THR's Women in Entertainment 2011: Power 100

This story appears in the Dec. 2011 special issue of The Hollywood Reporter magazine. Putting together the ranked list of entertainment's most powerful women for this annual issue, The Hollywood Reporter's 20th, is nothing short of agonizing. For the top spots, the deliberations over who goes where became topics of vigorous debate in the hallways here at 5700 Wilshire. PHOTOS: 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 In all the discussions, however, one undisputed trend emerged: TV, especially the world of cable, is ascendant, and women disproportionately are driving it. It's no coincidence that four of the top five women on this year's Power 100 list come from the medium (the extraordinary Amy Pascal alone represents film at No. 2). Just a few years ago, film dominated entertainment with the most prestige, the greatest revenue and the biggest impact on our national conversation. Not anymore. Programming such as The Daily Show, Mad Men and even Jersey Shore drives pop culture to a greater extent than any motion picture in recent years, extending its influence into the realms of fashion, politics, publishing and music. One major studio exec recently bemoaned to me that, outside of the Twilight franchise, film is lacking a major "event." "No one is talking about movies right now," said this exec. "It's all about cable." COMPLETE LIST: 2011 Women in Entertainment Power 100 At the same time, the earnings of some of the leading cable networks have dwarfed those of the major studios, and the valuation of Disney Media Networks -- the division overseen by the list's top-spot holder, Anne Sweeney -- is hugely more than that of its sister movie studio. Total revenue for the entire movie industry this year is estimated by PricewaterhouseCoopers at $36.8 billion; by contrast, television advertising in the U.S. brought in $71.1 billion, and you can double that number if you add subscription and license revenue. But economics aren't the only reason these women are at the top. It's also because television has provided opportunity that film simply hasn't. A newer industry, cable was welcoming to all when it was birthing multitudes of then-not-so-fashionable networks. The high-powered women at the top of TV largely got their breaks in the "Wild West" days of early cable -- as one executive describes them -- when television created openings that the established, more relationship-oriented movie world didn't. None of this is to take away from the incredible women in film and other mediums on our Power 100. The same exec who decried the lack of momentum in movies was quick to point out, "It's all cyclical." Indeed, every single person on the list reflects extraordinary drive, intelligence and ability to weather whatever is around the bend in the industry. I dare anyone to not be inspired by every person in this issue. Congratulations to all. Janice Min Editorial Director Items 1-10 Items 11-20 Items 21-30 Items 31-40 Items 41-50 Items 51-60 Items 61-70 Items 71-80 Items 81-90 Items 91-100 Items 1-10 1 Anne SweeneyCo-Chairman, Disney Media Networks President, Disney/ABC Television G...read more 2 Amy PascalCo-Chairman, Sony Pictures Entertainmentread more 2 Bonnie HammerChairman, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainmentread more 4 Abbe RavenPresident and CEO, A+E Television Networksread more 5 Dana WaldenChairman, 20th Century Fox Televisionread more 6 Stacey SniderCo-Chairman and CEO, DreamWorksread more 7 Nina TasslerPresident, CBSread more 8 Donna LangleyCo-Chairman, Universal Picturesread more 9 Nancy DubucPresident, History and Lifetime Networksread more 10 Sue KrollPresident of Worldwide Marketing, Warner Bros. Pictures*read more

Who Will Win America's Next Top Model All-Stars? Vote!

