Kaleidoscope Film Distribution (KFD) will handle worldwide sales on I AM DURAN. The sports documentary, currently in pre-production, will chronicle the life of Roberto Duran, one of the most entertaining, controversial and greatest boxers of all time. As a notable figure in boxing and Panama’s history, Duran’s life story will also be told in the forthcoming biopic HANDS OF STONE written and directed by Jonathan Jakubowicz and starring Edgar Ramirez, Robert DeNiro and Ellen Barkin. Kaleidoscope Home Entertainment will release the documentary in the UK. Ad Hoc Films will produce the film.

At its core, I AM DURAN has a 3 tiered narrative – The Man, The Nation, and his cultural effect and legacy. Structurally, it will tell Duran’s story retrospectively, showcasing an exclusive and intimate interview with Duran himself, with further interview contributions from high profile politicians, boxers and personalities from around the globe. The historical element of the film will be a subjective experience told through individual and collective contributions and events and will utilise extensive archive. All this will be allied to grand, colourful and poetic photography with ethereal moments, to showcase the man and his incredible story.

“Roberto Duran isn’t just an acclaimed boxer. He has a cultural influence and legacy that transcends most professional athletes – using his fame and notoriety to help the people of Panama. His inspirational story in I AM DURAN shows us that anyone can channel their passion to make a difference,” says Kaleidoscope’s Spencer Pollard.

“This is the defining documentary on one of boxing’s most significant of fighters” says Ad Hoc film’s Daniel Glynn.  “Duran was a force of a nature, an instinctive talent whose exciting style, secured him a legacy of greatness inside of the ring. But his story is so much more than this. Outside of the ring he inspired a nation at a hugely significant and difficult moment in its history. He transcended his sport and became a cultural icon in the process.

Director, Mat Hodgson added: “Duran makes for compelling storytelling as his impact went much further than just his sport. He represented much more to his nation as he inspired his people and country out of dark times.  Few sportsmen have ever achieved this in history. He truly is one of the greats and we are delighted, honoured and excited to be telling his story.”

KFD specialises in commercial feature films and branded documentaries with a Cannes slate which includes: Kweku Mandela’s MANDELA’S CHILDREN, the intimate portrayal of Nelson Mandela through the eyes of his grandchildren; and the IMAX theatrical project, LE MANS 3D, which tells the inside story of the iconic motor race in astonishing HD. Addition projects include: Kevin Pollack’s MISERY LOVES COMEDY which features comedy icons such as Tom Hanks and Jimmy Fallon dissect the art of stand-up; Mike Todd’s HUSTLERS CONVENTION; and Keva Rosenfeld’s ALL AMERICAN HIGH REVISITED.

About Kaleidoscope Film Distribution

Kaleidoscope Film Distribution (KFD) is an established International Sales outfit based in London. A one-stop-shop offering full UK and international distribution and sales capabilities, the company has fully or partially financed twelve titles over the past two years.

Recent titles include: Gerard Barrett’s Sundance award winner GLASSLAND starring Toni Collette, Jack Reynor and Will Poulter; I AM BIG BIRD, a festival favourite discovering the man who has given life to the much-loved Sesame Street character since the 1960s; Tom Hammock’s THE LAST SURVIVORS; Joss Whedon's acclaimed MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING; and Adam Green’s subversive monster horror DIGGING UP THE MARROW.

About Ad Hoc Films

Is an established UK documentary production company, founded by filmmakers Daniel Glynn and Mat Hodgson. Recent, critically acclaimed films include: THE FOUR YEAR PLAN; NIGHT OF THE FIGHT:  HATTON’S LAST STAND and SLEEPING GIANT: AN INDIAN FOOTBALL STORY.  

Following the success of Conquistador Entertainment’s Jennifer Aniston starrer, CAKE, the recently revived Sales Agency has announced its Cannes Marché line-up, which will include; Jean-Michel Cousteau’s, ODYSSEA 3D; Noah Buschel’s, THE PHENOM, starring Ethan Hawke, Paul Giamatti and Johnny Simmons; and Devon Downs’ directorial debut, PARLOR.

