Ben Lewin

Tony Nominee Joanna Lumley To Lead Opera-Themed Rom-Com 'Falling For Figaro'

According to Deadline, Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous) and Danielle Macdonald (Patti Cake$, Dumplin') will lead the cast of Falling For Figaro, a romantic comedy from The Sessions director Ben Lewin.

Summit and Panel Discussion Examines Disability Through a Brand New Lens

Lights! Camera! Access! 2.0: Disability Through a Brand New Lens, an industry panel exploring talent with disabilities in front of and behind the camera in television, features, and streaming, was held on February 20th. The event, held at the Television Academy campus, was presented by The Loreen Arbus Foundation, EIN SOF Communications, and The Caucus for Producers, Writers and Directors, in association with Emerson College.

The Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival to Present 33 International Movies

The upcoming 29th annual The Donald M. Ephraim Palm Beach Jewish Film Festival will present movies from around the world, opening with PAPA, a heart-warming movie about an adopted son searching for his biological parents, and featuring an all-star cast including Ann-Margret, Frankie Avalon, Mischa Barton, Daryl Hannah, Michael Madsen, Vincent Pastore, David Proval, Eric Roberts and Paul Sorvino. 

The 10th Annual Burbank International Film Festival Announces Program

The Burbank International Film Festival today announced official program selections for the 10th Annual edition of the festival set for Wednesday, September 5th, through Sunday, September 9th, 2018. 

Ensemble Studio Theatre Announces 50th Anniversary Season, Beginning With William Jackson Harper's TRAVISVILLE

ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE (EST) (William Carden, Artistic Director, Sarah McLellan, Executive Director) is proud to announce its 50th Anniversary season. The season will commence in October 2018 with the world premiere of TRAVISVILLE a new play by William Jackson Harper ("The Good Place") and directed by Steve H. Broadnax III (The Hip-Hop Project). This marks the playwriting debut of Harper, who has been developing the piece with EST over the past 8 years.

CATCHER WAS A SPY Starring Paul Rudd Acquired By IFC Films, Set for June Release

According to the Hollywood Reporter, IFC Films has acquired the U.S. rights to The Catcher Was a Spy, starring Paul Rudd. The film also stars Sienna Miller, Jeff Daniels, Guy Pearce and Paul Giamatti.

ABC's THE GOOD DOCTOR & Netflix's ATYPICAL Honored by Ed Asner and Autism Society at 2nd Annual AutFest Film Festival

SONY Pictures Entertainment, ABC's The Good Doctor, Netflix's Atypical, and several filmmakers were honored for their contributions to autism awareness 'From Spectrum to Screen' by the Autism Society of America at the 2 nd Annual AutFest International Film Festival (April 28-29), held at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills. AutFest screened over 16 feature films, shorts and television programs that promote autism awareness and/or are made by autistic filmmakers.

Sony Pictures Entertainment, ABC's THE GOOD DOCTOR and Netflix's ATYPICAL Honored at AutFest Film Festival

SONY Pictures Entertainment, ABC's The Good Doctor, Netflix's Atypical, and several filmmakers were honored yesterday for their contributions to autism awareness 'From Spectrum to Screen' at the 2nd Annual AutFest International Film Festival (April 28-29), held at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, CA. AutFest screened over 16 feature films, short films and television programs that promote autism awareness and/or are made by autistic filmmakers.

AutFest Film Festival Announces Final Program Lineup, April 28-29

AutFest International Film Festival announced its official program selections for its second annual film festival celebrating autism awareness “From Spectrum to Screen.” Presented by The Autism Society, AutFest will screen over 16 feature films, short films and television programs that promote autism awareness and/or are made by autistic filmmakers. As previously announced, AutFest will also honor Netflix's hit show “Atypical” and ABC's “The Good Doctor” with Spotlight Awards for their special portrayal of lead characters who are on the autistic spectrum. The Visionary Award will be presented to SONY Pictures Entertainment's JEFF FROST, President of Sony Pictures Television Studios, and Co-Presidents of Sony Pictures Television CHRIS PARNELL and JASON CLODFELTER. AutFest takes place Saturday, April 28 – Sunday, April 28, 2018 at the Writers Guild Theater in Beverly Hills, CA.