America's Next Top Model, Lisa, Allison and Angelea After 12 weeks and 11 fallen stilettoed comrades, America's Next Top Model will determine which of its three finalists -- Lisa D'Amato, Allison Harvard or Angelea Preston -- will win Cycle 17 (Wednesday, 9/8c, The CW). At stake: the All-Stars crown, a spread in Vogue Italia, the cover of and a spread in Beauty in Vogue, a blog on Vogue.it, a $100,000 contract with CoverGirl, an Express fashion campaign, becoming the face of ANTM perfume and a chance to be a correspondent on Extra. Tyra Banks to Larry King: My Top Model persona is not me Let's take a look at the finalists: Lisa D'Amato Why she could win: Her branding word is "Daring," and there's no doubt that this wild child has embraced that risk-taking attitude. She's high energy, incredibly physical and the consummate performer. She can even rap! With two reward challenges and three first call-outs at judging, Lisa is a strong contender. Why she could lose: Lisa can be a bit too wild at time, losing the "model" in her performances. When she loses her cool, she also fails to deliver. Take for example when she landed in the Bottom Two for the Express campaign (as "The Cool Chick") and the Michael Jackson impersonation shoot - both of which would have fit her brand easily. Allison Harvard Why she could win: By far the most committed to her branding word, "Unique," Allison's Puss-in-Boots-like saucer eyes, kewpie-doll mouth, obvious intelligence and ability to bring weird and modelly together in one fabulously Frankensteinish package has charmed viewers, the audience - even guest-judge The Game. She's been consistently strong throughout, winning two reward challenges and two first call-outs. Also, her music video for "Underwater" still haunts us. Why she could lose: She only recently fell into the Bottom Two, and it was for her strange eyes that water uncontrollably in bright sunlight. And although she's articulate in person, she doesn't exactly have a firecracker personality. Angelea Preston Why she could win: "Persistence" is her branding word, which could serve her well. She has a "new money" kind of appeal, performed competently in the CSI challenge, won the reward challenge for her Greek blog post and earned a first call-out for her Express campaign as "The Socialite." Why she could lose: Her belligerent nature stems from her low self-esteem, which has time and time again undermined her performances. Of the finalists, she's been in the Bottom Two in these challenges: stilts, Michael Jackson impersonation, music video and Olympic sport. Vote for who you think should win America's Next Top Model All-Stars? Lisa Allison Angelea vote view results

'Dark Knight Rises' News: Prologue Confirmed, Gordon Retired

It's Monday, and another "Dark Knight Rises" heavy week is behind us. From the first official word on the Batman threequel's upcoming prologue to some new comments from actors involved with the cast, we've got all your "Dark Knight" needs covered today. Catch up on all the latest news out of Gotham City after the jump! The Prologue "Rises" Long rumored but now officially confirmed, the "Dark Knight Rises" prologue is very much headed your way. The six-minute sneak peek is heading into theaters on December 16, and on the latest episode of Talk Nerdy to Me, we focused on what we might see when that "Dark Knight" prologue finally drops. Check it out in the video below. "Magic Mike" Beats Batman Those words wouldn't make sense on any other day of the week, but actor Adam Rodriguez confessed in a recent interview that he had to abandon his bit part in "The Dark Knight Rises" in favor of shooting "Magic Mike," Steven Soderbergh's male-stripper movie. How anyone can leave Gotham City for a chance at stripper stardom is beyond me, but I digress. Oldman Retires Gordon Christian Bale isn't the only Batman actor leaving Gotham behind for good. Gary Oldman spoke with MTV News last week about his work on "The Dark Knight Rises," confirming that his days as Commissioner Jim Gordon are now at an end: "The Gordon mustache is retired. They gave me a shadow box, and it has my badge, my glasses and the mustache. He is retired." Tell us what you think of the latest "Dark Knight Rises" news in the comments section and on Twitter!

High School Romances and Hip Family Dramas: Sundance 2012 Competition Slates Announced