Currently in-production, Conquistador Entertainment will screen a promo reel for Cousteau’s ODYSSEA 3D, exclusively to distributors, on Wednesday, May 13, 2015 at the infamous Palais Du Festival. Co-directed by Jean-Michel Cousteau and the Mantello Brothers and Produced by 3D Entertainment Films (OCEANWORLD 3D), the film is a tribute to Cousteau’s Father, renowned ocean pioneer and 1956 Palme d’Or winner, Jacques Cousteau, who brought to the screen a breath-taking look at life under water with the ground-breaking documentary SILENT WORLD.

ODYSSEA 3D, with the help of revolutionary equipment, presents a break-through look at a secret world within the Ocean. Cousteau, alongside his two children, Celine and Fabien, embarks on an adventure; bringing audiences into an undiscovered world that will leave them in awe of the beauty and diversity found within the world’s oceans and inspire the need to protect what they will truly be seeing for the first time.

Upon announcing the acquisition of International Sales Rights, Conquistador’s President Pascal Borno noted, “We are thrilled to bring Jean-Michel Cousteau’s 3D masterpiece to the Market this year, working with such an incredible team of filmmakers, following in the legacy of the great Jacques Cousteau.”

Conquistador Entertainment’s Cannes Office is based on the Queen South Yacht located at the Vieux Port, Jetée Albert Edouard.

ODYSSEA 3D Director, Jean-Michel Cousteau will be in Cannes to debut the promo.

CANNES FILM FESTIVAL 2015  SCREENING

EXODUS TO SHANGHAI

F -  F   I   L   M   S

F LOUNGE AT LOBBY MAJESTIC HOTEL

A love story of West loves East, Jews and Chinese united with violins, interrupted by the Nazi invasion of Austria in 1938. Even Hitler is not powerful enough to break the love; with many adventures and action, they make the Exodus from Vienna to reach the Next year in Shanghai.

When Hitler invades Austria in 1938, Jews must make an Exodus from Vienna. Only the Chinese Consul of Vienna, Dr. Feng Shan Ho issues thousands of Jews exit Visas to Shanghai. Fannia is a beautiful Jewish violin player from New York perfecting her violinist skills in Vienna. She falls in love with Bruce, the nephew of Dr. Ho who is a gifted violinist and a martial artist. Together they are forced into an Exodus from Vienna in an exciting adventurous trip to reach Exodus to Shanghai. On the way the Gestapo tries to stop them from reaching their dreamland and to rob them of their valuables and their lives.

This is a love story of Jews and Chinese. Together they survive and eliminate the Nazis who want to stop their Exodus to Shanghai. At the end the Gestapo General gets bitten to death by the Nazi dogs.

Based on real events.

Located right outside the hustle and bustle of the Marché du Film with a beautiful French beach at its feet, the Village International is a must see part of the Cannes Film Festival. The Village International is a perfect place to network with other festival attendees and take a break from the hectic festival atmosphere, as well as learn about cinematography and film production from around the world. Although it is fairly recent addition to the festival, the Village International was established in the year 2000, there are organizations from a number of various countries and regions. In fact, the purpose of the Village International is to allow companies to promote their own country and allow visitors to explore other industries.   

By Maya Kirby

If you walk out onto the croisette at any given point during the festival, you may see even a hundred people with a piece of paper in their hands. All of them say the same thing in a different way - I need an invitation. For those not familiar, in order to enter the Grand Theatre Lumiere, you need an invitation and these are always seemingly hard to come by. In this spectacular 2,500+ seated audtorium, the main films are played, specfically those that are in the running for the Palme D'Or. 

The real question though is whether it works or not. Can simply standing outside with a little piece of white paper get you into one of the most presitigous places? The answer is yes, but only with some luck. I ventured out to see whether or not people have had success and if they had any secret tricks to getting one. 

