fact. Now, I am not saying that to say trans women aren’t women,...
In “The Closer,” Chappelle — who has a history of targeting the trans community — declared himself “Team Terf (trans-exclusionary radical feminism)” as well as making invalidating comments about the legitimacy of trans women.
“Gender is a fact,” Chappelle said. “Every human being in this room, every human being on earth, had to pass through the legs of a woman to be on earth. That is a fact. Now, I am not saying that to say trans women aren’t women,...
- 10/14/2021
- by Libby Hill
- Indiewire
Inside Out, Canada’s largest 2Slgbtq+ film festival and single largest promoter and distributor of 2Slgbtq+ content in Canada, has announced eight new feature film projects that will participate in the festival’s fifth annual Finance Forum during the festival’s 31st year.
The Finance Forum, taking place online from May 31-June 4, during the festival (running May 27-June 6), will provide 2Slgbtq+-identified producers and/or producers creating 2Slgbtq+ content an opportunity to pitch their projects directly to top decision makers. All participating executives will be taking one-on-one meetings online with the creative teams.
Among those taking part are executives from the U.S.’s Neon, Bleecker Street, Killer Films, Cinetic Media, The Film Collaborative, Verve, Powderkeg Media, Little Punk, Symbolic Exchange, Chicago Media Angels, and GLAAD; the U.K.’s Protagonist Pictures and Bankside Films; France’s MK2 Films; Germany’s Films Boutique; and Canada’s CBC Films and WaZabi Films.
The Finance Forum, taking place online from May 31-June 4, during the festival (running May 27-June 6), will provide 2Slgbtq+-identified producers and/or producers creating 2Slgbtq+ content an opportunity to pitch their projects directly to top decision makers. All participating executives will be taking one-on-one meetings online with the creative teams.
Among those taking part are executives from the U.S.’s Neon, Bleecker Street, Killer Films, Cinetic Media, The Film Collaborative, Verve, Powderkeg Media, Little Punk, Symbolic Exchange, Chicago Media Angels, and GLAAD; the U.K.’s Protagonist Pictures and Bankside Films; France’s MK2 Films; Germany’s Films Boutique; and Canada’s CBC Films and WaZabi Films.
- 5/13/2021
- by Leo Barraclough
- Variety Film + TV
Schitt’s Creek continued its dominant awards season haul by picking up another prize, the latest acquired Thursday night during the 32nd annual GLAAD Media Awards. It was the beloved series’ second straight award from the media watchdog organization and it follows top prizes at the Emmy Awards, Golden Globes and the recent Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Tonight’s virtual ceremony, which premiered exclusively on GLAAD’s YouTube channel in partnership with Google before streaming later this evening on Hulu, also saw top prizes go to Clea DuVall’s Happiest Season, Joe Mantello’s The Boys in the Band, Sam Feder’s transgender representation ...
Tonight’s virtual ceremony, which premiered exclusively on GLAAD’s YouTube channel in partnership with Google before streaming later this evening on Hulu, also saw top prizes go to Clea DuVall’s Happiest Season, Joe Mantello’s The Boys in the Band, Sam Feder’s transgender representation ...
Schitt’s Creek continued its dominant awards season haul by picking up another prize, the latest acquired Thursday night during the 32nd annual GLAAD Media Awards. It was the beloved series’ second straight award from the media watchdog organization and it follows top prizes at the Emmy Awards, Golden Globes and the recent Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Tonight’s virtual ceremony, which premiered exclusively on GLAAD’s YouTube channel in partnership with Google before streaming later this evening on Hulu, also saw top prizes go to Clea DuVall’s Happiest Season, Joe Mantello’s The Boys in the Band, Sam Feder’s transgender representation ...
Tonight’s virtual ceremony, which premiered exclusively on GLAAD’s YouTube channel in partnership with Google before streaming later this evening on Hulu, also saw top prizes go to Clea DuVall’s Happiest Season, Joe Mantello’s The Boys in the Band, Sam Feder’s transgender representation ...
Laverne Cox and Kerry Washington know all too well what it’s like to be “the first,” as well as the mix of pride, pressure and responsibility that comes with it. That’s why they’re working to ensure that they’re providing opportunities for underrepresented artists both on-screen and behind the scenes.
“All day Inauguration Day I was wearing my shirt that has [Vice President Kamala Harris’] face as a little girl, and it says, ‘The first, but not the last.’ Because that has to be the message,” Washington says. “The goal can’t be to be the only one in the room.”
Cox agrees: “The question for me has always been, ‘How do we keep the door open? How do we open a window? How do we just let the whole wall come down, so that more people can get in?’ That is the challenge of being a first something.”
Cox, who...
“All day Inauguration Day I was wearing my shirt that has [Vice President Kamala Harris’] face as a little girl, and it says, ‘The first, but not the last.’ Because that has to be the message,” Washington says. “The goal can’t be to be the only one in the room.”
Cox agrees: “The question for me has always been, ‘How do we keep the door open? How do we open a window? How do we just let the whole wall come down, so that more people can get in?’ That is the challenge of being a first something.”
Cox, who...
- 2/22/2021
- by Angelique Jackson
- Variety Film + TV
In 1981, Vito Russo, one of GLAAD’s founders, published “The Celluloid Closet,” the essential reference guide to the history of gay, lesbian, and bisexual characters in film. In the 1995 Emmy-winning documentary based on his work, narrator Lily Tomlin said: “Hollywood, the great maker of myths, taught straight people what to think about gays and gay people what to think about themselves.”
That same observation is certainly true for transgender people, their friends and family members. Twenty-five years after “The Celluloid Closet” documentary, “Disclosure” director Sam Feder and executive producer Laverne Cox deconstruct 100 years of transgender stereotypes in film and TV. “Disclosure” takes a critical look at media portrayals of trans people from the silent film era to now, and puts 30 transgender people on screen to share how those portrayals impacted them and those who love them.
My mother-in-law called me a few weeks ago and was thrilled to report that...
That same observation is certainly true for transgender people, their friends and family members. Twenty-five years after “The Celluloid Closet” documentary, “Disclosure” director Sam Feder and executive producer Laverne Cox deconstruct 100 years of transgender stereotypes in film and TV. “Disclosure” takes a critical look at media portrayals of trans people from the silent film era to now, and puts 30 transgender people on screen to share how those portrayals impacted them and those who love them.