comments: 0 || add yours It’s nearly December which means that it is time for the Sundance Film Festival to announce their competitive programming selections. This year, the slates are varied containing two (2!) Mark Webber features, one Jonathan Kasdan teen rom-com, another Lena Dunham-penned dysfunctional NYC family drama and a number of titles that span genres and the globe. Among the actors featured in the line-up: Joel Edgerton, Michael Cera, Amanda Seyfried, Danny Glover, John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby, Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, John Hawkes, William H. Macy and Helen Hunt. Look through the full press release below to predict who might be this year’s Elizabeth Olsen and what might be this year’s Take Shelter. ——— Park City, UT — Sundance Institute announced today the films selected for the U.S. and World Cinema Dramatic and Documentary Competitions of the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. The Sundance Film Festival will take place January 19 through 29 in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah. The complete list of films is available at www.sundance.org/festival. Robert Redford, Founder and President of Sundance Institute remarked, “We are, and always have been, a festival about the filmmakers. So what are they doing? What are they saying? They are making statements about the changing world we are living in. Some are straight-forward, some novel and some offbeat but always interesting. One can never predict. We know only at the end, and I love that.” John Cooper, Director of the Sundance Film Festival, said, “In these challenging economic times, filmmakers have had to be more resourceful and truly independent in their approaches to filmmaking. Looking at this year’s submissions, the result is more fully realized visions and stronger stories; we are proud to see the Festival emerging as a key indicator of the health and creativity of our filmmaking community. The overall quality of the films in the 2012 Competition section will make for an exciting Festival and a remarkable year ahead for independent film audiences everywhere.” For the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, 110 feature-length films were selected, representing 31 countries and 46 first-time filmmakers, including 26 in competition. These films were selected from 4,042 feature-length film submissions composed of 2,059 U.S. and 1,983 international feature-length films. 88 films at the Festival will be world premieres. In addition to the four Competition categories, the Festival presents feature-length films in six out-of-competition sections. Films in the Spotlight, Park City at Midnight, NEXT <=> and New Frontier sections will be announced on December 1. Films in the Premieres and Documentary Premieres sections will be announced on December 5. On Day One, the Festival will screen one narrative film and one documentary from both the U.S. and World Cinema competitions, as well as one shorts program. Keri Putnam, Executive Director of Sundance Institute, said, “The enthusiasm and optimism of John Cooper and his programming team this year is infectious; we are all excited to unveil and experience their selections for the 2012 Sundance Film Festival. On behalf of my colleagues at the Sundance Institute we are pleased to introduce new storytellers to our audience, welcome new and returning filmmakers to the Festival and kick off a lively cultural dialogue for 2012.” U.S. DRAMATIC COMPETITION The world premieres of 16 American narrative feature films. Beasts of the Southern Wild / U.S.A. (Director: Benh Zeitlin, Screenwriters: Benh Zeitlin, Lucy Alibar) — Waters gonna rise up, wild animals gonna rerun from the grave, and everything south of the levee is goin’ under, in this tale of a six year old named Hushpuppy, who lives with her daddy at the edge of the world. Cast: Quvenzhan Wallis, Dwight Henry. The Comedy / U.S.A. (Director: Rick Alverson, Screenwriters: Rick Alverson, Robert Donne, Colm O’Leary) — Indifferent even to the prospects of inheriting his father’s estate, Swanson whiles away his days with a group of aging Brooklyn hipsters, engaging in small acts of recreational cruelty and pacified boredom. Cast: Tim Heidecker, Eric Wareheim, Kate Lyn Sheil, Alexia Rassmusen, Gregg Turkington. The End of Love / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Mark Webber) — A young father unravels following the loss of the mother of his child. Cast: Mark Webber, Shannyn Sossamon, Michael Cera, Jason Ritter, Amanda Seyfried, Frankie Shaw. Filly Brown / U.S.A. (Directors: Youssef Delara, Michael D. Olmos, Screenwriter: Youssef Delara) — A Hip Hop-driven drama about a Mexican girl who rises to fame and consciousness as she copes with the incarceration of her mother through music. Cast: Lou Diamond Phillips, Gina Rodriguez, Jenni Rivera, Edward James Olmos. The First Time / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Jonathan Kasdan) — Two high schoolers meet at a party. Over the course of a weekend, things turn magical, romantic, complicated and funny, as they discover what it’s like to fall in love for the first time. Cast: Brittany Robertson, Dylan O’Brien, Craig Roberts, James Frecheville, Victoria Justice. For Ellen / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: So Yong Kim) — A struggling musician takes an overnight long-distance drive in order to fight his estranged wife for custody of their young daughter. Cast: Paul Dano, Jon Heder, Jena