A young woman I approached responded with how "it is all dumb luck, you could stand out here for two hours and not get one or you could wait five minutes and somehow have one drop in your lap!"

Another man I encountered has been crafting this art for over twenty years. "You know, I would say almost 70% I am successful in getting a ticket but you never know." I had to know if he had a secret or not - whether it was something he wears, says, or does. "Sometimes you just gotta cry!"

We will just have to see how lucky I am later this week. 

By: James Cullen

I sat down with Nydia Simone to talk about her film The Lost Book of Rap and hear her perspective on the Cannes Film Festival as a filmmaker in the Short Film corner. Simone mentioned her previous experience at the Cannes Film Festival as an intern, and how that experience helped her to learn the business and to become more comfortable in Cannes, which we all know can be overwhelming the first visit, or even for those who go to the festival every year. As a second time Cannes Film Festival attendee she says, “Cannes is definitely a culture.” She elaborates to say that “it’s about just being, it’s not about trying to network…it’s just being.” As Cannes is the place where people in the film industry from all parts of the world congregate, it is the perfect place for young filmmakers to gain inspiration, familiarity with the ins and outs of film, and just take the time to soak up the environment.

Tomorrow is the day we’ve all been waiting for, or at least I have. The Irrational Man looks like yet another one of Woody Allen’s brutally honest and introspective films. 

Regardless of opinions of him as a person, he is a beautiful artist who makes movies that really take you out of your every day perspective. Not to mention Joaquin Pheonix has been nearly as consistent as Leo ever since he decided to quit acting for rap. He not only gets into the mind of the characters he plays he puts the characters mind into the viewers. 

Coupled with Emma Stones brilliant acting, I’m sure those lucky enough to attend the premier will be in for quite the twisted experience.

“Mad Max” opened todays events with an evaluative bang. The stars of the film, Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron and Nicholas Hoult joined Director George Miller on stage for a press conference, where the naturally feminist action flick drew a lot of praise for its feminist stance.

“Initially there was no feminist agenda, that was the story, it was meant to be an extended chase…once you build the structure this stuff just pops out,” Miller said. 

From what I’ve heard the movie has a lot of a one armed Charlize Theron kicking ass.

It seems like it will also not disappoint those looking for a movie with heavy social commentary.

“What I took from all the Mad Max films is it was very grounded in what a lot of scholars talk about with globalization and global warming, leadership getting out of hand and the control of people,” Theron said. 

The film will re-air tomorrow morning at 11:30 am and is definitely one of the must sees of the festival.

By, Cameron Lui

With racial turmoil so prevalent in America today, it’s always refreshing to meet someone willing to have a fulfilling conversation about this impossibly complex issue.

Nydia Simone, an up and coming film maker,  has a perspective that will hopefully find it’s way into the consciousness of the industry.

“Dope” will be screened during the festival, which I personally am excited for because I love high school comedies. It’s such an insecure and unpredictable period of life that film can do a lot with that perspective. 

Nydia and many others are excited for the premier. “Young black people in Cannes? When are you guna see that?” Simone said with a jolt of excitement. However, she still believes that “Dope is not a new narrative.” 

“We do have great stories but sometimes the same narrative gets funded,” Simone said. 

Most early articles around the movie, whether positive or negative, seems to be race driven. It’s puzzling that in this era of film we can’t look at a film and just critique it for the quality. 

Just like Simone said: “I should be able to say I hated Selma!”

However, while it would be nice to be able to drop the issue of race, it’s still so prevalent that it needs to be evaluated.

Simone believes the danger is “you have one story and people just think this is how black people are…it’s hard because Hollywood has all this money they can make it look enticing.”

Simone believes that “the production value needs to get higher…how about we make stories we want to see and how about we make them good quality.” 

This is in no way saying that “Dope” will be low quality and it has gotten quite a bit of praise for being a fresh take on the modern high school experience. It looks like a relatable narrative with a talented cast featuring Zoe Kravitz and Forest Whitaker along side a cast of new young talent. It will be one of the closing movies on Sunday the 24th.