My mother-in-law called me a few weeks ago and was thrilled to report that...
- 2/3/2021
- by Sarah Kate Ellis
- The Wrap
The filmmakers behind the Netflix documentary “Disclosure” were presented with an official proclamation from the City of West Hollywood by Mayor Lindsey Horvath on Wednesday night. Director Sam Feder and executive producer Laverne Cox received the honor during the City of West Hollywood’s Human Right Speakers series.
In addition to Feder and Cox, other panelists included Drian Juarez, the vice president of TransCanWork and vice president of the City of West Hollywood Transgender advisory board. The free virtual discussion was moderated by newly elected City Council member John Erickson.
The proclamation formally recognized “Disclosure” for its significant contributions to the transgender community. After the honor was presented, panelists engaged in an hourlong conversation discussing the mentoring model behind the documentary, which prioritized hiring trans people for their production crew. In the case where the filmmakers were unable to hire a trans person for a specific position, the non-trans person...
In addition to Feder and Cox, other panelists included Drian Juarez, the vice president of TransCanWork and vice president of the City of West Hollywood Transgender advisory board. The free virtual discussion was moderated by newly elected City Council member John Erickson.
The proclamation formally recognized “Disclosure” for its significant contributions to the transgender community. After the honor was presented, panelists engaged in an hourlong conversation discussing the mentoring model behind the documentary, which prioritized hiring trans people for their production crew. In the case where the filmmakers were unable to hire a trans person for a specific position, the non-trans person...
- 1/28/2021
- by Antonio Ferme
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Blade Runner icon Sean Young has joined the cast of the transgender-themed thriller Heather written and directed by filmmaker Tony Repinski. Young will star alongside trans actor Pooya Mohseni and Nick Mathews.
Production on Heather was interrupted last March due to the pandemic but now the thriller is on track and will resume filming next week in Sag Harbor, Long Island.
Heather follows a philanderer (Mathews) who is lured into a kinky encounter by a provocative woman played by Mohseni. Things take a turn when he discovers she has undergone gender reassignment and was once the boy he terrorized in high school. Young plays the “sugar momma” to Matthews’ character.
A former Seal Team 6 Chief and CIA contractor, Repinski told Deadline that the inspiration for the film came when his friend told him a story about how she was bullied during high school. She has since transitioned and years...
Production on Heather was interrupted last March due to the pandemic but now the thriller is on track and will resume filming next week in Sag Harbor, Long Island.
Heather follows a philanderer (Mathews) who is lured into a kinky encounter by a provocative woman played by Mohseni. Things take a turn when he discovers she has undergone gender reassignment and was once the boy he terrorized in high school. Young plays the “sugar momma” to Matthews’ character.
A former Seal Team 6 Chief and CIA contractor, Repinski told Deadline that the inspiration for the film came when his friend told him a story about how she was bullied during high school. She has since transitioned and years...
- 1/26/2021
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
The films by the panelists at Gold Derby’s Meet the Btl Experts: Documentary panel cover vastly different subjects — from trans visibility (Sam Feder‘s “Disclosure”) to regenerative agriculture (Josh Tickell‘s “Kiss the Ground”) and diplomacy (Dror Moreh‘s “The Human Factor”) to the secret and possibly endangered world of truffle hunting (Gregory Kershaw‘s “The Truffle Hunters”) — but they all can open eyes and minds, and most of all, effect change. Click on each name above to be taken to each person’s individual interview.
“That was absolutely on my mind when I was making the film,” Feder says. “When a marginalize community gets mainstream attention, we see again and again that violence follows, so I was starting to question what was my role. I wanted to immediately start that conversation and I feel like our impact campaign has been able to go so far beyond the initial goals of the film.
“That was absolutely on my mind when I was making the film,” Feder says. “When a marginalize community gets mainstream attention, we see again and again that violence follows, so I was starting to question what was my role. I wanted to immediately start that conversation and I feel like our impact campaign has been able to go so far beyond the initial goals of the film.
- 1/19/2021
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
June 9, 2014, is a day Sam Feder will never forget. “That will be burned into my brain forever,” the “Disclosure” director tells Gold Derby at our Meet the Btl Experts: Documentary panel (watch above). That was the day “Orange Is the New Black” star Laverne Cox graced the cover of Time magazine with the cover line “The Transgender Tipping Point — America’s Next Civil Rights Frontier.” While Feder was excited about the success of Cox, who was on the verge of a historic Emmy nomination, and the visibility she was bringing, he knew the mainstream narrative being peddled about his community was inaccurate.
“I immediately became concerned because trans people were not at a tipping point,” he recalls. “The trans people I knew continue to be disproportionately unemployed, lacked access to safe housing and health care. The murder of trans women, specifically Black trans women, has become an epidemic. The rate...
“I immediately became concerned because trans people were not at a tipping point,” he recalls. “The trans people I knew continue to be disproportionately unemployed, lacked access to safe housing and health care. The murder of trans women, specifically Black trans women, has become an epidemic. The rate...
- 1/19/2021
- by Joyce Eng
- Gold Derby
Netflix has dominated the Oscar documentary race in recent years, winning best feature in both 2020 and 2018. But this year it could be Amazon Studios’ Time to shine.
Time, directed by Garrett Bradley and produced by Amazon in partnership with Concordia Studio, enters Oscar season as a favorite, having won prizes from the New York and LA film critics organizations, and nominations from early awards shows, including the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards.
Bradley’s film tells the story of Fox Rich, a mother of six who fought tirelessly for the release of her husband who was sentenced to 60 years in prison for armed robbery. It’s a case study in the pernicious effect of mass incarceration, and particularly timely, given a societal reckoning with systemic racial injustice.
“Fox said to me and Robert [Fox’s husband] said to me, ‘Our story is the story of 2.3 million other American families and we feel that our story can offer hope,...
Time, directed by Garrett Bradley and produced by Amazon in partnership with Concordia Studio, enters Oscar season as a favorite, having won prizes from the New York and LA film critics organizations, and nominations from early awards shows, including the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards.