Malone, Margarita Levieva, Shay Mandigo. Hello I Must Be Going / U.S.A. (Director: Todd Louiso, Screenwriter: Sarah Koskoff) — Divorced, childless, demoralized and condemned to move back in with her parents at the age of 35, Amy Minsky’s prospects look bleak - until the unexpected attention of a teenage boy changes everything. Cast: Melanie Lynskey, Blythe Danner, Christopher Abbott, John Rubinstein, Julie White. DAY ONE FILM Keep the Lights On / U.S.A. (Director: Ira Sachs, Screenwriters: Ira Sachs, Mauricio Zacharias) — An autobiographically inspired story of a passionate long-term relationship between two men driven by addiction and secrets but bound by love and hopefulness. Cast: Thure Lindhardt, Zachary Booth, Julianne Nicholson, Souleymane Sy Savane, Paprika Steen. LUV / U.S.A. (Director: Sheldon Candis, Screenwriters: Sheldon Candis, Justin Wilson) — An orphaned 11-year-old boy is forced to face the unpleasant truth about his beloved uncle during one harrowing day in the streets of Baltimore. Cast: Common, Michael Rainey Jr., Dennis Haysbert, Danny Glover, Charles S. Dutton. Middle Of Nowhere / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ava DuVernay) — When her husband is incarcerated, an African-American woman struggles to maintain her marriage and her identity. Cast: Emayatzy Corinealdi, David Oyelowo, Omari Hardwick, Lorraine Touissant, Edwina Findley. Nobody Walks / U.S.A. (Director: Ry Russo-Young, Screenwriters: Lena Dunham, Ry Russo-Young) — Martine, a young artist from NY, is invited into the home of a hip, liberal LA family for a week. Her presence unravels the family’s carefully maintained status quo, and a mess of sexual and emotional entanglements ensues. Cast: John Krasinski, Olivia Thirlby, Rosemarie DeWitt, India Ennenga, Justin Kirk. Safety Not Guaranteed / U.S.A. (Director: Colin Trevorrow, Screenwriter: Derek Connolly) — A trio of magazine employees investigate a classified ad seeking a partner for time travel. One employee develops feelings for the paranoid but compelling loner and seeks to discover what he’s really up to. Cast: Aubrey Plaza, Mark Duplass, Jake Johnson, Karen Soni. Save the Date / U.S.A. (Director: Michael Mohan, Screenwriters: Jeffrey Brown, Egan Reich, Michael Mohan) — As her sister Beth prepares to get married, Sarah finds herself caught up in an intense post-breakup rebound. The two fumble through the redefined emotional landscape of modern day relationships, forced to relearn how to love and be loved. Cast: Lizzy Caplan, Alison Brie, Martin Starr, Geoffrey Arend, Mark Webber. Simon Killer / France, U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Antonio Campos) — A recent college graduate goes to Paris after breaking up with his girlfriend of 5 years. Once there, he falls in love with a young prostitute and their fateful journey begins. Cast: Brady Corbet, Mati Diop, Constance Rousseau, Michael Abiteboul, Solo. Smashed / U.S.A. (Director: James Ponsoldt, Screenwriters: Susan Burke, James Ponsoldt) — Kate and Charlie are a young married couple whose bond is built on a mutual love of music, laughter and… drinking. When Kate decides to get sober, her new lifestyle brings troubling issues to the surface and calls into question her relationship with Charlie. Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Aaron Paul, Octavia Spencer, Nick Offerman, Megan Mullally. The Surrogate / U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Ben Lewin) — Mark O’Brien, a 36-year-old poet and journalist with an iron lung, decides he no longer wishes to be a virgin. With the help of his therapist and the guidance of his priest, he contacts a professional sex surrogate to take him on a journey to manhood. Cast: John Hawkes, Helen Hunt, William H. Macy. U.S. DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION The world premieres of 16 American documentary films. Ai Weiwei: Never Sorry / U.S.A., China (Director: Alison Klayman) — Renowned Chinese artist and activist Ai Weiwei has garnered international attention as much for his ambitious artwork as his political provocations and increasingly public clashes with the Chinese government. The Atomic States of America / U.S.A. (Directors: Don Argott, Sheena M. Joyce) — In 2010, the United States announced construction of the first new nuclear power plant in more than 32 years. A year later, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake struck the Fukushima Power Plant in Japan sparking a fierce debate in the U.S. over the safety and viability of nuclear power. Chasing Ice / U.S.A. (Director: Jeff Orlowski) — Science, spectacle and human passion mix in this stunningly cinematic portrait as National Geographic photographer James Balog captures time-lapse photography of glaciers over several years providing tangible visual evidence of climate change. DETROPIA / U.S.A. (Directors: Heidi Ewing, Rachel Grady) — The woes of Detroit are emblematic of the collapse