Nydia Simone is a producer and actor in the short “The Lost Book of Rap,” which is being presented in the short film category and will be celebrated in a big way with a concert in the front of the Palais on Monday the 18th.

By, Cameron Lui

2:30 - 3:30 pm @NEXT Pavilion - Friday May 15th

Presented by

May 14 4:00 - 5:00 pm @NEXT Pavilion 

Launching a successful movie crowdfunding campaign & building a strong community Feedback & case study on Noob and Night Fare

Speakers:   Mathieu Maire du Poset, Deputy Managing Director, ULULE
                Paul Mignot, Producer, NIGHT FARE
                Serge Hayat, Co-founder & President, SOFICAS CINEMAGE

Building your community, creating derived products, widening your audience, testing and targeting your public, mixing different funding tools, etc. Crowdfunding is more than a simple search for funds, it is a powerful tool with much to offer for your movie's successful outcome.

Thanks to two project creators' feed-backs, learn to build and give life to your very own crowdfunding campaign. In 2013 Noob, an amateur featured film, managed to raise over €680,000 thanks to its campaign. Night Fare, whose campaign was launched on Ulule in 2014, is also proud to see its feature film released in theaters this year after the Cannes Film Festival.

May 15 4:00 - 5:00 pm @NEXT Pavilion 

The 3T’s success formula of new media financing : TransMedia, TransRegional and TransAtlantic!

Moderator: Domenico Laporta, Head of Transmedia, WALLIMAGE
Speakers:Laurent Grumiaux, Gamification Manager on « Urbance », FISHING CACTUS
                 Marc-Henri Wajnberg, Producer of « Kinshasa Now », WAJNBROSSE
                 Patrick Séverin, Story Architect « Work in Progress », INSTANTS PRODUCTION

Following the « Transregional Interactive Experiences » organized with its french partner of Pictanovo, Wallimage has set up a new transmedia matching fund with the Canada Media Fund that recently awarded 3 multi-platforms projects funded under the « TransAtlantic Call for interactive projects » flagship. Have a sneak peek at those collaborative projects between Belgium and Canada being unveiled for the first time.

It is probably every young filmmaker’s dream to not only visit the Cannes Film Festival but to have a chance to work there, and a common internship found amongst university students is working in the Marché du Film. Today I spoke with Tasha Jocz, who is an intern at Lightning Entertainment. Her job is to greet new clients and offer them water and coffee, in fact she caught my attention with an offer of free candy.

Since this is Jocz’s first time at the Cannes Film Festival I asked for her opinion based on her first few days of work. “It seems slow,” she says, “but that’s apparently new this year because of things like Netflix and HBO.” However, regardless she emphasized that it is a good experience to have since she is learning about distribution. Jocz also has the opportunity to listen to people pitch movies to her company and since they do not have an acquisition team, she and her coworker get to decide whether or not films will work with the company.

Working the Marché du Film gives interns the occasion to be removed from the glamour of the festival see the business side of film.

By Maya Kirby

Oscar nominee Uma Thurman (NYMPHOMANIAC: VOL. I, KILL BILL: VOL 1-2, PULP FICTION) and Emmy and Tony Award winning actress Kristin Chenoweth (ABC’s “Pushing Daisies,” Fox’s “Glee”)  are set to star in the comedy THE BRITS ARE COMING, it was announced today by producers Cassian Elwes (DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, Lee Daniels’ THE BUTLER), JC Chandor (A MOST VIOLENT YEAR, ALL IS LOST), Robert Ogden Barnum (MARGIN CALL, LAWLESS), and Will Clevinger (upcoming LIFE AT THESE SPEEDS, MATERNAL BONDS).

Fortitude International, co-founded by Barnum, Nadine de Barros and Daniel Wagner, will handle foreign rights to the project and will present it to buyers at the Cannes Film Market. De Barros will be supported by her sales team including Katie Irwin, VP of International and Samantha Peel, Director of International Sales and Marketing. 