Bradley’s film tells the story of Fox Rich, a mother of six who fought tirelessly for the release of her husband who was sentenced to 60 years in prison for armed robbery. It’s a case study in the pernicious effect of mass incarceration, and particularly timely, given a societal reckoning with systemic racial injustice.
“Fox said to me and Robert [Fox’s husband] said to me, ‘Our story is the story of 2.3 million other American families and we feel that our story can offer hope,...
- 1/18/2021
- by Matthew Carey
- Deadline Film + TV
Five top film documentary directors will reveal details behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with key 2021 guild and Oscar contenders this month. Each person will participate in two video discussions to be published on Tuesday, January 12, at 5:00 p.m. Pt; 8:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Joyce Eng and a group chat with Joyce and all of the group together.
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2021 guild and Oscar contenders:
“Disclosure” (Netflix): Sam Feder
Feder’s career has included “Kate Bornstein is a Queer and Pleasant Danger,” “House Devil, Street Angel” and “Boy I Am.
RSVP today to this specific event by clicking here to book your reservation. Or click here to RSVP for our entire ongoing panel series. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.
This “Meet the Experts” panel welcomes the following 2021 guild and Oscar contenders:
“Disclosure” (Netflix): Sam Feder
Feder’s career has included “Kate Bornstein is a Queer and Pleasant Danger,” “House Devil, Street Angel” and “Boy I Am.
- 1/5/2021
- by Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Given all the hardships of the year just past, it’s certainly understandable that some viewers eschewed some of 2020’s tougher non-fiction storytelling in favor of escapism. But even with — and sometimes because of — everything else going on, the last 12 months delivered some extraordinary documentaries, and whether or not they were directly about aspects of the pandemic, they all had a lot to say about the current state of the world.
10. “Push”: As the recent furor over water being traded as a commodity reminds us, it’s never a good idea to let Wall Street collide with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Director Fredrik Gertten takes viewers through a global crisis, in which poor people are kicked out of neighborhoods so that luxury high-rise apartments can be constructed but never occupied, purely for investment purposes. Thankfully, we also get to meet the people fighting to end this practice.
9. “American...
10. “Push”: As the recent furor over water being traded as a commodity reminds us, it’s never a good idea to let Wall Street collide with Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Director Fredrik Gertten takes viewers through a global crisis, in which poor people are kicked out of neighborhoods so that luxury high-rise apartments can be constructed but never occupied, purely for investment purposes. Thankfully, we also get to meet the people fighting to end this practice.
9. “American...
- 12/22/2020
- by Alonso Duralde
- The Wrap
Laverne Cox has been and still is changing the game when it comes to the representation of the trans community and Black people in film and TV. She continues to bolster this message of inclusion of marginalized voices as an executive producer on Netflix’s Sam Feder-directed Disclosure. More than just a documentary, it’s a call to action as well as a lesson in history that has been swept under the rug.
When it comes to representation of the trans community in media, it has been more harmful than helpful, perpetuating a negative stigma of violence, shame and ridicule in regards to the trans community with no room for nuance. Disclosure starts a long-overdue journey to undo some of those portrayals.
Like all underrepesented communities, the trans experience is not a monolith, and it hasn’t portrayed authentically until recently with series such as Pose and Transparent. Before this groundbreaking series,...
When it comes to representation of the trans community in media, it has been more harmful than helpful, perpetuating a negative stigma of violence, shame and ridicule in regards to the trans community with no room for nuance. Disclosure starts a long-overdue journey to undo some of those portrayals.
Like all underrepesented communities, the trans experience is not a monolith, and it hasn’t portrayed authentically until recently with series such as Pose and Transparent. Before this groundbreaking series,...
- 12/18/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Over the last decade, trans actors and creators have gradually become a powerful force in Hollywood. The still nascent trans canon has moved past simply telling trans stories; mounting critical pressure finally showed the powers that be that trans stories must above all center on trans people — both in front of and behind the camera.
This year saw the release of several quality films and TV shows steeped in authenticity, joy, and a genuine grappling with the complexities of the trans experience. There’s no better time to visit these projects than during Transgender Awareness Week, a week of celebration that culminates with Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, which memorializes victims of transphobic violence.
A decent place to start is the Laverne Cox-produced Netflix documentary “Disclosure,” which offers a comprehensive overview of trans folks onscreen, as well an impassioned argument for why representation matters. Continuing on the educational bent,...
This year saw the release of several quality films and TV shows steeped in authenticity, joy, and a genuine grappling with the complexities of the trans experience. There’s no better time to visit these projects than during Transgender Awareness Week, a week of celebration that culminates with Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, which memorializes victims of transphobic violence.
A decent place to start is the Laverne Cox-produced Netflix documentary “Disclosure,” which offers a comprehensive overview of trans folks onscreen, as well an impassioned argument for why representation matters. Continuing on the educational bent,...
- 11/18/2020
- by Jude Dry
- Indiewire
The International Documentary Association has announced a shortlist of 30 films from which it will choose its nominations for the 2020 Ida Documentary Awards, with a list that includes “76 Days,” “Boys State,” “Crip Camp,” “MLK/FBI,” “The Reason I Jump,” “The Truffle Hunters,” “Time” and “Welcome to Chechnya.”
The list also included a generous helping of foreign-made docs, including “Notturno,” “Acasa, My Home,” “Collective,” “The Earth Is Blue as an Orange,” “Gunda,” “Me and the Cult Leader,” “A Metamorfose dos Passaros,” “Once Upon a Time in Venezuela” and “Softie.”
The rest of the list: “City Hall,” “Disclosure,” “The Forbidden Reel,” “I Walk on Water,” “The Mole Agent,” “Reunited,” “Self Portrait,” “Stray,” “‘Til Kingdom Come,” “To See You Again,” “Unapologetic,” “The Viewing Booth” and “Wintopia.”
The shortlisted films present a dramatically different view of the year in nonfiction filmmaking than the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, which were announced on Monday. Only three films — “Crip Camp,...