of the U.S. manufacturing base. This is the dramatic story of a city and its people who refuse to leave the building, even as the flames are rising. ESCAPE FIRE: The Fight to Rescue American Healthcare / U.S.A. (Directors: Matthew Heineman, Susan Froemke) — What can be done to save our broken medical system? Powerful forces are trying to maintain the status quo in a profit-driven medical industry, but a movement to bring innovative methods of prevention and healing is finally gaining ground - potentially saving the health of a nation. Finding North / U.S.A. (Directors: Lori Silverbush, Kristi Jacobson) — A crisis of hunger looms in America and is not limited to the poverty stricken and uneducated. Can a return to policies of the 1970s save our future? The House I Live In / U.S.A. (Director: Eugene Jarecki) — For over 40 years, the War on Drugs has accounted for 45 million arrests, made America the world’s largest jailer and damaged poor communities at home and abroad. Yet, drugs are cheaper, purer and more available today than ever. Where did we go wrong and what is the path toward healing? How to Survive a Plague / U.S.A. (Director: David France) — The untold story of the intensive efforts that turned AIDS into a manageable condition - and the improbable group of (mostly HIV-positive) young men and women whose amazing resilience broke through a time of rampant death and political indifference. The Invisible War / U.S.A. (Director: Kirby Dick) — An investigative and powerfully emotional examination of the epidemic of rape of soldiers within the U.S. military, the institutions that cover up its existence and the profound personal and social consequences that arise from it. Marina Abramovi The Artist is Present / U.S.A. (Director: Matthew Akers) — Marina Abramovi prepares for a major retrospective of her work at The Museum of Modern Art in NY hoping to finally silence four decades of skeptics who proclaim: ‘But why is this art?’ ME at the ZOO / U.S.A. (Directors: Chris Moukarbel, Valerie Veatch) — With 270 million hits to date, Chris Crocker, an uncanny young video blogger from small town Tennessee, is considered the Internet’s first rebel folk hero and at the same time one of its most controversial personalities. The Other Dream Team / Lithuania, U.S.A. (Director: Marius Markevicius) — The 1992 Lithuanian National Basketball Team went from the clutches of Communism to the Summer Olympics in Barcelona - a testament to the powerful role of sports as a catalyst for cultural identity. The Queen of Versailles / U.S.A. (Director: Lauren Greenfield) — Jackie and David were triumphantly constructing the biggest house in America - a sprawling, 90,000-square-foot palace inspired by Versailles - when their timeshare empire collapses and their house is foreclosed. Their rags-to-riches-to-rags story reveals the innate virtues and flaws of the American Dream. DAY ONE FILM Slavery By Another Name / U.S.A. (Director: Sam Pollard) — As slavery came to an end with Abraham Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, a new system of involuntary servitude took its place with shocking force, brutalizing, terrorizing and ultimately circumscribing the lives of hundreds of thousands of African Americans well into the 20th century. Love Free or Die: How the Bishop of New Hampshire is Changing the World / U.S.A. (Director: Macky Alston) — One man whose two defining passions are in conflict: An openly gay bishop refuses to leave the Church or the man he loves. We’re Not Broke / U.S.A. (Directors: Karin Hayes, Victoria Bruce) — As American lawmakers slash budgets and lay off employees, leaving many people scrambling to survive, multibillion-dollar corporations are concealing colossal profits overseas to avoid paying U.S. income tax. Fed-up Americans are taking their frustration to the streets. WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION Fourteen films from emerging filmmaking talents offer fresh perspectives and inventive styles. 4 Suns / Czech Republic (Director and screenwriter: Bohdan Slma) — Immature Fogi attempts to straighten up and accept his responsibilities as a new husband and father, as well as role model to his troubled son from a previous relationship, but finds himself unable to change his nature, leaving him to watch haplessly as his family begins to crumble. Cast: Jaroslav Plesl, Aa Geislerov, Karel Roden, Ji Mdl, Klra Melkov. World Premiere About the Pink Sky / Japan (Director and screenwriter: Keiichi Kobayashi) — A high school girl finds a wallet full of money and tracks down its owner, leading to unexpected consequences for the girl and her friends. Cast: Ai Ikeda, Ena Koshino, Reiko Fujiwara, Tsubasa Takayama, Hakusyu Togetsuan. International Premiere Can / Turkey (Director and screenwriter: Rasit Celikezer) — A young married couple live happily in Istanbul, but their decision to illegally procure a child threatens their future together. Cast: Selen