Leakage from digital media is shutting down the long-standing practice of allowing critics to post reviews on films in festivals long before the same films go into general release. Back in the day, those reviews were published in trade publications seen only by in-the-business professionals. Now, trade-press reviews online get picked up by others and so Italy's venerable … [Read more...] about Crackdown on Fest Reviews Amid Digital Leakage
festivals
‘Keanu’ gets work-in-progress fest screening
One of the techniques to fine-tune a film is to show as a “work in progress” to an audience at a film festival, which is occurring for Warner Bros.’ comedy “Keanu.” Variety’s Alyssa Sage writes that Warner Bros. will gauge audience response to the work-in-progress hard comedy’s screening at the famed SXSW (South By Southwest fest) in Austin TX. Audience reactions are … [Read more...] about ‘Keanu’ gets work-in-progress fest screening
Sponsor’s Nightmare: Star Publicly Trashes Brand
It's every corporate sponsor's nightmare: A Hollywood star tarnishes the brand in a speech at an event underwritten by the sponsor. At the Film Independent Spirit Awards, actor Paul Thomas Anderson ripped American Airlines while accepting an honor from the podium. American Airlines is a Spirit Awards sponsor. "Don't fly American Airlines, man," Anderson said while accepting … [Read more...] about Sponsor’s Nightmare: Star Publicly Trashes Brand
Sponsors Bankroll Creature Comforts at Fests
Here’s a way to make the tough slog of a film festival more bearable. A press release for the upcoming fifth anniversary of the Indie Lounge at the Sundance film festival Jan. 22-25, 2015 touts the amenities at this sanctuary from the hustle and bustle. “Guests are greeted at the front entrance by an Indie Lounge Ambassador who gives a brief tour of their numerous … [Read more...] about Sponsors Bankroll Creature Comforts at Fests
Tribeca Lands Bank Sponsor, Splits Financial
Boston-based Santander Bank kicks off its first-time sponsorship of the Tribeca Film Festival in New York City with a sweepstakes. The “official bank” of the fest, Santander offers prizes of tickets to a private screening and a private reception attended by Robert De Niro. “The Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year who patronize local businesses and … [Read more...] about Tribeca Lands Bank Sponsor, Splits Financial
Regal Circuit Runs ‘Iron Man’ Marathon
Regal Entertainment books a one-day theatrical rerelease of three “Iron Man”-related movies in advance of “Iron Man 3,” which premieres nationally May 3. The three-film rerelease occurs Thursday May 2 for “Iron Man”, “Iron Man 2” and “The Avengers 3D.” The following day, “Iron Man 3” premieres nationally from Walt Disney Studios. Regal, which is the nation’s largest … [Read more...] about Regal Circuit Runs ‘Iron Man’ Marathon
Sundance Sponsor Nabs Fest Screening
A corporate sponsor at the Sundance Film Festival created content that unspools in a sidebar of the fest, in a bid to escape the NASCAR-like clutter of overt promotions, notes a Variety story. The Captain Morgan brand of rum, which is part of the Diageo spirits conglomerate, received choice placement for its 30-minute documentary showing at Sundance titled “The Unsinkable … [Read more...] about Sundance Sponsor Nabs Fest Screening
Mercedes Drives Palm Springs Fest Sponsorship
Mercedes Benz embraces movie glitz and star talent in a sponsorship of the gala awards ceremony of the 24th annual Palm Springs International Film Festival. The German car maker is connected to a rare film festival that is part of the Oscar awards season calendar because of its early January date (most other fests are outside awards season). Mercedes also trots out celebrity … [Read more...] about Mercedes Drives Palm Springs Fest Sponsorship
Theaters Host Mini-Fests at Reduced Prices
Movie theaters are rolling out a range of special promotions to try to ingrain the cinema-going habit with showings of older films at discount prices. * Carmike and Regal starts a “Marvel Superhero Movie Marathon” screening movies with Marvel characters simultaneously on May 3 coming just before the premiere of "The Avengers" from Walt Disney Studios the following day. * … [Read more...] about Theaters Host Mini-Fests at Reduced Prices
Fat-cats Gorge on Sundance Glitz
The Sundance Film Festival loves to dish out an ecological “green” sensibility and project a we’re-with-the-people face. So it’s a bit of a paradox that outfits catering to the “one percenters”—portrayed as filthy exploiters indie films that are Sundance staples—enthusiastically latch on to the film event. They are in evidence as both official sponsors and indirectly as … [Read more...] about Fat-cats Gorge on Sundance Glitz