The list also included a generous helping of foreign-made docs, including “Notturno,” “Acasa, My Home,” “Collective,” “The Earth Is Blue as an Orange,” “Gunda,” “Me and the Cult Leader,” “A Metamorfose dos Passaros,” “Once Upon a Time in Venezuela” and “Softie.”
The rest of the list: “City Hall,” “Disclosure,” “The Forbidden Reel,” “I Walk on Water,” “The Mole Agent,” “Reunited,” “Self Portrait,” “Stray,” “‘Til Kingdom Come,” “To See You Again,” “Unapologetic,” “The Viewing Booth” and “Wintopia.”
The shortlisted films present a dramatically different view of the year in nonfiction filmmaking than the Critics Choice Documentary Awards, which were announced on Monday. Only three films — “Crip Camp,...
- 10/28/2020
- by Steve Pond
- The Wrap
The 2021 International Documentary Association (IDA) Awards has announced the shortlists for the Best Feature and Best Short categories. In a year crowded with top-notch documentaries (see the Critics Choice Documentary Awards nominations here), with more debuts unspooling at Doc NYC (November 11-19), every reputable non-fiction awards group helps to curate the sprawling list of eventual Oscar contenders, and the IDA is no exception. (Read IndieWire’s current list of documentary feature predictions here.)
The IDA will bestow 16 awards this year, for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award, Best Music Documentary, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Writing, Best Music Score, ABC News VideoSource Award, and the Pare Lorentz Award.
Honorees will be announced on Tuesday, November 10. Nominees will be announced on Tuesday, November 24, along with the other awards recipients.
The IDA will bestow 16 awards this year, for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award, Best Music Documentary, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Writing, Best Music Score, ABC News VideoSource Award, and the Pare Lorentz Award.
Honorees will be announced on Tuesday, November 10. Nominees will be announced on Tuesday, November 24, along with the other awards recipients.
- 10/28/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
The 2021 International Documentary Association (Ida) Awards has announced the shortlists for the Best Feature and Best Short categories. In a year crowded with top-notch documentaries (see the Critics Choice Documentary Awards nominations here), with more debuts unspooling at Doc NYC (November 11-19), every reputable non-fiction awards group helps to curate the sprawling list of eventual Oscar contenders, and the Ida is no exception. (Read IndieWire’s current list of documentary feature predictions here.)
The Ida will bestow 16 awards this year, for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award, Best Music Documentary, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Writing, Best Music Score, ABC News VideoSource Award, and the Pare Lorentz Award.
Honorees will be announced on Tuesday, November 10. Nominees will be announced on Tuesday, November 24, along with the other awards recipients.
The Ida will bestow 16 awards this year, for Best Feature, Best Short, Best Curated Series, Best Episodic Series, Best Multi-Part Documentary, Best Short Form Series, Best Audio Documentary, David L. Wolper Student Documentary Award, Best Music Documentary, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Editing, Best Writing, Best Music Score, ABC News VideoSource Award, and the Pare Lorentz Award.
Honorees will be announced on Tuesday, November 10. Nominees will be announced on Tuesday, November 24, along with the other awards recipients.
- 10/28/2020
- by Anne Thompson
- Indiewire
The International Documentary Association has announced the shortlists for best feature and best short at the 36th annual Ida Documentary Awards.
The shortlist for possible nominees includes “Boys State,” “Crip Camp,” “Welcome to Chechnya,” “Gunda” and more. Up to 10 nominees in each of the feature and short documentary categories will be selected from the shortlist and announced on Nov. 24. The virtual awards ceremony will take place in January 2021.
This year, Ida received 1,056 submissions across all categories, including 365 documentary features from 67 countries, and 153 documentary shorts from 21 countries.
“It is exciting to see the IDA Awards Shortlist include so many films from around the globe,” said Simon Kilmurry, executive director of Ida. “The range of stories and of makers is as diverse as we have ever had. It reflects the broad range of approaches to documentary filmmaking and some of the most urgent issues of the day.”
Ida Documentary Awards Features Shortlist
76 Days
Acasă,...
The shortlist for possible nominees includes “Boys State,” “Crip Camp,” “Welcome to Chechnya,” “Gunda” and more. Up to 10 nominees in each of the feature and short documentary categories will be selected from the shortlist and announced on Nov. 24. The virtual awards ceremony will take place in January 2021.
This year, Ida received 1,056 submissions across all categories, including 365 documentary features from 67 countries, and 153 documentary shorts from 21 countries.
“It is exciting to see the IDA Awards Shortlist include so many films from around the globe,” said Simon Kilmurry, executive director of Ida. “The range of stories and of makers is as diverse as we have ever had. It reflects the broad range of approaches to documentary filmmaking and some of the most urgent issues of the day.”
Ida Documentary Awards Features Shortlist
76 Days
Acasă,...
- 10/28/2020
- by Jordan Moreau
- Variety Film + TV
After premiering to great acclaim at Sundance in early 2020, the documentary “Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen” was eventually acquired by Netflix, and it debuted on the streaming service on June 19 right in the middle of Pride Month. As the studio behind two of the last three winners of Best Documentary Feature at the Oscars (2017’s “Icarus” and 2019’s “American Factory”), could Netflix have another contender on its hands with this film?
Directed by Sam Feder, “Disclosure” examines the history of trans representation in film and television dating back to the early days of silent movies. Throughout we are shown the evolution of trans portrayals in everything from Bugs Bunny cartoons, classic television and film to contemporary series such as FX’s “Pose.” There are also looks at award-winning films and television programs that have, with time, been seen as more controversial and potentially problematic, including Oscar winners “The Silence of the Lambs...
Directed by Sam Feder, “Disclosure” examines the history of trans representation in film and television dating back to the early days of silent movies. Throughout we are shown the evolution of trans portrayals in everything from Bugs Bunny cartoons, classic television and film to contemporary series such as FX’s “Pose.” There are also looks at award-winning films and television programs that have, with time, been seen as more controversial and potentially problematic, including Oscar winners “The Silence of the Lambs...
- 10/19/2020
- by Tony Ruiz
- Gold Derby
NewFest is hosting a reading of Ang Lee’s groundbreaking Brokeback Mountain at its New York LGBTQ Film Festival on October 18, employing an all-trans cast for the event that commemorates the film’s 15th anniversary.