Ucer, Serdar Orcin, Berkan Demirbag, Erkan Avci. World Premiere Father’s Chair (A Cadeira do Pai) / Brazil (Director: Luciano Moura, Screenwriters: Elena Soarez, Luciano Moura) — Following the trail of his runaway teen son, Theo confronts his own identity as a son, a father and a man along the way. Cast: Wagner Moura, Lima Duarte, Mariana Lima. World Premiere L / Greece (Director: Babis Makridis, Screenwriters: Efthymis Filippou, Babis Makridis) — A man who lives in his car gets caught up in the undeclared war between motorcycle riders and car drivers. Cast: Aris Servetalis, Makis Papadimitriou, Lefteris Mathaios, Nota Tserniafski, Stavros Raptis. World Premiere The Last Elvis (El Ultimo Elvis) / Argentina (Director: Armando Bo, Screenwriters: Nicols Giacobone and Armando Bo) — A Buenos Aires Elvis impersonator who believes that he is the reincarnation of the King struggles to shake free from reality and live his musical dream. Cast: John McInerny, Griselda Siciliani, Margarita Lopez. World Premiere Madrid, 1987 / Spain (Director and screenwriter: David Trueba) — The balance of power and desire constantly shifts during the meeting of an older journalist and a young student, of two generations completely foreign to one another. Cast: Jos Sacristn, Mara Valverde, Ramon Fontser. International Premiere My Brother the Devil / United Kingdom (Director and screenwriter: Sally El Hosaini) — A pair of British Arab brothers trying to get by in gangland London learn the extraordinary courage it takes to be yourself. Cast: James Floyd, Sad Taghmaoui, Fady Elsayed. World Premiere Teddy Bear / Denmark (Director: Mads Matthiesen, Screenwriters: Mads Matthiesen, Martin Pieter Zandvliet) — Dennis, a painfully shy 38-year-old bodybuilder who lives with his mother, sets off to Thailand in search of love. Cast: Kim Kold, Elsebeth Steentoft, Lamaiporn Sangmanee Hougaard, David Winters, Allan Mogensen. World Premiere Valley of Saints / India, U.S.A. (Director and screenwriter: Musa Syeed) — Gulzar plans to run away from the war and poverty surrounding his village in Kashmir with his best friend, but a beautiful young woman researching the dying lake leads him to contemplate a different future Cast: Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Mohammed Afzal Sofi, Neelofar Hamid. World Premiere Violeta Went to Heaven (Violeta se Fue a Los Cielos) / Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Spain (Director: Andrs Wood, Screenwriters: Eliseo Altunaga, Rodrigo Bazaes, Guillermo Caldern, Andrs Wood) — A portrait of famed Chilean singer and folklorist Violeta Parra filled with her musical work, her memories, her loves and her hopes. Cast: Francisca Gaviln, Thomas Durand, Luis Machn, Gabriela Aguilera, Roberto Faras. International Premiere Wish You Were Here / Australia (Director: Kieran Darcy-Smith, Screenwriters: Felicity Price, Kieran Darcy-Smith) — Four friends embark on a carefree holiday, but only three return home. Who knows what happened on that fateful night? Cast: Joel Edgerton, Teresa Palmer, Felicity Price, Antony Starr. World Premiere. DAY ONE FILM WRONG / France (Director and screenwriter: Quentin Dupieux) — Dolph searches for his lost dog, but through encounters with a nympho pizza-delivery girl, a jogging neighbor seeking the absolute, and a mysterious righter of wrongs, he may eventually lose his mind… and his identity. Cast: Jack Plotnick, Eric Judor, Alexis Dziena, Steve Little, William Fichtner. World Premiere Young & Wild / Chile (Director: Marialy Rivas, Screenwriters: Marialy Rivas, Camila Gutirrez, Pedro Peirano) — 17-year-old Daniela, raised in the bosom of a strict Evangelical family and recently unmasked as a fornicator by her shocked parents, struggles to find her own path to spiritual harmony. Cast: Alicia Rodrguez, Aline Kuppenheim, Mara Gracia Omegna, Felipe Pinto. World Premiere WORLD CINEMA DOCUMENTARY COMPETITION Twelve documentaries by some of the most courageous and extraordinary filmmakers working today. REVOLUTION / Denmark (Directors: Omar Shargawi, Karim El Hakim) — In January 2011, two filmmakers captured the reality of the Egyptian revolution as it occurred out of view from the world’s media in the alleyways and streets away from the square - and in the process were arrested by the secret police. North American Premiere 5 Broken Cameras / Palestine, Israel, France (Directors: Emad Burnat, Guy Davidi) — A Palestinian journalist chronicles his village’s resistance to a separation barrier being erected on their land and in the process captures his young son’s lens on the world. International Premiere THE AMBASSADOR / Denmark (Director: Mads Brgger) — What happens when a very white European man buys his way into being a diplomat in one of Central Africa’s most failed nations? Welcome to the bizarre and hidden world of African diplomacy, where gin and tonics flow and diamond hustlers and corrupt politicians run free. North American Premiere **BIG BOYS GONE BANANAS!