AutFest to Screen Power Rangers and With Special Guests RJ Cyler and Co-Writer John Gatins

AutFest International Film Festival celebrates autism awareness with a screening of Power Rangers (2017), followed by a panel discussion, as part of their 2018 lineup. Power Rangers is the first super hero movie to include an autistic lead character, the Blue Power Ranger, as a positive, capable champion of good. Now in its second year, AutFest Film Festival celebrates World Autism Awareness month and is dedicated to promoting films and television programs that spotlight autism awareness and that have the power to enhance the lives of the autistic community.

Cast Announced for Chiara Atik's BUMP

ENSEMBLE STUDIO THEATRE (EST) (William Carden, Artistic Director, Sarah McLellan, Executive Director) and The Alfred P. Sloan Foundation (Doron Weber, Vice-President, Programs) announced today the full cast and creative team for the World Premiere of BUMP, written by Chiara Atik (Five Times in One Night) and directed by Claudia Weill(Girlfriends). Part of the EST/Sloan Science & Technology Project (Graeme Gillis, Program Director; Linsay Firman, Associate Director), BUMP begins previews at EST's Curt Dempster Theatre (549 W. 52nd Street, New York, NY 10019) on May 9, 2018, with an opening night set for May 17, for a limited run through June 4, 2018.

AGAINST THE HILLSIDE, DIDO OF IDAHO and BUMP to Premiere at EST in 2018

Ensemble Studio Theatre (EST) has announced three World Premiere productions for the EST 2018 season.

2018 Sundance Film Festival Feature Films Announced

Sundance Institute showcases bold, independent storytelling at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, beginning with today's announcement of feature films selected across all categories. The Festival hosts screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City and at Sundance Mountain Resort, from January 18 28.

TIFF 2017 Unveils First Slate of Films for Galas & Special Presentations

Piers Handling and Cameron Bailey unveiled the first wave of titles premiering in the Gala and Special Presentations programmes at this year's Toronto International Film Festival.

BWW Reviews: Shopov and Reeves Do the Heavy Lifting in Zeitgeist Stage Company's BENT

Following last season's award-winning production of THE NORMAL HEART, Zeitgeist Stage Company sets the bar high with the compelling drama BENT, featuring outstanding performances from Victor L. Shopov and Brooks Reeves. Directed with distinction by David J. Miller, the play challenges its audience to bear witness to atrocities, but illustrates the strength of the human spirit.

Sobini Films Developing Feature Following Roger Ebert & Russ Meyer's Working Relationship

Mark Amin's Sobini Films is partnering with David Permut's Permut Presentations and Richard Waltzer's Chautauqua Entertainment to acquire RUSS & ROGER GO BEYOND, a screenplay written by Emmy winner Christopher Cluess (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE, THE SIMPSONS) based on the true story of the unique relationship between provocative filmmaker Russ Meyer and legendary critic Roger Ebert while they made BEYOND THE VALLEY OF THE DOLLS at 20th Century Fox.

UCLA Film & Television Archive Kicks Off CHAMPION: THE STANLEY KRAMER CENTENNIAL Series Tonight

Opening Night of the UCLA Film & Television Archive Film Series: 'CHAMPION: THE STANLEY KRAMER CENTENNIAL' is set for tonight, August 9, 2013 at the Billy Wilder Theater, 10899 Wilshire Boulevard (at the corner of Westwood Boulevard), Los Angeles, Calif.

UCLA Film & Television Archive to Kick Off CHAMPION: THE STANLEY KRAMER CENTENNIAL Series, 8/9

Opening Night of the UCLA Film & Television Archive Film Series: 'CHAMPION: THE STANLEY KRAMER CENTENNIAL' is set for Friday, August 9, 2013 at the Billy Wilder Theater, 10899 Wilshire Boulevard (at the corner of Westwood Boulevard), Los Angeles, Calif.

LINCOLN Among Top Nominees of Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards

The Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts (AACTA) today announced the nominees in the five AACTA International Award categories, recognising international achievements in film as follows: Best Film, Best Direction, Best Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress.

Judd Apatow Among Honorees For 16th Annual Hollywood Film Awards

The 16th Annual Hollywood Film Awards, presented by the Los Angeles Times, is pleased to announce that writer/director/producer Judd Apatow will be given the 'Hollywood Comedy Award'