The cast features Leo Sheng (The L Word) as Ennis, Brian Michael Smith (911: Lone Star) as Jack, Jen Richards (Tales of the City) as Alma, Alexandra Grey (Empire) as Lurleen and Disclosure director Sam Feder as the narrator.
The original film starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as Ennis and Jack, respectively, cowboys who meet in the summer of 1963 and forge an unexpected lifelong connection full of joy, complication and tragedy. It scored eight Oscar nominations and won three, including for Lee’s directing and Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana’s script.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to The NewFest Future Fund, to benefit the organization and its programs for LGBTQ+ youth, filmmaker resources,...
The cast features Leo Sheng (The L Word) as Ennis, Brian Michael Smith (911: Lone Star) as Jack, Jen Richards (Tales of the City) as Alma, Alexandra Grey (Empire) as Lurleen and Disclosure director Sam Feder as the narrator.
The original film starred Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal as Ennis and Jack, respectively, cowboys who meet in the summer of 1963 and forge an unexpected lifelong connection full of joy, complication and tragedy. It scored eight Oscar nominations and won three, including for Lee’s directing and Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana’s script.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to The NewFest Future Fund, to benefit the organization and its programs for LGBTQ+ youth, filmmaker resources,...
- 10/2/2020
- by Patrick Hipes
- Deadline Film + TV
IndieWire and International Documentary Association have again partnered for the organization’s annual Screening Series. This year, due to the shifted awards calendar and stay-at-home guidelines, screenings will extend through January and all films will be available on demand for Ida members worldwide. Each screening will conclude with a moderated Q&a available for viewing by the general public. IndieWire and Krcw have returned again as exclusive media sponsors of the Screening Series. IndieWire will be posting written and video coverage of the screenings alongside Kcrw’s community support.
The lineup launches October 8 with Amazon Studios’ “Time,” directed by Garrett Bradley. The documentary, which debuted to raves at the Sundance Film Festival, follows Fox Rich, an entrepreneur, author, and mother of six. She has spent the last 21 years fighting for the release of her husband, Rob, who is serving a 60-year sentence for an offense they both committed.
The films...
The lineup launches October 8 with Amazon Studios’ “Time,” directed by Garrett Bradley. The documentary, which debuted to raves at the Sundance Film Festival, follows Fox Rich, an entrepreneur, author, and mother of six. She has spent the last 21 years fighting for the release of her husband, Rob, who is serving a 60-year sentence for an offense they both committed.
The films...
- 9/22/2020
- by Ryan Lattanzio
- Indiewire
Let’s take a first look at the 2021 Oscar race for Best Documentary Feature. While the coronavirus pandemic has muted the buzz that usually builds at fall film festivals, several strong contenders have achieved prominence this year, starting at the Sundance Film Festival, which were held in January before the international shutdowns.
Netflix has four of these Sundance titles, led by “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution,” about a New York summer camp for disabled teens that opened in 1971 whose attendees became activists for disability rights. The doc, directed by Nicole Newnham and James Lebrecht and executive-produced by Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, was the winner of the fest’s U.S. Documentary Audience Award.
“Miss Americana,” directed by Lana Wilson, is a revealing look at singer-songwriter Taylor Swift‘s career that utilizes studio footage and concert recordings.
Sam Feder‘s “Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen” examines how transgender people are...
Netflix has four of these Sundance titles, led by “Crip Camp: A Disability Revolution,” about a New York summer camp for disabled teens that opened in 1971 whose attendees became activists for disability rights. The doc, directed by Nicole Newnham and James Lebrecht and executive-produced by Barack Obama and Michelle Obama, was the winner of the fest’s U.S. Documentary Audience Award.
“Miss Americana,” directed by Lana Wilson, is a revealing look at singer-songwriter Taylor Swift‘s career that utilizes studio footage and concert recordings.
Sam Feder‘s “Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen” examines how transgender people are...
- 9/21/2020
- by Susan Wloszczyna
- Gold Derby
On Sunday, September 13, Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, hosted its first-ever statewide “Golden State Equality Awards” virtual celebration.
Led by “Pose” star Angelica Ross, the evening was filled with powerful tributes and inspiring moments highlighting the essential work carried out by Equality California in the fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice, raising over $1.75 million for the cause.
International superstars Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno honored their longtime friend and collaborator Norman Lear with the Ally Leadership Award for his lifelong commitment to civil rights and increasing onscreen representation of Black, Latinx and LGBTQ+ people. Pete & Chasten Buttigieg received the Equality Trailblazer Award, following Pete’s groundbreaking run for president. Executive Producer Laverne Cox, Director/Producer Sam Feder and Producer Amy Scholder accepted the Equality Visibility Award on behalf of the impactful Netflix Original Documentary Disclosure.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi honored the late U.
Led by “Pose” star Angelica Ross, the evening was filled with powerful tributes and inspiring moments highlighting the essential work carried out by Equality California in the fight for LGBTQ+ civil rights and social justice, raising over $1.75 million for the cause.
International superstars Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno honored their longtime friend and collaborator Norman Lear with the Ally Leadership Award for his lifelong commitment to civil rights and increasing onscreen representation of Black, Latinx and LGBTQ+ people. Pete & Chasten Buttigieg received the Equality Trailblazer Award, following Pete’s groundbreaking run for president. Executive Producer Laverne Cox, Director/Producer Sam Feder and Producer Amy Scholder accepted the Equality Visibility Award on behalf of the impactful Netflix Original Documentary Disclosure.
Speaker Nancy Pelosi honored the late U.
- 9/17/2020
- Look to the Stars
Equality California, the nation’s largest statewide LGBTQ+ civil rights organization, announced today that it will honor entertainment icon Norman Lear with the Ally Leadership Award during its first-ever statewide “Golden State Equality Awards” virtual celebration on Sunday, September 13.
The award will be presented by international superstars Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno. The award-winning singers and actresses are friends of Lear’s and are featured in his hit reboot of “One Day At A Time,” which was just added to CBS’s fall lineup. Moreno also received the Ally Leadership Award at Equality California’s 2019 San Francisco Equality Awards. Director/Producer Sam Feder, Producer Amy Scholder, and Executive Producer Laverne Cox will accept the Equality Visibility Award on behalf of the groundbreaking Netflix Original Documentary Disclosure. Also announced, Rufus Wainwright will join the star-studded list of performers, and comedian Tig Notaro, actor Zachary Quinto, “How to Get Away With Murder” star Conrad Ricamora,...