*** / Sweden (Director: Fredrik Gertten) — The behind-the-scenes story of a full-scale attack on freedom of speech. When Dole set its sights on the WG Film production Bananas!* in May 2009, confusion was the method, aggression was the tactic and media control was the story. North American Premiere China Heavyweight / Canada, China (Director: Yung Chang) — In central China, where a coach recruits poor rural teenagers and turns them into Western-style boxing champions, the top students face dramatic choices as they graduate - should they fight for the collective good or for themselves? A metaphor for the choices everyone in the New China faces now. World Premiere Gypsy Davy / Israel, U.S.A., Spain (Director: Rachel Leah Jones) — How does a white boy with Alabama roots become a Flamenco guitarist in Andalusian boots? A tale of self-invention and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of the cost to others. International Premiere The Imposter / United Kingdom (Director: Bart Layton) — In 1994 a 13-year-old boy disappears from his home in San Antonio, Texas. Three and a half years later he is found alive thousands of miles away in Spain with a shocking story of kidnap and torture. But all is not what it seems in this tale that is truly stranger than fiction. World Premiere Indie Game: The Movie / Canada (Directors: Lisanne Pajot, James Swirsky) — Follow the dramatic journeys of indie game developers as they create games and release those works, and themselves, to the world. World Premiere The Law in These Parts / Israel (Director: Ra’anan Alexandrowicz) — Israel’s 43-year military legal system in the Occupied Palestinian Territories unfolds through provocative interviews with the system’s architects and historical footage showing the enactment of these laws upon the Palestinian population. International Premiere Payback / Canada (Director: Jennifer Baichwal) — Based on Margaret Atwood’s best-selling book, Payback explores how debt is a central organizing principle in our lives - influencing relationships, societies, governing structures and the very fate of this planet. World Premiere Putin’s Kiss / Denmark (Director: Lise Birk Pedersen) — 19-year-old Marsha is a model spokesperson in a strongly nationalistic Russian youth movement that aims to protect the country from its enemies. When she starts recognizing the organization’s flaws, she must take a stand for or against it. North American Premiere Searching for Sugar Man / Denmark, United Kingdom (Director: Malik Bendjelloul) — Rodriguez was the greatest ’70s US rock icon who never was. Hailed as the greatest recording artist of his generation he disappeared into oblivion - rising again from the ashes in a completely different context many miles away. World Premiere. DAY ONE FILM The Sundance Film Festival A program of the non-profit Sundance Institute, the Festival has introduced global audiences to some of the most ground-breaking films of the past two decades, including sex, lies, and videotape, Maria Full of Grace, The Cove, Hedwig and the Angry Inch, An Inconvenient Truth, Precious, Trouble the Water, and Napoleon Dynamite, and through its New Frontier initiative, has showcased the cinematic works of media artists including Isaac Julian, Doug Aitken, Pierre Huyghe, Jennifer Steinkamp, and Matthew Barney. The 2012 Sundance Film Festival sponsors include: Presenting Sponsors - Entertainment Weekly, HP, Acura, Sundance Channel and Chase SapphireSM; Leadership Sponsors - Adobe Systems Incorporated, Bing, Canon, DIRECTV, Focus Forward, a partnership between GE and CINELAN, Southwest Airlines, Sprint and Yahoo!; Sustaining Sponsors - Bertolli Frozen Meal Soups, FilterForGood, a partnership between Brita and Nalgene, Grey Goose Vodka, Hilton HHonors and Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts, L’Oral Paris, Stella Artois, Timberland, Time Warner Inc. and YouTubeTM. Sundance Institute recognizes critical support from the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and the State of Utah as Festival Host State. The support of these organizations will defray costs associated with the 10-day Festival and the nonprofit Sundance Institute’s year-round programs for independent film and theatre artists. www.sundance.org/festival Sundance Institute Sundance Institute is a global nonprofit organization founded by Robert Redford in 1981. Through its artistic development programs for directors, screenwriters, producers, composers and playwrights, the Institute seeks to discover and support independent film and theatre artists from the United States and around the world, and to introduce audiences to their new work. The Institute promotes independent storytelling to inform, inspire, and unite diverse populations around the globe. Internationally recognized for its annual Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute has nurtured such projects as Born into Brothels, Trouble the Water, Son of Babylon, Amreeka, An Inconvenient Truth, Spring Awakening, I Am My Own Wife, Light in the Piazza and Angels in America. Join Sundance Institute on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. # # Tagged: sundance film festival, sundance2012