Slated to start shooting in July, the comedy will be directed by James Oakley who co-wrote the screenplay with Alex Michaelides. Further casting on the project is underway.

Oakley is a protégé of Chandor and previously produced and directed THE DEVIL YOU KNOW starring Rosamund Pike, Lena Olin and Jennifer Lawrence which Michaelides also wrote.

This new feature film is part of an ongoing collaboration between Fortitude International and producer Cassian Elwes. They previously collaborated on DAUGHTER OF GOD with Keanu Reeves, Ana de Armas (KNOCK KNOCK) and Mira Sorvino, which is in post-production.

In this broad comedy, an eccentric British con-artist couple, Harriet (Thurman) and Peter Fox, flee to Los Angeles to get away from paying a large debt to a notorious gangster after a failed poker game.  With the gangster hot on their trail, the pair scheme to win back the money by executing a jewel theft operation involving Peter’s ex-wife and her new husband, Gabriel. Chenoweth will play Gabriel’s pill-popping assistant, Gina. 

“Uma Thurman is a gifted actress who excels in all genres and will showcase her comedic skills in THE BRITS ARE COMING, a hugely entertaining and hilarious script. Kristin Chenoweth is the perfect counterpart given her undeniable wit and charm which has been on display across television, film and stage productions,” said Barnum.

Uma Thurman is known to audiences for her memorable performance in Quentin Tarantino’s cult classics KILL BILL: VOL 1 and 2 as well as the acclaimed PULP FICTION which earned her an Oscar nomination. She was last seen in Lars von Trier’s NYMPHOMANIAC: VOL. 1 and will next star in The Weinstein Company’s ADAM JONES opposite Bradley Cooper, Jamie Dornan and Sienna Miller, coming to theatres in October 2015. Her other feature film credits include THE PRODUCERS, BEAUTIFUL GIRLS, SWEET AND LOWDOWN and PRIME, among many others.  On television, Thurman most recently starred in NBC’s mini-series “The Slap” and won a Golden Globe for her role in HBO’s critically acclaimed film “Hysterical Blindness.”

Kristin Chenoweth is a renowned award-winning actress who has worked across television, film and theatre. She won an Emmy for her performance on the ABC series “Pushing Daisies” and was nominated for two Emmys for her guest performance on Fox’s hit series “Glee.” She also originated the role of Glinda the Good Witch in Wicked, which led to a Tony nomination and subsequently won the award for her role in You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown. She is currently appearing on Broadway in On the Twentieth Century for which she has earned another Tony Award nomination. Her recent feature film credits include 20th Century Fox’s box office hit RIO 2 and Universal’s THE BOY NEXT DOOR. This summer, Chenoweth will star in the Disney Channel’s live-action original movie DESCENDANTS, and will also receive a coveted star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in the category of live performances on stage or in theatre. A veteran of the concert stage, Kristin has performed to sold-out concerts across the world, including Sydney Opera House and Royal Albert Hall and will resume touring later this year.

Cassian Elwes is the successful producer behind such hits as the Oscar-winning DALLAS BUYERS CLUB with Matthew McConaughey and Jared Leto, Lee Daniel’s THE BUTLER with Forest Whitaker and Oprah Winfrey.  His upcoming projects include ELVIS & NIXON with Kevin Spacey and Michael Shannon in post-production and Werner Herzog’s Berlin International Film Festival selection QUEEN OF THE DESERT with Nicole Kidman, James Franco and Robert Pattinson.

Acclaimed filmmaker JC Chandor’s feature film debut MARGIN CALL led to an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay. His follow up film was the well-received ALL IS LOST with Robert Redford which premiered at the 2013 Cannes International Film Festival. He produced as well as wrote and directed his most recent film, A MOST VIOLENT YEAR, with Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain which was named Best Film by the National Board of Review and was nominated for three Independent Spirit Awards.