The award will be presented by international superstars Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno. The award-winning singers and actresses are friends of Lear’s and are featured in his hit reboot of “One Day At A Time,” which was just added to CBS’s fall lineup. Moreno also received the Ally Leadership Award at Equality California’s 2019 San Francisco Equality Awards. Director/Producer Sam Feder, Producer Amy Scholder, and Executive Producer Laverne Cox will accept the Equality Visibility Award on behalf of the groundbreaking Netflix Original Documentary Disclosure. Also announced, Rufus Wainwright will join the star-studded list of performers, and comedian Tig Notaro, actor Zachary Quinto, “How to Get Away With Murder” star Conrad Ricamora,...
- 9/10/2020
- Look to the Stars
Norman Lear has been added to the honoree program for Equality California’s Golden State Equality Awards on Sept. 13.
The TV icon will be presented with the Ally Leadership Award during the virtual program as presented by friends and One Day at a Time collaborators Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno. Also announced today, Disclosure filmmaker Sam Feder, producer Amy Scholder and executive producer Laverne Cox have been confirmed to accept the Equality Visibility Award on behalf of the Netflix documentary.
New to the benefit’s program: Rufus Wainwright, Tig Notaro, Zachary Quinto, Conrad Ricamora, RuPaul’s Drag Race and We’re Here star Bob the Drag Queen,...
The TV icon will be presented with the Ally Leadership Award during the virtual program as presented by friends and One Day at a Time collaborators Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno. Also announced today, Disclosure filmmaker Sam Feder, producer Amy Scholder and executive producer Laverne Cox have been confirmed to accept the Equality Visibility Award on behalf of the Netflix documentary.
New to the benefit’s program: Rufus Wainwright, Tig Notaro, Zachary Quinto, Conrad Ricamora, RuPaul’s Drag Race and We’re Here star Bob the Drag Queen,...
Norman Lear has been added to the honoree program for Equality California’s Golden State Equality Awards on Sept. 13.
The TV icon will be presented with the Ally Leadership Award during the virtual program as presented by friends and One Day at a Time collaborators Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno. Also announced today, Disclosure filmmaker Sam Feder, producer Amy Scholder and executive producer Laverne Cox have been confirmed to accept the Equality Visibility Award on behalf of the Netflix documentary.
New to the benefit’s program: Rufus Wainwright, Tig Notaro, Zachary Quinto, Conrad Ricamora, RuPaul’s Drag Race and We’re Here star Bob the Drag Queen,...
The TV icon will be presented with the Ally Leadership Award during the virtual program as presented by friends and One Day at a Time collaborators Gloria Estefan and Rita Moreno. Also announced today, Disclosure filmmaker Sam Feder, producer Amy Scholder and executive producer Laverne Cox have been confirmed to accept the Equality Visibility Award on behalf of the Netflix documentary.
New to the benefit’s program: Rufus Wainwright, Tig Notaro, Zachary Quinto, Conrad Ricamora, RuPaul’s Drag Race and We’re Here star Bob the Drag Queen,...
Laverne Cox continues to collect Emmy nominations for her work on “Orange Is the New Black.” She now has four bids from the Primetime Emmy Awards for her performance, with this year’s being for the final season of the Netflix dramedy. She is also the only representation for “Orange Is the New Black” in its final year, of which Cox is well-aware. “Sophia changed my life and this will be the last Emmy nomination for ‘Orange Is the New Black’ so I don’t take that lightly,” says Cox in an exclusive new interview for Gold Derby. Watch the exclusive interview above.
SEEUzo Aduba Interview: ‘Mrs. America’
Cox appears in the “God Bless America” episode of the final season of “Orange Is the New Black.” In it, we see Sophia has opened up her own hair salon and treats her former fellow inmate Piper (Taylor Schilling) to a new hairstyle.
SEEUzo Aduba Interview: ‘Mrs. America’
Cox appears in the “God Bless America” episode of the final season of “Orange Is the New Black.” In it, we see Sophia has opened up her own hair salon and treats her former fellow inmate Piper (Taylor Schilling) to a new hairstyle.
- 8/24/2020
- by Kevin Jacobsen
- Gold Derby
Exclusive: Filmmaker Sam Feder has signed with Gersh and Luber Roklin Entertainment for representation in all areas. Feder is known for his recent groundbreaking Netflix documentary Disclosure. With his new reps, Feder will build upon his documentary work and expand into narrative film and television.
Disclosure garnered critical acclaim when it debuted at Sundance earlier this year and reached a wide audience when it debuted on Netflix on June 19. The documentary has become required viewing when it comes to the authentic representation of the transgender community in film and TV. Chronicling an eye-opening look at trans depictions in Hollywood, the docu reveals how the film and TV industry simultaneously reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender.
The docu was executive produced by Laverne Cox, who is also featured in the film. Disclosure also features prominent members of the trans community including Jen Richards, Marquise Vilson, Tre’vell Anderson, Angelica Ross,...
Disclosure garnered critical acclaim when it debuted at Sundance earlier this year and reached a wide audience when it debuted on Netflix on June 19. The documentary has become required viewing when it comes to the authentic representation of the transgender community in film and TV. Chronicling an eye-opening look at trans depictions in Hollywood, the docu reveals how the film and TV industry simultaneously reflects and manufactures our deepest anxieties about gender.
The docu was executive produced by Laverne Cox, who is also featured in the film. Disclosure also features prominent members of the trans community including Jen Richards, Marquise Vilson, Tre’vell Anderson, Angelica Ross,...
- 8/24/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Trace Lysette is going behind the camera.
The trans actress, best known for her work on “Transparent” and in “Hustlers,” has signed on as executive producer of the upcoming documentary series “Trans in Trumpland.”
The four-part series, created by New York City-based TransWave Films and directed by trans filmmaker Tony Zosherafatain and produced by Jamie Dinicola, follows four people as they engage in the fight for transgender equality in the United States during the Trump presidency.