Black Eyed Peas To Participate Obama For Tree Lighting

First Launched: November 30, 2011 11:06 AM EST Credit: Getty Images Caption apl.p.ap, Fergie, will.i.am and Taboo in the Black Eyed Peas attend the Peapod Adobe Youth Voices Academy launch at Urban Arts Partnership in NY City, on April 19, 2011WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The Black Eyed Peas and Kermit the Frog are joining picking a artists who'll help light the country's Christmas Tree near to the White-colored House. Carson Daly will host the lighting ceremony Thursday. Artists may even include Hugely Hurry, Betty Goulding, this rock band OneRepublic, country star Rodney Atkins and singer Marsha Ambrosius. Leader Obama and also the family will formally light the tree. This is actually the 89th year for your holiday tree lighting. The tradition began with Leader Calvin Coolidge in 1923. This really is really the very first lighting from the new National Christmas Tree that was grown in March. Its a 26-ft-tall Colorado blue brighten in the Nj tree nursery. Strong winds in February toppled the ultimate tree which in fact had was round the Ellipse since 1978. Copyright 2011 with the Connected Press. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Scarlett Johansson Talks Social Media: I Cant Consider Anything Id Rather Do Less

First Launched: November 27, 2011 5:15 PM EST Credit: Getty Images La, Calif. -- Caption Scarlett Johansson round the red-colored-colored carpet within the 2011 Oscars Sorry, Facebook Scarlett Johansson is not interested in you. In the interview while using Huffington Publish co-founder Arianna Huffington for Interview magazine, the infamously private actress states while she sights social networking an amazing tool in an effort to boost awareness and share information, the thought of trying to help keep fans current on her behalf account every whim is a factor she finds confusing. I don't possess a Facebook or possibly a Twitter account, which i've no clue the way in which i experience this idea of, Now, Im eating dinner, which i would like everyone to know that Im getting dinner at this time around around, or I merely mailed instructions and shipped the kids, Scarlett, who'll next be seen round the silver screen alongside Matt Damon in We Bought A Zoo, mentioned. That, in my opinion, is definitely an very strange phenomenon. I cant consider anything Id rather do under have to continuously share nuances of my everyday existence. The 27-year-old beauty, whose private nude photos hit the internet in September carrying out a hacker utilized her e-mail account, mentioned she's always surprised that numerous her fellow stars have Twitter accounts. I guess they'll use it with techniques that really creates their account, she mentioned. But Id rather that people had less utilization of my very own existence. Essentially will keep it by doing this, Id be described as a happy lady. For your full interview with Scarlett, obtain a duplicate of Interviews December problem. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Corporation. All rights reserved. These elements is probably not launched, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Redford, T. Bone Burnett to speak at Sundance London

LONDON -- Robert Redford and "Crazy Heart" music producer and singer-songwriter T. Bone Burnett will kick off the first ever Sundance London music and film fest on April 26. Redford and Burnett will open the four-day fest, which will take place at AEG's O2 venue, with a conversation about the relationship between film and music. Author and screenwriter Nick Hornby will moderate the conversation, dubbed "An Evening with Robert Redford and T. Bone Burnett," which will feature a special musical guest to be announced soon. Redford, founder and prexy of the Sundance Film Institute, and Burnett will share their recollections of achieving great musical moments with filmmakers, thesps and musicians that they have collaborated with throughout their careers. Burnett has worked on the music for pics such as "The Big Lebowski," "O Brother, Where Art Thou?," "Walk the Line" and "Crazy Heart," the latter for which he won an Oscar. Burnett has also produced albums from Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Counting Crows, Roy Orbison and The Wallflowers.Sundance London, which runs April 26-29, will be programmed by the Sundance Institute while the music component of the fest will be spearheaded by AEG Europe. The inaugural edition of the fest will see 14 pics from the 2012 Sundance Film Festival line-up make their U.K. preems at Sundance London. Contact Diana Lodderhose at diana.lodderhose@variety.com