Thurman is repped by Untitled Entertainment and Chenoweth by ICM Partners and Untitled Entertainment. 

For the low price of 19.90 euro, festival attendees can have access to wifi throughout the duration of the festival. Ive tried this personally and so far in the past hour I’ve been able to load one Facebook message.

Nikos Talbi-Lykakis, a talented screenwriter currently working on his upcoming feature “The Passport,” is not pleased with the current situation.

“Its unbelievable that in a place like Cannes you can’t find free wifi…It’s not easy to work that way. It is stupid for people who need that information quickly.” Talbi-Lykakis said. 

With so many attendees reporting on the event, the festival should look into providing more accessible wifi. Some badges have the passport but for most press passes a password is not provided. 

Wifi costs can run from 1.50 euro for 30 minutes of usage up to nearly 100 euro for Palais wifi access during the duration of the festival. The best option I have found so far is 19.90 euro for a months access to Orange hotspots. Unfortunately the wifi only works in specific hotspots but for anyone who is desperate for wifi it can get the job done.

By, Cameron Lui

The Marché du Film kicked off witha brillant party atthe Majestic Beach. This year's theme was Mexico.

We enjoyed and want to share a few moments of ambianceand excellent food and company.

coming soon

Manilo Gomarasca is a film critic for nocturno.it and he has already seen a couple of interesting movies being sold in the market. 

So far he has seen “Martyrs,” A new Nicolas Cage movie and the third installment of “The Human Centipede.”

He suggests staying away from the first two. “Martyrs” sounded as if it was a bit of a disappointment and Nicolas Cage did not put his best put forward according to Gomarasca.

“He is really good at drama and action movies but this one, eh, it was not his cup of tea I think,” Gomarasca said. 

However, “The Human Centipede 3” seems like it holds a bit interest with a  new gimmick to make an already disturbing series even more twisted. 

“You have to wait to the end because that’s when they make the biggest human centipede you can imagine with all of the prisoners and, uh, its disgusting.

During the festival here in Cannes, there is a whole other world outside of the screenings. However, this world is only accessible to those with a badge. A winding line is always present outside the palais and market but on the first day, my cinephile badge (one that allows me to go to certain film screenings) did not allow me to get in. I soon found out just how many different kinds and levels of badges there were. Black, yellow, blue, white, and others but what really is the discrepancy between all of them? No one seems to know.

What I do know however is that with my new badge I now have access to the marketplace which is a massive complex that truthfully comes across as a maze. However, I do not have the magical gift of wifi unlike many of the other badges yet still am able to walk around and chat with everyone. The ambiance inside is very social, meetings being held left and right as companies attempt to give their best pitch. This is the side of the film festival that most people do not get to see, in fact much more goes on inside the secured walls than on the red carpet.

It may be strange to some but there is a sense of power that comes along with wearing a simple lanyard with your name and picture on a plastic card. Nevertheless, my power is no match for the ubiquitous big boys in grey suits.

By: James Cullen

One of the most talked about films of the festival is Woody Allen’s “Irrational Man” starring Jamie Blackley, Joaquin Phoenix, and Emma Stone. The mystery drama which is scheduled to release July 17th, 2015 tells a story of philosophy professor Abe Lucas (Joaquin Phoenix) that finds a new sense of meaning to his life after entering a relationship with one of his students (Emma Stone).

At the crowded press conference today, the elegant Stone was asked about working with Woody Allen and the process that goes along with it. “There’s not a lot of rehearsal - not a table read at the beginning, you find your rhythm and tone as the movie goes on. It happens very quickly...there’s really no overthinking.”

In regards to the context of the film, Allen responded to several questions about the depth of the character’s choices. “If you look at, you know people, they need something to believe in their lives and to choose whether life is going to be meaningful for you or meaningless...and they make an irrational choice." This is Allen’s 10th time in Cannes and as usual, it is screening out of competition due to him generally shying away from awards.

By: James Cullen

Photo Credit: The Wrap