“I’m excited to join this brilliant trans-led team and to showcase the resistance and resiliency of our trans siblings during this trying time,” Lysette said in a statement on Tuesday. “I hope this series can make a difference and that we can look back on this period in the future and be proud of the fact that we always find a way, we always push through against all odds.”
Lysette will executive produce alongside Miss Major Griffin-Gracy.
The trans actress, best known for her work on “Transparent” and in “Hustlers,” has signed on as executive producer of the upcoming documentary series “Trans in Trumpland.”
The four-part series, created by New York City-based TransWave Films and directed by trans filmmaker Tony Zosherafatain and produced by Jamie Dinicola, follows four people as they engage in the fight for transgender equality in the United States during the Trump presidency.
“I’m excited to join this brilliant trans-led team and to showcase the resistance and resiliency of our trans siblings during this trying time,” Lysette said in a statement on Tuesday. “I hope this series can make a difference and that we can look back on this period in the future and be proud of the fact that we always find a way, we always push through against all odds.”
Lysette will executive produce alongside Miss Major Griffin-Gracy.
- 7/28/2020
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
During an interview with hairstylist Christin Brown on Instagram Live, Halle Berry talked about a lot of things including her hair journey throughout her career and her upcoming directorial debut with Bruised. Then she spoke about a role that was pitched to her: a transgender man. She then said, “I want to experience that world, I want to understand that world.”
This wasn’t exactly a good idea.
Berry is an LGBTQ advocate, but her decision to consider taking the role of a transgender man during an era when authenticity and representation on screen are paramount was subject to concern and some backlash on Twitter.
Sam Feder, director of the recently released Netflix documentary Disclosure, which chronicles the portrayal of trans people in media, tweeted at the actress: “Often people don’t know what they don’t know. And that’s ok! @halleberry please consider watching @Disclosure_Doc before performing transness.
This wasn’t exactly a good idea.
Berry is an LGBTQ advocate, but her decision to consider taking the role of a transgender man during an era when authenticity and representation on screen are paramount was subject to concern and some backlash on Twitter.
Sam Feder, director of the recently released Netflix documentary Disclosure, which chronicles the portrayal of trans people in media, tweeted at the actress: “Often people don’t know what they don’t know. And that’s ok! @halleberry please consider watching @Disclosure_Doc before performing transness.
- 7/7/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Discovering Sy Rogers was a big deal for me. As a gay kid in Pensacola, Fl, I learned early on that my “same-sex attraction”––as it’s often called in conservative Christian churches––was not acceptable in my community. Rogers previously identified as trans and led international ministries based on the idea that if God can change Rogers from being transgender, he can also change one’s homosexuality. This assumes it’s wrong to be gay and that being transgender is even worse. But I didn’t want to be gay, so I walked in Rogers’ footsteps. For the first half of the 2010s, I believed ex-gay theology and it took the second half of the decade in therapy to unravel it. Telling my story is not easy, but the truth is more powerful than pretending my past never happened.
While watching Sam Feder’s new documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen,...
While watching Sam Feder’s new documentary Disclosure: Trans Lives on Screen,...
- 6/29/2020
- by Joshua Encinias
- The Film Stage
The great thing about cinema is you’ll never run out of cinema. Ok, so that’s also true of music, literature, TV and just about any other entertainment medium that humanity has ever produced. But we’re talking about cinema and specifically, about the selection that’s arrived on Netflix in the last week. Indeed, there were quite a few new titles added over the past several days and the following are the highlights.
First up is A Whisker Away, a Japanese animation in which “a peculiar girl transforms into a cat to catch her crush’s attention. But before she realizes it, the line between human and animal starts to blur.” Honestly, anime plots never cease to weird me out. The film had originally been scheduled to release in theaters, but in light of the pandemic, has found its home on Netflix now.
Onto the next movie and we’ve got Disclosure,...
First up is A Whisker Away, a Japanese animation in which “a peculiar girl transforms into a cat to catch her crush’s attention. But before she realizes it, the line between human and animal starts to blur.” Honestly, anime plots never cease to weird me out. The film had originally been scheduled to release in theaters, but in light of the pandemic, has found its home on Netflix now.
Onto the next movie and we’ve got Disclosure,...
- 6/19/2020
- by Alex Crisp
- We Got This Covered
When movies work their magic, the screen becomes a kind of mirror, reflecting dimensions of our identities or experience back to us in profound and emotional ways. When the characters aren’t so familiar, it serves as more of a window, offering insight into the lives of those who are different from ourselves. Now imagine how agonizing it can be for those who gaze upon the screen searching for something they can recognize, only to find unflattering, inaccurate and scornful representations staring back.
Transgender audiences know that feeling all too well. For them, cinema can be a cruel mirror. But if the concept of trans identity somehow frustrates or confuses you, it’s likely that you haven’t considered just how significantly television and movies may be to blame. That’s where Sam Feder’s essential, thoroughly engaging documentary “Disclosure” comes in, retracing the ways that gender-nonconforming characters have been...
Transgender audiences know that feeling all too well. For them, cinema can be a cruel mirror. But if the concept of trans identity somehow frustrates or confuses you, it’s likely that you haven’t considered just how significantly television and movies may be to blame. That’s where Sam Feder’s essential, thoroughly engaging documentary “Disclosure” comes in, retracing the ways that gender-nonconforming characters have been...
- 6/19/2020
- by Peter Debruge
- Variety Film + TV
On June 19, 1865, slavery was abolished in Texas, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation. It is a benchmark in Black history and is more timely now than ever as it is a day to celebrate and champion Black voices. That said, it is a good day for the debut of Channing Godfrey Peoples’ Miss Juneteenth, a film that spotlights the staple pageant associated with the day.
Directed and written by Texas native Peoples, Miss Juneteenth made its world premiere at Sundance earlier this year. The film stars Nicole Beharie, Alexis Chikaeze and Kendrick Sampson and follows Turquoise Jones (Beharie), a former beauty queen turned hard-working single mom that is preparing her rebellious teenage daughter Kai (Chikaeze) for the annual Miss Juneteenth pageant, hoping to keep her from repeating the same mistakes in life that she made.
“I grew up with Juneteenth so it was just second nature to me,” said Peoples told Deadline at Sundance.
Directed and written by Texas native Peoples, Miss Juneteenth made its world premiere at Sundance earlier this year. The film stars Nicole Beharie, Alexis Chikaeze and Kendrick Sampson and follows Turquoise Jones (Beharie), a former beauty queen turned hard-working single mom that is preparing her rebellious teenage daughter Kai (Chikaeze) for the annual Miss Juneteenth pageant, hoping to keep her from repeating the same mistakes in life that she made.
“I grew up with Juneteenth so it was just second nature to me,” said Peoples told Deadline at Sundance.
- 6/19/2020
- by Dino-Ray Ramos
- Deadline Film + TV
Disclosure, directed by Sam Feder (Kate Bornstein is a Queer & Pleasant Danger) and executive produced by Laverne Cox, debuts on Netflix today, June 19th. And in the wake of the whiplash from the Trump administration’s decision to erase healthcare protections for trans people, followed by the Us Supreme Court’s momentous ruling protecting those same folks from workplace discrimination, it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The doc is an exhaustive and entertaining look at how trans individuals have historically been depicted onscreen through surprising archival footage (Birth of a Nation and Bugs Bunny make appearances) and insightful interviews […]...
- 6/19/2020
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine - Blog
Disclosure, directed by Sam Feder (Kate Bornstein is a Queer & Pleasant Danger) and executive produced by Laverne Cox, debuts on Netflix today, June 19th. And in the wake of the whiplash from the Trump administration’s decision to erase healthcare protections for trans people, followed by the Us Supreme Court’s momentous ruling protecting those same folks from workplace discrimination, it couldn’t have arrived at a better time. The doc is an exhaustive and entertaining look at how trans individuals have historically been depicted onscreen through surprising archival footage (Birth of a Nation and Bugs Bunny make appearances) and insightful interviews […]...
- 6/19/2020
- by Lauren Wissot
- Filmmaker Magazine-Director Interviews
Doc Corner is celebrating Pride Month with a focus on documentaries that tackle Lgbtiq themes. This week a new documentary about transgender representation on screen, streaming on Netflix.
By Glenn Dunks
The Celluloid Closet casts a long shadow over queer cinema in the 25 years since its release when it became an arthouse box office and Emmy-nominated sensation. That film by Rob Epstein (a two-time Oscar winner) and Jeffrey Friedman opened the world of film to new textural readings that many Lgbtiq viewers had known and talked about for years but remained largely quiet in the mainstream while traversing through to the then budding space that queer filmmakers and stories had carved by 1995. And for those young enough to come to the film as a budding Lgbtiq cinephile, it made for a hell of an introduction to movies.
There are always going to be gaps in a film like The Celluloid Closet...
By Glenn Dunks
The Celluloid Closet casts a long shadow over queer cinema in the 25 years since its release when it became an arthouse box office and Emmy-nominated sensation. That film by Rob Epstein (a two-time Oscar winner) and Jeffrey Friedman opened the world of film to new textural readings that many Lgbtiq viewers had known and talked about for years but remained largely quiet in the mainstream while traversing through to the then budding space that queer filmmakers and stories had carved by 1995. And for those young enough to come to the film as a budding Lgbtiq cinephile, it made for a hell of an introduction to movies.
There are always going to be gaps in a film like The Celluloid Closet...
- 6/17/2020
- by Glenn Dunks
- FilmExperience
Several major North American LGBTQ film festivals are forming an alliance so that they can continue to highlight the works of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer filmmakers during the coronavirus pandemic.
To that end, Frameline (San Francisco), Inside Out (Toronto), NewFest (NYC), and Outfest (Los Angeles) have formed Naqfa: the North American Queer Festival Alliance. The Alliance’s first collaborative event will be a live conversation and celebration with the talent behind “Disclosure,” a documentary exploring the history and visibility of transgender people in films and television. Netflix acquired the film after it premiered at Sundance and will make it available on its streaming service beginning June 19, 2020.
The conversation will be live-streamed on June 24th, 2020 at 6Pm Pst / 9Pm Est and will include Executive Producer Laverne Cox, Director Sam Feder, and featured talent such as Jen Richards, Brian Michael Smith, Tiq Milan, Candis Cayne, Zeke Smith, and Zackary Drucker.
To that end, Frameline (San Francisco), Inside Out (Toronto), NewFest (NYC), and Outfest (Los Angeles) have formed Naqfa: the North American Queer Festival Alliance. The Alliance’s first collaborative event will be a live conversation and celebration with the talent behind “Disclosure,” a documentary exploring the history and visibility of transgender people in films and television. Netflix acquired the film after it premiered at Sundance and will make it available on its streaming service beginning June 19, 2020.
The conversation will be live-streamed on June 24th, 2020 at 6Pm Pst / 9Pm Est and will include Executive Producer Laverne Cox, Director Sam Feder, and featured talent such as Jen Richards, Brian Michael Smith, Tiq Milan, Candis Cayne, Zeke Smith, and Zackary Drucker.
- 6/17/2020
- by Brent Lang
- Variety Film + TV
When Laverne Cox shot to fame for her work as Sophia Burset on Netflix’s “Orange Is the New Black,” she also made history in 2014 by becoming the first openly transgender person to be nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award. Since then, her list of accomplishments has made her one of the most recognizable trans people in Hollywood. Now, Cox continues to use that platform to amplify other trans voices as an executive producer on “Disclosure,” director Sam Feder’s Netflix documentary about the history of trans representation in film and television, releasing on June 19.
Not only is the entire cast of the doc transgender, but Feder even implemented a program stipulating that any non-trans crew member who was hired had to agree to train a trans person trying to make it in the business. “The idea of that is about cultivating diverse, trans talent that can work in the industry behind the scenes,...
Not only is the entire cast of the doc transgender, but Feder even implemented a program stipulating that any non-trans crew member who was hired had to agree to train a trans person trying to make it in the business. “The idea of that is about cultivating diverse, trans talent that can work in the industry behind the scenes,...
- 6/16/2020
- by Marc Malkin
- Variety Film + TV
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